Ruler's Awakening: Inheritor of the SSS-Rank Dimensional Talent

Not long after, the bartender came over to bring Aaron a drink. From what he showed, it was certain that the Golden Cross's crimes went beyond what they could have imagined.

"I heard that some mages tried to challenge them. The next day, the mage was found dead with a large hole in his stomach," replied the bartender, softly.

"Is that all?" Aaron asked.

"Not only that. Groups of judges also tried to arrest members of the Golden Cross. However, they were defeated with their bodies badly injured," replied the bartender.

"Does the city guild also include it?" Aaron asked, the man in front of Aaron nodded in agreement.

Aaron was silent, occasionally gulping down the drink in his glass until it was completely empty.

The man couldn't confirm the truth of the bartender's statement, but seeing his attitude and response about the Golden Cross, there was no point in him lying.

"Have you heard of the latest case involving a mage and the Golden Cross?" Aaron asked.

The bartender agreed. He explained that he had heard news about a mage being killed by the Golden Cross on the 32nd floor of the Earth Core Tower. However, because he lived on the first floor, he couldn't confirm the truth of the gossip.

Realizing the situation that was happening to him at the moment, Aaron had no choice but to wait and not act in a hurry. Maybe he would meet one of them in an unexpected situation.

After just one drink, Aaron paid for the drinks and said goodbye. As he was about to open the door, his steps were halted when another visitor came in a group into the shop.

The man came with five of his friends, all six of whom were still in Intermediate Mage, the high mage tier for adventurers on the first floor.

"It's time for you to pay your monthly dues, Gilbert," said the leader of their gang, speaking to the man who owned the tavern.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Gilbert. But I can only pay the principal, I can't pay the interest yet," replied Gilbert.

"I don't care! If you don't want to pay in full, I'll destroy this place."

Aaron turned, seeing the dispute between them. It was best for Aaron not to interfere with Gilbert's affairs and focus on finding traces of the Golden Cross.

The door opened, and Aaron walked out regardless. Aaron's indifferent attitude caught the attention of one of the mages from the criminal gang. He came out and called Aaron.

"You? Are you new here?" the man asked.

"Yes."

The man stepped closer to Aaron and confidently raised his hands, asking Aaron for a contribution as a newcomer on the first floor.

"We are the rulers of this city. We are close to the mayor. For mages who come here for the first time, they have to pay a fee of 1000 RL," the man explained, causing Aaron to stutter.

"Pay a fee? I didn't hear that rule before entering the portal," Aaron replied.

"It's an unwritten rule, all mages know it. So, hurry up and pay," the man said, continuing to collect from Aaron.

Aaron narrowed his eyes, reluctant to pay them a penny because it was not his obligation. Aaron walked away again, leaving the man with an indifferent attitude, which actually made the man angry.

"Wait! Where are you going?" asked the man, holding Aaron's body until Aaron's attention was drawn to the man's hand holding his left shoulder.

"Take your hand off," Aaron replied firmly.

"I won't let you go until you pay the fee," the man explained.

Annoyed by their persistence, Aaron grabbed the man's hand and broke his arm, causing the man to scream and moan in pain.

His scream was heard all the way into Gilbert's drinking den. The leader of the criminal gang stepped outside after hearing the voice coming from one of his members.

He came out and saw one of his friends fall to his knees near the man in the purple patterned black shirt. Seeing his leader coming, the man walked closer while showing him his broken arm bone.

"You?! What have you done?" the man asked, pointing at Aaron.

"Your friend collected fees from me, even though the fees were not written in the portal rules!" Aaron said firmly.

"You seem to be new here. Every new mage who comes to the first floor has to pay an initial administration fee of 1000 RL," replied the man, speaking in the same way as the man before.

"Why?"

"To guarantee your safety while you are in this place," he explained.

"My safety?"

"Are you sure you can guarantee my safety?!" Aaron said firmly, somewhat saddened to see them willing to sacrifice their lives to protect him, even though their mage tier was only Intermediate Mage.

Aaron glanced around the area, people crowding around to see the dispute that was taking place on the first floor of the city center, involving a new mage with a group of the mayor's subordinates.

"Sure. We're the strongest here, no one can hurt you if you pay the fee," said the man confidently.

From all around, people seemed to hate the criminal gang. They were forced to pay a security fee even though their safety was not guaranteed by the group while on the first floor.

They did not believe that he and his group could protect the life of an entire city. This caught Aaron's attention. He could probably test their abilities to see if they were worthy of protecting the city or not.

"I will pay you 100 times your dues if you can contain this turmoil," Aaron replied.

"What turmoil?" the man asked.

Aaron brought out a purple magic ball and flew it into the city sky. Instantly, the city sky turned dark purple accompanied by a huge lightning strike, creating a thundercloud.

The people on the first floor were shocked, startled and panicked at the horrific events unfolding in the city sky. The city's extortionist group looked in the same direction, their faces turning pale.

"W-What power is that?" the man asked, anxiously.

The black cloud split open and a large purple meteor emerged, heading towards the city. People scattered to save themselves from the city center, but the extortionist group was still there, confused about what to do.

"Who are you exactly?" asked the man.

"Tell me. Can you guys protect them all?" asked Aaron.

The man's friends stepped away from the city center, not caring about their responsibilities. Now, only the man was left, facing Aaron directly.

"I ... can't."

Aaron smiled. He snapped his fingers and made the meteor disappear in the blink of an eye, the black thundercloud also disappeared and the situation became conducive as usual.

"If you can't protect them all, you better stop being a mage. You're just a problem for people."