Daniel spoke calmly.
He deliberately emphasized the key point: between adventurers.
The NPC shops in the nine main cities would remain unaffected. Official channels—main city shops, guild shops, and military supply offices—would continue operating normally, prices set by the system, untouchable by anyone.
But the real estate he purchased was different.
These were comrcial properties adventurers could freely operate.
Once adventurers rented or bought these shops, they could open their own stores, sell the equipnt, materials, or potions they obtained, set their own prices, and keep the profits.
This was Daniel’s true goal.
"Adventurers want to open a shop? They’ll have to rent or buy the stores I own," he said.
Seeing Alicia’s puzzled look, he continued:
"If adventurers want to buy sothing, aside from the main city shops, they’ll have to co to the stores I operate."
"My prices are lower, and the stock cos from adventurers themselves. Those who don’t want to open shops but want to liquidate their goods—those goods will eventually flow into these stores."
Alicia’s eyes widened slightly.
"So what you want to control is..."
"The capillaries of the adventurer economy," Daniel said.
"Don’t worry," he added. "I won’t touch what I shouldn’t. I won’t take a cent from main city profits. I only control the portion between adventurers."
Unless he achieved certain rits or earned a noble title, acquiring NPC-held properties would be impossible.
He picked up a contract on the table, scanning the location details.
Alicia nodded, then asked suddenly:
"How will you set the pricing? If the rent is too high, many adventurers won’t be able to afford it."
Daniel shook his head.
"The rent won’t be high—at least for ordinary adventurers."
He paused, eyes cooling slightly.
"But for the big guilds, it’s a different story."
Alicia’s eyes widened, then she understood.
"You an..."
"They’re rich, aren’t they? Big wallets, big egos?"
Daniel’s lips curved in a small smile.
"Want to open a guild shop in the main city?"
"Fine—rent is ten tis that of a regular adventurer. Want to monopolize a specific material? Sure—first check with if I approve the pricing."
What he didn’t say:
In his previous life, the big guilds had used wealth and influence to dominate the adventurer economy.
Solo players who wanted to sell sothing valuable had to undercut themselves.
And when solo players wanted to buy good items, the guilds skimd them dry.
This ti, he would let those guilds experience being throttled instead.
Alicia looked at Daniel, her expression complicated.
Honestly, if Daniel hadn’t had the Level 2 Honor dal, she wouldn’t have approved this deal.
Even though the Lord had agreed, she still had the right to reject it.
After a mont of silence, she spoke:
"Actually, what you’re doing benefits most adventurers."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"If you really keep rent low, ordinary adventurers will have the chance to open stores."
"Big guilds monopolized resources for too long. Ordinary adventurers had to sell good items cheaply."
"Now they can open their own stores, set their own prices, and keep their profits."
Daniel nodded slightly.
That was exactly his intention.
Monopoly could be used for personal gain, or for balance.
In his previous life, he had seen too many players quit the ga due to unequal resource distribution. He had seen potential solo players forced into dead ends by big guilds.
This ti, with the system in hand, he wanted to try a different approach.
Give ordinary adventurers more opportunities, prevent guilds from having total control.
After all, when a disaster arrives, the ones who step up will be every single player.
"But..." Alicia said after a pause, "the nine main cities cover an enormous area. Even if you control adventurer resources in Skyhold, with the other eight cities regulating theirs, it will be difficult to achieve exactly what you intend."
Daniel smiled calmly.
"Not hard at all."
"I’ve bought all nine main cities. Any adventurer wanting to open a shop in a main city has to go through ."
"What!"
Alicia gasped. All nine main cities... bought?
What kind of scale is this?
The total assets must be at least ten trillion gold coins!
Skyhold’s annual revenue couldn’t even reach a fraction of that. This adventurer is only level 70—where did he get this kind of capital?!
If he really has this level of backing, any major guild wanting a foothold in the main cities will have to play by his rules.
And as Skyhold’s Chief of Comrcial Managent, Alicia knew exactly what this ant for a main city.
If Daniel really builds the system he described, it would greatly stabilize and promote economic growth.
More transactions would happen here, more taxes flowing into the Lord’s Treasury, and the more prosperous the city, the greater the benefit.
It’s a win-win scenario.
Of course, the biggest winner is the man himself.
"You..." Alicia opened her mouth, unsure what to say.
Daniel stowed the contracts and turned to leave.
At the door, he paused.
"By the way, beautiful lady, if anyone from Doom Guild cos to rent a shop, give them a friendly discount, okay?"
Alicia paused, then a slight smile appeared.
"Of course!"
Daniel nodded and disappeared outside.
Next, he would need to move quickly through the remaining eight main cities, repeating the sa process.
Once he controlled all adventurer-run shops in all nine main cities, he could supply 616 World Line players with reasonably priced goods, supporting solo players while using economic ans to counterbalance big guilds.
Of course, he’d also earn a little profit along the way—it was only natural.
Night fell, and Skyhold’s lights gradually turned on.
Daniel’s figure flashed between one main city and another, one contract after another falling into his backpack.
His comrcial empire was taking root.
...
Luminara, Archer Guild.
Daniel walked into the guild hall once more.
He headed straight to the hidden instructor, Shadow Song, at the very back.
"Hello, I’m here to accept the Star Ascension Quest."
Shadow Song looked at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Pioneer of Creation, Honorary Citizen of Nine Cities... you’ve accomplished quite a lot today."
Daniel smiled.
"Not much, just handled it while passing by."
Shadow Song’s mouth twitched.
"’Passing by’? You call this passing by?"
She shook her head and handed him a scroll.
[Star Ascension Quest: Fallen Mountain God (SSS-Rank)]
[Quest Description: The Northern Mountains’ Broken Spine Range produces a variety of rare herbs, vital for alchemists and gatherers in the nine main cities. Recently, the Mountain God has gone berserk, annihilating any life entering the mountains. The most capable hero is required to subdue the Fallen Mountain God and restore the herb-producing region.]
[Quest Objective: Defeat the Fallen Mountain God and uncover the root cause of its corruption (LV75 Blackgold-grade BOSS)]
[Quest Rewards: Class Star Level 1, Attribute Points 150, Unlock a new class skill!]
Daniel read the quest description, his brows furrowing involuntarily.
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