Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

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"I want you to speed up the training with our current combatants. We need them ready to start exploring the forest. I want the first fifty kilometers designated as a safe zone—no monster breeding grounds, no ambush points."

He traced a circle on Charles's map.

"This entire area needs to be secured. We push outward until we reach the regions where demons are establishing footholds."

Charles stared at him in shock.

"You're planning to expand already?" He shook his head. "Protector, we'd need our combatants at level 15 minimum to clear that fifty-kilometer range. And it will take time—not many will reach that level anytime soon."

Arthur's eyes narrowed, as he started looking for a solution to the problem.

"Bring me ten people," he said suddenly. "The ten with highest potential in the entire village. Ensure their loyalty is absolute. I'll personally oversee their power development."

Charles's eyebrows shot up. The Protector offering direct training? That was unprecedented.

"I'll definitely do that," Charles said, unable to hide his excitement. "I'll have them ready as soon as possible. I'll inform the goblin king so you're properly notified."

Arthur nodded and turned to leave, his mask already back in place.

"Protector—" Charles called out. "I'm sorry, but I have a question."

Arthur paused at the door, before turning back.

"What is it?"

"That legendary dragon," Charles said, voice filled with awe. "Will it stay in the village?" The thought of having such a powerful creature as permanent protection made his heart race.

Arthur laughed softly.

"Legendary dragon, huh?"

He shook his head. "No, it won't stay in the village."

Charles's face fell.

"But don't worry," Arthur continued. "When you need it, just inform the goblin king. I'll send it immediately."

Charles nodded vigorously, relief washing over him. With the Protector, the drake, and now ten elite warriors about to receive special training, the village's future seemed brighter than ever.

After sorting out the issues with Charles, Arthur stepped out of the mayor's building. Sunlight hit his face as he scanned the bustling village square.

Players were still discussing the duel, voices animated as they recreated his impossible moves with exaggerated gestures.

Suddenly, Lupin's voice cut into his mind.

'Master, the woman Jasmine has reached level 10.'

Arthur's lips curved into a slight smile. Right on schedule. He'd instructed Lupin to monitor her progress.

'Where are you now?' he sent back.

The reply came instantly. 'Eastern forest, near the twin boulders.'

'Perfect. That wasn't far.' Arthur thought.

Arthur adjusted his cloak and slipped through the crowd, nodding at players who recognized his Swordmaster persona. The reverent looks they gave him would be useful in the days to come.

"Swordmaster! That duel was incredible!"

"Can you show me that counter technique sometime?"

"Are you planning on establishing a team, I would be the first to join!"

He answered each question with just enough information to satisfy them.

As he approached the village gates, he spotted Yohan and John's group gathering supplies from the merchants. Their levels had improved since he'd last seen them.

'They'd be good additions to the guild,' Arthur thought. 'But I'll wait until they reach the city before approaching them. They wanted to follow me anyway...'

As he left the forest, Arthur sped up, his senses picking up the subtle signs of pursuit. Footsteps too careful, branches moved intentionally, the occasional sharp intake of breath.

'I can't kill them yet, otherwise my identity as Fateless will appear to them. And I don't have any guards with me, so all I could do is lose them,' Arthur thought.

He cut left suddenly, leaping over a fallen log and weaving between dense underbrush. A series of sharp turns and doubling back.

Behind him, his pursuer struggled to keep pace.

Mason cursed as he lost sight of the Swordmaster. His lungs burned, legs trembling with exhaustion.

"Damn it!" he hissed, stopping to catch his breath. "How is he so fast?"

He'd been following at what he thought was a safe distance, careful to stay downwind. But somehow, the hooded figure had sensed him anyway.

Mason leaned against a tree, sweat pouring down his face. Lieutenant Adam's orders had been clear.

Track the Swordmaster, learn his patterns, report back.

 Don't engage.

But no one had mentioned that the man moved like a ghost.

"Lost him again," he muttered into his communication stone. "He's... he's not normal. Enhanced perception skills maybe? Or some rare class ability?"

The stone remained silent. Adam couldn't respond from his cell.

Mason punched the tree in frustration. This was his chance to redeem himself after the rebellion fiasco, and he was failing miserably.

"One more try," he decided, pushing off from the tree.

He turned—and found nothing but empty forest stretching in all directions. No footprints. No broken twigs. No sign the Swordmaster had ever been there at all.

Like chasing a shadow.

"Impossible," Mason whispered.

...

Arthur crested the ridge, spotting Jasmine and Lupin in the clearing below. His eyebrows rose slightly.

This wasn't what he'd expected.

Last time, Jasmine had hung back, letting Lupin do the heavy lifting while she swooped in for kill steals. Now? Everything had changed.

Jasmine stood in the center of the clearing, bow drawn, her stance low and balanced. Three wolf corpses already lay scattered around her. Two more circled, their gray fur bristling, yellow eyes tracking her movements.

Lupin, sat watching from the edge of the clearing, evaluating her performance.

The larger wolf lunged suddenly, jaws snapping.

Jasmine didn't panic. She sidestepped, fluid as water, and in one smooth motion nocked an arrow and released.

THWIP!

The arrow punched through the wolf's eye. It dropped instantly.

"Not bad," Arthur muttered.

The second wolf attacked from behind, sensing an opening.

Without turning, Jasmine dropped to one knee, letting the beast sail over her. Her hand moved in a blur—draw, nock, release.

THWIP!

The arrow caught the wolf mid-air, piercing its throat. It crashed into the underbrush, thrashing briefly before going still.

"Not bad." He muttered.

Check it out. Im sure you will like it.