Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Chapter 217: Guild Beast

"Welcome to the team."

Arthur smiled as he watched the two spiders in front of him.

The queen was on the chubby side, her swollen abdomen glistening with iridescent scales. Multiple piercing blue eyes studied Arthur with unnerving intelligence, set in a face framed by clicking mandibles.

Unlike the queen, the commander was lean and built for speed, with a darker, almost metallic carapace.

Arthur could have checked Formicia's status window, but he decided to learn directly from his summons this time around. 

"Formicia, tell me about your abilities."

The spider queen's mandibles clicked as her thoughts filtered into Arthur's mind.

'I have three abilities, master.'

Neko remained fast asleep in Arthur's pocket, her soft purring a gentle vibration against his chest.

'First, Brood Creation. I can create fifteen children.'

Arthur nodded, expecting as much from the kill notifications that had appeared before.

'One at the Epic rank.'

Arthur's eyebrows rose.

'Four at the Rare rank.'

His eyes widened.

'Ten at the Pseudo-Elite rank.'

"Fifteen combat-ready offspring?" Arthur couldn't hide his shock. Most summoning creatures could create only weak minions, if any at all.

'Second, Web Manipulation. I can create specialized webs—sticky, acidic, or reinforced for construction.'

"And the third?"

'Neurolink.' The queen's blue eyes gleamed. 'I maintain mental connection with all my children, regardless of distance. I see what they see. I know what they know.'

Arthur's mind raced with possibilities. This wasn't just a summon—it was an entire intelligence network. With fifteen high-ranked spider offspring acting as scouts and fighters, all mentally linked to their queen...

"Extraordinary," he breathed.

He glanced down at Neko, still peacefully sleeping in his pocket. The cat hadn't stirred during the conversation, completely oblivious to the strategic goldmine she'd inadvertently provided by killing the queen.

The spider queen might not be combat-oriented like his other summons, but she represented something potentially more valuable: information and numbers.

In large-scale battles, having multiple elite combatants linked through a central consciousness would provide unmatched coordination. 

"Formicia, begin creating your brood. Start with the Epic-rank child."

'Yes, master. It will take three days.'

"Perfect." Arthur turned to the commander spider. "Mandible, what are your abilities."

The commander straightened attentively.

'Master, I possess the A-Rank talent: Web Mastery.'

Arthur's interest piqued.

'This grants me three abilities,' Mandible continued.

'First: Precision Webbing. I can fire hair-thin strands with perfect accuracy to bind specific limbs or weapons without ensnaring the entire target.'

The spider demonstrated by shooting a nearly invisible strand that wrapped precisely around a small twig without disturbing the leaf beside it.

'Second: Invisible Webs. I can create nearly invisible web constructs that detect any movement through them. They serve as motion sensors across large areas.'

'Third: Fast Webbing. Unlike normal spiders, I can generate and fire webs at combat speed. I can create barriers, trip lines, or binding restraints in the midst of battle without preparation time.'

Arthur nodded with approval. Most creatures possessed static abilities, but tactical ones like these were exponentially more valuable.

"And your combat specifications?"

'Speed-oriented. I sacrifice raw power for precision and agility. I can move silently across any surface, including vertical walls and ceilings. My carapace is lighter than my mother's but offers moderate protection.'

"Excellent," Arthur said.

Neko shifted slightly in her pocket-bed, a tiny paw stretching out before tucking back in.

Arthur adjusted his cloak to keep her comfortable.

Arthur checked mandible's status to see the skills ranks.

[Race:] Arachnid

[ID:] Mandible (Epic-Boss)

[Level:] 18

[Talent:] Web Mastery (A)

[Health Points:] 170

[Mana Points:] 260

[Magical Damage:] 26

[Physical Damage:] 21

[Damage Resistance:] 17

[Attributes:] Strength 21, Agility 35, Vitality 17, Intelligence 26

[Skills:] Fast Webbing (Epic), Invisible Webs (Very Rare), Precision Webbing (Very Rare)

[Attribute Points:] 0

[Skill Points:] 0​​​​​​​​​​​

"Two rare skills and one epic skill. Not bad. You are quite strong, Mandible."

'Thank you master..'

Arthur then checked the queen's status.

[Race:] Arachnid

[ID:] Formicia (Superior-Boss)

[Level:] 18

[Talent:] Progeny (S)

[Health Points:] 300

[Mana Points:] 360

[Magical Damage:] 36

[Physical Damage:] 20

[Damage Resistance:] 30

[Attributes:] Strength 20, Agility 19, Vitality 30, Intelligence 36

[Skills:] Brood Creation (Superior), Web Manipulation (Epic), Colony Mind (Very Rare)

[Attribute Points:] 0

[Skill Points:] 0

Seeing the queen's status, Arthur nodded in approval. A superior rank skill was nothing to scoff at.

As he was thinking.

'Guild Beast!'

His eyes widened.

Guild Beasts were creatures subdued and employed by guilds, primarily to protect headquarters.

More importantly, they served as status symbols. The stronger the beast, the higher prestige the guild commanded.

'She'd be a perfect addition to the guild. Her children would classify as part of it too, so I can register her and keep her inside the city!'

The possibilities were endless. A Superior-Boss spider queen with fifteen offspring, all legally residing in the city under guild protection. 

"Formicia. You're coming with me to the city. I'm registering you as my official Guild Beast. "

The queen's blue eyes gleamed with confusion.

'It would be my honor, master.'

Although Formicia didn't quite understand what being a guild beast meant. She followed Arthur's arrangement.

Arthur nodded, heading toward the path leading to Caldera City.

The towering walls of Caldera City came into view, gleaming white stone catching the afternoon sun.

Even though it was still mid-day, the guards patrolled the ramparts, ready for any signs of danger.

As they approached the main gate, many heads turned.

Travelers backed away, merchants abandoned their carts, and even the guards stiffened at the sight in front of them.

The cause of the commotion was obvious—a massive spider with glittering blue eyes followed directly behind Arthur.

"Halt!" A guard thrust his palm forward as two armored men stepped to block the path. "Stay right there!"

Arthur stopped, his expression calm despite the half-dozen bows, and spears now aimed in his direction.

The lead guard swallowed hard, eyes fixed on Formicia. "Is that... your beast?"

"She is," Arthur confirmed.

"Did you summon it?" The guard's hand hadn't left his sword hilt.

"No. She was pre-tamed by my father, who gave her to me as a gift."

The guard nodded slowly. This wasn't unheard of—beasts were often gifted to increase one's strength or serve as protection. Still, most gifts weren't eight-legged nightmares the size of a wagon.

"I haven't seen this beast before. It's not registered, I'm assuming."

"No, it isn't."

The guard sighed. "Then you'll need to go through registration. Can't have unregistered beasts in the city, especially one..." he gestured vaguely at Formicia's imposing form, "...like this."

A crowd had formed at a safe distance, whispering and pointing.

"Is that an Epic-ranked monster?"

"Has to be! Look at the size!"

"How's he controlling it? He looks so young"

A merchant clutching his ledger tried to squeeze past. "Excuse me, but I have deliveries that—" He caught sight of Formicia and went pale. "I'll come back tomorrow!"

The guard pointed to a side gate. "Beast Registration Office is through there. Officer Trent handles the paperwork and testing."

"Testing?" a woman waiting in line asked nervously. "What kind of testing?"

"Standard procedure, ma'am," the guard replied. "Obedience trials, aggression assessment, command responsiveness. Can't have wild beasts running around the city."

Arthur nodded. "Lead the way."

As they moved toward the side gate, the crowd parted like water.

"Bet that thing costs a fortune to feed," a teenager whispered.

"Imagine she eats him when she gets hungry, scary!" his friend replied with a shudder.

The side gate opened to a large courtyard. Signs directed visitors to various administrative offices—one for weapon registration, another for spell permits, and a third with a weathered sign: "BEAST REGISTRY AND CERTIFICATION."

Inside, a bald man with spectacles looked up from his desk, then promptly dropped his quill.

"Oh...God..." he whispered.

"Officer Trent?" Arthur asked. "I'm here to register my beast."

Trent gaped at Formicia, who waited patiently in the doorway, too large to enter the office.

"That's... that's not a beast, young man. That's a superior-ranked monster!"

"Is there a problem?" Arthur asked innocently.

Trent fumbled for a reference book, flipping pages frantically. "We don't typically... I mean, beasts of this caliber usually..."

"Is there a law against registering superior-ranked creatures?" Arthur pressed.

"No, but..." Trent found the page he was looking for. "There's a special process. Increased fees. Additional testing."

Arthur produced a pouch of gold coins. "I'm prepared to pay."

Trent's eyes darted between the gold, the spider, and Arthur. Finally, he sighed. "Very well. Follow me to the testing arena."

The "arena" turned out to be a walled courtyard behind the registry office. Practice dummies lined one wall, while another held various obstacles and markers.

A small crowd of registry officials and curious onlookers had already gathered, word spreading fast about the unusual registration.

"First test," Trent announced, retrieving a clipboard. "Basic command responsiveness. The beast must demonstrate obedience to simple instructions."

Arthur nodded to Formicia. "Sit."

The massive spider lowered her abdomen to the ground.

"Raise your front legs."

Two hairy appendages lifted in perfect unison.

Trent made a note. "Good. Now, move to that red marker without damaging any obstacles."

The course between Formicia and the marker was cluttered with pottery, wooden barriers, and hanging bells—a test of precision.

Formicia navigated it flawlessly, her massive form somehow squeezing between pots without disturbing a single one.

A murmur ran through the people working.

"That's not normal," someone whispered.

"Intelligence test," Trent continued, looking increasingly impressed. "The beast must demonstrate problem-solving abilities appropriate to its rank."

He produced three covered baskets and placed a piece of meat under one. After shuffling them around, he stepped back. "Find the meat."