Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Neko's head popped out from Arthur's pocket, fur bristling.

"No way-nya. I want to sleep. You are too energetic-nya."

Arthur smiled wryly at their interaction. "Another time, Aether."

The dragon's dejection was almost comical, his massive body somehow looking like a disappointed puppy.

"I have someone else to accompany you, though," Arthur added, an idea clicking into place.

Aether perked up instantly. "Who?"

Arthur concentrated, activating his summoning ability. A dark portal opened in the air beside them.

Two hawks shot through. Hank and Skyla circled once before landing on Arthur's shoulder.

Hank's mental voice carried its usual mix of pride and eagerness. 'Master called us!'

Skyla was more reserved, but Arthur could sense her pleasure at being summoned. 'We are ready to serve.'

"I want you two to keep Aether company, and become friends while I handle business in the city," Arthur explained.

The hawks studied the massive dragon with obvious surprise.

'It's... big,' Hank observed.

'Very observant, dear,' Skyla's mental tone was dry.

Aether bounced excitedly. "Bird friends! Can you fly fast? I can fly SUPER fast!"

The hawks ruffled their feathers, insulted by the question.

'We are the swiftest hunters of the sky!' Hank declared.

'Though perhaps not as swift as a... dragon,' Skyla admitted with reluctance.

Arthur had chosen well. All three were flyers, all three were outgoing in their own ways.

"Stay within the forest boundaries," Arthur instructed. "No approaching the village, no approaching the mountain door."

"Yes, Master!" Aether agreed readily.

'We will ensure compliance,' Skyla promised.

'And have fun!' Hank added, bobbing up and down.

The hawks launched from their perch, circling Aether's head.

'Follow us, dragon-kin!' Hank called.

Aether's entire body wiggled with excitement. "New friends!"

As the three took flight, two small hawks flanking a small dragon, Arthur couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the sight.

With them occupied, he could focus on his next task.

'Since Gates is finally in the city, it's time to speed some things up,' Arthur thought.

He pulled out a city teleportation scroll from his inventory. With a flick of his wrist, he activated it.

Blue light engulfed him. The forest vanished.

Arthur materialized inside his guild hall, its transformed architecture even more impressive in the moonlight filtering through glass windows.

Without wasting a moment, Arthur sent Gates the guild coordinates through Armageddon's messaging system.

The response came instantly: "I will be there shortly."

Ten minutes later, a knock echoed through the hall.

Arthur opened the door to find Gates.

"Impressive building," Gates said by way of greeting.

Arthur ushered him inside. "It needs to be,"

The door sealed behind them.

The guild hall's interior was impressive—not ostentatious, but functional and clearly expensive. Polished wood, strategically placed lighting, comfortable furnishings that spoke of taste rather than excess.

Arthur led Gates to the meeting floor, a circular chamber with a round table at its center. They took seats across from each other.

"Welcome to the city," Arthur said. "It took quite long, huh?"

Gates nodded, adjusting his scholar's robes.

"I had some issues in the real world. Leveling up isn't the problem." He sighed. "The military has been pressing my company, but I've been trying to delay while also being responsive. It's a hassle."

"Playing both sides is always complicated," Arthur agreed.

"I assume you read the notification, right?"

Gates nodded.

When entering a guild's building, players received a notification stating they had entered a guild's premises. Power's notification would have been... enlightening.

"Join my guild," Arthur said directly. "And you won't regret it."

Gates raised an eyebrow. "Fateless, you're giving me too many benefits. I'm afraid I won't be able to repay you at all."

Arthur smiled. "Enough with the pleasant talk."

They spent the next few minutes exchanging information.

When they'd covered the essentials, Arthur opened his guild menu and sent Gates an invitation.

The older man accepted without hesitation.

[Gates has joined Power]

The notification appeared before them both. But for Gates, something else happened. His eyes widened as he absorbed the guild's benefits—information only visible to members.

Arthur glanced at Gates's jaw, which still hadn't closed since he checked the guild advantages.

"Do all guilds get such benefits?" Gates finally managed.

Arthur shook his head. "Mine is the only one. I received it as a reward for a... good discovery."

Gates nodded as he gulped, still processing the implications.

"+10% experience gain... skill sharing... Infinite storage..." he muttered. "This is too powerful. Just what did you discover."

Gates leaned forward. "Can I invite my subordinates to join?"

"Go ahead, as long as you know they're loyal."

"Of course," Gates nodded. "That's a given."

They both understood what was at stake.

In three weeks, the game and reality would merge in ways few people truly comprehended. When that happened, Power Guild wouldn't just be a game faction, it would be a real-world power base.

"The king has granted me a probationary council seat," Arthur mentioned. "And the princess has joined our guild."

Gates nearly choked. "The princess? Royal involvement isn't meant to be possible, this early on."

"Things happen," Arthur replied with a shrug. "What matters is that we have a foothold."

Gates studied him for a moment. First the guild, now royal connections. The young man was consistently defying every model they'd built around this world.

"What happened with what I asked you about before? Is it sorted?" Arthur asked.

Gates nodded. "It's sorted. I'm just waiting for you."

"Alright," Arthur said. "In regards to your subordinates. Do you have anyone at the age of 14-15?"

Gates shook his head. "I don't, but my daughter is of that age."

Arthur's expression brightened. "Good. She needs to enroll in the Academy of Mera. You can't miss out on such an event."

"The Academy? What's happening there?"

"The Academy is where the future elite are trained. Future rulers, future guild leaders, future powerhouses. If you want ears in every significant organization five years from now, you plant them at the Academy today."

Gates nodded slowly, understanding dawning.