Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

The auction proceeded smoothly, with Arthur selling all the items he had gained over the past few days. By the time he sold the last item, his earnings were substantial.

[Coins:] Gold: 285 Silver: 93 Bronze: 3

Arthur packed up his podium, his face alight with satisfaction. Around him, players lingered, eager to catch a word with the village's most prominent auctioneer.

"Are you going to participate in the event?" one of them asked.

Arthur grinned. "Of course, I shall participate in the event. After all, this isn't just some trivial raid—it's directly tied to our future as players. We can't afford to slack off, we should focus on—"

Before Arthur could finish, a commanding voice cut through the air.

"Excuse me!"

All heads turned as Lieutenant Adam strode into the plaza, his serious expression drawing the crowd's attention. Silence fell over the crowd. Arthur's brow arched slightly in surprise, though his trademark smirk remained.

The lieutenant approached Arthur's podium with purpose, sparing him a curt nod. "May I have the floor? It's important."
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Arthur took a moment to consider, eyeing the serious expression on Adam's face. Then, with a theatrical gesture, he stepped aside. "Be my guest."

Adam ascended the podium, standing tall before the crowd of players. His sharp gaze swept over them, ensuring everyone was paying attention.

"Everyone," he began, his voice firm and commanding, "I am Lieutenant Adam of the real-world military. I've come to speak to you because what we face is not just a game challenge—it's a test of our ability to survive as players and defend this village."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mixture of intrigue and concern flashing across their faces.

"Do you want to win this event?" Adam called out, his voice carrying a tone that demanded a response.

"Yes!" a few players shouted.

"Do you want to push through the Monster Horde and come out on top?" Adam pressed, his voice growing louder.

"Yes, we do!" This time, the players roared as a group, their voices echoing through the plaza.

Arthur leaned casually against a nearby wall, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "The military sure knows how to rally a crowd," he murmured to himself, a faint smile on his lips.

Adam continued, "Good. Because if we fail, it's not just our levels that will suffer—it's our future as players. Failure means falling behind not just in this game but in the opportunities that await beyond it. You all know what I'm talking about."

Some players exchanged knowing glances, whispers spreading quickly among the crowd. They knew how important being a top player was, a perfect example was Fateless. As a top player, he was able to create an auction and make hundreds of thousands of dollars easily.

They all wanted to be like him.

"We have five hours left," Adam said, his tone heavy with urgency. "Use that time wisely. Prepare. Form teams with synergy. Don't waste time-fighting amongst yourselves over petty disputes. In a horde event like this, teamwork and strategy are everything. That is the difference between surviving and being overrun."

A player in the crowd raised their hand. "But how do we coordinate when everyone's panicking and doing their own thing?"

Adam's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained firm.

"Follow those who know what they're doing. Experienced players like Fateless here—" He gestured to Arthur, who straightened up, surprised by the unexpected mention.

"—are invaluable assets. If someone has a plan, listen to it. If someone offers advice, consider it. Don't let ego cost you your life—or ours."

Arthur's expression did not change, but internally, he frowned. 'What is he trying to do? Gauge my strength? Position me as a figurehead?'

Not willing to let Adam's hidden plots succeed, Arthur stepped forward, interrupting smoothly. "You're overpraising me, Lieutenant. I'm just a good auctioneer with a bit of luck," he said with a modest shrug, his voice calm but loud enough to capture the players' attention.

"I'm not the right example to follow. Lieutenant Adam, however, is a much better choice. He's got real-world military experience, and we all know strategy is his forte. If there's anyone who should lead this event, it's him."

Arthur turned to the gathered players, gesturing toward Adam. "What do you think? Doesn't it make sense to appoint him as our leader?"

Adam's expression remained composed, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise as Arthur deftly redirected the crowd's focus. The murmur of agreement quickly swelled into a chorus of support.

"Fateless is right!" one player shouted. "Who better to lead us than someone with military experience?"

"Yeah, we need a leader who knows what they're doing, especially for something as big as this!"

"The military trains for this kind of thing. Lieutenant Adam would be perfect!"

The chatter grew louder, players nodding and clapping in agreement. A few even began to chant, "Adam for leader! Adam for leader!"

Arthur stepped back, a faint smile on his face as he watched the crowd turn their attention fully to Adam. Internally, however, he smirked with satisfaction.

'Good luck, Adam. Now you've got the spotlight and the responsibility.'

Adam raised his hands, signalling for silence. The players gradually quieted down, their expectant eyes fixed on him.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," Adam began, his tone firm but humble. "And I understand why you feel having a leader is important. But let me be clear, I'm not here to dictate or command. You're all here to play in this world your way."

The crowd murmured, but Adam continued, his voice rising slightly. "That said, if you're looking for someone to coordinate efforts, I'm willing to step up. But I'll need everyone's cooperation. This can't work unless we're unified."

"Unified under your leadership!" a voice shouted, sparking a round of cheers.

Adam glanced briefly at Arthur, his expression unreadable, before addressing the crowd again.

"Alright," he said, his tone resolute. "If that's what you want, I'll take the role of coordinator"

Arthur, standing off to the side, smirked inwardly, almost scoffing. 'Playing the reluctant hero, huh? Acting like you don't want the role, like the crowd forced you into it—it's a classic move. Makes people think you're selfless, that you've got no ulterior motives. And that, in turn, makes them trust you more.'

Adam's voice rose above the noise as he continued. "If I'm going to lead, I'll need everyone to step up. That means forming effective groups—tanks, damage dealers, support, and scouts. We'll establish defensive lines, prioritize high-value targets, and maximize contribution points for the village. However, none of this works if people act on their own. Unity is key."

"How will the groups be assigned?" a player shouted, raising their hand.

Adam nodded, acknowledging the question. "Good question. We'll assign groups based on skills, levels, and strengths. We'll also identify the strongest players to lead smaller squads. This way, we maintain efficiency and adaptability during the Monster Horde."

The crowd murmured in agreement, the players visibly relaxing as the chaos turned into structure. Some were already grouping up, whispering among themselves about their roles and strategies.

"I'll need volunteers to help organize this effort," Adam continued. His gaze fell on Arthur, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Fateless, you are very well known in the village. Will you assist in assigning roles? You've got a knack for commanding attention."

Arthur raised a brow, his smirk returning faintly. 'Ah, there it is. Trying to pull me into the fold, are you? This makes me seem like part of the system, so I can't operate on my own. Smart, but not smart enough.'

He crossed his arms, pretending to consider the request. "I'll help where I can," he said casually. "But, unfortunately, I won't be able to stay for long."

Adam's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why's that?"

Arthur shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "It's almost been 12 hours since I logged in. You know how it is—our bodies need rest in the real world. If I don't log out soon, I won't be able to participate when the event starts." He added a wry grin for good measure. "And I kind of want to be there."

Adam studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable, then gave a curt nod. "Fair enough. Prioritize yourself, but before you go, if you could assist in laying out the framework for the groups, it'd help us streamline the process."

"Of course," Arthur replied smoothly, his smirk never faltering. 'He's still trying to keep me involved, huh? Trying to make me seem indispensable while subtly making me drop my guard. Clever, but not enough to fool me.'

'Maybe if Gates hadn't told me about the military's plan, I would not have thought much about it. But now that I do, it's not so easy to fool me.'

Arthur stepped forward, addressing the crowd. "Alright, listen up, everyone! Before I head out, let's get some basics straight. If you're a tank or have a talent of that sort, form a line on the left side of the plaza. Damage dealers to the right. Supports and scouts, stand near the fountain."