Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Arthur tapped on Chaos's details, the katana glowing faintly in his hand. The moment the screen appeared, his sharp eyes scanned the text, but what he read made him stop dead in his tracks.

[Chaos Katana (Pseudo-Legendary)]

Arthur frowned. "Pseudo-Legendary? What does that even mean?" he muttered under his breath.

The description unraveled, revealing the story behind the blade, and his frown deepened as he continued reading.

Chaos had once been a Legendary weapon, forged in the fires of battle and drenched in the blood of countless demons. It had fought alongside its previous master, the knight Arthur had met, in their most desperate hour. Together, they had faced a demon so powerful that it had pushed both man and weapon to their limits. The katana had survived, but not without scars.

The text detailed how Chaos had been damaged in that fateful battle. Its legendary strength had been diminished, its brilliance dulled, and now it held only a fraction of its former power—an Epic-tier weapon at best. But what truly caught Arthur's attention was the next part.

Chaos still yearned.

The blade carried its own will, its own desires, and it burned with a thirst for vengeance. It longed to return to its former glory, to reclaim its legendary status, and most of all, to slaughter demons once more—just as it had in its prime.

Arthur's grip on the hilt tightened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he read the special effects of the weapon.

Chaos increased all of his attributes by 5% simply by wielding it. And for every demon it slew, it would increase those attributes by 0.1%. That bonus could stack up to a hundred times, meaning Arthur could gain a massive boost just by feeding the blade its desired prey.

But the special skill was what truly floored him.

Blood Drain.

The katana didn't just kill—it drank the blood of those it slew, using that lifeblood to slowly repair itself, inching closer to the Legendary weapon it once was.

Arthur exhaled sharply, the faint sound of Chaos humming in his hand as if reacting to his thoughts.

"A weapon that grows stronger with me. One that repairs itself through battle," Arthur muttered, his voice low but tinged with excitement. "This thing's alive in every sense of the word."

He tilted the blade slightly, the faint crimson veins along its edge glinting as though pulsing with life. Chaos seemed to resonate in his hand, its aura humming faintly, almost like a challenge.

Arthur smirked. "You're not just a weapon, are you? You're something else entirely."

The thought of wielding something so powerful—so full of potential—made his blood race. A weapon that shared his hatred for demons. A blade that could grow alongside him.

Arthur glanced at his reflection in the dark blade, the faint glow of the chamber casting eerie patterns across his face.

"Pseudo-Legendary for now, huh?" His smirk widened. "We'll see how long that lasts. With you, I'm going to carve my way straight to the top and slaughter all the demons."

The blade hummed louder, as if agreeing.

Arthur sheathed Chaos carefully, feeling its weight settle on his hip like an extension of his body. He knew this weapon wasn't just a tool—it was a partner. A living, breathing force that would grow stronger with every battle.

And as the image of Apollyon flashed in his mind, Arthur's sharp eyes gleamed with determination.

"You want revenge?" he said softly, his voice like steel. "Then let's get it. Together."

...

[Chaos Katana (Pseudo-Legendary)]
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Description: Increases all attributes by 5% while equipped. For every demon slain, the katana grants an additional 0.1% boost to all attributes (stackable up to 100 times).

Special Skill: Blood Drain – Chaos absorbs the blood of those it slays, using it to repair its damaged state and regain its former power. Each kill contributes to restoring the blade's strength, accelerating its progression back to Legendary rank.

...

Arthur's feet touched solid ground, the fresh air of the mountain rushing over him as the green glow from the tree faded behind him. His surroundings shifted quickly—no more vibrant garden and luscious greenery. Just the rugged peak of the mountain and the expanse of sky stretched endlessly above him.

But before he could fully adjust, a familiar chime rang in his ears, and a notification popped up in front of him.

[Ding! You have completed the second trial.]

[Ding! You have received the following rewards: Village Protector Insignia & +1000 Reputation.]

Arthur grinned as he read the notification. "Not bad. Guess that knight had a soft spot for me after all." He felt a small pang of satisfaction as the rewards registered in his inventory, but he was far more intrigued by the insignia.

Pulling it up, he tapped on the item to reveal its details, and as the description unfolded, Arthur's jaw nearly dropped.

[Village #420 Protector Insignia]

Description: This insignia grants its bearer complete authority over Village #420, recognizing them as its official protector. With this power, you can govern the village in all aspects, including altering its layout, managing resources and taxation, and overseeing its economic growth.

Additionally, you are able to construct and upgrade buildings within the village's boundaries. The insignia also allows you to teleport directly to the village at will, as long as you are not engaged in combat. This item symbolizes your leadership and responsibility for the village's protection and prosperity.

Arthur's eyes widened as he reread the text. "Highest authority... I'm basically the ruler of the place," he muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "I can collect taxes? Change the entire village? Build whatever I want?"

His thoughts were racing. He'd already been wondering how he'd get back to the village after leaving—whether it'd take days of traveling, or if he'd need to find some expensive teleportation scroll. But now?

"Teleport anytime I want? Seriously?" Arthur muttered, a mix of relief and excitement lighting up his sharp features. "That's... that's broken."

The worry that had been gnawing at the back of his mind since leaving the trial dissipated completely. No exhausting trek down the mountain. No ridiculous costs or convoluted routes. One thought, one command, and he could be back in Village #420 instantly.

A slow grin spread across his face as he shook his head, marvelling at the sheer convenience of the insignia. "This has to be one of the most useful items I've gotten so far," he muttered. "And on top of that, I'm the ruler now? Taxes, upgrades, total control... The village is mine."

Arthur's mind started spinning with possibilities. He could redesign the entire layout, turning it into a fortress. He could implement systems to make it stronger, and attract better NPCs and players. He could charge taxes on vendors and keep the economy flowing—all while using the funds to fuel his growth.

But amidst the excitement, one thought stood out, cutting through the swirl of possibilities like a sharp blade.

This insignia didn't just mean control over buildings and infrastructure—it meant control over people. Arthur's sharp eyes glinted as the realization settled in. Village #420 wasn't just a random outpost or a minor location. It was a starting zone, the spawning ground for thousands of players.

He'd experienced it firsthand—the steady trickle of new players arriving, wandering the streets, looking for quests, equipment, or guidance. And now? He had authority over all of it. New players, existing players—they would all fall under his jurisdiction. He could decide how resources were distributed, who had access to what, and how the village operated.

And that was just the beginning. Arthur's gaze darkened slightly as he thought further ahead.

The next wave of beta testers.

The global announcement had said there would be millions of players entering the game eventually, but they would be introduced in stages. When the next wave arrived, Village #420 would likely be one of the main spawning points again.

Thousands more would flood into the village, each one scrambling to get their bearings in this harsh new world. And standing at the centre of it all? Him.

But there was more to it.

His mind drifted back to the knight's words, the fragmented visions he'd seen during the trials. There was something about this village—something deeply significant.

The knight had seemed amused at the place being called a village, and the visions had shown it as a thriving hub before it was decimated.

Arthur's sharp eyes narrowed as he thought about the hidden trials and the seal on Apollyon.

"This place is important," he murmured, his voice tinged with curiosity. "I don't know why yet, but I'll find out."

The insignia wasn't just a symbol of power.

It was a key.

A key to uncovering this world's secrets, and the purpose of the demons that he had recently just met.

...

Arthur strode into the village, his boots crunching against the dirt road, but something felt off. The moment he passed through the gates, he could feel it—eyes following his every move.

The players in the streets didn't hide their stares, their glances filled with suspicion, and some, with thinly veiled malice.

Arthur frowned, his sharp gaze flicking over the crowd. "What's their problem?" he muttered under his breath.

His pace didn't falter, though. If they wanted to stare, let them. He had no time to waste. He'd returned to the village for one reason: to meet the village chief. The man still held some semblance of control over the place, but that would change soon. Arthur needed to set new rules—his rules—and for that, he needed to make his authority clear.

As he moved through the village, though, the tension in the air grew thicker.

Arthur's frown deepened.

Then, as he turned a corner, he spotted a familiar face—or rather, a group of familiar faces.