Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Yohan hesitated, his jaw tightening before he finally nodded. "Yes. A few players started spreading rumors about you."

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, letting Yohan continue.

"They're saying you might've lied about your summons' range. That you could have more summons than you've let on and used them to wipe out the other waves of monsters before they even got close to the village."

Arthur's sharp gaze didn't waver, his expression calm but unreadable. Yohan, however, looked uneasy, as if treading on thin ice.

"At first," Yohan went on, "most players dismissed it. They said you contributed too much during the event for that to be true. Some even argued that accusing you was like biting the hand that fed them."

Arthur's lips twitched faintly at the analogy, but he still didn't speak.

"But," Yohan continued, his tone heavier, "the ones spreading the rumors countered that you only helped during the horde to throw off suspicion. That it was all a plan to make yourself look innocent."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "And now?"

Yohan sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Now, most of the players who supported you aren't so sure anymore. They're hesitant, second-guessing themselves. Nobody's openly hostile, but... they're all wary. Watching you. They won't do anything—for now—but you need to be careful."

Arthur nodded slowly, processing the information. His expression remained calm, but a faint flicker of irritation crossed his sharp eyes.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and even. "So, you're telling me all this just to cross off our bad past? Is that it?"

Yohan shook his head firmly, his tone resolute. "Yes—and no."

Arthur tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Explain."

Yohan took a deep breath, glancing briefly at John, who gave him another subtle nod of encouragement.

"We don't just want to bury the hatchet," Yohan said, his voice steady despite the tension. "We want to build something new. A bridge, if you will." He hesitated for a split second before locking eyes with Arthur. "We want to follow you."

Arthur's expression didn't change, but his sharp gaze bore into Yohan, scrutinizing him carefully.

John stepped in then, his tone quieter but no less sincere. "We've seen what you can do, Fateless. You're stronger than any of us or anyone in the village. Smarter, too. If anyone's going to lead us through through the game, it's you. We don't just believe that—we know it."

Arthur didn't respond immediately, letting the silence stretch. His piercing gaze shifted between the two men, reading every flicker of their expressions, every twitch of unease or hesitation.

Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but laced with a subtle edge. "And what makes you think I need followers?"

Yohan met Arthur's piercing stare, standing firm. "We don't."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, but Yohan continued before he could respond. "We're hoping you do. After all, you won't have time to deal with every little thing later on. We can help with that."

Behind Yohan, John and the others nodded, their expressions steady.

Arthur studied them, silent for a moment. His sharp eyes flicked from one face to another, lingering on Yohan and John. He recalled the guild token sitting in his inventory—the one he thought about using later on in the city.

A guild wasn't just about strength; it was about organization. Efficiency. And these guys? They weren't weak.

John and Yohan both had B-rank talents and while that wasn't anywhere near his own SSS talent, it was still solid. Talents like theirs could hold their own in a fight or manage small teams and handle tasks he didn't have time for. Plus, Arthur knew one thing for certain: after what he'd put them through, they wouldn't dare step out of line.

He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "Alright," he said at last. "I'll think about it."

For a second, Yohan and the others froze, as if they hadn't quite heard him. Then their faces lit up—not quite smiles, but close enough. The tension in their shoulders eased, and Yohan gave a small nod of gratitude.
Experience tales at empire

Arthur caught the flicker of relief in their eyes and smirked faintly. "Don't get too excited. I said I'll think about it, not that I've decided anything."

"Of course," Yohan said quickly, his tone humble. But the glimmer of hope in his expression didn't fade.

To him—and the others—this was progress.

Arthur didn't linger. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room. The faint creak of the door was the only sound as it shut behind him.

The inn's wooden staircase groaned under his boots as he descended. Outside, the village was just as noisy as when he'd entered.

...

Arthur approached the village chief's office with a steady gait, his sharp eyes scanning the area. Four guards stood at attention outside the entrance, their spears gleaming faintly in the afternoon light. T

hey were disciplined, their postures rigid and military-like.

As Arthur neared, one of the guards stepped forward, raising a hand to stop him. His expression was calm but firm. "Hero Fateless, we must stop you here. Despite your reputation, we cannot allow entry without stating your purpose and gaining the village chief's permission."

The guard paused, bowing his head slightly. "Do forgive us."

Arthur's lips curled into a faint smile. His 1,000 reputation points were already proving their worth. He knew full well that if he'd been any other player, the guards wouldn't have even spoken. They'd have struck first, asking questions later—something he'd seen happen more than once when beta players first entered Armageddon.

Some players were instantly killed. They were not given a chance to speak nor understand why they were attacked by the guards.

He nodded calmly, his tone steady. "I want to meet the village chief. It's about the village—and its security."

The guard hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I'll inform him immediately. Please wait here." Without another word, the guard turned sharply and headed inside.