Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

The wolf barely had time to flinch before Lupin's jaws clamped down on its throat, pinning it effortlessly. A sharp yelp escaped the creature, its fate sealed. At that exact moment, Jasmine's arrow flew, piercing the wolf's body with precision.

"Bingo!" Jasmine grinned, lowering her bow triumphantly.

But the excitement flickered, dimming slightly.

"Tsk, no loot again," she muttered, frustration creeping into her tone. "How did Fateless get so much loot before? His luck is something else."

She sighed, shaking her head, when suddenly—

Lupin's ears perked.

His sharp eyes darted past Jasmine, focusing on something behind her. Without warning, the wolf sprang forward, a blur of silver fur.

Jasmine's instincts flared thinking that Lupin had spotted an enemy nearby.

She spun around Immediately, her bow raised, and her fingers already pulling the string taut.

Her eyes scanned the area, adrenaline still rushing through her veins.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Standing there, barely a few paces away, was a familiar figure with a calm, and composed expression, his dark attire blending with the forest shadows.

Arthur.

"Fateless?" she breathed, her eyes wide with surprise.

Her bowstring slackened, as she lowered her weapon.

Lupin, now beside Arthur, sat obediently, his tongue lolling out as if pleased with himself for reuniting them.

Arthur's lips curled into a subtle smile.

"Miss me?"

Jasmine blinked, still processing his sudden appearance before a grin broke across her face.

"You are back from the city so quickly? How?" she asked, half incredulous, half amused.

Arthur chuckled softly, the sound low and brief.

"I got my ways," he replied simply, his eyes flickering toward Lupin. "Looks like you two have been busy."

"Yes!" Jasmine beamed, the excitement radiating from her. "Leveling up is so fun. I've already hit level 7, and it's only been a few days! I can't wait to keep going."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"You do know that Lupin won't stay with you forever, right?"

Jasmine's smile faltered.

"He'll only be with you until you reach level 10," Arthur continued his tone calm. "After that, you're on your own. You need to start becoming more independent. Make Lupin your guard, your backup. When things go wrong, he can step in. But don't rely on him completely. If you do, you're only shooting yourself in the foot."

Jasmine's shoulders slumped slightly, Arthur's words made sense, she had indeed been relying on Lupin entirely.

"I know," she muttered softly.

Arthur sighed, stepping closer. His hand ruffled Lupin's fur, the beast leaning into his touch. Then, his gaze softened as he looked at Jasmine.

"Don't be too upset," he said gently. "This is for your own benefit. You don't need to be a master in combat—you're a healer. But you should learn how to protect yourself when no one else can."

Jasmine nodded slowly, her excitement replaced by quiet determination. She knew he was right, even if it stung.

"You're right," she admitted.

Arthur gave her a rare, reassuring smile. "Good."

A moment of silence passed between them, broken only by the rustling leaves and distant calls of wildlife. Then, Jasmine tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"So… why did you come back so early?" she asked. "I thought you'd leave and not show up for at least a few months."

Arthur chuckled softly, his fingers still brushing through Lupin's fur.

"I had some stuff to do at the village," he replied.

Jasmine raised an eyebrow, but she didn't press. She wasn't close enough to Arthur to know his struggles or issues he has, and it was kind of from Arthur to lend her his summon for no apparent return.

"Thank you." She told him catching him off guard.

Arthur nodded.

"You are welcome,"

...

After chatting with Jasmine for a few minutes, Arthur turned and headed deeper into the forest.

He wasn't here to hunt or explore.

He was here to meet someone.

The path grew darker as the towering trees thickened, their branches entwined like a protective barrier from the outside world.

Then, as he reached a secluded clearing and there he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against a large tree.
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Gates.

Gates wasn't just anyone—he was the owner of Soft-Micro, a tech giant worth trillions. A man whose influence reached into every corner of the digital world, both real and virtual. To many, he was untouchable. But to Arthur, he was something else.

A partner.

Their relationship wasn't one of friendship but mutual benefit.

Arthur supplied him with rare items from Armageddon, and in return, Gates provided him with invaluable information—secrets that even the most powerful organizations struggled to uncover.

It was Gates who had leaked the earth-shattering news that the world of Armageddon would merge with reality. Gates who had exposed the military's plans, that gave Arthur an upper hand.

Arthur knew one thing for certain. Gates had no allegiance to the military.

That made him trustworthy. At least, for now.

Arthur stepped into the clearing, his expression neutral but eyes sharp. Gates pushed himself off the tree, his smirk widening slightly.

"Fateless," Gates greeted smoothly, his voice like silk. "Punctual as always."

Arthur nodded, his guard never fully lowered. "Gates."

He did not wear his mask, no false identities this time. Gates wasn't a threat—At least not yet.

The conversation between Arthur and Gates drifted to an end.

The forest around them seemed quieter now as the two figures faced each other.

Gates was the first to break the silence. "Do you have any new items?"

Arthur, unfazed, gave a slight nod. "What do you need?"

"Anything above rare?" Gates asked though it wasn't really a question. He expected Arthur to deliver.

Arthur's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Of course."

"I want as many very rare items as you can spare," Gates replied smoothly, his tone casual, but Arthur could see the flicker of greed beneath the surface. Even someone like Gates—powerful, wealthy, and connected—couldn't resist the allure of high-grade items from Armageddon.

Without a word, Arthur reached into his inventory.

One by one, he pulled out a spear, a sword, and a shield—each glowing faintly with the aura of very rare-grade equipment.