Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

"You mean this?" the Winter Beast asked with indifference, holding up a plant that perfectly matched every description Arthur had been given.

The Pyro's Lotus was unmistakable.

Blood-red petals that seemed to pulse with internal heartbeat, a core where actual flames danced without consuming the surrounding plant matter, and an aura of concentrated magical energy that spoke of epic-rank power.

Arthur's eyes widened with surprise and relief.

This was it.

Finally, after searching multiple territories and facing countless beasts, the herb that could save Charlotte's life was within reach. He had almost thought that he needed to head deeper into the Grieving Hollow to find it.

"Yes, exactly that," Arthur confirmed, his mind already shifting to negotiation mode. "What do you want to trade for—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Winter Beast casually reached up and threw the priceless herb directly into his enormous mouth.

Within a heartbeat, the herb vanished.

Gulp!

The sound of the Pyro's Lotus being swallowed echoed through the frozen domain like a death knell for Arthur's hopes.

After hours of searching, multiple territorial conquests, and countless beasts slain had just been reduced to nothing by a single, dismissive gesture.

Arthur's eyes widened with shock that quickly transformed into something far more dangerous.

"Spit it... out," Arthur spat, his voice dropping to temperatures that rivalled the supernatural cold surrounding them.

The Winter Beast's response was a smirk that revealed teeth like icicle daggers. "Or what?"

The two words carried mockery and challenge, delivered by a creature who clearly believed his abilities made him untouchable by anything Arthur could bring to bear.

Arthur's answer came with absolute certainty "...Or I will cut you open and take it."

The temperature around them seemed to drop even further as two powerful beings faced each other. One had a murderous look on his face, whilst the other had a playful smile.

The Winter Beast's laughter erupted across the frozen domain like an avalanche given voice, each thunderous note creating visible shock waves that shattered nearby ice formations and sent tremors through the ground.

The sound was both terrifying and dismissive, carrying years of accumulated arrogance that suggested he viewed Arthur's threat as nothing more than amusing posturing.

"Hahaha! Such bold words from such a small creature!" the Winter Beast roared with obvious entertainment, his massive chest heaving with mirth that made the very air vibrate. "You would cut me open? You? A mere whelp who probably hasn't even reached his first century of existence?"

The giant's amusement gradually subsided into something approaching curious interest as he studied Arthur with eyes that had witnessed the rise and fall of species. Despite his mockery, there was genuine intrigue in his gaze—this human possessed confidence that seemed wildly disproportionate to his apparent capabilities.

"Tell me, little warrior," the Winter Beast continued with the patronising tone of someone addressing a particularly entertaining child, "what name should I carve on your ice tomb after I've finished playing with you?"

Arthur made no response to the question, his expression carrying the cold look of someone whose patience had been pushed beyond reasonable limits. He had no time for chitchat or posturing. Every moment of delay increased the risk that the Winter Beast's digestive system would begin processing the Pyro's Lotus, making recovery impossible even if he successfully killed the creature.

Charlotte's life hung in the balance, and Arthur refused to waste precious seconds on conversation with a beast who had just consumed his sister's salvation.

Without warning, Arthur activated his spatial manipulation talent and teleported directly above the Winter Beast's massive head. His Chaos Katana cleared its sheath in one fluid motion as he struck downward with every ounce of enhanced strength his equipment and attributes could provide.

The pseudo-legendary blade cut through the air with such velocity that it shattered the sound barrier, creating a sonic boom that echoed across the domain like thunder.

BOOM!

The sound of the air barrier being broken reverberated through the crystallised landscape, but Arthur's eyes widened as he witnessed the Winter Beast's response to his surprise attack.

The enormous creature's hand moved with impossible speed for something of his size, palm turned upward to intercept the descending katana. From his skin erupted a piece of ice so dense and perfectly formed that it resembled a diamond rather than mere ice.

Arthur's strike landed with devastating force, the Chaos Katana's pseudo-legendary power shattering the defensive ice construct in an explosion of fragments. But the momentary delay had been sufficient for the Winter Beast to prepare his counterattack.

Multiple ice shards, each one the size of a spear and infinitely sharper, materialised from the destroyed barrier and launched themselves at Arthur with precision. The projectiles moved with high accuracy, their trajectories calculated to intercept his position regardless of evasive manoeuvres.

Arthur immediately activated his spatial manipulation again, teleporting back to his original position with a deep frown creasing his features. The brief exchange had revealed tactical information that complicated his assessment of the upcoming battle significantly.

[Winter Beast]

[Level: 26]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Details: An old entity whose existence predates that of his neighbours, the Winter Beast embraces the concept of eternal cold. His personality reflects the patience and inevitability of winter itself, slow to anger but absolutely merciless once provoked, possessing the kind of cruelty that comes from killing for too long. The creature's control over ice transcends normal elemental manipulation, allowing him to create constructs that possess properties impossible for natural frozen water. Most dangerous is his Ice Domain, in which the Winter Beasts' power increases.]

The level difference was exactly what Arthur had expected, but the issue remained.

The Winter Beast had casually deflected his surprise attack. This made Arthur more cautious than before. The Winter Beast was a legendary-rank monster with the ability to control a domain, which made him exponentially more powerful.

This wasn't going to be a simple matter of overwhelming the beast through equipment or skills alone.

Arthur's mind immediately began calculating the best approaches as he prepared for what would undoubtedly be the most challenging individual combat he had faced since entering this world.