Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons - Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Common Crackle
‘The Academy has a vast library of knowledge, maybe I could find something there. But for now, I will check the Gilderhaven Guild’

Arthur’s thought process was simple. The gilderhaven guild was a platinum guild with thousands of members. It was filled with adventurers who had traveled far and wide. So there is bound to be some quests about flying beasts

Arriving at the grand doors of Gilderhaven, Arthur stepped inside.

Arthur headed to one of the large boards, where hundreds of missions were posted. The board was cluttered with various requests.

His eyes scanned the board, searching for something specific.

‘There’s got to be one…’

He moved past hunting requests, escort missions, and alchemical supply runs, flipping through the pinned sheets until something caught his attention.

It was a mission posted by an alchemist.

Although it didn’t explicitly confirm the presence of many flying beasts, it was still worth investigating.

The request was simple—gather five Common Crackle Bird eggs.

The alchemist had provided detailed information, noting that female Crackle Birds typically lay between 1 to 7 eggs, making them relatively easy to collect. He also described the bird’s appearance to prevent mistakes.

-> The Common Crackle Bird has an iridescent purple and bronze sheen, with males displaying a glossy green or violet head and breast.

-> Their eggs are bluish-gray, speckled with dark spots.

-> Their nests are cup-shaped, woven from sticks, grass, and string, and typically found high in the trees.

Arthur’s eyes lingered on the location: Verdant Cliffside—a forested region four kilometers northeast of Caldera.

‘Even if Crackle Birds are the main focus of the mission, there’s a high chance other aerial beasts inhabit the area.’

He took the request from the board and headed to the counter.

After accepting the mission a notification rang out.

[Ding! You have Accepted the D-Level quest: Gather Five Common Crackle Eggs. Quest duration: Two days. Reward: 5 Gold Coins & Two Rare Health Potions. Failure: You will lose -50 reputation points]

Arthur’s gaze flickered over the notification.

The rewards weren’t particularly impressive—five gold coins and two rare health potions. Compared to his previous D-rank mission, which had offered ten gold coins and a rare poison vial, this seemed like a downgrade.

But the rewards weren’t why he took this mission.

With that thought, Arthur exited the guild and strode toward the Verdant Cliffside.

The city’s stone roads soon gave way to dense wilderness.

After around ten minutes, Arthur arrived at the area.

He had encountered a few beasts on the way, but none worth mentioning.

‘I’m almost Level 17. I should reach it either today or tomorrow.’ He thought, his eyes scanning the forest.

Arthur turned his gaze upward toward Hank, who was circling above the trees.

“Hank, search for any nests or flying beasts,” Arthur commanded through their telepathic link. “If you find a nest matching the one I described, let me know. Otherwise, hunt down any flying beasts you come across. If you run into something too strong, report back immediately.”

Hank let out a sharp cry before ascending even higher, his keen hawk eyes scanning the treetops.

Arthur moved northwest, carefully stepping over thick roots and patches of overgrown grass.

Then, a notification appeared.

[You have killed Level 15 Hummingbird.]

Arthur smirked.

‘Not bad. Seems like I was right to come here.’

Flying-type beasts were indeed present.

Another notification followed shortly after.

[You have killed Level 16 Hummingbird.][You have killed Level 15 Forest Eagle.]

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

‘Hank is cleaning up nicely.’

Hank was an efficient hunter, and Arthur appreciated that his summon didn’t need constant micromanaging.

Just as that thought crossed his mind—

Hank’s voice echoed in his head.

‘Master, I found something.’

“Alright, Hank, I will be there soon.”

Arthur dashed toward Hank’s location, his boots barely making a sound against the forest floor.

As he approached, he caught sight of Hank locked in a tense stare-down with a bronze-feathered bird, perched protectively beside a nest woven from twigs and dried grass.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed as sunlight glinted off the bird’s iridescent purple sheen.

“A Common Crackle. Perfect.”

Hank and the Crackle were at a standstill. The larger hawk hovered above, his wings beating slow and steady, while the Crackle stayed firm, refusing to abandon its nest.

Arthur came to a stop a few feet away, his gaze calm yet resolute.

“Sorry, buddy.”

He wasn’t heartless—he understood the Crackle’s instinct to protect its offspring. But survival in Armageddon had no room for mercy.

“Hank, attack. But do not touch the eggs until it dies.”

Hank let out a piercing shriek and shot forward like a bullet.

The Crackle reacted instantly, its wings spreading as it leapt off the branch, meeting Hank mid-air with blinding speed.

Arthur’s eyes flickered in surprise. It was fast. Faster than he expected.

“Interesting…”

The two birds clashed, talons slicing through the air. The Crackle twisted mid-flight, evading Hank’s initial attack before lunging for his exposed underbelly.

Hank, however, was too experienced.

With a powerful flap of his wings, he propelled himself upward, narrowly avoiding the Crackle’s strike before twisting in the air.

Then—he dove.

Faster than the Crackle could react, Hank’s talons raked across its wing, tearing through feathers and flesh.

The Crackle let out a sharp, agonized cry as it spiraled toward the ground.

Arthur stepped forward, watching as the bird trembled, its body barely able to support its weight. Yet, even in its dying state, it still tried to stand.

It was fighting to the very last moment.

A parent’s desperation.

Arthur exhaled, his voice steady. “Hank, finish it.”

Hank obeyed without hesitation.

With one swift, precise movement, he sank his talons into the Crackle’s throat.

The bird let out one final, broken cry before going still.

A notification rang in Arthur’s mind.

[You have killed Level 16 Common Crackle.]

Silence.

Arthur stepped toward the nest, peering inside.

Six bluish-gray eggs, speckled with dark spots, rested safely among the twigs.

He reached in carefully, collecting them one by one.

[Quest Progress: 5/5 Common Crackle Eggs collected.]

Arthur sighed, his fingers tightening slightly around the warm eggs.