Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons - Chapter 231

Chapter 231: The loyal warriors
“I know you won’t.” Arthur patted the dragon’s snout. “Go. Have fun.”

Aether shot into the sky with a joyful loop before disappearing. Aether had also changed his size to become smaller and harder to see.

Arthur turned toward the village, his mind shifting back to business. The goblin king’s message—the village chief needed to speak with him.

‘It seems like the warriors are ready,’ he thought.

The guards at the gate recognized him immediately.

“Swordmaster! Welcome back.”

“The chief is waiting for you.”

Arthur entered the office and closed the door behind him.

“Protector, how have you been doing?” Charles asked, standing to show respect.

Arthur nodded. “I’ve been doing well. What about you?”

“I’m great, Protector!” Charles beamed.

“Ever since I met you, everything has been going well. I’ve already done as you instructed me. I’ve gathered the warriors with the highest potential and unwavering loyalty. They’re currently training inside the grounds. I can call them for you to inspect.”

“Call them,” Arthur said.

Charles immediately opened the door, calling to a guard outside.

“Bring them. Now.”

The guard saluted and rushed off. Charles turned back to Arthur, a hint of pride in his eyes.

“I found twenty candidates, as requested. You can select the fifteen you prefer.”

“Criteria used?”

“Combat potential and…loyalty to the village and its protector, ” Charles lowered his voice.

Arthur nodded approvingly. “Good.”

While they waited, Arthur moved to the window. The village had changed since his first arrival—more organized, better defended, prosperity showing in new buildings and busy markets.

It was his territory.

His foundation.

Outside, players gathered as guards led twenty warriors toward the chief’s office.

“What’s happening?” a player asked, setting down his wares.

“Why are all the strong inhabitants being summoned?” another wondered.

A woman pointed to the chief’s building. “The Swordmaster arrived earlier. Must be related.”

Among the curious onlookers, a man watched with particular intensity.

He was one of Adam’s spies, he catalogued each face in the procession.

‘Those are one of the Elite fighters… village’s strongest… all gathered for the Swordmaster.’

He slipped away from the crowd, finding a quiet alley.

‘Lieutenant needs to know this immediately.’

Mercer closed his eyes, activating his logout sequence. His body dissolved into blue particles, leaving nothing behind.

Back in the chief’s office, a knock announced the warriors’ arrival.

“Enter,” Charles called.

They filed in—men and women of various ages, all bearing the hardened look of experienced fighters.

They were all inhabitants of the village, and no player was involved.

Arthur studied them for a few seconds.

A young woman with a bow.

A grizzled man with an axe.

Twins wielding matching blades.

“Step forward when I call your name,” Charles instructed. “Jasmine.”

The healer Arthur had been training stepped out, meeting his gaze with a soft smile.

“Cain and Able.”

The twins moved in perfect sync.

One by one, Charles introduced them. Twenty warriors. Twenty potential elites.

But Arthur would only choose fifteen.

“You’ve all been selected for a special opportunity,” Arthur finally spoke. “The village faces threats both known and unknown. I need warriors who can rise above ordinary limitations.”

He began to circle them, observing reactions, and testing pressure.

“The training will be brutal. Some of you will fail. Some may even die.”

A few flinched.

‘Good. Fear was honest.’ He thought.

“Those who succeed will become something new. Something powerful. Something necessary.”

Arthur paced slowly along the line of twenty warriors, eyes scanning each face. After thorough assessment, he couldn’t narrow it to just fifteen. Sixteen would have to do.

“Jasmine,” he called first.

The healer stepped forward, chin high. Arthur had been watching her progress, remarkable even with Lupin’s assistance.

“Cain and Abel.”

The twins moved in perfect synchronization, identical grins spreading across their young faces. B-Rank talents, both of them. Exceptional for their age. Arthur knew their youth made them ideal candidates—easier to build loyalty, easier to train. Their eager eyes followed his every movement.

“Theodore.”

A broad-shouldered man with a weathered face stepped forward. C-Rank talent, but his War Cry ability was what Arthur wanted.

The 5% boost to speed, stamina, and strength wasn’t the selling point—it was the 50% morale increase that made him valuable.

Perfect for keeping the team cohesive, especially the younger members.

Theodore would make an excellent squad leader despite his average combat ability. The natural leadership granted by his talent would serve Arthur’s purposes perfectly.

One by one, Arthur called the remaining twelve—all C-Rank warriors with solid fundamentals.

Nothing flashy, but reliable and trainable.

‘They’ll do,’ Arthur thought. ‘C-Rank is still considered a genius, they would be able to enter the Academy of Mera with proper training, and good skills. They’re far from pushovers. I can build more teams later.’

“What exactly will we be doing, sir?” Theodore asked, voice steady.

“Evolving,” Arthur replied. “The village needs defenders capable of handling threats beyond ordinary understanding.”

Jasmine’s eyes lit with understanding.

“Will we be hunting?” Abel asked excitedly.

“You’ll be hunted first,” Arthur said. “Those who survive the first three days continue training.”

A ripple of unease passed through them.

“Any who wish to withdraw may do so now,” Arthur offered. “No shame will come to you.”

None moved, but Arthur needed certainty. These warriors would face trials beyond their imagination.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

“I will say this one last time. This is the only chance you have to withdraw.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Arthur’s presence expanded, filling the space with intense pressure.

“You will not be able to withdraw after this. If you don’t have a goal, a purpose to get stronger, to protect your family and this village, then you will not survive what comes next.”

His eyes moved from face to face, lingering just long enough to convey the gravity of his words.

“The mountain does not forgive weakness. The trials do not accept excuses. Those who hesitate…” He let the sentence hang, implications clear without being explicit. “I hope I’m making the consequences perfectly clear.”

Jasmine smiled as she stood firm.

The twins glanced at each other, a silent communication passing between them before they straightened their shoulders.

Theodore’s jaw tightened with resolve.