Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons - Chapter 326

Chapter 326: Inheritance (2)
Inheritance…

Arthur’s eyes sharpened with interest.

Protector inheritances were invaluable, containing knowledge, power, and possibly legendary items just like the knight.

The Knight gave me Chaos. What did Village #419’s protector leave behind?

“To be honest…I wasn’t sure if you were truly a protector or someone trying to take advantage of a stolen protector badge,” Richards continued. “But after seeing you in the plaza, your power, your conviction, how you were truly willing to help…”

His voice grew stronger.

“I wanted to tell you.”

Trust earned through demonstration. The most reliable kind.

“Do you know what the inheritance contains?”

The mayor shook his head.

“I don’t know the specifics. But throughout the generations, nobody we selected has been able to gain entrance to it. Perhaps… you—”

“Lead me to it.”

Richards nodded and led Arthur from the office through winding corridors toward the village’s Western district. They passed empty buildings and abandoned defensive positions—evidence of the failure that had brought Village #419 to the brink of collapse.

Their destination appeared beyond the residential quarter, a tree so massive it made Arthur raise his eyebrow.

I’ve never seen such a massive tree anywhere near our village, there is definitely an inheritance here.

Its bark rose hundreds of feet into the sky, branches spreading wide enough to shelter entire neighbourhoods.

“The Tree of Life.”

“This is what it’s been known as in the village since the time of our forefathers,” Richards explained, awe evident in his voice.

Arthur studied the large tree with interest.

The mayor approached a specific section of the trunk where the bark formed a small square pattern. He began speaking in ancient syllables.

“Vel’tar neth korvain, sil’thara mor ethaine, qua’dun vel mor kethul’ras.”

A small aperture opened in the tree’s surface, more specifically, the small square pattern. Something within the hollow scanned both visitors with invisible energy..

It’s prying on me. This should be some sort of assessment of testing worthiness.

A squeaky voice emerged from the opening, childlike but powerful.

“Access Denied.”

“Is that it? No reason? No explanation?” Arthur asked.

The mayor nodded, shaking his head in confusion before saying, “H-How? If anyone should meet the criteria to enter, it would be you, protector.”

Arthur frowned before withdrawing his protector’s badge from his inventory.

Perhaps this will provide some necessary credentials to gain some insight on the inheritance.

“Recite the invocation again.”

Richards nodded and began the mystical chant anew.

“Vel’tar neth korvain, sil’thara mor ethaine, qua’dun vel mor kethul’ras.”

The aperture opened once more, but this time it remained stable instead of snapping shut immediately.

“Hello, Inheritance Guardian, I assume?” Arthur spoke politely.

“Hi, Protector.”

The badge carries some weight at last.

The mayor’s face brightened with relief. For the first time, the tree’s guardian had acknowledged someone’s rightful status instead of delivering a flat rejection.

“I would like to ask—why was I not allowed inside my fellow protector’s inheritance chamber?”

“Sorry, Protector. I cannot let anyone without the required talent and potential enter. It’s orders from my deceased master.”

Arthur considered this limitation.

From the way the voice was speaking, it seemed like this protector’s inheritance wasn’t the same as the Knight’s.

Perhaps the talent must complement the legacy’s intended purpose?

What was Village #419’s protector’s speciality in?

“I understand. May I know what the condition is, at least? The demons are about to emerge and attack all humans, and I’m one of the few protectors left alive—if any exist besides me. I don’t want the inheritance for myself, but I want to know the requirements so I can help find somebody who is worthy of inheriting it.”

The guardian fell silent, apparently contemplating the request.

“Healing talent. At least A-Rank.”

Healing specialisation. That narrows the field considerably. That means I wouldn’t be able to get the inheritance unless I kill somebody and extract their healing talent, which needs to be at least A-Rank, which would be difficult to find.

Arthur gave up on getting the inheritance for himself and thought about potential candidates.

Sarah Draketower didn’t possess any kind of healing talent from his knowledge. Elara didn’t either, the only one he could think of was…Jasmine.

The proclaimed princess had demonstrated healing capabilities during their brief interactions.

It’s worth investigating. She was able to heavily injure the lesser demon during the trial I put them through in the mountain, despite being at a lower level. She should have an A-Rank talent.

“Thank you. I will be back.”

Arthur smiled and activated his spatial manipulation without waiting for the mayor’s response.

Time to collect a potential inheritor.

Spacefolded, carrying him across dozens of kilometres in an instant. He appeared beside a familiar group—Jasmine with Theodore, Cain, Abel, and Lupin.

“Sorry guys, gotta take your healer away from you. I’ll be back.”

“Eh?” the twins responded in unison, confusion evident in their voices.

Theodore’s massive frame turned toward Arthur. “We’re almost there. Don’t worry about it, master.”

Jasmine stepped forward, her golden hair fluttering softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing much, I want to show you something,” Arthur extended his hand. “Ready for a short trip?”

She took his offered hand without hesitation. “Always.”

Space folded once more, carrying them back to Village #419’s mystical tree. The mayor stood exactly where Arthur had left him, staring at the now-closed aperture with hopeful anticipation.

“Jasmine, meet Mayor Richards. Richards, this is Jasmine—a healer with significant potential.”

The mayor’s eyes widened as he studied her.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Jasmine.”

“Likewise,” Jasmine responded.

“If you would be so kind,” Arthur gestured toward the tree, “we need to test whether you meet certain requirements.”

Jasmine frowned, instinctively stepping back. “What kind of requirements?”

Arthur caught the subtle tension in her posture. Jasmine had always tried to hide her powers from him.

“It’s an inheritance,” Arthur explained, “An inheritance that, if you accept it, will make your power soar by leaps and bounds.”

Her frown deepened. “What kind of inheritance?”

“A protector’s legacy. The guardian of this village left behind knowledge and abilities for someone worthy to claim.”

“But it requires A-rank healing talent, minimum.”