Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

[Your summon 'Hank' has respawned and is now available for summoning.]

A wide grin spread across his face as he read the notification with a contented sigh. "Finally, my only normal summon is back!"

He didn't hesitate, quickly starting the summoning of Hank, his loyal hawk.

Pausing for a moment, Arthur's grin widened mischievously. "Might as well bring Neko back too. Even though she's an arrogant little furball."

"Besides…" He smirked, "having a primordial beast around has its perks."

With a wave of his hand, a glowing summoning circle formed pulsating with power. Seconds later, a majestic hawk burst into existence, its wings flaring as it let out a triumphant screech.

"Hank!" Arthur exclaimed, his joy evident.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The hawk didn't waste a moment, swooping down and circling around Arthur. It landed briefly on his shoulder, pecking at him lightly before launching into the air again and repeating the attack.

"Alright, alright! I missed you too, buddy!" Arthur laughed, ducking to avoid Hank's relentless pecks, his hands raised in surrender.

Waving his hands again, another summoning circle formed. And Neko leapt gracefully into the room.

The white cat stretched lazily, her glowing golden eyes glancing at Arthur and Hank for a brief second before ignoring them.

After summoning them, Arthur headed to the forest to level up.

'I need to level up to level 5 today, I can't slack. I still have that mission that John gave me,' Arthur thought, as he walked towards the gate.

Arthur walked through the village, his summons drawing attention from all directions.

The female players nearby watched with expressions of envy and awe.

"These summons are so damn cute!!" one player squealed, her eyes sparkling.

"I know!" another chimed in, clasping her hands together. "I heard there is a summoning class you can choose later. Once I reach level 5, I will pick Summoner as my class!"

A third player, clearly frustrated, threw up her hands. "What's the point of all that cuteness? This world is dangerous! I'd rather summon a dragon or a lion. Something useful!" He smirked.

Neko paused mid-step, glanced at him lazily, then resumed her grooming. Arthur didn't even bother to respond, keeping his pace steady, but Hank ruffled his feathers as if offended.

The female players exchanged glances, their expressions morphing from awe to mild disgust as they looked at the male player who ruined the vibe for no reason.

"Ugh, this guy," one of them muttered under her breath. "He's totally that type. You know, the kind who tries to make himself look better by putting everyone else down."

"Right?" her friend added, rolling her eyes. "He probably uses the phrase 'nice guys finish last' unironically."

The player huffed, his snickering bravado deflating instantly as he realized no one was taking him seriously. "Well, whatever," he muttered, turning away. "Let's see how long he can survive with those weak, 'cute' pets."

Arthur heard the player's words but chose not to engage.

He thought to himself. 'Weak pets, huh? Neko could probably end you with one swat of her paw. But sure, keep telling yourself that. Whatever makes you sleep at night,'

...

Arriving at the forest, Arthur headed deeper inside because he didn't want to waste his time on mobs, he would rather get the higher-level monsters to level up faster.

After about an hour of entering deeper into the forest, Arthur saw the first semi-high-level monster.

'A level 4 wild boar...not bad.' Arthur thought.

He didn't rush in to kill it, instead, an idea instantly appeared in his mind.

'Borak..'

He quickly summoned Borak, the summoning circle appeared and within seconds a wild boar appeared.

Arthur did not waste time and immediately commanded Borak.

"Borak, try to take control of that wild boar."

Borak looked hesitant slightly, but he still followed the orders of Arthur and quickly activated his skill and talent.

Arthur glanced at Borak who looked hesitant but still followed his orders. Arthur then shifted his gaze and secretly glanced at the level 4 Wild Boar in front of him.

'It's a male Wild Boar, no wonder why he looked hesitant.' Arthur chuckled slightly.

After activating his [Horde Lead (Common] Skill and his [Leader (C-Rank)] Talent, Borak approached the Wild Boar that was eating a weak, tiny corroded rabbit.

Seeing Borak approached, the Wild Boar immediately got aggressive. But his aggression did not last long, as Borak let out a deep growl that seemed to shake the Wild Boar in front of him.

Arthur smirked as he observed. "Oh no, it looks like I just ruined Borak's harem-building dreams. I added a dude to his horde, heh."

Borak growled deeply, asserting dominance through a series of grunts and snorts. The Level 4 Wild Boar resisted initially, but after a tense minute, it succumbed, bowing its head.

"Good work," Arthur said. "This is going to make farming so much faster."

Arthur glanced at Borak, whose posture seemed to sag slightly as he stood beside his only horde member.

'Sorry, bud,' Arthur thought, feeling slightly bad. 'Your harem can wait. My farming can't.'

"Alright, new plan," he said, straightening up. "Lead your new... companion and go hunting. Anything you see—monsters, players... well, only if they attack you first—take them down."

He stomped a hoof, signalling his understanding. The newly subdued wild boar, now under Borak's leadership, followed obediently as the two dashed into the forest.

After seeing Borak dash, Arthur headed deeper into the forest.

"From the news I've been hearing, the next mobs I will be encountering should be the wolves. The weakest are level 4, whilst the strongest are currently unknown... or better put not talked about." Arthur muttered to himself, before heading deeper with Hank scouting ahead just in case.

...

Unbeknownst to Arthur, a group of players were trailing him.

Their movements were careful, their presence cloaked by their leader's B-Rank Talent Camouflage, which made them bypass Hank's C-Rank Talent Scout.

"Hey," one of them whispered, his voice barely audible. "He's heading really deep into the forest. That's wolves' territory, right? Even we will have a tough time if we run into a pack."