Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

The bear roared in pain but countered with a swing that sent crystalline spines flying like deadly missiles. Several embedded in the tiger's flank, causing it to yowl in rage.

Arthur watched them fight for a few seconds, calculating.

Together, they'd yield good leveling up experience—especially if he could land the killing blows on both.

Rather than engaging directly, Arthur decided to summon.

He had barely used some of his growing collection of beasts, and he wanted all his summons to gain fighting experience. He didn't want them to be the weakest in their rank; he wanted them to be the strongest.

Activating his talent, twin portals of darkness tore open on either side of him. From the first emerged the Poisonous Painted Serpent, its scales a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors that shifted with every movement. Each pattern was a warning of its deadly toxicity. Its head bore a crown-like frill that expanded as it tasted the air, forked tongue flicking out aggressively.

From the second portal came the Drake, smaller than Aetherion but still imposing. Steam rose from its nostrils as it surveyed the battle ahead, tail lashing behind it in anticipation.

The two beasts that were battling didn't seem to sense the two summons, as they were too focused on the fight. They were also far, their senses didn't reach Arthur's location.

"The tiger is yours," Arthur told the Serpent. "The bear belongs to the Drake. Don't kill the cub."

Both creatures acknowledged his commands.

"Yes, Master."

The Flamefang Tiger noticed the new arrivals first, its eyes narrowing as it reassessed the threat.

With a snarl, it abandoned its attack on the bear and charged toward the serpent. The Flamefang Tiger clearly hated third parties who tried to benefit from his work.

"Now!" Arthur commanded.

The Serpent reared up, its frill expanding to twice its previous size. Its jaws gaped unnaturally wide, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth.

"[Acid Rain]"

The Serpent spat a glowing green glob high into the air. The substance seemed to hang for a moment before expanding, breaking apart into hundreds of sizzling droplets that began to fall over a twenty-meter radius.

The tiger yowled as the first drops hit its fur, steam rising where the acid made contact. It tried to retreat, but the rain of caustic liquid covered too much ground. Each droplet burned through fur and seared flesh beneath, the proud predator's roars turning from rage to pain.

Simultaneously, the Drake spread its wings and launched itself at the Crystal-Spine Bear. The bear, still bleeding from its fight with the tiger, swung its massive paws in defense.

"[Fire Breath]!"

The Drake's chest expanded as it inhaled deeply, then expelled a torrent of crimson flames. The fire engulfed the bear's upper body, causing the crystalline spines to crack and shatter from the sudden heat.

The bear bellowed in agony, dropping to all fours and charging blindly through the flames toward its attacker. One massive paw connected with the Drake's wing, sending it spiraling into a nearby tree with a sickening crack.

"[Acid Ball],"

The Serpent, successfully drove the tiger into a corner of the clearing

The serpent's body coiled tightly, muscles contracting as it gathered its venom. With a violent motion, it launched a concentrated sphere of acid directly at the tiger's face.

The Flamefang, desperate and wounded, attempted to dodge—but the acid ball caught it squarely in its central pair of eyes. The resulting scream was almost human in its anguish as the corrosive substance ate through the delicate organs.

Half-blinded and seared by acid, the tiger lashed out in frenzy, catching the serpent with a flaming paw. The blow sent the serpent flying, its colorful scales smoking where fire had touched them.

Meanwhile, the Drake had recovered from its collision and was circling the Crystal-Spine Bear from a safe distance. The bear's movements had slowed, its fur singed black in places, several of its signature spines now just smoldering stumps.

The bear's movements had slowed, its fur singed black in places, several of its signature spines now just smoldering stumps. The cub whimpered with a plaintive "grroaah," a sound of distress that echoed through the clearing.

The large bear assessed its condition, then looked at the drake with calculating eyes. It knew the fight was unwinnable. Though it had dealt significant damage to the drake, continuing would mean death, and it still had a cub to protect.

Without hesitation, the bear feinted an attack, making the drake glide backward. In that split second, it scooped up its cub and bolted into the cave's dark safety.

The drake hissed, wings spreading as it prepared to pursue them into the darkness.

"Stop," Arthur commanded.

The drake froze instantly, its predatory instincts overridden by the bond with its master. With a frustrated snort, it wheeled around and flew back toward Arthur, landing beside him with a heavy thud.

Arthur scratched under the drake's jaw, earning a rumble of pleasure despite its battle wounds. "Good enough. Let them go...for now"

His attention turned to where the serpent and tiger continued their deadly dance. The serpent had coiled around the tiger's hindquarters, while the great cat had sunk its fangs into the serpent's middle, both locked in a death grip.

'The fight is ending soon,' Arthur thought, watching dispassionately as the two apex predators tore at each other.

The tiger's movements were becoming sluggish—poison taking effect—while the serpent's body showed deep, ragged tears where tiger claws had found purchase.

"Master, should I help?" the drake asked, its voice resonating in Arthur's mind.

Arthur shook his head. "No.

With a final, desperate surge, the tiger wrenched free from the serpent's coils, staggering backward. Blood matted its beautiful striped coat, one eye swollen shut. The serpent wasn't in better condition, its scaled body now a patchwork of wounds.

The tiger let out a low, rumbling growl, its remaining eye locked on the serpent. Despite its injuries, the great cat's pride wouldn't let it flee like the bear had done.

This was its territory, its hunting ground.