Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Several players turned to check the source of the sound. What they saw made their faces drain of colour.

Standing calmly amidst the trees was Arthur, his smirk as sharp as the dagger in his hand.

"Is that… Fateless?" one of the players stammered, his voice barely audible over the growls of the wolves.

"It's him," another whispered, his grip tightening on his weapon. "What the hell is he doing here? We are Screwed!"

Arthur continued to walk forward calmly, clearly unhurried. His presence sent a chill across their spine, his gaze piercing as it swept over them. The wolves snarled but seemed hesitant, sensing the raw power emanating from Arthur. So the wolves decided to ignore him and focus on the players in front of them.

"What are you guys blabbering about!" John said, still in a clash with the wolf.

After hesitating for a few seconds, John finally risked a glance over his shoulder, his frustration morphing into shock and fear when he saw who it was. "F-Fateless!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. " That's me."

"What are you doing here?" John demanded, his voice taut with unease.

Arthur tilted his head, his tone casual. "Oh, just passing through. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon you… struggling, as usual."

John's jaw clenched. "This isn't the time for games, Fateless! We don't want trouble, this pack ain't weak. Think carefully, if you attack us now, you won't be able to deal with the wolves alone. Even with your summons."

"Who said I was playing?" Arthur's gaze flicked to the wolves, then back to the players. "I think you need some help, how about I help."

One of the players turned back to the fight, shouting in desperation. "We don't need your help! We're doing fine!"

Arthur's smirk turned cold. "Fine, you say?" He gestured toward the large wolf, whose claws were mere inches from John's chest. "Looks to me like your leader is about to get eaten."

The large wolf snarled and lunged again, forcing John to block with his sword. Sparks flew as the blade barely deflected the beast's claws. John gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the sheer force of the impact.

His mind raced as he watched Arthur out of the corner of his eye, calm and composed as if orchestrating the chaos around him.

'Shit,' John thought, his heart pounding. 'This maniac isn't just here to fight the wolves. He's after us too. He'll attack us even if it means dealing with all the wolves afterwards.'

Realizing his precarious position, John made a split-second decision. He activated his speed talent, the faint shimmer of energy enveloping his body. Before his teammates could react, he shouted, "Everyone scatter, run! He won't be able to catch us all at the same time!"

Panic erupted among the group. The players turned and bolted, each hoping to escape the inevitable.

Unfortunately for them, there was only one direction they could flee—east. Arthur's position in the south and the wolves guarding the north and west left the east as their only viable path. It was a funnel, and they had no choice but to run directly into it.

Arthur's smirk deepened as he watched their panicked retreat. "Exactly where I want you to go," he muttered under his breath, his eyes shining with cold amusement

As the players dashed toward the east, their hopes of escape were swiftly dashed. Borak and Hank, who had been lying in wait, launched their ambush.

Borak erupted from the bushes with a deafening roar, his massive tusks gleaming as he charged straight at John, the lead runner. Hank descended from the sky like a shadow, his talons extended and aimed with deadly accuracy.

John barely had time to process what was happening. "Shit! He set us up!" he screamed, trying to veer away.

Borak slammed into him, his tusks gouging deep.

-35HP

Hank followed up, raking his talons across John's back as he tried to stumble away.

-30HP

John's health bar plummeted, and a sickening sense of dread washed over him. "Shit! I just lost more than 70% of my health in one attack!"

The other players skidded to a halt, their faces pale as they processed what had just happened. Borak stood over John, his tusks dripping with blood, while Hank circled menacingly overhead, his sharp cries echoing through the forest.

"This… this is insane," one player stammered, clutching their weapon tightly. "These monsters… they're too strong!"

Another player's voice trembled as they took a step back. "Fuck! Even the wolves aren't this strong, we are definitely screwed!"

Arthur sauntered forward, his dagger in his hand with ominous energy radiating from it as if it was ready for slaughter. His expression was relaxed, almost casual as if he were strolling through a park rather than a battlefield.

"Leaving so soon?" he called out, his voice carrying a mocking edge. "I thought we were just getting started."

John, barely able to stand, glared at Arthur through gritted teeth. "You're insane… Leave us alone! What do you want? Coins? We'll give you coins and items! Just tell us what you want—anything!"

Arthur tilted his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Anything?"

"Yes!" John blurted out, his tone desperate as he barely managed to block a wolf's lunge. The feral creature snarled, its claws raking against John's blade.

His expression was filled with the faintest look of hope as he continued, "Just let us live!"

Arthur's smirk widened, his eyes betraying his amusement.

"Alright," he said slowly, savouring the moment. "As long as all of you say, 'We apologize, Daddy Fateless,' and give me all your backpacks, I'll let you go."

The group froze their faces a mix of disbelief and fury. John's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "You're doing too much!" he snarled, barely dodging another wolf's snapping jaws. "If we give you everything, we're as good as dead anyway!"

Arthur shrugged nonchalantly, his tone casual as if they were discussing the latest trends. "Okay, fine. I'm feeling generous." Stay updated through empire