Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

After submitting the quest, Arthur left the guild and headed back toward Blackwater Hollow. He wanted to complete Sylvaris's evolution pathway today if possible.

"Hopefully, there are more serpents than before," he muttered to himself, as he walked through the streets of Caldera.

Leaving the city, he made his way toward the familiar wilderness.

Hours passed as he scoured Blackwater Hollow, Sylvaris slithering beside him. The hunt was much quicker than before, as Arthur had an idea of the layout of the place, so he was able to hunt more efficiently. Every serpent that crossed their path met a swift end, their bodies consumed by Sylvaris to fuel his evolution.

Finally, Arthur sighed, glancing at his status window.

—

<Abyssal Devourer>

Focus: Offensive combat specialization. Gains increased size and venom potency, capable of devouring entire foes.

<Requirements:>

<Kill 100 Serpents (75/100)>

<Devour 100 Serpents (74/100)>

<A Spirit Core (1/1)>

—

"There are barely any more serpents left," Arthur muttered, rubbing his chin in thought. "But it's fine. We should be able to reach the requirements in a day or two at most."

Sylvaris let out a soft hiss, his silver scales glimmering faintly.

Arthur crouched, running his fingers over the smooth surface of his summon's head. "Alright, time to head back to the village. It should be about time for the academy entrance exam to start."

Just as he turned to leave, movement in his field of vision caught his eye.

A small serpent slithered out from between the roots of a twisted, gnarled tree. It was different from the others—noticeably smaller, its body coiled in a defensive posture.

[Poisonous Painted Serpent]

Level: 10

Description: A venomous youngling serpent with scales shimmering in vibrant patterns, designed to lure prey into a false sense of security before delivering a lethal bite. Unlike ordinary snakes, these creatures possess a paralyzing toxin that seeps through wounds, making even the smallest cut dangerous. Their uncanny ability to blend into their surroundings makes them nearly invisible when still.

Arthur arched an eyebrow. "A level 10? That's new. Every other serpent so far has been level 14 or 13 ."

Shrugging, he gestured toward it. "Sylvaris, take care of it."

Sylvaris moved like lightning. His fangs sank into the young serpent's body, the poison taking effect almost instantly. The creature convulsed once before falling limp.

[You have killed level 10 Poisonous Painted Serpent]

"Well done," Arthur praised.

As usual, Sylvaris opened his jaws to devour the serpent whole—

But then—

Sylvaris suddenly recoiled, his body twisting as his tail lashed out.

Thwack!

Something fast and deadly slammed against his tail, a green, acid-like liquid splattering onto the ground.

Arthur's eyes snapped up.

From the shadows of the trees, another serpent emerged.

Larger. Meaner. Stronger.

Its scales gleamed with a toxic sheen, and its eyes locked onto them with a predator's focus.

[Poisonous Painted Serpent ]

Grade: Epic

Level: 16

Description: ...

Arthur's lips curled into a smirk. "An Epic-grade boss? Looks like today's my lucky day. Sylvaris don't be too harsh on him, he will become your friend soon."

Sylvaris hissed, his muscles tensing.

Arthur activated Phantom Step.

[Phantom Step] (Very Rare)

Description: A movement technique that allows the user to move like a phantom, avoiding enemy attacks. Grants a 20% increase in agility while active. Drawback: Has a high MPS rate.

His body blurred as he dashed sideways, positioning himself behind a tree for cover.

The serpent struck first.

A burst of Acid Spit shot toward him, sizzling as it hit the tree bark where he'd just been. The smell of burning wood filled the air.

Fast.

But not fast enough.

"Sylvaris, Poison Bite!"

Sylvaris launched forward, jaws wide. He clamped down on the serpent's thick hide, his venom seeping in.

The Epic serpent let out a shriek of rage, writhing violently. Its tail lashed out—

Boom!

Sylvaris was flung backwards, crashing through a tangle of vines. Although both Sylvaris and the serpent were epic grade, the serpent was still two levels higher. So it was stronger.

Still, it wasn't overwhelming.

Arthur didn't hesitate. He darted forward, Chaos Katana igniting with Blazing Arc.

He slashed.

The fire-coated blade carved into the serpent's scales, leaving a molten gash in its side.
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The boss hissed, enraged.

Arthur felt the wind shift.

Shadow Bind!

Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around the serpent's body. It screeched, struggling against the restraints.

"Sylvaris, Land Smash!"

Sylvaris's tail slammed into the earth. The force sent shockwaves rippling through the ground.

The serpent, unable to dodge, was caught in the impact.

Arthur grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere."

The serpent was seriously injured by the attacks it had been hit by, but still, it wasn't on the brink of death, at least not yet.

The serpent's body shimmered—

Arthur's instincts screamed at him.

Acid Rain Activated!

The massive serpent reared its head toward the sky, its throat expanding grotesquely. Thick, venomous globules formed in its maw before shooting upward. A heartbeat later, they burst in midair, cascading down in a deadly, toxic downpour.

Arthur didn't hesitate.

Iron Fortress Activated!

The first drop of acid struck, sizzling against his armour, but the defensive skill absorbed most of the damage.

Still, he couldn't afford to stay still. The acid was pooling, hissing as it ate away at the terrain.

Arthur's eyes locked onto the serpent's vulnerable throat, still distended from its attack.

"Now!"

With a burst of speed, enhanced by Phantom Step, he dashed forward, Chaos Katana igniting with Blazing Arc. The blade, wreathed in flames, swung toward the serpent's vulnerable underside.

Just before impact, the serpent's pupils constricted. It aborted its attack, snapping its head down with terrifying speed, its fangs gleaming.

The serpent was incredibly intelligent, it had lured Arthur in close and cancelled it's skill to land a sneak attack, up close.

Arthur's eyes widened slightly. Fast.

But not fast enough.

Shadow Bind!

Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, latching onto the serpent's massive form, freezing it mid-lunge. Its jaws were mere centimeters from Arthur's face, the rancid smell of venom all over his face.

The serpent's golden eyes widened in shock, as if asking: How can you use that skill again so soon?

Arthur didn't answer.

Instead, he drove Blazing Arc directly into the serpent's head.

CRITICAL HIT!

The katana bit deep, flames searing through scales and flesh alike. Blood sprayed, sizzling as it met the lingering acid on the ground. The serpent's head jerked violently, its thick muscles twitching as its body threatened to collapse.

Arthur leaped back, landing lightly on a dry patch of ground.

"Sylvaris. Finish it."

Sylvaris did not need to be told twice. He shot forward, his silver scales gleaming as he struck the serpent.

Poison Bite Activated!

His fangs plunged deep into the serpent's throat, injecting a lethal dose of venom.

The Epic serpent convulsed violently. Its tail thrashed, uprooting trees, and carving deep trenches into the ground.

But it was over.

Blood loss. Poison. Fire.

The serpent's massive form shuddered, its body twitching one last time before it went still. Its eyes, once sharp with predatory instinct, now dulled as death claimed it.

Its final thoughts were not of battle, but of regret.

Regret that it was too weak. Regret that it had failed to protect its young.

Then—