Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

His hands trembled as he turned—slowly, like his body refused to believe what his mind already knew.

And there—standing a few feet away—was him.

"Arthur? Is it actually you?"

Ryker's voice dripped with fake surprise, his face twisted into a mocking grin. His eyebrows shot up in feigned shock, but Arthur could see right through it.

That voice.

That smug tone.

Arthur's jaw clenched, his breath shallow, rage already bubbling beneath his skin.

Ryker stood tall, his bulky frame casting a shadow over Arthur.

The difference between them was staggering. Ryker's body was built like a tank—six feet of pure muscle, every inch of him honed, a physical wall towering over Arthur's leaner, short, malnourished body.

It was like pitting a wolf against a lamb.

But Arthur wasn't prey.

He couldn't be prey.

Ryker wasn't alone.

Three others were beside him.

Two girls—one blonde, her sharp blue eyes glinting with curiosity, the other ebony-skinned with dark curls that framed her face like a halo.

Both of them carried themselves with the same air of arrogance, eyes flickering over Arthur like he was something beneath them.

And then there was the other guy—a stocky brute with cold, grey eyes.

The blonde girl tilted her head, her gaze narrowing. "Ryker, do you know him?"

Ryker chuckled—a deep, guttural sound that echoed through the gym.

"Know him?" He grinned wide, his white teeth flashing. "Of course I do. How could I not?

Arthur's muscles tensed. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

Ryker took a step forward, the heavy thud of his boots ringing in Arthur's ears.

In an instant, Ryker's massive arm swung out and draped around Arthur's shoulders. The weight of it was suffocating—like iron chains pulling him down.

"Right, buddy?" Ryker sneered, his face too close, his breath hot against Arthur's ear.

Then—pressure.

Ryker's arm tightened around Arthur's neck.

Like a vice.

Arthur's breath hitched, his throat constricting.

The pressure built—tightening, crushing.

Arthur clawed at Ryker's arm, his nails digging into the dense muscle, but it was useless. Ryker was too strong.

The world blurred at the edges. His lungs screamed for air.

Ryker's laughter filled his ears.

"Oh… I'm sorry," Ryker cooed mockingly, his grip still ironclad. "I forgot… you always had such a weak body."

Arthur's knees buckled, but he didn't fall to the ground.

His vision started darkening.

His body had given up, no oxygen was being circulated around the cells, but Arthur's brain couldn't accept it.

His chest heaved, but no air came.

"I'm going to pass out."

Above him, Ryker loomed, grinning down with cold amusement.

He could hear them laughing—the girls snickering, the stocky guy's low chuckle joining in. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire

But under all the noise, through the suffocating pressure in his chest, one thought burned.

'I will make you pay...'

Arthur's knees buckled beneath him, his vision blurred from the lack of oxygen. Every gasp felt like fire tearing through his throat.

Then—

"Ryker? Do you know Arthur?"

A calm voice sounded, nearby.

Arthur barely lifted his head, his vision still swimming, but he caught sight of Jacob striding into the gym.

The same Jacob who had shown him around the base—the golden boy of the military, always wearing that polished, easygoing smile.

But Jacob's face held no alarm, no anger,just mild curiosity as his eyes settled on Ryker, who still had his arm slung lazily over Arthur's shoulders like they were old friends sharing a joke.

Ryker grinned wide, not missing a beat.

"Captain! Of course, I know him...

He's my cousin, after all."

Arthur's body stiffened.

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Cousin?"

Ryker chuckled, his voice laced with mockery.

"Yeah, his dad is my uncle. Small world, right?"

Jacob let out a short laugh as if the revelation was nothing more than a funny coincidence. "Well, what are the odds? You guys must be close, huh?"

Ryker finally loosened his grip, letting Arthur off.

After being let off by Ryker, Arthur finally had the chance to breathe, he gasped for air but silently, he didn't make out a sound.

Jacob's boots echoed against the gym floor as he walked over to him.

He crouched down slightly, his face neutral but his eyes gleaming with something darker—pity, maybe?—and placed a firm hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"You alright? You're struggling to breathe," Jacob said, his voice calm, almost casual.

Arthur didn't answer. His chest burned, his throat felt raw, but the rage inside him boiled hotter than anything Ryker had inflicted.

When Jacob didn't get a response, he glanced back at Ryker and frowned.

"Ryker, you went too far. He's barely breathing."

Ryker just scratched the back of his head, a wide grin still plastered on his face.

"Ah, my bad, Captain. Got a little carried away. You know how it is—just some harmless roughhousing."

Jacob turned his attention away from Ryker and back to Arthur.

"Hey, do you need any hel-" Jacob barely finished his sentence, before Arthur shoved Jacob's hand off his shoulder with a sudden motion.

Breathing hard, Arthur forced himself upright, glaring at them both. His vision was still swimming, but his rage kept him steady.

"I'm fine," Arthur spat, his voice rough and hoarse.

Jacob blinked, mildly surprised by Arthur's outburst, as if he didn't expect it at all.

The room fell into a thick, suffocating silence.

Ryker's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic satisfaction. But Arthur—despite the pain wracking his body—stood tall.

Jacob straightened, clapping Arthur lightly on the back—like a friend.

"Good. That's the spirit."

But Arthur's eyes were locked on Ryker.

And Ryker?

He mouthed two words only Arthur could see.

"Pathetic...loser."

Inside the gym, dozens of eyes had already been on Arthur who was still struggling to steady his breathing, and Ryker, who stood relaxed with that smug grin stretched across his face.

Arthur felt their stares, filled with indifference, arrogance and some were filled with curiosity, but none with concern.

"Alright guys!" Jacob's voice rang out, smooth and authoritative as he clapped his hands together, shattering the moment.

He raised both arms in the air, his easygoing smile back in place. "What are you doing just standing there? Get back to your workouts. You won't get stronger just standing around!"

His voice echoed through the large gym.

There was a beat of silence before—

"Yes, Captain!"