Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Arthur pushed deeper into the Grieving Hollows, his senses scanning constantly for the distinctive energy signatures that would indicate a second-order beast. The forest stretched endlessly before him, ancient trees and dangerous territories blending together as hours passed without finding what he needed.

Nearly twelve hours had elapsed since he'd begun this focused hunt.

During those long hours, the world continued turning without him. Through periodic telepathic check-ins with Neko, Arthur learned that Charlotte remained under Jasmine's continuous treatment. The procedure had stretched far longer than initially anticipated because of the sheer complexity of what the healer was attempting.

Still stable, Master, Neko reported during their most recent contact. Jasmine looks exhausted but refuses to stop. The magical energies surrounding Charlotte have become incredibly dense, and her complexion is getting brighter; she is regaining her colour.

Arthur could do nothing but trust in Jasmine's expertise and continue his own mission, though the helplessness gnawed at him with every passing hour.

Meanwhile, reports filtered through his summons stationed across Earth painted a grim picture. The demons' coordinated attacks continued relentlessly, killing far too many despite the enhanced equipment Arthur had provided. President Feng reported thousands of casualties in western China. Palestine's defences held, but barely. France was managing better thanks to its geographical location, but civilian losses mounted daily.

The apocalypse didn't pause for personal quests. As much as he wanted to go back and slaughter the demons on earth, Arthur knew that levelling up and achieving his domain took precedence over this.

Yet despite twelve hours of hunting through the Grieving Hollows' most dangerous territories, Arthur had yet to encounter any second-order beasts. It was as if they had gone extinct, vanishing from the forest entirely despite the clear evidence that such creatures must exist.

Where are they all hiding? Arthur thought with growing frustration, teleporting across another cleared zone. Legendary-rank creatures at level 26 or higher should be claiming territories, but everything I'm finding caps at level 24.

Although he hadn't found any second-order opponents, first-order beasts were plentiful in the forest. The Grieving Hollows teemed with superior-rank creatures operating in the level 20-24 range, providing constant combat opportunities that earned him experience even if they couldn't push him to the threshold he needed quickly enough.

Arthur had eliminated dozens of these beasts throughout his extended hunt. Leopards, serpents whose scales deflected weapons, armoured Bears with defensive capabilities that would have killed most players. Each kill provided experience and, more importantly, guaranteed epic-rank equipment drops.

His inventory had transformed over these twelve hours. Arthur no longer used any very-rare items—every piece of equipment had been upgraded to epic rank through constant harvesting. His katana remained his primary weapon, but now he possessed several swords, spears, defensive accessories, and enhancement items, all at epic quality.

The sheer wealth accumulating in his spatial storage would have bankrupted most organisations to acquire through conventional means in Caldera. But for Arthur, with his guaranteed drop talent and hunting approach, epic gear had become the new baseline rather than rare treasures.

At least the time isn't completely wasted, he reflected, storing another epic-rank helmet from a defeated Stone Golem. Power Guild will benefit from this equipment surplus, even if I'm not advancing personally.

Aetherion remained perched on his shoulder in kitten form, having spent most of the twelve hours napping between combat encounters. The void dragon's casual attitude toward the extended hunt spoke to how routine these superior-rank battles had become.

"Master, this is getting boring," Aether complained during a brief rest period. "All the monsters are the same strength. Where are the really scary ones?"

"That's what I'm trying to find," Arthur replied with mild frustration at the inability to find what he was looking for.

The Winter Beast and Flamingo remained in his summoning space, conserving their energy for when truly challenging opponents emerged. Bloom and the Cackle Queen likewise waited in reserve, unnecessary for battles Arthur could handle through spatial manipulation alone.

Then, as Arthur crossed into yet another unmarked territory, he felt it.

The air itself changed.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

Wind began swirling with patterns that transcended normal weather phenomena. Gentle breezes transformed into coordinated currents that spoke of intelligent control rather than natural movement. The temperature dropped several degrees as the atmospheric pressure shifted noticeably.

Arthur's senses detected the territorial boundary immediately. The wind carried power signatures that made the hair on his skin rise slightly.

Most telling was the quality of the wind itself. This wasn't simple air manipulation from some talented beast. This was elemental mastery backed by second-order authority, the kind of environmental control that only domain-awakened creatures could achieve.

A smile spread across Arthur's face as he understood what everything around him meant

Finally.

"Aether," Arthur said quietly, his hand moving to rest on his katana's hilt. "We found what we were looking for."

The void dragon's eyes snapped open immediately, sensing the shift in his master's demeanour. "Ooh! Is it strong, Master? Really, really strong?"

"Second order," Arthur confirmed, his perception mapping the territory ahead with increasing interest. "Judging from the wind and territorial change, we're dealing with something that commands wind."

The wind intensified around them, carrying what might have been a warning or challenge. Somewhere deeper in this claimed territory, a second-order beast had detected their intrusion and was preparing its response.

Arthur's smile widened with anticipation. Twelve hours of hunting inferior opponents had tested his patience, but now the real challenge awaited. Whatever commanded this wind-swept domain possessed the power necessary to push him toward level 25.

"Let's go meet our host," Arthur said, walking deliberately deeper into the increasingly turbulent territory. "Time to see if they're worth the wait."

The hunt had finally found its worthy prey.

Likewise, deep inside the turbulent territory, an ancient beast woke up from its slumber as it felt a dangerous creature enter its territory.

The Wind Hawk slowly rose from his sleeping position and let out a loud screech that would have killed first-order beasts next to it.