Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

At a quiet clearing in the forest, Arthur leaned casually against a tree, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips as he watched the player in front of him.

The man was impeccably dressed for the game world, his gear polished and gleaming, yet unassuming enough to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

"Mr. Gates," Arthur began, his tone light but tinged with amusement. "You've chosen quite the secluded spot to meet. Got a flair for the dramatic, hidden meet-ups?"

Gates chuckled softly, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "Dramatic? Hardly. This place is practical. Not many players come this deep into the woods. Besides, secrecy is key. You wouldn't want anyone getting wind of this, would you?"

Arthur nodded slowly, Arthur's lack of worry about an ambush wasn't baseless. He had considered every angle before agreeing to meet here, and there were solid reasons why he was confident this wouldn't turn into an ambush.

First, Gates had no motive to cross him. Arthur was, after all, his best supplier of rare loot in the area. Burning that bridge would be like slashing his own tyres while trying to win a race—pure stupidity, especially for someone who is known for their business mind.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Second, Arthur had taken precautions. Before stepping into the clearing, he'd ordered Hank to scout the area from above. The hawk had circled twice, checking every nook and cranny before giving the all-clear. If anyone was lurking, they'd have been spotted.

"You checked to make sure no one's following you?" Gates whispered, his voice low.

Arthur tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I have, and my methods are… thorough. Don't worry about that."

Gates nodded, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. "Good. Let's not waste time, then. Shall we set off?"

"Sure," Arthur replied smoothly, pushing off the tree and falling into step beside Gates. His mind, however, was elsewhere. As they began their walk toward the supposed location of the secret realm, an idea started to form.

Find your next adventure on empire

He had been planning to tell Gates about the rare Sword Slash skill book he'd picked up earlier from John's mission, perhaps even selling it before entering the realm. But now…

Why rush? Arthur thought, suppressing a grin.

If I make the realm seem difficult—no, impossible—then I can leverage that difficulty to sell the skill at a much higher price. Gates is desperate for exclusivity. I just need to stir up the urgency.

The thought alone was enough to make Arthur chuckle inwardly. His pace quickened slightly, matching Gates' as they navigated through the thick forest.

"So," Gates said, breaking the silence, "I hope you're prepared. Secret realms, even at Normal difficulty, are no joke."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Oh, I'm well aware. But remind me again—how exactly did you find this realm?"

Gates hesitated for a moment before answering. "I have my sources. Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on certain patterns and… opportunities. This one came up, and I knew it was worth checking out."

Arthur hummed thoughtfully, not entirely convinced but not pressing further. He's smart enough to know that Gates liked to keep his cards close to his chest.

That was fine—Arthur had his own secrets too.

As they approached a clearing that marked the supposed entrance to the secret realm, Arthur's mind was already crafting the narrative he'd use. Make look brutal and not winnable. Just enough tension to make Gates sweat and buy the skill at a high price, hehe.

"Alright," Gates said, stopping near a cluster of ancient-looking trees. He turned to Arthur, his face serious. "The entrance is just ahead. Once we're in, no turning back."

[You have discovered the hidden realm: The Goblin Trials (Difficulty - Normal)]

Gates glanced at Arthur with a faint grin. "Ready?"

"Ready," Arthur replied, his own smile hinting at confidence.

[Condition Met: Players Required (2/2)]

With a sudden flash of light, both players disappeared from their current location, reappearing moments later in an entirely different environment.

Arthur blinked, adjusting to the dim light of the realm. Luckily, they had spawned close to each other, standing side by side in the eerie silence. "At least we didn't get separated," he muttered, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

The air was thick and damp, carrying the faint smell of rot and decay. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the clearing, cast by the pale light filtering through the dense canopy above.

The air was damp, the ground covered in a thick carpet of moss and decaying leaves. Towering trees loomed overhead, their branches forming a dense canopy that allowed only faint shafts of light to pierce through. The sound of distant rustling and the occasional bird call added to the eeriness of the scene.

Arthur glanced around, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger. "So this is the Goblin Trials, huh? Feels like we just got dropped into the middle of a horror movie."

Gates chuckled, drawing his sword as he scanned the surroundings. "A scenic one, at least. But keep your guard up—this place feels too quiet."

The two began to move cautiously through the forest, their footsteps muffled by the soft ground.

Time passed slowly as they navigated the forest. Arthur's sharp eyes caught claw marks on tree trunks and the occasional scattering of bones. Yet, for all the signs of life, there was an unsettling lack of activity.

Two hours later, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, they stumbled upon a clearing. Arthur halted abruptly, holding up a hand to signal Gates to stop.

"There," Arthur whispered, pointing ahead.

Gates followed his gaze, and his eyes widened. Nestled within the clearing was a crude goblin village.

Makeshift huts constructed from sticks, mud, and animal hides dotted the area.

A jagged wooden fence surrounded the settlement, its spikes jutting out haphazardly. Lazy wisps of smoke rose from small campfires scattered among the huts, and a few goblins could be seen wandering aimlessly.

The goblins themselves were hunched and gangly, their greenish skin blending with the forest around them. They carried crude weapons—clubs, spears, and slings—dragging them as they patrolled the perimeter.

Arthur crouched low, motioning for Gates to do the same. "Looks like we've found our first challenge."

Gates squinted, his expression growing serious. "About time. I was starting to think this place was empty."

Arthur's eyes swept over the village, taking in every detail. "There are at least ten of them, maybe more inside the huts. They don't look too tough, but they're bound to get nasty if we alert the whole group at once."

Gates nodded, gripping his sword tightly. "So, what's the plan?"

Arthur smirked, summoning Hank with a wave of his hand. The summoning portal appeared and Hank flew out, perching on a low branch nearby. "First, we scout. Hank will give us an overhead view while we plan our approach."

"Hank, go and check the village ahead," Arthur instructed, his tone calm but commanding.

With a whispering screech, Hank spread his wings and launched into the air. His powerful wings beat steadily as he ascended, circling above the goblin village. The hawk's sharp eyes darted over the huts, the patrolling goblins, and the crude wooden fences.