Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Arthur and Gates crouched low in the shadows, their eyes fixed on Hank's movements.

After a few minutes, Hank returned, letting out a series of quiet cries as he landed on Arthur's shoulders.

Arthur tilted his head, listening intently to the cries. He nodded, his sharp eyes gleaming with understanding. "Looks like there are no hidden surprises outside the village. The patrolling goblins are very few, and they seem disorganized. No reinforcements in sight either, so we're clear to start with the outskirts."

Gates raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Your summon is quite useful. It's like having an aerial drone with a brain."

Arthur smirked, glancing at Hank. "He's more than useful. He's my eyes in the sky. Besides, he's smarter than some people."

Gates chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll admit, I underestimated how effective a hawk could be. Most players go for brute force or flashy skills, but this… it's tactical. I like it."

Arthur shrugged, his grin widening slightly. "You've got to work smarter, not harder. But don't get too attached to him; Hank's all mine."

"Noted," Gates said gripping his sword. "So, what's the game plan?"

Arthur's expression turned serious as he gestured toward the village, his voice low and firm. "We'll take out the patrolling goblins one by one. You and I handle them silently—no unnecessary risks. Once the perimeter is clear, we'll figure out the best approach for the rest of the village."

Gates nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword with steady determination. "Understood. Quiet and efficient."

Arthur scanned the area, his sharp eyes catching movement in the distance. "The ones outside seem to be level 3. Hank didn't see all of them, so we'll need to stay on guard. There could be more inside the huts."

Gates' grip tightened on his sword. "Got it. Let's move."

Arthur nodded and gestured for Hank to take off into the sky once more. "Hank, stay with us. We will attack together."

Arthur crouched low, his dagger gleaming faintly as he began to creep forward toward the nearest patrolling goblin. Gates followed closely, his movements careful and deliberate.

The first goblin came into view—a lanky creature with mismatched armour and a crude spear slung over its back. It ambled along the edge of the village, its posture lazy and unaware. It was accompanied by one of its companions who was also clearly unaware of their impending doom.

Arthur crouched low, his sharp eyes tracking the movements of the patrolling goblins in the distance. Gates knelt beside him, his grip firm on his sword. Without a word, Arthur nodded toward the first two goblins closest to them, signalling for Gates to follow his lead.

Together, they moved silently through the underbrush, the soft rustle of leaves barely audible. The goblins remained oblivious, their crude weapons slung carelessly at their sides. Arthur and Gates exchanged a quick glance, counting down with their fingers before springing into action simultaneously.

Arthur darted toward the left goblin, his dagger flashing as he struck its side. The goblin staggered but let out a guttural cry, forcing Arthur to wrestle it to the ground as Hank dealt damage.

Meanwhile, Gates drove his sword into the chest of the right goblin, silencing it with a grunt of effort before striking it repeatedly after.

-10HP -20HP, - 15HP (Hank and Arthur)

-15HP, -10HP,-15HP (Gates)

Arthur winced slightly as the goblin thrashed beneath him before he finally twisted his blade, ending its struggle.

Gates wiped his blade clean on the goblin's tunic, glancing over. "Not bad," Gates muttered, his tone neutral but slightly approving.

Arthur didn't respond, instead focusing on the remaining patrolling goblins. "Two more," he whispered, gesturing for them to circle around. Gates nodded, moving in tandem with him as they crept toward their targets.

The next two goblins patrolled close to each other, their crude chatter barely intelligible. Arthur signalled with a quick hand gesture, and both men moved at the same time.

Arthur's dagger struck one goblin's throat, while Gates' sword plunged into the back of the other.

The goblins fell in unison, their weapons clattering softly against the dirt. Arthur straightened, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the now-quiet perimeter. "That's the last of the patrols," he said quietly. "But there are fifteen more inside the village."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Gates sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "And your plan?"

Arthur smirked, his tone light. "Let's just kill them all at once. What do you think?"

"Sure," Gates said simply, his grip tightening on his sword.

Arthur extended his hand, summoning a portal. A swirling vortex of energy formed, and from it emerged Borak, the large boar snorting as it stepped forward. Gates raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

Arthur subtly commanded Borak without Gates noticing. 'Keep your strength at level 4. Don't show anything more.' Borak's sharp eyes gleamed as it nodded slightly, understanding its master's order.

The group moved closer to the village's crude huts, expecting the goblins to come rushing out to defend their territory. But to their surprise, the area was eerily quiet. All the goblins appeared to be inside their makeshift dwellings, their guttural chatter muffled but audible.

Arthur smirked, glancing at Gates. "Looks like we'll be the ones doing the welcoming. Let's start the silent slaughter."

Gates nodded, and they split up. Arthur and his summons entered one hut, while Gates took another.

Inside the first hut, the dim light revealed three goblins huddled around a poorly made table, their crude weapons resting against the walls. Arthur moved quickly, signaling for Borak to take one while he handled another. Hank, perched silently on the roof beams, swooped down toward the third goblin.

Borak charged forward, ramming one goblin with its tusks.

-30HP

Arthur stabbed the second goblin in the back, silencing it before it could alert the others.

-20HP

Hank screeched as its talons raked across the last goblin's throat, finishing it in a swift strike.

-25HP

Arthur wiped his blade clean, glancing at the now-silent hut. "Efficient," he murmured, he waited for a few minutes, then motioned for his summons to follow him outside. Enjoy more content from empire

Across the way, Gates emerged from his hut, his sword bloodied. "Three down," he said tersely.

"Same here," Arthur replied, his tone casual. "Let's keep going. We'll work our way through the rest before they even realize what's happening."

They moved methodically, clearing each hut one by one. Arthur kept his strength carefully measured, ensuring his actions appeared no more impressive than Gates'. Borak and Hank mirrored his subtlety, their attacks efficient but restrained.

As they approached the final huts, faint sounds of alarm began to stir within the village. Arthur exchanged a glance with Gates, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Looks like they're starting to catch on. Let's wrap this up before they can organize."

With a nod, Gates followed Arthur toward the last cluster of huts, both of them ready to finish the job.

The eleven remaining goblins let out guttural cries, their grotesque forms shambling into a loose formation. Their saliva dripped onto the ground as they snarled, brandishing crude weapons—a mix of sharpened sticks, jagged stones, and pieces of twisted metal strapped to wooden poles.

Arthur smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement as he observed the group. "They're rushing to die faster," he quipped, his tone light. But he added more seriously, "Still, let's not get careless. There are quite a few of them."