Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

John's lips twitched slightly, before forming into a small smile.

"I wouldn't phrase it like that. Think of it as a friendly suggestion."

Arthur let out a bitter laugh. "Friendly, huh? That's what you're calling this?"

John didn't respond immediately, letting the silence overtake for a moment before he said, "I think you're smart enough to see the bigger picture."

Arthur's eyes locked on John, his expression calm but his words sharp. "Well, unfortunately for me, I don't like art. So I don't really like seeing pictures, let alone big pictures. But hey, your friend over here seems like the type to appreciate the big picture. Why don't you go do your thing with him?"

John frowned, his hand moving to his side before hovering subtly as though considering something.

Arthur caught the change in John's attitude but didn't react. His calm expression did not change in the slightest.

John's thoughts churned as he analyzed Arthur's reaction.

'This guy is trouble. I don't want to risk fighting him with that boar by his side and losing. Furthermore, I don't want the penalty of attacking other players to fall on me. Any penalty at this point in the game is critical—it would set me back by days. Worse, I can't steal the quest outright without his permission to join it.'

His eyes narrowed slightly. 'And that calm look on his face... he's not bluffing. He really isn't afraid. Is it because of the rule that protects players? I'm not sure.'

John exhaled slowly, his gaze cold and calculating. "Final chance," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "Let's team up on this, or bear the consequences."

Arthur smirked, his grin growing wider with every word. "Final chance," he echoed mockingly, "Get out of my sight or... die."

The tension hung thick in the air. John's frown deepened, but he didn't retort. His hand twitched near his side, but he ultimately turned around, signalling the end of their standoff.

The smug player beside him, who had been swelling with confidence earlier, now stood frozen, his bravado vanished.

He quietly followed John, not daring to meet Arthur's gaze after John's attitude.

Arthur's smirk didn't waver as he watched the pair walk away.

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous intent as he saw John's back completely unguarded.

'This bastard is lucky the rule of attacking another player still exists...otherwise, why would I let someone who is clearly threatening to harm me walk away like this.'

[Global Announcement! Players are now allowed to attack each other.]

'This is it!' Arthur thought, before dashing forward with a burst of speed, closing the distance in an instant.

Before anyone could react to the announcement or understand the consequences, Arthur shot forward and arrived right behind John.

"Oops, it seems like you didn't see the bigger picture behind that announcement... John," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he plunged his dagger into John's back.

Critical Hit!

John staggered forward, his breath stopping for a second as the dagger drove deep into his heart.

His eyes widened in disbelief as the notifications popped up in front of him.

-70HP

[You are in critical condition. You will lose 1HP per second.]

He stumbled forward but forced himself to spin around and face Arthur, blood pouring from the wound that Arthur had created.

Arthur stood there, his smirk wide and his dagger painted red in his hand.

The smug player let out a strangled gasp, staring at his critically injured friend in sheer horror. His lips quivered, but he dared not speak. He stood frozen, too terrified even to let out a sound.

John's knees buckled slightly, but he held his ground.

His voice was hoarse, as shock and pain overwhelmed his senses. "Y-you... you lucky bastard, I will make you regret this." he hissed, his eyes flickering with desperation as he clutched his chest, trying to stem the blood flow.

Arthur twirled the dagger casually in his hand, his smirk turning to a casual smile. "Regret? No, John," he said, his voice low and venomous. "The only regret here is yours. Threatening someone and then giving them your back? Really? Who does that?"

"I mean I can finally understand your friend here, you really are an elite... elite dumbass that is." He said slowly, making sure that his words were provocative.

John's face twisted in pain and rage as he stumbled back another step, blood continuing to seep from his wound. Meanwhile, the smug player finally found his voice, though it came out as a trembling whisper. "H-he... he just..."

Arthur's gaze flicked to the smug player, who was visibly trembling under his gaze.

"And you," Arthur said, his tone dropping several degrees, "shut up, or it'll be your turn next."

The smug player recoiled, his face turning a sickly shade of pale. "I-I…" he stammered but quickly fell silent under Arthur's icy glare.

Arthur stepped forward slowly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The players around him woke up from their daze, as they watched the scene with exasperation.

"Did you see that? He did so much damage in one hit. How is that even possible?"

"Yeah, it was a critical hit, but still... That's insane. John's supposed to be an elite."

"We should help John," one player suggested hesitantly, looking toward the critically injured elite. "Maybe he'll owe us a favour."

Another player scoffed loudly. "Help him? Are you nuts? That guy just obliterated him in one move. What are you going to do—die for free? Stay out of it."

"Exactly," someone else chimed in. "You'd just be offending this guy to suck up to John. Either way, you're playing with fire."

The chatter among the crowd grew louder, a mix of disbelief, fear, and awe. Arthur ignored them all, his focus entirely on John, who barely managed to stay upright.

"Here's a tip, John," Arthur said, crouching slightly to meet the injured player's furious gaze. "Next time you threaten someone, make sure they're actually afraid of you. And more importantly…"

Arthur's grin widened, his tone darker.

"Don't lose..."

John's health continued to drain, his face growing paler with every passing second. Yet his fists remained clenched, his pride refusing to let him fall.

'Damn it, I just came from a levelling session. I used all the Health potions I bought, it's all because of that idiot who told me to come quickly...' He thought, glancing at the guy who was shaking next to him.

'What do I do... I will die either way, I might as well take him with me. Even if it doesn't work, I should be able to do enough damage to make other players think about attacking him.'

John's mind worked overdrive, as his eyes remained on Arthur who was standing in front of him.