Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Arthur groaned, pushing himself up onto his elbows. His arms trembled slightly, but he forced them to stay steady. He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his breathing ragged but controlled.

The man watched him with mild amusement. "Ah, even though you are a little rude brat. you do learn quickly."

"Good."

Arthur's eyes, dark and cold, locked onto his attacker's. His voice, however, remained eerily calm. "What do you want?"

The man smiled.

A slow, deliberate smile that sent a chill down Arthur's spine.

"You."

Arthur's stomach twisted.

The man took a step closer, adjusting his coat like this was just another business transaction. "You're a special case, Fateless. A very special case. I have been keeping an eye on you for some time now, and so has Adam. And both of our observations led us to one conclusion."

"You are at least an S-Grade Talent."

Arthur remained silent, waiting.

The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, don't give me that look. You didn't really think you could do everything you've done without someone noticing, did you? The military has eyes everywhere. We know who the real players are—the ones that matter. And you?" He let out a low whistle. "You matter."

Arthur's hands clenched into fists at his sides, but he stayed rooted in place. He couldn't act recklessly. Not now.

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "And?"

The man grinned. "And we want you on our side."

Arthur exhaled sharply through his nose, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"So that's what this is about?" he muttered. "Recruitment?"

"Oh, it's more than just recruitment," the man said smoothly. "We're offering you something far greater. A position. A future. Protection."

Arthur's teeth clenched. "Protection?"

"Yes," the man said simply. "Because whether you like it or not, people are going to come for you. Not just us. Not just the military." He tilted his head. "Think about it. You've already seen how the other players look at you. How the rumors spread. And that's just inside the game."

Arthur stayed silent, processing.

The man leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "What happens when the world outside starts paying attention? When people outside of Armageddon realize what you can do?"

The man saw the flicker of emotion in Arthur's eyes and smiled. "Ah. Now you're starting to get it."

Arthur forced his voice to remain steady. "And if I refuse?"

The man sighed dramatically. "Well, that would be very disappointing. A waste of potential. But more than that…" His smile faded. His voice dropped to something colder. Darker.

"It would be a problem."

A chill ran down Arthur's spine.

This wasn't just some offer. This was a demand.

Join them, or—

Arthur's fists tightened so hard his nails dug into his palms.

He hated this feeling.

The feeling of being backed into a corner.

Of being weak.

Of being powerless.

His mind raced. His body ached from the impact against the wall, but he ignored the pain. He needed to think. He needed to get out of this situation—somehow.
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The man straightened, smoothing out the front of his coat. "I'll give you some time to think about it," he said pleasantly. "But don't take too long."

His eyes glinted. "Decisions have consequences, Fateless."

Arthur's mind raced. His thoughts spiraled, dissecting every word, every pause, every calculated movement of the man before him.

He didn't say it outright.

But Arthur wasn't an idiot.

This was a blatant threat. A final warning, wrapped in a thin veil of diplomacy.

'Join us—or you and your sister will vanish from existence.'

He knew how people like this operated. How organizations—especially military ones—handled problems before they grew into something uncontrollable.

The world was merging.

And this man likely thought Arthur had no idea. But he did.

And if the military saw him as a potential problem now, while he was still vulnerable, they wouldn't hesitate to snuff him out before he could become a real threat.

He couldn't fight this battle. Not here. Not yet.

Which meant he had only one choice.

He had to join them.

But not like this.

If he accepted blindly, if he threw himself into their hands without resistance, they would tighten the leash. They would make sure that as the worlds merged, he remained under their thumb, forever shackled.

Which means I need to play this differently.

He lifted his gaze, his expression shifting from barely contained rage to something else. Vulnerability.

"My sister…"

The words came out softer, tinged with something that wasn't entirely fake.

The man across from him didn't react at first. He simply watched, waiting.

Arthur exhaled, unclenching his fists just slightly. "I did all of this for my sister."

A flicker of something passed through the man's cold, calculating eyes. A moment of satisfaction, perhaps.

Arthur continued, his voice steadier now. "Do you promise me that her treatment will be better? That she'll actually get the care she needs?"

The man's lips curled into a smile—this time, it felt more genuine.

Truthful.

"Of course."

Arthur's stomach twisted.

The man nodded, his tone smooth, persuasive. "She's already considered part of the family now. We will make sure she is healed—without a doubt."

Arthur swallowed.

That should have felt reassuring. It should have been relief washing over him. But instead, he felt sick.

Because now, she really was part of the family.

And that meant there was no leaving.

The man leaned forward slightly. "And not just that. If your identity is ever compromised, we will ensure her safety. She will be protected, no matter what."

Arthur met his gaze, his heart pounding in his chest.

A cage.

They had just built an ironclad cage around him, locked the door, and tossed the key somewhere he would never find.

And yet… he had no choice but to walk inside willingly.

He forced himself to nod. Slow. Measured.

"I see," he murmured.

The man's smile widened.

Arthur lifted his gaze fully now, tilting his head slightly as if in deep thought. Then, after a long silence, he let out a quiet breath.

"Alright."

"I'm willing," Arthur said, keeping his voice steady. "If it means she gets the best care possible, if it means she's safe… then I'll do it."

"I'll sell my soul to the military."

The words tasted like poison.

But the man looked satisfied. "Smart choice."

Arthur clenched his jaw. Not yet. He wasn't giving in completely.

Not yet.

Because one day—whether it was tomorrow, a year from now, or when the world finally burned—

He would find a way to break free.

And when that day came, they would regret doing this to him.

...

"We didn't get a proper introduction," the man said, his voice calm.

Arthur's eyes flickered toward him, studying his expression.

"I'm Donald," the man continued, adjusting his coat. "Special forces. Recently assigned to Armageddon affairs. The position is new—just like everything else related to the game."

Arthur gave a slow nod. "Arthur Fate. Fateless, in-game."

Donald nodded. "Fitting."

Arthur didn't reply.

"Alright," Donald said, stretching his shoulders. "Let's get moving. Do you have anything you need to pack?"

Arthur shook his head once.

There was nothing left for him here.

Donald didn't waste another second. He turned sharply on his heel, stepping toward the door. Arthur followed, his movements controlled, masking the boiling frustration beneath his skin.

As they exited the hospital room, Arthur's gaze caught Dr. Michaels standing in the hallway, watching him.

The old doctor's eyes met his for a fraction of a second before he turned away.

Arthur didn't stop. He didn't slow down.

Instead, he kept walking, following Donald.