Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

George's blank eyes flickered slightly. "The bartender of Old Caldera Inn. He gave me info that someone was looking to buy land, fresh in the city, and—easy prey. So I followed you, to see if you really had the coin. And... well, you know the rest, Master."

Arthur's brow arched.

'The bartender.'

His mind replayed the interaction—how casual the man had been, rubbing his fingers together for a tip right before selling him out.

Arthur's expression darkened, eyes growing cold.

"Despicable."

He despised that type of person—someone who smiled at you while stabbing you in the back. Worse than a mortal enemy.

Arthur stepped closer to George's, katana resting lightly against his side. "Does anyone else know? Other than you and the bartender?"

George hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Not sure, but... probably, yes. People like him? They don't just sell once."

Arthur's jaw clenched. A network. One informant passing details to another. A chain that could stretch deep into the underbelly of Caldera.

He continued, voice low. "How did you find out about me? Did you approach him? Or did he come to you?"

"I approached him," George replied. "I work the inn circuits—bartenders are always the easiest. A few coins, a drink, and they'll tell you everything about everyone. It's how I scout targets."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "So, you're not just an assassin."

George's head tilted. "No. I'm a thief. That's my real profession. I only kill when I need to."

Arthur's frown deepened.

'A thief, not an assassin?'

That explained the sloppy ambush, the reliance on poisons and stealth rather than pure skill.

He wasn't trained for direct combat—he simply waited until the odds were stacked in his favour.

Arthur let out a cold chuckle. "A thief, trying to kill me. No wonder you failed so miserably."

George's head hung low, shame visible on his face.

But Arthur wasn't done. He knew now that the rot in Caldera was deeper than he thought. The bartender was just the start.

[Race:] Human

[ID:] George

[Level:] 18

[Talent:] Thief (B-Rank)

[Health Points:] 170

[Mana Points:] 200

[Magical Damage:] 20

[Physical Damage:] 15

[Damage Resistance:] 17

[Attributes:] Strength 15, Agility 25, Vitality 17, Intelligence 20

[Skills:] Silent Step (Uncommon), Mist Blend (Rare)

[Attribute Points:] 0

[Skill Points:] 0

Arthur further inspected the skills of George, which made him understand how he was able to get away from Hank's Scouting ability.

'I really need to evolve Hank soon. If it was a stronger enemy, I wouldn't be able to detect them early, or even know that anyone is following me.' Arthur thought with a frown.

A C-Rank scouting talent was good in the village, but in the City of Caldera, it was nothing. Almost everyone had C-Rank talents or above.

—

<Silent Step>

<Rank: Uncommon>

<Passive>

<Description: The user's footsteps become nearly undetectable, reducing noise by 30%. Movement through foliage, water, and unstable surfaces produces no audible sound.>

—

—

<Mist Blend>

<Rank: Rare>

<Passive>

<Description: The user instinctively aligns their posture and breathing with their surroundings, reducing their presence. Detection range by sight is lowered by 60% from enemies>

—

After checking George's status, Arthur gave him a mission.

"I want you to keep track of the bartender. I want his daily routine, his movements, the people he speaks to. I want to know if he has any connections, if he meets with anyone suspicious, and if there's any place he goes to alone."

George kneeling, nodded. "Yes, master."

"Good. Now go."

Without hesitation, George melted into the forest, his figure vanishing.

Arthur exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he muttered to himself.

"He would've been much more useful if he could talk audibly… but he can't."

Still, George would serve his purpose.

Arthur turned his gaze toward the towering city walls in the distance.

The bartender at the Old Caldera Inn had made a fatal mistake.

Arthur couldn't move against him recklessly.

Not yet.

The inn was too public, too exposed. He didn't know if the bartender was working alone or if he had allies within the city. If he acted without caution, he could bring unnecessary heat onto himself.

No, he needed patience.

'Everyone has a pattern. A routine they follow.'

People are creatures of habit. George would uncover the cracks—the moments where the bartender let his guard down. A secluded alley, a late-night errand, whatever it may be.

Arthur only needed one opening.

His fingers traced the hilt of his katana absentmindedly.

He had no interest in playing the part of a vigilante.

But betrayal had consequences.

'Keeping him alive would only bring trouble further down the line. Especially since I need my identity as Azarel.'

With one last glance toward the forest, Arthur turned on his heel and made his way back toward the city.

After returning to the city, Arthur checked if his mission had been taken.

The receptionist at the Gilderhaven Guild glanced at him before nodding. "Yes, your mission has been accepted. The interested party has left an address where you can meet them to discuss the details."

Arthur took the small slip of parchment handed to him. The address was scrawled neatly in ink—an unfamiliar location, but one within the city's wealthier districts.

'A private landowner, most likely,' Arthur thought. It was a good sign. If it had been some back-alley dealer, the guild wouldn't have approved the transaction.

Without wasting time, Arthur left the guild and headed towards the given address.

As he ventured deeper into the city, the streets grew quieter, the buildings grander. The worn cobblestone roads of the outer districts gave way to well-maintained, polished stone.

Here, the people were different—wealthier merchants, influential figures, and adventurers of higher status.

Arthur's eyes scanned the surroundings as he walked. The address led him to an estate, modest compared to the noble districts but still impressive.

A wrought iron gate enclosed a courtyard, and at the entrance stood a guard. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

Arthur approached without hesitation.

The guard's sharp eyes assessed him before speaking. "State your business."