Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

"I'll head to the Golden Manes' territory first," he announced, his voice confident.

As someone who had faced seemingly impossible odds a few times, he was confident in his power and summons. If push came to shove, even if it was a powerful beast with its own domain, Arthur would summon Bloom.

With him, bloom, his own shadow, Aether and the multiple life-saving skills he had, Arthur didn't believe that he wouldn't win.

"The Golden Manes represent the most manageable challenge among the available options, and their straightforward approach means fewer unknown variables to account for."

The golden beetle's compound eyes reflected concern mixed with respect for its master's assessment.

"Master, while the Golden Manes may lack the supernatural abilities of the other territorial powers, their persistence and pack coordination should not be underestimated. They have claimed their territory through generations of successful hunting, and their leader, the Mane King, has never been defeated in direct combat."

Arthur's smile carried satisfaction as he prepared for the journey north.

"Then it's time for the Mane King to experience something new," he replied, his hand unconsciously moving to rest on the hilt of his Chaos Katana.

"Besides, if the Pyro's Lotus isn't in their territory, I would simply leave. I'm not heading there to fight the golden manes. Unless they want to die, they should avoid me. I won't naturally go out of my way to kill them; I will at most injure one of them as a lesson. This should keep them away." Arthur stated his plan.

The beetle bowed its massive head in acknowledgement of Arthur's decision, though its mental voice carried lingering concern for its master's safety.

"Very well, master. The northern path leads directly into their domain. I wish you success in your hunt, and hope that the herb you seek awaits discovery within their realm."

Arthur nodded, his senses already detecting the subtle environmental changes.

...

Arthur moved through the dense forest with purposeful strides, Aether perched comfortably on his shoulder while the newly summoned Golden Beetle followed behind with surprising grace for a creature of its size. The massive insect navigated between trees with ease, its golden carapace reflecting occasional shafts of sunlight that penetrated the thick canopy above.

Arthur had to admit, the golden carapace was truly beautiful when sunlight was on it.

As they progressed northward, the forest gradually began to change around them. The bioluminescent fungi that had provided eerie illumination in the beetle's territory became less prevalent, replaced by more conventional vegetation that seemed somehow more... wild, untamed in a way.

The Golden Beetle suddenly slowed its pace, its compound eyes focusing on something ahead that had captured its attention. Arthur followed the creature's gaze and immediately understood what had prompted the change in behaviour.

A massive oak tree stood before them, its trunk easily six feet in diameter and reaching toward the canopy with authority. But what made the tree remarkable wasn't its size—it was the marks carved deep into its bark.

Claw scratches ran in parallel lines from ground level to heights that would require extraordinary reach or climbing ability to achieve. The gouges were deep enough to penetrate several inches into the hardwood, and their spacing suggested claws of considerable size and sharpness. Most telling was the pattern, not random scratching, but deliberate marking that spoke of intelligence and territorial purpose.

"Master," the Golden Beetle's mental voice carried wariness as it addressed Arthur through their mystical connection, "these claw marks are what identify the territory of the Golden Mane pack. After this tree, we will officially be entering their domain."

Arthur approached the marked oak, running his fingers along the deep gouges with. The scratches were relatively fresh, perhaps weeks old rather than months or years. More importantly, they showed no signs of weathering or healing that would suggest the territory was abandoned or poorly maintained.

"How recent are these marks?" Arthur asked, though his senses were already providing partial answers.

"The Golden Manes refresh their territorial markers regularly, master," the beetle replied with obvious respect for the pack's rituals. "Every few weeks, patrol members will revisit boundary trees like this one to renew the markings and ensure their scent remains strong enough to deter casual intruders."

Arthur nodded, studying the claw pattern with interest. The spacing and depth suggested creatures operating at superior rank levels, with physical capabilities that exceeded normal feline predators by significant margins. More importantly, the systematic nature of the marking indicated pack coordination and territorial discipline that went beyond simple animal instincts.

"Once we cross this boundary," the beetle continued with growing unease, "we should expect to encounter patrol members within minutes rather than hours. The Golden Manes maintain active surveillance of their borders, and strangers are typically identified and challenged almost immediately upon entry."

Arthur's smile carried anticipation as he prepared to step beyond the marked tree. His hand rested casually on his katana's hilt, not from nervousness but from readiness. The hunt for the Pyro's Lotus was about to begin in earnest, and he welcomed the opportunity to test his power against some of these golden manes.

He didn't have a lion among his summons...yet.

But perhaps the Golden Manes would be the key. Not just a challenge, but an invitation. An opportunity to claim one of the most iconic apex predators in existence. The embodiment of dominance, pride, and raw power.

The king of the jungle.

"Good, I prefer direct confrontation to extended searching. If they want to announce their presence, it will save us considerable time in locating either them or the herb we're seeking." Arthur replied with confidence that bordered on arrogance.

The Golden Beetle's compound eyes reflected a mixture of admiration and concern for its master's boldness, but it remained loyal to Arthur's tactical decisions despite its personal reservations about engaging the notorious Golden Mane pack.

Arthur stepped across the invisible boundary marked by the scarred oak, officially entering territory that had been claimed through generations of dominance.

Entering the Golden Mane territory, Arthur immediately felt the change in the atmosphere around here. The forest around him carried an undercurrent of tension, as if the very trees were holding their breath in anticipation of violence.