Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

A pulse of energy rippled outward, runes glowing along the parchment as it fizzled—

[Ding! Teleportation Failed.]

[You are currently under the status: Imprisoned.]

[You cannot teleport until your status has changed.]

Arthur exhaled slowly. Perfect.

Adam was truly stuck.

There were no loopholes. No easy escapes.

This meant that Adam would not be able to leave the prison, nor would he be able to force Arthur to leave the prison using the teleportation scroll.

Arthur smirked, tucking the scroll back into his inventory.

With that confirmed, Arthur left the prison cell and headed back up.

Arthur returned to the mayor's building without fanfare.

The halls were quiet. The atmosphere calm.

No one suspected a thing.

Charles had arranged a guest room for him inside the building.

Arthur stepped inside, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click.

Without hesitation, he reached into his inventory and pulled out the Teleportation Scroll.

The plan had worked. Flawlessly.

Adam was contained.

The village was secure.

And now, it was time to take the next step.

It was time.

Time to leave the village.

Time to step into the city.

With a flick of his wrist, Arthur unrolled the parchment, activating the runes embedded within.

A sudden rush of energy surged through his body.

[You have used the City Teleportation Scroll.]

[Condition Met: Level 10.]

The world around him warped. His vision blurred, his surroundings twisting into an unrecognizable haze. His feet lifted off the ground, weightless—then, in the blink of an eye, the sensation vanished.

And he was somewhere else.

Arthur appeared in the middle of a bustling street.

A massive street.

Towering buildings stretched into the sky, grand structures made of polished stone and enchanted glass. Banners and glowing sigils lined the pathways, each belonging to different factions and guilds.

People moved fast.

Unlike the village, where most players wore coomon gear, the adventurers here were different.

Uncommon and rare items were the norm with some having very-rare items, the glow of their enchanted armor pulsing faintly.

A true city. A place where the strongest gathered.

Before Arthur could even take in the full spectacle, someone shoved into him.

"Move out of the way."

A young man with fiery red hair and piercing red eyes barely spared Arthur a glance as he walked past. He was wearing an armor that seemed to be of very rare quality, and on his chest was an insignia that he did not know of.

Arthur didn't react.

Just watched him walk away.

He shrugged, brushing it off. "Let's not ruin the good moment because of one oddball," he muttered to himself.

His focus shifted.

Information. That was his priority.

He needed to understand the city, its layout, its important locations.

Arthur's sharp eyes scanned the street, taking in every building, every shop sign.

That's when he spotted it.

An inn.

It was nothing like the small, humble lodging back in the village.

This inn was enormous.

A towering, multi-story building, easily five times larger than the village's inn—maybe more. Large lanterns glowed softly outside, illuminating the massive wooden doors leading inside. The emblem of the inn was carved into the entrance, a golden crest depicting a roaring lion's head.

The moment Arthur stepped in, he was greeted by warm lighting, the scent of roasted meat, and the loud chatter of adventurers filling the space.

It was packed.

Dozens—no, hundreds—people alike sat at long wooden tables, eating, drinking, laughing, and negotiating deals.

A massive counter stood at the back, lined with bartenders and staff rushing to serve customers.

Arthur made his way through the crowd, weaving between adventurers in heavy armor and merchants carrying satchels of enchanted goods.

He reached the counter and took a seat.

A bartender, a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, wiped a glass clean and turned toward him. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned Arthur for a moment before he spoke.

"You new here?"

Arthur nodded. "Just arrived."

The bartender smirked. "You've got that look. First time in the city, yeah?"

"Something like that," Arthur said, resting his arms on the counter. "I don't want to waste time. I need information."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Information ain't free, kid."

Arthur didn't hesitate. He reached into his inventory and pulled out ten silver coins, sliding them across the counter with a casual flick of his fingers.

The bartender glanced down at the coins. Then back up at Arthur.

And then—he laughed.

A deep, amused rumble, shaking his broad shoulders. A few nearby patrons turned their heads, curious about the source of his amusement.

"Kid," he said, wiping the corner of his eye, "what do you think you're buying? Cabbage? Lettuce?"

Arthur's frown deepened.

He hadn't expected premium service for ten silver coins, but he also didn't expect to get mocked for it.

Information was information.

And in the village, ten silver could buy a week's worth of meals.

Arthur exhaled through his nose, keeping his expression neutral. He reached into his inventory again, this time pulling out fifty silver coins and slid them across the counter.

The bartender's laughter stopped.

His fingers tapped the counter as he eyed the new offer, his smirk widening.

"Now, that's more like it," he said, sweeping the coins off the counter with ease.

Arthur leaned forward slightly. "Start talking."

The bartender chuckled, before asking.

The bartender set the glass down with a soft clink, his smirk shifting into something more serious. He leaned forward slightly, resting an elbow on the counter as his fingers tapped lazily against the wood.

"You want to know everything important?"

Arthur nodded. "Everything."

The bartender exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if settling in for a long conversation. "Alright, listen up."

He poured himself another drink, tilting his glass slightly before taking a slow sip. Then, he set it down again and began.

"First thing's first—welcome to Caldera."

Arthur listened intently, his sharp eyes never leaving the bartender's face.

"This ain't just any city. It's the beating heart of the Kingdom of Mera—the capital, the centre of power, and home to the Ashborne royal family."