Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 264: Surprise

The spell collided with the demon's forearm and detonated.

White light erupted outward, so intense it could have turned night to day. Everyone in the clearing had to shield their eyes from the blinding flash. The fallen warriors covered their faces, crying out in surprise.

Arthur didn't look away. His eyes widened as he witnessed what was happening.

"Jasmine did this...?"

Where the light touched the demon's skin, it bubbled and hissed. Its obsidian arm was actually cracking, white light pouring from the fissures. The demon shrieked—not in mockery but genuine pain—as it staggered backwards.

Arthur could see the ball of light had done damage that it shouldn't have been possible to inflict. Although not life-threatening, it was damage no one below level 18 should be able to cause. Her skill was incredibly powerful.

The demon regained its footing, staring at its damaged arm with shock.

She stood her ground, though her legs trembled with exhaustion. The spell had drained her almost completely.

"Light against darkness," she said, voice stronger than her body. "The oldest story there is."

The demon's expression changed to shock. It took a step toward her, damaged arm hanging limply at its side.

Theodore dragged himself to his feet, staggering back toward Jasmine.

"Run!"

He shouted, knowing she was too drained to cast another spell.

But Jasmine couldn't run. The spell had taken everything she had. She dropped to her knees, her magic reserves completely depleted.

The demon raised its good arm, darkness coalescing around its claws. From his vantage point, Arthur decided he'd seen enough. In a flash, he vanished from his observation post and appeared directly between the demon and Jasmine.

Jasmine, on her knees, suddenly saw a familiar figure standing in front of her. Looking at his wide back, she smiled.

"You are finally here," she muttered, before collapsing on the floor from exhaustion.

Theodore, who was nearby, also recognised the figure. His face bloomed with relief despite his wounds.

"Swordmaster!" he shouted, clutching his wounded shoulder.

Arthur didn't turn around, his focus entirely on the demon before him. "Don't worry, you've done well. Let me do the rest."

With a casual gesture, he stretched out his hand. The air rippled as two dark portals materialised on either side of him. From these swirling vortexes emerged his summons – Borak, a massive wild boar with tusks that gleamed like steel, and Hank.

Although Hank had been nearby all along, Arthur didn't want them to know he'd been watching their fight. The summoning was for show.

"Kill him," Arthur commanded aloud, his voice carrying across the clearing.

But the telepathic message he sent was different: 'Act like you're fighting, and take the battle away from here. Once you're far enough, you can stop.'

The demon, already damaged from Jasmine's surprising attack, locked eyes with Arthur.

Borak charged immediately, his massive bulk barreling toward the demon with earth-shaking force. The ground trembled beneath his hooves as he slammed into the creature. Hank swooped from above, talons extended, feinting attacks at the demon's eyes.

The battle was spectacular but brief. After a few exchanges of blows that shook the trees around them, the demon suddenly broke away, snarling in apparent fear. It turned and fled deeper into the forest, moving with convincing desperation.

Borak and Hank gave chase, bellowing and screeching as they pursued the "retreating" enemy. The sounds of their battle grew fainter as they disappeared into the dense woodland.

"Is it... running away?" one of the fallen warriors asked in disbelief.

Arthur nodded, his expression revealing nothing. "Even demons know when they're outmatched."

He turned his attention to the battered training group. From his pouch, he produced several small vials filled with shimmering red liquid.

"Everyone, drink these healing potions. They'll help with your condition."

Theodore limped over, accepting a vial with a trembling hand. "We failed, didn't we? We couldn't beat it."

Arthur clasped his shoulder firmly. "No. You succeeded."

"But the demon—"

"Was far stronger than anything you should've been able to handle," Arthur finished. "Yet you stood your ground. You protected each other."

He moved through the group, distributing potions to the wounded. The magical liquid worked quickly, closing wounds and restoring vitality. Warriors who had been sprawled in the dirt moments before were now sitting up, colour returning to their faces.

Arthur knelt beside Jasmine, gently lifting her head to help her drink the potion. Her eyes fluttered open as the healing magic took effect.

Although Arthur wanted to ask Jasmine about the light spell she had used, he decided not to.

Jasmine swallowed the last of the potion.

He helped her to her feet, studying her with newfound curiosity. Such talent was rare – incredibly rare.

'She is hiding immense talent. I need her to open up more...' He thought.

"What happened to the demon?" she asked, looking around.

"Borak and Hank are handling it," Arthur replied, deliberately vague. "They'll make sure it doesn't return."

As the group gathered themselves, drinking potions and helping their comrades, Arthur walked to Theodore. The young leader was staring at his broken sword, lost in thought.

"Tell me. What happened exactly?"

Theodore nodded before narrating everything that Arthur already knew.

After listening and nodding for a while, Arthur said.

"You made the right call."

Lupin, who had drunk the healing potion, was snuggling next to Arthur as he rubbed his fur.

Theodore looked up. "It wasn't enough."

"It's never enough against some enemies," Arthur responded. "That's why you train harder, why you grow stronger." He gestured to the recovering team. "Why you build bonds that can't be broken."

Theodore nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes.

He raised his voice to address the entire group. "Listen well. What you faced today was beyond your current abilities. But not forever. Remember this feeling."

"The desperation, the fear, the certainty of defeat. Let it fuel you."

The warriors gathered around him, their expressions a mixture of awe, respect, and determination.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

"Because next time," Arthur continued, "you'll be stronger. And the time after that, stronger still. Until one day, demons like that will flee from you because they have no other choice."