Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons - Chapter 552
552: An Army 552: An Army Arthur activated his spatial manipulation, reality folding around him as he teleported directly toward the source of the wind disturbance.
Distance collapsed instantly, carrying him across kilometers in the blink of an eye until he materialized at the heart of the beast’s territory.
Whoosh!
The moment he appeared, Arthur’s expression shifted from anticipation to a deep frown.
This wasn’t what he’d expected at all.
Unlike the previous second-order beasts he’d encountered-the Winter Beast in its solitary frozen domain, the Tidal Flamingo ruling its aquatic paradise alone-the creature before him commanded something far more dangerous than personal power.
It commanded an army.
Caw!
Screech!
Shriek!
Hundreds of superior-ranked beasts filled the sky above, circling in coordinated formations that spoke of discipline rather than random congregation.
The aerial assembly represented dozens of different flying species-hawks, eagles, ravens, vultures, even several wyvern-like creatures whose wingspans exceeded twenty feet.
Each beast radiated power in the level 18 to 23 range, and they moved with synchronized motions that suggested extensive training under unified command.
Their circular flight patterns created a living dome of talons and beaks, anticipating Arthur’s arrival as if they’d been warned of his approach.
This is problematic, Arthur thought, his mind immediately calculating the threat assessment.
One legendary-rank opponent I can handle easily with Flamingo, Aether and Winter Beast.
But hundreds of superior-rank creatures providing coordinated support changes the entire battlefield dynamic. At the center of this aerial formation, perched on a massive stone outcropping that jutted from the forest canopy, sat the architect of this organized force.
[Wind Hawk] [ Rank: Legendary] [Level: 27] [Details: An exceptionally intelligent second-order beast, the Wind Hawk has spent decades unifying its realm of the Grieving Hollows.
Unlike most legendary creatures who rule through fear, it commands unwavering loyalty from hundreds of flying species via overwhelming power and intelligence.
Its wind manipulation enhances allies and cripples ground foes, turning the entire aerial battlefield into an extension of its will.
Most dangerous is its mind, capable of orchestrating complex, coordinated assaults that overwhelm even stronger individual foes.] The Wind Hawk itself was magnificent to behold.
Its wingspan stretched nearly thirty feet when fully extended, feathers ranging from pure white at the tips to storm-gray at the body.
Golden eyes blazed with intelligence that transcended animal instinct, studying Arthur with the calculating gaze of a general evaluating an enemy commander.
Whoooosh!
Wind swirled around the hawk’s perch with visible intensity, creating miniature tornadoes that demonstrated its mastery over the wind forces.
The creature’s mere presence seemed to affect the very air itself, bending weather patterns to its will without conscious effort.
“Oooh…” Aether’s small voice carried unusual wariness as he observed the assembled forces.
“Master, there are SO many birdies up there!
Like…
lots and lots and lots!
More than Aether can count, they remind me of Skyla and Hank.” The void dragon’s typical enthusiasm was tempered by recognition that this scenario differed dramatically from their previous encounters.
His tiny claws gripped Arthur’s shoulder more tightly than usual.
“And the big boss bird looks really, really smart, Master!
Its eyes are doing the thinky-thing like you do before fights!” Arthur nodded slowly, not taking his gaze from the Wind Hawk.
Aether’s observation carried accurate assessment-this legendary creature possessed intelligence that could possible match human-level cognition.
That was by no means a thing to ignore, despite having stronger bodies than humans at the same level, humans are still able to kill those beasts with a good strategy.
their primitive minds made them predictable after all.
However, when the beast becomes intelligent, its weakness is no longer a weakness, but a strength that changes the playing grounds completely.
Caw!
Caw!
Caw!
The circling followers responded to some unspoken command, their formations tightening as they prepared for potential combat.
The coordination was flawless-each species maintaining specific altitudes and positions that created overlapping fields of attack coverage.
This isn’t just a powerful monster, Arthur analyzed with growing respect.
This is a military commander who’s built an actual organized force.
The followers aren’t slaves or dominated thralls-they’re trained soldiers operating under a unified doctrine.
The Wind Hawk’s golden eyes tracked Arthur’s position with unblinking focus, and suddenly the atmospheric pressure shifted dramatically.
The gentle breezes that had been swirling around the territory transformed into howling gales that bent trees and sent loose debris flying.
WHOOOOSH!
The demonstration of power was unmistakable-this was the Wind Hawk asserting its dominance, showing that it controlled not just personal combat abilities but the entire battlefield.
The wind currents intensified until standing upright required conscious effort.
Arthur’s long hair whipped violently in the supernatural storm.
“Master!
The wind is getting super pushy!” Aether squeaked, his small form pressed flat against Arthur’s shoulder as the gales thrashed against him, unable to dislodge him. Then, as suddenly as the wind demonstration began, it ceased.
The howling gales died to gentle breezes, and the oppressive atmospheric pressure returned to normal levels.
The message was clear: I can make your life extremely difficult if I choose to.
Arthur’s frown deepened as he processed the implications.
Fighting the Wind Hawk alone would have been challenging but manageable.
Fighting the Wind Hawk while hundreds of coordinated superior-rank creatures harassed him from all angles transformed the encounter into something far more dangerous.
The legendary beast’s approach showed intelligence that went beyond instinctive territorial defense.
It had deliberately gathered and trained an aerial force specifically to counter powerful individual threats-creatures like Arthur who might otherwise challenge its dominance through its superior power.
This one learned from watching others fall, Arthur realized with grudging admiration.
It saw how isolated legendary creatures get defeated by overwhelming individual strength, so it built an army to ensure numerical superiority regardless of opponent quality.
The Wind Hawk’s head tilted slightly, studying Arthur with those intelligent golden eyes.
Then it opened its massive beak and released a cry that echoed across the entire territory.
SCREEEEE!
The sound carried layers of meaning beyond simple noise-it was a challenge, a warning, and a declaration of intent all compressed into a single piercing call.