Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 431: Negotiating

Sarah had a good personality. She was straightforward, power-hungry and most importantly, honest, just like her uncle. Furthermore, her problems with the ashencroft also made her a possible ally.

However, things didn’t pan out. He wasn’t confident enough in trusting her yet, and the sudden opportunities that fell for Jasmine and her connection to Regulus came into play.

With all of these variables, Arthur discarded her from the inheritance of the legacy.

"Perhaps you could speak with her directly," the General continued. "I’m uncertain whether she’s utilised the herb yet, but she might be willing to discuss the matter if she didn’t."

Arthur nodded, already calculating approaches for convincing Sarah to part with the epic-grade herb. Especially with Sarah’s hunger for power. She might have already consumed the plant, rendering his calculations worthless. Still, it was worth a try; It’s not like he was losing anything.

Sarah Draketower. This might be possible.

"I appreciate the information, General. Where might I find her? Is she still in the dorms?"

"Yes, she is still staying at the dorms," General Draketower replied. "I assume you know where that is, considering you are a student of the Academy after all."

Arthur nodded. "I indeed do."

"Good,"

The General’s tone grew more serious, "I should mention that Sarah takes her path to power very seriously. She may not be... amenable to requests that could compromise her power. Be careful,"

...

Arthur understood the meaning behind his words. Sarah Draketower wouldn’t simply hand over valuable resources without compelling reasons.

The general, knowing his niece’s personality, was challenging Arthur to do so. As her uncle, he knew how much she treasured things that improved her power.

Naturally, Arthur accepted the challenge with open arms. In fact, as long as Sarah hadn’t consumed the herb yet, Arthur had considered the transaction a done deal that he didn’t need to worry about at all.

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance."

General Draketower extended his hand in formal conclusion. "It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Guild Master. I look forward to our future cooperation."

Arthur shook the offered hand. Their handshake was powerful, making their palms grunt. The general was recognising Arthur’s power; he wasn’t treating him like a teen, despite his age.

"Likewise, General. Your soldiers will receive their equipment within a few hours."

With that said, Arthur made his way down the tower, the stone steps echoing beneath his boots.

Arthur would have teleported to the academy, but he couldn’t use his teleportation to enter the academy, too many variables made spatial manipulation inadvisable. Once news about his space talent spread, it would create cascading problems throughout Caldera.

The problem remained that Arthur wasn’t sure whether there was an array that stopped teleportations, but he was nearly sure there was. Once he forced his way in, he would only create problems. Hence, he decided to walk through the city; the walk wasn’t far, just a few minutes.

As he navigated Caldera’s winding streets toward the Academy of Mera, Arthur’s enhanced perception detected familiar energy signatures ahead. His eyes widened in recognition.

Well, well. Old friends. You are finally here? I had almost thought you died.

The group of players he was talking about weren’t random encounters; these were John and Yohan, names that carried specific historical significance in Arthur’s development.

They were his first opposition. They were an educational experience.

John had been his earliest challenger back in Village #420’s beginning stages. An elite player who commanded respect and fear among newcomers, someone who became a stepping stone for Arthur.

At the time, John had assumed that Borak carrying Jasmine’s unconscious form represented a quest that Arthur hoarded for himself. His demand to "share" the opportunity he had gotten greedy.

Arthur’s refusal to accommodate John’s entitlement had led to their first confrontation. The fight ended with John’s death—and more importantly, his twenty-four-hour penalty that stunted crucial early growth periods.

John had sent his friends for revenge, with Yohan leading the retaliatory strike. Their deaths had followed naturally, then Arthur had killed John once again for his dirty tactics.

After the constant failure against Arthur’s power. The group had personally come to him to apologise; they didn’t want to be on Arthur’s list. They couldn’t afford dying anymore; they had lost too much time.

Arthur had initially considered inviting them to Power Guild during recruitment phases, but their stagnated development made them unsuitable for membership standards.

Arthur ducked into a convenient alleyway, activating his Mask of a Thousand Faces. His features shifted into unremarkable anonymity—just another player navigating Caldera’s districts.

That’s a decent camouflage. Information gathering time.

He wanted to test a theory that he’d been developing since the merger news.

What were the effects of death on players once the merge occurred?

What consequences had manifested?

Approaching the group with carefully neutral body language, Arthur initiated contact. "Greetings, fellow players. I recognise you from Village #420."

The group turned toward him with expressions that mixed gloom with automatic deference. His rare-grade equipment commanded immediate respect despite its obvious melancholy.

"Hello, senior. You’re from Village #420? Sorry, senior, we don’t recognise you. No offence meant."

Full rare-grade equipment sets typically indicated Level 15 minimum power levels that demanded acknowledgement from their current position.

Arthur nodded with manufactured understanding. "Different circles, understandable. I’ve been focusing on solo advancement rather than group activities."

Then he deployed his real question. "I heard from Fateless that after the merge, people who died would experience physical consequences. Wonder if that’s true?"

He focused on John specifically. "I remember you had conflicts with him early on. He killed you once, correct?"

John’s sigh carried the weight of accumulated regret. "More like three times."

"And indeed, I’m facing the consequences of my actions. My body doesn’t feel the same—like I’ve aged thirty years overnight."

Physical degradation. That’s a predictable effect if there was any.

"My vitality decreased, strength decreased, everything decreased. My level stayed the same, but my power has decreased substantially."

The effects are worse than I thought...with the level remaining the same, this means that the player will not be able to regain back what he lost. Since levelling up means gaining stat points...it’s really harsh.