Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 450: Searching for the herb in the Golden Mane territory

First, a very rare dual-blade, gleaming with a pale silver edge and subtle enchantments that pulsed faintly. The weapon was perfectly forged for dual-wielding combat, its balance optimised to pair flawlessly with the Blade Whirl ability he had just transferred to the shadow. It was a weapon built for motion, designed to dance through combat with a lethal rhythm.

But Arthur wasn’t done.

Though the dual-blade was the primary weapon, he also equipped the shadow with a frost-forged sword, another high-tier weapon with a chilling aura and passive stat enhancements. Arthur had his reasons. He believed in tactical flexibility. If an opponent countered the dual-blade or the situation demanded elemental effects, the frost sword could change the tide.

As each piece of gear fused with the shadow’s form, Arthur observed a transformation. What had once been a mere projection of his will was becoming something more, a silent, lethal warrior armed for precision execution. The shadow now radiated intent, no longer just a summoned tool but a combatant in its own right.

The shadow was now his second blade in the dark. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Loyal, deadly and certainly ready to face superior-ranked beasts.

The Golden Beetle observed this transformation with obvious fascination, its eyes reflecting the meticulous process of creating what amounted to a second Arthur optimised for a different role.

"Master," the beetle’s mental voice carried respect.

"Your shadow ally appears to possess combat capabilities that rival many superior-rank creatures.

The standard Golden Manes will not be prepared for this level of threat. Your shadow, hidden and swift, will tear through their ranks before they realise the danger. They will falter when faced with something they cannot see, cannot predict, and cannot defend against."

The beetle shifted slightly, a subtle sign of deference. It knew power when it saw it.

A hunter born from shadow... armed like a general."

Arthur nodded with satisfaction as he surveyed his completed work. His living shadow now stood before him fully equipped and ready for combat, a dark mirror of himself that possessed 80% of his attributes, epic-rank combat skills, and high-quality equipment that would allow it to deal with the golden manes in this territory.

Based on the Golden Beetle’s words, Arthur estimated that his shadow would be able to single-handedly deal with one or two Golden manes. Obviously, the average ones, not the strongest ones, let alone the pack leader.

...

Arthur turned toward his newly equipped shadow, studying the dark figure that stood ready to receive instructions. The entity’s featureless face somehow managed to convey attentiveness, waiting for Arthur’s guidance with the patience of a perfect soldier.

"I want a full perimeter sweep of this territory. Not a single patch of dirt, stone, or undergrowth is to be overlooked," Arthur ordered, his tone sharpened with unwavering authority. "You are to search for the Pyro’s Lotus with absolute thoroughness."

"Start from the outermost edge of the Golden Mane lands and move inward in expanding concentric circles. I want the search pattern as precise as the layers of an onion being peeled back. I don’t want you to take any shortcuts or make any assumptions."

His voice lowered slightly, but the intensity only deepened.

"If the herb exists here, I want it found. Miss nothing."

The shadow’s head tilted slightly in acknowledgement, demonstrating the intelligence that made it far more than a simple shadow.

Arthur continued his instructions to ensure that there was no mistake. "Each sweep should penetrate roughly five hundred meters deeper than the previous one. Map patrol routes, identify den locations, and catalogue any unusual vegetation or environmental anomalies you encounter."

The strategic reasoning behind this approach was sound and necessary. Arthur didn’t want his shadow to accidentally encounter the most powerful Golden Manes or, worse yet, stumble into a confrontation with the pack leader himself. Such an engagement would be far from ideal for his current shadow.

The shadow possessed impressive capabilities, 80% of Arthur’s attributes, epic-rank combat skills, and very rare equipment, but it still represented a significant investment of resources and tactical advantage that shouldn’t be risked unnecessarily. If the shadow was destroyed or forced to retreat from overwhelming opposition, it would be a loss.

Hence, Arthur had decided to implement a layered reconnaissance strategy. The shadow would handle the outer regions where resistance would be lighter, primarily consisting of patrol members and scouts rather than the pack’s elite hunters. Meanwhile, Arthur himself could penetrate deeper into the territory’s heart, where the most dangerous creatures would be concentrated along with any potential herb locations.

"Avoid direct confrontation unless absolutely necessary," Arthur added, emphasising the scouting nature of the shadow’s mission. "If you encounter superior-rank Golden Manes or multiple pack members simultaneously, withdraw immediately and report their positions. Your primary objective is intelligence gathering, not elimination."

The shadow nodded once more, its movements conveying understanding that went beyond simple acknowledgement. Through their mystical connection, Arthur could sense the entity’s awareness adjusting to accommodate these parameters.

"Signal me if you discover anything that could be the Pyro’s Lotus—plants with blood-red petals, fire crackling in their cores, or unusual heat signatures in areas that should be temperate," Arthur instructed.

"Also, report any locations where the Golden Manes seem to be concentrating their defensive efforts. Such areas might indicate valuable resources they’re protecting."

Arthur stepped back, allowing his shadow room to begin its assigned mission. "Begin your reconnaissance. I’ll be moving toward the territory’s center while you work the perimeter. We’ll coordinate our findings once both sweeps are complete."

The living shadow saluted with fluid grace before melting into the forest’s natural shadows, becoming nearly invisible as it began its patrol of the Golden Mane territory’s outer regions.

Arthur watched until his shadow ally disappeared completely, then turned his attention toward the deeper forest where greater challenges and hopefully greater rewards awaited his personal investigation.

Arthur turned towards the beetle and said, "Take me to the deeper side."

The Golden Beetle’s compound eyes reflected understanding as it began moving through the forest with purposeful strides.