Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

Chapter 213: Duel For Leadership

Eliza, the mage candidate, nodded vigorously. "Convenient timing, isn't it? Shows up right after we need a leader? Where was he during the horde attack?"

"I'll tell you where I was," the scarred warrior continued. "Fighting alongside you, bleeding with you! Not hiding until the perfect moment to play savior!"

A stocky player with an elaborate beard crossed his arms. "He's making sense, folks. The Swordmaster appears from nowhere and suddenly wants to lead? Suspicious timing."

The crowd's mood wavered, some players looking uncertainly between Arthur and the other candidates.

Arthur remained calm, unfazed by the accusations. He'd expected this.

"Your concerns are legitimate," he acknowledged. "Words are easy. Actions matter more. Where was he when the Drake was about to turn you guys into barbecue?"

The public view shifted back to Arthur as they started agreeing with him.

Seeing that talking was getting him nowhere, the warrior decided to play by his strongest card.

"I propose a solution, one that needs no fake speeches or fake promises." The warrior said.

"What?"

Arthur's eyes flashed beneath his hood.

"A duel."

The word electrified the crowd instantly.

"A duel!"

"Yes!"

"That's perfect!"

"Fine by me," Arthur said, as he shrugged.

Eliza tossed her silver hair. "Count me in. My spells against your blade, Swordmaster."

One by one, the other candidates voiced their agreement. The prospect of combat had unified them against Arthur.

Charles raised his hand, silencing the crowd.

"The duel will take place now, inside the training ground's special arena!"

Players cheered, rushing toward the eastern section of the village where the training grounds stood. The massive stone colosseum had been built specifically for duels, with enchanted barriers to prevent fatal damage.

"Betting windows are open!" shouted a quick-thinking merchant, setting up a table near the entrance.

Within minutes, the stands were packed. Players jostled for the best views, hanging over railings and standing on seats.

The five challengers entered from the east gate—the scarred warrior, Eliza the mage, the tank with his massive shield, the rogue with twin daggers, and a hunter with an ornate bow.

"Where's the Swordmaster?" someone called out.

As if on cue, the west gate opened.

Arthur walked in alone, his hooded cloak billowing slightly. 

The crowd roared.

Charles stood in the referee's box. "Attention! This is an official leadership duel! The last candidate standing will become the player representative!"

He gestured to the glowing runes along the arena floor. "Arena rules are in effect. No fatalities, but everything else goes! Victory by surrender or incapacitation!"

"The first two contestants: Swordmaster and Oblack!"

Arthur drew his blade in one fluid motion, the steel catching sunlight as he stepped into the arena. The scarred warrior—Oblack—mirrored his movement, hefting his massive greatsword.

"Fight will begin in ten seconds!" Charles called.

Oblack circled warily, muscles tensed. "This'll be quick, hood-boy."

Arthur didn't waste breath on banter. He didn't bother studying his opponent either.

Then Arthur did something unexpected.

He turned his back on Oblack, facing the other four candidates waiting their turn by the east entrance.

"All of you," he called out, pointing his blade at the group. "Come at once."

The crowd gasped.

Eliza's jaw dropped. "What?"

"Is he serious?" the rogue whispered.

"Come at once," Arthur repeated, voice carrying across the arena. "All five of you. Now."

Murmurs erupted throughout the stands.

"Arrogance!" "He's insane!" "Five against one? He's dead!"

Charles frowned. "Swordmaster, that's not how the tournament—"

"The crowd don't have time to waste, and neither do I", Arthur cut in. "Five duels or one, the outcome has been predestined."

Oblack's scarred face twisted into a grin. "You heard him, Charles! Let's oblige our overconfident friend!"

After a moment's hesitation, Charles nodded. "If that's your wish... then so be it. All challengers may enter!"

The remaining four candidates rushed in, weapons drawn, forming a loose circle around Arthur.

"Spread out," Oblack commanded. "Don't bunch up!"

Eliza scoffed, her C-Rank Ice magic dancing between her fingers. "Don't act like you're the leader. I'll do what I want."

The tank shot her an annoyed glance. "This isn't the time for your attitude, Eliza!"

"Focus on the target, not each other," the rogue hissed, daggers glinting as she circled to Arthur's flank.

Arthur remained unfazed, his katana held low and relaxed. 

"Any last words before we humble you?" Oblack sneered.

Arthur simply adjusted his hood. "Try to make this interesting."

"BEGIN!" Charles shouted.

The arena exploded into motion.

Three arrows whistled through the air, the hunter's opening salvo. Arthur's blade became a silver blur, deflecting two and snatching the third from midair.

Oblack and the tank charged simultaneously, a pincer attack from opposite sides.

Arthur didn't dodge.

He jumped.

His leap carried him impossibly high as the two collided beneath him. The impact shook the ground, dust billowing around them.

"[Ice Shards]!" Eliza shouted, frost shooting toward Arthur as he landed.

The rogue phased in behind him, daggers aimed for his kidneys.

Arthur spun, his cloak blinding the rogue. His blade slammed into the ground, shattering Eliza's approaching ice like glass.

"He's too fast!" the hunter called, backpedaling.

"DAMN IT! PIN HIM DOWN!" Oblack roared, pushing away from the dazed tank.

The hunter activated his uncommon skill. "[Multi-Arrow]!"

A dozen projectiles filled the air.

Arthur moved like lightning, his form seeming to split into afterimages. Every arrow missed or was deflected with terrifying precision.

"What the hell is he?" someone shouted from the stands.

The fight became a blur of motion.

Arthur never where they expected, anticipating attacks before they happened.

A palm strike here. A sweep there.

Fighters tumbling, skills disrupted, weapons clattering to the ground.

"Oh my god! Did you see that?!" a young man shouted, nearly falling off his seat.

The crowd went wild. Players jumped to their feet, shoving each other for better views.

"He's toying with them!"

"Five elites and they can't even touch him!"

"That's not just skill. That's... that's something else."

When Arthur caught the hunter's arrow mid-flight and snapped it with two fingers, a collective gasp rippled through the stands.

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

"Is he even human?!"

"Look at his movements! It's like he knows what they'll do before they do it!"

A betting merchant cursed loudly as he watched his odds collapse in real-time.

"I'm ruined! No, I'm in fact screwed... just shove that katana up my... at this point"

Thanks for the support. Be prepared for the next arc. The MERGE IS COMING!