[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons":3,"chapter-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-223":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1650883,2114,"Chapter 223 223: Merciless Night","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-223",223,"\u003Cp>In an alley near the Arthur's guild hall, Anna materialized silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess had never before sent her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not during assassination attempts, not during political upheavals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that this guild master, was very important in Elara's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna moved to a rooftop overlooking the guild hall, her body melting into shadows as she prepared for a long night of vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever came for Arthur would find death waiting instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Elara had suspected, ten figures in dark clothing gathered on a rooftop far away from Arthur's guild hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight glinted off the leader's silver mask, the only distinguishing feature among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Parameters?\" a woman asked, her voice barely above a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask unrolled a small scroll. \"Target name: Azarel. Recently manifested a guild called Power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Manifested?\" another assassin questioned. \"As in a pillar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Silver Mask confirmed. \"Hence the rush job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall figure tested his bowstring. \"Payment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Triple the usual rate. Half now, half upon confirmation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low whistles from several members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the time window?\" the woman asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He must not see the dawn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shorter assassin adjusted his daggers. \"Why the urgency?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask's voice hardened. \"We don't ask questions. We complete contracts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the question hung in the air. A guild manifestation hadn't occurred in a very long time. Someone was terrified enough to order an immediate elimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Defenses?\" the archer asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unknown, but assume the worst. The target triggered a manifestation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Approach from all sides,\" the woman suggested. \"Fen and Taris take the roof. Merrol and I through the front. Lostar and Kythe from below if there's access.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask nodded. \"The rest with me through the back. Quick, clean, no evidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved into position as darkness settled over Caldera City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna crouched on a chimney stack, counting the assassins as they spread out. Ten. All wearing the distinctive dark leathers of the Shadowhand Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'High-end killers,' she thought. 'Someone spent serious gold.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadowhand didn't take trivial contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna withdrew a small crystal from her pouch. \"Shadow team of ten surrounding the guild hall. Shadowhand markings. Preparing to breach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crystal pulsed once, acknowledgment from the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slid a thin blade from her sleeve. Protocol dictated she should watch, gather intelligence, identify the employer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the princess had been clear: protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her decision made, Anna melted into the shadows, tracking the two assassins moving toward the roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the guild hall, Arthur surveyed his transformed headquarters with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Not bad for one day's work,' he mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped by a window, looking out at Caldera's night skyline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur wasn't naive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew enough about Caldera's political landscape to understand what would come next. A manifestation. A new power stepping onto the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone would move against him tonight. The only question was who would strike first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Formicia, return,\" he commanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive spider queen dissolved into motes of light, returning to the summon space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur checked his inventory, then glanced at the empty guild hall. Brand new, barely used, and already a target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They will attack me today without a doubt,' he thought. 'I'm not going to risk it. I'll simply log out... they can't kill a man who doesn't exist after all.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile played across his lips as he opened his menu. The logout option glowed invitingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let them come. They'd find nothing but air.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur pressed it, his body dissolving into blue particles, leaving the empty guild hall behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin called Fen reached the roof first, testing a skylight. Locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Need a minute,\" she whispered to Taris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make it fast,\" he replied, nocking an arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow moved behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taris spun as he felt something, albeit it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weapon raised, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna's blade sliced across his throat with surgical precision. Before his body hit the roof, she was already moving toward Fen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman sensed the attack, rolling aside as Anna's blade struck where her head had been a moment before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Royal guard,\" Fen hissed, recognizing the distinctive fighting style. \"Why—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question ended in a gurgle as Anna's second blade found her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna wiped her weapons clean. \"Two down,\" she whispered to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, the remaining assassins continued their approach, unaware of their dwindling numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask paused at the back entrance, listening. Something felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fen, status?\" he whispered into a communication crystal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taris?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're compromised,\" he told the others. \"New plan. All teams converge on my position. Now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four shadows slipped beside him immediately. Two more approached from the side of the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are Merrol and Kitha?\" someone asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if in answer, a body tumbled from above, landing with a sickening crunch at their feet. Merrol's dead eyes stared skyward, a neat slash across his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trap,\" Silver Mask hissed. \"Defensive positions!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins formed a circle, their weapons drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna's voice drifted from everywhere and nowhere. \"Leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask's voice remained cold. \"You wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have a death wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow flew from the darkness, piercing the throat of the assassin beside Silver Mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining killers scattered, seeking cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Find her!\" Silver Mask ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another assassin fell, a throwing blade embedded in his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The archer fired blindly into shadows, arrows splintering against stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There!\" he shouted, spotting movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three arrows flew true, only to pass through empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anna appeared behind him, her blade opening his back from shoulder to hip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the palace, Princess Elara paced her chambers. The communication crystal on her desk had pulsed six times, Anna's signal for eliminating threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant knocked gently. \"Your Highness? Your father requests your presence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now?\" Elara frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elara composed herself, smoothing her expression into pleasant neutrality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell him I'll be right there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the servant left, Elara touched the crystal once, sending encouragement to Anna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver Mask realized they were losing badly. Seven of his team already down, their bodies scattered across the guild hall grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retreat,\" he ordered the two survivors. \"Contract aborted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1006,"2026-06-06T12:00:36.158Z",1,"novelbin.me","6f6767b92792fa93bc3f9888517e87ba23fabcadb2ceaf26ac8e4e0889866b2f","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-224","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-222",601,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fonline-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-cover.jpg"]