[{"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-317":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},1650526,2114,"Chapter 317: Preparing for the attack","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-317",317,"\u003Cp>\"It's still not enough. I believe the test we're about to face will be... determinantal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mayor's hands trembled slightly as he gripped the desk's edge. Around them, the comfortable office felt suddenly fragile—a thin shell protecting them from approaching chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything we've built. Everything we've fought for. About to be tested by forces beyond comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you know, there are many others in our position across the world,\" Arthur continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From my estimates, only a few will survive the upcoming calamity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Statistical reality. Most will fall. Most will burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bead of sweat rolled down Charles's forehead despite the room's cool temperature. His breathing had become shallow, quick—the physiological response of prey sensing predators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The demons will launch their attacks in mere hours,\" Arthur said, voice dropping to near-whisper. \"However...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur's lips curved into a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would be foolish to wait for them to attack... right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles's eyes widened as understanding crashed over him like a cold wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer lay before them, it was terrible, audacious, and somehow...brilliant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wait for demons to choose their timing, their positioning, their advantages? Why give the initiative to forces of destruction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The demons expect us to cower behind walls,\" Arthur said finally. \"To react rather than act. To fight on ground of their choosing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles swallowed hard, throat working against sudden dryness. \"And you propose we... what exactly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur's smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We hunt them first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The countdown pulsed relentlessly in Arthur's peripheral vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around them, the mayor's office felt smaller somehow. As if the walls themselves understood the consequences of the decisions being made within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War is coming. The only question is who strikes first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles stared at Arthur with a mixture of terror and awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mayor's hands gripped the desk edge until his knuckles turned white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strike first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Control the battlefield. Become the hunter instead of the hunted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles nodded slowly, mind racing through the consequences. \"How do you plan on hunting? Randomly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur shook his head, dismissing the suggestion with visible distaste. \"That's foolish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hunting randomly will not benefit us in the slightest. We need targets. Specific, strategic, valuable targets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Random violence serves no purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur leaned forward. \"Remember when we spoke last time about the village's surroundings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles's expression shifted as memory triggered. Their previous discussion about neighbouring settlements, trade routes, and strategic positioning in the broader landscape of Armageddon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles nodded, before his face turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you planning on going to the...Forest of Shadows?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forbidden zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur shook his head, his smile holding secrets. \"Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The casual dismissal of one of the most dangerous regions nearby sent chills down Charles's spine. If the Forest of Shadows wasn't their target, what could possibly be more important?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Forest of Shadows can wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now, we have something more important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Village 419.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's approximately seven hundred kilometres away from here,\" Charles said, his voice strained with growing horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will be extremely difficult for our current firepower to make it there without your help, Protector.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey alone would be treacherous. Seven hundred kilometres through the wilderness, where demons created their own settlements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that's before considering what waits at the destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur's smile turned predatory. \"Who said I won't help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief flooded through Charles's features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In fact, I will lead the attack personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The others will follow for cleanup operations. We move as one unified force toward that village.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur stood, walking to the window that overlooked Village #420's bustling streets. Below, players trained with weapons that would soon taste blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them depend on decisions made in this room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want you to give an order,\" Arthur commanded without turning. \"Bring the fighters. Only those at level ten or above can participate. Everyone else stays behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles swallowed hard. Level requirements meant leaving behind newer players, weaker fighters, anyone who might slow them down or compromise the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do we have time?\" Charles asked, desperation creeping into his voice. \"What if while we're traveling, the demons attack us? The village will be stripped of its protector and fighters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's a valid concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fear was rational; launching an offensive meant leaving their home vulnerable. If demons attacked while their forces were deployed elsewhere, Village #420 would fall without adequate defence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All or nothing. Victory or annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur turned from the window, confidence radiating from every line of his body. \"Don't worry about that. We have time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How can he be so certain?' Charles thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides,\" Arthur continued, \"the Goblin King is here. He'll alert me immediately if demons launch an attack. I can return instantly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My space talent is incredibly useful. Teleportation is one of my ace cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles nodded, though worry lines remained etched across his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur moved back to his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur moved back to his chair, settling with fluid grace that spoke of supreme confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Charles, understand what we're really discussing here.\" His voice dropped to deadly quiet. \"When the they launch their attacks, our current advantages disappear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What matters then is who controls the strongest positions when reality stabilises.\" Arthur's eyes gleamed with anticipation. \"Village 419 represents value we cannot afford to leave in enemy hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Territory. Resources. Positioning in the new world order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles absorbed this perspective, seeing their gamble in a new light. Not just random aggression, but calculated expansion designed to secure advantages before competitors could react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strike first. Claim the best positions. Let others fight over scraps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many fighters can we muster?\" Arthur asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles consulted mental tallies, numbers he'd memorized through weeks of preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Approximately two hundred level ten or above. Maybe fifty more if we stretch requirements to level nine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur nodded, accepting the limitations. \"Two hundred will suffice if they're properly motivated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quality over quantity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles nodded, resolve hardening his face as he prepared to address the village. The seriousness of what they were about to attempt pressed down on him like a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>",999,"2026-06-06T12:00:36.157Z",1,"novelbin.me","09315e6f9d572944b1ac5ad7fd9bbdea5684331fde3b94ae2ba574af39ae4bba","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-318","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-316",601,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fonline-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-cover.jpg"]