[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical-":3,"chapter-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-253":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts",{"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},1326704,1762,"Chapter 253: The Beast Tamer Town","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-253",253,"\u003Cp>Damien walked through the town's winding streets, following Lizella and the guards toward the heart of the settlement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The town was vast—far larger than he had anticipated. Well-built stone houses lined the streets, and vendors called out to passersby as they peddled goods ranging from weapons and armor to rare herbs and magical trinkets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, it seemed normal, like any other well-established town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Damien observed more closely, he noticed three key things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was that everything felt oddly peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being hidden behind an advanced essence barrier, there was no real sense of paranoia or tension among the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few merchants in town laughed as they bartered with customers, children ran through the streets playing, and warriors trained in open courtyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the outside world's chaos hadn't touched them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Damien knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hidden place like this didn't stay hidden for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear they had faced threats before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was even clearer that they were prepared to face them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second thing he noticed was the barrier itself—or rather, its absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside, it didn't seem to exist at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was clear, the sunlight warm, and even the red tinge in the clouds—a sign of the approaching war—was fully visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The illusion was perfect. From outside, the town was hidden from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside, it looked no different from any other place in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third and most obvious thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were hundreds of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large ones, small ones, winged, scaled, furred, horned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked freely through the streets, some lounging in front of buildings, others curled up inside homes like domesticated pets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive serpent-like beast coiled itself around a rooftop, watching the streets lazily. A pair of griffins rested on the balcony of an inn, their sharp golden eyes observing the people below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't just a town. It seemed like it was a sanctuary for mana beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien raised a brow as he turned to Lizella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're going to tell me what this place really is, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella sighed, already anticipating the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've probably figured it out by now,\" she admitted. \"This is a town for Beast Tamers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien crossed his arms. \"And I assume that means they were very selective about who gets to live here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella nodded. \"Extremely. Normally, the only people granted entry are Beast Tamers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast Tamers were rare, and those with high-level affinities were even rarer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A town like this would be a safe haven for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued, \"But the beasts here aren't just pets or tools of war. They are our companions. They are bonded to us under a pact that is almost… equal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's eyes flickered with understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A system like that was both beneficial and dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, it meant the bonds between Beast Tamers and their summons were likely stronger than normal contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand—it also meant that if a beast betrayed its tamer, the consequences would be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien remained silent, choosing not to comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing he said would change their way of life, and honestly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't his business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, Lizella fidgeted slightly, her expression troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few moments, she finally exhaled sharply and turned to Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… I should have told you the truth about my background earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien glanced at her. \"You were afraid to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded. \"Not just afraid—cautious. There are people hunting this place down, and when I first saw you, I thought…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You thought I might be one of them,\" he finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella gave him a guilty nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien smirked faintly. \"Can't blame you. I did show up with summons and a battle aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her head. \"Yeah… that didn't help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a brief silence before Damien asked something more pressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You told me your parents were dead,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella's face fell slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn't entirely lying,\" she admitted. \"I'll explain properly soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien said nothing, but his curiosity deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could question her further, they arrived at their destination—a grand but relatively small palace, built from white stone with golden rooftops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was elegant, but not extravagant, showing wealth without arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards at the entrance stepped aside, allowing them inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien and the others were led through the halls, past intricate carvings of beasts and warriors, until they reached a massive throne room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the far end of the hall sat an ornate golden throne, positioned before a wide stained-glass window depicting a woman with outstretched hands, surrounded by beasts of all kinds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure entered from a side door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella's mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen Lareen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the exact image of Lizella—only older, her features more refined, her long hair flowing like silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carried herself with calm authority, her piercing eyes scanning the newcomers with quiet calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she stepped forward, everyone bowed in an oddly synchronized manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone except Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained standing, arms crossed, observing her like an equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards immediately reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of them stepped forward aggressively, ready to force him into submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they could—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen Lareen raised her hand, stopping them in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is foreign to our traditions,\" she said simply. \"There is no need for him to indulge in them like the rest of us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards hesitated, then stepped back. \"Apologies, our Lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lizella exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien, on the other hand, remained completely unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, something surprising happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of demanding respect, Queen Lareen did something unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed—a graceful, polite gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" she said, her voice gentle but strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She straightened, her silver eyes locking onto his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already received news of what you have done,\" she continued. \"You have saved my daughter. And for that, you have my gratitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since entering the town, Damien was truly caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A queen bowing to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that was unexpected. \"Uhm... It wasn't anything serious.\" Damien said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1021,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.148Z",1,"novelbin.me","4df63c06aa333fdd9949139a08c67769150a5fa99e06a7e249fea7c644d95d23","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-254","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-252",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]