[{"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-268":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},1326719,1762,"Chapter 268: Back At Westmont","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-268",268,"\u003Cp>The journey back to Westmont was both long and short—long in distance, yet swift and uneventful, allowing Damien the rare opportunity to travel without complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sudden ambushes or troublesome encounters. Neither were there unknown threats lurking in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the steady rhythm of Aquila's wings, cutting through the sky as the beast carried him closer and closer to home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Damien saw the distant walls of Westmont, the afternoon sun peeked through the clouds, bathing the town in warm golden light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip tightened slightly on Aquila's feathers as he took in the familiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been days since he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had no idea what kind of welcome awaited him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached, Aquila's keen eyes locked onto the gate, and almost immediately, the guards stationed there reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his vantage point in the sky, Damien didn't miss it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the sentries at the tower froze, staring directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—in the span of seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard turned and bolted inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments, a ripple of movement spread through the town, passing from person to person like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before he had descended, half of Westmont already knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of soaring directly into town, Damien guided Aquila downward, choosing to land just outside the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to make an entrance too dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Aquila's talons touched the dirt road, the large griffin let out a low, satisfied growl, shaking its wings before folding them against its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien gave the beast a pat on its feathery mane, signaling it to remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his boots touched the ground, he saw them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The town guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already gathering near the gate, exchanging looks of shock, curiosity, and relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of them had genuinely been worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were just trying to figure out how someone could vanish without a trace—only to return as if nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as Damien walked forward, a blur of motion shot out from the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very familiar blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Damien could even process what was happening, Arielle was already upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands were raised, fingers curled into fists—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—she started hitting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her small fists pounded against his chest, one after another, her face twisted with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Idiot—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reckless bastard—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien stood there, unmoving, letting her hit him as much as she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he deserved this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had vanished without a word, leaving behind nothing but silence and unanswered questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her frantic punches slowed, her chest rising and falling heavily as she stared up at him, her eyes burning with unspoken emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… do you have any idea how worried we were?!\" she yelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien exhaled quietly before reaching out, placing a hand on her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't pull away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry,\" he said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers clenched, but the anger in her expression slowly melted into something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not frustration nor fury. It was relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle crossed her arms, her gaze still sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You better have a good reason for this,\" she muttered. \"You didn't just disappear, Damien. You vanished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed, running a hand through his silver hair before glancing up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's… a long story,\" he admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle gave him a pointed look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could say anything more, a new set of voices approached from behind the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damien!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More familiar faces. \"You're alive?!\" One of them shouted dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think so,\" Damien said dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where the hell have you been?!\" Another demanded, folding his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the thing,\" Damien admitted. \"Even I'm not completely sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second individual snorted. \"Well, that's comforting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien smirked. \"I try my best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the teasing, there was no mistaking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone here had been genuinely concerned about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see it in their eyes—the subtle glances, the sighs of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Arielle, despite her usual rough demeanor, had barely left his side since he returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow—that felt nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed, rolling his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look,\" he finally said, glancing around at all of them. \"I know I owe you an explanation. I'll tell you everything… soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight?\" Arielle pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien hesitated—then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight,\" he confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle gave a satisfied nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Because if you vanish again, I swear, I'll track you down myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien chuckled. \"Even though you won't know where to start, I don't doubt it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the tension slowly faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His unexplained disappearance was still a lingering mystery, but for now—he was home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien was led through the familiar halls of the Mercenary Guild, his boots echoing lightly against the polished stone floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had traveled far—through strange lands, dangerous encounters, and brutal fights—stepping into this place made him feel like he had never left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own allocated room awaited him, untouched from the day he disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment he walked inside, exhaustion finally hit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body, trained to survive in the harshest conditions, recognized safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His muscles relaxed, his mind drifted, and as he collapsed onto the bed, he was out within minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe… I'll let you sleep for now.\" Arielle chuckled as she exited the room for Damien to get enough rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Damien woke up, the first thing he noticed was the scent of food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered open, adjusting to the soft glow of the lanterns in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up slowly, feeling the stiffness in his limbs, but what caught his attention was the tray of covered meals sitting neatly on a small table beside his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been quietly reliable, never saying much about her small acts of care, but they were always there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien smiled slightly, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things never changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slid off the bed, stretching out his arms before making his way over to the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as he was about to uncover the meal, the door swung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood at the doorway, arms crossed, her sharp gaze locking onto him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't even think about eating that,\" she said, nodding toward the meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien raised a brow. \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle stepped inside, closing the door behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because,\" she said, walking up to him, \"you still haven't told me where the hell you've been.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed, rubbing his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he saw the meal, he knew it wouldn't come for free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You made this just to blackmail me?\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle smirked. \"Obviously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien exhaled deeply, turning away from the meal and heading back to his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat down, making himself comfortable, his silver hair still slightly messy from sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine,\" he muttered. \"I'll talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle gave a satisfied nod and pulled a chair over, taking a seat across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" she said. \"Start from the beginning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien ran a hand through his hair, leaning back against the headboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The beginning, huh?\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he closed his eyes for a brief second—replaying the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last thing I remember before it happened,\" Damien said, \"was lying in this very bed. Right here and drifting ino sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle frowned slightly, listening intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was exhausted,\" he continued. \"I had been training all day, so I didn't even think twice before falling asleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tapped absently against his knee, his mind drifting back to that exact moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then… I woke up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's it?\" she asked. \"You just woke up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not here,\" Damien clarified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes, locking his gaze onto hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I woke up… in the middle of an abandoned temple of sorts. A place I had never seen before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle's brow furrowed. \"An open field? Where?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien shook his head. \"I had no idea. There were no other landmarks, no roads, just grass stretching as far as I could see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long were you there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know. Time felt... weird. But after wandering for hours, I realized something even stranger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle raised a brow. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's expression darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The place was too quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle frowned. \"Too quiet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No birds. No insects. No wind. Just... silence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle crossed her arms, the air between them growing heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, let me get this straight,\" she said. \"You went to sleep here in Westmont… and then just woke up in some abandoned old temple that was unnaturally silent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pretty much,\" Damien confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle huffed, shaking her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's ridiculous,\" she muttered. \"Things like that don't just happen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien smirked. \"You think I don't know that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle clicked her tongue, looking away briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" she finally said, turning back to him. \"What happened next?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's gaze darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's when the real problems started.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle leaned in, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's voice dropped slightly, his words carrying a different weight now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because that was when I realized… I wasn't alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle's fingers tightened around her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She already knew—whatever came next wasn't good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something else was there,\" Damien murmured. \"And it was watching me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle's breath hitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watching you?\" she repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I couldn't see it,\" he admitted. \"But I could feel it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle remained silent, allowing him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was like... being surrounded,\" Damien said. \"Like something was studying me, waiting for me to make a mistake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle's frown deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien smirked slightly, but there was no amusement in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then,\" he said, his voice dropping lower, \"the silence broke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Broke… how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's silver eyes gleamed slightly as he recalled the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A voice,\" he murmured. \"From nowhere. Just a whisper—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle's entire body tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature in the room seemed to drop slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien let the words linger in the air, letting her process them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Arielle finally spoke again, her voice quieter this time. \"And then… what happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien exhaled slowly, prepared to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>",1673,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.148Z",1,"novelbin.me","6e711cb51a978dd45e87a29646392b47dd388b07a5fb3d2e16e965b755bfc561","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-269","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-267",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]