[{"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-308":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},1327009,1762,"Chapter 308: Back At Westmont","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-308",308,"\u003Cp>Damien said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd seen that awe before—in young soldiers, new scouts, even nobles shipped off to warzones for the first time. The stunned disbelief at how big the world really was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skylar glided lower now, approaching familiar terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, nestled against the cliffs, the outline of Westmont came into view—high walls of dark stone, sloped rooftops, guard towers trimmed in black iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skylar landed a few hundred meters out, wings folding as his clawed feet hit solid ground. The grass swayed gently from the gusts of his descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien climbed off first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We walk from here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" Lyone asked as he slid down behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Skylar makes people nervous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone glanced at the wyvern—who was already stretching its wings like a bored cat and lowering itself to the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Fair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They began the final walk toward the gate, boots crunching against the gravel path. Westmont rose ahead of them, quiet and steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone glanced sideways. \"This where you live?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien didn't answer at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he said, almost to himself: \"It's where I built something no one could take from me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone didn't speak after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road sloped gently toward Westmont, framed on either side by whispering trees and wind-worn fences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every step, the town grew larger—stone walls rising with quiet authority, guard towers marked by black-iron trim and fluttering twin-feathered banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midday light hit the upper walls, casting long shadows across the dirt path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Westmont wasn't a capital. It wasn't meant to be. But it had a certain weight to it—solid and self-assured, like the people who called it home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone walked slightly behind Damien, squinting up at the walls. \"It's… bigger than I thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's enough,\" Damien replied, his voice flat as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached the main gate, two guards stepped forward automatically, their spears crossing in front of the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold—state your—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taller one froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognition flashed across his face. \"Oh. Damien.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other relaxed immediately, lowering his weapon with a sheepish grin. \"Didn't see your face under that hood at first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien gave them a nod. \"Afternoon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes drifted toward Lyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who's the kid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Picked him up on the road. He's staying under me for now. Got nowhere else to go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all Damien said. He didn't offer any titles, excuses, or stories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards exchanged a glance, but it was all the confirmation they needed. One gave a small shrug and stepped back. The other offered a more personal note. \"Glad you're back safe. You've been gone awhile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not as long as you think,\" Damien replied simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They passed through the open gate, the guards returning to their posts as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone looked up at Damien once they were inside the town's limits. \"You didn't even have to explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you just said something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien glanced at him sideways. \"Same thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets of Westmont buzzed with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't overwhelming—this wasn't the chaos of a noble city—but there was a rhythm here. A pulse. People moved with purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bells chimed softly from shops. Mercenaries in worn gear leaned against walls or bartered for supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone caught stares—some curious, some cautious—but most of them weren't for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were for Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back, Damien!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finished another job, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't act like you're too good to stop and talk, silver-hair!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien didn't stop. He waved once or nodded at the familiar voices, but his pace never changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone trailed beside him, glancing from face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know all these people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seems like everyone here knows you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien's answer was a shrug. \"Its more like they worship me. They shouldn't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn't arrogance. It was fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned a corner and the Mercenary Guild came into view—its familiar silhouette rising like a stone giant among shorter rooftops. No matter how much changed, that building stayed the same. Strong. Rooted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Damien slowed his steps just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone didn't notice. But the change was there—a subtle shift in posture, in breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, as if summoned by the weight in the air, she stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved like she belonged to the place—tall, confident, arms crossed, her long braid swinging against her back. Her dark leather gear fit like a second skin, worn and familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes locked on Damien immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stared for a second too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're late,\" she said, voice steady but edged with something else. Not irritation. Not surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unspoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien gave the faintest smirk. \"And you're standing in the sun like you've got nothing better to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle rolled her eyes, but her mouth twitched. \"Was wondering if you were dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward—and for a moment, the sarcasm faded from her face. Just a flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean it,\" she said more quietly. \"You took longer than usual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Raegon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien nodded. \"It's done. He won't be bothering the resistance again. No mess. No name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shoulders relaxed a little. \"That's a relief. Westmont's safer without him breathing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien looked at her then—really looked. Her face was the same, but there was something tired in the edges. Worry, maybe. Or the stress of waiting too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause stretched between them, not quite awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And the kid?\" she asked, finally shifting her attention to Lyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stiffened under her gaze, fidgeting slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien sighed. \"Long story. Picked him up on the outskirts of Velthorne. He's staying under me for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Another stray?\" Arielle raised an eyebrow. \"How many is that now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one talks back more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone raised a hand halfway. \"I'm right here, by the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arielle blinked at him, then gave a soft chuckle. \"At least he's got a mouth. You sure you're up for the babysitting, Damien?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a tired breath. \"That depends entirely on how many more questions I'm expected to answer out here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smirked. \"Fair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned, already moving toward the guild doors. \"Come on. You can explain properly inside. And I want the whole report this time. No one-word answers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien fell into step behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyone followed last, his eyes drifting between the two of them—something unspoken hanging in the air. Something old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't affection, not exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lyone could tell—Arielle wasn't just a guild officer to Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was someone who'd waited for him to come back.\u003C\u002Fp>",1076,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.149Z",1,"novelbin.me","feca697a2359345f79229b2befecc050f80f221ab0856eb9aa4a4cdf7c7ca067","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-309","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-307",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]