[{"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-544":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},1327245,1762,"Chapter 544: You’ll Have To Try Harder II","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-544",544,"\u003Cp>The battlefield narrowed without anyone saying it would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t an order. It wasn’t strategy spoken aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything else—the scattered demons, the burning remnants of the base, the clashes between summons and survivors—began to fade to the edges of awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because at the center of it all, two presences stood above the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Captain of these demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They faced each other across fractured ground, the air between them heavy with pressure that hadn’t yet been released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, neither moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Captain raised its hand and darkness gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense, swirling mass of black energy condensed above its palm, crackling with unstable force. The surrounding air distorted as if reality itself rejected its presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So that’s your angle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spell launched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t travel like a projectile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It collapsed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sphere of condensed dark energy tore through the air, swallowing everything in its path—roots, stone, even lingering flames—erasing them into nothingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien moved instantly. Dodging sideways to avoid the attack in its entirety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sphere passed him by inches and the ground behind him ceased to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow trench carved clean through the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien glanced at it briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back at the Captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Stronger than the last captain I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not physically though. That much was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous Captain had relied on overwhelming force—raw, crushing power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this one was different. It was refined and far more dangerous in a different way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It cast again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three smaller spheres formed simultaneously, orbiting briefly before launching in different trajectories, cutting off Damien’s movement paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien stepped forward into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm moved, taking the shape of a fist and then a punch was sent out at the space just before it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essence surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact disrupted the spell’s structure, causing it to destabilize mid-air before detonating prematurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion rippled outward, but Damien had already moved through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade of condensed darkness formed along its arm, extending outward like a living weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their clash came fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel wasn’t involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it sounded like it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien blocked the strike with reinforced essence, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not letting up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its free hand formed another spell mid-motion... A point-blank discharge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark energy erupted toward Damien’s torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the attack still managed to graze him, tearing through fabric and skimming his skin—but not deep enough to matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retaliated immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike to the ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain blocked but the force of the blow was still enough to push it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes locked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, both of them understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t going to be quick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Damien, Fenrir tore through another demon, but the fight there was already ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren’t many left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cerbe burned through two more and then paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Damien moved his hand slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle but clear signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command carried through the bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cerbe hesitated for half a second then vanished into the same blue portal it had jumped out from earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aquila followed shortly after, dissolving into light above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was cleaner and more focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its gaze flicked briefly to the disappearing summons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Afraid they’ll die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien rolled his shoulder once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just don’t need them for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain’s smile returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark energy surged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground beneath its feet cracked as multiple spell formations appeared around it—circles of condensed darkness layered over one another, rotating slowly as power built within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien didn’t wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing the distance before the spells could fully form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain expected that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the circles collapsed inward and erupted outward in a wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shockwave of dark energy blasted forward, tearing through the ground as it expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien crossed his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reinforced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wave hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force pushed him back several meters, boots digging into the earth to stabilize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his arms slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s more like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already casting again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More aggressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barrage of condensed projectiles formed in the air—dozens of them—before launching in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien moved through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One grazed his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another clipped his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third forced him to pivot mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he closed the gap anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when he did, he struck hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fist connected with the Captain’s guard, the impact forcing it back several meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain’s feet carved into the ground as it stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression didn’t change but its aura shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It raised both hands this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spells changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer simple projectiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A field of dark energy expanded outward, distorting everything within its range. The ground warped. The air thickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Movement became heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien felt it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A field-type spell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Damien, this was interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain stepped forward within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaffected by it and so, it attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster and stronger than before as it was now enhanced by its own magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their clash intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blows exchanged at a pace that blurred movement, each strike backed by force capable of tearing through high-grade defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien blocked, countered, and adapted to the attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike slipped through but he turned it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another came and he met it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain layered spells between attacks, forcing Damien to constantly adjust—never allowing a stable rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was its strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not brute force but control and pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relentless, calculated pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien stepped in closer than before. Inside the optimal casting range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain reacted but too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien’s fist drove into its abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact bent its body slightly, breaking its stance for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien didn’t give it the chance to retaliate and followed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain was forced back, its spell field flickering slightly under the disruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien exhaled slowly. \"...You rely too much on space.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression hardened slightly now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it changed and the spell field collapsed inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Condensed and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that energy was redirected into a single point... Its hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air screamed as power gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Damien paused for half a second. \"...That one’s different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Luton pulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still absorbing the remains of the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain thrust its hand forward and the spell fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wide or explosive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one was concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beam of pure, condensed darkness tore forward, erasing everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damien moved but not fast enough to avoid it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both arms raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essence surged to its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beam hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a moment everything disappeared in black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beam faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground behind Damien was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive trench carved through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Damien still stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arms lowered slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burn marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yeah.\" He cracked his neck slightly. \"That would’ve hurt more if I let it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain stared at him and for the first time there was no confidence in its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because now it understood that this wasn’t a fight it could end easily and Damien hadn’t even been pushed to the edge yet.\u003C\u002Fp>",1254,"2026-06-05T19:29:03.455Z",1,"novelbin.me","49f0896d94f15c7d55ad13ebba678092f7f6039b801ce8c0aaf1cc151a690c4e","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-545","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-543",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]