Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 351: Grizly Mane

Tears began streaming down her cheeks, but these weren’t tears of grief or rage. These were tears of completion. Of finding a piece of herself she’d never known was missing.

"I got it," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "My father’s... SS-Rank talent... Gravity Manipulation."

Arthur nodded, understanding the magnitude of what had just occurred.

Jasmine wasn’t just a healer anymore—she was a force of nature, carrying abilities that could reshape battlefields.

The mercury guardian slowly descended to one knee, its liquid form pooling gracefully as it assumed a position of absolute submission.

"Congratulations... Master."

Arthur raised an eyebrow at the unexpected display of reverence.

Master? That’s... significant.

Jasmine frowned, confusion replacing the joy that had lit her features moments before.

"I’m not your master. That was my father."

The mercury guardian remained kneeling, its head bowed in perfect deference.

"He was my master, yes. But upon gaining an heir to his powers, the bond transfers automatically. You are now my new master, and I will follow you till death if you require it."

A bound guardian. That’s... incredibly valuable.

The implications weren’t lost on Arthur.

This mercury seemed incredibly powerful, from the way it carried itself. It was at least level 22, which was quite high, higher than Arthur’s.

Having such a being bound to serve was like inheriting an ancient warrior with infinite loyalty.

Jasmine turned toward Arthur, uncertainty clear in her golden-silver eyes.

She’s overwhelmed. Too many changes, too quickly.

Arthur simply nodded at her. "Accept him."

Trust me on this. You’ll need every advantage against what’s coming.

Jasmine took a steadying breath before addressing the kneeling figure. "Very well... What’s your name?"

"Mercury. The name is Mercury."

Simple. Direct. Like most old beings.

"Alright, Mercury."

Her voice gained confidence as she settled into the role. "Did father leave anything else behind? Any other resources or information?"

Mercury’s liquid form rippled with what might have been regret. "No, unfortunately. The inheritance you’ve claimed represents the totality of his prepared legacy."

Everything in one package. Regulus knew he might not get another chance.

"I see." She nodded, watching as the crystalline walls around them began to shimmer and crack.

A notification flashed across Arthur’s vision, its urgent red text demanding immediate attention.

[The Secret Realm has been completed. Please evacuate.]

Time’s up.

A portal materialised beside them, swirling with spatial energy that tugged at their clothing. Arthur stepped toward it, gesturing for the others to follow.

"Let’s go."

They emerged into the familiar cave system where Arthur had first discovered the hidden realm.

Arthur then took them towards the entrance, where Sunlight filtered through the entrance, painting everything in warm golden hues that seemed almost surreal after the otherworldly inheritance chamber.

Back to reality. Back to the world where Nikolas is still pulling strings.

Jasmine stood at the cave mouth, staring out at the forest beyond. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

"I don’t know what to do now," she whispered, vulnerability creeping into her voice.

"Where do I go? Where can I find that bastard? How should I approach this whole situation?"

Her golden-silver eyes found his, desperate for guidance.

"I don’t know... Fateless... I don’t know."

She’s breaking down. Too much trauma, too fast.

Arthur didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her trembling body.

She needed comfort, needed someone to anchor her while her world reformed around new truths.

She stood there in his embrace for five full minutes, drawing strength from his steady presence. Mercury waited respectfully at a distance, understanding that his new master required this moment of human connection.

"Thank you," she finally whispered against his shoulder.

Arthur smiled, releasing her but keeping one hand on her shoulder. "Better?"

She nodded, though her eyes still held traces of uncertainty.

"So..." His smile widened, taking on a mischievous quality. "Want to try your new powers?"

Nothing like practical application to build confidence.

Jasmine’s expression brightened immediately, excitement replacing anxiety. "Yes. I want to see what Father’s talent can really do."

That’s the spirit.

"Alright, let’s go."

Arthur activated his spatial manipulation, reality folding around them as he selected their destination. He had the perfect place in mind—somewhere challenging enough to test her abilities without overwhelming her.

The Verdant Maw. Where legends go to prove themselves.

They materialised deep within Caldera’s most notorious hunting ground. Large trees stretched toward a canopy so thick it blocked most sunlight, leaving the forest floor in perpetual twilight. The air itself seemed alive with magical energy, carrying scents of growth and decay in equal measure.

This place has seen more bloodshed than most battlefields.

Arthur had been here before, had faced Bloom in these very woods. The legendary-rank plant monster had made him use Aether to kill it.

Perfect training ground for someone who needs to understand their power.

"This is the Verdant Maw," he explained, noting how Jasmine’s senses immediately picked up the ambient danger.

"It’s where Caldera’s strongest come to test themselves."

Mercury materialised beside them, his liquid form perfectly adapted to the forest environment.

"A wise choice, Master Arthur. I can tell that this place will be a good training ground for her highness."

Even the guardian approves.

They moved deeper into the forest, Arthur’s enhanced perception scanning for suitable opponents.

Too weak, and Jasmine wouldn’t understand her new limits. So the opponent needed to be quite strong.

Something challenging but manageable.

After twenty minutes of careful navigation, they found their target.

A massive creature emerged from behind a cluster of ironwood trees, its presence immediately catching their attention.

Standing nearly eight feet tall at the shoulder, it possessed the basic frame of a bear but with proportions that spoke of its rank.

[Grizzly Mane]

Level: 19

Rank: Epic

Details: A powerful apex predator enhanced by decades of being an inhabitant of the Verdant Maw. Its crystalline claws can tear through steel, while its hide provides natural resistance to most forms of attack.

Perfect. Its level is around five levels higher than Jasmine’s. So it’s a good opponent.