Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 310: Benefits.

Donald closed his eyes and tried not to imagine what creative revenge looked like.

...

Ryker Fate dismissed the notification with violent frustration.

It can't be him.

The military training facility's common room fell silent around him.

Other beta players stared at their own notifications, processing the news.

Ryker's teammates—handpicked elite soldiers—exchanged uncertain glances.

"Is it really that same timid guy?" asked the blonde girl, Ryker's second-in-command.

Ryker's laugh came out harsh and brittle. "No, he is nothing but a slum rat from Detroit. Worthless piece of trash."

But even as he spoke, memories surfaced unbidden. A scrawny teenager with defiant eyes. The night they'd taken his family's money.

"He is worthless"

"First player guild...That's not exactly worthless," murmured someone called Jenkins from across the room.

Ryker stood abruptly, chair scraping against the concrete. "I need air."

Outside, the air did nothing to cool the fire in his chest.

Fear was planted in his heart.

I'm scared of that pipsqueak? Really?

He scoffed internally, but he knew that feeling well. Whenever he looked at James, the crowned prince of the military. The most talented human.

But now, he felt that from Arthur, his own cousin, whom he had bullied throughout his life.

His father had dismissed it.

But what if...

Ryker's comm unit buzzed.

Message from James.

"Emergency briefing. All beta teams. Now."

...

"All beta teams remain on high alert when the merge occurs. This individual may attempt retaliation against military personnel. He is more dangerous to us than the monsters!"

Ryker's throat constricted. Retaliation.

Because deep down, beneath layers of denial and bravado, he knew the truth.

He remembers. He remembers what we did to him.

The briefing continued, but Ryker heard nothing beyond the roar of blood in his ears

As the briefing ended and soldiers filed out, Ryker remained seated, staring at his trembling hands.

Meanwhile...

Back in Armageddon, Arthur's interface blazed with notifications.

The cascade of benefits threatened to overwhelm his peripheral vision.

Later.

He dismissed the flood of data.

The meeting takes priority for now.

Around the hexagonal table, the patriarchs continued their verbal warfare.

What had begun as formal proceedings devolved into barely concealed threats.

Each family head probed for weakness while protecting their own interests.

Minister Caldwell cleared his throat repeatedly.

"Perhaps," the king's minister said finally, "individual consultations would prove more... productive."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Individual meetings with each patriarch?

Sauron's cold eyes narrowed.

"The crown's position remains unchanged," Minister Caldwell announced with bureaucratic finality. "Power Guild shall meet with each established guild individually. Scheduling will be handled through proper channels."

Arthur nodded respectfully. "The crown's wisdom guides us all."

Around the table, no one had an issue, a visible one, at least.

Perfect.

The formal conclusion came swiftly. Documents signed. Procedures established. Schedules tentatively arranged.

Seraphina lingered as the others departed. Her hips moved seductively.

At the door, she paused and glanced at him.

Their eyes met across the empty council chamber.

Her blood-red lips curved into a smile that promised either ecstasy or annihilation.

Then, she winked.

The gesture sent an involuntary shudder down Arthur's spine, it wasn't necessarily fear, but caution.

He'd encountered predators before, and Seraphina Gilderhaven belonged to that category.

The massive doors sealed shut after Arthur had left.

Outside, Caldera's evening bustle filtered through stone walls. The city was no longer just filled with Natives.

Players wandered the streets in growing numbers, though most clustered around levels ten to thirteen. The sight no longer surprised Arthur—not everyone possessed multiple SSS-rank talents like he did.

Their progression was natural with expected limitations.

The council meeting's conclusion had brought unexpected benefits.

...

"His Majesty wishes to provide appropriate accommodations for Power Guild," the minister announced. "Where would you prefer your headquarters?"

Arthur didn't hesitate. "The central plaza. Where new arrivals spawn."

Prime real estate. Maximum visibility.

The minister's eyebrows rose slightly, but he nodded. "It shall be arranged."

Perfect positioning.

Arthur surveyed the plaza in his mind's eye.

Every player teleporting to Caldera will see the natives first, then Power Guild. Direct marketing.

Within hours, construction crews began reworking a building in the plaza with supernatural efficiency. They all had talents that helped them finish the project within an extremely short period of time.

Guild headquarters rose from the plaza's heart—not ostentatious, but impossible to ignore.

The building commanded attention through presence rather than ornament.

"The headquarters has been changed," Ethan sent Gates a message, letting him know about the new events.

"The new location is.."

Good. Everything is falling into place.

But one loose thread remained. Arthur's expression grew thoughtful as he considered his outstanding obligations.

Lucas Ashencroft.

The bastard son had provided crucial assistance during Arthur's early days in Caldera.

I should let him know about the new headquarters, he is part of the guild after all.

...

Arthur headed back to the old headquarters for the time being. The workers had told him to return in thirty minutes, and all arrangements would be complete.

Thirty minutes. I will just review the benefits in the meantime.

Inside the previous building that had served as Power's old base, Arthur's footsteps echoed through empty corridors.

Arthur entered his private quarters and sealed the door behind him. Not that privacy mattered in an empty building, but old habits died hard.

A soft chittering greeted his arrival.

"Master," Formicia's voice carried genuine warmth. "Welcome back."

Arthur's eyes found the spider queen perched on her web-throne in the corner. But this time, she wasn't alone.

Another spider—smaller but clearly powerful—rested beside her.

The commander she's been producing.

Arthur didn't need explanations. Formicia's project had finally borne fruit. He already possessed one spider commander from Neko's rampage time ago.

"Formicia. And welcome to the family," he addressed both spiders.

The new commander's eight eyes glittered with intelligence and loyalty.

Arthur settled at his desk, finally able to examine the cascade of notifications that had been demanding attention. His interface blazed with updates, achievements, and system rewards.

Time to see what global recognition benefits are about.