Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

THUD!

The impact lifted the Mane King completely off the ground, sending his massive frame soaring into the air like a golden comet trailing debris from his passage through the forest. His trajectory carried him approximately forty meters skyward, high enough that he became a glinting speck against the blue afternoon sky.

Arthur glanced upward, tracking the Mane King's ascent. The Mane King's body had crashed through the tangeled branches of the giant trees, creating a large opening that allowed light to filter in the rather dim place.

WHOOSH!

Arthur teleported again, appearing in the air directly above the Mane King's position at the apex of his flight. The legendary predator found himself facing his opponent in mid-air, with nowhere to dodge and no solid ground to provide leverage for defensive maneuvers.

Arthur's axe kick descended with devastating precision, his heel connecting with the Mane King's spine and reversing his upward momentum instantly.

CRACK!

The impact sent the legendary creature plummeting toward the earth at tremendous speed, his golden form creating a brief contrail as he accelerated downward under both gravity and Arthur's applied force.

WHOOSH!

Arthur teleported back to ground level, appearing at the exact spot where the Mane King's descent would terminate. He watched with interest as the legendary predator's body struck the forest floor with earth-shaking force.

BOOM!

The impact created a crater easily fifteen feet across and several feet deep. Dust and debris filled the air while the ground itself seemed to groan under the force of the collision.

Despite his extensive injuries—broken ribs, internal trauma, and countless bruises that would have incapacitated lesser creatures—the Mane King refused to remain down. His legendary constitution and indomitable pride drove him to rise once more, his movements pained but determined.

The sight of the battered but unbroken legendary predator struggling to his feet despite overwhelming defeat sparked something approaching respect in Arthur's expression. The anger that had driven his initial assault was replaced by recognition of genuine quality.

Seeing the Mane King's continued defiance, Arthur's demeanour shifted completely. His smile no longer carried mockery or disdain, but appreciation.

He recognised the true courage of the Mane King in the face of impossible odds.

"You know...I respect you. There is a reason why all of your packmates were following you. You are truly a prideful one, and your pride... You value it more than your life." Arthur's voice carried genuine respect for the first time since their encounter began.

The Mane King had truly impressed Arthur through his refusal to surrender even when faced with certain defeat. Arthur was no longer angry or dismissive—the opponent standing before him, bloodied but unbroken, represented everything he could respect in a warrior's spirit.

...

"Your courage has impressed me, for that, I will no longer treat you disrespectfully. I will treat you like the opponent you deserve to be treated like." Arthur declared, his voice carrying genuine respect that replaced the mocking tone he had used throughout the encounter.

The shift in Arthur's demeanour was immediately apparent to everyone present. Where previously he had fought with dismissal, now his stance reflected the attention of someone acknowledging a worthy opponent. The Golden Beetle watched with fascination as his master's approach transformed from disrespect to genuine combat.

The Mane King's amber eyes blazed, recognising that his opponent was now going to be even more dangerous than before.

Even though he was going to die, he still smiled. His pride was no longer going to be stooped on.

Despite his injuries, his massive frame straightened with dignity and pride as he understood that Arthur was finally offering him the respect of a true battle rather than a humiliating end.

Arthur drew his Chaos Katana in one fluid motion, the pseudo-legendary blade singing as it cleared its sheath. The weapon's dark metal gleaming with menace, and its edge so sharp that the air itself seemed to bend around the cutting surface.

"Come then, King of the Golden Manes," Arthur said formally, a small smile on his face.

Raising his weapon in a warrior's salute, he said. "Show me the pride that built your legend."

The Mane King's response was instantaneous. Despite his injuries, he launched himself forward with every ounce of legendary power remaining in his battered body. This wasn't the desperate lunge of a defeated creature; this was the final charge of a king who refused to die without honour.

ROAAAR!

His battle cry shook the forest as he closed the distance with supernatural speed, his claws extended and every muscle in his golden frame dedicated to this ultimate assault.

Arthur met his charge head-on.

CLANG!

The impact of the katana meeting claw sent shock waves rippling through the clearing. For the first time in their encounter, Arthur was forced to engage with his full attention and capability. The Mane King's legendary strength, even diminished by injury, proved sufficient to create genuine resistance.

Arthur was no longer playing around with the king by teleporting around and counterattacking to get the better hold of him. Instead, he was meeting the king's strength head-on.

They separated and circled each other, both warriors assessing each other. Arthur's expression remained focused.

The Mane King feinted left before lunging right, his tactics refined by decades of successful hunts. Arthur countered with precise footwork, his katana weaving defensively, turning aside claws capable of shearing through mountains.

SLASH! CLANG! THUD!

Their battle became a deadly dance of strike and counter-strike, each combatant pushing their abilities to match their opponent's capability. Arthur's superior speed and technique began overwhelming the Mane King's raw power and legendary durability.

A precisely timed cut opened a deep gash across the Mane King's flank, blood spattering the forest floor. The legendary predator's roar of pain carried no despair—only the sound of a warrior fully committed to battle.

CRACK!

Arthur's follow-up strike broke several of the Mane King's ribs, but the legendary creature's response was immediate—a sweeping claw attack that forced Arthur to teleport backward to avoid potentially serious damage.

"Magnificent. I was forced to use my teleportation talent to avoid that attack, well done."