Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons
Chapter 341 - 341: Jasmine's Identity

She glanced at the desolate landscape—sand dunes painted red with demon blood, the skeletal remains of corrupted outposts scattered across the horizon.

"I did this."

His voice carried a simple statement of fact.

"I exterminated everything in a seven-hundred-kilometre path because they threatened something I cared about."

"Do you really think your secrets, whatever they are, could change how I see you?"

Jasmine's shoulders trembled slightly.

"You say that now. But when you know who my father was... when you understand what my family name means..."

Family name...just who could her family be?

"Try me."

The challenge hung between them like a blade balanced on its edge. Everything they'd built together, trust, partnership, balanced on whatever came next.

She's terrified. But of what?

Jasmine closed her eyes, internal struggle playing across her features. When she opened them again, something had changed.

"My father was—"

Your father was…?

A piercing shriek shattered the moment like glass.

Arthur's jaw clenched as annoyance flashed across his features. Above them, a massive winged shadow blocked out the crimson sky—a beast with blood-red feathers and talons that could tear through steel.

[Demonic Roc]

Rank: Epic

Level: 14

Of course. Perfect timing.

Before the creature could dive, Arthur vanished. Space folded around him as he materialized directly above the beast, his fist crackling with energy.

The punch connected with bone-crushing force, sending shockwaves through the air.

BOOM!

He teleported back to the ground just as the Demonic Roc's body crashed into the sand with a thunderous impact.

[You have killed Level 14 Demonic Roc (Epic-Boss)]

Arthur turned back to Jasmine, frustration clear in his posture.

The moment had been ruined. She'd been about to tell him everything.

But instead of meeting his gaze, Jasmine was walking toward the fallen beast.

"What are you doing?"

He frowned, watching her kneel beside the massive corpse.

Without hesitation, she drew a blade and began making precise cuts along the creature's neck.

Dark blood flowed into several glass vials she'd produced from her inventory.

"Just collecting its blood. It's useful."

Useful for what? This beast has some kind of rare blood?

Arthur raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

"So…Who's your dad?"

He crossed his arms.

Jasmine's hands stilled for a moment before continuing their work.

"Sigh."

She didn't look up.

"Arthur, please. I don't want to talk about it. Just know that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

Arthur's frown deepened.

The damn roc had ruined everything. She'd been so close to opening up, and now the walls were back up—higher than before.

She's retreating again.

Jasmine finished collecting the blood, securing multiple vials in her inventory before turning to face him.

"By the way, the dragon dropped—"

"Jasmine."

His whisper cut through her words like a blade.

"Yes?"

Arthur stared at her, really looked at her. The legendary staff in her hands. The way she'd harvested demon blood. The careful masks she wore like armor.

I'm tired of this dance.

"You know that the demons are approaching to attack us and everyone."

"And frankly, I don't have time to be looking behind my back for any potential threat."

"Threat?"

The word exploded from her lips like she'd been slapped. Her eyes blazed with hurt and disbelief.

"You're calling me a threat?"

Yes. Because I can't trust what I don't know. Especially if it had the power i felt from you.

"Yes, a threat."

Arthur's voice remained steady despite the pain flickering across her features.

"I was betrayed, scrutinized, and hated by my so-called blood relatives; uncle and cousin."

The words hung in the air between them.

There. I said it.

For the first time since they'd met, Arthur had peeled back his own mask.

The powerful, untouchable Fateless was gone, replaced by someone who'd been hurt.

Deeply.

Jasmine's eyebrows shot up, genuine shock replacing her defensive anger.

She had always thought that Arthur had everything handed to him. Power, wealth, legendary items, loyal summons. How could someone like him possibly understand betrayal?

But looking at his face now—really seeing the shadows behind his eyes—she realized how wrong she'd been.

Arthur watched her process this revelation, saw the moment understanding dawned.

She thought I was invincible. That nothing could touch me.

"I gave you power," he continued, his voice quieter now.

"Protected you. Fought beside you. But I've learned that kindness can be mistaken for weakness. That trust…"

He paused. "Trust has to be earned both ways."

If she doesn't open up after this…

Jasmine stared at him, seeing Arthur—not Fateless, not the legendary player, but the person beneath all that power.

Someone who'd been hurt badly enough to build walls as high as her own.

I know that look. He's been betrayed too.

The legendary staff in her hands suddenly felt heavier.

All this power, all these secrets—they meant nothing if she couldn't trust the one person who'd never asked anything of her except honesty.

But if I tell him about father… about what happened to Regulus…would he even care or know him? What if he is related to one of these people? What if he is allies with them? Would he break that relationship for me?

The wind whipped sand around them, filling the silence with the whispers of the dead wasteland.

Two people. Two sets of scars. Two histories of betrayal standing in the ruins of a demon-infested desert.

I'm overthinking it. Maybe… maybe he'd understand.

"My father…" she began, then stopped. The words felt like a lump that would not escape her throat.

Arthur said nothing, he simply waited for her to continue. His facial expression and aura remained calm, patient.

He won't judge me for how i'm feeling. He's been hurt too.

"My father was the strongest person I knew…no in fact he was the strongest person ever."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Not just in power, but in character. He was honorable, noble, kind. Everything a mage should be."

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. Something about her tone…

She said was. That means...

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