Fated Adventure.

"I couldn't tell if she wanted to fuck you, fight you, or flee from you," Yue quipped as we stepped out of the Guild Hall, making our way back toward the manor.

Ryan chuckled at her bluntness, shaking his head.

"She definitely didn't want to fight him," Rachel added, her usual passive tone making the statement sound almost clinical. "She was trembling the entire time she was around him, and every time he so much as looked her way, she locked up completely."

"Perhaps it was her animal instincts?" Luna mused, her dreamy tone making it seem as though she wasn't entirely present—though her words were far too precise to be idle musings. "She is a werewolf, right? Werewolves respond to stronger pack members in either submission or… a desire to mate."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing.

Luna simply smiled, humming as she held his hand, skipping alongside him while taking in the sights of the city.

---

They arrived at the manor within minutes.

The moment the door swung open, the girls dispersed, immediately setting up their respective spaces.

Potions labs, trunks, workstations, and personal quarters were all claimed and arranged in mere moments—a testament to how efficient they'd become in making any place their own.

Ryan let them handle it, instead making his way to the main lounge where Hermione was already waiting for him.

"We need to head over to Ollivanders soon and get Zhu Zhuqing a wand," she reminded him, already mentally organizing the trip. "Xiao Wu has hers from last time, but Zhuqing still needs one."

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, but I want to wait a bit—I'm planning to invite a new peerage member soon. Maybe more than one."

As soon as those words left his mouth, several sets of eyes snapped to him.

Rachel was the first to react, raising an eyebrow. "You're doing a direct invite instead of world travel?"

Ryan grinned but remained silent.

Serenity, ever the analyst, was quick to piece things together. "That usually means the world is either too dangerous to travel to, there aren't many other characters you want, or recruiting them would be difficult unless you pull them at a specific point in time."

Her amethyst eyes studied him carefully. "So which is it?"

Ryan leaned back slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Why not all three?"

A brief pause, then—

"…Fair enough," Rachel muttered, already curious about who their new sister—or sisters—would be.

---

Current Peerage Status:

King: Ryan (One Piece)

Queen: Empty

Rook: Empty

Rook: Empty

Bishop: Yue (Arifureta)

Bishop: Rachel Roth (DC)

Knight: Empty

Knight: Empty

Pawn: Serenity (Fate)

Pawn: Fleur Delacour (Harry Potter)

Pawn: Zhu Zhuqing (Douluo Dalu)

Pawn: Empty (Danmachi)

Pawn: Empty

Pawn: Empty

Pawn: Empty

Pawn: Empty

Blessed: Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Xiao Wu

Abilities available: Haki, Magic, Falna/Status Plates, Spirit Energy/Qi, and Martial Spirits.

Ryan grabbed an empty pawn piece, and the girls all watched curiously.

With a thought, he selected the individual he wished to recruit, and once more, he found himself in the dream space.

---

She had long purple hair that cascaded down her back, her piercing violet eyes gleaming with a sharp, analytical glint. Her pale skin contrasted against the pristine white top and green skirt of her school uniform.

She was slender, yet her toned physique and the calluses on her hands betrayed her dedication to her craft. Scars from training marred her otherwise flawless skin, proof of her devotion to the sword.

Her grip tightened around the wooden blade in her hand as foreign knowledge surged into her mind.

And then she saw him.

A man standing across from her—strong, confident, his presence commanding attention. He had a perfect build, sandy blonde hair, and steel-blue eyes that held an almost ethereal wildness.

She waited for him to speak.

"Hello," Ryan greeted, his voice rich and smooth. "My name is Ryan. It's nice to meet you."

"Saeko Busujima," she responded, offering a small bow but never taking her eyes off him.

His smile widened. "I'm sure you're curious about why I've summoned you here."

She gave a small nod, her expression unreadable.

Ryan's gaze remained steady. "The world you currently reside in is on the verge of collapse—an apocalyptic scenario. A viral outbreak will turn people into mindless undead, consuming everything in their path. Millions—possibly billions—will die." His tone was calm, detached, as if the fate of an entire world was of little consequence.

Saeko didn't flinch.

"But I know you, Saeko Busujima. A skilled swordswoman, intelligent and disciplined, living by a samurai code." He took a step closer. "And yet… you harbor a hidden desire, don't you?"

Her grip on the wooden sword tightened.

"You crave the rush of battle. The thrill of the hunt. The euphoria of cutting down your enemies. You want to kill, but you're afraid. Afraid of losing control. Afraid that if you indulge in that desire, there will be no turning back."

Ryan circled her slowly, his voice like silk, weaving through her thoughts like a devil's whisper.

"I can give you that." His breath was warm against her ear. "I can take you to worlds where monsters and men alike can fall before your blade. I will be your master, your conscience—guiding your hand."

She shuddered, her body reacting involuntarily to his presence.

Ryan's chest pressed lightly against her back, his strong, steady hands trailing along her arms until they covered her own—his fingers curling around her grip on the wooden sword. She let out a soft moan and pressed her ass back against him. She was incredibly excited, her panties were absolutely drenched under her skirt.

"Pledge yourself to me," he murmured, his voice a tantalizing promise. "A blade like yours shouldn't be hidden. It should be wielded freely, cutting down my enemies."

A bit her lip, her body trembling in anticipation. Her mind had already made its decision—her very soul screamed for it.

Before her, in his outstretched hand, lay a single pawn piece.

Her violet eyes locked onto it, burning with need. This was all it took. This was her chance to be free.

"Do you want it?" His voice was deep, commanding.

"Yes," she breathed, her voice thick with desire.

"Yes what?"

She knew what he wanted. Her head tilted back, meeting his gaze directly.

"Yes, Master."

Ryan smirked.

Their lips met in a heated kiss.

As his hand pressed against her chest, the pawn piece vanished into her body, binding her to him.

And with that, Saeko Busujima was his.