The air in our makeshift guild room was thick enough to chew. I stood in the center of a storm, a hurricane of feminine energy that was as chaotic and dangerous as any battlefield I had faced. Four beautiful, powerful, and very intense women were all staring at me, their expressions a volatile cocktail of jealousy, annoyance, curiosity, and possessiveness.
I turned my attention to the two girls who had started this whole mess. "Okay, Chloe and Maya," I began, my tone shifting from a flustered man to a serious leader. "As you said, you want to join our guild. But I need to know, how can you contribute? We are not taking on liabilities."
Before I could say another word, I investigate their stats flickered into existence before my eyes.
Status:
Name: Maya Danvers Strength: 93 Agility: 110 Endurance: 85 Mentality: 100 Intelligence: 102 Mana: 0 Potential: B+ Skills: [Sleight of Hand], [Escape Artist], [Advanced Brawler] Passive Skills: [Composed Liar], [Charming Demeanor], [Survival Instinct] Superpower: [None] Soul Ledger: [Competitive Lust for Adam] & [The Grand Prize]
Status:
Name: Chloe Stephen Strength: 84 Agility: 75 Endurance: 96 Mentality: 120 Intelligence: 135 Mana: 0 Potential: B+ Skills: [Information Extraction], [Read Intent], [Counter Stance] Passive Skills: [Analytical Mind], [Iron Will], [Femme Fatale] Superpower: [None] Soul Ledger: [Awed by Adam's Power] & [Ticket to Excitement]
I looked at their stats, and I was genuinely impressed. Their potential was only B+, but their skills… they were perfect. Maya, with her high agility and skills like [Sleight of Hand] and [Escape Artist], was a natural infiltrator. Chloe, with her high intelligence and skills like [Information Extraction] and [Read Intent], was a born analyst. They were a spy duo, a pair of twin vipers.
But it was their Soul Ledgers that made my brain short-circuit. Competitive Lust for Adam? The Grand Prize? Awed by Adam's Power? Ticket to Excitement?
Before I could even process the implications, Maya spoke, her voice confident and clear. "We can be spies for the Hunter's Guild."
I raised an eyebrow. "How?"
Chloe leaned forward, a sly, cunning look in her crimson eyes. "Because both Maya and I have boyfriends in the Ruthless Animals."
I was confused. Why would they betray their own boyfriends? But then my gaze flickered back to their Soul Ledgers. The pieces started to click into place, but it was still a confusing puzzle.
"System," I asked, my voice a low, internal whisper. "Is this even possible? I don't know them, but they already have a desire for me?"
'Host, I know what you are thinking,' the System replied, its tone as flat as ever. 'You don't know them. But they know your sister, Isabel.'
"You mean… Isabel has been sharing everything with her friends?"
'Yes.'
It all made sense now. They didn't just know about me; they had a fully formed, and apparently very vivid, picture of me in their heads.
A slow, dangerous idea began to form in my mind. An idea fueled by my new, kingly mindset. I had already activated my skills: [Incubus], [Casanova], and [Charmer].
I stood up and walked over to Maya and Chloe, who were watching me with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. I stood behind them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. They both flinched for a second, then relaxed into my touch.
I leaned in, my voice a low, intimate whisper that was meant for them, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. First, I moved to Maya's ear. I murmured. "Tell me, does knowing about my relationship with Isabel make things more exciting for you?" Then, I pressed a soft, firm kiss to her cheek. She let out a small, surprised gasp, her whole body going rigid, her face turning an impossible shade of red.
Then, I moved to Chloe. "And you," I whispered, my lips brushing against her earlobe. "I heard you know a thing or two about my… stamina. Does that mean you're ready to do whatever it takes to win?" I planted an identical kiss on her cheek. She shivered, her crimson eyes widening in shock, a furious blush spreading across her face.
I straightened up, a cold, confident smile on my face. I looked around at my inner circle, at the stunned, disbelieving expressions on their faces.
"Team," I announced, my voice ringing with a new, undeniable authority. "These two are our spies."
Isabel shot to her feet. "Adam, what are you doing?!" she cried, her voice a mixture of anger and betrayal.
I held up a hand, silencing her. "I really love these girls," I said, my voice smooth and convincing. "I love their enthusiasm for helping our guild, even if it means betraying their own boyfriends. They surely deserve some appreciation for their courage."
My words seemed to break the spell. Both Maya and Chloe stood up and hugged me, their earlier shock replaced by a look of pure, unadulterated devotion.
"We just want to serve you, Leader," Chloe said, her voice a breathless whisper.
"We really like you, Leader," Maya added, her eyes shining.
I could see a very calculative and strategic glint in Tiffany's eyes. I could feel a hint of jealousy radiating from Stacy's cold expression. And I could see the look of pure betrayal on Isabel's face. But they were all quiet. Because their respect, their motivation, and their love for me was, for now, stronger than their jealousy.
Jack just looked bewildered. "I definitely know Adam is possessed," he muttered under his breath.
"Okay," I said, gently extricating myself from the two new recruits. "I know you're all thinking weird things, but this is my way of showing appreciation for our two new core members, Maya and Chloe. Maya, Chloe, are you both willing to serve me? To serve the Hunter's Guild?"
They both had a fire in their eyes, a look of fierce determination. "Yes, Leader!" they said in unison.
"Good," I said, returning to my seat. "Now, we should continue our meeting. We have a way to get information, and we have our spies. It's time to execute our plan. Anna, you will give me a full report on every core member of the Ruthless Animals, including Hughes, Kevin, Lina, Friedrich, and Charles. And Maya and Chloe, you two will work as our spies, our eyes and ears inside their ranks. Am I clear?"
All three of them nodded. "I will give you the best results, Leader," Anna said, her voice full of a new confidence.
"Don't worry, Leader," Maya added. "We will amaze you."
"Leader, you can trust us," Chloe finished.
"Now," I said, turning to Isabel. "We've completed our first phase. Isabel, I want to listen. How is everyone's training going?"
Isabel, her voice still laced with a cold anger, replied, "Everything is fine, Leader. Everyone is doing amazing."
I then looked at Padro. "Have you learned anything new?"
Padro, his enthusiasm undimmed, shot up from his seat. "Yes, Leader! I am learning how to use nunchaku!"
"Amazing," I said with a genuine smile. "What about you, Jack and Ken?" They both confirmed that they were also doing great.
Finally, I looked at Stacy, who had been waiting patiently through all the chaos. "I know why you are here," I said.
"Then, if you know why I am here, Leader," she replied, a hint of her usual ice returning to her voice, "it means you have some ideas."
"I do," I said, my voice firm. "What are your thoughts on establishing your own company first?"
For the first time since I'd met her, I saw a flicker of genuine excitement on her face. "That's a brilliant idea," she said. "But how?"
The whole room was looking at me, waiting.
"Listen," I began, my own strategic skills coming to the forefront. "We can start a stock analysis company. A small, agile firm whose only purpose is to analyze market data, identify profitable trends, and work as a broker for small-time investors. We build a reputation for being smart and ruthless, and we use the profits to build our capital."
Her excitement grew. "That's a brilliant idea. But the problem is, we need people who know about the stock market, crypto, trading, and investment. I don't have much idea about that."
Before I could answer, my [Advance Appraisal] skill, which was always active , brought her status to the front of my mind.
Status:
Name: Stacy Brooklyn Strength: 210 Agility: 237 Endurance: 245 Mentality: 270 Intelligence: 290 Mana: 0 Potential: S+ Skills: [Mastery in Archery], [Legendary Musician], [Mastery in Fencing], [Mastery in Judo], [Mastery in Taekwondo] Passive Skills: [Ice Queen's Veil], [Unbreakable Ambition], [Heiress's Charisma], [Commanding Presence], [Exploit Weakness] Superpower: [None] Soul Ledger: [Conflicted Desire for Adam] & [My Alpha]
Her skills were impressive, perfectly suited for a leader. But it was her Soul Ledger that caught my attention. Conflicted Desire for Adam & My Alpha. Interesting.
"I also don't have much knowledge about investment and trading," I admitted, looking her straight in the eye. Then, I turned my gaze to Tiffany and Anna. "But I have some amazing people with me."
Stacy looked at them, her expression full of a new, intense curiosity. "Who?"
"Tiffany and Anna," I said. Both of them looked bewildered. "Listen, Tiffany, I know you are a stock market analyst. And Anna, you are a data analyst."
They were both amazed. Tiffany was the first to recover. "Why should I help?" she asked, her voice cold.
"What about a share in the company?" Stacy shot back instantly.
Tiffany thought for a second. Anna, however, didn't hesitate. "I can do it, Leader," she said.
"Thanks, Anna," I replied with a warm smile.
"I will help," Tiffany finally said, "on one condition."
"What is it?" I asked.
"You have to owe me a favor," she said, her eyes glinting.
I was a little hesitant, but I needed her help. "Okay," I said. "You have my word."
"Anna," Tiffany said, already taking charge. "We will start work from tomorrow. But we'll need some initial funds."
"I will arrange it," Stacy said without a moment's hesitation. "You will have the funds by tomorrow. And… I also want to join the Hunter's Guild. We need to work together for this to succeed."
"Okay," I said with a nod. "You are welcome. Now, everyone, this is the end of the meeting. We have discussed important matters and our future. We should end it here."
After everyone had left, their parting comments were a chaotic symphony of their personalities.
"Bro, you are definitely possessed," Jack muttered as he walked out.
"My lord is amazing!" Ken declared with a final, dramatic bow.
"You are amazing, my soon-to-be boyfriend," Stacy said with a wink.
Chloe hugged me one last time. "I really love you, Adam."
"I also really love you," Maya added. I was amazed. For a minute, I thought they were serious.
"Leader, you are amazing," Padro said, his gaze flickering between me and the departing girls. "For managing so many things at one time." I knew exactly what he was saying.
"I will go and dig for information," Anna said, her voice full of a new purpose.
"I think you are going to face another war," Tiffany commented dryly before she left.
Now, it was just me and Isabel. We started walking back home, and she was furious.
"How could you kiss them?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt. "Do you not love me? Was last night just a game to you? How could you do that in front of me, in front of everyone?"
I let her vent, her words a painful but necessary storm. When she finally ran out of steam, I held her hands softly and pulled her into a quiet back alley, away from any prying eyes.
"Listen, Izzy," I said, my voice low and full of a raw sincerity. "I love you so much. And I know you know that. I promise you, my love for you will never be compromised. You are mine. And only mine." I looked deep into her eyes, trying to pour all of my devotion, all of my honesty, into my gaze. Then, I kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss that was meant to erase all of her doubts.
She hugged me, her anger finally melting away, replaced by a vulnerable fear. "Then why were you looking at my friends like that?" she whispered against my chest. "I'm scared, Adam. I'm scared of losing you."
I held her tighter. "Listen, Isabel. They are nice girls who are willing to help us. And I think the reason they are after me is a consequence of you telling them all those… stories. But trust me," I said, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes again. "I love you. And nobody can ever replace you. At any cost."
She finally smiled, a small, watery smile, but it was enough. We had weathered another storm. And we were still standing, together.