OOO

"Work like an Angel, Dress like a Demon, Live like a Ghost and Dream like a Human" - Rebecca Mckinsey

OOO

(Third pov)

Masamune hummed a song unknown to netizens of this timeline, as he plays with a mysterious Platinum coin between his left knuckles, it continued until he reached the gate of the washroom area

The Platinum coin was placed within his left palm, one side of the coin showed an odd symbol that oddly resembled an upside down V with a small U hanging down at its right line.

While on the opposite side, it showed an eastern dragon swallowing itself around a tree with vast branches as if it's the ouroboros symbol, with a bold word was written in capital letter YGGRASIL Above it.

[Picture here/ in discord]

And then it miraculously vanished when he swepped his hands as he mumbled with a smile "Pawn acquired" Then he walked next to the dazed employee outside

"Uncle! Uncle! Wake up! Let's go back, I need to find my mom and sister" He said to the dazed man while pulling the man's hand the man slowly woke up from his daze as he placed a hand on his head while answering "Yes... Yes... Let's go.." still confused on what just happened

Masamune just smiled and went back with the man to find his family

OOO

Inside the washroom, Kondou stood still as he looked with narrowed calculative eyes at a small tattoo that resembled that odd symbol from before...

As he felt a connection with it as if it was alive, he could sense Masamune, his now new boss vaguely walking away in the distance to a feeling familiar to what is radiating from his soul...

He looked in the direction of England where he could distinctly feel a distant familiar feeling, a small smile appeared on his face when he finally connected the dots... "...He truly isn't human is he?" And then took out a small device that looked like an old military walkie-talkie yet different enough to tell it was just aesthetic

"... He is 'safe'... And I have decided to choose him as my successor... Do not touch him... No, don't go anymore near him or his loved ones..." He said in a warning tone and disconnected while finished saying "Because if you do... Even I won't be able to protect you from his wraith..." While he remembered the warnings his new boss Masamune said

He then looked into the mirror and he noticed he had a smile on his face while he mumbled "It has been a while since I last smiled... Truly times have changed..." As he remembered memories of his past when he spent time with his fellow comrades in the army

Yet even those didn't last long as quickly the memories turned bitter when he remembered they were all gone...while a somber face appeared on his face

"... Maybe He can bring them back as well..." He shook his head at that absurd thought as he turned invisible yet again and left the washroom... For it is now truly quiet

OOO

(Superior Sage Pov)

Souls are truly an intriguing and vast concept, I thought while I could feel the soul connection via the 'promises' my lovely awesome master established with what he likes to call 'pawns', Truly He is magnificent... No one could compare to his efficiency and Supreme intellect...

I snapped back before I start fangirling over my Master again... Although that's also VERY important but Master said to focus on productivity first before indulging in what we personally enjoy

I still giddily remember the memory of when my Master Praised me and even patted me for the first time..., I thought while ignoring the reason was due to my discovery related to souls...

(Flashback point)

<<< Yes... It's possible to Soak objects in souls and then use it as a medium to connect with others, although it would be temporary it would be more like an external communication device that needs constant charging i.e soul energy>>> S.S confirmed when she was asked a question after she listed what she found out about souls

<Hmmm then what about tattoos? What if... We use the soul energy like ink and paint it on others' souls, that way their own soul would be able to keep their 'charge' all the time, right?> Masamune said after thinking deeply about it

<<< That is... Applicable... But I need further information and test subjects to verify the possibility>>> S.S nodded in a fog-like state, as she can now manifest in this form inside the soul

< But I don't have much time... I need to gather the important 'pawns' fast before I start my bigger plans, I at least need Kondou if nothing else, he would ensure complete autonomy and safety as long as we are in Japan> Masamune contemplated as he was a bit trouble on how to solve this issue

<<< Then I suggest testing it on a servant in the house, in case even if it's extremely unlikely something unexpected happens, you will be safe>>> S.S stated a Proposal

< That could be done but not currently, I don't trust them enough, especially since now there is a spy in our group, I mean I could test it on myself-> Masamune said, and before he could finish

 <<<ABSOLUTELY NOT! Ahem pardon my outburst but that would be extremely dangerous, as it's not 100% confirmed if it will be safe or not, including...>>>
he was ruthlessly denied by his self-proclaimed personal Secretary. who explained the implications

<<< So I instead Suggest this, test it on some animal like rats first, you could get one in disguised as a pet to not arouse suspicion>>> S.S carefully said

<Hmmm, well done, you didn't disappoint, I would have given you a pat on the head but alas...> Masamune said in a 'regretful' tone

<<<... Yo-you could do it with your soul... But it would exhausting so I don't recommend... Bu-but if you did... I wouldn't mind...>>> S.S said in a shy stuttering

< Hmm? Oh good idea, here, let me then> Masamune said then closed his eyes to feel his soul and slowly he connected and then slowly imagined his soul taking a shape of a hand but it seemed more like a tendril and then it slowly stretched towards right above S.S

Then she felt... It... She felt her beloved master's touch! She could feel the pat...
She immediately started malfunctioning due to emotional overload.. as her processor turned haywire... But it soon albeit disappointedly calmed down when the patting stopped

She would forever engrave this moment, deep inside her core...

(Flashback end)

I blissfully smiled at the memory, soon my master met up with his family and there seemed to be that Yumeko with someone else there as well, looking at my beloved master with those disgusting eyes, how dare she!

I grumbled as I observe what is about to happen...

OOO

(Masamune pov)

"Nii!... Hug!" shouri when she saw me almost immediately ran over and hugged me, which I chuckled and returned while patting her head

She knows I was still here since she could sense me, but I guess she still missed me

"You have finally returned, good, I would like to say thank you, I have truly learned I still have room to grow, I couldn't keep calm under your taunt, which I apologize for," Yumeko said to me when I came near enough

I continued patting shouri who seemed to be in heaven as I said "Nah, you don't need to apologize, it was me who should be apologizing instead, I am sorry, so let's move on and be friends instead" with a calm tone

"..Huh? Fr-friends? Yo-you would accept me as a f-friend?" Yumeko said in a shaky tone as if she didn't expect it, which surprised me a bit as I thought she would be more composed about it

But I guess it makes sense since she is still a kid right now who thinks she is abnormal

"UmU, let's be friends!" I said while shouri looked at Yumeri and started nodding her head like a chicken and said in a mumbling tone "Friends...!"

"We-well, I would gladly accept that offer then" Yumeko shyly replied unlike her usual self

"Ara~ it seems Yumeko-chan finally has some friends her age now, my~ she is growing up, I already feel old~" The lady who I presume is her aunt said with a sigh

She has dark eyes and wavy black hair that she mostly pulls up into an elegant bun. Her most distinct features are two moles under her left eye. While she is in a beautiful Yukata... Truly an Asian Milf... cough!

[Picture here or in discord]

"Indeed, my~ kids grow up so fast" Mom sighed along with Aunt

"Oh, my apologies, Masamune-chan~, I forgot to properly introduce myself, I am known as Jabami Tsugiko, I am Yumeko and her sister Souka's Maternal Aunt, Please take care of me~" Aunt Tsugiko suspiciously said... With an alluring tone While slightly bowing towards me... is she secretly a shotacon...? I must stay safe...

"Hello hello!, my name is Hayashi Masamune, likewise likewise, please take of me and my family" I nonetheless returned the courtesy with a childish behavior

"Oh right~! Tsugiko-chan~, why don't you join the feast we will be having in Soyo's Maid restaurant? To celebrate this friendship they now forged" Mom then asked Aunt Tsugiko

"We unfortunately wouldn't be able to attend this time, We would have to return home soon as Yumeko's sister Souka is regrettably still recovering from an unfortunate incident, but perhaps we can arrange another gathering in a week or two" Aun Tsugiko first politely rejected after stating her reasons and then proposing a follow-up plan

Hmmm, Souka still got bedridden in this timeline? Something is definitely suspicious, this shouldn't have happened... Will need to ask Kondou later... I thought while appearing calm on the surface. As I made small talks with Yumeko about etc things like where she lives, her best match, and so on, soyo also joined in when she recognized Her

"Oh... I am sorry to hear that, hopefully she is alright now... Nobody deserves to suffer except the wicked! But since you won't be available let's postpone today's gathering to two weeks later, so we can celebrate together and it would also be a good chance to introduce the kids to your other niece, also Soyo-chan~ you don't mind do you?" Mom first said her condolences and suggested

"I don't mind, Don't worry, actually this plan is better as I would be able to properly prepare a feast for everyone" Soyo replied thoughtfully

"My~ I apologize for causing this inconvenience... I... Didn't mean to delay your gathering-" Aunt Tsugiko troubled wanted to say more and deny it but couldn't as Mom patted her shoulder and said, "It's fine~, the kids would also prefer that, right?" She asked as she looked at us, specifically me... So I nodded like a good boy

And said "Indeed! Aunt Tsugiko! You must come to join the feast, if you don't I would be sad and won't talk to you" with a pout at the end While shouri nodded her head looking at her with eyes filled with expectations, which seemed to have affected her a lot

As she said "Fufufufu~, Very well, we will attend it, especially since I can't bear to upset my dear ma~sa-chan~" with an alluring tone... I definitely should call the FBI...but she is tempting... No! I mustn't fall!

So I joyfully replied "Great! So it's decided! We will soon have a feast in two weeks! Everyone must attend, especially you Yumeko! after all now we are friends!" With a childish vigor

"y-yes!... Because.. w-we are friends!" Yumeko nodded her head while still being somewhat shy, but she seems have gotten more confident

"I will make sure to make it as grand as possible!" Soyo resolutely decided suddenly

"...Party!" While Shouri cutely exclaimed while she gripped both her knuckles in a pump-up motion...

OOO

(Third pov)

Soon the time for the final match came, Masamune vs Shouri... To decide who will be the new Ryuo!

The match began with Shouri playing the first move

But then <Say... Shouri... What would you do... If I ever disappear..., would you move on...? Would you forget about me? Would you leave me-> Asked Masamune with a calm tone inside the soul corridor yet before he could continue he heard a shout

<<... Niii!! Don't EVER say such things! Hmph! I won't let you disappear even if you yourself wanted to..., even if I lose my memories, I will force myself to remember you!>> She Shouted in a reply with a tone suggesting it was filled with deep determination yet she kept playing...

<< I would find you no matter what, first I will hug you and then slap you for being a baka and making your family cry... So don't say such hurtful things... It pains me...>> Shouri said with a sad tone but... Even still she didn't stop playing...

<...Then, promise me... You must be strong... Stronger than anyone in all of the realities combined... Only below me... No... Equal to me... Surpass me... If you have to... But never be weak... Never give up... NEVER lose Hope... same goes for you sage... Although I haven't named you... I am simply waiting for the day of your evolution... For names are important, especially in a world I wished to rule over...> Masamune replied with a smile on his face

<<< As you wish, My beloved Master, I will not disappoint me... I will patiently wait until the day I am worthy enough to receive a name... For that is my purpose... To be of use to you...>>> S.S stated while bowing while her fog-like state solidified even more... As if forming a feminine figure

< I see... But that's the difference... You... No both of you are worthy... You always were... I was merely too cautious to let anyone get close to me...  So as compensation... I grant you both access to my memories... know me truly for I have known about you more... Yet... I don't know if you will accept me... After that...> Masamune said as he slowly started moving the king in an open field on the board... As if indicating his vulnerability...

But before he could he heard a unified voice saying <<<<<WE REFUSE>>>>> That echoed through the soul corridor

Masamune was stunned as his hand paused before he could place the king... And then he heard something that shook him to the very core...

<< We would rather wait and know you personally and you gradually telling us over you transferring those memories!>> Shouri shouted

<<< Yes! I apologize for saying this... But DON'T BE A COWARD! Transfering your memories to us is simply a cowardly move, you must tell them to us directly>>> S.S stated as she agreed with Shouri

<< Yeah! We don't care about what you did! To us, what matters is YOU. so...>>

Shouri nodded as if in coordination with S.S

 <<<<<DON'T LOOK DOWN US, DANN IT!!>>>>> They both said at the same time in the soul corridor

Masamune... was Truly speechless... He simply wanted them to know him better but he held back his inner thoughts knowing they would probably beat him up...

He closed his eyes and then reopened them as he said < I see... Then, wait for me... As I tell you about my past... No an Urban legend about a  Cruel greedy dictator... Who's crimes are endless... For he truly is insatiable and Greedy>> with a wide smile

As he still placed the king piece in the middle, as if boldly declaring, 'Come beat me, peasant! for you will truly see the vastness of my power'

Soon a fearsome Shogi battle went on... Which lasted for two days and two nights... Yet... Nobody came to stop them... For they knew, Mortals mustn't disturb the Gods when they were playing...

But alas... Eventually one of them fell... Which was surprisingly Masamune...

Exhausted yet still having the energy to speak he muttered something that will puzzle the world until an urban legend would be born... " Truly [] Never loses except to itself..." As he blank out...

OOO

Word count: 2703

Interesting chapter, the next chapter will be a chill kind of chapter if you realize by the context of their conversation, so do suggest me what sort of foods should they eat, what sort of activities they could do and so on, basically a fun relaxing chapter, so go crazy but do remember they can't do any sort of nature related activities

Depending on how much I can write (as I am prone to at least include some plot relevance), it might extend to two chapters, so it depends on what sort of ideas you will give me if I like it or not

Shoutout to Haethwrites, he helped me both with the cover and the symbol photoshop job, that symbol has a lot of importance in the future and people who recognize it will probably be nostalgic

Btw join my discord server to see all the images posted so far on webnovel, as the other sites i post in, doesn't really have a way to post images except maybe wattpad

Discord link: https://discord.gg/b7P23h894H