Chapter 14: The Golden Light and the Succubus Queen
Inside the Captain's Cabin of the Vermilion Wing.
Suzaku held his breath as the ten spinning orbs of light cracked open, revealing their contents.
He had spent 1,000 Legend Points on this "priming" roll. A significant chunk of his hard-earned currency.
Please don't be total trash, he prayed.
The results materialized as holographic cards floating in the air.
[Result 1: Sea King Meat (10kg)]
Description: Premium cut from a creature of the Calm Belt. Extremely high in protein and calories.
Effect: Consuming it slightly increases stamina recovery speed for 24 hours.
Suzaku's thought: "Not bad. Meal improvement. Rem will know how to cook this into a feast."
[Result 2: Everlasting Windproof Lantern]
Description: A camping item from a technology-based world.
Effect: Provides excellent illumination without fuel. Waterproof and windproof.
Suzaku's thought: "Practical. No more fumbling in the dark when I need a midnight snack."
[Result 3: Marine Standard Issue Saber]
Description: A mass-produced steel blade used by Marine Lieutenants. Reliable quality, boring design.
Suzaku's thought: "Oh, the irony. Using a Marine sword to cut down Marines? Acceptable."
[Result 4: "Indestructible" Wooden Mug]
Description: "Aside from being exceptionally drop-resistant, it's just a mug."
Suzaku's thought: "What is this for? A bar fight?"
[Result 5: Maid Rem's Matching Hair Ornament (Blue)]
Description: A cute flower ribbon.
Effect: Might slightly increase Rem's affection level? Or she might think you're teasing her.
Suzaku's thought: "Hmm... risky. I'll hide it for now and give it to her when I haven't annoyed her for at least 24 hours."
[Result 6: "Pyrotechnician's" Firework Tube (Ten Shots)]
Description: Creates beautiful, dazzling explosions in the sky. No combat value.
Suzaku's thought: "Celebratory fireworks? Maybe when Nami stops yelling at me."
[Result 7: Berry Red Envelope]
Contents: Random amount between 500,000 - 1,000,000 Berries.
Suzaku's thought: "Cash back? Nice. You can't travel without money."
[Result 8: Basic Swordsmanship Skill Scroll]
Effect: Instantly acquire the muscle memory for basic sword handling (Stance, Parry, Slash).
Suzaku's thought: "Finally! Something useful for combat! Even if it's just 'Basic', it pairs well with my physical stats."
[Result 9: "Thank You for Participating" Ticket]
Description: A useless piece of paper.
Suzaku's thought: "Wait, what the hell?! A literal 'Thank You' ticket? This system has a sense of humor? Refund!"
[Result 10: Senzu Beans (Bag of 10)]
Origin: Dragon Ball Universe.
Effect: Instantly restores physical health and stamina to full. Regrows limbs. One bean keeps you full for ten days.
Suzaku's thought: "...???"
Suzaku stared at the small pouch of green beans in the final slot. His jaw dropped.
"Wait... what kind of divine artifact just snuck in there?!"
Senzu Beans?! From Dragon Ball?
Those were essentially ten extra lives! In a world like One Piece, where medical technology was limited to bandages and milk, having an instant-heal item was a game-changer.
"Holy crap," Suzaku whispered, clutching the pouch as it materialized in his hand. "This isn't trash. This ten-pull was a jackpot just for this!"
He quickly stored the items in his inventory (except the beans, which he hid in a secret pocket).
"Okay," he exhaled, his heart racing. "The bad luck is gone. The good luck is flowing. The desire sensor has been tricked."
He looked at his remaining points: 2,365.
It was time.
"I've laid down enough groundwork. I've believed in the mysticism. This Advanced Summon... it's finally time for some real goods!"
He selected the [Advanced Summon] option.
[Cost: 2,000 Legend Points. Confirm?]
Suzaku's finger hovered over the button. He closed his eyes for a second, visualizing a powerful warrior. Ideally, someone loyal. Someone strong. Someone who wouldn't yell at him like Nami or look at him like trash like Rem (sometimes).
"Confirm!"
BOOM.
The visual effect was completely different this time.
It wasn't a simple vortex of light.
A massive, complex magic circle appeared on the floor of the cabin, glowing with a blinding, royal gold light. The runes inscribed within it were ancient, shifting and flowing like liquid gold.
The air in the cabin became heavy, saturated with a dense, powerful pressure that made the wood groan.
HUMMMM.
A pillar of golden light erupted from the circle, piercing the ceiling (metaphorically) and filling the room with a divine radiance.
"Gold!" Suzaku shouted, shielding his eyes. "It's a Gold pull! SSR!"
As the light reached its crescendo, it suddenly collapsed inward, coalescing into a physical form.
A tall, graceful figure stood in the center of the fading magic circle.
It was a woman.
She was breathtaking. She possessed a beauty that was not human—it was perfect, sculpted, and terrifying.
She wore a pure white dress that hugged her voluptuous curves like a second skin, emphasizing a figure that would make goddesses jealous. A golden spiderweb necklace adorned her chest.
But what drew the eye were the inhuman features.
Curving from her temples were two thick, white horns. And sprouting from her lower back, emerging from a gap in her dress, were gigantic, jet-black feathered wings that spanned the width of the cabin.
She slowly opened her eyes.
They were golden vertical slits, glowing with an intense, predatory intelligence.
"Oh?"
Her voice was pleasant and melodious, like honey dripping from a spoon, yet it carried a heavy, oppressive feeling that could freeze the blood of a lesser man.
"Why have I appeared here?"
She looked around the wooden cabin with mild disdain, then her gaze landed on Suzaku.
Suzaku stared at her, his mouth agape. He recognized her instantly. The horns. The wings. The dress. The overwhelming aura of a tank-class guardian.
He glanced at the system interface, confirming his suspicion.
[Summon Successful!]
[Character: Albedo]
[Source: Overlord]
[Rank: Guardian Overseer (SSR)]
"Holy sh*t!" Suzaku slapped his thigh, unable to contain his excitement. "This pull... this is a massive profit!! The Advanced Summon really delivers! It's Albedo!"
The Overseer of the Floor Guardians of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. A succubus. A tank with defense stats so high she could probably tank a Buster Call.
Seeing a slight look of confusion surface on Albedo's exquisite face, Suzaku realized she didn't know who he was yet. He needed to establish the bond immediately.
He activated the [World Memory Integration] function.
"I am the one who summoned you here," Suzaku said, stabilizing his voice and trying to project the authority of a ruler. "My name is Suzaku Yareon. I am your Master. Soon, you will understand everything."
He tapped the air, sending the data packet into her mind.
Zzzzt.
Albedo's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly. A trace of confusion flashed in her deep golden eyes as a flood of knowledge—the geography of the Grand Line, the existence of Devil Fruits, the concept of Haki, and the identity of Suzaku as her Summoner—surged into her consciousness.
It took only a second.
When she raised her eyes again, the confusion had completely vanished.
It was replaced by a fervent, fanatical glow that made Suzaku take a step back.
"I see..." she whispered, a smile slowly spreading across her face. It was a beautiful smile, but there was something... hungry about it.
"A world divided by vast oceans, where the story is written by strength and ambition? Truly quite fascinating."
Her gaze refocused on Suzaku. She looked at him not as a stranger, but as a supreme treasure that had been lost and recovered.
"The reason I was able to cross the barrier of worlds and descend here... is entirely due to your power, Lord Suzaku?"
She took a step forward, her wings rustling.
"I can feel it. The connection. A pull emanating from the depths of your soul that binds mine to yours. It is... intoxicating."
She nodded slightly, her tone filled with reverence and praise.
"To be able to bring me from Nazarick to this place... such great power can only truly belong to a Supreme Being!"
The next moment, she moved with fluid grace.
She solemnly placed her right hand over her chest, directly over her heart. She knelt on one knee, her head bowed low, her wings spreading out behind her in a gesture of submission.
"Albedo, Overseer of the Guardians, has come in strict accordance with your summons."
She raised her head, her golden eyes locking onto his with an intensity that burned.
"From this moment forth, your will is the sole meaning of my existence. My body, my soul, and my shield belong to you."
Her voice dropped to a husky whisper.
"Please command me as you wish... my Supreme Being."
Suzaku swallowed hard. The pressure coming off her was immense, but it wasn't hostile. It was pure, unadulterated loyalty.
"You... you don't need to be so humble, Albedo," Suzaku said, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "From now on, you are our companion. A crewmate. Just call me Suzaku! We're all equals on this ship."
"Equal?"
Albedo looked horrified.
"The kindness and generosity of the Supreme Being fill me with both trepidation and infinite gratitude," she said, lowering her eyelids gracefully. "The honor of 'companion' that you bestow upon me is an unparalleled grace."
"However..."
She raised her head again, her golden eyes flashing with an unbelievably resolute, even fanatical, light.
"Please forgive me, but I cannot comply with your order to 'call you by name' without an honorific."
She placed her hands over her heart again, her tone gentle yet unquestionable, as if stating a universal law of physics.
"Propriety and respect are the cornerstones that maintain the distinction between Master and servant. They are the means by which I express my absolute loyalty to you. To address you as an equal... would be an unforgivable sacrilege."
She leaned forward slightly, her expression pleading.
"Therefore, please allow me to compromise. Allow me to retain the honorific 'Lord' after 'Suzaku'. This is the limit of my compromise... I beg you to indulge this selfishness of mine, Lord Suzaku."
Suzaku looked at her. Her beautiful face was filled with pain at the mere thought of disrespecting him. Her eyes clearly said: 'Ask me to destroy the world, and I will do it. But do not ask me to disrespect you.'
He realized he couldn't win this argument. And honestly... having a tank like her call him "Lord" wasn't the worst thing in the world.
"Fine," Suzaku smiled helplessly, waving his hand. "Have it your way. If it makes you comfortable, you can call me Lord Suzaku."
"Thank you! Oh, thank you for your mercy!" Albedo beamed, looking as if he had just given her the world.
"But remember," Suzaku added, extending a hand to help her up. "In my heart, I see you as an important partner. So just relax a little when we're alone."
Albedo took his hand. Her skin was soft, but her grip was firm.
As she stood up, looking into his eyes, something shifted in the system.
Ding!
Ding!
Two notifications exploded in Suzaku's mind, so loud they made him wince.
[System Notification:]
[Ding ~ Critical Update!]
[Albedo's affection level has dramatically increased!]
[Current Bond Level: Close Friend!]
Wait, what? Already?
Before he could process it, a second chime rang out.
[Ding ~ Anomaly Detected! Racial Trait Activated: "Succubus Devotion"]
[Albedo's affection level has bypassed logic limits!]
[Current Bond Level: Shared Life and Death (MAX)!]
Suzaku froze on the spot. His expression solidified into a mask of shock.
???
Huh???
I... I haven't even started grinding affection yet? I just summoned her two minutes ago! I haven't given her a gift! I haven't saved her life!
And it's already... maxed out?!
Just as Suzaku was standing there, stunned by the inexplicably maxed-out stats of his new subordinate, a third notification sound exploded in his mind.
[Ding ~ Bond Level MAX detected.]
[Reward Processing...]
[Because the Bond Level reached MAX instantly, a Special Reward is being issued!]
[Akarin Note:
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