He brought them into a private room and placed a thick folder on the table.

"The first and most important rule: engaging in combat with other awakened combatants is strictly prohibited. Not within this zone, not in any surrounding safe areas, and not anywhere within the designated mountain ranges. Any attempt to forcibly displace, coerce, or relocate another awakened individual beyond Association jurisdiction is likewise forbidden."

Aria and the others nodded.

"If hostilities arise, both parties are required to report to the Association and file for an official Awakened Duel. Such duels will be sanctioned, supervised, and fully recorded. No exceptions will be granted."

Calypso was more than happy to play the devil's advocate. "And if someone ignores that and throws hands anyway?"

The man paused for a second, visibly struggling to come to terms with the fact that he was currently having a peaceful conversation with a red-skinned, horned, demon lady.

This was a surreal experience, far too surreal for his mind.

But through sheer years spent wearing the mask of professionalism, he managed not to show anything on his face as he answered:

"In such an event, the Association is authorized to intervene with decisive force and impose penalties at its sole discretion. Revocation of awakened licenses will be immediate-"

He was interrupted by Luna, who, as the strategic gamer girl, already saw a loophole. "What if they just leave the country and join another country? Taking the license away is not enough."

The man did not look pleased at being interrupted. "… and any individual who breaks the first rule will face criminal charges, including multi-year imprisonment, while their affiliated guild will incur substantial fines. Should evidence suggest involvement from upper management, guild licenses may be revoked in full. By signing, you acknowledge the Association's authority to enact lethal enforcement should this rule be violated."

Silence followed, heavy but not unexpected. In fact, this exact rule was, and the strong deterrents were exactly what they expected.

Then he slid a stack of forms toward them.

"Sign or leave."

They read it over. The paper featured a myriad of other rules, all sounding realistic and more than reasonable.

Kaiden picked up a pen first. His girls followed one by one.

Not a single one of them hesitated.

Because this wasn't restrictive.

This was exactly what Kaiden wanted.

With so many guilds nearby, big names, mid-tier climbers, groups hungry for status and clout, they were walking straight into the open mouth of a hungry beast. All it would take was one jealous mage, one insecure bruiser, one self-important veteran who thought Valhalla's Sinners didn't "deserve" to be here. Not to mention the people who had actual benefits to gain from killing or, better yet, capturing them.

Normally, coming to such a place would be suicidal.

But here?

Under these rules?

With the government watching everything like hawks?

With the Association enforcing the law with lethal authority?

And with their secret weapon… [Harem Vision], the skill that lets them record everything through their own eyes, with better clarity than any camera, and post it in real time with zero incantation or any other setup required?

Everyone knew they had some magical way to record.

Which meant: if someone tried anything stupid, they would just have to show it on stream and the Association would jump at the throats of their assailants with zero mercy, lest their reputation - fierce and one of the most respected around the globe - lose almost every shred of positive light they've worked hard to attain for a decade.

It was a rare window of opportunity.

A chance to walk into danger surrounded by sharks, but protected by a monster lurking in the depths, keeping the sharks at bay.

Kaiden set down the pen, finished.

"So," he said, "are we done?"

The official gathered the papers, stamped them, and stepped aside.

"You're cleared. Good luck out there."

Kaiden exchanged a look with his girls and nodded with pride when he saw no traces of fear on their delicate faces, just professional focus.

"Alright," he said quietly.

The Association officer excused himself first, snapping the folder shut and tucking it under his arm.

"I have other teams to process," he said, bowing out with stiff professionalism before disappearing down the hallway.

Kaiden waited until the footsteps faded completely.

Then he swept the room once. Twice.

Finding no hum of hidden runes, no surveillance spells, no echoes of lingering sensors…

"All clear," he said.

That was their cue.

Armor. Sleeves. Holsters. Boots.

Luna tightened her straps. Nyx secured her daggers. Aria slid into her combat bracers. Calypso adjusted her harness. Bastet fixed her ornamental sunplate.

Kaiden rolled his shoulders, settling into his gear.

They were just about to head out when…

*Knock.* *Knock.* *Knock.*

Kaiden immediately glanced at his girls, ensuring they were all properly dressed. He did not want anyone to get even a glimpse.

He opened the door.

And paused.

It wasn't an Association member.

It wasn't Tessa, either.

No…

He recognized these people instantly.

Too instantly.

"May we come in?" the woman at the front asked.

She looked like an older, sharper version of Alice… and a younger, smugger version of Vespera.

Flanked by two men who were unmistakably twins and had the same face as Kaiden, just thinner - less handsome if one asked most women on Planet Earth - and wearing matching cocky smirks, each one dripping condescension like they were looking at a stray dog.

Kaiden sighed, already having a headache. But he stepped aside, knowing it was best to get this over with here instead of in public.

They entered.

"Little brother," the woman began while her eyes swept him from head to toe without hiding her judgment. "How have you been?"

There was not a single shred of warmth.

And the girls behind Kaiden… were already bristling, their protective instincts rising. Family or not, they did not care. If this bitch and the pair of cunts dared to do something to their beloved, the girls would raise all hell.

If their man did not want to step up for himself against his siblings, then the girls would do it for him.

But their concerns were unnecessary.

Kaiden wasn't about to be walked over.

He was no longer the ashamed kid who left home for college so that he could avoid his problems and feelings of inferiority.

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