When night fell and everyone returned to their rooms to sleep, Ryner was lying on his bed wide awake, thinking about Maya’s situation.

“(Given her actions so far, chances are that she’ll aim for me, but what do I do about that? This isn’t like dealing with Lily.)” [Ryner]

Maya had a major difference from the red-haired woman. She had clearly confessed her feelings for him and wished for something more than just fun and games. With Lily, it was two adults seeking pleasure, not to mention that it was also business for a prostitute. This was territory that Ryner feared treading on. He couldn’t promise her that he would stay with her, not with the kind of life he had been living. He also had no intention of having children and more than anything, he didn’t want to get hurt because of a false belief in love.

“(Get her a partner to do it with…? Ok, that’s disgusting.)” [Ryner]

He possessed overwhelming power, but both his body and mind were scarred beyond saving. He couldn’t afford to break before he defeated Alice for good. As such, he had no intention of setting things up for tragedy to come and hit him hard. He would make friends to relieve his pain and loneliness, but he would keep a minimum of distance so that he could endure the inevitable. After all, unlike him who was no longer a mortal, everyone he cared about would always move on. Thinking in the long run, it would be much better for him to stay away from others for good like a hermit living deep in the mountains. But, if he could do that, if he was someone that didn’t need another’s warmth, he wouldn’t have made that promise. He wouldn’t be fighting against Alice, but by her side. Unlike her who was practically a bundle of his darkness, Ryner was a lonely monster.

“(Should I just tell her my thoughts and calm her down? I probably don’t need to tie her up to be safe. Then again, she can break through pretty much any ropes, so I’ll need to borrow some magic shackles… Don’t wanna ask.)” [Ryner]

‘Hi, I need to borrow some magic shackles to do this and that with my slave who happens to be in her mating season.’ After imagining himself saying it, he gave up on the idea right away.

“*Sigh* … Well, guess I’ll go see how she’s doing first.” [Ryner]

In the end, without finding any plausible solution for his dilemma, he decided to at least go check up on her. Maya had stayed in her room tonight that was next to his for obvious reasons, so he got off the bed and went towards the door. Just as he was about to grab the doorknob, he noticed some presences in the hallway.

“(Three people at night? Assassins? They’re in front of Maya’s room-ah it’s probably them.)” [Ryner]

Scratching his unkempt black hair, he pulled out from his pocket dimension his secret weapon to deal with them and hid it in his pocket after inputting some commands. Then, he opened the door and prepared himself to confront the three individuals in front of him.

“Oi, what are you guys doing in front of Maya’s room at night?” [Ryner]

Just as he expected, the ones he saw were the same three high schoolers that were trying to woo Maya during today’s training. The young man with shoulder-length light brown hair tied in a ponytail was just about to knock on the door, but froze when Ryner called out to him. The three of them were flustered by this unexpected meeting.

“What?! Oh, it’s you. We’re just… checking up on her. I mean, she didn’t look alright today, so we’re worried.” [Sam]

“Yeah, like Sam said, we’re just worried!” [Kirk]

Keeping their voices down, they casually made up a lie to explain their actions to Ryner. The leader of the group, Sam, smiled defiantly at the man that had put them through rigorous training. The one with dirty blond hair, Kirk, backed him up while his other friend, Tim, stayed quiet as usual, but vigorously nodded his head. These three young high schoolers had always dreamed of meeting a cute girl with animal ears and tail. After coming to this world, they couldn’t find any at all because beastmen usually stayed away from human capitals.

But now, there was one among them. She was a mature beauty with long dark blue hair tied in a braid behind her back and dark blue eyes a shade darker. With a slim waist, nice curvy hips and big breasts, she had heavenly proportions that no girls in their class could beat. Her pointy animal ears that were light brown and black at the tip as well as her slim, cat’s tail with similar coloring scheme increased her attractiveness. This older woman, Maya, was the embodiment of their dreams, yet she was already taken as a slave by some lazy eyed, sleepy man who also came from another world!

They never had a chance to win her favor because of how affectionate she was with Ryner. She even happily wore her black slave collar like it was a gift from her lover! All they could do was try to get close to her and burn her body in their minds. However, today was different, for today was the start of mating season. With her instincts running on full power, they believed that she would make the best choice in order to have strong descendants as any living species would. They believed that she would choose one of the heroes with S rank abilities over the powerless master that could be defeated in one punch.

Staring at the faces of these three idiots in puberty who seemed so sure of what they were doing, Ryner tiredly reminded them of the truth.

“You guys do realize that what you’re doing is basically taking advantage of a woman and you’ll all be remembered as lowlifes, right?” [Ryner]

What he said was logical, but to them, such common sense didn’t work anymore. After all, they were in a different world with different values.

“What are you talking about Ryner? We’re just going to see her. It’s not like we can help it if something does happen.” [Sam]

“That’s right! A lot of things can happen between a man and a woman. It’s outside of our powers!” [Kirk]

“*Nod nod*” [Tim]

“(These idiots, they have the wrong idea about a beastman’s mating season.)” [Ryner]

This was exactly what Prince Alex warned him about. These three didn’t do any research on the beastmen’s characteristics and only remembered the fact that they went into heat like animals did.

“Are you kids that desperate to get some action that you’ll risk getting labeled as rapists for the rest of your life?” [Ryner]

“Rapists? It’s not rape if it’s consensual. Aren’t you just jealous of us because we might steal Maya from you?” [Sam]

Feeling full of himself for being a hero that can punch through steel, Sam asked with a smug face. ‘Right now, Maya will definitely choose me. I’m the better choice. It’s night, so she’s probably waiting for someone to approach her.’ was what he thought, completely ignoring her rejection during training.

“Seriously, all of you back off or else.” [Ryner]

Having gotten all that he needed, Ryner changed his lazy tone and threatened with a serious voice. Sam and his buddies, both S ranks, simply smirked at him because they knew that he couldn’t win against them if they fought seriously. Using body strengthening, they could get hit with bullets and not get a scratch. There was no way they would lose to someone that had no magic.

“Or else what? You’re gonna fight us, Ryner?” [Sam]

“We all know that you can’t use magic. Save us the trouble and get lost!” [Kirk]

“*Nod nod*” [Tim]

They started releasing their mana to pressure him into running away, but Ryner faced it like it was a simple breeze and slowly took out what he had hidden in his pocket.

“Or else I show to everyone what was just said.” [Ryner]

In his hand was a black, rectangular-shaped object that one would often see in the heroes’ original world.

“…?! That’s! Don’t tell me you…?!” [Sam]

It was a cellphone that had been set to record everything. Ryner brought up what was just recorded and stretched his arm out towards the other three as the small device started replaying everything they just said. Although the voices were a bit hard to hear, anyone could tell who were talking as well as understand the contents of their conversation because of the keywords that Ryner said such as “Maya’s room”, “night”, “taking advantage” and “rapists”.

“Everyone marvels at magic, but they never give enough credit to science. Sad, huh? This is the latest model where I come from with at least four bars of connection all the time and an awesome microphone.” [Ryner]

Hiding it in his pocket dimension, he calmly walked towards the three who were frozen stiff with panicked faces.

“Being heroes mean that you have a reputation to worry about. What do you think the people will think when rumors start spreading around? What about your classmates when they hear this? Your teacher? And more importantly…” [Ryner]

Putting his face right in front of Sam who was stupefied, Ryner dealt the final blow.

“All the women in the world that could have fallen for you, but now know that you guys are the type to force yourself on a woman.” [Ryner]

Slowly, the three boys started glaring at him as the notion that he had them cornered sunk into their minds. Ryner’s guess was right. Like most guys would, they were being heroes not to save the world, but to impress chicks and form a harem. If word of this got out before they accomplished any great achievements, their chances of getting a date would dwindle to zero. It was hard to build up a reputation, but it was easy to destroy one.

“Now let’s make this clear, I didn’t need to blackmail you guys. Even if I wasn’t here, Maya wouldn’t choose someone who’s only interested in freaking mating with her. Try this again and you guys better be ready to become famous real quick.” [Ryner]

While Ryner was talking, Sam was wondering if there was a way to steal that phone, but he put it in his weird pocket dimension. So, the only option was to subdue him and force him to give it to them. It should be easy enough considering their difference in power. As he got ready to spring into action, his two friends felt his intentions and were also prepared to help him. However, they weren’t the only ones who noticed.

“(The peaceful tactic failed. Time for plan B.)” [Ryner]

The three of them who were about to beat up Ryner were doused with ice cold water that felt like it chilled them all the way to their bones. Their fighting spirit quickly died down and they trembled in fright. Before them was an unknown creature that was completely dyed black with smokes that came out of its body like numerous tendrils. It was like staring at darkness itself, or at least that’s the illusion that they saw because of their fear. These three heroes were being attacked by powerful killing intent that made their mana pressure seem so insignificant.

“Didn’t I teach you idiots to hide your hostility if you want to ambush your opponent?” [Ryner]

The perpetrator, Ryner, was given them a warning seeing as how they were stupid enough to start a fight in the middle of the castle. He was releasing bloodlust that he had acquired in countless battles against people, animals and monsters. It was not something that a bunch of rookies who fought against weaker enemies for only a few months could endure. Of course, Ryner made sure to hold back and only released enough to stop them in their tracks. If he didn’t, they would probably fall unconscious or get a heart attack.

“If you guys leave Maya alone, then I won’t report this to anyone. If you want to take revenge, then wait until tomorrow when we’re training.” [Ryner]

He spoke in his usual laid-back and casual tone, but he didn’t let up on his killing intent at all as the three pitiful souls kept trembling in fright. The feeling of invincibility that they had since they came to this world was all but gone when faced against this man.

“But, if you don’t listen to me and try something stupid again… I will torture your minds and make you all into crying, screaming mad men. Got it?” [Ryner]

Though his voice didn’t sound threatening, his every word invited more dread into their hearts as they nodded vigorously to show that they understood. Satisfied, Ryner finally released them from their torment as his hostility suddenly disappeared like it was never there. Feeling a huge weight off their shoulders, the three heroes powerlessly fell on their knees as they panted and breathed hard to catch their breath with sweat on their faces. They had only been standing in the hallway, but it felt like they had run around the training field.

Sam hesitantly looked up to warily watch the one that possessed such awful bloodlust. To force someone to fall to their knees with killing intent was something that he often saw in games and movies. It was something that he never expected to see in real life, let alone experience it himself. This man, who still had sleepy eyes this whole time, came out of nowhere, was an otherworlder, had a strange assault rifle, was a master in combat and could make others see things with his inhumane bloodlust.

“Just-Just who are you?” [Sam]

He asked between pants while still on the ground, looking up at the man that actually made him feel as if death was licking his neck. Ryner thought for a bit before he answered him and spun his words as he went along.

“I am… I am Maya’s master. If you brats want her, then you’ll have to go through me and I don’t intend to show mercy.”[Ryner]

He crouched down until he was of the same eye level as the three frightened boys and told them clearly in a strong tone of voice. He believed that this was the best thing he could say to make sure that they wouldn’t try again.

“She’s mine.” [Ryner]

Hearing his declaration, Sam and his friends repeatedly nodded their heads and quickly fled from the scene, returning to their rooms where it was safe.

“(… Wasted so much time on this.)” [Ryner]

Tiredly sighing, he proceeded to finally do what he originally planned on doing and knocked on the door of his slave.

“Maya, you still awake? Maya~? I’m coming in, ok?” [Ryner]

Turning time a few minutes back, Maya was lying in her bed and tightly holding her hands together as she endured the urge with all her might.

“(I want to mate! I can’t! I want to mate! I can’t! I want to mate! I can’t! I want Master!)” [Maya]

She really wanted to comfort herself while thinking about Ryner, but someone might enter her room while she was in the middle of the act since they weren’t given the keys to lock their doors. Furthermore, if it was her master of all people that came to check up on her, she wouldn’t be able to take it anymore and would do something that could never be undone.

While these thoughts were running through her head, she soon heard voices from the hallway thanks to her sensitive hearing. After focusing on the presences outside, she could tell that it was the three heroes that tried to hit on her during the day.

“(Perfect timing, I could use a distraction.)” [Maya]

She thought as she slowly sat up. If she beat the crap out of them, then maybe she could distract herself from the burning sensation in her abdomen. However, she soon picked up a fourth presence and realizing who it was, she began to panic.

“(M-Master!? No! He can’t come now! I’m not…!)” [Maya]

With her ears raised up and her tail frantically waving about, she considered hiding under the bed, but then questioned what Ryner was doing with those three. After calming down a bit, she focused on their voices that could be heard through the door.

“Are you kids that desperate to get some action that you’ll risk getting labeled as rapists for the rest of your life?” [Ryner]

“Rapists? It’s not rape if it’s consensual. Aren’t you just jealous of us because we might steal Maya from you?” [Sam]

“(I see… Master is here to stop them. My Master~…)” [Maya]

A warm feeling filled her chest, but it soon traveled down to her lower body, forcing her to shake her head and get rid of her thoughts. Eavesdropping on their conversation, she learned that Ryner was trying to blackmail them with a device called a cellphone to keep them away from her, but that seemed to have agitated them because she could feel their hostility rising. Before she went to her master’s help, their fighting spirit quickly died down and he appeared to have taken control of the situation again.

“(Master probably scared them with his bloodlust. I remember when I was first hit by it. That was so scary~.)” [Maya]

She reminisced about her training in the forest, but her trip down memory lane was interrupted upon hearing what he said next.

“Just-Just who are you?” [Sam]

“I am… I am Maya’s master. If you brats want her, then you’ll have to go through me and I don’t intend to show mercy.”[Ryner]

This caused her to go stiff with her tail standing straight up as her longing for him suddenly attacked her with full force. She forced it down while hugging herself and trembling slightly.

“(Y-you can’t Master! You can’t say such things now! I…! I…!)” [Maya]

Clenching her teeth, she tried with all her might to resist, but his final words completely obliterated all self-control that she had managed to muster up and her desires flooded her head like a tidal wave.

“She’s mine.” [Ryner]

Maya wordlessly fell on her bed like a stone statue and took a fetus position with her tail curled up around her.

“(Aaaah~, that’s right. I belong to Master. I said that before. I belong to him only~.)”[Maya]

Her cheeks were red, her eyes were foggy and hot breaths were being expelled from her mouth. The heat that started in her abdomen spread throughout her body.

“(Master~, my Master~. My heart and body are yours and yours alone.)” [Maya]

She couldn’t think straight anymore. She couldn’t fight against her instincts anymore.

“(That’s why… It’s fine for us to mate, isn’t it?)” [Maya]

Mating season lasted for about two weeks, but she lost on the first day. Her desire to carry Ryner’s children defeated her.

“Maya, you still awake? Maya~? I’m coming in, ok?” [Ryner]

“(Aaaahh~ come in! Come in, Master! Quick!)” [Maya]

Her heart that was thumping in her chest beat even faster as she waited with anticipation like a predator waiting for its prey. Without being aware of Maya’s drastic change, her ignorant master stretched his hand out towards the doorknob, opened the door and took a step inside the tiger’s den. With the lights from the magic stones in the ceiling still on, he easily found Maya who was curled up in her bed wearing the black shirt and shorts that she slept in. Also, her ever present black collar that he gave her was around her neck as usual.

“Maya, did you go to sleep yet? … Are you ok? … Are you awake? … Are you alive?! … Say something, you brat!” [Ryner]

His laid-back voice gradually changed into an irritated yell since she was unresponsive. So that he wouldn’t be heard shouting by the rest of the castle, he went inside and closed the door behind him.

“Hey Maya-aaah!” [Ryner]

Unfortunately, that was a fatal mistake because the moment the bedroom became a sealed room, Maya sprang into action. She used body strengthening to fully reinforce herself, quickly jumped to her feet, rushed to Ryner with inhumane speed, tossed him in the bed and rushed back to him before a second elapsed. Luckily for him, he didn’t get hurt during the whole ordeal, but he scolded himself for letting his guard down and getting so easily thrown across the room. However, he didn’t have time to beat himself up over his mistake because he now had another problem to deal with.

“I’m sorry Master~! But, I’m so glad you’re here! I need you~! I want you~!” [Maya]

Sitting on top of him, the beast girl loudly declared in a lascivious voice while panting and blushing. Her eyes were hazy and her usual carefree face was replaced by one filled with lustful desires.

“… Huh… Didn’t see that coming.” [Ryner]

His comment made to relieve tension and buy time for him to think was met with hips wildly grinding against his lower body. Having passed her limits, Maya had turned into a beast in heat that only sought pleasure from her chosen male.

“Masteeerrrr~! I can’t hold it anymore~! LET’S MATE~♥!!!” [Maya]

*Author note* Like I said, there will be no NTR. And seriously, does everyone see the squiggly lines properly? It's starting to annoy me.