Everyone got down to a massive chess board that had three sides.
Ryu clearly knew the special features around the pieces that would allow them to make irregular moves.
His eyes burrowed. Now, how should he win?
"D2 to D4" Shiro announced as their turn was first.
Ryu smirked. Now it was his turn.
"Move D7 to D4"
"Wait. Can chess pieces really move like that?" Esdeath said.
"It's because this chess game is special," Ryu replied with a faint smile.
The pawn moved forward three spaces and took the pawn on D4.
Sora and Shiro immediately paused. This wasn't ordinary chess.
However, because of these new rules, they immediately lost control of the center.
They hadn't expected something like this.
However, they smirked. For some reason, this aspect made things more thrilling.
However, they had a question.
How did Ryu know about this special rule?
Even Chlammy was surprised.
"It's because I can read minds"
Ryu knew what they were likely thinking and answered it.
Ryu wasn't confident in his game-playing ability.
That was why he decided to make it a psychological game.
Chlammy was nervous. Was this guy a werebeast? Or maybe had a friend that was a werebeast?
Sora and Shiro paused, however. They were estimating the probability that Ryu was lying.
"Hey Shiro. It seems that mind-readers might exist in this world. Chlammy isn't talking"
"Yeah, big brother. Do you really think he's a mind reader?"
"I don't know. Either way we'll win"
Chlammy immediately announced .
"Z2 to Z6"
Ryu looked at the pawn move near his zone.
It seems Chlammy was attacking his left side.
It didn't take too long for the match to start getting riled up.
They were all attacking each other using various tactics and illegal moves.
It seemed that Sora finally realized that they couldn't make any sacrificial plays.
Esdeath was somewhat proficient with Chess, which helped Ryu not make any blunders.
It was then Sora realized what he could do.
"All soldiers! If you win and survive this war, you'll get the chance to bang any women you want!"
Ryu rolled his eyes. It was the speech that convinced all the enemy soldiers to give up.
However, Ryu didn't plan to lose easily.
"Esdeath step up"
"What?"
"Just make sure to rile up the pieces with a speech"
—
"If you don't fight, I'll make sure that you won't have to worry again. However, if you dare to oppose me, I'll make sure that your lives won't be the only you sake"
"Do you hear that!?" Sora's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, commanding attention from both allies and adversaries alike. "That's your leader's tyrant ways! Will you really be able to follow such a leader?"
His words hung heavy in the air, stirring something within the pieces on the board. They seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if caught between loyalty and rebellion.
Esdeath, sensing the shift in momentum, seized the opportunity to capitalize on Sora's speech.
With a steely gaze and a voice dripping with conviction, she addressed the pieces before her.
"Listen to me, my comrades," she declared, her words ringing out with authority. "Do not be swayed by empty promises and false ideals. Our cause is just, and our leader is worthy of our allegiance. Stand firm against the whispers of doubt and uncertainty. Together, we shall emerge victorious!"
Her rallying cry ignited a spark within the ranks, dispelling any lingering doubts and reaffirming their commitment to the cause.
And so, the battle raged on, each side vying for supremacy on the board and in the minds of their opponents.
With every move and every word, the stakes grew higher, the tension mounting with each passing moment.
But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remained clear — in this game of chess and psychological warfare, only the strongest and most cunning would emerge victorious.
"I'll help out" All for One stated. "I'll use my mind acceleration quirk to think of something"
Ryu knew it better than anyone. They currently have a losing position.
There was only one way for them to win.
"Hey Chlammy, let's team up"
Sora and Shiro's eyes twitched. Ryu was shameless.
Chlammy paused. She knew she had to agree. After all, she was also in a losing position.
However, she didn't feel like it. She couldn't make up her mind to trust Ryu's team.
"I wo-"
Chlammy paused before saying something else.
"Fine I will"
Ryu smiled at her words. "Thanks, Pandora"
He made her use her memory powers and it all went to plans.
Although they weren't allowed to affect Sora and Shiro, there were no rules that prevented them from influencing other people in the game.
After getting Chlammy and All for One's help, they started to get the edge.
However, it was hard to find a final move.
That was when Ryu suddenly had an idea.
"Remember, Sora. I can read minds"
Sora's squinted. Why had Ryu suddenly said.
Ryu's declaration about reading minds wasn't just a random statement—it was a calculated move to plant doubt and uncertainty in Sora's mind.
He knew that Sora and Shiro were already questioning his abilities, so he decided to exploit that to his advantage.
Sora's squinted look confirmed that Ryu's words had hit their mark.
The seed of doubt had been planted, and now Ryu just needed to water it.
With a sly smile, Ryu continued to play along with his mind game. "Sora, you seem skeptical. But perhaps that's because you're afraid of what I might uncover if I delve into your thoughts."
Sora's expression faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.
"Being abandoned by your parents at a young age"
"You hate society due to its lack of proper rules."
Sora was extremely cunning and manipulative.
However, he was even more curious.
How had Ryu known so much about him?
Was mind-reading real?
Or maybe it was a similar power?
Memory manipulation?
That was what they used against Chlammy right?
Then why hadn't they used it against them too?
Or maybe it was because it didn't work because they were from Earth.
Sora thought of all the possible scenarios.
Sora knew what Ryu meant by saying his words.
He was using this to raise his piece's morals.
And it was working.
Were they really going to lose?
He had to think of a solution.
Looking at Sora who was thinking of a solution, Ryu immediately went for the decisive blow.
He couldn't allow the protagonists their moment to shine.
"Queen! Attack the King!"
In the next second, the queen attacked their king, leading to Ryu and his team's victory.
—
They had barely won.
This game had brought a sour taste to his mouth.
"Are they monsters?" Esdeath muttered.
"You, of all people, shouldn't say something like that" Ryu rolled his eyes.
Esdeath simply titled her head in response, not knowing what Ryu meant.
"As if mere mortals could win against I, Gilgamesh" Gilgamesh smirked, looking at the defeated Sora and Shiro.
All for One and Pandora remained stoic as always.
As for Esdeath, she had a faint smile on her face that looked prettier than a sunflower after accepting their victory.
Ryu sighed, looking at one of his favorite waifus.
Despite them winning, Ryu knew that they simply won because there weren't any rules made based on their current powers and abilities.
He easily knew what would happen otherwise.
[Ding! 50 Dimensional Coins Awarded!]
Ryu looked at the system message that appeared.
It looked like everyone else got them too.
"It's time?"
"Time for what?" All For One replied.
"Our coronation"