Drop.
Drop.
Drop.
Drop.
Rain hammered against the ground, each droplet rising briefly into the air before falling again, as if the evening itself had decided to sigh. The coolness of the evening clung to the city, mingling with the scent of wet asphalt and damp earth, wrapping everything in a strange, calming quiet. Some people dashed across streets, clutching bags and umbrellas, desperate to escape the downpour, while others lingered behind windows, watching, their faces lit by the pale glow of streetlights. Children pressed their noses against the glass, mesmerized by the liquid curtain outside.
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
Jack cursed under his breath, sprinting down the slick pavement, his textbooks clutched above his head with both hands, barely shielding him from the rain. The pages were already warped and soggy, sticking slightly as he fumbled to keep them in order. Finally, he reached a small, weathered shack, yanked the door open, and slammed it shut behind him.
Water dripped from his hair, ran down the collar of his school uniform, and soaked through to his skin. He let out a long, frustrated sigh.
"Ah…God damn it."
His voice was muffled by the rain still hammering against the roof, relentless.
"Couldn't even get me five extra minutes to get home… What more do you want from me?"
He shook his head, water spraying from his soaked clothes, muttering to himself, half in exasperation, half in resignation. "Of course… it's always me."
With a gentle glide, Jack peeled off his jacket and the sodden clothes clinging to his skin, tossing them carelessly into the laundry basket. His body was scratched and bruised in places—a small reminder of life's relentless wear—but he had done his best to keep himself clean, to survive on what little he had. Money was always tight; luxury was something he couldn't afford.
Still clad in nothing but his underwear, he shuffled over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of trousers, some shorts, and a shirt, dropping them on the bed without ceremony. Then, like anyone in his position would crave, he sought warmth: a long, steaming shower, a brief comfort against the cold, sweet rain still falling outside.
Water ran down his back, washing away the grime, the weariness, the day's weight. Even after stepping out, he let the final droplets slide over his head as he rubbed his hair dry, a small, quiet ritual.
Jack was nineteen. An orphan. A young man who had lost his parents before he could even remember them. The orphanage had been a temporary stop—a place of months he barely endured. A few months ago, he had escaped, stowing away on a cruise ship just to taste freedom, to live life on his own terms.
Since then, he had been balancing school, work, and survival like a tightrope walker. University classes, part-time jobs, endless struggles—but somehow, Jack made it work. Life was hard, yes, but he had learned to carve meaning from it. To survive was not enough; he wanted more, even if he didn't always know what that "more" looked like.
Yet despite the small comforts of a roof over his head and warm water at the turn of a faucet, his mind was rarely on mundane things like assignments or exams. No, there was always something deeper gnawing at him—something unspoken, unresolved, and waiting in the corners of his thoughts.
Jack had always been a massive webnovel fan. Over time, he had managed to save up a few dollars, enough to rent his own little apartment. A tiny victory, really—but one that allowed him to indulge in his favorite pastime: reading webnovels. And there was no feeling sweeter than curling up with a story while the rain tapped softly against the windows, a rhythm that made every twist and turn of a plot feel alive.
Curiously, Jack reached for his phone. Not a flashy, top-of-the-line device—no, he had a humble Android, the kind with just enough power to get him through schoolwork and his digital escapes. He didn't care about brand names or shiny features; for Jack, it was more than enough.
"Time," he muttered to himself, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Time to dive back into the world he loved.
He opened the webnovel app, fingers moving with practiced ease, and scrolled through his collection until he found it: the top Harem story, My Taboo Harem Lover. That had been his last read, and now, with the rain drumming softly in the background, he tapped the screen to continue. A flicker of a mischievous, knowing smile appeared.
Jack wasn't just here for the… obvious thrills. Sure, there was a trace of desire simmering beneath the surface—but what he truly loved was the story's cunning, the way characters maneuvered, manipulated, and played the game of hearts and minds. There was strategy behind the chaos, a rhythm to the madness, and that was what kept him hooked.
He reached for his coins, ready to spend them without hesitation, just to savor the masterpiece waiting on the screen. And with that, Jack leaned back, let the rain wash over the quiet apartment, and disappeared into a world he loved more than anything.
Jack muttered softly to himself, recalling the last chapter he had read. The MC, Silver, had finally captured his prey. And now… the next chapter promised nothing but love. Jack grinned faintly. I won't say exactly how he does it, he thought, but she's going to be blamed for so damn long. Time for him to show who's really in control. The anticipation made his chest tighten with excitement. This… this was going to be so sweet to read.
He glanced back at his bed, mind already racing with the story. Without a second thought, he tossed the towel into the laundry basket where his uniform lay, then turned and dashed toward the bench, eager to leap onto it and settle in for his webnovel journey.
But fate had other plans.
Just as he lifted his foot to jump, a slight misstep—a brush against the edge of the bed—sent him slipping. His legs betrayed him. Instinctively, his hands shot out, grasping at nothing but air. His body trembled, unsteady, as time seemed to slow.
And then… bang.
His head struck the floor headfirst. Pain flared, sharp and blinding. For a brief, dizzying moment, everything around him shimmered into glory—colors, sounds, sensations—all merging into a single brilliant instant. Then, just as suddenly, it was gone. Everything turned to dust.
Jack had died.
Darkness swallowed him. Complete, absolute, endless darkness stretched in every direction. No sound. No sight. Only silence… and then, ding.
A sudden chime rang out, startling in the void. A notification floated before him, glowing softly in the emptiness:
[Congratulations.]
Another notification appeared immediately after:
[You have awakened the SSS of the Forbidden Harem System. ]
[Do you accept a second chance in life?]
Two options hovered beneath the message:
[ Yes] [ No.]
Jack didn't understand what was happening, all he knew was that, somehow, his mind—his very awareness—was still intact.
A moment of hesitation passed. Then, almost instinctively, he chose:
[Yes.]
[Ding.]
A confirmation rang out, calm and certain:
[You have selected "Yes"]
The darkness pulsed faintly, almost alive, as the system acknowledged him. Jack's journey had just begun.