'What… the… fuck…'
Riley slowly blinked his eyes open, his vision swimming, everything around him blurred as if wading through fog. His eyelids felt like lead, heavy, unyielding.
'What… is happening?' he thought, squinting hard.
Before he could even process the sensation, he realized the wetness in his mind wasn't a trick — it was real, drenching him. He struggled to push himself up from the floor, each movement sluggish, each breath heavy. The dampness — no, the memory of it — clung to him like a shadow.
He rose shakily, and a small, uncertain laugh escaped.
'…Huh… I'm… actually up,' he murmured, lips twitching into a weak smile.
Then, his attention snapped.
The street.
It was completely deserted.
Not just wet patches of pavement — the entire area felt abandoned.
Shops dark and lifeless, windows sealed with wood, no signs of people, no vehicles, no noise.
Riley's chest constricted painfully.
'Nobody… where did everyone go?'
Even the rain had vanished. The world seemed muted, hollow… as though he were the only living soul left.
"Ahem." A soft, melodious cough floated from behind him.
Riley froze.
His blurry eyes widened. He didn't turn immediately, dread coiling in his stomach. Slowly, he turned his neck, creaking painfully.
And then he saw her.
Not a vague glowing figure, but a woman. A vision of impossible, intoxicating beauty. She radiated light, every curve of her flawless body accentuated by it. Her full, round breasts pressed against her figure, her wide hips swaying naturally, perfectly proportioned ass visible even in the dim light. Her every movement was fluid, teasing, alluring. Her eyes glinted, half-playful, half-dominant — an unspoken promise of temptation.
Riley's chest tightened. His heart slammed against his ribs.
For a few tense seconds, they stared at each other. Desire, awe, and confusion tangled inside him like a storm.
"AH, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" he yelled, stumbling back, nearly tripping. His back hit a store wall, hands trembling as he spread them out.
The woman tilted her head slightly, letting a slow, teasing smile curve her lips. Her long hair shimmered as it fell over her shoulders, brushing her chest in a suggestive way.
"Man…" she said, voice soft, velvety, dripping with allure. "You humans really overreact. Panic, scream, flail… never just say hello anymore."
Riley's breathing hitched. His mind spun. The sheer magnetism she radiated made him want her in ways that made his stomach twist and his thoughts betray him.
She stepped closer, her curves accentuated with every motion, a teasing sway of hips and a tilt of her head that left him tongue-tied.
"Anyway… cheers. There's no easy way to say this — but lightning struck you. You're dead."
Riley froze.
A suffocating silence followed. His hand slowly lifted to brush his chin, as though touching something tangible could anchor him.
"I'm… dead?" he whispered, voice cracking.
The realization slammed into him harder than any blow.
'No… no… this can't… I was just about to…'
"I was just about to… become…" Riley muttered, eyes clouding.
"I was about to become… the… I was going to write the greatest harem story ever…"
The woman's expression softened slightly, but her smirk never left her lips.
"Yeah… well," she said,
"that's just how things go around here."
Riley's lips trembled. His dreams, his plans, gone in an instant.
She leaned closer, her marvelously curved breasts almost pressing into his personal space, whichat that point, Riley could barely control himself from reaching out and grabbing a hand full of her succulent tits at that point. She might have been death, but anyone at his shoes would have had the same tempting thoughts.
She tilted her head, eyes glimmering, a mischievous sparkle making him want to surrender completely.
"There's no gentle way to put this… but let's move forward," she murmured.
"You have… two choices."
Riley's throat went dry.
"Two… choices?" he echoed, barely audible.
She nodded, taking a slow, deliberate step, letting her hips sway hypnotically.
"One: say your farewells, and I'll take you to the afterlife. End of story."
Riley's stomach twisted violently.
'No… definitely not that.'
Her radiant form shimmered like liquid light as she continued:
"Or… I can grant you what you truly desire. A chance to become something… greater. A system worthy of a true haram king."
Riley's heart thumped erratically.
"H-Harem… king?" he stammered, voice cracking.
She chuckled softly, a sound that made him shiver. Her breasts lifted slightly with the movement, a teasing sway of her hips amplifying the effect.
"What's the difference?" she teased, eyes flashing with playful dominance.
"There's a HUGE difference!" Riley blurted, a mix of shock and raw desire making his voice tremble.
She only smiled faintly, unbothered.
"Alright, alright," she said, waving lazily.
"I'll let you live your ultimate fantasy. Every woman you imagine… every bond, every affection… part of your power."
Riley's eyes widened, chest tightening with anticipation and lust.
"Live… my fantasy?"
She nodded, stepping closer, every movement fluid, teasing, impossible to ignore. Her light brushed over him, every curve highlighted, every gesture magnetic.
"Since you're dead… I can grant you a system. One that grows as you grow. Every woman you attract, every connection you form… strengthens you."
Riley felt a flush rising. His mind spun, heart racing.
"And…" she said, lips curling into a wicked smile,
"you'll be unmatched… if you dare to accept."
Riley's gaze hardened.
'Why me?' he thought. 'Why would she offer this?'
He hesitated, then asked:
"This… is incredible. But why me? Why give me this?"
She remained silent, only the teasing sparkle in her eyes responding.
Then, with a graceful motion, she raised her hand.
A small, shimmering orb appeared, radiating warmth and light, hovering inches from him.
"If I explained everything…" she murmured,
"...It would spoil the fun, wouldn't it?"
Riley stared, captivated. His desire for her clashing with the temptation of the power she promised.
"Touch the light," she instructed, her voice soft, alluring, impossible to resist,
"…and the system will be yours. Your journey as a harem king begins."
She paused, gaze fixed on him, teasing yet commanding.
"One last chance. Choose now. Embrace your fantasy… or follow me to the afterlife."
Riley's heart pounded painfully in his chest.
He looked at the orb.
He looked at her.
He looked at the silent, empty world.
If he reached out… he could have it all.
If he didn't… it was over.
'But what if I fail?' a thought flickered.
'What if it's not enough?'
Then he remembered — he'd have a system. Power. Influence. Desire.
He gritted his teeth.
'It's not just a deal… it's a kingdom waiting for me.'
Riley muttered under his breath, body tensing.
Slowly, he stretched his hand. Fingers trembling.
"I accept," he whispered.
The instant he touched the orb, blinding white light engulfed him.
He felt weightless, as if pulled into a universe of stars.
Then, with a soft, silent poof, he vanished.
Darkness lingered briefly.
A soft mechanical ding echoed.
[Ding!]
Text appeared before him:
[System Obtained.]
[Harem King Mode Activated.]
[Welcome, True Harem King.]