Harem Stealing System-Chapter 28: Eiden’s Courage

Eiden followed Ruel from the corner of his eyes as the guy approached them. Lyra hadn’t noticed yet she was sitting opposite Eiden, and Ruel was coming from behind her back. For a moment, Eiden tried to convince himself that maybe Ruel was just passing by. Just coincidence.

But that hope was crushed the second he caught Ruel’s eyes. The glare was unmistakable. A pit began forming in Eiden’s stomach. He tried to remain calm, but a tight knot had already formed in his chest. Even though he had a system backing him up now, he wasn’t in his prime physically or mentally. He wasn’t weak-willed, not by a long shot. But physical strength? That was a different story.

Ruel was an athlete, someone who clearly worked out and probably had a good amount of experience in fights. Eiden wasn’t some bullied nerd either; he did have that one time when he got into a scuffle in grade school, but it had been so long ago he could barely even recall how that ended.

And now, Ruel was standing just beside their table. Lyra turned to see him, her body stiffening immediately. Her face gave it all away discomfort, anxiety, maybe even fear.

Ruel didn’t waste a second. "Why aren’t you picking up my phone?" he barked, eyes flickering to Eiden for a split second before glaring at him properly. Lyra lowered her gaze to the table, her fingers curling slightly as she avoided eye contact. The silence that followed was heavy, awkward, and tense.

Eiden knew better than to interfere. Stepping into this would only invite trouble. But the part of him that didn’t want to appear spineless in front of Lyra kept him glued to the moment. He sat there quietly, trying to calculate his next move. "I’ve been calling you," Ruel snapped, "messaging you, and I’ve got nothing! Why?"

Still no response. Eiden was beginning to sweat, despite the calm exterior he tried to maintain. BAM! The entire table jolted. The cups rattled. Lyra flinched visibly. But Eiden didn’t move. He had predicted this. Whether it was Ruel banging the table, throwing a glass, or worst-case scenario hitting Lyra, he had mentally braced himself.

Ruel glared at her with growing intensity. "I... I didn’t see it," Lyra mumbled softly.

"Huh? I can’t hear you," Ruel growled. "Speak louder!" Eiden clenched his jaw. This guy’s pissed because his harem is starting to crumble, and he didn’t even see it coming. And now he’s venting it out on Lyra... But she’s not even your girlfriend, man.

"Speak louder!" Ruel demanded again, his voice rising with frustration. By now, people around the café had started turning their heads toward them. Whispered gossips and subtle murmurs began to ripple across the room. And Lyra, being the naturally shy girl she was, felt the weight of their stares like a hundred stones pressing down on her chest. Her eyes were glistening, trembling at the corners.

Eiden sat still, stiff as a board. Then came the command. "Move," Ruel said coldly, gesturing to Eiden without even looking directly at him. His eyes stayed fixed on Lyra.

Eiden slowly stood up. Up close, Ruel looked even more intimidating easily six feet tall, broad, sharp-eyed. As Eiden’s gaze darted between him and Lyra, he felt a pang of pity for her... and a gnawing sense of helplessness.

He didn’t have the strength or skills to back up any kind of bravery. Not yet. But then Lyra raised her head slightly. She didn’t look at Ruel. She looked at Eiden. Her eyes scared, tearful, quietly pleading stared into his. Something in Eiden cracked. That anger. That frustration. That buried sense of justice he thought he’d long buried it surged up again. A wave of heat filled his chest and turned into something else. Courage.

"She’s with me," Eiden said firmly, his eyes locking onto Ruel’s with an unexpectedly sharp gaze. "Go somewhere else."

That single line stunned both Ruel and Lyra.

Ruel’s expression contorted confusion, then anger, with a splash of disbelief. He hadn’t paid much attention to the random guy sitting next to Lyra until now. He’d been too frustrated by his recent breakup Arin had dumped him publicly and unapologetically in front of the entire class. No warning. No negotiation. Just a cold "Let’s break up. I’m not interested anymore," and she walked off.

He had no counter. No way to save face. So now, every little thing ticked him off.

And this guy this nobody was challenging him? "What?" Ruel said. "Did you say something?" Eiden didn’t flinch. "I said, go somewhere else." Ruel’s jaw tensed as his veins pooped up . "And why should I?"

"Because she clearly doesn’t want to talk to you." A short, angry laugh escaped Ruel’s throat. "Pffft... You sure are funny," he said. Then his hand shot forward, gripping Eiden’s collar and yanking him closer. "You wanna act brave now?"

Lyra’s hand, which had been nervously wringing the hem of her skirt, twitched upward just a little, halfway to stopping him but she lacked the courage or strength. fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

Eiden, meanwhile, had a horrifying realization. I’m screwed. His brief moment of bravery had passed, and now reality hit him. Hard. He didn’t want trouble. Not now. Not before he got stronger. His plan was to avoid confrontation until he had the stats to actually win fights. The smarter path was to operate from the shadows, sabotage relationships quietly, win without brawling.

And now? His collar was in someone else’s hands. "Acting tough?" Ruel growled, face just inches from his. Eiden stared him down... and smirked. "Acting strong...? Scaring a girl?" That answer surprised even Eiden himself. But it hit harder than a punch.

Ruel’s expression faltered for a second then twisted with rage as he swung his fist.

SWOOSH ! THUD! It didn’t land on Eiden.

Ruel’s fist had connected with someone else.

"Deuel!?" Eiden blinked in shock. Indeed Deuel had taken the punch. He staggered, wobbling on his feet, but stood tall. Ruel blinked. "Now who the f**k are you?"

Eiden reached out and caught Deuel before he could fall. Ruel had released his collar by now.

Deuel looked up and, with a shaky voice, said, "Why are you acting tough? You’re just a bully." Eiden blinked again. What is he acting tough for? He’s clearly shaking I can feel it...

Ruel raised his fist again, ready for round two.

"HEY!" a sharp voice cut through the air. All heads turned. It was Sasha. She stormed toward them, fury written all over her face.

"F**k off," she snapped. "You’re disturbing the public, you thug." Ruel scoffed. "What’re you gonna do if I don’t?"

But Sasha didn’t flinch. She held her ground, glaring at him. Ruel fell silent. That wiped the smirk clean off his face. He knew who Sasha was. Practically everyone did. A social butterfly, beautiful, bold and way too admired. If he so much as touched her, he’d earn himself a horde of enemies. Not just physical ones, but the kind with money and connections. The kind that could hire people to "deal with" him.

And while Ruel was rich, he wasn’t elite. He weighed his options. He glanced at Sasha. Then Eiden. Lyra. Deuel. And he turned away.

"Tch... Whatever," he muttered, walking off.

Eiden watched him disappear into the crowd with a frustrated look. Then he turned to Sasha, opening his mouth to thank her when

Whoop.

An arm wrapped tightly around his waist.

He blinked in surprise and looked down.

It was Lyra. Her face was buried against his side, trembling. Sasha raised an eyebrow as her armed crossed

Eiden’s mind had only one thing " it’s touching !! her boobs are touching!!!

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