SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)-Chapter 69: Recruitment Start.

Ethan moved through the narrow alleyways like a phantom, each step silent despite the chaos of

the slums around him. Flickering lanterns threw trembling shadows across brick walls, and the

scent of cheap liquor and damp earth hung thick in the night air.

He felt the presence before he saw it—a spark of raw mana, pulsing faintly like a buried ember.

His eyes narrowed, gleaming silver under the glow of hanging lamps.

There.

In a half-collapsed corridor between two squat buildings, a figure lay sprawled on the cracked

stones. Dark hair spilled across the ground like ink, and moonlight caught the sharp angles of his

face—a handsome face, with a sculpted jawline and high cheekbones, framed by long black hair.

Even slumped on the floor, there was a quiet elegance about him, an aura that screamed noble

even beneath dirt and bruises.

Grey eyes fluttered open, dazed but startlingly clear.

Ethan’s lips curved into a slow smirk.

Jackpot... I actually found a damn jackpot in these slums...

He stepped forward, boots scraping the stone. Shadows danced across his cloak as he loomed

over the fallen man.

"Daniel."

The name rolled off Ethan’s tongue like a challenge.

Daniel blinked once. His eyes narrowed, and he propped himself up on one elbow. Blood trickled

from a cut at his temple, glistening crimson in the lamplight.

"Who... are you?" he said, voice low, like a blade being unsheathed. "How the hell do you know

my name?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly, feigning an innocent smile. His eyes, however, were sharp as blades.

"Don’t worry about that, Daniel. The real question is... what the hell are you doing in a place like

this?"

Daniel scowled. "That’s none of your business."

Ethan crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees, bringing his face level with Daniel’s. The

silver glow in Ethan’s eyes flickered like distant lightning.

"See, that’s where you’re wrong. It is my business. Because whether you believe it or not... you’re

going to be very important. Maybe not now... but soon."

Daniel stared at him, breathing heavy. His fists clenched on the ground. "You’re talking nonsense."

Ethan chuckled softly. "Am I? Let’s not play dumb, Daniel. You’re strong. I can feel the mana

rolling off you, even while you’re half-dead in a gutter. You’re one of the Empire’s finest—or you

will be, soon enough."

Daniel’s brows furrowed. He tried to rise, but his knees wobbled. Ethan reached out and steadied

him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Relax," Ethan said gently. "You’re hurt. Don’t waste energy fighting me."

Daniel jerked away, glaring. "I asked you who the fuck you are."

Ethan’s smile widened, but his eyes remained ice cold. "Just think of me as someone who’s...

gathering talent. Because the world’s about to go to hell, Daniel. And people like you... people

with real potential... you’ll either be devoured by the chaos or you’ll rise above it."

Daniel squinted at him. "So what? You want me to come with you? Join some shady group I’ve

never heard of?"

Ethan shrugged. "Call it whatever you want. I’m forming a team. A real one. People who can

handle things nobody else can. I’ve seen the future, Daniel. And trust me—what’s coming... the

Empire’s not ready for it."

Daniel stared into Ethan’s eyes as if trying to read the truth there. For a moment, his resolve

wavered. But then he shook his head, defiance blazing in his steel-grey eyes.

"No."

Ethan’s expression didn’t falter. He just sighed, as though dealing with a stubborn child. "Why

not?"

"I’ve got my reasons."

"Oh? And what reasons might those be?"

Daniel clenched his teeth, jaw working like granite. He opened his mouth to answer—but before

he could, a sudden rush of noise filled the alleyway.

"Big Brooo!!"

A small army of children barreled around the corner—a gang of ragged kids with dirt-smudged

faces and clothes patched so many times they looked like quilts. There were maybe six or seven

of them, ranging from toddlers clutching stuffed animals to lanky preteens who still looked

heartbreakingly thin.

They flung themselves at Daniel, grabbing his arms, hugging his legs, crying his name over and

over.

"Big bro, yer bleedin’ again!"

"Did someone hurt ya, Big bro?"

"Are ya okay?!"

Daniel’s fierce glare melted in an instant. He dropped his sword arm and swept the kids into a

rough, protective embrace.

"I’m fine," he murmured. "I’m fine, don’t worry about me."

One tiny girl, no more than five, clung to his sleeve, sniffling. "But ya got blood on yer hair

again..."

Daniel patted her head gently. "I said I’m fine, little sprout. Go on, now."

Ethan blinked, momentarily silent. He hadn’t expected this.

Daniel finally lifted his head and met Ethan’s eyes. There was a softness there now, threaded with

steel.

"See, stranger... that’s why I can’t go anywhere with you. I’m all they’ve got. If I disappear... these

kids starve. Or worse."

Ethan’s face twitched, as though he wanted to keep smiling but couldn’t quite manage it.

He let out a slow breath, staring at Daniel with a new kind of respect glimmering behind his silver

eyes.

"These kids..." Ethan said softly. "You’re protecting them all on your own?"

Daniel stiffened. "Yeah. That’s right."

Ethan looked over the children, seeing their wide, fearful eyes peeking out from behind Daniel’s

arms. His gaze shifted back to Daniel, calculating.

He drew closer, dropping his voice so only Daniel could hear.

"I get it. But listen to me carefully. The chaos that’s coming... it’s not gonna spare these kids just

because they’re innocent. Monsters won’t care. Cultists won’t care. If you want to protect them...

truly protect them... you’re going to need power. Allies."

Daniel scowled, jaw set. "Don’t try to manipulate me."

"I’m not manipulating you," Ethan said firmly. "I’m telling you the truth. You think staying in these

slums is gonna keep them safe? You’ll just all die here when the darkness rolls in."

Daniel’s eyes flickered with doubt—but he clenched his fists.

"I’m not leaving them," he whispered.

Ethan hesitated. He glanced at the children, then back at Daniel.

"...Fine," he said at last. "We’ll talk about this again. I’m not giving up on you, Daniel."

Daniel glared but didn’t answer. The kids pulled him back, fussing over the blood on his face.

Ethan stepped away, his cloak fluttering. He looked back once, silver eyes unreadable.

He doesn’t even realize it yet... but he might become one of the strongest warriors in the Empire. I

can’t let a talent like that slip away...

A faint chime echoed in Ethan’s head as the system popped up:

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

[Recruit 5 members to your party. Progress: 1/5.]

He exhaled slowly.

"Damn stubborn bastard..." Ethan murmured under his breath. Then he turned and vanished into

the shadows of the slums, already planning his next move.

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