SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)-Chapter 73: Some People Are Nice.

A heavy silence hung in the slum alley as Daniel stared through the gap in the curtain. His grey

eyes were locked on the sight unfolding inside the cramped room—a scene that seemed to slice

him open from the inside out.

Inside, a group of ragged adults crowded around a battered wooden table piled high with scraps

of food—the very same food Daniel had handed out to the kids with trembling, hopeful hands.

A woman with greasy hair and hollow eyes shoved a child aside and grabbed a piece of bread,

stuffing it into her mouth.

"Stupid little brats," she spat between bites. "Keep makin’ that good-for-nothin’ bastard feed you

so we get our share."

A man sitting beside her let out a harsh laugh, his teeth yellow and broken. "Hah! That Daniel kid’s

just a son of a concubine, ain’t worth piss. Thinks he’s some hero feedin’ kids. He’s just our pantry

boy, that’s all."

Another man slammed his cup down, cheap liquor sloshing over the rim. "I say bleed him dry for

all he’s got! Kid’s dumb enough to think he’s savin’ the world. Let him starve—don’t make no

difference."

The laughter that followed was cruel, sharp as broken glass.

Daniel’s breath hitched. His face went pale, and his knees buckled. He staggered back a step,

hand slamming against the brick wall beside him to keep himself upright.

"I... I..." His voice cracked like splintering wood. "They... they said... they thanked me..."

Ethan was watching him carefully, dark eyes unreadable. Reyna shifted beside them, her jaw tight

with fury, one hand gripping the hilt of her massive sword.

Daniel’s eyes stayed fixed on the curtain, trembling. One of the adults inside leaned closer to

another and hissed:

"Guy’s just a bastard who should’ve died years ago. Good for nothin’. Bet his mother was whorin’

herself out just for scraps."

Daniel’s entire body flinched. His fingers curled into fists so tight the knuckles went bloodless.

A sound like glass shattering echoed in his head. His chest felt like it was caving in. He thought of

every smile he’d offered those kids, every night he’d gone to sleep hungry so someone else could

eat—and realized it was all a lie.

Suddenly, a bright crimson screen flickered to life in front of Ethan’s eyes:

[SYSTEM ALERT]

[DANGER — THREAT DETECTED NEARBY]

[CATALYST TALENT AWAKENING IMMINENT]

The words pulsed, throwing a red glow across Ethan’s sharp features. His eyes narrowed.

Reyna pulled her longsword free, the blade singing as it left its scabbard. Her entire body was

tense, muscles coiled like a predator about to spring.

"Something’s comin’," she growled, voice low. "Feels like a storm’s about to hit."

Ethan calmly rested a hand on the hilt of his Warlord Fang blade, but didn’t draw it yet. Instead,

he shifted closer to Daniel, speaking in a voice that was gentle, almost intimate.

"Daniel."

Daniel’s head jerked up, eyes wild and wet. "What the fuck do you want from me?" His voice

broke halfway through, cracking under the weight of betrayal.

Ethan tilted his head, studying him. "I want you to know the truth. And I want you to know this—"

He stepped forward and placed a firm, steady hand on Daniel’s trembling shoulder.

"Not all people will use you. Not all people will stab you in the back for scraps. You just have to

find the right ones." Ethan’s tone dropped lower, intimate, as though speaking only to Daniel.

"Come with us. Let us help you. Let us give you a place—and people—you can trust."

Daniel blinked, stunned. His lips parted, but no sound came out.

Reyna lowered her sword slightly, eyes softening. "Ain’t nobody deserves to be played like a

fiddle, Daniel. Yer stronger than that. You got guts... and a good heart. That’s worth somethin’."

Daniel glanced between them, confusion warring with raw pain in his eyes.

"But... everything I did... it was for nothing..."

Ethan gave him a quiet smile. "No. It wasn’t for nothing. You tried to help people—that means

something. You just picked the wrong ones."

He leaned closer, his voice soft yet fierce. "I’ll prove to you that there’s more than this hellhole.

That you’re worth more than how they treat you."

Daniel stared at Ethan as if seeing him for the first time. His eyes searched Ethan’s face, seeking

any hint of mockery or lies—and found none.

Slowly, Daniel’s shoulders sagged. His fists loosened. The trembling in his chest eased just a

fraction.

"...You’re really serious about this?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Ethan smiled and extended his hand. "Dead serious."

Daniel looked at the hand for a long time, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Then, with a shaky

breath, he reached out and clasped Ethan’s palm in his own.

[The SYSTEM UPDATE]

[QUEST COMPLETE: RECRUIT DANIEL]

[QUEST COMPLETE: SHOW DANIEL THE TRUTH]

[REWARD: +10 STAT POINTS DISTRIBUTABLE]

[PARTY MEMBERS: 2/5]

[REMAINING SLOTS: 3]

A wave of golden light shimmered around Ethan, invisible to all but him, leaving a faint warmth in

his chest. A quiet chime echoed in his ears, like a small bell ringing in triumph. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Ethan grinned, tightening his grip on Daniel’s hand. "Welcome on board, partner."

Daniel managed a small, hesitant smile, though his eyes still glistened with leftover pain.

"Thanks... Ethan."

Reyna clapped Daniel on the back so hard he nearly stumbled forward. "Ya better be ready, lad.

We ain’t lettin’ ya starve no more. And if those bastards try usin’ ya again—I’ll carve ’em up

proper."

Daniel gave a startled laugh, wiping at his eyes with the heel of his hand. For the first time in days,

he felt... lighter. Like a stone had been lifted off his chest.

Ethan’s gaze lingered on the dark alleys around them, eyes narrowing as he murmured under his

breath. "Now... let’s see who’s coming for us next."

And the sun rose higher over the slums, casting bright light on three figures standing together in

the dirt, bound by new purpose—and a single shared truth.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢