SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)-Chapter 66: Start of the Journey.

Ethan pushed forward through the crowd, driven like a man possessed. The city roared around

him—merchants yelling prices, horses clattering over cobblestones, the smell of spices, sweat,

and hot bread wafting in the air.

He kept searching. Eyes darting left, right. Heart hammering in his chest.

[System Notification]

[Target proximity detected. Estimated distance: 10 meters.]

His gaze snapped to a figure standing beside a stall overflowing with baskets of dried herbs.

She was half-turned away from him, a cloak draped over her shoulders, though strands of

crimson hair spilled free. She was speaking to a merchant, gesturing with her hands in rapid,

animated movements, her voice rising in that gruff cadence he knew all too well.

A tremor ran through Ethan’s chest.

He broke into a sprint and lunged forward, grabbing her arm.

"Hey—!"

The woman stiffened, her hand still halfway outstretched toward a bunch of dried lavender.

Slowly, she turned, eyes wide.

"Ethan... Ethan Graves?!"

Ethan blinked, sweat dripping down his jaw. His breath came in ragged bursts. "Yeah... Reyna."

Her eyes were huge, silver flecks shimmering in the sunlight. Then her cheeks turned bright

scarlet. "BLOODY HELL, ya can’t just GRAB a lass like that, don’t ya know!"

He let go of her arm like it had burned him. "S-Sorry. I... it’s just— I was looking for you."

Reyna narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Looking for me, don’t ya know? The

bloody hell for? Yer lookin’ like a dog chasin’ its tail, sweatin’ buckets."

He tried to steady his breathing. "Long time no see, Reyna."

She glared at him. "Yeah... it’s been bloody ages, don’t ya think so?"

He gave a crooked grin. "Yeah. I do think so too."

For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them. Then Reyna slapped his chest lightly. "Damn

bastard... ya kissed me, don’t ya remember?"

Ethan felt heat crawl up his neck. "Ah... right. That."

She rolled her eyes, but her blush only deepened. "Tch. Don’t ’that’ me. I been thinkin’ ’bout it

ever since, don’t ya know!"

He scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry for... uh... ghosting."

Reyna stepped closer, grabbing the front of his shirt. "Ain’t like ya to just vanish, don’t ya think

so? One moment ya there, then poof. Gone. Like a fart in the wind."

Ethan sputtered out a laugh despite himself. "A fart in the wind?"

"SHUT UP." She punched him lightly in the arm. "So... what’s goin’ on, Ethan?"

He sobered instantly. "I’m heading somewhere. I’ve got a mission. And... I could use your help."

Reyna’s eyes flickered. "Help with what, don’t ya know?"

He glanced around, leaning closer. "It’s... complicated. The monsters... their cores are changing.

There’s a cult or something. I’ve got to investigate. And I don’t want to do it alone."

Reyna blinked at him, her eyes narrowing. "A cult? Ethan Graves, what in the seven bloody hells

have ya gotten yerself into THIS time?"

He managed a faint grin. "Same old me."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Aye... same old ya. Trouble glued to yer arse, don’t ya think so?"

He chuckled, then said, softer, "So... will you come with me?"

Reyna’s cheeks went pink again. She chewed on her lower lip, then blew out a sharp breath. "Eh,

I ain’t got anythin’ else goin’ on, don’t ya know. Might as well stick with ya. Keep ya from gettin’

yer head chopped off."

[DING!]

A bright blue system panel flashed across Ethan’s sight.

[System Notification]

[Recruitment Objective Complete.]

[New Party Member: Reyna]

[+10 Affinity Points Earned] fгeewebnovёl.com

[Companion Class: Barbarian Berserker (A-Rank)]

[Special Skill: Bloodrush — Increases strength and speed based on emotional state.]

[Note: Relationship Flag Active.]

Ethan blinked at the screen. A slow grin spread across his face. "Looks like the system’s happy to

have you."

Reyna’s nose wrinkled. "Tch. The system’s a nosy bastard, don’t ya think so?"

He laughed. "Sometimes. But it keeps me alive."

She scowled, planting her fists on her hips. "So where’re we goin’ then, oh mighty Overlord?"

He leaned closer. "A section of the city’s been reported to have monsters lurking in the shadows.

And I think there might be clues about whoever’s behind the monster mutations. We need to

check it out."

Reyna gave him a wicked grin. "Hah. Finally some proper fun. Been bored as a cat in a rain barrel,

don’t ya know."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Try not to kill everyone we meet."

"No promises, don’t ya think so."

They started moving, weaving through the bustling streets. Reyna matched his pace easily, her

steps light for someone who carried a massive war-axe on her back. She kept glancing at him

sideways, cheeks still pink.

"So... Ethan Graves... ya gonna tell me what the hell happened after the bandits or what?" she

demanded. "Ya left me sittin’ there with a pile o’ dead bastards and no explanation, don’t ya

know."

Ethan hesitated. His smile slipped away. "A lot happened. I... changed. I’ve got powers now.

And... I’m trying to fix things."

Reyna tilted her head. "Fix things? Ethan, since when were ya the hero type, don’t ya know?"

He let out a bitter laugh. "Since I woke up in this world with a system telling me I’ve got to save

it."

Reyna stared at him for a long moment, then softened her voice. "Aye... well. If the world’s gotta

be saved, guess it’s better ya do it than some royal arsewipe. Don’t ya think so?"

Ethan blinked. He swallowed hard, a sudden tightness forming in his chest. "Thanks... Reyna."

She punched his arm again, gentler this time. "Don’t get sappy on me, don’t ya know."

He grinned. "No promises."

They stepped into a narrower street, shadows stretching long between high stone walls. Ethan

could already feel the change in the air. The scent of the city shifted—less spice and warmth,

more damp stone and something metallic.

He drew Warlord’s Fang just a few inches free of its sheath, the blade glinting in a sliver of

sunlight.

Reyna’s grin turned savage. "Right. Time to crack some heads, don’t ya think so?"

Ethan snorted. "First we investigate. THEN we crack heads."

"Aye... aye... details, don’t ya know."

And together, they disappeared into the winding streets of Calsoz, ready to face whatever secrets

lurked in the shadows.

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