Harem Stealing System

Chapter 74

After the coming of morning, Eiden woke up quite early, the gentle light of dawn slipping through the curtains as he rubbed his eyes and sat up. He stretched, yawned, and glanced around the quiet room, surprised by how silent the house still was. Usually, Sasha and his mom, Dally Mores, were already up by now. They were both notorious early risers, always the first to bustle about the house preparing breakfast or doing light chores, but today, he had somehow managed to wake before them. Rather than disturbing their slumber, Eiden quietly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and changed into his track suit, deciding that a morning jog might help clear his mind. As he stepped outside, the cool air kissed his skin, and the scent of dew-kissed leaves filled his lungs. The solemn quiet of the neighborhood wrapped around him like a soft blanket. He took a deep breath, then another, relishing in the silence, feeling the faint breeze glide across his face. With a subtle smile tugging at his lips, he began to jog, his footsteps rhythmic and steady against the pavement.

He hadn’t expected it to be this peaceful. The morning air carried a stillness that soothed him, like the world itself had slowed down for a brief moment, allowing him to reflect without distractions. His feet moved on their own as he passed the familiar houses, parks, and closed cafés, noticing details he usually overlooked. The cracked tile on the sidewalk he’d always stepped over, the bird perched on the traffic light, even the faded chalk drawings on the curb left behind by some neighborhood kids. With each breath, his thoughts, which were usually jumbled and chaotic, began to ease into place. His worries felt a little lighter, his heart a little less burdened. It felt strange but also incredibly grounding. For once, he wasn’t consumed by the system, by the quests, by the power plays and chaos that had taken over his once-normal life. Today, he was just Eiden no objectives, no urgent missions, just a guy jogging in the morning.

After about thirty-five minutes, he reached a bridge he hadn’t seen before or at least never noticed with the same clarity. The rising sun stretched golden fingers across the sky, painting clouds in hues of orange and pink. The view was mesmerizing. He slowed down and walked over to a nearby bench, sitting down as his legs finally complained about the distance. It wasn’t agonizing pain, just a dull ache, a reminder of how out-of-shape he probably was. But even that didn’t dampen his mood. He leaned back slightly, one arm resting on the bench’s edge, and stared at the horizon. "Hmm, I don’t think I’ve done much alone time and enjoyed like this before... or appreciated nature," he thought aloud, his voice almost lost to the wind. "Well, I did with Lyra at the park. We observed the sunset. But that was the only time." His lips curved into a soft smile at the memory. "I seem to be changing my lifestyle ever since I’ve gotten the system."

It was odd how something so artificial could inspire him to live more naturally. The system, with its screens and stats and quests, had ironically pushed him to become more present in his reality. Maybe it was the constant awareness that life was finite, that every moment might lead to something unpredictable, or maybe it was just a side effect of trying to improve his attributes. Either way, he felt like he was becoming someone new . As he stared ahead, lost in his thoughts, a movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. A familiar figure was approaching the bridge, a brown dog with dark spots trotting loyally beside her. The dog looked healthy, well-groomed, and alert. The woman beside it had her hair tied in a neat ponytail and wore a blue top that hugged her figure, exposing her slender waist, paired with blue tights that accentuated her toned thighs. Her curves were undeniable graceful yet strong. It was Miss Mika.

Eiden blinked, startled for a second, unsure if he was imagining things. She had an earpiece at both her ears possibly listening to music. Her expression was composed, calm, focused but the moment her eyes locked onto his, her demeanor shifted ever so slightly. She quickly averted her gaze and acted indifferent, walking past him as if he were a stranger. The dog gave a small curious look but didn’t stop. Eiden, still seated on the bench, watched her retreating form quietly. She seemed to walk a bit faster after passing him, her pace subtly increasing as if eager to distance herself. He didn’t call out or try to get her attention. Instead, he simply remained where he was, watching as she and her dog slowly vanished from sight. Only after her figure had disappeared completely did he let out a quiet breath and turn his eyes back to the scenery.

He didn’t know what he felt. Was it disappointment? Curiosity? Perhaps a tangle of both. There was still so much about Miss Mika that remained a mystery to him. That moment at school, the tension, the awkwardness was she avoiding him? Or was she simply keeping her distance for reasons he couldn’t yet understand? Either way, Eiden didn’t dwell on it for long. His leg began to feel a bit sore again, the dull ache reminding him that he wasn’t exactly built for extended jogs. But it wasn’t unbearable, so he just brushed it off, stood up, and stretched his arms above his head. The sun was higher now, bathing the street in golden light. He took one final look at the horizon before turning around and making his way back home.

When he returned, the smell of breakfast greeted him warmly. In the kitchen, Dally and Sasha were already wide awake and bustling about with their usual morning energy. Their movements were fast, efficient, almost rhythmic, like a perfectly synchronized team in a professional kitchen. Sasha was chopping vegetables with lightning speed while Dally moved between the stove and counter with practiced ease. It was impressive, almost like watching a cooking show in real life. Eiden stood in the doorway for a second, watching them with an amused smile. Then, his eyes wandered to the living room where his dad, Algir, was seated on the couch, dressed sharply in formal clothes, reading the morning newspaper. He looked calm and collected, sipping his coffee and scanning the headlines with mild interest.