Ch 1: The beginning

Gray sat in the dimly lit room of his rented apartment, the glow of the computer screen casting an eerie blue light across his face. His eyes were fixed on the screen as he navigated through the latest updates in his favorite online game.

The sound of moans from the game's harem feature filled the silence, an odd mixture of synthetic pleasure and exaggerated passion.

"Ahh... ahhh... yes, master, do it," the voices purred, and Gray found himself blushing, a perverted smile creeping onto his face.

The game's fantasy was a stark contrast to his own reality, but the momentary escape was oddly satisfying.

As the screen's artificial pleasure continued to play out, Gray's mind began to drift back to his real life—moments of warmth and selflessness that defined him.

His memories flickered like old film reels, images of helping his mother with household chores and lending a hand to classmates.

He recalled one particular day in the classroom, where he had stayed behind to clean up after a hectic school event.

In that moment, his classmate had approached him, curiosity etched on his face. "Gray, why are you so kind? You're always doing things for everyone," he had asked while Gray wiped down the desks.

Gray had looked up, his face calm and serene. "It's okay. You can go now. I'll take care of everything," he had replied, his voice soothing. His classmate had hesitated, looking at him with a mix of admiration and confusion. "But Gray—"

With a gentle smile and a playful wink, Gray had reassured him, "No, it's fine. You can go. I've got it covered."

Reluctantly, his classmate had left, muttering, "If you say so," but not before casting one last glance of respect and curiosity. Gray had returned to his work, a soft smile lingering on his lips, feeling content with the quiet satisfaction of his selflessness.

His thoughts then shifted to his girlfriend, who had once told him with a warm gaze, "You're an angel, Gray." The memory of her words brought a tender smile to his face, filling him with a gentle pride.

Gray's eyes returned to the game, but the screen no longer held his attention. Instead, his mind was a swirl of fond memories and feelings of fulfillment. The contrast between his virtual escapades and his real-life acts of kindness felt profound.

Gray stared at the game on his screen, the vibrant colors and moaning voices now a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him. As the game continued to play, his tears began to flow uncontrollably. The escape he had sought in the virtual world suddenly felt hollow and deceptive.

Memories of his girlfriend surfaced—painful and raw. He remembered the day behind the school buildings, where she had rejected him with harsh words.

"I hate you, you're too kind," she had spat, her face a mask of disdain. The sting of her rejection cut deep, a cruel reminder that his kindness had not been appreciated, but rather seen as a weakness.

His thoughts shifted to his classmates, who, in their own way, had turned on him. He recalled their mocking laughter, their cruel jabs. "Haha, stupid Gray," they had sneered, their taunts echoing in his mind. The once-friendly faces had become symbols of his mistreatment, a reminder of his isolation.

The memories of his parents were no less painful. He had been manipulated and exploited, their demands weighing heavily on his shoulders. The tricks they played on him, the financial burdens they imposed, had taken a toll on his spirit. The debt they had accrued, making him responsible for their mistakes, had left him feeling used and trapped.

As the tears streamed down his face, Gray's laughter escaped—an odd, disconsolate sound that seemed to fill the room with an eerie echo. It was a laugh tinged with sadness, a release of the emotional pressure that had built up over time. His eyes were fixed on the screen, the game now a cruel reminder of the escapism he had once sought, but which now seemed meaningless in the face of his suffering.

The juxtaposition of the cheerful game and his own shattered reality was overwhelming. The tears, the laughter, and the game all merged into a chaotic mix of pain and confusion. Gray felt as though he was trapped in an inescapable vortex of his own making, with only the virtual world as a fleeting refuge from the harshness of his real life.

Gray's eyes, blurred with tears and exhaustion, struggled to focus on the computer screen. The game's relentless soundtrack of moans filled the room, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. As he mindlessly clicked through the game, he muttered to himself, "Yeah, more women," trying to find solace in the digital fantasy.

His fatigue was overwhelming. The weight of his real-life struggles and the emotional toll had left him drained. As he continued to play, his head began to droop, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. He felt himself slipping into a state of half-consciousness, his body yearning for rest.

"Might be just tired of this life," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I don't even have time to turn off my PC... Looks like I'm going to doze off at the keyboard... ahhh..."

His words trailed off into a tired sigh as his head slumped forward. The game's sounds continued to play, but Gray's mind began to drift into a deep, fitful sleep. The harsh reality of his situation seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a temporary escape into the realm of dreams.

Gray's eyes fluttered open to the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through the windows of an unfamiliar setting. He found himself lying on the cobblestone street of what appeared to be a quaint, village-like world. The houses around him were rustic, their architecture reminiscent of a medieval fantasy. The scene was both beautiful and surreal, a stark contrast to the dreary reality he had left behind.

"Huh, what is this?" Gray muttered groggily, still trying to shake off the heaviness from his eyelids. As he sat up, confusion clouded his thoughts. "Where am I?"

He stood up slowly, his limbs feeling stiff from sleep. The cobblestones beneath him felt oddly real, and the fresh morning air was filled with an unfamiliar, earthy aroma. As he took in his surroundings, an unexpected and eerie voice echoed in his mind.

「Hello, player,」 the voice said, causing Gray to startle and spin around, waving his hands in a mix of fear and disbelief.

"Whoa, what is this?" Gray exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock. He tried to locate the source of the voice, but saw no one.

The voice continued, calm and unfazed, 「Welcome to the world of Harem Online.」

Gray's eyes widened even further. "Whoa, what are you talking about?"

His heart raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. "Who are you?"

「I am your guide,」 the voice replied, its tone neutral yet reassuring.

Gray was stunned, his mind racing to piece together the bizarre turn of events. "What?" he said, barely able to process the reality he had been thrust into.

The system's voice continued, 「I am here to assist you in navigating this world and achieving your objectives.」

Gray looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The line between his previous reality and this new, strange world seemed to blur. As the realization sank in, he took a deep breath, attempting to steady himself. "Alright then, guide. What exactly am I supposed to do now?"

The system's voice paused momentarily, as if giving Gray a moment to absorb the surreal situation. Then, with a hint of cheerfulness, it continued, 「Actually, you are trapped in this world.」

Gray, now more resigned than alarmed, simply replied, "Huh?"

「You won't believe me right away,」 the system said. 「Look closely at your surroundings.」

Gray turned his gaze around the village once more. The familiar buildings, the cobblestone streets, and the serene atmosphere mirrored the environment from the game he had been playing. The realization hit him hard. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Huh, what? How did I get here?"

「Since you've been playing this game nonstop for months,」 the system explained, 「your deep desire to live in this world has been granted.」

Gray's face flushed as he struggled to comprehend this revelation. "What desire are you talking about?"

「Don't you remember?」 the system asked, its voice maintaining a neutral tone. 「You've been immersed in this game for such a long time.」

Gray felt a pang of frustration. "Is it you, the system? Shouldn't you be asking me about this?" he said, his voice tinged with irritation.

The system responded, 「What actually happened in your life is none of my business.」

Gray sighed, his anger melting into resignation. "Fine. It's none of your business anyway."

「Alright,」 the system said calmly, accepting Gray's frustration.

Gray took a deep breath, trying to adjust to the reality of his new surroundings. The blend of confusion, frustration, and a strange sense of curiosity swirled within him as he faced this new world.

Gray, his confusion mounting, asked, "How do I get out of here?"

The system's voice hesitated before answering, 「Uh, uh, uh. You must defeat the 10 Demon Lords.」

Gray's eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you talking about? I couldn't even fight a demon in the game. I'm just a casual player, not a hardcore gamer!"

「Did you forget?」 the system responded, its tone almost playful. 「The power in this world comes from engaging in more interactive and intimate experiences.」

Gray rolled his eyes and snapped, "Shut up!"

Nearby, a few passersby glanced at Gray, their curiosity piqued. One of them muttered, "Must be a crazy guy," before continuing on their way.

The system, amused by Gray's frustration, chuckled in his mind. 「Haha, you thought the people could hear me? Now you're looking like a fool!」

Gray glared at the air, his frustration boiling over. "You know what, system? You're a foolish one! You shouldn't be called a system; you should be called 'Foolish Crow'!"

The system's voice was tinged with a hint of mirth. 「Foolish Crow, huh? Well, if it helps you feel better...」

Gray shook his head, trying to suppress a smile despite the absurdity of the situation. The contrast between the medieval village around him and his internal dialogue with an invisible, snarky guide was both bewildering and oddly entertaining.

As Gray wandered through the quaint, medieval village, still grappling with his new reality, he muttered to himself, "What am I supposed to do now?"

The system's voice piped up with a mischievous tone, 「I thought you liked intimacy.」

Gray stopped in his tracks, blinking in confusion. "What are you talking about? I can't even manage that in real life. I'm still a virgin!"

The system's voice carried a hint of playful mockery, 「Too bad for the virgin boy here.」

Gray's frustration flared. "Seriously? You're not exactly the best at motivational speeches, you know."

The system continued, almost gleeful, 「Well, you've got all the time in the world now. Maybe you'll get some practice.」

Gray threw his hands up in exasperation. "Great, now I'm stuck in a fantasy world with a system that's a stand-up comedian. What's next? A talking cat giving me dating advice?"

The system chuckled, its voice bubbling with amusement. 「You never know. Maybe a talking cat is in your future.」

Gray shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Fantastic. Just what I needed—a magical world where my personal growth is managed by a snarky AI. What could possibly go wrong?"

As he continued his walk, the system's teasing voice accompanied him, turning what should have been a daunting experience into a strangely humorous adventure.

As Gray wandered through the village, trying to navigate his bizarre new reality, he suddenly heard a frantic cry for help. "Help! Help!" a girl's voice shouted from a nearby alley.

"What's that?" Gray exclaimed, his head swiveling from side to side as he looked for the source of the noise. He glanced around at the passersby, who seemed oblivious to the commotion.

"Did you hear that?" Gray asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

The system's voice responded calmly, 「You can only hear it from far away. The people around you can't.」

Gray's eyes widened in realization. "Seriously? So, I'm the only one who can hear this?"

「Looks like it,」 the system said with an almost nonchalant tone.

Gray hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and moved towards the alley. As he approached, he couldn't help but mutter, "Great. Just what I needed—a quest to save a damsel in distress in a world where no one else seems to notice. How original."

The alley was dimly lit and narrow. The girl's cries grew louder as he got closer. He braced himself, prepared for whatever awaited him in this strange new world, hoping this wouldn't be as complicated as the system's cryptic comments.