Reborn

You have been warned!!!

Slow-paced storytelling: The novel focuses on slice-of-life events, so you should be prepared for a leisurely narrative with a slower progression of major plot points.

Memory retrieval: Haruto's memories from his past life(Meruem) will gradually resurface over time. If you prefer a story with immediate recollection or rapid development, this may not be the right fit.

Harem elements: The novel incorporates a harem dynamic, with Haruto attracting the romantic interest of multiple characters. While this adds to the romantic subplot, some readers may have personal preferences or find it off-putting. I am thinking of 5 or so Harem members and not Gotta Catch 'em All.

Limited action and battles in early chapters: While there will be battles and action sequences, the focus of the story lies more on character development and interpersonal relationships. Readers seeking intense combat scenarios or continuous action may need to adjust their expectations.

----

In the heart of Meteor City, a place shrouded in darkness and despair, the cries of a newborn echoed through the filthy alleyways. Meteor City was a lawless and chaotic settlement, home to outcasts, criminals, and the forgotten. The city was a massive landfill, filled with towering mounds of garbage and debris that stretched as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the sky was perpetually overcast, casting a gloomy shadow over the city's inhabitants.

Among the piles of trash, a small, dirty blanket barely concealed a newborn child, Haruto, who had been cruelly discarded like the waste surrounding him. His dark green hair was matted and sticky with filth, and his Purple eyes were filled with tears as he cried out for help, completely unaware of his past life as Meruem, the powerful Chimera Ant King.

As his cries grew louder, a curious three-year-old boy named Feitan stumbled upon the discarded infant. Feitan, himself an orphan in Meteor City, was no stranger to adversity. Though he was still a toddler, his deep grey eyes held a wisdom beyond his years. Feitan carefully approached the crying baby, his small hands reaching out to pull back the soiled blanket.

Upon seeing Haruto's tear-streaked face, Feitan felt an immediate connection with the abandoned child. He carefully picked up Haruto, cradling him in his arms as he walked back to the makeshift shelter he called home. Unbeknownst to Feitan, this simple act of kindness would forever change the course of both their lives.

Skip to a few years later, where Haruto is 5 years old and Feitan is 8. The two boys had grown closer over the years, with Feitan becoming increasingly protective of his younger brother. Haruto had started to display the haughty and arrogant traits reminiscent of his past life as Meruem, while Feitan's ruthless and cold nature began to take form.

In the dimly lit confines of their makeshift shelter, the two brothers were huddled together, their stomachs growling with hunger.

"I'm tired of this!" Haruto declared, clenching his small fists. "We deserve better than this! Better than scavenging for scraps like rats!"

Feitan nodded in agreement, his face hidden beneath the shadow of his hood. "You're right. But what can we do?"

Haruto's purple eyes glinted with determination. "We take what we want! There's a hoard-lord in this part of Meteor City who's been collecting food and supplies for himself. It's time we relieve him of his riches."

Feitan's grey eyes narrowed, assessing the situation. "It's dangerous, but if we're careful and quick, we can pull it off."

Haruto smirked. "Of course we can. We're destined for greatness, after all. Now, let's go."

The two boys set out, moving stealthily through the labyrinthine alleyways of Meteor City. The stench of garbage and decay filled the air, but the brothers paid it no mind. Their focus was solely on their target.

As they approached the hoard-lord's hideout, they observed the area, taking note of the guards and possible entry points. The building was decrepit, with boarded-up windows and a rusty metal door. A few guards armed with makeshift weapons patrolled the perimeter, their faces scarred and worn from years of living in Meteor City.

Feitan leaned in close to Haruto, whispering their plan. "We'll wait until the guards change shifts. That's when they're most vulnerable. You sneak in through the back, and I'll create a distraction out front."

Haruto nodded, a confident grin on his face. "Piece of cake."

They waited patiently, watching as the guards eventually changed shifts. As one group left their posts and another took their place, the brothers sprang into action. Feitan moved towards the front of the building, making noise and drawing the attention of the guards. As they chased after him, Haruto darted into the shadows, sneaking towards the rear entrance.

Haruto silently picked the lock, his nimble fingers working deftly to open the door. Once inside, he quickly scanned the room, spotting crates filled with food and supplies. Haruto smirked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Feitan gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath as he clashed with the guards. The more he was hit, the angrier he became. His breathing grew heavy, and the rage inside him threatened to boil over.

"You filthy bastards!" he growled, spitting blood from his mouth as he parried a blow from a guard's crude weapon. "You think you can just hoard everything for yourselves while the rest of us suffer, huh?!"

The guards sneered at Feitan, clearly unfazed by his outburst. They continued to press their attack, landing blows on the young boy as he did his best to defend himself.

Feitan's anger grew with each strike, fueling his determination to protect Haruto and take what they needed from the hoard-lord. His body was battered and bruised, but his spirit remained unbroken.

As Feitan continued to fend off the guards, his thoughts briefly turned to Haruto. He trusted his little brother to complete their mission, but he couldn't help but worry about his safety. Shaking off his concern, he refocused on the battle at hand, knowing that their success hinged on his ability to hold off the guards.

The guards, seeing Feitan's resilience, began to grow frustrated. They intensified their assault, their blows becoming more vicious and desperate.

Just as Feitan was about to be overwhelmed, a blur of blonde hair and swift movements appeared beside him. A boy, only a year older than Feitan, fought alongside him, expertly striking down the guards with swift, powerful attacks.

"Who the hell are you?" Feitan demanded, his voice strained from exertion and pain.

The newcomer smirked, his blue eyes flashing with amusement. "The name's Phinks," he replied, landing a powerful punch on a guard's jaw. "I've been watching you two for a while now. You're pretty reckless, but I like your style."

Feitan grunted, not particularly interested in pleasantries. He was more concerned with holding off the guards so Haruto could finish their mission. However, he couldn't deny that Phinks's assistance was welcome.

As they continued to fight, Feitan's injuries only worsened, but the rage inside him grew stronger. The pain he experienced fueled his anger, which in turn fed his determination to protect Haruto and take what they needed from the hoard-lord.

Meanwhile, Haruto worked quickly, grabbing as many supplies as he could carry. His heart raced with excitement, and he could feel the power coursing through his veins, reminding him of his true potential. He couldn't help but think about the kingdom that awaited him, the greatness that was his birthright.

As he stuffed food and other necessities into a stolen bag, he heard a commotion outside. His first thought was of Feitan, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. He knew his brother was strong, but the odds were stacked against him.

Haruto glanced towards the door, hesitating for a moment. He was torn between completing their mission and rushing to Feitan's aid. As the sounds of fighting grew louder, he made up his mind. He slung the bag of supplies over his shoulder and darted towards the door, intent on helping his first loyal follower on his ascent to top of the world.

Haruto burst through the door, his eyes quickly scanning the scene before him. Feitan and the newcomer, Phinks, were fighting off the guards, but it was clear that Feitan was struggling. His body was battered and bruised, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Without hesitation, Haruto charged towards the fray, his small hands balling into fists. "Feitan!" he shouted, his voice filled with concern and determination. "Don't you dare to hurt my people!"

Feitan glanced over at Haruto, a mixture of relief and worry flashing across his face. "Stay back, Haruto! It's too dangerous!"

But Haruto was already in motion, using his quick reflexes and agility to land a series of swift blows on the guards. Together, the three boys managed to drive back their assailants, creating an opening for them to escape.

As they sprinted away from the hoard-lord's hideout, Phinks fell into step beside Haruto and Feitan, a cocky grin on his face. "You guys are a lot of fun," he said, smirking. "I think I'll hang around for a while. You look like you could use my help."

Haruto and Feitan exchanged a glance before coming to a sudden halt, both turning to face Phinks with suspicion in their eyes. Haruto's purple eyes bore into Phinks, his voice carrying the weight of a king. "We don't need charity. Tell me, Phinks, what are your goals? Your ambitions?"

Feitan's cold grey eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Phinks as he awaited his answer. "We have no time for those with meager aspirations. Our path is one of greatness."

Phinks raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the brothers' intense determination. "My goals?" He paused for a moment, considering his answer. "I want to become the strongest fighter in the world. I won't stop until I've reached the pinnacle of power."

Haruto and Feitan exchanged another glance, seemingly satisfied with Phinks's response. "Very well," Haruto said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You may join us. But know this: We are destined for greatness, and we will not tolerate anything less than complete loyalty and dedication."

Phinks nodded, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement. "You've got it, boss."

With their newfound ally in tow, Haruto, Feitan, and Phinks made their way back to the brothers' makeshift base to gather their belongings. They knew that after their fight with the hoard-lord's guards, they couldn't afford to stay in one place for long. The risk of being recognized and hunted down was too great.