The thief's emerald eyes were wide with terror as he struggled against Haruto's iron grip. He tried to activate a [Shadow Step] to escape, but the air around Haruto was becoming too dense, too heavy. The very fabric of the room was beginning to distort.
Suddenly, the manic grin on Haruto's face faltered. A sharp, searing pain shot through his chest, and he gasped, his grip loosening just enough for the thief to stumble back.
"Hruto?" Ivory's voice called out from behind the bath doors, sensing a sudden atmospheric shift.
Haruto didn't answer. His heart was hammering against his ribs like a trapped beast. His vision blurred, turning into a mess of jagged pixels and static. The boredom was gone, replaced by an overwhelming, unstable rush of raw data.
[SYSTEM ALERT: EMOTIONAL RESONANCE DETECTED]
[WARNING: STABILITY DROPPING...]
[FORCED CALIBRATION INITIATED]
"Agh... not now..." Haruto hissed, clutching his head.
The Thief stumbled back, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
(Thief's Inner Thoughts:)What is this?! This is impossible! A Level 0 shouldn't have this much physical pressure! My [Shadow Step] is failing... the very mana in the air is being devoured by him. Is he a monster in human skin? I need to see... I need to see what he really is!
Driven by pure, survivalist desperation, the Thief lunged forward. He didn't use his dagger; instead, he slammed his palm onto Haruto's chest.
"Show me your true face, you freak!" the Thief screamed.
The dark aura around him didn't just leak—it exploded. Waves of violet and black energy pulsed from his body, vibrating the nearby crystal lamps. The Thief watched in horror as Haruto's golden HUD appeared in the air, but it was flickering violently, turning from gold to black but suddenly,the world seemed to stop. A massive, black HUD erupted between them. The Thief's eyes scanned the data, and his heart nearly stopped.
[LEVEL: 0]
[LEVEL: 2]
[LEVEL: 5]
[LEVEL: 8]
The numbers were spinning like a broken slot machine. The sheer pressure of his aura forced the Level 8 Thief, his lungs collapsing under the weight of Haruto's presence.
[LEVEL: 10]
The spinning stopped. The room went dead silent.
Haruto stood in the center of the wreckage, his breathing heavy and ragged. The violet glow in his eyes was deeper now, more permanent. He looked down at his hands, watching as the black static slowly retreated into his skin.
He felt... different. Stronger, but the "human" shell felt even more fragile now.
The Thief looked up, trembling. He was a level 8 assassin, but in front of this Level 10 boy, he felt like an ant facing a hurricane. The Level 10 on Haruto's screen wasn't a rank—it was a threat level.
Haruto looked at the terrified assassin, his voice dropping to a cold, resonant tone.
"It seems your little visit triggered a patch update."
He stepped forward, the floor groaning under his feet.
"Ten levels..." Haruto whispered, a small, dangerous smile returning.
At that moment, the bath doors slammed open. The other two Goddesses rushed out, wrapped in white silk robes, their hair still damp. They stopped dead, their eyes darting from the broken room to the cowering Thief, and finally to the glowing
[LEVEL: 10] above Haruto's head.
"Haruto..." Ivory whispered, her face pale.
"Your resonance...."
The Level 8 Thief didn't wait to find out what Haruto would do next. The pressure of a "Zero" suddenly spiking to "Ten" was too much for his mind to handle. He slammed a silver vial onto the floor, and in a burst of INSTANT FLASH, he vanished into the night, his shadow blurring as he leaped from the balcony.
The room fell silent. The violet lightning retreated into Haruto's skin, leaving behind only the smell of ozone and burnt silk.
"Haruto! What was that? Why did we feel a massive surge of hostile mana!" Lustra cried out, clutching her robe.
Haruto stood there, his breathing finally slowing down. He looked at his hands, then pointed toward the balcony.
"Just a thief" he said, his voice regaining its flat, bored tone.
"A Level 8 Thief thought he could farm a Level 0 for some quick G-Credits. I think I scared the 'heck' out of him."
But as he spoke, Haruto's eyes went wide. His HUD, which had been proudly displaying [LEVEL: 10], suddenly flickered violently. The numbers began to tumble down like a crashing stock market.
10... 7... 4... 2... and finally, it settled.
[LEVEL: 1]
"What the...?"
Haruto muttered, staring at the screen in disbelief. He looked at the three Goddesses, his usual calm replaced by genuine confusion.
"Hey, what the hell is happening? My level just hit ten, and now it's back to one. Is the system lagging? Did I just lose my progress?"
A digital chime echoed through the room—a crisp, high-frequency sound.
DING!
[CONGRATULATIONS!]
[USER HARUTO HAS BREACHED THE 'ZERO BARRIER']
[REWARD: SYSTEM'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT]
Haruto looked at the girls, pointing at the flashing [LEVEL: 1] above his head. "
It's giving me a 'Congo' message for being Level 1 ?"
Ivory walked closer, her silver eyes scanning the lines. She looked at his [STAR-CHILD] title, which was now glowing with a more stable, rhythmic lig
"The system isn't lagging, Haruto,"
Ivory explained softly.
"We told you before— Your power is tied directly to your emotions. When you saw that thief, your boredom broke. You felt a surge of genuine excitement—an adrenaline boost."
"A boost?" Haruto repeated, his brow furrowing.
"Exactly," Bellona added, stepping into the room.
"That excitement acted as a temporary patch for your Level 0 status. It forced your Star-Child title to manifest enough power to deal with the threat. But as soon as the thief fled and you calmed down, your excitement dropped. Without that 'spark,' your level returned to its new baseline."
"But it's different now,"
Lustra whispered, looking at the stable '1' above his head.
"As a Zero, you were a ghost. Now, the system finally recognizes you as a 'Player.' You've officially entered the game."
– ding dong–
The lingering smoke from the lamps was still curling toward the ceiling when a sharp, rhythmic ringing echoed through the suite. It was the doorbell.
The three Goddesses jumped. Lustra quickly adjusted her silk robe, her hands trembling as she smoothed out the fine fabric, while Ivory moved near the door.
"Excuse me?" the receptionist's voice trembled through the crystal.
"We... we detected an Extreme Mana originating from your floor. Our sensors reported a massive Level 10 energy spike. Is everything alright? Do we need to summon the City Guard?"
Bellona and Lustra exchanged a panicked look. If the Guard came in now and saw the thief's dagger's marks and the newly formed Level 1 mark on Haruto, the secret would be out.
"There is no need for guards!" Ivory called out, her voice surprisingly steady. She stood tall, radiating the natural authority of a Goddess even without her full power.
"It was... a resonance mishap! My sisters and I were attempting a high-level purification ritual in the bath. We underestimated the mana density of the Royal Suite. We apologize for the disturbance, it won't happen again."
"Oh! I... I see," the receptionist replied, sounding relieved.
"A ritual. Of course but please be careful, My Ladies. We shall reset the floor sensors. My apologies for the intrusion."
The connection cut. The three Goddesses let out a heavy breath, their shoulders sagging in relief.
Haruto, who had been watching the whole thing from the bed with a raised eyebrow, finally spoke.
"Why the lies? You should have told her about the thief. A thief just broke into the most expensive room in the city. That's a security breach. We should be getting a refund, not making excuses."
Ivory turned to him, her expression becoming dead serious.
"You don't understand the 'logic' of this world yet. If we told them a thief attacked, the High Inquisitors would come to take a statement. They would scan your HUD. They would see that yesterday you were a 'Zero' and today you are a 'Level 1'."
"And?" Haruto asked, tilting his head.
"And it would be a disaster," Bellona said, her voice low as she stepped closer.
"A Level 0 becoming a Level 1 in less than twenty-four hours without any efforts, is impossible by the world's laws. It usually takes weeks of grinding. If they found out, they wouldn't see you as a hero. They would see you as a System Error that needs to be 'quarantined'—or worse, 'deleted' by the High Rankers who fear anyone with that kind of growth rate."
Lustra nodded quickly, her damp hair framing her pale face.
"We have to hide your progress until you are strong enough to defend yourself from the entire world. Right now, you are a 'level zero' that hasn't been patched yet. We need to keep it that way."
Haruto went quiet, the words sinking in. He looked at his hand, then at the golden '1' floating in the air. He leaned back, a dark, amused smirk returning to his lips.
"I guess for now, I'll just have to make sure the world doesn't find out I'm the star child."
Haruto looked past the three Goddesses toward the Master Chamber's centerpiece.
"Wait a minute," he said, pointing at the massive, silk-draped furniture.
"There's only one bed and we have a problem."
The room went silent again. The embarrassment that had started in the bathroom now came back with a vengeance.
"I... I can sleep on the floor! It's quite cooling for my divine essence!" Lustra squeaked, looking everywhere but at the bed.
"Tactically, a warrior should always stay upright," Bellona added, though her eyes were drooping from fatigue.
"I shall... stand guard by the window."
Ivory cleared her throat, pushing Haruto toward the bathroom doors.
"Haruto, you are covered in the soot of battle and the grime of the city. Your emotional spike has left your mana-channels unstable. You must bathe. We will... figure out the logistics of the sleeping arrangements while you are occupied. Go. Now."
Haruto sighed, not having the energy to argue. As the heavy doors of the Bath of Essence closed behind him, he slipped into the warm, mana-infused water.
For the first time since arriving in Aetheris, he was truly alone with his thoughts. The steam swirled around him, and he looked at his hands. He thought about his old life—the grey, repetitive world where every day felt like a recycled script.
"I'm lucky", he thought, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips.
"In that world, I had nothing worth missing. No family, no spark, it was just a slow death by boredom. Here, the world is broken, the system hates me, and I'm a Level 1... but for the first time, I actually want to see what happens tomorrow."
"But"
"That thief... he didn't just stumble in here. To bypass Level 8 Barrier Magic, you need more than just stealth. You need an 'Admin Key' or an inside lead. And why did my body suddenly start aching in the chest?"
"I've only been in this world for a few hours. I can count the number of people I've met on my fingers. So why... Why did that thief feel so familiar?"
He closed his eyes, replaying the encounter in high-definition. He remembered the way the thief struggled, the specific pitch of that panicked gasp, and most importantly—those emerald eyes behind the mask.
"I've seen those eyes before. Very recently. The color, the sharp way they "noticed" me... it's a match. But where? The street? The garden? Or maybe someone I haven't even officially 'met' yet."
Haruto sighed, a heavy, jagged breath that echoed in the vast chamber.
"Logic is a lie in a broken world," he muttered to himself. "I'm sitting in a sanctuary, but I feel like I'm sitting in a trap.."
He shook his head, the ripples in the water distorting his reflection.
'Forget it for now. I can't delete a file if I haven't even identified the source code. I've spent too much time worrying about the Goddesses and the 'Grand Credits.' It's time I focus on my own 'Resolution'."
After a long soak that eased the tension in his soul, Haruto dried off and stepped back into the Master Chamber, feeling refreshed.
"Alright, who's sleeping on the floo—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
The massive bed was no longer empty. The three Goddesses had already claimed it. They were curled up together, fast asleep, their breathing rhythmic and peaceful. It seemed the exhaustion of protecting a "Level 0" Master had finally caught up to them.
On the nightstand, he found a small piece of parchment with elegant handwriting.
"Master, the adrenaline wore off and we couldn't stay awake any longer. We have already eaten the dinner provided by the hotel. Your portion is kept warm in the hall. Please forgive us for taking the bed. You can have the sofa. Sorry! — Ivory, Bellona, and Lustra."
Haruto stared at the note, then at the three "Divine Beings" who were currently hogging his 2-G-Credit bed. He had spent a fortune for the most comfortable sleep in Aetheris, only to find his authority over his own mattress completely hijacked.
He crumpled the note with a dry, tired laugh.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)I should kick them out. I really should. I'm the one with the 'Grand Credits,' I'm the 'Master,' and this is my room. A single command and they'd be on the floor.
He stepped closer to the bed, looking at their peaceful faces. For a moment, he actually considered waking them up with a cold splash of water. But then, he stopped.
"Goddesses of the world, huh?" Haruto whispered, his voice dropping into a soft, jagged tone. "They can save my life, but they can't leave me a corner of the mattress. This world really is a masterpiece of trolling."
He walked toward the lounge where his cold dinner awaited. He sat on the sofa, looking at the city lights through the window. He wasn't even mad anymore. For a 'Star-Child' who used to be alone in the dark, staring at a flickering neon sign in a retail-mart, this noisy penthouse with three troublesome goddesses was a huge upgrade.
"A real man protects his family," he muttered to himself, leaning his head back.
"Even if they're only with me because I have the Core of Aetheris stuffed into my chest... even if they're bound by a freaking contract... They're still here. And for the first time, I'm not playing solo."
He wasn't even mad. For a 'Star-Child' who used to be alone in the dark, a noisy penthouse with three troublesome goddesses was a huge upgrade.
He started looking at the city lights, but his mind was still drifting back to the three women snoring peacefully in his 2-G-Credit bed. He felt a strange warmth in his chest that he couldn't explain—and honestly, it annoyed the hell out of him.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:) Why am I feeling like this? Why does my brain want to let them sleep as if they're actually my family? I've only known them for what... a day? They're high-maintenance, they're bossy, and they just stole my bed!
He glanced at them again. Under the soft, enchanted moonlight, they actually looked... innocent. Peaceful. Like a scene from a high-budget fantasy anime.
"Wait... what am I even thinking?" Haruto muttered, slapping his own forehead. "'They look cute'? No! Stop it! I need to throw them out! I am a Master with ten million credits! I should be the one in that silver-silk bed, and they should be guarding the door like the servants they are!"
Haruto slapped his forehead again, harder this time, trying to shake off the uncharacteristic softness.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Master? Servants? Since when did I start thinking in those clichéd tropes? Is this new world already rotting my brain? I'm supposed to be the King of Self-Control! I survived eighteen years of absolute boredom without breaking—I'm not going to lose my cool over a silver-silk mattress and some sleeping girls.
He took a deep, commanding breath and walked back toward the sofa, determined to sleep like a warrior who didn't care about luxury.
"Argh... fine! You win!" Haruto hissed under his breath, feeling a surge of pity that he absolutely hated.
"I'll just sleep on the sofa. It's efficient. It's tactical," he muttered, trying to convince himself.
But just as he was about to lie down, a soft rustle came from the bed. Lustra turned over in her sleep, her brows furrowing as if she were having a cold, lonely dream. She let out a tiny, subconscious whimper, shivering slightly as the enchanted moonlight hit her face.
Haruto froze. His "Self-Control" shield didn't just crack—it shattered.
"How can a Goddess look so pathetic while sleeping? If I leave her like that, she'll probably complain about a cold for the next three days."
He grabbed a spare duvet from the side and, with the stealth of a Level 99 Thief, walked over to tuck her in. He moved with extreme caution, making sure not to wake any of them. If they caught the "Cold-Blooded Star-Child" being a caretaker, he'd never hear the end of it.
Once they were all covered and comfortable, he retreated to the sofa, defeated by his own empathy.
"I can do it. How can a 'Star-Child' be so weak against three sleeping women? This is pathetic. Fine... just for tonight. Tomorrow, I'm reclaiming my authority. Tomorrow, I'm the Boss again."
He threw himself onto the sofa, grumbling under his breath as he tried to find a comfortable spot.
"Stupid Goddesses... stupid 2-G-Credit bed... stupid family feelings."
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Is this it? I spent ten million credits for a quiet night on a couch? This is the most 'Low-Resolution' outcome I could have imagined.
He glanced toward the balcony where the thief had broken in earlier. A strange, twisted thought crossed his mind.
"Honestly," he whispered to the shadows, a faint smirk returning to his face. "I almost wish that emerald-eyed thief would come back. At least that was an encounter worth my time. Dealing with assassins is way more fun than dealing with 'goddesses' that steal your bed."
He let out a long, jagged sigh, closing his eyes one last time.
"Come on, Aetheris. Don't tell me that was the only boss fight for tonight. If I'm going to be awake on this sofa, the least the system could do is send another 'corrupt file' for me to delete."
He closed his eyes, and despite the cramped sofa, the silence of the room didn't feel lonely anymore. For a guy who was used to the cold obsidian of the Void, the "noise" of their breathing was the most relaxing soundtrack he had ever heard.