Harem Stealer: Reborn with the God-Tier Sharing System Chapter 4 4: Awakening (1)

Selene sat in the solitude of the dining hall, her slender fingers tapping a slow, rhythmic beat against the surface of the polished mahogany table.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

In the flickering candlelight, her violet eyes sparkled with a mysterious light.

"Don't you think my baby has matured?"

From the darkness, an emotionless and hidden voice replied.

"Yes, my lady. The young master has shown… different colors today."

A gentle smile played upon Selene's lips.

"I knew he would come back to me. Didn't you see how he hugged me? The way his eyes looked at me… so full of love?"

Suddenly, her expression turned cold.

The temperature within the hall dropped violently.

Jagged, crystalline ice instantly devoured the table as frost crawled across it. The very oxygen in the room felt sharp enough to lacerate skin.

"Find them all."

The shadow remained silent, listening.

"Those who whispered behind his back. Those who made my own son distance himself from me for years. Bring them to me."

The walls let out a groan under the pressure of the intense cold. The atmosphere seemed to freeze in place.

Any individual below S-rank would have perished within minutes in this environment.

"As you command, my lady."

As quickly as it appeared, the frost vanished. The room regained its refined warmth, leaving no trace of the previous chill.

Selene let out a sigh, her features softening once more.

"Tomorrow is a big day for him."

She tapped her lip thoughtfully, her tone shifting to something light and nearly playful.

"I wonder… what kind of gift should I prepare?"

⸻

Noah paced through the estate with measured steps and a composed face.

However, his internal state was far from calm.

"System, scan everyone I pass. Find someone with at least 50% affection for me—rank C or lower."

[Understood.]

With that, the search commenced.

Noah navigated through the training grounds, observing the knights practicing under the glow of the moon.

Nothing.

Hoping for a fortuitous encounter, he visited the library, where ancient tomes lined the towering shelves.

Nothing.

He searched the gardens, the maids' quarters, and the knight barracks—he checked everywhere.

Still, there was nothing.

Hours slipped away.

Noah stood alone in the courtyard, surrounded by the long shadows cast by the blue moonlight.

His hands clenched into fists.

"This is ridiculous."

He was aware that his predecessor was a conceited brat, but was the man truly despised by everyone?

A bitter, cold chuckle escaped his throat.

"You really screwed me over, huh?"

He collapsed onto the cool grass, gazing up at the vast, infinite night sky.

For a brief moment, his mind drifted to his previous life and the world he had left behind.

And then—

Rustle.

Noah sat upright immediately, his sharp silver eyes cutting through the dark.

"Who's there?"

Something moved in the shadows near the shrubbery. Noah tensed up—then stopped dead in his tracks.

A small black cat stepped into the moonbeams, its sleek fur shimmering.

It possessed piercing purple eyes that glowed with an intelligence far beyond a typical animal.

"A… cat?"

The creature watched him intently for a long beat before gracefully walking over and rubbing against his leg.

[Ding! Target found.]

Noah's breathing hitched.

"What?"

He whipped his head around, searching for a person hidden nearby.

There was no one.

"System, what do you mean?"

[The target is the creature before you.]

Noah blinked in surprise.

Then he blinked again.

"Come again?"

The cat tilted its head, its vivid purple eyes glowing with joy now that it had Noah's undivided attention.

"Isn't she just a cat?"

[She is the offspring of a Divine Beast. This is merely her base form—once she gains enough power, she will take on a human shape.]

Noah knelt down, his hand moving by instinct to stroke her fur.

The cat began to purr.

"Scan her."

A glowing, translucent panel manifested in front of him.

⸻

Name: Neko Neko

Race: Divine Beast - Ba'astara

Rank: C

Titles: None

Affinity: Ice (S-rank)

Talent: Child of Ice (S-rank)

Physique: Divine Beast's Ba'astara Physique (S level)

Bloodline: Divine Beast's Ba'astara Bloodline (S level)

Affection Level: 75%

[Note: She has been fond of you since the moment of your birth. Your beauty captivated her, and she has observed you from the shadows ever since.]

⸻

Noah stared at the screen.

Then, he let out a short, bewildered laugh.

"I knew someone had to fancy me… I just didn't expect it to be a cat. Seriously, where did you even come from?"

The thought only lasted a second before his focus sharpened once more.

"System, can I share her talent?"

[Yes.]

A smirk spread across his face.

He gathered the small cat into his arms. She gave a soft meow and snuggled against his chest.

"Alright, Neko. You just saved me."

Without wasting a moment, Noah hurried back to his private chambers.

⸻

Noah sat cross-legged upon his bed, with Neko curled comfortably in his lap.

"System, do it."

[Ding! You have formed a Bond with Neko.]

An unusual warmth radiated through Noah's chest. A tether—a spiritual link—now connected him to the tiny creature.

She sensed it as well. Her purple eyes softened as she buried herself closer to him.

"Now, share her talent and affinity."

[Ding! Applying the x10,000 effect.]

[You have gained the Ice Affinity (SSS-rank).]

[You have gained the Talent: Sovereign of Ice (SSS-rank) – Unawakened.]

Noah let out a slow breath.

He anticipated an immediate transformation—his body overflowing with power or his mind expanding—but instead, he felt…

Nothing.

"System, why don't I feel any different?"

[Your awakening has not yet occurred. Once it happens, your talent will manifest in full.]

Noah gave a nod. His silver eyes flashed as he looked out toward the horizon.

The stars were brilliant, and the blue moon covered the world in a frigid light.

A slow, confident grin stretched across his face.

"SSS-rank, huh?"

He leaned back, his fingers absentmindedly stroking Neko's soft fur.

"Well, that changes everything."

And this was only the start.

—End Of Chapter 4—

A/N:

Thank you for reading