ZERO RECKONING: MY SYSTEM HAREM IN ANOTHER WORLD

Zero's Reckoning: My Harem System In Another World Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Knight's Oath and a Shop's Secrets

The cavern was silent save for the drip of water and the heavy breathing of its three occupants. Kaito stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the knight—Seraphina—who remained on one knee, her amber eyes burning with unwavering conviction. Lyra had slowly lowered her bow, but her expression was a cocktail of sheer bewilderment and deep suspicion.

“A Knight of the Broken Shield?” Lyra finally said, her voice cutting through the tension. “Your order was dissolved. Scattered to the winds after the fall of the Crimson Keep.”

Seraphina’s gaze didn’t waver from Kaito. “The shield may be broken, but the oath it represents is not. We are few, but we remain. We are sworn to protect bonds of true loyalty and light in a world that often forgets them. I felt the forging of such a bond here, powerful and pure, and I have answered its call.”

Kaito’s mind was reeling. The System’s ‘Harem Roster’ wasn’t just a list; it was a active recruitment tool that apparently summoned people based on emotional criteria. This was far more profound, and terrifying, than he’d imagined.

He finally found his voice, though it came out as a croak. “Please, stand. You… you don’t have to kneel.”

Seraphina rose to her feet with a smooth, metallic clink. She was a head shorter than him, but her presence filled the chamber. “I choose to kneel. My service is offered freely, but it must be accepted.”

The System provided a prompt.

[Companion Offer Received: Seraphina, Human Knight. Accept her oath of service?] [Note: Denial may result in a significant Loyalty decrease for all current Companions, as it would demonstrate a rejection of a pure-hearted bond.]

There was no real choice. Nor did he want one. This fierce, loyal woman was a godsend.

“I accept your service, Seraphina,” Kaito said, trying to inject a formality he didn’t feel into his words. “I am Kaito. This is Lyra. Welcome.”

A brilliant, sun-like smile broke across Seraphina’s face, banishing the sternness of her features. “Thank you, my lord. I will not fail you.” She turned and offered a crisp bow to Lyra. “Lady Elf. My bow is at your service as well, for we now guard the same heart.”

Lyra, looking slightly off-footed by the knight’s blunt earnestness, gave a slow, graceful nod. “Your blade will be welcome. The path he walks is… eventful.”

[Seraphina’s Loyalty is now ‘Fanatical’.] [Lyra’s Affection has increased to ‘Fond’. Your acceptance of a righteous individual has improved her opinion of your judgment.]

“Okay,” Kaito said, clapping his hands together, desperate to break the intense atmosphere. “We’re a party of three now. But we’re still in a monster-infested cave. Let’s… finish looting and get out of here.”

The white flower, the source of the purified light, had withered away, leaving behind a small, crystalline seed that pulsed with gentle energy. Seraphina retrieved it, handing it to Kaito with reverence. “A Seed of Purity. A rare treasure. It can be used to cleanse minor corruptions or as a powerful alchemical reagent.”

[Obtained: Seed of Purity (Epic-grade crafting material)]

The bodies of the monsters began to dissolve into motes of light, leaving behind a few small piles of copper coins, a slightly better-quality dagger, and from the Matriarch, a glossy, venom-filled sac.

[Obtained: 45 Copper, 12 Silver, ‘Goblin’s Shiv’, ‘Blight-Venom Sac’]

“A productive haul,” Lyra noted, her practical nature taking over.

“Now for the real rewards,” Kaito said, a thrill of excitement running through him. “System, open the Shop.”

A new, magnificent interface overlay his vision, resembling a celestial catalogue. Pages of items, skills, and even seemingly mundane objects floated in a starry void. He could filter by type, rarity, and cost. The currency wasn’t gold, but something called System Points (SP).

He had a balance of 1,000 SP from the quest completion.

He could see mind-boggling items: Sword of a Thousand Truths (1,000,000 SP), Phoenix Down (50,000 SP), Tome of Ultimate Magic (500,000 SP). He quickly filtered to “Affordable”.

Low-Grade Healing Potion (x5): 50 SP Mana Potion (x5): 75 SP Skill: Appraisal (Basic): 300 SP[Required for your quest reward] Skill: Fire Spark (Novice): 400 SP Ironwood Shield: 200 SP ‘The Beginner’s Luck’ Gacha Roll (Random Item): 100 SP

“Appraisal is a must,” he muttered, purchasing it. A flood of knowledge hit him—how to perceive the basic properties of objects, people, and creatures.

[Skill Learned: Appraisal Lv. 1]

He turned his gaze on his new companions.

[Lyra – Forest Elf – Level 15 – Archer/Ranger – Status: Healthy, Cautiously Optimistic. Skills: Sylvan Archery Lv. 5, Trackless Step Lv. 4, Wind Whisper Lv. 3.]

[Seraphina – Human – Level 18 – Knight/Tank – Status: Healthy, Fanatically Loyal. Skills: Unbreakable Guard Lv. 5, Oath of Protection Lv. 4, Taunting Shout Lv. 3.]

He was humbled. They were both far stronger than him. Lyra’s loyalty had been hard-won through action. Seraphina’s was a gift from the System, but it felt no less real.

He then looked at the ‘Sylvan Archery’ Skill Book he’d received from Lyra’s quest. It was a physical, glowing tome that appeared in his inventory.

[Use ‘Sylvan Archery’ Skill Book? Y/N]

He selected ‘Yes’. The book dissolved into light, and another rush of knowledge filled him—stances, drawing techniques, how to feel the wind, how to aim not with the eye but with the soul. He didn’t have a bow, but the knowledge was now his.

[Skill Learned: Sylvan Archery Lv. 1]

Lyra, who had been watching him space out, suddenly stiffened. “You… your stance. It just changed. You carry yourself like one of my people’s novice archers. How?”

“My talent,” Kaito said with a weak smile. “It… downloads skills.”

Lyra just shook her head, a gesture of utter surrender to the inexplicable. “I will cease asking.”

With his remaining 700 SP, Kaito took a gamble. He bought the ‘Beginner’s Luck’ Gacha Roll seven times.

The system conjured a spinning, slot-machine-like interface in his mind.

[Rolling…]

[Congratulations! You have obtained: ‘Rations (1-week supply)’ x2, ‘Coarse Whetstone’, ‘Strange Figurine (Unknown Use)’, ‘Leather Armor (+5 Defense)’, ‘100 Copper Coins’, and… ‘Summoning Token: Beastkin’!]

The token was the last result. It glowed with a soft, animalistic energy.

[Summoning Token: Beastkin – Use this token to guarantee your next summoned Companion is of a Beastkin race. Their class and personality will be randomized.]

Kaito’s breath hitched. Another companion. So soon? He looked at Lyra and Seraphina, who were now discussing the best route out of the caverns. They were a team now. Would adding a third so quickly destabilize things?

The System, however, was relentless.

**[New Quest Generated: ‘Expand Your Circle’!**

**Objective:** Use the Summoning Token to acquire your third Companion.

**Reward:** 1000 EXP, ‘Party System’ Unlocked (Allowing EXP sharing and status monitoring), +10 Affection with all current Companions.

**Failure:** The Token’s magic will fade in 24 hours.]

The reward was too good to pass up. The ‘Party System’ was a fundamental RPG mechanic he desperately needed.

“Ladies,” he said, drawing their attention. He held up the token. “My… talent has provided another opportunity. It seems we might be getting a third member.”

Seraphina’s eyes shone with excitement. “More allies to guard your light! Excellent!”

Lyra sighed, a long-suffering sound, but a small smile played on her lips. “Of course we are. Very well. Let’s get this over with. Do it.”

Kaito focused and used the token.

A new portal, different from Seraphina’s, swirled open. This one smelled of rain and fresh-turned earth. A figure tumbled out with a surprised yelp, landing in a graceful crouch.

She was a feline beastkin, with soft, grey-furred ears twitching on top of her head and a long, expressive tail swishing behind her in annoyance. She had bright golden eyes and wore practical, form-fitting leathers suited for stealth. Two shortswords were strapped to her back.

She brushed herself off, her ears flattening as she took in the trio and the cavern. “Alright, which one of you jokers was the summoner? I was in the middle of a very important… nap.”

[Appraisal:]

[Mira – Cat Beastkin – Level 12 – Rogue/Scout – Status: Annoyed, Confused. Skills: Shadow Melding Lv. 4, Lockpicking Lv. 5, Double Strike Lv. 3.]

Kaito stepped forward. “That would be me. I’m Kaito. Sorry about the interrupted nap.”

Mira’s golden eyes narrowed, looking him up and down, then glancing at the serious knight and the elegant elf. Her tail gave a curious flick.

“A human, an elf, and a knight walk into a corrupted cave… sounds like the start of a bad joke.” She smirked. “Mira. Professional acquirer of things. So, what’s the deal? Why am I here?”

“We’re building something,” Kaito said simply. “And we could use someone with your… talents.”

Mira’s smirk widened. “You need a thief. How interesting. And what’s in it for me? Besides the obvious company?” she said, her gaze lingering on Lyra and Seraphina with clear appreciation.

[Mira’s Affection: Playfully Interested] [Harem Roster Updated: 3. Mira – Beastkin (Rogue) – Loyalty: Mercenary – Affection: Playfully Interested]

“Adventure,” Kaito said. “Power. A share of the treasure. And a place to belong.”

Mira considered it for a moment, then shrugged. “Sure. Beats napping. I’m in. For now.” She sauntered over to the group, completely at ease. “So, boss. What’s the plan?”

Kaito looked at his party: the graceful elf archer, the fanatically loyal knight, and the mischievous cat rogue. The Mossfang Caverns were cleared. He was Level 4, flush with new skills and a shop full of potential.

The plan was finally beginning to take shape.

“The plan,” Kaito said, a confident grin spreading across his face for the first time since his rebirth, “is to get out of this cave, find the nearest town, get a hot meal, and then… we change the world.”

The three women looked at him—each for their own reasons—and nodded. The reckoning had its foundation. And it was a formidable one indeed.