Harem Tycoon System

Chapter 9: The Last Savings

|People say luck comes when you least expect it. But what if all you have left is your final breath, a faint hope, and sins yet to be paid?|

Lucas sat in silence on a small park bench not far from his house—a house he could no longer enter. Caroline had truly kicked him out.

He gripped his phone, its screen glowing with the last remaining balance in his account. Then, his gaze shifted to the floating digital panel—only visible to him—hovering in the air right before his face.

His eyes scanned the now almost-empty list. His system points had dropped drastically, most of them wiped out after his failure to convince Caroline. Even his bank account was nearly drained after paying the hospital bills. Only a few thousand dollars remained. Not even ten grand. And it wouldn’t last long.

Lucas let out a deep sigh. The evening breeze tousled his now-messy hair.

“Maybe enough to survive for a few days,” he muttered. “But I need to find a job. Fast.”

A sentence he never imagined he’d say. The old Lucas Greystone never cared about jobs. If he had a single cent, it would quickly disappear into gambling tables or liquor bottles. But now, not only had his body changed—his soul had, too.

Lucas was no longer just a loser hiding behind guilt. He was now inhabited by Ethan—the determined genius student who once saved up for textbooks, who took part-time jobs just to eat, and who knew the value of every cent.

Lucas looked at his reflection in the phone screen. Something had changed. Though the system points were reduced, the physical strength he’d gained from previous missions remained. His body was still solid, more muscular than before. His breathing steadier, his reflexes sharper. At the very least, if he had to sleep on the streets, he wouldn’t freeze to death.

He let out a short laugh—bitter but relieving. “Well, that’s good. At least I can fight off street rats.”

But amid the bitterness, a memory broke through Ethan’s consciousness inside Lucas’s body. An old, vague, yet urgent piece of information.

“A deposit,” he whispered. “Yes... Lucas once lent a large sum of money to someone. Wh-what was his name... why can’t I remember it?”

His eyes widened.

That man was Lucas’s old friend, once considered a loser. But after inheriting money and building his career from scratch, he had become the manager of one of the city’s luxury hotels.

Lucas stood up suddenly, his body jolting like it had been electrocuted. He didn’t wait for the system to speak. No notifications needed. No missions. This was about his survival. And maybe... a shred of dignity left.

He quickly waved down a passing taxi.

“Regal Imperial Hotel, hurry!” he shouted as the door swung open.

Meanwhile, from the second floor of what used to be a home, Caroline stood frozen behind the window curtain. She watched Lucas rushing into the taxi, his expression full of determination—not panic.

There was something different in the way he walked.

Not like a man running from problems, but like someone chasing something important.

Caroline narrowed her eyes. Her lips moved slightly, but no words came out. She just stood there, watching the man’s back disappear behind the glass.

Her gaze... wasn’t just anger. There was something else she herself couldn’t understand.

*

Inside the taxi, Lucas stared out the window. The city looked the same as it always had, but everything felt foreign. He had once walked these streets drunk, throwing his life away in meaningless corners.

But now, every second mattered. Every red light felt too long. He needed money. He needed luck. He needed to find his friend.

“Hope you still remember me, buddy,” he murmured.

Half an hour later, he arrived in front of a grand hotel with marble pillars and a gleaming lobby. Lucas got out, reluctantly paid the fare, and stared at the tall building with eyes full of hope and anxiety.

His steps were steady as he approached the front desk.

Two female staff glanced at him from head to toe. Their eyes sharp, judging.

“Welcome to Regal Imperial Hotel. How may we assist you?” asked one of the receptionists with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Lucas swallowed. “I want to see the manager,” he said a little nervously. Then he realized something. “I mean... yes, the hotel manager. I don’t know his name.”

Lucas’s memory was poor, but at least Ethan remembered that Lucas’s indebted friend worked here as a manager. He just needed to meet him and collect what was owed.

The receptionist frowned. “Did you make an appointment beforehand?”

“No.”

“What is your business with our manager?” asked the other woman, her tone now more cautious.

Lucas opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it again. “It’s personal,” he finally replied.

The two exchanged glances. Instead of calling the manager, they discreetly pressed a button under the desk.

Lucas noticed their distrust. He might not get the chance to meet the manager. So, his quick thinking kicked in.

I’ve got skills I honed and earned from the system. I should be able to use them, Lucas thought.

“Miss, could you tell me what perfume you’re wearing?” Lucas whispered gently, closing his eyes as if savoring her beauty. “Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems this scent comes from your lovely personality.”

The woman blushed. Her suspicion toward Lucas melted. Her colleague tried to stop the flirtation, but Lucas turned his charm on her too.

“I really like the lipstick shade you’re wearing. You look fresher, more radiant.”

God, the second woman lit up too. All day they were treated like robots—rarely appreciated for their looks. But Lucas was different.

Then, system points began popping into Lucas’s vision for successfully charming the two women. He smiled wryly. But the real problem had just arrived.

Moments later, two large men in black uniforms approached. Security. They flanked Lucas, one on either side.

“Sir, we’re sorry, but you have to leave. This area is for guests with reservations only.”

Lucas turned quickly. “What? I just want to meet the manager!”

“We received a report that you’re suspicious,” said one of them. “Please leave, or we’ll escort you out.”

The receptionists realized their mistake but were too late to stop the guards.

Lucas’s face flushed with humiliation and anger. He felt publicly shamed. His breath quickened. And without thinking, he barked, “You’ll regret it if you touch me! I said call your manager!”

Other guests began to look over. The commotion was drawing attention. Staff grew uneasy.

One of the guards stepped forward to grab Lucas’s arm, but before he could—

“He’s my guest!”

A woman’s voice rang out, loud and clear.

All eyes turned.

A woman walked forward. A crimson bodycon dress hugged her slender figure, long hair cascading in perfect waves, and a confident smile lit up her face. She exuded power and grace, causing everyone in the lobby to instinctively lower their gaze.

“He’s my guest,” she repeated, more firmly. “Let him go.”

The guards stepped back slowly. The receptionists bowed deeply, not daring to meet her eyes. Even the shift manager in the corner froze in place.

Lucas stared, stunned. He had no idea who this woman was.

She approached, then looked at him with a warm smile.

“Didn’t you want to meet me, Lucas?”