SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)-Chapter 70: They Are Using You.

Reyna edged closer to Ethan, her hair rustling against her fur cloak as she hissed under her

breath. "Now he’s gone, what ya gonna do, Ethan?"

Ethan kept his eyes fixed on the path where Daniel had disappeared, his jaw tight enough to crack

stone. The slums were alive with whispers and echoes, lanterns swaying above them like halfdead fireflies. The air smelled of smoke, damp earth, and too many unwashed bodies. freewebnøvel_com

"That guy... he’s getting used."

Reyna frowned, brows knotting together. "What ya mean by used?"

Ethan finally tore his gaze away to look at her, silver eyes glinting under the dim glow of flickering

lanterns. Shadows played over his sharp features, lending him an air of quiet menace. "Just follow

my lead and keep watching."

Reyna’s mouth flattened into a line, but she gave a curt nod. "Alright, boss. But I ain’t promisin’ I

won’t swing me sword if shit goes sideways, don’t ya?"

Ethan snorted softly, shaking his head. "Of course you won’t. Barbarian."

She grinned wickedly, flashing white teeth. "Yer damn right."

They trailed Daniel at a cautious distance, Ethan gliding through the shadows like a predator.

Reyna followed close behind, her great sword strapped across her back, steps silent for someone

her size.

Her eyes darted around, wary and bright, drinking in every flicker of movement. The deeper they went, the narrower the alleys became, walls leaning in as though the city itself were trying to squeeze them out.

At last, the cramped passages opened into a crooked clearing littered with trash, shards of

pottery, and crushed cans. The slum seemed to hold its breath.

Daniel knelt in the dirt, a small cloth bundle beside him.

Under the shifting glow of a sputtering lantern, his face looked sculpted in shadow and light—strong jawline, high cheekbones, long black hair spilling across his shoulders.

His grey eyes glimmered with weary determination.

One by one, children crept forward, as cautious as feral kittens. Small hands trembling, eyes wide

and hollow.

Daniel peeled open his cloth bundle, revealing simple scraps of bread, bits of dried meat, and a few shriveled roots. He broke pieces off, pressing them into the children’s palms with a soft smile.

Each child scampered off into the gloom... only to return moments later, arms

stretched for more.

Reyna leaned closer, her breath warm against Ethan’s ear. "Oh, poor lil’ ones are hungry, don’t ya?

That’s why they keep comin’ back."

Ethan’s lips thinned. He scanned the perimeter, every nerve on edge. His voice was soft but

edged with steel. "No. Look over there."

He pointed toward the shadows beyond the clearing, where ragged curtains hung like torn

banners. Between the flaps, they glimpsed the interiors of makeshift huts.

Inside, lean men and sharp-eyed women waited, silent and hungry as wolves. The moment the children entered, the adults pounced, snatching the food from their small hands.

Rough fingers cuffed a few across the head, shoving them back out into the night.

Reyna blinked, shock flickering across her face. Her brows crashed together. "Wait... ya sayin’

they takin’ the food? Those bastards!"

"Exactly," Ethan murmured. "Daniel’s trying to help the kids, but he’s just feeding the same scum

who keep this whole place under their boots. He doesn’t even realize he’s getting used."

Reyna’s nostrils flared. She clenched her fists so tight her leather gloves creaked. Her other hand

flew to the hilt of her longsword. "Then I’ll cut ’em all up! Every last one of those rats—"

Ethan shot out his arm, fingers clamping around her wrist like iron. "Stop. Your barbarian nature

will just ruin everything."

"Hmph!" Reyna wrenched her arm away, crossing her arms under her chest. Her chest heaved as

she struggled to rein in her rage. "I don’t like sneakin’ around while scum like that’s breathin’,

don’t ya?"

"I know," Ethan said, voice softening. "But if we go storming in there swinging swords, we lose

any chance of recruiting him. And he’s worth a hundred slum rats."

Reyna glared, lips pursed, but she held her tongue, though her fingers twitched as if itching to

draw her blade.

Meanwhile, Daniel’s modest pile of food vanished quickly. The last few children came back for

seconds, snatching bits of bread with eyes like starving animals.

Finally, nothing was left. Daniel lowered his hands, fingers trembling slightly as he stared at the empty cloth in his lap.

One by one, the children vanished into the shadows, the sound of their bare feet growing fainter.

The silence that followed felt enormous. Daniel knelt alone in the dirt, gazing at his empty hands.

His chest rose and fell in short, uneven breaths. His stomach gave a deep, mournful growl that

echoed off the walls.

A tired, brittle smile tugged at his lips. "At least... the kids got something tonight," he murmured,

voice a mere thread of sound.

He slumped backward, leaning against the corner of a broken crate. His hair fell forward, veiling

his eyes. The lantern light flickered across his gaunt features, tracing shadows beneath his

cheekbones.

Hidden a few steps away, Ethan watched him. A flicker of exasperation crossed his face...

followed by something softer, a hint of reluctant respect. He exhaled, slow and thoughtful.

"This idiot..." Ethan whispered. "Starving himself for people who’d gut him the second he runs

out of food."

Reyna’s scowl softened, her eyes turning troubled. "He’s a stubborn bastard... but he’s got a

good heart, don’t ya?"

"Yeah," Ethan muttered. "Which is why he’s perfect."

He stepped forward, his boots crunching quietly over the litter-strewn ground. Daniel didn’t notice

him at first. He sat motionless, hunched over as though trying to disappear into the dirt. His

breath came in faint shudders, ribs visible beneath his shirt.

Then a shadow fell across him.

Daniel blinked, lifting his head just as a hand came from over his shoulder—a strong, calloused

hand offering a small ration pack, neatly wrapped in brown paper.

The rich smell of bread and dried meat drifted in the chill air. Daniel’s eyes widened, shimmering silver-grey in the lantern light.

Ethan’s voice was low and steady. "Eat up."

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