Harem Stealer: Reborn with the God-Tier Sharing System novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Premier

Chapter 21: Premier

Noah was dumbfounded.

What the fuck happened while I was asleep?

He turned toward Ester, who had already risen to her feet.

Without hesitation, he approached her, his sharp gaze locked onto hers.

"Ester," he began casually, but there was something pointed in his voice, "the Akashic Record just gave me a rather... interesting title."

He stopped just in front of her, tilting his head slightly.

"Something about being the 'Master of a Shadow.' Ring any bells?"

A pause.

"If yes, please—do enlighten me."

Ester shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling a mix of shyness and embarrassment.

Now that she thought about it, perhaps she should have waited before making such a decision.

Because this wasn't just about her anymore.

She had altered him as well.

Noah no longer had a shadow.

Even in the blinding sunlight, neither of them cast a single silhouette on the ground. The sight was unsettling, almost unnatural. But that eerie absence only reinforced the reality of her new title.

Taking a deep breath, Ester spoke softly, her voice tinged with hesitation.

"Master... It seems that because of my wish to be your shadow—to offer not just my loyalty, but my entire being—the Akashic Record acknowledged it."

Noah raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

Ester continued.

"The title I received... is 'The Bounded Shadow.' It means that I am now your shadow. Literally."

"My very essence has changed. I can feel it—I'm not just using shadow affinity anymore. My existence itself has become—or rather is becoming something else. A shadow."

She hesitated before finishing.

"And because of that, you were given the title 'Master of a Shadow.' Since I—your shadow—truly exist now, you became the first being to hold such a title."

She wasn't sure if she explained it clearly enough.

Noah was silent for a moment, digesting her words. Then, in a voice that was both gentle yet firm, he spoke.

"Ester."

Her breath caught in her throat.

"I never needed you to give me your entire being."

His voice was calm, but there was an underlying weight to it.

"Your absolute loyalty was already enough."

Ester swallowed, her hands slightly trembling.

"But... I understand."

He took a step closer, raising his hand to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

His silver eyes burned with something intense, unwavering, but also gentle and caring.

"I guess seeing me in that bloodied and near death state must have been a shock to you. And you must have felt guilty."

"But I don't want you to feel guilt or pain if I ever fight to protect you."

"You are my subordinate. My shadow. My responsibility."

He let those words sink in before continuing.

"I will protect you as you protect me. Your life is just as important to me as my life is important to you."

"But do not think I am not happy with this. It's just I do not want you to regret this decision."

A beat of silence.

Then, smirking, he added, "That said if you happen to regret it... I wouldn't mind seeing a real-life shadow fight against fate for its freedom. Not at all, really."

Ester let out a soft chuckle, despite herself.

Then, she bowed.

Not as a servant. Not as someone forced into submission.

But as someone who had chosen this path.

"I am your shadow. And I am proud to be it. I will never regret it."

She lifted her head, and her red eyes blazed with something fierce.

"I am honored to serve the man who will shake the empire."

Noah stood silent for a moment before smirking.

"The empire?" He shook his head, amused. "Oh, Ester, as my shadow, you should be looking far beyond that."

He exhaled through his nose, his smirk widening into something dangerous.

"I won't just shake the empire. I will shake this entire world."

His words sent a shiver down her spine.

"And you, as my shadow... your name shall be known eternally alongside mine."

Their eyes met.

And then—

They smirked.

...

Later

Noah sat on a large rock, staring at the battlefield before him.

Dozens of slaughtered wolves.

Their corpses lay in heaps—fur matted with blood, limbs twisted at unnatural angles, some frozen and other burned with lightning.

The boss monster was nothing more than another trophy among them.

But Noah wasn't thinking about the battle.

No.

He was thinking about something far more exciting.

His unique skill.

He had it.