Ultimate Harem System

Chapter 4— Penalty Run from Hell

Johnny kept running until his legs gave out— and even then, he was forced to keep going.

He couldn’t stop. Not with a three-headed monster right behind him.

“Vixen, please—make it stop! I can’t feel my legs anymore!”

[V.I.X.E.N: It will stop when the penalty ends.]

“Then just kill me already!”

But death wasn’t an option. Every time his body was about to shut down, a faint glow rushed through him—

[Instant Health Restoration Activated.]

—pulling him back into this hellish nightmare.

Even death had been taken away from him.

For five straight hours, Johnny ran like a madman through the city.

He passed the Nebula Hotel at least five times. Each lap tore open memories he wanted to forget—memories of the accident… memories of Mia.

He sprinted across bridges, down highways, and through narrow alleys. He blasted past security guards who yelled at him as he ran through private property.

One guard, a busty woman in a tight uniform that strained over her bouncing chest, stumbled as he rushed by, her shirt popping a button from the wind, flashing a glimpse of her lacy bra.

She yelled, blushing hard while fumbling to cover up, but Johnny was too far gone to stop.

To everyone else, he looked insane—an unshaven man in a hospital gown flapping open behind him, sprinting through the night, screaming at nothing.

But if only they knew.

If only they could see the monster behind him, its triple roar shaking the air.

“Vixen!” Johnny gasped, his lungs burning. “Wasn’t the task sixty kilometers?”

[Correct.]

“Then why hasn’t it stopped?! I’ve been running for hours!!?”

[The chase will end once the penalty equals the full workout task.]

Johnny’s mouth fell open. “What the fuuu—” Cerberus roared behind him, cutting him off.

And the chase went on. Hour after painful hour. And when the hound finally vanished into smoke, the sun was already rising.

Johnny collapsed face-first onto the road in a part of the city he didn’t recognize. 

His chest rose and fell hard. His mouth felt dry. Every part of his body screamed in pain.

And yet—he was alive.

No scars. No bruises. No broken bones.

Only a deep mental exhaustion that left him feeling empty.

The system blue screen appeared again.

…

[COMBAT PENALTY QUEST COMPLETED.]

Task: 4 hours chase by greatest fear

Reward: Slow-Mo Combat Lenses

…

“Please tell me that’s not all I get after all that?” Johnny groaned into the pavement.

“What the hell is a Slow-Mo Combat Lenses anyway?”

Vixen remained silent and gave no response. The silence was deafening.

 “—Ahh, fuck this. I need a drink,” Johnny cut the system off. He dragged himself to his feet.

His vision was blurry, but neon lights flickered ahead.

Club Euphoria.

A nightclub still alive at 4:05 a.m.

Johnny let out a weak smirk. “Of course, only a nightclub would still be open this late.”

He pushed through the doors. The air smelled of perfume and alcohol.

Inside the club was packed with bodies moving with the bass with lights flashing across sweaty skins, highlighting the all manner of glistening curves.

Johnny stumbled to the bar, shoulders slumped, face blank.

“Give me your most expensive bottle,” he said flatly.

The bartender was slim and stacked, her black vest unbuttoned low to show off deep cleavage that jiggled with every move, the tight tie barely holding it together.

 “…You sure?” she asked, raising an eyebrow towards the hospital gown hanging loose off his shoulders.

 “Our most expensive bottle is a 1959 Château Lafite Rothschild. That’s eight thousand dollars. You’ll need to pay upfront.”

Johnny slid his debit card across the counter without hesitation.

She blinked “You’re serious?”

“If that demon dog was real, then the million bucks in my account better be real too.” Johnny muttered under his breath.

She swiped the card, leaning forward over the bar. Her breasts nearly spilled out, pressing against the counter for a perfect view of her soft, creamy valley.

A moment passed, then her eyes widened. It went through.

“My apologies, Mr. Big Shot. Your bottle will be right out.” She winked, her fingers brushing his hand lingeringly when she handed back the card.

Johnny leaned back with a grin. Before the accident, he didn’t even have ten dollars to his name.

This proved it. The money was real.

Johnny lifted the glass awkwardly. He had no idea how to taste wine—but he damn well knew how to chug it down.

As he downed his second glass, the burn sliding down his throat, as his mind raced with possibilities. If only he could understand this system… if Vixen wasn’t so damn secretive—

Then suddenly, the blue screen appeared again.

…

[HOT ASSIGNMENT ALERT]

Task: Successfully flirt with the club owner

Reward: Ownership of the Nebula Hotel

…

Johnny spat his drink all over the bar.

“What the fuck?!”