Why was this happening?

What did I do wrong?

Why was I wrapped in a spider web, stuck to a ceiling? With a girl cuddling me, no less?

You think this sounds fun? Taking a closer look at the girl, there are long, dark spider legs protruding out of her back, wrapped around me and keeping me from escaping.

Gazing at her sleeping face next to mine, three pairs of eyes could be seen on her head. Yes, three pairs.

Why did that system have to appear...

——————————————————————————

I'm your average high school boy. Wait, this sounds like the kind of statement you start off a story with. One where the protagonist isn't normal. But really, I am normal.

My name is Jackson Walker. See, even my name is super normal! Jackson is one of the most common names in America! I live in your average town, and go to your average high school. I'm a completely average sophomore!

At least, I thought so. So what is this? Why is there a transparent screen floating in front of me? Is this a system? I thought those were fake! And since when did those appear in America?!

"Welcome to the Harem System!" Those were the only words stated the screen.

I rubbed my eyes. I'm hallucinating, right? Right? I ducked back under the covers, snuggling into their warmth, closing my eyes tight. Maybe this was a dream. A dream you get out of by dreaming in your dream. Woah, paradoxical.

I couldn't fall asleep. Or wake up. Sitting back up, the screen was still there.

"Hello?" I whispered out loud, gazing at the screen in front of me. "Is this real?"

I tapped the screen, curious to see what would happen. And something did indeed happen. The words changed, now showing a different message.

"Welcome Host!" Said a female voice. It felt like it came from my mind. It was almost like I was wearing headphones.

"Only you can hear me, host." Replied the System. "I am a part of you."

You can hear me?!

"I can." The System stated.

I can feel my privacy flying away, like a lost paper in the wind...

The words shifted once again. "This is the Harem System! A System to help your lonely butt get a harem!"

"Hey!" I whisper-yelled. I couldn't wake up the family after all.

Was this one of those annoying systems? Cause I'm getting annoyed already. I have friends!

"You only have two friends Jack." The System responded.

Gah! It's right. It hit me right where it hurts.

"What if I don't want a harem?" I whispered.

"You're a teenage boy. Why wouldn't you want one?" The System responded.

"I've seen enough harem anime. They're a pain." I stated. Seriously, it seemed like too much work. Trying to stop them from fighting, making sure to care for all of them.

Lots of respect to the anime protagonists who can do that. Except for the dense ones. The only reason they get by is because they can't recognize what a blush is!

"You'll get rewards~" hummed the System.

I know she's trying to sweet talk me into it, but rewards! Rewards are awesome! Imagine all the cool things I could possibly get!

"Alright, alright. Can you show me what you can do?" I asked the System.

"Of course host." The System replied.

The floating screen in front of me morphed, now displaying a new menu. It looked like when you would pause mid-game. There were five different options.

[Harem System]

[Profile]

[Inventory]

[Lottery]

[Affection]

[Missions]

"Let's check out [Profile] first..." I mumbled to myself, clicking the word on the screen.

The screen changed, now showing me my profile.

Name: Jackson Walker

Race: Human

AP: 100

Charm: Level 1

Strength: Level 1

Wisdom: Level 1

Agility: Level 1

"What's AP?" I asked, curious. I don't remember playing any games with an AP stat...

"Affection Points." Stated the System. "I will explain when you open the Affection tab."

"Alright..." I responded. I wonder how I can increase stats?

"Your stats can be increased through daily activities. Reading books can increase your wisdom while working out can increase strength or agility."

That sounds nice. I should start working out more. Maybe I can get some abs! That's the dream of every teenage boy! Great abs!

I clicked out of the [Profile] screen, going back to the main menu. I then clicked on the next option, [Inventory].

[Inventory]

[Empty]

Oh. That's disappointing.

"Of course you have nothing Host. You just got me." My System retorted. I felt like it was making fun of me.

"What a sassy System..." I muttered under my breath.

"Alright, [Lottery]!" I whisper-shouted, clicking the [Lottery] icon. I'm excited! This must be the rewards!

The screen showed a wheel of fortune, with some text to it's right.

[Lottery]

1 Spin: [100 AP]

10 Spins: [1,000 AP]

"I have enough for one!" I excitedly whispered.

"Yes, you do Host. You are granted 100 AP as a welcome gift." The System stated.

Sweet!

"The [Lottery] will give you a random item or skill ranging from common to legendary." The System stated.

What are the rarities?

"Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary." The System stated.

"Cool! Hey, let's roll one!" I decided.

"Alright Host. The [Lottery] is spinning now." The System informed.

The wheel of fortune started to spin, making me anxious yet excited. As it slowly came to a stop, I bit my lip in anticipation.

Please be good! Please be good!

"Congratulations! You have obtained the common [Freerunner] skill!" The System stated.

Darn it! I was hoping for something higher! Well, there goes my Affection Points...

"Don't be salty Host." Replied the System.

Don't rub dirt in my wound. It already hurts.

"Let's check [Affection] now." I sighed, clicking out of [Lottery] and into [Affection].

[Affection]

[Empty]

Oh, that's nice. This is also empty.

"[Affection] will record your bond levels with other girls on a range from 1 to 100. It cannot record a level until you meet with the girl." The System informed.

Ah, alright. Then how do Affection Points work?

"Affection Points are gained by completing missions and increasing your bond level. Using them you can use the [Lottery] to get prizes." The System stated.

Okay, okay. I see how this works now. I assume that the [Missions] tab will show me my current missions?

"Correct Host. At the moment though, you have no missions. They will pop up in a window when one arrives." The System stated.

"Missions give you AP for completing, but if you fail or refuse the quest, you get a punishment." The System continued.

Great, you're one of those.

The screen then disappeared, my door suddenly slamming open as a blur ran inside, ramming into me like a ton of cinder blocks.

"Oof!" I grunted. Ow, she really can do damage running into people like that. Strong for her stature.

"Jack! It's time to wake up!" She shouted.

"I'm already awake Lilia..." I sweatdropped.

"Then get out of bed!" She replied. She got off of me, tugging my arm as she tried to pry me off of my heavenly bed.

This, was my younger sister. Lilia Walker. She was two years younger than me, in eight grade of middle school. Next year, she would be joining me in highschool.

Lilia had golden blond hair with glittering green eyes. She was cute. I bet all the boys in middle school crush over her.

"I will, I will." I chuckled. "Just give me a moment."

"Hmph." She pouted.

"I promise I'll be right down." I replied, smiling at her.

"Okay!" She happily sung, running out of my room.

Adorable. How blessed I am to have a younger sister who hasn't gone through her rebellious phase! She even came to wake me up!

"Sis-con." I heard the System say in my head.

Shut up!

Suddenly, a thought entered my head. This System has a personality. Clearly, an annoying one. So, does it have a name?

"I do not Host." The System responded.

Really? Can I name you?

"Sure, Host. You're the only one who can." The System responded.

Yeah, yeah. Don't be a Smart Aleck. How about Sally?

"Sure!" Sally happily responded, before she cleared her throat. Wait...do Systems have throats?

"It's okay." She corrected herself, trying to be emotionless.

What are you, a Tsundere?

"Shut up!" Sally yelled.

Ouch! Don't yell in my head! I waited for the ringing in my ears to fade, before sliding the covers of my bed off. I should get ready before I end up being late.

I stumbled out of bed, walking across my only slightly messy room to the bathroom. Entering, I yawned as I rubbed my eyes, staring at myself in the mirror.

Unlike Lilia, I'm average in looks. Told you I'm average! Wait, maybe not anymore...

Well, I had dark brown hair, with amber colored eyes. I wasn't that attractive, and I certainly didn't catch attention. This was why I was Charm Level 1.

Haha. Self Deprecating jokes. Gotta love em.

I reflexively yawned once more. Yeah, I'm tired. But today's another day of school. This time though, with this strange System...

Am I really not dreaming?