As the clock struck 2:00 AM, Jun Hao returned to his old rented room, dragging his exhausted body after working overtime once again. [1]
But he was a veteran 'Grind King' Commander, and the exhaustion of his body did not stop him from seeing his 2D wives in the port.
With renewed energy, he pulled out his phone and opened Azur Lane. However, just as the game sound echoed along with a familiar login screen, something happened.
Before Jun Hao even had time to collect his daily rewards, a sudden, violent spasm shot through his kidneys.
In the next instant, everything went dark. He toppled from his chair and hit the floor, lifeless.
When the darkness faded and his consciousness returned, he felt strangely comfortable, like he was bathed in warm sunlight.
Still disoriented, Jun Hao moved his fingers. They ended up touching something solid.
He opened his eyes, but instead of the stained ceiling of his cramped room, an incredibly luxurious office lay before him.
Massive floor-to-ceiling windows took up an entire wall, offering a view of an endless blue sea.
Several seagulls glided across the water's surface, and a salty ocean breeze drifted through white curtains, scattering the sunlight into dancing golden fragments across his body.
"Where... am I?" The words left his lips unconsciously.
Jun Hao pushed himself up from the desk and rose to his feet. As he took in his surroundings, his mind went blank.
'Wait, did I die and go to heaven? But... seriously? Even in heaven I have to work? There's no way I'm becoming a corporate slave in paradise!'
While confusion and panic began to take hold, a clear ding echoed through his head, and a semi-transparent light-blue panel materialized in the air before his eyes.
[Ding! Welcome, Host, to the world of Azur Lane!]
At this moment, as someone who had read countless web novels, Jun Hao instantly understood the situation.
He'd transmigrated, and naturally, he'd been given a system.
"System, are you there?"
The system offered no reply, merely continuing its introduction.
[This system is the Port Harmony System, created to ensure the Host's survival within this dangerous port. Simply maintain the port Harmony Level above 30, and the Host may live comfortably.]
'So I've really come to the world of Azur Lane? This is incredible!'
With an excited heart, Jun Hao silently walked to the window to observe.
There was no mistake. He was standing inside a port, and from time to time, he could spot familiar shipgirls carrying out training exercises at sea.
Jun Hao rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit strange.
"Wait, System. I don't get it. What's safer than being a Commander at a port after transmigrating? Why are you making it sound so dangerous?"
The system did not answer, simply continuing with its explanation.
[When the Harmony Level drops below 30 points, a red alert will activate automatically. Should it fall below 10 points... this system can no longer ensure the host's survival. Beyond that threshold, the Host is on their own.]
The gravity in the system's tone made Jun Hao's throat go dry, and a cold sweat broke out across his back. He quickly pressed for more information.
"Okay, so what's my Harmony Level right now?"
[Just think about it and you'll see.]
Jun Hao focused his mind immediately, and sure enough, a status bar materialized in the upper right of his field of view.
[Harmony Level: 70/100.]
"Whew..."
He let out a sigh of relief and slumped into the large ergonomic chair, feeling the stress leave his body.
'70 points? That's not too bad, I guess.'
Just as Jun Hao was feeling relieved, a heated argument suddenly broke out outside the office door.
"Belfast! Why are you the Secretary Ship again today?!"
The sheer possessiveness dripping from that voice was unmistakable. It could only belong to Akagi.
-AKAGI-[1]
Jun Hao could recognize her voice instantly. After all, he had grinded for half a year before she finally joined his port.
He had also gotten her younger sister, who had quite a cold personality, yet he'd only spent three to four weeks on her.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, another voice responded with elegant composure, the kind that could remain poised through any catastrophe.
"Miss Akagi, please conduct yourself appropriately. As Master's personal maid and today's designated Secretary Ship, I have responsibilities to attend to."
-BELFAST-[2]
"Don't try to change the subject! You're going to explain yourself today! Do you have any idea what I've been through this past week?" Akagi's voice was already trembling noticeably with anger. "One or two days I could've handled, but an entire week straight?!"
She was having trouble concealing her jealousy now that Belfast had been monopolizing the Secretary position for an entire week.
"You're seriously going to stand there and tell me you didn't tamper with the position schedule while you were secretary?"
Despite Akagi's furious outburst, Belfast just stood by the door like nothing was wrong.
"My sincerest apologies, Miss Akagi, for causing you any displeasure."
From his position behind the door, Jun Hao could picture Belfast's appearance perfectly.
She was definitely standing there with her hands folded neatly, doing a little bow with that perfect smile, her eyes probably curved just a bit more than usual.
Upon hearing Belfast's voice, neither hurried nor slow and carrying a hint of mockery, Akagi grew even angrier than before.
"I should mention that this randomized Secretary Ship system was the Master's own creation. The daily rotation operates entirely by chance. Could it be... that fortune simply favored me? Or perhaps, deep within the Master's heart, he longs for my presence more?"
That remark from Belfast was all it took for Akagi to finally snap.
"You dare say fortune favored you?!" She shouted loudly, and the door panel seemed to vibrate with her anger. "Do you take me for a fool? I love the Commander more than anyone, so why am I never chosen for multiple days in a row?!"
The more Akagi thought about it, the angrier she became. The black flames of jealousy burned wildly in her heart.
She couldn't stand how this maid got to stay by her Commander's side all day with a legitimate reason, serving tea and water, and even enjoying his tender gaze when he was tired.
Those looks were supposed to be hers and hers alone.
Back in the office, Jun Hao was sweating bullets. One, because of the total disaster brewing outside, and two, because the Harmony Level in front of him was dropping at an alarming rate.
[Harmony Level: 70/100... 50/100... 30/100... 20/100!]
The numbers turned bright red and emitted a piercing light, accompanied by a sharp alarm.
[Ding! Warning! Warning! Port harmony Level has fallen to 20 points! Akagi's emotional state is critically unstable; the probability of a 'Yandere Attack' is exceptionally high! Take immediate measures to defuse the situation, or bear the consequences!]
"What am I even supposed to do about this?" Jun Hao's voice came out rushed and panicked.
[...]
"Of course. Naturally this system would be the useless kind. Whatever, I'll just go see what's happening!"
After saying that, Jun Hao seized the handle and swung the door open. Immediately, the stunning faces of both Akagi and Belfast came into view.
"Eh? Ma... Master?"
"Co... Commander?"
When they saw Jun Hao standing there, both Akagi and Belfast looked completely shocked.
"What? Something wrong? Why're you guys staring at me like I'm some kind of ghost?"
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[1] - The main character will be given a Chinese name since his nationality is significant to the lore. I hope that doesn't impact your experience.
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-> To have access to more than 15 extra chapters, go to:
[-p -a -t -r -e -o -n . com/DysFiction.]
-> To make a don@tion go to:
[ ko - fi .com /dysfiction ]
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original)
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[1] IMAGE
[2] IMAGE