"Young Master!"
"Wake up!"
A soft, melodic voice echoed in my ears—mature, sensual, and soothing. Could it be… a sexy MILF waking me up? But why was she calling me Young Master? And wait, is someone shaking me?
"YOUNG MASTER, WAKE UP!"
"Huh?"
I blinked groggily, trying to process what was happening. Holy—DAMN. Sexy doesn't even begin to describe her.
"Young Master, you're late for the ceremony! The other young masters and mistresses are already heading to the class awakening!"
Class awakening? Me? Young Master? What the hell is going on? I scanned my surroundings. The last thing I remembered was being dead drunk at home after work. I'd finally gotten a day off and, well, went a little overboard. Now I was in this luxurious bedroom, being jolted awake by…
Holy, she's stunning.
Standing before me was a woman in her late thirties. She had lustrous brown hair, large, captivating eyes, and a figure straight out of a dream. Her posture radiated professionalism, but her pout—paired with those curves—was downright sinful.
Where the hell am I?
This maid—yes, she must be my maid—was addressing me as "Young Master" in a room that screamed wealth and power. That probably made me some privileged heir in a rich or influential family. And judging by her urgency, this "class awakening" she mentioned must be important. For now, I'd just play along and figure it out as I went.
As I scrambled to make sense of the situation, the maid seemed to be having her own internal crisis.
'Oh no, Young Master! I knew we shouldn't have gotten carried away last night, but this man is too… lustful! Even now, he's staring at me with those shameless eyes. Hmph. But as the adult here, I should've kept things professional. Yet I… still let myself fall for his charms. Ugh, this playboy! But no matter what, today is too important to be late. If we miss the ceremony, it'll be my neck on the line!'
"Young Master, please hurry!" she said, her tone both pleading and stern. "Today's ceremony is crucial. Your behavior in the past hasn't exactly earned you goodwill in the family. But I promise, if you cooperate, I'll… help you with your frustrations again tonight. Just don't be careless now! Today will determine your future."
Wait. Did she just promise to sleep with me as a reward for doing well? Again? What kind of life had I stumbled into here?
"Alright, let's go," I replied, more determined than ever to claim that reward. Who could resist such a gorgeous woman?
"Thank you, Young Master! Mira is always grateful to you," she said, her tone softening as relief washed over her.
Mira. So that's her name.
I followed her lead as I pieced things together. I'd read enough transmigration novels to recognize the signs: waking up in a different body, unfamiliar surroundings, a gorgeous maid. Yep, I'd been isekai'd. The problem? I couldn't tell which novel this was.
I'd been juggling three stories before… whatever brought me here. Two were smutty with loose plots, and one was a serious story with an idiotic protagonist. Knowing my luck, I'd landed in the last one—the one I absolutely hated.
As Mira ushered me into the bathroom, I finally caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
Holy shit, I'm ripped.
I stood tall at 190 cm, with a lean, muscular build that was defined but not bulky. My silver hair, sharp red eyes, and perfectly chiseled jawline screamed "manhwa protagonist."
"Let's get you ready quickly, Young Master," Mira said, expertly using telekinetic gestures to fetch my clothes and smooth out wrinkles. Her efficiency hinted at some kind of skill system. I couldn't access it yet—likely because I hadn't awakened—but today's ceremony would probably change that.
Yep, definitely a status-based world.
The more I observed, the more certain I became that I was in the novel I least wanted to be in.
As Mira led me down the hall, I took in the blend of modern technology and rustic, medieval architecture. Soon, we arrived at a grand set of metal doors.
The doors were massive, carved with intricate lions facing off against each other. Gold inlays adorned the silver framework, and ornate pillars flanked either side, giving the entrance an air of power and prestige.
"Young Master, this is as far as I go," Mira said, bowing slightly. "Please, don't act impulsively. Many in the family are against you, and your… behavior hasn't exactly helped. But don't worry. Me and the other ladies accept you as you are!"
She blushed, then scurried away. I smirked at her retreating figure, thinking over her words.
So, I'm a bit of a troublemaker, huh? No wonder half the family hates me. But at least I've got the ladies on my side. Let's see where this goes.
The moment I stepped inside, a sea of eyes turned toward me. Some were openly hostile, while others—mostly women—blushed or whispered to each other.
Ah, I get it. I'm that guy—the one all the women love and all the men hate. Works for me.
"Attention!"
A booming voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Onstage stood an older man with a powerful build. Beside him rested a large, glass orb on an ornate pedestal.
"Welcome to the 50th Class Awakening Ceremony," he announced. His voice carried authority, silencing the crowd.
"As you know, our world has been under siege for over a century. The emergence of this threat has forced humanity to adapt, granting us powers that allow us to fight back and reclaim our place as the dominant species on Gaia.
"Today marks the 50th awakening, where the younger generation will step forward and receive their classes. This is the first step toward greatness. As an elder of the Lionheart family, I wish you all the best of luck. May you bring glory to our name and to all of Gaia!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their energy palpable. But as the elder spoke, my attention drifted to the orb on stage.
Its surface shimmered unnaturally, almost as though it were… alive.
A strange sensation tickled the back of my mind, like static crackling just out of reach. The orb pulsed once—dimly, but unmistakably—as I stepped closer.
Wait… was that supposed to happen?
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. A faint, ominous chill swept through me as I tried to steady my breathing.
Oh no. I know this world. This isn't one of the smut novels. This is the dangerous one—the one I did not want to end up in.
Of all the damn worlds I could've landed in, why did it have to be the one where I'm probably going to die?