Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

Ethan's eyes drifted away from the glowing panel, his thoughts pulled back to Mark's words from their earlier training.

"Your body's already beyond average. More than enough to form the core. All that's left—is your decision."

And that was before today.

He could still feel the aftershocks of the sudden 20-point injection coursing through his system. His limbs tingled, the air around him felt thin, and every breath reminded him of what it cost.

That kind of pain—the searing, body-breaking kind—wasn't something a person forgot. It wasn't just physical. It clawed into his nerves, tore through every cell, and rebuilt him from the inside out. Like being burned alive just to emerge as something new.

It made him shiver.

But then… something settled in his gut.

A thought that wouldn't leave.

'If I've already survived it once,' he told himself, jaw clenching, 'then why stop here?'

The corners of his mouth twitched into a crooked smile. Not from arrogance.

From hunger.

The raw, quiet kind.

The kind that didn't roar, but whispered.

'Keep going.'

His fists clenched at his sides, still buzzing faintly from the lingering charge of power. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Maya's voice echoed like a memory.

"Fear is just a checkpoint. Not the finish line. The real question is how far are you willing to go to get what you want?"

Ethan inhaled slowly.

He wanted it.

He wanted more than just a title. More than just the mysterious System that had chosen him. More than being the guy who owned Nova Tech.

He wanted to matter. To fight.

To win.

Not because he had tech. Not because he had money.

Because he earned it.

Because he became powerful enough to face anyone.

Even the Great Families.

Even the LaRue.

His gaze locked back on the Status Panel.

[Free Attribute Points: 30]

His fingers hovered just above the display, breath steadying. "Thirty points," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "I could spread them out… or... "

A flicker of temptation crossed his expression.

"…I could spike one stat to ninety. Just one. Imagine that."

The thought of hitting 90 Strength sent a rush through his spine. A punch that could break stone. A step that could leave craters. The sheer, stupid power of it made his heartbeat quicken.

But it was short-lived.

He shook his head. "No. That's not smart. Not yet."

Balance. That was what Mark had drilled into him. Strength was nothing if your brain couldn't keep up. Speed was useless if you couldn't take a hit. Power without control wasn't power. It was chaos.

And Ethan wasn't here to lose control.

If he was stepping into the realm of the Ascendants, he needed a foundation. One strong enough to let him choose what kind of monster he'd become.

Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence, Charisma…

Each one mattered.

Each one would shape his future.

"Alright," Ethan whispered, more to himself than anything. "Balance first. Monster later."

He tapped the panel and started allocating the points.

One into Intelligence. One into Charisma. He'd need both if he wanted to lead Nova Tech and survive the politics that came with power.

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Then came the others.

He moved carefully, spreading the rest of the points across the core stats. A little into Strength. A little more into Agility and Endurance. Enough to feel faster. Tougher. But not top-heavy.

He wasn't chasing numbers.

He was building something.

The panel glitched slightly as it processed the update.

=====

[Status Panel]

Name: Ethan Cole

Level: 6

EXP: 26,000 / 46,500

Ascension Points: 70

Wealth: Unlimited

Attributes:

Strength: 66

Speed: 66

Endurance: 66

Intelligence: 65

Charisma: 65

Free Attribute Points: 0

=====

Ethan let out a deep breath as the warmth of the system's energy flowed through him again.

It wasn't painful this time.

No burning. No tearing. Just… heat. Controlled and familiar.

He checked his status.

"Still the same," he muttered. "Intelligence and Charisma are behind by one point."

He rolled his shoulders and moved around a bit. His body felt smoother now. Lighter. Like every part of him was working together properly for once.

He took a few quick steps across the room, testing his speed, then threw a few punches into the air.

Each strike landed with force and precision.

Not just stronger. Sharper. More focused.

Even with all that… his mind circled back to one thing.

The Ascendant Core.

He touched his chest lightly, remembering that flicker of energy from earlier. Back when he almost formed it without even meaning to.

And now?

He had full control of his stats. He could push one all the way to 100 if he wanted.

"What would happen if I formed it at 100?" he asked quietly.

He stood still, thinking.

He imagined it—energy surging, his body changing, the System reinforcing him from the inside out.

But what if it went wrong?

He had no guide for this. No blueprint. Mark and Maya had never done it through a system like his.

"I could become something stronger than anyone else," he said. "Or… I could burn out before I even get the chance."

Ethan clenched his fists.

"It's not just about power. It's about being ready to handle it."

And just then, a chime rang in his mind. Not loud, but sharp and clear.

He allowed for the panel to appear again.

A new notification appeared in front of him, glowing slightly brighter than the others.

=====

[New Mission: Ascendant Awakening ]

Objective: Reach 100 in all base attributes and form your Ascendant Core.

The path to becoming an Ascendant begins with a single step—but this one demands everything. By pushing every part of yourself beyond human limits, you'll lay the foundation for something far greater than strength alone. This is not just about numbers. It's about proving you're ready.

Forming the Ascendant Core by reaching 100 in all stats will unlock hidden potential within you and the system. But the risk is yours to take.

This mission is optional.

But if you dare to try… the rewards will change everything.

Rewards:

Mystery Reward 1

Mystery Reward 2

Mystery Reward 3

=====

Ethan stared at the mission prompt, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. There was something about the way it was worded—just vague enough to feel dangerous, just promising enough to feel worth it.

"Three mystery rewards?" he murmured, a quiet chuckle escaping him. "You really know how to mess with my curiosity, huh?"

But before the thought could settle, another chime rang in his ears. A soft, sharper tone this time.

A new line of text slid into place beneath the mission, glowing faintly as if it didn't want to be ignored.

=====

[Warning]

Forming the Ascendant Core with all attributes at 100 will place immense strain on your body.

Ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared—once the process begins, there is no turning back.

=====

"I never imagined I'd receive a warning like this."

Ethan's eyes lingered on the system panel, the glowing text casting a faint light on his face. It wasn't just a caution. It was a declaration—this path wasn't safe. It wasn't ordinary. It was a threshold meant only for those willing to put everything on the line.

And it shook him.

Not with fear. But with the weight of knowing that what came next might change him forever.

'What kind of strain are we talking about, system? Pain like before? Or worse? Permanent damage? Loss of control?'

He clenched his fists, forcing those questions down before they took root. His chest rose and fell, steady but tense, the pressure sitting deep in his ribcage. His body remembered the last time—the searing heat tearing through his veins when his stats had surged. Bones grinding. Skin stretching. A storm of agony that left him barely conscious.

Yet here he was, willingly standing at the edge again.

"But if it's power you want, system…" he whispered, his voice low and clear, "then power is what I'll deliver."

He knew it wouldn't happen today. He was still far from 100 across the board, and four more levels stood between him and Level 10. Who knew what else might come with that milestone? Maybe new panels. Maybe new abilities. Maybe the final key to forming the Core safely.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder.

'What would happen if I actually did it? All attributes maxed. The Core formed from a foundation no one else has ever had.'

The thought sent a chill down his spine, but it also sparked something hotter in his chest.

Excitement.

Because if he pulled it off, if he managed to forge his Ascendant Core at the very peak of human limits, then he wouldn't just be strong—he'd be untouchable.

Not a fluke. Not some lucky kid who stumbled across a system.

He would own that power. He would earn every shred of it.

That was what he wanted. Not shortcuts. Not crutches. Not handouts.

Real power.

Power to protect his family.

Power to challenge monsters like the Ascendants.

Power to stand tall even when the LaRue name entered the room.

But all of that came with a price. And he had to be sure he was ready to pay it.

Ethan exhaled, his shoulders finally relaxing. He turned toward the window. The morning sun had shifted slightly, casting warm light across the wooden floor. Outside, the world was moving forward—same as always. But inside, something had changed.

He wasn't just surviving anymore.

He was preparing.

The road ahead would be brutal. But for the first time, he felt like he was walking it with his eyes open.

The future wasn't waiting for him.

He was going to carve it, one step at a time.

And he would do it his way.