Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

The name brought back a feeling he hadn't experienced in years. Ridge Rovers FC is a second-division team in the National Football League of Arland.

It may not be well-known, but to Ethan, it felt very significant. It was the professional football club that had offered a place for Jordan, while he got himself with the Arland's powerhouse, Novan United FC.

He stopped at the edge of the pitch, his breathing still steady as his eyes followed the ball zipping across the field. Memories rushed in—school leagues, cheering crowds, the exhilaration of a perfectly timed goal.

For a time, football had been everything. He'd been good. No. He was more than good.

Coaches and scouts had noticed, and opportunities had appeared. There'd even been talk of youth academies, the kind that could launch a career.

But dreams are heavy things when carried alone. His family couldn't afford the fees, and reality, as it often does, had stepped in to end the fantasy.

Ethan folded his arms, watching the team run drills with practiced precision. That old, familiar spark flickered to life within him.

"Maybe I never really let go of that dream," he admitted softly, almost to himself.

The sound of nearby voices broke his reverie. Two staff members stood just within earshot, their conversation low but audible.

"The owner's had enough," one of the staff said, his voice heavy with resignation. "He's planning to sell the club soon. No profit, no progress. What's the point? We can't compete for decent players, and the facilities are falling apart."

The older man nodded, his face lined with quiet resignation. "It's a pity, really. The club has so much potential, but without proper funding, all it's doing now is trying not to sink."

"I think our days here are already numbered," the other replied, his voice low.

Ethan's pace slowed as their words reached him, each sentence landing with unexpected weight. He stopped at the edge of the field, his eyes scanning the worn goalposts and faded lines on the grass. Something about their tone, their quiet acceptance, stirred something in him.

A football club for sale?

The idea clung to his thoughts, not with the innocent fire of a childhood dream, but with the sharpness of opportunity. He wasn't thinking about crowds chanting his name or the thrill of lifting trophies high into the sky. Those fantasies had long since faded into the background.

This was different.

This wasn't about reliving the past. It was about seeing the future.

The name Ridge Rovers FC might not be known across the country, but it had history. It had structure. Most of all, it had potential. In the hands of the right person, it could be rebuilt from the ground up.

Ethan could already picture it. A team reborn under his guidance, not just in spirit but in brand. Jerseys printed with Nova Tech across the chest. Stadium banners draped in the company's colors. Interviews, replays, highlights—all with Nova Tech in the center of it all.

It sounded bold. Maybe even reckless.

But it felt right.

His mind clicked into gear. This wasn't just about owning a football club. It was about embedding Nova Tech into something timeless. Something people didn't just use, but loved. Something they watched with family, discussed with friends, wore proudly on weekends.

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A bridge between technology and tradition as well as acting as a door toward limitless possibilities.

Ethan stood quietly, the hum of the estate and the distant calls of birds fading behind the noise inside his head.

And then it came. That sound.

It was soft, clear and familiar.

A chime from the system echoed gently in his mind. A notification.

=====

[New Mission: Own Ridge Rovers FC]

Objective: Purchase Ridge Rovers Football Club and take full ownership. Lay the groundwork to rebuild and restructure the club. Your first milestone is simple—secure the acquisition. Everything else begins from there.

True vision starts with bold moves. The club is waiting. Make it yours.

Reward:

1. Level up 1 level

2. 50 Ascension Points

Time Limit:

Complete before the new season starts (59 days left)

=====

"It seems I can't get away from football then," Ethan mused with a chuckle.

The system had allowed Ethan to take his business to the next level. Ridge Rovers FC wasn't just a struggling football team but a potential goldmine for expanding Nova Tech's reach.

"Wait a minute... The mission comes with a deadline," Ethan said in a realization.

There was another mission with a timer. The chase by Lucien's underlings when he was on the way to Brookville.

"I have 59 days left, huh?" he muttered. "Well, I hope I can make it done in a few days time."

Still, he was wondering if the future missions would be this way, too.

Before Ethan could fully process this, another notification appeared, tying together the potential to grow the football club and his business empire.

=====

[Mission: Rise With Ridge Rovers FC]

Objective: Transform Ridge Rovers FC into a powerhouse capable of securing promotion to the First Division. Use the momentum to expand Nova Tech's brand visibility, forge cultural influence, and unlock new streams of growth for the company.

Build the team. Secure the promotion. Grow the empire.

Rewards:

1. 1500 Ascension Points

2. +500 All Attributes

Time Limit:

Complete by the end of the football season (10 months left)

=====

'This is no joke,' Ethan thought. '1500 Ascension Points and an increase of 500 points to all attributes.'

It was the kind of reward that could turn anyone into a legend overnight. A surge of power, a leap forward beyond anything he had ever imagined.

But strangely, even as he read those numbers, his heart didn't race like it used to.

Not in the same way.

He knew why.

Ten months from now, after everything he would face, after the nights he'd spend breaking limits and rebuilding dreams, those numbers might not feel like a reward.

They would feel like necessity. Like fuel for a fire that had already been burning for too long.

By then, he would need more than numbers.

The system had everything laid out perfectly, and the opportunity ahead was massive. But for Ethan, it wasn't just about playing football anymore.

It was about transforming Ridge Rovers FC into a leading force, using this platform to elevate both Nova Tech's brand and his personal standing.

Ethan's thoughts raced as he considered his next steps. "I need to talk with the owner, then," he decided.

At that moment, he noticed a middle-aged man dressed in a sharp suit approaching the field. Everyone on the coaching team greeted and shook his hand.

The man's walk and overall presence exuded fatigue. As his gaze swept over the players, his tired and heavy eyes seemed to carry the immense pressure of ownership.

'That must be the owner,' Ethan realized instantly.

Without a second hesitation, Ethan walked over. Even in his jogging gear, which was far from the typical businessman's attire, he moved with an undeniable sense of authority that didn't go unnoticed by the staff nearby.

"Hello, can I talk to you for a moment?" said Ethan.

The owner spun around, clearly caught off guard by the sudden approach. "Sure. What can I help you?" he inquired, his voice polite yet cautious.

Ethan greeted him with a confident smile. "You're the owner, right?"

The owner nodded, "Why?"

Ethan smiled and said, "Actually, I've heard you might be considering selling the club. If that's true, I'd like to discuss an offer."

The owner took a moment to size up Ethan, his gaze lingering. Under normal circumstances, he might have called for security at such an unexpected proposition.

However, Crescent Ridge Estate was no ordinary place, and those who frequented or lived here were far from ordinary.

The owner raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the proposition. "You're serious about this?"

Ethan nodded.

"You do realize this club isn't exactly raking in the profits, but still, it would cost you a fortune," the owner pointed out, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Ethan smiled and confidently responded, "Well, I have that fortune if you're worried about that."

The owner took a moment to look at Ethan, and he said, "Alright, let's talk over there."