Ethan closed the door to his temporary room in Jessica's house, the sounds of the lively household muffled as he stepped into the quiet space.

The simple room had a cozy charm, but Ethan’s mind was preoccupied. He finally had the time to explore the system and make progress.

Ethan sat on the bed. He was looking at the glowing screen of the system that appeared in front of him. "Time for an upgrade."

With a focused thought, he pulled up the Shop Panel.

=====

[Shop Panel]

Available Items:

1. Lower Grade Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

2. Lower Grade Speed Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

3. Lower Grade Endurance Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

4. Lower Grade Charisma Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

5. Lower Grade Intelligence Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

6. Memory Enhancement Potion (5 Ascension Points) (1/1)

7. Lower Grade Recovery Potion (1 Ascension Point) (5/5)

[Locked Items – Level 10 Required]

=====

"Just two new items, huh?" He looked at the numbers and saw that all of the Lower Grade Potions were restored to five again. "This will do, too."

Ethan studied the list with a mix of anticipation and disappointment. He had been hoping that reaching Level 5 would unlock a wider variety of items, perhaps something groundbreaking that could shift his plans dramatically.

Instead, the additions were modest.

The Memory Enhancement Potion stood out as the only notable new entry.

“Guess the system’s holding back the big stuff for later,” Ethan muttered to himself.

His gaze lingered on the Memory Enhancement Potion. Intrigued, he tapped on its description.

[Memory Enhancement Potion: Permanently enhances the user’s memory, granting eidetic recall. Memorize anything instantly and retain it perfectly. Cost: 5 Ascension Points.]

Ethan raised his eyebrows. The idea seemed almost too good to be true. Having a perfect memory—being able to easily scan and remember large amounts of information—was amazing.

He could already imagine the potential applications: mastering complex topics, strategizing with unparalleled precision, and keeping ahead of any challenge.

“This… this is insane,” Ethan whispered, his mind racing.

Without hesitation, he purchased the potion. The familiar ding of confirmation echoed in his mind, and a faint shimmer appeared before him.

Reaching out, he grasped the potion and downed it in one swift motion.

The effect was immediate. Ethan suddenly felt clear and focused. He blinked quickly as his thoughts and senses came together in his mind.

"It must be a passive skill, right?" Ethan wondered aloud.

To test it, he pulled up an article on advanced AI algorithms on his phone and began to read.

Within minutes, he had absorbed the entire article, not just understanding the concepts but committing every detail to memory. He could recall the diagrams, the formulas, and even the specific wording of each paragraph with crystal clarity.

It was like having a photographic imprint of the text in his brain.

Ethan leaned back, stunned. “Unreal…” he murmured.

His thoughts drifted to high school. If he’d had this ability back then, he could have spent far less time cramming for exams and more time enjoying football.

The thought made him chuckle softly.

But now, the possibilities were endless. As a university student, he still had three weeks left before the break ended. With this upgrade, he could easily dominate his coursework.

Yet, a part of him wondered if it was worth continuing at all. Balancing lectures, assignments, and exams would leave him with far less time to pursue other, potentially more significant endeavors.

“Should I even go back?” Ethan wondered aloud.

The question lingered in his mind. While he valued education, his current path—armed with the system and its limitless potential—offered opportunities far beyond what a university degree could provide.

He decided he would need to talk to his parents about it. They deserved to know what he was considering, especially given how much they’d supported him over the years.

For now, though, there were more pressing matters. Ethan returned his focus to the Shop Panel. He needed to thoroughly review and carefully plan his spending of Ascension Points.

The day’s events had shown him that preparation was key, and he wasn’t about to let any opportunity slip through his fingers or take any risks.

Ethan's attention shifted to the description of the Lower Grade Recovery Potion. As he read through its details, he realized just how valuable it could be in high-stakes situations.

The potion promised to restore vitality, heal minor injuries, and significantly speed up recovery time from exhaustion—all in a matter of minutes.

“Seems like something I should always have on hand,” Ethan muttered to himself.

He decided to buy three of them and put them safely in his Inventory. Knowing they were ready for emergencies gave him a sense of preparedness he didn’t realize he needed.

He then looked at the other potions—Strength, Speed, Endurance, Charisma, and Intelligence. Without hesitation, Ethan bought all five of each, consuming them one after another.

As soon as he took the potions, he felt a rush of energy. His muscles tightened and grew stronger with this new power. His senses became sharper, his thoughts clearer, and his movements more fluid and controlled.

The sudden increase of ten points to each of his attributes was noticeable, but this time, it didn’t overwhelm him like before.

The pain he had previously experienced during such rapid enhancements was now just a slight unease and pressure. He believed that his body had adapted to these changes.

"But I'm not sure what will happen if I suddenly increase everything by twenty points or more," Ethan muttered.

Ethan stood up and walked to a large mirror in the corner of the room. He looked at his changes. They were not very obvious—just better posture and improved muscle tone.

The only thing that felt different was his face, but he could not tell what had really changed.

"Lucky." Ethan worried that consuming potions or increasing the points for his physical attributes would make him bigger and bulkier, which he found less visually appealing.

But internally, Ethan could feel the transformation. The power, precision, and endurance coursing through him felt undeniable.

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“Not bad,” he said with a small grin. “I’ll take it.”

Ethan then shifted his focus to the Skills Panel, scrolling through the available options. His mind was thinking hard about what other skills he needed for the time being.

He needed to increase his chance of survival, and with that in mind, two specific skills caught his eye—Stealth and Tracking.

“Stealth helps me move in the shadow… Tracking for using my whole senses to gather information,” Ethan mused. “Can’t go wrong with either.”

He unlocked the Basic tiers for both survival skills, feeling a rush of information flooding into his mind. Techniques, memories, and strategies for both disciplines were suddenly at his disposal.

Although these were merely the fundamentals, the knowledge was exhilarating. Moreover, the system enabled him to fully master the basics, distinguishing him from average people.

Ethan then scrolled to his existing combat skills—Krav Maga, Close Quarters Combat, and Tactical Firearms.

After thinking for a moment, he chose to upgrade all of them, including Stealth, to Intermediate tiers. He decided to keep Tracking at the Basic tier for now. He only had enough Ascension Points for four upgrades.

The upgrades hit him in waves, each one more intense than the last. His mind was now filled with a better understanding of each skill. He learned more refined techniques and advanced strategies and felt more confident using them.

Ethan flexed his hands. He imagined how precise his strikes would be and how efficient his movements could be. He felt the confidence of a fighter who understood his skills.

“I can join Tarung now…” Ethan whispered to himself. It was something similar to an MMA tournament.

He laughed, realizing he still had a lot to do, but was glad for the progress he had made. After closing the panels, he leaned back in his chair.

He felt a powerful energy under his skin, ready to be used when needed.

"But not tonight," Ethan said as he looked at the clock on the desk. "Time to go to sleep. I haven't decided what to do tomorrow."

***

The next morning, everyone woke up early as they gathered for breakfast. The house was filled with the smell of bacon and coffee.

Julie and Jessica woke up even earlier to cook. The mother and daughter duo used this time to catch up and gossip.

Ethan, Mark, and Jordan joined the family, greeting everyone warmly. Jordan, as always, had his usual antics on full display.

“Don’t mind me if I grab the biggest piece of bacon,” he said with a grin, reaching for the platter.

“Jordan, you’re shameless,” Jessica teased, swatting his hand away playfully.

Josh and Joshua could not help but laugh at Jordan as they sat down. There were other dishes on the table, too: scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit.

Just as they were about to eat, a loud knock at the front door interrupted them. It was not the friendly knock that you used to get. The sound filled the house and broke the happy atmosphere.

Julie’s face instantly paled. Her hand froze mid-motion, and she exchanged a worried glance with Harold. The twins stopped eating, their expressions turning tense.

Ethan and Mark, ever observant, immediately picked up on the shift. They looked at each other without speaking, both feeling that something was wrong.

Julie stood up quickly and wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said, her voice tense.

Harold leaned back in his chair, looking concerned. Josh and Joshua shared worried looks; their usual playfulness was gone.

Jessica noticed the tension and leaned toward her brothers. “What’s going on?” she asked quietly.

Neither of them answered. Josh looked away and Joshua shook his head as if to dismiss her question.

Jordan, always the curious one, leaned forward. “Hey, what’s going on? You guys look like someone just walked in with a ghost story.”

The twins did not reply and looked nervously at the front door.

Then, a loud sound of glass breaking filled the air. Everyone stopped, and the sound echoed through the house.

“Mom!” Jessica shouted, bolting up from her seat and running toward the front door.

Ethan and Mark were on their feet in an instant, following closely behind. The rest of the group was not far behind them.

As they reached the front door, they saw the scene outside. Four men stood on the porch, their presence radiating menace.

Three of them clutched baseball bats, their expressions cold and unyielding. The fourth man, standing at the front, held a gun in his hand.

Julie was standing just inside the doorframe, her hands trembling as she backed away. Her face was pale, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

“Damn it, a gun again?” Jordan muttered as he arrived behind Ethan, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.

Jessica pushed forward, her voice filled with panic. “Mom! What’s happening?”

The leader of the group, a thin man with a mean smile, looked at Jessica and tilted his head. He let out a low whistle.

"Well, well," he said, his voice filled with mockery. “Is this Jessica Moore? I never imagined Joseph Moore had such a beautiful daughter.”

“Dad? What does he have to do with this?” Jessica asked, clearly confused. “What are you talking about?”

The man ignored her question, his grin widening. “If I’d known Joseph had a daughter like you, he could’ve just handed you over to settle his debt. Of course, with your body.”

The four of them laughed loudly. The man wanted to say more, but before he could speak, Ethan started moving.

In a flash, he appeared in front of the man, his movements swift and precise.

With a single, controlled motion, Ethan grabbed the man’s wrist, twisting it painfully and forcing the gun upward. The weapon was now pointed directly under the man’s chin.

Ethan’s voice was cold and commanding, sending a chill through everyone present. “Say that again,” he ordered, his grip tightening.

The man winced but didn’t lose his composure. Behind him, the three with baseball bats tensed, ready to act, but the leader raised his free hand, signaling them to stay back.

The leader sneered, his expression defiant despite the situation. “Who the hell are you? And what makes you think you can get in the way? It’s up to me how I settle this debt—it’s none of your business.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What debt? How much?”

The man’s grin widened, his gaze gleaming with malice. “Why? Do you want to pay the million dollars Joseph owes me?”

Julie gasped audibly, her voice trembling. “What do you mean? You said Joseph only owed you half a million!”

The man laughed cruelly. “Oh, that’s what Joseph owes me, all right. But the other half a million? That’s what this brat owes me—for trying to attack me.” He threw his head back and laughed like a maniac, the sound grating and filled with malice.

Mark and Jordan exchanged glances, their bodies tensed, ready to leap into action. Both were prepared to take on the three bat-wielding thugs if Ethan gave the word.

But Ethan didn’t move a muscle. Instead, his grip on the leader’s wrist tightened ever so slightly. His expression was icy, calm, and calculating. He couldn’t risk escalating things with the Moores standing just behind him.

This wasn’t just about him—there was an elderly man with a heart condition, two young boys, and a terrified mother. Jessica, too, stood frozen, her face pale but resolute.

A show of violence here might protect them momentarily but could also make things far worse later.

Ethan’s tone was low, steady, and chilling. “You said a million, right? Fine. Give me a location, and I’ll bring it to you in two hours. I need to call my parents for the money.”

The leader’s cruel grin faltered slightly, his brow furrowing in disbelief. “You’re serious?”

Ethan didn’t blink. “A million. Cash. But I’ll need time to get it together.”

Julie gasped behind him. “Ethan, no—”

Ethan raised a hand without looking back, silencing her. His gaze remained locked on the man in front of him.

For a moment, the leader hesitated as if trying to decide whether Ethan was bluffing. Then his grin returned, broader and greedier than ever.

“Smart choice, rich boy,” the leader sneered.

“Here’s the deal. Two hours. Don’t make me wait. If you do…” His grin turned darker as he gestured toward the house with a jerk of his chin. “I’ll come back, and when I do, there won’t be a house—or a family—left to save.”

Jessica stiffened, and Harold’s grip on his chair tightened. Josh and Joshua exchanged worried glances, their youthful bravado slipping away.

Ethan’s voice cut through the tension. “Just tell me where to go.”

The leader nodded toward his group, signaling them to back off. “Meet me at my warehouse on Millers Lane. Just ask around, everyone know where it is.”

Ethan nodded curtly, his expression unreadable.

The group began to walk away, but the leader paused when they reached Ethan’s car. His eyes glinted as he ran a hand over the glossy finish. “This your car?”

Ethan didn’t respond, his jaw tightening.

The leader laughed and turned back to his men. “Nice ride. If you’re playing games, rich boy, I’ll take this car, burn the house, and take the girl. Got it?”

Ethan remained silent, his expression unflinching.

Satisfied with his threat, the leader gestured to one of his lackeys. “Hey, show this kid what happens if he tries to mess with me. Hit the car.”

The thug hesitated, glancing nervously at the sleek vehicle. “Boss, this thing looks expensive…”

The leader scowled. “I said hit it!”

Swallowing hard, the thug gripped his bat and swung it at the side of the car.

CLANG!

A loud, metallic reverberation filled the air as the bat ricocheted off the car’s surface, sending the thug stumbling backward.

“Ahhh!” the man yelled, dropping the bat and clutching his hands. “My hands! What the hell is this thing made of?!”

Jordan couldn’t help himself. “What’s the matter, buddy? Did the big bad car hurt you?” he quipped, smirking.

Even Mark let out a rare chuckle. “Guess you need to hit the gym,” he muttered under his breath.

The leader frowned, looking between the car and his lackey, whose fingers were already swelling. “What the hell…” he muttered, stepping closer to inspect the vehicle.

Ethan finally spoke, his tone dripping with mockery. “Oh, did I forget to mention? It’s reinforced steel. Custom-built. You’d need a wrecking ball to even scratch it.”

The leader’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he waved his men forward. “Let’s go. Two hours, rich boy. Don’t be late.”

The group retreated down the driveway, their presence like a storm cloud slowly dissipating.

Once they were out of sight, Jessica turned to Ethan, her voice shaking. “What are you doing? You can’t pay them a million dollars!”

Ethan exhaled slowly, his gaze still fixed on the retreating figures. “Don’t worry. I’m not planning to.”

Jordan grinned. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

Mark nodded, his expression serious. “What’s the plan, Ethan?”

Ethan’s lips curved into a faint, confident smile. “We’ve got two hours to figure it out. And trust me—they’re not getting a single cent.”