Jessica sipped her latte and tightened her fingers around the mug as she looked at Jordan. They were sitting at a cozy cafe near Crescent Ridge.

The sounds of other patrons filled the air. Besides, there was the hissing sound of the coffee machine, and its aroma really relaxed the coffee lovers.

“How are you able to stay this calm, Jordan?” Jessica asked, her voice sharper than she meant.

She set her cup down. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the man in front of him. Jordan was too relaxed with everything that was going on.

Jordan chuckled. “Calm? You don't know me well enough, Jessica. I’m trembling inside,” he said with a grin.

He tapped the edge of his cappuccino cup rhythmically. “But freaking out is not going to help, is it?”

Jessica’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You make it sound like this is just another day for you.”

Jordan shrugged. “Starting from today, I believe it kind of is. I mean, everything is a mess, but isn’t that just how life is now? Besides…”

He turned his head towards the cafe patio's edge, where Ezra stood with his arms crossed and looked around. “We’ve got Ezra and Yamal playing bodyguards. If anything happens, we’re covered.”

Jessica looked where Jordan was staring and saw Yamal leaning against a nearby lamppost. He seemed relaxed, but something was threatening about him.

“Jordan, that’s not the point,” she said, letting out a sharp breath. “It’s not just about being safe physically. It’s…” She paused and fidgeted with the edge of a napkin.

Jordan’s playful grin faded slightly. He straightened in his chair, bringing it back onto all four legs. “It’s what?” he asked gently.

Jessica hesitated, her gaze dropping to her cup. “It’s about everything else. Ethan. You. Nova Tech. My family. It’s like… like I’m dragging everyone into my problems.”

Jordan let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “Jessica, trust me on this—Ethan didn’t need you to start attracting trouble. The guy’s practically a magnet for it. If anything, you’re the least of his worries.”

Jessica shot him a look, her brows furrowing. “That’s not funny.”

“Who’s laughing?” Jordan said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “But seriously, Ethan doesn’t see it that way. None of us do."

He took a deep breath before adding, "Believe me. You're never a burden."

Jessica’s expression softened at Jordan's remark. Still, her worry could be seen on her face. “I'm sorry," she muttered.

"I feel like I'm attracting the trouble now. Trust me, I never want anyone else to get hurt or be dragged into trouble because of me."

Jordan leaned forward, his mind racing as he tried to construct the best possible sentence to comfort Jessica. “Listen, Jessica. This whole thing? It was not even your fault."

"Let's see it like this. The gunshot? That Lucien guy was crazy. Donald the loan shark? Well, it was your father, but it wasn't you. So stop beating yourself up about it," he continued.

Jessica nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “Thanks, Jordan.”

“Anytime,” he said with a wink, picking up his cup. “Now, if you’re done worrying, maybe we can actually enjoy this coffee.”

Jessica chuckled softly, the tension between them easing as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Meanwhile, not too far away, Ezra smirked and nudged Yamal lightly with his elbow. “Well, it seems like our new boss might miss his chance,” he said in a low voice. “That Jordan brat is way too good with words. And he’s got the looks, too.”

Yamal chuckled, his deep laughter rumbling quietly as he glanced toward the café. “You should take notes, Ezra. That kid’s got more charm than you’ve ever managed to muster. Maybe he could teach you a thing or two. I’ve heard you’ve got the saddest love stories—or do you even have any?”

Ezra rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a faint grin. “Love stories? Please. I've experienced enough heartbreak to fill three lifetimes. If I haven't shared anything with you, it's because that's for the best.”

Yamal raised an eyebrow, his amusement growing. “So, no stories. Just heartbreak. Figures.”

Ezra shook his head, his expression sobering slightly as his gaze drifted back to the café. “Still, I don’t think Ethan’s helping Jessica because he’s got feelings for her."

Yamal was confused as he asked, "What do you mean?"

"A guy like him, with everything he’s juggling—wealth, power, all these new responsibilities? He’s too overwhelmed to think about things like that. Love’s probably the last thing on his mind,” Ezra replied.

Yamal tilted his head, considering Ezra’s words. “Makes sense. He’s new to all this. Barely has time to breathe, let alone deal with the emotional minefield of relationships.”

Ezra nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “And with the dangers we’re dealing with—the LaRues, Donald’s mess, everything else—who has time to even think about romance? Survival comes first.”

Yamal smiled as he leaned against the lamppost. “That’s true. But sometimes, unexpected moments can affect you the most. A guy like Ethan might not notice, but life has a way of surprising you.”

Ezra looked at the cafe. He narrowed his sharp eyes as he checked the area around him. “You think Ethan’s learned about the Ascendant stuff yet?” he asked casually, his voice low.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Yamal, who had been gazing toward the distant horizon, tilted his head slightly before replying. “I’d wager Mark and Maya have already told him,” he said thoughtfully.

He then added, “Maybe even started teaching him. He has great potential. But, to protect everything he has—his family, friends, and company—he needs the power to keep it safe.”

Ezra nodded, his expression contemplative. “Makes sense. A guy like Ethan? He doesn’t strike me as someone who’s content to rely on others forever. He’ll want to stand on his own.”

Yamal’s gaze remained steady on the skyline, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “He’s lucky to have Mark and Maya as his tutors. They’re the best there is.”

Ezra chuckled softly, his usual smirk returning. “Yeah, they’re not exactly gentle, though. Maya especially. She’s as tough as they come.”

“Which is why they’re perfect for him,” Yamal said, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. “They’ll push him harder than he thinks he can handle. But that’s how you grow. I’ve seen it before.”

Ezra raised an eyebrow as he noticed a slight change in Yamal’s tone. “Don't tell me you're thinking about that time?” he asked, his smirk turning into a real smile.

Yamal let out a low chuckle, nodding slightly. “Yeah. Back when we were green and thought we knew everything. Mark and Maya straightened us out, didn’t they?”

Ezra laughed quietly, shaking his head. “Straightened us out? More like breaking us down and rebuilding us from scratch. They didn’t hold back.”

Yamal turned to look at Ezra, his expression warm with shared memory. “And we’re better for it. Ethan will be, too.”

Ezra leaned back against the lamppost with his arms crossed. He looked again at the cafe. “Yeah, he will. If he can survive the training, he’ll be unstoppable.”

Yamal grinned. “If he can’t handle them, he won’t be able to face the world he is entering.”

The two fell into a comfortable silence. They continued to watch Jordan and Jessica. That was their duty for the time being.

Both Ezra and Yamal believed that this was just the calm before the storm.

***

Ethan was in his bedroom, lying on the bed. The only thing he could see was the ceiling; there was nothing special about it.

There were too many things going on inside of his mind right now.

The past week felt like a blur. A nonstop series of events left him no time to breathe.

The Unlimited System changed his life completely. What began as an unusual discovery quickly turned into responsibilities and dangers he never expected.

He had launched a company, faced off against violent thugs, survived a gunshot incident, and confronted a dangerous loan shark like Donald.

He thought about the Moores—Jessica, her family, and the mess her father had left behind. Ethan had stepped in to help, but had he done enough? Or had he simply invited more danger into all their lives?

"Damn it. That Donald. Lucien... How am I going to face them?" Ethan wondered aloud.

The image of Donald’s sneering face flashed in his mind, followed by the memory of the Five Ghosts, especially Mark and Maya, whose skills and presence had both impressed and intimidated him.

He felt like a beginner, just a participant in a world filled with players who were much more skilled and powerful than he was.

“This is too much for me to take,” he whispered to himself, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “And a lot to learn.”

Of course, he did not want to experience the life he used to have. Not having enough money was a problem. Having unlimited money was a problem, too.

Ethan took a deep breath, forcing himself to sit up. He ran a hand through his hair. "What should I do now?" he wondered.

He chose to open the Mission Panel on the system, noting the two active missions: hiring twenty staff and transforming the Nova Tech office into something grand.

Both missions were progressing well, and he was confident they’d be completed within a day or two.

A faint smile crossed his lips as he considered the rewards. “Let’s hope the surprise from the office mission is worth it,” he murmured.

He set the system aside and exhaled deeply, clearing his mind. Mark and Maya’s training resurfaced in his thoughts, particularly their lessons about forming the Ascendant Core and the breathing technique.

The breathing technique they’d taught him had seemed simple at first, but the depth of focus it required made it a true challenge.

'Let's give it a try.'

Ethan sat cross-legged on the floor in the middle of his room. He straightened his back and started breathing deeply: inhale, pause, and exhale slowly.

He visualized the energy within him condensing, as Mark had instructed, forming a faint glow beneath his chest.

At first, his mind wandered, the stress of recent events making it hard to concentrate. But gradually, the rhythm of his breathing took over, pulling him into a meditative calm.

For a fleeting moment, he felt warmth at his center—a faint pulse of energy that seemed to align with his breath. It was small, fragile, but undeniably there.

Ethan opened his eyes slowly and leaned back with a soft sigh. He wasn’t there yet, but he was making progress.

'I felt it for a moment,' Ethan sighed inwardly. 'Is this what the system wanted me to be?'

Ethan wondered if being an Ascendant was meant for him, as he had not received any mission related to it. Did he need to receive a mission first, or could he chart his own path?

'I'm using my head way too much now.' He chuckled at the thought.

He recalled that Mark had mentioned his physique was already good enough to start developing the core since it had surpassed the standard.

Ethan wondered what would happen if he managed to form the Ascendant Core if his attributes were higher than they currently were.

He opened up the panel. It appeared immediately in front of him.

=====

[Status Panel]

Name: Ethan Cole

Level: 5

EXP: 14000 / 15000

Ascension Points: 0

Wealth: Unlimited

Physical Stats:

* Strength: 47

* Speed: 47

* Endurance: 47

* Intelligence: 46

* Charisma: 46

=====

'All are nearing 50 points...' Ethan thought. 'I'll receive 10 Ascension Points when I complete the hiring mission. But I don't have any more potions that I could buy.'

His hope now rested on the rewards he would receive upon completing the office mission. If those rewards included an increase in points for all attributes, that would be ideal.

Once that occurred, he could concentrate on forming the core.

"I just need to wait, then," Ethan said, trying to comfort himself.

Ethan closed the panel and breathed out slowly, feeling the weight of everything he had been through.

He shook his head and lay back on the bed, closing his eyes. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he was ready to face them.

Outside his house, a figure in a long, dark cloak blended into the shadows of the moonlit night. The guards patrolling the area did not notice the figure; their sharp eyes swept past without stopping.

The figure’s hood obscured the face, but the faint glint of piercing eyes shone briefly beneath the fabric as they stared at the grand house before them.

A low, almost inaudible voice broke the silence, each word deliberate, carrying an eerie weight.

“Ethan Cole… your time is running out.”

The figure stood still for a moment. Then, with a soft rustling sound, they disappeared into the darkness, leaving no sign of being there.

The night remained calm, but the air carried a subtle shift as though the threads of fate had been stirred. Inside, Ethan slept soundly, unaware that unseen eyes had already marked him.