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Ethan Cole [Book One: The Unlimited System]
Chapter 68: Time to Form the Core

Chapter 68: Time to Form the Core

Ethan sat at his desk in the study, surrounded by stacks of research papers. Well, he printed everything that caught his attention. The quiet night was only interrupted by the soft sound of paper rustling, the occasional scratch of his pen, and his typing on the keyboard.

The room was simple but functional—his own private corner where he could focus without distractions.

Stacks of papers covered the desk: biology, chemistry, engineering, and even medicine. Tonight, however, his attention was fixed on understanding the science behind the LaRues’ bio-weapons and artificial Ascendants. After seeing their devastating power in the recorded video shown by Yamal, Ethan knew he had to be ready.

He picked up a research paper on genetic engineering and underlined a section that caught his eye: “Genetic modification has the potential to enhance human abilities beyond natural limits.”

He paused, reading the sentence again. This was the kind of technology the LaRues were using—pushing science to its limits to create powerful, artificial beings. If he wanted to fight them, he needed to understand their methods and find a way to counter them.

Next, he skimmed through blueprints of advanced weapons. He compared them with what he had seen in Mark’s battle footage. Ethan has an eidetic memory, which means he can remember every detail of the cloaked figures and their weapons.

As he gathered the information, he started to see a pattern, but it raised more questions than answers. "I don't know if I'm becoming smarter or just knowledgeable," Ethan muttered.

He switched to another stack of papers, this time on nanotechnology. The possibilities fascinated him: tiny machines capable of repairing the body or neutralizing toxins. Could nanotech be the key to defeating the LaRues? He scribbled notes in the margins, his mind racing with ideas.

Hours passed, but Ethan barely noticed. He was completely immersed, his focus razor-sharp. Concepts that might take others days to grasp seemed to click instantly for him.

What Ethan didn’t realize was that his Intelligence attribute had quietly surpassed 150 points, unlocking a level of comprehension far beyond the average human. All he knew was that everything felt clearer, faster—like his mind was operating at full capacity.

Between reading and writing notes, Ethan leaned back in his chair to reflect. His goals for Nova Tech weren’t just about leading the company or growing his wealth.

He wanted Nova Tech to be a global force for innovation—exploring space and the deep ocean and even unlocking the secrets of the human body. These studies weren’t just preparation for the battle against the LaRues; they were building the foundation for the future.

As he flipped through a paper on countermeasures for biochemical warfare, his thoughts shifted to the bigger picture. How could these weapons be neutralized? What made the artificial Ascendants so dangerous, and where were their weaknesses?

Ethan jotted down his ideas as they came, each one sharper and more precise than the last.

“Time for a break,” he said to himself. He pushed his chair back and stood up, stretching his arms overhead. The faint sound of his joints popping felt good. It reminded him that his body needed care, too, even with all his mental work.

As he walked around the room, he thought about the useful knowledge he had just gained. The research was more than theoretical now; it was practical and actionable.

He had a clear sense of what needed to be done to counter the LaRues’ bio-weapons and artificial Ascendants. But to take the next step, he needed more than just ideas. He needed a space to bring them to life.

He looked out the window at the city lights shining in the distance. “A lab,” he said softly, the idea taking root in his mind. “I need a lab.”

Nova Tech had state-of-the-art facilities, but he wanted something private, something he could control entirely. A lab in his home would allow him to work without limitations or interruptions. He could freely try and experiment with new ideas, explore limits, and create the technologies that he had been thinking about.

He chuckled softly, thinking about what his staff would say if they knew their CEO wanted to turn his house into a modern research facility. “They might think I’m crazy,” he said, shaking his head.

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Ethan walked to one of the large windows in the study. His eyes looked outside. The idea of being more than just a tech mogul, of transcending the ordinary definitions of success, filled him with a sense of purpose. It wasn’t just about wealth anymore. It wasn’t even about power.

The vision was grander than that.

"I cannot imagine..." he whispered to himself, "If I am going to be the richest, strongest, and smartest man alive." He spoke those words not to brag but as a quiet reminder of his potential to himself.

That was when he felt that he should check his Status Panel.

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[Status Panel]

Name: Ethan Cole

Level: 7

EXP: 22000 / 28000

Ascension Points: 4

Wealth: Unlimited

Attributes:

* Strength: 102

* Speed: 102

* Endurance: 102

* Intelligence: 152

* Charisma: 110

=====

“152 points already?” Ethan was shocked.

For a moment, he stared, his surprise giving way to understanding. It made sense. After all the hours spent studying, it was logical that his intelligence had gone above 150 points. He could feel his mind becoming sharper.

Ethan took a deep breath. "I believe this is the time."

This was the moment he had been waiting for. His goal was not just to learn; it was to take the next step in becoming an Ascendant. And now, with all his attributes aligned and his mind honed, he could finally form his core. The thought of waiting any longer felt unbearable. Mark was out there, and Ethan had a mission to complete.

He moved away from the window. He looked around to find the best place for his next action. "I guess here will be okay."

Ethan quickly cleared a space in the center of the study. He sat cross-legged on the floor. He was feeling extremely nervous. He had nobody to guide him this time around. Mark was captured, Maya was trying to calm herself, and the others of the Five Ghosts were busy with their duties.

Once again, Ethan took a deep breath. "Here we go," he said.

The room became completely silent, save for Ethan's rhythmic breathing. He allowed his mind to clear. That was when he recalled the breathing and core-forming technique that Mark had taught him.

“Breathe in… feel the energy…” Ethan said quietly, remembering what Mark had told him. He took deep breaths and tried to forget everything around him.

As Ethan got used to the breathing pattern, he focused on the next step. He recalled the memory of the Ascendant Core Forming technique, a mental blueprint etched into his mind from Mark’s detailed explanations.

The technique required precision and balance. Forming an Ascendant Core wasn’t just about raw power; it was about channeling energy from every part of himself—mind, body, and spirit—into a singular, condensed point within his body. A core that would become the foundation of his strength as an Ascendant.

"Let's get this done quickly," Ethan said in determination. He was feeling confident that he could do this successfully.

He closed his eyes and imagined his body as a system of energy. He felt alive and full of potential. He sensed the strength in his muscles, limbs, and core.

With a deep inhale, he began drawing the energy inward. It was like pulling threads from every corner of his body, weaving them together into a single, concentrated point just below his navel. The energy was warm, vibrant, and powerful, swirling in a steady rhythm as he gathered more and more.

The process was intense. Sweat formed on his brow, and his body trembled slightly under the sheer effort of maintaining control. But Ethan didn’t waver. His focus was absolute, his mind clear as he guided the energy with precision.

The swirling energy grew denser and brighter until it felt like a miniature sun burning within him. It pulsed with power, each thrum resonating through his entire being.

“Almost there,” Ethan muttered, his voice tight with effort. He steadied his breathing, ensuring the flow of energy remained smooth.

Finally, with one last surge of concentration, he compressed the energy into its final form. A brilliant, compact core of golden light and power solidified within him, radiating a warmth that spread through his entire body.

Ethan exhaled slowly, opening his eyes. His vision was sharper, and his senses heightened. He could feel the core within him, like a wellspring of limitless energy waiting to be tapped into.

The system chimed in his mind, its tone triumphant.

=====

[Congratulations! Core Formation Complete!]

Ascendant Rank: One-Star Golden Ascendant (Lower)

Your core is unique and imbued with golden energy, granting unlimited potential.

=====

Ethan opened his eyes, his pupils now glowing faintly with a golden hue. His senses felt sharper, his thoughts clearer, and his body lighter yet more powerful. But before he could process the transformation fully, the system’s sound of notification chimed once again.

=====

[Mystery Rewards Unlocked!]

1. Eternal Dragon Codex:

A legendary cultivation technique passed down by ancient Ascendants. The Eternal Dragon Codex contains the secrets of ultimate cultivation, techniques to master energy manipulation, and the history of Ascendants. This codex will grow with you, revealing more as your rank increases.

2. Divine Eyes:

Your eyes have awakened to divine truth. You can discern lies, hidden intentions, and the true nature of people and objects. Additionally, you can sense the rank of any Ascendant or anything, no matter how well they try to conceal it.

3. Attribute Boost:

All attributes increased to 300 points.

======

Ethan inhaled sharply as a rush of energy surged through him. His muscles tightened, his vision sharpened, and his mind expanded. He felt as though his very being had been reforged in golden fire.

“One-Star Golden Ascendant…” Ethan muttered. He was unfamiliar with the ranking system, but he believed he might be different than the others.