The afternoon sun was low in the sky, creating long shadows as Ethan walked toward the warehouse. He felt his heart race with worry and dread. He had never faced a situation like this before, especially with so many lives at stake.

"Please... I hope everything is fine," Ethan muttered. He hoped—prayed—that everything would be fine. But deep down, a gnawing voice whispered the truth: he was too late.

He could somehow sense it. "Damn it! Why didn't I act sooner?" he cursed himself. He had wasted time trying to find Jordan and Jessica when he should have come here right away. He had been searching for them first because he was worried the text message might be a trap.

Ethan reached the warehouse door and hesitated for a brief moment. The faint sounds of shouting and battle echoed from within. His chest tightened. The massive doors were closed due to the battle's impact.

Without another thought, he kicked the door open, the rusted hinges creaking violently as the heavy metal slab slammed against the wall.

The scene in front of him shocked him.

Horror.

Jessica knelt on the ground, holding Jordan’s unconscious body, which was covered in blood. She was crying, her shoulders shaking as she called his name repeatedly. Jordan’s limp form rested beside them, Jessica’s arms protectively wrapped around him.

Ethan’s eyes moved to Jordan. Two deep wounds marred his stomach—one from a blade, the other clearly from a bullet. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the floor a dark crimson. Ethan struggled to breathe as he took in the chaotic scene. His mind raced, urging him to understand what was happening more quickly.

[A/N: I purposely skipped a few scenes to be told in later chapters.]

“Jordan…” Ethan whispered softly, almost too quietly to hear. His fists clenched at his sides as he fought the rising panic. "What's happening?"

Steve stood in front of them, his towering frame acting as a shield. His massive combat axe hung loosely in his grip, its blade scorched and chipped from battle.

The area behind him was black, showing signs of a violent fight that had happened. Steve was breathing heavily, and sweat dripped from his forehead. Yet he stood firm, his back to Jessica and Jordan as if daring anyone to take a step closer.

Opposite them was Lucien, bloodied and battered but still standing. His suit was torn, and his breathing was quick and uneven. Behind him stood Mike and Taison, looking serious and tense, ready to act at any moment.

Ethan looked to the side, where three other people lay on the ground. Verran, Kaida, and Dravik. Their conditions were worse than Lucien’s, their bodies broken and unmoving, but they were alive for now.

At the far end of the warehouse, Donald stood, his face twisted in a mix of desperation and sadistic glee. His trembling hand held a gun pressed against the head of Joseph Moore, Jessica’s father. Joseph knelt, his body slumped in defeat, his eyes half-closed as if accepting his fate.

“Ethan…” Jessica said, her voice breaking. She looked up, her eyes filled with tears as she stared at him. “Please… help.”

Before Ethan could say anything, a loud gunshot echoed through the air.

Joseph’s body jerked violently. Part of his head exploded into a spray of blood. He fell to the ground and lay there, lifeless.

“No! Dad!” Jessica's scream was loud and raw. She tried to run to her father, but Steve held her back with his strong arm.

Donald laughed, his voice grating and filled with malice. He raised the gun again, this time pointing it directly at Jessica.

“Now, now,” Donald sneered. “Don’t make me—”

Ethan didn’t let him finish. Something inside him snapped. The sight of Jessica’s anguish, of Jordan’s bloodied form, of Steve’s battered state—combined with the sheer audacity of Donald’s cruelty—unleashed a fury he couldn’t contain.

“Enough,” Ethan said, his voice low and shaking with anger. He moved quickly, a flash of golden light following him.

Mike and Taison’s eyes widened in shock, their senses struggling to keep up with the speed. Even Lucien, with all his enhancements, flinched as Ethan passed them, his movement almost imperceptible.

"What the—" Lucien was surprised to see how quickly Ethan was moving. A thought formed in his mind. Ethan was an Ascendant, too! He wondered how long Ethan had been one.

Donald barely had time to react. Ethan punched him in the face, and the impact knocked him backward like a ragdoll. Donald’s body slammed into the warehouse wall with a sickening crunch. The sound of the bones in his face shattered could be heard clearly. He fell to the ground, his empty eyes staring straight ahead.

Ethan faced the others with an unreadable expression. His body radiated power, and the golden aura surrounded him with sheer intensity. His hands tightened and relaxed as if he was trying to control the immense force inside him.

"Donald!" The three Ascendants hired by Donald were still alive but struggled to stand. They looked at each other and then at Ethan. Verran was the first to move, his wiry frame darting forward with surprising speed.

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

“You’ll pay for that!” he snarled, his wind elemental energy swirling around him in a deadly vortex.

Ethan didn’t hesitate. With a single motion, he sidestepped Verran’s attack and brought his hand down in a swift, precise arc. His fingers, coated in golden energy, sliced clean through Verran’s neck. The Wind Ascendant’s head hit the ground with a dull thud, his body crumpling beside it.

Kaida let out a roar, her earth elemental power surging as she charged at Ethan. Jagged rocks erupted from the ground, hurtling toward him like missiles. Ethan’s eyes narrowed his movements fluid as he weaved through the projectiles.

In a blur of motion, he closed the distance and drove his hand into Kaida’s chest. The golden energy surrounding him amplified his strength, shattering her earth armor and piercing through her body. Kaida gasped, blood trickling from her lips before she collapsed.

Dravik, battered and desperate, ignited his sword with a final burst of fire. He lunged at Ethan, his flames roaring with defiance.

Ethan didn’t flinch. His hand shot out, gripping Dravik’s face with an ironclad hold. The golden energy surged once more, and with a single motion, he crushed Dravik’s skull. The fire was extinguished instantly as the lifeless body fell to the ground.

Ethan stood among the destruction, trying to control his anger as he breathed heavily. His golden aura shone around him, contrasting sharply with the blood and destruction around him.

Jessica’s choked sobs pulled him back to reality. He turned, his gaze softening as he saw her clutching Jordan’s limp form. Steve stood nearby, his expression weary but stunned. "Ethan... How in the world..."

He could not make sense of anything right now. Everything felt overwhelming and difficult for him to process. Just a day ago, Ethan was not an Ascendant, but now he could match and easily defeat Three-Star Ascendants—three of them!

Besides, Ethan radiated a golden glow from his body. Steve could only think of the legendary ranks: Bronze, Silver, and Golden Ascendants. Even a Bronze Ascendant was a rarity, let alone a Golden Ascendant.

Mark was such a rarity, too. He was a High Three-Star Bronze Ascendant. That was the reason why the LaRues wanted him.

Mike and Taison shared the same thought. They knew well that it was going to be a losing battle for each side if they continued. However, Lucien was smiling. He wanted to have a taste of Ethan's power.

This was all a result of the pill he had taken. The pill was an advanced version designed to amplify an Ascendant's power. In addition to creating artificial Ascendants, the LaRues also developed this pill, which had been perfected using Mark's blood essence.

Lucien laughed maniacally. "I never imagined that you were an Ascendant. I don't believe you were one that night."

He paused for a moment before giving a cynical smile. "How on Earth did you achieve this? But you know what? You will be a perfect subject for our research."

"Your stupid research..." Ethan clenched his fists, his voice low but resolute. “It ends now.”

Lucien stood tall, his bloodied face splitting into a wide, almost deranged grin. He reached into his pocket and retrieved another silver pill, the polished surface glinting ominously in the fading light of the warehouse.

Jessica’s anguished sobs filled the room, but Ethan’s focus was entirely on Lucien. He could feel the shift in energy, the growing menace that radiated from the man. His body tensed, ready to move.

Lucien raised the pill to his lips, his expression wild with anticipation. “I didn’t think today would turn out like this,” he said, laughing darkly. “But since you’ve decided to grace us with your power, Ethan Cole, I think it’s time I show you what true strength looks like.”

“Don’t do it!” Mike’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. He stepped forward, his eyes wide with alarm. “Young Master, stop this foolishness! That pill isn’t meant to be used consecutively. Your body—”

“Stay out of this, you fool!” Lucien barked, his voice trembling with rage and madness. “This is my fight, and I’ll decide how it ends!”

Taison moved beside Mike; his expression was equally grim. “Young Master, this isn’t the way. We’re already outmatched. Stand down before—”

“Silence!” Lucien roared, his aura flaring violently. He glared at his two guards, his hand tightening around the pill. “If you don’t help me, then stay out of my way!”

But before Lucien could pop the pill into his mouth, Mike moved. In a blur of motion, faster than most could register, Mike appeared behind Lucien. With a swift and precise chop to the back of his neck, Lucien’s body stiffened before collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

“You’ve gone too far,” Mike said, his voice cold and firm. He looked down at Lucien, who was unconscious and clenched his jaw. “We serve you, yes. But we don’t follow blindly. This isn’t loyalty. It’s work.”

Taison stepped forward, his gaze shifting to Ethan. His tone was calm, almost conciliatory. “Let’s stop this here, Ethan. None of us will get out alive if this continues.”

Ethan's golden aura flickered as he stared at Taison. His fists were tight, but his eyes showed some uncertainty. He felt the weight of the destruction around him, Jessica’s desperate screams, and the sight of Jordan bleeding out on the ground pulled at him.

Taison’s voice softened, though his expression remained firm. “Your friend,” he said, nodding toward Jordan. “He needs medical attention immediately. This fight is pointless.”

Ethan glanced over his shoulder at Jordan. He felt a burning rage when he saw his friend’s pale, bloodied face. Anger mixed with the reality that Jordan wouldn’t last much longer without help.

“Fine,” Ethan said, his voice tight. His aura dimmed slightly, his energy settling as he turned his back on Mike and Taison. He blurred as he sped toward Jordan.

"Jordan..." He knelt next to Jordan and pressed his hand on his friend's wound to slow the bleeding.

As the tension in the room eased, Jessica pulled away from Ethan and walked toward her father's body. She fell to her knees and touched his still-warm face with trembling hands.

“Dad…” Her voice cracked. It sounded broken and echoed in the empty warehouse. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook him gently, wishing he would wake up. “Please… no. Not like this.”

Ethan turned, his heart breaking at the sight. He approached her slowly, his movements heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his golden aura flickering faintly.

"I'm sorry, Jessica," Ethan said gently, his voice showing he cared.

Jessica looked at him, her face wet with tears and full of pain. “Why, Ethan? Why did this have to happen?” she choked out, her sobs wracking her body.

Ethan had no answers. He closed his eyes and bowed his head, feeling her pain. There were no words to lessen the sorrow of loss and no comfort to heal the wounds caused by tragedy.

Steve finally lowered his axe behind them. He felt tired, and his body sagged with exhaustion. He glanced at Mike and Taison, his eyes narrowing in warning. “You made the right choice,” he said quietly. “But if I see you again, there won’t be a discussion.”

Mike didn’t respond. He simply nodded, then motioned to Taison. They hefted Lucien’s unconscious body and began to retreat, their footsteps echoing in the now-quiet warehouse.

Ethan watched them leave, his jaw tight. The battle was over, but the war continued. For now, his focus was on the people he could still save.

“We need to move,” Ethan said. His voice was steady, even though he felt a storm of emotions inside. He looked at Steve, who nodded in understanding.

“Let’s get Jordan to the hospital quickly,” Steve agreed.

Ethan knelt beside Jessica and helped her stand up. “We will handle this,” he said. “I will take care of your father.”