The low rumble of the engine hummed steadily as one of the black sedans trailed a safe distance behind Ethan’s car.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense, though not from the mission itself—this kind of work had become routine for the men inside. Their doubts about the orders they received created tension.

Taison gripped the wheel tightly and frowned. He muttered, “What is the young master thinking?” His frustration was clear.

He added, “Yesterday, he said to wait—to let these people climb higher so they’d fall harder. Now today, he’s got us following them like it’s some damn action movie. And worse, he wants us to kidnap that woman.”

Beside him, Mike sat silently, his arms crossed and his sharp gaze fixed on the car ahead. Unlike Taison, who voiced his thoughts freely, Mike preferred to keep his opinions to himself—most of the time.

But Taison’s words struck a chord.

“That’s one of the things I hate about him,” Taison continued, his tone lower but no less irked. “He’s horny as hell. Can’t keep his mind straight when there’s a woman involved. It’s like the guy has no off switch.”

Mike finally spoke, his tone calm but firm. “Keep it down. We work for him. Complaining isn’t going to change anything.”

Taison snorted but obliged. “Doesn’t make it right, though. You know it as well as I do.”

Mike did not respond right away. His silence spoke volumes. Although they both worked for Lucien LaRue, who belonged to one of the most powerful families in Arkansas, they did not always agree with him.

Lucien was 25 years old, young and ambitious. He had a lot of energy and came from the wealthy LaRue family, so he was used to getting what he wanted. However, his impulsiveness with women was becoming a concern.

His sense of entitlement increased over time, and his reckless behavior began to show.

“He’s getting spoiled,” Taison muttered. “All that power and wealth are going to his head. Yesterday, he said to wait. Today, he says grab her. What’s it going to be tomorrow?”

Mike adjusted his glasses, his expression neutral but his tone laced with caution. “Spoiled or not, he’s still sharp. The guy’s got a business mind most people would kill for. And let’s not forget, he’s one of the main heirs. He’s not some random kid playing with daddy’s money.”

Mike’s lips then tightened into a thin line. “We don’t get to question the why. All we can do is follow orders. If we don’t…” He trailed off, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

Taison grimaced. “I know... If we don’t, who knows what he’ll do to us.”

The two men sat quietly, their thoughts weighing heavily on them. They had to follow Lucien’s orders, but that didn’t mean they agreed with him.

This order—to kidnap Jessica Moore—felt wrong to both of them.

Mike finally spoke. “No matter what, we’ll complete the job. But we need to be smart about it. No unnecessary risks.”

Taison nodded, relaxing his grip on the steering wheel a bit. “Right. We’ll get it done, one way or another. I just hope the kid knows what he’s doing.”

In front of them, Ethan’s car moved down the highway. The people inside were uneasy about the shadowy presence behind them.

The car was quiet. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine as they drove fast on the highway.

Ethan leaned slightly forward from the backseat, his voice calm but firm. “Mark, what do you think their motives are?”

Mark kept his hands steady on the wheel, watching the road and the rearview mirror. “It’s hard to say,” he answered after a moment. “There could be many reasons. But following us like this? It’s on purpose.”

Jordan, who had been quiet for a moment, turned his head toward Mark. “You think it has anything to do with us starting up Nova Tech? I mean, we’re not exactly low-profile anymore.”

Mark didn’t answer immediately, his expression unreadable. “It could be. But it could also be something else entirely. Power and influence bring enemies, and sometimes, you don’t even know who they are.”

The tension in the car grew as Mark continued. “You’ve heard of the Great Families, right?”

Jessica furrowed her brows, and Jordan tilted his head in curiosity. Ethan nodded slightly, encouraging Mark to elaborate.

“Arkansa, similar to the other states in Arland, the power isn't just with the government or city council,” Mark said, his tone growing serious. “The Great Families influence everything behind the scenes. Each family controls a part of the state—like finance, media, technology, food, and energy. In Novan City, that family is the LaRue Family.”

Jessica’s face paled slightly. “You mean… they run the city?”

Mark nodded. “Them, and a few families trying to rise to their level. But here’s the thing about trying to climb to the top—it’s brutal."

He paused to ensure the people in the car understood how serious their situation was. "Most families that try to get through this end up crushed. They lose their wealth and their good names. A few make it, but they carry scars from the experience."

Ethan leaned back, processing Mark’s words. The idea that the city he lived in was essentially controlled by hidden powers made his stomach churn. 'I thought this kind of thing only happened in movies. But this… this is reality. Money really is power.'

He then thought about the attributes of the Unlimited System, and a realization hit him. 'Is this the reason why I can level up and become stronger?'

Jessica sat quietly, her hands gripping her bag tightly. She didn’t know what to say. The more she learned, the more it all felt like too much.

Jordan, however, broke into a laugh, startling everyone in the car. “So, it’s true! Everything my old man told me was true! He always said that rich and powerful families were secretly running the world. And here we are, smack dab in one of those stories!”

Ethan frowned slightly. “You’re taking this pretty lightly, Jordan.”

Mark nodded, agreeing with Ethan.

Jordan grinned. “Come on, Ethan, this is the kind of stuff I’ve always loved—hidden powers, secret wars, people fighting for control behind the scenes. It’s like living in one of those action-thriller movies.”

He paused, his grin fading slightly as a thought struck him. “Actually… that robbery a few days ago. Do you think that could’ve been connected to this?”

Mark’s eyes flicked to Jordan briefly. “The one at the electronic store?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Yeah,” Jordan said eagerly. “Could something like that be orchestrated by these families?”

Mark nodded, his voice calm but firm. “It’s possible. Things like this happen often. Sometimes they are meant to send a message, other times they serve as a distraction, and sometimes they are just a part of business.”

The car was quiet again, but Jordan was still very excited. He leaned forward, practically buzzing with energy. “What about unique abilities? Like… superpowers? Come on, Mark, you’ve been in the army. You’ve got to have seen some crazy stuff.”

Mark's lips moved slightly, and he smiled just a bit. "I have experienced things that most people would not believe."

Jordan’s eyes lit up. “Like what? Enhanced soldiers? Secret experiments? Are we talking full-on superhero stuff here?”

Mark didn’t answer directly, and his focus was on the road. “I think that’s enough questions for now.”

Jordan leaned back, still grinning. “Man, this trip just keeps getting better.”

Ethan was deep in thought. Mark's words revealed a darker and more complex world than he had ever imagined.

He looked at Jessica, who was deep in thought, and then at Jordan, who was clearly excited.

For the first time, Ethan wondered if getting involved in this world of power and influence was riskier than he had expected.

Suddenly, the four black sedans trailing them sped up, each moving with calculated precision.

One overtook them and swerved into their lane while the others flanked them on either side. The last sedan stayed close behind, boxing them in completely.

Mark’s expression hardened. His voice was calm but edged with urgency. “It’s started. They’re really targeting us.”

That was when a sound chimed in. Ethan quickly had a look.

=====

[Secret Mission: Escaping the Ambush]

Objective: Carefully navigate the current ambush, ensuring that you and your companions—Mark, Jordan, and Jessica—escape unharmed.

Rewards:

1. 5000 EXP

2. 50 Ascension Points

3. 50 Free Attribute Points

=====

'The rewards are too generous,' Ethan thought. He felt uneasy because he believed that the greater the rewards, the greater the risks.

“What’s the plan, Mark?” he asked.

Mark kept his eyes on the road. “For now, stay calm. Let’s see what they will do next.”

Jordan felt nervous in the front seat. He looked at the cars surrounding them. “This is straight out of a bad action movie. What do they want?”

Before Mark could answer, Ethan’s voice cut through the air. “Jessica, Jordan—get down! Now!”

Both hesitated for a moment, startled by the sharpness of his command. His tone showed urgency, leaving no room for disagreement.

They ducked as low as they could in their seats just as a sharp, deafening crack echoed through the air.

A gunshot.

Jessica let out a stifled gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. Jordan pressed himself lower into the seat, his voice trembling. “Did they just shot us?!”

“Yes,” Mark said curtly, his focus unwavering. “But this car is built for situations like this.”

Ethan turned to Mark, his expression composed but tense. “How good is the protection?”

Mark spared him a brief glance. “Very. This is one of the top-tier security vehicles from a private agency. Reinforced panels, bullet-resistant glass, and self-sealing tires. We’ll hold up, but only for so long.”

Another shot rang out, hitting the rear of the car. The sound reverberated through the vehicle, but there was no damage beyond a faint metallic thud. Mark’s hands tightened on the wheel as he assessed their options.

“They’re trying to box us in,” Mark muttered. “If they stop us, we’ll have nowhere to go.”

Ethan felt overwhelmed. This was not the usual business challenge he expected when he started Nova Tech. He looked at Jessica, who appeared pale and shaking but was trying hard to stay calm.

Jordan, for all his bravado earlier, was visibly shaken but still managing to keep it together.

Mark’s voice broke the tension. “Hold on. I’m going to get us out of this.”

Ethan asked, “What are the chances they get worse?”

“High,” Mark replied. “They’ve already started shooting. They won’t stop unless we make them.”

More shots rang out, this time hitting the tires. Mark felt the impacts and tightened his jaw. The self-sealing tires held up, but he knew they couldn’t handle much more fire.

“Hold tight,” Mark said calmly. “We’re not stopping.”

The car sped ahead. Mark used all his skills to stay ahead of the sedans. His experience in high-pressure situations helped him guide the car smoothly along the highway, leaving their pursuers struggling to catch up.

The atmosphere in the car grew heavier as the sedans surrounding them pressed closer, their engines roaring. Mark tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He looked back and forth between the road and the mirrors.

The gunfire stopped for a moment, but it was clear that their pursuers were getting organized again.

Jordan, leaning nervously against the passenger door, broke the tension. “Mark, can we shoot back? I mean… isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in situations like this?”

Mark’s eyes flicked toward him briefly. “I could,” he said calmly, “but it’s a bit risky to drive and aim at the same time. My job is to keep us moving and keep everyone safe.”

Ethan, sitting in the back, felt a jolt of realization. His Tactical Firearms skill flashed in his mind—a skill he’d unlocked through the system but had yet to truly test. It was time to put it to use.

“Mark,” Ethan said firmly, leaning forward, “do you have a firearm I can use?”

Mark’s head turned slightly, his surprise evident even in his composed demeanor. “You? You can handle firearms?”

Ethan nodded, keeping his voice steady. “I’ve trained. I’ve learned a lot about protecting myself and my… assets.” He hoped the vague explanation would suffice.

There was no way to explain the truth about the system, and he needed Mark to trust him—fast.

Mark hesitated for a moment, but the determination in Ethan’s eyes was enough. Reaching under his seat, he pulled out a compact Glock 19 Gen 5 handgun and handed it over. “Use this. It’s reliable and easy to handle, even in tight situations.”

Ethan took the weapon, his fingers wrapping around it with an unexpected familiarity. The moment his hand touched the firearm, a rush of memories flooded his mind—techniques, stances, and the precision required to hit a target.

The Tactical Firearms skill activated fully, and Ethan felt his confidence surge.

Jordan, watching from the front seat, raised an eyebrow. “Ethan, you sure you know what you’re doing? This isn’t exactly target practice.”

Ethan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he rolled down the window just enough to provide a clear line of sight. He adjusted his position, his body remembering every detail as though he’d been doing this for years.

“I’ll let my actions answer that,” Ethan said with a faint smile.

The black sedan on their left surged forward, attempting to close the gap. Ethan aimed quickly, his movements fluid and precise. He fired a single shot, the sound sharp and controlled.

A bullet hit the front tire of the sedan. The car wobbled and then spun out of control, driving off the road.

“Holy—” Jordan’s jaw dropped as he stared back at the disabled vehicle. “You actually did it!”

Ethan was too busy to respond. Another sedan moved closer on the right. Its driver was trying to push them into the guardrail. Ethan took aim and fired again through the window, hitting the driver in the left shoulder this time.

The impact surprised the driver, making him swerve. This allowed Mark to get past him.

Mark’s voice was calm but tinged with admiration. “Nice shot, boss. Keep it up.”

Ethan nodded and stayed focused. The car behind them, the one on the left, sped up, and the driver tried to hit their back bumper. Ethan jumped to the other window, turned and shot twice.

The first shot missed, but the second shot hit the front tire, causing it to blow out. The sedan lost control and spun wildly before stopping on the shoulder.

Mark quickly turned the wheel to the left to get past the sedan. The other driver tried to shoot, but Mark was too fast. He pushed their car off balance, which gave him just enough room to speed ahead.

The car in front swerved into their lane, blocking their way. Mark reacted quickly—he hit the brakes and turned the wheel sharply to the left.

The car slid but narrowly avoided hitting the sedan. Mark's jaw tightened as he reached for his gun. He held it low, ready to use it if the situation got worse.

As they moved past the car, Mark noticed figures inside through the slightly open window. He stopped for a moment as he recognized them.

Mike sat in the passenger seat, holding a gun in a ready position. His expression remained calm. Taison, driving, gripped the wheel tightly. They looked at Mark with a mix of tension and surprise.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, no one moved. The air was filled with a shared understanding. Mark and Mike looked at each other, and an unspoken agreement formed between them.

Both men slowly lowered their weapons.

Taison glanced at Mike, who then shook his head. He eased off the accelerator slightly, giving Mark the opportunity to maneuver past them.

Mark did not hesitate. He pressed down hard on the gas pedal to speed up and create more distance between their car and the sedan.

As the highway stretched out ahead, clear and open once more, Ethan finally lowered the firearm, exhaling deeply. He handed it back to Mark, who took it with a nod of respect.

“Didn’t know you had that in you,” Mark said, his tone neutral but with a hint of approval.

Ethan smiled faintly, leaning back in his seat. “I’ve learned to be prepared.”

Jessica, still crouched low, slowly sat up, her face pale but steady. “That was… unbelievable.”

Jordan turned to look at Ethan, his grin wide despite the lingering tension. “Unbelievable? Try awesome and Ethan, you’re a total badass. I didn’t know you had it in you!”

Ethan chuckled softly, the adrenaline beginning to ebb. “Neither did I. But it worked.”

Mark focused on the road, his expression calm but his voice firm. “We are not safe yet. Stay alert.”

Ethan looked in the rearview mirror and nodded. For now, they were safe, but he knew they would face danger again. Next time, he would be ready.