Saturday morning arrived with the faint warmth of sunlight filtering through Ethan’s bedroom window. The soft hum of Novan City waking up was a reminder of how quickly time was moving.
Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, his phone in hand, skimming through the latest updates Jessica had sent him the night before.
The message was concise but packed with good news. Jessica, David, and Jordan had finalized the hiring process, and 150 employees—including several senior-level staff—were onboarded.
Each department now had a head, and David had laid out an onboarding plan with the leadership team to ensure a smooth start on Monday.
Ethan couldn’t help but smile. This was a significant step forward for Nova Tech. What had started as an idea only a week ago had grown into a fully-fledged company with a foundation solid enough to rival even the most established competitors.
Ethan stretched and exhaled deeply. “We’re really doing this,” he muttered to himself, a mix of pride and nervousness settling in his chest.
He glanced at his phone, tempted to message Jessica or David, but decided against it. They deserved their Saturday mornings to rest.
He placed his phone down on the bed beside him, allowing himself to bask in the calm, his mind drifting. That was when the soft, familiar chime sounded—clear and distinct, echoing deep in his mind.
The system.
Ethan froze as a notification appeared before his eyes. He had been waiting for this.
=====
[Mission Complete: Hire a Team]
Objective: Hire at least 20 people for Nova Tech.
Reward:
1. 2,000 EXP
2. 10 Ascension Points
=====
As soon as it happened, Ethan felt a familiar surge of energy course through him, vibrating his bones.
He had leveled up once more, but the sensation was different this time—more intense. It felt as though the system was gearing him up for something big.
"It's bearable," Ethan muttered.
As he got used to these new sensations, another notification appeared.
=====
[Mission Complete: Build a Grand Office]
Objective: Find and furnish an office space that reflects the grandeur of your new company.
Reward: Rewards will be unique and based on the grandeur achieved.
=====
Then, another notification appeared.
=====
Congratulations! You have exceeded expectations with the grandeur of your office!
Rewards:
1. 5000 EXP
2. All attributes +20
3. 50 Ascension Points
=====
Ethan barely had time to register the notification before it hit him. A sudden, sharp pain exploded through his body, so intense it felt as though his very bones were breaking apart.
"Argh—!"
The cry threatened to escape, but instinct took over. He grabbed the edge of the comforter and shoved it into his mouth, biting down hard to stifle the sound.
His entire body trembled violently, drenched in sweat as the pain intensified. It wasn't like before—this was something else.
Every muscle felt like it was tearing and rebuilding, as though something inside him was shattering—splintering into countless pieces.
The agony was unbearable. Ethan's mind screamed, but he held on, clutching the fabric as though it anchored him to the world.
That was when, just as suddenly as the pain had begun, it changed. A soothing warmth flowed through his body. It was like a healing balm spreading to every part of him.
'This feels so good,' Ethan thought.
The warmth moved with the rhythm of his blood, calming, healing.
Ethan loosened his grip on the comforter, his teeth releasing it as his breathing slowed. The sweat still clung to his skin, his chest rising and falling heavily, but the pain was gone—replaced by an indescribable calm.
Minutes passed before he could move, his body still trembling faintly as he sat up. His breaths came slower now, steadier. Everything felt different.
Ethan ran a hand through his damp hair. He could feel his heart pounded wildly.
He couldn't make sense of what had just happened. His body felt as if it had been torn apart. But suddenly, a warm sensation enveloped him, rebuilding him from within.
Now, the only thing he felt was... different. He was a different version of himself.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a shaking hand and quietly said, "What was that?"
He looked back at the notification in front of him, and he suddenly realized something about what had actually happened to him.
"A sudden massive increase in attributes…" he grumbled, his voice hoarse, "that's got to be the reason for the pain. Twenty points across everything, and then the system is trying to kill me?"
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He was relieved that he hadn't purchased a tower for NovaTech. If he had, the rewards might have been greater, and he couldn't fathom how difficult it would be to endure the burden of receiving them.
Still, he felt a twinge of regret for not having gone out more.
But it wasn't just those things that unsettled him. That shattering sensation—like something inside his body had broken apart—lingered in his thoughts, nagging at him. What had really happened in those agonizing moments?
Still, now that the pain had faded, Ethan couldn't deny the odd sense of renewal. His body felt lighter, stronger… sharper. His breathing had steadied, and as he shifted on the bed, he noticed something else—his clothes felt tighter, snug in places they hadn't been before.
He frowned, looking down at his sleeves, which hugged his arms more closely, and then tugged at his shirt, which now stretched just slightly across his shoulders and chest.
"Wait a minute…"
Ethan slowly stood up, feeling the energy in his limbs. He moved gracefully as he walked to the full-length mirror in the corner of his room.
He paused in front of the mirror and blinked, surprised. He turned his head left, then right, and squinted as he looked at himself.
He didn’t feel vain; it was something else. Something was different.
Really different.
His reflection looked leaner, more defined. His jawline looked sharper, and his cheekbones stood out more. He had a fit physique; his shirt hugged his chest and shoulders as if it were specially made for him.
"Did I… get taller?" Ethan muttered incredulously, running a hand along his torso as though double-checking.
And—he tilted his head, studying his own face carefully—there was no mistaking it. He looked… well, better.
"More lean… and… more handsome?" Ethan chuckled softly, surprised by his own words.
They seemed silly to him, but the proof was right there.
The system had made him not just stronger, but it had also improved his appearance in every way. The changes were subtle enough to feel normal, but he couldn't deny them.
"Well, I guess I'll take it," he said quietly as he turned away from the mirror. "But next time, system… a little warning would be nice."
Ethan stared at his Status Panel, his jaw tightening in disbelief.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 7
EXP: 21000 / 28000
Ascension Points: 60
Wealth: Unlimited
Physical Stats:
* Strength: 69
* Speed: 69
* Endurance: 69
* Intelligence: 68
* Charisma: 68
Free Attribute Points: 20
=====
The numbers looked at him like a challenge to explore new boundaries. He took a slow breath and ran a hand through his wet hair.
"Level 7," he said quietly, filled with wonder. "Just a week ago, I was barely scratching the surface of this system, and now... this."
He felt a surge of satisfaction seeing his attributes nearing 70. But his eyes lingered on the Free Attribute Points—20 points, a prize for leveling up twice in a single day.
“If I use these…” Ethan’s thoughts raced as he considered the possibilities.
Each attribute was within striking distance of 100.
That threshold intrigued him—a milestone he couldn’t ignore. What kind of strength, speed, or endurance would a three-digit number unlock?
He smirked faintly. "So close, yet so far."
Ethan’s gaze shifted away from the panel, his mind replaying Mark’s words from their earlier training sessions. He already had the above-standard physique needed to form the Ascendant Core.
And that was before today.
The thought of pushing his body beyond the threshold made him shiver involuntarily. The pain he had just endured from the sudden 20-point boost lingered fresh in his mind.
The sharp agony, the feeling of being torn apart and rebuilt—it was a level of suffering he wouldn’t wish on anyone.
But…
“If I’ve already endured it once,” Ethan said, his jaw tightening, “then why not do it again?”
A sharp grin tugged at the corners of his lips, the thrill of ambition igniting in his chest. His hands clenched into fists, the faint hum of energy still vibrating in his limbs.
He remembered Maya’s sharp tone during training, "Fear is only a roadblock. The question is, do you want it badly enough to break through?"
And Ethan did want it. He wanted to stand on his own—not just as a System user, not just as the founder of Nova Tech, but as someone truly powerful.
His fingers hovered over the Free Attribute Points, his breathing steady as he mentally calculated. “Twenty points… I could distribute them evenly, or…”
A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. “Or I could push one stat to 90 right now.”
The idea of having 90 Strength was intoxicating, but Ethan quickly dismissed his thoughts. It wasn’t just about brute power—it was about balance and versatility.
“Alright,” he murmured, a plan forming in his mind. “Let’s spread it out for now. No need to rush.”
Ethan allocated the points swiftly, 4 points to each attribute. The Status Panel flickered briefly before updating.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 7
EXP: 21000 / 28000
Ascension Points: 60
Wealth: Unlimited
Physical Stats:
* Strength: 73
* Speed: 73
* Endurance: 73
* Intelligence: 72
* Charisma: 72
=====
A deep breath escaped Ethan as the familiar warmth of the energy coursed through him again.
This time, it wasn’t the same unbearable agony—it was lighter, gentler, as though his body had adjusted.
“Not bad,” Ethan muttered, rolling his shoulders experimentally.
His movements felt smoother, more fluid. He took a few quick steps across the room, testing his speed, before shadowboxing briefly. The strength and precision in each strike were undeniable.
But even with the newfound power, his thoughts returned to one thing: the Ascendant Core.
“What would happen if I formed it at 100?” The thought echoed in his mind, filling him with equal parts excitement and apprehension.
His fingers brushed his chest lightly, where the faint glow of energy had pulsed during his earlier attempt at forming the core. Even with his current attributes, the potential had been palpable.
“If I push it to 100…” Ethan trailed off, a chill running down his spine as he imagined the transformation. “It might be too much. But if it works…”
The possibilities were limitless.
A body built on attributes far beyond the standard, reinforced by the system itself—could be the ultimate foundation for ascending to power.
But the risk…
Ethan clenched his fists. “It’s not just about the risk. It’s about whether I’m ready to take that step.”
He exhaled sharply, determination hardening in his gaze. "I’ve come this far. There's no point in holding back now."
A sudden chime echoed in Ethan’s mind, sharp and clear, as a system notification appeared before him, its glowing letters radiating an intense aura.
=====
[New Mission: Ascendant Awakening ]
Objective: Form the Ascendant Core when all attributes reach 100.
The journey to true power lies in surpassing human limits. By forming your Ascendant Core with attributes far beyond the standard, you will set the foundation for unmatched strength, resilience, and potential.
This mission is a test of both your willpower and ambition. Only those who dare to challenge the impossible can unlock the rewards that await.
Rewards:
1. Mystery Reward 1
2. Mystery Reward 2
3. Mystery Reward 3
=====
Ethan stared at it, a mix of intrigue and apprehension swirling within him. "Mystery rewards?" he muttered, the faintest smile playing at his lips. "Well, system, you sure know how to keep things interesting."
A second chime followed, and a smaller line of text appeared beneath the mission.
=====
Warning: Forming the core at these levels will place significant strain on your body. Ensure you are prepared to face the challenges ahead.
=====
Ethan clenched his fists, a fiery determination igniting in his chest. "If it’s power you want, system," he said quietly, his voice resolute, "then power is what I’ll deliver."
Still, he reminded himself to be patient. He was still far from reaching 100 points for all attributes and three more levels to reach Level 10, and who knew what the system might unlock by then?
For now, he had time—time to prepare, time to think, and time to push himself closer to the impossible.
Ethan glanced toward the corner of the room, where the light from the morning sun had shifted slightly. The day ahead was full of challenges, but for the first time, he felt entirely in control.
The future was his to shape.
And he would do it his way.