Ethan stood in the center of his newly acquired office building, gazing around the expansive, empty space. The grand, futuristic architecture, designed by Luca Moretti, was breathtaking, but it still needed a personal touch—his touch.

He had contacted Refined Aesthetics, one of the best interior design companies in Novan City, to transform the inside into something truly magnificent that would match the building's exterior.

A professional design team had come to take measurements, review floor plans, and discuss Ethan’s vision.

“I want something modern and sleek,” Ethan had told them during their consultation, his eyes sharp with focus. “But it also needs to feel welcoming and innovative. People should walk in and immediately know this company is pushing boundaries.”

The design lead, a woman named Clara, raised her eyebrows. “That’s ambitious. And it will take time.”

“I’ll pay triple,” Ethan said without hesitation. “But I need it done in three days.”

Clara blinked, and then a slow smile crossed her face. “Consider it done.”

Ethan felt the weight of his bold decision settle on his shoulders. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about making a statement. NovaTech would be the best, and that started with everything—from the office to the people he brought on board.

Back in his newly acquired building, Ethan texted David. It was time to build the team that would power NovaTech Innovations.

David: [Ethan, I’m ready to post the job ads. Should we go with standard offers, or do you have a specific range in mind?]

Ethan typed back, his fingers moving with confidence.

Ethan: [Double the average salaries for each position.]

There was a pause, and then David replied, sounding hesitant.

David: [Double? Are you sure? That could really strain the company’s finances early on. We’re not even generating revenue yet.]

Ethan: [We’re not going for average talent, David. We need the best of the best. Paying more will attract top-tier candidates and secure their loyalty.]

David: [But this could dampen progress. What if we can’t sustain it?]

Ethan: [Trust me, I’ve got this covered. I don’t want people who are just here for a paycheck. I want a team that gives 120%. The money will handle itself once we have the right people.]

There was a long pause before David responded, this time with an air of reluctant agreement.

David: [Alright, I’ll do it. You’ve been great so far. I’ll start the recruitment process immediately.]

Ethan sighed, knowing that David still had no idea how much wealth he was sitting on. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that the best minds would soon be working for him, building the future of NovaTech.

With the office design settled, Ethan focused on the next pressing matter—moving his family into a more secure home. He couldn’t delay it any longer, especially with the unsettling feeling that someone had been watching him lately.

He scrolled through his phone and found Jessica’s contact.

Ethan: [Jessica, about that residence I mentioned. I need to move in as soon as possible. Could you send me the best options available?]

Jessica responded quickly.

Jessica: [I have a few listings in a luxurious residential area with top-notch security. I’ll send you the addresses.]

True to her word, a message came through moments later with photos and details of three multimillion-dollar homes. Ethan barely glanced at the prices, instead focusing on security and design.

Ethan: [I’ll take the best one. Price doesn’t matter.]

Jessica’s response was short, but Ethan could almost sense her disbelief.

Jessica: [I’ll get everything sorted. It’s incredible how quickly your world can change, huh?]

Ethan chuckled, amused by how Jessica must be processing all this. One day, he was a student in a sporting uniform; the next, he was buying multimillion-dollar properties without batting an eye.

Jessica was the same. Initially a struggling agent, she transformed her fortunes overnight with just one successful sale, becoming a wealthy young woman. Now, she's on the brink of closing another deal.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Ethan appreciated that she wasn’t prying too much into his background. There was no time for explanations; besides, he wasn’t sure he could offer one she’d believe.

As Ethan prepared to leave the building, his mind shifted to transportation. He didn’t own a car yet, and while Novan City’s public transport was reliable, it wouldn’t cut it for someone in his position.

‘I’ll buy one after I move into the new house,’ he thought, mentally pushing the decision down the road.

But as he exited the building and walked a few blocks, a cold sensation crept up his spine. That unsettling feeling—the sense that he was being watched—was back. His instincts flared, warning him of the shadows lurking behind him.

'They’re back,’ Ethan thought, his hands curling into fists. He had noticed two men following him before, and now they were back. He couldn’t keep ignoring this.

Zidan and Mark.

The same two men who had been following him around ever since the incident at the bank. Ethan had tried to brush off the feeling before, thinking maybe he was being paranoid.

But now, with his family’s safety on the line, he couldn’t afford to take any chances.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan squared his shoulders. If they were really criminals, following him with sinister intentions, he had to confront them before they could become a real threat.

For the first time, he was grateful for the fighting skills he had unlocked through the system. Krav Maga. Close Quarters Combat. Basic, but better than nothing.

‘It’s time to put these skills to the test,’ he thought as he stood up and left the office.

He stepped into the street, pretending to not notice the two men lurking nearby. His heart raced as he walked toward a nearby alley. It was risky but would give him the necessary space to handle it.

As he turned the corner, Ethan quickened his pace. Then, without warning, he broke into a full sprint, his breath quickening as he heard the pounding footsteps behind him.

The two men followed, clearly caught off guard by Ethan’s sudden speed. Zidan, the taller of the two, huffed as he tried to keep up while Mark cursed under his breath.

“Is he—sprinting away from us… again?” Mark panted.

“Not this time. Let’s catch him,” Zidan replied between gasps, his long legs eating up the distance.

Just as they rounded the corner, Ethan stopped abruptly and spun to face them, his stance firm and ready. Zidan and Mark skidded to a halt, clearly surprised by the sudden confrontation.

“Why are you following me?” Ethan’s voice was steady, but his eyes were sharp.

Zidan grinned, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. “Looks like the kid’s got some fight in him. But you’re making this harder than it has to be, boy.”

Mark, smaller but wiry and quick, pulled out a gleaming knife. “We’ve been watching you, kid. You’ve got money. We want a piece of it.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened as he saw the blade, but he forced himself to stay calm. He widened his stance, his fists clenched by his sides, remembering his training.

‘Stay focused. Keep your breathing steady. Krav Maga is all about quick, decisive action,’ he reminded himself.

Zidan charged first, aiming a wild punch at Ethan’s head. But Ethan’s instincts kicked in. He sidestepped quickly, grabbing Zidan’s wrist mid-swing and twisting it violently.

Zidan howled in pain as Ethan spun, using the momentum to slam his elbow into Zidan’s jaw. The big man staggered back, clutching his face.

Mark wasn’t far behind. He lunged forward, slashing the air with his knife, aiming for Ethan’s stomach. But Ethan had already anticipated the move.

With a quick pivot, he dodged the blade and, in a fluid motion, grabbed Mark’s wrist, twisting it until the knife clattered to the ground. He was trembling due to the fear, and the first time he had experienced battling people wielding weapons.

'What in the world have I come into?'

However, before Mark could react, Ethan drove his knee into the smaller man’s stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground with a gasp.

Recovering from the earlier blow, Zidan lunged at Ethan again, this time with a knife of his own.

Ethan quickly deflected the strike with his forearm, then landed a brutal punch to Zidan’s gut, followed by an uppercut that sent the tall man reeling.

The alley was filled with the sounds of grunts and crashing bodies as Ethan fought off both men with precision and calm that surprised even him. Every movement was calculated, and every strike was effective.

His hands still trembled, and he couldn't stay calm, especially since this was his first time. Ethan was also struggling to control his breathing.

Mark scrambled to his feet, clutching his side. “You-you're dead, kid!” he shouted, panting heavily.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed, and trying to calm his voice, he shouted, “You picked the wrong target.”

With one final move, Ethan kicked the knife out of Zidan’s hand and slammed his fist into Mark’s face, sending him crashing into the nearby wall.

Both men were down, groaning in pain, clearly not expecting this level of resistance from the young man they had been tailing.

Zidan looked up, his lip bleeding and his eyes wide with shock. “What the hell are you?”

Ethan stood over them, breathing heavily, but this time in control. He wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Ethan didn’t even fully understand what he had become. But one thing was sure—he wasn’t the same person he had been a few days ago.

“Stay away from me,” Ethan warned, his voice low and dangerous. “If I see you near me or my family again, you won’t walk away next time.”

Zidan and Mark exchanged fearful glances, clearly realizing they had bitten off more than they could chew. Without another word, they scrambled to their feet and stumbled away, bruised and beaten.

Ethan watched them go, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. He had won the fight, but the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. He had been followed. Targeted.

And though he had handled himself well, the threat was still real.

He stood in the alley for a moment, his hands trembling—from fear and the sheer weight of what had just happened. He wasn’t ready for this kind of life. The confrontation, the violence… was all too much, too fast.