In the dimly lit, cramped apartment, Ethan sat with his foot nervously tapping against the hardwood floor.
The quiet of the room was only broken by the muffled sounds of the TV and the faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen where his mom was cooking dinner.
But Ethan couldn’t concentrate on any of this. He was consumed by a deep unease.
He ran his fingers through his hair and stood up, pacing back and forth. "Why do I feel like I’m being watched?" he wondered. This feeling had intensified since yesterday, following his visit to the bank.
He remembered Suzanne, the bank teller, who had accidentally revealed his billion-dollar balance loudly enough for others to hear.
'She practically shouted it for the whole bank to hear. Anyone nearby could’ve overheard,' Ethan thought.
He glanced toward the window, half-expecting to see someone lurking outside. His heart raced as the feeling of unease deepened. "Am I just being paranoid? Or is someone really watching me?"
Then it hit him—his many online purchases: expensive electronics, clothes, and gear, all due to arrive soon. These deliveries, far from subtle, could easily tip someone off if they were paying attention.
"If they find out..." Ethan muttered, pacing even faster. His family's safety was at risk if the wrong people realized how much money he had. He couldn’t let that happen.
He stopped pacing and clenched his fists. There were two things he needed to do.
First, he decided to move his family to a more secure, upscale neighborhood that wouldn’t attract unwanted attention.
With the Unlimited System, this would be straightforward.
Even if the deliveries came to their current address, he could pay to move them to the new house. After all, his family’s safety was paramount.
The second task was more daunting. "I need to be able to protect us," Ethan realized, feeling the weight of responsibility.
Faced with potential criminals, he couldn’t solely rely on wealth; he needed physical ability to defend his family.
But Ethan wasn’t a fighter; he had no training. "I can’t just become that person overnight," he thought. Or could he?
That's when he thought of the Unlimited System again. He remembered seeing locked skills in the system he hadn’t been able to access before.
Now, with Ascension Points to spend after leveling up, it was the perfect time to explore what the System could offer regarding strength, not just wealth.
Eager, Ethan quickly took out his phone and opened the System Panel, scrolling to the Skills Panel with a newfound urgency.
Given his sudden wealth, he hadn’t explored it much before, but now he clicked on it, desperate for options.
That's when a new notification popped up.
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[Skills Panel Unlocked]
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'Just as I suspected,' he thought.
His heart raced as he clicked to open it. The Skills Panel unfolded before him, displaying a range of categories, each filled with different skills.
He gasped, amazed by the sheer number of choices available to him.
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[Skills Panel]
Categories:
Daily Living Skills
* Cooking (Basic)
* Sewing (Basic)
* Cleaning (Basic)
* Gardening (Basic)
Creative Skills
* Writing (Basic)
* Singing (Basic)
* Drawing (Basic)
* Sculpting (Basic)
Communication Skills
* Public Speaking (Basic)
* Negotiation (Basic)
* Persuasion (Basic)
* Leadership (Basic)
Physical Skills
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* Parkour (Basic)
* Acrobatics (Basic)
* Climbing (Basic)
* Endurance Training (Basic)
Survival and Tactical Skills
* Wilderness Survival (Basic)
* Urban Survival (Basic)
* Stealth (Basic)
* Tracking (Basic)
Combat Skills
* Boxing (Basic)
* Krav Maga (Basic)
* Muay Thai (Basic)
* Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Basic)
* Tactical Firearms (Basic)
* Knife Fighting (Basic)
* Close Quarters Combat (Basic)
Weapon Proficiency
* Handguns (Basic)
* Rifles (Basic)
* Tactical Knives (Basic)
* Throwing Weapons (Basic)
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Ethan's eyes widened in amazement as he scrolled through the list of skills.
'This is it. These are the kinds of skills mercenaries or soldiers use,' Ethan thought, his attention captured by the Combat Skills section.
Skills such as Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Close Quarters Combat stood out prominently to him. These were not just any martial arts but practical, lethal, and designed for real-world confrontations.
"These are what I need," he realized.
The system then detailed that each skill was divided into three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Master.
Unlocking the Basic level requires 2 Ascension Points.
The Intermediate level could only be accessed after unlocking the Basic level first, costing 5 points, and the Master level demanded that the Intermediate level be unlocked first, requiring 10 points.
Intriguingly, once a skill was unlocked, it could be mastered immediately—eliminating the need for years of training.
"That’s awesome. But like what I’ve read in novels, the process of ‘inheriting’ such a thing was painful," Ethan pondered aloud.
Anticipating the potential discomfort, Ethan steeled his resolve. His heart rate increased as he weighed his options.
'I can’t waste time,' he thought. He knew he had to be ready for anything but also strategic. Choosing the right skills could dramatically enhance his ability to defend himself.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. Let’s start with Krav Maga."
Krav Maga, a brutal martial art developed for the military, focuses on real-life scenarios, including defending against weapons and quickly incapacitating opponents.
Ethan remembered reading about it in some of his favorite action novels. This skill, he believed, would provide him with a fighting chance should things take a turn for the worse.
Imagining how effective he could become with such a skill, Ethan didn't hesitate any longer and chose to unlock Krav Maga.
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[Krav Maga]
A martial art designed for self-defense and survival in violent situations. Focuses on neutralizing threats quickly and efficiently.
Cost: 2 Ascension Points (Basic)
Do you wish to unlock this skill?
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"Yes," Ethan whispered, clicking the button.
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[Purchase Successful: Krav Maga [Basic] - 2 Ascension Points]
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Suddenly, Ethan experienced an overwhelming rush of knowledge and muscle memory flooding his mind. It was slightly painful and disorienting for him to acquire such a skill abruptly.
Ethan tried to withstand the discomfort by gritting his teeth. After a brief struggle, he mastered blocking, countering, and striking in ways he never knew.
He could feel the techniques ingrained in his muscles—the precise movements of Krav Maga. It wasn't just an awareness; he truly understood it.
'This is insane… I feel like I’ve mastered this skill,' Ethan thought, flexing his hands and rolling his shoulders. He felt stronger and more adept.
But Ethan didn't stop there. He aimed to enhance his abilities further.
Next, he focused on mastering Close—Quarters Combat, a fighting style used by elite soldiers and mercenaries in tight, confined spaces where every move is crucial.
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[Close Quarters Combat]
Combat skills designed for close-range fighting, often used by special forces and mercenaries in real-world battle scenarios.
Cost: 2 Ascension Points (Basic)
Do you wish to unlock this skill?
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"Yes."
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[Purchase Successful: Close Quarters Combat [Basic] - 2 Ascension Points]
=====
As knowledge flooded into him once again, Ethan found himself slightly better prepared than before.
However, it was still a painful experience. Ethan pondered whether enhancing his Strength and Endurance might alleviate some discomfort.
Ethan was well-versed in self-defense. He was capable of handling himself in brawls, navigating confrontations in hallways and stairwells, and even when backed into a corner.
He was confident in his ability to disarm opponents, react precisely, and leverage his surroundings to his advantage.
"This feels like cheating," he chuckled, amused by the thought.
Continuing to scroll, Ethan's gaze settled on the section about Tactical Firearms. He paused, contemplating.
'I can't just go around carrying guns, but... it wouldn't hurt to know how to use one in case of an emergency,' he reasoned.
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[Tactical Firearms]
Training in handguns, rifles, and other firearms designed for tactical scenarios. Used by military and law enforcement personnel.
Cost: 2 Ascension Points (Basic)
Do you wish to unlock this skill?
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[Purchase Successful: Tactical Firearms [Basic] - 2 Ascension Points]
=====
"Yes," Ethan confirmed.
Ethan felt a familiar sensation wash over him—it was as though he had spent years training at a gun range.
He now understood how to hold, aim, and fire different firearms. "I'm really eager to try one out," he admitted.
This time, the influx of knowledge wasn't as overwhelming as before. Perhaps, he mused, he was getting used to it.
After spending 6 Ascension Points, Ethan felt he had undergone years of physical training. Every skill he acquired seemed to be deeply embedded in his muscle memory.
Taking a deep breath, he noted his racing heartbeat. 'This is exactly what I need. I'm transformed. I am no longer defenseless.'
His gaze drifted towards the window, half-expecting to catch someone lurking in the shadows.
'If they dare to come after me, I'll be prepared.' Yet, there was more work to be done. Ensuring his family's safety remained his top priority.
His train of thought was interrupted by the buzzing of his phone—a notification about a delayed delivery of some expensive electronics he had ordered.
'Oh no...' He felt a wave of concern but soon relaxed upon reading the notification.
The delivery was delayed because the courier company was swamped with a high volume of shipments.
Ethan noted that many sectors, including essential services, were short-staffed despite widespread unemployment.
But that was the least of Ethan's worries.
'Those following me will suspect something when they notice the deliveries.'
He couldn't afford any delays. It was time to act.
Rising from his seat, Ethan was filled with resolve. "Time to move."
He had enough financial resources to purchase any property he desired. Tomorrow, he'd start looking for the perfect, secluded place away from the watchful eyes of his adversaries.
But for tonight, at least, he had an advantage: He was prepared to defend himself.