The Cost of Change

The next evening, Ethan sat at the kitchen table, watching his family go about their routine. His father, Aaron, was buried in the evening paper while his mother, Elise, stirred a pot on the stove, calling out gentle reminders to Lily and Jacob, who were bickering over something small.

It was an ordinary scene, warm and familiar, yet Ethan couldn't help but feel as though it were slipping through his fingers.

'Will this peace last?' The question lingered in his mind, unspoken but persistent.

Just hours earlier, Ethan had toured a series of multimillion-dollar homes with Jessica, each one more extravagant than the last. She was efficient, as always, pointing out details like fully furnished interiors and flexible customization options.

In the end, Ethan had settled on a sprawling estate in a secure, exclusive neighborhood—practically a fortress, with guards who moved like soldiers and an array of surveillance technology that could rival a high-security fortress.

It was necessary, he reasoned. The recent threats from Zidan and Mark had made that clear. Ethan couldn't shake the thought that they might be part of a larger, more dangerous organization, already aware of his growing wealth and the moves he was making.

'I need to move my family first,' he thought, his jaw tightening.

The risks were too great to delay, even though he knew the sudden shift in lifestyle might be jarring for them. The memory of his own reaction to newfound wealth—a mix of disbelief and discomfort—still lingered. He didn't want his family to feel the same.

But as he sat there in the comfort of his old, modest apartment, Ethan felt a deeper unease stirring within him. He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers as though to feel something tangible.

'Did money change me?' The thought hit him like a quiet thunderclap. 'The way I speak, the things I think about, even how I act—it's as if I've become someone else.'

It troubled him deeply. Ethan had always been careful, deliberate, and cautious. But now? Now, he was spending without hesitation, making bold decisions, and facing dangers with an almost reckless confidence.

The Unlimited System gave him a sense of invincibility, but at what cost?

'Maybe the old Ethan is gone,' he thought, frowning. 'The one just trying to support his family and get by. But…' He shook his head, unwilling to finish the thought. He couldn't go back to being that person, not now. Not after everything he had seen, everything he had learned.

His family's safety demanded more of him. The world he was entering required strength, strategy, and sharpness. There was no room for weakness.

With a sigh, Ethan pulled out his phone and checked his Ascension Points.

=====

[Ascension Points Available: 4]

=====

'I can do something with this,' Ethan thought, though the idea felt oddly like trying to patch a sinking boat with duct tape.

Still, it wasn't like he had better options. If he was going to press on, he'd need to be sharper, stronger, and—most importantly—still standing when trouble came knocking again.

He opened the Shop panel, and the glowing list of upgrades flickered into view like the shelves of an impossibly tidy store. There were new items now, thanks to his recent jump to Level 2—items that seemed to whisper promises of greatness.

Ethan wasn't entirely sure if the system wanted to help him or quietly rob him of his sanity. Still, either way, he couldn't ignore the possibilities.

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Available Items:

1. Basic Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Strength by +2.

2. Basic Speed Potion (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Speed by +2.

3. Basic Endurance Potion (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Charisma by +2.

4. Basic Intelligence Potion (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Intelligence by +2.

5. Basic Charisma Potion (2 Ascension Points)

Permanently increases Endurance by +5.

6. Heightened Senses Serum (2 Ascension Points)

It unlocks enhanced perception and awareness of your surroundings. It heightens all five senses, allowing quicker reaction times and sharper instincts.

7. Night Vision Enhancer (1 Ascension Point)

Allows you to see clearly in the dark without additional equipment. Provides low-light and night vision capabilities.

8. Reflex Amplifier (2 Ascension Points)

Permanently improves reflex speed, reaction times, and hand-eye coordination, allowing quicker movements in combat and daily activities.

Locked Items – Level-up required

=====

Ethan's eyes wandered over the list of items, weighing his options like a boy deciding between sweets at a candy shop—except these wouldn't rot his teeth; they might just save his life. His gaze settled on the Low Grade Endurance Potion, which immediately caught his attention.

For just two Ascension Points, it promised to boost his Endurance by +5. That meant no more doubling over in exhaustion after a frantic chase or feeling utterly spent when things got intense.

'Well,' he thought with a wry grin, 'even the system knows I've got the stamina of a soggy piece of toast.'

He chuckled softly at the idea, half expecting the glowing interface to take offense and flash a snarky reply.

Scanning the descriptions further, Ethan noticed a peculiar logic to the naming. Lower Grade items seemed to offer a modest boost of +2, while Low Grade items were clearly a step up, granting +5.

'Generous of you, system,' Ethan murmured, almost as if the program itself could hear him. 'I'll take it—thank you kindly.'

But his attention didn't linger long. Another item called out to him with far more intrigue: the Heightened Senses Serum. He leaned forward instinctively as if the words themselves demanded closer scrutiny.

It promised to sharpen his awareness, a safeguard against being caught off guard again—like the time he hadn't realized he was being followed until it was nearly too late.

'Now this,' Ethan thought, a flicker of excitement stirring, 'this is exactly what I need.' He could almost feel the weight lifting from his shoulders at the thought of having a better edge against whatever dangers lay ahead.

The combination of increased endurance and sharper senses seemed like the perfect pair—strength for the long haul and vigilance to keep him a step ahead. Without another moment's hesitation, Ethan selected both.

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[Low Grade Endurance Potion Purchased. Endurance +5.]

[Heightened Senses Serum Purchased. Heightened senses activated.]

=====

Immediately, Ethan felt a stirring within him as though his very core had been plugged into some hidden power source. His body hummed with an unfamiliar energy—vital, steady, and brimming with potential.

It was the kind of feeling that made you think you could sprint across a field, leap over fences, and still have enough breath left to laugh about it.

His breathing grew lighter and effortless, and his heartbeat settled into a calm, unwavering rhythm. But it wasn't just his body; his senses sharpened too like a dusty pair of glasses suddenly wiped clean.

The world around him leaped into focus, vivid and vibrant in ways he'd never noticed before.

From the kitchen, the soft clink of dishes being stacked drifted to his ears, sharper than it should have been. The refrigerator's hum, which had always been more of a background annoyance, now pulsed like a faint, steady drumbeat.

Even the rustle of his father flipping through the newspaper pages sounded distinct, each crinkle carrying its own peculiar texture.

'This… this is amazing,' Ethan whispered, his eyes wide with awe as he took it all in. For the first time, he felt truly connected to the world around him, like stepping out of a dim room into sunlight.

The system had done more than enhance his body—it had opened a window to a world he hadn't realized he was missing. There was a flow of energy coursing through him, subtle but undeniable, linking him to everything.

It wasn't just strength or stamina; it was a deeper awareness of his place in the great, humming machinery of life.

With a glance back at the glowing system interface, Ethan allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. His status had improved again, and this time, it felt like more than just numbers on a screen.

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[Status Panel]

Name: Ethan Cole

Level: 2

EXP: 2500 / 3000

Ascension Points: 0

Wealth: Unlimited

Attributes:

Strength: 10

Speed: 10

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 16

Charisma: 6

Skills:

1. Krav Maga [Basic]

2. Close Quarters Combat [Basic]

3. Tactical Firearms [Basic]

4. Heightened Senses

=====

Ethan smiled, though it wasn't the kind of triumphant smile one gives after winning a race. It was quieter, more reflective, like the smile of someone who has just discovered they are capable of something they'd never imagined.

He could feel it in his bones—he was changing, growing stronger with every step. Yet, somewhere deep inside, a small voice whispered: The hardest part hasn't come yet.

His phone buzzed on the table, shaking him from his thoughts. It was David.

David: [We've already begun to receive applications.]

Another message quickly followed.

David: [I've reviewed some initial ones, and things look promising. When would you like to start the interviews?]

Ethan read the words slowly, letting their meaning sink in. NovaTech was no longer an idea; it was becoming a reality.

Soon, it would be staffed with people who believed in his vision—or at least, people skilled enough to make it work.

Ethan: [Great! Let's schedule the interviews for later this week. I've paid triple to speed up the renovations.]

David: [You really are something, Ethan. Understood. I'll take care of it.]

Ethan leaned back, his fingers still lingering over his phone. Only a few days ago, he had been a college student, living a life so small and ordinary that he could barely remember it now.

And yet here he was, building something that felt too big for one person to manage. It was exhilarating, like standing at the edge of a cliff and daring to look down. But it was also frightening because he knew there was no going back.

The phone buzzed again. This time, it was Jessica.

Jessica: [Hey, Ethan! Just confirming the final steps for the house. Everything's moving forward smoothly. Let me know if you need anything else!]

Ethan: [Thanks, Jessica. I'll need to move in as soon as possible.]

Jessica: [You got it! Just a few more formalities and the house will be yours.]

For a moment, Ethan sat in silence, staring at the glowing screen. The new house, the company, the upgrades—it was all falling into place. But with every success came a heavier weight, a sense that the stakes were climbing higher than he could see.

He had power now, wealth, and knowledge. And if stories had taught him anything, it was that these things didn't come without cost.

'The old Ethan wouldn't have been ready for this,' he thought as he stood up, catching sight of his reflection in the window.

His own face stared back, familiar yet changed, like an echo of the person he had been. Stronger, yes, but also harder in ways that unnerved him.

But one thing had stayed the same.

His love for his family and his determination to build something better for them stood firm, unshaken by all the transformations. That was why he had started this journey in the first place.

'Still,' he thought, turning away, 'I just hope I can remember who I really am.'

Author's Note – 27/11/2024

Hello, dear readers!

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress of edits and rewrites for the earlier chapters. After receiving your incredibly helpful feedback (seriously, thank you!), I've managed to edit and polish Chapters 1 through 20. It's been a process—rewriting scenes, refining character voices, and making sure everything flows better—but I hope you'll find the updates worth it.

That said, I know there's still work to do. If you're reading beyond Chapter 20, you might notice some inconsistencies or moments where the writing doesn't feel as polished. Please bear with me as I continue working through the remaining chapters. I'm striving to make the entire story as engaging and enjoyable as possible, and your patience means the world to me.

Thank you for sticking with me on this journey. Your support, comments, and feedback keep me motivated, and I promise I'll do my best to deliver a story you'll love!