Essentia

Ethan Kai wore a wry smile as he looked at his current stats. Could he really prevent an assassination with his current abilities?

Moreover, this wasn't just any mission but something involving his survival! The rewards were actually pretty good. However, the danger that comes along with it.

Hehe... he could only smile inwardly.

**Name:** Ethan Kim

**Race:** Human?

**Level:** Novice Level 2

**Basic Stats:**

- **Health Points (HP):** 8/15

- **Energy Points (EP):** 15/15

- **Strength:** 5/15

- **Agility:** 5/15

- **Intelligence:** 9/15

- **Charisma:** 4/15

**Experience Points (EXP):** 8/30

**Reputation:** -3/10

**Abilities:** "Counterstrike"

It had been days since he tried to increase his health points and basic stats, but he had failed miserably. He simply couldn't figure out what went wrong. Initially, he attempted various exercises and even sparred with Jihoon, thinking it would be enough to improve his strength, agility, and other attributes. But none of them worked.

After spending so much time checking the system, he actually failed to discern how to increase his stats! Games aren't supposed to be like this, ah!

It would have been better if he were a real player with the same interface as those in this game. However, this interface was quite different and very confusing.

"The current Kai Family is weak," Odette remarked, her face cold as she interrupted his stupor. "I do not mean to offend you, Young Master Kai, but this is a fact. The other families and clans from different regions are eyeing the Kai Family and Hanmiryeong itself. This is the best time for us to support each other. The Li Family would like to stand behind the Young Master and offer our support."

"It seems Miss Odette has misunderstood," Kai smiled. "I do not intend to rule Hanmiryeong."

"Pardon?" Old Man Li frowned. "May I know what young Ethan means?"

'Young Ethan'—goosebumps skittered across his skin. Just what was wrong with this old man? His smile was really sinister, and he did not like it.

"For now, I have yet to decide what I will do. However, as you mentioned, I am just a young man. Many clans are already eyeing Hanmeryeong and the entire Kai Family. On behalf of my grandfather and the whole Kai Family, I would like to thank Old Man Li for this generous offer." Ethan wore an innocent smile. Seeing this, a sense of satisfaction filled Odette's head.

She always knew that this man was useless. The only reason she had not become the CEO of the company was because of Jihoon and Master Wu. Without those two, Ethan Kai would have long perished by now.

However, the old man sitting next to her had a different reaction. Clearly, Ethan was thanking them for their offer. However, he had not heard the young man say he would consult him in the future or work with him. Observing the innocent smile on Ethan's face, the old man wondered if this was all a facade and that the real Ethan actually knew what he was doing.

After a while, the Old Man concluded that this was not the case. Ethan had grown up abroad and was not exposed to any scheming or anything involving the company. In fact, he was almost certain that Ethan had no knowledge about the businesses of Kai Consortium.

Not long after, Ethan started talking about the funeral, and soon, the other families began arriving too. Representatives from various clans approached Ethan one by one, each offering their help to Master Wu, the Interim CEO of Kai Consortium. It seemed that everyone was more than willing to assist— at least, this was the case on the outside.

Ethan knew that the ones who had worked alongside his grandfather were old foxes who would not hesitate to devour the Kai Family if they sensed any weakness. These people all had a good reputation, so they would not dare create a ruckus now. However, it would be different once the funeral ended two days from now.

After a series of greetings, discussions, and exchanging smiles and bows with each other, Ethan finally had the chance to rest in his room. He stared at the ceiling before the interface appeared before him. A sigh escaped his lips.

**Name:** Ethan Kim

**Race:** Human?

**Level:** Novice Level 2

**Basic Stats:**

- **Health Points (HP):** 8/15

- **Energy Points (EP):** 15/15

- **Strength:** 5/15

- **Agility:** 5/15

- **Intelligence:** 9/15

- **Charisma:** 4/15

**Experience Points (EXP):** 8/30

**Reputation:** -3/10

**Abilities:** "Counterstrike"

Even if there were other ways to increase his strength, agility, intelligence, and charisma, why were his health points still at 8? Was it possible that there was something wrong with his body? He had asked this question after his upgrade about two days ago. However, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't seem to identify any sickness he might have.

Was it in his brain? Or was it something to do with his Essentia? Luckily, he had already asked Jihoon to do a full-body check after the funeral, just in case there was a problem with this body.

Thinking back, it was actually normal for someone not to awaken an Essentia, even if both of their parents had one.

So, when he didn't awaken when he turned 13, his grandfather wasn't that surprised. After all, his mother didn't have one. The fact that his father was born with a B Class Essentia with the potential to go as high as S class was not enough to guarantee that Ethan would have one.

In this world, Essentias had their own ranks and a way to develop into something stronger. However, the lower the rank, the more difficult it was for someone to master or strengthen it. All B Class and above had a chance to become an S class, but that was not the case when someone had an F class Essentia.

The thought of this made him wonder if this system was similar to an Essentia. Clearly, he had been just a Novice Level One a few days ago. Then he immediately leveled up to Novice Level Two. From this, he assumed that there would be other Novice ranks before his rank name changed. However, he was still clueless about something.

Did he only need to reach the maximum EXP points to level up? What about his strength and basic stats?

Another sighed left his lips as he thought about the new task. The new task seemed to mention some Bonus Rewards like Skill Level Progression. Was it possible that this could mean his Counterstrike would have a chance of increasing?

He looked at the description of Counterstrike and focused on the fact that it would only work on physical attacks. While it was a good passive skill, it was useless against Essentias that could target the mind, like illusions.

If this Skill Level Progression could indeed affect abilities, then that would mean he would have a chance to develop counterstrike! But what about his strengths and other basic attributes? How was he going to increase them? This world respected the strong and bullied the weak. Right now, he needed strength, and his best option was to increase his attributes. But how?

"Young Master?" Jihoon's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hm?" Ethan got up and gave Jihoon a strange gaze. "What is it?"

"Master Wu would like to talk to you... it is about the company."

....

A/N: Sorry for the late upload. I am planning to release more chapters this week. I think a mass release is much needed for all of my novels.