The Cost of Change

Ethan sat at the kitchen table, watching his family continue their evening routine.

His dad, Aaron, was absorbed in the evening paper, while his mom, Elise, was in the midst of dinner preparations, occasionally exchanging words with his younger siblings, Lily and Jacob.

The warm, familiar feeling of being at home enveloped him, yet Ethan couldn't shake off a sense of unease.

Ethan had just returned from touring several multimillion-dollar homes, each more lavish than the previous.

He had chosen one in the city's most sought-after neighborhood, a place so secure it was almost like a fortress, complete with guards who seemed to have military backgrounds.

These guards were ever vigilant and moved like they were on a mission. The estate was fortified with surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and guards skilled enough to protect VIPs.

Ethan felt moving his family to this new, secure life was crucial, especially after a recent threatening encounter with Zidan and Mark.

'They might be part of a larger organization. They may be already aware of what I have.'

These thoughts made Ethan uneasy. He pondered if this was a common worry among the wealthy.

Shaking off the thought, Ethan reasoned that many wealthy individuals probably lived in similarly guarded places, possibly even with personal bodyguards.

'Bodyguards… That might be a good idea. But first, I need to move my family and gradually introduce them to our new lifestyle.'

He was worried about the sudden wealth's impact on them, remembering his reactions when people underestimated him.

He was hoping to avoid this kind of change. However, the change he feared most was the one occurring within himself.

Ethan sat in his old, modest apartment, which he had called home for years. He couldn't shake off a deep sense of change within himself.

'Money has changed me,' Ethan thought as he looked at his hands. 'The way I speak, what I think about, even how I act—it's like I'm not the same person anymore.'

This realization bothered him deeply. He had always been cautious and deliberate in his decisions.

Lately, Ethan has started to act differently, spending money without worrying and fearlessly facing danger.

He felt almost unstoppable, confident that he could deal with anything thanks to the Unlimited System.

But was this really the person he had become?

'Maybe the old Ethan is gone,' he thought to himself. 'The one trying to support his family and just get by. But…' Ethan shook his head, pushing away the thought.

After everything he had seen and learned, he knew he could not return to being that person.

Having been targeted once, he understood that his family was at risk, and he could not afford to show any weakness.

The world he was entering demanded that he be sharp, strong, and always strategically ahead.

With these thoughts racing through his mind, he glanced at his phone to check his available Ascension Points.

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[Ascension Points Available: 4]

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'I can do something with this,' Ethan thought. If he was going to keep moving forward, he needed to strengthen himself further. 

He knew he had enough Ascension Points to unlock something valuable that would make him more alert, resilient, and better prepared for the dangers ahead.

Ethan pulled up the Shop panel, scanning through the newly available items. Since leveling up to Level 2, more items had been unlocked, giving him a wider range of upgrades.

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Available Items:

1. Basic Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Strength by +2.

2. Speed Booster (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Speed by +2.

3. Charisma Upgrade (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Charisma by +2.

4. Intelligence Upgrade (1 Ascension Point)

Permanently increases Intelligence by +2.

5. Endurance 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

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Ethan's eyes lingered on the items, considering his options. The Endurance Potion immediately caught his attention. 

With just two Ascension Points, he could increase his Endurance by +5, giving him the stamina he needed to handle intense situations without getting fatigued so quickly.

But the one that genuinely intrigued him was the Heightened Senses Serum. He had already experienced the dangers of being followed without realizing it until it was almost too late. 

Having sharper senses—detecting threats before they got too close—would make a difference.

'That's exactly what I need,' Ethan thought excitedly. The combination of increased endurance and heightened senses would make him significantly more capable of handling future threats.

Without further hesitation, he selected both items and felt the familiar rush of energy as the system confirmed his choices.

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[Endurance Potion Purchased. Endurance +5.]

[Heightened Senses Serum Purchased. Heightened senses activated.]

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Immediately, Ethan experienced a change within himself. His body buzzed with unfamiliar energy as if he could sprint endlessly without breaking a sweat. His breathing became easier, and his heartbeat steadied.

Moreover, his perception altered dramatically. The world around him seemed to come into sharper focus, allowing him to hear even the softest sounds clearly.

The noise of dishes being put away in the kitchen, the steady hum of the refrigerator, and the gentle rustle of his father flipping through the newspaper pages intensified as if his senses had been fine-tuned to catch every detail.

Ethan was in awe. "This is incredible," he said, eyes wide as he took in his surroundings with a sense of wonder he'd never felt.

The system revealed capabilities within him that went far beyond what any average person could do. He could sense the energy flowing through him, enhancing his connection to everything around him.

He looked back at the system's interface, satisfied with his decisions. His status had improved yet again.

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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

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Ethan smiled, his confidence higher than ever. He could feel himself transforming, becoming stronger with each passing day.

Yet, despite his newfound strength, he couldn't escape the nagging feeling that the true challenges still lay ahead.

Just then, his phone vibrated with a new message from David.

David: [The advertisements have been posted! We've already begun to receive applications.] 

Before he could reply, another message arrived.

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

Ethan felt satisfied reading that. The recruitment process was already underway, and soon, NovaTech would be fully staffed with the best talent in the industry.

Ethan: [Great! Let's schedule the interviews for later this week. I have paid double to fasten the renovation process.]

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

Leaning back in his chair, Ethan reflected on the incredible journey he had embarked on in just a few short days.

He had transformed from an ordinary college student into a business owner, standing on the brink of creating something monumental.

The experience was both thrilling and daunting.

Just then, his phone buzzed again, this time with a message from 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.]

Ethan felt relieved by the progress with his new house, advancing NovaTech, and improving the system.

However, he understood that the stakes were getting higher with each step forward.

He had gained power, wealth, and knowledge. But as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Ethan was starting to feel the burden of that responsibility.

'The old Ethan would've never been ready for this,' he thought, standing up from the table. 'But I'm not the old Ethan anymore.'

This thought made him stop and look at his reflection in the window. He saw a stronger, more capable person than the boy he once was.

Yet, one thing had not changed amidst all the transformations—his dedication to protecting his family and creating a better life for them.

That was the ultimate goal of all his efforts.

He just hoped that, in the process, he wouldn't lose sight of his true self.