Ethan built a modern gym as part of Nova Tech’s focus on employee wellness. Bright lights shine on the polished floors, and rows of equipment line the walls. There is a large area in the center for high-intensity training. This space is meant to inspire, and today, it serves as Ethan’s personal battlefield.
He had already made peace with the curious stares from his employees. As their boss, he could do whatever he wanted. If they were surprised to see him lifting weights or running on the treadmill at high speed during working hours, that was their problem.
Ethan held the barbell tightly as he strained to complete another set of deadlifts. The satisfying ding of a system notification echoed in his mind.
=====
[Strength +1]
=====
"I see. To see progress, I must push my limits, just like others do without the system," he muttered.
He smirked to himself, the rush of progress fueling his determination. Each point brought him closer to the elusive goal of 100 in every attribute. Strength, Speed, and Endurance were rising steadily with every rep, every mile, and every bead of sweat.
But Ethan wasn’t just here for his physical stats. His eyes flicked toward the group of employees gathered near the gym’s stretching area, whispering among themselves as they watched him. He caught snippets of their hushed conversation.
“Is that really Mr. Cole? He’s a beast!”
“Look at the speed on that treadmill! I didn’t even know it could go that fast.”
“I thought he was just some rich kid with good ideas, but this? He’s insane.”
Ethan suppressed a grin. He didn’t mind being the subject of their amazement. In fact, he welcomed it. Each time their admiration grew, so did his Charisma points.
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[Charisma +2]
=====
He got on the treadmill and set it to the highest incline and speed. His feet hit the moving belt in a steady rhythm, and he breathed heavily but kept control. The whispers grew louder, some employees now openly cheering him on.
“Let’s go, Mr. Cole!”
“You’ve got this!”
Ethan pushed harder, his legs burning as he approached his limits. The pain was intense, but it was worth it for progress. After ten tough minutes, he pressed the stop button on the treadmill and stepped off with a proud smile.
=====
[Speed +1]
[Endurance +1]
=====
Ethan picked up a towel before wiping the sweat from his forehead and other exposed parts of his body. He was trying his best to control his breath. Pushing his limits in every set made his almost a hundred points of Endurance seem like nothing.
A few of his staff, who were working out, too, watched him with a mix of disbelief and admiration.
“Mr. Cole,” a young man from the marketing team said, “you are amazing. I’ve never seen anyone push themselves like that.”
Ethan chuckled, slinging the towel over his shoulder. Thanks to the effect brought by unlocking Public Speaking and Leadership, he felt he needed to say something here. Who knows if he could increase his Charisma more.
“Thanks. I believe this: It’s not about competing with others. It’s about improving yourself compared to who you were yesterday,” Ethan said.
The crowd murmured in agreement, clearly inspired by his words.
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This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
[Charisma +3]
=====
Ethan’s smile widened. His earlier theory was proving true—every time he impressed or inspired someone, his Charisma grew. And in this environment, where he was both a leader and a motivator, the potential for growth was immense.
As the day went on, Ethan moved through different exercises—squats, pull-ups, and battle ropes. Each activity pushed him further, and each time he felt the limits of his body, he dug deeper, drawing on a determination that seemed limitless.
The gym staff, initially hesitant about their CEO monopolizing the facility, had quickly become his biggest supporters. They offered tips, cheered him on, and even adjusted the equipment to help him push his limits safely.
By the time Ethan finished his last set, the gym was abuzz with energy. Employees were talking excitedly about his performance. Some felt motivated to work harder in their own workouts. Ethan took his water bottle. He took a long sip from it.
He leaned against the wall, thinking about the day’s progress.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 7
EXP: 22000 / 28000
Ascension Points: 4
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
- Strength: 102
- Speed: 102
- Endurance: 102
- Intelligence: 87
- Charisma: 110
Free Attribute Points: 0
Skills:
1. Krav Maga [Master]
2. Close Quarters Combat [Master]
3. Tactical Firearms [Master]
4. Stealth [Master]
5. Tracking [Master]
6. Heightened Sense [Passive]
7. Eidetic Memory [Passive]
8. Public Speaking [Intermediate]
9. Leadership [Intermediate]
=====
Ethan let out a satisfied sigh. “It’s paying off. I'm getting closer to completing the core forming mission,” he muttered under his breath.
The hours of pushing his body to its limits had borne fruit, and now he was seeing the results. His Strength, Speed, and Endurance had broken past the 100-point threshold, a milestone that left him feeling both proud and slightly awed.
Yet, his gaze drifted to his Intelligence points. At 87, it was still trailing behind the others. He knew what needed to be done—reading, studying, learning—but that kind of progress required a different kind of effort. It wasn’t something he could achieve here in the gym.
“I’ll tackle that later,” Ethan murmured, already envisioning himself in his home library, pouring over books or research papers available online and absorbing knowledge with the efficiency his Eidetic Memory provided.
But his thoughts didn’t stop there. He began to wonder if he was nearing a limit. Could there be a limit to how far he could push himself? After all, his recent gains were extraordinary. Few people, even those at their physical peak, could achieve what he had. Was the system offering him an easy path, or was there more to uncover?
Unlimited System. The name itself hinted at infinite potential, but was that really the case?
Ethan’s lips quirked into a faint smile as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Guess I’ll find out eventually,” he muttered. He couldn’t deny that the strength gained from his own blood, sweat, and effort felt far more fulfilling than anything the system had given him outright.
***
The dim warehouse on the edge of Novan City smelled of damp concrete and rusted metal. It was an ideal location for secret or shady deals. The place was away from the busy streets of the city. The quiet hum of machinery in the background made the atmosphere feel even more heavy.
Donald, a well-known loan shark and drug cartel leader from Brooksville, sat relaxed on a metal chair with a cigar in his mouth. He blew out a puff of smoke and narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man sitting across from him.
Lucien.
Unlike Donald’s flamboyant demeanor, Lucien exuded a quiet menace. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he sat with the air of someone used to power and control. His eyes seemed to pierce through the smoke-filled air as he studied Donald with mild disdain.
Another figure of a man knelt on the cold, dirty floor next to them. He was blindfolded and had a thick cloth gagging his mouth. His hands and feet were tied tightly. His head hung low, but his trembling shoulders showed he was afraid. Every so often, a muffled sound of protest escaped his gag.
Behind Lucien stood Mike and Taison, two of his most loyal followers. Their imposing figures loomed in the shadows, their sharp eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. Each of them carried an air of dangerous confidence, their hands never far from their weapons.
On the other side, Donald’s entourage consisted of three rugged-looking men, each exuding a raw, primal energy. Their lean builds and alert postures marked them as mercenaries, and their presence left no doubt—they were Ascendants.
Donald took another puff of his cigar, the orange tip glowing softly in the low light. “Lucien,” he said in a deep voice, “I don't want to waste time. You know why I’m here.”
Lucien leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. “Ethan Cole,” he said simply, as though the name were of no consequence.
Donald grinned, showing teeth stained with years of indulgence. “That cocky bastard humiliated me back in Brooksville. He ruined my operation and made me a laughingstock. I want him broken.”
Lucien tilted his head slightly. “And what makes you think I care about your petty vendettas?”
Donald’s grin faltered, but he quickly recovered, leaning forward. “Because you want something too, don’t you? Jessica. The one who slipped through your fingers. We’ve got common ground here.”
At the mention of Jessica, Lucien’s eyes flickered with something dangerous. His calm expression briefly changed before returning to its usual stillness. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “We do share an interest.”
Donald felt more confident, and he leaned back with a happy smile. “So let’s cut the crap. You help me take down Ethan, and I’ll help you get Jessica. Win-win.”
Lucien’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You assume I need your help.”
Donald felt angry, but before he could say anything, Lucien raised a hand to quiet him. “I won’t pass up an opportunity if it helps me reach my goals,” he said.
The tension in the room was clear as the two men stared each other down. Finally, Lucien looked at the man kneeling beside them.
“And him?” Lucien asked, gesturing with a slight nod.
Donald’s grin returned, wider this time. He reached down and grabbed the man by the hair, jerking his head back to reveal a bruised face. The man groaned in pain, his muffled protests growing louder.
“This guy,” Donald said with a laugh, “is Joseph Moore.”
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