My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

The sun filtered through the glass walls of Ethan's office, casting a warm glow over the polished floors and sleek furniture.

Outside, the city of Novan spread in all directions, alive with motion and noise, yet somehow distant behind the silence of thick glass.

Even with such a peaceful view, Ethan felt anything but calm.

His mind was clouded. The past few days had left scars that hadn't yet healed, both on the world around him and within himself. Too much had happened, and too fast.

"Why does it feel like every day just keeps getting harder?" he muttered under his breath.

He wasn't wrong. The battles he faced were growing, not just in scale but in consequence. And with every step forward, it felt like he was losing more of the people who mattered.

It had started with Mike. The moment the LaRues captured him, Ethan understood how powerless he still was. Those so-called Great Families had centuries of legacy. Their roots ran deep, stretching across Arkansas and far beyond.

Meanwhile, Nova Tech was barely standing on its own legs.

'I can't just charge forward without knowing what I'm up against,' Ethan thought, leaning back slightly in his chair. 'Not when I have people to protect.'

Jessica's absence lingered heavily in his heart. She had taken a leave to grieve her father's passing.

And Jordan, still in a coma, silent and unreachable in a hospital bed, was another reminder of how real the danger had become.

Ethan had visited him the day after the attack. There wasn't much he could do. Jordan lay motionless, surrounded by machines and whispers of hope.

Even David, who had seen more than his fair share of life's cruelty, could only offer a well-crafted story to Jordan's parents.

"He was stabbed and shot by robbers while getting lunch," David had told them. Calm. Measured. Not entirely a lie, but far from the whole truth.

Whether they believed it or not didn't matter to Ethan. What mattered was keeping them safe. The less they knew, the better.

Back at Nova Tech, David had taken over most of the responsibilities without hesitation. His energy was relentless, his focus sharp. It almost surprised Ethan how naturally David stepped into the role.

Nova Tech was moving forward. David had always dreamed of managing something real, something lasting. Now, he had that chance.

Ethan allowed himself a moment of quiet appreciation. Without David's efforts, Nova Tech might have collapsed under the weight of everything else.

But peace never lasted long.

A soft knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Come in," he called out, sitting up.

The door opened, revealing a tall figure framed in the light.

Lena Volkov entered with effortless grace, her steps quiet, but full of purpose. She carried herself with the kind of presence that drew attention without needing to ask for it.

Her dark suit fit perfectly, crisp and professional. Her hair was pulled back into a clean ponytail, revealing a sharp jawline and eyes that studied everything around her. Cold, intelligent, focused.

Ethan leaned back slightly in his chair. He wasn't surprised to see her. He had been expecting this visit, just not this soon.

He had no doubt Lena knew more than she let on. People from her background rarely moved without purpose.

The Volkovs were not just any influential family. They were among the elite. And Lena, from what little he had heard, wasn't someone to underestimate.

As she approached, Ethan quietly activated his Divine Eyes.

A soft pulse of awareness filled his vision.

She radiated strength. Her aura was that of a High Four-Star Ascendant, Bronze-tier. Stronger than most people her age. Stronger than Steve. Possibly even on par with Mark, though it was difficult to measure without seeing her in action.

One thing was clear,she wasn't someone who got where she was by luck.

'Is Bronze-tier not rare in her family?' Ethan wondered, masking his thoughts behind a neutral expression.

And if every Great Family had someone like her in their ranks, then the gap between him and the world's powerhouses was wider than he thought.

Still, Ethan didn't flinch. He met her eyes and kept his tone calm.

What he couldn't figure out yet was why she had come here. What was her goal? What did she want from Nova Tech? From him?

Lena closed the door behind her and stepped into the room, stopping a few feet from his desk.

"Ethan Cole," she said, her tone smooth, her expression unreadable. "I've been waiting to meet you."

Ethan offered a polite smile and gestured to the seat in front of him.

"Lena Volkov," he replied evenly. "I can't say I'm surprised. What brings you to my doorstep?"

She sat down gracefully, crossing one leg over the other.

"I'm here for clarity," she said. "And maybe a little curiosity."

Ethan tilted his head. "Clarity about what, exactly?"

"About you," she answered, her gaze never wavering. "About what you're building here. And why people like the LaRues are suddenly paying attention."

Ethan didn't respond right away. He studied her for a moment longer, then said quietly, "You already know the answer to that, don't you?"

Lena's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Maybe. But I'd rather hear it from you."

Ethan leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the desk.

"Then I suppose we're about to have a very interesting conversation."

And he meant every word.

Her smile widened a little, but her eyes didn't lose their sharp focus. "The Volkovs have their ways, Ethan. I've been watching you for some time now. What you're planning with Nova Tech is impressive. But it's not just the company that caught my attention. It's everything else."

Ethan kept his breathing steady, though his mind was already analyzing her intent.

"And what exactly do you mean by… everything else?" he asked, his tone calm but measured.

Lena gave a soft laugh. "Let's not pretend. You're an Ascendant. That much is clear. What's interesting is how fast you've grown, and the kind of power you seem to wield."

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. "And this power of mine... is that something the Volkovs are concerned with?"

Lena shook her head gently. "Not the Volkovs. At least, not yet."

She paused, then added, "But I am."

Her gaze didn't waver. "The world is changing, Ethan. The Five Great Families in Arkansas might seem powerful now, but their influence is only one piece of a much larger game. The true power struggle of the Ascendants spans across nations. It moves in shadows and silence, far beyond just one state."

Ethan leaned back, thoughtful. "Then what are you trying to say?"

"I want to know where you stand in all this," she said plainly.

Ethan looked at her, expression unreadable. "That depends. Where I stand will always be based on what I'm standing against."

Lena's smile faded, replaced by something more serious. "What if I told you that the LaRues are just the beginning? That what they're building now is part of something much bigger, something that could upset everything we know?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Then we have a problem. A very big one."

She nodded slowly, as if that was the answer she had hoped for. "Exactly. I believe the same. And I'm not going to sit still while the LaRues grow bolder in a city I've spent years investing in."

"What you've invested..." Ethan tilted his head. "What does that mean? What do you want from me?"

Lena's smile returned, and this time it felt more genuine. "I want an alliance. I have resources, information, and networks that could help you. In return, I need your strength."

Ethan raised a brow. "For what purpose?"

He was still trying to put all the pieces together before making any decision. Aligning with someone like Lena could shift the balance in his favor. But it would also make him a target in other circles.

"I'm competing for leadership of the Volkov family," she said. "There are other heirs. And I need every advantage I can get."

Ethan let her words settle. He had heard stories about the internal politics of powerful families, but hearing it directly from Lena gave it a different weight. If she was serious about ascending to the top of the Volkovs, then this wasn't just a power play. It was a war behind closed doors.

He took a moment before answering.

"I'll think about it," he said carefully. "But if I'm going to consider something like this, I need honesty. No surprises. No secrets."

Lena's gaze softened just a bit. "That's fair. But just remember, Ethan. This world doesn't reward trust easily. Give it only when it's earned."

She stood, adjusting her blazer with a simple, precise motion. Then she offered a respectful nod.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts. But don't wait too long. Time is not on our side."

As she turned and made her way to the door, Ethan remained still, his eyes following her quietly.

The silence returned once she left, but his thoughts didn't slow down.

He was in deeper than he ever imagined. And now, the decisions he made would carry even greater weight.

Not just for himself.

But for everyone he wanted to protect.

One thought rose to the surface, stronger than the rest.

Just how powerful were the Volkovs, really?