My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

Ethan walked quietly beside Helena, matching her pace as they headed deeper into Nemesis headquarters. The halls here felt different compared to outside of the building, right after the gate. Here, it was quieter and emptier.

He glanced around. The silence wasn't eerie, just... noticeable. Unlike the busier sections outside, this place felt almost sealed off from the rest of the world.

"You're probably wondering why it's so quiet here," Helena said, breaking the silence without looking at him.

Ethan nodded. "Yes. It is different. The outside and here."

"This wing is reserved for recruit evaluations and private testing. We keep interaction minimal. Less noise, less distraction, less chance of information leaking."

"Ah, that makes sense," Ethan replied. "No wonder I've only seen a handful of people since entering."

Helena let out a soft chuckle and gestured toward a nearby door. "This way."

They stepped into a smaller, dimly lit room with a round table at the center. It was clean and modern, yet felt surprisingly warm for a briefing space.

"Take a seat, Ethan," Helena said, motioning to the chair opposite hers. "There's something important we need to go over."

"That sounds too serious," Ethan said as he sat down, alert and curious.

Helena activated a small panel on the table, and a quiet hum followed as a set of holographic icons projected into the air above them. Each one glowing with a soft, pulsing light.

They formed a cross-shaped pattern, representing four divisions of Combat, Techno, Stealth, and Vanguard.

Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. The technology was impressive, but what caught his attention most was the structure behind it.

Helena leaned forward. "Let's start with the basics of the structure in Nemesis," she said, her voice steady.

Ethan nodded.

"Nemesis operates through four main cores. Each core specializes in a certain type of operation. While we don't enforce rigid separation, these cores help us assign missions, build squads, and train more effectively."

Ethan leaned back, gaze fixed on the icons above the table. "So these are more about tactics than power levels?"

"Exactly," Helena said with a nod. "An Ascendant's rank still determines how powerful they are, but roles like these let us function as a unit. It's not always about who's strongest. Sometimes, it's about who fits where."

She tapped the first icon. A holographic figure in sleek combat armor appeared, holding a blade and rifle in each hand.

"Let's start with Combat," Helena began. "This core focuses on direct engagement. Combat operatives are the frontline fighters. They're trained for strength, endurance, and dealing damage. When we want to settle things quickly or when things go south, they're the ones we send in."

Ethan gave a short nod. The explanation made sense. There wasn't much to ask.

Helena tapped the next icon. A figure with glowing tech implants appeared, working on a holographic display.

"Next is Techno. Think of them as our tech experts. They handle hacking, surveillance, gear development, field support, basically anything tech-related. They also tend to have the best understanding of the mission layout and strategy."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a support role."

"Not exactly," Helena replied with a smirk. "A skilled Techno can win a battle without firing a shot. Underestimate them, and you'll regret it."

She moved to the third icon, showing a shadowy figure vanishing into the background.

"This is Stealth. These operatives handle infiltration, intel gathering, and, when needed, silent eliminations. They get in, do the job, and leave without a trace."

Ethan tilted his head slightly. "This one sounds pretty cool."

Helena chuckled. "Yes. But it's not for everyone. Stealth takes patience, precision, and a calm mind."

She tapped the final icon. A figure shifted seamlessly between forms of combat stance, tech usage, and stealth movement.

"And finally, Vanguard," she said. "Vanguard operatives are flexible. They're trained to adapt and switch roles depending on what the mission needs. They might be or might not be the best at one thing, but they can handle everything."

Ethan leaned in slightly, eyeing the figure. "Sounds like the busiest one."

"Exactly," Helena nodded. "They fill in the gaps. If something goes wrong, it's the Vanguard who steps up."

"I see…" Ethan thought it over, connecting each core to what he had seen in Nemesis so far. "I'm guessing my test results are the reason we're talking about this?"

Helena smiled. "Right. You scored evenly across the board. Strength, speed, elemental control—it's all solid. That kind of balance isn't common."

Ethan wasn't surprised. Not because he was overconfident, but because he understood his own capabilities. He had the strength for Combat. His Flame Dragon Sword boosted him even more. His mind was sharp enough for Techno. And he had already reached Master tier in both Stealth and Tracking.

"So, which role do you want?" Helena asked. "Your next training will depend on that."

'What should I choose?' Ethan thought for a moment, unsure.

But before he could answer, Helena spoke again.

"Personally, I think you'd fit Vanguard best," she said. "You're adaptable. You're smart, well, I expect that from someone who runs a tech company. And the way you control your aura shows something that could be polished for Stealth and that's rare."

"Funny. I was thinking the same thing." Ethan scratched his chin. "Jack of all trades, master of none…"

"Some people see it that way," Helena said. "But in Nemesis, being adaptable is a strength."

Ethan nodded. "Sticking to one role sounds boring anyway. I'll go with Vanguard."

Helena smiled. "Good choice."

She reached under the table and pulled out a sleek silver suit with glowing lines across its surface.

Ethan's eyes widened slightly. "I've seen this. Mark and Maya wore something like it."

He paused before adding, "So both of them are Vanguards?"

"Yes," Helena said, handing it to him. "Now you are one, too."

She looked him in the eye. "The suit will boost your abilities and give you protection. It also has built-in systems for stealth and communication."

Ethan ran his fingers over the material. It was light but felt tough, like it could take a beating.

Helena stood and offered her hand. "Welcome to Nemesis, Ethan Cole."

Ethan rose and shook her hand firmly. "Let's see what this world has to offer."