My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

Ethan's legs burned with every step as he struggled to keep up with Hale, whose speed seemed unyielding. Despite the urgency of their situation, Ethan felt the strain in his muscles growing, the fatigue from the earlier battle weighing him down.

They had been climbing the stairs for quite some time now, and it was starting to take its toll. Hale was faster—too fast for Ethan—and it showed in the frustration of his tone.

"Move faster, will you?" Hale called over his shoulder, his voice tinged with impatience. "We don't have time to dawdle!"

Ethan gritted his teeth, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "I'm trying… just not as fast as you."

Hale didn't bother responding; instead, he pushed ahead, his steps sure and rapid as he navigated the corridors with practiced ease. Ethan, however, took a moment to glance down at the system notification.

Besides, he wanted to check if there was anything he could do to boost his speed as much as he could right now.

The system notification blinked into existence in front of him.

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[Mission Completed: Defeat or Kill Lucien LaRue]

Objective: Defeat or eliminate Lucien LaRue.

Rewards for Defeating Lucien:

1. 5000 EXP

2. 20 Ascension Points

3. 20 Free Attribute Points

Rewards for Eliminating Lucien:

All rewards for defeating Lucien and a Special Item: Ascendant's Leapstone (Upon use, promotes user from current rank to one full tier above perfectly.)

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'So it considers me as killing Lucien too.' Ethan stared at the rewards for a moment, his thoughts swirling.

The mission was complete—Lucien was dead. But the weight of that realization settled uncomfortably in his chest. He hadn't intended for things to end that way, for life to be taken so definitively.

Lucien's arrogance, anger, everything that had led them here… none of it felt justified in the face of death.

Still, the special item—the Ascendant's Leapstone—caught his eye. It could promote him to one full tier above his current High Star Soldier Ascendant rank.

Yet, as valuable as it was, his unease lingered. Taking a life, even Lucien's, wasn't a reward to him. A leap in rank sounded enticing, but he knew better than to believe it would come easily.

Ranking up, especially those of such magnitude, came with strain, often accompanied by pain, and that wasn't something he could risk now, not when so much was at stake and time was slipping away.

Ethan frowned and quickly moved his attention to the Shop Panel. He was sure it was not the right time to use the Leapstone, so he looked for another way to boost himself. And that's when his eyes landed on something that could help him.

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Energy Surge Potion

Description: Temporarily doubles all physical attributes for one hour, ideal for critical battle moments.

Duration: 48 hours.

Price: 15 Ascension Points

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"This will do." Without thinking much, Ethan made the decision. He had the Ascension Points and the need for speed. This was no time to hesitate. He purchased the potion and used it when it was in his possession.

A surge of energy coursed through him. His body was instantly electrified with newfound strength and speed. He could feel the change immediately—his Strength rocketed to 208, his Speed was the same, and his Endurance reached 204. It was a rush of power, and the effect was immediate.

Ethan closed the gap between him and Hale in seconds, his legs carrying him faster than he had ever moved. Hale, hearing the rapid footfalls behind him, turned in surprise to see Ethan easily catching up. His eyes widened in amazement.

"Damn, how come you're suddenly so fast?" Hale muttered under his breath.

Ethan smirked, the energy surging through his veins. He was faster now, but he couldn't leave Hale behind. Not now, not when he didn't know the way.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Ethan said, his voice steady as he matched Hale's pace. "But I'm slowing down to match you. Lead the way."

Hale grinned, shaking his head. "You sure you can keep up now?"

Ethan just nodded, pushing forward with every ounce of the energy the potion had given him. Hale was fast, but now, so was he.

Hale's voice cut through the noise. "We're almost—" An explosion tore through the space ahead, blocking their path with a wall of rubble and flames. Hale cursed, his frustration spilling over as he punched the nearest wall. "Are you kidding me?! Just when we're this close!"

He looked around, assessing their options, his eyes landing on the concrete wall beside them. "There's no way around this unless…"

Ethan caught his gaze, understanding the unspoken plan. "Then, we're making our own way through, right?"

Hale nodded, smirking despite the tension. "You got a better idea?"

Ethan shook his head, rolling up his sleeves. "None that's faster. Let's go."

With urgency mounting, they threw themselves at the wall, pounding it with all the force they could muster. Each strike landed with desperate energy, cracks spidering across the concrete, but the wall held firm, defying them for precious seconds.

"Hurry up!" Hale shouted, his voice tight with frustration and adrenaline.

"I know!" Ethan shot back, his fists relentless, each hit fueled by the racing countdown in his head. Every second wasted felt like a lost chance to save Steven's family.

The cracks widened, dust falling from the wall as it gave way, but it wasn't fast enough for either.

The relentless pounding continued until a sudden voice called out behind them. "Need a hand?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Ethan spun around, surprise flashing as he saw Lucan and Axel standing there, already moving toward the cracked wall. Their expressions were serious and focused, and they didn't waste a second before joining in, their combined force accelerating the breakthrough.

Hale took a quick step back, warily watching them as they worked. He wasn't exactly frightened, but the tension in his shoulders gave away his unease. He was alone, outnumbered by three strong opponents, and couldn't be certain of their intentions.

Lucan noticed Hale's guarded stance and spoke up, his tone calm but firm. "Relax. We're not here to start anything. We're only after Steven's family—nothing more."

Hale glanced at him, still cautious but reassured by Lucan's straightforward response. The faintest hint of relief crossed his face, and he nodded slightly.

With a thunderous crash and chunks of concrete tumbling outward, the wall finally gave way. Ethan and the others peered through the newly formed gap, finding themselves in a narrow corridor that stretched deeper into the building. The muffled sound of frightened voices came from somewhere ahead, faint but distinct.

"This way!" Hale shouted, urgency sharpening his voice as he led them forward, sprinting down the dimly lit passageway. Ethan, Lucan, and Axel followed closely, navigating through debris and damaged walls.

Ethan's heart pounded, and the echoes of distant explosions behind them were relentless reminders of the ticking clock. The cries grew louder as they rounded a final corner and found a small storage room with a heavy door slightly ajar.

Ethan pushed the door open, revealing Leah huddled in the corner with her two children, clutching her arms. Their faces were streaked with tears, and their eyes were wide with fear. Leah looked up, her eyes widening with shock and relief as she recognized Ethan and the others.

"Leah!" Ethan called softly but urgently, stepping into the room. "We're here to get you out."

Leah took a shaky breath, nodding as she tightened her grip on her children and whispered soft reassurances to them: "We're safe now. These men are here to help us."

Lucan assessed the space quickly, his gaze moving to the walls, his eyes sharp. "This room has no direct exit. We'll have to break down one more wall to get outside," he announced, his tone reassuring and urgent.

"Which one?" Axel asked, scanning the walls.

Hale pointed to the far side. "That wall should be closest to the exterior. It's our best bet."

Without hesitation, they positioned Leah and her kids safely behind them. "Stay close," Ethan instructed, his voice gentle but firm. "We'll get you all out of here."

Everyone threw themselves into the task, striking the wall repeatedly, the sound of concrete cracking beneath their blows mixing with the ever-closer sounds of structural groans and explosions echoing around them. Every second counted, and their urgency fueled each powerful strike.

Finally, the wall caved in with a loud, final crack, opening to the cool night air beyond. They quickly helped Leah and her children through the gap, guiding them to the edge. The drop was manageable, but with the tension mounting, each movement felt vital.

"Jump down!" Lucan urged, his voice filled with relief and resolve. Ethan helped Leah down, then lifted her children carefully, ensuring each landed safely. He followed, with Lucan and Axel right behind, each hitting solid ground just as the building shuddered violently.

They all turned back as the final explosion roared through the structure. A wave of dust and debris billowed outward as the entire building collapsed, disappearing into rubble.

Ethan's heart pounded as he took in the sight, a rush of relief mixing with exhaustion. Leah held her children close, her gratitude evident in her tear-filled eyes.

Luckily, they had made it out—together and in time.