LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter Twenty-Five: Upgrade
Jessica left the house late, her warm smile lingering as she waved goodbye. Ethan watched from the front door, his eyes following her car until it disappeared down the street.
The day had been rewarding. His family was content and secure, their future bright after a long time.
“Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for everything. See you soon!” Jessica shouted before driving away.
“Bye, Jessica!” Lily’s voice rang out the clearest. Her joy was unmistakable—having Jessica around filled a gap in her life, giving her the older sister she’d always wanted.
As Jessica's car faded from view, Ethan turned back to his family, feeling a deep sense of pride.
After everyone had left, Ethan followed and gently closed the door behind him. He paused momentarily, leaning against it, soaking in the sounds of his family getting comfortable in their new, lavish home.
The cheerful chatter of his siblings echoed from their rooms. At the same time, the soft murmur of his parents’ conversation floated in from the living room. Everything seemed to click into place, feeling just right.
Ethan had carried the burden of financial worries for years. Countless nights were spent lying awake, fretting over the future, wondering if his parents would catch a break or his siblings would get the chances they deserved.
But now, things were different. They were in a vast estate, surrounded by safety and security. The change in their circumstances had transformed their lives.
Ethan was still leaning against the front door, taking a moment to close his eyes. The sense of relief that washed over him was intense. It wasn't just the sudden wealth that mattered—it was knowing his family wouldn't longer struggle. They could finally live without worrying about what the next day might hold.
But this relief also brought with it a sense of responsibility. The system granted Ethan this opportunity but also introduced new challenges. He understood this was just the start.
Heading upstairs to his bedroom, the familiar sound of a system notification rang in his mind. Sitting on the edge of his bed, his heart pounded excitedly as he opened the Missions Panel.
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Missions Panel
[Mission Completed: Improve Your Status]
Objective: Use the resources the system provides to improve your life and the lives of those around you.
Reward: 1,000 EXP, 5 Ascension Points
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Ethan let out a soft chuckle. The feeling of achievement was unmistakable. He had moved up a level in life, quite literally. But it wasn't just about the points or the rewards—it was more about the journey. The distance they had all traveled together.
He thought about his father, Aaron, who had to work overtime at a job that barely paid the bills. His mother, Elise, always prioritized the family, sacrificing her own needs for theirs. His siblings, Jacob and Lily, were brimming with potential but were held back by their situation.
They had faced tough times. Callous times. But those days were behind them now.
Ethan's fingers paused above the system interface, drawn to a new set of notifications that had just popped up.
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Congratulations! You have leveled up!
Current Level: 2 → 3
EXP: 3500 / 4000
Ascension Points: 0 → 5
Free Attribute Points: 0 → 10
Attributes Increased:
Strength: +1
Speed: +1
Endurance: +1
Intelligence: +1
Charisma: +1
=====
Ethan got out of bed and stretched, feeling a newfound strength coursing through his body. As his gaze landed on the set of dumbbells Jessica had thoughtfully added to his room, he couldn't help but smile. She seemed to know he'd need them.
Picking up one of the 20-kilogram weights felt surprisingly easier than before. Ethan's grip was firm and confident as he lifted it almost effortlessly, a tangible testament to his growing strength.
'I'm actually getting stronger,' Ethan realized with pride. 'Faster. More capable.'
With anticipation, he opened the Status Panel to see how much progress he had made.
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[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 3
EXP: 3500 / 4000
Ascension Points: 5
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
- Strength: 11
- Speed: 11
- Endurance: 12
- Intelligence: 17
- Charisma: 7
Free Attribute Points: 10
Skills:
- Krav Maga [Basic]
- Close Quarters Combat [Basic]
- Tactical Firearms [Basic]
- Heightened Senses
=====
Ethan sat back, lost in thought, as he recalled the intense encounter with Zidan and Mark, two formidable thugs. The confrontation had been a narrow escape, highlighting how crucial his physical abilities were. He knew he couldn't be caught off guard again.
"Time to plan this out," Ethan said, reflecting on his recent experiences. He was determined not to repeat past mistakes.
First on his list was Strength. Zidan's overwhelming force had been a wake-up call. Although Ethan had managed to stand his ground, he realized he needed to be stronger. So, he decided to add +3 to his Strength, increasing it to 14.
This boost in strength would be vital for future confrontations, allowing Ethan to hit harder and easily lift heavier objects.
Speed was next. After the harrowing chase with Zidan and Mark, Ethan knew how essential speed and agility were. He allocated +3 points to Speed, improving it to 14.
Instantly, Ethan felt more agile and quick. His body seemed more responsive, capable of faster movements and reactions.
Lastly, he focused on Endurance, adding +2 points to reach 14. The recent fight had drained him, his breaths short and labored as he struggled to keep pace.
Enhancing his endurance would enable him to last longer in combat, outpace his opponents, and sustain his energy during extended physical activity.
Finally, he turned to Charisma. He did not know that this attribute made him better-looking. He thought it had something to do with the aura after people looked at him.
After all, his interactions with influential people like David Turner and Jessica showed him that social skills were just as necessary as physical prowess.
By adding +2 to his Charisma, raising it to 9, he could better inspire loyalty, earn respect, and handle the complex social situations that came with his new wealth and power.
As he assigned the points, Ethan felt a wave of energy. It wasn't just a physical change—his mind became sharper, his thoughts clearer, and his confidence unbreakable. He was transforming into the person he needed to be.
But there was more to it. Ethan realized that having physical and social strength was only part of what he needed. It would take more than raw power to survive in the evolving world around him.
His recent encounters with Zidan and Mark were a clear signal. If they were just the beginning, who else might be out there? What other threats were waiting?
Ethan understood he had to stay one step ahead. Complacency was not an option.
"There's more coming," he thought, his mind racing. "Those two thugs were just the beginning. If I’m going to protect my family—and myself—I must be ready for anything."
Opening the Shop Panel, Ethan scrolled through the available options. He believed his Level 3 status had unlocked a few new items, but he knew he needed to focus on the essentials. He didn’t have enough points to waste on unnecessary upgrades.
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[Shop Panel]
Available Items:
- Basic Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point)
- Permanently increases Strength by +2.
- Speed Booster (1 Ascension Point)
- Permanently increases Speed by +2.
- Charisma Upgrade (1 Ascension Point)
- Permanently increases Charisma by +2.
- Intelligence Upgrade (1 Ascension Point)
- Permanently increases Intelligence by +2.
- Night Vision Enhancer (1 Ascension Point)
- Allows you to see clearly in the dark without additional equipment. Provides low-light and night vision capabilities.
- Reflex Amplifier (1 Ascension Points)
- Permanently improves reflex speed, reaction times, and hand-eye coordination, allowing quicker movements in combat and daily activities.
- [Locked Items – Level 5 Required]
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"Level 5 to unlock new items, huh?" Ethan mumbled to himself as he looked over the options.
He wasn't too bothered that he couldn't access new items yet. The current selection had plenty of enhancements, and he didn't even have enough points to buy everything he wanted.
As Ethan explored the available items, he thought about the best mix for his needs.
The Heightened Senses Serum he had tried before was beneficial for keeping him sharp and aware of his environment. However, he realized he needed more to improve his endurance and reflexes.
'I need to be in top shape, both physically and mentally, if I'm going to handle whatever comes my way,' he considered.
Making up his mind quickly, Ethan chose the upgrades that would give him the advantage he needed for the challenges ahead and his increasing responsibilities.
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[Basic Strength Potion Purchased. Strength +2.]
[Speed Booster Purchased. Speed +2.]
[Charisma Upgrade Purchased. Charisma +2.]
[Intelligence Upgrade Purchased. Intelligence +2.]
[Reflex Amplifier Purchased.]
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Ethan was buzzing with excitement. He thought to himself, "How do I compare to others now? Am I on the level of a professional athlete yet?" The thought excited him.
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[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 3
EXP: 3500 / 4000
Ascension Points: 0
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
- Strength: 16
- Speed: 16
- Endurance: 14
- Intelligence: 19
- Charisma: 11
Free Attribute Points: 0
Skills:
- Krav Maga [Basic]
- Close Quarters Combat [Basic]
- Tactical Firearms [Basic]
- Heightened Senses
- Amplified Reflex
=====
Every increase in his stats and new skill he acquired made him stronger and more skilled, alert, and prepared for whatever challenges the world might throw at him.
"And how would I fare against real fighters? Like MMA professionals?" He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
Ethan knew he wasn't ready to enter such an arena yet. But he also knew that with a few more improvements, the idea of competing with some of the best wasn't just a dream—it was a possibility that was getting closer.
He would continue to rely on his growing skills in Krav Maga and Close Quarters Combat. These skills had already helped him in a recent scuffle, and he was confident they would be useful if needed.
Lying on his bed, Ethan sighed contentedly. His thoughts then shifted to the bigger picture—his project, NovaTech. He was laying a solid foundation, but there was still much to do.
Ethan knew he needed the right team, connections, and strategy to take NovaTech to new heights. He had a clear vision, and with his newfound abilities, he was more capable than ever of making it a reality.
But for tonight, he allowed himself to rest. As he relaxed, a small smile played on his lips. The world could wait until tomorrow. By then, he'd be stronger, smarter, and more prepared than ever.