The morning sunlight crept through the blinds, casting soft rays across Ethan’s face as he stirred. Every muscle in his body ached, a reminder of the battle from the night before. He sat up slowly, the exhaustion from the previous night still clinging to him.
His mind flashed back to the rooftop—the fight with Anton and the Petrova Elder’s sudden appearance. It felt like a blur, but its weight still lingered.
Just yesterday, Ethan felt strong and confident. He had been growing in power, with the system providing new skills and abilities. But last night was a harsh lesson—there were forces much stronger than him.
No matter how far he had come, Ethan was reminded that the world he had entered was far more dangerous than he’d realized.
The image of the Petrova Elder surfaced in his mind. The old man had appeared out of nowhere, and Ethan hadn’t sensed him until he was right there.
It wasn’t just Anton’s brute strength that Ethan had faced—there was something far more ancient and powerful lurking in the shadows.
Ethan exhaled deeply, pushing himself out of bed despite the dull pain that throbbed. His arms still bore the bruises from the fight, a physical reminder of how much further he had to go. He had thought his strength would be enough, but the world had proven otherwise.
Lena’s words from the night before echoed in his mind.
The Realm of the Ascendants.
She had spoken of it cautiously as if the very mention of the realm was enough to change everything. According to her, it was real—a place where only the most powerful, those who had surpassed human limits, existed.
Like the Petrovas and Volkovs, the Great Families had access to it, using its secrets to maintain their dominance.
It wasn’t just about wealth and influence anymore. The Ascendants had access to powers beyond imagination, abilities that defied the natural order.
Lena had made it clear that this realm was not something one could stumble upon. It was fiercely guarded, its secrets held by those deemed worthy.
The night before played vividly in Ethan’s mind as he recalled the conversation with Lena after the battle. She had revealed things he hadn’t even imagined existed.
“You’ve already tapped into the realm of the Ascendants,” Lena had said, her voice calm but carrying a weight that made Ethan pause. “But you’re just at the very beginning. The lowest stage—what we call the realm of the Ascendant Apprentice.”
Ethan frowned in confusion. “Ascendant Apprentice?”
Lena nodded. “Yes, you’re what’s known as a Lower Star Apprentice. At that level, your strength, speed, and endurance are just a bit above what the strongest normal humans can achieve. But you’re not considered a true Ascendant yet. Real power comes later, as you climb through the ranks.”
Standing in stunned silence, Jessica roughly understood what was happening. This was the reality of their world. She believed it was similar to the Mafia, the Yakuza, and others, but on another level entirely.
Jessica finally spoke, her voice shaky. “Wait… does that mean there are others like him?”
Lena glanced at her briefly before turning her attention back to Ethan. “Yes, there are. Too many. The Great Families, for example, have been developing Ascendants for generations. They have individuals far beyond where you are right now.”
Ethan’s mind had been racing, trying to grasp the enormity of what she was saying. “And these Ascendants… how many do the Great Families have?”
Lena’s expression grew serious, her tone more cautious. “Each of the Great Families has their Ascendants. Some have reached the rank of Middle Star Soldier. These people are a hundredfold stronger than Ethan. And… we’re not talking about one or two. Most families have at least seven. The most powerful ones? They have twelve Middle Star Soldiers.”
Jessica’s voice was barely a whisper, “Twelve…?”
Ethan hadn’t said anything then, but the weight of it all was sinking in. He had felt powerful with his recent gains, but now he realized how far behind he was.
Seeing his unspoken questions, Lena had continued. “The ranks are divided into levels: Lower, Low, Middle, High, and Higher. Right now, you’re a Lower Star Apprentice.”
“Lower, as in the lowest rank, right?” Ethan asked.
Lena nodded. She wanted him to understand just how serious his situation was. “Once you move up through the Apprentice levels, you’ll become an Ascendant Soldier. The strongest members of the Great Families are at the Middle Star Soldier rank, and their abilities… let’s just say, they’re far beyond anything you’ve ever seen.”
Ethan fell silent, realizing the world of power and influence he thought he was entering was just the surface. Beneath it lay a hidden realm of strength and Ascendant power where the real control existed.
Lena continued, her expression thoughtful as she delved deeper into the world that Ethan had only begun to understand. She leaned back against the wall, her eyes dark with the weight of the information she was about to reveal.
“Anton,” she said, her voice steady, “isn’t exactly what you think. For all his arrogance, he’s considered one of the weaker heirs within the Petrova family. The respect he commands is more due to his parents and siblings. He’s one of the least impressive in terms of real talent.”
Ethan frowned. “Weaker? But he nearly had me beaten back there.”
Lena shook her head. “Anton’s strength comes from the family techniques and resources he’s been given. It wasn’t his raw talent. His speed and strength are inherited advantages, but he’s a smaller player than his siblings. In fact, within the Petrova family, he’s barely in the middle regarding status and skill.”
Jessica, still listening intently, couldn’t hide her surprise. “If that’s him being weak… I don’t even want to imagine what the stronger ones are like.”
Lena’s gaze turned sharp. “The Petrova and Volkov families are on a different level altogether. They’re old, powerful families with deep roots in realms most people don’t even know exist. But you shouldn’t concern yourself with them, at least not right now. You need to focus on the Great Families here in Novan City.”
Ethan’s mind whirled as he processed the shift in conversation.
Lena nodded. “They’re your immediate threat, Ethan. In terms of wealth, you might already surpass most of them, or at least you’re close. But wealth alone won’t protect you. That’s where you’re most vulnerable.”
Ethan’s gaze hardened. “What do you mean by that?”
“Safety,” Lena said simply. “That’s your real problem. You might have the money to build your empire, but the Great Families won’t let that happen without a fight. They’ve ruled Novan City for generations and will retaliate against anyone threatening their power. They don’t play fair, Ethan. Blackmail, abduction, killing, framing… you name it. They’ll use any underhanded method to ensure nobody can stand against them.”
Jessica’s face paled at the mention of such dark tactics. “Are you saying… they would go that far?”
Lena nodded grimly. “Absolutely. The Great Families are ruthless. They’ve maintained their control through fear and intimidation for decades. If they see someone rising up who could challenge their influence, they will try to crush them before they become a real threat. And after what you did last night, you’re on their radar now.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. He had known that his rise in power and wealth would attract enemies, but he hadn’t fully grasped the lengths the Great Families would go to maintain their dominance.
“NovaTech is a game-changer,” Lena continued. “Your vision for the future… it’s revolutionary. But revolutions make enemies, and in a city like Novan, the most dangerous enemies are the ones who think they have the most to lose.”
Ethan remained silent for a moment, thinking through the implications. “So, what do I do? How do I protect myself from them?”
Lena’s expression softened slightly. “You’ll need allies to stand by your side when things get dangerous. You’ll also need to fortify your defenses regarding your physical safety and your company’s security. NovaTech is a target now, and you are, too. These families have resources and connections beyond what you’ve faced. You need to be ready.”
Jessica, who had been quiet until now, looked concerned. “Ethan… we need to take this seriously. We can’t afford to underestimate them.”
Ethan nodded, his mind already starting to think of possible strategies. “I know. I’ll need to plan how we can counter any moves they make. If they want to play dirty, I’ll be ready for them.”
Lena’s eyes darkened with a warning, her voice taking on a more serious tone as she leaned closer to Ethan. “You should hope they don’t play dirty, Ethan. If they do, there’s no preparing for what’s coming. You won’t come out of this alive.”
Ethan stiffened as he recalled her words, the weight of her statement pressing down on him. He had heard of the Great Families’ ruthlessness, but the way Lena spoke—her certainty—made it all the more real.
There were forces at work beyond money and influence, and if the Great Families truly saw him as a threat, they would stop at nothing to crush him.
