Mr. Halen and Lena exchanged glances, their usual composure slightly shaken by Ethan’s bold statement. Neither of them had expected such an unwavering response, especially considering the scale of Ethan’s request.
Mr. Halen leaned forward, folding his hands on the table as he studied Ethan closely. “You do realize what you’re asking for, right? The cost for everything—nutrition, specialized training equipment, and high-grade combat gear—will surpass half a billion. You’re talking about an enormous sum.”
Ethan, without missing a beat, nodded. “I understand. Money isn’t the issue. In fact, if you can provide more, especially in terms of nutrition, I’m willing to take it all. As for the equipment and gears, give me the exact numbers so I can plan for the space we’ll need to house them. I’m serious about this, Mr. Halen.”
Lena and Mr. Halen were taken aback by Ethan’s confidence. Just moments ago, he had seemed tense and unsure, but now there was a shift in his demeanor—an assurance that he wasn’t merely throwing around empty words. He was prepared to see this through, no matter the cost.
Mr. Halen tilted his head slightly, still watching Ethan with a curious glint in his eyes. “Most people—no, anyone—would balk at a figure like that. But you’re not hesitating. I assume you’ve thought this through?”
Ethan nodded again, leaning forward. “The safety of my family and my company comes first. I want it all if you have more to offer, especially regarding nutrition. I only request that you give me the exact figures for how much equipment and supplies you need. I need to know so I can prepare the space. The sooner we get this going, the better.”
Mr. Halen sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. There was a mixture of admiration and surprise in his gaze. He wasn’t used to dealing with people like Ethan—someone willing to invest at such a scale without flinching.
Lena, meanwhile, kept her expression neutral. However, Ethan could feel her observing him closely as if trying to decipher this new side of him.
Mr. Halen finally broke the silence. “Alright,” he said, his voice more serious now. “I’ll need some time to finalize everything. The nutrition part is especially tricky. We’re talking about formulas and supplements that aren’t exactly easy to get. But I have my connections. For the equipment and gear, I’ll give you a detailed breakdown of everything you’ll need—including the number of units—so you can assess the space. As for the Ascendants willing to take this job…”
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “That’s going to take a little longer. As I said, Ascendant Soldiers are in high demand, and the ones willing to do protection work aren’t as plentiful. But once I put the word out, I’m confident I can find many interested people.”
Ethan nodded, his focus sharp. “How long do you think it will take to finalize everything? I want to get this moving as quickly as possible.”
Mr. Halen smiled faintly, clearly impressed by Ethan’s determination. “I’ll need about a week to gather the numbers and resources. For the mercenaries, give me two weeks to broadcast the offer and start bringing them in.”
Ethan sat back, satisfied with the timeline. “That works for me. Just let me know if you need anything else from me.”
Mr. Halen nodded. “I’ll send over the details soon. But I must say, Ethan, you’re walking a fine line here. You’ve made quite an impression, and not just with me. The people who take this job will expect you to deliver on every promise you make. Don’t underestimate what you’re getting into.”
Ethan’s gaze hardened. “I won’t. This is too important for me to get wrong.”
Lena, who had remained silent during the exchange, glanced at Ethan with a faint smile, though her thoughts remained unreadable. There was no doubt in her mind now—Ethan was more than just a wealthy CEO with ambition. He was willing to do whatever it took to protect what mattered most.
“Then we have a deal,” Mr. Halen said, standing up. He extended a hand to Ethan. “I’ll make sure everything is in place. Once the pieces start moving, there’s no turning back.”
Ethan stood up as well and shook Mr. Halen’s hand firmly. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
***
As they drove back to Novan City, the car’s gentle hum filled the silence between them. Ethan gazed out the window, lost in his thoughts, the weight of his decisions settling in. Sitting beside Lena, she had been watching him occasionally, her curiosity obvious. Eventually, she broke the silence.
“Are you sure you can cover all of this?” she asked, her tone calm but edged with concern. “Before we left Mr. Halen’s office, the total already exceeded five billion dollars. That’s just for the initial fees and payment for at least two hundred Ascendants. The final price will depend on their ranks and any additional equipment or resources Mr. Halen can provide.”
Ethan remained silent momentarily, her words stirring memories of his earlier thoughts. When he first saw the cost, he wondered whether his account could handle such a large sum. His account had always displayed a balance of one billion dollars—no matter how much he spent. He had assumed this was a cap or limitation imposed by the system.
But to his surprise, everything changed when he proceeded with the transaction.
The payment went through smoothly, and afterward, he checked his account. The balance now showed ten billion dollars, which he hadn’t expected. Ethan realized then that the system wasn’t limited by conventional financial constraints. It was as if the system had adjusted, recognizing that he needed much more to fulfill his mission. He didn’t know if there was any limit at all.
Unaware of his internal reflections, Lena continued, “I mean, five billion isn’t a small amount. And with more Ascendants coming into play, it could easily increase. You made the payment with no hesitation.”
Ethan smiled slightly but kept his thoughts to himself. He couldn’t explain to her what was happening with his account, the hidden truth behind his seemingly limitless resources. He’d decided long ago that some things were better left unspoken.
“I’ve planned for this,” Ethan finally replied, his voice calm. “I knew it would be expensive, but my family’s and NovaTech’s safety are worth it.”
Lena glanced at him again, a hint of respect in her eyes. “Most people would hesitate at the sheer amount you’re willing to spend. But you’re willing to do whatever it takes.”
Ethan nodded but didn’t elaborate. He still felt the surreal nature of it all. His account balance, which seemed to expand without bounds, reflected the vast power the system granted him. But he couldn’t get lost in it. The numbers didn’t matter as much as the outcome—ensuring the safety of those he cared about and protecting the future he was building.
Lena turned back to him as the city skyline began to appear in the distance. “Well, regardless of how you manage it, I’m glad you take this seriously. Mr. Halen gathered the Ascendants, which will be some of the best but also expensive. Once we get the final count and rank, we’ll know how much more this will cost.”
Ethan nodded again, the conversation fading into the background as he refocused his thoughts. He had the resources, but the real challenge would be maintaining control over the situation and himself.
Money was just one part of the equation; the bigger question was whether he could outmaneuver the Great Families and keep those he cared about safe.
As the car sped toward Novan City, Ethan’s resolve solidified. He was ready to face whatever came next, no matter the cost.
