Ethan opened the Great Family panel, curious about what missions were available. As he read through the options, he felt a surge of satisfaction. These missions were direct, purposeful, and exactly what the Cole family needed to establish themselves in Novan City.
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[Great Family Missions]
1. Mission: City Patrol
Objective: Patrol the city to reduce destruction and violations caused by gang activities for three consecutive days.
Rewards: 100 Basic Strength Potions each day.
2. Mission: Community Assistance
Objective: Assist people and businesses facing harassment from local gangs. Actively protect vulnerable areas for three consecutive days.
Rewards: 100 Basic Speed Potions each day.
3. Mission: Establish the Cole Family’s Presence
Objective: While performing the first two missions, make the Cole family’s name known as a force in Novan City.
Rewards: 100 Basic Endurance Potions each day.
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Ethan reviewed the missions critically, his mind racing with ideas on allocating the family members most effectively. These tasks were the perfect opportunity to get the Cole family involved in the city’s day-to-day struggles, showing their strength and dedication to the people.
He thought about the rewards; Strength, Speed, and Endurance potions. These were small gains but would add up over time, benefiting every family member.
Plus, the public would start associating the Cole family with security and support, a welcome change in a city dominated by the Great Families’ impersonal influence.
Ethan thought, ‘I can get these guys to start wearing our family’s emblem.’
Satisfied, Ethan made a quick plan, thinking about which members would be ideal for each mission. The rewards were just a bonus; the real goal was to get the Cole family moving, gaining trust and building a reputation that even the Great Families couldn’t ignore.
Ethan’s train of thought was interrupted by a sudden jolt as the car came to an unexpected halt. He glanced up, sensing something unusual.
“Mark, what’s going on?” he called out, his voice steady yet curious.
Mark leaned slightly forward, his eyes narrowed as he looked ahead. “It seems a group of people is blocking the road, Mr. Cole. They’re just… standing there, as if they’re waiting for someone.”
Ethan looked through the windshield and saw a small group of figures silhouetted under the streetlights, motionless and seemingly focused on his car.
They weren’t the usual passerby, and something about the way they stood, their deliberate stillness, sent a ripple of tension through the air.
Ethan narrowed his gaze, assessing the situation. “They are blocking the road intentionally.”
“It seems that way,” Mark replied, his tone cautious but calm.
Ethan’s mind raced through possibilities. This wasn’t an ideal moment for interruptions. Still, if they were here for him, it could mean trouble—or perhaps an opportunity. He took a steadying breath and glanced at Mark.
“Stay here, Mark. I’ll handle this.”
Ethan stepped out of the car, his posture calm but watchful as he moved to face the figures standing in his path, ready to confront whatever—or whoever—awaited him.
As Ethan approached the group, he focused his gaze, activating his newly acquired skill, Divine Eyes. Instantly, a faint overlay of information flickered into view, revealing each individual’s rank and attributes with crisp clarity.
‘Middle Star Apprentice Ascendants,’ he noted, one after the other. The numbers were consistent, and each stood with a confidence that matched their strength.
He could even see their attributes. Most had attributes between 75 and 80 points in Strength, Speed, and Endurance. ‘Early stage of the Middle Star,’ he thought.
Ethan’s eyes moved over the group, cataloging their abilities. Although they weren’t at the highest level he’d encountered, Middle Star Apprentice Ascendants were no small force. It wouldn’t be something trivial if they were here with a purpose.
Satisfied with the readout, he lowered his focus, carefully gauging their intent while keeping his expression neutral. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he asked, “To what do I owe this… personal reception?”
With a cold expression, one of the men, clearly the leader, said, “Ethan Cole,” his tone sharp. “The Great Families aren’t pleased with all the noise you’ve been making lately. You’re stepping into places you don’t belong.”
Another man in the group smirked, crossing his arms. “We’re here to ensure you understand how things work in Novan City. You’re not as untouchable as you think.”
Ethan’s expression turned slightly amused. “A lesson, is it?” He glanced at each of them, his gaze steady, clearly unfazed by their threats. “So you’re here to teach me the city’s rules?”
The leader gave a thin, mocking smile. “Consider it a warning. You may think you’re clever, Cole, but you’re just a nobody trying to make a name for himself. You don’t get to decide how things run around here.”
A familiar chime sounded in his mind as Ethan squared off with the group—a system notification. Without lowering his guard on the group in front of him, he glanced briefly at the interface in his peripheral vision.
=====
[New Mission: Show of Strength]
Objective: Defeat the enemies sent by the Great Families to teach you a “lesson.”
Reward: 5000 EXP, 15 Ascension Points, Advanced Combat Skill Voucher
=====
A small smile crept onto Ethan’s face as he read the notification. Perfect timing. He hadn’t planned to waste his energy on this little ambush, but if the system saw fit to reward him, the fight seemed worth his time.
The leader’s mocking smile faded as he tightened his stance, his eyes narrowing with focused intent. With a quick signal, he and his three allies spread out, positioning themselves to surround Ethan. There was no more talking; they were here to deliver a message and intended to make it hurt.
The first man lunged, his speed belying his size as he closed the distance with a heavy, crushing blow aimed at Ethan’s side. Ethan sidestepped smoothly, letting the punch cut through empty air as he pivoted, his stance effortlessly balanced.
Immediately, the second man joined the assault, aiming a quick, sharp kick toward Ethan’s head. Ethan’s reflexes kicked in, and he ducked, the attacker’s leg sailing just over him as he used the momentum to sweep the man’s other leg from under him. The would-be assailant stumbled, barely regaining his footing as Ethan shifted back to center.
The remaining two attackers moved in, one with rapid, calculated jabs and the other preparing a heavier blow. Ethan’s Divine Eyes registered their movements and attributes in real-time, a subtle overlay helping him anticipate each strike with almost uncanny accuracy.
He deflected the jabs with ease, moving gracefully between them, his footwork creating space just as the heavy blow came down, narrowly missing him. With an upward strike, Ethan landed a precise hit on the man’s arm, numbing it and sending his opponent staggering back with a sharp intake of breath.
The leader’s smirk twisted into a scowl. “Is that all you’ve got, Cole?” he sneered, trying to maintain control as his confidence wavered.
Ethan’s expression remained calm, a faint amusement flickering in his eyes. “If this is your idea of a warning,” he replied, “you might want to reconsider who’s giving the lesson here.”
His words seemed to ignite the leader’s fury. The man growled and rushed forward, fists raised, putting his full strength into each punch. But Ethan anticipated every move, sidestepping and countering with sharp, controlled strikes that exploited their every weakness.
One by one, his opponents began to falter, the realization dawning that Ethan wasn’t just defending—he was in complete control.
Ethan sighed quietly, his expression turning from mild amusement to a hardened focus. “I don’t have time for this,” he said, his tone edged with finality. He shifted his stance, feet grounded firmly beneath him, his arms raised in a classic Muay Thai guard.
His opponents hesitated for a split second, noticing the change in his posture, the purposeful stillness in his movements—a predator preparing to strike.
Without warning, Ethan moved in with a powerful forward step, launching his knee into the ribs of the closest attacker with devastating force. The man’s breath left him in a sharp gasp as he crumpled back, clutching his side.
The next attacker, seeing his chance, rushed in from the left. Ethan responded instantly, pivoting on his back foot as he drove a precise elbow strike straight into the man’s jaw, sending him reeling with the brutal impact. The man stumbled, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, eyes wide with shock.
One of the remaining attackers circled around, his fists raised defensively, clearly more cautious now. But Ethan was relentless. Closing the gap in a flash, he delivered a rapid series of kicks to the man’s legs, each blow designed to break down his stance and weaken his foundation. As the man wobbled, Ethan capitalized with a final, crushing knee to the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground, wheezing for air.
The leader, the last one standing, looked around at his downed comrades, eyes wide with disbelief. He glared at Ethan, his earlier confidence now replaced with a mixture of fear and rage. “You… you’ll regret this,” he stammered, trying to regain his composure.
Ethan’s gaze remained steady, unflinching. “No,” he replied, his voice as cold as steel. “You’re the ones who underestimated me.”
Ethan closed the distance in a final, powerful move, delivering a spinning elbow strike that connected squarely with the leader’s temple. The man’s eyes rolled back as he crumpled to the ground, defeated.
Ethan stepped back, taking in the scene with a calm breath. His stance relaxed as he looked over the fallen attackers, his expression devoid of sympathy. “Next time,” he said quietly, “choose your battles more wisely.”
