Ethan did not move.
Outside, the world was beginning to react. Distant voices rose in confusion—some panicked, some shouting questions into the unknown. The system had reached everyone, but not everyone was ready for it.
Ethan was.
While others rushed to choose blindly, he remained still, his mind already moving ahead. Every decision now would shape the future not just his survival, but his growth.
He focused and searched for the most fundamental power he could think of.
Space and time.
The response came almost instantly. The requirement was exactly what he had expected ten thousand points.
A talent of that level was never meant for ordinary people.
Ethan didn't hesitate.
His Mythic point carried the exact value needed. The moment he converted it, the requirement was fulfilled. Without wasting a second, he selected the talent.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then something shifted.
It wasn't something he could see or hear, but he felt it clearly. The space around him seemed to acknowledge him, bending ever so slightly. Time itself felt… clearer.
More responsive.
Ethan exhaled quietly.
Good.
He moved on immediately.
Power without understanding meant nothing.
His next search was for comprehension.
The cost appeared to be nine hundred points.
He selected it without hesitation.
The effect was instant.
His thoughts sharpened. Connections formed faster. Information aligned effortlessly in his mind, as if everything suddenly made more sense.
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.
This… would change everything.
He didn't stop.
Next came protection.
Information was power, and exposure was weakness. In a system like this, allowing others to see his status would be a fatal mistake.
He searched for a way to block it.
The system provided an option.
The cost is ninety-five points.
Acceptable.
He selected it.
A subtle shift passed through him, something internal rather than physical. It felt like a door had closed permanently.
Now, even if others gained the ability to analyze or inspect, they would find nothing.
Ethan glanced at his remaining points.
Almost nothing.
But it didn't matter.
Because the most important step wasn't something he could buy.
It had to be created.
Ethan closed his eyes briefly, organizing his thoughts.
This was the opportunity his third question had revealed a self-defined talent. Something beyond the system's normal structure.
But the system would not grant it freely.
It would interpret. Adjust. Balance.
That meant every word mattered.
He began constructing it carefully.
Growth needed to be faster.
Efficiency needed to be higher.
And most importantly, his intelligence needed to scale.
Because everything depended on it.
Strength alone was limited.
Speed alone was limited.
But intelligence could turn everything into an advantage.
Ethan opened his eyes.
And defined the talent.
Reduce the experience required for leveling.
Increase stat growth.
Convert physical development into intelligence.
The system did not respond immediately.
Seconds passed.
Longer than before.
Even Ethan could feel it.
The system was evaluating.
Processing.
Then finally
It accepted.
Not exactly as he had defined it, but close enough.
The experience required for each level would be reduced by half.
Each level would grant one additional stat point.
And for every increase in strength or agility, his intelligence would rise as well.
Two points for every one stat increase in strength or agility.
Ethan absorbed the result calmly.
Not perfect.
But powerful.
Extremely powerful.
A talent built for long-term dominance.
Then Something unexpected happened.
A faint flicker passed through his vision.
Subtle.But unmistakable.
The protection ability he had just selected… changed.
It evolved.
What was once a simple block became something far more absolute.
His status was no longer just hidden.
It was sealed.
Completely.
No skill.
No ability.
No external force could access it.
Not even the system itself seemed capable of fully observing him now.
Ethan's gaze sharpened slightly.
That wasn't normal.
That wasn't balanced.
That was something else entirely.
The Classified value.
He still didn't fully understand it.
But he knew one thing
It was dangerous.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
His selections were complete.
For now.
A few minutes passed in silence.
Then the system spoke again.
Not just to him.
But to everyone.
Dungeons had been deployed.
All system functions were now fully active.
The message was simple.
But its meaning was absolute.
This was no longer preparation.
This was the beginning.
For a brief moment, everything felt still.
Then a scream echoed in the distance.
Sharp.
Sudden.
Real.
Ethan turned his head slightly.
Listening.
The world had started moving again.
But this time
It wasn't normal.
It would never be normal again.
He looked at Krishara.
Then at Nethan.
"…Stay close," he said quietly.
Because now
It had truly begun.