Chapter 2: The system The familiar chime of a notification echoed in Ethan’s mind, and he froze. A surge of indescribable excitement rushed through him. His eyes widened. His heart pounded like a war drum. That sound—it wasn’t just a beep. It was a call to destiny. As a veteran netizen from Earth who had spent countless nights binging web novels, Ethan recognized the moment for what it was. He’d read it a hundred times—stories where ordinary protagonists were granted mysterious systems, cheat-like abilities that turned their lives upside down. It was the beginning of greatness. Now, it was happening to him. He had a system. His breath hitched. Eyes shut, he turned his attention inward, just as countless fictional protagonists had done. He focused, mind taut with anticipation, trying to summon the interface. > What would it be? A Shop System? A Cultivation Accelerator? A Skill Copier? Then, in the darkness behind his closed lids, a translucent panel blinked into existence. --- [Master: Ethan Hunt Physique: 0.1 Spirit: 0.1] --- That was it? Ethan blinked. Disappointment crept in like a cold draft. No flashing lights. No dramatic fanfare. No tabs, options, or grand list of powers—just two measly stats. His initial euphoria began to fade. Then, like a bolt of lightning, pain lanced through his skull. He winced, clutching his head as data surged into his mind. A cold, mechanical voice echoed within him: > "System active. Core Function: Automatically doubles host’s attributes every 24 hours." Ethan froze. His thoughts stalled. > Double... every 24 hours? His pupils constricted. He wasn’t a math prodigy, but even he understood exponential growth. At first, the change would seem small. But over time—days, weeks—a snowball would become an avalanche. The weakest ant could become a dragon. His fingers trembled. He clenched them into fists, his lips parting in stunned awe. > This... this is insane. Suddenly, that basic panel didn’t feel so underwhelming anymore. Physique: 0.1. Spirit: 0.1. The data from the system clarified: 1.0 in either stat equaled one ton of force. At 0.1, Ethan currently had around 100 kilograms of physical and spiritual strength. Neat, round numbers. Too neat. The system had likely calibrated his starting point intentionally. But Ethan didn’t dwell on that. He needed answers—about the world he now inhabited. Sifting through the inherited memories of this body, a new reality unfolded. The planet was called Blue Star—a futuristic, Earth-like world where martial power reigned supreme. While advanced technology existed, the true cornerstone of society was cosmic energy—and those who could harness it through cultivation. Strength ruled all. The cultivation hierarchy was divided into five major realms: 1. Martial Warrior 2. Martial Master 3. Martial Grandmaster 4. Martial King 5. Martial Emperor To embark on this path, one first had to awaken their elemental affinity. Some people possessed a latent affinity to one of the nine elements: fire, water, earth, metal, wind, light, darkness, thunder and ice. Through their element, they would receive a corresponding breathing technique, allowing them to absorb cosmic energy and evolve. The foundation of cultivation lay in unlocking five gene locks, each tied to a realm. Every gene lock contained nine sub-locks, and unlocking each one exponentially increased a martial artist’s strength. Before unlocking the first gene lock, a human’s strength capped at 1,000 kg—a hard, universal limit. Once unlocked, however... 1st sub-lock: 2,000 kg 2nd: 3,000 kg 3rd: 4,000 kg ... 9th: 10,000 kg Upon advancing to Martial Master: 1st sub-lock: 50,000 kg 2nd: 100,000 kg ... and so on. A terrifying system of power escalation. Ethan couldn’t help but marvel. > And I have a system that doubles my stats... daily. Starting at 100 kg today. Tomorrow, 200. The day after, 400. Then 800. 1,600—exceeding the 1,000 kg limit. A feat no unawakened mortal had ever achieved. > Could I break the law? The thought made his heart race again. His mind drifted to what he remembered from class. To qualify for a top-tier martial university, a student first needed to become a quasi-martial artist. The criteria? Punching force: 500 kg Sprint speed: 25 meters per second With that certificate, one could take the elemental affinity test. Pass, and they’d receive a breathing technique from the Alliance Hall and start cultivating. Fail, and they were condemned to mediocrity. Powerless in a world where strength decided everything. > This is the world I’m in now. Still reeling from the revelations, Ethan stood from the infirmary bed. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky in soft gold. He remembered the students who had helped him earlier—Ryan and the others. Smiling, Ethan treated them to a hearty meal at a nearby restaurant. It was the least he could do. Later that evening, he booked a ride to home. The sleek, humming car glided through the neon-lit streets. Ethan sat in the back seat, gazing out the window. > This life... is so different from the one I had before. Back on Earth, he had been alone. An orphan. No family. No dreams. Just a drifting soul in a gray, indifferent world. But here... he had parents. A home. A future. The Hunt family was among the city’s elite. His father, a successful businessman. His mother, a gentle figure from the fragmented memories in his mind. And yet, anxiety gnawed at him. > Will they notice I’m different? Can I act like the original Ethan? Fortunately, the Ethan of this world had been introverted and quiet. Distant. Though he loved his parents, they hadn’t spent much time together due to their busy schedules. Still, they cared for him deeply. That thought warmed Ethan’s heart... and made the guilt sting. The car stopped in front of a sleek villa in an upscale district. Ethan stepped out, nerves tightening with each step. Following the map in his memory, he entered the house. It was empty. Relieved, he removed his shoes and climbed the stairs. Every room matched his memory. Every photo, every detail—real. In his bedroom, he soaked in a warm bath, letting the water wash away the tension. Later, dressed in clean clothes, he sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at the ceiling. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺 > This is it. My new life has begun. His emotions were a whirlwind—fear, awe, excitement. He wasn’t just surviving anymore. He had a system. A path. A chance to rise. All he needed was time. > Every 24 hours, my strength will double. If I stay quiet, prepare, and act smart... He looked at his hands. Clenched them. A new fire burned in his soul. Tomorrow would be Day Two. And nothing would ever be the same.