My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

Lucien's movements were a fraction slower now, his strikes losing the edge they had boasted just moments before.

Ethan watched carefully, his breathing measured as he bided his time, waiting for Lucien's stamina to waver just enough.

Then it happened—a slight lag in Lucien's footwork as he reset his stance, his energy flickering with the strain of his overextended technique.

Ethan seized the opening.

He shifted forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat, his body coiling as he prepared to strike.

Without hesitation, Ethan threw his weight behind a powerful, grounded punch—a move from his Muay Thai mastery and the raw strength he had gained since getting the Unlimited System.

His fist struck Lucien's chest, reverberating through his opponent's frame.

The force of the blow sent Lucien stumbling backward, his expression twisting in shock and pain as he struggled to regain his balance.

For the first time, the arrogance in his eyes wavered, replaced by a flicker of something else—realization, perhaps, that he wasn't in control of this fight after all.

"You…!" Lucien gasped, his voice ragged as he straightened, fury igniting in his gaze. But there was a glint of fear, too, masked behind his anger.

Ethan smirked, his stance steady, ready for whatever came next. "What's wrong, Lucien? All those years, all that refinement—and it only got you this far?"

Lucien clenched his jaw, his fists trembling as he fought to hold onto the dominance he'd once wielded with ease. "You haven't seen half of what I'm capable of!" he spat, though his words lacked their previous venom.

Ethan tilted his head mockingly, his tone calm but piercing. "Then stop talking and show me."

Ethan took a steady breath, settling into his stance with deliberate calm. His eyes remained locked on Lucien, unwavering.

He knew allowing Lucien to take the offensive would create the needed openings, but Lucien's arrogance would be his undoing.

"Come on," Ethan said softly, a hint of a challenge in his tone.

Lucien's face twisted with fury. "You'll regret underestimating me!" he snarled. He charged forward, launching a barrage of attacks—punches and kicks delivered with rapid speed but waning precision. The once-flawless technique of the LaRue martial arts began to show cracks under his mounting frustration.

Ethan moved fluidly, dodging blows and sidestepping strikes with measured efficiency. Each of Lucien's overextended attacks revealed small gaps in his defense.

Ethan's earlier assessment proved accurate; Lucien's stamina was depleting, his flashy moves draining more energy than he could sustain.

"Is this the extent of the LaRue family's prowess?" Ethan taunted, dodging a high kick. His calm demeanor only fueled Lucien's rage. That was what he aimed for.

"Shut up!" Lucien shouted, his attacks becoming more erratic. "You know nothing!"

As Lucien pressed on, his form deteriorated further. Seizing the moment, Ethan spotted a definitive opening—a slight misalignment in Lucien's stance as he prepared for another aggressive strike. Ethan reacted swiftly, channeling his strength into a decisive blow aimed at Lucien's exposed side.

The impact was solid, sending Lucien stumbling backward. Shock flickered across his face as he grappled with the reality that Ethan had turned the tide.

Meanwhile, not far away, Lucan and Flint were locked in combat with the Illusionist. The swirling distortions made every movement treacherous, but their coordination kept them one step ahead. Despite this, Lucan's attention kept straying toward Ethan's battle.

"He's pushing Ethan hard," Lucan muttered, narrowly avoiding an illusionary spike. He got the wrong impression since Ethan was on defense. Ethan was biding his time for an opening to finish this once and all.

Flint intercepted a phantom blade, his eyes sharp. "Ethan can handle himself," he replied, though concern tinged his voice.

Lucan's gaze hardened with resolve. "We can't take that chance. Not against someone like Lucien." He turned to Flint. "I'm going to prepare the Thunderclap Strike."

Flint's eyes widened in surprise. "That technique? It's risky, especially with the Illusionist still in play."

"I know," Lucan said firmly. "But facing a Higher Star Soldier leaves us no choice."

The other Warlords engaging Lucien's underlings and allies overheard the exchange, their expressions a mix of shock and determination.

They knew the gravity of Lucan resorting to his most powerful attack. Rhea glanced over, her eyes meeting Calder's with silent understanding.

"Fine. Do what you need to," Flint finally agreed, gripping his weapons tighter. "We'll hold things down here."

Lucan nodded, stepping back to find the space he needed. As he focused his energy, the air around him seemed still. The Warlords braced themselves, fully aware of the stakes but ready to support their leader's decision.

As Lucien's fury intensified, he tightened his stance, his eyes narrowing with focused rage. "Gale Blitz!" he shouted, his body surging forward in a rapid sequence of strikes, each faster and fiercer than the last. His fists cut through the air, a relentless barrage to overwhelm Ethan and reclaim control of the fight.

Ethan braced himself, watching every movement, waiting. His eyes tracked Lucien's attacks, assessing each strike and the timing between them, and then—there it was. A slight overextension was the faintest hesitation in Lucien's shoulder as he prepared for his next strike.

In that split second, Ethan moved, his instincts kicking in with a precision he hadn't known he possessed. His body was coiled and released in a single, explosive motion.

But as he launched his counter, something deep within stirred—a surge of power he hadn't expected, something raw and fierce, amplifying his strike beyond anything he'd experienced.

His fist met Lucien's side, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. Ethan felt the power of his strike reverberate, far greater than anything he'd felt before.

Lucan stood unmoving, his entire focus narrowed to a single point as he prepared to unleash his Thunderclap Strike. Everything around him disappeared—sounds, movement, and even the surrounding battles faded into an empty silence. He was completely absorbed, pouring every ounce of energy into this powerful attack.

Meanwhile, Ethan's strike had done its job. Lucien's body flew through the air, a shocked cry escaping his lips as he tumbled helplessly. "What the—?!" he shouted, his voice ringing through the room, but his control was replaced by chaos and confusion.

Flint, busy fending off the Illusionist's shifting illusions, was too focused to notice Lucien's wild trajectory. None anticipated the sudden turn of events as Lucien hurtled closer to Lucan's position.

Across the room, the Illusionist's eyes widened in terror as he sensed Lucan's gathering power. His mind raced, and panic seized him. "No, no—I have to get out!"

His hands shook as he activated his emergency escape technique, a body-switching technique, desperately searching for a target weaker than himself. Lucien, spinning helplessly mid-air, caught his eye.

"Switch—now!" he muttered, channeling the skill with trembling urgency.

The Illusionist instantly vanished, his position switching with Lucien's in a desperate flicker of energy.

Lucan, oblivious to the swap, shouted as his attack reached its peak, "Thunderclap Strike!" The air cracked with intensity as the charged energy exploded forward.

In the blink of an eye, Lucien found himself in the direct line of the attack, confusion, and horror flashing across his face just before impact.

Lucan's Thunderclap Strike roared forward, a concentrated blast of energy that tore through the air with unstoppable force. Having barely registered the sudden shift, Lucien had no time to react as the strike met him head-on.

The energy surged, piercing through his body, the sheer impact wrenching a strangled cry from him. His face twisted in shock and agony as the force overwhelmed him, his body momentarily suspended before the strike drove him backward.

Meanwhile, the Illusionist, who had swapped positions in a desperate panic, found himself plummeting through the air. His calculated escape had backfired. He crashed onto the ground with a heavy thud, rolling violently across the floor, bruised and disoriented from the unexpected landing.

Lucien's underlings froze, their eyes widening in horror as they registered what had just happened. One of them, voice trembling, shouted, "Lucien!"

In a sudden, frantic wave, they abandoned their positions, rushing toward their leader, the panic in their movements betraying the unthinkable reality unfolding before them. Their initial confidence shattered, replaced by disbelief and alarm.

The clash of battles ceased instantly as if an unspoken command had brought every fighter to a standstill. The room fell eerily silent, each person—ally or foe—momentarily stunned by the shocking turn of events. None of them anticipated this outcome, and its gravity seemed to settle heavily over the battlefield.

"What..." Lucan's face went pale as he slowly pulled his hand from Lucien's body, crimson blood splashing outward, painting his arm and chest.

The shock paralyzed him for a moment as he watched the life draining from Lucien's face, confusion and disbelief still evident in Lucien's fading gaze.

Even though he had taken many lives during his mission, he never did so lightly. He only killed when it was absolutely necessary.

Lucien's body slumped forward, collapsing into Lucan, who instinctively caught him, feeling the chilling weight of his rival in his arms. Lucan tightened his grip, his mind racing, battling against the reality settling in.

"Rhea!" he shouted, desperation thick in his voice. "Rhea, get over here! Help him—"

Rhea dashed forward, her own shock giving way to swift determination. But as she reached them, the grim truth became undeniable. The color had already drained from Lucien's face, his breathing shallow, slipping further with every passing second.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"No..." Rhea met Lucan's gaze, sorrow and regret flickering in her eyes as she slowly shook her head. It was too late.

Lucan's jaw tightened, his heart heavy as he looked down at Lucien, feeling the weight of the unintended blow. He could barely comprehend it—a bitter, tragic ending no one had anticipated.