My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

The forest's dense canopy barely allowed the fading sunlight to pierce through, casting long shadows on the forest floor.

The woman moved steadily through the thick underbrush with Ethan slung over her shoulder. Her movements were swift and deliberate, each step purposeful as if she knew the path by heart.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After an hour of navigating through the maze of trees, the landscape began to change. The dense thicket gave way to a small clearing, bathed in a soft golden light that seemed almost out of place in the otherwise shadowed forest.

At the center of the clearing stood a structure that, at first glance, seemed modest but exuded a sense of quiet strength. It was a hut—or so it would appear to anyone unfamiliar.

Made of dark timber and reinforced with stone, the building stood sturdily against the wilderness. Its sloping roof extended to cover a small porch, and smoke gently rose from a chimney, curling into the sky.

But the closer they got, the more it became clear that calling it a hut was an understatement. The structure was larger than it initially seemed, with an aura of careful craftsmanship and practicality.

Its size suggested it could comfortably house several people, and its rustic design was elegant. A small wooden fence surrounded the area, enclosing a neatly tended garden filled with herbs and vibrant flowers.

The woman adjusted Ethan's weight on her shoulder as she reached the wooden door, which was slightly ajar.

This allowed a faint glow of firelight to spill out into the dusk. She pushed the door open with her free hand, stepping into the warmth of the interior.

Inside, the hut was even more impressive. The central room was spacious, with a large hearth at its heart, a fire crackling warmly within.

Wooden beams supported the ceiling, and shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of herbs, books, and trinkets. The scent of dried herbs and freshly cooked stew lingered in the air, creating a sense of homely comfort.

To the left, a sturdy table surrounded by mismatched chairs suggested a communal space, while to the right, a partition wall indicated separate rooms beyond. A corridor extended further back, where more doors hinted at private quarters.

The woman shifted Ethan's unconscious body off her shoulder. She placed him gently onto a long, cushioned bench near the hearth.

The firelight flickered across his face, highlighting the faint remnants of the golden hue from his Primal Overdrive mode.

She straightened up, glancing around the hut. Despite its warmth and inviting atmosphere, there was an air of mystery and quiet authority here—one that reflected whoever called this place home.

"This should do for now," she muttered, brushing her hair back from her face.

Before the woman could turn around, the soft creak of a floorboard signaled another presence in the room.

She glanced back, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as an old man approached from one of the adjoining rooms. His steps were unhurried, but a quiet strength in his movement commanded attention.

The old man was tall and sturdy for his age, his broad shoulders and firm stance giving him an air of authority. His long white hair was combed neatly back, revealing a weathered face marked by years of experience.

A deep scar ran down his left eye, adding a layer of intimidation to his otherwise calm expression. His piercing gray eyes flicked between the woman and the unconscious Ethan on the bench.

"Who is this boy?" the old man asked, his voice deep and steady, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to being obeyed. His gaze lingered on Ethan, his brow furrowing slightly. "Where did you find him?"

The woman crossed her arms and leaned slightly against the wall, her tone casual but respectful. "I found him near the gate. He was unconscious when I arrived, with three demons about to make him their dinner."

She tilted her head, glancing briefly at Ethan before continuing. "He seems human enough, but there was... something off about him. While I carried him here, I noticed faint traces of energy—and that golden glow," she said, her tone sharpening with curiosity. "Is this... one of the powers mentioned in the legends?"

The old man's gaze deepened as he studied Ethan. After a long moment of silence, he nodded. "Yes," he said simply, his voice weighted with certainty. "This is the Primal power."

The woman's eyes widened, her composed demeanor faltering as shock registered on her face. "The Primal power?" she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

A flicker of something else crossed her expression—jealousy. Her arms tensed, and her jaw tightened as she looked back at Ethan. "I've worked my whole life to master my abilities, and this... this boy just happens to have something like that?"

The old man chuckled, a deep, knowing laugh that echoed warmly in the room. "Now, now," he said, his tone hinting amusement.

"Don't let jealousy cloud your mind, girl. You have your own power, which doesn't pale much compared to the Primal power."

The woman's expression softened slightly, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're saying that, but this... Primal power is legendary," she said, her voice quieter now. "If he can harness it—"

"If," the old man interjected, raising a hand. "If he can harness it. The Primal power is both a gift and a curse. Few have mastered it, and it takes more than brute strength or talent to wield it properly." He paused, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "Besides, your abilities are nothing to scoff at. You've earned them through your own hard work and discipline."

The woman sighed, her tension easing slightly as the old man's words settled over her. "I guess," she muttered, though her gaze lingered on Ethan, her curiosity unshaken.

The old man shifted his gaze back to Ethan, his sharp eyes narrowing as he observed the faint, flickering traces of energy still emanating from the unconscious boy.

After a moment, he straightened and turned toward the woman.

"Have you checked him thoroughly, Celia?" the old man asked, his tone probing but not accusatory.

The woman, now identified as Celia, crossed her arms again and shrugged, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. "Not completely," she admitted, her voice carrying a mix of reluctance and frustration. "I'm not that proficient with energy readings yet. I can sense traces, sure, but nothing precise. That's why I brought him here—figured you'd have a better shot at figuring him out."

The old man nodded, his expression thoughtful as he approached Ethan. "That's good enough. I'll take it from here. Let me take a look," he said, his voice calm but with an undertone of curiosity. "There's something unusual about this boy..."

Celia furrowed her brow, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "What do you mean by 'unusual'?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and just a hint of skepticism.

The old man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he knelt beside Ethan, extending his hand above the boy's chest.

A soft green aura began to radiate from his palm, the glow pulsing faintly with an energy that felt both soothing and ancient.

His movements were deliberate, his hand sweeping slowly over Ethan's still form as if scanning for something invisible to the naked eye.

For several moments, the room was filled only with the quiet hum of the green aura. Celia watched intently, her eyes narrowing as she tried deciphering the old man's expressions. Finally, he spoke, his voice thoughtful and measured.

"Inside this boy's body," the old man began, "there's a very powerful aura unlike anything I've sensed in a long time. It's potent, almost overwhelming, yet it doesn't fully belong to him. It's as though... it's not his own, but something residing within him."

Celia tilted her head, her confusion evident. "What are you saying?" she asked, pushing off the wall and stepping closer. "How can something that strong not be part of him? That doesn't make sense."

The old man let out a soft chuckle, a knowing smile on his lips. "It means this boy has had a fateful encounter. Something—or someone—has bestowed this power upon him, whether by accident or design. But it hasn't integrated with him completely yet. It's there, dormant, waiting."

Celia's confusion deepened. "So... what? He just stumbled across this incredible power? Is that even possible?"

The old man turned his sharp gaze to her, his smile widening slightly. "Not just possible, Celia—likely. From what I can sense, this boy has barely begun his journey. His energy flow is erratic and untrained. I'd wager he's only been training as an Ascendant for a few months, at most."

Celia's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze snapping back to Ethan. "A few months?" she repeated, incredulous. "You're telling me someone with Primal power is a complete novice?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," the old man replied, calm yet firm. "And that, my dear, makes him even more interesting. Whatever path brought him here, it's only just the beginning—and maybe... just maybe, we also have a part to play in his journey."