Rise of the Ultimate Profit System

[Updated Attribute Panel] Host: Ed Val

Strength: 22 → 27

Speed: 18 → 22

Endurance: 15 → 17

Luck: ???

Skills: Basic Combat, Market Manipulation, Enhanced Reflexes, Pressure Point Strike

Special Skill: Personal Space Storage (New!)

Ed marveled at his updated stats. Every battle, every struggle was making him stronger. Just a few days ago, he was weak, powerless, at the mercy of those who bullied and looked down on him. But now? Now, he was beginning to climb the ranks of the awakened fighters, and this was just the start.

Ed stood in the center of an abandoned warehouse, his fists clenched, heart pounding. Around him, five men circled like vultures, their sneering faces illuminated by the flickering warehouse lights. These weren't ordinary thugs. They were enhanced—awakened fighters who had adapted to the new world's evolving cultivation system.

"You got lucky last time, kid," the leader, a towering man with scars running down his arms, sneered. "This time, you won't leave in one piece."

Ed smirked, rolling his shoulders. "You talk too much. Are we fighting, or are you giving a monologue?"

The leader's face twisted in anger. "Kill him!"

The first attacker lunged, his fist glowing with energy. Ed's system instantly activated, and his newly acquired Enhanced Reflexes kicked in. Time slowed in his vision, allowing him to sidestep with precision. With a swift counterpunch, he struck the man's ribs, sending him crashing into a stack of crates.

[Opponent Defeated! +2 Strength]

Ed barely had time to register the alert before the next two attackers rushed him simultaneously. He ducked beneath a flying kick, spun on his heel, and delivered a devastating uppercut. The crack of bone echoed as the second thug collapsed, groaning in pain.

[Opponent Defeated! +1 Speed]

The last two hesitated, clearly reevaluating their chances. But their leader growled, "Don't be cowards! He's just one guy!"

One of them charged with a dagger infused with a faint glow. A weapon with cultivation energy. Dangerous.

Ed's mind raced. He needed a plan.

Time to test my new skill.

Focusing on the Personal Space Storage, he willed the ability to activate. A glowing portal appeared beside him, and from its depths, he pulled out a sturdy metal pipe he had stored earlier. The attacker's eyes widened in shock, but it was too late. Ed swung the pipe with precise force, striking the man's wrist and sending the dagger flying.

He followed up with a kick to the chest, launching the thug across the room.

[Opponent Defeated! +2 Endurance]

Only the leader remained. His expression darkened, realizing he had severely underestimated Ed.

"You…" the man seethed. "You're not normal."

Ed cracked his knuckles. "Took you long enough to figure that out."

The leader roared, his body suddenly covered in a dark aura. His strength surged, sending shockwaves through the warehouse. An advanced awakened fighter. This would be tough.

The fight erupted in an explosion of fists and kicks. The leader moved fast—faster than anyone Ed had faced before. His blows carried enough force to shatter concrete, and Ed found himself dodging with every ounce of speed he had.

But he wasn't just dodging.

He was analyzing.

Every move, every attack, every opening. His system helped him predict patterns, and when the opportunity arose, he struck.

Feinting a right jab, Ed instead delivered a brutal knee to the man's stomach, knocking the air out of him. Before the leader could recover, Ed used his full Strength and sent a powerful punch straight into his jaw.

The man staggered. Then, with a final burst of power, Ed grabbed his opponent's collar and slammed him to the ground, causing the floor to crack beneath them.

[Final Opponent Defeated! +5 Strength, +3 Speed, New Skill Unlocked: Pressure Point Strike]

Breathing heavily, Ed straightened and glanced at the system screen flashing before him. His body tingled with newfound strength.

But the fight wasn't over yet.

A slow, mocking clap echoed through the dimly lit space.

"Well, well… I must say, that was quite the performance."

Ed turned sharply, his body still primed for combat. A young man dressed in an elegant black robe stood near the entrance, his arms crossed, his lips curled in an amused smirk. His aura was calm, yet overwhelming, exuding an unmistakable pressure.

"Who the hell are you?" Ed demanded.

The stranger chuckled. "The one who's been watching you." He stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "You've caught the attention of some… important people. But before we get to that, I have a proposition."

Ed narrowed his eyes. "Not interested."

The man laughed. "You haven't even heard what it is."

"I don't need to." Ed clenched his fists. "Every time someone approaches me with a 'proposition,' it's just another way of saying they want to use me."

The man tilted his head. "Clever. You're not wrong." He smirked again. "But tell me, Ed Val… how do you plan to rise to the top if you refuse opportunities?"

Ed's jaw tightened. His system had given him power, but he still had a long way to go. Could he afford to turn down potential alliances? Or was this just another trap?

The stranger watched him carefully, waiting for an answer.

And for the first time in a long while, Ed hesitated.

[Updated Attribute Panel] Host: Ed Val

Strength: 27 → 32

Speed: 22 → 25

Endurance: 17 → 19

Luck: ???

Skills: Basic Combat, Market Manipulation, Enhanced Reflexes, Pressure Point Strike (New)

Special Skill: Personal Space Storage

His strength had grown once again. But he knew that this was just the beginning of a much larger journey… and a much deadlier battle ahead.