Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat!

Just as Ethan was chatting, a knock sounded from the other side of the door, followed by Celia's voice.

"Switch the feed to her," Ethan instructed.

The screen shifted. When Celia saw Ethan on the video call, her expression visibly relaxed. It was her first time carrying such a large sum of gold for a transaction. Ethan had only given her a location, so she had been a little nervous. Now, seeing Ethan live, she immediately understood that the burly man in front of her was the contact.

Still, she hesitated. Should she hand over the gold first, or wait for the money?

Ethan noticed the hesitation on her face and laughed. "Celia, just give him the gold."

The deal was done. A moment later, a notification popped up in Ethan's vision.

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[Ding… System Notification: Your real-world account has received $24,000,000. Current balance: $24,002,158.35.]

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Ethan exchanged brief goodbyes with Trusty007 and ended the video call.

He hadn't asked Mad Engineer to handle the trade directly. The All-You-Need chain of shops was still a well-kept secret, and he wasn't ready to reveal that he was the one behind it. Only a few people close to him even knew.

With less than a minute left before 8 AM, Ethan logged out of Ethereal. As he stepped out of the Starry Sky Dome, a cool breeze greeted him. The morning air was crisp and fresh. He stretched his arms and yawned deeply, loosening up.

Seven days left until the Fortress Wars began.

In his past life, the real-world currency exchange system had been introduced shortly after the wars started. He wasn't sure if the same would happen this time or if it was set to unlock on a fixed schedule.

After three months of development, major corporations had begun dipping their toes into Ethereal. But without the exchange system active, they couldn't inject serious capital. Everyone still had to rely on actual gameplay to make progress, which kept the power gap relatively narrow.

But once the exchange feature was unlocked? That would change fast. Casual players would start selling in-game gold for real money. Corporations would swoop in, buying it all up, injecting billions. And the value of gold? It would skyrocket.

Now was the time to stockpile.

Standing in the secluded beauty of the Hidden Territory, Ethan's mind still lingered in Ethereal. But a voice pulled him back to reality.

"Ethan… dinner's ready!"

He turned and saw Maria carrying a pot, smiling warmly. She'd clearly gotten up early to make breakfast. Among the Whitmore family, only Markham had ever logged into Ethereal. And even he was inconsistent—mostly hopping in to eat, sleep, and log off.

As Maria called out, the doors to the Starry Sky Tents creaked open one by one. The Chase siblings, Victor, and the others emerged, bleary-eyed and yawning.

"Ugh… what's that awful smell?" Leeroy grimaced and covered his nose. "Did someone relieve themselves out here?"

The others sniffed around, confused. No one else seemed to notice anything. Ethan simply smiled, pretending not to smell it either.

"Come on," he said. "Let's eat at the old house."

During breakfast, the eccentric Dr. Aldric made one of his rare appearances. He silently grabbed a bowl of porridge and disappeared again.

Ethan had always been curious about Markham's father. Whatever illness he had, it was serious—so much so that Dr. Aldric had sought out the Whitmore family on his own. And even now, despite Ethan's known healing abilities, the family still hadn't let him examine the man.

Once the doctor had vanished, Ethan turned to Markham.

"Let's head down the mountain today."

"Huh?" Markham, still half-asleep, blinked at him. But when he glanced at Matriarch Whitmore and saw no objections, his energy returned.

"Alright! I know the area well—I'll guide you!" he grinned, then shot a quick glance at Melinda and the Matriarch. It was clear he usually wasn't allowed to leave. Sneaking out must've been his norm. This time, though, he finally had a reason to go openly.

"What are we doing down there?" he asked.

"My VR capsule broke. Gotta get a new one," Ethan replied casually. "Also… I never paid you back, remember? For the money you fronted me back during the Academic Trials. I'd send it now, but there's no signal up here."

Markham waved it off. "Forget that. I only asked for the money to buy gear for the family. Look at what you've done since arriving—built us houses, brought in a power system. We're square."

At those words, Matriarch Whitmore, Melinda, and even Maria paused. Their hands trembled slightly.

Markham had been secretly supporting the family for years. He'd always sneak out, return with supplies… and then take a beating for it. But once things ran low again, he'd do it all over.

Suddenly, Markham's mother—who had been sitting quietly beside Melinda—stood up and bolted from the room. Tears streamed down her face.

Markham froze for a moment, then put down his spoon and followed her. Ethan used his Soul Sense to watch discreetly.

Markham caught up to her just outside. He gently patted her back, and she reached out to stroke his hair. Her sorrow faded into a soft smile. Then she turned and walked into the room next door—the one where Markham's father lived.

Ethan's gaze sharpened.

That room… was empty.

Markham's mother entered anyway. Ethan, sensing the moment was private, retracted his Soul Sense despite his curiosity.

Markham stayed outside the small mud house, standing silently. After a long while, he gave a bitter smile and turned back toward the group.

Ethan watched him return, thoughtful. Markham, he realized, wasn't as simple as he let on. There was something hidden behind that easygoing attitude—a weight he carried alone.

"Ethan…" Matriarch Whitmore's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, Grandmatriarch?"

She studied him with sharp eyes, a hint of surprise in her voice. "You've advanced."

Ethan nodded. "Yes."

"What level?" she asked, her tone serious now.

He hesitated. "I'm not sure," he admitted honestly. Even he didn't fully understand what level he was at.

"Then let's test it." She stood and walked outside.

Ethan quickly finished his porridge and followed her. The others came too, eager for the show.

They ran into Markham on the way. Hearing that the Matriarch wanted to test Ethan, he froze.

"Wait, seriously?" he mumbled. His gaze shifted to Ethan—part amazement, part pity.

Outside, Matriarch Whitmore stopped and turned. She planted her dragon-headed staff into the ground.

"Attack me," she ordered.

A dragon's roar echoed faintly. A spectral dragon coiled from the staff, encircling her and forming a shimmering shield.

Markham's jaw dropped. "She's using Dragon Soul Shield… already?"

Usually, the Matriarch sent him flying with just a tap from that staff. She'd never needed a shield against him.

"Grandmatriarch, be careful," Ethan warned calmly.

Behind him, a phantom panther materialized. In a blur of motion, Ethan vanished—then reappeared right in front of the Matriarch, claws slicing through the air.

Shred!

A tearing sound rang out. The force rippled across the shield, dispersing harmlessly.

And then—he was gone again. A series of flickering shadows darted in and out of sight before vanishing completely. Silence fell.

Everyone stared, stunned.

That speed...

Ethan reappeared five meters away, motionless.

The Matriarch gave a small nod, smiling. "Your speed is excellent. But your power… too soft. Don't hold back."

Ethan nodded. He'd realized it too. While Shred wasn't an Energy Fusion Technique, it still packed a punch. But striking the Dragon Soul Shield felt like hitting air. The moment of impact had rippled through the entire barrier, dispersing the force.

Panther Form was all about speed. Without a finishing move, Shred alone wasn't enough to break through.

It was time for something stronger.

Ethan activated Bear Form.

The change was immediate. His muscles thickened, his aura deepened—and for the first time, Matriarch Whitmore's expression shifted.

Ethan lunged.