Ethan stood on the balcony, his gaze fixed on the city beyond.
Nawala looked the same.
Vehicles moved. People walked. Shops opened.
Normal. Too normal.
But beneath that surface, everything had changed.
He could feel it.
Then he began to think if the system was not something can be touched.
It existed… somewhere else.
A separate layer. A different space.
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…If it exists in another layer…"
Then it should follow the rules.
And if it followed rules it could be understood.
Controlled. Or exploited.
He leaned slightly against the railing, thinking.
Carefully.
"If the system tracks levels… talents… growth…"
"Then that data exists somewhere."
A pause.
"…Which means it can be accessed."
At that moment
Something shifted. A faint pulse ran through his mind.
The system responded.A translucent panel appeared.
New Skill Acquired
Insight Scan (Growth Type)
Allows the user to view the level of other individuals
Can view all targets at a level below the user level
Can view targets up to +10 levels above
Accuracy increases with Intelligence and Insight
Skill evolves with usage
Ethan didn't react immediately.
He simply read it. Once. Twice.
Then memorized everything.
"…So it responds to intent."
Not just actions.
Thought.Understanding.
That alone confirmed something important.
The system wasn't passive.
It observed. It evaluated.
And it rewarded those who understood it.
Ethan closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them again.
Sharpened.
Inside the house, the television was on.
Krishara stood near it, watching.
"…Ethan, come here."
He walked inside.
The news had already begun.
"Reports are coming in from across the country."
The anchor's voice was tense, controlled.
"Multiple unidentified spatial distortions now confirmed as 'dungeons' have appeared in urban and rural areas."
Images flashed across the screen.
Dark portals. Crowds gathering.
Some running. Some watching.
"In Colombo, several civilians entered what has now been classified as an F-grade dungeon."
A pause.
"…Only two returned." Silence filled the room.
Krishara's hand tightened slightly.
Nethan looked at the screen, confused.
"Authorities are urging citizens NOT to enter any dungeon without proper preparation."
"Military units have been deployed to monitor high-risk zones."
"However, due to the sudden nature of these events, full control has not yet been established."
Ethan watched quietly.
No surprise. No reaction. Only analysis.
"Additionally, individuals have begun reporting abilities referred to as 'talents' and 'skills.'"
"Some survivors claim enhanced strength, speed, and healing capabilities."
"We are currently working to verify these claims."
The screen shifted again. Another report.
"In Kandy, an E-grade dungeon is suspected to have formed."
"Witnesses report stronger creatures and increased casualties."
Krishara spoke softly.
"…It's spreading."
Ethan nodded once.
"Yes."
The system wasn't random. It was structured.
Expansion. Escalation.
Control through pressure.
Another update appeared on the screen.
"A ranking system has reportedly been discovered."
"Some individuals claim they can view a global leaderboard showing top performers."
"However, visibility appears to be optional, and many high-ranking individuals remain unidentified."
Ethan's eyes sharpened slightly.
Leaderboard. So it had begun.
"…Hidden participation," he murmured.
That confirmed it.
Exposure was a choice. And he had already made his.
He would remain hidden.
For now.
Nethan looked up at him.
"Appachchi… are we strong?"
Ethan looked down at him. A brief pause.
"…Stronger than most."
Not a lie. But not the full truth.
Krishara turned to him.
"What do we do now?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
He looked back at the screen.
At the chaos. At the fear.
At the confusion spreading across the world.
Then he spoke. "Nothing changes."
They both looked at him.
"We observe. We grow. We don't rush."
His voice remained calm.
Controlled."But we don't fall behind either."
He turned back toward the balcony.
His thoughts are already moving ahead.
Faster than the world.
Faster than the system expected.
Because while others were reacting
Ethan was already planning.
Far ahead.
End of Chapter 5