My Life Changed with the Unlimited System

Elias's pulse quickened as his eyes caught movement at the edge of the courtyard. Emerging from the shadows of a narrow street, a group of figures in black robes made their way toward the warehouse.

They moved in near-perfect unison, their hoods drawn low over their faces, masking their identities. The sight of them sent a chill down Elias's spine.

This wasn't the disciplined march of soldiers nor the rough swagger of mercenaries. No, this was something entirely different—something more unsettling.

"Who in the world are they?" Elias thought, ducking lower on the window ledge to avoid being seen. His fingers gripped the weathered wood tightly as he tried to make sense of what he was witnessing.

The robed figures were silent as they approached the warehouse, their footsteps barely audible against the cobblestones. Even from his perch, Elias could see how carefully they moved, like predators closing in on prey.

The men inside the warehouse seemed to notice them as well. The large doors creaked open just wide enough to let the group enter, then shut quickly behind them.

Elias frowned. These people didn't look like Feroshians—or like any other faction he'd heard of in the war. Their robes, long and flowing, bore no insignia or identifying marks, and their movements were deliberate, almost ritualistic. Cult-like.

"Whoever they are," he muttered to himself, "they're not here to buy weapons for a hunting trip."

The way the warehouse guards had greeted them—no questions, no hesitation—suggested they'd been expected. This had to be the group the boy had mentioned in the courtyard earlier.

Elias shifted slightly, his legs beginning to cramp from crouching on the narrow ledge. He needed a better vantage point, somewhere he could hear what was being said without risking detection.

Peering down, he noticed a stack of crates near a smaller side window, low enough to climb but close enough to the action that he might catch their conversation.

"Alright, Elias," he muttered under his breath, steadying himself. "Time to move."

Carefully, he began to climb down from the ledge, his boots finding precarious holds in the cracks between the old stone walls.

The climb was far from graceful, but his training helped him stay quiet enough to avoid drawing attention. Once on the ground, he darted behind the crates, his heart pounding as he took cover.

From this position, he could see the robed figures standing in the center of the warehouse, surrounded by crates of firearms. The faint glow of lanterns flickered against their dark garments, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

One of the figures stepped forward, pulling back his hood to reveal a pale face with sharp features and piercing eyes that glinted in the dim light. His voice, low and commanding, cut through the warehouse like a blade.

"Everything is in place?" the man asked his tone calm but with an edge that hinted at danger.

Elias strained to hear the reply, his breath shallow as he pressed himself closer to the crate. Whatever was happening here, it was far bigger than he'd expected.

He saw one of the men—clearly a Feroshian soldier by the insignia on his cloak—spread a large, weathered map across the table in the center of the warehouse. The robed figures encircled it, their movements deliberate and purposeful.

The pale-faced man leaned over the map, one long, bony finger tracing a route to a point near its center. Elias squinted, focusing on the area they were discussing.

It was a mountain—one whose location sparked immediate recognition in Elias's mind. He had seen it marked on their own scouting maps back at camp.

The mountain, ominously named Stonepeak Ridge, was a critical point on Squad Nine's list of locations to survey later in their mission.

"Good," the pale-faced man said, his voice smooth and eerily calm. "This is where the energy is densest. It's exactly as we anticipated. I trust the Feroshian forces have prepared everything needed?"

The soldier standing nearest to him, a tall man with a grizzled beard, nodded sharply. "Of course. We've stockpiled more than enough in order for this plan to succeed. This—" he gestured toward the map, his voice swelling with confidence—"will be the turning point of the war."

Elias's stomach churned as he listened. The Feroshians weren't just planning an assault; they were preparing for something much bigger, something that could change the tide of the conflict.

His mind raced with questions. Why Stonepeak Ridge? What kind of "energy" was this pale man talking about?

The Feroshian soldier's voice dropped slightly as he hesitated before asking, "And... what about them? Are you certain they'll be easy to control?"

The pale-faced man straightened, his expression remaining unreadable as he replied. "As long as we provide them with what they need, they'll remain under control. And with their cooperation, we will be unstoppable."

Elias froze, his breath caught in his throat. 'Them?'

Who or what were they referring to? Was it another faction? A dangerous weapon?

Something about the way the man spoke made Elias's skin crawl. This wasn't just a military strategy—they were dealing with something far more sinister.

The pale man's words hung heavily in the air, his chilling confidence sending a shiver down Elias's spine. He shifted slightly, careful not to make a sound, his eyes fixed on the map as he tried to commit every detail to memory. Stonepeak Ridge.

This was their next target. Whatever was brewing there, it was vital to the Feroshians' plans—and, from the sound of it to something much darker.
Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

Elias strained to catch every word, his ears attuned to the conversation inside the warehouse. The Feroshian soldier leaned closer to the pale-faced man, speaking in a hushed but urgent tone.

"Our spies have done their part," the soldier said, his grizzled face illuminated by the faint lamplight. "They've been working tirelessly to misdirect the enemy's forces. They believe we're amassing troops here and will move to swarm Stonepeak Ridge as soon as they get word of our activity here. By then, it'll be too late."

The pale-faced man's lips curled into a thin smile. "Excellent. Let them come. Their forces will provide the sacrifices we need to complete the ritual. Their ignorance is our greatest weapon."

Elias's chest tightened. This was it. This was the kind of information that could turn the tide of everything. If the enemy was luring their forces into a trap at Stonepeak Ridge, Squad Nine's mission had just become infinitely more dangerous—and infinitely more critical.

His mind raced as he pieced together the implications. The Feroshians weren't just planning an assault; they were setting up a slaughter. And worse, it wasn't just the soldiers that would suffer—it was the towns and innocent lives along the way.

He needed to warn Captain Cole. Now.

Just as Elias began to retreat, a voice from behind him shattered his focus.

"Who are you?"

The words were sharp, laced with suspicion, and far too loud. Elias cursed inwardly, spinning around to see a Feroshian guard standing a few feet away, his hand already reaching for the knife at his belt.

The guard's eyes widened, "An enemy spy—"

Elias didn't let him finish. Lunging forward, he tackled the man, slamming him to the ground with a force that startled even himself. The guard's knife clattered away, but his shout had already raised the tension.

Elias pressed a hand over the man's mouth, his heart pounding like a war drum as the guard struggled beneath him.

Panic gripped him. He had never killed anyone before. The weight of the man's life pressed against his trembling hands. Could he do it? Could he cross that line?

Before Elias could make a decision, a blur of movement caught his eye. A boot came down hard on the guard's head with brutal precision. The sickening crack echoed in Elias's ears, and the man went limp instantly.

Elias froze; his breath caught in his throat as he looked up. Tanner stood over the guard's body, his expression cold and unreadable. His polished boots were stained with blood, and his hand rested casually on the hilt of his dagger as if the act was nothing more than routine.

"You're welcome," Tanner said, his tone as sharp as the blade he hadn't needed to draw. His voice was low but carried enough weight to pull Elias out of his stunned silence. "Next time, don't hesitate."

Elias stared at the lifeless guard beneath him, his mind swirling with shock and guilt. This wasn't what he had trained for—or at least, not the part of training he thought he'd ever need.

"You froze," Tanner continued, his voice flat. "That hesitation could've cost us everything. Remember that."

Elias swallowed hard, nodding stiffly as he pushed himself to his feet. He avoided looking directly at the body, his thoughts a chaotic blur. Tanner, however, seemed unfazed, his focus already shifting to the warehouse.

"Did you hear anything useful?" Tanner asked, his tone leaving no room for delay.

Elias took a shaky breath, forcing himself to steady his nerves. "Yes," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "And we need to tell Captain Cole. Now."

Tanner's eyes flickered with something between amusement and irritation as he cleaned his boot on the guard's tunic. "Captain Cole is here," he said, his voice calm and measured, though there was a slight edge of reprimand. "He's been watching you the whole time."

Elias blinked, his heart still racing, the shock of the sudden encounter mixing with confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Tanner's lips curled into a tight smile. "Mara, too. He has been keeping an eye on you, making sure you didn't get yourself killed. I was ordered to step in when we saw the Feroshian guard heading your way."

Elias felt a flush of embarrassment rises to his cheeks. Captain Cole had been watching him? From the shadows? He had thought he was being clever, sneaking around like that, only to find out that the entire time, his every move had been under scrutiny.

"Why didn't he stop me sooner?" Elias asked, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting to see Cole materialize out of the darkness.

Tanner gave a low chuckle. "He wanted to see how you handled yourself. Guess you didn't disappoint... up until the part where you almost got caught."

Elias looked away, his jaw tightening. "So, what now?" he asked, trying to shift the conversation away from his near-failure.

Tanner's eyes narrowed as he glanced back toward the warehouse, his tone turning serious once more. "Now, we report to Captain Cole. He's going to want to know everything you heard." He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the situation sink in. "Let's move before anyone else decides to come looking for their missing friend."

Elias nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Whatever guilt or hesitation he had felt moments ago had to be buried for now. They had a mission to complete, and Captain Cole was waiting.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone,

I know these "Memories of a Recruit" chapters might feel like a bit of a slow burn compared to the usual pace, but hang in there with me. I promise there's a reason for all of this. These moments from Elias's past are going to play a much bigger role in the story than they might seem right now.

I get it—it's tempting to want to skip ahead to the action, but trust me, these flashbacks are laying the groundwork for some pretty major things coming up. Elias's history, the people he met, and the choices he made back then will all come back into play in ways that are going to change everything.

So, bear with me a little longer. It'll be worth it!

Thanks for sticking with me. You all are the best.

Cheers,

Noah Caelum