CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 200: ETHAN STATUS

Sunlight streamed through the half-open blinds, casting lines across the small hospital room. The scent of antiseptic lingered, faintly dulled by the sweet crispness of a freshly sliced apple.

Ethan sat upright on the hospital bed, the blanket folded neatly at his waist. In one hand, he held a peeled slice of apple slowly chewing, lost in thought but with eyes focused.

Across from him, seated in a plastic visitor’s chair, Lucas Graves leaned forward, elbows on his knees. His jersey had been replaced with a clean hoodie, but exhaustion still clung to his posture. He looked at Ethan, a crooked smile playing on his lips, though his voice carried weight.

"Elijah was a monster..."

Ethan paused mid-bite, glancing at Lucas.

"He calculated my every step," Lucas continued, eyes narrowed as if still seeing the court in his mind. "Like he was reading me the whole time. Calm, silent, but devastating. He was just like you, Ethan..."

He looked up then, eyes locking with Ethan’s.

"If it weren’t for your strategy—the things you told me beforehand... those techniques... the Triangle Shift.. etc.... all of it—man... we would’ve lost that match."

Ethan looked down at the apple slice in his hand, then set it on the tray.

He gave a faint, tired smirk.

"I knew he’d push you. Elijah... he’s not just smart. He listens. He adapts."

"But so do you."

Lucas leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.

"I didn’t realize how much he’s grown. Like, he doesn’t just play ball... he controls the tempo. The rhythm. It’s like playing chess, but on hardwood."

Ethan nodded slowly.

"That’s why I told you about the Shift. I knew someone will try to funnel you into traps."

There was silence for a moment not heavy, but thoughtful. The kind of silence shared between two people who had been through something intense together.

Lucas chuckled softly.

"We really lived a final-boss arc, huh?"

Ethan smirked wider.

"And survived."

Just then, the door creaked slightly as a nurse peeked in, giving Ethan a thumbs up and mouthing, "Vitals are good."

He returned a nod before looking back at Lucas.

"I’m getting discharged tomorrow. Coach is probably going to lecture me for missing post-game debrief."

Lucas stood up, stretching his back.

"Let him. You earned this rest."

He headed to the door, then paused, one hand on the frame.

"Hey, Ethan..."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"When you’re back... let’s run drills together. You, me, and others."

Ethan’s smile softened.

"Count on it."

As Lucas exited, the door clicked softly shut.

Ethan leaned back into the pillows, eyes fixed on the ceiling above. The fluorescent light buzzed faintly, flickering once before returning to its hum. His fingers curled slightly around the bedsheet, muscles stiff from inactivity—but behind his eyes burned focus.

"(Status)," Ethan thought.

Basketball System – Status Activated

Ethan Albarado

Post-Lucid Dream (5 Years of Training)

Level: Ace

Training Realm: Lucid Dream World (5 Years = 60,000+ Hours)

Final Attributes

[Offensive Attributes]

Shooting Accuracy: 89

Layup Skill: 55

Dunk Skill: 47

Dribbling Skill: 75

Passing Skill: 77

[Defensive Attributes]

Defense: 78

Blocking Ability: 68

Steal Skill: 81

[Physical Attributes]

Stamina: 95

Endurance: 78

Speed: 70

💠 Skills & Techniques

[Core Mastery Skills]

Perfect Power Shot (Mythic) –Limitless-range power shot with laser precision and explosive force.

Absolute Court Vision (Mythic) –Anticipate all player movements; react before the play unfolds.

Celestial Crossover (Mythic) –Instantly shifts gravity in motion; causes even elites to stumble.

[Signature Pro Skills Enhanced]

Ankle Breaker Supreme (Transcendent) – Combines rhythm disruption, timing fracture, and sudden burst.

Sharpshooter’s Soul (Transcendent) – Instant muscle memory replication of any legendary shooting form.

Clutch Dominator (Transcendent) – Activates under pressure; focus, speed, and stats increase dramatically.

[Legendary Skill Emulation]

Kobe Fadeaway EX (Legendary)

Jordan Air Control (Legendary)

LeBron Drive Shield (Legendary)

Rodman Instinct (Legendary)

Magic Flow Pass (Legendary)

Tim Duncan Endure (Legendary)

[Newly Acquired Mental Frameworks]

Lucid Awareness Engine (Passive – Mythic): Dual-layered perception for instant adaptation.

Phantom Flow State (Passive – Mythic):Removes hesitation, activates perfect form and rhythm.

Vision Break (Advanced – Active):Override another player’s predictive path for 3 seconds.

Potential Path Unlocked...

A glowing prompt flickered across his vision, hovering above the status window like an invitation.

Choose Your Path: Unlock One of the Advanced Routes – Apex Strategist / Phantom Commander / Flowbreaker / Clutch Creator

Ethan squinted at the prompt. His hand twitched slightly—almost reflexively.

"My potential path...?" he muttered under his breath.

He stared at it a moment longer, eyes half-narrowed, before the screen dimmed on its own.

"I don’t need to choose my path for now," he whispered. "Not until I’ve caught up to reality."

The light flickered again as if echoing his resolve.

Outside the window, the morning sun glinted against the glass, welcoming a new Chapter for a player reborn—not just with skills, but with purpose.

The golden light streaked across the hospital floor, gentle and warm, in stark contrast to the cold, sterile walls that had surrounded Ethan for days.

The peace was interrupted.

Click.

The door opened slowly.

A familiar voice, soft yet filled with relief, called out—

"Ethan..."

He turned toward the door.

"Mom..."

Elle Albarado stood there, eyes watery but smiling—still wearing her beige teacher’s cardigan over her floral blouse. Her hair was messier than usual, and her hands clutched her work bag too tightly. She had come straight from the kindergarten where she worked.

Behind her—

"BIG BROTHER!!!"

A cry broke through.

A small figure rushed in, arms wide, tears running down her cheeks.

"Anna..."

The 10-year-old flung herself into Ethan’s lap before he could say another word. She sobbed into his chest, tiny fists clutching the folds of his blanket.

He froze, then slowly, gently wrapped his arms around her.

She was warm. Real. Alive.

Just like him.

Ethan’s eyes welled. He hadn’t cried when he woke up. He hadn’t cried when he saw Lucas. He hadn’t cried when he read his status.

But now—holding his little sister, feeling her heartbeat through her sobs—

He did.

Elle stepped forward quietly, her voice shaking.

"Ethan..."

He smiled at her weakly, but full of sincerity.

"I’m sorry... Mom."

She walked over, leaned down, and kissed his forehead. Her fingers combed through his messy hair the same way she did when he was little.

Anna looked up at him, red-eyed.

"You’re gonna stay, right? You’re not gonna sleep that long again?"

Ethan chuckled softly, brushing her bangs out of her face.

"I’m not going anywhere, Anna. I promise."

She smiled, finally. Her grip loosened.

Elle pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.

For a moment, there was only silence... the kind of silence that feels safe.

And in that silence—

Ethan closed his eyes again.

Not to sleep.

But to breathe.

To remind himself

He was back.

To be continue