The body lay on the grass, completely drenched in sweat. Heavy breaths mixed with the cold morning air. My legs burned, my arms ached, and my head spun. I felt like I could black out at any second.
But the screen didn't wait.
[+10 status points available.]
The pain was insane, but along with it came a hunger… not for food, but for more. I wanted more. I wanted out of this life of being a forgotten benchwarmer. A faceless nobody.
With trembling fingers, I opened my status window.
Physical: 12
Dribbling: 13
Ball Control: 11
And now… the new points.
Without overthinking it, I dropped 3 points into Speed. A warm surge ran through my legs. Veins bulged, muscles tightened, and suddenly… it was like my legs felt lighter, quicker.
Next, I added 4 points into Passing.
A strange twinge shot through my right arm and chest. It was weird, but it felt like my hands, eyes, and brain were syncing up — as if making a clean, perfect pass just became natural.
Finally, the last 3 points into Tactical IQ.
That's when the real pain hit.
My head throbbed. The world spun. I collapsed onto my side on the field, clutching my temple. It felt like millions of bits of information were being force-fed into my mind.
Imaginary lines appeared in my vision, mapping out optimal positions on the field. I could see passing angles, openings, possible movements. It was like my mind became the field, and every player was a piece I could predict and control.
The pain faded, but the feeling stayed.
I slowly got back on my feet. My legs… felt faster. My steps, lighter. The field, smaller. I felt like a different person.
[Status Updated]
Speed: 13
Passing: 14
Tactical IQ: 13
A tired smile escaped again.
This… this was just the beginning.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the city…
Coach Kang Dae-Ho sat alone in the school office, surrounded by clipboards, scribbled papers, and videos of past matches on his laptop. The school team needed a new lineup for next month's regional tournament. He had already reviewed almost everyone. The same names as always.
Jae-Hyun hadn't even been considered.
"Too weak. No physique. No game sense. Useless."
But something bugged Dae-Ho that morning.
The P.E. report mentioned that Jae-Hyun had been using the public field these past few days. Training alone.
He ran a hand across his chin, thoughtful.
"Tch… stubborn brat."
He opened the list of shortlisted players. Same names, same positions.
A sigh escaped him.
"Maybe… I should give him a shot."
The thought was quick, but it planted a seed.
[Notification: Coach's Favorability Increased.]
Little did Dae-Ho know, on the other side of the city, Jae-Hyun had already made up his mind to rewrite his story.
Saturday was just getting started.
The sun hadn't even fully risen yet, but I already knew what I wanted.
I grabbed my phone and checked the time.
06:12
I still had all of Saturday, the whole Sunday… and if I could clear a few more missions before Monday, maybe — just maybe — I'd be ready to turn some heads for real.
The screen flashed.
[New missions available!]
A crooked grin formed on my face.
"Bring it on, system… I'm not stopping today."
[To be continued].