Matchday.
We arrived before sunrise. The court was damp with dew, the air tight with nerves and streetlight buzz. Some of the boys stretched in silence. Others bounced on their heels, headphones in, eyes locked on the pitch like it owed them something.
Maria filmed from the sideline. Ana scouted the opposition warm-ups. Zay cracked jokes that landed flat—but nobody minded.
Today wasn't about noise.
It was about proving we belonged.
System Update: Match 1 – Metro 7s Youth Circuit
Opponent: Fort West Falcons
Ranking: Regional Tier (6th Seed)
Status: Organized, Disciplined, Predictable
Danger Player: #10 – Reyes (Advanced Playmaker)
Weather Buff: Neutral
Stakes: Win = Group Advantage + League Seeding Boost
Reward Preview:
– +2 Rep
– Skill Progression Check
– Possible Sponsor Visibility
Coach Erwin didn't give a speech. Just handed me the armband and nodded.
The rest? Was mine.
I gathered the team near midfield.
"First whistle, it's real. They've got reps, they've got structure—but they don't have us. Stick to the code. Play fast. Think faster. No heroes. No passengers."
Ana called the formation.
"Ravi sits. Isko pushes wide. Zay and I rotate press triggers. James—you call the release."
The ref blew his whistle.
And just like that, it began.
First Half – Fire Meets Iron
The Falcons were good.
Tight shape. Compact midfield. Quick short passes. #10—Reyes—pulled strings like a seasoned vet.
We held. Just.
Ravi broke up plays. Bryce cleared headers. Isko tracked like a bloodhound. But we weren't clean. Touches too heavy. Passes just late.
15 minutes in, they slipped one through.
Goal.
0–1.
System Prompt: Trigger The Rise Protocol?
Boost Pressing Tempo for 5 Minutes
Warning: Fatigue Cost – High
I triggered it.
Ana nodded, eyes burning. "Let's hunt."
What followed wasn't pretty—but it was ours.
Zay forced a turnover. Maria shouted from the sidelines. I picked up the loose ball and hit it to Isko, who overlapped and whipped it back across—
—and there was Ravi.
Slide. Net ripples.
Goal: Campus Phoenix FC – 1–1
Assist: Isko
Goal: Ravi
Morale Surge +10
Fatigue +5 (All Players)
We finished the half level, lungs heaving.
Halftime
Water bottles. Sweat towels. Silence.
Coach looked at me. "What's your read?"
I shook my head. "They're cracking when we press wide. Their right back's lagging."
"Then what's the call, Captain?"
Everyone looked at me.
"Shift Ana higher. Zay starts trigger left. Press zone rotates clockwise. We hit from their blind spots."
Ana grinned. "Now you're cooking."
System Update: Tactical Override Engaged
Formation Morph: 4-3-3 ➝ 3-4-3 (Press Variant)
Buff: Interception Chance +10%
Risk: Right Flank Exposure
Second Half – The Burn
We suffocated them.
They passed less. Panicked more. Reyes started drifting deep—isolated. We chased in packs.
Then it came.
Minute 42.
Ana intercepts. Ravi releases down the line. I curve the run. Touch once. Shoot.
Goal.
Goal: Campus Phoenix FC – 2–1
Goal: James
Morale Spike
Bonus Unlocked: Signature Play Logged – "Turn & Burn"
The last 5 minutes were hell.
They threw bodies forward. Bryce blocked two shots. Zay cleared off the line. And just before the final whistle, Reyes hit the post.
Ping.
Then:
Full Time.
Final Score: Campus Phoenix FC 2 – 1 Fort West Falcons
Victory Earned
+2 Reputation (Local)
Player Trait Progression: Active
Match Footage Archived – 89% Distribution Potential
Maria's Channel Followers: +320
Skill Tree Notification: Unlock Available
Sponsor Lead: Café Eleven (Local Youth Brand – Pending Contact)
We didn't cheer right away.
We just breathed.
Then Zay whooped. Bryce fist-bumped Ravi. Ana tapped my back and whispered, "That goal? That was cold."
Maria showed me the footage on her cam.
I watched the moment we scored. Watched our bench explode. Watched us.
We looked like a real team.
Later that night, I got a message on my old account.
Unknown Username:
"Saw your game today. Impressive system. Especially for a street team.
Heard you're building something.
Mind if I watch the next one?"
No name. No picture.
Just curiosity.
Just pressure.
System Alert: Eyes Are Watching
Next Match Difficulty Increased
Scouting Interest: Semi-Pro Level
Quest Unlocked: "Protect the Flame"
Objective: Stay Unbeaten in Group Stage
Risk: Squad Fatigue Rising
We had one win.
But the real test?
Was staying hungry.