Kelvin ran out of his house in complete exhilaration, still unable to believe what had appeared before him. The glowing panel, the system messages... it all felt like a dream, or maybe a hallucination brought on by the weight of defeat. But deep down, even if it was all just in his imagination, he didn't care—he was happy.
In the state he was in, with a crushed heart and shattered self-esteem, all he wanted was a chance. A single chance to prove he could be more. That his mistake didn't have to be the end of his story.
As he sprinted through the nearly empty neighborhood streets, the only sound echoing through the night was the worn soles of his cleats against the asphalt. The system screen still floated before him, hovering just a few inches from his face, showing the remaining time with an unsettling level of precision.
[Time Remaining: 47 h 43 m 18 s]
The municipal park field soon came into view at the end of the street. The rusty goalposts, torn net, and mud-streaked ground stood in stark contrast to the soft glow of the system's interface. But to Kelvin, that place had never looked so sacred.
He stepped onto the uneven field with conviction. The streetlamps flickered dimly above, but just enough to illuminate a ball lying nearby. Likely someone had left it and forgotten to take it home.
[Mission: Goal 0/10]
[Target: Upper Right Corner]
[Starting Difficulty: Easy]
Kelvin smiled in surprise. Even that was recognized by the system? For a moment, he felt there really was something greater behind it all.
He placed the ball a few meters from the goal. Took a deep breath. Focused on the upper right corner, the exact spot required by the mission.
He stepped back, fixed his eyes on the target, ran… and shot.
The ball rose, but not enough. It struck the crossbar and bounced out. Kelvin shouted in frustration, the sound echoing through the empty street.
But then...
[Attempt Failed. Adjusting Internal Trajectory…]
[Control +0.1] | [Accuracy +0.1]
[Progressive Improvement Activated. Keep Trying.]
Kelvin's eyes widened. A small smile slowly formed on his face.
Until now, he hadn't even smiled since the match. But now he smiled for real.
— I can get better… Even failing, I can get better.
He quickly ran after the ball and brought it back to the front of the goal.
He placed the ball down again. The field was rough, the goal crooked, and the night air was starting to chill his sweaty skin. But none of that mattered.
Without wasting time, he fired another strong shot that curved upward, not perfect, but more precise. It hit the inside of the crossbar and went in!
[Goal Registered!]
[Progress: 1/10]
[Accuracy +0.3 | Control +0.2 | Confidence +1]
[Status Updated.]
Kelvin's eyes lit up and he raised his arms like he had just won a final. Alone on the field, he celebrated with the energy of a championship star. A laugh escaped his throat, filled with relief and victory.
— I did it… I DID IT!
Kelvin chased the ball again. There was no fatigue. Only hunger.
[Time Remaining: 47 h 31 m 49 s]
There was still time. Still a path ahead. And for the first time since he began playing football, he knew he was walking in the right direction.
The next shot came faster. The curve was better. Goal.
[2/10]
Another. He missed. But the system responded:
[Attempt Failed.]
[Error Analysis: Entry Angle -3% | Excessive Force +4%]
[Adjustments Applied.]
He adjusted his foot placement, more aware of the power and angle. The system didn't just give feedback—it trained him.
[Hint Activated: Watch your shoulder movement when shooting. Stability influences curve.]
— Right… stability… — Kelvin muttered, adjusting his posture.
Shot.
The ball went too straight. Hit the center of the crossbar.
[Attempt Failed.]
[Power +0.1 | Shot Technique +0.2]
[Mission Progressing...]
Kelvin laughed—not in mockery, but in surprise. Each failed shot was more useful than ten random successes. He ran to the ball again to prepare his next shot.
Shot.
[3/10]
Shot.
[4/10]
With every goal, the system's confirmation sound became more satisfying.
Shot.
[5/10]
A clean hit. The ball scraped the crossbar but went in confidently. Kelvin felt his chest swell with pride.
[Accuracy +0.2 | Shot Technique +0.1]
Shot.
[6/10]
The ball dove into the right corner with no chance of error. He was starting to understand the ideal curve, the exact point of contact on the foot, the body's tilt—it felt like the system was inside his own body.
[Control +0.2]
He placed the ball again with more urgency, like he was addicted to that feeling of progress.
Shot.
[7/10]
[Shot Technique +0.2]
Shot.
[8/10]
[Mission in Progress. Stable Performance.]
Sweat streamed down his face. His breathing was heavy, but he barely noticed. His mind was immersed, connected to the field, the system, the moment.
Shot.
[9/10]
A tired but satisfied smile spread across his face. He slowly walked over to the ball one last time. Every part of his body protested, but his heart pounded louder than ever.
He set the ball down, fixed his eyes on the upper right corner. Closed his eyes for a moment and whispered:
— Just one more… and I complete my first mission.
Shot.
The ball arced almost perfectly. Hit the crossbar… but this time, from the inside.
It went in.
Silence.
[10/10 – Mission Complete]
[Congratulations! You've completed your first system mission.]
[Rewards:]
[+5 Shot Accuracy]
[+5 Shot Speed]
Kelvin gave a small smile as he looked at his rewards. But just as he was frozen in place, staring at the screen, a new system message appeared.
[Begin Style Roll?]
> Yes
>No
Kelvin was surprised—but that surprise quickly faded.
— You're still asking? — he said with a wide grin. — Of course, yes!
He tapped the Yes button without hesitation, and the style roll began.