Chapter 2: A Field of Hungry Wolves
The sun had barely risen above the horizon when Rudou Kagemori arrived at the rooftop of his school. The rooftop had a small, abandoned basketball court that had long since been overtaken by students kicking footballs during lunch breaks. Cracked lines, worn fences, and half-broken nets — it wasn't glamorous, but it was his field.
His system interface flickered to life as he tied his boots.
> Daily Login Bonus: +15 Ego Points
Total Ego Points Available: 115
He grinned. "Let's push it further today."
[Would you like to allocate Ego Points?]
Rudou didn't hesitate.
+5 to Speed
+5 to Shooting
+5 to Dribbling
> Stats Updated:
Speed: 50
Shooting: 44
Dribbling: 54
He could feel it, even if it was subtle. The way his body responded, the way the ball stuck to his feet more easily. The Ego System wasn't just numbers. It was real.
He glanced over the fence. Below, students were beginning to arrive. Today was the East Tokyo U-16 Selection Camp — a three-day, high-stakes trial where scouts from major academies looked for new talent. For Rudou and Takumi, it was the beginning of everything.
And the battlefield would be filled with monsters.
---
"Yo!"
Rudou turned and saw Takumi Arata walking toward him, headphones around his neck, spinning a ball on his index finger.
"You ready to get scouted or embarrassed?" Takumi teased.
Rudou smirked. "I don't plan on either. I plan on dominating."
Their systems flashed simultaneously.
> New Quest: Survive the Selection
Objective: Rank in the Top 10 during Selection Matches
Reward: Skill Unlock – Zone Vision (Lv1)
Takumi whistled. "This thing never stops, huh?"
"Nope," Rudou said. "And I don't want it to."
---
The Selection Camp was held at a full-sized turf stadium rented by the Japan Youth Development Federation. Coaches in black tracksuits, clipboards in hand, stood like generals overlooking an army. There were over 100 players. All hand-picked. All hungry.
"Welcome to East Tokyo U-16 Selection Camp," the lead coach boomed. "You have three days to prove why you deserve to play in front of the world. We'll be watching every pass, every tackle, every goal. There are no second chances."
The trials began.
---
DAY 1 – Technical Skills
Dribbling through cones. Sprint challenges. Crossbar hits. Shooting accuracy. It wasn't flashy, but it separated the disciplined from the desperate.
Rudou ranked well — top 20.
But Takumi? He ranked 2nd.
"Still behind me, huh?" Takumi said, poking Rudou's shoulder.
Rudou smirked. "It's not the first day that matters."
[Ego Points Gained: +22]
> Current Stats:
Speed: 50
Stamina: 42
Dribbling: 54
Shooting: 44
Ego: 50
Ego Points Available: 22
---
DAY 2 – One-on-One Battles
Now it got real.
Players were thrown into 1v1 duels. Each duel was three minutes long. One player defends, the other attacks. Score, and you win. Fail, and you're out.
Rudou's first opponent was a tall midfielder with blazing speed named Hayato Genda.
"You look weak," Hayato said.
"Guess you'll find out," Rudou replied.
As soon as the whistle blew, Rudou activated Momentum Surge.
He weaved through Hayato's pressure, turned left, faked right, and buried the ball into the bottom corner.
> Ego Moment Achieved
+10 Ego Points
He won every 1v1 that day. Each time, his vision sharpened. His movement evolved.
But the most dangerous player that day wasn't him. It wasn't even Takumi.
It was a silent, sharp-eyed forward named Shun Mizuki, who scored five goals in five duels — each without breaking a sweat.
"He's... a monster," Takumi muttered.
Rudou stared at Mizuki. "He's our next obstacle."
---
DAY 3 – Team Matches
The 100 players were divided into 10 teams of 10.
Rudou was placed in Team 7, with players he'd never met.
Takumi? Team 1 — and Mizuki was on his team.
"Lucky you," Rudou said. "You get to face the monster early."
Takumi gave a grim smile. "I won't lose."
Rudou's match started first. No time for watching.
The coach barked orders. The whistle blew.
Rudou became a storm.
He assisted the first goal with a sharp through ball. Scored the second with a volley. Pressed the opposing captain into a mistake for the third.
> Match Rating: 9.2/10 Ego Points Earned: +40
He collapsed on the bench, chest heaving, but eyes shining.
Across the field, Takumi stepped up for his match.
---
Takumi vs Mizuki.
Midfield maestro vs cold-blooded striker.
From the first minute, Mizuki broke through the backline and scored.
Takumi responded with an assist.
Then Mizuki scored again.
The duel intensified.
But in the 80th minute, Takumi flicked the ball over two defenders and volleyed it into the top corner himself.
2–2. Final whistle.
A draw — but the fire had been lit.
---
As the camp ended, rankings were revealed.
1. Shun Mizuki
2. Takumi Arata
3. Rudou Kagemori
Top 10 would be invited to the National Ego Camp.
Rudou stared at the list. He clenched his fists, but smiled.
"I'm still climbing."
> Quest Complete: Survive the Selection
New Skill Unlocked: Zone Vision (Lv1)
Takumi clapped him on the shoulder. "The real battle's just starting."
They looked toward the Tokyo skyline.
Together.
For now.
---
End of Chapter 2