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You can live an entire life waiting for a moment.
I got mine at 7:58 AM.
Coach Shastri sent a simple message.
> "Chavan. Matchday squad. Be ready. 4 PM. Wear the whites."
I stared at it.
No emojis. No extra words.
But my heart… it was drumming like a Champions League final was calling me.
---
When I walked into the locker room, the vibe shifted.
Some ignored me. Some looked surprised.
Aryan was already in his kit, scowling at the wall.
I didn't care.
This wasn't about him anymore.
This was about me — Piyush Chavan. System-bonded. Forgotten no more.
---
We were playing Mumbai Titans U21, one of the toughest youth teams in the region. Top of the table. Physical, tactical, brutal.
I wasn't starting.
But I was on the bench.
And that was enough.
For now.
---
> [System Notification: Match Detected]
[Live Match Integration Activated]
[Stat Tracking – ON]
[XP Mode – Enabled]
"Get ready to earn your legend."
---
The game kicked off with electric pace.
We were pressed hard. Their #9 — that beast Rahul Dev — was carving through our midfield. By 35 minutes, we were 0–1 down.
At half-time, Coach was yelling.
Everyone was sweaty, tense, pissed.
But not me.
I was watching.
Calculating.
Waiting.
---
Second half. 68th minute. Another goal.
0–2.
Coach cursed under his breath, turned to the bench…
"Piyush! Warm up. You're on in 5."
It felt like lightning struck my spine.
Me?
Now?
Down two goals?
Perfect.
I jogged to the sidelines.
---
> [System Update: Mission – Impact Debut]
Conditions:
Create 1 Goal Involvement (Assist or Goal)
Complete 85% Passing
Rewards: +10 Stamina, Unlock "Clutch Instinct" Passive
Failure: -5 System Sync, Bench Probability Increased
---
As I stood near the fourth ref, I heard the stadium announcer say my name.
For the first time, a crowd clapped for me.
Not Aryan. Not Rahul.
Me.
---
The ref blew. Sub made. I stepped on the pitch.
Suddenly—
> [Match HUD Activated]
> Opponent Fatigue Levels Visible
Passing Lanes Highlighted
Momentum Shift Probability: 12% → 34%
Teammate Chemistry: Low
Aryan Rai – Trust: 0% 😠
---
I took my position — left wing.
Ball came to me.
I trapped it perfectly.
Passed to the overlapping fullback.
> ✅ Pass Complete
✅ Accuracy Bonus: +2 XP
✅ Chemistry: +1 with #6 (Samar)
They were watching me now.
---
80th minute.
We earned a corner. Samar took it.
The cross came deep — but misjudged.
Everyone jumped.
I didn't.
I ran back to the edge of the box.
The ball fell to me — bouncing, awkward, alive.
> [Power Shot Opportunity Detected]
> Bounce Timing: 0.8s
Defender Closing In: 2.1s
Goalkeeper Position: Left-leaning
I breathed in.
Then struck.
The thwack echoed like thunder.
It curled.
It dipped.
It destroyed the net.
GOAL.
---
> [Mission Success!]
✅ Goal Involvement: 1
✅ Passing Accuracy: 91%
Rewards Unlocked!
+10 Stamina
Passive Unlocked: "Clutch Instinct" – Boost stats by 15% in final 15 minutes of close matches
Level Up: Rookie Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
---
I didn't even celebrate.
I pointed at my name on the back of my jersey.
Just once.
Let them remember it.
Let them know who just arrived.
---
After the game, Aryan refused to talk to me. Coach pulled me aside, though.
"You want more minutes?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
He nodded. "Then keep doing what you did today."
As he walked away, the system pinged again.
> [Career Path Unlocked: Local Prodigy → National Breakout (Locked)]
Next Questline: Secure Starting XI Spot
"The road to greatness begins with war."
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And just like that…
I was no longer on the bench.
I was in the war.
And I was ready to win it.
---