The news spread like lightning throughout Surabaya.
"FC Utrecht is opening youth selections!"
"I hear only three Indonesians will be selected!"
"Imagine… an Eredivisie club, man!"
For most people, this was just exciting news.
For Richard—it was life and death.
Ever since the strange blue screen called the Striker System appeared that night, his mind had been preoccupied with one thing: opportunity. But that opportunity only mattered if he had the courage to take action.
And the first step was… FC Utrecht selection.
---
That morning in Surabaya was hot. The selection field was filled with hundreds of young people from various regions. Some came from elite clubs in East Java, some had personal trainers, and some even brought managers with them.
Everyone was dressed in good gear and looked confident.
Richard stood on the sidelines, wearing a worn, unmarked jersey. His shoe was slightly torn on the left side. He carried a small bag containing a water bottle and a piece of bread his mother had given him before work.
"Bro… let's go home early," Tasya had said the night before.
"You'll definitely make it," Lintang added, his eyes sparkling.
Richard smiled bitterly at the memory.
He couldn't possibly disappoint them.
But when he saw the other participants, his confidence began to shatter.
"Hey, is that the kid from Lamongan who's said to have minimal talent?" someone whispered.
"Is he serious about participating in the European selection?"
"Please, don't make the list too big."
A stinging laugh rang out behind him.
Richard gripped his bag tightly.
Not out of hurt—but because he was afraid he truly wasn't worthy.
---
Suddenly, an official in an FC Utrecht uniform blew a whistle.
"All participants gather!"
The field suddenly fell silent. Two blond foreign coaches stood at the front, accompanied by an interpreter.
"Welcome," the interpreter said. "Today's selection is divided into three stages: dribbling, 1-on-1 duels, and shooting. Only the best will advance."
Hundreds of participants swallowed hard.
Then the foreign coach continued, his voice firm:
> "We're not looking for players with great talent.
We're looking for players with great mentality."
Those words struck Richard straight in the heart.
Mentality.
That was all he had.
Other than that? Zero.
But maybe… that was enough.
---
Richard briefly retreated to the back of the stands, trying to calm himself. But suddenly the blue screen appeared again.
---
[New Mission Detected]
Mission: "Trial of Utrecht (Part 1)"
Objective:
• Pass the dribbling stage
Reward:
+1 Agility
+15 EXP
---
"System… please not now…" Richard sighed.
But just as panic was setting in, another notification appeared:
---
[Passive Skill Activated: Iron Will Lv.1]
Mental stability increased by 30%.
---
And sure enough—his panic slowly subsided. Richard caught his breath.
His chest felt lighter.
"Thank you…" Richard said softly, even though he knew the system had no emotions.
---
Dribbling Test Begins
The participants began to line up. Cones were arranged in a zigzag pattern along a 50-meter track. The FC Utrecht coach stood at the end of the track, keeping track of the time.
The first participant started.
His dribble was fast and steady—he passed.
The second participant—he fell.
The third participant—he lost the ball.
The fourth participant—he passed.
Richard watched.
It all looked… difficult.
It was the turn of a renowned Surabaya academy player. He was agile, fast, and stylish.
"Look at this!" he exclaimed.
He dribbled skillfully, dribbling over the cones like he was dribbling an opponent, then finished by kissing the club logo on his shirt.
Everyone applauded.
Beside Richard, several players whispered to each other.
"That's a potential champion."
"He's definitely going to pass."
"Richard? There's no way I can beat him."
The comment stung… but it also burned in his chest.
He didn't need applause.
He just needed one chance.
"Number 118! Richard Ardiansyah!"
Richard swallowed hard.
He stepped forward.
The ball was placed in front of him.
The field was silent.
The Utrecht coach raised his stopwatch.
"Start!"
Richard began to dribble.
Slowly at first. Steady.
But the first cone almost knocked the ball loose.
Just then—
"Ding."
---
[Skill Activated: Trajectory Vision Lv.1]
The ball's optimal path was visible.
---
Richard's eyes widened.
He saw a thin blue line appear on the ground, telling him where to move the ball. Although this skill was low-level, its effect was profound.
Suddenly, his dribbling became lighter.
The ball stuck more firmly to his feet.
Cone one… two… three…
Unconsciously, he overtook the academy student.
The participants began to exclaim.
"Eh… how come he's so fast?"
"Wow, is he serious?"
"Where is this kid from?"
Richard focused with all his focus.
The rain last night felt like it hadn't been in vain.
Before he knew it—
"Finish!"
Richard stopped, his breath ragged.
The Utrecht coach looked at his stopwatch, then exchanged glances with the other staff members.
"Good," said one of the foreign coaches with a brief nod.
Good.
It was just one word, but for Richard… it felt like the world was opening up little by little.
-
[Mission Completed]
Reward:
+1 Agility
+15 EXP
---
Richard quickly closed the screen to prevent it from being shown to anyone else. His chest felt warm.
One stage complete.
Two more to go.
---
Second Stage: 1 vs. 1 Duel
The field was divided into several small zones. Participants would duel against one defender from the committee. Their task was simple: get past their opponent and score a goal.
But these defenders weren't just any defenders—they were young Dutch graduates living in Surabaya on an exchange program.
Richard swallowed hard.
This was much more difficult.
When his turn came, he faced a tall, blond-haired young man. His opponent had a muscular build, long legs, and a perfect defensive stance.
I won't be able to beat him with ordinary skills…
When the referee blew the whistle, Richard tried to dribble to the right.
The defender immediately cut in.
As fast as lightning.
Richard was shocked.
He stepped back slightly, spun the ball—it was cut off again.
Before he even tried, he was defeated.
The crowd began to raise their voices.
"You've been told I have no talent…"
"It's my turn to be serious and I'm losing my mind."
"This is a sure failure."
But just as that feeling of despair was setting in—
"Ding."
---
[Skill Activated: Micro Sprint Burst Lv.1]
A brief acceleration boost of 0.4 seconds.
---
Richard gasped.
A heat flowed from his feet.
He dribbled the ball to the left… then suddenly whipped his body to the right with a speed he himself had never experienced.
The defender was shocked.
One step too late.
Richard passed through the narrow gap between his opponent's legs and the touchline.
Time seemed to slow down.
He kicked.
GOAL.
A cheer erupted from the crowd.
"WOW! He did it!"
"Crazy! What was that move?!"
"Who is this kid?!"
The Utrecht coaches whispered to each other.
One of them raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Richard held his breath—
then smiled slightly.
---
Two stages completed.
One more to go.
But for the first time in his life…
Richard felt like he was no longer a "talentless kid."
The system opened a door.
And he intended to charge in.