The other contestants' eyes followed Richard as he walked to the sidelines. Some gazes were curious, some respectful, and most… envious.
It was the first time he'd felt that way.
Normally, Richard had always been at the bottom of the class. No one ever paid attention to him—even at the amateur club where he trained, he was considered a mere accessory. But today, after he had completed two rounds of selection with a surprising performance, his status had changed.
Not because of talent.
Not because of popularity.
But because of hard work that had finally found its wings.
Richard sat on a plastic chair at the sidelines, taking small sips of water from his nearly empty bottle. His throat was dry, his legs were shaking slightly, but his eyes… remained sharp.
"Bro, what was that move you just made? How did you do it so fast?" asked a contestant.
"Teach me."
"Which academy are you from?"
Richard just shook his head slowly.
"No… I just practice by myself."
They chuckled, thinking he was being condescending.
But it was reality.
Suddenly, the blue screen appeared again.
---
[Status Updated]
EXP: +15
Level: 1 → 2
Stats: • Stamina +1
• Agility +1
• Dribble Control +1
New Skill (Passive):
Focus Boost Lv.1
Effect: Increases concentration under high pressure (+20% mental clarity).
---
Richard blinked.
"Level up…?"
It felt strange. His body hadn't suddenly become superhuman, but he felt a kind of "clarity" that made the world feel slower. His usually anxious mind was now more organized.
But before he could think further about the effects, a whistle sounded.
"All participants gather again!" the organizers called.
Richard stood up. His breathing was still heavy, but his heart was steady.
Thirty participants remained out of the hundreds who had arrived that morning. Those who were eliminated sat on the sidelines, some crying, some staring blankly.
And for some reason… some stared at Richard with regret.
As if they envied his courage.
Richard wasn't a great player.
But he never stopped practicing.
And that began to change his destiny little by little.
---
Third Round Announced
A foreign coach stepped forward, carrying a clipboard.
"Today's final test is shooting. We want to see your accuracy, technique, and mental toughness."
The participants began to tremble.
Shooting is the deciding factor.
In Europe—a striker lives and dies by his ability to score goals.
The coach continued.
"You will be given five balls. 18 meters away. We will assess:"
1. Power
2. Accuracy
3. Decision
4. Sharpness of Instinct
He looked at all the participants, then uttered a sentence that made many knees wobble.
"Only those who score at least three goals… will advance to tomorrow's final."
A small exclamation rang out.
"Oh my god… three?!"
"That's so hard…"
"Sometimes even professional players aren't that easy…"
Meanwhile… Richard sighed softly.
In his head, a blue screen appeared.
---
[New Mission Unlocked]
Mission: Final Trial — Shooting Test
Goal: Score at least 3 goals out of 5 attempts
Reward:
• +2 Shooting
• New Skill: Power Shot Lv. 1
• +50 EXP
---
Richard swallowed.
"This is a golden opportunity… but it's also a trap."
If he fails?
Mission failed = no reward.
And more importantly:
Failure in the selection = the European dream is over.
He clenched his fists.
"I… can't fail."
---
Participants Begin Shooting
One by one, the participants were called.
Participant A:
Goal.
Miss.
Miss.
Goal.
Missed.
Only two goals.
Failed.
Participant B:
Goal.
Goal.
Missed.
Missed.
Two too.
Failed.
Participant C—the arrogant academy kid—stepped forward with fire.
His strides were filled with confidence. He assumed a kicking pose.
First kick—FAST.
But it went over.
Second kick—unsteady.
Missed again.
Third kick—goal.
Fourth kick—goal.
Fifth kick—post!
2/5.
Failed.
He kicked the ground in frustration, his face bright red.
"Who said I couldn't compete with him?" Richard muttered under his breath.
This isn't about talent.
This is about mentality.
---
Richard's Turn
"Number 118! Richard Ardiansyah!"
His heart was pounding. He walked toward the kicking spot.
The Surabaya wind was hot that afternoon, but his body felt cool.
Behind him, the participants watched.
"Hey, that dribbler was scary!"
"I think he can get through…"
"Ah, but shooting is hard. We'll see."
Richard placed the ball.
He caught his breath.
Then…
"Ding."
---
[Skill Activated: Trajectory Vision Lv.1]
• Optimal ball path appears
• Estimated goalkeeper's direction is faintly visible
---
Richard stared at the goal.
A thin blue line danced in the air like a tiny light that only he could see.
First shot.
He swung his right foot.
"DOUGH!"
The ball flew straight along the blue line—
GOOOOL!
The net vibrated.
A small cheer rang out.
"Damn, it's a goal!"
"Who is this guy, really?!"
---
Second shot.
Richard felt his focus increase.
Focus Boost Lv. 1 activated without him realizing it.
The goalkeeper moved slightly to the right.
A blue line flashed thinly to the bottom left.
Richard shot.
GOOOL.
Two clean goals.
The Utrecht coach began taking serious notes.
"Indonesiaaanse youngen… zeer interessant," muttered one of the foreign coaches.
---
Third shot.
This one was tough.
The blue line flickered unsteadily—a sign of waning focus.
The goalkeeper moved forward.
Richard panicked a little.
"Don't miss… don't…"
He shot too fast.
THE BALL MISSED BY THE WAY.
It almost hit the post.
The crowd roared.
"WOI! What a shame!"
"It was already good…"
---
Fourth shot.
Richard closed his eyes briefly, calming himself.
"If I fail… I'm back in Lamongan.
Without a future.
Without a second chance."
Suddenly…
"Ding."
---
[Iron Will Lv.1 Activated]
• Mental stability increased
• Panic suppressed
• Focus returned to normal
---
Richard opened his eyes.
A blue line appeared clearly.
He ran… kicked…
GOOOOOOL.
The net roared.
"WOOO! THREE GOALS!"
"So he's through!"
Richard didn't smile.
There was still one left.
---
Fifth Kick
The coach nodded.
"Last one."
Richard stood.
The ball was on the white line.
But for the first time since morning… he felt fatigue creeping up his legs.
His stamina was dropping drastically.
"System…"
"Work hard… don't stop…"
"Ding."
---
[Temporary Buff Activated]
Micro Sprint Burst affects kick power: +10% power for 3 seconds.
---
Richard adjusted his stance.
He ran.
He swung.
He kicked—
"BOOOOOAR!"
The ball shot like a bullet.
GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!
The net almost ripped open. The crowd erupted in cheers.
The Utrecht coach stared at him for a long moment.
Then he wrote one sentence on his clipboard:
> Candidate for international trial.
---
Chapter 3 Closes With…
Richard walked off the field holding his breath.
He didn't jump for joy.
He didn't scream.
He didn't cry.
He just stared calmly at the blue sky of Surabaya.
And for the first time in his life…
He felt worthy of his dream of becoming the best player in the world.
Richard shot.
GOOOOL.
Two clean goals.
The Utrecht coach began taking serious notes.
"Indonesiaaanse jongen… zeer interessant," muttered one of the foreign coaches.
---
Third kick.
This one was tough.
The blue line flickered unsteadily—a sign of waning focus.
The goalkeeper moved forward.
Richard panicked a little.
"Don't miss… don't…"
He shot too fast.
THE BALL MISSED BY THE WAY.
It almost hit the post.
The crowd roared.
"WOW! What a shame!"
"It was already good, though…"
---
Fourth kick.
Richard closed his eyes briefly, calming himself.
"If I fail… I'm back in Lamongan.
Without a future.
Without a second chance."
Suddenly…
"Ding."
---
[Iron Will Lv.1 Activated]
• Mental stability increased
• Panic suppressed
• Focus returned to normal
---
Richard opened his eyes.
A blue line appeared clearly.
He ran… kicked…
GOOOOOOL.
The net roared.
"WOOO! THREE GOALS!"
"So he's through!"
Richard didn't smile.
There was still one left.
---
Fifth Kick
The coach nodded.
"Last one."
Richard stood.
The ball was on the white line.
But for the first time since morning… he felt fatigue creeping up his legs.
His stamina was dropping drastically.
"System…"
"Work hard… don't stop…"
"Ding."
---
[Temporary Buff Activated]
Micro Sprint Burst affects kick power: +10% power for 3 seconds.
---
Richard adjusted his stance.
He ran.
He swung.
He kicked—
"BOOOOOAR!"
The ball shot like a bullet.
GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!
The net nearly ripped open. The crowd erupted in cheers.
The Utrecht coach stared at him for a long moment.
Then he wrote one sentence on his clipboard:
> Candidate for international trial.
---
Chapter 3 Closes With…
Richard walked off the court holding his breath.
He didn't jump for joy.
He didn't scream.
He didn't cry.
He just stared calmly at the blue sky of Surabaya.
And for the first time in his life…
He felt worthy of his dream of becoming the best player in the world.