The Obsidian Throne's grand coliseum trembled under the weight of roaring spectators, the air thick with the scent of burning incense and spilled sweat. The tournament's final stage loomed—a brutal 11v11 match where only the strongest would walk off the pitch intact.
Ibukun stood in the tunnel, his Qi reserves humming beneath his skin. The System's golden text burned in his vision:
***BLOODFINALE TOURNAMENT PARAMETERS***
**Format:** Full 90-minute match (11v11, 7 substitutes allowed)
**Primary Objective:** Score or Assist + Survive
**Secondary Objective:** Execute 3 Qi-Infused Skills (Dribble, Pass, Shot)
**Reward:** 18,000 SP + "Celestial Reflexes" Purchase Unlocked
**Failure Penalty:** -40% Qi Reserves (2 Months)
Jay-Jay's hologram flickered beside him, arms crossed. *"This ain't football. This is survival."*
---
### **The Lineup**
**Starting XI (Rookie Team – 4-3-3 Formation):**
1. **Gorath the Unyielding (GK)** – Pain-resistant wall
2. **Rurik the Relentless (LB)** – Sacrificial defender
3. **Thalgrim Ironhide (CB)** – Towering aerial presence
4. **Varek the Unbroken (CB)** – Tactical fouling specialist
5. **Dain Bloodshield (RB)** – Overlapping fullback
6. **Kaelis Swiftfoot (CDM)** – Deep-lying playmaker
7. **Bryndal the Chain (CM)** – Box-to-box destroyer
8. **Ibukun Okocha (AMF)** – Qi-infused playmaker
9. **Dravik Ironjaw (LW)** – Brutal winger
10. **Harkon the Ruthless (RW)** – Clinical finisher
11. **Mordrek the Hammer (CF)** – Target man
**Substitutes:**
12. **Orvak the Untested (GK)**
13. **Tyrfing the Young (LB)**
14. **Gromm Ashfist (CB)**
15. **Fenrik the Cunning (CM)**
16. **Vidar Stormborn (RW)**
17. **Skallagrim (CF)**
18. **Jorund the Silent (Utility)**
**Opponent (Obsidian Throne Elite – 4-2-3-1):**
1. **Korvath the Immovable (GK)**
2. **Maldrek the Chain (LB)**
3. **Tharok the Bloodied (CB)**
4. **Ulfr Bonecrusher (CB)**
5. **Svard the Unseen (RB)**
6. **Voryn Duskfang (CDM)**
7. **Zyrax the Shatterborn (AMF)**
8. **Krogan the Ripper (LW)**
9. **Gorruk the Devourer (RW)**
10. **Draksis the Tormentor (CAM)**
11. **Azrik the Annihilator (CF)**
---
### **The Grind Before the Storm**
Ibukun had spent every waking moment in the **System's Simulation Room**, preparing for this battle.
**Recent Purchases (Earned via Missions):**
- **"Gerrard's Thunder Strike"** (5,500 SP) – *+25% shot power outside box*
- **"Zidane's Velvet Touch"** (6,500 SP) – *First touch mastery*
- **"Qi-Infused Step"** (3,000 SP) – *Short-range teleport (3x/match)*
**Training Routine:**
- **4 AM:** Qi Meditation (Qi Reserves +5% daily)
- **6 AM:** Gravity Drills (Speed +1% per session)
- **8 AM:** Simulation Room (Facing holograms of Zyrax & Voryn)
- **12 PM:** Tactical Study (Field Eye Mastery +2%)
Valentina had been distant—only appearing for endorsement deals, her smirk ever-present.
*"Nike-Ryū wants you in their new boots. Try not to die before the check clears."*
---
### **The Match Begins**
The referee—a warlord clad in black steel—blew his dragonbone whistle.
Zyrax didn't wait.
The demigod AMF **erupted** forward, his first touch igniting the ball in blue soulfire. Rurik lunged to intercept, but Zyrax flicked the ball over him and unleashed a through pass that split the defense.
Azrik the Annihilator met it with a thunderous strike—**0-1.**
Ibukun's **Field Eye (Mastery: 45%)** tracked the devastation.
***SYSTEM ADAPTATION***
**Qi Redistribution:** Reinforcing skeletal structure
**New Objective:** Survive the next 10 minutes
---
### **The Fightback**
Kaelis, bleeding from his brow, intercepted Maldrek's lazy pass and launched Ibukun with a **60-yard laser**.
**Qi-Infused First Touch:**
The ball died at his feet, Zidane's technique negating the momentum.
**Qi-Infused Dribble:**
A feint left, then a **Qi-Infused Step** to bypass Tharok's bone-crunching tackle.
**Qi-Infused Strike:**
Gerrard's technique met his own Qi, the shot screaming toward the top corner—
Korvath palmed it onto the bar.
The rebound fell to Dravik, who **blasted** it into the net through two defenders.
**1-1.**
The crowd **roared.**
***MISSION UPDATE***
**Qi-Infused Skills Used:** 3/3 (Complete)
**Goal Contribution:** 1/1 (Complete)
---
### **The Aftermath**
They lost 3-1 in the end—but Ibukun walked off intact.
Valentina waited with a scroll from **Nike-Ryū**, a Higher Realm boot sponsor. *"They want you wearing these next match. Try not to die before the check clears."*
The System's rewards scrolled:
***REWARDS CLAIMED***
**18,000 SP**
**"Celestial Reflexes" Now Purchasable (15,000 SP)**
**Qi Reserves:** 84 → 92
Jay-Jay's hologram watched as healers mended Gorath's shoulder.
*"You're not just surviving. You're adapting. That scares them."*
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