The Stormborn Arena vibrated with the roar of celestial spectators as Ibukun stepped onto the pitch, his standard-issue academy boots leaving faint imprints on the self-repairing nano-grass. The air smelled of charged ions and the metallic tang of the floating stadium's reinforcement beams.
***SYSTEM MISSION ALERT***
**Match:** Stormborn FC (Away)
**Objectives:**
1. 2 Goal Contributions (1 must exploit GK Vorrik's weak left side)
2. Complete 3 Qi-infused plays (Dribble/Pass/Shot)
**Reward:** 8,000 SP + "Precision Vision" blueprint
**Penalty:** -15% Stamina Recovery (Next 3 Matches)
Jay-Jay's voice crackled in his skull like bad reception: *"That keeper's left side is about as solid as your weak foot. Don't embarrass me."*
---
### **First Half: The Academy's Test**
Stormborn's high press came like a tsunami.
**4th minute** - Kethar Stormdrift burned past Bryndal with raw pace, his cross nearly taking Gorath's head off. Thalgrim's clearance sailed into orbit.
Ibukun demanded the ball.
**19th minute** - A rare turnover. Zyrax slid a simple pass into his path.
**Basic Dribble (Proficiency: 76%)**
A quick feint left created half a yard, but his touch was too heavy. Vorrik smothered the attempt easily.
***SYSTEM FEEDBACK***
**First Touch Error:** 0.3s delay on reception
**Recommended Drill:** 2hrs Simulation Room (First Touch Mastery - Cost: 500 SP)
Jay-Jay's laugh was brutal. *"You kick like a donkey wearing mittens."*
The breakthrough came through sheer persistence.
**43rd minute** - Sylas intercepted a lazy pass and immediately looked for Ibukun.
**Qi-Infused Through Ball (Basic - 68% Mastery)**
The pass had too much weight, but Zyrax adjusted with demigod reflexes, slotting home with clinical precision.
**0-1**
***MISSION UPDATE***
**Assist Completed (1/2)**
---
### **Second Half: The Grind**
Stormborn emerged hungrier, assigning two markers to Ibukun.
**58th minute** - CB Grondar's legal-but-brutal shoulder charge sent Ibukun tumbling. The referee waved play on.
**71st minute** - The System highlighted Vorrik's weakness:
***GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS***
**Left Side Vulnerability:** -12% save rate on low drives
Ibukun waited for his moment.
**76th minute** - A cleared corner fell to him 25 yards out.
1. **Basic Feint (No Skill Unlocked)** - Created minimal space
2. **Qi-Infused Step (Purchased - 3x/Match)** - Barely evaded Kethar
3. **Standard Long Shot (No Special Technique)**
The shot stayed low, curling toward Vorrik's weak side—
—and somehow squirmed under the keeper's delayed dive.
**0-2**
***MISSION COMPLETE***
**Goal vs. Weak Side (2/2)**
**Qi-Infused Plays:** 3/3
Jay-Jay snorted. *"That wasn't football. That was a drunk stumbling into luck."*
---
### **The Aftermath**
Final whistle: **0-3** (Zyrax penalty).
Valentina waited in the tunnel, her data-pad glowing with endorsement offers. *"Nike's new deal includes performance bonuses. Not SP—actual celestial credits."*
The System's rewards scrolled:
***REWARDS CLAIMED***
**8,000 SP**
**"Precision Vision" Blueprint Unlocked** (Cost to Build: 5,000 SP)
**New SP Balance:** 12,500
Jay-Jay's hologram flickered in the shower steam. *"Tomorrow's simulation session will cost you 1,000 SP. Try not to cry."*
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