Ibukun woke before dawn, muscles aching from yesterday's training. The System pulsed in his mind like a second heartbeat—no longer a crutch, but a relentless coach.
**>> DAILY OBJECTIVES:
>> - 200 FIRST-TOUCH DRILLS (CURRENT MASTERY: 52%)
>> - WEAK FOOT FINISHING (200 SHOTS, CURRENT MASTERY: 50%)
>> - COMPLETE TO EARN 150 LP <<**
Jay-Jay's voice crackled like static in his synapses. *"You bought the skills, kid. Now own them."*
---
### **The Grind**
The training ground was empty, frost still clinging to the grass. Ibukun set up a passing machine, cranked it to max speed, and got to work.
**First touch. Control. Turn. Repeat.**
The **Precision First Touch** skill (800 LP, 52% mastery) gave him the blueprint—but his muscles had to learn it.
**>> FEEDBACK:
>> - TOO HEAVY (ADJUST PLANT FOOT ANGLE)
>> - BALL BOUNCE TOO HIGH (SOFTEN ANKLE ON IMPACT) <<**
By rep 87, his toes were numb. By rep 124, blood soaked through his socks from burst blisters.
**>> MASTERY INCREASED: 54% <<**
Ibukun grinned through the pain. **"That's two percent. Give me more."**
---
### **The System's Rules**
Back in the **Simulation Room**, Ibukun reviewed the harsh truth:
**SKILL PURCHASE CONDITIONS:**
- **Minimum 50% mastery upon acquisition** (basic competence)
- **100% mastery requires sweat equity** (no free lunches)
- **System only provides:**
- **Missions** (structured goals)
- **Real-time feedback** (error detection)
- **LP rewards** (currency for new skills)
Jay-Jay materialized as a flickering hologram, arms crossed. *"You want elite? You earn elite. No cheat codes."*
Ibukun wiped sweat from his brow. **"Wouldn't have it any other way."**
---
### **Veymar's Blind Spot**
Across Manchester, Veymar reviewed Ibukun's derby footage frame by frame.
**"No implants. No tech. Just… improvement."** His jaw tightened. **"But too fast. Too precise."**
His assistant shrugged. **"Maybe he's just a hard worker?"**
Veymar slammed his fist on the desk. **"No one improves this quickly without—"**
**>> SYSTEM ALERT:
>> VEYMAR'S FOCUS SHIFTING TO IBUKUN'S TRAINING HABITS
>> COUNTERMEASURE: MIX IN VISIBLE FAILURES <<**
Ibukun felt the warning like a gut punch. Next training session, he "accidentally" shanked five straight shots into the stands.
Ten Hag's yell carried across the pitch: **"Consistency, Ibukun!"**
Veymar, watching from the shadows, frowned.
---
### **The Breaking Point**
Four days until the Champions League clash. Ibukun's legs burned as he pushed through midnight drills.
**Weak Foot Shooting (50% mastery):**
- Shot 43: Skied over the bar
- Shot 44: Whiffed completely
- Shot 45: **Top bins**
**>> MASTERY INCREASED: 51% <<**
Jay-Jay's hologram nodded approvingly. *"Now do it 100 more times."*
Ibukun collapsed at rep 183, chest heaving. The System didn't sugarcoat it:
**>> WARNING:
>> - MUSCLE FATIGUE CRITICAL
>> - CONTINUING RISKS INJURY
>> RECOMMENDATION: REST <<**
He staggered to his feet. **"One more set."**
---
### **The Payoff**
Match day. San Siro. Champions League anthem roaring.
**>> LIVE MISSION:
>> "BREAK THE CURSE"
>> - SCORE WEAK-FOOT GOAL
>> - MAINTAIN 85% PASS ACCURACY
>> REWARD: 2,500 LP <<**
62nd minute. Ball lands at Ibukun's left foot (50.7% mastery).
The defender grinned, shifting to show him onto his "weak" side.
Ibukun remembered:
- The predawn reps
- The bleeding feet
- The System's merciless feedback
**Crack.**
The net bulged. **Weak-foot rocket.**
**>> MASTERY SURGE: 58%
>> LP EARNED: 2,500
>> NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: "BIG GAME HUNTER" (1,800 LP) <<**
As the crowd erupted, Ibukun locked eyes with Veymar in the VIP box.
The man's smirk was gone.
---
### **The Real Mission**
Post-match, Ibukun sat alone in the locker room. A new alert flashed:
**>> CRITICAL INTEL:
>> VEYMAR HAS ORDERED SURVEILLANCE ON YOUR TRAINING
>> OBJECTIVE: "PROVE YOU'RE HUMAN"
>> - ALLOW CAPTURE OF "FAILURE" FOOTAGE
>> - MAINTAIN 71-74% TRAINING SUCCESS RATE <<**
Jay-Jay materialized, deadly serious. *"He's looking for cracks. Give him nothing."*
Ibukun tightened his boot laces.
**"Time to get to work."**
---