---
**RFC Seraing Medical Room – Dawn**
Ibukun's right index finger jutted at a sickening angle. The team physio, a chain-smoking Walloon with coffee-stained teeth, didn't bother with anesthetic as he yanked it back into place.
*"Ça va?"*
Ibukun didn't flinch. His HUD displayed the damage:
***`INJURY: DISLOCATED FINGER (LEFT HAND)
EFFECTS: -5 DRIBBLING (72H)
RECOVERY OPTIONS:
1. Natural Healing (3 days)
2. "Quick Fix" Serum (75 SP)
3. Play Through Pain (-10% TOUCH ACCURACY)`***
Jay-Jay materialized in his peripheral vision—a flickering hologram in 90s Nigeria kit. *"You know our rule. No shortcuts unless you earn them."*
Ibukun's SP balance: **68**.
He grabbed the physio's wrist. *"Tape it."*
---
**Two Weeks Later – Training Ground**
Mud crusted Ibukun's boots as he faced the passing square again. His finger still throbbed, but the HUD showed progress:
***`PASSING ACCURACY: 38% → 44%
FIRST TOUCH SUCCESS: 12/20 (LAST SESSION)
SP BALANCE: 143`***
The Breton defender—now known to be named Loïc—watched him with a smirk.
*"Ready for another fight, cripple?"*
Ibukun ignored him. The ball came.
**First touch:** Controlled.
**Second pass:** Crisp along the ground.
**Third attempt:** Overhit.
***`MISSION PROGRESS: 17/30 PASSES COMPLETED.`***
Jay-Jay's ghost appeared mid-dribble, causing Ibukun to stumble. *"Eyes up! That midfielder's cutting the lane!"*
A notification blinked:
***`SHOP UNLOCKED: "TACTICAL AWARENESS" (300 SP – PERMANENT +5 POSITIONING)`***
Too expensive. Ibukun cursed and kept working.
---
**The Breaking Point Drill**
Coach Lebrun introduced a new torture:
*"20 vs. 20 on half-pitch. Two-touch max. Lose possession? 10 push-ups."*
Ibukun's stamina bar (now 52/100) drained faster than ever. By round 7, his muscles screamed. Then—
***CRACK***
Loïc's elbow found his ribs. Ibukun went down hard.
***`INJURY ALERT: BRUISED RIBS
EFFECTS: -7 STAMINA (48H)
PENALTY: "FAILED DRILL" (-20 SP)`***
SP Balance: **123**.
Jay-Jay's voice turned deadly quiet: *"Get up. Now."*
---
**Midnight Training Session**
Under floodlights, Ibukun practiced alone:
1. **First Touch:** 100 repetitions against the concrete wall
2. **Short Passes:** Targeting a rusted drainpipe
3. **Pain Management:** Ignoring the stabbing in his ribs
At 3:17 AM—the exact hour of his lightning strike—the system chimed:
***`MILESTONE UNLOCKED: "GRIT"
REWARD: +3 MENTAL TOUGHNESS
NEW MISSION: "SCORE IN NEXT TRIAL MATCH" (200 SP)`***
His SP finally crossed the threshold.
---
**The Purchase**
Ibukun stared at the shop interface:
**"BASIC FIRST TOUCH" (200 SP)**
*Effect: Reduces bad controls by 40%*
Jay-Jay crossed his arms. *"About damn time."*
The moment Ibukun confirmed, knowledge flooded his nerves—weight distribution, optimal touch angles, how to cushion a pass.
Loïc wouldn't know what hit him.
---
**Chapter 4 Closing**
As dawn broke, Ibukun's HUD displayed:
***`NEXT: TRIAL MATCH VS. LIÈGE RESERVES (48H)
OBJECTIVES:
1. Score 1 goal (200 SP)
2. Complete 80% passes (50 SP)
3. Avoid injuries (No penalty)`***
Jay-Jay faded into the lightening sky with final words:
*"Welcome to the game."*
---