Rise of a Football God

~----~

[You have unlocked a system mission: Make your mark on the Christmas Game!]

[Details: You've finally received your opportunity to perform before a professional football coach. This is your first step to superstardom. Make the game your playground, assert your dominance and win the man of the match award.]

[Mission Reward: +2 increase to a random player attribute!]

…

[Penalty for mission failure: 2 months without the system!]

~----~

Sam almost stumbled on his way home.

It was not because of the fact that he just received his first system mission from the Ultimate Football System, rather it was because of the mission penalty.

'F*ck! 2 months without the system? That's just evil'.

'Must there be a penalty?' He sighed.

Despite the fact that he complained in his mind, in reality, Sam was ecstatic. He understood the reason for the mission penalty because it was already working.

Personally, Sam wanted to make a mark in tomorrow's game by all means but the system just did even more to push him against a wall.

If he wanted to assert himself in tomorrow's game before, now, it was no longer a matter of choice but a necessity if he didn't want to lose the miracle that he just gained.

He must assert his authority tomorrow!

Besides, the mission reward for success was just as tantalizing as the penalty for failure was devious. 'An increase of +2 points to a random attribute of mine?'

He grinned. 'Awesome'.

This also made him remember something. "System, please display my status again," he demanded.

~----~

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[Player status!]

Host: Samuel Moses

Current Career Status: Stagnant (Waiting for the right catalyst)

Talent Rating: C+

Player Position: Undefined

Player Attributes:

*Pace: 70

*Shot: 69

*Pass: 74

*Dribbling: 64

*Defending: 33

*Physicality: 60

*Stamina: 78

Overall Rating: 67

~----~

Staring at his stamina rating, Sam grinned. 'My greatest weapon, just imagine if somehow, the randomization managed to fall on that'.

'That'll increase it to 80, damn! I wonder if the color would change'.

Yes, every one of the numbers attached to his attributes had a color.

All the attributes below 50 were written in red in the system interface, while those above 50 were written in yellow. Sam wondered if the color would change to green if any of his attributes crossed the 80 mark.

He didn't let all these linger in his mind though, happily, he skipped home.

Of course, he got home to meet drama.

"Where were you all this time?" His mom was livid but thankfully, his dad was here for the rescue this time.

"I sent him on an errand".

Mrs. Moses stared at her husband dubiously. "Really? When?"

Her husband simply nodded, not deeming to explain and that was enough for her to drop the case. Sighing in relief, Sam went to his room filled with excitement, he could not wait for tomorrow.

And this time, his excitement was not because of Christmas but rather, a football game.

…

Sunday morning, Sam woke up earlier than usual.

~----~

[You have completed Daily Quest: Get back in shape!]

[You have been rewarded with a low-grade physical conditioning elixir!]

~----~

He completed his daily system quest in record time before rushing home to help. And like he expected, that early by a few minutes to 6, his mom and sister were already awake and were busy in the kitchen.

Sam did the menial job for the women like slaughtering the 2 chickens for the celebration, including running around on errands.

Just like yesterday, he dedicated the whole morning and afternoon to his family, enjoying Christmas with them like normal as they had a great family time. Of course, they enjoyed the celebration with neighbors too.

But all of a sudden, around 3 in the afternoon, Sam was nowhere to be found.

Sam disappeared.

…

"Good, Sam you really came on time". Coach James of the Black Hearts flashed a big smile as soon as he saw the boy appear in the field.

Just like Sam expected, despite the fact that it was just barely past 3 in the afternoon, the field was already full.

And of course, there were spectators, lots of them.

He could see cars everywhere.

For a moment, he was overwhelmed. He expected the event to be big but he definitely didn't expect something this big. 'No wonder they were able to invite someone like Coach Yemi Daniel to come spectate the game'.

The moment only made him even more determined to perform.

Black Hearts FC was the name of the local team coached by Favour's older brother, Coach James.

After donning the black jersey of the team, Sam entered the pitch to warm up alongside the others.

By 3:30pm, Coach James finally called all his players close, announcing the official starting line-up to them again though he already informed them yesterday.

Like Sam expected, there were no changes, he was starting on the bench.

Their opponents, the football team from Warri was called D'Tigres FC and their jersey color was sky blue.

10 minutes to 4:00pm, the guest of honor of this Christmas game, Coach Yemi Daniel finally took the pitch to a chorus of loud applause from the spectators.

He gave a little speech, emphasizing why grassroots football was very important for the development of football in the country.

And finally, he announced the prize money for this game.

Apparently, both teams would receive prize money. The winning team would receive 500,000 naira while the losing team would settle for 300,000 naira.

200,000 naira would also go for the player who would clinch the man of the match award for the game.

Sam's eyes nearly fell off their sockets. 'Wow…!'

He was so focused in getting back in shape that he forgot to ask Favour about what was in for him if he played in the game.

All of a sudden, Sam was even more motivated to perform.

After Coach Yemi left the pitch, the starting 11 players of both teams finally took to the pitch. They took a picture to commemorate the moment.

Sam felt a bit envious. 'I wish I was also there'.

And with that, the players spread out to their various positions on the pitch.

The referee for the game took a brief look at his watch, then…

FWEEEEEE!

The game started.