Chapter 9: Awakening Potential

"A new game has begun, and this time, I refuse to lose." – Mysterious Isekai Character

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"Just wait for me, Aria. I'll catch up to you soon," Belial muttered under his breath, excitement surging through him.

Belial, eager to understand the extent of his transformation, begins testing his improved strength and agility within his small apartment.

He starts with basic exercises—shadow boxing, jumping jacks, and stretches—each movement feeling both exhilarating and foreign.

His muscles respond with newfound power, yet his coordination isn't quite perfect.

As he adjusts, he notices a strange sensation, as if his body is adapting in real time, refining his balance and precision with each movement.

The exhilaration of feeling stronger is mixed with the odd realization that his body is no longer what it once was.

A notification interrupts his training, prompting him to check the System's [Quest Reward].

『Quest Completed! Rewards are being calculated...』

『Randomizing content...』

[Rewards Acquired:]

[Basic Dribbling Training Manual] (Beginner)

[A beginner's guide to dribbling, covering fundamental techniques and drills. A manual guide to developing dribbling maneuver, technique and skills. Training these drills will gradually increase control, agility, and reaction time.]

[Basic Passing Training Manual] (Beginner)

[A beginner's guide to passing, covering fundamental techniques and drills. A manual guide to developing passing techniques, accuracy and strategies. Training these drills will gradually increase teamwork, accuracy, and court vision.]

[Basic Shooting Training Manual] (Beginner)

[A beginner's guide to shooting, covering fundamental techniques and drills. A manual guide to developing enhance shooting accuracy, consistency, and form. Training these drills will gradually increases scoring efficiency.]

[You have learned Basic Dribbling (Lv.1)]

[You have learned Basic Passing (Lv.1)]

[You have learned Basic Shooting (Lv.1)]

[+2 Attribute Points]

[+1 Talent Point]

Belial blinks at the rewards. 'Training manuals? This really is like a game...'

Understanding His Talents

Curious, he opens the [Talent] menu and inspects his abilities, reading their descriptions carefully:

[Godspeed Impulse]

※ You can continuously move at near-superhuman speed and have superhuman reflexes. You are able to explosively take off and move from a neutral position and reach top speed immediately, it is a gift that enables a person to mature faster than his/her peers.

※ You could perfectly; learn, memorize, recall, understand, master, and utilize anything and any physical maneuver by experiencing or observing it once, within short time. However, this ability has a fatal weakness; it only works if you can see a physical movement.

[Juggernaut Body]

※ You will naturally possess [Immense Athleticism]: increased adaptability, agility, balance, coordination, dexterity, durability, endurance, flexibility, reflexes, senses, speed, and strength.

※ You will also possess an ability that limits the secretion of fatigue toxins in your muscles, making it impossible to tire out in a long drawn fight or activities.

※ You also have peak human metabolism that grants resistance to illness, injuries and intoxication. This will also allow you to adjust or improve body functions.

[Cross Swish Harmony]

※ An Innate basketball talent that embodies precision, versatility, and harmony on the court. In this talent, the player seamlessly integrates and replicates different basketball techniques with finesse and accuracy, akin to the way Kise replicates with his Copy talent.

※ You can copy every single move you have ever seen by physical contact or touching their tools, you will be capable of learning abilities and completely master them, to the extent that you can use them to copy even the Generation of Miracles.』

Belial stares at the screen, his mind racing.

"This is... insane."

He had always admired elite players, but now he had the potential to reach their level—maybe even surpass them. The idea sends a thrill through him.

Checking his stats, he notices he now has 3 Attribute Points and 2 Talent Points, but he decides to save them for later.

He needs to understand his playstyle before distributing them recklessly.

Still, the weight of these changes begins to settle in. His body, his abilities, his very identity—everything has shifted. It's exhilarating, but also overwhelming.

"My head is spinning from all this information... but these rewards are worth it."

Now that I think about it, I don't even have the basic skills of basketball.

I need to learn now and request my friend to learn more about basketball. I need to make the most out of my summer vacation, I probably ask Aria on how to get the basics of the basics. 

Belial was actually living in poverty, he was orphaned at a young age and his

renting a cheap apartment.

He was only living to the savings of his late parents, but it is almost consumed.

He still needs to pay for the rent and bills, with this expenditure his saving

can only last up to a month from now.

He needs to replenish it but he could only think of basketball, he thought he can earn more money if they bet on basketball just like he did before but its not really a solution.

But didn't he get some rewards now?

What if in the future the system gives money, isn't that amazing.

Thinking about those skills and its potential he kept thinking that he will become a great basketball player.

A mix of awe and uncertainty washed over him—there was so much to learn, so much to understand, so much to adjust to.

He was no longer just Belial Scarlet, the abandoned boy who had struggled to survive on the streets.

Now, he was a player, a gamer, someone who belonged to this world, this system, this new reality. He had a purpose, a path, a second chance.

As he crawled into bed, his body throbbed with exhaustion, but his mind raced with anticipation. The possibilities stretched endlessly before him, waiting to be explored.

He was eager to uncover this world's secrets, to push his newfound abilities to their limits.

He couldn't wait to begin.

Fatigue starts creeping in. His body may have improved, but exhaustion from all the excitement lingers.

Dragging himself to bed, he collapses onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling.

Yet, sleep doesn't come immediately.

The image of the challenge ahead plays in his mind, fueling his determination.

"Tomorrow," he murmurs, gripping the sheets.

"Tomorrow, I start proving myself."

Then Belial keeps thinking about the possible uses for his abilities, until he

drift off to sleep.

The journey had only just begun.

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The next morning, I wake up to a loud banging on my door.

[You have Slept on your bed]

[HP and SP has fully restored]

Groaning, I roll out of bed and stumble towards the noise, my body still aching from yesterday's intense training session.

"Who is it?" I call out, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"It's Mia, your landlord's granddaughter," a stern voice replies. "Open up, Belial. We need to talk."

My heart sinks as reality comes crashing down around me.

In the excitement of discovering my new abilities and exploring this strange world, I had completely forgotten about the owners overdue rent.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door to find Mia standing there, her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently.

"Good morning, Mia," I say, forcing a smile.

"What brings you here so early?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Belial," she snaps, her eyes narrowing.

"You know exactly why I'm here. Your rent is way overdue, and my grandmother is getting impatient. You need to pay up, or you'll be out on the streets."

I feel a wave of panic wash over me, but I take a deep breath and try to stay calm.

"Mia, I understand," I begin, my voice trembling slightly.

"I know I've been behind on my rent, and I'm truly sorry. But I promise, I'm working on it. I just need a little more time."

Mia raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

"And why should I believe you? You've been saying that for weeks now."

Damn, the owner of this body have some serious piled up overdue rent, I look her straight in the eye, my voice growing stronger with each word.

"Because I mean it this time. I've been through a lot lately, but I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm determined to make something of myself, and I won't let you or your grandmother down. Just give me one more week, and I swear I'll have the money."

Mia studies me for a moment, her expression unreadable. I hold my breath, waiting for her response.

"Fine," she says finally, her tone softening slightly.

"One more week. But if you don't have the money by then, you're out. No more excuses."

"Thank you, Mia," I say, relief washing over me.

"I won't let you down. I promise."

As she turns to leave, I feel a sudden surge of determination. I may be new to this world, and I may have a lot to learn, but I refuse to be beaten down by my circumstances. I will find a way to pay my rent, and I will become the basketball player I know I can be.

With renewed energy, I close the door and turn back to my room, ready to face whatever challenges the day may bring.

As the door clicks shut behind Mia, a familiar chime rings in my ears. The "Gamer System" materializes before me, announcing:

[Affinity with Mia increased by 5 points!]

A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. It seems my sincerity has made an impression on her. I dismiss the notification with a wave of my hand, my mind already drifting to the next item on my agenda: a much-needed bath.

I make my way to the tiny bathroom, shedding my clothes along the way.

As I sink into the warm water, I feel the tension in my muscles begin to melt away.

I lean back, closing my eyes and allowing my thoughts to wander.

Images of my past life flash through my mind - the endless hours spent gaming, the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of mediocrity.

I shake my head, dispelling the memories.

That life is behind me now.

This world, with its basketball-centric culture and mysterious "Talents," is my chance at a fresh start.