The Price of Progress

Jinwoo's mind raced as he walked home from the field, his legs still buzzing with energy from the scrimmage. The moment he'd scored that goal—his first real contribution—everything had felt different. For the first time since joining Dream Academy, he felt like he belonged.

But as the adrenaline started to fade, doubts crept back in. What if it was a fluke? What if Coach Park and the rest of the team were just being polite? He couldn't afford to be complacent. He needed to prove that it wasn't just luck. The next game would be the real test.

He arrived at his apartment, his stomach grumbling, but his mind still consumed with the game. As he opened the door, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Minji, the student council vice president and a notorious flirt. She had been one of the few girls who had shown interest in him, but he wasn't sure where they stood. Her message only added to his growing confusion.

Minji: "You were amazing today. Keep it up. And remember, if you keep playing like that, the date's still on. 😘"

Jinwoo grinned, his chest swelling with pride. But just as quickly as his confidence had risen, doubts crept back in. Did she really mean it? Or was she just playing him? It didn't matter, he reminded himself. The most important thing was football, and he needed to stay focused.

He quickly typed out a reply, trying to keep the conversation casual.

Jinwoo: "Thanks, I'll do my best. Maybe I'll even score a hat-trick next time. 😉"

He set his phone down and grabbed a quick bite to eat. He needed to clear his mind, but the question of how he was going to improve his skills lingered. The system was working, slowly but surely. But it was a strange feeling, using Lust Points to boost his abilities. Was this really the way he wanted to get better?

As the evening wore on, Jinwoo found himself questioning the system's nature again. Yes, the Lust Points were useful, but the idea of relying on them for improvements didn't sit right with him. It wasn't about his skill, his hard work, or his determination—it was about how he could collect points to unlock the next upgrade.

But he had no choice. He needed to improve fast. The team was too talented, and he was still far from being the striker they needed him to be. Every practice, every game, was a test. He needed to be ready, or he would be left behind.

Just as he was sinking into these thoughts, a new notification appeared on his phone. It was from the system.

[Football Lust System]

New Quest Available:

"Play in the upcoming practice match. Your performance today will determine whether you continue as a second-string player or if you have a chance at a starting position."

Jinwoo stared at the message, his eyes narrowing. The system had never given him a quest this direct. It was as if it could sense his frustration and was giving him the push he needed.

[Lust Points Earned: 2]

He quickly read through the details of the quest. It wasn't asking him to do anything strange, like the previous quests had. It was simply telling him that he needed to perform well in the upcoming practice match. If he did, he might earn a chance to play as a starter in the next official game.

Jinwoo couldn't afford to pass this up. This was his shot.

The next day, the air on the field was thick with tension. Coach Park had announced that the day's practice would feature a scrimmage. This wasn't just any practice match. The entire team was being split into two sides—first-string versus second-string. The goal was to see who had the potential to earn a spot on the starting lineup. Everyone knew this was the chance to prove themselves.

Jinwoo stood on the sideline, waiting for Coach Park to call him in. His heart pounded in his chest. Today was the day he would either sink or swim.

As the whistle blew, signaling the start of the match, Jinwoo felt a surge of energy. His body was lighter than it had ever been before, a direct result of the attribute boosts the system had given him. He could feel the difference in his speed and balance. He had more confidence now—he could keep up.

At the beginning of the game, it was clear that the first-string team was superior. Their passes were sharp, their movements fluid. Jinwoo barely got a touch on the ball as they dominated possession. But he wasn't discouraged. He knew he had to bide his time.

Halfway through the first half, the second-string team's defense faltered. A ball was chipped over the top, and one of the first-string forwards was through on goal. It was a perfect chance for him to score, but just as the striker lined up to take his shot, Jinwoo reacted. He sprinted from the halfway line, using his newly improved speed, and threw himself in front of the shot.

The ball hit his shin and deflected out for a corner kick.

"Nice block, Jinwoo!" one of the defenders called out, impressed.

Jinwoo didn't have time to acknowledge the compliment. He knew the first-string would quickly regroup and try again. This wasn't a time for small victories. He needed to make something happen offensively.

A few minutes later, the opportunity came. The second-string team won possession, and the ball was played into Jinwoo's feet at the edge of the penalty box. The defenders were closing in fast, but Jinwoo's enhanced balance allowed him to sidestep one defender and create enough space to take a shot.

He fired low and hard.

The goalkeeper dived, but the ball slipped through his fingers and hit the back of the net.

The whistle blew, and the second-string team erupted in cheers. Jinwoo stood still for a moment, letting the thrill of the goal wash over him. But there was no time to savor it. The first-string team was already setting up for the restart.

The rest of the match was a blur of activity, but Jinwoo kept his focus. He moved with more purpose, creating space for his teammates and taking chances when they presented themselves. By the time the final whistle blew, the second-string team had held their ground. The score was tied, but Jinwoo's goal and his solid performance had made him a standout.

Coach Park called everyone in for a quick debrief. Jinwoo stood at the back of the group, quietly waiting for his turn. When Coach Park finished talking about the team's overall performance, he turned to Jinwoo.

"Not bad, Jinwoo. You scored when it counted, and your positioning was better today. Keep this up, and you'll be in the starting lineup soon."

Jinwoo couldn't help but smile. This was the recognition he had been working for.

As the team broke up to head home, Jinwoo felt a rush of relief. He wasn't just a charity case anymore. He had earned his place through hard work, and the system, while still strange, had helped him get there.

---

[Football Lust System]

New Quest:

"Earn a spot as a starting player in the next official game. Perform well during the upcoming week of training to solidify your position."

Jinwoo read the new quest with a sense of determination. It wasn't going to be easy, but now, with the system's help and his own growing abilities, he had a real shot at becoming a key player for Dream Academy.

The real test would be the official game. And he was ready for it.

[Current Lust Points: 2]

[Next Upgrade: 3 Points Needed]