Chapter 2: The Ego System

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself in a white and green room. A nurse was by my side, watching me attentively.

"What happened? Why am I here?" I asked, my voice trembling and my mind full of questions.

"Young man, it seems you fainted, and something very interesting was discovered," the woman said with an expression that mixed surprise and relief.

"What is it?" I insisted, my heart pounding.

"It's nothing bad... quite the opposite," said the nurse, smiling warmly. "Your heart is healthy. You no longer have any heart problems."

I remained silent, unable to process her words. For years, I had struggled with a heart condition that left me breathless, prevented me from playing soccer like other kids, and constantly reminded me of my limitations. There was always a dull pain in my chest, a shadow that followed me everywhere. But now, that shadow had disappeared.

Ryu felt a surge of overwhelming excitement. He was healthy, ready to return to the soccer fields he loved so much. It wasn't a dream; he now had a system at his disposal. Regardless of the system's purpose or intentions, Ryu would make it his tool to achieve greatness. He would surpass Noel Noa, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona, the legendary Pelé. He would become the greatest forward of all time, an undisputed icon in the history of world football.

The nurse, sensing the intensity of determination in Ryu's eyes, stepped back with a compassionate smile. Before leaving, she turned to him solemnly:

"Young man, you'll be here for at least three days. We'll conduct further tests to ensure you're completely healthy and free from any hidden issues."

Ryu barely heard the nurse's words as his mind filled with the new possibilities unfolding before him thanks to the system. Ambition burned in his eyes with a majestic ego.

"Main mission, rank C activated! Your ambition is monumental, and you aspire to surpass the world's best. But remember, every world-famous player also had to take their first step. Don't fall behind! Return to playing soccer, join a team, and prove your worth. Reward for completing the mission: 50 random skill points. Penalty for mission failure: none. Mission completion time: two months," echoed the robotic voice of the system, filled with determination.

Ryu murmured incredulously as the fire in his eyes slowly dimmed. "What do you mean by this? Why has a mission been activated? First of all, explain your functions," he demanded, his voice trembling.

"Host, I am the Ego System. The more ambitious and selfish you are, the more missions you will unlock, ranging from rank F to rank S," responded the system in a metallic tone. It opened a window displaying detailed information about Ryu. "Here you can see your skills, rank, weapons, and titles," it explained, showing each detail. Then, with a quick gesture, it opened several other windows displaying a complex interface. "You have access to the shopping center, templates, and can acquire items," added the system. Each window was protected by a lock, except for the inventory and information.

"Hey, system, why are there several windows locked?" inquired Ryu, with a hint of intrigue in his voice.

"Host, the windows are locked because your skills are not yet high enough to access those functions of the system," responded the system's voice in a mechanical tone, as if issuing a warning.

Ryu frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. He knew he had to improve quickly if he wanted to unlock the system's full potential.

Ryu sighed heavily as he fixed his gaze on the information screen.

[Ryu García]

- Skill Points: 0

- Random Skill Points:0

- Egoist Coins: 0

- Special Weapons: Dragon Condecia SSS, Fast Feet A, Game Eyes D.

His heart pounded as he contemplated the three special weapons he now possessed. Upon reviewing his attributes, surprise washed over him to find that most were marked with a modest 5. But he was astonished to see:

- Dribbling: 45

- Ball Control: 45

- Composure: 45

- Concentration: 45

- Change of Pace: 45

- Visual Acuity: 45

Ryu didn't understand why his attributes had those numbers and decided to ask the system what this meant, although he was unaware of the presence of his SSS-rank weapon.

The system noticed Ryu's confusion and responded in its mechanical voice, "Host, do not be mistaken. All attributes are at 5."

"Then why do these attributes show 45?" Ryu asked, with growing curiosity.

"Host, that's due to your special weapon, Fast Feet. This unique weapon grants a 40-point increase to all attributes related to ball control and enhances any skill that aids in ball control. However, there are players with even more special weapons, like Lionel Messi, the former Barcelona forward, and Lavinho, his current successor.

"Let's start with Lavinho and his weapon, Lightning Feet, ranked S, which provides an 80-point boost to control and dribbling. Lavinho has always been compared to Lionel Messi... Now, Lionel Messi possesses the legendary skill 'God's Feet', SS class, which gives him absolute ball control, making it seem like the ball is part of his body, with a 110-point increase in all attributes related to ball control. This made Messi unstoppable in his prime, forcing defenders to constantly commit fouls as it was nearly impossible to take the ball from him. Only a defender with a prediction level of 160 could anticipate his moves and steal the ball. Additionally, Messi is ambidextrous, making him an absolute nightmare for any defense. Therefore, defenders resorted to tough tactics to stop him, resulting in multiple injuries. Over time, Messi has seen his attributes decline, something that in a normal player would have led to retirement," solemnly explained the system to Ryu.

Ryu breathed a sigh of relief upon noticing that his ball control had hardly suffered. He reflected on his luck in having a reliable system, recalling how stories he used to see in his previous life rarely had useful systems.

"System, what are my other special weapons?" asked Ryu curiously, eager to learn about all his abilities.

"Host, your most powerful weapon is the system itself; a tool that can be your greatest advantage," replied the system.

"And what about my SSS-class weapon?" Ryu persisted, growing more intense as he thought about his most formidable weapon.

"Your special weapon is the system," declared the system with a robotic voice echoing in Ryu's mind.

"What?" exclaimed Ryu, his eyes widening with surprise and confusion.

"This system uses the host's ambition and selfishness to trigger missions and earn skill points," explained the system solemnly.

Ryu fell silent for a moment, absorbed by the magnitude of the possibilities. Then, with a mix of disbelief and anxiety, he asked, "And what about these 'Eyes of the Game'?"

"That's your beginner's gift," replied the system, its robotic tone devoid of any emotion.

"Such a lousy gift? A D-class weapon," murmured Ryu dishearteningly, feeling his hope in the system waver.

The system spoke in an ominous tone, "Host, this weapon is no ordinary one. It has a special power."

"Stop playing mystery games and tell me straight!" exclaimed Ryu, his patience wearing thin. "I don't want riddles, I want clear answers."

Trying to soothe Ryu's irritation, the system responded solemnly, "Alright, but stay calm. This special weapon has the potential to evolve."

"Evolving?" murmured Ryu, squinting his eyes.

The system responded with unsettling calmness, "This means, Host, that if you decide to invest skill points, you can enhance the Game Eyes and elevate their capabilities."

Ryu frowned, intensely intrigued. "What exactly can the Game Eyes do?"

"It would be better for you to experience it yourself with your cousin to understand their true power," suggested the system. "From now on, I will only inform you about missions. The beginner mode has ended."

Ryu tried to call the system again but received no response.

"System..." he whispered, feeling growing frustration.

"Damn system!" shouted Ryu, agitated. "Just like all those useless systems that are good for nothing."

Ryu continued to call out to the system, or rather shout, but after so much effort and yelling, his throat began to protest, and he decided to quiet down before losing his voice completely.

"Hey kid, what's going on? Sounds like a shouting match in here," joked a nurse who entered the room with a smile.

"N... nothing..." Ryu tried to respond hoarsely, feeling as if he had swallowed sand.

"Are you drowning in your own noise?" the nurse teased, feigning concern as she approached him.

"Water... Bring... me... water..." murmured Ryu, with dry lips and pleading eyes.

"Water? Coming right up!" said the nurse, quickly leaving and returning with a bottle of water which she handed to Ryu, who looked at it as if it were a precious treasure.

Ryu uncapped the bottle and drank it down quickly as if he had just crossed the desert.

The nurse raised an eyebrow at him. "What happened to all the shouting?"

If Ryu were a fool, he might have said, "Oh, just having a heated argument with my system."

But instead, he replied quickly, feeling embarrassed about his outburst, "Ah, nothing important." He made a mental note to only use the system mentally next time.

The nurse nodded, looking both intrigued and skeptical. "Sure, sure," she said as she walked away. "If you need anything, the green button is your friend," she added before closing the door.

Ryu rolled his eyes and muttered, "Damn system, this mess is all your fault."

Three days flew by quickly. Ryu waited anxiously at the hospital entrance on a bench, longing for his uncle's van to arrive.

When he finally spotted the van, a sigh of relief escaped his lips as he hurried to get in. Inside the vehicle, his cousin Gabriel was lost in thought, staring out of the window. A popup window displayed Gabriel's detailed information.

[Gabriel García]

[Current Team: Barcelona FC Children's B]

[National Selection: None]

[Special Abilities: The Wall A, Human Shield C]

Ryu was stunned as he observed Gabriel's special abilities. Looking at his cousin's attributes, he felt like his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. What on earth were those attributes?

- Strength:63

- Speed: 56

- Endurance: 61

- Agility: 60

- Prediction: 58

- Defensive Positioning: 65

- Tackling: 50

Each number resonated as a challenge to Ryu. While Gabriel's defensive attributes shone, his abilities in shooting and dribbling barely reached between 20 and 15, contrasting with his ambition to be a forward.

"This guy wants to be a forward with those high defensive attributes... He must be a professional defender with those stats," Ryu thought, earnestly evaluating the figures.

"Host, that's a mistake. At the professional level, 60 attributes for a normal player equate to 30 for a standard professional player," intervened the system's voice, emphasizing the discrepancy.

Noticing Ryu's intense gaze, Gabriel wasted no time in throwing a taunt: "What are you staring at, loser?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," said Ryu, turning away from the information and looking out the window. In his mind, he screamed desperately, "System, what does that mean?!"

Gabriel snorted, visibly irritated, and muttered, "You better."

Ryu ignored him, trying to calm the storm in his mind as he listened to the system's explanation.

"Host, the attributes of a professional player are double those of a standard player. When you reach that level, the remaining system functions will unlock," the system explained in its cold, robotic tone.

"And what level do I need to reach to be at the level of a professional?" Ryu asked in his mind, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination.

"Host, to be considered at least a professional, you need to have two attributes with a value of 100, not counting the benefits of your special weapons," the system responded with its mechanical and dispassionate voice.

Ryu clenched his fists, feeling a surge of frustration. "What a stingy system!" he thought, struggling to stay calm. Then, with a more controlled tone, he asked, "Gabriel's defensive attributes are like that because of his weapons, right?"

"Yes, host, you're correct. Your cousin has those defensive attributes due to his special weapons," the system confirmed.

"What roles do Gabriel's special weapons play?" Ryu asked with curiosity.

"I'm sorry, host, that's something you must discover for yourself. You need to enhance your Eyes of the Game and perfect your skills to be able to see it," the system responded in an enigmatic tone.

"How can I achieve that?" Ryu asked with determination, eager to unravel the secrets that would allow him to reach his full potential.

"By using your skill points to enhance the Eyes of the Game," explained the system, its words resonating as both a challenge and a promise.

"Show me how many skill points I need," Ryu demanded mentally. A window appeared, displaying the icon for the Eyes of the Game. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw the price: 100 skill points.

"Why so much?" Ryu asked, his face paling with disbelief.

"Don't be so greedy. Nothing in life comes for free," the system responded coldly.

Ryu sighed heavily. Not everything in life was an easy gift, but at least now he could play soccer again. What was he complaining about if he had this chance now?

Upon arriving at his uncle's house, Ryu became obsessed with improving his attributes and began implementing a strict routine. Every morning before school, he woke up early to run in the park. Afternoons were dedicated to physical training and honing his shooting skills. Over time, repetitions turned into weeks, and weeks into a month of relentless effort.

With determination, Ryu sprinted through the park, the ball glued to his foot as he dodged imaginary obstacles. Each training session was a battle against exhaustion and the limits of his endurance.

On a sunny day, after running intensely for ten straight minutes, Ryu finally stopped and collapsed onto a nearby bench. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to control his labored breathing. The park was quiet, interrupted only by the sound of his heavy breaths and the faint murmur of a few people around at this early hour.

Ryu, exhausted, felt every muscle in his body burning from the effort. He checked his attributes displayed by the system: strength, speed, and agility had all improved, each increasing by five points since he began his rigorous training.

"My endurance is a disaster!" Ryu thought with frustration as he hydrated with a quick gulp of water, feeling the refreshing coolness easing his tense muscles.

"I desperately need more skill points to improve my attributes!" he said to himself with determination, aware that he only had 27 days left to complete the system's crucial mission.

A boy around his age or older, with brown hair and a small fringe falling over his forehead, sat next to him and challenged defiantly, "I always see you in the mornings, warming up and running with that ball. I wonder if you're up to it. Would you dare to face me?"

Ryu quickly turned his head, surprised. The boy, of Japanese appearance and dressed in sportswear, wore goalkeeper gloves.

"What did you say?" Ryu asked, squinting.

"Are you deaf or something? I'm challenging you. I'm Shinichi Osawa, and I will become the best goalkeeper in the world," declared the boy arrogantly, daring Ryu with his determined gaze.

Ryu was about to respond to the boy's challenge but was completely paralyzed as he reviewed the young boy's information window.

[Name: Shinichi Osawa]

[Age: 13]

[Team: None]

[National Team: None]

[Special Weapons: Cat Reflexes (Rank B), Hands of God (Rank S)]

His eyes fixed on the words "Hands of God" with a mix of fascination and fear. It was the first time Ryu encountered someone possessing an S-rank special weapon, a formidable advantage that made Shinichi seem invincible on the field.

Ryu's eyes widened as he examined Shinichi's attributes. Most were balanced between 20 and 17, but what followed left him cold. Each number was a direct blow to his confidence:

[Agility: 78]

[Jumping: 76]

[Reaction: 76]

[Prediction: 79]

[Instincts: 74]

[Field Vision: 71]

[Goal Kick: 78]

"This guy is a monster," Ryu thought firmly. He didn't need the system to realize the magnitude of Shinichi's abilities; his aura exuded a formidable presence that couldn't be ignored. If this guy wanted to challenge him, it would be like a battle between an ant and an elephant.

"What's wrong, scared?" Shinichi spat disdainfully, noticing Ryu's silence.

Words of challenge were on the tip of Ryu's tongue, but he was paralyzed by the enormity of the challenge. The idea of being humiliated by someone like Shinichi haunted him.

"I..." Ryu hesitated, on the brink of declining Shinichi's challenge, when a window suddenly appeared before him.

Hidden Rank C Mission: "You've encountered the future best goalkeeper in the world. Demonstrate your skill and defeat Shinichi."

Reward for completing the Mission: 7 skill points, plus 3 random skill points.

Penalty for failing or rejecting the mission: 60% increased chance of failure in each shot on goal.

Ryu clenched his fists in anger, feeling the system pushing him into this challenge. "This system wants me to be humiliated," he thought indignantly.

"I... accept your challenge!" Ryu declared with determination, locking eyes with Shinichi fiercely.

"Very well, listen carefully," Shinichi began with arrogant defiance. "The challenge is simple: you will face me and four defenders. If you manage to score against me, you can ask me for anything you want. But if I catch it or you miss, you won't be able to refuse a request from me. You have one week to prepare. The match will take place at the city's public soccer field." With a gesture of superiority, he concluded, walking away confidently.

"That guy is so arrogant! If it weren't for this damn system, I would never have accepted," resonated in Ryu's mind as he continued jogging furiously. He kept at it for a full hour, letting frustration and determination mix in every step, until he finally decided to head back home to shower and dress before facing the school day.

After meticulously preparing himself, Ryu headed towards school. On the way, he noticed Gabriel rushing hurriedly, visibly annoyed at having overslept.

"Why didn't anyone wake me up?" Gabriel lamented as he sped past Ryu.

Impressed by Gabriel's speed, Ryu felt a mix of envy for Gabriel's speed attributes and bewilderment, but chose to ignore it and continue on his way. After another intense five-minute walk, he finally arrived at school. He went straight to his classroom, where he sat at his desk with a sigh full of anticipation.

"This week is shaping up to be quite troublesome," Ryu thought, with a knot in his stomach and hands clenched over his head, feeling the weight of looming anxiety.

"End of Chapter 2."

"This was made by FanficZone."