same background

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2010, London, England.

"Liam, don't worry. Dundee United may only be a Scottish team, but we've qualified for European competition. We're definitely stronger than a relegation team like Crystal Palace—10,000 times stronger."

In a modest but well-decorated living room, a young man stared at the ceiling in a daze, sinking into the sofa. Next to him, an old man with a white beard chattered incessantly, spraying spit onto his gray beard.

"Relax, Old John. I don't mean to look down on Dundee United. I just feel a little confused right now," the young man replied weakly, still staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Alright, Dad, let's go prepare breakfast. Let Liam have some time alone," said a middle-aged woman beside them as she stood up.

"Alright then, Liam, take a break." The old man got up, muttering as he walked away, "Just remember, you have to believe in yourself. Don't be discouraged. As long as you work hard enough, you'll reach your goal—playing for Arsenal one day…"

"Phew…" Liam Carter finally sighed in relief as he watched them leave.

He clearly remembered getting hit by a drunk who jumped from a building—he should have been dead. But somehow, without any logic or explanation, he had woken up in this world instead.

Liam was certain that this was a parallel universe.

His name was still Liam Carter, but now he was a British-born footballer living in London, England.

The name "Liam Carter" was strong and aggressive, fitting for a football player. It was a name he had chosen for by his grandfather when he was born.

The reason he believed this world was parallel to his original one was simple—despite his new background, even his father and grandfather's names had remained unchanged.

John Carter—his grandfather.

William Carter—his father.

Both were names with a certain generational weight to them.

In his past life, Liam remembered his father frequently complaining about missed opportunities. He would often grumble about his own father, John, saying he had been too cautious and let a golden chance slip away.

John Carter had been born in the 1950s when the economic and political landscape was much more complicated.

Back in the 1970s, his father's childhood friend, someone with a sharp business mind, had urged John to go abroad with him to seek opportunities.

At first, John had been tempted. But due to family concerns, he ultimately stayed behind while his friend left. For years, no one heard from him, and many assumed he had perished.

Then, in the 1990s, as economic reforms transformed the world, that friend suddenly returned—immensely wealthy.

That visit changed everything.

The friend had gone to Europe, where he initially made money in shady industries—smuggling, real estate speculation, and other gray-market ventures. Over time, he cleaned up his image and became a successful businessman.

That moment fueled William Carter's resentment toward his own father. He believed that if John had taken the risk and left, their family wouldn't have struggled financially.

Liam had always dismissed those complaints.

Blaming your father for not being the world's richest man? Complaining that you weren't born into royalty? That kind of thinking was pathetic.

But in this new world, John Carter had gone abroad with his friend. The two had struggled and hustled their way to success in Europe, growing wealthy together.

However, John Carter was a family man. He never wanted to stay away from his loved ones for too long. In the late 1980s, after amassing a small fortune, he returned home and used his wealth to start businesses.

With the booming economy, he expanded, becoming a local tycoon.

As a result, William Carter grew up wealthy and privileged. He was sent to study abroad in London, where he quickly got involved with a British woman—the woman who would become Liam's mother.

Liam was born while his parents were still students, and since they weren't married, his early childhood was spent with his grandfather back home.

When John Carter passed away from cancer, ten-year-old Liam returned to the UK to live with his mother.

His situation was complicated—his parents had never formally married. William later returned home and married someone else, making Liam, in essence, an illegitimate child.

Before his grandfather's passing, Liam had lived comfortably. But after John Carter died, Liam realized his position in the family wasn't as strong. When his mother insisted on bringing him to the UK, he followed her, knowing he had no real place in his father's new life.

Born in 1993, Liam grew up during a pivotal era in football. As a child, he had witnessed the rise of professional leagues and the magic of the World Cup.

Perhaps due to natural talent, or maybe just passion, Liam was a football fanatic from a young age. He wasn't just an enthusiast—he was good. In his hometown, he had been a standout player, better than almost any kid his age.

But after moving to England, he quickly realized he was no longer special.

There were far too many talented kids in England.

Still, he managed to join the youth academy of Crystal Palace, a club in the English Championship. It wasn't the Premier League, but it was still a professional environment.

By the time he turned 17, he had earned his first professional contract with Crystal Palace's youth team.

The young Liam had believed this was his breakthrough. Signing a contract at 17 was a strong indicator that he was on the right path. He was sure he would soon get a chance with the first team.

But then, his mother had spoken to the club. Crystal Palace made it clear—Liam wasn't part of their first-team plans. He would have to stay in the youth setup for at least another season.

The news had been a massive disappointment.

To make matters worse, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was in full swing, and England, the team Liam passionately supported, had just been humiliated. Eliminated in the Round of 16 by their old rivals, Germany.

A crushing 4-1 defeat.

To make it even more frustrating, England had been robbed of a clear goal in that match. A blatant referee error.

Everything felt bleak.

Frustrated and disappointed, Liam had drowned his sorrows in alcohol.

And that's when everything changed.

Somewhere between one drink and the next, the Liam Carter from another world had awakened in this body.