Chapter 17: The Cheat Awakens

Victor Kane stood at the center of Burton Albion's training ground, the crisp autumn air swirling around him. His players were gathered in a semi-circle, watching attentively as he outlined their drills on the training board. Today's session wasn't just about fitness or tactics—it was about mastering the Coil Maneuver, the first unlocked skill from the Snake Tactics Manual.

"This isn't just a defensive move," Victor began, tapping the whiteboard. "It's an ambush. When we use Coil Maneuver, the defense coils back slightly to absorb pressure, but the instant we regain possession, we counterattack with precision. Every player has a role—timing is everything."

Victor flipped the board, revealing a set of hand signs. These weren't random gestures; they were calculated commands tied directly to the system. Each sign corresponded to a movement or adjustment, allowing Victor to activate the skill mid-match.

"You'll see this," Victor said, raising his left hand and circling his index finger. "It means initiate the coil. Midfielders, drop deeper. Strikers, hold your position. The moment I clench my fist, we strike. Everyone moves forward in sync—fast, aggressive, decisive."

The players exchanged glances, intrigued but skeptical. Quinn raised his hand. "Boss, are we sure this won't confuse everyone?"

Victor smirked. "Not if we train until it's instinct. Now, on the pitch—let's make it happen."

The drills were intense. Victor pushed his players relentlessly, ensuring each movement aligned perfectly with the hand signs. At first, there were mistakes. Akins broke forward too early, Templeton mistimed his runs, and McFadzean struggled to track back quickly enough. But as the session wore on, progress was undeniable.

Victor activated the Team Synchronization Buff, its effects subtly enhancing the players' movements. Quinn and Allen rotated seamlessly, their passes sharper and more fluid. Akins and Templeton adjusted their positioning instinctively, sensing gaps without hesitation.

By the end of the session, Victor tested the Coil Maneuver in a simulated match scenario. The defense dropped back under pressure, baiting the attacking players forward. The instant possession was regained, Victor clenched his fist. The team surged forward like a coiled spring, the midfielders threading passes to the strikers, who sliced through the defense with clinical precision.

The players paused, panting but smiling.

"That," Quinn said, wiping sweat from his brow, "was bloody brilliant."

Victor allowed himself a rare smile. "That's what I want to see on match day."

Meanwhile, at The Yellow Lion Pub, the fans were buzzing. The league table, displayed on the large screen above the bar, showed just how far Burton Albion had climbed in recent weeks.

Burton sat in 17th place, five points clear of the relegation zone. Above them, Cambridge United occupied 14th place with 49 points, followed by Exeter City in 15th with 48 points, and Shrewsbury Town in 16th with 46. Burton themselves had 45 points—a far cry from their precarious position just weeks ago.

Below them, however, the situation remained tense. Cheltenham Town were 18th with 42 points, just three behind Burton. Accrington Stanley followed closely in 19th with 41, and Forest Green Rovers clung to 20th with 40. The bottom four—Morecambe in 21st with 38 points, MK Dons in 22nd with 37, Oxford United in 23rd with 36, and Port Vale in last with 34—were fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation.

Martin leaned back, sipping his pint. "Seventeenth, eh? Still feels weird not being in the danger zone."

Gary, seated beside him, nodded. "Yeah, but let's not get comfortable. Two matches left—anything can happen."

Liam grinned. "Relax, lads. Kane's got this. You saw what they did to Rochdale. Coil Maneuver, Drift—whatever he's cooking, it's working."

The pub erupted in laughter, but the underlying tension was clear. Burton wasn't safe yet, and the next two matches would decide their fate.

Victor's methods had drawn more attention from the media. Articles and TV segments dissected the tactics, speculating on Kane's cheat-like dominance. Some praised his ingenuity, while others questioned the sustainability of his strategies.

One headline from a local paper read: "Victor Kane: Burton's Snake Charmer or Smoke and Mirrors?"

The accompanying piece debated Kane's tactics, suggesting that while effective, they relied heavily on player synchronization—a delicate balance that could easily collapse under pressure. Fans, however, were quick to defend their coach online.

"He's a genius, plain and simple," one supporter wrote. "Call it smoke and mirrors all you want—he's saving our club."

Another added, "I don't care how he does it, as long as we stay up. Sidewinder Drift, Coil Maneuver—give the man a statue."

At Pirelli Stadium, Burton's staff mirrored the fans' cautious optimism. Rebecca Hill and Arthur Wilkins reviewed preparations for the upcoming match, ensuring every detail was accounted for.

"You think we'll make it, Rebecca?" Wilkins asked.

She hesitated before replying. "I think… for the first time in a while, we have a chance. Kane's turned things around, but these last two matches—it's all or nothing."

As evening fell, Victor sat alone in his office, flipping through the Snake Tactics Manual. The Coil Maneuver gleamed on the page, its activation sequence etched in his memory. Beneath it, two grayed-out skills—Fang Sequence and Venom Surge—remained locked, waiting for their time.

Victor closed the book, his gaze steady. The system was had given him the tools he needed. And he intended to use them.