**Chapter 52: The System's Bargain**
The Obsidian Throne training grounds burned under the midday sun as Ibukun finished his hundredth precision pass. Sweat stung his eyes, but he didn't stop—couldn't stop.
The System's latest mission pulsed in his vision like a live wire:
**>> MISSION: PERFECT FALSE NINE MOVEMENTS
>> OBJECTIVE: EXECUTE 200 SUCCESSFUL POSITIONAL ROTATIONS
>> REWARD: "PIRLO'S SPATIAL AWARENESS" (12 HOURS)
>> FAILURE: -15% QI EFFICIENCY (48 HOURS) <<**
Coach Drayven's whistle shrieked across the pitch. **"Oluwaseyi! Stop drifting left! False nine means *central* decoy, not wing play!"**
Ibukun gritted his teeth. The System's directives clashed with Drayven's orders—again.
**>> WARNING: COACH'S INSTRUCTIONS CONTRADICT MISSION PARAMETERS
>> SUGGESTED COMPROMISE: DELAY ROTATIONS UNTIL SCRIMMAGE <<**
Jay-Jay's hologram materialized, chewing on a virtual toothpick. *"Tough spot, kid. Disobey the coach, fail your mission. Obey the coach, lose rewards."*
Ibukun adjusted mid-sprint, forcing himself central.
**>> MISSION PROGRESS: 132/200
>> CURRENT SUCCESS RATE: 89% <<**
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### **The Blood Match Offer**
General Krazith's envoy arrived as the team cooled down—a hulking Augmek warrior with a crimson holochip embedded in his palm.
**"The General requests the honor of Ibukun Oluwaseyi's participation in a... cultural exchange match."**
Drayven snatched the chip, his cybernetic eye whirring as it scanned. **"Request denied. My players aren't circus animals."**
The System flared:
**>> HIDDEN MISSION DETECTED: "SURVIVE THE BLOOD MATCH"
>> OBJECTIVE: PLAY 60 MINUTES AGAINST KRAZITH'S KILLERS
>> REWARD: "ROY KEANE'S WARRIOR SPIRIT" (PERMANENT)
>> FAILURE: PERMANENT -20% PAIN TOLERANCE <<**
Ibukun's jaw tightened. Permanent rewards were rare. But defying Drayven?
Captain Vorian stepped forward, his voice a gravel landslide. **"You heard the coach. Get lost."**
The Augmek smiled, revealing filed teeth. **"A shame. The General so wanted to... *evaluate* Celestial League prospects."**
As the envoy left, the System updated:
**>> MISSION STATUS: FAILED (COACH'S DECISION OVERRIDES PLAYER CHOICE)
>> CONSEQUENCE: "WEAKENED RESOLVE" DEBUFF APPLIED
>> NEXT 3 TRAINING SESSIONS: -10% STAMINA REGEN <<**
Jay-Jay cursed. *"Damn. Should've fought harder for that one."*
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### **The Captain's Ultimatum**
Vorian cornered Ibukun in the cryo-chamber. **"I see you eyeing those warlord games."** The captain's grip dented the locker. **"We play *team* football here. You step out of line?"** He tapped the armband. **"I bench you myself."**
The System reacted instantly:
**>> MISSION: "EARN CAPTAIN'S TRUST"
>> OBJECTIVE: 3 CONSECUTIVE MATCHES WITH 90%+ PASS ACCURACY
>> REWARD: "XAVI'S TELEPATHIC LINK" (ALLIES INSTINCTIVELY READ YOUR MOVES)
>> FAILURE: PERMANENT -5% TEAM CHEMISTRY <<**
Ibukun met Vorian's glare. **"I want to win. Same as you."**
**"Prove it."**
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### **The League Cup Gamble**
Pre-match briefing. Drayven's holoboard highlighted Stormborn FC's weaknesses.
**"Oluwaseyi—false nine. Pull their defense apart."**
The System conflicted again:
**>> MISSION: "DOMINATE AS SHADOW STRIKER"
>> OBJECTIVE: 2 GOALS, 1 ASSIST
>> REWARD: "SERGIOPHYSIQUE" (PERMANENT +8% ACCELERATION)
>> FAILURE: NEXT 5 MATCHES: -3% SHOT POWER <<**
But Drayven's tactics demanded selflessness.
**>> COMPROMISE SOLUTION:
>> - 1ST HALF: OBEY COACH (BUILD TRUST)
>> - 2ND HALF: CHASE MISSION (IF LEAD SECURE) <<**
Ibukun nodded. **"Understood, Coach."**
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### **The Consequences**
Nyx intercepted him post-briefing, her gold eyes gleaming. **"Krazith's bribing League refs to call *everything* against you."**
The System issued its gravest alert yet:
**>> CRISIS MISSION: "BREAK KRAZITH'S INFLUENCE"
>> OBJECTIVE: WIN NEXT 3 MATCHES WITHOUT A SINGLE FOUL CALLED
>> REWARD: "MATERAZZI'S ANTICIPATION" (PERMANENT +12% TACKLE SUCCESS)
>> FAILURE: PERMANENT "MARKED MAN" DEBUFF (50% MORE FOULS CALLED) <<**
Jay-Jay's hologram paled. *"That's a career-ender if you fail."*
Ibukun stared at Nyx. **"Tell Krazith something."**
She leaned in, lips parted.
**"I don't lose."**
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