**Chapter 53: The Referee's Whistle**
The League Cup opener erupted in chaos before the first whistle even blew.
Referee Jorvan—a wiry man with augmented eyes that glowed League blue—stood at the center circle, his voice booming through the stadium's sound system.
**"Match conduct will be held to *Celestial Standards* today."**
A coded threat.
The System translated instantly:
**>> REFEREE BIAS DETECTED:
>> - 83% HIGHER FOUL CALL PROBABILITY AGAINST USER
>> - OFFSIDE MARGIN OF ERROR REDUCED TO 0.1 SECONDS
>> MISSION PARAMETERS UPDATED: "BREAK KRAZITH'S INFLUENCE" NOW ACTIVE <<**
Ibukun exhaled slowly. Three matches. Zero fouls called his way. Impossible odds.
Coach Drayven's hand clamped onto his shoulder. **"They're gunning for you. *Adapt*."**
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### **First Half: The Trap**
Stormborn FC came out swinging. Maldrek the Unbroken, their star striker, launched into a "challenge" that was 80% elbow.
**CRACK!**
Ibukun's head snapped back, blood spraying across his chin.
Referee Jorvan waved play on.
**>> IMPACT ANALYSIS: CONCUSSION RISK (22%)
>> QI REINFORCEMENT: ENGAGED (HIDDEN) <<**
Jay-Jay's hologram flickered wildly. *"They're trying to hospitalize you!"*
Ibukun spat crimson and smiled.
**Mission Progress:**
- **0/3 matches completed (clean)**
- **Fouls suffered: 4**
- **Fouls called: 0**
---
### **The Turn**
Second half. 0-0.
The System blared a new alert:
**>> OPPORTUNITY DETECTED: REFEREE JORVAN'S WEAKNESS
>> OBSERVATION: 100% FOUL CALL RATE WHEN STAR PLAYERS ARE INVOLVED
>> SUGGESTED ACTION: FEED CAPTAIN VORIAN FOR PENALTY BOX INCIDENT <<**
Ibukun obeyed.
A slicing through-ball sent Vorian charging into the box—where Maldrek "slipped" and took out the captain's legs.
**WHISTLE!**
Jorvan hesitated, then pointed to the spot.
**>> MISSION UPDATE:
>> - REFEREE BIAS TEMPORARILY BROKEN
>> - PENALTY AWARDED <<**
Vorian buried it. 1-0.
---
### **The Aftermath**
Post-match, Ibukun's entire body ached. The System tallied the damage:
**>> "BREAK KRAZITH'S INFLUENCE" PROGRESS: 1/3 MATCHES
>> REWARD TRACK: 33%
>> WARNING: NEXT OPPONENT'S REFEREE IS KRAZITH'S COUSIN <<**
Nyx appeared in the tunnel shadows, her gold eyes gleaming.
**"Jorvan just got demoted to asteroid league,"** she murmured. **"Krazith's livid. He's sending... *heavier* persuasion next match."**
Ibukun wiped blood from his lip. **"Let him."**
The System's final alert pulsed like a war drum:
**>> NEW MISSION: "SURVIVE THE PURGE"
>> OBJECTIVE: PLAY 90 MINUTES VS. MERCENARY FC (98% FOUL RATE)
>> REWARD: "GATTUSO'S IRON WILL" (PERMANENT PAIN RESISTANCE)
>> FAILURE: PERMANENT "GLASS BONES" DEBUFF (-40% DURABILITY) <<**
Somewhere above, a warlord's shuttle streaked toward the moon.
The real game had just begun.
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