The morning sun filtered through Ibukun's curtains as the System's latest mission burned into his vision:
***MATCHDAY MISSION***
**Opponent:** Olympique Marseille (A)
**Objectives:**
- Score 1 goal (Reward: +1 Finishing, 400 SP, €10,000)
- Complete 3 successful dribbles (Reward: +1 Dribbling, 300 SP)
- Keep passing accuracy above 85% (Reward: +1 Passing, 200 SP)
**Failure Penalties:**
- Missed goal: -200 SP
- Failed dribbles: -1 Acceleration (next match)
- Poor passing: -5% Team Chemistry
Jay-Jay's hologram materialized leaning against the dresser, arms crossed. *"Marseille's backline moves like they've got cement in their boots. Should be easy… if you weren't so damn predictable."*
---
### **The Grind**
Training was brutal. The System didn't interfere, but its presence loomed—every misplaced pass, every heavy touch, another jab from Jay-Jay.
*"That first touch wouldn't cut it in a Sunday league,"* he sneered as Ibukun miscontrolled a simple pass.
Still, progress was steady. His passing sharpened, his movement off the ball became more deliberate. By Thursday, his link-up play with David had improved enough that Coach Fonseca nodded in approval.
"Looking sharp," he remarked.
If only he knew the cost.
---
### **The Match: First Blood**
The Stade Vélodrome was a cauldron of hate. Marseille's ultras unveiled a tifo of Ibukun crying, their chants venomous.
From kickoff, the mission parameters weighed on him.
**First Half:**
- **Goal Attempt (23'):** A curling shot saved brilliantly by Pau López. *(-200 SP deducted immediately)*
- **Dribble Attempt (37'):** Nutmegged Guendouzi, but Kamara cleaned him out with a tactical foul. *(1/3 dribbles completed)*
- **Passing:** 88% accuracy. *(On track)*
Jay-Jay's hologram appeared near the touchline, shaking his head. *"You're playing like you've got a script. Football ain't that simple."*
---
### **The Turning Point**
Second half. Marseille parked the bus, their physicality bordering on reckless.
Then—
A quick free kick found Ibukun in space. He drove forward, eyes on the mission counter:
***DRIBBLES REMAINING: 2***
Kamara lunged. Ibukun feinted left, then right—too slow. The tackle sent him sprawling.
***FAILED***
*(Dribbles: 1/3 | Penalty: -1 Acceleration applied)*
The System didn't care about excuses.
But football sometimes rewarded persistence.
In the 78th minute, a deflection fell kindly to Ibukun at the edge of the box. One touch to control, another to slot it bottom corner.
***GOAL***
*(Reward: +1 Finishing banked)*
1-0 Lille.
---
### **The Aftermath**
The final whistle blew. Mission results flashed:
***RESULTS***
- **Goal:** Completed (+1 Finishing, €10,000)
- **Dribbles:** 1/3 (Penalty: -1 Acceleration)
- **Passing:** 87% (+1 Passing)
Not perfect. Not a failure.
Valentina met him in the tunnel, her smirk knowing. "Perez called during the match. Again."
Ibukun didn't answer. His body ached, his mind buzzed with the System's cold calculus.
Jay-Jay's final words lingered: *"You won today. But the System always wins in the end."*
---