System + sports competition + passion + comeback
With just twenty-one minutes left in the team assessment, Dong Che was called over by the coach.
“If you don't show something soon, you'll be clearing out your locker when the season ends.”
Sixteen years old, Chinese midfielder, fringe player on York City's youth team.
Average speed, weak in physical challenges, mediocre shooting, and an overall rating of just fifty-four.
Just as he thought he was about to be cut, a System panel suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Other people's Systems rewarded them with talents right from the start.
His System's very first message, however, was:
You should give up professional football.
Dong Che grinned.
“If even the System wants me gone, then I have all the more reason to stay and see what happens.”
From that day on, he began to see things no one else could.
The three-second gap left when an opponent pushed forward.
A moment's hesitation before the defensive midfielder turned.
The direction a teammate's toes pointed just before he made his move.
Everyone thought he'd suddenly found his form, and that York City had been hiding a midfield prodigy.
Only Dong Che knew he wasn't a genius.
He was just standing on the edge of the cut list, using a cold, unfeeling System panel to carve out a future for himself in professional football.
He may have modified the front part himself, but the back part is just a model house.