The night market buzzed with life.
Lanterns swayed gently above the crowded streets while laughter and music blended together in the warm evening air. Adrian and Valentina Rousseau walked side by side, sipping their drinks as they passed through the glowing stalls.
Valentina suddenly stopped at a small soccer stall where a group of teenagers were playing a mini street match.
"Looks fun," she said.
Adrian smirked. "You want to try?"
Before she could answer, one of the boys kicked the ball too hard.
It rolled across the pavement…
Straight to Adrian's feet.
The moment his foot touched the ball—
[𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗫 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠]
A familiar cold voice echoed in his mind.
It had been with him for a long time now.
Watching.
Guiding.
Pushing.
[𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟]
[Name: Adrian]
[Title: The Apex Predator]
[Level: 12]
[Speed: 78]
[Shooting: 83]
[Dribbling: 81]
[Passing: 70]
[Vision: 74]
[Stamina: 76]
[Physical Strength: 69]
[Predator Instinct: 84]
Valentina blinked.
"Adrian?"
He snapped back to reality.
One of the boys ran over.
"Hey man, you wanna play one round?"
Adrian shrugged.
"Why not."
Valentina crossed her arms with a small smile.
"Don't embarrass yourself."
Adrian grinned.
"No promises."
The small game began.
3 vs 3.
Concrete pavement.
Tiny goals.
But the moment Adrian stepped forward…
The world slowed.
[𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗]
[Street Predator Trial]
Objective:
Score 3 goals in the street match.
Rewards:
+3 Shooting
+2 Dribbling
Skill Unlock Chance
Failure:
No rewards.
Adrian smirked slightly.
Easy.
The ball came toward him.
A defender rushed in confidently.
Adrian stepped left.
Then right.
The boy spun the wrong direction.
Valentina's eyes widened.
"That was fast…"
Adrian accelerated.
Shot.
The ball slammed into the small goal.
1-0
The boys stared at him.
"Okay… he's good."
The game restarted.
This time two defenders charged him.
Adrian smiled.
His body moved naturally.
Instinct.
Predator instinct.
A quick nutmeg.
One defender froze.
Adrian cut inside.
Shot again.
2-0
Valentina clapped softly.
"Show off."
Adrian just shrugged.
The final round began.
The defenders were nervous now.
Good.
Fear made prey easier to hunt.
Adrian dribbled slowly.
Waiting.
Watching.
Then—
Explosion.
He burst forward, slipped between them, and fired.
The ball rolled perfectly into the corner.
3-0
[𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗗]
Rewards Granted
+3 Shooting
+2 Dribbling
[𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗨𝗡𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗]
[Predator Acceleration (Lv.1)]
Short burst acceleration that overwhelms defenders in close range.
The system panel updated again.
[𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦]
[Speed: 78]
[Shooting: 86]
[Dribbling: 83]
[Passing: 70]
[Vision: 74]
[Stamina: 76]
[Physical Strength: 69]
[Predator Instinct: 84]
The street players stared.
"Dude… what academy do you play for?"
Adrian picked up the ball and tossed it back.
"Crown Meridian Academy."
Valentina walked toward him slowly.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You weren't kidding."
Adrian scratched the back of his head.
"It was just a small game."
She leaned closer slightly.
"If that's your small game… I want to see your real one."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then she smiled.
"Next time you have a match… invite me."
Adrian nodded.
"Deal."
Above them, the lantern lights flickered softly.
But deep inside Adrian's mind…
The Apex Predator System was already preparing the next hunt.
What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
Will Adrian dominate the next academy match… or will a new rival appear?
If you like the story please drop your thoughts, Power Stones, reviews, collections and comments. It really helps the story grow!