Morning sunlight covered the football field of Crown Meridian Academy.
Students were already gathering around the stands.
Word had spread across the entire school.
Adrian Montiero was about to finish his scrimmage challenge.
And everyone wanted to watch.
Tyler jogged beside him while stretching his legs.
"You know the entire school is here because of you, right?"
Adrian looked at the crowd.
Students everywhere.
Phones recording.
Even some media kids from the school club.
He shrugged.
"Then let's give them something to watch."
Tyler laughed.
"That's the spirit."
Across the field, Coach Ramirez blew his whistle.
"Everyone in position!"
Players quickly ran into formation.
Adrian stepped into the striker position again.
The moment the ball was placed at the center—
The system appeared again.
[■■ THE APEX PREDATOR SYSTEM ■■]
[SCRIMMAGE TASK CONTINUING]
[GOALS SCORED: 6 / 10]
[GOAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATED: 3 / 5]
[PREDATOR AWARENESS: ACTIVE]
[REWARD UPON COMPLETION]
[Vision +2]
[Passing +2]
[Predator Instinct LV2 Progress +15%]
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Four more goals.
Two more chances created.
That was all.
Kickoff
Tyler tapped the ball forward.
The scrimmage resumed.
Adrian instantly sprinted.
The defenders were already nervous.
One of them whispered to the other.
"Don't let him shoot."
Too late.
Tyler passed the ball.
Adrian received it with one touch.
Two defenders rushed him.
He feinted left.
Then exploded right.
The defenders collided with each other.
The crowd gasped.
Adrian stepped into the box.
Shot.
GOAL.
7-2
The net shook violently.
Tyler pointed at him.
"Three more!"
The system updated.
[GOALS: 7 / 10]
The Eighth Goal
The opposing team tried to slow the pace.
More defenders surrounded Adrian now.
But predators don't slow down.
They adapt.
Tyler passed again.
Adrian controlled the ball with his heel.
A defender lunged forward.
Adrian flicked the ball over him.
Volley.
GOAL.
8-2
The crowd screamed.
Phones everywhere recording.
Even Coach Ramirez crossed his arms.
Impressed.
The system flashed again.
[GOALS: 8 / 10]
The Assist
Five minutes later Adrian stole the ball from midfield.
Instead of shooting—
He scanned the field.
Predator awareness active.
Tyler sprinting down the left.
Perfect angle.
Adrian passed.
Through ball.
Tyler shot instantly.
GOAL.
9-2
Tyler pointed both hands at Adrian.
"That's another assist!"
The system confirmed.
[GOAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATED: 4 / 5]
The Ninth Goal
The opposing team was completely broken now.
Adrian pressed forward again.
Another pass from midfield.
Adrian controlled it smoothly.
He ran straight into the penalty box.
The goalkeeper charged forward.
Adrian chipped the ball.
Slow arc.
The entire field watched the ball float.
Then drop.
GOAL.
10-2
The crowd exploded.
Students jumped from the stands.
Even Tyler ran and tackled Adrian in celebration.
"You actually did it!"
The system updated immediately.
[GOALS: 9 / 10]
Adrian blinked.
Wait.
He looked again.
Then he realized something.
One goal earlier had been ruled as a deflection.
Not counted.
Tyler laughed when Adrian explained.
"So you still need one more?"
Adrian smiled slowly.
"Then I'll score one more."
Final Goal
The scrimmage restarted.
Adrian immediately pressed forward again.
Tyler stole the ball and passed.
Adrian ran through the defense like a storm.
One defender.
Two defenders.
He cut through both.
He reached the penalty area.
No hesitation.
Shot.
GOAL.
11-2
The field exploded.
The stands erupted like a stadium.
The system flashed brightly.
[TASK COMPLETE]
[GOALS: 10 / 10 ✔]
[GOAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATED: 5 / 5 ✔]
[REWARD GRANTED]
[Vision +2]
[Passing +2]
[Predator Instinct LV2 Progress: 40% → 55%]
Then his updated stats appeared.
[PLAYER STATS — ADRIAN MONTIERO]
[Speed: 93]
[Dribbling: 88]
[Finishing: 93]
[Passing: 86]
[Vision: 92]
[Stamina: 92]
[Predator Awareness: 92]
Adrian smiled.
He was evolving.
Evening
Later that evening Adrian walked through the park again.
The sky was orange with sunset.
Valentina Rousseau was waiting.
She was stretching after training.
When she saw him—
She ran toward him.
"Well?"
Adrian smiled.
"Task completed."
She raised an eyebrow.
"How many goals today?"
He thought for a second.
"Ten."
Valentina stared at him.
"You're ridiculous."
Then she stepped closer.
And kissed him.
Long.
Slow.
Then again.
And again.
Adrian laughed quietly.
"You're doing it again."
Valentina wrapped her arms around him.
"I like kissing my future football legend."
Adrian kissed her back.
"Then don't stop."
They stayed there for a long moment.
Just the two of them.
But somewhere far away…
A television screen showed Adrian's highlights.
The mysterious rival watched again.
This time…
He smiled wider.
"Ten goals?"
He picked up a football.
Then crushed it against the wall.
"I'll score twelve."
Who is the mysterious striker preparing to challenge Adrian?
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