Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Ego Beyond Limits
Chapter 11: Ego Beyond Limits
The air crackled under the roaring spotlight of the Ego Arena.
It was the 73rd minute.
The score: 2–2.
Takumi had scored once. Rudou once.
The final test of the Survival Scramble would now come down to something beyond training, stats, or tactics.
It would come down to ego.
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Minute 74 – The Rule Shift
Suddenly, the sirens blared.
> [SYSTEM OVERRIDE]
[NEW RULE: SUDDEN DEATH GOAL]
[NEXT GOAL = WIN]
[LOSING TEAM'S LOWEST-RANKED PLAYER WILL BE ELIMINATED IMMEDIATELY]
The stadium turned cold.
One goal would decide not just victory, but someone's career.
And Rudou?
He smiled.
"This is how football should be."
---
Minute 78 – Clash in the Midfield
Yuki Shiranami charged forward for Team Sigma. But Takumi read the movement like a book.
Slide tackle.
Steal.
Turn.
Through-ball to Rensuke.
But Rudou…
He wasn't watching the ball.
He was watching Takumi.
"You're predictable now," he whispered.
He intercepted the back pass and surged forward.
---
Minute 80 – Ego Awakens
Rudou's vision slowed. The field felt like a puzzle, and every player was a piece he could shift.
> [SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
[NEW PASSIVE UNLOCKED: "Flow State (Lv.1)"]
[Condition: Full-Ego Sync + Momentum Shift]
[Effect: During a streak of advantage, gain +10 to all physical stats for 8 seconds]
His boots sparked against the turf.
He blew past Yuki.
One touch. Two.
Takumi pivoted in front of him, body low.
"You won't pass me," Takumi said.
"You already did," Rudou grinned—and flipped the ball over his head with a flick.
Takumi twisted around—too late.
Rudou was already in the penalty box.
---
Minute 82 – The Shot Heard Across Japan
> [EGO POINTS: 78]
[OBLIVION STRIKE — FULL FORM]
The shot didn't just curve.
It swerved like chaos incarnate.
The goalkeeper leapt.
Too late.
The net rippled.
The stadium went silent for a beat…
Then erupted into chaos.
> TEAM SIGMA WINS
INDIVIDUAL GOAL SCORER: RUDOU KAGEMORI
FINISHER BONUS +25 EGO POINTS
SYSTEM NOTICE: YOU ARE NOW RANK #1 OF SURVIVAL SCRAMBLE
---
Ego Tower – Player Dormitories
Later that night, Takumi sat in silence, staring at his system screen.
> [YOU LOST]
[YOUR EGO HAS BEEN SURPASSED]
[OPTIONAL PATH: SYSTEM BRANCH – EGO REVERSAL MODE (LOCKED)]
[WARNING: Activation will change your ego foundation permanently]
He clenched his fists.
"Next time… I won't lose."
---
Bonus Rankings Update:
1. Rudou Kagemori – 327 Ego Points
2. Takumi Arata – 302 Ego Points
3. Shun Mizuki – 284 Ego Points
4. Kenji Kurozawa – 259 Ego Points
5. Yuki Shiranami – 244 Ego Points
6. Rensuke Jogo – 240 Ego Points
7. Gojo Yamada – 237 Ego Points
8. Yu Asaoka – 211 Ego Points
Top 8 survive.
The rest… eliminated.
---
In a distant training complex, a new screen flickered on.
> [NEXT ARC: THE ROYAL INVITATION]
[TOP 8 WILL FACE JAPAN'S U20 PRE-TEAM STARS]
[WELCOME TO ARC 3: ASCENSION PHASE]
The next step was beyond ego.
It was legacy.