SWNOVELXO Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Clash of Egos
Chapter 3: Clash of Egos
The electric hum of stadium floodlights buzzed through the air as the sun set behind the city skyline. Inside the national training complex in Chiba, 50 remaining players were gathered on the pitch, eyes locked on the digital board floating above the center circle.
> [Phase Two: Individual Integration – Begins Now.]
[System Interface Synced to External Projection.]
[Opponent Stat Visibility: Limited. Teammate Stats: Full.]
Rudou Kagemori blinked as the translucent system UI flared up across his vision, merging slightly with the night air. His teammates—10 strangers, mostly from different regions—stood beside him, all sharing the same wide-eyed awe. And fear.
On the opposite side stood the other team. Among them was Takumi Arata, calm as ever, eyes narrowed and arms folded. Their gaze met across the field.
> "Opposite teams, huh?" Rudou muttered, tightening the laces on his cleats.
"Then let's see who's ahead now."
---
[System Stats – Rudou Kagemori]
Speed: 72
Dribbling: 68
Vision: 57
Finishing: 78
Stamina: 64
Ego Points: 45
Trait Progress: Solo Striker – 80%
Trait Boost (Temporary): Instinctive Finisher – Active (5 mins)
---
The whistle blew.
And it began.
The opening 10 minutes were chaos. Everyone wanted to stand out. No one passed. It was a battlefield of selfishness — and the System rewarded it.
A lean winger from Rudou's side tried a bicycle kick from outside the box. Missed by a mile.
> [-5 Ego Points. Penalty: Overconfidence.]
Another defender from Takumi's side nutmegged a midfielder, won a foul, and celebrated like he'd scored a World Cup goal.
> [+6 Ego Points. Trait Progress: "Defensive Swagger" 15%]
But it was Rudou who finally broke the deadlock.
In the 22nd minute, he intercepted a weak pass, exploded past two defenders with a burst of raw pace, and buried the ball in the bottom corner.
> [+20 Ego Points. Solo Striker Trait – 100% Unlocked.]
[Trait Unlocked: Solo Striker – Boosts Dribbling and Finishing by +10 when not assisted.]
The stadium buzzed. Not with cheers—but with tension.
Takumi didn't flinch.
In fact, he smiled.
On the restart, Takumi picked up the ball, danced through three pressing midfielders with godlike precision, and slipped a no-look pass to his striker, who scored effortlessly.
> [+15 Ego Points. Assist Bonus. Trait Unlocked: Maestro – Field Vision and Pass Timing increased.]
> [Takumi Arata – MVP Impact Detected.]
---
By halftime, it was 1-1. The players returned to the temporary dugouts, gulping water and breathing heavy.
> "You've gotten stronger," Takumi said to Rudou as they passed each other.
Rudou smirked. "I'm not the same boy from Shinjuku anymore."
---
Second Half – War of Styles
The second half was a chessboard — egoist vs. tactician.
Rudou's runs were wild, direct, unstoppable. His raw instincts made defenders tremble.
Takumi was a conductor, pulling strings, manipulating space, slowing down time.
In the 61st minute, Rudou called for a long ball. The midfielder hesitated.
> "Pass it!" he yelled.
The ball came. Rudou chest-controlled, slipped between the center-backs, and struck with the outside of his foot.
GOAL.
> [+25 Ego Points. Solo Goal Bonus.]
[Trait Boost: Solo Striker – Finishing +10 (Active)]
His team erupted in celebration—but Rudou's eyes were locked on Takumi, who stared coldly from the halfway line.
---
Final 10 Minutes – Takumi's Turn
Now it was Takumi's show.
He dropped deeper, collected the ball under pressure, and sliced a pass between four defenders—a surgical blade through the chaos.
Another assist.
Then in the 88th minute, Takumi pushed forward, intercepted a loose ball, and curled it into the top corner himself.
2 goals, 2 assists.
> [+30 Ego Points. MVP Mode Triggered. Trait Evolution Pathway – Activated.]
---
The final whistle blew:
Score: 3 – 3
There were no cheers. Just breathing. Panting. Glaring.
Every player glanced upward at the new leaderboard.
---
[Updated Rankings – Phase 2, Day 1]
1. Shun Mizuki – 92 Ego Points
2. Takumi Arata – 85 Ego Points
3. Rudou Kagemori – 78 Ego Points
4. Daichi Motonari – 61 Ego Points
5. Ryoga Tendo – 59 Ego Points
> [Notice: Top 11 players after 7 matches will qualify for the U-20 Japan Training Program.]
---
Later that night, Rudou sat alone under the stars outside the dorm building. The wind was cold. His shirt clung to his back.
> [Mission Complete: Score against a higher-ranked rival. +20 Ego Points.]
[Bonus Quest Unlocked: Become Top 1 for a Day – Reward: Hidden Trait Reveal.]
Takumi walked by, silent at first. Then, he stopped.
> "This is how it starts," he said. "We both have the system. But only one of us will be at the top."
Rudou stood, staring back.
"Then climb, Takumi. Because I'm not slowing down."
Their fists met—knuckles cracking under the weight of rivalry.
The next match awaited.
And the next ego would fall.
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