SWNOVELXO Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Devil's Number
Chapter 5: The Devil's Number
The scoreboard flickered as the players left the pitch, and somewhere deep inside the Ego Development Facility, the system's processors were running something new—an algorithm neither Rudou nor Takumi had seen before.
> [SYSTEM ALERT: DIVISION PHASE INITIATED]
[TOP 22 PLAYERS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SQUADS]
[BLUE DAWN vs. RED DUSK — WELCOME TO "THE DEVIL'S MATCH"]
The announcement echoed through every room, every corridor, every mind.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
This was war.
---
7:00 AM – Dormitory Block C
Rudou woke to a cold wind drifting through the open window. The screen above his bed glowed with new information.
> [YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO: BLUE DAWN]
[TEAMMATES: TAKUMI ARATA, DAIGO SANO, RYOGA TENDO...]
[CAPTAIN: SHUN MIZUKI]
[OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT RED DUSK IN A FULL 90-MINUTE MATCH]
[REWARD FOR VICTORY: x2 EGO POINTS MULTIPLIER FOR 48 HOURS]
[PENALTY FOR LOSS: EGO DEDUCTION & SUSPENSION THREAT]
Rudou exhaled slowly.
He wasn't captain this time.
He was under Mizuki.
Again.
---
Takumi's Room
Takumi stared at his team list.
> [RED DUSK]
[CAPTAIN: DAICHI MOTONARI]
[ALSO SELECTED: KAITO NISHIDA, HIKARI ROKUJO…]
And himself.
He'd be facing Rudou directly.
For the first time since the start of Ego Training.
He clenched his fist, and a new prompt appeared.
> [SYSTEM QUEST – CRUSH THE RIVAL: Defeat Rudou in direct duel]
[REWARD: Personal Trait Upgrade Token]
He whispered, "Sorry, Rudou. But I'm not your shadow."
---
The Pitch – Ego Stadium Omega
A massive artificial stadium hidden underground opened for the match. Cameras hovered midair. Screens lit up. The entire facility was watching.
> "BLUE DAWN, REPORT," Mizuki barked as captain.
Rudou stepped forward. "You lead. We finish."
Mizuki's eye twitched. "Don't fall behind."
Red Dusk emerged from the tunnel. Takumi walked out first.
He locked eyes with Rudou from across the field.
No smiles. No nods. Just pressure.
---
Kickoff – First Half
The match began in an electric storm of aggression. Every player here was top-tier. Every touch mattered.
Rudou chased a loose ball, weaving through two defenders. He squared to pass—but Mizuki cut him off and took the shot.
Blocked.
Rudou blinked. "What the hell?"
> "You don't decide when we attack," Mizuki snapped. "I do."
The teamwork was cracking already.
Meanwhile, Takumi led Red Dusk with fluid passes and calm tempo. He wasn't the flashiest—but his control of space was godlike.
He directed, rotated, collapsed the flanks—and in the 18th minute, he assisted their opening goal.
> [Goal – Red Dusk 1, Blue Dawn 0]
[Takumi: +14 Ego Points]
Rudou seethed.
---
Minute 29 – Rising Tensions
Rudou sprinted down the left wing. Mizuki signaled to cross, but Rudou ignored it. He cut in and shot—
> GOAL.
[1-1]
> [SYSTEM WARNING: "Ego Clash Detected" – Chemistry Breakdown Risk]
Mizuki didn't celebrate.
He stormed to Rudou. "This is not a solo show."
Rudou grinned. "That's funny, coming from you."
Daigo Sano stood between them. "Focus or we lose."
---
Minute 40 – Ego System Trigger: Rival Mode
> [RIVAL DETECTED: TAKUMI ARATA]
[MISSION: OUTSCORE YOUR RIVAL DIRECTLY]
[CONDITION: Win more direct duels than Takumi]
[BONUS REWARD: "Phase 2 Trait Unlocked"]
Rudou's blood ran hot.
Everything narrowed to Takumi.
Every step. Every play.
He had to crush him.
---
Second Half – 2-1 Red Dusk
Takumi orchestrated another attack. He sent a through-ball into the path of Rokujo. Chip shot. Goal.
Rudou was slipping.
Mizuki was furious. "You want to be number one? Then act like it."
But Rudou wasn't listening.
He activated his system manually.
> [Override Activated: Stat Boost – Speed +8, Stamina +6, Vision +4]
In the 62nd minute, Rudou intercepted a pass and ran the full pitch.
Takumi rushed back to intercept.
They collided shoulder-to-shoulder. Time slowed.
> "You're not better than me!"
"Then prove it!"
Rudou slid the ball past Takumi and chipped the keeper again.
> Goal.
[2-2]
---
Minute 77 – Total Breakdown
Mizuki refused to pass. He ignored Rudou.
Takumi took advantage, slicing through a fractured Blue Dawn midfield and scoring his own solo goal.
> [3-2 Red Dusk]
[Takumi: +22 Ego Points – Rival Surpassed]
---
Final 5 Minutes
Everything broke down.
Rudou tried to pass. Mizuki hogged the ball. Daigo started yelling.
Red Dusk just played calm, clean football.
And they won.
3–2.
---
Post-Match Results
> Blue Dawn – Loss
Ego Point Multiplier Denied
Rudou: -12 Ego Points
Mizuki: -10 Ego Points
Team Chemistry Stat: Decreased
> Red Dusk – Victory
Takumi: +34 Ego Points
Trait Upgrade Token Received
New Trait: "Game Architect – Phase 1"
---
That Night – Facility Balcony
Rudou leaned over the railing, wind howling.
Takumi walked up behind him.
> "You played well," Rudou muttered.
"You didn't," Takumi replied. "Not as a teammate."
Rudou didn't reply.
Takumi turned to leave.
> "Next time," Rudou said softly, "I won't pass either."
"Then next time, I'll bury you."
Far above, the Ego System watched silently.
In the dark, a new window opened.
> [WARNING: MAXIMUM EGO LEVEL NEARING – SYSTEM LIMITATION DETECTED]
[NEW ZONE REQUIRED – INITIATING "THE PHANT