The morning passed quickly, filled with the laughter and games of the other children. But for Gabriel, this was his first official training session. Every step, every touch on the ball, every stumble… was a chance to improve.
In the corner of the daycare's cement court, he created his own routine: placing the ball between plastic bottles, weaving in and out, spinning his body, trying to stay balanced.
[Mission complete: "Body Control"][+2 Dexterity | Micro-coordination unlocked]
["Not bad for a 5-year-old body."]["Dexterity is the foundation of football artists. It's how you'll paint your style on the field."]
Gabriel took a deep breath. He was sweaty, out of breath, but smiling. This was far more fun than any training he remembered from his past life.
And then… everything changed.
The sky seemed darker. The sound of the children disappeared for a moment. When Gabriel blinked… he was no longer on the court.
He stood in a black void… and at the center, was himself.
Or rather… something that looked like him.
Eyes wide open, a huge grin, glowing yellow pupils. Unnerving. Unnatural.
— "What is this…?" — Gabriel whispered, looking around, feeling the strange pressure in the air.
["You summoned it… without knowing. This is your Inner Monster."]
The creature began to dribble an invisible ball. Its movements were insane — agile, erratic, unpredictable. Gabriel couldn't follow. It was like watching a wild, living work of art.
["The Instinctive Dribble, Rank E, Level 1, gave you +10 Dexterity. But this monster… is your true instinct. For now, it acts on its own."]["Learning to control it… that's your mission."]
[New mission unlocked: "Face the Monster"][Goal: Reproduce one dribble seen in the inner vision.Reward: +1 Dexterity | +1 Weapon Proficiency: Instinctive Dribble]
Gabriel inhaled sharply. The ground returned, the daycare court came back into focus, and the children's laughter flooded his ears once again.
He knew it wasn't a dream.
The ball was at his feet. His rapid heartbeat was real.
'That was it... now. I'll copy one of that monster's moves.'
He pushed the ball sideways, twisted his body, and tried the fast movement he had seen. It wasn't perfect, but… it worked. The plastic bottle fell. He lost balance for a second. But he had done it.
[Mission complete: "Face the Monster"][+1 Dexterity | +1 Weapon Proficiency: Instinctive Dribble (E – Level 2)]
["That's how it begins. A monster isn't born ready. It's trained."]
Gabriel fell on the ground, laughing to himself.
'If this is my new battlefield… then I'll become the demon that rules it.'