My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 61: One more to go

After Leo left the room, Rio laid back down and let out a sigh that rattled his chest.

’Why did I have to get a fever now?’ He complained inwardly.

His mind moved to the terrible nightmare he had gone through last night—Mateo lifting trophies while he rotted in the reserves—and couldn’t help but shudder. He really had made a mess of his own head after rejecting the agent.

"If I never got this System..." He muttered.

’Ah!’

He suddenly remembered that the fever wasn’t a sickness. It was the side effect of the A-Grade Physicality Enhancing Elixir, the reward for his month of dieting and gym torture. Without wasting another moment, he hastily brought up the System window.

MISSION: Body Transformation Protocol (Completed)

Task: Complete strict diet + Gym work for 30 days

[Congratulations, you have completed the mission: Body Transformation Protocol]

#Rewards received

Complete healing of muscle fatigue

A-grade physicality enhancing elixir (Consumed)

Skill: Iron Lungs (+20% increase in stamina regeneration)

Rio felt a huge wave of relief overcome his body, followed by immense excitement. Finally, after a full month of eating boiled chicken and broccoli, he would no longer be the "lightweight" winger that defenders loved to bully.

He wasn’t sure if it was the sweat on his forehead or pent-up emotions, but he couldn’t help but wipe his eyes with his duvet. If he didn’t have a raging temperature right now, Rio would be jumping for joy.

"I wonder what my strength will be like now?" He mumbled to himself.

While he had learned to use his body better with skills like Elastic Limbs, his frame lacked the raw power and density that Premier League players possessed. This was a cause of immense frustration for him, having been bounced off the ball by Millwall giants just days ago.

Being called "lightweight" by his own agent had hurt his pride. Even Farke, despite trusting him, always looked worried when a tackle flew in.

Of course, he couldn’t blame them for coming to this conclusion. He was skinny.

"Ahhh, I want to play..."

Rio couldn’t help but fidget underneath the blanket, itching to get out on the pitch and shoulder-barge someone. At the same time, the burning sensation in his muscles was intensifying.

’The notification said the reboot takes 4 hours...’ He thought.

Since the Elixirs usually made him go through pain or drowsiness, he usually waited until night. But the System had force-fed him this one.

[System Update: 99% Complete]

[Finalizing Muscle Density Restructuring...]

"It should be over soon, right?" Rio thought aloud, gripping the sheets.

Since it was an A-grade elixir, the pain would likely be intense for the final push, so he gritted his teeth, waiting for the discomfort.

However, after almost a minute nothing seemed to be happening.

"Huh? Did it crash?" Rio scratched his head in thought, bringing up the System.

He did not receive any notifications that something had failed, so it was rather weird that it didn’t seem to come into effect.

"F-FUCK!"

Just as Rio was about to complain, he felt a wave of molten lava assault his muscles, causing a pit of despair to form in his stomach. He quickly turned onto his stomach and bit into the pillow to try to relieve the torture.

Starting from his calves, the pain worked its way up to his quads, stretching and wringing them like the world’s worst cramp. He had no time to worry if Leo had heard the initial outburst and did his utmost to focus on other things.

After what seemed like an eternity, his core muscles began to vibrate, bringing with it a burning, tightening sensation. Rio couldn’t help but let out a groan of pain, at least until it moved onto his shoulders and chest.

Once again he had to endure the pain of his muscles being twisted and wrung like last night’s washing. Despite the torture, Rio did his best to keep his mind occupied.

He imagined himself at Wembley Stadium. The Championship Play-off Final. He stared down the pitch to where his teammates stood. Archie Gray was there, looking exhausted but hopeful. Farke was on the sideline, screaming.

Rio received the ball. A giant defender, someone like Van Dijk or Maguire, stepped up to crush him.

In the past, Rio would have flown five meters.

But in this vision, Rio planted his feet. He leaned into the defender.

CRUNCH.

The defender bounced off him. Rio didn’t move an inch. The crowd roared.

The amount of power and stability he felt required nothing else. With his skill and this new body, there was no hurdle that he could not overcome.

A grin formed on Rio’s face as he drove towards the goal in his mind.

He wound up his leg and smashed the ball, causing a frightening noise to ring out across the stadium.

BOOM.

Rio woke up several hours later feeling groggy. He felt sticky yet dehydrated, almost as if he had melted into the bed.

’I need to shower...’ Were the first words that went through his head.

He got up out of bed and went straight for the shower. As he made his way down the hallway, he couldn’t help but notice he felt a lot different than this morning.

’Huh, the floor feels... closer?’

No, the floor wasn’t closer. He felt heavier. More solid. Like a tank.

After jumping into the shower and scrubbing off the "reboot sweat," he was finally in the right frame of mind to open up the System and check his progress. He looked in the foggy mirror.

Shutterstockاستكشاف

His abs were defined, carved out like stone. His shoulders were broader, filling out his frame. He wasn’t a bodybuilder, but he looked like a lean, mean, athletic machine.

[You have consumed: A-grade Physicality Enhancing Elixir.]

[Strength grade has been increased by 2!]

[Stamina grade has been increased by 1!]

[Balance grade has been increased by 1!]

[Congratulations, user has reached S grade Stamina and will be rewarded with the skill: Titan’s Core]

[Titan’s Core: Significantly increases balance under physical pressure. 30% chance to win 50/50 duels automatically.]

Rio’s eyes widened in disbelief as he read through the rewards of taking the elixir. Not only had his grades increased significantly, he also managed to reach S grade Stamina and was given a new skill.

"Titan’s Core... 30% chance to win duels automatically? That’s broken!"

This truly was one of the best days of his life since returning. His "lightweight" curse was fully healed and he was gifted the perfect skill to survive the Championship meat-grinder. Not only would he be able to run all day, he also wouldn’t have to worry about getting bullied by defenders like Cooper again.

Since "Titan’s Core" referred to his center of gravity, this was a great boon for someone who wished to play in the Premier League.

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: Finally! You look like a man now, not a boy. A strong core is the engine of the dribble. Use it!

Total_Football_14: Strength is useful, but do not lose your agility. You must learn to use this weight. Dance with the muscle, do not fight it.

The_Phenomenon_9: Forget the dancing. Just bulldoze them. It is fun. Trust me.

Rio laughed, flexing his bicep in the mirror. "I can do both."

He got dressed. His favorite hoodie felt snug around the shoulders.

"Rio? Are you ready?" Leo called from the living room. "Dad is waiting in the car."

"Coming!" Rio shouted.

He walked out, feeling the floorboards creak slightly under his new presence.

A couple of hours later, Rio found himself sitting on the medical table at Thorp Arch, swinging his legs. He began to recount his "symptoms" to the head physio, Rob.

"So, you had a fever this morning, and now you feel... fine?" Rob asked, looking skeptical.

"Better than fine. I feel great," Rio said, hopping off the table.

Rob frowned, checking Rio’s vitals. He put the stethoscope to Rio’s chest.

"Your heart rate is incredibly low. And your blood pressure is perfect." Rob muttered. He squeezed Rio’s shoulder. "And you’ve... filled out? Did you eat a cow this weekend?"

Rio chuckled. "Just good Spanish food, Rob. Lots of paella."

"Hmm." Rob wasn’t convinced, but the data didn’t lie. "Well, your ankle seems stable. Your fever is gone. I can’t find a reason to keep you out."

"So I can play against Hull?" Rio asked, his eyes shining.

"Yes. But Farke will decide if you start."

Rio grinned. He knew Farke. If he was fit, he played. Especially with the form he was in.

He walked out of the medical room and headed to the pitch. The afternoon session was just finishing up.

"Rio!" Archie Gray jogged over, looking tired. "You missed the beep test. It was hell."

"Shame," Rio lied. "I love the beep test."

"Liar," Archie laughed. Then he stopped, looking Rio up and down. "Whoa. Did you grow?"

"Maybe," Rio winked.

"First the rabona, now you’re growing overnight? You’re actually an alien, aren’t you?" Archie whispered, looking around to see if anyone was listening.

"Ah!"

Rio almost jumped up as an idea came into his mind. Could it be his Charismatic Air (or the early Captain’s Presence) that had changed Archie’s perception of him so quickly?

’That could explain why he looks at me like I’m Superman.’

"Hahhh, this feels surreal."

Rio sighed, looking out at the pitch. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the grass. Hull City was tomorrow. The final step of the Lone Wolf mission.

Three goals in three games. He had two. One more to go.

"Archie," Rio said, his voice dropping an octave. "Tomorrow. Pass me the ball early. I’m going to run through them."

Archie looked at Rio’s new, confident posture. He swallowed.

"Okay," Archie nodded. "I believe you."