The Stonehearted Knight - Chapter 1: Crystal of Hope

What to expect:A long epic progression fantasy with south asian/indian cultivation elements. Lots of action, strong worldbuilding, and a planned story. People die, but no excessive grimdark content. No murderhobo MC. No edgy or whiny or anti-hero MC. No pacifist MC.Cute canine companion

The protagonist of a war fantasy novel, Theo, competes with his rival and antagonist, Luke, for the position of Supreme Commander. Having been reincarnated into Luke’s role, he struggles to fulfill his duties as the villain. “It seems like principles as a soldier, the duties I should uphold, don’t matter to you at all.” Even if misunderstood by Theo, Luke silently remained faithful to his role as the antagonist. After completing all his duties, Luke successfully gave Theo his happy ending, cast aside his military uniform, and retired from the army. Now, Luke planned to create his own future story without interference from anyone. That was the plan, at least… “Why go this far? I’m no longer a soldier, and if you really think about it, we were never on good terms anyway.” To make matters worse, not only had he unexpectedly reunited with Theo, but now, Theo was persistently and seriously pressing him in a way he hadn’t imagined. “I want to know you better.” It was a completely incomprehensible statement, and it wasn’t even an appropriate answer to the question. The protagonist came to the antagonist and suddenly asked for help, simply because they wanted to know him better?

He is the ruler of the mercenary realm, an overlord that gives headaches to the leaders of any country! For the sake of his friends, he’s willing to sacrifice himself; for the sake of his family, he does not hesitate to spill blood! He is a dragon, one that soars above even the highest of heavens. He’s a power that advances triumphantly through unstable situations, stirring up both the winds and the waters.

- Description from Novelupdates

Eric Maddox, a 70-year-old American retired football coach once hailed for his tactical brilliance, now forgotten by time—closes his eyes for what he believes is a normal nap in his quiet Florida retirement home.But when he opens them, he's not staring at ceiling tiles, instead, he's on a touchline.Wearing boots in the rain.With players running on the pitch, fans jeering behind barriers, and the smell of cheap turf pellets in the air.“What the hell is this?”He’s twenty-five again, but it’s not Earth. It’s a world where football reigns supreme. A world where the sport is religion, its practitioners, deities in cleats. Coaches are revered, players are worshipped, and even the kit man gets treated like royalty.But there's one catch: none of it is familiar. The clubs, the players, the leagues, the competitions, and even the currency—they're all different. Alien. Like waking up in a dream where the rules are the same, but the language is foreign.As if that wasn’t enough, the body he’s now in? A youth coach with a laughable win record, a looming divorce, and a measly fifty thousand in the bank that his ex-wife is fighting tooth and nail to take. All of it.Just when the spiral seems inevitable, a monotone chime pierces the noise.[Initiating Golden Finger…][…45%… 75%… 100%][System Integration Complete.][Welcome, host. You are now bound to the Pro Manager System. Objective: Dominate the Football World. A new era begins]From washed-up has-been to chosen one of destiny, Eric Maddox is about to trade arthritis pills for tactical boards, and shuffleboard for Prestigious Cup glory.Because in this world, tactics are power.And on this touchline, he’s about to become a god.