My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 49: Red Devil

However, the senior analyst who had offered him the permanent contract pathway had done so only on the condition that he stopped cutting inside on his left foot.

Rio had considered this option for a while but just the thought of limiting his game sent him into despair.

He would be no different than what he was in his last life: a one-trick pony.

’How can I give up my unpredictability when I’m only just getting started?’ He thought inwardly, a smile creeping onto his face.

#MISSION: The Lightweight Curse

Task: Complete the "Body Transformation" (Strict diet + Gym work for 30 days)

[TIME REMAINING: 15 Hours 30 Minutes]

REWARDS:

Complete healing of muscle fatigue

A-grade Physicality Enhancing Elixir

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

"Hehe."

Archie Gray looked at Rio, who was smiling dumbly and chuckling at thin air, causing the young midfielder to back away a few steps subconsciously.

"Ahem. Where is your shadow? The Rolls Royce midfielder?" Archie asked, looking left and right.

Archie’s words snapped Rio out of his reverie.

"He’s in Manchester. He’s signing the pre-contract today," Rio answered simply, his voice flat.

"Whoa!" Archie exclaimed, however, he quickly realized his mistake. Just how crappy would he feel if his own best friend went to the "Theatre of Dreams" while he was forced to stay in the Championship dogfight.

Archie placed a hand in the center of Rio’s back and patted it gently, consoling him.

"There, there, who needs the Premier League right now? With you and me in the midfield, we’ll win the title and kick their asses next year!"

Since Archie was still young and lanky, it looked quite comical to see him reaching up to pat Rio on the back like a wise old sage. This, paired with the confused look on Rio’s face, painted an odd picture in the locker room hallway.

Shrugging off Archie’s hand, Rio pushed him along towards the tactical meeting room.

"Let’s get moving, or we’ll miss the New Year briefing," He said with a smile. He could feel the goodwill from the kid, as well as the change in his demeanor.

Rio could already guess why Archie had broken into the first team so aggressively recently. Since the midfield was being restructured with Mateo’s impending departure, Farke was looking for the next big thing.

As his mind traveled back to the training sessions, he remembered one of the rewards for his mission during the last game was the unlocking of potential for his teammates.

Rio quickly accessed the Identify function of the System, bringing up Archie’s status.

NAME: Archie Gray

AGE: 17

TALENT ASSESSMENT: A

POTENTIAL: S+

USER STATS:

Physical Fitness: B-

Passing: A

Dribbling: B+

Game Intelligence: S-

Mental: A

’It looks like Leeds just found another generational talent,’ He commented inwardly, his face once more turning up into a grin.

The duo located their seats in the lecture hall. Thankfully, Rio was in the same row as usual, giving him a sense of relief.

"Awesome! We’re sitting together, Rio," Archie exclaimed, fist-pumping the air as if he had just scored a screamer.

Rio raised his eyebrow in response.

’Everyone else in the squad sits in specific zones. Was this fate, or just Farke wanting the youngsters together?’ he thought inwardly.

"Hey, are you two on holiday? You’re going to be late to the briefing." A deep, German voice called out, causing Archie to almost jump in fright.

"Ah, sorry Boss," Rio responded, before corralling Archie and heading towards the double doors.

Manager Daniel Farke, who was also late on the very first day back after the mini-break, blinked his eyes a few times and stared at the two retreating figures in puzzlement.

"Aren’t they supposed to be sad about Mateo? How are they smiling?" He questioned softly.

He ran his fingers through his long hair and narrowed his intelligent eyes. However, just as his mind was trying to put the pieces together, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

"Ah, yes, the board meeting. I’m on my way now," He said apologetically to the person on the other end.

"Scheiße, I’m going to be late."

With that, he followed after the two players and ran towards the hall for the briefing.

As Rio and Archie made their way into the now-packed media room, Rio saw some familiar faces. Without waiting to be ushered, he made his way over to where the "English Language" group usually sat, sending an apologetic look towards the press officer.

Making his way to the empty seats on the outskirts of the hall, Rio’s mind was currently elsewhere. Memories of his previous life on the bench overlapped with his vision, bringing with it a faint feeling of anxiety.

In his last life, January was when he usually got loaned out to a third-tier team.

After finally arriving at an empty chair he sat down, feeling his elbow brush against the person next to him.

"Sorry," He muttered without looking.

"I-It’s fine."

The voice was soft and breathy, yet Rio couldn’t help but be drawn to it. The hairs on his arm raised in response, causing him to slowly raise his eyes and see who it was.

Short blonde hair that framed a determined face, bright green eyes, and flushed cheeks?

"It looks like we’re in the same media workshop, Rio."

"Sarah..."

Rio couldn’t help but stare at the pretty neighbor who played for the Leeds Women’s team. Up until he had scored that goal against West Brom, he had mostly avoided her to focus on his "Lone Wolf" mission.

Throughout his time in Leeds, he had never seen her look at him like she was now. He could detect a hint of embarrassment, yet she seemed to be doing her best to hold his eye contact. She wasn’t wearing her training kit today; she was in casual clothes—a sweater that looked incredibly soft.

"Ahem. Thank you all for arriving on time for the mid-season media briefing. Firstly I’d like to welcome the representatives from the Women’s team who have joined us. We look forward to coordinating our community outreach in the coming year."

A mild voice was heard from the podium on the stage, allowing Rio the mental fortitude to finally break his eye contact. He felt his face flush, a result of his teenage hormones and current awkwardness being mixed together.

’Damn, I was caught off guard. I completely forgot Sarah was the face of the women’s team. I’ll have to be careful in the future.’ He thought inwardly.

Since his mental age was heavily influenced by the chat room legends (who were all womanizers in their prime), he felt awkward and weird when interacting with girls in a professional setting.

Rio shook his head; girls would only be a distraction right now. His current goal was to improve as much as possible, getting Leeds to the Premier League and facing off against Mateo.

Sarah let out a small sigh, looking at Rio whose mind seemed preoccupied.

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: Who is the blonde? She has good balance. Rio, stop looking at the floor!

Total_Football_14: Focus on the briefing. Media is a battlefield. But... a little romance helps the creativity, no?

Zizou_5: Be a gentleman. Offer her your water. Or your shin guards. Girls love shin guards.

Rio almost choked on his own spit hearing Zizou’s advice.

"Are you okay?" Sarah whispered, leaning closer. She smelled like vanilla and rain.

"Yeah. Just... allergies," Rio lied, sweating.

"So," Sarah hesitated, twirling a pen. "I heard Mateo is leaving. Are you... lonely in that big apartment?"

Rio froze. Was she asking what he thought she was asking?

"I have the System," Rio blurted out.

"The... system?" Sarah looked confused. "Like, a gaming PC?"

"Yes! Gaming. Lots of gaming. FIFA. Call of Duty. Very busy," Rio rambled, mentally slapping himself.

Sarah giggled, covering her mouth. "You’re funny, Rio. We should play sometime. I bet I can beat you."

Rio felt a competitive spark ignite. "In your dreams. I am the King of FIFA."

"We’ll see," she winked.

The briefing continued for an hour, droning on about social media conduct and avoiding scandals. Rio absorbed it all, thanks to his high Mental stats, but part of him was watching the countdown timer in his vision.

[TIME REMAINING: 14 Hours]

When the timer hit zero, he would get the A-grade Physicality Elixir.

’Finally,’ he thought. ’No more getting bullied by Championship defenders.’

"Okay, that concludes the session. Lunch is served in the canteen," the press officer announced.

Rio stood up, stretching his limbs—which felt extra elastic today.

"Rio, wait," Sarah called out as he turned to leave. "Are you going to the New Year’s charity dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?" Rio blinked.

"Yeah. The club is hosting it. Black tie. Mateo isn’t here, so..." She looked down at her shoes. "I don’t have a plus one."

DING

[Side Mission: The Gentleman]

[Description: A legend must be charming off the pitch as well as on it.]

[Task: Accompany Sarah to the Charity Dinner without causing a scandal.]

[Reward: C-grade Charisma Oil + 100 Major Points]

Rio looked at the mission, then at Sarah’s hopeful face.

"I’ll go," Rio said, grinning. "But only if you promise not to talk about how bad my left foot used to be."

Sarah laughed, her eyes lighting up. "Deal."

As they walked out of the hall, Rio felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his phone.

It was a text from Mateo.

Mateo: Contract signed. I am a Red Devil. But I miss your burnt toast already. Good luck with the fitness test tomorrow. Don’t die.

Rio smiled, typing back with one hand.

Rio: Congrats, traitor. I’m busy. Got a date.

Mateo: WHAT?! WHO?! TELL ME EVERYTHING!