Ethan Cole stood in the tunnel of Leicester City's King Power Stadium, the roar of 22,000 fans pulsing through the concrete walls on August 27, 2011. The Championship match against Barnsley was a chance to cement his starting role and crush Jake Turner's injury-prone rumor, which was now buzzing among scouts. The Football System hummed in his mind, its sarcastic voice cutting through the pre-match buzz:
**Football System Update**
- **Template**: SSS-Class Striker Template (Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting Lisbon 2002–03 Stage)
- Speed: 95/100 (*You're a blur, but don't try outrunning light.*)
- Dribbling: 99/100 (*Stepovers so slick, defenders are dizzy.*)
- Finishing: 88/100 (*Getting lethal, but you're not sniping corners yet.*)
- Assimilation Progress: 40% (*You're vibing with Ronaldo's spark, but you're not his twin.*)
- **Task**: Score in the Barnsley match to boost fan appeal and counter Turner's rumor.
- **Reward**: Unlock Star Surge milestone (Fan Appeal +10).
- **Advisory**: Use Lisbon's pace and shop items to dominate. Slack off, and you'll be Barnsley's meme.
- **Penalty Protocol**: Attribute deductions only for match losses or slacking in training (*Lose or skip drills, and you'll be slower than a napping hedgehog.*)
- **Shop & Points**:
- **Points**: 20 (*You're not broke, but don't go splurging.*)
- **Flash Sale (24 Hours)**: 20% off select items (*Grab 'em quick, or you'll be crying over missed deals.*)
- **Items**:
- Stamina Booster (20 points, was 25): Hydrates like water, boosts stamina +10 for one match (*No doping, just a refreshing sip.*)
- Injury Reducer (24 points, was 30): Lowers injury risk by 20% for one match (*Stay spry, not invincible.*)
- Attribute Point (40 points, was 50): Add +1 to any stat (*Choose smart, genius.*)
- Recovery Tonic (15 points): Speeds post-match recovery by 50% (*Bounce back like a rubber ball.*)
- Focus Enhancer (20 points): Boosts mental focus +10 for one match (*No daydreaming, champ.*)
- Emergency Move: Lewandowski's 5-in-9 (80 points, was 100): Replicate his 5 goals in 9 minutes (*Go nuclear, but save up.*)
- Emergency Move: Beckham's Free Kick (60 points, was 75): Nail a curling free kick (*Bend it like a legend.*)
- Emergency Move: Messi's Solo Run (72 points, was 90): Dribble through an entire defense (*Weave like the GOAT.*)
- Emergency Move: Zlatan's Bicycle Kick (64 points, was 80): Land an overhead kick (*Show off like the Lion.*)
- Emergency Move: Ronaldinho's Elastico (50 points): Pull off his signature dribble (*Make defenders trip.*)
Ethan grinned at the system's hedgehog jab, feeling the Ronaldo template's Lisbon stage surge through his legs. "Napping hedgehog, my foot," he muttered. The flash sale was a steal, and he used his 20 points to snag a **Recovery Tonic** (15 points), saving the rest for later: **Recovery Tonic active: 50% faster recovery post-Barnsley (*You'll be fresh as a daisy, mate.*).** The shop's new items—like focus enhancer and Ronaldinho's elastico—gave him tactical depth, especially against Barnsley's physicality and Jake's rumor. The system's humor and granular metrics kept him locked in, like a mate hyping him up for battle.
Leicester's 2011–12 Championship season was a grind, with Sven-Göran Eriksson pushing for promotion alongside Kasper Schmeichel, David Nugent, and Paul Gallagher. Ethan's performances—goals and assists against Coventry, Reading, and Derby—had scouts from Chelsea and Manchester City circling. A goal today could make him a fan favorite and bury Jake's lies, which were now on social media, with a Derby fan tweeting: *Cole's glass legs won't last. Turner's tougher. 💪* The system's warning (*Turner's lies are sticking*) kept Ethan on edge.
The tunnel was charged, Leicester's blue kits gleaming beside Barnsley's red. Nugent nudged Ethan. "Barnsley's defenders are brutes, Cole. Stay sharp, and shut that Turner noise down." Ethan nodded, his mind on Jake, who wasn't playing but whose rumor felt like a shadow. The system quipped: **Your stalker's not here, but his lies are. Score, or he'll be cackling from Derby.**
---
The match kicked off under the King Power's floodlights, Barnsley's high press testing Leicester's nerve. Ethan's Lisbon Lightning made him a menace, outpacing Barnsley's left-back. In the 9th minute, Danny Drinkwater played a diagonal ball. Ethan darted forward, controlled it with a silky flick, and fired a shot that clipped the post. The crowd gasped, and the system stayed chill: **Finishing Progress +3%. Match Impact +10 (*Close, mate. Keep rattling that keeper.*).**
Barnsley scored in the 15th minute, a header from a corner beating Schmeichel. The system warned: **Down 1–0. Don't let this end in a loss, or you'll be kissing 5% of your stats goodbye.** Ethan gritted his teeth, doubling down. In the 25th minute, Nugent crossed from the right. Ethan outjumped a defender, but Barnsley's center-back—built like a tank—shoved him mid-air, a foul the ref missed. Ethan's header sailed wide, and the system noted: **Heading Progress +2% (*That brute's playing dirty. Stay cool, champ.*).**
Jake's rumor fueled the physicality. In the 35th minute, the center-back clipped Ethan's ankle during a sprint, forcing him to limp briefly. The crowd booed, but no card came. The system snapped: **Your stalker's lies are making you a target. Good thing you've got that injury reducer, or you'd be hobbling.** Ethan shook it off, his injury reducer keeping him spry.
In the 42nd minute, Ethan struck. He intercepted a pass, weaved through two defenders with Ronaldo's Trickster Flair—stepovers flashing like a young Ronaldo—and rifled a low shot. The ball curled past the keeper, rippling the net.
**Goal! Star Surge Progress: 50%. Match Impact +25%. Fan Appeal +15 (*That's the Ronaldo spark! Fans are losing their minds, superstar.*).**
The King Power erupted, chanting "Cole! Cole!" Ethan pumped his fist, glaring at the center-back, who scowled back. Halftime came at 1–1, and Eriksson's assistant, Nigel Pearson, clapped Ethan's shoulder. "Great goal, Cole. Keep that edge." The system updated: **Task Progress: 90%. One more goal or assist to seal it (*Don't choke, or you'll be Barnsley's punchline.*).**
The second half was a slugfest, Barnsley's defense doubling down. Ethan's stamina booster kept him relentless, outrunning tiring defenders. In the 65th minute, the center-back fouled him again, earning a yellow. The system quipped: **Your tank's begging for a red card. Keep dancing, and he'll be off.** In the 80th minute, Ethan latched onto a through ball, outran Barnsley's backline, and laid off a pinpoint assist to Paul Gallagher, who smashed it in.
**Assist! Task Complete: Score in Barnsley match. Reward: Star Surge Unlocked. Fan Appeal: 75/100. Rival Impact +15 (*You're a fan icon, and Turner's rumor's looking like hot air. Bet he's fuming.*).**
The match ended 2–1, Leicester victorious. Ethan's goal and assist earned him man of the match, fans chanting his name as he waved to the stands. Pearson confirmed his starting role, and a Chelsea scout lingered, murmuring about "January transfer interest." The system glowed: **Points Earned: 50 (25 for win, 25 for goal/assist). New Task: Maintain starting role with a goal in next match. Reward: Lisbon Flair milestone (Dribbling +1).**
---
Post-match, Ethan crashed at his flat, his body sore but recovering fast thanks to the **Recovery Tonic**. He called his mum, Sarah, in Willow Creek, a rare glimpse into his personal life. "Heard you scored again, love," she said, her voice warm. "Your dad's bragging at the pub." Ethan laughed. "Tell him to save me a pint." They chatted about his sister, Lily, starting uni, and Ethan promised to visit soon, grounding him amid the football whirlwind.
Then, he fired up his PlayStation, diving into *FIFA 11*, his gaming hobby a way to unwind. Beating a mate online as Arsenal, he grinned, texting: *Schooled you, mate! 😎🎮*. The system quipped: **Gaming, huh? Don't let FIFA make you soft on the real pitch.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram, his follower count hitting 15,000. He posted a match clip, captioned: *Barnsley bagged, onto the next 🦁⚽ #LeicesterLad*. Fans flooded the comments: *You're our king, Cole! 🌟* Ethan replied: *Cheers, fam! More to come 😏🔥*. Mia Hart commented: *Star boy! Coffee tomorrow? ☕😉* He replied: *You're on, my #1 😎💪*. Then, he swiped to a Hollywood gossip page, smirking at "Lady Gaga's Wild Outfit Steals Show 👗😱" and "Ryan Gosling's New Romance Rumors 💋👀." The system jabbed: **Gossip's fun, but don't trade goals for tabloid drama, champ.**
---
The next evening, Ethan met Mia at The Brew,Mia, in a hoodie and jeans, her pink hair tucked under a cap, hugged him. "My man of the match 🌟," she said, sliding him a latte. "Your Barnsley goal's viral! 😎"
Ethan grinned, sipping his drink. "Gotta keep my top fan buzzing 😏." They chatted, Mia sharing her latest influencer gig—a sportswear campaign—while Ethan vented about Jake's rumor. "He's a snake," Mia said, squeezing his hand. "You're tougher than steel. Prove it 💪." Her support was a spark, and they kept it light, laughing over her Insta post: *Coffee with my champ ☕✨ #LeicesterLad*. Ethan commented: *Best date ever 😎💕*. Mia replied: *Always, superstar 😘*.
The system quipped: **No smooching? Smart move, Romeo. Keep your focus, or I'll play cheesy pop songs.**
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The next morning, Ethan hit the park, the system's new drill pushing his Ronaldo template:
**Lisbon Flair Drill: Perform 250 dribbles with defenders with 90% accuracy. Reward: Dribbling +1 (*Because Ronaldo made defenders cry, and you're close.*).**
He danced past local kids, his Lisbon flair electric. By the 240th dribble, he was a blur, the system updating: **Drill Progress: 95% (*You're a showman, but don't join the circus.*).**
At training, Nugent dropped news: "Turner's rumor's hit a new low. He's telling scouts you faked your ankle limp against Derby to dodge tackles. Next match is Bristol City—they're physical." The system warned: **Your stalker's lies are poison. Score, or he'll have scouts thinking you're made of porcelain.**
Ethan scrolled Instagram post-training, liking a fan's post: *Cole to crush Bristol! 🦁⚽* He replied: *Bet on it 😎💥*. Then, he swiped to gossip: "Adele's New Single Breaks Records 🎵😱" and "Scarlett Johansson's Action Flick Hype 💥👀." The system jabbed: **Tabloids again? Don't let Hollywood steal your goals, mate.**
Ethan's jaw tightened. The Ronaldo template, boosted by shop items, was his weapon, Leicester his stage, and Mia's faith—every other chapter—his fuel. But Jake's lies were a storm brewing, and Bristol City's physicality loomed. Would Ethan keep his streak alive, or would Jake's rumor sway scouts? The Championship was his battleground, and Ethan Cole was ready to fight.