Volume 1: The Impossible Dream
The sun had yet to rise. The streets of San Isidro were still blanketed in darkness, lit only by a handful of flickering streetlights. A chilly breeze drifted through the quiet neighborhood. Most people were still asleep.
But inside the Bendaño household, a soft creak echoed as Kai carefully opened the front door. He wore a plain gray training shirt, old shorts, and the same pair of worn football boots he'd used for years — his faded football in one hand, a bottle of water in the other. Before leaving, he glanced back at the house.
"I'll be back before everyone wakes up."
The door closed quietly behind him.
The abandoned football field welcomed him with silence. Morning dew covered the grass, and a thin layer of mist hovered above the ground. Kai placed the ball at his feet, and a translucent blue screen immediately appeared before his eyes.
> Daily Quest Available
>
> Morning First Touch Training
>
> Objective: Complete 50 successful first touches.
> Reward: EXP +5, Ball Control Progress
> Failure: No penalty.
Kai smiled. "So... there are daily quests too."
He gently rolled the ball forward and began. Tap. Stop. Tap. Control. Tap. Stop. Every movement was slow and deliberate. Unlike before, he wasn't trying to impress anyone. There were no teammates laughing, no coach watching. Only him, and the ball.
After several minutes—
Ding. 10 / 50
Kai wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I've still got a long way to go."
He continued. Every failed touch forced him to restart his rhythm. Every successful touch reminded him that improvement wasn't impossible. It was simply... slow.
Nearly an hour later, the first rays of sunlight finally broke through the horizon and birds began singing from nearby trees. Kai's breathing grew heavier. His legs were sore from yesterday's training, even his ankles ached. But he refused to stop.
Ding. 50 / 50
The quest window glowed brightly.
> Daily Quest Complete
>
> Rewards: EXP +5
> First Touch Accuracy: Improved
Kai stretched his shoulders. "I actually did it..."
It wasn't a dramatic improvement. He didn't suddenly become a football genius. But the ball felt slightly easier to control — almost impossible to notice, yet Kai could feel the difference. A smile slowly spread across his face.
"This is enough. If I improve just a little every day... I'll become someone completely different in a few years."
As Kai packed his things, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.
"You really came here before sunrise."
Kai turned around. Standing near the entrance of the field was his father, Daniel — still in his work clothes, holding a paper cup of hot coffee.
"Dad?"
Daniel walked over with a gentle smile. "I had a feeling I'd find you here."
Kai scratched the back of his head. "Did Mom tell you?"
"No. I know my son." Daniel laughed. "If football is on your mind, this is the first place you'll come."
Kai smiled sheepishly. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Daniel quietly watched his son juggle the old football. Compared to yesterday, his first touch looked cleaner, his movements calmer — not a huge improvement, but a father could always notice the smallest changes.
"You've improved."
Kai stopped. "You noticed?"
"Only a little." Daniel nodded. "But improvement is improvement."
Kai looked down at the ball. "I still have a long way to go."
"Good," Daniel said.
Kai blinked. "...Good?"
"If you think you've already made it, that's the day you'll stop growing."
Those words lingered in Kai's mind. Daniel slowly removed the small sports bag hanging from his shoulder and unzipped it carefully. Inside lay an old pair of black football boots — the leather cracked, the soles showing years of wear, but cleaned with great care. Daniel gently picked them up.
"I wore these during my college days. I was saving them... for the day you were ready." He held the boots toward his son. "They're old. They're not expensive. But they carried my dream." He smiled warmly. "Now I want them to carry yours."
Kai slowly reached out with trembling hands. As he accepted the boots, he felt their weight — not because they were heavy, but because they carried years of sacrifice, unfinished dreams, and a father's quiet hope. Without saying a word, Kai lowered his head. "...Thank you, Dad."
Daniel gently patted his shoulder. "Make sure you create memories in them that are even greater than mine."
Kai looked up, his eyes filled with determination. "I will."
Just then—
Ding.
A soft notification appeared in the corner of Kai's vision. *Hidden Condition Fulfilled...*
Kai's eyes widened slightly. The Football Legacy System had reacted to something. He instinctively looked at his father — Daniel was already preparing to leave for work, completely unaware of the translucent blue screen floating before Kai's eyes.
"So... only I can see it."
The notification expanded.
> Hidden Condition FulfilTou
>
> Inherited Dream
>
> Description: Receive the blessing of someone who once sacrificed their football dream.
>
> Reward: Legacy Bond Established, Mentality +1, Title Unlocked: Dream Chaser
Kai stared at the words in silence. Unlike Pace or Shooting, this reward couldn't be measured on the field. But somehow it felt far more valuable. The screen slowly faded. Before disappearing completely, one final sentence appeared.
[Every legend carries more than their own dream.]
Kai looked at the old football boots in his hands. His father's dream, his own dream — from this day forward, they would become one.
After changing into the boots, Kai bounced the ball lightly. The fit wasn't perfect; the leather was stiff from age. But they felt right.
"They'll need some breaking in," Daniel said.
"I'll take good care of them."
"I know you will." His father checked the time and sighed. "I have to go. See you tonight."
"Drive safely, Dad."
Daniel waved before climbing onto his tricycle. Kai watched until his father disappeared around the corner, then looked back at the empty field. The system quest from yesterday was still visible.
> Mission 001 — Master Your First Touch
>
> Progress: 67 / 100
> Reward: Ball Control +1, EXP +10
"I've already finished sixty-seven. Only thirty-three left." Kai took a deep breath. "Let's finish it."
School started as usual. The morning classes passed slowly, and Kai found it difficult to focus — not because of the system, but because he kept thinking about his father's words. *Every legend starts somewhere.*
When the final bell rang, the football team gathered once again. Coach Ramirez stood with a clipboard. "Same drill as yesterday. First touch. Control. Quick release."
The players groaned.
"Again?"
Coach raised an eyebrow. "If professionals practice the basics every day, what makes you think you're above them?"
Silence. No one complained after that.
Kai stepped into line, feeling calmer this time. Coach rolled the ball toward him. Kai relaxed his shoulders, opened his body, and the ball kissed the inside of his foot and stopped neatly in front of him.
Ding. 68 / 100. Another pass — 69 / 100. Another — 70 / 100.
Kai's movements weren't flashy, weren't spectacular. But they were becoming consistent. Coach Ramirez folded his arms, his sharp eyes following Kai throughout the drill. "His first touch — it's cleaner than yesterday. Interesting."
Nearby, one of Kai's teammates clicked his tongue. "Must've gotten lucky."
"It won't last," another shrugged.
Kai ignored them. Trap. Control. Pass. 75 / 100. Again — 81 / 100. Again — 88 / 100.
Sweat dripped from his chin. His legs grew heavier. The old boots creaked with every movement. But he didn't stop.
Coach kicked one final pass toward him, faster than the others. Kai instinctively adjusted his stance. His first touch cushioned the ball perfectly, settling it gently beside his foot.
The coach's eyes widened slightly. "That was... excellent."
Ding. 99 / 100.
Kai blinked. "One more..."
Coach blew his whistle. "Training ends here."
A chorus of relieved sighs spread across the field. The players began collecting equipment. Kai stared at the glowing number — only one successful first touch remained. He smiled to himself. "Then I'll stay."
As expected, the field emptied. The sun slowly dipped toward the horizon. Kai placed the ball in front of him. "One last touch."
He gently tossed the ball into the air. It dropped toward his chest, and he absorbed the impact softly. The ball fell perfectly to his right foot; without letting it bounce away, he cushioned it with the inside of his boot. It stopped as if glued to his foot.
Ding! A bright blue light flashed before his eyes.
> Mission Complete! — Master Your First Touch
>
> Progress: 100 / 100
> Rewards Obtained: Ball Control +1, EXP +10
Kai suddenly felt a warm sensation spread through his body. It wasn't overwhelming, wasn't magical. It was subtle — his balance felt steadier, his touch on the ball slightly more natural. A tiny improvement. But real.
The screen shimmered once more.
> Level Up! — Level 1 → Level 2
>
> Rewards: Free Attribute Point ×1
Kai's eyes widened. "A... free attribute point?"
A new menu slowly unfolded before him.
> Available Attributes
> Pace · Shooting · Passing · Dribbling · Ball Control · Physical · Stamina · Football IQ
Kai stared at the list. "This... could change everything."
He clenched his fist. For the first time in his life, he could clearly see the path in front of him. It wasn't easy. It wasn't short. But it existed. And for Kai Bendaño, that was more than enough.
Far away, inside the coach's office, Coach Ramirez looked out the window at the lone boy still practicing after everyone had gone home. A faint smile appeared on his usually stern face.
"Maybe... I've been overlooking him."
End of Chapter 3.