15 Team X vs Team W: First Selection's Conclusion
"I despise the likes of you."
"Those who take advantage of other people"
"Scram, you fool!" I said to Kuon and exited the Training room.
I refused to help him, despite how desperate he looked.
He wanted me to sell data on Team V to him, as we had drawn up with them earlier.
I couldn't stand the sight of him.
Training Room.
The Next Day...
The final two pivotal games were scheduled to start simultaneously.
Team Z vs Team V
Team X vs Team Y
We had the easiest fixture on the last matchday. I was Team X's top goal scorer, so I laid back for a little bit.
Fifth Stratum
Center Field
Team X vs. Team Y
Match Day 4
...
..
Rank_Team__Points_Goal Diff._Matches
1_____V_____7_____+12____3
2_____X_____ 7_____+9____3
3_____Z_____6_____-2______3
4_____W_____1_____-9______4
5_____Y_____1 _____-9_______3
Team X
Goalkeeper: No. 1, Yuza Dokomo.
Left-Back: No. 2, Haato Meiji
Center-Backs: No. 3, Daiya Morinaga
Center-Backs: No. 4, Yawara Banku
Right-Back: No. 5, Chihiro Ezaki
Left-Midfielder: No. 6, Tsukoteru Eiyu
Right-Midfielder: No. 7, Kosei Otsuka
Left-Winger: No. 8, Ruto Kora
Right-Winger: No. 11, Burai Daido
Second Striker: No. 9, Hayashi Murano
Striker: No. 10, Shoei Barou
»»
Team Y
Goalkeeper: No. 1, Juraki Ito
Left-Back: No. 2, Ashime Suzuki
Center-Backs: No. 3, Tobio Madoka
Center-Backs: No. 5, Iori Sato
Right-Back: No. 6, Soshi Kagura
Defensive Midfielder: No. 4, Shinichi Konan
Center Midfielder: No. 7, Ikki Niko
Center Midfielder: No. 8, Fuma Rokkaku
Left-Midfielder: No. 9, Hibiki Okawa
Right-Midfielder: No. 10, Mareto Takeyama
Striker: No. 11, Hyuga Koshiba
...
..
Kick off!
"Let's finish this real quick!" I said while fist-bumping Barou.
"Yeah," Barou replied.
The match began when Team X kicked off. Team Y showed up with less enthusiasm because the outcome of this game—a win or a loss—would not affect their standing in the league. A positive result could only bring them to fourth place. The atmosphere on Team Y was really dead.
The more advantageous Team X, however, was adamant about winning the game and elevating their league standing. With a potent lineup that included players like Murano, Barou, and Daido, they sought to take control of the match right away.
Murano kicked off the match by launching the ball into the goal box from midfield, leaving everyone in awe of his incredibly long-distance, pin-point accuracy.
Just six minutes after the first goal, Barou scored from his ideal shooting range.
The tactics employed by Team X were successful, as they quickly gained control of the game and scored goals within the opening minutes. Team Y was unable to keep up with their skillful play and constant pressure. Despite their lack of passion, Team Y put up a valiant effort to defend their position but ultimately couldn't match the intensity of Team X.
Murano then dribbled past the dead players in the 12th minute and scored a stunning goal after dribbling past the goalkeeper too, pushing the lead to 3-0 for Team X.
Murano wanted to face Ikki Nikko, as he was the only one with an excellent vision from the fifth stratum. However, Nikko's brilliance wouldn't be shown, as his spirits were already crushed by the other teams he had already faced. Given that they had only managed to score two goals in the entire tournament, Team Y questioned their abilities as strikers.
Murano demonstrated his extraordinary talent by scoring four goals in the first half alone, making him the game's standout performer. His outstanding performance cemented Team X's superiority and guaranteed their victory.
He further solidified his position as the best player on the field with two assists and two goals in the second half.
The match ended 8-0 as Team X thrashed Team Y.
Elsewhere, Team V vs. Team Z (4-5) [Team Z Wins] was a closely contested match. Both teams put up a strong fight, but Team Z managed to secure the win in the end.
5th Stratum's First Selection then concluded
"We will now present the result of the First Selection."
"The final results for the five-team round robin are as follows," Ego and Anri announced.
"Team X and Team Z are through."
Rank_Team__Points_Goal Diff._Matches
1_____X_____ 10_____+17____4
2_____Z_____9_____-1______4
3_____V_____7_____+11____4
4_____Y_____1_____-9______4
5_____W_____1 _____-17______4
"Lastly, the top scorers from each team."
Top Scorers From Each Team
Rank_Team _Player__Goals____Assist
1 __ X___Hayashi Murano__15___05
2 ___V___Reo Mikage__06___04
2 ___V___Seishiro Nagi___06___04
2___ V___Zantetsu Tsurugi _06__04
5 ___Z___Wataru Kuon___04___01
6 ___W___Jun'ichi Wanima_03__03
7 ___Y___Ikki Nikko____02____00
"Top scorers from the losing teams—Reo Mikage, Seishiro Nagi, Zantetsu Tsurugi, Jun'ichi Wanima, and Ikki Nikko will be pulled from the losing teams."
"With this, 27 players from Blue Lock's Fifth Stratum made it through the first selections."
...
..
.
The Next day
We were still hungover after the celebrations but were still ready for the second selection. We were hungry for the next challenge.
In the midst of the celebrations, Ego appeared on the screen once again.
He announced that the second selection would be even more difficult than the first.
"I'll put you all through a physical training regimen."
"You wouldn't be permitted to touch a football during this time."
"Be grateful. I'm giving you precious time to train and catch up." Ego said as he put us through hellish training. By the time it was over, we could hardly walk.
The hellish training was as follows;
At 9 am, we completed a two-hour endurance test, and at 2 pm, an hour of extreme trunk training. There is still more to it. We lift weights at 4, sprint 100 laps at 6, and have dinner at 8. The cycle then resumes the following day as we go to sleep. We pushed ourselves to our limits every day.
Fifth Statum
10 days after Fifth Stratum's First Selection concluded...
The next instant, a new window appeared in my vision.
'Permanent challenge completed'
'Congratulations on surviving the First Selection!'
[System Quests]
Permanent Challenge
Survive the First Selection of Blue Lock. (Successful)
A. 1000 system points if you finish first or second in the five-team round-robin.(Met)
B. 775 system points if you manage to come out on top as your team's top scorer
*A random skill or weapon card would also be given to you as a reward if criteria A or B are met.
'1000 system points have been rewarded to you'
' A random skill or weapon card has been rewarded to you'
*The Card would appear in your inventory after FUT DRAFT is unlocked.
[Fut System]
FUNCTIONALITY GRADING LEVEL: E (1000 system points are needed to update the system. In doing so would unlock hidden features).
PLAYER: Hayashi Murano
Height: 188 cm (6' 1")
AGE: 16
NATIONALITY: JAPAN
COMPREHENSION Evaluation: Grade- B(78)
SYSTEM POINTS: 1225
I then scan through my physical stats to see how much change has gone on since the last time I unlocked hidden features and after the hellish training.
Physical
__________
STAMINA 75↑(79) ┊ ACCELERATION 81↑(84)
TOP SPEED 82↑(86) ┊ JUMP 74↑(76)
AGILITY 79↑(84) ┊ KINETIC VISION 90
REACTION SPEED 84↑(85) ┊ POWER 81↑(85)
BALANCE 75↑(78) ┊
Since the last time I looked at my stats, they had significantly increased. I could see clear improvements in my physical capabilities, proof that my rigorous training was paying off.
A new window popped up out of nowhere, written...
...
..
<<loading system points>>
'Do you want to purchase the system update?'
[Yes] [No]
I made the decision to buy the system upgrade after finally reaching 1000 system points.
'System update would begin shortly...'
—
'COMMENCING OPERATION'
—
BOOTING STARTUP…
__
A pain I had once fought started coursing through my veins. My body then started to hurt as the upgrade process kept going. My vision was becoming blurry, I could feel my muscles tensing up, and I could feel my heart beating quickly in my chest.
...
—
LOADING USER DATA...
—-
UPDATE COMPLETED
___
"FUT SYSTEM UPDATED SUCCESSFULLY"
___
I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction.
The player menu then opened up again...
[Fut System]
FUNCTIONALITY GRADING LEVEL: D (5000 system points are needed to update the system. In doing so would unlock hidden features).
PLAYER: Hayashi Murano
Height: 188 cm (6' 1")
AGE: 16
PREFERRED FOOT: Right (100%), Left(60%)
POSITION: FORWARD
NATIONALITY: JAPAN
COMPREHENSION Evaluation: Grade- B(78)
SYSTEM POINTS: 225
SYSTEM CASH: 800
__________________
[PLAYER MENU]
PLAYER STATS
INVENTORY
ACHIEVEMENTS/LOGS(locked)
FUT QUESTS
FUT SHOP(Updated)
FUT DRAFT (locked)
OBSERVER DEVICE(unlocked)
SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS(Updated)
The translucent blue screen had changed to a gold color, drastically altering the UI overhaul. It now had a sleek and luxurious appearance.
I noticed that the observer device is now unlocked. Though for some reason, it doesn't budge when I click on it. I wonder if there's a specific way to activate it. The system grade just went up but it seemed like it was lacking in features. Maybe I have to level up to Grade A or an S, and then there might be a drastic change in the system's features and capabilities.
I then went into the System Transaction menu.
[SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS]
System points: 225
System Cash: 800
10 system points ➭ 60 system cash
20 system points ➭ 120 system cash
30 system points ➭ 180 system cash
40 system points ➭ 240 system cash
50 system points ➭ 300 system cash
Input ↺ ___ system point = ____ system cash
*Allow users to exchange currencies within the system.
*A system point can be converted to a certain amount of system cash at a predetermined rate.
*The predetermined rate of exchange may change as the system's level increases.
'The system has become very stingy after reaching a high level.'
50 system points that were used for 800 system cash, but 50 system points now only get you 300 system cash. The predetermined rate of exchange may change as the system's level increases, leading to a decrease in value for the cash at a predetermined rate. This decrease in value can be a disadvantage after reaching a high level.
I jumped to the system shop to see if there were any upgrades available.
Only to find out that...
[FUT Shop Grade - D]
System Cash: 800
Available Items
1x Fatigue Restoration Pill - 450 system cash
1x Vitality Elixir - 450 system cash
1x Kick-boost Elixir - 450 system cash
1x Skill-boost Elixir - 400 system cash.
1x Random Skill - 1500 system cash.
1x Random Skill Bundle - 4000 system cash.
1x Grade D skill upgrade - 400 system cash.
1x Grade E skill upgrade - 200 system cash.
1x Grade F skill upgrade - 200 system cash.
*Please upgrade your system grade to unlock more items.
*The system's item shop reshuffles every 2 weeks.
*Upgrade your system to get higher-grade items.
"All participants who have passed"
I chose to buy 1x Fatigue Restoration Pill despite the ridiculously high prices for the items in the store. Since I haven't played for an entire 90 minutes since transmigrating, it could be a big help.
I still felt cheated even after the payment was made.
As I continued to view the system's new updates, Ego's loud voice could be heard echoing throughout the hallways.
"All participants who have passed, please put on your training suits... And head to the center of the basement of your stratum." Ego added shortly after he concluded the data for the First selection.
