One unsweet, uncrunchy, unflavourful protein bar, please

Suspiciously, Kai opened the system status screen as he questioned what his golden finger has prepared him for. He checked the system, everything was normal. He checked his status, nothing has changed. He checked his account, nothings has changed.

Without reason, Kai quickly scanned the system shop before he found what the system has gifted him. Right at the front of the store was an item that was not supposed to be there.

'What is this?' Kai asked in his head.

[ Item: Actual Food ]

[ Price: 10 Points ]

[ Description: Charity for a beggar ]

The protagonist half ignored the item description at this rate. The system's discreet jabs are almost immune to him at the rate. He could only take so many insults in a day. He did the menial maths in his head, 10 points for some food is more than a fair price given he could earn much of it back if he just played another football match.

Not to mention his stomach was growling as it demanded for food. Without further ado, Kai pressed the [purchase] option that was under the 'actual food' item.

[ *Ding* ]

[ Item purchase successful ]

[ Player Points: 165 ]

Kai eyed his surroundings as he searched for his 'actual food', but the protagonist found nothing out of the ordinary. Rubbing his eyes in doubt, Kai made sure he didn't miss any detail within the kitchen. Kai checked the dinning table, he checked the cupboards, he even checked his bowl of ramen but he found everything was the same.

That was until Kai realised there was something heavy in his pocket, as if something magically arrived there. Curiously, the youth reached into his pants pocket as he pulled out a.... protein bar?

"What is this, system? This protein bar won't fill my stomach..."

[ Beggars can't be choosers ]

Kai was speechless. He shook his head in lack of a counter argument. Begrudgingly under the complaints of his growling stomach, Kai ripped this plastic cover as he bit into the protein bar. He savoured the taste, which was nothing.

He was dumbfounded as he stared at the 'actual food' given by the system. The protein bar had no taste, it wasn't sweet, it wasn't crunchy, nor was it bitter, it was nothing.

It is as if Kai was eating air, tasteless.

Without even noticing, Kai finished the bar in one go.

Realising his tasteless snack had been consumed so quickly, the youth couldn't help but feel disappointed at the whole ideal. His food barely accounted to a proper meal, such a simple protein bar wouldn't fill his stomach, right?

Kai hovered over his tummy. He was surprised as he found himself incredibly full. The stomach was happy. Kai's stomach was content. Kai found himself being so stupid. This food was given by the almighty football system, why would he expect anything to be so ordinary.

It didn't matter if the protein bar was small, contrary to its size, it was as if he had eaten a massive turkey.

"System is almighty, I am wrong to question your authority." Kai sarcastically praised the system. If there was one thing that he has learnt, it was that he must applaud his golden finger at every opportunity.

"Oh system-senpai, I'm nothing more but a frog in the well, you are my god. Jesus is nothing compared to you. You are my Hero, my Peter Parker, my Bruce Wayne..."

[ . . . ]

The emotionless response from the system didn't deter Kai. It didn't matter if his sarcasm was seen through, at least he tried yeah.

Patting his full stomach, there was a satisfaction that Kai couldn't quite hide. His family was a poor, struggling from one day to another. Meals don't come often for them. There is only so much food for his parents and himself. Some days, Kai consider himself lucky to have 3 proper meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"System. Thank you..."

Having spent a good few minutes, Kai tidied the kitchen and the dining room as he wanted to make sure their home is spotless. It would leave a good surprise for his family to find their home nice and tidy.

He wiped an invisible sweat as Kai proudly admired his work. Catching his breath, the youth wished to have nothing more than a rest. However, the system interrupted him at this very moment just before he lied on the couch.

[ Host. Greatness isn't predetermined. Talent isn't innate. Legends aren't fated. Your path to eminence isn't built overnight, but through the persistence of training and learning. ]

[ Being tired is a habit, not a physical state. ]

[ Objective : Go outside, touch some grass, kick some balls. ]

[ Reward : 2 Actual Food ]

[ Note : System is kind, rewarding you for just training. ]

There was less resistance from Kai as he diligently read the objectives. Kai understands the system is supporting him every step on his path of football greatness. Even if the system is harsh at times, Kai already know it is the system's way of motivating him.

He didn't question his task. Kai rushed towards his cramped bedroom, he flipped the room upside down before pulling out a worn out football that was hiding in his closet.

There was a smile on Kai as he firmly hugged the ball in his chest. With a puff, he blew away the dust that has long accumulated on the ball's surface.

'Hello, old friend.' Kai whispered to none other than the object he was holding.

With eagerness, Kai slipped on his sneakers before rushing out the front door. Making sure to lock the door before leaving.

Touch some grass? Kick some balls?

Kai had a chuckle as he thought about his objective. Training? That's a weird way of phrasing it... Before long, the suburban streets opened out as the distance showed none other than a local park. With a smile, Kai jogged eagerly, with the ball by his feet practicing his ball control.

Yet he fumbled multiple times along the way. Kai wanted to dribble with the ball all the way from his home to local park, he wanted to take this chance to train his ball control.

Unexpectedly, his control on the ball was poor to the extent that after a few touches on the ball, he would awkwardly lose control. Kai dribbled slower, trying really hard to control his touches and guide the ball to where he wanted.

Kai was steadily dribbling, yet he ignored a small detail on the sidewalk. The suburban walkways were often uncared for, and the pedestrian roads weren't in the best of conditions. It was because of this that Kai embarrassingly stepped on a dumpy part of the road and....

*BEEEEEP*

A car sounded its horn as it came to a sudden stop in the middle of the road.

"HEY! WATCH IT KID!"

The driver shouted out of the window, eyeing the teenager with rage and frustration. The middle age driver's heart was beating rapidly as he avoided a calamity.

The teenage boy looked up and saw the angry, middle aged man glaring at him from the car.

The bumper of the car was only mere meters away from his head. Kai gotten up immediately as he realised how much of a mistake he had made.

"I'm.. I'm so sorry. Sir"

"DAMN IT KID! YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK" the driver screamed as he gritted his teeth.

"Sir?" Kai began, as he slowly back away from the middle aged man, apologetically inching his way back on the pedestrian sidewalks. "It won't happen again. –I won't play with the ball on the road."

The driver was calmer now, his racing heart dropping in pace. "Kids these days, rushing from place to place, hell, you could've lost your life"

The driver grunted as he put his foot on the pedal. "Don't do that again!"

Kai looked at the driver, and there were small tears in his eyes. This made him feel guilty. Kai only nodded as he bowed to the driver and car that was slowly disappearing into the horizon.

Lesson of the chapter? Don't play on the road and always praise the system.

~~~

The close call woke up Kai to the brittle reality he was living in. A catastrophe was almost caused merely by his blissful ignorance and his diligence to train in spite of danger. The teenager was no longer kicking the ball whilst jogging to the local park.

The youth had wised up as he held the ball firmly in his grasp in one arm, making a steady jog to the park. With another twist and turn, the site had arrived in front of his eyes. The green pastures and oaken tree scattered throughout the public grassland. In the distance, there were some families and ageing seniors hanging about doing whatever they would be doing on a Saturday afternoon.

As for our protagonist, he dropped the ball on the meadow as he stepped on his dusty and worn out partner.

Greatness is forged in the crucible of hardship. Training has only just begun.