Chapter 19: The Choice Is Yours

someone once said—let's attribute it to Socrates for now. The old philosopher remarked that while gluttony is universally frowned upon, an unattractive person is called a "glutton," while an attractive one is called a "foodie." Therefore, in this world, appearances matter greatly.

Attractive faces come in various forms. Some are breathtakingly beautiful from every angle, while others are intricately alluring, repulsing half the population and captivating the other. Then there are those born with a magnetic presence, commanding attention even during the most mundane tasks.

Kaka likely belonged to the third category. 

His unassuming good looks exuded an approachable charm, drawing all eyes upon him, even in a crowd.

Not only was the young man blessed with striking features, but he also possessed exceptional footballing skills. He single-handedly transformed an ordinary state-level match into a large-scale fan-gathering event, captivating audiences of all ages and genders. Despite not touching the ball during the remaining minutes, most spectators' gazes remained fixed on him.

Until the final whistle, the cameras focused on Kaka more than the two head coaches combined, and his name became the commentators' most frequently uttered word. The next day, various sports publications showered him with praises.

"Once again, Kaka entered the game with his team trailing, tearing apart the opposition's defense with his blistering dribbling speed. We have every reason to believe that a brilliant new star is rising..."

"We can no longer view Kaka as a newcomer; he is unique. I see shades of Ronaldo in him, particularly his explosive power and goal-scoring threat. I believe the manager should deploy Kaka as a striker; playing him in midfield is a travesty, but as a forward..."

"His technique may not be flawless, but he has the ability to lead his team to victory. We cannot attribute the results to underestimating the opposition or mere luck; this young man is a genuine talent..."

Talent, my foot. He's merely exploiting a cheat code.

Kaka's ascent to fame did not deter him from mocking the praises. In just two matches, he achieved an extraordinary level of recognition among the locals.

He discovered that his footballing talents were not as lacking as he had imagined. 

While his technical learning abilities might not be outstanding, his in-game performances were exceptional.

Whether due to luck or a mental edge, his performances in those first two matches surpassed many talented players of the same age, given their comparable overall abilities.

Just as every class has a few exam aces who defy logic, constantly goofing off and copying homework yet consistently outperforming their peers, the football world has its fair share of such oddities. They may appear ordinary, struggling even to juggle a ball, but on the pitch, they play like they've been injected with adrenaline, scoring inexplicable goals, providing outrageous assists, and making unbelievable interceptions that leave everyone dumbfounded.

In some ways, this combat-ready physique is more formidable than many so-called prodigies.

Far from ordinary, this was a game-breaking bug on par with the system itself. Kaka basked in self-admiration, feeling he could soar to the heavens and light a cigarette alongside the sun.

Despite also scoring on his debut, Burgess received far less attention than Kaka.

As the old saying goes, money talks, but if you're broke, a pretty face will suffice. 

It's a superficial world.

Burgess agreed with the adage, hence his displeasure.

He believed he was more handsome (in his opinion) and a better footballer (also in his opinion) than Kaka, yet he was only mentioned in passing when the latter was praised.

Even more frustratingly, some publications didn't bother mentioning him at all...

Outraged by the (lack of) recognition, Burgess prepared to challenge Kaka on the training ground, determined to prove to the coach and teammates who the true newcomer king was. However, Kaka, usually an early arrival, was nowhere to be seen, and by the time the team dispersed, he had still not shown up, leaving Burgess' ambitions unfulfilled.

Kaka's absence from training wasn't due to laziness; he had been summoned to the general manager's office.

He received a raise.

His salary skyrocketed from 750 reais to 6,000 reais, an eightfold increase. 

At the current exchange rate, that amounted to around 20,000 euros.

Money may be the root of all evil, but it's undeniably attractive. Apart from a certain ascetic, everyone loves money, including Kaka, though he wasn't overly excited about the raise.

In his previous life, he worked in finance, not quite a big shot but a respectable small boss—the kind who drops rare gear and warrants solo strategy guides.

In other words, he was reasonably successful in his professional field.

For a reincarnated individual, amassing wealth might not be as easy as some imagine, but it's certainly not as difficult as others think.

Putting aside the major opportunities, simply investing in Facebook, Apple, Amazon, and other stocks, or betting on the shocking upsets and their mind-boggling odds during the European Championships, World Cups, Champions Leagues, and various leagues would be enough for a tidy profit.

Could you believe the Netherlands defeating defending champions Spain 5-1? Or Germany thrashing hosts Brazil 7-1? Or Greece winning the European Championship? Or Roma losing 1-4 away and then winning 3-0 at home against Barcelona? Or Leicester City winning the Premier League? Or Liverpool drawing 3-3 against peak AC Milan? Okay, the last result is somewhat believable on its own.

Not to mention the upcoming 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, which presents a golden opportunity for reincarnated individuals to cash in. No need to remember specific scores; just follow the Korean team, and you're set.

Admittedly, professional footballers are prohibited from participating in football-related gambling, although strict laws seem to only exist in certain nations. In others, there are likely numerous loopholes to exploit, merely requiring a few extra steps and a slightly reduced profit margin.

Even this year presents a lucrative opportunity.

On a particular day in September 2001, a certain individual will create a breathtaking scene, causing a profound and far-reaching upheaval in the stock market. This event could potentially allow for some illicit gains. Most people wouldn't know how to capitalize on such a situation, but given Kaka's backstory as a financial genius, he would.

It's quite simple, really. Just do this, then that, and finally this again. If all else fails, there's always that other option. Easy, right? Can't follow? That's precisely the point; neither can I, which is why I'm broke.

In any case, if there are any disputes regarding such matters in the future, defer to Kaka's opinion. With a name that lengthy, he must be correct.

Unfortunately, Kaka currently lacks the necessary funds, and certain authorities are not to be trifled with, forcing him to miss out on this opportunity.

If all else fails, he could always visit a certain location and treat a certain individual to a meal and a song, though it's uncertain if he'll have the chance.

Of course, those are just side gigs. Once he accumulates sufficient capital, he'll (il)legitimately enter the business world, not necessarily as his primary occupation but to tag along with the big shots and enjoy the spoils.

Regardless of the era, cash flow is the ultimate cheat code, flourishing across multiple domains. 

As someone once said, only children opt for multiple choice; true bosses take everything.

(End of Chapter)