THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

"Hello Kristin," Zachary spoke into the phone as he walked into his living room. "How is your morning?"

"My morning is terrible," Kristin was quick to reply in a flat voice. "We are supposed to be traveling to Bergen together today. Why haven't you been answering your phone or even your doorbell?"

"Are you still at my door?"

"No. I returned to my apartment when you didn't answer the door. I was about to try contacting your agent as I thought that something was wrong with you."

Zachary winced slightly on hearing that. "Sorry," he said, tone apologetic. "I went to bed so late the previous night after spending some time at a get-together arranged by my teammates. So, I was still in deep slumber and couldn't hear my phone vibrating. If you hadn't rung my doorbell, I would still be sleeping."

"So, has the plan changed?" Kristin probed, sounding frustrated at the other end of the line.

"Not at all," Zachary replied hurriedly. "We're still heading to Bergen today. But that will have to be a bit later so that I can first prepare a few things. And to make it up to you and apologize for the inconvenience caused, I'll pay for our plane tickets."

"So, what time should we be leaving, then?"

Zachary first cast a glance at the clock hanging on his wall and noticed that it was just 9:13 AM. "I would suggest we depart for the airport at midday. That way, we can be on the 1 o'clock flight and be in Bergen by 2:15 in the afternoon."

"And how long will you be spending in Bergen then?"

"I can spend the night there," Zachary replied. "That is if your grandpa wishes for me to stay longer."

"Then, that's perfect," Kristin said, her voice finally regaining its usual warmth. "We shall go with your plan. But this time, let it be midday, please. Don't be late. Okay?"

"Okay," Zachary confirmed. "I'll start preparing right away so that we can leave at midday. Sorry once again for the inconvenience caused."

"Then see you a few minutes to midday," Kristin said. "And goodbye." She then cut off the call.

"DING"

A system notification sounded within Zachary's mind as soon as he finished removing his smartphone from beside his ear. He couldn't help but do a double-take on noticing the translucent bluish system screen manifesting before him. His heart immediately started racing with growing anxiety. Without any dilly-dallying, he immediately wheeled around to cast a glance towards the bedroom door. He only let out a pent-up breath of air and relaxed after noticing that the door was still firmly locked into place.

"The user doesn't have to worry," the system AI intoned, seemingly deducing what was on his mind. "There isn't any other party paying attention to the user at this very moment — that is whether by utilizing conventional or supernatural spying methods."

"Are you sure?" Zachary queried, stealing one more glance at the door to his bedroom.

"Of course, the system is sure," the AI said in its apathetic feminine voice. "There isn't any entity spying on this living room at the moment. That's unless the other party is omniscient."

"Okay, then," Zachary said, finally fully relaxing.

Ever since playing the Riga Cup back in Latvia, his base instincts had always been screaming at him not to let any other soul know about the system. Because of that, he'd grown paranoid with time. He was sure that any slight exposure of the system's functions would bring him endless trouble. It might even lead to his end since the system products like the elixirs were miracles that would surely elicit greed from endless parties.

That was why he'd resolved to never summon the interface when in the presence of another soul. That's even if the other party was his closest relative. Only by doing that would he keep himself safe and keep the system a secret throughout his football career.

"Does the user wish to listen to the new notifications now?" the AI questioned after a while. "Or does the user wish to wait until he's totally alone?"

"Please go ahead and bring up the notifications," Zachary replied, walking towards the large window and drawing the curtains to let some light into his living room. Since it was almost the official start of summer, the morning sunlight was quite bright. Zachary couldn't help but smile as the beautiful radiance accompanying the change of seasons warmed his skin.

"Congratulations," the AI's responded after a short while. "The user has managed to complete two hidden system missions. One: the user has finally bagged a hat-trick for the first time—ever at the professional stage. Two: the user has managed to raise his X-factor to the A-grading for the first time in his career."

"The user has thus earned 1000 Juju-points and a 1-month dosage of B-grade physical conditioning elixir," the AI continued after a slight pause. "The user should continue putting up more incredible performances to unlock more hidden missions."

"Oh," Zachary exclaimed inwardly, feeling his mood becoming much brighter all of a sudden. "My X-factor has finally broken into the A-grading. System AI, please bring up the data for my X-factor stats."

"DING"

"Command received," the AI intoned. "X-factor stats coming up on the interface right away."

Zachary turned his gaze away from observing the outside scenery through his window to focus on the translucent bluish screen before him.

****

USER STATS

-> X-Factor (Av. Rating: A-)

Consistency Factor: A+

Luck Factor: A-

Supernormal Factor: D+

Match Winning Factor: S-

****

Zachary smiled on noticing that his Match Winning Factor had broken through to the S-grading. The high grading for that specific stat indicated that he'd performed excellently during his past few matches. That was proof enough he was on the right track to becoming a great player.

However, he also hoped his supernormal factor would likewise breakthrough into a higher grading soon. That would unlock more abilities and enhance his effectiveness when on the field of play.

"System," he communicated to the AI mentally so that Camilla, who was next door, wouldn't overhear him. "Aside from elixirs, are there any other methods I can use to improve my supernormal factor and unlock the zone ability quickly?"

"There is one method that the user can try," the AI replied, its apathetic voice sounding directly within Zachary's mind. "But it will require the user to face extreme risk."

"There is!" Zachary exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. "Which one is that?"

"The user can try placing himself into extremely—dangerous situations repeatedly," the AI responded. "That will induce an adrenaline rush through the user's body system. If lucky, there's a chance that that will trigger the unlocking of the zone ability."

"You mean like constantly placing myself in life-threatening danger?"