THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

After training that day, Zachary boarded Angelo's Citroen and quickly returned to his room at the J Hotel for the night. He was eager to wash up and head to bed early so he could be fresh for the game the following day. But just after he closed the door behind him and stepped into his comfy living quarters, a system notification immediately rang within his mind.

"DING"

"The system has detected that the user is now a part of Juventus' 2014–15 UEFA Champions League squad," the system AI's apathetic voice sounded in his mind. "Conditions for the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League long-term serial challenge have been met, and the respective system mission initiated successfully."

"Does the user wish to view the details of the mission right away?"

"Yes, please," Zachary replied almost instantaneously. "Bring up the details of the mission right away."

"Command received," said the system AI as the all-familiar translucent crystal-like display manifested before Zachary. "Mission details have been displayed on the interface."

"Great," Zachary said as he tossed the gym bag containing his training gear to the side. Without further ado, he settled on the cozy and wide bed in the hotel room and began perusing the information displayed on the system interface.

****

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GOAT MISSIONS

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#NEW MISSION: 2014–15 UEFA Champions League Serial Challenge

->The system has detected that the user is part of Juventus' 2014–15 UEFA Champions League squad. The system has designed an associated mission for the tournament.

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->The user needs to accept the mission first to stand a chance of winning rewards after completing the milestones below.

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*Milestone 1: Play over 75% of the fixtures of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League for Juventus.

*Milestone 2: Help Juventus qualify as number one (team with most points) from the group to the round-of-sixteen stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament.

*Milestone 3: Help Juventus qualify for the quarter-finals stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament.

*Milestone 4: Help Juventus qualify for the semi-finals stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament.

*Milestone 5: Help Juventus qualify for the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League finals.

*Milestone 6: Help Juventus overcome all odds and become the champions of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament.

*Milestone 7: Provide the most assists in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament while playing for Juventus.

*Milestone 8: Become the top scorer of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League tournament while playing for Juventus.

*Milestone 9: Score eighteen or more goals to break the individual goal-scoring record in a single UEFA Champions League season convincingly (The system will not consider penalties converted as part of the user's overall goal tally at the end of the tournament for this specific milestone).

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*Rewards:

->Milestone 1 completion reward: 2,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 2 completion reward: 5,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 3 completion reward: 10,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 4 completion reward: 30,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 5 completion reward: 40,000 Juju Points

->Milestone 6 completion reward: 200,000 Juju Points

->Milestone 7 completion reward: 70,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 8 completion reward: 100,000 Juju-points

->Milestone 9 completion reward: A dosage of an SS-grade vitality-enhancing elixir.

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NB: There will be additional rewards if the user realizes any other milestones that can unlock hidden missions.

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->The user can choose not to accept the mission.

*Accept  *Reject

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*Punishment if the user doesn't realize any of the milestones at the end of the tournament: Minus 150,000 Juju points.

*After accepting the mission, the user has to complete at least one milestone before the tournament ends to escape the penalty.

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*Remarks: Consistency, coupled with the occasional breaking of records, is the straight way to the zenith of greatness in any sport. Additionally, the user must understand that a champion is one who is remembered by a generation, but a legend or a GOAT is one who is never forgotten across generations.

****

Zachary breathed in deeply to calm himself down after perusing the contents displayed on the interface. He was in a bit of an agitated mood, especially after his eyes took in the SS-grade vitality-enhancing elixir that was the reward for the ninth mission milestone. He was well aware that he would be able to elevate his attributes by a level or two within a short period if he could obtain such a prize from the system.

But the crucial point to consider was: Could he overcome all odds and score more than seventeen goals to break Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring record in a single season? Could he achieve such a feat without including penalties into his goal tally at the end of the tournament?

After a few moments of introspection, Zachary realized that he would have to play like a freak of nature and, at the same time, become lucky on several occasions to score such a number of goals in a single UEFA Champions League season. He would have to bag at least two goals for Juventus in most Champions League fixtures if he wished to stand a chance to achieve such a lofty objective. That was the only way he would be sure to create history and break Cristiano Ronaldo's single-season goal-scoring record.

"I can only take things slow," Zachary resolved. "I must focus on achieving results in individual matches rather than setting almost impossible goals."

All that mattered for Zachary at the moment was to establish himself and seal his place within the Juventus starting eleven. He wished to play his heart out on the field and convince the coaches and the fans of his ability. He yearned to become a star — a household name in the whole of Turin as soon as possible. And only then would he begin focusing on battling it out with the other generational greats in the football world.

"Bzzt Bzzzt! Bzzt Bzzzt!"

Zachary's phone vibrated from within his trouser pocket just as he was still musing about the new system mission. He immediately fished it out and glanced at the screen. The next moment, his spirits lifted as he realized the call was from Emily, his considerate and ever-caring agent.

"Hello, Emily," he spoke into the phone after pressing the accept button. "It has been long since we talked. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing okay," Emily replied from the other end of the line. "How's life at Juventus? Are you settling in well?"

"I'm doing fine at the club," Zachary replied, his tone laced with a tinge of unconcealable pride. "I'm in the starting eleven for Juventus' Champions League game against Malmo tomorrow."

"Oh, my!" Emily exclaimed, her voice rising up a notch. "Congs. I'm happy for you. We should maybe meet up and celebrate."

"Not a chance," Zachary responded without mincing words. "I have to go to bed early today. I don't wish to doze off during the game tomorrow."

Emily chuckled. "There's no need to get all serious. I was only joking. By the way, I'm already here in Turin with Kristin, John Hansen - a cameraman and video editor I hired, Coach Bjørn Peters, and his wife. They have completed all necessary procedures and are ready to join your team and start working."

"Oh, finally," Zachary remarked. "Say hi to them for me."

There was a few seconds of silence at the other end of the line before Emily spoke again. "How should I arrange them?"

"Arrange them in a hotel for the moment," Zachary instructed. "We can slowly sort out their living provisions after my schedule opens up."

"Okay," Emily readily agreed. "That aside, can you get us tickets for the game tomorrow? Or should we go ahead and buy for ourselves?"

"Of course, I'll get you the tickets for the game," Zachary responded. "I have ten with me here. Angelo can deliver them to you tomorrow morning."

"That's great," Emily said. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Zachary replied. "By the way, Camilla alerted me that Audi wants to renew my endorsement contract. Have you had from them yet?"

"Yes, I have. The Audi representatives contacted me last week, wanting to renew your contract as soon as possible. But I decided to ignore them for the time being as I'm aware that you're busy settling into your new team. Moreover, they were not the only ones. The Nike people also contacted me about a contract extension, while the Puma representatives want to hijack the endorsement deal and bring you over to their side. But, as I said, I'll continue turning a blind eye to all their offers until I'm sure you've settled down in Turin."

"I think that's a great plan," Zachary commended. "We can wait until I start performing well in the Serie A before negotiating with them. That should elevate our bargaining power by at least a level or two during negotiations."

"Exactly, my plan," Emily confirmed. "I want to get better deals for you this time around. You only need to perform on the pitch to ease the tasks on my side."

Zachary chuckled and continued chatting with Emily for a few more minutes. They talked about several issues concerning his career, including endorsement deals, training plans, personal trainers, and the salary structure of employees, among other things. After exhausting all topics, they said their goodbyes and ended their long phone conversation.

Zachary immediately rose from the bed, undressed, and entered the shower. He spent a few minutes cleaning up before settling on his reading table to watch match videos and highlights on his laptop.

He put extra emphasis on studying how famous playmakers, including Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi, behaved while off the ball. He meticulously analyzed their playing styles for an hour or two before jumping into bed and entering the sweet and welcoming slumberland. He had done all he could to prepare for the game against Malmo. What remained was for him to step onto the pitch and play his heart out for Juventus.

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