Dynasty Awakening: Building My Own Football Empire-Chapter 256: Keeper

DING

#NEW MISSION: Free the Football Slaves of Tottenham

DESCRIPTION: The Tottenham players have suffered under the dictatorship of their System Manager for far too long, ruining their experience of chaotic football. The Dynasty System has deemed the Manager is not worthy of teaching these professionals and requests that you put an end to his boring tactics.

*Task 1: Reignite the Tottenham players’ passion for risk

REWARDS:

Skill: Chaos Aura (Passive)

B-grade Stamina Elixir

Unlock potential Guglielmo Vicario (Goalkeeper)

Unlock potential Destiny Udogie (Defender)

The moment that Michael sat down in the dugout, he heard a notification from the system, prompting him to open the window in his mind. As his eyes read the mission description it instantly resonated with him.

’It turns out the system also doesn’t appreciate how this Manager has been treating his players like robots.’ Michael thought inwardly.

He had already decided to change the status quo and try and show the players that they could have fun, but this mission would be the icing on the cake.

’Unlock potential?’

"Boss, hurry up and look at the pitch." Arthur called out to him from the bench, snapping him out of his reverie. "They are pressing again."

"Ah, one moment!" He called back, quickly focusing his eyes.

At the start of the 35th minute, it was the goalkeeper Vicario’s turn to restart play. No matter how many times Michael looked at him, the only word that came to his mind was restricted. Yet the system had mentioned his potential would be unlocked if he could complete the mission.

’Does this mean he has the potential to be a Misfit?’ Michael thought.

THUD

The ball was sent flying into the midfield while Michael was busy thinking. It bounced just before the Barnsley midfielder Leo Stone could intercept it. With a few quick steps, Leo headed the ball back to Mateo Vega who stretched out his leg and controlled the chaos.

"Safe."

Unfortunately, Vicario was able to make a safe pass before the press arrived.

Michael watched the goalkeeper retreat to his line before turning to Arthur. Now that he was close enough to the pitch, Michael decided to use the True Vision skill on the frustrated-looking Italian.

This time however, there was no cost for using the skill. Which probably meant that there was little to no ego disparity between the two at this moment.

NAME: Guglielmo Vicario

AGE: 27

TALENT ASSESSMENT: A- (S)

POTENTIAL: S (Legendary)

USER STATS:

Reflexes: S

Distribution: B+

Eccentricity: D (S+)

Bravery: C (A+)

Mental: C (A)

Note: Grades in brackets are before tactical suppression.

Additional information: Played for Empoli with great chaos. Known for making "impossible" saves before being forced to play safe at Tottenham.

GUGLIELMO VICARIO’S DATA HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE SCOUTING REPORT.

Michael was shocked. Vicario’s potential eccentricity was S+ but was currently only showing as D thanks to what the system referred to as tactical suppression. However, the most glaring difference was probably his bravery grade.

Although the system didn’t explicitly say what was wrong with Vicario, he could guess that it was likely a result from being forced to play short passes by his Manager.

Michael once again felt anger that such a chaotic talent was being forced to rot away under this boring system. He could understand why the Dynasty System would issue a mission for him to intervene.

If Vicario was like this, then Udogie the defender would also probably be suffering the same situation.

"Hey man, that was a nice save earlier." Michael said loudly as the ball went out for a goal kick near his technical area.

Vicario turned around and looked at him for a moment before nodding in a small motion. The tall keeper seemed rather reserved, or perhaps that was also a result of the manager’s influence.

"You’re Vicario right? Didn’t you used to play for Empoli?" Michael asked inquisitively.

Only now did Vicario’s expression change into one of shock. "H-How did you know that?"

Michael shrugged, "I have a scout who watched Serie A. He mentioned a keeper that looked like you, saying that you had some of the craziest reflexes he had ever seen. He also said that even though you looked calm, it felt like he was facing a spider whenever he was in the goal."

Words spewed out of Michael’s mouth, using the additional information from the system to weave a believable story. Of course they were slightly embellished, however, he hoped that they would have some impact.

Vicario looked a little confused, but there was a hint of reminiscence behind his gaze, giving Michael a small window of hope.

"But it sounds like he was lying about the spider part. I mean, your saves are standard, but they lack any madness... Almost as if they’re coming from a ball machine." Michael finished.

He saw an imperceptible flash of anger on Vicario’s face, however he hid it almost instantly. Without a word, he looked back at his manager and turned away once more, letting out a sigh.

"You’re right. Those days are behind me now." Vicario looked tired and defeated, as if the once wild and brave keeper was now confined by invisible tactical lines.

Michael didn’t miss any of this, particularly the look he sent at his own bench. He wasn’t sure if this was the right time, but who knew when he would have the opportunity to talk to Vicario again whilst the ball was out of play.

" ’Safe Hands’ is a real boring nickname for you don’t you think?"

"Pfft" Vicario almost burst out laughing, but managed to hold it back at the last moment. However, not before receiving a few curious glances from the nearby defenders.

Michael decided to strike while the iron was hot, leaning over the advertising board. "Why don’t you bring that spider back to the goal? I want to see those crazy saves, it sounds like a lot of fun."

"Fun?" Vicario paused for a moment, his gloved hands gripping the ball. Why was this opposition manager always talking about fun? He had heard him speaking to Maddison earlier, complaining that the game wasn’t fun.

Was football meant to be fun? When was the last time that he actually enjoyed himself while playing in goal? Was it 2 or 3 years ago... Certainly not after he had joined this rigid system.

"Yeah, fun. Football is so much more exciting when you’re having fun." Michael nodded, flashing a smile to the Italian.

WHISTLE

The referee blew for the restart. Michael had wanted to continue talking, but it looked like he would have to leave it here for now.

He may not get to speak to the keeper one on one again, but he hoped that his words had at least planted the seed of rebellion in his heart. As long as he got the goalkeeper on board, he should be able to affect the defense.

Vicario placed the ball for the goal kick, looking a little lost. Udogie who had been tracking back intercepted his gaze, showing some concern.

"Guglielmo, are you okay? You look distracted."

"Ah... I’m fine." He replied, however his face still seemed torn.

Udogie grabbed his arm and stopped him. "No you’re not. Did that loud manager say something to you? Don’t listen to him."

Vicario didn’t reply for a while, staring at the grass. Yet when he lifted his gaze, there was something different about his expression.

"Have you ever had fun playing like this?"

Udogie turned his face up in question, "Huh? What’s this crap about fun? That guy must have been talking in your ear that whole time."

Vicario shook Udogie’s hand off his arm and glared at his teammate. "His words are true. Why the hell are we even playing football if we don’t enjoy it? Will we be able to look back at this career fondly when we retire? What use is possession if we can’t express ourselves?"

Udogie was shocked. He had been teammates with Vicario ever since joining the team, yet he had never heard him raise his voice or talk to him like this. Usually he was calm and just followed the tactical plan.

"W-What’s gotten into you?"

"I love football... But I hate this kind of football." He didn’t know how to articulate his feelings very well so these were the only words he could say that felt right.

However, Udogie understood him almost instantly. He too had lost something ever since being told to stop dribbling and start passing backward. He was still playing football, but he didn’t really feel like he was playing, almost as if he was merely a defender in a spreadsheet.

Udogie’s expression twisted for a moment before he nodded.

"So why don’t we play our own game?"

"Our own game?"

A smile finally formed on the keeper’s face as he once again placed his hand on the ball. "Let’s play how we want to play."

Vicario was shocked, however he was suddenly filled with excitement. Yet his logical mind suddenly recalled something and his gaze fell back to the technical area.

"But the manager will bench us..."

"Not if we win the game." Udogie grinned.

Vicario lifted his head, as if wanting to make sure that his teammate was not kidding. After confirming that Udogie was indeed serious, he finally broke out into a smile.

The two nodded at each other, avoiding the stare of their Manager who had been silent for most of the game.

The moment everyone walked back into position, Vicario called the defenders to the edge of the box and had a quick meeting, keeping his voice low in order to ensure some privacy.

Michael had been keeping an eye on the keeper and defender duo the entire time and although he did not hear their conversation, he had a feeling that his words were having an effect. The fact that they held a meeting before the goal kick also backed up this theory.

When the team dispersed and got into position, Vicario looked over at Michael in the dugout and let out a big smile. This was the most emotion he had seen from the goalkeeper the entire game.

Michael felt a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, feeling his competitive spirit ignite inside of him.

"Show us what you’ve got, Spider." He muttered.