Rebirth Of The Tycoon: I Shall Dominate The World

After completing Janet's side mission and maxing out her loyalty meter, the system revealed the details of the "Truth Seeker" skill card. Intrigued, I accessed its description in the system's interface, eager to understand how it worked and how I could use it to my advantage.

[Truth Seeker]

Description: Allows the user to uncover hidden truths about people or situations within a limited timeframe. The skill reveals the most critical and relevant information tied to the user's goal.

Duration: 5 minutes per use.

Cooldown: 24 hours.

"Well, that's interesting," I murmured, leaning back in my chair as the interface shimmered in front of me. The ability to uncover hidden truths could be a game-changer, especially in situations where deception was involved.

But as useful as it was, I couldn't afford to waste it. The skill had a 24-hour cooldown, so I needed to be strategic. My first thought was to test it on something small, but as I pondered its potential, the new side mission notification popped up again.

Leon has considered you his rival and his goal is to beat you in a game! Show him that you are the Dominance Of The Field!

Side mission: Form a soccer team and challenge Leon's team to a match and win it!

Rewards: Loyalty meter reach 100%, [Leadership] skill card

Punishment: Loyalty meter -40%

I read the mission prompt twice, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. Leon had been itching for a rematch ever since I beat him in our one-on-one game, and now he'd taken it up a notch. His team versus mine—there was no way I could back down.

The problem? I didn't have a team.

The first step was assembling a roster. Janet and Todd were obvious choices; Janet's agility and strategic thinking would make her a perfect midfielder, while Todd's stamina and determination made him a natural defender. Still, three players wouldn't be enough. I needed at least two more people to round out the team.

That's when I decided to use "Truth Seeker" for the first time. I activated the skill, targeting my search for potential recruits who could give us an edge. The system's interface lit up, and within seconds, I was presented with two profiles:

Potential Recruit #1: Milo Kim

Position: Forward

Strengths: Exceptional speed and precision shooting.

Weaknesses: Lacks stamina for long matches.

Potential Recruit #2: Erica Taylor

Position: Goalkeeper

Strengths: Quick reflexes and excellent at reading plays.

Weaknesses: Overly cautious in high-pressure situations.

Milo and Erica were perfect additions. I knew Milo from class—he was quiet but fiercely competitive. Erica, on the other hand, was a year older and known for her skills in volleyball, but her athleticism made her a natural fit for soccer.

The next task is to track them down and convince them to join the team.

I found Milo in the library during his lunch break, seated in the far corner with earbuds in and a textbook open in front of him. I slid into the seat across from him, tapping the table to get his attention.

"What's up?" Milo asked, pulling out an earbud.

"I've got a proposition for you," I began, leaning forward. "I'm putting together a team to take on Leon's group in a soccer match, and we need a forward. You're the best choice."

Milo raised an eyebrow. "Me? I haven't played soccer since middle school. Why would I even care about beating Leon?"

"Because it's not just about Leon," I replied, his tone serious. "It's about proving that we don't need to be part of his arrogant clique to be the best. And let's not forget—there's a prize."

Milo crossed his arms, intrigued. "What prize?"

"I'll make it worth your while," I said, flashing a confident grin. "How does fifty bucks sound?"

Milo snorted. "You're really trying to bribe me?"

"Call it motivation," I smiled with a shrug. "Plus, you get the satisfaction of wiping that smug grin off Leon's face. Think about it."

Milo mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But don't expect me to carry the whole team."

"Deal," I said, shaking his hand.

Erica was harder to track down, but finally caught her after school in the gym, where she was practicing volleyball with a few other players. I waited until she finished her set before approaching her.

"Erica Taylor?" I called out.

She turned, wiping sweat from her brow. "Yeah? What do you need?"

"I'm putting together a team for a soccer match against Leon's group," I said, cutting straight to the point. "We need a goalkeeper, and you're the best person for the job."

Erica laughed. "Soccer? I haven't played since elementary school. Besides, I'm more of a volleyball person."

"Exactly," I said, undeterred. "You've got the reflexes and the ability to read plays. Those skills transfer to soccer, and we need someone with your talent to shut down their offense."

She tilted her head, skeptical. "And why should I care about this match?"

"Because it's not just about the game," I said, his tone persuasive. "It's about showing everyone that Leon's group isn't unbeatable. You're competitive—I've seen how you play volleyball. This is your chance to prove that skill translates across sports."

Erica hesitated, then smirked. "Fine. But if I don't like the way things are run, I'm out."

"Fair enough," I said, extending his hand. "Welcome to the team."

The night before the match, I gathered the team in an empty classroom for a strategy session. The air buzzed with anticipation as we reviewed Leon's strengths and weaknesses.

Todd was sitting there with a nervous look on his face. He told me he never played soccer before so he's afraid that he is going to hold back the team. I give him a smile and assured him that it's going to be fine as long as we played it according to our tactics and formation. 

Despite his shy demeanor, Todd had an unexpected strength: stamina. It wasn't something most people would associate with him, but William had noticed it during their part-time jobs at the campus library. Todd could spend hours lugging heavy boxes of books up and down stairs without breaking a sweat.

"Let's not forget Todd's hidden superpower," I said with a grin, catching everyone's attention. "You may think he's just a bookworm, but Todd's got endurance like nobody else. Trust me, he's the guy you want running down the field when everyone else is exhausted."

Todd flushed but smiled sheepishly. "I guess all those late-night gaming sessions helped build some stamina, too," he muttered, drawing chuckles from the group.

"Leon's team is aggressive," I began, pacing in front of the whiteboard where I'd drawn a rough outline of the field. "They'll try to overwhelm us with speed and power. But that's their downfall too—they're reckless. If we can exploit their mistakes, we'll have the upper hand."

Janet nodded. "I can play as the central midfielder and control the tempo. Todd, you'll anchor the defense and keep their forwards in check."

"And me?" Milo asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"You're our striker," I said. "Your job is to finish every chance we get. Don't hesitate—just take the shot."

Erica raised her hand, her tone calm but firm. "And I'll hold the line in goal. Just make sure they don't get too many shots off."

Everyone seemed on board, but I noticed Todd fidgeting in his seat. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's just…" He hesitated. "Leon's team is brutal. Unlike Leon, some team members play dirty when he isn't looking. What if they try to injure one of us?"

I smirked, confident. "Then we make them regret it. Remember, we're not just here to win—we're here to dominate."

The room fell silent as the weight of the challenge sank in. This wasn't just a game; it was a statement.

The next day, the field was buzzing with spectators. Word of the match had spread like wildfire, and half the school had shown up to watch. Leon's team strutted onto the field with their usual arrogance, but I could see the glint of determination in their eyes.

As we lined up, Leon smirked at me. "Ready to lose, William?"

"Funny," I shot back. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began.