The Real Game Starts Now

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As Ryo stood in the field, the adrenaline still surging through his veins from the test, he felt the weight of Ross’s words settle over him.

*The real game begins now.*

The thought echoed in his mind as the arena shifted once more, but this time it was different. The environment didn’t just change—there was a palpable shift in the air, as if the very atmosphere had grown heavier. The grass underfoot dissolved, replaced by a sleek, polished surface that reflected the light overhead. The field stretched endlessly in all directions, creating an otherworldly effect, like Ryo was standing in a void.

Ross stood before him, but he wasn’t alone. Figures emerged from the shadows, each one clad in sleek, high-tech gear. They were human, or at least humanoid, and their presence exuded an aura of power and experience. These weren’t like the robotic opponents Ryo had faced earlier—these were players, each one radiating a level of skill that made the air around them hum with intensity.

"Who are they?" Ryo asked, instinctively taking a step back as he eyed the newcomers.

Ross smirked. "These are some of the top players in INTERCIA’s ranks. Like you, they’ve been through their own trials, faced their own challenges, and risen to the top. You’ll be joining them soon—but before that, there’s one more test."

Ryo’s heart pounded as he glanced at the players. Each of them seemed to carry an aura of untouchable strength. Their eyes were sharp, filled with the kind of experience that only came from years of battle. This wasn’t just about football anymore—it felt like he was about to step into a world where every aspect of his being would be tested.

Ross raised his hand, and the system’s familiar voice echoed in Ryo’s mind.

---

**[NEW CHALLENGE: SURVIVE AGAINST THE ELITE]**

---

Survive.

That single word sent a chill down Ryo’s spine. This wasn’t just a test of skill—it was a test of endurance, of his ability to withstand the pressure of facing players far beyond his current level.

Before he could fully process the challenge, the first of the elites stepped forward. He was tall, with a lean but muscular build, and his eyes locked onto Ryo with laser focus. Without a word, he flicked the ball to his feet and charged forward with blinding speed.

Ryo barely had time to react. The elite player moved with precision and grace, his control over the ball absolute. Every touch, every feint was calculated, and within seconds, Ryo found himself on the defensive, scrambling to keep up.

*He's fast!*

Ryo activated **Meta Vision**, his rare skill that allowed him to predict the flow of the game. But even with it, the elite’s movements were unpredictable. Ryo could see flashes of his next steps, but they were faint, blurred by the sheer speed and skill of his opponent.

The ball was suddenly at Ryo’s feet, stolen by the elite’s quick movements. But before the elite could score, Ryo’s instincts kicked in, and he activated **Hyper Focus**. Time slowed, and for a brief moment, he could see everything clearly—the way the elite’s foot moved, the subtle shift in his balance.

Ryo darted forward, intercepting the ball with a swift kick. He spun on his heel, using his newfound agility to weave around the elite, and for the first time, he felt a spark of confidence. His body had adjusted to the fight, and **Adaptability** was working in overdrive.

But the challenge wasn’t over.

The second elite stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She was smaller than the first, but her movements were sharp, her footwork flawless. Without warning, she sent the ball soaring through the air toward Ryo, her entire body moving with deadly precision.

Ryo braced himself, activating **Spatial Awareness** to track her movements and the ball’s trajectory. He jumped, meeting the ball mid-air with his chest, and controlled it as he landed. But the second elite was already on him, pressing him with relentless pressure. She was faster than the first, and her attacks were more direct, forcing Ryo to react quickly.

He used every skill he had—**Meta Vision** to predict her attacks, **Hyper Focus** to slow down time when needed, and **Adaptability** to adjust to her speed. But even with all of that, the elites were relentless. Every time he gained an advantage, another one would step in, pushing him harder, faster.

Minutes passed, and Ryo could feel the strain on his body. His muscles burned, his lungs begged for air, and his mind was racing to keep up. The elites weren’t just testing his skills—they were testing his endurance, his mental fortitude, his will to keep going.

---

**[STAMINA: CRITICAL]**

---

The system’s notification flashed in his vision, but Ryo pushed it aside. He couldn’t afford to stop now. He had to survive.

As the third elite moved in—a tall, towering figure with brute strength—Ryo knew he couldn’t rely solely on his skills anymore. His body was reaching its limit, and he needed something more. Something deeper.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, tuning out the world around him, and focused inward. He could feel the power within him—the untapped potential that had been growing ever since he’d started this journey. His new abilities, his growth, everything had led to this moment.

And then, in the depths of his mind, he felt it. A new skill, a hidden power that had been waiting for him to unlock it.

---

**[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: LIMIT BREAK (Legendary)]**

**[LIMIT BREAK: Temporarily removes all physical and mental limits, allowing the user to access their full potential for a short period. In this state, all stats are doubled, and skills can be used simultaneously without cooldown. Warning: Overuse of this skill may result in severe physical and mental strain.]**

---

Ryo’s eyes snapped open, and the world around him seemed to shift. The weight of exhaustion lifted, and his body felt lighter, more powerful than ever. The third elite charged at him, but this time, Ryo was ready.

With **Limit Break** active, Ryo felt an overwhelming surge of energy. He activated **Hyper Focus**, **Meta Vision**, and **Spatial Awareness** all at once, his mind and body working in perfect harmony. The third elite’s attack came, but Ryo moved faster than he ever had before, dodging effortlessly and countering with a powerful strike to the ball.

The ball soared past the elite, hitting the goal with an earth-shaking force.

The field fell silent for a moment, the elites staring at Ryo in disbelief.

Ross stepped forward, clapping slowly. "Well done, Ryo. You’ve surpassed my expectations."

Ryo stood tall, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths. He could feel the effects of **Limit Break** starting to fade, his body already beginning to ache from the strain. But he had done it. He had survived.

Ross’s expression softened, and for the first time, Ryo saw a hint of pride in his eyes. "Welcome to the next level, Ryo. The true journey begins now."

The elites stepped back, giving Ryo a nod of respect. They had tested him, pushed him to his limits, and he had come out on top.

As the arena faded away, Ryo knew one thing for certain: this was just the beginning. Whatever lay ahead, whatever trials he would face, he was ready.

Because now, he had unlocked his full potential.

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