"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully unlocking the [Rock] badge."
"[Rock] Badge — Current level: Bronze.
Passive effect: Increases the host's defensive movement speed and reduces physical energy consumption during defense, lowering the chance of being knocked off ball-center by the opponent.
Active effect: [Rock Firm].
Activation conditions: When the system detects a stronger opponent, this badge will activate after three floor shots. It can only be triggered once per game.
Activation effect: Teammate morale in this match +15."
"System: You've won a one-on-one match against Tracy McGrady, but he remains unconvinced.
Therefore, you've decided to beat him until he accepts defeat."
"Ding! [Fight to the Service] Task: Crush young Tracy McGrady's confidence in one-on-one matches.
Task requirements: Play 100 bullfighting-style matches against McGrady and win at least 75.
Task reward #1: Special shooting animation [Matti's Dry Pull]. Click to preview animation effect.
Hidden reward: Unknown."
"Ding! The host may decline this task without penalty."
…and more.
Hold on.
Su Feng felt overwhelmed by the amount of incoming information.
Taking advantage of McGrady panting on the floor, Su Feng — always composed — chose to calmly gather his thoughts.
"[Rock] badge… Hmm, no detailed bonus description?
But judging by the effects, isn't this basically [Death Coil] from 2K, combined with a few other defensive badges?"
The last time he unlocked the [Yangyan] badge, Su Feng speculated on the logic behind acquiring badges in the "Iron System."
Today, he's confident in his theory:
In the Iron System, badges are tied to your personal playstyle.
"It looks like these badges are more like extensions of the path I chose to play."
In 2K games, as long as the player tries hard enough, they can grind for nearly half the available badges.
But clearly, that's not the case with the Iron System.
There's no explanation of how to upgrade or earn badges.
Without clear guidance, Su Feng can't follow a strategy like he would in-game.
Wasting time on trial-and-error goes against his steady temperament.
In other words, the type of badge you earn depends heavily on your evolving style of play.
Thus, the Iron System seems like a scientifically reasonable enhancement support.
If Su Feng wants to upgrade his current badge, he simply needs to stick to his current style.
"Makes sense."
Su Feng once praised the Iron System.
From what he's seen of the [Rock] badge's bonus effects, it's likely this badge will always occupy one of his five slots.
After all, he's a "defensive genius"…
Su Feng: ORZ.
After viewing and equipping the [Rock] badge, Su Feng checked out the [Destroy] mission.
"This is strange. Why didn't I get a mission after acquiring 'Kobe's Roll-Over & Back'?"
"Could it be that I don't have enough rapport with McGrady?"
Sigh… Maddie, the second plug-in, is fine —
But in Su Feng's view, it's just not as charming as plug-in #1: Kobe.
Su Feng currently possesses this ability, relying heavily on Kobe.
Even the original version of Sam Gold still sits idle in Su Feng's arsenal. If Su Feng weren't such a "dribble-head"...
Emmmmm!
"Winning against Maddie 75 times in 100 bullfights? That's a serious challenge."
"The reward is 'Grady's Pull'—apparently, it's a specialized shooting move.
So the slot is used for just one animation.
Based on the A-tier college Curry shot package, this animation likely boosts attributes but won't alter my original shooting motion.
Wait! No penalty for failure? Then I have to accept it!"
The no-failure clause seemed extremely NICE to Su Feng!
After all, aside from system mechanics, bullfighting matches like this naturally help improve both players' basketball skills.
And for a task where one has to beat sophomore McGrady 75 out of 100 times—which is practically max difficulty—a little reward feels justified.
Su Feng remembered a basketball novel from his past life that had a plot twist where, upon failing a mission, the protagonist would turn into a sister. Looking back, he couldn't tell whether the author was trolling or just obsessed with gender-bending tropes.
Clearly, reality is different from fiction.
Just look at this system—it's all about the vibe.
"Still... what's the deal with the hidden mission? Total mystery."
Su Feng pondered while sipping a sports drink.
At that moment, Maddie, who had been lying on the floor, got up.
While his body was spent, it was his spirit that had been truly drained.
Especially after losing to Su Feng, then enduring Su Feng's machine-gun trash talk...
It reminded McGrady of the lazy, carefree summers under the citrus groves.
The dreamy 4 a.m. mornings were beautiful.
The snoring at 4 a.m.—so oddly refreshing.
The barely edible "nutritious" home meals made McGrady long for his mom's pasta.
Who am I, where am I, and why did this guy teleport me to Orlando?
Was Auburndale sky not bluer than Orlando's?
Was Auburndale air not sweeter than Orlando's?
Let me go home… this isn't my place...
Auburndale... that's my home!
Just when Maddie felt like giving up, Su Feng tossed him a sports drink bottle.
"Tracy, you're incredible.
Your first step is faster than Kobe's, in my opinion. If your shot hits on time, I wouldn't stand a chance.
Keep pushing! Like Mike Mancias said—you'll make it to the NBA and earn big."
Maddie: "..."
Okay…
Okay.
Yeah, I want to make it to the NBA. I want to earn big.
Huh?
This guy… sometimes says really decent things.
Out of nowhere, Maddie felt energized!
Turns out, a little encouragement really can improve your physical condition.
"I will make it to the NBA and earn big!" McGrady shouted, pounding his chest.
Beside him, Su Feng's jaw practically hit the ground!
Because just then…
In the hidden reward section of the [Destination Service] task, Su Feng saw a progress bar with both red and white markers.
Previously, the bar was evenly split…
But now—red had clearly overtaken white!
And inside his mind, the system informed him that McGrady could now share the effects of the nutrient solution with him.
"!!!"
"Ah, I get it! The hidden reward splits two ways—
One outcome: I defeat McGrady purely by skill, but he ends up resenting me.
The other: I beat McGrady and win his admiration, creating a positive bond."
Whew!
So close!
Su Feng knew all too well—McGrady is a textbook Gemini.
He could hate you out of jealousy… or become close if he's impressed.
In Su Feng's past life, after McGrady found inner peace post-retirement, he'd publicly "flirt" with Yao Ming on multiple occasions.
"Hold up… Does this mean the system considers Kobe too single-minded to warrant a complex mission?" Su Feng mused.
Hmm...
Seems legit.
Secretly admiring the system's logic!
"This really was heartfelt persuasion—after all, Tracy is my third brother."
He wasn't sure why Kobe felt like his second brother and Maddie like the third… but after thinking it through, the logic kind of held up.
Age-wise, he's the oldest, Kobe's second, and McGrady's third.
And come on—Raul Merion's final tactic is basically "Yao unlocks Kobe."
Isn't that just Su Feng shouting "My second brother Kobe is unstoppable"?
"Focus, focus."
Tossing aside distractions, Su Feng looked at McGrady and smiled: "How about another round?"
Revived and fired up, McGrady cracked a slight smile:
"I'll follow you to the ends of the Earth."
Thus, Su Feng launched his "Hit to Serve" mission.
With fire in his soul.
…
After a full day of training, Su Feng and McGrady completed eight bullfighting matches. Su Feng won five and lost three.
Throughout these matches, Su Feng noticed that the [Rock] badge had a strong presence, and its "magnetic defense" worked well against the current version of McGrady.
However, McGrady's own defense was quite formidable. If Su Feng slipped up even slightly, he was likely to get outplayed.
Su Feng realized that, at this pace, there was no way he'd complete the [Hit to Serve] mission.
During an afternoon break, he consulted trainer Alan Stan once more.
"Su, I wouldn't worry too much about your win rate against Tracy," Alan said. "You're a team-first player."
Su Feng gave a wry smile. "I get that, but I want to score in the NBA. Coach Greg already promised to include more isolation plays for me next season.
You know better than anyone—if I don't show more offensive talent, the NBA door won't open for me.
And Tracy's a top-tier defender. He's the perfect benchmark."
Alan nodded, seeing the logic in Su Feng's mindset.
After thinking a moment, he offered: "From what I've observed, Tracy mainly relies on instincts and raw talent on defense.
I can teach you a few simple yet effective fakes—he'll absolutely bite on them."
"Anything else?" Su Feng asked. "I've already been fooled once, twice… not falling for it a third time."
"Yes—timing and rhythm," Alan replied.
"Rhythm?" Su Feng leaned in, intrigued.
"Exactly. You know why Michael Jordan was so tough to guard? Not because he was the fastest, but because he mastered rhythm shifts. Listen up..."
As Alan broke it down, Su Feng felt like a whole new world had opened up.
There's still a huge difference between fan-level theories and real pro coaching.
"Looks like I'll need time to absorb all this before challenging McGrady again."
Sure, he'd sacrifice some Iron Value in the short term—but compared to the reward for completing the [Hit to Serve] mission, that loss felt minor.
And just imagine… in the offseason, training together with Kobe and McGrady?
That Iron Value would be more than worth it.
…
At dinner, hoping to deepen his bond with McGrady, Su Feng specially prepared a honey-glazed steak just for him.
Now that McGrady could share the effects of the nutrient solution with Su Feng, there was no concern about his stamina or physical condition.
In fact, lately McGrady had grown hesitant around anything labeled "nutritious"—but one bite of Su Feng's steak and he dove into the meal like someone starved for ages.
It was the kind of taste that made everything else melt away.
And let's not forget: Su Feng's cooking was already certified by Kobe's stomach!
Before, when McGrady couldn't share the nutrient boost, Su Feng couldn't serve him food directly. But now, with that barrier gone, Su Feng used his gourmet skills to win over his newly unlocked "external stomach."
"This is incredible—the best steak I've ever had," McGrady said, sincerely impressed.
"Hey Tracy, starting tomorrow, we won't be doing one-on-one drills anymore," Su Feng said casually while McGrady was enjoying dinner.
"Why?" McGrady frowned, feeling slightly insulted. Was Su Feng cutting him off just because he lost a few more games today? Did he think McGrady wasn't worthy anymore?
"Coach Mike's got us lined up for core strength training. He said it's intense—and doing one-on-one could increase the risk of injury."
Of all the unexpected uses for support staff, Su Feng never imagined Mancias would be this effective.
McGrady nodded, admitting that Su Feng's reasoning made sense.
"By the way, what do you think of Coach Mike transferring to you?" Su Feng asked.
"I accepted it," McGrady replied. "Honestly, I don't think Ty (Willis) is a good coach. I've decided to transfer schools next semester."
Hearing this, Su Feng felt McGrady's fate in this life might take a whole new turn.
In Su Feng's past life, McGrady's high school experience had deeply impacted him.
That unpleasant time had made him doubt himself, and over time, grow consumed by envy.
Personality shapes destiny; environment molds growth.
While McGrady's success was closely tied to his complex character, that same trait often held him back as well.
…
As time passed, Su Feng and Tracy McGrady improved at lightning speed under the guidance of three NBA-level trainers.
Although the system still didn't display a category for [Core Strength], Su Feng was confident that, by the end of summer, his core strength would far surpass that of his peers.
After all, how many high schoolers get access to NBA-level training?
And physically, none of them came close to Su Feng.
Compared to McGrady—whose physical fitness was solid but typical for a high schooler—Su Feng's body was so tough that even Mancias couldn't help but marvel: "This kid's built like steel!"
On top of that, under Mancias's coaching, Su Feng's vertical leap improved every day.
Su Feng believed the iron system would eventually include more refined attributes for bounce—like jump speed, vertical height, and resistance to impact.
According to Mancias's assessment, Su Feng's take-off speed still had tons of room to grow.
So while increasing his strength and gaining muscle mass, Su Feng was also absorbing theoretical training from Frazer and Alanstein.
Then on July 24th, he resumed one-on-one training with McGrady.
"Perfect—I want to see how much stronger I've gotten," McGrady said confidently.
But...
That confidence didn't last.
After getting swept 10–0 in bullfighting matches, McGrady left the training hall feeling crushed.
"Why though? Aren't we training together tomorrow?" he asked, clearly shaken.
Luckily, Mancias stepped in to console him.
"Su's a year older than you, Tracy," he explained.
"That makes a difference?" McGrady asked, confused.
"Absolutely. During adolescence, a year means a lot.
While Su isn't as quick or explosive as you, he's more experienced.
And last season, didn't you have inconsistent playing time in the high school league?"
McGrady nodded.
"Exactly. I think you shouldn't worry about competing with Su right now—your time will come," said Mancias.
And just like that, McGrady felt better.
At dinner, Su Feng treated him to another feast.
Sadly, Kobe wasn't there to witness the mountain of food—he would've drooled like a waterfall.
And when McGrady was full and satisfied, Su Feng noticed something:
The red progress bar in the hidden [Hit to Serve] mission had reached 80%...
…
While Su Feng was busy enjoying the thrill of dominating Maddie, over at the Adidas ABCD training camp...
Kobe stared at Odom—who he'd just toyed with—and felt a bit… bored.
Despite the camp's intense training regimen, something seemed to be missing.
Take Odom, for instance: he only agreed to go one-on-one three times a day.
But if it were Su Feng…
"Just wait, Su—you have no idea how strong I've become!"
As Kobe thought about the camp wrapping up soon, and about heading back to Philadelphia—he didn't know why, but he felt genuinely excited.