The gym was silent, save for the faint hum of overhead lights. Rows of bleachers stretched into shadow, empty and waiting, the echoes of earlier practice still clinging to the walls like ghosts. The polished hardwood gleamed faintly under the lamps, but it felt lonely now too big for just one player.
Yuuto Kai stood at the free-throw line, ball in hand, sweat already dripping down his brow though he had barely started. His knee brace felt tighter than usual, the pressure constant, a reminder that his body wasn't whole.
He bounced the ball. Once. Twice. The thump, thump reverberated through the gym like a heartbeat.
He exhaled. Drive. Don't hesitate.
His sneakers squeaked as he burst forward, ignoring the dull ache in his right knee. He lifted, flicked the ball softly off the glass.
Swish.
[Layups Progress: 27% → 28%]
A thin smile curved across his lips. Progress. Small, but real.
"Again," he muttered, grabbing the rebound.
This time, he attacked from the left wing, planting harder, spinning into a reverse layup. The ball kissed the rim, wobbled then fell in.
[Layups Progress: 28% → 29%]
[Recovery –1 Stamina]
Yuuto exhaled sharply, strands of hair sticking to his forehead. His legs already shook faintly, but he tightened his grip on the ball. "I need more… I can't stay Bronze forever."
The System Responds
A faint shimmer sparked across his vision, cutting through the dimness of the gym.
[System Alert: Solo Training Detected]
[Temporary Quest Created: "Grind Toward Silver"]
Quest Goals:
50 successful layups without collapse.
5 consecutive layups with non-dominant hand.
10 layups after simulated contact (resistance drills).
Rewards:
+1 Strength
+2 Basketball Skill Potential (Layups)
+1 Endurance
Yuuto's breath caught. It's like it knows exactly what I need…
His fingers clenched on the ball, veins standing out against his skin. "Fifty, huh?" His voice echoed in the empty space, rough and determined. "Alright, let's see what I've got."
The first twenty layups came smooth. Basic angles, steady rhythm. Right hand, left hand. His body remembered, his form automatic, years of repetition guiding him like instinct.
Thump, step, lay in. Swish.
Thump, crossover, step, scoop. Swish.
The sound of the net snapping filled the emptiness, a rhythm that was equal parts comfort and obsession.
By the twentieth shot, sweat soaked through his shirt, sticking it to his chest. His breaths came shorter, sharper. The dull ache in his knee deepened, but he kept going.
"Don't think. Just move."
The Weak Link
When he switched to his left hand, everything fell apart.
The ball slipped once, clanging hard off the backboard.
Again, too flat, bouncing away uselessly.
"Damn it!" He slammed the ball against the floor, the echo bouncing back at him like mockery.
Yuuto froze, staring at his trembling left hand. His fingers wouldn't obey the way his right did. Every movement felt foreign, clumsy.
The system pulsed faintly, overlaying text across his vision.
[Tip: Adjust release angle. Focus on wrist snap. Reduce off-hand thumb interference.]
Yuuto blinked. "Even coaching me now?"
He sighed, then squared his shoulders. "Fine. Let's fix it."
He dribbled again, this time slower, focusing entirely on his wrist. He jumped lightly, flicked the ball upward clean swish.
Yuuto exhaled sharply. "Yes."
Again. Another swish.
Again. Swish.
His lips stretched into a grin as the ball dropped in for the fifth time in a row.
[Quest Progress: 2/3 Goals Completed]
He bent forward, hands braced on his knees, chest heaving. His muscles screamed for rest, but his mind was louder. One more step. Just one more.
Yuuto scanned the sidelines, eyes catching a heavy foam pad used earlier by the assistant coach. He dragged it onto the court, tucking it under his arm.
"Guess I'll have to hit myself," he muttered, pressing the pad into his ribs every time he drove.
The contact threw off his balance. His layups clanked. His knee flared.
But he kept going.
Bang ball ricocheting off the rim.
Swish clean make after adjustment.
Bang miss again.
His arms shook. His lungs burned. But he forced through, ten layups completed with the pad crushing against his side.
The final one dropped in, rolling smoothly through the net.
[Quest Completed: Grind Toward Silver]
Rewards Granted
+1 Strength
+1 Endurance
Layups Progress: Bronze+1 → Bronze+4
Potential Threshold Achieved → Silver Rank unlockable
Yuuto collapsed onto the hardwood, sweat dripping into his eyes, chest rising and falling like a piston. His arms sprawled across the floor, but his eyes… his eyes shone with fire.
A glowing notification appeared.
[Layups: Bronze+4 (Ready to Evolve)]
[Condition: Achieve 10 contested layups in official matches to advance to Silver.]
Yuuto let out a tired laugh, the sound echoing oddly in the empty gym. "So that's it, huh? Training isn't enough. I have to prove it in real games…"
He closed his eyes, imagining the roar of a crowd, the heat of defenders pressing against him, the sound of a net snapping in the noise of competition.
"I'll do it. I'll make Silver… and beyond."
The ball rolled lazily away from him, bouncing softly against the baseline. The sound didn't feel lonely this time. It felt like a promise, each echo a vow to himself.
"Still here?"
Yuuto flinched, propping himself up on one elbow.
Marcus stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching with an amused smirk. His duffel bag hung loosely from one shoulder, his hair damp from a shower.
"You're insane," Marcus said. "Practice ended two hours ago."
Yuuto wiped sweat from his brow. "Couldn't stop. Not yet."
Marcus stepped onto the court, sneakers squeaking softly. "You know, there's a fine line between grinding and destroying your body."
Yuuto chuckled weakly. "Guess I'll have to walk it."
Marcus studied him for a moment, then smirked. "Just don't collapse before the season even starts. We're gonna need you."
Yuuto's chest tightened at the words. "You… need me?"
Marcus shrugged casually. "Of course. You think we're winning games without the old Yuuto Kai? Nah. We need this Yuuto Kai. The one who doesn't quit."
Yuuto swallowed hard, forcing himself to sit up straighter. "Then I'll get stronger. I'll keep pushing until I'm not a liability anymore."
Marcus shook his head, but his grin softened. "Good. Just don't forget basketball's not just about grinding alone. You'll need us too."
Yuuto nodded, gripping the ball. "I know. But right now… I need this."
After Marcus left, Yuuto stayed a few minutes longer, lying on the hardwood, staring up at the ceiling lights. His body screamed in protest, but his mind replayed every swish, every miss, every notification.
[Hidden Quest Progression: Rise of the Underdog]
Next Objective: Score 10 contested layups in competitive matches.
Reward: Layups Skill Evolution → Silver Rank.
Yuuto closed his eyes, letting the system's glow fade away. The echoes of bouncing balls filled his mind, blending with phantom cheers from crowds he hadn't faced yet.
He clutched the ball to his chest.
"I'm not done. I'll never be done."
The gym fell into silence once more, but Yuuto's heartbeat steady, stubborn was louder than anything else.