Seated in his father's newly acquired Bentley Azure—the Queen's Golden Jubilee Edition—Su Hang was scrolling through the news.
Yes, it had been ordered back in 2002 and only arrived in 2006. Now that's what they call luxury.
The luxury wasn't in the money—it was in the ridiculous waiting time for the delivery.
Damn!
Under Su Hang's guidance, his father had taken sides early and shifted his investment focus.
Last year, things were still uncertain, but this year the tides had turned dramatically—and Su Dad reaped a handsome profit.
Meanwhile, Florentino's camp was in total disarray, completely routed and left licking their wounds.
If Real Madrid hadn't performed so well this season—reaching the final stages of both La Liga and the Champions League—Florentino would have been sacked already.
Of course, no matter how the season ends, Florentino will step down once it's over. That's something football itself can't change.
Just then—
"Ding! Arsenal suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of your Real Madrid side. The Gunners' key players are experiencing significant psychological turmoil, with Henry, Bergkamp, and others beginning to reconsider their futures at Arsenal."
"Younger players like Van Persie and Fàbregas look up to you with admiration, aspiring to become captain-level players like you."
"However, Van Persie believes that as the team's main striker, you've sacrificed too much of your own stats and shooting opportunities. He thinks that if you could master first-time shooting, you'd become even more dangerous. As a result, you've acquired the skill 'If I Stop to Shoot, I Lose!'"
"If I Stop to Shoot, I Lose: Superstar-level Skill. In all martial arts, speed is invincible; in warfare, deception conquers all. First-time shooting is the perfect fusion of these two principles."
"Your shooting ability has significantly improved."
"When executing a first-time shot, there's a chance to trigger the special effect 'Volley Strike,' enhancing shot accuracy, speed, and power."
"Detected synergy with the 'Wolf King-style One-Touch Pass.' When performing a first-time shot, there's a small chance to trigger 'Heavenly Strike.' When executing a one-touch pass, there's a small chance to trigger 'Ultra-Rapid Rocket Pass & Shot.'"
Shooting: 82 + 5
!
!!!
Captain Van never disappoints!
He's even handed me his secret weapon.
Without question, first-time shooting is Van Persie's most defining trademark.
He's a killer in front of goal—
Deadly for opponents… though sometimes for his own team, if he gets reckless.
Still, there's no doubt this skill is powerful—it all depends on how you use it.
And it actually links with One-Touch Pass!
Su Hang's last skill synergy was between Ronaldo's "Heel Flick Direction Change" and Owen's "Chasing the Wind."
Those were dribbling techniques.
But this one—it's both a finishing move and a playmaking tool.
The "Heavenly Strike" needs no introduction; the grace and beauty of that shot are unforgettable.
Think of it as an enhanced version of a volley.
Yet the real gem of this combo lies in the "Ultra-Rapid Rocket Pass & Shot."
Which future players will master this technique?
Modrić and De Bruyne!
And because De Bruyne found the perfect tactical fit under Guardiola, this skill shines even more brightly in his play.
Typically, the ultra-rapid pass-and-shoot is most effective in fast counterattacks during transitions from defense to offense.
Players with this skill can become the true accelerators of their team's attacks.
Not just regular accelerators—but turbocharged ones!
Double the tempo, then double it again—supercharged speed!
With this skill in hand, Su Hang could even drop deeper into midfield.
He might not be complete in other areas, but as long as he masters the "Slacker's Philosophy"—playing to his strengths and hiding his weaknesses—his stats and performances won't disappoint.
He could even be mistaken for a midfield maestro.
Just look at Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes for reference.
"Ding! After finally summoning the courage to board a plane, Bergkamp suffered another heartbreak in defeat, deepening his psychological shadow toward flying."
"He's decided to retire at the end of the season. But unwilling to let his 'Green Pitch Waltz' fade from football's memory, he has passed down to you—his chosen successor—the skill 'The Ice Prince's Waltz.'"
"The Ice Prince's Waltz: Legendary Skill. Bergkamp turned ball control and turning into an art form, becoming a true dancer on the pitch."
"Your Offensive Awareness, Ball Control, Dribbling, Speed, Explosiveness, and Agility have all increased."
"Your ball sense has improved."
"When receiving aerial passes, there's a small chance to activate the special effect 'Bergkamp's Back-to-Goal Split,' turning defenders into your dance partners."
Offensive Awareness: 85 + 1
Ball Control: 80 + 1
Dribbling: 79 + 1
Speed: 71 + 1
Explosiveness: 85 + 1
Agility: 73 + 2
!!!
Oh my god!
Bergkamp is the GOAT!
From this moment on, I'm your biggest fan!
If Su Hang guessed correctly, this special effect replicates Bergkamp's iconic back-to-goal move—
The one that defied the laws of physics.
Normally, in a typical ball-split move, players flick the ball left and turn right, or flick right and turn left.
But Bergkamp?
He flicked right with his left foot and turned left.
The move defied logic and physics alike—utterly unpredictable, utterly unstoppable.
Once activated, defenders could do nothing but dance along with Su Hang.
Yet the most valuable part of this skill for Su Hang wasn't the move itself—
It was…
Exactly—it's the boost to his ball sense!
What is ball sense?
No one can truly define it.
Juggling, dribbling, smoothness, control—these are just outward signs.
True ball sense is something deeper, almost mystical.
It's also Messi's most fundamental advantage.
It can't be trained.
You either have it or you don't.
If it's high, it's high; if it's low, it's low.
Neymar's touch is among the very best in the world, yet when you compare him directly to Messi, the word "rough" inevitably comes to mind.
That's why many of Messi's most devoted fans are believers in pure talent.
By contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo's playing style, habits, and traits have evolved throughout his career—but his mental strength has never wavered.
So, many of Ronaldo's core fans are devotees of hard work.
This rivalry transcends the players themselves, even beyond what football can symbolize.
Across eras and societies, this kind of conflict has always existed—and will continue to exist.
Sometimes it's talent versus effort.
Sometimes it's pedigree versus merit.
Sometimes it's the old guard against the rising stars.
And sometimes, it's the timeless question: "Are kings and nobles born of a special breed?"
Whether Messi and Ronaldo truly embody these forces no longer matters.
They've already become symbols.
And that—
That is the destiny of every "god."
The moment you become a symbol…
Is the moment you ascend to the altar of football divinity.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser