The night before the game, Adrian barely slept.
Not because he was nervous—on the contrary, he was buzzing with energy. The mission's glowing reminder burned in his vision every time he blinked.
[Mission: Win Tomorrow's Baseball Match. Minimum Reward: $10,000.]
Ten. Thousand. Dollars.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, grinning like a lunatic.
Last time, this very match had marked the start of his downfall. He had fumbled the chance to shine, been ridiculed, and eventually pushed to the sidelines. But now, with the system in his corner, he wouldn't just win—he'd dominate.
He turned on his side, eyeing the neatly stacked $6000 he had earned from the first two missions. For the first time in years, he felt something he hadn't in his last life.
Hope.
Morning Prep
Adrian woke early, the sun barely peeking through the blinds. He stretched, feeling the strength in his limbs. Regression had blessed him with his youthful, athletic body, but his mind carried the grit of a man who had already lived through hell.
He slipped into his team tracksuit and jogged around campus.
Ding!! [Hidden Mission Activated: Run 3 Miles. Minimum Reward: $2000.]
Adrian smirked. "So even morning jogs are profitable now, huh?"
He ran with steady strides, memories flashing of his last life where exhaustion had chained him. Every step now felt like a declaration: I'm back.
By the time he finished, sweat dripped from his forehead, but he felt lighter.
Ding!! Mission Complete.Reward Generated: $2000.
His balance shot up again. $8000 before breakfast. He nearly laughed out loud.
Dorm Comedy
Back in the dorm, Adrian was greeted by the sight of his roommate, Kyle, snoring like a chainsaw, drool pooling on his pillow.
"Kyle, wake up," Adrian said, tossing a towel at his face.
Kyle jolted upright. "Wha—? Fire? Exam? Apocalypse?"
Adrian smirked. "Game day, genius."
Kyle groaned. "Don't remind me. Coach is going to kill us if we screw this up again."
"Relax," Adrian said, pulling on his jacket. "This time, we're winning."
Kyle squinted at him. "Since when did you get so confident? Did you bribe the umpire?"
Adrian chuckled. "Something like that."
The Campus Buzz
By midday, the entire university buzzed with excitement. Baseball was one of the biggest sports at Saint Haven, and today's match was against their long-time rivals, Eastbridge University.
The bleachers filled quickly, students chanting, waving banners. Vendors shouted, selling snacks.
Sophia Lane, the campus beauty he had greeted yesterday, sat in the front row with her friends, her eyes scanning the field. When she spotted Adrian warming up, her lips curved in a faint smile.
Adrian caught the look, and his system chimed.
Ding!! [Special Condition: Impress Sophia Lane. Bonus Reward: $3000.]
Adrian laughed under his breath. "Now you're just spoiling me."
The First Pitch
The whistle blew. The match began.
Adrian walked onto the field, bat resting on his shoulder. The crowd roared. His teammates looked at him expectantly, some nervous, others doubtful.
"Adrian, no pressure," Kyle muttered. "Just… don't choke like last time, okay?"
Adrian grinned. "Watch me."
The rival pitcher sneered, winding up. The ball shot forward like a bullet.
Adrian's eyes sharpened. He swung.
Crack!
The ball soared high, disappearing over the outfield.
"HOME RUN!" the announcer bellowed.
The stadium erupted. Cheers shook the bleachers.
Adrian jogged the bases casually, as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
Ding!! [Bonus Mission Complete: Score First Point of the Game. Reward: $2000.]
His grin widened.
Dominance
As the innings passed, Adrian stole the spotlight again and again.
A diving catch that left the crowd gasping.A perfect throw that tagged an opponent at home plate.Another clean, powerful swing that sent the ball into the sky.
Every move, every play, felt sharpened by the system, his body syncing with instincts he had honed in his previous life. He wasn't just playing—he was rewriting destiny.
The Eastbridge players grew frustrated, their confidence crumbling. Their pitcher cursed under his breath after yet another failed strikeout.
By the seventh inning, Adrian's name was chanted like a war cry:
"KA-NE! KA-NE! KA-NE!"
Rivals Take Notice
Among the spectators sat a group of upperclassmen, their expressions sour. They remembered Adrian from before—talented but inconsistent. Now, he looked like a completely different player.
"Where the hell did he learn to play like that?" one muttered.
Another narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't matter. If he keeps stealing the spotlight, he'll be a problem. And you know how problems get handled at Saint Haven…"
Adrian didn't notice them, but the system did.
Ding!! [Warning: Host has attracted the attention of hostile individuals.]
Adrian's smile only widened. "Let them come."
The Final Play
Bottom of the ninth. Saint Haven led by one point.
The tension was thick. Eastbridge had two runners on base, their star hitter stepping up to the plate. The crowd fell silent, every breath held.
The pitch flew. The batter swung—Crack!—and the ball shot into the outfield.
Gasps erupted.
But Adrian was already sprinting. He leapt, glove outstretched. Time seemed to slow. His fingers closed around the ball.
Thwack!
Silence. Then the umpire's call:
"OUT!"
The stadium exploded. Saint Haven had won.
Adrian landed, pumping his fist as teammates rushed him, lifting him onto their shoulders.
Ding!! Mission Complete: Win the Baseball Match.Reward Generated: $10,000.
Stacks of fresh bills materialized in his locker. Adrian's balance skyrocketed.
Aftermath
The victory party was chaos. Students shouted his name, teammates slapped his back, even professors stopped by to congratulate him.
Sophia Lane approached, smiling faintly. "That was impressive, Adrian. I didn't know you had it in you."
Adrian chuckled. "That's because you haven't seen anything yet."
She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Confident. I like it."
Ding!! [Special Bonus Complete: Impress Sophia Lane. Reward: $3000.]
Adrian's grin widened.
Resolve Strengthened
Later that night, alone in his dorm, Adrian stared at the growing mountain of cash.
$21,000 in two days.
He touched the bills, his expression turning cold.
Last life, he couldn't even afford food. This life, he'd drown in wealth.
He remembered the faces of those who betrayed him, the laughter of those who pushed him down.
"Enjoy your peace while it lasts," he whispered. "Because I'm coming."
The system chimed again.
Ding!! [New Mission Generated: Secure a Sponsorship Deal. Minimum Reward: $15,000.]
Adrian leaned back, smirking.
"Let's make this interesting."