บท 48: Antagonist

Shun arrived at the dugout with Jiro, and the moment he looked at his teammates, he sensed a depressive atmosphere. It was as if all their confidence had been crushed.

"Hey, Captain! Weren't you supposed to be talking about the Aoyama players?" - Shun said loudly, snapping all the players out of their depressive thoughts.

"Ah! You're right!" - Thanks to Shun, the captain recovered and began talking about the players of their next opponent, Aoyama Junior High School.

"No matter how tough the next round might be, let's win this one first, everyone!" - Captain Kazuki rallied the team after giving some details about the opposing players.

"WE'RE GOING TO WIN!" - The team's morale lifted, and they all shouted together.

The captain went to the umpire for the coin toss, and at that moment, Shun heard a system notification.

[DING]

[The Star Store has identified a worthy rival for the user in the current tournament. The tournament's difficulty has reached the minimum requirement to be considered by the Star Store. From now on, the user can earn stars in matches in this tournament.]

[Star Missions

(Tokyo Tournament)

Offense:

Reach base(0) = 2 Stars per base

Steal a base(0) = 3 Stars per base stolen

Get a hit(0) = 5 Stars per hit

Score a run(0) = 7 Stars per run

Drive in a run(0) = 10 Stars per RBI

Hit a home run(0) = 50 Stars per home run

Defense:

Record an out(0) = 2 Stars per out

Throw out a runner(0) = 4 Stars per out

Make an out with a difficult catch(0) = 10 Stars per out

Rob a home run(0) = 50 Stars per home run robbed

Tournament Objectives:

Qualify for the Kanto Tournament = 300 Stars

Be the tournament MVP = 300 Stars

Defeat the rival (Hokuto Junior High) = 200 Stars

Lead your team in RBIs = 50 Stars

Lead the tournament in RBIs = 100 Stars

Lead your team in home runs = 50 Stars

Lead the tournament in home runs = 100 Stars

Lead your team in runs scored = 30 Stars

Lead the tournament in runs scored = 60 Stars]

"Damn! So that's how it works... I was wondering why I didn't earn any stars in the first game of the tournament. Looks like the system had to recognize the tournament first." - Shun was excited when he saw the notification.

"These are just the rewards for the Tokyo tournament. If I manage to win the Kanto tournament too... I'll probably be able to redeem a legendary reward!" - Shun was different from his teammates. Perhaps because he hadn't watched the last game, he remained confident. In fact, he became even more excited when he heard that Hokuto had won, he could finally test his skills against a strong opponent.

The boy was eager to prove to everyone that he was no longer a talentless failure, he was going to show everyone just how good he was now.

*************************

Meanwhile, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed child was sitting on a sofa, excitedly watching a television.

This would be a normal scene to see, but anyone would be surprised to look at the floor and see that they were sitting on clouds. Apart from the sofa and the television, there was nothing else in that place but endless clouds and a beautiful blue sky.

Of course, no one but the boy could go to that place unless the boy himself allowed it. But considering that the last person who went there became part of a system against their will, this place isn't exactly a good travel destination.

"Hahahahahahahahaha! I knew this user would be fun! He actually fought with the old man I sent to help him, and besides, he's terrible! It would be so boring if the user became OP too quickly, that's why I chose him. Hehe, Shun Takahashi... how far can you go, huh? Your time is running out, hehe. I wonder if I should warn you?"

The blonde-haired boy spoke to himself as he watched the person on the television. If Shun were there, he would be shocked because the person on the television was him.

*************************

Meanwhile, in another unknown location, a young woman was running, worried, with a paper in her hands. When she reached a black door, she finally stopped. The woman took a deep breath and calmed herself before opening the door.

"Sir! One of your brothers has broken the rule of interference!" - The woman entered a room full of monitors and computers. The room was filled with people working at the computers, and only one person was standing. The man was tall and handsome, with blonde hair and blue eyes. This was the man the woman called "sir" and she quickly extended her arms, holding the paper out to him.

"Oh?" - The man showed a rare expression of surprise as he took the paper and read it carefully.

"What solution do you think is appropriate, Cecilia?" - The man asked the woman calmly.

"Eh? I... I believe we should eliminate the human who received your brother's blessing, sir!" - The woman named Cecilia was a bit surprised to see the man asking for her opinion, but she quickly responded.

"Hehe, you're right, that is the protocol when there's interference. But we don't need to go that far. Gabriel is just having fun, and besides, the blessing he gave can't be used for evil." - The man spoke with a slight smile.

"So what do you want to do?" - Cecilia was stunned to see the man smiling. She knew the protocol should be followed, but she wasn't crazy enough to go against this man's decision.

"Don't do anything to the human who received the blessing. If Gabriel wants an entertaining story, let him have it." - The man spoke firmly. Cecilia almost choked in surprise when she realized the man wouldn't do anything, but she soon heard his voice again.

"But the balance cannot be broken. Increase the talent and level of some young baseball players around the world. Also, choose another human and bless him. Since Gabriel chose the protagonist of his story, let's give him a worthy antagonist."

"Forgive me, sir, what do you mean?" - Cecilia couldn't believe what she heard, so she had to confirm.

"Choose another young human and give him a baseball system. I'll leave that to you, Cecilia." - The man gave a slight smile before turning back to the monitors and resuming his work.

*************************

Unaware that these things had happened, Shun was walking determinedly toward the batter's box. The second round of the Tokyo tournament was about to begin, and Shoto Junior High was about to face the Aoyama Junior High baseball team.