Chapter 8: Evolution System
*I died, didn't I?*
Miya's thoughts spiraled into confusion as he recalled the horrific moment—the bug explosion, his body torn apart like a ragdoll. He was sure it was the end, yet here he was, not only conscious but seemingly whole.
*But… I… I can still move…*
His eyes shot open, and he found himself lying on a soft, sterile bed in the all-too-familiar white room of the facility he had entered. The room was empty, devoid of any equipment or people. He was utterly alone, except for the glowing notification hovering in front of his eyes.
"What's this?" Miya muttered, his eyes widening as he focused on the strange, floating text. It wasn't something tangible, yet it followed his every movement. He thought it might be another cruel trick by Limit Breaker, but something about it felt different.
As Miya's eyes drifted to his legs, his breath hitched. His limbs, which he was certain had been obliterated by the explosion, were completely intact. There wasn't even a scar to remind him of the nightmare. He flexed his toes, half expecting to feel nothing but pain or emptiness, but the sensation was real. His legs were back, fully functional as if nothing had happened.
*Is this a miracle?*
[You have been chosen]
[Football Evolution System]
Miya blinked at the new notification. "What is this? Some kind of game?" he whispered, incredulous. His hand reached out to touch the floating text, half-expecting it to vanish like a mirage. Instead, the notification responded, changing to reveal more information.
"Ohhh! A status bar?" Miya's gasp was one of pure shock.
---
**Name:** Miya Shikamaru
**Exp:** 0/50
**Level:** 1
**Title:** Blown-off Legs
**Strength:** 5
**Agility:** 5
**Senses:** 1
**Stamina:** 5
**Stat Points Available:** 0
---
Miya stared at the information, feeling a mix of fascination and dread. *Is this real?* His stats were mediocre at best, with 'Senses' being the lowest. The title, however, was what struck him most. 'Blown-off Legs' was a grim reminder of what he had just endured.
"Thank you, system," Miya muttered, a bitter smile curling his lips. As strange as it was, this system had somehow brought him back from the brink of death.
[System Info: The Football Evolution System grants its user the tools to become the greatest footballer in history, unlocking new skills and attributes as you progress.]
Miya's mind raced. *A system to make me the greatest footballer? Here?* It seemed ludicrous, given his current situation. He was trapped in a deadly game, and his odds of survival were plummeting by the second.
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Oh, you're finally awake," the voice said, dripping with mockery.
Miya's head snapped up to see the man with the dog-faced mask, his image projected onto a screen embedded in the wall.
"What the hell do you want? Please, just let me go," Miya pleaded, desperation leaking into his voice. His mind was torn between the hope of escape and the grim reality that this nightmare was far from over.
"Aww! Are you saying you didn't enjoy the thrill of the first task? It's not like you died," the man in the mask responded, his tone light and cruel.
"Died?! You think it wasn't painful to lose my leg?" Miya's voice cracked as he looked down at his seemingly untouched legs. He flexed them again, still in disbelief.
"Yes, I do," the masked man said with a sinister calm. "Do you think we kill innocent civilians just for failing a task? No. Here at Limit Breaker, we can stitch you back together at any point, regenerate lost body parts, and so much more, thanks to our research and sponsors. Those who were blown to bits have all been healed and sent home to live out their lives. But those who survive… well, they move on to the next task after a proper rest."
Miya absorbed the information with a sinking heart. "So… does that mean I can go now?" he asked, his voice laced with fragile hope. Even as he spoke, he felt the weight of reality crashing down on him. *There's no way they'd let me go…*
"Who said anything about you leaving, Miya Shikamaru?" The man's tone grew darker, the playful facade slipping just enough to reveal the menace beneath. "You made it past the time limit, and now you're still in Limit Breaker. I implore you to think of the worst and prepare for it!"
Miya's breath caught in his throat. *I'm still trapped… This isn't over.* The reality of his situation settled like a heavy stone in his chest. The system might offer him a chance to grow stronger, but it also meant more challenges—more pain, and perhaps worse fates than losing a leg.
"I'm not done yet, Miya," the man in the mask continued, his voice now a whisper that seemed to echo in Miya's mind. "The games have only just begun. You'll need every ounce of strength, every bit of skill you can muster if you want to survive what comes next. Welcome to the Evolution System. Welcome to your new reality."
As the screen went dark, Miya was left in the silence of his room, the weight of his situation pressing down on him. The system interface hovered in his vision, a cruel reminder of what lay ahead. His heart pounded in his chest, fear and determination warring within him. *I have to survive… I will survive…* But as the dread crept back in, one thing was clear: Limit Breaker wasn't done with him yet.