The Greatest of all Time

673  Sparks in the Darkness

With renewed focus, Zachary turned his attention to the Random Technique Upgrade Token. This was the final piece of the puzzle, the last step in his planned transformation for the day. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Summoning the coin-like token, he watched it appear in his hand, glowing with an otherworldly light. He knew that using this token would randomly upgrade one of his techniques, potentially giving him an edge that most players could only dream of.

Taking a deep breath, he activated the token. The light it exuded intensified, enveloping him in a warm glow. A surge of energy coursed through his body, targeting his neural pathways and muscle memory. His mind buzzed with new information, and blurry images flashed with his every thought as one of his core techniques was refined.

The process lasted only a few moments, but Zachary felt a profound change when it was finally over. He accessed the system interface to see which technique had been upgraded.

A flicker of disappointment flashed through his eyes as they landed on his Soccer Technique section. He had hoped to raise his Dribbling Skills to the SSS grade first. Instead, the random upgrade token raised the level of his "Ball Control" stat to the SSS grade.

Nevertheless, he readily suppressed his disappointment. He sighed, understanding that the change was still beneficial to him.

"Ball Control" was a foundational skill that could do wonders if trained to an incredible level, like the SSS grade. It was the bedrock of all technical skills, enabling better dribbling, passing, and shooting. With impeccable ball control, one could effectively dictate the game's tempo, making them more formidable on the field.

Zachary observed his stats for the last time before dismissing the system interface with a mental command. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction as he rose from his bed.

He had pushed his limits and emerged sturdier, more capable, and more determined than ever. His journey was far from over, but he was better equipped to face whatever lay ahead.

He stole a quick glance at his phone and saw that it was almost 1:00 PM - just about time for Kristin to call him for lunch. In need of a refresh, he headed to the bathroom for a brisk shower, shedding off the day's weariness and sweat.

Emerging from the shower, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and couldn't help but notice the transformation. His complexion seemed smoother, his muscles more defined, and his eyes held a fierce determination reminiscent of a battle-hardened warrior. Tying back his braided hair with a scrunchie, he suited up in a fresh Nike tracksuit, ready to face the rest of the day.

Emerging from his bedroom, he spotted Kristin putting the finishing touches on lunch, just as he had anticipated. She extended an invitation to join her for the meal, and soon, they were seated at the table, relishing the delicious food.

After the satisfying meal, Zachary expressed his gratitude to Kristin and then excused himself, making a beeline for his secluded gym at the rear of his residence.

His immediate goal was to engage in exercises targeted at helping his body adapt to his newfound abilities. Despite the assistance provided by the mental conditioning elixir in this area, Zachary still yearned to employ traditional gym routines to further enhance his mastery over his physical faculties.

The gym was stocked with modern training equipment, thanks to the meticulousness of Kristin and Bjørn Peters, his fitness trainer. The two of them had taken the time to travel to Abidjan while he was still in Turin and had filled the place with all the necessary equipment.

Zachary readily entered the room and started exercising. He didn't overwork himself but did light exercises, only aiming at improving his body control and coordination at a manageable pace.

He began with a few balance drills, using a Bosu ball to challenge his stability. He then moved on to agility ladders, weaving in and out to enhance and grasp his footwork and quickness.

Afterward, he did single-leg squats and lunges while maintaining perfect form to refine his core strength and balance. Finally, he spent time on the resistance bands, working on his lateral movements and explosive power.

As the evening arrived, he finished his training session and left the gym feeling accomplished. After hydrating with several glasses of water, he headed to his bedroom, where a refreshing shower awaited before he dove into bed for a quick nap.

His awareness drifted into slumberland until a sudden knock on the door jolted him awake. He opened his eyes and immediately noticed the evening darkness that had already descended outside. Hastily rising from his bed, he walked to the door and pulled it open, only to find Kristin standing there.

"You've been asleep for nearly three hours, and it's nearly eight now," she said, her voice soft. "Dinner's all set. Come, let's eat together."

"I'll be there soon," Zachary replied, returning to his room. He splashed cold water on his face at the sink, allowing it to rejuvenate him fully. Feeling more alert, he headed to the dining room, ready to enjoy the meal and Kristin's company.

As they ate, their conversation gradually turned to their plans for the next day, their journey to Bukavu, and how long Zachary intended to stay there.

"We'll spend two nights in Bukavu," Zachary said, "and then head back to Turin to wait for Emily to finalize the negotiations with Liverpool. As long as we get the green light, I can sign the new contract, and we can start the moving process."

Kristin nodded thoughtfully. "We'll need to apply for English visas since Britain isn't in the Schengen area."

"I'll leave all that to you, Kristin," Zachary said, smiling. "If the move to Liverpool works out, I trust you'll handle everything."

Kristin smiled and was about to reply. But just then, the power flickered, and the house was plunged into darkness.

The sudden change startled them, but Zachary quickly reached for his phone to use the flashlight. Standing up from the table, he said, "It should be the occasional power outage, the load shedding that sometimes happens in Abidjan. Let's check the generator."

Kristin complied, and they moved through the darkened house together, their steps cautious. The generator was in the shade outside the back of the house, and the night air was cool and refreshing.

As they arrived before the generator, Zachary started fumbling with the controls, trying to get it to start. But as someone only obsessed with football, he failed.

Kristin stepped closer, saying, "Let me help." As she stretched out her arm, their hands brushed against each other, sending an unexpected jolt through Zachary. He subconsciously glanced at her, their eyes meeting in the dim light. The closeness, the touch, it all felt electric.

Zachary's heart raced as Kristin's fingers deftly navigated the generator's controls. The darkness around them seemed to magnify the intimacy of the moment. He could hear her soft, steady breathing and feel the warmth of her body close to his with his newly enhanced perception. The cool night air contrasted sharply with the heat rising between them.

"Here, try this," Kristin said, her voice barely above a whisper. She guided his hand to a lever, their fingers interlacing briefly.

Zachary swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "Okay," he managed to say, his voice a bit hoarse. He followed her instructions, and with some effort, the generator roared to life, and the lights flickered back on.

They stood there for a few more seconds, bathed in the soft glow, their faces inches apart. The tension was almost tangible now, an invisible thread pulling them together. Zachary could see the reflection of the generator's light in Kristin's amber-brown eyes and how her lips parted slightly as she caught her breath.

"Thank you," Zachary said, his voice barely more than a whisper. He was vividly aware of how really close they were and the charged atmosphere between them.

Kristin smiled softly. "It's what I'm here for," she replied, her voice equally quiet.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The world outside seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them standing in the glow of the generator. The air was thick with unspoken words and feelings they had long buried, a magnetic pull that neither could ignore.

Zachary felt his resolve wavering. He wanted to lean in, to close the gap between them, but he hesitated, unsure of how Kristin would react. She seemed to sense his internal struggle, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"Kristin," he began, his voice shaky, "I..."

But before he could finish, Kristin took a small step back, breaking the spell. She glanced away, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "We should probably get back inside," she said, her tone returning to a more professional demeanor.

Zachary nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment flooding through him. "Yeah, you're right."

They returned to the house in silence, the moment of closeness lingering between them. Once inside, the normalcy of their surroundings seemed almost jarring.

Zachary couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just happened, something that had the potential to change everything.

As they returned to the dining room, the conversation quickly shifted back to their plans. They discussed logistics, travel arrangements, and the upcoming negotiations with Liverpool.

Everything seemed just as before. But the electric moment by the generator remained at the forefront of Zachary's mind, a tantalizing hint of possibilities that could have been.