Dynasty Awakening: Building My Own Football Empire-Chapter 244: Midnight Upgrade

Michael laid in bed after the day’s stressful proceedings with the FA and the team, yet instead of being tired, he was itching to try out the new Zone of Chaos option within the system.

He had waited patiently throughout the evening for this very moment.

#NOTICE: IT IS ADVISED THAT USER ENTERS THE ZONE SIMULATION WHEN HE WILL NOT BE DISTURBED.

DOES THE USER WISH TO ENTER ZONE SIMULATION?

[YES/NO]

Michael clicked yes without hesitation, mentally pushing the button that floated in his vision, yet he was met with another notice.

USER’S INFLUENCE CAPABILITIES HAVE NOT MET THE CRITERIA.

REQUIRED INFLUENCE GRADE: S

PLEASE COME BACK ONCE YOU HAVE MET THE MINIMUM GRADE...

Michael’s mouth gaped open and he was instantly dissatisfied.

’What the fuck? Why didn’t you say so in the first place!’ he screamed internally. ’I just survived a disciplinary hearing and bought pizza for twenty-five people! Isn’t that influential enough?’

Yet before he could wallow in despair, he suddenly remembered that he had received an A-grade Charisma Elixir as a reward from the "Survive the Press Conference" mission earlier that week.

"Hehehe. If it’s A-grade it should be enough to bump me up to S grade right?" He rubbed his hands together and moved through the menu and into the inventory section of the system.

[Are you sure you wish to consume: A-grade Charisma Elixir?]

[Yes/No]

Michael quickly said a prayer, hoping with all his heart that it would increase by at least 2 grades. He wasn’t sure how to increase his influence grade otherwise, except maybe by wearing even tighter suits, so this was his only shot at unlocking the new Zone feature of the system before the Liverpool match.

He clicked the Yes button and waited patiently.

DUE TO USER’S INEPT INFLUENCE GRADE, THERE MAY BE SOME ADDITIONAL UNEXPECTED PAIN WHILE THE SYSTEM ADMINISTERS THE ELIXIR.

Seeing the bold writing flash in front of him, Michael blinked a few times, yet he steeled his heart in the next moment. He had lived a life of pain managing Diego Nunez for two years, so he was confident that he would be able to deal with some momentary pain.

Yet in the next moment, he felt his throat throb before a splitting and agonizing burning sensation shocked his vocal cords. It was like someone had poured liquid fire down his throat, threatening to melt his voice box to pieces.

Michael did not see, but another notification appeared on the system while he was writhing in pain on the bed.

SYSTEM HAS DETECTED ABNORMAL LEVELS OF PAIN IN THE USER. COMMENCING MUTE FUNCTION.

Michael howled out in pain, unable to keep his mouth shut from the pure agony he was experiencing. However, it sounded like a whisper, blending in with the soothing sound of the rain hitting his Yorkshire window.

The screams did little to help alleviate the pain that was wreaking havoc on his throat, yet he found some solace in burying his head in the pillow, albeit a small amount.

After what seemed like an eternity, Michael felt the torture receding slowly until it was gone altogether. His body was now soaked in cold sweat as he stared at the ceiling after the intense battle.

Despite it being dark, he felt as if he could speak with much more authority, even picking up on the small inflections he would have either missed or ignored previously. He felt like he could convince a cat to become a dog.

[You have consumed: A-grade Charisma Elixir.]

[Influence grade has been increased by 4!]

USER STATS:

Tactical Knowledge: B+

Man Management: A

Media Handling: A

Negotiation: B

Influence: S

Skills: 5

"S!?" Michael shot up in fright. He had jumped 4 grades from A- all the way to S and all it took was what seemed like an eternity of torture...

Although he was happy, he now grew a little warier towards the system’s Elixirs. Michael could already feel that his voice had a new weight to it, a resonance that commanded attention.

He even had a feeling that he would be able to achieve twice the results while negotiating contracts. Not only this, he felt that his speeches were easier to access, especially those from his past victories.

"Now that that’s done... It’s time for the Zone Simulation."

#NOTICE: IT IS ADVISED THAT USER ENTERS THE ZONE SIMULATION WHEN HE WILL NOT BE DISTURBED.

DOES THE USER WISH TO ENTER ZONE SIMULATION?

[YES/NO]

"Yes."

Michael suddenly felt his consciousness waver as he fell back onto his pillow. His surroundings were dark for a moment before light particles started to appear all around him.

In the next moment, the light particles assembled themselves into a football pitch. But this was no ordinary pitch, he recognized this field as Anfield. The terrifying home of Liverpool.

"Anfield..."

It was surreal to see the stage that he had feared to visit currently empty, yet echoing with the ghostly sound of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

PLEASE CHOOSE A SCENARIO TO PRACTICE.

#ZONE SIMULATION MENU:

DEFENSIVE SIEGE (Locked)

COUNTER ATTACK CHAOS

POSSESSION CONTROL

Michael was a little disheartened upon seeing that the Defensive Siege section was locked, however, he had been expecting it. It would have been nice to at least practice parking the bus against Salah and Nunez, even if it was just inside his mind.

However, what he needed now were skills that would allow him to become a better manager and steal a win at Anfield. Now that they had almost a week before the match, Liverpool would likely study their "Chameleon" tactic and could dismantle it.

He debated for a little while before choosing to do some Counter Attack Chaos. The biggest difference between him and Klopp was their chaos capabilities. While Klopp loved heavy metal football, Michael’s Misfits played jazz—improvisational and messy.

#CHAOS MISSIONS:

Complete 50 successful nutmegs - 100 Influence points + Bronze Lottery ticket

Force opponent to commit 20 fouls - 100 Influence points + B-grade Shin Pad Elixir (for Diego)

Score 10 goals from own half - 100 Influence points + Silver Lottery ticket

Don’t concede for 90 minutes - 100 Influence points

Win by 5 goals - 1000 Influence points + A-grade Tactical Insight Elixir + Gold Lottery ticket

PLEASE PICK UP THE WHISTLE AND HEAD TO THE TECHNICAL AREA TO BEGIN THE SIMULATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT TIME HERE IS ALIGNED WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

Michael looked at the whistle floating in front of him. It was silver and shiny.

"Win by 5 goals at Anfield?" Michael muttered to himself. "That’s fucking impossible. Even in a dream."

But then he remembered Diego Nunez. He remembered Kaito Tanaka. He remembered the pineapple pizza.

"Impossible is just a word for people who don’t have Misfits," Michael grinned.

He grabbed the whistle. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Let’s see what happens when we unleash the Zone of Chaos."

The simulation began. The stands filled with ghostly red shirts. The noise became deafening.

And on the pitch, eleven purple figures materialized.

Diego Nunez was already running in circles, shouting at a ghost.

"Perfect," Michael whispered. "Let the chaos begin."