My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 85: Marching On Together

Rio made his walk from the pitch to the tunnel with the captain’s armband adjusting tightly around his bicep.

Since it was halftime and they were 2-0 up, the Elland Road crowd was buzzing, singing "Marching On Together" loud enough to shake the concrete walls.

Winter looked to be settling in early as the evening breeze carried with it a biting chill. Since it was a Wednesday night fixture in October, the frost was already nipping at their ears, signaling the coming of the brutal festive schedule.

Soon the snow would be covering the turf, bringing with it the glorious chaos of English football.

Coming around the corner of the tunnel, he saw that there were already quite a few people gathered near the dressing rooms. The coaching staff and most of the substitutes had arrived early to set up the halftime fluids and tactical boards.

Rio saw his teammate Dan James standing stiffly against the white-tiled wall, his expression one of pain and discomfort.

Seeing Rio from afar, James averted his gaze and tried to look energetic. Yet due to his sprint-heavy first half, even turning his head elicited a painful response causing him to wince.

"Here he is, the magician." Piroe called out with a smile, handing out water bottles.

"Hey Skip, throw me a few more through balls so I can stat-pad, okay?" Rutter said, immediately going into his usual joking routine.

Rio smiled in response, but before he could answer, Manager Farke sent a metaphorical karate chop onto the vibe of the group.

"Stop messing around. We have 15 minutes to reset. The game is not fucking over."

"Everyone seems to be energetic this evening," Rio said, a smile creeping onto his face as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Can you blame us? This is the first time we’ve played sexy football in almost three months." Summerville came over, putting his arm around Rio’s shoulder.

The two had gotten closer over the last month. While it was still a rather new on-pitch partnership, Rio already knew a lot about Crysencio’s movement from the Tactical Blueprint, so it gave the illusion they’d been playing together for years.

Rio nodded, looking over the members present, even spotting Liam Cooper who surprisingly gave him a thumbs up from the bench area.

’Oh? Seems like he’s accepted the vice-captaincy a lot faster than last time. Is it because of my charm?’ He thought, inwardly praising himself.

’Speaking of charm...’

"Where’s Archie?" He saw the other bench players, but the young wonderkid was missing.

"He’s over there getting grilled by the opposition." A small voice came from behind him, causing Rio to spin around.

"Ah, thanks Ethan." He replied to Ampadu.

Rio thought it was a little ironic that the person with the dreadlocks covering his eyes was the first person to find Archie. However, it was only now that he fully understood what was said.

He quickly turned his head, looking towards the tunnel entrance where the QPR captain, Steve Cook, had cornered Archie Gray.

His eyes widened as he saw Archie shifting uncomfortably on his crutches and staring at the ground. Rio instantly felt a pang in his heart, followed by a wave of displeasure and anger.

With his long strides, he quickly made it over to the two players and stood in between Steve Cook and Archie.

His imposing frame, bolstered by the Titan’s Core, now blocked the veteran defender who suddenly had a look of annoyance creep onto his face.

"Mate, I believe your manager is looking for you," Rio said, a fake smile plastered on his face. Rio’s words were as polite as possible, which was quite difficult for him at this point considering Cook had tried to break his legs earlier.

"Eh? Are you messing with me, kid?" Cook lifted his head, looking right into Rio’s face which was only a foot away from him.

Rio did his best to remain calm, but his facial features suddenly turned menacing and his voice dropped a few octaves.

"Go see your manager. Skip-per."

He accentuated the two syllables of the last word, giving off a dangerous atmosphere. This, paired with the expression on his face—the face of a man who had just dismantled their entire defense in 45 minutes—told Cook everything that he needed to know.

"Ha ha ha~ Sorry Wonderboy, we were just chatting," Cook said, patting Rio on the shoulder aggressively.

After doing so, he quickly made his way over to the away dressing room, not turning back.

Since he was a Championship veteran, Cook had often been in confrontations with other hotshots and could often tell who he could walk all over. However, he instinctively knew that Rio was not one of those people, so he quickly gave up.

Even if he were to eke out an unlikely victory in a tunnel fight, it would destroy his team’s already crumbling morale. Plus, he could tell that the referee was watching them like a hawk.

Rio breathed a sigh of relief, not even realizing he had been clenching his fists hard.

[Chat Room Active]

The_King: Good. You stood tall. A King protects his court. But next time, stare until he blinks first.

Total_Football_14: Intimidation is a tactical asset. You have won the mental battle before the second half even begins.

Manager Farke saw the whole thing from the doorway and was quite taken aback. However, an understanding expression formed on his face not long later.

’I guess he is a true leader after all.’ He thought.

In the entire time he’d managed Rio, there was always a mature air around him. He always kept his emotions in check and analyzed tactics rationally, never jumping to conclusions.

Yet here he was, ready to fight for his young teammate’s honor.

"Ah, I wish I could be young again," Farke said, letting out a deep and melancholic sigh as he adjusted his glasses.

"T-Thank you, Skip." Archie said, tugging on Rio’s shirt from behind.

His voice was soothing as usual, however, there was a hint of vulnerability in it, alerting Rio.

He turned around and was suddenly struck dumb.

Staring back at him was definitely Archie as he knew him, yet the sharp club suit and the grateful expression on his face made him seem a little older and more elegant. While it wasn’t as exaggerated as a tuxedo, it held an entirely different kind of charm compared to his usual tracksuits.

Rio couldn’t help but stare at him for a while, causing Archie to blush in response.

"Geez, first my mum and now you. Can’t a guy wear a suit to a game every now and then?" He said shyly, adjusting his tie.

"So handsome." These words came out of Rio’s mouth somehow, likely due to the malfunctioning of his brain after the adrenaline dump.

Instantly Rio felt severe embarrassment assault him, causing him to quickly avert his gaze. Yet inwardly he was screaming at his brain, demanding to see the PR manager who would let him say such a mortifying thing out loud in front of the whole squad.

"I-I mean, sharp. You look sharp. Like a professional," Rio corrected himself quickly, his ears burning.

Archie chuckled, his face still red. "Thanks, Rio. You look okay too. For a guy sweating buckets."

Rio groaned. "Get inside. It’s freezing out here."

Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere was focused but light.

"Okay, listen up!" Farke clapped his hands. "2-0 is dangerous. They will come out angry. Cook will try to kick you. Do not react."

He looked at Rio.

"Rio, keep doing what you are doing. But if you see a chance to kill the game, you take it. No mercy."

"Understood, Boss," Rio nodded.

He sat down next to Rutter.

"Hey," Rutter whispered. "Did you really scare Cook off?"

"He scared himself," Rio shrugged. "He knows he can’t stop us."

"Hehe. You are scary sometimes, Captain."

Rio drank his isotonic fluids. He checked the System.

[Mission: The Leader’s Burden]

[Condition: Win the match as Captain]

[Current Status: 2-0 Lead]

"45 minutes," Rio whispered. "Then we celebrate."

The second half began.

As predicted, QPR came out flying. They pressed high, trying to disrupt Leeds’ rhythm.

50th minute.

Cook smashed into James. A yellow card foul, but the referee waved play on.

"What the fuck!?" James screamed, rolling on the floor.

Rio sprinted over. He didn’t shout at the ref. He just looked at Cook.

Cook looked away.

"Get up, Dan," Rio said, pulling James up. "We punish them with the ball."

55th minute.

Rio received the ball deep. He saw the Tactical Blueprint lines again.

But this time, they were messy. QPR was chaotic.

"Improvise," Cruyff’s voice echoed.

Rio didn’t look for a pass. He started running.

He glided past Dozzell. He nutmegged Field (again).

He was at the edge of the box.

Cook came flying out. A desperate slide tackle.

Rio waited. He waited until the last millisecond.

Then he flicked the ball into the air. The "Sombrero."

The ball went over Cook’s legs. Rio jumped over him.

The crowd gasped.

Rio caught the ball on his chest. He was one-on-one with Begovic.

"Shoot!" The crowd roared.

But Rio saw something else.

Summerville was running in.

Rio headed the ball across the goal.

Summerville leaped like a salmon.

GOAL.

3-0.

"GAME OVER!" The commentator screamed. "RIO LANCE IS PLAYING FIFA IN REAL LIFE!"

Summerville ran to Rio, jumping into his arms.

"You are a god!" Summerville yelled.

Rio laughed. "Just a captain doing his job."

He looked at Cook, who was still lying on the ground, face in the mud.

"Unlucky, Skip," Rio whispered as he walked back to the center circle.

[System Notification]

[Assist Recorded (Primary)]

[Mission Update: The Leader’s Burden - 99% Complete]

Farke was preparing subs. He signaled to the fourth official.

"Number 10 coming off."

Rio saw his number. He applauded the fans.

The entire stadium stood up. A standing ovation.

"RIO! RIO! RIO!"

He walked to the touchline. He took off the armband. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

He walked over to Cooper on the bench and handed it to him.

"Here you go, Skipper," Rio said.

Cooper pushed it back.

"Keep it for the lap of honor, lad," Cooper smiled. "You earned it."

Rio swallowed hard. He felt a lump in his throat.

He walked to the bench, high-fiving Farke.

"Rest now," Farke said, patting his head. "Arsenal is waiting."

Rio sat down. He looked at Archie, who was sitting a few seats away in his suit.

Archie gave him a subtle wave.

Rio waved back.

’So pretty,’ his brain whispered again.

’Shut up,’ Rio thought, burying his face in a towel. ’Just shut up.’

The game wound down. 3-0.