The Santiago Bernabéu hummed with restless energy under the floodlights, its steep stands casting shadows that seemed to lean inward like giants watching a gladiator. Ibukun adjusted his gloves, feeling the System's golden text burn across his vision:
***UCL SEMIFINAL MISSION***
→ **3 GOALS** (Reward: *Elite Finisher* trait + €300K)
→ **5 DRIBBLES** (Reward: 2,000 SP)
→ **FAILURE:** -15% first touch (next 2 matches)
Across the pitch, Kyle Walker cracked his neck like a prize fighter.
---
### **First Half: The Dance**
**0'-10': The Gauntlet**
City pressed like a blue tsunami. Rodri's first crunching tackle sent Ibukun sprawling, the impact vibrating through his ribs. The referee waved play on.
***SYSTEM NOTICE***
*"Walker's weak side: hesitates when you feint left"*
**18': First Blood (City)**
A rare Courtois mistake. His clearance hit Dias and fell to Haaland, who buried it with glacial calm. **0-1.**
The crowd's groan became a war cry when Vini responded five minutes later - collecting Modrić's pass with a velvet touch before curling an impossible shot around Ederson. **1-1.**
**33': The Awakening**
A loose ball at midfield. Ibukun saw Walker's weight shift a millisecond early - enough.
One touch to kill it.
Two steps to accelerate.
Three defenders left stumbling as he unleashed a 25-yard missile that kissed the crossbar on its way in. **2-1.**
The stadium detonated. Camavinga lifted him off his feet as the System updated:
***MISSION PROGRESS***
→ Goals: 1/3
→ Dribbles: 2/5
---
### **Second Half: The Crucible**
Pep's adjustment came at halftime - Stones became a permanent shadow, his tactical foules masterfully discreet.
**53': City's Reply**
De Bruyne's free kick found Akanji's forehead. **2-2.**
The System pulsed red:
***ADAPT OR FAIL***
→ **Exploit Stones' high line (67% success)**
→ **Use Bellingham as decoy**
**68': The Gambit**
A rehearsed move - Bellingham's dummy run dragged Dias away just enough. Ibukun's first touch was a redirection rather than a trap, sending the ball through Stones' legs before volleying past Ederson. **3-2.**
***MISSION UPDATE***
→ Goals: 2/3
→ Dribbles: 4/5
**77': The Equalizer**
Rüdiger's rare misjudgment let Foden slip through. **3-3.**
The air grew thick with tension.
---
### **The Deciding Act**
**86': The Moment**
Valverde's interception. Kroos' raking pass. Ibukun's first touch was a feint - the ball never actually stopped moving as he turned Walker inside out.
The finish was surgical - low, across Ederson into the far corner. **4-3.**
The roar shook Madrid's foundations. Ancelotti's usually stoic face cracked open in disbelief.
***MISSION COMPLETE***
→ **Rewards:**
- *Elite Finisher* (composure +20% in box)
- €300,000 deposited
- 2,000 SP
---
### **The Afterglow**
In the locker room, Modrić tossed him an ice pack. "You run like you've got three lungs."
Vini grinned. "Wait till he sees your recovery tomorrow."
They didn't know the truth - that while his teammates would wake stiff and bruised, Ibukun's body would reset like a machine after precisely 7.2 hours of sleep. The System's greatest gift and deepest curse.
Florentino's hand on his shoulder. "This is just the beginning."
The System's final message pulsed as the adrenaline faded:
***WARNING***
→ **Neural Strain:** 92% (Reset in 7h12m)
→ **Next Threshold:** Unknown
---