Victor Kane's office was quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the corner that had been misbehaving all season. He had meant to call someone about it, but there always seemed to be a match or training session or some other pressing matter to handle. Now, the season was over, and it was finally quiet. Too quiet.
That letter still sat on his desk. An offer from Blackburn Rovers, one of the more storied clubs in the Championship, inviting him to take the reins and lead them into a new era of success. The terms were nothing short of dazzling—more money than he had ever thought possible, a bigger stage, and endless possibilities. They didn't say much about Burton Albion. They didn't have to. He had saved the club, but now they wanted him to move on. Victor frowned, running his finger along the edge of the envelope as if touching it might make the decision easier.
He had avoided relegation, completing the system's hidden mission—a feat that came with its own strange rewards. They were stored within the system now, locked away in the shimmering interface that only he could see. The manual itself pulsed faintly in his mind, a reminder of what it had given him and what it could still offer.
Victor opened the system interface, letting his thoughts flow freely. A string of glowing text appeared before him:
Hidden Mission Completed: Avoid Relegation
Rewards Claimed:
New Tactical Skill Unlocked: Fang SequenceAdvanced Player Synchronization ModuleEnhanced Stamina BuffSnake Tactics Upgrade: Level II
Meanwhile, Burton Albion's fans were in turmoil. The whispers about Blackburn's offer had turned into full-blown rumors. Social media was ablaze with speculation, and even the quietest corners of town were buzzing with uncertainty.
"Did you see the post from Blackburn's fan page?" Martin asked, pulling out his phone at The Yellow Lion Pub. "They're already calling him Victor the Visionary. What about us?" His pint sat untouched on the table, a rare sight. Liam shook his head, scrolling through his own feed. "I don't know, mate. If he leaves, we're doomed. Drift, Coil… all of it goes with him."
Gary leaned back, his face serious. "There's no way he leaves. He didn't save us just to walk away."
But no one seemed convinced. At least, not yet.
What the fans didn't know was that Burton Albion's chairman, Arthur Wilkins, was already in the middle of his own upheaval. Upstairs in the club's modest boardroom, he was sitting across from Lucien Devereaux, a tall, impeccably dressed man whose silver hair glinted under the fluorescent lights. Lucien was the lead investor of a private equity group known for turning struggling clubs into rising stars. He had arrived with a calm smile and an offer Arthur couldn't ignore.
"We'll clear the debts," Lucien said, his tone steady and smooth. "Upgrade the facilities, modernize your operations, and ensure Burton Albion competes not just to survive, but to thrive. But there's one condition."
Arthur leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "And that is?"
Lucien's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Victor Kane stays as head coach. That is non-negotiable."
The weight of the words hung heavy in the air. Arthur knew the fans wouldn't take the news of a sale lightly, but the club's financial situation was dire. The debts were piling up, and without drastic action, survival wouldn't mean much in the long run. After a moment of silence, Arthur nodded. "I'll speak to him."
Victor was walking through town when Arthur found him. The chairman looked unusually flushed, as though he had spent the last hour sprinting through paperwork rather than strolling down the high street. "Victor," he called out, catching up to the coach near a street vendor selling roasted peanuts. "We need to talk."
Victor raised an eyebrow, accepting a handful of peanuts from the vendor before turning to Arthur. "And what's this about?"
Arthur hesitated before spilling the news. "The club's being sold. We've found investors—Lucien Devereaux and his group. They're willing to save us, but… they'll only buy if you agree to stay."
Victor tilted his head, letting the words sink in. He chewed thoughtfully on a peanut. "And you want me to stay?"
Arthur nodded earnestly. "I think you should. For the club, for the fans… for what you've started here."
Victor didn't answer right away, his mind racing through possibilities. The system pulsed faintly in the back of his thoughts, its logic intertwined with the moment. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. I'll stay."
The news broke the next morning, sending shockwaves through Burton and beyond. "Burton Albion Sold to Devereaux Group" was plastered across headlines, accompanied by images of Lucien shaking hands with Arthur in the boardroom. At the press conference, Lucien Devereaux stood tall and composed, his voice smooth as honey as he addressed the room full of reporters.
"Our vision for Burton Albion is growth, modernization, and success," Lucien said, his smile almost too polished. "And under Victor Kane's leadership, we believe this club can achieve extraordinary things."
Victor sat to the side, his expression neutral but his thoughts anything but. When the questions came, they were rapid-fire.
"Mr. Kane, how do you feel about the sale?"
Victor shrugged lightly. "It's a big change, but change can be good. We'll see."
"What convinced you to stay on as head coach?"
"The team. The fans. And the belief that there's still more to do here."
Lucien's polished answers reassured some, but others—especially the fans—felt unease creeping in. Private investors didn't always bring good fortune, and while Victor's presence was comforting, the unknowns were hard to ignore.
Later that evening, Victor returned to his office. The Snake Tactics Manual shimmered faintly, its text glowing with subtle updates. The system had quietened during the season's closing weeks, but now, it seemed almost… eager. Victor accessed the storage function, where the manual had been carefully placed. The rewards pulsed before him:
Season Objective Rewards:
Skill Enhancement: Drift + Coil FusionNew Tactical Buff: Pressure ConvergenceExpanded Tactical Library AccessSeason Record Achieved: 6 Wins Consecutively