The bitter tang of disappointment lingered in the air as Lee Jin-Soo sat on the worn-out bench, his gaze fixated on the football field bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. The rhythmic sound of footballs being kicked around echoed through the empty stadium, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere during practice hours.

It had been three months since that unfortunate day when Jin-Soo’s world turned upside down. His knee, once a wellspring of speed and agility on the field, now bore the scars of an injury that brought his dreams crashing down. A routine tackle during a crucial match left him writhing in agony, his tendons protesting against the force that tore through them.

The diagnosis was devastating—severe ligament damage, extensive rehabilitation, and a grim prognosis that whispered an uncertain future in his ears. Football, the very essence of Jin-Soo’s existence, was snatched away in an instant, leaving an emptiness that seemed impossible to fill.

Despair settled upon Jin-Soo like an uninvited guest, casting a shadow over everything he once held dear. School became a monotonous routine, friends drifted away, and the once-beloved football boots lay abandoned in the corner of his room, gathering dust.

Loneliness became Jin-Soo’s constant companion, his heart aching for the adrenaline rush of the game, the camaraderie with teammates, and the joy of scoring a winning goal. But with his injury, those moments now felt like distant memories, taunting him with their unreachable allure.

As evening descended upon the city, Jin-Soo’s thoughts wandered to the football field where he had once thrived. He longed to feel the grass beneath his cleats, to hear the cheers of the crowd, to lose himself in the rhythm of the game.

But fate had other plans for him, and for now, Lee Jin-Soo remained a spectator, resigned to watching from the sidelines as life passed by without the one thing that had always given him purpose—football.

Little did he know, however, that an unexpected turn of events was about to jolt him out of his desolation, leading him on a path where the boundaries between reality and a fantastical new realm would blur in ways unimaginable.

It was a mundane Tuesday afternoon when Jin-Soo trudged back from school, shoulders slumped and mind clouded with thoughts of what could have been. As he reached his room, a peculiar notification appeared not on his phone but in the form of a sudden and startling projection—a series of holographic panels materializing before his eyes.

“New Message: Game System Initiated.”

Jin-Soo staggered backward in shock, his eyes widening at the unexpected sight. His long black hair fell slightly over his eyes as he stared, mouth agape, at the cryptic and vivid interface suspended in mid-air.

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Without any clear indication of what to do next, Jin-Soo hesitantly extended a hand toward the mesmerizing panels. The holographic interface responded to his touch, revealing three faced-backward cards shimmering on the display.

Intrigued yet bewildered by this surreal occurrence, Jin-Soo selected one card at random. The card flipped, and to his astonishment, a notification appeared, revealing an unexpected windfall of 1,000,000,000 Korean won (approximately $900,000 USD).

“1 billion won?” Jin-Soo’s voice quivered in disbelief. The unexpected fortune left him stunned yet exhilarated, not comprehending the magnitude of this rare draw from the holographic system.

As the evening approached, Jin-Soo delved deeper into the holographic interface, discovering the system’s shop—a treasure trove offering various items from equipment to strategy books, even items containing the spirits of legendary football players.

“What’s in the shop?” Jin-Soo murmured aloud, his curiosity intensifying. He scrolled through the available items, and one particular item caught his eye: “Bauru: Item containing the spirit of a legendary footballer.”

“Bauru?” Jin-Soo’s brow furrowed in wonder at the enigmatic name. Though uncertain of its significance, a strong sense of intrigue and curiosity overwhelmed him, prompting him to purchase the item.

Moments after confirming the purchase, a brilliant glow enveloped the room, and the spirit of a football legend materialized before him.

“I am Pelé, the spirit within Bauru. I shall guide and train you,” the spectral figure announced with a reassuring smile.

“Pelé?” Jin-Soo’s voice quivered in awe, realizing the gravity of the item he had acquired. He was now accompanied by the spirit of one of football’s greatest icons.

As twilight settled in, Jin-Soo’s excitement soared to new heights. The prospect of being mentored by Pelé, the spirit encapsulated within Bauru, fueled an unprecedented vigor within him. His long black hair gently swayed as he eagerly awaited the guidance offered by this extraordinary holographic acquisition.

Armed with Pelé’s guidance and a newfound sense of purpose, Jin-Soo’s heart surged with determination, signaling the start of an extraordinary journey—one that transcended the boundaries of reality and delved deep into the legendary spirit’s teachings within the Football Skill System.

Taking a deep breath, Jin-Soo gazed earnestly at the spectral figure before him. “Pele, teach me how to play like you,” he implored, his voice laced with admiration and determination.

Pelé regarded him with a knowing smile, acknowledging Jin-Soo’s injury. “To play like me, you must first relearn the basics, my friend. Start with rebuilding strength, focusing on ball control, precision passes, and agility. Embrace the Ginga style—a fluid, dance-like movement with the ball. It’s not just a skill, it’s an expression of joy in playing football.”

Jin-Soo nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes despite the impediment of his injury. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he vowed, driven by a fervent desire to master the artistry of Ginga.

With a warm smile, Pelé nodded in encouragement, his spectral form slowly dissipating, leaving Jin-Soo to contemplate the forthcoming journey.

Returning home, Jin-Soo lay in bed, the day’s events swirling in his mind. Tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter dedicated to relentless training, relearning the basics, and embracing the essence of Ginga—a style of football that embodied joy, fluidity, and creativity.

His long black hair framed his determined expression as he closed his eyes, envisioning the drills and exercises he would undertake to master Ginga. Sleep embraced him, bringing dreams of a future where his movements echoed the dance of the ball, where his style was an ode to the spirit of Pelé’s Ginga.

And as Jin-Soo drifted into slumber, his heart resonated with an unwavering resolve—a resolve that whispered of endless possibilities and the promise of a journey that would mold him into a footballer transcending mere skill, guided by the spirit of a legend and inspired by the Ginga style.