Chapter Two: The Closer to Defeat, the Stronger I Become

On third down, Hall grabbed his jersey, but the official kept the flag in his pocket. With twenty-eight seconds left, Harbor City reached the Empire twenty-four. Eli was hit as he threw toward the end zone. Lin rose between two defenders and got both hands to the ball. Hall’s helmet struck his ribs at the same instant. The ball came loose. Fourth and ten. Twenty-one seconds. Fail to convert, and the game ended. The system filled his vision again. [LIVE DEFEAT PROBABILITY: 98.9%.] [BASE AMPLIFICATION AT CURRENT-STAGE MAXIMUM.] [ZERO-POINT REACTION REMAINS AVAILABLE.] Eli gathered the offense. “Grant wants an eight-yard curl. Get the first down, then take a shot at the end zone.”