Chapter Three: The Discarded

The System appeared quietly amid the roar. 【Emergency Operations Mission: Seven-Day Survival—Complete.】 【New revenue £24,612; 16 players registered; safety works complete.】 【Rewards: £50,000 cash-flow reserve; Basic Recovery Room upgrade; Talent Lead ×2.】 【Club update: Financial Health 4→12; Cohesion 18→31; Community Loyalty 82→87.】 Lin did not immediately claim the rewards. He watched supporters surround Danny. He watched Eli give his shirt to the girl in yellow. Gary climbed the barrier and led the club song. This was not a strong side. It was barely a complete one. But they had survived. His phone vibrated. Royal Bluehaven had published its preseason squad, and there was no longer a place for Lin in the photograph.