Richard woke up earlier than his alarm clock.
It was 4:57 AM.
The sky in Utrecht was still pitch black, the chill permeating the room like a breeze from a giant refrigerator.
He sat on the edge of the bed, holding his head. "First day… don't be late."
Aquila, sleeping on the small sofa, squirmed awake. His blond hair was disheveled.
"You're leaving already?" he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes," Richard replied, putting on his training jersey. "The coach said I have to arrive 90 minutes early."
Aquila approached and adjusted Richard's jacket collar. "Then go show them that Indonesian fire."
Richard smiled slightly.
"See you later."
He left the room, waving through the bone-chilling wind. His breath was puffing out like smoke.
"This is… hell week, huh?" he muttered.
---
1. Arriving at the Field Too Early
Richard arrived at the training center at 5:46 AM.
The gate had just been opened by the guard.
The field was still dark. The floodlights weren't fully on yet. Only one person had arrived: Coach Bram.
The coach eyed Richard as if assessing a new item.
"Early," he said curtly.
"Coach said to come earlier," Richard replied.
Coach Bram pointed to the treadmill in the neighboring gym. "Warm-up. Thirty minutes. Incline 4. Speed 10. No stopping."
Richard nodded. "Ready."
He ran.
And immediately realized: the treadmills at professional club gyms were different.
His steps bounced harder. The pace was steady without pauses. His breathing became audible in the first few minutes.
After just 10 minutes, his calves were already burning.
It was different from training in Indonesia.
But he persevered.
The full 30 minutes.
When he got off, his legs were shaking.
But Coach Bram simply said:
"Good. Take the ball. Wall passing. 300 reps."
Richard smiled weakly.
"This is truly hell week."
---
2. Other Players Arrive
Morning began to lighten. Other players arrived.
One of them—who Richard hoped wouldn't show up yet—was Jeroen.
The blond local player stopped at the gym door and stared at Richard, who was still holding the ball.
"Oh, look. Asian boy arrived early," he said with a sardonic laugh. "Trying to impress the coaches, huh?"
Richard didn't answer.
He just focused on bouncing the ball.
Soon, someone friendlier appeared: Mateo Alvarez, the Spanish player who had greeted him the day before.
"Morning, Hermano," Mateo said.
"Are you training alone?"
Richard nodded. "Special program."
Mateo patted him on the shoulder. "Welcome to Europe, buddy. Here… everything is 'special.' Even the things you don't ask for."
Jeroen snorted. "He still won't last long."
Mateo glared. "Cut it, Jeroen."
But Jeroen just chuckled and continued walking.
Richard took a breath.
It was just the beginning of the day.
---
3. Coach's Briefing
At 8:00 a.m., all the players gathered in the indoor room.
The coach began the briefing.
"For the next week," said Coach De Vries, "we want to see how quickly you can adapt. This isn't just about technique. It's about mentality."
He looked at each player one by one.
"Those of you who adapt slowly will be relegated to the reserves. Those of you who are slowest… will be sent home."
Many players glanced at each other anxiously.
Richard didn't move.
The coach continued.
"Today's focus: tempo, passing, and decision-making."
Then he looked at Richard for a moment.
"Some of you… need to make decisions faster than yesterday."
It was clearly directed at him.
Richard straightened up.
He didn't want to disappoint.
---
4. Training Begins — Europe's Crazy Tempo
The field was finally fully lit. The cold wind hit his face.
Richard was ready.
But as soon as the coach blew the whistle—
Richard was immediately left behind.
The training pace in Europe was no joke.
All movements had to be fast.
There was no time to think.
No time to rest.
Pressing run
Passing pattern
Ball circulation
Short sprint
Long sprint
Richard was already steaming from his head after just 15 minutes.
"Faster, Richard!" shouted Coach Bram.
"Decision! Too slow!"
"Ball! Don't lose it!"
Richard chased after the ball, sliding too fast, lifting the grass.
Jeroen laughed. "Look at him! Even his tackle is ugly."
But Mateo reprimanded him: "Shut up and focus."
Richard got up, enduring the pain in his knee.
"It's only morning…" he thought.
---
5. The Big Impact
The fast passing drill began. Richard had to receive the ball, turn, and then send a pass to the right.
But Jeroen approached too quickly.
Richard lost momentum.
BANG!
His body was thrown.
"Hey!!" Mateo shouted. "It's training, not war!"
Jeroen shrugged. "If he can't handle normal contact, he should go home."
The coach blew the whistle loudly.
"Jeroen! Enough!"
But the coach's gaze clearly said:
Richard… get up. Show that you belong here.
Richard gritted his teeth.
He got up slowly.
He endured the pain in his shoulder.
"One more time, Coach," he said.
The coach didn't smile, but his eyes looked at him with a hint of appreciation.
---
6. Sudden Adaptation
Training continued.
And something began to change.
Richard began reading the patterns more quickly.
His feet began to pick up the tempo.
He began to adapt little by little.
When a ball came too fast—
Richard controlled it with one touch, turned, and then delivered a precise pass to Mateo.
Mateo grinned. "Yes! That's it, Hermano!"
The coach jotted something down on a tablet.
Jeroen scowled.
For the first time since morning, Richard felt a glimmer of confidence.
---
7. The Toughest Challenge: Mini-Game
The coach divided the players into two teams.
Richard's Team:
• Richard
• Mateo
• Van Houten
• Kim
• Sergio
The opposing team (including Jeroen):
• Jeroen
• Lars
• Yuri
• Deen
• Paolo
"Small goals, no goalkeeper," the coach explained. "High tempo. Off-the-ball attacks. No hard sliding."
The mini-game began.
Jeroen's team immediately attacked.
Jeroen executed a quick 1-2, sending the ball to Lars, who nearly scored.
Richard cut off the movement and blocked the ball with his body.
But two players immediately pressed him.
"Rich! Here!" Mateo shouted.
Richard sent a short pass—
Mateo received it—
A quick combination occurred.
Richard moved to find space.
Mateo sent a through ball.
Richard received it—and Jeroen immediately tacked him on.
"Got you," Jeroen muttered.
Richard thought quickly.
System, activate focus!
As if the system heard him, the world seemed to slow down for a moment.
Richard changed direction quickly, his body twisting, passing Jeroen by mere centimeters.
Mateo shouted, "GO! GO!"
Richard kicked into the small goal.
UP!
The ball went in.
The mini-game stopped.
Everyone turned.
Coach De Vries studied Richard with an unreadable expression… then nodded.
That was it.
But it was more than praise.
---
8. Reward System
When practice is over—
---
DING!
[Progress: Quest "First Week of Hell" — 32%]
Criteria achieved:
✓ Not giving up
✓ Adapting to the tempo
✓ One significant contribution in a mini-game
Daily bonus:
+1 Speed (temporary)
+0.5 Mental Strength
Richard almost smiled.
This was just the beginning.
---
9. Conclusion of Day One
After practice, Mateo sat next to Richard on the bench.
"How was the first day?" Mateo asked with a chuckle.
"Like hell," Richard answered honestly.
Mateo patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Because in hell… great players are made."
Jeroen passed by with a sharp glance. "Enjoy your day, Asia boy. Tomorrow will be worse."
Richard didn't respond.
He just stared at the now-empty field.
Cold.
Windy.
Quiet.
But it also felt like a stage for the future.
Richard clenched his fists.
"Tomorrow… I'll be faster."
And with that, the first day of hell week officially ended.
There were six days left — and things were about to get even harder.