Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kai rubbed the back of his neck, still sore after Yuze slapped it—multiple times, by the way.

Now, they were having a conversation about how the game went in their holding room, with Yuze going on and on about the mistakes they made during the game.

However, Kai couldn't concentrate on his words since his system had provided him with upgrades.

[Project Slam Dunk: Completed]

[XP: +50]

[Official game win: +20 XP]

[Total XP increase: +70]

[Congratulations! You have increased in level. You are now a Rising Rookie (26)]

[Progression System will increase in difficulty]

*XP Sources:*

- Official Training: +5 XP per session

- Official Matches: +10 XP per win, -10 XP per loss.

- Unofficial Games: +5 XP per game, -5 XP per loss.

- Weekly quests: Varied XP rewards based on difficulty and accomplishment.

- Personal training: Varied XP rewards based on hard work and effort.

[The usual progression system will only be applicable after the weekly quest has been accomplished.]

[Weekly quests with 'quotas' that are done throughout the week will proceed with the usual progression.]

[Reach 100 XP points and move to the next level!]

[You have earned a skill: Anchor Stance - Unyielding stability against opponent's pushes]

Kai smiled as he watched another skill added to his roster. He now had a total of four skills: Simple Fake, Quantum Leap, Guard Wall, and Anchor Stance. Although other players must have a plethora of skills under their sleeves, Kai was satisfied with gaining four skills in such a short amount of time.

However, he would have liked it better if he had earned the 'Slam Dunk' skill instead!

Just then, he felt another blow to the back of his head, causing him to snap out of his thoughts. He lifted his head to glare at the culprit, only to see Yuze looking at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"We are discussing your mistakes, yet are you still smiling?" Yuze asked.

Kai pursed his lips. He wasn't even smiling about his mistakes! And besides, what if he was smiling? Couldn't he feel happy that they won their first game in the league?

Yuze massaged the bridge of his nose while shaking his head.

"Anyway," Yuze said. "I hope this serves as a lesson for all of you. The game is not over until the last buzzer is heard and the scoreboard is finalized. So, don't be complacent and hang on the basketball rim like a chimpanzee while your opponent is already plotting their next moves," he continued, obviously directing the words at Kai.

"It's a good thing that the gap was larger at that point. If it weren't, then we would have made our way to the loser's bracket."

Kai clicked his tongue but didn't say anything anymore since he knew he was also at fault in the situation. He wasn't alone in it, though! The other players, even those on the Dolphins' side, were also dumbfounded.

It was only Chuyi who plotted the last shot, after all.

Lina shook her head in amusement as she watched Yuze scold the team. She had known Yuze for more than a year now, and she could see the fire burning in his eyes. No matter how much he scolded the team, it was also evident that he was proud they were able to beat the Dolphins—a team they couldn't even beat before.

"Yuze," Lina said, having enough of his scolding. "Aren't you going to say something nice to the team?"

The Shizi Dogs looked up to their captain with wide eyes, wanting to hear a compliment from his lips.

Yuze looked away from them before gulping loudly.

"Good job, I guess," he muttered quickly. "You were able to pull it off even without me."

Kun clapped loudly after Yuze said those words. He stood from his seat and wrapped an arm around his best friend's neck.

"That's all I need to hear," Kun said. "You did a great job, too, captain! Thanks for trusting in us."

The other players nodded sincerely, and even Kai, whose neck was still sore, subtly bowed at their team captain.

"Although," Kun continued, grabbing the others' attention. "It would be nicer if you treated us to some pizza, too?"

The team cheered even louder, causing Yuze to shake his head in amusement.

"Whatever," Yuze grumbled.

"Let's go."

****

Max sighed in frustration as he finally made his way to his team, which was currently in the bleachers designated for the official players in the league.

People glanced at him as he walked to his seat, admiring the tall and young player who represented Jilin City in the national basketball leagues.

"Finally," he said as he sat next to Ailun. "Those reporters kept asking me personal questions."

"Well, that's what you expect from a local celebrity," Ailun teased.

Max shook his head and focused his gaze on the court, where the Feng Foxes were battling it out with the Senlin Rovers.

As expected, the seats were still filled to the brim as the second-strongest team in the city played. Max focused on Chunlei, one of his greatest rivals, and saw that he had improved once again compared to last year. He was already close to stealing his title in the Elite Five last year, so Max was compelled to work even harder to secure his title.

At the moment, the Foxes were obliterating the Rovers—and to think that Chunlei and Yiming were the only starting players who were assigned in the first quarter.

"The game at the other court just finished," Fabin said, making Max snap out of his thoughts.

"Oh, they took longer than expected," Max said.

"Well, according to my classroom friend, who couldn't secure a seat inside the main court and settled at their court instead, the game was pretty intense. It was actually quite fun to watch," he said.

Max raised his eyebrows. "Did Shizi give Daxue a hard time this year?"

"They did," Fabin said.

"To the point that they even beat the Daxue Dolphin."

Ailun was also surprised. "Really? The Shizi Dogs did?"

"Yes," Fabin said, scratching the back of his head as he was also confused.

"I see," Max said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

'Kai! His name is Kai, and he's the grandson of the old woman who delivers onions to our restaurant,' his mom's voice echoed in his mind.

"Kai," Max softly muttered.

"I guess you weren't lying when you said we'd see more of Shizi this year."