Reborn; A Slave to the World - Chapter 79: Umbral Forge

Eric Maddox, a 70-year-old American retired football coach once hailed for his tactical brilliance, now forgotten by time—closes his eyes for what he believes is a normal nap in his quiet Florida retirement home.But when he opens them, he's not staring at ceiling tiles, instead, he's on a touchline.Wearing boots in the rain.With players running on the pitch, fans jeering behind barriers, and the smell of cheap turf pellets in the air.“What the hell is this?”He’s twenty-five again, but it’s not Earth. It’s a world where football reigns supreme. A world where the sport is religion, its practitioners, deities in cleats. Coaches are revered, players are worshipped, and even the kit man gets treated like royalty.But there's one catch: none of it is familiar. The clubs, the players, the leagues, the competitions, and even the currency—they're all different. Alien. Like waking up in a dream where the rules are the same, but the language is foreign.As if that wasn’t enough, the body he’s now in? A youth coach with a laughable win record, a looming divorce, and a measly fifty thousand in the bank that his ex-wife is fighting tooth and nail to take. All of it.Just when the spiral seems inevitable, a monotone chime pierces the noise.[Initiating Golden Finger…][…45%… 75%… 100%][System Integration Complete.][Welcome, host. You are now bound to the Pro Manager System. Objective: Dominate the Football World. A new era begins]From washed-up has-been to chosen one of destiny, Eric Maddox is about to trade arthritis pills for tactical boards, and shuffleboard for Prestigious Cup glory.Because in this world, tactics are power.And on this touchline, he’s about to become a god.

Between heaven and earth lies the greatest truth, and the manifestation of the great truth descends in the form of Gu.　　People cultivate the Qi of heaven and earth around their bodies to control Gu and exert their magical power.　　One year after his transmigration, Chen Qing finally discovered his special features on the day he contracted his first Gu. He was actually able to see through everything about the Gu...　　Therefore, he began to march toward the road to immortality step by step.

Nile Santos lived a life of sacrifice — always stepping aside, always giving others the best gear, always following orders without question. In the end, none of it mattered. His comrades fell, his body was broken, and he died a meaningless death in the final battle against an unstoppable force.But fate isn’t finished with him.Offered a second chance by the very beings who led him to ruin, he’s thrust back in time with all his memories intact. This time, though, he’s not playing the role of a noble shield. No more selflessness. No more obedience. No more being a pawn.Armed with future knowledge and a will forged in failure, he vows to rewrite his story — to take everything for himself. Skills, loot, allies, power… all of it. It’s time for one man to climb to the top, no matter what it takes.Author's other storiesThe Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch - 3rd Season OngoingI Ascend Alone - Ongoing

At the end of the story, I found myself in the body of a hidden villain, betraying the heroines. Since I’m not particularly concerned about the end of the world, I’m calmly waiting for the finale… “You’re the only one who truly appreciated my painting of the boa.” “When I make plans to meet you at four, my heart starts racing at three... is this what they call being tamed?” For some reason, the heroines are starting to take an interest in me.