The Football Legends System

The latest record – fastest to 20 Premier League goals + assists – shimmered like a vibrant banner in Nathan's mind. His Overall Rating: S+ was now an intrinsic part of him, a quiet assurance that he belonged among the pantheon. But the Legacy Archive's "Era-Defining Icon" challenge truly propelled him forward. It wasn't just about individual records; it was about shaping the very narrative of football, setting new tactical trends, and becoming a symbol of an entire generation. He watched old matches with a new eye, seeing how legends not only played but dictated the very flow and philosophy of the game, consistently.

He spent extra time after training, meticulously refining his understanding of how to influence opponents and teammates alike. His Perfected Dribbling (from Glide of Messi (98%) mastery) was on the verge of its ultimate completion, that final, unreachable 100%. He practiced making decisive passes, choosing the right moments to accelerate play, always with an eye on maintaining relentless pressure and breaking defensive lines. He yearned for that final push, that absolute zenith of his signature skill.

One blustery afternoon at Carrington, during a complex attacking drill, Nathan received the ball deep. He held it for a beat, drawing a defender, then unleashed a no-look pass that split two pressing midfielders and found Jadon Sancho in acres of space on the wing. Sancho, surprised by the sudden perfection, controlled it and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner. Erik ten Hag, watching closely, nodded.

"That's the kind of pass that separates the good from the great, Nathan," the manager said. "And you do it consistently."

Nathan grinned. Consistent greatness. That was the goal.

He observed his teammates, knowing that their sustained efforts were vital for defining this era alongside him.

Lisandro Martinez – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A

His aggressive defending and ability to launch attacks from deep are vital. He's becoming a true leader at the back.

Alejandro Garnacho – Ability: A | Potential: S | Overall Rating: A-

His raw pace and fearless dribbling are perfect for exploiting space created by Nathan's tactical influence.

The next challenge: the FA Cup Fourth Round away against Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. It was a classic FA Cup tie – a lower-league team at home against the champions. Nathan knew Reading would be immensely motivated, disciplined, and eager to spring an upset. The magic of the FA Cup meant anything was possible, and United couldn't afford complacency.

Nathan used his "Talent Scout" on Reading's key players.

Tom Holmes – Ability: B | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: B

A solid, no-nonsense center-back. Will be well-organized and physical.

Tyrese Fornah – Ability: B- | Potential: B | Overall Rating: B-

Energetic defensive midfielder. Will try to break up play in the middle.

Andy Carroll – Ability: C+ | Potential: D | Overall Rating: C+

Veteran striker, still a huge aerial threat and physical presence, even if his pace isn't what it used to be.

"They'll be compact, they'll fight for every ball," Erik ten Hag warned in the pre-match briefing. "They'll sit deep, frustrate us, and try to hit us on the break or from set-pieces, especially with Carroll's aerial threat. We need to respect them, but show our quality. We need to be patient, but relentless."

Nathan nodded. Patience and relentlessness. The keys to conquering any opponent.

The atmosphere at the Select Car Leasing Stadium was buzzing, a sea of blue and white, roaring its support for the Royals. The chants were fierce, designed to inspire their underdogs against the champions. It was smaller than Old Trafford, but the passion was immense.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew, and the FA Cup clash was underway.

Reading started exactly as predicted. They formed a very deep, compact defensive block, denying United any central space. Their midfielders tracked relentlessly, closing down every passing lane. Nathan tried to use his Perfected Dribbling to weave through, but Reading's defense was disciplined, quickly shifting to cover. Clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

United dominated possession, but it was slow, probing football. Reading's defense seemed impenetrable, frustrating every attempt to create clear-cut chances.

Minute 25. Still 0-0. The home crowd was growing louder, sensing an upset. Nathan felt the frustration. They were controlling the ball, but not threatening enough. They needed a game-changing moment, a unique piece of tactical insight that could carve open even the most rigid defense, turning their dominance into real opportunities.

Just then, the familiar System chime cut through the air, sharp and clear.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is struggling to penetrate a deep, organized defense, requiring a flash of revolutionary tactical insight to unlock their structure and create decisive, high-percentage scoring opportunities.]

[You may request one random legendary tactical genius/defensive unraveling skill in the style of a football icon to see unforeseen patterns, exploit hidden weaknesses in opponent's defensive systems, and create game-breaking opportunities through revolutionary positional play.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes narrowed. Revolutionary tactical insight? Unforeseen patterns? This was it. This was about unlocking the game's deepest secrets, the ultimate skill for an "Architect of the Future."

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: The Master Key of Sacchi (Positional Overload)]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your ability to identify and create numerical and positional overloads in key attacking areas, subtly guiding your teammates to exploit these advantages, is significantly enhanced. You will see how to dismantle even the most disciplined defensive structures through intelligent, collective movement and strategic passing.]

A profound sense of tactical clarity washed over Nathan. He saw not just players, but the empty spaces, the zones that could be exploited. He understood how a small shift by one player could create a massive overload for another, how to manipulate Reading's tight lines and pull them apart. He became the ultimate chess master, seeing multiple moves ahead, always creating numerical advantages where moments ago there were none.

He immediately dropped slightly deeper, calling for the ball from Casemiro. Reading's midfielders, accustomed to pressing high, shifted towards him. Nathan received the ball, took a calm touch, then, with The Master Key of Sacchi (Positional Overload) active, he subtly waved Bruno Fernandes to push higher, and Marcus Rashford to drift inwards. This created a tiny, almost invisible 2v1 on the left side against Reading's right-back, Andy Yiadom.

In the 28th minute, this tactical manipulation paid off. Nathan received the ball from Casemiro, then, with a subtle feint, played a quick one-two with Bruno Fernandes, drawing a central midfielder. As the midfielder committed, Nathan instantly launched a perfectly weighted, curling pass over the top, not to Rashford, but into the space Alejandro Garnacho had intelligently created on the left wing, having anticipated Nathan's strategic intent. Garnacho was in! He took one touch, cut inside, and fired a powerful shot past Joe Lumley.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 1 - Reading 0! The small pocket of United fans erupted in a roar of joyous relief. Nathan screamed, pumping his fists, embracing Garnacho and Bruno. The Master Key of Sacchi had unlocked Reading's stubborn defense with a moment of pure tactical genius.

For the next five minutes, United's attacks flowed with newfound purpose. They constantly created overloads, overwhelming Reading's disciplined defense. Nathan was at the heart of it, guiding his teammates with subtle movements and incisive passes, always exploiting the numerical advantages he created.

The The Master Key of Sacchi (Positional Overload) faded, but it had done its job. United had asserted complete tactical dominance.

Just before halftime, United doubled their lead. A brilliant run down the right wing by Antony saw him deliver a pinpoint cross, and Harry Kane powered a header into the net, making it 2-0.

The second half was a testament to United's control. Reading pushed for an equalizer, their fans roaring them on, but United's sustained pressure and tactical discipline, influenced by Nathan's earlier orchestration, made it difficult for them. David de Gea was rarely tested.

Nathan continued to influence the game, with his Perfected Dribbling allowing him to constantly create space and dictate play. In the 70th minute, he embarked on a dazzling solo run, weaving through three Reading defenders with incredible agility and control. He beat one with a lightning-fast step-over, then another with a quick chop, then left a third spinning with a subtle body feint. He reached the edge of the box, then unleashed a powerful shot that forced a spectacular diving save from Lumley. This was an extremely complex and successful solo effort.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (100%)]

[Permanent Benefit Unlocked: Perfected Dribbling (Your base dribbling ability has reached its absolute zenith, granting you unparalleled, unchallengeable control, agility, and unpredictability in every dribbling situation, making you virtually impossible to dispossess).]

[Mastery Complete!]

Nathan felt a powerful, almost spiritual surge throughout his entire being. Perfected Dribbling. One hundred percent. He had done it. His signature skill was now complete, a permanent, undeniable part of him. He was the ultimate dribbler, the master of the ball, completely and utterly unrivaled. He grinned, a profound sense of personal accomplishment filling him.

The final minutes of the match were comfortable for United. Reading, disheartened by the brilliance, couldn't find a way back into the game.

The final whistle blew.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - READING 0!

The United players celebrated wildly, hugging each other, exhausted but ecstatic. A dominant win secured their progression in the FA Cup.

In the jubilant changing room, Erik ten Hag was beaming. "Another clean sheet, lads, another victory! Nathan, that first goal was pure tactical genius! And your dribbling today... simply unplayable!"

Nathan, breathless but beaming, just grinned. "Just trying to make things happen, boss."

He checked his system.

[Overall Rating: S+]

Still S+. He had achieved the ultimate mastery of his signature skill, solidified his status as an Era-Defining Icon, and was consistently breaking records.

Ding!

[Legacy Archive Update: Challenge Progress for "The Era-Defining Icon"]

[Description: Your consistent, unparalleled performance, tactical innovation, and ability to constantly redefine the game's flow are solidifying your status as the undisputed defining figure of the current footballing era. Your impact is becoming truly global.]

Nathan's eyes widened. "Impact is becoming truly global." This was it. The narrative was being shaped on an international scale.

Ding!

[New Record Alert!]

[You have now reached 10 goals + assists in cup competitions (FA Cup & League Cup) in the current season, becoming the fastest player in Manchester United history to reach this milestone, surpassing Denis Law's record.]

Another record! Fastest to 10 goals + assists in domestic cup competitions. Nathan grinned, a profound sense of satisfaction filling him.