***
Ken went to bed around 11pm, much later than he usually would thanks to the company he was hosting that night. Since most of the occupants were out of the house, Steve crashed on one of the couches instead of going back to his empty hotel.
Ken found himself in a familiar position, on his bed staring at the ceiling fan.
He had done this countless times before, staring at the translucent screen in front of him, idly scrolling through the window.
With only a few weeks until the post season ended, he had very little time to enjoy the system as it was now.
He stared at the mission once more.
#NEW MISSION: Final Showdown
*Task 1: Throw a Perfect Game [Complete]
*Task 2: Win the World Series
REWARDS:
>System Integration
FAILURE:
>Loss of system and skills
'Mika, can you explain what the mission means by "System Integration?" please.'
[Answer: The system will impart all of the skills, traits and rewards to you before disappearing entirely. You will lose access to all functions including the system shop and lottery wheel, as well as any incomplete missions and unclaimed rewards.]
Ken nodded, thankful for the comprehensive response. This information was in line with what he had thought might happen after completing the mission. The price for failure was rather straight forward, although Ken still decided to ask Mika.
[Answer: The system will disappear and find another host. Your skills, traits and any system assisted benefits will be stripped, never to return.]
'Will I still keep my physical grades?'
[Yes, though your potential will revert back to normal. You will likely gradually lose your fitness thanks to this.]
Ken thought deeply.
'I think my potential was S-grade back then… Does that mean I'll eventually revert to my High School physical condition?' he thought, scowling inwardly.
For a few moments, he thought that he might be able to continue playing if he failed the mission, but it seemed like that would not be the case. It was likely that he'd be kicked out of the league after just a few games of not performing well.
"I could always go and play in the NPB if that happens?" he mumbled to himself.
Of course this wasn't ideal, nor was it even guaranteed that he could keep a roster spot. Just remembering what kind of monsters were over in Japan right now was enough to make him doubtful.
Ken let out a sigh, pushing the back of his head further into the pillow.
There was no use worrying about such things right now. All he needed to do was win the World Series, and then he wouldn't have to even think about leaving the Major League.
It was funny, in his previous life, reaching the Major League was a pipe dream, yet Ken daydreamed about it all the time. But now that he was here, Ken felt that it wasn't everything he thought it would be.
The seasons were long and arduous, yet sometimes boring. With 165 games over 7 months, he could only pitch once a week which meant that he'd only pitched in just over 30 games during the regular season.
If he wasn't a two way player, Ken might have gone mad with boredom.
In fact, now that he had Ai and two kids on the way, the idea of eventual retirement from professional sports didn't sound so bad. Of course this was only if Ken could go out his own way.
[Ken… I recommend you refrain from such thoughts until the final mission is completed]
Mika's voice interrupted his train of thought.
'Hm? Now I can't even think freely?' Ken replied with some annoyance.
However, he understood what she was saying well enough. After the system had heard his declaration to Ai, this was when all the deceit started. He would hate for something else to happen.
Especially since he'd already had enough of the fake dreams the system was feeding him.
'Sorry Mika, I was a little snappy.' Ken admitted.
[It's fine, thank you for apologizing.]
Ken quickly changed gears. He turned to the digital clock on the bedside table and saw that it was already 11:30 at night.
'Time to see if I can strikeout Daichi…'
Ken navigated to the Image Training menu and pressed the enter button.
His vision swam before turning dark. He was then transported to Koshien stadium like usual, its seats completely deserted.
Two sets of missions appeared in front of him.
#PITCHING MISSIONS:
> Pitch 100,000 strikes [100%] - 5,000,000 Major points + Skill: Striker [Complete]
> Pitch 100,000 breaking balls [100%] - 5,000,000 Major points + Skill: Breaker of Balls [Complete]
> Throw pick-offs 100,000 times [5%] - 5,000,000 Major points + Skill: Pick-off Practitioner
> Pitch 100mph 100,000 times [100%] - 7,500,000 Major points + Skill: Over the Speed limit [Complete]
> Strike-out AI (upgradeable) - 10,000,000 Major points + Diamond Lottery ticket
#BATTING MISSIONS:
> Hit 100,000 bunts successfully [0%] - 3,500,000 Major points + Skill: Bunt Aficionado
> Hit 100,000 balls into outfield [68%] - 3,500,000 Major points + Skill: Double Trouble
> Hit 50,000 foul balls [39%] - 1,500,000 Major points + Skil: Foul Demon
> Hit 100,000 sliders [7%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skill: Slider Demon
> Hit 100,000 curve balls [5%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skil: Curve Demon
> Hit 100,000 fastballs [21%] - 4,500,000 Major points + Skil: Fastball Demon
> Hit 50,000 home runs [79%]- 10,000,000 Major points + Diamond Lottery ticket + Skill: Home Run King
Ken had been trying his hand at the bat every now and then once he was over pitching. Unfortunately, he had almost no chance of completing anything but the home run mission before system integration.
However, now was not the time for this.
Ken selected the Strike-out AI option and waited patiently. Daichi appeared in the batters box, wearing the home jersey for the Detroit Ligers proudly.
This was the same figure that had taunted him the past few months, wearing the exact emotionless facade, like he was just a machine.
"You ready to get struck out little bro?" Ken called out, wearing a big grin.
Instead of responding, AI Daichi gripped his bat tighter, waiting for Ken to pitch.
"Show me what you got!" Ken yelled, gripping the baseball tightly in his hand.