Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field. The Day After.
The footage of the collapsed VIP box load-bearing wall, the three instantly pulverized "Shadow Subjects," and Observer-03's figure launching into the air in anti-gravity armor was captured by countless phones. Although major media outlets were forced by the NFL to delete all high-definition videos under the pretense of "national security," fragmented information had already spread virally across the internet.
The next day, global public opinion exploded.
The New York Times headline read: "The End of Football? Has Levi Wang Surpassed the Human Threshold!"
The NFL held an emergency press conference. Commissioner Goodell's face was ashen, sweat beading on his forehead as he faced nearly a thousand reporters.
"Mr. Goodell! Regarding the stadium wall collapse, was it truly a gas explosion? Can a gas explosion smash three-meter-tall metal giants?" a reporter queried sharply.
Goodell wiped his brow, his voice stiff. "We firmly believe it was an... extremely rare series of coincident accidents. The cause is still under investigation. However, we must address another issue."
Goodell abruptly raised his voice, his tone shifting to rigid authority, focusing on Levi: "Regarding Levi Wang. He has severely threatened the personal safety of all players and the normal order of the league!"
"We have received joint protest letters from 30 teams! All teams demand: Levi be immediately banned for life!"
The room erupted in chaos.
Goodell took a deep breath and dropped a bombshell: "Under this immense pressure, the league has decided to introduce an unprecedented 'Special Sanctions Clause!'"
"Before next week's game, we will formulate a set of 'Targeted Rules' for Levi. This rule will legally allow opponents to use any non-lethal means to stop him! Furthermore, we will provide the 49ers' opponent with a 'Special Defense Squad' authorized by the League Security Bureau!"
This was no mere special clause; this was the NFL officially issuing a "Wanted Poster" for Levi.
San Francisco, 49ers Headquarters.
The training field was silent. Every player stared at the news conference on the television screen, holding their breath.
"Special Sanctions?" Coach Kyle Shanahan watched the screen, trembling with rage. "They want to legally disable Levi on the field! They want him dead!"
"Coach, calm down!" the offensive coordinator quickly pulled him back. "What do we do? Our next game is against the Cardinals; they'll definitely use Levi as a target!"
Levi stood calmly on the sideline, displaying no anger, only utter contempt for the rules.
[Main Quest: Obtain MVP. Progress: Stalled.]
[WARNING: The League is attempting to restrict the Host via rules. The Host should adopt a more effective method to break the rules.]
"Break the rules?" Levi sneered.
He walked up to Coach Shanahan, his voice low but filled with unquestionable authority.
"Coach, don't worry."
"If the rules are targeting me, then I will make the rules work for me."
Levi pointed at the offensive playbook: "From now on, cancel all running back tactics. We have only one kind of offense left."
"That is—the passing game!"
Coach Shanahan froze: "Passing? Our team is ground-based! And your value is in collision! Why passing?"
"Because they fear my collision," Levi's eyes flashed with golden light. "They used Special Sanctions and a Security Squad precisely to eliminate me physically."
"But what if I don't touch them?"
Levi's mouth curved into an arrogant smile: "I will turn all their preparation, all their targeted strategies, into scraps of waste paper. I will make the entire Cardinals team chase a 'Ghost.'"
Three Days Later
Arizona Cardinals Stadium.
The Cardinals' Head Coach had a fierce look in his eye. He knew this was their only chance to capture Levi and deliver him to the "Observer Organization."
On the field, the Cardinals' defense stood like a Great Wall of steel. Behind them stood five unfamiliar figures in black uniforms.
This was the "League Security Bureau Special Defense Squad" authorized by Commissioner Goodell. They were fully armed, with specialized gloves on their forearms that pulsed with blue light.
"Those are 'High-Energy EMP Takedown'gloves!" the commentator exclaimed. "They can release a powerful electromagnetic pulse on contact with Levi, instantly paralyzing his muscles!"
The entire audience held its breath, awaiting this "Human VS Monster" showdown.
The 49ers received the ball first. Levi did not stand behind Quarterback Purdy as usual; he lined up at the Wide Receiver position!
"What? Levi is playing Wide Receiver?" The commentator thought he was insane. "He can barely catch a ball!"
The Cardinals' defensive formation instantly dissolved into chaos. All their tactics were designed around how to "collide" with Levi; now he was playing receiver?
Levi stood on the sideline, his eyes coldly sweeping over the opposing defense.
"Come on, bring your Special Sanctions. Let's see who is the true master of the rules."
Quarterback Purdy hiked the ball and launched it high toward midfield!
Levi activated! He rushed toward the center like a red bolt of lightning. The Cardinals' cornerbacks and safeties immediately gave chase, preparing to use a tackling chokehold, even in receiver defense, to bring Levi down!
"Go! EMP Pulse!" the Cardinals' defensive captain roared!
Just as Levi reached midfield, an unfamiliar figure suddenly and strangely vanished from the Cardinals' defensive line!
WHOOSH—!
It wasn't a run or a jump. It was an instant spatial displacement that defied all physical laws!
The figure who had been standing at the back of the Cardinals' formation—the reserve Quarterback, Ian Brooke—instantly relocated to the precise landing spot of Levi's pass!
Ian wore a strange smile as he looked at the high-speed Levi, his eyes filled with the arrogance of an Elementalist.
"Levi Wang, your collision is formidable," Ian's voice carried a strange tremor.
"Too bad you can't even touch my shadow!"
Levi abruptly halted, his pupils contracting slightly as he stared at the white man who had instantly appeared before him.
[ALERT! Unknown System Fluctuation Detected! Target Codename: GHOST! Superpower: Spatial Teleportation!]
Ian reached out, making a grab for Levi!
"Goodbye, Indestructible!"
But the moment Ian's hand was about to make contact, Levi's body violently arched backward!
Ian missed. Levi, at the last possible moment, evaded Ian's instant tackle!
"Catch!" Purdy's roar echoed.
Levi, while falling, extended his hands impossibly and cleanly snatched the high-speed football!
Ian's face twisted in shock. He never expected Levi could execute such an extreme, acrobatic catch while sprinting at full speed!
"Impossible! How did you know I would teleport there?" Ian stared at Levi in terror.
Levi held the ball, slowly rising from the ground, brushing the dust from his jersey. His eyes were filled with contempt for the "Ghost."
"You are not a ghost," Levi said coldly.
"To my System, you are merely a 'Moving Target!'"