Chapter 001: Kidnapping the Superstar System

Life is unpredictable; every backward glance might become eternal.

Lin Feng couldn’t recall exactly what happened in that fleeting moment when he looked back. He only remembered a blinding beam of light—brilliant enough to sting the eyes, yet vibrant with life, shining down with such warmth and comfort that it lulled him into a defenseless sleep.

When Lin Feng awoke, the world had changed entirely...

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The thunderous roar of the crowd rolled through the entire North City Sports Arena. Lin Feng rubbed his eyes hard, his mouth agape in astonishment, completely bewildered.

"We are the champions!"

"North City is unbeatable!"

"4-to-1! 4-to-1! 4-to-1!"

"Blue Storm Fan Association..."

Across from Lin Feng, a row of bold banners swayed gently in the stands.

"This... is a basketball court!"

It was beyond Lin Feng’s wildest imagination: just a moment before, he had been playing a basketball game on his PlayStation, and in the next instant, he found himself transported to a real basketball arena, seated on the bench, clad in a warm-up jersey. Clearly, he was now a substitute player for a team.

"North City High-Tech vs. Jiangning Jaguars"

"97 vs. 87"

Lin Feng glanced at the scoreboard. The two teams were ten points apart, with three minutes and seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The trailing Jiangning team still had a chance.

Beep!

The referee’s whistle sounded. At that very moment, the Jaguars' number 3 player, who had just leaped for a layup, crashed heavily onto the court.

North City’s number 15 was called for a hard foul—two free throws.

The referee gave the signal quickly, but the Jaguars’ number 3 was still sprawled on the floor, clutching his right foot in obvious agony.

"Damn, Dapeng’s injured too?"

Jiangning’s head coach, Shen Ziqiang, felt his heart leap into his throat and immediately signaled for the team doctor.

Unfortunately, Shen Ziqiang’s fears came true. Zhang Dapeng sprained his ankle as he fell—the old injury flared up again. The team doctor carried him directly back to the locker room. It was clear he wouldn’t return for the rest of the game.

With no other options, Shen Ziqiang had to call a timeout.

"This is a disaster upon disaster for Jiangning! They’re out of substitutes. Both their starting and backup point guards are injured. Nobody could have predicted this before the series began."

"Right. Looks like Jiangning is going to fall short in the finals yet again! That city really does seem cursed—seven trips to the finals, seven times the runner-up. After today, that record will have another tally, sigh..."

The television commentators at courtside couldn’t help but sigh.

Just as they said, Jiangning had reached the finals seven times before—each time leaving empty-handed. This year, it was their eighth trip to the championship series, and after winning the first game, everyone believed the "uncrowned kings"—the perennial runners-up—would finally fulfill their championship dreams. But the second game became a nightmare. Two key players were injured and forced to leave the court, and Jiangning suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing three straight games!

After four games, the series stood at 1–3, with North City holding championship point.

This was game five, on North City’s home court. With the advantage of time, place, and crowd, North City had led the whole way. But Jiangning, fighting with their backs to the wall, had shown remarkable tenacity, keeping the deficit to around ten points and never letting their opponents pull away completely.

But right at this crucial moment, the team’s outstanding point guard, Zhang Dapeng, got injured.

Shen Ziqiang was utterly despondent. Even though he knew before this game that there was a ninety-nine percent chance they wouldn’t take back the series, as a professional coach, the desire for victory made him cling to that last one percent of hope.

But with Zhang Dapeng’s collapse, that last sliver of hope was gone.

"Lin Feng, you’re in for Dapeng. Play the point."

With no one else left to turn to, Shen Ziqiang had no choice but to send in Lin Feng, the perennial benchwarmer.

"Me... on the court?"

Completely unprepared, Lin Feng was momentarily stunned. He had just crossed over into this world, and was still in a daze.

"Just relax and play; don’t feel any pressure. Besides, you’ve been practicing hard lately—now’s your chance to see the results of all that work." Shen Ziqiang patted Lin Feng’s shoulder and began to draw up a play.

Beep!

The referee’s whistle signaled the game’s resumption.

Lin Feng took off his warm-up jersey, still in a fog, and followed his teammates onto the court. Just then, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"Superstar Kidnap System initializing... Installing..."

"What the heck?" The sudden voice startled Lin Feng so much he nearly jumped.

"Superstar Kidnap System installation complete! Newbie gift pack awarded. Claim now? [Yes] [No]"

The mechanical voice sounded again, and at the same time, a selection screen appeared in Lin Feng’s mind.

"So, transmigrators really do get perks!" After a brief moment of shock, Lin Feng quickly calmed himself. As a seasoned reader of web novels, he was no stranger to systems and transmigration, so he decisively selected [Yes].

Ding! Newbie gift pack claimed successfully!

Congratulations, you have gained 3 skill attribute points.

Congratulations, you have received one Kidnap Card. (Kidnap Card Rules: Each card allows you to kidnap one superstar. Upon success, you acquire all their skills.)

Congratulations, you have received 100 gold coins.

Current host level: 1

Superstars you can kidnap: 1

Superstars kidnapped: 0

Experience needed for next level: 1000

Newbie task: Successfully kidnap a basketball superstar and win the current game.

Task rewards: 100 gold coins, 100 experience points, 3 skill attribute points.

Accompanied by the mechanical voice, a row of options suddenly appeared in Lin Feng’s mind: Sports Superstars, Entertainment Superstars, Literary Superstars, Martial Arts Superstars, Metaphysics Superstars...

Lin Feng tried selecting Sports Superstars. The screen switched, displaying several categories: Basketball Superstars, Soccer Superstars, Tennis Superstars, Track and Field Superstars, Swimming Superstars, Billiards Superstars, and so on...

He then chose Basketball Superstars. The screen changed again, and a list of current NBA stars appeared: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul...

"Please choose the basketball superstar you wish to kidnap."

"Stephen Curry!"

Without hesitation, Lin Feng made his choice. Curry’s name lit up, and the system notification followed: "Congratulations, you have successfully kidnapped basketball superstar Stephen Curry. One Kidnap Card consumed. You will receive all of his skills. Enjoy the game..."

---

At the commentators’ table:

"Jiangning is subbing in number 11, Lin Feng, for Zhang Dapeng. Looks like they’re throwing in the towel."

"They really have no choice—there’s no one left. But, Jiangning still has two free throws. If they make both, the lead is down to eight. They’ve got three minutes to make up eight points—plenty of time."

"Time is one thing, but momentum and luck aren’t on their side. It’s going to be almost impossible to turn this one around."

"Well, let’s see how these free throws go. Zhang Dapeng can’t take them, so Lin Feng, the substitute, will shoot. If I’m not mistaken, this is his first playoff appearance, and he’s starting right at the free throw line, at such a crucial moment. That’s a real test for him."

---

Lin Feng stood at the free-throw line, a confident smile on his lips. With the great Curry now inhabiting his body, free throws were a piece of cake!

He took the ball from the referee, and the arena erupted with a deafening chorus of boos.

The North City home crowd’s reputation as the “devil’s den” was well deserved.

"Boo me, will you? Watch, you foolish mortals, and see what impossible accuracy looks like!"

Lin Feng lifted his head, locking eyes with the hoop.

Extend the arm! Flick the wrist!

The ball left his hand, tracing a beautiful arc through the air...

Clang!

A brick!

What the hell? It didn’t go in!

Boo!

Lin Feng’s first free throw missed, and the crowd’s boos surged even louder.

...