My Ultimate Gacha System

Chapter 367 42: Meeting Marco II

"That last question is particularly important," Marco said. "It forces the manager to articulate your specific value beyond generic praise like 'talented young player.' It makes them explain why YOU specifically fit their plans rather than any other talented midfielder they could sign."

He paused and then continued.

"Now I'll list questions you should NOT ask," Marco said. "Don't ask about guaranteed starting positions because no manager will promise that. Don't ask about wage details because that's my job to negotiate, not your concern in these meetings. Don't ask when you'll play your first match because that shows impatience rather than understanding of development timelines."

Marco's tone sharpened on the final point.

"Most importantly," he said. "Don't compare either club to the other during the meetings. Never say 'Liverpool is offering X' while sitting with United, or vice versa. Each meeting exists independently. Understood?"

"Understood," Demien said.

Marco checked his watch. Four PM.

"We're doing role-play now to prepare you for how these meetings will actually feel," he said. "I'll play Julian Ward, Liverpool's sporting director. You respond as yourself. The mock meeting starts now."

4:00 PM — Role-Play: Liverpool Simulation

Marco straightened in his chair and his entire demeanor shifted in ways that were immediate and complete—his posture changed, his energy changed, his facial expression softened into something more welcoming, and he was no longer Marco the agent but Julian Ward the sporting director.

"Demien, great to finally meet you properly," Marco-as-Ward said, and his voice was warm without being excessive. "Thanks for making time for this. Jürgen will join us shortly. Can I get you anything? Water, coffee?"

Demien felt awkward participating in the role-play but understood its purpose and pushed through the discomfort.

"Water is fine," he said.

"Perfect," Marco-as-Ward said, and he made a gesture as if pouring water before continuing seamlessly. "Monday night at Old Trafford—two goals and an assist in twenty-five minutes. That performance confirmed everything we've seen from you all season. You're exactly the profile we're looking for in our midfield rebuild."

There was a pause where Marco was clearly waiting for Demien to respond, and Demien didn't know what to say beyond basic acknowledgment.

"Thank you," he said.

"Liverpool's midfield is transitioning," Marco-as-Ward continued without missing rhythm. "Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago—all incredible players, all vital to what we've achieved. But they're all in their thirties now. We're building the next generation of midfielders and that's where you come in. Jürgen sees you as a key part of that rebuild, someone who can grow with this team over the next five to seven years."

Another pause. Demien tried to jump in with a question about tactical fit but Marco immediately broke character.

"Stop," Marco said, and his voice returned to normal. "That was too early. You interrupted the pitch. Rule one of these meetings: let them finish presenting their vision first. Don't interrupt with questions. You ask questions AFTER they complete their presentation."

Demien nodded. "Alright."

"Let's reset and try again," Marco said, and he slipped back into character.

Marco-as-Ward repeated the line about Liverpool's midfield transitioning and Jürgen seeing Demien as key to the rebuild. This time Demien just nodded and listened without speaking.

"Liverpool's system requires midfielders who can press aggressively, transition quickly from defense to attack, and create chances in the final third," Marco-as-Ward said. "Your performance against North Macedonia showed all three qualities. The assist to Saka was exactly the kind of through ball Jürgen wants from his number eights—vision, weight, execution under pressure."

He stopped and broke character again. "What should you say now?"

Demien thought. "I appreciate that assessment. Liverpool's system is one I've studied. The high intensity and quick transitions fit my profile."

"Better," Marco said. "More natural. Now ask your first question."

"Where do you see me fitting tactically in the system?" Demien asked.

Marco-as-Ward leaned back and his tone became informative. "We see you as an eight, capable of playing left or right side depending on the match. You'd rotate initially with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and potentially Dominik Szoboszlai depending on how our summer business develops. Development pathway would be heavy involvement in cup competitions in the first half of the season, increasing Premier League minutes in the second half, and a starting role by your second season if development progresses as expected."

Marco broke character. "Did you catch the gap in that answer?"

Demien thought but wasn't sure what Marco meant.

"The phrase 'if development progresses as expected,'" Marco said. "That's conditional language. It means starts aren't guaranteed even in season two. Everything depends on performance and development. This is a gap you need to press on."

They continued in character. Demien asked what the expectation was for first-team minutes specifically in season one.

"We can't guarantee specific numbers because Jürgen rotates the squad heavily based on opponent, form, and fitness," Marco-as-Ward said. "But you'll definitely play. How much depends on training performance and tactical needs match to match. What's important is that you'll be part of the first-team squad from day one, training with the seniors, traveling with the team, experiencing the culture and intensity of what we do."

Marco broke character again. "That was a vague non-answer, which is realistic for how top clubs handle these questions. They won't promise minutes to nineteen-year-olds no matter how talented. But listen for HOW they're vague. Are they encouraging-vague, suggesting you'll play a lot while not promising specifics? Or dismissive-vague, suggesting you're far down the pecking order? The tone matters as much as the words."

They continued the role-play for twenty more minutes and Marco threw curveballs—mentioned Liverpool was also looking at other midfield targets, asked whether Demien thought he was physically ready for Premier League intensity, questioned whether he was too young to leave Serie A where he was comfortable.

Each question was designed to test Demien's confidence and clarity of thought, and by four forty-five Demien was mentally exhausted from maintaining composure and formulating responses that sounded mature without being rehearsed.

"Ten-minute break," Marco said, and he returned fully to himself. "Bathroom, water, walk around the room. Clear your head. Then we're doing the United simulation."