The night sky over Madrid was dotted with stars.
Lu Chuan stood on the apartment balcony, gazing at the city's myriad lights.
Tomorrow was the fateful match, and an indescribable tension hung in the air.
"Still thinking about the game?"
Esther gently stroked his shoulder from behind, her warm body heat transferring through his thin pajamas.
"Yeah." Lu Chuan didn't turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance, "Tomorrow, the whole world will be watching me."
Esther hugged his waist, resting her face against his back.
"You know what? The fans in Vallecas District have been preparing all day today. They bought thousands of flags and even prepared fireworks. Although they can't enter the stadium, they want to cheer you on from outside."
Lu Chuan turned around and pulled her into his arms. "I don't want to disappoint anyone."
She didn't answer directly, just held his hand tighter. "Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, I'll be with you outside the stadium."
Meanwhile, at Sporting Gijón's hotel, head coach Miroslav Đukić was making his final tactical arrangements.
The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the tactics board was densely covered with various defensive routes.
"Tomorrow, we face not just one player, but the expectations of the entire world."
Đukić's voice was low and firm, "But we didn't come here to be anyone's backdrop.
We will use the tightest defense to end his record."
Center-back Jean-Sylvain Babin nodded. "Coach, we've studied all his goal videos.
His running habits, his shooting preferences—we know them all like the back of our hand."
"Very good." Đukić drew a circle on the tactics board,
"Remember, once he enters this area, immediately form a triple-team. Foul him if necessary, but don't let him get a comfortable shot."
At Rayo Vallecano's training space, Paco Jémez sat alone in his office, a cup of cold coffee on his desk.
He hadn't prepared complex tactics, nor had he made any special arrangements.
The Assistant Coach pushed open the door. "Paco, is tomorrow's starting lineup decided?"
Paco picked up a marker and wrote eleven names on the tactics board. "That's it."
"No special arrangements?" The Assistant Coach was a bit surprised.
"No need." Paco put down the pen. "I believe in them, just as I believe in myself.
Tomorrow, they just need to enjoy the game and create history."
Late at night, Lu Chuan entered the training space.
The virtual Vallecas Stadium unfolded before his eyes; the stands were empty, but he could feel the overwhelming pressure of tomorrow's roar.
The system's voice sounded in his mind: "Detecting that the host is about to face a crucial battle. Would you like to make final ability adjustments?"
Lu Chuan shook his head. "No need. The me now is the best me."
He began to run on the virtual pitch, each step exceptionally firm.
In his mind, the characteristics of every Sporting Gijón player, their defensive habits, and their possible tactics flashed by.
Shot after shot practice, run after run simulation.
He stopped, sweat blurring his vision, but he just took a deep breath and started again.
On the virtual pitch, only the tireless sound of his sprints and the thud of the ball being shot remained.
"System, display current status."
A translucent blue panel appeared before his eyes:
Host: Lu Chuan
Current LP Balance: 1850
Activated Skills: Full Field Vision (Permanent), Big Heart (Permanent), Direction Change Acceleration Master (Beginner)
Mission Progress: Storm Returns! (11/12)
Looking at this number, a surge of desire filled Lu Chuan's heart.
The 5000 LP reward upon completing the mission meant he could directly permanentize Penalty Box Finisher, and even have enough left over to redeem other skills.
But now was not the time to think about such things. Tomorrow's match was the key to everything.
Exiting the training space, Lu Chuan returned to the bedroom. Esther was already asleep, moonlight filtering through the curtains onto her face, making her look exceptionally peaceful.
He quietly lay down, and Esther naturally leaned into his embrace in her sleep.
"Good luck tomorrow." She murmured softly in her dream.
Lu Chuan kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. Tomorrow was the moment to create history.
At six in the morning, Lu Chuan's phone rang precisely. It wasn't an alarm, but a video call from China.
More than a dozen familiar faces appeared on the screen—all his mentors and teammates from his Evergrande Football School days.
"Lu Chuan!" Coach Li Ming's voice came through the screen, "We're all cheering for you!"
"Brother, it's all up to you today!" Former teammate Zhang Wei waved his fist.
"Let the world see the strength of Chinese players!" Another teammate shouted excitedly.
The familiar faces and sincere blessings brought tears to Lu Chuan's eyes. These people witnessed his transformation from a green youth to a professional player, and their support was more precious than anything.
"Thank you, everyone." Lu Chuan's voice was a little choked, "I won't let you down."
After hanging up the video call, Esther was already awake. She didn't speak, just quietly hugged him.
"Are you nervous?" She gently stroked his back.
"A little." Lu Chuan admitted honestly, "But more than that, I'm excited."
Esther held his hand and whispered, "You've come this far, Lu. Tomorrow, just be yourself."
During breakfast, Carlos's phone rang again.
"Lu, Red Bull just confirmed that no matter the outcome tonight, they will officially sign you."
The agent's voice was full of excitement, "And that airline, their offer has already surpassed many La Liga players."
"Focus on the game first." Lu Chuan's reply remained calm, "We'll discuss other matters after the season ends."
"I understand." Carlos's tone became serious,
"But I must tell you, the whole world is watching tonight. ESPN, BBC, Sky Sports—all major media outlets will broadcast this match live."
Lu Chuan was silent for a moment. He knew what this meant, and he understood the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders.
At two in the afternoon, the team gathered at the training space. Tension and excitement were etched on every player's face, and an indescribable solemnity permeated the air.
"Brothers." Trejo stood in the center of the locker room, looking around at each teammate, "Tonight is not just Lu Chuan's game; it's all of ours."
"Exactly." Comesaña nodded, "We must fight for the team, for promotion, for our dreams."
Álvaro García walked over to Lu Chuan and patted his shoulder. "Brother, no matter what happens, we're behind you."
He smiled. These guys... they said they relied on him, but in fact, everyone treated this match as their own decisive battle.
As soon as the message was sent, his phone was immediately flooded with replies: cheering emojis, fist-pumping images, and various words of encouragement.
Paco walked into the locker room, his expression unusually calm. There was no passionate speech, no complex tactical briefing; he just quietly looked at the young men.
"I don't have much to say." Paco's voice was calm and firm,
"You have already proven your strength, proven your worth. Tonight, just do what you do best."
He walked to the tactics board, picked up a marker, and wrote down the starting lineup.
"Go enjoy the game, go create history."
At four in the afternoon, the team bus slowly drove out of the training space.
Lu Chuan sat by the window, watching the streets of Madrid flash by.
The closer they got to Vallecas Stadium, the denser the crowds became.
Red and white scarves, huge banners, and continuous singing.
"Oh my God." Advíncula pressed against the bus window, "These fans are crazy."
As the bus turned into the street near the stadium, all the players were stunned by the sight before them.
Tens of thousands of fans filled the entire street, waving flags, setting off red fireworks, and singing the team anthem.
"Lu Chuan! Lu Chuan!" The fans erupted in a thunderous roar when they saw the bus.
"12 consecutive kills! 12 consecutive kills!" The chants rose and fell, echoing through the sky.
The bus slowly moved through the red ocean, like a coronation procession for an emperor.
Through the window, Lu Chuan saw passionate faces, eager eyes.
There were young students, white-haired elderly people, mothers holding children, and couples wearing jerseys.
They came from different ages, different backgrounds, but at this moment, they were all gathered here for the same goal.
"This is the charm of football." Trejo shook his head with emotion, "To make so many people go crazy for a dream."
Lu Chuan's eyes were a little moist. From being abandoned by the Football School, to struggling in Segunda División B, and then breaking with the Football Association, he had experienced too much along the way: doubts, ridicule, and countless lonely nights.
But now, tens of thousands of people were cheering for him, shouting for his dream. At this moment, all the hardships seemed worthwhile.
"Today, I cannot lose." Lu Chuan silently swore in his heart.
The bus finally arrived at the stadium, and the players filed out.
Although the stands were empty, the singing outside was still clearly audible—the support from tens of thousands of fans.
In the locker room, Lu Chuan quietly organized his gear. Jersey, shin guards, cleats—everything was meticulously checked.
Esther sent a message: "I'm waiting in the vip box for you to make history."
There was also a message from his parents: "Son, no matter the outcome, we are proud of you."
Lu Chuan took a deep breath and stood up. The threshold of history was before him, and he was ready to cross it.
"Are you ready?" Trejo walked up to him.
"Never been more ready." Lu Chuan's eyes were as firm as iron, "Let's go create history."
In the player tunnel, Sporting Gijón's players were already waiting.
Their eyes were sharp, their expressions serious, clearly ready for battle.
Center-back Babin glanced at Lu Chuan, a hint of challenge flashing in his eyes.
Lu Chuan did not respond, just stood quietly in the line.
A true king doesn't need words to prove himself.
"Players entering the field!" The announcement sounded.
Although the stands were empty, Lu Chuan could feel the eyes of the whole world focused here.
In front of televisions, in online live streams, countless eyes were waiting for this historic match.
The moment he walked out of the player tunnel, the lights of Vallecas Stadium illuminated the entire night sky.
The singing outside grew even louder, as if to pierce the heavens.
Lu Chuan stood in the center circle, taking a deep breath. The chance for 12 consecutive kills was before him, and he would not let it slip away.
This was not just his battle; it was the glory of the entire team, the dream of all supporters, the hope of Asian football.
Tonight, a legend would be born here.