The air inside Blue Look Stadium was heavy…
Not from fatigue, but from the eyes that had begun to turn to Asaf Shinji after his dominant performance in the 1-on-1 matches.
Every player in Group Z now saw him as a threat, an opponent, or an obstacle to their dream.
And Asaf?
He walked calmly as the system displayed a new window:
> [Acquired Skill: Shadow Step]
Can be used once every 90 seconds.
Caution: Using it without balance may result in momentary loss of control.
Asaf smiled faintly.
This skill would be his next secret weapon.
---
Ego Announcement: The First Team Match
Ego entered the stadium and stood in front of the giant screen.
"You selfish lot…"
He paused, a cool smile spreading across his face.
"It's time for the first official match. Group Z will face Group W."
Whispers suddenly rose.
Group W?
It was known for having a dangerous striker named Nagaya Hiro, a player with immense physical strength and a bullet-like shot.
Ego continued:
"The losing team gets no points. And without points… you don't qualify for the next round."
Then the list of players appeared on the screen.
Asaf noticed that he was with:
Isagi Yuichi
Bachira Meguro
Konigami
Chigiri
Raitsu
Gama
and the rest of the familiar Z-group team.
But his eyes lingered on one name…
"Ryan Shido"
The mysterious player he had been observing at the end of the previous chapter.
---
Pre-Match Training
The coach divided them into three groups:
Attack Group
Midfield Group
Defense Group
Asaf chose to train with Isagi and Bachira.
The training began with a special style:
3-on-2 fast breaks.
Bachira handed the ball to Asaf, saying:
– Let's see your new skill.
Asaf grinned.
"You think I'll figure it out that easily?"
Pachira laughed, a funny, manic laugh.
"Of course! I want to see it!"
Two defenders advanced toward them.
Isagi shouted,
"Asaf! The left is open!"
But Asaf didn't pass.
Instead… he vanished for a moment.
A step. A shadow. A turn. A burst of speed.
He found himself behind the defenders before anyone could understand what had happened.
Pachira stopped, stunned.
Isagi's jaw dropped.
"Wh-what was that?!"
Isagi said.
"The Shadow Step," Asaf said calmly, as if telling them something trivial.
Pachira jumped for joy.
"Wow!! That's awesome!"
But from a distance…
Ryan was watching.
He thought to himself,
"This player… might be even more dangerous than Nagaya Hiro himself."
---
Tension Within the Team
In the locker room, the players began discussing the plan.
Konigami said,
"We need to focus on defense first. Team W is physically strong."
Ryan replied coldly,
"Defense alone won't save us. We need someone who can tear through their defense."
All eyes turned to Asaf.
Isagi sensed this and said,
"Don't put everything on him. Winning will require us to play as a team."
But Ryan gave Asaf a cold look.
"If he has the incredible skills I saw in practice… let him prove it."
The atmosphere grew tense…
The players felt the first spark of competition within their own team.
Asaf didn't respond.
The system displayed a new message:
> [Warning: Player Ryan considers you a primary competitor]
[Threat Level: Medium]
System Advice: Don't unleash your full potential yet.
Asaf closed the window and said quietly to himself,
"Okay… I'll save my cards for the match."
---
End of Chapter Six
A few moments later, Ego entered and announced loudly,
"Get ready… The night match between Group Z and Group W will start in one hour."
Isagi clenched his fist.
Bachira smiled as usual.
Konigami looked excited.
As for Asaf…
His chest was pounding.
This was his first real match… his first encounter with another team… his first test of the system.
And the voice inside him said:
> [The battle begins now.]