It was almost nine o'clock at night, and giant white lights illuminated the stadium as if to expose every weakness in every player.
The Z team sat on the bench, waiting for the W team to enter.
Ego stood in front of the screens, his voice steady:
"Remember… this isn't a friendly match. Winning here means staying in the game. Losing means you're just worthless strikers."
Footsteps grew louder behind them…
The W team entered.
At the front:
Nagaya Hiro – the monstrous striker, with short gray hair and narrow eyes that seemed to hold no mercy.
He stood before the Z team, smiling confidently:
"Hello… I hope the match isn't too short."
Chigiri whispered:
"That guy… his aura is terrifying."
Isagi gritted his teeth:
"We're going to win… no matter what."
Asaf remained calm…
Until the system alert appeared:
> [Opponent Analysis: Nagaya Hiro]
– Physical Strength: 90
– Shooting: 88
– Speed: 72
– Tactical Intelligence: 65
Threat: High
Asaf smiled:
"Then it's going to be an interesting match…"
---
The match begins
The referee blows the whistle.
Team W starts with the ball, and from the very first moment…
Hiro takes off like a long arrow.
Konigami says in shock:
– He's so strong!
Hiro runs as if he's pushing the ground with his feet, outpacing two Z players with incredible speed for his size.
Isagi shouts:
– Don't let him shoot!
But Hiro has already shot the ball.
The shot is like a cannonball.
It hits the crossbar…
But it shakes violently, so much so that even the virtual audience on the screens gasps.
Pachira whispered:
– Wow… this isn't going to be easy.
---
Asaf's first touch
Three minutes have passed.
The ball is now with Team Z.
Isagi quickly passed the ball to Asaf:
– Shinji! Help us out a bit!
Asaf received the ball as three W players rushed towards him at once.
A red triple path appeared in front of him… lines moving and intersecting.
The system was working at full capacity.
> [Tactical suggestion: Triple dribble – Shadow step + Phantom step]
Asaf thought to himself:
"Okay…"
He disappeared for a moment.
A step right…
A step left…
A small jump forward.
Three swift movements left the defenders frozen in place.
One of them shouted:
– Where did he go?!
Asaf reappeared behind them, the ball at his feet as if he hadn't moved at all.
Pachira burst out laughing:
– Wow, you're a magician!
Asaf ran towards the opponent's area… but Ryan suddenly appeared beside him and said coolly:
– Pass me… I'm in a better position.
Asaf looked at him.
The system displayed a quick analysis:
> [Pass to Ryan = 67% chance of a goal]
[Shoot yourself = 59% chance of a goal]
Asaf:
"The best plan… isn't always the one they expect."
He passed Ryan a quick, low ball.
Ryan reached it… He shot powerfully…
But the W goalkeeper made a last-ditch save!
Ryan yelled:
– Damn it!
Isagi said:
– That was a good chance, keep going!
---
Danger from Team W
Team W launched a swift counter-attack.
The ball was with Hiro again.
This time… he seemed faster and more aggressive.
He ran straight toward Asaf, as if he were the only obstacle.
"Let's see who you really are," Hiro said with a wicked smile.
Asaf tried to cut him off… but Hiro shoved him with his body with tremendous force.
Asaf took a half-step back.
The system issued a warning:
> [Opponent's power is 20% higher. Do not engage in direct confrontation.]
But Asaf smiled. "I understand…"
"Wait for the right moment."
Just as Hiro raised his foot to shoot… Asaf vanished in a single, short step.
"Huh?!" Hiro yelled.
Asaf intercepted the ball at that very instant.
Hiro's surprise turned to anger.
Isagi was stunned. "Asaf! That was insane!"
Chigiri said, "He stopped the W monster all by himself…"
But Rain said coldly, "Don't get carried away. This monster hasn't shown everything yet."
---
End of Chapter Seven
Hero stood looking at Asaf with a serious expression for the first time.
He was no longer smiling.
He said in a low voice,
"You… you're not an ordinary player.
I won't let you steal the game from me."
Asaf replied calmly, "Try it."
And the battle between the attackers began… but it wasn't time to win yet.