A heavy silence fell over the pitch after Ren's scream…
It was as if everyone sensed something unprecedented was about to explode.
Asaf stood still, his breathing calm… but his eyes were anything but.
His gray eyes flashed… then suddenly widened.
Talent System: Detecting an S-Level Threat. Activating "Tactical Predation" Mode.
The players didn't understand what had happened… but one thing was clear:
Asaf had changed.
---
The Moment of Impact
The ball ricocheted off Issaghi's foot after a short pass.
Ren moved with monstrous speed… his footsteps mercilessly crunching the grass.
But… Asaf saw the move before it happened.
Hunter's eyes… blazing.
He started moving even before Ren touched the ball, as if he could read time itself.
From the back, Pachira shouted:
- "Issaghi! Asaf is coming from the left!!"
Issag turned around quickly, surprised to find that Asaf was two full steps ahead of everyone.
Rin (inwardly astonished):
This is impossible… He read my intention?
---
The First Encounter Between Asaf and Rin
Asaf stood in front of Rin, only half a step apart.
Rin raised the ball slightly to begin his quick dribble, but…
Asaf suddenly appeared on his left.
Then, in an instant, he moved to his right.
A phantom move.
An unpredictable move.
Rin raised an eyebrow:
– "What was that? A technique… unlike any other in Group C."
Asaf smiled a small, steady smile:
– "I read your intention."
Rin froze for a moment.
---
The System Announces
Mission: Prey on Group C's Star
Objective: Steal the ball from Ren Itoshi
Success Rate: 26%
Activate Support: Motion Analysis x3
Time: 4 seconds
Asaf whispered to himself:
– "26%? That's enough."
Then he launched himself.
He moved with perfect precision… an angled approach, a slight bend, and then a straight run.
Ren tried to change the ball's trajectory, but Asaf was waiting for that exact move.
He intercepted the ball.
One clean. Deadly.
The entire court froze.
Pachira raised his hand above his head:
– "Haaaaa! Asaf stole it from Ren!!"
Shidou clutched his head, laughing:
– "Oooh!! Exciting!!!"
Ren gritted his teeth. For the first time… someone other than Isagi had taken the ball from him with such precision.
---
A Legendary Counter-Attack
Assaf immediately passed the ball to Isagi.
Isagi looked up, his blue eyes blazing.
- "Assaf… I get it!"
Assaf surged forward.
The system displayed:
Perfect Pass Line
Possible Shooting Angle: 82%
Estimate: Almost a Goal
Assaf shouted:
- "Isagi!!!"
Isagi played a precise long ball.
Assaf leaped.
He twisted his body in the air.
He kicked the ball with the back of his foot in a curved motion.
A kick…
It couldn't have come from an ordinary player.
The ball headed towards the goal… The goalkeeper sprinted…
But it was faster.
GOAL.
The first goal shared by Isagi… and Assaf Shinji.
---
Ren's Reaction
Ren stood frozen.
He wasn't angry… but his eyes were fixed on Asaf with a cold, stony gaze.
– "You… you're not an ordinary player."
Asaf smiled with a confidence he'd never shown before:
– "Neither are you."
Rin:
– "Don't think you'll do it again."
Asaf:
– "I will… and more clearly."
---
Temporary End of Chapter Five
The match had become intense.
Asaf had become a player to watch.
And Rin's group?
For the first time…
She was worried.
The predation… had truly begun.