Chapter 60 Football 60 Second Round of Selection
The worst-case scenario has occurred.
Team Z won the match, increasing their points to 6.
Inside Building 5, the situation became extremely close. Team X had two wins and two losses, and their points were tied with Team Z. Team V not only had the same points, but also the same number of goals scored as Team Z.
If the survival of the fittest rule is still applied, then another match will have to be played.
But... it seems like we're running out of time.
Suoh Hyo-hee's gaze was fixed on the screen, the flashing numbers mirroring his complex and chaotic emotions. His hand tapped lightly against his thigh, as if calculating the subtle differences between the teams.
Team V and Team Z have the same points and even the same number of goals scored.
Should we play another match?
Suddenly, the screen flashed, the huge score difference disappeared, and in its place appeared Hui Xin Shiba's gloomy face. He clenched his fists in front of his mouth, his expression unreadable.
"The pace is too slow. The matches in the other buildings have already ended, and the winning teams have already started the second round of selections."
The crowd below began to stir, with shouts of discontent rising and falling.
"Isn't it your event planning that's unreasonable?"
Someone shouted loudly.
"Team Z and Team V have the same points and the same number of goals. There won't be enough time for another match, so—"
Hui Xin Shiba slowly lowered his head, deliberately drawing out a few syllables in his voice, which contained some kind of elusive meaning. Then he suddenly paused and said in an almost provocative tone, "You have passed."
The chatter in the crowd was like beans exploding in a pot, flying everywhere.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Doubt, confusion, and shock were etched on everyone's faces; their brows were furrowed, and their eyes gleamed with bewilderment.
"Don't we need to play another game?" someone asked cautiously, their voice tinged with disbelief.
"Isn't that unfair?"
Some players on Team V directly expressed their dissatisfaction. Their expressions were contorted, their lips were downturned, and their eyes burned with anger. "Let's play another game! We can definitely win if we play another game."
"We'll still win even if we play another game," someone from Team Z retorted defiantly.
Huixin Shiba simply smiled, ignoring their argument. Casually raising her hand, she pointed to her temple and said in an almost indifferent tone, "You have ten minutes left."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud bang was heard, and a bottomless door suddenly appeared in the wall, like a mysterious passage leading to an unknown world.
The players from both teams were taken aback. They looked at the unexpected door with confusion, then looked up at Huixin Shiba, their faces filled with bewilderment and surprise.
"Those who do not reach the location of the second round of selection within ten minutes will be eliminated." Huixin Shiba spoke again, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
The crowd suddenly realized what was happening, and a look of panic and tension flashed across their faces. There was no time for hesitation or argument; action replaced thought.
Like a pack of prey being chased, they rushed forward headlong toward the door.
"Charge forward with all your might, you egoists!"
Eishin Shiba's voice sounded from behind, carrying a hint of barely perceptible encouragement.
The players quickly disappeared down the corridor, leaving only a series of hurried footsteps and the sound of panting in the air.
The group quickly arrived at the location of the second round of selection. The room was empty and silent, with only a few staff members bustling about. Under their guidance and explanation of the rules, the group passed through another door and entered the first stage of the second round of selection.
With her exceptional adaptability and skills, Suoh Hyo-hee completed the adaptation training with almost effortless ease, and then entered the second stage of the second selection – the three-person team.
His ranking was not very high, only 16th, due to a scheduling conflict in the first round of the competition.
"Koki!"
Kira Ryosuke's eyes lit up when he saw the familiar figure at the door. A bright smile spread across his face as he stepped forward, extended his hand, and whispered, "Koki, I've finally waited for you."
Suoh Koki hummed in agreement and gave him a high five, then turned his gaze toward Tenno Minaka who was walking toward them.
“Then the three of us can advance to the next round.” Kira Ryosuke’s words were full of desire and anticipation for the match.
Just as Kira Ryosuke was about to discuss team formation strategy further, Amano Minaka's expression changed slightly, and he said apologetically, "Sorry, I already have people in mind for my team."
Let's go back an hour.
"Peng—"
With a crisp and powerful impact, the black and white soccer ball slammed into the goalpost and bounced into the net at an angle that almost defied the laws of physics. The goalpost trembled slightly from the force of the blow, leaving a deep dent.
Amano Minaka's gaze unconsciously drifted to the clock ticking silently on the wall, calculating the passage of time.
A subtle worry lingered in his golden eyes, and the corners of his mouth were slightly pursed, forming an almost imperceptible curve.
He was slightly uneasy at not seeing Suoh Koki during the meeting, but this was by no means a doubt about Suoh Koki's abilities. With Suoh Koki's strength after his breakthrough, victory was within reach.
It's just a pity about Reio Mikage. The top scorer for Team V is Seishiro Nagi. Although they don't get along, Tenno Minaka can't bring himself to say anything derogatory, since that guy is indeed very talented.
It is tall and has an amazing flexibility, but seems to lack a bit of aggression.
Amano Minaka took a deep breath, trying to calm the complex emotions in her heart.
Another shot! The black and white ball sliced through the air once more, repeating its previous trajectory with astonishing precision, as if time itself had been copied and pasted. The ball slammed against the goalposts again before falling into the net.
The first phase of the second round of selection has ended.
Amano Minaka gently turned her head, her gaze inadvertently falling on the newly appeared ranking on her arm—5th place—and chuckled, "Fifth place, huh."
Just then, the door to the lounge opened, accompanied by a faint metallic scraping sound, and then the loudspeaker blared out, clear and powerful.
"Heaven's Royal Center, NO.5."
He entered the lounge with steady and composed steps, his eyes quickly scanning the room. The room was softly lit, and only a short, pink-haired boy sat quietly on the floor, intently fiddling with his braid.
The boy's muscles weren't exaggerated, but rather fluid and aesthetically pleasing, revealing a dexterity and skill unlike those of power-type athletes. Tenno's gaze slowly moved upwards along the boy's taut leg muscles, finally settling on the nameplate on the boy's arm, which clearly read "NO.4."
Fourth place!
None of the top three are here, so it looks like Koki and Ryosuke will team up to advance to the next round.
Amano Michiko secretly pondered, not believing that Suoh Koki and Kira Ryosuke would lose to anyone other than himself.
The pink-haired boy seemed to sense the gaze from Amano Minaka and slowly raised his head, his clear eyes meeting Amano Minaka's gaze in the air.
"Amanomichi, ranked 5th," Amanomichi announced his name. "Shall we team up?"
The pink-haired boy stood up. Although he wasn't tall, his composed demeanor was undeniable. He opened his mouth, revealing a row of sharp, shark-like teeth, and expressed his agreement in a friendly manner, "OK, OK."
The boy earnestly gave his name, "I am Heiming Lanshi."
"Tanaka Shingen, NO.6"
The broadcast came on again.
The conversation between Amano Minaka and Kurona Ranse was interrupted. The two turned towards the door at the same time and saw a burly figure with an exaggerated afro enter the lounge.
"Want to team up?" Tanaka Shingen's voice was deep and powerful, direct and frank, without the slightest hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Hei Minglan Shi merely raised an eyebrow slightly, offering no objection. He was confident of victory regardless of whether he teamed up with him or not.
Ranze Kurona believed in her own strength and was also aware of the significance of Shingen Tanaka as the sixth-ranked individual. This combination would undoubtedly enhance their competitiveness.
So he looked up at Ten no Minaka, awaiting his decision.
Amano Minaka's answer surprised both of them: "I'm sorry."
He declined the invitation to join a team.
Because of his high ranking, if he teams up with Shingen Tanaka, they will inevitably encounter Koki Suoh and Ryosuke Kira from the first group, and Minaka doesn't want to meet him so soon.
Tanaka Shingen did not show much surprise or dissatisfaction at Amano Minaka's rejection. He simply found a corner to sit down and patiently waited for the next potential teammate.
Half an hour has passed, and three groups have already advanced to the next round. Now, only Tenno Minaka and Kurona Ranse remain indoors.
The lounge fell silent again, with only the sound of the air conditioner running on the ceiling.
Amano Minaka stood still, her gaze passing through the tightly closed door, seemingly fixed on some distant place.
"Is there someone you're waiting for?" Kurono Ranse couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with curiosity and confusion.
Amano Minaka did not answer the question, but said, "Wait a little longer."
They've already entered the third group. Has Koki and Ryosuke reached the final stage of the second selection?
The next moment.
"Ryosuke Kira, NO.15."
A hint of surprise flashed in Amano Minaka's eyes. He looked towards the door and saw a white-haired boy enter the lounge with hurried steps. The familiar figure was none other than Kira Ryosuke.
"Naka-chan, were you waiting for me?" Kira Ryosuke's voice was filled with surprise and warmth as he jogged over, his face beaming with an energetic smile.
“Kurona Ranse,” Amano Minaka introduced simply, then turned to Kurona Ranse and acted as a go-between for the two, “He is Kira Ryosuke.”
Kurona Ranse naturally knew Kira Ryosuke's name; the title "Neon Treasure" was legendary within the industry. He politely replied, "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you." Then, glancing at Amano Minaka, who hadn't made a move, he said nothing more.
After exchanging pleasantries, Amano Minaka asked, "What happened?"
Given Kira Ryosuke's personality and abilities, Amano Minaka does not believe that his ranking is limited to this.
After thinking for a moment, Kira Ryosuke replied, "Some...surprise? But now is not the time to tell you. You'll find out when the time comes." With that, he flashed his signature energetic smile again and raised his thumb high.
Looking at Kira Ryosuke's deliberately mysterious smile, Amano Minaka frowned suspiciously but didn't press the matter further.
"Suoh Hyoki, NO.16".
Let's go back to the present.
"Sorry, I already have someone to team up with."
"Huh?" A look of surprise flashed across Kira Ryosuke's face. His eyes widened slightly and his mouth opened halfway, as if he were expecting a different answer.
Suoh Kōki's expression froze as well. His mouth was slightly open, but he didn't close it for a long time, and his deep eyes flashed with disbelief. In his gaze toward Ten no Michū, there was not only confusion, but also a trace of indescribable complex emotions.
Amano Minaka gently patted Kira Ryosuke's shoulder to comfort him, while raising his chin to indicate a figure not far away, saying, "That's Kurona Ranse, ranked number 4."
"What's with those expressions on your faces?" Tenno Minaka's words carried a hint of lightheartedness and teasing, attempting to ease the sudden awkwardness. "We still need to explore some new ways to play football."
"And who's the last one?" Suoh Hyo-ki interrupted with a somber expression. "Who is the last person?"
"Is it Jie Shiyi or someone else?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: I've finished writing about all the 11-11 matches; the rest are the first half. I haven't added the offside and defensive wall sections I really wanted to cover yet. Waaaaah, let me see where I can add them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
