Team Z vs. Team W
Score: 3 - 1
The momentum shifted instantly. It wasn't just a shift; it was an avalanche.
Team W was attacking with fury. Team Z, confused by the sudden change in difficulty, crumbled.
Minutes later.
A cross came into the box.
Kuon jumped to head it away.
But he jumped early. He missed the ball completely.
It fell to Junichi Wanima.
BOOM.
GOAL.
Team Z: 3 - Team W: 2
"What the hell is going on?!" Raichi screamed. "Kuon, wake up! Stop making mistakes!"
"I'm sorry!" Kuon panted, looking distressed. "My legs... they're cramping!"
The kickoff.
Isagi received the ball.
I have to score, Isagi thought. If I make it 4-2, their deal is ruined. Kuon will have to score again to be safe, or he'll panic.
Isagi dribbled.
"Metavision," he whispered.
He saw a path. He cut past one defender.
He prepared to pass to Kunigami.
Suddenly, a body slammed into him from behind.
It wasn't a Team W player.
It was Kuon.
"My bad, Isagi!" Kuon yelled, colliding with him. "I was trying to make a run!"
The collision knocked Isagi off balance. The ball rolled loose.
Keisuke Wanima picked it up.
"Nice screen, Kuon!" Keisuke laughed.
Isagi fell to the turf. He looked up at Kuon.
Kuon wasn't looking at the ball. He was looking down at Isagi. The smile was gone. His eyes were cold and dead.
"Stay down, Isagi," Kuon whispered, so only Isagi could hear. "Don't ruin this for me."
Isagi's eyes widened. The rage inside him exploded like a supernova.
He scrambled to his feet.
"You..."
But Team W was already gone. Counter-attack.
3 vs 2.
They shredded the defense.
GOAL.
Team Z: 3 - Team W: 3
TIED.
The stadium fell silent.
Team Z was paralyzed. They had blown a 3-0 lead in ten minutes.
Kuon stood near the goal, dusting off his shorts.
"Ah... shoot," Kuon said, his voice devoid of emotion. "They caught up."
"Kuon..." Raichi walked over, trembling with rage. "What the fuck was that? You tackled Isagi!"
Kuon sighed. He stopped slouching. He ran a hand through his hair, slicking it back.
He turned to face his team. The mask dropped completely.
He smiled. But this time, it was a genuine, mocking sneer.
"You guys are so loud," Kuon said. "Can't you see it's over? We lose."
"What?" Igarashi blinked.
The Wanima brothers walked over, flanking Kuon like bodyguards.
"Keh keh," Junichi laughed. "Good job, Kuon. That tackle on Isagi was perfect."
"Yeah," Keisuke added. "Thanks for the 3 points."
The realization hit Team Z like a truck.
"You..." Kunigami gasped. "You betrayed us?"
"It's called survival," Kuon said calmly. "Only the top scorer from the losing team survives. I have 3 goals. None of you can catch me. So, I made a deal. I let them win, and I survive to the next selection. You trash can all go home."
"YOU BASTARD!" Raichi roared. He lunged at Kuon.
But the Wanima brothers stepped in, shoving Raichi back.
"Ah ah ah," Junichi wagged a finger. "No fighting. Red card means expulsion."
Isagi stood apart from the group. He wasn't yelling. He was shaking.
Not from fear.
From pure, unadulterated hatred.
He looked at Kuon.
"So," Isagi's voice cut through the shouting. It was low, demonic. "You think you've won?"
Kuon looked at Isagi. "It's simple math, Isagi. I have 3 goals. You have 0. Even if you score one, we lose 4-3 or 5-4. I still win. It's checkmate. It's 12 players against 10."
Isagi began to laugh.
It was a dry, terrifying sound.
He lifted his head. His eyes were glowing with a deep, swirling blue vortex. The 'Metavision' was processing the new reality.
"12 against 10?" Isagi repeated.
He took a step forward. The grass seemed to crunch under his aura.
"I've been playing 1 vs 21 since I was born," Isagi spat. "You think adding two more enemies scares me?"
He pointed at Kuon.
"You wanted to be the top scorer? Fine. I'll just have to score four goals then."
"Four?" Kuon scoffed. "Impossible. We won't pass to you. I'll block your shots. It's impossible."
Isagi turned his back on them and walked to the center circle.
"Bachira," Isagi called out.
Bachira was standing there, his eyes wide, trembling with excitement.
"Yeah, Isagi?"
"Pass me the ball," Isagi commanded. "I'm going to devour everyone on this field. The traitors. The enemies. The ball. The goal."
Isagi looked back one last time.
"Watch closely, Kuon. I'm going to show you the difference between a survivor... and a God."