NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45: The Fire Within
The scoreboard flashed: Zeta 1 – Omega 0.
Renji Kurogami stood at the center of the field, his chest rising and falling as the echoes of his goal still hung in the air. The modified version of Sora Amagi's Phantom Step had been devastating — faster, sharper, more unpredictable. But the fire in his eyes wasn't from satisfaction. It was hunger.
He wanted more.
Team Omega wasn't going to let that happen easily.
The ball rolled back to Omega's midfield. The air grew heavy. Renji's spatial awareness flared as he tracked their movements — and then they struck.
Omega's top three players broke forward like lightning.
—Tetsuya Aikawa, the captain and their most dangerous forward. His speed was terrifying, his presence on the field undeniable.—Shohei Kuroda, their playmaker, a midfield general with vision almost as sharp as Sora's.—Makoto Yajima, a relentless striker with an incredible first touch and finishing ability.
The unexpected trio clicked instantly.
Kuroda received the ball and didn't even look up before delivering a no-look pass — the ball swerved perfectly into Aikawa's path. Aikawa surged forward, his speed leaving Riku Saionji scrambling.
Renji saw it. The gap in their defense was wide. But before he could react, Aikawa tapped the ball back — and Yajima was there.
One-touch football. Fast, fluid, lethal.
"Stop them!" Sora's voice cut through the air.
Kaede Arata rushed in for the tackle — but Kuroda flicked the ball up with a Rabona pass, sending it soaring over Kaede's outstretched leg.
"They're too fast—" Haruto Inoue started — but then Aikawa was already in the box.
He shot. A low, driven strike — but Jin Kazama was ready.
Jin dived, his fingers grazing the ball — and deflected it wide.
"Nice save, Jin!" Riku shouted.
But the danger wasn't over.
Yajima was already there, following up. A volley — no hesitation — and this time, Jin couldn't reach it.
Goal.
Zeta 1 – Omega 1
The field went silent.
Renji clenched his fists. This wasn't like Team Alpha. Omega wasn't just powerful — they were coordinated, precise. And that made them dangerous.
But Team Zeta wasn't about to back down.
From the kickoff, the fire spread.
Riku blazed down the right flank, his newfound key — Rapid Gale — making his movements unpredictable with sudden bursts of speed and quick direction changes. He crossed the ball into the box, aiming for Kaede.
Kaede met it with a Diving Header — but the Omega keeper punched it away at the last second.
"Damn it!" Kaede spat.
But the attack wasn't over.
Haruto Inoue intercepted the clearance, his First Touch Control flawless. He spun away from his marker and sent a Through Ball slicing between the defenders.
Renji was already moving.
He caught the pass and used Phantom Step again — but this time, Omega was ready. Aikawa anticipated his movement, closing in fast.
"Not this time!" Aikawa lunged — but Renji smirked.
A La Croqueta — a quick lateral shift — and Aikawa missed him by inches.
Renji fired — but Kuroda slid in with a last-second block.
The ball rebounded toward Sora Amagi at the edge of the box.
Sora didn't hesitate. He unleashed his key — Hawk's Vision — seeing the entire field in perfect clarity. In that instant, he spotted Kaede making a run.
A chipped pass. Pinpoint accuracy.
Kaede adjusted mid-run and struck with a Volley Shot.
The net rippled.
Goal.
Zeta 2 – Omega 1
The fire had spread. And the match was only heating up.
To be continued…