"No doubt about it—the attacker is Oogawa Hibiki, but the one who truly organizes the defensive counterattacks every time is Niko Ikki."
Kira Ryosuke replied,
"So our tactics need to change a little for this match. I'll be responsible for guarding the backline. I absolutely won't give them any chance to launch a defensive counterattack."
"Kira, you're covering the backline this time?"
Kuon Shosei asked in surprise,
"Then who's responsible for attacking?"
Kira Ryosuke shifted his gaze toward the corner of the locker room, where Chigiri Hyoma sat silently:
"Leave it to the young lady."
"Huh?"
Everyone was somewhat surprised. Even Chigiri Hyoma himself had not expected this.
"Can the young lady really do it?"
"He spent most of the last match slacking off, didn't he?"
"I also think it's a little unreliable—but since it's Kira's idea, I'm fine with it."
Everyone began discussing it noisily, while Chigiri Hyoma was left speechless by the sudden turn of events.
"I believe in the young lady. Besides, the other side will definitely adopt a completely defensive stance in the first half. You can attack as freely as you want. If the whole team relies on me to move forward, none of you will have any chance to improve. It wouldn't be fair to the players who have always played defense, either. Maybe I can even go into goal later."
Kira Ryosuke said with a smile.
They were a team. If they wanted to keep winning, every aspect of their game had to improve.
After all, their opponents would only grow stronger, especially Team V. Their strength was on an entirely different level from the other teams.
Qualifying from the group would not be too difficult, but Kira Ryosuke also wanted to learn greedily during this period and improve himself.
The stronger his opponents and teammates were, the more Combat Points he would earn, allowing him to strengthen himself at a faster pace.
He did not want to focus solely on the striker position. He also wanted to use this opportunity to test whether the abilities he had unlocked could be effective in other positions.
According to the system's previous explanation, he could also obtain a huge number of points by using skills to complete tackles, assists, and so on.
"But can I really do it?"
A trace of bewilderment still showed in Chigiri Hyoma's eyes.
"Don't worry. You just need to turn up the firepower and attack freely. I'll handle the defense on our half."
Kira Ryosuke said,
"And in the first half, you need to work hard to expose weaknesses in their defense and wear down their stamina. Then, in the second half, if the score isn't far enough apart, I'll move up to the front and completely destroy their defense together with you."
In Team Y's locker room, Niko Ikki had already gathered the rest of his teammates to discuss their next move.
"We have to win this match!"
Although his heavy bangs covered his eyes, everyone knew that his expression had to be extremely serious,
"Team Z is very strong, but they aren't impossible to deal with. Team Z and Team V are clearly different. Team V has three outstanding attackers, which leaves our defense stretched thin. But there's only one person worth defending against on Team Z: Kira Ryosuke. The others are no threat."
As Niko Ikki finished speaking, he clenched his fists, and his tone became even more resolute:
"With these eyes, I'll lock down every one of Kira Ryosuke's attacking routes! I absolutely won't let him score! We must win this match!"
"Yeah!"
After Niko Ikki's speech, Team Y's morale soared to an unprecedented level.
They had no way out. If they were eliminated in this match, they would have virtually no chance of qualifying.
An hour later, the players from both teams arrived at the field according to the broadcast's instructions.
Both teams were in exceptionally high spirits. Even before the match officially began, the flames of war had already spread between them.
Kira Ryosuke could feel the other side's gazes focused on him, but he paid them no attention. Instead, he opened the System Interface.
[Host: Kira Ryosuke] [Current Combat Points: 0] [Combat. Thunder Breathing. Total Concentration LV2 Proficiency 88.07%] [Combat. Thunder Breathing First Form. Thunderclap and Flash LV2 Proficiency 75.11%] [Combat. Thunder Breathing Second Form. Rice Spirit LV1 Proficiency: 100% Upgrade: 50 Combat Points]
After several days of daily training and high-efficiency practice in the Combat Space, Kira Ryosuke had raised the proficiency of Rice Spirit, which he had only recently unlocked, to the maximum level. It was about to upgrade to LV2.
Once this match ended, he should be able to obtain enough points.
At the same time, Kira Ryosuke wanted to see whether the skills he had already unlocked could be effective in other positions.
Chapter Thirty-One: An Unfathomable Existence
"Kira, isn't this decision a little too sudden..."
On the field, Chigiri Hyoma walked over to Kira Ryosuke, worry still showing on his face.
"This is a good opportunity for you, isn't it?"
Kira Ryosuke smiled,
"Their defense will definitely be extremely tight in the first half, so we'll need you to help us tear apart their defensive line. And they'll probably focus on marking me throughout the first half. Your appearance will definitely catch them off guard."
"But..."
"Don't forget—you've been training with me every day these past few days. You're the only one who knows your physical condition."
Kira Ryosuke patted Chigiri Hyoma on the shoulder. Although Chigiri Hyoma had previously said that he had essentially given up on soccer, he still followed Kira Ryosuke for extra training every day after the team's regular practice ended.
"The first half is yours to shine in. I'll make sure the backline stays safe."
Kira Ryosuke said, then turned to look toward the other side of the field,
"Look. Those guys from Team Y already look like hungry tigers."
At that moment, on the opposite half of the field, nearly everyone from Team Y was staring intently at Kira Ryosuke.
Having watched the footage, they all knew that Kira Ryosuke had practically dominated the match between Team Z and Team X.
Niko Ikki's tactics were extremely straightforward: place their entire focus on defense, especially against Kira Ryosuke.
Niko Ikki believed that as long as they completely shut down Kira Ryosuke, Team Z's primary attacking point, they would have a very high chance of winning the match.
A few minutes later, all the players from both teams had reached their respective halves and assumed their tactical formations.
Yet Team Y's attention unanimously fell on Kira Ryosuke.
"What's going on?"
"Kira Ryosuke's position... is in the backline, right?"
"Is he playing as a defender this match?"
The players from Team Y discussed it among themselves. They had never imagined that Kira Ryosuke would take the field as a defender.
"That guy—does he look down on us? I'll completely crush their defense!"
Oogawa Hibiki furrowed his brows, a trace of anger in his eyes. Kira Ryosuke appearing in the defensive position was clearly an insult to his team.
Niko Ikki, standing nearby, had a serious expression as he carefully studied Team Z's lineup.
Judging by the expressions and movements of Team Z as a whole, they did not look arrogant.
The person who caught Niko Ikki's attention was Chigiri Hyoma, who was playing as a winger in this match.
But Niko Ikki had almost no impression of him. Chigiri Hyoma had done nothing in the previous match, as though he had not even existed.
Why would Team Z put this person up front?
"Although their tactics have exceeded our expectations, don't let your emotions affect you no matter what, and don't disrupt our tactics. Everyone else, focus on defense. Only Oogawa is responsible for attacking. No matter what happens in this match, we have to win!"
"Yeah."
"The match is about to begin. Both teams, please get ready!"
The broadcast echoed through the enclosed field, and nearly every player entered a state of intense concentration.
"Team Z will kick off. The match begins!"
As the broadcast rang out with a crisp chime, the horn of Team Z's attack had already sounded.
Bachira Meguru dribbled forward rapidly, attacking the opposing goal from the middle. His superb dribbling skills made him extremely suited for breaking through.
But Team Y had already noticed this. They had guessed that, aside from Kira Ryosuke, Bachira Meguru might control a large share of the possession, so they had prepared their countermeasures long ago.
Bachira Meguru had only taken a few steps with the ball when two players quickly closed in on him—and out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of another person.
Niko Ikki.
The double-team was only a feint. In reality, it was a trap Niko Ikki had prepared for Bachira Meguru. Its purpose was to draw him into his defensive zone so that he could make the tackle more effectively.
But Bachira Meguru reacted extremely quickly. Before the match, Kira Ryosuke had already told him about the tactics Team Y might use.
"As expected, a double-team! Just like Kira said!"
Before Niko Ikki could close in, Bachira Meguru immediately passed the ball back to Isagi Yoichi, who organized another attack.
After a period of passing and buildup, Team Z obtained several chances to shoot, but Team Y defended against every one of them.
Finally, the ball came to Kunigami Rensuke's feet.
"Great chance!"
Kunigami Rensuke raised his left foot and fired a fierce shot straight at the goal!
But the moment the ball was kicked, two defenders forcibly cut off its path, blocking the shot and clearing the ball.
Team Y had already investigated Team Z. In their first match, Kunigami Rensuke had displayed powerful long-range shooting ability, so Team Y had naturally taken precautions against him.
"Attack again!"
Isagi Yoichi, not far away, happened to gain possession. He drew back his leg and prepared to shoot.
But the moment Isagi Yoichi obtained the shooting opportunity, it was disrupted. Niko Ikki seized that instant and directly stole the ball from under Isagi Yoichi's feet.
"I've finally caught an opening!"
A smile appeared on Niko Ikki's face. This was his team's strategy.
Focus on defense, search for an opening, and then launch a defensive counterattack.
Because Team Y's defense was so tight, Team Z had been forced to send more players into their half. That meant the defense in Team Z's own half had become weaker.
Next came the moment for Oogawa Hibiki, the team's most powerful attacker, to finish the play!
"Niko Ikki's physical abilities are average, but his keen overall awareness and outstanding ability to read space make up for his weakness. That makes him the most moldable raw gem on Team Y."
Ego Jinpachi muttered as he sat before the screen.
"Team Y's defense is very tight. Team Z has no room to attack at all. But I'm a little confused. Kira Ryosuke should be Team Z's star player, right? Why is he playing defense?"
Teieri Anri was also watching the live broadcast intently as she asked in confusion.
"I don't know either."
Ego Jinpachi shrugged. He could not help recalling what Kira Ryosuke had once said to him—all for the sake of victory.
What kind of performance would he show on the defensive line?
Ego Jinpachi possessed an exceptionally high intelligence. In his eyes, every player's performance was part of a script he had arranged.
But Kira Ryosuke was the only existence he could not see through.
Chapter Thirty-Two: 1V1, Oogawa Hibiki vs. Kira Ryosuke!
"Without Kira, it'll be difficult for Team Z to break through this kind of defense... Wait, Mr. Eikoku, which one was the monster you mentioned earlier? Is it one of these two teams?"
Before you continue