Closed-Eyed Player, Feints, and Corner AFK Spots

The sickening thud of the hit still echoed through the gymnasium.

The volleyball rolled to a corner. The court was dead silent, and even the sound of breathing was unnervingly clear.

That last spike felt like it had taken all the physical laws of the past few weeks and ground them into the dirt. No observation, no adjustment, not even thought – just pure speed and the ball landing exactly where it was aimed.

Lu Ren stood in the back row, staring at Hinata Shoyo, who was gazing at his own hands as if in a daze. The image of that split second flashed through Lu Ren's mind.

An ordinary person would probably just marvel at the speed. But Lu Ren was a data-obsessed analyst who dissected every frame. He had seen it clearly: the moment the orange-haired boy jumped and swung his arm, his face was utterly blank.

That kind of expression only appeared in one situation – when you've cut the signal to the monitor.

"Hey, Four-Eyes."

Lu Ren shifted a couple of steps to the side, speaking in a voice only Tsukishima Kei could hear. "Did you see that?"

Tsukishima Kei pushed up his glasses, his brow furrowed deeply. "See what? That reckless speed?"

"Not the speed," Lu Ren said, pointing to his own eyes. "That guy, he wasn't even looking just now."

Tsukishima Kei's actions of wiping sweat froze. He turned his head, looking at Lu Ren with an expression that said, Are you kidding me?

"Huh? Eyes closed?" Tsukishima's voice rose slightly. "You're saying he hit it completely blind in mid-air?"

The commotion on their side of the net caught the attention of the opponents. Kageyama Tobio, in a state of post-excitement clarity, heard this and abruptly turned to look at Hinata.

"Hey, Idiot," Kageyama grabbed Hinata's shoulders, his tone a little chilling. "Were you looking when you hit that ball just now?"

Hinata Shoyo blinked his big eyes, looking completely nonchalant. "Nope."

Kageyama's grip tightened. "Huh? You weren't looking? Then how did you hit it?"

"Because you told me to!" Hinata yelled back righteously, his voice echoing in the large gym. "You said if I jumped with all my might, the ball would go over! You said not to worry about the ball and just jump with all my might! So I jumped with my eyes closed!"

The entire court fell into an eerie silence once more.

Sawamura Daichi's mouth hung open, and Tanaka Ryūnosuke dropped the ball he was holding in shock.

Was this what they called "trust"? This wasn't trust at all. It was like turning yourself into a launched projectile, completely relinquishing control as the pilot and handing your life over to the setter.

Madmen. Both of them were madmen.

"It... it was because of that?" Kageyama Tobio stood frozen, looking at his own hands. That feeling of being able to score as long as he sent the ball over – it was built on this kind of unreserved, blind faith.

Is this what they mean by 'Script' paired with 'Hacks'? Lu Ren mentally slapped a high-risk red tag on this combination.

As long as Hinata Shoyo was on the court, Kageyama Tobio, this Super AI, would have the strongest execution terminal.

If something wasn't done, this match could end in a GG right here.

Lu Ren turned to Tsukishima beside him. "Can you block it?"

Tsukishima Kei coldly watched the small figure still bouncing on the other side of the net. For once, he spoke the truth. "Human reactions can't keep up with that activation speed. If I go to cover that Monster Quick Attack, both wing spikers will be completely open. It's a Dead End."

"If you can't react, then don't react," Lu Ren stretched his aching neck. There was no fear in his eyes, only the shrewdness of someone playing a strategy game. "Since it's a finishing move, it must have a CD or a Stiff Animation. Next time, if that orange-haired guy charges in like that again, don't mind him."

Tsukishima raised an eyebrow. "Leave him open?"

"Yeah, leave him open," Lu Ren stared at Kageyama Tobio's position. "Since we can't block it, we'll gamble on probability. You guard your zone. If that Missile flies over... I'll take it."

Tsukishima Kei looked deeply at Lu Ren, and finally just nodded.

If they didn't try to change their strategy, only slow death awaited them.

The whistle blew. The match resumed.

Kageyama Tobio stood on the service line. That Monster Quick Attack just now seemed to have opened up his meridians; his aura now was even more terrifying than at the start of the game.

Toss, run-up, jump.

A standard Power Jump Serve. The volleyball shot out like a cannonball, heading straight for the sideline corner.

This is what they call the 'Backboard'.

Lu Ren's body had already moved the instant Kageyama hit the ball. No thought was needed; after enduring half a game of abuse, he had developed Muscle Memory for Kageyama's serves. His body shifted right, he squatted, and intercepted.

"Thwack!"

The ball hit his arm, sending a searing pain through it. But Lu Ren didn't even frown, using his Force Dispersion Technique to bump the ball high.

The ball flew towards the three-meter line.

Yamaguchi Tadashi scrambled to get into position. Though his movements were awkward, he stubbornly passed the ball towards the net. "Tsukishima!"

The pass was a little high, but that suited Tsukishima just fine. He jumped at that incredible height, using his reach advantage to spike the ball down before Kageyama's block could form.