For a split second, he felt his heart shudder.

Was it fear?

The inexplicable feeling he felt for that split second, he couldn't be sure about it.

Shaking the feeling, he then composed himself as he prepared himself for what was about to come. The appearance of Hiro appeared quite threatening. Yet still, he couldn't afford to bring his gaze away from him.

Neither could he afford to hesitate.

Just then Hiro unleashed a powerful shot. The sheer magnitude of the shot was so great that it sent a ripple across the ball, causing it to wobble.

Bam!

The crowd watched the ball with their eyes opened wide.

Their heart thumping with excitement.

As for the opposing keeper, his complexion paled while at the same time, cold sweat accumulated on his forehead. For some reason, he felt his body stiffen.

He also felt a chill running down his spine.

Even so, he forced his body to move against the intimidating aura pressing on him.

As the ball got close to him, it appeared bigger than what it looked like a moment ago. It was as if the ball was multiplying in size.

As for the reason why it was multiplying in size, it was because it was headed straight to his face. If he didn't block it, his face might get squashed like a tomato.

That's what his guts told him.

A part of him wanted to duck to avoid getting hit but the pride of being a goalkeeper wanted to brace the impact at all cost to prevent the ball from going inside.

Even if it meant sacrificing his face, he didn't want to move away.

However, at the final moment, he still slightly ducked his head to avoid the impact. Though he had his hands raised, he closed his eyes out of fear a moment before the ball reached him. This action of his although prevented injury cost his team the goal.

"Goal!!"

"Damn! Just what kind of ridiculous shot was that?"

"What are you doing Romero?"

The people standing on the sideline were mesmerized. At the same time, many were complaining about the goalkeeper's cowardice.

If only, he hadn't moved his head, he could have prevented the goal.

Alas! He was too scared to do so.

Although the opposing goalkeeper was fairly talented, he wasn't an ambitious person. The person was already 32 years old. Yet still, he had been playing better than many youngsters.

They had rarely seen him make such a mistake.

Romero after allowing the goal, looked at his hands, feeling empty inside. His face devoid of any emotion appeared rather complicated. As for his hands, it was trembling violently.

For a while, he couldn't bring himself to act.

Even though it was noisy around him, he couldn't hear any noise. It was as if the entire world around him had gone silent.

Looking at his trembling hands, he was reminded of the dread he felt from the shot.

Soon, despair clawed his heart as he realized the severity of his actions, 'I... got scared!' Romero felt as if he was plunged into an empty void with nothing but darkness around him. For some reason, it triggered the memory he had always wanted to forget.

"Romero, I'm sorry to say but you... can't play anymore"

It was the words of the doctor after he injured his legs in a match. Upon hearing such cruel words, he was plunged into a whirlpool of darkness.

How would you feel when you've helped your team earn a promotion but you learn that you have to give up on your dream?

As a young talent, he was one of the promising talents from the hood.

He even went on to play for a professional club.

But after helping his team with a promotion to the first division, he had to learn about the unfortunate news that he couldn't play anymore.

After that injury, although he had recovered enough to play, his life hadn't been the same as it had been before his injury.

But the mere fact that he could play was enough to prove the words of the doctor wrong. He had said that he wouldn't be able to play again. However, here he was right now, playing.

Clenching his fist, Romero gritted his teeth as he muttered through the gaps of his teeth with great difficulty, "Fuck... it"

Then he mustered his strength to stand.

Though he had been defeated once, he wasn't done yet.

Romero had much more to give.

As he rose, his fighting spirit rekindled. At the same time, his dull eyes gained the spark they had lost a moment ago.

With a newfound vigor, he then turned to look at Hiro who was celebrating at a distance.

"Are you okay, Romero?" João asked, his tone laced with concern.

Until now, he hadn't seen such a devastated sight of Romero. So, he couldn't help but worry

about him after seeing him in such a miserable state.

He feared that it had left a deep impact on Romero.

But Romero's words relieved him, "It's okay. I was just shaken a bit. Rest assured kid, I won't repeat the same mistake."

Romero sounded quite reliable at this moment.

So, João could only have faith in him.

Then Romero leaned closer to João as he said in a serious tone, "Kid, I think we are playing against professionals. They aren't just some random foreigners."

"Although some of them appear clumsy, I can tell that they are professionals. So, be extra

careful when dealing with them. Alert, others as well"

Upon hearing him, his eyes jolted toward their direction.

Though he had been feeling that these guys weren't simple, he hadn't thought that far. But

now that he heard him, everything became clear to him.

Now that he learned about their identity, he could no longer rest easy.

Then he shared the findings with others as well.

"What are they doing?"

The people outside were confused by their gestures.

"Are they discussing strategy?"

The people outside could only guess.

A glint of seriousness flashed past their eyes as they learned the truth. Now that it became clear that they were up against professionals they had to become even more careful.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!

Report chapter

Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter