MTLNOVEL Chapter 8: Chapter 7: The Final Gate
The stadium buzzed with tension. Only two teams remained. Renji Arata stood at the edge of the field, his muscles tight, his eyes locked on the massive screen above. The final round was about to begin.
Their opponent's name flashed on the screen: Team Aether.
Renji had heard the rumors — a team led by a single player feared by everyone.
Hiroshi Kyoden.
A prodigy. A machine. A striker so ruthless and skilled, even professionals whispered his name.
The screen switched, and the rules appeared.
One match. No draws. No second chances.The winning team moves on. The losers… are eliminated.
The pressure was suffocating. But Renji didn't flinch.
He stared across the field. At the other end, Hiroshi Kyoden stood with his team — tall, calm, his face blank. He didn't even seem to acknowledge the crowd.
But when his eyes met Renji's, there was something there. A quiet, dangerous intensity.
The whistle blew.
Kaede passed the ball back, and Renji pushed forward immediately. But Team Aether was fast — faster than any team they'd faced so far.
A midfielder charged at Renji. Renji feinted right, then cut left — but the defender was already there.
The ball was stolen in seconds.
Damn. They're fast.
Team Aether counterattacked instantly. Their passes were quick and sharp, cutting through the field like lightning.
Then the ball reached Hiroshi Kyoden.
He didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, breaking through their defense like they weren't even there.
Kenta tried to block him, but Hiroshi's speed was insane. With a single step, he was past him.
Renji ran back, desperate to stop him — but Hiroshi was already in the box.
The shot came fast and brutal. The ball rocketed into the top corner.
0-1.
The stadium erupted. Renji's team stood frozen.
Kaede broke the silence. "We need to stop him. Or we're done."
Renji nodded. "We will. Let's go."
They restarted with renewed focus. Reo danced through the midfield, his speed and control pushing them forward.
Kaede sprinted ahead, calling for the pass. Reo sent a perfect through ball.
Kaede shot — but the goalkeeper deflected it.
The ball rebounded. Renji was already moving. He launched himself forward, striking it on the volley.
The net rippled.
1-1.
The crowd roared, but there was no time to celebrate. Hiroshi was already walking back to the center line, his eyes locked on Renji.
The game turned into chaos. Both teams pushed harder, faster. Every pass was a risk, every tackle a fight.
Hiroshi moved like a ghost, slipping through defenses with terrifying ease.
But Renji was right there with him. Every time Hiroshi attacked, Renji chased him down. Every time Hiroshi shot, Renji was closing in.
The pressure kept building.
With ten minutes left, the score was still tied. Both teams were exhausted, but no one slowed down.
Then Hiroshi struck again.
A sudden burst of speed. A sharp turn. He broke through the defense and fired a shot from outside the box.
The ball curved like a missile — unstoppable.
1-2.
Renji's chest burned. His legs ached. But he didn't stop.
Kaede passed the ball to him, and Renji pushed forward. Two defenders closed in. He spun between them, cutting through their line.
Reo ran alongside him. Renji passed — but a defender intercepted.
The counterattack was brutal. Hiroshi stormed forward, his eyes locked on the goal.
Renji sprinted back. He wouldn't let him score again. Not like this.
As Hiroshi pulled back to shoot, Renji slid in.
The tackle was clean. The ball shot out of bounds.
Hiroshi stared at him, his face finally showing emotion — surprise.
"You're fast," Hiroshi said.
Renji stood up, breathing hard. "You haven't seen anything yet."
Two minutes left. Team Aether tightened their defense, determined to protect their lead.
Renji knew they needed something big. Something no one expected.
Kaede passed to Reo. Reo sent a long cross into the box.
Renji sprinted. The goalkeeper rushed out.
Renji didn't go for the ball. He let it bounce past him — straight to Riku.
Riku struck without hesitation.
The ball slammed into the net.
2-2.
Overtime was looming. Both teams were on the edge. One goal would end it.
Hiroshi got the ball again. He drove forward with terrifying speed.
Renji chased him. Their feet pounded against the grass.
At the edge of the box, Hiroshi pulled back for the shot. Renji lunged — but Hiroshi didn't shoot.
He passed.
The sudden shift caught everyone off guard. The ball sailed toward an open striker.
But Reo was there. He intercepted the pass, launching it back upfield.
Renji didn't think. He ran.
The ball bounced perfectly ahead of him. The goal was in sight.
A defender closed in — but Renji didn't slow down.
He cut left, his body twisting. The defender lunged — and missed.
The keeper rushed forward. Renji kept his cool.
One touch. One shot.
The ball flew, slicing through the air — and slammed into the net.
3-2.
The whistle blew.
Renji collapsed, his chest heaving. The roar of the crowd faded into a distant hum.
Hiroshi walked up to him, his face unreadable.
"You won," Hiroshi said quietly.
Renji looked up, meeting his eyes. "Next time, you won't hold back."
Hiroshi smiled — a small, dangerous smile. "Next time, you won't win."
As Hiroshi walked away, Renji felt his exhaustion fade. The fire inside him burned brighter than ever.
This wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.