Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Hunt Begins
Victor limped toward Noah, the bandage around his foot peeking white against the gleam of his gold-and-silver kit.
"So, how are you?" His voice carried the casual ease of someone used to owning the field—height or injury be damned.
"You can see it," Noah replied, giving his leg a light pat. "At least passable to play."
They spoke in low tones, trading easy words that hinted at familiarity. Old teammates? Rivals with history? Julian didn’t know.
But the way they spoke—like soldiers who’d once fought in the same trench—made his stomach tighten.
There was comfort there. Shared memories. Maybe even shared scars.
What he did know was what Laura had told him—Victor Salinas wasn’t just good.
He was a prodigy. The kind that had already caught the eye of multiple MLS academies.
Not just domestic either—offers had come from overseas. If fate hadn’t clipped his wings, Lincoln would be facing a nightmare today.
And yet, here he was, sidelined.
Julian’s gaze narrowed. He remembered Laura’s exact words: East Valley Tech couldn’t stop him... so they stopped his legs instead. A cynical foul. A career-threatening tackle.
The kind of thing a dirty martial arts sect might do when they couldn’t beat you head-on.
Julian wasn’t one to get sentimental, but there was something in the thought that made his blood run colder.
It wasn’t just football—it was a hunt, and someone had tried to take Victor out of the game for good.
The thought made Julian’s jaw tighten.
By then, Lincoln High had reached the pitch. The turf here looked pristine under the crisp winter sunlight, every blade of grass upright as if expecting an inspection.
The cold air bit at his cheeks, sharper in the open stadium than it had been by the bus.
Somewhere high in the stands, a flag in San Dimas colors snapped in the wind.
The crowd wasn’t massive, but every cheer and jeer seemed to carry twice as far in the crisp air.
They filed toward the bench, boots thudding against the turf.
Around them, the stands buzzed—not deafening, but with a hum of expectation that prickled against Julian’s skin.
Today wasn’t going to be just another game.
...
Lincoln High fanned out across the touchline to warm up, the crisp thunk of passes and the low murmur of breath filling the chilled air. Cleats bit into the turf with each turn, and the ball skipped across the surface like it was gliding on silk.
"Even this field feels premium," Cael muttered, rolling his shoulders as he took it in. "Power of a Division 1 team."
Julian agreed silently. The grass here was alive—springy, even under winter’s bite. Perfect for clean touches, perfect for speed. But while Cael marveled, Julian’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.
He still had 39.8 unspent points in his system.
The temptation gnawed at him. Should he go for a skill?
The only one he could upgrade right now was Scan.
Would that be enough to win this match?
Maybe.
He didn’t hesitate for long. The points slid into the skill like a key turning in a lock.
➤ [Scan Lv.2] [0/50]
Type: Active
Rank: Rare
Effect: You can scan a person to view their attribute totals. You can see their best two attributes. You can see one of their skills.
The rest of his points—14.8—went into stamina.
[ With 14.8 EXP points, every 5 EXP becomes 1 attribute point. Stamina +2. ]
No rush of power.
No surge of magic.
Only the steady thud of his heartbeat in his ears, like a war drum waiting for the first strike.
Julian exhaled, focus narrowing to a razor’s edge.
[ Activating Scan Lv.2... ]
Numbers and details flared into his vision, sharper than before—every stat a cold reminder of the scale of the mountain in front of them.
...
User: Elijah Kwon
Position: CDM
Best attribute : Stamina and Perception
Skill : Iron Wall Intercept — Instantly reads the passing lane and cuts out the ball without committing a foul, even in tight spaces.
Age: 17
Total Attributes: 277
...
User: Malik Ortega
Position: GK
Best attribute : Perception and Insting
Skill : Eagle Catch — Exceptional reflexes to catch blistering shots cleanly, even from point-blank range.
Age: 17
Total Attributes: 276
...
User: Kai Mendoza
Position: LB
Best attribute : Stamina and Agility
Skill : Blitz Run — Explodes into full sprint instantly, able to outrun most wingers both in attack overlaps and defensive chases.
Age: 17
Total Attributes: 279
...
User: Victor Salinas
Position: ST
Best attribute : Technique and Insting
Skill : Hawk Eye Finish — Strikes the ball with pinpoint accuracy and perfect timing, able to score even from tight angles or through crowded defenses.
Age: 15
Total Attributes: 312 (145)
...
Three players hovering near 280.
A striker breaking 300.
On paper, Lincoln was already beaten.
Julian’s fingers curled into a fist, his pulse pounding hotter. Good.
It had been far too long since he’d felt this kind of heat—blood boiling with the promise of a real battle.
These numbers... these names... I’ll devour them all.
"Alright—circle up!" Leo’s voice cut through the cold.
They formed a tight ring, shoulders brushing, their breath misting in the crisp air. The low hum of the stands wrapped around them like static, pressure thick enough to taste.
"You know this team," Leo said, his voice calm but edged with fire. "You know their strength. But I don’t care. We can win this. No matter what happens, we will win this."
He raised his hand, eyes blazing.
"Let’s make the perfect run. Let’s become the legend they’ll never forget."
"LET’S GO!"
"For Lincoln High—" Leo roared.
"—AND FOR OUR DREAM!" they answered as one, the sound rolling out like a war cry.
...
The pre-match ritual unfolded. Both squads lined up before the referee, cleats clicking, heads held high.
The handshake line was quick, but every grip spoke the same silent promise: See you in the war zone.
As the away team, Lincoln High stepped to the center circle.
The ball waited.
The whistle was coming.
Kickoff was theirs.
Julian rolled his shoulders once, the cold biting into his lungs. His eyes locked on San Dimas’ back line.
Whatever happened in the next ninety minutes, one thing was certain—someone was leaving this pitch broken.