The tension reached a breaking point. Every player on the pitch knew what was at stake — their survival in EOS. The score stood at 2-1, but that gap wouldn't last for long.
Team 2 was hungry. And no one embodied that more than Sora Amagi.
He stood just past the halfway line, his eyes locked onto Yuto Kisaragi, the core strategist of Team 1. A predatory grin spread across Amagi's face.
"You're in my way, Yuto."
Yuto's eyes narrowed. "Then move me."
The ball zipped toward Amagi. The moment it reached his feet, he exploded forward.
"Try and stop me!"
Yuto lunged in, his timing perfect — but Amagi disappeared.
"What—?!"
The air shimmered as Amagi's Phantom Feint activated, his body seeming to flicker out of existence. Yuto's tackle met nothing but empty space.
By the time Yuto turned, Amagi was already ten meters ahead.
"Damn it!" Yuto cursed, giving chase.
But Amagi was unstoppable. He weaved through defenders like a phantom, his every movement a step ahead. Shohei Kuroda closed in from the left — Amagi spun and broke away. Kenji Takahashi surged forward — Amagi's La Croqueta slipped him right past.
"Stop him!" Jin Kazama's voice echoed from the goal.
But no one could.
Amagi charged into the box — and that's when he saw him.
Yamada Goro was perfectly positioned. Unmarked, with a clear line to the goal. A simple pass and the equalizer would be guaranteed.
But Amagi's ego wouldn't allow it.
"I don't need anyone else."
He ignored Goro completely.
Instead, he faced down Jin Kazama. Their eyes met — predator and predator.
Amagi made the first move. He shifted his body right — and Kazama bit on the feint. In that split second, Amagi cut left, his speed and balance otherworldly.
One step. Two steps.
Then the shot.
"Not on my watch!" Kazama roared, diving to his left.
But the ball was already past him.
Goal.
The net rippled violently. The stadium fell into stunned silence before erupting in noise.
2-2.
Amagi stood there, arms spread wide, his chest rising and falling with the thrill of his own brilliance.
Yamada Goro stormed toward him, his face twisted in frustration. "I was right there! You should've passed!"
Amagi didn't even look at him. "If you want the goal… take it yourself."
That was his message to everyone.
He wasn't here to rely on anyone else.
He was here to become the best.
And the battle for dominance had only just begun.
To be continued…