My system allows me to copy talents

People had expected the match to be neck-and-neck. However, the French giants’ one-sided domination made it seem otherwise.

While the chimes of celebration rang, Hiro stood at his spot, recalling the moment leading to the goal.

‘The goal was set the moment Lucien made his move. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without proper coordination. Lucien might be the initiator, but others are just as great. This attacking trio… We have to do something about them if we want to turn the tables.’

Indeed, it was just as Hiro deduced. Lucien might be the initiator, but both wingers were equally impressive. Each was aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

The more Hiro thought about it, the more dire he felt.

Hiro had simulated countless variations of this match. However, the opposition’s movement in reality exceeded his imagination.

To the thought of this realization, Hiro shook his head.

Then he heaved a deep sigh as he dropped his shoulder, ‘I shouldn’t be too much reliant on the system.’

The system had already warned of the variables. But he had become just too much reliant on it. Hence, he was facing this predicament at the moment.

Just as the celebration drew closer to an end, the players began to retreat to their positions. On their way, Lucien came across Hiro, still deep in thought.

“Wake up, Mr. Prodigy. The game has started…” Lucien mumbled. “You can’t doze off now. Come on, fight back!”

Hiro was stunned when he heard those provocative words. Lucien didn’t seem like the provocateur. He had expected it.

Hence, when he heard him, he was left baffled.

Just like a breeze, Lucien passed him without him even being able to react. Even after Lucien’s departure, Hiro stood dazedly staring at the spot where Lucien had been a moment ago.

‘What just happened?’

Hiro pondered with a dumbfounded look on his face.

‘Is this the real him? Is this the real Lucien?’

‘I thought he was someone poised. Had I been wrong about him the entire time?’

Hiro found it quite hard to believe. He couldn’t believe that Lucien was this type of person. He had been rather silent in the tunnel. Then what happened now?

Did he provoke him?

Hiro couldn’t recall. From what he could tell, he hadn’t provoked him in any way. Then why would he find him deliberately to incite him?

Unless it was his original personality, there shouldn’t be a reason for him to act like this.

As shocking as it is, Hiro still had a match to play. Hence, he couldn’t continue spacing out thinking about Lucien.

With this conceded goal, they were already at a disadvantageous position. Now, if he continued to keep his mind occupied with such nonsensical things, it would only make their situation worse.

That being said, Hiro refocused his attention on the match ahead.

Beep!

The game resumed.

Hiro blasted from the get-go. He couldn’t afford to sit back and play safe now. He was made aware of their situation.

Defending alone wouldn’t be enough.

Even the strongest of defenses would fall under the continuous assault.

Perhaps, drunk in their ecstasy, the opposition seemed rather unprepared for Hiro’s sudden assault. Hence, they were slow to react to his sudden burst of speed.

Without much obstruction, Hiro got through their line of attackers and midfielders. But when it came to breaching their defensive third, Hiro ran against a wall.

Vittorio, the viper, was waiting for his presence. Like a predator waiting to make its move, he was sharpening his fangs in the shadows.

Now that Hiro had entered his hunting zone, he wouldn’t let him go.

He revealed his fangs, cutting Hiro on his path. Hiro tried to shake him off but failed. The more he tried to shake him off, the more he felt like he was being led to some kind of trap.

Though he didn’t lose the ball, he couldn’t get past him either.

Like a colossal snake with its body spread, Vittorio obstructed Hiro, keeping him trapped and occupied. The more Hiro tried to run, the more he hit a dead end.

Even the audience was starting to get anxious. They hadn’t seen Hiro struggle like this before. From a spectator’s viewpoint, Hiro had finally found his match.

‘The real one is on a completely different scale than the simulated one,’ Hiro thought while struggling to break free from Vittorio’s grasp.

It didn’t matter how he tried to outsmart him, Vittorio would always catch up with him. He didn’t leave a single space open and kept latching onto Hiro.

Hiro tried feints, but it didn’t work.

Even his tricks failed to deceive him. Hiro’s speed was also neutralized.

‘Even when I try to speed up, he catches up. He’s intentionally maintaining his distance from me to react to my speed. Though he can’t snatch the ball, I’m guessing his task is to keep me occupied rather than the ball.’

‘Now, I can see why he acted smug in the press conference. Even if he fails to snatch the ball, as long as he keeps me occupied, he will have fulfilled his responsibilities.’

Hiro could tell that Vittorio wasn’t tasked with snatching the ball; rather, he was tasked to keep him occupied until their side organizes. Hiro could see them organizing and moving into position to tighten their formation.

But even so, Hiro couldn’t bring himself to back down.

However, he could also tell he couldn’t be stubborn about beating Vittorio. As much as he wanted to humiliate him, he had to think of the team.

He had to put the team before himself.

Hence, after multiple failed attempts to get past Vittorio, Hiro decided to make use of his teammates. On the left flank, he found Simeone making his run.

The passing angle was difficult.

But Hiro could still manage to make it work.

Hence, without much hesitation, he tried to force his way again. Or so he made it look like. However, his objective wasn’t to get past Vittorio but rather connect the pass to Simeone.

He attempted a feint, but Vittorio couldn’t be fooled.