Discovered

The ball bounced off the rim a few times before finally wobbling and rolling in.

Even though the shot was a bit lucky, it felt like a glimmer of hope for Moyun — a reminder that even in adversity, there was always a way to break through.

However, because of the extreme backward lean on his fadeaway, Moyun lost his balance and instinctively fell backward.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. He could feel the pull of gravity and the inevitable impact approaching.

Then — thud! His back hit the hard court, sending a dull shock through his body.

Moyun frowned slightly, but he quickly shook it off. It wasn't anything serious.

What mattered to him most was the game itself.

"Not bad, not bad at all!" Shiro grinned, impressed.

"This guy isn't just some random player… With skills like these, it'd be a shame if I didn't recruit him for the team."

Shiro's words weren't just praise — they were recognition of Moyun's talent and potential.

He extended a hand, offering to help Moyun up. A simple but meaningful gesture — one of camaraderie and respect.

Moyun looked up at Shiro, his face breaking into a bright smile. He reached out and let Shiro pull him to his feet.

"I did alright" he said with a humble nod, though the satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable.

Even if he downplayed it, there was no hiding his confidence and love for the game.

"Last possession" Shiro's voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable intensity behind it.

He picked up the ball, ready to launch the final attack. This was the climax of their one-on-one, and it showed just how much Shiro respected Moyun as an opponent.

Moyun's expression turned serious. He knew this possession could determine the winner, and he was ready to give it everything he had.

Shiro began dribbling, his footwork precise and fluid. He started with a drive, then smoothly transitioned into a behind-the-back move, turning his back toward Moyun to shield the ball.

Moyun stayed close, trying to anticipate Shiro's next move.

But Shiro was a step ahead. He quickly reset his feet and threw in an ultra-realistic shoulder fake.

Moyun hesitated for a split second.

It was the same move he had used before — so why did Shiro's version feel so much more refined?

That moment of indecision was all Shiro needed. With explosive speed, he elevated into a textbook Mamba-style fadeaway.

He adjusted his body midair and released the shot.

Swish!

The ball traced a perfect arc before dropping cleanly through the net. The motion was effortless — pure skill and finesse.

Final score: 3-2. Shiro won.

Moyun shook his head with a wry smile.

"You got me."

He couldn't deny the outcome. There was a part of him that hated losing, but more than that, he simply acknowledged Shiro's superiority.

Still, despite the loss, he felt surprisingly satisfied. Going head-to-head with a player of Shiro's caliber had been exhilarating.

"You're no slouch yourself" Shiro said without hesitation. "Honestly, you could be on the level of the Uncrowned Kings."

Then he added, "Think about what I said today. The basketball team's doors are always open for you. It's getting late — I'm heading out."