106

As the high-paced match continued, Gu Ran executed a flawless defensive maneuver, using his body positioning rather than just chasing the ball. He locked onto the Golden Fleece right winger, completely nullifying his advance. Bread was already covering the backline, ensuring that no one else could cut inside for an easy tap-in.

This was high-level defending—not just reacting to the ball, but controlling the opponent's movement entirely.

The moment their right winger barreled forward with brute force, Gu Ran braced himself, fusing every ounce of his speed, strength, and his newly enhanced Legal Shoulder Charge +2 into this challenge.

Bring it on.

The winger, a powerhouse with a rugby player's physique, charged directly at Gu Ran, shoulder first—an obvious attempt at bulldozing through, the kind of challenge common in rugby rather than football.

Gasps filled the stadium.

The girls covered their eyes, unable to watch.

The guys shook their heads, anticipating a brutal outcome.

Even Maria, standing in the medical zone, pursed her lips, eyes tense with concern.

But then—it happened.

Gu Ran didn't move.

His muscles tensed like steel cables, his feet dug into the turf, and his balance held rock solid.

The Golden Fleece winger crashed into him—only for Gu Ran to stand firm, absorbing the impact like an immovable wall.

Silence.

The entire stadium stood in shock.

The winger was taller, broader, and packed with muscle, yet Gu Ran had just absorbed his full-force charge without budging an inch.

The Southampton students couldn't believe their eyes.

The girls barely dared to breathe, afraid that the slightest sound might break this surreal moment.

Meanwhile, Gu Ran himself felt the pressure of the collision. It was like being hit by a bulldozer.

Damn, these guys really are built like rugby players.

If it weren't for the seven Dynamic Training skill bubbles he had picked up before the match, temporarily boosting his physicality, he might not have survived that impact.

But he had.

And he was only getting started.

His blood pumped harder, his excitement surged. He wasn't just enduring—he was thriving.

A grin formed.

Gu Ran focused, channeling his willpower.

He still had four unused Talent Points.

Now was the time.

He allocated one point into Strength.

From 60 to 61.

Instantly, it was like he had completed an extra hundred hours of dedicated strength training.

The winger, realizing that his charge had failed, gritted his teeth and threw his full weight into the struggle.

Their bodies clashed again, sprinting side by side.

It was pure physical dominance.

Not a single trick. No fancy footwork.

Just brute force.

But one point wasn't enough.

Fine.

Gu Ran used another Talent Point.

Strength: 62.

And then—he exploded.

His back arched, his muscles flexed, and he drove forward with overwhelming force.

The winger, already reaching his limit, had no chance.

His feet left the ground.

He tumbled forward.

Face-first into the turf.

The crowd erupted.

A pure one-on-one physical battle, won in less than five seconds.

It wasn't just impressive.

It was dominant.

Even the skeptics, the guys who had mocked him earlier, were speechless.

"…Who was it that said 'I could do that'?"

"…Not me."

"…Yeah, I think he's okay."

"…Yeah, yeah. He's decent."

They nodded vigorously.

The girls, meanwhile, had been holding back their cheers in fear. Now, they unleashed a deafening roar.

Gu Ran had single-handedly ignited the stadium's energy.

A blue Skill Bubble appeared under the fallen winger.

But there was no time to pick it up.

The ball had been free for nearly five seconds and was about to roll out of bounds.

Gu Ran quickly calculated the best play.

Chasing it would waste energy.

The last player to touch it was the winger—meaning it was their throw-in.

Perfect.

He sprinted over, scooped up the ball, and launched a precise throw-in to Bread.

Bread wasted no time, sending a long pass upfield to Watergate.

The game resumed at full speed.

Gu Ran jogged back into position, catching a glimpse of the Skill Bubble.

Legal Shoulder Charge +1.

Damn.

Perfect timing.

This was his third upgrade for the skill.

Now, at +3, it was capped at the system's current C-Rating.

Any further upgrades would require leveling up the system itself.

But for now? This was more than enough.

With Legal Shoulder Charge +3 and Strength 62, there was no way that winger could ever overpower him again.

The game pressed on, the tempo rising.

Golden Fleece's attacks were gaining momentum.

Their midfield was waking up, controlling possession.

The Stags were forced into a more defensive shape.

At the 17-minute mark, the right winger came again.

He refused to accept defeat.

His expression was furious, determined.

Gu Ran?

He didn't even flinch.

He stepped up—shoulder lowered—body positioned.

The winger sprinted.

The collision was inevitable.

BAM!

The winger went flying.

It was even more decisive than the first time.

The stands erupted.

One successful challenge could be a fluke.

Twice?

That was dominance.

The winger sat there, hands on the ground, questioning his entire existence.

Another blue Skill Bubble appeared.

Gu Ran didn't even need to look.

He knew what it was.

Another Legal Shoulder Charge +1.

Hah.

Useless now.

He had already maxed it out.

Instead of picking it up, he focused on transitioning the ball upfield.

Bread moved in, received the pass, and built another attack.

The Stags' confidence soared.

Meanwhile, Golden Fleece's coach, Wilkinson, frowned.

Something was wrong.

His first-string winger—one of their star players—had just been overpowered twice by a no-name defender.

"…What the hell?" Wilkinson muttered. "Who is this Chinese kid?"

He had been sure Southampton's defense would crumble.

Instead, they were winning the physical battles.

His frustration grew.

He signaled to his players to switch the attack to the left flank.

The Stags immediately felt the pressure shift.

Right-back Rusty was forced to step up.

Bread had to fall back.

Gu Ran rotated into cover.

The match had become a war of attrition.

At the 36-minute mark, Golden Fleece's left winger found an opening.

He cut inside, played a quick one-two, and fired a shot from the top of the box.

The ball flew low.

Fast.

Too sudden.

Southampton's keeper, T-Rex, had his vision blocked.

By the time he reacted—

It was too late.

The net rippled.

Golden Fleece had scored.

Their bench erupted in cheers.

The scoreboard updated: Southampton 0-1 Golden Fleece.

Their players ran to the stands, taunting the home crowd.

Mocking them.

Southampton's students lost it.

Bottles rained onto the field.

The game had to be temporarily paused.

Carter gathered his team at the bench.

"Listen up," he said. "We're not out of this. Stay compact. Hold them. We'll change things up in the second half."

The players nodded.

All except Gu Ran.

"…Coach," he said. "Screw waiting."

Carter's eyes narrowed.

Everyone braced for the explosion.

"…Good," Carter said. "That's what I wanted to hear."

The team: What?

Carter, you've changed!

With the game resuming, Southampton went on the offensive.

Watergate laid off a pass to Gu Ran.

Gu Ran turned.

And sprinted.

The real game had just begun.

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