109

Hearing that Gu Ran wanted to take the free kick, Bun hesitated for a moment.

In professional teams, the order for penalties, corners, and free kicks was pre-determined. Even in the Steelhorn Bucks, they followed professional standards.

Bun had the best free-kick accuracy in training, so he was always the designated taker. After him, it was Watergate, followed by Sissy.

As for Gu Ran, he hadn't had time to train free kicks yet since he had only just joined the team. Naturally, he wasn't even in the discussion for set-piece duties.

Bun knew Gu Ran had great accuracy—he had proven it during the team trials when he scored an absurdly curved shot that left everyone stunned.

But hitting accurate shots didn't necessarily mean he could deliver in a live game.

Practicing was one thing. Doing it under pressure, against a defensive wall, was another.

Especially from 25 meters out. Close enough to be tempting, but also a tough distance where the defensive wall would have a significant advantage.

Bun hesitated. "Gu, are you sure you want this? If you mess up, Coach Carter is gonna rip into you."

Gu Ran smiled. "Don't worry, I'll explain it to him after the game. Besides, I've got a good feeling about this. Let me try."

With Gu Ran saying this much, Bun couldn't refuse.

One of the reasons he was the team captain wasn't just his skill—his easygoing nature and willingness to compromise made him well-respected.

Besides, Gu Ran had earned this free kick. He had fought for it and nearly gotten injured.

And with less than a minute left, even if he missed, it wouldn't affect their qualification.

"Why not?" Bun grinned. "Go for it, Gu. If it goes in, all yours. If it doesn't, I'll take the blame with Coach."

Gu Ran high-fived him. "Thanks, Bun."

"Don't thank me. Just score the damn thing!"

Bun gave him a pat on the shoulder before stepping aside.

Gu Ran walked up to the ball, bent down, and adjusted his socks.

The Southampton students exploded with excitement the moment they realized he was taking the kick.

"Husband! Score! Score! Score!"

"God! Send me flying to heaven with this goal!"

"Steelhorn Bucks! Fight to the end!"

"Gu! If you score this, I'll call you big bro!"

"Gu! If you score, I'll call you Daddy!"

The stands fell into a brief silence, then erupted again with cheers.

Before this match, most of the guys in the crowd hadn't thought much of the new left-back.

Some had even thought, If I were out there, I could do that too.

But within the first minute of the game, those doubters had been silenced.

Gu Ran had led the Bucks against the powerhouse Golden Fleece, scoring one and assisting another.

He had become a sensation.

Now, with the game tied 2-2 and less than a minute left, if he could put this free kick away, he wouldn't just be a standout player—he would be a legend.

Some guys in the stands had literally dropped to their knees, watching in anticipation.

The girls clutched their hands over their hearts, silently praying for their idol.

Glider, who had been subbed out, discreetly pulled out his phone, ready to record.

Even Coach Carter, despite his usual strictness, found himself crossing his chest.

If it had been anyone else trying to take this free kick, he would have shut it down immediately.

But Gu Ran was different.

His performances in the past few games had earned him special treatment.

Gu Ran finished adjusting his socks and reached down to spin the ball slightly, repositioning it.

He turned the valve hole of the ball to face the goal.

A small but crucial detail from his past experience.

The valve hole was the hardest part of the ball.

For long-range free kicks beyond 35 meters, striking that spot would maximize power and accuracy.

But from 25 meters out, power wasn't the priority—curve was.

A perfect banana shot was needed.

This was the moment to bring out his star-level skill—Set-Piece: Banana Shot.

Gu Ran took three large steps back, placed his hands on his hips, and locked his eyes on the defensive wall.

There were two more key details:

Run-up distance and angle.

Every player's optimal strike point was different based on height, stride length, and speed.

Beckham's iconic banana shot required a specific plant foot position—10 to 15 cm away from the ball—so that the left foot could support the extreme inward bend of the right foot.

The sharper the plant foot angle, the greater the curve.

That was why Beckham's free kicks were legendary—anyone could hit a curve, but to do it with his level of control required extreme precision.

The angle of the run-up also varied based on distance.

Within 25 meters, a direct 90-degree approach to the ball worked best.

Beyond 25 meters, a 45-degree angle allowed for better power transfer.

To execute a true banana shot, the striking motion had to be perfect.

A full-powered swing, driven by the thigh, launching the ball with a vicious spin.

A left-footed player would strike the bottom-left of the ball.

A right-footed player—like Gu Ran—had to hit the bottom-right.

And just as the foot connected, the follow-through had to extend outward to enhance the curve.

More curve meant slower speed.

Less curve meant a faster shot.

Beckham was the king of curve. Pirlo was the master of precision.

Juninho specialized in knuckleballs.

Cristiano Ronaldo's free kicks?

A hybrid—knuckleball mechanics with Juninho's pure power.

Gu Ran had absorbed all of these techniques from his past experience.

What made a star player?

Attention to detail.

And this time, Gu Ran wasn't just relying on knowledge.

He had Beckham's Golden Right Foot: Precision Passing.

He had Set-Piece: Banana Shot.

With those skills, even if his raw shooting wasn't perfect, these abilities would compensate.

To ensure success, he spent his last available talent point—

Set-Piece: Banana Shot +2.

This was more than enough to crush Golden Fleece.

His added strength stats would also give the shot the speed it needed.

He scanned the defensive setup.

Golden Fleece had positioned their wall expertly.

A first line of three tall defenders, slightly left, blocking the near post.

A second line of midfielders protecting the central area.

Two more players guarding the goalposts.

The kind of layered defense professional teams used.

But they had a weakness.

The rightmost player in the wall was too short.

That position should have been covered by someone like Gavin.

But Gavin was gone.

That was Gu Ran's opening.

He adjusted his stance ever so slightly.

Golden Fleece's keeper signaled readiness.

The ref blew the whistle.

The entire stadium held its breath.

Gu Ran sprinted forward.

His left foot planted firmly.

His right leg swung like a drawn bowstring, whipping into the bottom-right of the ball.

The impact was perfect.

The ball spun violently into the air.

The Golden Fleece wall leaped.

The ball curled just past the rightmost defender.

The keeper moved right, tracking the trajectory.

Then—suddenly—the ball swerved.

Sharp. Fast. Unnatural.

Instead of heading for the right post, it bent inward—

A perfect banana shot.

The keeper's eyes widened.

Too late.

The ball slammed into the net.

Goal.

For a moment, silence.

Then—

An eruption.

A thousand voices screaming in unison.

Gu Ran threw his head back and roared.

His teammates lifted him into the air.

He was no longer just a player.

He was a god.

The crowd chanted his name, over and over.

Even guys were shouting, "Gu Ran, I love you!"

Tonight, the entire school had learned three precise Chinese characters—

Gu! Ran!

Southampton Private School had its new legend.

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