Chapter 6/7: Second Half - Something Must Be Done

Chapter 6: Data and Recommendations

Kiebler's goal brought thunderous cheers from the club staff and the rapid-fire clicks of reporters' cameras. It had been ages since the first team was trailing—even in league matches.

Who would believe it? The target that top managers and elite clubs worldwide coveted had been achieved by a U23 team and an inexperienced manager like Aran.

Jens was furious at his players' careless attitude. But today he wasn't the one managing the team, so he could only swallow his curses.

"It's fine. Just focus and get it back," Yaeger said softly to his players. No point berating them now. Even he had underestimated Aran's tactical planning.

"Let me handle this myself," Rains told Turas and Stephen, the main decision-makers for ball distribution.

"I get that you're frustrated, but we should focus on getting the reserves more playing time," Turas replied.

"Less than a minute left. Just send it over," Rains said. He hated losing—even in practice matches. Being outplayed by some kid who might challenge his position in the future naturally rubbed him wrong.

"Hey, discussing something without asking me?" Rudy saw the heated conversation and joined in.

"We're explaining to Rains that we should let the reserves practice attacking plays," Stephen answered.

"Got it. But we can't lose this. Those reporters will have a field day writing about it. Plus, old man Jens will punish us with extra training," Rudy said.

"Exactly..." Everyone nodded grimly, remembering Jens' hellish training regime after defeats.

"I'll equalize first, then let the reserves play. Just send me the ball," Rudy declared. Turas and Stephen looked startled.

"Hey, I was here first," Rains protested.

Rudy turned and glared at him.

"You should've been working with Kimmel from the start. Or at least supporting the kid instead of charging into the penalty box like an idiot."

"What did you say?!" Rains grew even more agitated.

Red Kaiser's wings were starting to fracture.

Turas and Stephen wanted to cry. This wasn't the time for infighting.

"Are you guys playing or not? Get to your positions," the referee intervened, stopping the brewing fight. He was about to blow the whistle to restart, but the argument hadn't reached a clear resolution.

"Fine. Pass to me first, then we'll see about loudmouth over there. Whoever scores gets to keep playing. Whoever misses loses the right to receive passes," Rains concluded unilaterally.

"Works for me. Let's see who's better," Rudy said confidently.

The two glared at each other before separating to their positions.

"Great... At this rate, the reserves won't develop at all..."

Turas and Stephen were losing their minds. This wasn't the first time something like this happened, but usually manager Jens or captain David would intervene. But neither was available now—David was injured and recovering, and while Jens could see everything clearly, today wasn't his day to manage.

Jens looked at Yaeger and sighed heavily.

"This guy doesn't have a clue."

Meanwhile, Aran watched everything unfold with inner laughter.

"Here we go. Those two wingers and their bad habits. But this might not be good for us. Their skill level is already world-class—even knowing what's coming doesn't mean we can stop it."

Ding

Warning

Probability of next attack coming from right wing: 99.8%

Right winger Rains possesses extremely dangerous dribbling and long-range shooting skills

Probability of conceding goal: 80%

Recommendations:

1. Have attacking players drop back to disrupt opponent's rhythm - reduces goal probability by 10%

2. Warn goalkeeper about curled shots to far post - reduces goal probability by 20%

Data, recommendations, warnings—a complete package. He was getting used to this.

Aran quickly signaled Kiebler to drop back and mark Rains specifically, then signaled Noah to watch for long-range shots to the far post.

The tension crackled across the pitch like electricity before a storm. Two world-class players, their egos bruised and pride wounded, stood ready to prove their worth.

Rains received the ball on the right touchline. His first touch was perfect—the ball stuck to his foot like it belonged there. He looked up, scanning the defense, then at his rival Rudy making his run on the opposite flank.

"Watch this," he muttered.

The young defender Kiebler approached cautiously. Smart kid. But caution wouldn't be enough.

Rains dropped his shoulder left, then exploded right. The feint was so clean, so practiced, that Kiebler's body moved before his mind could catch up. By the time the defender recovered, Rains was already three yards clear and cutting inside.

The pitch opened up before him like a green canvas waiting for paint.

Noah, the goalkeeper, positioned himself carefully. Aran's warning echoed in his mind—far post, curled shot. The keeper's eyes tracked Rains' approach, reading the subtle shift in his hips, the angle of his plant foot.

Twenty-five yards out. Still too far for most players.

Twenty yards. Getting dangerous now.

Eighteen yards. Prime territory for a player of Rains' caliber.

The shot came without warning. Rains' right foot swept through the ball with surgical precision, sending it spinning through the air in a wicked arc toward the far corner.

Noah dove. His fingertips brushed leather.

Not enough.

The ball nestled into the net with a whisper.

The silence that followed lasted exactly two heartbeats. Then the Red Kaiser bench erupted.

Rains turned toward Rudy with a smirk that could cut glass. "Your turn, loudmouth."

But Aran wasn't watching the celebration. His mind was already working, calculating, adapting. The system had been right about the probability, wrong about the outcome despite the preparations.

That was football. Beautiful and cruel in equal measure.

The real game was just beginning.

Chapter 7: Second Half - Something Must Be Done

Tweeeeet!

The referee's whistle pierced the air. Game on.

Michael flicked the ball back to Turas. The other players spread forward in their familiar pattern. The U23 team let them play—no pressing, no urgency. Same old story.

Turas gritted his teeth. He'd forgotten their earlier agreement, apparently. Quick pass to the reserve right-back, Kimmel.

Kimmel had just made a catastrophic mistake that cost them a goal. Now, with the ball at his feet, his face hardened with desperate determination. Time to redeem himself.

"Hey kid, give me the ball. I'll handle this myself." Rains dropped back, demanding possession.

Kimmel's burning ambition crumbled in an instant. He passed to the veteran with visible frustration.

"Watch me show you what world-class really looks like."

Arrogant? Yes.

Selfish? Absolutely.

But Rains Frick remained one of history's most legendary right-wingers. And legends change games with raw talent alone.

Rains dribbled forward—smooth, unhurried. Yet everyone in the stadium sensed the storm approaching.

Kiebler dropped back to help defend, following orders. He faced the world-class winger with left-back Patrick providing backup coverage. He'd watched this man's trickery a hundred times on video. Still wasn't confident he could stop him.

In a heartbeat, the casual pace vanished. Rains exploded past Kiebler down the right flank.

"Damn it!" Kiebler's heart sank. He'd known it was coming but couldn't prevent it.

Patrick rushed over to intercept.

But Rains touched the ball around him and slipped through his line of sight like smoke.

Into the penalty box now, cutting inside. The entire defense swarmed him like hyenas.

Too late.

Rains curled a perfect shot toward the far post. The defenders could only gape at his lightning-quick decision to shoot.

"That's how it's—what the hell?!" His laughter died. His flawless curler was heading for the net when goalkeeper Noah's glove deflected it away.

"Beautiful save, Noah!!" Aran roared his approval, throwing a thumbs up.

Almost got us there. Fifty percent chance, maybe? Guess we've got some luck after all.

The deflected ball went out for a corner. Stephen hurried to collect it, planning to throw it to reserve left-back Ali.

But someone strutted over with a grin.

"Hah! Couldn't even score that one. My turn now." Rudy made no effort to hide his satisfaction.

Stephen nearly cried as he handed over the ball.

Captain David, please come back quickly.

Rudy caught the ball and raised an eyebrow at Rains.

"Real players don't need to talk much! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Rains turned away, mentally cursing Rudy to miss just like him.

Ting.

Warning

Chance of next attack coming from left wing: 99.8%

Left-winger Rudy possesses dangerous dribbling skills and first-post finishing

Goal probability: 80%

Recommendations:

1. Deploy attacking players to disrupt opponent's rhythm. Reduces goal probability by 10%

2. Warn goalkeeper about first-post shots. Reduces goal probability by 20%

Aran read the message and pondered.

Barely any difference. Makes sense—their skills are practically identical, like clones. Only difference is shooting preference: Rains likes far-post curlers, Rudy prefers first-post drives.

Another roll of the dice, then...

Done mocking Rains, Rudy didn't hesitate. He exploded forward, targeting right-back Peter.

Like the other side, Aran ordered Julian to provide support. Julian's defensive game surpassed Kiebler's by several levels. Still not enough against a legendary winger like Rudy.

Right foot touched the ball gently. A split-second later, his left foot sent it into space, then he slipped through the gap. Simple as that—Rudy had beaten both Julian and Peter.

Inside the penalty box, the remaining defenders rushed him desperately. Here, the other key difference between Reins and Rudy emerged.

Rudy stayed calm, dribbling patiently, waiting for defenders to lose balance and create openings.

When they did, the gap appeared. Rudy fired hard at the near post.

But Aran seemed to be carrying a full bag of luck today.

"What?! Another save?!" Yeager couldn't believe his eyes. Both legendary wingers' shots had been stopped by the U23 goalkeeper.

"Never knew Noah had reflexes like that... Maybe he should be promoted to the first team," Yens said, equally impressed.

"Incredible, Noah!! Amazing save!!" Aran shouted his praise, throwing another thumbs up.

Survived again. But if this continues, we won't last... Second half, something must be done.