{Itoshi Rin's POV}
Scoring 100 goals in 90 minutes.
At first, it sounded simple.
But this place—Blue Lock—doesn't allow anything to stay simple. Every goal had to be earned.
…Good.
That's exactly why I came here.
"Congratulations on clearing the 1st Stage of the Second Selection — Player Itoshi Rin."
I looked up at the screen.
Objective Complete — 62:33
The numbers burned across the display:
ITOSHI RIN — 100 GOALS — OBJECTIVE COMPLETE
"…Tepid."
A low exhale left my lips.
Not good enough.
I turned towards the exit.
'Let's get out of here.'
Beyond the door, an archway led into another room. The moment it slid open—
I stopped.
There was someone inside.
Lying on the floor.
'…What?'
For a second, I thought I'd entered the wrong room.
But then the screen above flickered.
STAGE TWO — INITIATED
CURRENT RANK: #002
PLAYER: ITOSHI RIN
'...Rank 2?'
Silence.
My gaze shifted back to the one on the ground.
He wasn't unconscious.
His chest rose and fell unevenly, breath heavy—like he'd just dragged himself through something far worse than what I experienced.
But his eyes,
They were aware.
…
So that's it.
I stepped forward.
"You're in my way."
My voice came out flat, uninterested.
He didn't move immediately.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly—like he was studying me.
…
Annoying.
"…Rank two, huh?" he muttered, a faint smirk forming. "Didn't expect that."
I stopped.
Not because of the words—
But the tone.
"…You're rank one," I replied, glancing at the display again.
Silence settled between us.
I looked down at him properly this time.
His body was finished. Muscles twitching. Breathing unstable.
But there was no panic.
"…Move," I said.
A pause.
"…Give me a second," he exhaled, pushing himself up slowly. "Just finished scoring 200 goals. Kinda takes it out of you."
…
I narrowed my eyes.
"200?"
He rolled his shoulders, wincing slightly before straightening.
"Yeah. Special treatment." A dry chuckle. "Guess Ego likes me."
…
200?
For a split second, the number didn't register.
Then it did.
And something inside me… tightened.
'200…?'
Twice the amount.
In less time.
My gaze shifted back to him.
No.
That didn't make sense.
Ego wouldn't hand out something like that unless—
Unless this guy…
My jaw tensed.
'Does that mean… I'm that far below him?'
The thought slipped in before I could stop it.
Unwanted.
Unacceptable.
My fingers curled slightly at my side.
No.
That's not it.
This isn't about him being above me.
This is about me not being pushed far enough.
…Right?
I looked at him again.
Really looked this time.
His breathing was still unstable. His body clearly at its limit.
…
Am I that tepid?
"…So Ego tailored the difficulty to your level, huh?" I said, my voice quieter now.
"Looks like it," he shrugged. "Lucky me."
Lucky?
…
My eyes narrowed.
There was no pride in his voice.
No arrogance.
Just… acceptance.
Like he understood something I didn't.
…
A faint pressure settled in my chest.
Unfamiliar.
I ignored it.
"…That just means one thing," I said.
He glanced at me.
"For you to be given 200… your current level isn't enough yet."
The words came out before I could stop them. This was a petty attempt, and even I knew it.
But just because I knew that, it doesn't mean I don't get to poke at him.
Because if that logic applied to him…
Then what did it say about me?
…
Silence stretched.
Then—
"…Funny," he said, a small grin forming. "I was thinking the same thing about you."
…
My eyes locked onto his.
For the first time—
There was friction.
"…Is that so?"
"Yeah," he shrugged lightly. "You cleared it in what—just over an hour? Not bad."
Not bad.
…
Not bad?
Something cold slid down my spine.
This guy—
He wasn't looking up at me.
He wasn't looking down either.
He was looking…
Straight through.
…
No.
Not even that.
He wasn't looking at me at all.
I wasn't even part of what he was seeing.
…
It meant one thing.
I wasn't worth his attention.
A faint pressure crept into my veins—tight, suffocating—like something was clawing its way out from under my skin.
Unacceptable.
My pulse spiked.
For a moment, I could feel it—
that urge—
To crush him.
To shut that look down.
To force his eyes onto me.
…
But I held it in.
Barely.
Because if I moved now—
If I reacted—
I'd be proving him right.
That I wasn't in control.
…
But
A thought slipped through.
'…Did I just find—'
My gaze narrowed slightly.
'—someone like him?'
…
My fingers tightened at my side.
Good.
If that's what he will be like—
Then I'll break him.
And make him look at me.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{Isagi's POV}
…That was interesting.
A small chuckle slipped out of me.
Man… that guy's intense.
I glanced in the direction he walked off, recalling his expression.
Pfft.
If I'd kept talking, he probably would've burst a vein.
…
"He's dangerous," I muttered under my breath.
Not just skill-wise.
Mentally.
That guy's already playing a different game.
But not dangerous enough to force me to look at him.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders as the fatigue crept back in.
'Focus.'
I didn't come this far just to get distracted by one player.
Even if he is currently ranked second.
My eyes shifted to the center of the room.
A holographic pillar stood there, glowing faintly.
"…Guess that's our next step, huh?"
As if on cue, the screen above flickered to life.
STAGE TWO — RULESET INITIALIZING
Oh?
I pushed myself off the wall, legs still heavy but steady enough.
"Alright… let's see what Ego's cooked up this time."
The pillar lit up, projecting multiple panels into the air.
Numbers.
Players.
Connections.
And then—
"FORM A TEAM OF THREE."
"…Huh?"
I blinked.
Wait.
That's it?
My eyes narrowed slightly as I scanned the room again.
No one else was here yet.
Which meant…
'First come, first pick.'
A slow grin spread across my face.
Oh.
Oh, this is interesting.
It's about choosing.
Choosing who fights beside you.
Choosing who you risk your progress on.
Choosing who might drag you down—
Or push you forward.
…
'Bachira's already cleared. He'll be here soon.'
That's one.
Easy.
No hesitation there.
Then—
My thoughts paused.
Unintentionally.
'…Rin.'
That guy.
Skill, precision, mentality—
Everything about him screamed top tier.
But…
I exhaled through my nose.
"…Nah."
That wouldn't work.
Not yet.
Doesn't seem like a person who would pass.
He most likely wouldn't connect.
And finally, after seeing that face i doubt he would even accept my invitation.
And if I team up with someone like that right now—
It would be a pain in the ass to keep on dealing with them.
…
"Then who?"
My eyes flicked back to the entrance.
Players would start coming in soon.
Which means—
Decisions had to be made fast.
Because in this stage…
The real match wasn't on the field.
It started right here.
With whom I choose.
…
A faint smirk tugged at my lips.
"Alright, Ego…"
I cracked my knuckles lightly.
"Let's play your game."
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{Kira's POV}
…I'm exhausted.
My legs feel like they don't belong to me anymore, and my lungs are still burning from that nightmare of a test.
Who even designs something like that?
…
Oh.
Right.
Ego.
I let out a dry breath, dragging myself toward the exit.
"Just one more step…" I muttered.
"All I have to do is walk through this door."
STAGE TWO — INITIATED
CURRENT RANK: #028
PLAYER: KIRA RYOSUKE
"…Huh?"
I froze mid-step, eyes locking onto the screen above.
Rank 28…?
Before I could even process it—
"Kira-chin, you made it~."
I turned.
Bachira.
That same loose posture. That same grin.
…That same unsettling energy.
Relief hit me for a second.
Ah… a familiar face.
I let out a small breath. "Oh—yeah… you made it too, huh?"
Then—
"Good to see you could make it too, Kira."
…Wait.
That voice.
My eyes shifted.
And there he was.
Isagi Yoichi.
Standing right there.
Now, why was he here...
"…Yeah," I forced out, a thin smile forming. "Fortunately made it."
My chest tightened slightly.
Unpleasant thoughts crept in before I could stop them.
I pushed it down.
But—
Something felt off.
I glanced between the two of them.
Bachira was humming to himself like nothing mattered.
And Isagi…
He was watching.
He was observing.
Me.
Bachira.
The room.
Everything.
"…What?" I asked, a bit sharper than I intended.
Isagi blinked, then scratched the back of his head lightly.
"Nothing," he said. "Just thinking."
Thinking?
About what?
Before I could ask, the screen above flickered again.
STAGE TWO — RULESET INITIALIZING
The three of us looked up.
Panels of light spread across the room, forming a holographic display.
Then—
"FORM A TEAM OF THREE."
…
Silence.
I frowned slightly.
Bachira tilted his head, eyes lighting up.
"So who are we going to choose as the third member, Yoichin~?"
Choose?
My stomach sank a little.
I glanced sideways.
Isagi.
Bachira.
Two players I already knew.
Two players I'd already seen in action.
Two players who…
I clenched my fist slightly.
…Who had already surpassed me once.
"… I am still deciding," Isagi said, calm as ever.
Bachira grinned wider.
"Then that makes it easy, right?"
He stepped forward—casual, almost playful—but there was intent behind it.
"Anyways, I'm teaming up with Yoichin~" Bachira informs me.
…
Of course he is.
I looked at Isagi.
He didn't seem surprised.
Just… expected it.
Like this was already decided in his head.
…
Then—
His gaze shifted to me.
Direct.
Evaluating.
For a split second, it felt like I was back on the field again.
Being measured.
Weighed.
Judged.
…
"…Kira," he said.
My name.
Simple.
But it hit heavier than it should have.
"You in?"
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{Isagi's POV}
Rin.
Aryu Jyubei.
Aoshi Tokimitsu.
Ranks 2, 3, and 4.
The moment those three gathered, there was no hesitation.
Rin led.
They followed.
And just like that—
They formed a team and walked ahead.
…
Neither of them even looked my way.
And Rin?
He didn't need to.
He already made his choice.
"…In a hurry, huh?" I muttered.
Not me.
I wasn't rushing anything.
If anything—
I wanted to slow things down.
Observe.
Understand.
Then choose.
…
Players kept entering the room one after another.
Some nervous.
Some confident.
Some pretending to be both.
I watched them all.
Measured them.
And discarded most of them just as quickly.
Nothing stood out.
Nothing worth staking my future on.
Until—
"Hey, Isagi Yoichi."
I turned.
White hair.
Lazy eyes.
Dragging his feet like this was all a chore.
"…Ah. Nagi, right?"
Barely remembered his name.
But his play?
That stuck.
"Yep."
…
Silence.
Awkward.
He wasn't saying anything.
And honestly—
Neither was I.
Then—
"Wanna team up?"
…
I blinked.
That—
Was unexpected.
I studied him for a second.
Seishiro Nagi.
Raw talent.
Absurd control.
Instinctive play.
But…
That's all it was.
Talent.
Unrefined.
Unshaped.
A newborn.
He hasn't earned anything yet.
And this?
This stage isn't about potential.
It's about results.
…
'Do I take him… and build him up?'
The thought lingered for a moment.
Then I exhaled.
"…Nah. Sorry."
I shrugged lightly.
"Not interested."
I'm not here to babysit someone else's growth.
…
Nagi froze.
Like his brain needed a second to catch up.
And right then—
The door opened again.
Another presence entered.
Familiar.
Reo Mikage.
Nagi's partner.
…
I stepped forward, walking past Nagi without another glance.
If there was someone worth taking—
It was him.
"Hey. Reo, right?"
He looked at me, slightly surprised.
"Wanna team up with me?"
I saw his value.
So I moved.
…
Reo blinked.
For a second, he actually looked like he was considering it.
Then—
His gaze shifted past me.
To Nagi.
…
Ah.
So that's how it is.
He looked between us a few times before letting out a small breath.
"Thanks for the offer, Isagi… but I'll join—"
A grin formed on his face.
"—if Nagi's in too."
…
I didn't even think twice.
"No thanks."
I turned away immediately.
"Not interested in the lazy one."
If I take Reo—
I get Nagi too.
And that?
That's not efficient.
Not for me.
…
Just like that—
I was alone again.
Perfect.
More players entered.
And this time—
A few stood out.
Barou.
Of course.
That overwhelming presence hadn't changed.
Still loud.
Then—
A cyan-haired guy.
Sharp eyes.
Calculated.
Interesting.
A white-haired guy with a streak of green.
And another with dark, almost purplish-black hair.
…
Each of them carried something.
An aura.
Not as overwhelming as Rin—
But enough to register.
Enough to remember.
But I didn't move.
Because—
I was waiting.
And then—
The door opened again.
A familiar presence.
Unpredictable.
"Yoichin~!"
A grin spread across my face.
"…Took you long enough, Bachira."
He walked in as if nothing had changed.
And somehow—
That made everything click.
"Let's team up," I said.
No hesitation this time.
No analysis needed.
Because with him—
I already know how we play.
…
Bachira's smile widened instantly.
"Ehehe~ I was gonna say the same thing."
Of course you were.
I glanced around the room one more time.
One slot left.
One decision remaining.
"…Now we just need one more," I muttered.
And just like that—
We waited.
Time passed slowly, but not idly.
Because something interesting unfolded right in front of me.
Nagi… didn't team up with Reo.
I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I didn't need to.
Reo's face said enough.
Shock.
Confusion.
Something breaking underneath.
…
And Nagi?
He walked away.
Unbothered.
Like, Reo didn't matter anymore.
Instead—
He teamed up with Barou.
And another guy…
Red hair.
Sharp, shark-like teeth.
Wild presence.
Unstable.
…
"…Interesting," I murmured.
A team like that—
Was bound to explode at some point.
But that wasn't my concern.
Not right now.
Footsteps approached.
"Hey, Isagi Yoichi."
I turned.
Reo.
But—
Not the same Reo from before.
The arrogance was gone.
Completely stripped away.
What remained was something raw.
Serious.
Desperate.
…
"Let's team up."
…
I looked at him for a second.
And I understood immediately.
'So now I'm your backup?'
After Nagi rejected you—
Now you come to me?
…
That didn't sit right.
Not logically.
Not instinctively.
…
"Nope."
I shrugged lightly.
"The offer's gone."
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
…
Reo froze.
Just for a second.
But I didn't stay to watch what came next.
"Let's go, Bachira."
"Kay~"
And just like that—
We walked out.
Leaving him behind.
…
"Is there a reason you rejected him like that?" Bachira asked, tilting his head.
Curious.
As always.
I didn't stop walking.
"In his current state?"
I exhaled.
"He's unstable."
…
"He'd hesitate."
"He'd overthink."
"And in a match where one mistake costs everything—"
I glanced slightly to the side.
"He becomes a liability."
…
Bachira hummed.
Not agreeing.
Not disagreeing.
Just… absorbing.
"And I'm not here to fix people," I added.
"I'm here to win."
Silence settled between us.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
With Bachira—
It never was.
A few moments later—
The door opened again.
…
Kira Ryosuke.
So he made it too.
I noticed Bachira move before I did anything.
Of course he would.
"Kira-chin, you made it~."
I turned slightly, watching the interaction unfold.
Kira let out a small breath, relief clear on his face.
Ah.
A familiar face effect.
"Yeah… you made it too, huh?"
…
Then—
"Good to see you could make it too, Kira."
I spoke.
And just like that—
His attention snapped to me.
Recognition.
Tension.
A slight shift in his posture.
"…Yeah," he said, forcing a thin smile. "Fortunately made it."
Forced.
Unnatural.
His body said more than his words.
Tight shoulders.
Controlled breathing.
Eyes that couldn't fully meet mine.
Interesting.
That match is still affecting him.
…
I watched him.
Not just him.
Bachira.
The room.
The players entering behind him.
Everything.
"…What?" Kira asked, sharper than necessary.
I blinked once, then scratched the back of my head.
"Nothing."
I shrugged lightly.
"Just thinking."
…
Thinking?
Yeah.
About where you stand right now.
…
Before anything else could be said—
The screen above flickered.
STAGE TWO — RULESET INITIALIZING
All three of us looked up.
Light spread across the room, forming panels in the air.
Then—
"FORM A TEAM OF THREE."
…
That's the game.
Silence settled for a moment.
Bachira tilted his head, eyes lighting up.
"So who are we going to choose as the third member Yoichin~?"
"… I am still deciding," Isagi said, calm as ever.
Bachira grinned wider.
"Then that makes it easy, right?"
He stepped forward—casual, almost playful—but there was intent behind it.
"Anyways, I'm teaming up with Yoichin~" Bachira informs Kira.
…
Of course he is.
That decision was already made.
…
Which leaves—
One slot.
My gaze shifted.
To Kira.
…
He stiffened slightly.
Good.
He understands.
…
"…Kira," I called.
His name.
Simple.
Direct.
Intentional.
"You in?"
…
I watched him closely.
Not his words—
His reaction.
The slight delay.
The tension in his shoulders.
The way his eyes steadied themselves.
…
It only took him a few seconds.
Then—
He smiled.
"Of course, Isagi."
…
A response like that—
Forced confidence.
He's trying to stand on equal ground.
Good.
At least he's not broken.
"Nice~! Team complete!" Bachira chimed, clapping his hands together.
And just like that—
Our team was formed.
…
We turned and made our way out of the room.
The door slid open with a low hum.
And with it a mechanical voice chimed.
"ISAGI YOICHI, MEGURU BACHIRA, AND KIRA RYOSUKE."
"ALL THREE OF YOU PLEASE ADVANCE TO THE THIRD STAGE."
Beyond it—
A long, narrow corridor stretched ahead.
Our footsteps echoed as we walked.
No one spoke for a while.
"…So what now?" Kira asked, glancing at the walls around us.
I looked ahead.
"At the end of this—"
A faint glow appeared in the distance.
"—we fight to the death."
I stopped walking.
The others halted behind me.
In front of us—
A massive door.
Larger than the previous ones.
And the doors opened, leading us into an empty room.
We just looked around for a few moments. Before the door of the room opened again.
And in came 3 other people.
One with cyan hair, one with the white hair with green strand. And one with the purple and black mixed hair.
And before we could check each other out.
"Welcome to the third stage. My lumps of talent."
The screen lit up with our most favourite four eyes in this facility! EGO!
"Its time for the second selection rounds, third stage: A three-on-three battle."
And he delivered it with his usual glee, too. 100 marks for it.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes:
Yo guys. Been a long time.
The stuff I told you guys I had to take care of is still not over yet, but I was able to spend some time in the last week to write this chapter out anyway. It's still on the smaller side compared to other chapters in the fic, but after not posting for all this time, I really wanted to put something out.
Rest assured, the next chapter will be bigger and with more action.
And the schedule is still 1 chapter per week (mostly). And it's 7 to 10k words (mostly).
Also, it would be much appreciated if you leave a review, As currently this book doesn't have enough to get rated....
Aight then, hope you like it.
SG
(The editor was too lazy to leave a note.)