A raider from @11 stepped in—
Crossed the line—and went back.
No touch. No aggression.
Just wasting time.
---
Now it was Surya's turn.
He stepped near the line—eyes carrying that familiar spark—
"Alright. Let's settle this."
He entered the court—
Moved toward Varun. Applied pressure—
Tried to tag—failed—
Then—
Viran—
"Surya, you won't be able to do much. Just quit and go home."
Surya stopped.
For a moment.
Viran thought—
Got him.
Surya looked at him—
And—
Showed a middle finger.
Viran—
"WHAT—"
Now Viran got provoked.
Surya smiled—and turned back toward Varun—
Now… how do I get a point—
Then—
ARC.
Varun turned with explosive speed—
And grabbed Surya's leg—
Locked.
Surya—
"When did—"
He tried to break free—
But—
Varun's grip.
Unshakable.
Like being rooted to the ground.
The defenders rushed in—
Whistle.
Surya — out.
---
Viraj—
Shocked.
What is happening? I don't understand anything anymore. This—
To himself, frustrated—
"No. I'm still too weak. @11's mastermind… how smart is he? I still haven't identified him. I haven't understood his patterns. Why? Why can't I find him?"
---
Score — @15: 8 — @11: 9
---
Varun stepped in again.
His aura—
The air on the court shifted.
That red killing intent—even denser now.
He felt like a predator stepping onto the field.
Anyone, no matter how good—
Would feel fear.
---
Varun moved toward Shubham.
Again.
Viraj—
"I don't get it. Why the hell are they only targeting Shubham?"
---
Varun reached out to tag Shubham—missed—
Shubham kept dodging—
Varun reached again—
Then—
Foot touch.
Varun's foot—lightly tapped Shubham's foot.
Shubham—
"What—how—"
He immediately lunged to grab Varun—
Varun turned—
Smooth. Clean.
Shubham's hands—
Air.
But then—
Varun felt something unexpected—
Roshan.
"How did he get here—"
In Roshan's mind—
Yes. This was the moment. I've been waiting for this.
He reached to grab—
But—
His calculation was slightly off.
Varun had taken one step less.
Roshan's entire plan—
Collapsed.
Varun tagged Roshan—
Crossed the line—
Whistle.
Roshan — out.
---
From Varun—
A presence like a roaring predator filled the court.
---
Viraj's mind—
Overloaded.
Vishal did well. Roshan did well. Raj did well. Shubham did well. Everyone did something.
What did I do?
I just stood here—thinking, observing—while someone else controlled the field. Not me.
Why? Why can't I—
Then—
From his body—
An aura.
Not slowly.
All at once.
His eyes tightened.
And then—
A realization. A decision.
"Either way… who cares about reputation?"
A pause.
"I want to become world number one."
"So to hell with reputation. To hell with everything."
He touched the line—
And Viraj stepped onto the court.
The entire team was out.
He was alone.
---
— Chapter 17 End —