Within the Gate of Miracles, the four doors that had already been opened suddenly burst with light far brighter than ever before.
Starlight wrapped itself around the frames, dazzling and violent.
Ripples spread across the surface of the water, as if something terrifying was about to rise from the depths.
At that moment, the final door, the one representing Akashi's power, which had remained tightly shut until now, showed the slightest sign of movement.
A crimson glow leaked out through the narrow crack.
As seconds passed, the light grew stronger and stronger.
It felt as though the door might explode open at any moment.
But Ryan Hoshino, still locked in the match, noticed none of this.
All he felt was an endless torrent of power surging through his body.
Never in his life had he experienced something so intoxicating.
So this is what it feels like…
Ryan marveled silently.
At that instant, Ryan and Loki slammed shoulders again.
Ryan could clearly sense it.
The strength he was unleashing now completely eclipsed anything he had used before.
The two collided head-on, and for a brief moment, neither gave ground.
Yet Ryan was steadily gaining the advantage.
He glanced sideways at Loki, who was being pushed back little by little.
Even then, Ryan could not help but admire him.
As expected of a super rookie.
To remain standing under this level of impact is impressive.
But only barely.
Right now, nothing can stop me.
Loki felt the terrifying force crashing into his shoulder again and again.
For the first time, the calm expression on his face cracked.
His eyes widened.
What is this monstrous strength?
Before he could think further, his balance began to collapse under the overwhelming pressure.
Something is wrong.
Loki tried to pour more power into his body, to continue the contest of strength.
But it was like throwing a stone into the sea.
There was no response at all.
His footing slipped, and the next moment, he was smashed to the ground by Ryan.
"No way…
You're kidding me. That kid actually knocked Loki down."
Silva stared at the scene in disbelief.
That was Loki.
The same Loki who dominated the pitch, who stayed composed even under the brutal physicality of the Premier League.
And yet he had been sent flying by an unknown teenager.
The other three world-class players were not as exaggerated in their reactions, but shock was written all over their faces.
This was Loki.
The media hyped him as the next successor to Noa, the future world number one.
Even if that claim was premature, one thing was undeniable.
The person being compared to him was Noa himself.
That alone spoke volumes about Loki's level.
On the other side, Bachira and the others saw Ryan knock Loki down and showed little surprise.
First, they did not fully grasp Loki's exact strength.
All they knew was that he was stronger than them, but still not stronger than Ryan.
Second, this was Ryan Hoshino.
They had been his teammates for too long.
Seeing Ryan defeat someone no longer shocked them.
If Ryan were the one getting beaten, that would be surprising.
As Loki fell, he felt his body tipping sideways.
An endless wave of frustration flooded his chest, but gravity made reality painfully clear.
This time, he had lost to Ryan Hoshino.
Damn it.
How can I lose here?
How can I fall here?
How can I lose to anyone other than Noa?
I refuse to accept this.
At that moment, strange lines appeared in Loki's eyes, spiraling outward from his pupils like hypnotic coils.
He slammed his hand into the ground, forcibly stopping his fall.
He no longer cared whether his arm would break.
Right now, all he wanted was to defeat Ryan.
He stabilized himself, sprang back up, and kicked off the ground with explosive force, chasing after Ryan.
Ryan, having knocked Loki down, secured the ball and surged toward the opposing half.
Because Loki had been the one attacking, the four players of the World Select Team had stayed back, waiting to press after the play.
None of them expected Loki to lose.
Ryan was still some distance from midfield.
After all, Loki had nearly reached the penalty area earlier.
Ryan slowed slightly, conserving his strength.
Even at this pace, he was still incredibly fast by normal standards.
But for Loki, it was not enough.
Just before Ryan reached midfield, Loki caught up, drawing level with him.
Ryan noticed Loki beside him and was about to accelerate again.
Suddenly, his vision shifted.
Ryan saw Loki drop instantly into a sliding tackle.
At the same time, out of the corner of his eye, he still saw Loki running beside him, still upright, still chasing.
What was that just now?
Why did I see him slide before it happened?
There was no time to think.
Just as Ryan had seen, Loki went to ground in a sliding tackle.
Already prepared, Ryan flicked the ball upward and leaped over him, carrying the ball past Loki cleanly.
Loki's pupils contracted sharply.
How did he react to that?
My movement was fast enough. Even if I failed to steal the ball, I should have been able to clear it.
Just who is this Ryan Hoshino?
With strength like this, why had no one ever heard of him before?
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