MTL NOVEL Chapter 48: 48
Gu Ran's pass was sharp and precise, executed without hesitation—like an assassin delivering a fatal strike.
The reserve squad's defensive focus was still drawn toward the left flank, leaving only two defenders marking Glider and Pretty Boy in the box.
Completely caught off guard by Gu Ran's sudden long ball, the two defenders had no time to react.
Glider seized the moment, twisting his body mid-air to redirect the ball with a header—laying it off perfectly for the incoming Pretty Boy!
Pretty Boy struck it first-time, hammering a powerful shot straight towards the bottom left corner!
The goalkeeper's vision was obstructed by Glider's towering frame, and by the time he dived for the ball, it was too late!
GOAL!!!
The ball bounced inside the net, the rippling mesh confirming its fate.
The main squad erupted in celebration, rushing toward Pretty Boy and Glider!
They had scored countless goals against the reserve squad before, but this goal—this one meant something special.
The scoreboard changed: Main Squad 1:1 Reserve Squad!
For 85 minutes, the reserve squad had held onto their hopes and dreams, and now, in a single instant, the main squad had dragged them back down to reality.
The reserve players were devastated.
None of them had expected this outcome.
Watergate, the main squad's key attacker, had suddenly drifted out to the left flank.
A brand-new left-back, Gu Ran, had cut inside and delivered a lethal long ball.
Their flawless 2-on-1 rotation had been so smooth, it felt like they had rehearsed it countless times before.
Even though the goal belonged to Pretty Boy, and the assist was from Glider,
The true architect of the entire play—from defense to attack in one fluid motion—was none other than the newcomer, the Chinese kid—Gu Ran!
Even Coach Carter, watching from the sideline, gave a subtle nod.
In just five minutes, Gu Ran had touched the ball three times—two of which were decisive long passes.
And one of them had led directly to this equalizing goal.
If you ignored the "playing time" factor, his performance rating could have easily been the highest on the pitch.
While the main squad players celebrated, Gu Ran didn't join in.
Instead, he quietly walked back to his defensive position on the left flank.
After all, this was just a team scrimmage.
After all, he wasn't the one who scored or assisted.
After all, this was only his first day in the school team, and he had no desire to get too close to these childish teammates—just in case their immaturity was contagious.
After all…
As Gu Ran strolled across the field, he struggled to contain the adrenaline surging through his veins.
The rush of dopamine was exhilarating.
This feeling… this was so much better than playing street football.
If he could one day step onto the professional stage, playing in a real league, the euphoria would be on another level.
"Hey! You, Chinese kid!"
Watergate called out from behind, lifting his chin with a proud smirk.
"...Not bad."
Gu Ran smirked right back. "...I know."
Watergate's eye twitched.
"Damn it, this guy is even more arrogant than I am…"
The celebration ended quickly—there were less than five minutes left in the match.
If the main squad wanted to prove themselves, they had to score again within these final moments.
The match resumed, with the reserve squad kicking off at midfield.
But after conceding the equalizer, the reserve players became timid, hesitant, only daring to pass the ball around their own half.
Meanwhile, the main squad went all-in, pushing forward aggressively with a high-pressing strategy.
With two minutes left, Blind Man intercepted a pass on the right flank, delivering a quick short pass to Watergate.
Watergate and Seame executed a give-and-go, with Seame this time opting not to hold onto the ball.
As soon as Watergate ran into space, Seame instantly returned the pass.
Watergate then sent the ball wide to Pretty Boy, who was waiting on the left side of the penalty area.
Pretty Boy unleashed a thunderous shot.
The ball was powerful—but too direct.
A defender blocked it with his back, sending the ball flying toward the left sideline.
Everyone assumed the ball was going out of play, and neither side made any effort to chase it.
But at that moment—
Gu Ran SPRINTED.
NEVER. LET. A. CHANCE. GO. TO. WASTE.
His adrenaline surged.
A 21-meter burst in just three seconds.
Just before the ball could roll out, he reached it—
Stopping it dead on the touchline!
"HOLY SH*T!!!" Rust's voice nearly cracked from excitement.
The main squad was instantly re-energized, moving aggressively inside the reserve penalty area.
With no good passing options, Gu Ran chose to cut inside!
The reserve defenders panicked, rushing to intercept.
Their defensive shape became disorganized as Gu Ran drew multiple defenders out of position.
He turned, shielding the ball, then laid it off to the incoming defensive midfielder—Bread.
At the same time, Gu Ran continued making an off-the-ball run.
The reserve defenders didn't pay attention to Gu Ran's movement—instead, they focused on Bread, who now had possession.
Seeing Gu Ran break free, Bread hesitated for a moment—then passed him the ball.
Had it not been for the earlier equalizer, Bread would have never trusted a newcomer.
But that one goal had completely changed his perception.
Trust is built on skill.
As soon as Gu Ran received the ball, before the defenders could close in—
He swung a perfect long pass into the box.
It was the exact same position as his first long pass.
Once again, Glider rose into the air to win the first header.
But this time—Watergate was in position.
Glider's header set up the incoming Watergate!
With the goalkeeper charging out, Watergate slotted the ball into the far post—
GOAL!!!!
At the last possible moment, the main squad scored the winning goal!
The pressure they had been carrying all match exploded into wild celebration!
They swarmed Watergate, tackling him into a massive pile of bodies.
They had WON.
They had WON!!!
Gu Ran took a deep breath, feeling the dopamine flood through his system.
For a brief second, he felt the urge to run over and jump into the celebration pile.
But he quickly suppressed it.
No.
This was just a team scrimmage.
Gu Ran was destined to become a world-class footballer—he couldn't afford to get this excited over a mere practice match.
At that moment, Bread ran past him.
"Gu! Come on, join us!"
An invitation. A gesture of recognition.
Breaking into an established team was never easy—but if you had skill,
The team would naturally seek you out.
Of course, this was just the beginning.
Truly integrating into the school team wouldn't happen overnight.
No rush. Take it slow.
Gu Ran smiled and shook his head.
"Not my thing."
Bread chuckled.
"You'll get used to it."
With that, he leapt into the celebration pile.
From the heap of bodies came a mix of pained yells and excited screams.
Rust, still panting, ran over and threw an arm around Gu Ran's shoulders.
"HAHA! Gu, you're the real deal! I knew it! I wasn't weak—you were just too damn strong!"
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"With the way you played today, I bet you'll make the 18-man roster tomorrow.
Hell, you might even play in the national tournament."
Tomorrow… playing in the National Tournament?
Gu Ran's heart raced.
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