Uy Phong walked toward them at an unhurried pace, every step steady and heavy. Dat followed close behind, grinning like a cheerful shadow.
"That was pathetic. Your teamwork's a mess," Uy Phong said flatly, voice cold enough to frost the air.
"Well, excuse us for going up against two monsters!" Thien Hung snapped, dropping onto the floor and gasping like an old man catching his breath.
"Yeah! Who even made those teams? Totally unbalanced!" Hai Minh added, clearly fuming.
Uy Phong arched a brow, gaze pinning Hai Minh in place."I gave you one extra player, didn't I? Still not enough?"
"Extra player my ass!" Hai Minh barked, face flushed. "You gave us a pawn and kept the knight for yourself!"
"…The knight? You mean me?" Dat blinked, then beamed proudly and pointed at himself.
"Damn right! You run like a damn horse!"
"Haha! I'll take that as a compliment." Dat clutched his stomach laughing, while Hai Minh's anger visibly spiked.
Uy Phong crossed his arms, tone low and sharp."Then let's switch. I'll give you the knight, and take the pawn instead. Let's see if the problem's really your teammates."
Hai Minh's face darkened instantly. The bastard was implying he was the problem. His pride flared like fire."Fine! But if I win—then what?"
Uy Phong's brow furrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth."'Then what?' You think you've earned the right to bargain with me?"
"I—I just…" Hai Minh stammered, but his temper burned hotter than reason."If I win, you'll have to do whatever I say! Just once!"
Uy Phong stopped dead, then turned sharply. His gaze was ice, freezing the air between them."And why," he asked softly, "would I ever agree to that?"
"Because I can't stand that smug face of yours!" Hai Minh shouted, voice trembling with both fury and fear. "If I win, you'll kneel and apologize for being such an arrogant jerk, you bastard!"
Up on the bleachers, An Thu, Ngo Huy, and Ho Nhu all went pale.Oh no. Not again. It's happening again.
But Uy Phong didn't reply. He just stared for a beat, then turned away."…And if I win?"
"H-Huh?" Hai Minh froze.
"If I win, you'll do what I say. Fair, isn't it? I don't like you much either." His tone was calm, but each word hit like a hammer. "Can you guess what I'd make you do?"
He stooped to pick up the ball. Thud. Thud. Each bounce echoed through the gym—sharp, rhythmic, and loud enough to sync with Hai Minh's racing heartbeat.
Damn it… that pressure again…
"Deal?"
Before Hai Minh could even answer, Uy Phong surged forward like a launched arrow. The ball slammed against the floor in rapid beats. His movements—fluid, precise, and overwhelming—felt like watching a beast on the hunt.
Move! Hai Minh screamed inwardly. Come on, move! Get the ball! You can't just—
"Move, Hai Minh!"
The shout jolted him like an electric spark. He turned his head—Dat was there, sprinting beside him, flashing that blinding grin. On the other side, Thien Hung had already charged ahead, eyes blazing with fierce determination.
For a heartbeat, Hai Minh's chest tightened. Not in anger, or fear—something else.Excitement. Joy.
So this… is teamwork?Having someone run beside you, push you forward, refuse to let you fall behind—
Hai Minh laughed, pure and bright. He pushed off hard, sprinting after them.
Thien Hung blocked Uy Phong, managing to knock the ball loose. Thanh lunged to intercept—but Dat leapt, colliding mid-air, sending Thanh staggering. In that same second, Dat flicked the ball toward Hai Minh.
"Oi! That's a foul!" Thanh barked.
"Oops, slipped! You okay?" Dat chuckled, offering a hand.
"Tsk." Thanh tugged down his mask, catching Dat's hand to stand.
Meanwhile, Hai Minh caught the pass clean. He clenched his fist, took a deep breath.This is it. My moment.
He sprinted forward, crossed the three-point line, and jumped—releasing the ball in a perfect arc.
Time slowed. Every eye in the gym followed its path. Hai Minh grinned wide, sure of it this time.It's going in. It's gotta—
SMACK!
A black shadow exploded upward. A hand, sharp and powerful, swatted the ball out of the air right before it touched the rim. The sound cracked through the court like thunder.
The ball ricocheted backward, whizzing past the stunned crowd.
Hai Minh's smile froze. His heart sank like a stone.No way…
That monster—Uy Phong—landed lightly, his gaze cold, his presence suffocating.
Before anyone could react, Thanh grabbed the rebound and dunked it in clean.
BAM!
Uy Phong stepped forward, utterly calm, voice smooth as steel."Six to zero."
The three in the bleachers went wild, screaming their heads off. Another legend had just been made—right there on that court!