Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

Chapter 29: 28 - A desperate or... admirable decision?

Becoming a monster in the eyes of Ishikuno, who was already a monster to Lucas, meant playing on the same level as Ishikuno. In other words, Lucas would have to reach the level of one of the most promising young players in the country. This was not only absurd, but also crazy for Lucas, someone who considered himself to be talentless.

Even so, the skill was for everyday use only. So, once he used it, he could only copy this skill from Ishikuno and no one else on the field.

To make matters worse, Itou High School seemed to be getting past Wushia High School\'s defense with increasing ease. Ishikuno, after dribbling past Lucas, crossed the ball to the left wing and saw his teammate almost score a beautiful goal.

Luckily, Toshinori was able to save the Wushia High School goal, but he was beginning to get tired. Soon, Toshinori wouldn\'t be able to make any more shots, and even the defense wouldn\'t be able to stop Itou High School.

Lucas watched the whole scene with shock and realized that he couldn\'t hesitate any longer. There was no time for that. Ishikuno had to see him as a monster, right? So that was what he was going to do. No matter what, Lucas would become a nightmare for Ishikuno.

During the next breakthrough at Itou High School, Ishikuno realized that something had changed in Lucas. There was something unusual about this black-haired boy. Lucas wasn\'t like the other midfielders at Wushia High School, who always fell for his feints and gave up after one or two dribbles. Even after being easily outdribbled, Lucas would run after Ishikuno to stop him. He was persistent and stubborn.

After being passed by Ishikuno again, Lucas didn\'t give up. Ishikuno glanced back and his heart leapt when he saw Lucas so close.

Lucas recovered from his dribbles faster and faster. He had a determination in his eyes that were always focused on the striker, as if he was the only thing that mattered in the world.

"This guy..." Ishikuno said aloud, feeling a bead of sweat run down the side of his face.

Not everyone on and off the field saw Lucas\' ability to react in such a sportsmanlike manner, however.

"Really? What\'s that number 8 doing?"

"I hadn\'t noticed before, but he\'s a bit rash, isn\'t he?"

"He wants to chase every ball, leaving holes in the team\'s defense. Wushia High School used to be able to attack, but now they can\'t even do that. Doesn\'t he realize that he\'s a nuisance?"

Lucas didn\'t care about the comments or the yelling. He was focused, ignoring the burning in his legs and the pain spreading through his body from the constant effort. He knew that he needed more than skill to stop Ishikuno, otherwise Hidefumi would have done it by now. He needed stamina, a willpower that could make him a nuisance to even the most talented striker.

Ishikuno, still with the ball at his feet, tried to remain calm. He was used to being the most unpredictable player on the field, but now he felt that unpredictability had changed sides.

"He\'ll catch me..." Ishikuno said to himself, speeding up his pace with the ball, but something inside him wondered if that would be enough.

The Wushia High School defense was organized, on the lookout for another attack from Ishikuno, who had amazing dribbling skills, but who needed help against a well-positioned defense. What\'s more, they took advantage of the fact that Lucas was marking Ishikuno almost single-handedly, and managed to give the other Itou High School players more attention.

Lucas seemed to be everywhere at once, helping the defense, returning to the attack, and when the ball rolled to Ishikuno, Lucas was already approaching him again to mark him individually.

After minutes like that, the fans who had previously criticized Lucas began to marvel at Lucas\' willpower.

"This kid...doesn\'t he get tired?" one spectator asked in disbelief.

"Lucas Tanaka... He\'s not the most technically gifted, but he makes up for it with absurd stamina."

[1 Elixir of Restoration has been consumed.]

[You have recovered 50% of your stamina.]

Lucas, who was drenched in sweat and practically exhausted, felt the energy return to his body and continued to run after Ishikuno.

There was a tone of almost desperation in the way Lucas moved around the field, always coming back, always ready for the next move, as if he had infinite energy.

It was then that Ishikuno finally realized the true challenge that lay before him. He was facing someone who embodied pure willpower. That animated smile of Lucas\'s, which he had underestimated at first, now looked like the smile of a monster to Ishikuno. A monster that didn\'t know the word "surrender", a monster that didn\'t want to lose.

"I have to end this now," Ishikuno decided, tightening his grip even more than he moved forward.

But as much as he didn\'t want to admit it, a broad smile appeared on his face. It was nice to play against someone so interesting.

[Copy Conditions Achieved].

[Skill acquired].

[ unlocked].

In a flash, Ishikuno glanced back to confirm what she already knew: Lucas was there, coming closer and closer, his eyes fixed with an unyielding determination, as if he was willing to sacrifice everything for this victory. There was something in Lucas\' gaze that sent a shiver down Ishikuno\'s spine - a mixture of madness and passion that he himself knew well, but which now seemed to be turning against him.

But while Ishikuno was too preoccupied with Lucas, a crucial mistake was made.

Hidefumi, the chief defender of Wushia High School, was already strategically positioned. He had read the game like a book. With impeccable precision, he stepped forward, stretched out his leg, and intercepted the ball with a firm touch.

Ishikuno barely had time to realize what had happened. In one instant, the ball was at his feet and in the next; it had been taken away by Hidefumi.

"What...?" exclaimed Ishikuno and twisted to the defender.

Hidefumi replied with a serious but slightly teasing expression in his eyes: "You\'re focusing too much on Lucas. Don\'t forget, he\'s not playing alone."

Hidefumi then made a quick pass to Lucas who, without Hidefumi having to ask or look at him, was already turning to start a lightning counterattack.

The ball flew a few meters through the air and landed softly at Lucas\' feet.

"That\'s what I wanted." Lucas said.