Backstreet No. 7

The match continued, the intensity rising with every passing minute.

While Marco Rodriguez and Eito Kagura had already made their marks, so too another player began to draw attention on the field.

Hyeon Chul-Moo, a scrawny but nimble 16-year-old Korean winger on Eito Kagura's team, was quietly making waves.

His small frame was deceptive.

What he lacked in size, he more than made up for with speed and agility.

Chul-Moo darted down the left flank now, his quick feet dancing over the ball as he evaded a defender with a smooth step-over.

He cut inside, his movements sharp and quick, driving toward the 18-yard box.

"Watch him!" a defender from Group 1 shouted, frantically trying to close the space.

Chul-Moo's eyes scanned the field as he feigned a pass, momentarily shaking off the defender before pulling the ball back creating just enough room for a shot.

With precision, he unleashed a curling effort aimed at the top right corner. The ball soared through the air, curving dangerously close to its target.

For a moment, it seemed destined to ripple the net, but it grazed the crossbar, leaving the Group 1 goalkeeper scrambling across the front of the goal.

"Hey! I told you not to leave him open!!" The keeper barked furiously, ordering the defenders.

The crowd on the sidelines gasped audibly, a mix of relief and admiration filling the air.

"Damn, that was close," Kyung-Sam muttered beside Lucas, his eyes fixed on the field.

Lucas nodded silently, watching as Chul-Moo jogged back into position, his expression focused despite the near-miss. It was clear the winger was starting to find his rhythm.

"He's fast," Lucas said quietly.

"Fast and clever," Kyung-Sam added. "He's not just running; he's reading the game. A player like that can change everything."

On the sidelines, the junior scouts were furiously scribbling notes.

One leaned toward Dong-Yul. "Hyeon Chul-Moo. Small but quick. He's got good positioning and awareness. His shots are sharp too."

Dong-Yul nodded slightly but remained silent, his eyes following Chul-Moo as the match resumed. Unlike Marco, whose dominance was immediate, Chul-Moo's presence was subtle, building with every play.

Back on the field, Chul-Moo received a beautifully timed pass from the midfield maestro, Kagura. This time further back in his own half.

Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted up the wing, leaving two defenders in his wake. It was becoming clear: Marco wasn't the only standout player on the pitch.

Lucas clenched his jaw, his competitive spirit igniting. First Marco, then Kagura and now him? If I want to prove myself, I'll have to outshine all three of them and any more prospects.

While the tension on the field reached its peak, Seung-Hyun sat three seats away from Lucas, utterly disengaged from the game.

His plump finger began picking his nose with zero regard for his surroundings.

Lucas glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, disgust spreading across his face.

He's not even watching the match?!

Seung-Hyun seemed completely oblivious to the intensity of the trials unfolding before him.

Instead, he flicked whatever he retrieved carelessly onto the ground and reclined lazily, a smug expression spread across his face.

Lucas clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to say something.

This is the technical director's son?

He shook his head, trying to focus back on the match.

No wonder he acts this way.

Kyung-Sam, seated beside Lucas, leaned closer and whispered with a smirk. "Can you believe this guy? It's like he doesn't even care."

"Why is he even here?" Lucas muttered under his breath.

Kyung-Sam shrugged. "His father runs the show, doesn't he? For people like Seung-Hyun, effort is something which is optional. But don't let him distract you. You've got bigger fish to fry."

Dong-Yul's sharp gaze swept over the benches, landing briefly on Seung-Hyun who was now playing with one of his football boots.

For a moment, his lips tightened, but he quickly looked away, maintaining his composed manner. Whether it was out of disdain or simply choosing to ignore the spectacle, no one could tell.

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

If someone like him gets through this trial, it'll be a joke. But I won't let that happen. If I'm on the same team as him, I'll make sure he knows the difference between us.

Whoosh-thwap!

The unmistakable sound of the ball slamming into the back of the net jolted Lucas from his thoughts.

He snapped his head toward the field, just in time to see Marco Rodriguez jogging back to his position, his face still carrying that same

smug expression.

"Another one.." a teammate muttered beside him, shaking his head in mild disbelief.

The Group 1 players erupted into cheers, patting Marco on the back, though it was clear they were riding his coattails more than contributing. Marco hardly acknowledged them, his eyes already scanning the pitch for his next opportunity.

The play unfolded so quickly. A well-timed through ball from the Malaysian midfielder, a deft first touch by Marco to control it, and then another explosive shot from outside the box that gave the keeper no chance.

The goal which was just shy of the 15-minute mark, cemented Marco's dominance on the pitch.

On the sidelines, Dong-Yul's eyes flickered with a glimmer of acknowledgment before settling back into their usual unreadable state.

The junior scouts, however, were intently scribbling on their clipboards. Their pens moving furiously across the notepads.

"Rodriguez is showing why he's the talk of the trial," one scout whispered.

"Raw power, composure, and he knows how to finish. That's his second, and we're only halfway through the match," the other replied.

Meanwhile, Eito Kagura was rallying Group 3, barking instructions as he repositioned his teammates. His sharp eyes were fixed on Marco, a determined scowl forming on his face.

"Keep it together!" Kagura shouted to his team, clapping his hands. "We can't let him dictate the game!"

Pweeeet!

"All right guys! Half-time! You get a five minute break to rehydrate and discuss your tactics among yourselves for the next half!" The Junior Scout's voice echoed across the pitch.

Lucas stole one last glance at Seung-Hyun. The boy was now scrolling through his phone, completely detached from the world around him.

I can't believe him.

The two groups now made their way to the sidelines, drops of sweat rolling on their foreheads as they reached for water bottles to rehydrate.

Marco, still exuding confidence, sipped from his bottle with a bored expression. His two goals had made an undeniable statement, but his body language showed he wasn't satisfied yet.

Meanwhile, Eito Kagura knelt near the edge of the sideline, his calm demeanor unshaken. With a water bottle in hand, he appeared lost in thought, his sharp eyes scanning the pitch as if creating a plan.

"He's plotting something," Kyung-Sam whispered to Lucas, nodding toward Kagura.

Lucas glanced at the Japanese midfielder, intrigued. Kagura hadn't scored, but his control over Group 3's movements was evident throughout the match.

He wasn't just playing the game, he was orchestrating it.

Kagura rose to his feet, clapping his hands to gather his teammates. "Listen up," he said, his voice firm yet measured. The Group 3 players leaned in, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.

"We need to cut Marco off from the supply. They're feeding him too easily," Kagura explained, gesturing toward the center of the astro turf.

"If we press higher and force mistakes in their midfield, we'll limit his chances. Chul-Moo, you'll lead the press."

The scrawny winger nodded, his face lighting up with determination.

"And if Marco does get through," Kagura added, his gaze sharpening, "stay composed. Double up on him if you have to, but don't dive in. He's waiting for us to make mistakes."

The players nodded in unison, their spirits lifted by Kagura's tactical clarity. Even Chul-Moo, who had been carrying the burden of missed chances, seemed reinvigorated.

From the stands, Dong-Yul watched the scene unfold with quiet interest. He didn't need to hear Kagura's words to know what was happening. The boy wasn't just a player, he was a leader.

As the second half approached, Lucas's eyes darted between Marco and Kagura.

The two represented contrasting styles. Marco, the unstoppable force, and Kagura, the calculated tactician.

When my turn comes, Lucas thought, gripping the edges of his seat, I'll show them I belong among the best.