NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 39: The Calm Before the Storm
The match was over. The final whistle echoed across the empty field, and for a brief moment, there was nothing but silence. No cheers, no audience — just the heavy sound of breathing and the quiet thud of footsteps as the players slowly gathered.
Renji stood still, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. The score said everything: 5-3. They had won. But there was no real sense of victory — not with the tension still lingering in the air.
Kaede finally broke the silence, grinning as he stretched his arms behind his head. "Man, that was intense! You guys almost had us there," he called out toward Sora's team.
Kaito scowled, running a hand through his damp hair. "Don't get cocky. Next time, we're crushing you."
Yamada stayed silent, his jaw clenched in frustration. But it was Sora's calm, unreadable expression that made Renji uneasy. He wasn't angry — he was focused. Already thinking ahead.
Renji knew this wasn't over.
The players gathered near the sideline as the EOS system's voice crackled to life.
"Match complete. Updating individual point totals based on performance…"
The screen above the field flashed with updated rankings:
Renji – 7 pointsSora – 6 pointsKaede – 5 pointsKaito – 4 pointsRiku – 4 pointsYamada – 3 points
Kaede whistled. "Look at you, Renji. Top of the board already."
Renji didn't reply. He was still watching Sora. That calm exterior was dangerous. The kind that hid something deadly beneath.
Before anyone could speak, the EOS system continued:
"Final match for Phase 1 will determine the top-ranked team. Prepare accordingly."
Renji's eyes narrowed. One last match. And it would decide everything.
But before they could even think about the next game, something unexpected happened.
The screen flickered — and a new message appeared.
"All remaining players, report to the briefing room immediately."
The calm was over. The storm was coming.