Chapter 689: Rivalry


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    Federico, however, didn''t look impressed.


    Tightening his jaw, he scoffed, "Spare me thepliments. Do you think you can waltz in here, take my spot, and act like we''re best friends? Newssh: this isn''t your home. It''s mine. And I''m not going to let you take it from me."


    Hiro could tell that Federico was afraid. Now that he heard from him, he was even more sure about it. Even so, he didn''t hold any hostile intentions toward him.


    Federico''s words hung in the air. Hiro, however, stood firm, his demeanor calm and


    unwavering despite the hostility.@@novelbin@@


    "I''m not here to take anything from you," he said quietly. "But if you see me as a rival, let''s push each other to improve. The team needs us both at our best."


    Even if he were to throw a fit here, Hiro wouldn''t react.


    Federico couldn''t feel even an ounce of hostility from him. At the same time, he couldn''t tell whether Hiro was being genuine or not.


    He stared intently at him for a moment, trying to read him. He couldn''t tell if he was being serious or not.


    Perhaps, he truly meant what he said. He couldn''t tell. But he was sure about one thing, he wasn''t here to fight with him.


    Then he smirked, though it didn''t reach his eyes. "You''ve got guts, I''ll give you that. Let''s see if your skills match your words."


    Without another word, Federico grabbed a ball and started dribbling back down the field, clearly dismissing Hiro.


    For a moment, Hiro stared at him in a daze. He couldn''t tell what just happened right now. "What a strange fellow," Hiromented, his lips curling into a smile.


    He knew winning over Federico wouldn''t be easy, but he also understood that the best way to earn respect was through action.


    Even if he hated him, he would have to trust him now that they were ying in the same team. Well, it would only be possible if he wanted good for the team.


    Hiro then went on with his training.


    As Hiro began his own training, he couldn''t help but nce over at Federico, who was practicing with an almost reckless intensity.


    He could feel a surge of determination.


    However, if Federico wanted a fight, Hiro was ready to prove his worth-not with words, but with his performance on the pitch.


    It didn''t only apply to him but to anybody who wanted topete with him.


    He was ready to fight for his spot in the team. Be it a world-ss yer or a bench warmer. He would prove his worth through his actions.


    But after conversing with Federico, Hiro understood one thing- he had be the source of terror. From this, he understood that he was on the right path.


    Only people who are feared are truly invincible.


    Hiro himself would prefer to be feared than adored. After all, only the strong are feared. And if he could inflict fear in somebody through his performance then that would imply that he is moving in the right direction.


    Having suffered the life of weak, Hiro didn''t want to be weak again.


    He wanted to be the predator. He wanted to be the source of other''s envy. He had had enough of living as a prey.


    In this life, he had vowed to achieve everything he couldn''t.


    And to achieve those results he would go to any extent. Even if it means crushing someone else''s dream. But he still wasn''t a heartless demon. So, he couldn''t help but pity Federico.


    Thoseforting words he had said to Federico were nothing but pity.


    Honestly, he didn''t care if he fought back or not. He was here for himself. So, if he couldn''t even handle a trivial situation like this then it''s better he headed home or transferred to some other club where his position was guaranteed from the start.


    Well, he did mean that he was a talented yer.


    But talent alone wouldn''t be enough. To thrive in this ce, talent alone wouldn''t be enough.


    It applied to him as well. Thus, Hiro would stake everything on the line to achieve the desired oue. Even if it meant ruining his personal life.


    He would remain disciplined.


    With that being said, Hiro turned his focus to his training. He had recently unlocked a new feature called the Skill Tree. The skill tree consisted of a range of skills that he could learn. From heading to kicking, it involved a lot of skills which helped him to be a better yer.


    The skill tree was almost simr to his status interface. The only difference was, he had to upgrade the skills via mastery points.


    Hiro willed the system and the interface popped before him. Then he proceeded to the newly unlocked feature.


    The skill tree panel opened.


    The skill tree was divided into three major realms, each focusing on a different aspect of Hiro''s ability; Physical Excellence, Tactical Mastery, and Mental Fortitude.


    The major realms consisted of some core abilities with tiers ranging from one to three.


    For example, under the major realm of Physical Excellence existed core abilities such as zing agility, Dynamic bnce, and Golden feet.


    The core abilities further consisted of skills ranging from tier one to three. Each tier required three mastery points to advance.


    Having earned a mastery point for his achievement, Hiro had invested it in his Physical Excellence. Though he possessed talents that shaped his bnce, Hiro could tell that he would require a good bnce even more now that he was ying here.


    Thus, after much thinking, he had invested the first mastery point he had earned in the core ability; Dynamic Bnce.


    Hiro could already feel his bnce improving. Each time he invested in the skill tree, he would gain some real-time benefits. Even more impressive was the fact that his stat would increase permanently every time he invested in the skill tree.


    It was even more impressive than directly investing in the stat.


    He would gain skill and stat at the same time.


    The training progressed smoothly and soon after others arrived as well. Now, after Hiro''s marvelous performance in his debut, the eyes looking at him had changed radically.


    They no longer held any doubts.


    Their tone also had changed. They sounded more amicable than before. Their gesture toward


    him had also had a change.


    All of a sudden, he had be one of the dearest members of the team.


    At the same time, Hiro could feel the tension rising. Though most treated him well on the outside, he could sense their fear. He could spot unusual stares often.


    While training, he could feel uneasy stares pointed at him.


    He could tell that some people had grown wary of him. Well, having conversed with Federico, Hiro had already realized that this kind of situation was inevitable.


    Noticing the wary stares, Hiro couldn''t help but sigh, ''At least, Federico was open about it.''


    More than the people harsh on the outside, Hiro disliked the two-faced people who treated him nicely on the outside but scoffed inwardly.


    Now that he had garnered the attention of others, he had to be even more vignt.


    Fame came at a price and Hiro was no stranger to this.


    After about three hours of intense training, the session came to an end. The session had left


    many exhausted and panting.


    Diego after concluding the end of the training began to walk away.


    Hiro had something to discuss with Diego. So, he chased after him in a hurry.


    "What''s with him? Where is he headed to?"


    Immediately after he left, others began to talk about him. They looked at him maliciously.


    They could tell that he was chasing after Diego.


    "After Diego, probably."


    "He probably wants to talk about his ying time now."


    "If it continues, it won''t be long before he starts."


    They weren''t open about it as most of the yers had grown fond of him. Even in today''s


    training, he had performed exceptionally.


    So, it made them even more ufortable. They could tell that it wouldn''t be long before


    their spot in the team would be in jeopardy.


    To lose their spot against a young Asian Kid, it was thest thing they wanted to.


    Even thinking about this horrified and disgusted them.


    "Diego," Hiro called out.


    Hearing the call, Diego paused. He was discussing the result of the training with other


    coaches and was upied currently.


    But upon seeing Hiro, he couldn''t help but feel delighted.


    After all, they were talking about his performance in the training.


    "What''s the matter, Hiro?" Diego asked, his tone cheerful.


    Having sprinted all the way here right after enduring a grueling training session, Hiro was out


    of breath. Panting, he stopped before Diego.


    "I... wanted to talk to you...," Hiro mumbled while panting.


    Diego turned to his colleague and dismissed them. Then he addressed Hiro, "Yes, what do you


    want to talk about Hiro? Is it about your ying time?"


    Diego couldn''t help but conclude.


    Hiro had been performing well. But it wasn''t the time for him to be starting. So, he couldn''t


    help but feel Hiro was being impatient.