Ability Wielders - Chapter 128 Playing Drowsily

In spite of being the target of each other’s auras, they weren’t intimidated at all. This resulted in it seeping out to the surrounding people. The clash of the dispositions was so chaotic that everyone within a 10-meter radius all wanted to kneel.

“Oho, what’s this?” The ongoing face-off was disrupted by a voice from the left. It was from Magnus, who was accompanied by the American Annual Youth Pride team.

They all wore a jersey jacket and jogging pants with the color pattern of blue and white. “Oh, friend Hayden! How have you been? You were great at the interview.”

“Magnus.” Long Jinhai changed his tongue to English. “Nice to meet you.”

“Long Jinhai!” Magnus raised both of his hands. The aura of cheerfulness suffused and shattered the tension between Hayden and Long Jinhai. “What are you doing facing off with the Philippine team this early in the morning? Jeez, couldn’t wait, huh?”

Long Jinhai laughed. Hayden laughed. The atmosphere was impressively converted into that of joy and camaraderie. “I must say that I am refreshed at the thought of your face off. Hehe, may the best team win.”

“May the best team win, indeed.” Hayden and Long Jinhai simultaneously concurred. Hayden smiled and shook hands with Long Jinhai. “It seems that I got too annoyed by my own sleeplessness.”

“You haven’t slept yet?” Magnus sneered at Hayden without hostile intent. “Were you that nervous, Hayden?”

“You can interpret it that way.” Hayden scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He was completely sucked in the cheeriness of Magnus. It was unduly puzzling.

“Let us excuse ourselves.” Long Jinhai found his exit. “I am looking forward to our face off, Hayden. Do not show mercy.”

“I guess you’re not going to let that go, huh?” Hayden yawned. Hayden faintly smiled. His Supreme King subconsciously seeped out of him. “Well then, I guess I will actually not show mercy.”

With that, Long Jinhai and his team ‘coolly’ turned around and walked to the Dawn Ceremonial Arena. The hall was an outdoor arena and is the largest one in the world, at one square kilometer.

It is capable of occupying every player of every sport in the Annual Youth Pride of all 256 countries. Additionally, it is able to house myriads of spectators.

“We’ll go ahead as well.” Magnus bade his goodbyes with Hayden.

As for the Philippine team, they walked towards the arena, too. In the midst of that, Dominic talked to him telepathically. “What was that? You clashed with an aura against Long Jinhai with your Origin Limiter on.”

Learning this was something that was mandatory for all of Pangkat Anino members. Hayden learned it during his learning spree back when he first joined.

On top of PAWL, Pangkat Anino has devised other ways of communication. There was a sign language (PASL), a verbal sound language (PAVL), a nonsense words language (PANL), a rhythmic finger snapping or clapping language that has a variant of rhythmic tapping (PARL), a simplistic dance language (PADL), and even a language based on eye movement and eyebrow movement (PAEL).

It was rather clever in Hayden’s opinion. Communication and information was a powerful weapon. And these seven made-up languages of Pangkat Anino is extremely useful. Such as in this case, when Hayden cannot communicate telepathically, yet.

In Pangkat Anino, it is compulsory to learn at least two languages: The PARL, or Pangkat Anino Rhythmic Language, which is easily the most versatile one as it is based on beat. And the PAEL, or Pangkat Anino Eye Language, which is useful during high-tension situations where you only have eye contact.

As for the others, some wielders of Pangkat Anino learn it solely for its usage. One of the more commonly learned ones is the PANL, which stands for Pangkat Anino Nonsense Language. Which, in all honesty, is quite useful in situations where a person can understand you.

It was a walk in the park for Dominic to understand Hayden’s whistles. After all, he was the one who invented PAWL. As for Sophia, her PAWL was rusty due to being busy with Puting Araw. Therefore, she was slow on the uptake of translating Hayden’s whistles. Once she did so, she was a little annoyed. ‘What do you mean it’s a secret?’

Meanwhile, nobody suspected that Hayden’s whistles carried some sort of message. Who the hell would? However, Daniel did find it strange that Hayden whistled. He has never heard Hayden whistled.

Daniel let this go, seeing no use on thinking about it. Eventually, they got inside the Dawn Ceremonial Arena. They were in the middle portion of the arena. It was nothing short of massive. In the very middle of the arena, there was an elevated platform where singers will perform their countries’ national anthem.

With Philippines being one of the top eight countries of winning last year, they had a reserved position amongst the eight closest to the platform.

Standing in the box for the basketball players of Philippines, they waited for the ceremony to start. Hayden’s mild claustrophobia was getting triggered due to the sheer amount of people in the venue.

To make it worse, there were athletes from his country who troubled him for pictures and conversed with him to inform him that they were fans. Especially those from the women’s Annual Youth Pride basketball team. This, in conjunction with his own drowsiness, Hayden’s tiredness extensively increased.

‘Will I be okay during the match?’ Hayden kept up a straight face and dealt with those bothering him in a friendly manner. ‘Well, if this is going to happen, I guess I will play with my full power…’

In all honesty, Hayden was better if he was sleepy. This is because his brain works hyperactive when he is drowsy. Sleepiness allows him to focus better for some reason.

It was 4:30 AM when the ceremony started. For the next hour and a half, celebrities from various countries sang. For the USA, there was the world-renowned singer and idol, Jillian.

For China, there was the considered-to-be-the-most-manly-of-all-Asian-idols, Zhang Luge. For Philippines, the spearhead and pioneer of the P-Pop industry and held as one of the greatest singers in her generation, Ningning (Shine).

For South Korea, there was CHORUS. Whilst they were singing, Eun-ha and Sayuri’s eyes wander towards Hayden from time to time.

And there were many more famous singers and celebrities to take the stage. The event was concluded with a torch-lighting ceremony. It was conducted by famous Senegalese Power Tumbling athlete, Moussa Sy. He wore a black gymnastic uniform that had the Senegal flag on his back.

With a torch in his left hand, Moussa tumbled fast and skillfully. It was an astonishing and breathtaking sight. You’d expect that the flame of the torch will be exhausted from the speed of the tumbles, yet, it didn’t.

Lastly, he did four backflips in the air in one take. An inhuman feat. The flame from the torch that spun with him intensified the flip’s artistic value.

Concurrently, behind Amado, Hayden had his eyes closed. He didn’t pay any attention to the performance, choosing to sleep while standing still. This was a skill he acquired during the six months he was a Trainee in Puting Araw. He thought it will be useful someday, and here it is. Useful indeed.

Hayden’s sleep was disturbed when the cheers of the people abruptly reverberated. Gaining a few minutes of rest, Hayden was immediately invigorated.

‘Nice rest.’ Hayden smacked his lips. ‘But not enough.’

Eventually, they all exited the venue. Hayden slept again in the minibus. This incurred the anxiety of his team members. Be that as it may, they were reassured when they recollected Hayden’s flair for basketball.

They arrived at the Annual Youth Pride Basketball Complex, a complex brimming with basketball arenas. It consisted of 64 small basketball arenas that can accommodate 10,00 spectators; eight medium-sized basketball arenas that can house 25,000 spectators; two big-sized arenas that can house 50,000 spectators; and a singular grand stage that staged the fight between the last two survivors, able to hold 100,00 bystanders.

Hayden and the Philippine team’s first match is in Small Arena (SA) 33. Their first match was with the Mexican team with the Prodigal King, Jorge Rodriguez. The Demolishing Catapult.

Hayden has heard all about Jorge on the plane here. Jorge was the greatest three-pointer that anyone has ever seen. Not only does he have 100% accuracy in terms of any kind of shot at any kind of situation, he is able to shoot anywhere, like Shintaro Midorima from the anime, ‘Kuroko no Basuke.’

Moreover, his skill in dribbling, faking shots, doing the 4-point maneuver, and stealing were off the charts. At least for a shooting guard. To top it off, his skill in assuming the role of the Center was superb. Truly befitting the title of a Prodigal King.

Irrespective of this, he was placed as the last most powerful in the Prodigal King ranking. This goes to show how competent the others are.

Needless to say, Hayden didn’t dare underestimate Jorge and his team. Well, at least him and his two members, known as the Golden Eagle Twins, Luis and Lloyd Castellanos. They were a pair of twins that possessed excellent dribbling, court awareness, and stealing skills.

The rest were good enough to be in the Annual Youth Pride stage, hence, Hayden was wary of them. The thing is, he was too sleepy to think anymore. His goal for the meantime was to rack up an overwhelming points in the first half that the Mexican team surrenders. If it was possible, that is.

‘Guess I will have to actually unleash my full strength.’ Hayden stretched his neck as he stepped onto the basketball court to warm up.

Unknowingly, Hayden’s Divine Perception’s Supreme King was oozing out. Even while warming up with free throw shots, the Mexican team were trembling. The sole exemptions to this was the Golden Eagle Twins and Jorge, the Demolishing Catapult.

Luis and Lloyd, as twins, had the exact same face. A Hispanic handsome face with a five o’clock shadow. Their hair was cut in a high fade with a comb over. Luis’ hair was combed to the left, while Lloyd’s was to the right. They were both as tall as Hayden, with the jersey number of 54 and 55 respectively.

As for Jorge, he was a lanky person with a nerdish air surrounding him. He was charming and bespectacled, albeit with a resting bitch face. He had a black pompadour haircut (Not the Japanese one). He was as tall as 199 centimeters, bearing the number 31.

In spite of not trembling at the exposure to Hayden’s aura, they were fully aware of it. They can simply tolerate its effects. They simultaneously thought, ‘What a profoundly overpowering aura!’

Previously, there were quite confident that they stood a chance against Hayden. That’s because of Hayden’s nameless teammates. Nameless at least to those not living in the Philippines. Now, perceiving Hayden’s palpable undertone, their self-assurance wavered.

This sensation was exacerbated by Hayden’s lackadaisical, yet accurate, one hand shots from the free throw line. He even fucking yawned. They misunderstood this as him being bored and him underestimating the Mexican team.

Their fury dwarfed their anxiety of facing Hayden. They secured the resolve to confront Hayden in the basketball court.

After warming up, they went on to start. Hayden was directly behind Alfonso. Jorge’s teammate who was responsible for guarding him was frozen in place.

Hayden was too threatening! He was getting asphyxiated of the powerful aura emitted by Hayden. Jorge and Alfonso was the one who was going to do the jump ball. The referee whistled as he threw the ball in the air.

…..

“Good morning, everyone!” A minute prior… In all medium, the match was getting broadcasted. “I am your friendly neighborhood Filipino, Hayden Makata (Poet). I will be the one to be commentating my tokayo’s (In English, it means someone of the same name) match, Hayden Emperador! I know, I know, my looks aren’t up to par to my tokayo!”

Hayden Makata is one of the best comedians and emcees in the Philippines, hosting an innumerous amount of TV shows during his time as a celebrity. He had a clean bowl cut and is rather youthful and attractive for his age of 40.

“Presently, the Philippine team is going to face against the Mexican team!” Commentator Hayden talked in an optimistic fashion. “A match between two Prodigal Kings right on the get-go! Who will win? The Heavenly Emperor who rules all? Or the Demolishing Catapult? Let us see in the next few minutes.”

The referee whistled. Commentator Hayden commentated. “Here is Jorge and Alfonso for the face off in jump ball! Who will get the ball, Jorge or Alfonso?”

Jorge and Alfonso jumped at the exact same time. Unfortunately for Alfonso, Jorge was the one who seized the ball. “The ball is now in the hands of the Mexican team. It was passed to one of the Golden Eagle Twins, Lloyd! Oho, what’s this!? A fast-paced two-man play at the start of the match? And a three-man guard on Hayden!?”

When Lloyd got the ball, he dribbled it to their court instantly. The man who was guarding Hayden guarded him tightly, disregarding his own nervousness. Luis and another teammate joined the guard, putting Hayden in between a rock and a hard place.

Stepping in the half court line, Lloyd passed the ball to Jorge without a warning. Jorge caught it with ease. Winding up a shot, Amado shouted. “Block the shot! Block the shot!”

That’s when… Hayden slid out of the three-man guard by running backwards, running forward, and sliding below Luis’ feet. Recovering in an instant, Hayden dashed behind Jorge.

As Jorge was in the midst of the wind-up, he didn’t notice Hayden running up behind him. Jumping up, Jorge was going to shoot when he felt the ball disappearing in his hands.

Swiftly, Hayden dribbled the ball up to the opponent’s court and dunked. Every single person in the venue were stumped. Who the hell would expect for someone of that height to be able to slide off below a person?

This speechlessness extended to Commentator Hayden. The events happened so fast that he didn’t have time to interject a single word in. He woke up from his stupor when Hayden scored. “Holy mother of-! What the hell was that!? What an inhuman feat!��

Turning around, Hayden yawned. “Let’s finish this, shall we? I’m sleepy.”

“What’s this!? Is Hayden provoking someone?” Commentator Hayden exclaimed in surprise. “The Heavenly Emperor that has never taunted anyone in his entire career is now jeering someone? Wait, no, he’s yawning… Is he actually… Sleepy…?”

…..

The immense shock of everyone on the court couldn’t be contained. Hayden’s teammates and the Mexican team all gaped at Hayden as if he was some sort of monster. What kind of maneuver was that?

In the entire history of basketball, no one has ever done this! This was nothing short of insane! Ridiculous! Outrageous!

Without saying anything, Lloyd and Luis walked up to take the ball from the other side. Hayden was just behind the half court line. With his sleeplessness, Hayden’s divine aura unconsciously leaked out. Luis, who was in possession of the ball, was engulfed by this aura, therefore, his heart welled up with veneration and desire to kneel.

‘What is this…?’ Luis’ eyes widened. ‘I can’t move. There’s no opening. It’s as if…’

Presently, Hayden was akin to an insurmountable wall. If he approached him one bit, he instinctively had the image of Hayden snatching the ball.

“Shall we do it?” Lloyd walked over to him. “It seems we have to with that kind of monster.”

“Yes.” Luis gulped. “We should.”

On that note, Lloyd and Luis stood side by side. They ran forward at the same time, with Luis hiding the ball on his back. The two back passed the ball every two steps, inducing confusion to whoever was watching.

When they were near Hayden, Hayden burst forward. As easy as eating and drinking, Hayden intercepted the tremendously swift back passes. A few steps away from them, Hayden wound up. “Do you think this technique has any effect on me?”

Jorge snuck up behind him, looking for a way to pay him back for the earlier humiliation. Surprisingly, Hayden leaned back a bit, his head lightly brushing Jorge’s extended elbow.

This did not only prevent him from blocking Hayden, it served as a forced four-pointer as well. The referee issued him a foul when the ball went in.

“What’s this!?” Commentator Hayden couldn’t believe his own eyes. “Hayden used the Demolishing Catapult’s own technique against him! What a play! This is why Hayden is termed as the Heavenly Emperor!”

Within the first 10 seconds of the game, Hayden has scored six points. What’s more, he did so in a laidback manner.

Succeeding the free throw, a teammate of Jorge threw Jorge the ball. As Hayden was behind the half court line, Hayden wasn’t able to block this. It was not like he can cover that much ground in an instant. He had his Origin Limiter on, even if he executed his rapid acceleration, he’ll remain at 60 kilometers per hour.

“I see, do you want to battle it in that way?” Hayden yawned as he followed the ball’s path. “I guess you’d want that, huh?”

In his basketball career, Hayden has never executed a flawless three-point shot outside of the half court line. It wasn’t that he cannot, it was that it was too flashy.

“Brando Navarro is going to throw in the ball.” Commentator Hayden talked. “How will my tokayo counter the Demolishing Catapult’s Catapult Shot? We’ll-”

He was cut off when Hayden received the ball, did the same motions as Jorge, and shot the ball. The ball went in to the rim seamlessly.

“What the!? What is this!?” Commentator Hayden was taken aback of this development. “Hayden, the Heavenly Emperor, executed the Demolishing Catapult’s three-pointer! If this continues, there’s no way that the Mexican team will win!”

Needless to say, the Mexican team was likewise floored. Why the hell can Hayden do this king of a three-pointer? It wasn’t that it was that uncommon, sure. It was that Hayden’s specialty has never been three-pointers!

Hayden was a good long-distance shooter. This was no secret. But Hayden has always been a person who preferred two-pointers than three-pointers.

“We’re doomed…” Jorge and the Golden Eagle Twins blinked. “The Heavenly Emperor… It’s an appropriate title. Unfortunately, we’ve formulated a plan to stop him. Shall we, Luis? Lloyd?”