Ability Wielders - Chapter 130 Match Two

His parents were both enjoying the pleasures of life in the Inner Area. All thanks to Hayden. They were in the Inner Area’s Canteen of the World, eating food cooked by Three-Michelin Star chefs from all around the world.

Following them discreetly were Harper and Christopher, who were both registered as guards under Hayden’s name. This granted them more access to the Inner Area than those people who are not associated with anyone and not skilled enough to place high on the modern societal hierarchy.

Howbeit, they failed to notice that there was a person observing Hayden’s parents. Following them around. They weren’t noticed by Christopher and Harper in the slightest. It was clear that they were competent enough to avoid the detection of the expert mercenary and the experienced assassin.

Irrespective of his inability to actually sense threat, as an expert mercenary, Christopher’s intuition was tingling. He felt there was something amiss in this situation. He couldn’t wrap his head around it, but it was there. Irrefutably.

“Let’s be vigilant.” Christopher solemnly spoke to Harper. “My gut tells me there’s something that will happen here. Something that will impact our job.”

…..

Philippines’ next match was with the Chinese team. When he was at the venue, Hayden found it odd when there was a still silence when he met with his members in the Philippine locker room.

“What’s up?” Hayden greeted, back in his jersey and uniform.

“The Chinese team lost to the Finnish team.” Sophia said, being the only person that was calm. “It was an upset. Finland’s players are truly capable.”

Hayden and Sophia walked to the players who were in front of a television. Sophia picked up where she left off., “Not only are their coordination off the charts, their individual skill is high. They’re slowly becoming one of the favorite dark horses that has a chance to win.”

Hayden’s eyes focused on the television that played the highlights of the match between China and Finland. Hayden’s left eyebrow raised when he noticed something peculiar. It was one of the player sneakily and unobtrusively moving his hands.

‘Could it be…? Impossible…’ Hayden’s brows furrowed. ‘He’d need to have something like the Absolute Regularity to do so… Or maybe…’

Hayden considered the possibility that there was an Ability that can be used even while in the Origin Limiter state. This was an Ability that he has never encountered before. ‘Or maybe this is a red herring. The chances are low, but…’

Hayden didn’t voice any of his suspicions. At the end of the day, these were purely his own suspicions. Those hand movements may be habits, and that the Finnish team just had the knack for teamwork.

…..

“Four hours have passed, and we’re back live!” Commentator Hayden greeted the fans enthusiastically. “After the upset with the Finnish and Chinese team, will the Chinese team be able to prevail against our own Philippine team?”

“Right now, both the Philippine and Chinese team are warming up. In the intervening time, we will be introducing our special guest.” Commentator Hayden remained fervent in his commentating. “Let us welcome, David Yasay!”

Going on-screen was one of the Philippines’ most famous celebrities. He was considered Mr. Perfect in the world, with flawless tanned skin and wavy hair. His facial features fitted both Western and Eastern standards for handsome men, and is currently the sole person to match Hayden in terms of facial attractiveness.

Not to mention, his body was identical with Hayden’s, akin to sculpted by the gods. His eyes contained a tinge of dangerous charm akin to a homme fatale, the male version of a femme fatale.

He was David Yasay. He is a famous screenwriter, singer, director, Fillywood’s (1) most distinguished actor, and a basketball enthusiast; a former player of NCR Hounds of the GBA league.

David Yasay was in a hiatus for two years after an alleged road accident, ending his career in basketball. As a result, the unexpected appearance of David induced cheers among the oblivious fans in Streamlink chat.

“Hello, everyone, David here.” David looked at the camera with a smile. “I am so glad to be invited to commentate alongside Hayden on Hayden’s match.”

This little joke incurred the laughter of the overexcited fans. Indeed, a handsome face would never be unsuccessful to gain a laugh from anybody. A handsome face alone contains enough charisma to do so.

“How have you been, David?” The two friendlily greeted each other. Afterwards, they held a conversation pertaining to the match. “What are your insights on this match? Do you think Hayden will win?”

The second the name ‘Hayden’ was mentioned, David’s eyes momentarily sparkled as he narrowed his eyes by a minuscule margin.

“I think Hayden will win without a doubt.” David proclaimed without putting in any thought. “His skill in basketball is already in the level of professionals. Perhaps better than some of those professional players. Sure, many would put up a fight, including the so-called Prodigal Kings. In the end, they’d lose to Hayden. Aside from this, I’m pretty sure that Hayden hasn’t revealed all of his cards. He hasn’t even used his signature perfect passing technique that boosts the rhythm of his teammates.”

“I see that there is indeed a difference in having a knowledgeable person in discussing.” Commentator Hayden chuckled. “What will be your presumptions on Hayden’s trump card?”

“Perhaps a secret weapon?” David had a contemplative expression. “Maybe that Daniel? From his interviews, Hayden did mention that Daniel is his best friend. And that witness reports confirmed this, with them always eating lunch together at school and people seeing them walk shoulder to shoulder every day when going to school.”

“I see that you did your research on my tokayo?” Commentator Hayden nudged David a little.

“Of course I did!” David laughed. “Hayden is trending in the Philippines and worldwide. Nobody can possibly not observe Hayden’s activities.”

“That is true.” Commentator Hayden said in a matter-of-factly tone. “Now, both teams are lining up to shake hands.”

…..

Hayden and his team shook hands with the Chinese team. The starter five were all down in the dumpsters with their loss. Against a team with no Prodigal King no less.

This served as fuel to their furor and served as a mighty factor that will later on create a disaster for the Chinese team. Nobody said a word during the shaking of hands.

Facing Alfonso in the jump ball was a player named Yu Da. He was the tallest player among the Chinese team. When the referee whistled and threw the ball high in the air, Yu Da acquired the ball for his team.

The ball naturally went to Long Jinhai. Bringing up the ball, he directly faced Hayden with a grim glint in his eyes. Crossing the half court line, Long Jinhai whispered, “I’m angry, Hayden. Just because you won easily against the Mexican team doesn’t mean you’ll win easily against me.”

With that, Long Jinhai back passed. Unfortunately for Long Jinhai, Hayden anticipated his elbow back pass, intercepting the ball immediately.

In a flash, Hayden was faced by Zhang Chenglei, the shooting guard, alongside Qing Fang, the small forward. Hayden let his skill talk for himself. With superb ball handling and skillful twists of his body, Hayden passed the two in a jiffy.

Finally, he was faced with Yu Da. From the free throw line, Hayden jumped. Yu Da jumped in chorus with Hayden. Through brute strength, Hayden broke through Yu Da’s block and dunked the ball.

This all transpired within the first four seconds of the match. Long Jinhai and his team all clenched their fists in anger. Hayden was one man! Why couldn’t they beat him at all? Were they that inept?

The auras of the five people on the court increased. Hayden’s Danger Sense was roused by the aura. ‘Oho, is a challenge being issued?’

For the second time, Hayden licked his lips in exhilaration. Basketball was slowly getting mundane as time passed. He has yet to meet his match. If a person can overcome Hayden’s own agility and skill through planning, they’re welcome to try.

The thing is, an absolute differential gap between physical prowess isn’t easy to close. No matter how meticulous you were in your planning, as long as the opponent had sufficient physical prowess and adapting capability, plans are inadequate.

Hayden had these two abilities. These two, in conjunction with Hayden’s predictive aptitude, skill in passing, latent leadership qualities, macro and micro strategic expertise, natural awareness of the court, his own assiduousness and copious talent… He was practically unbeatable!

Again, Long Jinhai confronted Hayden casually. Long Jinhai’s eyes were different now. Hayden was invigorated, his eyes transmitting: ‘Come!’

Long Jinhai attempted another elbow pass. Albeit this time, the elbow pass bounced from one elbow to another. The ball went to the opposite side of Hayden’s expectation.

Not expecting this, Hayden was surprised. His eyes widened. Not from surprise though. It was from his excitement.

This time, Hayden’s actual skill was displayed. In the middle of his step, Hayden’s entire body pivoted to the direction of the ball. With a single step, Hayden was thrusted to the direction of the ball. Hayden caught the ball like the wind.

Hayden’s figure, in Long Jinhai’s eyes, was but a shadow. To make it worse, when Hayden caught the ball, he twisted once and fired the ball to the other side of the court.

Like in an anime fight, Hayden slid, his shoes squeaking from the friction. At the same time that Hayden managed to stop the inertia, the ball went in the hoop.

Everybody in the venue was stunned of this display. Commentator Hayden and David couldn’t verbalize a single word. The players on the court were all taken aback.

What people didn’t know is that the best drive for Hayden during a match is… Excitement. If drowsiness made Hayden hyperactive, excitement from finding a challenge stimulated Hayden’s instinct. In other words, Hayden was in the zone right now.

Unknowingly, with Hayden entering the zone, Empyrean Power’s emotionally activated power of condition augmentation was triggered. Right now, it was at 10% increase, his body surging with adrenaline.

As might be expected, Hayden’s divine king aura spread out. This, plus Hayden’s inhuman display, placed a burdensome pressure on their shoulders.

“What… What was that?” Commentator Hayden’s enthusiasm waved upon witnessing that impossible maneuver from Hayden. “David?”

“Don’t ask me, Commentator Hayden.” David blinked his eyes. He laughed. “Those aren’t the moves of a regular basketball player. If I must say so… Player Hayden is feasibly in the zone.”

“The zone!” Commentator Hayden’s optimism was revived. “For those viewers who doesn’t know: In sports, the zone, also known as the flow state, is a state of mind where a player is fully immersed in the game they are playing. This grants them higher focus, enjoyment, and full involvement in the activity, reinforcing their senses. In this state, players tend to rely on their instincts and will appear more skillful than when they’re not in the zone.”

‘Did he become… faster?’ Long Jinhai’s eyes met Hayden’s currently frenzied, yet tranquil eyes. ‘What is this? Is he using an Ability?’

Long Jinhai didn’t think so. If he was, the World Government would’ve taken action by now. It was even more impossible that, at 16 years old, Hayden was mightier than those from the World Government.

How did Long Jinhai knew? Because, the ace from last year’s Chinese Annual Youth Pride team, deactivated his Origin Limiter and used his Ability during a match due to being carried away, ignoring the warnings of their coach. During the match, that said youth ‘took a break’ and went AWOL for the rest of the match. He didn’t return home with the team and was never found. That was how China lost, placing at the measly Top 16.

This news spread far and wide. Specifically, among the wielders, serving as a threat to not use their Abilities in a sport or suffer the consequences.

Long Jinhai had no qualms on assuming that Hayden was a wielder. The most famous people in their respective fields were wielders. This was not restricted information, nor was it out of place.

What really shocked him was that Hayden was too agile for a wielder with an Origin Limiter activated! This unknown caused a sense of dread for him.

Any wielder who had ample experience would be terrified of what was the unknown. Abilities were one thing. What if Hayden was a cognizant in disguise? That will truly be disturbing.

For the meantime, Long Jinhai disregarded his own fear. There was no way that he will be killed in the court. ‘Oh yes… We still have ‘him.”

Long Jinhai turned to the bench. He gazed at their coach and nodded. Their coach furrowed his brows before nodding. The Chinese team called in a substitution.

It was a man with sharp blue eyes, and had a body that was analogous to Hayden. His clean shaven face was not that handsome, but still is. His hair was tied in a ponytail and was blue in color. This was Fang Hongqi.

Hayden’s Danger Sense became lively. This man was not simple at all! His aura was gushing out! He is… Strong! ‘Fucking finally.’

In truth, Hayden has noticed the guy prior to the match. He deliberately forced him out with his exhibit of skill. He was used last game and was one of the main reasons how they at least got some score back from Finland.

“Fang Hongqi is put in the game!” Commentator Hayden shouted in excitement. “Fang Hongqi is estimated to possess skills on the same level as the Prodigal Kings. Will Fang Hongqi be the catalyst that will turn this match around for the Chinese team?”

“No, they won’t be able to turn this match around.” David shook his head calmly. “Not with Player Hayden around. Nobody can be a match with the ‘Heavenly Emperor’ in a flow state.”

“We will find out!” Commentator Hayden didn’t shoot this down, nor did he concur. It was the standard commentating of sport matches.

…..

Stepping onto the court, Fang Hongqi grinned aggressively at Hayden. It was both unnerving and thrilling for Hayden.

Positioning themselves, Yu Da passed the ball to Long Jinhai. Long Jinhai and Fang Hongqi both stared at each other. Long Jinhai signaled to one side with his head, Fang Hongqi obeyed.

Now, Fang Hongqi and Hayden were face to face. Seeing that Long Jinhai was bringing the ball up, Hayden endeavored to shake Fang Hongqi off his tail.

Stepping forward, Fang Hongqi stepped backward. Stepping sideways, Fang Hongqi trailed. It was as if they were dancing a beautiful waltz.

Fang Hongqi didn’t allow Hayden even the briefest moment of rest. ‘Ahh, what a persistent bastard, heh.’

‘Hehe, you won’t be able to escape the power of my observation.’ Fang Hongqi thought, his lips spreading wide. ‘Heavenly Emperor? What Heavenly Emperor? There’s no such thing as an emperor in front of my eyes.’

Hayden didn’t move anymore, as if giving up. Standing up and looking at the slightly crouching and unshakable Fang Hongqi, Hayden sighed. From Fang Hongqi’s countenance alone, Hayden predicted what was on his mind. He was being heavily underestimated.

Hayden executed his practiced form of not completely tensing muscles. He called this Movement Efficience. It wasn’t only giving him more meticulous control over his own movement, it also conferred him the power to move without full muscle contractions, creating much more efficient movements.

With Silent Movement, Hayden feinted to step to the right. He abruptly twisted his body and got past Fang Hongqi.

‘Son of a bitch!’ Fang Hongqi turned around to chase Hayden. ‘What the hell is up with his muscles? I couldn’t read any movement at all!’

The situation was exacerbated by Hayden’s extreme velocity. Hayden practically shot like a bullet and intercepted a pass from Long Jinhai.

With a quick turn, Hayden did a fade away shot, forcing a four-pointer out of Fang Hongqi in the process. Landing, Hayden muttered, “You’re skilled, but you’re impatient and hot-headed.”

“You…” Fang Hongqi was aggravated by Hayden’s words. “You will regret those words.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Hayden nonchalantly returned to the half court line facing them.

“Long Jinhai!” Fang Hongqi roared. “Pass me the ball.”

“He’s enraged, huh?” Long Jinhai passed the ball to Fang Hongqi. “Beat him up.”

Fang Hongqi dribbled the ball towards Hayden at breakneck velocity. Hayden licked his lip for the umpteenth time. Approaching Hayden, Fang Hongqi tried to go around the wall that is Hayden Emperador.

Alas, Fang Hongqi was too lost in his rage that Hayden snatched the ball before it registered in his brain. “Haha, you’ve lost, Hayden!”

Looking back, Fang Hongqi was perplexed why the ball was arcing towards their board. ‘Why… Why is the ball… There? In the… Air?’

“I thought you’d be the one that will give me a challenge.” Hayden’s divine king disposition drifted outwards. “Can’t believe that you wouldn’t be able to live up to my expectations.”

Fang Hongqi had a glimpse of Hayden’s back. His words weren’t that of arrogance at all. It was that of sadness and loneliness. As if a lonely and bored king waiting for someone to challenge his throne.

‘What is this…’ In his ire, this air emitted by Hayden was misunderstood by Fang Hongqi as condescendence. ‘Yet… I… I…’

Fang Hongqi couldn’t wrap his finger around it. But he intuitively knew… That Hayden couldn’t be beaten at all.

“Tsk, this is hopeless.” Fang Hongqi seemed to calm down and left the court without saying anything. ‘I’m weak… I’m… This weak…’

From one encounter alone, Fang Hongqi fathomed deep down that no matter how much effort he puts in his plays in his current state, he can never beat Hayden.

“Oy! Fang Hongqi!” Yu Da shouted. “You can’t desert your teammates in the midst of a match! Just because this good-for-nothing celebrity-”

“Stop talking.” Long Jinhai put his hand on Yu Da’s shoulder. “If you want to be smashed to a pulp by that guy for insulting him, go ahead.”

Yu Da turned to Hayden. It was only at that moment that he underwent through the effects of Divine Perception’s Supreme King.

“We surrender.” Long Jinhai declared to the referee, unable to see any escape routes in this situation at all. Hayden alone was much worse than the five Finnish players they went against!

Within two minutes, the Chinese team has already surrendered. This was recorded as the shortest match in the Annual Youth Pride. And Long Jinhai was viewed as the most cowardly person in China afterwards.

…..

1 World Lore Time: With the advent of total globalization, with every country entering the ‘first world’ stage, many celebrities from all the different parts of the globe emerged. As a result, many ‘woods,’ imitating Hollywood, Bollywood, and many more, emerged. Of course, this trend was already quite popular prior to the globalization, prime examples being Cantonwood and Chinawood in China, Taiwood in Taiwan, Tollywood in Bengal, Kazakhwood in Kazakhstan, and Nollywood in Nigeria. The world simply followed suit to this trend, and Fillywood was opened in Quezon City, replacing the area of District 5.

Although Fillywood’s area is vastly dwarfed by Hollywood, the films it produced were big hits in the world stage. With the creation of Fillywood, Philippines’ entertainment industry underwent a total overhaul. Whether it be script quality, equipment upgrade, or the skill of staff, it was all recreated. As might be expected, all countries’ entertainment industry metamorphosed, not just Philippines. Talented actors unearthed by the globalization. Comedians of the highest quality emerging from random corners. Emcees with the best vocalization were born. And with the genesis of 7G, alike the field of sports, it was a golden era for the entertainment industry.