Ability Wielders - Chapter 141 Philippine Team vs South African Team

Hayden and Mieko were both gamers and Linkers, with Mieko even being one of the big-names in Streamlink at 180 million supporters. This was supported by KTM Entertainment as it provides good publicity for Mieko and the group.

With that in mind, the two being seen together in public was a major shipping moment. Both the gamers and VERSEs all shipped Hayden and Mieko (MieDen), becoming the new forerunner of the ships, leaving ChungDen in the dust.

Be that as it may, the haters of Hayden significantly increased in size because of this. Well, it wasn’t haters as so much as indignant fans who didn’t want Hayden to be with any of the CHORUS members. Nobody can hate Hayden with his immense standing in the world as there was proof all over the internet.

Want to cast aspersions on Hayden over his skill on his War of Honor skills? Chaos Entertainment personally provided a statement that Hayden wasn’t hacking. Want to denigrate him over his looks? Who the hell in their right mind would do that?

Tarnish his reputation in basketball? He’s one of the best players in the world. His education? He was at the top of his grade level. It was nigh impossible to badmouth Hayden as his popularity seemingly has no weak points.

As for his progress on his wielder Level, he wasn’t far off from becoming a Level 3. The anticipation on stepping into that Level 3. He’d finally be at the bare minimum to be described as a full-pledged wielder.

…

Wednesday. The Philippine team’s first match was with the South African team that had the Prodigal King, Friedrich Sincadu, the Spectral Dancer. Friedrich Sincadu specialized in dribbling the ball into the court and passing.

With his lacking skills in the field of scoring shots, not including dunks, with an abysmal rate of 48% for all shots taken, he was named as the eighth Prodigal King.

Nevertheless, as Hayden has stated, ball handling was the most important aspect of basketball. As long as you were in possession of the ball, you have the chance to score. Even if you didn’t have the shooting skills to back it up, as long as you can keep the possession of the ball, the chance was there.

This, in addition to his towering height, made him a great center and point guard despite his position being power guard. Presently, Hayden and his team was in Medium Arena (MA) 3. He was face to face with the crème de la crème of 16-year-old basketball players in South Africa. Oddly enough, the South African team was missing one player.

The second one that caught Hayden’s eye was Mpho Azamous. He was tall, not as tall as Friedrich sure, but he was pretty muscular. His square jaw was emphasized by his chinstrap beard and fitted his glimmering bald head. His jersey number was 89 and was positioned as the center in spite of his height.

From the replays Hayden had watched, Mpho’s greatest power was his explosive jump. He can jump from the farthest edge of the free throw line and reach the hoop. It was as far as Hayden could jump.

The third one that caught Hayden’s eye was Jabulani Khumalia. He was as tall as Hayden with a not overly muscular build. His skin was beige in color and had a dark green hair color. His jersey number was 99 and his position was point guard.

Jabulani was a great point guard who specialized on putting pressure on an opponent via team plays and preventing the team to score. With his tremendous strategic prowess, the South African team’s defense was iron-clad, only inferior to the Australian and the Ghanaian team.

Putting Hayden into the equation, the Philippine team’s and South African team’s defenses are estimated to be equal. At least from what has been gathered so far.

The last one that Hayden was wary of was a buoyant-looking, lanky, and golden-skinned man with a yellow buzz cut. He was unassuming. Hayden was cautious on him for one reason: His Danger Sense was giving him the vibes that he was strong. Yet, he was a substitute. This was Chifuniro Zula, a shooting guard whose number was 32.

In time, the match started. It started off with Alfonso and Mpho’s jump ball. Utilizing his jumping power, Mpho seized the ball for his team, passing it onto Friedrich.

Friedrich swiftly moved to the Philippine team’s side. Everyone, excluding Hayden, was in a box zone defense under the net. Everybody on the South African team went on to guard their respective players as well.

Hayden moved to Friedrich’s side. His entire body were in full observation mode. The aura he was releasing was intimidating. As if he can perceive every movement and the minutest muscle twitch of your body. Well, he can.

Confidently, Friedrich started swaying as he dribbled. His footwork was dazzling and with rhythm. Hayden chose to observe first than moving. There was no hurry on counteracting Friedrich’s fabled ‘rhythmic dribbling.’

The dribbling gradually hastened. Like a gust of wind, Friedrich ran past Hayden. Hayden, although had time to react, deliberately let Friedrich pass through. This was misperceived as him being ‘slower than Friedrich.’

Friedrich eluding Hayden produced a huge uproar in every corner of the arena. Due to this it was just the South African players noticed Hayden licking his lips. The trademark all players discerned to be Hayden’s giveaway of his zeal.

Hayden closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, his entire being shifted into that of the basketball player that he is.

Instantly, Hayden turned around and chased after Friedrich. His acceleration was nothing but inhuman. It was instantaneous and powerful.

“Friedrich!” Jabulani roared in a warning tone.

Friedrich was aware of Hayden’s presence behind him. It was a formidable presence after all. Who wouldn’t be able to sense it?

In a second, Hayden caught up with Friedrich. An astonishing scene occurred. Hayden and Friedrich’s figures flashed in a game of cat and mouse. Everybody on the court couldn’t follow the two with their eyes. Much less react and join the fight.

Ultimately, Friedrich jumped and was going to dunk when Hayden slapped the ball out of Friedrich’s hands. The ball flew right into the hands of Brando. This was, of course, calculated by Hayden.

Hayden quickly raised his right hand and signaled, putting his index, middle, and ring finger up. It was the signal for them to be cautious and make plays that doesn’t revolve around him as he will partake an active role in defense.

His teammates couldn’t believe that Hayden was going to use them right off the bat. They were also shocked that Hayden used this tactic as it was a tactic exclusively created for Magnus, the Lightning Bolt.

In this stratagem, Hayden would guard solely one person. One person. This individual was the fastest person in the opposing team. Meanwhile, his team would be, although not exactly going to play by themselves, would depend less on Hayden.

During offense, Hayden take the role of a point guard. He would be the eyes of the team and would set up plays with his godlike passes, or so described by his team.

On the other hand, when it was time for defense, Hayden would be the player that would move the most in the court. Even more than his usual one. His main purpose was to guard the fastest of them all to ensure that he would not make a sudden play on stealing the ball.

At the same time, Hayden will be guarding whoever the ball is with, letting most passes go through, intercepting some, and only blocking shots, or leading the adversary in a dead-end lose-lose situation. The goal of this unusual box-zone defense was to mentally exhaust the enemy.

This was a game plan that put a heavy strain on Hayden and on his teammates. As such, this was possible purely with Hayden’s Spartan-like training last Friday that allowed his teammates to evolve.

Seeing this signal from Hayden, his teammates put their trust on him, executing it without a delay. Brando, being the small forward, dribbled the ball into the other side of the court.

With Hayden persistently guarding Friedrich, not letting him go no matter what fancy maneuver he did, the pressure on Hayden’s team was alleviated.

All the while watching Friedrich, Hayden’s eyes darted all over the place. He put his sense of hearing, touch, and smell to use too. He made eye contact with Amado, who had the ball in his possession.

Amado had the instinct to pass to Hayden in spite of him being preoccupied. Amado passed to Hayden. Unexpected by the South African team, nobody was able to react in time to steal the pass.

Hayden with a keen eye for observation, got a clear view of someone free. It was Darryl, at the edge of the court and at the perfect position for a three-point shot. Hayden thought, ‘Perfect.’

Acting as a middleman, Hayden thwacked the ball behind his back with his left hand without coming into possession of it. Hayden’s pass was akin to Kuroko, albeit a showy and attention garnering one rather than a discreet one. The ball smoothly found its way into the hands of Darryl.

Darryl didn’t betray Hayden’s expectations, scoring a three-pointer. The arena turned silent from the overwhelming spectacle they’ve witnessed. This was a match that was leagues away from the level of what high school basketball should be!

A few seconds later, releasing their bated breaths, the crowd broke into a deafening cheers of exhilaration.

“It seems that Hayden has been indeed hiding a few weapons under his sleeves.” Commentator Hayden concluded his commentating of the intense episode of the match between the two teams. “A few seconds into the first quarter, and this is the level of play the two teams are exhibiting! How enthusing!”

“Indubitably.” David concurred with a serene voice. “Hayden is really going all out on this match. Yet, have you noticed he’s not using his sniper shots? He probably wouldn’t.”

“Why would you think he wouldn’t?” Commentator Hayden inquired with curiosity. “It is one of a sniper’s greatest weapon.”

“You see…” David spouted an in-depth assessment of Hayden’s playstyle backed by evidences from his past bouts. “That’s why, unless he is backed in the ropes, Hayden would never do this. He would face off with his opponents in a straightforward manner, using their own techniques against them.”

“That is…” Commentator Hayden had a look of realization on his face. “Wow, that is what happens whenever Hayden’s in a match. Look! Hayden… Holy… What in the world is the Philippine team doing!?”

…

On the court, it was time for the Philippine team to defend. Jabulani, dribbling the ball up into the half court, whistled something. Hearing this, everyone member of the South African team was galvanized into running up in conjunction.

Hayden, being the sports anime fan that he is, was stupefied upon watching it. They were using a goddamn volleyball all team attack! Granted that it was a fast break, but their movements were all so coordinated that it appeared to be an all team attack!

Plus, everybody’s agility was off the charts. It was similar to when he fought with the Finnish team, albeit, this time, the players weren’t mind-controlled. It was splendid how much training can achieve.

This coordinated team play looked as if it was effective against Hayden’s team. Hayden inspected the team play with effervescence and intentionally let them run past him.

Watching on, Hayden unknowingly licked his lips for the second time. ‘This is getting exciting, heh.’

With the South African team scoring, the ball returned to the possession of the Philippine team. Amado passed the ball to Hayden.

The moment Hayden acquired the ball, he whistled and raised his right hand, which was in an enclosed fist. It was the signal for Hayden’s personally cooked up coordinated team play.

In chorus, Amado, Darryl, Alfonso, and Brando ran to the opposite side of the court. Hayden, faced with Friedrich, passed the ball to Alfonso. With a skillful twist of his body, Hayden eluded Friedrich. The ball returned to his hands subsequently.

Next, Hayden was faced with two of Friedrich’s teammates. Contrary to their expectations for Hayden to avoid them, Hayden jumped and was going to shoot the ball.

“No you don’t!” Mpho shouted, jumping behind Hayden. Unfortunately for Mpho, Hayden predicted this and passed the ball to Brando by the side. ‘Shit.’

Hayden landed. With three of the South African team in one place, and the area below the court left unguarded, he was free to move under it. With a ‘simple maneuver,’ Hayden got out of the enclosure of the three people.

Brando bounce passed the ball back to Hayden. At that moment, Friedrich caught up to Hayden and was now taking on the mantle of the center.

Hayden licked his lips for the third time. Hayden’s body swayed. Friedrich stared agape at Hayden for his movements. It was his rhythmic dribbling! Hayden fucking stole his technique!

Clasping this lapse of concentration on Friedrich’s part due to his daze, Hayden slam dunked the ball. All of these happened within the short span of eight seconds.

This display of Hayden shut up the previously uproarious crowd. The rowdy arena was engulfed in such ear-piercing silence that you can hear a pin drop from the outermost area of the spectator stands.

“Hayden not just used his legendary high velocity passes, he stole the rhythmic dribbling of Friedrich!” Commentator Hayden bellowed in surprise. “What else can Hayden not do? What kind of talent is this?”

“You cannot help but think that Hayden is one of those once-in-a-million-years geniuses.” David’s eyes were likewise widened. “There are even rumors that Hayden collaborated with the illustrious Coach Ardiente to train his Annual Youth Pride team in place of his training. From this, it is most likely that it is true.”

“This is the result of the combined efforts of a coach and one hell of a genius!” Commentator Hayden sighed out in admiration. “What else will Hayden show us? Will there be a chance of a comeback for the South African team?”

With the ball coming back to the South African team, Jabulani whistled again. This time around, it was in a different order.

He chucked the ball to Friedrich. Hayden’s Danger Sense tingled. It wasn’t out of danger of his life. It was ‘danger’ that something unexpected may occur. Yes, Danger Sense’s scope was that broad.

Abruptly, Friedrich’s body swayed. His dribbling shifted into a different tempo compared to earlier. It was that of an elegant waltz. It was faster than what Friedrich did. Hayden was going to steal when, out of the blue, Friedrich back stepped gracefully.

Hayden instinctively reacted by following. Friedrich passed the ball behind him. It was to Jabulani. Hayden cursed in his mind. ‘I’ve been had!’

This was a clever play in the part of Friedrich and Jabulani. They made use of Hayden’s mind registering the new steps of Friedrich’s new moveset of rhythmic dribbling. Because of Hayden’s intense focus, he reflexively pursued the tactical retreat of Friedrich.

Hayden calculated that the goal of this was: with him on the middle of the run, he couldn’t possibly jump to stop the ball, right? Or does Hayden want to be charged with goaltending?

Unfortunately for them, this was Hayden they were talking about. With his excitement reaching a peak, Hayden entered the zone. With his left foot still on the ground and in a run, Hayden forced it to squat down, and jump.

In that instant, Jabulani shot. He thought it was going to score when Hayden appeared and spiked the ball to the ground at an angle. The ball shockingly flew into the hands of Alfonso.

Nobody moved a muscle with Hayden in mid-air. Stunned silence pervaded the surroundings. The South African team had one question running in their minds: What the fuck kind of monster are they fighting?

First, forcefully stopping his run. Then, jumping in that awkward position? With one leg? High enough prior to the ball going in a downward curve and blocking it to not count as goaltending? Moreover, ‘spiking’ it at such an angle that it went to his team? The fucking skill that must have taken!

“What are you standing around for!?” Landing on his feet, Hayden broke into a run and shouted. “Go! Go!”

Hayden’s words roused his team up. Alfonso catapulted the ball towards Hayden. Hayden caught it comfortably. Without any time to react, Hayden shot a three-pointer, creating a three-point gap between the Philippine and South African team.

“Truly a powerful team.” Hayden muttered under his breath. “Ah, I love duking it out with all these talented people.”

Hayden was vivified by everything. He was looking forward to what else can Friedrich, Mpho, and Jabulani can show him.

Three minutes in. The score was at 28-36, in favor of the Philippine team. With Hayden shouldering the role of the nexus of every strategy that the Philippine team did, it was a pipe dream for the South African team to catch up.

South Africa called in a timeout.

“Should we do it?” Mpho sat contiguous to Jabulani. “He is the Heavenly Emperor. We’ve devised it specifically for him.”

“Yeah, if not now, when?” Friedrich asked. “He beat every single one of our thing with his flair for setting plays up. He’s a better point guard than most point guards. He’s a better center than most centers. You get the point. So let me ask, why haven’t we put pressure on him?”

“Because it’s impossible to do that.” Jabulani shook his head. “You see, my ability to put pressure on the enemy team consists of psychological warfare and you guys’ ability to block shots. With Mpho’s great centering and aptitude on blocking, this will normally work. This will snowball into a momentum for our team. The problem here is; we can’t create enough momentum to let it snowball. Hayden’s teammates, although obscure, and hasn’t moved all that much during the past matches, are top-notch players by themselves. We don’t have my tactical prowess to back this match up.”

“So you’re saying in a roundabout way that we should do ‘it.’” Friedrich rubbed his hands together. ��I’m down for revealing it this prematurely if it means defeating the Heavenly Emperor.”

“And shall I enter the court?” Chifuniro loomed in on the trio. His mouth shot out words identical to a machine gun. “I should, right? Right? What are you guys talking about anyways? I want to go into the court. Please, please, let me in the court. I beg the three of you.”

Friedrich and Mpho’s countenances twitched in vexation. Only Jabulani smiled. “Okay, let’s get you in for the next quarter.”