📍Chrysalis FC — The Pressure Builds
In a cramped circle under a peeling shade, the Chrysalis FC boys sat cross-legged in front of their coach. The air was still, yet tense—like everyone was waiting for bad news they already knew.
Their coach, Coach Hyun, looked weary. He squatted before them, his cap low and his voice flat. "Next match is against Blue Flame FC. We must win. If we don't... that's it. We're out."
Silence.
Then he continued, "In our first match, we lost 5–0 to Outlaw MC—one of the favorites to win this entire competition alongside Seoul FC. I won't lie to you, the odds are steep. But that doesn't mean we lie down and wait to lose."
A small hand shot up. "Coach… is that the team Min Son plays for?"
Coach Hyun gave a slight nod.
Immediately, a few kids exchanged bright-eyed glances. One whispered, "They say he's the king of dribbling…"
Another grinned. "And he times his passes like a pro."
Someone else chimed in, "That guy who scored the hat-trick… Jin-Woo? He's there too."
Coach Hyun looked at their faces—smiling, awed, unfocused—and a wave of frustration crept through his chest.
"I give up…" he thought, his shoulders slumping. "If we lose this, we're out—and they're daydreaming about their opponents. There's no fire in them. What else did I expect?"
These boys came in through money and connections, not sweat and grit. While others fought for qualification, these kids glided through the cracks. And now... this was their limit.
🔥 Blue Flame FC — Do or Die
On the opposite side of town, Coach Park stood with a clipboard in hand, the Blue Flame players huddled close, their attention sharp and still.
"This match..." he said slowly, "...is non-negotiable. We have to win."
He turned the clipboard and showed them the updated Group Table:
1. Outlaw MC 3 pts | 1 win | +5 GD
2. Blue Flame FC 3 pts | 1 win | +2 GD
3. Leon Marshall Academy 0 pts | 1 loss | -2 GD
4. Chrysalis FC (Youth) 0 pts | 1 loss | -5 GD
Coach Park's tone grew more intense. "If we lose or even draw this next match, we'll be forced to go up against Outlaw MC. And if you think Leon Marshall was tough, that'll feel like war."
The players stood taller.
"You want to earn your place in the knockouts? You want to get scouted? Then treat this next match like the final."
Their faces hardened. Even the quieter players clenched their jaws. This match meant everything.
⚽ Mock Match & Final Prep
Coach Park clapped twice. "Alright, split into two squads. Let's see some fire."
The mock match began. Jin-Woo, still sharp, showed his attacking instincts again and again. Min Son's passing looked even more dangerous than the last match—his Blitz Curlers came close more than once.
Junho, anchoring midfield, showed why he was the team's spine, and even the bench players brought their A-game, eager to prove something.
When it ended, it felt like a real match had just been played.
Coach Park blew his whistle. "Well done. Everyone's improving. That's what I want to see."
He pointed to the field. "Basic stretches, cool down properly. No shortcuts. Remember—be here early on match day. The bus won't wait for you."
As the players nodded and split off, the tension that had hung earlier now hummed like electricity.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
This was survival.
🏟️ Matchday — Blue Flame FC vs Chrysalis FC (Group Stage Match 2)
The sun had already scorched half the field when the players of Outlaw MC walked off, victorious once again—4–0 against Leon Marshall Academy. Their second straight win. The stadium buzzed with energy, murmurs circling about how Outlaw MC was now the tournament's strongest on paper.
Shortly after, Seoul FC scraped a 1–0 win thanks to a last-minute penalty, and now the air shifted. All eyes turned toward the next match.
Blue Flame FC vs Chrysalis FC.
---
The announcer called them out for warm-up.
Min Son walked onto the pitch, wiping his sweaty palms on his shorts. He glanced sideways at his teammates. Some were tensed, silent and pale. Others were stretching or bouncing on their toes, trying to stay loose.
> "We got this," he muttered under his breath. Not for them—for himself.
Suddenly, beside him, Utgi, the fullback who cracked jokes more than he cleared balls, grinned and leaned close.
> "It's okay to be scared. Just don't shit your pants."
Min Son chuckled. Just a bit. Then whispered inwardly,
> "So it's that noticeable? No matter… like last time, the fear will vanish once the ball rolls."
---
⚽ Kickoff
Both teams took position. The whistle blew.
Blue Flame started strong, controlling possession. Tap. Tap. Tap. The midfielders shifted the ball around comfortably, keeping the tempo in their hands.
Min Son drifted wide, received a pass, and pushed the ball slowly forward—testing. His movements were smooth. Every now and then, he slipped past one or two players, but nothing fancy. Just rhythm.
---
⏱️ 23rd Minute
He got the ball again, this time at the center circle.
He raised his head—and paused.
> "Why aren't they pressing me?"
It was subtle, but clear: the Chrysalis players were giving him space. Too much space. Like they were... afraid?
He pushed the ball forward slowly, inviting them in.
Nothing.
> "They're backing off... They've heard of me."
He smiled, just barely, then tapped it back to their number 8, a fellow midfielder.
One quick read. One beautiful through-pass.
Jin-Woo was already on the run—perfectly timed.
1v1.
A clinical finish. Keeper beaten. 1–0.
The crowd erupted.
---
Blue Flame barely celebrated before returning to press. Another corner kick. Utgi whipped it in, fast and low. Junho, the defensive midfielder, came flying in with a header.
2–0.
Before Chrysalis FC could even regroup, Jin-Woo received a quick square ball just outside the box.
One touch.
A turn.
Bang.
The ball curled with precision into the top-left corner.
3–0.
---
⏱️ Halftime — Locker Room
Coach Park smiled, arms crossed.
> "You all played well. Very well."
He looked at each of them, one by one. His eyes paused on Min Son, Jin-Woo, and Junho just a heartbeat longer.
> "Second half, play however you like. This is your stage now. Show them what you're made of. Make the scouts talk."
The boys sat there, sweating, grinning, eyes lit with fire.
The war wasn't over yet—but the message was loud and clear:
Blue Flame FC had arrived.