Inside the lounge.
Everyone was laughing and chatting; the oppressive atmosphere from earlier had completely vanished.
Clearly, the best remedy was a victory.
Only with a victory, even if you made some bad moves on the field, would you be forgiven.
Of course... everyone still harbored some confusion about Ryu.
Ryu wiped the water droplets from his body, sighing that showering with cold water after playing football was indeed the most comfortable moment; he couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
"Congratulations, Host, for completing Main Quest 1*1."
"Reward: Speed (Substitute Level)"
Instantly, he felt his legs contracting and expanding, as if the muscles within his body were rapidly being repaired and strengthened.
This feeling was incredibly comfortable.
But it ended quickly.
Ryu couldn't help but think that if he was 'all-around (master level)' before coming here, then now he finally had one skill that could compete with those professional-level players.
After all, he wasn't unaware of how terrifying those professional-level players were.
Even Isagi, who had continuously evolved to the final stage, was still crushed when facing those monsters; that was the difference.
"Ryu, want to go grab a bite?" At this moment, Bachira, who was wiping his head, walked over.
Ryu opened his eyes, somewhat awkwardly. "Can you, you rascal, please put on your clothes before talking?"
Bachira chuckled, "So what if you saw me naked?"
"I don't care, so what? Ryu, do you care?"
Until a crisp "ding-dong" sound rang out.
A certain Bachira also let out a delightful shriek.
Isagi also said from the side, "I'm coming too... you don't mind, do you?"
Ryu glanced at him. "Come if you want; I'm not a devil... Looking at you guys, it's like I've done something to you!"
Since finishing that match, how could he not feel the atmosphere in the lounge?
This group of people seemed to have already regarded him as a formidable opponent.
Only Isagi, this blockhead, dared to come over and strike up a conversation like this.
Kuon also walked over. "I'm coming too!"
Eventually, in the cafeteria.
The four sat facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat silent....
"Hahaha… Why does this feel more and more like a warzone?"
"I'm really going to die laughing at Isagi! This guy wasn't like this on the field; why did everyone change off the field?"
"They're all wolves in sheep's clothing!"
In the silence, Bachira directly asked, "Speaking of which, Ryu, what exactly were you thinking during this match?"
"You knew this would cause others to bear greater ill will towards you, potentially affecting the subsequent matches."
"Was doing that... a bit bad?"
"What's bad about it?" Ryu bit into a steak. "Did I do something wrong?"
At this moment, Isagi spoke directly, "Team unity—you should have known the process from zero to one long ago, and only you broke that stalemate at the time."
"But... why use such an extreme method to put the entire team in danger?"
"Enjoying the thrill? Or fun?"
Ryu smiled slightly. "Since you understand, haven't you already guessed?"
"Our team's coordination is very poor. If I were to judge based on my opinion, if I weren't on this team, you would probably be shut out by that Barou guy."
"That's the truth."
"However, in the face of this truth, your response to me was to play selfishly."
"Even using some dirty tricks and various calculations, as long as you could score."
"But, I really dislike this method of scoring...."
"Or rather, it's 'disgusting.'"
"Disgusting?" Isagi was stunned, somewhat confused.
After thinking for a few seconds, he looked at Ryu and finally understood what he meant.
"You... intensely dislike this style of play?"
Ryu nodded and slowly said, "I don't care where you came from, or if you came here with your pride, but now that we are a team, we must do whatever it takes to win."
"Everyone has their own personality; like Kunigami, he likes fair matches."
"And what I like is a match that brings me pleasure."
"Their style of play made me seriously feel disgusted with football, which is why I decided to retaliate against you like this."
Isagi's eye twitched; so this guy thought that way... no wonder he made that expression in the first half, no wonder.
Isn't he just a person with Kunigami's personality, but in reverse?
Bachira, however, was accustomed to it. "Isagi-kun, perhaps you don't know Ryu yet. This guy, in a football match a year ago, could have won the championship, but he stubbornly led the entire team to second place."
"My previous coach called him the 'Demon King.'"
Saying this, he glanced at Ryu, then lowered his voice and leaned closer to Isagi, "Actually, that's a bad review. Ryu really dislikes others calling him the Demon King"
The two were secretly whispering.
Ryu couldn't be bothered to pay attention; he was observing Kuon. Now that he had arrived at Blue Lock with such a dominant presence, this guy had already willingly submitted.
Perhaps the situation of selling information, as seen in the anime, wouldn't occur.
This might be a good thing, as he could tell that Kuon was simply too desperate for victory, or perhaps... he didn't want to leave here and lose his football dream, which is why he resorted to unscrupulous means.
After the meal...
Everyone returned to the lounge.
Others also gradually came back from the cafeteria or the training room.
The screen lit up again.
Ego appeared on the screen.
"Greetings, raw talents; it seems you're still a bit excited after your first victory."
"I presume you've truly begun to understand Blue Lock, haven't you..."
Saying this, he waved one hand, "Your second match in Building Five has concluded. Team V defeated Team Y eight to zero."
"Eight to zero?" Kunigami couldn't help but gasp.
Isn't that a pure blowout?
Everyone also showed surprised expressions.
Of course, except for a certain Bachira who showed a hint of excitement.
Ego continued, "After this match, it seems you should have understood what the process from zero to one is like."
"In football, everyone possesses a unique individual ability."
"Only by showcasing this scoring ability on the field, for everyone to see, will they rally around you."
"This is the position that transforms a striker from one to one hundred."
"One could say that without this characteristic, many people would not realize their dedication, and football could not evolve to this extent."
Ego revealed a strange smile, opening his arms.
"So, raw talents... do you think football should be like this?"