The two opponents split apart the moment they broke forward. Thien Hung dribbled hard, driving toward the paint, while Uy Phong just stood at midcourt—arms crossed, as if he couldn't be bothered.
That arrogant stance made Hung smirk.
"Let's see how long you last. Pass!!"
He roared and hurled the ball toward Hai Minh.
Time seemed to slow. Minh had already slipped into the open lane. The pass arced perfectly, and all he had to do was stretch his arms to catch it.
But—
Whoosh!!
A shadow slashed across the court, fast as lightning. Wind cut sharp past Minh's ear, and his heart dropped.
"Wha—where's the ball?!"
His hands were still raised to receive the pass when Hung's furious shout snapped through the gym.
"You idiot! He stole it! Chase him!!"
"What!? But—he didn't even touch it yet! How—" Minh sputtered, face flushing as he scrambled after.
Hung's grin was still there, but his voice turned hard."He snatched it mid-air! What else?!"
"No way! That was like… two and a half meters up!" Minh gasped. And then it clicked. To intercept at that height, you'd have to jump another half-meter above. Impossible for an ordinary human.
And then—
BOOM!!
The rim thundered, shaking the backboard. The ball ricocheted off the hardwood, bouncing wildly.
Up above—Uy Phong hung from the rim with one hand. His hoodie fell back from the force, revealing eyes like ice burning from the shadows. He stared down at them with a look so blank it was terrifying, as if this was nothing but… a game.
Silence swallowed the gym.
Then his voice dropped, low and merciless:"One–nil."
The bleachers exploded.
"Holy crap, that dunk!!""Like watching an NBA highlight reel live!!""Did you SEE that face!? He's gorgeous!!"
Screams, claps, cheers shook the rafters. Girls squealed into their hands; Huy shouted like he'd just seen his idol in real life.
Down on the court, Hung froze, then laughed out loud."Not bad, huh? Figures. A pro baller, right?"
The words stabbed straight through Minh. Of course. That explained everything—the insane stamina, the inhuman reflexes. He'd thought Uy Phong was being cocky earlier, stretching casually before the game. Now he realized—this wasn't arrogance. It was a monster warming up.
Thud.
Uy Phong dropped lightly to the floor, scooped up the rolling ball, and strolled toward them.
Minh's stomach lurched. He stumbled back a step without thinking. Each footfall from Uy Phong felt like it landed directly in his chest.
Hung, though, was grinning, eyes alive with challenge."So? Our turn to hunt, huh?"
Uy Phong spun the ball on his fingertip, smooth as silk. Minh's throat went dry. Even that little trick—something Minh had never managed—looked effortless.
"You sure?" Uy Phong asked, voice slow, deliberate.
"Yeah." Hung's grin widened, his eyes glinting. "Fair game. You've got the ball. Go."
Uy Phong's lips curled."Fine."
He backed up a few steps, the ball still spinning. Then he flicked it upward, caught it clean in his palm, and began dribbling. Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound echoed through the court like a countdown.
Hung and Minh set their stance, tighter this time. They planted themselves beyond the three-point line, betting everything on distance. At this range, no way a high school kid could shoot accurately, they thought. Close the gap. Block. Steal.
It was a solid plan. Until they saw him move.
Uy Phong charged. His tall frame in that black hoodie ripped across the court like a panther in the night. Each stride cracked against the hardwood, tension climbing with every step. Sweat prickled in their palms, their throats dry as sandpaper.
They braced themselves—ready to block, ready to collide.
But—
Whoosh!
He leapt.
From the three-point line.
A soaring jump that cleared them both, body suspended like something out of a highlight reel they'd only ever seen on TV.
SLAM!!
The dunk shook the entire backboard. For one stunned heartbeat, the gym fell dead silent. The only sound was the pounding in their chests.
Then—
"AAAAHHH!! He dunked from the three-point line!!""This is insane!!""He's unreal—like a movie star!!"
The bleachers went feral, kids screaming, hugging, clapping till their hands stung. It felt like witnessing history, not just a school scrimmage.
Hung and Minh stood frozen, faces pale as if they'd just been struck awake from a dream. Minh especially—his lips moved, but no sound came.
Uy Phong landed smoothly, the ball tucked under his arm. With his free hand, he ran his fingers back through his wind-tossed hair. Simple. Effortless. Yet he gleamed like a star at center stage.
Hung collapsed to his knees, bowing his head to the floor. His voice shook like he was kneeling before a deity."Master… you're a genius. Please—teach us. From now on, I follow you!"
Minh's legs gave out. He dropped to the floor beside him, trembling."Y-you… You're not even human, are you?!"
Uy Phong let out a low, mocking chuckle. His eyes swept over the two cowering faces, lips curving with quiet satisfaction.
Submission—achieved.