CHAPTER 60: THE SHADOW OF NEW ERA

The Eternal Era shuttle cut through the stratosphere, descending toward the glowing ring of the Central Orbit Dome. The view outside was surreal — the galaxy stretched infinitely, punctuated by the shimmer of satellites and stadium lights that looked like stars reborn. The colossal arena floated in the void, its golden hull bearing one name: NEW ERA FC – GALACTIC HERITAGE DIVISION.

Inside, silence ruled. Even Scarlet had gone quiet, headphones hanging loosely around her neck. Lionel absentmindedly juggled a holo-ball between his knees, while Anastasia stared into the void, lost in thought. Only Blaze — Dante — sat still, his fingers gripping the edge of his seat. His crimson eyes reflected the flicker of distant starlight.

Jason stood at the front, gaze locked on the docking port ahead. His heartbeat thudded faintly — not from fear, but from memories clawing up from the past. This place... it hasn’t changed at all.

The shuttle docked with a hiss of steam. A soft chime echoed. The doors slid open.

The Eternal Era team stepped out onto polished marble that glowed beneath their feet. Robotic greeters bowed with mechanical precision. The halls were too pristine, too quiet — it felt sterile, like walking inside a memory frozen in glass.

Dante’s jaw clenched. He could feel it in the air — the same cold perfection Vladimir loved so much.

"Feels like walking into a machine," Scarlet muttered, looking around. "No soul here."

Jason smirked faintly. "That’s exactly the problem."

An attendant drone approached them. "Coach Jason Ward. Team Eternal Era. Welcome. The Chairman awaits your presence in the VIP lounge."

Jason’s eyes hardened. "Tell him we’ll meet him after the warm-up."

The drone hesitated. "Sir, Chairman Vladimir insisted—"

"Tell him no," Jason said flatly, brushing past.

The rest of the team followed, a silent wall of defiance trailing behind their coach.

Locker Room

Their locker room was spotless — too spotless. A faint scent of ozone lingered in the air. Dante stared at the holographic board on the wall. It displayed the starting lineup.

He checked the main names

Formation: 3–2–2–3Forwards: Blaze (Dante), Aya Midfield: Anastasia, ScarletDefense: Ryuji ,Lionel Kelvin Keeper: Hoshi

Jason stood before them. "Listen up. New Era isn’t just another team. They’re scientists disguised as athletes. Every move you make, they’ll try to read it."

Lionel raised his hand. "Then we don’t let them read anything."

Jason nodded approvingly. "Exactly. Blaze, you’re the spark. Your martial flow — Ryusei Fist

and Void Kick Sequence — use them sparingly. Don’t waste power early. Lionel, I want you pressing hard with him. Double spear formation."

Scarlet leaned forward. "And their captain?"

Jason exhaled. "Jang Jun Woo. The Silver Dragon. He’s efficient — no wasted motion. His Void Step will trick your senses. He moves by canceling momentum mid-air. Watch his shadow, not his form."

Dante muttered, "I’ll handle him."

Jason turned sharply. "No. You’ll face him — not fight him. Understand? You lose focus for one second, and you give him everything he wants."

Dante’s gaze burned, but he nodded. "Fine."

Jason softened slightly, patting his shoulder. "I know this one’s personal. But you don’t prove anything by rage. You prove it by winning."

Elsewhere – New Era HQ

Vladimir stood in the executive booth overlooking the stadium. His reflection shimmered in the transparent barrier. Behind him, Jun Woo adjusted his gloves, sleek silver energy rippling across his frame.

"Do you think he’ll come for me first?" Jun Woo asked calmly.

Vladimir smiled. "He’ll come. Rage always does."

Jun Woo’s sharp eyes flickered. "And you still believe he’s a threat?"

"Oh, no," Vladimir said, turning toward the field. "He’s a lesson. The universe needs to see what happens when relics challenge evolution."

Jun Woo said nothing. He simply bowed slightly. "Then I’ll crush him quickly."

Vladimir’s voice turned cold. "Crush him beautifully. Make the galaxy forget the name Dante Anderson forever."

Warm-Up

Back on the field, the crowd roared as both teams emerged. The New Era FC squad gleamed in silver-white armor-like kits, their emblem pulsing faintly with light. Each player moved with precision, synchronized like machine code. In contrast, Eternal Era looked raw — a mix of power, chaos, and emotion.

As Dante jogged past midfield, his gaze locked on Jun Woo.

The man stood tall, eyes calm, every motion calculated. His aura shimmered faintly — a silver draconic outline behind him. When their eyes met, the air itself seemed to hum.

"Blaze Anderson," Jun Woo said quietly. "The lost flame returns."

Dante’s smirk was faint. "Still hiding behind others’ glory, I see."

Jun Woo chuckled. "I don’t hide. I transcend."

He extended a hand. "Let’s see if your fire still burns."

Dante ignored it, walking past.

The whistle blew. Energy erupted.

New Era

moved first — coordinated, mechanical. Their midfielders rotated seamlessly, creating circular passing patterns that bent space-time around them. Their tech-augmented boots glowed as they accelerated.

But Eternal Era fought back with chaos.

Scarlet and Anastasia weaved martial steps into their footwork — the Crimson Mirage Sequence, breaking timing patterns that confused the automated tracking systems. Aya pressed forward, dragging defenders into traps. And behind it all, Blaze danced — switching between balance and burst.

Jason barked from the sideline, "Phase Two! Phantom Pattern!"

Eternal Era shifted instantly. Blaze and Aya overlapped runs, flickering in and out of perception — Vanishing Step synchronization.

But Jun Woo was faster.

In one impossible instant, he disappeared. The crowd gasped — then he reappeared twenty meters ahead, cutting off Blaze’s line with a single sliding motion. His silver aura flared.

"Void Step—Level 3," Anastasia whispered. "He’s bending inertia itself."

Blaze grinned. "So what?"

He charged.

The ground cracked under his first step. Lightning surged up his legs, his aura blazing crimson-gold. The Martial Core Sequence: Eight Heavens Pulse ignited.He struck — a blur of motion.

Jun Woo twisted aside, blocking with one arm — but the sheer force blew him back several meters. The crowd erupted.

"Did you see that?! He pushed the Silver Dragon!"

Jason’s voice echoed through the comm. "Good. Now retreat!"

But Blaze didn’t.

He chased the rebound, sliding between two defenders, performing a back-spinning kick — Jörmungandr Curve, his signature arc.The ball screamed through the air — then boom! Goal. Top right corner.

1–0.

The crowd went insane. Even the commentators couldn’t hide their shock.

"Blaze Anderson — the ancient flame returns with fury!"

Back in the locker room, the team was sweating, panting, alive.

Scarlet grinned. "We can take them. Their defense cracked."

Jason nodded. "Good. But don’t lose focus. They’ll change formation. Vladimir doesn’t like losing."

Dante sat on the bench, breathing heavily. His knuckles still glowed faintly.

Jason approached quietly. "You disobeyed my call."

"I saw the chance," Dante said simply.

"And it worked. But next half, if you lose control—"

"I won’t."

Jason studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Prove it."

Elsewhere – Vladimir’s Booth

Vladimir sipped his drink calmly. "Impressive. The flame still flickers."

Jun Woo appeared on the holo-feed, wiping his lip. "He’s stronger than before."

"Then stop holding back," Vladimir replied, eyes gleaming. "Activate Rebirth Mode."

Jun Woo’s expression hardened. "As you command."

Second Half

The air vibrated as the second half began. Jun Woo stepped forward, silver mist swirling around him. His aura solidified — a dragon-shaped energy shell.

Project Rebirth: Phase 1.

The moment he moved, the field shattered. Space rippled. He vanished — and reappeared behind Lionel, intercepting a pass no human could’ve sensed.

He countered instantly — a silver comet cutting through Eternal Era’s defense.

Goal.

1–1.

The roar of the crowd shook the Dome.

Jason cursed under his breath. "He’s merged neural AI into his reflex net... Damn it, Vladimir."

Blaze clenched his fists. "So this is what you call evolution?"

He closed his eyes — feeling the pulse of lightning in his veins. No. I won’t lose here.

He dashed forward again — and the two collided.

Lightning vs. Void.

Every strike of their feet sent shockwaves through the ground. Dante weaved martial art forms mid-sprint — Phoenix Claw, Tiger Fang, Azure Leap — blending ancient movement with futuristic precision. Jun Woo countered with Dragon Step, twisting reality in arcs of silver light.

Then — Dante vanished completely.

Jason’s eyes widened. "He’s doing it... The True Vanishing Sequence!"

He reappeared behind Jun Woo — faster, sharper — and shot without looking.

The ball bent around three defenders, curving past the keeper like it had a will of its own.

Goal.

2–1.

Silence. Then explosion.

The Dome roared.Blaze spread his arms wide, breathing hard, lightning still flickering around him. His voice cut through the noise:

"I will be the best striker in the world!"

The words reverberated through the galaxy feed — a declaration heard by billions.

In the booth, Vladimir’s smile froze.

Jun Woo stood frozen, staring at the goal net still humming with static.

Jason clenched his fist on the sideline. "That’s my boy."