"Hundred and pipty thousand dollars? And if I win, it means that the ball belongs to us. Am I correk?" Chiko just wanted to confirm their agreement and reassess the real value of this match. If he was right, it means that this could be the redemption of his last failure.
Jin Woo glanced at Chiko with ridicule and confirmed, "Isn't that what we agreed? That is if you can point just a single score against me though. With your current situation, I am afraid that -"
Before Jin Woo could continue mocking, he was interrupted by Chiko's sudden rapid chant while his eyes were locked at the ball like a robot scanning a price tag:
"One hundred fifty thousand dollars, peso value should be around forty-nine pesos, multiplied and we could sell it for as much as seven-point three million in total. If I divide it to three with Yang and Gantes, no, Rino and his team might ask for a share, so divide by six and that is around one point two million pesos each. I will have enough money to save for the next year, school and monthly expenses will be secured and possibly I can buy another farm lot for grandma. Our daily expenses will be answered and the loan will be paid. That means..."
Everyone was taken aback by Chiko's sudden change in the aura. His mouth was rapidly chanting prices and calculation. Talking about savings, expenses, and such. It was a total trance right after hearing the actual amount of the ball.
Chiko was not a genius in math, in fact, he was very poor with it. But when it comes to subconscious calculation, he could actually present a decent battle against a calculator.
"Wait this looks too familiar..." Seeing his friend Chiko going into an automated calculating machine, Yang was reminded of the scene before when the latter fought against Santi.
Back when Santi accidentally broke Chiko's balut products, the latter also went into a calculating trance and mumbled about prices, expenses. and savings. Then what followed was already history.
"This..."
Yang could feel a chill going thru his spine.
"ssssssh" Chiko finished his mumbling trance then inhaled and exhaled deeply. His eyes opened wider and there was an unexpected clarity in his gaze. Not to mention, there was a faint steam c coming out of his pores and his muscles were completely relaxed.
"I just need to embrace the pain and the future will be easier..." Chiko mumbled weakly to himself before slowly raising his right hand and provoked the dazed Jin Woo with a 'come on' hand sign.
Everyone was bewildered at the changes in Chiko's presence. From his posture, confidence, and intimidating gaze, the previous dumb and innocent smiling farmer vibe is long gone. He is now looking like a Kung Fu master who has returned after a long and meaningful journey.
Seeing the latter's hand inviting him to start, Jin-Woo finally snapped out of his dazed state and immediately self-served himself with a high toss. And when the right height for the ball was reached, Jin Woo's body tilted forward while his right leg swung like a downward axe - it was his specialty spike serve with spinning effect.
"Take this!"
PAAANGGG!~
Jin Woo's kick sent the ball flying at a speed of more than fifty kilometers per hour.
Time seemed to slow down and Chiko looked at Jin Woo's execution with incredible focus. His eyes were as clear and sharp as an eagle's. In his calm and focused vision, the spike serve was not particularly fast but what made it a dangerous one was the expectation it creates.
The spike serve was a downward swing but with the proper foot and movement timing, Jin-Woo sent the ball with an upward curve giving him the impression it is aimed at the backside of his court.
Chiko's foot stepped back one time as a normal reaction, seeing it, Jin-Woo smiled triumphantly. He thought Chiko was falling at his trap serve as the latter went to defend at the backside when his aim was actually the first line or the one-meter space closest to the net. In short, Chiko was just moving away from the ball instead of going close!
Shooooh!~
And as expected, the ball went a sudden downward curve like a remote-controlled missile aiming at the first line!
But Chiko was one step ahead this time. Ordinary players could have fallen to this trap but not him. At least not at the moment. His sharp eyes and quick analytical thinking gave him a precise clue of where the ball was going to land.
The back step was not to defend the backside but to position his body for a quick speed burst. Before the ball could land at the floor in Chiko's end, the latter was already bowing forward and dashed like a Cheetah on a hunt.
WOOOOSH!~
PANG!~
"What!?" Jin Woo and the rest of the star pointers were shocked at Chiko's unusual speed and reaction.
In the blink of an eye, Chiko's foot managed to save the ball and tossed it towards his back. Then, his eyes took a quick glance at Jin Woo's position in the field and confirmed the safe spot at his court.
Pang!~
Chiko stabilized himself and calmly performed a set up an onside kick as a self-toss. It was the second kick for his turn and he must send the ball at Jin Woo's side on the next one.
He is back is now currently facing the net and it was a perfect spot for a kill. His mind automatically recalled the form of Santi's roll-spike. His gaze was focused, his heart was settled and his body was prepared for the incoming pain.
"No pain, no money." it was Chiko's simple life motto, and right at this moment, he is living it.
"No...way!" Shi Fu, Diros, Jin Woo, Mr. Gaje, and even Rino's team could not believe it. Right now, Chiko's silhouette reminded them of Santi's pre-striking form!
. Chiko's body instinctively applied momentum and weight distribution. His left foot was raised high and his whole body left the ground with the momentum-laden right foot. Then he rolled in mid-air while his right foot came swinging like a flinging baseball bat.
WHAPAANGG!~
It was a crispy execution.
The ball passed above the net safely at the speed of more than seventy-five kilometer per hour, the fastest one Jin Woo have seen so far and as a result, his body failed to react on time.
"Sh*t! Am I gonna lose to him!? To this bastard farm boy?" reality was often harsh. For example at this moment, no matter how hard he will try, Jin-Woo would never make it to counter such a ferocious spike!
Time seemed so slow as he watched the ball passed thru him while being helpless. His heart was heavy and he refused to accept defeat against an unknown player. He has worked so hard this far only to be beaten by a balut-stinking street vendor!
"Help!" Jin Woo subconsciously called; and as if God was listening, the ball did not land yet.
Pang!~
"Don't embarrass us." It was a cold snap from a tomboy Chinese girl who suddenly entered the court.
Fu Chin was like a miracle wind, flinging the ball up high with a beautiful split kick.
"What!? Chiko was frustrated, he never expected the other star pointer players to help Jin Woo. It was unfair, but he just realized that they never actually formally agreed it was a one-on-one match.
He always wondered why the two other star players were standing calmly at the corner circles and now he just realized why.
"Well, one point two million is not that easy indeed." Chiko calmly comforted himself without losing focus.
PANG!~
Diros also stepped in and performed a beautiful toss for Jin Woo. It was a perfect setup for Jin Woo's strike!
"Don't forget we are a team", Diros calmly added.
"Thank you!" Jin Woo gladly accepted the unexpected help and was determined to show Chiko who is the real boss of the court. He immediately positioned himself and was about to perform a striking sunback kick to finish the round. The ball was perfectly aimed at the center of the line and all that Jin Woo has to do is to hit the ball slightly to push it inside the first line in Chiko's court.
Sunback and Rolling Spike
"I won't lose this time!" Chiko's gaze reassessed the situation and quickly reacted. He could foresee the ball's trajectory and knew he must do something. He knew he should block the incoming strike but he doesn't know how to properly do it.
"There is only one thing I know." Chiko quickly moved closer to the net and performed the unexpected - it was an advanced rolling spike and a terribly positioned one!
"What is he doing!?"
"Is he asking for another injury?" Rino and his team were shocked at Chiko's unexpected reaction. To counter a spike with another spike was an incredibly rare occurrence.
"Dumbass take this!" Jin Woo beckoned as he launched himself and performed a striking sunback kick.
"Gimme may maaaneeey!" Chiko replied as he performed another rolling spike just a couple of feet away from the net.
Chiko's rolling spike versus Star Player Jin Woo's Sunback kick. Which one will prevail at the end? Everyone was at the edge of their seat.