Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 27: Damn, This Is a Monster

The ball shot forward like lightning, its speed astonishing. The players of the Class 58 United Football Team were gripped by terror, some even whispering prayers under their breath. This was a perilous shot.

In front of the goal, goalkeeper Jiang Haogen stood frozen, unable even to make a token gesture to save the ball—he was completely stupefied.

It’s over! Yuan Fang squeezed his eyes shut in despair.

Clang! The sharp sound of steel rang out as the ball struck the goalpost solidly and bounced out over the end line.

Relief swept through the players of the Class 58 United Football Team—they had barely escaped disaster. That had been truly too close; another inch and their team would have been finished.

Xu He felt a pang of regret. That shot had been a golden opportunity; it was truly a shame it hadn’t gone in. Still, Xu He gave Lin Xuefeng a thumbs up in encouragement, hoping he’d keep up the effort and score next time.

Lin Xuefeng turned to Xu He and offered an apologetic look. It was, indeed, his mistake.

“Watch the defense, especially keep an eye on number 17!” Yuan Fang immediately raced back, shouting reminders to his teammates.

Xu He was momentarily stunned. Wait, what? Was he really being marked as the key player? That couldn’t be right! He hurried over to Yuan Fang, forcing a bitter smile. “Come on, you’re double-teaming me? Aren’t you overestimating my abilities?”

With Lin Xuefeng, Zhang Zhen, and Zhu Ge up front, why focus the defense on me?

Xu He was genuinely flattered. Yuan Fang was giving him far too much credit.

Yuan Fang fixed Xu He with a determined look. “Don’t complain—in my eyes, you’re the most dangerous player on this team!”

With that, Yuan Fang surged forward to join the attack.

Xu He wasn’t sure whether to feel pleased or annoyed at those words.

Meanwhile, the Class 58 United Football Team pressed their offensive. With a neat series of passes, the ball found its way to Yuan Fang on the wing. He feinted, sending defender Jin Yubin the wrong way, before curling a beautiful cross toward the center.

“Danger! Mark your men!” Xu He cried out in alarm.

The ball traced an arc, flying swiftly toward the heart of the penalty area. The big, bald striker for Class 58 surged forward, muscling aside the strong and solid Zhong Haokun, and met the cross at the edge of the box with a powerful header.

With a deep thud, the ball rocketed toward Class Ten’s goal like a cannon shell.

Xu He’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Such power, from a header at the edge of the box? It didn’t even seem like a header—it was more like a thunderous volley.

He stared, wide-eyed, at that gleaming bald head. His skull must be made of iron.

The players of Class Ten were tense with anxiety. And then, just as dread peaked, goalkeeper Wang Xu suddenly thrust out his right palm and managed to tip the ball out for a corner.

At the same time, Wang Xu let out a cry of pain and crumpled to the ground.

Everyone rushed over in alarm, frantic that Wang Xu might be injured.

On the sidelines, Li Liying’s heart skipped a beat at the sight.

Fortunately, it wasn’t serious. Wang Xu hadn’t been hurt—though his hand throbbed with pain.

To his concerned teammates, he said, “I’m alright, not injured. But the power on that guy’s header is unreal—no ordinary person could produce that.”

He shot a wary glance at the bald striker, still shaken. “He’s a monster!”

Hearing this, Xu He also turned to look at the bald player and nodded in agreement.

“Wang Xu, you’re sure you’re alright? Don’t need a break?” Xu He asked.

Wang Xu nodded firmly.

Seeing this, the others didn’t press the matter and returned to the game.

Then Zhu Ge approached, speaking gravely to everyone. “Be careful of that guy’s headers—don’t try to challenge him head-on.”

Zhu Ge truly feared for his teammates’ safety. No one knew where this bald powerhouse had come from, but his abnormal heading ability was one thing—even more impressive was his ability to hold his own in physical duels with someone like Zhong Haokun. Clearly, this guy was formidable.

Zhu Ge glanced again at the bald player—he didn’t look that strong, almost skinny, yet his power was astonishing.

This was not going to be an easy match.

Zhu Ge frowned slightly, but there was no time for further thought. He waved his arm, signaling his teammates to attack.

Class Ten continued to focus on controlling the ball, advancing in layers. Zhu Ge and Mu Yang commanded the midfield, keeping possession tightly at their feet, patiently probing and tearing at the Class 58 defense, waiting for a chance to strike.

Class 58’s defense was beginning to falter; they were finding it hard to hold the line. In truth, the United Team’s overall strength was not particularly high—compared to Class Ten, there was a clear gap. If not for the sudden emergence of the bald striker, who forced them to adjust, Class Ten would likely have already taken the lead.

“Over here!” Xu He signaled for the ball as he made a run into the box, spotting an open space. He gestured to Li Jie on the wing to pass.

As long as the ball was delivered to the right spot, he was sure of scoring.

With a thump, Li Jie launched a long ball, sending it straight into the open space in the penalty area. The defenders of Class 58 panicked, thrown into confusion.

“Beautiful pass!” Xu He silently gave his close friend a thumbs-up.

The pass was perfect.

Zhu Ge, Mu Yang, and others were on their feet—it was a golden opportunity, surely a goal.

But Xu He wasn’t so optimistic. Sprinting forward, he quickly realized that Li Jie’s pass was a bit too long—he might not reach it in time to shoot.

No, I can’t give up!

Gritting his teeth, Xu He pushed himself harder, summoning every ounce of strength to surge forward.

“I will get a shot off!” he urged himself.

Judging by the ball’s trajectory and Xu He’s speed, almost everyone thought he wouldn’t reach it. But refusing to give up, Xu He launched himself into a desperate sliding shot in the box.

His body stretched out, hurtling toward the ball.

Eyes fixed on it, he roared inside: “Just a little farther, just a little longer!”

With a resounding thud, Xu He’s fully extended right leg made contact with the speeding ball.

It sharply changed direction, flying toward Class 58’s goal.

“Xu He—he’s taken the shot!” On the sidelines, his classmates erupted in excitement.

This was it!

But with a swish, the ball skimmed just wide of the near post and rolled out for a goal kick.

So close—just a hair’s breadth away.

Lying on his back, Xu He shook his head. He had truly given everything for that shot, stretching his leg an extra few centimeters for what had seemed an impossible attempt.

His teammates showered him with thunderous applause.

Xu He’s relentless drive and refusal to give up had inspired everyone. Zhu Ge waved his arm—attack, attack furiously!

Bang!

Xu He made an aggressive run down the wing, glanced up to see Zhang Zhen in the box, then whipped in a cross. The delivery was excellent, but the bald defender headed it away.

A successful clearance.

Xu He sucked in a breath—this guy’s heading ability was monstrous.

What surprised him even more was what happened next: Xu He fired a blistering low pass toward Lin Xuefeng on the flank, but the bald player dove in, using his head to intercept the ball and clear the danger.

Xu He was left baffled. What on earth was that guy’s head made of? Was it really iron?

Class 58 tried to launch a quick counterattack, but Zhong Haokun intercepted and passed the ball forward to Lin Xuefeng. Lin feinted a run, but then returned the ball. Li Jie, arriving, sent a long diagonal cross into the box.

Zhang Zhen, with his back to goal, controlled it on his chest and swept the ball across the area.

The ball rolled quickly to Xu He on the far side.

Lining up the shot, Xu He was ready to strike, but at the last second, he feinted and played a cut-back pass instead. Before the defenders could react, Mu Yang arrived and unleashed a thunderous shot at goal.

With a roar, the ball blazed like lightning.

Bang! Once again, the bald defender hurled himself at the speeding ball, blocking it with his head.

Everyone on the field was stunned.

Was he trying to get himself killed?

Xu He couldn’t even bear to watch.

Many spectators began to mourn for the bald player; anyone could see how much power Mu Yang had put into that shot. Most people would suffer internal injuries from blocking it with their body—this guy had tried to meet it head-on with his skull. Was he suicidal?

With a deafening thud, the ball smacked squarely into the bald player’s head and rebounded violently away. The bald player staggered back three steps, then collapsed hard onto the turf.

A hush fell over the field.

Everyone’s heart was in their throat, worried for the bald player.

Players from Class 58 rushed over anxiously to check on him, deeply worried.

It really seemed like something terrible had happened.

Yuan Fang ran over in concern, his voice stammering. “A-are you… alright?”

Everyone hoped he was okay, but it seemed impossible. The collision between ball and skull had been so fierce—even if his head was made of iron, something had to be wrong.

Fans of Class 58 looked stricken with worry.

Xu He, too, was deeply concerned, his heart pounding.

At that moment, the bald player suddenly sprang to his feet in a nimble kip-up and shouted, “Defend! Don’t give them easy chances to shoot!”

Everyone stared in shock at the unscathed bald player, their faces filled with disbelief.

He looked perfectly fine—nothing at all like someone who’d just taken such a hit.

Xu He and the others gaped, muttering in awe, “Unbelievable—he’s a monster!”

They’d never seen a player like him before.

What a rare specimen!

For the rest of the half, the bald player continued to use his abnormal heading ability to help Class 58 weather every threat with flawless defense. By halftime, they had still not conceded a goal.

All thanks to the bald-headed marvel.