Chapter 111: Chapter 111

As I looked at Jalen Carter, the world seemed to slow.

I activated my [Basketball Power System], and his stats filled my vision like a digital HUD. Every number, every attribute, was absurd. Not just pro-level—beyond it. And yet, he was just fifteen.

Team: Chicago Raptors (Pro Youth Division)

Position: Point Guard

Jalen Carter isn’t just a phenom—he’s the standard. Born with absurd talent and an obsessive work ethic, Jalen became a household name before he was old enough to drive. He’s played against pros in private runs and dominated nationally ranked high school seniors since he was 13. Scouts, coaches, and players alike speak of him in the same breath as generational names.

Raised on the West Side of Chicago, Jalen learned to combine survival court instincts with disciplined fundamentals. Every move he makes is intentional. Every step, calculated. He’s not just flashy—he’s efficiently devastating. No wasted motion. No fear. Just pure, overwhelming control.

[Core Attributes – All Above 20]

(Note: 20 is considered peak pro. Jalen breaks that ceiling.)

[Offensive Attributes]

Shooting Accuracy: 23

[Defensive Attributes]

[Physical Attributes]

Signature Ability: "FLASH WORLD – Overclocked Tempo"

Jalen manipulates the flow of the game in ways that feel unreal. When activated, Flash World causes the game to feel like it’s moving in slow motion for Jalen—while his body operates at hyper-speed.

• Enhances entire team’s timing, making passes and plays feel automatic.

Opponents experience reaction delay—he’s always one decision ahead.

Vision expands to cover full-court awareness.

Boosts dribbling, passing, and speed to peak +5 levels during activation.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath. "He really is built different."

Because I wasn’t the same benchwarmer from the start of the story.

Upgrade Points (UP): 200

Shop Points (SP): 5000

[Offensive Attributes]

Shooting Accuracy: 27

[Defensive Attributes]

[Physical Attributes]

Magic Johnson Passing Vision (Advanced Level)

Playmaker’s Vision (Pro Level)

Elite Crossover Dribble (Pro Level)

Sharpshooter Focus (Pro Level)

Lockdown Defense (Pro Level)

Clutch Performer (Pro Level)

Ankle Breaker (Pro Level)

Iron Will Stamina (Pro Level)

Jordan Shooting Form (Advanced Level)

Kobe Fadeaway (Advanced Level)

Dennis Rodman Charge Taking (Advanced Level)

LeBron James Momentum Saver (Advanced Level)

Tim Duncan Stamina (Advanced Level)

As I was thinking, Jalen asked suddenly, as he spinning the ball lazily on his finger.

"What point it takes to win?"

I blinked, snapping out of my analysis. "What?"

"I said," he repeated, cool and composed, "How many points would this game end at?"

I paused. "Oh. Uh, 10 points."

Jalen nodded, smiling. "Ten points... hmm. Okay."

My body reacted on instinct.

He was already by the three-point line, launching into a stepback crossover so smooth it looked like a video edit. I matched his pace, eyes reading his body language.

Left pivot. Shoulder dip. Fake drive.

He smirked. "Good eyes."

Then he exploded forward—

The moment Jalen whispered "Flash World", the court shifted—no, the world shifted. The sounds of sneakers squeaking and the crowd buzzing dulled to a murmur in my ears, as if muffled by a thick fog. Time itself bent. I could see the ball spinning in his hands, but the way he moved—God.

His foot tapped the hardwood, and in that heartbeat, he split to the left like a ghost phasing through dimensions. Most players, even elite ones, have a rhythm—a pattern your instincts can eventually map out.

He manufactured chaos with every dribble.

I activated [Clutch Performer]—my heart steadied, time slowed in my mind. Adrenaline surged but sharpened instead of clouding me. No panic. Just focus.

[Playmaker’s Vision] activated.

Lines appeared across the court like invisible wires only I could see—trajectories, body angles, his next three possible decisions. My mind processed them like a chess engine.

But even then... he was faster.

Jalen split behind his back, switching directions mid-air like his ankles had no bones. [Lockdown Defense] roared to life in my core, pulling my body like a magnet into the perfect defensive stance. I cut him off before he could drive baseline.

His eyes flickered with surprise. Just for a second.

"I see you," he muttered.

Then he dropped the ball low and sliced through the pocket between my hip and hand with a one-foot gather—like he was water, and I was just a rock trying to stop a stream.

But I wasn’t just a rock.

I turned with him, keeping my chest square.

Our shoulders clashed.

And he launched into a scoop layup, arm stretched behind his head like a contortionist. I reacted with a lunge—

But the ball kissed the glass before my hand even got there.

"1-0." He jogged back, expression calm like he didn’t just rewrite physics.

I wiped sweat from my brow. "He’s... strong."

Because now it was my turn.

Vorpal Basket Sideline – Reactions

Josh’s jaw dropped. "Yo... what even was that move? I swear he just teleported."

Evan leaned forward, gripping his knees. "Is this even fair? I blink and Jalen’s in a new spot."

Louie watched intently. "But Ethan... he’s keeping up."

Ryan muttered, "He’s actually reading Flash’s movements... That’s not normal. That’s insane."

Lucas said nothing, but his fists clenched.

(Ethan... Win this game)

I checked the ball at the top of the key. Jalen stood before me, crouched low, one foot forward like a predator stalking.

"Let’s see if the ’Genius’ can score," he teased.

I activated [Elite Crossover Dribble], fingers wrapping tight around the ball as my instincts and memory flowed into my limbs. Every dribble became a weapon. My body leaned left, pulled back—then exploded right.

He slid with me, nearly matching my burst. But I wasn’t done.

—and triggered [Ankle Breaker].

My foot planted. My hips turned just enough. His center of gravity overcommitted—

He caught himself, barely, but he was a step behind.

I spun through and went into my Kobe Fadeaway.

The world fell silent.

He leapt—full stretch, arm extended—

But the ball dropped clean.

I held my follow-through. "Genius enough for you?"

On the sideline, the Vorpal Basket bench erupted.

Evan: "Yo, did you see that spin?! He cooked him!"

Louie shouted: "That fadeaway was filthy!"

Kai: "Bro just made Flash stumble! I’ve never seen that happen!"

Aiden White: "It’s 1-1 and it already feels like a final..."

Coonie eyes narrowed, muttering. "This isn’t just a game anymore. It’s a battlefield."

Brandon Young: "No way. Ethan’s going toe-to-toe with a freak like that?"

Jeremy: "We might actually have a shot..."

They all leaned forward, eyes wide.

Back on the court, we locked eyes again.

He held the ball in his right hand, spinning it slightly with his fingertips as if feeling the rhythm of the court. Then he looked straight at me.

"You’re really good... Seems like Noah was right," Jalen said, calm but with genuine respect in his tone.

I let out a short breath, still focused but appreciative. "You’re good too. To think you were this strong..."

Jalen’s eyes flickered with amusement. "I didn’t see you on the court last year, when we played against your team. Where were you hiding?"

I scoffed. "Well, that’s because that fatass Coach Fred never subbed me in."

He blinked—then burst out laughing. "Ahahaha! So that’s the reason I didn’t see you!"

His laughter echoed a bit across the court, but then his smile faded into something sharper. Serious. Focused. He looked directly into my eyes.

He bounced the ball once.

His stance shifted low.

Eyes gleaming like lightning.

I nodded, stepping forward, heart steady. "Okay."

Jalen exploded into motion again—

The air around us tightened. Even the background noise of the court—the squeak of shoes, the distant chatter of bench players—faded into a blur.

All I could see was Jalen.

His eyes locked on mine.

That ball... alive in his hands.

He dribbled once—pat—and the rhythm shifted.

I activated [Elite Crossover Dribble] just in time to mirror him. My stance dropped, knees loose, hands active, heart calm.

Jalen wasn’t just playing basketball.

He was dancing with time.

—FLASH WORLD: Reactivated.

The world snapped into a different pace.

Like watching film in slow motion while living in fast-forward.

To everyone else, he was a blur.

To me... he was a riddle mid-solve.

He darted left—speed: 25

I slid to cut him off—speed: 20 + Playmaker’s Vision prediction

His head tilted slightly. "Heh. You’ve got real instincts."

I anticipated it—barely.

His back brushed my shoulder as he tried to fake a reverse drive, then snapped forward into a one-leg stepback at the free throw line.

But I saw the sliver of space between his fingers and the ball.

He’d left it just a hair too open.

LeBron James Momentum Saver] + [Lockdown Defense]

My body twisted mid-jump, hand extended—

I tipped the shot—just enough.

The ball clanged off the rim.

And Jalen landed already moving.

He snatched the rebound midair, curled around, and launched into a reverse pivot into the paint—

He grinned, rising up with a soft scoop layup on the right.

But I exploded with Vertical + Ankle Breaker Anticipation

Palm met ball midair.

The crowd of players at the sideline gasped audibly.

Evan Cooper stood up. "He blocked Flash?!"

Josh Turner grinned. "Yo... Ethan’s locked in like a freakin’ animal!"

Lucas, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. (He’s adjusting while reacting... that’s not just talent. That’s experience.)

Brandon, sitting beside Ryan, muttered, "I’ve never seen someone match Jalen’s tempo like that..."

The ball hit the floor and bounced toward the arc.

I rushed in, grabbed it—

Jalen was already there.

We both lunged—hands on the ball.

But I planted my left foot, used [Iron Will Stamina] and ripped through his grip.

—[Sharpshooter Focus] + [Kobe Fadeaway]

The players behind us went quiet for a second.

Cheers erupted from the Vorpal Basket bench.

I turned, sweat dripping, chest heaving.

"Now we’re talking," he said.

This game had just begun.

Jalen stood at the top of the key, shoulders rising and falling with calm breaths. The playful light in his eyes... was gone.

What replaced it was focus.

Like a blade that had finally been drawn.

He bounced the ball once—thud—and the court shifted.

Even Evan muttered, "Wait... he’s serious now."

Jalen’s aura condensed, like the air itself respected his rhythm.

He whispered, almost to himself—"No more testing."

His first step blurred so fast, it felt like a frame skipped in reality.

I activated [Lockdown Defense] instantly, pairing it with [Clutch Performer] and my reflex

But it wasn’t enough.

—Cross. Spin. Shift. Stop. Hezi. Drop.

Each move wasn’t just fast—it was clean.

Precise like it had been drawn in a lab and rehearsed a thousand times in his bones.

His feet whispered against the court.

My body tried to keep up—but even my instincts began to stagger.

And then—he froze me.

One hard jab to the left, a head fake, and a drop of his shoulder...

He vanished to the right.

He rose up at the three-point line—

I leapt with everything—

But his release was lightning.

The net barely moved.

The court fell silent again.

Jalen didn’t celebrate.

He just... stared at me.

"I’ve seen pros miss that shot," I admitted, breath short.

He responded coolly, "I’ve practiced it since I was six."

His voice was quiet. Steady.

But the weight behind it?

He dribbled the ball once and rolled it to me.

"Your possession," he said. "But don’t expect me to hold back anymore, Ethan."

Let’s see how far I go against someone like you.