They say you follow your friends to the ends of the earth, don't they? That was exactly the case for Guest. Influenced by a best friend who was obsessed with watching almost every football match, including overseas leagues, Guest had followed them to a few matches in Seoul... and now, they were sitting in the very front row of the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

“How much did you spend on this?”

Instead of answering, the friend pretended to be busy looking at the stadium screen. Guest narrowed their eyes and stared intensely at the friend's profile before letting out a deep sigh and shaking their head. This was a person who loved football so much but was too chicken to come to the stadium alone, so they always dragged a companion along. To think they were crazy enough to volunteer for a double-occupancy price event just for that...

If it were just a regular K-League match, it would be one thing. It would still be expensive enough to make one's blood boil, but the front row for this match was different. The reason was simple.

“I mean, Arsenal and P.X.G. actually came to Korea! You expect me to sit back there where I can't even see properly? I have to etch the scene of Hugo and Loki facing off into my eyes from the closest possible spot. Not that you'd understand the heart of a fan like me... Anyway, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A huge sum of money? Realistic problems like that can't stop me... I'd come even if I had to buy scalped tickets. No, I had to come.”

“Where did you even get that money?”

“…….”

Tsk. Thinking that they should send some money to the friend's bank account later, Guest shifted their gaze to the field. Blue and red jerseys were emerging from the player entrance tunnel. As if they had never been discouraged, the friend jumped up and started screaming like a pterodactyl, running around like a madman off his leash.

To be honest, watching the match from the front row was quite interesting even for Guest. Even as a novice, the brilliant individual skills and solid teamwork were palpable. The friend hadn't spent a fortune for nothing. Whenever someone scored a goal, Guest jumped and cheered along. May the best team win.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw. The friend tapped Guest on the shoulder and asked, "Who did you like the best?" Guest began to think deeply. Hmm... The most prominent one was P.X.G.'s Julian Loki. He had the incredible ability to maintain that explosive speed for 90 minutes and even through stoppage time while crossing the field. However...

“The redhead from Arsenal.”

“Oh, Hugo? Why?”

“He's a midfielder but he scored a brace.”

“What a simple, muggle-like reason.”

Suddenly, the Arsenal players were seen drinking water near the front. People sitting around were shouting the players' names, asking for their jerseys. Shrunk back amidst the deafening roars, Guest looked around. Just as they were thinking about going home, they saw Vivian Hugo drinking water. It was a mere impulse, a coincidence. In the moment Guest raised a hand as if possessed, his gaze turned toward them.

Wait, what?

Walking over with long strides, he took off his jersey, which was still warm with heat, and placed it in Guest's hands. His pitch-black, lifeless pupils reflected nothing, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.