9 Chapter 9: Star and Mockery

Behind the dark-browned Malaysian guy is a tall and confident-looking male Korean about six feet in height and a silent Chinese boyish-looking young woman.

The three of them were overflowing with an incredibly athletic aura that seems to emit a dominant presence making nearby people feeling incredibly intimidated to the point of losing their self-confidence.

Not only they were good-looking, but their well-toned body and athletic demeanor tell a lot about their obvious pro-skills.

They're the three mysterious players who came with Mr. Gaje whose original purpose was to test the skill legitimacy of the so-called balut-vendor kid who managed to score against the Takraw God Santi Arthrit. Whether it was just a fluke or not, these three foreign players will find the truth. Unfortunately for them, it seems there was never a shadow of a certain balut-vendor showed.

Not to mention, they are actually not that motivated to find the mysterious player at all.

To think that an inexperienced player who just sells balut for a living would actually score against the Takraw God; should be nothing but a mere stroke of luck. Even Mr. Gaje himself was doubtful about the score's legitimacy. However, they still received strict instruction to find the elusive guy according to the Takraw God himself and had no choice but to at least try.

"Before leaving, why don't you guys try a friendly match with our school's sepak takraw team?" U-Bear calmly invited.

There was a momentary joyful spark at the face of the Malaysian player, but the Korean guy behind him quickly gave him a nudge from the back to remind him of something. The Malaysian player smiled awkwardly and nodded at the Korean guy. The Chinese boyish-girl did not seem to care at all and just focused on her phone, she was watching youtube videos of sepak takraw competitions while following the two.

The Malaysian player faced Mr. U-Bear with a wide friendly smile and said, "Thank you for the invitation Mr. U-Bear but we have to decline this time. As much as we would like to play I am afraid-"

"It's okay. I understand. As Star-Pointer players, I know that you guys have strict terms when it comes to playing publicly. Anyway, it is our school's honor to have been graced by the three-out-of-the nine Star-Pointers around the world. I wish your team a safe trip going back." U-Bear replied with his usual gentle smile.

Hearing that the goatee-bearded man knew about their real status, the three of them looked at Mr. U-Bear at the same time with an uncomfortable gaze.

The three foreign players are forbidden to play if not really necessary - especially in public. Mr. Gaje gave them strict instruction to never play sepak takraw unless they have his official permission and also to avoid revealing their true identity as Star-Scorer players.

The Star-Scorer players are a group of secret genius sepak takraw athletes who was personally recruited by the Takraw God himself around the world. One could only become a Star-Scorer after they successfully scored against the Takraw God himself during a private game with the latter.

They are also ranked according to the number of scores they made during their personal one-on-one match against the Takraw God. The Malaysian guy is ranked one after scoring once, the Korean guy was ranked three and the Chinese girl was ranked 4th after successfully scoring four times.

There are currently nine Star-Scorer players around the world. the lowest ranked is the Malaysian guy with one point, and the highest managed to made nine points. Their ranking is basically based on their score, the higher the rank, means the higher the score.

All of the Star-Scorer players are known for their amazing sepak takraw skills. All of them were genius players, with well-trained bodies, well-honed sepak takraw instincts, and top-class performance.

It is safe to say that each of the Star-Scorer players can actually dominate a national level sepak takraw competition and carry a single team to the championship even when they are left to play alone.

Such is the strength of the Star-Pointer players that the Takraw-God has chosen himself. They are basically chosen disciples of Santi from a massive pool of the most talented sepak takraw players around the world. Thus it was normal for them to act more superior towards the other people, especially to fellow sepak takraw players.

"May I know how did you know we are Star-Pointer players?" it was the Korean guy's turn to finally speak.

"Oh, Mr. Gaje, your manager and who also happens to be my old friend, could not keep his mouth shut from bragging about you guys," U-Bear explained with a little awkward smile before adding.

"And don't worry about me. I won't talk about you people coming here and I promise to keep it a secret. I too do not want any unnecessary attention."

Hearing his reply, the two of the foreign players heigved a deep sigh before the Korean guy replied, "Please do keep our presence a secret, and thank you for your hospitality. We are going now."

"You are welcome. Please take care." Mr. U-Bear smiled before leading the way towards the exit.

Just when they reached the exit door, Mr. U-Bear saw a glimpse of Chiko - the balut vendor kid that the foreign trio is after, just standing behind a tall, bald, chubby student. U-Bear also looked further at the front and saw the young, pale, and skinny-looking school janitor. A mysterious smile discreetly curved at the face of Mr. U-Bear.

The foreign players walked past the line of newbie players near the entrance door with their heads held high just like their ballooned pride as Star Pointer players. Their gaze panned across the queue of young male players and could not help but laughed mockingly at the intimidated players.

Seeing their domineering presence paired with piercing gazes, the newbie teams could not help but feel greatly intimidated and bowed their heads fear.

The Malaysian and Korean boys could not help but smile mockingly as a reply except at the last three people at the line.

"Hey look at those people." the Malaysian guy pointed at the pathetic looks of Yang, Gantes, and Chiko. Their eyes were glued at the weird-looking trio at the backline for a while before finally bursting into loud laughter. Except for the Chinese girl with them, her eyes were still glued to her phone's screen and just blindly followed her two other companions.

There were only two regus of players left waiting to do the try-outs. The first set was a regular-looking player with at least a well-trained-looking body and obvious athletic potentials.

However, the last three persons at the line were like a weird halo-halo scoop.

"Wait, are they serious? Do they want to do the sepak takraw try-outs? With those bodies and attire?! You must be kidding me. Look at them, captain!" the Korean still had tears of laughter in his eyes as he tried to get the Chinese girl's attention who actually happens to be their team Captain and tekong player.

Their mocking gazes fell at the last three players behind the line.

Standing at the front was a skinny and pale-looking guy wearing a school janitor attire. His deep and sharp black eyes were full of worry and shame the moment he stares back at the foreign players. He was obviously intimidated by their domineering presence.

The next one was a tall but fluffy-looking baldy. He had dark-brown skin under his black student pants and a messy sky-blue colored polo. He rather looked more like a criminal who just left the prison yesterday and hurriedly decided to stand in line for the sepak takraw try-out the next day.

The Korean and Malaysian boys looked straight at the fat baldy's eyes but contrary to the usual reaction, this guy stares back at the foreign players with a mean and confident scoff - not wanting to be underestimated at all!

"Do you have a problem with me? You want to fight?" Gantes fused was lit at the foreign player's mocking gaze.

The two foreign boys just looked back at each other and shook their heads while laughing at the unfounded confidence of the bald fatty. They firmly believe that a single scissor kick to the face is good enough to knock the big guy to the ground. But to avoid trouble, they decided to move on to the last player who also happens to have the most unusual-looking attire.

Rather than being a student, it was much better to call him a lost farmboy that just arrived after a wild fistfight on the mud.

With a thin red jacket tied on his waist, a white-brown sleeveless for his upper with traces of a dirty palm at his stomach area, dirty dark brown cargo pants, and messy light brown hair. He was also wearing old, black, heavy, and oversized combat shoes that were painted with white ink to at least resemble converse shoes which were famous for sepak takraw players in that area.

Although he kind of resembled the guy that they were looking for, but Mr. Gaje informed them that it was a balut vendor young guy that usually has a basket full of boiled eggs with him, and maybe some plastic packing peanuts in them.

Basically, it was a guy with a basket full of eggs and it was their only clue about their target player. Looking at Chiko and his innocent newbie smile on messy attire, connecting him to the mysterious player who successfully scored against the Takraw God is just not possible.

But just like the bald fatty, this farm boy-looking guy did not look intimidated by them at all. Rather, he had a very friendly face and wide innocent smile as a reply to their mocking laughter.

"Heelooo! Welkam! Welkam! Philippines, namber waaan! You people also want try-out takraw-takraw? Caaam! Caaam! Behind me! Baat we pirst! okay?"

Chiko energetically said towards the passing trio not having the slightest idea about their true identity as the world's top sepak takraw players.