The continuous three-pointers from the Serbian Eagles had finally forced Jabberwock into silence. The rhythm of the game had shifted.
Nash dribbled across midcourt. Through the field of vision of his Belial Eye, he noticed Jason subtly stepping out of the paint. Only then did he pass the ball.
Haizaki Shogo received it and immediately shifted left. Levic mirrored him instantly, but Levic suddenly crashed into something solid. Jason Silver. The "gap" had been closed.
Levic's eyes widened as he quickly changed direction, but by the time he recovered, the ball was already gone from Shogo's hands. The release was identical, the motion was identical, even the timing matched perfectly. It was Loren's three-point form, replicated perfectly.
SWOOSH. The ball spun cleanly through the net. Jabberwock extended the lead to 13 points.
Shogo turned back with a faint smile. So did Nash. So did Jason. "Shogo, I never want to be your opponent," Jason laughed. "That's pure nightmare fuel." "Good shot, Shogo." Shogo simply nodded in response.
Because that possession wasn't just a basket. It was information. Loren's shot has been analyzed and stolen. Which meant the next time they used it, the rebound would be predictable. Jason would be waiting under the rim, and Jack would be forced to fight him head-on.
Serbian Eagles were irritated. They could score, but every time they built rhythm, Jabberwock disrupted it. Velia brought the ball up again. Under Nash's pressure, he quickly passed it to Loren.
Nick stepped forward slightly, but it was too late. Loren got the shot off. Jason and Shogo both crashed the paint. Jason body-checked Jack in the airspace, locking him down. The shot missed.
Shogo leapt and secured the rebound, immediately kicking the ball out to Nash. Nash pushed forward, but Velia and Levic collapsed on him instantly. As expected. Nash smiled. Just as planned.
Without hesitation, he kicked the ball back out. Shogo caught it. One motion, from below his waist, an explosive upward release. The ball curved unnaturally through the air. SWISH. 16-point lead. Jabberwock was in control.
Jason laughed loudly. "Nash! That pass was perfect! Shogo, your shot was insane!" He was genuinely thrilled. Victory was close. Money was close. Everything was close. And that alone made him even more dangerous.
Serbian Eagles were finally cornered. Jack's expression darkened. Their rhythm was gone, their trump cards were exposed. And worse, Shogo had completely disrupted Loren's scoring weapon.
Jack finally made his decision. "Velia, no more perimeter plays. Feed the ball inside." "Understood." "Levic. You go inside too. Help control Jason Silver." Levic nodded reluctantly. They all understood the truth: if the gap reached 20 points, the game was essentially over.
Play resumed. Velia brought the ball up and dumped it inside. Jack received it and slammed it down. But Jason was being held down by Levic, unable to contest fully. The frustration was visible.
Jason clicked his tongue. Then Shogo leaned in. "Jason." "What?" "Want to try breaking that No Fly Zone?" Jason's eyes lit up. "Oh? You got a plan?" "I'll assist you. You just enjoy it." Jason laughed. "I like that answer."
Nash brought the ball up again and immediately passed it to Shogo. Silver electric-like eyes ignited. Zone plus man-and-ball unity. Shogo shifted once, Levic was gone, and he exploded into the paint.
Jack rose. No Fly Zone activated. A massive hand descended from above. But Shogo suddenly pulled the ball back, a backward lob. Jason timed it perfectly. He rose and obliterated the rim.
BOOOOOOM!!! The arena shook. Jason and Shogo landed, slapped hands, and turned back on defense. Nash smiled slightly. Perfect control. Perfect execution. Perfect rhythm.
Shogo glanced at Jason. Simple-minded, but easy to guide. Jason Silver was exactly that type: direct, emotional, easy to provoke, but also extremely easy to weaponize. If used correctly, he becomes a blade that no one can stop.
Shogo exhaled quietly. This match wasn't just about winning anymore. It was about understanding and adapting.