Chapter 9: The Bullfrog's Appearance (4)

Just as a white light spread in all directions, clear words soon appeared.

"......"

The appearance of a rare European league player item was certainly good news.

Diego Costa.

One of the outstanding strikers, he was once a top goal scorer in the EPL and La Liga, having played for Atlético Madrid and Chelsea.

However, ... his strength was not his 'robust physicality' or 'post play,' but rather his 'ability to provoke fouls.'

To me now, it wasn't a particularly useful item.

One might think that others would consider it worse than a dud.

But that's wrong.

I had already used this item efficiently in the previous chapter.

'In a game, it's like a tank using an aggro skill to draw in mobs.'

In football, it means drawing all the defenders to me through aggressive play in the attacking area.

In the upcoming Madrid Derby, Diego Costa was brutally tackled by the warning quartet: Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, and Pepe.

Thanks to the near-violent fouls, the defenders were drawn to one side, allowing Atlético's second line to easily penetrate the opponent's defensive space.

The problem was...

'Hmm. If my physical condition were better, this would be a great item...'

But for me now, it was useless.

I even thought that if I equipped this item, I might end up with more than one broken bone.

My current physical condition was that bad.

'I'll keep it for now.'

Since it could be a good item if used well, I planned to store it in my inventory.

There would be many sudden missions in the future, and if a high-level physical enhancement item appeared, I could certainly use this one.

Then,

"Is it true that you've played in Europe?"

"Even though your movements were few, your body control in key moments was impressive."

"You seemed to adapt better than other former players."

As soon as the game ended, the players who had played alongside me approached with smiles.

Seong Gi-bok, who had initially shown hostility, now even put his arm around my shoulder.

"Are you thinking of playing for Gyeongnam FC?"

"Oh, no. It was just a practice match, and the seniors played gently. What can I say?"

"I don't see it that way. Look, Seong Min is still in shock, standing there motionless."

As he said, Seo Seong-min stood on the side of the pitch, his soul half out of his body, staring blankly into the distance.

"You've already got someone jealous of you."

Jeon Yun-sung, who scored a goal for the opposing team, didn't even look at me.

Park Seok-jeong, who was on my team, gave me a mixed look of confusion and displeasure.

Suddenly, I felt that the ethical idea that people are inherently evil and deceitful from birth was true.

The strikers, including Jeon Yun-sung, were already showing signs of tension.

'Of course. They're afraid that if I join Gyeongnam FC, the competition for the starting position will turn red.'

Throughout the practice match, I ran about 5 km.

This was a very low distance, even for a striker.

However, the coaching staff looked at me with admiration because I only made 'precise movements.'

I cut when necessary in the attacking area and immediately penetrated the space behind the defense when a chance came.

However, the main reason for such a low activity level was my lack of stamina.

'In high school, running 5 km would leave me exhausted the next day.'

Meanwhile, Kim Hyo-in approached, put his arm around my shoulder, and said a few words.

"Yun-sung was recently called up to the first team... If you join Gyeongnam, it'll be fun to play football."

The disbelief in my career that Kim Gwang-su mentioned disappeared as if by magic with the brief display of my skills.

"If you just improve your stamina, you'll be even more formidable. I heard that the ball control training in Europe is different... It seems to be true... Your touch was quite smooth."

"Haha. The passes from the seniors were so good, that's why. I'll try to improve my stamina quickly! I couldn't keep up with the seniors' pace. I almost died trying to match the tempo."

"You're being modest! We should be the ones to match the tempo. Your movement was really the best!"

Kim Hyo-in gave me a thumbs-up and ruffled my hair.

Then,

"Can we talk inside for a moment?"

Jo Gang-rae, who had been sitting on the bench with an admiring look, stood up and said.

* * *

"Let's get straight to the point. Your play was more impressive than I expected. If you just improve your stamina a bit, you could play in official matches right away."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"That's why... How about joining Gyeongnam FC? I heard that you left school voluntarily, not because you were expelled."

"Coach Jo?"

It was an unexpected statement, and Kim Gwang-su, who was sitting on the guest sofa, opened his eyes wide and joined the conversation.

However, I just stared at Jo Gang-rae, who was sitting in the seat of honor.

Jo Gang-rae ignored Kim Gwang-su and continued.

"You'll re-enroll in school. A Gyeongnam FC-affiliated high school will be decided soon. I'll recommend you to the school based on your skills."

It was an invitation to join Gyeongnam's youth system.

The club would then designate me as a youth player and draft me into Gyeongnam FC.

However,

"Coach, Gyeongnam FC is great, but I really want to play in Europe right now."

The playful look on my face had disappeared, and my eyes were filled with intense desire.

But Jo Gang-rae wasn't ready to give up easily.

"Your ball control, shooting power, and technique were all excellent. I heard you learned on your own, and if that's true, you're a natural. But football isn't a sport where being naturally talented guarantees a bright future. It depends on the team and coach you meet, whether you can convert your potential into ability or just remain a mediocre player."

His words weren't wrong.

Even if a player is a natural striker, a coach might use them as a wing or attacking midfielder, leading to a decline in performance.

Especially,

"Europe is not easy. There's racial discrimination among players, and some staff might treat you unfairly. It's hard to even get a proper chance to play. In fact, to get a chance, you'll have to work twice or three times as hard as local players."

This was a reasonable statement.

In the future, the foreign player limit would be removed, but at this point, the Primeira Liga still had a limit on foreign players from certain countries.

Most clubs preferred verified players from Spain and Brazil over those from the periphery like Korea.

Therefore, East Asians had to move more aggressively in the selection competition.

However, I said stubbornly,

"Thank you for your advice, but I've made up my mind to leave. I want to go to Portugal and prepare to become the best in the world."

Jo Gang-rae, who had been quietly listening, opened his eyes wide and smiled strangely.

He leaned back in his chair and said,

"Since it's not too late, think about it carefully. At your age, everything is urgent."

Jo Gang-rae took a step back in response to my stubbornness.

"Thank you for your consideration!"

However, I knew that the affiliated high school project would be brutally canceled and that the club would play the season without an affiliated high school for the next year.

I turned my head.

"Father, did you film it well with the camcorder?"

"Uh, uh? Ah, yes. Here it is."

Kim Gwang-su, who seemed to have been lost in thought, shuddered and picked up the camcorder.

"I'll send your match video to Ciau. With his eye for talent, he'll surely be curious."

"Thank you. I'll wait for good news!"

With that, I stood up and bowed 90 degrees to the two men.

As soon as I left the office, I could hear their conversation through the door.

"Regardless of his football skills, his manners are good. His attitude towards football is also excellent. Moreover, his boldness... He's a very desirable talent. Chief Coach, if you had such a talent, you should have told me earlier..."

"Haha. I only saw his true potential today."

"At least... Before he goes to Europe, please help him improve his stamina and performance at our training ground for a while."

"Is that okay?"

"I can't just let such a talent go to waste."

Huh.

At least I've secured the support of the two key figures at Gyeongnam.

* * *

Portugal, Lisbon.

Tap, tap.

Ciau, a scout for Sporting CP, was typing furiously on his keyboard.

His expression was deeply troubled.

After the departure of key players like Alvaro Recoba, the main winger, and the top goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo's successor, Luis Manna, Sporting CP had plummeted to fourth place this season.

Not only that,

'Leizmailov and João Moutinho... Even Miguel Veloso is being targeted by European giants.'

As a long-time fan and employee of Sporting, Ciau found the loss of players deeply painful.

Of course, Sporting CP had been a giant for a long time.

They discovered and developed talented players, then sold them to European giants for high transfer fees.

Players like Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Manna, and Simao Sabrosa were examples of this.

However, this season felt like too much.

'Not just one or two key players... With the departure of three core players, including the top goal scorer, and the possibility of more departures...'

This led to a drop in the standings against Porto, Benfica, and Maritimo, and even the UEFA Champions League qualification was in jeopardy.

But what was most frustrating was...

'Finding new talent in the youth system in such a situation?'

His superior, the general director, had gathered all the club's scouts the previous afternoon and scolded them.

It was a truly frustrating situation.

Even though he considered himself one of the more diligent scouts, the general director had given him more stern looks than anyone else.

'I discovered Miguel Veloso, after all.'

The problem was that he hadn't produced any significant results since then.

Then,

"Huh? Gwang-su Kim?"

A smile appeared on Ciau's lips.

A message from