Field Commander - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 56.

Chapter 56.

Chapter 56.

– Hey, I’ll be waiting with my neck stretched out. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because we played together. Especially watch out for one of your legs.

 

Right now, Schalke 04 was in second place in the Bundesliga, trailing behind Bayern Munich.

 

This definitely wasn’t something a player from Freiburg, who were overwhelmingly last in the league, should be saying.

 

‘That’s just like that bastard.’

 

Kim Sang-hyuk had been a master of trash talking since high school, always ranked first by players every match, and was also top-ranked for dirty play.

 

But playing together this time, he realized that he wasn’t just a guy who did dirty things.

 

All his actions stemmed from calculation and prediction.

 

A truly terrifying guy.

 

‘After Jang Jin-woo exhausted even his remaining stamina from the tremendous fan enthusiasm at the airport, he sat alone in the first class lounge to rest and immediately picked up his mobile phone.

 

– You worked hard, son.

 

– Yeah, Mom. You weren’t sleeping?

 

– How could I sleep? Congratulations. You’re truly our proud son!

 

At those warm words, Jang Jin-woo’s expression was pure happiness itself.

 

– Thank you… I sent the gold medal through that agent.

 

– Why?

 

– For Father… place it next to him. He’ll be so proud.

 

– …Alright. I understand.

 

– Don’t stay up all night, get some sleep. I’m flying straight to Germany.

 

– You get plenty of rest too.

 

– Yeah.

 

Jang Jin-woo put away his mobile phone and closed his eyes for a moment.

 

In fact, he was born into an extremely ordinary working-class family that you could see anywhere.

 

He didn’t start playing football professionally from a young age, but began after catching the eye of his school’s football coach while playing with friends in elementary school.

 

– Son, the coach says you have talent. Do you want to play football?

 

His father was kind and would try to accommodate whatever he said.

 

– Yes, I want to play football.

 

He liked football, but it didn’t seem like life or death to him.

 

Anyway, that’s how he started playing football.

 

Whether he had talent as the coach said, he absorbed everything he learned like a sponge soaking up water, and his height and physique also began to surpass his peers.

 

In middle school, he dominated almost every tournament for three years and was selected for all youth national teams, developing his skills and making his face known to the world.

 

The more people recognized and acknowledged him, the more enjoyable playing football became.

 

Around that time, his father quit his job and started doing other work.

 

His father’s salary was too small to support his football, so he took on difficult and arduous work that paid better.

 

After learning this, he didn’t mess around and focused solely on football.

 

After entering a prestigious high school football club as a first-year, he made several substitute appearances in tournaments due to formidable seniors, and that’s when he met Kim Sang-hyuk.

 

It was just… how should I put it…

 

He felt like a delinquent thug you wouldn’t want to deal with?

 

But during his first year, Jang Jin-woo never once lifted a tournament trophy.

 

From his second year…

 

Well, he kept losing in finals because of that damn guy.

 

And when he became a third-year.

 

His father, who had been working day and night to the point where it was hard to even see his face, collapsed.

 

The diagnosis was… stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

 

According to the doctor, it was terminal with less than six months to live.

 

Whether he played well or poorly, his father would always say ‘Our son is the best! Well done! Fighting!’ whenever they met, and thinking that he could suddenly disappear from his side made him feel like he was going crazy.

 

From then on, he played football with fire in his eyes.

 

At least to show his father a championship trophy before he passed away.

 

But…

 

That guy…

 

‘Always blocked my path.’

 

A guy who played football in such an annoying way.

 

In the final tournament of his third year, he was desperate too.

 

There was really only one thing he could give to his father who had suffered all kinds of hardships while believing in him.

 

A trophy.

 

When even his last chance fell through, Jang Jin-woo momentarily lost his reason.

 

He briefly rubbed his eyes with both hands.

 

The grueling schedule of having to fly after the match ended, followed by the award ceremony, press conference, and fan service.

 

– Son, I have one request. Becoming the world’s best football player seems unrealistic. I just hope that when people think of football in Korea, they’ll remember our son’s name.

 

That was his father’s last words.

 

And he vowed to become at least the best football player in Korea.

 

After overcoming the shock of losing his father and when his football career had gotten somewhat on track, he heard rumors from his high school classmates.

 

– Hey, is it really true? Kim Sang-hyuk is really working night shifts at a convenience store near the university?

 

– Wow, that monster? Man… you really never know about people’s lives.

 

– I heard he grew up in an orphanage from birth and has no one around to take care of him?

 

– No wonder… that’s why he had that kind of expression.

 

– I understand… Wow, but I really didn’t expect him to end up like that.

 

It came as quite a shock to Jang Jin-woo.

 

Honestly, he hadn’t intended to do that.

 

His father enduring near-death experiences from shock multiple times…

 

The championship trophy that was absolutely necessary.

 

His damn self who couldn’t do anything in front of Kim Sang-hyuk…

 

But he felt guilty and went to find him to apologize.

 

But seeing that dirty face brought back memories of that time and made him angry…

 

Instead of apologizing, he ended up provoking him.

 

Damn it! You prevented me from giving my father a trophy…! Live your life properly!!! So that my high school days of losing to you don’t get devalued!!

 

If only you weren’t there…

 

If only you weren’t there!

 

I could have won a trophy before my father passed away.

 

But now you’re living like this?

 

When you prevented me from fulfilling my lifelong wish.

 

Jang Jin-woo shook his head and briefly grumbled.

 

“But who knew he’d make such a spectacular comeback…”

 

There’s a match scheduled against Freiburg in the latter half of the league.

 

He thought Kim Sang-hyuk would be grinding his teeth waiting for that moment.

 

Jang Jin-woo straightened his back.

 

‘I also made a promise to my father.’

 

Honestly, if he had to go one-on-one with that guy…

 

He was a bit lacking.

 

‘Football is a team sport. Then I just need to go to the best team. What can that bastard do alone?’

 

The compass that had briefly lost direction now pointed in the right direction.

 

“I’m going to the world’s best team.”

 

Jang Jin-woo quietly murmured.

 

* * *

 

– Many soccer experts are saying that the MVP of this tournament should be Kim Sang-hyuk, not Jang Jin-woo. What do you think about this?

 

– Ah, I think the same. I can’t shake my doubts about not giving me the MVP.

 

– Oh, is that so!?

 

While waiting for the airplane to Germany, I read articles on my mobile phone.

 

– What an arrogant bastard.

 

– Wow, he acts just like how he looks.

 

– How dare they compare some squid to Jin-woo oppa?

 

– Obviously Jang Jin-woo, the top scorer, should be MVP, right? Just because he scored the equalizer in the finals, he’s showing off…

 

– Another guy like Yang Cheon-su has appeared.

 

The comments were all cursing at me.

 

But I don’t know if I’m just thick-skinned, but it doesn’t really bother me much.

 

‘Still, I’m better looking than a squid, aren’t I?’

 

I looked at my face reflected on the mobile phone.

 

Maybe because I lost some weight from the games, my cheekbones were slightly showing.

 

‘Right.’

 

Would the Olympic National Team have really won without me?

 

Since there’s such a thing as probability, it wouldn’t have been completely impossible, but…

 

Impossible.

 

Definitely.

 

I closed my mobile phone and recalled the scene of the last goal in the finals.

 

With that huge build, such agile movement…

 

He’s definitely not the Jang Jin-woo from high school that I knew.

 

The strength of the pass he gave to Jung Joo-young was also just right.

 

Quite calm judgment and movement in a tired and pressured situation.

 

‘Would that level be suitable as a starting forward for the National Team?’

 

I don’t know what that guy thinks about me, but my only interest is winning the World Cup.

 

Because it’s an impossible challenge that I absolutely cannot do alone.

 

‘I need to keep whipping him.’

 

So he becomes a good card I can use in the World Cup.

 

That’s why I should have received the MVP.

 

How cocky must that bastard be feeling right now?

 

Usually, the higher your nose gets and the more your shoulders puff up, the lazier you become and your ability drops…

 

‘Or not.’

 

Even if I received such a thing, there’s no reason for my nose to get high or my shoulders to puff up.

 

Because I need to achieve a goal that seems irresistible and impossible to overcome this limited life.

 

‘So what’s wrong with interviewing however I want?’

 

I set my gaze on a distant place.

 

Jung Joo-young, who has to board the airplane with me, is passionate about fan service.

 

Giving autographs, taking photos…

 

Indeed, people need to become famous…

 

“…Excuse me…”

 

I heard a mosquito-like child’s voice behind me, and I quickly turned my head back.

 

It was a handsome boy who looked about 10 years old.

 

When our eyes met, he stepped back a few steps as if frightened.

 

The guardian also stepped back a few steps with the child.

 

‘People…’

 

I noticed that the child was holding a notebook and pen in his hands.

 

“Ah, sorry.”

 

I made the most smiling expression I could.

 

I must have been looking at Joo-young quite coolly.

 

Then the guardian spoke up.

 

“Ah, you’re Kim Sang-hyuk, right?

 

“Yes.”

 

“Ah, our child said he wanted to get an autograph.”

 

“Of course!”

 

When I answered heartily and nodded, the frightened-looking child also relaxed his expression and courageously approached.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Ji-su… Kim Ji-su.”

 

“That’s a nice name. Do you like soccer?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Forward?”

 

“I’m a defender.”

 

“You like defense?”

 

“Yes!”

 

I signed the child’s notebook in large letters and wrote the name Kim Ji-su and the date.

 

“Should hyung tell you a secret?”

 

The child looked at me with sparkling eyes.

 

“Keep this autograph safe. It’s hyung’s first one ever.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Wow, I’m excited.”

 

It wasn’t really exciting.

 

It’s sad that after performing this well in the Olympics, no one comes to get autographs.

 

“Hyung is excited too.”

 

I naturally smiled, and Ji-su liked it.

 

“Now, should hyung tell you another secret?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“If you high five with hyung, you’ll become a cool soccer player like hyung.”

 

The child’s eyes sparkled even more.

 

“I want to.”

 

“Alright, then palm!”

 

We high-fived with a clapping sound.

 

“Now, then in 10 years… you’ll be playing games with hyung on the National Team, okay?”

 

The child nodded with a really excited expression.

 

“Yes!”

 

“Fighting!”

 

“Fighting!”

 

He must be so excited that his voice is loud.

 

“Really, thank you. I didn’t know you were such a fun person.”

 

“Please promote me to everyone you meet. That I’m a much better person than I look.”

 

The guardian also burst into hearty laughter at my answer.

 

“Thank you so much. It must have been a great inspiration for the child.”

 

“Hahaha. Not at all.”

 

After they disappeared, Joo-young approached.

 

“Your first fan?”

 

“Come on, no way.”

 

“Was it really your first autograph?”

 

“Hahaha!!!”

 

“Right. But suddenly saying let’s play together on the national team in 10 years? Didn’t you give the kid too much false hope? Making empty promises?”

 

“It’s not an empty promise though.”

 

We continued talking as we walked toward the airport gate.

 

“It’s not an empty promise?”

 

“No. This is London, right?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“That little kid spoke Korean really well. Like a native.”

 

“Hey, isn’t that obvious?”

 

“Then that means he came here by plane for a trip, right?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“That’s incredible dedication. You can’t come here unless you really love soccer.”

 

“That’s true. But that doesn’t explain it though?”

 

I wondered if this person was always this talkative.

 

Indeed, you have to keep someone by your side for a long time to really know them.

 

“He came to get my autograph.”

 

“So what?”

 

“The fact that he overcame his fear to get an autograph means he knows who performed best in this Olympics.”

 

“What?”

 

“He has an eye for soccer. At such a young age.”

 

“That’s a ridiculous answer. So because he came to get your autograph, he’ll become a good player later?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Jung Joo-young burst out laughing with a chuckling sound.

 

“You’re quite quirky, unlike how you look. Anyway, you succeeded in making me laugh.”

 

I really thought that way though…

 

Funny?

 

I’m not petty enough to argue over something like this.

 

“There were better options, so why Freiburg specifically?”

 

“You told me to come, didn’t you?”

 

“Oh really?”

 

“No.”

 

“…”

 

“It was the only place that guaranteed me a starting position.”

 

Ah, that makes sense.

 

If he had chosen a team for romantic reasons, it wouldn’t explain all the problems Jung Joo-young had caused with European clubs.

 

“Also, it’s quite a beautiful artistic city, and the food is delicious…”

 

“Of course.”

 

“And you’re there too.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’m curious whether what you showed in the Olympics was just a lucky flash… or actual ability.”

 

That’s obviously my ability.

 

He still doesn’t know how to judge people.

 

“I want to prove to that arrogant bastard Jang Jin-woo who South Korea’s number 9 striker is.”

 

“Number 10.”

 

“You’re really stubborn.”

 

“You’re not much different, hyung.”

 

If I were a manager, I would definitely put Jung Joo-young in an attacking midfielder position.

 

For teams that use players with terrible physicality as defensive midfielders, Jung Joo-young would be like the grim reaper.

 

Actually, there are quite a few teams like that in the Bundesliga.

 

“Hahaha. You’re really special. None of my juniors can talk such nonsense to me.”

 

“Thank you. I like being special.”

 

Jung Joo-young laughed carelessly.

 

“How should I put it…”

 

I listened carefully to his words.

 

“Among all my days playing soccer overseas, this feels like the most comfortable one. Please take good care of me.”

 

Those words seemed really sincere.

 

“Of course. Just trust me.”

 

Jung Joo-young burst out laughing again at my answer.

 

“This is crazy… really… hahaha.”

 

* * *

 

And.

 

– Click. Click. Click.

 

A beautiful woman captured consecutive photos on her mobile phone of the two figures disappearing into the boarding area.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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