I Have Too Many Money-Making Talents - Chapter 127

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Too Much Talent to Make Money Out Of – Chapter 127
Jincheon Athletes’ Village.
The winter sky hung ashen, but the air was crisp and clean.
Through the car window, the Athletes’ Village buildings swept past—massive and grand, their sheer scale imparting both awe and reverence.
The unfamiliar landscape set my heart racing in a strange way.
A place only National Representatives could enter.
For athletes, it was the highest honor and the most coveted invitation.
Only now did the weight of the Taegeuk Mark on my chest feel truly real.
And yet.
‘Why does this feel a little like enlisting?’
I swallowed a small laugh.
Back then, it had been to protect the nation.
Now it was to prepare as a National Representative for Olympic gold in Compound Archery.
Jung Hae-sung, hands on the steering wheel, scanned the surroundings as he spoke.
“Representative, there are a lot of journalists out here, aren’t there?”
“Looks like it.”
In the distance, tripods and cameras were lined up in rows.
Journalists wearing banners and lanyards.
It looked like a small opening ceremony was underway.
“They all seem to be here because of you, Representative…”
I simply smiled quietly and made no effort to deny it.
On the day fifteen sports disciplines made their winter Athletes’ Village entry ahead of the American Olympics.
But the main news story, no matter what anyone said, wouldn’t be anything but me, would it?
The car came to a stop, and every journalist’s gaze snapped toward it.
Camera lenses focused, and even the athletes who had entered as organized groups by sport turned their heads.
I opened the door and stepped out, and the journalists’ shouts reached me.
“Kim In-ha!”
I stood with my back to the car and offered a brief greeting.
Then I turned immediately, deliberately exposing the Red Eagle padding’s logo as I walked.
I moved forward beneath the banner reading ‘Welcome to Athletes’ Village Winter Training Entry.’
Questions from the journalists poured in at once.
“This is your first Athletes’ Village training as a Compound Archery National Representative. How do you feel?”
“You’re pursuing other activities in parallel—won’t that affect your training as a Compound Archery National Representative?”
I answered thoughtfully and sincerely.
That too was part of the role I had to fulfill as a National Representative.
And I conveyed my final resolve, briefly.
“I’ll train at the world’s finest system without any room for excuses, and I’ll come out transformed. So that.”
After a moment to gather my breath, I continued clearly.
“I’ll change the perception that Korea is barren ground in the Compound Archery discipline.”
“How do you plan to change that?”
The journalist asked back, his voice tinged with anticipation.
I answered him directly to that expectation.
“The way I do best. Through championships and gold medals.”
The interview ended there.
I slung the Equipment Bag that Jung Hae-sung handed me over my shoulder and pulled my carry-on with one hand as I headed deeper into the Athletes’ Village.
The moment we passed through the gate, a man who looked to be in his mid-forties approached.
“Welcome. I’m Jung Doo-gi, your Compound Archery coach.”
“Ah, it’s good to meet you.”
We exchanged a brief handshake.
“It’s a bit ambiguous since this isn’t a pre-selection status, but would it be alright if we spoke more casually?”
“Yes, of course.”
He was older than me, and he carried the title of coach.
That felt more natural to me as well.
“Then let’s head up.”
We boarded an electric cart and headed toward the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.
When we arrived and opened the doors, athletes wearing Equipment Bags were gathered inside.
Compound Archery and Recurve Archery National Representatives.
They all blinked at me with a mixture of curiosity and wonder.
“We’ll distribute uniforms here and proceed with profile photography. Everyone, get ready.”
I received the uniform one by one.
The Taegeuk Mark and my name embroidered on the training suit and padding.
As I emerged from the changing room dressed, a familiar face greeted me first.
“Good to meet you. We faced off during the Selection Match—do you remember? I’m Kang Jae-young.”
He had a gentle expression and a build like a bear.
It was Kang Jae-young, the player known as the team’s eldest.
“Of course I remember. I’m Kim In-ha.”
Just as I finished the greeting, two other players who had been watching from the side quietly stepped closer.
“Oh, hello there? I’m Lee Gyeong-woo. I’m with Samyang Bank. It’s a pleasure to work with you!”
At a glance, his face looked young and fresh.
A promising Compound Archer who had joined the national team as the youngest member with a second-place overall ranking in his early twenties.
“……I’m Park Sang-mo with Exten. I’m a reserve member, but I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”
That made the four of us the Compound Archery national representatives.
Unless something unexpected happened, reserve member Park Sang-mo wouldn’t take the Olympic stage, but the fact that we were a team remained unchanged.
We lined up in front of the photo wall and proceeded with our profile shoot.
The first photo we’d take as national representatives, destined for the official Archery Association roster.
After that, we headed to our quarters to unpack.
Recurve and Compound archers were assigned to the same floor, though the men’s and women’s dormitories were in different buildings.
My roommate for the next two weeks turned out to be Lee Gyeong-woo, surprisingly.
‘That’s a bit unexpected.’
Lee Gyeong-woo and I were both entering the Athletes’ Village for the first time.
I’d naturally assumed I’d share a room with either Kang Jae-young or Park Sang-mo, who had prior Athletes’ Village experience.
I heard the coaches had assigned the rooms directly, so I was curious about their reasoning.
“Should we unpack? I’ll take this bed. Is that okay?”
“Yes!”
Lee Gyeong-woo began unpacking with a slightly excited air, then cautiously broached a subject.
“Um, I’m curious about a lot of things…… is it okay if I ask?”
“Yeah. Go ahead.”
“You weren’t pre-selected, right? That’s really true?”
I chuckled quietly.
“Yeah. Not pre-selected.”
“So the rumor about you picking up Compound Archery less than a year ago…… that’s actually true?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow, so you’ve only been learning Baduk for a few years too?”
I nodded quietly.
At that, Lee Gyeong-woo stared at me with a blank expression, then slowly let out an exclamation.
“You’re really…… a genius.”
“You became a national representative at your age, though. That seems even more impressive to me.”
At my words, Lee Gyeong-woo seemed flustered and waved his hands dismissively, offering a wry smile.
“Oh, no. I was actually doing Recurve a few years ago, but I couldn’t find a team to sponsor me, so I had no choice but to switch to Compound.”
The deflation in his tone was unmistakable.
Despite becoming a national representative, he seemed surprisingly lacking in self-confidence.
“So what? Your talent simply suited Compound better.”
“What?”
“You discovered that fit, even if it took time, and you became a national representative because of it. Be proud of that.”
Lee Gyeong-woo’s expression, which had been fixed on me, gradually softened. Then he answered with conviction.
“Yes, you’re right!”
That’s when it started to make sense.
Why the coaches had assigned us to the same room.
Putting me, a walking bundle of self-confidence, as Lee Gyeong-woo’s roommate.
It was probably their way of looking out for him—steadying his mentality and building his confidence.
‘They’ve already figured out his personality completely.’
I was already looking forward to it.
How much faster and more accurate my arrows would become by the time I finished training in this Athletes’ Village.

* * *
After unpacking, we headed to the Athletes’ Village Medical Center.
There we underwent physical examinations, balance measurements, and a light fitness test all at once.
The process was simpler than expected, though we were told all the measurements and records would be stored in the national representative database.
After the examination was finished, it was lunchtime.
“I’ve heard the Athletes’ Village food is supposed to be really delicious—is that true?”
As Lee Gyeong-woo asked with an expectant smile, Kang Jae-young answered with a grin.
“Yeah. You’ll keep thinking about it even after you leave.”
At that, I found myself looking forward to it too.
The Cafeteria was large enough to seat hundreds of people dining simultaneously.
It was buffet-style, so we could take as much as we wanted, and the nutritional balance and menu composition were deliberately calibrated for the athletes.
“This is delicious.”
Lee Gyeong-woo exclaimed after tasting a perfectly cooked piece of beef, and I nodded in agreement.
“It really is.”
Ever since I’d picked up the Korean Cuisine talent, my palate had become pickier, but I figured I wouldn’t have to worry about eating here at least.
Just as we were finishing our meal.
“Excuse me, are you finished eating?”
When I looked up, two young women were standing there.
“We’re from the shooting team. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind taking some photos with us?”
“Of course. How about over by the window?”
As I readily agreed and moved toward the window, other athletes who had been glancing at me throughout the meal began approaching one by one.
“Could you take photos with us too?”
“Could I get your autograph……?”
“Sure. I’d be happy to.”
I obliged everyone without showing any reluctance.
From the moment my entry into the Athletes’ Village was confirmed, I’d expected this would happen at some point.
There was, however, one unexpected thing.
‘……The Recurve people seem a bit distant.’
Despite being the same archery discipline, there was a subtle awkwardness in the air.
Even though most of us were sharing the same schedule, we weren’t approaching each other or mixing conversation.
Especially the male athletes.
‘Well, that happens sometimes.’
I let it pass without thinking much of it, and we left the Cafeteria.
We headed to the Media Room for the afternoon schedule.
There, we were to be formally introduced to the Compound Archery director and coaching staff, and we’d analyze each athlete’s primary and secondary Selection Match videos together.
On the way, I asked.
“The director is American, I heard?”
“Yes. He doesn’t speak much. But he’s more cold and analytical than anyone.”
“I’m curious to see what kind of coaching he’ll provide.”
When we arrived at the Media Room, an unfamiliar-looking man was waiting for us.
Nick Cutter, the director.
Beside him sat Coach Jung Doo-gi and Coach Noh Yeon-ha.
“Welcome. For the next two weeks, we’ll be training for the gold medal. There will be individual tailored training and team training as well. I hope you’ll follow along diligently.”
The director’s opening remarks, delivered through an interpreter, were concise.
As someone who’d been ranked first in world Compound Archery and had even served as a U.S. National Representative director, his tone was straightforward—trust and follow.
“Let’s jump right into the analysis. First, Park Sang-mo.”
Selection Match footage appeared on the monitor.
Minor tremors stemming from posture.
Reactions based on psychology and environment.
Adjustments to wind direction changes.
Down to the mental state laid bare in crucial moments.
‘……This feedback is flawless.’
I found myself impressed.
It was no wonder this was the world’s top system.
The same would be true for Recurve, but the analysis and corrective methods presented were perfect.
After that, feedback continued for Lee Gyeong-woo and then Kang Jae-young.
“All three of you have a common issue: you need to manage wind data more systematically. We’ll focus on this aspect and mental endurance training in critical moments during this Athletes’ Village period.”
The three nodded.
And then came my turn, which I’d been waiting for.
My primary and secondary Selection Match footage appeared on the monitor.
Stance and setup, drawing the bowstring, aiming, and finally shooting after reading the wind.
Coach Jung Doo-gi spoke first.
“When you watch it, there’s no tremor. It’s genuinely astounding. I heard you weren’t even Pre-Selected, but how can such stable form come about?”
Coach Noh Yeon-ha picked up from there.
“Most of all, your mental strength is impressive. Is it because you play Baduk? You don’t waver even in crucial moments. Just look at this aggressive shooting style—you can tell.”
I felt flustered.
I expected some feedback, but all I got was praise.
‘Is this right?’
Coach Jung Doo-gi wrapped things up.
“What In-ha needs is more practice volume. The director said we should focus on increasing his physical training and practice time during his stay at the Athletes’ Village.”
The monitor went dark.
My feedback session was over.
My hand rose without thinking.
“Um…… is that all?”
Coach Jung and Coach Noh exchanged a glance.
“That’s it.”
“……Really?”
I was the one who ended up surprised.
I completely agreed about needing more physical training and practice volume.
But it bothered me a little that I didn’t get the kind of detailed technical criticism the other athletes received.
Coach Jung Doo-gi, reading my expression, relayed something to Director Nick Cutter through the interpreter.
Director Nick Cutter, who had been watching me for a moment, opened his mouth, and the interpreter followed immediately.
“The director says that a case like you, In-ha, would lose confidence and deteriorate if handled incorrectly.”
He paused to choose his words, then continued slowly.
“Other athletes are used to repetitive skill-building and calculated shooting, but you’re not. You’re what he calls a ‘hunter’ type—reading the wind with instinct and intuition, then shooting.”
“A hunter?”
I asked reflexively.
Director Nick Cutter nodded.
“Yes. So keep doing what you’re doing now—shoot with your natural talent, like you’re hunting. That’s the essence of Compound Archery.”
“……!”
The moment I heard those words, an inexplicable thrill coursed down my spine.
As if someone had seen straight through something inside me.
Instinctively, my eyes turned toward Director Nick Cutter.
‘Did he…… recognize my talent?’

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