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The days leading up to the end of the application period were filled with relentless training.
My body steadily improved, and my stats, albeit intermittently, rose little by little.
The training I underwent during this time was varied:
- 10km runs.
- Double-under jump rope (1,000 reps, split into sets).
- Interval step training (30 seconds of exercise, 10 seconds of rest).
- Plank frog jumps.
- Short-distance sprints for quick reflexes.
- Various equipment-assisted drills.
By the time Misaeng FC's application period closed, Kang Hyun's body had developed clearly defined abs.
In just two months since he started training, his weight had dropped from 87kg to 79.5kg, then from 79.5kg to 72kg—a staggering 15kg loss in two months.
"Seems like your weight is good now. Just need to gain a few more kilos through muscle training, and it'll be perfect."
"I just lost all that weight, and now you want me to gain?"
"Not fat—muscle. Don't even think about eating chicken."
"…Damn it."
For the past two months, he had been constantly starving.
At first, the hunger was so bad he couldn't even sleep.
And since his "trainer" was a ghost, sneaking food was impossible.
Just thinking about it now made him shudder…
Having a world-class trainer monitoring him 24/7 was both a blessing and a nightmare.
Fortunately, he passed the document screening and was scheduled for the first round of tests. His brother, who happened to be off work that day, offered to drive him.
"Well, since you're doing it anyway—good luck!"
His tone and expression made it clear he had zero expectations.
Kang Hyun smirked and confidently declared:
"Get the cameras ready."
"Cameras? What cameras?"
"You know how audition shows force contestants to sell their sob stories, right? In a few weeks, a camera crew will probably show up at our house."
"Talk about that after you pass. I'll admit you've been working hard lately."
Chuckling, Kang Hyun stepped out of the car.
As he walked toward the test site, staff members were loudly directing participants.
"All applicants, please check in here first!"
As expected, the number of participants was massive—enough to crowd the parking lot outside the stadium.
Following the staff's instructions, Kang Hyun confirmed his registration and moved toward the testing area.
"Whoa…"
Were all these people here for the test?
Seeing the sheer size of the crowd made his confidence waver.
What kind of insane competition ratio was this? Hundreds to one?
"Don't panic. Most of them are filler."
"But everyone here must be at least somewhat skilled, right?"
"Sure. But they're probably at the same level you were before training. Most of them won't even pass the physical."
Han Myung-shin gestured subtly toward a passerby—a noticeably overweight man.
Right.
At least Kang Hyun had spent two months sculpting his body.
The real problem was…
"The real problem is my actual football skills."
He muttered it under his breath, wary of being overheard and labeled a lunatic.
"No need to worry about that either."
"Why not?"
"You'll see. You practically have four eyes now."
Just then, murmurs spread through the crowd.
"No way. Isn't that guy—?"
"The one from Barcelona?"
"Yeah. His name was… Park Yoo-seung?"
"Why is he even here?"
Whispers buzzed around them. Kang Hyun perked up his ears.
"I heard there are a lot of semi-pros among the applicants. Even players from K3 and K4 leagues applied in droves."
"Damn it. Why are pros coming here to stomp on amateurs?"
(K3/K4: South Korea's 3rd and 4th division football leagues)
Han Myung-shin sighed and glanced at the man drawing attention—Park Yoo-seung.
Once hailed as one of Korea's "Big Three" football prodigies, he had joined Barcelona's youth academy and shown promise—until a FIFA violation led to a three-year ban from official matches. After that, his career spiraled.
While the other two prodigies still had respectable (if not stellar) careers, Park Yoo-seung's path was tragic: from Spain to Turkey, then to the K-League, then to K3, and now, effectively retired.
"What's he doing here? Wasn't he at Barcelona?"
Han Myung-shin looked at Kang Hyun for an explanation. After hearing the story, he sighed even deeper.
"A prodigy's tragic fall. Reality is terrifying. At least the other two are doing alright?"
"Yeah. They're playing well in the K-League."
"..."
After more waiting, a staff member called out numbers 400 through 500 via microphone.
Kang Hyun, number 456, entered the stadium.
Inside, many were already undergoing tests.
The first was a fitness assessment—perhaps to gauge the minimum physical requirements for a footballer.
Peeep!
A whistle blew, and the participants sprinted.
"Eliminated."
The staff coldly cut down those who failed.
"Wait, just one more try! Please!"
"Too many applicants. Only one attempt allowed. Step aside."
Roughly 40% of each group was eliminated.
Kang Hyun watched closely as the others ran.
Peeep!
Thud thud thud—
The test was a 30-meter dash.
With sensors ensuring precision, there was zero margin for error.
"A 40% elimination rate on the first test…"
From what he observed, finishing under 3 seconds was top-tier, while anything slower than mid-4 seconds meant failure.
Han Myung-shin analyzed:
"Aim for 1 second per 10 meters. Under 3.3 seconds for 30m is pro level."
"I'm more nervous than I expected…"
Though he had trained in sprinting, facing the real test made his heart pound.
As the line shortened, his turn finally arrived.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the starting line. The timer raised the whistle to his lips.
Kang Hyun crouched, ready to bolt the moment it blew.
Peeep!
"GO!"
Thud thud thud—
The whistle and Han Myung-shin's voice overlapped.
Kang Hyun sprinted with every ounce of strength he had.
The test lasted mere seconds—3 to 4 at most—yet it decided everything.
He wanted a stable, clean pass.
"3.84 seconds."
"Not bad."
Han Myung-shin nodded approvingly, and Kang Hyun exhaled in relief.
Not just a pass—this was a top-tier result.
"Those who passed, proceed to the jump test!"
A staff member noticed Kang Hyun lingering and urged him forward.
Following the direction, he saw participants hopping like frogs.
"Luckily, a lot of this overlaps with my training."
"Yeah."
This, too, was something he had drilled for two months.
He cleared it effortlessly, again ranking high.
Next was endurance: the yo-yo test (a shuttle run).
With a heart rate monitor attached, participants had to complete 20-meter sprints back and forth under increasing speed.
He was confident here too—this was part of Han Myung-shin's regimen.
"Line up! Starting now!"
A mechanical voice announced "Stage 1."
Participants dashed to the line, tapped the cone, and returned.
Immediately, "Stage 2."
Faster than Han Myung-shin's training.
Slightly flustered, Kang Hyun maintained a steady pace.
This test punished early exhaustion, so pacing was key.
"Hmm. They cut rest time short because of the crowd. This is tougher than pro standards."
By Stage 9, eliminations began.
Dropping like flies.
By Stage 15, only Kang Hyun and one other remained.
"Hold out. Don't embarrass me."
Han Myung-shin sounded like a strict coach.
Kang Hyun had no intention of quitting.
Even with his breath ragged, he didn't feel like collapsing yet—meaning he could push further.
Finally, the other contestant dropped out.
That guy had impressive stamina too.
"Keep going. Until you can't anymore."
The stages accelerated relentlessly.
Post-Stage 20, the turnaround was nearly instantaneous.
At Stage 25, Kang Hyun finally failed—not from exhaustion, but because the time limit became inhuman.
"Hah… hah…"
"Good enough."
As he gasped for air, applause broke out.
Even the timer nodded, murmuring:
"That's a record."
After chugging a bottle of water, Kang Hyun moved to the final test: ball control.
Cones were scattered randomly, and participants had to dribble through them.
This was his weak point—Han Myung-shin hadn't trained him for it.
"Don't aim for perfection. Just pass. Your overall score is already high."
"Got it."
When his turn came, Kang Hyun dribbled steadily—not fast, not flashy, but stable.
His performance was flawless enough to secure a mid-to-high rank.
All successful applicants were directed to a waiting area.
Kang Hyun sat, sipping an electrolyte drink.
Park Yoo-seung, the talk of the crowd, also passed. Hours later, the program's PD arrived to announce rankings.
Hundreds remained, but only the top 10 were called.
"2nd place: Park Yoo-seung."
Clap clap clap—
Then, the final name:
"1st place: Kim Kang Hyun."
"Wow!"
He had hoped to rank high, but first place? Unexpected.
"Congratulations to all who passed. Notifications for the second round will follow. Maintain your condition until then."
Realistically, most here would fail the next round—hundreds remained.
After brief remarks, they were dismissed.
Outside, Kang Hyun found his brother playing a mobile game in the car.
"Done already? So? How'd it go?"
His tone suggested he expected failure.
"How'd it go? I passed. In first place."
"…First place?"
His brother paused the game, stunned.
Kang Hyun grinned and slumped into the seat.
"Let's go. I want chicken."
"What?!"
"Come on, it's a special occasion. Right?"
"Hmph. Fine. My treat."
Despite the long wait, his brother started the car without complaint.
Glancing at Han Myung-shin, Kang Hyun saw him sigh and nod.
"You're dead tomorrow."
Kang Hyun chuckled.
Han Myung-shin muttered:
"…I want chicken too."
*
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