"Hahaha."
Seomun High dugout.
A peculiar chuckle from Manager Lee Min-han echoed softly through the air.
"Park Jin-woong, who I was counting on, crumbled... and Song Hyun-jun steps up like that."
Hyun-jun had held the crumbling Seomun High mound for a solid 2.1 innings, drawing an involuntary laugh from him.
Wiping the hollow chuckle from his face, he turned to Pitching Coach Jo Jong-hoon nearby.
"Did you know and recommend him, Coach Jo?"
"It looks like the results of Hyun-jun's hard work, even changing his delivery, are finally starting to show bit by bit."
"Really?"
"Yes."
At Coach Jo's response, the manager paused to reconsider the pitcher Song Hyun-jun, whom he'd largely crossed off his personal list.
"Since he's boosted his velocity already, it'd be even better if Hyun-jun could push it up another 2 kph."
"From there?"
"Of course. A lefty's fastball hitting 144 kph opens up so many more options."
"He's already jumped over 7 kph in a short time. If this young player pushes too hard from here, there's a real injury risk."
The manager nodded at Coach Jo's words.
"I know. That's why I'm planning to let Hyun-jun do his thing and watch."
"Ah, yes."
"Players prove themselves with results, and Song Hyun-jun's shown his value in that short stint."
The manager's gaze naturally drifted to Hyun-jun.
"Song Hyun-jun! You were on fire today!"
"Keep this up and win the game, and you're the hero of the day!"
Hyun-jun, surrounded by teammates, wore an awkward smile.
Watching him, the manager's lips quirked up slightly.
"I thought our one-two punch got a lot weaker when Ki-gwang went pro, but now there's a new card for the mound. Song Hyun-jun, huh..."
Murmuring Hyun-jun's name to himself, the manager asked,
"How's Su-ho's fingernail?"
"The middle one's cracked. A bit of blood too. He'll need at least a week off."
"A week? So no Shin Su-ho for the weekend league game?"
"Yes. With the Blue Dragon Cup coming up soon, I'd recommend saving Su-ho and trying someone else for the weekend to get things sorted."
The manager furrowed his brow.
Shin Su-ho had pitched 4 scoreless innings in the mid-150s kph even with a damaged nail.
Meanwhile, Park Jin-woong, pegged as the number-two starter, hadn't even made it through 2 innings before collapsing.
"I was going to put Park Jin-woong up for the weekend league start, but after today, I'm not sure I can trust the guy."
His faith in Park Jin-woong shaken, another pitcher's name naturally came to mind.
"Can Hyun-jun start?"
Song Hyun-jun as a starter.
Pitching Coach Jo Jong-hoon answered the manager's question with a cautious expression.
"His stamina's decent, and he's always had good control and pitch mix variation, so 5 innings should be no problem."
"Yeah? What about Park Jin-woong?"
"Jin-woong's a natural starter and can go complete games."
"Hm. Right-hander Park Jin-woong who can finish, and lefty Song Hyun-jun good for about 5 innings."
The manager pondered for a moment.
"Park Jin-woong, Song Hyun-jun. Hmm..."
One game.
Just those 2.1 innings, and Hyun-jun had successfully sold himself to the manager.
"Who'd have thought Song Hyun-jun would fan Deokyang High's batting genius Kang Cheol-woo on three pitches. Heh heh..."
Sending out the rival team's power hitter on three pitches after so long on the bench—it was thrilling.
"To handle big tournaments like the Blue Dragon Cup, President's Cup, and Phoenix Cup properly, the more good arms, the better."
With the packed schedule ahead.
For good results, the team absolutely needed backup starters.
That's why the manager decided to give Hyun-jun, who'd proven himself with results, another, bigger shot.
"Park Jin-woong, Song Hyun-jun. Pass the word to both. Tell them to prep for weekend league starts."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Good work!"
Amid the players' greetings from both teams.
The game ended.
The matchup against regional rivals Deokyang High ended 5-4, a come-from-behind victory.
Victory.
A practice game, sure, but becoming the winning pitcher against a rival team in such a key matchup.
"How long's it been since our last win? Feels damn good."
It felt like over a year since he'd tasted victory.
Not that it'd go in the official high school records, but as he secretly savored becoming the winning pitcher,
Pitching Coach Jo Jong-hoon called out to me.
"Hyun-jun."
"Yes, Coach."
"Good job."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to your coaching."
"What? Haha, so humble."
Coach Jo's face lit up.
He'd always seemed subtly uncomfortable around me, but today he called my name with a bright smile.
"Hyun-jun."
"Yes."
"Prep to start in the weekend league game."
"...Me?"
Starter.
The word made my heart pound.
With velocity up to 142 kph, I'd just aimed to prove minimal viability today.
But a bigger chance had come!
Unlike practice games, weekend league games count as official stats.
Nail that, and starting spots in majors like the Blue Dragon Cup and President's Cup were totally feasible.
Chest swelling, breaths quickening.
Then Coach's voice pulled me back to reality.
"Oh, and just so you know, it's not just you—Park Jin-woong's prepping to start too."
"So it's a competition?"
"That's right. Think you can handle it?"
Can you do it well?
For an athlete, there's only one answer to that.
As I opened my mouth to give it,
"Huh?"
"What's up?"
I rubbed my eyes for a second.
[Winning Pitcher Achieved!Distributing victory rewards.]
→ Practice game penalty applied.
→ High contribution: Bonus rewards granted.
"What?"
What the hell is this?
Effect from the Velocity Enhancement Potion?
As questions piled up, new text appeared before my eyes.
[177P awarded. → Comeback win winning pitcher bonus → Rival matchup victory bonus → Cleanup hitter strikeout bonus → 3 strikeouts bonus Total Points: 2,717P]
Points? What points?
Giving points for winning a practice game?
And I've already got a hefty stack.
No way... Could that Velocity Enhancement Potion from Jiwon Mart have been bought with these points?
"No way..."
"Hyun-jun, you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, fine. Just got a bug in my eye."
I played it off with the bug excuse and schooled my expression.
Whatever I'm seeing, Coach definitely can't.
Peering closely at my face, Coach Jo's expression darkened for the first time.
"You can handle the weekend league game, right?"
Ah, the weekend starter prep.
Only one answer for that.
"Of course! Just leave it to me."
I can do it.
That's what I'd been taught.
Athletes rise to the occasion, no matter what.
Whether you actually succeed or not.
Until results show, give it everything.
At my answer, true to an athlete's duty, Coach Jo's face brightened again.
"That's my boy. I believe in you."
Pitching Coach Jo Jong-hoon clapped my shoulder with his big hand.
I could really feel his trust in that grip.
And there was more good news.
"Ah, you'll need to be game-ready by the weekend, so head home early today and rest up."
Early dismissal—no, early leave from school to relax, per Coach's orders.
"Is that okay?"
"Of course. You worked hard today—rest is mandatory. Get going."
"Yes, sir!"
No reason not to follow Coach's orders.
Besides, I had urgent business.
Total Points: 2,717P
With today's reward points added to the mystery stash.
To figure out what they're for, I need to hit Jiwon Mart where Ji-won works part-time and buy another Velocity Enhancement Potion.
Orange Na, the orange soda.
Has the out-of-stock batch been restocked?
"Why isn't this kid replying?"
No text back from Kim Ji-won at the mart.
Calls go unanswered too.
"Guess I'll head to the mart first, ask about the velocity potion—or Orange Na. If not, check local convenience stores."
Time to rush out and hit Jiwon Mart.
Might be starting this weekend—who knows. With a start looming, what I need is faster velocity!
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the gate when,
"Song Hyun-jun."
An unfamiliar voice stopped me.
Late twenties, maybe.
Neat shirt and black slacks for easy movement. Sharp-looking guy.
"Got a minute to talk?"
"Who are you?"
"Seo Ji-hoon, scout for the Devils."
"Huh? Scout...?"
Scout. From a pro team, the Devils?
I eyed him skeptically, but Seo Ji-hoon smiled with that polished face.
"Great game today. Congrats on the win."
"Thanks."
"Impressive seeing you rework your mechanics to hit 142 kph."
"Oh, uh, thanks."
Up to here, it was all good vibes.
But then his face hardened, and his calm words poked at me oddly.
"Your power's still weak, though."
"Pardon?"
"Hyun-jun's four-seam averages about 1,800 rpm. Sorry to say, but plenty of middle school pitchers blow past that."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah, top middle school arms hit 2,200 rpm."
Seo Ji-hoon drove the point home with a straight face.
"1,793. Song Hyun-jun's average rpm."
"..."
"Rpm means power. The ball's bite. To boost power, strengthen your grip, forearms, biceps, and pecs."
I had nothing to say to Seo Ji-hoon.
I'd been all-in on velocity, even revamping my delivery. No bandwidth for power.
No time for excuses—his advice kept coming.
"Hyun-jun needs dumbbell curls, wrist rollers, grip trainers for the left arm, and chest presses to thicken up those pecs."
With that, he pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it over.
"Here's my card. If you have questions about training or workouts, hit me up anytime."
I took the card with those words.
Simple and clear: name and affiliation.
👤 Devils Scout Seo Ji-hoon
Agent
Okay, Devils scout confirmed.
But why show up out of nowhere with critiques and tips?
I shot him a questioning look, and Seo Ji-hoon offered more advice, cool as ever.
"Add some power to that newfound velocity, and you're pro-ready."
"Pro... you mean?"
"Yes. Velocity's up, but weak power means even barely scraping into pro ball could be tough."
"Hmm..."
"Keep grinding like this, and you'll grow into a solid pitcher."
His words grated a bit.
I know my shortcomings.
Why's a pro scout suddenly here hammering them home?
I wanted to push back.
But then a message popped up, and I clamped my mouth shut.
[Top-Class Scout Recognition Earned!50P awarded.]
What?
Recognition from a top-class scout?
And 50 points for it?
So Seo Ji-hoon here is a top domestic scout.
Recognition and points—score.
"Thank you for the sincere advice, Scout."
I doffed my cap and bowed.
Seo Ji-hoon let out a small chuckle.
"I deliberately brought up the uncomfortable stuff, and here you are thanking me."
"You're taking time out of a busy schedule to give me valuable advice—I'd be a fool not to listen. Thanks again."
"Great mentality for a young player. Very good."
Seo Ji-hoon seemed to like me.
"Song Hyun-jun, if anything real comes up, call me anytime. Treat me like a big bro."
"Yes. Take care, Scout."
After seeing off Seo Ji-hoon, who cited other business, I tucked his card safely away.
What a day—tons happened.
Still, one thing left to do.
"First, crank that velocity higher, fast."
Time to go grab some Orange Na.
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