Chapter 15
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Just Snap Photos of Park Si-hyun
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"3rd Division signing... do we really have to go this far?"
One reporter grumbled while rubbing his hands together.
"What can we do? They're paying us to show up. And honestly, aren't you curious too? Why they'd bring in some East Asian kid for 2,000 euros a week."
His colleague shrugged and replied.
The reporters gradually gathered at Rot-Weiss Essen's home ground, Potsipalais Stadium.
This was because club owner Johannes Brückner had announced he would cover travel expenses for attending journalists.
Johannes Brückner was originally a powerhouse in Essen, wielding immense influence in real estate and construction.
It was rare for him to summon the press like this, but when he did, the local media had little choice but to show up.
"Don't overthink it. This is all just a show. A show."
At that moment, a burly middle-aged man lumbered through the crowd of reporters.
His name was Wolfgang Hausmann, a veteran sports reporter for Ruhr Nachrichten.
"Think about it. How little popularity does the 3rd Division have? And they barely clung to 13th place last season."
Hausmann continued with a sneer.
"The chairman's just trying to drum up some buzz. An East Asian player? Ha! Korean or Japanese or whatever? He won't know the first thing about soccer."
"Exactly. Or wait, maybe Chinese?"
Another reporter clapped his hands and chimed in.
"Some big Chinese company... probably had to sign their spoiled heir's kid as an investment. Haha!"
"Oh, that makes sense!"
The reporters nodded and burst into laughter.
"Chinese money? Yeah, that tracks. Brückner's a businessman, after all."
"Right. 2,000 euros? Pocket change if it's sponsorship."
"But 16 years old... gotta be a real kid, huh?"
"East Asians' builds? You know they're way smaller than us."
As the reporters' mocking chatter continued, a quiet voice came from one side.
"Hm... I don't think so."
It was Ingrid Schmidt, a young female reporter from the small local outlet Essen Sport Tages.
Having grown up in Essen, she knew Chairman Johannes Brückner better than anyone.
He was certainly a cold, calculating businessman, but he genuinely loved Rot-Weiss Essen with all his heart.
That man, who would do anything for money, turned pure and childlike only in front of this club.
Would someone like that shell out 2,000 euros—a huge sum—for an unproven player just for sponsorship or hype?
Absolutely not.
"Besides, why can't East Asians play soccer? There's Cha Bum-geun."
Ingrid muttered softly.
Right then, heavy footsteps echoed from the passageway.
The reporters turned their heads in unison, and every jaw dropped.
"Wha... what the hell? Why's he so huge?"
An exclamation slipped from Wolfgang Hausmann's mouth.
Walking down the passageway were Rot-Weiss Essen's coach, Frank Kurt, and a towering East Asian boy.
Overwhelming height, jet-black hair, sharp eyes. And a physique and presence far too mature for 16.
"My God..."
Ingrid let out a soft gasp too.
"With a build like that..."
"He's really 16?"
"Can an East Asian even be that big?"
Murmurs rippled through the stadium.
Coach Frank Kurt stepped up to the mic.
"Honestly, I didn't expect so many reporters at our signing event. Thank you for your interest in Essen."
The reporters fired off questions.
"Coach, last season was a disaster—you barely avoided relegation. I know it was tough starting mid-season, but the poor results are fact. Do you really think one signing can turn things around?"
"Shouldn't Rot-Weiss Essen prioritize immediate impact players right now?"
Despite the sharp questions, Frank smiled calmly and took the mic.
He placed a hand on Park Si-hyun's shoulder beside him.
"The player whose shoulder I'm holding is Park Si-hyun. He's the spark our team needs."
Park Si-hyun stood tall and unflinching under the coach's touch.
"And his skill level is already..."
Frank paused, looking up at Park Si-hyun.
"Top class."
His tone was firm.
Murmurs grew louder among the reporters.
Then, from the back row, Wolfgang Hausmann scoffed and stood.
"Isn't that a bit much, Coach? A 16-year-old kid at top class? An East Asian? Haha..."
Other reporters nodded in agreement.
"Even with a good build, he has no experience."
"Unproven in the 3rd Division, and already top class?"
Park Si-hyun closed his eyes, feeling something boil inside him.
He had expected this.
The reaction wouldn't be good.
But this level of hostility grated on him.
Opening his eyes and scanning the room, he saw the reporters hounding the genius coach who had spotted him.
'Tch... These vultures will tear into anything.'
Park Si-hyun snatched the mic from the coach's hand and stood.
"This is getting fun."
The reporters stared in confusion at the sudden move.
"From now on, I'll take the questions."
"..."
As everyone froze, one female reporter raised her hand.
"Yes, the woman on the right."
"Ingrid Schmidt from Essen Sport Tages."
"Go ahead—what do you want to know about Park Si-hyun?"
"How do you feel about joining the team?"
Park Si-hyun gave a small smile to the reporter asking a normal question at last.
'Yeah, that's what a signing event question should be.'
Of course, his answer wouldn't be normal.
"Instead of asking my feelings, ask the team. How does it feel to sign the world's best soccer player?"
"B-but... you haven't even debuted yet, right?"
"Does that matter? I'm Park Si-hyun."
"..."
Park Si-hyun bellowed at the still-dazed reporters.
"Why are you worrying about Essen? The world's greatest player, Park Si-hyun, is here!"
His voice boomed through Potsipalais Stadium.
"This isn't the time for that. Hurry up and take more photos. They'll be worth a fortune later."
The reporters' faces flushed with anger, and beside him, Coach Frank Kurt looked stunned.
'That arrogant little...'
Wolfgang Hausmann couldn't hold back and shot to his feet.
"Hey, kid. Soccer isn't about talk. You prove it with skill..."
"Skill?"
Park Si-hyun fixed him with a cold stare.
The pressure from his 193cm frame silenced the press section instantly.
"Your name?"
"Wolfgang Hausmann. Ruhr Nachrichten."
"Right, Hausmann. Skill, huh..."
Park Si-hyun smirked coldly.
"Listen up, because I'll say it once. I already have the world's best skills. Essen's signed me, so all that's left is rising."
Hausmann doubled over in exaggerated laughter.
"Hahaha! So you're better than Honorius, Zidane, Figo?"
"Watch with your own eyes. See what my skill level really is."
Park Si-hyun raised the mic and shouted to the whole stadium.
"I'll prove it with skill alone! That's the Park Si-hyun style!!!"
This was the day "Park Si-hyun Style" first echoed in Germany.
Rot-Weiss Essen fans shook their heads at Park Si-hyun's outburst.
No matter what, the rookie's way too cocky.
Confidence is fine, but a prospect who's shown nothing shouldn't talk like that. Hate to badmouth our team, but... we're 3rd Division.
Aren't East Asians supposed to be humble?
Sigh... how did we end up with a showman like that?
Not exactly positive, but the name "Park Si-hyun" was now etched in Rot-Weiss Essen fans' minds.
And the attention spread to unexpected places.
Malmö FF Monster Prospect Zlatan Ibrahimović Slams Germany's Buzzing 'Self-Proclaimed World Best' Park Si-hyun.
Already recognized by Arsenal's Arsène Wenger and on the verge of a move, Zlatan—the monster prospect who dragged relegated Malmö FF back to the top flight—delivered a cold assessment to Park Si-hyun, who's stirring winds in Germany's 3rd Division.
"What? You think you're the world's best? You got the guts to say that? Ronaldo's still playing, and that's pure arrogance. Even after Ronaldo retires, the next best is me, rookie."