Chapter 24
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: They Deserve a Fitting Reward for Recognizing Park Si-hyun
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They recognized Park Si-hyun, so they deserve a fitting reward.
One goal in the first half, another in the second half.
When the match ended, my name was etched twice on the scoreboard.
I headed to the interview area, just like always.
The bright lights, the cameras, the swarm of eyes all focused there.
And waiting for me there was that familiar smile.
Clara, the reporter from the German sports channel.
"It's Si-hyun again."
I shrugged lightly at her words.
"Of course. In a match where Park Si-hyun plays, wouldn't it be weirder if he wasn't MOM?"
Clara chuckled and shook her head.
"I think that way now too. 16 goals in 7 matches. Honestly, I'm worn out from being surprised."
I tilted my chin up proudly and replied.
"Naturally. That's the Park Si-hyun style."
She let out another small laugh and glanced at her notes for the next question.
"The second goal today was especially impressive. Dribbling past three defenders in a row and scoring..."
I waved it off dismissively.
"Ah, that? Just a typical Park Si-hyun goal. Nothing special."
The kind of statement that would have gotten me called arrogant back in the day.
But things were different now.
16 goals in 7 matches. Those overwhelming numbers had silenced all doubts.
Now, even the reporters looked forward to my 'arrogance.'
If I answered modestly, they'd worry and ask, "Are you feeling okay?"
Clara used to frown at it too, but now she saw it as natural.
"Did you know? The cheer song the Essen supporters made for you is blowing up in the German soccer scene right now."
I blinked briefly.
Ah, she's talking about that.
'Oh, Park Si-hyun~ The name that came as light, the star that brightened the world, we praise you forever~'
Honestly, even I got chills hearing it during matches.
Zlatan never had a cheer like that, yet here it was for me.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Zlatan always went to powerhouse teams.
Malmö aside, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, Milan, PSG... all top clubs in their leagues.
To fans, his exploits were just 'expected.'
But I was different.
Essen, a team tipped for relegation this season. Then a no-name transfer nobody paid for shows up and flips everything.
The team's results, the league standings, even the fans' despair.
To them, I wasn't just a soccer player—I was their literal savior.
Clara's eyes deepened.
"People are calling it not just a song, but a hymn to a god. Even the German FA is paying attention. Any thoughts on it?"
I curled the corner of my mouth up slightly.
Under the faded lights, camera lenses zoomed in on my face.
'Honestly, I was gonna ask them to change the chant at first, but I changed my mind.'
This 'god' image might be a burden when transferring out of Essen, but it was prime branding for cashing in.
Marketing-wise, a player delivering god-tier play that gets fans singing hymns? Can't beat that.
'If they promote to the top flight, win it all, and throw in a massive transfer fee, who could complain?'
I answered calmly, with the irreplaceable confidence I'd always had.
"A hymn... Doesn't it suit me perfectly?"
Clara furrowed her brow slightly.
"But it could be sensitive religiously. What if the real God hears it and gets offended?"
I chuckled shortly and shrugged.
"It's fine. He's not offended at all."
"Huh? No, I mean God, not you, Park Si-hyun. God."
"That's why I said He's not offended."
* * *
Just 8 matches into the league season.
Yet the name 'Park Si-hyun' was already sweeping across Germany.
He'd rocketed to the top of the scoring charts with overwhelming numbers, exuding confidence in every goal and star quality off the pitch too. Perfect.
At just 16, it was borderline miraculous.
A diamond in the rough with a guaranteed future, obvious to anyone.
The stage was still third division, but that meant nothing to Bundesliga scouts. They thought simply:
'That good in the third division? We need to make an offer now.'
'Boost the salary, and he'll come running.'
'Straight from third to first—who'd say no?'
That's when it started.
Interest in Park Si-hyun snowballed, articles pouring out daily.
16 Goals in 8 Third-Division Matches. Park Si-hyun's Monstrous Run Links Him to Multiple Top-Flight Clubs
Dortmund Director: "Park Si-hyun Has What It Takes to Fulfill His Talent at Dortmund"
Bayern Munich Brass: "Park Si-hyun Has the Talent to Be the Best. He Belongs on the Best Team"
Every headline shook Rot-Weiss Essen supporters to the core.
The anxiety that their god might be snatched away soon.
A few days later, Essen announced an open training schedule.
The training ground entrance buzzed from early morning.
Families spread out blankets and claimed spots, groups of friends laughed and chatted about the players.
Couples snapped commemorative photos, hoping for a close glimpse of Park Si-hyun.
"Let's take it in front of the sign here!"
A couple posed in front of the Rot-Weiss Essen emblem sign.
"Daddy, I can't see! Give me a piggyback!"
A little kid clambered onto his father's shoulders, beaming.
"Mom, there are so many people! Look!"
A boy pointed excitedly inside the training ground.
A spot that usually drew just dozens now had hundreds.
All to see the 16-year-old from Korea.
Then snippets of fan chatter nearby hardened faces.
"Si-hyun... he won't really leave, right?"
"I want to believe it's fake news. But Bayern Munich, of all teams? They have plenty of good players—why target our Si-hyun?"
"Honestly... if it were me, I'd go. Bayern? Hard to turn down."
Silence fell around them.
Rot-Weiss Essen was third division. Dortmund and Bayern Munich? Bundesliga royalty. The gap was heaven and earth.
Salary, facilities, teammates, prestige. Everything differed vastly.
"We can't force him to stay for Essen..."
An older woman murmured sadly with a wry smile.
To supporters, Park Si-hyun wasn't just a prospect.
He was the savior who lifted a sinking team, a god performing weekly miracles on the pitch.
If he left? Essen would plummet back into despair.
That's when it happened.
"Hey! It's Si-hyun! Park Si-hyun!!!"
Every eye turned to the training ground.
Park Si-hyun was coming out.
His usual confident smile, waving to the crowd.
Kids screamed cheers, adults roared. Anxious hearts forgotten for the moment.
Park Si-hyun trained with bright energy, syncing with teammates, while fans snapped photos through the fence and sang his cheer.
Training ended soon after, and players mingled with fans.
Kids lined up for autographs on jerseys, adults shook hands or offered encouragement.
Naturally, the longest line formed in front of Park Si-hyun.
They wanted eye contact, to hear his voice, and above all, to beg him silently not to leave.
But they held back, not wanting to burden him.
Then, midway in line, a little girl asked innocently.
"Si-hyun oppa, are you really transferring?"
"Sophia! Don't burden Park Si-hyun with questions like that!"
Her mom nearby panicked and scolded, but
everyone had heard Sophia, and silence spread.
Park Si-hyun looked down at the girl and chuckled.
"It's okay. It's natural to be curious."
He said to her mother, then turned back to Sophia.
"They said on TV that Bayern and Dortmund want to take oppa..."
Her voice trailed off smaller.
Park Si-hyun knelt to meet her eyes.
"Really? So where do you want me to go?"
"I want you to keep playing for Essen. Without oppa... our team might not make it again."
Fans around nodded at Sophia's words.
All shared the sentiment.
Park Si-hyun was pride incarnate in their hearts.
Defiantly claiming the top from a team they'd written off as weak—he was more than a player, a true redeemer to them.
Park Si-hyun patted her head and spoke loudly for all fans to hear.
"Rot-Weiss Essen is the club that spotted this gem called Park Si-hyun and said 'YES' when everyone else said 'NO.' So they deserve a reward to match, right?"
"No way..."
"Does that mean..."
Murmurs rippled through the fans.
Park Si-hyun grinned wide at them.
The only club to sign him without trials, preserving his pride. Nodding alone when all shook their heads, believing in him.
They deserved a fitting reward.
"The reward? Promotion to the top flight."