Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Park Si-hyun Isn't Scared
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Park Si-hyun wasn't scared.
Park Si-hyun's interview stirred up yet another storm in the soccer world.
[Rot-Weiss Essen's New God, Park Si-hyun, Strips Off Jersey in Downpour to Shield Young Fan and Earn Standing Ovation]
[Rot-Weiss Essen Triumphs on the Pitch and in Hearts]
["The Fan Was Shivering, and I Could Help"—Park Si-hyun's Words Touch Essen Fans' Hearts]
Park Si-hyun's actions during that match had melted the hearts of Essen fans—and even the Red Faithful.
In the Essen pub 'Red White,' the core members of the Red Faithful gathered once more.
Old Essen flags and scarves lay across the dark wooden table, while the walls were plastered with photos capturing the club's glorious moments.
Right in the center hung a photo of Park Si-hyun scoring a goal, surrounded by small candles that glowed softly like a sacred icon.
"When's it getting made?"
Hans, the de facto leader of the Red Faithful, asked.
Klaus Werner, president of the figurine company tasked with creating Park Si-hyun figurines, took a drag from his cigarette and replied earnestly.
"Around December, I reckon. It's a holy relic, so we're taking our time on the quality—it'll naturally take a while. And after seeing Si-hyun strip off his jersey in the rain to shield that kid this match, I couldn't hold back. We're making that version too."
Klaus flipped open a sketchbook on the table.
It featured a detailed drawing of Park Si-hyun draping his jersey over the young fan.
"Turn this scene into a figurine, and it'll be the most beautiful work of my life."
"What about the custom jerseys with Si-hyun's face on them?"
This time, Joachim, president of the German apparel brand 'Roth Weiß,' spoke up.
"We've got our top designers all hands-on deck. Holy relics emblazoned with Park Si-hyun's face—they'll be stunning."
Joachim shouted excitedly.
"The prototype's already out. We've perfectly captured Park Si-hyun's charismatic expression. That confident smile, those steely eyes... it's art. Probably the most beautiful relic of all."
Klaus furrowed his brow at that.
"Joachim, that's bold talk. You think a T-shirt with a face printed on it outshines our figurines, which capture every single one of Si-hyun's actions in minute detail?"
"Ha! Can your figurines convey Si-hyun's charisma, his strength, his smile? We can."
"What?!"
Klaus shoved his chair back and shot to his feet.
Joachim stood up right after, refusing to back down.
"Klaus, all you know is making toys. You have no idea how sacred Park Si-hyun's face etched on clothing is."
"Sacred? My figurines are the true relics, capturing every essence of Park Si-hyun!"
As the mood between them turned ugly,
Fritz, one of the other members, jumped in hastily.
"Whoa, whoa, hold up! Why are we fighting? We're all here for Park Si-hyun!"
Hans raised a hand solemnly.
"Fritz is right. Everything we make is for Park Si-hyun. Figurine or jersey, in front of Si-hyun, they're all just relics."
Klaus stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and bowed his head.
"Ahem... Sorry about that."
Joachim cleared his throat awkwardly.
"My apologies."
Hans stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.
"Here's an idea. For the final match of the first half, round 17 against KFC Uerdingen 05, we hand out jerseys to fans at the stadium. Then, only those who predict the exact score get the figurines."
Joachim pondered it briefly, then sighed regretfully.
"Hmm... That'd make my jersey relics less rare than the figurines..."
Hans placed a hand on Joachim's shoulder.
"Joachim, picture this. Every spectator in the stands wearing jerseys with Si-hyun's face, chanting his cheer song."
Joachim imagined the scene.
The stands at Potsipalais Stadium filled with Park Si-hyun's face.
Over 3,000 fans donning the jerseys he'd made, going wild for Park Si-hyun.
The entire stand, a blend of red and white, dyed in Park Si-hyun's image—a magnificent sight.
A shiver ran through his body.
"That'd be epic... Just imagining it gives me chills~"
Klaus chimed in excitedly.
"Then the figurines gain even more special meaning. Only for the true fans who nail the score."
Hans smiled for the first time.
"We'll be there too. And we'll receive our god. The moment Park Si-hyun lays eyes on the relics we've made."
Every member in the pub cheered at Hans's words.
They all eagerly awaited the day those relics for their god Park Si-hyun were complete—and the moment their devotion reached him.
🥇 1st:Rot-Weiss Essen [16 Matches: 14W 1D 1L | 43 Pts]
🥈 2nd:Borussia Dortmund II [16 Matches: 8W 4D 4L | 28 Pts]
🥉 3rd:KFC Uerdingen 05 [16 Matches: 6W 6D 4L | 24 Pts]
...
After round 16, my stats stood at 14 matches, 25 goals, 2 assists.
A insane 1.79 goals per game.
In this overwhelming points lead and electric atmosphere, Christoph handed me a newspaper.
"What's this?"
I took the local paper from his hand.
["Red Faithful: Essen Fans, Get Ready for Round 17. We've Prepared Something Amazing"]
[The Red Faithful, Feared Even by Essen Fans—Themselves. What Are They Planning This Time?]
Red Faithful?
"What's the Red Faithful? Is that our supporters' group name?"
Christoph looked genuinely shocked, like I had no clue.
"You really don't know?"
"Yeah, first time hearing it."
"Si-hyun, you really don't read the papers, do you? The Red Faithful are Essen's... uh, think of them as a slightly hardcore fan club."
Christoph said cautiously.
"Hardcore fan club?"
Hardcore coming from mild-mannered Christoph? What the hell had they done?
"Well, for example... Last season, when Essen's form tanked and fans stopped showing up, the Red Faithful announced, 'If we win, we'll buy out every seat for the next match.' And they actually did it. Though we didn't win much."
"But that's good, right? No reason to call it hardcore."
I folded the paper, puzzled.
What's wrong with fans supporting the team with their money?
Christoph scratched his head.
"That's not all. They collected all our players' personal info and made fanbooks to sell. Even childhood photos."
"..."
"And Si-hyun, they made your chant too."
That creepy chant was the Red Faithful's handiwork.
"But the scary part? They never advertised stuff like that in the papers before. Announcing it like this means they're prepping something massive."
I unfolded the paper again.
Round 17, KFC Uerdingen 05.
The current third-place team, wrapping up the first half.
"Whatever they're planning, it won't hurt us directly. They're fans, after all."
"You think? I'm honestly scared. Rumor has it every member of the Red Faithful is someone influential in Essen. Mess up the match, and they might grab you on the street."
I grabbed Christoph's shoulder.
"Christoph, we can't even think about messing up. We're always at our best."
"Huh? But Si-hyun, your hand's shaking a bit?"
"Haha! Christoph, this is excitement. Imagining how spectacularly we'll end the first half."
I forced a casual smile, but honestly, I was spooked.
These guys who turned my player chant into a hymn for a god were hyping something huge in the papers.
It screamed something aimed at me.
'No way. What fan would disrupt their ace's game? It's probably just an event to heat things up.'
I tried to calm myself, but "Get Ready" from the paper lingered in my mind.
Christoph eyed me worriedly.
"Si-hyun, you sure you're okay? If something happens..."
"Christoph."
I patted his shoulder.
"Still don't know who Park Si-hyun is? I fear no one, nothing. Red Faithful or whatever."
But I couldn't show it.
That'd tarnish Park Si-hyun's image.
'Red Faithful, fine. Bring whatever you've got. Nothing can surprise Park Si-hyun.'
But I didn't know.
Their madness was far scarier than I imagined, and compared to the Red Faithful's fervor, even Park Si-hyun was just an ordinary mortal.