Chapter 34
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Club Evolves to Keep Park Si-hyun
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Winter transfer window.
Having felt the gaps in their squads during the first half of the season, clubs across the leagues were scrambling to bring in fresh blood.
Of course, this frenzy was limited to the top two divisions.
The third division? Dead silent.
It felt like a completely different world from the bustling transfer market buzz.
Then came a press conference that set all of Germany abuzz.
Ottmar Hitzfeld, current manager of Bayern Munich.
The man who had conquered the Bundesliga last season and was now counted among Europe's elite coaches.
"Coach, you brought in a lot of players last summer. Any prospects you're eyeing for this winter window?"
Hitzfeld answered without a moment's hesitation.
"I'm interested in Essen's prodigy, Park Si-hyun."
The press room erupted in murmurs.
Munich had shown interest before, but that was just club officials dropping hints. This was the top man himself naming him outright—a whole different level of weight.
"He's put on impressive performances, no doubt, but he's still awfully young. And all he's got is half a season in the third division. Wouldn't adapting straight to the Bundesliga be tough?"
It was a fair point.
Park Si-hyun's resume boiled down to just half a season in the third tier.
But Hitzfeld's response was firm.
"Park Si-hyun has claimed MVP honors in every match, proving top-tier performance. And when you crunch those numbers... they surpass the level of Bundesliga starters. It's not about the league. You judge the player on his merits."
"So, have you made an actual offer?"
"No."
Hitzfeld shook his head.
"As you know, he's made it clear he wants to stay in Essen. We'll bide our time for the future."
Disappointment hung in the air, but his eyes burned with conviction.
The confidence that any player shining in Germany would inevitably end up at the pinnacle: Munich.
After all, Bayern Munich was the first name that came to mind with "Germany," towering over others in prestige, money, everything.
A reporter half-jokingly, half-seriously asked,
"If Park Si-hyun wanted a Bundesliga move, how much would Munich be willing to invest?"
Hitzfeld pondered for a moment, then looked at the press.
"Just my personal opinion, but if he came from the second division, 15 million euros. If we waited until promotion to the first... I'd go up to 25 million."
That single statement exploded across headlines.
Along with rumors that Rot-Weiss Essen's ace, Park Si-hyun, was worth "at least 15 million euros."
Of course, the man himself—watching the news at home—was far from pleased.
"My market value is just 15 million euros?"
Park Si-hyun tossed the remote onto the sofa with a click of his tongue.
The TV was looping Hitzfeld's interview, with media outlets nationwide shouting his name.
But the attention grated on him.
"15 million from the second division, 25 from the first..."
Park Si-hyun's gaze turned icy.
Hitzfeld's words were an unimaginable valuation for a 16-year-old third-division player.
But to Park Si-hyun, it sounded like an insult.
Proof they still saw him as a "prospect with room to grow."
"So what I've shown in the third division is only worth that much? Ridiculous. Munich's off the list for sure."
Ottmar Hitzfeld had no idea.
His strategic comment—meant to build goodwill and lure Park Si-hyun to Munich later—had backfired spectacularly.
Rot-Weiss Essen club office.
Three in the afternoon, the regular board meeting was in full swing.
The club's key figures sat around the long oval table.
Johannes Brückner at the head, Frank Kurt to his left, execs and staff lined up to his right.
"Alright, let's kick off with the first agenda item."
At Johannes's cue, finance head Klaus Bayer adjusted his glasses and opened his files.
"First up: re-contracting the entire squad. As you can see, Park Si-hyun's exploits have boosted attendance and merch sales by 300% year-over-year. That's enough revenue to raise salaries across the board."
Johannes nodded.
"Good. How do you plan to use my investment?"
"After discussions with Coach Frank, top priority is a long-term deal for Park Si-hyun. Next, upgrades to the training ground. Long-term, a new stadium build. We're already talking with the city of Essen..."
That's when a knock echoed through the meeting room.
Knock, knock.
"Excuse me!"
In rushed a low-level PR staffer, clutching papers and bowing frantically.
"Sorry to interrupt the meeting... but someone here for an investment consultation."
The PR head frowned and waved him off.
"You know how important this is. Just have them wait out—"
The staffer hesitated, then whispered,
"...It's the Vice Mayor of Essen."
The room froze.
Silence.
All eyes turned to Johannes.
"The Vice Mayor himself?"
"Yes. Wants to discuss investment."
Johannes stood immediately.
"Bring him in right away."
Moments later, heavy footsteps preceded the door opening.
In walked a man in his mid-50s.
Hans Müller, Essen's Vice Mayor, sharp in a suit with striking silver hair.
"Welcome, Vice Mayor Hans. What brings you here?"
Johannes greeted him warmly, but the Vice Mayor's face held a strange expression.
"Ha ha... Truth is, I'm not here today as Essen's Vice Mayor."
"...Then?"
"I'm here as representative of the Red God Society."
The room plunged into stunned shock.
Red God Society.
The club's notorious hardcore supporters, seen as a fanatic cult.
And their leader... Essen's Vice Mayor?
Everyone was speechless.
But seasoned businessman Johannes kept his smile.
"Ha ha, color me surprised. Never imagined the Vice Mayor led the Red God Society."
Hans sat, nodding slowly.
"That's how much I love Essen."
His voice was calm, laced with fervent undertones.
"I hear you're planning major investments. But as you know, even with big money, things like new stadium sites require city approval, right?"
"Yes, of course. So your investment..."
Hans pulled a thick binder from his briefcase and set it on the table.
"Exactly. I'll handle it all. Stadium land? I'll get it cheap through the city. Prime spot, just two kilometers from Potsipalais Stadium. Great access, plenty of parking space."
Johannes's eyes sharpened.
"Go on."
"And all the red tape—permits, environmental assessments, resident consents—I'll fast-track them. What normally takes a year, done in three months."
Hans paused, then continued.
"And that's not all. Our members will invest too. No equity for you—just pure donations."
Expressions around the table shifted subtly.
Klaus ventured carefully,
"Do the Red God Society members... have that kind of capital?"
Hans grinned.
"We've got doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs. Even a bank branch manager. They look like ordinary citizens, but they all adore Essen."
Johannes drummed his fingers on the table.
"Hm... Tempting offer. But taking without giving back feels off. What does the Red God Society want from us?"
Minds raced with worries.
What would these eccentric fanatics demand?
'Not club operations, I hope?'
'Or meddling in coaching or squad picks...'
Hans spoke deliberately.
"First, arrange a meeting with Park Si-hyun. Not a public fan event—just a quiet sit-down with our members."
Johannes nodded.
"Second, in the new stadium, create a Red God Society section. Not VIP—just a spot for us to cheer together. Oh, we'll pay full price, of course."
Johannes raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
"Yes. That's all."
Silence settled over the room.
Far more modest than anyone expected.
'That's the end?'
'No interference in operations or transfers?'
Johannes spoke slowly.
"Vice Mayor—or should I say, Representative Hans—this is more reasonable than I thought. A meeting with Park Si-hyun is fine if he agrees, and a dedicated section is no issue."
"Thank you. One more thing?"
"Go ahead."
Hans grew serious.
"We call Park Si-hyun our god. No joke. His arrival at Essen is fate; he's the messiah to save us. So please—don't let him go. Block Munich, Dortmund, anyone."
Johannes asked gravely,
"That holy relic thing—is that part of it too?"
Hans nodded.
"Yes, to honor our god. Oh, the figurine relics—we'll work with the club on giveaways via lotteries, contract or not."
"Then we're good."
Johannes extended his hand.
"This'll make a fine partnership."
Hans clasped it firmly.
"Wise choice, owner. This is the dawn of Essen's new history."
Watching the handshake, Coach Frank thought to himself,
'Is partnering with these fanatics really wise...?'
But one thing was certain.
Rot-Weiss Essen's future had just completely changed—in this very moment.