Chapter 47
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The National Team's Lunatic Spots Wild Park Si-hyun
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As soon as I stepped into the hotel lobby, soft lighting bathed the floor in a gentle glow, and warm air enveloped me.
Yet even amid that warmth, an eerie silence hung in the air.
With my bags in hand, I approached the front desk, and a staff member hurried over as if expecting me, speaking politely.
"You're Park Si-hyun, right? Your room is 302. Leave your bags here for now—we need to get you to the meeting room right away. The tactical briefing is underway."
I nodded curtly and took the room key.
"Got it."
The staff member's gaze shifted to Do-yoon hyung.
"And your agent can't stay here with us. Coach Hiddink's orders—no one but national team personnel is allowed in the accommodations."
"Yeah, I know. I've already booked a separate room."
Do-yoon hyung replied calmly, but he couldn't hide the worry in his eyes as he looked at me.
"Si-hyun, tone down that personality of yours... just a bit. Heading to the meeting room means the players will all get introduced to you. Keep your comments polite, okay?"
I shrugged and grinned.
"I'll think about it."
Hyung let out a deep sigh before continuing.
"And during training... you know. The whole country's watching the national team right now. Cameras are filming every drill, and if they catch even a hint of conflict, the media will go nuts."
I just nodded instead of answering.
Honestly, I didn't think Do-yoon hyung's worries would come true.
A few of the players here were already close to me from before my regression.
Do-yoon hyung finally left, unable to shake his concern.
I quickly dropped my bags in my room and followed the guide down a long corridor.
At the end, white light leaked through the glass door, growing brighter.
The guide stopped in front of it.
"Just head inside. All the players are gathered, and the coach is waiting."
I pushed the door open, and a heavy tension exploded outward.
A cold yet burning intensity filled the room.
A massive screen.
Beam projector light flooding it.
And dozens of players packed in front.
As the door opened, heads turned all at once.
Familiar faces mixed with strangers.
But right now, to them, I was just some outsider they'd never seen.
Not for me, though.
These were the faces I'd sweated and cried with on the national team after my regression—some retired, others became legends.
That history belonged only to me.
So this 'joy' at seeing them was mine alone.
To them, my gaze meant nothing yet.
Curiosity.
Cautious wariness.
And discomfort.
That was the common look in their eyes.
Every stare pierced me, loaded with those three emotions.
"Si-hyun."
Coach Hiddink's low, resonant voice echoed through the space.
"Come forward."
I steadied my breath and stepped up.
Back before my regression, my national team debut was in 2010.
Playing only in Korea then, I had to be the polite junior and keep it up.
But now? Different story.
I had no intention of hiding my true self.
Just like in Germany—stay 'me' from start to finish, wherever, whenever.
That was the Park Si-hyun style.
Though I wouldn't go full informal speech like there.
"Faster than I expected. Everything go smoothly on the way, Si-hyun?"
"Yes, Coach. No worries—I don't get tired."
A brief smile crossed Hiddink's lips.
"Good. Time to make sure everyone knows your face. They've probably heard the name, but no phones allowed here, so not many know for sure. Introduce yourself. Short and clear. That's how they'll remember you."
Dozens of eyes locked onto me.
"I'm... Park Si-hyun."
The short, firm words rippled through the room.
I paused, then swept my gaze over each face.
"I played soccer in Germany. Scored 45 goals in third division last season, main striker for the team that just got promoted to second."
A murmur swept through.
Some nodded in disbelief; others stared harder, eyes hard.
I met their stares head-on and added,
"Same here. I'll be your starting striker, scoring plenty to bring glory to the team."
Hwang Sun-hong had been shocked from the moment Park Si-hyun pushed open the meeting room door.
Coach Hiddink had said it clearly.
Seventeen—eighteen in Korean age.
Age to be playing with peers, scarfing down school lunches, kicking a ball on the playground.
But the guy standing there now wasn't some kid that age.
No scrawny frame like he'd imagined—just a body that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with pros, feeling even bigger.
One glance: easily over 190 cm.
Hwang Sun-hong nearly cursed under his breath.
'That's... eighteen?'
His mind flashed to the physical monsters he'd faced in past World Cups.
Giants who could unbalance you with a shoulder check, towering strikers untouchable in the air.
Those images overlapped with the boy before him.
Of course, soccer wasn't all about size.
If it were, Hwang Sun-hong wouldn't be here now.
But he knew better than anyone the overwhelming edge physique gave in the game.
And the introduction that followed shook him even more.
German third division.
45 goals.
Hwang Sun-hong gripped his hands without realizing.
45 goals. In Europe, no less.
Non-fans might shrug, 'Third division? Big deal.'
But he was a player.
45 in a season, any stage, wasn't luck.
It was proof of skill.
What every striker craved—putting it away when it mattered.
Too overwhelming to dismiss as young or inexperienced...
His gaze drifted to Lee Dong-gook beside him.
Lee Dong-gook nodded stone-faced, lips pressed tight.
No words needed; they thought the same.
'A monster just joined the national team.'
If it'd been the next World Cup instead, Hwang would've been thrilled.
A reliable striker to carry the team after he left? Perfect for a senior.
Hwang narrowed his eyes and let out an unreadable sigh.
'Won't be easy getting close.'
Juniors growing was always welcome.
Fuel for the national team's future.
But this was different.
A sudden rival blocking his final stage.
Too alien to respect easily, too threatening to ignore.
After the meeting, players broke into small groups, chatting.
On the surface, it looked like the 'no seniors-juniors hierarchy' vibe Coach Hiddink pushed.
But age and status were hard to ignore.
National team eldest, Hwang Sun-hong. Captain Hong Myung-bo.
No one spoke up easily around them.
Hong Myung-bo spoke low.
"Must be from only pro life in Germany... no manners."
His eyes followed Park Si-hyun, who'd just left the room.
Sudden newbie addition.
Even with hierarchy relaxed, he should've at least greeted the captain—that was Hong's view.
But Park Si-hyun ignored protocol, bolting out as soon as it ended.
Hwang Sun-hong, seated nearby, spoke slowly.
"Myung-bo, he just arrived. Didn't even unpack—probably out of it."
Hong shook his head.
"Still, first time on the national team... Should've at least said hello, especially joining mid-way."
Hong's voice was low but firm.
Hwang looked at him, then nodded with a wry smile.
"I get it's uncomfortable. But that's no reason to dislike him. Plus, if the coach heard that, he'd chew you out. You're captain, Myung-bo. Understand and uphold his philosophy first. You hold the team's center."
He paused, then added,
"And no matter how big he is, he's still eighteen. Probably the youngest here, anywhere. Might've been nervous coming in."
Hong pressed his lips tight.
"Yeah, got it. But... honestly, it doesn't sit right."
Years of bonds built through blood and sweat at club and national team.
Now a stranger wedged in.
Most players shared that unease, save a few.
Except one.
Lee Chun-soo was different.
"Hyungs, what's the big deal? We got a maknae now. Isn't it fun?"
His trademark playful grin shook up the mood instantly.
Hong Myung-bo and Hwang Sun-hong stared, then shook their heads.
"Man... You're lucky. No worries in that head of yours."
"Thanks for the praise."
Lee Chun-soo grinned wider.
The national team wasn't without its 'weirdo.'
Lee Chun-soo himself.
The official lunatic.
His infamous "Myung-bo, let's eat!" calling the captain by name was still legend.
"I eavesdropped... Our maknae's in 302. Same room as me? Don't worry, hyungs. I'll educate him proper!"
Hong Myung-bo finally cracked a chuckle.
"Yeah... I trust you."