Chapter 99
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: A Dog Being Tamed by Park Si-hyun
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A Dog Being Tamed by Park Si-hyun.
In truth, Kaká choosing Rot-Weiss Essen was a decision that made no sense on the surface, no matter how much they had Park Si-hyun.
Up until early 2002, he was just a promising talent drawing attention in Brazil. But after consistent performances at São Paulo earned him a spot on the national team, and even with just a few minutes off the bench against Costa Rica in the World Cup, he completely turned the heads of European scouts.
AC Milan and PSG had already shown direct interest.
Milan had even put a contract on the table.
In short, Essen offered Kaká absolutely no merit.
Sure, big clubs meant fierce competition for a starting spot, but there was no reason to drop down to the second division.
He had the skill to land at a mid-table team in Europe's top flight, and the talent to win the starting battle there too.
So people were even more curious.
Why Essen of all places?
Why the second division?
And the reason was incredibly simple.
'I was curious. Just how good is that guy who calls himself a god to his face...'
Kaká first learned of Park Si-hyun not during the World Cup.
It was the day Park Si-hyun debuted in Germany's third division. In his interview, he casually declared:
"I am a god."
That statement hit Kaká like a shockwave.
To Kaká, the word "god" was never something to toss around lightly.
As a child, he'd suffered a spinal injury that left him fearing he'd never walk again. When he miraculously recovered, he believed it was divine intervention.
To him, "god" was an object of reverence, a title no human could dare claim.
Yet here was a boy, so young, slapping that word on himself without a second thought.
There was no way he'd like that.
To be precise, Kaká found Park Si-hyun irritating.
But then came the World Cup final.
Watching from the bench, Kaká witnessed Park Si-hyun's utterly impossible movements and plays. Without realizing it, he muttered to himself:
'...If that's not a god, then how the hell do you explain it?'
Shock, admiration, conviction beyond understanding.
All those emotions exploded in an instant.
From that moment, Kaká's destination was set.
The team where Park Si-hyun played.
That's why he turned his back on all the big clubs aggressively pursuing him and chose Rot-Weiss Essen, a second-division team with zero appeal.
The reason was singular.
'I want to see it with my own eyes. Whether Park Si-hyun really deserves to be called a god.'
And now, seeing Park Si-hyun right beside him...
'Park Si-hyun isn't a god... He's more like a mafia boss.'
It felt just like the notorious mafia back in Brazil.
Look at him even now.
Standing in the middle of the training pitch, casually subduing a wildly thrashing Charlie Adam with a single fist.
Kaká made a very serious vow to himself.
'...If I act up, that's what'll happen to me, right?'
Yeah.
Even if Park Si-hyun called himself a god, he'd never complain about it.
He absolutely did not want to end up like that.
And so Kaká quietly, very naturally, nodded his head.
Park Si-hyun wasn't a god... but he was a man you had to call one.
As expected of Charlie Adam.
"The ball can pass, but you can't."
"People first."
True to the creator of soccer's third meme, he was putting on a pure Charlie Adam show even in practice matches.
"You can't pass."
The moment I surged forward, he couldn't steal the ball in time, so Charlie Adam naturally—almost lovingly—wrapped his arms around my waist from behind like a back hug.
The whistle blew, of course, and the bastard flashed an infuriating smirk before trudging away.
'Ha... He's gonna need a lot of training.'
But I had to give credit where it was due.
Strip away the soccer third antics, and Charlie Adam could play in the top flight right now without issue.
Broad vision, insane left foot, relentless grit.
Why God gave that talent to a lunatic like him... well, even God works in mysterious ways.
'No, God is fair.'
Charlie Adam and I are the same age.
Honestly, looking at his face, it's hard to believe he's 17... but reality is, we're both bright-eyed 17-year-olds.
And Charlie Adam's vast forehead paired with my ever-so-slightly lacking looks perfectly prove God's impeccable sense of balance.
Naturally, my gaze slid toward Kaká.
Handsome face, world-class talent, perfect personality.
A complete human specimen.
Unthinkingly, I glanced between his legs and prayed fervently in my mind.
'Please... 3cm.'
If God really is fair, please...
Back to the point: fix his personality, and Charlie Adam would be a great teammate.
Even at his worst as Scotland's bad boy, his team evaluations were pretty good.
He'd charge like a demon at opponents but was a hilarious, upbeat mood-maker for his own side.
He'd start the pranks in the locker room, yell to pump up training when vibes dropped, and even after grueling matches when everyone was wiped:
"Hey, on this glorious day, the best midfielder in the world is buying dinner—line up!"
Stuff like that to crack everyone up.
But still, one thing was crystal clear.
That instinctive madness charging at foes.
That was genuinely dangerous.
So I resolved myself.
'I'll drill it into his head so he never fouls without my permission again.'
Make him so terrified of pulling a foul on me without clearance that it's ingrained. Time for proper gaslighting.
There are dogs even Kang Hyung-wook can't tame, but none Park Si-hyun can't.
"Hahaha! I'm the best, as always!!"
Charlie Adam was drunk on the unprecedented sense of liberation he'd felt since birth, training at Rot-Weiss Essen.
To him, soccer was simple.
The ball rolls. Make the guy about to kick it disappear, and you win.
End of story.
That was his soccer philosophy.
Of course, he knew.
How unmannerly, how reviled such behavior was.
But the more abuse and malice came his way, the more ecstasy he got from repaying it with greater malice and victory.
The problem was...
Every coach he'd ever had tried to suppress his true nature.
Even Charlie Adam, wild as he was, wasn't insane enough at 17 to challenge a coach's authority head-on.
But Rot-Weiss Essen's coach, Frank Kurt, was different.
He'd said to him, oh-so-calmly:
"Show your true nature... in front of Si-hyun. Let it all out."
The moment he heard that, a chill ran down Charlie Adam's spine.
'Heh... So this is the infamous player-breaking tactic I've heard about.'
Big clubs sometimes used it when a new coach arrived.
Humbling cocky, high-profile players on purpose to drill in: "In front of the club, you're just one small cog."
Charlie Adam caught on immediately.
A move to rein in Park Si-hyun, whose ego had skyrocketed after winning the World Cup.
Frank had assigned him that role.
Realizing that, Charlie Adam's lips slowly curled up in a creepy grin.
'Ha... This team's gonna be fun.'
From then on, whenever Park Si-hyun approached, Charlie Adam unleashed every trick in his lifetime arsenal.
Back hugs from behind, waist grabs from the side, even clinging to his legs.
Of course, nothing that could actually hurt.
Even a dirty-play devotee like him knew injuring Park Si-hyun would get him lynched by Essen fans.
He had that much sense.
'Heh... What? World Cup winner, world's best? He's weaker than I thought.'
Right when he was disappointed at how easily he blocked him, Park Si-hyun's movements shifted completely.
Same situation as before.
Park Si-hyun charging with the ball shielded on his back.
So Charlie Adam rushed in and hugged him front-on, as usual.
That should stop him.
But.
Park Si-hyun suddenly swung his arm around, hugging him back even tighter.
Then accelerated.
"Wh-what?! What the hell!!"
He flailed his arms to break free, but couldn't budge Park Si-hyun's one arm.
Just like that, cradled like a newborn, he was carried by Park Si-hyun all the way into the net.
Only after the goal did Park Si-hyun set him down.
First he was dazed, then exploded in rage.
Daring to baby a manly man like him?
He couldn't swallow that humiliation.
So next time, sneaking up from behind for a fake back hug and a light choke—bam, Charlie Adam flew.
For real.
Suddenly it wasn't Park Si-hyun's back he saw, but the blue sky, growing distant, flipping—
Thud!
"Guh!"
Slammed into the ground. Park Si-hyun had thrown him over his shoulder.
Gasping, Charlie Adam yelled:
"You... crazy bastard!! We're teammates—what the fuck are you doing!"
"I don't have a hobby of getting back-hugged by guys. Especially ugly ones."
"Fuck! You're just as ugly!!"
The words barely left his mouth when Park Si-hyun's face hardened coldly.
And killing intent spread toward Charlie Adam, natural as flowing water.
"...What did you say?"
His body froze instinctively, lips trembling.
A man who'd always prided himself on his manliness—this feeling was a first.
Oppressive pressure that choked his breath.
"Hey, say it again. That I'm ugly? Me, Park Si-hyun, looking this manly?"
"Th-that... I said I'm ugly..."
"Right. That's more like it. Good boy."
Pat, pat—
The moment Park Si-hyun lightly patted his head, Charlie Adam realized it crystal clear.
The real reason Frank Kurt had permitted him to unleash his nature.
It wasn't to humble Park Si-hyun or enforce team discipline.
It was to naturally tame him, Charlie Adam, under Park Si-hyun.