Chapter 16

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: Sol's Eye

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Refreshing turquoise pine leaves that soothed the eyes.

A white background with bold, familiar black lettering that popped.

A name that felt refreshing just from reading it.

I had to calm my pounding heart while clutching it in my hand.

"...It's real!"

It had been days since I'd hit a growth wall and felt utterly defeated.

Finally, I'd found a way through.

Familiar text floated near the canned drink.

The local big-box mart.

Lee Deok-gu had brought this miraculous canned drink from here, and now I spotted dozens of Sol's Eye cans lined up on the shelves.

I'd already tested one that Deok-gu gave me and confirmed its effects.

My velocity was climbing again.

I'd found a way to break past the 145 km/h wall.

"Sol's Eye—this is it! Hahaha!"

I burst out laughing, ignoring the stares from everyone around me.

Truth be told, I'd been secretly anxious these past few days.

"Deok-gu, catch for me."

"Huh? Oh, sure."

Suddenly, Shin Su-ho, the team's ace who'd been hanging around with us, asked Deok-gu to catch for him too.

He wound up and fired a blazing fastball, like he was showing off.

Boom!!!

A sound like a cannonball exploding, even though it was just a human arm hurling a baseball.

His pitch data afterward was shocking.

Whoa...

This guy's insane.

Shin Su-ho had hit 158 km/h before, but now he'd topped 159.

Just 0.9 km/h shy of the magic 160. Is this guy really a high schooler?

Word spread like wildfire, of course.

"Shin Su-ho hit 159!"

"Whoa, as expected from Su-ho sunbae!"

"We're riding the Su-ho sunbae bus straight to victory in the Blue Dragon Cup!"

The team went nuts.

Everyone was hyping it as the king's return, but Shin Su-ho himself just shrugged it off.

"Heh."

That smug face of his flashed a single smile.

Annoying... but at 159 km/h, he had every right to look cool.

In this electric atmosphere, Park Jin-woong decided to show off next.

"Deok-gu, catch for me too."

"Ah, Jin-woong sunbae... Got it."

Inspired by Shin Su-ho's heater, Park Jin-woong—who'd been scarce lately—stepped up.

His feral eyes locked on Deok-gu's mitt, then he unleashed a powerful delivery.

Thwack!!

Not quite Shin Su-ho level.

But the sheer power made the ball rise sharply near the plate, floating up to Deok-gu's mask.

A vicious rising fastball.

"...Whoa!"

Even Deok-gu, who caught it barehanded, let out a short gasp.

Why Deok-gu?

Curious, I checked the pitch-tracking monitor.

"...Whoa!"

What the hell.

Why is Park Jin-woong throwing 150? Since when? And why is his spin rate higher than Shin Su-ho's? 2,472 rpm—that's top-tier even in the pros, right?

I stared at him in disbelief, and he puffed out his chest, nose in the air.

"Hmph!"

Ugly bastard.

Still, hitting 150 made him look kinda cool in his own way.

"150 km/h. No big deal."

"What? 150.1 is barely scraping over. And you're acting all high and mighty?"

"Well..."

At my jab, he tilted his chin skyward and looked down at me.

"Hit 150 first, then talk, Song Hyun-jun."

"Ahh..."

"Oh, still not there? Tough break. In this day and age, a pitcher who can't crack 150? Puhaha! Sorry, couldn't help it... kekeke."

Park Jin-woong's actually apologizing now? Guy's grown up.

Still, he stuck his chin out first, so landing a punch would be self-defense, right? Alright, let's do it.

But Deok-gu's quiet words stopped me cold.

"Hyun-jun sunbae's strength is his control."

"What?"

"Everyone's weapons have different edges."

Deok-gu...

That's like bragging about your sword in a swordfight, then pulling out a shield.

Not much comfort.

"Plus, 145 from the left side is plenty fast. Hyun-jun sunbae, fighting!"

"Yeah, thanks, Deok-gu... Haha."

Deok-gu's follow-up sealed it. A few days later, I wiped hot sweat—or tears—from my eyes and set out to find Sol's Eye.

Seeing the fourth notification pop up, I grinned wide instead of crying.

The best part about Sol's Eye? No carbonation, so chugging four cans in a row didn't upset my stomach.

If anything, it was refreshing.

Power surged through me!

Crunch!!

My upper body muscles swelled, threatening to burst my uniform.

My pants started feeling tighter too.

One can yesterday, four today.

Five Velocity Enhancement Potions (D) total.

I'd had 1,550 points left. E-grade cost 100 each, but D-grade ran 300 a pop.

Buying five wiped me out.

Not even enough left for a bowl of Grandma's Soup.

Two power boosts and five velocity upgrades—that's where it ended.

"Power's nice, but for my pitching style, velocity comes first right now."

I did regret not pumping more into power.

1,500 points could've meant fifteen power ups.

"But power isn't urgent. It'll hit a wall eventually anyway."

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was a calculated choice.

My spin rate was nearing 2,000—no need to rush.

"Wonder how much velocity I gained?"

Was it time to stroll up to Deok-gu, say "Catch for me," hit my top speed, and smirk "Hmph"?

"Eh, maybe not."

Intra-squad scrimmage tomorrow. I'd check my new velocity there.

More importantly...

"Gotta join the Blue Dragon Cup now, just to farm points."

Enter the Blue Dragon Cup.

Playing games earns points.

Prove my boosted velocity and power, rack up points from matches, then pump even more stats.

That's why I'd marched straight to the Manager and declared my ambitions.

"Manager, I believe in you."

"Oh? Music to my ears."

"I trust you'll give me that chance you promised."

"Huh? That's what you meant?"

"Yes. That chance starts with the Blue Dragon Cup, right?"

"Eh?"

The Manager let out a hollow chuckle at my boldness.

Guess he wasn't used to me—the quiet kid who just did what he was told—pushing like this.

A flicker of surprise.

I seized the moment, dropping to a polite bow.

"Blue Dragon Cup. No matter the role, if you give me a shot, I'll give it everything I've got."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes! Hand me any spot, and I'll deliver beyond expectations!"

Some might see it as me throwing away the Manager's promised opportunity.

But I had my reasons.

I'd already checked the Blue Dragon Cup schedule.

First round: July 3.

Second round vs. Cheongju High: July 7.

Four days between games.

If I were Manager,

Game 1 starter: Shin Su-ho. Game 2: Obviously Shin Su-ho.

Four days rest? No reason to start anyone else when your national No. 1 ace is available.

So, strike first.

"The chance you mentioned doesn't have to be starting. Even one inning—if you give it to me, I'll pour everything into winning for the team!"

The Manager nodded slowly, clearly thinking the same.

"If you're saying it first, Hyun-jun, how can I refuse?"

"Yes, hehe."

"Alright. Not necessarily starting, but you'll get at least 10 innings in the Blue Dragon Cup. Prep well."

"Yes, sir!"

Ten innings—perfect.

Enough to showcase my faster velocity and competitiveness.

I turned to leave, satisfied,

when he called me back.

"Oh, right. While you're here, Hyun-jun, one question."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of Deok-gu?"

"Huh?"

Why Deok-gu out of nowhere? Did he cause trouble? Nah, not his style...

The Manager waved off my confusion with more details.

"No, I mean about Deok-gu as a catcher."

"Ah, got it."

"Heard he's been hanging with you a lot lately. Pitching practice too."

"Yeah."

"So... what do you think of him as a catcher?"

"As a catcher, you mean?"

"Yeah. I've always slotted Kim Jin-man as our No. 2 back there. But for the Blue Dragon Cup, I'm considering options."

Made sense. More pitchers training with Deok-gu lately: Shin Su-ho, Park Jin-woong, and me.

The Manager must've noticed the top three in the rotation all working with him.

"Hmm..."

I hesitated.

My answer could shake up the catcher spots.

A big deal for a pitcher like me.

Needed to tread carefully.

"Just be honest."

I thought of Deok-gu's earnest face, always giving his all to baseball.

Yeah, his time had come.

Plus, a defensive catcher like him helped me big time.

Honesty it was.

"Catching with Deok-gu feels easy."

"Easy?"

"Yeah. Even if my forkball or curve bites dirt, he snags it no sweat."

"Hmm... Go on."

"He never misses pitches, even if my control's off."

"Deok-gu's got great hands. Defensive catcher type."

Defensive catcher.

That's why the Manager—who loved power-hitting backstops like Shim Chae-geun—rarely used Deok-gu in real games.

Whatever, his call.

I stuck to Deok-gu.

"No wrong signs, great feel for the ball. If my velocity or power dips mid-bullpen, he notices first and tells me."

"What? How?"

"Deok-gu's got insane mitt feel. Drops 1-2 km/h from normal or 50 rpm off spin? He senses it and flags it."

"Heh, heard he had good hands... but that good?"

"Yep. Runs to the mound, calms me down, gets me comfy."

"...Like a mom?"

"Huh? Yeah, kinda."

Practicing with him is comfy.

The Manager nodded slowly after hearing me out.

"A catcher who mothers her pitchers, huh..."

"Deok-gu's unique strength."

"Got it. Prep hard for the Blue Dragon Cup, Hyun-jun."

"Yes, sir!"

That wrapped up my chat with the Manager.

After that, I swear I felt his eyes on us during training sometimes.

"Hmm... not bad...?"

Manager murmuring and jotting notes as Deok-gu and I threw.

What's up? Deok-gu snagging 10 innings in the Cup too?

Cool by me.

Anyway, I trained my ass off for the Blue Dragon Cup, like he said.

Thwack!!

My fastballs dug deeper into Deok-gu's mitt, curves with bigger drop.

Even Park Jin-woong praised it passing by.

"Ooh, 146.1? Nice velocity jump. Not bad, Song Hyun-jun."

"See that? All me..."

"Still nowhere near mine, though."

"What the hell, man?"

"Whoa, hit 150 before you get mad."

Park Jin-woong wasn't just poking me—he went right to Deok-gu, all friendly.

"Deok-gu, catch for me too, not just Hyun-jun."

"Huh?"

"Bullpens with you relax me. Wanna push velocity more before the Cup—help a guy out?"

"Uh, sure. After Hyun-jun sunbae finishes..."

"Hear that, Hyun-jun? Wrap up those curves quick."

"Fine."

Competitor or not, if he's grinding like that, no interrupting.

I'd swing by later and rattle his cage mentally.

Thwack!!

Park Jin-woong's fastball.

Casually bouncing between 149 and 150 now.

Rattle him now?

As I pondered, I felt the Manager's gaze on Park Jin-woong from afar.

"Looking good?"

Oh no.

Was I losing to Park Jin-woong in the Blue Dragon Cup rotation race? And losing Deok-gu, my soulmate battery partner?

Those fears got answered on July 3.

Blue Dragon Cup opening day. Starting lineup announcement.

"Let's win today. With that in mind, Blue Dragon Cup Game 1 starter..."

Manager's eyes flicked to Shin Su-ho, Park Jin-woong, then settled on me.

No way...?

"Song Hyun-jun."

"...Yes?"

"Today's starter: Song Hyun-jun, catcher: Lee Deok-gu. Second starter: Shin Su-ho. That's the plan."

Me...? Starting Game 1?

Bumping national No. 1 Shin Su-ho for Blue Dragon Cup opener?

All eyes—including Shin Su-ho's—locked on me.

I met Deok-gu's blazing gaze. Our new battery partner.

"...!"

Deok-gu's eyes burned with excitement for his big-stage shot.

With him behind the plate, I felt like we could do this.

Then the Manager asked me directly.

"Song Hyun-jun, you got this, right?"

His question chased away any nerves.

The answer was set long ago.

"Yes, sir! I'll win and hand it off!"

Power flooded my body with those words.

Up to the mound.

"Hoo—"

Deep breath. Full windup. Fire!

Thwang!!

A heavy thud. The scoreboard lit up clear.

My top velocity, leaped again.

Hours later, a short internet news blurb announced the result.

The moment I officially put my name on the map in the major Blue Dragon Cup tournament.