Chapter 27

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: The Left-Handed Pitcher Equips Velocity

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I might get to pitch in the Blue Dragon Cup finals...?

It was welcome news.

With the rookie draft for pro teams just two months away, there was no reason for a pitcher to turn down the chance to throw in a big game like that.

Of course, pitching again just two days after a start could strain the shoulder, but a single inning out of the bullpen wouldn't be an issue.

"Got it."

"Good."

I decided to gratefully accept the opportunity the manager had given me.

Click.

After stepping out of the manager's office, I paused to think.

This couldn't be a chance to test [Immersion] in the Blue Dragon Cup finals, could it?

"Well, as long as it's not in a razor-thin game, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?"

But from the manager's tone...

I had a strong feeling he'd throw me in during a close one.

"No way I'd become the hero of the Blue Dragon Cup finals, right? Haha, in a game where Shin Su-ho's starting? What am I even thinking?"

I chuckled lightly and headed for the training field.

"Song Hyun-jun."

"Whoa, you scared me."

I spotted Park Jin-woong lurking nearby.

"Park Jin-woong? Why are you skulking around like that?"

"Song Hyun-jun, you greedy bastard?"

"For what?"

"You told the pitching coach you wanted to throw, right?"

Oh, that.

"He said a few pitches would be fine, but you, Park Jin-woong—how'd you hear about it?"

"Plenty of eyes on you now, Hyun-jun."

Hmm... that made sense.

Yesterday's semifinal against Busan High had earned me praise from Major League scouts.

It'd be weird if I wasn't getting attention on the team.

Anyway.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Damn it... But you're not thinking of pitching in the finals, are you?"

"Finals? Who knows."

"Shit!"

"Why are you flipping out again? And the Blue Dragon Cup finals aren't some tournament where you raise your hand and get to pitch if you want. The manager has to call me up."

"With your status right now, you raise your hand, and you're in."

"What're you talking about?"

"Don't you know you're the most-watched pitcher in high school baseball right now?"

With that, Park Jin-woong pulled out his phone and held it out to me.

"What's this?"

"Comments from the Busan High game. Take a look."

I shot him a suspicious glare before scrolling through as he said.

The comment section was basically a 'Song Hyun-jun Gallery.'

Praise for me exploded like fireworks, while Park Jin-woong's face turned beet red beside me.

"You seeing this? All comments are singing your praises!"

Seeing my rival so frustrated was satisfying.

I figured I'd enjoy his boiling face a bit longer and scrolled a few more.

I could feel the genuine interest and love from true baseball fans.

Especially one comment made my stock price soar in my ears.

The fans wanted me.

Song Hyun-jun.

That attention, that affection, the rising value from it.

Baseball fans and experts were pouring their gaze onto the Blue Dragon Cup because of it.

And they were all saying the same thing.

"This Blue Dragon Cup's level is seriously high."

"Yeah. Just watching the main tournament games this season, we could fill all ten draft slots no problem."

The baseball experts' focus on the Blue Dragon Cup.

That domino effect was boosting other pitchers' values too.

"Song Hyun-jun, you're changing pitchers' stock prices single-handedly."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"Their values... are skyrocketing. Mine went up a ton too."

"Oh yeah?"

"...My name's starting to get mentioned in the first- and second-round talks."

"That's kinda lame."

"You little shit."

He grumbled at my reaction, but Park Jin-woong didn't look too upset.

No, he seemed pretty pleased.

Of course he would.

No pitcher chasing pro ball would hate their value going up.

He couldn't say it, but I could tell he was grateful.

"Your performance yesterday boosted values for all the Blue Dragon Cup pitchers. Even Hyun Jong-seok, Busan High's starter you faced, was a third-round guy—now he's in second-round talks."

"Nice for him."

"Just looking at signing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bonuses, that one game bumped his value over 50 million won."

He was beating around the bush, but it meant his own value had jumped 50 million, maybe over 100 million.

"So it's good for you too, Park Jin-woong. Then why were you moping around waiting for me?"

"Th-that's..."

"Saying thanks that hard?"

"Who owes who thanks?!"

Right then.

Some baseball team underclassmen passed between us.

"Whoa! Hyun-jun sunbae!"

"Sunbae! Eaten yet?"

"If not, I brought snacks—wanna share?"

They swarmed me like puppies spotting their owner.

"Yeah, sure. Seung-hwan, Seong-rak, Hyun-se—you guys eat? How's conditioning today?"

My friendly reply warmed the mood even more.

"Conditioning's great!"

"Doing the exercises you taught us, my stuff's getting sharper."

The way the underclassmen looked at me—admiration, aspiration, respect, affection.

Pretty much every feeling a junior has for a respected senior, all aimed at me.

Tch.

Park Jin-woong watched from a step back, his eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠full of envy.

Ah, so that's it.

"Oh, Jin-woong sunbae’s here too."

The underclassmen finally noticed him and greeted him, but their enthusiasm was nowhere near what they'd shown me—totally average.

"...Yeah."

After his grudging reply, their attention snapped right back to me.

"Sunbae, do great tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow's Su-ho starting."

"Still reassuring with you there. Bullpen, right?"

It didn't feel like flattery or just being friendly.

Genuine.

True trust shone in their faces and voices.

"Yeah, see you in tomorrow's game."

"Yes, sir!"

After the underclassmen left.

"..."

Park Jin-woong, lips sealed tight, finally spoke with obvious envy.

"How'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"You saw it. The team treats you different."

True enough.

I played dumb anyway.

"Oh, really?"

"They look at you like you're the ace."

"Nah, ace is whatever. Just wanna do well in the Blue Dragon Cup together."

"How? How'd you get so popular with the underclassmen?"

Not satisfied with my vague answer, he pressed harder, like he was on fire.

"Even Shim Chae-geun says good things about you. That hot-tempered captain!"

News to me.

Captain Shim Chae-geun praising me? Baseball pays off.

"You're more hot-tempered, Park Jin-woong."

"Shut up! Spill the secret already."

Shut up and spill, huh.

This guy's logic is a mess.

But no answer for him.

"They like me 'cause I pitch well?"

"...Ah!"

"So go work hard at baseball. Who knows?"

"Knows ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what?"

"Pitch well from the pen in the finals, your value might jump more?"

His eyes changed at my words.

From cowering tiger to blazing leopard.

Park Jin-woong's so simple.

"Alright! I'll show 'em! In the finals, I'll prove I was Seomun High's real ace!"

"Seomun High's ace is Shin Su-ho. And he's starting the finals."

"Exactly! So I'll show I'm the number two!"

"Do you."

I sent him off on a high note.

Got some good info out of Jin-woong, at least.

"When pitchers' values rise, the biggest winner is... me, right?"

Not the time to slack.

I might pitch tomorrow.

No saving points.

That's why I rushed to the mart the manager mentioned and bought one more Morning Sunlight.

Hot flames surged through my veins.

My forearm muscles swelled, screaming to throw faster.

"Kya! That's the nutty taste!"

Muscles pulsing with the velocity boost.

I'd blown through most of my points, but if it let me shine even one inning in the finals, no regrets.

"Still, no way to check how much velocity went up until tomorrow's finals."

Even the special ability [Immersion].

I'd only see its effect if I pitched in tomorrow's finals.

"Just one inning! If I get in the finals, I can test the boosted velocity and new ability."

That's why I was more hyped for the Blue Dragon Cup finals than anyone.

"Baseball fans, hello. We're live from the 80th Blue Dragon Cup finals, amid roaring cheers."

The game kicked off with the caster's call.

As he said, the stands at Mokdong Stadium were over half full.

Interest and hype at an all-time high.

"Seomun High vs. Gwangju Il High—the matchup everyone's watching. Let's go!"

The finals began amid eager cheers.

"Gwangju Il High chasing their first title in 23 years, Seomun High aiming for back-to-back after last year's 79th win. First pitch from this pitcher."

Shin Su-ho took the mound as the caster announced.

Cheers erupted instantly from the Gwangju Il dugout.

"Let's win!"

"The title's ours!!!"

The finals opponents, Gwangju Il High, were fired up.

Tremendous momentum sweeping the stadium.

But Shin Su-ho's single pitch shattered it.

CRACK!!!

A bomb-like explosion of sound.

The stadium filled with stunned gasps.

"Huh?!"

"Whoaaa!!!"

"That velocity... real?"

"Speed gun glitching?"

Shin Su-ho's velocity stunned everyone.

Whoaaa...

Shin Su-ho had shattered his personal best in the Blue Dragon Cup finals.

Breached the magic 160 km/h wall.

With one pitch.

"...Strike one!"

Even the home plate umpire startled on the call—this was one hell of a pitch.

"That monster again..."

The gasp slipped out.

As Lee Deok-gu tossed the ball back, Shin Su-ho turned—and his eyes locked on me.

Smirk.

His clear gaze, lips clearly saying:

"See my pitch?"

What the.

Two days ago, his words echoed in my ear.

"Song Hyun-jun, stop there. If you do too well, I look bad by comparison."

"The finals are mine, Song Hyun-jun. I can outdo you."

Like proving it.

Shattering his record velocity, silencing the Blue Dragon Cup finals with overwhelming dominance.

Unthinkingly, my eyes went to the manager.

"Whoa..."

No, Manager.

This isn't the time to be impressed.

No chance I'll pitch in the finals now...?

Feeling my stare, the manager glanced my way.

And.

"...Ahem."

He looked away.

Then.

CRACK!!!

Shin Su-ho's fastball filled Mokdong with gasps again.

"Whoaaa..."

"Velocity... insane...!"

Amid his dominant pitching.

The game had reached the 8th inning.