Summer Transfer Window (1)
In the dead of night, my eyes suddenly snapped open. Nothing major—just that it might be time to swap out my winter blanket for something lighter. It's getting kinda hot.
Yeah. June's already here. Already June? Feels like I reincarnated into Olmunt's body just yesterday.
Couldn't sleep, so I hopped onto the soccer community forums. Nothing big. Summer transfer window kicked off on June 1st. Figured I'd check out some rumors.
It's like the winter window in overseas leagues. Domestic soccer runs on a spring-fall schedule, after all. We've played 13 rounds since the Gyeongnam Twin Towers match. Round 14 lines up with the summer window opening. Second division's a round-robin with 14 teams, so we're just starting the second lap.
This summer window got pulled forward thanks to Ulsan Blue Tigers qualifying for the Club World Cup. Bet there'll be some juicy rumors, right? Domestic soccer's weird—community rumors hit more often than news articles.
Hmm... why's it all stuff like this? Kinda embarrassing.
Maybe I should kill Minsoo soon. But anyway, nothing much. If you ignore the stuff about me, that is. Truth is, I don't know the internet world that well. Just poked around a few sites I knew of, no real finds.
Guess I'll head to training. Wonder if this window'll be quiet?
Who knows about transfers, but training field's buzzing for sure.
"Why does the summer window start first? It's barely June."
"You're the captain and you don't know? Ulsan's off to Club World Cup, so it got moved up."
Summer window's based on the first 13 games. Mid-season patches usually fill holes.
"Heard Gimcheon Phoenix Sangmu's in deep shit this time."
"Why?"
"All their players discharging."
"If they get relegated, second division's gonna be a bloodbath again."
Plus military enlistments/discharges, foreign player adds. Roster shakes mean scores can swing wild. Hope side: front office brings studs. Despair side: crap mercs, key players discharge, no fixes for gaping holes. Experience says despair wins more—adapting mid-season ain't easy.
What about Gimpo? Can we patch our thin squad? ...Nah. Whatever. As long as no one leaves, we're good.
Training vibe's similar. Rumors of who's leaving, contract issues—but not our guys. Is quiet okay?
After training, asked Yoon Chaewoo while packing, feeling uneasy.
"No transfers for us?"
"Yeah, Donghan-hyung, you don't know?"
"I'm on loan, dude? Dojin, you neither?"
"Heard they're bringing someone on loan."
No enlistments, no discharges. Weird. Defense holds, we're fine? Why so anxious? Feels like a bad omen.
"Hey hey, this ain't Eunsang, is it?"
Jeong Hyeongjin comes panting up, shoving his phone at us.
Me, Kim Donghan, Yoon Chaewoo stared at the phone.
"Hyung, how old are you to be reading this crap."
"Argh... that's not it! Look at this!"
"Definitely past community age."
Excluding suddenly silent Yoon Chaewoo, Kim Donghan and Yoo Dojin piled on teasing Jeong Hyeongjin.
"Hey! This guy's legit! Nailed your Gimpo move! And Miguel to Japan. Famous for high hit rate here."
Jeong Hyeongjin yelled after the ribbing.
"Community watching's real, though. Hyung."
"Munt, what if even you do it."
Teasing didn't stop. My early-morning browse was secret, though.
"He's actually pretty famous."
Yoon Chaewoo finally spoke.
"Not kidding. Recent rumors he's called? All hit."
Now me and Kim Donghan eyed the post closely.
"Why not believe me..."
Ignoring Jeong Hyeongjin clutching his neck, we read deep. Capital region second-division top winger... gotta be Eunsang. Suwon(2nd)'s Kim Seungsu, Incheon's Lee Yonghoe shine too—but would they let him go mid-bloodbath? And they got cash.
"So, Eunsang picking up? I texted sneaky—no reply."
"You're awkward 'cause of age gap. You're 37, he's twenty years younger. What'd you even say?"
"You guys, respect your elders. Olmunt, you don't know? You two hang tight."
"Uh... no Kakao reply today."
Sorry, Hyeongjin-hyung. I saw it. Sent weird short-form yesterday. Probably showering at home.
Still, community rumor—not news. It'll hit?
Honestly thought if anyone, me, Paulo, or Hyeongjin. Merc forwards needed; GK form fits. Secretly, first-division call? I'd ponder. Gimpo's great, but goal's overseas.
Thus, anxious transfer window began.
"You're hiding something from me. Spill."
"Nope."
Glanced at Eunsang in training—no diff vibe. Crushed Chungbuk UTD in round 14, he added 1G 1A to 14G 5G 9A.
Still. Hearing Earth ends tomorrow? You'd tense up before bed. Good spot, but uneasy.
Kakao! That's why. Post-Chungbuk, pre-bed ping felt off. Earth won't end. Shoved anxiety down, unlocked phone.
Brain froze.
Eh?
What the—??? Ffs Earth ended. Gotta cling to coach crying. Got close with Eunsang. Easiest teammate? Outwardly foreigner, treated casual—but Korean roots. Gave juniors noogies. Why Minsoo calls me Munt-hyung. Beyond personal loss, big team hit.
Showed in next round vs. Seoul Ville in round 15. We eked home win last; their home tough.
"Olmunt, if I see Eunsang, one smack."
"Agreed..."
"Dares ditch me for first div alone."
Paulo snorted, surged forward. Miguel, Eunsang, him—kinda same vibe. Hope I don't look that way? But this game, same thought. Smack Eunsang's nape on sight.
Game stagnant. One reason: ace absence. Split me/Paulo? Less punch. Together? No supply. Post-Eunsang round 15 loss. Streak snapped.
Eunsang dribbles carve space; we exploit. No more, problems.
Round 16 Jeonnam Blue Dragons: me/Paulo fought, but stale—draw.
Team mood down. Streak to 1D 1L—fair. Highway crash jam feel. Need turnaround.
Coach knows, no rash yells. Just brooding. Can't read sunglass thoughts.
"Hoo..."
Smoke billowed. Nam Suhyeon facing reality lately. Dream till Eunsang news. 1D 1L no quick rebound.
"Hoo..."
Smoke with last Eunsang talk memory.
"Eunsang. Special here, not Pohang. Rethink."
"Know, coach. Raise salary then?"
"Go well."
Decent pay, though. Buy two vets? Wracked brain—no ideas. Pray no sales? Magic? Olmunt popped up. Revived Lee Junkyung, Yoo Minsoo, brought Kim Heemun. Sudden spike. Magic player. He'll fix this? Nam's worry ended lazily: 'Olmunt-ball' till new blood.