Olmunt, the Mascot (3)

What did I even say…

I can't remember a single word. I think I managed to say roughly what I'd planned while Coach was whipping me into shape.

Or did I? Did I tense up so much that I blanked out completely?

"Why were you so nervous? Hey, I told you—Yongbeom hyung isn't like that."

Chaewoo sunbae tried to act tough as he spoke to me, but no matter how much he puffed up, he couldn't hide the way one of his legs was trembling.

"Trembling legs mean bad luck."

He grabbed his leg in a panic at my words, but it was already too late.

"Hey, it's just a habit. A habit. How do you, a foreigner, even know that? See you tomorrow."

Watching Chaewoo sunbae scurry out in embarrassment, the tension from earlier melted away.

The shoot had a relaxed vibe, but it was something I'd never do again.

For one, even if you're a huge soccer fan, working with a bigwig like the mayor feels like scaling a market stall cliff. And second, deliberately speaking Korean a bit clumsily was another hurdle.

Come to think of it, I could probably speak fluently by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now. But if I did, I'd get protest texts from fans of my old team, Jeonnam Blue Dragons.

Why didn't you do that with our team? Were you slacking off? I'm still getting some from Jeonnam fans even now.

Sorry, Jeonnam Blue Dragons fans. But it's a bit unfair. Still, sorry.

"Olmunt-ssi. Good thing I found you—I was looking for you."

The one who snapped me out of my self-flagellation was none other than Mayor Jang Yongbeom.

"Ah, Mayor. The video turned out great today."

"No, no. Haha."

The mayor paused thoughtfully before getting to the point.

"I think Gimpo needs to put up some fireworks this time to survive."

"Pardon?"

"I had a feeling. You've been banking on solid investments for at least two years, right? Without thinking about what comes after."

It hit me right in the gut, but I kept a poker face with the innocent smile of a pure-hearted Swedish lad. Three terms as mayor really sharpens you.

I didn't answer, just stared blankly, and the mayor continued right away.

"Gimpo needs something solid. Once my term ends, you won't see investments like this. I love soccer more than most politicians, after all."

"Pardon?"

"Even if you promote once and play in the Ace Championship, doing it twice or three times won't be easy. You might not see it now, but someday you can do it again. As a Gimpo citizen, I'll always cheer for you. Seems like you love Gimpo even more than I do. Heh heh heh."

As soon as he finished, the mayor shook my hand once and left.

With those meaningful words:

"You'll be Gimpo City's mascot soon enough."

I'd clearly been misunderstood big-time. But anyway, that was that. If we don't promote now, we're in deep trouble.

I need to do it for myself too, but the goal is to climb to the first division cheap, shine, and become a target for European clubs.

The YouTube video would go up soon, public opinion was turning positive, and we'd secure investments if we promoted—even if conditional. Now all that's left ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is real soccer.

Just play well, promote. Who's next?

Ah, damn—Cheonan.

I have almost no bad feelings toward Cheonan fans. If anything, I'm grateful.

Beep!

Still, a game's a game.

Lately, Coach's new obsession is deploying me as an extreme free-roamer. I rampage, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Poacher Paulo cleans up.

The instructions are fading as the game goes on, which is disorienting, but it's effective.

This match started the same way, no surprises.

Cheonan stuck three or more on me whenever I got the ball. They seemed wary of my physicality but couldn't quite cling without fouling.

It might've worked. If not for one thing they overlooked.

Jaeyoon sunbae was putting on a near-perfect performance.

Jaeyoon sunbae was a veteran winger hardened in the first division, dribbling his main weapon. This was his first time in the second division in his career.

Quick one-twos with me let him surge up the flank, proving he was the crack replacement for Eun-sang in no time—he shredded their fullback.

The cost of ignoring him while fixating on me? A pinpoint cross straight to Paulo.

Splash!

It turned into the opener.

"Olmunt, drop deeper!"

Joy at the goal was short-lived—Coach spotted it instantly and ordered me lower.

I shifted to a second-line role. As I dropped, space opened up behind.

Like now.

"Mark him!"

The second I received Dojin sunbae's forward pass after dropping, pressure came on.

I kept calm, kept it close, then backheeled it through the onrushing opponent's legs. The nutmegged guy's face flushed red.

Before it turned crimson, the ball reached Kvirin Moll. His trademark precise switch found Chaewoo sunbae.

No goal this time, but we created real threats repeatedly.

The more I dropped centrally, the more Cheonan's players dragged down with me, leaving space behind.

And we had Kvirin and Jaeyoon sunbae to exploit it.

I just had to drag their defense down, shake off pressure here and there, and feed Kvirin.

Two midfielders on me now. I feinted to Kvirin, then abruptly switched back.

"Urk!"

A choked yelp, and the trailing player slipped.

I knew him too. Felt bad for a second. But his partner stuck doggedly.

Me slipping free would be fatal, after all. I passed to Kvirin and charged into the box.

Cheonan wasn't dumb—they swarmed Paulo the instant the ball went to Kvirin.

Paulo's faint Brazilian DNA shines in moments like this.

Thwack!

Brazilian bounce in action—Paulo sprang like a pogo stick.

Thud!

A weak header thud from Paulo's skull.

Cheonan defenders sighed in relief.

But the ball dropped neither too high nor too hard.

Plenty of time for me to reach it and volley.

"Don't relax! Block!"

The guy who'd lost me cried out desperately, but I was already bulleting forward, set to strike.

The ball hit the turf and bounced—I smashed it.

A half-volley.

Kwaaang!

I held back to avoid a full Baekdu-san eruption, but the sound was unreal.

And right after that freak noise from my boot came another.

Pwoook! Fizz!

Should've rippled the net, but something weird sounded instead.

The ball's trajectory was a blur—even to me, something was off.

Did it not go in? Did I sky it? Then—

A beat late, the roar erupted.

Waaaaaaaaah!

"When'd you practice volleys?!"

Only when Paulo latched onto me, screaming, did I realize it was in.

Too focused, I guess. Didn't even hear the ref's whistle.

Before the 40th minute, 2-0 against Cheonan Skies—they looked like they'd cry.

On the way in at halftime, a Cheonan fan in uniform sobbed and yelled at me.

Wasn't curses… something about if I were healthy, Cheonan promotion or whatever. Didn't catch it.

Second half kicked off, and Cheonan eased off me, back to normal.

Probably because I was dropping as Coach wanted, linking play—they loosened marks, kinda undermining the drop.

Whatever—head back up. Momentum was ours. Just wait for chances.

Then Heemun, solid today, cut an attack and fed Jinho sunbae right away.

Jinho sunbae, Kvirin's partner, wasn't flashy—strong at sweeping, covering ground. Lacked finesse but endured and ran. Like now.

"Press!"

Cheonan mid pressed as Jinho's touch bobbled, but he shielded masterfully and linked to Chaewoo sunbae.

Chance. Chaewoo grabbed it and bolted left.

I jogged to match his speed, spotting Cheonan's defenders' grim faces. No wonder—they'd struggled with Jaeyoon and Paulo all half, now me too.

Living up to expectations, Chaewoo whipped in a cross from the perfect spot. I ramped up.

Diagonal run, beat the offside trap. Low cross landed right on my foot.

Could shoot, but Paulo's the season's top scorer. I'm assists king, so backheel to him.

I'm dominating assists, but Incheon's Mugoza makes goals tight.

Splash!

Paulo slotted home the gift.

"Olmunt! If I win top scorer, I'll buy Swedish food for sure!"

"I like kimchi jjigae."

Paulo laughed it off as a joke. But for real…

Buy me meatballs? I'll stuff you with kimchi.

*

In a dark room, Dosik munched dry snacks, watching the match contentedly.

"Yeah. That's real talent."

Even to him, Olmunt was unique. Could a physical brute evolve like this?

Dosik chuckled after a moment's thought and kept watching. To him, Olmunt was like a parting gift from a friend.

"Gotta make the gift last."

Drurrk!

He aired out the room, then ditched the lopsided game for his tablet.

"This'll test you…"

Dosik muttered, his face tinged with unusual anxiety and tension.