Revival (1)
[Shaky Gimpo. Clash with Rising Gyeongnam]
[Incheon, Suwon, Gimpo. Fierce Title Race Begins]
[Olmunt's Revival? Coach Nam Suhyeon Shows Confidence in Interview...]
Hmm...
One thing that's clear from scanning these articles is how domestic soccer just doesn't hold its buzz. Did my slump hit right when things went viral?
News about Gimpo, which would've flooded the sports sections before, has definitely tapered off.
Of course, for a second-division side, even this much coverage is something to be grateful for.
"Aigoo... Aigoo..."
What's with all the groaning? Even if we've been grinding non-stop physical training together.
That's a hundred percent sulk advertising. Normally, he'd be sprawled out snoring on the bus.
"Aigoo, my back... My bones are aching something fierce."
"Aching?"
"My whole body's killing me. Aigoo~"
Unbelievable. What if I pretend not to get it?
"Jag är sjuk (I'm sick)."
"Win today's match, and I'll buy you food, hyung."
Better soothe him quick before he darkens further.
"What're you on about? You could've just been training hard. You're solid as a rock. Hahaha!"
Just like that, Chaewoo hyung was out cold again as the bus pulled into Changwon Stadium, home of Gyeongnam Twin Towers.
I laced up my cleats, the familiar sabak of studs crunching into the pitch.
For the last four games, stepping onto the field had felt so heavy, such a burden...
Now, I'd truly shaken off Yoon Jongmun's ghost. All that remained was victory.
Thud!
Thud!
"Olmunt. You got bad blood with the Gyeongnam Twin Towers coach or something?"
"Why?"
"He's glaring at you like you're his parents' murderer."
Thud.
What nonsense is this? I shot a glance at the Gyeongnam bench.
Sure enough, a scorching gaze burned over.
"— Condition — it's fucked —"
I caught his lips mouthing it. Our eyes met, and he whipped his head away.
What's Park Jintaek's deal? Racking my brain, even digging into old Olmunt memories—nothing.
"Nah, probably just my imagination."
"Hmm, victims always remember, perpetrators forget."
Paulo's words made me double-check. Still nothing. Maybe just marking me tight?
I couldn't have done anything wrong. Or is it another targeted clamp-down?
And my hunch nailed it.
"Looks like you owe Gyeongnam's players big time."
Chaewoo hyung grinned as we shook hands and headed back. What, does Park Jintaek slip curses into his tactics?
Now I'm excited. How's he gonna stop me? Dirty tricks? Bring it—that'll test if I've truly overcome it.
Tweet!
Gyeongnam kicked off. Felt like they weren't sticking to me as tight as expected.
Until they lost possession, that is.
"Urk!"
"No foul?"
Donghan hyung bulldozed their foreign merc tough-style and snatched the ball. Our eyes locked.
But instantly, two guys mauled me rough. Couldn't pass right away.
These two? Amateurs next to Donghan hyung.
While Dojin hyung long-balled to Chaewoo hyung, I shouldered into the left marker, staggering him.
Ignored the right one and bolted.
Riiip!
Jersey tugged but held. Should've kept up.
With my markers shredded so easily, the box yawned open.
Higher than the rushing keeper, I headered home my comeback goal.
"Waaaaah!"
Not many away fans since it's Gyeongnam's turf, but their passionate cheers filled the chilled Changwon Stadium.
"Knew it! Need you for golden boot!"
"Still miles to pay back that brace you cost me, punk!"
"Ollluuuunt! Hngguuuu!"
Teammates' roars celebrating my slump-buster, plus Heemun—stay back, kid, snot's gross.
"Eeeeek!"
Some furious yell from somewhere, but couldn't pinpoint, so whatever.
Pretty sure I know who, but he's red as autumn leaves—scary to look at.
Early opener put Gyeongnam on the back foot. Their counter-setup left them no choice.
They crafted counters now and then, but Donghan hyung stonewalled every time.
"Azah!"
"Aak!"
Grunts and groans alternating with every block. But blocked is blocked, right?
Surprisingly, Donghan hyung—long-pass wizard for his style—threaded a sharp one to Jaeyoon hyung.
"Hey hey!"
I dragged two defenders, carving space.
Jaeyoon hyung's curler kissed the keeper's fingers, over the line sadly.
Then came my least favorite—former least favorite—corner kicks.
"Hey! Mark tight!"
"Stick closer!"
"Rough 'em up!"
Ugh... sweat stench. Grass scent vanishes—worst moment.
Overseas games, keepers get manhandled like rats. Why do we spawn human centipedes of markers and blockers?
"This too much, ref?"
Dojin hyung protested, but zilch.
Wanna shove 'em off, but Heemun's straining beside me. Jaeyoon hyung and Chaewoo hyung blocking incoming—shove risks hurting them.
So no shoving back, no shoving forward. Classic lamppost stance, holding firm.
Gyeongnam guys pushing me looked flustered. Tough luck—gotta protect my team.
Unless it drops perfect on my head. This corner? Skip. I'm no Samson.
Tweet!
Kvirin smirked his signature grin, lofting a low-fast corner right to me.
Ha... Munich class?
Shook off the desperate shoulder-grabbers, stationary leaped.
My hang time shocked even me. Ball was already there.
Thwack!
Header past keeper's dive. No power needed—awkward angle anyway.
Wrenched my neck full-force, redirecting it.
Off-balance keeper watched it drop high and hopeless.
Thud... pat pat.
Yeah. This is physicality! Fully grasped now.
Glanced at bench: Coach in blissed-out ecstasy. Park Jintaek looked soul-lost.
Park Jintaek aside. Since when does our coach make that face?
Halftime 2-0. Locker room partied.
Donghan hyung beamed.
"Told ya! Shock therapy's key. Consulted pros, executed perfectly."
Hyeongjin hyung predicted internet explosion from today's game—consistent as ever.
Dojin hyung, out of character, thanked our efforts. Minsu and Heemun teared up.
Chaewoo hyung checked my bruise. Guess the grudge is gone for real.
Everyone cared about my slump—grateful. I was blind to it then. Time to repay.
"Olmunt. Don't need much. Just gift me two goals."
Damn. Steal his golden boot? Feels doable.
Bit it back, lined up for second half.
Tweet!
The booth lost it over me gracefully shouldering off the press. Not just them.
"No way that's not a foul?"
"Calm down. Fair shoulder charge."
"Fair my ass! My boys tumbling! VAR?"
"Keep it up, you're out. Back to your seat."
"What? Hey, you hack. Botch the call then eject me?"
Uh...
What just happened? I won the duel, fed Paulo for an assist.
But this? Chaos settled only after Gyeongnam's coach and a few staff got red-carded.
Then Gyeongnam crumbled listlessly to a 5-0 thrashing. I nabbed 2 goals, 2 assists—first MVP interview in ages.
"Hello, Olmunt. Gimpo demolished with your 2G2A. Thoughts?"
"Rough patch lately, but teammates and coach pulled me through the slump. Especially Donghan hyung changed me."
"If it's not too personal, what help?"
"Uh..."
How to explain? Reporter's smile'll turn awkward.
"Back-tackled me. Shock therapy. Showed how tough I am."
"That's our MVP interview! Thanks!"
"Why only with me?! Olmunt!"
Post-interview, her frustrated scolding. Sorry, really.