Revival (2)
Click!
Tap... tap tap...
"Good. Now I can finally make my Instagram public again... urk."
Donghan hyung shot me another emotional look.
This is so unfair. I just wanted to explain in detail how I overcame my trauma.
Maybe because of the earlier fiasco. All the misunderstandings piled up, and the moment someone yelled about the tackle from behind, the interview wrapped up in a flash.
The reporter who'd been venting her frustration after hearing my story started tearing up again...
But she left happily, saying her SNS followers skyrocketed every time she interviewed me.
You need that kind of mental fortitude to be a reporter, huh? Unfortunately, not everyone seems that tough.
A bunch of coincidences led to the accident. And that video spread like wildfire across various SNS platforms.
The one who took the full brunt of the fallout wasn't me or the reporter—it was Donghan hyung, who'd delivered that brutal tackle.
Donghan hyung became the crazy guy who'd viciously tackled me out of nowhere. Hate comments started flooding in on him.
Of course, he's known for his rough, provocative play style—he's been in hot water a few times before. But that was soccer talk. Interest limited to fans of Korean soccer.
This was national attention.
These were the tame ones. There were insults about his parents, his family... way worse stuff.
Even people who didn't care about soccer joined the hate fest. In that madness, even Donghan hyung—the craziest guy I knew—lost his cool for a bit.
Thankfully, posting that photo helped calm things down a little. I'm so sorry. It was a genuine thank-you from the heart. Who knew it'd cause this mess?
If Donghan hyung slumps because of this, we're in trouble.
He's a defender who notches 5 goals and 5 assists despite his position—the Korean Ramos who comes off the bench to deliver clutch moments when games stall. Gotta soothe him properly.
Luckily, the post helped settle public opinion. And through various interviews, he managed to douse the flames with some non-apology apologies.
Once things wrapped up, Donghan hyung seemed secretly thrilled that the hot reporter apologized to him. Married man playing with fire.
Still, this unexpected chaos let me learn the full story behind my tackle incident.
Kang Dosik, you madman... Even so, what if I'd gotten hurt?
He probably planned to use the same method that slightly improved my condition in my past life. Too bad it didn't work out, and I retired and died instead.
But convincing Dojin hyung? That was unexpected. We've only known each other a short time, and he's going this far...
So I sent him a text.
Ding!
The classic tsundere response. Brat. All that nurturing I poured into him is paying off—his social skills are growing by leaps and bounds.
Still, with my slump behind me and the team back on track, I felt great.
Busan - Seoul (V-League) - Bucheon.
We won all three straight, closing the gap on Suwon and Incheon once more.
As the season heads into the late stages, mid-table teams are landing lucky punches against Incheon and Suwon.
The more games we play, the narrower the gap gets.
We just need to keep pushing steadily. Bide our time for the direct matchups.
**
"Heh heh... heh heh heh... heh heh heh heh heh."
Coach Nam Suhyeon let out disbelieving chuckles as he stared at the league standings.
When he took over, Olmunt was just some second-division scrub. A player he'd soon forget.
But right before the season kicked off, he transformed into a solid mid-to-upper-tier foreign striker. He kept improving, and now... who knows where his ceiling is.
Younger than expected, with this kind of growth...
Thanks to that, Nam Suhyeon had been holding nightly meetings with the coaches lately. All about what happens after Olmunt leaves.
"How about we knock him out so he can't go?" "..." "I'm serious, Coach. Is there any player in this league who can hit 15 goals and 20 assists right now?" "So we knock him out?" "Exactly!" "Wh... Coach Park, got any other ideas?"
Nam Suhyeon pleaded with his eyes, but...
"If we can't keep him, sell him for big money."
Coach Park's eyes were gleaming too.
"Pardon?" "Just scam some Chinese club for 2 billion won or whatever. That'd fix everything, right?" "You're all insane."
Of course, no solid plans yet.
If we promote to the first division next season, he'll probably dominate there too. Then Europe is inevitable. No doubt.
He's seen countless players as a coach and player, but this one's a first. Something different even from Korean players who've made it to Europe.
Instinct tells him he needs to prepare for a post-Olmunt era.
And deep down, watching recent games, he's realized: If things stay like this, I won't grow as a coach.
Lob it high, he scores. Opponents isolate him? Drop deep as a false nine. Long shots? He developed them himself. Physical battles? He overcame them on his own.
Even half-assed attack tactics turn into goals. He grows automatically. Like a Mars rover or something.
That's why it's grateful yet resentful. If he suddenly gets this good and bolts, what about us left behind?
"Coach Nam Suhyeon!"
Huh?
"Coach Nam Suhyeon!" "If you don't come out soon, it's a yellow. No more delaying the throw-in—get out there." "Sorry. Got lost in tactics."
Nam Suhyeon played it cool with the ref and stepped out, then checked the scoreboard with a start.
Making mistakes mid-game? His mind had wandered too far. They were up by one precarious goal just moments ago.
His head spun. Right up until he saw the board.
"Hahaha! Hahahahaha!"
Incheon coach Yoon Jeonghyeon stared at him like he'd lost it, but Nam Suhyeon laughed heartily.
Those two extra goals? No doubt Olmunt. Now he truly gets what auto-farming means.
If Incheon slips just once more...
That thought lingered in Nam Suhyeon's mind.
It vanished quick when Kim Heemun's blunder let Mugoza score, sparking his rage—but that slim possibility had begun flickering dimly in the Gimpo squad.
**
Hmm...
"Enough staring. Get ready for training. It's not like that'll change the results."
Even as Dojin hyung scolded me, I kept glaring at my phone. Incheon clung to first by a hair—close enough to taste, but not quite.
No point deduction for Incheon? No hero to upset them?
We're just 2 points back. Thanks to me and Paulo, we've got an insane goal difference, but it only matters if points tie.
About 5 games left. We're on a hot streak in the second half.
But Mugoza's caught fire late-season, so Incheon's holding firm too.
Just one draw. One draw and we could catch them.
"Incheon's losses are simple." "What?" "Heemun gifted Mugoza a goal."
Damn you, punk.
"Sorry, okay? Eek!" "That goal started it—Mugoza gets at least two per game now. Unforgivable, Heemun."
Every training since, he rags on Heemun like this. Perfect timing for the kid's starting streak to blow up.
Youngjae and Minsu just sigh in relief watching. Yeah, it was a dumb giveaway.
They try cracking lame jokes to hide the tension, but the squad's vibe is shifting. Getting quieter, maybe.
As the season nears its end, relegation and title races—across first and second divisions—have everyone's attention.
Mostly first-division stuff, sure.
Second division's fiercer than ever—attention rivals the top flight.
Riding that wave, our squad's starting to feel it too.
Four games left.
"Incheon! Incheon!"
Right after the whistle, Chaewoo hyung and Donghan hyung grilled the benchwarmers.
"Tch... they won again."
Hantae hyung smacked his lips and shared the score.
"You got your phone?" "Nah, asked the fans. They told me."
Junkyung hyung and I marveled. Veterans are on another level.
Three games left. Please, someone—brother club, anyone—throw one.
"Wooooah!" "Incheon lost?"
Before the cheers died, Hyeongjin hyung dashed back after saving a late penalty and asked. Sadly, Incheon crushed Busan.
Two games left. Might as well give up. They won't slip.
Runner-up's solid. Prep for playoffs. We edged FC Chunnam with a last-gasp goal.
Won the battle, lost the war. Direct promotion slipped away. So close.
Sighing, I glanced around—but victory roars swelled louder.
Then Kvirin, subbed early today, bounded over.
"Incheon lost 1-0 to Anyang! Incheon lost 1-0 to Anyang! Incheon lost 1-0 to Anyang!" "Wooooaaah!"
The stadium's gradient roar clicked instantly.
Incheon lost with one game left. Meaning: We're top by a single point.
"Calm down, calm down. One game remains!"
Dojin hyung said it, but his face betrayed the thrill.
Title and direct promotion. Those words inch closer.
One point apart. The crown falls in the final 2025 match: vs. Suwon Red Motors.