Jarl Olmunt (1)
Captain's armband, huh...
I've never even considered it.
That message flashed through my mind, but I really had no idea.
I figured it would go to Dojin sunbae or Donghan sunbae, naturally.
Can I really do this? A foreign captain usually carries special weight.
Like someone from Manchester United, heir to Ferguson's legacy, or a guy who's poured his heart into the team.
Am I at that level?
A yellow band with a bold black C strapped to my thick forearm.
We took a quick photo with the armband on location. The coach said they wanted to wait until preseason training to announce it, instead of before the season.
The reactions seem split between "Good call" and "Isn't it too soon?"
I was staring at the comments in a daze when...
"So you're Captain Sweden now, hyung?"
"Hm..."
Minsu's innocent question made me ponder. Captain Sweden doesn't quite have the right ring. Maybe Captain America, but nah. Same with Korea.
Captain... captain. The word itself doesn't fit me from the start.
Right. I'm a Viking. Not a captain.
That's when a word bubbled up from Olmunt's memories.
"Minsu. I'm a jarl."
"Huh? Yar~ like this?"
"Tch. Study some history."
I brushed off Minsu, who looked hurt, and focused on what I needed to do now.
I'm the captain, after all. What's next? Giwon looks like he needs some pushing.
"Giwon. Too easy, huh?"
"Huh? No, sir! I was just about to do more!"
Giwon scrambled up from his break and started training again. Yeah, that's a prospect for you.
Maybe because I've been riding him hard, Giwon's stamina has noticeably improved. Now I'm actually looking forward to the season.
Time to show the results of our training in these practice matches. Same for Jaemin, Jisung too. Preseason results will make or break us.
The first match of this training camp is against Ryukyu FC, as mentioned. They're from Japan's third division, representing Okinawa Prefecture. Think something like Tamra FC for context.
It's our first game against a pro team since promotion to the first division, so the squad's mindset is sharp. It's important for me too.
After all, it's my unofficial captain debut.
Clap! Clap!
The coach picked up on the vibe and clapped to rally us, starting a quick briefing.
"Alright. First half, we'll go with my best eleven. Second half, we'll test some tactics and rotations."
A few faces stiffened at the coach's blunt words.
"Yeah, some of you might gripe about subbing in late. But let me flip it: look around."
Everyone froze for a second—except me. I had a pretty good idea what he meant.
"We're short on bodies. Second half, we'll simulate scenarios. I don't run a one-eleven season. Variables will hit, and you grab those chances."
The coach nodded, satisfied, at the fired-up rotation and prospects.
"So go show me. Then I'll slot you right into the gaps."
Our eyes met then.
Ah, what Chaewoo sunbae used to do.
"Alright, let's go!"
Like this?
"Woooaaah!" "Let's crush 'em!"
Tougher than I thought. Like playing the one big hit on percussion in a classical concert.
"You've got a knack for it. Knew I was right."
Dojin sunbae patted my shoulder with inexplicable praise and led the team out.
Eh. Feels better than expected. The armband on my left arm still feels awkward, but I'll get used to it running around.
Beep!
Ryukyu FC is basically J3 League, so they're underdogs against us.
Still, they have that organized Japanese passing and movement down pat.
Lucky for us, new guys Taehoon Shin and Yonghyeon Joo are stepping up nicely.
"Focus! That #9 keeps breaking through."
Taehoon is filling Hyeongjin's spot solidly since he went to Japan, stonewalling the opponent's Brazilian duo's shots.
As I got used to Ryukyu's patterns, I spotted prey.
A short, scrawny defender. Nakazaki... was it?
Quick eye contact with Paulo, switch, and boom—collided with Nakazaki.
"Eh-eh?"
He put up a fight with that classic Japanese sound effect, but Yonghyeon's pass was perfection. Versatile midfielder for a reason.
Shoulder-checked Nakazaki aside and slid it to the penetrating Paulo.
"Azasu!"
Who even knows where Paulo picks up these words anymore? He devoured my pass deliciously.
The first-half starters were dominating as expected. Japan's rise or not, we're first division; they're third. Obvious.
Problem's their Brazilian defender, Marcus Hosha. Sneaky style.
We've got Donghan sunbae making their Brazilians cry with tough play, but it's different vibes.
Donghan's like a straight punch coming at you. Marcus sneaks in a stab to the ribs and bolts.
Annoying as hell. Tried me a few times, failed, now he's fouling others worse.
"Ha... that bastard. Does nothing to you but picks on me."
Jaeyoon sunbae, on left wing this game, was the first victim. No VAR in friendlies.
Kept eating elbows.
He tried me too. Felt something hit my waist.
Smack!
Ignored the body check and headed one in. Priceless monster-stare from him.
Why not play fair? Would've scored anyway.
Should stop here, but nah—acting like Asian Champions. Elbows everywhere?
Even Junkyung sunbae on right wing got elbow-assassinated, and now I'm heating up.
"Aren't you going easy? Our players keep taking elbows."
Protest as captain, but useless. Practice game, they think no big deal.
Fine by me, but second half worries me. Can Jaemin survive that snake's elbows?
"Good, very satisfied. Lots of changes second half."
Lots rotated in. Wings still thin, so I was on.
Winger as Olmunt? First time since slump.
Heh heh heh. Pumped to whip in crosses again.
Second half was tighter. Our thin depth, as expected.
"Jisung! Right!" "Huh? Got it!"
Jisung brainfarted early, let in a goal, but since then he's handling their foreigners well under Hantae sunbae's coaching.
Giwon too—my nagging paid off. Holding his own against Ryukyu vets in midfield.
"Munt hyung!"
Giwon shook pressure with a godly turn and fed me. Worth babying in Gimpo.
Thud!
One perk of winger over target man: maximizes my speed.
Wind feels nice slicing past. Even a casual loft, and Ryukyu's fullback's way behind.
Nice cross to Minsu in position, but...
Whiff!
Homers it like Thai Chiang Mai fireworks. No assist.
Wonder if that'll fly in first division. Physique's improved, though.
Minsu glances at coach, thumbs-up at me—then Dojin sunbae smacks him.
"Shoot straight instead of that!"
Second half dragged overall. No Yonghyeon—good all-around—and ball's hard to get.
Ryukyu missing starters too, so long balls galore.
Jinho sunbae lays it short to MZ defender, who pings a perfect long one to Jaemin.
Jaemin wins shoulder duel with Marcus, sprints for better spot.
Jaemin should've had it.
"Argh!" "Beep! Beep!"
Until Marcus's elbow smashed his face, Jaemin's scream echoing.
Foul called, but Marcus acts like Jaemin dived, yanking him up while he's writhing.
Enough to piss off all of Gimpo.
"Hey! What the hell you doing?" "Ah... sumimasen."
Dojin sunbae's protest panics Ryukyu players, but shameless Marcus stands out.
"Hey... let go. Elbowing kids in practice? "Hey, Korean shut the fuck up. He's a fucking diver!"
Donghan sunbae and Marcus squaring off in their languages, teammates pulling them apart.
I scooped up raging Donghan sunbae with both hands and shoved him behind me.
"Hey... easy!"
Ignored Dojin sunbae's sudden chill and approached Marcus.
He clocked my strength, looked scared, but puffed up from pride.
"Want me to lay you out like him?"
Ha... Chaewoo sunbae would've calmed it and protested to ref.
But I'm a jarl. Viking Jarl Olmunt needs to rip this guy apart to feel right.
Marcus, you're done.