Golden Sun's Stormy Surge
The Goyagal forum was ablaze with hype over the results of the South Korea vs. North Korea showdown. Posts mocking the North Koreans dominated the popular threads, but users didn't forget to praise the South Korean players either.
Of course, the biggest wave of praise went to Seong Muk and Dong-hyuk.
"Coach Shin Chul, congratulations on the win against North Korea today! Lots of fans are curious about Ri Dong-hyuk's unusual usage—why go that far? Care to comment?"
To force three Ri Dong-hyuk vs. Kim Jung-cheol matchups, three different players rotated through right field. No DH meant even pitchers who didn't hit batted once or twice.
Fans wondering "why go that far...?" made total sense.
"...Ri Dong-hyuk is a player who'll lead South Korea someday. I didn't want to see that kind of talent suffer a lifetime under an unwanted label. This was my chance to cut it off clean and let him forge his own path."
"He was perfect at the plate and on the mound, so no backlash, but weren't you scared of a bad outcome?"
"First off, it wasn't just for that reason. He's the guy who knows North Korea best and has the skills, so I went bold. To set up those Kim Jung-cheol matchups, we shuffled the outfield a lot, which needed buy-in from the other fielders—but they all gladly empathized with Dong-hyuk's pain and understood."
"Guiding players with character like that? Greatest luck of my life."
"……."
Ri Dong-hyuk, listening from behind.
Something welled up in him, and he quietly turned toward the back of the dugout.
Seong Muk didn't miss it.
He followed right after.
"Hey, Dong-hyuk. You crying?"
"………."
"...Jeez, take your time."
Seong Muk patted his shoulder and turned back.
Just then, a notification pinged in Seong Muk's ear.
Baekdu Bloodline Clash Concluded.
Kim Jung-cheol (S) vs. Ri Dong-hyuk (A+) ends 3:0—Ri Dong-hyuk wins.
Ri Dong-hyuk's latent keyword Baekdu Bloodline (A+) upgrades to Baekdu Bloodline (S)!
"Oh...!?"
First time since Do Do-jin's plate vision potential boost. Seong Muk was pretty shocked. Must've been his huge game—stat up pings kept coming.
Ri Dong-hyuk's Control: A → A+
Ri Dong-hyuk's Stamina: C → C+
Ri Dong-hyuk's Stamina Potential: → A
Ri Dong-hyuk's Pitch Power Potential: → A+
He pulled up Ri Dong-hyuk's status window right away.
Name: Ri Dong-hyuk
Nationality: Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Age: 19
Height: 178cm
Skill/Core:Nuclear Submarine (S)
Increases ground ball rate on contact.
Latent Keywords:Baekdu Bloodline (S), Control Master (*S), Adapter (*S)
Stamina: C+ (*A)
Control: A+ (*S)
Pitch Power: B+ (*A+)
Fastball: A (*A+)
Breaking Balls: A+ (*S)
├ Upshot: A+
├ Slider: A
└ Sinker: S
'Whoa, his upside just blew wide open...?'
Stamina and pitch power potentials were low before. Now ceilings shattered. The price of snatching Kim Jung-cheol's Baekdu Bloodline? Sweet. Grind stamina training and he could start someday.
'Kim Jung-cheol's Baekdu Bloodline dropped from S to B+.'
Back in NK like that? Rough road ahead. Seong Muk figured if Dong-hyuk later stole eldest son Kim Jung-hong's too, he could hit heavenly pitcher body.
And the North Korea win didn't just upgrade Dong-hyuk. Another ping echoed.
North Korea Game Won! Match victory stat bonus applied!
User's Contact stat: B+ → A
User's Defense stat: B+ → A
"Ooh...!"
Stat boost right on cue.
Seong Muk grinned and opened his status.
Name: Geum Seong-muk
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Age: 19 (Sr. HS)
Height: 192cm
Affiliation: Munhyeok High School
Skill/Core:Solar Divine Vein (EX)
Boiling yang energy like the sun surges from lower body, boosting whole-body power. On intense excitement, stats rise up to 3 levels based on hype. Caster chooses boosted stat.
Latent Keywords:Heavenly Pitcher Body (EX+), Heavenly Hitter Body (EX)
Stamina: A+ (*S)
Control: A
Fastball: A+ (*S+)
Pitch Power: A (*S+)
Breaking Balls: A (*S)
├ 12-6 Curve: A
├ Sweeper: A
└ Circle Changeup: A+
Power: A+ (*S+)
Contact: A (*S)
Speed: A (*S)
Plate Vision: A
Defense: A
Arm: S (*S+)
'Kya, insane...!'
No more B stats for Seong Muk.
With Solar Divine Vein, any stat hits S.
'...Just three months to get here.'
Seong Muk swelled with emotion.
In that short time, he'd lived denser than anyone.
Bone-grinding effort, maniacal game-winning hustle, bonds forged with many.
Gazing at Wembley Diamond's vista, he thought:
'Just one foe left.'
America.
The country chasing Korea's baseball supremacy title with its talent pool and cash firepower.
Recent national team results were neck-and-neck, making them a real threat.
'Wait up, you Yankee long-noses.'
Seong Muk resolved.
Last final—he'd burn it blazing.
"Phew, finally done...!"
Do Doyeon, after wrapping major tasks.
She'd basically only watched Seong Muk's games amid nonstop work—now some breathing room.
She scrambled for UK flight tickets. But despair hit quick.
"No... tickets...?"
UK flights sold out clean.
Baseball-mad nation—international games meant snag tickets early or bust.
Never traveled abroad due to money woes, so clueless Do Doyeon. No Seong Muk sighting? Head in hands.
Then, her lifeline dropped.
"Doyeon-ah, thinking of catching the final?"
"The final? No way...?!"
"Yeah, that one. Association prez sent UK flights and game tix my way, but I'm swamped so can't go. If you need 'em..."
"I need 'em, like desperately!!"
"Ah, uh, right..."
Ticket secured—flight and game, two sets. Who to bring?
'Do-jin's deep in training...'
Calls barely connected, beastly noises in background—he wouldn't spill on training, leaving Do Doyeon miffed.
"Ah, that girl..."
One girl popped in her head.
Noah.
Suspected rival at first, but her cheery "cheer for sis!" vibe led to frequent chats now.
"UK for the final? Awesome...!!"
Noah accepted eagerly.
But Do Doyeon wondered.
"That okay? You're in school term..."
"Totally fine—school's for fun, so skip for bigger fun anytime...!"
"R-Really...?"
Model student Do Doyeon—never skipped once as a kid. Noah's fun-first mindset? Worlds apart.
First overseas trip nerves eased with Noah tagging along.
'...Seong-muk-ah, noona's coming!'
USA final looming, Do Doyeon and Noah locked UK bound. Seong Muk's women gathering on the battlefield.