The Cheolwon Triumph - Part 2
The score gap had widened to seven runs by the third inning.
And they were giving up home runs in every single inning, bleeding points like that.
They needed to claw back just as much, but the opposing ace, Kim Eol, was putting on a hell of a show.
Three perfect innings right out of the gate.
In a high-altitude ballpark like this, sinkers and two-seamers had the edge, and he was a master of the sinker.
He'd kept it hidden from the national team—not wanting to show it off unless he had to—and now it was shining today. Every batter who swung ended up pounding one into the ground.
'This is getting dangerous.'
Geum Seong-muk gritted his teeth.
If they didn't create some turning point now, the game would end before they could even lift the team's spirits. Munhyeok High's summer would be over just like that. The lineup had come alive once already; it was time for a quick word to fire them up.
"Hey, guys."
Seong-muk's low, gravelly voice drew every eye as he leaned on his bat and stood.
"Feels like my body's loosening up now. You guys feeling it too?"
The sudden question made them blink, then chuckle one by one.
Reactions rippled out.
"Ahh, you too? Same here."
"Just cleared my head too, Amitabha."
Ryu Ji and Seok Un-gang jumped in first.
Then Do Dojin and Ji Suyong followed.
"Obviously. Was just about to start getting on base."
"Krahaha! Sea man Ji Suyong! Time to conquer the mountains too!!"
The rest of the teammates steeled themselves in turn.
Under Seong-muk's lead, they piled their hands together.
"Alright, let's go grab some runs! Munhyeok High!!"
"Fighting!!"
And so the game moved to the top of the fourth.
Munhyeok High's offense fired up again.
The leadoff hitter, number one Choi Adam, strolled to the plate.
Rooooar—
The vuvuzelas blared once more.
In the first inning, it had just been that annoying drone, but now it was different.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
"Choi Adam! Choi Adam! Choi Adam!!"
Drums pounded rhythmically alongside the cheers.
He smirked as he settled into his stance.
"Azat!"
A short shout, and Choi Adam dug in. With that solid backing from the crowd, it really felt like he could pull it off now.
"Oh ho, looks like everyone's locked in and ready."
Kim Eol narrowed his eyes, slyly gauging the Munhyeok hitters' vibe.
He kept firing his sinker, still eating wood like crazy.
Thwack!
"Strike!"
Thwack!
"Ball!"
The sinker danced half a ball's width in and out of the zone.
Choi Adam didn't flinch, didn't swing.
Count went to 1-1.
From the third pitch, his bat started moving.
Crack!
"Foul!"
Crack!
"Foul!"
It might've looked like luck, but it wasn't.
Thwack!
"Ball!"
"Tch."
Kim Eol's face soured just a bit.
Count at 2-2.
He unleashed pitch eleven.
Crack!
"……!"
Choi Adam smashed Kim Eol's sinker dead-on.
The ball rocketed straight at the pitcher's chest like a bullet.
"Eol!!"
The catcher yelped in shock.
But Kim Eol didn't blink.
Thud!
He snagged it barehanded right in front of his face.
Choi Adam's liner vanished into the glove.
"Out!"
"Argh, damn it…!!"
Choi Adam hopped mad, unable to contain his frustration.
If Kim Eol hadn't grabbed it, that was a sure hit. The regret stung extra hard.
'…Thought I was dead.'
Truth was, Kim Eol just hadn't had time to react.
He kept his poker face like nothing happened.
One out, no runners.
If Choi Adam had reached first, his S+ baserunning would've stolen second in a flash and threatened with men in scoring position right away. Tough break, no runners on.
But the next hitter filled that void.
Crack!
"Hm."
Kim Eol smacked his lips.
He'd aimed a bit tighter inside, but control slipped just enough.
"Haha, didn't wanna see you again so soon…"
Kim Eol forced a dry laugh at the aura pouring off Ryu Ji. Still, no dodging him.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Geum Seong-muk whipped his bat furiously from the on-deck circle. Kim Eol sweated bullets watching.
'…Can't load the bases with that monster right behind.'
Kim Eol opted for a head-on clash with Ryu Ji.
The sinker fired toward the zone.
Swoosh!
Ryu Ji grinned wide.
Exactly the pitch he expected.
'Thanks, Seong-muk…!'
He knew it: with Seong-muk lurking, no intentional walk.
Crack!
Ryu Ji unleashed a full swing.
The umbrella effect of Geum Seong-muk behind him was real; a sharp sting zipped through his hands.
"Close one. Meant to clear it."
Ryu Ji smacked his lips.
Solid contact, but just shy at the end.
He vowed to go deep next time up.
And now, Munhyeok High's star took the stage.
"Geum Seong-muk! Geum Seong-muk! Geum Seong-muk! Geum Seong-muk…!!"
The Munhyeok fans chanted his name like maniacs.
Cheolwon First High's vuvuzelas tried to drown it out, but they couldn't silence the roar.
But Cheolwon wasn't stupid.
They knew how deadly Seong-muk was with ducks on the pond. They put him on first with IBB.
"…Tch."
Seong-muk trudged to first with a disappointed look. Second game in a row: skip Seong-muk, face Seok Un-gang.
Seok Un-gang was a national-class bat too, and last time it was a grand slam—fair to question it. But from the on-field perspective, different story.
'Honestly, no confidence against that bastard Geum Seong-muk.'
Kim Eol toyed with most hitters like they were in his palm, but Geum Seong-muk? Different beast.
Innate physicality, genius technique, elite baseball IQ. Facing that was a nightmare. Seok Un-gang was way more comfortable.
'His average is clearly lower than Geum Seong-muk or Ryu Ji.'
Nearly .500 for Seong-muk this year, .400 for Ryu Ji. Seok Un-gang hovered low .300s steady.
Sure, pair that with solid power and he was a national slugger, but not worth dodging straight-up.
Thwack!
"Strike…!"
Curve right down the middle.
Seok Un-gang didn't bite.
Thwack!
"Ball!"
Thwack!
"Ball!"
Slider tails outside.
Then a 147km fastball chest-high.
Full count.
Here, the catcher called his shot.
'Low-dipping sinker, okay.'
Swoosh!
Sinker flew exactly as signed.
Sank a ball and a half below the zone—too bad, never reached the mitt.
Crack!!
"………!!"
Seok Un-gang unloaded a big swing.
Kim Eol froze solid.
Thud!
"Hah, what a trip."
Kim Eol stuck out his tongue watching Seok Un-gang round the bases. Under his cap, those narrowed eyes twitched.
"Woooaaahhh…!!"
"Seok Un-gang after all! High school catcher king!!"
Seok Un-gang soaked in the joy with his dugout mates.
Even he, who rarely showed emotion, had his lips curled high now.
"Alright, focus up! Focus! Game starts now!"
Munhyeok High sharpened up at Seong-muk's call.
Top of the fourth, score 4-7.
Not easy by any means.
But still very much in play.