Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: How to Reverse a 1% Win Probability
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"Win probability 1%...? For real?"
99 to 1.
A gap in power as vast as heaven and earth.
It might as well just say we can't win.
I rubbed my eyes and moved on to the detailed analysis section.
⚙ MUNHYEOK HIGH PITCHERS ANALYSIS ⚙ #Geum Seong-muk: Seasoned pitching stands out. But no reliable stuff beyond the changeup. Devastating against lower lineup, but tough against top hitters. Velocity recovery is urgently needed. "Ugh..."
Hit me right in the facts.
To beat someone down so mercilessly with words.
But I wasn't the only one taking hits.
#Ri Dong-hyeok: Can definitely hold through 2 innings. But that's it.
#Hassan Iqbal: Erratic control. No weapons beyond fastballs.
#Park Chan-jun: Nothing but durability.
The rest of the pitching staff got hammered too, aside from Ri Dong-hyeok who held up decently. The hitters were no different.
⚙ MUNHYEOK HIGH HITTERS ANALYSIS ⚙ #Choi Adam: Worst plate discipline. Needs to get on base to have value, but looks tough. #Seo Kyung-su: Small all-around hitter type. Jack of all trades, master of none. #Do Do-jin: Watches too many pitches even when aggressive swings are needed. Frequently strikes out looking when out of rhythm. Frustrating. She seemed especially harsh on her little brother, maybe from watching him so much. Seok Un-gang barely survived with the evaluation of 'the lineup's only hope'.
'Well, none of them have unlocked their potential yet, so it's inevitable.'
If even my pre-scouted tool guys are rated like this, the rest of the benchwarmers are obvious. Plenty were omitted as not worth mentioning.
In stark contrast, Cheonghyeon High was a different story.
They had several famous players and were stacked overall.
One name caught my eye.
#Ji Su-yong: Shows five-tool talent. Contact, power, baserunning all upper tier.
But abysmal outfield defense keeps him off the field.
'That's the Ji Su-yong I know.'
The target of this friendly match was Ji Su-yong.
Superstars create rabid fans and haters, right?
This guy was that type.
He'd drive in 2 runs with the bat, then cough them right back up with indefensible errors.
Cheonghyeon High was beatable, and recruiting him afterward would be easy. Plenty of users fell for his tools and picked him up, only to regret it hard.
He even earned the infamous nickname 'GG Su-yong' after dropping a ball in a Korea-Japan national team game, mimicking some Japanese player who went viral for the same.
Whenever he botched a play in my games, the chat would flood with 'Thanks, GG Su-yong!'
'So how do I turn this around?'
After reading all the player breakdowns, I flipped to the final page, and the awaited content greeted me.
⚙ WIN PROBABILITY SIMULATIONS ⚙ -Cheonghyeon High full starters, full effort: 1% win rate -Half starters, half subs: 13% win rate -All subs: 28% win rate Accounts for detailed simulations like addressing weaknesses, familiarizing with opponent's tendencies, etc. -All means utilized, full opponent data, emergency weakness fixes: 51% win rate "We can win this."
This was it.
I'll fill in the rest myself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "This is our team uniform...!"
The club members held up uniforms stamped with 'Munhyeok High' letters, faces full of awe.
"...Hm."
I felt the same odd thrill.
Staring at my uniform marked with Geum Seong-muk and number 1, it hit me: this is where it really starts.
After changing, we gathered at the field on Manager Myeong Sin-u's call. Club members stood at tense attention.
Soon, Manager Myeong appeared with a wooden bat.
"Everyone rest well?"
"Yes, sir...!!"
"Oho, nice energy. Seong-muk must've whipped you into shape."
As I'd instructed the manager: 'Low energy gets you dropped.' Sports clubs need that field-shaking roar, right?
"First training: 3km run. We'll group by time and tailor workouts to levels. Give it your all."
"Yes, sir...!!"
With Manager Myeong's clap, everyone hit the track. Fast starters soon lagged, gaps widening.
Finishers trickled in.
Results as expected.
"Let's see. Calling passers in order: Geum Seong-muk, Do Do-jin, Seok Un-gang, Seo Kyung-su, Park Chan-jun. That's the five."
Only A-grade stamina or better passed.
Do Do-jin and Seo Kyung-su breezed through from consistent athletic training. Seok Un-gang endured from Shaolin Temple rigor. Even stocky Chan-jun, whose only plus was stamina, ran surprisingly well and survived comfortably.
Choi Adam, quick on his feet, struggled with distance and collapsed panting. Hassan wasn't stamina-ready yet. Ri Dong-hyeok's was borderline pathetic.
13 filtered out in the first cut.
Special training awaited them.
"Attention, all."
Dropouts focused on Manager Myeong.
He grinned devilishly.
"See those tires out in the outfield?"
"...Huh? When did tires get there?"
A dozen tires sat in the outfield.
Everyone doubted.
"Dropouts, haul waste tires and run laps. Lightly, just 5 today."
"............!?"
Ears doubted.
Tire drags in the 21st century?
"Spin those wheels, kids."
This was my instructed drill for Manager Myeong.
Tire pulls are outdated comic-book stuff, replaceable by modern sleds or drag chutes.
But remember: this is a game world.
Real baseball mechanics apply here, implemented meticulously for max effect.
The game's quirk?
From pro to super-pro, trendy science drills shine.
But from scrub to pro? Quicker shortcuts exist.
'That's these trainings.'
Outdated, cartoonishly unrealistic at first glance.
My trial-and-error discoveries: bizarre drills to skyrocket Munhyeok High early.
"Hyung, do we drag tires later too?"
Do Do-jin looked uneasy at the tire-hauling screams. I shook my head with a grin.
"Why use junk when we've got good gear?"
I grabbed drag chutes from the dugout.
Do Do-jin's face relaxed. He pitied the tire group briefly, then beamed and took his chute.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Burp. Delicious."
On the team bus, I finished Olivia's bento and belched hugely.
Week one of her meals sustaining me.
'I specifically said veggie doneness matters.'
'This chicken's so raw, a vet could revive it.'
Of course, nitpicking flaws meant more food. Olivia would pout briefly, then say 'I'll remake it.'
This time, stamina-boosting Korean fare. Her skills had improved; quite tasty.
'Stats should rise soon...'
Hard training days yielded no gains. S-grade potential Geum Seong-muk should surge past lowers. Tournament looming, disappointing. Gotta push harder.
"We're here!"
Two hours by bus to Asan.
Today's foe, Cheonghyeon High, awaited.
Crack!
Wham---!
Training sounds echoed.
Baseball powerhouse aura oozed everywhere.
Uniform drills.
Cutting-edge gear rolling.
Newborn team like us: overwhelming.
"Ah, you've arrived."
Cheonghyeon manager Kim Dae-seop greeted.
Famous for leading to nationals quarters a decade ago.
World-strong Korean baseball? Huge feat.
"Nice to meet you. Myeong Sin-u."
"Who doesn't know Sejong Padres' Myeong Sin-u? Looking forward."
Handshakes, smiles.
'This guy's as slimy as ever.'
Kim Dae-seop dredging Myeong's black-history era? No goodwill. Manager Myeong's face soured.
"Anyway, best of luck. Let's take it easy."
Smirking, Kim returned.
We warmed lightly and prepped to start.
Then, one hyper voice pierced from afar.
"Haha, nice throw...!!"
Brown-haired guy in a white headband instead of cap, catchballing at max energy.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 👤 Name: Ji Su-yong 🏳️ Nationality: South Korea 🎂 Age: 18 📏 Height: 183 cm Skills:
⚾ Pinch Hitter (A): Contact +1 rank after 2 strikes.
Potential Keywords:
✨ Hitting Prodigy (S), Speed Runner (A), Strong Arm (A)
Batter Stats (*Potential) / LHB LHH
💥 Power: B+ (*A) 🎯 Contact: B (*A) 🏃♂️ Speed: A (*A) 👁️ Eye: B (*A) 🛡️ Defense: D 💪 Shoulder: B+ (*A) Recommended Position: Outfielder
That's the guy.
The reason for this scrimmage.
Owner of 'Hitting Prodigy (S)', second only to Heavenly Hitting Body—all A+ hitting potentials required to shine. Key to fill Munhyeok's empty outfield.
'Here to get you, Ji Su-yong.'
I grinned at him.
Let's throw down hard.