Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Ri Dong-hyeok's Proof of Purity
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The baseball stadium, swept clean by the reporters.
Manager Myeong Sin-u and Coach Lee Tae-jeong had done their utmost to hold them back, but with such a massive swarm of journalists, control had proven impossible.
In the end, Ri Dong-hyeok fielded a few questions before bowing deeply and pleading for some space to collect his thoughts. Only then did things finally settle down.
Training was delayed a bit, and the atmosphere remained chaotic. Noah, who had gotten word late, came rushing into the stadium.
"Huff, huff...! Seong-muk oppa...!"
"Ah, Noah. You're here."
"What in the world happened...?"
Her voice trembled—either from not fully grasping the situation or sheer shock. I gave her the short version.
"That Chinese kid from the Girin High game last time? Turns out he's been to North Korea. Says he spotted Dong-hyeok back then."
"And that's why all this..."
Noah's face fell.
I ruffled her hair gently.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it somehow."
"Seong-muk oppa..."
Leaving her behind, I stepped out of the dugout and headed down the stadium corridor.
It wasn't long before I spotted Ri Dong-hyeok slumped against the wall, heaving heavy sighs.
"Hey, Ri Dong-hyeok."
"Comrade Geum Seong-muk..."
"Why the funeral face? Not like you."
"...You know why. I meant to come clean to the team someday, but not like this."
"........."
"Maybe it was just a sweet dream too good for the likes of me..."
His origins suddenly dragged into the light, his name plastered everywhere in the press—his mental game was in total ruins.
On the mound, he was a conquering general. But one whiff of background drama, and his resolve crumbled like a stale cookie.
I didn't bother responding.
Instead, I pulled up a screen on my smartphone and shoved it in his face.
"Ri Dong-hyeok, cut the pity party and read this."
"...?"
What I showed him were the hottest articles blowing up right now.
🔥 Hot Articles [Munhyeok High pitcher Ri Dong-hyeok admits North Korean origins: "Will share details in time."] [Chinese youth rep Chen Zi-feng: "Met him at Kumsusan Palace of the Sun—only possible for top elite offspring."] [Stunned Munhyeok High students: "We had no clue."] [North side clams up: "Ri Dong-hyeok? No idea who that is."] [NIS Director: "Ri Dong-hyeok is a clean defector on paper. Interview set post-spring tournament."] "Everyone's eating it up. So what?"
"You really don't see it?"
"Even if you say... wait, hold on...?!"
Ri Dong-hyeok's eyes went wide.
He'd caught on.
"Right. Not everything's out. Not your secret."
"......!!"
Only now did it hit him.
The reporter frenzy must've drowned it out earlier.
The fact that he was the Dear Leader's bastard son.
No one had pieced together that bombshell yet—and odds were, no one would for a good while.
North won't spill first. Word spreads that the Leader's illegitimate defected and plays ball for a Korean team? All downside for them.
Sending assassins to silence a defector here risks torching Pyongyang Blue Jays' Korea league slot—their rice bowl. No extreme plays.
North probably just prayed he'd keep quiet. That's why the stonewalling this time—and likely going forward.
NIS could dig deep if they pushed, but it'd take time. And with tournament play underway, they weren't rushing it.
He seemed re-energized now.
Pushing off the wall, he strode past me toward the field.
"What, heading back already?"
"...Yes. Time to come clean with everyone."
His stride was bold now.
The same back that'd looked so defeated moments ago now carried real backbone.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ri Dong-hyeok's true identity out in the open.
Against his fears, no one harbored ill will over his North Korean roots.
If anything, it sparked curiosity.
Especially the elite offspring angle. After bunking together awhile, it all clicked into place.
"Even at meals, he had this subtle air of refinement?"
"Totally! Like, if yangban existed today, that's the vibe."
"Dong-hyeok, a North Korean elite...? Gah, never saw it coming!!"
"You're not the only one, dummy..."
As we chatted, Ri Dong-hyeok appeared in the distance. I signaled for everyone to gather, and the Munhyeok High baseball team snapped to attention.
He stood at the center.
Bowing deeply to the group.
"First off, I'm sorry for drawing that reporter mob. My mistake."
"Nah, no biggie..."
"Nothing to apologize for."
"Beyond what's public, there's one more thing I want to share. About my birth parents."
".........!"
Here it came.
The team leaned in.
Media tossed around "top North cadre," but it was all speculation—no official confirmation.
Some major league bigwig, huh?
Someone we'd know?
They hung on his words.
But the bomb he dropped dwarfed their wildest guesses.
"My biological father is North Korea's Supreme Leader."
"...........!?!"
"Wh-what...!?"
"Leader as in... Kim Jeong-un!?"
Munhyeok High's baseball team gaped in shock. No one could've dreamed Ri Dong-hyeok hid a secret this massive. Aside from me, zero teammates knew.
He's made up his mind. Time to back him up with some WWE flair.
The one guy in the know, I decided to sell it WWE-style—make it easier for the team to buy in.
"...So noble blood slips into Korea on the sly? Kinda fishy. Dong-hyeok, you a sleeper agent planted by the Leader or something?"
All eyes swung to him.
Short version: You ain't a spy, are you?
His rebuttal? Straight fire.
"Kim Jeong-un, that son of a bitch."
".......!"
Self-roast for the win—proving his loyalty in one line. Relief washed over him; he launched into a freestyle barrage like a battle rapper.
"Uh, shouldn't we stop him?"
"Nah, let it ride. This is gold."
Nearly ten minutes later, conviction sank in. Only someone nursing real grudges could unload like that.
Clap, clap!
"Alright, that's enough, Dong-hyeok. We get it—no hidden agendas. Mind walking us through your life so far?"
"...Gladly."
And so, before everyone, Ri Dong-hyeok spilled his life story. The team fell silent, floored by the tragedy.
Noah, ever the softie, teared up.
"Sniff, sob... It's so sad... Escaping with his mom, but making it here alone..."
"...I thought yakuza spawn had it rough, but this? Whole other dimension."
"Same. Thought Pakistan was hell with bullets and RPGs flying daily..."
Ryu Ji and Hassan nodded gravely in solidarity. A few wondered if Pakistan had it worse, but Ri pressed on regardless.
"Phew... Feels good to get it out. I was scared stiff you'd judge me for my class background."
Sure, blurting "I'm the Leader's son!" would've sparked bias. But after that saga? No dummies on Munhyeok High's roster.
One by one, teammates closed in to console him.
"...Amitabha. The lotus blooms pure from mud, unstained. Ri Dong-hyeok's worth isn't soiled by birth. You are precious as you are."
"Not your fault, man. Can't pick your origin story."
"Your mom'd be proud for sure...! We'll visit her grave together someday—tell her Dong-hyeok's the ultimate closer!!"
"Everyone..."
Ri Dong-hyeok's nose tingled.
He shut his eyes a moment, then faced them with steely resolve.
"This man, Ri Dong-hyeok, vows never to waver again. As Munhyeok High's backdoor guardian, I promise: I will not fall."
He bowed in gratitude to the teammates who'd lifted him up. They grinned back—relieved, supportive.
The heartwarming scene had me smiling...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 띠링! "What...!?"
The alert window floating before my eyes laid it out plain.
What the one missing face here—Do Do-jin—was up to right now.