Geum Seong-muk vs Ryu Han-ul

The day of the long-awaited matchup had arrived.

Clouds of spectators gathered at Jongmyo Stadium. Munhyeok High versus Hancheong High. Geum Seong-muk versus Ryu Han-ul.

It was a game no high school baseball fan could ignore. Of course, most fans could already guess the outcome.

Especially the diehards who lived and breathed high school baseball on the High School Baseball Gallery.

Newbies would sometimes ask.

"Couldn't Munhyeok High win?" But those reactions were dismissed as clueless newbie nonsense.

Regardless of their love for gallery star Geum Seong-muk, the High School Baseball Gallery consensus was clear: impossible is impossible.

The more they talked, the starker the power gap between the teams became. High School Baseball Gallery users flocked to Jongmyo Stadium in droves.

The High School Baseball Gallery buzzed with excitement.

The on-site atmosphere was just as electric.

"Hancheong High...!!"

"...Fighting!!"

An overwhelmingly massive cheering squad.

The cheer leaders, perfectly synced after long practice, even had a brass band blasting custom chants.

Hancheong High's massive, passionate support was enough to crush the opponents' spirits from the start.

But Munhyeok High wasn't backing down.

"Munhyeok High!!"

"Fighting...!!"

How long had they dreamed of cheering for their alma mater in high school baseball? Finally, the chance had come.

Of course, they knew.

This was probably the last time.

Yet, knowing it would end made the moment all the more precious and fervent. Right here, right now.

'We're shaking already...'

'How must the players feel?'

Seoul's kings, Hancheong High.

The pressure of facing them was immense, no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠doubt.

If their cheers could offer even a sliver of help against such a powerhouse, Munhyeok High students were ready to scream their lungs out.

"Ugh, Geum Seong-muk...!! Hang in there!"

"Damn it! Show 'em what you got!"

A subtle battle of wills between the fans of both sides unfolded. The broadcasters watched with keen interest.

[Munhyeok High cheers echoing clearly through Jongmyo Stadium! Not backing down to Hancheong High's squad at all!]

[Yes! Munhyeok High, who stormed to the spring semis in their debut year— their students, who've watched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠closest, are firing up the players with massive support!]

[Munhyeok High players taking the field! Top of the 1st, Hancheong High batting first!]

[Yes, Munhyeok High's defensive lineup!]

[Changes in the lineup! Geum Seong-muk drops to 6th, Ji Suyong up to 5th... What's going on?!]

[Spoke with manager Myeong Sinu pre-game—Geum Seong-muk wanted to drop a bit to focus more on pitching!]

[Ah, got it! Stepping up to the plate takes energy too, so prioritizing pitcher Geum Seong-muk over batter Geum Seong-muk!]

In truth, manager Myeong Sinu wanted Seong-muk at 3rd or 4th, but Seong-muk insisted on 6th, so he reluctantly agreed.

'No room for Solar Divine Vein at the plate right now—Ji Suyong's more reliable than me there.'

Seong-muk planned to minimize every bit of energy drain. Unlike usual situational hitting, this time he'd swing for the fences exclusively.

Better to aim for a big one and trot slowly than waste stamina on singles and baserunning.

Of course, against this opponent, it might not work—but no choice.

Hold Hancheong High scoreless as long as possible, hope teammates score. That was the plan.

[Rain forecast today—Weather Service says heavy rain in about 90 minutes.]

[Hard to believe yesterday's clear skies—sky's packed with dark clouds. What twists will the rain bring?!]

As the broadcasters finished, the national anthem played. All players stood, hands over hearts.

[Game on...!!]

"Woooaaah!!"

The Sejong Tournament qualifier showdown finally underway.

Seong-muk on the mound blew rosin off his hand, face calm.

[Top of the 1st, Hancheong High batting! Their lineup!]

[Instant awe. Lineup packed with names every high school fan knows...!]

[Elite from youth ball through high school! Hancheong High's lineup carries the weight of kings...!!]

[Leadoff hitter Han-gyeol at the plate! How will Geum Seong-muk fare against the first batter?!]

"Hoo..."

Seong-muk tossed rosin to the dirt. Closed his eyes briefly, then unleashed the power within.

First time.

Going full throttle from the opening pitch.

'Seize control right away.'

Big windup from Seong-muk.

His pitch fired like a bullet.

Thwack!!

"Strike...!!"

"...!"

A rising fastball exploding upward in front of his eyes. Han-gyeol's widened in shock.

"Whoa, what was that pitch...!"

"What'd the velo hit!?"

Fans rushed to check the scoreboard—and gasped.

[161 km/h...!! Geum Seong-muk with a monster heater right out the gate!!]

[Usually ramps up mid-game! Against Hancheong High, full throttle immediately!!]

Thwack!!

"...Strike!!"

Another 160 km/h laser.

Outer corner, so Han-gyeol watched.

'Okay, coming in hot from the start.'

Hancheong High had scouted Geum Seong-muk. Knew that monster lower body swelled when he amped up.

'Probably pull one here to lure me. Doesn't matter.'

Han-gyeol was confident.

Specialist in "Han-gyeol Games"—endless cuts to run up pitch counts.

"Hup...!"

Seong-muk's third pitch.

Han-gyeol smirked.

'Control slipped? Too far out.'

Ball sailing way outside, righty body-shot territory. No swing. But then—

'...!?'

It snapped viciously inward.

Reverse spin dove back into the zone, snapping into Seok Un-gang's mitt.

"......"

"......"

Stunned silence.

Umpire's hand rose.

"Strike, out...!!"

"What...!?"

Han-gyeol blinked, but ump was spot-on. Circle changeup caught the outer edge perfectly.

[Three pitches, three strikes!! Geum Seong-muk K's the leadoff flawless!]

[Insane! Circle changeup breaks wildly—Han-gyeol frozen!]

"Wooo!!"

Seong-muk roared, fist clenched.

Munhyeok High fans erupted.

"Tch, that bastard..."

Han-gyeol retreated, eyes blazing.

Not used to getting shown up like that. Hoped #2 Jeong Woo-jin would make him pay.

Thwack!!

"Strike, out!!"

"Wooo...!!"

Three pitches again.

Jeong Woo-jin shook his head, heading to dugout.

"...Needs more looks, but not easy to attack from the jump."

"Oh ho, sparks my fight. I'll go right at him."

Choi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Hyeok-su headed up, "precision machine" contact wizard, brimming with confidence.

'...Insane.'

High school top-tier contact, future pro batting title threat.

What did Seong-muk throw?

Thwack...!!

"Strike...!!"

Inner zone laser. Hyeok-su, expecting breaking, licked his lips.

'Okay, fastball next?'

Shifted plan.

Second pitch—bat flew.

Crack!

[Foul...! Off the end!]

[Looked like he sat on it dead red. Hyeok-su looks frustrated...!]

"Okay, got the read."

Great pitch.

But hittable.

Compared to Ryu Taek-jin's stuff he'd seen plenty? Very doable.

"Hup...!!"

Seong-muk's third.

Hyeok-su grinned, swung.

'Perfect timing...!?'

Something wrong.

Definitely fastball.

Why slower than calculated? Bat whiffed, sucked into mitt.

Plunk-!!

"Strike, out!!"

".........!?!?"

Strikeout.

Hyeok-su stared at Seong-muk in disbelief, then scoreboard.

151 km/h

"Fuck, what the...!!"

Timed for 160. Dropped 10 km/h suddenly?

Absurd.

What high school hitter crushes that rude pitch? Hancheong High side stunned, like punched.

'Hoo, works great.'

New trick deployed.

For Hancheong High: Solar Divine Vein application, Off.

'Temporarily shut off stat boost. Snaps back quick.'

Unlike heavy stat swaps, Off was efficient.

Spam it and stamina drains, but perfect for pace control.

Full power clash—momentum seized. Broadcasters shocked.

[Whoa! 9 pitches, 3 K's top of 1st vs Hancheong High...!! Geum Seong-muk starts with massive impact!]

[Those three? Elite elites! Couldn't touch him!!]

Munhyeok High batters strode up with the roaring crowd behind them. Ryu Han-ul greeted leadoff Choi Adam with a comfy, bed-like calm.

"Everyone's hyped, huh."

Ryu Han-ul clapped rosin.

A smile crept on his lips.

"Guess I'll play too?"

Left leg sky-high.

Back arched.

Like loading a massive cannon, energy coiled—ball exploded from his right hand.

Thwack!!

"St, riike...!!"

162 km/h

"............!!"

Choi Adam paled.

He felt it instantly.

'Fuck, harder than Machowon...!'

Couldn't square up Machowon even. Upper-tier Ryu Han-ul? Brutal.

Plunk!

Plunk!

"Strike, out!!"

"Ugh...!"

Adam whiffed empty.

Ryu Han-ul's show didn't end.

Thwack-!!

"Strike, out!!"

".........!!"

Thwack!!

"Strike! Ouuut...!!"

"Ngh...."

Do Dojin, Takahina Ryuji—all three-pitch K's.

"Fun, huh...!!"

Ryu Han-ul clapped into glove descending mound. Stadium mood flipped instantly.

"Ryu Han-ul! Ryu Han-ul! Ryu Han-ul...!!"

Cheers at his back, he passed Seong-muk ascending.

'...Total freak.'

Elite path from youth—stats maxed out.

Unlike Machowon, smart fighter. Seong-muk sensed Ryu Han-ul wouldn't be easy.

"...Let's have fun, Geum Seong-muk."

"Yeah, enjoy it while you can. Victory's ours."

"Oh...?"

Ryu Han-ul, curious.

Grinned, walked off.

"Haha, looking forward to it!"

Like hearing a great joke, waving cheerfully.

Whose side would Lady Victory choose? The tigers' duel had just begun.