You've Turned the Baseball World Upside Down!

Geum Seong-muk slowly rounded the bases after crushing a home run, but the Hancheong High players couldn't believe this reality.

"We... lost?"

"We lost?"

Their gazes had always been fixed on nationals.

The idea of getting tripped up by a team that had just been born—in the spring tournament, no less—was never even on the table.

"Ugh..."

Tears blurred their vision.

Still, what had to be done needed doing.

"Alright, Hancheong High—line up!"

At captain Park Tae-je's command, the baseball team members swiftly assembled. Even his eyes were misty.

Munhyeok High and Hancheong High players faced each other, bowing deeply in respect.

"Good game!"

"Status window."

The rewards were pretty sweet.

Some might say it's meager for beating a team like Hancheong High, but with my key stats already so high, every step up is a grind.

My teammates seem to have leveled up nicely too.

Stat-up notifications were popping off left and right.

Beating a powerhouse like that in a huge game? Of course they'd rise.

He was flipping through his status window in front of the bathroom when someone approached and planted themselves right in front of him.

"Hey, Geum Seong-muk."

"...?"

There stood Ryu Tae-kjin, eyes bloodshot from crying, with Ryu Han-ul sniffling behind him.

"...Good game."

"Sniff, go all the way to the top, or I won't forgive you...!"

With a few more words, the Ryu brothers turned and left.

Pfft.

They didn't seem like bad guys after all.

We'll meet again soon, those two.

With the youth national team camp right after spring tournament's end, they'd be teammates before long—not rivals.

"Geum Seong-muk, where the hell you been?!"

"Seong-muk hyung, hurry up...!"

No sooner had he entered the locker room than Choi Adam and Do Do-jin were hounding him. Looking around, the whole team held up placards.

"Munhyeok High Baseball Team Advances to Sejong Tournament... when'd they even print this?"

"Hehe, I prepared it in advance!"

Noah beamed proudly, flashing a V-sign. Her preparedness was unreal.

"Come on in quick...!"

"Alright, photo time! One, two...!"

Click!

The group photo was taken.

But this shot never made it to any news covers. Exhausted from the brutal battle with Hancheong High, Munhyeok High suffered a shocking blowout loss in the next game...

"Hehe, oops—took a selfie by mistake...!"

"...!?"

...or not.

It was just Noah's goof-up that captured her face instead of the team.

Cute pink ponytail and all, but the team struck poses again.

"Okay, take two! One, two!"

Click!

Now properly captured, the group photo—a legendary snapshot destined to etch itself into high school baseball history.

The baseball world was in an uproar.

A school had pulled off the impossible—no one thought they could.

And not just any—they'd blasted through Seoul Seed Group A, dubbed the "hell bracket of all time."

Most fans agreed Hancheong High was the safe bet, with maybe Daegwallyeong High as the dark horse upset at best.

But Munhyeok High?

Some no-name school pops out of nowhere, shatters every powerhouse, and heads to Sejong Tournament.

Media and YouTube flooded with Munhyeok High coverage was inevitable.

Articles focused heavily on the team's collective feat, naturally spotlighting individual players too.

And the biggest share? Articles about him, of course.

His heavy role in the Sejong advance drew massive attention, but teammate articles were plentiful too.

"Looks good."

Hard-earned ticket to Sejong.

They'd toiled alongside him—more than deserved this spotlight.

"Munhyeok High was total chaos today anyway."

Students hyped over Sejong buzzed around the team during breaks, causing a frenzy.

"Whoa, Geum Seong-muk over there...!"

"Seong-muk sunbae...!!"

"Autograph please? Photo too!!"

Of course, he'd foreseen the madness and bolted early. Crowds made escape tough, but sacrificing Ryu Ji as bait worked.

"This black bastard betrayed me...!!"

"Yeah, spin out, asshole...!!"

After ditching school smoothly, he headed to Munhyeok High's field. No practice today, but game feedback and finals opponent analysis awaited.

School said they'd hold the ceremony after spring tournament ends.

One more win turns "Sejong Advance!" placards to "Spring Champs & Sejong!"—chairman was hyped.

...But finals? Nah, can't win that.

Team was beat from the downpour drenching, but pitching was the real crisis.

Both spring aces sealed—no starts. Him and Hassan couldn't pitch either.

Lee Dong-hyeok ground down to mixer level—can't go long. Chan-jun Ham prepped for a CG.

Sejong bracket'll be brutal, but oh well...

Better to forfeit finals mentally than risk injury. Sejong qualification doesn't change.

Entering the field, players buzzed busily.

Crack!

"Okay, one more...!!"

Thwack!!

"Nice ball...!"

No practice today, right?

Teammates were at it.

"Oh, Seong-muk's here?"

"Coach, wasn't training off today?"

"They begged for it—said they still got a ways to go."

"I see."

Voluntary crew? Mostly those bummed from Hancheong game. Getting shut out by Ryu bros hit hard.

They're like natural disasters, though...

Game terms: Not final boss, but Four Heavenly Kings rampaging mid-game.

Elite lineup in bats and arms—too much for potential-rich but green Munhyeok.

S-graders like Seok Un-gang, Ryu Ji, Lee Dong-hyeok did their part but flopped—makes sense.

Teammates growing? Worth celebrating.

Spring wins were one-note: His homers off enemy aces.

Can't keep that up.

He's human—slumps happen. "Just stop Geum Seong-muk in clutch" mindset? Bad news.

To dodge that, teammates needed to bloom their talents. Then Munhyeok becomes elite—national contenders.

Lucky part: Plenty of time.

Minus Do-jin and Su-yong, most were street kids—no orgs, underdeveloped stats.

Sejong's two months out.

Enough to evolve players to another dimension.

Already tasted tiger-eye chaos—hunt Easter eggs nationwide...?

Could leapfrog lifelong elites. Painting Munhyeok's bright future, he stepped forward.

"Coach, I'll train too. Captain's gotta oversee these guys..."

"Nah, you're benched."

"Pardon?"

"...Sheesh, kicked out like this."

He scratched his head, strolling the field corridor.

Director Myeong Sin-u was firm.

'Seong-muk, you've pushed too hard. Rest up—skip tomorrow's training too, clear your head.'

Made sense.

Two-way drains double stamina—Hancheong game maxed his body.

Proof? His lower half.

"Hey, Johnson."

Silent.

No twitch down there.

Solar Divine Vein overflow aftermath—this guy's offline awhile.

Bit sad, but nostalgic for possession early days.

"Back then, I thought, 'What garbage skill is this?'"

F-grade Tingling Sensor—never dreamed massive secrets hid behind it.

Still, it carried him here—full effort to recover Solar Divine Vein ASAP.

"Guess I'll ask Olivia for help first."

"Help from me?"

"Ah, obviously cooking...!?"

He whipped around, startled mid-sentence. There stood Olivia and Noah side-by-side.

"Yaho! Heard you were here, Seong-muk oppa."

Noah waved cheerily. Olivia flushed, looking away.

Knew they swapped numbers, but when'd they get that close?

Caught off-guard, he asked.

"Noah makes sense, but Olivia, why're you here...?"

"Unnie wanted to watch training! But you're off today?"

"Word travels fast. Coach told me to rest."

"Eek, perfect timing...!!"

Noah grinned wide.

She poked Olivia, whispering.

"Unnie, spit it out...!"

"........."

Olivia hesitated, fidgety. Cleared her throat, met his eyes.

"Seong-muk-ssi, wanna grab a bite...?"

"Sure, let's go."

"...!!"

She jolted at his instant yes. You're the one who asked!

"Noah too, right?"

"Hehe, obviously...!"

"My treat. Let's roll."

Skipping training for meals with beauties? Teammates might chase him with bats.

"...Tasty."

"Right? My fave Korean food...!!"

Noah led to her go-to budae jjigae spot; Olivia looked pleased too.

He, Korean at heart, chowed down happily.

Strolling downtown with them, fans occasionally approached.

"Munhyeok High's Geum Seong-muk...?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"Whoa... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠autograph, please?"

"Of course—got a pen?"

With nonstop coverage and features, recognition was high.

Some eyed his thuggy look warily from afar, but good fan service emboldened more. Signed a ton before breaking free.

"Phew, sorry—kept you waiting."

"No worries, fan service matters."

Olivia gracious as ever.

Come to think, she was famous too.

Full disguise: hat, shades. Maybe he should? Felt overkill.

"Oppa must be beat from fans—cafe time?"

"I'm in."

"Me too."

Unanimous—off to a quiet cafe. He ordered his usual strawberry smoothie.

"...Unexpected."

"Totally! Thought it'd be iced Americano for sure...!"

"Sheesh..."

Sipping deep, scratching head. They chatted heaps.

Thanked them profusely, fielded game Qs nonstop.

Mid-flow, Noah asked.

"Oppa do SNS? Insta or whatever...!"

"Me? Hmm..."

Old phone—no apps. Maybe past Geum did, but not now.

"Nah, don't really."

"Make one? I'll set it up...!"

"Great idea. Lots wanna know your updates. Occasional posts fine, right?"

"Hm."

Noah and Olivia pushing SNS.

Past life, he'd tried—ditched from laziness. But occasional PR? Not bad.

"Alright, hook me up."

"Smart choice!! Lemme just..."

Noah grabbed his phone, tinkering. Olivia peered over.

Mid-setup, Noah tilted head.

"Huh, says existing account?"

"What...?"

She tapped—account activated.

Their faces froze.

"........."

"........."

What the...?

Cold sweat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠down his spine.

Sudden vibe shift.

He stood, peeked over.

"...!?"

Blue-haired girl, cozy couple pics galore.

Olivia and Noah turned.

"Seong-muk-ssi, who's she?"

"Oppa, this needs explaining."

"........."

Sweat pouring.

Trapped in an ironclad snare.

I don't know either...!!

A silent scream echoed through the cafe. Damn, this was unfair...!!