Atmosphere Overhaul (2)

From then on, I left the training field and conducted sessions tailored entirely to Lee Woo-ram's whims. That shot his ego through the roof. Sure, he'd been scared after mouthing off to the manager, but when the manager started backing down afterward, you can imagine how cocky he got. It reached the point where even the veterans couldn't say a word, no matter how much chaos he caused.

In the meantime, Director Park Seong-sik prepared the trade with the Eagles. They'd scouted our situation too, but Lee Woo-ram must've looked like he was training hard. I'd made sure of that by running drills perfectly suited to his comfort. Just in case they spotted any flaws, I kept everything customized to him.

Then one day, I got a call from Director Park Seong-sik. He wanted me in his office. Finally, I thought. The time has come.

As I headed to the office, I spotted Lee Woo-ram goofing around with Jang Young-jin and Kim Myung-yoon.

"Ayy, Manager, where you off to?"

He looked at me, pretending to be polite but dripping with sarcasm. He acted like he'd completely won the power struggle with the manager.

"Having fun? Keep it up," I said with a smile.

Lee Woo-ram snatched off his cap and tossed it aside. "Ah, fuck, you talk like such a dick."

He figured he could get away with it since the manager had let worse slide. But I didn't need to hold back anymore. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strode right up to him, step by step. He was two years younger and smaller than me to boot. When I was right in his face, I lowered my voice.

"Hey. Get your head out of your ass and pack your shit. I've put up with you long enough."

"Wh-what the hell?"

He shrank back a bit at my words.

"It means a punk like you has no place on this team." I leaned in close to his ear, whispering.

He huffed and puffed, but my presence shut him down cold. I smirked at him and headed to the office.

Inside, Director Park Seong-sik greeted me with a beaming smile.

"Hey! Manager Lee!"

His expression alone told me the negotiations had gone well.

"Looks like it all worked out."

"Exactly as you wanted."

That meant we'd gotten both Kang Hyun-jun and Kim Kang-jun.

"Must've been tough. Glad it panned out."

It was the best-case scenario I'd envisioned.

"Thanks to that Kang Hyun-jun kid."

"Pardon?"

I didn't catch his meaning right away.

"Word is, Kang Hyun-jun went around saying he wanted to play under you. Made the deal smooth sailing."

"And Kim Kang-jun? We turned a 1-for-1 into 1-for-2."

"Truth is, they didn't give a damn about Kim Kang-jun. I played it like I really wanted him, and they threw him in. But hey, does he really have potential? Eagles didn't care, and they seemed thrilled to offload him when we took both."

"He'll be a star. I guarantee it."

"Alright then. Take good care of them when they arrive."

"Thank you, sir. This is all thanks to you."

"Haha, what did I do?"

Park Seong-sik laughed with that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠affable charm, but the shrewd skill behind his easygoing facade was the real deal.

After leaving the office, I gathered the players. Standing before them, I announced the team's new direction.

"I called you all here for some big news. We've decided to trade Lee Woo-ram—who's done his part for the team—to the Eagles."

The players murmured.

"Who's coming our way?" Captain Lee Geun-taek asked.

"Eagles prospects Kang Hyun-jun and Kim Kang-jun."

Kang Hyun-jun was a rising name, so a few nodded in recognition, but Kim Kang-jun drew blank stares—no one had heard of him.

"Who the hell decided that trade?!"

Lee Woo-ram stormed forward, fuming.

"What the fuck is this?!"

The other coaches and players tried to hold him back, but he wouldn't stop.

"Some bullshit manager shows up and thinks he can kick me out? You can't just do whatever you want!!"

He spat curses left and right. I couldn't help but chuckle. It was ridiculous seeing him throw his tantrum, thinking he owned the place.

"Oh? Laughing at me?"

"You know why you're getting shipped out? That attitude of yours. Prime age to grow, and you're boozing it up instead of training properly. Especially mouthing off to the manager and acting like this—which team would keep you? Same goes for everyone. I let the disrespect to me slide. But slackers who skip training or have shitty character? I don't touch them. Everyone got that?"

To whip the team into shape, I needed an example. Lee Woo-ram fit the bill perfectly. He wasn't exactly a victim since his behavior had been trash from the start.

"You think the front office will sign off on trading me?"

"You really think you're hot shit, huh? Director approved it, and Eagles are done deal. Like it or not, you're gone. Pack your bags and get ready to move. Anyone else wanna bail on this team and me?"

Lee Woo-ram glanced at his buddies Jang Young-jin and Kim Myung-yoon, but they avoided his eyes.

"Fuck... this is bullshit... for real."

He could sense the tide had turned.

"We gotta train now, so get lost. Training starts."

After Lee Woo-ram ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slunk out, the training vibe ignited. The players realized this "puppet" manager actually had real pull. Jang Young-jin and Kim Myung-yoon especially buckled down, trying to impress me. That sparked their rivals to up their game even more, kicking off a positive cycle.

......

Kang Hyun-jun and Kim Kang-jun finally joined the team. News hit about trading Lee Woo-ram for the pair, and folks called it a win-win: we got two, Eagles snagged an immediate contributor.

Of course, who'd laugh last come season's end was anyone's guess.

Kang Hyun-jun made a beeline for me first, bowing deeply.

"Honored to work with you again, Manager!"

Polite as ever. He even brought his one-year junior, Kim Kang-jun, for intros.

"Honored to meet you!"

Kim Kang-jun bowed too. Drafted in August that year while still in high school, he hadn't trained much yet. But I'd clocked him during rookie greetings—his insane talent had me set on bringing him if I ever got the top spot.

Kim Kang-jun had picked up baseball ridiculously late. Unlike most who start in elementary or middle school at latest, he'd begun in high school. His basics were shaky, but raw talent got him training in the school club. Being a late starter meant his gifts hadn't shone yet. Decent high school tourney results got him drafted, but no one saw the potential.

I would've missed it too without the status window. But with my cheat ability, I spotted it.

Still, he had a long way to first-team readiness. Defense was nonexistent—he'd need full instruction from scratch. But his eye was already solid. Innate talent like that, honed with experience and training, would make him a stud. That 93 potential screamed it.

I introduced Kang Hyun-jun and Kim Kang-jun to the players and coaches, then hashed out training plans. If they leveled up enough this stove league, next year could be exciting.

Heroes really shone with prospects. The whole setup was geared for developing them, more committed to young talent than clinging to vets.

And so, we smoothly prepped for next season.