Olympic's Greatest Output
After Yoo Hee-sung buried the ball in the back of the net, Coach immediately called out a tactical adjustment.
"Formation down!! Plan B."
We swiftly rearranged our defensive lines.
Midfielders fell back to bolster the defensive structure, while the forwards darted constantly to stifle France's attacking surges.
With the remaining time, we threw ourselves entirely into guarding the goal.
Lee Tae-yang's tackles, Yoo Hee-sung's header clearances, and my own punching saves—together as one, we repelled France's assault.
Whoa!
"Huff... huff... huff... huff... huff!!!"
Do you know?
When real pain hits, your mind goes blank and you just blank out?
Up until now, no match had ever tested me this hard.
"Tae-woo!!!!"
Lee Tae-yang bolted over, shouting my name, and threw himself at me in a crushing hug.
"I get it, so back off—you're drenched."
"We did it!!!"
Yoo Hee-sung jumped in too, and before long every player converged, arms locked in tight embraces, celebrating the thrill of victory.
"I get it, so move already, please!"
The coaching staff surged out of the bench as well, racing across the pitch with the players like lunatics, while even the stoic Coach let out a roar and threw in an uppercut.
I was pinned beneath Lee Tae-yang, squashed flat...
'S-Save me.'
"Hey hey, Tae-yang, Tae-woo, I'm gonna die like this!"
"What?"
Only then did Lee Tae-yang finally notice me when Seo-joon hyung spoke. Seeing my dying face, he yelped in surprise.
"Yah, you okay?"
Is this what "okay" looks like?
"Tae-yang, I'm too exhausted to stand up—help me up."
"Uh, uh... sorry. I got too excited..."
Right as I kicked Tae-yang's outstretched hand away.
"Ouch! What the—"
"You asked for it."
"Aaaah, help!"
Even I had climbed atop him, elbowing his ribs in a teaching moment when Seo-joon hyung's gaze suddenly turned strangely bright.
His expression right now mirrored my own mischievous grin from earlier...
"Seo-joon hyung—"
"Kids! Tae-woo and Tae-yang are calling dibs on the last burger."
"Huh?"
"What? Is that it? Kids, pile on!"
The situation flipped in an instant. I and Tae-yang were pinned to the ground, with Hee-sung and Seo-joon hyung climbing on top next.
"Hey, wait! If it's by age, I'm last!"
"Kids, this exhausted captain gets to lie down!"
"Wait wait wait—ahhh!"
The other players took turns climbing onto the pile.
"Uwaaah! You're heavy!"
"Whoa, someone's stepping on me!"
"You brats! Form up! Move already!!"
Our screams and laughter echoed across the pitch. Drunk on victory, we rolled around like kids, playing and roughhousing.
Of course, the three of us at the bottom—Tae-yang, me, and Hee-sung—were in agony, but thanks to the medal ceremony broadcast, we somehow survived.
"Ha... I always get tangled up with Tae-yang and this happens."
"Same here."
"Honestly, this round... I admit it."
"Ladies and gentlemen, football fans worldwide. The men's football final of the 2036 Madrid Olympics has concluded with South Korea's 2-1 victory. Please prepare for the medal ceremony."
Booming fireworks erupted as the medal ceremony began.
"Thank you for your passionate support. Now, the medal ceremony for the men's football final of the 2036 Madrid Olympics begins."
"The bronze medals go to the German national team."
The German players marched up and draped the bronze around their necks.
"The silver medals go to today's finalists, the French national team."
The French players stepped onto the podium, but a deep sense of regret showed in their faces.
'There’s always a second place when there’s a first.'
The world only remembers the winner, not the runner-up. Harsh as it is, this is the essence of sports—and the sweat and effort that got us here.
"And finally, the owner of the 2036 Madrid Olympics men's football gold medal is... the South Korean national team!"
Standing on the podium, I bowed my head. The weight of the gold medal on my neck felt immense.
'An Olympic gold medal as a goalkeeper, when even as a striker I never even won silver. Kim Chan-ki only reached silver, and the World Cup's best was the round of 16.'
And now, the feeling of locking that gold around my neck couldn't be described in words—pure exhilaration.
Honestly, with this team, even winning the World Cup... that might be a bit much?
'Still, I'm sure it'll climb higher than the round of 16.'
"The South Korean national anthem will now play. Please rise."
On the pitch as the anthem rang out, Lee Tae-yang was sobbing with snot and tears streaming down his face, and every other player had tears glistening in their eyes.
Even Seo-joon hyung, who always led us, was moved to tears rolling down his cheeks.
'If it's about the World Cup, why no tears? Can we really win it in ten years?'
Ah, just thinking about the World Cup makes my head spin.
'I just want to see Da-min already.'
The moment I acknowledged my feelings for Da-min, I didn't want to return to the past anymore.
I am no longer Kim Chan-ki, but Jung Tae-woo.
After the anthem ended and our team descended from the podium, I made my resolve.
From now on, I would look forward only. Kim Chan-ki's experience was precious, but it was now just the past.
'I won't tie myself down anymore.'
As Jung Tae-woo, I would write new history and win the World Cup.
And I wanted to share every moment of that with Da-min.
I wished for her by my side through the joy of victory and the journey of challenge.
When chasing that grand dream of World Cup glory, I desperately hoped Da-min would be right there beside me.
'I need to ask Seo-joon hyung how to confess.'
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will arrive at Incheon International Airport shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing."
Lee Tae-yang poked my shoulder from the seat beside me.
"Yah, Tae-woo. When we get off, there'll be tons of reporters. They'll give us hero treatment, right? I'm a little nervous."
I grinned back.
"What's there to be nervous about? You were full of energy when we were getting insulted."
"Yeah, that Lee Tae-yang getting nervous?"
"No, Hee-sung. Aren't you scared?"
"Me? ...I just really want to see my parents soon."
The protagonist's default passive of unbreakable spirit.
The plane began its slow descent into the skies above Incheon.
Through the window, South Korea's landscape grew sharper and clearer.
Coach Cheon Mu-seok rose from his seat and addressed the players.
"Alright, kids, when we land there'll be fans and lots of reporters. Don't get nervous—smile and give it everything until the end. We're coming home as heroes."
"Yes!"
The flight had been a blur.
The moment we touched down, we were swallowed by the roaring crowd of welcome fans.
Walking the VIP corridor, we exchanged handshakes with one dignitary after another.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the president of the Korea Football Association; and other government officials greeted us warmly.
"Congratulations. We're truly proud of you."
'Right, it never fails when something like this happens.'
Flower bouquets were thrust into our hands, and finally we faced the fans.
Countless supporters waved Taegeukgi flags and cheering signs, their cheers and applause filling the airport.
"I love Player Tae-woo!"
"Kyaaah, oppa Hee-sung is so cute!"
"Hyung Tae-yang is awesome!!!"
"Tae-woo oppa, marry me aaah!!"
Haha, he's only seventeen—is he supposed to be oppa?
With memories from a past life, mentally I'm older than seventeen...
Wait, I feel like I should say something...
My body is small, but my mind is unchanged... an impossible soccer player.
Hmph!
'Fact is, my body did grow bigger...'
We smiled our best and waved at the fans, who had no choice but to cheer.
Knowing that without their passion football would be nothing but ball-kicking, I felt genuine gratitude for their support.
'Still, no marriage here...'
"Why is it always 'oppa' and never 'hyung' with me?"
"But you said I was cool, right? What's the complaint?"
"I'm cute, you're cool. I'm jealous, hyung."
"No, why... why don't I have female fans?"
I later learned that the reporters captured this chaotic scene and ran an article with the headline "Two handsome oppas and one cool hyung," all for "the beautiful rivalry among the 17-year-old trio."
Emerging from the airport, we were greeted by our waiting families.
"Tae-woo!"
Mom ran toward me, tears streaming.
"You did it, our son. Were you okay?"
Mom pulled me into a warm hug. In her embrace all the tension melted away.
"My son did great. It was fun."
Lee Tae-yang and Yoo Hee-sung, along with the other hyungs, reunited with their own families.
Behind the glory of gold-medal winners, we were simply ordinary sons returning to our families.
'Dad, Mom, I'll take care of you.'
I promised silently.
"Mom, let's go home. I want to rest."
"Yes. Our son must be tired."
[Text of the medal ceremony]
"Whewww, feels great. Home is the best."
After a shower, I collapsed onto my bed.
Lying there, I stared at the familiar ceiling and took a deep breath. The tension and excitement of the Olympics slowly faded, leaving only the real feeling of finally coming home.
'Oh, wait, we won the gold... but the system hasn't said anything lately?'
After the gift of stamina, there had been no messages for a while.
I thought achievements only came from winning matches, so I hadn't worried—yet we won the Olympic gold, and still nothing? Strange.
Before I even finished thinking, my bag started glowing again.
"Well, let's see what achievement we unlocked."
◈ Position: Goalkeeper
◈ Effect: World-Class Reflexes & Playmaking Vision
"Congratulations on Jung Tae-woo's gold medal victory ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
Did my gift help? Yes? Yes? Yes? (≧▽≦)
You don't have to thank me too much~ I'm just doing what's already paid for (￣ω￣)
For now, you've unlocked three achievements this Olympic: 'Olympic Gold Medal,' 'Olympic's Greatest Output,' and 'Ceremony King.'
The ✌'ω'✌ ceremony in the Spain match was super cute.
Oh, and sorry I couldn't write letters lately—were you upset? Ehehe~ be shy (⸝⸝¯ᵕ¯⸝⸝)
I had my reasons.
A good person is coming soon. Catch them! You won an event (●'◡'●)
What event? It's a secret."
"A good person is coming? What?"
And the system? Gods throwing events?
Curiosity gnawed at me, but I shook my head.
"Yeah, we'll see when the time comes. Right now, let's just rest."