A First Glance That Changed Everything

"I wanted to see you, Player Jung Tae-woo."

"Huh? Are you a good person?"

"Eh?"

Her expression instantly froze, stunned.

Oh no, I slipped up.

The thought flashed through her mind like a bolt of lightning.

Even if the divine being truly meant "a good person," she had no way of knowing what that exactly referred to.

"Hahaha, I was just joking. You're so beautiful I couldn't help myself."

I forced out an awkward laugh.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Player Jung Tae-woo."

Phew, thank goodness. At least she didn't take it the wrong way.

But the awkward silence still hung thick in the air. Manager Peter Guardian cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

"Well, Tae-woo. This is—"

"Ah, Coach. I'll introduce her myself."

She gently cut him off, her voice soft yet firm.

"I'm Eun Ga-young, representative of APEX Agent."

She extended her business card.

Instantly, my eyes widened.

APEX Agent representative Eun Ga-young... no way...

The woman from the novel who had been Yoo Hee-sung's agent and the heroine, the very embodiment of competence.

And she's also the third-generation chaebol heir...

I took a closer look at her.

Among all the beautiful women in the world, how many would carry the name Eun Ga-young?

Is this the Eun Ga-young I know? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But why did she come to me instead of Hee-sung?

In the story, she had already become a major agency powerhouse by using Hee-sung as her starting point. Right now, however, it was still a brand-new, unknown agency.

Plus, no one knew she was the chaebol heir yet.

"So you're the agent, then?"

I kept my tone as normal as possible.

"Yes, that's right."

She smiled gently, her eyes sparkling with confidence.

"I'm sure you've never heard of APEX Agent before. After all, it's still a new agency..."

She paused, then continued with a confident lilt.

"But that's exactly why I want to grow together with Player Jung Tae-woo. With our passion and professionalism, I want to pull out every bit of his potential."

That's exactly what the novel's Eun Ga-young said to Yoo Hee-sung.

Accepting her as his agent would make everything so much easier.

Of course she would be called the epitome of competence.

Later she would be hailed as the Queen of Two Faces — an angel of warmth and devotion to her players, yet a demon of cold calculation and zero compromise at the negotiation table.

And being the chaebol heir means no money worries for me either.

My expression must have betrayed my thoughts, because Coach Guardian added, "Tae-woo, you're still a minor, so your parents' signatures are required. You don't have to decide on the spot. But it sounds like you need an agent. I've already had offers from a mountain of clubs."

Coach Guardian laughed awkwardly. "All of them are after you. Hahaha."

"Can I see the contract first?"

"Of course."

She handed over the document with perfect composure.

Whoa, the Queen of Two Faces strikes again. This contract is insane.

Most agents took 10 to 20 percent. This one offered only 8 percent.

It was far below industry standard and extremely favorable to the player.

Plus, with my good looks, advertising offers would flood in, and even those endorsement fees were only 15 percent.

Normally agencies took 20 to 30 percent of ad income. This was another outrageous deal.

This is practically a custom contract made just for me. And the term is only two years...

"Even I think the terms are ridiculously good for me,"

"Yes, our agency may be new, but we have the capital and backing to rival any established agency,"

She spoke with absolute certainty.

I fell into deep thought.

The terms were overwhelmingly favorable, yet I wanted to hear the reason behind her offer.

"But why are you offering such good conditions? Do you really think I'm that valuable? I'm still just a high-school freshman, after all."

Her serious gaze met mine.

"Player Jung Tae-woo, your potential is enormous. We are certain you will become a world-class player. This contract is not just for the you of today, but an investment in the you of tomorrow."

"Hahaha, thank you. I'll discuss it with my parents and contact you again."

I smiled and replied.

She's had this kind eye since the beginning. If I don't become a world-class player, who will?

Well, even if I don't, Eun Ga-young would probably have signed with Yoo Hee-sung anyway.

* * *

"How interesting,"

She murmured to herself.

It had been a long time since anyone had looked at her without desire.

The men who had accompanied her father to chaebol parties had always stared at her with hungry eyes, treating her like prey.

She had felt that discomfort more times than she could count on city streets.

At first she had assumed Jung Tae-woo was just like the others.

But this man showed zero interest in her appearance, focusing only on his own vision.

Am I that ugly?

She had been so caught off guard by his indifference that the thought had crossed her mind.

"I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was actually relieved. If he had wanted me, I might not have been able to say no."

As the youngest daughter of the SC Group, she had always been under her brothers' watchful eyes.

They had wanted her to remain the foolish little sister who stayed hidden in her father's shadow.

But she had always wanted to succeed through her own strength, to prove to her family that she could stand on her own feet.

This agency business was never just about money. It was her challenge and a way to show her family what she could do.

That was exactly why she had gone after him.

While watching his matches, she had instantly seen the potential radiating from him like a polished gem.

Everyone would have noticed it.

"Are you here?"

The driver's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

"Yes, take me to the company."

As she settled into the car, she began plotting in her head.

I need to revise the contract. I want him to sign the moment he sees it...

* * *

Manchester City Conference Room

In the very heart of the club, the most influential figures were gathering around a sleek mahogany table.

Club executives in tailored suits, coaches in training gear, and scouts in casual attire created a unique atmosphere.

Through the window, a glimpse of Etihad Stadium stretched out under the Manchester sky.

Decisions that would shape the club's future were about to be made.

Everyone's faces were serious, the mood tense.

Some pored over tablets, double-checking final data. Others huddled in small groups, voices low as they exchanged opinions.

"Meeting will now come to order."

"I'll go first."

James Brown, the club's chief scout, raised his hand.

"Oh, you actually raised your hand. It's been a while."

"Of course. I found the players who will rebuild this crumbling Manchester City."

"Hmph."

James Brown's blunt words made some executives shift uncomfortably, but he ignored them.

"I've reviewed the Olympic matches and listed the players we need."

The projector came to life, showing Jung Tae-woo's image.

"An Asian?"

"Good-looking, sure. But why do we have to bring in an Asian? If he's that good, why not?"

"Well... he's a goalkeeper, and we already have Ederson."

Ha, that's why executives are executives...

James let out an internal sigh.

These executives only saw players as money. He hated how that attitude had almost destroyed his beloved Manchester City.

"Currently, our biggest weakness is defense."

"How can one goalkeeper possibly fix our defensive problems?"

"I can assure you, this player is not a simple goalkeeper. His reading of the game and build-up ability will completely transform our entire defense."

James paused, scanning the room.

Words were good, but pictures were better at convincing people.

"I'll show you the video of Player Jung Tae-woo's performance from the Olympics."

He picked up the remote and adjusted the projector.

The screen burst to life with highlights.

First scene: Jung Tae-woo catching a long ball from the edge of the penalty area and delivering an accurate pass to the striker.

"Wow, his vision is excellent. Watching from there like that..."

"The pass was perfect too."

"Even Ederson could do that."

The executives still thought it wasn't impressive, but as the video continued, they fell silent and focused.

Next came the sequence of Jung Tae-woo reading the opponent's attack, rushing out to make a brilliant save, and then parrying a penalty kick.

Finally, with the game almost over and a corner kick looming, he grabbed the ball, launched an instant counter-attack, and sent it straight into the net with pinpoint accuracy.

The room erupted in applause.

James spoke again. "This is the ability I mentioned. Beyond stopping goals, this player can bring a new wind to our team."

The room fell into heavy silence.

Executives exchanged glances, waiting for someone to speak first.

Then Peter Guardian, the new manager, finally broke the quiet.

"Hmph."

He cleared his throat.

"James, your eye is still as sharp as ever."

"Thank you."

"Then what's the transfer fee? If it's reasonable, I'll sign him right now with my authority."

Peter Guardian was the newly appointed manager who had led Freiburg to the Bundesliga title the previous season before joining Manchester City. A man with bold tactics and fearless player rotation, he had already lifted the club from thirteenth to eighth place. His word carried immense weight.

The executives listened attentively.

They knew his approval would mean the deal was sealed.

"He's currently with the South Korean national student team."

"Student team?"

"Yes. Right now Player Jung Tae-woo is an amateur, so there's no transfer fee."

"Hahahahaha!"

Peter's laughter echoed through the room.

When he finally stopped, he looked around at the executives.

"Gentlemen, I've already decided I want him. What about the rest of you?"

"Hahaha, our coach already said yes. Of course we sign."

"I wanted to sign on the spot."

But not every club was after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Jung Tae-woo, and the bidding war had just begun.