Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Worship Him.
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In that split second, the exact play I needed to make flashed through my mind in an instant.
The ideal moment I'd always envisioned.
The emotion of that moment aligning perfectly in a real match was beyond words.
Normally, it was a play with such low odds of success that I wouldn't even consider it, but whenever this uncanny intuition—like foresight itself—kicked in, it always paid off.
With a super play.
I immediately twisted my stepping left foot a bit further to the left.
The defenders trailing me figured the rookie, who had just debuted, had simply stumbled under the immense pressure of the moment.
I swung my right foot into the ball, just slightly to the left of center, like driving it forward.
Thwack!
...
The Almería keeper panicked briefly at the unexpected timing of the shot but quickly read the trajectory and relaxed.
"Not a bad timing, but the worst possible course."
With that somewhat arrogant thought, the keeper simply waited for the ball to settle into his grasp.
Whoosh!...
"Huh?!"
The keeper, convinced of an easy catch, stood still and waited.
But in an instant, the ball vanished from his sight and lodged itself in the opposite top corner.
"Whoa!!!!!!!!!"
"Did you see that? That shot—he really just did that, right?!"
"Holy... what the hell..."
The ball, struck from long range, initially seemed headed straight for the keeper, suggesting a futile block. But Lee Si-eon would never have chosen that path.
The moment the keeper committed to the course and held his position, the ball knifed sharply to the right.
It traced a beautiful arc and buried itself perfectly in the net on the opposite side from where the keeper waited.
This moment would dominate every community forum for a while.
A long-range screamer where the keeper and the goal were on completely opposite sides—it painted a hilariously tragic picture.
After scoring, I bolted straight toward the stands of my parent club fans, the ones who'd hurled abuse at me before kickoff.
I slowed to a walk just before getting too close, regulating my breathing to appear as composed as possible.
The stadium, buzzing with excitement and passion over the rookie's insane wonder goal that saved the team, fell into a solemn hush in an instant.
Part of it was the recollection of their baseless pre-match jeers and racial abuse, leaving them subdued.
Part of it was hesitation over how to react now that the player himself was approaching.
But those weren't the main reasons.
Amid all the criticism and wary glares, the rookie enduring a nightmare debut had conjured a wonder goal through pure individual brilliance.
This goal would go down in history.
Yet Lee Si-eon trudged forward without a flicker of emotion, as if it were the most natural thing in the world—like he was simply walking the path he was meant to.
Under the gaze of every eye in the stadium, Lee Si-eon stopped at a similar spot as before.
He stared at the stands for a brief moment, then turned back without a word or gesture, resuming his signature calm stride.
...
A ceremony that might seem a bit bland at first glance.
But the reaction to it was more explosive than ever.
"Whoa...! Stop them!"
Fans frozen in the stands began rising one by one, then suddenly masses of them vaulted over the fences.
Club staff rushed to block them desperately, but a handful of people couldn't hold back the surging crowd.
"We're screwed..."
Most had already given up trying to stop them anyway.
"Huh...?"
But the fans, blinded by excitement and oblivious to the obvious, had something else in mind.
I'd expected chaos, but the outcome was surprisingly tame.
As if they had no intention of grabbing the departing Lee Si-eon, they halted at the touchline and simply watched him go.
A truly awe-inspiring sight.
Hard to believe these were the Espanyol supporters hurling every insult imaginable just an hour ago.
Was this respect for an ace player?
Admiration for a manager leading the team to victory?
No way.
Respect, admiration, praise—none of those words could capture it.
The way they looked at Lee Si-eon was like devout believers gazing upon their faith.
I dare say it.
Worship.
The being who came to save Espanyol fans after two years of humiliation and hardship.
Blind to his talent, they escalated from skill critiques to baseless abuse and racial slurs.
Doesn't that ring a bell?
The one who bore all humanity's sins to save them.
"Jesus Christ..."
In this absurd situation, the phrase slipped out naturally.
One fan's unwitting murmur became the chant of everyone in the stadium.
"Jesus Christ!!" "Jesus Christ!!" "Jesus Christ!!"
Some even broke into sobs and wails, overcome with emotion.
"What the hell, these guys..."
Even I couldn't help but get swept up.
Part of why I gritted my teeth and scored was to show up those who'd cursed me before the game.
And to openly school the ones I'd memorized.
But with this grand plea for reconciliation, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt beyond mere forgiveness.
"Whoa... Si-eon... this right now..."
"You, get back quick."
"Oh!"
The guy who'd gone wild with joy when I scored.
Adam Dolan, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, trailed timidly behind me without daring to speak until I returned to position.
"Get ready to come on soon."
"...Yes, sir!"
For a split second, he seemed to see me as some lofty figure, snapping to attention with a spirited reply before scurrying back to the bench.
The match resumed after a brief lull from the wonder goal and unprecedented fan reaction.
With cheers like that, I wanted to repay them once more.
"Ah..."
Looks like I'd fallen for it.
This club, mired in despair and futility, too busy blaming me amid it all.
Part of me was getting excited at the thought of leading this damn team to a miracle.
📰 Breaking News "We're witnessing a historic moment right now." "...In 20 years of commentary, I've never seen a situation like this." "It's hard to find the words..." "One thing's for sure: you're seeing the first steps of a world-class talent!" 💬 Comments — Anonymous Whoa... — Fanboy123 Isn't this straight-up reserving the Puskás Award this year? ⭐ Top Comment — TraitorHunter Clip of the traitors heading out at halftime to get laid lol The community was exploding just as much as the live reactions.
Even people who didn't care about soccer—or who watched matches but skipped Espanyol's—were drawn in by the frenzy, wondering what all the fuss was about.
"Insane..."
"He's a natural. Already got that star quality..."
Manager Martin Leo wanted to keep a poker face, but he couldn't stop the grin creeping up.
"Huh."
Turning at a sudden gaze, he saw Si-eon flashing a smirk.
A look that said I know everything.
Martin Leo, young for a manager, always maintained a stern, dignified demeanor to command respect.
Things had been smooth until this 20-year-old rookie treated him more casually than anyone.
He had every right to be annoyed, but the kid had skill, vision, and game sense—nothing to nitpick.
"Tell Dolan to warm up."
...
"...Pardon?"
"I said get Dolan ready for substitution."
The guy was so dazed he hadn't even heard the manager right next to him.
Some senior coach he was.
'Talk to me if the coaches are too slow?'
That bold line from before resurfaced, the one that had shattered his poker face into laughter.
He'd never expected it, but he'd have to grant more of the kid's demands one by one.
Despite the 1-1 score, anyone watching knew one goal could unleash a flood.
Espanyol dominated possession with endless attacks.
Almería had parked the bus in infinite defense, but now they weren't even bothering—they looked like they were letting every shot through.
Not content with conceding that absurd wonder goal, their momentum had completely crumbled.
They'd been squeezing every ounce of energy just to survive, thinking they could hold a one-goal lead. But after the equalizer, their spirit broke.
The toll of burning mental fortitude to exhaust their stamina was now evident.
A mere Espanyol player tapping and running left them legless, unable to chase.
In that instant, all eleven Almería players knew.
This match was over.
They just prayed the humiliation wouldn't be too great and time would pass quickly.