Minseo's Golden Performance
“Kim Minseo clenches her fists tightly.”
“She knows exactly how brilliant her plays were and how much she contributed to the team.”
The commentator praised Minseo, who was on camera, as if marveling at her.
In the meantime, Kim Yuri headed to the bench, and a new player stepped onto the court.
“Now, Lee Hye-min from Daehan Construction is preparing to serve. She has 4 service aces this season.”
Lee Hye-min, who had replaced Kim Yuri, prepared her serve and then unleashed a low-jump serve.
“Jang Young-seo receives it well! Followed by the receive! Jeong Mun-hee goes for a quick attack! But Yu Eun-jin digs it out!”
Jang Young-seo received Lee Hye-min's serve and passed it straight to the setter, who tossed it for Jeong Mun-hee to execute a lightning-fast quick attack.
It was a split-second strike.
But Yu Eun-jin dropped to her knees and saved it.
“And the underhand bump! Kim Minseo hammers it!”
Ding!
Minseo didn't miss the high-floating ball. She jumped up and swung a powerful spike.
Her movements were so swift that by the time the opponents leaped for a block, the ball had already rocketed past the center players and slammed into the floor.
“Kim Minseo just seized that opportunity perfectly.”
“Indeed. Looking at the replay, she was set up for it from the start!”
The commentator and caster chatted as they watched the replay.
But soon enough, Lee Hye-min bounced the ball again, preparing another serve.
“Lee Hye-min takes her time once more. Daehan Construction's serve! A knife serve? Knife serve! Knife ace!”
Lee Hye-min served calmly, but the GS Caltex players handled it well once again.
And in response, they blatantly tossed to Niel, baiting her for a point.
Ding!
“...But Kim Minseo blocks it! Score is 15 to 19! Daehan Construction leads by four points!”
Minseo wasn't about to let Niel score easily. She extended both arms fully, stuffing Niel's shot and sending it straight to the opponent's court.
Niel's face, caught on camera, showed utter dismay, while Minseo's beamed with a bright smile.
“That has to sting.”
“Niel's biggest strength is her ball control, right? Getting shut down one-on-one like that? That's a huge blow to her pride.”
“But her mental toughness is Niel's real asset. She's not one to crumble after a few failures. Now, Tanya is up for the serve. Current score: 15-19. Daehan Construction has a clear lead.”
Tanya took a deep breath as she prepared.
Moments later, she dashed forward and served hard.
“Tanya's serve! Wow, ace!”
“Service ace!”
Stimulated by Minseo's performance, Tanya unleashed a powerful serve. A GS Caltex player slid forward to save it, but the ball ricocheted out of bounds.
“That's two for Tanya today. Her second service ace of the match.”
“Tanya only had one service ace across her last five games, and now she's got two already! Something must have fired her up today.”
“Looks like Tanya's competitive fire, usually aimed at opponents, has rubbed off on her teammate Kim Minseo. Great sign for the team—they love seeing this.”
True to their words, Tanya grinned broadly, her bundled golden ponytail swaying wildly, as she readied another serve.
Daehan Construction's players had shifted into a relaxed groove since snatching the first technical timeout.
In contrast, GS Caltex seemed deflated by Minseo's explosive surge, struggling to mount any real offense and falling further behind.
Eventually, GS Caltex failed to handle Lee Tae-young's serve at 18-24, handing over the first set.
“Lee Tae-young seals the set with a service ace!”
“GS Caltex started strong, but after the timeout, they couldn't handle Kim Minseo from Daehan Construction. They need to regroup mentally and tighten the mark on her even more.”
“On the flip side, it means they didn't scout her properly beforehand.”
“Exactly. She hasn't been a big standout, so yeah. But after today's show, every coach will be digging into her stats. And with Kim Yuri and Tanya stepping up on serves, Daehan dominated that battle.”
As the commentator and caster bantered, the screen displayed stats: points, attacks, blocks, serves, and opponent errors.
Daehan Construction overwhelmingly led in service aces against GS Caltex.
'Smooth sailing.'
The first set had just ended, but watching Minseo fly high today, I had no more worries.
'...Even if they struggle from set two, I can just pump Vital Energy into her stats.'
I fiddled with my smartphone, scrolling through the live chat.
As I did, the ads ended, and set two began.
From set two, GS Caltex's coach assigned a man-to-man shadow on Minseo.
But with her personal skill at 60 and finishing at 77, her marker's talent fell short.
The defender crumbled under Minseo's attacks every time.
In the end, GS Caltex couldn't stop her streak, dropping set two and three easily for a 3-0 sweep.
Daehan Construction's players erupted in hugs and cheers.
“Kim Minseo's stellar play delivers a dominant 3-0 victory today.”
“Yes. But while Minseo shone, GS Caltex's passive response played a part too. They needed more aggression—not just on her, but across the board. That let Tanya rack up points beyond serves and lead the win.”
The caster and commentator heaped praise on Minseo, and the chat exploded with fans declaring their allegiance.
Seeing that, it felt like Minseo was on the cusp of sports stardom.
'Well, she's got the body, the looks, and the skills. Nothing missing.'
Even I had to admit she was captivating all around.
'...Might end up falling hard for her myself.'
I let out a wry chuckle and turned back to the screen.
“2015 Women's Pro Volleyball: Daehan Construction vs. GS Caltex! Daehan takes it 3-0 today. Time to hear from the star of the match, Kim Minseo of Daehan Construction Hills State. Hello!”
“Hello!”
The female caster held out the mic, and Minseo bowed stiffly, a bit tense.
Her first pro interview—nerves were expected.
“A clean 3-0 sweep, and you're the hero. First, your victory thoughts?”
“I was really nervous today... But everyone believed in me and cheered me on, so I could play loose till the end.”
“Who gave you the biggest boost?”
Minseo flushed red, cheeks burning, and bowed her head.
“Family? Boyfriend cheering you on?”
“N-no...”
“Then who?”
Pressing her suspicious reaction, the caster probed. Minseo fidgeted before answering.
“Th-there's someone. He helped me a lot... I miss him right now.”
“A crush?”
“Y-yeah, probably.”
She gazed into the camera like she was looking right at me.
“Say something to them.”
“Huh?”
“Perk of the star player, right?”
The caster handed her the mic. Minseo looked dazed, then her ears turned scarlet as she shouted.
“I-I miss you!”
Her trembling voice hit hard.
'She's calling for me, right?'
Stunned for a moment, I snapped to and launched the Manager App.
Victory against GS Caltex! Gain 40 experience points.
Settling experience points.
Please wait a moment.
Kim Minseo has gained 640 experience points. (Total accumulated experience: 640)
“Whoa...”
The moment I opened the Manager App, the experience settled, flashing a massive 640 accumulated.
Real matches yielded way more than practice.
'Not the time.'
I hit confirm and pulled up the training list.
Select Kim Minseo?
[Yes / No]
With Minseo calling for me so desperately, no time to waste.
I selected yes, entered the Training Room, grabbed a mask from the wall, donned a cloak, and stepped into Room 1.
“Master!”
Her voice rang out the instant I entered.
I smiled faintly.
“Hello, Kim Minseo.”
“Y-you were watching!”
“Watched every second. Your performance was incredible.”
I approached step by step.
“...Your points were killer, but blocking Niel? Honestly, that moved me.”
As I recounted her highlights, ecstasy bloomed on her face.
Standing right before her, she looked up with teary eyes.
“Master...”
So adorably puppy-like. If such a pup existed for real, I'd never leave home.
“Great game today, so a special reward. Anything you want?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, then she mumbled, head down.
I lifted her chin gently.
“...Speak up, Kim Minseo. I can't hear whispers. Say it clearly.”
“Ah...”
Lifted by my hand, she shivered with a soft moan.
Then, trembling, she spoke.
“...Please.”
“Please what?”
I leaned closer.
She met my eyes shyly, then mustered her courage.
“Hug me, Master.”
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Author's Note
Heh heh, H-scene incoming! First proper one in 50 chapters!