Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Double Hat-Trick (2)
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Manchester United's corner kick.
With just 10 minutes left until the end of the match, every player, staff member, and fan of Manchester United was hoping for one more goal from Ban Yeager.
One more goal, and he'd achieve a historic double hat-trick.
And it would be Ban Yeager—the team's core and future star—who'd deliver it in their moment of crisis.
To make it happen, the manager had played his two substitution cards.
Jack Fletcher, not fully ripe yet but with kicking precision surpassing Toby Colier's, was brought on solely as the corner kick specialist.
Chido Obi replaced Garnacho to bolster aerial presence in the box.
Even center-back Harry Maguire pushed into the box, packing the penalty area tight.
Beep!!—
Birmingham City players, each marked tightly, prepared for the header duel.
The moment Jack Fletcher's corner kick flew in, Manchester United's players readied their jumps in unison.
Birmingham, without a shred of doubt, held their positions and prepared to leap as well.
But the ball bypassed the box, rolling to Ban Yeager who'd advanced to the corner kick spot.
"Block it!!!"
Since they'd never anticipated this pattern, Ban Yeager had all the space he needed.
Near the edge of the penalty area.
Without hesitation, Ban Yeager spun and unleashed a shot.
The ball arced upward like a reverse cross.
But with the heavy spin, it whipped sharply inward, heading for the top right corner.
Wooooaaahhh—!!
Manchester United fans in red jerseys leaped from their seats, voices thick with anticipation.
The ball met their hopes with a crisp metallic clang, shaking the net.
Yeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!—
His third goal of the second half—sixth of the match.
Achieving a double hat-trick was utterly insane.
A record that, even in 2038—the future only I knew—had never happened.
Reining in the surging emotions, I sprinted at top speed toward the away fans' section where the RED DEVILS awaited.
"Tel tel ter te! Yeager Ban~!"
"Tel tel ter te! Yeager Ban~!"
"Yeager Ban!!!"
The away fans welcomed me with fervor.
These fans who traveled to support us were like the first team in soccer terms; just as players know their first-team stars well, I recognized every face among them.
And one fan in particular caught my eye.
An elderly fan shedding tears of joy—the same one who'd gotten an autograph from me with his grandson in front of the training ground before.
He'd teared up then too; looks tough on the outside, but quite sentimental.
"Your grandson didn't come today!"
He recognized me instantly, eyes widening as if to say, Are you talking to me?
"It's you, right? The one I signed for in front of the training ground last time!"
"To think you remember this old man..."
Overwhelmed, he couldn't continue, but the middle-aged fan beside him shouted at me.
"You're Manchester United's treasure!!! What a insane match!!!"
"Haha... Like I said last time..."
My teammates arrived then, dragging me away, so I couldn't say more.
But as they carried me off, I saw the grandpa fan nod—he'd gotten it.
"Hm?"
Right beside him, a woman staring blankly at me.
She stood out, the only one not in a jersey, quietly watching.
"Ban!!! You know what this is? A double hat-trick!"
"Of course. That's why everyone helped out, right?"
"Then sign for life!!"
Jack Fletcher, so hyped he wanted a 20-year contract on the spot after the match.
The eldest son of the Fletcher family, rivals to the Smiths.
——
With Ban Yeager's goal, the match settled into a lull.
Time ticked away without incident, and the moment 90 minutes elapsed, the ref whistled sharply to end it.
Final score: a whopping 6:0.
Who could've predicted this?
Birmingham City, facing Manchester United, was no weak side.
Despite dropping points this round, they held 5th place, still in promotion contention.
And this was their home stadium.
About 20 years ago, Park Ji-sung's Manchester United debut goal was born here...
Now, another Korean Red Devil had returned to etch history.
No one—no one—could've foreseen this performance...
——
Wait, is that scorer list just him? All his goals?
Yep, first time seeing a scoresheet?
6 goals in one game ffs lol no other goals in between either
But it's Championship... kinda bittersweet...
Fans who hadn't watched only believed after checking official sites and highlight reels.
Then the magnitude of the record truly sank in.
——
"Yeager."
"Ah, sunbae!"
Baek Seung-hoon approached as I headed for the interview.
"Good... nah, embarrassing to call it that. Truly phenomenal performance."
"Thanks. Without you, it could've been 7+. National team's core, as expected."
"Ah... thanks."
With this gap, any words were just empty consolation.
But better than silence—it showed effort.
"Sunbae, sorry, but I gotta go for the interview..."
"Right. Looking forward to the next match."
"I'll join the national team ASAP!"
"I meant after you hit the EPL? Think Birmingham won't promote?"
"No! Not like that..."
"Hahaha! Kidding. Join the team soon. We need you."
"Haha... thanks."
We hugged, then I headed to the interview spot.
——
The post-match MOM interview.
Naturally, Ban Yeager—with a perfect 10 rating—took the honor.
"Hello, Ban Yeager!"
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"So much to say! First, congrats on the win—another step toward the title!"
Manchester United grabbed 3 points from the 33rd round vs Birmingham.
Meanwhile, 2nd-place Leicester City lost to Sheffield United.
United leaped to 2nd: 20W-6D-7L, 66 points.
Leaders Leeds had 73, but the gap was still 7 points—wide from the start.
"Thank you. Still far from the end. Too early to celebrate."
The reporter admired my answer, envying United fans.
We then cheerfully dissected each goal.
After the last one, just as it seemed over, a question on the final celebration.
"You always run to the fans—home or away. What's the meaning behind it?"
"Nothing grand. I just do it because I want to. Knowing how much joy my goals bring them, my body and heart naturally pull me there."
"They say they're proud of me, and as their representative, wearing this shirt and running is always my pride."
A 6:0 double hat-trick gift, topped with humble swagger.
How could any United fan—or soccer lover—not go mad?
Even if for image management, repaying fan love was joyfully meaningful.
——
Waaaaahhhh!!—
We disembarked the team bus at Carrington training ground.
Predictably, fans waited to glimpse our faces. Tired players waved briefly and headed home in their cars.
But I had no car.
Did they know and gather like this?
"Yeager! Ride home together?"
The Fletcher brothers asked right off the bus.
I spotted manager Darren Fletcher nodding—he'd drive.
"Nah, I'll walk."
"Through... that crowd?"
"That crowd's probably here for me, right?"
"Ah..."
I usually avoid sounding narcissistic, but today? Undeniable.
The double hat-trick guy walking home from training because no car? I'd camp out too.
Oh shit...