The Captain's Transfer, the Football God's Blessing, and Cutting Straight to the Point

"I can cook too… really well!"

Cook? If she were actually good at it, she wouldn't announce it like that.

Han Shin pulled a sandwich from the takeout bag.

"Everyone grab one."

The moment he issued the order, the scouting team and the director found themselves reaching for sandwiches without thinking.

"We've got work to do. Might as well eat something."

"Haah…"

As the scouts and director sighed, Emily urged them on cheerfully.

"Come on, try them! I went for an Asian-style sandwich. I'm sure it'll suit your tastes!"

Asian-style? That just makes me more nervous.

When they tore open the wrappers, the scent of shampoo hit them.

"Sniff sniff… You didn't put cilantro in these, did you?"

"Don't all Asians love cilantro?"

"That's a stereotype. Cilantro is polarizing—people either love it or hate it."

"Really? I had no idea. Sorry."

"Nothing to apologize for. It's just that I happen to hate the stuff."

"Just take one bite. Once you taste it, you'll change your mind!"

"Have you tried one yourself, Emily?"

"Ah… no?"

"Then did you at least taste for seasoning?"

"What seasoning is there to check in a sandwich…?"

"Hah… You grab one too."

"Yes!"

Han Shin addressed the entire room.

"All right, everyone takes one bite. On three—execute!"

"Execute!"

He squeezed his eyes shut and took a massive bite.

Urgh… All I can taste is cilantro.

The egg, lettuce, bacon, tomato, and chicken breast were completely buried under the cilantro's aggressive aroma. On top of that, Han Shin's tongue even picked up the burn of hot sauce.

"How is it, everyone?"

Bran hadn't even chewed yet, but he shot up a thumbs-up.

"Mmm…! Delicious!"

"Right?"

The director stood up.

"I need to use the restroom."

"Me too—urgent."

"Same here…"

One by one the scouts followed the director out. Emily called after them.

"You left your sandwiches!"

"Ahaha! Why would we take sandwiches into the bathroom? Right?"

"Exactly!"

Han Shin spoke up.

"Today's agenda: first, notify the players or agents on the release list. Second, contact our top transfer targets, starting with Maherdi. Third, discuss the prospects each of you has been watching…"

Someone swallowed hard.

"So no running off, understood?"

"Yes!"

"Then I'll just…"

Even the youngest, Isaac, quietly slipped out.

Only Han Shin and Emily remained in the conference room.

"Do men go to the bathroom in groups like women?"

"No. Not really."

"Maybe they're following the director for a smoke?"

"Not that either."

"So… how is the sandwich I made?"

"Worst thing I've ever tasted."

"What? The worst?"

Emily glared.

"The cilantro hits so hard it murders every other flavor, and then you added hot sauce. In short, it tastes like eating spicy shampoo."

"Fine, tch! If you don't want it, give it here! I'll finish it myself."

"I already took a bite, so it's mine now. Not giving it back."

"You said it was terrible! Hand it over!"

They tussled over the sandwich in Han Shin's hand.

"I said give it!"

He raised his arm high; no matter how she flailed, she couldn't reach it. She stood on her chair to snatch it—

"Oh my!"

—and lost her balance. Han Shin caught her instinctively.

Soft.

Her chest smashed straight into his face.

"…"

"Heavy…"

Emily hastily covered her chest with both arms and dropped back into her seat.

"Accident! Total accident! Not flirting!"

Foundation from the makeup Emma had applied earlier was now smeared across his white T-shirt.

"…"

A brief silence.

Han Shin took another bite of the spicy-shampoo sandwich.

"You'll sit still now, right?"

"Ugh… Yes. But you said it was awful?"

"Still, you knew Koreans like spicy food and made this with me in mind. I'll eat it."

"I packed extras just in case!"

"One is my absolute limit. Any more is a lethal dose."

"Okay."

Han Shin chewed the culinary biohazard while watching Maherdi's defensive replays on Isaac's laptop.

"Emily."

"?"

"When do you get nervous?"

"Right now…?"

"Not now. There must be places or situations that make you tense."

"Hmm… A conference room? Sitting alone next to the manager like this?"

"Hah… Keep joking and—"

"Don't ordinary people get nervous when every eye is on them? Competitions, for example. Even players go quiet in the locker room before big matches."

He pointed at the sturdy Black defender on the screen.

"I think this guy's the same. When his team has the ball he plays fine. But look at this."

Footage appeared of Maherdi losing focus in defensive situations.

"Especially one-on-ones. Attackers already have the advantage, but in those moments tens of thousands of fans are staring only at him. Maybe he just can't handle that total concentration of attention."

"And that's why he makes mistakes like that?"

"Exactly. He freezes staring at the ball, then just flops to the ground. He'd be better off simply holding his position."

"What about you, Manager? Tens of thousands of our fans will be staring only at Han Shin."

"I live ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for those moments. I enjoy the pleasant tremor and tension that adrenaline and dopamine give me."

"Natural-born entertainer."

I should call Maherdi's agent first. If it's psychological, we can find a solution. Quality like this at that price is too good to waste.

"Speaking of entertainers—I need another phone line and a new SNS account."

"Ah! About the phone—good news!"

"Don't tell me Samsung? Or Apple?"

"No, a telecom sponsor! SK, I think. Same red as the team colors."

"How much?"

"After negotiations we landed on a full eight million pounds!"

"Two days ago it was six. Grew fast. What do I have to do?"

"Promo photos, some ad shorts. And since we can put Sunderland branding on the products, they'll release merch with your face on it."

"Haha… Not my problem, but Sunderland isn't exactly a mega-club. Will people buy it?"

"Your fans will, at least."

"Anyway, how long left on our main kit sponsor?"

"One year with Nebula Nexus Games. Better offers are already flooding in, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we'll open it to bidding."

"Understood. Marketing is entirely in your hands, Emily. You used to work for a luxury brand, right?"

"Ahhh, my story later. Manager, you already have a Byulstar account, right?"

"I do."

"Make a new one and just apply—Meta will verify it instantly. Join X too."

"New ID…"

A moment later he created Han Shin @HanShin_official and updated the bio.

"First post can be anything, right?"

"What are you uploading? Doesn't have to be club-related."

"Trophy photo. The one with Ronaldo."

"Perfect for establishing identity. You've got marketing talent too."

I just picked the photo I liked most recently.

He uploaded the shot of himself lifting the trophy with Ronaldo and Kirill.

"The chairman doesn't have an account?"

"When you're worth three trillion, you don't need publicity."

"True."

"I'll drop a few photos—upload them for me."

He followed the official Sunderland account and posted the contract signing, official appointment, and the shot of himself on the white horse.

Buzz. Buzz.

Messages ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠poured in nonstop.

"Whoa…"

The follower count exploded in real time.

68… 180… 257… 499… 940… 1,336… 1,557… 4,885… 9,954…

It hit ten thousand in under five minutes.

Then a comment from Ronaldo appeared under the post.

"Ronaldo actually left a comment?"

"Really? Follow him right now! Then me next…"

"Planning to."

Moments later they followed each other.

"He followed me back? Unbelievable."

He immediately sent a direct message.

Oh… I've received the blessing of the god. Ronaldo, light of my life, fire of my loins, my sin, my soul.

"Truly a carbon-based lifeform—no, the primate GOAT…"

"What?"

"Nothing. From now on I'm praising Ronaldo once a day."

"But both Ronaldo and Messi are retired. Objectively, who was better?"

"My heart screams Ronaldo… but rationally, Lionel Messi."

"Then why do guys love Ronaldo so much?"

He showed her the message screen.

"Look at this. The man has romance. No one will ever generate as many memes as Ronaldo."

"Hmm… is that it?"

Emily would understand if she'd ever seen Korean communities.

"Why aren't the bathroom guys back yet?"

"No idea."

"And follow me second."

"Yes, yes."

"Thank you!"

After a quick rundown of SNS etiquette, they finished.

"Manager, a Korean game company called Nexon also came in with a sponsorship. Patch content, six million."

"Double what Kirill mentioned."

"I pushed hard."

"Well done."

"In return, during the Korea tour we'll do 3D modeling scans of the squad and create your character."

"Scan… so they'll base a character on me? With stats?"

"Probably. I don't know games, but you'll need modeling scans for FIFA 2026, EA FC, W.F.M, and even EA FC Online 3—four places."

"Four? Managing football alone is already hard enough."

Well, they won't share data, so it makes sense…

"More importantly, it shows the public still sees you as an influencer star."

"That'll quiet down once the season starts."

He finally finished the spicy-shampoo sandwich.

"All gone."

"Sorry. You didn't have to finish it."

"It's a biochemical weapon."

"Yeah…"

She quietly hid her own barely-touched sandwich out of his sight.

When the director and scouts returned, Emily lightly scolded them.

"You took longer than expected."

"Ahaha! Got carried away smoking…"

"And the others?"

"Waiting outside. Director Emily, could you give us about twenty minutes?"

"Sure. I'll step out."

Han Shin added,

"Grab a coffee with Emily and wait. We still have business."

"Yeeees!"

She left beaming, mouth stretched ear to ear.

"Yeeeeees!"

Her shout echoed down the corridor.

Marketing genius… is she?

"This is the important talk, right?"

"Yes. We've already had five inquiries for Ballard."

"Who?"

"Man United, Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham, and Brighton."

"Figures?"

"15m, 10m, 8m, 7m, and 8m pounds respectively."

Northern Ireland national team regular—price is solid.

"Tottenham's stingy as expected with Levy. United's free-spending."

"Tottenham's even half add-ons."

"Cut them. United see him as Maguire and Evans' successor?"

Homegrown too, and a big aerial presence.

"They're just throwing money. Market value sits around 10m."

"Everton want energy for an aging squad… Newcastle's a surprise. Brighton—he won't want them…"

Arsenal academy product, but with Saliba and Gabriel solid they won't even sniff.

Han Shin tapped the desk with his index finger.

"No debate—player and club both want United."

"Obviously."

"They offered 15m. Shall we push for 20?"

Twenty was double market value.

It's Man United!

"Tsk… Man United, so… why not?"

"Ballard's home by now?"

"Let's call his agent, Jones."

"Jones as in Indiana Jones?"

"…"

After settling a few details they dialed on speaker.

Unique ringtone.

"It really is Indiana Jones."

Click!

Connected.

"Jones? Speakman here. Manager Han Shin is with me."

"Glory~~"

Jones's first word was a chant—very familiar.

"Glory~ Glory~ Man United~!"

He already knows.

"Can you hear Ballard singing from Manchester?"

Welsh? Northern Irish accent?

Han Shin answered.

"Loud and clear."

"Well if it isn't the manager of the moment—and that voice is excellent too."

"Ballard wants Manchester, correct?"

"Our~ valued client Ballard~ would love to go to Manchester."

Speakman asked,

"Is the player ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with you?"

"No. I simply convey his wishes with perfect clarity. Yes."

"The club received a 20-million-pound offer. We're countering at 25."

"Absolutely not. Accept the 20 million immediately. That's what the client wants."

"23.5."

"20. No change."

"21."

"20."

"Understood. 20."

"See, Director~ we communicate so well!"

Han Shin reminded him of the promise.

"Have you heard the other offers?"

"Why bother? United made an offer—that's the end. End."

"Ballard told me he wants Champions League football. But United…"

"Manager, they'll qualify this year."

Is this really the transfer Ballard wants?

"Director, please review quickly."

"Thank you for your time."

The call ended.

"Skillful. What if United reject the higher counter?"

"We'll find middle ground. Sending the reply now."

Speakman drafted the email.

"Is it always hard to speak directly to the player?"

"Once an agent is involved, even meeting face-to-face is tough. He's literally the proxy… From now until the transfer, he won't want you talking to the player at all."

"Is that so? No talking…"

"Manager, this one's clean—player wants it, club accepts. The real problem is the releases."

"What if a player refuses to leave?"

"What did you do in the game?"

"Demote him to the youth team and make him practice overhead kicks in individual sessions."

"Similar, but a bit crueler."

"How? Pull the desk like a company?"

"Exactly. Total isolation. Block all contact with first-team players. Ban him from every club facility.

"How far does the ban go?"

"Training ground, cafeteria, physio room—everything. Staff forbidden to speak to him. Not even a sip of water. Block his car from the parking lot. Treat him like a ghost until he walks out on his own."

"Making him do overhead kicks sounds angelic by comparison."

"That's just how the world works…. Wait—!"

The director spun the screen toward Han Shin.

"United accepted 18 million."

"So?"

"Ballard is out of our hands."

"No chance of collapse?"

"Player wants it—99 percent done."

"Then the fee is pure profit for us?"

"Yes. Even if we lose our defensive cornerstone and captain."

"If the captain leaves, others who want out will follow."

"Probably. Hah… Hope not holding them is the right call…"

Insane. Nearly 50 million spent this window?

"Manager, until the final paperwork is signed and medicals are passed, no leaks."

"Understood. Quietly…"

"Let's also put in the bid for Maherdi."

"Already did, earlier."

"And Nelson Weiper is on the list—are you serious?"

"Worth a shot, right? German Haaland."

"Germany's next-gen striker Weiper will never come."

"We'll never know until we try. Nobody predicted I'd become a manager either."

"Hahaha! Fair enough. Let's wrap today's meeting here."

As Speakman packed his backpack, Han Shin casually offered a sandwich.

"Ah. Yes, thank you. Ugh… You finished yours?"

"Yes."

"I'll head out first."

"Thanks for everything. Learned a lot."

"No, I learned more. From next week, regular Thursday meetings with the scouting team."

"Understood. Good work, Director. Even on a weekend…"

"Football clubs don't have weekends. Hahaha."

When the director opened the door, Emily was waiting.

"Finished?"

"Yes."

"Manager Han Shin~~~!"

They suit each other. Does Han Shin even have interest in Emily…? He'll handle romance fine on his own. First time I've seen Emily this proactive.

Emily and Han Shin stepped outside together.

"So what business did you have with me?"

"Drive with me in my car."

"Where to?"

"The sea's cliché… How about my place?"

"Sea air is nice… Wait, what?"

"Nothing to see there. Come to my house."

"…?!"

"Do you like wine?"

"W-well, of course!"

What… what? He wasn't uninterested? Wait, my underwear… this level is… yeah, excellent, good!