Invincible (1)
The morning after the housewarming party disguised as a home bash, Cha Tae-oh, Miguel Amaro, and Joni Montoya dragged themselves into work with hollow eyes, staring at each other.
"...My head feels like it's gonna split open."
Miguel Amaro sighed heavily, his face wrecked by the hangover.
"...Mine's my back."
Joni Montoya didn't look too hungover, but he kept clutching his lower back and groaning.
Turns out, he'd strained it carrying a wasted Miguel Amaro all the way home the night before.
"I've made up my mind."
"About what?"
"No booze during the season. Not a drop."
Joni Montoya snorted at Miguel Amaro's resolution.
"You'd probably play better drunk during the season."
"What? Why?"
"Chug a big glass of strong whiskey right before kickoff. Stumble onto the pitch sloshed—that's your vibe."
Miguel Amaro's eyes went wide, unsure if it was a joke or serious.
Grimacing, Joni Montoya turned to him.
"You know why my whole body's killing me, not just my back?"
"...Did I hit you?"
"You might as well have. It was basically assault."
Joni Montoya shot Cha Tae-oh a pleading look.
"Last night, when I tried to piggyback this guy, he starts wrestling me. Shoving his shoulder in like a maniac. And all the while yelling, 'Protect the ball! Protect the ball! Protect the ball!' "
Miguel Amaro averted his eyes as Joni Montoya acted it out complete with demo.
"Blocking you for real was tougher than defending in a match."
"...Haha."
Cha Tae-oh just laughed awkwardly.
"Anyway, Theo, you look beat too."
"Ah... yeah. A bit tired."
"Hm. You weak with booze?"
He wasn't weak with alcohol. He didn't drink often, but since becoming an adult, he'd never blacked out.
His fatigue now? From over-discharging protein.
He knew to enjoy sex in moderation. That's why he'd agreed with Yuko to meet just once a week.
He'd been controlling it... but handling Elena then Yuko had cracked even his iron stamina.
Having led the sex lately and gotten a real taste for it, suppressing the instinct wasn't easy.
Still, he had to rein it in. He was a pro now.
"Here's the deal. No drinking till the season ends. Nah, till we clinch the title. What do you say, guys?"
Joni Montoya shook his head at Miguel Amaro's proposal.
"Didn't you hear me? Miguel, you need that pre-game whiskey. Hate it? Fine, down a whole bottle of wine."
"...You were serious?"
"Thought it was a joke?"
"...It wasn't?"
"Dead serious."
"...Wow."
Miguel Amaro blinked blankly, then slowly nodded.
"I'll think about it. Oh, gotta clear it with the coach first?"
...Why did this guy take it seriously?
Just not your average dude.
"Hey, Joni!"
They were mid-bullshit when the B-team manager called Joni Montoya over. Spotting the trio, he grinned.
"Good news."
"Yeah?"
"Just got the word—you're training with these two on the A-team starting today."
"......!"
"Congrats, Joni. Go kill it."
The manager patted Joni Montoya's back and left.
Joni Montoya gaped at them, whispering hoarsely.
"Guys... pinch my cheek? Nah, kick my ass hard. Gotta check if this is a dream."
Every city has its own scent.
Honestly... Madrid's wasn't that great.
Smokers puffing everywhere made the acrid tobacco sting his nose relentlessly.
Yet somehow, Madrid always lifted his mood.
Probably from the good memories during his short language program here.
Especially with soccer.
Sports Korea's Kim Min-seok kept a smile on his face as he strolled near Plaza Mayor.
He'd flown to Madrid for two reasons.
The official one: covering El Clásico between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona in two days.
But personally...
Head straight to Alcorcon.
To meet the comet-like sensation who'd captured his full attention: Cha Tae-oh.
He'd even burned vacation days, flying early despite jet lag.
Had to—AD Alcorcón B's 31st round was two days before El Clásico.
After soaking in Plaza Mayor's vibe, Kim Min-seok headed back to his hotel, changed, and went to AD Alcorcón's home stadium.
The B-team pitch was right next door, so he figured he'd grab a jersey, snap photos, and check it out.
He bought a uniform at the stadium shop, took a few pics, then walked to the B-team field.
An hour before kickoff, AD Alcorcón supporters already filled seats.
With an A-team home game two hours later next door, most fans planned a double-header.
B-team games usually draw zilch...
When Cha Tae-oh debuted for AD Alcorcón B, barely any fans showed.
But his insane run had dragged a relegation-threatened team to title contenders—now averaging 500 fans per home game.
Early birds here already numbered around 100.
Kim Min-seok approached the supporters cautiously.
"Excuse me..."
"Whoa?!"
"An Asian?"
"No way—here for Theo?"
Before he could finish, the AD Alcorcón fans lit up at the sight of him.
"Hi. Korean reporter here to cover Tae-oh. Mind a quick interview?"
Their eyes widened at his polite Spanish.
"Dude speaks pretty good Spanish."
"Theo's fluent too—do they teach a ton of it in Korea?"
"Whoa, that's wild. Haha!"
His half-year immersion helped, but Kim Min-seok was decent anyway.
Some misunderstanding building... but whatever.
He chuckled softly. No need to correct them.
"From Korea, huh?"
One approached, offering a hand.
"Nice to meet you. Manuel Beiga, co-leader of Alcorcón supporters."
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you."
After shaking, Manuel Beiga smiled warmly.
"Here to cover Theo?"
"Yes, exactly."
"His popularity's blowing up in Korea, finally."
"Yeah. He plays too damn well. Haha."
Kim Min-seok stopped laughing abruptly.
Finally...?
Truth was, Cha Tae-oh wasn't huge in Korea yet. Plus, he'd blocked all media, so few articles existed.
Soccer communities buzzed about his exploits, but mainstream recognition was low—just "that hot soccer player" to most.
"In all my years watching soccer, I've never seen a striker with Theo's finishing—zero lies."
"His goal conversion is unreal."
"So naturally, I figured Korean reporters would swarm. You're the first."
Now Kim Min-seok got the "finally."
"Eh, makes sense. Not many care about a fourth-division league abroad."
Manuel Beiga grinned confidently.
"But next season? Everyone watches Theo. No doubt. He'll score big in La Liga 2 too."
Kim Min-seok looked surprised. A B-team player leaving that deep an impression in 10 games?
But it wasn't weird. Even he'd been stunned speechless by Cha Tae-oh's play.
"Write lots about Theo. Get Korean fans loving him—and us Alcorcón too."
A rare surge of national pride hit; Kim Min-seok beamed.
He thumped his chest.
"You bet. I cover La Liga a ton in Korea—solid reader base. Already written some on him, and I'll do way more."
"Awesome! Ask away till kickoff. Or we can set aside time."
"So kind. Thanks."
"No biggie. For Theo? Supporter duty. Ha!"
Manuel Beiga laughed heartily.