Chapter 44
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 44
Chapter Title Outfoxing the White Tiger
Bayern Munich, having equalized in one swift strike, seized the momentum and hammered away at South Korea.
Their pressing was on a whole different leveltight beyond comparison with the three teams theyd faced before.
Smooth passing was impossible even crossing the halfway line proved difficult.
Even when they mustered the courage for a long ball targeting the backline, Munich denied them the space to launch it.
And even if a long ball connected by some miracle, Munichs two centerbacks tracked back with alarming speed upon spotting it. South Koreas forwards, meanwhile, struggled to exploit the space behind the defense under constant marking.
The situation remained unchanged as the first half gave way to the second.
South Korea desperately probed for openings, but Munich squeezed the life out of them like a noose tightening around their throat.
The scariest part was Weiss Tiger, who lurked at the back only to surge forward into the attacking third or halfspace at precisely the right moments.
His midrange shots, charged in with that towering frame, were pure cannon fire.
Block them wrong, and a broken finger wouldnt be surprising. Thanks to those blasts, South Koreas goalkeeper was growing visibly tentative.
Not easy. Not easy at all.
Lee Junghoo watched on, clucking his tongue.
This was where Yoon Taeyang needed to step up, but that wasnt simple either.
Whenever Yoon Taeyang got the ball, Munich resorted to fouls without hesitation.
Yet they somehow avoided cards.
The referee was lenient, sure, but the centerbacksespecially Weiss Tigerhad foul timing as shrewd as any veteran.
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.
Lee Junghoo clucked his tongue again and glanced at Yoon Taeyang.
But the kid was something else.
At that age, most wouldve cracked mentally by now.
Not him. He looked utterly indifferent.
Occasionally, hed even crack a sly smile.
Has that punk lost his mind?
Or was there something more?
Lee Junghoo checked the clock.
75th minute.
Plenty of time left.
Meaning they had ages more of this beating to endure?
They were barely hanging on. One more goal conceded, and the momentum would shift decisivelythey could lose big.
Damn, this...
Something had to change.
Substitutions maybe? Pull Kim Hyojun for Ryu Junseo?
Thats when he noticed.
Huh?
Yoon Taeyang had shifted position.
The kid who should be on the right wing was hovering in the halfspace ahead of Kim Hyojun and Lee Sungho.
An attacking midfielder or shadow striker spot.
Why do something he wasnt told to?
But Lee Junghoo didnt mind much.
Unlike Newcastle youth coach Marciano Diaz, he let Yoon Taeyang do his thing.
He was expecting great things.
From that freak talent who made everything look effortless.
And Yoon Taeyang didnt disappoint.
Dropping just below the frontline, he roamed freely between the first and second lines, hunting for pockets of space.
Munich couldnt ignore it.
Theyd clearly studied South Korea thoroughly, despite being the weaker side. As the rising star, Yoon Taeyang was their biggest threatthey knew it better than anyone.
They couldnt let him roam free.
Someone had to mark him. Yoon Taeyang exploited it perfectly, dragging defenders out and creating lanes for his teammates.
When Munich reacted to South Korea players darting into space, new gaps opened. Yoon Taeyang filled them, forcing Bayern Munichs high line to gradually drop.
They had no choice if they wanted to contain himbut dropping the line created even more space. Inevitable.
Choi Jiwoo, whod been stifled by Munichs overwhelming physicality and pressure, finally got the ball.
Heh heh... where you at? Whos hunting that goal? Heh heh! There you are!
With his eerie cackle, the ball left Choi Jiwoos foot.
It sliced quickly into the halfspace between Weiss Tiger and the fullback. Lee Sungho reacted instantly.
Not quite Yoon Taeyang level, but they couldnt leave the Dortmund starter with his solid scoring record unmarked.
The fullback and Weiss Tiger closed the gap, pressing Lee Sungho like a machine.
Rather than force a dribble, Lee Sungho slipped it to Kim Hyojun infiltrating behind the fullback.
As Kim Hyojun hugged the sideline and charged, the fullback chased. Lee Sungho and Weiss Tiger sprinted back to link with teammates.
Kim Hyojun tried working the ball around to beat the fullback but couldnt. He looked up at Lee Sungho.
Tch...!
He clicked his tongue without thinking.
Not at Lee Sungho, but at Weiss Tiger glued to his side.
Weiss Tigers glare screamed Try passing it. Ill intercept.
Thats when Kim Hyojun spotted a small figure beyond him.
Yoon Taeyang, hand raised and waving until their eyes met, then pointing forward.
With Weiss Tiger and the fullback pinned by him and Lee Sungho on the flank, space had opened centrally. Kim Hyojuns eyes lit up as Yoon Taeyang darted into it.
Yeah. I trust you.
Timing it perfectly, he unleashed an early cross with full power.
The ball whipped past the fullback, grazing Weiss Tiger.
Yoon Taeyang streaked toward it like a bolt.
Ah, a bit too long maybe.
Kim Hyojun, whod paused, smacked his lips in regret.
The pass had overshot.
Yoon Taeyang would have to challenge the keeper in the air.
That was from Kim Hyojuns perspective, though.
Yoon Taeyang was different.
Reaching the ball two steps ahead of the keeper, he chipped Kim Hyojuns powerful cross lightly with his instep, floating over the keeper. As it dropped, he volleyed it effortlessly into the empty net.
Wooooaaah!
Taeyang! Woooaah!
South Koreas players swarmed him.
Taeyang brushed off his teammates like they were a nuisance and sauntered back to the halfway line.
Lee Junghoo stuck out his tongue at the kids haughty vibe.
Wow... even though hes my player...
Somehow rude, yet...
So damn cool.
He couldnt help but admire.
Just as Dios hadnt fully matured, Weiss Tiger was still a work in progress.
Sure, his physicality was near peak, and technically he rivaled Dioss prime.
But he was far from that Champions Leaguedominating monster from his past life.
Worse, he had a key weakness Dios lacked.
Dios could singlehandedly score and flip games. This monster? At heart, just a defender.
Yeah, he channeled our clubs legend of legendsBeckenbauerpushing forward and scoring sometimes.
But not every match.
Only because our team was soft enough to let him bomb up repeatedly.
Doesnt mean the threat ended there.
Munich was stacked even without him.
Stopping them and scoring? Tough.
Still, our team was holding up great today.
Defying their brutal pressmaybe the last match vibe, or facing the Bundesliga powerhousethey showed scary focus and grit.
Only one goal conceded into the second half?
Munichs youth had thrashed our Dortmund conquerors 50, turning into league dinosaurs.
So now, score.
Enter Weiss Tigers second flaw.
Individually nearcomplete defender, but his organizing? Not there yet.
He followed the coachs planno leadership.
Honestly, Bae Sanghyun was better there.
So bypass the tough bastard and score elsewhere.
Thats why I dropped to playmakershadow striker.
And its working.
As expected, only you, Taeyang!!
Kim Hyojun rushes over, thumbs up after my goal.
1 win, 1 draw, 1 lossso one more win for a perfect sendoff, Taeyang!!
No, Lee Sunghoo, its graceful exit, not moms grace.
Its of graceful exit.
......
Stubborn punk wouldnt believe it even if beans turned to meju.
Whatever, idiot!
Alright, one more. Lets hunt a Bundesliga dinosaur today.
Shit, do we level up if we catch em?
Boss mob downgotta drop items.
Items who knows, but levels for sure. Hell, we leveled from the draw and loss. Thats why were fighting now.
Adhoc teams solidify with games. Kids grow battling giants.
Heh heh... whats that? Level up? Sounds like me. Saw my pass? Dagger to Munichs throat.
...Ignore the bullshit. Back to halfway.
Game restarts with us ahead.
Unexpectedly trailing again? Munich kids look pissed.
Press intensifies, turning rough.
Physical shoving hits our weaker physiques hard.
But not all bad.
Rough means rattled.
Plus, focus on me spikesevery move drags their fierce press, creating bigger spaces than before. Pointless for them.
Our mids exploit it fine.
Kim Hyojun pushing up, Ryu Junseo dropping, psycho Choi Jiwoo, even a year older Park Jinwooall good.
Gong Sehwan squeezes in.
Always had good vision despite tech limitsnow pressing to win ball back in defense, cramming passes into gaps on attack.
Crazy growth.
Right way to whale?
Midadmiration, Gong Sehwan threads behind the line.
Passings leaped too.
Me and our forwards race Munichs backline to it.
Weiss Tiger sticks to me.
How long you gonna dodge me? That scared?
Our saying goes not dodging shit cause its scarycause its filthy.
Hmph.
Weiss Tiger snorts, shoves me and Lee Sungho with both arms, lunges for it.
His physique snags Gong Sehwans pass.
Smug grinlike owning the ball wins the game.
He overlooked one thing.
Game aint over till its over.
Ball now doesnt end our attack.
Lee Sungho dives in desperately, tackling for the ball at Weiss Tigers feet.
Weiss Tiger shields, back to him, tries clearing out wide.
Now.
From his blind spot, I sneak up, poke the clearance.
......!!
Weiss Tiger startlesbut stays cool, eyes locked on my intercept, legs out for it.
I soledrag back, evade his foot, spin away.
Now bodycheck.
I drop low, block him.
Hmph, with that body?
He mocks.
No answer.
Let him pushthen accelerate into it, ball glued.
Weiss Tiger chases.
Two, three steps gapI loft the ball high over my head with instep, stop.
Feel his heavy frame crash into my back. Pivot around him as axis.
He twists frantically for the dropping ballbut my foots quicker.
Free Flap variation evade his legs, flick through his groin.
Weiss Tiger lunges desperately but balance goneass to turf.
Bypassing him and the onrushing centerback with La Croqueta, I face the keeper and rifle leftfooted.
Keeper cant react to the low, whipping shot. Ball crosses lineour third goal.
With time left, seals the win.
Ignore cheering teammates, stroll halfway, toss to dazed Weiss Tiger
Told you. Not scaredfilthy.
Weiss Tiger, you got far to go.
Train hard, come back stronger.