Chapter 79
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 79
Chapter Title Sun vs. Firefly
In his previous life, Dios had risen to worldwide fame, claiming the Ballon dOr at just 23 and beginning his legend.
Back then, if you asked anyone on the internet who the best in the world was, all ten out of ten would say, No one below Dios.
So, among those below Dios, who shone the brightest?
Plenty of players come to mind, but one standout was Alberto Gino.
He was called the returning fantasista, but as time wore on, the label shifted.
To lazy genius.
This guys prime lasted exactly from 18 to 24.
After joining Real Madrid, he became just like Bale and Hazardlegendary wage thieves in the same position.
Anyway, the key point is that his prime is right now.
Just looking at his goals and assists, is this guy really that special?
You might say, Eh, not bad for a 19yearold.
But watch the games themselves, and youll say Milans wins were all thanks to Gino.
His influence is that massive.
Dad watched Ginos play and said it reminded him more of Ronaldinho than legends like Del Piero or Roberto Baggio.
Hmm, not a great sign.
A player who pulls off unpredictable plays like Gino is pure poison to our defensive line right now.
Lethal, in other words.
Maybe thats why the coach ramped up defensive drillshe looked worried about it.
Normally, hed smile amiably, hands behind his back, just overseeing as the assistants ran things.
But now he was handson, and the intensity was brutal.
Back in his day, he mustve been called something like tiger coach.
With me, though, he was endlessly kind.
Taeyang, how about some passing practice today?
Hed always check my thoughts first.
Shall we?
Yes, give it your all.
If I said yes, wed do it. If I wanted something else, hed switch immediately.
I was the only free spirit.
Oh, and one more.
Uncle, arent you training?
Matteo Silva was lounging beside me, fiddling with my ball.
Id rather just sit still. I might get hurt if I train.
Then why not go rest under that shade over there?
Thatd be boring.
Youre still bothering everyone elses training.
Silva picked his nose and replied.
Hey, youre slacking off yourself.
Im at least training.
Just skip it. You think one session changes you overnight?
I stood there and let out a sigh.
Unlike you, Matty, Ive got some awareness.
Oh! News to me. I figured you ignored that stuff.
Ah, come on.
Man, if he werent an oldtimer, Id have decked him.
Ugh, seriously.
I barely finished my quota amid Matteo Silvas disruptions, and training finally wrapped up.
By the time I showered in the locker room and munched on a banana, Matteo Silva spoke up to the players.
You all know the medias been buzzing about Yoon Taeyang fighting Gino, right?
Wait, why bring that up out of nowhere?
That Gino guyhes really good enough to compare to Taeyang?
Izzy, changing his cleats, asked Silva, who turned to Ricella.
You played with him in an Amatch, didnt you? Whats he like?
Good.
See? Hes good.
But... compared to Taeyang?
Who knows? Only played with him once. Still, Id give my vote to Taeyang.
Yeah, thats right.
Exactly. All that noise for nothing.
Silva shook his head and shuffled out in his slippers.
Whats his deal all of a sudden?
I was puzzled, but the answer came the next day.
Did you see this newspaper article, my grandson?
My maternal grandfather handed me the paper.
Yeah?
A famous British daily.
The one my grandfather, who loves reading anything, favors.
There, in one corner, was Silvas face.
Alberto Gino? Compare apples to apples. Yoon Taeyang lives up to his namea rising sun. Hes just a mere firefly.
This madman.
And it didnt stop there.
Just in case, I checked British internet articles on my phone.
Put him against Taeyang, and Gino looks ridiculous.
Taeyangs the youngest Champions League hattrick. Whatd Gino do?
Milan? Isnt that SilverTown? Ginos just a kid volunteering in SilverTown.
No idea how he did it, but Silva had given short interviews everywhere.
Whats he thinking?
If we lose now, hell get every curse in the book.
No, Ill get them.
This guy...
My head spun. I clutched it and sighed.
Youve got a real talent for pulling aggro, huh?
San Siro.
As they prepared for the match at Milans home ground, Artelli smiled and spoke to Silva.
Silva glanced at Artelli and grinned.
I do have a gift for gab. Back in the day, they called me MouthOnly Silva.
True enough. But is it okay to mess around like that?
To Artellis question, Silva grinned again.
That kid slacks without a push.
Silva had never seen Taeyang go all out. More precisely, hed never seen him desperately give his best.
Silva figured it was because he was too talented too young.
If he had real competitive fire, hed push harder. Sure, he ignited late in games sometimes, but daytoday, he lacked that drive.
Silva wanted to see it before retiring.
The worlds top potential fully unleashed.
Would Alberto Gino do it?
Especially with aggro pulled, making it a mustwin?
Might he show that insane hattrick performance from the second half against Barcelona right from the start?
Hmm, yeah. No stimulus, no growth.
Exactly.
Exactly my ass.
Then someone behind grabbed onto Silvas words. It was Taeyang.
Hey, overheard the whole thing?
Why poke at someone who does fine on his own?
To make him better.
Taeyang peeled a banana and replied.
Then just offer money. Id go nuts for that.
Money?
Yeah.
Hey now, a kid your age cant be moneygrubbing!
Try having four younger siblings.
Four siblings?
Including the youngest on the way.
Silva smacked his lips.
His own childhood flashed back. Silva had been the eldest in a dirtpoor Spanish family.
Hed started soccer for the money too.
Worked his ass off to earn it.
The kid had such natural flair, I hadnt realized.
With that backstory, if the club offered goal bonuses, hed be fired up.
Did I pull aggro for nothing?
Made the kid look bad over nothing.
Before kickoff, Alberto Gino glanced sideways.
Newcastles number 7.
The kid whod boosted his fame with the youngest Champions League hattrick against Barcelona stood there.
A kid?
He looked a full head taller.
Bigger build too.
This guys the one who pulled off those plays?
Gino kept a straight face, but after the media framed their showdown, hed checked Taeyangs highlights.
He was good. Really good.
Why couldnt anyone stop him? No one could.
Felt like he made soccer look easy.
Could he beat him headon?
Of course.
Gino was certain.
No matter how good, hes East Asian. Clear limits.
Once he tastes Serie A defending, hes done.
His expression turned arrogant as Gino strode onto the pitch.
Albertooooo Ginooooo!
Gino!
Waaaaah!
Fans screamed his name in cheers the moment he entered.
Rightthis is San Siro, Italys pride.
No place for some blackhaired East Asian to strut.
Get lost, you damn ChingChongChang!
The yellow monkey invaded San Siro!
Die!
The crowd echoed his thoughts with racist chants bursting everywhere.
Hmm, thats a bit...
Even ignoring East Asians, straightup racism?
Gino glanced worriedly at Taeyang.
Taeyang looked at the crowd and smiled.
Smiling...?
Something to smile about?
But his smile felt oddly chilling.
Amid the racist crap, red flames rosemaybe they werent enough.
Like San Siros passion, red fireworks bloomed with white smoke.
Milan fans are passionate as ever... wait, no.
Huh?
Thats illegal...
Were at San Siro! Racist chants and fireworks delayed kickoff, but were underway.
Milan faces fines, and those behind the racism and fireworks must be severely punished.
Worried young Yoon Taeyang might be shaken or hurt by this.
Hope he overcomes it. Oh, kickoff! Milan starts.
Milan kicked off in a 4231.
Buildup centered on their two holding mids.
Defenders kept distance from the mids, staying defensive and uninvolved in attack.
Even in defensefamous Serie A, Milans backline was rocksolid, with the leagues fewest goals conceded.
Indeed, theyd won their last five without a single goal against.
Against that Milan, Newcastle went 3back with Menendez, Arnold, and Jenas, Boxall and Gomez ahead, fullbacks and three forwards pressing Milans holding mids and defense.
Taeyangs spot wasnt his usual roamingit was his original right forward position.
He lurked between holding mid Fernandez, leftback Zehuni, and centerback Piermarti.
Or so he was supposed to.
As Fernandez passed with partner Tomari and looked to push forward...
Yoon Taeyang, who shouldve been behind Fernandez, sneaked up and stole the ball.
Oh! Yoon Taeyang intercepts! Turns! Charges the goal!
Zehuni, watching Taeyang, ran diagonally to close space in sync with his steps.
Zehuni closing on Taeyang! Serie As top leftback!
Zehuni narrowing the angle as Taeyang sidesteps!
Zehuni shuffled crablike to block Taeyangs surge inward.
As Taeyang cut inside more, Zehuni spread his legs to tighten.
Taeyang instantly switched directions and burst past.
Zehuni, feinted, stumbled but turned.
He saw Taeyangs back.
And Piermarti blocking ahead.
With Piermarti in front, Taeyang curled the ball.
It grazed Piermartis head and bent sharply into the bottom corner.
Gooooal!!!
Yoon Taeyang! Wonder goal!
32 seconds in! Yoon Taeyang scores in just 32 secondsNewcastle leads!
After scoring, Yoon Taeyang rushed to grab the ball and sprinted to the halfway line.
Youre behind now.
For once, Newcastles young princefresh off racismwas pissed.