Chapter 74

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 74

Chapter Title: Dark Korea Series

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Mi-yeon had told me something like that once.

"If you play baseball well, everything's free at Sajik."

I honestly couldn't believe it.

Even if Busan was a city obsessed with baseball, how could that be true when money was on the line?

But,

"Hey...! I said it's fine! Get going!"

It was real.

The taxi uncle was refusing my money. Even when I offered cash.

"If you don't take it, I'll feel bad... Please."

"Come on! I've been a Phoenix fan for over twenty years—how could I take money from Tae-hyun? I'd feel bad!"

The uncle was firm.

When I left cash on the seat and tried to get out, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠snatched it up, hopped out, and stuffed it back in my pocket.

"I'm in such a good mood today. We swept the Dinosaurs! Just go! I'm not taking it!"

"...Then at least take this."

I'd gotten a few Cha Tae-hyun special uniforms—ones with my name marked in a fancy way.

These were hot items among Phoenix fans lately, so this should more than cover the fare.

"Wha... Isn't this the Cha Tae-hyun special uniform?"

As expected, he knew it—his reaction was intense.

His mouth gaped open like Kirby about to suck it in.

"I have extras, so no need to—"

"Thanks, Tae-hyun!"

He took it without a second thought, dashing my worries.

Technically, this was way pricier than the fare...

The uncle slipped it on right away, laughed loud enough to echo down the street, and hopped back in his taxi.

"Hahaha! Thanks so much, Tae-hyun! Keep making the Phoenix great!"

He rolled down the window and waved thanks for ages. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"People really love you if you just play baseball well."

In my opinion, the Phoenix owed Busan an apology.

Sorry for sucking at baseball.

A week had passed since the 2028 pro baseball season kicked off.

As early assessments of teams trickled in, the ones defying preseason predictions most were undoubtedly Busan Phoenix and Daejeon Volcanoes.

Both teams had fiery images, so their fans bonded over similar rankings, calling it the "Flame Alliance." It wasn't long before it twisted into the mocking "Last-Place Flame Alliance."

Now, that duo was leading the pack at 1st and 2nd in the early season. To diehard fans who'd watched for years, it felt alien... no, unprecedented?

Whatever the case, Busan and Daejeon were just thrilled.

Especially Volcanoes owner Lee Dae-jin.

"I'm ha~ppy, I'm ha~ppy~."

Lee Dae-jin hummed one of the team's cheers, the Happiness Song, as he scrolled Volcanoes articles.

The more he read, the happier he got—no interruptions wanted.

"Dad? You called a family meeting, so what are you doing?"

That wasn't how a dad should act with daughters waiting.

"Ahem... How long you been here?"

"Since you started humming that weird song."

"Sis, it's not weird—it's the Happiness Song, Daejeon Volcanoes' cheer. You don't know it?"

Of course, Lee Si-ha hadn't known until yesterday.

She'd just crammed the full playlist beforehand to score points with Dad here—the real battleground for successor spot, despite the "family meeting" label.

"Haha, go easy on her, Si-ha. Your sister's not into baseball."

Dad's pleased grin made Lee Si-ha smile too.

Worth sacrificing rest time for those cheers.

"Anyway... I called you girls because I need a favor."

Lee Si-eun and Lee Si-ha tensed at Lee Dae-jin's words.

They'd braced for a performance review, not a request.

"Our Volcanoes are killing it lately, right? As owner, shouldn't I check out a game? Any good daughters wanna go with?"

He didn't expect much—past asks got shot down for "busy schedules," not once or twice.

"Sure, Dad. Let's go. Against Phoenix, right?"

"Huh? Si-ha, really? You even know the cheers—finally into baseball?"

"Yeah. I've been watching highlights in my downtime. Wanna see one live."

Specifically Phoenix ones—Cha Tae-hyun's. But live was appealing.

And see his face up close...

That was the real goal.

Her business soared thanks to him, but no chance to thank him yet.

"Great! I'll grab our star player's uniform for you—wear that."

"No, it's fine, Dad. I have one already."

"Really? Haha! You're more serious about baseball than I thought."

It was a Cha Tae-hyun special, but no need to mention that.

The "Dark Korea Series" referred to the brutal fight between 9th and 10th place.

People brought it up first whenever Phoenix met Volcanoes because those teams always battled fiercely for last.

Current 1st-2nd standings? Not important.

They always delivered disasters, no matter the position.

No wonder folks said it was funnier than Gag Concert.

"...Guess we have no choice but to show we've really changed."

Kim Chang-hyun muttered with a wry smile at his phone.

The pitiful treatment Volcanoes got hurt his heart.

He'd only been with them a year, but he loved Daejeon and the Volcanoes.

Even when they struggled—a lot—they had saintly fans singing the Happiness Song.

Repaying them meant one thing.

"Volcanoes championship! That's the answer!"

Emotions surging, Kim Chang-hyun shot up yelling. The pitching staff stared.

"...What's with Chang-hyun now?"

"What, first time? He does this daily... Oh, he's hyped 'cause his old school's facing Phoenix. Cha Tae-hyun, y'know."

Spot on.

He daydreamed about leading Volcanoes to glory often, but the upcoming Phoenix series amplified it—with the perfect rival waiting.

"...Cha Tae-hyun. Who'll win their team a title first—you Phoenix or me Volcanoes? Let's find out."

Kim Chang-hyun sat back and fired off a text.

"What the...?"

A text from Chang-hyun sunbae popped up out of nowhere—glad at first, then dizzying.

He was a Phoenix fan last I checked. When did Volcanoes steal his heart?

Hmm...

I texted back.

Playing dumb, huh?

I saw you bawling in the practice room corner when Phoenix bombed out of playoffs.

Straight-up admission? Unexpected.

Life must suit Kim Chang-hyun at Volcanoes.

Daejeon fans were saints—if you ball, no better team.

Never tried it, but Sungsin-dang bakery's supposed to be killer.

If it was a Sungsin-dang voucher instead of Randeria...

Nah, trash thought.

"Tae-hyun, hurry up. Everyone's boarded."

Too zoned on texts—left me behind.

Boarded the bus; Lee Seung-tae took the seat beside.

"What funny text got you so spaced?"

Showed him the phone; he chuckled.

"Same old him."

"Yup. Thinking of Seung-tae sunbae, Chang-hyun's similar."

"So I've changed?"

Well... obviously.

"Yeah. Practically a new man."

Lee Seung-tae tilted his head, puzzled.

Saying 'The guy who beat down Hwang Kwang-hyun is now you? Big change.' would be hilarious, but...

"Not for the worse. Definitely better."

"Huh. Good enough."

Too bad—he was today's starter.

Messing with a starter's head? Insane.

His starting was mixed news too.

Meant Eric Wood dropped from 4th to rookie after one dud.

Harsh for one bad outing? Kinda, but understandable.

3 IP, 7 ER early hook? Shocking.

Anyway, manager's problem. Focus: sudden 4th starter Lee Seung-tae.

"Confident against Chang-hyun sunbae today?"

"Forgot already?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"What?"

"I was Hyuk-san High's ace."

Ah... needless worry.

"Whoa... sellout again today, Chang-hyun?"

"Grateful. I'll repay the fans with a great outing!"

"Nice confidence. Know the owner's coming?"

"Huh...? Owner?"

"Didn't know? Probably in that skybox up there."

Kim Chang-hyun bolted from the dugout, peering up. Seniors snickered.

"Dude, you won't spot him. But he's really here—heads up."

Most players sigh at owner visits—extra pressure.

But Kim Chang-hyun on the mound? Different.

"Chance to show the owner Volcanoes' future..."

He thrived on that pressure, that thrill.

Reason he earned "Big Game Hunter" post-signing.

Unlike Kim Chang-hyun deeming it a big game, fans reacted differently...

He was laser-focused on victory with his own hands.

Leadoff hitter stepped up; Kim fired the first pitch.

—Thwack!

"Whoa... first pitch heat?"

"Chang-hyun's scratched today, huh..."

Stands buzzed at the max velo opener.

Stay cool, Kim Chang-hyun.

Thrilling buzz, but just one pitch. Aces stay even-keeled.

—Whoosh

Second pitch.

Jin Gyu-hyun's bat whiffed at the diving forkball,

—Thwack!

His ace condition shone unfiltered.

No. 2 hitter Lee Jun battled to full count.

"Strikeout!"

But whiffed hard on the forkball decider.

No. 3 Andy John stepped in.

Control pitches for shutout...

Kim gripped a two-seamer. Reclaim those pitches with a grounder.

—Crack!

As planned, Andy swung at the first.

Connected low on bat; ball rolled feebly to second baseman straight.

Kim smirked, heading off mound.

—Waaaaah!!!

"What..."

Second baseman bobbled it.

Clean miss.

"Haha! Lucky Andy total!"

Easy play botched. pitchers curse worse.

Kim wasn't immune to frustration.

But he had a way to stay cool.

"I'm ha~ppy, I'm ha~ppy~."

Glove over mouth, humming the Happiness Song.