Chapter 93
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: A Different Maxwell Bennett
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"He's been in Korea for a bit now, but he still says things feel pretty awkward, so everyone take good care of him... Ro-woon."
"Yes...?"
"Especially you—don't go spouting nonsense at him."
"Why just me, though...?"
"Karma, kid. Who told you to go up on the mound and talk all that weird crap every time?"
"Yeah, Ro-woon, every time you come out, I wanna die of embarrassment! Well said, Manager!"
"Hey, look at Ro-woon, totally deflated. Never seen him like this before, haha!"
Everyone burst into loud laughter, seemingly forgetting the pain of our losing streak now that the new mercenary had joined.
But...
No way... why the hell is that crazy punk here?
I couldn't laugh at all.
Because... that guy.
"Maxwell Bennett, welcome to the Phoenix!"
"Haha! Thanks, boss."
Yeah, Maxwell Bennett.
He's definitely a character from Nemas. And a pretty significant one at that.
Heard he came from the Athletics Independent League, which checks out.
From what I remember, Maxwell bounced around the indy leagues, awakened for some reason, got called up to the bigs, and eventually became Detroit's number-two starter.
I get him coming as a replacement mercenary for the Phoenix, but...
Wasn't this guy supposed to be a different kind of character...?
"Hey, Maxwell, I'm Andy—nice to work with ya. What's that book in your hand? You brought it all the way here, so you must be a big fan?"
"This? This is like my heart. My hope, my light!"
"Oh, like a kimchi soup kinda book, huh? Wait, no—it's the Bible?"
"That's right, Andy. You should believe in God too and make it to heaven."
The Maxwell I knew definitely wasn't some pure-hearted Christian type.
He was a total scumbag with a trash personality—a straight-up 'villain.'
More than that, he especially hated Christianity, even stirring up blasphemy controversies...
'God? That shit doesn't exist. It's ridiculous that the world's full of idiots who believe in that crap.'
'And those fans who pray for me with their hands together? They piss me off. If you're gonna cheer for me, don't pray. Makes my blood boil every time.'
He had lines like that for sure.
The kind of guy who'd punch anyone on the team who prayed.
"Hey, why are you so shocked? What, do you see some evil spirit only you can see or something...? Like those internet folks say, do you really have psychic powers?"
Shin Si-woo's bullshit whisper snapped me out of my daze.
"Nah... just glad we picked a good mercenary."
Yeah.
Setting everything else aside, he is a guy who dominated in the big leagues.
Sure, that peak comes later, but with that kind of potential, he should at least earn his keep in the Korean league...
Whatever happened, he looks nicer than Eric Wood right now anyway.
Yeah...
Please just stay this nice Maxwell and do your job.
Don't turn into a villain like Eric Wood...
"Maxwell, shouldn't we Easterners throw you a welcome party among ourselves? My treat today—let's go! I'll introduce you to Busan's best kimchi soup spot."
"Andy, I'm really sorry, but I have plans tonight."
"Really...? Got friends in Korea already? Man, you're a total social butterfly!"
"Social butterfly? What's that mean? Anyway, it's a really important appointment, so sorry."
"Can't argue with prior plans. But next time, we gotta eat together."
"Of course. God bless you, Andy."
"Oh, so Christian of you! God bless you too, Maxwell."
'They say this team finished last place last year, but the people here are all great. This must be the Lord's grace too. Thank you.'
Maxwell left Sajik Stadium, clasped his hands in prayer for a moment, then hailed a taxi and headed home.
Click.
A dim light flicked on in a shabby, tiny house—hardly fitting for a player who'd just pocketed a $300,000 signing bonus.
Anyone else might tilt their head at the sight, but for Maxwell, it was enough if he could sleep comfortably alone.
"This is fine."
He positioned himself so the clean white wall was visible, then turned on his phone for a video call.
His wife's face soon appeared on screen, and Maxwell's lips curved into a smile.
"How's the new hospital, Mary? I heard Seoul National University Hospital is one of the best."
"Yeah, it really seems like it. Everyone's so kind, and the facilities feel super high-tech. But... are you sure this is okay? Being in such a great hospital?"
"Don't worry. I got a million-dollar signing bonus, remember? Even signed a nice place for myself."
His wife nodded with a bright smile.
"Yeah. I'm so relieved. You get to play the baseball you love again, and a team that recognizes your value found you."
"Right? We're so lucky. Like you said, Mary, it was good we believed in God. Gives me peace of mind... and most of all, things are just falling into place since I started praying."
'Even stage-three pancreatic cancer—she can definitely beat it.'
Maxwell thought that to himself, set down the phone, and clasped his hands.
"Mary, let's pray together tonight. For your recovery."
"Okay... Then I'll pray for you to pitch well."
Maxwell smiled happily, clasped his hands, and closed his eyes.
Grateful to the Lord who gave hope to the man who'd lost his mental game after learning of his wife's pancreatic cancer—blowing his first big-league start and falling into despair...
And who provided the chance to earn her treatment money.
"Amen."
"Hey, Tae-hyun, isn't today like a real do-or-die game?"
Shin Si-woo tossed out the random comment from the dugout.
"Do-or-die?"
"Yeah, it rains on your start day, then the next day too, so you couldn't use your cheat key."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What else? On your pitching days, it's a guaranteed win—your cheat key. That fizzled out. And today..."
Shin Si-woo glanced over, where Maxwell sat praying with the Bible on his lap.
Every time I see that Maxwell, I wonder.
What the hell happened to turn such a devout believer into a blasphemy-loving punk?
...Anyway.
"Yeah, it's do-or-die. Lose today, and it's five in a row."
"Right... Five straight feels like something huge just went down. Especially if Maxwell flops too... Ugh, terrifying just thinking about it."
"No point worrying. Just gotta hope he does well."
Today's opponent, the Seoul Blaze, was a traditional powerhouse with seven straight Korean Series appearances. They're second place this season too.
I figured it'd be tough for replacement mercenary Maxwell Bennett...
A quick inside fastball clips the zone perfectly, freezing the batter. Maxwell notches the first out with a strikeout.
"Not bad."
Sure, only five pitches in, but I was already convinced he was better than Eric Wood.
"Whoa, damn, that kid's a killer!"
"If we'd gotten a guy like this sooner, we wouldn't have lost like this!"
A chuckle escaped me.
Does Maxwell on the mound even know he's getting this rave review after just one out?
Good thing he can't understand.
These are the folks who'd yell 'Yankee go home' if he gave up a hit.
Another inside fastball from Maxwell. The Blaze batter pulls it—foul-tipped grounder rolling slowly, making it tricky to field.
Maxwell threw another inside four-seam, and the Blaze batter yanked it. The mishit rolled slowly, but that made it even harder to handle.
Too fast for the glove scoop. I sprinted over as fast as I could, bent down barehanded to snag it, and fired to first while tumbling forward.
"Out!"
"Whoa... throwing while falling, and it flies that fast? You the only one physics doesn't apply to?"
Tae-seop hyung offered a hand as he approached.
"Just caught it and threw it. Nothing special."
"Yeah? Our pitcher's pretty shocked, though."
"Oh Jesus..."
Glancing at the mound, Maxwell gaped like a hippo, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Maxwell's got good reactions."
Anyway, great start. Two outs on just six pitches. Maxwell must be loosening up now.
Another cutter diving inside! Batter takes a look. No ball, one strike.
Inside again?
Sticks in the zone fine, so control's not the issue. Weird how Maxwell's so fixated on inside pitches.
Confident in that zone? But spamming the same inside spot ups the hit risk.
Inside cutter again! The ball glances off toward the pitcher, rolling toward second base.
No sooner had I thought it than Maxwell fired another inside cutter. The ball skipped off toward the pitcher, rolling toward second.
Stretching toward second—tough one, but to talk Phoenix championship, we snag these. I chased full speed, dove body-first.
Snagged it barely with the glove tip. But bounced already—too late to stand and throw.
Andy'll be there, right?
I snapped the glove with wrist strength for a toss, and sure enough, Andy was there barehanded, snagging and firing to first.
"Out!"
Whoa... what did I just see? That ball barely glanced off—straight toward second base... But Cha Tae-hyun snatches it diving, tosses from the ground to Andy, who barehands to first... Wow... Truly stunning defense.
"Nice cover, Andy."
"Oh shit... Tae-hyun, I might have to believe in Tae-hyun God now! Your defense is always insane!"
Andy offered his hand with over-the-top praise, drawing a chuckle. Even I thought it was a solid play. But same pitch next time? No guarantees.
More importantly, I had a question for Maxwell.
"Maxwell, nice pitching. Ball looked good."
"Haha, Tae-hyun, that's not nice pitching—that's nice catch. Your defense makes me wonder why you're not in the bigs."
His hearty laugh and praise felt good, but I had to confirm something.
"Maxwell, why throw everything inside, though?"
"Oh, that?"
Back in the dugout, Maxwell pointed at Shaun White sitting nearby.
"He said throw to the shortstop side first—you'd handle it. And that tip was spot on."
"......"
...It's basically a compliment, but why does it feel kinda unfair?
"It's Maxwell's debut today—shouldn't we score some runs for him? Let's go all out from the first!"
Sang-jin hyung's words worked wonders; we hadn't done it in ages, but we strung together two straight hits in the first. As long as no triple play disaster, it'd come to my at-bat.
"Under the grace of the Lord who watches over me today..."
Great situation, but Maxwell prayed eyes shut tight. Looked downright earnest.
Makes sense... What foreign pitcher isn't desperate? To dream of the bigs again, nail it here first. Mercenaries get replaced anytime.
Cleanup hitter Andy John steps up. Can he keep this momentum going...?
My at-bat coming right up.
As I grabbed my helmet to leave the dugout, Maxwell stopped me.
"Tae-hyun, you helped on D already, but cheeky ask... hit a big one?"
"Okay. But in return, stay a faithful believer from now on? No midway God-bashing."
"Huh...? No idea what you mean, but my faith in the Lord won't waver, so don't worry."
Really?
Then why'd you do that in the bigs?
"Alright, that's good enough. I'll hit one out—keep praying."
"You got it. God bless you, Tae-hyun."
Ball! Walk! Blaze's Kendrick is shaky from the first... And now Cha Tae-hyun steps up. A nightmare moment for the pitcher.
Into the box, glanced at the dugout—chuckle escaped.
Was a joke, but Maxwell was seriously praying, hands clasped, eyes shut.
Man...
Mystery. A guy this devout, praying for his teammates.
Why'd he become such a scumbag in the bigs?
...No clue what his story is.
Pitcher fires the first one!
If I can smash this incoming ball and let him stay a faithful believer—a solid player, not a scumbag...
Then a flat-falling splitter like this? Gotta put it over.
Crack!!!
Cha Tae-hyun doesn't miss this meatball! Where's it going?! This liner keeps carrying—past the left fielder! Over the left field wall! Gone! Grand slam out of the park! No one can catch it! Cha Tae-hyun gifts a huge present to debutant Maxwell!
Whoaaaa!!!!
Maybe because we'd sunk into four straight losses, but the roar dwarfed anything usual, pounding my eardrums.
Riding that wave, I tossed the bat, saw Maxwell eyes open but dazed with hands clasped again, flashed a fist pump, and trotted to first.
Delivered the homer as promised.
Can't let the golden boy turn villain, right?