A Storm in the Semifinals

With Jung Hyuk, Oh Jung-hoon, and the entire squad riding a surge of confidence, Jung Woon High had whipped up a storm.

A school that had once languished near the bottom of the national rankings was now steamrolling stronger opponents with overwhelming performances, racking up win after win until they punched their ticket to the semifinals.

It was an astonishing upset.

Add to that the sheer audacity of Jung Hyuk and Oh Jung-hoon turning down scouting offers, and the whole run became something no one could ignore. Jung Woon High's charge even made the papers.

When a team you never even considered a rival suddenly starts climbing the ladder, the teams above them start paying attention. And when that climbing team is suddenly right on your doorstep, the nerves only get worse.

That was why the other semifinalists couldn't hide their tension.

"Jung Woon High's actually been playing really well, right? Especially that one guy—what's his number again? Jung Hyuk? That kid is seriously good."

"Oh Jung-hoon's a monster too. Anyone who collides with him just bounces off."

"Ah, Oh Jung-hoon? That guy might be lying about his age. No way a high schooler is that big."

"Why not? It's not like big kids don't exist. We've got Jung-wook on our team, for one…"

"Dude! Oh Jung-hoon isn't just tall—his whole body is pure muscle. Ugh, where the hell did a guy like that even come from…? But as crazy as Oh Jung-hoon is, Jung Hyuk is the one you really have to watch. That kid's on a completely different level."

"Yeah, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he was ridiculously good. But there's no way Jung Woon High makes the final, right?"

"Haha! Dude, that's a stretch. You know who they're drawing in the semis, right?"

Still, they all figured Jung Woon High's storm would end right here.

"Yeah, Bo-eon High is on another level. They're the favorites."

Jung Woon High's next opponent was Bo-eon High—the team that had won last year's Presidential Gold Cup National High School Soccer Tournament. That single fact was enough to cement their confidence.

"Heh heh! Jung Woon High's kids are probably shitting bricks right now. Bo-eon High is a completely different animal from anyone they've faced so far."

"I bet they can't even sleep. They make it all the way to the semis and draw Bo-eon High of all teams? Man, that's brutal!"

After the team meeting, Jung Hyuk returned to the dorm, finished a light workout, and checked his condition.

Is it because of the traits? Nothing hurts, and my condition feels too good.

He was in excellent shape. Aside from a slight dip in stamina from playing full matches every game of the tournament, he was at his absolute peak.

And more than that—

His stat growth was progressing smoothly as well. Even Stamina and Physical—stats that had been stubborn lately—had each ticked up by one.

Real matches really do give the best experience, huh.

Jung Hyuk allowed himself a satisfied smile.

"Excellent. Absolutely excellent."

Seeing a growth rate that couldn't even be compared to his previous life made the grin come naturally.

Thud.

He flopped onto the bed and checked the bracket.

"We've made it to the semis… two more wins and we're champions. Let's see… opponent is… Bo-eon High?"

Bo-eon High.

Any high school soccer player in the country knew that name. They posted strong results every time they entered a national tournament and were always ranked among the favorites—fame was inevitable.

Having won the Presidential Gold Cup National High School Soccer Tournament in 2012, Bo-eon High was naturally listed among the title contenders again this year. They had lived up to that reputation with dominant performances, cruising into the semifinals with ease.

Jung Hyuk's expression didn't change as he pushed the bracket aside.

"I see. Next opponent is Bo-eon High."

Who they faced next didn't particularly matter to him.

"…I'd really like my Speed stat to go up tomorrow."

When those stubborn stats would finally climb—that was the only thing that truly concerned him.

The stadium hosting the semifinals was packed with more scouts than usual.

It was the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠day the four strongest teams in the tournament would face off, and two of the hottest sides of the entire competition were about to clash—more than enough ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reason for every scout in the country to show up.

The favorites, Bo-eon High.

And the storm's protagonists, Jung Woon High.

Their matchup was more than enough to hold the scouts' attention.

"Who do you think wins?"

"What kind of question is that? Bo-eon High, obviously. Favorites aren't favorites for nothing."

"But Jung Woon High has Jung Hyuk and Oh Jung-hoon. Especially Jung Hyuk—kid's got zero manners, but the talent is the real deal."

"…Tch. Yeah, the talent's real. Did either of them get back to you? You said you handed him your card last time."

"…O-of course! He called, said he was really sorry, that he wants to join our club but he's still thinking it over—"

"Hahahaha! Buddy, who are you trying to sell that story to? Stop lying. They never called, did they?"

"Fine, damn it! Ugh! Why are kids these days so damn rude?"

"Heh heh! Maybe we're just the old fogeys now. We keep expecting things from them without ever giving anything first."

"…Man. I at least thought they'd call."

"They've got their own plans, I'm sure."

"I don't get it. Anyway—think Jung Woon High is about to cause real trouble this time? I've got a feeling they're going to show us something crazy…"

"Aren't you overrating Jung Woon High a bit? Sure, Jung Hyuk and Oh Jung-hoon are good, but every single player on Bo-eon High is good. And they've got the Lee Trio, remember?"

The Lee Trio.

The nickname for Bo-eon High's ace trio: Lee Dong-hyuk, Lee Seok-min, and Lee Jun-woo.

They had carried Bo-eon High to outstanding performances last year and this year alike, and with talent that already transcended the high school level, they had even signed professional contracts recently.

Naturally, most scouts were picking Bo-eon High to win.

"I know. I know, but… Jung Woon High's matches have just had so much impact."

"Was Bo-eon High weak? They beat the hell out of everyone they faced on the way here too. No difference. Sure, this'll be the toughest match they've had so far—Jung Woon High's form is legit—but still."

"Yeah. It won't be easy for Bo-eon High either. But no matter how the game goes, Bo-eon High wins in the end."

The scouts all expected the same thing.

Bo-eon High would struggle against Jung Woon High.

But that was as far as it went. Not one of them entertained the idea that Bo-eon High might actually lose.

And yet—

The moment the match kicked off, the game unfolded in a way none of them had predicted.

Thud-thud—

Oh Jung-hoon, drifting out to the flank, casually shrugged off a Bo-eon High midfielder's press. He didn't use any special technique.

Just pure physicality.

Oh Jung-hoon simply used his body to bounce the pressure away.

Tap! Tap!

Bursting forward at speed, he now faced Bo-eon High's fullback—a player who had earned glowing praise from scouts throughout the tournament for his defensive work.

Oh Jung-hoon beat him just as easily.

Speed.

He blew past the fullback with raw pace and drove hard along the byline toward the corner flag.

Bo-eon High's defenders scrambled into emergency mode.

"Wh-what? Stop him already!"

"Don't let him get any deeper!"

Oh Jung-hoon dribbled while scanning the area around him.

Almost no angle for a shot. Gotta go one more step.

He made the call instantly and drove even deeper, looking to create something. It was still early in the match and his legs were full of energy, so every movement carried explosive spring. Combined with that physique, stopping him was a nightmare even for Bo-eon High's defense.

But Bo-eon High's center-back, Kim Jung-hoon, was considered the best at the high school level.

That same Kim Jung-hoon stepped up to cut him off.

Go on. Try to beat me.

Kim Jung-hoon dropped his stance, angled his upper body slightly, and locked burning eyes on Oh Jung-hoon's frame. He was confident. Whether the striker tried to dribble past or shoot, he wouldn't get through.

Oh Jung-hoon was just as sure he could beat him.

But if there was an easier path, he was more than happy to take it.

He changed his mind mid-drive.

A teammate was sprinting into view at full speed.

Knew you'd come.

The most reliable partner imaginable—always nearby the moment help was needed.

Hyuk! Take it!

Oh Jung-hoon slipped the ball to Jung Hyuk. The pass came from inside Bo-eon High's penalty area. One wrong touch and it could have been a penalty, so Kim Jung-hoon didn't dare stick a foot out. The ball left Oh Jung-hoon's foot and rolled cleanly to Jung Hyuk.

Jung Hyuk didn't trap it.

He could have been greedy, but right now the smarter play was the one they had practiced. The instant the pass arrived, he looked for Oh Jung-hoon, who was already surging forward again.

Thump! Jung Hyuk rolled the ball ahead.

A perfectly weighted pass that sliced through the offside trap with surgical precision.

The ball rolled free.

Oh Jung-hoon didn't control it either. He swung his leg the moment the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ball arrived.

A shot struck at the earliest possible instant—and from point-blank range.

Bo-eon High's goalkeeper never even had time to move. A perfect goal.

Swish!

Two minutes into the first half.

Bo-eon High suddenly found themselves desperate.

Conceding the moment the match began had put a scratch on their pride—the pride of the strongest high school team in the country.

To protect it, Bo-eon High came roaring back at Jung Woon High.

Lee Dong-hyuk, Lee Seok-min, and Lee Jun-woo—the Lee Trio.

Bo-eon High's ace three led the charge.

Their attacking pattern wasn't complicated.

1. Lee Dong-hyuk holds the ball in central midfield without losing it.

2. Winger Lee Seok-min constantly switches between left and right, scrambling the opposing fullbacks, then makes his run the moment Dong-hyuk's pass comes.

3. At the same time, striker Lee Jun-woo occupies the center and draws attention.

4. Lee Dong-hyuk picks whichever of the two is in the better position and delivers.

On paper it looked simple.

But with individual quality that high, and with creative variations inside that fixed framework, other schools simply couldn't stop the Lee Trio. They were thoroughly toyed with every time.

And now that same attack was pointed straight at Jung Woon High.

Before the Jung Woon High–Bo-eon High match kicked off, Yoo Seok-cheon and Kim Min-woo had also taken seats in the stands, waiting for kickoff.

Bo-eon High's players—especially the Lee Trio—were talents even they coveted, so they planned to watch with full concentration.

"Min-woo, how do you think this goes?"

"No idea."

Kim Min-woo answered flatly.

"Yeah, of course you don't. Both teams are flying. But in games like this, the side that scores early usually wins."

"True. This one's going to catch fire the second it starts."

And then it happened.

The moment the match began, Jung Woon High scored.

"Huh…?"

"Wha…?"

Yoo Seok-cheon and Kim Min-woo both froze.

"What the hell just happened?"

"I-I know… Bo-eon High isn't a team that concedes that easily…"

"Is Oh Jung-hoon some kind of bull…?"

"Jung Hyuk's sense is insane too. Damn, what even are those two…?"

A smile crept onto Yoo Seok-cheon's lips.

"This match just got a lot more interesting than I expected."

"Bo-eon High's going to come at them hard now, right?"

"Obviously. Jung Woon High's going to have a tough time stopping them this time. Those Lee Trio kids aren't ordinary."

"They're absolute monsters at the high school level."

"Especially Lee Dong-hyuk—he hasn't lost the ball once this entire tournament, and his progressive passing accuracy is ridiculous. How are you supposed to stop that?"

Yoo Seok-cheon was certain Bo-eon High would unleash a ferocious attack after conceding. He even bragged about it to his junior, Kim Min-woo—that Bo-eon High was about to torment Jung Woon High, that Jung Woon High wouldn't be able to hold them off.

And yet—

"…They're stopping them pretty easily."

"Huh…?"

Yoo Seok-cheon stared in disbelief.

Where his eyes landed, Jung Hyuk had just casually intercepted Lee Dong-hyuk's ball and was already driving forward on the counter, looking as if stripping the ball from him had been nothing special at all.

"Is that kid a defender by trade? Why is his defending this good?"

"…I looked into it—he's played a lot as a defensive midfielder."

"He's better than most actual defenders…"

Jung Hyuk's defensive ability was more than enough to stun both Yoo Seok-cheon and Kim Min-woo.

But the surprises didn't end there.

What Jung Hyuk did next left them even more speechless.

"That—that! What the hell is he doing right now?"

Yoo Seok-cheon was aghast.

"Holy shit!"

Kim Min-woo shouted in pure shock.

They had every reason to be stunned.

In that very moment, Jung Hyuk was pulling off a movement that defied common sense—showing a play neither of them had even imagined possible.