Chapter 71

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Translator: Silver Dragon

Chapter: 71

Chapter Title: Yoo Young-beom -1

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Jesus Joo returned to Madrid beaming with pride after unearthing South Korea's guardian deity, Yoo Young-beom, during the match between Colchester United and Hatch Unicorns. He was taking adequate rest while gearing up for the new season.

"Hey, bro! How'd you convince Young-beom so well?"

"Hey, Young-beom's older than you, so show some respect."

"He told me to speak casually, though?"

"Still, call him 'hyung' at least. People will think you're rude otherwise."

"Fine. So, did you convince him?"

"Yeah, we signed an agency contract, and right now we're talking with Ligue 2—no, Ligue 1 now—Bordeaux."

"Bordeaux? Isn't that the second division?"

"They got promoted last season, and with Young-beom's current form, starting spot is a given. We're negotiating a solid deal. But why are you so hung up on him?"

"Damn it, hyung! I need to make it to the World Cup semifinals too!"

Time passed, and as the La Liga 2040-41 season kicked off, the tedious tug-of-war finally ended with Yoo Young-beom's team confirmed.

30th minute of the first half.

Mallorca 0 : 1 FC Barcelona

Mallorca players bent over, hands on hips, heads down. At the same time, Barcelona's home fans erupted into their ecstatic chant.

As Barcelona celebrated their goal, Mallorca's bench sprang into action.

"Young-beom! Warm up! Puta! Where's the interpreter?!"

With their starting keeper Aler sprawled on the ground after colliding with the post during a save, manager Agarez desperately searched for Yoo Young-beom and his interpreter.

"Hostia!"

Unable to find the interpreter, Agarez resorted to body language to communicate.

Whoosh whoosh—!

"Hey, Young-beom! Body body okay?"

Yoo Young-beom, who had been gauging the stadium atmosphere from the bench, roughly grasped the meaning from Agarez's gestures and began warming up.

Meanwhile, Young-beom's interpreter, fresh from the bathroom, cluelessly met Agarez's furious glare.

"What's his problem all of a sudden? Are all managers psychopaths?"

As the interpreter grumbled, Young-beom finished warming up quickly and signaled he was ready.

"Coach, I'm all warmed up."

"Félix will handle the defense calls, so just focus on the saves."

The historic debut of La Liga's first Korean goalkeeper...

As soon as Yoo Young-beom stood at the touchline, fans back home cheering for Barcelona flooded communities, Instagram, and other SNS.

Stepping onto the pitch, Yoo Young-beom first tried to loosen up by tapping both posts as per his routine, but it didn't go as planned.

'Opponent's Barcelona... the team I only saw on TV...'

At that moment, commander-type defender Félix, watching him with a playful grin, tapped Young-beom's body and pointed to himself.

"Hey! Young~beom! Shibal relax! Okay? Don't worry! Shibal! Believe me! Shibal! Okay?"

Caught off guard by Félix's random Korean curse, Young-beom asked in confusion.

"Uh...? How do you know Korean swears?"

Despite the Korean question, Félix guessed from his expression and gave a thumbs up.

"Jesus, told me. During game. So shibal! Believe shibal! Me okay?"

"Pfft—! Okay! Okay!"

Laughing at Félix still tossing Korean curses out of context, Young-beom realized his tension had melted away.

'Focus! Young-beom! You're the man endorsed by Jesus Joo himself! This is just the start! You've stopped Jesus Joo's shots before? You got this!'

As Young-beom steeled himself, Mallorca's attack broke down. Barcelona swiftly transitioned.

"Hey! Manu!"

La Masia's beacon, Sergio Fàbregas, slotted a penetrating pass into the space ahead of Manuel Francisco Dusantos (hereinafter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Manuel), who was sprinting down the flank at blinding speed. The big-money transfer from Real Sociedad this season controlled the ball steadily, unleashed a storm of dribbles, and shook off Mallorca's defense.

"Puta! Young-beom! Block it!!"

The very Félix who said to trust him was shrugged off effortlessly, creating a one-on-one in a flash. Young-beom calmly narrowed the angle.

As Young-beom closed in coolly, Manuel chipped the ball delicately.

Swoooosh—!

The instant the ball lifted, Young-beom's lightning reflexes shot his hand out.

'Please! Please!'

Did his desperate plea reach the heavens?

Fingertips grazed the ball, sending it rolling out beyond the goal line.

Thud—

Frustrated by the save, Manuel kicked up the turf in irritation.

"Puta!!"

Watching that, as Félix rushed over yelling, Young-beom unwittingly mimicked Jesus Joo's celebration right in front of him.

"Vamos!! Shibal! Young-beom!!"

As that scene flashed on the big screen, massive boos rained down from Camp Nou.

"Boooooo—! Disgusting Koreano!"

"You another Jesus bastard too!!!"

Barcelona's players were going insane.

One-on-ones blocked, long shots denied. Even second balls rebounding off his hands—he regained balance at top speed, fingertip-flicking another save. Their attack's momentum was visibly crumbling against the keeper.

"Get Mutinho ready."

81st minute of the second half. Watching this, Barcelona assistant/head coach José Sierra gave up on another goal, preparing his final sub for stability.

And that's when it happened.

Thwump—

Barcelona's wayward long shot fell straight into Young-beom's arms. Spotting it, Diego Silva bolted forward.

"Shiba! Counter!!"

Young-beom, catching his breath with the ball, looked up at Félix's shout and saw Diego Silva streaking ahead.

"Hoo..."

Body heavy from fatigue, he still jumped up swiftly.

Thwump—!

Not missing the chance, Young-beom drop-kicked it quick. The ball rocketed toward Diego Silva.

"Diego!"

Diego Silva, muscling past Barcelona defenders to claim the ball, passed ahead to José Gayà calling his name.

The pass miraculously threaded through Barcelona legs to Gayà.

Barcelona GK Dmitry Yashin rushed to close the angle.

Shooting lane vanishing fast.

But José Gayà—not world-class, yet a La Liga veteran of 8 seasons.

He calmly faked the keeper once, then rifled it into the far corner.

The ball sailed past into the net.

Goal confirmed, José Gayà sprinted straight to Young-beom at the Mallorca goal.

"Vamos!! We can steal points from Barcelona!! This is your doing, Young-beom!!"

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Beep! Beep! Beeeeeep!