That meant, if I put in the work, I could surpass the original.
'That would be awesome.'
Feeling suddenly uplifted, Ho‑young did his "Woo!" celebration, picked up the ball and returned to the half‑line.
His lungs were burning, but he didn't want to stop for a moment.
Just being able to run around on the pitch made him happy.
He was truly a fish in water.
But he didn't overdo it.
His knees were his lifeline, so he thought, modestly.
'Just a hat‑trick.'
[Ah! Ho‑young's second goal puts Poland in a corner!]
As the first half drew to a close, the Polish players, whose stamina was fading, seemed to tense up each time Ho‑young got the ball.
That sight alone made spectators feel pity for them.
But there was no mercy from Ho‑young.
On the contrary, he ran across the field like a wild beast.
Whoosh!
He was shooting at every touch like a pure goal‑hunter, not just a secondary striker.
Because of that, his partner Suk Hyun‑jun became nothing more than background scenery.
Having not managed a single shot on target, Suk Hyun‑jun ran up to Ho‑young.
"Hey Ho‑young. Why didn't you pass to me?"
"Hm."
Honestly, Ho‑young, who had already exceeded 15 assists, had no reason to pass to him.
"Hyung. First we win!"
"Yeah, but…"
"Just wait a little! There'll be a chance."
Suk Hyun‑jun, despite his large build, was timid and hung his head as he returned to position.
Time passed and now it was the 12th minute of the second half, with 13 minutes remaining.
From Ho‑young's foot a heavy long‑range shot exploded.
A so‑called 45‑degree shot from the edge of the penalty area.
[Ho‑young! A hat‑trick!]
[Wow, really incredible. Earlier a player from Germany's VfB Stuttgart scored two goals, but no one recorded a hat‑trick. Then Ho‑young did it!]
[Absolutely. He's a player with a bright future. Players like him need proper management from the federation. I personally think Ho‑young could be named this tournament's Golden Ball winner.]
And it wasn't over there.
Just before the final whistle.
With Poland switching to a five‑back marking system and focusing on Ho‑young, Park Wan‑gyu sent a low through‑pass into the space behind.
In that moment Ho‑young used his fast legs to cleverly beat the offside line and entered the box.
But the pass was too long and the Polish keeper had already come out.
'Not ideal.'
He glanced sideways.
He spotted a boy who was calling out desperately.
'Receive it. I'm sending it!'
Tap.
Ho‑young gently lofted the ball to him.
Suk Hyun‑jun was there, angled perfectly.
Thud.
A fantastic assist‑play produced the fourth goal.
"Nice pass!!"
Suk Hyun‑jun, who scored the first goal, sprinted into the stands and clenched his fist.
It was a celebration for his mother, who was cheering in the cold winter air.
Ho‑young felt his mood lift and gave a thumbs up.
Suk Hyun‑jun blocked his path.
"Ho‑young! Your pass was awesome! Thanks!"
"No need to thank me. Football is meant to be together!"
A famous quote from a renowned footballer popped into his mind.
"Life is solitary, but football is together."
"Ugh."
Embarrassing, but it hit hard.
That's football.
And today's match reminded him once again.
Football is so fun.
Tweet!
The whistle blew.
The match ended 4‑0, and Ho‑young with 3 goals and 1 assist was selected MOM.
After the match, an interview followed.
"Here we have the hero of the win, nominated as the best player with 3 goals and 1 assist — Ho‑young!"
"Hi, Ho‑young."
"Hello."
"First, congratulations on being the MVP. With your 3 goals and 1 assist today, how do you feel?"
"Yes. Actually it was an easier game than I expected."
"Really?"
"Well. Given the height difference I thought it'd be hard, but the team supported me well so we won."
"Haha. A very straight answer. So would you like to say anything?"
"Aahem. Yes. First, thank you to all the viewers who supported us. And I will become the world's best footballer someday, so please keep cheering for me!"
Clap‑clap‑clap!
Ho‑young tapped his chest three times with a confident expression.
The reporter next to him stifled a laugh.
Ho‑young added:
"Just you wait!"
Whether it became the best line of the 21st century or a cringe moment, no one knew.
"Uwaaagh! Why did I say that?"
That night, watching the recorded broadcast alone at home, Ho‑young kicked aside the blanket.
His interview looked like a kid with middle‑school angst showing off.
'I don't care! If I become world's best player anyway, then it becomes legendary video!'
And that day, Ho‑young erupted into a hot topic again online.
[User: PowerType]
—That guy who said "I'll bet both my balls" a while ago. If Ho‑young scores even one goal against a foreign team I said I'll lose both. I'm the third son of a grandson of three great grandfathers. Since I couldn't keep my bet anyway, I swear from now on I'll be Ho‑young's lifelong supporter. Go Ho‑young!
And articles with provocative headlines poured in.
Some said: finally a global star will be born in Korea. Others spread rumours that the São Paulo youth coach approached Ho‑young's parents.
All that attention might've been a burden, but Ho‑young, a little bit attention‑seeking was actually enjoying it.
And he focused on preparation for the next match.
The very next day, there was a game against Sweden's Djurgårdens IF, where both teams came out attacking from early on.
After a titanic offensive battle the result was 3‑2.
Winner: FC Cha Bum‑kun.
Ho‑young, with 2 goals and 1 assist, was once again MOM.
And the next day, on the 20th.
Facing Portugal's elite club FC Porto, unquestionably a favourite, it was tough, but Ho‑young scored a brace to secure a dramatic draw.
Then on the following day's quarter‑final against Paraguay, where he seemed to face a comfortable opponent, early goal conceded but twin strikers Suk Hyun‑jun and Ho‑young responded with two goals for a comeback.
But the truly important match was on the 22nd, in the semi‑final.
[Many fans have been counting down to today's match. Just a short while until the U13 Japan national team faces FC Cha Bum‑kun.]
[Yes. An upset occurred. In Group A, only Japan qualified in second place after São Paulo FC beat Mexico so heavily. But Japan is not a team to take lightly. They have a standout player.]
Analysts rated Group A as the very definition of a group of death.
Even excluding São Paulo FC led by Douglas Costa and Casemiro, Mexico's side had young star Carlos Vela. Japan's national team also had a top young player.
'I can't believe I'm going to face that guy.'
Just before the match, inside the FC Cha Bum‑kun locker room.
Ho‑young's excitement wouldn't subside.
Moreover, Coach Lee Sang‑woon had urged him repeatedly before today's game.
He told them to watch out for Japan's key player.
So FC Cha Bum‑kun had prepared a detailed strategy to stop that player.
Whether it would work or not, they would fight.
While Lee Sang‑woon stepped away briefly, Ho‑young stood and clapped his hands.
"Guys!"
For the youngest player to rally the team, he needed that kind of strength. And Ho‑young had it.
Calling his older teammates together, he shouted:
"Let's win!"
"Let's win!!!!!"
In the locker room the determination burned.
The winner here would go to the Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium.
The players pledged and took the field.
At Paju NFC Sprouts Stadium.
On the wide green grass, waves of red and blue mixed together.
Japan's blue‑kit national team against FC Cha Bum‑kun in red.
Ho‑young cast his eyes toward one corner.
Standing at the far end was a mischievous‑looking boy.
Japan's key player.
[Kagawa Shinji]
[Possessed Talents: Football Prodigy (B), Delicate Ball Touch (C+), Space Utilization Off the Ball Movement (C)]
(You can obtain one talent by meeting the following condition.)
(Condition 1: Win the match.)
(Condition 2: Steal the ball five times.)
Ball interception five times.
'Oh crap. I'm not a defender, I'm a forward.'
Given this situation the answer was clear.
'Free‑role it is.'
Ho‑young clenched both fists.
There was one thing he really wanted to try.
Ho‑young looked at Kagawa.
"Shinji‑san."
"Yeah?"
"You. Die."
"...?"
What's wrong with this crazy kid?
Kagawa reacted with that expression and Ho‑young, totally focussed, pumped his fists.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ I'll be dropping two bonus chapters for every 10 reviews.
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)