Chapter 12
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<Quest Triggered>
<A chance to humble the arrogant Kim Si-hoo early! Achieve a result of at least one RBI (four-base hit) in three at-bats against Kim Si-hoo.>
<Reward: All Stats +1>
<Current Progress (0/4-base hit)>
<Quest in Progress>
A battle of three at-bats. The required result was nothing less than a four-base hit.
A double and two singles or even two walks would suffice in this simple showdown…
‘But the three-at-bat limit makes this tricky…’
I had to produce a double or better, but there was no way to prove that without a clear result.
‘There’s no way Kim Si-hoo will listen if I try explaining this…’
The only solution was a home run.
A home run was the only way to secure a four-base hit (1 RBI) and earn a result that even Kim Si-hoo would have to acknowledge.
“If you succeed in getting on base even once in three at-bats, I’ll count it as your victory.”
“Fine, but what are you betting?”
“I have something. If you lose, you’ll give up that uniform number of yours and wear the number I choose for you.”
‘?’
I thought it would be something like leaving the team.
“The number you took as a special recruit—that should have been mine. So, in reality, that number is rightfully mine.”
‘Wow.’
This guy’s more insane than I thought.
“Is that all you want?”
“Yes. Now hurry up and get in the batter’s box. The only reason you succeeded in getting on base during the Cheongbaekjeon was because I wasn’t in top condition.”
Clearly wanting to get the match over with, Kim Si-hoo impatiently waved me into the batter’s box.
His crew slowly approached me, and I braced myself.
‘What is this? Some kind of pre-battle ambush?’
“Here. To avoid any talk of losing because of equipment, we’ll lend you gear provided by GL Group.”
“…Thanks?”
It was a wooden bat painted black with golden accents—a beautiful custom bat.
“This is a custom bat from GL Sports. I won’t tolerate excuses about losing because of your equipment.”
Kim Si-hoo gloated on the mound, fiddling with his glove.
“What do I get if I win?”
“You losing is a given… No, I suppose I should offer a reward to make it worth your effort. I’ll grant any reasonable request.”
“Alright, deal.”
With that, I stepped into the batter’s box as a net-like screen unfolded behind me.
“Since there’s no catcher, we’ll use ABS to judge the strikes. Any objections?”
“No.”
“Good. That’s the spirit—now hurry up and strike out at this pace…!”
Without even letting me settle into my stance, Kim Si-hoo quickly moved his foot off the rubber.
-Swish!
[154 km/h]
On the scoreboard, the green light representing a ball lit up instead of the yellow strike light.
“…….”
<Profile>
<Name: Kim Si-hoo>
<Skills>
<Ace (E)>, <Fireball (L)>, <Fighting Spirit (E)>
<Ace>
<For six innings after taking the mound, the hit probability decreases significantly.>
<Fireball>
<Fastball velocity increases, and swing-and-miss probability rises.>
<Fighting Spirit (E)>
<The lower the stamina, the lower the chance of a mistake pitch.>
<Pitcher Stats>
<Control: 69>
<Velocity: 155 km/h>
<Stamina: 64>
<Pitch Quality: 79>
<Mentality: 67>
‘Calling him weak would be unfair… He is the protagonist’s rival, after all.’
I expected him to have at least one History-grade skill, but maybe I was hoping for too much from a mere rival.
‘Then again, this is a game system. There’s no guarantee Kim Si-hoo would have History-grade skills.’
After all, History-grade was meant to honor legendary players—those who thrilled fans with their skills and left their mark on baseball history.
‘He’s just a rookie who hasn’t dominated an era yet… So, it makes sense he doesn’t have one.’
“What’s with that sour look on your face?”
“Oh, nothing. I’m just thinking how this might end with me staring at twelve pitches and walking three times…”
I guess I won’t even get to use the bat you lent me.
Hearing that provocation, Kim Si-hoo’s face turned red with anger.
-Swish!
[149 km/h]
The second pitch dropped perfectly into the strike zone. A well-placed changeup at the edge.
A high school ace indeed. I mean, I’m the freakish monster here—this is probably the norm for most high school players.
Still, if this is the level of my rival, doesn’t it make the overall competition feel too easy?
I let out a frustrated sigh as I took my batting stance, and Kim Si-hoo began to hesitate.
“…What are you doing? If there were a pitch clock, this would be a ball.”
“…Sorry. I just needed a moment to gather myself.”
Now ready, Kim Si-hoo delivered his next pitches…
[150 km/h]
[152 km/h]
[153 km/h]
A walk.
“Damn it, damn it all!”
Kim Si-hoo couldn’t understand this situation at all.
Arrogantly, from his days at Haneul Middle School, he was the prodigious ace expected to surpass Kim Byeong-hwon and Ryu Hyun-in, fly to the Major Leagues, and deliver top performances.
Yet here he was… defeated. In the Cheongbaekjeon to select special recruits, he had deliberately pulled himself off the mound early to preserve his arm condition, only to suffer a Perfect Game pitched by Lee Seo-jun on the opposing team.
It was pathetic.
Even the Haneul High second-year regulars, who were competing for starting spots, could only barely graze Lee Seo-jun’s pitches. None of them managed to get a hit.
The number 1 symbolized the team’s ace. At Haneul Middle School, everyone had agreed this number suited him best, so he wore it proudly.
“I’ll take number 11.”
This was the first time he felt fear of losing his symbolic number 1 after being stripped of his special recruit spot.
He even secretly considered confronting that student to intimidate him into changing his uniform number.
And so, he challenged him.
He already had 1 on his back, his pride’s symbol, but he wanted to stomp on that “11” worn by the other boy and crush it completely.
Lee Seo-jun was an annoying guy who had coincidentally achieved a Perfect Game, yet Kim Si-hoo couldn’t help but envy him. Unlike himself, who failed to earn the trust of Haneul High’s starting catcher Yang Eui-ji—regarded as the best high school catcher—Lee Seo-jun had earned his favour.
And at the same time, he was jealous.
“I could have been in that spot.”
“If it weren’t for you, the special recruit spot would have been mine, and the Captain’s Wing symbolizing the first-year captain would have been on my shoulders, just like in middle school…!”
-Swish!
“Damn it!”
Another ball.
“…Should we stop here?”
“Shut up, finish this!”
He knew.
He knew that the walk earlier had already confirmed his defeat.
But still, he didn’t want to lose.
If he struck Lee Seo-jun out and declared this contest a tie since no hit had been recorded, he could save face.
It wouldn’t be “I lost”; it would be “a tie.”
If he achieved that position of a “draw,” he wouldn’t be trailing behind Lee Seo-jun. He would instead be seen as an equal—someone with the same skills.
If he hadn’t been pulled from the mound, he wouldn’t have thrown a Perfect Game, but he could’ve managed a Complete Game Shutout.
Thus, possessing the Captain’s Wing was merely a stroke of “luck” from that decision… not because he was inferior to Lee Seo-jun.
“Si-hoo, Grandpa wants to see GL Devils win before he dies. You’ll wear the Devils uniform for Grandpa, right?”
“I’ll never accept this!!”
-Swish!
[144 km/h]
His pitch velocity had dropped noticeably.
Why? He was giving it his all.
Why couldn’t he overpower someone like that?
“I’ve given it everything I have… But what do I do? That monstrous kid has already fouled off over 30 pitches, and I’ve lost this game. How do I even force a tie against him…”
“Hey!”
“…!”
“You call yourself an ace, yet you can’t even focus on the batter in front of you? If I win, you’re out of the baseball team. If you keep clinging on with your father’s and grandfather’s backing…”
The boy in front of him began to smile crookedly.
“I’ll personally destroy this baseball team. If a useless idiot like you is the ace, then even with Yang Eui-ji as catcher, I’ll make it work. Oh, should I just leave together with Yang Eui-ji?”
That damn kid shouted at him.
“…Shit.”
For a moment, Kim Si-hoo felt tempted by the idea of Lee Seo-jun leaving the team, and he was disappointed in himself.
“Fine. I’m the ace pitcher of Haneul High and the man who will lead GL Devils to victory and write my legend in the Major Leagues. There’s no reason for me to lose to someone like you!”
He shouted as he gripped the baseball.
Alright. The seams felt grippier than usual. His vision was sharper, and the breeze felt like it was flowing toward him. It was as though he was seeing a new world.
His target was the inside corner—a perfect slider grazing the edge of the strike zone.
“Haaap-!”
He threw with all his might and watched.
-Smash!
“…Now that’s finally something worth seeing, you idiot.”
The sound of the ball exploding off the bat echoed, and Lee Seo-jun tossed his bat with a satisfied expression.
“As for my reward… I’ll take this equipment you lent me. It’s pretty good. Let me know where to buy it later. Once my scholarship comes through, I’ll stock up on these.”
And the ball effortlessly slammed into the scoreboard.
—
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