Chapter 10
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<Quest>
<Entrance Test: Show off your abilities to the fullest!>
<Hits 100, Home Runs 1000, Strikeouts 150, 1-2-3 Inning 300, Shutout 2000, Perfect Game 10000>
<Reward: Skill Random Ticket (E~H)> (Reward based on score)
<Calculating score…>
<Total Score: 14,000>
<Reward: Guaranteed History-grade Skill Random Ticket, All Stats +2>
‘My stats have certainly increased… and the Guaranteed History-grade Skill Random Ticket, that’s the most important thing.’
Among the History-grade skills, there are those that permanently increase a player’s stats.
For example, National Batter (H), which raises batting stats by around 15 points, or Korean Monster (H) and Peregrine Falcon (H), which each increase all pitching stats by 5 points.
“…Status Window.”
<Information>
<Name: Lee Seo-jun>
<Age: 17>
<Skills>
<Copy All (L)>, <Lucky Shot (R)>, <Master (L)>, <Finishing Pitch (R)>, <Pitching Machine (E)>, <Professor (L)>
<Copy All (L)>
<You can copy skills from opponents who meet specific conditions.> (Up to 3 skills above Legendary grade)
<Lucky Shot (R)>
<If a blooper hit occurs, the probability of a fielding error increases.>
<Master (L)>
<Pitch quality and control stats increase significantly. Additionally, the batter’s swing-and-miss probability rises.>
<Finishing Pitch (R)>
<When a set finishing pitch is thrown in a two-strike situation, the strikeout probability slightly increases.> (Currently set pitch: Sweeper)
<Pitching Machine (E)>
<When the same pitch is thrown consecutively, pitch quality and control are enhanced.>
<Professor (L)>
<The trajectory and drop point of the ball are displayed as a line, based on defense stats.>
<Batter Stats>
<Power: 82>
<Speed: 84>
<Stamina: 74>
<Accuracy: 82>
<Defense: 91>
<Pitcher Stats>
<Control: 92>
<Velocity: 154 km/h>
<Stamina: 74>
<Pitch Quality: 92>
<Mentality: 97>
‘All the skills are back.’
Iron Arm (H) had disappeared, but since it was only temporarily activated, it didn’t bother me much.
Looking at them again, I found these skills reliable and reassuring.
‘Of course, even combined, they still fall short of Iron Arm (H).’
It’s an overwhelming high value.
In Strike the Show, History-grade skills elevate a player’s value by at least ten times, sometimes even a hundred times.
Ordinary players usually possess Epic-grade skills after making their mark.
Players capable of winning Gold Gloves or MVP awards possess Legendary-grade skills as a baseline…
But History-grade skills are on a different level.
As skills created to honour those who left their names in baseball history, their value is unparalleled.
‘Personally, I hope Iron Arm (H) comes back…’
Among my already Gold Glove-level pitching stats, stamina is the only one below average.
If I obtain Iron Arm (H), not only would it alleviate my stamina concerns, but I could also pitch in the ninth inning with the same velocity and condition as in the first.
<Guaranteed History-grade Skill Random Ticket>
<A random ticket that allows you to obtain skills from the legends who shook the baseball world.> (When used in certain locations, the probability of obtaining a skill related to a specific figure increases!)
‘…So, to obtain a specific figure’s skill, I need to go to a specific location.’
I had a feeling. It seemed to refer to places tied to legends.
‘I’ll save this for later.’
If I use it, it will be when I go to Busan.
Near Sajik Stadium, perhaps… Ah, if I use it at Sajik Stadium, I might even get Korea’s Cleanup Hitter (H), so I’ll use it in front of the Choi Dong-il statue.
More importantly, the reaction around me seemed unusual.
Yang Eui-ji, standing next to me and boasting about my achievements as if they were his own, was already loud enough.
But I could also hear other voices.
“Wow, this insane guy! He actually threw a perfect game!”
“…Tsk. If I had pitched until the end, I would’ve had a shutout too.”
“Seo-jun, that’s incredible!”
From someone admiring my accomplishment nearby, to someone in the dugout grumbling that they would’ve achieved a shutout if they had pitched to the end, and even Epinel, who watched from the manager’s seat with amazement.
For now, I slowly approached Oh Ji-hoon.
“Thanks, really.”
I extended my hand, filled with pure gratitude, and Oh Ji-hoon happily accepted it for a handshake.
“Hey, catching such tricky balls is every shortstop’s dream. You don’t have to thank me. Anyway, congratulations on the perfect game. You’ve definitely secured the starting position, huh?”
‘Same goes for you.’
The opposing team’s starting shortstop from Haneul High had entered the game.
But Oh Ji-hoon showed superior performance, both offensively and defensively.
Especially his clean handling of irregular bounces, which made me think of “orange” defense for some reason…
‘If they don’t use Oh Ji-hoon as a starter, then that coach must be taking bribes.’
If that’s the case… I wouldn’t want to join Haneul High’s baseball team.
‘Besides, I’ve already proven myself, and those high school scouts and professional team scouts saw it too.’
With the Cheongbaekjeon now over, I decided to wait for Coach Kim Tae-hyun’s results announcement.
TL/n: Cheongbaekjeon refers to a traditional competition or match, often seen in the context of Korean sports, particularly in games like baseball or football. In this case, it likely refers to an exhibition match or friendly game between two teams: the Cheong team, representing the “blue” or “youth” side, and the Baek team, representing the “white” or “experienced” side. This type of game is typically used for testing strategies, assessing players, or as a part of team-building activities, rather than for competitive purposes.
…
…
…
After the test ended, we all lined up and slowly climbed the platform where the coach was standing.
Next to the coach, there were uniforms that fit the nickname “Black Wings” perfectly.
Twelve home uniforms, with black pinstripes reminiscent of the Yankees, and twelve away uniforms with the colors inverted.
They even had marking machines that could print names on the spot.
Those things are super expensive, but this is the kind of over-the-top spending you’d expect from a school that owns a dome stadium.
“These numbers here are the ones still available.”
The coach held up a paper listing all the remaining numbers, excluding those currently used by the starting second and third-year players.
‘Yang Eui-ji has number 25, and Heo Kang-min has number 13.’
Among the remaining jersey numbers, the ones with symbolic meaning were 1, 10, and 99… and surprisingly, number 7, a classic infielders’ number, was still available.
“First, I’ll announce the pitchers.”
‘It’ll probably be… Kim Si-hoo first, right?’
Kim Si-hoo, the son of a GL Group executive—an elite among elites.
A man who loved the number 1 more than anyone else.
Other seniors had left the number 1 open, considering Kim Si-hoo’s entry to the school.
‘After all, there’s nothing worse than using Haneul High’s ace number, only to have Kim Si-hoo take it away.’
“Lee Seo-jun, step forward.”
‘?!’
The people around me reacted with surprise.
Of course, they all expected me to make the starting lineup… but getting a number before Kim Si-hoo was unexpected.
As I slowly walked forward, I caught sight of Kim Si-hoo’s complicated expression.
Was that jealousy at losing the first pick, or the look of someone confidently sizing up a future rival?
“Lee Seo-jun showed top-class defense as a center fielder and recorded the first-ever perfect game in Haneul High history during this Cheongbaekjeon.
I’ll stake my coaching career on this—I don’t think there’s a single special recruit who can surpass him.
But if anyone has an issue with my choice, raise your hand now.”
Special recruits are students whose tuition at Haneul High, a private school, is fully covered by scholarships.
They’re also granted access to some GL Devils games and practices—a status that basically screams, ‘I’m the top student here.’
Everyone remained silent.
Even Kim Si-hoo stayed still, so his group—kids who followed him since middle school—also kept quiet.
Turning my head, I looked at the jersey numbers.
The numbers with symbolic meaning were all listed.
Number 1 for the team’s ace, number 7 for the leadoff hitter, number 25 for the slugger… but that was already taken by Yang Eui-ji.
Number 9, another power hitter’s number, was already gone.
I turned my gaze to the numbers usually worn by pitchers.
Numbers like 11, 18, 19, 22, and 47 are classic pitcher numbers.
But 19, 11, and 22 were already taken.
<Put your soul into every pitch.>
Suddenly, Coach Choi Dong-il’s words from the system window came to mind.
‘…Alright, my choice is…’
I carefully chose a number and handed it to Epinel, who was operating the marking machine.
She smiled and said it suited me well as she printed the number.
After that, I watched the others pick their numbers.
As expected, Oh Ji-hoon chose number 10, and Kim Si-hoo took the remaining number 1.
It didn’t really matter to me.
I simply snapped a photo of my number 11 jersey with my name on it and sent a message to my parents, letting them know I made it into Haneul High.
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