Chapter 3
<Pitching Abilities>
<Name: Lee Seo-jun>
<Control: 80>
<Velocity: 87 mph>
<Stamina: 69>
<Pitch Quality: 73>
<Mentality: 80>
<Copy All (L)>
<You can copy a target’s skill when certain conditions are met.> (Cooldown: 5 days)
<Current Skills Held: 0/10>
‘Copy All?’
It says I can take a skill from a target if certain conditions are met.
Moreover, a player’s ability card usually holds up to three skills… but this allows me to hold up to 10, which is unheard of.
‘In theory… this means I could collect a bunch of high-grade skills, right?’
<Note: Only three skills above the L (Legend) grade can be held.>
‘If it’s above Legend grade… that would only be the History grade (H)…’
Among the ranks divided into N (Normal), R (Rare), E (Epic), and L (Legend), the highest tier is the History grade. It’s named after legendary players who defined an era, and equipping these skills can yield the best possible results.
‘Already dreaming of good things.’
Korean Monster (H), Choo Choo Train (H), Born to K (H), Mudeungsan Bomber (H), National Batter (H), Phoenix (H), Iron Arm (H), Son of the Wind (H), Master of Batting (H), Ground’s Fox (H), Korea’s Cleanup Hitter (H), Peregrine Falcon (H)… The names of countless History-grade skills, derived from legendary players, flashed through my mind.
Only the highest-value skills are allowed to bear the name “History.”
‘Well, it’s not like I’d ever meet someone with a History-grade skill.’
Most of them have already retired or moved to the United States.
‘You can combine skills or use change tickets to get them, but the odds are extremely low (less than 0.01%).’
Even when I played Strike the Show, I barely managed to draw a player with a History-grade skill.
‘I remember giving Sun Don-yeol the Iron Arm and Choi Dong-il the Mudeungsan Bomber, things like that.’
Anyway, the skill I received now… it’s not as rare as a History-grade one, but it’s still a top-tier L-grade skill.
‘Its versatility is insane.’
Though it lacks other additional effects, being able to copy other players’ skills is incredibly valuable. Theoretically, it’s even possible to take skills from Legendary players.
I focused my gaze on the batter in front of me.
<Batter Information>
<Name: Lee Bo-geun>
<Power: 45>
<Speed: 40>
<Stamina: 55>
<Accuracy: 54>
<Defense: 44>
<Quest Activated>
<This is your first save situation. Finish the inning cleanly with a 1-2-3 inning!>
<Reward: Epic-grade skill selection ticket>
<Out Count: 0/3>
<This quest is mandatory and is now in progress.>
“Alright, I just need to retire all three without letting anyone reach base.”
I lightly tapped the rosin bag. After brushing off the powder from my hand, I carefully felt the seams of the ball to determine the grip that would give the highest spin.
“Play ball!”
I took a deep breath and began my windup, extending my arms wide.
-Smack!
“Strike!”
[135 km/h]
‘…Not bad for a first pitch.’
I glanced at my dad, who had the mitt lowered.
‘Is he signalling me to throw that breaking ball now?’
-Shaking my head-
That pitch is most effective after two strikes.
‘Besides, I haven’t practiced with it enough to control it well yet…’
For now, I had to rely on the basics—fastball, two-seam, and changeup.
‘7, low outside two-seam.’
[1][2][3]
[4][5][6]
[7][8][9]
Practicing to divide the strike zone into nine parts like this is essential. I quickly delivered a pitch to the left-handed batter in front of me.
-Thud-
“Strike!”
The batter and my dad, who was catching, exchanged a few words. It was probably something like, “How do you even hit a pitch that moves like that?”
<Control: 80>
<Velocity: 87 mph>
<Stamina: 69>
<Pitch Quality: 73>
<Mentality: 80>
Pitch quality, or movement, makes it difficult for batters to hit.
Even more so when my pitching abilities are as high as they are now. While velocity is measured in mph, looking at pitch quality, control, and mentality, my stats are already at the pro level—about the average for the KBL.
‘Stamina is a bit of a concern.’
With my stamina at 69, I can throw about 50 pitches at full strength, and if I manage my pace, maybe around 70-80 pitches.
‘Since it’s the last inning anyway, I’ll go all out with full-power pitching.’
I checked my father’s sign from inside my glove…
‘…Number 7, the pitch that moves outside the zone…’
Alright, let’s see how this goes.
I had practiced the pitch countless times. I could perfectly replicate the feel and posture from back then.
-Whoosh!
I threw a fastball that cut straight through the middle. Naturally, the batter thought it was a mistake and began swinging his bat…
-Swoosh!
“Strike, batter out!”
“Wow, that’s crazy.”
The batter fell back, unable to react to my slider that sharply broke outside the zone.
“Hey, Mr. Lee, what kind of pitch is that? It’s not a slider… but it’s not a curveball either.”
“That’s a pitch my son developed on his own. He calls it a ‘sweeper’… and it sure lives up to its name.”
“Yeah, it just sweeps right through.”
After that perfect pitch and a three-pitch strikeout, the next batter’s expression was tense. Judging by his looks, he seemed like a college student… and he had a determined look, as if he was set on hitting my pitch no matter what.
“Strike, batter out!”
“What? Wasn’t that a ball?”
“No, it curved into the zone at the last moment.”
He struck out looking, frozen by a changeup that barely grazed the edge of the 7th zone.
-Smash!
[141 km/h]
“Nice!”
For the final batter, my dad’s colleague, I fired a high fastball just outside the 1st zone, completing a three-strikeout inning on nine pitches. With a perfect inning, we won the dinner bet.
…
…
…
<Quest Activated>
<This is your first save situation. Finish the inning cleanly with a 1-2-3 inning!>
<Reward: Epic-grade skill selection ticket>
<Out Count: 3/3>
<This quest is mandatory and has been completed.>
<You have achieved the unbelievable feat of a perfect inning! Additional rewards will be given.>
<All stats +1>
“…Check stats.”
<Check Stats>
<Name: Lee Seo-jun>
<Age: 16>
<Skills Held>
<Copy All (L)>
<Batting Abilities>
<Power: 76 -> 77>
<Speed: 78 -> 79>
<Stamina: 69 -> 70>
<Accuracy: 75 -> 76>
<Defense: 80 -> 81>
<Pitching Abilities>
<Control: 80 -> 81>
<Velocity: 87 -> 88 mph>
<Stamina: 69 -> 70>
<Pitch Quality: 73 -> 74>
<Mentality: 80 -> 81>
“Pretty solid.”
<Item Inventory> <Epic-grade Skill Selection Ticket>
While inside the car heading to the restaurant, I clicked on the <Epic-grade Skill Selection Ticket>.
<You have used the Epic-grade Skill Selection Ticket.>
<Available skills will be displayed!>
<Iron Stamina> <Plate Discipline> <Clutch Power> <Spray Hitter>
…
…
…
<Direct Fastball> <Ace> <Lower Body Training>
A dazzling array of skills filled my vision. There were so many that it was hard to choose.
“…This one’s it.”
Among the displayed skills, the most appealing option caught my eye.
<Plate Discipline (E)>
<There is a certain chance to discern the ball’s trajectory. However, you need to focus on the ball for at least 1 second.>
‘This one will be useful even for fielding.’
It would come in handy when tracking the drop point of a fly ball.
<Information>
<Name: Lee Seo-jun>
<Age: 16>
<Skills Held>
<Copy All (L)>, <Plate Discipline (E)>
A new skill had just been added.
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