Entering the Battle (1)
[Seoul Wolves 8 : 6 Gwangju Stings]
[Winning Pitcher: Han Min-woo 2.0 innings 0 hits 1 walk 3 strikeouts 1 run allowed (unearned), Hold: Myung Sang-woo 1 inning 0 hits 0 strikeouts 0 runs allowed, Save: Kim Deok-min 1 inning 0 hits 1 strikeout 0 runs allowed]
[Losing Pitcher: Kim Jae-won 0.2 innings 4 hits 1 walk 0 strikeouts 3 runs allowed]
The Wolves' 2 consecutive winning series caused a huge stir in Korean professional baseball.
The first to react was the front office.
"Rankings changed! We're 9th now!"
"That's right. We were half a game behind the Daejeon Griffins!"
"Oooooh!"
"Let's bounce back!"
At the team official's shout, the players changing clothes in the locker room cheered. Once again, water bottles flew in all directions.
The Wolves had lingered in the lower ranks for a long time. Not just the lower ranks, but the very bottom where they had never climbed more than three steps from the bottom. They had finished last twice.
They were soaked in the habit of losing, but on the other hand, it also meant they were thirsting for victory.
For a team like this, when they go on a winning streak, the atmosphere rises like a storm. Because each and every win carries even greater meaning.
'What's he doing over there again?'
Everyone was completely flushed with excitement.
Among them, the sight of Han Min-woo sitting in a corner of the locker room caught their eyes.
It stood out particularly because it didn't match the atmosphere.
People who saw that appearance thought:
'He's calm by himself even in this situation.'
'He's just a cynical person by nature.'
He seemed to exist in a different world alone. As if there was an invisible wall.
Perhaps because of that, he looked even more special. Even that calmness felt profound.
'Phew, let's stay calm.'
But contrary to what people thought, Han Min-woo was hiding his excitement. It was because he had acquired quite a lot of points in today's game.
[Currently held points: 1,360 P]
He earned a whopping 1,490 points just from today's game. 40 points from completing daily quests, 300 points from pitching 2 innings, and an additional 150 points from getting 3 strikeouts.
On top of that, the bonus points received to commemorate getting 1 win were a staggering 1,000 points.
That's not the end.
After the game ended at the bottom of the 6th inning, he even spun the random draw and obtained a B-rank special ability. Literally, he hit the jackpot today.
'What should I do? Today's luck seems good. Should I spin or not?'
In that sense, there was one thing Han Min-woo was agonizing over.
Whether to proceed with the random draw right here or not.
'Since there were many good things today, should I really try spinning?'
But contrary to his thoughts, Han Min-woo's fingertips didn't easily touch the status window.
There is a saying, "sae-ong-ji-ma." It means that in life, good and bad fortune always change and cannot be foreseen.
Simply put, it means blessings can become misfortune.
'Phew. To be agonizing over something like this.'
Han Min-woo shook his head.
But it couldn't be helped.
Because Han Min-woo's life had always been like that.
Bad things always came after good things.
When he first played baseball, when he found his first love in life, when he was called up to the first team, when he found a clue to escape his trauma.
'How bitter.'
Han Min-woo sighed as he recalled the memories of those times.
Then, Ha Yoon-min approached the agonizing Han Min-woo and asked.
"Hyung, hyung. Aren't you getting ready to go home?"
"Yeah, I have something to think about for a bit."
"What are you thinking about? A woman? A game?"
Ha Yoon-min asking persistently.
Han Min-woo stared at the guy.
'Hmm...'
Ha Yoon-min is famous for his endlessly light-hearted behavior. He's playful, dislikes serious things, and is the type who laughs a lot.
To put it nicely, he's optimistic; to put it badly, he lives without thinking.
But at this moment, Han Min-woo thought that was Ha Yoon-min's strength.
Because right now, he was in a state of overthinking and unable to do anything.
"If a lot of good things happened today. Then would you buy a lottery ticket? Or not?"
"If it were me, I'd buy it. There's nothing to lose by buying one."
"Ah, I forgot to add one condition. The lottery ticket is really expensive. Like... a million won?"
"Then of course I wouldn't buy it. Do you know the odds of winning the lottery?"
"But what if the probability of winning is like... 30%?"
Ha Yoon-min rolled his eyes around. With all these conditions attached, the guy was also agonizing over it.
But this time too, Ha Yoon-min's choice was quick.
"Then I'd buy it."
"Even though it's expensive?"
"You can earn a million won again. If you think about losing it, you could never buy something like a lottery ticket."
'This guy...'
Han Min-woo inwardly admired.
He asked lightly since the kid seemed thoughtless, but an unexpectedly admirable answer came back.
That's right. If you think about losing, you could never buy a lottery ticket.
'Thanks. For reminding me of an important fact again.'
Besides, the BnB system itself was like a miracle anyway. Whatever came out, it was no different from winning the lottery for Han Min-woo.
With his mind made up, Han Min-woo touched the status window.
[What will come out? Drumroll please.]
[★☆★☆Ta-da☆★☆★]
[
Han Min-woo's eyes snapped open.
'Huh?'
It felt like electricity pierced through him from head to toe.
The rank that came out this time was also A-rank.
'Crazy. Does this make sense?'
Thinking about how when he played BnB in the past, he spun the random draw thousands of times and got 2 S-ranks and 4 A-ranks, this was an absurd probability.
Because Han Min-woo had gotten 2 A-rank special abilities from pressing only 5 times.
'What kind of ability is this?'
Steel Human...?
Since he played BnB when he was so young, just looking at the name, he couldn't really get a sense of what effect it had.
Han Min-woo tilted his head and touched the special ability.
[
'Uh...'
So...
Han Min-woo let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the status window.
The worst effect among the BnB special abilities he had thought of had come out.
That was none other than health.
'Of all things, this had to come out.'
There were many types of special abilities in BnB, but the abilities they increased could be classified into about 8 types.
The number of pitches that can be thrown, pitch velocity, control, breaking ball grade, pitch quality, mental strength, defense, and health.
In that sense, the ability Han Min-woo needed most right now was velocity.
Because even if his four-seam fastball velocity increased by just 5 km/h in his current state, he could get outs much more easily.
It wasn't for nothing that Yoon Kang-min was flustered by the 144 km/h four-seam fastball he threw.
'On the contrary, if I were to pick what I need the least right now, it would be health.'
Health.
It's quite an ambiguous ability.
It could mean not having minor ailments, or it could mean the probability of getting injured decreases.
Or it could mean sleeping well, eating well, and excreting well normally.
Whatever it is...
'There won't be an immediate big change.'
Han Min-woo sighed.
"Alright, alright. Stop what you're doing and everyone pack up and let's go. We need to go and get some rest."
"Yes, sir."
At the hitting coach's words, the players quickly started changing clothes.
Han Min-woo, who was sitting on the chair, also hurriedly packed his remaining belongings.
The next schedule was a 3-game home series against the Suwon Wolverines to be held at Jamsil. They were scheduled to have a one-day rest on Monday in between.
Perhaps because of that, the expressions of the players emptying the locker room looked very bright.
As they headed to the bus, they could hear the murmuring voices of people.
On the way to the parked bus, barricades were set up, and beyond them, countless fans were waiting for the players.
Seeing that, the players exchanged glances, then shrugged their shoulders and walked out.
"Ah, it's been a while since I could walk out with my head held high."
"If it's 2 consecutive winning series, we have every right! Come on, let's go."
The players passed through the barricades as if they were used to it. The fans reached out their hands and called out to them eagerly.
It was mainly the star players whose names were called.
Jo Woo-chan, Kwon Joon-seo, Pi Ki-jung, Ha Yoon-min, and so on...
"Jo Woo-chan! Please give me an autograph!"
"Kyah! It's Ha Yoon-min, what do I do!"
"Could I possibly take a picture with you just once?"
An impromptu fan meeting was created. The players busily worked their hands on the countless autograph requests that came from beyond the barricade.
Han Min-woo's eyes shone as he saw the fans swarming like clouds.
'How many points is all this?'
[
The list of daily quests he received today flashed through his mind.
He could earn points just by doing fan service.
In other words, right in front of him now was like points spread all over.
"Hello. Would you like an autograph?"
"Who... ah, Han Min-woo! Yes yes yes yes! Please give me an autograph!"
"Me too! I even have a jersey with Han Min-woo's name on it!"
"This is the foul ball Han Min-woo caught when facing Lee Kang-won, can you sign here?"
"You're so handsome!"
Fans swarmed around Han Min-woo.
It's only been 3 games since he was traded. But there wasn't a single fan who didn't know his name. This must be the power of network broadcasting.
In the midst of it all, Han Min-woo gave autographs carefully, took pictures, and even shook hands.
"Me too! Please give me an autograph too!"
"Can't you just sign it here? I only have one with Park Joon-young's name on it right now..."
"I love you, hyung!"
Then even more fans swarmed around him.
It was only natural.
While other players did it out of obligation hiding their exhaustion, Han Min-woo did it with a beaming smile, thinking that each and every person was coming in as points.
The quality of service was different, and the emotion the fans received couldn't help but be different.
"Min-woo, we have to go now. We're leaving."
'I need to do at least one more.'
"Hey! Aren't you coming? Are we leaving you behind?"
'Just a little more...'
Ignoring the coaches' shouts calling for him, Han Min-woo moved his hands quickly.
At that sight, the coaches had no choice but to come back to grab Han Min-woo.
"Hey, punk. I said we have to go. Are you going to sign for everyone here?"
"Just one more. No, just two more..."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We have to leave now. I'm sorry."
Like being dragged away by detectives, Han Min-woo was held by two coaches and dragged away. At that sight, the fans laughed and took pictures.
Those photos were posted on the community shortly after.
└kkkkkkkk Ah so funny kkkkkkkkkkkkk It's my first time seeing a player getting dragged away while doing fan service kkkkkkkkk
└kkkk At that level, isn't it almost like he's driven by deep resentment?
└Good to see lol. The kids who don't give autographs should watch and learn. Without fans, they're just ordinary people who can throw a ball and swing a bat a little better? tsk tsk
└I love all you fans (fake passion) Oh come on, I have to give autographs okay? (real passion)
└Total extreme positive impression kkk I'm going to Jamsil on Tuesday, I'm buying a jersey with Han Min-woo's name on it that day O-O
└2222222222222
└3333333333333333 It's worth cheering for kids like that heh
└I love you Han Min-woo! ⸜( ^idar^ )⸝