Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 180

#179. I Think I Can Say It Now

‘Highest Contract Amount for a Rookie Player from Korea’

‘First Dual Threat Challenge Since Shohei Ohtani’

‘Franchise Star of Seattle and Cleveland’

‘Two Cy Young Awards, MVP in Both Leagues Once, Dozens of Bench Clearings, Most Ejections of All Time’

‘Two World Series Appearances, and One Championship’

Records of my past life that can no longer be found anywhere.

And…….

The memory of first stepping onto the Big League stage,

The memories of my first strikeout, first win, first hit, first home run,

Continuous injuries and setbacks, overcoming them, and finally, the moments of glory that came.

Among the records and memories piled up in my past life, the most intense one was none other than a short message.

[Is this Han Su-hyeok’s contact number? This is Seoul Seongjin Hospital. Leaving a message at the request of the deceased. We regret to inform you that Park Seong-hoon passed away yesterday.]

Prioritizing life is difficult for anyone.

No, not many people can decide that for themselves in the first place.

Some go down a path that has nothing to do with their own will because of family, lovers, or the weight of life they bear,

and pour their lives into it.

I hated that so much.

Especially after learning about the existence of my biological father, who had planted only deprivation in my childhood memories.

And after losing my mother, the only adult I could rely on, I hated even more having my life swayed by someone else’s will.

That’s why I’ve decided everything and lived my life as I pleased.

Success as a baseball player, and the wealth and fame that came with it.

Believing that only that would heal the wounds of my past life, and comforting myself that it was a reward for my deceased mother,

I abandoned everything and lived a life only for baseball.

It was definitely a life I decided and led myself.

But only after losing my last mental support did I realize that something was wrong.

Only after losing Seong-hoon *hyung* [older brother or close male friend] did I bitterly regret how stupid my choice was, but it was already too late.

I couldn’t stop, so I kept going down that road.

Even if it’s the wrong way, if I keep going, I’ll get somewhere, and if I’m very lucky, it might lead to somewhere on the path I deviated from.

I wasted time thinking stupid thoughts that wouldn’t work.

“Play!”

That’s why what I wanted most after the regression was time together, and a life where everyone could laugh together with them.

1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, outfield, dugout, and the cheering section and staff seats far away.

Numerous people who have been running together for this moment over the past year are staring at me with wide eyes.

That’s right.

Right now, this moment is what I wanted so much in my past life,

That very moment I’ve been waiting for 16 years.

Slowly

The feel of the dirt on the mound feels so good today.

A soft yet firm mound condition that perfectly matches my picky taste.

Enjoying that feeling, I slowly went into my pitching motion.

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

“Strike!”

– 169㎞/h! 169㎞/h! Han Su-hyeok’s pitch once again recorded the highest domestic speed of 169㎞/h! In the top of the 8th inning, Han Su-hyeok, who struck out three consecutive batters with nine pitches, enters the dugout with his teammates!

– Ugh! Amazing! I don’t know how to express this moment! I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be like this, but without realizing it, this, hoo… I can’t breathe!

* * *

Was it because they saw something too amazing?

The faces of the Incheon’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd batters who were struck out, and the coaching staff sitting in the dugout, lost their color.

The moment Lim Jun-yeong allowed a grand slam to Han Su-hyeok in the bottom of the 7th inning,

Yes, they were frustrated, but they didn’t give up.

Overturning a four-point difference with two offensive chances left.

It’s difficult, but not an impossible challenge.

Even if the Warriors put Han Su-hyeok on the mound, they still thought there was hope.

A much slower speed than usual, and knuckleball-oriented pitching.

To respond to that, they even urgently brought in a bullpen pitcher from Japan who knew how to throw knuckleballs.

The moment the knuckleball, which was difficult to get a feel for at first, started to hit the bat,

Hope that they could do it, that it might be possible, took root in the hearts of the Incheon batters.

But,

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

Han Su-hyeok, who went to the mound, massacred the Incheon batters by throwing nine consecutive fastballs as if he didn’t need knuckleballs, as if the shoulder injury rumors were just nonsense.

The limit he had set himself due to fear of injury was lifted.

168, 169, 168, and again 169㎞/h.

Some say.

Even if it’s a fast ball, if you can predict the pitch in advance, you can hit it.

Of course, that may be true.

But,

There is a limit to that.

It’s not just a fast ball.

An absurd spin rate of 3,000 RPM, and knife-like control that digs into the weakest spots of the Incheon batters.

The destructive balls, which even make the receiving catcher pant, dig into every corner of the zone as if they are alive.

“…That’s a monster.”

“We can’t win, we can’t win.”

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Kim Yong-jae, who went to the mound in place of Lim Jun-yeong, handled the Warriors’ 5th, 6th, and 7th batters with ground balls, but no cheers came from the Incheon dugout and stands.

Rather, sighs full of frustration leaked out from everywhere.

It wasn’t because they gave up on the game.

It was because the air in the baseball field turned cold just by Han Su-hyeok reappearing in the Warriors’ dugout far away.

They can’t hit it.

They can never hit that.

If there are gods and devils in baseball, that is definitely a devil.

In the eyes of the Incheon players, Han Su-hyeok was the devil himself.

* * *

“Su-hyeok, I’m counting on you.”

“Champ, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Go and finish it.”

Top of the 9th, the last defense.

I went to the mound with the encouragement of manager Lee Dae-jun, who had been constantly opposing my closing appearance until today’s game, and senior coach Benjamin, who always took my side.

For this appearance, I had to make a promise to Seong-hoon *hyung*, Jacob, and manager Lee Dae-jun that I would never practice pitching until this winter.

*Smirk*

I can’t help but laugh.

At the same time, I feel good.

People who worry about my body more than I do.

I feel so good that I have people on my side that I wanted so much in my past life.

I succeeded in bringing all those people here.

It’s different from the past me who threw everything away only for victory.

This is it.

I realize once again that this is the path I wanted.

“What the hell are you so excited about? My head is pounding just thinking about catching the ball.”

“Walter.”

“What.”

“Don’t think about going anywhere else and stay on this team for a long time.”

“Damn it.”

“I’ll treat you well.”

“Damn it…….”

Walter was replaced by Jang Deok-soo as the catcher to catch the knuckleball that he might throw at any time.

Was it because he gave up the home he had been protecting throughout this season, or was it because he felt a sense of guilt that he couldn’t catch my ball?

Jang Deok-soo’s expression, who was sitting back in the dugout, was filled with deep regret.

It’s okay.

Today won’t be the end.

The future of Jang Deok-soo, who was suddenly selected as the starting catcher this season, is just beginning.

Not only that.

Other players who are on the verge of their first championship and are trembling with tension.

I want to tell them too.

This is not the end but just the beginning.

Our baseball is just about to begin.

“Play!”

Incheon’s 4th batter, Lee Han-beom.

A medium-to-long distance hitter who is strong against fast balls and can send the ball regardless of left or right.

The batting indicators he recorded this season flash through my head.

But what’s the use of that now?

The situation where two teams that have been running breathlessly for a season are wielding their swords at each other right before the top [championship game].

Data doesn’t mean anything.

I throw the most confident ball I can throw,

*Whoosh*

*Boom*

*Thwack!*

“Strike!”

The batter just has to do his best to hit it.

In the last inning of the 7th game of the Korean Series,

Only when it became the most important moment as a baseball player could we finally escape from the data.

A real battle to see who is stronger and who has a stronger desire to win.

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

“Strike!”

Ball count two strikes no balls.

I want to subdue him perfectly.

So that the Warriors’ dynasty, which will be established starting today, will not be looked down upon by anyone,

I want to build a barrier that no one can dare to cross.

I don’t need a decoy ball.

It’s a showdown.

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

“Strike! Out!”

– 168㎞/h fastball! 169㎞/h fastball! And Lee Ho-beom is helplessly struck out by the following 105㎞/h knuckleball! Now only two outs remain until the Warriors’ summit!

One out.

5th batter Min Joo-hyun enters the plate.

Long experience and my senses tell me.

That the opponent is raising all the senses of his body to hit the fast ball.

*Whoosh*

*Boom*

*Thwack*

“Swing!”

Maybe it’s a bit cruel.

To throw a 105㎞/h knuckleball to a batter who has concentrated all his nerves on preparing for a 169㎞/h fastball.

Because of this, that batter may fall into a long slump.

In the end, baseball is like that.

A cruel game that can only leave a big scar on the losing side.

I throw the ball with all my might once again so as not to inflict such scars on my people.

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

“Strike!”

*Whoosh*

*Boom*

“Swing! Out!”

“Wow!”

“Really! Ugh! Really!”

“Han Su-hyeok!”

“Han Su-hyeok! Su-hyeok!”

“Su-hyeok *oppa* [term used by females to address older brother or male friend]!”

The shouts of someone’s mixed up and penetrate into my ears.

Two outs.

The pinch hitter, who was taken out as the last resort in Incheon, entered the plate with a bloodless face.

Suddenly, the moment of my first and last World Series victory came to mind.

What was I thinking then?

To be honest, I don’t remember well.

One thing is for sure, victory was not a hope but a goal for me at that time.

I had nothing left for me who had thrown everything away and ran, so I ran with all my life and eventually got it.

So there was no joy of winning.

A little relief, and then a great sense of futility.

But it’s different now.

I really want to win. And I dream of winning.

And I want to share that joy with everyone.

I want to feel that I am alive.

“Play!”

Every moment of life requires a choice, and it is up to oneself to take responsibility for the results of that choice.

I have paid enough for my wrong choices in my past life.

Heaven gave me a second chance.

I did everything I could to correct my twisted choices and life.

So I’m sure.

No one can surpass me.

No one can hit my ball.

Slowly

*Whoosh*

*Thwack!*

“Strike!”

No one can surpass me.

*Whoosh*

*Boom*

*Thwack!*

“Swing!”

The second life that someone allowed me,

The last chance to undo the mistakes of my past life,

No one can take that away from me.

*Whoosh*

*Boom*

*Thwack!*

“Strike! Out! Game set!”

– One, one, one, one hundred and seventy! One hundred and seventy! Han Su-hyeok’s last ball recorded 170㎞/h and the game ends as it is! Seoul Warriors defeats Incheon Rangers 6-2 and becomes the champion of the 2027 Korean Series!

I don’t want to be alone anymore.

“Wow!”

“Su-hyeok! You crazy bastard! You crazy bastard!”

“Han Su-hyeok! Come here! Come here!”

“Wow! We won! We won!”

Teammates and coaches who were on the ground and sitting in the dugout rush to me.

The safety nets on the 1st and 3rd bases collapse and many spectators run onto the ground.

*Pow pow pow!*

*Bang!*

*Pow pow pow!*

*Woo woo woo*

*Woo woo woo*

The fireworks installed on the outer walls of the baseball field are fired all at once, and the drones that were waiting in advance fly up all at once and engrave the name of the Warriors in the night sky of Jamsil [neighborhood in Seoul].

“Su-hyeok!”

“Thank you so much! I’m sorry! Damn it! You’re the best!”

Teammates covered in champagne hug me and pour out words that are hard to understand.

All of this is so much fun.

Every single cell in my body writhes in pleasure.

“*Hoo-oong*, *oppa*! *Oppaaaa*!”

“Come here. Min Ye-rin.”

“*Hoo-oong*… Yes?”

Min Ye-rin, who is a mess with tears and snot, comes to me as if she is not aware that she is a celebrity at all.

*Embrace*

“…*Oppa*?”

“Thank you.”

“…….”

It’s something I should have done a long time ago.

I made a lot of people suffer because I was afraid of forming relationships with someone.

As I was about to enter the dugout, leaving behind Min Ye-rin, whose face was so red that it looked like it would explode at any moment, reporters rushed after me.

“Han Su-hyeok! Just a word! Please give us your first impression!”

“Don’t just go in, please! Just one word!”

I stopped and approached the microphone that the reporters held out.

Come to think of it, there was something I had to say.

Something I must say at this moment.

“This is not the end but the beginning.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Warriors’ championship and the construction of the dynasty are just beginning. We had to pay too much to get here. People who should have been here before anyone else were not with us.”

“Who are you talking about?”

I turned my gaze to the camera. Hoping that someone beyond it would hear my voice.

“Seong-oh *hyung*, and Man-sik *hyung*, please finish your treatment and come back soon. I’ll make sure you wear the championship ring next year and the year after, so don’t get hurt, just, just that’s enough.”

“Wait a minute, wait a minute, Han Su-hyeok, just one more word!”

In the baseball field lights that are gradually losing light, someone’s face comes to mind.

I think I can say it to that person now.

She who told me a long time ago that I should learn how to love someone and how to be loved.

I want to tell her that.

I’m sorry, and thank you so much.

I can finally understand your words now.