Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 412

#411. Extra Story 11 – Han Su-hyeok

“Hey, David, it’s just the first at-bat, after all……”

“Shh, Clark. Just leave him be.”

“Hmm……”

Ever since declaring himself a two-way player, David Blake, the Yankees’ rising star who had constantly been compared to Han Su-hyeok and had made surpassing Han Su-hyeok his life’s goal, suffered a crushing defeat in their first encounter.

A two-run home run that soared into the uppermost section of the left-field stands at Yankee Stadium.

Leaving aside the runs allowed, David was deeply shaken that his most confident fastball had been utterly demolished.

But there wasn’t even time to be discouraged.

Now it was David’s turn to bat, and Han Su-hyeok’s turn to pitch again.

David’s head, which had been drooping, lifted, and his gaze locked onto Han Su-hyeok on the mound.

Thwack!

“Strike three!”

The Yankees’ leadoff batter was struck out on three pitches. As always, it was a perfect display. Han Su-hyeok’s pitching form, a signature move that amateur players around the world considered the ideal.

David shook his head vigorously.

He shouldn’t dwell on the previous defeat. The game had just begun. There were still plenty of opportunities left. More than anything, wasn’t David’s real strength as a batter?

The 2046 season was one of the most pitcher-friendly seasons in Major League history. Despite that, David Blake hit an incredible 62 home runs.

Although it was far short of the 79 home runs Han Su-hyeok had recorded, wasn’t the 62-home run mark a height only three people, excluding drug users, had reached in modern baseball history?

Furthermore, he maintained a batting average of over .300 in a Major League where the trend had become sacrificing batting average for the sake of hitting more home runs, and he still managed to hit that many home runs. That’s why he believed that at least 60% of his $800 million, 12-year contract was due to David the batter.

It’s just, this is just, that monster is too far outside the norm…….

“Hey, David. What are you doing? It’s your turn?”

“What? My turn? Already?”

While he was lost in thought in the on-deck circle, the first and second batters were struck out.

No, struck out that quickly? What is this……?

David, with a slightly dazed expression, stepped up to the plate.

Okay, with two outs and no runners on base, a game-winning home run was out of the question. But the inning wasn’t over yet. It was a bit disappointing that hitting a home run would only score one run, but still…….

Thwack!

“Strike!”

“Huh?”

Again, while he was lost in thought, the ball came flying in without any preparation.

A 105 mph fastball.

Then he remembered. Han Su-hyeok was a player with an unparalleled pitching tempo.

David gritted his teeth, pushing all thoughts out of his head and focusing solely on hitting. Han Su-hyeok, as if he didn’t need any interval, went into his pitching motion as soon as he caught the ball from the catcher.

The moment the ball left his fingertips, David’s swing, timed for the 105 mph fastball, was launched with force.

Whoosh

“Swing!”

“Huh?”

What just happened?

David, not realizing what had happened, looked at the pitching information on the scoreboard.

“78 mph? 78 mph?”

That’s a foul [deceptive]. To throw a 78 mph changeup to a batter waiting for a 105 mph fastball.

One of the reasons Han Su-hyeok is called a great pitcher is this off-speed ball. He has the ability to freely throw a 105 mph fastball, a 95 mph fastball, a 90 mph changeup, and an 80 mph changeup. This means he is a pitcher against whom it is fundamentally impossible to anticipate one type of pitch.

‘Fuck!’

David cursed inwardly, adjusted his helmet, and took his batting stance.

Okay. A 78 mph changeup came after a 105 mph fastball, so this time it will probably be a fastball. That arrogant being who thinks there is no match for him would never throw an evasive pitch here.

Convinced that this pitch would be the decisive moment, David made full preparations to hit the 105 mph fastball. He relaxed the tension in his shoulders, opened his stance slightly to prepare for inside pitches,

At that moment,

Han Su-hyeok, who had finished preparing to pitch at a rapid tempo, threw the ball immediately.

In a situation where it was impossible to guess the type of pitch just by looking at his pitching form, David’s bat moved fearlessly. He was sure that a fastball would come.

Whoosh

David’s guess was correct. The decisive pitch Han Su-hyeok chose was a fastball.

However,

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

“What the…….”

It was just a little faster than David had expected.

– Ah! 110 mph! 110 mph! Han Su-hyeok ties his own world record of 110 mph set in the 2040 KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] season! Amazing! Who said anything about age affecting this player! The returned god of baseball has completely crushed the emperor of New York!

* * *

“Damn…….”

“That’s awful. This is a disaster…….”

“Oh my god, David is crying.”

Some said that the confrontation between Han Su-hyeok and David Blake today would be a memorable game in baseball history. Even those who didn’t agree with that opinion agreed that this game was a significant event that would have a major impact on the direction of this season.

But,

Crack!

“Damn it! Stop getting hit already!”

“Just walk him [intentionally walk him to first base]!”

Whoosh

“Swing! Out!”

“David! Just hit one! Please hit something!”

No one expected it to be such a one-sided game.

Han Su-hyeok, who hit a two-run home run against David in his first at-bat, hit another home run in his second at-bat. And in his third at-bat, he hit a double, and in his last fourth at-bat, he hit a single in front of the left fielder, recording a cycle hit [hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game] missing only a triple.

On the other hand, David Blake suffered the humiliation of 3 strikeouts in 3 at-bats, striking out in his first, second, and just now in his third at-bat.

Even more humiliating was that at some point, Han Su-hyeok had lost interest in the match against David. David, the person involved, could feel that fact very clearly, even if no one else could.

The game continued, and eventually, only the Yankees’ last attack in the regulation inning remained.

Han Su-hyeok, who had allowed only one walk, one deflected hit, and one error for an out today, faced the Yankees’ last batter. David Blake, who had been completely defeated in three previous encounters today.

Seattle catcher Leonard Jones said to David, whose face had turned pale.

“Hey. Don’t be too disappointed. I told you before. That guy is not human.”

“…….”

“It’s funny to say this to an enemy… Damn it, yeah, you’ll definitely be the next generation’s Major League superstar. After Han Su-hyeok retires, that is.”

“…….”

“I shouldn’t have said that. Anyway, good luck, friend.”

“Leonard.”

“Hmm?”

“What is it? How can he be so good at baseball? Even at that age?”

“If you’re curious, come to our dugout after the game. I’ll let you meet Han.”

With those words, the conversation between the two ended.

Leonard clicked his tongue. He wondered if he had said something unnecessary to the ace of the team that would be competing for the top spot in the American League this season, but,

What could he do? It was the truth.

Leonard, who had spent nearly 20 years in the big leagues, had witnessed the rise and fall of countless stars. From that perspective, this player named David Blake was clearly going to be the next generation’s superstar after Leonard himself retired. No, he was already a star who was fully qualified to be one.

But,

‘As long as Han Su-hyeok is here… you’ll have to wait a little longer, friend.’

All of those assumptions are based on Han Su-hyeok’s retirement. If he were to withdraw his retirement plans and continue to stay on the field, David’s rise to the top star would also be delayed by several years.

He couldn’t understand why he was giving friendly advice to an opponent he would have trash-talked in the past, telling them to go and drink more milk…….

‘Well, I guess it’s because it’s time for me to step down too. Damn it…….’

While Leonard was feeling the passage of time, Han Su-hyeok’s last pitch began.

Thwack!

“Strike!”

A 102 mph two-seamer,

Whoosh

“Swing!”

A 90 mph changeup,

And,

Thwack!

“Strike! Out!”

The 107 mph fastball that punctuated the end of the long, long match.

The match that was expected to be the showdown of the century ended with a 3-0 shutout victory for the Seattle Mariners. And the pitching and hitting match between the two-way players ended with Han Su-hyeok recording 4 hits in 4 at-bats, 2 home runs, and 3 RBIs, and David Blake recording 4 strikeouts in 4 at-bats, ending in Han Su-hyeok’s one-sided victory.

“Die! You bastards! Refund the tickets!”

“Championship? You trashy bastards! You’re doomed! Doomed!”

“David! You stupid bastard! 800 million dollars? You’re not even worth 8 dollars! You’re worse than my dog!”

After the game, while listening to the harsh boos pouring out from the Yankees fans, who were known for being well-mannered,

David Blake, the loser of today’s game, trudged towards the visiting team’s dugout.

To meet Han Su-hyeok, who had completely crushed him.

“Oh, he really came. Okay, wait. I’ll call Han.”

“What? David? Why is that guy here?”

“Shh, you guys stop talking and go back to the locker room.”

Leonard, who arranged this meeting, sorted out the situation, and Han Su-hyeok, who had gone to change his underwear, returned to the dugout.

The moment he met him, David’s mouth froze. All sorts of complex emotions, including respect, inferiority, competitiveness, and a bit of superiority that had built up over the past time, swirled around and blocked his mouth.

Han Su-hyeok spoke to David first.

“Hey, I don’t know what’s going on, but I hope you can make it quick. My wife and son are waiting.”

“Oh? Ah, well, that’s…….”

David, who had said that he was not afraid of the aging Han Su-hyeok and that victory would be his, froze completely like a young fan in front of his idol.

And after a while, David, who had hesitated for a long time, finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“How can I….”

“Huh?”

“How on earth do you make plays like that? Damn it, fine. I was wrong. All that stuff about you being old and washed up was nonsense. Everyone knew it but me. I can’t even compare to you. So, I have to ask: how do you do it?”

Han Su-hyeok nodded, as if understanding, and replied.

“Well… first, keep playing baseball in that condition for about another 10 years. It wouldn’t hurt to shatter your shoulder along the way and suffer a bit. Then, if you’re lucky, you’ll be reborn and play baseball again. For about twenty years? Around that time, you might understand how I got to where I am, kid.”

“What? What on earth are you….”

What Han Su-hyeok said was the truth, but David couldn’t accept it.

Han Su-hyeok, knowing this, continued with a faint smile.

“If that’s impossible… well, maybe try finding someone you love. How about it, do you have a girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend? Why that… of course, I do. I’m seeing someone right now….”

“No, not that kind of thing, someone you truly love. Do you have someone like that?”

“…No, what does that have to do with baseball?”

“If you want to become a really good player, don’t be too absorbed in just baseball. When things get tough or something blocks your way, look around you. If there’s someone there who can help you, yeah, you might become a slightly better player. Someday, you might even become the player who takes my place.”

“……”

“Baseball, you see, is wonderful, but it’s not worth betting everything on. You’ll need a little more time to understand what I’m saying, kid. But someday, when you remember my words, think about it. What’s really important in my life?”

“Han….”

“Go on, I don’t think I have anything more to say. Oh, and one piece of advice: I don’t know who your pitching coordinator is, but fire him right away. Your pitches are fast, but the finish is too weak. If they time it right, you’re bound to get hammered.”

“Han!”

“That’s all. Now I have to go meet my family.”

Leaving behind his junior, who was staring at him dumbfounded, Han Su-hyeok went into the dugout.

He was momentarily shaken by the sight of the guy who looked just like he did a long time ago. He felt like he said something he didn’t need to say.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.”

But the words were already spoken. Even if David grows because of today’s events, and even if he becomes the biggest obstacle for Seattle after he’s gone,

It’s a matter for the next generation. It’s up to the guys who will live in the next generation to figure it out.

“Dad!”

“Su-hyeok oppa [term of endearment used by a younger woman to an older man]!”

As he came out through the gate, his most beloved family was waiting for him. The darkening night streets of New York were welcoming Han Su-hyeok.

“Si-won, should I buy you pizza?”

“Pizza?”

“Yeah, there’s a good place near here. Your mom likes it a lot too.”

“Oppa, but that’s completely on the opposite side of the hotel. Is your schedule okay?”

“It’s quick if we take a helicopter.”

“Ah!”

Time changes everything.

But even so, the one thing that never changes is that people become stronger when someone is by their side to protect them. He didn’t know that in the past, and he thought that going alone was the fastest and most efficient way, so he had no choice but to fail in the end.

Han Su-hyeok thought.

If you ask me how to play baseball well, it’s definitely hard to answer,

But if you ask me what happiness is,

Going out for pizza with family after work,

Walking down the street while feeling the now cool night breeze,

I think I can tell you that these little things are happiness.

The only man who is out of the flow of time, the man who deserves to be called the god of baseball, took a step forward with his family.

Enjoying this moment that will never come again.

“Let’s go! Kang Si-won! Let’s go eat pizza!”

“Yay! Dad’s the best!”

Nearly 200 years have passed since the Knickerbockers, the world’s first baseball team, was founded in 1845. During that long time, there have been countless heroes in the history of world baseball.

Baseball Emperor Babe Ruth, the greatest center fielder of all time Willie Mays, home run king Hank Aaron, the last 40% hitter Ted Williams, the symbol of human triumph Lou Gehrig, the name Mickey Mantle that comes to mind when you think of a switch hitter, alien Pedro Martinez, the strongest left-hander Randy Johnson, and the most beautiful swing Ken Griffey Jr.

Among those many stars, who is the greatest player of all time,

No one could answer in the past. No, everyone who answered had no choice but to give a different answer.

But not anymore.

If someone asks you who the greatest baseball player in history is?

You don’t even have to hesitate or worry.

The answer is already decided.

Han Su-hyeok.

The ecosystem destroyer and absolute being who can never be seen again as long as the sport of baseball exists, or perhaps *should* never be seen again.

Because he exists.

“Oh, but Dad.”

“Yeah?”

“Since Dad won today, does that mean Dad is the best again?”

Han Su-hyeok smiled and answered his son’s question.

“Son.”

“Yes.”

“Your dad has never *not* been the best. I’m going to show you that from now on, so you have to remember it well, okay? I think your dad will be sad if you grow up and say you don’t remember.”

“Okay. Hehe!”

** Genius Pitcher Hides 170km Extra Story Complete **

[Completion Review]

[1 year ago]

Let’s write a story about the baseball world where I used to work,

After I first had that thought, it took quite a long time to set the main character and background.

Then one day, I saw a playful post on the Internet that caught my eye.

[What is the line from a drama that people want to hear the most in reality these days?]

“I’ll give you this money, so eat it and drop it [leave and never come back]. And don’t ever appear in front of me again.”

It was a bit bitter that this line, which was once a regular line for villains in dramas, has now become the line that people want to hear the most, but anyway, this article started there.

Is everything really about money? Is success everything?

The main character who lived with the mindset that he must succeed, that my success is for everyone, felt empty when he realized that no one was left by his side at some point,

When such a main character gets a second chance due to regression, the opportunity to choose is thrown in front of him again, ‘Eat this money and drop it’.

What to choose here, how to live,

Endless questions,

The reason why the main character of this story became a successful former major leaguer and was set as a baseball player and owner was for this reason.

[Heroine]

-When a heroine appears in a web novel, especially a sports novel, readers have a seizure.

For readers who like stories where the main character starts from 0 and grows and succeeds until he reaches 100 when reading sports novels, the existence of a heroine itself will be stressful. This is a matter of taste, so I can’t help it,

Excluding those cases, the reasons why readers dislike the heroine character will vary. It depends on each person’s taste. Some people hate trophy-type heroines, while others frown at active heroines, etc.

Considering that there are so many unfavorable factors, it was quite dangerous to increase the proportion of the heroine in a sports novel.

However, considering that the basis of this story is the main character’s regression, the heroine’s reincarnation, and the two people’s relationship that continues only at the end after a long time, Min Ye-rin was such an important character in my story regardless of the amount.

In fact, there was a crisis. Because of the negative comments about Min Ye-rin and the actual drop in views in some episodes, should I give up the story I had in mind and just go with a story about baseball? Should I just leave Min Ye-rin as a stalker who is crazy about baseball? I had such thoughts.

If I had given up there, this story would have lost its life and ended at around 200 episodes. That’s why I sincerely thank the readers who supported me until the end when I was wavering.

[Friends and Colleagues]

Baseball, soccer, and basketball. The characteristic of these sports that often appear in web novels is that they are team sports. Especially baseball is the most powerful team sport.

Therefore, when writing a baseball novel, surrounding characters such as colleagues and friends are indispensable elements. But the problem is that there are many readers who don’t like the amount that goes to the surrounding characters to go to the main character.

In addition, as Han Su-hyeok’s character in the play is an absolute powerhouse, all the surrounding characters that appear have no choice but to receive help from the main character. However, every time such an episode appeared, there were constant reactions that it was holding the main character back and that it was a nuisance.

Giving and receiving help from others,

That work, which is so natural when living an actual life, is accepted as stress by readers reading web novels. The existence of surrounding characters can be an obstacle for readers.

I realized that, but I just pushed ahead. I judged that if I made the surrounding characters into folding screens while writing a team sports story, the limitations of the story would come quickly.

I remember the episode related to Cheon Sang-jin.

While looking at the readers’ comments and reactions to that episode, I thought, we want to become the main character who has everything like Han Su-hyeok in the novel, but since reality is not like that, we want to support the challenge of someone who has nothing like Cheon Sang-jin.

Balancing between the two will be my eternal task.

[Sports novels I think of, future plans]

Looking at the types of sports web novels that exist today, there seem to be three main types.

A novel that omits all unnecessary narratives and goes all-in on the main character’s growth and success from beginning to end,

A novel located at the opposite pole, which maximizes character and allows you to enjoy the story itself even if you don’t know baseball well,

Finally, a novel that maximizes the professionalism of the sport itself called baseball.

I’ve written two baseball novels and I’m still serializing a new one, but I don’t think I’ll continue to write only sports stories in the future. As always, if I think of a subject I want to write about, I’ll just jump right in.

Nevertheless, if I were to write a sports story in the future, the novel I would aim for would probably be a mix of the second and third types.

Creating the most attractive surrounding characters, and the story of the main character and them moving forward together, while at the same time, there is no disruption to the basic settings as a sports story,

I want to write such a novel.

[Thank you]

When writing, the writer becomes the first reader of the story he is writing at the same time.

As I serialized a story for over 400 episodes in which the main character, who overcame an unfortunate past, finally became happy, I felt like my heart was getting heavy together.

To overcome this, and to get through the competition period that I wouldn’t participate in anyway,

This time, I’m serializing a new story with a light heart, with the intention of writing a story that is not too heavy for both the writer and the reader.

I am grateful that there seem to be people who are reading that story along with Genius Pitcher, even though there are similarities in the atmosphere and development of the story due to the commonality of the two-way main character’s regression.

Anyway, I’m a bit confident in serialization speed and multi-tasking, so I’m planning to proceed with the planning for the next story while serializing this new story. Fortunately, this story has entered paid status, so I have some time to spare, so I’m going to take it easy.

As I think now, I want to write an upgraded version of my debut work, Chaebol Manager’s Rampage, and I also want to try my hand at martial arts or orthodox fantasy that I have to challenge someday, and I also have another sports story that I have had in my head for a long time. I’m thinking of writing it…

I don’t know. I don’t get a good sense of writing until I actually write it, so I’ll have to wait until then to find out.

Anyway, I’ll keep writing hard in the future.

Knowing that there’s nothing more annoying than a story you’re enjoying being put on hiatus,

I promise that whenever I write a story, I will clearly define the beginning and the end, and I will finish it neatly to the extent of my capabilities.

I’ve been talking a little long as I finish a story that I’ve been working on for almost a year.

Thank you once again for your support, and I will conclude this story here.

Thank you.