Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 270

270. Korean Series (1)

The 144 games of the regular season, which had everyone on the edge of their seats until the very end, were finally over.

Along with the Jaguars, who clinched the championship, the Buffaloes, Wolves, Dragons, and Unicorns were invited to the postseason.

And as soon as the final regular season game ended, the postseason began with the Wild Card game between the Dragons and the Unicorns.

Although they were ranked 4th and 5th in the regular season, the gap between the two teams was quite significant, making for an anticlimactic match.

Thanks to Na Jun-ho’s game-winning hit, the Dragons only had to play one game to secure their spot in the 준playoffs [Semi-playoffs].

Immediately following was the 준playoffs [Semi-playoffs] between the Wolves and the Dragons.

As befitting two teams that had consistently competed at the top, even facing each other in recent Korean Series, the match was fiercely contested.

The Wolves won the first game, seemingly taking an easy lead, but the Dragons’ counterattack was formidable.

Even after four games, they were tied at 2-2, unable to determine a winner.

Eventually, the 준playoffs [Semi-playoffs] went to a decisive Game 5.

With the next game uncertain if they lost here, both teams poured everything they had into it.

They made quick substitutions whenever a pitcher on the mound showed the slightest sign of faltering.

As expected of a game focused on pitching, neither team scored until the 4th inning.

Both teams also desperately tried to score by using pinch hitters from the 5th inning onwards.

The tension grew as the game approached its end.

It was a single error that broke the breathless tension.

A hit that should have been an out turned into a double due to an error by the Dragons’ left fielder, who had been brought in as a substitute.

With that one error, the momentum shifted to the Wolves in an instant.

The Dragons’ bench tried to change the atmosphere by replacing the pitcher, but

Thwack!

Thwack!

The Wolves’ consecutive hits led to the first run, and the score began to widen to 0-2.

From then on, the Wolves focused all their efforts on maintaining their lead.

No matter how many tactics the Dragons employed to narrow the gap, it was too difficult to break through the winning team that kept appearing.

Crack!

Na Jun-ho’s home run brought them within striking distance at 1-2, but

“Strike out!”

The game ended with the final out count, unable to tie the score.

In the end, the Wolves were the victors of the fierce battle.

Now, the playoffs against the Buffaloes, whom they had been waiting for, began.

The Buffaloes put their ace, Go Ji-hoon, on the mound as the starting pitcher for Game 1.

Go Ji-hoon showed exactly why he was the pitcher who had won 17 games this season alone.

Boom!

“Out!”

Whoosh-

“Strike out!”

With near-perfect control and various types of breaking balls that confused the batters, the Wolves’ batters could only swing wildly in vain.

On the other hand, the Buffaloes’ bats swung fiercely.

Clang!

Oh Seok-hoon’s cool long hit exploded, and

Crack!

Park Seong-ju, who hit 42 home runs this season, achieving 30 home runs for the third consecutive year and becoming the home run king, finished it off with a bang.

Unlike last year’s postseason, where Oh Seok-hoon struggled due to being heavily marked after his injury, he showed his full potential this season.

The momentum of the game shifted to the Buffaloes from the middle innings with long hits and home runs.

Emboldened by this, Go Ji-hoon pitched perfectly, holding the opponent scoreless for 7 innings.

The pitchers who followed also showed great pitching, managing to get the 27th out count without giving up any runs.

That’s how the Buffaloes succeeded in taking Game 1 without much difficulty.

In the following games, the Wolves couldn’t show their true strength, perhaps because they had exhausted too much energy in the 준playoffs [Semi-playoffs] against the Dragons.

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju’s blasts shone again in Game 2.

That’s how the Buffaloes were able to win Game 2.

2 wins, 0 losses.

Now, the Wolves were in a situation where their elimination would be confirmed if they lost just one more game.

In Game 3, the Wolves once again poured everything they had.

Thanks to that, the Wolves managed to win a hard-fought victory, dragging the match to Game 4.

However, the Wolves, who had now completely exhausted all their energy, could no longer show the strength to counterattack.

In the end, the Buffaloes secured their ticket to the Korean Series with 3 wins and 1 loss.

The Jaguars and the Buffaloes, who had fiercely exchanged blows throughout the season, would face each other again in the Korean Series.

And the starting pitcher matchups were revealed the day before.

As everyone expected, the Jaguars announced Michael Scott, and the Buffaloes announced Go Ji-hoon.

└This season, if you’ve watched the Jaguars vs. Buffaloes matchups, you’ve seen it all.

└Of course, the Korean Series will be a pitching battle too. I wonder who will win this time?

└Game 1’s viewership ratings will be huge. Even if you haven’t seen Scott’s perfect game, you absolutely can’t miss this.

└I’m also curious about how Dream Agency will commentate during the broadcast.

└I wish we could scout So Young-joon just for the Korean Series, even temporarily. He’s Scott’s kryptonite. Then we might have a chance.

└If we had brought him from the Buffaloes, we might have won easily.

└No matter what, Scott will win. Plus, he’s had plenty of time to rest, so it’s over.

└Watch it a lot, because Scott won’t be with the Jaguars next year, so this will be the last time.

└I was happy to go straight to the Korean Series, but hearing that suddenly makes me depressed.

└Scott! Lead us to victory in the Korean Series and leave in style!!

* * *

Finally, the day of Game 1 of the Korean Series arrived.

At the agency’s accommodation, preparations for the live broadcast were in full swing as usual.

Today, So Young-joon, Choi Jung-hwan, Jang Su-young, and Na Jun-ho were scheduled to participate.

Having conducted live broadcasts at the agency for the third time, the preparations were much smoother.

Moreover, we had been broadcasting continuously because we could see our agency’s players at the stadium from the Wild Card game to the Korean Series, so we were more relaxed.

As usual, So Young-joon was the first to arrive at the agency’s accommodation and was waiting.

“Wow, the day has come when our agency’s players are facing each other in the Korean Series. That’s amazing. And there are so many, seven of them.”

So Young-joon came into the studio, unable to hide his excitement, and approached me.

“I know, right? I can’t believe this day has actually come.”

“Ha- I’m jealous. If I could just play in the Korean Series once, I wouldn’t have any more wishes.”

Before I knew it, a look of gloom settled on So Young-joon’s face, and he let out a deep sigh.

“Even if it doesn’t seem like it, that day will definitely come.”

I could only pat So Young-joon’s shoulder a few times.

“By the way, the season is already coming to an end. It feels like just yesterday we were training in Guam.”

“Young-joon, you’ve worked hard this season too.”

“Ah! Representative, you haven’t forgotten, have you?”

So Young-joon turned his head and looked at me with an expectant expression.

I could fully anticipate what he was going to say without him having to say it.

“What can I say to a shortstop with a .300 batting average and 20 home runs? Do whatever you want now.”

“Ahem. It’s 27 home runs, so you should consider it almost 30.”

So Young-joon cleared his throat once and shrugged his shoulders.

“Thanks to you, this year’s salary negotiation will be very smooth.”

“I should have done this sooner. It’s so easy to have fun when you get paid a lot. Why didn’t I realize that back then?”

“It’s never too late to start now. You still have a lot of your career left.”

I patted So Young-joon’s shoulder and briefly left the studio, heading to the living room.

Shortly after, I heard the sound of the door opening, and Na Jun-ho arrived with Choi Jung-hwan and Jang Su-young.

“Senior, you’re here? Jung-hwan and Su-young, thank you for coming all the way here.”

Na and So Young-joon approached the three.

“Wow, there are so many staff members.”

Na Jun-ho opened his mouth as he looked at the staff members who were busily preparing.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time Senior is commentating, right?”

Na Jun-ho hadn’t had the opportunity to appear on a live broadcast because he had to play in the postseason.

“This is my first time doing this kind of broadcast. I hope I can do well?”

“Senior, you don’t have to be too nervous. I’ll help you from the side.”

So Young-joon went behind Na Jun-ho and massaged his shoulders.

“Young-joon, I’m counting on you.”

“I should throw in one or two surprise questions. Something that the fans would be curious about.”

“Young-joon……. This is my first time doing a live broadcast.”

Na Jun-ho’s face turned ashen at So Young-joon’s words.

“Senior, I’m just kidding.”

“Just tell me what you’re going to ask beforehand. I need to prepare in advance.”

“Hey, if I tell you in advance, it won’t be a surprise. The fans are expecting something raw and unfiltered, so we have to give them what they expect, right?”

“Young-joon…….”

I could even feel the desperation in Na Jun-ho’s expression.

“Senior, you’ve done a lot of MVP interviews after games, right? Those are live too.”

“I think this is going to be very different. Especially because it’s you, Young-joon…….”

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to eat you.”

So Young-joon nodded with a smile full of laughter.

Perhaps because of his smile, Na Jun-ho’s worries didn’t seem to disappear.

Ding-dong.

Soon after, the door opened and Choi Woo-jin, the last guest commentator for today, rushed in.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“Woo-jin, welcome.”

I waved my hand and greeted Choi Woo-jin.

“It seems like Woo-jin is the busiest these days.”

So Young-joon put his hand on Choi Woo-jin’s shoulder and said.

“School training ended later than I thought.”

“It’s okay as long as you’re not late for the broadcast. The Jaguars fans are eagerly waiting for Woo-jin right now.”

As the most highly anticipated first-round pick, and thanks to his even better performance after being drafted, he was receiving enthusiastic support from Jaguars fans even before joining the team.

“Woo-jin, are you going to cheer for the Buffaloes or the Jaguars this time?”

So Young-joon, with his arm around Choi Woo-jin’s shoulders, asked.

“Hey, of course, I have to cheer for the Jaguars.”

“You were a huge Buffaloes fan until recently, have you already switched sides?”

“Nothing is forever in this world.”

Everyone burst into laughter at Choi Woo-jin’s words.

“Okay, it’s almost time to start the broadcast!”

As the game’s starting time approached, a staff member shouted towards us.

“It’s time. Let’s have fun again.”

So Young-joon stretched his arms above his head and yawned.

“Jun-ho Senior, Su-young, Jung-hwan, don’t be nervous and just be comfortable.”

When I turned my head, I could see Na Jun-ho, who was very nervous, and Jang Su-young and Choi Jung-hwan, who were trying to smile next to him.

I moved my steps to the studio with the players.

It was time for the long-awaited Game 1 of the Korean Series to begin.