Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 38

What’s Best for the Player (5)

“M-Me?”

I stammered, surprised by the sudden suggestion.

“Please, come up.”

Several reporters gestured for me to come over.

I felt like I was being drawn in, heading towards the photo zone where Yaeji Lim was standing.

It’s not like I’m going to give a speech, so why am I so nervous?

My legs felt like jelly.

Just as I was about to say something to Yaeji Lim,

“Hyunwoo, I’ll head inside first. Take your time.”

Yaeji Lim left me with those words and entered the event hall.

Huh. What?

She’s just going in like that?

I blankly stared at Yaeji Lim’s retreating figure.

“Kang Hyunwoo, please look this way.”

Urged by the reporters, I forced a smile and turned towards them.

Flash. Flash.

Flashes went off everywhere.

The sudden assault of light made it impossible to open my eyes.

Even though I was practically closing my eyes, the flashes didn’t seem to let up.

Are they even getting a good shot?

I cautiously raised my hand, trying to look relaxed.

Unlike my intentions, the tips of my fingers trembled slightly.

I was experiencing a scene I’d only ever seen on the news.

I felt like a real top star.

“Make a hand heart for us.”

“Give us a fighting pose too.”

The reporters’ requests kept piling up.

I raised both hands to make a hand heart and lifted my right hand, shouting, “Fighting!”

It was actually kind of fun.

Even in that short time, I felt like I was developing some know-how and becoming more relaxed.

Now that they had taken enough photos, the frequency of the camera flashes decreased significantly.

Time passed by faster than I thought.

“What’s the atmosphere like in the Najunho player negotiations right now?”

Suddenly, a reporter threw a question at me.

“Um… which team are you referring to?”

My words suddenly caused a stir among the reporters.

Is there a problem?

“Are negotiations proceeding with teams other than the Dragons?”

Oh dear.

My words were the problem.

That reporter must have assumed that we were exclusively negotiating with the Dragons, so that’s what they asked.

It wasn’t even a leading question, but I tripped myself up.

“Is there a possibility that Najunho will transfer?”

“Can you tell us which other team you’re negotiating with?”

“Is the offer from the other team significantly different? Which side is Najunho considering more seriously?”

It was clear that even if I didn’t answer and went inside, articles about the transfer would flood the news.

I need to report this to Yaeji as soon as I get in.

But how do I get through this moment?

“Isn’t it common knowledge that Najunho is the hottest player in this FA [Free Agent] market? Wouldn’t it be stranger if other teams weren’t interested in such a player?”

“So, it’s true that negotiations are underway with other teams?”

I sensed that the reporters’ questions wouldn’t stop until I revealed everything.

“I will officially summarize the details and let you know.”

I quickly bowed my head to the reporters and left the scene.

The reporters’ shouts, desperately calling my name and asking for just one more answer, continued.

Huh.

That was quite the initiation.

A cold sweat ran down my spine.

* * *

“It’s okay. You did well.”

Even after I told her everything that had happened, there was no significant change in Yaeji Lim’s expression.

I even received words that were close to praise.

Is it really okay?

Just as I was about to ask something more, another guest approached.

“Representative Lim.”

Someone called out to Yaeji Lim and approached.

It was Kwanghoon Jo, the Jaguars’ general manager, who also had a deep connection with me.

“General Manager, how have you been?”

“Oh, how can I be doing well? How can a general manager be doing well when the team hasn’t won the championship?”

As if to reveal that his words were an exaggeration, the Jaguars’ general manager’s face showed a sense of ease.

“Rumor has it that the parent company is providing strong support this time?”

“It’ll all be over after we catch our house rabbit [secure our star player].”

Lee Sanghoon, an outfielder who could be called the Jaguars’ franchise star, had also obtained FA qualification.

Like Najunho, Lee Sanghoon was a star player who would have to be given at least 10 billion won in total to be caught.

The Jaguars’ general manager, who had exchanged greetings with Yaeji Lim, saw me next to her and greeted me with a slightly exaggerated gesture.

“Who is this? Hyunwoo. Long time no see.”

“General Manager, it’s been a while.”

I shook hands with the Jaguars’ general manager and bowed my head.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you lately.”

“Thank you.”

Unexpected information floated above his head.

-Struggling to narrow the differences in opinion in FA negotiations with Jaguars franchise player Lee Sanghoon.

-Looking into the negotiation process of other players in preparation for the possibility of a breakdown in negotiations.

Lee Sanghoon debuted with the Jaguars and played an important role in the season when they won the championship a few years ago.

No one would think of separating Lee Sanghoon and the Jaguars.

There were quite a few fans who thought of Lee Sanghoon first when it came to the Jaguars.

Even so, the fact that the general manager was considering the possibility of negotiations breaking down with such a player was shocking to me, who was also a Jaguars fan.

Is that what negotiations are like……

“We shouldn’t have missed out on talent like Hyunwoo in our club. Hahaha.”

The Jaguars’ general manager looked back and forth between me and Yaeji Lim and laughed heartily.

“Thanks to you, our company is receiving a lot of help.”

“Anyway, Representative Lim. How are the Najunho negotiations going these days?”

“Well, it’s still early. We’re listening to various stories from here and there.”

“I thought the Dragons would definitely catch him… I guess they didn’t make that kind of offer.”

The Jaguars’ general manager raised one eyebrow and asked.

It was clear that he was subtly probing the negotiation situation.

Is this what he meant by preparing for the possibility of negotiations breaking down with Lee Sanghoon?

Although they were both outfielders, Najunho was a right fielder and Lee Sanghoon was a center fielder.

Moreover, their playing styles were completely different.

Najunho was a player who could hit a home run at any time, while Lee Sanghoon’s strengths were his technical contact ability, quick speed, and wide defensive range.

“It’s true that he’s a Dragons franchise player, but he’s strictly an FA player now. To be properly recognized for his value and sign a contract, he needs to fully hear how other clubs are evaluating him.”

Yaeji Lim answered the Jaguars’ general manager’s question with a vague answer.

“That’s right. Um… then let’s say hello again later.”

The Jaguars’ general manager’s expression did not look satisfied, perhaps because he was disappointed that he did not get the answer he wanted.

Then he forced a smile and turned away.

As time passed, more and more players and baseball officials arrived at the awards ceremony.

Walking around with Yaeji Lim gave me the opportunity to talk to prominent people in the baseball world.

I was able to greet not only the general managers and players of each team, but also officials from the baseball association.

I naturally shook hands with the people I met.

Then, the information windows floating above other people’s heads were filled with information.

-Worried about the difficulty of salary negotiations with club players.

-Uncomfortable having to notify the released players tomorrow.

-Wanting to be traded to a team where he can play as a starter.

Usually, there were many difficulties and concerns felt as a general manager or player.

I was disappointed that I couldn’t get the information I needed right away.

-Promoting the possibility of signing multi-year contracts even with players who are not FAs [Free Agents].

Thanks to the baseball official who just passed by and greeted me, I was able to obtain quite meaningful information.

Until now, it was only possible to sign a one-year contract unconditionally until a player met the eligibility requirements to become an FA player.

It was difficult to meet the FA requirements, so there were many cases where FA qualification was obtained after the prime of their career had already passed.

No matter how great a player’s performance was throughout his career, there was no team that would offer a contract with good conditions to a player who had already passed his prime.

Therefore, if it goes as he says, it meant that there would be a way for a player to sign a multi-year contract with his team during his prime, regardless of meeting the FA requirements, and receive sufficient compensation.

This also meant that when Oh Seokhoon and Park Seongjoo unleashed their potential in the near future, I could create a situation where they could focus solely on training without worry.

After that, I greeted several attendees.

I didn’t expect to be able to watch the awards ceremony comfortably, but I didn’t know it would be this difficult.

On the other hand, Yaeji Lim didn’t seem to be struggling at all.

“Najunho player!”

Suddenly, Yaeji Lim’s expression brightened.

“Representative.”

Hearing his name called, Najunho discovered me and Yaeji Lim and approached.

Seeing him wearing a suit and styled made him feel different.

I was also happy to shake hands with Najunho, and the information was updated.

-The family decided to follow Najunho’s decision regarding the transfer.

-After hearing the Dragons players at the awards ceremony ask him to stay, his thoughts became complicated.

Would the decision have been easier if his family had strongly insisted on their opinion?

If I could look into his head right now, it would probably be chaos itself.

Then suddenly, a physiological signal came from my body.

“Representative, I’m going to step outside for a moment.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

I quickly left the scene.

I had been holding it in since earlier, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

I hurried to find the restroom outside the venue.

The restroom was in an easy-to-find location, but perhaps because the venue was so large, it felt like the distance was increasing as I walked.

I could feel my pace quickening little by little.

Now I was practically running.

Just when I thought I had arrived,

“Ugh!”

I bumped into someone’s shoulder while rushing into the restroom.

“I’m sorry.”

Before I could even check who the other person was, I bent over and apologized.

“Hyunwoo?”

Only after hearing the other person call my name did I raise my head to check their face.

“Oh? General Manager.”

I was happy to see someone I knew for a moment.

My gaze was fixed on the information window above his head.

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