Chapter 4

Did you receive ten million won?

"Really... will such a world come?"

As everyone knows, such a world will come.

Football will become an international business that generates enormous wealth.

Neymar's transfer fee is close to 300 billion, and Messi earns 130 billion annually.

Of course, advertising and royalty income exceed the annual salary.

Manchester United earns over 100 billion annually from uniform sponsorships, and the EPL sells broadcasting rights worldwide for tens of trillions.

"Can't believe it, right? But the probability of it happening is high. The oil tycoons from the Middle East are already sniffing around and showing deep interest in European football clubs. Football clubs will become a brand that generates global revenue."

Kevin Kim's office was filled with economic magazines like Forbes, Fortune, The Economist, and Business Week.

They must be the source of his global perspective.

"Football in the 21st century will be a global business. Football is all about money. A single player might generate revenue comparable to a mid-sized company."

I nodded silently.

Because I knew his vision would become reality.

***

It was late in the afternoon when I finally returned to school.

My bag was filled with British football magazines that Kevin Kim had packed for me.

"Studying English as a football player is best done with football magazines."

Both Kim Seungjin and Kevin Kim were incredibly considerate, just because I was a football player.

It was reassuring to have two elite graduates from S University as my supporters.

"Geon-woo! Where have you been?!"

"Is the news true?! Congratulations!"

When I entered the classroom, there was a commotion over my World Cup selection news.

Everyone thought I had visited the football association.

I didn't say anything to the kids.

They would find out tomorrow when the news came out.

I grabbed my bag and headed to the football club room, where Coach Ji-yeongman rushed in breathlessly.

"Geon-woo! Where have you been?! You should have called. I was worried."

"I'm sorry."

"Congratulations, Kim Geon-woo! You're really my treasure."

I almost replied, "Of course."

How much money have you made by using me? Naturally, I'm a treasure.

To be precise, I'm a goose that lays golden eggs.

"Did you visit the football association? Who called you?"

"No, I didn't go there. I just had a phone call."

"Then where did you go?"

"To the hospital."

Ji-yeongman's expression twisted.

As if he had bitten a bug.

The kind-hearted coach's face disappeared, revealing a sinister con man.

"... Why the hospital? Dr. Moon?"

"No, Seoul Oseong Hospital."

This guy was a con man in a doctor's coat, colluding with Ji-yeongman to give diagnoses.

If the tournament was urgent, he would say an injury was fine, and if problems arose later, he would use complex medical jargon to deny responsibility.

He even gave young injured players so-called "cannonball injections" (Depomedrol, a powerful anesthetic, effective in the short term but damaging to cartilage if overused) to play in matches.

Ji-yeongman supplied patients to Dr. Moon, receiving a 15% commission per patient. I only found out about this ten years after graduation.

"Seoul Oseong Hospital... without telling me? Why?"

"Because my knee hurt. I've been telling you since the spring tournament."

"That's right. But why did you go to a different hospital instead of our designated one..."

The kind-hearted aura was gone from Ji-yeongman's face.

His phone kept ringing.

"Coach, answer the call. It's ringing continuously."

"Ah... right."

Ji-yeongman answered the call.

It seemed the football association was finally notifying him.

"Yes... Ah... I understand."

Ji-yeongman hung up and stared at me blankly.

Anger, disappointment, frustration, and suspicion swirled in his eyes.

He had been reassured that he had complete control over me, but now he was bewildered.

"What are you doing, Kim Geon-woo?"

"What do you mean?"

"How dare you go to the hospital without consulting me? I look like a fool now, Geon-woo."

Ji-yeongman's voice dropped.

The atmosphere was tense, as if a punch might fly at any moment.

"I'm sorry, Coach. My knee was really hurting. Dr. Moon kept saying it was fine, but I wanted a precise check-up at a higher-level hospital. The decision to withdraw from the World Cup was based on the doctor's diagnosis."

I shrugged, pretending to be apologetic.

Bang!

Ji-yeongman pushed me against a metal cabinet.

"Hey! You! Do you think I'm a joke?!"

"Why are you doing this, Coach?"

"This brat thinks he's so good at football that he can ignore the coach! Ruining the team's atmosphere! You're just a brat, nothing more!"

I looked Ji-yeongman in the eye.

A truly hurt look.

Experiencing this again, I realized he was the ultimate villain.

He could have been a successful actor.

"If I've upset you, I'm sorry. I'll take responsibility and leave the team."

"... What?"

"The doctor said I need to rest and rehabilitate for at least three months. I can't participate in team training anyway... If you think I've ruined the team's atmosphere, I'll leave."

"What... what are you saying!?"

"I'll go now, Coach."

"Geon-woo! Geon-woo!!"

I left the football club room.

I wanted to kill that disgusting guy right then, but I held back.

To completely destroy him, I needed to go through a few more steps.

"I'll let you live for now."

***

When I got home in the evening, my father rushed over.

"Ji-yeongman called. He said he's sorry for what he said to you. He said he's committed a grave sin and was crying to me."

"Is that so?"

This Ji-yeongman kid.

He should get an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Really.

"So why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"You should have consulted the coach before going to the hospital. If players make decisions on their own, what's the point of having a coach?"

I was angry for the first time today, not because of Ji-yeongman but because of my father.

"Hey, Dad! Is that something you should say to your son!? Even in this situation, you're taking the coach's side!?"

"You fool! What do you know about football!? A football team is an organization. An organization! So... you should respect and follow the coach like a father and work together..."

"Father..."

"Yes?"

"How much did you receive from Coach Ji-yeongman three years ago?"

"W... What are you talking about!?"

Father's acting skills were poor compared to Ji-yeongman's.

It was already clear on his face.

That's why you always get taken advantage of.

"When I was in middle school, Ji-yeongman came and gave us money, which is why I went to Myeongseong High School."

"That... That's not true. Ji-yeongman was just very diligent and capable. I trusted his leadership."

"You received ten million won, didn't you?"

"... Yes. I didn't want to take it, but he forced it on me, so I had no choice..."

"No! What! This guy! Where did all that money go!?"

"Wait! Just calm down!"

Mother hit Father's back, and he pushed her away, running into the bedroom.

This household.

I stopped them and revealed the truth.

"Ji-yeongman used the fact that he brought me to Myeongseong High School to collect 30 million won from each parent. Did you know that?"

Being the ace in middle school, my joining Myeongseong High School would significantly increase the college admission rate for the same grade, making it an attractive offer for parents of football players.

Ji-yeongman collected tens of millions from the parents of my classmates.

"Is that... true?"

"Father, Ji-yeongman is a con man. Don't meet him again. Don't contact him, and return the money. It could cause problems later."

"But... the money... why..."

"Father, I will earn 100 million, 1 billion, 10 billion through football. So don't make my surroundings messy. Do you want my football career to be ruined because of you?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Then don't accept free drinks or meals from football officials. From now on, I will manage and decide everything related to football."

"... Son."

Both my parents were shocked by my words.

I had intended to explain it step by step, but my emotions got the better of me.

Perhaps it was because I met the two elites from S University this morning.

I was annoyed by my father's narrow-minded, naive, and almost stupid behavior.

In my previous life, I entrusted all financial management to my father.

"Once an athlete tastes money, it's a disaster. Athletes should focus solely on their sport."

I believed this nonsense completely.

In the end, my father, believing the con man, invested in the wrong place, losing all the professional contract money and even going into debt.

Shocked, he closed the newspaper distribution business and drank himself to death from acute liver cancer.

That was the beginning of our family's downfall, but I'll tell that story later.

Since the topic came up, I decided to drive the point home.

"Today, I met two people who offered to help me. They are all social elites and football enthusiasts. The decision to withdraw from the World Cup was made after consulting with the doctor. From now on, I will work with them to build my football career. They have a clear vision of the future and a wide network, which will be a great help to me."

My parents, looking at each other, were stunned.