Chapter 62: Maenggu, Let’s Play~ (2)

Old Trafford.

The world’s most famous football stadium and the home of Manchester United.

The massive 74,310-seat stadium was once again filled to capacity.

A red wave, symbolizing the ‘Red Devils’, engulfed the stadium, and the passionate cheers of the fans pierced the sky.

“Glory, glory Man United!”

A roar that seemed intended to break the opponents’ spirits before the match even began.

“We could actually die if we’re not careful.”

Sanchez swallowed hard, looking up at the stands.

“Wouldn’t it feel amazing to score a goal and run towards the Manchester United stands?”

Guerrero’s eyes glinted dangerously.

He’d been quiet lately.

But a madman is a madman.

‘Of course, I’ve imagined it once or twice myself…’

I kept my mouth shut.

Lately, my teammates seemed to view me as a madman on par with Guerrero, so I was deliberately toning down my personality.

“If we score, those 70,000 people will go quiet all at once, and it would be fun to watch that as our celebration, right?”

Castillo said with a grin, patting Guerrero on the shoulder.

“Exactly. Isn’t this the real fun of football?”

Guerrero retorted with a smirk.

“That red wave will cool down in an instant, kekeke.”

Of course, Castillo, who didn’t care about such things, was playing along with Guerrero.

‘Wait, Castillo is a defender, so how can he score?’

‘Well, is it possible?’

‘It seems more plausible than a goalkeeper scoring…’

It was then.

Booooooooooo———!!!!

A massive boo erupted, as if it would shake the stadium.

The collective boo from nearly 80,000 spectators created the illusion of an earthquake.

‘It actually feels like the stadium is shaking…’

Everyone’s eyes turned to the large electronic scoreboard to find the reason.

On the screen was a man with looks that would elicit admiration from anyone, regardless of race.

“Huh? It’s me?”

Yes, it was me.

The man who, after yesterday’s interview, had become the most hated player by Manchester United supporters.

The boos grew louder as I turned my gaze to the scoreboard.

The entire stadium shook as if a storm was raging.

“Taewoo, you really need to be careful. You could get stabbed if you’re not careful on the streets.”

Despite Sanchez’s concern, I offered a relaxed smile.

Towards the crowd that was booing me.

I responded with a bright smile that could make anyone fall for me.

‘Ugh, damn. I need to start wearing a hat and mask when I walk around from now on.’

Alex Turner, Manchester United’s captain and the fans’ most beloved active player, couldn’t hide his bewilderment as he looked at the scoreboard.

“He’s smiling in that situation?”

To be smiling in this warzone of a stadium where nearly 80,000 Manchester United fans were booing and hurling unspeakable curses.

Unless he’s out of his mind…

“I knew it when he said that to the captain. Is his heart made of steel?”

A quick glance to the side revealed Garrocho, Manchester United’s starting forward, standing with a smiling face.

“I know, right.”

‘I don’t like it.’

Alex Turner’s gaze turned cold.

Manchester United is the final destination for players, a club everyone dreams of.

A place where even the world’s best players aspire to wear this red jersey.

That’s how much weight the name carries.

There was certainly a moment of decline.

But through the blood and sweat of the current manager and players.

They had once again claimed the top spot.

They had come this far, guarding the training ground day and night.

Sometimes encouraging each other even when they felt like collapsing.

But to see a young prospect, who still needs to prove himself, belittling Manchester United.

It felt like a part of his heart was twisting.

As if it was an insult to all our efforts, the sweat we shed, and all the values this jersey symbolizes.

And that too, while wearing the jersey of our eternal rivals, Manchester City.

“Hoo… Garrocho, let’s wipe that smirk off that arrogant kid’s face.”

“Of course.”

But still…

He had to admit it to some extent.

To be so confident in the middle of Old Trafford, where the boos, ridicule, and curses of 80,000 spectators were pouring down.

In a situation where even veteran players would be intimidated and hang their heads.

His bright smile, as if he was enjoying the pressure, was certainly special.

There was no trace of fear in that smile.

As if he was enjoying this hostile atmosphere.

Furthermore, he felt a boldness as if he was turning it into his own stage.

“We’ll see.”

***

“Is Manchester United winning or losing today? Please?”

The streamer who read the chat hardened his face as if in trouble.

‘Ah, this is difficult.’

His name was Gamst.

He was a passionate Manchester United fan and a major BJ in the internet broadcasting world, currently focusing on Manchester United match commentary as his main content.

The special thing about today was.

That Manchester City, who had Jeong Taewoo, dubbed the best prospect to come out of Korea, was playing a derby against Manchester United.

‘Right, I expected something like this to happen one day.’

“Of course, Manchester United will win.”

-?????

-??????????????

-You’re Korean and you’re not cheering for Jeong Taewoo?

-Does that make sense?

-Does this make sense?

-Really disappointed.

-Traitor.

-Traitor.

“Hoo~”

He had fully expected this situation.

He was also a professional streamer with over 10 years of experience.

And he had enough experience to handle this much.

“No, everyone. This is a Manchester United cheering broadcast. I apologize to Jeong Taewoo-nim, but please understand.”

-Nope, if you’re Korean, you should cheer for a Korean.

-Does that make sense?

-Disappointed.

“Ehei~ As a Korean, I also cheer for Jeong Taewoo. I’ll be really happy if Jeong Taewoo makes a save.”

-?????

-You’ll be so happy, Manchester United can’t score.

[Kurung has donated 1000 won.]

So what are you going to do if you curse?

“…Everyone, please understand this. I’m happy that Jeong Taewoo made a save, but for the fun of the broadcast… I mean, for the sake of fun, I can’t help it.”

-It’s for the sake of fun, right?

-I bet he’ll curse like crazy if Jeong Taewoo makes a save.

‘Agh, seriously.’

He had expected it, but the situation was attracting too much attention.

‘Ha, but I can hold it in, right?’

He couldn’t be 100% sure either.

Because he was a true, genuine Manchester United fan, not just for the broadcast, he couldn’t tolerate losing to City.

Even if his country’s prospect was playing there.

-I’ll make you curse right now.

‘Ah, that troll is back again. But what is it this time…’

[Gamdeong-i has donated 10,000 won.]

The video that came out after the donation notification was one that Gamst himself knew very well.

It was Jeong Taewoo’s provocative interview about Manchester United.

[Yes, I will prove to the fans by creating a victory for City with a clean sheet in the Manchester United match as well. That City is on the rise. And I don’t have much to say about Alex Turner’s answer…]

A slight sneer flashed across Jeong Taewoo’s lips in the video.

[But if you insist, I’d like to answer like this. Was there any player among the fallen and frustrated players you’ve seen so far who was as good as me?”]

-Look at his expression.

-He wants to get angry but he can’t because he’s afraid of going to hell.

-We didn’t have such a fiery prospect in our country, this is an interview.

-Why isn’t he mentioning Lee Chun-soo? When it comes to fiery interviews, no one beats Lee Chun-soo hyung-nim.

– Ah, just let that hyung go now.

As the viewers said, Gamst’s face was turning red like a ripening tomato.

To say that Manchester United would lose to City without scoring a single goal.

Was no different to him than being told, ‘Quit broadcasting and live your life.’

‘Ah… really… there are a million things I want to say…’

His fists were trembling.

But he couldn’t really get angry.

In this day and age, if he were to carelessly mention a national team level player, his broadcasting career that he had built up over the years could crumble in an instant.

‘Calm down… calm down… no, but that bastard…’

But what made him even angrier was the teasing from the viewers who were fully aware of his situation.

– He almost cursed.

-He looks like he’s really struggling to hold it in 

-Hyung, please hold it in!!!

-The trembling flesh tells us Gamst’s feelings ㅋㅋ

As the tense communication with the viewers continued.

The long-awaited Manchester derby finally began with the resounding voice of the commentators.

The match flowed in Manchester United’s favor from the first half.

“Yes!”

-Wow, he blocked that.

-He’s definitely really good.

“Good, if he keeps playing like this, I can’t even curse. Look at Manchester United’s performance right now. Ooh, ooh, it’s damn good.”

Excitement was evident in Gamst’s voice.

-He’s excited

-It’s still 0-0…

-Yeah, Manchester United can’t score against City~ Jeong Taewoo will block everything~

‘He’s definitely good at blocking…’

Garrocho’s shot just now was one that was aimed at the blind spot, the most difficult for a goalkeeper to save.

But Jeong Taewoo parried it as lightly as if he was catching a toy ball.

That’s how experts are.

When you watch them do it, everything looks easy.

Jeong Taewoo’s save was like that too.

It was so natural that the difficulty was not even noticeable.

‘But it’ll be breached eventually, right?’

Gamst hastily erased the sudden anxiety that flashed through his mind.

This was not the time for such thoughts.

Manchester United was doing so well against Manchester City.

He couldn’t ruin the atmosphere with unnecessary worries.

“This is Manchester United!”

-Stop getting ahead of yourself…

-It’s still the first half and you’re already excited.

-Yeah, just wait and see who’s laughing at the end.

“The Man U haters are trembling~”

But as the match went on, it started to go in a strange direction.

The shots on target increased from 1 to 2, and from 2 to 5.

But City’s net was never shaken even once.

“Aaaargh! No, why isn’t the ball going in?”

Normally, Gamst’s reaction would have been met with teasing comments from the viewers.

But it was different now.

-??????

-???????

-?????????

Only question marks, as if they couldn’t understand, filled the screen.

-Is this for real?

Only the last chat represented their feelings.