December 18th.
Incheon Airport was crowded with reporters, association officials, and parents.
There, the Dream Youth Expedition Team held a brief send-off ceremony before confidently departing.
This 30-day project was prepared to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Cha Bum-kun Football Awards, providing young talents with a valuable experience.
After two friendly matches, the team was scheduled to participate in the Four Continents Youth Tournament in Munich.
A total of 14 players were selected regardless of club affiliation, gathered from around the world. Among them, Ho-young was the only player who had come from abroad.
Perhaps that's why—
Even during the flight, one of the VJs who came along to film kept bombarding him with questions.
"Yes. I'm confident. And I'll give it my all. I'm the youngest here, so there's not much else to say. I'll just work hard and do my best. Oh, São Paulo? Haha, I'm just truly grateful for all the support. Now, may I go to sleep? I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep last night because I was too excited."
"Oh, haha. Of course."
Only after saying that did Ho-young finally escape the VJ's attention.
But it was true that he hadn't slept the night before.
He had been up all night researching the teams they would be facing over the next month.
Looking into which players they had.
And wondering what talents he might be able to acquire.
But it had been a bust.
Despite scouring the internet in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, it was nearly impossible to identify each Bundesliga U13 player individually.
All Ho-young knew were the names of the clubs they would be facing.
"Let's see. The first opponent is Eintracht Frankfurt, right?"
In truth, it didn't matter who the opponent was.
It was Germany, a football powerhouse.
Moreover, this trip had been approved by São Paulo FC, so he could enjoy it without pressure.
After an 11-hour flight, they arrived in Frankfurt, which was just as cold as Korea.
According to schedule, the expedition team boarded a bus and headed to the lodging prepared by Eintracht Frankfurt.
'So this is a football powerhouse…!'
Germany's youth system, along with Spain's, was considered one of the best in the world.
With even 13th-tier teams operating, nearly every football club in Germany had youth teams.
This was thanks to a massive project that had been running for 15 years, involving 1,000 coaches across 366 regions and nurturing 14,000 players.
Ho-young could see firsthand how well-developed the system was upon arriving at Eintracht Frankfurt's training center.
'This is insane. Are they trying to build Terminators?'
It exceeded every expectation.
He had thought São Paulo FC's Barra funda training center was impressive, but compared to this, it was nothing.
Even the training equipment in the fitness room was on another level.
'I was thinking about England or Spain after Brazil, but maybe Germany isn't a bad choice either.'
When it came to prospects, Germany could not be left out.
Just thinking of the names that came to mind: Özil, Neuer, Müller, Kroos, Sané, Götze, Khedira, Hummels, Boateng...
"Wow."
While Brazil might be the best in the world right now, in about 10 years, Germany would dominate the global stage.
Which meant the talents who would lead that golden era were training in Germany right now.
'Hehe. I hope I get to meet at least one of them…'
Thunk!
"Argh!"
A ball flew in from behind and hit Ho-young, shattering his daydream.
At the same time, a voice followed.
"Can't you focus?"
'Was that Coach Cha?'
No. It was a younger voice, though it sounded quite similar.
And oddly familiar.
Maybe it was one of the coaches who came along?
Ho-young turned his head.
"… Huh!"
A man with a strong, commanding presence stood before him.
His unexpected appearance left Ho-young stunned.
The other players were also surprised.
"Isn't that Cha Du-ri?"
"No way. It really is."
"Whoa!"
It wasn't Coach Cha, but Player Cha.
Ho-young, who had met him before, walked over.
"Du-ri hyung? What are you doing here…?"
Eintracht Frankfurt.
A Bundesliga club based in Frankfurt, known as the gateway city to Europe, and boasting one of the highest average attendances in Europe—ranking within the top 20.
It was a club with a massive fanbase, and one that Cha Bum-kun had played for five years during his career.
Cha Du-ri was no different.
Last winter, he had transferred to Bayer Leverkusen, one of the Bundesliga's top clubs, and was currently on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt.
That was why he was here now.
'Du-ri, if you're free, stop by and take a look at the kids.'
Answering that request from Cha Bum-kun, he had come by since he had no other schedule.
And now, a year later, Ho-young had reunited with Cha Du-ri. His impression was unexpected.
'He's… aged so much...'
To put it bluntly, he looked worn out.
Wrinkles lined his face.
'He must've gone through a lot.'
Before being called up to the national team, he had only played university football. Surviving in the Bundesliga must have been tough.
Cha Du-ri patted Ho-young's head.
"Wow. You've grown so much."
"Must be the Brazilian growth effect."
"Ha, kid. Heard you're flying in Brazil?"
"Hehe. It's all thanks to you, hyung."
"Hm?"
A benefactor.
That's what Cha Du-ri was to him.
Their encounter had allowed Ho-young to acquire his talent, and thanks to him, he had joined São Paulo FC and lifted a championship trophy.
That choice had shaped the Ho-young of today.
"You gave me training advice back then."
"Pfft. That was nothing."
Though he didn't seem to believe it, Cha Du-ri still looked pleased.
Ho-young observed him carefully.
[Cha Du-ri]
[Possessed Talents: Chaminator's Run and Drive (U), Legs Faster than a Pass (A), Iron Body (B+), Decent Stamina (C-)]
(You can obtain one talent by meeting the required conditions.)
(Condition 1: Play football together for over 150 minutes)
(Condition 2: Win against Eintracht Frankfurt U13)
(Condition 3: Score against Eintracht Frankfurt U13)
Perhaps because he had already obtained a U-rank talent, the conditions this time were easier.
'Now that I look at him, he really is a talent-holder. He gained a new one.'
Legs Faster than a Pass had risen to A-rank, and a new talent, [Decent Stamina], had appeared.
It seemed clear that stamina was crucial to surviving in the world of professional football.
'But why haven't I gained any new ones lately?!'
A sudden question popped into his head.
'Well, I haven't really focused on any specific training.'
True.
Ho-young had only trained his fundamentals evenly, without targeting a specific new talent.
So it made sense he hadn't acquired any.
But that was fine.
'I can just acquire others' talents.'
And this time was no exception.
He had been thinking about working on his physique this pre-season anyway.
If he could acquire [Iron Body (B+)], it would help a lot next season.
'I'll be taking good care of it again, hyung.'
Cha Du-ri was always generous.
While Ho-young had been expecting to find a German youth talent, running into Cha Du-ri like this was luck at its finest.
It gave him even more reason to win the match four days from now.
Which was why Ho-young trained hard without cutting corners.
Besides, this training camp in Germany was a unique experience, and it truly helped him improve.
They even had the chance to observe or join in on Frankfurt U13's training sessions.
Over four days of consistent training, he grew close with the other senior players.
There was even Suk Hyung-jun, whom he already knew.
Just being a player based in Brazil was enough for the others to admire him.
But there was one question lingering in his mind.
'Where's Yoon Jung-ho?'
If he remembered correctly, Yoon Jung-ho should have won the 2003 Cha Bum-kun Football Award.
But when he asked around, no one had heard of him.
What happened?
Had the future of one of Korea's top youth players changed?
He didn't know, but one thing was certain.
'More futures will change from now on.'
Or rather, Ho-young would be the one changing them.
It was a strange feeling.
Somewhat unsettling, but if it was to create a better future, wasn't that okay?
'Through football, of course.'
It was one of those days when thoughts ran deep.
Even so, his feet kept moving.
Kicking the ball that day, and the next.
And then, the long-awaited match day arrived at Eintracht Frankfurt's Adler training ground.
After greeting Frankfurt's U13 team, Ho-young got into position.
He had already identified his target.
'There's one I can acquire.'
Playing as an attacking midfielder, Ho-young placed his foot on the ball and looked over at a Black boy.
[Peniel Mlapa]
[Possessed Talents: Football Prodigy (C+3), Decent Heading (C+), Fairly Fast Legs (C+2)]
(You can obtain one talent by meeting the required conditions.)
(Condition 1: Play football together for at least 60 minutes)
(Condition 2: Score a goal)
Born in 1991, he was a typical target striker, standing over 180cm tall.
'Haven't seen a heading talent in a while.'
It was tempting.
Being good at heading wasn't just about scoring headers. It was a huge advantage in aerial duels too.
Even if he wasn't a target striker himself, it was a versatile ability.
And if he won today, he'd be able to acquire Cha Du-ri's talent as well. A perfect opportunity.
He had planned to focus on physical training this pre-season anyway, and this would make it easier.
So there was no room for mercy.
He was ready to wring everything out of his opponents like a spin dryer.
Fweeeet!
The referee's whistle echoed across the field.
Right then.
With a face that screamed, "This is the Golden Ball winner from Brazil's U13," Ho-young took off.
"Whoa."
"He's gotten even better."
That was the amused reaction from the Cha father and son duo watching from the bench.
"I used to be like that when I was young."
"Hahaha!"
Cha Bum-kun's proud remark, his highest form of praise.
And it wasn't an exaggeration.
The impressed expressions of Frankfurt U13's coach and staff proved it.
All eyes were glued to Ho-young's play.
His footwork wasn't as flashy as Ronaldinho's, and his dribbling wasn't as sharp as Messi's, but there was no doubt he was an excellent player.
His excellence was evident in every aspect.
A small frame, but movements like a panther.
His legs were fast, his claws sharp.
A true standout among the flock.
And just three minutes later, he delivered the decisive blow.
It came from his specialty.
Boom!
True to its reputation, a heavy mid-range shot blasted off like a cannonball, drawing a wide arc through the air.
Crash!
The opening goal and its reward came together.
[Powerful Long Shot (C+3)↑]
"Ho!"
Talent acquisition and growth, all at once?
This expedition...
'Jackpot.'
And this was just the beginning.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)