Chapter 18: "Defiance and Resolve"

To represent one's country was an honorable duty for anyone.

However, for Yoo Ji-woo, the situation was slightly different.

He understood the prestige of being a national representative but refused to let himself be used by those who sought to ruin his future.

Rodolfo Pinty, seemingly prepared for Ji-woo's potential response, spoke calmly without much reaction.

"There won't be any penalties if you decline, but I am a little concerned."

"About what?"

"That you might be criticized."

Declining a national team call-up.

Even for someone in a youth program rather than a professional league, it was a sensitive issue.

"Being criticized is something I'm used to," Ji-woo said without hesitation.

Hearing the matter-of-fact response, Rodolfo was momentarily speechless.

"He looks like someone carrying the weight of the world… at his age?"

It was a look far beyond what a sixteen-year-old should bear.

"And the club will support me, right?" Ji-woo added.

"…."

"You'll make sure there are no problems if I refuse, correct?"

Ji-woo shifted his gaze to Daniel from the operations team, who gave a gentle smile and nodded.

"Yes, absolutely. We've been instructed to ensure there are no consequences, no matter what decision you make."

"Then I'll leave it in your hands."

"Of course."

Daniel then picked up his phone and made a call.

"Please prepare according to the refusal protocol."

Daniel's presence here was to ensure swift action once Ji-woo made his decision.

"Ji-woo."

"Yes?"

"How long should this refusal last?"

"Until I secure my spot in the first team."

The distance between Argentina and South Korea was vast—so far that there wasn't even a direct flight.

Traveling back and forth every time there was a call-up was too taxing for a young body.

Above all, Ji-woo had no desire to endure that travel without achieving anything significant.

"Understood. If any further requests come in, we'll check with you first before proceeding."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Not at all. Protecting our players is also part of the club's duty, so don't worry."

That evening, Boca Juniors sent an official letter to the Korean Football Association (KFA):

> "Player unable to participate due to personal reasons."

Numerous calls followed from the KFA, but Boca Juniors remained firm.

"I told you, the player has personal issues and can't attend."

– "And what exactly are those issues?"

"Disclosing a player's personal matters violates regulations."

– "But…"

"If you have nothing else to say, I'll end the call here."

After Daniel hung up, Sergio, the operations manager, walked in with a coffee in hand.

"Where've you been?"

"Getting some coffee. Here, have one."

Taking a sip, Daniel sighed.

"Why are they so obsessed with Ji-woo? One or two calls would be understandable, but they've called over ten times already."

"It's because Ji-woo's talent is extraordinary," Sergio replied, sitting down.

"That's true. Oh!"

Daniel suddenly exclaimed, almost causing Sergio to spill his coffee.

"What now?!"

"Could Ji-woo be considering naturalization?"

"Naturalization?"

"Yes, it's not entirely out of the question."

Naturalization was a delicate matter.

Changing one's nationality was a life-altering decision.

"Should we ask him?"

---

Meanwhile, in the office of the KFA Vice President…

"…How dare he refuse a national team call-up?"

Vice President Cha Sung-in crumpled the letter from Boca Juniors and threw it into the trash.

"I thought he'd come, even if just to spite me, but is there something else going on?"

As Cha was lost in thought, someone in the meeting room brought up another topic.

"Arrogant brat… turning down an opportunity like this."

The speaker, a senior KFA official in the same faction as Cha, was joined by others nodding in agreement.

These officials, who owed their positions to Cha, cared little about the state of Korean football.

Their sole focus was maintaining their power by catering to Cha's whims.

"Do you all really think this is okay?"

Amid the collective condemnation of Ji-woo, a single voice of dissent emerged.

It was Park Woo-geun, the only person willing to speak frankly to Cha.

"What do you mean, okay?"

"…There are rumors that Yoo Ji-woo was unjustly treated."

"What?!"

Cha erupted in anger at Park's words.

It wasn't about right or wrong.

Park's mention of buried truths infuriated him, more so because it came from someone who refused to bow to him.

"Executive Park, if you're going to talk like that, leave this room. That's not the issue right now."

"If that's the case, I'll take my leave. I've been finding this meeting unbearable anyway."

Unfazed, Park got up and walked out.

"Unbelievable…!" Cha fumed.

His associates quickly began murmuring sweet reassurances to pacify him.

"He's always been out of touch with reality."

"Exactly. He's never been on our side."

---

The conversation briefly shifted to Gu Jung-tae.

"By the way, I heard Coach Gu caused another problem."

"Yes, apparently one of the parents reported bribery-related documents to the media."

"KTB Network, I think? Don't worry. I know the director there."

Their calming words seemed to soothe Cha's nerves.

Gu Jung-tae.

Cha knew better than anyone the wrongs Gu had committed.

He was the one who had framed Ji-woo to cover his own tracks.

But the truth didn't matter to Cha.

What mattered was that Gu was his cousin. That alone meant the truth had to be buried.

"…You're sure this can be stopped?"

"Absolutely. We'll handle it as we always do."

"Good. And… didn't you say a team is heading to Argentina soon?"

"Yes, they leave next Monday."

"Tell the team leader to meet Ji-woo in person."

"Understood. When confronted directly, he's bound to comply."

At last, Cha smiled in satisfaction.

---

Meanwhile, Ji-woo continued to rack up victories with Boca Juniors U-20.

With Ji-woo on the field, the team remained undefeated. Fans even gave him a nickname:

Hada de la Victoria (Fairy of Victory).

---

One evening after practice, Coach Rodolfo called Ji-woo to his office.

"Ji-woo, why don't you make forward passes during matches, even though you do fine in practice?"

While his back passes had improved, his decisive passes were still missing.

"I'm sorry."

Ji-woo understood but couldn't fix it. Every time he tried to pass, hesitation took over.

"I've told you repeatedly: to maximize your playstyle, you need to make threatening passes."

Ji-woo's style was built around explosive breakthroughs, but such moves would become harder to execute as the level of play rose.

Passes were crucial to elevating his game.

"…I'll work on it," Ji-woo said, looking dejected.

"You're still young, so there's no need to rush," Rodolfo reassured him. "Now, go on."

As Ji-woo left, Rodolfo couldn't help but feel regret.

"His talent is already first-league material, but if he masters passing… the sky's the limit."

---

At home, as Ji-woo approached his house, he saw a commotion.

"Get out of here! We have nothing to discuss with you people!"

His father was standing at the gate, throwing salt at men in black suits and shouting at them.

"Sir, please! We just want to speak with Yoo Ji-woo!"

"Ji-woo's already rejected the call-up! What's there to talk about?!"

"Aren't you being too harsh…?"

"Harsh? You want me to be harsher? Ji-woo!"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Go inside. You don't need to deal with these people."

Ji-woo obeyed but stopped to address the men in black.

"Didn't my club already send a statement?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"Then that's it. Coming to my house is crossing the line."

Turning to his father, Ji-woo said, "Dad, sprinkle more salt. Lots of it."

"On it!"

The KFA representatives stood speechless as Ji-woo walked away.

"Tell the Vice President this: I won't agree to a call-up just to be a benchwarmer."

One final remark left them even more dumbfounded.

"The reason for my refusal? I think I have dry eye syndrome. My eyes are too strained."

And with that, Ji-woo walked inside, leaving them to face his father's relentless salt assault.