CHAPTER 15: Top Agent (3)

The Helper always provided me with random information.

Three pieces when I first contacted someone, and one more each day when I approached within 10 meters.

But this information was different.

Owner Tae Hyun-seok.

I had vaguely thought of the Helper as a magical object without a will, but that idea was flipped in an instant. The Helper was clearly an application with its own intention.

This wasn't "information" but "advice."

「Suitable as a mentor for owner Tae Hyun-seok.」

I read the blue message again. It was the second additional message, which included the previous warning message from Chris Allen that had been red.

I had been believing the Helper's information without hesitation for some time, but I paused at this new pattern.

So, if I were to take the representative as a mentor, as the Helper suggested?

The representative was talking to the owner and the sporting director with Sébastien by his side. The manager, who had always been stiff around me, was avoiding eye contact and unable to say anything to the representative.

The representative had resolved Sébastien's issue in one go. Whether it was through connections or money, he certainly had that level of power.

Could I also become like that?

I currently lacked such power. Isn't that why I had been unable to act on my own despite gathering evidence?

Though the Helper's new pattern felt suspicious, I was tempted. I wanted to rise to that level.

Sébastien, who had been awkwardly hanging around the representative, quickly returned to me as the conversation seemed to wrap up. Harry also followed, having heard something from the representative.

The representative headed straight into the training ground, and the owner and sporting director followed him, looking pale.

The reason was soon clear.

"They're going to talk about the remaining wages and compensation."

Ah.

I nodded, unable to take my eyes off the representative's back until he completely disappeared.

As I stood there in a daze, Harry came over and threw his arm around my shoulders.

"What are you doing? The real hero of this incident?"

"Huh?"

"Weren't you scared? There were so many dizzying moments in the video; I never imagined a rookie would be so bold. Thanks to you, the burden has lessened…"

Harry was enthusiastically praising me while patting my shoulder.

It was a situation I should be happy about, yet I felt only a little joy. To be honest, I wasn't really satisfied.

How great it would have been if I could have resolved everything on my own.

It might be a greedy thought, but such emotions were swirling inside me.

Harry, seemingly excited by my lack of response, continued to chatter away.

"The FA investigators showed up. The club acted quickly, so it'll be a formal investigation, but you and Sébastien are key witnesses. The representative asked you to help during the questioning."

Now that I thought about it, I noticed a group of unfamiliar people in the corner of the lounge. They had ID badges hanging around their necks, showing they were FA staff.

"We'll be the last to be questioned. Let's relax and have some tea while we wait."

The morning training was postponed until the afternoon. The investigators questioned other players, coaching staff, equipment managers, and other club personnel first, and finally talked to us.

There was nothing special, just formal questions exchanged.

When we stepped outside, Sébastien and I were taken aback and instinctively took a step back. The players and coaching staff were bowing their heads like criminals.

The Brighton captain, Kevin Camp, spoke up on behalf of everyone.

"I'm really sorry for turning a blind eye, Rodríguez."

Following that, several players and coaching staff offered their apologies. When I conveyed their words to Sébastien, he looked very flustered and didn't know how to react.

Kevin Camp continued to apologize, unable to lift his face.

"I heard in detail from the investigators. I really didn't know that you were being harassed like that and that they even followed you home. We thought we could only avoid Liam Grant at training because he was scary…"

Frustration welled up inside me, but the pardon lay with Sébastien.

To Sébastien, who was still looking only at me, I relayed the words and whispered softly, "Do what you want."

Sébastien, lowering his gaze and seeming to think for a moment, nodded. He then spoke to Kevin Camp.

"To be honest, I wasn't without resentment."

As I relayed Sébastien's words, everyone flinched.

"Still, it's okay. I understand why you did that. I would have been scared too."

This time, I was taken aback. The calmness of his voice surprised me even more. Is this guy an angel?

Despite his blushing face, Sébastien was smiling with a grin.

Thanks to changing interpreters multiple times, we finally met, so I'm satisfied."

Huh, this kid?

Even while feeling embarrassed, I conveyed Sébastien's words to the group. Everyone glanced at me.

Sébastien's smile widened.

"I don't resent you anymore. Let's just focus on doing well for the rest of the season. With three players gone, we need to work harder, right? I'll pitch in as well. I'll rack up a lot of attacking points that I couldn't before, so you all will have a bit of a challenge."

As I translated his words one by one, I watched the players and coaching staff's reactions, worrying that someone might take it lightly.

But it seemed my worries were unfounded. Although I thought they looked completely foolish, the line between being a magnanimous person and a fool was thin.

The players and coaching staff, who were impressed by Sébastien, began to ignite their enthusiasm.

Back in the lounge, I watched as Sébastien interacted with other players using gestures. That's when the representative returned.

"Have you finished?"

"Let's go out for a meal. I've made a reservation."

Harry welcomed him, and the representative spoke.

Though it was earlier than lunchtime, we got into the representative's car and headed to an upscale restaurant in the city center. Sébastien was awkward in his training attire, but after the representative exchanged a few words with the manager, he was allowed in without any issue.

"You've worked hard. I'll treat you, so eat as much as you want."

Knowing Sébastien's diet, the representative ordered him almost vegetarian meals.

It was quite a nice restaurant, and we focused on our meal while chatting.

I only interpreted for Sébastien and didn't join the conversation much.

When we finished eating and dessert was served, the representative began talking about work.

"About the damaged car…"

"Yes!"

"The club and agency are trying to compensate you. I thought about getting you a new car, but I think I should ask first and then decide. What do you want? Do you prefer repairs or a purchase?"

Since Sébastien's weekly salary was considerable, he could buy one himself, but free is always better. Without hesitation, Sébastien chose repairs.

"It's a car I have a lot of affection for. Please make it like new."

The representative nodded upon hearing my translation.

Then, he turned to me and said, "Are you a quiet person?"

"Uh…"

"Both Sébastien and you, but I arranged this meeting because I wanted to talk to you."

"Me?"

"Do you want anything? I'd like to offer you a separate reward."

Suddenly, I felt like I had been given a golden opportunity.

"So…"

Just as I was about to say that, I suddenly remembered something I had neglected. There was something that needed to be prioritized: my responsibility for Sebastian.

"Is the coach not going to face any sanctions?"

"The coach? Why?"

The representative looked at me as if wondering why I was bringing that up out of the blue. I spoke calmly.

"Because he turned a blind eye to Sebastian being racially abused and even cooperated."

"...Is that true? But isn't the season almost over? The results aren't bad, so if the coach is gone, it could be problematic for promotion…"

The representative didn't give a negative reply. That meant it was something that could be done.

"The coach isn't doing much. The head coach is handling most of the work."

The representative stared at me intently.

It seemed he was trying to discern if my words were true. I met his gaze and didn't blink.

"Hmm. I'll conduct a separate investigation and take quick action. Yes, that's something the agency should certainly do. Don't you want anything in return? I can get you a car."

I was tempted, but what I wanted more was an opportunity to draw out this person's know-how.

"I would like to be by your side as your interpreter during this summer transfer window."

"What?"

He looked surprised again.

The representative looked at me and laughed as if he found it amusing.

"I already speak Chinese, German, Dutch, French, and now I'm learning English. Do I need an interpreter?"

You will need one. The Helper mentioned that this transfer market would focus on Spain and Italy, so it's certain.

"What? You're not flustered at all. Did you know I was going to Spain and Italy?"

I almost flinched in surprise but managed to suppress the movement of my facial muscles.

"Um... Harry, did you mention it?"

"Huh? No way, I just heard today that you're going to Spain."

"Really?"

The representative tapped the table with his finger a few times before stopping and looking at me with keen interest.

"Alright, if that's your desired reward, I'll grant it. However, if it doesn't meet the conditions, I'll assign you to another agent immediately."

Yes!

"Thank you."

"By the way, is becoming an agent your goal?"

"Yes."

"You mentioned that you originally wanted to be an interpreter, right?"

"That's correct."

"Didn't you think about studying law or sports marketing before starting?"

"Learning in practice is the fastest way."

The representative smiled widely.

"Alright."

He stood up from the table.

"Since we've finished the calculation, feel free to take the desserts. I have a meeting with the Southampton director…"

The representative said this to Harry and then turned back to me.

"Always be ready to do whatever it takes to enhance a player's value, just like this time. You did very well this time. There will be an official bonus at the end of the season, and since it would feel awkward to call my following you around a personal reward, I'll at least give you some pocket money. Check your account in an hour."

"Excuse me?"

"It's also a reward for giving me a pleasant meal. It was fun seeing someone like me when I was young."

"Are you talking about yourself?"

Harry interrupted. The representative said while putting on his coat.

"Yeah, I came in suddenly saying I'd become an agent after quitting my law firm."

Then the representative patted my shoulder and left the restaurant.

Sebastian and I returned to the training ground.

Harry went back to London for some work. After promising to have a beer together later.

Sebastian, who had shown signs of tension during training, was now tying his shoelaces with a big smile on his face as he stood up.

Sebastian asked.

"Why do you look so down since earlier?"

"Do I look like that?"

I decided to play it down, so I didn't mention that I was lost in thought because of the representative.

Sebastian eagerly nodded.

"Yes, everything is going well, so why do you look like that?"

"..."

When I didn't respond, Sebastian looked up at me with steady eyes and said.

"It's all thanks to the timing."

Sebastian spoke slowly and carefully as if he were afraid to miss a single word.

"Nothing happened before the right time. It's all the result of that timing. I sincerely thank you."

After finishing his speech, Sebastian hurriedly ran out to the field, possibly out of embarrassment.

I scratched my head for no reason.

"Geez, that kid should really work on his pronunciation… Haha."

Just a moment ago, I had felt uncomfortable, but hearing Sebastian's words eased my mind.

That's right. I was still a newcomer in the football world. I couldn't be full after just one meal. By learning from the representative, William Boyle, and officially entering the agency, absorbing connections and gaining experience, one day I could reach the same level as the representative, or even become a super agent, the best of the best, a "top agent."

Beep.

I thought it was a sudden vibration of my phone from a new notification from the Helper and turned on the screen.

What appeared on the status bar was a deposit message from the bank application.

Oh, right, I was told to check my account in an hour.

Pocket money… I hoped it was over 1 million won.

I moved my fingers to open the application. Then I was taken aback and gasped in shock.

"One, two, three, four…"

About 70 million won. So, it seemed exactly 50,000 pounds had been deposited.

I received this amount of money in just one day, which was more than my annual salary in Korea.

"Um…"

I suddenly thought about becoming a top agent a little faster; that thought crossed my mind.

The next day, news broke that the coach was fired, and the head coach, Roy Bradley, appeared at the training ground as the acting coach. Then, Sebastian perfectly returned as the core of the tactics during training.

To top it off, Sebastian proudly made it to the starting lineup for this round.