Chaebol

Whether to seize the opportunity to escape the dusty warehouse.

Or to keep regretting and wait for the next life.

Fortunately, Baker had a determined look on his face.

"The $50,000."

"Yes."

"You can really… provide that money for the signing bonus?"

I nodded.

"No, it's not just a few bucks, but $50,000… just like that?"

I've been feeling this since a while ago.

Hmm.

Communication seems difficult.

It's better to clarify things here and now.

"I wasn't going to say this, but…"

"...?"

"Mister."

"Yeah?"

"Do you not understand what being rich means?"

***

We drew up a contract on the spot.

It stated that $50,000 would be paid directly to Sun Dong-Yeol.

The price was one painting.

"Seems like the painting is more valuable than I thought?"

"It probably is."

"…Hmm."

"Regretting it?"

"Regret, my ass! If it wasn't for you, it would have rotted in the warehouse forever."

Glad to hear that.

"Since I'm already invested in baseball, do you know any good hitters in Korea?"

"There might be some."

"But none as impressive as Sun?"

It's more that I'm not well-versed in domestic baseball, hmm.

"Not right away, but within a few years, there will be."

"A few years?"

"Yes. There's the 'Son of the Wind.' If you get him, you get the 'Grandson of the Wind' as a set. It's quite a good deal."

"...?"

"Well, something like that."

"...."

"I'll contact you when the time comes."

A large question mark seemed to hover over Baker's head.

What can I do?

This is the privilege of someone living their second life.

"This has nothing to do with baseball, but is Korea a very nature-friendly country?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sun, Son of the Wind, these names seem inspired by nature."

Scratching my head.

Is that how it seems?

Anyway, enough with the jokes.

"Since we've signed the contract, can you show me the painting?"

We headed to the warehouse.

According to Jo Soo-deok, Baker seemed reluctant to come to the warehouse.

But it was different now.

He accompanied me fully.

"Here it is."

Dürer's final work.

A woman holding a child, a drawing.

Knowing the future and having Jo Soo-deok send photos for confirmation, there was no need for further checking.

"Mister, can we see some other works too?"

"Sure, as much as you want."

With Baker's permission, Jo Soo-deok led me to a corner of the warehouse.

And a message with his eyes.

'This is it.'

A fairly large painting… a portrait of a nobleman.

A work with an unfinished background, as seen in the photos.

Even though the paint had cracked and needed restoration.

"...!"

I froze on the spot.

Not very large eyes.

Faded brown pupils.

But why?

Facing those unimpressive eyes, I felt my hair stand on end.

Common words heard in museums.

'The artist captured a person's entire life in those eyes.'

What I thought was a grandiloquent expression… now felt vividly real.

Yes.

This work succeeded in capturing a person's entire life.

The proof was in those profound eyes.

The aura of this painting emanated from those eyes.

Anyone facing those eyes would freeze like I did.

By the time I regained my senses, I was already captivated by the painting.

Certainly.

Who but Leonardo da Vinci could reach such a level?

As these thoughts endlessly continued, Jo Soo-deok stepped closer to me.

'It's marvelous every time I see it.'

'It's da Vinci. Definitely da Vinci's work. Even if it's not, it doesn't matter. This painting… I must get it.'

A conversation exchanged with our eyes.

Jo Soo-deok nodded vigorously as if understanding my intent.

Now, all that remained was to make a deal with the painting's owner.

I slowly turned to Baker.

"Mister, this painting."

"Take it."

"…What?"

"If you need it, take it."

What is he saying now?

"It's just clutter anyway, right?"

"No, but still."

"I was going to burn them all eventually… just take it."

"B-burn it?"

"I've already burned a few."

"The paintings?"

"Yes."

What an outrageous story.

I looked at Baker to see if he was joking.

"...."

His eyes were more serious than ever.

"As you said, I might have quit baseball because I felt my limits. But sometimes, I still get unbearably angry at my dad. Ha, should I be telling a child this?"

But Baker quickly shook his head.

It meant he didn't see me as an ordinary kid.

"When I felt my life was completely ruined… when I couldn't stand my dad… I took out the paintings he cherished and set a fire in the yard."

"...!"

"This was next."

Baker pointed at the painting with his finger.

"If I hadn't met you, I would have burned it by the end of winter."

I had wondered.

Why such a great work hadn't been known to the world.

When Baker died, Dürer's drawing appeared at the flea market.

Why didn't this oil painting appear?

That mystery was so puzzling…

'If Baker had been burning paintings all along? If this painting was next?'

Ha.

You might as well burn money, you old man!

Only briefly lamenting, I took a deep breath.

It's a shame for the works lost so far.

'Is this the time to be dwelling on that?'

I need to secure what I can now.

Changing my expression, I spoke.

"No matter what, it feels wrong to just take it."

"What do you mean? I'm already getting $50,000. Just take this."

"No."

"...?"

If I received it for free and it turned out to be an extraordinary work?

There would undoubtedly be a messy ownership dispute.

In that case, it's better to spend money and settle it properly.

"Mister, let's write another contract?"

"No need to go that far…"

"I'll give you information."

"Hmm?"

"Player information."

Knowing his indifference to money, I brought up players.

Sure enough, Baker's eyes lit up immediately.

"I'll provide the funds to bring that player too."

"In return, you want this painting?"

"Yes."

"Shall we write a contract?"

"This kid spends a lot today."

"Don't worry about a rich guy's money."

"Oh, I forgot again."

Maybe because it was our second contract, it proceeded quickly.

I would pay a total of $100,000.

The condition was to send it as soon as I arrived in Seoul.

"Now, tell me. The information."

"This time, it's an American player."

"American? How do you know an American player?"

How do I know?

I've seen him on TV countless times.

"He's a high school student. Over 2 meters tall. A left-hander who throws over 150 kilometers per hour."

"At that level, wouldn't scouts already be all over him?"

"His control is a mess, so he's not well-regarded."

Moreover, he was still pitching overhand.

Before he perfected his unique pitch.

"A fast but unstable pitcher?"

"Yes."

"Why should I bring such a player?"

"Just changing his pitching form could make him incredible."

"How do you change it?"

"From overhand to sidearm."

"A 2-meter-tall guy pitching sidearm?"

I nodded.

"He can pitch 200 innings, win 20 games, and record 300 strikeouts annually."

"On the high school stage?"

"No. In the Major Leagues."

"Are you serious?"

Yes, I am.

"You might as well say he'll win 300 games in his career."

"He probably will. Maybe."

"Goodness, why didn't you mention the Hall of Fame?"

"I should've said that too."

"Ha!"

Baker let out a baffled laugh.

"So, where's this kid now?"

"I don't know."

"What?"

"I don't know where he is now, but I know his name."

"Find him with just a name?"

"He's tall, over 2 meters? And left-handed."

"How to find him?"

"Why not?"

"...?"

"I didn't even know your name."

"Then how did you find me?"

"I searched aimlessly. Desperately."

Baker looked at Jo Soo-deok as if to verify my story.

Of course, Jo Soo-deok nodded.

"Goodness! So, you flew from Korea to America without even knowing my name?"

"Yes."

"And you managed to find me?"

"That's right."

It's unbelievable, but what can you do?

It's the truth.

"Lucky. At least I know his name."

"Indeed."

"Whew… I can request a query from the association. His height ensures there's no confusion."

"You've almost found him already?"

Maybe he was getting used to my jokes.

Baker smiled slightly.

"So, what's the kid's name?"

"Randy."

"Randy?"

"Yes. Randy Johnson."

"Randy Johnson…"

He repeated the name calmly.

"Seems too ordinary for a Hall of Famer."

"Sun is definitely more striking, right?"

"Indeed."

Anyway, sir.

Randy Johnson will definitely win 300 games.

And easily make it to the Hall of Fame.

Isn't that enough to cover the painting's price?

The hand I extended.

Tightly.

Baker grasped it firmly.

"Done Deal."

The long-awaited deal was finally complete.

***

In the car returning to the hotel.

"Phew."

I let out a long sigh of relief.

Securing Dürer's final work meant securing $20 million.

The unfinished oil painting needed appraisal.

What a complicated day!

While I was calmly reviewing the day's events.

"Sir."

It was Jo Soo-deok.

Turning from the passenger seat, he spoke to me.

"Since it's all over, may I say something?"

"Of course."

"Well… when you asked me to get the Boston uniform over the phone, I wondered what it was for. I almost asked why but held back."

"You didn't say anything, so I thought you didn't care."

"Well, I'm human too. I was curious. Wasn't the instruction unusual? To get Baker's name marked, gather signatures of past players, and leave the center blank. What for, I thought. Wow… to use it like this?"

Jo Soo-deok then mimicked my words.

The line I had used on Baker.

"'See that unsigned spot? It's deliberately left blank. So that the player you discover can sign it himself.'"

Jo Soo-deok exclaimed in admiration.

"Sir, it was like watching a movie."

If it had been blatant flattery, I would have been uncomfortable.

But this level?

It was enjoying the success, so to speak.

"How did you come up with that idea?"

"Well."

"Do ideas just come to you naturally?"

Nothing special.

I just provided Baker with a story.

Giving him the narrative to transform from a loser to a challenger.

It's a natural task for a novelist.

'Hmm.'

It's easy for me.

But since a person's dream came true, it's only right to receive compensation.

"The appraisal team arrives tomorrow?"

"Yes. They'll arrive on the morning flight."

It's time to check the value of my labor.

'Leonardo da Vinci…'

Even just thinking of that name.

Thump. Thump.

My heart started to race.

TL/n - 

You can read up to chapter 51+ in advance at [email protected]/inkbound