Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 62

62

“Um, if I don’t have anyone to vouch for me, can I use the training camp I’m buying as collateral?”

Garcia looked troubled. He was reluctant to accept his company’s top non-performing asset as collateral.

Unlike houses or apartments, this youth training camp had very limited potential buyers, making it difficult to liquidate quickly. Especially after its conversion into a training camp for a professional gladiatorial team, it was questionable whether anyone would actually buy it.

According to professional regulations, a professional team must have its main training camp in its home area, but as you know, there are currently no professional gladiatorial teams in Lima City. Naturally, the asset value would inevitably fall as it would have to be repurposed. Of course, if the Gods Knights team entered the professional league, everything would be resolved, but as they are not yet a professional team, their future is uncertain.

“Actually, only about 35 million krang [fictional currency] of the 110 million krang is for the land value. The rest is the cost of the 60-person dormitory, office building, other ancillary facilities, and stadium construction. But because a training camp for a professional gladiatorial team is such a specialized facility, a significant portion would have to be demolished and rebuilt for resale. There are hardly any buyers who would take on this specificity, so naturally, we are reluctant.”

“So, you’re saying collateral is not an option?”

Garcia hesitated, unable to speak easily. He needed this deal to happen, and if there was no other way, he had to resolve it with collateral, even if it meant taking a risk. But he had to find a different form of transaction if possible.

“Rather than saying it’s not possible… Ah! How about this?”

“How so?”

“Instead of limiting the collateral to the training camp, how about using the Gods Knights team’s stock? The Gods Knights team has many excellent gladiators, so I think there will be enough buyers…”

Beomseok immediately waved his hand. Using stock as collateral meant that the team had to be incorporated as a prerequisite. He was trying to avoid that, so there was no way he would accept the offer.

“I’d rather not make the deal. I have no intention of fundraising.”

Garcia looked puzzled. He couldn’t understand how the chairman of an amateur team could pay for the construction without fundraising.

“No. Then where are you going to get the 80 million krang for this purchase? It’s quite a large sum.”

“I’m going to borrow it from the banks.”

Garcia looked at him with disbelief. He doubted whether any financial institution would lend such a large amount for real estate purchase in this climate, especially to the Gods Knights team, which was playing in the amateur league. If that were possible, Zeus Construction wouldn’t be having such difficulties. There was no way a bank would lend such a large sum to a mere amateur team when it wouldn’t lend the necessary funds to Zeus Construction, which had a decent reputation.

“Are you kidding me? Which bank would lend that much money to you, Beomseok?”

“I can use my assets as collateral.”

“Assets?”

“Yes. I have 130 million krang worth of stock.”

Stock was an asset that was easy to liquidate, but at the same time, it was a risky asset. It was a considerable amount of money, but not many banks would easily lend money using it as collateral in these difficult times.

“Is that possible?”

Of course, Beomseok thought it was possible. Wilkins, the chairman of Wilkins Financial Group, whom he had met in Osaha before, had agreed to lend him up to 70% of his stock and real estate. He didn’t think that great man would go back on his word.

“Yes. I have received a verbal promise from a bank official to get a loan.”

“A bank official? Which bank are you talking about?”

“Wilkins Financial Group.”

Wilkins Financial Group was the second-largest financial company in the world, known for its stable asset management. Therefore, it had plenty of funds and was using the aftermath of this recession as a stepping stone for growth, rather than facing a crisis. But it was hard to believe that such a bank would lend 80 million krang to the chairman of an amateur gladiatorial team based on highly risky stock.

Even if someone had verbally promised to lend the money, it would not be easy to release the funds without considerable influence. There was a high possibility that the loan application would be immediately rejected as soon as it was submitted to a superior.

“Hmm. Is the loan definitely going to happen? Isn’t there a possibility that things could go wrong and you might not get the loan?”

“Well, I don’t think he’ll change his mind, considering he’s quite an important person…”

“What is the position of the person who promised you? Are they a headquarters executive or something?”

Beomseok paused for a moment. The president is the CEO, so he could be called an executive, but he wasn’t sure whether the chairman was specifically an executive or not. Still, he figured it was about the same, so he nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Garcia looked somewhat relieved. He thought that even if it was a large sum of 80 million krang, the influence of a headquarters executive would be enough to secure the loan. He went back to the issue of deferred payment and decided to finish the discussion.

“Ah, is that so? Yes, I understand. So, let’s go back to square one. You said that you absolutely can’t use stock as collateral, right?”

“Yes, as I said, it’s absolutely impossible.”

“Then how about taking out a surety insurance policy? It’s quite expensive to pay the insurance premium because it’s such a large sum, but many people use it because they don’t have to find a troublesome guarantor.”

Surety insurance meant that he had to pay an insurance premium. It was insurance for 23 million krang, and he had very little financial transaction history, so his credit rating was extremely low. He would definitely have to pay a lot of insurance premiums, which would be a burden for Beomseok. Soon, he would have to pay huge interest on the 80 million krang loan, so he shouldn’t spend money on unnecessary things.

‘Tsk. What should I do? Come to think of it, it’s not like I don’t have a guarantor at all…’

The words “Black Society” flashed through his mind. Currently, the Black Society and he were in the same boat. Everyone desperately wanted the Gods Knights team to advance to the professional league. And buying this training camp was one of those efforts. Once today’s deal was completed, half of the conditions required by the Professional Gladiatorial Association could be considered fulfilled. The rest were minor things that could be prepared after obtaining the professional qualification.

“Excuse me, I need to make a call. Would that be alright?”

“Yes, of course. Feel free to do so.”

Beomseok immediately turned on his electronic notebook and called Emma. She appeared on the screen, sweating even in this cold winter, as if she was working hard in training.

– Oh, Beomseok. Why didn’t you participate in training today?

“Um, it’s because of the purchase of our team’s training camp.”

Emma’s eyes lit up as she spoke. As a member of the Black Society and a member of the Gods Knights team training in a mere public sports park, she was extremely happy to hear that a training camp was being built.

– Really? Then we’ll have almost no problem getting a professional qualification in next year’s promotion tournament. Securing a training camp consumes the most funds and time.

“Well, you could say that. But there’s a bit of a problem.”

– Why? Are you short on funds?

“It’s a bit like that, but it’s been resolved. However, they need a payment guarantor.”

– You need a guarantor now? Will it be resolved if you have a guarantor?

“Yeah, that’s right. It’s just that the amount of money is so large that it’s burdensome. It’s 23 million krang. So, I was wondering if anyone could vouch for me.”

Emma sighed deeply. There was no way the Black Society couldn’t guarantee such a small amount, but if the opposing economic organizations raised an issue with this fact, it could cause trouble. It was better to keep the relationship between the Black Society and the Gods Knights clean if possible. But it was true that the appeal of the training camp was great, so she couldn’t say no.

Based on their past performance, the Black Society had no doubt that the Gods Knights team could advance to the Area League next year.

Oscar and Erpina, who were playing a big role in the Wide League’s championship-contending team, and six others who were professional-level players in the current Area League, and even Beomseok, who was evaluated as a Central League starting gladiator. It was unthinkable that such a powerful team would fail in the promotion tournament where only amateur teams gathered. However, one worrying aspect was that even if they obtained the league qualification, there was a high possibility that they would not be able to meet the promotion conditions presented by the Professional Association. This was why Beomseok was so adamantly refusing funding.

But now he was trying to solve the most difficult training camp problem among the promotion conditions, and he was having difficulties with a mere 23 million krang payment guarantee issue. Frankly, if this problem was resolved, the other promotion conditions could be met even by force. The Black Society needed to work hard to ensure that this contract ended with good results.

She asked for a moment of understanding and then contacted Lucas. He was in charge of making her a professional gladiator in this crisis of the Black Society, so she had to inquire with him first.

After a serious conversation with him, Emma contacted Beomseok again.

– Um, Beomseok. Can you wait a moment?

“Why? Is there a problem?”

– It’s not that. Lucas said he’s going there.

Lucas was a member of the Black Society who owned several restaurant chains, including the ‘Wind’s Resting Place’ chain. He was not a welcome guest for him, as he had argued with him before.

“Why is that person coming? Is he going to vouch for me?”

– I don’t know the details. Lucas said he’ll take care of it.

Beomseok made a sullen expression and said.

“When is he coming?”

– If you tell me the location, he’ll go right away, so he’ll be there within an hour at the latest.

That meant he would be here by 6 o’clock. He looked at Garcia and spoke as if asking for understanding.

“What do you think? It seems like it’s almost time to leave work, but can you meet him?”

Garcia nodded as if it didn’t matter at all. There were hardly any dedicated salarymen who would insist on leaving work on time when the company was in trouble and an important contract was ahead.

“Of course, I don’t mind, but to be a payment guarantor for 23 million krang, you must have that much financial power. Is he capable?”

“He probably is. He’s quite rich.”

“Ah, then we must meet him. Tell him to come quickly.”

Beomseok nodded casually and explained the name and location of the cafe he was staying in to Emma.

And before 6 o’clock, a man in his 30s entered the cafe. He looked around as if looking for someone, and then smiled happily when he saw Beomseok and approached him.

“Beomseok. We meet again like this. It’s nice to see you. How have you been?”

Beomseok got up from his seat to greet Lucas, who asked him how he was doing in a friendly manner. He was an unpleasant opponent, but he couldn’t ignore someone who came to help him.

“Yes, it’s been a while. Come this way.”

Lucas, who was seated at his guidance, glanced at Garcia and James and said.

“Are these the construction company employees who said they would build the training camp?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Garcia took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Lucas, saying.

“Hello. I’m Garcia, the head of the sales department at Zeus Construction.”

Lucas also took out a business card and showed it.

“I’m Lucas, the chairman of Wind House.”

Garcia, who received the business card, raised his head sharply and made a shocked expression. He never expected to meet Lucas, the chairman of Wind House, who owns world-renowned restaurant chain companies such as Wind Coffee and Wind Land, in such a shabby cafe.

He jumped up from his seat and bowed 90 degrees.

“L-Lucas, Chairman Lucas. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“What honor, sit down quickly. I’m curious to know what kind of conversation has been going on here.”

Garcia wiped his forehead and looked at Beomseok. He wondered what kind of person he was to secure such a big shot as a payment guarantor.

He took a deep breath to relieve his tension and explained the contract details step by step.

“So, we need a payment guarantor for 23 million krang now.”

Lucas, who was crossing his arms and nodding, looked at Beomseok.

“Are you sure you can borrow 80 million krang?”

“Well, I don’t know either. If the person who said they would lend it to me acts like they don’t know me, I have no countermeasures. But considering his social status and face, I don’t think he’ll pretend he doesn’t know.”

Lucas sent an uneasy look. It was a positive tone, but the anxiety was still present. This training camp contract was an important matter for the Black Society as well. Such anxiety factors should not be left behind.

“Good. By the way, when are you going to get the loan?”

“Well, I don’t like to drag things out. If this contract is concluded today, I’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Really? Then I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

“Why, Lucas?”

“Why? Because this is a serious matter for us as well. Anyway, know that.”

Beomseok nodded, although it was annoying, it didn’t matter.

“Tsk. Do as you please.”

Lucas, who heard the answer, looked at Garcia again. It was time to wrap up the contract.

“Hey, do you have to set up a payment guarantor?”

“Ah, ah. Yes.”

“But there’s a problem, I absolutely can’t be directly or indirectly connected to the Gods Knights team. In other words, my name shouldn’t be on the payment guarantor section of the contract. Instead, I’ll entrust the construction of the 100 million krang pizza restaurant headquarters that I’m planning recently to your company. Add 23 million krang to the construction cost here, and I hope you can wrap up this contract with only 80 million krang. What do you think?”

Of course, Garcia had no reason to refuse. He could receive the 23 million krang that he was expecting as deferred payment right away, and he could take on more construction separately to increase his performance. From Zeus Construction’s point of view, it couldn’t be better.

“Of course, if you do that for us, we couldn’t ask for more.”

“Hehe. I knew you’d like it.”

Beomseok, who was watching Lucas smiling brightly right next to him, made a blank expression. He couldn’t do things that wouldn’t work even if he had a blood-draining negotiation, but Lucas solved it with just one word. After all, people with a lot of money had an easier time.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

Huh~ I’ve been feeling this lately. It seems like the mosquitoes have evolved. It’s completely different from when I first started writing 4 years ago. Back then, I used to make several of them die every day, but these days, I can’t even touch them with a clap. No, they run away with a flap of their wings just by looking at them, which is enough to make me stick out my tongue. I guess the theory of evolution is right after all. Nearly 5 billion humans have been catching mosquitoes with claps, so it’s understandable that new-type mosquitoes have been born. Hehehe.

Then everyone, be careful of mosquitoes today. I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.