Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 274

276

‘What are they doing?’

Erpina watched the East Winds team, who were hesitant to charge, with a puzzled expression. With such a significant difference in power, they could attack with relative ease and still secure victory, yet she couldn’t understand their hesitation. Their movements were also peculiar, subtly disrupting their formation by intercrossing ranks. This type of movement sometimes occurred when secretly changing formations.

She scrutinized the East Winds team roster displayed on the electronic scoreboard and then wore a look of realization. She noticed that there were three additional veteran gladiators with the potential to be vanguards.

‘This is bad! Seeing that I’m blocking the center, they’re trying to deploy the Pincer Formation!’

Erpina was experienced, but her physical abilities were somewhat lacking. If the concentrated force of those six vanguards targeted her, the center would be breached without a countermeasure, exposing Agelia, the leader. If that happened, they could suffer an unexpected defeat, necessitating a change in their formation.

Erpina quietly whispered to Venus and Siya, who were standing beside her. With their strength, they seemed capable of withstanding the powerful Pincer Formation’s offensive, depending on the support.

“Venus, Siya, you practiced the Pincer Formation response, right?”

“Yes, Sister.”

“Then Siya stays put, and Venus switches positions with me as soon as they start charging. Got it?”

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

After finishing the conversation, Erpina raised her right hand above her head and crossed her index and middle fingers—a simple signal indicating a change of plans. They were about to attempt a change in formation as well. The best way to counter the Pincer Formation was to meet the opponent’s point with an inverted V-shaped formation, while moving the leader back. It would be even more effective if they focused their spearheads towards the center.

“Iphis, Reimay, support the center with your spearheads when the charge starts. Got it?”

“Yes.”

After a moment of tension, the East Winds team’s formation shifted rapidly, revealing a Pincer Formation.

The sharp shout of the leader gladiator, bearing the number 1 on his back, echoed.

“Everyone, charge all at once!”

The East Winds gladiators, formation complete, vigorously pushed off the parched ground and began to run. Their target was the very center—Agelia, the leader.

In response, Erpina switched positions with Venus and shouted to everyone.

“Change the formation to an inverted Wedge!”

Instantly, the Gods Knights’ formation transformed. The change was incredibly swift, with only the wing areas pulling back and a change of position between the leader and the gladiators in the rear.

Seeing this, the number 1 gladiator’s eyes widened. He couldn’t deny that the Gods Knights had anticipated their plan and prepared for it. But it was too late to reverse course. Soon, a massive collision occurred, and a push-and-pull struggle between the two formations ensued.

Clang. Spear. Clang. Spear. Swish.

The East Winds gladiators gave their all, but they were blocked by Venus and Siya’s shields, preventing further advance. This was inevitable, as the entire Gods Knights team concentrated their power to support them from behind. Moreover, the spearheads of Iphis and Reimay, occasionally darting from the gaps in the formation, were enough to send chills down their spines. The spearheads were difficult to detect until they were close, hidden by the dense formation.

“Kyaaaaak!!”

The number 8 gladiator, struck in the right shoulder by a spear tip, screamed. The number 1 gladiator, seeing her with one arm hanging limp, bit his lip. He knew that continuing the attack would only increase the damage. Despite his regret, it was time to retreat.

“The operation failed. Everyone, retreat!”

At the leader’s command, the East Winds gladiators retreated without complaint. The opponent’s resistance was too strong to break through. It was better to retreat, reorganize, and then re-attack.

After creating some distance, they reverted to the Wedge formation and began searching for an opportunity to attack.

“Oh, Erpina is doing well. As expected, the experienced ones are different.”

A smile spread across Beomseok’s face as he sat on the dugout bench and watched the game. Erpina had made an appropriate judgment in the moment of crisis and successfully blocked East Winds’ first offensive.

Diana, sitting next to him, nodded in agreement. From their vantage point, far from the battle, it was difficult to discern the subtle changes in the opposing team’s formation. She had only noticed that East Winds gladiators had adopted the Pincer Formation when they started charging. Without Erpina’s intervention, the center would have been breached instantly, leading to an unexpected defeat.

“I agree. Erpina’s experience shone in the critical moment. It’s very fortunate. I think there should be at least one or two experienced gladiators on the team.”

“That’s right.”

Beomseok’s face clouded with worry. He realized that the Gods Knights lacked experienced gladiators. Besides Erpina and Erica, there weren’t many, and their usefulness would diminish significantly in the Central League. Furthermore, Agelia, the future leader, possessed quick feet and excellent survivability but lacked tactical command skills. Even with his presence, he had to prepare for situations like today when he was injured and unable to participate.

“I guess we’ll have to bring in one or two experienced gladiators to the team soon, right?”

“Yes. Urgently.”

Beomseok sighed. It was another expense. Even older gladiators commanded a considerable price. He was aiming to transform the team into a World League contender. Still, it was necessary for the team’s future. A team composed only of young gladiators would struggle with game management and face significant obstacles in overcoming crises. They needed a resource to replace Erpina.

Beomseok turned his attention back to the stadium. The East Winds gladiators’ re-offensive had begun, a textbook Wedge charge.

“We must break through! Concentrate all our power in one place!”

They charged with orderly movements, but it was ineffective against the Gods Knights’ solid defense. Although their skills were inferior, they were somewhat ahead in terms of physical strength. The number 1 gladiator, looking annoyed, continued to order the charge, but it repeatedly failed, wasting their stamina. Eventually, she realized that they couldn’t breach the Gods Knights’ formation with conventional tactics.

‘What should I do? I underestimated them, but the Gods Knights’ formation is too solid. We need an opportunity to change the atmosphere.’

Her gaze fell on Erpina. The opponent’s solidity stemmed from their combined power, but the cohesion came from her. Eliminating Erpina would significantly weaken the Gods Knights’ resistance. Fortunately, she was positioned on the flank, making her an easy target.

“Everyone, take the Pincer Formation again!”

At those words, the number 4 gladiator quickly turned her head.

“Leader, you know that the Gods Knights’ physical abilities are great. If we take the Pincer Formation carelessly, we could be countered.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’re not lacking in strength either. Besides, we’re not aiming for the very center, but for the right flank. That’s Erpina.”

The number 4 gladiator glanced at Erpina. If they targeted that side, the opponent would be less cautious, increasing the tactic’s chances of success. Being on the flank, they wouldn’t be surrounded even if it failed. And Erpina was the core of the Gods Knights’ commands. Eliminating her early would make the subsequent games easier.

“Then it’s not a bad idea.”

The number 1 gladiator, having secured her teammate’s agreement, began to reorganize the formation. She had been holding her breath, watching for an opportunity, and now she raised her hand high, having seen the Gods Knights adopt a defensive posture.

“Charge!”

The East Winds gladiators, gathered in the Pincer Formation, launched another charge. Initially, their movement was directed towards the center, prompting the Gods Knights’ gladiators to set up their defenses accordingly.

At that moment, East Winds abruptly changed direction, concentrating their attack on the right flank as planned. Erpina, the target, looked flustered and moved closer to the formation. Facing the overwhelming force penetrating the narrow gap, she seemed helpless and was thrown out.

“Got her! Everyone, rush in and finish her off!”

Four gladiators instantly surrounded Erpina and launched an attack. She desperately swung her shield, but she couldn’t block all four sides simultaneously. Soon, she suffered a major blow to her back and knelt on the ground.

‘Damn it! Erpina got hit…….’

Beomseok’s complexion darkened as he watched the scene. Erpina’s injury meant not only the loss of a gladiator but also severe damage to the team’s organization. Erica was still present, but she lacked team command skills, minimizing her impact. For now, there was no choice. Erica was the only one who could manage the team.

“Diana, contact Erica and tell her to take over team command!”

“Yes, yes.”

Erica became the core of the team. However, as expected, problems arose in the team’s organization. Despite her long experience in gladiator matches and her ability to give appropriate commands, she reacted half a beat late. Naturally, her responsiveness was poor, leading to fatal results in the rapidly changing game situation.

Soon, cracks appeared in the solid formation from all sides, shattering it in the face of the East Winds gladiators’ reckless charges.

“Everyone, gather! Reorganize the formation!”

Erica’s desperate voice echoed through the stadium. But in the chaotic situation, the Gods Knights’ gladiators couldn’t gather properly. One by one, they became incapacitated, and the situation escalated to the point where Agelia had to leave the formation and act as a runner.

Seeing this, Beomseok tightly closed his eyes. No matter how fast Agelia was, only five minutes had passed since the start of the game. She couldn’t possibly run away for the remaining 15 minutes, making it clear that this round would end in defeat. As expected, his prediction was correct. When the minute hand pointed to about 10 minutes, Agelia fell, and the first round of the game ended.

Thud, thud.

The second string, who had participated in the first round, walked weakly into the dugout, heads lowered in shame.

Worried about the team’s morale, Beomseok clapped his hands and greeted them.

“We got enough of the intended results. Everyone did well.”

Diana seemed to agree, supporting Beomseok’s actions.

“Yes, you did well. The first round was a throwaway round anyway. You held out for 10 minutes, so East Winds’ main force must be very tired too.”

Only then did the second string relax and return to their seats. Since Beomseok and the coach, Diana, said so, they believed it. After all, in a situation with such a clear difference in power, holding out for this long could be considered a success.

As the team atmosphere barely recovered, Beomseok shouted towards the main force, who were preparing for the second round.

“Everyone, you must win the second round! Got it!”

“Yes!”

They answered energetically, but the eyes of the Gods Knights’ main force were filled with tension. Having lost the first round, the team was in great danger if they didn’t achieve a significant result in the second round. They had to win, so they were bound to be overwhelmed by pressure.

After a period of rest, the Gods Knights’ gladiators went out to the stadium to participate in the second round.

“Okay, everyone. Don’t be nervous and focus on the game! Just do your part faithfully. Then our Gods Knights will definitely win!”

The leader gladiator of the Gods Knights was Erpina. Since the goal of the second round was to win, Agelia’s quick feet were not needed. Erpina directed the team with thorough protection from Nikita and Venus, trying to make up for her mistakes in the first round.

“Everyone, be sure to keep your positions! If we record a draw or better this time, our East Winds will take today’s game! Then we can go up to the Central League!”

At the command of the number 1 gladiator, the East Winds formed a formation. They had seven Central League-level or higher gladiators, not much different from the eight Gods Knights, but in reality, it was very different. Three of the seven were in the rear, leaving only four in the mid-guard and vanguard who mainly engaged in combat. On the other hand, the Gods Knights had only two Central League-level gladiators placed in the rear. The remaining six were placed in the mid-guard and vanguard, and Nikita, one of the rear guards, was very skilled in surprise attacks using a long spear. Given the clear difference in attack power, a head-on battle would likely result in a loss.

Of course, in a league match, they could take a risk for the sake of the audience’s interest. But today’s game was a tournament where fate was decided in a single match. Rather than recklessly attacking out of bravado, it was better to build a stable defensive posture and play for a draw.

Beeeep!

“Charge!”

With a long whistle, the Gods Knights’ gladiators charged in a Wedge formation, seemingly trying to exploit the brief carelessness that often occurs after the start of a game. However, the charge was strangely slow for a surprise strategy, making it easy for the opponent to cope.

Erpina, seeing the East Winds gladiators urgently building a solid formation, smiled faintly and shouted towards Nikita. It was time to unveil the newly developed breakthrough tactic.

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

Everyone, have a great day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.