Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 379

A cool breeze swept through the Colosseum. Beom-seok, clad tightly in his suit, and the God Knights gladiators were out on the arena floor, warming up with simple exercises.

While stretching, bending at the waist with his legs spread, he glanced towards the group of gladiators visible on the opposite side. It was the Ancient Warriors gladiators, also out for their warm-up.

Beom-seok’s gaze was fixed on Priscilla. Given the strategy Diana had brought up today, there was a high probability he would face her, so he couldn’t help but be concerned.

‘Huhu. Priscilla seems quite 신경쓰다 [concerned] about me too.’

Priscilla’s eyes were also constantly fixed on him. Today was important as it was the opening match of the league, but it could also be a significant day for her.

Beom-seok had been competing in the Central League, so his gladiator ranking was quite low. The opponents he faced weren’t challenging enough to earn him significant achievements, so he couldn’t expect to be properly evaluated. However, well-known experts in the gladiator world didn’t hesitate to name him as one of the world’s top three gladiators.

That’s how strong he was. And today, Beom-seok was making his debut in the World League. Now that he would be facing World League gladiators who could earn him high scores, his gladiator ranking would skyrocket. And currently, Priscilla, ranked third among gladiators, was set to face him.

If she failed to prove that she was stronger than Beom-seok today, she would inevitably fall below fourth place in this year’s gladiator ranking competition.

“Well, the world of professionals is 냉정한 법이니까 [a cold place].”

Beom-seok was well aware that she was aiming for the top spot to go to the World Walker Auction Market before she turned thirty. This fact was common knowledge in the gladiator world, so he couldn’t possibly be unaware. However, he had no intention of going easy on her, considering her circumstances.

The professional world was 냉정한 법이었고 [a cold place], and in fact, he was in a similar predicament. Due to the difference in team strength, it would be difficult to even secure a draw in today’s match, let alone a victory.

Moreover, Priscilla was not an easy opponent. Although she had recently been pushed down to third place by Zakid and Amelie, she had previously held the top spot with a significant lead that other gladiators couldn’t match.

This meant that Beom-seok couldn’t afford to be complacent when facing her.

‘Alright. Shall we go in?’

Beom-seok smiled faintly, stood up, and returned to the dugout. He figured he would be sweating quite a bit today, so he wanted to conserve his stamina. Even a warm-up could strain his stamina if performed for too long.

Shortly after, as Beom-seok sat comfortably on the bench, he heard an announcement over the stadium’s public address system.

– Both teams’ first-round gladiators, please proceed to the entrance tunnel.

Beom-seok took a deep breath and calmly rose from his seat. He loosened up his body with light movements. Perhaps it was because it was his first World League match, but he seemed a bit 떨리는 모양이었다 [nervous].

Soon, Diana approached Beom-seok as he picked up his helmet and gear and headed towards the entrance of the tunnel.

“Master. You know what you have to do today, right?”

Beom-seok made a circle with his thumb and index finger, signaling OK. He had been thoroughly briefed through strategy meetings, so it was firmly etched in his mind. He wouldn’t forget it just because he was nervous.

“I know it well.”

“Then I’m counting on you. If you fail, today’s match will become very difficult.”

“Don’t worry. It’s just a slight modification of the strategy we’ve been using, so how could I fail? Trust me.”

“Yes. I’ll trust you then.”

Diana waved goodbye and watched Beom-seok head into the entrance tunnel with a worried expression.

His role today was to engage Priscilla as a free roamer. If Beom-seok could defeat her early in the first round, they could aim for a draw or victory by countering the difference in strength with numerical superiority. And the same applied when facing Priscilla and another Ancient Warriors gladiator.

In that case, the main force could gain numerical superiority, so if Beom-seok could hold out well, they could secure a draw game.

The problem was that if he failed, they would fall into the worst-case scenario. No matter how strong the God Knights’ main force was, they couldn’t face the Ancient Warriors’ main force without Beom-seok.

She soon erased the worried look from her face and returned to the 감독석 [command center]. She would trust her master, Beom-seok. He was a monstrous gladiator the likes of which the world would never see again. No matter how strong Priscilla was, she couldn’t imagine him losing.

“Alright, everyone! Brace yourselves! We must win this round!”

“Yes!”

The God Knights gladiators, hearing Beom-seok’s shout, glared at the entrance tunnel on the opposite side with eyes blazing. Although it was far away and obscured by shadows, they could distinguish the figures of the Ancient Warriors gladiators. They were currently adorned in black suits from head to toe.

– Now, both teams’ gladiators, please enter!

Led by Beom-seok, the God Knights gladiators advanced to the center of the arena amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the home fans. But sensing something was amiss, Beom-seok stopped midway and looked towards the entrance of the tunnel across the way. The Ancient Warriors gladiators were not entering.

“What’s going on?”

Beom-seok’s question was soon answered. The internal scenery was being projected onto the electronic display through a bird camera that had flown to investigate the situation. Priscilla and the Ancient Warriors’ coach were arguing loudly.

The content was very simple. She was requesting to face Beom-seok one-on-one. It seemed the team coach was planning to have her face him with at least a two-on-one advantage when he was free-roaming.

‘Hoo. If things go well, we might win this round.’

The most desirable scenario for the God Knights was for Beom-seok and Priscilla to face each other one-on-one. No matter how strong she was, from an objective standpoint, she was somewhat inferior to Beom-seok. If Priscilla’s request was accepted and a one-on-one match ensued, he would naturally be grateful.

– Ancient Warriors. If you delay any further, the first round will be forfeited.

Beom-seok quickly resumed his steps towards the center of the arena. If things went well, they could get a free ride in the first round. He hoped that Priscilla and the Ancient Warriors’ coach would continue their battle of pride and waited for the next announcement.

But his expectations soon turned to disappointment. Priscilla, nostrils flaring, was putting on her helmet and entering the arena. Realizing that he couldn’t hope for a default victory, Beom-seok shouted to his gladiators.

“Everyone knows today’s strategy, right! Form a phalanx!”

As the God Knights gladiators formed a phalanx [a close-ranked body of troops], Beom-seok quickly moved to the right flank. He was curious to see what formation the Ancient Warriors would bring out. The strategy for today’s match would change greatly depending on how many people came out.

‘Tsk. Two of them. It seems Priscilla lost the battle of wills with the coach.’

The gladiators approaching Beom-seok’s opposite side on the flat ground were Priscilla and Jasmine, with her white hair. That meant they would be marking him two-on-one. No matter how skilled Beom-seok was, it would be difficult to face two top-tier World Leaguers, including Priscilla, at the same time. It seemed the first round would be quite tough.

“Huu~ Well, nothing I can do about it.”

Beom-seok sighed deeply and moved to the far right end of the arena, watching Priscilla and Jasmine, who continued to follow him from across the arena. He needed to lure them away for the sake of the strategy. If he didn’t keep Priscilla and Jasmine far away from the main force, it would be difficult for the main force to capture the 철교 [steel bridge] early on.

– Bweeet! Match start!

With the start of the match, the Ancient Warriors’ main force, forming a crane wing formation, rushed towards the 철교 [steel bridge]. Considering the difference in strength between the two teams, they could easily unravel the game if they occupied the 철교 [steel bridge] first.

Even though they were short one man due to sending a marker, they were somewhat ahead in terms of skill. Currently, Levia of S3 class remained in the Ancient Warriors.

“Everyone, quickly occupy the 철교 [steel bridge]! Then we’ll win!”

But unlike the Ancient Warriors, who were trying to occupy the 철교 [steel bridge], the God Knights team’s main force was relaxed. They didn’t move at all, letting them occupy the 철교 [steel bridge].

This puzzled Terly, the leader of the Ancient Warriors. She couldn’t understand the opposing team’s actions at all.

For the God Knights to properly block their main force, occupying the 철교 [steel bridge] was essential.

Seiya, in the center of the phalanx, asked everyone to restrain themselves.

“Everyone. Wait! Don’t take any different actions until they approach us!”

Seiya smiled as he looked at the Ancient Warriors gladiators standing blankly on the 철교 [steel bridge]. He could now see that the operation was definitely working.

‘Alright. Securing the 철교 [steel bridge] is certain.’

The reason the God Knights didn’t join in occupying the 철교 [steel bridge] early on was because there was no possibility of doing so. In a situation where both teams had similar physical conditions, the crane wing formation, which had better mobility than the phalanx, was definitely faster, so it was not easy for the God Knights to occupy the 철교 [steel bridge]. If that was the case, it would naturally lead to a battle on flat ground, so they would face the Ancient Warriors’ main force in a disadvantageous situation. But now that they had occupied the 철교 [steel bridge], there was nothing to worry about.

Now, all they had to do was wait for the Ancient Warriors to approach, and everything would be resolved.

“What are they doing now? Why aren’t they moving at all? Surely they’re not going to fight us on flat ground, are they?”

Terly, who had been waiting on the 철교 [steel bridge] for a while, tilted her head. Since it was her first time in the God Knights’ home Colosseum, she couldn’t understand the strategy Seiya was about to deploy. On the surface, it was no different from intending to fight on flat ground.

‘What should I do? They’re definitely hiding something. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be trying so hard to induce a battle on flat ground.’

But she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Even if they drew in the first round, it wouldn’t be disadvantageous for the Ancient Warriors, but they had to protect their pride as the world’s strongest team. It would be shameful to hesitate because they were afraid of a newly promoted team’s strategy.

She had no choice but to order an attack.

“Alright. Everyone, charge towards the God Knights’ main force! Maintain formation thoroughly, just in case!”

The Ancient Warriors gladiators, who had come out of the 철교 [steel bridge] and formed a crane wing formation, sharpened their ends and rushed towards the God Knights’ main force. Seeing this, Seiya raised his hand to focus the attention of his fellow gladiators, and then shouted at the top of his lungs as the opponent approached.

“Everyone, cross the river!”

The God Knights’ gladiators all rushed to cross the river. Since there were no obstacles in front, their crossing was too easy. Terly, who led the group and arrived at the opposite bank, had a bewildered expression. She thought that they might be the ones to suffer.

Now that the God Knights were across the river, they couldn’t easily cross the river. The problem was that Priscilla and Jasmine were facing Beom-seok, who was wielding a long spear, on the right side across the river. If they checked their crossing and attacked the markers, they would suffer a huge blow.

“E, everyone, move rapidly to the right! Priscilla and Jasmine are in danger!”

While they were moving to the right, the God Knights’ main force quickly ran towards the 철교 [steel bridge] and occupied the center. Seiya, who was now fighting the first round in a favorable formation, sent a communication to Beom-seok with a relaxed expression.

– Master. We’ve occupied the 철교 [steel bridge]. Now, take cover.

Beom-seok, who was receiving a fierce offensive from Priscilla and Jasmine, jumped powerfully and swung his long spear greatly with a 180-degree rotation. And seeing them step back to avoid the spear tip, he ran away without hesitation. The Ancient Warriors’ main force might cross the river and rush at him, so it was better to take cover for a while.

But Terly and the main force of the Ancient Warriors gladiators were dumbfounded and couldn’t even think of crossing the river. They realized that they had been thoroughly tricked. Even though they had occupied the 철교 [steel bridge] first, they had fallen into the God Knights’ trick and given it away.

‘Damn it. We’ve been completely tricked. As expected, it’s hard to adapt because it’s the first time experiencing the geography. I’ll have to be careful today.’

Terly, gritting her teeth, led everyone and slowly moved towards the 철교 [steel bridge]. Now that she realized that the opponent had a geographical advantage, she had to be careful.

“Alright. This should be enough.”

As Beom-seok, who had been running away, stopped, Priscilla glared at him as if she would kill him. She was seriously engaged in this match, but he used her with tricks as if he were mocking her.

“Beom-seok! Isn’t that too much!”

“What’s too much? You can do that to win.”

“But the purpose of my participating in this match is to compete with Beom-seok. So please put your heart into it too!”

Beom-seok slyly pointed to Jasmine and said.

“Have you ever seen a serious match fought two-on-one? Stop talking nonsense and just attack. You’re the one who avoided a serious match.”

Priscilla’s face turned red. Certainly, his words were not wrong. What she wanted was to win against Beom-seok and firmly maintain her current status. There was no point in attacking in alliance with Jasmine.

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

Huu~. I felt something strange this week, so I looked at the world and Korean economic situation, and it’s serious. I wondered why the gold price bubble wasn’t bursting. Perhaps when the next administration comes in, something quite embarrassing may happen.

Then everyone, have a nice day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.