Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 408

“Sigh~ That’s what I should be saying to you, Zakiid.”

Zakiid’s eyes widened at Bumseok’s sighing words.

“What! What did you just say?”

“Are you saying that without realizing it? Do you really think you can beat me in your current state, Zakiid? In this state of lost composure?”

At those words, Zakiid relaxed his expression and stared intently at him. Losing composure was synonymous with losing focus, which meant defeat, especially against Bumseok.

“Are you saying I’ve lost my focus?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! How could I lose my focus!”

“I’m right. The fact that you don’t understand means you’re simply unaware of your own state.”

Zakiid took a deep breath and examined his condition. Based on Bumseok’s past actions, he wouldn’t be spouting nonsense. After a moment, he identified the distracting thoughts in his mind, and his expression tightened.

Right now, he was consumed with the thought of defeating Bumseok as quickly as possible. In this state, he could never overcome him.

“I, I see.”

“I’m glad you understand. By the way, didn’t Director Remnant send you any advice?”

Zakiid tapped the side of his helmet where the communicator was attached.

“I didn’t get anything…”

Bumseok glanced subtly at the Dark Hyenas’ dugout. Even from a distance, Remnant couldn’t be unaware of his disciple’s condition. The fact that there was no warning was strange.

If Zakiid was left as he was, he was sure to lose. As a director and a mentor, he should have offered advice. Remnant must have been trying to achieve some other goal through today’s match.

‘What on earth is Remnant thinking? He didn’t even tell Zakiid that my weakness wasn’t really a weakness before.’

Considering the circumstances, it was clear that Remnant wanted Zakiid to lose. It was unthinkable for a director, but possible for a mentor. Defeat was a disgrace for a swordsman, but it could be an opportunity for growth. Especially since Zakiid saw himself as a rival, the humiliation of defeat would be significant.

Bumseok shook his head as he looked at Zakiid again.

‘Tsk, tsk. He should have been more disciplined from the start.’

Zakiid was known as the epitome of freedom in the dueling world. Before turning pro, he had diligently trained in swordsmanship under his master’s supervision, but this seemed to have backfire, as he had become quite lax since turning pro.

The newfound freedom, the enormous salary, and the city’s pleasures were enough to captivate the country bumpkin, and the fans’ cheers and the media’s attention instilled arrogance deep within him. Of course, he had improved since Remnant took over as director, but his free-spiritedness remained.

Even Bumseok himself would have given him a stern scolding if he were his master.

‘Good. I owe Remnant a debt. I need to repay him.’

Remnant was Zakiid’s mentor, but he was like a parent to Gelsomina and the benefactor who introduced him to Liza. It would be troublesome if Zakiid came to his senses, but it was only right to repay him with a stinging defeat.

“It seems the director is focused on the main base, given his position. Besides, Zakiid’s loss of composure was so brief that it would have been difficult to notice.”

“Well, let’s say that’s the case. But why didn’t you take this opportunity to defeat me and instead gave me advice? It wouldn’t do you any good for me to come to my senses.”

“Heh heh. Where did you hear what I said earlier? I just want to defeat Zakiid in his perfect state. That way, he won’t make excuses later. In fact, there are surprisingly many people in the world who don’t know their own shortcomings and blame their defeats and failures on others or their environment.”

At those words, Zakiid glared. It was as if he was being treated like a vulgar guy who didn’t even know the shame of defeat.

“What was that? What do you take me for!”

“There’s no need to get angry. That’s just how the world works. I wasn’t specifically referring to you, Zakiid.”

“You bastard. You talk a good game! Fine. I’ll definitely defeat you this time and make you regret your words. Be prepared!”

Zakiid charged at Bumseok without hesitation. He raised the tip of his sword, which had been pointing at the ground, to meet Zakiid.

Bumseok deflected the fiercely descending longsword to the side by angling his katana, then lifted his foot and kicked Zakiid’s knee. It was a quick low kick to assess Zakiid’s condition. He thought he might be rushing a bit and might still be in a state of lost composure like before.

“You think such an attack will work on me!”

Bumseok smiled faintly as he watched Zakiid easily evade the kick and launch a series of attacks. This proved that he was attacking with full concentration. All that was left was to face him with all his might and defeat him.

“Hahaha. I didn’t think it would work either.”

Zakiid, taking it as mockery, scowled and unleashed his sword at him. He wanted to shut that arrogant mouth at all costs.

Bumseok deflected each of the swords flying in from all directions, starting to build up his momentum. Some attacks narrowly grazed his body, but he didn’t care. The only attacks that mattered were the ones that landed accurately, and he had to take some risks to subdue Zakiid.

“Alright. Here I come!”

A heavy blow, carrying his full weight, split the air and flew towards his forehead. Bumseok slightly twisted his ankle to evade it to the side.

He could have blocked it, but if he blocked every attack like that, he wouldn’t be able to gain an advantage. If a heavy attack was deflected without resistance, the attacker would lose balance and fall into danger.

However, Bumseok’s intention was thwarted. Zakiid calmly stopped his sword midway and immediately slashed horizontally as if to cut his waist. He barely managed to jump back to avoid it, and only managed to block it by lowering the sword’s surface.

After the clear metallic sound, Bumseok circled around, moving cautiously.

‘Sigh~ He’s not easy. He’s definitely Zakiid. I might be the one to get hurt if I mess up. Did I give him too much advice?’

Having played games for countless hours, Bumseok had mastered numerous combat methods across various classes. His skills were undoubtedly the best in this game, and now that his physical abilities had reached a high level, no one could beat Bumseok. However, things were different when it came to swordsmanship and flat ground combat.

Zakiid, who had trained for decades under the outstanding swordsman Remnant, was not to be underestimated. Of course, the combat sense he had gained on the battlefield over those long years was still there, but he couldn’t ignore the systematic education he had received under a great master. But Bumseok had no intention of losing.

He had already made Zakiid look arrogant, and if he lost here, it would be a complete disgrace. Even if he died, he couldn’t allow defeat.

He immediately kicked off the ground and rushed towards Zakiid.

Clang. Clachang. Clang. Clangchang.

After several exchanges, they distanced themselves from each other, and Bumseok and Zakiid’s eyes turned to the west side of the arena. They were checking the situation at the main base. They were still engaged in a fierce back-and-forth battle on the iron bridge.

Zakiid smiled contentedly and looked at Bumseok.

“It doesn’t look like our fight will end anticlimactically. Since they’re fighting so evenly, none of them will be coming to us.”

“They wouldn’t come even if it wasn’t even.”

“What does that mean?”

Bumseok grinned. He still didn’t know his mentor Remnant’s intentions.

Since he wanted Zakiid to be defeated, he wouldn’t send any other Dark Hyenas gladiators this way. And Bumseok would immediately stop any Gods Knights gladiators from coming this way. Well, the home fans might complain if he missed the chance to win like this, but it seemed okay given the situation.

The audience filling the stands was watching him and Zakiid’s one-on-one match with anxious eyes, as if they were thirsty for the result.

“Both team directors trust us, and the fans want to see the end of this fight.”

Zakiid looked at the stands and nodded. He couldn’t have missed the fans’ gazes that Bumseok had felt. The audience was so tense that they couldn’t even open their mouths.

“That’s right. Then we have to repay the fans’ support, right? There’s not much time left.”

“Yes. You’re absolutely right. Then I’ll go again.”

Bumseok stomped his feet hard and approached Zakiid, stepping out of rhythm. Even with this technique, Zakiid lightly deflected the katana flying towards his face, then closed the distance and swung his sword wildly.

“Hah, hah. Ah. This is driving me crazy.”

Bumseok, who had been clashing swords repeatedly, took a step back and took a deep breath. His mind and body were exhausted from the long and intense fight.

In this state, mistakes could happen, so he had to be extremely careful. The outcome of his fight with Zakiid would be determined by a minor misjudgment.

That’s how evenly matched their skills were.

Zakiid, also greatly exhausted, rushed at Bumseok, panting heavily.

“Come on. There’s no time. Hurry up and come.”

Soon, the two figures crossed paths, and several collisions occurred. He swung his sword with all his might, determined not to be pushed back, but the physical limitations were unavoidable, and there was a looseness in his swordsmanship. However, Zakiid had a triumphant smile on his face amidst all this.

He thought that he, who was physically superior, would be able to execute a smoother attack.

“Bumseok, you still have a long way to go. You need to drink more mother’s milk. Hahaha.”

But it was the same for both of them. Zakiid, who had been continuously pouring out reckless attacks, was also exhausted.

“Don’t act so smug. I know you’re talking out of your ass right now.”

Sparks flew from the swords that collided in the air. Their swords were already missing many teeth, like the mouth of a toothless old man.

Zakiid could have taken out a spare sword, but he still insisted on using the current one. There was no way Bumseok, who had put down his spear, would have a spare sword.

He was already fighting at a disadvantage, and if he changed his sword here, it would be an act of self-inflicted shame.

Zakiid tensed his shoulders and swung his sword with all his might. He was trying to break Bumseok’s badly damaged sword and decide the outcome of this match.

Bumseok, hearing the strange sound of the air being torn, quickly stepped aside. If he faced it head-on, his sword could be cut in half. He felt a strange sensation as it brushed past his upper body, and his hair stood on end. He really had to admit that he had the strength.

Clang. Clachang. Clang. Clang.

The fight between the two was reaching its climax. With little time left, Bumseok and Zakiid drew out their last remaining strength and fought fiercely for their honor. There were several moments of crisis where the sword grazed their bodies. But they never backed down. They seemed determined to end this match here.

“Alright. Let’s end it here!”

“That’s what I want too!”

Seeing Zakiid recklessly swinging his sword, Bumseok dug inside and attempted a body check. His forearm slammed hard against his back, but Bumseok only lowered his upper body slightly and pushed him away using his low center of gravity.

Zakiid staggered backward, but even in the midst of that, he bent his back and swung his sword at him again. But there was no way a proper sword strike could come out in this close range. It was immediately blocked by Bumseok’s katana.

“Hey! Get off!”

Zakiid, shouting, let go of one hand holding the hilt and grabbed Bumseok’s shoulder. It was to solve the force imbalance caused by the unfavorable center of gravity and to execute an attack at the same time. Soon, he pressed down on Bumseok’s shoulder and deeply stabbed the longsword he was holding in one hand.

‘Wow, it’s here. It’s an opportunity!’

It was dangerous, but it was definitely an opportunity. Holding the sword with one hand meant a weakening of power. He subtly stepped back to avoid the attack and immediately grabbed Zakiid’s hilt with both hands. Then, he immediately turned his body and performed a short counter-attack.

“Kuaaaaak!”

Soon, Zakiid slipped and rolled on the floor. He tried to regain his balance, but his body was exhausted, and it happened so quickly that he didn’t have time to prepare.

The moment Bumseok’s martial arts skills shone. He didn’t hesitate to lie down on the floor and cut off Zakiid’s neck.

Waaaaah! Waaaaah!

The home fans, who had been waiting anxiously for the result, stood up from their seats and cheered. There was only about a minute left. A draw was a foregone conclusion since both teams had a significant number of troops left in their main bases, but Bumseok had achieved a greater victory.

Defeating Zakiid in a one-on-one match meant that he had proven that he was the strongest. Now, the Rimacity home fans had the world’s strongest gladiator.

Bumseok looked at Zakiid, whose face and body were gradually stiffening, and raised his fist towards the fans. He felt sorry for him, who was in despair due to the defeat, but he couldn’t give up the joy of the victor. He soon returned to the dugout with his gladiators, who had achieved a draw, in high spirits as the game ended.

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

As expected, Korean archery is the strongest. I was worried that other countries had recently narrowed the gap in skills, but it seems like it was an unfounded concern. If we continue like this, winning four gold medals shouldn’t be too difficult. Hahaha.

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