Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 468

In the World Cup semi-final held on the first day of July, Avand, facing Arkan, secured a victory with 2 wins and 3 draws, just as Beomseok had predicted. Although they were inferior in overall strength, they were able to capitalize on the geographical advantage thanks to the completed emergency repairs on the Rima City Colosseum.

Although they adopted a forest-based defensive strategy, which made the game less exciting, a win was still a win. Avand advanced to the World Cup final, a dream come true. However, they were very concerned about facing Irat in the final.

The Irat team included Jin, the formidable gladiator from Real Heroes, who won last year’s World League, as well as Zakid, King, and Hamilton, all with seasoned swordsmanship skills. Additionally, they had Shaila and Zelsomina, who knew the Gods Knights team inside and out, and Liza, a master of forest combat. No matter how much Avand based their combat in the forest, they wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

“Sigh~ I wonder if we can even win today…”

Beomseok, arriving at the Rima City Colosseum, sighed deeply as he looked at the hologram sign far above. It was a virtual banner from fans with slogans vowing to defeat the Irat team, which only added to his burden.

Then, Clark, who was walking ahead, heard his mutterings and turned around.

“Oh, Beomseok. How can you sigh already!”

“Then what am I supposed to do? There’s no way we can win. As you know, Coach, Shaila and Masis are in the second string. Isn’t that crazy?”

Shaila and Masis were W0-class gladiators who had recently ranked 38th and 40th in the world. The fact that they were placed in the second string was an indication of Irat’s overall strength. If it had been a head-on fight, Avand would likely have suffered three straight losses.

Clark knew this as well and didn’t deny it.

“That’s true. But if we base it in the forest, we might have a chance.”

“If only that were the case. But if you were the coach of the Irat team, would you charge into the forest? Frankly, if the Irat team is determined to win, our chances are slim.”

Beomseok was worried about Irat’s strategy of aiming for a draw. Liza could infiltrate the forest, but the chances of that were very low.

She couldn’t face Avand, led by him and Tiela, with her command alone. They would likely form a defensive line on the plains and hold out. Then a draw would ensue, and the outcome would be decided by a shootout.

“Are you worried about the shootout?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The gladiators they’ll send out include Zakid, King, Hamilton, Eurine, Asrai, or Hilde and Ilias instead of King and Hamilton. If I’m unlucky, I might have to face all five of them alone.”

Clark couldn’t argue with his point. Tiela was Avand’s strongest card besides Beomseok for the shootout.

She was currently an S-class gladiator, but she wasn’t yet familiar with flatland battles, so her away ranking was barely above 30th. In this situation, there was a possibility that Beomseok would have to face all five of them alone. Moreover, gladiators from Real Heroes, including Eurine, were very skilled with sword and shield, making them difficult to defeat, and King and Hamilton were seasoned and skilled swordsmen who were very effective in one-on-one matches.

If Beomseok had to face all of them alone, he would meet Zakid with extreme exhaustion. Although Beomseok was generally considered superior to Zakid in the gladiator world, it was not guaranteed that he could overcome this disadvantage and win.

“Well, that might be the case. But if you beat all five of them, you’ll become a gladiator remembered in history. Your name will surely be mentioned whenever there’s a shootout in the World Cup final for decades to come. Surely you know that, right?”

“Of course, but… I’ll be embarrassed if I lose.”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Zakid will keep bragging about today’s events, and how can I stand to see that?”

Clark, entering the Colosseum, waved his hand.

“Hey, do you think he’ll brag about winning in that situation?”

“Sigh~ He’s the type to brag. Zakid’s motto is ‘Losers have no words.'”

“Hehe. Really? Then just win.”

Beomseok glared at Clark and then shut his mouth. There was no point in talking; he had repeatedly emphasized that he was at a disadvantage, and hearing such words made him feel resentful.

“Okay. It’s just a waste of breath to talk, so let’s stop.”

Clark smiled at those words and entered the gladiator waiting room. Frankly, he wouldn’t have any regrets even if they lost today’s game.

They had succeeded in advancing to the World Cup finals, which was his dream, and had reached the finals beyond their goal of reaching the top four. Of course, it would be even better to win today and lift the trophy, but that could be put off for a while.

He judged that if Gods Knights continued to grow like this, they could aim for the championship in four years.

Perhaps that’s why Clark spent the one hour allotted for strategy coordination on rest and encouragement for the gladiators. Since Beomseok was better at forest combat than he was, there was no special advice to give, and since he had no intention of attacking if the Irat team defended, there was no need to check other strategic matters.

He predicted that today’s game would be even more boring than the previous one.

Wow! Wow!

The cheers of the 110,000 spectators filling the stadium were deafening as they entered the dugout. Beomseok and the Avand team gladiators had to awkwardly acknowledge the enthusiastic support of the home fans even as they stretched outside. Knowing how the game would unfold, they could only feel sorry for the fans’ support.

‘Tsk. Should I go out with a bow today?’

There was no free role today either. If they went out and got caught, it would be over, so Beomseok couldn’t move recklessly. Therefore, the most effective means of attack was sniping with a bow. If he was lucky enough to take down a few, he could immediately attack and win, so it was a worthwhile option to try.

But soon he looked at the sky and shook his head. Countless flocks of birds were perched on the wide-open ceiling, waiting for a chance, and numerous bird cameras were flying below.

‘Come on, there’s no need to catch innocent birds.’

Beomseok’s only weakness was his extremely poor accuracy with a bow. He could become somewhat proficient with effort, but he gave up long ago for the sake of nature conservation. Whenever he shot, it would miss far away, and then flying birds or other obstacles would come and get hit, making him feel incredibly embarrassed.

– Fans in the stadium. And viewers watching this game on TV at home. Hello? We will now begin the live broadcast of the match between Avand and the Irat team from the Rima City Colosseum. First, let me introduce the 19 gladiators from both teams who will be competing today. First, Avand, the home team…

As the announcer’s commentary began, Beomseok waved to the fans and entered the dugout through the entrance tunnel. He knew from experience that the game would start soon. He sighed deeply and finally checked the suit and equipment he would use today.

‘Okay. It’s better to wear a sword or katana.’

The use of long spears was forbidden in forest combat. Their long reach greatly hindered movement. So the weapon of choice should be short, and the most suitable ones seemed to be the Chinese sword and katana. The blade was less than 1 meter long, and he was familiar with them, making them suitable for both jungle and flatland combat.

He fiddled with the bundle of throwing knives next to him.

‘Should I take the throwing knives?’

Throwing knives were the only ranged weapon Beomseok could use, but they didn’t seem very effective in today’s game. They were slow, and the Irat gladiators he would face today were highly skilled, so he didn’t think they would be easily hit.

Of course, he could try to use them if he could launch a surprise attack, but he couldn’t take such a risk today. Unlike league matches, the World Cup game ends with the result of one game, so he couldn’t adopt adventurous strategies recklessly.

So he wore both the sword and katana on either side and waited for the game to begin.

– Both teams, please prepare to enter the arena.

Beomseok got up from his seat at the mention coming from the speaker. Clark, looking at him, seemed worried and said a word.

“Oh, Beomseok. Never leave the forest area. Got it?”

“Yes. Yes. I know that very well. Don’t worry.”

“Okay. Then I’ll leave the game entirely up to you.”

Beomseok pouted. That’s what he said, but Coach Clark had nothing to do today. Of course, there was a high probability that he wouldn’t have anything to do either.

Beomseok, who greeted lightly and turned around, went out to the entrance tunnel and lined everyone up. And soon, with the entrance signal, he moved his steps into the stadium.

“Avand! Never come out of the forest! Drag out the time and pressure the opponent like in the last game!”

“Yeah! Don’t come out and get hit, wait inside! Lure the Irat kids into the forest and then take them out!”

Beomseok frowned at the crowd’s shouts. They seemed to be sending such cheers to show off that they knew, but the reality was different. Unless they were willing to lose for the sake of the World Cup’s success, Irat would not think of entering the forest.

‘Tsk. They think today is like the semi-finals.’

The reason Avand won the semi-final game was largely because Arkan was not confident in winning the shootout. Amelie was skilled, but she didn’t have much chance of winning against Beomseok, who had recently improved his skills, and Bormia was attack-oriented, so he had no choice but to become his prey. And the gladiators who would participate in the remaining shootouts, including Madel, had almost the same skills as Avand’s main gladiators.

Of course, the coach there didn’t want to go to the shootout, so he was caught in a slight lure in the 4th round and had to accept defeat. But Irat had no reason to avoid the shootout because of Zakid’s existence.

‘Well. Everyone will know soon.’

Beomseok, who entered the forest in the center, soon went near the city. Then, a gladiator across the street waved his hand happily and shouted.

“Honey! I’m not going to let you off easy today, so be prepared!”

Judging from the voice, it was clearly Shaila. She had been placed in the second string in the previous games, but today she was somehow out as a main force.

Beomseok smiled bitterly and responded. They had agreed to meet as enemies today, but she was still a team member of Gods Knights and his lover.

“Oh. Do as you please! But if you want to get close, come into the forest! I can’t go out!”

“Phew. What’s the point of doing that! Can’t you come out?”

“Am I crazy! I know what will happen if I go out! Just pretend to be generous and bring all your colleagues into the forest.”

“Why would I do such a thing unless I’m crazy! I know I’ll be beaten by you!”

“Don’t do that, just come in once. Don’t be so disloyal!”

“I can’t. First of all, our team coach doesn’t allow it!”

Beomseok sighed and shook his head. Judging from her words, it seemed that Irat had no intention of carrying out a jungle battle.

“Tsk. Then there’s nothing I can do! See you later, Shaila!”

“Okay! I got it!”

As Shaila hid back into the forest, Beomseok drew his katana. Although the possibility was low, he intended to catch one or two people with an initial rush. Soon after, he jumped with all his might with his fellow teammates and crossed the city at the same time as the whistle sounded to announce the start of the game.

“Everyone, charge!”

Beomseok, who landed on the stream across the street, stomped hard and ran forward. It seemed that he could catch one in time. But before long, he stopped and swung his sword, deflecting the throwing knife flying towards his head. Liza, who was waiting behind, had launched a surprise attack.

“Sir! As long as I’m here, the initial attack will never succeed!”

Liza, who threw those words, moved to the flatland while riding a tree. No matter how good she was, she couldn’t face Beomseok in the forest, so she took refuge.

In the end, Beomseok, who had not achieved any results, stopped everyone.

“It seems that Irat has no intention of being easily defeated! There’s no need to overdo it, so stop the initial dash operation!”

Then Tiela approached Beomseok’s side.

“Master. Then are you going to go out as originally planned?”

“Well. It’s hard to say it’s a plan, but I guess I have to.”

“Okay. Then I’ll go and take my position.”

“Okay. Good job.”

Tiela immediately climbed the tree and looked at the gaps between the leaves and branches one by one. It was to find a straight line connecting this place and the Irat team formation that went to the flatland. The most suitable place for sniping was an area where she could aim at the opponent, but the opponent could not see her.

But this was not easy. Since the forest had been newly renovated recently, Tiela was not adapted to the shape and arrangement of the trees here.

============================ Author’s words ============================

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