Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 493

495

Winter had arrived. The streets of Senoside were completely white with snow that had fallen all morning.

The same was true in front of WBS Broadcasting Station. Unmanned vehicles scurried around, busily melting the snow piled on the streets. Amidst this, Beomseok and Zakid, dressed in full suits, were slowly walking.

It was a somewhat awkward attire, but it couldn’t be helped. They were heading to Studio 6 of WBS Broadcasting Station. Today, a broadcast program summarizing the first half of the World League was scheduled to be recorded there, and Beomseok and Zakid were the main guests.

Zakid looked at him and said,

“Beomseok, you didn’t appear on this program last year, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. I had some things to take care of.”

“Hey, no matter how busy you are, you should show your face at events like this. It’s an annual event during the holiday season; you could have made time.”

“Haha, you’re right. But I had some unavoidable circumstances.”

“What circumstances?”

“I didn’t have a good relationship with WBS Broadcasting Station. So, they didn’t invite me, and I didn’t have a reason to appear. That’s why today is my first time on this program.”

Since it was the first time he had heard this, Zakid’s eyes widened.

“Oh, that happened… Hmm. Well, the WBS Broadcasting Station guys did criticize you quite a bit. It was obvious.”

That’s right. It was obvious enough for even the oblivious Zakid to notice.

“Haha, yes, that’s right.”

“But you managed to come today. Did you reconcile with them in the meantime?”

“Haha, there’s no reconciliation or anything. I just ended up acquiring the broadcasting station with some acquaintances.”

“What! So this WBS Broadcasting Station is yours! You’re lying, aren’t you!”

Zakid was so surprised that he showed an almost hysterical reaction. He couldn’t believe that such a huge major broadcasting station belonged to him. To buy a broadcasting station, one needed not only a certain level of social capability but also a lot of money.

In response, Beomseok was startled and brought his index finger to his lips. The employees passing by were glancing at him. Although it wasn’t entirely wrong, it was embarrassing to say in front of others. It could be seen as flaunting his power, telling the employees to be subservient.

“It’s true, but please lower your voice, Mr. Zakid. Your booming voice is a problem. People get surprised.”

“Hmm, is that so? My voice is a bit loud. Anyway, this WBS Broadcasting Station is really yours?”

“Where does ‘mine’ or ‘yours’ exist in a corporation? I just own a lot of shares and exercise my rights as a major shareholder.”

“Oh, really? How much do you have?”

“It’s complicated to explain. Just know that I replaced the management with acquaintances.”

Beomseok cut off the details and only explained the conclusion. There was no point in explaining the details to Zakid, who wouldn’t understand. He knew nothing but swords.

“Really? That’s amazing…”

“No, it’s not that amazing. I bought it with acquaintances.”

Zakid nodded calmly and glanced at Beomseok.

“Hey, do you have money to recruit a good gladiator? You’re quite rich if you can buy a broadcasting station, aren’t you?”

“Ah, well, I have some. Is there any gladiator you’ve been eyeing?”

“Yeah, there’s an amazing gladiator.”

Beomseok’s eyes lit up. If Zakid vouched for them, it was certain that they were a great gladiator beyond just being useful.

“Who is it?”

“Yeah, an S-class gladiator; their skills are really amazing.”

Beomseok tilted his head and raised one eyebrow. No matter how he thought about it, there was no gladiator worth recruiting.

Most of them had been traded in the winter transfer market, so it was almost impossible for them to be sold again. Moreover, the teams that held S-class gladiators didn’t buy them because they weren’t on the market; if they were, they would have offered a lot of money to snatch them up.

Of course, there was one team that might be possible. Although the chances were low, it was a team that had experienced financial difficulties last winter, so it was worth considering.

“Perhaps, are you talking about Leafrees of the Forest Elves team?”

Leafrees was an outstanding gladiator currently ranked 6th in the world, so it would be worth trading for them if they came on the market. However, the problem was the price, which was too high, but it was a sacrifice worth making for an S-class gladiator.

However, contrary to his expectations, Zakid shook his head without hesitation.

“How can you compare them to someone like that? I wouldn’t recommend that kid to you.”

Then there wasn’t really a gladiator that came to mind. There was one, but he didn’t think it was them.

“Come on. Eurine wouldn’t come on the market, would she? Vice President Louis said before that he would never sell her.”

“Haha, it’s not that kid either. They are quite outstanding, but I can’t recommend that level.”

Beomseok grabbed Zakid’s shoulders and shook his head as if he had finally realized who it was. The only S-class gladiators above Eurine were himself, Prisika, Amelie, and Zakid. Beomseok wasn’t stupid enough not to know who he was referring to among them.

“Mr. Zakid, is life at Dark Hyenas that difficult?”

Zakid, looking distressed, nodded vigorously.

“Yes. Not only my mentor, Director Remrant, but also King and Hamilton are always bothering me. Moreover, another elder is about to join Dark Hyenas, and many elders from the kendo [Japanese martial art] world are planning to apply for the rookie draft next season. I don’t know if I’m going crazy. Sob.”

“Sigh~ I understand, but I’m really sorry. I have no intention of recruiting Mr. Zakid at all.”

“Why not!”

The reason was because he was a man. But since it was difficult to say, Beomseok made an excuse.

“Mr. Zakid is my rival. For my growth, you need to be on another team. Healthy competition helps me develop.”

“Hey! That’s not how it works! Just close your eyes and buy me. Please…”

Beomseok immediately retorted at his continued nagging.

“Isn’t it not up to me? Mr. Zakid, did you hear from Dark Hyenas that they are willing to sell you?”

“Well, not exactly… I was wondering if they would sell me if I offered a lot of transfer money…”

“So Dark Hyenas has no intention of selling you. Then let’s move on to the next problem. Would Remrant let Mr. Zakid go to our team?”

“Well, not exactly… If the team sells me, the director can’t do anything about it, right?”

“Well, that’s true. But isn’t it for Mr. Zakid’s sake that someone like Remrant is the director of the gladiator team? Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the director.”

It was obvious, so Zakid nodded. Remrant’s purpose was to monitor him. Otherwise, he would be resting at home and enjoying his retirement.

“Maybe that’s right.”

“Then let’s do this. Mr. Zakid, as well as Remrant, come as the director of our team. I can’t handle Mr. Zakid without Remrant.”

Zakid frowned. Then there was no reason for him to transfer to Gods Knights. His goal was clearly to escape his teacher’s embrace and live a free life.

“Hey! What about Diana! Even though she’s your elf, she’ll be very upset if she’s kicked out of the director position!”

“No. There’s no way an elf would do that. And even if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. In fact, I’m planning to create another gladiator team in the nearby area after this season. I can put her there.”

Well, he even said he would create another team and put her in the director’s seat, so what could he say? Zakid pouted.

“You’re being unfair. If you really want, I can negotiate with Chaplin Whisper.”

Beomseok chuckled. It would be very dangerous for Zakid to go there, but he could easily stop it. Through Director Vincent and Rebecca, he only needed to strongly recommend one director.

“Ah, go ahead. But before you go there, remember one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If Mr. Zakid goes there, there’s a high possibility that Remrant will become the director of the Chaplin Whisper team. Chaplin Whisper will need someone who can control Mr. Zakid.”

“Hey. Would that be so easy? Chaplin Whisper has Director Vincent!”

“Well, that’s the problem. Isn’t Director Vincent leaving the team this season? Of course, Chaplin Whisper would kneel and beg Remrant to come. He’s a talented director, he brings in veteran gladiators from the rookie draft, and he can control Mr. Zakid. What more could they want?”

Zakid frowned deeply and stomped his feet.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I heard it directly from Director Vincent himself.”

“Tch. Then there’s only Ancient Warriors left.”

That was better. Ancient Warriors had suffered a great shock from selling Prisika, who was like the team’s mark. Also, their ace, Rakami, had recently become old, and their team performance had plummeted. Certainly, even if Zakid went, there wouldn’t be much of a problem.

“That wouldn’t be bad. They’ve been getting a lot of complaints from fans because their performance hasn’t been good lately. Also, they made about 10 billion from selling Prisika, so they have a lot of money. They’ll probably welcome Zakid with open arms.”

“R, really?”

“Of course. It’s Mr. Zakid, after all.”

Zakid, who had some hope, smiled brightly, revealing his white teeth. Ancient Warriors was a prestigious team that wouldn’t tarnish his reputation, and a famous old man was sitting in the director’s seat, so it wouldn’t be easy to change.

“Okay. I’ll take your opinion into consideration.”

“Okay. Now that we’re done, let’s go in. We’ll be late for the recording.”

“Okay. Let’s go quickly.”

Soon, Beomseok dragged Zakid into the WBS headquarters building. Inside, two of his women were waiting. Karen and Natalie had been staying in Senoside, so he hadn’t seen them often, which was a shame.

“Okay. I guess this is it.”

When Beomseok opened the door and entered, the entire view of Studio 6 came into view. It wasn’t as large as a large studio that hosts music programs, but about 10 people could sit at the round table in the center, and there was enough space to secure about 50 seats in the audience, so it didn’t seem too cramped.

Zakid looked around and said bluntly.

“Everyone’s here. It seems we’re the latest.”

Inside the studio, Irolita, who came as the representative of Ancient Warriors, Eurine, who represents Real Heroes, Leafrees of Forest Elves, and Amelie were already there. Including themselves, the key gladiators of the gladiator teams that dominate the World League were all gathered.

“That’s right. It’s going to be quite a debate today.”

“That’s right. And you’ll be at the center of it. Gods Knights is currently the number one team in the league.”

“Why? Are you jealous?”

It would be a lie if he wasn’t jealous. As long as Zakid was living as a gladiator, he wanted to lift the championship trophy at least once. And he thought he was qualified enough in terms of skill.

“Haha. That’s right. But my team is so weak that I can’t even dream of it now.”

“But it will be possible soon. King and Hamilton will also grow physically, and if people from the kendo [Japanese martial art] world continue to enter through the rookie draft, Dark Hyenas will have the ability to join the championship ranks. But time is the problem.”

“No. The bigger problem is that those guys are bothering me.”

Beomseok patted Zakid on the back with a calm expression at the sudden tangent.

“Okay. Stop it and let’s go now. They’re eagerly waiting for us.”

“Well. Let’s do that.”

As Beomseok and Zakid went down, Karen greeted them with a bright smile. She was one of the main MCs today. After Natalie became the president, she was almost exclusively appearing on WBS broadcasts.

“Oppa. Did you have a hard time coming?”

“What hard time… It’s a program you’re appearing on, so I have to rush over. What’s the point of having a lover? I have to help at times like this.”

“Hahaha. I guess that’s true. Then you should come this way because you need to put on makeup. Your skin needs to be clear for the photos to look good.”

Then Zakid pointed at himself with his finger.

“Then what about me?”

Karen looked at his face carefully and tilted her head. It seemed better for him to stay as he was to bring out his wild charm. If she put on makeup, even if the powder got on his beard, it would ruin the video.

“Mr. Zakid, it’s better to just take pictures of you as you are.”

“Why not?”

“Because your original appearance is so good that it would be ugly if artificial beauty was added.”

Zakid nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Well. My appearance is perfect. I understand.”

Karen, who chuckled, led Beomseok by the wrist to the dressing room. And she urged the professional coordinator in the broadcasting station to decorate him well. Since she was a man, it was only natural that she wanted him to look good to others.

After a while, Beomseok, who came out as a handsome man from an ordinary family, scratched his head awkwardly. He had appeared on broadcasts several times, but he had never put on such heavy makeup as today. He sat right next to the MC seat and waited for the filming to begin.

And after nearly 100 part-time audience members came in and filled the audience seats, the camera began to roll.

============================ Author’s Comments ============================

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