Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 494

Under the MC’s guidance, the invited guests were engaged in lively discussions. Everyone had different opinions on the prospects for the upcoming World League tournament. While they all acknowledged God’s Knights as a strong contender, they also expressed confidence in their own teams’ abilities.

Amelie raised her voice, stating,

“Chaplin Whisper is still in the championship race. It’s only halfway through the season, and I’m confident we can catch up to God’s Knights in the second half.”

Bumseok immediately countered,

“But you’re already five points behind. God’s Knights currently have 57 points with an undefeated record, while you’ve already dropped five points. Isn’t that right?”

Amelie bit her lip. It was a fact she couldn’t deny.

Chaplin Whisper had drawn one match and lost one against God’s Knights and Forest Elves last season, leaving them with 52 points. This meant that even if they won all their matches in the second half, overtaking God’s Knights would be impossible unless the latter faltered and lost points.

However, a comeback wasn’t entirely out of the question.

“Bumseok, the difference between us is only five points. If you lose to us in the second half and draw or lose even one of the remaining 18 matches, the situation could easily reverse, don’t you think?”

Bumseok was also aware of this possibility. If Chaplin Whisper won all their matches in the second half, God’s Knights would face a significant threat. Even a single draw against another team could cost them the championship.

‘Tch. Fine, you think you’re so great.’

Currently, God’s Knights’ roster consisted of three S-class players, including Bumseok, eight W0-class players, eight W1-class players, six W2-class players, and five W3-class players. Their top-tier strength was undeniable, but their weakness lay in the comparative lack of strength among their substitute and reserve players.

Consequently, their performance in the 2nd and 4th rounds, where the second string played, suffered, and they lost several round wins.

The problem was that, with equal scores, the team that played fewer rounds that year had the advantage. If God’s Knights and Chaplin Whisper finished the season with the same score, as feared, the championship would slip through their fingers.

At that moment, Eurine, sitting next to Bumseok, chuckled and said,

“Both teams seem to have forgotten something. Undefeated? Championship? Aren’t those difficult words to say while overlooking our Real Heroes?”

Tension flickered in Amelie’s eyes, who had been so confident. Real Heroes currently had 49 points with 16 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.

Although they trailed the two teams by 8 and 3 points respectively, they were a formidable team capable of contending for the championship at any time. Moreover, their two losses in the first half of the season were against God’s Knights and Chaplin Whisper in away games.

In the second half, they would be hosting these teams at home, making the outcome uncertain.

“Hoh hoh. You seem to have forgotten a team you should remember. That’s right, our Forest Elves.”

The speaker was Lypris of the Forest Elves. Despite their recent poor performance making a championship bid difficult, they were not a team to be underestimated at home. Even with Tiela’s transfer, the Forest Elves had only lost at home to God’s Knights.

Eurine clicked her tongue, seemingly at a loss for words. There was no easy counter to the Forest Elves. Their forest-based ambush tactics were terrifying. The thought of visiting their home ground in the second half of the season made her uneasy.

“Khmph…”

At this point, Zakid snorted loudly and chimed in,

“And you mustn’t forget our Dark Hyenas. Because this Zakid is here.”

“The same goes for our Ancient Warriors. Although the situation isn’t favorable and we’re currently 4th in the league, a prestigious team doesn’t simply disappear. As early as the second half of this season, or at the latest next year, we’ll be strong championship contenders right before your eyes.”

Bumseok slowly nodded at Irolita’s statement.

“Well, I think it’s natural for Ancient Warriors to be able to do that since they’re a team with potential. And since Zakid might run away there to avoid his teacher soon, it’s even more dangerous.”

Zakid’s face paled at those words, and he jumped up from his seat. It was just a figure of speech, but he truly didn’t have the courage to escape his teacher’s grasp.

“Hey! What are you talking about! Why would I go to Ancient Warriors!”

“Oh. Then you weren’t saying you were going earlier?”

“Of course not! Can’t you even take a joke!”

Bumseok calmly nodded. That was a relief. Frankly, it would be just as threatening if he went to Ancient Warriors. It was better for him to stay with Dark Hyenas as he was. Regardless of the situation, there was a significant difference in the funds that the two teams could mobilize.

“Ah. I see. It was a joke. I understand.”

The expectant gazes of the audience instantly turned to disappointment. Zakid’s transfer to Ancient Warriors was a significant news story.

Karen moved on to the next agenda to divert the attention focused on Zakid and Bumseok.

“Okay. Then let’s hear each of your aspirations for the second half of the season. Lypris, can you start us off?”

Lypris began,

“I will work hard to help our team rise again as a championship contender. Our recent performance hasn’t been good, but we were a championship contender until recently. I believe it’s definitely possible if we combine our strength with our teammates.”

Next, Zakid said,

“I am always dedicated to becoming the strongest gladiator. Nothing more, nothing less. Well, if I had to say something else, it would be to help Dark Hyenas rise as a championship contender and to lift either the GA Cup [Gladiator Association Cup] or the League Cup.”

Karen nodded. What he mentioned in the latter part could be considered the ultimate goal of Dark Hyenas, who were currently in 5th place.

“I see. Then how about Irolita?”

Irolita straightened her chair and said,

“First of all, I will try to help the team win the championship. The goal of Ancient Warriors has always been to win the championship.”

Then Eurine stared at her with a relaxed gaze. Ancient Warriors winning the championship was a long shot. Currently, their team was in 4th place in the league, but their performance was lackluster with 13 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Compared to the performance of this year’s championship contenders, they were already considered far behind in the race.

“Is it really possible for Ancient Warriors to win the championship? Even with Prisika unnie [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend] moving to God’s Knights, and Rakami sunbaenim [term of respect for a senior] struggling with poor performance? It seems difficult with the current squad.”

Irolita glared at Eurine. Although she was on loan, Ancient Warriors was the gladiator team owned by her master’s grandfather. Disrespectful remarks were absolutely unacceptable.

“Huhu. I think the same goes for Real Heroes? The 1 draw and 2 losses you got in the first half will act as a considerable shackle in the second half.”

Eurine smiled leisurely and retorted. She had too much social experience to fall for the provocation of the young Irolita.

“That’s why it’s difficult for you. It’s difficult even if you don’t do your best with 1 draw and 2 losses, so what about you who have a shackle of 3 draws and 3 losses?”

“What did you say!”

As the atmosphere between the two became heated, Karen actively intervened. This program was a place to look ahead to the upcoming season, not a battleground.

“Both of you calm down. We need to hear from Bumseok and Amelie too. Amelie, can you tell us your aspirations now?”

Amelie answered immediately.

“Of course, it’s to help the team win the championship. In any case.”

Then Bumseok stepped forward as if he couldn’t be outdone.

“I also want to win the championship. That’s why I will never allow other teams to overtake us.”

Amelie immediately interjected.

“Is that really going to be easy?”

“It’s easy. Winning all the remaining games means winning the championship.”

“Huhu. That’s an answer overflowing with arrogance. God’s Knights will be meeting us and Real Heroes on away games in the second half of the season.”

“I clearly said I would win all the games, didn’t I?”

Amelie frowned. Fearing that the atmosphere would become heated again, Karen hastily threw a surprise question at Lypris.

“Lypris, how many years have you been working as a gladiator?”

She was taken aback because it wasn’t an expected question, but she answered calmly. There was no way she wouldn’t know how long she had been working as a gladiator.

“25 years.”

“That’s quite a long time.”

“Yes. I’ve been working as a gladiator right after graduating from elf school. But why are you asking this question?”

The smile on Karen’s lips faltered slightly. It was because she asked too strange a question in her haste. In fact, the question about age was rather awkward.

She coughed repeatedly and quickly blurted out an idea that suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Hmm. Then you know what it’s like to live as a gladiator, right?”

Lypris, looking thoughtful, stared at her intently. It was a heavy question that was difficult to answer.

“Well? I recognize it, but I don’t know how to explain it.”

“But you must have some feelings, right? It’s okay if the answer is a bit ambiguous, so please tell me.”

Lypris clicked her tongue and then began to express her thoughts.

“Hmm. If I had to say, it’s a process of repaying the cheers of the fans who are pouring in for me? For 25 years, I’ve been running only for the fans who support me.”

“Really? That’s good. Is there anything else?”

“And it can be said to be a process of introducing myself to the master I will meet in the future. I hope that my master will come out of our team’s fans.”

Karen nodded in satisfaction and looked at Eurine.

“Eurine, what do you think?”

“I have the same thoughts as Lypris.”

Karen clasped her hands together and looked at her. This kind of answer was not particularly insightful for broadcasting.

“But there must be another meaning that only you think of, right? Is there none?”

“Well, if so, there is one thing. It’s the process of training myself. I became stronger while fighting against competitors, winning and losing. While I’m a gladiator, I’ll be playing a lot of games, and this will be the foundation for my development.”

Karen, with a satisfied expression, looked at Irolita.

“Irolita, how about you?”

“It’s the same as everyone else. But one thing that’s different is that I’ve recently found a new meaning again. It’s my master. My master smiles happily every time I show success as a gladiator. And that smile is a great strength to me. From now on, my life as a gladiator will probably be that smile.”

Karen nodded and turned her gaze to Amelie this time. Her face was flushed red because she was having trouble answering, and she was turning her head away. It seemed like she wasn’t used to this kind of serious conversation.

“Amelie, what do you think?”

“Well, I can’t really define what it means to live as a gladiator.”

“Why is that? You’ve been living as a gladiator longer than anyone else. It seems like you would know better…?”

“That’s why it’s more of a problem. I’ve been living as a gladiator all my life, so it’s become my life. Living as a gladiator, I gained the greatest honor, and I met my current master with one retirement. Also, I didn’t let go of the whip and sword even during the 30-year hiatus, and by breaking through this and making a comeback, I met stronger opponents and lost the strongest position. It’s really hard to define all of this in one word.”

Karen smiled lightly and said,

“Living as a gladiator is Amelie’s life? That’s not a bad answer. Very good.”

“R, really?”

Karen, taking her eyes off Amelie, who was relieved, looked at Zakid, who was sitting silently with his arms crossed. Unexpectedly, good answers came out, so it was necessary to hear everyone’s answers.

“Zakid, how about you?”

“I can explain it simply. For me, living as a gladiator is the way to prove I’m the strongest swordsman. I have been fighting for this until now, and I will continue to do so in the future. So there is no need to say more.”

“Hoh hoh. That’s an answer without any hesitation. As expected of Zakid.”

“It’s not just an answer that’s like me. The life that one lives is, after all, that person’s life. It is natural to always define it and strive for it. The reason is simple. Because people who can’t do that can’t rise to the top…”

Surprised gazes and admiration were pouring out from all sides. No one expected such a sophisticated answer to come out of Zakid’s mouth.

They were now looking at Bumseok with serious eyes. He was the one who had risen to the top that Zakid was aiming for. They were really curious about what kind of answer would come out.

Karen, who paused for a moment, stared at him and said quietly,

“Bumseok, why do you live as a gladiator?”

Bumseok scratched his head as if he was burdened by everyone’s attention. He had a firm belief, but he was embarrassed to share it publicly.

“Khmm. Do I have to say it?”

“Yes. Of course. Everyone has said it, so you can’t get out of it.”

“This is difficult to say…”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m satisfied with an honest answer.”

Bumseok looked around and said,

“To put it simply, it’s women. If you gain great fame as a gladiator, you can gain popularity from many women, and with the money you earn, you can buy elves without regret, right?”

A moment of silence fell around him. His overly honest answer left everyone dumbfounded. Zakid, whose face turned red, charged at him, grabbed his collar, and shouted loudly, even though they were filming. He was furious that he had lost to someone with such a mindset.

In the end, the filming of the day ended with the confirmation of existing conflicts rather than any insightful prospects. But this may have been a natural outcome. There is only one top spot, but countless individuals vying for it, making competition inevitable.

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

Ah. It seems that there are many difficulties due to the Child Protection Act in many ways. I was spacing out, but after listening to the people on Joara’s side, it’s no joke. Some manga sites have been closed down, and it seems that considerable pressure is being applied to this field as well. It seems like everyone should be careful. Sigh~