Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 103

After a brief pause, Lucas made a request.

“So, we’re planning to hold a temporary vote by addressing the current Avand Association President’s corruption. Can you lend us your support?”

“What kind of corruption are you talking about?”

“Upon investigation, we’ve discovered circumstances of misappropriation of association funds. It seems that the funds were transferred to Chairman Ibrahim’s side. If we bring up that issue, the fight will escalate, so we’ll initially frame it as personal corruption.”

Vincent wore a deeply displeased expression. He was upset that even after all that had happened, the president had misappropriated association funds and offered them to Ibrahim. He couldn’t possibly condone it.

However, as a coach, he had limitations. In this setting, the coach was merely a figurehead and didn’t possess real power. The one who could exercise authority in the association vote was the team leader, who could be considered the team’s representative.

“But, I don’t have much power. Even if I wanted to help, I don’t have any special authority. I can’t vote, and I don’t have the right to step forward and argue in this setting.”

“It’s alright. Coach Vincent, just being by our side and showing agreement will be a great help.”

“Is that so? I can gladly do that much.”

Lucas smiled. Coach Vincent was a celebrity in this area, so the mere fact that he expressed agreement would provide significant justification. However, team-level support would be even more effective. The Dragon Knights were the first Central League team in the Avand region since the inception of professional gladiatorial matches. As such, their influence in this area was considerable.

“By the way, did the chairman and team leader of the Dragon Knights not come?”

“Ah, yes. They won’t be coming. The chairman is managing a separate business, so he doesn’t pay much attention to the team. The team leader is his second son, but he’s unable to attend due to the Highreen Central League team leader meeting today.”

“Is that so? What exactly does the chairman do?”

“He manages a large-scale transportation business called Dragon Transportation. Why are you asking about that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just curious.”

Lucas waved his hand dismissively, wearing a triumphant expression. *If he was in the transportation business, he could entrust him with the transportation of ingredients for the pizza franchise that would start this year, or hand over transportation work for other Black Society members to seek cooperation. Or, it would be better to bring them over to their side and utilize them for a long time.*

– Now, we will begin the Avand region professional team opening celebration for the years 51/52. We invite everyone in the venue to enjoy the prepared food and have a good time.

Immediately after the host’s announcement, a trio of classical musicians who had been waiting began to play. Along with the music spreading throughout the venue, elf hoteliers who had been waiting simultaneously entered, pushing silver carts filled with food and placing them neatly on the round tables.

A time for joyful celebration. If it were any other time, there would have been cheerful chatter about eating, drinking, and predicting this year’s league matches, but today, an extreme tension filled the venue. Knowing roughly what was about to happen, no one could properly swallow their food.

At that moment, a figure sitting on the left side began to approach Beomseok’s table. He had brown hair and a slender build, and Beomseok knew him very well.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable, he repeatedly cleared his throat. *Would this be how it feels if someone was defecating next to you while you were eating?* Beomseok sighed deeply, put down his spoon, and began to glare sharply.

“Long time no see. How does it feel for a country bumpkin to come up to the pros and play?”

Beomseok immediately retorted at the sarcastic tone.

“Hehe. Don’t you know that very well? That’s why you’re here today without the qualifications, drinking the soup before the rice cake is even offered [a Korean idiom for trying to reap benefits before you’re entitled to them]. Isn’t that right?”

Sensing that the atmosphere was unusual, Coach Vincent cautiously asked.

“Beomseok, who is this?”

“Yes, this is Julian, the leader of the Great Hyenas. We defeated them in the quarterfinals during the last promotion tournament, and they’re currently in the amateur league. For your information, this is the guy who told Emma to leave the team.”

At Beomseok’s tattling, Vincent glared at Julian with a murderous look. He was dumbfounded that such a young punk was the mastermind behind meddling in the management of another team’s gladiators and even manipulating the association.

Moreover, he had heard that the Great Hyenas had been relegated to the amateur league last spring, even though they had been in the Avand Area League until last year. Only professional team officials were eligible to attend today’s opening celebration banquet. As an amateur team leader, he was excluded from today’s participants.

Vincent lowered his tone and spoke politely.

“Why did the leader of an amateur team come to today’s opening celebration?”

“I came as a special guest. As you know, our Great Hyenas team has been active in the Avand Area League until last year. I think I’m qualified enough.”

Vincent snorted loudly. If that were the case, most of the semi-pro teams in the amateur league would have come to this event today.

“You’re someone who can’t distinguish between where to butt in and where not to. I don’t know if you know, but there are two other teams that were relegated with your team last year, and three teams that were relegated this year. Why couldn’t they come to this event if what you say is true? A young punk like you is so immature and full of privilege… Tsk, tsk. How did the Avand Professional Gladiator Association become so corrupt? Pathetic. Pathetic.”

Julian’s face turned red, and his body trembled. He was furious at his mockery, but he had no words to say because he was arguing with a plausible justification. As he said, there were countless teams in the amateur league that had a history of playing professionally.

However, he couldn’t back down like this. He had to somehow bring Coach Vincent, who was highly respected in the Avand gladiator community, into his line. With the Black Society guys provoking him in earnest, the fight would become difficult if even his connections were pushed back.

He had to escort him out of this place with the utmost courtesy.

“B-but, we have five wide league-level gladiators and the rest are filled with skilled players who can play as starters in this Area League. I expect that we have enough power to compete for the championship in this Avand Area League. The situation is completely different from other relegated teams.”

“So? Why didn’t you come up this year with that kind of power? You’re still young, so you don’t know, but pros speak with results. No matter how great your power is, if you don’t rank above 17th, you’ll be relegated, and no matter how lousy your power is, if you win the league and pass the promotion tournament, you’ll be promoted right away. With that kind of power, you’re saying you can win in the professional league after falling in the amateur promotion tournament? I’d be too ashamed to say anything if I were you.”

Julian was just fidgeting with his hands as if he had nothing to say. Indeed, as he said, pros speak with results.

“Um, Coach Vincent. I’m not trying to argue with you. I’m just…”

Just as he was about to say what he wanted, Julian’s head snapped towards Beomseok. All he had done was turn on the TV news screen, but the message coming from there was very serious.

– In today’s opening match, some gladiators from the Dark Hyenas team, who won against the Heldriers team with a score of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, were found to have taken drugs, which is expected to cause a major stir in the World League. As a result, the Dark Hyenas team is expected not only to record a loss in today’s game but also to receive additional penalty points…

The Dark Hyenas team was a gladiator team that happened to advance to the World League three years ago and became the face of the Hyenas Group. The mere fact that they owned a World League team, of which there were only 20 teams in the world, greatly increased the company’s awareness, and they spared no investment even at the cost of huge bleeding in order to keep them in the World League, and they were barely able to keep them in the league until now.

However, a drug scandal broke out in the Dark Hyenas team, which was like a precious gem. It was something that would be forgotten among fans over time, but the drop in points was a huge shock. The fact that they had to start with -3 points immediately after the opening game, when they were already hovering at the bottom, was bound to put a strain on the team.

He hurriedly opened his electronic notebook and began watching TV news.

– The gladiators who were found to have taken drugs were identified as Ulis, Endra, and Jermiah. In response, the authorities have decided to launch an investigation to determine whether there was systematic drug use encouragement at the team level.

Julian’s expression turned pale. Three people, not just one, were caught, so there was no way to deny it. If he was wrong, the negative points could increase even more if intentionality was recognized. The -3 point penalty was just a routine penalty, but a bigger penalty could be given depending on the situation.

He repeated the names Ulis and Endra, expressing his anger. They were all elves with owners, and it seemed that they had taken drugs in order to please their owners by getting on the starting lineup.

‘That’s why you shouldn’t use elves with owners! They’ll do anything to please their owners! But why did Jermiah take drugs too! I’m going crazy!’

Julian quickly closed his electronic notebook and turned around. He didn’t have time to worry about this small Avand area situation right now. He had to ask his friends from all walks of life for help and cooperate to overcome this crisis. If the Dark Hyenas were relegated due to this incident, the company would be greatly damaged. He hurriedly left the banquet hall.

Beomseok, who watched this with a satisfied expression, whispered to Lucas.

“Three people were caught.”

“I know, right. It’s like catching a big fish in preparation for catching a gudgeon [catching something big while aiming for something small].”

“Perhaps they conducted drug tests on the entire team when Jermiah was caught.”

“That’s probably it. That’s the rule.”

“Still, it won’t be harmful to us, right?”

“It’s good, there’s no reason for it to be a problem. Thanks to you, we’ll be less suspicious of Jermiah.”

Coach Vincent looked at their whispers with a puzzled look.

“What are you talking about right now?”

Beomseok immediately waved his hand. This case was a confidential matter known only to the Black Society and himself, and there was no need to inform Vincent. Well, there was something to do with casting a vote, but Esther, the team leader’s agent, could do that much.

“Esther, stay here and express your agreement if Lucas needs a vote. I have something else to do.”

“Ah, yes. But what’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s nothing special, I’m just going to meet Gloria and say hello since I came here.”

“Yes, I understand. Then have a good trip.”

After getting Vincent’s permission, Beomseok left the room. Then, he found out the location of Gloria’s office from a male hotel employee in a tailcoat who was passing by in the hallway, and went to the front.

“Is this it?”

It was already late at night, and the dark sky was spreading outside the windows. Some of the offices were dark, and it was difficult to find passing office workers. Worried that Gloria might have left work, Beomseok knocked on the door of the president’s secretariat.

“Come in.”

At the voice of a beautiful woman, Beomseok carefully opened the door and entered. There were several female secretaries working inside, and they were slightly getting up from their seats when they saw him.

He looked at the door with the nameplate that said President’s Office on the front and asked quietly.

“Is President Gloria here?”

“Yes, she’s inside. But who are you?”

The secretaries were looking very wary. It had only been a little over a month since Gloria was taken hostage by a violent elf during an external inspection. Naturally, they had no choice but to react sensitively to strangers.

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

Ah. Maybe it’s because the weather has gotten chilly, but I’ve had a cold and stomachache since yesterday, so I’m not feeling well. I think I should just write a little bit today and get some rest.

Then everyone, be careful of the changing season weather. I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.