Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 119

It was late morning, and sleet, driven by strong winds, stung their skin. Beom-seok, Rapine, and Oscar exited the flying car and headed toward the training camp, a vast stadium stretching before them.

‘The Avend National Fencing Team training camp, huh.’

Beom-seok, gazing at the nameplate beside the large iron gate, wore a broad, pleased smile.

National team call-up. The thought of having to bust his butt during this winter vacation was annoying, but the fact that they were becoming national fencers was incredibly encouraging. Although they had to pass today’s evaluation to make it into the final 38, success would brand them as Gods Knights to the locals, significantly boosting their reputation. This would naturally increase their fanbase and, in turn, their income.

‘The matches they’ll be participating in this time are the World Cup 3rd preliminary round, right?’

The national team matches held during this winter vacation were the 3rd preliminary round for the World Cup. To advance to the World Cup finals, which consisted of 32 teams, they had to pass a total of 4 preliminary rounds, and these matches were in the middle of that process. The problem was that in Avend fencing history, there had never been a case of passing this 3rd round. Among the 128 regional government representative fencing teams participating in this preliminary round, it was like picking a star from the sky for the Avend region, which didn’t even have a Central League team, to pass. However, this year, local fans had high expectations because Dragon Knights had risen to the Central League, making the fencer base very strong.

Still, making it to the final preliminary round with 64 teams was extremely difficult. It was a hope that required a lot of luck to follow.

‘Hehehe. But the very fact that I became a national team fencer means that Avend has been lucky.’

Beom-seok was full of confidence right now. He had no doubt that he could break through the competition of 60 people summoned today and secure a spot in the starting lineup. The swordsmanship he had accumulated over hundreds of years of gaming in virtual time wouldn’t just disappear.

His slightly lacking physical abilities were a concern, but he had trained enough during the last summer vacation and fall season, so he had improved a lot. With this in mind, he opened his information window to check the details.

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Name: Oh Beom-seok.

Category: Modified Human (1 year).

Affiliation: Gods Knights GC.

Fame: 4410.

Notoriety: 0.

Stamina: 6243/6500.

Sociability: 70, Strength: 67, Constitution: 65.

Agility: 93, Balance: 77, Intelligence: 55.

Mental Strength: 61. Judgment: 77, Skill: 49.

Luck: 66.

Current Skill/Potential: 680/1000.

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Trait: Great Will.

Special Notes: Chairman and main fencer of Gods Knights. Currently on his way to the national team training camp after being called up to the Avend national team.

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‘Hehe. I’ve grown quite a bit.’

With half a year of effort, Beom-seok’s stats had risen noticeably compared to before. His mental abilities had also improved quite a bit, and his physical abilities, except for agility, showed a significant difference from before. In particular, his constitution stat, which he had put so much effort into, had increased by 10, largely resolving his chronic stamina issues. This was all thanks to the massive initial investment in expanding training facilities and the game setting that stats increase well in the early stages. Now, he could unleash physical abilities comparable to any Wide League-level fencer when using ‘Great Will.’

That’s why Beom-seok had high expectations for this national team participation. With his physical abilities somewhat supporting him, the pressure he felt when facing Central League-level fencers had greatly reduced compared to before.

“Alright. Let’s go in.”

As Beom-seok, Rapine, and Oscar entered the training camp, an elf guard came out and blocked their path. After presenting the national team call-up message and identification, they received permission to enter. Then, they boarded a driverless electric car that was waiting and headed to the office where the staff was working. Now that they were here, they needed to at least greet the coach.

“Okay. Let’s go up now. The coach’s office is on the 3rd floor.”

After checking the sign and confirming that the coach’s office was on the 3rd floor, Beom-seok nervously stepped onto the escalator. He was curious about what kind of person the national team coach would be. He roughly knew his name and tendencies through news articles, but you never knew a person until you saw them in person.

At this moment, Oscar looked at him with a worried face.

“But Master, I heard our national team coach is quite difficult. Will we be okay?”

The person in charge of the Avend national team was a man named Clark. Based on what he had seen on the news and TV, he seemed to have a very cold and self-centered way of thinking. For example, there was a famous fencer from Dragon Knights who was excluded from this national team call-up because he was late for training due to his master. He said that no one who disrupts the team atmosphere could play as a national team fencer. Still, his abilities as a coach were quite good, and he was achieving relatively outstanding results with the Avend region fencers, who had a bad squad.

Beom-seok soon took out his electronic notepad and looked at the simple screen. The current time was exactly 9 o’clock. There was still an hour left until the national team assembly time of 10 o’clock.

“Well, if we came this early, there shouldn’t be much to complain about. Still, everyone, greet the coach politely and never do anything unnecessary.”

“Yes, Master.”

After hearing Oscar and Rapine’s answers, Beom-seok stood in front of the coach’s office door along the long corridor. After taking a deep breath, he lightly clenched his fist and knocked.

Knock knock knock.

– Come in.

At a man’s dry voice, Beom-seok turned the doorknob and opened the door.

“Hello, Coach.”

The person sitting at the desk and working was none other than Clark. Perhaps because he had undergone physical modification surgery, he had the appearance of someone in their 30s, and his short-cut brown hair was very impressive.

Even though Beom-seok had entered, he didn’t even make eye contact and continued to organize the displayed information.

“Who is it?”

“I’m Oh Beom-seok, here to participate in today’s national fencer evaluation. And Oscar and Rapine from our Gods Knights team are here too.”

“Is that so? You came early, even though there’s still an hour left until the assembly time. But what’s the matter?”

“There’s no special reason. I just came to say hello.”

Clark finally put down the hologram display and looked at him.

“You’re doing unnecessary things. National team fencers should express their inherent skills and willingness to serve the local community through sincere actions. This kind of formality is not needed at all.”

At the coach’s cold voice, Beom-seok was taken aback. This was not a normal person as expected. He carefully entered the coach’s office with Oscar and Rapine, whom he had brought with him. Then, he poked their waists, urging them to greet him.

“Ah, hello. I’m Oscar, playing as the vanguard in the Gods Knights team. I’m currently on loan to Dragon Knights.”

“I’m Rapine. I’m in charge of the free-roll [a flexible role in fencing] and vanguard positions, and like Oscar, I’m on loan to Dragon Knights.”

Clark, nodding slowly, looked at them.

“I know you well from watching your match videos. You’re quite good. I believe you’ll be able to do your part if you join the national team.”

“T, thank you.”

Clark focused his gaze on Oscar, who was somewhat relieved.

“But Oscar, you have great physicals that even I admire, but your swordsmanship is very poor. It seems to be getting better little by little, but it’s still too much to play as a starter. You’ll probably be playing as a substitute in this 3rd World Cup preliminary round.”

Oscar, who suddenly felt awkward, nodded. Usually, she would have made a fuss about being ignored, but since she had already experienced the Central League on loan to Dragon Knights, she deeply realized it. While playing as a substitute and being active, her lack of swordsmanship often led to her being easily defeated by opposing team fencers and falling into a state of incapacitation.

“Yes, I know. So I’m working on it now.”

“Okay. That’s a great mindset. If you grow well, you will surely become a great fencer who will brighten Avend in the future. So keep up the good work.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Clark turned his head to Rapine this time.

“Rapine, you are an excellent fencer with no flaws in physicals and swordsmanship. But your understanding of positions is too lacking. Considering that fencing matches are team events, it’s difficult to use you as a main force. I’ll use you as a substitute and replacement resource, so keep that in mind.”

“Ah……. Yes, I understand.”

“However, if you improve your understanding of positions this year, you can be hired as a starter from next year. So work hard.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Clark, nodding, looked at the two of them and said.

“And you two, drop out of today’s evaluation.”

Oscar and Rapine, who couldn’t understand the meaning, tilted their heads. The 60 people who gathered today were supposed to perform designated tests and be tested for their suitability as national team fencers. Being told to skip this test could be interpreted as being eliminated from the national team fencers.

At this, Beom-seok stepped forward with a bewildered expression.

“Coach. What do you mean? Are you saying that our Rapine and Oscar can’t become national team fencers?”

Clark immediately retorted.

“It’s the opposite. These kids have proven their skills by playing in the Central League. The national team match starts in a week, so there’s no need to waste stamina on unnecessary tests. It’s better to do organizational training during that time.”

“So, are you saying that they’ve already been selected as national team fencers?”

“That’s right. Like these kids, a significant number of Dragon Knights fencers and some fencers who have been very active in the Wide League have been exempted from the test. Today’s test is just a petty competition to fill the missing numbers of national team fencers.”

Beom-seok felt a little uneasy at those words. It was fortunate that Oscar and Rapine had definitely been selected as national team fencers, but there was no clear mention of himself. He felt uneasy thinking that he might have to take that petty competition test if he made a mistake. Until now, he had taken it for granted, so it didn’t matter, but judging from the way the coach was talking, the fencers taking the test were being treated as complete losers.

“Wait. Do I have to take the test too?”

“No. You’re also exempt from the test.”

As expected, Beom-seok had a bright expression. After all, he was selected as one of the five promising prospects in the world of fencing by WBS broadcasting company, and he had been so active that there was no way he would be treated as a loser.

“Thank you. I will work hard in the future.”

“Okay. Work hard.”

“Yes, I understand. Then where should we go?”

At those words, Clark replied bluntly.

“Since you don’t need to take the test, there’s no need to go to the training stadium. Oscar and Rapine have a separate national team meeting, so go to Conference Room 1. But Oh Beom-seok, you go to the physical training room and focus on physical training until there is a special mention.”

Beom-seok, feeling strange, tilted his head. He was relatively lacking in physicals compared to other fencers, but it was a bit strange to have a separate meeting and be told to go to the physical training room alone and exercise.

“No. Why am I the only one going to the physical training room?”

“Are you just going to come to the national team training camp with good facilities and just play around and leave? It’s better to do the physical training that you lack.”

“Wait a minute. What are you talking about, saying I’m playing around?”

“It’s simple. It means you have nothing to do on the national team.”

Beom-seok, with wide eyes, carved thick veins into his forehead. Clark’s words implied that he would not let him participate in the game.

“Wait. So, am I just a surplus resource on the national team?”

“No. You are a rotten apple that needs to be uprooted from the national team. A surplus resource? That’s a very generous position.”

Beom-seok quickly walked over and shot a sharp gaze at the coach’s face.

“Are you kidding me right now? Then why did you call me as a national team fencer?”

“That’s what I want to ask. Why did you make me have no choice but to select you as a national team fencer?”

Beom-seok, with a dumbfounded expression at the absurd words, raised his voice and asked.

“No, what are you talking about? What did I do to make you do this?”

Clark clasped his hands together and placed them on the desk.

“To be honest, I had no intention of calling you to the national team. Your swordsmanship seemed quite good, but your behavior was completely wrong. There is an experienced and excellent captain fencer named Eripena in the team, but it was very funny to see a greenhorn who had only experienced 1-2 years of fencing games dominating the team just because he was the owner. So, I asked a senior coach I knew who was playing a throwaway game [an intentionally lost game] against Gods Knights for a favor. I asked him to play the game according to my strategy. I thought that maybe he would show excellent game management skills as well as his skills. But the test results were terrible. The mighty force was on the verge of defeat against a pro who had barely escaped semi-pro skills.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you remember the GA Cup 6th match against Natural Fairies?”

That was the match where Gods Knights won with a round score of 3 to 0. In the 2nd round, they were attacked by an accidental suicidal tackle and were on the verge of defeat, but they barely managed to recover and eventually led to victory.

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

Ah, Park Joo-young is strange. He scores goals and plays well in the national team. But when he returns to his team, he always struggles…….

Anyway, everyone have a good weekend. I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.