Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 162

It was around noon, the sun at its zenith, a brilliant time of day. Beom-seok, finished with his morning training, headed to the cafeteria, lost in thought as he held his steel tray. The line in front of him was empty, and the elf gladiators behind him were rushing to grab their ham steak and bread, the day’s menu, but he didn’t notice, standing there blankly.

The Rainbow Group’s crisis. And Gloria, heavily pregnant, going from bank to bank, kneeling and pleading. All of this weighed heavily on his heart, yet he felt helpless. They had scraped together 1.1 billion Krang [fictional currency] at great sacrifice, but that was only enough to last a month. Moreover, Gloria, anticipating the company’s failure, refused to accept the money and was trying to overcome this crisis alone.

“Master, the front of the line is empty.”

At Raymi’s words, Beom-seok turned his head and looked back. The line that had been long until just now was now empty, with only his elves standing there. He hurriedly walked forward, picked up only salad and fruit, and walked to an empty table in the distance. He had no appetite at all; the bread and steak wouldn’t go down.

Raymi, who had followed him most quickly, sat next to Beom-seok, wearing a somewhat anxious expression. They had to undergo intense training in the afternoon, but their master had chosen such a meager meal, so she couldn’t help but worry.

“Master, is that enough for you?”

Beom-seok, who had picked up an apple and then put it back down, said with a bitter expression.

“It’s okay. I just don’t have an appetite, so don’t worry too much.”

Still worried, Raymi nodded slowly. She, who was always with him, couldn’t possibly not know what was happening to Beom-seok these days.

“Yes, I understand. But you must have a hearty dinner. I’ll make bulgogi [Korean marinated beef], which you like.”

“No. I have somewhere to go this afternoon, so it’ll be difficult.”

“Where are you going?”

“Hmm. Serie City.”

He answered briefly, then put his hand inside his pocket and fiddled with something. It was a business card made of paper, which was rare in this world, given to him by Wilkins, the chairman of Wilkins Financial Group, whom he had met in Osaha. Beom-seok was planning to go to Serie City, where Wilkins Financial Group’s headquarters were located, with Lexter as soon as he finished his meal.

‘But will that old man really lend me that much money?’

Beom-seok’s connection with Chairman Wilkins was just one outdoor meal and a phone call when he borrowed 80 million Krang needed to build the training camp. It felt awkward to visit him on the pretext of such a flimsy relationship and ask for a large sum of money. Moreover, when he had talked to him, Wilkins seemed like a very calculating person who showed a cold side when it came to money. He doubted whether he would take the risk of antagonizing a giant financial company like LHN [Likely a powerful corporation in this world].

‘I have no choice. He’s the only person I can rely on right now.’

Beom-seok picked up the apple again, chewed it, and forced it down his throat. Serie City was far away, so he had to finish his meal quickly and leave. The appointment was at 3 p.m., so even with Aaron [presumably a vehicle or mode of transport], he wouldn’t have much time to spare.

After eating all the apple, he scooped up the salad with a spoon and then got up from his seat.

“Then I’ll be going. Carry out the afternoon training diligently.”

Beom-seok, who had left the cafeteria, headed to the parking lot in the training camp where Aaron was. He looked around, checking the time, as if waiting for someone. Soon, Lexter hurriedly got out of a flying car that flew in quickly and ran to him.

“Beom-seok, did you wait long?”

“No, sir. Please, come inside.”

Beom-seok and Lexter, who had boarded Aaron, continued their conversation while sitting side by side.

“But, what about Gloria?”

“I didn’t contact Gloria.”

Lexter looked puzzled. Wilkins, whom they were visiting today, was the chairman of Wilkins Financial Group, which ranked second in the global financial sector, and was a creditor who owned 12% of Rainbow Group’s bonds. If he wanted to help, Rainbow Group could be revived, so he wondered why he didn’t take Gloria with him. Without the person in charge, it could be seen as a careless visit.

“Why? If Gloria isn’t there, won’t they think we’re not serious about this?”

“It doesn’t matter. Chairman Wilkins is not the kind of person who readily gives money just because the other party is desperate. Today’s meeting was only arranged because he agreed to be a sub-sponsor for three years for free. And that’s only for 10 minutes.”

Lexter’s eyes widened. To become a sponsor of a professional gladiator team for three years would cost at least millions of Krang. To secure such money with a 10-minute conversation, he was quite worried about Chairman Wilkins’s calculating nature.

“Hey. You said you had a meal with him before? Isn’t that too much to ask of someone you’re friendly with?”

“That’s just his personality. And the meal was just eating lunch boxes together.”

“Hey. That’s even scarier. No matter how fancy a restaurant you eat at together, how can it be the same as eating lunch boxes together in a park with someone you get along with?”

He seemed to think so, but Beom-seok immediately shook his head.

“Of course, it’s different, but Chairman Wilkins doesn’t distinguish between personal relationships and business when it comes to money.”

“Really? That means he’s a very inflexible person.”

“Well, all stubborn old men are like that.”

“By the way, I’m still worried about not going with Gloria. Even if what you say is true, it’s better than not having her there at all.”

“That’s true, but I don’t want to see Gloria disappointed again. I 괜히 [unnecessarily] put her hopes up before, and now I’m too sorry to show my face.”

Lexter leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

“You mean the Black Society incident?”

Beom-seok, who had closed his mouth, turned his head as if embarrassed.

“Well, yeah. That’s right.”

“Anyway, you’re amazing. You have connections with such big shots. I used to brag about how well-connected I was, but after hearing that, I’ve been keeping my mouth shut these days. I’m too embarrassed.”

“What’s the point? It’s not helpful.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. LHN has decided to take action, so it must be uncomfortable for them too.”

Beom-seok, who was silently looking out the window, wore an unpleasant expression. He understood, but he felt a little disappointed that the Black Society was backing down when he really needed them.

“Still, that’s too much. How much have I done for them? I feel a little bad that they’re backing out just because the situation isn’t good.”

“Well, they said they would cooperate in smuggling internal cash assets out, right? That’s quite a bit of attention. Actually, now that we’re talking about it, I don’t understand Gloria at all. She should just close the company that’s going to fail anyway and prepare a nest egg for the future, but why won’t she do that?”

“Hmm. There must be various reasons. She’s worried about the employees who followed her, and it’s a company she’s built with her youth, so it must be a shame to close it down in vain. And she may have felt a pang of conscience because setting up a nest egg is unethical and illegal.”

Lexter immediately snorted and said.

“Hmph. A pang of conscience? Is this the time to feel that? Frankly speaking, if Rainbow Group collapses now, the creditors will make a lot of money through debt liquidation. They’ll take over those many buildings, hotels, and officetels [office hotels, a type of mixed-use building] at almost half price. But you’re going to put even the cash assets they have into their mouths? I wouldn’t be able to do that even if I felt wronged.”

“But the funds remaining after repaying the debt through auction are supposed to go back to the shareholders, right? Then Gloria, who owns a considerable number of shares, can get quite a bit too.”

“Hmph. Do you think the creditors will allow that? There have been hardly any cases where the assets of a bankrupt company have been sold by the creditors and the funds have gone back to the shareholders. Especially this time. It’s too obvious that they’ll use tricks to steal everything in the middle. Why do you think the creditors are colluding and playing Go-Stop [a Korean card game often associated with gambling] now? Isn’t it practically because of money? Money!”

Listening to him, it made sense. LHN would have to pay a price to move other banks. Rainbow Group’s assets may have been included in that.

“I guess that’s true.”

“What do you mean, ‘I guess that’s true’! If you know, you should persuade Gloria! Frankly, I think it’s better to persuade Gloria to do as the Black Society says than to meet with Chairman Wilkins.”

“Why?”

“Why! Wilkins Bank has 12% of Rainbow Group’s bonds. There’s a very high possibility that they’re in on it too. But would the chairman help you?”

It wasn’t entirely wrong, so Beom-seok didn’t have much to say in rebuttal. But Chairman Wilkins, whom he had met before, didn’t seem like that kind of person at all. He seemed like a rational person, almost to the point of being obsessive-compulsive. He considered the pros and cons in any case, but he was a person who could look at things from a macro perspective.

“I still have to trust him. He’s the only person I can rely on right now.”

“Sigh~ Okay. Anyway, if this doesn’t work out, let’s work together to persuade Gloria. We can’t just let her go bankrupt.”

Beom-seok nodded calmly. He thought it was better to do as Lexter said, no matter how he thought about it. It was good to have affection for his company and cherish the employees he had, but she had to live first. Frankly, if she just kept the cash assets as they were, she could build a decent building in the center of Lima City and start anew. Then she could put up the Rainbow Group sign again and give new jobs to the employees who would be laid off.

“Yes. I have to. That’s better for Gloria.”

“Okay, good thinking. Well, I’m going to get some sleep until we arrive, so wake me up later.”

Lexter pushed the back of his chair back and closed his eyes. He had been drinking and passed out until dawn yesterday, so he was tired. Beom-seok smiled at this and settled in to sleep as well. For some reason, he always felt sleepy when he got in a car.

– Master. We’ve arrived in Serie City. Please prepare to get off.

At Aaron’s call, Beom-seok opened his eyes wide and looked out the window. Below, he could see at a glance the high-rise buildings that were springing up like mushrooms and the sprawling downtown area. Beom-seok, thinking it was the financial district of Serie City, quickly woke up Lexter, who was drooling and sprawled out while sleeping.

“Inspector. We’ve arrived.”

Lexter, who had opened his eyes slightly, straightened his back and said.

“Hmm. Already? What time is it now?”

Beom-seok, who looked at the electronic clock on the front, replied.

“It’s 2:35.”

“Really? This is going to be close.”

“Yes. So we have to hurry as soon as we arrive.”

Soon, Aaron landed in the parking lot of the Wilkins Financial Group headquarters building. Lexter got up from his seat as he felt a small vibration in his body due to the landing.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Beom-seok and Lexter headed to the front gate of the building in a hurry. They went to the information desk and asked for directions to the chairman’s office.

The staff at the information desk were very kind. It was only natural since a guest who had an appointment with their chairman had come. Thanks to this, one of the staff members followed them to guide them, and Beom-seok didn’t have to waste time looking for the way. He only had about 10 minutes to persuade Chairman Wilkins, so he would risk a big loss if he was even late.

Creak.

“This way.”

With the sound of thick hinges, the door to the chairman’s office opened. Beom-seok thanked the guide and looked at a male secretary who came out to greet him.

“Hello. I’m Oh Beom-seok. I have an appointment to see Chairman Wilkins today…”

“Ah. You’re Mr. Beom-seok. I’ve been waiting for you to come. Please, follow me.”

Beom-seok and Lexter, who followed the secretary down a small hallway, stood in front of a wooden door made of wood.

“Okay. Here it is. Please, come in.”

At the sound of the door slowly opening, Beom-seok took a long breath and calmed his mind. It was the last chance to decide whether Rainbow Group would live or die, so he couldn’t help but be nervous. Moreover, the person he had to persuade from now on was none other than the wily fox named Wilkins.

Roll, roll, roll. Thud. Clang.

Wilkins was practicing golf, rolling golf balls continuously on the floor covered with a wooden golf practice mat. He glanced back, then put his putter on one wall and greeted him happily.

“Beom-seok. Welcome. It’s been almost two years since I saw you in Osaha, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Yes. Is the team doing well? Was it called Gods Knights?”

“Yes. We are currently ranked 4th in the Avon League. We are currently 1 point behind 2nd place.”

Wilkins wore a deeply admiring expression. He felt that Beom-seok’s swordsmanship was extraordinary in the arena match in Osaha, but he was very surprised that the amateur team, which was like children’s play, had grown so much in the meantime and was aiming for 2nd place in the league.

“This is amazing. I didn’t misjudge people after all. Hehehe. I’m glad that I lent you 80 million Krang before. Actually, I lent it to you because I made a promise, but I was a little 불안했거든 [anxious].”

“I was also very anxious after borrowing that money. The interest was being withdrawn from my account, and it was 살벌하더라고요 [intense/brutal].”

Wilkins laughed heartily and said.

“Hahaha. That’s how money is. 1 million Krang in your pocket is a small amount that you can spend in a day, but 1 million Krang in debt is a large sum that can take a person’s life. That’s why money is scary.”

“But it can also save many people with that debt, so it’s attractive. Like today.”

Wilkins raised one corner of his mouth. It was because the way he 받아치는 [parried/responded to] the words was quite plausible.