Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 166

The meeting with Shadow that Beomseok had anticipated did not materialize easily, as she was extremely reluctant to expose herself to outsiders. Fortunately, she agreed to actively participate in this endeavor. Shadow’s primary hacking targets were banks, but the only place she had failed was the headquarters server of LHN Financial Group.

The LHN Financial Group’s headquarters AI computer system consisted of a total of five layers of security. If the third-level security system was breached, the entire server would automatically shut down after three minutes, disconnecting from the outside world. This was a very fatal defense mechanism for hackers attempting to break in, and Shadow was blocked here, unable to make any further progress. The physical shutdown of the server meant that the network was cut off, forcing hackers working on it to give up.

Moreover, the system administrator was so thorough that it was difficult to expect password mistakes. The headquarters’ internal network used a wired network, making it impossible to penetrate the internal network using wireless signals. As a result, the only way to hack was for someone to infiltrate internally and connect to the internal network system, which Shadow was very pleased that he [Beomseok] would do.

And they had also found someone to take the blame for Beomseok. It was a modified human named Gade, who would come to the police station and make a mess, claiming to have done it whenever something happened, which seemed to be a headache for the police. Moreover, his physique was very similar to Beomseok’s, and crucially, he had a history of wandering around arenas for a long time, mastering a considerable level of martial arts. He was someone who could be mistaken without a doubt if he didn’t use weapons too often during infiltration.

Shadow immediately started working on it. Recently, some company sites had events offering aerial mobile suits and ultra-fast flying cars as prizes. She secretly entered Gade in these events. These were essential equipment for the upcoming operation, and Beomseok planned to infiltrate the LHN headquarters building wearing the same equipment. The problem was that it would take a month and a half, including the winning period and delivery time. This was a time when Rainbow Group could collapse, so he hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to wait. If this task was successful, they could deceive the police more perfectly, and if Beomseok, Natalia, and Rexter provided funds, Rainbow Group could survive for another month.

However, an unexpected obstacle arose in today’s operation. Shadow, who had been infiltrating Gade’s home system and monitoring his every move, informed Beomseok that he had been drinking heavily in his room and was almost passed out. If he fell asleep like that, it would be a perfect timing to provide an alibi.

But the problem was that today was also the day of Gloria’s childbirth and the final league match of the God’s Knights. To make matters worse, this match against Peace Griffins was a very important battle for second place in the league, so Beomseok had no choice but to feel anxious. Currently, God’s Knights’ league record was 24 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses, with 77 points, while Peace Griffins had 24 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses, with 79 points. If they didn’t win today’s match, the year’s efforts would be in vain, so Beomseok was in a difficult situation.

‘Damn it. Why does everything have to go wrong like this? I already had a headache because Gloria is giving birth today, and now that Gade bastard is causing trouble.’

Sitting in the dugout of the Lima City Colosseum, Beomseok looked at the stadium with a frustrated expression. The cheers of fans filling more than half of the 110,000 seats. Encouragement phrases spread around the stands, such as advancing to the promotion tournament leading to the Wide League after one win. And the gladiators of the team, who were warming up on the field with tense expressions. Instead of focusing on the game, he had to review the infiltration operation of the LHN headquarters building that might take place today. If they drew or lost in today’s match, they would spend a year in the Air League, but if the infiltration operation failed, Rainbow Group would collapse, and he would go straight to jail. Naturally, he had no choice but to focus more on the latter.

Then Diana approached from behind and subtly sat next to him.

“Master, aren’t you warming up? It could lead to injury.”

That made Beomseok even more annoyed. The LHN building infiltration operation was at the very moment when Gade fell asleep. Therefore, Beomseok had to drop out on the pretext of injury as soon as he received a call, and the remaining rounds had to be played by other team members alone.

He stood up and looked at Diana.

“Diana, if I drop out of the match due to injury, how will the game unfold?”

At the sudden question, Diana looked puzzled.

“Well, Master, you are the ace of our God’s Knights team, so you are a great source of support. I think if you drop out due to injury, the game will become difficult.”

“Then will today’s victory be out of the question?”

Diana pondered for a moment and shook her head.

“Not necessarily. Our team is very strong even without Master. We have become stronger by playing in league matches and cup competitions. And most of the gladiators of our God’s Knights are physically excellent. Thanks to this, we have played many games, but we are relatively less tired than other teams. This is the same even compared to the Peace Griffins we will face today. I think it will be a close game.”

“Still, if I drop out due to injury, morale will drop, right? That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Well, I don’t think so. As you know, our team is all made up of elves with masters. If Master gets injured, our kids will be very angry with revenge, and their will to fight will greatly increase. And the other kids desperately want the team to advance to the promotion tournament for their own masters, so they will play hard without any major problems.”

Beomseok, with a relieved expression, nodded his head up and down.

“Then there’s no need to worry too much.”

“Not necessarily. Master has been giving orders during the matches, so if you are not there, there will be a sudden confusion in the command system and problems in team management.”

He darkened his face again and looked at Diana.

“Really? Then is there no solution?”

“Well. Erpina can take over Master’s role. It will be a sudden situation, so she will be a little embarrassed…….”

“Hmm. Really? Then it doesn’t matter if it’s not a sudden situation.”

“Yes. She has been in charge of the rounds that Master does not participate in, so there is no problem in terms of experience. But why do you keep saying this? It’s like you’re predicting that you’ll get injured during the game. Do you have any bad spots?”

Beomseok, who put his arm around her shoulder, said quietly.

“Actually. I’m only telling you because it’s you. Actually, I might pretend to be injured in the middle of the match because of important business. So, set the command system for all rounds of today’s match to Erpina.”

Diana looked at him with surprised rabbit eyes.

“No. Master. Today’s game is a crucial gateway to the promotion tournament. What could be more urgent than this?”

“Hehe. I can’t explain it in detail, but it turns out there is. So, even if I’m not there, you have to do well on your own. How about it?”

Diana, who couldn’t refuse her master’s request, nodded.

“Yes. If there’s no other choice, I’ll do that.”

“Okay. Then even if I’m not there, you must win. I’ll be watching TV and cheering you on.”

“Yes. I understand.”

She silently turned around and called out Erpina, who was doing light jogging exercises on the field. And she explained the situation and assigned her the role of leading the team in Beomseok’s place today.

In the meantime, time passed, and the announcer was starting the broadcast in the stadium.

– Hello? This is Lima City Colosseum. From now on, the 38th league match. We will broadcast the fateful showdown between God’s Knights and Peace Griffins. Depending on today’s game, the last team to advance to the promotion tournament to the Wide League will be decided. What do you think the game will be like, commentator?

– Well. With a vague feeling, it seems that the home team, God’s Knights, will be at an advantage, but the content of the game will only be known after it is over.

– Ah. Is that so? Then that means God’s Knights are more likely to win.

– Well, I can’t say for sure, but the God’s Knights’ squad is good in terms of power, and it’s a home game, so it will be beneficial in many ways. The problem is that Peace Griffins only needs a draw, so God’s Knights will have no choice but to launch an unreasonable attack. If a gap is created here and they give up the first round, God’s Knights will fall into a difficult situation.

The announcer paused for a moment and then answered.

– Then how should both teams play today’s game?

– First of all, God’s Knights are strong in physical aspects, so they should break through Peace Griffins’ defense with tactics that utilize this. On the other hand, Peace Griffins should not get caught up in this and should run the game in a technical form, which is their strength.

– Hehe. That’s a fight between strength and skill.

– That’s right. However, one problem is that God’s Knights is by no means inferior to Peace Griffins in terms of technique due to the existence of the gladiator Oh Beomseok. If he roams free and ambushes the rear, it will be a headache.

At that time, a message urging the gladiators of both teams to enter came out on the stadium broadcast. The announcer carefully examined the gladiators who were slowly appearing in the entrance tunnel one by one, and then discovered a unique point and continued the conversation.

– Gladiator Oh Beomseok is not coming out in this first round. Is that okay?

– Hmm. That’s not a bad idea. It seems that God’s Knights will not overdo it in the first round. Perhaps they will initially go out with a conservative strategy that is prepared for a draw, and then win in the second round, where a relatively weak force comes out, and easily solve the game.

– Why?

– This is because the team that wins one round first in this game becomes extremely advantageous. If they lose, it’s over, so the team that is behind in the round has no choice but to become aggressive, and the opposing team can run the game as they intend.

– But isn’t there no way that Peace Griffins doesn’t know this fact? Could they force their main players to be put in even in the second round?

The commentator smiled and shook his head.

– Hehe. Then the game will really be solved as God’s Knights intended. Even if they are second-tier, God’s Knights are strong. With gladiator Oh Beomseok joining here, there is no reason why they can’t face the main players of Peace Griffins who are playing consecutive rounds. But the problem is the third round. It will be difficult to send out the main players three times in a row, so Peace Griffins will have to face the main force of God’s Knights with the second-tier. If gladiator Oh Beomseok plays continuously here, a very desperate situation will occur.

– Oh ho. If this goes well, Peace Griffins may show an unexpectedly aggressive side in this round. If they don’t win this round, they will have a headache in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

– Yes. They must. The first round without gladiator Oh Beomseok is the only opportunity for Peace Griffins to score.

– For reference, God’s Knights’ recent record is 7 wins and 1 loss, and the only game in which they recorded 1 loss was the day when gladiator Oh Beomseok did not participate to rest due to a cold. All other games were won with 3-win victories. In fact, now that I’m talking about it, gladiator Oh Beomseok must abandon his personal greed and go to the upper league [Wide League]. He’s facing three or four people alone, what is he doing here? It’s a nuisance to other Avon League teams.

The announcer made an awkward expression at the commentator’s harsh remarks. This is not something to say during an Avon League broadcast. His words could be heard as ignoring the entire Avon League professional team.

– Well. Then it will start soon, so let’s focus on the game situation.

While the announcer was mentioning and explaining the participating gladiators one by one, Beomseok in the dugout was fidgeting while touching his electronic notebook. If the call came before the second round, he would have to leave without even being able to participate.

At that time, a signal announcing the start of the match was given, and the gladiators of God’s Knights walked towards the center of the stadium. He wished for his team’s success with earnest hope.

– Game start!

With the signal announcing the start of the game, the gladiators of both teams, who formed a triangular formation, met on the bridge and began a fierce battle. It seemed that Peace Griffins had also chosen an offensive strategy.

“Everyone, firmly defend your positions!”

At Espina’s command, the gladiators of God’s Knights stopped in the middle of the bridge. The space on the bridge was narrow, limiting the range of movement. Since God’s Knights, who were superior in physical strength, had the advantage, there was no need to advance. Of course, if they wanted to win, they had to chase the opponent and cross the river, but this round was focused on not losing rather than winning. Moreover, Peace Griffins was currently engaged in an aggressive tactic.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

In that short period of time, dozens of clashes were scattered in the air. The gleaming spear tips flew quickly towards the opposing team’s gladiators, and the blades drawing brilliant parabolas collided, scattering red sparks of metal debris in all directions.

At this time, the 7th gladiator and the 4th gladiator of Peace Griffins in the middle tier jumped forward to support the vanguard. Their intention was to concentrate on the attack as the rear was stable. The problem was that both of them were top-notch gladiators who were evaluated as being good enough to play in the Wide League right away.

Erpina, who had learned this during the pre-match strategy meeting, looked at Erica and Hestia and shouted urgently.

============================ Author’s Note ============================

Everyone, be careful not to catch a cold in the cold weather. Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.