Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 185

187

– Those Splash Mousez team. They’ve been properly caught this round. I’m quite surprised that Jelsomina, who just turned pro, is such a strong gladiator. It’s definitely a painful blow to have lost gladiators number 24 and 32, who were committed [投入] early on.

Jelsomina was engaged in a fierce battle with gladiator number 4, who newly appeared as a marksman. Although she was being pushed back in terms of strength, she skillfully used her swordsmanship to apply considerable pressure and lead the battle to her advantage. Thanks to this, gladiator number 4 was having a hard time. He needed to subdue her quickly and return to the main camp, but far from subduing her, he was flustered by the relentless sword attacks. At this rate, he might even be defeated. He completely erased the underestimation of her being a rookie gladiator from his mind and began to unfold his swordsmanship step by step, unlike before.

Meanwhile, a collision occurred between the main camps, and a full-scale battle ensued. Although the God’s Knights were behind in terms of technique, they appropriately confronted the Splash Mousez based on their physical abilities and numerical superiority. If they were determined, they could have risked a decisive move, but since the purpose of this round was to exhaust their stamina, they were focusing more on defense. They were extremely restrained in their offense.

‘Jelsomina. Please, I’m counting on you this time too.’

Beomseok’s gaze was always focused on the fight between Jelsomina and gladiator number 4. The outcome here would determine how the first round would unfold. If Jelsomina were to subdue gladiator number 4, another gladiator would emerge as a marksman. The main camp would face a situation of 11 to 8. If that were the case, they could attack based on this power ratio and aim for victory. However, if the opposite situation occurred, the power ratio would become 11 to 10, putting the God’s Knights at a disadvantage. In that case, they would have to endure as much as possible and aim for a draw by utilizing Agelia, the runner [a gladiator specializing in speed and evasion].

However, the battle between Jelsomina and gladiator number 4 did not easily come to a conclusion. No, it was judged that it was flowing slightly unfavorably for Jelsomina, so he was quite worried. It was judged that she was slightly ahead in terms of skill, but it seemed that her stamina, which had been depleted from fighting two gladiators before, and her originally weaker physical strength were affecting the battle.

‘As expected, a trick is just a trick. It seems I can’t hope for more than a draw.’

Now, well past the middle of the round, the battle had entered a lull. It was intense enough to be filled with tension, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was stagnant. The numerical difference and the skill difference were intertwined, creating a close battle.

At that moment. Gladiator number 7, who was the vanguard of the Splash Mousez, was struck in the jugular by the sharply extended spear tip of Raimei and fell to the floor. Beomseok, who thought it was an opportunity, immediately got up and looked at the director, Diana, but unfortunately, he had to sit back down. At the same time, Jelsomina was defeated by gladiator number 4 and fell into a state of incapacitation. It seemed that three consecutive battles were too much for her, who was weak in physical aspects.

Beomseok smacked his lips as he looked at the time on the electronic display.

‘Now there are 5 minutes left…….’

It was a short time if you said it was short, and a long time if you said it was long. However, what was certain was that it would be very difficult for either side to reverse this neck-and-neck battle and win. Since both teams had considerable power preserved, he thought they would not collapse easily.

If so, he should focus on the original purpose rather than victory. Should they continue with the defensive battle as it is? Or should they take the offensive and extract more stamina from the Splash Mousez? Beomseok, who was 고민 [agonizing], threw a word to Diana as if he had made up his mind.

“Diana. How about we push them hard at this point?”

Diana, who was sitting in the 감독석 [director’s seat], nodded her head after 고민 [deliberating] for a while. A lot of time had passed, and since they were continuing to defend on this side, the Splash Mousez side seemed to be trying to conserve their stamina with a loose offensive. This was by no means desirable for the God’s Knights, and she thought it wouldn’t be bad to try what Beomseok said.

“Yes. I think it’s better to do that. Instead, it would be better to pull back the rearguard, including Agelia.”

“That’s obvious. If this attack fails and a lot of damage occurs, we have to go straight to the runner strategy.”

“Yes. I understand.”

As soon as Diana gave the order to change the strategy into the microphone, the vanguard and mid-tier of the God’s Knights rushed in all at once. Because it happened so quickly, the Splash Mousez formation, which was 방심 [off guard], collapsed, and gladiator number 13 fell backward and floundered. At the unexpected opportunity, the vanguards 붙어 [latched on] at once, quickly took care of him, and started 달려들기 [charging] again. However, in that short time, the Splash Mousez 가다듬고 [readjusted] their formation and appropriately 맞대응 [countered] the God’s Knights’ offensive.

Cha. Chang. Kkang. Chang.

Fierce 격전 [skirmishes] took place everywhere, and gladiators fell into a state of incapacitation one by one. Unlike now, they were not sparing their bodies and trying to knock down their opponents, so the damage to both sides could only increase. As time went by like this, by the time the whistle signaling the end of the game came, there were barely 10 people standing on two legs from both teams combined.

“Okay, everyone. You’ve all worked hard.”

Beomseok 격려해 [encouraged] by clapping hands with each of his team’s gladiators who were entering the dugout. This was because they had played the game excellently even in his absence and achieved a satisfactory result of a draw. In particular, he showed the sincerity of going out to the door to greet Jelsomina, who could be said to be the MVP of this round.

“Good job. Jelsomina. You have 완수 [accomplished] the mission 훌륭히 [splendidly].”

However, her shoulders were 크게 축 처져 [greatly drooping]. This was because she was concerned about being 당했던 [defeated] by gladiator number 4.

“I’m sorry, 선배님 [senior/mentor]. If I had put in a little more effort, I could have 풀어갈 [unraveled] the game 쉽게 [easily].”

Beomseok, who had a light smile, shook his head as if it were 당치도 않다는 듯이 [unthinkable]. She had already 쓰러뜨린 [defeated] two gladiators and had a 접전 [close battle] for a while with gladiator number 4, who had quite 뛰어난 [outstanding] skills. Although she showed a bit 부족한 [lacking] in stamina and 경기운영 [game management], she showed this much 활약 [performance] in today’s important game, so it could be said to be a 만족스러운 [satisfactory] result.

“천만에 [You’re welcome]. You are a 신인 [rookie] who is only 3 days into being a pro. You’ve done 무척 [very] well at this point. I was already worried that 유수의 명문팀 [leading prestigious teams] would make 무수한 영입제의 [countless recruitment offers] to you. 후후후 [Hehe].”

“G, is that so?”

Beomseok 툭툭 [patted] her shoulder and said.

“Yes. But don’t be 만족하지 [satisfied] with today and continue to 매진 [devote yourself] in training. If you continue to 노력 [work hard], you can 성장 [grow] into a gladiator who will 떨칠 명성을 전 세계에 [make a name for themselves across the world], you know? 알았지 [Got it]?”

Jelsomina 풀었다 [relaxed] her 굳어져 있던 표정 [stiff expression] as she felt 기분이 좋아졌는지 [her mood improved] by the 거듭된 칭찬 [repeated praise].

“Yes. 선배님 [Senior]. 감사합니다 [Thank you].”

Beomseok said as he entered the dugout door.

“Okay. Anyway, can you 뛰 [compete] in the next round?”

She moved her 팔 and 다리를 이리저리 [arms and legs this way and that] and nodded her head. Although she had 무리하기 [overexerted herself] in the previous round, her 뭉쳐 있던 근육 [stiff muscles] had 풀린 상태 많이 [loosened up a lot] because she had been 쉬고 [resting] for nearly 10 minutes in a state of 행동불능 [incapacitation]. It seemed that she could 뛰 [compete] for another round.

“Yes. It seems possible.”

“Good. Then I’ll let you 쉬 [rest] in the 3rd round. Let’s 뛰 [compete] 프리롤 [freerole] together with me in this round.”

Jelsomina 주억거렸다 [nodded] her head with a 환한 미소 [bright smile]. This was because she was 기대되었던 [looking forward] at the thought of 뛰 [competing] the game with a 선배 [senior] who had 뛰어난 검술실력 [outstanding swordsmanship]. According to 언론 [the media], he was a 실력가 [skilled person] who could 꿰어찰 주전 자리는 가더라도 어느 월드리그팀에 현재 [secure a starting position on any world league team currently], so if she 뛰 [competed] with him, she could learn many 점 [things].

“Yes. I understand. I’ll 확실히 보조해 드릴게요 옆에서 [definitely assist you from the side].”

“후후 [Hehe]. Okay. Then let’s 안으로 들어가서 쉬자 [go inside and rest].”

While Jelsomina was 돌아가 쉬는 [returning to rest] to the 벤치 [bench], Beomseok 작성했다 [filled out] the 출전자 명단을 [entry list] with Diana. Although he was thinking of 내보낼 [sending out] the 주전 [starters] again, in fact, the 갓즈나이츠 [God’s Knights] didn’t have a 그다지 큰 차이 [significant difference] between the 주전 [starters] and 후보 [reserves], except for a few gladiators, so it wasn’t a 그다지 문제 [big problem] even if they 교체 [replaced] the gladiators who were 체력이 떨어지는 [losing stamina]. Accordingly, he 채워넣었다 [filled in] 릴리스 [릴리스] and 히나 [히나] and some 대여검투사 [mercenary gladiators] in the 자리에 [positions] of 레이미 [Raimei] and the 선봉진들 모두 [all the vanguard members].

Beomseok, who was 선 [standing] in the 경기장 중앙 [center of the arena] to 치르기 [compete in] the 2nd round, 감지했다 [sensed] the 요상한 분위기를 [strange atmosphere] of the 스플레쉬 마우스즈 [Splash Mousez]. Everyone’s 시선 [gaze] was 집중되는 [focused] to him 힐끗힐끗 [stealthily]. Although he was a bit 신경이 쓰이기는 [bothered], he thought it was the 비애 [misery] of a 잘난 자 [talented person] and took a 여유로운 몸짓 [relaxed gesture] and 섰다 [stood] in the 프리롤 지역에 나와 떨어져 [freerole zone away] from the 본진 [main camp] with Jelsomina.

‘Okay. How many 마크맨 [marksmen] will you 배치 [deploy] to 상대하기 [face] us?’

In response to his 무언의 질문 [silent question], the 스플레쉬 마우스즈 [Splash Mousez] 화답했다 [responded] with a 열성적인 반응 [enthusiastic reaction]. They 뚝 떼어내 [separated] four 마크맨 [marksmen] and 세운 [placed] them in front of them. Although gladiator number 17, who was somewhat 실력이 떨어지는 [less skilled], was 포함되어 [included], the remaining three, numbers 4, 5, and 12, were 상당한 실력자 [considerable skilled fighters] who were in the 수위에 드는 [top tier] of their team. Thanks to this, it seemed that they would 이끌어나갈 [lead] the 전세를 [battle situation] in a 유리한 상황 [favorable situation] in the 본진 쪽 [main camp side], but it seemed that this side would 면치 못할 고전을 [face a difficult struggle].

Beomseok 가리고 [covered] the 안면 [face] with the 방패 [shield] he was 들고 [holding] and 조용히 말했다 [quietly said] to Jelsomina.

“Jelsomina. I’ll 막고 [block] other gladiators, so you’ll have to 제거해줘야겠다 [eliminate] that gladiator number 17 as 빨리 as possible [quickly as possible]. Is it 가능하겠냐 [possible]?”

She 바라본 [looked at] the gladiator number 17 쪽 [side] and 빛냈다 [brightened] her 눈동자를 [eyes]. If anyone had to 제거 [eliminate] first, a 손쉬운 자 [easy target] was 적당했으니 [suitable], his 전략 [strategy] was 틀리지 않았다 [not wrong].

“Yes. I’ll 해볼게요 한 번 [give it a try]. Instead, you have to 마크해 주셔야 해요 뒤를 well [mark/cover my back well].”

“염려 마라 그 점은 [Don’t worry about that]. I came out 들고 검방 [holding a sword and shield], so it’ll be 어떻게든 [somehow].”

He 얘기했지만 [said] in a 자신 있는 투 [confident tone], but the 말끝 [end of the sentence] was 흐려지고 [blurred]. This was because 이동이 제한되는데다가 [movement was restricted], he had to 항시 막아야 her 뒤를 [always block her back], and he was also 염려해야 부상 [worried about injuries], so he 의문이 들었던 [doubted] if it would be 잘 [good]. Of course, he could 최대한 살릴 [maximize] the 방어적인 면 [defensive aspect] with the 검방 착용 [sword and shield equipped], but the 부담감 [pressure] of three 와이드리거급 [wide receiver-level] gladiators was 무척 컸다 [very big].

삐이익 [Beeeep]!

Beomseok and Jelsomina 이동했다 빠르게 [moved quickly] to the 우측 [right side] as if they had 약속이라도 한 것처럼 [promised] with the 호각소리 [whistle sound] that 포함된 전자음 한껏 [included electronic sound fully]. It was a 심산 [intention] to 줄여보려는 [reduce] the 면적 [area] to 방어해야 [defend] by using the 장벽 [barrier] of the 경기장 코너 쪽 [arena corner side] 최대한 [as much as possible]. Beomseok, who 도착한 [arrived] the 벽에 바로 보이는 관중석 일착 [wall right in front of the spectator seats first], 뒤돌아서고 [turned around] and 세웠다 [raised] the 방패 바짝 전면에 [shield close to the front].

다다다닥 [Thud thud thud]. 쿵 [Thump]. 쾅 [Bang].

The 스플레쉬 마우스즈 검투사들이 뛰어드는 [Splash Mousez gladiators charging] 일제히 두드렸다 [simultaneously struck] the 방패 힘껏 [shield forcefully]. Jelsomina, who was 숨어서 [hiding] behind Beomseok and 낮추고 her 허리를 바짝 [lowering her waist tightly], 포착해나갔다 [seized] the 기회를 [opportunity] while 항시 주시하며 [always watching] the gladiator number 17. And the 찰라 [moment] she was 휘두를 검을 [swinging her sword] to Beomseok, she 나아가 앞으로 빠르게 [moved forward quickly] and 뻗었다 검을 힘껏 [extended her sword forcefully].

“안 돼 [No]!”

The gladiator number 17 움찔하며 물렸다 her 몸 [flinched and pulled back her body] at the 검끝 [sword tip] that was 향해 날아오는 가슴을 기습적으로 with a 짙은 파공음 [flying towards her chest with a surprise attack and a deep whooshing sound]. 하지는 [However], it was 늦은 상태 때였기에 [too late], she 겨우 막았다 [barely blocked] by 가져다 대며 [bringing] the 오른쪽 팔뚝 간신히 [right forearm barely].

Jelsomina, who was 쫓는 [chasing] the gladiator number 17 who was 물러서는 뒤로 with a 쾅하는 소리 [retreating backward with a bang], 확인했다 [confirmed] that the 날카로운 검격 [sharp sword strike] of the gladiator number 4 was 향하고 in the 쪽 자신이 있는 [direction she was in]. It was 옳았지만 [right] to 피해야 [avoid] at the 기세 그대로 가격당할 옆구리를 [being hit in the side as it was], she 내달렸다 그대로 향해 the 목표물을 [raced straight towards the target]. She 믿은 [believed] that Beomseok would 막아줄 [block it].

쿵 [Thump].

“Jelsomina. 너무 모험을 거는 것 아니야 [Aren’t you taking too many risks]!”

Beomseok 소리쳤다 고래고래 [shouted loudly] who 간신히 막아선 [barely blocked] the 검을 [sword] of the gladiator number 4 by 앞세워 the 방패 [putting the shield forward]. This was because she was 사용하기 a 꽤 위험한 전술 [using a quite dangerous tactic], although it was not a 나쁘지 않은 선택 [bad choice]. If he had not 알아채지 미리 [noticed beforehand] and 막아서지 [blocked it], she would have 이미 빠져들었을 터 in a 상태 행동불능 [already fallen into a state of incapacitation].

“선배님을 믿었으니까요 [Because I trusted you, Senior]!”

하며 Jelsomina 내리쳤다 검을 힘껏 [Jelsomina struck down her sword forcefully] while 파고들며 [digging into] the gladiator number 17 who was 휘둘러대는 검을 한 손으로 허우적거리듯 [flailing her sword with one hand]. It was 때인 to 따먹을 the 배당금을 [time to reap the rewards], since the 도박 [gamble] had 성공했으니 [succeeded]. 이내 [Soon] the 검날 [sword blade] of her that was 휘어져 들어가는 교묘하게 정확히 타격했다 the 깊숙한 부위를 어깨 [bent in and skillfully accurately struck the deep part of the shoulder] of the gladiator number 17.

– 대단합니다 [Amazing]! As soon as the 라운드가 시작되자마자 [round started], 오범석 [Oh Beomseok], 젤소미나검투사가 [Gladiator Jelsomina] 빠뜨렸습니다 [dropped] the gladiator number 17 of the 스플레쉬 마우스즈 [Splash Mousez] in a 상태 행동불능 [state of incapacitation] 단번에 with a 콤비플레이 [combination play] that was 마치 된 연인이 듯한 [like a well-coordinated couple]!

While the 흥분된 목소리 [excited voice] of the 아나운서 [announcer] was 울려 퍼지는 [echoing] in the 경기장 [arena] through the 방송 [broadcast], the 검투사들 [gladiators] of the 나머지 스플레쉬 마우스즈 [remaining Splash Mousez] 뒷걸음질을 [stepped back] with a 곤욕스러운 표정 [troubled expression]. Although the gladiator number 17 who 쓰러진 방금 [fell just now] was 실력이 떨어지기는 [less skilled], the 차이는 [difference] of 넷 and 셋 [four and three] could only be 클 수밖에 [bigger]. Now, the 전략적 우세 [strategic advantage] had 넘어갔고 저편으로 [passed to the other side], and only 힘겨운 싸움 [difficult fight] was 기다렸다 her [waiting for her].

Jelsomina, who 세운 검을 중단에 서서 옆에 Beomseok [stood next to Beomseok with her sword in the middle stance], 지었다 a 살짝 미소를 [gave a slight smile].

“역시 선배님은 대단하세요 [As expected, Senior, you are amazing]. 사실 조마조마했거든요 정말 [Actually, I was really nervous], 어쩌나 지원을 안 나오시면 [what if you didn’t come to support me].”

Beomseok 친 툭 her 옆구리를 [poked her side] and 말했다 [said].

“이래 봬도 [Even though I look like this] I was the 전설 [legend] of the 공대 [engineering department]. I can 대처 at any time to the 위험한 돌발 행동쯤 of the 파티원 [deal with any dangerous unexpected actions of the party members].”

“공대 [Engineering department]? 파티원요 [Party members]?”

Beomseok 대답했다 with a 어색한 표정 [awkward expression] as Jelsomina 갸우뚱거렸다 her 고개를 [tilted her head] at the 낯선 단어 [unfamiliar words].

“있어 [There is]. 그런 얘기가 [Such a story]. It means that I’m 자신 있다는 in 협조 플레이 [confident in cooperative play].”

“아 [Ah]. Is that so? Then 좀 더 수위를 올려도 되겠네요 [can we raise the level a bit more]?”

Beomseok 말했다 while 걸어가며 서서히 향해 the 스플레쉬 마우스즈 검투사들을 [said while walking slowly towards the Splash Mousez gladiators].

“쓸데없는 짓 하지 말고 [Don’t do anything unnecessary]. Now, go 안정적으로 from now on [go stably from now on]. Since there are 셋 [three], there’s no need to 감수할 위험을 [take risks].”

“But, if we 해치워버리면 저들을 [get rid of them], there are 많잖아요 가능성이 that the 갓즈나이츠 will 가져갈 this 라운드를 [many possibilities that the God’s Knights will take this round].”

하긴 [Indeed], he 지었다 a 표정을 역력한 고민이 [made an expression of obvious worry] because it was a 타당한 말이기에 [valid point]. If they 제거하게 이들 셋 without any 피해 [eliminate these three without any damage], the 전력비 [power ratio] would be 12대 8 [12 to 8], so the 여건이 마련되었다 to 따낼 승수를 in this 라운드 [conditions are set to win points in this round]. Then the 전적이 [record] would be 1승 1무 [1 win 1 draw], and if they 따내면 another 승수를 [win another point] when their 후보진 comes out in the 3rd round 여기에 [reserves come out here in the 3rd round], it would be 2승 1무 [2 wins 1 draw]. Then, at least it would 이어지게 to the 승부대결 [lead to the tiebreaker], so the 공산이 커졌다 that the 갓즈나이츠 will 승리할 this 1차전 경기 [chances increased that the God’s Knights will win this first match]. It could be said to be a 도박 that is 해볼 만한 한 번 [gamble that is worth trying once].

============================ 작품 후기 [Author’s Afterword] ============================

글쎄 [Well] I don’t know why, but I don’t feel the 분위기가 [atmosphere] of Christmas this year. Even if I 지나가도 길거리 [pass by the streets], I hardly hear 캐롤송 [Christmas carols], and there are not many 트리장식 [Christmas tree decorations] either. Is it because the 경제 is 어려워서 [economy is difficult]?

Then everyone, have a 좋은 하루 [good day], and I’ll 찾아뵙겠습니다 again tomorrow [see you again tomorrow].