Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 186

“Are you confident?”

“Of course. It depends on what you do, Senior. I honestly don’t even know what a combo play is.”

In the end, it sounded like she was going to do almost everything herself. Beomseok stared at Jelsomina with narrowed eyes.

“Aren’t you trying to get a free ride a little too much? I don’t know if you know this, but I’m injured.”

“That’s why I’m suggesting we take a risk. If we drag out the fight with those kids, it might strain your shoulder. If we win this round, you get to skip a round, Senior.”

After a moment of hesitation, Beomseok nodded. Winning this round would definitely be advantageous in many ways.

“Hahaha. I guess so. Alright, go wild. I’ll cover your back.”

“Yes. I understand. Please give me a solid combo play.”

Before he knew it, Jelsomina overtook Beomseok and began to walk with confident strides. She was well aware that her opponents were skilled, but with Beomseok by her side, she felt like she could beat anyone.

She beckoned to the number 4 gladiator, who had defeated her in the first round, with a flick of her finger, provoking him.

“You. Come here. We need to have a rematch. I’m going to get revenge for the first round!”

The number 4 gladiator, revealing a scowling expression through the transparent face shield, signaled to his teammate and charged forward all at once. They were not in a position to leisurely chat with her, so they intended to show it with their actions.

“Hyaat!!”

The number 4 gladiator’s powerful strike deflected Jelsomina’s sword. Although the recoil was quite severe, Jelsomina twisted the handle to right her sword and then blocked a slash aimed at her waist. Several exchanges of blows followed. Beomseok, glancing at this, confronted the number 5 and 12 gladiators who were trying to support. It seemed that his mission now was to block them until Jelsomina defeated the number 4 gladiator.

He stuck close to Jelsomina’s back.

“Do well. It’ll be a headache if you get beaten by that kid again like before.”

At the same time as those words, Jelsomina immediately turned her body and dove into the space between the number 5 and 12 gladiators, who were swinging their swords at Beomseok, in a low posture. Surprised by this, he barely deflected the number 4 gladiator’s sword, which was flying towards Jelsomina’s back, with the one-handed sword held in his right hand, and then blocked the continuous attacks from the number 5 and 12 gladiators with his shield.

Clang. Bang. Clang clang. Thwack!

“Kkyaaaak!!”

The number 5 gladiator, who suddenly screamed, fell backward and rolled ridiculously on the floor. It was because he had been accurately struck in the abdomen by Jelsomina’s quickly swung sword. Beomseok, glancing at the number 5 gladiator whose body was gradually stiffening, shouted loudly while facing the charging number 4 gladiator.

“Hey! Weren’t you aiming for the number 4 gladiator!”

“He was just bait to lure out number 5 and 12.”

Beomseok, lightly tilting his head to deflect the sword blade that was extending straight towards his head, shouted with an annoyed expression.

“Tell me honestly! I was bait too, wasn’t I!”

“Rather than bait, you could say you were chum [bait used to attract fish], attracting the fish.”

Whether it was chum or bait, it felt equally unpleasant.

“Then you should have told me! Do you even know how dangerous that was!”

“I thought you could do it, Senior. And the result was successful!”

Beomseok bit his lip as if he had nothing to say. It was a dangerous trick, but since they had defeated the number 5 gladiator, who seemed difficult to subdue, in one go, the result was good. However, if things continued like this, his liver felt like it would separate from his body.

“Still, from now on, let’s play it straight!”

Jelsomina, who was already planning to do so, swung her sword forcefully at the number 12 gladiator. Now that it was a 2-on-2 situation, there was no reason for them, who were superior in skill, to take unnecessary risks.

“Okay. Then please take care of that number 4 kid.”

Clang. Clang. Clang clang. Bang.

Beomseok and Jelsomina unilaterally pressured the Splash Mouse gladiators they were in charge of. Because they had lost two teammates due to the bizarre tactics, the number 4 and 12 gladiators were focused only on blocking, unable to recklessly attack. However, this was a clear mistake. Facing Beomseok while being distracted by a possible surprise attack was almost suicidal. Soon after, his short downward strike grazed the number 4 gladiator’s left wrist.

“Ugh.”

The number 4 gladiator, retreating with a short groan, looked at his teammate, the number 12 gladiator, for help. However, she also seemed to be pushed back by Jelsomina, making it difficult to provide support. The number 4 gladiator gritted his teeth and raised his two-handed sword, held only with his right hand, to his chest.

Beomseok, peeking out from behind his shield, said quietly.

“You won’t be able to do it with that body, will you?”

As if to say otherwise, the number 4 gladiator swung his sword forcefully. Because it was an attack relying on only one hand and the sword was heavy, it was awkward and slow. Beomseok snorted, moved his body to dodge, and then charged forward and slashed hard, as if to break his waist.

The number 4 gladiator, collapsing with a heavy thud, shouted towards the number 12 gladiator.

“Run away!”

The number 12 gladiator, trapped in Jelsomina’s dazzling swordsmanship, slowly backed away. Being in this place after the number 4 gladiator was defeated was like asking to be caught. She thought it would be better to unite with the main camp and build a solid defense. Soon, she jumped back once, exited the combat space, and ran towards the main camp where the battle was in full swing.

“Great will!”

The number 12 gladiator, turning around at the unknown shout, was surprised by Beomseok, who was closing in on her, and stretched out her sword with all her might. However, a sword strike carelessly extended while running away could not be sharp. Beomseok easily dodged it and instinctively struck her thigh with his sword.

Thwack.

The number 12 gladiator, clutching her gradually stiffening leg, looked at him in bewilderment. She couldn’t believe that he had chased her down and attacked her, even though she had run away with enough distance. However, seeing Beomseok’s left arm, which was empty, she soon easily understood the reason. He had abandoned his shield, which had a lot of wind resistance, to catch her.

The number 12 gladiator, gritting her teeth, pointed her sword alternately at Beomseok and Jelsomina, who had just arrived, expressing her will to resist.

“Hey. Why don’t you just surrender now. Hohoho.”

A large fist struck the helmet of Jelsomina, who was laughing cheerfully. It came directly from Beomseok. Even though her match experience was meager, it was pathetic to urge surrender in a gladiator match where life and death were not at stake. If the number 12 gladiator gave up and surrendered here, it would be a world topic and be recorded as a legendary idiot in the history of professional gladiators.

“Hey! Do you have that much time to spare! Stop talking and knock her down!”

“Yes~.”

Jelsomina, answering with a long drawl, slowly walked forward and forcefully extended the arm holding her sword. The number 12 gladiator, unable to move easily due to her uncomfortable leg, blocked the sword by facing it head-on. Jelsomina then pushed forward, entering a battle of strength. It was not specifically intended to subdue the opponent, but to give Beomseok the timing to attack.

He immediately broke through the side and slashed the number 12 gladiator’s empty waist.

“Heh heh. We’ve won now.”

Beomseok, walking to pick up his shield, looked at the clock on the electronic display board and smiled pleasantly. He was confident of victory in the second round because he had confirmed that there were more than 15 minutes left in the match. The current power ratio was 12 to 8. Now, as soon as Jelsomina and he started attacking the enemy’s main camp, at least 2 or 3 people would pop out to face them, or they would have to accept a rear attack in a defenseless state. Both were unreasonable choices for the Splash Mouses. In the end, they would have to endure the humiliation of defeat.

Beomseok, picking up his shield and heading towards the main camp, saw two Splash Mouse gladiators approaching from afar and ran towards them with all his might.

“Everyone charge!”

The main camp, under Erpina’s command, launched an attack all at once. There was no reason to hesitate here because the power ratio between the main camps was nearly 2 to 1. No matter how many of the Splash Mouse’s main camp had 5 Wide Rigger-class gladiators remaining, it was not enough to reverse this large numerical disadvantage. And the Gods Knights’ main camp also had Erpina, Erica, and Hestia, who were as good as them, entrenched.

Clang clang. Clang. Clang.

The Splash Mouse’s main camp gladiators had to experience the miserable situation of retreating rapidly and eventually being pushed to the south stands. The leader, the number 8 gladiator, looked at her teammates falling one by one and had to make a desperate decision. It was to scatter and run away. It was a very shameful thing, but in a tournament where fate was determined in a single match, they had to somehow win rounds, so they had no choice but to endure it.

“Everyone, run away and stall for time!”

After giving that order, the number 8 gladiator abandoned her shield and left the formation. It was worth chasing her down because the match would end if they caught her, but the Gods Knights gladiators only surrounded one Splash Mouse gladiator who had not yet escaped. There was still plenty of time left, and there were plenty of people in the team who were faster than the number 8 gladiator. It was not too late to eliminate the ones they could catch first and then chase after her.

After finally defeating the straggler, they soon joined forces with Beomseok and roamed the arena, successively intercepting the Splash Mouse gladiators who were running away. And in the end, they cornered the leader, the number 8 gladiator, against one wall and caught her.

Waaaaah! Waaaaah!

Only cheers were echoing from all directions for the Gods Knights’ victory in the second round. The jeers from the Splash Mouse’s visiting fans, who were seated in the south stands, were about to erupt, but it was very quiet. Because their team had tucked their tails and ran away before being miserably defeated, they had lost their words.

“You did well, Master.”

The one who stood in front of Beomseok, who was entering the dugout while being greeted by Diana, was none other than Susan. It was to check Beomseok’s shoulder condition. Susan immediately grabbed his arm and sat him down on the medical seat, then pulled off his shoulder armor.

“How is it? Are you okay?”

In response to Beomseok’s question, Susan, who was examining his shoulder muscles with a portable MRI machine, nodded slowly. Mild heat was detected, but there did not seem to be much of a problem with the injured muscles.

“Yes. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong.”

“Then I can play another round, right?”

Susan turned off the power to the portable MRI diagnostic device in her hand and said.

“Well. If it’s in this condition, it’s okay to play more, but are you sure you’ll be okay? Do you feel any pain or severe shoulder stiffness?”

Beomseok waved his left arm once and said with a comfortable expression.

“I have a slightly stiff feeling, but I don’t feel any other symptoms?”

Susan gave a faint smile. He had just taken off his cast this morning, so there was no way he wouldn’t have those symptoms.

“Those are symptoms that can definitely occur, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Really? That’s good news to hear. Then I have something to talk about with Diana, so I’ll get up now.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

Leaving the medical seat, Beomseok went to find Diana, who was sitting in the coach’s seat. She was holding the list of players for the third round and had a look of deep contemplation on her face.

“Diana. Who are you going to have play in the third round?”

Diana, turning her chair to look at him, calmly expressed her concerns.

“Well. Until just now, I was going to have the main force play as is. But I’m worried because of the unexpected victory in the second round.”

“Really? Why?”

“The Splash Mouses are currently at a disadvantage with one loss. If they lose the upcoming third round as well, they’ll be at 1 draw and 2 losses. No matter how well they do after that, they’ll have to have a showdown with you. They’ve realized your scariness in this round, so they’ll want to avoid that, and they’ll definitely send out their entire main force, or at least a significant amount, to try to get a draw or a win in the third round.”

Beomseok pulled a chair nearby and sat down.

“So?”

“The problem is that we don’t necessarily need to send out our main force. No, it’s better not to send them out for the next match.”

Beomseok, noticing her intention, looked at Diana with meaningful eyes.

In the promotion tournament, where they had to play two matches a week, stamina management was very important. In particular, the Gods Knights did not have many reserve forces, so if they had the opportunity, they had to give the gladiators a break from time to time. The matches that determined promotion were the semi-finals and the 3rd and 4th place matches. It was all for naught if they strained themselves to win today’s match but lost in the quarter-finals.

“So, you’re saying we should give up the third round to save stamina?”

“It’s not necessarily about accepting defeat, but I don’t think we need to accumulate fatigue by playing the third round in a row.”

It was a valid point, but Beomseok couldn’t easily tell her to do that. If they won or drew in this round, they could play the match in an extremely advantageous situation. But to reset the match for the next match, he couldn’t help but worry.

However, in the end, he decided to follow Diana’s wishes. He wanted to respect her opinion as the coach, and even if the match went back to square one, the odds of winning were very high because their fresh main force would face the Splash Mouse’s second string in the fourth round.

“Okay. Diana, do what you want. After all, if we don’t conserve our stamina from now on, we expect difficulties in the promotion decision match against the Dark Chaos team, which we’ll face in the semi-finals.”

After saying that, Beomseok headed to the men’s dressing room attached to one side of the dugout. His whole body was covered in sweat from the strong sunlight and vigorous movements of the late spring day, so he desperately needed a shower.

Diana, looking at his back with a dark expression, let out a long sigh. The Dark Chaos team, which they might face in the semi-finals, was the strongest gladiator team in this tournament, filled with three Central League-class gladiators and the rest of the gladiators being Wide Rigger-class gladiators. As the current Gods Knights, there was no possibility of winning even a hair, so she couldn’t help but worry.

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

The weather has become very cold. From tomorrow, it will drop to -10 degrees Celsius. ㅠㅠ. I have a lot of things to do outside on Saturday and Sunday. ㅠㅠ.

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