Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 199

It was a day in July, the sun blazing intensely. A flying car hummed through the skies above Amana, also known as the Black City, before descending into the parking lot of a combat training camp nestled in a vast meadow.

Moments after the smooth landing, the flying car’s door opened, and Beomseok and Esther stepped out. An unmanned electric vehicle swiftly approached, stopping directly in front of them. They boarded, setting off towards a blue building in the distance.

“Esther, let’s get off here.”

Reaching the building, Beomseok and Esther strolled along a path winding through gardens of lush green grass, pausing at the entrance. A black-skinned man with striking graying hair, as if anticipating their arrival, opened the automatic door and greeted them warmly.

“Welcome, Gods Knights officials. I am Jooba, the trade manager of the Golden Lions.”

“Chairman Oh Beomseok.”

“I’m Esther, the team leader.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, they proceeded down the corridor to a reception room on the first floor. Jooba gestured for everyone to be seated, instructed the office elf to prepare refreshments, and then initiated the serious discussion.

“Hahaha. Mr. Beomseok. First of all, I deeply appreciate you agreeing to today’s negotiation.”

Beomseok, after taking a sip of the fragrant coffee, responded, “There’s no need for thanks. This is for our mutual benefit.”

“Yes, of course. Clearly, today’s deal will bring significant advantages to the Gods Knights.”

At Jooba’s words, Beomseok maintained a calm expression. While the statement was true, acknowledging it could compromise the negotiation, so he remained neutral.

“Well, we’ll see just how much benefit it brings. Let’s get down to business.”

“Hahaha. Shall we then?”

Jooba’s face was all smiles, but his eyes held a serious glint. He was strategizing how to best persuade Beomseok, their most important client.

The item he was eager to sell was Jermia, a gladiator he had recruited from the Dark Hyenas a year prior. Her potential for growth was so immense that he held high hopes for her. Of course, there was the issue of her past drug use, but he valued her proactive attitude in matches and considered it a positive trait. Typically, gladiators without owners lacked fighting spirit and often performed half-heartedly, a major frustration for professional teams.

Initially, he had been very pleased. Her dedication to being the first up each morning to run the track, and her diligent training, even more earnestly than elves with owners, was incredibly promising.

But! The day she was first投入 into a league match, that fantasy shattered. As soon as the first round began, Jermia disregarded all positions and formations, charging alone towards the enemy camp. Naturally, the Golden Lions team members, including the staff, were stunned, and the opposing team seized the opportunity. All 12 members attacked her simultaneously, immediately incapacitating her. Consequently, the Golden Lions, with one member down, struggled throughout the first round and ultimately lost.

After several similar incidents, the team had no choice but to recognize Jermia, who charged towards the enemy camp like Zhao Zilong [a famous Chinese general known for his bravery] carrying A斗 [a unit of measurement, implying a heavy burden], as a liability. Recently, she was caught using drugs before a match, leading the management and staff to unanimously decide to release her.

The problem was the substantial sum of 200 million Krang spent to recruit Jermia. With her drug use and reckless aggressiveness in matches, a high-priced sale was impossible. Then, they noticed the Gods Knights, who never fielded elves without owners, and contacted them. Elves are beings who absolutely obey their owners’ commands. In the Gods Knights, she would surely participate in matches with the right attitude, and if everything went well, a deal could be made without significant loss.

“Now then, please review this document. It contains accurate physical information about Jermia.”

Beomseok glanced at the electronic document and smiled faintly. According to the data, she had grown considerably in the past year. Her strength and stamina were nearly at their peak, and her agility and sense of balance were also in the early 90s. Furthermore, her mental fortitude was also at a considerable level, making her ability stats almost world-class.

‘She’s developed about 840 points. Even so, she still has over 100 potential left, so it’s fantastic. Moreover, she has an amazing trait that adds +10 to all stats on clear days and in summer. It’s sure to be a great help in the early part of the difficult season.’

The new season started on the first weekend of August. It was still summer, so the trait would be activated for 4-5 weeks in any case, which seemed sure to be a considerable advantage.

He subtly lowered the screen and looked at Jooba.

“Very good. Quite impressive. But, are these measurements accurate?”

Jooba rubbed his hands together and quickly affirmed, “Of course. After learning of your visit, we conducted physical and intellectual ability tests multiple times to generate this data. I assure you it’s 100% accurate.”

Beomseok quietly sighed. He realized it would be challenging to negotiate a lower price, given their thorough preparation. In reality, acquiring a young elf gladiator with this level of ability for 145 million Krang was an incredible deal.

“No. I don’t understand why the Golden Lions are trying to sell such a talent. Is there a problem?”

“Of course, there is. Jermia actively participates in matches, even to the point of ignoring teamwork. And, to be honest, her desire to win is so intense that she has a history of taking drugs, both in her previous team and in ours. Well, her mindset is commendable, but this is inevitably a headache for us.”

Beomseok was taken aback by the candid response. Most customers would be surprised when a seller openly pointed out the flaws in their own product.

“Both are significant flaws, but are you comfortable disclosing this so readily?”

“It doesn’t matter at all. If this child joins the Gods Knights, Mr. Beomseok, you will become her owner, so the problems I just mentioned won’t occur if you simply give the order, right? In other words, she will be reborn as a perfect gladiator, so there’s no problem at all.”

It was an undeniable truth, leaving him no choice but to acknowledge it. An elf’s obedience to their owner was a fundamental concept known even to young children.

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Of course. I guarantee that if Mr. Beomseok takes Jermia, you will greatly benefit. 145 million Krang is by no means an expensive amount. No, it’s so cheap that it’s practically free.”

Beomseok wore a troubled expression. He had been on the defensive from the start due to the circumstances requiring him to recruit Jermia, limiting his room for negotiation. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that handing over such a large sum without any reduction was wasteful.

However, even in the direst situations, there’s always a way out, so he decided to employ the last-resort recruitment strategy, albeit a somewhat pathetic one: the empty wallet strategy. Throughout history, customers have achieved great results with this tactic against skilled merchants, and he hoped it would work this time as well. Currently, the only party capable of selling Jermia at the highest price was the Gods Knights.

He stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before continuing the conversation.

“Sigh~ I’m very tempted, but our team’s financial situation isn’t very good.”

“The situation isn’t good? What do you mean?”

“As you know, our team never uses elves without owners. Consequently, we couldn’t operate the team as a corporation, and we couldn’t secure funding even after being promoted to the Wide League this year. Furthermore, our team was promoted from the Air League in just one year, so we haven’t accumulated much capital.”

Jooba took a deep breath and sipped coffee from his cup. He was inwardly disappointed that the Gods Knights, whom he considered his only viable client, were in such a predicament. Still, their presence at this meeting indicated that they could meet their asking price to some extent. He decided to continue the negotiations.

“Ah. You were in such a situation. If I may ask a rude question, how much did the Gods Knights allocate for gladiator recruitment funds this year?”

“We’ve allocated all funds except for team operating expenses, but it’s only 130 million Krang.”

Jooba quietly repeated “130 million Krang” and nibbled on the refreshments on the table, appearing embarrassed and at a loss for words. He couldn’t possibly bear the loss of a mere 15 million Krang, but it seemed that Beomseok wanted an even lower amount. For a team newly promoted to the Wide League to recruit only one gladiator in this transfer market was practically an admission that they would be relegated again next year.

“Do you perhaps want to acquire Jermia at a lower price?”

“Of course, I’d like that. Hahaha.”

“Then how about an option contract? First of all, this year……”

Beomseok frowned and immediately interrupted him. He wanted to avoid this option contract, which was more terrifying than usurious interest, if possible. He thought it would be better to end the negotiations at this point rather than losing out on various options. Since he had started today’s negotiations under extremely unfavorable conditions anyway, he was satisfied if he lowered the price by 15 million Krang.

“Why? Are you not happy with that amount?”

Jooba’s eyes immediately lit up. It was because he had hinted that he would put out all of this year’s allocated transfer funds. It could be said that it was a very wrong decision for the Gods Knights, but he thought there was no need to refuse since it would benefit his team.

“So, you’re saying you’ll take Jermia for 130 million Krang? If so, I have no reason not to accept.”

“Yes. There’s no need to specifically nail it down to 130 million Krang, but that’s about the level we’re talking about ending the deal. Hahaha.”

“Ah, is that so? I understand. How much exactly do you want?”

Beomseok pointed to Esther, who was sitting next to him, and said. In any negotiation, she had to be involved at the climax.

“Please continue the negotiations with Team Leader Esther over here. She knows the specific financial details.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Beomseok slowly stood up and said, “Then I’d like to meet Jermia. Would that be okay?”

At those words, Jooba frowned, casting shadows on his black skin. He was concerned about potential complications when Beomseok met Jermia. The atmosphere suggested that the deal would be concluded, but if something went wrong, the Golden Lions could face a difficult situation.

“That’s a bit……”

“Hehe. Don’t worry. If the Golden Lions are willing to trade Jermia for around 130 million Krang, then the deal will definitely be concluded today.”

At those words, Jooba decided to accept the meeting. The Golden Lions were willing to trade for 130 million Krang, so this trade was as good as concluded. He soon called the elf clerk to ask for guidance and began the final negotiation work with Esther.

“Mr. Beomseok. If you stay here, I’ll bring Jermia out.”

The place the elf clerk guided him to was a park with a garden, located far from the training camp. It was a place where affiliated gladiators took a break, but since everyone was training now, it was used as a meeting place. It wouldn’t be good for team morale if they were seen by other team members near the office building or training facilities.

‘Hehehe. So, I finally get to meet Jermia. I’m looking forward to this.’

Beomseok spent his time waiting, stepping on the light green grass swaying in the breeze. After a while, he saw an elf with pink hair approaching along the path with the elf clerk, and he greeted her with a bright face as if going out to meet her. It was Jermia.

As soon as she saw Beomseok, she teared up slightly, but she tried not to show it because the clerk was present.

“Mr. Beomseok. I’ve brought Jermia here.”

Beomseok, subtly grabbing Jermia’s hand, gestured and said, “Okay. Then I have something important to talk about. You can go now.”

“Yes, I understand. Then, goodbye.”

Jermia, confirming that the elf clerk who had left the place was disappearing into the distance, finally teared up and hugged Beomseok.

“Sniff. Mr. Beomseok, I missed you.”

Beomseok, stroking Jermia’s long, disheveled pink hair, smiled brightly and said, “Hahaha. Jermia, did you wait a long time? I’m sorry.”

She shook her head wildly. It had only been a little over a year since Beomseok had promised to take her. The waiting time was difficult, but it could be said that it was much faster than expected.

“Sniff. No. To be honest, I didn’t expect Mr. Beomseok to come pick me up so soon.”

“Hehe. I told you before. I’ll make you my lover elf as soon as possible. You’ve worked hard in the meantime.”

As Beomseok wiped away her tears, Jermia looked at him with affectionate eyes.

“Then, will I be serving Mr. Beomseok now?”

“Yes. Esther is doing the final transaction work now, and it’ll be over as soon as that’s done. I think you’ll be hearing from her soon.”

At that moment, a short call sound was heard from inside Beomseok’s arms. Thinking it was Esther’s call, he immediately took out his electronic notepad and checked the contents. After seeing the words, ‘Chairman. We’ve finished the deal for 123 million Krang,’ he hugged Jermia tightly.

============================ Author’s Afterword ============================

In a few days, 2011 will be over. Whenever it’s the end of the year, I always feel this regret and just sigh. Maybe that’s why I spend time destroying myself with drinking parties to the point where I can’t come to my senses. It’s to forget the time of regret and only remember the hopeful new year. So, I’m going out again tomorrow. Hahahaha. ^^;;;;;;;;;;;

Then, everyone have a pleasant day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.