Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 2

“Everyone, remain calm! Any further disturbance will result in immediate arrest and prosecution.”

The situation de-escalated thanks to the prompt arrival of the Elven security guards. Though the number of unruly fans was relatively small, the Elven security personnel’s superior physical abilities allowed them to effectively push back, quickly subduing the crowd. Eventually, the fans, some with their clothes torn, sheepishly returned to their seats and quieted down.

A moment later, the gladiators, who had been seated on their respective team benches, rose and moved into their starting positions, forming their battle formations.

First, the home team, the Great Hyenas, arranged themselves in a four-row horizontal line, a defensive formation typically used when facing a stronger opponent. The Black Cats team countered with a wedge formation, designed to break through enemy lines, disrupt their formation, or capture the flag-bearing captain gladiator positioned in the center. In these gladiator matches, victory was achieved by capturing the opponent’s flag-bearing captain.

Beep.

At the referee’s whistle, both teams began to subtly shift their formations towards the flanks. The match was underway, and the audience watched with bated breath, their fists clenched in anticipation.

“Everyone, prepare yourselves!”

Instantly, the Black Cats gladiators moved with newfound speed. They raised their weapons, poised to charge. Seeing this, the Great Hyenas gladiators closed ranks, bracing for the impact.

“Everyone, charge!”

At the shout of a gladiator who appeared to be the captain, the Black Cats team launched a coordinated assault. The ground trembled with the sound of their footsteps as the two formations rapidly converged. With a resounding thud, they collided, and a fierce battle of momentum ensued.

“Everyone, push!”

“Don’t let them break through! Hold your ground!”

The gladiators in the center of the formation, though armed, found themselves unable to wield their weapons effectively. They were packed so tightly that there was no room to maneuver. However, the flanks offered more space, and a full-scale skirmish erupted.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Swords and spears, shimmering with pale light, flashed in every direction. They clashed, creating showers of sparks, or were brandished menacingly to keep opponents at bay.

Among the combatants, one gladiator on the Black Cats’ right flank distinguished herself. Each of her attacks landed with brutal force, inflicting significant damage on the Great Hyenas team. Spotting a Great Hyenas gladiator faltering, she seized him by the waist and dragged him back towards her teammates.

Surrounded by her fellow Black Cats gladiators, he was quickly overwhelmed. Struck by a barrage of blows, the Great Hyenas gladiator collapsed to the ground, motionless.

“One down! Keep the pressure on!”

“Waaaah!”

Meanwhile, a Black Cats gladiator, having broken through the front line, reached the Great Hyenas flag gladiator. Recognizing the imminent threat, the captain gladiator had no choice but to retreat, creating a critical gap in the formation. The Great Hyenas’ defensive line began to crumble.

Capitalizing on their advantage, the Black Cats gladiators concentrated their forces on the left flank, encircling three or four Great Hyenas gladiators who were attempting to fall back. A flurry of simultaneous attacks followed.

Clang clang. Thwack thwack thwack.

The swords and spear tips of the Black Cats rained down like a storm. The remaining Great Hyenas gladiators tried to intervene, but they were blocked by the Black Cats’ sword-and-shield gladiators, who effectively cut off their advance. Soon, the surrounded Great Hyenas gladiators lay defeated on the ground.

The score stood at 12 to 8.

From this point forward, the Black Cats team held a decisive advantage. With both superior skill and numbers, they pressed their attack, wasting no time or energy. They charged towards the remaining Great Hyenas gladiators, swinging their weapons with ruthless efficiency.

“Everyone, we have to hold on!”

The battle raged on. Gladiators struck, knocked down, and stabbed with their spears, while others surrounded and slashed at opponents attempting to retreat.

The Great Hyenas team was being relentlessly pushed back.

In the blink of an eye, some fell without even uttering a scream. A Great Hyenas gladiator wielding a long sword fought valiantly, but he was struck in the leg by a Black Cats spearman who had stealthily approached from behind, causing him to drop to his knees. He then exposed his chest to a horizontal slash and collapsed, defeated.

Before long, all the Great Hyenas gladiators had been defeated and lay motionless. The victorious Black Cats gladiators waved triumphantly towards their cheering section.

Waaaaah! Woooooo! Woooooo!

Amidst the boos of the home team fans and the cheers of the visiting fans, the Black Cats gladiators returned to their bench. Soon, a message announcing the end of the first round appeared on the 3D electronic display in the air. A rough trumpet sound echoed throughout the stadium, and the Great Hyenas gladiators, who had been lying as if dead, slowly rose from their positions like zombies.

In reality, the gladiator matches in the game, unlike the gladiator matches of ancient Rome, were designed to avoid fatalities or serious injuries. However, the Great Hyenas gladiators’ dramatic collapse was not merely an act. It was a result of the physical reaction suits they were wearing.

Physical reaction suit.

A specialized suit worn by gladiators participating in these matches. Depending on the area of impact, the suit was designed to absorb shock and simultaneously restrict movement when subjected to significant force. For example, a sword strike to the right thigh would trigger pressure on all parts below the right knee joint, rendering it immobile. A blow to a vital area, such as the head or torso, would result in full-body immobilization.

But why wear such a suit? The answer lay in the judging process. In a chaotic melee involving 24 combatants, it was challenging for referees to accurately assess the extent of each gladiator’s injuries. The suit’s impact-detection and movement-restriction capabilities simplified the process. Victory was determined when all members of one side, or the flag-bearing gladiator, were incapacitated and unable to move. As a bonus, this equipment added a layer of visual realism reminiscent of the gladiator matches of the Roman Empire, greatly enhancing the audience’s experience.

Waggle waggle.

With the first round concluded and a 10-minute break underway, Beomseok headed to the in-house convenience store. Professional matches were decided by a best-of-three format out of five games, each lasting 20 minutes, so there was still plenty of time to watch. It was a good opportunity to stock up on snacks.

“Give me one dried squid. Grilled crispy.”

“I’ll take a cup ramen. And where’s the hot water?”

As the Elven store clerk’s hands moved with increasing speed, the line in front of Beomseok shortened. He waited his turn, browsing the display for his favorite items. When his turn arrived, he pointed at each item and placed his order.

“One hamburger, strawberry milk, and that sweet potato snack, and….”

Crash.

Suddenly, Beomseok collided with someone, sending him flying. The impact was so sudden that he lost his balance and tumbled to the floor. The clerk, witnessing the incident, rushed out with wide eyes to help him up.

“Are you okay?”

Beomseok wasn’t seriously injured, but he frowned as he got to his feet, feeling embarrassed.

“Who was that!”

Beomseok’s angry shout was lost in the din of the crowd, and no one turned to acknowledge him. Or rather, they didn’t seem to care. They were too preoccupied with glaring at each other and shouting.

“What are you doing! Sweep away those Black Cats bastards!”

“Yeah, you guys! Come at me! You’re all dead today!”

The crowd was divided into those wearing spotted shirts and those wearing black clothes, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere. It seemed a second brawl was about to erupt, following the disturbance before the game. With fans from both fiercely competitive teams gathered in the store, a confrontation was almost inevitable.

But Beomseok was indifferent to their squabble. He was focused on finding the person who had knocked him down. He turned to the Elven clerk.

“Who pushed me?”

The clerk, glancing around cautiously, pointed to a brown-haired man wearing a spotted shirt. He was flanked by two Elves in matching uniforms, seemingly acting as his bodyguards. The man appeared to be a ringleader of the earlier riot, leading the Great Hyenas fan group.

Beomseok dusted off his clothes and approached the man. He tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

“Who are you?”

Beomseok smiled at the man, who turned his head irritably.

“Oh. A customer at the store.”

The man, not recognizing Beomseok, sighed dismissively and raised his chin.

“Hmph~ So what? Why are you bothering me?”

Sensing the escalating tension, the man’s two Elven bodyguards stepped in front of Beomseok. But the man, seemingly driven by pride, waved them aside and stepped forward. He reached out and grabbed Beomseok by the collar.

“Why do you want to start trouble… Kuh.”

Suddenly, the man doubled over, bending forward at a 90-degree angle. Beomseok had delivered a swift knee strike to his abdomen. Protecting their master was the Elves’ primary directive. They immediately attacked Beomseok.

“How dare you attack our master! Prepare yourself!”

Whoosh whoosh.

Their punches narrowly missed Beomseok’s cheeks. With their inherent strength and speed, they were formidable opponents. But Beomseok possessed a modified body that was equally powerful, coupled with extensive combat experience. He wouldn’t be easily defeated by Elves who had spent their lives serving their master.

He quickly grabbed one Elf’s arm and pulled it inward. Then, using his waist as leverage, he lifted her off the ground and executed an over-the-shoulder throw.

The other Elf, witnessing her colleague tumbling in the dust, shouted for all to hear.

“Modified human!”

Anyone possessing the same physical strength as an Elf, who was male, and had rounded ears was invariably a modified human. There were no men among the Elves.

“Why? Are you scared because I’m not a normal human? Then back off?”

Not at all. No Elf would abandon her master in distress. The fallen Elf was already regaining her composure and getting back on her feet. It was still a 2-on-1 situation.

Moreover, considering the Elves serving other Great Hyenas fans, the odds were easily dozens against one.

“Hmph. How arrogant. Do you think you can win against these numbers?”

The Elves slowly advanced, closing the distance. But Beomseok remained calm. This wasn’t solely a gathering of Great Hyenas fans. The Black Cats fans, seeing him in danger, were sending reinforcements, with their Elves leading the charge. They seemed to have mistaken Beomseok for a fellow supporter.

“What are you doing? Help that man quickly!”

“We must never lose to those who will be demoted and fall!”

Just as the two groups were about to clash, radiating a palpable sense of animosity, a loud whistle pierced the air. Security guards had been dispatched in response to a report. Beomseok and the fans from both teams attempted to scatter and escape, but they were already surrounded and unable to reach their goal. Soon, everyone was apprehended by the security guards and escorted away in police cars.

—————

I’ll be back again next time.