Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 201

Jeremiah’s arrival significantly boosted the God Knights’ mid-tier strength. In their first pre-season practice match, they narrowly won against the Orings Giants, a lower-ranked team in the Delroy Wide League. However, they weren’t yet safe from relegation, prompting Beom-seok to recruit another gladiator: Siya, an Elf under a separate owner. She was a seasoned rear guard with over 20 years of Wide League experience. Her age, 31, was a slight concern, but her transfer fee was only 9 million Krang [Krang is the currency used in this world], and her annual salary was 3.5 million Krang, making her an affordable addition.

“The God Knights’ documents are here.”

Beom-seok, visiting the Delroy Pro Gladiator Association’s office, received the electronic documents from the Elf clerk. These contained the 52/53 Delroy Wide League season schedule and the list of opposing teams’ gladiators—essential for the upcoming season. He could have received them by email, but he chose to pick them up in person due to an upcoming interview with local media.

“Thank you.”

Beom-seok subtly opened the documents, checking their early-season opponents. Confirming their home opener opponent, he sighed in dismay. It was the Chaplin Whisper team. Facing any team would be tough, but this one seemed insurmountable.

“This is insane. Why do we have to face them first?”

Diana, behind him, asked, “What is it, Master? Is the schedule unfavorable?”

“It’s not bad overall, but our first opponent is Chaplin Whisper.”

Diana nodded, understanding the gravity. Even to her, Chaplin Whisper was formidable. They had Rebecca, Ionis, Landra, Yamiya, Hiyas, and Emires—all Central League-level—plus 20 Wide League-level gladiators, making them a nightmare opponent. Moreover, Vincent, now a recognized master tactician, was their new coach. At his request, they spent 1.3 billion Krang to acquire Caneroa, a promising young Elf gladiator considered lower-tier World League talent. Reportedly, they were investing another 700 million Krang in another Central League-level prospect, making it clear the God Knights stood little chance.

“T-that’s right. What should we do? A crushing defeat in the opener could really disappoint the fans.”

Beom-seok knew this. The opening match had the highest attendance, significantly impacting season ticket sales. Even if they couldn’t win, they needed to give fans hope.

“Sigh, we’ll have to figure something out. You need a strategy to at least avoid a 3-round defeat, if not a draw.”

“Then we focus our main force in the second round. If we’re lucky, we might win one round.”

Beom-seok said, walking towards the reception office exit.

“Isn’t that too obvious?”

“We have no choice. It’s the only way to avoid a 3-round loss. Fortunately, Chaplin Whisper’s weakness is that, except for 7-8 players, the rest are Wide League-level. The strength difference between their main players and reserves is significant, so we exploit that.”

He sighed. Facing a team where Wide League-level gladiators were considered low-tier made his head spin.

“Sigh, damn it. I wouldn’t be this flustered if it were an away game.”

“Yes. Fewer home fans, so the defeat’s impact would be less.”

A middle-aged man’s scream echoed from the reception counter.

“T-this can’t be happening! Why is she! In our league!”

Beom-seok, about to exit, turned to the man. He was familiar. He pointed with his thumb and asked Diana, “Diana, who is that guy? I’ve seen him before.”

“Ah? That’s Mr. Amuro, the Sea Mobidicks’ coach.”

Sea Mobidicks was their opponent in the 8th match of last year’s GA Cup [Gladiator Association Cup], a strong Delroy Wide League contender who had inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the God Knights. Beom-seok remembered the coach’s face; the shock had been significant.

“That’s right. Coach Amuro. He did look familiar.”

“Shall we say hello? Now that we’re in the same league, it wouldn’t hurt to get acquainted.”

Beom-seok glanced at Amuro. He seemed too agitated to exchange greetings, trembling.

“Well, it’s not a bad idea, but he doesn’t seem in a good mood, so let’s say hello later.”

“Shall we?”

Just as he turned to leave, Amuro called out, having noticed him.

“You! Are you Diana, the God Knights’ coach, and Gladiator Oh Beom-seok?”

Beom-seok, looking awkward, slowly turned and greeted him. “Yes. Hello? It’s been a long time.”

Amuro quickly approached and spoke, “Are you guys alright?”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”

“Looking at the schedule, the God Knights face Chaplin Whisper in the opener. I’m asking if you’re really alright.”

Beom-seok stared, puzzled. No matter how monstrous Chaplin Whisper was, it wasn’t like Amuro, the Sea Mobidicks’ coach, to express concern.

“Well, I don’t think we can win, but we might put up a fight.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You may not know it, but our team is not to be underestimated. Even Chaplin Whisper won’t easily overcome our God Knights.”

Amuro scoffed. “Are you saying that after looking at Chaplin Whisper’s gladiator lineup? If so, your confidence is excessive.”

“What’s wrong with the lineup?”

“It seems you haven’t seen it yet? Then take a closer look now.”

Beom-seok took out the electronic documents and scrolled to the Chaplin Whisper roster. As he read the name at the top, the number 1 gladiator, a chill ran down his spine.

Amelie, currently a modified Elf in her 9th year. 32 years of World League gladiator experience. Weapon of choice is a whip. The greatest legendary gladiator in history was making a new appearance.

“H-how can Amelie be with Chaplin Whisper? She retired over 30 years ago!”

“Don’t you understand ‘modified Elf’? She must have undergone body modification surgery.”

Modified Elf referred to an Elf who had undergone body modification surgery, like a modified human. This restored the Elf’s body to its prime, but it wasn’t widely adopted because it was much more expensive than modifying a human. Only wealthy individuals with older Elves as lovers would have their Elves undergo the procedure.

Beom-seok pondered the modification, his expression stabilizing. There were limitations: potential abilities were applied randomly after surgery. Though it depended on the doctor’s skill, Amelie gaining useful physical abilities wasn’t very likely.

“Sigh, but ‘Even a centipede can misstep.’ Even if she’s younger, the chances of her gaining outstanding physical abilities through modification surgery are very low, so it doesn’t seem like a situation to be too concerned about.”

“I’d be relieved if that were the case, but the atmosphere is ominous.”

“What do you mean?”

“Amelia was an Elf who became a legend and left the gladiator world in the past. And her owner is a member of the Chaplin family, who only insist on the best. Unless her owner is short on money and came out to earn some? What would the wealthy Chaplin family gain from sending her back to the gladiator world with diminished abilities and embarrassing themselves? They must have something they believe in. And you need to pay attention to the fact that Amelie is currently 9 years old as a modified Elf.”

Beom-seok’s anxiety increased at Amuro’s strange gaze. Nine years was enough to develop all physical abilities, so he could tell Amelie had prepared thoroughly before returning. If she simply intended to make some money through her past fame, she could have turned pro immediately after becoming a modified Elf.

“D-does that mean Amelie won the lottery?”

“We’ll have to see her play, but considering all the circumstances, the possibility is very high.”

Beom-seok’s face turned pale, and he grabbed Diana’s shoulder. It was ironic that the God Knights would be the legend’s first victims. He wished it was a dream.

‘It’s certain. Amelie has returned to the gladiator world with abilities beyond her past skills. The circumstances are as Coach Amuro said, and most importantly, she underwent body modification surgery 9 years ago.’

The reason he specifically recalled 9 years ago was not simply to indicate the period of preparation for physical training. Come to think of it, that time was much earlier than the game’s initial launch. In other words, Amelie’s body modification surgery was the initial setting in the game. Her potential abilities were up to the game developers to decide. Just like Beom-seok, the player, had easily obtained a potential ability of 1000.

“This is insane. We’re going to get destroyed. Destroyed…”

Amuro shook his head and patted him on the shoulder. “I’m truly sorry to say this, but good luck. But isn’t it better to get hit first?”

“It depends on the beating. This is one-sided violence.”

“Well, with Amelie in the current Chaplin Whisper squad… To be honest, even we at Sea Modicks can’t think of a way to deal with them. But what can we do? This season’s fate is like this. Well, I’ll go down to the press conference, so calm yourself and come down.”

Amuro sighed and left. Beom-seok watched him go, then asked Diana, “Diana, isn’t there any way to deal with her?”

She wiped her forehead and stammered. Diana was 43 and had watched Amelie’s last 10 years as an active player. Naturally, she knew the terror, so she couldn’t express confidence to Beom-seok.

“W-well, I-I don’t have any brilliant ideas either. I just hope she doesn’t have her past physical abilities. Her whip technique requires strong strength.”

“So, if she has good physical abilities, there’s no way to deal with her at all.”

“Yes. Amelie’s nickname is ‘Formation Destroyer.’ The formations of World League teams are torn apart by the whip she wields, let alone our team…”

If the formation was destroyed, the strategic aspects would collapse. Diana would be useless in the dugout.

“Indeed, Amelie’s scary point is that she makes the opposing team’s coach twiddle their thumbs.”

“I’m sorry, Master.”

“What do you have to be sorry about? It’s happening because Amelie is amazing… Let’s go down. Amelie might be at the press conference today, so we should go and check.”

Beom-seok took Diana to the press conference. He couldn’t shake the unease, but he wanted to see the legendary gladiator’s face. Since coaches and representative gladiators were attending, Amelie, confirmed as Chaplin Whisper’s ace, would likely be there.

The news of Amelie’s appearance in the Delroy Wide League spread rapidly. Some professional team officials who received the schedule informed their personal sites and team homepages, and the news spread worldwide through gladiator fans. Major broadcasting companies urgently dispatched correspondents and pressured the Delroy Wide League to postpone the press conference by two hours. They couldn’t let a local company steal the scoop of the legend’s return.

“Hey! Get out of the way, you’re blocking the camera! Move it!”

“What are you doing! Quickly find the power and connect the cord! If there isn’t one, hurry up and buy a battery!”

The press conference was chaotic. Filming crews and reporters from all over the world on ultra-high-speed flying cars competed for coverage, pushing the Delroy Wide League professional gladiator teams, the main characters, to the back, where they could only watch.

The Delroy Pro Gladiator Association was embarrassed. Had they known in advance, they would have secured a wider space, but the situation had reached this point due to the clerk’s unskilled work. They repeatedly apologized to the Delroy Pro League team officials who had been chased to the banquet hall.

2012 New Year has dawned. I hope everything you do this year goes well. Happy New Year.

Then everyone have a nice day. I will see you again tomorrow.