Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 212

A cool autumn breeze swept through the mountains, rustling the dry, yellowish leaves in the forest, and fading into the distance.

Inside the Gods Knights’ training camp arena, Beom-seok and his gladiators were divided into two teams, locked in a practice match that mirrored the intensity of a real battle. A strong wind kicked up dust, but they ignored it, swinging their weapons and sweating profusely.

“Come on! Everyone, stay focused until the very end! Even though it’s just training, if you slack off, you won’t be able to compete in the next game!”

Beom-seok’s command fueled the gladiators’ enthusiasm. Just then, Esther hurried down the path connecting the training arena and the office building. She paused at the edge of the arena, then called out to Beom-seok.

“Chairman! Just a moment!”

He signaled to halt the training match and turned to Esther.

“Esther! I told you not to interrupt during training unless it’s urgent!”

“This is urgent!”

If it was truly urgent, he couldn’t ignore it. Beom-seok sighed and glanced at Diana, who was sitting in the *gamdokseok* [director’s seat] in the distance. He couldn’t simply abandon the training.

“Diana! I need to speak with Esther for a moment. Send someone to take my place.”

“Yes, I understand!”

A gladiator, seemingly a substitute, quickly entered the arena. Beom-seok left the arena and approached Esther.

“Esther, what’s going on?”

“Well, Chairman Wilkins and Rebecca contacted us. They said they have something urgent.”

“Chairman Wilkins and Rebecca? Why?”

“I don’t know the reason. They just asked you to call them urgently.”

Beom-seok frowned. So, it wasn’t necessarily urgent on *their* end.

“Esther, is it urgent for them, or for us? If it’s just a request, you should ask what it’s about and tell them to wait. There’s no need to interrupt training, right?”

“Well, they sounded so desperate… And I overheard that they’re willing to pay a considerable price if we fulfill their request.”

The word ‘price’ piqued his interest. Chairman Wilkins and Rebecca were incredibly wealthy. The price they’d pay for addressing their urgent situation wouldn’t be insignificant.

“Really? How much?”

“Well, they didn’t give any details. They just asked you to contact them.”

Beom-seok licked his lips, removed his helmet, and walked to a nearby bench. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out his electronic notebook.

‘It must be really urgent?’

He opened the notebook and saw at least 30 missed call notifications from Chairman Wilkins and Rebecca’s numbers. He hesitated, then tapped Rebecca’s number. After all, he was more drawn to a pretty woman than an old man.

After a few rings, Rebecca’s face appeared on the gray hologram screen as it lit up.

“Hello! Beom-seok?”

Beom-seok subtly scanned the background. Behind her, he saw a reception table and a sofa where Chairman Wilkins and several other older men were sitting.

‘What? Why is Rebecca with Chairman Wilkins? Is it the same issue for both of them?’

He was curious about the connection between Rebecca and Chairman Wilkins but relieved that the potential trouble had been reduced from two issues to one. No matter the money involved, the league game was his priority.

Sitting on the bench, he cleared his throat and said,

“Ahem, Rebecca, long time no see. What’s the matter?”

“There’s something I need to discuss with you in person. Do you have time right now?”

“Of course, I don’t have time. You know the 12th league match is the day after tomorrow. I need to be fully prepared with training and conditioning. Where would I find time to meet someone? We’re not like your Chaplin Whispers, who rack up easy wins.”

Beom-seok immediately refused. He couldn’t afford to waste time. No matter the offer, he’d decline if it interfered with his preparation.

The Gods Knights currently had a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses, placing them 12th in the league. While that might seem far from the relegation zone, it wasn’t. The 18th-ranked team had a record of 3 wins and 6 losses, meaning a single slip-up could send them plummeting. The power difference between the lower-ranked teams in the Delroy League was so small that securing a victory was incredibly difficult. Fortunately, the growth of some promising players Beom-seok had recruited had improved the Gods Knights’ strength, but he couldn’t be complacent. In the cutthroat world of professional gladiator matches, optimism was a dangerous luxury.

Rebecca knew his situation, making it difficult to pressure him. However, she wasn’t in a position to be picky.

She glanced at Chairman Wilkins and the other men in the room, then spoke again.

“Can’t you make some time? It’s something that shouldn’t leak to the press or anyone outside.”

“Then you can come to me since you have plenty of time.”

At that moment, Chairman Wilkins rose and slowly approached the screen.

“Beom-seok. It’s me.”

“Yes, I know. What’s all the fuss about?”

“Let’s discuss that later. I want you to come to the Chaplin Group headquarters building in Zion City right away.”

Beom-seok bit his lip. The Rainbow Group’s fate rested in Chairman Wilkins’ hands, so he couldn’t easily dismiss his request. If the chairman publicly withdrew support, Gloria would face the hardships of the past again.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Of course. It’s urgent, so please come quickly.”

Beom-seok sighed deeply and finally nodded. It was natural to seek shelter under a tree when there was no tent to block the sun. He needed Chairman Wilkins’ support because he’d lost his connection with the Black Society.

“Hoo~ I understand. I’ll be there soon.”

“Thank you. See you later.”

As soon as the call ended, Beom-seok scratched his head vigorously. He hated having to carefully consider the situation with his volatile temper. He wasn’t a dog to be summoned and dismissed at will.

Muttering profanities, he headed to the training camp parking lot.

Zion City was in the Arkan region, directly adjacent to the Avend region. It was about a 25-minute ride in a regular flying car, so Beom-seok arrived shortly after departing. He landed his private flying car in the front yard of the Chaplin Group headquarters building in the bustling city center and got out.

An elf security guard in a black uniform hurried out from the building entrance.

“Excuse me, sir. You can’t park your car here!”

Beom-seok, still simmering with anger, snapped at her.

“What do you mean I can’t! There’s plenty of space, it’s perfect for parking!”

“Sir, this isn’t a parking lot, but a park and plaza for company employees and visiting customers to relax.”

“That’s good. I’m a customer too. So, it’s okay, right?”

As Beom-seok tried to enter the building, the elf security guard grabbed his shoulder. She couldn’t let him proceed, stubbornly insisting. If a high-ranking executive saw a flying car parked in the plaza, she might lose her job.

“Please move your car quickly. Otherwise, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Beom-seok smirked and turned his head. If he played his cards right, he might avoid swallowing his pride and visiting Chairman Wilkins.

“So, you’re saying you’ll kick me out if I go in like this?”

“Of course. If you resist, I’ll use physical force.”

“Oh, that’s scary. But what should I do? I have to see Chairman Wilkins of Wilkins Financial Group.”

The elf security guard looked dumbfounded. He was at the Chaplin headquarters building, claiming to see the chairman of Wilkins Financial Group. She suspected he was crazy.

“Excuse me, are you kidding me? If you want to see Chairman Wilkins, go to Wilkins Financial Group, not here! Get out of here now!”

“Hehe. Really? Well, if you tell me to leave, I have to. But what’s your name?”

“Why do you need my name?”

“Well, I need an excuse for not keeping my promise, saying, ‘I couldn’t go because I was kicked out by so-and-so.'”

“If I tell you my name, will you leave quietly?”

“Of course, naturally. You’re the security guard in charge of this building, so I have to listen to you.”

With no other choice, the elf security guard showed him her name tag.

Beom-seok carefully examined it, then turned. Now that he had an excuse, he’d return to the training camp. Chairman Wilkins would be angry later, but he could say he was kicked out by this elf. However, his escape was thwarted. Rebecca approached, as if to greet him.

“Beom-seok, what are you doing? You should have come in.”

Beom-seok frowned. He was trying to save face, but it was useless.

He pointed to the elf security guard and said,

“Yeah, I was trying to go inside, but this kid is stopping me.”

Rebecca glared at the guard.

“You, why did you stop Beom-seok?”

The elf security guard was surprised by the sudden appearance of a high-profile figure and didn’t know what to do. Rebecca was the granddaughter of the Chaplin Group’s chairman and the leader of the Chaplin Whispers team, heavily supported by the group.

The elf security guard trembled and glanced at the flying car, saying,

“W-well, he parked his flying car here. This isn’t a designated parking area.”

Rebecca relaxed her gaze. The plaza was a resting area for employees, so parking was prohibited. Only the Chaplin chairman and VIPs could use it, even briefly. The elf security guard was doing her job, so she couldn’t blame her.

Rebecca looked at him with a troubled expression.

“Beom-seok, you’ll have to move the flying car. Parking isn’t allowed here unless it’s urgent.”

“Oh, really? I heard it was urgent, so I parked to get here quickly. I understand. I’ll move it.”

“Yes, thank you for understanding.”

Beom-seok returned to the flying car and opened the door, saying,

“Then tell Chairman Wilkins I’ll see him in two hours. I was in such a hurry I didn’t eat, and I’m hungry.”

Rebecca’s face turned pale. The chairman’s office was filled with her grandfather, Chairman Wilkins, and other prominent figures. She couldn’t make them wait two more hours, especially with the serious atmosphere.

“That’s not possible! The grandfathers are waiting!”

Beom-seok opened the car window and said playfully,

“Why? It doesn’t seem that urgent. Since I’m parking anyway, tell them to wait while I eat.”

Rebecca frowned. She knew he was being difficult. She didn’t know why, but if she let him go to the parking lot, he might go sightseeing.

She shook her head and said to the elf security guard,

“Let him park here.”

“I can’t. I’ll get scolded.”

“It’s okay. If anyone scolds you, tell them to argue with my grandfather, the chairman. If you can’t, ignore it and leave.”

The elf security guard stepped back silently. Since the Chaplin chairman was taking responsibility, she was safe. No matter how high-ranking the official, they’d have to back down if she repeated Rebecca’s words.

In the end, Beom-seok had to go straight to the chairman’s office without achieving his goal.

“Here it is. Please go inside.”

Beom-seok, guided by Rebecca, knocked on the chairman’s office door and boldly opened it. No matter who was inside, he didn’t need to feel inferior since he wasn’t desperate.

“Hello. My name is Oh Beom-seok.”

He bowed lightly and looked inside. Three old men sat on the reception sofa, including Chairman Wilkins.

“Come this way.”

Beom-seok approached at Wilkins’ invitation and looked at the other two men. One was tall and slender, with sharp eyes suggesting a fiery temper. The other was plump, but had gentle eyes and a kind face.

Rebecca approached and respectfully introduced the gaunt old man first.