Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 216

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With a swift, fluid motion, her long blonde hair danced in the air. Her delicate arms, nonetheless firm, gripped a one-handed sword and shield. Her legs, strong and shapely, supported her weight with ease. The natural, flowing S-curves of her body stirred the hearts of onlookers, and her slightly hardened expression, combined with her oval face, showcased a captivating beauty. Her sharp nose and small, red lips ignited a greedy desire in Beomseok’s eyes.

‘Hehehe. Perfect. A girl like that will be screaming my name soon enough.’

He watched Cassie, who was training with swords in the backyard, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He reveled in her flawless appearance, a vision of perfection. Beomseok moved closer, eager to open her information window and confirm if she was as promising as Vice President Louis had claimed.

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Name: Cassie

Classification: Elf (10 years old)

Affiliation: Real Heroes GC (currently residing at Xeno Elf Psychiatric Hospital)

Fame: 8642

Notoriety: 1211

H Status: None

Stamina: 10500/10500

Social Skills: 80+10, Strength: 94+10, Stamina: 95+10

Agility: 91+10, Balance: 97+10, Intelligence: 88+10

Mental Strength: 89+10. Judgment: 92+10, Skill: 81+10

Luck: 94+10

Current Skill/Potential: 901/969

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Trait: Aegis’ Steadfastness

Special Notes: A promising player from Real Heroes GC. While on loan to the Zelda Force team, she was implicated in a rigged gambling incident. Unable to control her anger, she caused an accident and was subsequently hospitalized in a mental institution. She is currently planning Paul’s escape. Her primary positions are rear guard and midfielder.

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‘What? Her potential is almost maxed out.’

Cassie’s potential of 969 was nearing its peak. However, what truly astonished him was her current skill level of 901, indicating she had already achieved most of her growth. This meant she only needed to refine her swordsmanship. She could hone her skills faster than any other elf he possessed. Furthermore, judging by her training, her technique was already impressive.

‘She’s not a C2 grade. She deserves a C1, maybe even a C0. She must have been hiding her true abilities when she received the C2 rating.’

With her current sword and shield skills and physical prowess, ranking her alongside him on the team seemed reasonable. Of course, if Jelsomina improved her physical abilities, the situation might change, but for now, Cassie was far superior. Moreover, her versatility as a rear guard and midfielder made her an invaluable asset to the God Knights team, which desperately needed reinforcements.

‘Hehe. Even her trait is amazing.’

Cassie possessed the remarkable trait of ‘Aegis’ Steadfastness,’ granting her +10 to all stats while wielding a shield. Deploying her as a rear guard or in a formation with a shield would make her a formidable force, significantly bolstering the God Knights’ defensive capabilities.

However, one detail bothered him: the phrase ‘planning Paul’s escape.’ Apparently, this Paul was her manager, and Cassie admired him so much that it was even noted in her special file.

‘This is going to be a tricky 攻略 [conquest/capture, often used in the context of seduction or winning someone over]. If she resists with those physical abilities, it’ll be quite troublesome.’

Beomseok lowered the information window and turned to Rebecca, who was standing behind him. He gave her a thumbs up, expressing his satisfaction.

“Perfect. I like her a lot.”

“Then you’ll cooperate with our work?”

Seeing the hopeful expression on her face, Beomseok nodded. Cassie was an exceptional gladiator who had to be recruited at all costs. Her addition would make the God Knights’ rear guard the strongest in the league.

“Yes. I’ll definitely help you.”

Rebecca immediately produced an electronic document and presented it to him. With the organizational training just days away, finalizing the contract quickly was crucial to prevent any last-minute changes of heart.

“Okay, then please sign here. The ownership will be transferred immediately.”

“Hehe. That’s what I wanted.”

Beomseok retrieved his electronic notepad and completed the transaction without hesitation. Cassie was now his property. All that remained was to 攻略 [conquer/subdue] her.

“Thank you. I’ll leave everything to you then.”

“Hehe. Okay. Oh! Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Please handle Cassie’s discharge procedure and prepare a restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear].”

“We’ll take care of the discharge procedure, but why the restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear]?”

“Hmm. It seems like she’ll resist quite a bit. With restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear], it’ll be easier to instill a sense of ownership.”

She nodded. Thanks to Vice President Louis’s warning, she knew that Cassie wouldn’t be easily 攻略 [conquered/subdued].

“Hmm. But will Cassie accept the restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear] willingly? She’s quite perceptive and smart, so she’ll easily recognize our intentions.”

Beomseok was well aware of that. Cassie’s intelligence and judgment were 88+10 and 92+10, respectively. Rushing in blindly would likely make her suspicious and trigger fierce resistance. However, he had already devised a plan.

Beomseok tapped his head with his index finger and said,

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. I have a solid plan. Just take care of what I asked you to do. I can handle the rest.”

“Sigh~ Okay. Then I’ll trust you and prepare it. Be careful.”

“Okay. Don’t worry. I can solve it easily. Hehehe.”

As Rebecca departed, Beomseok picked up his electronic notepad and called Margaret. He needed to gather one crucial piece of information before initiating the 攻略 [conquest/subjugation]: the name and location of the detention center where Paul was being held.

Soon, after obtaining the information, he clapped his hands together and approached Cassie. He was now ready to begin 攻略 [conquering/subjugating] her in earnest.

“Wow! This is amazing. You’re very skilled.”

Cassie stopped and gave him a wary look. She was slightly taken aback by the sudden appearance of a stranger.

“Wh-who are you? And how did you get in here?”

“Hmm. I’m Oh Beomseok from the God Knights. I just came to see someone I know and happened to wander around.”

Upon hearing that, Cassie’s eyes widened, and her tense body relaxed. She had never seen LKS broadcasting live, but she had heard about the God Knights from her colleagues. Unbeknownst to him, Beomseok enjoyed almost saint-like recognition among unemployed elf sports fans.

“Ah! Are you Beomseok? I’ve heard a lot about you being a great person.”

“Really? That’s nice to hear. By the way, where did you learn those swordsmanship skills? Were you on a professional sword fighting team in the past?”

Having lowered her guard, Cassie answered readily.

“Yes. I was a gladiator for the Real Heroes team.”

“Oh! Real Heroes is a top-ranked team in the World League, isn’t it? That’s amazing.”

She gave a sheepish smile.

“Not really. I wasn’t a starter, but I was on the second team. I was loaned to a Central League team called Zelda Force and played as a starter…….”

Beomseok glanced around, searching for CCTV cameras. There was no particular reason, but he needed to create the impression of trying to have a private conversation with her. He identified the location of all the CCTV lenses and took out his electronic notepad to jot down a memo.

“I knew you were amazing. But can we go over to that bench for a moment and talk? I have something important to tell you.”

“What is it?”

He held the memo written on his electronic notepad in front of Cassie’s eyes. ‘I’m Paul’s friend. I came to see you at his request.’ Cassie looked shocked. The sudden appearance of Paul’s friend, someone she admired, was a complete surprise. Moreover, he claimed to have a message from Paul. She glanced around and moved towards the bench. She didn’t fully trust Beomseok, but there was no harm in hearing him out.

“Please sit here.”

“Okay. You sit down too.”

Cassie, now seated, looked towards the hospital building and spoke, trying to maintain her composure, though her lips trembled slightly.

“P-Paul sent you?”

“Yes.”

“Why did Paul send Beomseok?”

“Well. Simply put, he wants to meet you.”

Cassie frowned, her beautiful brow furrowed. She thought Beomseok was talking nonsense. Paul was locked away in some unknown prison, and she was essentially confined to this mental hospital indefinitely. If meeting were that easy, she wouldn’t be wasting her time here.

“D-do you think that makes sense? How can Paul and I meet!”

“What’s so difficult about that? To meet Paul, you just need to go to the prison and apply for a visit.”

“What about me? I can’t leave this mental hospital!”

“Hehe. Is that so?”

Beomseok smiled wryly and showed her a contract on his electronic notepad. It was a document stating that she had been sold for 510 million krang [currency]. Cassie’s eyes widened, and she pressed him for answers.

“Wh-what’s going on? Are you saying I’ve been sold to Beomseok?”

Beomseok put his index finger to his lips and whispered.

“Shh. Quiet. The contract isn’t finalized yet. If Louis finds out that I’m Paul’s friend and that I’m trying to arrange a meeting between you and that guy, he might cancel the contract right away. That guy is furious about Paul’s betrayal.”

Cassie bit her lip, understanding the situation. Louis had suffered a significant financial loss because of Paul and her.

“Y-yes, I guess so. But why did Beomseok buy me? Even at the risk of a huge financial loss.”

“Well. Paul is my close friend, so I couldn’t just abandon him. So, I’m going to connect you two.”

It sounded like a fairytale, but Cassie’s expression wasn’t one of joy, but of suspicion. No matter how close a friend he was, she couldn’t believe he would spend 510 million krang [currency] just to reunite them.

“Don’t talk nonsense! 510 million krang [currency] isn’t pocket change! How can you throw away that much money, even for a friend?”

Beomseok stared at her with wide eyes.

“What are you talking about? Why would I give up that money?”

“Then is it a lie that you’re connecting me and Paul?”

“Oh, you’re so frustrating. Do I have to throw away all that money to connect you? Don’t you think you can play for our team with a small salary until you retire? It’s already been promised to Paul. We’ll connect you on the condition that you play for our team until you retire.”

Cassie covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes welling up with tears. Hearing that, she finally believed him. If she played for the God Knights with a salary close to free service, Beomseok wouldn’t lose anything at all.

“T-then now? Can I serve Paul as my master?”

Beomseok nodded immediately, feeling a twinge of guilt. There was no reason to hesitate, as Cassie was becoming his subordinate elf.

“Of course. But you have to be careful for now. There are Real Heroes team members nearby, so you can’t rest assured until the contract is finalized and I take you to the team.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll be as careful as possible.”

Beomseok carefully glanced at the door leading to the backyard and spoke to her again.

“By the way. I found out that you caused a big accident in your previous team.”

Cassie nodded, recalling the past.

“Yes. After learning that Paul was imprisoned, I couldn’t contain my boiling anger.”

“So, the Real Heroes team official is going to get the restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear] now. They said it might be dangerous to transport you as you are.”

“Really? Then what should I do?”

“It’s going to be a long and tiring journey, but I think you’ll have to go to our team’s training camp in that state. It seems like that official will be riding along.”

Cassie agreed without hesitation. She was so consumed by the fantasy of meeting and being reunited with Paul that she didn’t even consider doubting him.

“I’m okay, so don’t worry. I’ve been tied up in restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear] several times in this hospital, so I’m used to it.”

“Okay. Then you have to act well later. Pretend you don’t know anything and keep training. There’s no point in showing that we’re close.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Cassie, unable to suppress her hopeful smile, picked up her sword and shield and resumed training in the center of the backyard. Her heart pounded with overwhelming emotion, but she tried to calm herself and maintain her composure. She had been completely fooled by Beomseok’s smooth talk and was now playing her part.

And a little later, Rebecca, who had gone to retrieve the restraint 具 [restraint equipment/gear], entered the backyard with a few nurses from the ward. Cassie, who would have resisted and refused as usual, only showed a slight struggle and complied.

Seeing this, Beomseok smiled triumphantly and left the hospital with Cassie.

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

I’m a little late. I just got back from drinking. Hahaha.

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