Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 230

232

Godz Knights finished the first half of the season with 4 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses, placing them 15th in the league. While this put them dangerously close to the relegation zone, Beomseok wasn’t overly concerned. He knew that the team would be significantly strengthened in the second half with the addition of three Central League-caliber gladiators, courtesy of Cash and Vice Chairman Louis. Furthermore, Matilda, Violet, and Venus had developed into Wide League-level gladiators over the previous season. Oscar, along with Jelsomina, who had shown rapid improvement in her physical abilities, had also managed to reach C3 grade. With other affiliated prospects also improving their skills, Beomseok believed Godz Knights was poised to make a significant impact in the second half.

‘Strange. My analysis indicated she was a promising prospect.’

During the winter training camp, Beomseok, walking alongside Esther on the snowy path, frowned as he reviewed electronic documents. These were the gladiator recruitment data that Erpina had compiled after scouting various locations, but something seemed off.

The gladiator in question was an elf named Iphis. She had transferred from her previous team to a Central League team called the Holy Elves around a year ago. However, her performance had declined rapidly, leading to her demotion to the reserves. Consequently, the G Ranking site had downgraded her from C2 to I1. The puzzling aspect was Iphis’s high growth potential, which was in the early 900s. Given that she was still in a developmental phase, such a sharp decline was unexpected.

Beomseok, perplexed, turned to Esther with a questioning look.

“Did Erpina accurately assess this girl? Could she have mistaken her for another gladiator?”

“No. Erpina was unusually thorough; she reviewed the data multiple times, but the results remained consistent.”

“Really? Could she be an elf experiencing some kind of mental distress?”

“It doesn’t appear so. My checks indicate she’s been training diligently and adapting well to the team.”

Beomseok scratched the back of his neck and examined the data again.

“But why the sudden drop in performance? Was it simply bad luck?”

“It doesn’t seem like it. I contacted reporters in the area and learned that her physical abilities and weapon handling skills have both deteriorated rapidly.”

Typically, a decline in physical abilities pointed to two possibilities: either the gladiator was attempting to enter the Worker Auction Market [a black market for gladiators], or their abilities were genuinely declining due to age. However, Iphis was only nine years old, turning ten next year, ruling out both scenarios.

Moreover, the decline in weapon handling skills was equally perplexing. Once a skill was developed, it wouldn’t diminish easily with continued training.

“Is she concealing an injury?”

“I doubt it. Central League teams have excellent medical facilities; surely they would have detected it.”

“I suppose so. Then, we can only assume she’s experiencing a slump. Such cases, though rare, do occur even at a young age.”

“Yes, it’s rare, but highly probable.”

Beomseok rested his chin on his hand, considering the 240 million Krang [currency] price tag listed at the bottom of the document. Even considering her previous C2 grade, purchasing an I1 grade gladiator felt too expensive. Typically, I1 grade prospects cost between 90 million and 120 million.

He closed the electronic document and looked at Esther.

“It’s best to exclude her. She’s overpriced, and there’s no need to buy a kid going through a slump.”

“That’s true, but there aren’t many gladiators available for recruitment right now. The prospects we were monitoring have all seen their prices skyrocket.”

He clicked his tongue, a bitter expression on his face. The gladiator market within the Highrun Central Government, where Godz Knights was based, was experiencing an unexpected recruitment frenzy. The Chaplin Whisper Team, and now the Black Cats team, led by Chairman Lucas, had entered the fray. Other prominent teams, fueled by competitive spirit, were recklessly spending, causing the prices of decent gladiators to surge.

Consequently, smaller teams like Godz Knights were left with limited options and began looking at gladiators from other central governments. While gladiators from other regions weren’t necessarily less skilled, the lack of information made it risky.

“That’s true. But Erpina is still scouting, so another good kid will emerge. If not, we’ll manage. We don’t need to worry too much since we’ll have two Central League-level gladiators joining us in the spring season.”

“However, I think we should steadily expand the gladiator squad when we have the 余裕 [leeway/resources]. The gladiators coming this time will only be here for a year at most. We need to increase our strength before they return to their original teams. Otherwise, we risk facing the same crisis we experienced in the first half.”

Beomseok couldn’t disagree. Complacency during times of abundance could lead to panic when unexpected challenges arose.

Moreover, recruiting several useful gladiators during this transfer season and the next summer transfer season could potentially allow them to advance to the promotion tournament for the Central League in the second half of next season. This was because the gladiators Vice Chairman Louis would send would not only play in the spring season next year, but also the team’s prospects would grow and their strength would increase rapidly.

“Of course, you’re right. But Iphis is definitely not a good option. Her price is too high for her current skills. It would be cheaper to buy a gladiator from around here.”

“Well, that’s true. Then, how about this?”

“How?”

“Let’s forgo any transfers this season.”

Beomseok looked at her, puzzled. They had just agreed on the need to recruit new gladiators to strengthen the team, so this sudden change of heart was perplexing.

“Esther, what are you talking about? You were the one who said we should recruit gladiators to strengthen our team.”

“It just occurred to me. If there aren’t any suitable gladiators available, it might be wise to take a break and save funds for next year’s transfer market. Then, we can invest it all at once.”

“Invest in whom?”

“A World League-level gladiator.”

He immediately scoffed at Esther.

In truth, there were numerous benefits to having a World League-level gladiator on the team. It would strengthen the squad and increase the team’s reputation due to media attention. This fame would boost sales of season tickets and team merchandise, and attract more sponsorship inquiries. They would benefit in terms of funds, strength, and reputation. So why was Beomseok disapproving? The reason was simple: a World League-level gladiator who wasn’t past their prime would cost around 700 to 800 million Krang, even if they were a lower-tier player.

While Godz Knights currently had nearly 300 million Krang, a substantial portion of it came from the one-on-one match with Amelie, and there was no guarantee they could generate that much revenue again. In this situation, buying an expensive World League gladiator was unrealistic.

“Hehe. Esther, is that even possible?”

“It’s not impossible if we push ourselves. We’re expecting a large sum of money to come in during the upcoming summer transfer market.”

“Under what pretext will that much money come in?”

“Main sponsor.”

As if just remembering, Beomseok clapped his hands. The main sponsorship contract with Zeus Group was expiring this season.

“Ah! The main sponsor.”

“Yes. If we finish this season well, we can secure around 300 to 400 million Krang for a two-year contract. Then, we just need to cover the remaining amount with season ticket sales, team merchandise sales, etc. What do you think? Should we try it?”

After careful consideration, Beomseok shook his head. While having a World League-level gladiator would be nice, the financial burden was too great at the moment.

For 700 to 800 million, they could buy two to three Central League-level prospects. This would strengthen the team more than bringing in one World League gladiator, and these prospects could potentially develop into two to three World League-level gladiators in the future. For Godz Knights, still struggling in the Wide League, recruiting a World League-level gladiator was a luxury.

“Let’s forget about that for now. Our Godz Knights isn’t a team with overflowing funds like the Chaplin Whisper Team. Recruiting a World League player is a card we can only play after we advance to the Central League.”

“If that’s what Chairman thinks, I understand.”

Beomseok resumed walking after finishing the conversation. His final destination was the medical corporation located next to the training camp. He was going to visit Venus, who was hospitalized for sequelae [after-effects of injuries] treatment, and to receive business reports from Susan. The medical corporation’s net income had recently increased significantly, so he was paying close attention.

Beomseok first went to the special ward on the 3rd floor where Venus was staying.

Knock.

Opening the door, he saw Venus floating in a body recovery capsule filled with Camsolution solution. Susan had recently purchased this expensive product with the corporation’s earnings. Thanks to this, the treatment success rate had greatly increased, and Venus would now be able to fully recover from all sequelae during this vacation season.

Beomseok knocked on the body recovery capsule and spoke into the external speakerphone.

“Venus, how have you been?”

Venus twisted her body, causing ripples in the solution, as if happy with her owner’s visit. However, she couldn’t speak because she was wearing an oxygen mask. All she could do was write the word ‘Master’ on the transparent acrylic panel.

“Yes, yes. Just bear with it this vacation season. Then we won’t have to be apart for long.”

Venus smiled brightly and nodded. She missed Beomseok so much while hospitalized.

At that moment, the ward door opened, and Susan hurried in. She had rushed over after receiving a call from Esther. She and Venus shared the same desire to see Beomseok. During the vacation season, she was mostly at the medical corporation, only seeing him occasionally at night.

“Chairman, welcome.”

Beomseok smiled as he stroked the body recovery capsule.

“Susan, you’re doing great work. You managed to acquire this expensive equipment on your own.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Chairman. A significant number of patients who came for free diagnosis also received treatment, so the income has increased considerably.”
The Godz Knights season ticket included a free diagnosis ticket. This attracted tens of thousands of potential visitors, keeping the hospital busy. The patients appreciated the extremely low cost compared to other elf hospitals and willingly sought treatment for their elves.

“Really? What’s the monthly net income?”

“It’s about 5 million Krang. About 60% of this is used to treat the elves of poor people who can’t afford hospital bills, so we can say that about 2 million Krang is left.”

She was certainly generous. Using 60% of the net income for social contribution was almost saintly. However, Beomseok didn’t intend to criticize her. Thanks to this, Godz Knights’ public image had improved significantly. People who had their elves treated and saved money were very favorable to the Godz Knights team that ran the hospital.

“I see. Do you expect sales to continue at this level in the future?”

“I expect them to increase even more soon.”

“Really? Why?”

“We’ll be installing another body recovery capsule soon. At the same time, we plan to fully equip the sequelae treatment ward.”

Beomseok tried to appear nonchalant, but he was secretly excited. It was time to recoup the invested costs.

The treatment and recovery period for sequelae cost at least 600,000 Krang and one week, respectively. Therefore, only elves who were active as professional sports players or owned by wealthy individuals received this treatment.

However, the success rate of sequelae treatment was only 70%, even with all the equipment. The 30% failure rate was a significant concern for elf sports players who were busy with league matches and training. Failure meant another week of hospitalization, potentially causing them to miss a league match. Therefore, professional sports teams sought out sequelae treatment hospitals with high success rates, and hospitals with high success rates were always crowded.

‘Hehe. If Susan has the ability, making money is a piece of cake.’

Susan’s characteristic was ‘Benevolent Medicine,’ which increased the treatment success rate by 50%. This meant that the 70% success rate became 105%, guaranteeing the treatment of one sequela for every treatment, with a 5% chance of treating two. With effective promotion, this hospital would soon be very profitable.

Moreover, promotion would be effortless. Beomseok had built relationships with many gladiator teams during his professional career. He could easily refer a few patients, and the hospital’s reputation would quickly spread through word of mouth.

============================ Author’s Note ============================

Everyone have a nice day. I will see you again tomorrow.