Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 234

Exactly one week later, Hobbes visited the Godz Knights camp. Beomseok led him to a pre-arranged reception room and immediately launched into a heated recruitment pitch. He was determined to acquire Herse, but with such a significant sum of money involved, he needed to minimize the cost as much as possible to ease the financial strain.

However, Hobbes’s position was the opposite. As Juan Irons’ trade manager, he was obligated to maximize Herse’s value to benefit his team.

“Ahem. 140 million Krang is completely out of the question. Herse was once a promising player and a regular starter for our team. Considering his potential for growth and his swordsmanship skills, I believe you should offer considerably more, Beomseok.”

“But isn’t Herse currently rated as a Wide League-level gladiator? For your information, most promising players at that level are traded for around 100 million Krang on the open market. The 140 million Krang we’ve offered is by no means a small amount.”

Hobbes quickly finished the drink in front of him, as if his throat was incredibly dry. In truth, Beomseok’s offer wasn’t low when compared to Herse’s current assessed ability.

“Of course, you’re not wrong, but Herse once had a value of nearly 400 million Krang. He’s simply developed some bad habits recently, but if he corrects them, he can definitely return to his former skill level.”

“That would be the case if there were a guarantee that he could fix them quickly. But Herse’s habits aren’t something that can be fixed in a short amount of time.”

“Why is that?”

Beomseok replied as if it were obvious.

“Because she doesn’t even recognize her own habits. And no one knows when they’ll surface, right? How can you fix something quickly when neither the person being guided nor the people guiding her know the root cause?”

Hobbes pursed his lips, as if he were at a loss for words. It was impossible to easily correct a habit that hadn’t even been properly identified.

“Sigh~ Okay. Then I’ll concede another 5 million and offer 145 million Krang. What do you think?”

“How about 155 million?”

Hobbes frowned and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. It seemed like they were stuck in an endless cycle of haggling. He now had only two options: either accept Beomseok’s offer in an unconventional way and conclude the negotiation, or lower the price by a few million Krang and threaten to walk away.

Taking a deep breath, he glared at Beomseok with sharp eyes and spoke firmly, as if there were no other teams in the world interested in Herse.

“150 million Krang. If it’s less than that, I’m packing my bags immediately.”

Beomseok crossed his arms and stared intently at Hobbes, trying to gauge the sincerity of his offer. But he wasn’t in a position to take risks. To ensure the smooth progress of future trades, it was best to finalize Herse’s transfer here.

As he pondered, Esther opened the door and stood beside him, quietly saying,

“Chairman, he’s here.”

“Who?”

She glanced at Hobbes. Hobbes and the guest who had just arrived had met before.

“That person.”

From Esther’s vague answer, Beomseok realized that the guest he was waiting for had arrived.

“Really? Which room did you take him to?”

“He’s in the reception room next door.”

Beomseok stood up and had Esther take his seat.

“Esther, Hobbes has set his bottom line at 150 million Krang. I have to go now, so you finish up and close the deal. If possible, complete the transaction as well. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Hobbes, who had overheard their conversation, let out a sigh of relief. Judging from the fact that Beomseok told her to complete the transaction, it seemed he was willing to trade at 150 million Krang.

“Beomseok, are you leaving?”

“Yes, a very important guest has arrived, so I’ll have to excuse myself. In any case, all contracts will be finalized by the director, Esther, so please discuss it in a positive manner.”

“Yes, I understand. Then don’t worry about me and go ahead.”

While Esther dealt with Hobbes, Beomseok went out the door. He went to the reception room next door, straightened his collar, and knocked lightly. Now the most difficult and important deal was about to begin.

“I’m coming in.”

Announcing his presence, Beomseok entered and saw a red-haired man in his 30s sitting at the table in the reception room. It was Ismail, the trade manager of Holy Elves. According to Esther, who had dealt with him before, he had a long history as a professional gladiator, so he had a deep understanding of the field and was also a very difficult negotiator because of his eloquence.

He approached Ismail and offered a handshake.

“Hello? I’m Oh Beomseok, the chairman of Godz Knights.”

Ismail, who stood up from his seat, smiled brightly and came over to shake his hand.

“To meet Gladiator Oh Beomseok in person is truly an honor. I’m Ismail.”

“Hahaha, the honor is mine. Well, then, let’s sit down. We have a lot to discuss.”

“Indeed. I’ve prepared a lot of topics to share with you, Beomseok.”

Sitting across from each other, Beomseok started the conversation.

“Seeing that you’ve come here today, can I assume that you’re considering a trade for Iphis?”

“Well, if the conditions are right, why not?”

“Ah, is that so? Then what are your expectations for the price?”

Ismail tapped the table a few times with his lightly clenched fist and quietly stated his terms.

“340 million Krang.”

Beomseok coughed roughly and said, his mouth twitching slightly.

“I clearly told your director that I would never pay more than 200 million Krang.”

“Of course, I heard that, but that’s how deals work, isn’t it? If there’s a reasonable price and we both compromise, the initial figure doesn’t matter.”

His words were as sharp as a snake’s fangs. Under the guise of agreement and compromise, he was turning the bottom line they had set into a mere suggestion. Of course, Beomseok could refuse immediately and break off negotiations, but he decided to indulge Ismail’s eloquence. That’s how crucial Iphis’s recruitment was to strengthening Godz Knights’ power.

“Well, that’s true, but the question is whether we can reach a compromise. I believe less than 200 million Krang is appropriate, and if you’re asking for 340 million Krang, the negotiations won’t go smoothly.”

“Well, it depends on how well I can persuade you. If I can convince you, Beomseok, we can definitely trade at that price, can’t we?”

“Ah, is that so? Then what makes Iphis worth as much as 340 million Krang? Please provide some specific performance data.”

There was no way Ismail would present such data. If Iphis had achieved results worthy of 340 million Krang, she wouldn’t have been relegated to the reserves.

“Of course, Iphis’s league performance this year hasn’t been great. However, her inherent potential for growth and her swordsmanship are excellent. To undervalue her so drastically because she’s had a bit of bad luck for a year and a half would be a grave mistake.”

“Huhu, our director Esther proved earlier that it wasn’t just bad luck, didn’t she?”

At those words, Ismail’s eyes lit up. In fact, the real purpose of his visit to Godz Knights today wasn’t to trade Iphis, but to find a way to overcome her weaknesses, which were subtly emerging.

When Holy Elves recruited Iphis in the past, one of the spear masters in charge of the mid-level was injured during a practice match, and they urgently needed a replacement. So Ismail looked through the data of numerous gladiators and even traveled the world to find a suitable candidate. Just as the transfer deadline was approaching, a young, green-haired spear master caught his eye. It was Iphis, a promising prospect with outstanding skills and growth potential that he might never see again.

So he began to persuade the director and team officials. The team only needed a spear master to use right away, but he couldn’t bear to let her go. In the end, he succeeded in convincing everyone and was able to bring Iphis into the team for 380 million Krang.

But on her first appearance, she made a huge mistake and put the team in danger. At first, he thought it was just nerves, but the accidents continued every time she played in a match, and later she was relegated to the reserves. As a result, Ismail, who had strongly advocated for her recruitment, was in a difficult position within the team, and recently he had even received an order to sell her off quickly.

However, he was too proud to send Iphis to another team in her current state. That would be tantamount to admitting that he had misjudged the gladiator. So today, he visited the Godz Knights team without any intention of selling her. He thought that Beomseok, who had made Iphis, the lowest-ranked gladiator in the second team, fall with just advice, might know why her habit was occurring. If he could only grasp this information, he would be able to correct her habit and restore her past skills. Then he would naturally prove to the team officials that his initial assessment had been correct.

“Yes, I saw that sparring match too. It was very impressive. I believe they call him Gladiator Oh Beomseok? Anyway, it was amazing.”

“Huhu, it’s not that amazing. Anyone can see it if they watch the video footage. If a big mistake is going to happen if you just wait, why bother attacking first and getting hit?”

“Of course, I know that too. But it’s still impressive that you’re trying to recruit Iphis even though you know about that weakness, isn’t it?”

Beomseok calmly smiled and said.

“Huhu, are you suggesting that I might know how to fix her habit?”

“Well, I won’t deny it.”

At those words, Beomseok answered truthfully.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to fix Iphis’s habit either. It’s on a different level from what other gladiators experience.”

“Then why are you trying to recruit her?”

“Well, I could say it’s because she has good growth potential.”

Ismail narrowed his eyes at the obvious flattery.

“Is that all?”

“Hmm, how should I put it? I can’t say that’s the only reason.”

“Can you explain the details? I’m curious.”

As Beomseok hesitated, a notification came from his pocket. After asking for a moment of understanding, he checked his electronic notepad and wore an expression of triumph that was beyond words. He had not only finished the recruitment negotiations with Hobbes but had also completed the transaction for 150 million Krang. The ownership transfer documents were attached. Now the upper hand in the negotiations had shifted to Beomseok.

“Yes, I’ll tell you. I can’t fix Iphis’s habit, but I can turn it into a great advantage.”

Ismail listened intently, his ears perked up as he heard something beyond what he had expected. If it could be turned into an advantage, there was no need to fix the habit.

“Re, really? How on earth?”

“If you put Iphis and Herse in the game together. In fact, Iphis’s bizarre behavior is a habit that stems from their combined tactics.”

Ismail made an absurd expression as if it didn’t make sense.

“Beomseok, do you think I’m blind? If that was a combined tactic, there’s no way I or our team officials wouldn’t have noticed.”

“But there is. The combined tactics they use are not combined tactics.”

Ismail glared, even more unable to understand. Combined tactics that are not combined tactics? There was no such contradictory concept.

“Are you kidding me right now? Where in the world is there such a thing?”

“Then let me ask you a question. What is the definition of combined tactics?”

“Well, isn’t it a systematized technique in which two or more people follow a certain pattern to attack the opponent?”

“What happens if you remove the certain pattern and systematized technique from that definition?”

Then it was just a joint attack of fighting together without any plan.

“Well, isn’t it just teamwork to fight together while coordinating?”

“Yes, that’s right. There’s no pattern or system, so you can’t call it combined tactics in the traditional sense. But Herse and Iphis replace the certain pattern and systematized technique with natural body movements and the twins’ almost instinctive communication. That’s why I call it combined tactics, even though it’s hard to define. Even the movement of bending their fingers is a signal agreed upon through their unique communication. And the habit that seems like a mistake is a phenomenon that occurs when they corner the opponent and then divide the space to make it impossible to avoid. But when one person is missing, one side of the space is wide open, and the opponent can easily defeat them by exploiting this empty space.”

Ismail shook his head, still not believing it.

“I don’t understand at all. What are you talking about?”

“Then let me explain it in simpler terms. In soccer, there’s a concept called a ‘sensational pass.’ It’s a technique of passing the ball while predicting the position where a teammate will move during the game, even though it wasn’t planned in advance. If the teammate moves as intended and occupies that space, it becomes a kill pass that threatens the opponent’s goal, or it becomes a situation where the opposing team’s defense gives up the ball for free. Iphis’s situation is similar to the latter. However, the problem is that it happens in an area of communication that is deeper than intuition, so she doesn’t recognize that it’s a wrong pass, and other teammates can never anticipate it. Now, let’s take a look at the video footage.”

Beomseok immediately took out his electronic notepad and displayed the scene of the match in which Iphis and Herse appeared together on the screen. Ismail watched the screen intently but only tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“Isn’t it just ordinary teamwork?”

“It’s just that you can’t see it because you’re only trying to find formalized combined tactics. As I said just now, every single movement of Iphis and Herse is a combined tactic agreed upon through their unique communication.”

Ismail, who pondered those words and examined the footage in detail, shot a look close to astonishment. The fact that they were fighting against different opponents and gradually getting closer to each other, and then at some point, they were simultaneously launching a fatal blow at one gladiator, was simply amazing. The movements that seemed to be just a clever team play by chance were non-formalized combined tactics that occurred through their unique communication.

Ismail gave him a serious look.