Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 276

278

“Waaaaah! Waaaaah!”

The Godz Knights celebrated their victory in the 3rd round. Some members of the opposing team, including their captain, Gladiator Number 1, attempted to flee, but their efforts were futile. The Godz Knights boasted several gladiators with exceptional speed. This win brought their score to 2 wins and 1 loss. Now, they only needed a draw to advance to the final showdown.

Shortly after, in the 4th round, the Godz Knights secured the draw they needed. The East Winds team attempted a complex offensive maneuver, but their execution lacked coordination, allowing the Godz Knights to maintain control of the game.

“Good. The second string will compete in the 5th round.”

Beomseok strategically deployed the second string in the 5th round. Although they could have secured victory with another draw, he believed it was more prudent to conserve the stamina of his main team for the final showdown. If the main force competed until the 5th round in their current condition, their performance in the finals, scheduled four days later, would be compromised. Furthermore, the second string, with their fresh stamina, could further deplete the exhausted East Winds team’s main force, potentially giving them an advantage in the final showdown. Ultimately, the Godz Knights lost the 5th round, leading to a final showdown.

“Alright. Let’s go!”

The gladiators selected for the final showdown were Nikita, Gelsomina, Rafine, Jermia, and Cathy, a formidable lineup of five. All were C0-class or higher gladiators, a fact that undoubtedly instilled fear in the East Winds team. Moreover, they had rested during the 5th round, allowing them to recover some stamina, while the main forces of the East Winds had competed in three consecutive rounds and were severely fatigued. Predictably, the East Winds team was no match. Nikita, leading as captain, barely had to exert herself, and the semi-final match concluded with a victory for the Godz Knights.

– This is the morning sports news. Our top story concerns the Dark Hyenas, who were recently relegated to the Hieiern Central League. Reporter Maron joins us now. Maron, I understand you have some significant news to share. What is it?

Beomseok, who had been relaxing in his hospital room while reviewing information about the Fly Wolves, their opponents in the finals, suddenly turned his attention to the TV. He was intrigued by the news about the Dark Hyenas, a team closely associated with the Hyena Group, a prominent economic organization.

A blonde reporter, seated next to the announcer on the screen, began to speak.

– Indeed, rumors have been circulating that Dyson, the coach of the Dark Hyenas, will be dismissed to take responsibility for the team’s relegation, correct?

– Yes, that’s right. It’s customary for the coach to be replaced after relegation, and the Hyena Group’s management seemed to be leaning towards that decision.

– However, yesterday evening, the Hyena Group’s management made an unexpected announcement.

– What decision did they make?

Reporter Maron responded promptly.

– Firstly, they decided to extend the contract of coach Dyson, despite the widespread expectation of his dismissal.

– Really? Given the team’s relegation, one would expect someone to be held accountable. This is certainly surprising news.

– Not entirely. The current Dark Hyenas team leader will be leaving the team to take responsibility for the relegation.

The announcer’s eyes widened.

– The team leader was dismissed? Doesn’t that happen often?

– No, it’s quite unusual. However, according to an anonymous high-ranking official, this is a necessary measure to facilitate a strong challenge for promotion next year.

– What does that mean? What does the dismissal of the team leader have to do with the challenge for promotion next year? Did the Dark Hyenas team leader have a serious conflict with the management?

Reporter Maron shook her head.

– That’s not the case. Apparently, a gladiator they were attempting to recruit refused to play under the previous team leader.

The announcer looked bewildered. He had never heard of replacing a team leader to accommodate a single gladiator.

– Seriously? The Hyena Group’s management accepted such an absurd demand?

– Yes, they did.

– Huh. Just how exceptional is this gladiator that the Hyena Group is making such an unprecedented move for?

– According to sources, it’s a rookie gladiator who has been active in the wild [referring to gladiators who fight outside of organized leagues].

The announcer’s expression clearly conveyed his embarrassment. The Hyena Group’s management replaced the team leader to recruit a gladiator from the wild, not a renowned World League gladiator. He found it incomprehensible. It seemed as likely as everyone suddenly deciding to drink rat poison.

– This is baffling. I can’t make sense of it.

– Yes, that’s how it appears on the surface. But a closer examination reveals a different picture. The current Hyena management is convinced that this gladiator’s skills are comparable to those of Amelie.

The announcer blinked in astonishment at this even more surprising revelation. He struggled to believe that a gladiator of Amelie’s caliber had been fighting in the wild until now. Amelie was currently the undisputed strongest gladiator in the World League, unmatched by anyone. If this was true, the Hyena Group’s management should have fired not only the team leader but also the team leader’s grandfather. It made no sense for such a skilled individual to join the Dark Hyenas, a team relegated to the Central League.

– Is, is that true?

– Yes, it is. The Hyena Group’s management initially doubted this claim, so they personally observed a test match. After witnessing his abilities, they had no choice but to acknowledge his potential.

– That’s incredible. This is truly shocking news. A rival to the one and only Amelie – I’m genuinely excited to see this.

– Yes. What’s even more intriguing is that this individual will face Amelie head-on in the Hieiern Central League next year.

The announcer clapped his hands as if struck by a sudden realization. Amelie was scheduled to return to the Chaplin Whisper team, which was aiming for promotion from next season. Consequently, the Chaplin Whisper team and the Dark Hyenas would compete against each other in the Hieiern Central League next year.

– This is shaping up to be a fascinating situation in the Hieiern Central League next season. The clash between the seemingly invincible Amelie and the self-proclaimed strongest gladiator that the Hyena Group recruited by replacing their team leader.

– Furthermore, the Godz Knights are currently competing in the finals of the promotion tournament to the Hieiern Central League. It remains uncertain whether they will be promoted, but if they are, Oh Beomseok, the widely recognized strongest prospect, will join these competitions. Isn’t that a thrilling prospect?

– Yes, indeed. I’m certainly looking forward to it. Now, let’s move on to the next news item. This time…….

As the scene transitioned, Beomseok, who had been staring blankly at the screen, swiftly turned off the TV and retrieved his electronic notebook from his pocket. The emergence of a gladiator at Amelie’s level demanded investigation. He located Julian’s number and initiated the call. As the son of the Hyena Group’s chairman, Julian might possess inside information about the day’s news.

After a few rings, Julian’s image, clad in a suit, appeared on the screen.

– Oh. Who is it? What’s up?

Beomseok spoke urgently, without hesitation.

“Julian! Is it true that a gladiator comparable to Amelie has joined the Dark Hyenas team?”

– Ah. You saw the news too. This is troublesome. I intended to keep it under wraps until the start of the season, but it’s already leaked to the media. I need to tighten security among the board members.

“Stop the nonsense. Is it true or false?”

Julian paused, contemplating whether to divulge the information. Ultimately, he decided to reveal the truth. He owed Beomseok a debt of gratitude for lending him 200,000 krang [currency unit] when he was in a difficult situation. He considered this a small repayment. Besides, the matter was already public knowledge through the media.

– Hmm. It’s generally accurate. I can’t say for certain because I haven’t pitted him against Amelie yet, but he’s potentially stronger in a one-on-one fight.

“What are you talking about? He might be stronger? Than Amelie?”

– Yeah. He’s skilled enough to defeat our Dark Hyenas’ three ace gladiators in an instant. Even Amelie might not be able to accomplish that. She’s a gladiator who specializes in team battles.

Beomseok’s eyes widened in disbelief. Currently, he could barely manage two World League gladiators simultaneously. Attempting to take on more would inevitably lead to defeat. Yet, this newly emerged mysterious gladiator effortlessly defeated three ace gladiators from a World League team, albeit one that had been relegated. In terms of raw power, this implied that he was significantly stronger than Beomseok himself.

“Wh, what’s his name?”

– It’s Jakid. He used to work with me. You’ve probably seen him once before.

“I saw him? When?”

– A while ago, when I was on the phone with you, there was a large man who suddenly interrupted, remember?”

Beomseok, searching his memory, recalled a towering man with exceptionally bright white teeth.

“Ah! That huge man who was cleaning with a mop?”

– That’s right. That’s Jakid.

“Hey. Why was someone so skilled working as a cleaner?”

– I didn’t know at the time. Don’t even mention it. When I first saw him, I thought he was a beggar. So I gave him a job at the restaurant so he could earn a living.

Beomseok chuckled. Even if Jakid was dressed like a beggar, it was absurd to imagine a gladiator capable of overwhelming three World League gladiators wielding a mop instead of a sword.

“Huhu. But how did you discover that Jakid was a great gladiator?”

– Recently, he kept pestering me to let him fight, so I took him to the group’s area league team, where a friend of mine is the team leader. I intended to give him a taste of the professional world. But surprisingly, during the test, he fought 10 main gladiators alone and defeated them all. The team leader, who witnessed this, informed the group’s management. Subsequently, he faced three World League-level gladiators in front of the management, including my father, and defeated them instantly.

Indeed, defeating 10 area-level gladiators and three World League-level gladiators single-handedly was undeniable proof of his abilities.

“That’s what happened. Your father seems to have too much free time. The group chairman personally overseeing a gladiator test.”

– It was unavoidable. The Dark Hyenas are the face of our group, and their relegation was a major blow. Jakid insisted that he would never play under the Dark Hyenas team leader. My father was forced to choose between the team leader and Jakid, leaving him with no other option but to intervene.

“Why did Jakid have a problem with the team leader?”

– I’m not entirely sure. Apparently, the Dark Hyenas team leader and Jakid’s mentor were old rivals from their professional gladiator days. When the team leader mentioned the mentor’s name, he insulted him severely, which angered Jakid.

That explained Jakid’s behavior. Anyone would be enraged by insults directed at a respected acquaintance. If Beomseok were in his position, he would have likely kicked the team leader.

Having gathered all the information, Beomseok scrutinized Julian’s appearance. He noticed that Julian was wearing a rather formal suit, not his usual waiter’s uniform.

“Are you going to a funeral? Why are you dressed like that?”

– What funeral at this hour! I’m rejoining the group’s management team today.

“What does that mean? A sudden return to the management team?”

Julian, smoothing the collar of his suit, raised his chin.

– Hehehe. I’m going to be the new Dark Hyenas team leader. Today is my first day on the job. Huhu.”

Beomseok frowned. The Dark Hyenas team leader position was a significant role within the Hyena Group. Julian’s appointment to this position indicated that he had gained the trust of his father, the group chairman. Considering Julian’s past actions, Beomseok couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. He might exploit the power of the Hyena Group to scheme again.

“Ahem. Really? What about managing your father’s friend’s franchise?”

– Well, it can’t be helped. My father’s friend’s business is important, but the Hyena Group is facing a crisis, so I, Julian, must step up. Sigh~ The company has been floundering in my absence, it’s pathetic. Tsk tsk.

Beomseok narrowed his eyes as he stared at Julian. It seemed that Julian had inadvertently secured the team leader position because of Jakid, but his arrogance was overflowing.

“Anyway, that’s good. You can finally repay the 200,000 krang you borrowed, right? The salary of a team leader must be substantial.”

Julian blinked and looked at him.

– What 200,000 krang?

“What? Are you trying to avoid paying me back? You borrowed 100,000 krang twice before.”

– Of course, I remember. I, Julian, would never evade such a small debt. However, the amount is incorrect. I recall it being 100,000 krang.

“100,000? Why?”

– We agreed to settle the first 100,000 krang as an information fee, remember?

Come to think of it, Beomseok had deducted 100,000 krang as an information fee when solving Sheila’s case. Julian’s advice had enabled Beomseok to identify Rubin and Theresa as the true masterminds.

‘This Julian has become incredibly stingy. He’s quibbling over a mere 100,000 krang.’

100,000 krang was a significant sum for ordinary people, but it was a negligible amount for Julian, who was returning to the management team. In the past, his extravagant spending had often left Beomseok shaking his head.

“That’s right. That’s what happened. Then send me at least 100,000 krang.”

– Why would I?

“Why? You agreed to repay 100,000 krang!”

– But I provided you with information about Jakid today. This is confidential information about our group and is worth more than 100,000 krang. I should be receiving money, not sending it to you. I’m going to hang up now. Goodbye.”

Beomseok stared blankly at the communication screen as it went dark. In the past, Julian would never have made such unreasonable demands to avoid repaying such a small amount. It seemed that Julian had changed significantly.

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

I have a concern. It’s about my pen name, Sky Follower. People have been saying it’s strange for a while. Some find it difficult to pronounce and question my choice. I’m considering changing it, but I’m unsure what name would be suitable. I’d like a pen name that is dignified and easy to remember.

Have a nice day, everyone. See you tomorrow.