Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 289

291

“Excuse me, Chairman.”

Esther approached Bumseok, who was in the middle of a discussion. Beside her were two men, both young and appearing to be in their twenties. One was tall with blonde hair, and the other had reddish hair and a friendly look.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Well, you have visitors.”

“Visitors? Who would come to see me in the middle of all this?”

She carefully pointed to the two men as she answered.

“The blonde gentleman is Mr. Amas, the chairman of the Blue Stars team in the Area League. The gentleman next to him is Mr. Roben, the chairman of the amateur gladiatorial team, Middle Fingers. Both of them run their teams as private companies.”

Bumseok nodded as if he finally understood. Come to think of it, he had met Amas before. He had come to ask for advice when starting the team, introducing himself as a major shareholder of TL Shopping, a large distribution company.

Bumseok excused himself to Louis and Angela before approaching Amas and extending his hand.

“It’s been a while. How is the team doing?”

Amas shook hands with an awkward smile. He was glad to see him, but the situation made him uneasy.

He had inherited the company from his late father but had been wasting his time due to a lack of management skills until recently. Bored with his unemployed life, he jumped into the gladiatorial world, but the existing powers were acting territorial, which was unbearable. Naturally, he couldn’t be comfortable.

“Yes, it’s going well. But this matter is a bit concerning. Even though my social life is limited, I can tell that something is up, as Esther said.”

“Haha. So you came to find out what’s going on?”

“Yes, I came to see what’s happening. My team is close to Genocide, so I came to this place.”

It was understandable that he was worried. Although he started it as a side project, he was pouring affection into his team, enough to come to Bumseok for advice.

Bumseok nodded and looked at Roben with a curious gaze. He had only asked Esther to contact professional gladiatorial teams, but Roben was the head of an amateur team. Still, he greeted him since it was their first meeting.

“Hello. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, hello. I’m Roben.”

After the greetings, Bumseok asked directly.

“How did you find out about this place, Mr. Roben?”

“Well, I recently started an amateur gladiatorial team and went to Mr. Amas to ask about team management. That’s when I heard about the situation. So, I was upset and came here without hesitation.”

“I see. Well, you came to the right place. As a victim, you should know what’s going on.”

Roben was deeply moved. He was grateful for Bumseok’s consideration, even though he was just starting an amateur gladiatorial team. Amateur teams had no voting rights in the general assembly, so they had no power.

“Yes, I’m very grateful that you understand. It seems Nikita has found a good owner, which is reassuring.”

“Oh, do you know our Nikita?”

“Yes, I was on the same team. The Menex Odins team. I was a staff member back then.”

“Oh, really? What a coincidence. You’re a relative of Nikita’s, so it’s nice to meet you.”

At those words, Roben scratched his head awkwardly.

“Haha. I wouldn’t say we’re that close. I quit the team not long after she joined.”

“Oh, why did you quit?”

“I was lucky enough to win the World Lottery first prize. Hahaha.”

The World Lottery was the most well-known electronic lottery sold worldwide. The price per ticket was 10 krons [currency unit, likely fictional], but with so many participants chasing their dreams, the first prize was around 45 billion krons. Of course, the amount could be reduced if there were multiple winners, but they still took away billions of krons each.

Winning the lottery was the dream of all mankind. Bumseok gave him an envious look.

“It’s late, but I should congratulate you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Suddenly, Bumseok opened Roben’s information window. He was on the same team as Nikita and had the incredible luck of winning the lottery, which reminded him of someone. It was the staff member who had connected him with her.

‘Oh, it’s him.’

In Roben’s characteristic window, ‘Answer of Origin’ was accurately listed. It was the same characteristic that Nikita had copied before being recruited by him. This characteristic was temporary, but it included the option that something one had wished for would come true once in a lifetime, making it worthy of being called a scam.

Bumseok’s eyes lit up. Building a friendship with him could be very helpful in times of need. He and Nikita had no choice but to use their wishes, but he and Renka didn’t.

“Anyway, you all came at the right time. We are discussing this situation, so please sit down and listen.”

He made arrangements for Amas and Roben to sit down and then took his seat again. During the conversation, they noticed that the old man and woman next to them were Louis, the vice president, and Angela, who were well-known in the gladiatorial world, and looked at Bumseok with surprised eyes. His wide network of connections with such prominent figures seemed impressive.

“Now, let’s go.”

Bumseok, who had finished the discussion, got up from his seat with Louis, Angela, and everyone else. It was time to persuade Chairman Ibrahim. He wanted to refine the plan with more effort, but time was running out. The stage in front of the banquet hall seemed busy, indicating that they were about to start discussing the agenda to be presented at the general meeting.

Louis and Angela, who were walking ahead, stood in front of a stern-looking old gentleman. He had white hair covering his neck, and he accented his white suit with a red necktie and handkerchief.

“Chairman Ibrahim, how do you do?”

“Chairman Ibrahim, hello.”

“Ah, Vice President Louis, Madam Angela. It’s a pleasure to see you. Please, sit here.”

Chairman Ibrahim gestured, and the members of his faction who were sitting nearby vacated their seats. Although they were influential figures within the faction, they could not match the head of another faction.

Thanks to this, Bumseok, Amas, and Roben had no choice but to stand behind them awkwardly. There were empty seats, but everyone was being offered seats by the old men, so it was not easy to sit down.

Chairman Ibrahim looked at Vice President Louis and said.

“But what’s going on? It seems like something important if you two came to see me in person…”

“It’s about the agenda of the Cooper faction that we’ve been continuously inquiring about. Since you kept avoiding answering, I brought Madam Angela here.”

“Ah. Are you talking about adding the corporation clause to the requirements for entering the Area League?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Chairman Ibrahim frowned as if he was in trouble.

“But that agenda is what all teams want. Even though I’m the chairman of the association, it’s very difficult for me to refuse. It could cause a big backlash later.”

“However, if it’s a rejection that includes the opinions of many, wouldn’t it be understandable?”

“Many? Who would oppose that agenda?”

“Not only me, but Madam Angela’s faction here has decided to completely reject this agenda.”

Chairman Ibrahim looked at Madam Angela with a puzzled expression.

“Madam Angela too?”

“Yes, of course.”

Ibrahim coughed roughly. Even though she was known as a foolish woman, he couldn’t believe she didn’t know the benefits this agenda would bring to the existing professional gladiatorial teams.

“Ahem. Madam Angela, there’s no reason for you to oppose this agenda, is there? Think about it again.”

“No. No matter how much I think about it, this agenda must be stopped. It’s one of the ways the Black Society is attacking our economic groups. I can’t betray the organization I belong to and help the enemy just because I get a little benefit.”

Ibrahim covered his forehead as if he had a headache. The conflict between the Black Society and the economic groups was causing constant turmoil in the gladiatorial world. He was annoyed that they were fighting in his territory instead of fighting outside.

He looked at Vice President Louis again.

“I understand your intentions, but your opinions don’t reflect the majority, do they?”

“Yes, but if Chairman Ibrahim takes the lead, wouldn’t it become the majority? Nearly 70% of the people are against it.”

“That’s true, but why should I oppose this agenda?”

Louis said with a calm expression.

“As chairman, you must prevent the worst situation from happening to our Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association.”

“What worst?”

“The division of the gladiatorial world and, furthermore, the collapse of the Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association.”

Ibrahim looked at Louis with a pathetic look. He couldn’t believe he was talking about the collapse of the Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association just to deal with one agenda.

“Vice President Louis, aren’t you being too worried?”

“Not at all. I expect it to happen for sure.”

“Why?”

Louis gestured to Bumseok. It meant that he should explain the new league system he had created. Soon, Bumseok took out the electronic notebook from his pocket and displayed a holographic screen in front of Chairman Ibrahim.

“Chairman Ibrahim, this screen shows the structure of the new gladiatorial league. Please take a look.”

The data he showed was a structure that copied the European football league in reality. About 80 teams were organized into four leagues of 20 teams each, and three teams were promoted and relegated each year according to their performance in adjacent leagues. And the back page contained a plan to attract even more gladiatorial teams to hold games like the Champions League in reality.

“Not a bad league system. But what about it?”

“If this agenda is passed, I will lead the affected teams and run this league.”

Even at those words, Chairman Ibrahim’s reaction was lukewarm. It seemed like a decent league system, but it wasn’t enough to surpass the current system. The size was different from the start, so it was questionable whether it would be well-received by fans.

“This kind of league system can’t beat the current Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association. So don’t talk nonsense and stay calm. Frankly, this agenda won’t harm the Gods Knights team, will it?”

“Of course, it won’t harm us right away. But it will change if just one phrase is changed. From ‘Area League’ to ‘All’.”

“That won’t happen, so rest assured.”

“No. It will definitely happen. The reason why the Cooper faction put forward this agenda is to tighten my noose. They will definitely come out with an even more strengthened clause soon and try to kick out the Gods Knights.”

Ibrahim waved his hand.

“Don’t worry. I’ll step in and stop it when that happens.”

“Hmph. Are you kidding me now? You want me to entrust my life and death to someone else? I’m sorry, but I’m not a fool.”

Ibrahim’s face turned red.

“Are you looking down on me now?”

“No, but you seem to be someone who completely supports this agenda. So I think you can do even more.”

At this point, Louis quickly stepped in. There was no good in them turning red in the face. It was better for him to resolve the conversation with Chairman Ibrahim. Bumseok’s intervention would only hurt each other’s feelings.

“Okay, okay. Stop it here. Chairman Ibrahim, what are you going to do in the future? Are you going to support this agenda?”

“Of course. It’s what the majority of association officials want, so shouldn’t I do it?”

Louis shook his head because it was not a satisfactory answer.

“Are you really going to collapse the Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association? I can’t help but feel sorry that Chairman Ibrahim’s insight is so short.”

“Vice President Louis, what are you saying! There are at least 10,000 professional gladiatorial teams that follow us. There won’t be a problem if those 80 teams leave.”

“Absolutely not. It will definitely happen.”

“Why?”

“In fact, the talk about passing this agenda is about having a life-or-death battle with a small number of gladiatorial teams that do not operate in the form of a corporation, including Bumseok here. But if it goes that far, we will be seen as the weak. It means we will be unilaterally attacked. So I am strongly opposed to this agenda even though it benefits me.

I don’t want to take the path of ruin for a little profit.”

“No. Why are you going to ruin, Vice President Louis?”

Louis took a deep breath and answered.

“They are only 80 teams, but they are all quite wealthy. If they want, they can buy all of our World League team gladiators. But they can buy our World League gladiators at a very cheap price without having to overdo it.

Chairman Ibrahim may also have to experience selling Prisika, which he owns, for less than a few hundred million krons.”

Prisika was an elf gladiator who boasted a current value of 7.4 billion. Selling such an elf for a few hundred million krons was absurd.

“Are you kidding me now? Do you think I’ll sell Prisika for such a cheap price?”

“Of course. It will definitely happen if they create a new league. All they have to do is add a clause to the new gladiatorial association transfer regulations that allows public disclosure. Do you know what I mean?”

Ibrahim, who roughly guessed what he meant, gritted his teeth. Elves were beings who would do anything to get their owners. If they played tricks through the media, Prisika’s heart would be greatly shaken. Then the story that followed was too obvious.

He spoke with deep anger in his voice.

“If Prisika causes trouble with such media articles, I will put her in a mental hospital. I will never sell her, so they will not gain any profit.”

“No. It’s even more profitable if you do that. They don’t have to buy Prisika, so they can target other gladiators. If you go out like that, the entire Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association will eventually collapse. I’ll say it again, but you must avoid the life-or-death battle that leads to mutual destruction.”

Ibrahim closed his eyes tightly. Listening to Louis’s words, this was not a normal serious problem.

If Bumseok and his followers held a grudge against being kicked out of the league and rushed in like a dogfight, it would really be the end. It was better to keep them in the arms of the Federal Professional Gladiatorial Association even if it meant losing a little.

As long as they were included in the current league, they could not escape the fence of the association regulations.

“Sigh~ I understand. I will give up this agenda as Vice President Louis wishes.”

“Yes. That’s a wise decision.”

Louis, who had obtained a concession from Ibrahim, smiled at Bumseok. With this, the negative votes were close to 70%, so this agenda would be rejected. But Louis did not stop here and took him to another faction.

Bumseok’s purpose was achieved, but not his. Louis’s goal was to completely isolate the Cooper faction, which supported the Black Society.

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

Have a nice day, everyone. I’ll see you again tomorrow.