Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 311

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“So, are you going to let him go?”

Julien sighed deeply, as if frustrated.

“Hoo~ I think I might have to. Director Dyson wants to leave, and the Devil Spirits are offering compensation for the contract termination, so there’s not much I can do.”

“That’s a big problem. Changing the director when the team is doing well could create discord… By the way, have you found a replacement director?”

Julien hesitated at Henry’s question, unsure if he should reveal his choice.

Several directors were considered, but the person he had in mind was quite unexpected. However, given the nature of the matter, he thought it best to seek approval from Henry, the group chairman. Appointing his chosen candidate could cause quite a stir in the Hairen Central League.

“Several names have come up, but I’m planning to appoint someone else as director.”

“Someone else?”

“Yes, but it’s a rather unexpected person, so I’m worried everyone will oppose it.”

“Who on earth is it?”

“Remnant.”

Henry tilted his head with a peculiar expression. He had never heard of such a director. Of course, the Hyena Group didn’t just manage gladiatorial teams, so the chairman couldn’t know every director, but someone worthy of becoming the Dark Hyenas director should at least have some recognition.

“Remnant… I don’t seem to recognize the name.”

“No. He retired from the World League gladiator scene quite a while ago, and he has no experience as a director.”

Henry frowned. Famous gladiatorial teams sometimes hired directors without experience, but there had to be a valid reason. Dark Hyenas wasn’t a small team where just anyone could be appointed as director.

“Then why are you trying to appoint him as director?”

“Lately, Jakid seems to have become too lazy. His training is sloppy, and he occasionally comes back drunk from nearby bars. So, I want to bring Remnant into the team to keep him in check.”

That was understandable. Currently, Dark Hyenas was practically a one-man team centered around Jakid. If he were to fall apart, the team would suffer greatly.

“Well, that makes sense, but do you think bringing him in will straighten out Jakid’s mind?”

“Yes. Remnant is the master who raised Jakid. He says he would even pretend to die if Remnant told him to.”

Henry’s face brightened at those words. For a gladiatorial team to achieve good results, strategy and team organization were necessary, but the most important condition was the individual skill of the gladiators.

Someone who had trained a capable gladiator like Jakid would likely demonstrate exceptional abilities in this area. Moreover, if they announced that he was a former World League gladiator and Jakid’s master, the fans’ backlash would likely be reduced.

“Oh, really? Then I think bringing him in wouldn’t be a bad idea. Do as you see fit.”

“Yes, thank you, Father.”

Henry patted his shoulder and then looked at Dalma, who was standing stiffly at his feet, with a puzzled expression.

“But what’s with this dog?”

“You said you wanted to see him before, Father.”

“Ah, you mean that dog, Dalma?”

“Yes.”

Henry bent down and stroked Dalma’s head.

“But he’s more docile than I thought. Didn’t you say he was quite fierce?”

“That’s only when the other party harbors hostility. He doesn’t sense any from you, Father, so he’s staying still.”

“Really? He’s quite clever. He can distinguish between friend and foe. Even humans have trouble doing that.”

“He’s lived such a rough life that he’s become detached from the world.”

“Hahaha. Is that why you named him Dalma?”

“No. I just took the first two letters from his breed, Dalmatian. Hahaha.”

At that moment, the intercom rang. Henry put on a heavy expression and approached to turn it on. The next guest wasn’t someone he was happy to see.

“What is it?”

– The Honorary Chairman has arrived with a young lady. Shall I let them in?

“Yes, let them in.”

Soon, the room door opened, and an old man and a young woman entered, guided by the secretary. It was Meyer, the former chairman of the Hyena Group, and Theresa, Angela’s daughter. Henry seated them on the sofa in the reception area, and he and Julien sat opposite them.

The first to speak was Julien. Just seeing that face he hated made his head throb. He still resented the humiliation he had suffered at the meeting of the 청년기업연합회 [Youth Business Federation].

“Theresa, what brings you here? Surely you didn’t come because you missed me.”

Theresa smiled calmly and gazed at him.

“I came for several reasons. Why, do you dislike it?”

“Heh heh. Would I like someone like you?”

“But it can’t be helped. I came at your grandfather’s request.”

Julien sighed deeply and looked at Meyer.

“Grandfather, what does she mean?”

“Just what she said. I called her because I have a favor to ask.”

“What favor?”

“It’s a crucial matter for the future of our Hyena Group.”

“Heh heh. You’re entrusting such an important matter to a greenhorn? Our Hyena Group isn’t such an easy company.”

Meyer struck the floor forcefully with his cane.

“You! I called her because I needed her! Why are you saying so much! You just need to do as we say!”

Instantly, Dalma jumped onto Julien’s lap and growled at Meyer. But it was only for a moment; he immediately glared at Theresa and barked wildly. It was so loud that Henry looked at Julien and said,

“Julien, why is Dalma acting like this?”

Julien glanced meaningfully at Theresa and stroked Dalma’s head, saying,

“The reason a dog barks is simple. He’s alerting his companions that an enemy has appeared. In other words, Theresa is an enemy to all of us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Dalma’s judgment of friend and foe has never been wrong.”

Then Meyer exploded with anger and shouted,

“Julien! There’s no end to what you can say! Calling someone who came to help us an enemy!”

“But Dalma’s eyes are accurate.”

“You! Can’t you shut your mouth!”

Julien shrugged and leaned back on the sofa, meaning he would be quiet as requested, so they could speak freely.

Then Henry looked at Meyer and said,

“Father, let’s hear Julien out. Shouldn’t we address any suspicious points?”

“What’s suspicious! Suspecting someone just because a mere animal barked! Is that all you can say as the group chairman!”

Henry became speechless and closed his mouth. Indeed, suspecting someone just because a dog barked didn’t make sense.

“Ah, I understand. Then please, Father, say what you want to say.”

Meyer glanced at Theresa.

“Speak, my dear.”

Nodding, she took out electronic documents and presented them to everyone.

“What we’re trying to do now is to bring down Leopard Planning. It’s the company run by Leopard, the former manager of the Hyena Group.”

“Alright, how are you going to bring it down?”

“First, the primary target should be Karen. Her global recognition is high, and without taking her down, it won’t be easy to damage Leopard Planning.”

Meyer nodded in agreement, seemingly convinced. From what he knew, Karen alone accounted for 70% of Leopard Planning’s sales. Taking her out would significantly reduce the company’s income, making it easier to strike at Leopard Planning.

“Really? What method are you planning to use?”

“I can’t say for sure yet. I haven’t been entrusted with this task for very long, so I haven’t gathered enough information. But right now, I think it would be best to prevent her from appearing on major broadcasting stations first. A significant portion of Karen’s sales and recognition comes from major broadcasting stations.”

“What about CF [Commercial Film] appearances?”

“Those will plummet once her recognition drops. There’s no need to risk touching them yet.”

Theresa stared at Meyer and suddenly opened her mouth.

“Before that, I’d like to form a team. The reason I gathered you all here today is to get permission for this.”

“A team?”

“Yes. If we strike at Leopard Planning, Ilsimhoe [a powerful organization] won’t stand still. Of course, we need to work discreetly without them knowing, so there will be many troublesome tasks to carry out. That’s why I need people to divide the work.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Some members of the 청년기업연합회 [Youth Business Federation], and I’d like Julien to help.”

Meyer looked at Julien, who was sitting listlessly, with a dubious gaze and said,

“Is Julien really necessary? He doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

“But he’s essential. I’d even like to appoint him as the chief in charge of this matter.”

“Are you joking? Appointing that deficient Julien as the chief in charge?”

“It can’t be helped. Among us, he’s the only one who has fought with Beomseok, the head of Ilsimhoe, so Julien is the only one who knows him well. That’s why I specifically asked for him to be here today. In fact, without Julien, this plan would face a significant setback.”

There was some persuasiveness in her words, so Meyer gazed at Julien. He hadn’t escaped his defeated state, but experience was still important.

“Julien, will you do it?”

He looked at Meyer and Theresa without a word and nodded.

“Well, I have a debt to repay to that Beomseok, so I have no reason to object. If you want, I’ll become a member of the team. However, it would be better for Theresa to be the chief in charge. I’ve been busy with team management lately. I need to get Dark Hyenas into the World League somehow.”

It was a satisfactory answer, so Meyer turned his gaze to Theresa. In fact, he was reluctant to appoint the defeated Julien as the chief in charge of this matter.

“Theresa, Julien says this, what do you think?”

At those words, Theresa smiled at Julien.

“Hey, are you scared of that Beomseok? I expected you to take on the role of chief in charge.”

“Scared? I’ve come to my senses now. It’s important to hit him and relieve my feelings, but I don’t think I should neglect my current work.”

“Really? Well, if that’s what you think, I can’t help it. Then I’ll be the chief in charge. Instead, I hope you’ll help me in every way possible. Can you do that much?”

“Of course.”

Theresa, with a satisfied smile, stood up from her seat. The reason she had gathered them here today was to bring Julien onto the team. Having achieved her goal, there was no need to stay any longer.

“Then I’ll be going. It seems like I have a lot to do.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll go out with you. I have more to talk about with you, Theresa.”

“Yes, please do.”

Henry, watching the uninvited guests leave after their short visit, opened his mouth to Julien in a quiet tone.

“Julien, why did you agree to take on this task? If you don’t like it, tell me now. I’ll talk to Father.”

At those words, Julien replied with a strange atmosphere.

“Father, why didn’t you tell me that the Black Society was involved in this matter?”

Henry, startled, pressed Julien. That was something only his father, Meyer, and he knew.

“You, where did you hear that!”

“Where else would I hear it? I just guessed when the pieces seemed to fit together.”

“What do you mean?”

“That Theresa is a spy planted by the Black Society in our economic organization.”

“Is that true?”

Julien nodded. In fact, he had roughly guessed as soon as news broke that the Black Society was involved in Sheila’s case. At the time, Beomseok had resolved the matter with his advice, and the person he had put on the list of likely suspects was none other than Theresa.

“Yes.”

“Do you have any evidence?”

“I’m still investigating, but I don’t have any evidence. However, considering the various circumstances, it’s certain that Theresa is acting as a spy for the Black Society.”

For some reason, Henry trusted those words. The fact that Julien had noticed the Black Society’s involvement in this matter without knowing anything suggested that it was highly possible.

“But why did you agree to take on this task? It could become quite dangerous.”

“It will become more dangerous if I don’t take it on. It seems that Theresa’s goal is to cause a conflict between our economic organization and Ilsimhoe. And the party that will suffer the most damage here is our Hyena Group.”

Henry looked at Julien urgently. If that was the case, it was a serious matter. Even if he told Meyer this fact right away, he clearly wouldn’t believe it, judging from the atmosphere earlier. Moreover, there was no evidence that Theresa was a puppet of the Black Society.

“Julien, then what do we do? If the economic organization and Ilsimhoe clash, won’t it only benefit the Black Society?”

“Heh heh. That won’t happen.”

“Why?”

“Lately, I’ve been interacting with that Beomseok. If I explain the situation and ask for his understanding, that will never happen. Of course, it would be even better if you could give me more information about what Theresa is doing.”

That was a relief. If Beomseok trusted them, the economic organization and Ilsimhoe wouldn’t clash.

“Really? That’s a relief. I’ll leave this matter entirely to you. I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take this opportunity to expose that Theresa’s true colors.”

Henry’s expression brightened as he looked at Julien. His son had never been so reliable as he was today.

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

I had the opportunity to meet several writers today and discussed my next project, but I’m quite disappointed. Everyone says it’s too niche and has an extremely low chance of success. Well, even I think Perfect World is too niche to go that route.

Moreover, it’s such a difficult subject that it can’t even be expressed without the writing skills of a top domestic writer and thorough prior research. And inevitably, you shouldn’t even expect a response from readers. But I still want to write it, so I’m 고민 [worried/contemplating] whether to write it or not. It’s not just that it will be very helpful for my growth, but it will also be an opportunity to open up a new genre. Well, the choice is mine, but I’m hesitant right now.

Ah, I know what the obvious path is, but I don’t know why I keep being interested in this kind of thing.

Then everyone have a great weekend. I’ll see you again tomorrow.