Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 322

324.

I was in the park inside the Gods Knights training camp, sitting in the shade of a tree on a bench, flipping through electronic documents. I was there to greet someone who was coming to see me today, and I had come out here to do some office work. To be honest, the office was cool with the air conditioning, but it felt stuffy because it was enclosed on all sides.

Beom-seok, looking at the data screen floating in the air, unconsciously recited the contents.

“Huhu. Total revenue is 400 million…”

The list of income so far was as follows. The season tickets, which generated the highest income, earned a total of 235 million krang [fictional currency] from the sale of 23,000 tickets.

Team emblem products and other sponsor costs increased significantly due to the team’s 7th place finish last season, resulting in revenues of 42 million krang and 49 million krang, respectively. And when combined with the 75 million krang that flowed into the medical corporation run by Susan, the total was 400.1 million krang.

But the good news ended there. If the team made money, it was natural that there would be expenses.

‘The minimum cost to be spent this year is about 170 million krang.’

The list of budgets spent by the Gods Knights this year was 58.3 million krang for gladiators’ salaries. In addition, 13.75 million krang for staff salaries, 10 million krang for dignity maintenance (likely referring to public relations or upkeep of the team’s image), 30 million krang for event expenses, and 55.4 million krang for stadium rental and operation. The total cost was 167.45 million krang.

As a result, Beom-seok’s total available cash assets were 2.035 billion krang. Well, if you subtract the 100 million krang debt, it will be reduced somewhat, but with this amount of money, he could recruit a decent gladiator who would be very helpful to the team.

After grasping the final asset situation, he slyly manipulated another menu and displayed another document. It was Seyia, who had recently emerged as a dark horse in the transfer market.

The team that offered her the highest price was Chaplin Whisper, a whopping 2.48 billion krang. The team that followed was Dark Hyena, which Remnant had recently become the manager of, offering 2.34 billion krang.

Then there were Devil Spritz, who were worried about their recent poor performance, Ancient Warriors, the winning team from last year and Priska’s team, and Real Heroes, owned by Vice Chairman Louis, offering 2.28 billion, 2.26 billion, and 2.248 billion krang, respectively, to tempt the Grow Lancerz team. But Beom-seok’s current available cash assets barely exceeded 2 billion.

‘What should I do? Should I have asked to meet today?’

To purchase Seyia, he was currently short about 250 million. However, looking at the sales of season tickets last year, it seemed that he could solve it sufficiently by the time the next season started in earnest. This is because a significant number of season tickets are expected to be sold again.

The problem is whether it is worth investing this much money in one gladiator. With the money to buy Seyia, he could bring at least five promising Central League-level gladiators into the team. And after watching and analyzing the video footage, it was judged that her physical abilities were only at the level of a low-level World Leaguer.

Although she makes up for these shortcomings with her experienced game management and excellent swordsmanship skills that do not match her age, she could be said to be a gladiator who does not fully embody the Holy Knights’ ideals of physical prowess.

Nevertheless, the reason why Beom-seok is so worried is that Vincent, the director famous for spotting talented elves, and Remnant, the master of swordsmanship, are also eyeing her. That means there’s something special about her, and he had to find out.

“Well. It doesn’t cost money to look into it.”

Beom-seok got up from his seat and looked at the distant sky. He was waiting for Holic and Seyia, who were Grow Lancerz team officials, to come today.

On the surface, they were coming to negotiate Nikita’s loan, but in reality, the purpose was to negotiate Seyia’s recruitment. If he had met Beom-seok and her without hiding his purpose in this way, the Grow Lancerz team might have found themselves in a weaker negotiating position.

After a while, a small dot appeared in the distance and was gradually approaching the Gods Knights training camp. It could be a group of patients going to the medical corporation, but judging by the timing, it was also possible that it was Seyia’s flying car. He slyly got up from his seat and walked towards the parking lot.

‘Well. Seyia. Who are you that your price is so high?’

Beom-seok’s prediction was correct, and the flying car that had just appeared was slowly landing in the Gods Knights parking lot. Soon, a black-haired man in his 40s got out of the car, which had landed lightly. Beom-seok, who knew that he was Holic, whom he had briefly talked to on the phone before, walked up to him happily and extended his hand.

“Mr. Holic. Welcome. I’m glad to see you.”

Holic glanced at Seyia, who was following him, and shook hands.

“Hahaha. You didn’t have to come out to greet me in person like this. Anyway, it’s an honor to meet one of the world’s top three gladiators.”

“It’s an honor. I’m flattered. Hahaha.”

Beom-seok looked at the silver-haired elf who appeared to be 175 centimeters tall [approximately 5’9″], Seyia.

Beom-seok examined her and couldn’t help but admire her. He felt a sense of awe, as if he were seeing a goddess descended from heaven.

In fact, she was called the goddess of the high elves by her fans, a testament to her exceptional beauty even among elves.

‘Keu. Really amazing. Her appearance alone is worth 2.4 billion krang.’

The proud crimson lips visible above the soft jawline. Clear, striking eyes with black pearls and silver coins embedded in them. A beautifully curved, high-raised nose and deep eyelashes that create a captivating atmosphere. And her body was so amazing that he couldn’t help but stare, and her long, outstretched legs were so luscious.

Beom-seok, who calmed his racing heart, carefully opened Seyia’s information window.

————————————————-

Name: Seyia.

Classification: Elf (14 years old).

Affiliation: Grow Lancerz GC.

Fame: 24832.

Infamy: 3.

H Status: None.

Stamina: 8400/8400.

Sociability: 81, Strength: 85, Stamina: 84.

Agility: 84, Balance: 84, Intelligence: 78.

Mental Strength: 82. Judgment: 83, Skill: 72.

Luck: 77.

Current Skill/Potential: 810/994.

————————————————

Trait: A late-blooming martial god.

Special Note: She is the ace of the Grow Lancerz team, which entered the World League this year. Her swordsmanship and game management skills are outstanding enough to be considered veteran-level. She has the qualities of a mid-fielder and a rear-guard, and can also play as a free-roller and captain. She is greatly loved by fans and is called the goddess of the high elves.

————————————————

‘What? What kind of outrageous kid is this!’

Seyia’s potential was 994, reaching the highest level. If she was this kind of prodigy, all of her abilities should have been developed by the age of 14. But her current skill was only 810. She was showing a development rate far below what was expected for her age.

This is often the case with elf gladiators who are not suited to gladiators or who are lazy in physical training, but Seyia was completely different. The reason for her lack of ability was the special skill of ‘late-blooming martial god’.

‘Late-blooming martial god’ is a super-rare trait that has the bizarre function of slowing down the development speed of abilities by about two times, while increasing the skill and proficiency in the field by about 2.5 times. As a result, her current abilities are showing such a low form, but on the other hand, her technical aspects have grown significantly.

Even though there is the saying Holy Knights, the body will eventually stop growing and the skill will develop infinitely, so there will be a day when she will greatly benefit from this option. And this trait also had an enhancement effect that increased all abilities by +10 for 150 minutes when activated. That means that after the trait is activated, her abilities will rise close to his, the player, so he couldn’t help but be excited.

‘Hmm. This kind of kid is in the early to mid-2 billion krang range… No wonder other teams are throwing money at her.’

Beom-seok immediately began to worry. Clearly, the current Seyia was not worth 2.4 billion krang. But considering the potential for development, 2.4 billion krang was nothing more than pocket change. If Seyia developed all of her physical abilities and accumulated some more swordsmanship skills, she would be more than qualified to take the S-class position.

‘I must buy her. If I don’t do it this time, I’ll never have another chance.’

There are only 10 S-class gladiators in the world, and most of them are concentrated in the top-level gladiator teams in the World League. But the problem is that they are the strongest even within the strongest prestigious teams. The top World League teams with a lot of money and a desire for honor would not sell their ace, who is the face of the team, so even if they had the price, they would not be traded.

In other words, this could be the last chance to buy Seyia, so he shouldn’t hesitate. If he had Seyia along with him and Liza, the Gods Knights would be the strongest team in the future.

Beom-seok, who had decided to buy her even though it was a financial burden, greeted Seyia.

“You’re Seyia. I heard you’re a pretty talented gladiator. It’s nice to meet you.”

She blushed and bowed her head. She didn’t think that the Gods Knights, a mere Central League team, could buy her, but she still had a glimmer of expectation.

It was true, but Seyia had also imagined that the reason why Holic brought her here was not as a sparring partner for Nikita, but for a recruitment negotiation with the Gods Knights in conjunction with Nikita’s loan.

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you too.”

“But you came to spar with our Nikita? Our Nikita is quite strong, are you sure you’re up for it?”

At that moment, Seyia’s ears drooped. It was the moment when it was confirmed that her hopes were dashed. Still, not completely abandoning her expectations, she tried to sell herself.

“Yes. I’m the ace of the Grow Lancerz, a World League team. I’m confident that I can beat anyone in the Gods Knights except for Beom-seok.”

Beom-seok smiled. Her current answer was truly arrogant.

Although Nikita is staying in the High-Rehn Central League and is not being recognized much because she is defense-oriented, she was an excellent gladiator who was in no way inferior to the performance of any W0-class gladiator.

Even if Seyia was in the 160th place, it was quite difficult to beat her.

There were only 40 gladiators of W0 class or higher in the world, and gladiators of 160th class were only upper rankers of W2 class.

“Really? I’m looking forward to it. Do your best.”

“Yes. I will definitely show Mr. Beom-seok how good I am.”

Seyia clenched her fists. She wanted to somehow keep the embers alive so that Beom-seok would like her and she could go to the Gods Knights. She was full of confidence because she had been recognized as the strongest gladiator in the Getty Shoe Central League, where she belonged last season.

Beom-seok took her and Holic to the indoor training camp. And he called Nikita, who was doing physical training, and ordered her to prepare for the sparring. First of all, the nominal reason why Seyia came to the Gods Knights training camp was to find out about Nikita’s skills, so it was necessary to maintain that pretense.

“Okay. Everyone, prepare for sparring!”

Indoor sparring arena in the training camp. Nikita, wearing a silver suit, and Seyia, wearing a red checkered suit, took out their respective weapons at Beom-seok’s command. Nikita’s weapon was a 2m-long short spear and shield, and Seyia’s weapon was a bastard sword. They circled around the sparring arena, pointing the ends of their respective weapons at each other.

Beom-seok, who judged that all preparations were complete, quickly lowered his raised arm and announced the start of the sparring.

“Fight!”

At the same time, Seyia rushed forward and thrust the tip of her sword at Nikita. But she quickly realized that the sword’s path was being easily blocked by the shield, and she widened her eyes and hurriedly stepped back. Even though the opponent was using a spear and shield, she was surprised that her attack was so easily neutralized.

With that stable posture, the tip of the spear might have flown and hit her.

Beom-seok, who saw this scene, smiled. It was because he was satisfied with Seyia’s quick judgment.

‘This is a great sign. She realized that she was being pushed back with a single blow. Seyia. I must recruit this kid.’

Beom-seok was drooling over Seyia for another reason. Currently, the biggest weakness of the Gods Knights was that there were not many experienced gladiators with a lot of match experience.

Of course, Erfina and Erica were there, but they only had the skills of a Wide Leaguer at best, and especially Erfina was getting old and experiencing physical decline, so he was about to retire her soon.

But now Seyia was becoming that alternative. Although she was young, she had good judgment and a great sense of game management, thanks to her traits, as good as any veteran gladiator. If he recruited her, he thought that she would definitely be a great help to the team.

But Holic, who was sitting on the bench in the distance, was restless as if he was worried. It was because Seyia seemed to be unable to properly attack Nikita and was being pushed back.

‘This is a big problem. Seyia is being pushed back a lot.’

Currently, the Grow Lancerz team’s most preferred buyer of Seyia was the Gods Knights. Her happiness also played a small role, but the most important thing was that the Gods Knights were a Central League team.

In order to survive in the World League this year, it is important to prevent good gladiators from going to rival teams. It was inevitable that Beom-seok’s offer was more attractive than the offers of other teams.

But now Seyia was showing a disappointing performance. In order to sell her at a high price, she had to show a good performance, and he couldn’t help but worry.

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

Wow. It’s so hot today. This is no joke. If it’s this hot in early May, I’m very worried about what will happen in the summer. I hope this year will pass safely.

Then everyone have a nice day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.