Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 323

325

Beomseok approached Holic, who wore a worried expression, and sat down in front of him.

“Seiya… She’s quite good. As expected, there’s a reason why her price is so high.”

Holic stared at the buyer, a subtle gaze betraying his surprise at the unexpected reply. He couldn’t tell if Beomseok was joking or serious. If it was the former, he was being sarcastic; if the latter, it meant he actually liked Seiya. But right now, she was struggling greatly against her opponent, Nikita.

“W-What do you mean?”

Beomseok calmly sat next to Holic and replied,

“Huhu. It’s exactly as I said. Nikita isn’t recognized because she focuses on defense despite being a vanguard, but she’s actually very skilled.

She’s probably capable of facing a W0-class gladiator [gladiators are ranked by skill, with W0 being a very high rank]. And Seiya recognized her skills early on and is acting cautiously. That means her ability to assess the situation is excellent.”

“Ah. Is that true?”

“Yes. There’s a reason why I, or other teams targeting Seiya, are offering huge sums of money. Her physical abilities are lacking, but her swordsmanship and match management skills are as good as any gladiator’s.”

Despite the potential negative impact on price negotiations, Beomseok continued to praise Seiya. The reason was simple: he wasn’t the only one targeting her.

Grow Lancers had a total of six options, so they didn’t have to cling to God Knights. If he tried to unreasonably lower Seiya’s price, Holic could switch the sales destination to another team.

“I see. By the way, that’s amazing. I’ve heard rumors, but it’s surprising that Nikita is such a great gladiator.”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s an indispensable presence in defensive battles. She’s good at handling spears, and her shield skills are beyond words.”

Holic watched Nikita, who was still firmly blocking Seiya’s attacks. He had just said he was using it as an excuse for lease negotiations, but now he genuinely wanted her.

‘Should I give it a try?’

The Grow Lancers team, about to face the World League season, wasn’t a very wealthy team. Because of this, they couldn’t dare to set a strategy of recruiting many powerful gladiators like Chaplin Whisper or Dark Hyena and rising to the top at once.

Their strategy for the next season was to focus on defense and gradually earn points to avoid relegation. So, the most urgently needed resource right now was a defense-oriented gladiator like Nikita. Blocking the enemy’s attacks from the vanguard was bound to be a useful card for a draw strategy.

Moreover, she was an all-position player, and when she stood in the rear, she chilled the opponent with her non-standard spear techniques. In other words, it made team squad composition easier, and it meant she could be used as an attack card when facing an opponent that they absolutely had to win against.

But this child’s skills slightly exceeded Seiya’s, and according to Beomseok, she was a gladiator reaching W0 level. With the urgent need to avoid remaining in the league driving them, the Grow Lancers team had no choice but to desperately need Nikita’s presence.

“Excuse me, Mr. Beomseok. Can I make a suggestion?”

“What suggestion?”

“Please lend Nikita to our team for a while.”

Beomseok waved his hand dismissively; the idea was absurd. Nikita was the most skilled gladiator in the team except for himself. He couldn’t do the foolish thing of lending a key gladiator in the team ahead of the season.

“Absolutely not. No, doesn’t Mr. Holic know that? Which team lends a key gladiator to another team?”

“But God Knights has such a strong squad that they will naturally remain in the High-Rank League, right? Especially this year, Mr. Beomseok has rejoined the team. If you give us some consideration, it seems possible enough…”

Holic’s words weren’t wrong. With Beomseok’s return and Chaplin Whisper and Dark Hyena promoted, God Knights could reasonably be evaluated as a championship contender.

Although not at a high level, God Knights had nine World League-class gladiators besides him, so a strategy of supporting them from behind with 10 Central League-class gladiators was also good.

However, since the number was only 20 including Beomseok, the plan to advance to the promotion tournament was greatly disrupted when some of them were out due to injury or rest. Naturally, he couldn’t help but feel burdened by Nikita’s loan.

“That’s true, but don’t we have our own circumstances? You may or may not know, but our team’s squad is weak. It’s a time when we’re short of even one person.”

“Of course, I know. But wouldn’t it be okay if we lent you another gladiator? We’ll send you a C2-rated child, so you’ll be able to manage the league somehow.”

Then the number of gladiators available was the same, but the difference in quality could not be overcome.

“Still, doesn’t our strength decrease? Nikita is God Knights’ main gladiator.”

“Of course, but in exchange, I’ll lower Seiya’s selling price.”

“How much?”

“Especially for God Knights, I’ll give it to you for 2.15 billion krang [currency unit].”

2. 15 billion krang was about 100 million to 250 million krang cheaper than other teams. If you save that much money with Nikita, it could be said to be quite a profitable deal.

But in reality, this price was very high. God Knights, a Central League team, couldn’t have the same position as other World League teams.

“Mr. Holic, we are a Central League team. But how can you offer the same level of price as other World League competing teams? Even if Nikita’s loan is not included, this amount is somewhat high.”

“Of course, but our management considers God Knights to be a potential rival team. They judge that you will rise to the World League in about 2-3 years, or as early as next year. That’s how good you are.”

Beomseok had the same thought, so he had nothing to say about this. If about three more usable gladiators were included in the current squad, the possibility of advancing to the World League would be very high. Liza would join in the second half of next year, and now Seiya was coming.

But it wasn’t like there was no reason to refute at all.

“No, even if that’s the case, it’s not this year, is it? And we belong to the High-Rank Central Government. We only meet the Grow Lancers team based in Getty Shoe in the promotion tournament or the World League. You have to take this into account as well.”

Holic, who licked his lips, decided to correct the price again. Regardless of the squad or the possibility of advancing to the World League, God Knights was currently a Central League team.

It meant that they were not a competitor that would hinder the Grow Lancers team from surviving in the World League this year. And even if they were relegated next season, they would not face God Knights in the league.

As Beomseok said, it was right to consider this point as well.

“Okay. Then I’ll lower it by 100 million krang. Is that okay with you?”

“So you’re saying you’ll trade for 2.05 billion krang?”

“Yes. On the condition that Nikita is loaned for one year.”

Beomseok shook his head. Since there were so many competitors, it was impossible to lower it below this, but it was different if Nikita was loaned. And she was an essential presence for God Knights this year. He couldn’t accept this condition as it was.

“That’s impossible. I’ll accept it until the winter vacation season, but no more than that. Nikita is essential for our God Knights in the second half of the season.”

“Why is that?”

“God Knights has ambitions to advance to the World League through this season. The league matches can be managed with the current squad, but the promotion tournament is different. Top Central League teams will participate, so we need even one more outstanding gladiator.”

At those words, Holic looked at Nikita and Seiya, who were in the middle of a sparring match, with a worried gaze. Seiya was now launching powerful attacks with a fighting spirit that she hadn’t shown before, but Nikita was perfectly blocking them with precise movements and occasionally landing the tip of her spear.

If an ignorant person saw it, they would judge that Seiya, who was ahead in momentum, was superior, but Holic, who had been in the gladiator world for decades, was thinking differently.

A gladiator match wasn’t just about gladiators who knocked down their opponents and accumulated points. All 12 people who participated in the match had their own roles and different tasks.

Nikita’s tendency was a typical helper style that took on the dirty work from the bottom and contributed to the team’s victory. She was the gladiator that Grow Lancers currently needed the most.

‘Amazing. She’s blocking our Seiya’s attacks with ease. If a child like this plays for our Grow Lancers, it will definitely be a big help. But the fact that it’s only half a season is bothering me.’

Assuming that God Knights would put Nikita in the promotion tournament, a one-year loan was impossible. In order to participate in the promotion tournament held next spring, she had to return and register at least by the winter vacation season.

The registration period for gladiators in the summer was around the summer transfer market when the season matches and promotion tournament matches ended.

Still, it seemed that lending her for half a season would be a great help. It was thought that the Grow Lancers’ gladiators would adapt to the World League to some extent during that period. And Nikita’s vacancy could be filled by recruiting or lending another gladiator during the winter season.

‘Okay. Anyway, I’ve kept the minimum baseline, so it’s good to stop here.’

The management team had presented Holic with a baseline of 2.05 billion krang. He had kept this line in this negotiation, and he had loaned a W0-level player for 6 months, so it could be said to be a great success.

There were only 40 W0-level or higher gladiators in the entire world. In other words, they belonged to the main class even in top-tier World League teams, so they couldn’t be easily loaned even if they had money.

Holic, who looked at the sparring scene once again, completely made up his mind. It was because Nikita had suddenly switched to attack, unlike before, and inflicted a valid blow on Seiya’s right arm with a spear.

Since it was a training suit, the sparring continued, but if it were a match, the fate would have already been decided. In a state where he couldn’t move his right arm, he couldn’t freely handle his equipment, so he would eventually be easily defeated.

He looked at Beomseok with a satisfied smile.

“Okay. Then let’s add one more option here.”

“What option are you talking about?”

“If God Knights has a difference of 11 points or more from the 2nd place team in the first half of the league, then Nikita’s loan period will be one year. Of course, I’ll give you additional incentives for this.”

It was a reasonable offer, so Beomseok nodded. If there was a difference of 11 points from the 2nd place team by the end of the first half, the possibility of advancing to the promotion tournament this year would be greatly reduced. In order to successfully complete the Seiya recruitment negotiations, he was willing to accept this option.

“I can accept that level of option.”

“Okay, I understand. Then I’ll go back now and discuss it with our team leader and give you an answer on this deal.”

“Really? Then can’t you make a decision today?”

Holic replied with an awkward expression.

“The Seiya case is so big that I can’t make a decision on my own. But I’ll try to negotiate in a good direction, so don’t worry.”

“Well, since so much money is at stake, the team leader can’t just stamp his seal.”

“Hahaha. Thank you for understanding.”

Beomseok smiled bitterly and shook hands.

“Then, if a good decision is made, please contact me. I may not be able to go because I’m busy, but I’ll definitely send our team leader, Esther.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Without knowing his sinister intentions, Holic shouted at Seiya to stop the sparring. It was a bit early, but since the negotiations were over, they had to go back now.

While Nikita and Seiya went into the locker room to change clothes, Holic looked at Beomseok again.

“By the way, Mr. Beomseok… Rumor has it that you and Vice President Louis are very close. Do you happen to know a gladiator named Shayla well?”

Shayla was Vice President Louis’ youngest daughter, and she was a woman he knew well. Of course, Beomseok nodded.

“Yes, I know her. I’ve met her a few times. But why?”

“Hmm. She’s on the release list this time. If you’re interested, jump in before the recruitment. She’s been having a bad time in matches lately, but who knows? She might regain her old skills and be of great help to God Knights.”

In an instant, Beomseok’s eyes lit up. There was no way he didn’t know Shayla’s skills. She was greatly heartbroken by the betrayal of her lover, Jiliam, and the death of Rubin, and she was going through a severe slump, but she had excellent skills enough to be ranked 60th in the past.

“Oh, is she really on the release list?”

“Yes. The problem was that she had a bad time in the games two years ago and last year, and she didn’t show any will to recover, so the team couldn’t help it. And she’ll be released as a free agent next year, so a situation may arise where she has to be released almost penniless.”

“Hmm. I see. But the Grow Lancer team doesn’t seem to be very interested?”

Holic smiled and waved his hand.

“I’m interested, but our team can’t think of taking a risk. Shayla caused so many accidents even during her prime, and she doesn’t even try to recover her old skills now that she’s in a slump. But God Knights is different, right? If Mr. Beomseok makes a decision, you can jump in before the recruitment.”

“Ah. I see. Then I’ll look into it.”

Holic, seeing Seiya coming out of the locker room, said goodbye to Beomseok.

“Then I’ll be on my way. Good work.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

As Holic left, he hurriedly ran to his office. It was to check Shayla’s release details right away. If he could recruit her, God Knights’ vanguard squad would be almost complete.

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

But do readers find long sentences easier to read? Or short sentences like the novel ‘Shower’? The genre market almost always uses long sentences, so I’m writing in long sentences for now. But I think short sentences are not bad either. What do readers think?

For example, there is this sentence.

Short sentence) It’s a crispy ramen. The red soup has green onions floating in it, so it looks quite delicious. But in reality, it’s a cheap instant ramen.

Long sentence) It’s a crispy ramen with green onions floating in the red soup, so it looks quite delicious, but in reality, it’s a cheap instant ramen.

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