Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 34

Having easily defeated the Super Turtles in the first match, the Gods Knights also won the second and third matches with a perfect record of 3-0. In particular, their opponents in the third match, the Ancient Tiranos team, were a semi-professional team, but six of their members had previously played professionally, making them a relatively strong team. Consequently, the gambling odds were 1.3 to 1, with many believing the Gods Knights were likely to lose.

However, once the match began, the opposite occurred, with the Gods Knights achieving an overwhelming victory. This drew the attention of scouts and officials from various professional teams. Several gladiators, including Oscar, seemed particularly interested.

‘Hehehe. 2.42 million Clangs… This is quite a haul.’

Beom-seok smiled contentedly as he reviewed the accumulating funds in his account over the past three weeks. The earnings from gambling on the first three matches totaled 730,000 Clangs, admission revenue amounted to 990,000 Clangs, and the prize money for winning was 700,000 Clangs, resulting in a total income of 2.42 million Clangs. If they continued their winning streak, their income would only increase.

– Master. We have arrived at Romeo Street.

At Aron’s announcement, Beom-seok stood up. He was scheduled to meet Inspector Lexter that day. Lexter, flush with the money he had won from the track and field competition, had purchased an Elf and invited Beom-seok and his Elves to lunch to celebrate and discuss several important matters.

“Alright, let’s disembark.”

Beom-seok, exiting at a crowded bus stop, consulted the location information on his electronic notepad and proceeded towards the Chinese restaurant with the Elves. He paused before a classic-looking gate bearing the sign ‘Jangrimwon’ [a traditional-style Chinese restaurant name] and then stepped inside.

“Hmm. It’s more impressive than I expected…”

Beom-seok, who had anticipated a typical Chinese restaurant serving *jajangmyeon* [black bean noodles] and fried dumplings, was taken aback by the opulent surroundings. The walls were adorned with golden wallpaper, and the interior was decorated with Chinese-style paintings and sculptures. Elves wearing alluring *cheongsams* [traditional Chinese dresses] that accentuated their figures moved between the tables, attending to customers, and the subtle aroma of the dishes wafting through the air stimulated his appetite.

However, despite scanning the room, he couldn’t locate Inspector Lexter. He beckoned a passing Elf employee.

“Excuse me. I’m here to meet Inspector Lexter. Has he arrived yet?”

“Perhaps he’s already seated inside?”

Beom-seok glanced around again and shook his head.

“No, he’s not out here.”

“Then he might be in a private room. Please allow me to check.”

The *cheongsam*-clad Elf employee retrieved her electronic notepad and displayed a screen in the air. Beom-seok examined the three videos listed and selected the one in the middle. It showed Lexter in a casual suit sitting next to a blonde Elf.

“He’s here. Which room is he in?”

The Elf employee pointed to a black door on the right wall.

“You’ll find him in room number 2 over there.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your meal.”

Beom-seok entered door number 2 and waved to Lexter, who appeared somewhat dejected.

“Inspector Lexter. I’ve arrived. What’s the occasion today? You look quite dapper.”

“Hehehe. Thanks to you, I’ve come into some money. Now I can afford to indulge a little.”

As Beom-seok settled into the seat opposite him, the Elves, including Laimi, gathered around him.

“Oh, I thought you said you would resign from your position as a police officer if you made enough money. Did you quit?”

The money Lexter had won from gambling at the Spring Rima City Athletics Competition totaled 17 million Clangs. That was enough to purchase as many as seventeen general-grade Elves.

“I was originally planning to quit. But it all went south. Tsk!”

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you were going to buy a large number of Elves, train them into a mobile strike force, and then live off the proceeds for the rest of your life?”

“Damn it. I’m telling you, it all went down the drain. You know about the TNB Bank incident, right?”

TNB Bank was a massive financial institution, formerly the third largest in the world. It had recently collapsed due to illegal activities perpetrated by a senior executive named Marco Lex, triggering the current global economic crisis. However, Beom-seok failed to see the connection between the bank’s failure and Lexter’s inability to leave the police force.

“What’s the relationship between that bank and you, Inspector?”

“There was no relationship after I emptied my savings account to bet at the track and field competition, but one recently developed. Because of those guys, a new bill was passed by the Federal Parliament.”

“What bill?”

“A bill that prohibits public institutions and banks from employing Elves under their command if the owner is currently in office or has worked there within the last 5 years. Sigh~ In short, I’m screwed.”

Beom-seok now understood. A major factor in TNB Bank’s collapse was that Marco Lex had instructed his owned Elf, who worked at the company, to transfer a large sum of money to an illegal account. Had it not been for their assistance, Lex’s actions would have been discovered during an earlier audit, potentially preventing the current economic crisis. It was understandable that the government would introduce a bill to prevent similar occurrences.

The police are also considered a public institution. According to this bill, even if Lexter resigned from the police now, he would be unable to employ his Elves in a mobile strike force for the next 5 years. Unable to openly laugh at his misfortune, Beom-seok quickly changed the subject.

“Heh. By the way, who is the Elf sitting next to you?”

“Oh. Her name is Hera, and she used to be a gladiator in a professional team called Devil Steak. I acquired her at the Walker Auction Market recently.”

Beom-seok gave him a skeptical look. As far as he knew, Lexter was a huge soccer fan. He was so enamored with the prospect of watching soccer from VIP seats for free that he had spent several days at the Rima City Main Stadium in place of his junior officer, who was on bereavement leave. But he had purchased a gladiator Elf? He found it hard to believe.

“No way. Aren’t you a soccer fanatic, Inspector? You would buy a soccer player, not a gladiator, right? I can’t believe this.”

“Hey. Think about it. Who would be better at wielding a police baton, a soccer player or a gladiator? I was planning to train my Elf as a mobile strike force, not create a neighborhood soccer team. Well, I might consider that later, but not right now.”

That made sense. A gladiator would be far more suited for a combat-oriented mobile strike force than a soccer player.

“Well, I suppose so. By the way, what brings you here, Inspector?”

“What else? I came to ask you for a favor.”

Given that he had brought an Elf who was a professional gladiator and was asking for a favor, the next step was obvious.

“Are you asking me to add Hera to our team?”

“As expected, I appreciate your quick understanding. The truth is, Hera wants to be a gladiator again. Since the police mobile strike force idea is off the table, I have to allow her to pursue her passion. She’ll probably be a great asset to you as well. She’s an Elf I carefully selected, using the insight I’ve developed as an investigator.”

He didn’t entirely trust Lexter’s judgment, but if she was a professional gladiator, she would undoubtedly be valuable. He examined Hera from head to toe and opened her information window.

‘Oh. What’s this? Not bad?’

Her stats were all above 60 on average. She was a bit older at 35, but thanks to her slow aging, she still possessed the physical capabilities of a starting professional player in the Area League. Beom-seok closed the information window with a hint of regret. He hadn’t attended the Walker Auction Market recently due to his busy schedule, and such a promising Elf had emerged in the meantime. She was likely an Elf who had left her professional team in collusion with Erfina.

He forced a smile and looked at Lexter. If he had been more attentive, he could have been Hera’s owner.

“It’s your request, Inspector, so of course I have to grant it. Isn’t that how we help each other out? Hahaha.”

“Hahaha. You’re the only one for me. Anyway, thank you.”

“Oh, by the way, what’s her position?”

“Is there even a position in gladiator matches? Isn’t it just fighting?”

He still only knew about soccer. Eventually, Hera stepped forward and subtly explained her role.

“I use a long spear. I primarily played as a midfielder. I also played as a vanguard occasionally.”

A long spear meant a long spear. Its attack power was weaker than a sword, but it could cover a wide area, allowing the vanguard to disrupt the enemy’s formation more effectively. Beom-seok, who lacked a skilled spear user, had to recruit her.

He offered Lexter the recruitment terms.

“Okay. How about an annual salary of 350,000 Clangs?”

350,000 Clangs was comparable to Lexter’s annual salary. For him, having purchased her for 420,000 Clangs, it was a very satisfactory offer. He would recoup his investment in just a year and a half.

“Hey. Is it okay to pay that much to an amateur team?”

“It’s a fair amount. She’s a professional, so she deserves it. If our team turns pro, we’re willing to offer her more.”

“Wow. You’re such a cool guy. You have a lot of guts. A man should be like that. Hahaha.”

In the meantime, the Elf employees began bringing out various dishes and arranging them on the table. In addition to the standard sweet and sour pork, there were also spicy fried chicken, sweet and sour yellow flower fish, pepper steak, seafood with mustard sauce, and eight treasure vegetables, as well as shark fin soup, one of the most luxurious dishes. There were so many different dishes that he didn’t know where to begin.

“Hey. Aren’t you spending a bit too much?”

“What do you mean spending? It’s only a little over 4,000 Clangs. It’s a small price to pay compared to what you’ve done for me. Here, take this. Let me pour you a drink.”

Lexter, holding a bottle of *Kaoliang* liquor [a strong distilled spirit] in his hand, opened the lid and poured the liquor into Beom-seok’s glass. Beom-seok gratefully accepted it with both hands and placed the glass on the table. Then, he tilted the bottle he received towards Lexter’s glass.

Seeing this, Oscar licked his lips and rubbed his hands. He hadn’t been allowed to drink alcohol on Beom-seok’s orders, but he secretly enjoyed it. Sensing this, Beom-seok laughed heartily and offered him the bottle of *Kaoliang* liquor.

—-

I’ll see you again next time.