Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 346

The Avand gladiators surged onto the steel bridge. Merzane, sword and shield raised, stood at the forefront, blocking their advance. A fierce battle erupted. Amidst the chaos of clashing steel and flashing spear tips, Beomseok roared with all his might.

“Everyone, push through!”

The Avand gladiators, attempting to surge forward simultaneously at his command, faltered against Merzane’s staunch defense. Ordinarily, their superior strength would have allowed them to break through with ease, but their opponents today were a different breed.

Merzane’s ranks were primarily composed of gladiators from Forest Oaks, a World League team. With physical abilities nearly equal to their own, overwhelming them with brute force proved difficult.

“Everyone, hold your ground! If we’re pushed back to the flat ground, the fight will become even harder!”

The captain, their number one gladiator, barked the order, and the Merzane gladiators dug in their heels. They understood the consequences of being forced back onto the open ground.

Beomseok, wielding his spear, would undoubtedly wreak havoc, followed by the Avand team’s relentless assault, leading to their piecemeal defeat. Merzane’s strategy hinged on drawing rounds 1, 3, and 5—the rounds where Beomseok was expected to appear—and securing victories in the battles between the relatively evenly matched second-stringers, thus clinching the overall victory. To achieve this, they needed to confine the battle to the steel bridge.

However, it wasn’t an easy task. Concentrating their strength was proving difficult with Beomseok and Nikita launching spear attacks from the rear.

“What are our spearmen doing! Intercept Nikita and Beomseok’s spears, now!”

Gladiators number 4 and 9 raised their spear tips, focusing on deflecting Beomseok and Nikita’s ranged attacks.

‘This match is taking an unexpected turn,’ Beomseok thought.

Standing in the mid-line, he wore a perplexed expression. The close-quarters combat made maneuvering nearly impossible. He had joined the formation to bolster their push, but it was proving more restrictive than playing a free role. Currently, both sides were locked in fixed positions, with minimal movement.

‘I have no choice. I need to take the initiative.’

Beomseok resolved to break the stalemate by adopting a free role. If he targeted Merzane’s rear, at least two opponents would be forced to mark him.

This would create a numerical advantage for Avand, making it significantly easier to cross the bridge. He scanned the battlefield, stepped onto the railing of the steel bridge, and leaped towards the flat ground on the opposite side.

“The free role is flanking to our rear!”

At the warning cry of a Merzane gladiator, the guardian gladiators, numbers 2 and 6, rushed to intercept Beomseok. They had anticipated his free role and were prepared to mark him. They risked leaving their captain exposed, but it was a better gamble than allowing Beomseok to run rampant.

“Hooh. You two are going to try and contain me?”

Beomseok casually rested his spear behind his waist and grinned. He was slightly disappointed that only two opponents had come to mark him, but his plan had succeeded. The Avand gladiators were now pushing forward with renewed vigor, exploiting their numerical advantage, and making significant progress. At this rate, they were likely to secure the bridge.

Conversely, the Merzane markers wore tense expressions. If they failed to contain Beomseok here, their team would face defeat.

“That’s enough. We’ve prepared extensively for Beomseok’s spear techniques.”

Beomseok brandished his spear, a playful glint in his eyes.

“But will it really be that simple? I’m not just about spear techniques, you know.”

At his words, gladiator number 2 subtly glanced at the sword strapped to Beomseok’s waist. They knew he was capable of unleashing devastating swordsmanship during battle.

Their data clearly indicated that focusing solely on his spear techniques without accounting for his swordsmanship could lead to a swift defeat. Several markers who had underestimated Beomseok in recent matches had fallen victim to this very mistake.

“We… don’t underestimate you.”

“Huhu. As expected, the gladiators active in the World League [a professional gladiatorial league] are a cut above. I’m looking forward to this.”

Beomseok, tensing his ankles, charged towards them with explosive speed.

“Block him!”

Simultaneously, gladiators number 2 and 6, mirroring his charge, used their shields to deflect his spear tips, creating wide arcs, and immediately extended their one-handed swords. However, Beomseok had already retreated with his signature speed. He swung his spear in a low sweep, preventing the markers from closing the distance.

Sword and shield users were vulnerable to quick movements and low attacks, so even this simple sweeping motion effectively disrupted their advance.

“Huhu. Come on, come on.”

Beomseok lowered his spear and beckoned gladiators number 2 and 6 forward, taunting them. But they held their ground. The markers’ primary objective was to contain the free role, so they wouldn’t attack recklessly without a clear opportunity.

Moreover, their opponent was Beomseok, widely recognized as one of the world’s top three gladiators. They should be grateful just for holding him at bay.

Gladiator number 2 subtly restrained the hesitant gladiator number 6.

“Don’t fall for his taunts. We just need to maintain our position.”

“Ah, okay, sis.”

While this tense standoff played out, the Avand main force successfully pushed back their opponents and completed the crossing. In response, Merzane immediately retreated, forming a new battle line. They couldn’t afford to engage in a chaotic battle against Avand, a formidable opponent, with one less member.

“Everyone, execute Plan 2, the post-crossing strategy!”

At Seyia’s command, the Avand gladiators formed a defensive line at the bridge entrance. They adopted a defensive posture.

It seemed like a counterintuitive strategy, but observing Oscar and Rapine moving swiftly towards Beomseok’s location, their intention became clear. They aimed to disrupt the opponent’s formation and force a chaotic engagement.

Two markers couldn’t simultaneously contain Beomseok, Oscar, and Rapine. Merzane would eventually be forced to send reinforcements. As more gladiators were drawn to the battleground where Beomseok was, both teams would converge, leading to the desired chaotic melee.

In response, gladiator number 1 shouted to the markers.

“Fall back!”

But it was too late. The deployed gladiators were sword and shield users with limited mobility, and Oscar and Rapine were already blocking their retreat, applying pressure from behind. Attempting to escape now would expose their backs to Beomseok’s spear, leading to their swift defeat.

Gladiator number 1 reluctantly decided to abandon gladiators number 2 and 6. Engaging in a chaotic battle to save them would spell disaster.

They would be picked off one by one by Beomseok’s spear, which roamed freely. The battle line was designed to overcome power imbalances or numerical inferiority. They wouldn’t be easily defeated simply because two members were missing.

She instructed her teammates to maintain the formation and slowly advance towards the God Knights’ main camp. Despite the relatively short time, their power was ahead of both main camps.

“Oscar. Rapine. Keep them occupied!”

As if anticipating this, Beomseok entrusted gladiators number 2 and 6 to Oscar and Rapine and charged towards the main camp. While Oscar and Rapine were slightly less skilled than the markers, he believed they could buy enough time by focusing on defense. If they could eliminate the opponent’s main camp in the meantime, victory would belong to Avand.

“Beomseok is coming! Let’s charge too!”

With Seyia’s command, the Avand main camp also advanced. Facing threats from both the front and the rear, Merzane halted their advance and shifted their formation.

Having Beomseok in their rear was a significant problem. However, they couldn’t outpace his speed as he moved freely with a slow-moving battle line. Beomseok, already in their rear, leaped high and swung his spear with all his might towards Merzane’s battle line.

Pow! Pow!

Sparks flew from the shields of Merzane’s rear sword and shield users in quick succession. Landing on the ground, Beomseok didn’t stop there and slammed his spear down on the angular part of the battle line’s right side.

“Hold on! Maintain formation!”

But it was a difficult request. With the Avand main camp attacking from the front and Beomseok disrupting the rear, Merzane’s battle line was slowly losing its shape.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Beomseok grabbed the end of his spear and struck gladiator number 12, who was positioned at the left corner of the formation. The centrifugal force behind the attack sent her flying, shield and all, across the floor.

Seeing this, Rebecca abandoned the formation and rushed towards gladiator number 12. The gladiator who had humiliated her was within reach, and she couldn’t resist the opportunity for revenge. How long had she been waiting for this moment? She unleashed a flurry of unpredictable sword strikes towards gladiator number 12, who was struggling to rise.

“You. Prepare to pay!”

The face of gladiator number 12, who had been embarrassed, lit up with anticipation. She had expected to be knocked out of the formation and subjected to a combined attack, but unexpectedly, only one person was approaching her.

Moreover, that person was Rebecca, whom she had easily defeated before. Even though she was wielding an unfamiliar sword and shield, she was confident in her ability to handle her.

Gladiator number 12 raised her shield to block the incoming sword strike and immediately retaliated with her own sword.

“Come on. Attack all you want! I can handle someone like you with ease!”

However, after a few exchanges, the expression on gladiator number 12’s face began to contort. This was not the same woman she had faced before. The sword strikes were similar, but the power and speed behind them were vastly different. It felt like fighting a completely new gladiator using the same swordsmanship.

“W-Who the hell are you!”

“Who am I? Have you already forgotten!”

Rebecca, with a cold smile, gripped her sword hilt tightly and unleashed a powerful strike. The two swords collided in the air. But unlike before, Rebecca’s sword showed no signs of being pushed back. Emboldened, she showcased her improved skills and began to press forward.

‘This girl is nothing. Why was I so easily defeated before?’

A strange confidence radiated from Rebecca as she engaged in the fierce battle. Gladiator number 12, a skilled gladiator reaching W2 [presumably a ranking or tier within the gladiatorial system], was struggling and being pushed back by Rebecca.

However, this was partly due to gladiator number 12 being isolated in enemy territory. She had to remain vigilant, unsure of when and where a surprise attack might come from.

In this situation, Rebecca’s unpredictable sword strikes continued to rain down, making it difficult to defend. Moreover, Beomseok, who was attacking the main camp, kept glancing at gladiator number 12, creating a sense of constant threat.

It was as if he was warning her that he would attack immediately if she lost focus. Gladiator number 12 was unable to fully concentrate on their duel.

Still, there was no denying that Rebecca’s skills had improved significantly.

“Tch. How could she suddenly improve her skills?”

“Huhu. Because I’ve regained my original power. I’m not the me of the past anymore. Now, I’m going to repay you for the humiliation I suffered before!”

Gladiator number 12, who had been steadily retreating, focused her attention on Rebecca as they moved away from the main battleground. She had positioned all her opponents in front of her, and there seemed to be no immediate threat of a surprise attack. Now she could face her without distractions.

“Well, will it be as you wish? You seem to have improved, but you’re still no match for me.”

“Hmph. Don’t be ridiculous! I’ll never lose to you!”

After exchanging a few more blows, gladiator number 12 attempted a shield charge, using her superior strength to overwhelm Rebecca. It was an attempt to break Rebecca’s spirit with brute force. No matter how much she had improved, she couldn’t surpass gladiator number 12’s physical abilities.

Rebecca, knocked back by the forceful shield attack, bit her lip and charged forward again. She could feel the difference in strength, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as before. She believed she could compensate with her superior swordsmanship.

“Hyah!”

Rebecca’s transforming sword danced through the air. Gladiator number 12 continued to deflect the attacks with her shield held close, waiting for an opening. If she had her preferred weapon, a two-handed sword, she could have defeated her in close combat, but it was more challenging with the sword and shield. It was better to bait a mistake and exploit the opening.

‘The opportunity will come. When it does, I’ll flatten that cyborg’s nose. So that she can never look down on me again.’

Gladiator number 12, watching Rebecca’s movements intently, suddenly lunged forward. Rebecca’s transforming sword grazed the shield and went off course with a large recoil. Rebecca’s sword was difficult to control, and this often happened.

“Now’s the chance!”

Just as gladiator number 12 was about to strike, she felt a small impact on her right waist. Surprised by the unexpected hit, she hesitated, and Rebecca, recovering her sword, bypassed the shield and plunged her sword into her side, piercing her left waist.

Gladiator number 12, kneeling and collapsing in disbelief, noticed a small pebble rolling on the ground near her right side. She didn’t realize that it was the object that had struck her waist moments earlier. There was no one nearby who could have launched the projectile.

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

The night temperature is quite chilly. Everyone, be careful of the seasonal flu. Have a pleasant weekend. Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.