Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 352

Arriving at the Rainbow Hotel, Beom-seok rented a banquet hall to provide a feast for his team members. Since they hadn’t made a reservation, they couldn’t get a lavish spread, but it was a buffet, so the gladiators could drink and enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content.

“Alright, everyone, cheers!”

Beom-seok raised his glass of beer high and proposed a toast in a cheerful tone. He seemed to be having too much fun right after a defeat, but it was unavoidable for the sake of team morale.

For the promotion tournament to be held in early summer, it was better to cleanly forget today’s defeat. Dwelling on the loss would decrease their drive, which would negatively affect their performance.

Fortunately, all the team members seemed to have perked up, and everyone rose to raise their glasses high.

“Cheers!”

Beom-seok downed his beer in one gulp and sat down to eat the fruit snacks that Diana had picked out for him. He paused for a moment, then wore a comfortable expression.

A thought flashed through his mind that he should never eat the food she offered, but it didn’t taste too bad. Recently, her talent stat was around 30, so she wasn’t making highly poisonous potions like in the old days.

Besides, the hotel chefs cooked here, so it didn’t matter.

“Diana, how is it? Doesn’t everyone seem to be in a good mood?”

“Yes. I’m so glad. It would be a big problem if we went into the league and the upcoming promotion tournament with this mood.”

“I guess so.”

“The problem is the next game. Since we held this party right after today’s match, there will be many problems playing the next game.”

Beom-seok chuckled. Worrying was a waste of time; there was no need to worry much about the next game. The opponent was none other than the Dragon Knights, who were at the bottom of the league, and it was a home game. With the current strength of the Gods Knights, there was no reason to lose.

“It’s okay. It’s the Dragon Knights. Don’t worry.”

“But that’s why it’s more of a problem. If we lose today’s game and struggle again against a weak team, it will have a big impact on team morale.”

“That’s true, but there’s almost no chance we’ll have a hard time, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. But we are very tired, while the Dragon Knights have been resting for a week and are in perfect condition. Moreover, they need to escape relegation [being demoted to a lower league], so they will try to win at all costs. If these various complex factors combine and luck doesn’t favor us, we could face great difficulties.”

What she said wasn’t wrong. The gladiators’ play had its own invisible cycle. Stamina also had a big impact on the game, and the will to win played a big part. If these factors had a negative impact, the Gods Knights could struggle against a weak team.

If even one or two people made mistakes during the game and were defeated by the opponent’s gladiators, that round would be difficult to unravel.

“Well, that’s true. Then let’s eliminate that possibility altogether.”

“How?”

“Send out the reserves. We need to conserve our stamina for the promotion tournament anyway.”

Diana wore a bewildered expression. The gladiators who made up the Gods Knights’ reserves were all semi-pro level players with nothing special about them. Clearly, the Gods Knights would suffer a complete defeat. They had used this strategy often in the past, but the Central League was different. The entrance fees and prestige were on another level.

“Then the problem will get bigger. We spent a lot of money to get in, but if we show such a game against the Dragon Knights, the fans will strongly protest. And other relegation-contending teams will make a fuss. We have had a close relationship with the Dragon Knights since the past, so we will inevitably be viewed with suspicion. There is a very high possibility that they will file a complaint with the association, saying that we are deliberately losing.”

“Is that so? Then send out the substitutes and fill the missing resources with the reserves.”

Then the possibility of problems occurring would be significantly reduced. Thanks to Beom-seok’s efforts, the Gods Knights’ substitutes had been filled with considerable talent.

“Include Master, Nikita, Seiya, and Bertia. Then we can save face.”

Beom-seok immediately nodded. The gladiators Diana mentioned were recognized as the best in the Gods Knights, but except for himself, they had played the rear guard today and didn’t lose much stamina. It was judged that there would be no major problem with their stamina even if they played consecutive games.

“Do that.”

At that moment, a short, small call sound came from Beom-seok’s arms. It meant that a message had arrived, and he took out his electronic notepad to check its contents. Then he jumped up and fidgeted like a dog that had dried poop [acting restless and uncomfortable]. It was an urgent message that Liza had been taken to Rima General Hospital.

‘Oh, right. It’s Liza’s due date.’

Wearing a bewildered expression, Beom-seok whispered to Diana.

“Diana, I have to go to the hospital urgently, so please take care of the rest here.”

“Why the hospital?”

“It seems like today is Liza’s delivery date. I should go and see.”

Diana’s face lit up at those words. No elf would dislike the fact that their master’s child was being born. Moreover, the baby born to Liza this time would grow up in the training camp. That meant it was a child who would grow up in their arms.

“Um, I’ll go too.”

“No. The atmosphere is good right now, what will happen if you, the manager, come too? You stay here.”

Hanging her head down, Diana answered sullenly.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Of course, you should. Then I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Beom-seok, who was about to leave, quickly turned around and spoke again.

“But Diana, do you have a car?”

“There’s only Aron right now. Everyone came riding Aron.”

He shook his head. If he rode Aron, there would be no car to carry all these people back to the team. He thought it would be better to call a taxi.

At that moment, Gelsomina, who was passing by, said to him.

“Senior, why do you need a car?”

“Um, I have to go to the hospital urgently.”

“Hospital? Senior, are you hurt somewhere?”

Beom-seok hesitated to answer that question. Liza’s childbirth could lead to a decrease in Gelsomina’s favorability [affection or positive feelings]. Her favorability, which had been at its peak when the relationship between Liza and himself was revealed last summer, had plummeted, and he couldn’t add to it today.

“No, I just have to visit someone in the hospital urgently.”

“Where is it?”

“Ah, Rima General Hospital.”

“Ah, really? That’s good. Let’s go together. I have to pass by there to get to the training camp.”

Beom-seok, startled, scratched his head and made an excuse that wasn’t an excuse.

“Ah, I have to go urgently, so I can’t call the team car. I’ll call a taxi nearby.”

“If you have to go urgently, you really should go with me. My flying car is already waiting in front of here.”

“W-what are you talking about?”

“Ah, I was a little tired today, so I was going to go in first and called a car.”

At that moment, Diana jumped up and pushed Beom-seok’s back.

“Master, that’s great. It’s the birth of the young master, you should go quickly.”

Gelsomina frowned slightly at those words. She remembered that it was Liza’s due date from the words ‘young master’.

She said to Beom-seok in a cold voice.

“Well, then you should go quickly. Come on, follow me.”

Beom-seok, glancing at Diana, responded to Gelsomina with a cunning smile.

“W-well, there’s no need to go that far… Well, it’s not that urgent… Hahaha.”

“So, you don’t want to go with me?”

“Hahaha. It’s not that…”

“Then follow me quickly. The car is in front of the hotel lobby, so we have to go quickly.”

Beom-seok had no choice but to follow Gelsomina. With the fact that Liza’s childbirth was already known, ignoring her kindness would lead to another drop in favorability. Women easily get sulky about trivial things that men can’t understand.

He soon got into Gelsomina’s flying car and headed to Rima General Hospital.

“Okay, then I’ll go to the hospital room. You go into the training camp. Goodbye.”

Beom-seok, who got out of the black flying car, waved his hand at her. But Gelsomina didn’t say goodbye and got out of the car and stood next to him.

“I think I should go see Liza too.”

“W-what are you talking about? Just rest comfortably. I can guard the hospital room alone.”

Gelsomina immediately shook her head. Liza is the only younger sister in the team. Although she was tired, she couldn’t just ignore her as an older sister. And Liza was in the same situation as her. Both of them didn’t have parents. But fortunately, she had a younger brother, but she was an orphan without any blood relatives.

“How can I just go? Liza is in the hospital. I should see her face at least once.”

“You can’t see her face. She’s already in the delivery room.”

“Then I’ll wait.”

She walked towards the hospital entrance first. Beom-seok, who had no choice, turned his back on the flying car heading to the parking lot and followed her. To be honest, he wanted to chase her away, but it was impossible because of favorability management. Women easily get sulky about trivial things that men can’t understand.

– Liza is in the second delivery room on the 5th floor. And please note that only three family members and relatives are allowed in the delivery room waiting room to avoid congestion.

Beom-seok, who found out the hospital room where Liza was staying by operating the information device, headed straight to the 5th floor.

In front of the delivery room, there were quite a few people even though it was almost 9 pm. But it was unusual that there were almost no young men. Unlike women, men give birth to babies in culture capsules rather than natural childbirth, so they couldn’t be in this delivery room.

While Beom-seok was looking around to find the second delivery room, a beautiful young woman came out from the crowd and approached him.

“Excuse me. Are you perhaps gladiator Oh Beom-seok?”

“Ah, yes, I am…”

As soon as those words were spoken, a commotion broke out among the female visitors. They were happy and amazed to meet a celebrity like Beom-seok in an unexpected place. He was a famous gladiator, young, handsome, and rich. Moreover, he often made favorable remarks to women in the media, so he was especially popular with women.

“Wow, Beom-seok. Please sign here.”

“But Beom-seok, what brings you here? Is your girlfriend giving birth today?”

“I’m free tonight, how about it? I want to have your baby.”

At this point, the hospital had no choice but to take special measures. They dispatched security guards to block the female crowd and let him and Gelsomina into the delivery room.

Gelsomina, who barely entered the delivery room, chuckled and whispered softly.

“There are all sorts of things in the world. I’ve even come to the delivery room.”

In this era, visitors could never enter the delivery room. In the past, husbands and one family member were allowed to enter at the risk of infection due to emotional issues, but this was not allowed in this era.

Due to the strong individualistic tendencies of the national consciousness, there was no need for a close relative to enter the hospital room. Usually, people come to the hospital alone, give birth, and go back.

Beom-seok said with a somewhat relieved expression.

“Well, that can happen.”

“Anyway, Senior is lucky. There are many women asking you to be the father of their children.”

Beom-seok avoided looking at her as if he was embarrassed. He remembered that one of the fans had asked him to have a baby. She was already sulking, so she couldn’t have been happy to hear that. He coughed roughly and made excuses.

“No, it must have been a joke.”

“A joke? I saw on the news that Senior’s children are spread all over the world.”

Gelsomina narrowed her eyes. It was too specific and there were too many cases to be called misinformation. Moreover, there were some reliable cases in the content that Beom-seok regularly sent living expenses to women in difficult circumstances. As soon as she asked Esther about this, she stammered and avoided answering.

“I don’t think so.”

“No, I’m right. Let’s stop talking nonsense and go inside. Liza is waiting.”

Beom-seok hurriedly moved his steps further inside. And he knocked in front of the second delivery room with a sign that said ‘No Entry’. Soon, an elf nurse wearing a mask and surgical gown peeked her head out from inside.

“Who is it?”

“I’m Liza’s guardian. Oh Beom-seok.”

The elf nurse looked at him with a bright face. She couldn’t not recognize him because he was so famous.

“Ah, the gladiator from Gods Knights! It’s really nice to meet you. Please sign for me later.”

“Well, I will. But can I go inside now?”

The elf nurse shook her head. She didn’t know how he got into this inner hallway, but the inside of the delivery room where the baby was born was strictly off-limits to anyone other than those involved for the health of the mother and baby. Even if he was wearing sterile clothing, the principle was the principle.

“That’s not allowed under hospital rules.”

Beom-seok stepped back with regret. He knew these rules well because he had visited the delivery room several times.

“Instead, tell Liza that I’m outside. Okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry about that.”

As the nurse closed the door and went inside, Beom-seok leaned his back against the hallway wall and spent endless hours of waiting. This was not a waiting room, so there were no chairs, which was uncomfortable, but it couldn’t be helped. It was more uncomfortable outside.

============================ Work Review ============================

Wow, today’s MLB Major League hit 6000 views on the same day. Amazing. I’ve been active since the early days of the novel, and this is the first time I’ve seen this happen.

Ah, anyway, I’m jealous. Hahaha.

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