Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 355

357

Godz Knights easily clinched the league championship. Their record stood at 35 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss out of 38 matches—an unprecedented feat in the history of the Hairen Central League.

Consequently, gladiatorial experts worldwide unanimously regarded Godz Knights as the strongest contender for victory in the upcoming promotion tournament. This was due to their team composition, which rivaled any other promotion-seeking team, and the inclusion of Bumseok, recognized as one of the world’s top three gladiators.

This recognition brought a significant boon to Godz Knights: Avondale was selected as the venue for the promotion tournament leading to the World League. As a result, Godz Knights would face the tournament without the penalties of jet lag and long-distance travel.

Adding to Bumseok’s delight, the Economic Alliance had recently acquired Braam Chemicals, one of the Black Society’s key enterprises.

Braam Chemicals, a massive corporation ranked fourth in the chemical manufacturing industry with a market capitalization of 412.4 billion krang [a fictional currency], was a significant loss for the Black Society. Ilsimhoe also greatly benefited from this acquisition. Although they did not participate in acquiring Braam Chemicals, they successfully secured 61.9 billion krang in second-round funding from White Angel Fund by defending WBS Broadcasting’s management rights against the Black Society.

Now, combined with the initial funds tied to Vermilion Corporation shares, they had a total of 234.7 billion krang—enough to absorb a major Black Society enterprise. However, Bumseok did not make any immediate moves. His current target was WBS Broadcasting, and he needed to bide his time and accumulate more funds.

“Alright, everyone! Tomorrow is the first match of the promotion tournament! Head back to the dorms and get some rest!”

In the midst of a languid spring day, the gladiators of Godz Knights, having completed their light training, dispersed and headed towards their dorms. Although the sun was still high, they needed ample rest for tomorrow’s match.

Bumseok, having removed his helmet and tucked it into his waistband, walked towards Liza. She had recently joined the team training and required special attention.

“Liza, how are you feeling?”

“I think I’m okay.”

“Hehe. Really? That’s good to hear.”

Liza looked at him with a worried expression.

“But I’m finding it a bit difficult to adjust to the mid-position.”

“In what way?”

“I know what I need to do, but when the time comes, I hesitate.”

Bumseok wore a pleased expression. He thought that was quite good enough. In fact, Liza had only been participating in team training for less than a month. Moreover, she had no experience in league matches. Knowing what to do in that position in this state was commendable.

He patted Liza on the back and said,

“Our Liza. You must have worked hard. You even know what to do in that position.”

“Well, I’ve been analyzing matches through videos for two years.”

He nodded. Bumseok met Liza in the summer of the year before last. Since then, she had been learning various gladiatorial tactics and positional roles under Bumseok’s guidance. And since the past year, after benching Philip, they had focused more on tactical training than physical training, so she had certainly mastered the theory.

“Hehe. Then there’s no need to worry. You’ll improve as you gain match experience.”

“But the tournament starts tomorrow. I’m worried that I might make mistakes and harm the team during that time.”

“Don’t worry about that. You’re just a rookie anyway. Your mistakes are already anticipated, so it’s not a big deal. For example, you can see that Diana is using you as a substitute because of your swordsmanship skills. Actually, with your skills, you should be a core gladiator on our team.”

“I guess so.”

“So, don’t be too nervous and approach the match with a relaxed attitude. No one will blame you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Then go in and rest quickly. I asked Diana earlier, and it seems she’s planning to have you participate in tomorrow’s match as well.”

Liza smiled brightly. She couldn’t help but be excited about her first appearance tomorrow. Her father, Dantes, had told her to become the strongest gladiator before he died. Tomorrow was the day she would take her first step.

“Yes, I understand. Then I’ll go rest.”

Bumseok, watching Liza rush towards the dorms, let out a long sigh. Liza’s addition was indeed reassuring, but it had recently caused an unfortunate incident: Zelsomina had been placed on the long-term injury list and was unable to participate in this tournament. She was now two months pregnant and had been removed from the team squad.

‘Ugh. Still, it’s my child, so I can’t say anything… Sigh.’

Bumseok, dragging his feet, moved to the locker room, changed his clothes, and headed out to the parking lot. He was going to the Rainbow Hotel to meet a guest.

Arriving at the Rainbow Hotel lobby, Bumseok headed to the Western restaurant on the third floor. He confirmed his reserved room at the counter and stepped inside.

“Hehe. It’s been a while. Please, come and sit here.”

The guest who had arrived first was none other than Piler. Bumseok gave him a warm smile and sat in the seat opposite him.

“Yes, but what’s the matter? I’m a bit busy these days, so I need to get back early.”

“I have something important to tell you. I also need to ask for your understanding.”

“Really? Go ahead and tell me.”

“I’ll tell you when the others arrive.”

“Others are coming too?”

“Yes, they are. They’ve stepped out for a moment, so they’ll be back soon if you wait.”

Bumseok nodded and drank the water on the table without saying anything. He was curious about who the others were, but he didn’t think there was any reason to ask. They would be back soon, and he knew Piler’s acquaintances perfectly.

Soon, the door opened. Bumseok glanced at the woman entering and his eyes widened. It was a black-haired woman, and he knew her very well. It was Teresa, the eldest daughter of Madam Angela.

“Oh, isn’t this Teresa? It’s been a while.”

Bumseok was smiling brightly. But inwardly, he was extremely wary. Teresa was a spy planted by the Black Society within the Economic Alliance.

However, unaware of this, she sat down and greeted Bumseok politely.

“Oh my. You remember me. I met you briefly before, but I was worried you might have forgotten me.”

“Hahaha. Not at all. How could I forget such a beautiful lady? It’s impossible for me.”

“Hoh ho ho. I don’t know what to do with your compliments. Anyway, thank you.”

Piler, curious as to whether Bumseok and Teresa knew each other, joined the conversation.

“Bumseok, do you know Teresa?”

“Yes. I met her at the Federal Professional Gladiator Association’s annual banquet while meeting Madam Angela. At the time, the Black Society was playing nasty tricks through the Cooper faction, but I managed to avoid it thanks to her.”

“Ah. You had such a connection.”

Teresa said to Piler,

“Bumseok and I are both gladiatorial figures. So, we had a chance to meet.”

“Yes, that’s good. Then the story will be easily solved.”

Teresa, subtly watching Bumseok, said in an indirect tone,

“Well, we’ll have to see. Because it’s such unbelievable news.”

Bumseok, not knowing what she meant, looked at her.

“No. What do you mean? Unbelievable news?”

“It’s a bit difficult to say….”

“It doesn’t matter, please tell me. Surely you didn’t call me here today, busy as I am, just to say nothing, right?”

Teresa sighed with an awkward expression and looked at him.

“I guess so. The reason I called Bumseok out today is this, so I should tell you. Sigh~ Excuse me, but there are those in our Economic Alliance who are very unhappy with Ilsimhoe.”

“Oh really? That’s very unexpected. I thought Ilsimhoe and the Economic Alliance had a solid alliance.”

“But the Economic Alliance is a huge organization. When so many people gather like this, there are bound to be those who are unhappy with the central events.”

“Hmm. That’s true, but… I don’t feel anything special. I get along very well with the Economic Alliance.”

Teresa said with a bitter smile.

“Oh, I’m so disappointed. They’re already attacking Ilsimhoe, and you still don’t know?”

“Ah. Really? This is news to me. We don’t clash much with the Economic Alliance’s people. What kind of attack are you talking about?”

“The Hyena Group is plotting something to hit Ilsimhoe’s Leopard Planning. That’s why Karen can’t appear on WBS Broadcasting or TNGL Broadcasting.”

Piler quickly stepped in. TNGL Broadcasting was a member of the Economic Alliance. If Bumseok harbored resentment over this, it could lead to great difficulties in the current war with the Black Society.

Bumseok had invested a huge amount of money to help Vermilion Corporation and was playing a significant role in connecting with the Lewis Vice President’s fellowship members. Without this help, the Economic Alliance would not have been able to push the Black Society so indiscriminately.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry about the TNGL Broadcasting issue. My father said he would take care of it, so he will soon allow Karen to appear. No, to compensate for the past mistakes, he will also arrange for Leopard Planning’s entertainers to appear on many famous programs with various support.”

Bumseok sent a subtle glance towards Teresa. He had a feeling what kind of trick she was playing.

Currently, the Black Society was in a very difficult situation, being attacked by Ilsimhoe, the Economic Alliance, and the Lewis Vice President’s fellowship members. They had already lost Braam Chemicals, one of their key enterprises, and other companies were in an unstable state due to the continued attacks.

The only way for the Black Society to avoid this crisis now was to divide the hostile organizations. Teresa seemed to be trying to create discord within the Economic Alliance by using this incident as an excuse.

The chairman of Vermilion and Henry, the chairman of Hyena, were rivals within the organization.

“Well, if you do that, I’d be very grateful. It’s beneficial for Ilsimhoe if Leopard Planning does well.”

“Hahaha. Thank you for understanding.”

“But what about the Hyena Group that’s attacking us?”

“Leave that to us. We will inform the various leaders of the Economic Alliance of this fact and make them pay the price.”

Bumseok, clasping his hands together, looked back and forth at the two with a cold gaze. He couldn’t let this go on, so he had to break Teresa’s scheme.

“But, is there anything you’re hiding from me about this?”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I know that there are several people involved in this besides the Hyena Group. But why are you two only connecting it to the Hyena Group? Could it be that you don’t know the details?”

Piler’s eyes widened.

“Yes? What details?”

“Actually, the ones attacking Leopard Planning aren’t just the Hyena Group. The Black Society is behind them.”

Instantly, Piler’s face turned blue. He thought Bumseok didn’t know anything about this, but he knew it all too well.

“T, this… Bumseok knew the details.”

“Yes. I’m not an idiot. So, tell me. Why did you hide the fact that the Black Society is involved in this from me?”

Piler, receiving Bumseok’s blatant question, wore a very nervous expression.

“I didn’t tell you because I was afraid there might be a misunderstanding. If I said that the Hyena Group, also a member of ours, was joining hands with the Black Society, an enemy that the Economic Alliance should punish, to attack Ilsimhoe, I was honestly afraid of how Bumseok would see us.”

“I see. That’s a very understandable statement. The Economic Alliance is attacking the Black Society with us, so you wanted to hide it. If it were true, it would mean betrayal.”

“Yes. That’s right. We wanted to handle this quietly to maintain our relationship with Ilsimhoe. Please understand this point.”

Bumseok nodded calmly and said,

“Yes, I understand. We have the same enemy, so we shouldn’t get angry over this. I’ll just let it go.”

“Thank you so much for understanding.”

“But, you’re hiding one more thing. There’s one more person involved in this.”

“Wh, who are you talking about?”

Bumseok pointed his chin at Teresa and sent a sharp gaze.

“The person in charge of attacking Leopard Planning.”

After hesitating for a moment in embarrassment, she soon laughed loudly and replied,

“Hoh ho ho. I guess I should apologize for teasing you a little while ago. I really didn’t know you knew this much. As expected, Bumseok is as amazing as I’ve heard.”

“Hehe. I’m not that great. So, will you tell me? Why did you lend your strength to attacking our Ilsimhoe? Frankly, we weren’t strangers, were we? And I had a deep friendship with Teresa’s mother, Angela.”

“I’m really sorry about that. I couldn’t help it.”

“Couldn’t help it? Why?”

“Yes. The person who asked me to help attack Leopard Planning was none other than Honorary Chairman Meyer, a great elder of our organization. I, a mere member of the organization, couldn’t dare to refuse his request.”

Bumseok brought his hand to the space between his philtrum and said.

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

The weather has become very hot. Even running around a little makes me sweat like rain. But I ran around a lot today, and I feel much better now. I guess the reason I’ve been sick lately was a lack of exercise. ^^;;;;; I need to exercise for 30 minutes every day until I sweat.

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