Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 366

“Everyone, charge!”

With Seyia’s cry, the Gods Knights gladiators surged towards the Chaos Hills formation. They held the advantage in numbers, shifting to an offensive strategy.

While a draw was acceptable, seizing a victory was preferable if the opportunity presented itself. However, overcoming Chaos Hills’ dense formation proved more challenging than anticipated.

True to their reputation, the Chaos Hills gladiators were a defensive powerhouse. Ultimately, the Gods Knights gladiators retreated to their dugout after a fruitless first round.

“Welcome back. You all did well.”

Beomseok greeted the returning gladiators, offering encouragement. Although a win eluded them, they had achieved their initial objective and returned safely. Their efforts over the past 20 minutes deserved recognition.

Seyia glanced at him as she entered.

“Too bad. We could have won, but Chaos Hills’ defense was impenetrable.”

Beomseok dismissed her concern. There was no point dwelling on the previous round. The match was structured as a best-of-five, not a single game.

“It’s alright. Chaos Hills is renowned for their top-tier defense. Overpowering them isn’t easy.”

“True. But I did identify a weakness in their strategy during the last round.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Their offensive maneuvers lack finesse. The number 6 gladiator we took down earlier is a prime example.”

Beomseok nodded slowly. He had observed the number 6 gladiator’s misstep firsthand.

During their offensive push, she failed to anticipate Nikita’s flanking attack and was struck on the side, incapacitating her. This suggested a tunnel vision effect when the number 6 gladiator was on the attack.

“Indeed. The number 6 gladiator was taken out rather easily.”

“It’s not just her. All the other gladiators exhibit similar tendencies, albeit to varying degrees. It seems their offensive capabilities are underdeveloped due to their emphasis on defense.”

“Is that so?”

“Furthermore, Chaos Hills is somewhat sluggish in transitioning between offense and defense. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could yield favorable results.”

Beomseok stroked his chin thoughtfully. With this knowledge of their weaknesses, he needed to devise a plan to capitalize on them.

‘Winning the first round is crucial.’

A victory in the first round would force Chaos Hills into an offensive stance. Losing a round meant they would lose the match even if they drew all the remaining rounds. Securing just one win would compel them to attack, allowing him to exploit the weaknesses he had just uncovered.

He sent Seyia back in and returned to his seat, beginning to prepare his short spear and shield. He needed to be fully prepared, as he was slated to compete in the second round. He opted for the spear and shield combination that would minimize strain on his injury.

– Gladiators participating in the second round, please proceed to the entrance tunnel.

Upon hearing the announcement, Beomseok grabbed his shield and short spear and headed towards the tunnel. He paused before Liza, who was positioned among his teammates. She was to play the free role alongside him in this round.

“Liza, are you confident?”

Liza hesitated, fully aware of the day’s strategy but lacking in self-assurance.

She had struggled in the third match against the Payan Rangers due to their relentless arrow attacks. She failed to secure a single kill and was quickly defeated in all three rounds she participated in.

Once brimming with confidence, she had suffered a setback, leaving her disheartened. While seasoned gladiators could easily overcome such adversity, this was only her fourth competitive experience.

“I… I have to do well. If we lose today, the Gods Knights’ chances of advancing to the World League will be postponed until next year.”

Beomseok frowned at her subdued tone. Liza was essential to the free role in his strategy, and such a lack of confidence was unacceptable.

“Liza, did you have a bad lunch?”

“Ah, no. That’s not it.”

“Then why are you so unassertive?”

“Well, I’m not sure if I can perform well. As you know, the team lost because I messed up in the last game.”

Beomseok shook his head dismissively. He had watched the previous game from his sickbed and knew that the defeat was not solely Liza’s fault, but a collective failure.

The Payan Rangers were a particularly challenging matchup for the Gods Knights, making victory impossible without his presence. Even then, Beomseok doubted he could guarantee a 60% chance of winning.

“It’s not your fault. The Payan Rangers are skilled archers and formidable opponents in their own right. They were a difficult matchup for our team, which lacks shield users. That’s why you were defeated so easily.”

“Is… is that so?”

“Of course. But today is different. While Chaos Hills is proficient with shields, there’s no reason we can’t handle them. We just need to avoid being led by their tactics. If we’re careful, they’re not a difficult team to deal with.”

Although she seemed to agree, Liza’s expression remained unchanged. Her inexperience prevented her from fully grasping the situation through words alone. However, she couldn’t voice her doubts. Liza nodded formally.

“I… I see. Yes, I understand.”

“Hmph~ Okay, that’s good.”

Beomseok sighed and patted her shoulder before moving to the front of the line. He knew her confidence hadn’t been restored, but he couldn’t afford to waste time trying to reassure her. The game was about to begin. Liza’s morale could be boosted by a strong performance during the match.

‘I’ll have to focus on Liza to win this game.’

Shortly after, an announcement urged them to enter the arena. Beomseok gripped his shield and short spear tightly and led his team to the center of the arena.

“Alright, everyone, gather around! We’re forming a phalanx!”

Having reached the city, Beomseok instructed his team to form a phalanx and joined the main formation. He had intended to play the free role, but there was no need to reveal his strategy prematurely.

By feigning a defensive posture, he could lure the opponent in, making the game easier. If Chaos Hills attacked first, there was no reason to risk crossing the iron bridge and engaging in their formation.

Besides, his injury made jumping difficult.

– Peeep!

As the second round commenced with the whistle, Beomseok directed his formation to retreat significantly, attempting to bait the Chaos Hills gladiators. However, they were hesitant to cross the iron bridge.

Despite his injury, Beomseok’s reputation loomed large. Losing this round would make the subsequent games even more challenging.

‘Tch. They’re too cautious. I guess we’ll have to take the initiative.’

As the silence stretched on, Beomseok summoned Liza to his side. Each round was limited to 20 minutes, so he couldn’t afford to waste time. It seemed Chaos Hills intended to end this round in a draw.

“Liza, you go across the river first and play the free role. I’ll cross over depending on the situation.”

Liza stammered in surprise.

“Me, me alone? Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I’d like to, but if I go, they might not send a marker [a designated opponent]. They’ll probably just hold their ground on the iron bridge.”

There were several ways to break the opponent’s defense, one of which was to continuously introduce free roles to eventually force a melee. It was a common tactic and a headache for the defending team.

Getting caught up in this could force them to keep sending markers, leading to a melee and negating the purpose of their defense.

And Beomseok was a gladiator that couldn’t be easily stopped by one or two people. Rather than sending a marker and putting them in danger, it might be better to keep an eye on him from the iron bridge. But Liza was different.

She was also skilled in swordsmanship, but she was not an opponent that couldn’t be marked. In addition, she also had a threatening hidden blade technique, so if they didn’t send a marker, they could suffer an unexpected long-range attack.

Liza remained worried and hesitant.

“What if I get hit? Chaos Hills might send two people.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll go then.”

Then she didn’t have to worry too much. Even though Liza was depressed, she couldn’t possibly not be able to handle one candidate-level gladiator.

“Okay. Then I’ll go first.”

Liza hurriedly left the formation and ran towards the city. The number 1 gladiator of Chaos Hills, who was watching this, hesitated and sent the number 17 gladiator as a marker. She knew about Liza’s hidden blade technique through intelligence, so she had no choice but to send a marker.

‘Good, they’re taking the bait. Now I just need to cross over.’

Liza, having crossed the city, initiated the first engagement against the number 17 gladiator. Beomseok led his teammates and slowly advanced towards the iron bridge, intending to spark a battle between the main formations and then exploit the chaos as a free role.

“Everyone, charge! We must win the second round!”

Simultaneously with Beomseok’s battle cry, the main formations of both teams collided. He exchanged places with Jeremia, who was at the back, and leaped onto the iron bridge railing, positioning himself behind the opponent’s formation.

The number 1 gladiator looked surprised. She thought it would be difficult for Beomseok to cross the river because he was injured and carrying a shield, but Beomseok was riding on the railing in the middle of the iron bridge and playing the free role behind them. Now, the number 17 gladiator who had gone out to mark was as good as defeated.

‘What should I do? Should I send more markers?’

The number 1 gladiator shook her head sharply. That would be the end. She thought it would be better to push the Gods Knights’ main formation with the numerical advantage of the main formation.

“Come on. Everyone, attack the Gods Knights! Sweeping away their main formation is our only way to survive!”

But her wish was thwarted by Seyia. She knew that it was better to retreat and lure the main formation under the iron bridge than to fight now. She moved the Gods Knights’ main formation back and slowly moved towards the flat ground.

Meanwhile, Beomseok was approaching Liza, who was fighting the number 17 gladiator.

“Liza, good job. Leave her to me and disrupt the Chaos Hills’ main formation!”

Liza exchanged the tag with him with a somewhat bright face. The number 17 gladiator was a candidate-level gladiator. She had regained some confidence by pouring out a one-sided attack on an easy opponent.

“Yes. Sir.”

“Don’t make any mistakes and do well.”

“Yes.”

“Then go quickly.”

As Liza ran towards the main formation, Beomseok blocked the number 17 gladiator. She, who was suddenly facing the strongest gladiator, retreated slowly with a face full of fear. Even though he was injured, she didn’t think she could handle him.

In the end, the number 17 gladiator chose to flee. She judged that running away was more advantageous in stalling for time than fighting.

‘Hehe. She’s dying to die.’

Beomseok, who was quickly following her, smiled faintly. He thought the number 17 gladiator was seriously mistaken.

Even though Beomseok was uncomfortable moving his body due to his injury, he was the best sprinter in the Gods Knights. For the past two years, his physical abilities had been rapidly declining due to activating ‘The Origin’s Response’ [a special ability], but he had copied the physical ability enhancement trait that he had used during Lucas’s assassination attempt today.

There was no way he couldn’t catch up with a gladiator with agility in the late 80s with 120 agility.

“Where are you going!”

The number 17 gladiator, who saw Beomseok following closely behind her, stopped and greeted him. For some reason, Beomseok had quickly chased after her. If she kept running like this, she could give her back defenselessly. She had no choice but to fight back.

She raised her shield and looked at Beomseok with surprised eyes.

“H, how can you be so fast? Is the news article about your injury false information?”

He raised his short spear sharply and said.

“No, it’s true. It’s just that I haven’t been putting all my effort into it, but I’ve decided to do my best today. You may or may not know this, but I haven’t used all of my physical abilities for the past two years.”

“W, why?”

Beomseok frowned. He couldn’t have felt good about wasting his efforts for the past two years just to open a door.

“You don’t need to know. Just come quickly. No time.”

The number 17 gladiator, who bit her lip, put her shield in front and retreated slowly. She had given up on running away, but she had not given up on stalling for time.

Beomseok shook his head and stomped his foot once before approaching her in an instant.