Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 369

Having entered the World League after a long journey, the God’s Knights were greeted with much applause from the residents of Lima City. The local government even offered them a car parade for bringing glory to the community, and they were constantly asked to be figureheads at numerous gatherings.

Although it was a nuisance, Beom-seok accepted everything. If he suffered for a few days, he could rest well, and there was no need to cause problems with local government officials over trivial matters.

Soon, the God’s Knights gladiators, except for Beom-seok, were drafted into the national team for the final World Cup qualifiers.

It was a sunny early summer day. During this time of the final World Cup qualifiers, Beom-seok visited Senoside City, the world’s central city, with Erfina. This was because the first match of the final World Cup qualifiers between the Kelot national team and the Zelladin national team was taking place there.

Arriving at the west parking lot of the Senoside Colosseum, Beom-seok got out of the flying car and picked up his hat and sunglasses to put them on.

“Erfina, you made sure to get the tickets, right?”

Erfina followed him out and nodded. The tickets were safely stored in her electronic notebook.

“Yes. I made sure to get them, so don’t worry.”

“Then where do we go?”

“We need to go to the west entrance and find seats WA001~WA002.”

“Really? And those seats are right above the entrance tunnel, right?”

“Yes. I checked the seat numbers several times, so I’m sure it’s correct.”

Beom-seok, wearing his hat pulled down low, wore a relieved expression.

The reason he gave up watching the Avand national team match, in which his gladiators were participating, and came to the Senoside Colosseum was to check the information window of a gladiator participating in the match. However, there was a penalty that required him to be close to check the information window. Therefore, the seat next to the entrance tunnel, where gladiators frequently entered and exited, was the most effective.

Of course, even if it wasn’t, he could go near the entrance tunnel around the time the gladiators entered, but it was better to sit next to it if possible. If he moved around unnecessarily and got caught by fans, things would become complicated.

‘Hmm. Rezaris… she needs to be a good one…’

Rezaris was a core gladiator of the Ancient Warriors, based in Senoside City. It was the team to which Prisika belonged, and they won the World League this year.

Recruiting a core gladiator from such a team was very difficult, but it was possible with Rezaris. She was 29 years old this year, past her prime, and her team had decided to sell her.

Once she passed 30 and approached 35, her utility would greatly decrease due to aging, so it was more profitable for the Ancient Warriors to sell her at a high price now.

But why was Beom-seok interested in her? Because she was a gladiator that the God’s Knights absolutely needed. Long World League match experience and years of experience. A guardian gladiator who handles both spear and sword defense. And outstanding skills… All these requirements were elements that needed to be added to the God’s Knights, who were just entering the World League.

He checked the time and then moved towards the Colosseum.

“Erfina, it’s almost time, let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

Beom-seok, who went up the entrance stairs and entered the stands, was surprised by the enthusiasm of the fans. As expected of the world’s central city? The cheers of the audience, filling the 140,000 seats, made his ears ring.

Beom-seok passed through the fans who were constantly chanting the names of their national team gladiators and found his seat.

“Master, it’s here. Please sit down.”

The seat Erfina pointed to was definitely in the place Beom-seok wanted. Right next to it was the entrance tunnel for the Kelot national team. So, he could check Rezaris’ information window just by getting up, which was convenient.

“Oh, our Erfina is very capable, getting a seat like this so easily. Thanks to you, it’s much easier.”

“No. When I mentioned our team name and talked to the Ancient Warriors trade manager, they got it for me without any complaints.”

At those words, Beom-seok smiled bitterly. Elves were too humble in front of their masters. When praised, they should accept it as it is, but they were too humble to please him.

“Huhu. Yeah. Well. I guess so.”

Beom-seok, who was seated, looked at the hologram screen floating in the distance. Various attractions were being provided as pre-match events inside the stadium, but the reason he came to the Senoside Colosseum was because of the Rezaris acquisition.

If he was distracted by unnecessary things and failed to check her information before the match, it could cause problems. Beom-seok was even thinking of leaving this place as soon as he checked Rezaris’ information, as his identity should not be revealed.

Although quite some time had passed, the list of participants was not appearing on the screen. The list of participants for the first round usually appeared 5 minutes before, but the list of all 19 participants usually came out before the commentary started. But now, even though the commentators were talking for a while, no signal was appearing on the screen.

“What’s wrong? Is the screen broken?”

Erfina agreed with Beom-seok’s question. She had been a professional gladiator for a long time, so she knew that the current situation was unusual.

“I don’t know. It seems like that’s the case.”

At that moment, the screen enlarged and showed the stadium video and the commentators. Beom-seok focused his attention on the blank space where the list of participants was listed, waiting for Rezaris’ name to appear.

And after a while, when the list appeared, he jumped up from his seat. Rezaris was not included in the 19 members of the Kelot national team participating today.

Beom-seok quickly looked at Erfina and said.

“Erfina, what’s going on? Rezaris’ name isn’t there.”

With a bewildered expression, she said in a trembling voice. Unintentionally, she had made her master, Beom-seok, take a fruitless trip due to her mistake.

“T, that can’t be. I definitely heard from the Ancient Warriors official that Rezaris would be participating today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s something I’ve checked several times.”

Indeed, he thought that her words couldn’t be wrong. Rezaris was somewhat old, but she was a core guardian gladiator of the World League-winning Ancient Warriors. Unless there was a problem, there was no way she would be missing from such an important match.

But his question was soon resolved. The commentators were explaining the details of the incident.

– We have received this unfortunate news. Rezaris, who was confirmed to participate today, is unable to participate in the match due to an unexpected injury.

– Yes. That’s right. Many fans must have been looking forward to her performance in today’s match. It’s very disappointing.

– But what kind of injury is it?

– Yes. Fortunately, it’s not a major injury. It’s just a simple muscle spasm, so it seems we’ll be able to see her on the field again in a few days.

– Really? That’s a relief…

Suddenly, the announcer stopped talking and wore a blank expression. While examining the atmosphere of the Kelot national team dugout due to Rezaris’ injury, he had confirmed a strange scene.

Because the power difference between the two teams playing today was so great, even if she was missing, the Kelot national team gladiators didn’t seem to be shaken at all, so there wasn’t much of a problem, but the stands above were different. A familiar figure was sitting there wearing a hat and sunglasses.

– H, who is that?

– Yes? Who are you talking about?

– I’m talking about the spectator sitting in the stands above the Kelot national team dugout. Doesn’t he look like gladiator Oh Beom-seok?

Instantly, a bird camera flew towards him. Surprised, Beom-seok pulled his hat down low and lowered his head.

He seemed to be hoping that his identity would not be revealed. But because of this, the commentators immediately recognized that he was Beom-seok. Celebrities who happen to visit the stadium always act like that when their faces are shown on camera.

– It’s definitely gladiator Oh Beom-seok!

– That’s right. Now that you mention it, it seems certain that it’s gladiator Oh Beom-seok.

At this point, he couldn’t help it. With the cameras and fans’ attention focused on him, there was no way to hide his identity. Beom-seok slightly waved his hand towards the bird camera lens flying around noisily, signaling that it was him.

– Wow. That’s amazing. Oh Beom-seok has come to this place today. But what reason did he come for?

– I don’t know. We’ll find out soon. The field caster is running over there now, so we’ll be sending you the interview scene soon.

Beom-seok, frowning deeply, let out a long sigh. He had suddenly received media attention, which was not a good thing. If the fact that he wanted to recruit Rezaris was revealed, this trade could end before it even started.

Soon, a pretty blonde female caster arrived on the scene with a cameraman.

“Hello, gladiator Oh Beom-seok.”

Beom-seok, who took off his hat and sunglasses, stared at the caster who was bringing the microphone to his mouth.

“Yes. Hello?”

“But gladiator Oh Beom-seok. How did you come to this place? We know that the Avand national team also has a match today.”

Of course. The first match of the final World Cup qualifiers was held on the same day, although there was some difference due to the time difference.

He pointed to his back with his thumb and said.

“I was injured recently. So I was excluded from this national team call-up.”

The blonde female caster nodded. The incident in which Beom-seok was kidnapped with Margaret was widely reported in the world media. And in the meantime, news of his injury was also widely known.

“Ah. I see. But to put aside your affiliated national team’s match and come to this Senoside City Colosseum, the locals must be quite resentful. It could be wrongly perceived that gladiator Oh Beom-seok is indifferent to the national team’s match. Do you have any special reason for visiting our Colosseum that you haven’t told us about?”

At the sudden sensitive question, Beom-seok glared sharply at the female caster. It was a difficult question to answer, but she was forcing him to answer.

If he didn’t properly answer the reason why he came to the Senoside City Colosseum, he would receive suspicious glances from the local fans. Even though he was excluded from the national team due to his injury, if it was known that he came to watch the Kelot national team’s match instead of the Avand national team’s match, the local fans could mistakenly believe that he was not very interested in Avand advancing to the World Cup finals.

But he was a self-proclaimed ‘Mouth Beom-seok’ [someone skilled at talking]. There was no way he wouldn’t have something to say.

“Yes. There is a reason.”

“Really? What is it?”

“Because if I don’t take this opportunity, I won’t have a chance to witness the Kelot national team’s match directly.”

“Ah. That’s right. Hmm. But what do you want to gain from watching today’s match, gladiator Oh Beom-seok?”

“There are many, but if I had to summarize it into one, it’s that one of the strongest championship contenders for our Avand national team in the World Cup finals is the Kelot national team. Prisika, who was the strongest gladiator in the World League in the past, is affiliated with them, and there are quite a few outstanding gladiators. So I must check them out now that I have the time.”

Then the stands became very noisy. His remarks were taken as a challenge to the Kelot national team, the winner of the previous World Cup tournament.

It could be seen as a somewhat arrogant remark for an Avand national team gladiator who had never participated in the World League finals to make. But he was Oh Beom-seok and had the God’s Knights gladiator team under his command, which had made it to the World League finals this time. He could never be ignored.

“That’s right. That’s a great spirit. But isn’t the Avand national team only playing its first match of the final qualifiers? Don’t you think it’s a bit early to say that?”

“Huhu. That’s not true. Our Avand national team has enough power to pass the final qualifiers even without me. Besides, there is still a year left until the finals.

During that time, we plan to continue investing funds to recruit outstanding gladiators to the God’s Knights, so our power will greatly increase. And finally, I am in the Avand national team.”

At his confident remarks, the stadium was in an uproar. The pressure given by the two letters of the name Beom-seok was considerable. He was a fraudulent gladiator who occupied one of the three strongest seats in the world.

But soon the stands were filled with cheers. Perhaps because of Beom-seok’s remarks, Prisika, who was resting in the Kelot national team dugout, was walking into the stadium. She was recognized as the only active gladiator who could face the strongest three, Amelie, Zakid, and Beom-seok, alone.

Prisika, who straightened her red hair fluttering in the strong wind of the stadium, glared at the stands where Beom-seok was sitting and shouted loudly.

“That’s an interesting story. Can the Avand national team really beat us? The Kelot national team is the strongest World Cup national team in the world.”

Beom-seok, with a faint smile, stood up from his seat and walked to the railing of the stands.

“But I am the strongest gladiator in the world. I think this alone is enough to make up for the difference in power between the two teams.”

“Huhu. That’s a great confidence. But haven’t you forgotten about me?”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten. But you can’t be my opponent. Your era is already over.”

Prisika’s face turned red. She never thought that she, who had been commanding from the strongest position, would be ignored like this today.

“Okay. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. But there’s one thing you should keep in mind, Beom-seok. We’ll be meeting in the World League soon.”

“Of course I know. That’s why I’m really looking forward to the next season. I’m going to defeat you then and prove that I’m the strongest in the world.”

“Will that be as you wish?”

“We’ll know when the time comes.”

“Okay. I’m eagerly looking forward to it too. Then I’ll see you again then.”

Perhaps because she was angry, Prisika clenched her fist and returned to the dugout. Beom-seok’s words were very arrogant. No one had ever said such a thing to her. She clenched the sword she was wearing on her waist while sitting on her bench and strengthened her fighting spirit. She was going to show Beom-seok her skills clearly through today’s match.

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

We have finally entered the final chapter. This means that we have entered the part that leads to the conclusion. The year-long journey will soon be over in a few months. Thank you for your support until the end.

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