Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 374

376

“That’s not true. What you did today could become public knowledge.”

At Bumseok’s words, Eirene glared sharply at the Elf guard and said,

“We can just tell them to keep their mouths shut.”

“Is that easy? Anyway, no means no!”

“But I only have time now. I barely managed to shake off the managers today.”

“No matter your circumstances, absolutely not! I can’t put the team in danger by testing you. No more arguing, let’s go back to the Dragon Knights training camp together. Since you disappeared, the team must be in an uproar.”

Eirene pouted. She didn’t care about her team anymore. Not only had they been relegated from the Central League this season, but they were also planning to sell her off to another team to secure funds. Soon, it would be a team she had nothing to do with anyway.

“Hmph. I have no connection with the Dragon Knights anymore. That Arnold guy is planning to sell me to another team soon.”

Bumseok’s eyes widened. Eirene was a promising prospect and a key gladiator for the Dragon Knights. Even though they had been relegated, they couldn’t easily sell her off due to fan backlash.

“What are you talking about? They’re selling you?”

“Yes. They’re in talks with several teams right now.”

“Why?”

“Because I was a prospect Vincent brought in. Arnold is competitive with Vincent. He only cherishes the gladiators he brought in and treats the gladiators Vincent raised coldly.”

Bumseok chuckled in disbelief. Arnold was the Dragon Knights’ trade manager, known for his poor judgment in gladiators and was considered a pushover. Now, he was selling off gladiators Vincent had raised out of jealousy.

No wonder the Dragon Knights had plummeted to rock bottom in four years, despite having an outstanding gladiator like Eirene. It was said that even if a rich family falls, they last for three generations.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. They said this relegation was all our fault. And they boasted to the executives that if the prospects he recruited grow, we can re-enter the Central League.”

Bumseok wore a blank expression. The most dangerous employee for executives was not the lazy and incompetent one, but the one who was incompetent and cluelessly running around. It seemed that as long as Arnold was around, the Dragon Knights would continue to fall off a cliff.

‘Sigh~ This pushover is really making things difficult this time.’

The reason Bumseok hadn’t made any moves to recruit Eirene was because there was no possibility of her being sold. Generally, even if professional gladiator teams are relegated, they don’t sell off their key gladiators, except for those on annual salaries.

They are the main driving force for the team’s resurgence and for retaining fans.

But Arnold was now thinking of selling Eirene. If he had known sooner, he would have acted quickly, but this time was different. It was because she had caused a commotion at the Gods Knights today. Bumseok couldn’t recruit Eirene for the time being to deny any connection to this incident.

Wearing a troubled expression, Bumseok approached her.

“I understand your situation, but I can’t help it. Now is not the time to recruit you. Just as every team has a direction for development, we have our own strategy.”

At those words, Eirene, on the verge of tears, raised her voice and said,

“But I’m confident I can impress Bumseok. And I think I can compete with world-class gladiators.”

Of course, Bumseok thought so too. Eirene’s current ability was top-tier C0 [a ranking level]. If she came to Gods Knights, her trait would activate, and combined with Diana’s team-wide stat-boosting skill, she would transform into at least a W3-class, and with luck, a W2-class gladiator.

But Bumseok couldn’t explain what he knew now. It could be seen as an attempt to recruit her.

“Everyone says that. But you haven’t achieved anything in the league. Although you’re a key gladiator for the Dragon Knights, you haven’t shown a level beyond the Central League. That’s why it’s difficult for me to recruit you. We want gladiators with more skill than you to survive in the World League. So go back today, hone your skills at another team, and let’s meet again later.”

Eirene, with tears welling up in her eyes, lowered her head. She realized she could no longer persuade Bumseok. He was already troubled by the fact that she had come to the Gods Knights training camp. In this situation, the physical test was out of the question.

“Sniff. Ah, I understand. I’ll follow Bumseok’s words.”

“Okay. Then, I’ll take you back, so let’s go back to your team.”

“Yes.”

Bumseok sighed deeply, grabbed her wrist, and headed to the parking lot. The sun had already set beyond the western mountains, but it wasn’t yet midnight.

Most people were awake and active, so there wouldn’t be any problems taking her back now. And if he took her back tomorrow morning, it might raise suspicion, so it was better to take her back right away.

He put Eirene in the team’s private flyer and headed to the Dragon Knights training camp together. It was such a sensitive matter that he needed to meet with their team officials directly to explain the situation and ask for their understanding.

“Okay. We’re here.”

After a short ride. The flying car carrying Bumseok and Eirene landed in the Dragon Knights’ external parking lot. Since this team didn’t have an internal parking lot, they had no choice but to park their cars outside.

He looked at the Dragon Knights’ main gate, which he hadn’t seen in a long time, and fell into deep thought. It was through this gate that he had recruited Raemi, Oscar, Diana, and Erica, laying the foundation for the current Gods Knights to grow into a World League team.

“Oh, oh, Mr. Bumseok! Welcome.”

The person who came out to greet him was unexpectedly Arnold. Bumseok tilted his head. He was the trade manager, not the one who managed the gladiators.

“Mr. Arnold. It’s been a long time.”

“Hahaha. Yes. Anyway, it’s good to see you again.”

Bumseok shook hands and stared at him.

“No. But aren’t you supposed to be off work? Why are you still at the training camp at this hour?”

Arnold cast a sharp glance at Eirene, who was following behind Bumseok.

“It’s because of that impudent girl. She disappeared around noon, causing an uproar in the team, so I couldn’t leave because I was too embarrassed.”

Eirene’s value was easily hundreds of millions of Krang [currency]. With the team’s huge asset about to disappear, there was no way Arnold could leave without worry.

“I guess so.”

“Fortunately, Bumseok brought her back, so I’m relieved. The team is in a state of emergency right now, and even the team leader hasn’t left work.”

“I see. Anyway, let’s go inside. I’ll explain the whole story of what happened today.”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

Soon, Bumseok and Eirene took the unmanned electric car prepared by Arnold and headed to the office building.

“Okay. Mr. Bumseok, please come this way.”

The room Arnold led him to was the place where he had negotiated the recruitment of Diana and several other gladiators with Vincent in the early days of the game. Bumseok, who was briefly lost in memories of the past, soon put his thoughts aside and leaned comfortably against the reception sofa in front of him.

“This room. It’s been a long time. It’s quite nostalgic.”

“That’s right. Didn’t Mr. Bumseok have fierce recruitment negotiations here? Hahaha.”

“Hahaha. Yes. That’s right. Actually, now that we’re on the subject, Arnold’s contribution was very significant in establishing a friendly relationship between us and the Dragon Knights. Vincent only insisted on raising the gladiators’ prices recklessly, but Arnold always offered reasonable prices.”

“Yes. That’s right. That’s why I suffered a lot because of Vincent. But he’s been taken away by Chaplin Whisper, who spends money like crazy, so things will be different from now on. As long as I’m here, the Dragon Knights will overcome yesterday’s relegation and make a comeback. In a few years, we might advance to the World League, so Mr. Bumseok, please be prepared. Hehehe.”

Bumseok’s face stiffened. Arnold wasn’t even showing humility for a simple compliment. He coughed roughly, covering his slightly clenched fist with his mouth, and brought up the topic of Eirene. He couldn’t continue to have such a cringe-worthy experience.

“Ahem. That’s something to look forward to. By the way, since it’s late, let’s talk about Eirene. There’s a lot to explain.”

“What’s there to explain? Eirene secretly went to Gods Knights and harassed Mr. Bumseok. Anyway, Vincent raised the gladiators in a nasty way. But since I’m here, this kind of thing will soon disappear.”

Bumseok barely managed to suppress his distorted expression and continued the conversation.

“Ah. I’m so grateful that you understand. I was really worried about how to explain it on the way here.”

“But what did Eirene go to Gods Knights for?”

“In short, she wanted me to recruit her through a secret test. But that kind of thing is strictly prohibited, isn’t it? So I barely managed to persuade her and bring her back here.”

“Oh, dear. So Eirene caused trouble again. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s nothing. It’s an inevitable phenomenon because Gods Knights is operating as a private company. I understand.”

Arnold carefully observed his reaction. Eirene was going to be sold anyway. It would be good in many ways to hand her over to Gods Knights. He could prevent the fans’ backlash against selling the team’s key gladiator with the justification of her happiness, and since it was a World League team, he could get a good price even if he sold her urgently.

“But I have one question. What do you think of Eirene, Mr. Bumseok?”

“Well. I don’t know.”

“But didn’t you participate in the World Cup national team together? You must have seen her perform roughly, right?”

“Hmm… Well, on the surface, I think she’s quite a good gladiator. But I think she’s a bit lacking to play as a starter in the World League. I don’t know about the physical aspects, but she’s still showing some shortcomings in terms of swordsmanship. But since she’s at C0 level, I think she can be used as a substitute.”

Arnold, with a gentle smile on his face, rubbed his hands together. He thought that if he did well, he could pass Eirene on to Gods Knights. Gods Knights was suffering from a chronic shortage of gladiator squads. They were desperate for even one substitute gladiator.

“So, does Gods Knights have any intention of taking Eirene? I’ll give you a good price.”

Bumseok paused for a moment. He might be able to buy Eirene cheaply if he did well. Moreover, Arnold made this recruitment offer first, so there would be no factors that could cause problems later.

“Well, I might consider it. Right now, our Gods Knights needs even one more gladiator to survive next season. But how much are you thinking of giving her for?”

“How about 400 million Krang?”

He barely suppressed the smile that was blooming on his face. Buying Eirene for 400 million Krang was almost like getting her for free. She was currently at C0 level, but as soon as she came to Gods Knights, she would rise to W3 level and soon to W2 level. And if her swordsmanship became perfect in the future, she could even aim for W1 level.

‘Hahaha. Have I ever seen such a pushover? Selling Eirene for 400 million? This guy is determined to ruin the team.’

Bumseok calmly composed his expression and looked at Arnold. His expression was full of an atmosphere as if he didn’t like the price. The only virtue that can be given to a pushover was to suck him dry to the roots.

“Hmm. 400 million… That’s quite expensive for a C0-level gladiator.”

“Of course, there is that aspect, but she is physically reaching the end of the World League-level gladiator. If only the technical aspects are supplemented, she can become a World League starter.”

“But that’s in the future, isn’t it? We need gladiators who can play right away.”

“That’s true, but I think Eirene is a gladiator who can play enough as a replacement or substitute.”

Bumseok immediately admitted.

“Of course, I know that too. But the current value is definitely expensive. If it’s a gladiator of Eirene’s level, you can always buy it at a cheaper price from other teams.”

Arnold bit his lip tightly. What he said was not wrong at all. There was an ambiguous aspect to selling a Central League-level gladiator whose physical growth had stopped for 400 million.

“Okay. Then how about 380 million Krang?”

Bumseok immediately spread out five fingers.

“350 million Krang.”

At that moment, Arnold’s eyes lit up. 350 million Krang was at least 15 million Krang more than the other teams that had requested to purchase Eirene so far. He could be satisfied enough with this amount, but the opponent was a World League team. He thought he could get a little more.

“370 million Krang.”

“How about 360 million Krang?”

“365 million Krang.”

With 365 million Krang as the last, silence flowed between the two. Bumseok was satisfied with this amount. In fact, even if Arnold had set the price at 400 million Krang, he was willing to buy it.

Bumseok took out his electronic notepad, checked the time, and opened his mouth.

“Let’s stop this negotiation at 365 million Krang for now. It’s late, and it’s a sudden offer, so I have to go back to the team and think about it carefully.”

“I see. In fact, it’s absurd to decide on the spot like roasting beans at night when nearly 400 million Krang is going back and forth.”

He got up from his seat and said a light farewell.

“Okay. Then I’ll send Esther, the team leader, for future negotiations, so please talk with her.”

“Okay. Then please think of this negotiation in a good way.”

Bumseok, who shook hands lightly, left the Dragon Knights training camp triumphantly. Since he had almost agreed to 365 million Krang, with Esther’s specialty, Eirene’s value would fall below 350 million.

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

I started writing a new book today, but I couldn’t even write 4P. ㅠㅠ. It seems like I chose a very difficult subject. But since I decided to write it, I have to do my best.

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