Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 393

395

“Okay. Let’s go, Beomseok!”

Amelie, wearing a broad smile, attempted her second serve. The ball bounced off her foot, arcing gently before landing beyond the court and rolling towards Beomseok.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult serve. He lightly kicked it, sending it towards Zakid. It was a perfect pass, positioning the ball ideally for a header.

For a foot volleyball beginner, using the head to control the ball is easier than using the legs.

“Mr. Zakid! I’m counting on you.”

“Okay! Trust me!”

Zakid lifted his massive leg high and kicked the ball with a resounding thud. It was a powerful, direct hit. The problem? The ball sailed not only over the court but completely out of the sports field.

Beomseok sighed, running a hand over his face. He couldn’t fathom how someone could put so much force into a kick when a gentle touch of the head would have sufficed. And the sheer reach of that leg was astonishing.

Flushing, Beomseok pointed to his head. “Mr. Zakid! Why are you kicking it with your foot? You’re supposed to use your head!”

Zakid blinked, puzzled. “I’m allowed to use my head?”

“Of course! You just can’t use anything from your shoulder to your hand! That’s why I set the ball up for you!”

“I see. No wonder you were passing it so hard… Okay, I’ll definitely use my head next time.”

Beomseok eyed him skeptically. He didn’t trust Zakid one bit.

“Using your head is pointless if you kick the ball out of bounds. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it. This time, I’ll just tap it so you can attack.”

“You really have to. We’ve already lost three points. If this keeps up, we’ll lose the match. Do you want to lose to Amelie?”

Zakid glanced at Amelie, who wore a subtle, mocking smile. He didn’t say anything, but he felt her taunting him.

‘Even if it’s not swordsmanship, there’s no way I can lose to that kid. Alright, I’ll win and wipe that smirk off her face.’

Zakid, his expression stern, stared at Beomseok and nodded slightly. He was determined to get it right this time. He’d been trying hard, but his lack of knowledge of the rules led to frequent mistakes. Now that Beomseok had explained things, it would be different.

“Don’t worry. Now that I roughly understand foot volleyball, I’ll do it properly.”

“Good. I’ll trust you and go again.”

Beomseok returned to his defensive position, and Amelie kicked the ball over. He moved to the right, tracking the ball’s trajectory, and gently passed it to Zakid. The ball arced smoothly over his head. Zakid carefully positioned his head and tapped the ball down, right in front of him, onto the ground.

“Okay! Good job!”

Beomseok, thrilled that a decent pass had finally arrived, ran up and kicked the ball hard with the inside of his foot. The powerful kick from a stable stance sent the ball quickly across the court, landing just inside the line and soaring into the air.

Amelie, inexperienced with foot volleyball, flinched and dodged, not even attempting to touch it. It was too fast to react.

“3 to 1!”

At Karen’s score announcement, Zakid jumped for joy and hugged Beomseok tightly. They’d only caught up by one point, but he believed they could win if they kept playing like this. Beomseok’s last shot was too difficult for a beginner to handle.

“Great! Let’s keep it up! You’re amazing! Your skills are extraordinary!”

“Hahaha! Of course! I play this during lunch breaks at school. If you just keep setting me up like that, we’ll win easily!”

“Hahaha. Don’t worry.”

While they celebrated, Amelie approached Priscilla with a serious expression. She was worried about Beomseok’s unexpected attack. They needed a countermeasure to maintain their lead.

“Priscilla, can you block that attack from earlier?”

“Well, I don’t think so. It was too fast, and hard to track.”

“But aren’t you better than me? You just graduated from elf school not too long ago.”

Priscilla chuckled. She never thought she’d hear those words.

She was currently 28 years old. It had been twenty-five years since she graduated from elf school. But she definitely considered herself better than Amelie. Amelie had graduated from elf school far longer ago, and Priscilla often practiced with her teammates at training camp.

“Then should I play defense?”

“Yes, I think you should. It looks like it’s going to be difficult for me.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll stand in the back.”

Priscilla moved to the back and adopted a ready stance. Beomseok, finally calmed down, looked for a place to serve. He aimed for the right corner, where Priscilla wasn’t positioned. She was slightly to the left of center. He bounced the ball a few times and kicked it with a controlled motion.

“Low-Orbit Spin Kick!”

It was a grand name for a common low-trajectory spin kick. It was a difficult ball to receive, but not impossible. Priscilla bent her upper body and headed the ball, passing it to Amelie.

“Okay, let’s go!”

Amelie swung her foot with all her might, imitating Beomseok’s inside-of-the-foot kick. But imitation was just that. The ball hit the tip of her foot and soared high into the air.

‘Tch. Lucky.’

Beomseok frowned and dashed forward. As if blessed by fate, the ball, arcing high, crossed just in front of the court, a successful counterattack. He safely headed the ball, which was spinning wildly and changing direction as it bounced, sending it to Zakid.

“Okay, here we go again.”

Zakid slammed the ball down with his head. But the ball was too fast, hitting above his forehead and floating into the air. It was a terrible pass, but Beomseok raised his foot high and kicked the ball with the sole of his foot, sending it to the other side of the court.

The thudding sound and the rapidly flying ball struck Priscilla’s forehead and began to fall outside the line. They were a moment away from catching up if it just touched the ground. But Amelie threw herself forward and kicked the ball with the inside of her right foot, keeping it in the air.

Then Priscilla attacked. She cleverly tapped the ball with her head, sending it towards Zakid’s face. Knowing he was the weak link, she was trying to force him to receive it.

His previous passes had only been successful because Beomseok had made it easy for him. As expected, her plan worked. Zakid inadvertently touched the ball with his hand, and it fell to the ground.

‘Oh, damn it! We lost.’

Beomseok’s face was filled with despair. The score was widening to 4 to 1, and Priscilla had found the key to victory. If they could target the weak link during their attacks, the outcome of the match was practically decided.

“Beomseok, I’m sorry about this.”

Beomseok sighed. There was no way a beginner could suddenly become proficient. The only option was to receive well on defense and try to catch up gradually. Priscilla and Amelie had some experience with ball sports, but they were still beginners in foot volleyball. They might make a mistake and give them an unexpected point.

“Sigh~ It can’t be helped. Just stay focused and avoid strong balls. And since they can fly directly at you, don’t stand too close to the court.”

“Okay. I’ll do as you say.”

As the dejected Beomseok returned to the defensive area, Priscilla’s attack began. Countless rallies followed. As both teams accumulated points, the staff smiled.

Beomseok’s cool, powerful attacks and Zakid’s absurd mistakes. Priscilla and Amelie, leading with ordinary but organized play. Everyone was contributing to a good video. The staff wasn’t interested in who won, but in creating a program that would appeal to viewers.

“15 to 11! Amelie and Priscilla team! Victory!”

Immediately after the match, Karen approached and comforted Beomseok, knowing that foot volleyball was a disadvantageous game for them. Fortunately, Beomseok’s skills were outstanding, or they would have ruined the program.

“You worked hard. Victory and defeat are common. You can win the next game.”

Beomseok, full of complaints, grumbled and approached Karen. He wanted to lash out, but the camera was nearby, so he spoke quietly.

“Karen, isn’t this too much? Foot volleyball is a game where experience matters a lot. You should have considered that before deciding this. Priscilla and Amelie definitely had experience kicking a ball.”

“Hmm. It looks like it. Hohoho. But thanks to Beomseok, the game was exciting. The viewers will see how skilled you are.”

“That’s not the point! Karen, look over there.”

Karen looked where Beomseok was pointing and flinched. Zakid was packing his bags with his manager.

He seemed to be in no mood to film, humiliated by foot volleyball. He was proud as a prosecutor, and his pride was hurt by losing in such a silly game.

Especially since his rival Amelie was involved.

Karen hurried to Zakid.

“Mr. Zakid, you can’t leave.”

“I’m not staying! Why should I, a prosecutor, play this game! I’ll return the appearance fee later, so take care!”

Karen, knowing he was sulking, blocked his path. If Zakid left, they couldn’t continue the broadcast.

“The next game favors you, Mr. Zakid. Are you really going to leave? You have to make up for this defeat.”

Zakid glanced at Karen slyly. He was intrigued. If he left now, he’d be stuck with the image of defeat. Winning a favorable game would save face.

“What game is it?”

“2-on-2 tug-of-war.”

“Really?”

It was originally a different game, but Karen nodded. The rope was in the prop car, so they could prepare it quickly. Besides, Zakid was incredibly strong. He’d be interested in tug-of-war, a game of strength.

“Yes. That’s right. Would you like to try it?”

Zakid glanced at Beomseok, the physically weakest of the group. Being on a team with him would be a disadvantage. The demon of betrayal whispered in his ear, and he slyly said to Karen,

“Change the teams. Put me with Priscilla.”

Karen pondered, then nodded. The program aimed to determine the strongest gladiator in sports other than swordsmanship. Keeping the same teams wouldn’t allow them to determine the winner between the two winners.

“Okay. So you’ll do it?”

“Hehehe. Of course.”

Karen, having secured his agreement, returned to the camera and continued with her script. The day was getting short, and they had to stick to the schedule. There were many other games.

“This time, we’re doing 2-on-2 tug-of-war. To determine the individual winner, we’ll re-divide the teams. Beomseok and Amelie, you’re a team. Zakid and Priscilla will be on the same team. Everyone, stand with your teams.”

Zakid patted Beomseok’s shoulder with a regretful expression.

“Beomseok, we’re not on the same team this time. But what can we do? The program is like this, so we have to understand.”

Beomseok clicked his tongue. He knew that being on a team with Zakid in tug-of-war would be advantageous. It was a game of pure strength.

“Tsk. It can’t be helped. Do your best this time.”

“Hehe. Of course. I’ll definitely win.”

Beomseok sighed, his shoulders slumping, and stood next to Amelie. He had no confidence in this game.

“Sigh~ Amelie, let’s do our best.”

“Yes.”

While the staff retrieved the rope, Beomseok looked at the scoreboard. Amelie and Priscilla each had 3 points. He and Zakid had 0. After this game, he’d still have 0, and Priscilla would lead with 6. Amelie and Zakid would be tied for second with 3.

To win, he’d have to earn at least 7 more points than the others.

“Okay, the rope is ready, everyone gather around.”

At Karen’s call, Beomseok and Amelie stood on the right, the closest spot. Amelie, standing in front, tapped his shoulder.

“Beomseok, can I go to the front?”

“Why?”

“It’s easier to control the rope that way.”

Beomseok rolled his eyes. Tug-of-war was mainly about strength, but Amelie was a whip master. If they played it right, they might win.

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

I’ve been thinking about it. Now that the game has started, I have no choice but to do it. However, I need some time to build up a buffer. I can’t write 10 chapters a day. If the deadline is around the weekend after next, I’ll take a look.