Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 415

417

Hiding in the chairman’s office to avoid the reporters, Beomseok paced anxiously, waiting for Esther. She was currently investigating the recent press articles about Prisca, and he needed her report to decide how to handle the situation.

Soon, the sound of creaking hinges announced Esther’s hurried entrance into the office. Beomseok rushed towards her, a desperate look on his face.

“Esther, did you find anything?”

“This controversy originated from Fanrifle, a local media outlet based in Senocide.”

Beomseok’s face twisted in displeasure. Senocide was the home city of the Ancient Warriors.

“Which reporter wrote such an article!”

“It was a man named Middle, but he’s not a reporter.”

“Then what does he do?”

“He’s a sports columnist, particularly knowledgeable about gladiatorial combat, especially the Ancient Warriors. He’s very close to them. Judging from that, probably…”

Esther hesitated, noticing Beomseok’s expression. He was clearly angry, and rightly so, since the culprit behind this incident was almost certainly the Ancient Warriors.

“Damn it. Why would a columnist write an article instead of a reporter! Fanrifle. Aren’t they a bunch of lunatics!”

“Not exactly. It’s not quite an article; he cleverly inserted the connection between the Ancient Warriors and us into his column.”

“Damn it, this is driving me crazy. So, the Ancient Warriors are behind this.”

“It’s highly likely. But other teams might be involved. They could have bribed him to create discord between us and the Ancient Warriors.”

Beomseok gnashed his teeth and nodded. It was a plausible scenario. But his gut still pointed to the Ancient Warriors, especially after the conversation between Jade and Herbert. Something must have passed between them.

“Of course, that’s possible. But the prime suspect is still the Ancient Warriors. Jade may be young, but he’s no pushover. He might be planning something unexpected.”

“Yes, I’ve seen him before. He seemed formidable.”

Beomseok gripped the back of the sofa with both hands and looked at Esther. Ancient Warriors aside, he needed to find a way to overcome this crisis. If the Federal Pro Gladiatorial Association viewed this situation with suspicion, it would be a major headache.

“Esther, the first thing we need to do is prove our innocence. Do you have any good ideas?”

“We need to deny any connection with Middle. Fortunately, he has deep ties with the Ancient Warriors, so it should be manageable. If we pressure the Ancient Warriors by highlighting their connection, the Federal Pro Gladiatorial Association will ease their suspicions. We can simply announce to the media that we are considering legal action against Middle.”

“Why even think about it! We should sue him right away.”

“That’s a last resort. We’ll use it if the Federal Pro Gladiatorial Association doesn’t drop their suspicions about GodKnights and issues more than just a warning. Until then, it’s better to observe. Even though it’s a small media outlet, we don’t want to antagonize the press unnecessarily. Maintaining a calm and natural relationship with the media is beneficial for us. And Middle’s column is very subtle. He doesn’t explicitly mention the Ancient Warriors; he only speculates that you might be trying to recruit Prisca by falsely claiming you came to Senocide. It’s doubtful we can punish him even if we sue.”

Beomseok clenched his fist, suppressing his anger. He felt like he had been thoroughly outmaneuvered, but he couldn’t find a suitable way to retaliate. But soon, things would change. Then, he would repay the Ancient Warriors tenfold, a hundredfold.

‘Those bastards. Just wait until Ilsimhoe acquires WBS Broadcasting [a major global broadcaster]. I’ll crush you!’

WBS Broadcasting was a major global broadcaster. It was currently under the control of the Black Society, but Ilsimhoe was planning to take it over. Once he had this company in his hands, he could properly avenge the humiliation he suffered today. Even the slightest misstep would allow him to bring global disgrace to the Ancient Warriors.

“Alright. Then handle it as you see fit, Esther.”

“Yes, you made the right decision.”

“Oh, and once this blows over, bring Josiah from Chaplin Whisper. You’ll finalize the deal around 300 million Krang [currency unit] and bring him to me, understood?”

Esther’s face lit up. Josiah was a bit old, but he was a remarkable gladiator ranked 31st in the world. Getting him for 300 million Krang was practically a steal.

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s definite, so prepare the documents thoroughly.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll go prepare to welcome Josiah right away.”

“Good. Then get to work.”

“Yes. I’ll be going now.”

Beomseok smiled contentedly as he watched Esther rush out. Although the recruitment of an S-class gladiator from the Ancient Warriors had been somewhat derailed, he felt good knowing that Josiah was joining the team cheaply. If he unfortunately suffered from old age next year, he would have to bear a great loss, but if he performed even at an average level, it would be a great benefit to GodKnights.

As he was about to sit down in his office chair, a call came in. Knowing it was a phone call, Beomseok took out his electronic notepad and hesitated. It might be one of the reporters calling to get his opinion on the situation. But when he saw the number, he quickly connected the call. It was Karen.

“Hey, Karen. You must be busy filming. What’s up?”

Karen smiled brightly in the hologram video.

“Oppa, do you have time today? Isn’t it your vacation season?”

“Well, I have plenty of time.”

Karen clapped her hands and brought her face close to the screen.

“Then can you come to Senocide today?”

“Why Senocide?”

“We promised before. We were going to have a date at the amusement park. Did you forget?”

To be honest, he had forgotten. He had used the broadcast appearance as an excuse, but it was a half-joking promise, and he never thought they would actually go on a date.

“Yeah, I remember. But aren’t you busy filming?”

“No, not today.”

“Why?”

“It’s snowing outside. So, the drama filming scheduled from this evening until night has been canceled. Hehehe.”

Beomseok scratched his head awkwardly. He knew she was happy, but if it was snowing so much that filming was canceled, they wouldn’t be able to have a proper date.

“If it’s snowing that much, wouldn’t it be a bit much?”

“It’s okay. It’s not snowing that much.”

“Really? But filming is canceled?”

“Yes. The PDs [Production Directors] had an accident when their car skidded on the snowy road. So, they’re hospitalized and can’t film today. Hehehe.”

Beomseok looked at her with narrowed eyes.

“The PDs had an accident, so you shouldn’t be so happy…?”

“It’s okay. They weren’t seriously injured.”

“Even so…”

“Hey. Don’t say such useless things. So, are you coming today?”

“I don’t know. I want to go, but today is a bit ambiguous.”

“Why? Do you have something to do?”

Beomseok briefly pointed the electronic notepad’s camera lens out the window. Outside, a crowd of reporters was endlessly staring at the building where his office was located.

“Right now, a bunch of reporters have flocked to the training camp and are lined up.”

“Wow! What happened? How could so many reporters gather?”

“Ah. Our GodKnights got caught up in this transfer market for no reason. They’re making a fuss about recruiting Prisca, which I wasn’t even thinking about.”

At that, Karen widened her eyes and shouted. Her main stage was Senocide. There was no way she wouldn’t know Prisca, a famous figure in the region.

“Are you talking about that Prisca from the Ancient Warriors?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Amazing! If you recruit her, won’t GodKnights become incredibly strong?”

“Well, that’s true, but did you listen to what I said? I just said that I wasn’t thinking about recruiting her.”

Karen made a disappointed face and clicked her tongue.

“That’s a shame. It would be nice if Prisca played for GodKnights.”

“Sigh~ That’s what you think… Anyway, you know it’s difficult today, right? As soon as I go out, the reporters will probably chase after me with their cameras. Then, our date might turn into a scandal.”

Karen stared at him blankly and said.

“I guess so. But do you not want to have a scandal with me?”

Beomseok immediately shook his head. Expressing affirmation to such a question would help increase his favorability.

“Of course, I don’t dislike it. I’m very insensitive to such things. But you’re different. You’re a famous celebrity, so it would damage your popularity, right?”

Karen looked at Beomseok with a puzzled expression. Female celebrities in this era were very free from scandals. Since men didn’t feel sexual attraction, they had to gain popularity solely through their skills in music or acting.

“What are you talking about? I’d love to have a scandal. My grandfather is subtly hinting that he wants me to create a scandal to give my career an impact. Well, I’ve been quiet because I didn’t like the other male celebrities, but you’re different, Oppa [term of endearment used by younger women to address older brothers or male friends].”

Beomseok nodded, recalling the world’s views and making logical calculations. It seemed certain that female celebrities were free from scandals. But only for a moment, his eyes changed into a crescent shape. The nuance that it was okay to start a scandal with him didn’t sound so pleasant.

“Really, it’s okay with me?”

“Of course. It’s just a matter of the reporters discovering our date.”

“Is that all?”

“Then what else should we do here?”

Beomseok fidgeted with his hands and gave a bitter smile.

“Hehe. You know, that thing between a man and a woman.”

Karen narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

“What about between a man and a woman?”

“Ah, ah. Well. A kiss. A kiss. You promised to give me one before.”

“A kiss… I think I mentioned it before. But you’re not suggesting we add such an impure transaction to a romantic act between a man and a woman, are you? That would be too cheap of you, Oppa.”

Beomseok hurriedly waved his hands. If he continued to insist on fulfilling the contract here, Karen might get upset.

“Well. That’s what I mean. Surely, I wouldn’t really do that. I’m just saying.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’m not that cheap.”

“Okay. I believe you. So, are you coming to Senocide today?”

Beomseok looked out the window for a moment and slowly nodded. Looking at the reporters’ positions, there seemed to be a way to escape if he was careful. And Senocide, where he was going to meet her, was the home city of the Ancient Warriors. It would be good to visit and find out Jade’s intentions.

“Alright. I’ll go. But I’ll sneak out, so don’t expect a scandal.”

“Why not? I said I’m okay with it. Surely, you don’t dislike me?”

“What are you talking about? You just said that we shouldn’t make a romantic act between a man and a woman an impure transaction. Intentionally creating a scandal is impure, isn’t it!”

At that, Karen readily admitted it. The meaning was a bit different, but he wasn’t wrong. Dating was also a romantic act. Adding a scandal to it intentionally was definitely impure.

“Ah. That’s true. Well. It can’t be helped. Then come quickly.”

“Alright. Then wait for me.”

After ending the call, Beomseok fiddled with his electronic notepad and looked towards the parking lot in the distance. He needed a plan to escape the gaze of those many reporters.

‘I should call Aaron. He’s much smarter than other AI flying cars, so he can handle emergency situations appropriately.’

Aaron was the GodKnights’ team bus. With a fast speed that could travel anywhere in the world in two hours and an AI identical to humans, it seemed like a suitable means of transportation for escape. The only problem was his lewdness, but now was not the time to be picky.

He brought the electronic notepad close to his face and said quietly.

“Aaron.”

“Yes. Master. What’s the matter?”

“I need to move to the back of the training camp now. Very carefully.”

“What’s going on? Are you trying to avoid the reporters protesting at the training camp? If so, you might get into trouble. Their personalities are not ordinary. Some of them write articles as they please if they don’t like something.”

One of Aaron’s other drawbacks was that he was talkative. Beomseok frowned and said in a high voice.

“You. I’m already having a headache, are you trying to annoy me! Do as I say!”

“Of course, I have to follow your orders, but I’m worried about you, Master.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Yes. Then I’ll start moving now. See you later, Master. Bye-bye.”

Beomseok, who saw Aaron slowly rising and leaving the parking lot, hurriedly left the chairman’s office. He walked along the long corridor and entered an office with a window at the back, quietly jumping out towards the outside.

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

This damn heat doesn’t seem to go away. It’s relentless. I hope autumn comes soon.

Have a nice day, everyone. I’ll see you again tomorrow.