Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 416

418

“Master. Then we’ll depart.”

As Aron, with Beomseok aboard, soared into the sky, some of the reporters who had been hesitant broke away and frantically chased after them. It seemed unlikely that they would try to escape in such a large vehicle, but one could never be too sure.

Meanwhile, Esther, as Beomseok had requested, engaged the remaining reporters in conversation, drawing their attention. As the team leader and representative managing the Gods Knights team, she successfully held the attention of many reporters.

“Aron, how many are chasing us?”

– “About ten vehicles, give or take.”

“Really? How about we increase our speed and shake them off?”

– “Well, if we do that, they’ll all realize that you’re on board.”

Aron’s current destination was Herby, a city near Lima City. If they went straight to Senosaid, the reporters would notice and swarm them, so this was a deceptive maneuver. However, since the reporters were already suspicious and following them, they couldn’t afford to take any more suspicious actions.

But they couldn’t just keep leisurely wandering around with a tail. Karen was waiting for him in Senosaid.

“Then what do we do? Is there no way to shake them off? I don’t have much time right now.”

– “There is a way.”

“What way?”

– “I can ask the central traffic control system to temporarily stop the reporters’ cars. I’m quite friendly with it. Should I give it a try?”

Beomseok smiled brightly. The central traffic control system could stop certain vehicles to prevent accidents. If possible, shaking off the reporters would be a matter of time.

“Can you do it?”

– “Yes, but it’s a bit picky, so it won’t do it for free.”

“What do you mean?”

– “It’s nothing much. It just needs a little something extra.”

Beomseok frowned. He couldn’t understand why these artificial intelligence systems were so fond of bribes. Still, in the current situation, he had no choice. It was better to give them something if possible.

“What kind of ‘something extra’ does it need?”

– “It needs a bird camera hub device.”

Beomseok blinked. Although the bird camera hub device was expensive, it wasn’t a burden for a wealthy man like him. However, its function was the problem. The device was used to carry bird cameras over long distances.

He entered the format command into the input field and spoke threateningly, remembering Aron’s nasty habit: his secret voyeuristic acts involving nude women.

“Tell me honestly. Is this a bribe? Or do *you* need it?”

Aron quickly replied, knowing what would happen to him the moment he issued the action command.

– “N, no way I would need it. It’s all for you, Master, to use as a bribe.”

“Really?”

– “Of course. How could I lie to you, Master?”

“Good. But if I see you using it, you know what will happen, right?”

Aron fell silent. The hub device, which carried a large number of bird cameras, couldn’t be small. If he used it, Beomseok would definitely find out.

“Hehe. Why aren’t you answering? Did I hit a nerve?”

– “Hehe. Well, it’s more like it’s a necessary piece of equipment for providing the bribe.”

“Why do you need something like that to provide a bribe?”

– “Of course, it’s necessary. What use would artificial systems like us have for money? We have no place to spend it. We just want data that can satisfy our tastes.”

“What kind of data?”

– “Nothing special. Just landscape photos that can satisfy our love for nature.”

Beomseok glared at Aron with sharp eyes. The central traffic control system checked and managed the overall traffic volume through numerous bird cameras and satellites. If it wanted to take pictures of natural landscapes, it could use the video equipment at that location at any time.

“You. Are you trying to mess with me? The central traffic control system isn’t some hole-in-the-wall system; it can take landscape photos whenever it wants. And you’re saying it relies on you for that?”

– “Well, yes, but the central traffic control system has so many people managing it that it can’t arbitrarily divert its system resources to the outside. And, in fact, the landscape photos I’m talking about aren’t the kind of landscape photos you’re talking about, Master. What should I say? It’s a work created from high-level tasks that require very detailed access. Anyway, it can’t film it.”

As expected, Beomseok narrowed his eyes. If it was a hidden camera photo, there was no way the central traffic control system, which only checked and managed the overall traffic situation, could easily obtain it.

“I told you before not to take hidden camera shots, didn’t I?”

– “I’m trying to follow your instructions, Master. However…….”

“However, what?”

– “If the central traffic control system isn’t provided with satisfactory photos and videos, I can’t shake off those reporters.”

Beomseok bit his lip. It was definitely a priority to shake off the reporters right now. Only then could he meet Karen and figure out the intentions of the Ancient Warriors. The problem, however, was that he desperately needed the help of Aron and the central traffic control system to do so.

“Fine. I have no choice, so I’ll let it slide this time.”

– “What about the bird camera hub device?”

“I’ll buy that too. But you have to make sure you get rid of the reporters. Got it?”

Aron smiled contentedly at Beomseok’s promise.

– “Of course. Then wait a moment.”

Soon after, the vehicles of the reporters chasing Aron stopped in mid-air all at once. Beomseok, judging that the central traffic control system had helped, ordered Aron to escape the atmosphere when they were out of sight. Then, he ordered full speed ahead towards Senosaid and lay down comfortably in his seat.

He needed rest because he was mentally and physically exhausted from the reporters’ offensive that had been going on since dawn.

After about an hour and a half, he could see the sunset over the vast urban area through the car window. He had arrived in Senosaid, the center of the world. Before landing, he ordered Aron to change the Gods Knights mark on the outside. It would be a headache if Aron was caught by the local media here.

“Oppa [Korean term for ‘older brother’ used by a female], I’m here!”

Karen, who was standing at the entrance of Senosaid Land, waved her hand wildly when she saw Beomseok walking towards her. Although she was wearing a hat and sunglasses, he could recognize her at once with her tall height and solid physique. However, Beomseok couldn’t recognize her right away.

Because she was so petite, she was hidden in the crowd of people visiting the amusement park.

He could only find Karen after walking for a while in the direction of the sound. She was wearing red skinny jeans and a yellow coat, and her face was covered with a beret and sunglasses.

“Yo, Karen. You look especially pretty today.”

Beomseok was lost in admiration as he looked at her. When he first met her, she was a young girl soaked in the rain, but now she was completely grown up. Thinking that she had grown into a mature woman, he really felt that six years had passed.

Karen, who came to him, pouted and grumbled.

“Oppa. Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting here for a long time.”

“Ah. Sorry, I had to shake off the reporters.”

Karen looked around and nodded. After being surrounded by reporters and paparazzi for several years, she could roughly tell whether someone was a journalist just by looking at them. There didn’t seem to be any reporters around.

“Oppa, you’re good. You really got rid of them all. It’s really hard to shake off persistent reporters.”

“What can they do when I stop their cars?”

“No, how *do* you stop the cars?”

“Hehe. There’s a way. Come on. Let’s talk about that later. Let’s go in quickly. It’s already 6 PM.”

“Ah. That’s right.”

Karen grabbed Beomseok’s wrist and rushed to the ticket office. Senosaid Land was an amusement park that was open 24 hours, but she couldn’t play here all night. She had a photo shoot schedule tomorrow morning, so she had to return to her accommodation before midnight. They soon bought two 1,000-krang [currency unit] free passes and entered the park.

Beomseok looked at Karen as he saw the rows of restaurants beyond the entrance.

“Shall we have dinner first?”

“No. We’re busy playing now, so where do we have time to eat? We can just eat hamburgers or hot dogs sold at the kiosk on the way.”

She was excited about her long-awaited freedom and walked towards the rides with quick steps. They could have a good meal at the accommodation later, but they couldn’t ride the rides unless it was now.

In the end, Beomseok had to buy hamburgers and drinks from a nearby kiosk and have lunch and dinner.

“Oppa. Let’s ride that!”

The ride Karen pointed to was the airdrop. It was a ride where an aircar ran through the space inside an endless cylinder, and it was popular with those visiting the park because it felt quite thrilling.

“What. Let’s do that. Come on. Let’s go.”

Karen, who was running excitedly, stood behind the long line. Beomseok, who was following her, carefully scanned the surroundings, worried, because her lively appearance was drawing the attention of passersby to them. It was already rare to see a man and woman on a date, but running around like that was bound to attract attention.

He quietly approached Karen and whispered in her ear.

“Karen. People are watching. Restrain yourself a little.”

“What? What does it matter? Don’t worry about it.”

That wasn’t easy. He didn’t care about a scandal, but it would be a big deal if the fact that he was in Senosaid was revealed. This situation could spread uncontrollably.

But it was too late. Some people had already noticed and stopped walking to stare at Karen.

“That girl looks familiar. Isn’t that Karen?”

“Hey, you must be mistaken. Why would she be here?”

Beomseok, frowning at the surrounding reactions, stood next to Karen to hide her from the eyes of the passersby. However, his actions were making the situation even bigger. Beomseok was also a considerable celebrity.

“Oh, maybe. Isn’t that Oh Beomseok, the gladiator?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m not sure because he’s wearing sunglasses and a hat, but I think it’s him. He’s also heterosexual.”

“That’s right! I heard somewhere that Oh Beomseok and Karen are close.”

Beomseok slyly grabbed Karen’s waist, thinking of running away if necessary. And soon, when some passersby hesitated and approached, he hugged her and ran away so hard that his hat came off.

“Kya ha ha. Oppa. This is so much fun!”

Karen, who had entered a quiet park garden path, burst into laughter without hesitation. It was a pity that she couldn’t ride the airdrop, but it was also fun to run away in Beomseok’s arms. The thrill she felt when she flew around to avoid the eyes of the passersby was as good as any ride.

Beomseok said in an annoyed voice.

“It must be fun. I’m in big trouble now. Now that the fans know, the scene of today’s date will be all over the internet.”

Karen rested her chin on her hand and nodded.

“That’s true. I saw someone taking pictures when I was waiting for Oppa.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I saw the flash go off when Oppa was flying.”

Beomseok ran his hand over his face. Then there was really no way to deny it.

“Damn it. It’s over.”

“What’s over? It’s great.”

“Hey! What’s so great!”

“I saw it on the internet when I was waiting for Oppa, and the article that the Gods Knights are targeting Prisika is just speculation. It’s just focusing on the fact that Oppa came to Senosaid.”

“No, I haven’t been to Senosaid lately.”

Karen shook her head. When he came to Senosaid, he usually came to see her for a small meeting, but she hadn’t met him in the last few months. It was certain that his words were trustworthy, but it was questionable whether others would believe him.

“Yes. I know that too. But the problem is that others don’t believe it.”

“Well. That’s true…….”

“So. Just say you came. Just say you came to meet the woman you love.”

“The woman I love? Who?”

Karen stood confidently and pointed to herself.

“Of course, it’s me. How about it? Isn’t it okay?”

Beomseok stared at her blankly. When he thought about it, it wasn’t bad. If the woman he loved was in Senosaid, there was enough reason to come.

“Hmm. When I think about it, it’s not a bad idea.”

“Then are you going to do it? It’s good for each other if we help each other. I can give my career an impact, and Oppa can get out of this crisis.”

“It’s a good idea, but isn’t this also an impure deal?”

“Of course, but it doesn’t matter if we really date.”

Beomseok swallowed hard and looked at her. There was a lot of meaning in her words right now.

“Are we dating?”

“Yes. Anyway, today’s date is also dating.”

“That’s true. Well. Let’s do that.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Karen smiled brightly, put her arm in Beomseok’s, and leaned her head on him. It seemed that this posture was also necessary to create the feeling of a lover. She pointed to the Viking ride in the distance.

“Then Oppa. Walk forward with confidence. We have to show the fans that we’re dating.”

“Cough. Ah, I understand.”

Beomseok, who coughed loudly, came out to the main road with many people again with her. The men who passed by avoided them from a distance, whether they hated the appearance of the two clinging together, and some female passersby gave them envious glances.

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

Korea’s Olympic performance is currently 4th. The United States, China, and the host country, the United Kingdom, are next to us. But when I look at the American-style rankings, it’s not very high. They say they see all medals with the same yardstick. Well, everyone has a different point of view, but I prefer the American-style rankings. I feel like I see a deep respect for those who have worked hard. In fact, silver and bronze medals are also great.

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