Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 449

451

Finally, the second leg of the League Cup final was about to begin. Unlike usual, the Ravello City Colosseum, which could seat 120,000 spectators, looked quite deserted.

This was because Ravello City fans knew how terribly their team had been crushed in the first leg. Of course, Real Heroes had the advantage at home, but their previous record of 1 draw and 4 losses had dampened expectations.

Just one loss or two draws would end the game today.

‘Hehe. I wonder who they’ve put in today?’

Beomseok stood up and looked at the electronic display showing the lineup. He had been somewhat expectant because Real Heroes had announced that they would focus on the league games. If they excluded their main gladiators from today’s game, the chances of winning were very high.

And then, seeing the list of Real Heroes gladiators appearing one after another, a faint smile appeared on his lips. All the main players were missing, and many of the gladiators on the list were not even substitute-level. Moreover, instead of the coach, an assistant coach was directing today’s game from the opponent’s dugout.

“Hehe. Well, they know exactly where the game in three days will be, so they can’t field their main players.”

Currently, Real Heroes was the top team in the league. Chaplin Whisper had a poor record of 1 draw and 1 loss against Ancient Warriors and GodKnights, and unfortunately, while Amelie was resting, they recorded 1 draw in an away game against Victory Series, the 7th-ranked team in the league. But their score difference was only 1 point. In addition, Real Heroes had their remaining two games away, and ironically, their opponents were Chaplin Whisper and GodKnights.

It was impossible for Real Heroes, who had to win these two games, to field their main players in this game.

‘Hehe. It was worth the effort.’

Beomseok had not been idle in creating today’s situation. Since last Monday, he had fully opened the Real City Colosseum to the Real Heroes team. Naturally, it was difficult for Real Heroes to give up the time to adapt to the time difference and terrain for just one or two rounds. They had no choice but to give up today’s game, where there was no chance of winning.

He soon got up from his seat and picked up his spear. It was to participate in the first round. Beomseok stood in the entrance tunnel and shouted to everyone.

“Okay! We’re ending today’s game in the first round! Keep that in mind and play the game!”

“Yes!”

Soon after, he entered the arena with the entrance signal. The sandy ground and the small oasis in the center. This desert terrain was the characteristic of the Ravello City Colosseum. However, the surrounding temperature was moderate, so it didn’t seem to be too difficult to play the game.

He stood in front of the oasis, stepping on the sunken sandy ground.

Woo- Woo-~

Beomseok smiled at the continuous booing from the home fans. Because there were so few spectators, he wasn’t intimidated by the one-sided cheering.

With his spear on his shoulder, he said a word to Seiya as he left the main camp. Agelia was the captain today, but she, a mid-level player, would be in charge.

“Seiya. Do well. Don’t be too careless just because the opponent is weak. Anyway, this is an away game.”

“Yes. I know that too. I’ll be careful, so don’t worry.”

“Okay. Then I’m going to play free-roll [a flexible, unscripted role].”

“Yes. Good luck.”

Soon, Beomseok left the main camp and stood on the right side of the oasis. When the game started, he planned to run quickly and hit the rear of the enemy camp.

He looked at the two Real Heroes sword and shield gladiators coming out of the opponent’s main camp with strange eyes. It was the eyes of a child looking at a toy.

‘Gladiators number 36 and 27…….’

They were Real Heroes’ reserve rear gladiators, with skills of W1 and W2 level, respectively. Although they were a bit less skilled, they seemed to be able to hold him off for some time. But it didn’t matter. Although he was playing free-roll alone today, he was not the only one who would attack them.

– Bbeee! Game start!

As soon as the game start signal sounded, Beomseok started running rapidly to the right, the opposite direction from the main camp. In response, gladiators number 36 and 27 also turned sharply to the left and charged towards him.

“Okay. Here I go!”

Beomseok, who had rotated the spear in his hand once, jumped and struck down on gladiator number 36’s head as if to split it. Soon, with a crashing sound and a shield bouncing off, gladiator number 27 quickly advanced towards him as he landed on the ground.

In response, Beomseok took a step back to create distance, then swiped the tip of his spear towards her calf. However, gladiator number 27 jumped and dodged as if she had expected it, then took large steps backward. Beomseok’s attack was just a feint, and he had no intention of attacking in particular, so it was easy to avoid.

In the meantime, gladiator number 36, who had picked up her shield again, stood next to gladiator number 27.

“Don’t be too forward. We just need to block Beomseok until the main camp fight is over.”

“I know. Don’t worry.”

They started to turn to the side little by little. This was because Beomseok was moving to their right.

In the meantime, there was a big clash between the main camps. GodKnights was trying to enter the Real Heroes’ formation, which had come out in a defensive formation.

The vanguards were Shayla and Rapine. Behind them, the mid-level players were trying to break through with their strength. However, unlike expected, the attack was sluggish. GodKnights was superior in individual ability and numbers, so it seemed easy to attack, but Real Heroes was blocking well.

However, this was largely what GodKnights intended. You could see that Tiela, one of the vanguards, was far away in the rear. She had stuck the sword in her hand into the sandy ground and was taking out a bow while being protected by the rear.

‘Master is doing so well.’

Tiela’s gaze was fixed on the backs of gladiators number 36 and 27, who were standing across the oasis. This was because GodKnights’ aim was not to break through the opponent’s main camp, but to get rid of the gladiators who had come out to mark. Real Heroes’ markers were looking at Beomseok and had their backs turned, so they were vulnerable to snipers.

Tiela aimed her arrow at the back of gladiator number 27, who was relatively behind gladiator number 36.

“What are you doing! Dodge!”

At that moment, a shout burst out from the Real Heroes’ main camp. Gladiator number 18, the captain, saw Tiela aiming her bow. However, the gladiators who had gone out to mark did not notice her shout. Because the subject was missing, they did not recognize that the message was directed at them.

Soon, Tiela’s fingertip flicked, and an arrow that flew quickly accurately hit the back of gladiator number 27. And then, she pulled the bowstring again and shot another arrow at gladiator number 36.

Swoosh! Bang.

However, the second arrow attack was blocked by the shield and returned to nothing. Gladiator number 36, who heard the sound of impact from behind, turned her head to check, and saw gladiator number 27 falling down, and then saw another arrow flying towards her. Still, strategically, there was no big problem.

This was because Beomseok immediately rushed in and stabbed the tip of his spear into gladiator number 36’s waist.

Beomseok, who briefly looked at gladiator number 36 kneeling with an absurd expression, waved his hand at Tiela. It seemed that this game would be easy thanks to her.

“Good job! Tiela!”

He went around the oasis again and attacked the rear of the Real Heroes’ main camp. At the same time, Tiela drew her sword again and stepped forward as the vanguard, starting a full-scale breakthrough.

The Real Heroes gladiators, who were facing enemies from the front and back, were at a loss as to what to do in the current situation. Because only candidates were participating, their individual strength was low, and they had suffered the loss of two people. If they were broken through like this, they would be finished.

“Everyone, wake up! We can’t give up like this!”

Even with gladiator number 18’s shout, the morale of the Real Heroes gladiators continued to weaken. The fact that they had participated meant that the team had given up the game. Even if they lost like this, no one would blame them.

Well, if they put up a good fight against GodKnights, the team would look at them differently, but they didn’t have the ability to reverse the situation now.

“What are you doing! Everyone, push forward! If we succeed in breaking through, the League Cup is ours!”

With Seiya’s shout, GodKnights’ charge became very fierce and persistent. Tiela, who stepped forward as the vanguard, was pushing forward while holding her sword against gladiator number 44, who was blocking her way, and Shayla, who was standing on her side, was swinging her greatsword wildly, creating cracks in the Real Heroes formation.

Rapine, who was penetrating this gap, was swinging her twin swords left and right, attacking gladiator number 29, who was standing at the front.

Soon, Nikita’s non-standard spear, which flew from the rear, grazed Rapine’s helmet and directly hit gladiator number 29’s face. In response, Yoshiya, who was guarding the mid-level position, immediately entered and began to face gladiator number 18, who was in the center.

“Kyaaak!!”

Gladiator number 23 was dragged out by the tip of Beomseok’s spear and fell to the ground. Fortunately, gladiator number 31, who was right next to her, came to support and blocked Beomseok’s continued attack, but she could never stand up again. This was because Rapine’s twin swords, which had broken through the center and entered, slashed her back.

“We succeeded in breaking through! Everyone, take them down individually!”

At the same time as Seiya’s shout, the mid-level players of GodKnights, who had entered the center of the Real Heroes’ main camp, rushed towards the opponent gladiators they had each marked. Along with the ensuing melee, the sound of weapons being wielded was heard. At the same time as screams were heard from all directions, the spectators who had come to the stadium began to leave their seats one after another.

They couldn’t have known that their cheering team would lose in this game. With only candidates participating, two people were defeated in the early stages of the game, and the formation was broken through, so it was difficult to hope for victory.

– The Real Heroes home fans, who sensed this defeat, are leaving the stadium. It’s very unfortunate.

– Yes. That’s right. Before the humiliation of losing in the League Cup final away game was forgotten, this absurd game situation is happening, so it’s disappointing.

– But isn’t it a natural thing? They are playing today’s game with only gladiators below the candidate level.

– Yes. That’s right. All of Real Heroes’ main players have already gone to Lima City to adjust to the time difference. It’s to focus on the league game. Real Heroes, who are currently leading the league by a score difference of 1 point, will definitely want to keep this score.

The announcer nodded repeatedly. The commentator’s explanation was fundamental, so he couldn’t express his denial.

– Well, I guess so. The league championship must be sweeter than lifting the League Cup.

– Yes. Especially since Real Heroes hasn’t won in the past 10 years, right? This year, they will definitely want to taste the joy of winning the league.

At the same time as that was said, gladiator number 18, who was hit in the back by the tip of Beomseok’s spear, fell forward as if collapsing. Since she, the captain, was defeated, the game was over. The announcer immediately started to give his closing remarks.

– Real Heroes has lost after all. With this victory, GodKnights will lift the League Cup and receive a total prize money of 1.35 billion 크랑 [Krang, the currency]. Anyway, GodKnights. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.

– Yes. We wish GodKnights, who have built a new 금자탑 [golden tower, meaning achievement] today, the best of luck in the future.

The Ravello City Colosseum had already become a mess. As the defeated Real Heroes gladiators returned, Beomseok and his teammates were all touring the stadium, enjoying the joy of victory. In response, some of the visiting fans who had come to the away game were in an excited state, shaking the transparent acrylic partitions that blocked the stadium and the stands, and shouting loudly.

“Good job! GodKnights! You finally won the League Cup! Amazing!”

“You guys! I’ll support GodKnights for the rest of my life! You did a really good job!”

“GodKnights! Win not only the League Cup but also the championship next year!”

Soon, event staff entered the stadium and set up the awards platform and placed the silver-shaped League Cup on the prepared table. Beomseok, thinking that the awards ceremony would begin soon, calmed down his teammates and went to the center of the stadium where the awards platform was set up.

Soon, Chairman Ibrahim, who entered the stadium through the entrance tunnel, went to Beomseok’s front and reached out his hand to shake hands.

“Beomseok. Congratulations on winning the World League Cup.”

“Hahaha. Thank you.”

“Okay. Then let’s all go up to the unit together. We’ll start the awards ceremony soon.”

“Hahaha. Yes. I understand.”

As Beomseok went up to the awards platform, Chairman Ibrahim picked up the medals that the event staff next to him had and put them on everyone’s necks one by one. And then, he lifted the League Cup, which was placed on the table next to him, and showed it to the reporters who had come to take pictures.

“Okay. Now, there will be the League Cup award. Gladiator Oh Beomseok, please come forward.”

As Beomseok came down from the stage again with the host’s shout, Chairman Ibrahim immediately handed over the League Cup and stepped back. Today’s main characters were him and the GodKnights gladiators. It was polite for him to step aside now.

Soon, as Beomseok lifted the League Cup high, flashes burst out from all directions. He showed the League Cup to the left and right once, then handed it over to Nikita, who came out next, and stepped back. And he smiled brightly as he watched the League Cup being moved between his subordinate gladiators. Although it was a small tournament, winning was a happy thing anyway.

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

When I clear my head, I play an online Marvel game, and even here, novel material comes out. There’s really a lot to write, but the problem is that my body can’t keep up. Hahaha.

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