Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 498

“Alright. Everyone, let’s go! Finish the match quickly and head home!”

At Bumseok’s shout, the Gods Knights gladiators surged towards the opposing team’s formation. Their opponent today was the Red Elephants, currently at the bottom of the league. Even with key players like Prisika and Tiella on vacation, victory was almost certain.

They had already won the first two rounds, and now the Red Elephants’ gladiators were unable to withstand Oscar and Rapine’s relentless attacks, their formation crumbling.

“We have to hold on! Don’t let them break through!”

Despite the desperate cries of their captain, the Red Elephants gladiators couldn’t gain any ground. They knew it was incredibly difficult to win against a powerhouse like the Gods Knights.

The Gods Knights were currently undefeated. They might stumble once in a while as the season progressed, but the Red Elephants didn’t believe it would happen against them.

“Kkyaaaak! No!”

With a desperate scream, the Red Elephants’ formation was breached. The Gods Knights’ midfielders advanced into the center, quickly taking down gladiators number seven and two, who had fallen during the initial charge, and engaged in a chaotic battle. Soon, they defeated all the gladiators on the opposing team and let out a triumphant roar.

– This is amazing! The Gods Knights have won their 22nd match of the season. I’m starting to wonder if they might be the first in league history to lift the League Cup with an undefeated record.

– Yes, that’s right. With this momentum, anything is possible. But I still have my doubts about whether an undefeated championship is truly achievable.

It’s been many years since a team has gone undefeated, and in the end, everyone experiences failure. Winning all 38 league matches in a year is no easy feat. Especially this season, the competition is fierce. As strong as the Gods Knights are, Chaplin Whisper and Real Heroes also possess considerable power.

Moreover, as we enter the second half of the season, all teams are battling fatigue, and the Gods Knights are particularly vulnerable. They don’t have a deep bench of substitute players.

The announcer nodded in agreement with the commentator’s assessment.

– That’s true. Between league matches and the League Cup, and recently, the World League teams have been participating in the GA Cup as well, haven’t they? Playing in all these matches is definitely exhausting. Even today, the Gods Knights played without their main force, didn’t they?

– Yes, that’s right. You could see it as the confidence of a strong team, but on the other hand, it also highlights the Gods Knights’ weaknesses. It suggests that if they don’t carefully manage the stamina of their key players, they may struggle in future matches.

A long sigh escaped from Bumseok as he returned to the dugout, despite the joy of victory. The commentators were absolutely right.

The reason he benched the main force against the Red Elephants, a lower-ranked team, was to conserve their stamina. He had been continuously increasing the number of gladiators under his command and had even added loaned gladiators to the team this time, but it still felt insufficient.

‘I guess I’ll have to field substitutes in the League Cup and GA Cup. If I don’t prioritize the league, I might miss out on winning this year.’

Currently, Chaplin Whisper and Real Heroes were also fielding substitute-level gladiators, practically sacrificing the cup competitions to close the gap with the Gods Knights. In this situation, he couldn’t afford to be complacent. Maybe he could push the main team harder near the semi-finals of those tournaments? For now, it was better to conserve their energy.

‘Okay. This GA Cup and League Cup will be played with a mixed system of substitute gladiators and some under-8 teams.’

Bumseok, having sorted out his thoughts, returned to the dugout and packed his bags. The match next week was an away game against the Ancient Warriors. Since they were a somewhat *burdensome* [difficult or challenging] team, it was better to rest at the *sukso* [lodging or accommodation] and relieve today’s fatigue.

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

Bumseok, heading back to the training camp in his car, took out his electronic notebook from his pocket at the sound of the ringing. The number displayed on the simple screen was Margaret’s. He let out a long sigh.

He wouldn’t normally mind a call from his lover, but today was different. There was no need to contact him now when they were going to meet when he got back.

These kinds of emergency calls often brought annoying news.

But he answered the call with a bright expression.

“Margaret. Yes, what’s wrong?”

– Bumseok *oppa* [term of endearment used by a younger woman to an older brother or male friend]. Things seem to be going strangely these days.

As expected, Bumseok said calmly.

“What’s strange?”

– Chairman Lucas’s movements are suspicious.

“Chairman Lucas, why?”

– He’s been gathering former Black Society henchmen lately.

Tired, Bumseok leaned back in his seat and lay down comfortably. Most of the Black Society henchmen were influential figures in public office and the business world. He didn’t know about the Black Society of the past, but Lucas, who had become a *Naktong River duck egg* [a Korean idiom for someone who is isolated and without support], wasn’t someone people would fawn over just because he called.

“Henchmen? Don’t they have anything else to do? Just quietly earn a living in their positions. Why are they crawling back there again? What’s there to gain from that old man?”

– I think it’s because most of them are unemployed.

Bumseok clicked his tongue and looked at her.

“What are you talking about? We didn’t touch the Black Society henchmen, did we?”

– That’s true. But quite a few people lost their jobs when the Black Society collapsed.

“Who are they?”

– Black Society organization management staff and the *muryeok jo* [literally “force group,” referring to the Black Society’s enforcers or musclemen].

“I see. Since the Black Society was dissolved, the management staff would have been fired. But who are the *muryeok jo*?”

– The guys who attacked us before.

He seemed to be talking about the people who had tried to kill them before. At the time, Bumseok and Margaret had been kidnapped by Lucas and his gang and almost assassinated, but they had safely escaped using the ‘Origin’s Response’ special ability. And immediately after that, they had been attacked by a group of people called by Chairman Lucas, who were the Black Society’s *muryeok jo*.

“What? They were arrested, weren’t they? For illegal possession of weapons and attempted murder. Were they released on special pardon too?”

– No, there were other *muryeok jo* besides those guys.

“About how many?”

– All together, I think there are about 100 people.

“Ah, damn it! That old man. If he got hit like that, he should have laid low! I’m already debating whether to completely eliminate him or just leave him alone.”

– Hehe. That’s what I’m saying.

“But why did he gather them?”

– Outwardly, it seems the purpose is to establish a security company.

“Inwardly?”

– No matter how I look at it, it seems like he’s targeting *oppa*.

Bumseok’s face contorted in annoyance. He was already exhausted from playing matches with the goal of winning the World League, and now he had to deal with an old man who was past his prime. He sighed inwardly.

“Are you sure?”

– I’m 100% sure.

“Why?”

– Two of our informants who have been dispatched are collecting Bumseok *oppa*’s information, and one has recently been dispatched to monitor Theresa’s movements.

Bumseok looked at Margaret with a puzzled expression. He didn’t understand what she was talking about at all.

“Why are our informants digging into me and Theresa?”

– Ah. The place they were dispatched to is Chairman Lucas’s security company.

“What are you talking about? Why are they using our informants?”

Margaret smiled softly and said.

– The informants are former members of the Black Society’s *muryeok jo*. When the Black Society was dissolved, many people were left penniless and dissatisfied with the organization. They had worked for the organization all their lives, but they were abandoned in an instant. So, at that time, just in case, I offered them high salaries and recruited them as Ilsimhoe informants. Anyway, we need to grow the company, so we need a lot of such talents.

Bumseok smiled softly. His own organization members were operating within Chairman Lucas’s organization, which was a reassuring thought.

“Hehe. Really? Why did you think of that?”

– We almost died because of them before. So, as insurance… you know?

“I see. Well, the mental shock you received at the time was significant. You almost died.”

– Yes. I was very lucky to survive. But I can’t guarantee that I’ll be lucky again next time.

“Okay. Anyway, you did well. So, what do I have to do?”

Margaret smiled wryly and said.

– Hehe. I’ll take care of everything, so just live as usual.

“Can I really trust you? Chairman Lucas is no ordinary person.”

– Yes. Don’t worry, trust me and leave it to me. All measures have already been taken.

“Okay. Then I’ll stop paying attention.”

Bumseok, who had hung up the phone, still felt uneasy. Even though their organization members were involved, the fact that he and Theresa were being followed was unsettling. Still, he decided to trust Margaret for now. She was capable, so he believed she would handle it well.

A week later, Bumseok took the Gods Knights team to the Senoside City Colosseum. He felt some pressure about the away game against the current 4th place team, but Bumseok maintained a relatively calm mindset.

They were a team whose power had declined significantly recently, making them easier to deal with than other top teams. The rapid growth of Gods Knights, Chaplin Whisper, and Real Heroes, combined with the loss of key gladiators, had turned them, who were once leaders of the World League, into just another mediocre team. But they should never be underestimated. The decline in the Ancient Warriors’ power was limited to their main force, not their substitutes and reserves.

If they were to draw in the main match, today’s game could be quite difficult. They had to secure the advantageous 1st, 3rd, and 5th rounds to ensure victory.

“Alright. Let’s go!”

As Bumseok and his teammates were about to enter the official entrance, jeers erupted from all directions. Most of them were directed at Prisika.

As someone who had joined the Gods Knights through the Walker Auction Market, she had no choice in the team’s transfer, but the home fans couldn’t help but resent their former legend who had become an enemy. If only she had stayed on the team, they wouldn’t be in such poor shape now.

“Traitor Prisika! Get out!”

“What kind of face do you have to come here! Go back!”

In the midst of the hostile atmosphere, Bumseok stood next to Prisika, ready to intervene if the home fans suddenly rushed in. If she used violence for self-defense, many problems would arise.

But his worries were unfounded. The security guards who had been dispatched in advance thoroughly blocked the home fans and ensured their safe passage.

‘Hoo~ this is no joke…….’

Bumseok looked at Prisika with a worried gaze. He thought she would be mentally shaken by the outpouring of curses from her former fans.

“Prisika, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m okay. So don’t worry too much.”

Although she was a little *seounhae* [disappointed or hurt], Prisika was generally composed. She had anticipated this kind of reaction, and now she was Bumseok’s elf, not the gladiator of the Senoside fans. If she had time to be *sangsimhae* [heartbroken or distressed], she would rather focus on how to win today’s game. That was Prisika’s honest feeling.

Bumseok patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“Okay. That’s a relief. But tell me if it’s too hard during the game. I’ll take you out of the match.”

“No, I’m okay. Actually, I’m not the kind of gladiator who struggles with these kinds of jeers. These psychological warfare tactics from opposing fans are common, so I’m used to it.”

Prisika was once the strongest gladiator of the Ancient Warriors. As a result, she had endured many jeers from opposing fans as a psychological tactic, and she had overcome them and achieved good results. Thinking in the same context, there was no problem at all.

“Hehe. Okay. You can think of it that way.”

“Yes. Master.”

Relieved, Bumseok took everyone to the gladiator waiting room to rest for a while, and then went back to the dugout.

Bumseok, who had placed his bag on the bench, approached Diana.

“Diana? How is it, will it be okay?”

Diana, who was looking at the strategy documents, had a strange expression.

“Well. No matter how I look at it, it seems like we’re at an advantage. But the 2nd and 4th rounds are *yeong kkeolikkeureowo yo* [very unsettling or uncomfortable]. If we lose at this time, it’s a bit *b 부담스러워요* [burdensome or stressful].”

“Tch. That’s true. But it doesn’t matter if all our main forces win, right? And since I and Prisika will be playing one more round anyway, won’t we win one of the 2nd and 4th rounds?”

“Yes. You’re not wrong. Even if it’s the second team, if Master and Prisika are involved, the power will increase greatly.”

Bumseok patted her shoulder calmly and said.

“So don’t worry too much. We’ll definitely win. And even if we draw or lose one game, it doesn’t mean we’ll give up the top spot to Chaplin Whisper, right?”

“Hehe. That’s true. But you never know what will happen later, so we have to make sure that doesn’t happen. Chaplin Whisper is a strong team, so if we give them a chance to chase, they’ll chase after us relentlessly.”

“Well, it’s a team with Amelie, so how could it not be? She’s such a strong *ai* [kid or child] in team battles… I’m a little *kkeureumchikhada* [uneasy or apprehensive] too.”

“And the team composition is as solid as any other top team.”

Bumseok waved his hand in front of Diana’s face and said.

“Alright. Let’s stop talking about Chaplin Whisper now. Today’s opponent is the Ancient Warriors.”

“Yes. It’s the Ancient Warriors.”

Diana cast a sharp gaze at the opponent’s dugout on the other side of the stadium. Another hurdle to winning the championship. She was determined to win today and use them as a stepping stone to their league championship.