Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 510

512

Bumseok returned to the dugout to the cheers of the away fans and high-fived Diana, who had come to the front to greet him.

“How was it? Diana! We won, right?”

“Yes. Thank you so much for your hard work. I feel much relieved now.”

Bumseok put one arm around Prisika’s shoulder as she followed.

“This is all thanks to Prisika’s excellent command. If it had taken us a long time to break Chaplin Whisper’s main camp, we might have been in trouble.”

Diana glanced at Prisika and smiled. She knew that Bumseok’s words were absolutely correct.

“Good job, Prisika. Thanks to you, we were able to win the first round.”

“No, I just did what you told me to do, sister. Switching from the Choo Haengjin [a battle formation] to the Bongsi formation [another battle formation] was already planned.”

“Hehe. Even so, it was successful because you led the team well. If you had given sloppy commands, it wouldn’t have worked. Chaplin Whisper was the opponent, after all, even if we were just a little short. Right? So, there’s no need to be so humble.”

Pleased by the repeated praise, Prisika perked up her ears. She was very susceptible to compliments.

“Thank you for the compliment, sister.”

“But you shouldn’t get too excited. It’s still early in the game, so we can be overturned at any time.”

“Yes. I know that very well. I’ll keep that in mind throughout the game.”

“Okay. That’s good. Go inside and rest.”

As Prisika returned to her seat, Diana walked with Bumseok and said,

“Master, should we go with Plan 3 for the second round?”

“Well, I need to think about that.”

Plan 3 was very simple and clear in its strategy: to play all the remaining rounds with only the main players. It had the disadvantage of greatly wasting stamina, but the probability of winning was somewhat higher. Since they weren’t sending out their second string, it was difficult for the other side to send out their second string either.

“But if we go with Plan 3, Chaplin Whisper is likely to get caught up in our strategy.”

“Of course, that’s definitely true.”

The reason Bumseok agreed with her confidence was that the main force of God’s Knights could easily beat Chaplin Whisper’s second string. If Chaplin Whisper sent out their reserves in the second round, it would naturally result in two losses. If God’s Knights then scored one win or two draws, they would win the championship. And this was a very burdensome situation for Chaplin Whisper, so they had no choice but to field their main force in the second round. But this was also a big problem.

Because it was somewhat difficult to defeat God’s Knights in a frontal battle. The main forces of the two teams were clearly superior in God’s Knights.

But the bigger problem was that the same situation would occur in the subsequent 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds. They would probably continue to fall into a quagmire as time went on.

However, conversely, the worry for God’s Knights was that they absolutely could not afford to lose if they used this strategy. Because the stamina consumption was very high, difficulties were expected when aiming for a comeback.

In particular, a defeat in the 5th round was very fatal. Since there were no more rounds, a comeback itself was impossible, which was only natural. And there was another concern.

It was Amelie’s whip attack. If they deployed a defensive formation, they would be infinitely exposed to her attack.

Bumseok continued to speak.

“But I’m worried because a strategic failure would be too devastating. Especially using a defensive formation is too dangerous.”

“Of course, it would be. But I think it’s better than losing the second round by sending out the second string. Otherwise, the current victory would be meaningless.”

Indeed, that was true. A loss in the second round would mean starting from scratch. God’s Knights had to face the same difficulties they had before the game started. They had to record at least a draw or better in the second round.

“Then let’s field the main players in the second round for now. Let’s give it a try. Not with a defensive formation, but with a frontal battle.”

“Yes. Let’s do that then.”

Having made the decision, Diana immediately ran to the coach’s seat and drew up the roster for the second round. Some W1-class gladiators were replaced, but the main players were the core, as discussed with him.

And then came the second round. Bumseok led his gladiators and faced Chaplin Whisper’s main force in the center of the arena. For them, two losses would be fatal, so they couldn’t send out their reserves.

– This is exciting. Chaplin Whisper, who was smiling before the first round, is showing a completely different, determined look in the second round. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of game they will play in this round.

– Yes, that’s right. But on the other hand, I’m also worried.

The announcer listened to the commentator’s concerns.

– Why is that?

– Because of the impact this match will have. Chaplin Whisper, representing a gladiator team in the form of a corporation, and God’s Knights, representing a gladiator team in the form of a private company. The winner of today’s battle will determine whether the winds of change in the gladiator world will proceed rapidly or not.

– Why is that?

– The meaning of the championship is extraordinary. If Chaplin Whisper wins, the existing system is still…

The commentator stopped explaining. The announcer, who roughly understood the meaning, quickly stopped him.

The commentator’s next words were that if God’s Knights won the championship, the shockwave would cause a surge in teams with the characteristics of private companies, and other gladiator teams with the characteristics of corporations would change their organizational tendencies. However, in the current situation where the commentary was being broadcast into the arena, it was something that should never be said out loud. Elves are beings who will do anything to gain owners. If the elf gladiators of the Chaplin Whisper team heard it, considerable agitation was expected.

After all, all they get from winning the championship is a few extra bucks as a bonus. To abandon their own origins, as well as the origins of all the elves active in the gladiator world, for that money was unimaginable.

As if to prove this, Director Vincent ran out to the arena and waved his arms at the referee’s seat, immediately requesting a suspension of the game. His gladiators must have been very agitated, so he needed to comfort them.

– Th, the game is temporarily suspended. All gladiators, please return to the dugout and wait.

Bumseok, who unexpectedly got a break, returned to the dugout. He was embarrassed by the unprecedented situation in which the direction of the World League championship was being decided by a single word from the commentator.

“Geez. What is this… I’ve never seen such an absurd case.”

Diana rushed to him as he shook his head and hugged him tightly.

“M, Master! It’s as good as we’ve won!”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Chaplin Whisper gladiators will definitely be greatly agitated by the commentator’s words just now. Even if they don’t deliberately throw the game, those gladiators can never beat us in their current state of mind.”

That was something Bumseok was roughly aware of. But since the commentator’s words were interrupted in the middle, it was doubtful whether the Chaplin Whisper gladiators would have understood.

“Is that really it? The commentator couldn’t finish his sentence just now.”

“Still, those who can understand will understand. Not only me, but also Director Vincent noticed it, so he rushed out of the arena. And the fact that the referees respected the director’s wishes and stopped the game means that they also recognized it. I think most of them probably figured it out.”

Come to think of it, that was true. Not only those many people, but also Bumseok himself understood, so there was no way that only the Chaplin Whisper gladiators wouldn’t have understood.

“Hehe. This is getting interesting.”

“The problem is how Chaplin Whisper resolves this situation. If they can persuade them, we don’t know about today’s game. If they can’t, we win.”

Bumseok chuckled. The choice was too obvious.

“Is that easy? Even Director Vincent can’t persuade the elf gladiators in such a situation.”

“Hehe. I guess so?”

“Of course. Or I’ll eat my hat.”

Although he made a promise, Bumseok looked at the Chaplin Whisper cheering section with an uneasy gaze. Director Vincent was absolutely impossible, but there was someone who was possible. If he added just one word, the Chaplin Whisper gladiators would resemble berserkers.

‘Eh. Surely… he wouldn’t do such a crazy thing? Of course not.’

Having calmed his mind, Bumseok sat on the bench. He needed to make good use of the unexpected break time.

“Everyone, take a good rest! You have to rest when you can.”

But the break time unexpectedly lasted a long time. It lasted as long as 30 minutes. But this was also possible thanks to the referees’ consideration. Director Vincent had not yet succeeded in persuading them, and the Chaplin Whisper team gladiators who were leaving the arena had drooping shoulders.

‘Hehe. He couldn’t do it after all.’

A deep smile was etched on Bumseok’s face as he came out of the entrance tunnel and entered the arena. No matter how he looked at it, this match seemed too obvious. It was a somewhat *찝찝한* [unpleasant] victory, but since it was a game with the championship on the line, it wasn’t bad to accept it with a good feeling.

“Okay. Shall we try it?”

Bumseok ordered everyone to form the Choo Haengjin [a battle formation]. They could have formed a defensive formation, but they couldn’t adopt it because they were worried about Amelie’s whip attack. Besides, no matter how he thought about it, a defensive formation was a luxury in the current situation.

The Chaplin Whisper gladiators also formed the Choo Haengjin [a battle formation] with sluggish steps.

“Okay. Let’s all do our best!”

“Yes~”

They only gave a perfunctory answer to Amelie’s cry, and no one responded. Reassured by this, Bumseok looked at Bormia with a ridiculous expression and was surprised. There was no energy in his movements, but his eyes were radiating sharpness beyond ferocity.

Just in case, Bumseok gritted his teeth and glared at the Chaplin Whisper cheering section and dugout.

‘S, surely. Have these old men finally gone senile! That doesn’t make sense!’

It was still an unbelievable situation, so he couldn’t say for sure, but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Bormia’s serious eyes were definitely not those of a disappointed elf.

– Pee-eep! Game start!

With the sound announcing the start of the game, Bumseok shouted to all his gladiators. In this state, the losing side was God’s Knights. The side that was losing their minds right now was themselves.

“Everyone, get your minds right! Think that Chaplin Whisper is stronger than us!”

Soon after, the Chaplin Whisper gladiators came running with murderous intent. The God’s Knights gladiators, who didn’t know what was going on, felt that something was wrong and hurriedly reorganized their formation. But it was too late. They were already colliding with the God’s Knights formation with the momentum they had built up.

Clang!

After that, a melee broke out. The gladiators of both teams wielded their swords and spears, fiercely engaging in close combat, not wanting to be pushed back even an inch. At this time, Amelie, wielding dual swords, headed towards Bumseok. She swung her swords with a fierce momentum, as if to repay the humiliation she suffered in the first round, and pressured Bumseok.

“Bumseok-nim! It won’t be like last round this time!”

Bumseok knew that very well too. Unlike the first round, the Chaplin Whisper gladiators were attacking the God’s Knights gladiators like madmen.

‘F, I’m going crazy. No matter how much money you have, this doesn’t make sense! Boo! I can’t go and beat them up! Damn!’

The reason why they were playing the game with a desperate will was obvious. It was the promise to get them an owner.

Otherwise, the Chaplin Whisper gladiators, who should have been agitated by this situation, couldn’t have been acting like that. But the reason why Bumseok was going crazy was because of the Chaplin family who had done such a thing. No matter how good the league championship was, it didn’t make sense that they had done something that would reduce the value of all gladiators by a third.

Of course, Bumseok was doing the same thing, but the situation was a bit different from theirs.

But since it had already happened, there was nothing he could do. First, he needed to break their momentum and protect this round completely. He moved to avoid Amelie’s dual swords and stood behind Prisika.

“Prisika! We have to do our best! Even if we can’t win, we have to reduce the number of Chaplin Whisper’s gladiators!”

“Yes. I know! Don’t worry!”

Amelie chased after him, not wanting to miss him, and stabbed her sword deeply. Bumseok had no choice but to lay his spear horizontally to block the attack, as if to say, ‘Dodge it if you can.’ If he dodged, that attack would cut Prisika’s back. Then this round would be over.

Clang.

With a clear sound, a long scream spread into the arena, which had turned into a melee. Lenka, who was facing Bormia, gave up her waist and fell to the floor.

His eyes looked strange when I saw him earlier, but it seemed like he had made up his mind. But he didn’t just stand still. He pretended to push Amelie away and slyly swung his arm, sticking the tip of his spear into Hiyas’ back.

“Keuk!”

Hiyas, who knelt down with a short scream, glared at Bumseok with resentful eyes. He resented him for blocking their origins. To the Chaplin Whisper gladiators now, Bumseok was not a savior who would save the elves, but a great demon who blocked their dreams.

His heart weakened at this, but Bumseok gritted his teeth. He couldn’t give up his dream of winning the championship by giving up the game like this.

“Okay! Amelie goes!”

Amelie skillfully blocked the spear tips that flew in, showing blurry afterimages, by bringing her sword to bear. She couldn’t ruin the moment when her colleague, who had been with her for a long time, achieved her dream because of her. She had to mark Bumseok somehow and lay the foundation for victory.

“Come as much as you want! I will never lose this time!”

The battle between them continued again. Even in the meantime, shouts from gladiators from both teams echoed throughout the arena, where a melee was taking place.

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

Everyone, have a nice day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.