Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 63

The next day, Beomseok called Wilkins to inquire about a loan of 80 million crowns. Fortunately, Wilkins remembered their previous encounter in Osaha. True to his word, he connected Beomseok with the branch manager of Wilkins Bank in Lima City.

Consequently, Beomseok, accompanied by Lucas, visited the Lima City branch and finalized the loan agreement for 80 million crowns. The terms included a 4.3% annual interest rate with principal repayment within 10 years, a reasonable deal considering Beomseok’s credit rating and Wilkins’ influence.

Typically, such loans include a grace period of several years, during which only interest is paid. However, given Beomseok’s low creditworthiness and the instability of the collateral, the branch manager prioritized rapid principal repayment. In fact, securing a stock-backed loan at this time would have been impossible without Wilkins’ direct intervention.

With the 80 million crown loan secured, Beomseok eagerly commenced construction of the training camp.

‘Finally, it’s spring.’

Spring, the season of renewal, had arrived. People packed away their heavy winter coats, replacing them with light jackets and long-sleeved shirts.

Despite the lingering economic crisis, people were out enjoying spring outings with family, relatives, or Elves. The divide between the haves and have-nots was stark, with those who had invested wisely in stocks and real estate reaping the rewards. Beomseok was a prime example. Although he hadn’t sold his shares, Micro Engineering’s stock price was currently at 435 crowns, bringing his total assets to 200 million crowns. Recent reports in the financial media highlighting Micro Engineering’s substantial cash reserves had fueled this surge. This sum alone was nearly sufficient to meet the financial requirements for establishing a professional gladiator team.

However, Beomseok wasn’t enjoying a leisurely spring outing. Instead, he was at the grand auditorium of the Lima City Civic Center with all the Godz Knights team members. Today was the day of the promotion tournament draw for the Avand Area League.

“Wow, there are so many people. Does this mean we have to beat all these teams to go pro?”

The grand auditorium was packed for the draw. With 124 participating gladiator teams and broadcasting staff present, the atmosphere was electric. Although an amateur event, this promotion tournament determined the three teams that would advance to the professional league next year, attracting significant attention from local media and aspiring teams.

Diana, sitting next to him, glanced between the crowd and Beomseok, saying, “Don’t worry. We’re a seeded team, remember?”

Godz Knights’ victory in the Avand Semi-Pro Cup last fall earned them a seeded position. This meant they would enter the promotion tournament in the round of 32, bypassing the preliminary rounds. Four consecutive wins would almost certainly guarantee a professional spot.

Furthermore, in the upper Deloy Wide league, no teams were being demoted to the Avand League this year. This meant that even with only three wins, they could still vie for a spot through the losers’ bracket against the other semi-final losers. Additionally, if the Avand League’s winning and runner-up teams performed well in the promotion tournament to the Wide League and succeeded in being promoted, their chances of promotion would increase even further.

“I guess so.”

“But we can’t be complacent. The teams we face from the round of 32 onwards will be tough.”

The teams in the round of 32 consisted of the 16 top performers from last year’s Semi-Pro Cup and strong teams that had advanced to the fourth round through fierce competition. Most were semi-pro teams or teams relegated from the Area League, boasting considerable skill.

No matter how talented the Godz Knights were, carelessness could lead to defeat and elimination. The outcome of any match is ultimately unpredictable.

“It’s okay. Gladiator matches aren’t like soccer where the ball can bounce anywhere. Hehehe.”

Beomseok remained confident. Gladiator matches weren’t decided by goals or points, but by defeating the opponent. This made it harder for weaker teams to upset stronger ones, so miracles were rare. As long as they avoided major mistakes, their chances of losing to weaker teams were slim.

– Alright, everyone, please be quiet. The draw will begin shortly. Two representatives from each team, please come forward.

The venue fell silent at the moderator’s announcement. Although the promotion tournament was ten days away, today’s draw significantly impacted the early and mid-tournament win rates. An unlucky draw against a strong team in the first match could lead to immediate elimination, making all participants nervous.

“Okay, Diana, let’s go. You’re doing the draw.”

Normally, Beomseok, as team leader, would handle the draw. However, luck played a significant role, and Diana had the highest luck stat. Statistically, she was the better choice.

He and Diana walked forward, drawing the attention of everyone in the venue. As representatives of the team with the highest perceived chance of winning, they were bound to attract attention. Beomseok winked at the approaching camera and sat in the representative seat below the podium.

“Diana, I don’t know if it’ll work out, but you have to draw well.”

“Hehehe. Don’t worry. I’m lucky at everything except cooking and cleaning, especially on important days like today.”

“Hahaha. I’m counting on you.”

Suddenly, a sneering voice came from behind.

“Hehehe. That luck won’t help you this time.”

Beomseok turned sharply to face the speaker, a blonde man with crossed arms and a smirk. He didn’t appreciate being confronted out of nowhere.

He quietly asked, “Who are you to start a fight?”

“Oh, have you forgotten me? I’m disappointed. Don’t you recognize me?”

His face seemed familiar, but Beomseok couldn’t place him.

“Of course not. Why would I clutter my mind with your face for no reason?”

The man offered a hint. “Emma. Release inquiry. Ring any bells?”

“Emma? How do you know Emma? And what’s a release inquiry?”

“Wow. You’ve completely forgotten. Right after the GA Cup ended, I contacted you via video call to ask when you would release Emma. Still nothing?”

With the specific time and purpose mentioned, Beomseok’s memory clicked. Julian. A member of the Youth United Association, rivals of the Black Society, who had pressured him to remove Emma from the team during a video call.

He had dismissed it since there had been no further contact, but seeing him here was unsettling. Still, he wouldn’t be intimidated. Beomseok adopted a friendly tone.

“Ah, Julian. I barely remember. Sorry. But it’s rude to speak so informally, considering we’ve only had one video call.”

“Did you think I’d treat you with respect after the stunt you pulled? Do you know how foolish you made me look?”

“What fool did I make you look? We didn’t have any real conversation, did we?”

Julian bit his lip, speechless. Their conversation had been brief. Beomseok had hoped Emma would leave on her own and had ended the call without raising the issue, expecting her departure.

However, he had recently learned that Emma was still training hard with the Godz Knights and that Beomseok was colluding with the Black Society. Julian, responsible for this situation, had faced criticism from his peers and came here to redeem himself. His father was the CEO of the Hyena Group, which owned several professional gladiator teams, making him well-suited for this task.

“Sigh. Fine. I’ll let it slide since nothing explicit was said back then. So, I’ll be clear now: kick out Emma while I’m being nice. Then I’ll pretend this never happened.”

Beomseok scoffed. “Tsk. You’re talking nonsense. Why would I kick out a perfectly good team member?”

“Or you’ll regret it?”

“Regret? I don’t live like that.”

“It’ll be different this time. Your team will be completely destroyed in this tournament.”

“Is that going to be easy? You underestimate our team’s strength.”

Julian smiled wryly. “Hehe. Do you think I’d make such a fuss without knowing your team? Do you know the Hyena Group?”

The Hyena Group was a large entertainment conglomerate involved in TV productions, movies, and games. They also owned the Great Hyenas, a Lima City-based professional gladiator team, though they had been relegated to the amateur league. Beomseok knew them well.

“I know them well. So what?”

“Good. I’m the new manager of the Great Hyenas. I’m here to crush your team using the group’s resources. Just you wait.”

Beomseok’s expression darkened. He knew the power of the Hyena Group’s professional gladiator teams. While they struggled in the lower ranks, they had a team in the World League and several well-known Central League teams. Countless Wide League and Area League teams were also under their umbrella. If they focused their efforts on disrupting this promotion tournament, the situation would be dire.

However, the Hyena Group was a profit-driven corporation accountable to its shareholders. They wouldn’t pour resources into targeting an amateur team at a significant loss. Even if they did, the odds of facing the Great Hyenas before the semi-finals were low. Unless he was incredibly unlucky, promotion shouldn’t be a problem.

Regaining his composure, Beomseok patted Julian on the shoulder. “They’re just a bunch of mutts. I’ll throw them in a boiling pot and cook them thoroughly. Look forward to it.”

“Hehe. Good. I’m looking forward to it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Hehehe.”

At that moment, a black-haired PD [Production Director] who had been nearby approached them. He was intrigued by the friendly conversation between the chairman of the Godz Knights, who had been gaining attention in Lima City, and the manager of the Great Hyenas, the city’s only professional team until last year.

“Hello. I’m Ian PD from the WBC Avand branch. May I ask you a few questions?”

“Yes, please do,” Julian replied.

Ian PD looked at Julian and asked, “Julian, I heard you’ve recently joined the Great Hyenas as manager. Could you share your initial thoughts?”

Julian, neatly dressed, smiled for the camera. “What can I say? I’ll do my best for the team.”

“Oh, is that so? But the Hyena Group diverted funds from the Great Hyenas to other teams, leading to their relegation around this time last year. How will the new manager overcome this challenge?”

Julian, looking slightly uncomfortable, answered calmly. “Ah, I won’t deny it; it’s well-known. As the new manager, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the group.”

“Hmm. I don’t think an apology will suffice. The anger of Lima City’s gladiator fans is considerable.”

“Hahaha. Yes, I know. That’s why I, Julian, the CEO’s son, am here – to heal the wounded hearts of Lima City’s gladiator fans with action.”

“Oh, is that so? Specifically, what kind of compensation are you planning?”

Julian glanced at Beomseok, then turned to the camera and began to speak clearly.

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

Hahaha. I’m a little late. A strange advertising site kept popping up on my PC, so I had to format it. I don’t even go to strange sites, but it keeps happening. I have to format it every few months because of these guys. Anyway, everyone, be careful of these link sites.

Then I’ll see you again tomorrow. Have a good day.