Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 80

80

“Oops. Andrea, I have something to tell you. Come here quickly.”

At Bumseok’s call, Andrea got up from her seat and approached.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. I just wanted to let you know that the entry list has been changed.”

Her eyes widened.

“W-What do you mean? The entry list has been changed?”

“Well, I was thinking while you were out. I thought there was no need to push it after winning two matches as you said. So I told Diana to submit the second-string list. Just so you know.”

Andrea looked at the wall clock on the right side of the dugout and turned pale. There were less than 30 seconds left until the entry list submission time.

“R-Really? But why are you telling me this now?”

“Well, I was going to tell you earlier, but you weren’t there. Where did you go?”

Andrea’s expression was quite a sight. She must have been embarrassed because she had unintentionally been giving the Great Hyenas team only wrong information. She fidgeted and quickly left her seat. It was already too late, but she had to convey the changed information.

Seeing this, Bumseok smiled triumphantly and shouted to everyone.

“This time, the second-stringers are going out. We’ll focus on defense, so be sure to prepare thoroughly.”

“Yes!”

After the resounding reply, Diana called out the names of the gladiators who would be participating this time. The called gladiators put their helmets on their shoulders, picked up their prepared gear, and walked out.

Fully armed, they steeled their resolve and went out to the arena with the announcement to enter.

‘Hehehe. They’re falling for it very well. This makes it easier for me.’

Although Loria was absent, the Great Hyenas team was fielding their main force as expected. If so, they would now have to fight three consecutive rounds with only their starters, or they would have to field their second-stringers in the fourth round. The latter would be the best outcome, but even the former wasn’t too bad. No matter how great their martial prowess, they couldn’t avoid physical problems if they played three rounds in a row.

He approached Diana and whispered quietly.

“Diana, you know the purpose of this round, right?”

“Yes. It’s to exhaust the Great Hyenas team’s stamina. I’ve instructed Erpina and the other team members well, and I’ll monitor and give appropriate commands, so don’t worry.”

“Okay. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Bumseok returned to his seat and calmly watched the game.

Soon after the start of the match, the Great Hyenas’ gladiators began to cross the river all at once. In response, the Gods Knights retreated and formed a circular formation, preparing to meet them.

Clang. Bang. Clang clang.

“Everyone, attack! We must break through the enemy lines.”

With Jermia’s shrill voice, the Great Hyenas gladiators charged in. It was a powerful offensive that came close to being dangerous several times, but the second-stringers were holding up well. This was because Erpina was giving appropriate commands. Still, there was some anxiety as the outer circle was dented by the force.

Before he knew it, Bumseok’s gaze was filled with tension. If the second-stringers were to collapse early in this round, it would significantly disrupt the plan.

Bang. Bang.

The loud sound of shields being struck penetrated the transparent acrylic partition of the dugout and reached the inside.

The Great Hyenas’ main force was swinging their swords wildly, trying to break through the circular formation. The Gods Knights’ second-stringers were struggling to hold on, but unexpected cracks were appearing here and there in the formation. Fortunately, Jermia was secretly helping at crucial moments, but it was not reassuring.

Bumseok frowned as he looked at his watch. Only a little over 5 minutes had passed. If they collapsed now, the opposing main force would maintain their fresh stamina without the reward of giving up the 3rd round.

‘Hold on for at least 10 minutes. Just 10 minutes.’

The slowly moving second hand made him even more impatient. Even in the short time he looked at the watch, the circular formation was gradually collapsing. The Great Hyenas’ offensive, like a flood, was that powerful.

Of course, if they were to fight the opponent’s second-stringers in the 4th round, these worries would be in vain, but since he couldn’t know the future, it was better to waste as much of their stamina as possible.

“We have to hold on! If we buy time, the starters will be more comfortable. Then we’ll get promoted and become pros!”

As if that remark had lit a fuse, the movements of the Gods Knights’ second-stringers became more agile. And this invigorated the entire team, making the defense even stronger than before. The thought of their owner being happy after they became pros gave them strength. It was a moment when the Gods Knights’ strength, their passion for victory, shone.

“We can’t lose for our master!”

“Yes. We have to win today and become pros!”

Suddenly, the Great Hyenas gladiators flinched and stepped back for a moment. Although they had weak skills, they were emanating a fighting spirit that they had never experienced in their professional lives. They had to pay attention to the unfamiliar change in the enemy.

However, this action only bought time for the Gods Knights to reorganize their formation.

“What are you doing! Attack! If we draw this round, we’re done!”

At the desperate command of the captain gladiator, the Great Hyenas’ gladiators charged again. If this round ended in a draw, they would lose if they gave up just one more draw, and even if they won all the remaining rounds, they would have to face a disadvantageous showdown against the Gods Knights.

Thump. Clang clang.

The shields vibrated violently with a dull sound. Hera and Reimei, standing behind them, were stabbing the approaching opposing team’s gladiators with the tips of their spears with minimal movement.

Erpina, who was commanding all of this, frowned as she looked around. The formation was distorted into a bizarre shape, so embarrassing that it was hard to call it a circular formation, due to the opposing team’s powerful attacks. At this rate, the sword and shield barrier would soon be breached, and the team would be wiped out.

She glanced at the scoreboard clock and narrowed her eyes. It was a little over 10 minutes, so it could be said that she had achieved her goal. Since it was a round they were going to lose anyway, it seemed okay to move on to the next operation. She shouted loudly to Reimei.

“Reimei! Execute the final operation!”

Having received the order, she scanned her surroundings and found an elf. It was Jermia, wearing the number 22. They made eye contact and sent a secret signal, then gathered on the left side of the formation. That was where Venus was.

Reimei whispered to her friend of the same age.

“Venus. The operation is starting. You know what to do, right?”

“Yeah. I know. Don’t worry.”

The moment they finished talking, Jermia’s sword passed through Venus’s shield and pierced her forehead accurately. A Gods Knights sword and shield gladiator next to her was surprised and tried to swing his sword, but Reimei blocked him with the tip of her spear.

Jermia responded with a smile of gratitude and attacked the sword and shield gladiator and Reimei, inflicting fatal damage.

Wow!

– It’s Jermia as expected. She’s earning her keep.

As three team members were knocked down at the same time, the Gods Knights’ formation collapsed rapidly. Jermia, who was receiving thunderous cheers from the fans, soon reached the center of the formation and swung her sword. Hera hurriedly moved to block her, but her leg was twisted by Erpina’s toe, and she fell to the ground.

Jermia, who expressed her gratitude with a wink, stabbed her sword into the back of the fallen Hera and ran towards her.

Chang. Chang chang. Clang.

Even though the formation had completely collapsed, Erpina smiled and waved her shield and sword. The operation was going so well that four of her colleagues had already fallen to Jermia’s sword. Now, if she just fell, Jermia would have made a great contribution by taking down 5 kills and even the captain gladiator.

‘That’s it.’

Of course, deliberately losing like this was not good for today’s game. The longer they held out, the more they could wear down the opponent’s stamina.

However, Bumseok, who had been suffering so much, would not end his revenge on Julian with just today’s victory. He intended to bring down not only the Great Hyenas team but also the Dark Hyenas team, the pride of the Hyena Group. To do this, no one should notice that she had been bought off.

So, Erpina exchanged a few sword blows as a show and cleverly exposed her vitals.

Thud.

Jerimia, who led the 3rd round to victory, raised her clenched fist. The Great Hyenas fans, who did not know the internal situation well, were greatly moved by her performance and shouted loudly. Although it was a victory against weak second-stringers, it was a sweet victory after 2 losses. There was a clear difference between having to win 3 games and having to win 2 games.

“You’re the best! Jermia! We’re counting on you for the next round too!”

However, a smile was drawn on Bumseok’s face as he watched this. The second-stringers had faced the Great Hyenas’ main force for over 10 minutes, so it could be said that it was a decent achievement. He greeted the returning gladiators one by one and gathered the coaching staff again. Of course, Andrea was also included.

“Okay. What tactics should we use next?”

Diana answered immediately. There was no reason to hesitate since there was a pre-arranged script.

“I think it would be good to form another second-string team.”

“Why? Normally, the Great Hyenas would also field their second-stringers. If that happens, it will only be what they want.”

“Yes. Master is right, but according to common tactics, we should send out our main force this time. So they have no choice but to send out their starters. If they send out their second-stringers and lose, the game will end immediately.”

Bumseok, wearing a plausible expression, nodded.

“Hmm. So you’re saying we should use this round to wear down the Great Hyenas’ main force again?”

“Yes. That’s right. Then we’ll face the opponent’s extremely exhausted main force or second-stringers in the 5th round, which will increase our chances of winning.”

“But if we lose in the 5th round, we’ll be eliminated. Wouldn’t it be better to end it in the 4th round?”

“No. In the 4th round, we’ll have to fight at a physical disadvantage. The number of round appearances is the same, and their basic physical abilities are better than ours. If we fail to overcome this disadvantage and lose, we could face extreme difficulties in the 5th round.”

He looked at Reimi and asked himself.

“Reimi, what do you think?”

“Hmm. I think it’s not bad. We accidentally found out Loria’s habit and won the first two rounds, but the Great Hyenas’ strength is still far ahead of us. I think it’s better to have an advantage in terms of stamina at least.”

Bumseok turned to Andrea.

“Andrea. What do you think?”

“I think so too. Unlike other sports, gladiatorial combat is a game where the stronger team is very likely to win. It’s better to have one advantageous fight than two disadvantageous fights. As you both said, I think it would be better to send out the second-stringers again this time.”

Bumseok, who pretended to listen intently, barely suppressed the smile that was bursting out. If Andrea was saying this, it meant that the Great Hyenas were hoping to send out their second-stringers in the 4th round. Well, three consecutive rounds for the main force would be a big burden for them. With the image of being miserably defeated in the 1st round still vivid, they would not want to carry out a main force vs. main force battle with a physical burden.

“Well, if everyone says so, it would be better to do that. Then we’ll send out the second-stringers again next time. No one has any complaints, right?”

“No.”

Diana led the coaching staff to the table next to the terminal and began to discuss the list. It was a meaningless act since they were planning to send out the starters, but it was unavoidable in order to hook Andrea.

And while they were resting with their eyes closed for the 4th round, they heard a woman’s piercing scream.

“Kyaaaa! No way!”

Bumseok, who slyly opened his eyes, chuckled. It was because he saw the names of the Great Hyenas’ second-stringers and the Gods Knights’ starters listed side by side on the participant section of the electronic display board, and Andrea, who was trembling as if surprised.

She asked Diana as if she didn’t know what was going on.

“Coach! What’s going on! It’s completely different from what we discussed. Why are our starters participating?”

Diana looked at Bumseok. It seemed like an unspoken question of whether it was okay to reveal the facts. In response, he, who had picked up his helmet and gear to participate, nodded.

Having received permission, she looked straight at Andrea.

“It’s very simple. It’s because the Great Hyenas were planning to send out their second-stringers in the 4th round.”

“How do you know that the Great Hyenas are sending out their second-stringers? Could it be that you have a spy hidden in our team?”

“No. But the Great Hyenas team sent one. Fortunately, people who are helping us from behind informed us in advance, and we gave her, who was bought off by the enemy, the wrong information, which led to today’s result. How about it, do you understand now? You, who even took drugs to bring down our team, would never know.”

At that moment, the Gods Knights’ team members’ stinging eyes were fixed on Andrea’s back. Judging from the content and atmosphere of the conversation, they could tell that the Great Hyenas team had planted a spy, and that person was Andrea.

The team members approached her, spewing anger. They didn’t know why, but the fact that she had betrayed them was unacceptable.

“Everyone stop! Winning the 4th round is the priority now. The game is not over yet!”

The team members, who had stopped at Bumseok’s shout, moved towards the entrance tunnel. Certainly, as he said, this round was very important. One victory now, with 2 wins, meant advancing to the semi-finals.

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

Ah. Come to think of it, Chuseok is coming soon. When I was young, it was a day I looked forward to so much, but now not so much…….. Hehehe. Giving pocket money to my nephews and nieces is something I received in the past, so I’ll gladly give it, but the sound of family and relatives singing in chorus to get married is…….. ;;;; Hooo~ Then everyone have a good day. I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.