Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 86

87

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

As Alfred became intimidated, Beom-seok realized his opportunity had arrived. When you seize the advantage, you must press on relentlessly. Giving the opponent a moment to breathe could allow them to counterattack. He thought of Gloria and came up with a clever plan: create conflict within the evaluation team to solve two problems at once.

He barely suppressed the smile rising to his lips and began his work in earnest.

“So, you’re saying that knowing all this? I ask this with some suspicion, but is it perhaps because our team doctor is a woman? There are occasionally men like that, aren’t there? Those who immediately dismiss women.”

Alfred waved his hands in embarrassment. Being seen as a blatant misogynist in front of Gloria would create a very difficult situation. She was usually calm, but when it came to women’s rights, she was a whirlwind.

“W-What are you talking about? That’s absurd! Don’t make accusations without evidence.”

“Then, please tell me the reason. Why our team’s medical division should receive a low score.”

“W-Well…”

“See? You can’t properly explain it!”

At this point, Gordon stepped forward to stop Beom-seok. Too sensitive an issue was emerging in a place meant only to judge promotion eligibility. The deep-seated conflict between men and women in this society was so severe that the federal government had enacted special laws to prevent it and was taking strict measures. If the major broadcasting company employees and reporters gathered here today raised suspicions about what happened, the Avand Area Pro Gladiator Association would face great trouble.

“That is absolutely not the case. You seem to be under a serious misunderstanding. Let’s move on to the next item.”

However, Gloria couldn’t accept it and stepped forward. She was a woman who never compromised on women’s rights issues. Regardless of the truth, as long as Alfred didn’t provide a clear explanation, she couldn’t let it pass.

“No, Gordon. What are you talking about? Why are you trying to gloss over such a serious situation? I absolutely cannot back down without a clear explanation from Alfred.”

Gordon, realizing that things were going seriously wrong, ran a hand over his face. To be honest, he was afraid of the eyes of the media gathered here today, but lying would be even more awkward.

He glared at Beom-seok with sharp eyes and bit his lip. To add a social issue to a simple power struggle and lead it in a direction favorable to himself, he seemed quite formidable. He thought it would be better to admit defeat in the medical division and step back. If the situation escalated and Gloria sided with him, the Gods Knights would get 20 points. It was better to end with the 7-8 points that would be taken away anyway and avoid the current crisis.

“Gloria, you are mistaken. Alfred probably misunderstood the past actions of the Gods Knights’ team doctor and said that. Now that he knows the investigated personnel records were incorrect, he will reflect this and give a fair score.”

Gloria looked at Alfred, who seemed embarrassed.

“Is Gordon right?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. I just checked online, so I never imagined the information would be wrong. Ha, haha.”

“Is that so? I understand. I’ll trust you and move on for now.”

Gordon, confirming that the story was resolving well, looked at Beom-seok.

“How is it? Are you satisfied now?”

He nodded immediately with a pleased expression. It was a pity that he couldn’t highlight the issue further, but there would be many opportunities in the future. For now, he could be satisfied with having suppressed the promotion evaluation team with his momentum and having secured a good score in the medical field.

“Yes. Since it was a misunderstanding, I won’t make an issue of it any further. People can make mistakes in life.”

Gordon, letting out a long sigh, led the evaluation team out of the medical office in a hurry. He strictly instructed the other evaluators to avoid mentioning the scores to reporters or WBS [World Broadcasting Station] broadcasting station PDs [Producers]. He knew that the situation in the medical office was due to Alfred answering the PD’s questions so readily.

However, this was a clear mistake. Melvin had been isolated during the discussion time. This gap was a golden opportunity for Beom-seok.

“Mr. Melvin, what is your dream?”

At his absurd question, Melvin gave an awkward look. It wasn’t a job interview, and he never expected to receive such a question from someone he had just met.

“Well, why are you asking that?”

“What? Is there a reason? I’m just trying to have a conversation because I’m bored. Why? Is it difficult for you to tell me?”

“No, it’s not that. There’s nothing special about it.”

“Then, please tell me.”

He nodded meaninglessly and quietly said his wish.

“Well, what else would an office worker want? To work in a stable job with a high salary, be recognized for my abilities, sit in a high position, and buy a favorite elf with the money I’ve saved to live a comfortable life.”

Beom-seok chuckled at the unexpected, simple dream. This was a wish that the Black Society could easily fulfill.

“Huhu. Is that so? It doesn’t seem like that now?”

“Well, I don’t know. I don’t have any particularly powerful factions backing me, so it seems difficult to get ahead. And my salary isn’t that high, so buying an elf is also a distant dream. To be honest, I want to find another job, but the economic conditions make that difficult too…”

“Ah, is that so? Ah, please follow me here for a moment.”

Beom-seok quickly opened the door to the nearby audiovisual room and forcibly dragged him inside.

Dark inside with thick curtains drawn over the window. Melvin was embarrassed when he locked the door.

“What is this?”

“Shh. Be quiet. From now on, what I say must never reach the ears of others. This is all for the good of both Mr. Melvin and me, so please listen quietly.”

Melvin, who had been seriously stiff, calmed down his expression in an instant. Judging by the atmosphere, he thought it wouldn’t be harmful to him.

“Hmph, fine. I’ll listen to what you have to say. Speak.”

“Yes. Thank you for understanding. In fact, our team is set to fail in this promotion review.”

“Why? Didn’t you meet the promotion requirements?”

“No. We have definitely met the promotion requirements.”

Melvin tilted his head. Even though he was just doing accounting work, he had been rolling around in the Avand Pro Gladiator Association for several years. He knew that if you met the promotion requirements, everyone would get the right to advance to the upper league.

“That can’t be. Until now, all teams that have met the promotion requirements have obtained the right to advance to the upper league. Aren’t you mistaken about something?”

“Yes. I know that’s the usual practice. But this time, the situation is completely different. A powerful faction with hostility towards our team is persuading other factions to play tricks. The conflict in the medical office a little while ago happened in that context.”

Well, there was something like that. It was strange how a guy named Alfred was trying to cut down the Gods Knights team, which had expensive medical equipment, and it didn’t make sense that Beom-seok was strongly clashing with the Avand Area Pro Gladiator Association, which oversees this area league.

It seemed certain that there could be such underlying friction.

“Yes. So, what do you want to say to me?”

“To put it simply, I’m asking you to keep your conscience. I’m saying that I hope you won’t be swayed by other factions and give honest scores.”

Melvin made a very reluctant expression. Seeing that the promotion evaluation team was trying to drop the Gods Knights while breaking the existing practices, it seemed certain that this incident involved very significant interests. If he, who had no faction, rashly stepped out, he could be ostracized from the organization.

“Well, I don’t know. You may or may not know, but I’m just an ordinary accountant who can’t use any power within the association. If I’m disliked by other factions, I can be cut off immediately. I’m really sorry about this.”

Beom-seok held out a piece of paper he was holding in his hand. He had already guessed that he would show this reaction.

“Please take this paper.”

“What is this?”

“It’s the secret contact number of someone I know. Please contact them once.”

“Who is this person?”

“It’s Chairman Lucas, the CEO of Windhouse.”

Melvin also knew Lucas, the chairman of Windhouse. The coffee shops and hamburger restaurants that are always noticeable in downtown areas were businesses owned by him. Rumor has it that he is also a member of the Black Society, which has a large influence in the political and economic circles around the world.

“Ah, no. Really?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“But why give me this person’s phone number…?”

“It means that you should contact them once before scoring. And for Mr. Melvin’s future, and for the sake of conscience, please judge what is the right decision.”

Melvin’s hand, which received the note, trembled severely, perhaps because he was nervous. Even if he had no sense, he could tell that this promotion evaluation was not simply an intention to ostracize a gladiator team that was out of sight. If that were the case, the phone number of such a big shot would not have come into his hands.

“Beom-seok. What is this incident all about?”

“I can’t tell you the details, but you can think of it as an extension of the fight between giant forces in the political, economic, and media fields.”

“Is that so? Then, am I accidentally caught up in that fight?”

“Huhu. Yes. You’re not just caught up, you’re right in the center.”

Melvin made a serious expression and asked again.

“What happens if I refuse this offer?”

“Your face will be plastered all over the WBS [World Broadcasting Station] broadcasting station’s current affairs program. It will say that you dropped a good pro-advancing team with malicious evaluations. The main purpose of WBS broadcasting station coming here is to monitor the promotion evaluation team, including Mr. Melvin.”

“Then, is that WBS broadcasting station one of Beom-seok’s backgrounds?”

“Yes. You can definitely say that.”

At that, Melvin turned pale. He felt that something was wrong because even such a large broadcasting company was involved.

“If I score with my conscience?”

“The process will be a bit difficult, but if you endure it, you will have a strong background. It’s like turning your life around.”

After thinking for a while, Melvin nodded. It was an opportunity to keep his conscience and gain a background that would be of great help in his life. He would be a fool to refuse here.

“Okay. I’ll think about it carefully and make a decision in a good direction.”

Beom-seok, with a bright expression at the positive answer, offered a handshake. With Melvin’s persuasion, the possibility of promotion became even greater.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely ask for your help.”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

After shaking hands, they secretly separated and went up to the second floor, where the next evaluation was taking place. In case, they shouldn’t let the promotion evaluation team notice that they had colluded with each other.

Beom-seok stopped by the bathroom to wash his hands and then stopped by the office. This evaluation order was to check the coaching and other support personnel, which was the field he was most unsure of. It didn’t matter because he had some office staff and other support personnel, but there was a problem with the coaching part. He had barely met the number, and most of them were also working as active gladiators except for the director, Diana, so he couldn’t help but worry. Of course, he urgently recruited coaching staff, but he hadn’t even had an interview because of the short period of three days.

However, when he arrived, the story was different. An unexpected collaborator was desperately helping him.

“Why! Can’t you answer the PD’s [Producer’s] questions! You’re not trying to give a low score this time, are you!”

“N-No, that’s not it. The promotion evaluation work is confidential, so it’s not something that can be exposed to the media until the day of the announcement.”

“What are you talking about! You clearly stated it in the medical office earlier!”

“Well, Alfred made a mistake at that time. And he didn’t exactly say what score to give.”

Gloria, biting her lip, glared at Gordon.

“Then, please give me at least a rough explanation of what the score will be this time. I am also a member of the evaluation team and an external person with the duty to audit you. I think I have enough qualifications to listen.”

“W-Well, that’s a bit…”

Gordon, with a bewildered expression, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief in his hand. He had looked at the data and judged that he could definitely cut the score this time, but Gloria was completely scattering ashes. The cause was the women gathered in this place. All the office workers were women, and the acting head was a woman named Esther. Moreover, even for cleaning staff and nutritionists, there were no men at all.

When they desperately refused the persistent questions of a PD [Producer], she started to get angry. She was misunderstanding this evaluation work as a discriminatory act against women in connection with the medical office incident.

“Why? Can’t you tell me? I guess my thoughts are right.”

“A-No. There is absolutely no such thing.”

“Then why are you hiding it from me? I’m also a stakeholder in today’s promotion evaluation.”

Gordon let out a long sigh. To be honest, he wanted to lay it all out and ask for understanding, but it was impossible due to the circumstances. If the content that one innocent promotion team was dropped due to collusion between factions was known to the outside, the pro-gladiator world would be swept up in an unprecedented situation. Of course, he couldn’t open his mouth to outsiders.

He resented Ross for insisting on inviting Gloria. Thanks to that, they were about to become schemers who were forcibly depriving promotion qualifications with a discriminatory mindset against women. He was dizzy at the thought of today’s content coming out in WBS [World Broadcasting Station] broadcasting and local media, and women’s rights groups holding pickets and forming a long line in front of the Avand Pro Gladiator Association.

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

The government of this world is divided into federal government, central government, metropolitan government, and local government.

The first federal government is a huge government that encompasses the entire world and there is only one. In Korea, it can be said to be a union of the executive branch and the National Assembly. It adopts a parliamentary cabinet system.

The second central government is the eight divided administrative departments under the federal government. If you have to compare it to Korea, it would be the provincial government. However, in terms of population and land area, it far exceeds China, so it cannot be ignored.

The third is the metropolitan government. There are 8 divided administrative departments under the central government. There are about 64 in the world, and the area is about 12 times that of Korea, and the population is about four times.

The fourth is the local government. There are 8 places in the minimum government, one Wide League. The area is about 1.5 times that of Korea and the population is about half. There are 512 locations around the world.

So what are we going to do tomorrow? Anyway, I’ll write it down when it’s decided. Then everyone have a comfortable day. I’ll see you again tomorrow.