Perfect World [EN]: Chapter 89

90

Having secured a main sponsor and equipment sponsors, Beom-seok set out to find additional sub-sponsors. These were companies and public organizations willing to pay for advertisement boards in the stadium and sponsor listings on the team’s homepage. The individual amounts were small, but collectively they added up to a considerable sum.

He managed to secure 1.5 million Krang [currency in this world] from Lima City, 1.2 million Krang from Wilkins Bank, 1.8 million Krang from the Avon Regional Government, 1.05 million Krang from the Deloy Metropolitan Government, 400,000 Krang from Zeus Construction, 550,000 Krang from Abaham Foods, 1.4 million Krang from Chaplin Electronics, and 1.2 million Krang from Chaplin Shipbuilding. Crucially, Gloria’s Rainbow Corporation allocated a whopping 5 million Krang. Thus, Beom-seok’s income from sub-sponsors this year was 14.1 million Krang. Adding the 6 million Krang promotion subsidy, the total funds available to the Gods Knights amounted to 170.56 million Krang.

Beom-seok first allocated some of this money to rent the Lima City Colosseum. The total cost for 19 home games during the regular season was 13.3 million Krang, and it was uncertain how much more would be needed when including the GA Cup [a tournament] and League Cup [another tournament]. It was a considerable sum and painful to spend, but he had to sign the contract with tears in his eyes because he couldn’t play the season games without a stadium. No wonder Lima City readily paid the sponsor fee of 1.5 million Krang.

In July, the Gods Knights entered the full-fledged practice match season. Out of a total of seven matches, three had to be played at home, resulting in another 2.1 million Krang going out as stadium rental fees.

However, as much as costs went out, that much profit came back in. The Gods Knights earned considerable income from season ticket sales and team emblem product sales. General season tickets, allowing access to all 19 games, were sold for 1,800 Krang each, totaling 14,000 tickets, and premium season tickets were sold for 3,500 Krang each, totaling 500 tickets. In total, the revenue from season ticket sales amounted to 26.95 million Krang. Team emblem product sales were also strong, generating 10.92 million Krang in revenue. With an additional income of 37.87 million Krang, Beom-seok increased his holdings to 193.03 million Krang.

Now, Beom-seok was preparing for the transfer season starting in July with this huge sum. Of course, he couldn’t use it all, considering the gladiators’ and staff’s annual salaries and other team operating expenses, but it seemed possible to purchase a reasonably good gladiator.

Morningside. Gods Knights training ground conference room. Beom-seok and some team staff and personnel gathered for a heated discussion. It was to determine the team’s operating strategy and gladiator trade plans for the upcoming season.

The first to speak was Chairman Beom-seok.

“Currently, we have a total of 193.03 million Krang. First, I want to calculate the maximum trade budget we can work with from these funds. Esther, how much do we need for team operating funds for the next year?”

Esther, standing directly to Beom-seok’s right, began reading the items at the top of the electronic document.

“First, the gladiators’ salaries require a total of 11.88 million Krang.”

“Really? Wasn’t it originally 18 million Krang?”

“Yes, that’s correct according to the contract. However, we provided a year’s salary in advance as a contract fee. So, we’re dividing two years’ worth of salary by three years, which is why this amount is coming out.”

He knew this well because he had been directly involved before.

“That’s right. Then, what about their welfare expenses?”

“Including lunch allowances, transportation expenses, and improvement expenses, we expect it to cost about 3 million Krang more. This will be much higher when including match-by-match appearance fees and point bonuses.”

Beom-seok was about to look at Diana, who was sitting on the left, but stopped. The appearance fees and point bonus portions largely depended on what kind of results the team was aiming for this season. Naturally, it could only be decided after discussions with the coach. However, this was something to be discussed later, so there was no need to mention it now.

“Hmm. I see. How much does it cost for other support personnel?”

“Including the salaries of the staff and existing personnel, and the six new coaches hired this time, it costs a total of approximately 6.5 million Krang per year, and other welfare expenses such as food and housing provision cost 1.5 million Krang. So, we expect a total of 8 million Krang for other personnel expenses.”

That meant that the total personnel expenses for this year would be at least 22.88 million Krang. Beom-seok couldn’t help but feel a little bitter because a considerable amount of money was being spent.

“Then, what about other miscellaneous expenses?”

“Event expenses are the most significant. We have to distribute prizes to fans through event raffles at every game, so the cost is not insignificant.”

“About how much does that cost?”

“Well, based on the average area league, it costs about 300,000 Krang every time a home game is held. Since we have to play 19 games, it will cost about 5.7 million Krang.”

Beom-seok ran a hand over his face. 5.7 million Krang was the amount to recruit a Raymi-class gladiator [a measure of gladiator quality].

“That’s quite a lot.”

“It can’t be helped. We have to invest this much money in terms of fan service.”

“Then, what about other expenses?”

“We are estimating 5 million Krang for electricity, water, and training ground maintenance, etc.”

“That means it costs 12.7 million Krang in total.”

“Yes. And in addition, we have to pay a total of 8.66 million Krang in taxes on past income.”

Beom-seok let out a deep groan. The funds required so far amounted to 42.24 million Krang. Including the stadium usage fee, it was close to 60 million Krang. He now understood why the Professional Association required promotion teams to have a reserve of 100 million Krang. Only by possessing this amount of funds could a professional team be operated.

‘Then, 150.79 million Krang is left. No, since the one-room I used to live in was sold for 1.5 million Krang, it’s a total of 152.29 million Krang.’

He was now paying attention to even trivial matters. That’s how much money was being spent.

‘But what about next year?’

This year, he had managed to secure some profit thanks to the main sponsor and equipment sponsor fees. The problem was that both were received under 2-year and 4-year contracts, so he couldn’t expect such funds next year. Clearly, measures needed to be taken to address this.

He looked at Esther and spoke again.

“Esther, is there anything else that generated income this year?”

“Hmm. There are quite a few if you look for them.”

“How so?”

“First, we can maximize the income from team emblem product sales. Frankly, our team is a new team, so the income from this was very small. If we achieve results that satisfy the fans, many more products will be sold, and we expect income from this. And as fans’ interest increases, we’ll get more sponsors.”

Beom-seok looked at Diana. The baton of conversation had now passed to her. Predicting and deciding the team’s performance was the team coach’s unique authority and duty.

“Diana, what is the expected team performance for this year?”

Diana answered immediately without hesitation.

“First, we need to decide on the direction the team will take this year. Whether to focus on escaping relegation, aim for mid-table, or challenge for the championship and aim for the promotion tournament to the Wide League [a higher league].”

“Really? What do you think?”

“In my estimation, mid-to-upper table is the best we can do. The starters are strong, but there are too few reliable substitutes.”

Beom-seok nodded as if he understood. Currently, the only useful forces in the Gods Knights team were some of his elves, Hera, Hina, Chiria, Mirli, and the newly joined Sylvia and Lilith. With just these, it was impossible to expect excellent results this season.

“So, the goal is to enter the mid-to-upper ranks?”

“That’s what I’m thinking for now, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to lower the goal a bit.”

“Why? If the league performance is good, the fans’ response will increase, so the income will increase accordingly, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. But we can find income in other places as well.”

Income was the basis for team development. Beom-seok’s eyes lit up with interest.

“How do you plan to increase income?”

“By achieving good results in the FA Cup [a tournament] and League Cup [another tournament]. These matches are not covered by season tickets, so fans have to pay an admission fee of 150 Krang to watch. In other words, if 20,000 spectators come to each home game, an additional income of 3 million Krang will be generated. In addition, the tournament prize money given by the association is enormous.”

Indeed, Beom-seok’s tournament prize money from the 4th to 6th matches of last year’s GA Cup was 4.35 million Krang. If he played just two home games, an additional 6 million Krang would come in, so he thought that if he did well, he could earn a high income.

“Hmm. I see. But if we focus on the GA Cup and League Cup, the season performance won’t be good, won’t the fans be disappointed?”

“Yes. That’s right. That’s why we need to add some strategy.”

“How?”

“We should field the starters in the home games that our fans mainly attend and make sure to win, and send substitutes and second-string players to away games.”

Beom-seok, who roughly understood the intention, summarized it in one word.

“In other words, you’re saying we should give up on away games?”

“Yes. Fans are less interested in away games.”

“But if we give up on all away games, won’t the season performance be too bad? If we’re unlucky, we could be relegated.”

“No. With the Gods Knights’ strength, we can avoid relegation if we put our minds to it. I think we can get enough 40 points from 19 home games.”

The reason why Diana particularly emphasized 40 points was that if they obtained this many points, the possibility of being relegated would drop to less than 10%. In any league, teams that get 40 points and are relegated happen only once every 10 years. Especially since the Avon Area League has an even greater difference in power between the top and bottom teams, the possibility was even lower.

“But what if we can’t get that kind of result?”

“Then we’ll give up everything and have to play with all our strength in away games after the winter break season. And I don’t think it’s possible for our strength to go beyond the 9th match of the GA Cup. Naturally, we’ll have more leeway after that, so we can focus on the season games that much more.”

After the 9th match, Wide League teams would participate in the GA Cup, so it would be too much for the Gods Knights. It was certainly difficult to rise above that. Then, from late autumn, they could be more faithful to the league games, so the points would naturally increase.

“I see. Then, all we have to do is quell the fans’ complaints due to poor performance.”

“That can also be easily resolved. Frankly, we can tell our fans about our strategy and ask for their understanding.”

Beom-seok tilted his head and said.

“Hmm. Well. Do you think they’ll understand if we ask for their understanding?”

“If we present a big goal at the same time as asking for understanding, they will. In other words, we can reveal our ambition to finish 2nd in the league next season and advance to the promotion tournament to the Wide League. So, if we say that we had no choice but to adopt this strategy this year to raise funds for gladiator recruitment, they will understand.”

Certainly, if that goal was possible, the fans would fully understand and have plenty left over. If the team they were cheering for went up to the upper league, it would be a truly rewarding thing for the fans.

“But is it possible?”

“Yes. If we can somehow get more than five usable forces by next winter, it’s not impossible. Since the substitute forces going out to the game will be much stronger, the number of rounds the starters have to handle will also decrease. And with the expansion of training facilities and the recruitment of six coaches due to the main sponsor contract with the Zeus Group this time, Oscar, Venus, Raymei, Matilda, and Emma will grow a lot. Naturally, our team’s strength will also increase accordingly, so I think it’s a worthwhile attempt.”

Certainly, if the substitutes going out to the game were strong, the starters would be more comfortable. If a substitute added 1 win, the starter could end the game with just 2 wins. And if the talented gladiators that Beom-seok had were to grow, that would also help. If these conditions were well harmonized, it was worth aiming for advancement to the Wide League next season.

‘Then, all that’s left is to recruit usable gladiators. The problem is money.’

The funds he could currently use were 152.29 million Krang. It was a considerable amount of money, but the problem was that he couldn’t use all of this money for transfer funds. He had to set aside money for any possible contingencies, and he needed funds to comfort Jeremia.

Jeremia was an elf gladiator belonging to the current Red Hyena team, who was temporarily loaned to the Great Hyena team, and was persuaded by him, who promised to become her owner, and made great contributions to the promotion of the Gods Knights team. However, the problem was that if she was disappointed and betrayed, there would be no countermeasures. The moment she revealed the past to the media and the Professional Gladiator Association, the Gods Knights would be finished.

He had to show her that he was putting in effort to become her owner and comfort her, and he had to have about 100 million Krang in his account for this.

Beom-seok looked at Erfina, who was sitting at the front of the round table. She was a current gladiator, but she was also the team’s only scout.

“Erfina. Is there any way to cheaply acquire a gladiator with potential and who can be put into the game right away?”

Erfina immediately began explaining what she knew.

“First of all, an elf with mental problems could be the target. No matter how talented they are, if they cause trouble often, their price will drop. And another way is to recruit gladiators from teams that were relegated this year. Teams that have fallen from the upper league have no choice but to sell many gladiators due to rapidly deteriorating financial conditions. If we take advantage of this opportunity, we can buy talented and capable gladiators cheaply.”

It was a natural story, so Beom-seok agreed without adding a word.

“Then, who would be a suitable person?”

She changed the menu screen displayed on her electronic notebook, read the contents at a glance, and said.

“It’s Violet of the Beautiful Harpy team. The Beautiful Harpy team fell from the Highren Central League to the Wide League this year, and they have a lot of debt within the team, so they are even being urged to repay by the bank. They urgently need funds, so I think we can recruit her if the amount is right to some extent.”

Violet of the Beautiful Harpy team was an elf gladiator who had previously received an offer of 6 million Krang and was immediately rejected. After all, she was a gladiator who was capable of playing in the Area League right away and had a growth potential of over 900, so it was unreasonable to think that she could be recruited with that money. However, now that he had more funds than before and the Beautiful Harpy team was in financial difficulties, it was worth trying.

“Good. Then, Erfina. Discuss it with Diana and try to promote the recruitment once. And look for other gladiators in case the recruitment fails.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Beom-seok, who heard the answer, immediately got up from his seat. It was almost time for physical training. The biggest weakness of the Gods Knights was that his stamina and strength stats were low. If he could overcome this, the team’s strength would increase significantly, so it was necessary to train steadily.

Afterwards, all the meeting participants left the conference room for their respective tasks.

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

Today’s explanation is about the promotion system. It can be said to be the most difficult setting part in this game.

As I mentioned before, the numerical difference between the upper and lower leagues is 8 times. Of course, it is impossible to adopt the European promotion and relegation system as it is. So I came up with a new one, but it was quite difficult. Hahaha.

Then, let’s say that there are Area Leagues A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H under the (tentative) Wide League. And let’s say that the league games are over and teams a, b, and c are relegated from the (tentative) Wide League. But……..

Team a is based in a city in the A Area League.

Team b is based in a city in the B Area League.

Team c is also based in a city in the B Area League.

Let’s assume that there is such a setting. Then team a is relegated to the A Area League. Teams b and c are relegated to the B Area League.

Then, let’s find out the situation of the first A Area League. Since one team has fallen from the upper league, even if three teams fall to the lower league, the amateur league, there will be a total of 18 teams. At this time, there are only 2 teams that can be promoted from the amateur league that year.

Then, let’s find out the situation of the second B Area League. Since two teams have fallen from the upper league, even if three teams fall to the lower league, the amateur league, there will be a total of 19 teams. At this time, there is only 1 team that can be promoted from the amateur league that year.

Then, the situation of the third C, D, E, F, G, H. No upper league team has been relegated here. Therefore, 3 teams can be promoted from the amateur league that year.

Is it easy so far? However, it has been twisted once more here. That’s because 3 teams from the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H Area Leagues go up to the upper league, the (tentative) Wide League, through the promotion tournament that year.

The promotion tournament that is held at this time is played by 16 teams, the 1st and 2nd place teams from each league.

First of all, let’s say that the winning and runner-up teams of the C Area League were all promoted to the Wide League by chance. Then, if you add the three teams that were relegated to the Area League, there are only 15 teams left in the league. What should we do at this time? Immediately, 5 teams from the amateur team go up to the C Area League to fill 20 teams.

Also, let’s say that one team from the A Area League happened to go up to the (tentative) Wide League. Then, with the relegated team a, there will be 17 teams remaining in the league. Then 3 teams will rise from the amateur league to fill 20 teams.

Do you understand now? If you still don’t understand, just read it. This situation will be mentioned as the promotion continues, so you will be able to understand it someday.