Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Big Mouth's Dilemma
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Big Mouth's dilemma wasn't brief.
He remained silent for a long while, showing utmost caution.
Time enough to melt the ice passed, but Soo-hyuk felt no impatience whatsoever.
A long deliberation was a good sign. If he thought the offer absurd, he would have rejected it outright. Soo-hyuk could only leave it to Big Mouth's conscience. If Big Mouth deceived him with his information network, Soo-hyuk had no countermeasure.
Of course, if it came to light, the exclusive interview rights would fall apart too.
'He's cautious.'
Slurp-.
Big Mouth slurped down the water from the fully melted ice.
Soon, he gave his answer in a resolute voice.
"Alright."
But then he cupped his face with his hands and sighed.
"Ah, is this the right call...?"
"You've thought it through well."
"Hearing you say that just makes me more uneasy."
Big Mouth waved his hand playfully.
Thus, an invisible bridge formed between the two. But Soo-hyuk knew.
This bridge was still flimsy, liable to collapse at any moment. Their current relationship was purely one of mutual necessity, destined to end the moment that need vanished.
"Now, all I can do is hope that streamer Lee Soo-hyuk really flips the top upside down."
"It'll happen someday."
"Not right away, though, right?"
Big Mouth tossed it out as a joke, but Soo-hyuk took it seriously.
"I can at least give you one juicy story."
"Right now?"
"Tomorrow, probably."
Tomorrow was the day of the Grand Clash. Big Mouth instinctively sensed that Soo-hyuk was planning something big.
"Mind giving me a heads-up on what it is?"
"It's a secret."
"Shame. But the first interview afterward is mine, obviously?"
"Naturally."
At Soo-hyuk's firm confirmation, Big Mouth grinned widely.
Even in the qualifiers alone, Lee Soo-hyuk had caused a massive stir in the Grand Clash. No participant had ever achieved a thousand kills solo before.
"Speaking of which, how about a quick interview on the qualifiers?"
Curiosity piqued, Big Mouth adjusted his posture and pulled out a pen.
Just as the interview was about to begin, Soo-hyuk spoke up.
"Before that, I have a few questions."
"Oh, your turn first?"
Big Mouth nodded.
"Ask away."
This was the first question in their deal born of mutual need. Whatever it was, Big Mouth intended to answer.
However.
"Do you know anything about Lee Soo-hyuk's death being connected to the Grand Clash?"
The question was far from casual.
"......"
Big Mouth fell silent for a moment. It wasn't a lack of an answer—it was shock.
Seeing Big Mouth's reaction, Soo-hyuk was certain he'd come to the right place.
"...Aren't your ears going deaf? That's why you needed me."
"It was expensive."
"If it was pricey... Dark Map? Why?"
"I'm searching for the truth of that day."
"We prepared a lot too."
"We thought this was the only way to catch you. But damn, the others weren't pushovers either. It was tougher than expected."
Kim Il-su never answered Soo-hyuk's question of why he'd done it, right up to the end.
The betrayal might stem from simple greed, but Soo-hyuk sensed something more.
This was his second life granted in reality. If there were trials to face staking this life, there were three.
Seeking revenge. Reuniting with his surviving comrades.
And uncovering why that catastrophe had to unfold on the day the Blue Eyes legend ended.
"There've always been rumors like that. Conspiracy theories claiming Lee Soo-hyuk's death was planned. Or maybe a hidden truth."
On the day Soo-hyuk died, many players had been present.
They were elites from various guilds, and no matter how much control was exerted, not every mouth could be silenced.
"Kim Il-su was always the top suspect. Though that faded a lot after the Hwang Gyu-seong incident recently."
"So, what's the truth?"
"I don't know."
Big Mouth shook his head.
"Plenty of people know the truth of that day. Everyone who attempted the Hydra raid does. You'd be better off tracking them down."
It wasn't particularly insightful.
Soo-hyuk already knew the truth of that day. What he sought now was the link between that incident and the Grand Clash.
The answer Soo-hyuk wanted came a bit later.
"Still, there's one solid connection to the Grand Clash."
"Something solid?"
"Obvious, isn't it? Whoever monopolizes the wins makes enemies of everyone else."
At some point, Soo-hyuk and Blue Eyes had dominated the victories. For about a decade after Soo-hyuk defeated the Heavenly Demon, the Grand Clash had been their stage.
Was that really the issue? Soo-hyuk's expression twisted beneath his mask.
"There are probably all sorts of vested interests. The Grand Clash looks like a festival, but lives are on the line based on rankings. Or maybe there's some far more critical reason we small fries wouldn't know."
"So you don't know anything beyond that?"
"Right. Probably the same on Dark Map. That's where I got the info."
Big Mouth seemed connected to Dark Map too. Disclosing the source left no room for doubt.
Besides, if it truly came from Dark Map, the information wouldn't have been cheap.
Thanks to this, Soo-hyuk saved quite a few points.
"Thanks. Guess I don't need to visit Dark Map after all."
"No problem."
Big Mouth didn't pry into why Soo-hyuk sought that day's truth.
But from the question, he was convinced: his investment wouldn't fail.
The man before him would surely unleash massive waves in this tower.
Afterward, Soo-hyuk had a lengthy interview with Big Mouth.
"With skills like that, you were guaranteed main draw entry without pushing so hard. Was your qualifier performance all for the mission?"
"How'd you meet Cha Min-woo? How do you rate his skills?"
"What's the secret to climbing the tower so fast in such a short time?"
Well-prepared, Big Mouth fired off questions relentlessly.
Soo-hyuk's answers were straightforward each time.
"Yes. If there's a mission, you clear it."
"Cha Min-woo approached me first. Said he was a fan. He's pretty good."
"Secret? ...It just worked."
His responses might seem half-hearted at times. But Big Mouth found Soo-hyuk's interview answers entertaining.
'Clear character.'
Looking at the notes he'd jotted down, Lee Soo-hyuk's streamer persona stood out vividly.
He was a massive hexagon of a character. From the start, Lee Soo-hyuk possessed talents incomparable to ordinary players.
The seemingly curt answers stemmed from an inability to articulate his innate gifts.
Even his lukewarm praise for the "pretty good" Cha Min-woo was likely genuine in his eyes.
After a few more questions, Big Mouth closed his notebook.
"Alright, that's it for today."
"Good work."
"You've earned it, Soo-hyuk. Call anytime you need something."
As Big Mouth rose to leave, he added belatedly.
"Oh, and Murim and Blue Zone won't be in this Grand Clash."
Those two were prime contenders alongside Panthera.
Such heavyweights sitting it out was unexpected, prompting Soo-hyuk to ask.
"Why not?"
"Probably because of the Heavenly Demon."
"Heavenly Demon?"
"This is under embargo still."
Big Mouth leaned in close, whispering as if it were top secret.
"Murim and Blue Zone got utterly crushed by the Heavenly Demon."
"Crushed?"
"Shh. Keep it down. Whoa, whoa."
Soo-hyuk hadn't spoken loudly, but Big Mouth fussed anyway.
He glanced around furtively before whispering even softer.
"Not sure if this ties to the Heavenly Demon joining the Grand Clash after years away. As you know, getting an interview with him is impossible."
Soo-hyuk knew the Heavenly Demon was entering the Grand Clash after years.
Players channels had erupted, and talk of the Heavenly Demon was everywhere.
'Not because of me?'
No one knew why he'd returned after so long.
Soo-hyuk had vaguely thought it was him, but maybe not.
'Then I won't meet Kim Il-su...'
That dulled much of his reason for joining.
'Them too.'
Soo-hyuk had two reasons for entering this Grand Clash.
First, the slim chance of uncovering clues about Kim Il-su's betrayal here. Low odds, but possible.
The decisive reason was second.
The Grand Clash offered the highest chance of Si-woo or Ye-ryeong appearing. But if Kim Il-su skipped it, they likely would too.
"Thanks for the info."
"No big deal."
As if by agreement, both rose simultaneously. Cheongryang, dozing off nearby with nothing to do, gave a late greeting.
"Oh, leaving?"
"Yeah, next schedule."
The Grand Clash was prime time for streamers and reporters like Big Mouth chasing scoops.
He probably had dozens of rankers lined up today alone.
Big Mouth bid farewell to Soo-hyuk and Cheongryang. Once outside the cafe, he made a call.
-Did you meet him?
Hawk's Eye's voice came through the kit's comms. Anything involving Lee Soo-hyuk piqued his interest.
"Yes. Met him."
-How was it? Impressions?
"I had high expectations, honestly..."
Big Mouth's lips curved up.
"But he exceeded them."
-Right?
Meeting Lee Soo-hyuk was electrifying.
His aura, presence, every word—clearly distinct from other rankers.
For the first time in ages, Big Mouth's heart raced hot.
Not clickbait stories, but genuine events that gripped the soul unfolded before his eyes.
"Glad I met him."
Lee Soo-hyuk.
He'd said it plainly with his own mouth.
That he'd change this tower.
"Every step he takes from here will be thrilling."
That day, Big Mouth's day felt far longer than usual.
Anticipation for tomorrow kept his heart from settling.
Time flowed as always. All Grand Clash participants gazed at the same sky, awaiting the next day.
And the first day of the Grand Clash dawned.