Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Omar Schneider
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Omar Schneider.
He was a named player whose name was known even among players excluding the rankers—a rare occurrence.
Just the 3rd floor. Yet Schneider's name had spread because of his eccentric obsession.
Ten years.
An astonishing ten years. For a talented player, that's enough time to surpass the 3rd floor and reach the 5th or even 6th.
Schneider had remained on the 3rd floor for that entire long period.
He had fulfilled all the conditions to advance to the next floor long ago. Except for one thing.
His sheer determination to conquer the Thunder Cave.
"We'll finally meet him tomorrow."
Across from Omar Schneider sat Don Chao, a fellow traveler in the carriage, grinning slyly.
"That arrogant bastard."
"Tell me about it. Conquering the Thunder Cave all by himself. And on his first try, no less. It's ridiculous."
The player chiming in from the side was from Blue Zone. He had joined Schneider and Don Chao on several Thunder Cave raids.
The Thunder Cave raid team. Their biggest recent topic was, of course, Lee Soo-hyuk's solo broadcast a few days ago.
"No, it's because I'm challenging it solo."
Declaring he would conquer the Thunder Cave alone.
If anyone had the right to be furious at that bombshell statement, it was Schneider.
"Right, Team Leader?"
"That guy doesn't even know what the Thunder Cave is and that's why he spouts nonsense like that. Don't let it get to you, Team Leader."
But surprisingly.
"I'm not bothered."
Schneider, who they thought would be the most enraged, seemed utterly unfazed, just like always.
"He has the right to be arrogant."
His jewel-like blue-glowing eyes. His neatly groomed beard, as if drawn by an artist. His perfectly chiseled features.
Common opinion held that Schneider's looks contributed to his fame as much as anything.
"No matter how short his career, he's the new owner of Lightning. Exactly what we've been yearning for."
"That's true, but Team Leader. Isn't he getting too cocky?"
"Yeah. He got Lightning and now thinks he's the real Lee Soo-hyuk or something. Otherwise..."
"Enough."
Schneider shook his head at his team members' complaints.
"What we should feel toward him right now isn't envy or jealousy. Dismissing him or belittling his achievements is even less appropriate."
"So, you're saying we should respect him or something?"
"If necessary. Don't you agree?"
With that, Schneider turned his head toward the carriage window. It meant there was nothing more to discuss.
His colleagues clicked their tongues at Schneider's words and demeanor.
'Our Team Leader...'
'His pride's taken a huge hit.'
They could tell, even if he said otherwise. They had been with him for years, pouring effort into the Thunder Cave.
His pride was wounded. Deeply.
Not because Lee Soo-hyuk had obtained Lightning. What stung Schneider's pride was that Lee Soo-hyuk had uttered the words "Thunder Cave" on his stream.
Schneider's lifelong goal and obsession.
The moment those words left Lee Soo-hyuk's mouth, Schneider had begun counting down the days to this tournament.
'This is bad. That Lee Soo-hyuk guy.'
Don Chao glanced at Schneider sharpening his blade inwardly while staring out the window.
'Not only the Thunder Cave... but how did he dare speak of this monster?'
'Omar Schneider...'
Back at his lodging, Soo-hyuk removed his mask and mulled over Unhyang's words.
"Schneider's probably sharpening his knives. Your declaration on stream to solo the Thunder Cave denies and mocks his ten years of effort."
He hadn't intended that at all. Soo-hyuk hadn't even known Schneider existed.
But it had sparked his interest in this Omar Schneider fellow.
"What an interesting pervert."
Gathering info on Schneider was easy.
No need to search his Kit; Unhyang had already prepared it.
"I figured you'd be curious. Here."
She was working harder as a manager than expected. She handed him a file succinctly summarizing Schneider's info.
Flip.
'He made his mark about five years ago. Joined Blue Zone around then, too.'
The first article on Schneider was from five years back.
[Late Bloomer Player Takes Center Stage in Thunder Cave Conquest.]
Late bloomer.
Nice words. But not a flattering label.
'Means he's an effort type, ultimately.'
To players, talent was everything. Few broke talent's limits; most vanished nameless, like grains of sand in a desert.
But among them, a tiny few.
Overcame their limits and became known as "late bloomers," like in this article.
'He surpassed his limits.'
[Omar Schneider Reaches the End of the Thunder Cave. One Step Away?]
At minimum, he was unmatched on the 3rd floor.
His obsession to conquer the Thunder Cave. And the bloody effort to achieve it.
Even Players channel's odds were 1.4—the lowest.
Meaning most bet on Schneider to win.
'No wonder they held this tournament with such confidence.'
There was reason they offered Blue Eyes' relic as prize.
They were certain.
A Blue Zone player. Omar Schneider.
He would surely win this tournament, and the prize would return to them.
"Interesting, Il-su."
Would it really turn out that way?
If they truly believed so, Soo-hyuk wanted to ask.
Even after I returned?
The bustling streets of the 3rd floor.
Thanks to Blue Zone's tournament, the area was far more crowded than usual.
Countless players filled the streets—not just participants, but friends and mere spectators.
And where players gathered, commerce naturally followed.
"This one's in rough shape... Good item, but you over-hunted it."
Hephaestus's Emporium.
The shop, grandly named after the god, dealt in everything.
Items bought here were resold at markup to needy players or sent to forges.
"Let's see... About 1,500 points."
"What? That's all?"
"Can't go higher. Try elsewhere. Doubt you'll get more."
Emporium owner Gullok scratched his ear as he spoke.
"Not happy? Can't help it. Tough sell here."
"No, no. I'll sell."
Gullok smirked inwardly but paid nonchalantly. The hide was from a red troll.
'Scored big. Red troll hide self-repairs after tanning. Lots don't know that since it's "dead."'
Triple the profit easy. Gullok cheered silently and greeted the next customer.
"Welcome..."
Gullok's eyes widened mid-sentence.
Not because of the familiar mask. He'd seen similar recently.
As a merchant, what shocked him was the monster byproduct the customer brought.
"How much for this?"
Smooth, gleaming blue scales.
From a sky serpent—a rare monster, even harder to harvest cleanly.
'S-grade. Near flawless.'
He'd seen sky serpent scales before at the emporium.
But never in such pristine condition.
He swallowed hard.
Jackpot after ages.
"Ahem. Let's see, sky serpent scales."
Merchant basics: blend truth and lies.
"Ooh, excellent condition. A-grade. Hunter's a real pro."
"You catch it? Must be from high up."
"More white waves in blue patterns mean older specimen. Higher price. This one's about 200 years."
Build rapport with sweet talk.
But the real pitch came next.
"But... timing's off."
"What do you mean?"
The customer, unmoved by praise, finally spoke.
Tough customer. Gullok hid his tension.
"Dunno if you know, but sky serpent scale supply's surged lately. Demand's dropped. Supply-demand basics, even kids know."
"Price dropped?"
"Might sting, but yes."
Fearing the customer might leave, Gullok added quickly.
"Still, considering condition, I'll pay fair. Normal for this volume's 10,000 points. Hmm..."
Gullok pulled his Kit, pretending to calculate furiously.
"Alright. I'll go this far."
He turned the screen.
[11,000]
Soo-hyuk eyed Gullok from under his mask, surprised.
'Not lowballing as expected.'
His pitch screamed scammer. Soo-hyuk never trusted such types.
But surprisingly.
11,000 points exceeded Soo-hyuk's expected 10,000.
'Did I misjudge the market?'
Without the scammer vibe, he'd deal now.
As Soo-hyuk pondered.
"Way too low."
A man nearby, who'd overheard, tsked and approached.
"This quality? Could get 5,000 more easy."
Gullok's eyes bulged. He tried composing himself, but his gaze betrayed him.
"Sky serpent scales are scarce now. Super rare catch."
"Wh-what? Ha, haha. Goodness..."
Gullok's panic was obvious.
The man's words contradicted Gullok's entirely.
But Gullok acted like a thief caught red-handed.
Now it was crystal clear.
'Tried to rip me off.'
Soo-hyuk's brow furrowed as he glared at Gullok.
He hadn't planned to sell at that price anyway, but 5,000 less was excessive.
'This guy...'
Soo-hyuk glanced at the handsome interloper.
Familiar face. Never met, but saw him yesterday in Unhyang's file photo.
'Omar Schneider.'
Blue Zone's ace for this tournament.
Standing right before him.