Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The 3rd Floor Tournament
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Baehae Entertainment's management office.
After Unhyang left, Cheongryang, left alone, was now focused on the tournament being held on the 3rd floor by Blue Zone.
She could bet money legally while doing her job. Just that made Cheongryang feel like she was off work.
"Is it because of the prize? The number of participants is insane."
Over ten thousand players had signed up for this tournament.
There was no cash prize. Instead, the winner would receive an item that could be considered a relic of Blue Eyes member Kim Min-jae.
Lee Soo-hyuk's legend always had Blue Eyes right behind it. Blue Eyes relics weren't just powerful items; to collectors, they were worth going crazy over.
In other words, they came with a premium price tag.
Crunch-.
"Too bad. If I'd been on the 3rd floor, I would've given it a shot."
Cheongryang munched on a potato chip while watching the tournament through Blue Zone's official broadcast channel.
And soon, she realized how pointless her muttered regret was.
"Well... If there'd been a tournament back then, Unhyang would've won for sure."
They'd climbed the tower together as friends, but the talent gap between Cheongryang and Unhyang was impossible to bridge.
No, it was the same for anyone. Probably only great players like Lee Soo-hyuk, Kim Il-su, the Heavenly Demon, or Archmage Hielz could match her talent.
Why else was her moniker "Genius"?
There were good reasons for it.
Bzzz-.
Her kit buzzed right on cue.
It was a call from Unhyang.
"Yeah. What's up?"
-What're you doing?
"Watching the broadcast. I was told to monitor it."
Crunch-.
-That crunching... You're betting again, aren't you?
Unhyang's sharp words made Cheongryang's hand freeze.
This was why old friends were exhausting. They knew too much and could figure everything out from the tiniest hint.
Excuses wouldn't work, so Cheongryang confessed honestly.
"Yeah, guilty. Hey, but this time it's just a tiny amount. For fun."
-Fun, my ass. I told you to cut it out. They said monitor Soo-hyuk's broadcast, not bet.
The nagging started right on schedule.
Normally, it would've dragged on for at least 30 more minutes. If she wasn't satisfied, she'd smack Cheongryang on the head or, worst case, make her do push-ups.
Fortunately, Unhyang wasn't here in person.
Cheongryang was feeling relieved about that when—
-Anyway, tell me about it.
The nagging ended far sooner than expected.
"About what?"
-The betting.
"...You're gonna do it too?"
-Yeah, thought I'd try.
Unhyang had never shown interest in gambling before. She wasn't the type to save money diligently either.
In short, she had no big greed for money. She worked just to kill time.
There was only one reason someone like her would get into betting.
"Don't tell me you're betting on streamer Lee Soo-hyuk?"
Fan loyalty.
The most dangerous type.
-Yeah. Why? Can't I?
"You nutcase, do you have points to burn or what?"
-True... Hold on, what you just said—does that mean Soo-hyuk's gonna lose?
Her voice turned icier than before. She wasn't just believing in Lee Soo-hyuk's victory; she was practically certain of it.
"Listen up. I'm not dissing streamer Lee Soo-hyuk or doubting him. I'm just giving you the win rate based on analysis and odds."
-Why do you have such a long tongue? Because of Omar Schneider?
"You know it."
Cheongryang knew streamer Lee Soo-hyuk's skills well.
She'd watched his broadcast with Unhyang from day one. His talent was at least equal to Unhyang's, if not greater.
But that's exactly why she predicted his loss.
"That scarecrow test? If Schneider had done it, he'd have gotten at least 50."
-How do you know?
"Last year around this time, Blue Zone did a Thunder Cave攻略 broadcast. I watched it live."
To protect her friend's wallet.
Cheongryang pressed on desperately.
"He's not a 3rd-floor guy. Schneider didn't do the scarecrow test because he didn't want his 10 years compared to Lee Soo-hyuk's talent, not because he couldn't beat the record."
-Still, 50 is overkill, isn't it?
"That's my point—he's that overwhelming."
With that, Cheongryang checked the odds again.
The odds, updating in real-time before the tournament started.
There were countless players, but the rankings hadn't changed.
The reason they were listed from lowest odds was simple: this was basically the ranking of top contenders.
And rankings set by betting experts with sharp eyes and a love for data rarely got it wrong.
"See this? The data speaks for itself."
-Data, my foot. It's just the odds.
"That's what newbies say. They chase high odds for big payouts and lose everything."
She snorted, unaware it described her own past.
"'Bet against the odds and die' isn't a saying for nothing. Get your head straight."
-Wanna bet on it then? Who wins.
"A bet?"
-Yeah. Obviously Soo-hyuk for me.
"Schneider for me?"
Their bets were different.
A perfect conflict of interest.
-Next month's salary. Winner takes all.
"Fine by me."
The bet was on.
-Get ready to lose your wallet.
"You first."
After that, Cheongryang explained how to bet. Unhyang picked it up quickly and hung up soon after.
The storm had passed. Cheongryang grinned in satisfaction.
"Who knew easy money like this existed?"
But moments later.
Cheongryang glanced at her now-silent kit and muttered curiously.
"But seriously, since when does she care about money? Doesn't suit her."
After learning about the betting, Soo-hyuk smacked his lips in regret.
'Wish I could join in.'
Players channel's betting system had one rule.
Participants in the event or broadcast—i.e., anyone directly involved—couldn't bet.
A minimal safeguard against rigging.
He understood, but it still sucked.
'Can't be helped.'
Better not to look at betting at all than risk scandal for dipping in. Even sweet forbidden fruit was best left uneaten.
Step-.
Soo-hyuk walked the participant passageway.
A massive colosseum-style building.
This was the tournament's testing ground.
"Mask...?"
"Is that really Lee Soo-hyuk? The streamer?"
"He's on the odds board. Gotta be real."
More people recognized him than expected. Being in the same zone, they had more chances to hear about him.
"Hey, hey."
"Schneider. Schneider."
"Where?"
"Ni-yeo-pe-i-tsu-neu (right next to you)."
And the reaction to spotting him was even louder.
Omar Schneider.
He'd entered the testing ground.
Step-.
The massive crowd moved to the colosseum stage. Bright lights stabbed his eyes, cheers filling his ears.
Wooo-.
The cheers grew louder.
Rooooaaar-!
Soon, they were deafening.
"It's Schneider-!"
"Isn't that Lee Soo-hyuk over there?"
"Don Cha-."
"Schneider! All in on you!"
"Soo-hyuk! Start your stream!"
A cacophony of cheers.
Most were for Soo-hyuk and Schneider.
Probably because bets were heaviest on them.
Especially.
'Schneider's got the most cheers.'
Odds didn't lie.
No matter how much fame Soo-hyuk gained from collabing with Hawk's Eye, he couldn't compare to Schneider's years dominating the 3rd floor.
Bets pouring his way was natural.
Schneider stood with eyes closed. As ten thousand players filled the colosseum, the vast stage felt cramped.
All the protagonists gathered.
Then.
"Hello, everyone."
Bam-ba-bam-!
A player appeared amid festive music, like a party kickoff.
"I'm Go Hyun-seo, Blue Zone guild player hosting today. Nice to meet you."
The short man introduced himself from above.
The squinting-eyed man raised his arms and shouted.
"This tournament starts right here! Right now! With preliminaries and finals, two rounds..."
Soo-hyuk tuned him out.
He already knew the format from briefings. This was for spectators, not participants.
"Now, before we start, let's interview two people. Anyone wa—."
"Schneider-!"
The answer came instantly.
The host ran it like a festival, not a tournament.
"Yes, Schneider. Knew it'd be you. Mr. Schneider?"
"I'll treat this tournament like the Thunder Cave."
A hesitant-free, concise line.
Cheers erupted from the stands. Declaring it Thunder Cave showed his iron will.
Everyone knew. Once Schneider name-dropped Thunder Cave, he wouldn't half-ass the tournament.
And one more.
"Lee Soo-hyuk too-!"
"Got it!"
Go Hyun-seo turned to Soo-hyuk amid the participants, as if waiting.
And Soo-hyuk's annoyed reply was.
"I'll do my best."
A dry response.
Even one that could've led to awkward silence, Go Hyun-seo handled deftly.
"Yes, a true top streamer's answer! Noted."
What followed from Go Hyun-seo was mostly irrelevant to Soo-hyuk.
But one part.
He couldn't ignore this one.
"Finally, the tournament prize! A great player's relic and Blue Zone's pride!"
Fwoosh-!
Blue light beamed from above. Atop it materialized red-leather shoes.
"Ooo-."
"That's the one..."
Collectors and prize-hungry players flipped out.
This time, Soo-hyuk was no different.
Distant, but he could tell clearly.
'The real deal.'
Free Thief.
God Hermes' sandals.
And his friend Min-jae's item.
'Wait for me.'
Grind-.
Hiding his expression behind the mask, he gritted his teeth. Rage boiled at Kim Il-su for dangling it as a mere tournament prize.
'I'll get it back soon.'
Soo-hyuk got dead serious.
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