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Legal betting while working. Just the thought made Cheon Ryang feel like he was off-duty.

“The prize must be amazing. The number of participants is insane.”

Over ten thousand players were participating in this tournament. There was no cash prize for this tournament. Instead, the prize was an item that once belonged to a Blue Eyes member, Kim Minjae.

In Lee Suhyuk’s legend, Blue Eyes was always a part of it. The Blue Eyes relic was not only powerful on its own, but for collectors, it held an almost irresistible allure.

In other words, it had a premium value.

Crunch-.

“Darn, if I were still on the 3rd floor, I’d have given it a shot.”

Watching the tournament via Blue Zone’s official channel, Cheon Ryang munched on potato chips. And soon after, he realized how futile his wishful musing was.

“Well… if such a tournament had existed back then, Un Hyang would have definitely won.”

Despite being friends and climbing the tower together, the talent gap between Cheon Ryang and Un Hyang was insurmountable.

In fact, that gap would remain insurmountable for anyone. Only legendary players like Lee Suhyuk, Kim Ilsoo, Heavenly Demon, and the Archmage Ha-ilz might rival her talent.

Why else would her moniker be ‘Genius’?

There was a reason for that.

Buzz-.

Right then, his kit buzzed.

A call from Un Hyang.

“Hey, what’s up?”

-What are you doing?

“Watching the stream. I was instructed to monitor it.”

Crunch-.

-That sounds like you’re betting, aren’t you?

Un Hyang’s sharp remark made Cheon Ryang’s hand freeze. This was why old friends were tiring. They knew too much, grasping everything from the smallest hint.

Realizing that excuses were futile, Cheon Ryang confessed.

“Yeah, you’re right. But just a small amount this time, for fun.”

-You know I’ve told you to cut it out, right? The company told you to monitor Suhyuk’s streams, not bet on them. As expected, the nagging began.

Normally, the nagging would go on for a good 30 minutes. If her ire wasn’t quenched, it might end with a smack on the head or, worse, some form of penalty exercise.

Fortunately, Un Hyang wasn’t in front of him this time. Cheon Ryang felt relieved, but then.

-Anyway, show me how to do it.

Surprisingly brief nagging this time.

“What?”

-That betting thing.

“… You want to bet too?”

-Yeah, I want to give it a try.

Un Hyang had never shown any interest in gambling before. She wasn’t particularly focused on saving money either. In short, she lacked greed for money. For her, working was merely a pastime.

The only possible reason for her interest in betting?

“You’re planning to bet on Lee Suhyuk, aren’t you?”

Pure fandom. The most dangerous type.

-Yeah, so? Is that bad?

“Are you crazy? Do you have points to throw away?”

-That’s true, but… wait, is that your way of saying Suhyuk will lose?

Her voice turned colder. She had already transitioned from believing in Suhyuk’s victory to being almost certain of it.

“Listen carefully. It’s not that I’m underestimating him or don’t trust him. I’m just speaking based on analysis and odds.”

-Why are you rambling? Is it because of Omar Schneider?

“You got it.”

Cheon Ryang was well aware of streamer Lee Suhyuk’s skills. He had been watching the stream with Un Hyang since day one; how could he not know? His talents might even surpass Un Hyang’s; he was certainly not lacking.

That’s why, knowing all this, Cheon Ryang anticipated his defeat.

“You might think it’s because of the scarecrow trial, but if Schneider took that, he’d probably take out 50.”

-How do you know that?

“Around this time last year, Blue Zone streamed a Thunder Cave conquest. I watched it live.”

To protect his friend’s wallet. Cheon Ryang continued his argument desperately.

“That guy doesn’t belong on the 3rd floor. Schneider didn’t take the scarecrow trial because he didn’t want his ten years compared to Lee Suhyuk’s talent, not because he couldn’t beat that record.”

-But claiming he could take out 50 scarecrows sounds excessive.

“What I’m saying is, Schneider is that overwhelming.”

With that, Cheon Ryang checked the odds again. The odds were changing in real-time until the tournament started.

『Omar Schneider: 1.31x』

『Lee Suhyuk: 2.97x』

『Don Zhao: 12.33x』

『…』

Countless players participated, but the rankings didn’t change. The odds being lower simply meant those were the top contenders.

Rankings crafted by analytical and sharp-eyed betting agencies rarely turned out wrong.

“Look at this. The data speaks for itself.”

-What data? It’s just the odds.

“That’s what novices say. Chasing high odds to make big bucks and losing their entire stake.”

Without realizing he was talking about himself, Cheon Ryang sneered.

“Why do you think the phrase ‘underdogs must die’ exists? Snap out of it.”

-So you want to bet against me? Who’s going to win?

“A bet?”

-Yeah, I’ll bet on Suhyuk.

“And I’ll bet on Schneider?”

Their betting choices were different. Aligning interests.

-Next month’s salary. Winner takes all.

“Fine by me.”

The bet was set.

-Prepare to lose your wallet.

“You too.”

Afterward, Cheon Ryang explained the betting process to Un Hyang. She quickly grasped it and ended the call.

The storm passed, and Cheon Ryang smiled in satisfaction.

“How can money come in so easily?”

But soon after, Cheon Ryang glanced at the player kit with a puzzled expression.

“Why is she suddenly interested in money? That’s unusual.”

—

Knowing about the betting, Suhyuk felt a pang of regret.

‘It would’ve been nice if I could participate.’

The Players Channel’s betting system had a rule.

Participants in tournaments or streams couldn’t place bets. A necessary safeguard against manipulation. Understandable, yet frustrating.

‘Can’t be helped.’

Better to avoid turfing your reputation over betting allegations. Even if the forbidden fruit was tempting, it was wiser not to swallow it.

Step-.

Suhyuk walked down the passage allotted to participants. A colossal coliseum-like building. The tournament’s venue and trial hall.

“A mask…?”

“Is that really Lee Suhyuk? The streamer?”

“Wasn’t he on the betting list? It must be him.”

More people recognized him than he expected. Likely because those in the same floor section had more chances to keep up with his news.

Suhyuk smiled behind his mask, feeling the anticipation and intrigue of those around him. This tournament was going to be interesting, to say the least.

“Hey, hey.”

“Schneider. Schneider.”

“Where?”

“Right next to you.”

The reaction to Omar Schneider’s appearance eclipsed the initial excitement over spotting Suhyuk.

Step-.

A massive crowd moved into the coliseum’s stage. The bright lights pierced their eyes, and deafening cheers assaulted their ears. Cheers grew louder with each step.

“Schneider’s here!”

“Hey, isn’t that Lee Suhyuk with the mask?”

“Don Zhao-!”

“Schneider! I bet everything on you!”

“Suhyuk! Start the stream!”

Loud cheers from the crowd. Most of the support was directed at Suhyuk and Schneider. Probably because the majority of the bets were placed on them. Especially.

‘Schneider has the most fans.’

Odds don’t lie. No matter how much Suhyuk had gained recognition from his collaboration with Falcon Eye, he couldn’t compare to Schneider, who had built his reputation over several years on the 3rd floor.

Naturally, the betting leaned heavily toward Schneider. Schneider stood there with his eyes closed. The vast stage felt cramped as ten thousand players filled the coliseum.

All the main participants were now gathered.

Then.

“Greetings, everyone.”

Bam-bam-bam-!

The noise sounded like a party starting, accompanied by loud music. A player emerged.

“I am Go Hyunsu, a player from the Blue Zone Guild, and I will be your host today. Nice to meet you.”

A small man introduced himself from above. With narrow eyes and arms raised high, he shouted.

“This tournament, right here! Right now! We will have both the qualifiers and the finals…”

Suhyuk lost interest in his words. He already knew the tournament format. The host’s speech was mostly for the spectators.

“Now, before we start, let’s interview just two participants. Anyone want to volunteer?”

“Schneider!”

The response came immediately. The host’s approach felt more like a festive event than a serious competition.

“Yes, Schneider. I expected that. Schneider?”

“I will consider this tournament as Thunder Cave.”

A straightforward, unwavering statement. The crowd roared with approval. Declaring the tournament as a substitute for Thunder Cave showed Schneider’s strong determination.

Everyone knew. Since Schneider mentioned Thunder Cave, he wouldn’t treat this lightly. And now, for the second participant.

“Lee Suhyuk too!”

“Yes, got it!”

Go Hyunsu turned to Suhyuk, standing among the participants. And Suhyuk, now seeing the host’s face, gave a deliberately laconic response.

“I will do my best.”

A dry answer. Even such a curt reply didn’t faze Go Hyunsu.

“Yes, quite an answer from a top-tier streamer! Thank you.”

From then on, most of Go Hyunsu’s words were outside Suhyuk’s interest. But there was one thing that caught his attention. Something he couldn’t ignore.

“And finally, let’s reveal the tournament’s prize! The heirloom of a great player, and the pride of our Blue Zone!”

Fwaaash-!

A blue light shot into the sky. Simultaneously, a pair of red leather shoes emerged, suspended in that light.

“Ooh-.”

“That’s…”

Collectors and players yearning for items had their eyes lit up.

For once, Suhyuk was no different.

Though he was at a distance, he could clearly recognize it.

‘It’s genuine.’

The Nimble Thief’s Footwear.

Shoes once used by Hermes, the god. And an item that belonged to his friend, Minjae.

‘Wait for me.’

Grit-.

Grinding his teeth behind the mask, he barely contained his rage. The thought of Kim Ilsoo, who dared to put that up as a mere tournament prize, infuriated him.

‘I’ll reclaim it soon.’

Suhyuk became more determined than ever.

『’Lee Suhyuk’ has started streaming.』