REAPER SCANS

Reincarnator’s Stream

[Translator – SCM]

[Proofreader –  ilafy]

Chapter 51

In Balhae Entertainment's management office…

After Un-hyang left and Cheong-ryang was left alone, his interest was in Blue Zone's tournament on the 3rd floor.

He could work while gambling. That alone made Cheong-ryang feel as if he'd already clocked out.

"Is it because of the prize? There are a lot of people participating." Over ten thousand players had signed up for the tournament, even though there was no cash prize.

Instead, the winning prize was considered a relic of Kim MinJae, a member of Blue Eyes.

The members of Blue Eyes were always mentioned in the legends surrounding Su-hyeok. Although most of the relics they left behind were effective as items, they were unimaginably valuable for collectors.

That meant they carried a premium.

Crunch—

"What a shame. If I were on the 3rd floor, I would have tried to participate." Cheong-ryang took a bite of a potato ship as he watched the tournament through Blue Zone's official stream.

Soon, he realized how pointless his regretful muttering was. "Well… If there had been such a tournament back then, Un-hyang would have definitely won."

They’d climbed the tower together as friends, but the difference in talent between him and Un-yang was insurmountable.

No. It was the same for anyone. The only ones who might’ve been a match for her talent were great players like Lee Su-hyeok, Kim Ilsu, the Heavenly Demon, or Great Magician Hails.

There was a reason why she was called a genius, after all.

Brrr—

His kit rang. It was a call from Un-hyang.

"Yes?" he asked.

“What are you doing?”

"I'm watching the stream. I was ordered to monitor it."

Crunch—

“Seeing how you're munching on snacks, you're betting again, aren't you?”

Un-hyang's sharp words made Cheon-ryang's hand freeze. That was why old friends were exhausting—they knew too much about you and could figure out everything from just a small hint.

Thinking that excuses would be useless, Cheon-ryang confessed. "That's right. This time, I only bet a small amount, just for fun."

“You and your fun. Didn't I tell you to quit? You're supposed to monitor Mr. Lee's stream for the company, not bet.”

As expected, the nagging started. Normally, it would go on for at least another 30 minutes. If Un-yang's frustration hadn't subsided, Cheong-ryang might have gotten smacked on the head or, worse, been forced to do push-ups.

Thankfully, Un-yang wasn't in front of him. Cheong-ryang felt relieved.

“Anyway, tell me about it,” she said. The nagging ended much earlier than expected.

"Tell you what?"

“The betting thing.”

"Are you going to do it too…?"

“Yes. I want to try.” Un-hyang had never shown interest in gambling, but she also wasn't the type of person who would diligently save money. In other words, she had no great desire for money. Working was just a way to kill time for her.

There was only one reason why someone like her would be interested in betting…

"Don't tell me, are you planning to bet on streamer Lee Su-hyeok?"

Fan sentiment was the most dangerous kind of motivation.

“Huh? Why do you ask? Are you saying I can’t?”

"Hey, have you lost your mind? So you have points to spare, huh?"

“Well, not really… but wait, are you saying Mr. Lee is going to lose? Her voice grew even colder. Un-hyang was convinced Su-hyeok would win.

"Listen carefully. I'm not trying to disrespect or doubt Mr. Lee Su-hyeok. I'm just trying to tell you the odds and win rates based on analysis."

“Why are you talking so much? Is it because of Omar Schneider?”

"So you know." Cheong-ryang Lee Su-hyeok's skills as well.  After all, he'd watched the streams since day one with Un-hyang. How could he not know? His talent was probably greater than Un-hyang's if not equal.

Still, because he knew so well, Cheong-ryang anticipated his defeat even more. "You seem to have conviction due to the scarecrow test, but if Omar Schneider had done it, he would have taken down 50 of them."

“How do you know?” she asked.

"Around this time last year, there was a stream where he tried to clear the Thunder Cave with Blue Zone. I saw it live."

To protect his friend's wallet, Cheong-ryang desperately continued speaking.  "That guy doesn’t belong on the 3rd floor. Omar didn't do the scarecrow test because he didn't want his 10 years to be compared to Lee Su-hyeok's talent, not because he couldn't break the record."

“Still, aren't you exaggerating a bit with 50?”

"What I'm saying is that Omar is that overwhelming." Cheong-ryang checked the odds again.

The odds kept changing in real time until the tournament started.

[Omar Schneider: 1.31x]

[Lee Su-hyeok: 2.97x]

[Don Zhao: 12.33x]

[…]

There were many players, but the ranking didn't change. The odds were arranged from low to high for a simple reason—it was practically the list of favorites to win.

The rankings that the betting companies crafted rarely failed.

"Check this out. The data's telling us who will win."

“Data? That's just the payout rate.”

"That's what beginners think. They follow the high odds to make big money and end up losing everything." Not realizing he was talking about himself, Cheong-ryang scoffed. "There's a reason why they say reverse-betters should die. Hey, return to your senses."

“Do you want to make a bet with me on who’ll win?” Un-hyang asked.

"A bet?"

“Yes. I’ll obviously bet on Lee Su-hyeok.

"And I should bet on Omar?"

Their bets were the opposite, but their interests were aligned.

“Next month's paycheck. Winner takes all,” Un-hyang said.

"Fine by me."

The bet was on.

“Get ready to lose your wallet.”

"You too."

After that, Cheong-ryang explained how to bet. After getting the hang of it, Un-hyang hung up the phone.

The storm had passed. Cheong-ryang smiled in satisfaction. "Is there easier money than this?"

That was only for a moment. He glanced at the disconnected player kit and muttered in a puzzled tone, "Why did she suddenly become interested in money? It doesn't suit her."

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator - SCM

Proofreader - ilafy

Join our discord for updates on releases!!

https://discord.gg/reaperscans

* * *

After learning about the betting, Su-hyeok clicked his tongue in disappointment.

'It would have been nice if I could bet too.'

The Playerz Channel's betting system had one rule: those directly involved in the betting, namely, the participants in the tournament or stream involved, weren't allowed to bet.

It was the minimum safety measure to prevent manipulation. It wasn't incomprehensible, but it was still disappointing.

'It can't be helped.' Rather than getting caught up in controversy by betting, it might be better to not even look that way. Even if the poisonous apple was sweet, it was best not to swallow it.

Step—

Su-hyeok walked down the participants' passageway into a massive colosseum-style building. It was the arena the upcoming tournament would take place in.

"A mask…?" someone muttered.

"Is it Lee Su-hyeok? That streamer?"

"He appeared in the odds, so it must be him."

There were more people who recognized him than he expected. It seemed that, due to them being players on the same floor, they had more opportunities to hear about him.

"Hey, hey."

"Omar! Omar!"

"Where?"

"Nyyextoiu (Next to you)."

A reaction more explosive than when they saw Su-hyeok ensued—Omar Schneider had stepped into the arena.

Step—

Countless spectators moved toward the stage of the colosseum. Bright lights pierced their eyes, and cheers echoed out.

“Woah—”

The cheers grew louder.

“WOAH—!” 

Soon, the sound was so loud that it felt like their eardrums would burst.

"It's Omar Schneider-!"

"Isn't that masked guy Lee Su-hyeok?"

"Don!"

"Omar Schneider! I bet everything on you!"

"Mr. Lee! Start streaming!"

Most of the cheers were directed toward Su-hyeok and Omar. It was probably because the most bets were placed on the two.

'It seems that Omar is getting the most support.'

The odds didn’t lie. No matter how much recognition Su-hyeok had gained through his collaboration with Hawk Eye, he couldn't compare to Omar, who'd made a name for himself on the 3rd floor for years.

It was only natural most people would have bet for him.

Omar stood still with his eyes closed. After 10,000 players entered the colosseum, the vast stage suddenly felt cramped.

All the main characters had gathered in one place.

"Hello, everyone."

Pambapam-!

As if a party were starting, a player appeared, accompanied by loud music. "My name is Go Hyeonseo. I'm from the Blue Zone Guild. I'll be in charge of hosting today. It's nice to meet you all." The short man introduced himself from above.

The man with narrow eyes raised both arms and shouted, "This tournament will be held right here, right now! It will proceed in two stages: the preliminary and the finals…"

Su-hyeok quickly lost interest. He already knew the tournament's format—the speech was for the spectators, not the participants.

"Okay, before we begin, let's interview just two people. Is there anyone you—"

"Omar-!"

The response came immediately.

The host seemed to be presiding over a festive event rather than a tournament. "Yes, Omar Schneider. I thought so. Mr. Schneider?"

"I'll think of this tournament as if it’s the Thunder Cave." A brief and straightforward answer followed.

Cheers erupted from the stands. Saying he would consider the tournament to be the Thunder Cave meant that Omar was fully determined.

Everyone knew that, since Omar mentioned the Thunder Cave, he wouldn't be taking this tournament lightly.

"Lee Su-hyeok-!"

"Yes, noted!"

Go Hyeonseo looked back at Su-hyeok, who was standing among the participants.

Su-hyeok, who was tired of the theatrics, drily answered, "I'll do my best.".

Even though his answer might have caused an awkward silence, Go Hyeonseo  skillfully handled it. "Yes, indeed. That answer befits a top-tier streamer! Thank you for your response."

But there was one thing the host said that caught Su-hyeok’s attention that he simply couldn't ignore. "Finally. Let me show everyone the prize! The relic of a great player and pride that we from Blue Zone consider our predecessor!"

Fwoosh—!

A blue light burst out from above. At the same time, shoes made of red leather appeared.

"Ooh…"

"That's…"

The eyes of several collectors and players who wanted the item glowed with greed.

Even Su-hyeok was no exception. Although there was some distance, he could clearly tell… 'It's real.'

The Free Thief's Feet, the shoes used by Hermes… an item that Su-hyeok's friend, MinJae, once used.

'Wait for me.' Hiding his expression behind his mask, Su-hyeok gritted his teeth. He was furious at Kim Ilsu, the man who placed the item as a prize in a mere tournament. 'I'll get it back soon.'

Su-hyeok was more serious than ever.

['Lee Su-hyeok' started streaming.]

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