I Gave Up Being Stronger

Cha Jin-Hyeok’s challenge attracted the attention of many.

-Even if he is that talented, will this work?

-In the Chul-Soo Universe, anything is possible.

-Ease up on the concept, my guy. Even Barrier Mages are saying this is impossible.

Barrier Mages, in particular, showed a keen interest, signaling an expansion of Jin-Hyeok’s viewer base. Jin-Hyeok felt pleased after receiving messages from Wang Yu-Mi.

‘Good! This is how we expand our audience base!’

Jin-Hyeok wouldn’t be embarrassed even if he failed to activate the Banyan Tree Dungeon. Succeeding in one try was rare, whether it was for enhancement or Dungeon clears. It was okay to fail; what mattered was the attempt.

Thanks to that mindset, Jin-Hyeok was quite at ease. Since his essence was not that of a Barrier Mage, he had little to lose. The excitement for a new challenge filled him more than the fear of failure.

‘I’m glad I became a Streamer.’

Being able to undertake various challenges without much burden was a great blessing for him.

“It took a bit of time.”

‘Did I fail?’ There was no significant change. ‘Do I need to do something else?’

At that moment, a minor earthquake occurred with a bang.

‘Huh?’

Then, at the places where the stakes had been driven, cracks opened, and colorful streams erupted.

“Something is going on.” Although Jin-Hyeok was excited, he continued the livestream, keeping his excitement as contained as possible.

Soon, the streams appeared to form a sort of dome, covering the surroundings.

Hotel guests who saw this rushed out of their rooms in panic.

“Move, move!’

“Get out of my way!”

Jin-Hyeok was surprised. ‘Wow, there were many people inside the hotel.’

He had already broadcast and announced his intention to activate the Dungeon here and also sent a formal notice to the hotel. Activating a Dungeon in this new era was a legitimate Play, and there was no need to notify anyone about it in advance.

It was common for Dungeons to be activated now and then. Jin-Hyeok had notified the people here out of a moral obligation, but the hotel continued its operations, and the guests seemed to stay, thinking nothing would happen.

Jin-Hyeok’s mind raced.

‘If this were during my days as the Sword King, I would have considered those people foolish.’

They were too immersed in peace to handle situations properly, which was a kind of safety blindness. A wise citizen would not even come close if there was even a slight chance of a Dungeon activating.

Suddenly, old memories resurfaced.

‘There were many stupid people like this even before my regression, getting killed while trying to take pictures of monsters.’

Back then, Jin-Hyeok found it irritating, but now his perspective had shifted. These people were also an excellent element for his livestream. Their panic and actions would increase the tension of the livestream.

“If this were a Dungeon with a separate entrance, it would be fine, but we can’t be sure yet.”

If a separate Gate had been created, the space itself would become isolated. The entrance could be in the Banyan Tree Hotel, but it would lead to a completely different space.

Jin-Hyeok knew that the Gate would appear near the hotel’s main entrance. He earnestly said, “I will go inside the hotel to evacuate the people.”

Capturing the panic-stricken faces of many would be possible if he went inside. Concealing his excitement, he ran toward the hotel with a grave expression.

-Wow! Look at him taking care of people’s safety first!

-He thinks about the people even in dire situations!

-He is the God! He is the epitome of a saint!

However, Barrier Mages were horrified.

-It’s hard enough to concentrate and control the erupting mana, but he is going in to save the guests!

-It’s obvious that he has not been properly trained.

-Such a reckless attempt. If something goes wrong, the Dungeon’s inherent energy could explode!

-Multitasking during Dungeon activation? Does he lack even the most basic sense?

From the Barrier Mages’ perspective, Jin-Hyeok’s actions were incomprehensible. Just as the energy had emerged out of the ground, instead of focusing on it, Jin-Hyeok was concerned about others.

Around this time, the team from NIS also arrived at the hotel, composed of Players who used to be Jin-Hyeok’s colleagues before his regression. Helicopters were deployed to rescue the hotel’s guests and staff.

‘Tsk tsk. They are so late. If I had been that slow before my regression, I would have been heavily criticized by the public.’

Jin-Hyeok approached one of them. “I announced and notified in advance that the Dungeon would be activated here. Why didn’t you evacuate these people until now.”

“Shut the hell up! Get out of my way!” A bulky Player shoved past Jin-Hyeok, too preoccupied to recognize him. To him, the situation was dangerously chaotic. Anything could happen. He was running around, screaming at the top of his lungs to manage the situation.

Jin-Hyeok was astounded. ‘Wow, what a mess! He is panicking over this? I thought he was a Player from the NIS.’

The Dungeon was not even activated yet. This was merely a prelude. No dangerous boss-level monsters had appeared, yet they were running around as if they were on a life-and-death mission. Their lack of experience was glaringly apparent.

‘This is definitely a flaw of living in the territory of the Guardian Tree.’

People had become too accustomed to peace, losing their sense of danger and, consequently, their ability to respond to crises. Shaking his head, Jin-Hyeok continued, “The energies that were released are gathering toward the main entrance, forming the shape of a Gate.”

It looked like a Gate made from the bones of a giant animal, as large bones resembling ribs, encased the Gate. A statue of a woman’s face adorned the top, from whose eyes red tears flowed, wetting the Gate. Jin-Hyeok then saw it.

[Banyan Tree Dungeon]

“The Dungeon has been activated. Luckily, it’s a separate Gate.” Jin-Hyeok strode toward the Gate, glancing at the NIS Players with a stern look. “The response from the government was too slow. Why did they deploy the helicopters? If flying monsters had appeared, it would have been a disaster. This is just for show. It would have been better to request assistance from capable Tamers like Park Terse.

“Moreover, not a single Ruler showed up to control the situation. If they think remote instructions are sufficient, that is sheer arrogance. Anyway, it’s good that things worked out. Haha!”

The faces of the government Players turned ashen, and Jin-Hyeok smirked. ‘I didn’t do this because I’ve been treated this way before my regression.’

If this information reached the public, the government Players would be in real trouble, facing massive backlash from all sides. Jin-Hyeok smirked again. ‘And it’s not because they swore at me.’

This was for the sake of public brace and stability. Jin-Hyeok believed that by making rightful and accurate criticisms, he could enhance the capabilities of the government officials. He zoomed in on the Player who had earlier cursed him, making sure even the small name badge was visible.

“Why is he wearing such heavy silver armor at a rescue mission? How does that make sense? The heavy armor significantly reduces his mobility. Do they even have a crisis management manual?”

Jin-Hyeok chuckled, feeling exceptionally light, both mentally and physically.

***

Examining the activated Gate, Mole Woman said, “Wait, I think only one person can enter it.”

“So, it’s a Dungeon with an entrant limit?” Jin-Hyeok doubted his ears. Originally, the Banyan Hotel Dungeon did not have such a limit.

‘Has the Dungeon setting changed?’

Then, he received a note from Yu-Mi.

[I found out through Kihael and Serchan’s network that a new director has been assigned to the Seoul Management Bureau! His name is Verpalto. He is a hardliner and seems to be looking for ways to eliminate you. It might even seem like he is targeting you. Be careful!]

‘Verpalto?’ The name was unfamiliar, but it did not matter.

Jin-Hyeok said with a worried look, “So, it seems like only one person can enter the Dungeon.”

His expression seemed deeply contemplative, and Mole Woman could not help but admire him.

‘Right now, he is livestreaming in first-person perspective, moly.’ The expressions of Chul-Soo were not visible to the viewers. However, Chul-Soo was acting with his face, appearing incredibly disappointed on the outside. ‘But I know he is thrilled! It’s clear!’

Jin-Hyeok’s expression was perfect, as though he could have been an actor. If Mole Woman had not been an excellent Navigator and observed Jin-Hyeok from right beside him, she would not have noticed the disappointed look he was feigning.

‘I don’t think I can pull off that level of expression acting.’

Jin-Hyeok continued, “I believe that the one who starts something should see it through to the end. The expressions of the citizens earlier are vivid in my mind. Although my Play was justified, I still feel a moral weight. Therefore, Mole Woman, I would appreciate it if you could give me this opportunity.”

“That’s not for me to decide, moly. This Dungeon can only be entered by someone with a special aura, moly.”

“A special aura?”

“It seems one needs to possess an aura related to the Guardian Tree. I think it’s related to those stakes that were useful in activating this Dungeon, moly.”

The stakes were trembling even now, a precarious sight amidst the emanating glow.

“Then, I have no choice but to attempt first,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“I am envious, moly. I will continue to watch your Play through the livestream, moly.” Mole Woman raised her voice by a tone and cheerfully said, “Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and press the notification button, moly-moly!”

Jin-Hyeok entered the Dungeon.

***

‘This is far too different from what I knew!’

While he expected some changes due to the setting changes, this far exceeded his expectations.

‘This is the top floor.’

He entered a vast room. Sculptures of cyclopean giants were stationed around the walls, each holding a blazing blue torch. It was as if he had visited this palace only the previous day, the memory coming to life.

‘This is the boss room where the Empress of Hell appears.’

Far off in the distance, amidst the darkness, he could hear the sound of a horn. The monster, tiny in stature and resembling a goblin, was not holding a horn; its mouth was the horn itself.

‘This is exactly how I remember the Empress of Hell would appear.’

Even though the goblin was making the horn sound, Jin-Hyeok was not certain if things were going to be the same as he remembered.

‘It’s rare for the boss monster to appear immediately without the entrant going through the middle stages…’

Strange monsters began to show themselves. Jin-Hyeok’s Broadcaster’s Insight lumped all of them together under Forces of Hell.

‘Surely, the real Empress of Hell won’t appear right now.’

The horn’s sound ceased, and the monsters split to either side, bowing to the ground. In the middle of the room, a woman with long red hair walked forward.

“Foolish one. You have stepped into a palace where your feet should not have trodden.”

Jin-Hyeok was taken aback. ‘Is she the real Empress of Hell?’

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