I Gave Up Being Stronger

Cha Jin-Hyeok smiled. “Changes? Yeah, there are some.”

“Wait, you are not live right now, are you?” Han Sae-Rin asked.

“No.”

Sae-Rin nodded. If it were a live broadcast, she would have to be careful to avoid giving away too much to the viewers.

“Tell me what’s changed,” she asked. As a Ruler, it was her duty to assess her colleague’s abilities, but she was also very curious about just how powerful Chul-Soo could become as a Streamer.

“I can now level up two times in a day,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“Until now, it was one level up per day, right?”

“Yeah.”

‘Two level-ups per day? That’s monstrous growth.’ Sae-Rin concealed her surprise. This was an impressive feat, as past the mid-200 Levels, leveling up by even one was difficult.

“So, your daily level-up limit is now two, and you are reaching that limit every day?” Sae-Rin double-checked.

“For now, yes. I might slow down once I hit Level 300.”

Although he said that, Sae-Rin knew he would not slow down. She was calculating in her head the experience points needed for leveling up.

‘Since he is the owner of both the Earth Server and First Hell, he will continue leveling up twice a day for a while.’

But she wasn’t entirely sure about this, so she did not voice it out loud.

“What else?” she asked.

“Well, ever since I’ve become the owner of the Earth Server and First Hell, my soul has apparently grown in stature.”

To Sae-Rin, such abstract statements were not helpful. She needed concrete indicators of growth. So, she asked, “What are the benefits of that?”

“If I plant a Guardian Tree in a place, I can draw on the powers of the Seoul Guardian Tree there.”

Sae-Rin’s expression turned serious. She knew too well how powerful the Seoul Guardian Tree was.

“By ‘in a place’, do you mean the entire Server?” she asked.

That would be a game-changing ability. By simply planting a Guardian Tree in a Server, Jin-Hyeok would receive the Seoul Guardian Tree’s buffs in that Server.

“The specifics aren’t clear at the moment. We will need to experiment to find out,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“Let’s test it together later. I will help you figure out the exact details.” Sae-Rin was still in awe of this ability. “Being an owner of a place is something else, huh.”

“Really?”

“Of course. These rewards are beyond imagination. Just a guaranteed two level-ups per day is just…”

“But it’s not over yet.”

“There’s more?” Sae-Rin’s jaw dropped open. “Now, I know why the GMs are freaking out.”

Jin-Hyeok was the personification of a balance disruption.

“What else is there?” she asked.

“I have to choose from some options.”

[1. Legendary Mystery Map]

[2. Rare Mystery Map]

[3. Normal Mystery Map]

Sae-Rin stroked her chin. The better the rank was, the more exceptional would be the map indicating the location of the Mystery. However, there was a catch: the increasingly minuscule chance of obtaining the Mystery. For the Legendary Mystery Map, this probability was an abysmal 0.000004 percent.

“It seems like they don’t want to give it away,” Sae-Rin said.

While the Normal Mystery Map had a relatively high chance of being acquired at fifty percent, Jin-Hyeok was unlikely to choose it, given his nature.

“When I look at the window with Broadcaster’s Insight, I can also see an option with the number 0,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“An option numbered 0?”

“Yes, it’s a Mythic Mystery Map. But the window doesn’t show the probability of obtaining it. There is a question mark in place of the value.”

“Does that mean the chance can be zero?”

“Do you think it can be?”

“You know the System and the GMs don’t exactly like you, right?”

“I do, and I understand why.”

“Honestly, the Legendary Mystery would be a better option.”

A great Ruler didn’t simply control a situation. Providing solutions that suited their colleague’s characteristics was also an essential part of their Job.

“You are going for the Mythic Mystery, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

Sae-Rin could see the greed in Jin-Hyeok’s eyes. They held a demonic gaze in them and appeared to have gone crazy because of viewer counts.

“Let me confirm something first. Are you planning to turn this into Gacha[1] content?” Sae-Rin asked.

***

Sae-Rin hoped that Jin-Hyeok would keep these rewards a secret for now. Even if they would eventually be made public, she thought it was too soon to reveal them to the viewers.

“If word of these rewards gets out now… top-tier Player Hunters might target you,” Sae-Rin said.

“Oh?” A spark of interest lit up Jin-Hyeok’s face.

Sae-Rin shook her head and continued, “How about making the announcement a few months later? Just the Gacha content alone is likely to attract a lot of attention.”

“Shouldn’t we strike while the iron is hot?” Jin-Hyeok trusted Sae-Rin’s judgment, and keeping the rewards secret for now made sense. “If I were a regular Player, I would hide them. But I'm a Streamer, right?

Videos based on the Reward theme always thrilled his viewers.

“Besides, I have already teased the viewers that I will be revealing the rewards soon,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“...”

“I have to keep my promise to my viewers.” Jin-Hyeok tapped Sae-Rin’s shoulder. “Overthinking things will only keep me from surpassing Marshmallow.”

Sae-Rin fell silent for a moment, then said, “So, your goal is to become the top Streamer in the universe?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re satisfied with that?” Sae-Rin’s question was on point.

“Satisfied? Of course, I am…”

“Don’t you want to be the strongest Player as well as the top Streamer?”

Jin-Hyeok’s eyes widened. It was like a light had been switched on.

‘What I really want…!’ Until now, Jin-Hyeok had believed his dream was to be the top Streamer. However, Sae-Rin’s question led him to a realization.

“The strongest Player…. Yeah, I think I want to be the strongest Player.” Jin-Hyeok chuckled.

Feeling relieved, Sae-Rin continued, “Then I say we keep what you have obtained a secret for now. One step back, two steps forward. Deal?”

“You’re right, but…” Jin-Hyeok immediately shook his head. “I can’t break a promise to my viewers.”

“...”

“I know what you are worried about, but…” Jin-Hyeok grinned. “I just need to become strong enough so that these kinds of issues won’t be a problem.”

“Ah?” Sae-Rin learned yet another lesson.

***

Jin-Hyeok could hear the Seoul Guardian Tree.

-“Oh, we can communicate? How marvelous!”

Jin-Hyeok was equally astonished. Both of them were on different Servers, yet communication between them was surprisingly smooth. It seemed that as his soul’s stature had risen, his bond with the Guardian Tree had strengthened.

-“I can sense your clear madness better now!”

‘Clear Madness?’

-“Your madness is pure and clear. It’s unmatchable. You truly are an extraordinary madman!”

Jin-Hyeok shook his head. ‘Has this tree not met true madmen? I am pretty normal compared to them.’

-“Usually, madmen do not realize they are mad.”

Jin-Hyeok did not feel he needed to correct the Guardian Tree’s misunderstanding. Educating it was not his priority.

‘I can also receive your buffs here. Are you ready to assist me?’

-“Of course. I will always provide you with my great powers when needed!”

The Guardian Tree was thrilled to be of active assistance.

Jin-Hyeok took a deep breath to compose himself.

‘I should use God of Luck.’

With his increased soul stature and stronger bond with the Guardian Tree, Jin-Hyeok felt he could harness the power of the God of Luck Mystery more efficiently.

‘Alright, let’s start the livestream.’

[Gacha Game]

Jin-Hyeok conducted his livestream.

-Huh? Gacha Game?

-He is doing Gacha content?

-Let’s go for number 1!

-If it’s Gacha, he has to pick the Legendary one, right? ^^

Option number one was a popular choice. However, many viewers were more rational and sensible.

-Realistically, it will be better to go for the fifteen percent chance of getting a Rare Mystery Map.

-I didn’t even know that Mysteries had grades, but a rare Mystery must be quite good.

-By setting that probability for the first option, they’re basically saying they don’t want to give it to you.

Some Players knew the real Chul-Soo.

-Chul-Soo has the God of Luck Mystery, right?

-He should just use it.

As the chat heated up, Jin-Hyeok revealed option number 0.

-Wait a minute!

-Broadcaster’s Insight is insane! LOL

-He found the hidden option just with Broadcaster’s Insight!

“There is a question mark in place of the odds. The odds could be zero,” Jin-Hyeok told his viewers.

The option could be just bait.

“But isn’t it a Streamer’s duty to challenge such odds?”

Most Players would find it difficult to bet on an uncertain chance.

“Providing vicarious satisfaction by doing what regular Players find difficult… I believe that is also a Streamer’s duty.”

-Damn, Chul-Soo and his philosophy!

-That’s why he has grown so much!

-He is so cool!

As he prepared to make his choice, Jin-Hyeok naturally revealed his rewards.

-Wow! I can’t believe he’s revealing them like this.

-If anyone can take Chul-Soo’s abilities now, they would become a top ranker in the universe in no time.

-I can hear the sounds of Player Hunters drooling.

-Streamer Protection Treaty? Screw that! What is that even?

“So, I am going to use the Guardian Tree’s power and invoke God of Luck. Honestly, I feel the Mythic Mystery Map will be worth the effort.”

In the end, Jin-Hyeok chose option 0. An artifact shaped like an old map appeared before him. It spun around and burst into a flash of golden light. Jin-Hyeok used Absolute Barrier. Several light fragments pierced his abdomen.

“Oh? This was not just a simple effect,” Jin-Hyeok said. He pulled the light fragments out of his abdomen, and blood gushed out.

-Uh, I can’t watch it.

-I turned off the screen.

-He looks too calm! Is this a staged video?

“Most Players would have died here, but I was lucky.”

Suddenly, the Phantom Swordswoman appeared beside Jin-Hyeok, bleeding profusely.

“My defensive Mystery saved me.”

-She’s a defensive Mystery, after all.

-I was right. She knew how to defend all along!

-I thought she was a destructive Mystery.

“This should clear up the viewers’ misunderstandings. My Phantom Swordswoman is definitely a defensive Mystery.”

After fulfilling her role, the Phantom Swordswoman dissipated like smoke.

“I am fortunate. I have obtained the map.”

[You have acquired a map marked with a Mythic Mystery.]

“The location of the Mystery is marked here.” Jin-Hyeok revealed the map.

-He is not blurring the map?

-I just took a screenshot!

-I can see the location!

-Isn’t that near the capital city of the First Hell?

-I’m going there right now.

Jin-Hyeok revealing the Mythic Mystery map caused a commotion.

“To just get this map, I suffered such an injury.” The attack was so severe the bleeding would not stop. “I received help from my defensive Mystery and even deployed Absolute Barrier. God of Luck also helped me.”

Had it not been for God of Luck, a fragment could have pierced his heart instead of his abdomen.

“So, obtaining this Mythic Mystery could be even more perilous and challenging. I advise regular viewers not to attempt it.”

Jin-Hyeok grinned. ‘Perfect.’

This was the start of a competition content.

“Of course, I will be the first to obtain the Mystery.”

-Wow, I never imagined this would happen!

-Chul-Soo revealed the map and started a competition with the viewers! LOL

-He is just crazy!

-Just crazy? Do you not see IntenseMan’s noble intentions? He wants to provide opportunities to the viewers.

-No, I think he is just crazy about his livestream.

-That’s why you’re stupid. Tsk tsk. You think the world you know is everything.

The number of viewers on the livestream surpassed one billion. It was a historic peak for Jin-Hyeok’s livestreaming career.

1. Gacha machines are those toy-vending machines that are popular in Asia. ☜

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