I Gave Up Being Stronger

“Oh my god! That thing is huge!”

The King Toad was quite large. It was even bigger than an average cow. Cha Jin-Hyeok chuckled quietly, unnoticed by anyone.

‘The poison… It’s not as effective as I thought.’

It seemed that the King Toad had considerable resistance to the poison potion made by Choi Gap-Soo.

“For now, I want everyone to wait until I fully draw its attention.”

Mok Jae-Hyeon raised an eyebrow.

“Not me, but you?” Jae-Hyeon asked.

It was Jin-Hyeok who always put Jae-Hyeon at the forefront. Jae-Hyeon suddenly had a great realization.

‘I guess when there is a real danger, he takes the lead,’ Jae-Hyeon thought.

He was slightly touched by Jin-Hyeok’s different demeanor.

“If my Broadcaster’s Barrier is breached, you have to be the one tanking the monster’s attack, so just wait there.”

There was a hint of excitement on Jin-Hyeok’s face. Some might say that he looked like he was enjoying the situation, but Jae-Hyeon thought differently.

‘He’s trying not to burden me. That’s why he purposely puts on such a cheerful expression.’

Jae-Hyeon knew he was just a coward. He knew that Jin-Hyeok was only doing this because if Jin-Hyeok showed any signs of timidity, he would freeze up and would not be able to do anything.

‘Jin-Hyeok is so thoughtful!’

Today, Jae-Hyeon clearly realized it. It seemed like there was a reason behind all the crises he had been pushed into until now.

‘He only threw crises at me that I could handle.’

Those crises were terrifying and frightening, but in the end, Jae-Hyeon managed to overcome them all. Jin-Hyeok’s actions taking the lead this time left a strong impression on Jae-Hyeon.

‘This time, it’s a crisis that I can’t handle. That’s why Jin-Hyeok is the one to draw the attention of the monster instead of me.’

Jae-Hyeon\'s Trait, Great Enlightenment, shone through. He now had a calmer mindset and an objective interpretation and understanding of the current situation.

‘This is all possible because we are at a low-Level Dungeon. Jin-Hyeok is showing me the path I should take in the future.’

It had always been like that. Jin-Hyeok always taught him many things as an adult.

In the meantime, Jin-Hyeok drew the perfect aggro. The King Toad’s bloodlust was solely directed at him.

‘It seems like I have a talent for drawing aggro,’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

It was not like he had any extraordinary Skills. He simply threw his dagger at the monster, but he managed to draw the aggro perfectly. It felt like he was better at it than Jae-Hyeon.

‘Activate Broadcaster’s Truesight.’

Jin-Hyeok’s heart thumped as he engaged in direct combat. The King Toad had resistance to the poison. The dagger had already fallen into the pond, and he swung the Steel Sword he had purchased from the Broadcaster’s Shop earlier.

Clang!

With a loud noise, small sparks flew.

‘A protective barrier?’

It sure was a boss monster. The King Toad had a powerful protective barrier, which was not surprising. Most of the monsters that would appear in the future would have their own protective barriers.

At that moment, the monster spewed venom. While dodging its attack by moving backward, Jin-Hyeok activated the Broadcaster\'s Barrier.

Sizzle!

The Broadcaster’s Barrier that came into contact with the venom melted away.

‘If I had been a little late, I would have suffered quite a burn.’

It was fortunate that Jin-Hyeok used the Broadcaster’s Barrier while dodging. If he had only done one of them, he would have suffered significant damage. The King Toad started to look around in different directions.

‘It’s about to use a Skill.’

The King Toad had one quite annoying Skill. Its tongues would spring out from numerous points in the air. It was a Skill similar to the one on the first floor of the Golden Toad Dungeon that attacked the Players, but there were dozens of them. Jin-Hyeok knew this thanks to his Broadcaster’s Truesight.

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

Its first attack was aimed at Jin-Hyeok. Seven tongues rained down on him like spears.

‘Wow.’

Jin-Hyeok instinctively found the Path of Survival among the seven spears. In a fleeting moment, he read the subtle gaps. A new path emerged within an extreme state of tension. It had a significant impact on Jin-Hyeok’s Traits.

[「Broadcaster’s Truesight」 has been enhanced.]

[「Broadcaster’s Truesight」 has been upgraded to 「Broadcaster’s Clairvoyance」.]

Jin-Hyeok immersed himself in a state of complete focus. He concentrated all his senses and nerves on this battle.

‘This is it.’

He evaded all seven spears.

To be precise, he saw the Path of Survival and positioned himself at the end of the Path. Since the King Toad was not a high-Level monster, the attacks themselves were not that sophisticated. However, when viewed by others, it looked like a performance art.

Seo Ji-Ah, who usually did not express her emotions, let out a short exclamation. In Ji-Ah’s eyes, Jin-Hyeok’s movements were like the pinnacle of artistry.

Jin-Hyeok immersed himself in his own world.

‘So this is the Broadcaster’s Clairvoyance.’

In an instant, he saw where the seven spears would fly. It felt like glimpsing an extremely subtle future. This feeling was remarkably similar to the Skill he possessed during his days as the Sword King, Super Sensitivity. It was so similar that he could actively utilize it.

‘I can see where the attacks will land.’

Spear of Many Tongues was a Skill where spears would pour out from various points in the air. It seemed like he knew where the Skill was aiming.

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

By reading where the spears were landing, evading the monster’s attacks became much easier. The King Toad looked frustrated.

While all the attacks were focused on Jin-Hyeok, the Seo sisters attacked the King Toad. In the midst of it, one spear pierced through Ji-Ah’s back.

“Unnie!” Seo Ji-Soo exclaimed in surprise, and the King Toad glanced briefly in Ji-Soo’s direction.

Jin-Hyeok flinched.

‘Damn it!’’

Neither Ji-Soo nor Ji-Ah had the defensive power to withstand the attacks of the monster. If they were hit once, it would be a severe injury or death. Just like how Ji-Ah was right now.

‘Huh?’

However, the King Toad was still focused on Jin-Hyeok, seemingly disregarding Ji-Soo.

‘That’s fortunate.’

The creature’s defense was much stronger than expected. No matter how much he attacked, the barrier would not break. Even when Jin-Hyeok managed to avoid the King Toad’s attacks and approached to swing his sword, the monster was able to push him back by spewing its venom.

The same thing kept happening.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Jae-Hyeon maintained a sharp sense of readiness. He was prepared to unleash his Wood Fortress at any moment. Inspired by Jin-Hyeok, Jae-Hyeon subtly started to resemble him.

“Ji-Soo, don’t be so flustered. It’s only natural to get injured during a raid.”

Cha Jin-Sol began healing Ji-Ah’s injuries. The injuries were severe, so it would take a while until Ji-Ah recovered.

‘I’m going to kill that thing,’ Ji-Soo thought as she bit her lip.

Ji-Soo actively participated in trying to kill the King Toad. Her combat sense was quite impressive and proved to be a significant help to Jin-Hyeok. Kim Jeong-Hyeon’s martial arts also dealt some blows to the monster’s defense. However, both Ji-Soo and Jeong-Hyeon gradually grew tired.

‘Its defensive barrier won’t break!’

‘It’s… too… powerful… of an opponent.’

Both of them felt an insurmountable wall. They even entertained the thought that they might die here.

Jin-Hyeok, too, was quite exhausted.

‘Wow, I would’ve died if I came in here alone!’

As Jin-Hyeok thought that, a sense of intense tension surged through him, and he felt good. He did not try to deny this emotion. He had already passed that stage where he contemplated his feelings and concluded that he needed to control his feelings rationally.

“Listen carefully,” Jin-Hyeok said while evading the King Toad’s venomous attacks. “This creature has the ability to restore its protective barrier by submerging in water. Did everyone notice that?”

Whenever the protective barrier seemed to break, the monster escaped into the water. When it resurfaced, the barrier had regenerated.

“So, we have two options. Either drag it out onto land or kill it quickly before it dives into the water.”

However, there was no Debuffer or Curse Mage with the ability to restrain it or drag it onto land.

Jin-Hyeok reached a conclusion.

“We have to kill it quickly before it goes into the water.”

“How is that possible?”

Ji-Soo had already reached her physical limits. She was on the verge of exhaustion.

“Step back, Ji-Soo. Jeong-Hyeon and I will handle it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If I tell you to fall back, just fall back! There is no time to explain in detail!”

There was no time for lengthy explanations. The King Toad was also slightly fatigued. The frequency and power of its Spear of Many Tongues had slightly decreased. Jin-Hyeok had a gut feeling that this was their one and only chance.

“And Jeong-Hyeon, do you see that over there? Can you see where I placed the item?”

It was the Ward Jin-Hyeok had purchased from the Broadcaster’s Shop. It was a round, translucent item floating on the water.

“Yes, I see it.”

“When the monster uses its Skill for the third time, move over there. Two spears will intersect and rain down at that spot. I need you to take the hit.”

Right now, it was difficult to focus solely on attacking, because he had to dodge the enemy’s attacks. Someone had to take the hit at least once.

“Ji-Soo might die from taking the hit, but I know you won’t. And Jae-Hyeon can’t move as nimbly as you,” Jin-Hyeok said.

That was why the suitable candidate was Jeong-Hyeon. Jin-Hyeok felt his senses coming alive.

He truly felt alive.

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

Jin-Hyeok swiftly moved, evading all the Spears of Many Tongues.

“Okay, the next attack!”

Jeong-Hyeon nodded. He was slower than Jin-Hyeok, but still fairly quick in his movements as he leaped to the position designated by Jin-Hyeok.

Jin-Hyeok then followed him.

[The King Toad had used the Skill 「Spear of Many Tongues」.]

Stab!

Stab!

The Spear of Many Tongues, intersecting in an X-shape, pierced through Jeong-Hyeon’s body.

“ARGH!”

It was evident that he was seriously injured. Jin-Hyeok immediately approached the King Toad. Thanks to Jeong-Hyeon’s sacrifice, the path was completely open, allowing him to focus solely on the attack.

‘I see it!’

The Broadcaster’s Clairvoyance showed more than he thought. It faintly displayed the trajectory of his future sword strikes, which he knew through experience and intuition. It appeared as dotted lines, and it resembled the Skill he possessed during his Sword King days, Sword Ways.

‘But this is not enough.’

Jin-Hyeok knew that this was the final opportunity. Ji-Ah and Jeong-Hyeon were both seriously injured. After healing them, Jin-Sol would also be exhausted and unable to provide further help.

‘I need to kill it right now!’

He needed to find a way. He had to kill the monster at this very moment.

‘I must strike it down without fail.’

He solely focused on this situation. Every sense in his body was directed toward himself and the King Toad.

The long-awaited, blood-boiling battle stimulated his entire being.

[You have acquired the Latent Skill 「Sharp Spirit」.]

Ferocity was a Skill that sword-wielding class Players awakened at Level 40.

There was no time to think about that.

[You have activated the Hidden Skill 「Ferocity」.]

Intangible mana permeated Jin-Hyeok’s Steel Sword. It looked like a powerful aura.

Jin-Hyeok swung his sword along the Sword Ways that he saw.

‘The protective barrier has been destroyed!’

The King Toad seemed momentarily taken aback. Just as it was about to leap into the water, Jin-Hyeok’s sword severed its neck. The speed at which he swung the sword left a blue afterimage in the air.

[You have defeated the King Toad.]

[「x7 Jackpot Effect」has been applied.]

The protective barrier was incredibly resilient, but the monster’s actual defense was lacking.

“Pant… Pant…!’

Having defeated the King Toad, Jin-Hyeok collapsed onto the leaf. It had been a while since he felt such exhilaration and thrill.

‘I missed this feeling…’

This was the true taste of raiding. The ecstasy was more intense than any drug, enveloping his body.

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

In the end, Jin-Hyeok’s party defeated the King Toad, and everyone gained two Levels.

[You have acquired the Major Achievement 「Repeating Shortcuts and Hidden King」.]

Jin-Hyeok smiled. It was not something worthy of being registered in the Hall of Fame, but the sense of accomplishment when achieving a Major Achievement was tremendous.

[Repeating Shortcuts and Hidden King]

[Amidst countless repetitions of shortcuts, you hunted down the King who had hidden Skillfully for ages, yearning for greatness. Although it could not achieve greatness, it could indeed be called the King of Toads.

Achievement Effect: Complete nullification of all attacks from toad-type monsters below Level 100 when using defensive Skills/ Traits.]

‘Is this for real? Completely nullification of all attacks from toad-type monsters below Level 100? I think I can even defeat that monster with this!’

There was one monster that was not originally part of the plan. It was a monster that successfully achieved greatness among the aspiring Kings.

‘Can I really defeat that monster?’

Jin-Hyeok was not sure.

Even though he would be much weaker, with this Achievement Effect, it felt like he had a chance.

‘I’m so excited!’

A day had passed.

When Jin-Hyeok returned home, he checked his bank balance again.

‘It’s going faster than I anticipated.’

He had received bigger donations than he expected. And with the ten Golden Toad Dungeon Clears and the x7 Jackpot Effect, all of that added to approximately eight billion won for Jin-Hyeok in cash.

With this amount, he could easily buy a decent building in Yeonhui-dong.

‘Oh, but come to think of it, there is something I should do before becoming a building owner.’

It was such a simple logic, yet he had forgotten about it.