I Gave Up Being Stronger

— What’s up?

“Gather the Sogang Alliance members and quickly come to the Hongik University Dungeon.”

— Why?

“We’ve got a rich kid on our hands.”

— Oh, really?

Backstabber was the actual leader of the Hongdae Alliance. And Bong-Hyeok, Player name Sinchon[1] Rascal, was the leader of the Sogang Alliance. He had a Hidden Job called Descendant of Justice Bao[2] and was a skilled Debuffer specializing in binding Skills. His Level was 44.

He heard Backstabber’s voice.

‘Why are you so late? Don’t look at me. Just say hi to Anellan.’

This was one of Ja-Yeol’s Demagogue Skills called Whisper. It allowed him to secretly transmit his voice.

“Leader Anellan, I’m sorry for being late,” Bong-Hyeok said.

The actual conversation was with Backstabber, but he pretended to have a conversation with Anellan.

Backstabber whispered to Anellan, ‘Let’s double-check our operation.’

“Leader of the Sogang Alliance, are you familiar with our operation?” Anellan asked.

“Of course. This isn’t my first rodeo. Word is that some wealthy guys have entered there, is that correct?”

The Sogang Alliance had a significant number of Debuffer Players under the leadership of Bong-Hyeok.

“So I am going to bind them, you guys are going to attack them, and we will take their money. It’s a happy ending for everyone,” Bong-Hyeok said while smirking.

He and his Alliance members were prepared.

“Judging by the fact that the entrance is still closed, the people inside should be severely injured."

Even the young masters of large chaebol families who entered here with optimism had all come out severely injured. The Alliances would bind them and take their money and items, which had already amounted to over two hundred million won.

“I was a bit disappointed that the rich kids had stopped coming here.”

After a while.

Clank.

The sound of the door opening was heard.

“Sogang Alliance, get ready!”

Soon, the two severely injured Players would appear from the other side of the door.

As the door was opening, Bong-Hyeok heard a puzzling remark.

“Damn, I was expecting more.”

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

‘Damn, I was expecting more.’

Encountering skilled Players from different classes was always an exciting experience. However, Cha Jin-Hyeok was greatly disappointed. He saw a shabby net made of mana threads flying toward him.

[Enemy used the Skill 「Binding Rope」.]

[Enemy used the Skill 「Binding Net」.]

[Enemy used the Skill 「Walk Slower」.]

In addition to these Skills, a few more binding Skills were added. All of these Skills formed a scattered network of traps flying toward Jin-Hyeok. There were too many ways he could avoid these Skills that he didn’t know which way he should choose.

‘Only idiots would get caught by these Skills.’

Jin-Hyeok had never seen such shabby traps before. If he moved just three steps to the side, he would easily dodge the traps. So that was exactly what he did.

‘What kind of idiot would get hit by—never mind.’

When he looked to the side, Han Sae-Rin had been caught in the binding Skill. A black arm protruded from the ground, tightly gripping Sae-RIn’s ankle.

‘No way… How did she get caught?’

Sometimes, Sae-Rin could be truly magnificent, but in moments like this, she fell short. As someone who had high hopes for Sae-Rin’s future, it was a disappointing situation.

However, the most absurd thing about all of this was that crazy guy with the Player name Sinchon Rascal.

“Hahahaha! This is the power of the Sogang Alliance!”

Jin-Hyeok had no idea what this Sogang Alliance was about.

“Now it’s your turn! Attack them!”

Some of the Players Jin-Hyeok saw on the first floor approached them.

Sae-Rin bit her lip.

“What’s going on?”

“What do you mean what’s going on? We’re being kidnapped,” Jin-Hyeok said to Sae-RIn. Then, he turned around and spoke to the enemies that were about to attack him, “I will give you guys five seconds. If you don’t want to regret what is going to happen, drop all your weapons and surrender, or just surrender and walk away. I am not in a good mood right now.”

“What are you talking about, you idiot!” Sinchon Rascal said while laughing.

It seemed like he was convinced that Jin-Hyeok was caught in his binding Skill.

‘How? Why? Why is he so sure? I’m so confused.’

“You just look fine on the outside, but I know you’re seriously injured on the inside!” Sinchon Rascal said.

‘I’m injured? I’ve never felt this refreshed in my life. This guy has been talking nonsense from the start.’

“It’s so weird that every time I kindly warn people like you, they just don’t listen…”

This was the pain Jin-Hyeok had to live with for not being famous. Before regression, his warnings had some weight, but Jin-Hyeok just guessed this was how things were now.

“AHHH!”

A man yelled and approached Jin-Hyeok. It seemed like this guy also thought Jin-Hyeok was completely trapped. That was why he was rushing at Jin-Hyeok so recklessly.

Stab!

He was so reckless that Jin-Hyeok just poked him in the shoulder with his dagger.

“ARGH!!”

The members of the Alliance widened their eyes. To be honest, until the very last moment, Jin-Hyeok had a faint hope that these guys were just acting and were just trying to catch Jin-Hyeok off guard. However, it seemed like they really believed that Jin-Hyeok was caught in a bind.

“Who would get caught in such weak traps? Even a three-year-old could avoid them if they had eyes,” Jin-Hyeok said.

In the meantime, another set of binding Skills flew toward him.

[Enemy used the Skill 「Binding Rope」.]

[Enemy used the Skill 「Binding Net」.]

[Enemy used the Skill 「Walk Slower」.]

‘Huh? They’re reusing the same set of Skills?’

These Players seemed to have learned nothing. Even though their surprise attack failed earlier, now they were just blatantly reusing the same set of Skills.

It was frustrating to see those who lacked the basics in their abilities but were so full of themselves. If they were going to execute a kidnapping Play, they should have done it properly and convincingly. Jin-Hyeok thought this was just wasting everyone’s time.

This time, he didn’t dodge.

“We did it!”

“We got him!”

Two Players holding spears from the Hongdae Alliance approached him. However, perhaps because they saw Jin-Hyeok stab another Player before, they seemed a bit cautious.

“Hey! What the hell are you waiting for? Go and stab him!” Sinchon Rascal said.

Jin-Hyeok was not actually caught in the binding Skills. He didn’t dodge, but he blocked them with Broadcaster’s Barrier. He also blocked the spears the enemies thrusted with Broadcaster’s Barrier.

Clang! Clang!

The two spears bounced off his Broadcaster\'s Barrier and landed on the ground. Then, Jin-Hyeok closed the distance and swung his dagger toward the shoulder of the person who tried to stab Jin-Hyeok.

[You have used the Skill 「Sharper Spirit」.]

Slice!

Jin-Hyeok severed the enemy’s arm.

“ARGH!!”

Jin-Hyeok picked up the severed arm and threw it at the group of Players. These guys really lacked the basics.

“Closing your eyes while attacking? Turning your head?”

That was seriously crossing the line.

Stab!

Jin-Hyeok stabbed his dagger into the enemy’s shoulder as well. As the tide had turned to Jin-Hyeok’s favor, more than ten of the guys on the other side began to falter. This was why momentum was crucial in a battle.

Then, Jin-Hyeok heard a voice.

“Don’t be afraid! This is just his special ability! When he feels a serious threat, he unleashes great power. Don’t lose courage. We are the Hongdae Alliance and the Sogang Alliance. If we don’t crumble right now, we can definitely subdue him!”

It was the voice of Anellan, the leader of the Hongdae Alliance. However, Jin-Hyeok could easily tell that it was Backstabber, using the Instigate Skill, and manipulating Anellan to say whatever he wanted.

‘Wow, he’s just borrowing someone else’s voice.’

Leader Anellan stood before Jin-Hyeok, wielding a sword.

“I am going to fight him. His health is almost depleted, so just kill him when—”

Anellan was relaying the words of a Demagogue. This caused a delay.

Humans were originally designed to do only one thing at a time. Acting like this significantly slowed down their reaction.

So, Jin-Hyeok quickly approached her and swung his dagger.

“Keuk…”

“Who talks so much during a battle?” Jin-Hyeok said.

“You coward…”

“You’re the cowardly one.”

Initiating a surprise attack with this many Players… Jin-Hyeok did not know who was calling whom cowardly.

When Anellan lost her arm, the members of the Hongik Alliance, on the contrary, became more courageous and resolute.

“Hm… you must have been an impressive leader.”

Some of the Players rushed toward Jin-Hyeok, and a chaotic battle ensued. In the midst of it, Backstabber shouted loudly, “We have to kill him right here, right now! If he happens to survive and come back, terrible things will happen to us! He will hire numerous Players to kill us all!”

Even in this extreme(?) combat situation, his Instigate Skill worked quite effectively.

‘Huh?’

It looked like Backstabber was trying to run away after telling his fellow members to attack Jin-Hyeok.

‘I guess those who are attacking me are quite admirable.’

These were the guys who did not care about themselves and charged at Jin-Hyeok for attacking their leader. So, Jin-Hyeok only stabbed them without severing their arms.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

Jin-Hyeok even avoided the vital points. Even so, they wouldn’t be able to attack him anymore.

“You’re running away, leaving behind your Alliance Leader and your other members?”

He was the actual person who orchestrated all of this, yet he was the one farthest away from Jin-Hyeok.

“You really crossed the line.”

Jin-Hyeok grabbed his dagger and threw it. It struck Backstabber precisely at the back of his head. He collapsed without uttering a word. The remaining Players surrendered, and Jin-Hyeok only cut off one finger each.

“If you guys go to your Healer and ask for help, you are going to be good as new.”

These low-ranked Players had their own problems. If their leader asked them to do something, they had to do it, no matter how stupid it was. They were still young and growing, so Jin-Hyeok decided to have some mercy.

“But the leaders won’t get off so easily.”

Jin-Hyeok picked up Anellan’s arm and walked toward Sinchon Rascal, the Leader of the Sogang Alliance.

“I am a good Player who respects human rights.”

Habits were scary. Jin-Hyeok maintained a composed and undisturbed demeanor, calmly stating his position.

“I’ll cut it off without causing much pain. Give me your arm,” Jin-Hyeok said to Sinchon Rascal.

“No!! Please!” Sinchon Rascal stumbled backward.

Jin-Hyeok warned him nicely, but it seemed like Sinchon Rascal didn’t understand the severity. Jin-Hyeok closed the distance and cut off his arm.

“You two should take responsibility.”

Anellan pressed her shoulder with a pale face as she approached Jin-Hyeok.

“I will take the responsibility," Anellan said.

‘What is she talking about? The responsibility has already been taken. Can’t she see the arm I’m holding?’

Anellan kneeled down and extended her neck.

“In exchange, spare the members of my Alliance. They only acted under my orders.”

Jin-Hyeok didn’t understand why she naturally assumed he was going to kill her. He never said he was going to kill them.

However, Jin-Hyeok\'s thoughts were interrupted.

“You motherfucker!” Sinchon Rascal screamed as he fled.

‘Compared to Anellan, that guy is a nobody.’

Jin-Hyeok thought of a great idea. He took out a dagger from his pocket and threw it toward the back of Sinchon Rascal’s head. Jin-Hyeok was a bit confused as to why he would run away after what happened to Backstabber.

“That guy paid with his life. I don’t have to kill you.”

Jin-Hyeok tossed aside Anellan’s severed arm. Instead of taking two arms from the leaders, Jin-Hyeok decided to take one life.

‘Ah, it reminds me of the old days.’

When Jin-Hyeok thought back, there was something romantic before regression. Sparing the leaders who loved their subordinates was a common occurrence.

‘I’ve also been spared like that several times…’

They said they were impressed by the sight of Jin-Hyeok who fought fearlessly, risking his life until the end.

“Do whatever you want with your arm. Just don’t pull a stunt like this again. I can only forgive you once that you were manipulated by a Demagogue.”

Anellan looked at him with a shocked expression.

‘Did she think I wouldn’t know about that?’

[#I’ve escaped from the manipulation! #I will never forget your favor. #I will become stronger. #And repay you.]

Jin-Hyeok felt a sense of satisfaction.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Sae-Rin, who was hiding in the shadows, covered her mouth.

‘Holy shit,’ she thought.

At first, she was surprised. She knew that Jin-Hyeok was considered one of the strongest Streamers, but she did not expect him to be this powerful.

‘He is incredibly strong…’

She did not take her eyes off Jin-Hyeok for even a moment, no, she could not take her eyes off him.

‘So beautiful…’

The way he fought was incredibly beautiful. There was no unnecessary movement in his action. His movements were graceful as if he was dancing.

After everything was settled, Sae-Rin approached Jin-Hyeok as if she was possessed.

“That… was incredible!”

Then she touched every part of Jin-Hyeok’s body like a crazy person. She gasped for breath and got lost in a trance.

Jin-Hyeok looked at her with a proud expression.

‘Yes! That’s the expression!’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

There was no doubt that Sae-Rin was inspired. This inspiration would soon lead to enlightenment. Jin-Hyeok had no intention of interrupting her inspiration.

“Touch to your heart’s content.”

Finally, it felt like Jin-Hyeok was actually Playing. He willingly offered his body for her enlightenment.

Time passed by, and Sae-Rin suddenly snapped out of her trance, realizing that she had been resting her head on Jin-Hyeok’s chest.

“Oh, um… No… this, um…”

“Did you attain enlightenment?”

At that moment, Sae-Rin felt that Jin-Hyeok understood everything about herself. He understood her better than anyone else. The urge to make excuses vanished, replaced by a sense of complete satisfaction filling her heart.

“It feels like I caught a glimpse of the future I need to strive for,” Sae-Rin said.

“Well, in that case, it’s all good. About getting caught in those bindings earlier, that was a bit disappointing.”

“...”

“I was really disappointed.”

Those words of disappointment made Sae-Rin incredibly happy. It was the whip that would discipline her to be stronger.

“...I’m sorry. Really. It will never happen again. And also… thank you.”

Sae-Rin’s face turned red.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Jin-Hyeok turned on the livestream.

“Let’s start the enhancement livestream! Luckily, I managed to get the materials. I skipped the boring parts of getting those materials. We will be arriving at Mulinus’ workshop soon!”

Before long, they arrived at Mulinus’ workshop. He was pleasantly surprised.

“You already got this?” Mulinus chuckled while taking the Moon Shaman\'s Finger. “I didn’t expect you to actually get this so soon.”

Mulinus examined the Moon Shaman’s Finger for a while before grabbing an old apron and a hammer.

“Let’s begin the enhancement.”

Clang! Clang!

Mulinus started hammering. With each hit, a bright light flashed, and one of the materials was consumed and disappeared. This went on one by one until all the materials were used up.

“Finally!”

With a brilliant light, the shape of the Berklev Necklace changed.

“Here.”

The moment Jin-Hyeok received the enhanced Berklev Necklace, a new notification popped up.

[You are the first person in the Server to successfully enhance the Berklev Necklace.]

[You have acquired the Hidden Achievement 「Record Breaker」.]

‘Huh?’

1. Sinchon is an area in Seoul where a lot of notorious universities are located, such as Sogang University. ☜

2. Justice Bao, or Bao Zheng, was a Chinese politician in China’s Song Dynasty. He was known for his honesty and uprightness, hence the nickname, Justice Bao. ☜