I Gave Up Being Stronger

‘She wanted this to happen? What does that mean?’

Before his regression, Han Sae-Rin often spoke in an illogical way. Many times, her words held profound insights as the words of a Navigator, and they often gave Jin-Hyeok substantial inspiration.

‘Ah, I get it!’

Lightly landing on a tree branch, Jin-Hyeok surveyed the scene below. The Hump-Tailed Lizard was trying to claw its way up the tree but kept slipping and falling.

‘This tree is really slippery.’

The Hump-Tailed Lizard could not climb the tree. Upon closer inspection, Jin-Hyeok realized that the tree was secreting slippery sap in response to the presence of external life forms. And it was the same for the area beneath his feet.

‘But I’m holding someone right now.’

Remarkably, despite holding Han Sae-Rin, he had no difficulty maintaining his balance. It seemed Sae-Rin had read this situation perfectly.

‘Sae-Rin is such a formidable Navigator.’

Jin-Hyeok concluded that she had thoroughly calculated both the Hump-Tailed Lizard’s path and his path to predict the best way to dodge the monster’s attack.

‘And she tested how well I can stand on this slippery tree. It is essential for a Navigator to test out the abilities and limitations of their party members.’

Jin-Hyeok felt that this was like a test, which he had passed with flying colors.

Nestled in his arms, Sae-Rin asked, “Why are you smiling?”

“Because I’m happy.”

“H-Happy?”

“Yes. Very.”

For some reason, Sae-Rin chose not to speak any further, but Jin-Hyeok didn’t particularly mind.

‘First, let’s get away from the Lizard and find a safe place to land.’

He leaped across a few more trees while holding Sae-Rin, proving beyond a doubt that he could effortlessly execute such maneuvers.

‘Time to set her down, I guess… Huh?’

He attempted to set Sae-Rin down but failed. She was holding onto him tightly.

‘What’s going on? Why isn’t she getting down? What more does she want to test?’

“Keep holding me,” she said.

“Why?”

“...D-Do you not realize this is the most efficient way to move around?”

“Ah!”

Sae-Rin was currently only around Level 110, yet Jin-Hyeok kept comparing her to the Level 200 version of Sae-Rin he knew before his regression.

‘Of course! It’s far more efficient and quicker for me to carry her. How could I overlook that?’

Once again, her perceptiveness impressed him.

“I apologize. I was being shortsighted,” he said.

“Okay.”

Jin-Hyeok held Sae-Rin tight and started to move again.

“Look at your eleven o’clock direction. No, a little more to the left.” Like handling a ship’s wheel, Sae-Rin subtly tugged at the collar of Jin-Hyeok’s clothes, steering him in the right direction.

Jin-Hyeok was collaborating with Sae-Rin in this way for the first time, yet their efficiency was remarkably good.

‘As expected of Sae-Rin…’

After a while, they discovered a village surrounded by a large wooden fence.

“Over there,” Sae-Rin said.

Jin-Hyeok and Sae-Rin moved toward the fence. Sae-Rin’s face was flushed in a peculiar way, which made Jin-Hyeok pleased.

‘This kind of rapid and efficient cooperation must be a first for her, too.’

He was no longer a simple Swordsman. As a Streamer, he had learned to empathize and understand Players of various Jobs.

‘The thrill when a plan you have only imagined becomes a reality… The immense satisfaction a Navigator gets when they safely cut through the shortest route must be incredible!’

However, something seemed off. They had reached their destination, but Sae-Rin was still lightly holding onto Jin-Hyeok’s clothes as if she found it somewhat regrettable.

‘Is she missing the thrilling sensation of steering me by pulling on my clothes?’

With a broad grin, Jin-Hyeok said, “We will do this again next time.”

“...”

Sae-Rin’s cheeks flushed even more, and Jin-Hyeok felt as if he completely understood her. She was indeed excited.

Suppressing his sense of pride, he walked toward the wooden fence. “Warriors who guard the wooden fence, hear me! We have come to meet your esteemed elder, Aliharum!”

The next instant, an arrow flew toward Jin-Hyeok’s forehead.

‘From here on out, I will show the world my strategy of a Regressor.’

Jin-Hyeok planned to show them a livestream of an entirely different dimension compared to Egan Paul’s show, a show he was convinced was scripted, although this was yet to be confirmed.

A livestream of exceptional quality.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

“Is this the way he went?” Five Crystals ran with labored breaths, intently moving forward.

‘Here. there’s a trace of him.’

Just then, she encountered a significant threat.

‘Hump-Tailed Lizard?’

It was the Hump-Tailed Lizard from earlier, furious at having lost its prey.

Kiiieek!

The Level-77 monster hissed aggressively. Using Broadcaster’s Barrier, Five Crystals successfully defended against its attack.

“Don’t get in my way.”

Although the monster’s Level was considerably lower than hers, Five Crystals found herself struggling somewhat. After several fierce exchanges, she bit her lip tightly. “I have to chase after Kim Chul-Soo!”

[You have used the Mystery 「Fanatical Obsession」.]

Her eyes and fingernails turned red. Hot steam escaped from her mouth.

Soon enough, her eyes and nails reverted to their original colors.

“I told you not to interfere!” With a disdainful spit, she flung a piece of the Hump-Tailed Lizard’s flesh aside. Next to her lay the brutally mauled Lizard, which was still bleeding.

Five Crystals’s eyes flickered between red and black.

“I’m… hungry…” A monstrous hunger flooded her senses. She buried her head into the Lizard’s flank and feasted on its innards. In a trance, she revealed her true desires. “I want to eat… Kim Chul-Soo…”

Snapping back to reality at once, she tilted her head in confusion. “What was I doing… Ah, right, I have to chase after Chul-Soo.”

Having regained her senses, she resumed her pursuit of Chul-Soo.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

Jin-Hyeok already knew that an arrow was coming. Using Broadcaster’s Barrier, he shielded his hand and caught the arrow mid-flight.

“Which coward shot this arrow?” Annoyed, he threw the arrow back toward the wooden fence.

Thunk!

The arrow lodged itself into the wood.

“If you are a true warrior, fight me like one! With swords and spears, not with bows! Do you not even know the honor of a warrior?” he shouted, surprised at the volume of his own voice.

‘Was my voice always this loud?’

His voice resonated as if he was using a microphone. His words had probably reached even the warriors behind the fence.

“Come out! Let’s duel like warriors!” Jin-Hyeok drew his Greatsword of La’kan and looked up at the fence. The threat of another arrow seemed of no concern to him.

‘Soon, the one who shot the arrow will reveal themselves.’

He had a few moments to spare, and he took this time to indulge in some theatrics. The Streamer knew his lines had impressed Lee Hyeon-Seong and Choi Gang-Byeok before, and he took great pride in his dramatic dialogues.

“The black-flame sword in my right hand is thirsty for battle!”

Thanks to the Phoenix Heart he had eaten, his ability to control fire had tremendously improved. Furthermore, his affinity for fire had increased after he had signed a contract with Elines, the Spirit King’s daughter.

‘I need to think about the Spirit King’s Tainted Flame.’

Although he was still working on how to incorporate fire in his attacks, Jin-Hyeok could at least create a fire effect. Black flames flickered around the blade of the Greatsword.

‘Huh? It works!’

Though not particularly practical, it was visually impressive. He was very pleased with the swirling black flames. Soon, the fence gate opened, and a hulking warrior stepped out, a long red beard trailing down his face, an axe in one hand and a wooden shield in the other.

“Hey, what is your name?” the warrior asked.

“I am not going to speak with anyone who is not a warrior,” Jin-Hyeok replied.

“...”

Jin-Hyeok lowered his Greatsword, making it clear he had no intention to fight. “Someone who comes with a shield is hardly a warrior.”

Seemingly embarrassed, the warrior shuddered once and threw his shield away.

“I guess you are more of a warrior than I thought,” Jin-Hyeok said.

The warrior took a deep breath and channeled his mana into his axe. “Show me the black-flamed sword you hold in your right hand!”’

With a powerful leap, the warrior charged at Jin-Hyeok at an incredible speed. Jin-Hyeok also planted his feet on the ground, locking his gaze forward.

‘I will block it head-on.’

He was properly wielding his sword for the first time after acquiring the Munchkin Trait. His heart pounded in anticipation.

‘Here it comes.’

The warrior’s attack was straightforward—a charge like a rhinoceros followed by a powerful swing. It was the trademark attack of Albangbang, the warrior from behind the fence.

“I will block his attack without using any Skills. I will use only my strength.” Recklessly receiving such an attack wasn’t to Jin-Hyeok’s taste. As a Swordsman, he would never directly counter such an attack, but he was a Streamer now.

Clang!

A shower of sparks erupted as the axe blade collided with the Greatsword. Thick veins bulged on Albangbang’s neck and forehead.

“Kraaah!”

A contest of brute force unfolded. Although Albangbang was considerably larger, he was being pushed back. With sheer strength, Jin-Hyeok pushed aside Albangbang’s axe, reading his timing.

‘And now.’

At that moment, the opponent’s balance subtly collapsed. Jin-Hyeok did not miss this perfect opportunity, informed by his countless experiences. On top of that, he squeezed in a corny line in the livestream. “I will be the one to cut your warrior’s pride.”

Whoosh!

A massive wind pressure burst forth as the Greatsword of La’kan traced a black trajectory. Soon, the blade of Jin-Hyeok’s Greatsword touched Albangbang’s shoulder, eliciting a short scream from the warrior.

“Keuk!”

Thud.

The arm holding the axe fell to the ground.

Surprisingly, the one who found this absurd was Jin-Hyeok himself.

‘I didn’t mean to do that.’

He had intended to inflict a deep wound on the shoulder, not sever the arm. It seemed he needed a bit more time to adapt to his overpowered attributes.

‘Well, what’s done is done.’

Not showing any signs of his internal disarray, Jin-Hyeok pointed his Greatsword at Albangbang’s throat. “A warrior has dropped his weapon. What a shameful act! You have lost your pride as a warrior.”

Albangbang uncontrollably trembled. Losing an arm was one thing, but losing his weapon amid a battle was a disgrace.

“If you are aware of your shame, then guide me to the esteemed elder, Aliharum,” Jin-Hyeok added.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

Sae-Rin was stunned by the battle between Albangbang and Jin-Hyeok.

‘Has he become even stronger?’ she thought.

Typically, combatant Streamers plateaued around Level 100. Yet, Jin-Hyeok seemed to grow stronger and stronger with time.

Albangbang, who had lost his right arm, clutched his shoulder while leading the way. ”Follow me.”

“Very well.” Jin-Hyeok walked behind the warrior with his Greatsword stowed in his inventory.

Sae-Rin followed suit but could not tear her eyes away from Jin-Hyeok for even a second.

‘As I expected… He is beautiful.’

None of the Swordsman-class Players Sae-Rin had seen had ever demonstrated such beautiful Play. She was certain that even the Anus Destroyer Lee Hyeon-Seong, who held the rank of Korea’s number Swordsman, could not display such elegance.

‘So beautiful!’

Unconsciously, she licked her lips and savored the taste in her mouth. A difficult-to-define sense of possessiveness wriggled within her.

Gulp.

She unconsciously gulped, capturing every nuance of Jin-Hyeok in her eyes. Moments when she had been in his arms earlier flashed through her mind.

‘I want to have him.’

Soon after, a notification sounded.

[You have entered the Field 「Alikum Tribal Village」.]