I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 267

Jin-Hyeok realized something once again. An attack from a blind spot could often be much more powerful than a visible one. He already knew this very well, but experiencing it firsthand always felt new and thrilling.

‘It’s a bit disappointing though.’

The viewers could have mixed feelings about what just happened since the fight had ended too quickly.

‘How could it be over with just one hit? Wait, maybe...?’

“...Did I finish him?” Jin-Hyeok said. He had heard this phrase many times in television shows, and it usually revived the enemy. He glanced at the fallen Swampland No.1. However, even the magical spell was useless. The hammering of the defensive Mystery Phantom Swordswoman was quite powerful, and the back of the head was too critical a spot.

“Ah... I am afraid I have regrettable news for the viewers.”

The concept of his new video was not about teaching a lesson but about Reverse Player Hunter content. To properly create such content, Jin-Hyeok was supposed to steal an ability of Swampland No.1. However, Swampland No.1’s death didn’t allow him to do that.

“The Reverse Player Hunter content has fa—”

‘Huh?’

Just then, he felt a special energy from the Phantom Swordswoman. To be precise, it seemed like some knowledge from Swampland No.1 had been transferred to the Phantom Swordswoman.

“The defensive Mystery has done it again!” Jin-Hyeok said.

It seemed like the Phantom Swordswoman had been imitating some of the Authority of Swallowing, which Miri possessed. From wielding a hammer instead of a sword, in many ways, this Mystery was becoming more like its master.

The excitement began to build. The content was not over yet.

“I think I know how to create a Control Bug. It seems my defensive Mystery has swallowed some valuable information from the back of the opponent’s head. To be sure, I will go back to the office of Swampland No.1.”

Lessefim was a bit puzzled. ‘What does he mean when he said the defensive Mystery has done it again? What does that have to do with it being a defensive Mystery?’

***

Leading the way, Lessefim asked, “Hey, Chul-Soo.”

“What’s up?”

“Why did you put down your weapon earlier? Did you really intend to save me, even if it meant risking danger?”

Lessefim knew he had done it to attract the attention of Swampland No.1 and lay the groundwork for the defensive Mystery to properly attack.

‘But, is that all?’ Lessefim wondered.

Jin-Hyeok pondered the question a bit and then nodded. “You have something of a Chul-Soo Lander vibe.”

“Chul-Soo Land? You mean your fan club?”

“Yeah.”

“...”

‘I’m not your fan!’ She was about to say that but decided against it.

“Well, you are good-looking. I have never seen anyone who looks like you before,” Lessefim said.

“That’s because you have not seen truly good-looking people yet.”

“I am a top ranker in Arvis. Do you really think I haven’t seen good-looking people?”

“You probably haven’t.” Jin-Hyeok shrugged. “I’ve realized after Playing with you that your standards are lower than I thought.”

“...”

“You need to think about your initial goals, Lessefim.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been scolded.” Lessefim’s face turned slightly red. She was usually the one doing the scolding, not the other way around. So, this experience was very fresh and fascinating to her. “Scold me more.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing. Anyway, you should seriously consider switching to being a Navigator. Your real talent undoubtedly lies in this Job.”

Jin-Hyeok stroked his chin and thought about it. As she was a top ranker in a top-ranked Server, it was hard to just ignore her advice.

‘Could that really be the case?’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

He had always thought his talent lay in wielding a sword. But as time passed, it turned out not to be swords but hammers. Similarly, he wondered if his true calling was not being a Streamer but a Navigator.

“It’s not that what you’re saying is completely wrong, but...” Jin-Hyeok said. No matter how much he thought about it, compared to people like Mole Man and Han Sae-Rin, who had switched to being a Ruler, he seemed a bit lacking as a Navigator. Also, he loved livestreaming. “...I don’t think I’m quite there. But since it’s your advice, I will keep it in mind.”

“That’s enough for now.” Lessefim smiled satisfactorily, her mood greatly improved and her ears perked up.

“Enough about that. I have something to ask you. I would like you to draw a picture of that woman I saw through the tarantula,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“I’ll do it.”

Based on the memories Jin-Hyeok had read from the tarantula, Lessefim drew a woman. As she was a tracking expert, she was able to depict the woman accurately.

“Hm... Yes, this is what she looked like,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“No matter how I see it, she looks like Lady Harkoen.”

“Is she a real person?”

“Yes, she is a noblewoman from a traditional prestigious family in Arvis.”

“Do you think she was behind all this? Why?”

‘Why would a high noblewoman of Arvis target me?’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

“Well, that woman loves beautiful things,” Lessefim said.

“And?”

“I told you, you are really good-looking.”

Jin-Hyeok’s face hardened. To Lessefim, it looked like Jin-Hyeok was nervous for the first time.

“Why are you nervous? Are you starting to get scared now that we’re talking about a noblewoman of Arvis?”

“Kang Eun-Woo is in danger.”

***

The Reverse Player Hunter content series had not yet been released to the public, but Jin-Hyeok consistently uploaded short videos on Eltube. Due to the commotion in Dion, more people in Arvis were paying attention to him.

-Isn’t that Lady Harkoen?

-It’s a perfect match with the drawing.

The woman in the drawing that Jin-Hyeok revealed was undoubtedly Lady Harkoen.

-The drawing looks identical.

-I heard Lady Harkoen has a hobby of collecting dolls.

The rumor that Lady Harkoen turned living people into dolls was like an urban legend in the Arvis Server.

-So, the rumor was true.

-Some witnesses have seen Lady Harkoen buying humans from other Servers. They say those are the materials for the dolls.

-What era do we live in to believe such nonsensical talk?

-Delete your comment before you get sued.

Regardless, Harkoen immediately released an interview about the rumors. She talked about how the circulating rumors were all fake and just conspiracy theories aimed at slandering her.

Suddenly, public opinion in support of Lady Harkoen surged.

-Could Lady Harkoen really do such a thing?

-When Chul-Soo was fighting with the tarantula, Lady Harkoen was volunteering at the Rice Grain Orphanage. You guys should get your facts straight before talking shit.

Lady Harkoen was known as a noblewoman from a distinguished family and was very active in volunteer and relief activities.

-It’s impossible for Lady Harkoen to do such a thing.

That became the prevailing opinion before long.

Harkoen slightly bit her lip. Her gaze was directed toward the Treasure Room. “I must have Kim Chul-Soo.”

“But, Ma’am, the timing is not very good right now.”

She threw the jade hairpin she had been wearing. The hairpin grazed the cheek of the man making the report and pierced the stone wall behind him. Blood trickled down the man’s cheek.

“Do you think I care about the timing? I just missed my treasure right before my eyes!”

“Chul-Soo can be captured anytime, but it’s too risky right now.”

“Then you have to make it not risky. That’s why you’re here, Chamberlain.”

This man’s name was Hyde, and he was Harkoen’s chamberlain. He had been the backbone of the family, handling the major and minor affairs of the house since Harkoen was young.

When Harkoen had been young, he had also acted as her knight. Now, he was the person Harkoen trusted and relied on the most.

Hyde bowed slightly and replied, “Please give me a little time. Chul-Soo will soon be forgotten by the public. We can move then. I will definitely place that treasure in your hands.”

Only then did a thin smile form on Lady Harkoen’s lips. “As expected, the only person I can trust is you, Chamberlain. Come closer. I have a reward for you.”

Hyde approached Harkoen, knelt on one knee, and raised his right hand. Harkoen lightly kissed the back of Hyde’s hand. A lipstick mark remained on Hyde’s hand, and he slowly stood up and said, “Having received a reward after a long time, I should also get moving.”

***

Upon visiting the office of Swampland No.1, Jin-Hyeok encountered an unexpected complication.

“Uh... So...” At the entrance of the office stood a woman with a white hairband tied around her forehead. She was holding a picket sign, conducting a one-person protest.

[Chul-Soo has taken away valuable jobs from good citizens! Leave the Server!]

It was Yolin, who had lost her job as the Swampland Crew was wiped out. Her expression was quite serious, and in a way, it seemed desperate.

“Because of you, I am going to starve tomorrow!” she shouted.

“...” Jin-Hyeok scratched his head. He felt sorry for her.

“What are you going to do about it? It’s hard to find a job as good as this one!”

“...” Jin-Hyeok stroked his chin. “For now, I am trying to find some documents. Can you help me? I will pay you generously.”

“I was a regular employee here, and you made me unemployed in the blink of an eye! And now you want to hire me as a freelancer? Isn’t that a bit too much?!” Yolin bit her lip and glared at Jin-Hyeok.

“I will pay you generously.”

“I don’t want a lump sum!” She had never liked lump sum. She wanted a life with a stable monthly payment, a life with a guaranteed work-life balance. That was the life Yolin aspired to.

“Hm... How about this?” To Jin-Hyeok, Yolin was the person who knew the Swampland Crew the best. If he wanted to properly learn how to create a Control Bug, he would need Yolin’s help. “I will introduce you to a stable and comfortable job. With my recommendation, you will likely get the job.”

“Really?” Only then did Yolin’s expression soften a bit. Her wariness seemed to lessen, and she had calmed down a bit.

At that moment, Jin-Hyeok saw something very faint.

[#Hidden Gem]

It was brief, but he definitely saw it.

‘What was that?’

He focused his eyes and continued to observe Yolin, but nothing was visible at the moment.

“Yes, you will definitely get the job. You will be working in a foundation run by members of the Trinity Club, so it will unlikely go bankrupt. But there has to be at least a minimal interview or verification. Very minimal,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“So, it’s going to be like a formal procedure? I’m desperate.”

“Yes, yes. I promise 1.5 times the salary you received here. Guaranteed until retirement. If we can’t keep you until retirement, you will receive the salary you would have gotten until retirement in a lump sum.”

“Yes, Boss.” Yolin’s expression brightened like the sun on a spring day. Her hostile demeanor vanished, and a professional smile appeared on her face.

Jin-Hyeok focused his eyes again.

[Hidden Gem]

This time, he saw it more clearly.

‘Hidden Gem? Does that mean like a person who hides their strength?’

It seemed there was something hidden about Yolin.

“What can I do for you, Boss?”

“I am looking for research materials related to the Control Bug. Can you help?”

“Of course, I will get the keys to the safe.”

“There is a safe here?”

“Is there an office without one?”

‘...Is that normal?’

Since he had never properly run an office, Jin-Hyeok had no idea about that. Yolin pulled a golden key from a desk drawer and led Jin-Hyeok. The safe was hidden in a completely different building.

“The safe is hidden inside a shabby building two blocks over.”

As Yolin said, the safe was visible. To call it a safe was generous; in reality, the entire room was essentially a safe.

“This was the safe used by my boss, no, my former boss and the executives,” Yolin said.

Jin-Hyeok looked around the room and suddenly noticed a book. “What is that?”

“Oh, that...! Ah, I had forgotten about that.” Yolin’s face turned a bit red.