I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 278

“Yes, I did,” Kang Chul replied, his expression more serious than ever. He seemed surprised by what he had seen. The idea of editing livestream videos on the spot and broadcasting them was something he had never considered possible.

“Can you edit and broadcast livestreams in real-time?” Jin-Hyeok inquired.

“I do not have the capacity myself, but...” It was commonly thought to be impossible. “But if I do it with the proper intensity, it can be done.”

In this world, everything could be achieved with enough determination. If something was impossible, it was only because the effort was not intense enough. Clenching his fist, Kang Chul declared, “If the editor of Corporation Alpha Male can do it and I can’t, then I am not fit for the job.”

However, this was not entirely true. The editor for Corporation Alpha Male had only one Skill: quickly modifying live videos to make Corporation Alpha Male look as good as possible. He lacked other Skills, which was why major Streamers did not have a contract with him.

But Jin-Hyeok and Kang Chul did not pay much attention to this.

‘If the editor of Corporation Alpha Male can do it, so can I!’ It was all that mattered to Kang Chul.

“I will try even harder,” Kang Chul vowed.

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Yes, I will definitely do that.”

‘I still have so much to learn.’ Kang Chul felt like he was still a novice, burning with a strong desire to grow.

***

‘When should I officially make my comeback?’

Although Jin-Hyeok had been continuously uploading videos, which made it feel like he had not taken a break, he was indeed on a hiatus.

‘Maybe I should use the rematch with Corporation Alpha Male as my official comeback video.’

That seemed like a good idea. Jin-Hyeok was convinced that Corporation Alpha Male would definitely attack again. More than anything, he could not forgive Corporation Alpha Male’s claim of being the strongest Streamer.

Jin-Hyeok reached out to the Guardian Tree to have a conversation.

‘I guess you can control your power at will now.’

The Guardian Tree seemed a bit startled by Jin-Hyeok’s remark, having not realized this ability until now.

-“I guess, I can.”

‘Well, it means you are growing too.’

This incident allowed the Guardian Tree to more accurately understand its abilities. It could withdraw its powers at will and deploy them again.

-“However, it is not easy to control when I am enraged.”

‘You need to practice.’

-“I don’t quite understand why practice is necessary.”

Jin-Hyeok did not bother convincing the Guardian Tree. He could feel what the Guardian Tree was thinking anyway.

‘Everyone’s gone mad except for me.’

The Guardian Tree desired to grow stronger more intensely than ever before. Its longing to become powerful was palpable.

‘Do Guardian Trees usually wish to become stronger?’

The Guardian Tree wanted to become stronger because seeing the universe’s Assassins targeting Jin-Hyeok when it had withdrawn its power had almost driven it insane. The Guardian Tree’s mindset could be summarized as ‘I might let my guard down, but how dare you target my Master! That’s intolerable.’

Another factor stimulated the Guardian Tree’s desire for growth.

-“I wish to showcase an impressive defense like Miri’s.”

Miri’s Absolute Defense was a great inspiration and challenge for the Guardian Tree. It was a defense that not only protected Jin-Hyeok but also injured the opponent in the process. That was a true defense.

-“Well, since I am bored, I might as well practice.”

From that day forward, the Guardian Tree diligently and gradually developed the ability to defend as much as it wished. While the Guardian Tree was focused on its growth and practice, one by one, fruits shaped like hammers began to fall to the ground.

***

The Guardian Tree narrowed down its defensive territory to Yeonhui-dong. This time, thanks to Jin-Hyeok making an early announcement through the MK Foundation, the confusion of the public was minimized.

“Did you see Chul-Soo’s drastic measures this time?”

“Yeah, I saw that too.”

The last time the Guardian Tree had removed its defensive power, numerous casualties had occurred, leading to criticism that Seoul’s crisis management capabilities were significantly lacking compared to that of other cities.

“Honestly, I agree with this approach.”

“If we continue to rely on the protection of the Guardian Tree, Korea as a country will fall behind.”

Other countries were intensely fighting against monsters, building up their resistance. Safety was not everything. The previous incident in Seoul had made that clear, and Jin-Hyeok’s decision to narrow down the defensive territory of the Guardian Tree received widespread support.

“Kim Chul-Soo really made a wise decision.”

“They said he can extend the territory over the entire city of Seoul in an emergency.”

“He is still going to protect areas where the most vulnerable citizens reside.”

“Wow, Chul-Soo is truly our savior.”

Yeonhui-dong, where Jin-Hyeok’s parents lived, was one of the neighborhoods announced to be under the protection, causing property and land prices in these areas to surge. Citizens outside the protected territories protested: ‘Why is our neighborhood excluded? How will you compensate for our dropping property values?’ but their complaints were futile.

-Lol, look at them complaining after all the protection Chul-Soo has provided for them.

-Are they paying Chul-Soo even a penny to say such nonsense?

-Yep, when the prices rise, it’s thanks to you. When it falls, it’s Chul-Soo’s fault.

Seoul’s response was quite impressive. Under the active support of the MK Foundation and the K-Force, the city endured the change without much chaos. Occasionally, when a monster difficult for average Players appeared, Chul-Soo would arrive riding the Thunder Dragon and handle it instantly.

-As expected of our savior Chul-Soo.

-It looks like he is teleporting when he is riding that Thunder Dragon.

People thought Chul-Soo was actively working to minimize social chaos, but that was not actually the case.

‘It’s about time for him to attack me, but nothing has happened.’ Jin-Hyeok became a bit anxious. ‘Was his concept just an act? Did I misinterpret those mad eyes?’

Jin-Hyeok deliberately roamed outside the Guardian Tree’s protection territory, waiting for Corporation Alpha Male to strike, but the latter did not show up.

Days passed, and just when Jin-Hyeok was about to give up, he finally felt a murderous gaze.

‘Oh! Please let it be Corporation Alpha Male!’

Looking toward the building with Broadcaster’s Insight, Jin-Hyeok spotted Corporation Alpha Male. Jin-Hyeok pretended to breathe heavily as if he were tired.

“Huff... Huff...”

From the public’s point of view, he seemed to be exhausted. “Riding the Thunder Dragon really takes a toll on your stamina.”

If the Thunder Dragon had heard this, it would have been amused, seeing how Jin-Hyeok had flown across Saina Archipelago while riding the Thunder Dragon with ease.

Fortunately, the Thunder Dragon was not present at the moment.

***

Corporation Alpha Male was confident. ‘I just need to be cautious of his Absolute Defense!’

He now knew that Chul-Soo had acquired a very special and mysterious offensive Skill. Through Chul-Soo’s livestream, he had already accurately identified the Skill.

‘All I need to do is successfully block his two attacks.’ Corporation Alpha Male smirked. ‘This is the limit and problem with Streamers.’

The way ordinary Players and Streamers Played was vastly different. Most ordinary Players tended to hide some of their abilities. These hidden abilities often became their competitive edge and trump cards. However, the situation for Streamers was different. Streamers always had to inflate their abilities.

‘That’s how they attract attention and get views.’ Streamers needed to do this to remain relevant. ‘Damage reflection probability of seventy percent? Where in the world would such an absurd percentage exist?’

Even the top-ranked Streamers in Arvis did not possess a Skill with such an improbably reflective ability. In fact, many experts were saying that this number was likely exaggerated.

‘Still, I will have to avoid attacking Chul-Soo’s head for now.’

Corporation Alpha Male had also equipped numerous artifacts that could lower the reflection probability. His preparations were complete.

‘And he looks to be exhausted right now!’

This was the perfect opportunity.

***

“This time, I am not going easy on you,” Corporation Alpha Male said.

“Do you intend to repay kindness with enmity?” Jin-Hyeok was thrilled that Corporation Alpha Male had decided to attack him, though he did not show it outwardly. The narrative was complete.

“What kindness? You’re delusional.” Corporation Alpha Male’s axe charged forward.

Jin-Hyeok quickly lifted Miri to block the axe. Having faced this opponent once before, Jin-Hyeok could not block more urgently, appearing more desperate than he actually was. In other words, Jin-Hyeok had become more at ease.

“Show me that Absolute Defense of yours again.”

“...”

Corporation Alpha Male taunted Jin-Hyeok, who bit his lip as though he was infuriated and then used Absolute Defense to block Corporation Alpha Male’s axe.

Clang!

A series of loud noises rang out.

“You’re slower than I thought, Kim Chul-Soo!”

That was what Jin-Hyeok wanted to say. The axe attack was slower than expected, perfect for a flashy defensive move. It felt less like a fierce battle and more like an action scene from a movie. In any case, it was a favorable situation for Jin-Hyeok in many ways.

“Ugh!” Corporation Alpha Male clutched his chest and staggered back a few steps. It seemed like Chul-Soo had activated Absolute Defense. Although his chest felt slightly sore, Corporation Alpha Male internally celebrated. ‘I’ve exhausted one of his Absolute Defense!’

Corporation Alpha Male’s efforts in focusing on increasing his defensive capabilities had paid off. He felt only a bit of shock and had not taken any significant damage to his body.

‘This is the price you pay for bragging and revealing all your information!’

He just needed to avoid targeting Chul-Soo’s head. Dodging reflection damage from other parts seemed manageable.

As time passed, a seemingly intense battle unfolded.

‘It’s done!’ The two instances of Absolute Defense were exhausted. ‘Now, all you have left is your Absolute Barrier!’

The opportunity had arrived.

‘You’re just unlucky that you’re facing me.’

Due to the nature of his Job as a Streamer, Chul-Soo had no choice but to reveal and exaggerate his abilities, inevitably giving his opponent a way to strategize against him.

Corporation Alpha Male smiled triumphantly.

[You have activated your Mystery ?Broadcaster’s Nemesis?.]

***

[#Your end is near. #My victory. #I am the strongest Streamer!]

Seeing Corporation Alpha Male’s status, Jin-Hyeok could not help but feel a great sense of anticipation. ‘Is that Mystery really that amazing?’

It seemed like a Mystery capable of neutralizing Absolute Barrier. Such things could only be understood by experiencing them firsthand.

“Hahahah!” Corporation Alpha Male intuitively knew that the Mystery had worked exactly as intended. He addressed both Jin-Hyeok and his viewers. “The reason you were so powerful was that Absolute Barrier of yours.”

“...”

“Do you think you are truly strong without your Absolute Barrier?”

Jin-Hyeok muttered as if he were slightly dismayed, “My Absolute Barrier has been weakened. It’s been debuffed and changed to Broadcaster’s Barrier.”

“That’s right. Your boasted Absolute Barrier is now gone.”

Corporation Alpha Male instantly closed the distance between them and swung his axe. With only Broadcaster’s Barrier, Chul-Soo could not block the axe. The Level disparity between them was too great.

“I have faced countless combatant-class Players and built up my know-how through battles.” Corporation Alpha Male’s axe nearly touched Jin-Hyeok, barely grazing past him. “Defeating a rookie armed with just Skills is quite easy. Isn’t that right?”

“...”

Jin-Hyeok continued to dodge Corporation Alpha Male’s axe with a face full of dismay.

Seeing Jin-Hyeok’s expression, Corporation Alpha Male was filled with confidence. ‘He is terribly flustered!’

Empowered, Corporation Alpha Male pressed on more aggressively.

After a bit of time, Jin-Hyeok asked with a remarkably bewildered expression, “Is this really all you’ve prepared?”

Jin-Hyeok was genuinely taken aback.