I Gave Up Being Stronger

Cha Jin-Hyeok could hear the Golden Guardian Tree’s voice.

-“Usually, many crazy people ask to meet you, but this one is quite powerful. It’s difficult forto push him away!”

Zoro had contacted Jin-Hyeok through the Guardian Tree. A man with hair cut so short it appeared almost shaved, Zoro was wearing a tight-fitting t-shirt. As always, he was quite muscular, and his physique was optimized for sword fighting.

Immediately after meeting with Jin-Hyeok, Zoro handed him a white envelope. “Join the Instant Kill Club.”

“The Instant Kill Club?”

It was an invitation. Zoro said something about a secret club of Players around the universe with the Instant Kill ability.

“Yes. You may not know, but those with the Instant Kill ability are typically targeted by the Player Hunters.”

Jin-Hyeok had known having this ability would attract the attention of the Player Hunters—Players who killed other Players to steal their items and abilities. However, hearing it directly from someone else made it feel different. His heart almost raced without him realizing it.

There was no need to think that he had not fully grown as a Streamer.

“And?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“It’s going to be tough to handle on your own. The Black Alliance seems to be targeting you too.”

Looking at Zoro, Jin-Hyeok noticed something strange. The Zoro before Jin-Hyeok’s regression was like a crazy, excited puppy that wanted to fight him, but right now, Zoro seemed completely normal.

As they talked, Jin-Hyeok understood the reason behind Zoro’s calmness. “Wait a minute. Do you seenot as a rival, but as someone to protect?”

Zoro flinched.

“Are you crazy?” Jin-Hyeok unconsciously said.

“You are…”

If Zoro replied something like ‘You are weak. You need protection,’ Jin-Hyeok was ready to draw his Greatsword of La’kan right away.

“...a Streamer.”

“...”

Zoro moved his hand toward the dual swords strapped to his back. However, instead of drawing them, he did something else.

Jin-Hyeok did not understand why Zoro would keep his phone in his back pocket.

“I am your subscriber,” Zoro said, showing his phone to Jin-Hyeok.

The phone showed that he had watched all of Jin-Hyeok’s videos.

“I also liked them all.”

“Oh, really?”

“You know about the Streamer Protection Treaty, right?”

“Yes.”

“SPlayer Hunters will ignore that treaty and still go for you. Instant Kill is an attractive ability. The sgoes for the Mysteries you possess.”

“...”

“I want to enjoy your content for a long time, as your subscriber.”

Jin-Hyeok opened the envelope to check what was inside. It was an invitation to the Instant Kill Club. “Is there a special procedure to join the club? Or any obligations I must fulfill?”

“No special procedures are needed. The Instant Kill Club is quite exclusive, and membership is extended through only recommendations from existing members. Club members do not even know each other, except for those who have recommended each other. It’s a very small club.”

This meant that even if Jin-Hyeok joined the Instant Kill Club, he would hardly ever encounter other club members.

“However, if a member of the Instant Kill Club is threatened by Player Hunters or other Players, the club will respond, and a summoning order may be issued then.”

After a lengthy conversation, Jin-Hyeok finally decided to join the Instant Kill Club. It seemed like the club would provide plenty of opportunities for great content. In the distant future, there was a chance he could even create content involving the first reveal of the Instant Kill Club.

“Now that we are finished with this matter, I have something else for you,” Zoro said.

The clear sound of a sword drawing rang out. It was a really pleasant sound that Jin-Hyeok had not heard in a long time, a melody that only a skilled Swordsman could produce. Hearing such a crisp sound made his heart flutter. Before he knew it, Zoro’s dual swords were touching his throat.

“I am curious about your sword skills.”

too.”

Zoro and Jin-Hyeok headed to the garden. The Guardian Tree created a barrier to prevent their powers from escaping outside.

“Let’s see the sword skills of a Streamer.” Zoro rapidly closed the distance between them.

Jin-Hyeok’s current skills were insufficient for him to block Zoro’s dual sword attacks.

From his perspective, it was a one-sided fight, but Zoro seemed quite astonished.

“Didn’t you say you are a Streamer?” Zoro asked.

“I am.”

Zoro remained silent for a while.

***

Zoro was shocked.

It was quite a shock to him.

However, Chul-Soo's skills were not that of a Level-180 Streamer. Zoro had sparred with many strong opponents and could gauge someone’s ability just by standing with his swords crossed.

Even considering they were in the domain of the Guardian Tree, Chul-Soo’s skills were impressive.

“Didn’t you say you are a Streamer?” Zoro asked.

“I am.”

After a moment of silence, Zoro sheathed his dual swords. “I’m curious.”

“About what?”

“About how far you can grow as a Streamer.”

“...”

“How about we duel again on another Server? I know your abilities are maximized when you are on another Server.”

“You really have watched my livestreams diligently.”

Although Jin-Hyeok had lost the duel, he was not unbearably upset. It was acceptable for a Streamer to lose to a Swordsman in swordsmanship. In fact, Jin-Hyeok felt somewhat proud at the moment.

“As you said, my power is maximized on other Servers, but I am not sure if I can becstronger than I am now,” Jin-Hyeok replied.

In other Servers, his Munchkin Trait would cinto play. However, he would not be able to receive the buffs from the Guardian Tree.

“Simply looking at sword skills, it might be better here,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“Is that so?”

“I am a Streamer. When I go to other Servers, my abilities as a Streamer are amplified.”

“Hey, Chul-Soo, I have a proposal for you,” Zoro said.

“A proposal?”

“I want to fight with you under more equal conditions.”

Jin-Hyeok noticed the madness in Zoro’s eyes. It was one of those special auras only exuded by those truly passionate about Play. Curious about what Zoro was thinking, Jin-Hyeok used Broadcaster’s Clairvoyance.

[#Get on my bus. #I will carry you. #I can make you stronger. #?]

“My current Level is 224,” Zoro continued.

“Wow, I can’t believe you just toldthat.”

“You are too low-Level. It is not a fair game. I want you to becstronger quickly.”

“So?”

“I know a Dungeon specialized for leveling up. Training there, you can quickly reach Level 200. With your Mythic-Grade Card effects, you can increase your Level to 220.” Zoro wiped the saliva dripping from his mouth. “Then we can fight on an equal Level basis.”

Zoro’s eyes sparkled with madness. “I want to see with my own eyes how strong a non-combatant-class Player can become.”

His hands trembled as if he was experiencing tremors. “And I want to see it as soon as possible.”

“Hm... really?” Jin-Hyeok stroked his chin while Zoro gulped, focusing on Jin-Hyeok’s lips. “Now…”

“What?” Zoro asked.

The sun was about to set, and Jin-Hyeok’s and Zoro’s shadows had elongated considerably. Their shadows swayed. Suddenly, black figures burst out from the shadows, taking the form of dwarves.

Sof these shadowy figures held spears, while others carried ropes. They closely resembled the Paper Soldiers created by Makendra. This was the ability of Ji-Ah and Ji-Soo, who had Awakened as Shadow Rulers, and they were inspired by Makendra. The Seo sisters called these entities Shadow Soldiers.

Three Shadow Soldiers lunged forward with shadow spears, and two others threw their ropes. Simultaneously, Jin-Hyeok swung his Greatsword of La’kan. Zoro swiftly bent backward to doge Jin-Hyeok’s attacks and slashed at the approaching Shadow Soldiers.

The Shadow Soldiers wielding three spears dispersed into smoke and vanished. Zoro swung the sword in his left hand and obliterated a flying rope aimed at him.

However, he could not evade the last remaining shadow. It wrapped around him like a rope, immobilizing him. At that moment of opportunity, Jin-Hyeok placed his sword against Zoro’s throat and said, “If I had used God of Luck and Instant Kill together, I would have won.”

“... I thought you were going to only use your power as a Swordsman.”

“But, I am a Streamer.”

This was a setup. Pretending to fight using only his swordsmanship skills, Jin-Hyeok had lured Zoro in and distracted him. Then, using the hidden Shadow Soldiers, he restrained Zoro, allowing him to finish the job.

“A Swordsman relies only on their swords, but a Streamer does not.”

“...You won. Streamers are quite powerful.”

The Seo sisters, who were hiding in the shadows under the eaves, revealed themselves. Ji-Soo, who had been listening to the conversation, was curious about something.

It seemed completely unrelated to being a Streamer. It could make sense for a Ruler, but not for a Streamer.

“The Seo sisters’ abilities have improved remarkably. It seems they have taken inspiration from Makendra’s abilities. Players indeed learn a lot from battles they put their hearts and souls in,” Zoro commented.

“You know the term ‘Seo sisters’?” Jin-Hyeok said, satisfied.

“Of course, I am one of your early subscribers.”

***

Ji-Ah and Ji-Soo were amazed by their power.

“Did we really do it?”

“Looks like it.”

If they had remained as mere Shadow Assassins, this feat would have been impossible. They had successfully bound a Swordsman of over Level 200. Although the binding lasted less than three seconds, in the world of combat, three seconds was more than enough tto decide who won or lost the fight.

“It seems like your Job change was the right choice.”

“It appears so.”

Ji-Ah and Ji-Soo began to harbor hope. They escaped the anxiety of potentially becoming obsolete someday. Ji-Soo giggled and sat down to Jin-Hyeok’s right. “Oppa, is it okay if I love you?”

Ji-Ah, without much to say, sat down to Jin-Hyeok’s left. Although she loved her sister, this was a different matter.

“A rival,” she muttered quietly.

Jin-Hyeok grinned with satisfaction. “Do you like being Shadow Rulers that much?”