I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 190

Several months ago, Song Ha-Young had been contemplating which of the two Traits to activate.

1. Lightspeed Escape.

2. Sanctuary.

Light Escape was a Trait that allowed one to quickly escape dangerous situations, while Sanctuary formed a kind of safe zone for Players.

After much thought, she had decided to consult Cha Jin-Hyeok.

“Why are you asking me this?” he replied.

“I’m confident in gathering information, but how to use that information is another matter.”

“So, why didn’t you ask a Ruler or Han Sae-Rin instead of me?” He frowned, a reaction she had anticipated.

‘He is very strict with himself and others around him,’ she thought.

His standards were eccentrically high.

‘I must have frustrated him by not properly handling this information and asking him instead of a Ruler.’

Jin-Hyeok, as stringent with himself as he was, displayed an immense level of humility in such situations.

‘But I know, ultimately, the decision he makes will be the best one for me.’

“I am going to ask Sae-Rin too. I am just curious about what a Streamer would think about this,” she said.

“Ah, really?”

“Yes. When we Play together, I have to consider your Eltube channel too and how to make good content.”

“Thanks, I guess I misunderstood you.” Jin-Hyeok sincerely considered the question, and his mood significantly improved. “In my opinion...”

He recalled Ha-Young before his regression.

‘So that infuriating ability she kept using was called Light Escape,’ he thought.

Despite coming close to it before his regression, he had never caught Ha-Young because of that Trait.

“Light escape seems to be the most beneficial Trait for you,” he said.

“Really? So, you think Light Escape suits me better?”

“Well, not exactly.”

Light Escape would be the more efficient choice for ordinary Players.

‘But for Players who hunt and capture other Players? I’m not so sure’

The Song Ha-Young before Jin-Hyeok’s regression had ultimately been caught. Experts believed she had become overconfident in her mysterious ability, which was Light Escape, leading to her downfall.

‘In the short term, it’s very advantageous for Ha-Young, effective up to the master level. However, in the realm of the grandmasters, it’s a different story.’

Using Light Escape was like taking a shortcut. Ultimately, the reason Ha-Young did not become one of the Best Thieves in the universe was probably that she relied on abilities that were convenient but far from being fundamental, like Light Escape.

“I think Light Escape is like cancer for Players,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“That bad?”

“Yes. What do you think is the essence of being a Thief?”

“Hm... Speed and stealth?”

“And if you master Light Escape? Do you think you will train your speed and stealth when you have a Trait that helps you? Are you sure that you won’t rely on it instead of honing your skills?”

“...”

Jin-Hyeok voted for the Sanctuary. Sanctuary referred to a sacred site during the Three Han Period[1], where offerings were made to the heavens. There, a ritual platform was established, and a large tree adorned with bells and drums was erected for ceremonies. It was a place of sanctuary where even criminals could not be pursued.

“Ultimately, such a Trait is best utilized once in extreme situations to achieve maximum efficiency,” Jin-Hyeok said.

Sanctuary was a Trait that created a safe zone seven times, each lasting seven minutes. However, within this zone, one could neither move nor attack. It was a Trait that guaranteed a total of forty-nine minutes of safety.

“Sanctuary would be used in only extreme situations, right?? When you are stuck between a rock and a hard place or when you can’t find a way out on your own, that is when this Trait becomes your final fortress. A trump card, if you will.”

Ha-Young saw something in Jin-Hyeok’s eyes.

‘I see madness...!’ she thought.

She felt she understood why he was explaining it to her so meticulously. This was sure to become content for his future videos.

Jin-Hyeok, thrilled to have captured this good content, was genuinely happy. His earnestness in Play once again stirred Ha-Young.

“In such a situation, it would be best to rely on external help. Forty-nine minutes is enough time to wait for it,” Jin-Hyeok continued.

“Wouldn’t using Light Escape prevent such extreme situations in the first place?”

“What do you think Play is?” Jin-Hyeok shook his head in disapproval. Ha-Young still had much to learn. “If there are no extreme situations, is that really considered Playing?”

“...”

“And, after all, everyone has their limits. There are no munchkin Players in the world.

‘No munchkin Players? Then what about you?’ Ha-Young wanted to ask him that but held back.

Jin-Hyeok’s expression said that he genuinely believed he was not particularly strong.

Now, months later, Jin-Hyeok uploaded the video he had recorded at that time as reference footage.

***

Ha-Young activated Sanctuary. A yellow dome materialized around her, covering her and the Seo sisters. Atop the dome, a small altar fluttered in the wind with a white flag that displayed a timer.

[6:57]

[6:56]

[6:55]

“Such an annoying ability.” Makendra frowned.

Just then, Jin-Hyeok swung his Greatsword of La’kan. “Where’s your focus?”

Makendra moved to the side to dodge the attack, smirking. “What do you plan to do with that pathetic swordsmanship?”

“...”

“I promised to show you endless fear and despair.” She stepped back, and numerous Paper Soldiers appeared before her, filling the bridge. Makendra snapped her fingers on the other side of the bridge. Several Paper Soldiers around her turned into chairs. “Let’s see what your little show is.”

“...”

“You are going to experience despair in the face of overwhelming power!”

“She talks way too much. It seems like she is quite the chatterbox,” Jin-Hyeok said to his viewers as he lifted his Greatsword of La’kan. “If you guys are watching my livestream right now, come and help. Especially Mok Jae-Hyeon. Protect the Seo sisters. We have forty-nine minutes left. If you use the warp portal, you can make it here just in time. Contact KingGodGeneral Yumi for the exact location.”

Jin-Hyeok once again swung his swords. His attacks hit the Paper Soldiers but did not cause much damage. No matter how much he sliced them, they regenerated to their original form.

“Tsk. It’s like fighting an army of immortal monsters. Each Paper Soldier seems to be around Level 100, but their regeneration ability is too overpowered.”

Opinions on KimKnowItAllTV also suggested this would be a tough battle.

-Has Kim Chul-Soo ever openly asked his party members for help like this?

-He is speaking much faster than usual. This means he is in real danger.

The Korean Region Minor Gallery shared similar views.

[Aren’t the abilities of Makendra’s Paper Soldiers seriously overpowered? How can you even fight those things?]

┗Is the universe filled with such powerful beings?

┗Seems unbalanced, if you ask me.

[There is some talk that fire-attribute abilities are somewhat effective against them.

┗Nope. Do you guys know that French ranker who was famous for having flame skills? He lost to Makendra too.

┗In the face of absolute power, attributes are meaningless.

Many users reveled in mocking Jin-Hyeok’s anticipated failure.

[Always acting like he is the best. I couldn’t stand him. Good riddance, LOL. Farewell, Chul-Soo~ You won’t be missed. Hahaha!]

┗Are you insane?

┗How can you spout such nonsense about Chul-Soo, who is fighting on the front lines for world peace?

┗People like you should get their fingers chopped off.

┗Yeah, right. As if. ^^ Even IntenseMan is useless before Lord Makendra, right? Clueless much?

However, the tide of the battle began to change.

“Actually, I knew I would clash with Makendra,” Jin-Hyeok said. After creating some distance from the Paper Soldiers with a swing of his sword, he caught his breath. “Knowing that and not preparing would have been unwise. I will try and fight more fiercely.”

Jin-Hyeok decided to use the Treasure Gem, crafted by the joint efforts of Park Terse, Katrina, and Mulinus. This small gem was like a supporting artifact that could be combined with existing items.

[You have applied the ?Treasure Gem (Crafted)? to the Greatsword of La’kan.]

Jin-Hyeok swung his sword, slicing through a Paper Soldier.

Thump!

A loud striking sound echoed.

‘It’s not cutting the Paper Soldier.’

Perhaps due to the effect of the Treasure Gem, the greatsword had not cut the Paper Soldier. Instead, the Paper Soldier became soft and mushy. Its movements became extremely heavy and slow, like a sponge soaked in water.

‘So, this is the effect!’

Jin-Hyeok was surprised but did not show it. Instead, he switched his weapon. “If cutting them is futile, it’s better to switch to a lighter and faster hammer.”

Jin-Hyeok pulled out the Rule Breaker. It was weaker in attack power but allowed for lighter and more agile movements.

[You have applied the ?Treasure Gem (Crafted)? to the Rule Breaker.]

Like a wolf leaping into a flock of sheep, Jin-Hyeok swung the hammer at the Paper Soldiers. His attacks were not intended to deal direct damage but to inflict the negative status effects of the Treasure Gem. Since he was not aiming for lethal hits, his movements were quick and concise. Merely tapping the Paper Soldiers was effective, making the process quite efficient.

Eventually, the Paper Soldiers began to act erratically, breaking free from Makendra’s control; some even melted away. Then, a crucial ally appeared to deal the fatal hits.

“I...am a... fast... man.” Kim Jeong-Hyeon, who had stepped on the path to become the Martial King of Korea, revealed himself. “My... attacks are... swift... and powerful.”

Though not typically talkative, Jeong-Hyeon had always wanted to help Jin-Hyeok. His sincerity was to show his best on the livestream, genuinely inspired by Chul-Soo. He was also a devoted viewer and follower of Chul-Soo and drew much inspiration from him.

“Take... my righteous... fist.

“In my... right hand... dwells... the Dark... Dragon.”

His speech was slow, but his movements were not. Quick and agile, his physical attacks effortlessly subdued the Paper Soldiers, which had significantly slowed down.

“Look at that. The Paper Soldiers hit by the fist of the Flaming Fist are swelling up!” Jin-Hyeok smirked.

They swelled like balloons and then burst with a bang! The Paper Soldiers, which had been regenerating no matter how many times they were cut a while ago, could not recover their form and dispersed in the wind.

Jeong-Hyeon seemed quite pleased with his performance. Inspired by Lee Hyeon-Seong, who rose to stardom with his famous quote ‘My sword will shatter your anus,’ Jeong-Hyeon delivered his long-pondered line. “My fist... shreds... paper.”

Meanwhile, Jin-Hyeok was content in his own way.

‘It’s not a bad idea to fight with Jeong-Hyeon! We have a pretty good synergy.’

Jin-Hyeok focused only on inflicting a negative status effect, leaving the finishing blows to Jeong-Hyeon. He found this combination enjoyable in battle. In front of the duo of Jin-Hyeok and Jeong-Hyeon, the Paper Soldiers appeared powerless.

[Where’s that idiot who was mocking Chul-Soo earlier? Come out, wherever you are~ LOL]

┗Probably ran away, haha!

┗His fingers got chopped off~

┗He doesn’t know the first thing about being intense! Keep yapping plz~ LOL

┗He already deleted his post! What a guy~

[How intense must it be for him to prepare such crafted artifacts in advance? But isn’t that thing really expensive?]

┗How dare you talk about money in front of IntenseMan?!

┗Saw the other day his net worth is over one hundred trillion.

┗For real?

As unverified facts spread in real-time, Jin-Hyeok and Jeong-Hyeon had eliminated almost half of the Paper Soldiers.

1. Three Han Period, also known as the Samhan Period, is the collective name of three confederacies, Byeonhan, Jinhan, and Hahan, that emerged in the first century BC. ☜