I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 210

“Are you upset?” Cha Jin-Hyeok asked Choi Gap-Soo.

“No, I’m not!”

“It seems like you are.”

“Who would get upset over such a trivial thing!”

Sitting cross-legged with his arms crossed, Gap-Soo definitely looked annoyed and offended. In contrast, Jang Michelle was smiling contently, seemingly relishing a tremendous sense of victory.

‘What’s all this fuss about...’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

After some time, Gap-Soo, who had calmed down a bit, asked with a sense of injustice, “Why did you choose that bizarre name?”

“Well...”

‘Should I say that I read the VIPs’ minds? Would that upset them?’

Jin-Hyeok was about to speak honestly but then had a better idea. “The Infinite Chaotic Hammer Destruction Technique is definitely cooler. But the Graceful and Complete Hammer seems like a name that signifies my growth.”

“Signifies your growth?”

“Yes. If you have seen the sentimental vlog I recently shared, you would know that I have grown a lot from filming that video. Also, changing my main weapon was a good opportunity to reflect on my narrow-minded views.”

“So?”

“To create a better channel and bring more joy to more subscribers, I think the name Graceful and Complete Hammer well represents my direction. That is why I chose it.”

“...”

“Ultimately, I must become a better Streamer, or rather, an Eltuber. Please see this as part of my effort to provide quality content.”

“...You’re good at selling yourself.” Gap-Soo was always generous with those who showed effort. Although somewhat old-fashioned, he was forgiving to those who tried their best.

“A few days ago, I would have definitely chosen the Infinite Chaotic Hammer Destruction Technique. It sounds cool,” Jin-Hyeok added.

“Exactly, right?”

“Yes.” Jin-Hyeok felt like he was doing a good job balancing between the two giants without having to use his special Diplomacy Skill. He sensed his growth once again.

Jin-Hyeok believed that just doing something was the peak of a Player’s ability. Without using skills, studying, or understanding the principles of something, just being able to do it was the realm of a master.

Now, it was time to throw a carrot at both of them. “My next content, as you know, is going to be about Sephia and Grandel.”

“That won’t be easy,” Gap-Soo replied.

Michelle added, “They might be a small alliance, but they are still a universal alliance.”

Jin-Hyeok was not sure if the Black Alliance was a small alliance, but that seemed to be Michelle’s perspective.

“If it were the old me, I would have simply focused on destroying Sephia and Grandel. But now, it is going to be different.”

The battle with Sephia and Grandel was important, but it was just an event. Jin-Hyeok had realized that other elements were also important. Along with peculiar events, a livestream needed to have a narrative and character development for it to succeed. He felt like he was finally stepping out of his narrow-mindedness.

“This time, I plan to focus on change and growth,” Jin-Hyeok said. It was a bit hard to do that alone. With the help of his Storyteller, Wang Yu-Mi, and Homepage Master, Kang Eun-Woo, he was going to prepare carefully. This would be a good opportunity to show Kim Chul-Soo’s inner growth as a Streamer and the future direction of the channel.

“That sounds great. Send me an invite. Make sure I am the only one who can enter. This is what I won from the bet. I’m going to double it as promised.” Michelle donated ten billion Dias in total.

Jin-Hyeok had come to ask about the rainbow-colored Job title, but ended up receiving ten billion Dias.

‘Is this okay?’

He was happy, but not as happy as he should be. “Thank you so much.”

“That’s your reaction after receiving ten billion Dias as one donation?”

“...I’m sorry. I will work on my reactions.”

“No, it’s fine.” Michelle heartily laughed. “I like your awkward face. It’s enjoyable and refreshing. I’m just glad I get to see your reaction this close-up. I hit the jackpot!”

“...Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry about it. I can’t wait to register to be a second-generation member of your Chul-Soo Land.”

***

‘In the end, I did not learn much about the rainbow-colored Job.’

From what he had learned, the black color represented a 10-Star Job, which was the combination of all colors.

‘So does that mean a rainbow-colored Job is like a 9.5-Star Job?’

Since Kang Eun-Woo had obtained the Everyone’s (Beloved) Idol Job, just like before Jin-Hyeok’s regression, it was sure to be of great help to him.

Meanwhile, Jin-Hyeok received a message from his editor, Kang Chul.

[I have finished editing the sentimental vlog video. I have made revisions after getting confirmation from Yu-Mi. Shall I upload it?]

He uploaded only a shortened version of the vlog, but even that caused quite a stir.

-Wow! This is what I call K-Healing![1] LOL

-This is the true essence of K-Entertainment! LMAO.

-This is great! So entertaining and hilarious!

~

Some viewers understood and enjoyed Jin-Hyeok’s calm and sentimental concept.

-Amazing... His rosy cheeks... his sweet gaze toward Elly... the confidence... Can a person be this beautiful...? He is wondrous and mystical.

-I’m falling for him... T_T Did you guys see Chul-Soo’s expression at the end? The video needs to be preserved for the next generation.

-Does Chul-Soo know how cute he is?

-The fact that he doesn’t know how handsome he is, is his charming point.

Online communities were buzzing with Chul-Soo’s new video, and his subscriber count increased tremendously. Some viewers focused more on Jin-Hyeok, the Streamer, rather than the event or the concept. It seemed like his first attempt at a new concept was a huge success.

Jin-Hyeok genuinely did not understand why they found him cute, but he wasn’t complaining.

‘I guess my playful moments with Elly must have seemed quite cute to them. Looks like I did a great job with the sentimental concept!’

Sorting the comments on the Eltube video by the number of likes, he could more accurately gauge the reaction of his viewers.

-Among all the charming videos so far, the face, affection, background, expression, and even the quality of this video are all legendary...

(??41722 ??622)

-Congrats, Chul-Soo, on being so handsome.

(??38722 ??422)

-Really great on the new concept. Insanely entertaining, LOL!

(??19722 ??82)

‘Hm...’

Jin-Hyeok noticed a bit of a pattern.

‘Comments focusing on me as a Streamer have a high number of likes, but also a high number of dislikes. And conversely, comments focusing on the event have fewer likes, but also fewer dislikes. ’

Naturally, some comments also criticized him. Jin-Hyeok guessed he needed to strike the right balance.

-Honestly, he’s just crazy, not cute. I don’t even think he is that handsome. Frankly, it’s a bit off-putting.

└When I see Chul-Soo, my heart doesn’t just beat; it’s about to explode.

└I would love to look like that even for just a day. He is so handsome!

└His face glowing in the campfire is art itself. I’m proud to be in the same country as him! This is what I call welfare! Chul-Soo is amazing!

└I’m thankful for such a gracious face.

Interestingly, the number of dislikes on the hate comments was skyrocketing into the thousands, and those comments were receiving a carpet bombing of replies.

Ever since Chul-Soo had revealed his face, both livestreaming and uploading edited videos to Eltube had brought about many changes. He had become the center of enormous attention. His fans kept calling him cute, adorable, and other strange things.

‘But... Why don’t I feel bad about it?’

Jin-Hyeok, too, found it hard to understand. It felt like meditation would not even provide the answers, which seemed like an overwhelming feeling.

‘Why do I feel excited?’

He found himself searching his name online much more often than before.

***

After meeting with Eun-Woo, an old friend of his from before his regression, Jin-Hyeok found himself thinking about Won Jong-Cheol.

‘That guy has not contacted me even once.’

Back when Jin-Hyeok had been obsessed with livestreaming, Jong-Cheol used to visit often, buy him meals, and nag at him. However, the contact had suddenly stopped.

‘Now that I recall it, we barely communicated during my Sword King days too.’

In his previous life, Jin-Hyeok had become busy with his own path, and Jong-Cheol with his. Once best friends, the two of them had forgotten each other as they lived their lives.

‘Maybe I should reach out to him.’

Jin-Hyeok sent him a quick text.

[Hey.]

He received a reply from Jong Cheol hours later.

-[Hm?]

[What’s up?]

-[I’m just at home, why?]

[Wanna go for a bite to eat?]

-[Too lazy.]

[My treat.]

-[Let’s go.]

Finding texting bothersome, Jong-Cheol called Jin-Hyeok, and they made plans. Jin-Hyeok owed Jong-Cheol for all the meals the latter had bought him, so he treated his friend to a Korean beef barbeque.

Jong-Cheol suspiciously squinted at him. “Yo.”

“What?”

“I’m broke. I don’t have money to lend you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s suspicious that you are buying expensive Korean beef barbeque.”

“Why’s that?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“You know what they say. Pork is the limit for unconditional kindness. Only those who want something buy Korean beef barbecue.” Jong-Cheol found it suspicious that his friend was treating him to a beef barbeque.

“Stop talking nonsense and just eat,” Jin-Hyeok replied.

Their conversation was not particularly pleasant. Jong-Cheol used to nag at him a lot, but now, he seemed to lack the energy for it.

“You look old,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“Shut up! It’s because I’m going bald.”

The conversation was choppy, but it did not seem uncomfortable. After finishing the meal, Jin-Hyeok asked, “You have something on your mind, right?”

“What do you mean?”

‘This must be it. Now I know.’

Back when they were good friends, whenever something was going on with Jin-Hyeok, Jong-Cheol had this uncanny ability to sense it. Jin-Hyeok had always wondered how his friend could tell that every single time, but now he understood.

“Nothing’s on my mind,” Jong-Cheol replied.

“That used to be my line.”

Not wanting to beat around the bush, Jin-Hyeok checked with Broadcaster’s Clairvoyance.

‘So, that’s what’s going on.’

In summary, Jong-Cheol was facing a common but painful situation. Stretched thin on a civil servant’s salary, Jong-Cheol had managed to buy a house, but the soaring interest rates had increased his monthly burden. His kid was growing, his parents were getting sick, and he had endless social obligations to fill, like weddings and funerals. His bank account was closer to zero than ever before.

To make matters worse, his wife had been diagnosed with early-stage stomach cancer. It was treatable with surgery, but with his current financial situation, he couldn’t afford the treatment.

“Hey, I’m Kim Chul-Soo,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“I know.”

“Then why didn’t you call?”

“Why would I bother you with that?” Jong-Cheol avoided Jin-Hyeok’s gaze, seeming embarrassed.

However, Jin-Hyeok felt oddly upset.

‘Why does this bother me?’

Jin-Hyeok was not offended when people called him cute or adorable, but for some reason, Jong-Cheol’s response irked him. He had never felt this way before his regression.

‘Why am I annoyed that he did not contact me?’

“Did you stop contacting me because you didn’t want my help?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“Why would you say it like that?” Jong-Cheol explained that he didn’t want to burden him and that he did not want to cling to his successful friend.

Jin-Hyeok wanted to smack him in response, but restrained himself, thinking he could hurt his friend in the process. He instead said, “Let’s get your wife treated first.”

“We have to wait a few weeks. The appointments are full.”

‘Who goes to a university hospital to treat cancers these days?’

Cancer treatment was best left to Doctor Players. Jin-Hyeok knew of a 9-Star Doctor in Gangwon-do, named Hwa Ta.[2] Getting an appointment with him was hard, but Jin-Hyeok believed he could manage.

‘If not with money, physical power always works.’

“Hey, I can take care of my family. Don’t worry,” Jong-Cheol said.

“Do you think I am doing this for you?”

“Then why?”

“This is all for a narrative,” Jin-Hyeok smirked. “A narrative to highlight myself.”

“...You’re crazy.”

“This is perfect for my new sentimental concept.”

Jin-Hyeok was going to Gangwon-do anyway for the fierce battle with Sephia and Grandel, to see if they really were the leaders of the Truth of Violence Cult. If they were, Jin-Hyeok needed to find what they wanted through the cult. It seemed like a good subplot for his content.

‘This is all for my content.’

However, he still felt strange. He had just gained good content for his next video, but he was much happier and prouder than he usually did after securing such content.

1. In Korea, there is a meme of putting anything that’s Korean with the letter K in front. For example, K-Pop, K-Drama, K-Food, etc... ☜

2. Hwa Ta, or Hua Tuo in Mandarin, was a Chinese physicist who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He was known for his expertise in surgery and anesthesia. ☜