I Gave Up Being Stronger

In the living room of Marshmallow’s house, Encyclopedia bit his nails and trembled with anxiety. Then, he stood up and paced back and forth.

“Hey, buddy, you’re acting a bit crazy,” Marshmallow said.

“Chul-Soo did not reveal the last notification. God, I hate that cutting technique.” Suddenly, seeming enraged, Encyclopedia approached Marshmallow, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him vigorously. “Why can’t you Streamers stop using this trashy cutting technique?”

“Keuk... Why not let go of me first, then we can talk.”

Encyclopedia sighed, then sprawled out on the sofa. “What could be the last notification that Chul-Soo got?”

“He will reveal it when the time comes. Why are you making a fuss about it now? I’ve never seen you so invested in someone’s livestream. You don’t even watch mine.”

“You don’t think it’s related to a universe-level Scenario, do you?”

“No way! How would a universe-level Scenario appear in a new Server? That has historically happened only once,” Marshmallow said.

“Yeah, I’m with you, but still, I just have this feeling...”

“What are you talking about? Weren’t you always the one who said we should analyze things based on solid reasoning and not our feelings?”

“Right, I did.” Encyclopedia bit his nails again. “But look at Chul-Soo. How can you analyze him with reason?”

“...”

“How is that the performance you would expect from a Level 200 Streamer?”

“That’s true.”

Encyclopedia was extremely curious about the last notification Chul-Soo got.

“Huh?”

At that moment, Wang Yu-Mi announced that she was going to upload an exclusive video for her VIPs tomorrow.

“Could this be related to today’s notification?” Encyclopedia asked.

“Maybe?”

“Hey, are you a VIP of KimKnowItAllTV?” Encyclopedia asked.

KimKnowItAllTV had a VIP system, with a separate channel exclusively for the VIPs, where they could view unpublished or pre-released videos.

Marshmallow got angry. “Are you serious?”

“Why are you so angry?”

“KingGodGeneral Yumi’s marketing strategies are no joke. The way she treats her VIPs is insane! Even the members of the Trinity Club are desperate to become her VIPs.”

“Aren’t you a member of the Trinity Club?”

“Well, yes, but...”

“Can you please become a VIP for her channel? I want to check the unpublished videos.”

“I would never do that. I am Marshmallow! Why would I become a VIP of a rising Player’s channel... or rather, the channel of a Storyteller covering that channel?”

“Come on, please,” Encyclopedia begged, but Marshmallow was adamant.

“I would have to make a massive one-time donation and even buy an expensive monthly subscription! How much was that again? I believe it is five hundred million Dias. That’s an insane amount.”

“Please, I’m begging you. I thought you were my friend!”

“No, you’re crazy! This is for someone like MoneyShower, who is rolling in dough!”

Eventually, Encyclopedia stood up and irritably walked away.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Marshmallow asked.

“To MoneyShower.”

“Why?”

“I am going to beg him to show me the video. I heard he’s currently in the Korean Region.”

Just then, Marshmallow called out to his friend. “Hey.”

“What?”

“I’m doing this for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m going to become a VIP of KimKnowItAllTV because of you.”

“...?” Encyclopedia looked puzzled.

“Just letting you know, I don’t like this rookie Player’s livestream. Why would I spend this much money on some unpublished videos? I worked hard for my money.”

“I get it. That’s why I’m going to go to MoneyShower. I told you!”

Marshmallow replied with a sigh, “I have no choice but to buy the monthly subscription. This is all because of you.”

To enter Yu-Mi’s VIP list, one had to be in the top ten of the donation ranking for her channel. This meant that only ten people in the universe could become VIPs for her channel, and they had to donate a tremendous amount to the channel to achieve that.

“You don’t have to do that. I told you. I’m going to go see MoneySh—”

“Ah, be quiet. I can’t make a donation when you’re yapping so loud right next to me.” Marshmallow used a mute skill to silence Encyclopedia. “It’s my fault for having a bad friend. Sigh! What a waste of money.”

Marshmallow’s hands seemed to be moving joyfully as he made the donation, and his expression showed that he seemed quite relieved, even somewhat happy.

***

Cha Jin-Hyeok was quite surprised to see ‘Universe-level Scenario’ in the description.

‘I’ve never heard of this kind of Scenario before.’

The largest-scale Scenario he knew of was Server-level. He had never heard of a universe-level Scenario, not even during his days as the Sword King.

‘There is no detailed explanation either.’

In the description, the Scenario was marked with a question mark. Since it was related to the Forsaken Queen, he guessed it involved finding something left by her.

Meanwhile, Egan Paul, who had stopped his livestream, was moved.

“All-Clear...!”

Black Panther felt the same. His tail trembled violently. “We’ve achieved an All-Clear...!”

Black Panther always longed to achieve an All-Clear. He was a ranker in the American Region, but he had never received an All-Clear. He had not even dreamed that he would achieve it in the distant lands of Korea.

‘But...’ Black Panther’s joy was short-lived, as a strange feeling came over him. The expression of Cha Jin-Sol, who was standing right next to him, seemed really odd.

“Hey, Saint of Freedom, you don’t seem that happy about achieving an All-Clear,” Black Panther said.

“Happy?” Jin-Sol was, in fact, happy; achieving an All-Clear was still unfamiliar and strange to her. However, she had come here with a firm mind. She had learned that if it was not an All-Clear, it was not a real clear. So, an All-Clear was not something to be treated as a special achievement.

Feeling puzzled, Black Panther asked, “You just achieved an All-Clear. Why aren’t you happier?”

“If it’s not an All-Clear, it is not a clear at all.”

It felt like Jin-Sol was saying ‘An All-Clear should not be something special..’ Her calm demeanor deeply shocked Black Panther.

‘These guys...!’

He knew that the K-Force’s standards were extraordinary, but he could not fathom how high they were. Even though he was accustomed to the standards of the American Region, Black Panther had begun to adapt to those of the K-Force.

‘So, I need to have that kind of mindset. It’s not a clear if it is not an All-Clear.’

Having learned this, he examined the All-Clear Achievement rewards.

[All-Clear (Haeundae Dungeon)]

[An Achievement awarded to those who All-Clear the Haeundae Dungeon.

1) Mark of the All-Clearer (on activation, appears on: right wrist)

-The Achievement bearer will not be attacked by the monsters of the Haeundae Dungeon.

-The Achievement bearer will receive a significant boost in all experience gained in the Haeundae Dungeon.

Up to this point, it was similar to the usual All-Clear effects. Then, all Players in the group heard a message.

[“You must find and protect all that is lost. That is my last wish.”]

2) Rediscovering the Forgotten.

-The Achievement significantly enhances all detection abilities.

┗ The Achievement bearer can detect all the Hidden Achievements or Items in Dungeons or Fields that are lower in level than the Haeundae Dungeon.]

Black Panther was thrilled. ‘The Haeundae Dungeon is the most difficult Dungeon I have entered.’

It was a Dungeon so challenging that he had lost four comrades in a previous expedition. Moreover, if the power of the Dungeon boss monster, Woongi, was considered, the Haeundae Dungeon could be the hardest Dungeon in the Earth Server.

‘And I can freely detect Hidden Items or Achievements in Dungeons of this level or lower?’

This was the best reward for a Navigator. However, the other Players had slightly bitter expressions.

“What is this? This is good for only Navigators!”

“At least I got an Achievement effect related to defense.”

The Players had received two types of Achievement effects for achieving an All-Clear in the Haeundae Dungeon. It seemed that only one of the two was given to Players. One of them was the Rediscovering the Forgotten effect, which Black Panther had acquired. The other was Protecting the Forgotten effect, which Chul-Soo had acquired.

Chul-Soo was recording this scene. “Rediscovering the forgotten and protecting the queen... It seems that the Achievement effects are influenced by the Dungeon’s attributes. I acquired an Achievement effect related to protection.”

[2) Protecting the Forgotten.

-The Achievement significantly enhances all of the Achievement bearer’s defensive abilities.

┗ The Achievement bearer is immune to attacks lower in level than those of the monsters in the Haeundae Dungeon.]

Unlike the ecstatic Black Panther, Jin-Hyeok was slightly disappointed.

‘This is it?’

He particularly disliked the second part.

Jin-Hyeok could already block all attacks that were lower in level than those of the monsters in the Haeundae Dungeon. The most powerful opponent in the Haeundae Dungeon was Woongi, and Woongi’s attacks were formidable, but not impossible to defend against. That was why he felt a bit demoralized that he had achieved an All-Clear with such a bad effect.

“I have got a good idea.” Jin-Hyeok took out Miri. Having absorbed Ectorial, Miri had transformed its shape to suit the situation and purpose. Right now, it resembled a carving knife.

-Leave it to me.

If there was an effect he did not like, he could just carve it out; after all, Miri was originally a Rule Breaker.

Jin-Hyeok sat down and meticulously used the carving knife to scrape off the letters of the Achievement effect.

Egan and Black Panther closely observed him.

‘What is he doing?’

Eventually, Jin-Hyeok succeeded.

[The Achievement bearer is immune to attacks lower in level than those of the monsters in the Haeundae Dungeon.]

He had successfully removed the effect. Now, only one line remained.

[The Achievement significantly enhances all of the Achievement bearer’s defensive abilities.]

Finally, Jin-Hyeok smiled in satisfaction. ‘My Absolute Barrier will be much stronger.’

***

Black Panther could not hide his shock. ‘But, I was so happy with my Achievement effect...’

The phrase “lower in level than the Haeundae Dungeon” was like a blessing for Black Panther. However, the similar phrase for the other Achievement effect seemed more like a hindrance for Chul-Soo.

“I guess we need to check how much stronger my Absolute Barrier has become.” Chul-Soo requested Kim Jeong-Hyeon, “Hey, I want you to hit Black Panther with all your might.”

“I... don’t want to... kill him...”

“Just enough not to kill him.”

Black Panther felt terribly wronged. ‘Why should I be the one to get hit? Is having weak defense a crime?’

Before he could voice this, Jeong-Hyeon attacked him.

“My attack...!”

Both Black Panther and Jeong-Hyeon were surprised. Black Panther did not even flinch from Jeong-Hyeon’s half-serious punch.

“This time... I will put a bit more... sincerity into it...!” Jeong-Hyeon was greatly inspired by Jin-Hyeok, so he followed in Jin-Hyeok’s footsteps. “Full Power... Fist Technique!”

Boom!

A loud noise erupted, but it was futile. Not a single hair on Black Panther was harmed. This was due to Chul-Soo’s Absolute Barrier.

“The Achievement is quite outstanding,” Chul-Soo said. Before, although his Absolute Barrier had exceptional defensive power, it could protect only him. However, with the All-Clear Achievement effect, it was a different story now. “I can now set the range of the barrier as I wish.”

Egan was shocked. ‘It is the same type of Broadcaster’s Barrier, but how can it be so different from mine?’

Also being a Streamer, Egan clenched his fists. ‘Someday, I will also have that powerful defensive ability!’

***

After clearing the Haeundae Dungeon, Jin-Hyeok visited Choi Gap-Soo’s workshop for VIP management purposes. Gap-Soo and Jang Michelle were eagerly waiting for him with heightened anticipation.

“You’re here! Did you get an All-Clear?” Gap-Soo asked.

Jin-Hyeok nodded. “You can see the details in the unpublished video that Yu-Mi will upload tomorrow.”

“Can’t you just tell me a bit now?”

Michelle did not say anything, but she seemed exhilarated. Jin-Hyeok looked around and lowered his voice. “Since you two are my special VIPs, I was thinking of telling you in advance.”

The information would be public by the next day anyway. Jin-Hyeok had not decided yet whether to disclose the information on the universe-level Scenario or not, but he had made up his mind to reveal the All-Clear Achievement effect. Since the Avengers Army Players had also received the same effects, keeping it a secret did not seem very meaningful.

“But telling just the two of you like this is a bit unfair, don’t you think? Other VIPs might complain later.”

Gap-Soo and Michelle both said at the same time. “Do you want money?”

“I can give you as much money as you want.”

“No, It’s not about that. I need a reason, a justification for me. A reason that can protect me from other VIPs’ complaints.”

“Right, justification is important. Let’s hear it.”

“In exchange for exclusive information that only you two can give me, I will pre-release a part of the video that will be uploaded tomorrow. That way, I can justify my actions.”

Jin-Hyeok decided to tease out some information that would be public in a day anyway. He felt a bit guilty for treating these two like pushovers, but they seemed to have no such concerns.

Jin-Hyeok asked in an even lower and secretive voice. “Do you happen to know about universe-level Scenarios?”

Gap-Soo’s expression stiffened slightly.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦