I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 257

Cha Jin-Hyeok was startled. After his regression, this was the first time he had felt such pressure, excluding his encounters with Woongi and the Thunder Dragon.

‘Is she going to attack me?’

The thought crossed his mind for a moment. Making preparations to use Absolute Barrier anytime, he remained tense and kept his guard up.

Liling came to a stop right in front of Jin-Hyeok. Her movements seemed to completely ignore the law of inertia. Indeed, she was a resident of the powerful Arvis Server, where even a passing three-year-old was so strong that they would be regarded as a top Player in another Server.

“Did you call for me?” Liling said. Wearing a casual dress instead of her uniform, she looked even more lively.

Jin-Hyeok explained the situation with a slightly awkward expression. “I tried to record a video, but…. Since it’s my first time here…. It’s a bit difficult…. And that’s what’s happening.”

Remembering Wang Yu-Mi’s advice to speak informally to Chul-Soo Landers, Jin-Hyeok spoke informally with Liling. It seemed to be working, as her horn turned even pinker. Jin-Hyeok felt a closer bond forming between them.

“I think I can help you!” she said.

“You can?”

‘I can help Mr. Kim Chul-Soo!’ Excited at this thought, she smiled radiantly, looking incredibly beautiful.

‘She’s… too beautiful!’

At that moment, Jin-Hyeok decided to be wary of Liling. Of course, from the perspective of a human, it was hard to consider a rhinoceros beastkin pretty. They were basically huge, standing over 2.5 meters tall, with a face like that of an actual rhinoceros.

‘But they do say to be careful around beautiful women.’

What he found beautiful wasn’t her appearance, but rather the sight of her being passionately in love with something. Given her natural strength and physical abilities, being cautious of her seemed a wise choice.

“My close friend works for the SSP, in the department related to solo livestreaming!”

Assassins always approached their targets with a gentle demeanor. They would win over the target’s heart, make the target let down their guard, then strike them in the back. Just in case, Jin-Hyeok used Broadcaster’s Insight.

[#Excited! $Thrilled! #I’m so lucky!]

Even Broadcaster’s Insight could not be trusted.

***

Jin-Hyeok was surprised in many ways. Due to the powerful security measures on this Server, unauthorized Streamers could not record anything. Indeed, this was characteristic of Arvis, the most advanced and strongest Server.

“The department that handles complaints only works till six p.m. Please come back tomorrow.”

That was the initial response from the front desk, but things changed once Liling stepped in.

‘So, having connections means they just let it slide?’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

When he had first arrived in Arvis, the Server seemed very strict, but it turned out to be surprisingly lax in unexpected areas. A government official sitting in front of a computer said, “…Therefore, recording will be permitted for you for thirty days, starting from 00:00 the day after tomorrow, but… there is one thing we need to verify. According to Liling’s testimony, Mr. Kim Chul-Soo, you are visiting the Arvis Server for reverse Player Hunter content. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Is the target of the reverse Player Hunter content a citizen of Swedeen, Mazique, or the Helen Empire?”

Han Sae-Rin had already checked this information for him. She had contacted the newly established Player Hunter Association to inquire about it. Anyway, his target was not a citizen of these three regions.

“No, he is not. It’s the leader of the Swampland Crew, Swampland No.1.”

The official typed a few times on the keyboard and nodded. “Understood.”

“…”

“Here is your temporary permit. You will be able to film and record for thirty days. It will be effective from 00:00 tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” Jin-Hyeok took the permit.

The government official continued in a stern voice, “However, you must not cause any harm, tangible or intangible, to citizens of Swedeen, Mazique, or the Helen Empire.”

“Yes, of course.”

Everything was resolved smoothly because of Liling.

***

“Thank you, Liling.”

“No need to thank me. I am happy I could be of help!” Liling was quite a chatty girl. She spoke incredibly fast, and the topics changed a lot. “I like your livestreams better than Marshmallow’s. I have been promoting your channel hard to my friends!”

‘Is she trying to confuse me?’

Jin-Hyeok remained on his guard.

“I hate the Swampland Crew. They annoy me. If they had ever stood in front of me, I would’ve stomped them into the ground!”

“…” Jin-Hyeok felt a chill that could cause a slight shiver. The bloodlust in her eyes was real. It felt like the bloodlust of a person who was confronting the murderer of their parents. Jin-Hyeok could not help but be cautious.

‘Even if she’s from the powerful Arvis Server… how could an untrained civilian really exude such bloodlust?’

Jin-Hyeok had never lived in Arvis, so he was not sure.

“If I find out the location of Swampland No.1, I will definitely tell you!” Liling said.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Repay me? Nonsense!” Liling waved her hands. The sight of her large hands moving swiftly in front of him was quite intimidating. “Just being able to talk to you like this is like a dream come true to me.”

Liling was still holding that laminated paper precariously against her chest. Jin-Hyeok became even warier of her pure and beautiful appearance.

‘She is too beautiful!’

The way she felt about him and the way she loved him without any pretense was loosening his guard.

‘Normally, it’s natural for someone to expect something in return for this kind of kindness.’

So, her not expecting anything in return was suspicious. That was common sense for Jin-Hyeok.

“Still, if there is anything you want, just let me know,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“Hm…!” Liling’s horn turned black, a sign that her mind was in turmoil.

‘Maybe I can ask to be specially admitted to Chul-Soo Land.’ She shook her head at that thought. ‘That would be too much of a privilege!’

It could provoke too much backlash from other fans. Admission to Chul-Soo Land was granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and they had not even started recruiting for the second generation yet. She did not want to use dishonest means, especially for joining Chul-Soo Land

“Well…” Liling’s face turned red, and her horn was tinged pink. After much deliberation, she finally spoke up. “…Can I have just one hug from you?”

‘Finally!’ Jin-Hyeok thought. This was the classic repertoire of Assassins using seduction. It was a common but effective tactic. Jin-Hyeok made all preparations to deploy Absolute Barrier.

‘I can’t let my guard down!’

With a smile, he responded, “Okay.”

As he extended his arms, Liling hugged him with a very shy expression. He heightened his senses, ready for any sudden attacks, but he was also somewhat excited. He assumed the assassination techniques of someone from Arvis had to be quite advanced.

‘Huh?’

However, Liling did not execute any attack. She suddenly became embarrassed, resembling Kim Min-Ji, and took a step back.

“T-Thank you! I am never going to shower again!”

And then she ran away.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

It sounded like an earthquake was happening. Jin-Hyeok watched her leave with a somewhat dazed expression.

‘How can this be happening?’

It was a strange feeling. This was their first meeting, yet she showed such kindness without expecting anything in return. Jin-Hyeok wondered how someone could love him that much.

‘She really didn’t attempt an ambush!’

Usually, Jin-Hyeok would have felt disappointed, but strangely, he did not. He did not dislike that joyful departure.

‘Something feels odd.’

***

“Why are you still here?”

“Your home is my home, and my home is your home.” Encyclopedia had no intention of going back to his house. Sitting in front of the coffee table at Marshmallow’s house, he slurped up ramen.

“What’s that?” Marshmallow asked.

“Ramen. It’s popular on the Earth Server.”

“Can I try some?”

“It’s too spicy for a youngster like you.”

Provoked, Marshmallow snatched the chopsticks and tried the ramen, only to experience hell itself. “A-Are you saying people pay to eat this? W-Water! I need water!”

Encyclopedia grinned. “Hey, did you know this?”

“Know what?”

“Chul-Soo doesn’t have permission to film in the Arvis Server.”

“Permission to film? What do you mean?”

Encyclopedia replied with a sigh, “You are a Streamer, and you don’t even know about this? If you’re not from the Arvis Server, you cannot just film whatever you want in Arvis. You can’t even record, let alone livestream.”

“Is that so?”

“Ugh, this is why it’s impossible to talk to rich kids.”

“You’re the richer one here. Hey, give me some water. It’s so spicy I could die.” Marshmallow seemed uninterested in this matter. Still unable to get over the spiciness, he gulped down cold water.

“Think about it. Who can Chul-Soo rely on in Arvis?” Encyclopedia said.

“Huh?”

“Only you. Chul-Soo is a Steamer to the bone, and days without filming would be hell for him. Eventually, he will reach out to you, asking for your help, right?”

“…Oh!” Marshmallow forgot even about drinking water. A [!] sign appeared over his head, and his expression suddenly hardened. “H-How does that concern me?”

“Chul-Soo might come looking for you!

“So? How does that concern me?”

“You get to meet Chul-Soo in person.”

“That has nothing to do with me.”

“I know you want to see him in real life.”

“You mean he wants to see me in real life!”

“But you look pretty excited, though,” Encyclopedia said while narrowing his eyes.

“Nope. Not at all!”

Marshmallow had by now completely forgotten about the spiciness and was pacing around the living room. For someone walking in his living room, he looked quite anxious and walked fast.

‘Why… hasn’t he contacted me?’ Marshmallow bit his nails. ‘This won’t do. I need to look into it!’

***

Liling hummed to herself on her way home. ‘I won’t shower for the rest of my life.’

Chul-Soo wasn’t very famous within Arvis. Players from Arvis had a strong sense of pride regarding their Server, and they tended not to pay much attention to Streamers from other Servers. That made Chul-Soo even more special to Liling. To her, he was like a hidden gem that others did not know about.

“Miss Liling, hello.”

“Who are you?”

She saw a man wearing a robe. Though his appearance would seem suspicious to anyone, Liling did not pay him much mind. She had lived too long in a safe Server and was born with too much strength. She hardly ever had to be cautious of her surroundings. 𝐟re𝘄o𝚟el.c𝐨𝚖

“My name is Joseph. I am acting as Chul-Soo’s manager and secretary.”

“Oh, Joseph! I know of you!”

Liling prided herself on knowing everything about Chul-Soo. However, she was still a bit skeptical that the man in front of her was actually Joseph.

“I heard that you are quite big…” Liling said. From her perspective, he wasn’t particularly large.

“By the standards of the Earth Server, I am considered large. Ah, where are my manners? Here is my business card.”

“Okay. What brings you here?”

“We are operating a Chul-Soo Land Honorary Member system. Could we perhaps talk about it inside your home?”

“Honorary member?” Liling was so excited that she failed to ascertain the truth. She invited the man into her home. “I have never heard of an Honorary Member system before.”

“Yes, we are operating it secretly. You see, making it too public might provoke complaints from the existing first-generation fans of Chul-Soo Land.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“There is already an honorary member… I don’t know if you know her, but her name is MoneyShot. She is a member of the Trinity Club.”

“Ah! You mean Jang Michelle?!”

“Yes. She is the first honorary member. If you accept my offer, you will become the second.”

“The second…!” Liling’s eyes sparkled. It was a vibrant look, quite different from how she looked when she was at work.

Joseph and Liling had a long conversation, and Liling was infatuated. She completely believed everything Joseph said.

The man who claimed himself to be Joseph was actually Swampland No.1. He internally celebrated. ‘That was easy.’

He successfully slipped a Control Bug into her drink without her noticing.

“Congratulations on becoming the second honorary member. Perhaps, by tomorrow, Chul-Soo himself will send you a video message, mentioning your name.”

“R-Really?” Liling’s horn turned pink.

“Shall we toast together?” Swampland No.1 said.

“Yes. I’d love to!”

Liling swallowed the Control Bug without suspicion. It was a special Control Bug developed specifically for herbivorous beastkin like her.