I Gave Up Being Stronger

The Sage of the Sword, Gridel, greeted Cha Jin-Hyeok with a kind smile. “Did you bring the map?”

“Of course,” Jin-Hyeok replied and took out the map. ‘Did he hide a Thief just in case?’

“Let me check it briefly.”

“By all means.” Using Broadcaster’s Insight, Jin-Hyeok remained on high alert. He wondered if a Thief more skilled than Song Ha-Young was waiting for him, but that seemed not to be the case.

‘He didn’t even switch the map to a fake one,’ Jin-Hyeok thought.

After inspecting the map, Gridel nodded and called someone outside the room. “Bring them in.”

The door opened, and two men appeared, each carrying a sword wrapped in cloth.

‘Is he giving them up so easily?’

“Unwrap the cloth yourself,” Gridel said.

“Okay.” Jin-Hyeok unwrapped the cloth and confirmed that the objects inside were indeed Pisat’s Relics.

[Pisat’s Relics]

‘Could these be fakes?’

The objects appeared genuine, but they were so intricately made that even if they were fake, they could deceive Broadcaster’s Insight.

‘I’m using the Guardian Tree’s buffs and even the Mythic-Grade card buff. My Broadcaster’s Insight is the most powerful it has been.’

If these relics could deceive even that, it would be commendable.

‘If these are fakes, then I can only blame my lack of skill.’

Jin-Hyeok nodded and placed the two swords into his inventory.

[You have acquired Pisat’s Relic.]

[You have acquired Pisat’s Relic.]

Gridel said, “I have kept my promise. I’m glad these helped save Acacia’s life.”

“It seems to have worked out well for both of us.”

“I would like to make you an offer.”

“What is it?”

“Those relics are not very useful to you. They come with a strong usage restriction.”

Jin-Hyeok already knew this.

[Pisat’s Relic]

[A sacred artifact left by Pisat, the Knight of Justice, one of Garbinu’s comrades.]

The description was remarkably simple, similar to how the Guardian Tree appeared ordinary after its evolution. The relics’ description was straightforward, without any fancy embellishments or rhetoric.

However, Jin-Hyeok could read the nature of the items through Broadcaster’s Insight, as though the letters were written on the side of the swords.

[Pisat’s caliber is imbued within this relic, able to cut through anything in the world.]

This was not an actual inscription, but the will of Pisat embedded in the item, which Broadcaster’s Insight had translated into text. The other sword had a similar text on its side.

[Only a descendant of Pisat can fully wield its power.]

“I know the restriction. Only those of Pisat’s bloodline can use these swords. But I have—”

“The Rule Breaker with superior performance.” Gridel completed the sentence for him.

“Yes, if I break the settings with the Rule Breaker…”

“Then the swords will break. The restriction that only Pisat’s descendants can use these swords is not an addition to the swords but an element inherent to the relics.”

Jin-Hyeok’s ears perked up. ‘Should I still try to break the setting? I bet that will create great content.’

Whether Gridel knew Jin-Hyeok's thoughts or not, he continued, “If you return the swords to me, I will pay whatever you ask, and if you want something else, I will provide that too. They might be useless to you, but they are treasures to me and my family. So, I pray you make a wise decision.”

“Do I have to decide right now?”

“Do you need time?”

“I will contact you in a week.”

Gridel’s expression momentarily darkened, but he nodded and said, “I will wait for your call.”

“If I don’t contact you, you can just assume that I have no interest in the deal.”

“Okay.”

After Jin-Hyeok left, Gridel sat down. The subordinate who had brought one of the swords asked, “What if he doesn’t respond, Sir?”

“He will. Chul-Soo acts thoroughly for his benefit. All his actions have brought him substantial gains. It can’t just be luck. He has meticulously planned and maximized all possible benefits.”

Gridel’s judgment was rational and logical, but it was not entirely accurate. Rather than meticulously planning for profit, Jin-Hyeok had achieved success due to fortuitous outcomes gained from his intense broadcasting.

“I bet Chul-Soo just said that to provoke me and make me anxious.”

Gridel was wrong again. He assumed it was a play to pressure him, but Jin-Hyeok had been genuine. Nonetheless, Gridel was confident in his vast experience and mostly accurate judgments. “Just wait. He will surely accept my offer.”

***

Marshmallow grumbled as if he was annoyed. “How does he do this? All his livestreams are amazing!”

He was watching a video titled ‘Kim Chul-Soo, the number one Streamer in the universe, has obtained the Pisat Family’s relics.’

Sitting nearby, Encyclopedia sneaked a peek at Marshmallow’s screen. ‘He already liked the video.’

Despite his grumbling that it made no sense, Marshmallow’s face was all smiles, showing his delight at Chul-Soo’s success.

Encyclopedia chuckled. “Hey, I’m curious about something. Do Streamers normally get such ridiculously overpowered Skills when they hit Level 450?”

“I have a similar Skill.”

“Really? Can you use it?”

“Technically, I can.”

“What do you mean technically?”

“I can use it for only about 0.01 seconds.”

“So, you can’t use it.”

“Well, maybe I can if I reach Level 999 or if the Level cap is removed.”

“What is the max Level for Streamers?”

“Currently, 500. It was 400 until the year before last.”

Encyclopedia incredulously laughed. “Hahaha! Wait! The SSP’s history spans 4,000 years. The Level cap for Streamers was 400 for those 4,000 years, and Chul-Soo reached 450 in just one year? Even for a Streamer, isn’t that a bit unbalanced? I wonder if there is going to be a complete overhaul of the Seoul GMs again.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“Why do you look so upset?”

Steam was practically billowing from Marshmallow’s head, showing his displeasure.

“It’s the Seoul GMs. They keep blaming Chul-Soo for the unbalanced System, but it’s their fault! Chul-Soo just Played intensely, that’s all,” Marshmallow said.

“Are you annoyed because they are bad-mouthing someone you like?”

“Of course… NOT! Are you kidding me? I like Chul-Soo? It’s just pathetic how they try to pin their mistakes on others.” Marshmallow’s head turned red and began to melt like a marshmallow. He quickly changed the subject. “Do you have any guesses about what will Chul-Soo do with the Pisat Family’s relics?”

“If I were him, I would sell them.”

“Sell them?”

“Yeah, but not for money. I would ask for something else.” Encyclopedia was very intelligent and had a broad perspective. “Chul-Soo is dealing with a universe-level Scenario. Ultimately, everything ties back to Garbinu and the seven families. If he can garner active cooperation from the Pisat Family, he would find navigating the universe-level Scenario much easier. Han Sae-Rin would likely make the same judgment and advise him accordingly.

In fact, Sae-Rin was saying at the same time, “Forming a friendly partnership with the Pisat family would naturally be advantageous. Returning their relics through a trade would be a rational and sound decision.”

However, Sae-Rin was no ordinary Ruler. She was a Ruler who understood Cul-Soo, a Player consumed by his livestreaming. “But from a broadcasting point of view, it’s a bit weak. It could work depending on how we present it. For example, if we draw the trade out like an emotional content piece, we can cooperate with the Pisat Family, and it will also benefit your image in many ways. Though, that will be a bit less stimulating.”

“I think the same way,” Jin-Hyeok mischievously grinned.

***

A week had passed.

Gridel had spent the previous night wide awake. ‘Today will be the day he contacts me.’

He nervously paced around his room. Suddenly, someone burst in and said, “Head Master!”

“What is it?”

“Look at this!” He held a phone.

‘Wait, this is…!’

The screen was showing Jin-Hyeok’s livestream, which was currently on standby mode with a black screen. However, the title of the livestream was astonishing.

[Enhancing with Pisat’s Relics.]

“What does he mean by enhancing?” Gridel asked.

“He plans to use the relics as materials to enhance something else. Apparently, the Rule Breaker.”

“That’s preposterous!” Gridel’s shout shattered the windows. “What kind of fool would make such a decision?”

Pisat’s Relics were artifacts of a caliber beyond the Mythic grade. It was unthinkable to use such artifacts merely as materials for enhancement.

“Who in their right mind would grind gold to gain copper?” Gridel yelled.

“Maybe it’s just his ploy, to make us panic…”

“Yes, that must be it. Chul-Soo would never make such a foolish choice.”

Yet, Gridel was soon faced with this unbelievable situation.

Jin-Hyeok made a declaration on the screen.

⌜I am here at the Banyan Tree Dungeon. As you know, this place enhances all my stats due to my All-Clear effect.⌟

He had adopted a first-person perspective for the livestream, partially conveying his excitement through the screen.

⌜I am receiving buffs from the Guardian Tree in Seoul. I plan to put all my efforts into the enhancement. Yes, right now, it's Q&A time. If you go to Storyteller Wang Yu-Mi’s channel and ask questions, she will filter them and relay them to me. Did Miri agree in advance? Yes, Miri was the one who actually suggested this. It insisted on being enhanced even if the enhancement meant its destruction.⌟

The viewers were still skeptical.

-No way!

-Even if Chul-Soo is crazy, would he destroy such treasures for enhancement?

-Using a perfect item as material is just insane, LOL!

-Plus, this will surely anger the Pisat Family! He would never do such a thing. He’s just trolling, LOL!

-You’re just trolling now. I’m going to unsubscribe.

Then, Katrina and Lessefim arrived.

⌜Given the nature of the materials, I thought it would be good to have the help of an Alchemist and a Craftsman, so I called them. Neilson is also here as an assistant.⌟

-Stop the trolling already.

-He’s probably just threatening the Pisat Family, LOL!

-The Pisat Family must be sweating.

As time passed, the notion that Chul-Soo was just trolling gained traction. Even the viewers familiar with Jin-Hyeok thought of the enhancement content as ludicrous.

Jin-Hyeok’s heart began to throb. “I won’t drag this out too long.”

The enhancement process was like a random draw—an act nearly equivalent to gambling, designed to release busts of dopamine.

-Wait, is he really doing it?

-He seems so excited!

-What, it’s indeed exciting.

-If we feel this way, imagine how Chul-Soo is feeling right now.

Jin-Hyeok said, “I am going to start the enhancement.”

He immediately began the enhancement process. Lessefim, Katrina, and Neilson had prepared other small materials, which now floated in the air along with the two Pisat’s Relics. A golden light began to shimmer from the materials, a prelude to the enhancement.

“And, of course, the target of the enhancement—Miri.”

Jin-Hyeok struck down the two swords with Miri one after the other. Golden light erupted.

-He’s crazy!

-The madlad did it!

-Wow, he took out Miri! This is insane! LOL

The live viewer count soared past 1.5 billion. It was a new record.