I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 256

The Arvis Server was so difficult to enter that Cha Jin-Hyeok could not even bring his colleague with him.

After hearing that news, Kang Eun-Woo felt very sad. “Imagine how great the photos would be if I could capture you in a new scenery...”

“...”

“Do you think there is a way for me to sneak into the Arvis Server?” he asked.

“Into Arvis?”

“Couldn’t it be possible?”

“I mean, you can try it, if you want to get beheaded and die.”

“I think I can use a few photos of you as a bribe to get myself smuggled in.”

“...” These days, Jin-Hyeok was sometimes more afraid of Kang Eun-Woo than of Wang Yu-Mi. That look in Eun-Woo’s eyes was that of a madman. Now that Jin-Hyeok was just an ordinary Player, he sometimes found himself afraid of someone with that kind of look.

‘I need to be careful of that look.’

To be precise, the frightening part wasn’t Eun-Woo, but the passion that he possessed. Such passion had the power to spread to those around him.

‘I must not be contaminated.’

For some reason, the number of crazy people around Jin-Hyeok seemed to be increasing, and the more that happened, the more Jin-Hyeok resolved to stay grounded, living as a sane person with common sense.

Before leaving for Arvis, Jin-Hyeok had a meeting with Han Sae-Rin in a coffee shop in Yeonhui-dong.

‘Ah...!’

Sae-Rin was wearing a cute one-piece dress, her long hair let down. She also wore subtle makeup. People in the coffee shop glanced at her as they passed by, and Jin-Hyeok felt as if he was about to get goosebumps.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Even her walk was different than usual. The comrade who had fought through battles with him now had gone crazy, appearing demure and ladylike. He could not understand why she was pretending to be pretty, flipping her hair.

‘Why are all the people around me going mad?’

Sae-Rin spoke with a slightly flushed face. “So, this is a date, right?”

“...It’s a meeting.”

“Yeah, a date disguised as a meeting, hehe.”

Jin-Hyeok grimaced. He wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible.

‘But I still need advice from her.’

“What should I be careful of in Arvis?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“Um... other women?”

That was when Jin-Hyeok realized why she was acting like this. ‘So, this is why she dressed up.’

Sae-Rin was a Player who could see two or three steps ahead. So, she had dressed up nicely for a reason. It was a warning to be cautious if someone acted like her in the Arvis Server.

“Especially be wary of beautiful women,” she added.

“I know.”

Seduction techniques had always been a very powerful tool, so it was necessary for Jin-Hyeok to be cautious. Sae-Rin always showed meticulousness, starting with the basics.

“Ah, about Swampland No.1, If I were him, I think I would have run away. It would be hard to face you alone without the help of No.2 and No.3,” Sae-Rin continued.

“...”

“But he was spotted in the Arvis Server yesterday. Also, there is no record of Swampland No.1 requesting assistance from the Player Hunter Association, where he is a member.”

“Player Hunter Association? Isn’t that a villain organization?”

“It’s a bit ambiguous, but it seems to be officially recognized as an association. It has even been invited to the Arvis 20 Alliances meetings.”

Jin-Hyeok tilted his head in confusion. ‘I’ve been an active Player for a long time, but...’

He should have at least heard of the Player Hunter Association if it was part of the Arvis 20 Alliances, but this was the first time he had heard of such an association.

“When was the association established?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“About six months ago?”

“So, it’s a totally new association, then?”

“Yeah.”

Things had changed a bit from before his regression. Before his regression, the Arvis 20 Alliances did not have a Player Hunter Association.

“Anyway, it looks like Swampland No.1 is planning something. Seems like he is waiting for you to go there.” Sae-Rin became a bit more serious. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her lips pressed together. Jin-Hyeok knew that expression well.

‘That is the look she gives right before giving me really important advice.’

When she made that expression, ideas helpful for an operation would pour out. This time, too, Sae-Rin was sure to give some excellent advice.

Finally, she spoke. “...Am I not pretty?”

Her expression was very serious.

***

The Great Leader of Scanorbia, Khan, welcomed Kim Chul-Soo. “Welcome, the Considerately Mad Saint!”

In Scanorbia, Chul-Soo was known as the Considerately Mad Saint. Players affiliated with the MK Foundation who specialized in farming had taught various agricultural techniques to Scanorbian warriors in exchange for land. Since then, Scanorbia had managed to escape from famine and was transforming into a self-sufficient Server. Naturally, Khan’s position had become even more solidified.

Khan asked with a solemn expression, “Are you going to conquer Arvis?”

Seeing Jin-Hyeok’s expression turn slightly sour, Khan grew tense.

‘Is he upset?’

He did not want to upset Chul-Soo.

‘Is it because we didn’t offer our warriors to help his battle...?’

If Chul-Soo was mad about that, it would be all a misunderstanding. If Chul-Soo were to wage a conquest war, Khan was ready to support him and carry out the war at any time.

“It’s a misunderstanding,” Khan said.

“What do you mean it’s a misunderstanding?”

Khan saw that Chul-Soo still seemed upset. “We are absolutely under your command and ready to fight in support of your will...”

‘Wait, is this not it?’ Khan actively tried to gauge Jin-Hyeok’s mood but could not figure out why the latter was displeased.

“You haven’t subscribed to my channel, have you?” Chul-Soo asked.

“...Pardon me?”

The civilization level of the Scanorbia Server was a bit lower compared to that of other Servers. SSP was a highly advanced technology, and the number of people enjoying livestreams was significantly fewer.

“If you watched my livestream, you would know that I am not going there to conquer it.”

“...I am sorry!”

“Do you know what my ranking is?”

“Of course, you are in first place!”

“...”

Officially, Jin-Hyeok did not have a ranking.

“Or... are you in second place?” Khan said.

‘Is there a more powerful Player on the Earth Server?’ Khan thought.

“Forget it,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“P-Please, forgive me!”

Jin-Hyeok was not angry at Khan. He was angry at himself for not being able to captivate the hearts of the Scanorbian Warriors.

“Do you know Marshmallow?” Khan asked.

“Marshmallow? Do you mean...”

‘That thing you eat when you’re going camping? No, if it were that, he would not have asked! Think Khan, think!’ Khan hastily racked his brain.

“...Ah!”

All the subscribing and ranking talk reminded him. There was indeed a Streamer with a funny name!

“Are you talking about the ranker from the Arvis Server?” Khan asked.

“Do you watch his livestream?”

“O-Of course!”

Khan had never watched Marshmallow’s livestreams. He had replied in the affirmative only so that Chul-Soo wouldn’t be angry anymore.

‘So, he doesn’t watch my livestream, but watches Marshmallow’s?’ Jin-Hyeok thought. He clenched his fist. He still had a long way to go.

‘Some day, I will definitely surpass you, Marshmallow.’

***

Jin-Hyeok headed toward the warp portal leading to Arvis, contentedly smiling as he passed a vast farmland that used to be the Central Forest before.

‘The Levels of the Farming-class Players have all gone up.’

When the Farmers from the MK Foundation were first dispatched to this Server, they had all been below Level 100, but now it was hard to find anyone under that Level. They had grown quickly and had a sense of pride in their work.

“Isn’t that... Mr. Kim Chul-Soo?”

“Mr. Kim Chul-Soo has come!”

The Farming-class Players threw aside their farming tools and crowded around Jin-Hyeok. The warriors of Scanorbia also surged forward, exclaiming, “The Considerately Mad Saint has arrived!”

“Mr. Kim Chul-Soo! I’m a fan!”

“I am also a fan!”

Some even pulled out their phones to prove that they were subscribers of his channel.

“I have watched all your recent videos!”

“Me too! I’ve subscribed and liked all your videos!”

“Me too! I even left comments!”

Jin-Hyeok smiled. “Thank you.”

While walking around, Jin-Hyeok spotted a Player working silently in the distance. This Player was wielding a sickle, cutting something.

“Who is that?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“Oh, we don’t really know much about him. He’s supposedly from Ukraine or somewhere like that. He is skilled but not very sociable.”

It was Jin-Hyeok’s first time seeing this Player.

‘Was there a Level 200 Farmer in the Earth Server?’

“They say he has the ability to revive dead plants.”

“Actually, the harvest turned out really great with that guy’s help.”

“He seems to have a very rare ability.”

[LV209/Kimaev/Arborist/Savior of Trees]

His Job was written in red. It was the first time Jin-Hyeok had seen a 9-Star Farmer.

‘Kimaev...’

It was a name he had never heard before.

***

Upon arriving at Arvis, Jin-Hyeok found that Marshmallow’s invitation was of a high enough grade that the wait was not long.

“Please come this way.” A tiger beastkin in a navy uniform guided Jin-Hyeok.

‘The warp portal is managed like an airport.’

The term universe’s most powerful Server seemed very suitable for Arvis. It was quite different from Earth’s warp portals.

‘They even manage entry very strictly.’

Jin-Hyeok stood in front of the Server Entry desk. A rhinoceros beastkin, also clad in a navy uniform, was seated there. She spoke in a monotone voice. “Permit.”

Jin-Hyeok handed over the invitation. The rhinoceros beastkin examined the invitation without a word.

Even after a couple of minutes, there was no response.

“Is there something wrong?” Jin-Hyeok asked.

“...” The rhinoceros beastkin still did not respond.

Time passed again. After five minutes, the rhinoceros beastkin finally spoke. “Signature.”

‘Signature?’ Jin-Hyeok tilted his head in confusion. ‘Am I supposed to sign the invitation?’

The beastkin’s horn was tinted pink. Clearly, the beastkin was feeling embarrassed. “So... My shift just ended...”

Her voice changed a bit too. The rhinoceros beastkin continued, “Could you please give me your autograph? I am your fan, Mr. Chul-Soo.”

“...I see.” Jin-Hyeok received a blank paper from the beastkin and signed it. “What is your name?”

The rhinoceros beastkin stood up with her bulky body, responding shyly. True to her rhinoceros nature, she was huge. “It’s Liling. Liling Edelweiss.”

***

Jin-Hyeok felt very pleased. ‘They recognize me even in the Arvis Server?’

This was incredibly encouraging. Even the most famous foreign actors were often not recognized abroad. However, to have someone recognize him and request an autograph in a foreign Server, not just a foreign country, was something else.

‘People don’t recognize me like they do in Korea, but still.’

Arvis gave off the vibe of a futuristic city from a science fiction story. The streets were bustling with robots and beastkins, and quite a few individuals who appeared to be Mages roamed the roads. High-rise buildings were plentiful, and mechanical vehicles flew through the sky in an orderly manner.

Jin-Hyeok’s heart raced with excitement. He recorded everything.

[Earth’s First Glimpse into the Arvis Server.]

However, the System started to stutter, and...

[Earth’s First Glimpse into the Arvis Server.]

The recording stopped abruptly. Attempts to restart it were futile.

‘Wait, can this be?’

A similar thing had happened to him before. It was like the time when the American Ruler, Emperor, had interfered with the livestream. At the time, Jin-Hyeok had thought he needed to beat Emperor up to find a more foolproof method to record next time. If beating did not work, he was considering using Taming (Physical) more actively.

‘But what should I do now?’

Even if he was not livestreaming, he needed to record video footage. He could not let someone else snatch the Earth’s first title.

‘I need to figure this out.’

It turned out that only those with permission could record videos in the Arvis Server. However, little information was available on how to obtain such permission. He could not leave without recording footage. That would be an unforgivable act for a Streamer.

‘Huh?’

Up ahead, a rhinoceros beastkin with a hefty physique was walking lightly. Despite her light steps, the ground thudded with each step.

“Liling!”

Instead of the stiff navy uniform, she was now wearing a dress adorned with frills. Hearing Jin-Hyeok’s voice, Liling whirled around. Exaggerating a bit, a wind seemed to stir around her. She was holding the autograph Jin-Hyeok had given her, now neatly laminated and clutched to her chest.

Liling roared.

Woo!

She sounded more like an elephant than a rhinoceros. “You remembered my name!”

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Liling charged toward Jin-Hyeok with a recklessness that belied her size.