I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 274

“I don’t know much about Spirit Stones,” Cha Jin-Hyeok said.

[Spirit Stone (Mineral)]

[A Spirit Stone of the mineral attribute.]

It was the first time he had seen a Spirit Stone of the mineral attribute. “It seems to be a metal-type Spirit Stone.”

The existence of a Mineral Spirit Stone implied the existence of Mineral Spirits, something Jin-Hyeok had never heard of before his regression, which meant that it was exceedingly rare.

Suddenly, the Golden Guardian Tree, which had been sulking until now, started to speak.

-“It smells fascinating.”

-“I can enjoy eating that.”

-“I will eat it just for you.”

Jin-Hyeok could feel that his mental bond with the Guardian Tree was stronger than ever before. The Guardian Tree was feeling a tremendous appetite.

‘Well... giving it to the tree might not be a bad idea, but I should look into it a bit more.’

Trituri had said that giving a Guardian Tree a Spirit Stone that did not match with it could cause unnecessary side effects. Mineral Spirit Stone for a tree did not seem like a good compatibility.

-“If you give that to me, I am willing to listen to you.”

‘Just wait for a second. Let me look into it a bit,’ Jin-Hyeok telepathically said to the Guardian Tree.

-“Ah, what do you mean to look into it? Just give it to meeee!”

Jin-Hyeok shook his head. If one gave in to a child’s tantrums all the time, the child would become spoiled. Ignoring the Guardian Tree’s cry of despair(?), Jin-Hyeok continued, “I think I need to consult an expert.”

This was rather fortunate since the content with the Assassins was more boring than expected. It felt like because there were too many mediocre Assassins, the real ones did not step forward.

“To be honest, if I were a top-ranked Assassin, I wouldn’t get involved either.”

Joining the mediocrity would only lower their standards. Following the crowd and doing what the others were doing wasn’t considered top-ranked.

“Next time, it would be nice if the top-ranked Assassins would target me—”

‘Wait, that’s not right.’

“...It would be nice if the top-ranked Assassins would target me, but I wish it wouldn’t happe—”

Jin-Hyeok did not finish his sentence. He kind of wished for the top-ranked Assassins to come at him. However, as he had decided to be a person of common sense and universal norms, he could not blatantly call the Assassins to target him.

‘Right, let’s try to see the forest, not the trees.’

He had to progress with the universe-level Scenario and find out who was behind the Swampland Crew.

‘If Assassins keep coming at me, I will not be able to progress with the content I need to work on.’

With that thought, he no longer felt regret. Now that his mood improved, he was able to speak honestly. “I wish they wouldn’t attack me! After all, I am a Streamer protected by the Streamer Protection Treaty!”

***

Jin-Hyeok headed to Jongno-gu, holding the Mineral Spirit Stone.

“It has been a while, Oppa!” Katrina, the owner of the Jongno jewelry shop, greeted Jin-Hyeok warmly. He still boasted a sensual and voluptuous figure. “It’s been crazy these days, really crazy.”

Katrina laughed with his hand over his mouth and continued, “You seem to get sexier as the days go by.”

“Katrina, do you know about Spirit Stones?”

“Who among jewelers does not know about Spirit Stones?”

“Good to hear. Do you know what this is used for?”

“Huh? Isn’t this a Mineral Spirit Stone? It’s incredibly rare! I didn’t know these were released on the Earth Server!”

It turned out that Mineral Spirit Stones were local specialties on a few Servers.

“Like most other Spirit Stones, they are often used as a medium to summon Spirits, but Spirit Mages that specialize in minerals are very rare,” Katrina said.

“I guess so. I’ve never seen one myself.”

“Basically, Mineral Spirits are not common to begin with, and they are not very cooperative with humans.”

“Even to a Spirit Mage they have made a contract with?”

“They’re basically hermits.”

Katrina said that Mineral Spirits preferred hiding underground. As a result, it seemed that Mineral Spirits were not very useful to humans.

“So, in truth, this Spirit Stone is not very useful either. It can be useful when crushed and used in refining jewels, but...”

“So, it’s not cost-effective?”

“Right. There are so many alternative materials available these days that work just as well or better. Instead of using this expensive one, it’s much more effective to mix and use several cheaper ones.”

“Can this Spirit Stone be crushed?”

“Of course, that’s what is usually done.”

Jin-Hyeok nodded. It seemed he could ask Katrina to crush this Spirit Stone if needed.

“By the way, how about we grab a drink together next time?” Katrina asked.

“Sorry, I have plans that day.”

“But I didn’t even set the date.” Katrina looked shocked, but then soon grinned. “This is why I’m so smitten with you.”

***

Upon arriving at Arvis, Jin-Hyeok immediately went to Trituri. Initially, Trituri seemed annoyed by the request.

“You want me to look after the Guardian Tree on the Earth Server?” Trituri asked.

“Yes, please.”

“Do you think I’d be pleased to look after some Guardian Tree from the Earth Server after taking care of Arvis’s Guardian Tree? Besides, I am quite busy these days. I am sorry, but I don’t think I will be able to make it there.”

Anticipating Trituri’s response to some extent, Jin-Hyeok shrugged. “But you’re like a mentor to me...”

“...What?”

Jin-Hyeok genuinely did not quite understand the reason, but he knew well that Trituri wanted to take him as a disciple.

“Though I cannot fulfill your legacy, I still wish to learn much from you, Master Trituri.”

“...Ahem.”

“You are a great Farmer who has nurtured the Guardian Tree of Arvis.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Jin-Hyeok gently coaxed Trituri and continued, “I ask for your guidance. Even if I cannot become your official disciple, I consider you as my mentor in my heart.”

“Ahem...!”

“If you could take a look at the Guardian Tree on the Earth Server and provide your teachings, I will never forget them and engrave them in my heart, striving to become a better Farmer.”

“Well, if you insist...!” Eventually, Trituri decided to go to Earth.

“Now, we need to talk about your compensation.”

“What compensation?! I don’t want to get compensated for teaching my disciple! Now, let’s hurry on!”

Jin-Hyeok grinned.

***

After examining the Guardian Tree, Trituri stroked his chin. “It must be about ten years old.”

“...” Jin-Hyeok tilted his head.

‘Had the Guardian Tree been growing for about nine years before it was planted here?’

“It has grown very well. It seems you have raised it with great care.”

“It’s all thanks to your teachings, Master.”

“That’s right. Hahahah!”

“But I have a question. The Guardian Tree keeps begging for this Spirit Stone as its fertilizer.”

It was still incessantly nagging to be given the Spirit Stone.

“You can feel that?” Trituri asked.

“Yes, I can communicate with the Guardian Tree now.”

“Y-You can communicate? You said that was just your dream...”

“But you taught me how to do it, Master.”

“I did?”

“You taught me how to communicate with the Guardian Tree.”

‘D-Did I do that?’ Trituri was confused but quickly acknowledged it.

“W-Well. Yes, t-that’s right. So, you can hear what the Guardian Tree is saying now?” the old Farmer asked.

“Yes, it’s screaming for this Spirit Stone. It’s so loud that my head is ringing.”

“Your head is ringing?”

According to his grandfather, the voice of a Guardian Tree was supposed to be as small as a mosquito’s. One had to listen closely and concentrate to barely hear it.

“Yes, following your teachings, I can hear it very clearly,” Jin-Hyeok said.

“My teachings must have been excellent then.”

Trituri decided he was going to spread the word that this fellow was his disciple. He approached the Guardian Tree and touched its trunk.

-“This old geezer, how dare you touch me! I’ll smash your hea—”

‘Stay still. Otherwise, I won’t give this to you.’ Jin-Hyeok telepathically informed the Guardian Tree.

-“Staying still is my specialty.”

Threatened with the Spirit Stone, the Guardian Tree kept its mouth shut. The Guardian Tree did not like the old geezer touching it, but it showed patience.

-“You’re touching too much!”

‘Just bear with it a little.’

As Trituri carefully touched the Guardian Tree, he realized something. Just as Lessefim had felt a powerful presence when she looked at Elly, Trituri also felt a strong presence in the Guardian Tree.

‘This Guardian Tree...!’ Trituri thought.

The tree had limitless potential. It seemed to have the potential to become even more incredible than the Guardian Tree of Arvis that he had nurtured.

“Let’s make it clear one more time. Who is your master?”

“Of course, it’s you, Master Trituri.”

Trituri clenched his fist. ‘Grandfather, I think I can do it!’

Trituri thought he could achieve the dream that he himself could not through his disciple. If his disciple raised the greatest Guardian Tree in the universe, it would mean he had succeeded. A great level of rationalization occurred in Trituri’s mind.

“Now, listen, my disciple. Crushing a Spirit Stone is a very delicate and difficult task. If you do it recklessly, the Spirit’s energy contained within the Spirit Stone will go away. You have to overcome the challenge first.”

Farming was not a task done by one Player. It required help from others, and it had taken Trituri a whole year to find an excellent assistant.

“Take your time from now on and look for a great assistant!” Trituri continued.

“I will try to find one right away!”

“Hahaha!” Watching the confident Jin-Hyeok, Trituri was lost in old memories. ‘I used to be like that.’

He thought of his days full of bravado. Back then, he had scoffed at his grandfather’s teaching that it would take at least half a year to find a good assistant.

However, after a bit of time, Jin-Hyeok actually brought back the finely crushed Spirit Stone.

“...How did you manage this?” the old Farmer asked.

“The owner of a jewelry shop I know well happened to have the appropriate skills.”

“Really? Those jewelers don’t help out just anyone.”

Jewelers with such high skills were always proud of their abilities. They did not easily accept requests. It was essential to spend time building a trusting relationship with the jewelers.

“How did you persuade the jeweler?” Trituri asked.

“I paid him.”

“And?”

“And....?” Jin-Hyeok tilted his head as he didn’t do anything special. “And... we agreed to have dinner together next time.”

“...That’s it?”

“Yes.”

Trituri incredulously laughed. ‘There’s a jeweler out there that would help you out without any special treatment?’

Trituri wanted to meet this jeweler. Hiding his confused feelings, he continued his stern teaching as a master. “But this is not the end. To use the Mineral Spirit Stone as fertilizer for the Guardian Tree, another Spirit Stone is needed. Specifically, a Fire Spirit Stone.”

The Fire Spirit Stone was much easier and more common to find than the Mineral Spirit Stone. However, Trituri was asking for something of a higher caliber.

“It must be of very high purity. The Guardian Tree is more finicky than you think,” Trituri added. It would undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time to find a high-purity and genuine Spirit Stone.

After giving this teaching, he planned to return to Arvis. He had already missed so much of his work by coming to the Earth Server.

However, the next day, Trituri was astonished. “How did you...?”