I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 112

In Cha Jin-Hyeok’s past life, the legendary villain, Shin Yu-Ri, was a Player who wielded a formidable artillery, capable of killing many with a single strike. The phenomenon that was happening to Jin-Hyeok’s right arm right now was a scene observable when her artillery entered the Tier-2 phase.

‘Wasn’t it said that Yu-Ri first manifested the Level 2 phase when she reached Level 100?’

At the moment, his Level was 92. Yu-Ri was an individual with an extraordinary compatibility to the Job known as the Artillery of Nemesis. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she was born to become the Artillery of Nemesis. And yet, Jin-Hyeok managed to reach Level 2 much sooner.

‘Can this really be happening?’

It was said that even a difference of two or three Levels could indicate a large power gap between Players, but the current Jin-Hyeok was eight Levels below the Shin Yu-Ri of his previous life when she first manifested her Level 2 phase. It seemed he had an even better compatibility with the Artillery of Nemesis Job compared to Yu-Ri.

“However, it feels somewhat difficult to control.”

The artillery had transformed, becoming even more massive and noisy. An enormous amount of mana was concentrated in his right hand, making it difficult to control. He was forcibly holding it down for now, but he felt a looming sense of danger as if it might explode at any moment.

“I think I need to devise a plan to manage this.”

In the meantime, Waiting Wife spoke up, “Activate Wrath of Nemesis.”

Once again, Yu-Ri manifested the power that Jin-Hyeok had witnessed when she previously fought the Ants. Currently, Waiting Wife was at Level 69. Despite being only Level 69, her destructive power seemed to be on par with Players above Level 100. Wherever Waiting Wife shot, thousands of Ant corpses lay scattered. Although he didn’t know for sure, it was clear that the many people watching this situation would be admiring Waiting Wife’s performance.

‘I need to do well too.’

Jin-Hyeok wondered what was the point of creating a Level 2 artillery if he could not control it to his liking. It was as if his physical capabilities could not catch up to his abilities.

“I need to concentrate for a moment.”

Not being able to handle a power beyond his control could be worse than not using it at all. At this point, employing the Wrath of Nemesis he had acquired could potentially harm even his allies who were fighting the Ants.

‘I can see blood seeping from my arm.’

There were no external injuries. The pressure within the arm could not be contained, and blood was slowly oozing out from within. The area near the biceps was tinged with a purplish hue as if the arm was rotting away.

‘I need to be at a higher Level to properly handle this.’

He wondered if he needed to reach at least around Level 100—the Level the Shin Yu-Ri of his past life had been at when she first manifested this ability—to be able to control it proficiently.

‘Huh?’

That was not all. The artillery that had advanced to Level 2 began to morph again, emitting mechanical whirring sounds, and started to form into an even larger shape. It continued to grow in size.

‘This is insane.’

Jin-Hyeok also knew what this was. It was the ultimate version of the artillery that Yu-Ri had wielded in the past. It was not just a transformation of the right arm into an artillery; her entire body would become a gigantic cannon. She would eventually become a mobile siege weapon. This was a unique case where a Skill had acquired its own nickname.

Without a doubt, it was the Skill known as Babylon Cannon.

‘But mine seem to be smaller in size.’

For reference, this Skill was something Yu-Ri had controlled when she reached Level 150. It was a Level 3 artillery, and she had called it the ultimate weapon.

‘I remember the southern part of Gyeonggi-do was engulfed in flames back then.’

In the aftermath, some people referred to Yu-Ri as a walking tactical nuclear weapon. If Jin-Hyeok could properly use this, annihilating those swarms of Ants would be no problem at all.

‘But I can’t.’

Not only would it kill the swarms of Ants, but it might also kill all the people here. Carried away by this unimaginable destructive power, he might even end up losing his life. This was a force he absolutely could not control in his current state.

‘Should I just give up on this method?’

His physical body couldn’t keep up with his talent. It was both exhilarating and depressing.

‘But...’

He didn’t want to give up. Yu-Ri looked at him with a worried expression.

“Master, are you okay?” she asked.

Jin-Hyeok could not respond. There was not enough time to talk. He sat down cross-legged right where he stood just moments ago. He did not want to miss this moment. This sensation of not wanting to miss this moment was the tantalizing feeling that appeared right before a realization.

Jin-Hyeok closed his eyes. He heard Yu-Ri speaking again.

“I will protect you, Master. Without fail!” she said.

Though the situation might expose him to being defenseless, he concentrated his mind to the fullest on his right hand. At the Level 2 phase, his right arm was consumed by this ability, but now it felt like his entire body was being torn apart by this ability. The Skill, Wrath of Nemesis, felt like it was eroding his entire body.

‘I need a way to control this violent power, and to do it efficiently.’

As he closed his eyes and contemplated his inner self, it felt like he could see the universe within him. This universe was protected by a solid shell, and he could feel that it was Imperial Resilience. Imperial Resilience was holding his inner universe firmly yet flexibly, preventing it from crumbling.

Jin-Hyeok reached out to a brightly shining fragment in the dark universe. This fragment was undoubtedly the Mystery Pure Luck. The Mystery elusively darted around, seemingly graspable yet evading his grip. He ran swiftly to catch that fragment. He couldn’t tell how much time had passed, he only knew that he had been engrossed in this illusion for quite a long time.

‘This place is...’

Within the universe of his inner world, he halted his steps somewhere and finally opened his eyes.

‘I know the way now.’

If his body could not accept the Wrath of Nemesis, if he could not control the Skill with his power, he just needed to draw upon another power for help.

He understood now.

“I have an amazing defensive-type Mystery.”

Thinking back on how the old Yu-Ri was able to handle this overwhelming and oppressive Skill, the answer became clear. Yu-Ri also would not have been able to handle this Level 3 phase Babylon Cannon with her power alone.

“This violent Skill is perfected through a combination with a superior defensive-type Mystery.”

Yu-Ri’s defensive Mystery, Iron Dome, and her offensive Skill, Wrath of Nemesis, merged to create the siege weapon, Babylon Cannon, moving as a single power. If Yu-Ri could do it, so could Jin-Hyeok.

“The materialization of the previously ghost-like form of the Phantom Swordswoman is underway.”

The ghost-like figure of the Phantom Swordswoman transformed into a human-like form. The veil hiding the face disappeared, revealing a woman with flowing golden hair laid long. She had a pale complexion, and six white wings sprouted from her back. Her wings were torn here and there, akin to a Fallen Angel. She was clothed in white fabric, with crimson wounds and scars vividly displayed across various parts of her body.

“Blood is streaming down both of her eyes. Dark purple veins are expanding across her skin.”

And the sword that the Phantom Swordswoman had been holding began to be stained in a dark violet hue. The Phantom Swordswoman opened her mouth, “Grasp the blade of vengeance in your hands.”

Jin-Hyeok zoomed in to capture the image of the Phantom Swordswoman up close. He heightened the volume to precisely make out the words she was murmuring.

“Let them know what the end of the fools are like.”

She swung the violet sword she held in her hand. A deep and ominous bloodlust could be felt emanating from that sword.

“What is the target of annihilation, my Master?”

Their eyes met, and it felt like Jin-Hyeok’s psyche, protected by Imperial Resilience, was shaking in its entirety. Receiving that gaze, drenched in profound bloodlust, was quite a thrilling experience.

“I’ve successfully connected Phantom Swordswoman with my mind. Let’s try using the defensive Mystery.”

The Phantom Swordswoman spread her wings and began to fly. While the sight was beautiful, there was a hint of disappointment. It seemed as if some background music should accompany this scene, but there was no time for that now, and he couldn’t bear the silence. He, as a Streamer, conjured the coolest line he could think of. He stretched his right hand, which harbored the destructive power, and said, “Swing the blade of vengeance. Let them know what the end of the fools look like. Prove your will to annihilate.”

‘Sigh. I shouldn’t be doing this.’

He knew it looked absurd, but something inside him was bubbling up and he could not suppress it.

“Tear out the enemy’s heart.”

‘...Good. I have to admit, that sounded pretty cool.’

? ? ?

Leading the Avengers Army, Egan Paul adeptly conducted the livestream, true to his seasoned Steamer persona. Facing off against the swarm of Red-Eyed Ants, he felt a sudden sense of crisis.

‘This absurd level of destructive power... Could it be Korea’s Waiting Wife?’ Egan thought.

He was well aware of the abilities of Waiting Wife. However, this power was overly flamboyant and potent, drawing the viewers’ attention overwhelmingly in that direction.

‘I need to film the actions of my Players...’

The Avengers Army was also fighting well. They were displaying enough glamor, yet, inevitably, their single-strike destructive power could not match up to Waiting Wife.

‘There’s no helping it.’

But still, Egan was a professional Streamer. Grasping what was more important, what the viewers wanted at the moment, he swiftly captured and displayed the Wrath of Nemesis of Waiting Wife accurately. He captured the Red-Eyed Ants melting away instantly under her railgun-like attack on the screen. After showing the awe-inspiring spectacle, he naturally continued the livestream.

“Players from all around the world are joining forces to battle against humanity’s calamity. This here is the forefront of freedom, Korea.”

Rather than focusing solely on Yu-Ri, he portrayed and showed that numerous Players worldwide were uniting to fight against the disaster. The sight of humanity’s heroes coming together and sacrificing to fight against a common enemy touched the entire world. In various places around the world, people held candles for the heroes, singing songs for them. Countless people took to the streets, waving the flags of various countries, praying for humanity’s victory.

‘This is good. This is how I wanted to frame my livestream.’

It had to capture the efforts of all those who were uniting and working together, not just the unilateral actions of one individual. And naturally, at the center of it all had to be the Avengers Army. That was his plan for directing the scene.

‘Huh?’

But then, an ominous figure of an Angel appeared. Egan Paul had hired a few staff for the livestream, and one of them informed him by writing in a notebook.

[That’s Kim Chul-Soo’s ability. Defensive-type Mystery called Phantom Swordswoman.]

“That ability belongs to Kim Chul-Soo, a popular Streamer in Korea. That defensive-type Mystery is called Phantom Swordswoman.”

[He used the Mythic-Grade Card.]

[He’s copying and merging with Waiting Wife’s Skill.]

“He also used a Mythic-Grade Card to copy and merge with Waiting Wife’s ability and now possesses...”

As a seasoned Streamer, Egan continued the livestream but soon found himself at a loss for words.

After a brief moment, he swiftly regained his composure and resumed.

“The sword has transformed into d-dozens of whips, attacking the area like a tornado...!”

The sacred sacrifices of the heroes were supposed to be the focal point of this content. The Avengers Army should have been at the center stage. However, that could no longer be.

“It seems like a violet rain is pouring down!”

This was not what Egan had planned. In the face of the overwhelmingly magnificent sight unfolding before them, all he could do was capture the Phantom Swordswoman’s martial prowess on screen.

“It kind of looks like swords are raining down. And each droplet is slaughtering the Ants!”

It clearly started as swords, but it ended in explosions.

“I don’t know how to describe this!”

Egan Paul, the leader of the Avengers Army, was engulfed in a profound sense of defeat. He had never seen anything like this before.

“To sum it up, It is a slashing, explosive, large-scale area of effect, defensive-type Mystery...?”

The Phantom Swordswoman’s sword stretched out like whips, pouring down like rain. Everywhere the rain touched caused a massive explosion, dismembering the Ants into dozens of pieces. In an instant, tens of thousands of Ants were slaughtered. Amidst this, the Ants began to scatter in all directions. It seemed almost as if they were fleeing, but it wasn’t a retreat.

“Foolish, utterly foolish.”

Among the scattered Ants, the Queen Ant revealed herself. Moving at an unimaginable speed that was barely perceptible to the eyes of an average human, the Queen Ant flew toward the Phantom Swordswoman and grabbed her by the neck.

In the blink of an eye, the Phantom Swordswoman disintegrated into dust and disappeared. Jin-Hyeok, who was controlling the Phantom Swordswoman, had deliberately ceased using the Mystery, and the Queen Ant shifted her gaze toward the building where Jin-Hyeok was hiding at.

“The one who harmed my beloved children.”

The Queen Ant flew toward the building where Jin-Hyeok was hiding at, but not at a particularly fast pace. The Queen Ant’s voice reached all the Players.

“Experience the terror of death that slowly corrodes you. I swear upon my name.”

She ascended to the rooftop of the building, the very place where Jin-Hyeok was hiding.

“You won’t die a comfortable death.”

At the tips of the Queen Ant’s fingers, a silver thread that was almost invisible to the naked eye fluttered. From behind the airconditioner units on the rooftop, Jin-Hyeok rose up from his hiding spot and walked toward the Queen Ant.

“This is great content for my livestream.”

Jin-Hyeok smiled as he stood before the Ant Queen, an entity set to be recorded as humanity’s first calamity since the Cataclysm.