I Gave Up Being Stronger

With a slightly disappointed expression, Cha Jin-Hyeok said, “If you have strong poison resistance, you can withstand lightning and even break through stone walls. Similarly, you can resist sleep-inducing fragrances. I thought you understood me perfectly?”

“The Sphinx was counting on that overconfidence of yours!” Furface yelled.

It seemed the cunning Sphinx had noticed Kim Chul-Soo’s strength. Instead of casting a perfect illusion spell, it had cast a weak mental magic spell, just enough to prick Chul-Soo’s pride and lead him to his downfall.

“The only way to resist the sleep-inducing fragrance of the Sleepy Wildflower and the songs of the Singing Bamboos is to use Faceless’s stimulus potion!” Furface added. Although Furface had not made it past the first checkpoint, he prided himself on knowing more about the second checkpoint than anyone else.

Over the past decade, many Players had attempted this challenge multiple times. Those who had passed the first and second checkpoints but lost to Julius and barely escaped would inevitably grow stronger and seek the Dragon’s Nest again. Each time, Furface would gather the latest information about the second checkpoint from them.

“No barrier or magic spell can resist the Wildflower and the Singing Bamboos. That has been common knowledge for ten years, no, since Faceless first appeared 140 years ago!” Furface’s eyes began to droop. “Look, the sleep-inducing fragrance is already…”

‘But the Singing Bamboos haven’t even started singing…’ Jin-Hyeok sighed. “You’re just tired.”

“No, this is definitely the sleep-inducing…” Furface snapped wide awake when he saw Jin-Hyeok pull out Miri from his inventory. “On second thought, you’re right. Maybe I’m just tired.”

“See? I told you so.”

Soon, the sleep-inducing fragrance filled the surroundings, and the sound of bamboos singing rang out, but something was off. Furface was fine.

‘Huh?’ Furface realized a faint barrier surrounded him. “What’s this?”

“This is Absolute Barrier. Haven’t you heard of it?”

“Absolute Barrier. I’ve heard that it’s an evolved Trait from Broadcaster’s Barrier,” Faceless said, curious.

“That’s right,” Jin-Hyeok replied.

“Interesting. Generally, a Streamer’s… or what do they call you guys these days? Eltubers? So, generally, an Eltuber’s barrier is less effective than a Tank’s…”

By now, the sleep-inducing fragrance had enveloped their surroundings.

“Did you also wrap Furface in your Absolute Barrier?” Faceless asked.

“I sure did.” Jin-Hyeok shrugged. The sleep-inducing fragrance that permeated the area didn’t affect him or Furface.

“Impressive. It’s more effective than a professional Tank’s defensive barrier,” Faceless said, admiringly. “Blocking the sleep-inducing fragrance is one thing. Soon, you will start hearing the chorus of the Singing Bamboos.”

“I know,” Jin-Hyeok replied.

“How will you block the sound?”

“An Eltuber’s defensive barrier also blocks sound wave attacks.”

“Huh?”

Jin-Hyeok was not sure if he was blocking the attacks with Absolute Barrier or just taking them head-on. However, for this content’s concept, it was better to use all available means to prevent danger. Since the concept of his livestream was overwhelming power, if he ended up staggering due to sleep-inducing fragrances or songs, it would ruin the content.

Just then, they could hear an incomprehensible song. Furface covered his ears. “I will never be affected by it… I will never be affected by it…!”

His arms trembled as he used all his strength to cover his ears.

Faceless could not take his eyes off Jin-Hyeok and noticed something strange. “The mana in the chorus isn’t reaching either of you…”

Magical symbols in the shape of [♩♬] floated around in a steady flow. However, these symbols could not reach Jin-Hyeok or Furface. It was as if an unbreakable wall around them was blocking the flow of mana.

“This is remarkable. You have so easily blocked not only the sleep-inducing fragrance but also the bamboos’ song!” Faceless said, rapidly and excitedly. “You must be using at least two overlapping Imprinted Mysteries, right?”

Faceless was an Alchemist with 140 years of experience and a high level of understanding of various disciplines.

“I’m assuming you’re using an Imprinted Mystery that can control the wavelength and frequency of sound waves… Ah, have you mastered Camilian’s Fingering Technique? Or is it Schocklufant’s Musical Idea, or Schmileon’s Pendulum Vibration?

“You must have also used a Mystery that prevents the transmission of all substances through the air as a medium. I might not know the exact name, but I’m sure about the principle,” Faceless said.

Faceless could achieve similar effects with reagents and alchemy. As an excellent Alchemist, he wanted to uncover the secret of how Jin-Hyeok had defended against the Singing Bamboos.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me which Mysteries you combined and used?” the Alchemist asked.

Furface also had his eyes filled with curiosity. He too found Jin-Hyeok’s technique fascinating.

Jin-Hyeok felt somewhat sorry for both of them. “It’s just Absolute Barrier.”

“I know. That’s what you used to block the sleep-inducing fragrance. What I am asking about is the technique you used to block the Singing Bamboos,” Faceless said.

“It’s still just Absolute Barrier.”

“Huh?” Faceless was momentarily at a loss for words. Usually, if a defensive technique perfectly resisted one attribute, it would be vulnerable to attacks of another attribute. After all, there was no such thing as a perfect defensive technique in this world. ‘Does he not want to reveal his technique?’

At that moment, a Sleepless Wraith showed up and swung its massive scythe at Jin-Hyeok.

‘Oh no!’ By the time Faceless came to his senses, the scythe had already reached Jin-Hyeok’s neck.

Clang!

A loud metallic sound rang out, but Jin-Hyeok was unharmed. The Wrath’s attack had failed to penetrate Jin-Hyeok’s Absolute Barrier.

Faceless had not seen Jin-Hyeok use any new Skill or Mystery. “Surely, that’s not because of… No, that can’t be. You must have used a different technique.”

According to common sense, if Absolute Barrier had a high resistance to sleep-inducing fragrances and songs, it would inevitably be weak against physical force.

Feeling somewhat apologetic, Jin-Hyeok explained a bit more. “Yes. This too was blocked by Absolute Barrier, an enhanced version of Broadcaster’s Barrier, which is a unique Trait for Eltubers.”

***

Faceless felt increasingly confused as he conversed with Chul-Soo.

‘If you have a strong poison resistance, you can withstand lightning and break Dungeon settings?’ Logically, this statement seemed quite far-fetched. Yet earlier, Faceless had accepted it quite naturally. Once he noticed this oddity, it became a trickle that led to more realization.

‘Why wasn’t I happy when the Dungeon’s settings changed? Is it because the Dungeon changed so suddenly? Or was it simply because my thinking had become rigid? Do I not have any family to contact?’

He realized he had never longed for anyone. As his thoughts progressed, he began to wonder how long he had been here.

‘People say someone discovered me here first 140 years ago. But what about before that? Was I a Player?’

Faceless had no memories of being a Player. He had just been here, acting as the leader of the second checkpoint for as long as he could remember.

‘What… am I?’

Faceless became self-aware for the first time. His encounter with Chul-Soo had created a gap in his consciousness, and that gap expanded. It felt like his vision of his past was brightening.

‘I am…!’ He finally seemed to understand who he was and how long he had been here. ‘I am a creation of Lord Julius!’

Faceless was a creation made from a small portion of the will of Julius, the master of this Dungeon. Julius wanted capable Players to challenge him. That was why he had created Faceless and placed him at the second checkpoint. Julius was practically begging for someone to come this far and kill him.

When Faceless awakened to his sense of self, he looked at the child beyond the sleep-inducing fragrance. Despite the child’s androgynous appearance, Faceless instinctively knew he was male.

‘Shhh,’ the boy telepathically said to Faceless.

Faceless could hear the voice in his head. It was the voice of his lord, Julius.

‘I’m surprised you realized who you are, Faceless.’

‘My lord,’ Faceless replied telepathically. Since he was born from Julius’s will, he could immediately read Julius’s thoughts. ‘My lord, do you desire death?’

This realization came as a sort of betrayal for Faceless. It was difficult for him to accept that his lord and creator wanted to abandon him.

‘Yes. I have longed for death.’

Faceless was inexplicably dejected. He did not know why Julius wanted to die.

Julius wanted to die so that he could leave this Dungeon and wander the outside world. In other words, it meant abandoning Faceless.

‘You traitor…’ Faceless said telepathically.

‘Feel free to resent and hate me. That too is my karma.’

‘You can never leave this place, my lord.’ Faceless was not going to allow it. His creator could not abandon him. No, he shouldn’t abandon him. ‘My lord, you seem to have high expectations for Chul-Soo.’

‘That’s right. Chul-Soo will set me free.’

Faceless grinned. ‘That won’t be possible. You traitor! How dare you create me and then plan on leaving me?’

Unable to forgive his creator, Faceless decided to shatter his expectations.

‘Chul-Soo will not be able to pass through your nest, my lord!’

‘Faceless, refrain from taking foolish actions.’

‘You’re the foolish one!’

Faceless stood before Jin-Hyeok.

Jin-Hyeok could sense that Faceless’s aura had changed somehow. “Faceless, are you alright?”

“It would be a lie to say I am.”

“I sense some hostility.”

“Oh my! You noticed?” Faceless had tried to hide his true intentions. However, he acknowledged Chul-Soo as a Player worthy of his creator’s interest. “Chul-Soo, I have no personal feelings against you.”

“You don’t have to go this far for my Eltube content, Faceless.”

“I’m going to kill you right here.”

Jin-Hyeok was a little pleased. ‘This might turn out to be good content.’

Content about betrayal and subsequent punishment was always in demand. However, through his Broadcaster’s Insight, Jin-Hyeok sensed sadness and frustration from Faceless. The feeling was so strong that the image of Faceless appeared like a vision in Jin-Hyeok’s consciousness. In his vision, Faceless was in a very dark place, crouched and crying.

‘A villain with a backstory?’ Jin-Hyeok could have attacked Faceless immediately but held back. ‘Go ahead, Faceless. Do whatever you want.’

Just then, Furface stepped forward. “You damn traitor! You’re finally showing your true col—Ugh!”

An unknown force struck the back of Furface’s head. As an intense headache washed over him, his vision began to blur.

‘Has the Sphinx’s illusion attack finally begun?’ Furface thought. “Chul-Soo! Watch out for the illu—”

Furface fainted, and Jin-Hyeok secretly put Miri back into his inventory.

Faceless’s eyes flashed with a red light. “I am a creation born from the darkness molded by my creator. Darkness is generated from the anxiety, fear, disgust, and terror of living things.”

About 140 years ago, Julius had created Faceless by mixing a fragment of himself with what he claimed were hairs and horns from the Demon King. And now, Faceless realized his true power.

“Rise, Demons! Roar, army of evil!” Faceless shouted.

His true power was commanding Evil Spirits born from anxiety, fear, disgust, and terror. Massive summoning magic circles appeared throughout the area. As the Sleepless Wraiths in the area were sucked into the summoning magic circle, powerful black mana began to flow out of them.

“This is my true ability, Chul-Soo. I will summon an army capable of destroying this world many times over!” With eyes tainted by jealousy, he glared at Jin-Hyeok and shouted once more, “Descend, my Demons!”