I Gave Up Being Stronger - Chapter 308

Katrina transferred most of her possessions to Hassan.

“Taking all of these to my family home is needless.”

She added with a light-hearted tone,

“But I guess you wouldn’t know what to do with these jewels. Let me sell them quickly for you. Wait here.”

Then, she handed Hassan a staggering ten billion won.

“It’s all clean money, and I handled the taxes. Take it. Or rather, please accept it. I might not express myself well, Hassan, but you truly are a savior to me. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here is my contact.”

It wasn’t just cash.

“Well, this was supposed to be a secret, but I have prepared a house in Yeonhui-dong. I was planning on using it as my newlywed home. It’s yours now. I have already transferred the ownership.”

In return for fulfilling Katrina’s lifelong wish, Hassan received ten billion won in cash and a grand mansion in the safest neighborhood imaginable on Earth.

***

Kang Mi-Na returned to Korea with Hassan’s nephews and nieces.

“Uncle! I heard you are a very important person. Is that true?”

“You are the best, Uncle!”

Seeing his nephews and nieces, Hassan embraced them tightly, tears streaming down his face. He tried to reach out to his sister as well, but strangely, he could not get through.

‘I guess her being out of touch isn’t uncommon.’

As he spent his first night in Korea, he stayed up all night, wide-eyed. ‘I guess I’ve made enough money.’

Holding an amount of money he had never dreamed of, he felt more fear than happiness. His greed for money vanished.

‘How does one live a truly humane life?’

Hassan began to ponder this very question.

***

Thanks to Cha Jin-Hyeok’s livestream, Hassan’s fame skyrocketed overnight, which made his value soar to unprecedented heights. Wealthy individuals from across the universe flocked to Hassan, seeking gender transformation. Although living such a life was what Hassan had always desired, he declined all requests, stating he needed time to think.

‘If I want to live a humane life, I must not forget gratitude from others.’

He had fundamentally changed from who he had been the previous day, as if he had been reborn into a completely new world.

‘I should use my remaining abilities for Mr. Chul-Soo.’

He realized that all positive things that happened to him had occurred because of Chul-Soo. He resolved to use the remaining 76 miracles for Chul-Soo. At that moment, a tingling sensation echoed in his head, and he like he had been struck on his head.

[Trait ⌜Altruism⌟ has been activated.]

Altruism was the disposition to act in ways that benefited others. This turn of events was different from what had happened before Jin-Hyeok’s regression, when Hassan used his abilities solely for himself and his nephews. Moreover, the situation had changed in another way.

[The ⌜77 Intimate Miracles⌟ are transforming into true miracles.]

His abilities were enhanced.

[The Skill ⌜77 Intimate Miracles⌟ has been transformed into ⌜77 (Intimate) Miracles⌟.]

The word Intimate in the Skill name was changed to (Intimate), indicating a significant transformation in its nature.

***

Hassan set forth a condition. “Mr. Chul-Soo is my savior. Therefore, I wish to first offer my talents to official Chul-Soo Landers.”

He also announced through MiNaTV, “Now, you don’t have to undergo gender transformation to receive the benefits. You can choose not to.”

This was the essence of the new term (Intimate). If one desired, one could undergo gender transformation; if one did not, one could still receive permanent buff effects.

“Although the effects are more significant with gender transformation, you can still enjoy the miracle’s effects without undergoing one.”

Hassan anticipated a flood of Chul-Soo Landers rushing in to get the operation.

‘Why isn’t anyone contacting me?’

It was a misconception to think that Chul-Soo Landers would naturally reach out. Their unity shone brightly even today.

-No.121: Honestly, I am fine without the miracles.

-No.88: How dare a three-digit number act so arrogantly? We two-digit Chul-Soo Landers are fine without the miracles.

-No.9: Hm… I don’t think being a two-digit gives you much to boast about.

Chul-Soo Landers, centered around Chul-Soo, were all beautiful and benevolent people. They hardboard no particular greed, embodying altruism by wishing other Chul-Soo Landers would receive the benefits instead. Amidst this, Kim Min-Ji stepped forward.

-No.1: Guys, I have a good idea. How about letting No.2 experience the miracle?

-No.2: Why make me out to be the villain? I’ve been doing fine without any miracles.

-No.1: No, that’s not what I meant. After all, you communicate with Chul-Soo the most. You also have to manage Chul-Soopia and take many photos of him. As the Homepage Master, you work hard. But lately, there has been a lack of great photos and videos.

-No.2: Well… That can’t be helped. I can’t go to Arvis with Chul-Soo.

-No.1: I am not blaming you, No.2. However, if the miracle could enhance your abilities as the Homepage Master, wouldn’t you be able to share higher-quality photos and videos with us?

Min-Ji’s suggestion received overwhelming support, and eventually, Kang Eun-Woo was chosen to receive Hassan’s Second Miracle.

Hassan was in awe. “Chul-Soo Landers… you guys are truly remarkable people.”

Out of nearly a thousand members, only one person stepped forward to receive the miracle.

“I think the altruism you possess can amplify the power of my miracles. Would you like to include a gender transformation?” Hassan asked Eun-Woo.

“Um…” Eun-Woo found himself in a dilemma. To experience the perfect miracle, a gender transformation was necessary. ‘But… I think I should remain a man.’

The other Chul-Soo Landers had accepted him as No.2 partly because he was a man. Undergoing a gender transformation could potentially lead to various inconveniences.

‘Damn!’

It seemed more convenient to remain in a male form for his activities.

“I would like to receive the miracle without undergoing gender transformation,” Eun-Woo said.

***

Eun-Woo was overjoyed. As soon as he received the miracle, he rushed to show off to Jin-Hyeok. “I’ve acquired a new ability!”

“A new ability?”

“Yes! I received the miracle from Hassan!”

Eun-Woo acquired a Homepage Master’s exclusive Skill, Omniscient Observer.

“Remember when I had to follow you around like a ghost? But now, I don’t have to do that anymore,” Eun-Woo said. He explained that he no longer needed to physically follow Chul-Soo. As long as Jin-Hyeok agreed, Eun-Woo could film him anytime and anywhere, but only if it involved Jin-Hyeok.

“I can follow you to Dungeons that limit only one Player per entry and even to the rigorously regulated Arvis Server! I can now infinitely produce great photos and videos of you!” Eun-Woo was ecstatic.

“Really?” Jin-Hyeok shrugged. He knew that Eun-Woo’s help had been significant in achieving his current popularity, so he trusted the Homepage Master to handle things well.

“Oh, and I decided to give a portion of the photo and merchandise sales profits to Hassan.”

Eun-Woo felt it was only right to pay for such a miracle, but Hassan kept refusing, saying he could not accept money from someone working for Chul-Soo. So, Eun-Woo proposed to share a portion of the profits earned through the use of his new ability acquired from the miracle.

“That’s a good idea.” Jin-Hyeok agreed with it.

“Hehehe.” Eun-Woo grinned and gulped, already itching to film Chul-Soo. “What’s your next schedule? Is it somewhere I can follow you?”

Now, Eun-Woo wasn’t scared of anything. Even if he could not physically follow Chul-Soo, he could still produce loads of great photos and videos of the Streamer!

***

Cha Jin-Sol seriously contemplated her next steps. “Oppa, I am serious!”

“About what?”

“About receiving the miracle.”

“That’s only possible for Chul-Soo Landers.”

Though she had not told Jin-Hyeok, she was the official No.3 among the first-generation Chul-Soo Landers. “Hassan said that he was willing to do it since I am your sister. It’s practically the same as being an honorary Chul-Soo Lander.”

“Hm…”

“He said I need to undergo gender transformation for the perfect miracle. What do you think? Are you okay with having a younger brother?”

Jin-Hyeok fully understood Jin-Sol’s intensity. After all, he had seriously considered gender transformation too.

“I am happy that you are this intense… but are you confident you can convince Mom and Dad?”

“No.” Jin-Sol deeply reflected upon it. “I guess I am not that intense after all.”

She had thought herself to be the most intense in the world, but apparently, that was not the case.

“I will think about it more,” Jin-Sol said.

“But honestly…” Jin-Hyeok debated whether he should say what was on his mind. From the perspective of a Player’s intensity, he wanted to say, ‘Go ahead and undergo the gender transformation to receive the effects.’ However, he no longer considered things solely from a Player’s perspective. He had come to understand how an ordinary human thought. “I kind of prefer you staying as you are.”

“…”

“It would feel strange if you suddenly changed genders. You’d look like a completely different person.”

“Are you being serious?”

“I’m sorry for not being intense enough.” Jin-Hyeok felt a bit embarrassed for not showing the same level of intensity he demanded from his sister.

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t expect you to say something like that, Oppa.” Jin-Sol did not blame Jin-Hyeok.

After ending the conversation, she left the room, humming a tune, seemingly more at ease.

“Ah, my brother is less intense. What a disappointment.” She sounded like someone who had just found peace of mind.

***

The other Chul-Soo Landers were overjoyed that Eun-Woo’s abilities were enhanced.

-No.1: Honestly, this is commendable. Congratulations, No.2!

-No.997: Wow, does that mean we get to see more great photos of Chul-Soo?

-No.33: Long live the Homepage Master… T_T

With Eun-Woo’s enhanced ability becoming public, Hassan became known as the Saint of Miracles. After he declared he would use his abilities solely for Chul-Soo Land, the term Chul-Soo Land became a kind of power in itself. This was the first official case where Chul-Soo Land became a recognized form of influence, marking a subtle social change. At this juncture, Jin-Hyeok was engrossed in a thought.

‘With this level of power, maybe I should try defeating the Empress of Hell.’

Jin-Hyeok thought about the Empress of Hell, who had ultimately led Jin-Hyeok to his death right before his regression. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine and his heart racing.

‘Wow, that would be incredibly exciting.’

After a moment of exhilaration, he delved back into contemplation.

‘Obviously, I would need to form a party, right?’

This was obvious. The Banyan Tree Dungeon, an Unexplored Dungeon, had been tackled by hundreds of Players together before his regression.

‘Now, I have exceptional comrades.’

Now, his comrades were far more formidable than they were before his regression. He pondered whether, with these comrades, it was possible to clear the Banyan Tree Dungeon, which they had not managed to overcome previously. Moreover, Players like Lessefim the Navigator and Muenne the Paladin could prove to be valuable assets.

‘On second thought. Can I clear the Dungeon by myself?’

Jin-Hyeok had acquired the Munchkin Trait, which he did not have before his regression. He had long surpassed his pre-regression self. He could even level up with the Mythic-Grade Card. Considering various factors, his soloing the Dungeon did not seem out of the question.

‘I must be crazy to even think this.’ It was an absurd thought. Contemplating soloing a Dungeon that required a meticulously planned expedition by a large group of Players seemed ludicrous. Jin-Hyeok chuckled to himself. ‘That’s a thought only truly insane people would entertain.’

An hour later, he turned on his livestream.

[Soloing]

He was in front of the Banyan Tree Hotel.