I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 444

Chapter 444

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?

‘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!”