I Gave Up Being Stronger

Chapter 465

Lessefim appeared on Marshmallow’s livestream and revealed her cuteness to the entire universe. She didn’t do anything special; she just held an acorn in her hands and nibbled on it.

“Do you think this will really work?” Lessefim asked.

“Trust me,” Marshmallow replied.

“What’s so great about this?”

Despite not fully understanding why Marshmallow insisted she do this, Lessefim decided to give it a try. After all, Marshmallow was a top-ranked Eltuber, so he had to at least know what would work in a livestream.

-Is Lessefim usually like this?

-So cute! T_T

-Her cuteness can break the world!

Lessefim felt a bit uneasy.

“I can’t believe it worked!” she said, noticing the exponential increase in the number of live viewers.

‘Heh.’ She puffed her cheeks out even more, storing additional acorns on each side. ‘Maybe I am indeed that cute!’

She began to think she could now become a Navigator that was more suited for livestreams than Mole Woman. The livestream featuring Lessefim became a huge hit across the universe. Every online community was ablaze with discussions, and the most popular search terms on various forums were phrases such as [Squirrel Beastkin], [Lessefim], and [Cute Lessefim], all relating to her.

While Cha Jin-Hyeok took a break from livestreaming, Marshmallow reclaimed his position and shot up to the number one spot on trending videos.

Seeing the overwhelming response, Mole Woman felt a burning sense of competition.

‘Oh, so you wanna play that game?’ Mole Woman thought. ‘Didn’t she promise me to collaborate and keep Playing together? Yet now, she’s backstabbing me. I can’t let this slide.’

Mole Woman immediately sought Hassan. “Is it true Lessefim became female again?”

“Yes...” Hassan’s face flushed. He still couldn’t shake off the cuteness of Lessefim. The sight of her nibbling on acorns was euphoric.

“Can you give me a Miracle too?” Mole Woman asked.

Hassan, who had already processed several Miracles in quick succession, was feeling a bit drained, but he could not refuse Mole Woman’s request.

“You’re planning to turn back into a man, right?” he asked.

Although Mole Woman had gained significant popularity, she had also been plagued by malicious comments and sexual harassment. Hassan felt sorry for her because of that. He could understand why she might want to go back to being male.

“No, I just want to enhance my abilities.”

“What...?”

“Can you also make my body more impressive? Something that stands out?”

Hassan could not believe his ears. “You’re not asking for enhancements as a Navigator?”

“I would also like to become prettier. Yes. Let’s focus on making me prettier, Hassan!”

“Are... you sure?”

“I can’t lose to Lessefim.”

“...”

“Tell me. Can you make me pretty or not?”

“I’ll try.”

“I have to become incredibly beautiful, no matter what.”

“...”

“I need to be able to beat Lessefim’s cuteness!”

Suddenly, Hassan realized something was odd and leaped up from his seat, shouting, “Who are you, you imposter?!”

“What are you talking about?”

“The real Mole Woman always ends her sentences with moly!”

Only then did Mole Woman realize what had happened. In her rush, she had momentarily forgotten her character’s signature speech pattern.

“Please make me pretty, moly.”

***

The next one to show up to Hassan was the Spirit Prince, Elines.

“My dad is so strange. I don’t understand why he keeps asking me to take the form of his daughter,” Elines said.

“Maybe it’s because being a doting father is the trend these days?”

“Chul-Soo doesn’t care about things like my appearance or gender. He loves me for who I am.”

‘Still, wouldn’t your dad love you more than Chul-Soo?’ Hassan couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud.

From talking with Elines, he discovered something peculiar. ‘No matter what we talk about, it always ends up coming back to Chul-Soo.’

Hassan felt a bit sorry for Alkinas. Alkinas was an impressive Spirit King, but to be compared to Chul-Soo was just unfortunate. He was truly a pitiful father.

“Anyway, Dad is so eccentric. So? Can you turn me back into a female?” Elines asked.

“Do you have any specific requests for enhancements?”

“Hm...” Elines smiled brightly. “I want to be a human!”

“Excuse me? You want to change your species?” Hassan was doubtful. ‘Is that even possible?’

“Also, I want to be an adult woman.”

“Why...?”

“So I can marr—”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, so I can help in Chul-Soo’s livestreams.”

“...”

“Anyway, can I become an adult female? Preferably one that’s beautiful by human standards. More beautiful than Mole Woman, cuter than Lessefim, and more seductive than Lilia.”

Hassan suddenly felt dizzy. It seemed like no one was in their right mind. He started to feel a little lonely as if he were the only sane person left in this world.

‘Wait? Can I become a cute squirrel Beastkin too?’ Hassan thought. The idea of becoming a squirrel Beastkin seemed oddly revolutionary for a normal person like him.

***

When Jin-Hyeok became the owner of the Spirit Realm, it brought about significant changes in the world, including a rapid increase in the number of Spirit Mages. Fire Spirits, which were once extremely rare, began to appear more frequently. Even non-Spirit Mage Players started using Fire Spirits as supplementary tools. Amidst this, an unknown villain caused a major incident on the Arvis Server. The incident began in a small tavern.

“Fuck! I'm gonna win this!”

A small dispute broke out between the tables in a small tavern, which quickly escalated into a duel. It was a fight between a Swordsman and an Axeman. The Axeman had a slight advantage in skill, but an unexpected variable came into play. The Swordsman summoned a Fire Spirit to fight. However, since he wasn’t a professional Spirit Mage, he couldn’t properly control the Spirit, which led to the entire tavern burning down, resulting in the deaths of several innocent bystanders. Incidents like this started happening frequently.

Many news segments featured this.

[Irresponsible and immoral behavior rooted in complacency!]

[Condemn Chul-Soo’s abuse of power!]

The backlash from the established Spirit Mages was especially intense. The high-ranking officials of the Spirit Mages’ Association held an emergency meeting.

“This is what happens when you give irresponsible power to non-experts.”

“Chul-Soo has caused chaos in the world just for the sake of his livestream.”

“He must immediately step down from his position as owner of the Spirit Realm. Otherwise, such terrible accidents will continue to happen.”

The one leading the meeting was Gergan, the president of the Spirit Mages’ Association. He was a renowned Fire Spirit Mage and a well-known figure among Mages.

“We must bring Chul-Soo to justice for the sake of righteousness.”

“Chul-Soo is a coward who causes social unrest while only seeking fame for himself.”

They had to eliminate Chul-Soo. If things continued like this, Spirit Mages would become too common, and their value would plummet.

“But Chul-Soo is too powerful.”

“What can we even do?”

“There is one way.” Gergan lowered his voice. “From here on, this is classified.”

There were hardly any ways to hurt Chul-Soo at this moment.

“As the saying goes, there is no hero who doesn’t fall for beauty,” Gergan said. Given the nature of Chul-Soo’s livestreams, he was likely suppressing his desires and instincts. “We will use seduction techniques on Chul-Soo. Fortunately, there is a woman who yearns for his love. She’s stunningly beautiful, and she already shares a deep emotional and mental connection with Chul-Soo, so this will be easy.”

***

“Do you think I’m a really pretty human now?” Elines was thrilled.

Although she was very satisfied with her new appearance, she double-checked with a few of her friends.

“What? Is that you, Elly? Wow! I thought you were a K-pop idol or something!” Cha Jin-Sol, one of Jin-Hyeok’s closest aides, gave her approval.

Elines couldn’t help but act cutely in front of her. “Really? Am I pretty?”

“Pretty, cute, lovely, beautiful. You’re everything! You’re perfect!”

“And... seductive?”

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing! I’m just happy you like my new look!”

Jin-Sol hugged Elines tightly. “You’re so warm and cozy.”

Since Elines was originally a Fire Spirit, her body temperature was slightly higher than that of others.

“Hehe. Can I come visit you often?”

“Of course! You can even sleep over. I have cold hands and feet, so I can sleep while hugging you!”

Jin-Sol thought sleeping with Elines would probably give her the best rest she’d ever had.

‘Phew, thank goodness.’ Elines was happy that Jin-Sol liked her new look.

The next person to see her was Wang Yu-Mi.

Adjusting her round glasses, Yu-Mi stared at Elines for quite a while.

“W-Why? Is there a problem?” Elines asked.

“Elines, how old are you?”

“I’m twenty-one years old. A fully grown adult human.”

“No, not your character’s age. Your real age as a Fire Spirit.”

“Well, my real age is,” Elines hesitated before continuing, “ninety-three. But in the Spirit Realm, I am more than old enough to marry!”

“Do Spirits even have the concept of marriage?”

“Of course, we do!”

“Then what is marriage?”

“Well... marriage is...” Elines fumbled for an answer. Truthfully, she didn’t know what marriage was. The concept indeed did not exist in the Spirit Realm. “It’s... when you’re always together.”

Just the thought of it made Elines so happy that flames burst out from her body. Yu-Mi skillfully dodged the fire sparks and let out a small sigh.

“Hm...” Yu-Mi adjusted her round glasses again then lowered her voice. “So, you want to marry Chul-Soo, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then you will need to follow my advice carefully. You must keep that desire a secret. Chul-Soo doesn’t like people who want to marry him.”

“R-Really?” n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“You’re mentally connected with him, right? You should sense that better than anyone.”

“That’s...!” Elines knew this as well. Chul-Soo avoided any content related to romantic relationships, especially marriage, and was extremely cautious when it came to seductive techniques.

“So, don’t ever mention marriage. Just get along with him like a comfortable friend,” Yu-Mi said.

“But what if I never get to marry him?”

“Just appearing on his livestream will skyrocket the views. You know how much Chul-Soo loves people who boost his viewership.”

Elines nodded enthusiastically. “You’re right! I want to be the beautiful, cute, charming, and seductive human woman who boosts the view count!”

“You don’t have to call yourself a human woman every time. Just say person next time.”

***

Elines sought Choi Gap-Soo and Director Jang Michelle once again for further validation.

Michelle gently brushed her fingers through Elines’s red hair. “Perhaps it’s because you come from the pure essence of the fire element, but you’re incredibly beautiful. It’s beauty that would be hard to find among humans.”

Even Gap-Soo, who usually disagreed with anything Michelle said, nodded. “Yes, your appearance is certainly exceptional.”

“Hearing the two of you say that gives me a bit more confidence!” Elines said.

“Confidence in what?” Gap-Soo asked.

“Well, in... in being able to...” Elines hurriedly covered her mouth.

“In what?” Michelle pressed.

“In being able to raise the view count for Chul-Soo’s livestreams decisively!” Elines quickly improvised.

“Oh, that’s a commendable mindset,” Gap-Soo replied.

“Chul-Soo will like that for sure,” Michelle added.

Both Gap-Soo and Michelle nodded. With a guest as beautiful as Elines, the view count was bound to skyrocket. But just then, someone appeared in the workshop.

“Who the hell are you?”

Gap-Soo and Michelle flinched and turned toward the source of the voice.