Chapter 02

Third place was always the best, according to Jin-Hyeok's experience.

In the third place, you can still be happy and safe while seeking money. The important thing to remember was that you couldn't just pretend to be in third place—even if you tried.

'After all, scouter rankers are a frightening bunch.'

Scout classes could learn everything they could about other Players, such as their levels and hidden skills. If someone possessed exceptional strength and abilities, it was only a matter of time before the scouts painted a target on their backs, no matter how well they tried to conceal it. That meant you couldn't pretend to be in third place—you had to be in third place for real.

Jin-Hyeok made the decision to disregard Awakening as a Swordsman Player. Who knew what would happen if he picked up a sword again? Maybe he'll forget about his decisions and find himself back where he started.

[The Open Beta service for the new Server, Earth, has begun.]

[You have completed the requirements for unlocking Initial Awakening.]

He'd been streaming video games for 50,000 hours. This was the prerequisite for starting this new game as a Streamer who had undergone Initial Awakening.

[You have been assigned the position of Streamer (Initial Awakener).]

Streamers were one of the jobs whose safety was guaranteed to some extent by the Server Rules and Regulations.

'They also have more freedom because they are exempt from the System's conscription measures.'

Players who had become Streamers through the Initial Awakening process began the game with a special barrier ability reserved just for them, known as 'Broadcaster's Barrier.' This ability boasted the greatest defensive capabilities among non-fighter class Jobs.

These factors were exactly why the job of Streamer was widely regarded as the safest of all Jobs, while remaining highly profitable.

'Plus, as a competitive ranker, I'm sure I'll get a bonus perk for my Initial Awakening.'

Jin-Hyeok was certainly the best player in 'The Dark Hill.'

[You have received a bonus for your Initial Awakening. (Achieved Rank 1 in a previously played game)]

[You may use your existing game character as an ingredient in the Initial Awakening process.]

In front of Jin-Hyeok, a holographic character window appeared.

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Name: Spine Breaker[1]

Job: Grand Mage

LVL: 999

Achievements:

Victor in the War of Gods and Demons (Mythic)

The Seven Mysteries (Mythic)

Caliphoo, King of Giants (Mythic)

[1][2][3]...[11][12]

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Ah, yes—the all-too-familiar character selection screen. Jin-Hyeok had attained the highest level in The Dark Hill, 999.

He'd unlocked enough achievements to fill a whopping twelve pages, for a grand total of around 200 achievements.

This was all very familiar to Jin-Hyeok up until this point.

'However, why did my Inventory window appear?'

Right beside his character window, the Inventory window had appeared.

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[Inventory]

New Demon Lord's Undergarments (Mythic)

Necklace of Argonaxus (Mythic)

[1][2][3]...[44][45][46]

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There were numerous items in the inventory. The majority of them were Mythic items, which are the highest grade in the game.

It wasn't just the Inventory window that appeared on its own. A new window with a list of his skills appeared automatically as well. 

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[Retained Skills]

Lightning Storm (Mythic)

Deep Freeze (Mythic)

[1][2][3]...[21][22]

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'Why did my Inventory and Skill windows suddenly appear?'

Notifications continued to bombard Jin-Hyeok.

[You now have the achievement The Grind Never Stops.]

[You have completed the Achievement 'Few Viewers, Faithful Broadcast.']

'And what exactly are these?'

Jin-Hyeok was able to learn more about the underlined terms by quickly selecting them.

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[The Grind Never Stops]

This achievement is granted to those that fulfill the following three conditions:

1) Within 10 years,

2) Broadcast a game for a total of 50,000 hours,

3) Without resting for more than 10 consecutive hours.

Achievement Perk: You may use the Inventory of a character from an existing game as ingredients for the Awakening process.

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[Few Viewers, Faithful Broadcast]

This achievement is granted to those that fulfill the following three conditions:

1) Unlock the Achievement, The Grind Never Stops.

2) Reach Rank 1 in an applicable game,

3) While maintaining an average viewer count of less than 10.

Achievement Perk: You may use the Skills of a character from an existing game as ingredients for the Awakening process.

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The details weren't that important—it was more or less saying that he had met a number of ridiculous requirements. The most important aspect was the bonus effects provided by the achievements.

[Would you like to use the Inventory of Spine Breaker as Awakening ingredients?]

[Would you like to use the Spine Breaker Skills as ingredients in the Awakening process?]

'Wow, I had no idea this was going to happen.'

Jin-Hyeok could not only use his previous in-game character and all of its levels to speed up the Initial Awakening process, but he could also use the items and skills he had accumulated as extra material towards the Awakening.

Jin-Hyeok felt something stir deep within him.

'Something far too good to pass up just fell into my lap...'

His heart pounded with a brief burst of excitement. Jin-Hyeok quickly forced himself to remain calm. He had to break his bad habit of losing his mind over every minor opportunity that presented itself. Jin-Hyeok recalled how, in the past, neither fire nor snow could quench his excitement at the prospect of holding a new benefit in his hands.

'Keep it together.'

 He was no longer Cha Jin-Hyeok of the past. He was a different man now, one who was going to pursue a life as a Streamer—a life that was carefree, peaceful and living a normal and ordinary life.

'But, you know... it'd be a waste not to use everything, right?'

It wasn't because Jin-Hyeok desired to be more powerful. Obviously not.

Just because he took advantage of an unexpected boost to get a head start didn't mean he'd suddenly become insanely strong. After all, no matter how powerful a Streamer became, they were still Streamers.

'Yeah... I made a good decision by becoming a Streamer.'

It was a good thing he chose to be a Streamer because it was a non-fighter class with a clear limit on how much one could grow—which meant it would help Jin-Hyeok control himself.

Jin-Hyeok was convinced that his self-imposed constraints would be strong enough to stop him from becoming mad with ambition again.

Until now, that is.

''I'm not thrilled right now. 'I'm not thrilled.'

Jin-Hyeok suppressed his emotions as he carefully selected the ingredients to boost his Awakening.

[You chose Victor in the Battle of Gods and Demons (Mythic).]

[You chose New Demon Lord's Undergarments (Mythic).]

[You chose Meteor Shower (Mythic).]

Everything Jin-Hyeok had accomplished in the previous seven years was added to the list of ingredients.

Jin-Hyeok realized now that he had become ironically overpowered by the end.

He had undoubtedly begun as a Mage, as his character window indicated, but at some point, he found himself wielding the Demon Slaying Sword in his right hand while casting Meteor Shower everywhere with his left.

He had become unrivaled. Even Jin-Hyeok felt that the levels he had reached were unjust in terms of balance.

Jin-Hyeok had completed his ingredient selection.

[The process of Awakening has begun.]

[The Spine Breaker was used.]

[Meteor Shower (Mythic)] was used.]

[The Awakening Process is Underway...]

[Processing 50%... 90%... 100%]

A flash of glowing light struck Jin-Hyeok.

[You have been assigned the position of Almighty Streamer.]

Jin-Hyeok had often heard about Streamers who had received their Jobs through the Initial Awakening head start process—Initially Awakened Streamers—but an 'Almighty Streamer' was a first for him.

'What is this?'

Jin-Hyeok didn't notice any differences.

However, he noticed that two new 'Traits'—all the Player's abilities—were added to the corresponding traits tab.

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[Traits]

1. Broadcaster's Barrier

2. Almighty Jack of All Trades

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Broadcaster's Barrier was supposed to be a skill granted to all Initially Awakened Streamers, so this was not surprising.

'But what exactly is Almighty Jack of All Trades?'

Jin-Hyeok had seen countless traits in his life, but this was the first time he had seen this one.

One thing Jin-Hyeok was certain of was that in the coming new world, there would be no such thing as an 'almighty' all-rounder.

Being an all-rounder ultimately meant that one was competent in most areas but a master in none. They would never be able to excel in any of the field.

A 'Jack of All Trades' who was a master of none, on the other hand, was ideal for Jin-Hyeok. He aspired to finish third.

'That's a good start.'

In line with his pursuits, that was the true first impression Jin-Hyeok had of the 'Almighty Jack of All Trades' Trait.

[You are logging into the streaming platform.]

The interface was not difficult to deal with. Jin-Hyeok got right to work deciding what to call his channel from now on.

['Earth, let me show you the new Server.']

[Your first-person point of view has been shared.]

[You are unable to view your viewer count because your current Level is too low.]

[You are unable to communicate with your viewers because your current Level is insufficient.]

Jin-Hyeok was, of course, at Level 1.

Jin-Hyeok began his explanation as he walked out of his gosichon room.

"This is known as Earth. I'm currently in Seoul, a large city in South Korea."

Jin-Hyeok's broadcasting abilities were limited at the moment. The best—and only—course of action was to gradually reveal and explain to prospective viewers the new world around him.

A week had passed in an instant.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

There were changes all over the world during this period of time.

Many people claiming to be 'Initial Awakeners' began to appear. Though the public had yet to believe it, so-called monsters began to appear all over the world, and those identifying as Initial Awakeners hunted these monsters down with great success. Society is evolving.

Jin-Hyeok, meanwhile, continued to stream.

"I will try observing this creature in front of us using Broadcaster's Truesight."

Jin-Hyeok's eyes turned crimson red.

[Level 3/ Skills: Hind Kick/ Name: Big Paw Rabbit]

Jin-Hyeok had come across a rabbit kicking its hind legs like a bull preparing to charge a woman.

"This is a Level 3 creature called Big Paw Rabbit. It appears to have a single Skill called 'Hind Kick'."

While Jin-Hyeok continued with his stream, his mind was elsewhere. Something didn't feel right.

'At this level, was it always possible to inspect monsters' skills with Broadcaster's Truesight...?'

No way should that have been possible. Even Initially Awakened Streamers, he assumed, could only check the levels and names of monsters at his level.

However, because there was no way to communicate with other Streamers at the time, Jin-Hyeok couldn't be certain.

The woman and the Big Paw Rabbit were fighting.

"Take this!"

"She appears to have just reached Level 4." Jin-Hyeok narrated to his stream. 

She took a step back that was a heartbeat faster than the rabbit's attack before swinging her sword.

"She appears to have a knowledge of the art of swordsmanship."

Jin-Hyeok had no idea, but he had the air of an experienced commentator who knew exactly what he was talking about.

"...That said, it would have been much more effective if she closed the distance a little more before she went for the swing."

Another Big Paw Rabbit took advantage of the opportunity to attack Jin-Hyeok.

Jin-Hyeok avoided the attack instinctively.

'What a bother...'

The rabbit didn't stop irritating him, so he stabbed it in the head with his dagger, killing it.

The action was as unintentional as scratching an itch without thinking about it.

Of course, this was not the kind of performance that a more ordinary Streamer at his level would have been capable of.

However, Jin-Hyeok himself did not believe he had accomplished anything remarkable.

[You've killed a Big Paw Rabbit.]

Jin-Hyeok's Level increased after a longer period of streaming.

[You have attained Level 9.]

He was, Level 9, just like that.

Jin-Hyeok had no idea how many people were watching him right now because he had no way of communicating with them. If he had to guess, he would say that he would have a large number of viewers because he was leveling up much faster than most other Players.

Furthermore, the more viewers a Streamer had, the more experience points they earned.

'This is far too simple.'

It was almost too peaceful.