In Jin-Hyeok’s experience, third place was always the best.

In third place, you could still be happy and safe yet continue to chase wealth at the same time. The important thing, though, was that one wasn’t able to just pretend to be third place—you couldn’t fake it if you tried.

‘After all, scouter rankers are one scary bunch.’

Scout classes could find out everything about other Players, such as their Levels or hidden skills. If someone had outstanding strength and abilities, it was only a question of time before scouts painted a target on their backs, no matter how well they tried to hide it. That meant it was impossible for one to pretend to be third place—you had to be third place for real.

Jin-Hyeok decided to rule out Awakening as a Swordsman Player. Who knew what would happen if he held a sword in his hands once more? Maybe he’d forget all about his resolutions and find himself in first place again.

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

[You have fulfilled the conditions to unlock Initial Awakening.]

He had run a game-related stream for 50,000 hours. This was the condition that needed to be satisfied to begin this new game as a Streamer that had undergone Initial Awakening.

[You have been granted the Job of 「Streamer」 (Initial Awakener).]

Streamers fell under one of the Jobs that had their safety guaranteed to some extent according to the Server Rules and Regulations.

‘They have more freedom as well, since they’re excluded from the System’s conscription measures.’

Of particular note was that Players that had become Streamers through the Initial Awakening process started the game with a special barrier ability reserved just for them, known as ‘Broadcaster’s Barrier.’ Among the abilities available to non-fighter class Jobs, this ability boasted the greatest defensive capabilities.

These factors were precisely why the Job of Streamer was widely said to be the safest out of all Jobs one could find themselves in, while still remaining quite lucrative.

‘Plus I’m sure I’ll get a bonus perk for my Initial Awakening, since I was a competitive ranker.’

Jin-Hyeok was the undisputed first rank Player in ‘The Dark Hill.’

[You have received an additional perk for your Initial Awakening. (Reached Rank 1 in an existing game)]

[You may use your character from the existing game as ingredients for the Initial Awakening process.]

A holographic character window appeared in front of Jin-Hyeok.

──────────

Name: Spine Breaker[1]

Job: Grand Mage

LV: 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]

──────────

Ah, yes—the all-too-familiar character window. Jin-Hyeok had reached the maximum Level of 999 in The Dark Hill.

He had unlocked enough Achievements to fill a whooping twelve pages—a grand total of around 200 Achievements.

Up until this point, this was all still very familiar to Jin-Hyeok.

’Why did my Inventory window pop up, though?’

The Inventory window had appeared right beside his character window.

──────────

[Inventory]

New Demon Lord’s Undergarments (Mythic)

.

.

.

Necklace of Argonaxus (Mythic)

[1][2][3]……[44][45][46]

──────────

The Inventory was filled with countless items. Most of them were Mythic items—items considered to be the highest grade in the game.

It wasn’t just the Inventory window that popped up out of its own accord. However, a window containing a list of his Skills automatically appeared as well.

──────────

[Retained Skills]

Lightning Storm (Mythic)

.

.

.

Deep Freeze (Mythic)

[1][2][3]……[21][22]

──────────

‘Why did my Inventory and Skill windows pop out all of a sudden?’

Jin-Hyeok continued to be assaulted by notifications.

[You have unlocked the Achievement「The Grind Never Stops」.][2]

[You have unlocked the Achievement 「Few Viewers, Faithful Broadcast」.]

‘And what on earth are these?’’

***

By selecting the underlined terms with a glance, Jin-Hyeok was able to find out more about them.

──────────

[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.

──────────

──────────

[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.

──────────

The details themselves were not all that important—it was more or less saying that he had fulfilled a bunch of nonsensical conditions. The really important thing was the bonus effects that the Achievements gave.

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

[Would you like to use the Skills of 「Spine Breaker」 as ingredients for the Awakening process?]

‘Wow, I didn’t see this coming.’

Not only could Jin-Hyeok use his previous in-game character along with all its Levels to boost the Initial Awakening process, but he could also use the items and Skills he had accumulated to be contributed as extra material toward the Awakening.

Jin-Hyeok felt something stir inside him to his very bones.

‘Something that’s way too good to pass just fell into my lap…'

His heart fluttered with a momentary pang of excitement. Jin-Hyeok quickly willed himself to keep his cool. .

He absolutely had to discard his bad habit of losing his mind over every small opportunity he came across. Jin-Hyeok recalled his old days when neither fire nor snow could overcome the thrill that overtook him at the prospect of clutching a new boon in his hands.

‘Keep it together now.’

That was right. He was no longer the Cha Jin-Hyeok of the past. He was a changed man now, one that was going to pursue a life as a Streamer—a life that was easy-going and peaceful, ordinary and normal.

‘...but, you know… it’d be a waste not to use everything anyway, right?’

It wasn’t because Jin-Hyeok wanted to be stronger. Of course not.

Just because he made use of an unexpected boost to give himself a bit of a headstart, didn't mean he was suddenly going to become insanely strong. After all, a Streamer was still a Streamer no matter how strong they became.

‘Yeah… I did good deciding to be a Streamer.’

It was good that he chose to be a Streamer, because it was a non-fighter class with such a clear ceiling on how much one could grow—and that meant it would help Jin-Hyeok restrain himself.

Jin-Hyeok had been so sure that these self-imposed constraints would be steadfast enough to stop him from becoming mad with ambition again.

At least, up until now.

‘I’m not excited right now. I am not excited.’

Jin-Hyeok suppressed his emotions as he selected the ingredients to boost his Awakening, one by one.

[You selected 「Victor in the War of Gods and Demons (Mythic)」.]

.

.

[You selected 「New Demon Lord’s Undergarments (Mythic)」.]

.

.

[You selected 「Meteor Shower (Mythic)」.]

Everything Jin-Hyeok had achieved in the span of seven years went straight into the list of ingredients.

Looking back now, Jin-Hyeok realized he had become hilariously overpowered by the end.

He had definitely started as a Mage, as it said on his character window—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 well and truly unrivaled. Even Jin-Hyeok felt the heights he had reached just shouldn’t have been allowed balance-wise.

Jin-Hyeok finished selecting all of his ingredients.

[The Initial Awakening process has begun.]

[「Spine Breaker」 has been used.]

.

.

.

[「Meteor Shower (Mythic)」has been used.]

[The Initial Awakening process is taking place…… ]

[Processing 50%…… 90%…… 100%]

Jin-Hyeok was hit by a flash of dazzling light.

[You have been granted the Job of 「Almighty Streamer」.]

Jin-Hyeok had often heard about Streamers that were granted their Jobs through the Initial Awakening headstart process—Initially Awakened Streamers—but an ‘Almighty Streamer’ was a first, even for him.

‘What’s this?’

Jin-Hyeok didn’t feel particularly different.

However, he noticed two new ‘Traits’—all the abilities that a Player had—were added to the corresponding Traits tab.

──────────

[Traits]

1. Broadcaster’s Barrier

2. Almighty Jack of All Trades

──────────

Broadcaster’s Barrier was supposed to be an ability that was given to all Initially Awakened Streamers, so that came as no surprise.

‘But what’s Almighty Jack of All Trades?’

Jin-Hyeok had encountered countless different Traits in his lifetime, but he had never seen this one before.

One thing Jin-Hyeok knew for sure was that there would be no such thing as an ‘almighty’ all-rounder in the coming new world.

Being an all-rounder ultimately meant that one was relatively alright at most things, but a master of none. They would never be able to reach the top of any one field.

However, a ‘Jack of All Trades’ that was a master of none was perfect for Jin-Hyeok. He wanted to be third place.

‘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 all that difficult to use. Jin-Hyeok got right to the task of deciding what his channel would be called henceforth.

[‘Let me show you the new Server, Earth.’][3]

[Your first-person POV is being shared.]

[You cannot check your viewer count as your current Level is too low.]

[You cannot communicate with your viewers as your current Level is too low.]

Naturally, Jin-Hyeok was currently Level 1.

As he walked out of his gosichon room, Jin-Hyeok slowly began his explanation.

“This place is called Earth. I’m currently somewhere called Seoul, a big city in the Korea Region of Earth.”

There weren’t exactly a whole lot of things that Jin-Hyeok had the capability to do with his broadcast right now. The best—and only—course of action was to gradually reveal and explain the new world around him to prospective viewers, step-by-step.

Just like that, a week passed by.

***

There were changes all around the world in this time.

Many people who called themselves ‘Initial Awakeners’ began to appear. Though the public at large had yet to believe it, so-called monsters began to appear all over the globe, and those calling themselves Initial Awakeners hunted down these monsters with great success. Society was changing.

Meanwhile, Jin-Hyeok continued with his streaming.

“I will try observing this creature before us using Broadcaster’s Truesight.”

Jin-Hyeok’s eyes turned a shade of red.

[LV3/Big Paw Rabbit/Skills]

Jin-Hyeok had come across a rabbit kicking its hind legs like a bull readying its charge as it faced off with a woman.

“This creature is named Big Paw Rabbit, and it is Level 3. It appears it has one Skill called ‘Hind Kick.’”

While Jin-Hyeok proceeded with his stream, his mind was on a different track. Something felt off.

‘ Was it always possible to inspect monsters’ Skills using Broadcaster’s Truesight at this Level…?’ 

No, that shouldn’t have been possible. He was pretty sure that even Initially Awakened Streamers could only check the Levels and names of monsters at his Level.

However, there was currently no way to communicate with other Streamers, so Jin-Hyeok couldn’t know for sure.

The woman and the Big Paw Rabbit engaged in combat.

“Take this!”

“It looks like she just became Level 4. The way she stepped back a heartbeat faster than the rabbit’s attack before she swung with her sword was quite impressive. It seems she has some level of understanding about the art of swordsmanship.”

Jin-Hyeok wasn’t aware of it, but he gave off the air of a seasoned 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 the moment to attack Jin-Hyeok.

Jin-Hyeok avoided the attack purely on instinct.

‘What a bother…’

The rabbit didn’t cease to harass him—so he stabbed the rabbit right in the head with his dagger, killing it.

The action was as absent-minded as when one scratched an itch they had without giving it thought.

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

Yet Jin-Hyeok himself didn’t think he had accomplished anything particularly special.

[You have slain a Big Paw Rabbit.]

Upon streaming for a while longer, Jin-Hyeok’s Level increased.

[You have become Level 9.]

He was Level 9, just like that.

Jin-Hyeok didn’t know how many viewers were watching him right now—because he didn’t have any method of communicating with them at all. If he had to hazard a guess, though, he bet that he would have a significant number of viewers based on the fact that he was leveling up much faster than most other Players.

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

‘This is way too easy.’

In fact, it was too peaceful.

In Jin-Hyeok’s previous life, he had run right off to a Tutorial Dungeon straight from the start, and was in fact killed many times over. Had there been no automatic revival feature in the Tutorial Dungeons at that time, his life would have been a very short-lived one indeed.

Tedium began to slowly creep up on Jin-Hyeok as he continued to level up in the same manner.

‘This is boring as heck…’

Catching himself in the wrong frame of mind, Jin-Hyeok hurriedly shut down that way of thinking.

‘No. This isn’t boring. This is comfortable.’

Yes, that was right—his previous life was not loads of fun. He wasn’t bored right now, he just had lots of breathing room—he was comfortable.

Jin-Hyeok kept telling himself the same things over and over. He had to remind himself.

‘Come on. Let’s not lose my mind this time.’

After all, he couldn’t become strong even if he wanted to as a Streamer—a non-fighter class Job where combat was not meant to be the forté.

At least, that was how he told himself repeatedly, as if trying to hypnotize himself into being rid of his boredom.

All that said, the fact remained that his rate of leveling up was objectively rather fast.

[You have leveled up.]

[You have become Level 10.]

Reaching Level 10 brought about a new development.

[You may now check the number of viewers that are concurrently watching your broadcast.]

‘I wonder how many there are.’

Jin-Hyeok checked his viewer count.

‘Hmm? This looks wrong…’