Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (111)

Sub-administrator

Their eyes met.

For a Korean, her eyes were quite blue. Perhaps similar to the color of mana. Though it seemed a bit deeper. Lee Si-hyeok looked at those pupils with confusion, then trailed off.

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Is it not possible?”

There was nothing impossible about it. The subspace operated solely according to Lee Si-hyeok’s will. This tendency had grown even stronger after assimilating with the nature and mana of the crevice.

It meant he could prevent anything from happening in advance.

Hyeon Eul-cheong staying here was certainly not impossible.

Yet what still didn’t make sense was.

“Why?”

Why on earth didn’t she want to leave?

Hyeon Eul-cheong had her own personal workshop. Cheongyeon Workshop. Though it might have few customers, she had that workshop she’d cultivated over many years. But leaving that behind, why would she insist on staying here?

“Because it’s similar, the scenery.”

“The scenery, you mean.”

“To my workshop. The sky, and these wide plains too. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Well, of course it is…”

“Yes, I can guess. You must have done something. This scenery was probably created while thinking of Cheongyeon Workshop.”

Hyeon Eul-cheong paused to catch her breath. She took her time, contemplating the right words.

“But there’s a difference. A point that’s far too different from Cheongyeon Workshop.”

“What would that be?”

“Isolation.”

“Isolation?”

“Because this place is isolated from everything.”

From people, and from the world.

Furthermore, from space and time.

And ultimately, even from reality.

“Nothing is connected here. Since it’s a separated space, you can’t meet people, and being detached from Earth means being apart from the world too, and even time flows differently here, doesn’t it?”

“…So it’s literally isolated from reality as well.”

“Yes, but Cheongyeon Workshop remains connected to all those things. Isolation from the mundane world is just one aspect.”

“So. Does that become a reason not to return?”

“For me, it does.”

Honestly, it was hard to understand what she meant.

As Lee Si-hyeok stared at her intently, her eyes slowly lowered toward her empty lower body.

Lee Si-hyeok asked carefully.

“Is this related to your legs, by any chance?”

“Yes. Are you curious?”

“No, not particularly.”

“…Really?”

“Well, I’m not the type to be curious about other people’s personal affairs.”

“That’s unexpected. Since you looked at them before, I thought you’d be curious.”

“I was just surprised then.”

Because it was so different from the image of Rising Star Hyeon Eul-cheong that he remembered.

“Anyway. You want to stay in a quiet space alone, not entangled with anyone, is that what you’re saying?”

“To summarize, that would be it.”

“Hmm.”

Then the subspace would be perfect.

However, it was true that he hesitated to accept this as it was.

Even if there were no major problems, it wasn’t part of his plan, so he needed to think about it.

‘Isolation, isolation indeed.’

She probably didn’t lose her legs in a simple accident.

It was likely trauma related to that.

If so, rather than just accepting her request blindly, something more…

‘Ah.’

At that moment, an idea flashed through his mind.

Lee Si-hyeok opened the skill window for 『Subspace』.

And the message written around the middle section.

 

[You can shape this space as you desire and fill it completely with your traces.

The authority belongs solely to you. Feel free to unleash your creativity! Anything at all!]

 

He immediately looked at Hyeon Eul-cheong while thinking of a certain idea.

As she tilted her head at his sudden gaze.

―Flash.

 

[You can appoint subject ‘Hyeon Eul-cheong’ as sub-administrator of 〈Transcendent Miraculous Subspace〉.]

[The sub-administrator will perform maintenance and upkeep of the space while you are away, and will receive full sharing of 《Constant Buff》 to continue endless research.]

[If the subject accepts this proposal, a certain level of mental coercion will be exercised. Your commands will take priority.]

 

…The windows he had intended appeared.

He had thought about it on the off chance when it said he could do anything, but he never expected this would actually work.

If he could keep her in the subspace this way, it would be more beneficial than he could imagine.

‘Even I can’t stay in the subspace all day long.’

Then during that time, the subspace would have three times the flow of time compared to Earth, and the research institute’s facilities would deteriorate at an incredible rate.

Of course, he had designed everything perfectly, but it would still be best to have someone consistently managing it.

Moreover, since she would share the 《Constant Buff》, if there were parts Lee Si-hyeok wanted to research, he could ask Hyeon Eul-cheong to do the groundwork.

If someone of her exceptional skill joined, whether it was Origin Artifacts or anything else, the speed would be tremendous.

Just like the auto-hunting he had set up in Orbes.

A result with only benefits.

Then Lee Si-hyeok’s choice was obvious.

“If you want, please stay here, Ms. Hyeon Eul-cheong.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. If you just agree to this.”

He smiled and touched the ‘appoint’ button.

Then, as if the same message was shared, she jerked her upper body back in surprise.

“This is…?”

Hyeon Eul-cheong’s eyes moved slowly. From top to bottom.

“T-this kind of thing is possible too.”

“I just found out myself. Have you checked everything?”

“Yes, but it says mental coercion will be exercised here…?”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that. I won’t use it.”

He didn’t want to do that, nor would there be any need to.

However, even after he said that, Hyeon Eul-cheong gave him a slightly suspicious look.

“…Anyway, please be careful about agreeing to the terms.”

“I agreed.”

“What?”

Already?

 

[A 「Sub-administrator」 has been appointed!]

[Subject ‘Hyeon Eul-cheong’ will belong to your 〔Gyeongdogak〕 and do her utmost to cultivate this space!]

 

“Huh, you make decisions quickly?”

“It’s what I wanted. I’ll do my best too. Since this will be the space I’ll be staying in, I have no intention of managing it carelessly.”

“I’m glad you say that, but…”

I’ll have to wait and see how things turn out.

Lee Si-hyeok shrugged his shoulders and held out the watch he hadn’t been able to give her earlier.

Hyeon Eul-cheong carefully took it and fastened it around her wrist.

“Thank you. You repaired it exactly as it was originally.”

She would be doing several times more work for him in the future, so was there really a need to be grateful?

Swallowing that thought, he got up from the bench.

“Are you leaving now?”

“I should go, gradually. By the way, I think it would be good for you to come out with me too, Ms. Hyeon Eul-cheong.”

“What? You just said I could stay here…”

“Are you planning to starve for life?”

“Ah.”

“Since I’m going out anyway, come out with me and buy some cooking ingredients. If you have any other necessities, bring those too.”

After saying that, he entered Gyeongdo-gak and packed various belongings.

Although he had stayed in the subspace for quite a long time, it was now time to focus on affairs on Earth as well.

By now, the conquest of the Nari Basin Gate would probably be completely finished.

‘First I’ll go there, then again…’

There was a lot to do.

A sense of vagueness surged momentarily, but he suppressed that emotion with anticipation.

There was no need to feel it was difficult.

Even just from these recent events, what he had gained was at a considerable level.

Gyeongdo-gak, Transcendent Subspace, and even the enhancement of Phazesis.

This was only a small part, so only a pleasant smile flowed out.

Lee Si-hyeok shouldered his bag and left the subspace with Hyeon Eul-cheong.

 

* * *

 

At that moment.

Seoul Awakener Association Headquarters.

“Phew…”

Looking at the report that arrived from China, Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon rubbed his face dry.

A progress report on the currently ongoing ‘Pale Artist Rescue Operation’.

It was a file he had checked several times, but he read through it once more.

 

[Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China, Jeolmong Society’s Skyscraper]

 

Several weeks of guerrilla warfare that took place throughout that region.

It was combat that involved clashing and clashing until reaching close combat, but the surprising thing was…

 

[Injured: 0 / Dead: 0]

 

…that there were no casualties at all.

It wasn’t incomprehensible. They had deliberately formed a small elite team. With Deputy Han Da-hee at the forefront, those capable of long-range attacks and hunters skilled at hit-and-run tactics.

They would have been quite effective against the Jeolmong Society, which was relatively lacking in physical-type hunters.

Nevertheless, there was a reason why his face was full of worry.

 

[Mental breakdown cases: 8]

 

There were those who couldn’t withstand the Jeolmong Society’s powerful brainwashing.

They certainly didn’t suffer physical injuries. However, they took various mental attacks head-on, including hearing voices and developing split personalities…

‘At least it’s fortunate that Deputy Han Da-hee is safe.’

—Thud.

Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon closed the report. An irritated motion.

In any case, there would be no problem as long as they safely rescued Lee Si-hyeok, but there had been no progress on that front.

Irritation welled up, and he couldn’t help but grit his teeth.

“Those Jeolmong Society bastards…”

All that came back from them was the answer ‘We don’t know anything about that’.

However, Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon, who knew better than anyone that this was just their scheme, could only snort.

Who do they take for a fool?

At this point, even Lee Si-hyeok’s life or death was uncertain.

He sighed while looking at the pile of missed calls. All those calls were from media outlets.

‘I won’t be able to hide it forever.’

Somehow, rumors had already started spreading.

Even though he had told them to keep quiet, who had been running their mouth?

Thanks to that, rumors were circulating on the internet and elsewhere.

That perhaps Awakener Lee Si-hyeok might have gone missing.

If those rumors couldn’t be stopped, tremendous chaos would occur throughout the entire country. It would mean that South Korea didn’t even have the power to protect its own awakeners.

Moreover, if that person was EX-rank, the impact would be even greater.

Even if Lee Si-hyeok returned alive, there was a possibility he might leave for another country, disappointed with the Association.

‘Maybe… I should hold a press conference right now… Then somehow manage the situation afterward might be the best option…’

He was thinking such thoughts with a serious expression when it happened.

Ring ring ring!

The phone he had thrown into a corner started ringing.

Naturally, it would be another contact from a media outlet. Even if he answered, they would just pester him asking if the rumors were true. Really, it felt like he might get neurosis.

Ring ring ring ring!

Damn it, he should just turn off the phone completely.

Clicking his tongue, he picked up the phone to hang up.

But when he checked the name written at the top.

“…L-Lee Si-hyeok?!”

A scream reflexively burst out. The loudly called name instantly drew all attention in the office.

Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon, who answered the phone, clutched his wildly beating chest and poured out words frantically.

“Si, Si-hyeok! Are you alright?! Where on earth were you kidnapped to! Quickly, quickly tell me your location…!”

However, at the answer that came back shortly after, the soul instantly drained from his face.

—…What? Kidnapped? What are you suddenly talking about?

—I’m at home right now?

Thud.

The smartphone fell helplessly from Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon’s hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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