Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 115

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

115. Mana Utilization
-From what I’ve observed, mana manipulation in Earth—a world that previously lacked mana—operates at an extraordinarily fundamental level.
“Fundamental?”
-To use an athletic analogy, consider running. Everyone knows how to run.
I could grasp the general direction of where this was heading.
-However, not everyone knows how to run well. One must either discover it through experience or learn it deliberately.
Chun-bae had used running as his example, but the same principle applied equally to sports like soccer or baseball—I could understand it either way.
For instance, anyone can kick or throw a ball, but tactical movement and curveballs remain incomprehensible until one either discovers or learns them.
-Therefore, the manner in which you currently manipulate mana, Han Hye, is remarkably simplistic. You never deviate from the mana circuits you initially perceived.
That was true.
I was only channeling mana through the circuits within my body that I’d become aware of the moment I awakened.
-Those circuits require further refinement. Your current method incurs excessive loss.
“Wouldn’t refining them cause even greater loss?”
-Negative. It’s the opposite. Currently, you’re in a situation where you drink an entire cup of water when only a sip is needed.
“So I’m overusing it?”
-Essentially. Please note this is a metaphorical expression. The point is that you must transcend one-dimensional usage.
I couldn’t yet grasp precisely what he meant, but with each explanation, the subject grew more captivating.
-You must continue expanding by sensing and refining the mana circuits you haven’t yet perceived.
“How exactly do refinement and expansion increase mana efficiency?”
-You gain advantages in three distinct scenarios. First, as your mana circuits multiply, mana absorption becomes smoother, increasing your mana recovery rate.
“I follow.”
-Second, an increase in mana circuits directly translates to an increase in capacity. Even with identical stats, you can hold greater quantities of mana.
I see.
I was beginning to understand—the more circuits that developed within my body, the greater the space available to contain mana.
-Third, as I mentioned, through these refined mana circuits, you can operate with far greater precision, using only the exact amount of mana necessary.
“Okay.”
Hearing it explained this way stirred far more enthusiasm than simply being told my mana efficiency would double. I sharpened my focus to its absolute peak.
This was instruction from a realm no Hunter on Earth could ever reach.
-First, I’ll use my divine power to move the mana within your body. Remember the paths you newly perceive.
Chun-bae’s power seeped into my body from the bracelet at my wrist. The force beginning at my wrist coursed through me.
It was both the familiar path I normally perceived and something entirely different. Like branches spreading from a tree, Chun-bae’s power extended outward.
The sensation was peculiar—as though it stimulated a sixth sense I’d never consciously recognized.
Pain accompanied it too. It was akin to breaking through a sealed passage.
-I’ll demonstrate once more. Commit it to memory as thoroughly as possible.
It wasn’t merely about remembering the newly carved circuits—the pain made that abundantly clear.
What Chun-bae was showing me was the most efficient path for mana to traverse through those circuits.
-Shall you attempt it yourself now?
I closed my eyes and concentrated.
As I moved the mana myself, the previously unperceived sixth sense became noticeably sharper than when Chun-bae had done it.
As mana flowed through the expanded circuits, it felt as though countless tiny pores were opening across my skin.
Even there, the mana in the air seeped in faintly—not in great quantities, but it was present.
-You must continue breathing.
“Exhale.”
With each inhale, mana flowed in and began filling the newly formed mana circuits within my body.
It was far more than the mana I normally possessed.
It felt like training—the same way lifting weights makes you stronger even when your strength stat remains unchanged.
My mana stat itself hadn’t increased, but my mana recovery rate and total capacity were growing.
-Excellent. You’re picking this up far better than I anticipated. You have considerable talent for mana manipulation.
“You’re not just flattering me?”
-Affirmative. I do not lie.
Suddenly, the Corridor of Sacred Blood came to mind.
“I think I did something similar at the last Gate.”
-Ahem. Focus. Your performance just now was adequate, but it wasn’t identical. You’ll need to practice.
I decided to be generous and let that slide without comment.
“Right. My mana absorption and total capacity have definitely increased.”
-That’s not all. Would you like to attempt Blaze again? More precisely and with greater refinement this time. While maintaining awareness of the circuits you just formed.
I nodded and concentrated, conjuring Blaze while picturing a flame the size of my palm.
-Whoosh!
A flame appeared—exactly the size I’d envisioned. Normally, I wouldn’t have bothered with such minor discrepancies.
Perfect precision was impossible anyway. My ability to calibrate through the refined mana circuits had simply improved.
As a result, the mana consumed was far less. Considering this alongside my increased recovery rate and total capacity…
I was definitely achieving more than double the efficiency Chun-bae had mentioned.
“I need to solidify this before we leave.”
The problem was that I needed to perform this naturally, without conscious effort. Simply expanding the circuits wasn’t the end of it.
In my current state of having just learned this, it was still difficult to achieve that.
-A wise decision.
I remained in the Subspace afterward, continuing to refine the mana manipulation Chun-bae had taught me.
I recognized the expanded mana circuits and guided the flow of mana through them.
-Just now, you lost track of the newly expanded pathway.
Chun-bae watched quietly, offering corrections whenever I faltered until I grew accustomed to it.
Three days passed. I had become capable of executing Chun-bae’s teachings to the fullest.
“Is this sufficient?”
-Affirmative. You’ve done well. I’ll offer further guidance once you’ve obtained more sanctity.
Satisfied, I emerged from the Subspace.
Simply by obtaining so much sanctity, my mana manipulation had nearly doubled compared to before.
‘I’d only thought of Chun-bae as an advisor…’
I’d heard about Min-jae’s progress as a mage before, but I hadn’t expected to gain something like this myself.
It seemed Gates with sanctity should be my top priority to clear.
.
.
.
Naturally, Chun-bae’s instruction didn’t end with me.
“What? Chun-bae is going to teach magic?”
I pulled Min-jae aside separately as Mister and I headed to the Training Facility, and he asked in surprise.
“He’s from a world where magic existed. To be precise, it’s not magic itself, but rather how to operate magic as a Mage.”
“Wow, that’s insane!”
“Sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier. He said you need to obtain divinity to use it.”
“No, hyung, you don’t need to apologize. I’m actually incredibly grateful.”
Min-jae, having said that, murmured to himself.
“Divinity, divinity… divinity. I must…”
It seemed Min-jae would soon become obsessed with finding divinity.
There was nothing I could tell him. Rather than relay information, it was better for Chun-bae to explain directly, so I handed him the bracelet.
“You’re saying not to use skills, but to subdivide and use magic? I don’t quite understand…”
“It’s like modifying magic with a magic enhancement skill? Ah, like how I strengthen destructive power?”
I left Min-jae, who had entered a state of intense concentration in an instant, and headed to the adjacent room. It was considerate to let him focus.
In the next room, Mister was wielding a spear alongside Yong-yong.
“What about Min-jae?”
“He’s just started. By the way, Mister. I have something to show you.”
“What is it?”
Before Mister, who spoke indifferently, I wrapped my sword in blazing flame.
Since Mister hadn’t seen this during the last Gate because we fought separately.
“What, what the—that’s crazy. What is that?”
“…Flame Breathing!”
A technique from manga that I could use with doubled mana efficiency? I absolutely couldn’t resist showing this off.
Both using it myself and boasting about it to Mister.
“Whoa, that’s amazing!”
As I swung the Wind-Style Sword, leaving trails of flame in its wake, Mister became extremely excited.
“Is that thanks to Min-seok’s craftsmanship? There was no mention of that in the explanation? Let me try it!”
Excited, Mister extended his hand toward me, but naturally, it wasn’t a technique he could use.
“You can’t use it, Mister. It’s done with blazing flame.”
Seeing Mister’s frustrated face, I grinned and freely swung the Wind-Style Sword wrapped in blazing flame.
“Yong-yong, fire!”
Mister drew out Yong-yong’s flames and tried swinging his spear through them, but…
There was no way it could compare to my technique.
Grrrr—.
You think so too, Yong-yong?
* * *
Lee Shin-hee had one small concern.
It was a concern about the role she performed within the Dragon Guild.
A Space Mage with an S+ rank skill who single-handedly slew a high-grade Ogre.
A Dragon Knight who possesses a Red Dragon.
A mage with an A-Rank magic enhancement skill, receiving secret techniques from the Space Mage.
And soon, a Guardian with an A+ Rank skill joining us.
Every single one of them was exceptional.
Of course, Lee Shin-hee herself was equally special. An A-Rank Healer with A-Rank healing and B-Rank buff skills.
She never fell short anywhere. Her profession was one everyone wanted to recruit.
‘But….’
During the Dragon Guild’s Gate subjugation operations, she worried that she wasn’t contributing much herself.
It wasn’t that she did nothing at all. She provided basic buffs before combat started.
A B-Rank buff skill wasn’t something you saw every day. She’d helped Han Hye and Choi Chul-gi move more smoothly, after all.
And occasionally, when her teammates sustained minor injuries, she’d use her healing skill.
‘The problem was how rarely that happened.’
Honestly, she’d used her buff skill far more often than her healing skill.
That’s how rarely the Dragon Guild members sustained injuries. When they did, they were trivial wounds.
That became clear when compared to other Hunters. Most Hunters had considerable gaps between Gate entries.
They emerged with major and minor injuries.
-Complete recovery will take two to three weeks. The bone was cut clean through.
A Healer’s healing skill fundamentally wasn’t ‘complete recovery’.
Even if bones broke or deep lacerations occurred, it was more like emergency first aid to make them functional immediately.
Most Hunters focused on complete recovery after Gate subjugation, using continuous healing skills and recovery potions. Then they underwent rehabilitation.
But the Dragon Guild had none of that.
Fundamentally, their stats were exceptional for their level. It was thanks to Han Hye, who owned a Farm, distributing elixirs.
They didn’t sustain major injuries. Minor injuries healed completely within days after receiving A-Rank healing.
-Han Hye, fastest level-up record broken.
While it was true they focused on difficult Gates, Han Hye’s overwhelming growth record was also aided by minimal injuries and no downtime between Gates.
Lee Shin-hee possessed abilities everyone desired, yet paradoxically, it was hardest to showcase her abilities on the most exceptional team.
To others, it seemed like a happy problem, but what Lee Shin-hee worried about was receiving far more than what she contributed.
Not just elixirs, but equipment that enhanced healing skills, sword techniques, semi-elixirs…. It felt awkward.
“Well, you don’t need to worry about such things.”
After Guild training, Lee Shin-hee found a chance to voice her concerns, but Han Hye firmly shook her head in denial.
“Actually, the reason we’re thriving isn’t just stats—it’s because you’re here.”
“Me?”
“We can be aggressive because there’s an A-Rank Healer, even if we might get hurt. Paradoxically, that’s why we get hurt less.”
From Han Hye’s experience, being aggressive often made situations easier to control.
Remembering her days as a porter, she’d seen many Hunters become passive out of fear of injury and lose ground.
“I suppose that could be true.”
Lee Shin-hee nodded at Han Hye’s explanation.
Honestly, her recent dedication to sword technique training was partly because she felt awkward.
So she was investing considerable time in her own development.
Since she used her healing skill infrequently, during rest days she volunteered at hospitals to level up her skill.
“And you’ve been performing remarkably well at the Discharge-type Gates. During the Trial of Mana as well.”
She was right. I’d healed not only my guild members but also poured an enormous amount of healing magic into other Hunters.
Wasn’t it precisely because of Lee Shin-hee’s tireless healing that she’d become the talk of Gate defense?
“Going forward, we’ll need Lee Shin-hee even more. We’ll grow stronger, but the Gates will only become more difficult.”
Han Hye spoke with gravity.
Mana Erosion, the god she’d witnessed—thinking of it made it impossible to feel at ease even now.
At some point, we would hit a wall.
Even the vanguard forces from various nations were struggling. There was talk that Gates beyond level 50 were in a different dimension entirely.
‘And the mana concentration…’
Chun-bae had said that because of the constantly active Gate in Australia, mana concentration would rise in the future.
An acceleration of crisis. So far we’d been on smooth sailing, but problems lay scattered ahead.
“It will become harder. That’s certainly true.”
Of course, I couldn’t reveal such detailed information.
“Don’t worry unnecessarily. I’m grateful enough, and you’re doing your role well.”
“Thank you. That helped a bit.”
Meanwhile, as Lee Shin-hee left with a smile, Han Hye found herself lost in serious thought.
‘Should I let them take some injuries in the Gates? Being a guild master is difficult.’
No matter how good things are, everyone has their worries. Compared to other guilds, though, these are happy problems.
While I was thinking such things, Seo Seung-yeon called.
-Han Hye? Did you see the news about the Guild Conference?
“No. What is it?”
-The location has been decided, but those Chinese bastards pulled some strings. I can’t even ask them to change it.
What?
Han Hye leaned in to listen.

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