Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 116

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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116. Not Even the Calm Before the Storm
-It’s still under embargo, but the Guild Conference will be held at Beijing Tower.
“Beijing Tower?”
-Isn’t it a bit obvious?
I knew what it was. I couldn’t have not known. That building symbolized the hunters’ coup d’état in China.
The Yeosa Great Revolution.
In China, hunters are called yeosa, and the event where yeosa overthrew the high-ranking political elite is referred to as such.
‘In a way, they brought it upon themselves.’
In the early stages of the Gate crisis, China drove hunters into desperate situations. In a rapidly changing world, they viewed hunters as nothing more than newly emerged strategic weapons.
Of course, they still treated hunters as strategic assets, but their treatment was quite coercive.
They took families hostage to drive hunters into Gates and forced loyalty and brainwashing toward the state. All while remaining extremely wary of them.
Yet they treated hunters—beings capable of wielding power bordering on the mystical—like dogs, so it was a predictable outcome.
‘Well, not much has really changed since the revolution.’
After a revolution that toppled a dictator, another dictator took the throne—no different from before.
In fact, their behavior resembled the distant Übermenschen.
-Yeosa, Awakened Ones are superior!
Perhaps because of the treatment they received during the early Gate crisis when they were persecuted, their ideology had twisted strangely.
The tremendous confidence and pride of Chinese hunters like Liu Zhen stemmed from this very situation.
That said, hunters weren’t particularly united with one another.
I’d heard that the hunters who led the Yeosa Great Revolution had split into factions and kept each other in check.
‘Liu Zhen belongs to the mainstream faction.’
Because he possessed an S-rank swordsmanship skill, Liu Zhen had grown with full support from China’s resources.
This was also why my growth was evaluated far more highly than Liu Zhen’s.
While Liu Zhen received comprehensive state support, I had grown relatively on my own.
Seo Seung-yeon’s concern from last time stemmed from judging that there was a high probability the Chinese side would pull something underhanded because of this.
-The selection itself isn’t strange.
There was justification for the selection itself. It was because Beijing Tower was a symbolic building of the Yeosa Great Revolution.
The hunters who succeeded in the revolution built Beijing Tower with wealth that the previous high-ranking officials had illegally accumulated.
-However, there’s definitely an awareness of Han Hye as well.
“Because of Liu Zhen?”
-Yes. They said they’re creating a sparring arena for the Guild Conference, but the interior of a super-tall building can’t possibly be spacious.
That’s right. Beijing Tower reached 1,020 meters in height. Surpassing the Burj Khalifa, it boasted the world’s tallest building.
China had a law prohibiting buildings over 500 meters, but they abolished it because of this.
Seo Seung-yeon’s concern was valid. If the conference were held in a super-tall building, the sparring arena couldn’t possibly be spacious.
Considering my skills known to the public, a spacious arena would naturally be advantageous for me.
“Well, it’s fine.”
-It’s not fine. The space to leap will be limited too. A narrow battlefield is far too advantageous for Liu Zhen.
Seo Seung-yeon on the other end of the phone continued her complaint.
-Guild Conferences usually have frequent friendly matches, so they’re normally held in low-rise buildings with open lots outside….
This was also true. Hunter matches typically take place in spacious areas. Each hunter’s skills are different.
But honestly, I didn’t mind at all.
“It’s really fine. Actually, it’s better this way.”
-Better? How so?
Seo Seung-yeon’s voice carried a note of bewilderment.
“Yes. Even if Liu Zhen and I have about a 15-level difference, I think I can still win.”
-What are you talking about?
It wasn’t a lie. A building over 1020 meters tall. Even if not on the rooftop, the training ground’s location would be somewhere exceeding 900 meters.
And I had the Heavenly Sword.
Even ascending just tens of meters was enough to feel my body growing noticeably stronger.
But 900 meters? Wouldn’t I gain the same level of physical ability as when I stepped on the sky at the Gate where I obtained the Heavenly Sword?
‘An S-rank swordsman? A cramped training ground?’
What did it matter?
I had absolute confidence I wouldn’t lose, no matter what tricks were pulled in China.
* * *
“Really?”
“Yeah. Thanks to Min-seok’s craftsmanship, it turned out like this. I just cleaved right through the vampire captain with it!”
Min-seok, who had heard about the burning blade I’d used on Mister, came asking if he could see it for himself.
So I brought him to the Training Ground for a demonstration.
-Whoosh!
As I swung the flaming sword, fierce flames whipped along the afterimage.
Seeing this, Min-seok’s mouth fell open and he applauded.
“Insane! Wow!”
Hearing Min-seok’s cheers, I swung the blade with passion. It was less about swordsmanship and more about leaving impressive afterimages.
Since I trained every day anyway, satisfying Min-seok’s wonder was what mattered now.
Watching Min-seok beam with joy at the blade he’d crafted, I felt a satisfied smile bloom across my face.
It was obvious enough that I was genuinely moved.
“I’m counting on you going forward.”
Since Min-seok’s role would be quite important ahead, I needed to fuel his motivation.
He already loved crafting, but seeing the results of his own work firsthand was something else entirely.
“Yes! I’ll craft diligently!”
“Good. I need to craft the A-rank and B-rank metals your brother bought last time too.”
“I look at them every day! I can’t wait to start crafting!”
Min-seok laughed brightly. I was anticipating it too. Recently, after consulting with the Hunter Association, I’d managed to acquire one more A-rank Gate metal.
Min-seok had also entered a Gate once more and reached level 4. His crafting skill hasn’t leveled up yet. It’ll take some time.
-Starting today, I’ve added training to my rehabilitation. I’ll rejoin quickly.
I also heard news from Han Chul. His willpower was remarkable—he’d halved the projected recovery period and started training.
According to Seo-ung, he’d gained considerable weight. That’s a positive development.
The last time I saw him, he was skin and bones, but originally Kim Han-chul was tall and muscular.
If he was already starting training, I figured in about a week or two he’d be ready to join Guild training with us.
While everyone was working hard, I wasn’t idle either.
I was working on being able to use mana manipulation, which I’d learned from Chun-bae, without conscious effort.
-You’ve become somewhat accustomed to it. However, refinement is still necessary. Your habits aren’t fully ingrained yet.
And I continued to contemplate the fusion of Cresea swordsmanship with combat techniques.
The levels of Cresea swordsmanship and combat techniques still hadn’t increased. I thought I understood why.
For now, I was focused on the combination rather than individual skills. And there seemed to be a better method for fusing the two, but it felt like I couldn’t quite grasp it.
Shin Chang, who could have offered advice, was currently occupied with Gate entries and unavailable for consultation.
I wasn’t impatient. While learning and gaining knowledge was good, I’d recently discovered that understanding things through combat experience was equally rewarding.
Perhaps if I continued training and sparring, I’d have a breakthrough at some point.
“So mana control is the key.”
“Yes. The important thing is preventing the weapon from burning. With the Wind-style Sword, thanks to Min-seok, I can manage even carelessly.”
Beyond that, I also explored the new technique I’d learned in the Corridor of Sacred Blood.
Scorching, which even burned mana itself, required extremely careful attention.
I experimented with any weapon I could grab, but if I wasn’t careful, even the blade would melt and drip.
The key was singular: operating mana with precision so that scorching wouldn’t affect the blade itself.
Chun-bae’s intensive training proved quite helpful for this. Since I’d learned mana manipulation.
The method was inserting a thin layer of mana between the blade and the scorching that covered it, keeping it stable.
“Ah, it melted a bit.”
Naturally, this also aided my mana manipulation practice—whenever my concentration wavered while swinging the sword, the blade would immediately melt.
During such training, a different idea occurred to me.
Scorching that burned even my own blade.
If situations arose where I frequently clashed blades with an opponent, it meant I could melt their weapon.
‘If I faced off against Liu Zhen?
I understood his blade to be among the highest-tier A-rank weapons. Using this, I felt confident I could destroy it.
Of course, winning in a match would be enough, but his behavior rubbed me the wrong way.
He was the one who provoked me first when I was minding my own business. Well, I’ll hold off for now. It seems a bit excessive.
However, if he spouts more nonsense at the Guild Conference, I won’t be able to restrain myself.
* * *
Separate from Yong-yong Beef Restaurant’s opening preparations, we were readying ourselves for the next Gate entry.
To go with Guardian Kim Han-chul, it was good to match level 39.
“This is just my personal thought, but wouldn’t it be better to wait for Kim Han-chul once we reach level 39?”
I brought up the agenda at the Guild meeting.
Rather than bothering to match levels again, it was more convenient to ascend with Kim Han-chul. It was better to narrow the level gap among guild members.
“From what I hear about Kim Han-chul, he’s been working hard on his rehabilitation. He even started training recently. I think he’ll progress faster than expected.”
“We’re fine with it, but the problem is Hye. Isn’t he clashing with Liu Zhen?”
“Exactly. Shouldn’t we reduce the level difference as much as possible?”
I understood Liu Zhen had reached level 42. After our recent confrontation, the level difference between him and me had become a topic of public interest.
“You don’t need to worry about that. He’s still under embargo, fighting at Beijing Tower. I have the Heavenly Sword.”
“Huh?”
“Even if I were level 30, I’d still win. I’m confident.”
At my explanation, my party members nodded. Everyone’s expressions seemed to relax.
“I had a feeling you’d win, but I was a bit worried since it’s S-rank swordsmanship… but there’s nothing to worry about now.”
“Exactly. I’ve even cut down high-grade Ogres with the Heavenly Sword.”
Since everyone agreed, we decided to wait for Kim Han-chul after this Gate as our last one.
Probably after clearing this Gate and participating in the Guild Conference, we wouldn’t enter the next Gate.
Since the Yong-yong Beef Restaurant opening was scheduled in between, the schedule itself wasn’t bad.
With only one level remaining until level 39, selecting a Gate wouldn’t be too difficult. It wouldn’t be an overly challenging one.
“Then let’s decide after seeing the public notice in two days.”
After ending the meeting like that and resting, news about the Guild Conference was announced.
Naturally, it became a hot topic. Liu Zhen and I were the ones drawing attention.
[China announces position on Guild Conference selection.]
-A natural choice to commemorate the Leaf Dynasty Revolution. We weren’t thinking of the Space Mage.
-Bullshit lol
-How pathetic
-But the location selection itself makes sense
-It’s not about the location. Normally conferences are held in buildings, but the hunter training grounds are set up separately outside
-Really? The training grounds are confirmed to be inside the building?
-Yeah, they’re making the training grounds inside a super-tall building
-Clearly they’re just trying to make it disadvantageous for Han Hye and then brag about winning
[Did Liu Zhen’s interview come out?]
-I heard the Space Mage is participating. It seems like it could put an end to public suspicions.
-Am I looking forward to it? Not at all. No one expects anything but an obvious victory.
-I’m not even entering Gates right now. From what I understand, there’s not much of a level difference, but I hope the Space Mage doesn’t run away.
-I don’t think they’d refuse the match just because we’re not at exactly the same level.
-Look at him running his mouth once the location is set lol
-How shameful, truly shameful
-Leveling up until the location was decided and now stopping? How much is even left lol
-Probably learning from Shin Chang, the S-rank spear master who got beaten by him lol
Liu Zhen, unaware of my situation, was giving an absurd interview.
Well, it didn’t seem necessary to determine whether I was incompetent or Liu Zhen was incompetent.
This wasn’t even the calm before the storm.

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