Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 174

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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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174. Barter (3)
Shortly after, I received a call from Seo-ung as well. Naturally, it was because of this meeting.
Word had spread about Toby’s visit, who was part of the American Hunter Association and the Advance Team. Apparently, the Korean Hunter Association had been caught off guard too.
“The Association didn’t know?”
-No. I just heard about it.
I had mentioned to Seo-ung that we’d be doing a barter exchange, but Han Chul handled the details and didn’t go into specifics.
-From what I heard, he didn’t want to make Han Hye wait unnecessarily.
He didn’t want to make me wait.
I was a bit taken aback. If it were just Toby, I could understand, but did the American Hunter Association move together with him?
-Considering Toby’s personality, it seems he wanted to make a good impression on the Guild Master.
After hearing Han Chul’s explanation, it appeared Toby had his own reasons.
“Make a good impression?”
-Well, if you set a specific date and time… you’d have to clear your schedule for that day and make preparations, right?
“But what if I had something scheduled when he came like this?”
-I suppose. Since there are no Gate schedules, he probably wouldn’t have waited. Just think of him as someone obsessed with greatswords.
Now that I thought about it, this was a heartwarming incident born from pure goodwill. In any case, we arrived at the Hunter Association.
Since this was an exchange between A-rank items, we needed a notary besides the American Hunter Association.
“We’ll arrive shortly.”
Whether they’d contacted us right before arriving in Korea or not, the American side showed up without much wait.
“Toby.”
“Kim! How long has it been?”
Toby, a member of the American Advance Team over level 60, greeted Han Chul with a delighted expression before quickly turning his head toward me.
“I’d like to catch up, but now isn’t the time for that.”
“Right.”
“Good to see you. Space Mage, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
Then he bowed respectfully to me. With an interpreter present, there was no problem exchanging greetings.
“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. Even though there aren’t many people who use greatswords, there must have been demand for one.”
“You’re the best at using them.”
Among hunters who wielded greatswords, I was indeed the best. While I wasn’t deeply knowledgeable about greatswords, at least in terms of level, no one could match me.
Toby’s lips curled upward in a smile, unable to hide his joy at my compliment.
“And there’s also the connection with Han Chul.”
Besides that, the transaction with Toby was beneficial in many ways. It seemed the American side would have many items, and with Han Chul involved, the exchange would go smoothly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hunter Han Hye.”
Then I exchanged greetings with the people from the American Hunter Association.
Seo-ung had informed me that these were people in quite high positions at the Association.
Since Toby, a member of the Advance Team, had come and this involved the exchange of premium A-rank items, it seemed they’d come for that reason.
Of course, the fact that I was the trading partner probably played a role too.
“These are the swords we’ve prepared. You can choose one of the three.”
Apparently in a hurry, Toby gave the American delegation a pointed look and quickly moved to the main topic.
Even to my untrained eye, three antique-looking boxes spread out before me.
The boxes were thin and long, just wide enough to fit a sword, and they contained various weapons.
As the boxes were placed before me, Toby swallowed hard and watched my expression carefully, hoping the weapons would meet my approval.
‘Heh, seriously.’
An inward laugh escaped me. The US Advance Team could be called the strongest in the world without exaggeration….
Yet a hunter belonging to them was gauging my reaction over a single item.
Of course, I was anticipating this too. When I’d seen the warehouse last time, unfortunately there hadn’t been a sword that particularly caught my eye.
Since the United States brought items on a larger scale and premium quality, I naturally felt excited.
“I’ll open them.”
With that, the lids of the boxes containing the swords opened. In the quiet, I widened my eyes and examined the blades.
* * *
[Lightning Strike Sword (A-rank)]
-A sword forged from extremely rare thunder metal. Blue electric currents constantly flow across its surface.
-Electricity can be accumulated through charging, and it can be released in various ways according to the user’s will.
-Strength +1, Magic Power +3
[Essirel]
-Perfect balance overwhelms all else.
-A legendary blade crafted by the master blacksmith of an era for a swordsman he loved.
-It rarely breaks and possesses exceptional cutting power.
[Hundred Flowers Sword]
-A sword forged with a fragment of undying flames. Its blade naturally radiates heat, as if burning.
-It can absorb enemy flames, and the user’s flame-related skills become more efficient.
-Strength +2, Magic Power +2
“Wow.”
The moment I saw the A-rank premium swords brought from the United States, admiration burst forth.
I naturally expected them to bring quality items, but honestly, there was a lingering doubt in my mind.
That they might brush me off and leave shamelessly—a one-in-a-million thought.
Fortunately, such a thing didn’t happen.
-These are all A+ rank swords.
If even Chun-bae would evaluate them that way, there was nothing more to say.
If I had to be picky, the sword called Essirel, compared to the others, lacked particularly special abilities or stat increases.
However, the aura the sword itself emanated was different. Like The Butcher’s greatsword, didn’t its description say that perfect balance overwhelms all else?
At a glance, I could tell it was a well-crafted sword. It meant the United States didn’t bring it for nothing.
“….”
All eyes in the room focused on me. Especially Toby, who appeared tense.
“Would it be alright if I tried holding each one?”
Swords feel different when you actually use them. That’s what I’d learned from wielding the Piercing Sword and the Wind-Flow Sword.
Regardless of rank, the Wind-Flow Sword had fit my hand better.
If I didn’t have just one choice like Toby did, I wanted to swing them around once and then decide.
Toby nodded as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Of course. You have to swing a sword to decide.”
After saying that, I realized how strange it sounded and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
“I’ve already fallen for it, though.”
There was no problem. I’d anticipated this, which was why the meeting took place in quite a spacious area.
First, I picked up the Lightning Blade. Since it possessed a lightning attribute, I felt a tingling sensation the moment I grasped it.
It wasn’t painful. Rather, it was the sensation of electric current flowing through my body. Blue lightning crackled across the blade’s surface.
It had a function called charge storage, and I could already feel it was partially filled.
-Crackle!
As I swung it to the side, lightning extended outward.
‘This is cool.’
It felt like the first time I’d used the Wind Blade. A sword that could unleash lightning…
Anyone would want to swing it at least once.
First, the grip felt excellent. True to its A+ rank, the fundamentals were superb.
After swinging it through the air a few times to commit the sensation to memory, I picked up Essirel.
‘Hmm?’
The grip felt different from the start. Since it lacked stat boosts or ability enhancements but emphasized balance instead…
It fit perfectly in my hand. It didn’t feel too heavy or too light. It was just right.
Even when I took a stance and deployed my swordsmanship, it felt seamless.
Though I’d executed these movements countless times before, they felt smoother and more fluid now.
‘Next is the Hundred Flower Blade.’
It was actually the one I’d been most anticipating. I’d always had a connection with flame skills and flame items since the old days.
If the synergy of Burning and wing-beating flames overlapped with this Hundred Flower Blade…
I could use Burning with less mana while maintaining even greater firepower than before.
The grip felt similar to the Lightning Blade.
‘No flames are sparking.’
Unlike the Lightning Blade where blue electricity crackled, the Hundred Flower Blade radiated heat, but no flames emerged.
That didn’t matter. I could just use Burning instead. When I swung it, it felt quite good.
“Hmm.”
As I lowered the blade, the atmosphere grew more serious. Toby seemed tense, taking deep breaths.
I’d already roughly decided which to choose. Now I just needed to discuss the final decision with Chun-bae.
‘The Hundred Flower Blade seems better, doesn’t it?’
Essirel felt better in terms of swing, but the Hundred Flower Blade had greater synergy with Burning.
-Negative. That is incorrect.
However, Chun-bae seemed to disagree with me.
‘Incorrect?’
-You should choose Essirel.
‘Why? It has no Burning synergy and doesn’t have many special abilities.’
It did fit my hand better, though…
‘Wait, could Essirel be a hidden weapon like the wing-beating flames?’
-That is not the case. Simply put, when considering the fundamentals of a blade, it is the most superior.
Chun-bae continued speaking.
-The reason it feels like an A+-rank weapon despite lacking any special stat increases or unique abilities is simply because the sword itself is exceptional.
I understood immediately what he meant. Even as an A-rank sword, its description wasn’t as straightforward as other weapons.
Forged by a master craftsman of the era, it was renowned for its durability and exceptional cutting power.
Yet there was a reason why the United States treasured it, and why both Chun-bae and I found it satisfactory.
-Had Escirel possessed an additional ability, it would have become an S-rank sword.
‘That’s it?’
-Affirmative. Even by my assessment, it’s an outstanding blade. Wasn’t it the most comfortable for you to wield Escirel?
‘That’s true.’
-From my perspective as well, your movements improved noticeably.
There was only one point that bothered me.
‘What about Conflagration…’
That was when I was about to ask.
‘No. That can be used as a separate skill on its own.’
Thinking about it, Chun-bae was right. Conflagration was one skill, and the flame from my wing strikes alone was sufficient.
If I only had Lightning Slash or Hundred Blossom Slash, the latter would be better, but with Escirel, it was different.
In terms of the sword’s inherent quality compared to S-rank blades, Escirel was fundamentally superior.
Wasn’t I the one who attended the Swordsmanship Meeting deliberating over swords?
‘That’s right.’
My assumption that I had a deep connection with flame was actually the wrong perspective.
Because I consumed the Solar Flame, Conflagration became S-rank. Then the flame from my wing strikes further enhanced Conflagration.
That was enough.
I’d already gained sufficient benefits. There was no need to align everything I obtained going forward with flame.
‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’
-Not at all.
Well, the decision was made.
“I like everything, but I’ll go with Escirel.”
“Whoa!”
The moment I spoke, Toby jumped up excitedly. Then, seeming slightly embarrassed, he glanced around at everyone’s reactions.
“Sorry. I just got too excited.”
“That’s understandable.”
The transaction was simple. I grasped Escirel, retrieved the Annihilation Greatsword from the Subspace, and handed it to Toby.
“Wow, look at that blade. It’s mine now, right?”
When he asked that, I nodded, and he immediately dashed to the side, swinging the greatsword with delight.
Han Chul watched his antics with the amusement of someone observing a carefree younger sibling.
‘I definitely have no regrets.’
I also swung Escirel beside him. Even though it was an A+-rank sword, hearing that its fundamental essence rivaled S-rank blades gave it a different feel.
It was definitely better than when I wielded it earlier.
It might be a placebo effect, but it truly felt that way. I thought I might have regretted it if I’d chosen Hundred Blossom Slash or Lightning Slash instead.
When I wielded the sword later, I knew this sensation would come to mind.
“Just sign here, please.”
The transaction concluded with a simple signature on a contract. Even between trusted parties, it was necessary to keep documentation.
As we parted ways, Toby thanked me once again.
“Really, thank you so much. Honestly, I wanted it just from seeing the photos.”
“I’m the one who should be grateful. I’m getting something out of this too.”
I couldn’t speak to the feelings of a greatsword enthusiast, but his sincerity came through clearly.
What came next left me genuinely impressed.
“I’d love to spar with swords over the next few days, but I have something scheduled in two days.”
“Something scheduled?”
“I’m entering a Gate.”
So he’d come all the way to Korea just before entering a Gate to pick up this greatsword.
‘Just how much does this guy love greatswords?’
Well, that aside—I was looking forward to tomorrow. The Swordsmanship Meeting was happening then.
If I showed them this Esirel, wouldn’t everyone’s eyes light up?
I wasn’t the type to enjoy boasting, but this was something I had to do. I didn’t care if others called it showing off.
Everyone in the Swordsmanship Meeting loved swords. They’d recognize a fine blade immediately.
‘How am I supposed to contain showing off an A+-rank sword?’
.
.
.
As I left with the sword and exchanged greetings with Seo-ung in front of the Hunter Association, one of the Association Staff rushed over to him urgently.
He began whispering something serious, and I could see Seo-ung’s expression shift in surprise.
“What’s wrong? Did an uncontrolled Gate break out?”
Given that uncontrolled Gates had been quiet in Korea recently, that seemed like a possibility.
Or not? An alarm would have sounded first if that were the case.
“It’s…”
Seo-ung opened his mouth, and a name I hadn’t remotely expected came out.
“The Übermenschen have been spotted in Korea.”
“What?”

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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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