Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 18

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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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18. Guild (1)
Of course, given how dangerous a ‘Level-Restricted Survival Gate’ was, I had no intention of going with the old man—I’d venture in alone.
I could subjugate the monsters without issue on my own, but the old man, unable to enter the Subspace, would be at risk.
‘I do have an Escape Secretary…’
If I gave the Escape Secretary to the old man, I could extract him if an emergency arose.
The problem was that the Escape Secretary’s value was far too precious to spend.
Going together would certainly be worthwhile—experience and growth. But this Gate wasn’t important enough to warrant using an Escape Secretary.
-You’d be better off going alone.
The old man agreed. We might need it for higher-level Gates in the future.
The Escape Secretary was insurance for what lay ahead.
-Where do you want the guild to go? Iron wall? Dawn light? Great job? I’m jealous ㅜ
┗If he wanted to join, he would’ve done it already. Top-tier guilds are still searching on Hunter Net. Maybe they haven’t contacted him?
┗Why wouldn’t they? I’d contact him immediately.
┗That’s because you’re you. Hunters at his level don’t need to make the first move. It’s better to hear their offers.
┗His growth trajectory alone exceeds everyone’s expectations, so waiting is a valid strategy.
┗Scratch Daeup from the list. Daeup is kind of….
┗Why??
┗There’s a reason.
I continued scrolling through Hunter Net. This ‘ego surfing,’ as it were, was genuinely entertaining.
Of course, much of it stemmed from the growing interest in the old man and me.
‘In a way, it’s only natural.’
Even looking at us separately, it made sense.
The ‘Spatial Mage’ ability—essential for vanguard hunters—had set records from the workshop itself, demonstrating remarkable power.
And the old man, a ‘Dragon Knight’ with Yong-yong, had a reputation for fighting well even without skills.
The fact that we could use a ‘Red Dragon’ as an ally once Yong-yong matured was an enormous advantage.
‘But I have no intention of joining a guild.’
It was something I’d been thinking about for a while, and after Yong-yong hatched, the old man and I had discussed it.
We’d create our own guild instead.
-Top-tier guilds want us, but I think it would be better if we formed our own team.
-I agree.
Existing guilds had two fundamental problems.
Freedom—namely, decision-making authority—and information about what we obtained within the Subspace.
Joining a guild meant being assembled into teams at the guild’s request or entering Gates on their schedule.
Of course, given our value, they’d respect our opinions, but we couldn’t refuse every time.
‘If they keep accommodating us and then make a difficult request, it’ll be hard to say no.’
I wanted us to enter the Gates we chose, when we chose to enter them.
And if we joined a guild and formed a team, having no way to explain what I’d obtained within my Subspace would be another headache.
-It would be nice to recruit at least one healer or mage.
The problem was that both the old man and I were frontline fighters. We’d definitely need support personnel if we thought long-term.
-Should we post a recruitment notice on Hunter Net to find guild members?
—There will probably be quite a crowd. Finding decent people is going to be exhausting.
The real downside was that they were hard to recruit. Healers and mages occupied noble positions, after all.
For now, I decided to put it off.
“Krrrr!”
As I opened the Subspace and stepped inside, Yong-yong approached me with a low rumble, fluttering those tiny wings adorably.
He usually stayed in the Subspace, and whenever I arrived, he’d greet me with unbridled enthusiasm—perhaps lonely without company.
When I stroked Yong-yong’s head, he seemed delighted, rubbing his body against me like some hybrid of cat and dog.
He acted independently most of the time, much like a cat, yet whenever I appeared, he’d nuzzle against me without fail.
Of course, he didn’t do this with the old man. When the old man used Dragon Unity, Yong-yong would behave obediently, but fundamentally, he preferred me.
The old man would look at me with eyes full of jealousy and envy every time, but what could I do? Yong-yong simply liked me more.
Animals’ instincts are naturally more objective than anything else.
“Bored? Want to play?”
“Krr!”
Understanding my words, Yong-yong chirped happily. I shook the crinkle toy I’d set beside me.
This little one genuinely loved cat toys like some hybrid creature.
“Krr! Krr!”
Fluttering those short wings, he stretched out his front claws and snapped his jaws at the crinkle toy I was waving.
I burst out laughing at how adorable he was. This was true healing.
After playing with him for a while, I lay down on the mattress I’d placed in the Subspace—my personal space within it.
After learning about the Subspace’s functions, I’d divided it into different zones, much like creating separate rooms.
‘There’s even a shield-specific zone.’
After encountering the Lava Guardian, I realized the necessity of a defense-dedicated area. If lava seeped in, everything inside would burn.
Magic or lava couldn’t damage an empty space—there was nothing to strike.
I’d also created various other zones: one for rest, one for storing items, one for books, and more.
The books were monster encyclopedias and Gate-related texts. My memory wasn’t perfect, after all.
“Krr!”
As I lay on the mattress, Yong-yong curled up against my armpit, his firm yet soft scales brushing against my arm.
“This is paradise.”
A bed and Yong-yong—nothing more was needed. Next, I powered on the stand-type tablet I’d brought.
“Hmm. What should I watch today?”
I’d brought the stand-type tablet into the Subspace. I charged it outside and used it for entertainment during my rest.
Since I could download videos from streaming services beforehand, I could watch them inside the Subspace.
I’d been watching dramas, movies, and anime during my downtime. In my previous life, everything was so harsh and hectic that I never had time for this…
Now, thanks to the Subspace, my time was flexible, and I could enjoy myself freely.
‘Surprisingly, it can be helpful sometimes.’
For instance, I’d gained inspiration from battle sequences in anime. Many of the moves were impossible, but…
There were definitely some techniques I could adapt and test in real combat.
“Haaah…”
After watching about four episodes, I exited the Subspace and waited. Soon, the old man came walking out from training, his legs trembling.
“Are you finished now?”
“Slacking off again?”
“Slacking off? This is rest. You know I train more than you do, right?”
It was thanks to the Subspace. My training environment was fundamentally different from the old man’s, who needed rest between sessions.
That’s why I always finished first and waited for him.
It was as we were leaving the Training Facility together.
The director of the Training Facility approached me cautiously.
“Member, I apologize for bringing this up, but there’s a guild that wishes to meet you.”
The director quickly added more.
“I understand this might be unpleasant, but I assure you I didn’t mention it. It seems information leaked from other members or the Instructor, and they reached out first.”
Well, I’d always expected my information would leak eventually. It could have come from the Hunter Association rather than the Training Facility.
After all, the Hunter Association was covering my Training Facility fees.
Either way, it didn’t matter. I had no intention of joining a guild, but I’d need to meet them eventually to decline politely.
Daeup had contacted me through my personal phone number, and since there was bad blood, I ignored them.
But I planned to refuse the others gracefully. That way, when I grew stronger, I could potentially collaborate with them.
“Ah, that’s fine. Which guild is it?”
Ideally, it would be a top-tier guild. That way, other guilds wouldn’t bother me with annoying offers.
They’d think, “If they didn’t join that guild, why would we have a chance?” The director swallowed hard.
“It’s the 1st-ranked guild, Chulbyeok, and the 2nd-ranked guild, Saebyeok.”
Chul-gi and I locked eyes simultaneously, both startled.
I never expected both the 1st and 2nd-ranked guilds to reach out. The situation itself wasn’t bad.
“You can give me their contact information.”
Saebyeok Guild is famous for its elite selection process. Chulbyeok is the same. It was founded by the Hunter Association President when he was still active.
Their main objective seems to be ensuring safety through clearing numerous Gates. They collaborate frequently with Saebyeok.
And then.
Less than five minutes after talking with the director, my phone rang.
* * *
Surprisingly, both Chulbyeok and Saebyeok asked to meet with me together. I thought they were competitors.
Since I was entering a Gate tomorrow, the meeting happened today.
But only one man in his thirties showed up at the meeting location.
“I’m Park Seo-won from Chulbyeok Guild.”
“Ah, hasn’t Saebyeok arrived yet?”
“No. I came on their behalf.”
“Pardon?”
What did he mean? Park Seo-won continued through my confusion.
“Externally, we’re two separate guilds, but you can think of Chulbyeok and Saebyeok as essentially one guild. You know that Saebyeok’s Master, Shin Chang, originally came from Chulbyeok, right?”
“Yes.”
“On the surface, he left to establish a guild focused on elite selection, but in reality, it’s more of a division of labor. Chulbyeok clears numerous Gates, while Saebyeok handles high-level Gates.”
From what I gathered, they’d split the guild to operate more efficiently. It was like a unit system, so to speak.
Now that I thought about it, Chulbyeok and Saebyeok did collaborate unusually often.
“If you join both Saebyeok and Chulbyeok, when forming your team, you’ll have superior benefits compared to any other domestic guild in terms of teammate quality, Gate priority, and tax incentives.”
That’s right. Hunters join guilds for various reasons. First and foremost, team composition was the biggest factor.
It was better to form a team through a reputable guild than to personally recruit people and verify their abilities.
Priority access to popular Gates and tax benefits were secondary and tertiary reasons.
A guild’s ranking directly corresponded to its Gate subjugation merit ranking.
In recognition of those merits, they granted priority access to decent Gate assignments and tax benefits.
“Additionally, you’ll have free access to items our guild possesses, and we’re prepared to provide Han Hye and Choi Chul-gi with items related to ‘experience points.'”
Guild-owned items worked the same way. Hunters sometimes sold their distributed items to the guild rather than using them.
These became guild assets. Some chose guilds specifically for items suited to their profession.
The experience-related items mentioned later were even more valuable. They granted additional experience points—naturally, extremely precious items.
You could acquire at least 25% more experience than others.
“Hmm.”
It was quite an offer. The old man’s eyes were clearly gleaming too.
“Furthermore, when entering dangerous Gates, we have an ‘escape secretary’ prepared, and since we view you as top prospects, we’re standing by with elixirs and secret techniques depending on your growth trajectory.”
It was natural there was no mention of recruitment bonuses. Guilds were founded on the premise of hunters with compatible goals working well together.
Besides, they received money from state contracts and earned income just from clearing Gates.
“We have B-rank sword techniques and C-rank spear techniques. Of course, our Gate subjugation settlement rates are the best in the industry.”
What mattered to hunters was survival and strength, so guilds provided support in those areas.
I’d anticipated it, but the conditions were certainly excellent.
‘No—better than I’d imagined.’
Experience items, an escape secretary, growth-based conditions, and then elixirs and secret techniques on top of that.
“I apologize, but I haven’t decided to join a guild yet.”
Still, the answer was no. There were many advantages, but disadvantages too—just as I’d reasoned when I decided against joining a guild.
While the secret techniques and elixirs were tempting, my Subspace continued producing things.
‘It wouldn’t be surprising if even better techniques or elixirs came out.’
The experience-related items were disappointing, but not critically so. My growth rate was already exceptional, wasn’t it?
At Park Seo-won’s words, the old man’s gaze lingered on me briefly.
His eyes asked whether I could refuse immediately, and I quietly shook my head.
Such benefits weren’t given freely. Once you accepted those items from a guild, you couldn’t easily leave.
“I see. That’s what I thought.”
But Park Seo-won wasn’t surprised by our refusal. His expression suggested he’d anticipated it.
“Actually, I contacted you to convey our understanding of your refusal. I thought it might be rude to do so over the phone.”
“Not at all. We understand completely. You possess an S+-rank skill and growth trajectory unlike ordinary hunters.”
Park Seo-won spoke with genuine sincerity. I was taken aback. He’d anticipated this?
So it really wasn’t for nothing that they were a top-tier guild. I’d thought they were just attempting recruitment.
“In fact, for someone like Han Hye or Choi Chul-gi, it’s better to establish your own guild. That’s why Saebyeokbit split off.”
Guilds did receive priority Gate access and rare item auction priority based on their merit rankings.
But there were limits. You couldn’t give too much to the top-ranked guild.
Saebyeokbit probably split for that reason too. Dividing into first and second-ranked guilds would allow them to receive more collectively.
Perhaps because he was more gentlemanly and honest than Daeup? I found Park Seo-won quite likeable.
“This might sound presumptuous, but I’d be delighted if we could meet in a collaborative capacity once your level increases.”
“No, that’s not presumptuous at all. If anything, we’d like to ask you to maintain this relationship. There may be things we need from each other in the future.”
Park Seo-won smiled. The conversation had gone better than expected.
I’d worried that Daeup’s approach might come across as arrogant—that the top guilds would call us presumptuous for declining them.
But he’d anticipated my position and understood it. I couldn’t help but feel pleased.
Then Park Seo-won handed me a piece of paper.
“What’s this…?”
I examined the document and saw it was priority entry access to a specific Gate.
“It’s confirmed Gate entry priority. You’ll be able to enter immediately upon request.”
But the Gate listed wasn’t an ordinary one.
“Desolate Ruins?”
‘Ruins’ Gates had high probabilities of yielding rare items, making them extremely popular. Most hunters couldn’t even enter them.
The top-tier guilds held priority access.
“It’s a small gift to commemorate today’s meeting.”
The recommended level was 16-20. My current level was 14, but that wasn’t a major concern.
I didn’t need to enter immediately. I could raise two levels quickly enough.
‘A gift that even considered my level…’
I felt the thoughtfulness behind it.
Such a gift despite not having joined the guild yet. This was the moment Park Seo-won and Chulbyeok, the Saebyeokbit Guild, became even more appealing to me.
“Thank you.”
.
.
.
After that, I cleared two more Gates to reach level 16. I’d rushed through them alone to match the old man’s level.
Now, naturally, the Desolate Ruins awaited.
But the day after I eagerly used the Gate entry priority, I received a call from the Hunter Association.
-Han Hye, would you consider transferring your Gate entry to another team?
“Excuse me?”
-As you know, the Desolate Ruins Gate is level 16-20 with a recommended team size of 10 people. It could be dangerous for you.
What nonsense was this? I’d entered far more dangerous places than that.
-There’s a team that’s been preparing for this Gate for a long time…
-Of course, we’ll preserve your Gate entry priority separately.
I frowned the moment I heard this. Had someone made a request? It had to be something like that.
I’d heard rumors about under-the-table requests. Illegal connections between guilds and Association staff.
Honestly, if the Association was making such a request to me, it seemed likely that Park Seo-ung, the Association President’s secretary, was behind it.
I spoke in a cold voice.
“Hold on.”
Then I hung up and immediately called Park Seo-ung.

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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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