Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 192
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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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192. Political Collusion?
-Another Skill Level-Up Voucher dropped?
“A Skill Level-Up Voucher?”
A Skill Level-Up Voucher. It was truly something I hadn’t anticipated, especially not at this particular moment.
I had harbored expectations. Saebyeokbit ranked first in Korea by level and held a prominent position among the world’s vanguard forces.
Just as they had secured one for me before, I had faith they would honor their promise eventually.
However, I never expected to obtain one from this Gate expedition, which was undertaken to clarify the connection between Jo Ji-hyuk and the Übermenschen.
-I just came out and got word—they obtained a Skill Level-Up Voucher. Surprising, isn’t it?
Seo Seung-yeon’s voice carried the same bewilderment. Well, she had been outside with me, after all.
-It’s chaotic here too. Truthfully, our original role was only to confirm whether there was any connection between Jo Ji-hyuk and the Übermenschen.
“That’s right.”
The crucial part was always meant to come after Saebyeokbit’s Gate subjugation. Once we uncovered evidence of Jo Ji-hyuk’s connection to the Übermenschen, we were to move in for the arrest immediately after the Gate was cleared.
Yet by the time we emerged from the Gate, Seo Seung-yeon and I had already eliminated Jo Ji-hyuk. And Veronica from the Übermenschen as well. It must have been difficult to believe, even hearing it directly.
-At first, they thought they’d misheard. As if the world was deceiving them. But honestly, even though I was there, Han Hye handled it all alone, didn’t she?
It wasn’t without reason that this became a global sensation. An officially Level 49 hunter defeating vanguard warriors and mages approaching Level 60.
Jo Ji-hyuk and Veronica were among the elite of the vanguard forces. Even Saebyeokbit found it astounding.
-Everyone’s grateful to Han Hye. They were shocked too. As you know, Daeup has been a headache for us.
“I’m the one who should be grateful for receiving the Skill Level-Up Voucher.”
-Come on, that’s just reciprocal thanks for the Saudi situation.
“You’ve secured two for me in less than a year. Considering the timeframe, I’ve received far more than I should have.”
When I first discussed terms with Saebyeokbit, I had anticipated two to three years. I never expected to obtain two within less than a year.
-Anyway, things worked out well. Though I don’t think we can hand it over immediately.
“I understand. Internal affairs must be complicated, and there’s external scrutiny to consider.”
-Exactly. The latter is actually the problem.
The explanation made perfect sense, so I felt no displeasure. Daeup, the third-ranked Guild, had boarded an express train to oblivion.
Saebyeokbit, the second-ranked Guild, would have guild interests, contracts, and various other matters to attend to.
More pressing than that was the external scrutiny. Seo Seung-yeon and I were implicated in Jo Ji-hyuk’s death.
Though all evidence existed, the eyes of not just our nation but the entire world were fixed upon me and Saebyeokbit.
[Saebyeokbit Presents ‘Skill Level-Up Voucher’ to Han Hye]
The moment such a headline appeared, it would be the perfect opportunity for alternative narratives to emerge, regardless of the facts.
Perhaps that Seo Seung-yeon and I had conspired to manipulate the situation. Contact with Saebyeokbit itself was something to be avoided during this period.
There was no need to create troublesome complications. The Skill Level-Up Voucher wasn’t going anywhere, and I wasn’t in any immediate crisis.
It wouldn’t take long for the surrounding scrutiny to ease. I could receive it then.
-Mountain oppa was shocked too and wanted to see me. He seemed amazed at my growth.
This was somewhat awkward. The intent was transparent. It was Shin Chang, who had asked for help with training through the leap.
He would likely request that I use the concealment that hid Jo Ji-hyuk and Veronica’s senses.
That was something I had accomplished using Chun-bae’s sanctity, making it difficult to replicate. I paused briefly before continuing.
“But that concealment item has a cooldown exceeding six months, so it’ll be difficult to use again.”
-Ah, that’s right. Well, let me mention it anyway. Still, it might be good timing for sparring soon, don’t you think?
“Well, if concealment isn’t necessary, then I’m fine with it.
-Well, I’ll contact you again. You’ve worked hard. Really.
“You’ve worked hard too, Seung-yeon.”
As I was about to hang up, I remembered something I’d forgotten.
“Oh, could you give me your account number?”
-My account number?
“The bounty for catching the Witch. I should transfer it right away.”
Before attacking Jo Ji-hyuk and Veronica, Seung-yeon and I had made a promise. To give her the entire bounty on the Witch, Veronica, who had been an international fugitive.
Just then, the UN Gate Countermeasures Committee had also contacted me. I asked them to wait a moment since it would be better to send it directly to Seung-yeon.
-No, that’s not right. Han Hye caught her.
“No, a promise is a promise. If it weren’t for you, Seung-yeon, four people would have come outside and it would have been difficult.”
I meant it sincerely. Besides, the bounty on the Witch wasn’t that large compared to her crimes. It was set by an international organization, after all.
The bounty from the victims’ association had gone into the Dragon Guild’s donation fund.
For someone like me who had gained financial freedom through the Subspace, it wasn’t exactly a significant amount.
Rather, it seemed right to give it to Seung-yeon, who had helped me in this battle as promised.
-Then I won’t refuse.
Seung-yeon, who had always been cool-headed by nature, didn’t decline twice. After hanging up the phone, I felt a slight sense of anticipation.
Subspace Level 5.
In fact, I knew something about the fifth space separately from the others.
-To continue answering your earlier question, there are many items prepared for beginner ‘Princesses’ in the fifth space.
That was what I’d heard when I first met Chun-bae. Perhaps there were low-grade secrets and items there.
What made me especially excited was that from the second Subspace onward, there had been other elements.
‘Who knows. Maybe there’s something else like the Caduceus Key this time.’
* * *
[Not just collusion between politics and business, but between politics and hunters? The connections revealed through the Daeup incident…]
Just days after Jo Ji-hyuk’s death, newspapers and the internet began covering the collusion between Daeup and political circles.
It seemed Seo-ung had discovered something properly.
[Did Jo Ji-hyuk of Daeup only shake hands with the Übermenschen? Close ties with political circles detected]
[When a discharge-type Gate opens, does Daeup go to politicians?]
[The benefits Daeup obtained through bribery and close protection…]
As the list of politicians who had joined hands with Daeup was released, the situation began to escalate rapidly. It couldn’t have been otherwise.
Honestly, if the Übermenschen hadn’t been involved, it wouldn’t have gotten this far.
After the Gate incident, there were many cases of those in power employing Awakeners as private bodyguards. It was common back then.
Public opinion would have been quite negative, but it would have ended with them being criticized and moving on.
[Should we charge the politicians connected to Daeup with conspiracy to commit treason?]
But now that the Übermenschen are involved, the gravity of the matter is different. It wasn’t just a simple alliance with the Übermenschen.
They had attempted to commit terrorism against Chulbyeok and Saebyeokbit, and the recordings showed intent to overthrow the nation.
It was unclear whether the politicians colluding with Daeup knew about the Übermenschen or not. Whether they truly tried to seize control of the nation or if it was Jo Ji-hyuk’s independent decision.
Personally, it felt like the latter. Given his personality, he probably didn’t like being under anyone’s thumb for long.
‘But I doubt others will see it that way.’
Separate from a thorough investigation, it was safe to say their political careers had ended. No, it would be fortunate if only their political careers ended.
Public opinion was spiraling toward its worst point.
-So while we were trembling and heading to shelters, they were at home?
Wow, getting an escort from the 3rd-ranked Guild, huh?
So then, the no-show last time wasn’t about personal political beliefs either, huh?
┗And right, wasn’t the Dragon Guild dangerous back then?
┗What’s the Dragon Guild? The release-type hunters who went out back then almost got killed. Even mid-sized ones erupted
┗These bastards almost caused the Dragon Guild to erupt?
After the Gate incident, it was fair to say that half of the nation’s security depended on Awakeners.
It was similar to police only protecting the neighborhoods of the powerful. Public outrage was inevitable.
[Praise Han Hye]
(Han Hye photo)
We should praise her, right?
-Praise Han Hye
-King Dragon
-Eliminate the madman plotting national subversion
┗That madman was the 3rd-ranked Guild Master and next Association President
┗Since he was colluding with politicians, the country would’ve been doomed if Jo Ji-hyuk became Association President
Wouldn’t we all have been fooled if we had colluded with the Übermenschen, staged it, and manipulated public opinion?
In such circumstances, my image improving was equally inevitable.
Jo Ji-hyuk’s betrayal was shocking, and if it hadn’t been stopped, the future would have been dire.
-A hunter like that is breaking world records and leveling up? No controversy?
┗I worship you GOAT
Just a ball panic lol
┗Public Panic sounds awkward
┗Han Emperor…
┗Hmm, that sounds like a Chinese emperor’s name too
┗What are you trying to say
It’s awkward for me to say this myself, but aside from the early days of awakening, there were hardly any people cursing me domestically.
I wasn’t the type to brag like other star hunters; I simply did my job quietly.
-Honestly, I was an anti-fan of Han Hye, but now I’m a fan
┗Why were you an anti?
┗Just because she was doing so well. But there’s nothing really to criticize. Hearing about her past, she’s had it worse than me…
It’s true that he grew up like that. It’s a miracle that he developed that way.
It would be impossible to have no anti-fans at all. However, whenever such people appeared, others would step forward to stop them.
Moreover, now that Jo Ji-hyuk’s atrocities had been revealed, I could be called truly untouchable.
-I really don’t like Han Hye. She looks so rude
┗Anyone cursing the Space Mage is a traitor, right?
Are you guys even paying your Übermenschen comment section trolls?
It looks like Daeup lol
┗The guild is ruined now so they can only use one person. Or maybe Jo Ji-hyuk’s associates?
The moment someone cursed me, they instantly fell from being a troll to a traitor to the nation.
[Han Hye ← Shouldn’t the country be giving them a medal?]
If the Association President, the 3rd-ranked Guild, and the Übermenschen had conspired to commit terrorism, then sent out politicians who could be checked, the country would’ve been completely taken over
“Wasn’t it because it wasn’t like a coup, so they couldn’t do anything about it?”
If we hadn’t revealed that, the country would have been ruined.
-No, the scary part is that even after the country was ruined, people might’ve lived without even realizing it
And with Jo Ji-hyuk boarding the express train to hell—or rather, actually going to hell—it was natural that discussions about the next Association President emerged.
[But then what about the next Association President?]
-Honestly, I think Kang Seok-du should just continue
There’s no talent around here except for Kang Seok-du.
┗Considering how all the previous Association Presidents lined their own pockets and committed corruption….
┗Kang Seok-du had some talk about him too, but for someone sitting in the Hunter Association President position, he’s incredibly clean
-Sorry guys, but the Hunter Association President can’t serve consecutive terms
┗Why?
┗That’s the law
┗Then just change the law
┗Huh?
┗What’s the problem with changing the law?
I observed this flow of discussion and then conducted an interview.
[Space Mage Han Hye ‘I wish the current Association President would continue as Association President’]
I disliked stepping forward to say such things, but the current Association President was better than some random person coming in.
Not only did Seo-ung and others show consideration for me, but Min-seok’s situation was directly involved.
If a non-awakened person came instead of a Hunter due to the Jo Ji-hyuk incident, they might try to exploit it.
The political circles would think of them as a card that could be used for negotiations with multiple nations.
-If Han Hye says to do it, we should do it
lol
┗If they prevented the country from being ruined, shouldn’t we at least listen to this much?
┗Honestly, because of the Jo Ji-hyuk issue, they’d probably make a non-awakened person Association President, so wouldn’t the problems be obvious?
They don’t know the situation on the ground, so there’ll be conflict between hunters and people trying to grab their share of the profits…
-Honestly, in the current situation, if I become the president of the association, I think it will be difficult to worry about the higher-ups because I will be seen as snippy, but the past presidents were so bad haha.
┗A Hunter is better though
Fortunately, the response wasn’t bad. My words aside, the Association Presidents before Kang Seok-du were walking scandals…. Should I be grateful to them?
Amid all this complexity, after much deliberation, I made another decision.
“Han Hye.”
I went to find Dong-hyuk from the Swordsmanship Meeting, the one who had been hiding the rank of his skill.
I could find the thread by observing, but… that seemed to have no set timeline and would be complicated.
With the focus now on the Übermenschen’s espionage activities within the nation, it was better to resolve it now.
Since I called him out separately rather than at the Swordsmanship Meeting, Dong-hyuk tilted his head in confusion.
“What brings this up all of a sudden…?”
I gripped Eshirel nervously and observed Dong-hyuk.
If Dong-hyuk was an Übermenschen hiding S-rank Swordsmanship, then facing him like this put me in considerable danger.
If an enemy had maliciously concealed S-rank Swordsmanship, the odds were high that he’d hidden far more than just his martial technique. His actual power could be extraordinary.
I’d spent considerable time deliberating what to say in this moment, but my choice was singular.
“Why did you hide your Swordsmanship skill rank?”
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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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