Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 214
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
214. The Fist King?
[Lv54 Void Master, Han Hye]
Strength : 67
Agility : 67(+5, +1)
Stamina : 67(+1)(+1)
Spirit : 63
Mana : 93(+1)(+1)
Bonus Points : 16
Skills : Subspace(S-rank)lv5, Scorching Blaze(S-rank)lv3, Leap(A-rank)lv5 … Toxin Resistance(D-rank)lv6, Imperial Basic Swordsmanship(E-rank)lv8
This was my current status window. I’d consumed a spirit medicine before entering the Gate, and both my stamina and agility had increased by one point each.
After brief deliberation, I allocated six points.
[Lv54 Void Master, Han Hye]
Strength : 70(+3)
Agility : 70(+3)(+5, +1)
Stamina : 67(+1)
Spirit : 63
Mana : 93(+1)
Bonus Points : 10
I decided to keep the remaining ten points in reserve for what lay ahead. It wasn’t solely because of the Übermenschen.
While I needed to prepare for the Übermenschen, the Hall of Winners Gate took priority.
The second Gold Ticket event was scheduled for approximately one and a half months later. Schedule coordination was necessary due to participants arriving from abroad.
Before that, the Hall of Winners presented the greater challenge. The Previous-Previous Princess’s team. I had to win.
‘Stamina can be covered by Subspace, so I invested in strength and agility.’
I’d given this some thought. Originally, I’d planned to enter the Hall of Winners Gate at level 55.
Though it was only one level difference, gaining three additional stats and raising a skill level by even one point made a significant difference.
However, the Hall of Winners Gate had a level restriction of 51-55. Our current level was 54.
I had to be cautious. If I gained two levels while trying to gain one, it would become an extremely problematic situation.
‘It’s ambiguous.’
From level 51 onward, leveling became difficult and I could choose easier Gates, which seemed safer, but….
I could also suddenly discover a hidden dungeon and face unexpected circumstances.
“Let’s play it safe. Safe and steady.”
“Right. If we accidentally gain two levels and can’t enter there….”
“If it’s a 51-55 level Gate, a highest-tier outbreak-type would open right in the middle of Seoul.”
“If it’s not us, subjugation itself would be impossible. It’s too dangerous.”
It was the moment when my guild members reached unanimous agreement, and the next Gate was decided to be the Hall of Winners.
Even if we could overcome a one-level difference through effort, a highest-tier outbreak-type Gate was beyond our capacity.
“Instead, let’s prepare thoroughly. We have Chun-bae’s intelligence too.”
.
.
.
The Previous-Previous Princess’s team consists of a total of five members: a Sword Guardian, a Martial Artist, a Princess, a Rogue, and a Healer.
What was truly fortunate was that I could gather information through Chun-bae.
“So only the Sword Guardian and the Princess have rare jobs?”
-Affirmative. The others possess common jobs.
“Since the Previous-Previous Princess was originally a Mage and uses magic, we can set that aside… what exactly is a Sword Guardian?”
-It’s simply a rare sword-related job, much like a Sword Master.
Unlike someone with a truly exceptional job like sniper Seo Seung-yeon, I figured I could evaluate them by conventional standards.
“How strong is each of them individually?”
-The Sword Guardian possesses S-rank swordsmanship and wields a blade better than Han Hye.
It was a statement that stung my pride slightly, but there was no point in denying facts.
“Well, it’s not like Liu Zhen. That place was originally known for using both swords and magic. What about the others…?”
As I pondered Chun-bae’s words, something suddenly came to mind.
“Don’t tell me the Martial Artist is that person from Cockfighting?”
-Affirmative. They also possess S-rank skills.
Just hearing this much was already somewhat absurd. Two S-rank skill holders besides the Princess?
“Now I understand why this is difficult.”
-Han Hye is no different.
“Ah, is that so?”
True enough. I possessed Blaze aside from my Subspace skill. Chul-gi’s uncle was the same.
“Let’s continue hearing about them for now.”
-The Previous-Previous Princess uses magic and is more proficient than a typical Mage.
“What about the other two?”
-The Healer possesses A-rank healing skills, similar to Lee Shin-hee. However, Lee Shin-hee has a slight edge.
“What makes the difference then?”
-The grade of their buff and shield skills, as well as the equipment they possess.
Now that I thought about it, Lee Shin-hee had equipment that boosted the efficiency of her healing skills.
-The Rogue is not particularly strong in direct combat.
“Were they selected from a team perspective?”
-Affirmative. Their main duties were trap disarming and reconnaissance. However, their stealth skills are exceptional.
After hearing everything, I felt somewhat overwhelmed.
“I’m outmatched by the Sword Guardian, and Min-jae is outmatched by the Previous-Previous Princess… Damn. This is tough.”
-There is sufficient possibility. You’re hearing information from me, and Han Hye has Red Dragon, don’t you?
It would be disrespectful to leave out Yong-yong. Could I even imagine facing a dragon that breathes fire?
Moreover, it was the dragon that the Dragon Knight rode. It was on an entirely different level from an ordinary dragon.
Additionally, there would certainly be a gap in information. That was the part we needed to leverage most.
‘Still, I wonder if it’s possible.’
For now, there were aspects I couldn’t think through alone. Even if I tried to ask questions immediately, my guild members would have doubts too.
I decided to convene a guild meeting and gather my team members.
* * *
“Two of them have S-rank skills? S-rank swordsmanship and martial arts? This is insane. And there’s someone just like you too, right?”
The guild members’ reactions weren’t much different from mine.
“Still, there’s a possibility. We should try.”
“So there is a possibility?”
Even Min-jae, who usually brimmed with confidence, wore a worried expression. We’d discussed this before, but…
Back then, we didn’t know the opponent’s specifications either.
“We have Yong-yong with us anyway. And we know a fair amount about our opponent.”
“Will that be enough? If even Han Hye is being pushed back, I don’t see a way forward.”
Lee Shin-hee’s doubt was one I honestly shared to some extent. The opponent was simply too strong.
Especially since I’d believed no hunter team surpassed ours until now. There was another concern nagging at me.
‘Does this mean even people like that failed to resist the corruption?’
However, when we all gathered together, Chun-bae eased these worries considerably.
-Han Hye, I think there’s been a misunderstanding on your part.
‘What do you mean?’
-What I said was that you’re being outmatched in swordsmanship specifically. I believe you’ll win in an overall matchup.
‘Huh?’
Now that he mentioned it, that was true. Chun-bae had said the Sword Guardian wielded the blade better than me, not that he could defeat me.
-Didn’t I tell you before that I’ve never seen growth like yours?
‘That’s right.’
-Through the arrangement of the Subspace, and starting from the fortuitous encounters since your awakening all the way to the Trial Gate, you’ve achieved absurd growth.
‘So I can win?’
-If you’re talking about a one-on-one with the Sword Guardian, you’ll win if you don’t let your guard down.
‘You should have said that clearly from the start.’
-I was simply stating facts… Though I suspect your guild members also have superior stats overall.
Chun-bae wasn’t the type to flatter me in these matters. Even the Previous Princess spoke with cold precision.
Without realizing it, my mood lifted slightly.
“Oh, that’s what you meant?”
“Then we do have a chance. I thought it was impossible since the guild leader said he’d win.”
“Right. If hyung loses, how could we possibly win?”
Once I relayed the message, the guild members’ expressions brightened. It seemed they’d been worried about the possibility of me losing.
“Our stats should be superior too.”
“Exactly. We’ve consumed quite a few fortuitous encounters.”
That was Mister speaking. Now that I thought about it, the Previous-Previous Princess would have found hidden dungeons using spatial sense like me, but…
She wouldn’t have had access to things like the Spirit Medicine Farm. In the Medieval Era, the environment itself would have been different from Earth.
“As for skills, rapid growth means deficiencies are natural.”
The guild members’ confidence was naturally replenished.
“The problem is formulating a strategy.”
“What should we do?”
First, I actively gathered Chun-bae’s advice. After all, he knew the opponent.
“Both vanguards will come out aggressively.”
“Without protecting the rear?”
“The Mage protects the Healer while fighting. The Rogue does too.”
“The Rogue?”
“They stay nearby and strike quickly when an opening presents itself.”
Han Chul nodded in acknowledgment.
“If both vanguards are attacking that aggressively, structuring the rear guard that way is actually sound.”
“I think it would be better if Mister and I each took one.”
“Yes. I’ll hold the line while you handle them. If needed, I can even deploy Phantom Discharge. I’ve been saving it for a moment like this.”
Even after obtaining the shield, I hadn’t used Phantom Discharge much—it seemed he’d been preparing for contingencies like this.
True to his origins as one of the original vanguard, I suppose.
In any case, I had Leap as well, so I could infiltrate their rear guard too. I just needed to watch for the right moment.
“Mister, please protect Yong-yong and the rear guard.”
“If the Rogue approaches, I intercept them?”
“Yes. Since Dragon Scale Piercing Spear works at range too, that alone should apply enough pressure.”
Thinking I wouldn’t lose, the formation began to take shape in my mind.
“First, we should practice setting up the formation like this.”
That’s when Lee Shin-hee raised her hand.
“Shouldn’t we also try it against actual people? Like a sparring match?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
It was something I’d already considered. We were training with simulations, but this opponent was different from monsters.
To identify the weaknesses in our formation, we needed real combat. And against fairly skilled opponents at that.
“I’m sparring with Shin Chang soon anyway. I’ll ask him then.”
I didn’t intend to reveal everything. Saying I’d fought people in a Gate, found it challenging, and wanted more training should suffice.
“Dawn Light? Isn’t that too intense?”
“We should assume the opponent is at that level too.”
“True. You’re practically vanguard-level yourself.”
Mister tilted his head slightly in puzzlement, but soon nodded in agreement.
* * *
“…That was good form.”
Shin Chang, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, said something strange right from the start.
“Good form?”
I thought I’d grown somewhat accustomed to Shin Chang’s manner of speaking, but apparently not.
Seo Seung-yeon provided the translation.
“The repeated poisoning and detoxification this time. Shin Chang says he’s happy to see you.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
So that’s what he meant. I never knew he’d express a greeting that way.
“They call you the Masochist Princess.”
“What? What does that…”
Seo Seung-yeon brought up a meme I disliked in small talk, so I let it pass without acknowledgment.
Quickly changing the subject was a bonus. Besides, I had something to discuss anyway.
“But there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“…?”
“Huh, what’s wrong? When Han Hye says something like that, it feels really ominous.”
I had come to request team sparring in preparation for the Hall of Winners, but I couldn’t avoid discussing the Übermenschen situation either.
In fact, this was arguably the more pressing issue.
I had been deliberating which to address first—the Hunter Association or Saebyeokbit—but decided to handle it now that we’d met.
The Hunter Association required special caution, given the possibility of spies embedded within.
‘Seo-ung and the Association President will likely handle things well, but I need to be genuinely careful.’
Though we had conducted a large-scale purge following the Daeup incident, remnants of the Übermenschen might still remain.
After all, they had infiltrated even the upper echelons of China’s leadership.
“Would you take a look at this?”
I showed the Ring of Conspiracy to Shin Chang and Seo Seung-yeon.
“…Hmm.”
“The Ring of Conspiracy? If it’s darkened to this degree….”
“Yes. It appears there’s a conspiracy directed at me. Most likely the Übermenschen.”
Shin Chang’s expression darkened, and Seo Seung-yeon’s face grew grave.
“I wondered if it might not be the Übermenschen, but honestly, in Korea, they’re the only ones capable of scheming against Han Hye.”
“The color changed after the second Gold Ticket schedule was set. It seems they’re targeting that moment.”
“As a winner?”
“Likely.”
“Wasn’t the identity verification strict?”
“It’s abroad. They could be an actual Übermenschen winner, or they might be in disguise.”
I even broached the idea of using this as an opportunity to catch them in a counterattack.
“…The process matters.”
Those were Shin Chang’s words. He was right. That was the most critical aspect.
“Yes. We must suffer no casualties.”
Even if we captured the Übermenschen, any damage to us or Saebyeokbit would be far from ideal.
“I’m not sure what the Übermenschen will do, but at full strength, they’re quite formidable….”
“Surely they wouldn’t go that far.”
“You never know. Han Hye is already formidable now, but she’s someone destined to grow far stronger. We’ve already crossed swords with them over this.”
Then, after a moment of deliberation, Shin Chang spoke.
“Call the Fist King.”
“Pardon?”
The Fist King. Even I couldn’t help but be taken aback by that name.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————