Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 233

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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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233. Fist King (3)
Fist King regarded the young man before him. Rounding up, there was nearly a twenty-year age gap between them.
Yet the power this young man possessed told a different story.
-A hunter with an S-rank Subspace skill has appeared in Korea?
He’d heard the news merely a year ago. At that time, Fist King’s eyes had widened considerably.
-What? S-rank? Subspace?
-Yes. They said it was several container-sized spaces.
Subspace. It was the skill the Advance Team needed most desperately. Even Fist King himself carried several backpacks whenever entering a Gate.
It was far from convenient. Having to carry them while moving meant restrictions on every action.
Moreover, if the backpack suffered damage in extreme environments or during combat, the situation became catastrophic. Yet this person was immune to such concerns?
Once the skill was mastered and taught, they could be used for rear guard support. If that proved difficult, they could simply be called for large-scale Gates.
-Can’t we bring them to our side?
-They’ve already contracted with Korea.
-Then should I go to Korea?
-Pardon? The contract period….
It had been said in jest, though half of it was sincere.
Assuming the hunter themselves possessed the will, a nation’s full resources could develop them into a capable asset.
Of course, if their skills were lacking, places like five-person Gates would be difficult, but merely having such an existence in large-scale Gates would prove invaluable.
After all, they’d only recently awakened. Perhaps when Han Hye’s contract period ended, it would be the right time to extend a recruitment offer.
‘I never imagined we’d meet like this after such growth.’
It exceeded all reasonable bounds. The growth rate was unrealistic. Fifty-seven levels in a year? An achievement no one had ever accomplished. Not couldn’t accomplish—it existed in the realm of the impossible.
It wasn’t simply because there were no precedents. Considering Gate entry and growth mechanics, it was genuinely impossible.
To maintain such a leveling pace, one would need to continuously enter high-difficulty Gates that others avoided, even at the same level.
In other words, they would have to sustain virtually no injuries.
That couldn’t be possible unless they were several times stronger than their level suggested. No—even being several times stronger, discovering Hidden dungeons would inevitably result in injuries.
“I appreciate this opportunity.”
And even in a sparring match, the fact that they could stand before him with such composure seemed unbelievable.
He’d witnessed them fighting days ago during the attack.
They fought well. Their situational awareness and battle-reading abilities were excellent, and their defense against the Übermenschen and Assassins’ attacks had been impressive.
This wasn’t something a nation could develop through direct support alone. It was earned through direct confrontation. And in just one year.
‘This is promising.’
Excluding the Subspace ability, it meant they possessed top-tier talent among hunters worldwide.
They primarily used a sword, but I’d also seen them employ hand-to-hand combat. They moved like an animal.
“Come at me first.”
At Fist King’s words, Han Hye pushed off the ground. Fist King stood calmly waiting, then threw a punch.
The air split apart. Yet within spatial awareness, the trajectory of his arm was traced.
In the moment of attempting to evade using footwork techniques, Fist King twisted his waist further. He was deceiving the arm’s trajectory.
However, this was something I’d grown familiar with during sparring with Shin Chang.
“Hah!”
Han Hye evaded while thrusting her sword. The difference from Shin Chang, however, was that Fist King wielded energy blasts.
Fist King opened his fist. Energy rippled outward from his palm.
Boom!
Han Hye twisted her shoulder urgently, but couldn’t fully evade. Fist King didn’t miss the moment she lost her center of gravity.
He charged in like an enraged bull. It was a sparring match we’d both agreed to conduct without using teleportation or dimensional shifts.
Clang!
The bladeless sword clashed against the gauntlet. Han Hye felt a tingling sensation shoot through her wrist. Then a prolonged exchange followed.
Since my opponent was Fist King himself, I relied more on fighting rooster techniques than sword combinations.
Fighting rooster martial arts had originated from cockfighting, after all. We both engaged aggressively. Fist King’s smile grew increasingly fierce.
Since it was sparring, Fist King was accommodating himself to my level. That’s when he spoke.
“Your body techniques favor footwork over fists. Are you deliberately avoiding using them?”
“Yes. It’s hard to focus on them while wielding a sword.”
“Hmm….”
He said nothing, but his attitude suggested something didn’t sit right with him.
“…!”
In that instant, something flashed across my mind.
* * *
‘The reason I haven’t been using my hands….’
I’d sparred with a Martial Artist from the Previous Previous Master’s party. Thanks to that, I’d gained insights into fighting rooster techniques.
He was the type to use both hands and feet together, rather than relying primarily on fists like Fist King.
‘There’s no real reason to limit myself.’
Because of the sword, I hadn’t given proper thought to my hands. I’d been using fighting rooster techniques mainly for evasion, movement during attacks, and footwork.
But my hands were another matter entirely. I had my left hand, which wasn’t holding the sword.
Or I could simply set the sword down temporarily. I could just drop it and retrieve it through the Subspace.
Then, the act of swinging the sword with my right hand itself could become a feint.
‘At close range, a fist is faster than a sword.’
I’d been combining Cresea swordsmanship with Imperial basic swordsmanship and fighting rooster techniques… but using fighting rooster techniques purely wasn’t a bad option either.
Especially from the perspective of exploiting openings.
My opponent would have perceived me as a swordmaster, so switching to fists in an instant would inevitably catch him off guard.
Multiple combat approaches suddenly materialized in my mind.
[The skill ‘Fighting Rooster Technique (Rank B)’ has increased in level.]
With just one piece of advice from Fist King, my Fighting Rooster Technique reached level 8. A smile naturally bloomed across my face.
Fist King was patiently waiting for my moment of enlightenment to pass.
“Did you gain something?”
“Yes.”
“Then show me.”
I nodded and pushed off the ground. I didn’t immediately throw the sword away. This was the moment to test the various methods that had surfaced in my mind against Fist King.
I started with my left hand. Of course, it didn’t clash directly with Fist King’s fist.
‘I could wear a gauntlet on my left hand too.’
And next came throwing a punch with the hand holding the sword. Since the sword had greater reach, it was something I could only do at close range.
It was the sensation of my fist entering slightly faster than the timing of the sword my opponent had anticipated.
And finally….
I feinted with the sword before hurling it away. Simultaneously, I activated Swift Movement.
—Whoosh
I saw Fist King’s eyebrows rise. He couldn’t very well ignore the blade, even if it was blunt—he had to treat it as if it had an edge.
Fist King’s hand came free. It swept downward in a sharp arc. My right fist drove forward.
The moment his other hand came up to intercept, I pivoted on my left foot, twisting my waist in the opposite direction. I rotated my body and drove my left fist straight into Fist King’s ribs.
In essence, both the thrown sword and my right punch had become feints.
—Thud!
My fist connected with Fist King’s left flank.
“I didn’t expect you to advance another step.”
“Isn’t it said that a good student understands ten things from learning one?”
“Then where are the other eight?”
“Haha….”
Fist King laughed fiercely.
“Good. I gained something from you as well.”
“It was an honor simply to spar with you.”
The match ended there. Fist King had been stronger than me from the start, but it seemed he wanted to teach me something.
“If you’d been born in Russia, I would’ve raised you as my disciple.”
“Pardon?”
That was somewhat….
I probably would’ve grown up getting beaten constantly.
“I’m serious.”
Yes, it certainly seemed that way.
Of course, I didn’t voice that aloud. Standing before this giant, I couldn’t afford the cheekiness I might show Chul-gi. I simply smiled awkwardly.
“…You’ve grown again.”
Shin Chang, who had been watching quietly, approached.
“I had Fist King’s guidance, and this attack taught me some valuable lessons as well.”
“Then you and I should….”
It was at that moment Shin Chang spoke. Fist King wrapped his knuckle guards back on.
“What nonsense. You’re fighting me. You two are from the same country anyway—you can spar plenty later.”
“…?”
Shin Chang’s expression showed clear reluctance.
“Why? Didn’t you gain something from fighting Lei Chuang?”
True enough. Both of them had endured grueling battles. They would have gained insights, and they needed sparring partners of matching caliber.
Shin Chang sighed softly and nodded.
—Boom!
And then I understood why Shin Chang had shown reluctance. He’d even bragged about receiving items from his previous match with Fist King.
—Crash!
Because Fist King was unleashing techniques—some kind of “Wave Breaking” or whatever—at Shin Chang without any restraint whatsoever.
It was now certain that my match with him had simply been a chance for him to observe and impart instruction.
‘There’s definitely a difference.’
The Advance Team had grown over ten years with national-level support. Their base levels came in within a ten-point difference, but….
The internal strength was different, I suppose. Of course, I hadn’t used Combustion, Subspace, or Severance.
‘Still, it might be worth trying.’
Watching Shin Chang spar with Fist King, I felt it. He was definitely still stronger than me, but….
If I used all my other skills, I could hold my own. I should ask for another match next time.
“About the Training Ground being damaged….”
“You don’t need to worry about that. The Hunter Association will cover the costs.”
Separate from such reassurances, there was a problem after the sparring match.
Due to Fist King’s uncontrolled sparring, one of the premium Training Grounds near the Association Vicinity would be closed for some time.
* * *
[China, compensation for the Gold Ticket incident approximately 500 billion won….]
After discussions between China and Korea, compensation for this incident was roughly settled. About 500 billion won, they say.
An astronomical sum. However, honestly, considering how catastrophic this incident could have become, it was a surprisingly small amount.
You can find items in this price range at international auctions on a national scale. But apparently they couldn’t receive more.
China bowed their heads in apology and completely severed ties with Wang Tao and the Assassins.
‘This compensation is also nominally on moral grounds.’
Considering that much, I heard we received quite a lot. In any case, the Korean Hunter Association and our Saebyeokbit will split this.
The initial plan was to use it as Guild funds.
In any case, China took considerable damage from this incident. Regardless of their denials and lack of clear evidence, there’s the matter of international image.
Most of China’s Hunter exchanges were cut off.
[Fist King, ‘Those bastards knew who I was and still tried to kill me. Of course, since I am strong, they failed.’]
Under Fist King’s testimony, Hunter exchanges with Russia were also severed, and relations with Europe and the United States grew considerably colder.
The UN Gate Countermeasures Committee issued a stern warning. It meant they wouldn’t overlook similar incidents if they occurred.
‘Even if it has no practical effect, the meaning is certain.’
According to Fist King, they had dug two caves, but it was still considerable damage. The significance of Hunter exchanges is substantial.
Within similar tiers, item exchanges, Hunter cooperation, and shared Gate subjugation increase convenience for Hunters.
‘Or perhaps, even accounting for this damage, they wanted to eliminate Wang Tao.’
If Fist King’s speculation was correct, they would have cut Wang Tao out even if they succeeded.
In any case, there was testimony that contradicted China’s excuses. There was video of Wang Tao and captured Assassins who could talk.
-Th, this incident was ordered by the party….
There was testimony of Chinese Government orders, but it didn’t carry much weight. Due to lack of physical evidence.
China pinned it on Wang Tao’s actions.
Since he was also a real power in the Chinese Government, they claimed he acted on the government’s orders for his own interests.
Since it was entirely plausible, this was as far as they could go.
[Second Gold Ticket Incident assassins confirmed to have all fled Korea.]
Tracking of the Übermenschen and Assassins was also terminated.
After a long pursuit since that day, we captured more, but we missed quite a few. They seemed to have come well-prepared.
As for the Übermenschen, that’s one thing, but I’m not sure what happened to the Chinese Assassins. They were abandoned by their own country.
Or not? They might have stayed put. With nowhere to go.
‘Or perhaps they’re silencing them.’
Even in a country as populous as China, it wouldn’t be easy to simply discard all the Rogues between levels 40 and 60.
Well, since they’re all wearing masks, only the ones who got caught have their true identities exposed anyway.
“Hye!”
As I was reviewing the news, Chul-gi burst through the door.
“Huh? What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
I thought he said he was going to a spear technique gathering.
“T-t….”
He’d apparently run quite hard—even for a Hunter with excellent stamina, he was gasping for breath.
“T?”
“Special training! I need your help with special training!”
“Who? Min-seok? I thought he was just doing gem-setting….”
“No, me!”
“All of a sudden?”
“It’s because of an S-rank spear problem!”

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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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