Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 237
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
237. Suspicious Phenomenon in the Underground Sewers (3)
“It all began with a prank played by the God of Play. I’m not sure how he managed it, though.”
Wait. The God of Play?
I found myself flustered at the familiar name. Why would that name appear here?
Could it be… that guy I know?
I can’t be certain. The worlds that emerge from the Gates are numerous. Therefore, there must be many gods as well.
‘There’s a possibility that different gods share the same name.’
Yet something told me it was him—and not merely paranoia on my part.
After our first encounter, things had been quiet for a while, but since the Trial of Flames, I’d kept running into him.
A thought suddenly struck me.
The world where the God of Play exists must have also suffered from mana erosion. If so, wouldn’t this world contain clues about how the God of Play survived it?
‘As someone who must face erosion, I need to gather as much information as possible.’
I quickly organized my thoughts and turned my gaze toward Deron.
“What kind of prank?”
“The sacred relics of the Sun Sect and the Moon Sect were swapped.”
“Swapped?”
“To be precise, their appearances remained the same. Only their powers were exchanged.”
The powers of sacred relics were switched? Was that even possible?
Sacred relics are objects bestowed by gods. The God of Play is also a god. He manipulated the power of another god as he pleased.
“So that’s why you said you don’t know how he did it.”
“Exactly. Changing the power of sacred relics—we didn’t even know such a thing was possible.”
“I imagine not.”
“As you know, while we can still use divine power, the other gods have given no response whatsoever for the past year, so we have nowhere to seek answers.”
That was naturally something I wouldn’t know, yet I nodded as if I did. When I turned my head, my eyes met Lee Shin-hee’s. I could practically hear the gears turning in her mind.
I felt the same way. This was ominous. The gods had been silent for a year, yet the God of Play had played a prank.
‘Could it be that mana erosion was already present in this world?’
It was a highly plausible theory.
Deron continued.
“In any case, since the Sun Sect is the state religion of the Empire, the change in the sacred relic’s power cannot be overlooked.”
“Surely you don’t mean…”
“Indeed. With the Sun Festival approaching, the Emperor is attempting to seize the Moon Sect’s sacred relic. Not through exchange, but through deception.”
The young Spear Master added his thoughts.
“He fears no divine wrath.”
“He believes he has the Sun God’s protection. Since all gods have been silent for a year, he attacked the Moon Sect, which had been a thorn in his side.”
In any case, the story was straightforward. For some reason—likely due to mana erosion—the gods had fallen silent, and the God of Play seized the opportunity to play his prank.
The Sun Sect and the Moon Sect. As opposing forces, they would naturally harbor ill will toward each other.
While the gods were absent, the Emperor attacked the other sect. These people were likely from the Moon Sect.
Indeed, Deron’s next words confirmed my suspicion.
“I was asked by the Archbishop of the Moon Sect, with whom I had maintained a friendship, to protect the sacred relic.”
“So that’s why you were hiding in the Underground Sewers. There’s even a bounty on your head.”
“That’s right. The Moon Sect has already been completely captured, but the sacred relic is in my possession. I tried to leave the Capital, but it wasn’t easy. As you know, the checkpoints are quite thorough.”
Since I started from the Underground Sewers, I wouldn’t know about that, but I nodded vaguely anyway. Was helping these people escape the hidden quest?
Deron let out a shallow sigh.
“As you’ve heard, the Emperor is involved in this matter, so I understand you can’t help us.”
“?”
“I know you all have your own circumstances, but I’m asking that you let us go as we are.”
What is he talking about?
Ah, no. At this time, the Emperor would have more power than a president. It made sense that ordinary people wouldn’t easily go against the Emperor.
“Let you go? Why?”
But we weren’t people of this world, after all.
“It seems difficult after all….”
However, Deron seemed to have misunderstood my words, and he hung his head in despair. This guy. That’s not what I meant.
“What does the Emperor matter? I’ll help you.”
“…?”
Deron lifted his head.
* * *
“Didn’t you come here because you had your own circumstances?”
“Well, I do.”
“But you’re helping us like this? What kind of circumstances could they be…?”
How should I put this?
“I caused some trouble and need money, and this request had the highest payment.”
“Trouble? Did you gamble or something?”
Deron’s eyes narrowed. A suspicious expression, you could say.
“It’s not that. Well, does that matter? Anyway, I just need to get you out of the Capital, right?”
“No. Even if we leave the Capital, we’ll be caught not long after. We’ve only survived these past few days by staying in the Underground Waterway. I was amazed that you all found us.”
“Then?”
“I don’t know. I received it, but the sacred relic was beyond my ability to handle. I didn’t want to hand it over to the Emperor, so I’ve been racking my brains here, but I can’t find an answer.”
What am I supposed to do? If you just tell me clearly, I’ll do it. Wait, could it be that you’re asking me to keep the sacred relic instead?
Could the hidden quest reward actually be that sacred relic?
“Would it work if we took the sacred relic? And left far away with it?”
As expected, it was the right answer.
“…That’s why I didn’t ask. It means dying in our place. You’ll be hunted for the rest of your lives.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter.”
“…?”
“We were planning to leave here soon anyway.”
Deron’s eyes widened.
“Are you from the Distant Continent? I suppose so. I did feel your appearances were different.”
“Something like that.”
“Then you could do this for us?”
“Of course.”
My words only made Deron and his subordinates look more confused.
“You would make such a sacrifice for us, whom you’ve never met before….”
“Well, the adventurer’s life has always been perilous anyway.”
“Goddess, have mercy.”
“In any case, we go out and advertise that we’re carrying the sacred relic, then we escape, right? You all get killed by bounty hunters and the relic is stolen from you.”
“If you’ll do that, I’ll slip out of the Capital under the cover of chaos.”
“Sounds good to me.”
At my ready agreement, Deron paused for a moment before speaking again.
“The entire imperial forces will be chasing you.”
“No problem.”
Once the allotted time passes and I leave, it’s over, isn’t it? People’s worries always centered on the aftermath.
Since we don’t need to worry about consequences, we can leave recklessly.
“Then, accept this.”
Deron withdrew a crescent moon-shaped necklace from his garment and handed it to me.
In that instant, the Gate transformed.
[Survive the Capital]
-Recommended Level: 56~70
-Rampage through the Capital for 6 hours while holding the sacred relic of the Moon Sect, then escape. Time remaining: 6 hours 29 minutes.
*If you attack Deron now, the Gate transformation will be cancelled.
The recommended level ceiling had risen by nearly 5 again. It meant this was no ordinary Gate. But I had no concerns.
Even if the entire imperial forces came, I had already made my decision.
[Crescent Moon Necklace (Grade A)]
-A necklace blessed by the Moon Goddess, filled with her divine essence.
-By divine jest, it now contains the power of the Sun God.
-Only followers of the Sun God can use the latent power within the necklace.
-Strength, Stamina, Agility +3. Skills ‘Blessing of Light (Grade A)’, ‘Protection of the Sun (Grade A)’ available.
The necklace I received from Deron was as follows. The Grade A specifications were impressive, but it felt ambiguous as a reward.
Only followers of the Sun God could use it. It was like a beautiful but useless fruit.
-I believe this would be better used for extracting divine essence.
Even Chun-bae said as much. For a Gate of this level, the reward felt rather underwhelming.
Perhaps there would be additional rewards upon subjugation? That might be the case.
‘Not bad, though.’
I had recently replenished Chun-bae’s divine essence, but supplies weren’t abundant. It hadn’t been a high-grade divine item.
A Grade A necklace brimming with divine essence should suffice.
-It seems we won’t have problems for a while. We should also be able to assist with Han Hye’s and the mage’s mana management additionally.
‘That works.’
After learning last time, I’d been stagnant without obtaining anything containing divine essence for a while. Being able to advance one step further was a favorable situation.
Then Deron spoke.
“And I should repay you separately for saving us.”
Wait, really? Is this actually a reward?
He truly seemed like a refined person—someone who understood propriety.
“I’m not sure why, but I feel like I should give this to you. Please accept it.”
He handed me a single sheet of paper, and strangely, it looked familiar.
[Skill Rank Promotion Voucher]
What? Here?
“Huh?”
“Oh!”
I wasn’t the only one who gasped in admiration. The guild members’ eyes lit up as well.
So the real reward wasn’t the sacred relic—it was receiving something from Deron.
“You know what this is?”
Still, Deron’s reaction seemed suspicious, so I had to ask. He’d said he didn’t know why he was giving it.
“I’m not entirely sure what it is. But I do know it’s a precious item that should be given to someone who’s helped.”
His answer was unsatisfying. Could it be something the Gate’s design had determined?
The God of Play had said that “we” created the Gate incident, so perhaps in his current state, he lacked awakening, status windows, and items.
“Do you happen to know anything more detailed about the God of Play?”
Still, I continued gathering information just in case. There was a high probability this was a world where a god had survived the erosion of mana.
“I’m afraid not. He’s someone who rarely shows himself. There’s been no response from him for a year now. This was the first sign of activity in that entire time.”
Unfortunately, there was nothing more to glean.
Then it was time to leave. But before that, I had one more favor to ask of Deron.
“How are you planning to leave the Capital?”
“If you cause enough of a disturbance, I have a place I’ve prepared to slip away through the chaos.”
“Then could you take my companions there as well?”
“Surely you’re not thinking of drawing all the attention yourself?”
Deron wasn’t the only one shocked. The guild members’ eyes widened as they stared at me.
Only Lee Shin-hee, having grasped the situation, simply nodded.
“Let’s do it.”
That way would be far more convenient.
* * *
In truth, honoring Deron’s request wasn’t going to be easy. Even if Saebyeokbit came instead of us, they would have struggled considerably.
We started from the Underground Waterway. I had no idea how many enemies awaited us outside in the Imperial Capital.
For five people—or at most ten—to survive six hours of causing chaos was deemed extremely difficult.
Moreover, the level cap had risen to a maximum of 70.
‘Choin, Earth’s number one, is now approaching level 70.’
Teams that entered according to the recommended level range of 56 to 60 would likely deem it impossible.
The modified Gate’s description even included a clause about attacking Deron.
If that were the case, they would certainly never have obtained the Skill Rank Promotion Voucher that Deron had given me.
However, my reason for accepting was singular.
‘Display the sacred relic and survive while causing chaos in the Capital? That’s easy for me.’
First, I possessed Leap. Even if surrounded, I could escape at any moment.
Still, Leap alone was risky. The reason I chose without hesitation was singular.
-Roooaaar!
“Come on, Yong-yong.”
Before parting ways, I asked Deron a question.
-Does the Imperial Palace have a Red Dragon?
-What kind of insane question is that? Why would there be a Red Dragon in the Imperial Palace?
-Is there another way to fly?
-Mages use flight magic, sure? Why are you asking that?
Even if there were a way to fly, I would have been confident with Yong-yong by my side….
In a situation like this, it would be child’s play.
‘I’ll just practice acrobatic flying for six hours.’
I climbed out of the Underground Sewers and the moment I left the streets, I grabbed the sacred relic and shouted.
“I have the sacred relic of the Moon Sect!”
Passersby looked at me like I was a madman. However, some were different.
Just as Deron said, the checkpoint was strict, and knights were patrolling everywhere.
In other words, it was time to cause chaos in the Imperial Capital of this other world.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————