Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 246
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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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246. Second Awakening
Skills: Subspace (S-rank) lv5, Scorching Heat (S-rank) lv6, Segmentation (S-rank) lv6, Leap (A-rank) lv7, Flame Resistance (A-rank) lv9, Domain (A-rank) lv1, Crescent Swordsmanship (B-rank) lv7, Cockfighting (B-rank) lv8, Universal Translation (B-rank) lv1, Swift Movement (C-rank) lv7…
From the skill window I’d confirmed, I could see that Scorching Heat, Leap, and Swift Movement had all increased in level.
I’d recharged the Scorching Heat talisman several times within the Subspace and frequently used Leap and Swift Movement skills.
Though I’d primarily relied on Segmentation when attacking Ja-tan, it was slightly disappointing that it hadn’t leveled up.
Since advancing from A-rank to S-rank made raising skill levels far more difficult, I understood why.
“Domain?”
But what caught my attention wasn’t the skills that had leveled up. I’d acquired an A-rank skill I hadn’t even known about.
This wasn’t a skill I’d obtained from defeating Ja-tan and leveling up—I would have noticed that.
I was certain I’d acquired this skill during combat. Which meant I’d undergone a Second Awakening in the midst of battle.
Just like Grendel and Ja-tan, who I’d fought, a Second Awakening had come to me as well.
‘That explains it.’
I could pinpoint the moment of awakening. It was probably when I detonated Absolute Release on Ja-tan’s carapace.
More precisely, it was when Min-jae’s lightning magic momentarily paralyzed Ja-tan.
-We’ve got it!
It was the instant I’d cried out internally with elation. When hope that I could capture Ja-tan and the burning desire to do so had swept through me like a tempest.
Suddenly, time slowed down. Even more than it already was from using Swift Movement.
I’d thought it was a phenomenon born from my intense concentration. It had happened occasionally before. But that wasn’t it.
I’d heard about the Domain skill from Chun-bae before. He’d said the Previous-Previous Princess had acquired it around level 40.
-It’s a skill that places the surrounding area under your dominion. You gain buffs while your opponent suffers debuffs.
-It depends on how you use it. You can apply general buffs, but you can also reduce specific abilities within the domain while strengthening others as compensation.
That was the conversation I’d had with Chun-bae back then. Perhaps the reason time had slowed down was because my Domain had amplified Swift Movement.
-Affirmative. You unconsciously activated Domain during your Second Awakening.
Chun-bae provided the answer. At that moment, I hadn’t been in a state to read messages or properly assess the situation.
My sole focus had been on dealing with Ja-tan right then and there.
“My mana consumption seemed accelerated too.”
I hadn’t realized it then, but looking back, my mana consumption had become extraordinarily rapid from the moment time slowed down.
“It’s not a completely different class skill, though.”
Second Awakening.
Extraordinarily rare, but it happens to monsters and Hunters alike. In the case of Hunters, they fall into two categories.
Either they acquire a skill from a different class without leveling up, or they gain a skill from another class suited to their circumstances.
The tale of a Middle Eastern Advance Team warrior acquiring a healing skill after sustaining severe injuries was famous.
‘An A-rank healing skill made him a ridiculous tank who could self-heal without consuming any healing resources.’
And there were cases like mine, where I acquired a skill from the same class.
-I actually think it’s quite favorable.
“I agree.”
Honestly, acquiring a princess’s class skill is no ordinary matter. I’m more than satisfied to obtain it this way.
Especially since Domain is a skill the Previous-Previous Princess used, isn’t it?
Since Chun-bae knows more about it in detail, it should be tremendously helpful for future applications.
-The rank is the same as the Previous-Previous Princess’s. I believe I can be of considerable assistance in skill utilization.
* * *
Defeating Ja-tan was an extraordinary triumph. After eleven years, I had finally avenged my parents.
It was possible because the matchup favored me, though that misfortune fell upon Ja-tan while fortune smiled upon me.
Unlike what I’d briefly considered before, I wasn’t merely a proxy for vengeance—I had become the principal and succeeded in my revenge.
Of course, slaying Ja-tan alone didn’t conclude my vendetta. I intended to continue playing the role of avenger.
“Sigh.”
But as they say, joy is fleeting.
In the midst of this success, I had lost much. As I regained my composure and inspected Lee Shin-hee and my equipment, a heavy sigh escaped me.
“This won’t even be fixable through crafting.”
“Right. Chun-bae’s is the same.”
First, my cloak was completely shredded. It had granted roughly one level of stats when facing enemies with hostile intent—not bad at all.
In truth, that wasn’t a major concern. Such equipment becomes necessary against monsters like Ja-tan, but in ordinary circumstances, I rarely wear stat-boosting gear anyway.
‘Just the Ring of Conspiracy and my undergarment.’
I even remove the Ring of Conspiracy during ordinary Gates. It primarily serves as something I check periodically, like a watch.
But the cloak wasn’t the only casualty. The C-rank Necklace of Protection had vanished entirely. I’d obtained it as a hidden reward back when I was low-level.
“The worms must have destroyed it while biting through.”
“This cloth…”
“I received it from Liu Zhen. Well, it served its purpose well.”
That piece had protected me from the worms’ assault while I was lost in thought, yet it was now torn beyond recovery.
Since it saved my life, I could call that a bargain.
That much I could accept. What troubled me was that the A-rank Ring of Protection I’d recently acquired during the Übermenschen incident was also destroyed.
Even Lee Shin-hee sighed at this.
“The A-rank Ring of Protection is… quite a loss.”
“If we search through all the worm’s innards, couldn’t we find it?”
“While Han Hye was sleeping, we cleared away Ja-tan completely. They said ring fragments appeared—that’s probably it.”
“Sigh…”
Lee Shin-hee scratched her head.
“What about wearing the Necklace of Darkness?”
The Necklace of Darkness—a necklace from the Dark Ruins that was a superior version of the C-rank Necklace of Protection. They’d mentioned that connected Gates would appear later.
“It’s better if Chul-gi wears that.”
There was also the Sand Soldier’s Armor, but Mister’s safety was a priority for me. I had plenty of evasion options anyway.
Lee Shin-hee continued with a serious expression.
“Then until we obtain a new protection series, I’ll protect you as much as possible.”
“Thank you.”
Hmm. Come to think of it, should I call this fortunate? The Ring of Protection disappearing while the Ring of Conspiracy survived was far better for me.
Though I’d driven back the Übermenschen, I hadn’t destroyed their full forces, so there was no telling when they’d return.
“Still, at least the undergarment can be repaired.”
“That’s true.”
Arachne’s undergarment also had holes punctured throughout by the worms’ teeth. Honestly, I was amazed it survived at all.
Perhaps it was thanks to wearing the True Armor over the undergarment? In any case, repair was possible.
-However, if Arachne’s inner armor sustains damage again, it won’t be repaired.
There are limits to craftsmanship, after all. It’s also why I haven’t had Min-jae apply his craftsmanship to my better equipment yet.
I wear Arachne’s inner armor because it excels in comfort and allows for fluid movement, so I’ll need to be extra careful with it.
-Han Hye, I’d recommend you inspect Essirel instead.
At that moment, Chun-bae spoke in a serious tone.
‘Essirel? Why?’
Suddenly, the memory surfaced. When I had brought my sword down on Ja-tan’s skull, sparks had scattered across Essirel.
I’d used the hammer afterward, but could it be…?
“Sigh.”
With growing urgency, I examined Essirel, and according to the weapon’s status, there were no major issues at first glance.
Yet it wasn’t entirely unscathed either.
“Something does feel slightly different.”
-It was quite a significant impact. The blade has weakened noticeably. Should it endure another similar shock, the sword will suffer damage.
“Is craftsmanship the only answer?”
-Affirmative. I recommend having it crafted before it’s too late.
Damn. A twinge of regret lingers. Now that Min-jae has reached A-rank craftsmanship level 3, he can work with B-rank metals, but…
Essirel is nearly S-rank A-grade. I’d prefer to have him work with at least A-grade metals.
The Hunter Association’s research has confirmed that using metals of the same grade or higher yields superior effects on equipment.
I could hold off and risk disaster, but it’s frustrating nonetheless.
“Couldn’t we just monitor it a bit longer?”
-I’d recommend doing it once rather than waiting and inviting catastrophe. You’ve already surpassed level 60, so you might acquire better equipment soon.
“True enough.”
I decided to heed Chun-bae’s advice.
I have the Poetic Blade as a secondary weapon, but I barely use it now. Considering my current level, the gap between it and Essirel is too vast.
I’ll entrust the craftsmanship to Min-jae soon. At least Essirel didn’t break—a blessing, given how durable Ja-tan was.
One never knows. Like with the Poetic Blade, an extraordinary synergy might emerge.
* * *
[Wishing for Hunter Han Hye’s swift recovery]
[Paying respects to Hunter Han Hye’s valiant efforts]
[Honoring the courageous struggle…]
[Admiration for the warrior who achieved vengeance!]
The morning after I finished equipment inspection with Lee Shin-hee, I found myself inundated with countless gifts.
“Pardon? Presidents?”
“Essentially, gifts sent by various nations.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I asked, though the reason was obvious enough. In the late level 50s, I had defeated Ja-tan, which had emerged from a colossal Gate.
Given my absurd growth rate, surpassing the Advance Team wouldn’t take long either.
‘So this fourth wave Gate incident ultimately stems from the Australia situation.’
Before the Australia situation is resolved, who knows when another fifth or sixth-tier Gate outbreak will occur.
No, even if the Australia situation is resolved, the Gates will only grow stronger eventually.
These gifts were groundwork for that time. To create a pretext for requesting assistance if our country isn’t in urgent need.
There’s no reason to refuse such things.
‘Once I accept them, that’s that.’
Whether to help can be decided based on the situation at that time. In any case, gifts have arrived from over twenty sources.
Not only from Hunter powerhouses like the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, but from various other nations as well.
[Kalos Elixir (B-Rank)]
-An elixir from Kalos, a Healer who aids bodily recovery.
-While not quite as potent as a true Elixir, those with severe injuries who consume it experience dramatically accelerated physical healing.
One gift stood out as particularly thoughtful—it came from the United States, and I could feel they’d genuinely understood my situation before sending it.
I’d already held them in favorable regard for some time. Of course, their intention to win my favor was transparent, but wasn’t that still a good thing?
“Most of the rest appear to be B-Rank elixirs.”
“Equipment tends to be unnecessary and ambiguous in terms of fit, after all.”
“Elixirs are always welcome in any quantity, though.”
In truth, most of the elixirs produced recently from the Subspace Farm had been distributed to my guild members.
I could consume them myself, but my stats are already overwhelmingly broken.
It feels better for everyone in the guild to grow stronger together rather than just me alone. Chun-bae advised the same.
But this time, there were simply too many.
“We should set aside what we need and distribute the rest to those around us.”
“Those around us?”
Lee Shin-hee looked startled. It was a natural reaction—distributing B-Rank elixirs was no trivial matter.
“The Swordsmanship Meeting, and I think it would be fine to send one each to Saebyeokbit, Chulbyeok, and Fist King.”
Given time, I could consume them all myself, but fighting Ja-tan taught me something: preventing erosion is impossible for me alone.
Without Mister and Min-jae’s help this time, I wouldn’t have created an opening. Especially Min-jae’s lightning proved invaluable.
The same applied to Han Chul, who protected our rear, and Lee Shin-hee, who cast buffs and healing.
Without Fist King, I might have died against the Übermenschen.
‘Besides, those people aren’t ones who simply receive without giving back.’
It was certain their kindness would return to me in good form someday.
Just then, there came a knock on the hospital room door. It was Seo-ung. His expression wasn’t good.
“Has something gone wrong?”
“No, that’s not it.”
I wondered if another outbreak Gate had appeared, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“I originally wasn’t going to mention it, but since it’s a request specifically naming you, I came to relay it.”
“What kind of request?”
“China has sent a Hunter cooperation request.”
“What?”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“Are they insane?”
I was aware of China’s situation. One ultra-giant Gate had erupted, and while that Gate incident was being wrapped up, another one appeared.
Our country experienced the same situation—two ultra-giant tier monsters erupting simultaneously.
The problem is that China doesn’t have Lei Chuang. They barely managed to contain the first ultra-giant, but… the Advance Team members from China suffered severe injuries.
In other words, they lacked the forces to withstand a second ultra-giant. I’d call it reaping what they sowed.
“Didn’t Hunter cooperation already fall apart after that last incident?”
“That’s correct. China is in a state of Hunter isolation. However, they’re shamelessly requesting assistance from neighboring countries.”
“Even from Russia?”
“Yes.”
A smirk escaped me—I could already predict Fist King’s reaction. Still, I wanted to hear it directly from his lips.
“What did Fist King say?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Tell me plainly.”
“Are they insane? Go to hell, he said.”
I laughed heartily at that.
“Relay the same message.”
These shameless bastards. How many Hunters do they have? They expect to stop it with sheer numbers.
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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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