Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 248

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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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248. Linked Type?
—Clang!
The final touch of the engraving was nothing more than a gesture from Min-seok. The metal that had been pressed against Escirel had gradually melted away during the engraving process.
That metal touched the blade tip that had struck Ja-tan, and Min-seok’s carving knife struck the metal.
—Whoosh!
In that instant, a wave of mana rippled outward. Though some of the Gate metal remained, everyone could tell the engraving was complete.
Min-seok exhaled deeply and cried out, still gripping the carving knife.
“Hyung! It’s done!”
I grinned, and Min-seok wiped his sweat with a towel placed nearby. Then, carefully, he picked up Escirel and handed it to me.
“Oh!”
And as I received Escirel, I couldn’t suppress my admiration.
[Escirel (A)]
—Balance overwhelms all else.
—A masterwork blade forged by the master smith of an era for the swordsman he loves.
—A skilled engraver detected the minute fractures within the blade, making it far sharper than before.
—Skill ‘Shatter Slash (A-rank)’ is now usable. However, use with caution as it strains the blade.
Instead of the usual description about being difficult to break, there was now an addition about detecting fractures and becoming sharper.
I was already satisfied with just this much. But then an A-rank skill called Shatter Slash appeared. I couldn’t help but marvel.
Just like the Elegance Blade from last time, this sword also gained a skill. Honestly, I had hoped for a great success, but my expectations weren’t high.
It was inevitable—engraving B-rank metal onto an A-rank blade that had developed some fractures.
“I wanted to refine the fractures inside the blade and make it more durable, but that seemed beyond my skill level.”
Min-seok spoke carefully, gauging my reaction.
“So I invested the minimum into patching the fractures and focused on the offensive aspect. Since the blade got damaged when we faced Ja-tan… I hoped this would help in situations like that…”
As he continued speaking, his words grew fainter—clearly worried I might not be satisfied.
Unsatisfied? Absolutely not.
“This is seriously amazing. Way better than the Elegance Blade from last time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Look—an A-rank skill appeared.”
“Huh…!”
It seemed he had been too nervous to properly examine Escirel after finishing the engraving.
He looked confident while working, but hesitated after handing over the blade—he was still just a kid, after all.
—Shatter Slash is a skill I’m familiar with. This engraver’s talent exceeds my initial assessment.
‘Is that all?’
—Affirmative. It’s an effective skill against monsters with hard armor like Ja-tan. To intentionally infuse an A-rank skill like that…
If Chun-bae was impressed to this degree, Min-seok’s abilities were beyond what I had initially thought.
It seemed the old man’s decision to yield the skill tier authority to Min-seok was an excellent choice.
—Once a high-grade weapon develops a fracture, it’s difficult to repair. I didn’t expect him to accomplish both simultaneously.
‘True. The blade’s fracture remains, but I would have been amazed just by this alone.’
The description did mention that using Shatter Slash would strain the blade each time, but that didn’t matter.
Hadn’t the blade endured strain when I struck Ja-tan?
Fracture Slash meant at least I was dealing damage to my enemies. And hadn’t Chun-bae mentioned it too?
If you’re level 60 or higher, you can acquire better swords while making the rounds through Gates.
‘An A-rank sword would be well within my means to purchase.’
Yong-yong had amassed an enormous fortune through merchandise sales. Moreover, my Subspace was brimming with Gate coins.
Equipment of A-rank and above typically wasn’t sold on the open market, but my circumstances were favorable.
It’s awkward for me to say it myself, but the entire world was trying to curry favor with me these days.
If I offered fair compensation to purchase an A-rank sword, it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain.
“Min-seok. I’m telling you, it was absolutely incredible. You heard, right?”
“Yes! Hehe. Anyway, I’m glad you’re pleased, hyung!”
Since the Association Staff was present, I couldn’t relay Chun-bae’s words directly, so I’d have to save the details for this evening.
Min-seok was thrilled. The Mister who heard the story was equally excited.
“Heh. I was right to give Min-seok the skill-grade rights after all.”
The Mister suddenly tilted his head in confusion, then abruptly grabbed Min-seok’s hand.
“Min-seok.”
“Hm?”
“But why doesn’t Dad’s equipment ever get a critical success…?”
“Uh…”
Well. I’d let the father and son work that out between themselves. I was about to step back when—
‘Hyung!’
Min-seok’s mouth gaped open as he sent me a desperate signal for help.
Sigh. Since I’d given him two critical successes, I suppose I owed him a hand.
“Well, I was simply fortunate, sir.”
“So only you’re lucky, then?”
“That appears to be the case.”
“…I see.”
The Mister picked up his chopsticks with a dejected expression. Well, it seemed Min-seok would need to polish his craftsmanship more diligently.
* * *
As time passed, public interest in the Fourth Gate Catastrophe was gradually waning.
Though it had been a major event affecting not just our nation but the entire world, people still had to live their daily lives.
In the midst of routine, even monumental events fade quickly. Of course, regions that suffered severe damage found this difficult.
China was the prime example.
-No, why would you give us something like this…?
-Thank you so much. I’ll repay your kindness!
In the meantime, I completed my rehabilitation and distributed the elixirs I’d received from various nations. I started with Saebyeokbit first.
I made the rounds starting with Shin Chang. To be honest, the reactions weren’t explosively enthusiastic.
They were grateful for the rare B-rank elixirs, but as Advance Team hunters, they were accustomed to such things.
Since I hadn’t given them expecting grand treatment, it didn’t matter.
-I’ve received the elixirs. I’ll bring a gift when we meet next time.
I also sent an elixir to Fist King of Russia through the Hunter Association. His tone was calm over the phone, but I felt a spark of anticipation.
It was only natural—these were gifts in return from Saebyeokbit and Fist King. Though my intentions were mixed in this gesture, such generosity was no simple matter.
I distributed over ten B-grade elixirs. In Korean currency alone, that’s roughly 350 to 400 billion won worth of items.
Because of this, the Swordsmanship Meeting showed an explosive reaction.
.
.
.
Kim Dong-hyuk, a member of the Swordsmanship Meeting, felt immense gratitude every time he saw me.
—’Actually, it was an S-grade swordsmanship technique!’ What nonsense. My technique was garbage.
Even though it was S-grade, the performance was poor, so I’d been calling it C-grade—and he was the one who revealed its true potential.
But he didn’t stop there. He even gifted me a B-grade swordsmanship secret technique that suited my style.
It’s worth tens of billions. With the money I have, I could never obtain it even if I died and came back to life.
Yet Han Hye gave it to me without any compensation, simply saying, ‘I’m from the Dragon Guild anyway,’ as if it were nothing.
—’And that’s not even the end of it.’
After Han Hye’s words, I looked at my swordsmanship again. When I thought of it not as garbage technique but as a late-blooming type, everything changed.
Truly, just by changing my mindset, my abilities transformed. Even inside Gates, I moved more aggressively.
—Dong-hyuk! That’s amazing! Did you obtain something somewhere?
I did acquire an additional B-grade swordsmanship technique, but its level wasn’t high yet. That wasn’t why my performance had changed.
—’It was all a matter of mindset.’
So I continued my hunter life diligently, following Han Hye’s advice.
“Pardon? B, B-grade elixirs?”
“For all of us?”
“What do you mean…?”
But now I was saying I’d give B-grade elixirs to everyone in the Swordsmanship Meeting.
“I received them from several places this time, but the quantity is too much for me to consume alone.”
Too much quantity? Elixirs were items you could stockpile and consume over time as needed.
Scattering 35 billion won worth of items like this—Kim Dong-hyuk’s mind simply couldn’t comprehend it.
“Han Hye! How could I ever repay such kindness!”
Lee Hong-ju from the Iron Wall Guild was also marveling and making a fuss. Of course, it was Team 4 of Iron Wall, but wasn’t that the number one guild in the country?
—’Is this person an angel?’
Kim Dong-hyuk couldn’t help but be deeply moved. It was like a favorite celebrity personally giving him a gift.
“Your growth is remarkable enough, but… I never imagined back then that I’d receive elixir gifts from Han Hye like this.”
Those were the words of Lee Sang-yeop, who had invited me to the Swordsmanship Meeting, and Kim Dong-hyuk found himself nodding along.
Han Hye awakened later than I did, didn’t she? When I first heard the news, I never imagined the gap would grow this wide.
Of course, there were many elixirs, but there was a reason I distributed them to the Swordsmanship Meeting.
First, it was so we could all develop together, even if only slightly. Second, it was because of Shin Chang.
“As some of you may know, Shin Chang created the Spear Arts Society, right? They’re holding a martial tournament there.”
“I’ve heard about it.”
Lee Hong-ju from the Iron Wall Guild nodded.
“They say Lei Chuang’s spear is at stake… I apologize that I’m not at that level.”
“What? No need to apologize. We’re not shameless people like that.”
“That’s right. Just receiving the elixirs has Dong-hyuk here tearing up!”
“Huh? Me, what tears am I…?”
“Your eyes have gotten misty…”
Kim Dong-hyuk hurriedly wiped his eyes, and Han Hye continued speaking.
“Anyway, I think it’s because of our Swordsmanship Meeting.”
“Because of us?”
“Why is that?”
While Lee Sang-yeop and Kim Dong-hyuk voiced their confusion, only Lee Hong-ju nodded at Han Hye’s words.
“That’s right. From the moment you came to watch the meeting, your eyes had an unusual gleam. And I heard something.”
“Heard something?”
“We have someone in our guild who attends the Spear Arts Society. They told me to be prepared because they’d be coming for me soon.”
Han Hye nodded. Of course. There was definitely a reason behind Shin Chang’s Spear Arts Society tournament.
“Could it be that the reason you gave us the elixir was…?”
Now that the conversation had reached this point, all the members of the Swordsmanship Meeting could grasp Han Hye’s intention.
“I wanted everyone to grow a little stronger and win. No matter how strong Shin Chang is, our meeting was the original, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right. When everyone else was too concerned about their market value to do something like this, you and Sang-yeop led the meeting.”
It was the moment Lee Hong-ju nodded in agreement.
“I’ll prepare with all my heart!”
Kim Dong-hyuk shouted passionately. It was a genuine desire to help Han Hye.
“?”
Of course, to everyone else, he’d just become some strange person who suddenly yelled.
“Ah, my apologies…”
“When you’re full of enthusiasm, these things happen. It’s about fighting spirit. I really want to win too.”
Knight Lee Hong-ju nodded. And so the Swordsmanship Meeting began preparing for their confrontation with the Spear Arts Society.
* * *
[Lv62 Sky Lord, Han Hye]
Strength: 84(+3)
Agility: 92(+5, +1)
Stamina: 100(+1)
Spirit: 70
Mana: 110(+1)
Bonus Points: 6
I’d distributed the elixirs, but naturally I’d kept some for myself. Following Chun-bae’s advice, I consumed an elixir that raised my strength stat, and it went up by 3 points.
Well, that wasn’t really the important part.
“I think it’s about time we entered a Gate.”
“Yeah. Watching you spar with me, you were flying all over the place.”
My rehabilitation had finished perfectly, and it seemed I was ready to enter a Gate now. Everyone had broken through the level 60 wall by defeating Ja-tan.
I could confidently call myself an S-rank Hunter now. Of course, I’d already submitted the application. Passing it wouldn’t be a problem.
We decided to announce it after this Gate expedition. It’s just that it might seem too fast, even if no one doubts our abilities. We only became A-rank Hunters not long ago.
Anyway, this Gate was quite important to us for other reasons too.
“A level 60 Gate without even experiencing a few level 50 Gates first.”
“It’ll get more difficult, won’t it?”
“Probably. They say level 50+ Gates and level 60+ Gates are on a completely different scale. Well, with you around, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
The uncle said this, but I shook my head.
“Still, we can’t afford to be careless. I’ve found Hidden dungeons and cleared them easily before, but things are definitely harder than they used to be.”
Therefore, our next Gate selection needed to be made with careful deliberation.
“Should we use our priority if there’s a suitable place? Or would you prefer to gain experience safely first?”
It was while I was contemplating this before the announcement that Seo-ung called.
-Han Hye. A new Gate has appeared, but… there’s a personnel restriction condition attached. More specifically, the entry condition is ‘Dragon Guild members’ themselves. Do you happen to know what this is about…?”
“What? The entry condition specifies our guild members?”
-Since this is our first time experiencing something like this, we contacted you right away.
The first thing that came to mind was the God of Play. Could this bastard be up to something again?
It was Chun-bae who spoke up then.
-It’s probably the work of demons.
‘Demons?’
-Didn’t you receive Heuk-ha’s necklace before?
Ah. Now I remembered. The necklace the uncle has been wearing. I’d received it when awakening the Unnamed Demon.
When the time came, it would appear nearby—was that what it meant?
‘Wait a moment.’
From what I’d heard back then, we were supposed to face a Demon Realm Grand Duke…
Is that even possible for us right now?

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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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