Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 251

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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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251. Abyss Valley (3)
—Han Hye, be careful. While the Demon Realm Count falls far short of an Archduke’s power, he remains formidable nonetheless.
‘I know.’
Han Hye nodded at Chun-bae’s warning.
Though she’d issued her challenge with flair, Han Hye could sense it too. Toljet carried an entirely different aura than the demon soldiers from before.
‘This won’t be easy. He doesn’t seem like the type who’d actually come out for a genuine one-on-one duel.’
Han Hye’s suspicion was correct. The Gate hadn’t originally been structured this way. Through no intention of her own, unforeseen variables had altered its composition.
Ironically, Han Hye found the situation acceptable. She preferred it to facing multiple opponents at once.
Since Toljet had declared it a duel, his subordinates widened their distance, creating space.
In the heart of Abyss Valley, a small arena took shape.
“Hah.”
Han Hye tightened the C-rank gauntlet on her left hand while gripping Escirel in her right. It was equipment she’d acquired separately, following the Fist King’s counsel.
Designed with emphasis on lightness and durability, this was her first real combat test with it.
“Let’s begin.”
The moment Toljet spoke, the atmosphere shifted entirely. Han Hye felt the surrounding mana grow heavier, denser.
‘Is this the power of a Demon Realm Count?’
The concentrated mana pressed against her like a physical force. It didn’t matter.
She’d rested in the Subspace while treating Nereion.
“Ryouiki Tenkai….”
Han Hye invoked her domain, murmuring the incantation. Since she’d been dissatisfied before, she omitted the rest.
The Dragon Guild members reacted differently upon hearing it.
“…?”
Lee Shin-hee and Kim Han-chul tilted their heads in confusion, while Choi Chul-gi let out an exasperated sigh.
“That madwoman. Speaking it aloud like that….”
Meanwhile, Seo Min-jae’s eyes gleamed.
“Wow, that’s incredibly cool.”
Han Hye caught only Min-jae’s words and grinned wickedly, charging forward. Toljet’s eyes flashed with interest.
—He uses teleportation to distort his body’s movement patterns. Making himself sluggish or explosively fast….
He’d already heard from his subordinates about the enemy’s abilities. He didn’t find them particularly concerning.
‘Mere tricks.’
Teleportation warranted some attention, but techniques affecting the body itself didn’t worry him.
Debuff-type abilities were familiar to Toljet.
Protecting himself with dense mana while pressuring his opponent served that very purpose.
To deny such tricks any opening, he instead crushed Han Hye beneath his own oppressive force.
‘Huh?’
Yet Han Hye charged through Toljet’s pressure without hesitation, as though it had no effect whatsoever.
Her domain’s ability—it mitigated external pressure to a manageable degree.
And now Han Hye’s power pressed back against Toljet. He felt his movements grow subtly sluggish.
This occurred despite the dense mana wreathing his body.
—Clang!
Blade met blade. Toljet furrowed his brow.
“How is this…?”
“What do you mean how? I’m simply stronger.”
Han Hye, victorious in the invisible clash of forces, swung her sword with a sharp grin.
Of course, her mind remained coldly analytical.
‘Domain manifestation isn’t working as well against him as it did against those others.’
Chun-bae had once explained that domain manifestation’s effectiveness varied depending on the target’s resistance. The stronger the opponent, the less the domain manifestation could take hold.
‘It would be better to strengthen myself rather than pressure him.’
Even if I could replenish my mana consumption in the Subspace, allowing the flow of battle to crumble against a formidable opponent wasn’t ideal. The effect wasn’t significant enough to justify that risk.
Therefore, Han Hye decided to use it only at the moment of collision.
—Clang!
—Crash!
Several exchanges unfolded rapidly in quick succession.
Han Hye responded not only by increasing her agility but also by reinforcing her strength at the moment of blade impact.
Domain manifestation and demonic pressure. Apart from these invisible battles of force, it was purely a clash of swordsmanship.
Neither Han Hye nor Toljet used other powers. Of course, both were aware of this.
‘Is he saving teleportation as a trump card?’
‘He seems to be using swordsmanship because this is a duel, but since he’s a traitor, I can’t trust when he’ll stab me in the back.’
It was also why neither pushed too hard. Neither knew what techniques the other possessed.
‘For now, let’s enjoy this.’
Han Hye was satisfied with this situation. Toljet had considerable skill with the blade.
Even as he mixed defense, swift counterattacks, and throwing techniques, he was being pushed back.
‘Concise and sharp.’
Parrying incoming strikes and launching quick counterattacks was similar to Han Hye’s own swordsmanship, making this an especially valuable exchange.
Of course, this swordplay didn’t last long.
—Whoosh!
Toljet changed the direction of combat first. Demonic energy surged from Han Hye’s shadow.
Materialized demonic energy aimed at her back.
—Crackle!
Scorching flames immediately incinerated the shadow. She could respond instantly because her senses were on high alert.
Han Hye put distance between them and narrowed her eyes at Toljet.
“Resorting to such cheap tricks to stab me in the back. Is that what being a traitor does to you?”
“…?”
Toljet, taking it as an unexpected provocation, grew furious.
“You lowly creature…!”
“?”
Han Hye tilted her head in confusion.
* * *
“?”
Wait, what? Why is he angry?
I had been preparing, sure, but wasn’t this supposed to be a duel decided by swordsmanship? A duel, they said.
“A duel, you said? And here I thought you were all about honor and calling yourself some great warrior, then you use grappling techniques. You said you’d use grappling techniques, so why….”
I couldn’t fathom what had suddenly gotten under his skin.
“Grappling techniques are only grappling techniques when you use them.”
Was he talking about Domain manifestation?
“That’s only because you pressured me with mana first.”
I responded quickly. To be honest, I would’ve used Domain manifestation anyway even if he hadn’t. Without it, I’d be pushed back hard. So technically, what I said was fact, wasn’t it?
But regardless, the outcome that unfolded was the truth, wasn’t it?
“….”
He stared at me for a moment with a vacant expression. His pride was clearly wounded.
Where had I seen that look before….
Was it when people used to criticize me in the past? But the situation seems different now.
I don’t know. Either way, I was the one who should be annoyed.
‘That was just getting good.’
I was in that state where something seemed about to click in my mind while facing similar swordplay. Then he broke it by attacking with shadows.
“So what exactly is a duel? You drew your sword and asked Diluvian to duel, so I thought you meant pure swordplay only.”
“…Did you not use teleportation for that reason too?”
I was actually saving that to use after exchanging some decent sword techniques and finding an opening….
But this wasn’t the time to be that honest.
“Of course.”
Toljet’s eyes widened. Somehow, his understanding of a duel seemed different from mine.
I glanced at Diluvian, and he shook his head. Was a duel supposed to be about pouring all your strength into full power?
There seemed to be some misunderstanding. I don’t think it was my fault.
I mean, he’s a Demon Realm noble, right? He even said ‘duel’. So I thought it would be different.
“Can I use other things? If so, I’ll use them too.”
“…haha.”
The count, who had been staring at me for a moment, let out a hollow laugh.
He was clearly giving it his all, and my response like this had wounded his pride.
“Fine. I understand you’re not an ordinary human. Let’s settle this with swords, as you wish.”
Unintentionally, the situation had unfolded exactly as I wanted. It was naturally something to welcome. I quickly added one more thing.
“Until you use shadows, we’re doing what we were doing before, right?”
I asked, wondering if I should perhaps release my Domain manifestation.
“Do as you wish.”
“Well, let’s just do what we were doing. Worrying about that will just get in the way anyway.”
“Hoh?”
His eyes gleamed, but honestly it was for personal reasons. Without Domain manifestation, I’d be pushed back quite a bit.
His pressure came from the explosive momentum, and using Domain manifestation actually helped me more than not using it.
—Whoosh!
Toljet spun his sword once and repositioned it. The atmosphere grew more solemn.
“Come.”
It was then that Chul-gi stepped in.
“Hye! Be careful! That bastard’s a traitor. Who knows when he’ll stab you in the back again!”
“Of course.”
The moment I nodded, veins bulged across Toljet’s forehead.
“You damned wretches…!”
It was a perfect assist from Chul-gi. I didn’t miss the opening as Toljet’s rage consumed him and rushed forward.
* * *
“This is rough.”
“We’re being pushed back.”
“Don’t worry. Hye isn’t going all out yet. She’s only using her blade.”
“The wounds….”
“We have the Subspace for that.”
Han Hye pressed forward, probing Toljet’s defenses, but it wasn’t enough to seize victory.
As Han Hye herself had acknowledged, Toljet’s swordsmanship surpassed hers. His physical prowess was equally superior.
Without the support of my Domain skill, the situation would have been far more dire. Still, the exchange of blades was satisfying.
I was gaining enlightenment in real time.
‘So that approach works better here?’
This was my first time facing an opponent with similar swordplay, and that experience proved invaluable.
I wove together Imperial foundational technique, Cresean swordplay, and Throwing Stance seamlessly.
Among the movements I envisioned, some of Toljet’s responses were superior.
His counters flowed into my mind and reassembled with my existing knowledge.
‘If I blend Throwing Stance there, the counterattack becomes….’
Whoosh—! Escirel grazed Toljet’s hair. Indeed, my blade grew sharper with each passing moment.
Of course, such insights came at a price.
Screech—!
In the process of actualizing those mental realizations, I surrendered my body to Toljet’s blade several times.
The wounds weren’t deep, but they accumulated until blood soaked through my clothes and dripped down my frame.
A one-on-one duel. Due to Diluvian’s objection, I couldn’t use Lee Shin-hee’s healing or buffs. Everyone could see how the bleeding made my movements increasingly labored.
Yet even Toljet’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.
‘This bastard….’
At first, his skill was clearly inferior to mine. I hadn’t pressed aggressively, uncertain of his capabilities, but he was unmistakably a step below.
That’s why I’d agreed to a duel ‘with blades alone’.
Everyone now understood that I’d thought an opponent a step below wouldn’t need my full strength.
It was a blow to my dignity as a Demon Realm noble. So I’d sought to crush this human with my blade.
‘What in the abyss is this creature?’
I’d meant to toy with him and demonstrate the gap in power, but with each blade exchange, he kept pace with my technique.
I was Toljet, who’d lived for centuries. I could immediately recognize the considerable talent of the human before me.
The situation wasn’t unfolding as intended. I’d meant to play with a human, yet it grew increasingly difficult. Just now had been dangerous.
My subordinates surely sensed it too.
‘Perhaps it’s time to end this….’
Toljet gripped his sword hand tighter. But it was already too late. Han Hye had entered a state of complete absorption.
This was her first time facing someone slightly stronger than herself who wielded a similar swordsmanship style.
Yet her experience was far from lacking. Liu Zhen, Shin Chang, the Fist King—facing countless masters had left her mind brimming with unresolved questions.
How should she have countered them? What potential lay in refining her current movements?
‘Like this.’
Toljet didn’t possess all the answers, but as their blades crossed, she glimpsed a new thread of understanding.
Drawing from what his swordsmanship could teach her.
‘….’
In that moment, time seemed to freeze around Han Hye. It wasn’t the power of speed or domain manifestation.
And within that frozen instant, sparks ignited across her mind.
‘I don’t need to rely solely on Imperial Foundation swordsmanship for linear defense.’
‘If I use Chicken Step with my left hand as the Fist King suggested, while employing Swift Blade….’
‘I can execute Imperial Foundation defense with my left fist instead.’
Advice and contemplation merged together.
Han Hye had experienced moments of enlightenment before, but never had her horizons opened so dramatically.
It couldn’t have been otherwise.
‘This is neither Crescia swordsmanship, nor Chicken Step, nor Imperial Foundation swordsmanship.’
Unlike before, when she’d combined the three in her own way, this revelation unified all three into one.
Her left fist’s Chicken Step channeled Imperial Foundation swordsmanship into an Iron Wall defense, while Swift Blade flowed beneath the Chicken Step’s movements.
‘If I think of my left fist as a rooster’s wing, perhaps I can call it Iron Wing Chicken Step Blade.’
The moment Han Hye’s understanding crystallized, frozen time began to move again.
[You have opened a path of martial arts through your own insight.]
[Skills Crescia Swordsmanship (Grade B), Chicken Step (Grade B), and Imperial Foundation Swordsmanship (Grade E) merge together.]
[You acquire the unique skill ‘Iron Wing Chicken Step Blade (Grade A)’.]

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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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