Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 262

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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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262. Australia Subjugation Preparations
“Dong-hyuk, let’s have a drink.”
The guild master’s words came after the Gate subjugation. It wasn’t a casual remark, and Kim Dong-hyuk had already anticipated what he might say.
“I think it’s time I went my own way.”
The Swordsmanship Meeting that Kim Dong-hyuk had joined through Lee Sang-yeop’s introduction had been an extraordinary turning point in his life.
It was thanks to the Space Mage, once a rising star and now part of the Advance Team.
Originally, he’d attended to develop his S-rank swordsmanship even slightly—a skill he’d dismissed as C-rank due to poor performance.
But he hadn’t held great expectations. His swordsmanship was merely a makeshift technique.
-That skill has incredible potential, you know.
Yet when he saw the Space Mage use his own swordsmanship properly and heard those words, his mindset shifted.
The change came in that very moment.
‘So it really was S-rank.’
As confidence bloomed in his swordsmanship, Kim Dong-hyuk’s demeanor transformed. More proactive. And the results turned decidedly positive.
-Wow, he’s insane?
-Did Dong-hyuk secretly consume some elixir?
-Isn’t this the effect of an S-rank elixir, not just any elixir?
Though the Space Mage had gifted him secret swordsmanship techniques, that alone couldn’t explain everything.
He’d always faced enemies with nothing but tension, but once confidence took root, combat became easier instead.
Could mindset alone create such a transformation? It was a change even he found difficult to believe. His teammates loved it.
But such positive reactions didn’t last long.
-What about this Gate?
-Dong-hyuk, that one’s too tough.
-It’s worth trying. Last time too….
-No. You fought well and managed somehow, but that was dangerous too. Besides, it doesn’t align with our guild’s philosophy.
He’d been living an ordinary hunter’s life. His teammates were ordinary hunters as well. While there was no outright discord, disagreements arose frequently.
The guild master poured Kim Dong-hyuk a drink.
“You know I don’t dislike you, right?”
“I know.”
From level 10 until now, surpassing level 40, they’d been together for years. Two members had changed, but he’d remained with the guild master all this time.
“We’re overwhelmed. I don’t even like that you’re being considerate of us.”
“It’s fine though….”
“It’s not fine for me. Especially lately, you look like a hunter destined to climb higher. I’m not kicking you out—I’m setting you free.”
Unlike journeyman hunters who leave their teams upon growing stronger, Kim Dong-hyuk had remained, considerate of his teammates.
There had been temptations.
-Dong-hyuk. I’m serious—would you join Iron Wall?
Lee Hong-ju had extended an invitation at the Swordsmanship Meeting. It wasn’t mere small talk. After his conversation with Han Hye, Kim Dong-hyuk had been growing noticeably.
Not merely in level, but in his attitude toward the blade and his swordsmanship itself. Knight Lee Hong-ju had taken note of it.
-I truly appreciate the offer, but let me think it over.
Yet he’d remained with the guild precisely because these people were worth it.
“I understand.”
“Keep in touch like this, yeah?”
“Of course. Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“No, that’s not it.”
But now was the time to take another step forward.
* * *
Korea’s Australia subjugation team had been decided, but the roster hadn’t been announced yet. They were delaying the announcement as long as possible.
Well, everyone expected me to be included anyway. I’d said as much in the interview.
[Saebyeokbit staying in Korea?]
The reason for delaying the roster announcement was to deceive the Übermenschen. No matter how much I considered contingencies, they wouldn’t be able to reach Australia.
Whether they came by ship or plane, missiles would be flying before they ever arrived.
Setting Australia as a coordinate with the Secretary? I’d considered that too, but they’d been watching since we started discussing the Australia subjugation behind the scenes.
Didn’t the coordinate Secretary reveal itself to the world when they came after me?
‘Every nation has been on high alert since then.’
The Übermenschen could suddenly appear and disappear in the Capital itself, not just coming by water or sky.
It was only natural to monitor Australia ahead of the subjugation.
If they’d already set coordinates there before the Australia subjugation, there’d be no way out…
But realistically, that was unlikely. If they caused trouble, it would be terrorism, so we had to prepare as much as possible.
[China’s active participation in Australia subjugation—truly risking danger?]
In any case, I heard that with China’s help, the Australia subjugation was picking up considerable speed. China was cooperating unexpectedly.
[China participating in Australia subjugation to stabilize domestic politics?]
Some held a different view. Political turmoil was brewing within China following the Lei Chuang and Wang Tao incident.
It made sense—Lei Chuang had been China’s top hunter. Even if he’d been an ally of those currently controlling the Public Security Bureau, internal factions would have existed.
The theory was that China had made a similar choice to waging war during domestic difficulties—sending hunters they’d marked internally to the frontlines of the Australia subjugation.
For instance, weren’t they sending hunters they’d targeted within China to the vanguard of the Australia operation?
‘What’s this about?’
It was a natural question for me. Considering that Liu Zhen was China’s second coup aspirant, if the outcome was like this, he wouldn’t have stepped forward first.
Hmm. Could it be to look better to China and infiltrate from within? That possibility existed too.
Or it could be a three-way conflict. Based on last time, Liu Zhen had collaborators.
There would be three factions: Liu Zhen’s side, the displaced Lei Chuang, and the current Public Security Bureau.
‘Even if they send Wang Tao’s faction, the current regime’s forces would still have to go to Australia…’
Could Liu Zhen be planning to eliminate both groups? I don’t know. It’s hard to grasp from the outside. It wasn’t important to me anyway.
In any case, thanks to China, word was that we’d depart within three months at most, possibly two.
-I’m not entirely certain about that either…
I asked Seo-ung directly, and he said it wasn’t confirmed yet. But the probability is high, he said.
Since no one knows when the release-type will erupt, each nation is in meetings without dragging their feet.
“So we’re entering Gates 2 and 3?”
“At most.”
Two weeks had passed since the initial announcement, leaving roughly a month and a half. Among that time, I planned not to enter any Gates two weeks before the Australia subjugation.
Just like preparing for the Übermenschen last time, I needed to avoid even minor complications.
“Right now, there’s nothing particularly calling to me.”
I’d already used my priority selection at the previous Gate, and the decent ones had been claimed by other high-level guilds.
“Let’s just go anywhere. We need time to prepare anyway.”
There was no need to deliberately choose a difficult Gate. It would be nice to boost my specs before the Australia subjugation, but it wasn’t necessary either.
I also needed to become more familiar with the Iron Wing Swordsmanship Technique.
* * *
[Lv69 Void Lord, Han Hye]
Strength: 90
Agility: 95(+5, +1)
Stamina: 103(+1)
Spirit: 83(+3)
Mana: 113(+1)
Bonus Points: 20
Skills: Subspace (S-rank) Lv6, Incinerate (S-rank) Lv6, Severance (S-rank) Lv6, Leap (A-rank) Lv7, Flame Resistance (A-rank) Lv9, Domain Formation (A-rank) Lv2, Iron Wing Swordsmanship Technique (A-rank) Lv5, Universal Translation (B-rank) Lv1, Swiftness (C-rank) Lv7, Cold Resistance (C-rank) Lv4, Toxin Resistance (D-rank) Lv6
Three weeks had passed since then.
With a ten-day interval, I’d cleared two ordinary Gates and leveled up twice. Well, “ordinary” was relative—they were still high-level Gates and far from easy.
I hadn’t found any Hidden dungeons. They were just straightforward combat encounters. I’d only gained about one level from each.
Still, my Domain Formation skill had reached level 2.
[Lv69 Void Lord, Han Hye]
Strength: 95(+5)
Agility: 95(+5, +1)
Stamina: 103(+1)
Spirit: 90(+7)
Mana: 113(+1)
Bonus Points: 8
I’d invested some points into Strength and Spirit, leaving 8 bonus points in reserve. A lot had happened over those three weeks.
First, the rosters for each nation’s Australia subjugation team were announced, and the exact date for the Australia subjugation was set.
‘Three weeks from now.’
It had become something almost upon us. I’d probably rest after entering and clearing the next Gate before heading to Australia.
Min-seok was also working hard—aiming for level 5 in his Crafting skill.
-The Americans were absolutely shocked, just as expected.
The last time, the United States had sent over equipment and metals. After Min-seok worked on them, they were sent back to America, and the reaction was quite enthusiastic.
Of course it was. Even I couldn’t help but marvel at Min-seok’s craftsmanship.
-And there was even one perfect success!
If Min-seok was boasting about it, there was no need for words. Though I was a bit disappointed that the perfectly crafted equipment went to America.
Through this process, he’d reached level 4 in Crafting. Once he reached level 5, he’d be able to craft A-rank metals.
‘It’ll be difficult, though.’
Since it’s an A-rank skill, leveling it up wouldn’t be easy.
If he reached A-rank before the Australia subjugation, it would be more convenient, but if not, I was planning to just get moderate crafting done.
‘I usually avoid stat increases, but Australia is difficult enough to warrant it.’
.
.
.
Another week passed. I cleared one more Gate and reached level 71.
I did find one Hidden dungeon, but it was a B-rank elixir that went to Han Chul, who would serve as our reliable tank for the Australia subjugation.
“This works perfectly. I was hoping to hit exactly level 71 from this Gate.”
“Right? After we return from Australia, we can go straight into level 71+ Gates. It would be awkward to get stuck at level 70.”
Overall, the situation was satisfactory. Two weeks remained until the Australia subjugation. Though I had no major injuries, I decided to spend the remaining time preparing rather than entering any Gates.
I’d scheduled the Swordsmanship Meeting and arranged a sparring match with Shin Chang. I needed to train myself as much as possible before heading to Australia.
‘I think it’s better to do virtual sparring later.’
—I would recommend that as well.
Chun-bae had gained some divine essence from this Gate and had some leeway, but we decided to use the Subspace training facilities later.
That lion-man in Australia was weighing on my mind.
‘Whenever the God of Play intervenes, things always get difficult.’
I had to account for the fact that Australia harbored incredibly powerful monsters, but that creature’s power could exceed imagination.
Even as a divine incarnation, I’d been overwhelmed by a smaller lion-man than that one.
If worst came to worst, I might need to enter the Subspace during combat and spar with that creature to find a breakthrough.
Since I didn’t know how much divine essence I’d consume in that process, I planned to conserve it.
‘Sparring with Shin Chang should be enough.’
It was a cancelled arrangement, but Fist King was supposedly coming too.
—Right? I need to loosen up before the Australia subjugation.
However, the Russian side strongly opposed it, asking him to manage his own subjugation team before Australia. Normally Fist King would ignore such requests, but he agreed when told to strengthen teamwork with domestic hunters.
‘He doesn’t seem like he thinks much, but he’s actually quite thoughtful.’
Regardless, there was one more thing I needed to do during the remaining time. Until now, I’d been busy preparing Gates quickly, but…
I couldn’t keep putting off the Iron Wing Duel Sword issue indefinitely.
[Dragon Guild Skill Name Contest]
At first, I’d considered asking guild members privately, but this seemed more fun.
It was also Mister’s suggestion.
“Can I participate too?”
“You won’t win anyway, will you?”
“Hey, that’s different. Who knows?”
“I have a feeling…”
It was time to rename the Iron Wing Duel Sword. With massive bonuses attached. The staff members were thrilled about it.
It was an incredibly busy period preparing for the Australia subjugation, so adding a small event was welcome.
“Ugh…”
“I’m going crazy!”
“Don’t look!”
Walking around the guild, I could see staff members sitting at desks, tapping their heads repeatedly in contemplation.
Hmm. If this makes them neglect Australia subjugation preparations, that would be a problem. I should mention something about that separately.
Still, I was curious.
Still, I was curious.
My naming sense leaves much to be desired, but others possess far greater talent. I wonder what kind of skill name will emerge.

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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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