Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 264

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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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264. Eve of the Subjugation
“Let’s wrap up today’s joint training here.”
In truth, the sparring with Shin Chang had emerged from a promise to synchronize with Saebyeokbit. Ten Korean Hunters were participating in the Australia subjugation team.
Even if we operated as separate units, we needed to coordinate our movements in case of crisis so we could support one another.
After all, knowing the limits of our allies determines whether we rush to their aid or hold back.
The sparring with Shin Chang naturally became part of that process.
‘It was inevitable, in a way.’
I welcomed it too. I needed to gauge how effectively the Iron Wing Cockfight Sword would work against Shin Chang.
In any case, the delay in synchronizing with Saebyeokbit stemmed from internal issues within their guild.
Like us, they’d been running Gates right up until two weeks before the Australia subjugation, and some of their members had emerged injured from a dungeon.
Even Shin Chang had sustained minor wounds. I’d been quite worried, though he recovered remarkably fast.
-Seriously, I almost died out there.
That was what Seo Seung-yeon had said during a separate call instead of visiting in person.
-How did that happen?
-We picked an easy Gate since the Australia subjugation was coming up, but we ended up finding a Hidden dungeon, you know?
-Hidden dungeons are worth it though.
Hunters, especially Advance Team Hunters, are the type whose eyes light up the moment they spot a Hidden dungeon.
There was no way they could have passed up a Hidden dungeon, easy Gate or not.
Particularly, Saebyeokbit’s vanguard had sustained a serious injury, but made an astonishingly swift recovery to rejoin the roster.
It had been a close call—the Australia subjugation roster nearly changed.
“Wow, but you all are seriously incredible.”
“Even at the last Guild Conference….”
During the joint training, I kept hearing gasps of admiration from the Saebyeokbit Hunters. It was unavoidable, really.
The level gap between then and now defied common sense. Seo Seung-yeon let out a soft laugh.
“San and I even went to Saudi Arabia to protect Han Hye.”
“That wasn’t even a year ago, was it?”
“Right? Now if I went one-on-one with Han Hye, I’d absolutely lose.”
It wasn’t a comment limited to me alone. Han Chul was originally part of the US Advance Team, so that was understandable, but the reactions to Min-jae, the Mister, and Lee Shin-hee were included as well.
Especially since we’d moved together at the Guild Conference, talked, and even sparred.
“Back then, you joked that after a year we’d be working together, right? And now it’s actually happening.”
True enough. I’d been taken aback when I heard that prediction, but I never imagined it would actually come to pass.
In any case, after the light greetings concluded, only my sparring with Shin Chang remained.
“…Let’s go.”
Shin Chang, who had kept his mouth firmly shut throughout the training, finally spoke once it was time for our match.
The corners of his mouth had curled up slightly—he seemed to be in good spirits.
‘…This madman.’
The other Hunters had excused themselves beforehand, saying they’d be in the way. It wasn’t a major issue, but perhaps it was because it was our first day.
Of course, Seo Seung-yeon, Shin Chang’s interpreter, remained.
“By the way, Han Hye. This here.”
“What is it?”
It was a box.
“Fist King said to give it to you?”
“Huh?”
Rather than giving it to me directly, he sent it through Saebyeokbit? I opened the box to find gauntlets inside.
[Bloodthirsty Gauntlets (B-Rank)]
-Gauntlets refined from special metal, light enough not to impede movement.
-Prioritizes durability alongside lightness, making them resistant to easy breakage.
-When the gauntlets absorb blood, damaged areas automatically repair themselves.
Wow.
My mouth fell open naturally. For B-Rank gauntlets, the description was quite impressive.
-They’re B-Rank gauntlets approaching A-Rank quality. If they had stat bonuses attached, they would easily be A-Rank.
Just from Chun-bae’s explanation, I could tell. They didn’t impede movement while being quite sturdy…
They automatically repair when absorbing blood?
“They’re what Fist King used to wear.”
“Oh, they do feel familiar somehow?”
I might have seen photos of Fist King wearing them before. In any case, it was quite a valuable gift ahead of the Australia subjugation.
I’m currently wearing C-Rank gauntlets, but they’re not as comfortable as bare hands. These were much better.
“He said it was in return for the healing elixir?”
Right. That’s probably it.
I’d anticipated that the gift I’d sent when he was injured would come back to me like this.
‘You could call it foresight.’
I’d sent it believing everything would return eventually. Still, one question remained.
“But why did he give it through Saebyeokbit instead of directly to me?”
“I asked him about it too, and he said if he gave it directly to Han Hye, you wouldn’t accept it?”
“What?”
Me? Refuse?
What does Fist King think of people? Well, that’s not really the right thing to say in this situation.
Anyway, Fist King seemed to have a very favorable view of me. Seo Seung-yeon continued.
“He also told me to give it to you no matter what, even if you refuse.”
“Do I really look like someone who refuses things like this?”
“No?”
“Then what’s the reason?”
“Fist King didn’t see you for very long.”
Ah, right. I did meet Seo Seung-yeon and Shin Chang fairly often, but Fist King was only there briefly back then.
Plus, I treated both Shin Chang and Fist King somewhat formally.
‘These kinds of misunderstandings are always welcome.’
The fact that he sent a gift without saying anything, despite having my number, meant he really thought that way.
I should definitely thank him properly. Including the phrase ‘You didn’t have to.’
“Put them on. Let’s spar.”
Just then, Shin Chang suddenly urged me forward. His tone was oddly cold. Was it because the gauntlets were taking up time?
Seeing how Seo Seung-yeon looked unfamiliar when she saw Fist King earlier, it seemed she hadn’t told Shin Chang about this either.
“Yes. Just a moment.”
“…I’m preparing something good too.”
Hmm. I didn’t even ask about that.
Wait. The reason his tone was cold… is he competing with Fist King right now? Well, he did send Shin Chang an elixir too.
“Oh, you don’t need to give me anything.”
I quickly deflected with false modesty. Of course, that wasn’t a refusal. This spontaneous competition between Shin Chang and Fist King?
I welcomed it even more.
* * *
The Dragon Guild’s naming contest for the Iron-Wing Fighting Cock Sword ended before the deadline.
Since bonuses were awarded to four people—first through third place and an honorable mention—all employees participated.
Well, truthfully, our guild didn’t have that many employees anyway, so there wasn’t an overwhelming amount to review.
I was examining the list of submissions together with Mister….
“Hmm.”
“Hmm.”
A variety of names had come in.
Really. Quite. Varied. Or rather, just varied?
“Why is there nothing good here?”
“I know, right?”
“Your ideas seem better?”
“I concur.”
Even a cursory glance at the list explained why we were reacting this way.
[Han Hye’s Great Sword Technique]
[Guild Master’s Supreme Sword Technique]
[I Love You Guild Master Sword Technique]
Some employees had either given up thinking and resorted to flattery to aim for an honorable mention.
“Should we discipline them for this?”
“What?”
“I’m joking.”
To be honest, from a viewer’s perspective it was amusing. Wasn’t it praise for me? Perhaps they lacked naming sense just like I did, so they went about it this way.
But there was one entry that stood out….
[Princess Sword Technique]
Hmm. Princess? Who submitted this?
This one really makes me want to discipline them.
Anyway, the other names that were more serious didn’t appeal to me either.
[Spacetime Sword Technique]
[Spatial Form]
[Taiji Sword]
[Spatial Sword]
[Heavenly Demon Sword Mastery]
Even Mister couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“The Taegeuk Sword and Heavenly Demon Sword Technique are martial arts clichés.”
“Well, even if they’re martial arts tropes, as long as the name fits, it works…”
“I gave you the theme. Why are you acting like this?”
“To be honest, it was difficult.”
Since this wasn’t simply a naming contest for any random sword technique, I’d communicated the theme to my staff.
-An aggressive sword style like a fighting rooster, mixing swift strikes beneath solid defense (using fists and feet as well)
Because of this, my staff had voiced some complaints. Wasn’t the theme too difficult for a naming contest?
I knew it was demanding, but what could I do when this was the reality?
[Iron Realm Radiant Sword]
[Wall-Sealing Sword Method]
[Flowing Strength Style Swordsmanship]
[Clash Strike Sword]
Some of the names looked reasonably impressive, but when compared to Iron-Winged Fighting Rooster Sword, they fell somewhat short.
As I reviewed the list, I spoke confidently to Mister.
“I told you—Iron-Winged Fighting Rooster Sword. It was well-crafted in that brief moment.”
“…Fair point.”
“And as I’ve been using it, it feels rather good.”
“Compared to these, I suppose so. Does it feel natural the more you call it?”
Mister didn’t argue against my opinion.
“It was the same with Chun-bae, wasn’t it?”
“Hmm. That’s true too.”
Actually, wasn’t I the one who gave Chun-bae his name? Back then, people questioned what kind of name Chun-bae was.
But now the sound of “Chun-bae” had grown familiar and comfortable.
“In your opinion, is there something better to use instead of Iron-Winged Fighting Rooster Sword?”
“Well, if it had been that way from the start, maybe. But changing it now feels awkward.”
“Then I’ll stick with this.”
After all, it’s my skill name, so I need to be satisfied with it. Unless something’s clearly better than Iron-Winged Fighting Rooster Sword, why change it?
“When I reach S-rank, I’ll reconsider. Ah, but I’ll still hold an awards ceremony. For morale’s sake.”
The bonus wasn’t much anyway. It wasn’t particularly important. The name would feel fine once I kept using it—there was no discomfort now.
“Now let’s think about the 2nd Team together.”
“What, the foreign hunters?”
“Yes.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to recruit them if you can? Based on their abilities. You said there’s even an S-rank?”
In fact, recruiting foreign hunters into the Dragon Guild wasn’t a decision made solely by their will.
Just as I’d contracted with Korea, contracts were being made at the national level.
-Their respective countries are reportedly welcoming them enthusiastically. There are some cooperation conditions attached, though.
But that wasn’t something that applied to us.
“Really? Seriously?”
-Since the level you mentioned isn’t at the Advance Team standard anyway, they’re viewing it as an investment for the future.
“Ah.”
-And down the line, we’ll be able to benefit from the Dragon Guild’s support as well.
It’s a calculated judgment, but a sound one. Not only will they grow through Dragon 2nd Team, but if we become close with them….
Should problems arise in their country, we’d naturally want to help.
-Of course, that aspect does require some discussion and refinement.
He was right. With crises erupting globally, suddenly rushing off to help our own nation would be absurd.
The real question was whether we could control it.
“We should assess their personality anyway, and we can just set a condition that their entire family relocates to Korea.”
“Really? That works?”
“Of course it does. They’re the ones who want to come.”
Mister shrugged his shoulders.
“As for personality, we can just add a probationary period clause to the contract. Honestly, once you live as a Hunter, you’ll see—a few Gate runs and their true nature becomes crystal clear.”
“Right?”
“What’s the problem? They want to come, so just tell them only those who accept the conditions can join.”
That made sense. I’d been overthinking it.
“Recruiting an S-rank Hunter and having them cooperate once or twice? Depending on their abilities, we could probably do it unconditionally. And we can add conditions only when we’re not in crisis.”
Hmm. What if we actually built Dragon 2nd Team into a world-class dream team of promising talents? It didn’t sound like a bad idea.
I should discuss this with Seo-ung.
* * *
And then.
Just as we stood on the brink of Australia’s subjugation, news struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
[Australia, another colossal Gate appears…]
[Will Australia’s subjugation be delayed?]
Another massive Gate had spawned in Australia. The moment I heard, a sigh escaped me.
This damn God of Play….

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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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