Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 27

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

27. Sparring Match
“Seo Seung-yeon is at the Mana Operation Center. I’ll contact her, so just head to Combat Arena 3 and get ready.”
The Combat Arena I arrived at, following the staff member’s guidance, was equipped with the latest magical engineering technology.
By operating devices from inside, one could alter the environment of the Combat Arena.
A single button press could summon stone pillars or generate buildings as if recreating urban warfare.
Beyond that, various modifications were possible—raising or lowering the internal temperature of the arena, and more.
‘For a sparring match, I doubt I’ll need any of that.’
After warming up lightly, I examined the weapons laid out on one side.
We’d agreed to use only blunt weapons during the sparring match.
Several types of practice swords hung there, and I selected one most similar to my Flowing Sword.
Just as I was employing a technique that fused Imperial Basic Swordsmanship with Footwork Mastery, the arena door opened.
The Sharpshooter Seo Seung-yeon had arrived. Though I’d never seen her in person before, she felt familiar—I’d encountered her frequently through television.
There was another person beside her. A man in his mid-thirties. I recognized him immediately.
‘Kang Seok-du?’
He was also a member of the Saebyeokbit Guild. A B-rank Hunter belonging to Saebyeokbit’s B-Team.
His occupation was Warrior, and he was particularly renowned as a tank. I’d heard he was being considered as the next frontline member for the main Saebyeokbit team.
“You’re Han Hye, right? It’s nice to meet you.”
The Sharpshooter Seo Seung-yeon approached me with a bright smile and extended her hand.
“I’m Seo Seung-yeon. And this is Kang Seok-du, who’s here to observe.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Despite being elite Hunters, both greeted me with considerable courtesy. That fact surprised me considerably.
It wasn’t merely because many Hunters tended to look down on the weak.
The image of Seo Seung-yeon presented by the media was that of an extremely cold person.
Now, based on first impressions alone, she seemed to smile frequently—clearly the same person, yet somehow different.
“I’m Han Hye.”
“I thought you’d refuse. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to agree to the sparring match.”
“Isn’t this a good opportunity? To learn and grow through sparring…”
As I tilted my head in confusion, Seo Seung-yeon smiled softly.
“Many people avoid it because even losing a sparring match like this can lower their market value.”
I suppose that’s one way to think about it. I was somewhat surprised. Could it be because we’re right before contract renegotiations?
“That’s certainly possible. But I’m the type who believes that learning through sparring is beneficial to me as well.”
When I spoke sincerely, Seo Seung-yeon laughed.
“Then shall we go all out instead of holding back?”
“Pardon?”
Was she saying she’d fire her gun at me?
That’s a bit…
“The gun… I’d appreciate it if you could hold back a bit with that.”
I spoke seriously, but Seo Seung-yeon burst into laughter. It wasn’t mockery.
I could sense it now—she seemed to be naturally cheerful by nature. It felt unfamiliar.
On broadcasts, she’d always been portrayed as a cold, solitary Sharpshooter.
“Shall I just warm up and get started right away?”
“By all means.”
“Give me five minutes.”
* * *
Han Hye and Seo Seung-yeon faced each other in the Combat Arena.
Han Hye held a sword, while Seo Seung-yeon wielded a short sword—slightly shorter than a standard blade.
Yet Han Hye remained vigilant. It wasn’t merely a matter of level difference.
Seo Seung-yeon’s primary arsenal consisted of three weapons.
A rifle, a pistol, and a short sword—each deployed according to circumstance.
Ordinarily she fired with the rifle, but when enemies closed in, she switched to the pistol and short sword.
‘One of her main weapons. Her swordsmanship skill rank and level might surpass mine.’
As Han Hye calculated her approach, Kang Seok-du observed the two combatants with keen interest.
The rookie who had recently captured everyone’s attention.
Even without the guild’s request to observe, his curiosity burned just as fiercely.
‘At least she’s not all talk.’
Despite only exchanging a few words face-to-face, he could be certain of that much.
She displayed neither the pretense nor the excessive confidence typical of mediocre Hunters. Still, closer inspection was warranted.
“Since this is a sparring match, I’ll adjust my movements to match your pace, Han Hye.”
Han Hye nodded at Seo Seung-yeon’s words. It wasn’t condescension—merely a natural courtesy born of the gap in their abilities.
“I’ll attack first. I’ll assume we start the moment I move.”
Han Hye steadied her breathing with composure.
She knew the odds of victory favored her opponent, yet watching Seo Seung-yeon’s serene expression stirred an unexpected competitive fire within her.
‘I won’t surrender easily.’
Chun-bae was watching.
Chun-bae had told her she still lacked sufficient qualification. Whether that meant specific levels and stats, or attitude and talent, remained unclear.
She intended to give this match her absolute best.
And part of her harbored confidence—not that she would win, but that she could acquit herself well.
‘She doesn’t know what I’m capable of.’
All anyone knew of me was my S+-rank Subspace ability. I’d disclosed nothing else.
Even the Hunter Association only knew that Han Hye could enter Subspaces.
But I possessed diverse weapons unknown to others. Not the Flowing Sword.
Imperial Foundation Swordsmanship, Cockfighting technique, and Subspace-based defense.
She could counter the first two, but Subspace-based defense? She certainly wouldn’t anticipate that.
‘And beyond that, the A-rank Leap skill I recently acquired.’
Could even a B-rank Hunter predict such a technique?
This was precisely what I’d hoped to test by accepting the match. I was curious whether Leap would work against a B-rank Hunter.
“Hah.”
Han Hye inhaled sharply and pushed off the ground. I’d planned to open lightly—a strategy conceived the moment I accepted this duel.
Imperial Foundation Swordsmanship wasn’t about attacking; it was about turning the opponent’s assault against them.
I swung my blade as a feint. No intent to strike. Seo Seung-yeon leaned back, evading the strike.
The short sword thrust forward was sharp. But this was exactly what Han Hye wanted.
Clang!
Faster than expected, but since I’d attacked with a feint from the start, I could block it. I continued my counterattack with Imperial basic swordsmanship.
Seo Seung-yeon parried without difficulty. Thus, we exchanged blows back and forth for a moment, trading offense and defense.
‘Not bad.’
Seo Seung-yeon, receiving Han Hye’s blade, assessed plainly. That was about it. It wasn’t good.
She didn’t find that strange.
The opponent was a Space Mage, not a warrior.
Even if she’d learned swordsmanship, the limit would have been E or F rank. What was surprising was something else entirely.
‘This person’s stats are… I knew they were plus-grade, but to what extent?’
I’d heard she was a D-rank Hunter, but she didn’t feel like D-rank at all. Both strength and speed exceeded that level.
That’s when Han Hye’s attacks changed. She began applying cockfighting techniques.
A sudden cockfighting kick.
Seo Seung-yeon hastily raised her left arm to block. The sword that followed was quite vicious.
‘Oh. What’s this?’
A glimmer of interest crossed Seo Seung-yeon’s eyes as she let out a small exclamation. It was intriguing. She’d clearly mastered a special martial art.
Since she’d also learned combat techniques, she could clearly recognize the difference. The kick was like a beast’s attack.
“What is that?”
Seo Seung-yeon asked, swinging her short sword widely to create distance.
“It’s a martial art I was fortunate enough to acquire inside a Gate.”
“That’s quite impressive? It seems about C-rank.”
Is she really from the vanguard? Han Hye was surprised by Seo Seung-yeon’s insight—identifying the skill’s rank just from a brief exchange.
Seo Seung-yeon brushed her shoulder lightly. The opponent fought better than expected. It seemed she could loosen her limiter a bit more.
“Let’s do this properly.”
Before Han Hye could even respond, Seo Seung-yeon grinned and pushed off the ground. Her movement was distinctly different from before.
Clang! Clang!
The sparring match shifted to Seo Seung-yeon’s offensive. Han Hye was barely managing to block the incoming barrage of strikes.
Watching Seo Seung-yeon smile wickedly, Kang Seok-du scratched the back of his head.
‘There she goes again, getting excited. She shouldn’t get too carried away.’
The opponent fought well, but she was D-rank.
Seo Seung-yeon had consistently worked to dispel the prejudice that snipers’ weakness was close combat.
If she pressed too hard, it wouldn’t be proper sparring. He was considering whether to stop her.
Seo Seung-yeon’s leg aimed for Han Hye’s ribs.
‘Too late?’
Han Hye wasn’t reacting—she wasn’t defending. Just as Kang Seok-du thought the sparring would end soon.
Whoosh.
Seo Seung-yeon’s foot was blocked by a Subspace that suddenly appeared.
“Ugh!”
Feeling as though she’d kicked a wall, Seo Seung-yeon groaned and retreated backward.
A sudden opening had appeared.
Han Hye counterattacked as if she had been waiting for the moment. Clang! Clang! The metallic sounds rang out in rapid succession. Her offense was fierce.
‘Damn, I went in too deep. My experience is still lacking, isn’t it?’
Han Hye charged forward, swinging her blade in a wide arc from right to left. It was an attack that abandoned defense entirely.
Yet her assault was far too sharp.
To Kang Seok-du’s eyes, Han Hye’s opening was clearly visible. This was the moment Seo Seung-yeon had been waiting to exploit.
In an instant, Han Hye vanished from his sight.
And simultaneously, she appeared behind Seo Seung-yeon. Her blade aimed straight for Seo Seung-yeon’s throat at point-blank range.
‘What the—!’
Kang Seok-du wasn’t the only one shocked. Seo Seung-yeon twisted her body desperately.
Without the B-rank skill Target Tracking, she wouldn’t have even realized Han Hye had appeared behind her.
“….”
Both blades came to a halt. Han Hye’s sword rested against Seo Seung-yeon’s throat. But Seo Seung-yeon’s short sword was also pressed against Han Hye’s sternum.
By detecting her position through the Target Tracking skill and breaking her arm, Seo Seung-yeon had barely managed to slip her short sword in.
“I, is this a draw?”
Kang Seok-du, speaking a beat too late, stammered. He was simply too shocked.
He had thought she was a rough gem, but he never imagined she could fight Seo Seung-yeon to a draw.
“It’s a draw.”
Seo Seung-yeon, regaining her composure belatedly, stepped back from Han Hye and exhaled a long breath. It was a calm acknowledgment.
“Wow, that’s impressive. A draw with Seung-yeon?”
Han Hye answered humbly to Kang Seok-du’s words.
“You were holding back.”
“No way. Was that teleportation at the end?”
“Yes.”
“And that Subspace is physically immune?”
“Correct.”
“Wow, Space Mages are broken.”
Seo Seung-yeon, having blurted out her honest thoughts, caught herself and continued.
“It’s not just the Subspace ability alone.”
“Haha….”
“You’re truly impressive. Really.”
Seo Seung-yeon spoke with genuine sincerity. She was genuinely impressed.
‘From what I know, it hasn’t even been two months since she awakened….’
Her growth rate was terrifying. No, terrifying wasn’t even the right word—it was beyond comprehension. And she fought far too well.
Most people misunderstand, but being a Hunter isn’t just about learning skills. What truly matters is ‘how’ you use them.
Whether it’s swordplay or martial arts, how you apply the knowledge ingrained in your mind to any given situation depends on individual capability.
In that regard, Han Hye was a born fighter.
‘The way she uses the Subspace too.’
If it were me, I wouldn’t have easily thought to block something with the Subspace.
Of course, Han Hye had only realized this while facing the Red Dragon.
“Seung-yeon, you need to be careful from now on.”
Seo Seung-yeon frowned.
“If it had been an older brother, I would have lost. I’m not joking. If it weren’t for my skill, I wouldn’t have even known something appeared from behind.”
“Yeah, that seems about right. You disappeared right in front of me.”
Kang Seok-du admitted it calmly as well.
Of course, it had been a courteous sparring match, but had I not known about that teleportation, I surely would have been caught.
‘Two months since awakening… In just a few more months, she’ll become truly terrifying, won’t she? At that point, I won’t be able to hold back, and I’ll lose, won’t I?’
Seo Seung-yeon and Kang Seok-du fell silent for a moment. They were both thinking the same thing.
Kang Seok-du was the first to come to his senses. He looked at Han Hye with a neat smile.
“I’m looking forward to the future, you know?”
“Pardon?”
“As you know, I didn’t just request a sparring match with you on a whim.”
Han Hye had already guessed as much. Since there had been contact with Saebyeokbit before, that’s likely why the request came.
“I suspected as much.”
“You’re almost at level 20 in less than two months… So in about three more months, you’ll be working with us?”
“That can’t be. I’m just leveling quickly because I’m still at a low level.”
“I’m joking.”
Kang Seok-du smiled.
“Still, in a year, we might actually be moving together.”
“I’ll do my best to grow quickly.”
Since it was a sign that they viewed her favorably, Han Hye answered with a smile. Then Seo Seung-yeon quietly grabbed Han Hye’s arm and whispered.
“Um, Han Hye.”
“Yes?”
“Do you happen to have any secret magic techniques?”
“Secret techniques? All of a sudden?”
Han Hye tilted her head. She wondered why a vanguard hunter would be looking for secret magic techniques from her.
“There’s a place I really need it for. Since you’ve been focusing on difficult Gates, I thought you might have obtained one.”
Seo Seung-yeon, having said that, made her request with earnest eyes.
“You don’t have any?”
“Hmm.”
Actually, there was one on hand…
Han Hye scratched the back of her head. Seeing this, Seo Seung-yeon’s eyes lit up.
“If you do have one, I’d like to purchase it even if I have to pay a premium. I’ll pay you fairly, I promise.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————