Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 273
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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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273. Catoblepas (4)
“Elite hunters from various nations dispatched to subjugate Australia have all entered combat.”
“Team 1, Team 2, and Team 3 are facing Catoblepas, Trimbo, and the Lion-Human respectively. Our hunters are in Team 3.”
“We hope everyone returns safely, and we’ll relay information as it becomes available.”
Live coverage of the Australian subjugation was impossible, but broadcasts covering the matter unfolded across the globe.
They were merely relaying announcements from the UN Gate Countermeasures Committee, but there were citizens unfamiliar with the internet.
Since combat began, the same information had been repeated, yet quite a few viewers were watching the broadcast.
“Some time has passed since the subjugation began. While there’s still no new information, they say no news is good news, don’t they?”
“That’s right. Our hunters will certainly prevail. Let’s take a look at the remarkable performance of Space Mage Han Hye and Shin Chang Kim San from the previous Gate outbreak incident.”
While the broadcast led the conversation positively, saying no news was good news, internet communities like Hunter Net were far from optimistic.
-Why is there no news?
-Isn’t this a disaster?
-Since the world is watching, wouldn’t good news come out immediately?
┗Maybe it’s a surprise?
┗Could be?
-You guys, it’s a military operation, so it’s natural that no information comes out like this.
┗True
┗You clueless bastards lol
For a moment, the atmosphere improved at someone’s words.
“Ah, we just received news! Team 2 is wrapping up the Trimbo hunt smoothly under Fist King’s leadership!”
“We should hear from Team 3 soon, right?”
“Of course. They’re our hunters, after all.”
The moment Team 2’s progress was reported, internet opinion rapidly deteriorated.
-I told you no information would come out
-If Team 2’s news is coming out, doesn’t that mean the other teams are in trouble?
-We’re done. Finished. Over.
-You guys, information just leaked from that side;; The other teams are probably doing fine too
Since most of the world was watching, the commotion was inevitable. Some might call it excessive, but this was a matter of Earth’s survival.
If this subjugation failed, a Mega Gate could open anytime, anywhere.
-But why is Team 2 going first? I thought our country would be first
┗True
┗Shin Chang and Space Mage though
┗You don’t know, but generally monsters are weaker in newly opened Gates
┗Are you in the industry?
┗Yeah, it’s still a hypothesis, but they tend to get stronger over time
┗So how strong is Catoblepas then?
┗I don’t know either;;
-Maybe the Lion-Human is stronger?
┗This makes sense
┗A beast and a humanoid monster can’t be the same
┗(Russian flag emoji)axaxaxa
┗(Russian flag emoji)lollol
Amid the mounting concerns, some expressed a hint of disappointment. Hadn’t Han Hye risen to become the center of global attention with her tremendous growth?
The majority of Korean citizens believed that Team 3 would be the first to succeed in subjugating the monster.
“It seems Team 2 is nearly finished subjugating Trimbo.”
As Team 2 became the topic of conversation, Russians began launching a full-scale invasion of Korean online communities.
-(Russian flag emoji)Fist King >>>> Shin Chang, Space Mage
-(Russian flag emoji)Mother Russia>>>> Kareia
-Are you watching, Koreans?
It was the usual hunter ranking game that played out on the internet.
Especially the keyboard battles where people invested their egos in their own country’s hunters had become a major cultural phenomenon since the Gate incident.
-Damn it, what’s Korea doing!
-Accept your karma more gracefully than us
┗Why is it our karma?
┗Sorry, I’ve been causing trouble on foreign sites
┗Not me! It’s your karma!
┗I’m sorry…
┗Actually, I did it too…
┗Me too…
News of the Korean hunters arrived while the internet community was in chaos.
“J-just in! Team 3 has successfully subjugated the Lion-Human in an instant! Hunter Han Hye, the Space Mage, displayed an incredible performance….”
Hadn’t they just said moments ago that Team 2’s subjugation was entering its final stages? There had been no mention of Team 3 at all.
Yet Team 3 had succeeded in subjugation before Team 2.
-?
-??
-What is this?
-What the hell!
Koreans, Russians causing chaos on the message boards, and people worldwide watching the broadcast—all were left bewildered.
Since Team 2’s situation was being reported, everyone assumed Team 3 still had a long way to go.
This was partly because Russia had been secretly leaking Team 2’s information, but it was largely due to Han Hye seizing the spear and subduing the Lion-Human in an instant.
What happened next was predictable.
-Counter-attack incoming
-Russian site link.link
┗Thanks
┗Much appreciated
-Russian curse words compilation.txt
┗Why are you sending this, just go raid the message boards and post Taegeuk flag emojis
The commotion on the internet didn’t last long.
[Team 2, Trimbo subjugation successful!]
[Team 2, Team 3 Catoblepas subjugation support…]
With this new development, Russian and Korean players united their forces.
-Stupid Americans
┗Team 1 doesn’t only have Americans
┗Choin is representing us
-Hey, you curry-eaters. Doesn’t this feel wrong?
┗For real
┗We’ve done our part!
-You idiots, this is something we all need to work together on
┗You’re American, aren’t you?
But such banter was short-lived.
[(Breaking News) Catoblepas Subjugation Successful]
It wasn’t long after news arrived that Team 2 and Team 3 were joining forces. When this brief report first came through, no one believed it.
-?
-??
-Did the journalist pre-type this and accidentally hit enter?
-??
-Didn’t reinforcements just arrive?
But soon it was proven to be true.
-What happened?
-Obviously thanks to our Fist King
┗lol
┗Didn’t Shin Chang or the Space Mage do something?
-lol What nonsense are you all spouting? Choin must have killed everything
Of course, it didn’t take long for the truth to spread. The UN Gate Countermeasures Committee had witnessed the Space Mage’s incredible performance.
At the press conference announcing the subjugation, they spared no praise for Han Hye.
“Hunter Han Hye’s contribution was immense. The Lion-Human was a monster far stronger than imagined, yet Hunter Han Hye defeated it….”
“After arriving to support against Catoblepas, with a single strike, she tore off the hide that even Choin couldn’t penetrate.”
“Alone on a battlefield filled with toxins, she slaughtered Catoblepas….”
It was unclear whether this was a briefing on the successful subjugation or a eulogy for Han Hye.
“Well, we will release detailed footage shortly.”
Recognizing the awkwardness themselves, the briefing concluded hastily.
But it was only natural that this briefing set the Korean community ablaze.
-All hail Han Hye
┗Han-men
┗Space Mage-men…
┗We should praise, right?
┗We worship you GONGT
* * *
-Boom!
-Kaboom!
This wasn’t the sound of an explosion. It was the pop of champagne bottles being uncorked by hunters returning in helicopters.
The sound came from everywhere. Some hunters sprayed champagne in all directions like Formula 1 drivers, drawing curses from onlookers.
“Haha!”
“Drink up!”
But everyone was smiling. It had been a grueling battle, but we’d succeeded in subjugating Australia.
I confirmed that the Gate where Catoblepas had emerged was now closed.
‘Of course, the transformed terrain remained unchanged.’
The otherworldly lands that had split into a dozen branches radiating from the Gate’s center hadn’t disappeared.
Still, the Gate was closed. Through Chun-bae, I confirmed that the mana outflow had decreased, which eased my concerns considerably.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Want to grab a drink tonight?”
Many hunters came seeking me out. Really, many. It was incomparable to when I was at the airport before.
There were quite a few then too, but some people just watched from a distance. This time was different.
“Sorry. I’m not into men.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
This hunter was male and looked at me with a rather suggestive gaze. I refused in alarm, but he was more persistent than expected.
He even stepped closer. I found myself stepping back without thinking.
“Doesn’t seem that way.”
“?”
“You turned away all the female hunters earlier.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“…Are you just being closed-minded because you’re East Asian?”
This racist bastard.
Greeting the hunters who kept coming was exhausting. Fist King let out a hollow laugh.
“They’re coming like crazy.”
“Tell me about it. I’m sick of it.”
The ones who came and said things like ‘thanks’ or ‘see you next time’ were fine, but there were quite a few clingy ones.
Hunters who wanted to ride Yong-yong were included in that.
“Even Choin in his prime wasn’t like you.”
“Huh?”
“There was an incredible rush of attention every Guild Conference.”
That wasn’t what I was confused about. Choin’s reputation with women was already famous.
There were even rumors that he didn’t attend Guild Conferences because he was tired of it.
“Is Choin still not in his prime?”
Saying that to the clearly number one hunter in the world felt a bit off.
Fist King chuckled.
“What are you talking about? Once word of this spreads, Choin won’t be the best anymore.”
“That’s true.”
Shin Chang, standing beside me, chimed in with a comment.
“That was just good matchup compatibility. I didn’t know Catoblepas was weak to bladed weapons either.”
“Regardless, results are what matter. And it’s obvious that you’ll surpass Choin’s level soon enough, isn’t it?”
Those were Fist King’s words, and I had to agree with that part.
“It’s really amazing. When we met last time, you weren’t at this level.”
“Is that so?”
“When I fought the Lion-Human, I realized that if we sparred with full intent, I might actually lose.”
“It’s still too early.”
“If you use all your skills.”
That’s something I couldn’t know for certain either. In any case, at this modest celebration, I was able to find peace soon enough.
As I gave approaching hunters a somewhat casual reception, they didn’t press further. They seemed to have some sense of propriety.
“Everyone worked hard.”
“Oh my, Guild Master, you’re the one who worked hard.”
Thanks to that, I was able to spend an enjoyable time with our guild members, Saebyeokbit, and Fist King together.
The other hunters were all mingling with their own country’s hunters. After all, they’d fought with their lives on the line.
“Wait.”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you here, Fist King?”
“Huh?”
“Shouldn’t you be with the Russian hunters?”
For a moment, I’d thought Fist King was a Korean hunter. He tilted his head in confusion.
“That’s true?”
“Yes?”
I’d been wondering if his relationship with his own country’s hunters wasn’t good, given that he was here.
Fist King let out a slight laugh.
“Actually, there’s someone who likes me, and it was getting a bit burdensome.”
“?”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“What do you mean?”
My emotions must have shown through in my eyes without my realizing it.
“Still, since everyone worked hard, I should at least say goodbye.”
In any case, Fist King placed his hand on his knee and stood up.
“Let me greet them before I leave.”
.
.
.
As Fist King moved away, something caught my eye. It was the Chinese hunters maintaining some distance from our Australia subjugation team.
I could see Liu Zhen. He too was raising champagne glasses with his own country’s hunters. Even at a glance, there were many wounded.
‘It seems they came here after it ended.’
The Chinese hunters who had taken on the dangerous roles would find it difficult to gain honor from this Australia subjugation. No one would pay attention to them.
With China actively participating, the subjugation of Australia gained momentum, but truthfully, quite a lot of concerns arose.
-They’re sending Chinese Hunters alongside our Hunters? Are they insane?
China vehemently denied it, but the fact remained that Lei Chuang had joined hands with the Übermenschen and attacked me.
And that statement could be interpreted as meaning they might attack other Hunters at any moment.
It’s an extreme case, but if China collectively backstabbed us during the Australia subjugation, a catastrophe would unfold.
Therefore, they were kept strictly separated from us.
‘Even the assembly airport was different.’
In fact, they landed on Australian soil before us—right after the bombing concluded.
Their role was to serve as a monster barrier.
Since accidents could happen at any moment, they were excluded from direct subjugation operations. Instead, they constructed a defensive line near the Mega Gate and solely focused on holding back the approaching monsters.
This is how terrifying the severance of international Hunter relations can be. Yet, it’s undeniable that their contribution was substantial.
‘Considering how many monsters poured through despite China volunteering to hold that defensive line.’
Perhaps if China hadn’t taken on the role of monster barrier, this subjugation would have been impossible, let alone merely difficult.
I still harbored ill feelings toward them, but facts are facts.
The success of the Australia subjugation had at least shifted their position closer to ours.
Probably China’s international Hunter relations would improve from this incident as well.
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
I headed toward the Chinese side not because they had volunteered such sacrifice.
They had their own objectives for what they did.
“Liu Zhen.”
I simply wanted to meet Liu Zhen. Just as I had saved him, he had saved me once.
Without Liu Zhen’s warning, even with the Ring of Conspiracy, I don’t know what would have happened back then.
There was nowhere the Chinese Government’s surveillance was lighter than here.
I wanted to express my gratitude to Liu Zhen here and have a conversation.
Though I thought it wasn’t really my concern…
Honestly.
China’s second coup d’état? I’m curious about it, aren’t I?
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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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