Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 329
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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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329. Foretold Danger
But I couldn’t leave the house right away.
Beep-beep-beep!
Another Release-type Gate alarm had sounded.
Mega Gate occurring in Chungbuk!
Mega Gates were erupting one after another. In that moment, I was certain.
‘This is the Übermenschen’s doing.’
After the Australia Gate had closed, the mana concentration that had been rising exponentially stabilized at last.
Still, the fact that it remained open for so long meant the concentration was higher than usual.
Even with Release-type Gates opening, that alone wouldn’t have been particularly alarming. But two erupting consecutively was another matter entirely.
Especially after learning the Ring of Conspiracy had changed color and those bastards had entered Korea.
“What in the world is happening?”
Since he was at the next house, the old man came rushing over.
“What about your family?”
“I told them to hold the Coordinate Secretary in their hands. If they sense anything strange at all, they tear it immediately.”
“That’s good thinking.”
Our survival alone wouldn’t be enough. It mattered that others who could be targeted in the process survived as well.
Especially regarding Min-seok—I’d shared information with the American side. They’d surely handled security properly, but you never know.
While targeting us, they could target Min-seok too. Since I knew they could extract skills, he was an even more critical concern.
The Hunter Association had actually positioned a support team nearby as well.
“I’m pretty sure these Übermenschen bastards opened it, don’t you think? Am I just being paranoid?”
“No. I think so too.”
Seeing the old man suspect the same thing, it seemed like the Übermenschen were indeed the culprits.
“Even if they didn’t open it, they won’t miss this opportunity.”
“True. Once we and Dawn Light separate, they’ll attack without hesitation.”
“This is going to be rough.”
While conversing with the old man, my phone rang. It was Seo-ung.
-Han Hye. Could this possibly be the Übermenschen?
“I’m not certain, but it looks like their handiwork.”
-They can open Release-type Gates? How is that even…….
Most people aware of their attack were thinking the same thing. Seo-ung was shocked, but given the gravity of the situation, he quickly focused on the main issue.
-Still, a Release-type is a Release-type. I think Dawn Light and Dragon Guild need to scatter…….
“That’s fine. We should scatter.”
There’s no choice. If they can open Release-type Gates, avoiding this won’t solve anything.
If they keep hiding in Korea and opening Release-type Gates, Korea will be reduced to ruins—it’s only a matter of time.
Rather than disperse after suffering damage, confronting them now is the right move. Besides, I have Jakumen’s Paper Doppelgänger.
I can’t abandon this chance just because I’m separated from Dawn Light right now.
-Still, I’ll assign Dragon Guild to the Seoul sector.
Positioning us here near the Hunter Association would allow for a faster response—a kind of consideration on their part.
But it seemed to have some awkward edges from my perspective.
“They’ll have anticipated that.”
-They’re targeting us, aren’t they.
“Yes.”
-I’ll adjust the deployment accordingly.
“For now, please stand by and observe. It could actually backfire on us.”
Shin Chang is gone, but Fist King and Choin remain. There’s a real possibility ordinary hunters could be swept away.
Conversely, we could suffer losses trying to protect our allies. This was something we’d discussed beforehand.
-Understood. I’ll establish an encirclement-focused perimeter.
That’s when my thinking shifted.
“No, actually—just deploy as you normally would.”
-Pardon?
“I think it’s more dangerous if they believe we know about them.”
The Paper Doppelgänger only lasts five days at most. If we’re going to counterattack, now was the window.
“Since it’s a Release-type anyway, hunters will be mobilized as usual. It would be better to show we’re just blocking the Gate rather than preparing for something else.”
-Understood. We’ll proceed that way…….
That’s when I heard a door suddenly burst open through the receiver. Urgent voices exchanged, though I couldn’t make out what was being said, but it sounded like a serious matter.
And as expected, Seo-ung spoke again, his voice grave.
-Han Hye. Massive Release-type Gates have opened in the United States, Russia, and China as well.
“What?”
This was a thunderbolt from the blue, even for me.
—At least two Release-type Gates. I’m afraid the support we were expecting won’t arrive in time.
I didn’t think they’d go this far. This is something I hadn’t anticipated.
I’d already coordinated with Choin and Fist King, and we’d designated the Coordinate Secretary. It was naturally factored into the plan.
‘I suppose I was too complacent.’
True enough. My movements are exposed publicly. The Übermenschen would certainly be watching my connections with Choin and Fist King.
If they’re targeting me, it stands to reason they’d tie down both of their hands as well.
Still, I hadn’t imagined they’d use Release-type Gates to do it.
Artificially induced Release-type Gates. I never would have conceived of it.
—What should we do?
“We’ll give it a try on our own for now.”
After hanging up with Seo-ung, I contacted Fist King and Choin immediately.
—A situation’s blown up. You’re both dealing with it too, right? Even in the United States? Those bastards behind this?
—The Übermenschen.
Both of them voiced suspicion toward the Übermenschen while apologizing that they couldn’t come immediately.
They had things of their own to protect, so I couldn’t very well beg them to leave.
—I’ll try to handle it as quickly as possible.
Those were Fist King’s parting words, but the odds weren’t good. According to Seo-ung, the Release-type Gates had opened at locations far from where Fist King and Choin were positioned.
Russia and the United States—both were vast lands. They’d likely struggle to arrive in time.
There was no helping it.
The situation is spiraling toward the worst, but all we can do is respond with what we’ve prepared.
* * *
“Everyone stay inside. I’ll come pick you up.”
I reached out separately to the guild members, excluding the man next door. We were going to move as one.
We had no way of knowing when they’d strike. Perhaps right now—as we left our homes to confront the Release-type Gates—we were most vulnerable.
At least the Release-type Gates would take time to open. Moreover, everyone lived nearby.
The National Hunter Equipment Management Bureau wasn’t far from the Association, so rapid movement was possible.
“Doesn’t look like anything’s wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
Even leaving the house with the man next door, I stayed vigilant. It was a tense moment.
The same caution applied when I picked up Lee Shin-hee in the car and collected Min-jae and Han Chul.
“Is now not the time?”
Everyone was combat-ready with tense faces, but no ambush came until we reached the National Hunter Equipment Management Bureau.
“Maybe they’re waiting for after we deal with the Release-type Gates.”
“Ah, ease off a bit?”
“Wouldn’t you? They don’t know we’re aware of their scheme.”
The man next door said it, and his reasoning was convincing. From their perspective, weakening us before combat would be the smarter move.
Mega Gates are truly not easy. We did manage to catch Bricken from a Gate even larger than a Mega Gate this time, but that was only because we removed the Half-Eye at the start of combat and caught him easily.
Just think back to Australia not long ago—weren’t we struggling considerably against the monsters that emerged from a Mega Gate?
‘I’ve grown stronger since then, though.’
From their perspective, it made far more sense to wait for us to exhaust ourselves fighting one.
Or strike mid-combat while we were occupied.
“Maybe they’ve been watching us all along.”
“Watching?”
“If we scatter, they’d test us. If we move together, they’d attack while we’re expending energy or focused on blocking the Mega Gate.”
“Cowardly bastards.”
“They’re the Übermenschen.”
That said it all. Weren’t they the ones harboring that insane ideology that awakened individuals were superior?
Many hunters thought that way, but it hardly justified exploiting ordinary people.
“In any case, you must remain vigilant during and after combat.”
“We will keep that in mind.”
“Is the worst-case scenario them attacking during the fight?”
“Yes. It’s hard to respond once we’ve used a skill or just blocked the monster’s attack.”
“We’ll need to play this more conservatively.”
There was definitely a need for that.
“Just fire off the Piercing Spear, sir. Don’t bother with evasive maneuvers.”
“Understood.”
“If you have the opening, sweep the surroundings once as well.”
“That goes without saying.”
“The rest of you will be on top of the Bone Dragon, you know?”
We had to fight with safety in mind—always safety.
“Even if I am in danger, save your skills. I’m in Paper Doppelgänger form anyway.”
Since I’m their primary target, I have no intention of revealing my true body even while blocking the Mega Release-type Gate.
In this battle against the Übermenschen, my true body will only appear after the doppelgänger dies.
For a perfect counterattack.
This was the hidden blade I’d prepared against them. And I can use Bricken’s Half-Eye in the process as well.
‘The Golden Wheel Seal I received from the Goblin Demigod works the same way.’
I had slight doubts about whether to use that item in doppelgänger form or not. I suppose I’ll find out when I get there.
The basic plan is to face them with my true body, but if the situation calls for it, using it while in doppelgänger form wouldn’t be unreasonable either.
After all, I’d always intended to use the Paper Doppelgänger to either foil a perfect ambush or give my life for the enemy’s blood.
In any case, the Übermenschen didn’t attack until we arrived at the Release-type Gate.
“Let’s go.”
* * *
“The Dragon Guild members just need to handle the main monsters coming from the Release-type Gate.”
“Understood.”
“The other hunters will focus on sealing the gate, and the top-tier guild members will assist with the main monsters.”
A Mega Release-type Gate had opened near the Hunter Association. Hunters gathered faster than ever, and the response was organized.
Since contingency plans for when such a Mega Gate appeared had already been established, the atmosphere wasn’t particularly chaotic.
There was some tension, but it wasn’t severe. I found it a bit odd at first, but soon understood why.
It was because of us.
“Hey, relax a bit.”
“Yeah, really. Han Hye is here—what’s there to be nervous about?”
“Right?”
“Exactly. She’s the world’s strongest, isn’t she? She practically soloed the Australia situation, so what’s this?”
That was the conversation among the hunters gathered here. Honestly, I didn’t think it was an unreasonable expectation.
A Release-type Gate?
It’s tough, I’ll admit, but I have more than enough power to stop it now. I’ve grown tremendously since the Australia incident.
‘The real problem is the Übermenschen.’
But with the mood like this, I couldn’t afford to show excessive caution or tension.
Actually, can I afford to show it at all? They might be watching.
Right. Even I was thinking a lot with the Übermenschen right in front of me. Still, fortunately I wasn’t particularly nervous.
Is it because I’m in Paper Doppelgänger form?
‘An extra life. This peace of mind is truly remarkable.’
Even if the opponent has an Instant Death Ability, it just means I can survive it once, doesn’t it?
—Whooooom!
My thoughts didn’t linger long. The Release-type Gate soon began vibrating to announce its activation.
A torrent of mana surged outward. The Übermenschen weren’t here yet.
“Let’s go.”
The guild members climbed onto Yong-yong.
“Let’s finish this cleanly.”
I found myself nodding at his words.
“Yes. Whether it’s the Release-type Gate or them.”
Especially the latter. The Übermenschen.
They might not know it, but from my earliest days, I’d felt tremendous psychological unease whenever I thought of them.
They’d even come to kill me.
Now, the time had come to end this long vendetta.
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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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