Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 37

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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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37. Choi Min-seok
“Grrr!”
Yong-yong’s favorite toy was a cat teaser wand. You know, the kind with a stick you wave around.
Patter-patter-pat!
When I waved the teaser enthusiastically, Yong-yong would lower his head like a cat and wiggle his rear end.
‘He’s surprisingly cat-like. The way he curls up to sleep and everything.’
There was one problem with this game: Yong-yong wasn’t a cat—he was a Red Dragon.
“Kyao!”
Whoooosh—!
As Yong-yong lunged to catch the teaser, I pulled my hand back, and he unleashed a burst of flame breath.
It wasn’t a massive inferno. Proportional to Yong-yong’s size, it was merely a small flare.
“Grrr!”
But it was more than enough to incinerate the teaser wand.
Even small flames carry intense heat. This was dragon fire, after all—even from a hatchling.
“Yong-yong! You’ve destroyed it again.”
I scolded him gently, but Yong-yong simply shook the charred teaser side to side in his mouth.
I didn’t bother stopping him from breathing fire.
It wasn’t directed at me, after all….
I figured letting him practice with his flames now would help him control the massive infernos he’d unleash when he grew larger.
It didn’t matter that the teaser was destroyed.
I had dozens of them stocked in the Subspace. I could simply open the door and pull out another one to wave around.
“Grrr?”
When a fresh teaser appeared, Yong-yong tilted his head curiously, dropped the burnt one, and turned toward me.
After playing with him for a while, I heard the doorbell chime—ding-dong.
It seemed the delivery I’d ordered online had arrived. Since it was a hundred-million-won item, I went out to receive it in person.
I’d purchased it through the Hunter Association, so the staff member who came didn’t require any elaborate verification.
“Han Hye? That’s you, then.”
“Yes.”
The hundred-million-won item wasn’t anything extravagant. It wasn’t even something I’d use in a Gate.
It was a Gate metal similar to the Flame Jade I’d obtained before.
“But why this….”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
When I obtained the Sacred Stone, I thought of Min-seok. Hadn’t he been delighted when I gave him the Flame Jade?
The only reason I hadn’t given it to him immediately was because it contained sacred power, but as that power was consumed, Chun-bae awakened.
Should I call that good fortune?
The memory prompted me to want to give him another gift, so I purchased another Gate metal similar to the Flame Jade.
[Sea Current Silver (海流銀) Grade C]
-Silver naturally formed in seas where fierce currents rage. The metal itself contains the power of ocean currents.
-If used in weapon forging, it can imbue water attributes.
Gate metals aren’t typically expensive, but this one was quite costly. A hundred million won, to be exact.
It wasn’t because of any extraordinary power, but rather for aesthetic reasons. Silver that shimmered with blue wave patterns.
Ordinarily, Gate metals weren’t expensive regardless of their grade, but beautiful ones were a different story.
They were used in Earth’s precious metals market as well. In decorative pieces like pendant charms.
‘Considering it’s C-grade, it’s still a bargain compared to other items.’
I did wonder if a 100 million won gift was too expensive for an elementary school student like Choi Min-seok…
But I bought the Currents Silver anyway because it was so beautiful.
I wasn’t without money like I used to be, and if Choi Min-seok liked it, that was all that mattered.
-Ding dong!
I headed straight to the Next Door House with Yong-yong.
“You’re here?”
“Big brother!”
My Sister-in-law and Choi Min-seok greeted me warmly. Hmm. Was it really a warm greeting? I showed up every day for meals anyway.
“Where’s Mister?”
“He’s washing up.”
“Big brother! Can I pet Yong-yong?”
“Sure.”
I’d brought Yong-yong along precisely because of Choi Min-seok. He absolutely adored Yong-yong.
My Sister-in-law didn’t share the same enthusiasm. She found him cute, but stepped back slightly with a nervous expression.
She’d always been afraid of animals, and Yong-yong was particular around strangers—he’d even swatted Mister with his tail when they first met.
Though the two had grown quite close by now, Yong-yong’s temperament remained unchanged.
‘But he’s different with Choi Min-seok.’
At first, worried it might be dangerous, I’d performed Dragon-Human Unity and let Choi Min-seok touch him.
After that, I let him go while staying cautious, but contrary to my concerns, Yong-yong got along wonderfully with Choi Min-seok.
It wasn’t because of Dragon-Human Unity. It was different from what I did with Min-jae or Lee Shin-hee.
Did the Red Dragon recognize his own kind? Or was it because they were both children?
“Yong-yong! Fly!”
“Krr!”
I had no idea. As long as Yong-yong and Choi Min-seok were happy, that was enough.
“Big brother! Can I give him a snack?”
“You already ate, but just one?”
“Yay!”
I opened a Subspace and handed Choi Min-seok the Two Plus Korean beef I’d prepared for Yong-yong.
Well, it was expensive if you thought of it as pet food, but Yong-yong wasn’t a dog—he was a Red Dragon.
“Eat!”
“Krrr!”
While Choi Min-seok fed the meat to Yong-yong, I took the opportunity to retrieve the Currents Silver from the Subspace.
“Choi Min-seok.”
“Yes?”
“A gift!”
Choi Min-seok, who had only turned his head while feeding meat to Yong-yong, widened his eyes at the sight of the Currents Silver.
I tossed the meat I’d been holding up into the air, and Yong-yong leaped high to snatch it in his jaws.
Oh.
Of course, Choi Min-seok showed no interest in Yong-yong’s reflexes—his attention was entirely on me.
“Wow, hyung, you’re the best!”
“Better than Dad?”
“Uh…!”
Choi Min-seok fell silent at my question. The Mister had just emerged from the shower behind him… The kid had sharp instincts.
The Mister nodded at me from behind with a pleased expression.
I felt a wave of defeat wash over me. Was it really impossible to compete with blood relations?
“Wait? But I’m sensing something strange here too!”
“It’s probably the mana.”
“No! It’s different!”
Now that he mentioned it, hadn’t it been the same last time?
I thought I understood what the strangeness Choi Min-seok was describing might be. It was likely due to the aquatic properties contained within.
Even ordinary people sense the peculiarity of mana contained in Gate metals or mana stones. The same applies to their properties.
“This came from the ocean depths, so the water’s power is layered on top of it.”
“It’s not that kind of feeling—there’s something inside that I can sense!”
That’s when Chun-bae voiced his doubt.
-There may be something within it.
* * *
‘What do you mean there’s something?’
-There is a saying from a famous blacksmith in the Previous-Previous Princess’s world.
-In our world too, there existed metals imbued with mana, but the metals that came from within Gates had subtly different properties, he said.
‘You’re not talking about attributes?’
-Negative. It is different from that.
Then again, Chun-bae had mentioned that such metals existed in his world as well.
-The Previous-Previous Princess did not fully understand it either, but he is not one to speak nonsense. He is a blacksmith who has awakened as a blacksmith.
‘Are you saying Choi Min-seok has aptitude in that direction too?’
-It is a possibility. If the difference this child sensed is the same alienation that blacksmith felt, not us.
Hmm.
The father is a Dragon Knight and the son is an exceptional blacksmith? If it’s true, that family is truly blessed.
“Mister. Can we talk for a moment?”
It wasn’t something I could just brush aside, so I relayed to the Mister what I’d heard from Chun-bae.
“He has talent?”
“It’s a possibility. You never know, right?”
“If it’s coming from you, I’d be skeptical, but since it’s Chun-bae saying it, it’s quite credible…”
“Why not my word?”
“Your expertise is different, isn’t it?”
Since it concerned his son’s future, I’d spoken in jest, but the Mister responded seriously.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. He’s always liked gems anyway. I used to worry, but these days I can set him up with a jewelry shop anytime. If he awakens on top of that, even better.”
Right. If the difference Choi Min-seok felt was merely mana infused with properties like what we sense, he could simply run a jewelry shop.
If that’s not the case, it’s a problem we can worry about later once he awakens as a Blacksmith. Isn’t he still essentially a beginner?
“Is there something like a Blacksmith academy?”
“Of course there is. It’s become quite the hidden hotspot lately.”
“A hotspot?”
“You really don’t pay attention to what’s going on outside, do you?”
I train all day, so it’s hard to keep up.
“Why else would people talk about investing in Gate metal coins? Blacksmiths make serious money once they awaken, so there are quite a few people trying it out.”
“Trying it out?”
“I heard that at places where Hunter equipment is made, some have started operating like day-long classes—not professional apprenticeships, but more casual blacksmith workshops.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to look into it and send him to one, would it?”
Mister nodded with a serious expression and picked up his phone. His execution was remarkable—perhaps because it concerned his son.
In the meantime, I posed a question to Chun-bae.
“How does one awaken as a Blacksmith?”
-I don’t know that myself. I’ve only seen four Blacksmith awakeners, and each had different circumstances.
“So for now, the best approach is to have him attend a Blacksmith day-class and bring him Gate metals like this?”
Just then, Mister, who had been scrolling through his phone, let out a sigh.
“…I’m not sure if this is right.”
“Why not?”
“I’d prefer it if Choi Min-seok didn’t awaken.”
“Because it’s dangerous?”
“Yeah. I tried to stop you back then too.”
“But wouldn’t being a Blacksmith be safer?”
People in that profession typically don’t need to enter Gates.
“Still, he’d need to do some leveling, wouldn’t he?”
“Hmm. If he really does it, the government would probably arrange a 100% safe party for him, but…”
“Mutations are the problem.”
Right. I was unlucky enough to encounter the Red Dragon myself.
“Since he won’t have to enter Gates.”
“That’s true.”
“Let’s think about it then? It would be nice if it works out. I should give him another gift soon.”
Mister thanked me and swallowed hard with a slight smile.
“I need to get back to my side business soon too.”
The side business Mister mentioned was Yong-yong Samgyeopsal, his original main business.
He said it wasn’t about the money, but rather something he did out of attachment. It had been his emotional comfort when he couldn’t work as a Dragon Knight.
Initially, he had planned to hire a separate manager to run it, but his thinking had shifted.
-Now that I think about it, we’re moving anyway. It’s quite a distance, so I’m thinking of opening a new one.
-Near the house?
-Yeah. The building’s old and all. I’m thinking of putting both our names on it—me and Yong-yong. What if we make the facilities really nice?
-That would be better, wouldn’t it?
Even as a side business, it required frequent checks, so he decided to open it near his home.
Well, Mister, who had struck a jackpot contract with Yong-yong, had more than enough money to open a grilled pork belly restaurant.
“When are you starting?”
“Who knows. I heard the interior work just began.”
So it would be soon, then?
As I was thinking this, Mister glanced at me cautiously.
“Hye.”
“Yes?”
“Can I use Yong-yong on opening day?”
“Yong-yong?”
I tilted my head in confusion, and Mister spoke with passion. There was almost a gleam of madness in his eyes.
“We’re doing charcoal-grilled pork belly, so we light the charcoal with Yong-yong’s fire. The promotional effect would be incredible, right?”
“Oh?”
“Of course, we can’t do it for every customer, but that day—just Yong-yong’s flames. Light it and keep it going.”
“That’s insane, isn’t it?”
Red Dragon-grilled pork belly?
Even I can’t resist that. Why didn’t I think of this until now?
“Right? The fire—it wouldn’t be like those seed flames or something, would it?”
“Seed flames?”
“Well, you know how there’s seed broth and all that. Once Yong-yong lights the fire, you just keep using that.”
“If the fire doesn’t go out, that could work. But monitoring it 24 hours straight is a bit…”
I was concerned about the fire hazard.
“What if we add a fire-safety equipped space? Since construction isn’t finished yet. A place where we can continuously maintain the Red Dragon’s fire.”
A decent idea occurred to me at Mister’s words.
“What if we put that in the center of the restaurant? Make the fire-safety chamber reinforced glass or something, and display the fire. Dragon-conjured flames!”
“Oh? That’s actually pretty good?”
Mister quickly called someone. It was to inquire whether the interior modifications were possible.
“Sounds like it might be doable?”
“Wait a moment.”
There’s something important first.
Red Dragon-flame pork belly. We’ve never actually tried it ourselves. Even if it’s a juvenile Red Dragon, something could go wrong. For instance, the fire might be too intense.
“Let’s test it among ourselves first?”
“Good idea.”
We prepared right away while we were on the topic.
For comparison, I prepared both a regular fire and a Red Dragon fire.
“Yong-yong, fire! Just enough to grill meat! On this charcoal!”
“Krrrr!”
There was a subtle difference from the regularly lit fire. The flames seemed more alive, more vibrant somehow.
Filled with anticipation, I placed the meat on the grill.
“This smell… it’s incredibly delicious?”
“Is that so?”
Perhaps it was the Red Dragon fire—the aroma was distinctly superior. This was no subtle difference. The meat seared to perfection in moments.
And the taste….
“Wow, insane!”
“This is the pork belly of a lifetime!”
It was genuinely, impossibly delicious.
On the first day of Yong-yong pork belly, this was the moment I found myself trembling with anticipation for the grand opening.

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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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