Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 40

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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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40. Outflow-Type Gate (3)
An outflow-type Gate doesn’t activate as rapidly as it did during the Night of Despair. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Ten minutes is enough time to relocate. We need to move quickly and establish a defensive line before the Gate fully opens.
“Hurry! This way!”
“Hye-young!”
Less than two minutes had passed since the alarm sounded, yet the nearby citizens were already moving with purpose.
The evacuation proceeded without significant chaos.
Following the Gate incidents ten years ago and five years ago, Korea had implemented quarterly evacuation drills for outflow-type Gate emergencies.
Most urban areas had shelters within a thirty-minute walk, and when an alarm was issued, vehicles in the city had to park on the shoulder and evacuate.
The law was strictly observed because driving without being an emergency vehicle resulted in fines in the tens of millions of won.
The fact that we could drive comfortably now was thanks to that enforcement.
Of course, traffic had drastically decreased right after the massive Gate erupted in Daejeon.
“Phew. They made it safely to the shelter. The Gate didn’t open on their end.”
The expression on the old man’s face eased considerably after hearing news of his family.
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes, now the problem is us.”
My sister-in-law and Min-seok at the Shelter Near Association were safe. The real danger lay with us—we had to contain the mid-sized Gate.
Lee Shin-hee continued speaking with a composed expression.
“Some Hunters have gathered, but it might be difficult to completely seal a mid-sized Gate.”
“That’s true.”
It wasn’t just difficult—it would be nearly impossible. Most B-rank and above Hunters, meaning those level 36 and higher, had headed to Daejeon.
Some Hunters remained as a precaution, but they wouldn’t be enough to contain thirteen mid-sized Gates.
“We need to hold the line until the top-tier Guild Hunters from Daejeon or the remaining Hunters arrive.”
Min-jae, who had been scrolling through his phone while driving, spoke up.
“Both Emergency and Recovery Guilds have higher average levels than us. Emergency averages around level 35, and Recovery is around level 30.”
“That’s something at least, right? A team of level 30 and above can handle Ogres, can’t they? We just need to hold while they take them down one by one.”
It was a reasonable opinion, though somewhat idealistic.
“I’m not so sure. If an Ogre just charges through, our line might break.”
“True. They’re mindlessly strong.”
Ten minutes later, we arrived at Seoul National University Station.
“Here! Bring the barricades here!”
“What are you doing? Push the car further to the side, quickly!”
The area in front of Seoul National University Station was quite chaotic. Helicopters circled overhead, and soldiers were visible.
Needless to say, outflow-type Gates didn’t attract only Hunters.
Bullets and bombs were ineffective against Awakened monsters—that was the simple truth.
Awakened creatures protected by mana barriers could only be easily defeated by Hunters.
The ordinary monsters could be handled with the military’s assistance.
Of course, all monsters above a certain tier possessed mana barriers.
‘There aren’t that many of them, though.’
Two helicopters that had been landed took off, leaving approximately twenty soldiers behind in this location.
It seemed the large Gate that had opened in Daejeon was the reason—the Gate had been generated less than ten minutes ago.
Still, this response time was remarkably swift.
Perhaps the entire force had entered emergency standby mode after the large Gate’s appearance.
“Where are you coming from?”
The person who had been ordering the barricade installation approached us. From his attire, I could tell he was Association Staff.
“Dragon Guild.”
“Ah, welcome! Leave your car keys and head over there.”
At the designated location, there were five hunters. It appeared only one guild had arrived so far.
“Dragon Guild, Han Hye.”
“Dragon Guild? Oh, nice to meet you. We’re from Recovery Guild.”
Recovery Guild regarded us with curiosity. Despite the circumstances, their interest was evident.
Neither I nor the Mister had engaged in any external activities except for the contract interview.
Still, there was surprisingly much talk about us on Hunter Net.
As we exchanged greetings, seven more people approached from behind. A man who appeared to be in his early thirties led them.
“Emergency Guild. We’ve received field command authority from the Hunter Association. What’s the situation?”
Emergency Guild.
Min-jae had explained them in detail on the way here. They were a mix of B-rank and C-rank hunters.
Likely because they had C-rank hunters among them, they hadn’t been dispatched to Daejeon and had instead been placed on emergency standby.
Recovery Guild, who had arrived before us, spoke up.
“Dragon Guild just arrived as well, and we’re in the Gate activation preparation phase. The soldiers are working on barricades and explosives.”
“Ah, so you’re Dragon Guild?”
Emergency Guild, like Recovery Guild, regarded us with curiosity. Of course, it didn’t last long.
Being the highest level, they maintained a rather composed demeanor.
“More hunters will arrive, but they won’t be particularly formidable.”
The Emergency Guild Master’s assessment was one I agreed with. Hunters around level 30 typically belonged to established guilds.
It meant the incoming hunters wouldn’t be particularly strong.
“For now, I’m thinking we divide the area by guild for defense. Any objections?”
Outbreak-type Gate defense operations generally employ two methods: by job class or by guild.
The former involves combining hunters from different guilds into teams based on their job classes.
However, it wasn’t a preferred method. Without prior coordination, the probability of complications was high.
After all, we’d have to coordinate with people we were meeting for the first time.
Fighting alongside those whose skills and combat styles we didn’t know, sharing buffs—it was not only wasteful of mana but often harmful to everyone involved.
With large Gates, hunters coordinate beforehand, but this situation was different.
“None.”
“Same here.”
The Emergency Guild Master nodded. Then he exchanged a few words with the Association Staff controlling the road and returned.
“The rear of the Gate will be sealed with monster transport vehicles and barricades. Our objective is to seal this passage.”
Given the time constraints, the briefing was brief.
“I understand Recovery Guild consists mainly of C-rank hunters, and Dragon Guild of D-rank hunters. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Emergency will handle the front. Recovery and Dragon will cover the left and right flanks slightly behind.”
The Emergency Guild Master, having spoken thus, exhaled briefly and whispered softly.
“This defense prioritizes survival. Our goal is to hold out as long as possible until high-level hunters arrive. Don’t overextend yourselves.”
“Understood.”
“Of course, we should block what we can. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but let’s try.”
There was strength in those words—”let’s try.”
The intent came through clearly: we’d block as much as we could.
“We’re running out of time. Let’s move to our positions.”
* * *
The defensive line wasn’t constructed with any complex design.
The Gate had manifested on a seven-lane road between Seoul National University Station and Gwanak-gu Office.
Since an outflow-type Gate had only one entrance where monsters emerged, the area behind it was blocked with reinforced double-decker buses and barricades designed specifically for monsters.
Our task was to eliminate monsters that burst forth from the front.
Ordinarily, monsters wouldn’t venture past the Gate. They typically target Awakened rather than ordinary people.
Within what they can capture, that is.
It’s instinctual, I suppose. We’d learned that monsters operate the same way we do—capturing prey to gain experience. Some monsters even Awaken after consuming an Awakened.
‘Realistically, this is the best we can do.’
If there were more hunters, we might have extended the defensive line further back to account for any monsters that slip through, but that’s impossible.
Moreover, our reinforcements were limited.
All we had were the low-level hunters who arrived later and twenty soldiers positioned on the rooftops of both buildings.
The low-level hunters’ role was to prevent minor monsters from escaping.
The soldiers would provide fire support, but it’s similar to the hunters in back—firearms are essentially useless against Awakened beings.
Especially in a medium-tier Gate, what we were concerned about was Ogre-class monsters, so ultimately the three guilds formed the core defense.
-This is Emergency Guild again. Upon initial monster emergence, we’ll proceed with detonation first.
As the outflow-type Gate’s activation drew near, the Emergency Guild Master grabbed the radio.
It was already an agreed-upon plan.
The monsters emerging from the Gate initially would be dealt with using bombs the soldiers had planted, as much as possible.
This was to preserve our mana and stamina as much as we could.
-After that, a fire barrier will form due to the oil we’ve laid down beforehand. Each guild’s mages and sorcerers will respond secondarily with wind and flame magic as much as possible. The order is Emergency, Recovery, then Dragon.
What we’d chosen, given our limited numbers, was a method to handle minor monsters as easily as possible.
So we could properly face the stronger monsters that came after.
-After that, anything that breaks through, Emergency will block first, and Recovery and Dragon will handle anything that slips to the sides.
-Understood.
-If Ogre-class monsters emerge, assign one per guild as much as possible. If four or more appear, we retreat and conduct a delaying action.
A medium-tier Gate spawns at least two Ogre-class monsters. If we’re lucky, it’s two; beyond that is possible.
Minimum two, maximum around seven.
Realistically, a direct confrontation in such circumstances is impossible. We need to buy time until additional support arrives.
-As I said before, survival comes first. Then, good luck to us all.
Ten seconds after the radio transmission ended.
A deafening roar—
Mana rippled outward once more, and the Gate began to activate. Monsters started pouring out from the now-active Gate.
-Graaahhh!
The first to emerge was an Awakened Orc.
Behind it came a diverse array of monsters—Goblins, Knolls, Mantises, and more.
-Hold your positions.
The Orc at the front roared upon spotting us, then charged forward with tremendous force.
There was some distance between the Gate and our defensive line. By the time the Orc crossed the midpoint…
-Kaboooom!
The first explosion detonated. It was a magnificent blast that shook the very ground. Windows in nearby buildings shattered, and the barricades trembled from the shockwave.
Fire ignited across the oil we’d spread beforehand, completing a wall of flames.
-Shrieeeek!
As monsters shrieked, the Awakened ones burst through the inferno directly.
-Magic!
Min-jae began chanting, and the Emergency Guild unleashed their spells first.
Boom—!
More than half the monsters in the front ranks fell. But this was a mid-tier Gate. More poured in relentlessly.
-Recovery Guild!
The Recovery Guild’s mage followed suit, extending their hand. Multiple flaming spears erupted toward the monsters.
However, the destructive power didn’t match the Emergency Guild’s output.
-Dragon Guild!
So the turn passed immediately to Min-jae. The instant his Fireball launched forward—
-Kaboom!
The destructive force was incomparable to before. It seemed even stronger than the Emergency Guild, not just Recovery.
Min-jae had been preparing since earlier. He’d said he’d use his maximum output, but to think it would be this powerful…
-Insane… Dragon Guild, how many more times can you do that?
-I can continue.
-Dragon Guild mage will be our main firepower. Emergency and Recovery, stand by. Use your magic during the gaps when Dragon’s spells are recharging.
Hope colored the Emergency Guild Master’s voice. Had he felt that with Min-jae’s destructive power, we could manage this?
But that hope lasted less than twenty seconds.
-Auuuuuu!
-Auuuu!
Beyond the wall of flames, from inside the Gate, came a low, prolonged wolf howl.
It wasn’t from a Knoll or a Sniffer.
-Damn it! Grendel appearing! Unable to confirm numbers!
Grendel.
Standing roughly 2.5 meters tall, this monster could be considered a superior species of Werewolf, comparable to an Ogre.
While its strength was slightly inferior to an Ogre, its agility was beyond imagination. Depending on circumstances, it was treated as a more troublesome monster than an Ogre.
From the howls alone, there were at least three of them.
-There are four Grendels!
Soldiers observing the Gate from a nearby rooftop reported instead via radio. The Emergency Guild Master cursed.
-Four Grendels? Prepare to retreat!
But I was skeptical of that judgment. Four Grendels. Would retreating and fighting a delaying action actually solve anything?
With an Ogre, I could drag it into an alley and buy time somehow, but….
Grendels are considerably agile—that’s a different story. They scale walls. If we stumbled backward carelessly, there was a real chance we’d be annihilated instead.
There was only one option available to me now.
“Wait a moment.”
Whoooosh—.
After unilaterally informing my team, I immediately opened a Subspace.
Right now, the best course was to find answers within the Subspace.

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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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