Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 54

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

54. Hunter Cooperation (1)
‘The Hunter Association is offering a B-rank sword technique secret manual. Should I accept it, or ask for an elixir instead?’
I couldn’t predict how long it would take before the Subspace level increased again.
I’d reached level 3 quickly, but that was only possible because luck had favored me considerably.
It was hard to believe such fortune would continue indefinitely. Still, there was no pressing need to rush.
While I was beginning to feel the necessity of sword technique skills, for now combat using Leap and the Subspace was sufficient.
‘I’ve already acquired a C-rank speed skill, after all.’
Moreover, it was obvious that with Yong-yong’s growth, Mister’s firepower would have increased as well.
If the next Subspace contained a sword technique secret manual, I could wait. Though with 20 billion won, I’d get a C-rank elixir rather than a B-rank one.
—I recommend accepting it.
‘Really? No secret manual in the next Subspace?’
—Rather, the issue is not knowing when it will open. Since Han Hye primarily utilizes the sword, steady growth is important.
It was sound logic, so I had nothing to say against it.
I had been trying to be as efficient as possible, but Chun-bae said my thinking was flawed.
—Efficiency means accepting the sword technique secret manual now. An S-rank sword technique built from F-rank upward is stronger than one obtained directly at S-rank.
‘Really?’
—Affirmative. Of course. The breadth of experience built from the foundation is different. Because you understand various sword techniques, your perspective expands as well.
Now that I heard it, that made sense.
—Furthermore, the Subspace was originally designed with the assumption of the princesses’ natural growth.
‘So it’s meant to help us survive the early stages?’
—Affirmative. The Subspace is a space of assistance and support, not a solution. Though admittedly, that support is substantial.
Hearing this, accepting the B-rank sword technique secret manual now seemed better. It was certainly convenient having Chun-bae serve as a growth navigator.
There was one question on my mind.
‘Then should I acquire and learn one D-rank sword technique in the meantime?’
—Negative. There’s no particular need for that. The difference isn’t significant.
So not a big difference, just slightly better. Well, Chun-bae’s original point was that we didn’t know when the next Subspace would open anyway.
In any case, the decision was made. I called Park Seo-ung again.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
—An excellent choice. You’re already sufficiently strong, but you must also consider the direct combat aspect.
“Right.”
—Originally, I considered an experience increase item as well, but given how rapidly you’re growing now, I thought the secret manual would be better.
As I listened, I began to suspect the Hunter Association had deliberately prepared the B-rank sword technique.
When I first awakened, wasn’t there talk of needing to be developed with a secret manual?
I asked Mister about it, and my suspicion was correct. He said he was also receiving a B-rank spear technique secret manual.
We both ended up obtaining items of higher value than the amount we were originally supposed to receive.
‘I’m grateful.’
It was another moment when I felt the Hunter Association was taking tremendous care of us.
This wasn’t simply a matter like entering a Gate—they were looking after our growth as well.
Since a B-rank secret manual couldn’t be delivered by courier, Mister and I headed to the Hunter Association the next day.
It wasn’t far anyway, so it didn’t take long.
[Crescea Swordsmanship (B-Rank)]
—A swordsmanship technique wielded by a master of swift strikes.
The description was brief, but the skill rank made it clear this was solid swordsmanship. I activated the secret manual immediately upon receiving it.
[You have learned Crescea Swordsmanship (B-Rank).]
“Ugh.”
A sharp headache followed at once—the subtle principles embedded in the secret manual flowing into my mind.
The Crescea Swordsmanship I’d just acquired was exactly as described: a technique of rapid strikes, overwhelming the opponent with relentless speed.
Still, I couldn’t grasp much beyond that, mainly because I lacked deep knowledge of swordsmanship to begin with.
My Imperial Basic Swordsmanship was only level 5, which made it E-Rank—the subtle principles were simply different.
I’d likely need to train for a while to grow accustomed to Crescea Swordsmanship.
What exists in the mind and what the body can execute are two different things.
‘It doesn’t seem bad at all. I think it suits me well.’
My current combat style relied on using Leap to strike and retreat quickly.
In that regard, Crescea Swordsmanship—where speed was paramount—seemed like it would complement my approach nicely.
‘Could the Hunter Association have actually recommended something tailored to my combat style?’
I hadn’t given it much thought, but now it seemed plausible. My recent combat footage had been uploaded too. I’d made the right choice contracting with Korea.
Money aside, if I’d signed with a foreign organization, they wouldn’t have been this meticulous in their support.
* * *
[Lv25 Void Master, Han Hye]
Strength: 31
Agility: 33(+1)
Endurance: 36(+1)
Spirit: 30
Mana: 44(+1)(+1)
Bonus Points: 12
Skills: Subspace (S-Rank) Lv3, Leap (A-Rank) Lv3, Flame Resistance (A-Rank) Lv2, Crescea Swordsmanship (B-Rank) Lv1, Throwing (C-Rank) Lv3, Haste (C-Rank) Lv1, Cold Resistance (D-Rank) Lv1, Imperial Basic Swordsmanship (E-Rank) Lv5, *Wind Slash (Lv1)
This was my status window after returning home and consuming the elixir the Hunter Association had given me as a reward for clearing the Night of Despair.
My Mana stat had only increased by 1, but Cold Resistance had been promoted from E-Rank to D-Rank.
Compared to other C-Rank rewards, I’d essentially traded three stat points for an upgrade in Cold Resistance’s rank.
I was more than satisfied. I’d been planning to enter a Snow Field Gate soon anyway.
‘Arachne’s undergarment is excellent too.’
Setting aside the fact that Endurance, Mana, and Agility each rose by 1 stat point, the comfort when moving was incomparable.
Hunter-exclusive sportswear incorporated cutting-edge technology and was incredibly comfortable, but it couldn’t compare to this.
The softness against the skin was remarkable, it helped regulate body temperature, and it had excellent breathability.
When I actually moved, there wasn’t a single point where the fabric caught or restricted me.
‘Even though it’s my own status window, it’s become absurd.’
By now, I couldn’t even guess what level my status window stats corresponded to anymore. I’d raised so many different things.
Of course, truthfully, such simple comparisons were meaningless.
Raising stats by climbing Gates or using elixirs and equipment wasn’t unique to me.
‘Though even accounting for that, these stats are ridiculous. Same with the skills attached to them.’
A level 25 Hunter possessing one S+ rank skill, two A rank skills, one B rank skill, two C rank skills, one D rank skill, and one E rank skill.
It was absurd.
Most Hunters didn’t even possess A or B rank skills. If I were to reveal my status window to the world, it would send shockwaves across the globe.
—In truth, observing Han Hye now, my counsel is unnecessary. Among those I’ve witnessed across the second generation, your growth is the most remarkable.
For Chun-bae, who had endured both the previous and penultimate generations, to speak thus was significant—though admittedly, I still hadn’t obtained the qualification.
Regardless, I’d acquired new skills and raised my stats, yet I had no intention of resting content.
‘Mastering excellent skills and stats ultimately comes down to training.’
To maximize these stats and skills, rigorous training was indispensable.
I wasn’t cycling between home and the training grounds for nothing. My growth was accelerating—far too rapidly.
I was advancing before I could even master what I’d already gained. Currently, I couldn’t push my stats and skills to their absolute limits.
I’d considered devoting myself entirely to training for a while, but Chun-bae advised against it.
—Negative. Han Hye’s growth trajectory operates on an entirely different scale. You may focus intensively later, once your advancement naturally decelerates.
In other words, I should continue forward for now. Still, adapting to swordsmanship and the Swift skill was essential, so I headed to the training grounds.
Mister was in the same situation as me, so he joined for sparring.
“Ultimately, Swift seems to hinge on timing.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Now I understand why frontline fighters say using Swift is grueling.”
“Because you have to constantly monitor the timing?”
“Exactly. That’s the problem. When I focus on timing, everything else becomes muddled.”
The Swift skill wasn’t an overpowered ability where only I moved while everyone else stood still.
It was more like moving and thinking slightly faster.
For backline fighters, this was useful when casting important spells or healing incantations, but frontliners had far more to consider.
The mana consumption was so substantial that it couldn’t be used carelessly. One had to seize the optimal moment.
“Then why not just disregard it?”
“Disregard it?”
“Do you really have to use it constantly? Just fight as though it doesn’t exist, then activate it only at critical moments.”
The problem Mister and I were grappling with stemmed from deliberating how to use the Swift skill effectively.
During sparring, we’d constantly been preoccupied with when to deploy it.
“Combat doesn’t unfold according to plan anyway. Treat it as a skill that doesn’t exist. Focus on raising its level primarily through sparring.”
“That’s not a bad approach.”
“Let’s adapt to it through use for now.”
Both body and mind accelerated together, but I needed to gauge how far I could move within that accelerated state.
I had spatial awareness, making it manageable, but Mister didn’t.
After becoming accustomed to the Swift skill, I proceeded with sparring centered on swordsmanship and spear techniques.
As we continued, Lee Shin-hee and Seo Min-jae joined us.
“Wow, Yong-yong has become so sturdy! Can I ride too?”
Seo Min-jae approached and stroked Yong-yong, his eyes gleaming. Were all people the same?
He seemed eager to ride Yong-yong just as I did.
Lee Shin-hee merely observed from a distance with careful attention, yet her eyes shone unusually bright as well.
“Krrrr!”
Unfortunately, Yong-yong, who wasn’t as close to the two of them, had declined, so neither Seo Min-jae nor Lee Shin-hee got a chance to ride.
“You’ve ridden before, haven’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Sigh….”
Min-jae made his disappointment obvious, and Lee Shin-hee looked somewhat dejected, so I handed them the beef meant for Yong-yong to console them.
“Let’s try it once you two get a bit closer.”
In any case, as Yong-yong had grown, we conducted new coordination training. The approach was for Mister to ride Yong-yong and lead the charge while I covered the rear.
It wasn’t a bad arrangement either. It had become a way to block the path using the Subspace.
“So, what should we do now?”
After training, we moved into discussing our next steps.
“We’re awkwardly stuck at level 26. Should we wait a bit and pick carefully, or just enter any two Gates?”
A Gate’s recommended level exists for a reason. To receive optimal experience, you need to match the recommended level.
If your level is too low or too high, you suffer some loss.
“Hmm. It’s a tough call.”
Moreover, with the recent Gate announcements, all the decent Gates have been claimed. Only unpopular Gates remained.
Gates with harsh environments or poor rewards relative to effort.
Ultimately, the question came down to whether we should wait a bit. We were already growing at a faster pace than most anyway.
Of course, we could just go regardless.
“We could accept some loss and enter….”
“The problem is we’d be using priority access, which feels wasteful. It’s better to get the full reward.”
Just as we were discussing this, my phone rang. It was Seo-ung. He’d been calling frequently these past few days.
I wondered why. Did he want to check if the salary I’d given was satisfactory?
But the actual topic was entirely different.
-Han Hye, this is Park Seo-ung.
-The reason I’m calling is that we’ve received a hunter cooperation request from abroad.
Just a few days ago, he’d said it was better to decline. Was this a different situation?
“Where?”
-Saudi Arabia.
“Didn’t you say that region was dangerous?”
-Yes. It’s close to North Africa and in the Middle East, so it is dangerous, but actually, I have something to tell you about this.
“What is it?”
-This is a matter we must earnestly request your assistance with….
What could it be?
I couldn’t guess what he was about to say. Park Seo-ung had been considerate toward me, but he’d never approached me with such careful deference before.
-It concerns Shin Chang and Kim San.

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