Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 66
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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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66. Preparation
I sensed something peculiar from our first encounter. He was observing me even before we exchanged names.
There was no hostility in that gaze—more like the scrutiny of someone studying me carefully.
Still, facing a corporate chairman like those I’d only seen on television was somewhat intimidating.
After all, he was our guild’s greatest patron.
“Please, everyone sit.”
The chairman, who had been observing us briefly, spoke with a generous expression.
“I hope the Guild House is satisfactory.”
“It’s more than satisfactory. Thank you so much for your support.”
Chul-gi, our eldest member, responded gracefully. Since his words were genuine rather than flattery, both Min-jae and I found ourselves nodding in agreement.
“I’m glad. I was actually wondering if I should have purchased something larger.”
Larger?
We still had unused space, and with only four guild members, we were probably the only ones using an entire building as our Guild House.
[Is this really the Dragon Guild House?]
-Isn’t it insanely huge?
-The Dragon Knight and Space Mage must’ve earned a ton of money lol
-Even after five years as a hunter, I could never dream of a place like that;;>
-Wait, there’s only four of them? Isn’t that overkill?
It had even become a topic on Hunter Net, with most reactions expressing envy. The only criticism was that it seemed excessive for just four people.
But for those of us actually using it, that wasn’t a flaw at all. It was simply that convenient.
“Larger? No, this is perfect. We have more than enough space as it is. We have no intention of expanding the guild significantly.”
“So you’re aiming for a small, elite force?”
The chairman’s gaze turned toward me. Though his appearance was that of an elderly man, his eyes gleamed with such clarity that looking only at them, he seemed young.
“Yes. That’s our current goal.”
I couldn’t predict the future, but barring unforeseen circumstances, this conviction wouldn’t change.
The chairman offered a faint smile and nodded silently.
Knock, knock—
Just then, the food began arriving. It was a course meal, starting with appetizers.
It was quite delicious. Though not quite on par with the hospitality we’d received in Saudi Arabia.
Well, that had been hosted by a royal family, so the standards were naturally different.
“I may not know much about the hunter industry, but I hear you’re growing faster than anyone else in the world.”
“I’ve been fortunate.”
“They say luck is seventy percent and skill is thirty, but without skill, you can’t capitalize on luck. You’re simply that exceptional.”
Now that I thought about it, I’d been receiving a lot of praise lately. It made sense, given how rapidly I’d grown and become famous.
Suddenly, a cautionary thought crossed my mind.
Wasn’t there a saying that promising prospects often collapse right when they’ve achieved some success? They become arrogant from the attention and praise around them.
Of course, I wasn’t in that position. I’d climbed from the very bottom. And Chun-bae was right beside me.
“You’ve worked hard all this time. From what I understand, it’s been quite a journey.”
“I heard you’re the Sharpshooter’s cousin. Is that correct?”
The chairman, who had addressed me, then continued his conversation with Chul-gi and Min-jae.
It was just small talk, nothing of real importance.
‘Thank goodness.’
When I first heard I’d be meeting the chairman, I’ll admit I was somewhat anxious about corporate sponsorship issues.
Hunters are an expensive profession. Of course, we earn substantial income, but….
Between elixirs, rare items, and equipment, money drains away like water through a sieve. That’s why certain guilds accept corporate sponsorship.
If this were a healthy relationship, there’d be no problem, but since money alone can’t be accepted, a certain entanglement inevitably develops.
‘I don’t see any signs of that here.’
Even if I’d been prepared to refuse a request, it seemed he’d genuinely prepared this for his granddaughter’s sake.
While thinking this, I stole glances at the chairman, and our eyes met.
“I’m telling you this so you won’t worry, but this support comes with no strings attached. I have no intention of interfering in operations like other corporations do.”
Was a chairman who’d built such a massive enterprise simply different? I was startled by his remark that seemed to pierce right through my thoughts.
The chairman tilted his head at his own words.
“Actually, no. Since I’m supporting her for my granddaughter’s sake, it’s not entirely without compensation. My apologies. I misspoke.”
He seemed to be making a joke of sorts. Of course, Lee Shin-hee didn’t stay silent either.
“Grandfather.”
She spoke in a low voice, and the chairman laughed awkwardly while reading the room.
He looked disarmed in a way he didn’t when facing us.
“In any case, don’t worry. Even if I wanted to ask for something, Shin-hee would stop me anyway.”
“Yes. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Lee Shin-hee sighed softly and continued with firm resolve.
“If you were that kind of person, I wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.”
“Now look at that.”
The chairman chuckled heartily.
True enough. From what I’d observed of Lee Shin-hee, she was the type to maintain clear boundaries.
“As I said, I’m supporting you because of my granddaughter, so please take good care of our Shin-hee. This is sincere.”
The chairman, who had been smiling, suddenly shifted his expression to something grave and spoke directly while looking straight at me.
“Grandfather!”
Lee Shin-hee’s face flushed as she let out a small cry. The chairman seemed taken aback this time and cleared his throat.
“She’s so capable that you won’t need to worry much.”
I praised Lee Shin-hee, but the chairman’s expression seemed both pleased and slightly displeased.
Hmm. I didn’t think I’d misspoken. I quickly continued.
“Of course, I’ll do my best to ensure that Lee Shin-hee returns safely.”
“Mm-hmm. Thank you.”
Only then did the chairman nod with satisfaction. Lee Shin-hee, sitting beside me, looked at me with an exasperated expression.
It was a look that said, ‘Are you really doing this?’ I gave a light shrug.
What could I do?
The term “patron” felt a bit odd—he was our primary benefactor at most. Besides, he’d said he wouldn’t interfere. I had to give him the answer he wanted.
“Well then, this old man shall take his leave. Please enjoy yourselves at your ease.”
The chairman rose from his seat almost immediately after hearing my response.
I couldn’t help but think that perhaps the entire reason he’d wanted to meet us was to hear those very words.
He had continued watching me because I was the guild leader. After all, I was the one who needed to say those words.
Perhaps he was waiting for the right moment.
‘Come to think of it, he probably didn’t call me just to see my face.’
A corporate chairman of his caliber would have already assessed what kind of people we are. Their information networks are formidable, after all.
He had genuinely called to ask me to look after his granddaughter.
When I thought about it, it made sense. We primarily hunted dangerous Gates anyway, didn’t we?
From a grandfather’s perspective, it was only natural to worry.
‘He must have opposed it heavily at first.’
A conglomerate heiress becoming a hunter—I was surprised myself when I first heard it. Usually, people like Lee Shin-hee don’t operate that way.
Most awakened individuals simply use their abilities for health and live ordinary lives.
“Sigh.”
Lee Shin-hee let out a deep sigh. She seemed embarrassed by the situation.
“I’m sorry, everyone. My grandfather can be a bit much.”
That was right. Now that she mentioned it, her family had called him eccentric before.
“Oh, come on. It’s actually heartwarming. Everyone’s like that, aren’t they?”
Chul-gi waved his hand dismissively. Lee Shin-hee had nothing to apologize for. It really was touching to see. Min-jae was nodding in agreement too.
After all, there were parents who didn’t want their children to become awakened, yet still sent them to hunter academies anyway.
* * *
[Lv27 Space Master, Han Hye]
Strength: 34(+3)
Agility: 34(+1)(+1)
Stamina: 40(+4)(+1)
Spirit: 32
Mana: 44(+1)
Spare Points: 10
Skills: Subspace (S-rank) Lv3, Leap (A-rank) Lv3, Flame Resistance (A-rank) Lv3, Crescea Swordsmanship (B-rank) Lv3, Cockfighting (C-rank) Lv4, Swift Movement (C-rank) Lv1, Cold Resistance (D-rank) Lv2, Imperial Basic Swordsmanship (E-rank) Lv5, *Wind Slash (Lv1)
This was my status window before the next Gate. I still kept 10 spare points unused, following Chun-bae’s advice.
He had warned that keeping too many was unwise. Cases like Grendel were special circumstances anyway. Ten points was enough to handle most situations.
The other change was that my Cold Resistance level had increased by one from consuming cold-attribute semi-elixirs.
It rose right before the Snow Field Gate, which felt fortunate.
‘He said I needed to consume a lot of them. I got lucky.’
The guild’s next training naturally aimed to prepare for the Snow Field Gate.
I didn’t neglect studying action protocols for the snowfield and theorizing about monsters that might appear there.
Even though I had worked as a porter before, the Snow Field Gate was my first time, so I prepared more diligently than usual.
Even with Subspace, an extreme environment couldn’t be made completely convenient.
“Ugh, this is unbearably inconvenient.”
Naturally, training for the snowfield was harder than usual.
‘Moving around in snow shoes and winter gear is no joke.’
The Training Facility’s Combat Arena could simulate conditions, so we created a snowfield with magic and trained properly dressed in below-freezing weather.
My body inevitably moved slower, so the training focused on adapting to this reduced mobility.
This proved far more challenging than I’d anticipated. My body wouldn’t respond as my mind commanded. My reaction time lagged by half a beat.
My feet sinking deep into the snow beneath the surface was equally problematic.
My lower body was constrained while only my upper body moved, throwing off my balance entirely. Snow Field environments weren’t avoided without reason.
In hot climates, physical movement itself rarely posed such difficulties.
-What is that?
While I continued my training, the equipment I’d requested from the Hunter Association arrived.
‘Ah? A snowmobile.’
-…What is this?
When I demonstrated its actual use, even Chun-bae was taken aback.
He likely hadn’t yet learned all the information about Earth.
‘I’ll need to bring this to the Snow Field.’
Once I organized my Subspace, I could easily transport it. Of course, the snowmobile wasn’t all I’d prepared.
-Was it truly necessary to bring provisions as well?
I’d prepared quite a substantial amount of flour sacks and meat.
When I’d heard the Gate information from Chun-bae, such supplies hadn’t seemed necessary.
‘You never know. It might prove useful.’
When we discussed the conditions inside the Gate, Chun-bae had suggested the supplies were unnecessary.
-It wasn’t a particularly critical matter.
‘Let’s see for ourselves. It won’t hurt to bring them anyway.’
But I’d packed them by my own decision. I’d heard this was a story-type Gate. There was no way to predict how circumstances might unfold.
Once all the items I’d wanted arrived, we entered the next Gate.
[Yagor’s Harsh Snowfield]
-Recommended Level: 26~30
-Personnel Limit: 10
“Wow….”
“Insane, is this real?”
And before our eyes stretched an enormous Snow Field with a raging blizzard. A snowstorm so fierce we couldn’t see even an inch ahead.
It was far worse than what I’d imagined from Chun-bae’s description.
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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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