Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 72
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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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72. A Brief Respite
Life after clearing the Gate returned to its usual rhythm. After a day of rest, I resumed personal training and Guild training.
Of course, I didn’t forget to consume the B-rank elixir, Frost Essence Flower, that I’d obtained from this Gate.
[Lv29 Void Master, Han Hye]
Strength: 37(+3)
Agility: 37(+3)(+1)
Stamina: 41(+1)(+1)
Spirit: 32
Mana: 46(+2)(+1)
Bonus Points: 10
Skills: Subspace (S-rank) Lv3, Leap (A-rank) Lv3, Flame Resistance (A-rank) Lv3, Crescea Swordsmanship (B-rank) Lv3, Throwing Technique (C-rank) Lv4, Swift Movement (C-rank) Lv1, Cold Resistance (C-rank) Lv3, Imperial Basic Swordsmanship (E-rank) Lv5, *Wind Slash
The Frost Essence Flower increased my Stamina and Mana stats by 1 and 2 respectively, and raised the Cold Resistance skill by one level.
Since even the skill level improved, I’d achieved above-average results for a B-rank elixir.
I could now say I had adequate support skills in place.
Though there was a grade difference compared to the A-rank Flame Resistance, the skill level itself was identical at level 3.
‘In truth, the D-rank Cold Resistance had always felt somewhat lacking.’
While the Cold Resistance skill certainly helped in this Snow Field, the difference was undeniable.
When I’d visited Flame Valley before, I’d merely felt warmth, but this time I genuinely felt the cold.
Though less than the other Guild members, I experienced discomfort in the freezing conditions. Without the heat stones, it would have been quite difficult.
Of course, part of that was due to my refusal to rest despite the villagers’ objections, continuing to wander the Snow Field….
‘As for stats, I invested in Agility and Stamina.’
I distributed 3 points to each equally. I knew I should eventually raise Spirit as well, but for now it seemed manageable.
Chun-bae had offered his advice too.
“Do I really need to raise Spirit stats right now?”
-Affirmative. There’s still room. Your current stats are already sufficient.
Monster roars affecting the body primarily manifest in Gates of level 35 and above.
Even accounting for that, my Spirit stat was higher than average among Hunters.
-I recommend focusing on swordsmanship and throwing technique rather than raw stats.
He’d also offered guidance on growth.
-Especially given how rapidly your stats have risen, you must maintain balance between your body, swordsmanship, and throwing technique skills.
I agreed with him. It was something I’d been conscious of since low levels, but my growth outpaced my adaptation.
The sole drawback of being Earth’s fastest-growing Hunter—this rapid growth itself.
Of course, if I mentioned this weakness to other Hunters, they’d think I was insane.
They couldn’t achieve this growth even if they wanted to.
“Are the skill levels fine? Don’t I need to raise swordsmanship or throwing technique further?”
-Affirmative. For your current level range, it’s sufficient. You’re at average standard.
“Average? Isn’t that lacking?”
From what I understood, the average martial skill level for level 30 Hunters was around 3 to 5 levels depending on rank.
As skill ranks increase, raising levels becomes more challenging, so there’s naturally variance.
-Negative. Your skill ranks are above average, and Crescea Swordsmanship was only recently acquired.
True, I haven’t been studying Cresea swordsmanship for very long.
-Considering the tremendous rate of growth, your level should actually be lower. This is excellent progress created by Han Hye’s talent.
“Hmm. You’re flattering me too much.”
-Denial. I speak only facts. Of course, further development would be ideal, but that is already guaranteed.
Guaranteed?
When I expressed doubt, Chun-bae continued.
-Because you receive instruction from a master.
“You mean Shin Chang?”
-Affirmative. Receiving favorable attention and periodic instruction from a master of that caliber is not an opportunity easily obtained.
Now that I thought about it, that was true. With Shin Chang’s guidance and swordmaster Seung-yeop’s assistance, I’d reached level 3 in swordsmanship in no time.
Since we’d agreed to continue meeting, my progress in swordsmanship was assured.
If I continued sparring with Mister, I planned to ask for help with things beyond swordsmanship as well, so some growth would naturally follow.
I’d been worried my skill levels were a bit low, but it seemed I didn’t need to be overly concerned.
“Good. Then let’s work on balance first.”
As always, it was time to head to the Training Ground again. Since I’d raised agility and stamina, I’d start with reaction speed training.
After that, I’d adapt to my increased strength and work on the attack trajectory training Shin Chang taught me…
‘This grueling—no, wonderful thing. I can’t be the only one doing this.’
I immediately called Mister.
-What’s going on so early in the morning?
“Training Ground?”
-Hey, it’s only 7 AM.
“Isn’t early morning training great?”
-Come to my place. Let’s have breakfast together first.
Right, that made sense.
Talking with Chun-bae had made me too eager. A person should eat before training.
* * *
Two days later.
After finishing Guild training, we gathered at the Guild House for a meeting. It was about our next Gate.
“I looked before coming, but there really aren’t any Gates worth going to.”
“Yes. I checked too, and there’s nothing worth choosing.”
With the Gate announcements concluded, there weren’t many Gates left worth our time.
Release-type Gates were appearing one or two at a time, but there was no Gate we absolutely had to enter.
‘Actually, this is normal.’
Until now, I’d only been clearing excellent Gates. Since I’d gained priority access by entering level-restricted Gates at the Hunter Association’s request.
Back then, all the party members except one spiritist had joined the Guild, so I could use priority access frequently.
“Entry-type Gates are appearing little by little, but there’s nothing suitable.”
Mister sat in the conference room looking at the Gate list and clicked his tongue.
This was also a list carefully selected and compiled by the staff member the chairman had sent to the Guild House.
‘It’s really convenient.’
However, the problem was that even from such a carefully curated selection, there wasn’t a Gate I genuinely wanted to enter.
There were still plenty of unpopular Gates left over from the last Gate announcement that hadn’t been selected.
“Should we just enter any Gate and level up a bit? I think it would be good for both me and Mister to improve our combat proficiency.”
Real combat inside a Gate helps not just with combat skill levels, but also with physical balance.
No matter how much you train, it can never compare to actual combat.
“Sounds good. I was thinking I needed to refine my spearmanship anyway. Training with you is great, but it feels like something’s missing.”
“It’s hard to feel genuine killing intent in training, after all. Monsters aren’t people.”
Lee Shin-hee and Min-jae both nodded in agreement.
“I don’t mind either way. Both options work for me.”
“I think it would be good for me to use magic in actual combat too. I’ve learned some new sand magic recently.”
While we were talking, Mister let out a dry chuckle.
“True. We’ve been climbing way too easily thanks to Han Hye. Building a solid foundation is good.”
“That’s right. We’ve benefited a lot from Han Hye’s help.”
“You’re not cursing me out, are you? Saying we got here the easy way?”
Since I still wasn’t used to receiving praise like this, I scratched the back of my head and tried to be humble.
But the reaction was a bit intense.
“…?”
“Huh? Brother, cursing you out?”
Lee Shin-hee looked at me with eyes that said “What kind of crazy talk is this?” and Min-jae jumped up from his seat.
“It’s because we like you, that’s why.”
Only Mister understood my intention and chuckled quietly.
“I was just saying.”
Under Lee Shin-hee’s piercing gaze, I realized I’d made another unintended blunder and quickly tried to smooth things over.
Mister, who had been laughing, shrugged his shoulders.
“But wouldn’t it be different even if we go to an ordinary place?”
“Pardon?”
“Well, you have that spatial sense of yours. Hidden dungeons aren’t only in popular Gates.”
That was a fair point.
Hidden dungeons can exist in any Gate. It’s just that the discovery rate is higher in popular Gates.
“I see?”
Lee Shin-hee seemed to have expected this and remained calm, but Min-jae’s eyes widened.
“Should we pull up a list right now?”
“Min-jae.”
“Yes?”
“I already have a list of worthwhile places here.”
This was exactly why we needed staff at the Guild House. So we didn’t have to handle these tedious tasks ourselves.
“Ah….”
Instead of the embarrassed Min-jae, Lee Shin-hee turned her gaze toward me.
“Han Hye, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Me?”
“You seem to have good instincts.”
“Well, the Snow Field Gate wasn’t really my intuition either—I received advice on it.”
Back then, I hadn’t mentioned Chun-bae, so I’d called it intuition, but now that I’d revealed he’d given me counsel, I felt slightly puzzled.
“I know that. It’s just a personal feeling. You seem to choose well, that’s all.”
“Ah, I didn’t have any particular instinct this time.”
“Hmm. Still, why don’t you try picking one?”
In Lee Shin-hee’s eyes as she spoke, I detected a subtle glimmer of anticipation.
Was she convinced there was something special about this choice as well?
“Aren’t you placing too much faith in me?”
“You’re the one who made us trust you.”
“Pardon?”
Lee Shin-hee spoke as though it were obvious, and I tilted my head in confusion, but Min-jae stepped in with agreement instead.
“That’s right. You made us trust you, hyung.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“When we were together?”
Talking with Min-jae made me feel like an idiot.
I sighed and turned my head, and Mister handed me the Gate list.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Just pick one for now.”
He seemed to be enjoying teasing me in this situation. I sighed and took the list.
“Please don’t have such high expectations, everyone.”
Even as I examined it carefully, nothing particularly caught my interest.
“If we’re going to do practical training anyway, why not go somewhere challenging?”
“Where?”
“How about Parado Fortress Defense?”
Fortress Defense Gates are avoided regardless of level. Fortress Defense Gates are fundamentally difficult.
In a fortress lacking supplies, we’d have to defend alongside troops that would certainly lose without us.
“Fortress Defense?”
“It’s perfect for practical training. There are plenty of enemies, after all.”
However, I don’t think it’s bad for us. Both I and Mister are in a state where our stats don’t compare to Hunters of the same level.
Since I have my Subspace, I can definitely leverage the advantages in a Fortress Defense.
“Min-jae, isn’t this perfect for you to practice magic?”
“Well, yes?”
“And Lee Shin-hee can test the performance of the ring you obtained this time while healing.”
Lee Shin-hee nodded in agreement.
“That works. If the fortress gates break, we can block them with Han Hye’s Subspace anyway.”
That was exactly what I’d been thinking. Actually, I needed experience with Fortress Defense Gates too.
I’d heard that high-level Fortress Defense Gates unleash a hellscape with all manner of powerful monsters rushing at you.
“Then I’ll submit the application as is.”
Since it was a Gate between levels 26 and 30, such enemies wouldn’t appear, but gaining experience beforehand would be helpful.
No matter how treacherous the place, I could block it with my Subspace anyway.
“Due to scheduling, it won’t be right away—it’ll be a week from now.”
The reason was that I had to take on standby duty at the Hunter Association. It was in two days.
Since I’d need to be on standby for one night and two days, I’d need about a week to find my condition and prepare.
“We have time to prepare supplies anyway, so it’s fine. Let’s just train in the meantime.”
.
.
.
After the Gate application was complete, I trained while waiting for the standby duty that would come two days later.
I had thought: surely nothing would go wrong when we entered standby duty?
But the problem didn’t actually occur while we were on standby.
To be precise, it was the night before I had to enter the standby duty mission, so I’d gone to bed early.
Beep—beep!
A Gate alarm sounded at 2 AM.
[Multiple mid-sized Gates have appeared. All Hunters must respond immediately….]
What made it even worse was that Korea’s vanguard unit, Saebyeokbit, was currently inside a Gate.
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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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