Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 85

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

85. Pharva Ancient Ruin (5)
“Let’s proceed. From here on, we’ll take the lead.”
“I appreciate it.”
Since we were venturing deeper into the Ruins where danger lurked, I positioned myself at the front. My spatial awareness gave me a distinct advantage.
Min-jae and Lee Shin-hee occupied the center, flanked by Professor and his Assistant, while Mister and Yong-yong brought up the rear.
‘Yong-yong’s senses are remarkably sharp too.’
Any enemies my spatial awareness couldn’t detect would be noticed by Yong-yong first.
After all, olfactory perception and aura detection extended far beyond the range of spatial awareness.
“The door behind us hasn’t closed.”
“There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Unfortunately, the door that Yong-yong had opened with flames refused to seal shut again. It would have been perfect if it had.
Well, even if enemies approached from behind, it wouldn’t matter. I could block them with a Subspace barrier.
Since we were the first to enter, the only concern ahead was monsters.
We’d barely crossed one threshold, yet the heat intensified noticeably.
“Phew, it’s sweltering.”
“Are you managing?”
“It’s bearable.”
Mister and I possessed flame resistance, and Min-jae and Lee Shin-hee carried ice stones, so we were fine—but the Assistant and Professor were not.
The temperature was gradually approaching what we’d experienced before the Gate transformed, so their struggle was understandable.
Whoosh.
“Each of you, take one.”
I retrieved ice stones from my Subspace and distributed them. Their stamina was crucial to our mission.
There was no telling what else awaited us. We might encounter more information about erosion, or another entrance requiring interpretation.
“What is this?”
“Ice stones. They’ll help dispel some of the heat.”
“Did you craft these with magic? I can sense mana, but I’ve never seen anything like it. Fascinating.”
“I received them from someone I know.”
Professor examined the ice stone with a peculiar expression.
“What exactly do you do? You carry Red Dragon around in some strange space.”
“I’m just an adventurer.”
“I’ll have to ask Gerom about this.”
He paused, studying me intently.
“Are you perhaps a polymorphed dragon…?”
“I’m not.”
“…”
“Truly. Would a polymorphed dragon carry its own offspring in a space like that? It would transform alongside it.”
“That’s a fair point.”
Still, his skepticism lingered in his gaze. Was carrying a dragon in a Subspace really that unusual?
In fantasy novels, dragons were typically depicted as rare and formidable creatures.
“Let’s move on.”
We decided to end the small talk there and move forward. The path gradually descended as we progressed.
“Are we heading toward the depths of the dormant volcano?”
“Likely. Since it’s the Flame Spirit King, it would have been in the volcano’s center.”
It was a conversation between the Professor and the Assistant, but as we advanced, the heat genuinely intensified bit by bit.
The walls were covered with strange murals and inscriptions.
Amid the darkness that enveloped Hwarba Mountain, there was a depiction of an enormous flame-like form shooting fire toward the sky.
A sensation of something burning away—black and consumed. That must be mana erosion, so what’s burning away would be mana itself.
“…Hwarba burned away mana with flames. This place endured the erosion the longest.”
The Professor muttered something while reading the ancient script as we passed. It wasn’t immediately helpful.
It felt like he was providing more detailed context about what lay beyond.
“Stop.”
Occasionally, lava flowed along the sides of the path, and we could hear the sound of lava boiling from beyond the walls.
And when the heat grew more intense, spirits began appearing deeper within—flame spirits.
-The lowest and low-tier spirits, sir.
Since we were still in the outer regions, no particularly strong ones had emerged. I considered sending a wind slash from a distance but shook my head.
Close combat with these spirits would also help build my flame resistance to some degree.
-Beep?
Being the lowest and low-tier spirits, the battles didn’t take long. The heat was merely warm.
Fire touched my body, but a single brush of my hand made it disappear.
“Let me try once. This is my first time fighting spirits.”
“Me too!”
Then mid-tier flame spirits appeared, but there were no real problems. Min-jae and Mister even joined the combat.
Since no forks in the path appeared, we could move comfortably, but we came to a halt at the next section.
* * *
“Turn back. This place is the resting ground and sanctuary of flame spirits. Those not of the flame will not be welcomed.”
Unlike before, we weren’t blocked by anything wall-like, but such a message was inscribed on the ceiling of the path inside the ruins.
Beyond it, a cavern was visible.
Of course, we had no intention of turning back. However, seeing the message the Professor interpreted raised a slight question.
Why—wasn’t Yong-yong a Red Dragon?
“Yong-yong wouldn’t be attacked, right?”
“Should we test it?”
“Ugh. Testing is out. It could get hurt. And since it’s with us, they might attack.”
While discussing such things, we entered the next cavern. The atmosphere became slightly awkward.
In the center of the cavern was something like a small lava lake, from which only the sound of boiling lava could be heard.
“Hmm.”
It was when everyone sensed the subtle atmosphere.
Rumble—
Vibrations occurred centered around the small lava lake, and volcanic rock emerged above its surface.
“That is….”
Looking closer, it wasn’t merely volcanic rock. It was shaped like a hand.
A deep rumble echoed—
The moment I saw it, I immediately opened a Subspace portal above. Before anything else could emerge.
“That appears to be a Magma Golem.”
But the effect was limited. Its hand had already risen. Soon, lava surged through the gap alongside the hand.
It solidified in an instant, forming its body. Should I have done something differently?
It stood roughly 2.5 meters tall—a massive frame, though that was only natural for a golem.
Its body was composed of volcanic rock and lava intertwined together.
“Fall back for now.”
After pulling the Professor and Assistant behind me, I quickly assessed the situation. I didn’t know the golem’s attack patterns yet.
“I’ll take the lead. Min-jae, provide support. Mister, I’d appreciate your protection.”
“Yes!”
“Got it.”
Since combat had erupted so suddenly, they followed my orders without suggesting they try themselves as before.
The golem rose from the lava and fixed its gaze on us. Despite the distance, it immediately swung its arm.
Lava and volcanic rock fragments flew toward us from its hand.
I reflexively opened a Subspace portal.
A deep hum—
Rapid impacts—
The shattered hand it had used to attack us began regenerating immediately. The lava flowing through its body solidified back into volcanic rock.
So that’s how its ranged attacks work. I quickly analyzed and charged forward.
“I’ll keep a Subspace open! Fall back if it gets dangerous!”
Closing the distance, I swung the Wind-Flow Blade. The wind cut sharply through the air.
A dull thud—but it didn’t pierce the Magma Golem’s body. I’d only struck the volcanic rock surface slightly.
A few stone fragments scattered, but the damage was minimal. The lava solidified back into rock.
Then Lee Shin-hee’s buff washed over me. Feeling strength surge through my body, I leaped while swinging the blade. The Wind-Flow Blade drove into the golem’s back.
A sharp crack—
A heavy sensation transmitted through my fingertips. Not a satisfying heaviness. It was the resistance of hard stone.
I’d cut through some lava and shattered some rock, but the damage was still minimal.
The creature turned its body. For a golem of such size, it moved with surprising speed. I immediately retreated using a leap.
After several more exchanges, I realized the Wind-Flow Blade simply wouldn’t be sufficient.
‘If I could cut deeper, I might actually damage it.’
But drawing the Heavenly Piercing Blade felt awkward too. Cutting with a blade seemed difficult, and we were underground.
It wouldn’t be a problem in high places, but being underground didn’t impose stat penalties—it just didn’t matter much.
Should I pull out the Sledge Hammer instead?
That’s when it happened.
“Brother!”
Hearing Min-jae’s voice, I increased the distance further. Then sand spears erupted toward the Magma Golem.
Thud! Thud! The spears that struck the volcanic rock transformed into sand and scattered, but—
“Half success!”
The sand that touched the lava mixed in and lodged itself. Though the spears shattered as the creature twisted its body, the sand embedded in it remained.
I watched as the sand that touched the lava hardened. The creature moved, and I felt a creaking sensation—different from before.
“Hye! I’ll try to pierce through with Yong-yong. Can you block the regeneration?”
Mister shouted at that moment. I understood immediately what he meant.
“I’ll try!”
I nodded, and Mister charged forward astride Yong-yong.
Boom—!
However, he didn’t pierce through the creature as intended. It simply retreated a few meters, impaled on the spear.
But that alone was a success. The creature’s body was connected to a small lava pit in the center.
I hastily sealed that lava pit with a Subspace barrier.
“It can’t regenerate anymore!”
The battle that followed wasn’t particularly difficult. Mister struck the creature back and forth with Yong-yong.
I pulled out a sledge hammer from my Subspace and swung it. After all, I had the hammer that once shattered the Evil God’s lingering will.
After pounding on it for about five more minutes, the Magma Golem collapsed.
Mister brushed off his hands and frowned, checking if his wrist was in pain.
“Phew, that was intense.”
“Is the spear alright?”
“It’s fine. Though it seems to have taken some strain.”
Mister gestured with his chin toward my Subspace.
“Without that, we would’ve had quite the struggle. It would’ve kept regenerating indefinitely, even if there were limits.”
“If we’d sealed it earlier, we wouldn’t have had to fight at all.”
“Well, it surged up suddenly.”
“I’m thinking I should carry weapons prepared for enemies like that.”
Mister nodded at my words.
“True. There are plenty of heavy hitters around. I should get myself a thick lance or something.”
I had the sledge hammer, but it wasn’t a weapon suited to my level. It was meant for breaking walls.
It seemed I should acquire at least one spare.
* * *
After advancing a bit further, a literal door appeared this time.
It was made of mysteriously gleaming iron and black stone. Inscriptions were carved into it.
“Turn back. This is the resting place of the Spirit King, permitted to no one.”
The Professor said so, but none of us had any intention of turning back after coming this far.
“Just in case, everyone step back.”
Then I put my strength into opening the door. Since it was made of iron and stone, I had to push with all my might.
And when I opened the door, inside stood a knight riding a steed made of flames.
“A, a Flame Knight….”
A knight in crimson armor and helmet, wielding a sword. At first glance, it looked far from ordinary.
“It looks incredibly powerful?”
It wasn’t just me who felt that way. Mister also took a serious stance.
Then Chun-bae spoke up.
-Be careful. It is a high-ranking fire spirit.
‘A superior spirit? Strong?’
-Affirmative. The spirit that spirit mage we saw before was using was a lower-tier spirit.
‘Do we have a chance?’
-We do, but it won’t be easy. You must be careful not to let the others get hurt.
Hmm. It seemed the Gate’s changed level of 30-45 wasn’t arbitrary after all.
From what I’d heard, the A-rank spirit mage from the foreign advance team used a superior spirit.
‘Should I block the entrance with a Subspace and fight inside?’
It was while I was thinking that.
Since we hadn’t entered through the door yet, the Flame Knight was watching us while riding the flame horse, when Yong-yong suddenly turned around sharply.
“Grrr…!”
And other Exploration Teams appeared from behind.
“Of all times.”
It was adding insult to injury. Those guys were no joke either. Honestly, if it weren’t for that knight in front, things wouldn’t have been so bad.
They were swordsmen. I’d actually wanted to test myself against them once.
-Real combat with an appropriate opponent will help your swordsmanship. Sparring and actual combat are different, after all.
It was a conversation I’d had recently with Sang-yeop. What should I do? A superior spirit in front, formidable knights behind.
“Dr. Felime! Stop!”
Should I block one side with a Subspace and fight?
I hesitated for a moment, but the flame horse the knight was riding reared up, scratching the ground with its hooves.
Did it think the Exploration Team charging from behind was attacking it?
The spirit’s movements seemed ominous too.
-Neigh!
It was when the flame horse reared up repeatedly and lowered its head slightly. A brilliant idea struck me.
“Everyone move forward! And when the horse jumps, scatter to both sides immediately! Mister, you take the Assistant and Min-jae!”
There was no time for longer explanations. I grabbed the Professor by the back of his neck and charged toward the Flame Knight in front.
And at the same moment, the Flame Knight moved too. He charged directly at us.
“Now!”
And immediately I grabbed the Professor and Lee Shin-hee and leaped left. Mister went the opposite way.
The sword the Flame Knight swung passed over our heads.
-Neigh!
The flame horse’s neigh reached my ears. And fortunately, the back unfolded exactly as I’d anticipated.
The knight on the horse didn’t stop and instead charged toward the Exploration Team behind.
Since the entrance was quite wide, the Flame Knight’s superior spirit swept across the main path as it galloped.
It was the moment we passed through the door we’d opened.
Whoosh—!
I sealed that entrance with a Subspace.
Now neither the Flame Knight nor the Exploration Team behind could do anything.
“Huh?”
“What is this?”
My companions turned to look at me in confusion.
“Well, if we didn’t go that way, we would’ve had to fight a three-way battle inside. Being attacked from both sides would’ve been worse, so we got lucky.”
“Damn, this is insanely good, right?”
I pointed toward the back.
“Let’s just watch for now. Whether that creature wins or the Exploration Team wins, one side will emerge victorious.”
The sound of a fierce battle echoed from beyond the Subspace.

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