Chapter 25 - Chunbae (1)
Chunbae (1)
Chunbae (1)
“Association President!”
“Keuk!”
The Association President choked, mid-swallow of his water, as his secretary burst through the door.
His neck and shirt were soaked, but he was too busy coughing to care.
“Seo Woong, how many times have I told you to knock…”
“That’s not important! A report came in, and the instability of the Mana Density in the atmosphere is getting worse!”
“What?”
The Association President was so surprised he forgot he was choking.
Instability in the atmospheric Mana Density was not something to be taken lightly.
As evidenced by the continuous rise of Earth’s Mana Density since the Gate incident, higher density meant more difficult Gates.
But instability in the atmospheric Mana Density increased the probability of ‘Discharge-type Gates’ appearing.
“We’ve checked with our allied nations, and they’re all seeing the same results.”
“Don’t tell me it’s like what happened five years ago?”
“It’s not similar, it’s exactly the same.”
Park Seo-woong said heavily. It was what had happened five years after the Gate incident.
As the instability of the Mana Density increased, irregular Discharge-type Gates had sporadically opened around the world.
The commotion didn’t last long, but the unexpected nature of it caused significant damage.
It was also a reminder that the illusion of social stability, built up over the five years since the Gate incident, was just that – an illusion.
After that, the Mana Density rose another level, making the Gates more difficult and causing a lot of worry.
“In the United States, there have been sightings of small Discharge-type Gates appearing and disappearing.”
“They’re in trouble then.”
Like small earthquakes before a big one, the appearance and disappearance of small Discharge-type Gates meant a big one was coming.
However, Korea couldn’t rest easy either. It might just be that their turn hadn’t come yet.
“Get me the advance teams’ Gate schedules. If there are any going in today or tomorrow, cancel them all.”
“Yes!”
Watching Park Seo-woong rush out, the Association President groaned.
He was already aware that the Mana Density had been rising recently. But to think something like this would happen again.
‘Once this passes, how much harder will the Gates become…?’
It was a moment of deep contemplation.
* * *
“Who, who are you?”
Instinctively, Han Hye took a step back, wary, but the crystal ball spoke in a calm tone.
-I am a Sapient Magical Entity created by the Space Master two generations ago using Magic.
A Sapient Magical Entity created two generations ago? Like an AI? A Magical AI?
Han Hye couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the unexpected answer.
“Wait, so the things inside here were left by the Space Master from two generations ago?”
-Half affirmative.
“Half affirmative?”
-Not all of the items. There are also items from before that, and items left by the previous Space Master.
It was definitely not Korean, but the meaning was conveyed accurately. Like the previous message, it must be some kind of translation Magic.
-However, the Space Master from two generations ago left over 90% of them.
It seemed that the Space Master from two generations ago was the first to prepare something in the Subspace for future generations.
“Judging from the fact that there are things from before, am I the fourth Space Master?”
-At least the fourth. You may be the fifth or later.
Hmm. The last message clearly said that the ‘Space Master’ was the hope of the world…
To think that at least four Space Masters before him had failed to overcome the Encroachment.
What’s more, the Space Master before him had taken care of all these arrangements. Was Magical Erosion that dangerous?
The Space Master from two generations ago was even skilled enough to create a Magical AI.
As a sense of unease about the future crept in, a question suddenly popped into his head.
“Wait, then the previous Space Master also used the Subspace. How could items for me still be left?”
-Query. Why do you not understand that? Did you not hear the message left by the Space Master from two generations ago…?
Jutun stopped speaking. Then, a blue light scanned the Subspace for a moment before it spoke in a bewildered voice.
-Judging from the items currently in this space, it is estimated to be the second space. Could it be that the current Space Master is Subspace level 2?
“Yeah. Why?”
-Astonishing. How did you obtain an Itemized Divinity with Subspace level 2?
“Oh, is that difficult?”
Han Hye scratched the back of his head, realizing that it probably was.
Come to think of it, even while working as an Unawakened Hunter, he had never heard of items related to ‘gods.’
-Affirmative. It is not just difficult. An Itemized Divinity is required to awaken me.
“What’s an Itemized Divinity?”
-It refers to an item containing Divinity acquired from within a Gate, not the Divinity of this world. I am designed to awaken through it.
Was there a difference?
Thinking about it, he roughly understood. Just like he had faced an Evil god, there must have been worlds with gods.
-And it is generally accepted that Itemized Divinity can usually be acquired from Gates level 50 or higher.
“Level 50? I’m a ‘Space Master,’ and I got it from a Gate that had been altered.”
-You have experienced a lucky chance. Although Space Masters occasionally alter Gates, it is not easy to obtain Divinity from such places.
In other words, he was lucky.
-To continue answering your previous question, many items for novice ‘Space Masters’ are prepared in the fifth space.
Listening further, he learned that the Space Master from two generations ago had left various items in the fifth space for future generations.
The reason it was the fifth space was because he was worried about unqualified individuals misusing them.
When a Space Master judged that it would be difficult to overcome Magical Erosion, he would rearrange the items for the next generation.
In other words, the Secret Arts he had obtained were the result of the previous generation rearranging what the Space Master from two generations ago had left behind.
‘So, the Subspace is like a record, a legacy connected to worlds experiencing the Gate incident?’
He had felt it since he first Awakened and entered the Subspace, but this was the moment it became clear that he had hit the jackpot.
The higher the Subspace level, the more valuable things would pour out from within.
“So, are you also an existence created for the next Space Master, meaning me?”
-Affirmative. The Space Master who created me judged that simply inheriting items would not be enough to overcome it, so she left me behind.
Well, putting aside the failure of the previous Space Master, this was an infinitely positive situation for him.
Even without these aids, he would have faced Magical Erosion.
It was a hundred times better to receive help from the items left by the Space Master from two generations ago and from Chu-tun, the Sapient Magical Entity.
Chu-tun had said that Itemized Divinity could be obtained from Gates level 50 or higher.
‘That means he’s experienced more than that.’
The current advance team on Earth hadn’t reached level 60. It meant that he could obtain better quality information than the advance team.
Although he had encountered Chu-tun unexpectedly, what he had to do now was clear.
“Then, tell me. What is Magical Erosion? What will happen in the future? What do I have to do?”
The world had changed into a game overnight. Through the Space Master from two generations ago, she learned that it was ‘Magical Erosion.’
It was only natural to be curious about what it was.
-Negative, I cannot.
However, Chu-tun’s answer was different from what he had expected.
“Why?”
-The Space Master is not yet qualified.
* * *
Even after asking further about the unacceptable reason, Chu-tun only repeated, ‘You are not qualified.’
He wondered why qualification was necessary when he was already a Space Master, but soon nodded.
“Is it because Magical Erosion is that dangerous?”
-Query. Why do you think so?
“Are you afraid that the Space Master will give up if he knows the details?”
He had felt it from the beginning. Judging from the fact that the Space Master who created this and the Space Master who inherited that legacy had failed, Magical Erosion must be no ordinary problem.
That was also why the items were left in the fifth space.
“You’re not telling me easily because I might give up and sell off the items inside to enjoy the rest of my time, right?”
-…I cannot answer.
Even if there had been no answer, he would have thought so, but the slightly delayed words gave him certainty.
His curiosity about Encroachment still remained, but it didn’t matter. He would find out someday.
“So, there’s nothing you can tell me?”
-Negative. I cannot provide a direct explanation about Encroachment right now, but that is all. My purpose is the Space Master’s growth. I can offer advice for that.
“Good. Then what should I do?”
-Before giving advice, could you show me the current Space Master’s Status Window? I need to confirm the exact level.
Without hesitation, Han Hye opened her Status Window.
[Lv18 Space Master, Han Hye]
Strength: 25
Agility: 25
Stamina: 25
Spirit: 20
Mana: 35 (+10)
Remaining Points: 10
Skills: Subspace (S-Rank) lv2, Leap (A-Rank) lv1, Fire Resistance (A-Rank) lv2, Fighting Cock (C-Rank) lv2, Imperial Basic Swordsmanship (E-Rank) lv4, Cold Resistance (E-Rank) lv1, *Wind Split (lv1)
And after confirming the Status Window, Chu-tun…
-What is this…
Could not hide its shock.
-This is the Status Window of an 18-level? I cannot believe it. What kind of Gates has the current Space Master been breaking through?
“Hmm. Is it that much?”
-This is not the time to be so nonchalant. The current Stats are close to level 30. Neither the previous Space Master nor the Space Master from two generations ago showed such growth.
The fact that he could feel bewilderment in the mechanical voice showed just how exceptional his growth was.
-Of course, the Space Master from two generations ago created me at level 70, and the previous Space Master met me at level 50, but at that time their Stats for Strength and Agility…
He had realized one thing from the beginning.
This Sapient Magical Entity called Chu-tun tended to speak at great length.
“Wait. That’s enough.”
He didn’t particularly want to know the detailed Stats of the previous Space Master or the Space Master from two generations ago. There was no need to know.
It was enough that he was better.
“So, what do I have to do to grow?”
-Judging from the current growth trend, I believe it would be better if I did not offer advice…
Feeling the sincerity in Chu-tun’s words, Han Hye hurriedly waved his hands.
“No, you still have to tell me.”
After a moment of silence, Chu-tun continued.
-First, before I speak, I must inform you that my methods may be more harmful to the current Space Master. The reason is that the current Space Master’s growth is…
“Wait.”
-Why?
He had a feeling he would be with this guy for a long time, and he couldn’t live with himself if he continued like this.
“First, there are a few things I need to correct. Let’s start by changing your way of speaking and organizing our titles.”
-Query. Is there a reason to change the way of speaking and titles? First of all, it will not help the Space Master’s growth, and changing titles is completely meaningless…
Listening to it, he felt like sighing again.
“No. It has meaning.”
-Yes?
“You have to keep your words concise. I have a disease that makes me weak when I hear long speeches.”
-Is that true?
“You can’t change your way of speaking or titles, can you?”
-That is not the case. The Space Master from two generations ago only required qualifications regarding Magical Erosion, but he designed me to help the Space Master in other areas…
“Please.”
-Ah, concisely. I apologize.
Han Hye sighed softly. Was it because he was a Sapient Magical Entity? It seemed it would take time to fix him.
“Okay. So, please keep your words as concise as possible. Also, call me Han Hye instead of Space Master.”
-Yes, Han Hye-nim.
Han Hye paused for a moment before continuing.
“And your name is now Chunbae.”
-…?
Chu-tun. It was a name given in another world, so it couldn’t be helped, but it didn’t quite roll off the tongue.
On the other hand, Chunbae, what a warm and friendly name!
“Chunbae. Tell me again, briefly and concisely. What do I have to do to become stronger faster?”
He waited expectantly for his words. Chunbae had been with two Space Masters before him.
The Space Master from two generations ago had created him at level 70. It meant that Chunbae had experienced more than that.
The current highest level on Earth was not even 60.
In other words, Chunbae could be considered a living Gate walkthrough.