Chapter 02
[Currently Registered Exits (1)]
1. (S-Rank) Giant Centipede Nest
I despaired as I stared at the message in front of me.
The system had shown me this hopeless and dream-crushing window in response to my question about what kind of exits were available.
“Is there really nowhere else…?”
[You can only register an exit at the location where Subspace is summoned.
Would you like to view the details?
Yes | No]
I asked on the off chance, and the system window popped up again.
The location where Subspace was summoned? There was no way I could’ve used this newly acquired skill somewhere else.
It was sheer luck that I had been automatically transported here, and the exit just happened to form in this spot.
In other words, the conclusion was that if I wanted to leave this place, I absolutely had to go through that dungeon.
That S-Rank dungeon.
Are you seriously kidding me?
An F…FF-ranked Hunter entering an S-Rank dungeon? That’s a death sentence!
I clutched my head and let out a scream of despair. There was no way out.
Unless someone found the entrance to my Subspace from inside the dungeon, I might have to survive here indefinitely.
The only glimmer of hope left was the detailed description option.
Maybe it would tell me about some other way to leave. That description wasn’t there for no reason, right?
With a cautious hand, I pressed the system window to check the detailed explanation.
It was a desperate attempt.
[Details:
: Like such a thing would exist~ (ノ・∀・)ノ]
…Mom, I think I really have to live here.
✦✦✦
A vast plain. A small forest visible in the distance.
This place was disgustingly huge.
I forced myself to stand to take a better look around.
The pain from the wounds on my leg made it hard to walk properly, but I couldn’t just sit still any longer.
Limping, I made my way toward the forest.
I hoped there’d be something there—anything, even just water.
[Subspace Exploration (10 steps)
“What’s the use of such a heavy butt! You finally moved!”
▸ 10 steps reward: Basic Map]
After just a few steps, another system window popped up.
It had only been ten steps.
“…..”
I was dumbfounded.
So, I was supposed to have been moving from the start?
I felt like an idiot for staying in one place until now.
I carefully examined the translucent window that appeared alongside the message. It was a map.
It looked just like a map from a game, with shapes scattered around.
The blinking red circle in the middle seemed to be me. As I moved a little farther, the circle shifted slightly.
The grass I stood on was light green, and the forest in the distance was a darker shade of green.
What stood out was the yellow star deep in the forest, whose purpose I couldn’t guess.
And near it, there was a blue line.
Wait a minute. Does that mean it’s a river?
I wasn’t sure what the star represented, but at least the blue line seemed promising.
Water is usually blue after all.
Thank goodness. I felt a spark of hope. If there was water, I wouldn’t collapse from dehydration anytime soon.
I continued walking. I didn’t have the luxury to think deeply about anything.
Things would work out somehow once I got there.
Eventually, just when I thought my legs couldn’t take it anymore, I reached the riverside at last, just as the sun had set.
The blue line truly was a river.
“Even in this situation, the stars are beautiful…”
I let out a small sigh of relief and admiration at the same time.
Countless stars and the moon were reflected on the river’s surface. It was a sight that was hard to find in Seoul.
Maybe it was thanks to the light, but the darkness of this unfamiliar place didn’t feel so frightening.
I crouched down by the river and sat down with a thud.
Admiring the view could wait. Quenching my thirst was more urgent.
I immediately scooped the water with my hands and brought it to my mouth.
Gulp, gulp. As the cold water flowed down my parched throat, my senses snapped back to life.
Ahh, refreshing. Now I feel like I can actually survive.
[“How does subspace water taste? Like honey!”
▸ Your wounds have been completely healed!]
[Would you like to view the detailed explanation?
Yes | No]
Huh?
As I drank the water in a frenzy, a system window appeared in front of me.
Its content was hard to believe.
[Details:
: ˚✧₊⁎( ˘ω˘ )⁎⁺˳✧༚]
Somehow, it looks proud of itself.
I tried my best to ignore the detailed explanation and got up to check my condition.
I stomped my feet a bit.
No pain.
I stretched my limbs like I was warming up. No issues whatsoever.
Although it was too dark to see properly, I touched my leg with my hand. The wound from earlier? Gone without a trace. All I could feel was smooth, unblemished skin.
I was completely healed.
“This is crazy.”
How could it heal so easily just from drinking water? It doesn’t make sense.
Though it tasted and looked like ordinary water, its effect was beyond that of a high-grade potion.
My heart started to race.
A skill I thought was a joke now looked like a treasure trove.
It was like finding an endless gold vein. Selling it would make me filthy rich in no time.
Finally, a light shone on my miserable life!
Overcome with excitement, I waded deeper into the water, splashing around. I hadn’t even done anything yet, but I already felt like I owned the world.
[“Subspace water: Don’t drink it, give it to your skin!”
▸ Lower back pain (early stage) has been healed!
▸ Shoulder stiffness has disappeared!
▸ Wrist tendonitis has been cured!
▸ Circular hair loss is gradually improving!]
Gasp.
While I was gleefully splashing around, the system windows popped up one after another.
“I, I’m rich!”
I shouted in surprise at the continuously appearing system windows.
Alopecia that even S-grade potions can’t cure? This water can fix it. This is the jackpot!
Now I just need to get out and sell it!
So I just need to get out!
Get out…
But I can’t get out.
No matter how much I flail around here on my own, it’s all pointless if there’s no one to buy it. I’d just end up using it to treat my acne or something.
My excitement quickly cooled. This was so disheartening.
“Really, there’s no way out…?”
[Would you like to open the entrance connected to (S-Rank) Giant Centipede Nest?
Yes | No]
It was definitely mocking me.
✦✦✦
Realizing once again that I couldn’t leave this place, I trudged out of the water.
I’m such an idiot.
I got all worked up for no reason. Water dripped from my body.
Now much calmer, I squatted down and leaned against a nearby tree.
Honestly, I had no idea what to do next. Wandering through the forest in the pitch-black night didn’t seem like a great idea.
Should I just wait until morning?
[“Already resting? We’ve prepared something for you who hasn’t done anything yet!”
<Quest> Let’s continue exploring the subspace!
: Follow the arrow.
▸ Reward: A cozy place to sleep]
Quest? They give these too?
[Would you like to accept the quest?
Yes | Yes]
The message had two choices below it. Yes, and yes again.
This was absurd. Is this how systems usually work, doing whatever they please?
Feeling uneasy, I clicked “Yes.”
I was going to do it anyway. How could I refuse when the reward was a cozy resting place?
Upon accepting the quest, a face-sized arrow appeared in the air. For an exploration quest, the guidance was incredibly straightforward.
With my fully healed legs, I confidently followed the arrow. It led deeper into the forest.
Though the forest was dark, the glowing blue arrow lit up my surroundings, so I didn’t have to worry about tripping.
Curious about where I was headed, I pulled out my basic map to check. The arrow was leading toward the yellow star marked on the map.
What could that star possibly represent?
It wasn’t long before the arrow vanished with a puff of smoke, indicating we had arrived.
The destination? A cabin.
“A cozy resting place?”
How, exactly?
The leaning structure looked like it could collapse at any moment. The cracked, cloudy windows and the half-destroyed fence added to the rundown aesthetic.
The exterior screamed anything but cozy.
Still, surely that couldn’t be the reward. They’d at least give me a sleeping bag or something, right?
[Quest Complete!
▸ Reward: Cozy Resting Place
Congratulations! Your reward is right in front of you!]
Ah, so that’s the reward. That decrepit cabin is the cozy resting place, huh?
No wonder the quest was so easy.
I rubbed the back of my neck.
Was this system trying to help me or mock me? Pick one already!
But as usual, I didn’t have a choice.
Sleeping here was still better than sleeping outside.
Hoping that there would at least be a decent spot to sleep inside, I grabbed the door handle and pulled it open.
Creeeeak—The wooden door groaned as it swung open.
Thud. I promptly shut the door again.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I opened it once more, just in case, but the scene was exactly the same.
Filthy. Cramped and filthy.
How could the inside look as bad as the outside? No surprises here.
The room was barely big enough for four people to lie down, and it was covered in dust.
[You have entered “Wobbly Cabin (F-Rank),” which might collapse if you nudge it.]
Just as I hesitantly stepped inside, the system window popped up again.
[Special condition achieved!
: Due to the subspace administrator’s visit, the cabin’s owner has changed to ‘Subspace Administrator’]
In an instant, I became the owner of this cabin.
[Warning! Cabin contamination level (100%)
The cabin is too dirty! You will be afflicted with status effects!]
What?
[Status Effect: Hair Loss (Progress 1%)
Would you like to see detailed information?
Yes | No]
Are you freaking kidding me?
What does a dirty cabin have to do with hair loss?!
[Status Effect: Hair Loss (Progress 3%)
Would you like to see detailed information?
Yes | No]
While I was panicking, the progress continued to increase. My hair’s lifespan was in danger.
“Ahh!”
Desperate, I bolted out of the cabin. What kind of petty and cruel trap was this?!
[Status Effect: Hair Loss (Progress 5%)
Would you like to see detailed information?
Yes | No]
But why isn’t this stopping?
The status effect didn’t disappear even after coming outside. I could see several strands of hair falling out.
System, you crazy bastard!
Frightened, I stomped my feet in frustration. I couldn’t afford to go bald all of a sudden.
“Then what am I supposed to do?!”
[Would you like to view the detailed explanation?
Yes | No]
At that moment, I debated whether I should run back to the river and dunk my head in the water.
The detailed explanation icon shimmered faintly, as if urging me to click it.
I really didn’t want to click on a detailed explanation that would probably give me weird emoticons again, but this was a matter of my hair!
Panicking, I hit the accept button.
And then, I found myself clutching the back of my neck again.
What now?!
🌱
Thank you for reading! ♡
