I looked through the system to begin decorating the Subspace in earnest.
While many menus were still locked, there were various landscaping options I had in mind. It felt a bit like a simulation game.
**[Subspace Landscaping Menu]**
Artificial Sun Lighting System: 200,000 coins
Automated Warehouse Facility: 1,000,000 coins
Smart Field Plot: 100,000 coins
Climate Control System: 100,000 coins
Park and Walking Trail: 500,000 coins
“It’s more expensive than I thought. But since it’s a one-time installation that I can use forever…”
I had plenty of coins coming in from various deals, including the recently added service for the Agnes Holy Knights, so I purchased everything without hesitation.
“Guardian, are you even installing an artificial sun?” Aria asked with a curious expression.
“Yeah. It costs a fair amount of ‘debt,’ but plants need sunlight to grow, and it’ll be nicer for walks.”
As soon as the artificial sun was installed, soft sunlight bathed the entire Subspace. At the same time, an automated warehouse facility began to be constructed in one corner.
“Wow! What’s that over there?”
“A warehouse facility.”
In reality, it was the most important facility in this Subspace. Mechanical sounds hummed from the warehouse area as conveyor belts and automated sorting systems were installed. It looked just like a modern logistics center. Since it was an automated warehouse, it seemed to have a function to organize items on its own.
“At this level, the price is justifiable.”
The warehouse was truly impressive when I looked around. In the midst of the sixty lights shining brightly, there were classification categories that allowed for neat organization by type. I just needed to fill it with items now.
“Whoa! Look at this!”
Aria flew around the warehouse in excitement. I could also see the automated system in operation. Robotic arms moved smoothly, sorting the few products I had into their proper sections.
“Inventory management will be much easier now.”
There was even an automated inventory management system, so I could see at a glance which products were sold and how many were left. There was also plenty of space reserved for future expansion.
After touring the warehouse, I checked out the fields I had set up for variety.
“It looks surprisingly spacious.”
“Just this much? It’s far too small compared to Terra.”
“You’re not the one farming it, are you?”
I didn’t intend to start serious farming; I just wanted something to do as a hobby. However, the project had grown larger than expected. Fortunately, as the name ‘Smart’ suggested, everything from the automatic watering system to soil condition monitoring was automated.
“This might be doable.”
I took out the seeds I had received from O’Donnell, which were left over after giving some to the farmer Hunters. It was an awkward amount to give away, so I wasn’t sure what to do with them. Since I had a field now, I thought it would be nice to grow them for myself.
“Honey-Scented Corn, Maple Carrots, Snow-White Cabbage.”
I installed markers for each and planted the seeds O’Donnell had sent in their respective sections.
“Lately, I’ve been stuck in my room, and my body’s been feeling stiff. It feels good to touch the soil like this.”
Of course, this was only possible because once the seeds were planted, the smart system would automatically provide the optimal amount of water and nutrients.
“Sprouts are already coming up!”
In the Honey-Scented Corn section, a faint scent of honey truly began to waft through the air. The Maple Carrots were sprouting leaves shaped like tiny maple leaves, and the Snow-White Cabbage was budding with dainty white sprouts.
I returned to the World Tree and examined the park and walking trails. The change was definitely noticeable.
“Wait? Doesn’t it look like the World Tree has grown bigger than when we transplanted it earlier?”
‘Is it just my imagination?’
I didn’t think so. I had spent some time tending the fields, but it hadn’t been that long. It was completely different from when it was in the pot. The trunk was definitely thicker than before, and the number of leaves had visibly increased.
“It’s not your imagination. It really has grown!” Aria replied with a voice full of conviction. “I think it can finally spread its roots freely now that the space has expanded. It’s completely different from when it was trapped in a pot!”
Looking at it again after hearing Aria’s explanation, I could almost feel the tree’s contentment. But that wasn’t all.
“Did you bring your friends too?”
*Peep! Peep!*
Small spirits had already begun to gather around the World Tree. In a shorter time than when it was on my balcony, the number of spirits had grown significantly. This was likely all thanks to the change in environment.
The new spirits I saw for the first time flew actively between the World Tree branches, seemingly fascinated by the new environment. The squirrel spirits also seemed to like the expanded space, running around the circumference of the World Tree in joy.
Finally, I walked along the newly created trail with Aria.
“It really feels like a different world!”
The soft dirt path and the wooden benches installed here and there created a cozy atmosphere. Walking under the warm light of the artificial sun made my heart feel much more at ease.
“Mago seems to like the wide space too.”
Mago was running around after the spirits, looking very happy. It was a completely different sight from when he just stayed by the flowerpot.
Sitting on a bench and looking at the entire Subspace, I felt a sense of pride. On one side was a modern automated warehouse, and on the other, the World Tree and fields blended harmoniously.
“Now I have a resting space where I can catch my breath.”
Aria sat on my shoulder and said, “I think we’ll be spending a lot of time here from now on!”
“I agree. Moving the World Tree to the Subspace was a stroke of genius.”
After finishing my routine in the Subspace, both my body and mind felt much lighter. To be able to escape a stuffy room and live in a space like this… I hadn’t expected to receive such benefits from the Rocket Store’s level-up.
Right then, system messages appeared.
**[The effect of the Sanctuary of Life’s Roots has been strengthened due to the World Tree’s growth.]**
**[The Sanctuary’s range is expanded and the effect is amplified.]**
**[The World Tree’s growth stage has increased: Sapling -> Young Tree]**
**[New function unlocked: World Tree Fruit]**
“The Sanctuary effect increases as the World Tree grows? But fruit?”
‘Fruit from the World Tree?’
I read the message again in surprise. “It’s still a small tree, and it’s already bearing fruit?”
“The World Tree isn’t an ordinary tree. Depending on its size and growth stage, it grows fruits with various effects! I’m so glad you worked so hard to grow the World Tree this much!”
“No, what did I do? You did it all, Aria.”
Those weren’t empty words; I meant them. All I did was give it water occasionally. Aria was the one who managed most of it.
“If the World Tree bears fruit, will it be as popular with the other races as the clippings were?”
“Of course! They taste great too!”
“Really?”
If a glutton like Aria was that confident, I could look forward to it.
“Then should we try the first harvest ourselves?”
“Wow! I can’t wait! Speaking of which… how about dinner soon?”
“You’re right. Shall we head back?”
“Yes!”
After tidying up the Subspace and returning to the living room, system notifications chimed one after another.
**[A large number of orders have been placed at the Rocket Store!]**
“Eh? What sold so much?”
In particular, there was an item on the status board whose sales were skyrocketing. Upon checking, orders for the Barbarian Ritual War Paint were surging. Looking at the community, the reaction was explosive.
— The new Ritual War Paint they’re selling is seriously a must-have item.
I was hesitant before because they said it was a tattoo, but this time they said it was a temporary tattoo like henna, so I used it half-doubtingly. It definitely washes off.
The effect is a bit lower, but you can draw it on your armor, and carving the new power patterns definitely makes you stronger.
— Isn’t this totally a cheat item? A 7-day buff duration.
ã„´ Considering we’re about to raid Floor 25, the timing for this item is insane.
ã„´ã„´ What about the smell? It’s for Barbarians, so isn’t it kind of strong?
ã„´ã„´ã„´ Unless you stick your nose in it, there’s almost no smell.
ã„´ It’s surprisingly okay.
ã„´ That’s true.
**[Proof shot of the War Paint carved on a shield.]**
The designs come in various sizes, so I tried carving a large one on the front of my shield. Doesn’t it look cool? Since the whole party is walking around with the same pattern, it strangely feels like our teamwork is improving.
— Not bad. Can you show us a group shot?
ã„´ Wait, wait. I’ll post it later when the teammates are done.
ã„´ Seriously, it would be great to buy this as a group.
— This looks really cool even if you draw it on armor. You can even roleplay as a Barbarian lol.
“It’s finally showing its true value.”
Compared to other buffs, the cost was low and the performance was decent, yet it hadn’t been popular at all. It felt like it was finally seeing the light of day.
***
In a meeting room of the Chinese Hunter Bureau.
Various documents were laid out on a table illuminated by grey lights. Tian Xiang, a Party member and mid-level manager of the Bureau, put down the document in his hand and scoffed as if it were pathetic.
“A new type of shop called the Rocket Store has appeared in Korea? Does our Great Nation really need to care about a trivial street peddler like that?”
Contempt was evident in his voice. The lower-level official standing before Tian Xiang nodded forcedly in agreement.
“That’s right. Mercenary services, crude potions… wouldn’t those just be at the level of a peddler’s wares anyway?”
Tian Xiang leaned back in his chair with a mocking smile.
“Indeed. Our Great Nation is already stably raiding Floor 30 and possesses the world’s top-level Hunters. Are you suggesting we should bow our heads to a small country for just a few miscellaneous products?”
Liu Wei, who had submitted the agenda several times only to be rejected and had been silently watching in hopes of a proper meeting, finally spoke up cautiously.
“But the recent rapid growth of Korean Hunters is unusual…”
“Rapid growth?” Tian Xiang interrupted him with a wave of his hand. “They’re just now challenging Floor 25, and you call that rapid growth?”
Tian Xiang tapped the table with his finger and continued. “Even if that Rocket Store is truly effective, what need would we have for it? Are we not already leading the world sufficiently with our own technology and manpower?”
When the meeting ended, Liu Wei, who was quietly organizing documents at one end of the table, glared at Tian Xiang with cold eyes.
‘Incompetent and arrogant fool! Drunk on the consciousness of being a Great Nation, you fail to see reality.’
Liu Wei left the meeting room, unable to suppress the irritation bubbling up inside him even as he walked down the hallway.
‘A small country? You’re asking if we should bow our heads over such a shop? What a truly frustrating way of thinking.’
Currently, China maintained the appearance of a powerful nation on the surface, but Liu Wei knew the reality. The ones dying were lower-level officials like Liu Wei and the numerous Hunters working in the field.
The endless problems surrounding China floated through Liu Wei’s mind. The territory of North Korea, which had collapsed, had become a wasteland and a dangerous zone where monsters poured out at specific intervals. The situation in the north was similar. Russia had practically abandoned its sparsely populated central regions, making monster outbreaks a daily occurrence.
“We might look leisurely on the outside, but in reality, every direction is a front line.”
He thought of Mongolia, which they had once regarded as a vassal state. A landlocked country where trade with the outside world was impossible without the cooperation of Russia and China.
“Even if the emotional rift with Mongolia is deep, right now, we have no choice but to cooperate with each other to survive.”
Mongolia remained an uncomfortable existence, but it was playing the role of a shield in a situation where monsters were pouring down from the north.
“And then there’s India.”
Liu Wei shook his head. They even had to establish a cooperative relationship with India, with whom they had had border disputes for decades. The border regions were still unstable, and without cooperation, it was difficult to maintain the monster front lines.
In addition, the situation in Afghanistan and the Tibetan Plateau was already at a breaking point. The reports coming in every day only increased his anxiety.
Liu Wei stopped walking and looked down at the documents in his hand.
“Even at this moment, the country is suffering from problems exploding in every direction. And yet the higher-ups are still drunk on nothing but their Great Nation consciousness.”
Liu Wei balanced his teeth.
“Missing opportunities because of pride could eventually lead to paying an even greater price. Even if the Rocket Store is currently small in scale, who knows how it will develop in the future?”
Liu Wei moved again, hardening his resolve.
‘Even if my superior ignores it, I must move the Intelligence Bureau to continue monitoring the situation. I must not commit the folly of losing practical benefits because of pride.’
With a determined expression, Liu Wei walked down the hallway, vowing to fulfill his responsibility even within the complex structure of the Bureau.
At that moment, a young agent came running from the end of the hallway, panting for breath.
“Chief Liu! It’s urgent!”
“What is it?”
“A new service has been added to the Rocket Store. It looks like it will play a key role in Floor 25 this time!”
Liu Wei stood still, mulling over that brief report. Then, he slowly nodded and started walking again.
“Do not report this to the higher-ups. Secretly gather the related information and report to me. If you do, they’ll just say their pride is hurt that we’re showing interest in a small country over such things.”
“Yes, I understand, Chief.”