《Bloodline is Everything》 Chapter 1 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 1: The Power of Bloodline "I''m sorry, but there are no D-rank dungeons left." Early in the morning, when Lee Hanul arrived at the Hunter Association, he was met with an absurd statement from a staff member. "But I was issued an entry permit for the D-rank dungeon that appeared in Seo-gu, Daejeon, just yesterday." To enter a dungeon, a hunter must have an entry permit sold by the association. Securing one in advance was a basic necessity. Hanul may have been young, but he wasn¡¯t nai?ve enough to neglect such a fundamental rule. "Ah, that one? I¡¯m really sorry, but it was reassigned to someone who needed it more than you." "What are you saying? I applied first, and now you''re telling me you canceled it and gave it to someone else?" As Hanul protested, the staff member sighed, clearly annoyed. With a voice laced with irritation, they responded, "That¡¯s why I¡¯m apologizing, aren¡¯t I?" "And you think an apology is enough?" "If another D-rank dungeon appears, we¡¯ll make sure you get the first entry permit. Satisfied?" "I''m going to file a formal complaint with the association." Any employee would have been alarmed by such a statement, but the staff member simply scoffed. "Do you even know where this order came from? This was a direct command from higher up." A look of confusion crossed Hanul¡¯s face. Why would they go this far? "You''ve heard of Iron Fang, right? The guild master¡¯s second son needed a dungeon for experience, so they asked the association to find a D-rank one for him. But as you know, D-rank dungeons have been in short supply lately." "...So you''re saying you just handed over my reserved dungeon to him?" "There was no other choice. Just let it go." Hanul let out a dry chuckle. The staff member, indifferent, simply pointed at the door. "If you understand, then leave. Don¡¯t waste my time." * * * "Damn it." Cursing under his breath, Hanul slumped onto a bench outside. "Corrupt bastards. As if the association wasn¡¯t already a cancer on the industry." Like many other organizations in Korea, the Hunter Association was no exception¡ª Corruption, fraud, and collusion with top guilds. It was a place riddled with problems, but its power was so overwhelming that no one dared to challenge it. "I spent so much money preparing for this dungeon run..." Hanul had even taken on debt for this. He had no choice. During his last dungeon raid, he had the misfortune of encountering a dangerous monster, which completely wrecked all his gear. At 22 years old, hunting was the only skill he had. It was too late to switch careers now. So, he borrowed money to rent equipment and buy essential supplies. "This is bad. I can¡¯t even go to another dungeon." D-rank dungeons were the lowest tier. There was nothing below them. And as the staff mentioned, D-rank dungeon appearances had significantly decreased lately. Hanul had already waited days just to secure a permit for one. But a C-rank dungeon? That was too dangerous. He knew his limits. "How the hell am I supposed to pay off my debt?" But against his expectations, she stopped right in front of him and gave a polite bow. "Hello. Are you Lee Hanul?" Hanul scanned the woman with wary eyes. Anyone would be startled if a stranger arrived in broad daylight with luxury cars and over ten bodyguards. "And who might you be, knowing my name so casually?" "My name is Hayun Ju. I''m from Hyukcheon Group." "Hyukcheon Group?" Hanul''s face twisted in confusion. Hyukcheon Group¡ª A global corporate giant whose influence stretched across the world. No, corporation didn''t quite cut it. With their wealth and private military forces, Hyukcheon was known to rival entire nations. Even Iron Fang, Korea''s number-one guild, was nothing more than a speck of dust in front of Hyukcheon. "And what does such an important group want from me? Don''t tell me you''re here to scout me or something." "Oh, it''s nothing like that." "Figures. Why would Hyukcheon Group bother with a third-rate hunter like me?" Hanul smirked bitterly. "Then what business do you have? You wouldn''t stop me just to ask for directions. If you''re going to talk, get to the point. Don''t waste my time." "Mr. Lee Hanul, do you remember your parents?" It was such an out-of-the-blue question that Hanul couldn''t hide his discomfort. "Are you trying to pick a fight?" "Your father was Mr. Kwon Cheon, the second son of Hyukcheon Group''s chairman, Kwon Sunwoo." For the first time in a long while, Hanul''s face froze. "...What kind of nonsense¡ª" "It''s not nonsense." "It is nonsense. I grew up in an orphanage. There''s no way my father was someone like that¡ª" "Mr. Kwon Cheon left Hyukcheon Group long ago and disappeared. Afterward, he married and had you, Mr. Hanul." Hayun''s voice remained composed as she continued. "Unfortunately, Mr. Cheon and his wife passed away from illness. After that, you were entrusted to an orphanage." Hanul was speechless. He rubbed his lips absentmindedly, trying to find the right words but nothing came out. "Hyukcheon Group has been searching for Mr. Kwon Cheon for a long time. Only recently did we discover both of your parents had passed away... and that you existed." Hayun bowed once again. "Your grandfather, Chairman Kwon Sunwoo of Hyukcheon Group, has instructed us to bring you back to Hyukcheon." She gestured toward the convoy. The bodyguards in perfect alignment all bowed in unison. "Mr. Lee Hanul, please come with me to Hyukcheon." That day, Lee Hanul''s life changed forever. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 2 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 2: A Strange Bloodline (1) A top-of-the-line OGMG sedan raced down the road. Hanul Lee sat in the backseat, quietly taking in the car¡¯s luxurious interior. Spacious seating, high-end leather seats, and a fully automated system controlled by a single button on the right armrest. Fiddling with the button, Hanul let out a dry chuckle. For someone whose only experience with private transport was taxis, this was an unfamiliar sight. ¡°Mr. Hanul, thank you.¡± A voice came from the front passenger seat. Hayun Ju was looking at him through the rearview mirror. ¡°I don¡¯t recall doing anything worth thanking me for.¡± ¡°You made the decision to return to Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°That was just my own choice. Didn¡¯t you say that if I joined Hyukcheon Group, they¡¯d clear my debts and take care of my living expenses?¡± For someone about to become part of Hyukcheon Group, a corporation known as the ruler of East Asia, his reasoning was almost embarrassingly materialistic. Hayun seemed to share the sentiment, her expression showing mild disbelief. ¡°Mr. Hanul, you are a direct descendant of Hyukcheon. Does that not bring you any sense of pride or joy?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be a bit ridiculous to ask that to someone who grew up as an orphan for over twenty years?¡± A brief silence followed. Perhaps finding no proper response, Hayun subtly changed the topic. ¡°Adjusting to Hyukcheon Group will not be easy. You should be prepared.¡± ¡°I figured as much.¡± Hanul¡¯s nonchalant response caught Hayun off guard. ¡°If this were some third-rate comic, maybe things would be different, but this is reality. Even if I go to Hyukcheon Group, I¡¯ll just be treated as an outsider.¡± ¡°You are not an outsider, Mr. Hanul. You are a direct descendant of the chairman¡ª¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t been properly educated, I barely have any skills aside from being a hunter, and let¡¯s be honest¡ªI¡¯m nothing but dead weight.¡± And that wasn¡¯t even the worst of it. ¡°On top of that, my father supposedly ran away from Hyukcheon Group and had me on his own terms. Oh, I¡¯m sure people will just love me.¡± Another pause. It took a moment before Hayun finally spoke again. ¡°Then why did you decide to come with us?¡± ¡°I already told you. They¡¯re paying my debts and giving me money.¡± Hanul grinned. ¡°Why struggle as a third-rate hunter, unable to even pay rent, when I can go to Hyukcheon, get some dirty looks, and live without worrying about money?¡± His reasoning was so bluntly materialistic that it left no room for argument. ¡°...By the way, where are we going now?¡± ¡°To meet the chairman.¡± ¡°I heard the chairman usually stays at Hyukcheon Manor. Isn¡¯t that really far away?¡± Hyukcheon Group was practically a kingdom at this point. It had even claimed a territory in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula as its own. ¡°He usually resides at Hyukcheon Manor, but right now, he¡¯s in Seoul for an important event.¡± An important event? As Hanul tilted his head in curiosity, the car came to a stop. Hayun stepped out first and opened the back door for him. As Hanul exited, he was met with the sight of a massive skyscraper. ¡°Damn, that¡¯s huge.¡± It was taller and more imposing than any other building around it. This was Blackpolis, a landmark of Seoul, known for its overwhelming size. ¡°Let¡¯s go. The chairman is waiting for you.¡± Hanul followed Hayun toward Blackpolis. If there really was an important Hyukcheon event happening, it was already evident from the atmosphere at the entrance. Heavily armed soldiers were stationed not only inside but also outside, controlling the perimeter. Because of this, not even a single ant could be seen lingering near Blackpolis. As Hayun approached, the guards at the entrance stepped aside. ¡°The elevator is this way.¡± Just as she was speaking, the sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed. A middle-aged woman, wearing heavy makeup, was striding toward Hanul. Hayun bowed politely. ¡°Lady Kwon Mi, it¡¯s a pleasure to see you.¡± ¡°Pleasure? Hardly!¡± The woman snapped irritably and glared at Hanul. ¡°So, you¡¯re Cheon Kwon¡¯s son?¡± Hanul searched his memory. He had seen her somewhere before... but he couldn¡¯t recall exactly where. ¡°This is Lady Kwon Mi, the chairman¡¯s eldest daughter and second child. She is your aunt, Mr. Hanul.¡± ¡°Aunt? Don¡¯t make me laugh! Who in their right mind would acknowledge that thing as family?¡± ¡°To think you¡¯ve reached this age and still haven¡¯t awakened the Black Dragon Blood. This is exactly why I strictly forbade mixing our bloodline with common stock.¡± Hanul hadn¡¯t misheard. The Chairman¡¯s attitude wasn¡¯t just indifferent¡ªit was outright hostile. ¡°This was a mistake. Bringing this worthless brat into Hyukcheon? Send him back immediately.¡± With that one command, the Chairman turned to leave. Kwon Mi¡¯s face lit up with satisfaction. ¡°Exactly! A huge mistake indeed.¡± But then¡ª Hanul spoke. ¡°You should¡¯ve expected as much from someone who spent over twenty years as an orphan.¡± Kwon Sunwoo paused mid-step. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°What were you expecting from me? It¡¯s obvious, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Are you mocking me?¡± ¡°Mocking you?¡± Hanul let out a dry laugh. ¡°If I¡¯d ever received anything from you, maybe I¡¯d at least feel bad about disappointing you. But that¡¯s not the case, is it?¡± Kwon Sunwoo¡¯s brow furrowed at the audacity of his words. Joo Hayun and everyone standing behind her turned pale. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since someone dared to run their mouth in front of me.¡± ¡°My apologies.¡± Hanul gave a slight nod before turning toward the front entrance of the building. ¡°You said you¡¯ve never received anything?¡± Kwon Sunwoo¡¯s voice rang out behind him. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you never say something so foolish again.¡± Then, his gaze shifted. ¡°Hayun, listen carefully.¡± ¡°Yes, Chairman.¡± ¡°The coming-of-age ceremony will begin soon. Have this boy participate as well. Useless as he is, he should at least prove he¡¯s capable of being a person.¡± ¡°I will follow your orders.¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Sunwoo turned and left. Kwon Mi stared in disbelief before quickly chasing after him. ¡°Father? What do you mean by that?! You¡¯re not seriously considering accepting him into Hyukcheon, are you?¡± Kwon Sunwoo didn¡¯t even respond as he stepped into the elevator. Kwon Mi hurried in after him. ¡°Well, I suppose I should go as well. Ah, and welcome to Hyukcheon.¡± Kwon Hyuk gave Hanul a smirk before striding toward the elevator. Once the three disappeared, the first-floor lounge suddenly felt empty. ¡°What a ruthless family.¡± That was Hanul¡¯s first impression of Hyukcheon Group. ¡°Lord Hanul, congratulations.¡± ¡°Congratulations?¡± ¡°The Chairman has acknowledged you, hasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°You call that acknowledgment?¡± Hanul recalled Kwon Sunwoo¡¯s words and demeanor from earlier. There was nothing remotely positive about them¡ªcertainly nothing that resembled recognition. ¡°More importantly, what exactly is this coming-of-age ceremony you mentioned?¡± ¡°It¡¯s likely different from what you¡¯re imagining, Lord Hanul. In the Hyukcheon family, the coming-of-age ceremony refers to the awakening of the Black Dragon Blood.¡± ¡°The Black Dragon Blood... You mean that Black Dragon Blood?¡± ¡°Yes, exactly.¡± Hyukcheon¡¯s power was never built on business acumen or by riding the tides of change. It was forged solely through strength. Every member of the Hyukcheon bloodline was an exceptional Hunter. Those who had seen them in action often remarked that they seemed like an entirely different breed. At the core of their power lay a unique bloodline trait, one that only manifested within the Hyukcheon family¡ªthe Black Dragon Blood. ¡°Children born into Hyukcheon are regularly gathered at the main house for the coming-of-age ceremony, where they awaken their Black Dragon Blood. Only those who succeed are truly recognized as members of the family.¡± ¡°The Chairman seemed downright disgusted that I¡¯ve reached this age without awakening it.¡± ¡°Those with exceptional talent awaken the Black Dragon Blood naturally, without needing the ceremony. The less talent one has, the later the awakening tends to occur.¡± Hanul let out a bitter chuckle. Lack of talent? That wasn¡¯t news to him. He¡¯d barely scraped by as a third-rate Hunter all this time. ¡°What happens if someone fails to awaken it?¡± ¡°That has never happened before. However, you should be aware that the type of Black Dragon Blood you awaken will determine your status within Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°There are different types?¡± ¡°Yes. There are three ranks: Mixed, Inferior, and Pure.¡± This wasn¡¯t information that was publicly known. ¡°The higher the rank of the Black Dragon Blood, the greater the power it bestows. That¡¯s why, within Hyukcheon, status is determined solely by one¡¯s Black Dragon Blood.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 3 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 3: A Strange Bloodline (2) The coming-of-age ceremony was being held in an opera hall located on the upper floors of Blackpolis. It was enormous¡ªso large that Hanul wondered if it was really necessary. Not only was the stage vast, but the seating spanned five floors. The first floor had rows of seats arranged like a movie theater, while the upper floors were divided into private viewing sections. ¡°All the people gathered here belong to the Hyukcheon branch families,¡± Joo Hayun explained. According to her, the branch families lived across the world, working at Hyukcheon Group¡¯s various regional offices. It was their duty to assist the Hyukcheon Group. After all, the company¡¯s greatest strength came from its bloodline. But something felt off. As Hanul scanned the room, a question arose. ¡°There are so many empty seats... Why are people sitting upstairs instead?¡± More than half of the first-floor seats were unoccupied, yet people were still choosing to sit on the upper levels. ¡°They¡¯re ranked by status.¡± ¡°Ranked?¡± ¡°The first floor is for branch family members who possess Miscellaneous Black Dragon Blood. The upper levels are for those with Inferior Black Dragon Blood. Even among those with Inferior Black Dragon Blood, individuals with higher potential are seated higher.¡± ¡°That seems a bit excessive just for seating arrangements.¡± ¡°In Hyukcheon, one¡¯s status is determined by their Black Dragon Blood. Naturally, treatment varies accordingly.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but chuckle dryly. It was clear¡ªhe was never going to get used to this family. ¡°Please take a seat here.¡± The two of them sat in the back row of the first floor. And then¡ª ¡°Hayun!¡± The opera hall echoed with the loud call of a young man. A man tried to throw his arms around Joo Hayun from behind¡ªonly for her to immediately spring to her feet, making him miss entirely. ¡°Hayun! It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve had any physical contact. Don¡¯t be so cold!¡± ¡°Lord Kwon Jiseok, it has been a while. Have you been well?¡± ¡°Of course! Well, aside from having too much free time, that is. Hahaha!¡± His voice was loud enough to draw everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°But wait... Who the hell is this?¡± The young man¡ªKwon Jiseok¡ªturned his gaze to Hanul. His previously relaxed expression twisted into something far more hostile. ¡°Who the hell is this bastard? Why¡¯s he sitting next to Hayun? Huh?¡± His tone remained casual, but the sharp intensity behind his words was unmistakable. The muscles in his face twitched as if he was moments away from lashing out. ¡°You must have already heard from the Chairman. This is Lord Hanul.¡± Jiseok¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°This guy... He¡¯s that traitor¡¯s son?¡± His already-loud voice boomed even louder, filling the opera hall. Now, every single person in the room had heard. ¡°A traitor? Wait, does he mean Kwon Cheon? Is this Kwon Cheon¡¯s child?¡± ¡°No way... He ran away from the family, and this is what he¡¯s been doing? He had a kid?¡± ¡°To think he not only betrayed the family but also tainted our bloodline by mixing it with an outsider... How disgraceful!¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t remember the last time he¡¯d been the center of so much attention. Not that it was the kind of attention he wanted. Criticism poured in from all directions, but he didn¡¯t so much as blink. He had expected this. More importantly, one of his greatest talents was the ability to let unpleasant words go in one ear and out the other. ¡°Who is he?¡± Hanul asked. ¡°Lord Kwon Jiseok. He is Lord Kwon Hyuk¡¯s second son, three years older than you.¡± So that brooding man had a son this obnoxious? Bloodlines really were unpredictable. ¡°But why is this guy even here?¡± Jiseok asked. ¡°Lord Hanul is waiting for his turn in the coming-of-age ceremony.¡± ¡°His turn? Wait¡ªare you telling me he¡¯s reached this age and still hasn¡¯t awakened his Black Dragon Blood? Hah! What a joke!¡± Jiseok¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. His expression reeked of condescension. ¡°Hayun, forget about that pathetic loser and come talk to me instead. I¡¯m forming a new team soon, and I¡¯d love for you to join.¡± ¡°I only follow the Chairman¡¯s orders.¡± ¡°Aw, don¡¯t be like that.¡± Jiseok completely ignored Hanul, keeping his attention solely on Joo Hayun. Hanul found it almost amusing¡ªhow even in a place as prestigious as Hyukcheon, there could be people as insufferable as this. ¡°I¡¯m Hanul,¡± he said. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Even if he disliked the guy, etiquette was etiquette. Like it or not, they were still cousins. But Jiseok clearly didn¡¯t see it that way. ¡°Look at this arrogant bastard.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You dare not kneel before a direct descendant of the main family? Are you asking to die?¡± Kwon Ji-seok¡¯s voice sharpened. Hanul simply responded as if he had no idea what the other wanted. ¡°If we¡¯re talking about direct lineage, then I¡¯m one too.¡± ¡°What? What the hell did this brat just say? Listen up. I¡¯m a pureblood. You and I are on completely different levels.¡± ¡°My Black Dragon Bloodline hasn¡¯t even been determined yet.¡± ¡°Wow, you really are a dumbass. Your bastard of a father ran off with some lowly woman. You were born from that lowly woman, so what else would you be?¡± The sheer audacity of his words was almost admirable. ¡®What a shitty world.¡¯ He had told himself he expected this. But deep down, it still stung. ¡®Even outside, people insulted me for my background. And now it¡¯s the same here?¡¯ Throughout his life, the word ¡°orphan¡± had clung to him like a label. People would whisper, saying he had no parents to teach him manners, or that his upbringing explained why he was the way he was. Now, even within Hyukcheon, his origins were being scrutinized and scorned. If he awakened a lower-ranked Black Dragon Blood, their contempt would only grow. ¡®This damn family.¡¯ Then, his gaze met someone else¡¯s. Sitting in the only royal seat in the opera hall was the Chairman. Their eyes locked. Reclining in his chair, the Chairman looked down at Hanul. With that arrogant posture, he didn¡¯t seem like a corporate leader¡ªhe looked like an emperor. Placing his hand on the statue, he thought to himself, ¡®Well, nothing unexpected¡¯. A series of system messages appeared before his eyes. At the same time, the dragon''s eyes emitted a crimson glow. Red¡ªsignifying the Mixed rank. It was an expected result, yet the bitterness in his mouth was undeniable. Accepting the outcome, he moved to lift his hand and step down from the platform. ¡°...What the?¡± His hand wouldn¡¯t budge. It was as if it had been glued to the statue. Frowning, Hanwool turned to the announcer. ¡°My hand won¡¯t come off. Is this supposed to¡ª?¡± At that moment, something surged into his body through his palm. Electricity? No, lightning. His entire body convulsed as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. Then, the dragon¡¯s eyes flared with a blinding white light. The radiance was so intense that everyone in the opera hall instinctively shut their eyes. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± ¡°The statue is glowing white? I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.¡± ¡°Pure Black Dragon Blood? No, Pure is supposed to glow blue, not white!¡± ¡°What on earth is happening...?¡± A phenomenon unprecedented in the history of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony sent the Hyukcheon bloodline into a state of panic. ¡°Hah.¡± A low chuckle echoed through the hall. The family head, seated in the Royal Box, had risen from his chair, laughing. ¡°Haha... Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!¡± The bloodline members gasped in unison. The ever-stoic, silent family head was laughing aloud? It was as shocking as the light erupting from the statue itself. ¡°I never imagined I¡¯d live to see such a glorious day!¡± The family head¡¯s voice rang out, shaking the entire opera hall. ¡°Look upon him! True! That light is proof¡ªhe possesses the True Black Dragon Blood!¡± Not Mixed. Not Inferior. Not even Pure. But True Black Dragon Blood. Most of the bloodline members stared blankly, struggling to comprehend. But a select few understood immediately. ¡°The True Black Dragon Blood¡ªthe very same bloodline possessed only by our Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s founder, the First Patriarch, Kwon Hyunmoon!¡± The hall erupted into chaos. Yet, the most shocked person in the entire room was none other than Hanul himself. He stood frozen, staring into empty space as if in a daze. Because in his vision, he could see it. 1. Black Dragon Blood Rank: SSS+ Purity: True 2. Health Dragon Blood Rank: S+ Purity: True 3. ??? Rank: ??? Purity: ??? Not only True Black Dragon Blood¡ªbut two additional bloodlines displayed in his status window. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 4 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 4: The Bloodline''s Astonishment (1) It wasn¡¯t an illusion. The status window clearly displayed three bloodlines. Hanul Lee knew nothing about bloodlines. But one thing was certain¡ªthis was far from an ordinary situation. ¡°A-A traitor¡¯s son possessing the True Black Dragon Bloodline? This is absurd!¡± ¡°There... there must be some kind of mistake! It has to be!¡± ¡°Shh! Are you questioning the chairman¡¯s judgment?¡± The murmuring grew louder. It was only then that Hanul snapped out of his daze and took in his surroundings. The expressions of the branch family members varied¡ªshock, disbelief, denial, envy, and jealousy. Their reactions differed, but they all had one thing in common. Not a single person dared to look down on him anymore. Just moments ago, they had mocked and ridiculed his lineage. A shiver ran down his spine. He had endured countless insults because of his origins. But never before had he been able to silence them so completely. At that moment, Hanul realized something. This... was the power of authority. * * * ¡°Lee Hanul, was it?¡± From the royal seats, Kwon Sunwoo called his name. ¡°Come with me. We have things to discuss.¡± * * * Kwon Mi, the eldest daughter and second child of the Hyukcheon Group, paced the same spot repeatedly. ¡°Mi, why don¡¯t you calm down?¡± Her older brother, Kwon Hyuk, tried to soothe her. But his words only poured fuel on the fire. ¡°How can I calm down?! That bastard Kwon Cheon¡¯s son just awakened True Black Dragon Blood!¡± The purity of Black Dragon Blood determined its strength. The gap between Mixed, Inferior, and Pure was as vast as the difference between a stray dog and a wolf. That was why, within the core of the Hyukcheon Group¡ªthe direct bloodline of the Hyukcheon Clan¡ªsocial status was dictated by the purity of one¡¯s Black Dragon Blood. ¡°If Father chooses that bastard as the next heir, you and I are finished! Finished!¡± ¡°You¡¯re jumping to conclusions, little sister.¡± Kwon Hyuk dismissed her panic with a wave of his hand. ¡°Father isn¡¯t that simple-minded. Sure, True Black Dragon Blood is remarkable, but he wouldn¡¯t entrust the group to someone based on that alone.¡± The purer the Black Dragon Blood, the stronger the individual. Hanul would undoubtedly become a formidable hunter. But running a corporation was an entirely different matter. The skills of a great warrior and a great leader were not the same. Even after hearing this, Kwon Mi¡¯s anger did not subside. ¡°But Father¡ªthat man¡ªlaughed! Out loud! Do you understand how insane that is?!¡± ¡°Of course he¡¯s pleased. A living legend of our clan just appeared before his eyes. But that doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s making him heir¡ª¡± ¡°There¡¯s no reasoning with you!¡± Fuming, Kwon Mi stormed off. Behind her, Kwon Hyuk called out. ¡°Send my regards to your husband. And to my adorable little nieces and nephews, too.¡± She ignored him, stepping into the elevator and vanishing from sight. The moment she was gone, the grin on Kwon Hyuk¡¯s face disappeared. ¡°Stupid woman. Even after all these years, she still doesn¡¯t understand Father. Then again, it¡¯s because she¡¯s like that that I was able to rise without any trouble.¡± The one being considered as the next chairman of Hyukcheon Group wasn¡¯t Kwon Mi. It was Kwon Hyuk. Her influence wasn¡¯t negligible, but she was no match for him. ¡°Still, I should be prepared.¡± Their father wasn¡¯t a man who would be swayed by something as simple as blood purity. But he would put it to the test. He would see for himself just how powerful True Black Dragon Blood really was. And whether Hanul was truly fit to become the head of Hyukcheon Group. "Desire is born from sight." Even that foolish woman coveted the chairman¡¯s seat. There was no guarantee that he wouldn¡¯t as well. Kwon Hyuk¡¯s gaze darkened as he stared into the distance. ¡°Cheon... my dear brother. Even in death, you¡¯re still a thorn in my side.¡± * * * Kwon Sunwoo led Hanwool to a private room within Blackpolis. ¡°From now on, use the surname Kwon.¡± The moment they arrived, Sunwoo spoke. It was an acknowledgment¡ªHanul was now officially recognized as a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline. Lee Hanul¡ªno, Kwon Hanul¡ªwas beginning to grasp just how much power True Black Dragon Blood carried. Even Sunwoo, who had openly despised him, was willing to grant him the family name. ¡°Do you know why you inherited True Blood?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Hanul¡¯s father had been a direct descendant of Hyukcheon, but his mother was an outsider. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn¡¯t have inherited anything beyond Mixed Blood. ¡°It was nothing more than luck.¡± A rather unflattering explanation. ¡°True Blood was a power possessed only by our clan¡¯s founder, Kwon Hyunmoon. Before his passing, he left behind a prophecy.¡± ¡°A descendant shall be born with the True Bloodline once more. And when the True Black Dragon Blood appears, the Hyukcheon shall rise again.¡± ¡°But for generations, no one inherited the True Bloodline. Eventually, people forgot about the prophecy altogether. And yet, here it is¡ªmanifesting in someone raised outside the clan.¡± Sunwoo¡¯s expression darkened as he stared at Hanul. ¡°You don¡¯t seem very pleased that I¡¯ve inherited it.¡± ¡°Of course not. The True Bloodline should have appeared in a direct heir.¡± Sunwoo¡¯s stance was clear. The True Bloodline had finally returned. That was a good thing. But he had three. And they weren¡¯t just any bloodlines. Healthy Blood Grade: S+ Purity: True Enhances physical health. S+ grade. Any ability rated S-grade or higher was considered a divine authority. The difference between A and S might seem small, but in reality, the gap was immense. As for the third bloodline, it was still marked as ¡°???¡±¡ªits details unknown. But considering the first two were already S-grade or higher, the third was likely just as powerful. "If having two bloodlines causes the body to collapse... then why am I fine?" Hanul hadn¡¯t told Kwon Sunwoo about his three bloodlines. The reason was simple. He couldn¡¯t trust him. From now on, Hanul would have to compete against the purebloods of Hyukcheon¡ªor, in the worst case, fight for his life. How could he trust Kwon Sunwoo in a situation like that? "And if I want to survive, I need something to rely on too." There¡¯s a saying in the Hunter industry: "If you want to live long, always keep 30% of your power hidden." Back when he was just a third-rate Hunter, it was meaningless advice¡ªhe had no strength to hide in the first place. But with an S+ rank bloodline, the story was different. There was just one small problem. "What the hell does ¡®becoming healthier¡¯ even mean?" He knew it had to be something great, but he had no clue what kind of ability it actually was. "Lord Kwon Hanul." A voice called out to him. Standing in front of the elevator, waiting, was Joo Hayun. "Starting today, I will be assisting you." "I appreciate it." "Please, speak informally. I cannot have a member of the Hyukcheon Bloodline using honorifics with me." "I''m just more comfortable this way." It was also a way of keeping some distance. He had no idea how much he could trust Joo Hayun yet. "I noticed you haven¡¯t had a single meal since arriving, so I¡¯ve prepared something simple for you." Kwon Hanul was actually starving, so he followed Joo Hayun into the elevator. As it descended, she asked, "What did you talk about with the Chairman?" "Nothing special. He just told me to compete with the Purebloods and survive." "...The Chairman is truly merciless." For once, there was emotion in Joo Hayun¡¯s voice. She was definitely angry. "The Purebloods are all world-renowned Hunters. And their skills weren¡¯t built overnight." Hanul had seen it himself before¡ªhow the heirs of top guilds were trained and nurtured. Dozens of personal trainers, private doctors monitoring their health, an endless supply of the best food to strengthen their bodies. Not to mention systematic, professional training programs and mastery of high-level skills. If that¡¯s how the top guilds trained their successors, then how much more would the Hyukcheon Group invest in theirs? Could he really compete with the Hyukcheon Bloodline? It was impossible. Talent aside, there was too much of a gap in raw stats, in the number of skills they had mastered¡ªin every way, he was outmatched. "Now that you are part of the Hyukcheon Bloodline, you will receive the same support. But even then, closing the gap won¡¯t be easy." The Purebloods of Hyukcheon were like the fastest race cars in the world. Hanul would finally get to sit in one of those cars himself, but that alone wasn¡¯t enough. If he just matched their speed, all he would do was maintain the distance. "You don¡¯t have to worry too much. The Chairman values you. He must have his own plans for you." "We met less than a day ago. What¡¯s there to value?" His sharp remark left Joo Hayun speechless. By then, the elevator had arrived, and the two stepped out toward the dining hall. Once Kwon Hanul sat down, the chefs brought out the food. Joo Hayun, standing beside him, lifted the lid off a dish, releasing a deep, rich aroma that instantly awakened his appetite. "This is a soup made from the spine of a Grand Fish, the tenderloin of a Buffalo Horn, and the dew of a Symbiotic Tree, simmered for 24 hours." Hanul barely heard what she said¡ªhe was too hungry to care. He picked up a spoon and took a sip. The warmth spread through his entire body. "Oh...?" Hanul let out an involuntary murmur of admiration. He¡¯d heard about it before¡ªhow top-tier ingredients from dungeons could grant special effects just from being eaten. But those ingredients were so rare that ordinary people never even got to see them. He never imagined he¡¯d get to experience it himself. "If I eat about a hundred bowls of this, I might actually increase my stats." "That¡¯s impossible. Only special elixirs found in dungeons can permanently increase stats through consumption." "I was just joking." He brushed it off and took another spoonful of soup. And then¡ª <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected the consumed food!> Clang! Hanul dropped his spoon without realizing it. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 5 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 5: The Bloodline''s Astonishment (2) As soon as he dropped his spoon, Joo Hayun immediately asked, "Does the food not suit your taste?" "No, the food is delicious, but..." Kwon Hanul picked up the spoon from the table and took another sip of the soup. The same message appeared again. He hadn¡¯t imagined it¡ªhis stats were really increasing. "Is this even possible?" For a Hunter, stats were their foundation. This world was filled with powerful tools¡ªskills, equipment, potions, and artifacts with extraordinary abilities. But to use them, one needed a solid base of stats. Without the required stats, even the most powerful items were useless. And because of that, increasing stats was incredibly difficult. The most traditional method was to gain experience by killing monsters. Other ways included consuming rare elixirs, absorbing mystical creatures, or equipping relics that boosted stats¡ªbut those were so expensive that only the wealthiest could afford them. Yet, the Healthy Bloodline was increasing his stats just from eating food. "As expected of an S+ rank ability..." It was utterly absurd. "But this is kind of disappointing. The increase is way too small." Not even 0.1, just 0.01? Sure, every spoonful of soup raised his stats, but the amount was frustratingly low. What was the point of such tiny increments? The irritation built up, making the back of his neck stiff. Hanul instinctively reached up and rolled his head in a slow stretch. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected your movement!> "Cough." Hanul let out a small cough without realizing it. Joo Hayun glanced at him. "Lord Kwon Hanul?" "A-Ah, it¡¯s nothing. Just choked a little." To test a theory, Hanul interlocked his fingers and stretched his arms upward. ¡®Holy...!¡¯ His heart pounded with excitement. Stats were increasing just from stretching? The sheer absurdity of it made his body heat up. He could feel his heartbeat accelerating¡ª And then, another notification popped up. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected changes in your body!> ¡®What the hell?¡¯ At this point, it was beyond ridiculous. "Lord Kwon Hanul, are you sure you¡¯re alright?" Joo Hayun asked again, concern evident on her face¡ªsomething rare for her. "I¡¯m more than alright." A smile crept onto Hanul¡¯s lips. "I feel amazing." He had just discovered an insane way to close the gap with the Purebloods. This was better than he could have ever hoped for. "Lord Kwon Hanul..." Joo Hayun still seemed concerned. "I think it would be best for you to turn in early today and rest." "But it¡¯s still early." "Tomorrow morning, we depart for North Pyongan Province." The mention of North Pyongan Province made Hanul freeze. "Wait... You mean we¡¯re going to the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s stronghold?" "That¡¯s correct." The Hyukcheon Clan was so massive that ordinary territories couldn¡¯t contain them. So, they had claimed ownership over the entirety of North Pyongan Province, establishing it as Hyukcheon¡¯s domain. North Pyongan Province. Everything the Hyukcheon Clan had built was gathered there. "Your first destination will be the Dragon Sage Martial Archive." "And what exactly is that?" "It¡¯s the first place every member of the Hyukcheon Bloodline must visit." Joo Hayun¡¯s lips curled into an intriguing smile. "It¡¯s also where you¡¯ll face your first trial." * * * Kwon Hanul was at the airport with Joo Hayun. "That plane over there... That¡¯s not the one I¡¯m taking, is it?" "Do you have any idea how incredible Hayun is?! She shouldn¡¯t be wasting away under the likes of you!" "I already said I¡¯m hanging up." "Wait! In exchange, I¡¯ll offer you this!" Kwon Jiseok lifted something into view¡ªa small, notebook-sized tablet of stone. No, not just any stone tablet. It was a Memory Page, an artifact capable of granting skills. And not just any Memory Page¡ªthis one shimmered in gold, unmistakably a Unique Skill. "If you send Hayun back, this is yours! Think about it! When else would a bastard like you ever get the chance to learn a Unique Skill? You¡¯d be a fool to pass this up!" Kwon Jiseok¡¯s voice brimmed with confidence. A Unique Skill¡ªan item worth billions the moment it hit the market. He was certain Kwon Hanul would take the deal. But Kwon Hanul¡¯s reaction was lukewarm at best. For two reasons. First, he wasn¡¯t in a position to command Joo Hayun. And second... "Why would I be interested in that when I can just learn martial arts techniques from the Dragon Sage Armory?" Dragon Sage Armory. Among the relics possessed by the Hyukcheon Clan, this was considered the most important. The Dragon Sage Martial Archive was originally a place where the bloodline of Hyukcheon honed their martial skills. But if that were its only function, it wouldn¡¯t be regarded as the most crucial artifact. The reason the Dragon Sage Martial Archive held such importance was that it housed the secret martial arts manuals of the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Hah, so this is what you¡¯re relying on? Do you really think an idiot like you can obtain a proper manual from the Dragon Sage Martial Archive?¡± ¡°Well, there¡¯s only one way to find out, isn¡¯t there?¡± ¡°You think I don¡¯t know? Weren¡¯t you just some third-rate Hunter scraping by outside?¡± The manuals one could acquire from the Dragon Sage Martial Archive depended on their aptitude. Innate talent, natural disposition¡ªthose were the deciding factors. The purity of the Black Dragon Bloodline meant nothing here. This was the one place where even branch family members could surpass the main family. ¡°You think a nobody who¡¯s been making a living hunting goblins will suddenly become something just by stepping into the Archive? Stop being so stubborn and take my deal instead. Send Hayun back to me, and I¡¯ll give you this Memory Page¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m hanging up.¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s words, Joo Hayun immediately terminated the call. ¡°Lord Hanul, don¡¯t let what he said get to you,¡± Hayun said. Her voice was as calm as ever, but Hanul could tell she was trying to console him. ¡°The Dragon Sage Martial Archive recognizes even hidden potential when bestowing manuals. So...¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to comfort me. I accepted a long time ago that I don¡¯t have any talent.¡± Like any rookie, Hanul once had grand dreams when he became a Hunter. He had fantasized about becoming a top-tier Hunter, traveling the world, and leaving his mark. But reality had been unforgiving. He had no talent. Even taking down goblins was a struggle, and facing orcs was out of the question. ¡°I¡¯m used to this kind of thing.¡± Hanul¡¯s tone was steady as he spoke. Hayun silently watched him. * * * Daegwan County, North Pyongan Province. A private jet touched down, and a man and woman disembarked. ¡°This is the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s estate,¡± Hayun said. Hanul scanned his surroundings. Elegant hanok-style buildings were scattered throughout, with towering skyscrapers interspersed among them. It wasn¡¯t just a village¡ªit was a city. A place built for a single clan, yet developed to such an extent that it was hard to believe. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to your lodging.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather go straight to the Dragon Sage Martial Archive.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to rest first?¡± ¡°Would it make a difference? You said the skills are determined by aptitude anyway.¡± Hanul shrugged. After a brief pause, Hayun nodded. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take you there.¡± They got into a waiting vehicle and set off. Despite the traditional hanok buildings lining the city, asphalt roads ran between them, creating a strange contrast. When the vehicle stopped, they had arrived at a building the size of a gymnasium. Unlike the other structures, which adhered to traditional Korean architecture, this one stood out in stark contrast. Hanul approached the entrance, only to find it tightly sealed. ¡°Place your hand here. The Archive will recognize the Black Dragon Bloodline and open for you,¡± Hayun instructed. Hanul did as she said, pressing his palm against the door. A message appeared, and the massive doors creaked open. Hanul stepped inside. Despite the building¡¯s grand exterior, the interior was empty. He walked deeper inside. Hanul yawned as he waited. Hayun had said there was a chance, but Hanul had already resigned himself to the outcome. He had no talent. There was no point in getting his hopes up. Or so he thought¡ªuntil it happened. An unexpected turn of events. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 6 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 6: The Bloodline¡¯s Astonishment (3) An Apartment in Seoul. ¡°You son of a bitch!¡± Kwon Jiseok furiously hurled his smartphone. The device smashed against the wall, crumpling like a piece of paper. ¡°That lowborn bastard dares to ignore me?¡± He couldn''t suppress his anger. As someone born into the Hyukcheon Group, he had never suffered such humiliation. Most people bowed their heads before him without question. ¡°Master, please calm down. On a joyous day like today, there¡¯s no need to let a nobody ruin your mood.¡± The man sitting beside him attempted to soothe him. He was a member of the Hyukcheon branch family, possessing the Inferior Black Dragon Blood. ¡°He''s right. That ignorant fool isn¡¯t worth your time.¡± A young woman placed a glass of water in front of Kwon Jiseok as she spoke. Like the man, she was also from a branch family, possessing Mixed Black Dragon Blood. They weren¡¯t the only ones. The five men and women gathered in the apartment were all members of the Hyukcheon bloodline. But this wasn¡¯t just a casual gathering. ¡°Instead of wasting time on that guy, wouldn¡¯t it be more productive to go over our plans again?¡± Soon, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s own team would be officially formed. The people gathered here were meant to be its core members. ¡°Master, you¡¯ve always said that our true competition is Kwon Chan-seong.¡± Kwon Chan-seong. The eldest son of Kwon Hyuk, vice chairman of the Hyukcheon Group¡ªand Kwon Jiseok¡¯s older brother. If Kwon Hyuk was expected to be the next leader of Hyukcheon, then Kwon Chan-seong was the most likely heir after him. For Kwon Jiseok to claim his father¡¯s seat, he had no choice but to surpass his brother. ¡°We spent all night reviewing our options. For our first dungeon raid, instead of choosing one in Seoul, we should¡ª¡± ¡°Enough with that crap. Talk about it later.¡± Crap? The blood relatives'' expressions stiffened. The only reason they followed Kwon Jiseok was his ambition to claim the Hyukcheon throne. But now he was dismissing the very plan that was meant to be the foundation of that ambition? ¡°I heard that bastard Kwon Hanul is entering the Dragon Sage Martial Archive. How far do you think he¡¯ll get?¡± Their expressions brightened. They had thought Kwon Jiseok was being reckless again¡ªbut no. He had come to a strategic realization: just as it was crucial to surpass his brother Kwon Chan-seong, it was equally important to keep Kwon Hanul in check. And rightly so. No matter how lowly Kwon Hanul¡¯s background was, he possessed True Black Dragon Blood. That alone made him impossible to ignore. ¡°The martial vault doesn¡¯t assess the purity of Black Dragon Blood. It grants skills based purely on individual talent.¡± ¡°Our research indicates that Kwon Hanul was nothing more than a third-rate Hunter outside.¡± ¡°Even if we¡¯re generous, there¡¯s no way he has any outstanding talent.¡± The Hyukcheon family''s secret martial art, Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques, was an SS+ ranked skill. It consisted of: -Three Entry Forms -Six Fundamental Forms -Three Advanced Forms These twelve techniques were specifically designed to maximize the power of Black Dragon Blood. The reason Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline was considered the strongest wasn¡¯t just because of their lineage¡ªbut because of these techniques. ¡°He¡¯ll definitely acquire the Entry Forms. At most, he might get one or two Fundamental Forms.¡± ¡°If he does, they¡¯ll likely be the Force Strike and Chain Strike. Counter Strike is notoriously difficult to learn.¡± The group began seriously discussing the matter. The Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques became exponentially stronger as one progressed through them. Between two individuals of the same bloodline, the one who had mastered more techniques was always stronger. But Kwon Jiseok still looked displeased. Then, he pointed at one of the relatives. ¡°You. How many techniques did you get?¡± ¡°Uh... me? Well, I...¡± His face turned bright red. ¡°...I barely managed to learn the Entry Forms.¡± ¡°Tsk.¡± Kwon Jiseok scoffed in ridicule, making the man¡¯s face burn even hotter. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°I... I learned two Fundamental Forms!¡± ¡°And you?¡± ¡°I mastered both the Entry and Fundamental Forms.¡± Gasps filled the room. Even learning a single Fundamental Form was rare, yet he had mastered all of them? He was clearly a prodigy. Yet, instead of being impressed, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s expression remained sullen. ¡°So that¡¯s all you¡¯ve got to say?¡± Annoyance dripped from his voice. The others glanced at one another in confusion. ¡°No one has anything else to add? Huh?¡± One perceptive member finally caught on. ¡°Master, may I ask¡ªhow many techniques did you acquire?¡± The moment the question was asked, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Ah, why ask about something like that?¡± Despite his words, he was clearly pleased. ¡°I got the Entry Forms, the Fundamental Forms, and even one Advanced Form.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s amazing!¡± ¡°Pfft, it¡¯s nothing.¡± The perceptive relative showered him with praise, and Kwon Jiseok burst into laughter, satisfied. Meanwhile, the rest of the bloodline watched in silence, their expressions turning cold. Now they understood. Kwon Jiseok hadn¡¯t brought up Kwon Hanul because he was truly concerned about him. He only wanted an opportunity to flaunt his superiority. And yet, just because he was pureblood, they were expected to follow him. The weight of that reality settled over them, their faces darkening with unease. * * * Even Kwon Hanul, who had survived through sheer grit, was beginning to lose hope. He lay sprawled on the ground, staring blankly at the ceiling. ¡°Damn it, how is this thing not letting me win even once?¡± To leave Dragon Sage Martial Archive, he had to defeat the Gatekeeper. But no matter how many times he attacked, the dummy showed no signs of falling. A hollow chuckle escaped his lips as he gazed at the ceiling. ¡°If things go on like this, I¡¯m no different from before.¡± Despite the enhancement of his overall stats through the Black Dragon Blood, he was still struggling to surpass his past self. He had obtained Dragon Sage¡¯s Martial Archive and mastered Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art. And yet, when comparing himself to his past as a third-rate hunter, nothing had changed. He had no talent. Kwon Hanul realized that harsh truth the first time he entered a dungeon. Back then, he had struggled against a single goblin charging at him. It wasn¡¯t just him. Every rookie hunter faced the same struggle. But not all rookies were the same. Some of them, despite being just as new, cut down goblins like they were nothing more than straw dummies. As if they instinctively knew how the monsters would move and exactly how to respond. That was when he understood¡ª He had no talent. ¡°No matter how you look at it, this is pathetic. Even after mastering a secret art, I¡¯m still like this?¡± He had obtained an SSS+ rank skill, yet he wasn¡¯t able to fully utilize it. What were the characteristics of each move? In what situations would they be the most effective? Mastering a skill he had acquired less than an hour ago was beyond his capabilities. ¡°Hey, I have to beat you to get out of here, right?¡± Hanul asked the wooden puppet standing before him. Naturally, it gave no response. ¡°My philosophy is simple¡ªif you have no skill, at least be persistent.¡± Hanul forced himself to his feet and charged forward again. The wooden puppet immediately responded. It intercepted his attack by kicking his thigh. ¡°Ugh!¡± A crushing pain shot through him, making his knee buckle involuntarily. His lowered head left him wide open. The wooden puppet didn¡¯t miss its chance. Its foot spun midair, launching a precise spinning back kick aimed at Hanul¡¯s temple. As he braced himself for his 22nd defeat, a surge of emotion filled his mind¡ª Rage. A pure, burning rage at this miserable reality and at his own useless body. And the moment that rage consumed him, something changed. It felt as though something had grabbed the back of his head and yanked it upward. Before he realized it, his head tilted back¡ªjust in time to see the puppet¡¯s heel barely graze past his nose. The puppet¡¯s missed kick threw off its balance. And in that moment, before he could even think, his body reacted on instinct. He lunged forward and slammed his shoulder into the puppet. The impact sent the puppet flying as if it weighed nothing. Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art ¨C Beginner Form Force Strike: Iron Hammer Blow Hanul raised his leg and brought it crashing down with full force. The wooden puppet¡¯s head shattered, and the ground trembled from the impact. Perfect. Having settled on a plan, Kwon Hanul exited the Dragon Sage Armory Archive. * * * By the time he emerged, it was well past lunchtime. ¡°Well done.¡± Joo Hayun handed him a water bottle. Kwon Hanul accepted it with gratitude. ¡°Did you obtain good results?¡± ¡°Well, who knows?¡± He deliberately gave an ambiguous answer. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, there¡¯s no need to be discouraged just because you weren¡¯t acknowledged by the Dragon Sage Armory.¡± Misinterpreting his words, Joo Hayun attempted to console him. ¡°There are many excellent skills within the Hyukcheon Group. While they may not be on the level of a secret art, you can still learn them. More importantly, you possess True Black Dragon Blood, so¡ª¡± ¡°I obtained everything.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°I mastered the entire structure of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.¡± It took a moment for Joo Hayun to process his words. ¡°...You¡¯re saying you learned the entry-level, fundamental, and advanced stages of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A look of astonishment crossed her face. That was only natural. Mastering the advanced stage was something only a prodigy could achieve. ¡°P-please wait a moment. This is far too important¡ªI must inform the Chairman immediately.¡± Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and made a call. ¡°Yes, Chairman. There¡¯s something extremely important to report... That is to say...¡± A long silence followed. Eventually, she held out the phone to Kwon Hanul. ¡°The Chairman wishes to speak with you.¡± An unexpected situation had unfolded. Kwon Hanul took the call. -You¡¯ve mastered all the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques? ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± -Recite the first technique of the first sequence in the advanced stage. A meticulous man, as expected. Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul answered. ¡°The technique is called Dragon Rising Strike.¡± ... A brief silence followed. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, would you like to take a look around? In the meantime, I need to step out for a moment.¡± ¡°Is something the matter?¡± ¡°I need to stop by the archive regarding the reward you¡¯re supposed to receive.¡± That was more than welcome news. ¡°Go ahead.¡± After giving a slight bow, Joo Hayun left. Now alone, Hanul stepped into the training facility. [You have entered the range of the ¡®Wishstone.] [While training within its range, you will gain additional stat points.] Hanul picked up a dumbbell and started swinging it experimentally. [Strength increased by 0.02.] After about three minutes, a message appeared. [The ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected your activity!] [This is an effective exercise for upper-body strength! Efficiency is maximized!] [Strength increased by an additional 0.02!] [The ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ is absorbing the effects of the ¡®Wishstone¡¯!] [Strength increased by an additional 0.01!] It was quite a significant boost. ¡°So ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ does apply here...¡± Hanul approached the Wishstone and placed his hand on it. [The ¡®Wishstone¡¯ detects the True Black Dragon Blood.] [Ownership of the ¡®Wishstone¡¯ is transferred from ¡®Kwon Hyunmoon¡¯ to ¡®Kwon Hanul.¡¯] [Congratulations, Kwon Hanul, on becoming the master of the ¡®Wishstone.¡¯] ¡°No security measures in place?¡± A bit disappointing. But that thought soon faded. [You have acquired the title ¡®Master of the Wishstone.¡¯] [While holding this title, the amount of stat increases gained through the Wishstone is enhanced.] [While holding this title, all stats increase by an additional 20%. This applies separately from your existing stats.] [Permanently increases all stats by 30.] A peculiar surge of power spread throughout his body. He could hear his bones and muscles twisting and shifting. Awakener: Kwon Hanul Titles: Master of Dragon Sage Armory, Master of the Wishstone Strength (C) 5.12 Agility (C) 5.25 Endurance (C) 8.32 Mana (C) 2.32 Perception (C) 4.31 Willpower (C) 6.12 Three years and six months since becoming a Hunter¡ª Yet he had never managed to break into the second-tier ranks. Now, he had done it in just two days. ¡®I finally made it to C-rank...¡¯ The difference between ranks was staggering. A D-rank Hunter with 49 in a stat and a C-rank Hunter with 50 might seem only one point apart, but the real disparity was like that between an average man and a professional fighter. Just as Hanul was about to test his newly strengthened body¡ª ¡°Kwon Hanul?¡± A voice unfamiliar to him called out. Turning his head, he saw a group of five or six young men entering the training facility. ¡°It is you! I didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± The man at the front greeted him with a bright expression. The problem was, Hanul had no idea who he was. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Ah, I figured you wouldn¡¯t recognize me. Well, we did see each other at the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday.¡± ¡°Yesterday?¡± ¡°I had to come down to Seoul for my younger sibling¡¯s ceremony. I didn¡¯t expect to witness such an impressive spectacle.¡± The man laughed heartily. Hanul did not. ¡°You¡¯re a pureblood, I assume?¡± ¡°Nope. I¡¯m a mixed-blood from a branch family.¡± The man grinned. ¡°You looked like we were the same age, so I figured I¡¯d speak casually. That¡¯s not a problem, is it?¡± Hanul immediately understood the man¡¯s intent. A mixed-blood from a branch family, speaking to him informally without even introducing himself? That was blatant disrespect. In his experience, people like this almost always had ulterior motives. ¡°The legendary True Black Dragon Blood, supposedly possessed only by the first family head... I¡¯d love to see how strong it really is. How about a spar?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m a bit tired today.¡± Hanul rejected him without a moment¡¯s hesitation. There was no need to waste time on someone with bad intentions. Besides, even if the man was from a branch family, he was likely stronger than Hanul at present. Hanul turned to leave the training facility. From behind, the man called out, ¡°A true-blooded heir, running away like a coward?¡± Hanul stopped in his tracks. ¡°I suppose it makes sense. You were a third-rate Hunter, just cleaning up after others. What pride would you even have?¡± Hanul turned back to face the man. The man shrugged. ¡°Oh, was that loud enough for you to hear? My bad.¡± Normally, Hanul wouldn¡¯t be baited by such a petty provocation. He would just ignore it and move on. But¡ª [Synchronization Rate: 1% ¡ú 3%] Something surged from within him. ¡°Fine.¡± Hanul stepped toward the man. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 8 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 7: The Bloodline is Ridiculous(1) A message appeared before Kwon Hanul, leaving him momentarily in awe. His eyes widened in surprise. There were rare artifacts in the world that allowed ownership to be transferred, and such artifacts often granted unique abilities to their possessors. It was an incredible reward. The higher the skill grade, the harder it was to improve proficiency. Unlike attributes, which could be enhanced through external means, skills could only be honed through direct use. While it was possible to experience sudden breakthroughs through moments of ¡®enlightenment,¡¯ such instances were exceedingly rare. ¡°What can I actually do as the master?¡± ¡°Whoa, you can respond to questions too?¡± As expected of an artifact. Kwon Hanul was mildly impressed. ¡°So I can restrict other users... That could be quite useful.¡± The Dragon Sage Armory was the only place where the secret techniques of the Hyukcheon lineage could be learned. Controlling access to it meant wielding an immense level of authority. ¡°If I prove myself as a True Black Dragon Blood, can I inherit ownership of other artifacts in this place as well?¡± There was no definite answer, but it was highly probable. After all, most of the important artifacts within the Hyukcheon family had been discovered by Kwon Hyunmoon himself. ¡°I should take the time to explore them one by one.¡± Perhaps, beyond mere ownership, he might also uncover arrangements left behind by Kwon Hyunmoon, just like the Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art. As Kwon Hanul was about to exit the Dragon Sage Armory Archive, a thought crossed his mind. ¡°By the way, can you tell me what the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques are?¡± ¡°Yeah, go ahead.¡± The Dragon Sage Armory immediately began explaining the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. After listening for some time, Kwon Hanul organized the information in his mind. ¡°So basically, it¡¯s an incomplete version of the Black Dragon Ascension Art that Kwon Hyunmoon created for his descendants?¡± The Black Dragon Ascension Art could only be utilized by those who possessed True Black Dragon Blood. Because of this limitation, the first family head, Kwon Hyunmoon, devised the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques as an alternative. He then hid the original Black Dragon Ascension Art within the Dragon Sage Armory, waiting for a True Blood descendant to appear and claim it. ¡°And you¡¯re saying the structure of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques is nearly identical to the Black Dragon Ascension Art?¡± Mastering the Black stial Dragon Ascension Art would eventually lead to the acquisition of ultimate techniques¡ªso powerful they could be considered decisive weapons of war. ¡°Hm.¡± Kwon Hanul fell into deep thought. It was clear that he was learning a far superior secret art. The question was, how should he leverage this knowledge? ¡®I should keep the fact that I¡¯m training in the Black Dragon Ascension Art a secret.¡¯ He assessed his situation with cold rationality. He had neither an established foundation nor sufficient power yet. Standing out too much would only invite unnecessary trouble. ¡®But I shouldn¡¯t conceal everything either.¡¯ Kwon Seonwoo had made it clear: producing results would be rewarded accordingly. Considering the Blood Saints were likely keeping an eye on him, that statement could seem contradictory. However, Kwon Hanul interpreted it differently. ¡®Don¡¯t stand out too much. But be exceptional.¡¯ Fortunately, the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques and the Black Dragon Ascension Art appeared identical on the surface. ¡°The members of the bloodline who enter the Dragon Sage Armory receive different secret techniques based on their aptitude, right?¡± ¡°So how many people have fully mastered the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?¡± Perfect. Having settled on a plan, Kwon Hanul exited the Dragon Sage Armory Archive. * * * By the time he emerged, it was well past lunchtime. ¡°Well done.¡± Joo Hayun handed him a water bottle. Kwon Hanul accepted it with gratitude. ¡°Did you obtain good results?¡± ¡°Well, who knows?¡± He deliberately gave an ambiguous answer. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, there¡¯s no need to be discouraged just because you weren¡¯t acknowledged by the Dragon Sage Armory.¡± Misinterpreting his words, Joo Hayun attempted to console him. ¡°There are many excellent skills within the Hyukcheon Group. While they may not be on the level of a secret art, you can still learn them. More importantly, you possess True Black Dragon Blood, so¡ª¡± ¡°I obtained everything.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°I mastered the entire structure of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.¡± It took a moment for Joo Hayun to process his words. ¡°...You¡¯re saying you learned the entry-level, fundamental, and advanced stages of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A look of astonishment crossed her face. That was only natural. Mastering the advanced stage was something only a prodigy could achieve. ¡°P-please wait a moment. This is far too important¡ªI must inform the Chairman immediately.¡± Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and made a call. ¡°Yes, Chairman. There¡¯s something extremely important to report... That is to say...¡± A long silence followed. Eventually, she held out the phone to Kwon Hanul. ¡°The Chairman wishes to speak with you.¡± An unexpected situation had unfolded. Kwon Hanul took the call. -You¡¯ve mastered all the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques? ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± -Recite the first technique of the first sequence in the advanced stage. A meticulous man, as expected. Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul answered. ¡°The technique is called Dragon Rising Strike.¡± ... A brief silence followed. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, would you like to take a look around? In the meantime, I need to step out for a moment.¡± ¡°Is something the matter?¡± ¡°I need to stop by the archive regarding the reward you¡¯re supposed to receive.¡± That was more than welcome news. ¡°Go ahead.¡± After giving a slight bow, Joo Hayun left. Now alone, Hanul stepped into the training facility. [You have entered the range of the ¡®Wishstone.] [While training within its range, you will gain additional stat points.] Hanul picked up a dumbbell and started swinging it experimentally. [Strength increased by 0.02.] After about three minutes, a message appeared. [The ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected your activity!] [This is an effective exercise for upper-body strength! Efficiency is maximized!] [Strength increased by an additional 0.02!] [The ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ is absorbing the effects of the ¡®Wishstone¡¯!] [Strength increased by an additional 0.01!] It was quite a significant boost. ¡°So ¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ does apply here...¡± Hanul approached the Wishstone and placed his hand on it. [The ¡®Wishstone¡¯ detects the True Black Dragon Blood.] [Ownership of the ¡®Wishstone¡¯ is transferred from ¡®Kwon Hyunmoon¡¯ to ¡®Kwon Hanul.¡¯] [Congratulations, Kwon Hanul, on becoming the master of the ¡®Wishstone.¡¯] ¡°No security measures in place?¡± A bit disappointing. But that thought soon faded. [You have acquired the title ¡®Master of the Wishstone.¡¯] [While holding this title, the amount of stat increases gained through the Wishstone is enhanced.] [While holding this title, all stats increase by an additional 20%. This applies separately from your existing stats.] [Permanently increases all stats by 30.] A peculiar surge of power spread throughout his body. He could hear his bones and muscles twisting and shifting. Awakener: Kwon Hanul Titles: Master of Dragon Sage Armory, Master of the Wishstone Strength (C) 5.12 Agility (C) 5.25 Endurance (C) 8.32 Mana (C) 2.32 Perception (C) 4.31 Willpower (C) 6.12 Three years and six months since becoming a Hunter¡ª Yet he had never managed to break into the second-tier ranks. Now, he had done it in just two days. ¡®I finally made it to C-rank...¡¯ The difference between ranks was staggering. A D-rank Hunter with 49 in a stat and a C-rank Hunter with 50 might seem only one point apart, but the real disparity was like that between an average man and a professional fighter. Just as Hanul was about to test his newly strengthened body¡ª ¡°Kwon Hanul?¡± A voice unfamiliar to him called out. Turning his head, he saw a group of five or six young men entering the training facility. ¡°It is you! I didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± The man at the front greeted him with a bright expression. The problem was, Hanul had no idea who he was. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Ah, I figured you wouldn¡¯t recognize me. Well, we did see each other at the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday.¡± ¡°Yesterday?¡± ¡°I had to come down to Seoul for my younger sibling¡¯s ceremony. I didn¡¯t expect to witness such an impressive spectacle.¡± The man laughed heartily. Hanul did not. ¡°You¡¯re a pureblood, I assume?¡± ¡°Nope. I¡¯m a mixed-blood from a branch family.¡± The man grinned. ¡°You looked like we were the same age, so I figured I¡¯d speak casually. That¡¯s not a problem, is it?¡± Hanul immediately understood the man¡¯s intent. A mixed-blood from a branch family, speaking to him informally without even introducing himself? That was blatant disrespect. In his experience, people like this almost always had ulterior motives. ¡°The legendary True Black Dragon Blood, supposedly possessed only by the first family head... I¡¯d love to see how strong it really is. How about a spar?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m a bit tired today.¡± Hanul rejected him without a moment¡¯s hesitation. There was no need to waste time on someone with bad intentions. Besides, even if the man was from a branch family, he was likely stronger than Hanul at present. Hanul turned to leave the training facility. From behind, the man called out, ¡°A true-blooded heir, running away like a coward?¡± Hanul stopped in his tracks. ¡°I suppose it makes sense. You were a third-rate Hunter, just cleaning up after others. What pride would you even have?¡± Hanul turned back to face the man. The man shrugged. ¡°Oh, was that loud enough for you to hear? My bad.¡± Normally, Hanul wouldn¡¯t be baited by such a petty provocation. He would just ignore it and move on. But¡ª [Synchronization Rate: 1% ¡ú 3%] Something surged from within him. ¡°Fine.¡± Hanul stepped toward the man. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 9 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 8: The Bloodline Is Ridiculous (2) "Oh, real manly of you. Shall we head downstairs then?" The man grinned as he took the lead. His fellow branch family members immediately tried to stop him. "Hey, are you out of your mind? What are you doing?" "How are you planning to deal with the fallout of fighting a Trueblood?" But the man ignored their protests and walked out of the training hall. Kwon Hanul carefully observed his movements. ''Even the other branch family members are surprised. That means this wasn''t planned.'' Someone had definitely put him up to this. Hanul was certain of it. "What are you waiting for? You coming or not?" Without a word, Hanul followed him downstairs. Directly below the training hall was the sparring arena. As expected of a place used by the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s bloodline, it was as vast and sturdy as a soccer field. "Oh, by the way, my name''s Kwon Woojin," the man said as soon as they arrived. "Since you''re a great and noble Trueblood, I suppose you don¡¯t need me to let you take the first move?" "If I accepted such a gesture from a mixed-blood, that would be disgraceful, wouldn''t it?" Kwon Woojin''s face twisted in irritation. "Is that so? Then I won¡¯t hold back." Clenching his fists, he assumed a stance¡ªone of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. Hanul took a stance as well, but compared to Woojin, his form looked unrefined. That must have seemed amusing to Woojin because he smirked. "Shall we begin?" And with that, the fight started. * * * At the center of the sparring arena, Kwon Hanul and Kwon Woojin¡¯s fight was in full swing. "Oh my god..." "How is this even possible...?" The branch family members watching from the sidelines gasped in disbelief. "This is absolutely ridiculous..." "Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can¡¯t believe it..." Their gazes remained fixed on the fight, completely transfixed by the scene unfolding before them. "How can someone be this bad at fighting?" The battle was entirely one-sided. Each time Woojin attacked, Hanul barely managed to block or dodge. Even then, his movements were far from perfect, leaving him stumbling back with each blow¡ªlike a small boat being tossed around in a storm. "What¡¯s with this half-assed effort? You¡¯re a Trueblood, aren¡¯t you? Shouldn¡¯t you at least put on a decent show?" Woojin sneered as he relentlessly pressed forward. His expression said it all¡ªhe was having the time of his life. ''What an idiot. He actually fell for such a cheap provocation and agreed to fight.'' If they weren¡¯t in the middle of a match, Woojin would¡¯ve burst out laughing. ''This is exactly why those born and raised outside the clan are so damn clueless. Does this guy seriously think he can challenge me with his pathetic D-rank stats?'' Woojin already knew everything about Hanul. That he had spent his life scraping by as a third-rate Hunter. That all his stats were stuck at D-rank. And most importantly, that today was the first time he had ever received a martial arts tome from the Dragon Sage Martial Archive or awakened his Black Dragon Bloodline. Woojin hadn¡¯t done this research himself. The person who had tasked him with this fight had provided him with all of that information. ''As long as I completely crush this guy, I¡¯ll be welcomed into the Pureblood faction!'' That person had given him clear instructions: Make sure Hanul was thoroughly broken¡ªso much so that he could never recover. They had even assured him that they would handle any consequences. ''Seriously, where else would I find such an easy opportunity?'' And there was one more reason this situation was perfect. ''If not now, when else would I get the chance to utterly humiliate someone from a higher bloodline?'' The Dragon Sage Martial Archive granted different levels of martial arts based on a person¡¯s talent. Naturally, those who mastered more advanced techniques became stronger. Even so, the Hyukcheon Clan divided their ranks based on bloodline purity. And why was that? Mixed, Inferior, Pure. The power granted by the Black Dragon Bloodline grew stronger depending on its purity. And the difference was absolute. No amount of individual talent could overcome the gap. ''But that only applies up to a certain point.'' Hanul¡¯s stats were all D-rank. Meanwhile, Woojin was B-rank. Not only that, but he had already mastered several advanced techniques and could wield 30% of his Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯s potential. At this point, the fight between him and Hanul was no different from a battle between a seasoned predator and a helpless child. It was beyond that. "What¡¯s with these weak punches? Hit harder!" Even after getting struck, he felt no pain. There was no need to brace himself¡ªhis body barely registered the impact. The sheer gap in their stats had manifested in a physical difference. "If you''re going to throw a punch, do it like this!" Kwon Woojin clenched his fist. A surge of overwhelming mana gathered around it. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Beginner¡¯s Stance Iron Thunder Hammer ¨C Heavy Strike Style His punch tore through the air as it flew toward Hanul. He crossed his arms to block it. The next moment, his body was sent flying, like a baseball struck by a bat. "Hah. That one landed perfectly." Woojin smirked in satisfaction. He could feel the impact¡ªthere was no way Hanul¡¯s arms hadn¡¯t shattered. It felt like he was carrying a volcano inside him, moments away from erupting. He wanted to rush forward and stomp Woojin¡¯s head into the ground. But he held back. Not yet. The fight hadn¡¯t tipped in his favor just yet. "Oh? So you¡¯re just gonna keep blocking?" Woojin¡¯s stance shifted. The flow of his mana changed. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Basic Stance Mountain-Shattering Palm ¨C Heavy Strike Style Not a punch¡ªthis time, an open palm. A chilling energy surged through his strike as it slammed toward Hanul¡¯s torso. Hanul didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he met the attack with his own palm. "You dumb bastard!" A triumphant grin spread across Woojin¡¯s face. Mountain-Shattering Palm wasn¡¯t meant to break things¡ªit was meant to make them explode from within. And Hanul had chosen to meet it head-on? His hand would be blown to pieces. But then¡ª Hanul grabbed Woojin¡¯s wrist and twisted. Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art ¨C Basic Stance Soul-Unbinding Strike ¨C Willow Style Woojin felt the strength drain from his body. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. "W-What?!" He tried to get up immediately. But he was already too late. Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art ¨C Beginner¡¯s Stance Flurry Strike ¨C Unruly Blows Hanul¡¯s barrage began. He targeted every vulnerable spot on Woojin¡¯s body with ruthless precision. "Guh! Kugh!" With every strike, Woojin screamed in agony. Unlike before, each of Hanul¡¯s blows was crushingly heavy. "W-Why does it hurt so much?!" Because Hanul was no longer the same as before. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has detected extreme movement!> Throughout the battle, Hanul¡¯s stats had continued rising. Now, he had reached a level where he could deal significant damage¡ªeven against someone with B-rank stats. "Aaargh!" Woojin let out an inhuman wail. He had lost the will to fight. All he wanted was for this to be over. And suddenly, the attacks stopped. Thinking it was finally over, Woojin slowly lifted his head. That¡¯s when he saw it. A long shadow stretched over his face. Hanul was standing over him, his leg raised high. "W-Wait¡ª!" Black Dragon¡¯s Ascension Art ¨C Beginner¡¯s Stance Bamboo-Splitting Heel Drop ¨C Heavy Strike Style Hanul¡¯s heel came crashing down on Woojin¡¯s skull. * * * "Chairman, you¡¯re being quite cruel." Joo Hayun muttered as she walked through the training hall corridor. The chairman grumbled over the phone. "Kwon Hanul was being arrogant? But this is his first reward, isn¡¯t it? Maybe something a little more¡ª" The chairman¡¯s voice erupted into a shout. Hayun pulled the phone away from her ear. "Yes, yes, not a reward¡ªa compensation. I understand. No need to repeat it." Just as she was about to step into the elevator, something made her pause. She could sense it¡ªHanul¡¯s mana burning like wildfire. And from experience, she knew what that meant. A battle. Not just any fight¡ªone where lives were on the line. "...Chairman, I¡¯ll call you back." Instead of the elevator, she sprinted up the stairs. She reached the training hall in an instant. "Kwon Hanul!" She burst through the doors, calling his name. And then she saw it. Hanul, his heel crashing down onto a bloodline descendant¡¯s skull. From the impact, blood burst from Woojin¡¯s eyes. His body crumpled to the floor. For a long moment, Hayun stood frozen in place. Then, she slowly pulled out her phone. "...Chairman? I think you¡¯ll need to increase the compensation." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 10 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 10: Curious About the Bloodline (1) From the very next day, Hanul¡¯s intensive training within the Hyukcheon Family officially began. As expected from the Hyukcheon Group, a global corporation and the ruler of East Asia, their training methods were far from ordinary. A team of over twenty trainers and medical professionals was assembled solely for Hanul¡¯s sake. Some of the figures present were recognizable even from the media. By integrating cutting-edge scientific technology, they analyzed every aspect of his physique and devised the most optimal training regimen. After each training session, a dedicated team of sports massage therapists would tend to his fatigued muscles, applying rare and expensive medicinal herbs to aid in recovery through a meticulously structured plan. ¡®This kind of treatment is usually reserved for high-ranking Hunters.¡¯ Elite Hunters, the core members of major guilds, received similar care¡ªthough in terms of both quality and quantity, Hanul¡¯s treatment was far superior. Of course, such an extravagant program must have cost a fortune, but the Hyukcheon Group wasn¡¯t one to be stingy over something like this. ¡®There¡¯s a reason Hunters are willing to pay a fortune for this.¡¯ Having a specialized team dedicated entirely to himself was an even greater privilege than he had imagined. Hanul¡¯s abilities were improving at an astonishing rate. On top of that, with the effects of Healthy Bloodline and Wishstone, his progress accelerated even further. In fact, he had to consciously suppress his abilities to avoid drawing too much attention. ¡®There¡¯s no advantage to revealing Healthy Bloodline.¡¯ Healthy Bloodline was his trump card¡ªone that had to remain hidden until the very end. Once physical training was done, he would always stop by Dragon Sage Training Hall, where he would strike wooden dummies to increase his proficiency in Black Dragon Ascension Arts. ¡®Skill mastery is measured in Stars.¡¯ From One-Star to Ten-Star. Beyond that lay the Extreme Star, a level regarded as a transcendental stage. ¡®To take my debut trial in a Platinum-grade dungeon, I must master Black Dragon Ascension Arts up to Seven-Star.¡¯ Hanul devoted even more time and effort to this skill than to his physical training. While his body could improve rapidly thanks to Healthy Bloodline and Wishstone, there was no shortcut to mastering a skill¡ªonly relentless practice. ¡®At least I have the title effect from Dragon Sage Training Hall.¡¯ This title increased his skill proficiency growth rate by up to 50% within the training hall. Thanks to this, Hanul was able to enhance his mastery at an exceptional pace. He was so busy that he barely had time to breathe. It was during this hectic period that¡ª ¡°Hanul, starting today, you¡¯ll begin formal lessons,¡±Joo Hayun informed him. Hanul, puzzled, asked, ¡°Lessons? Haven¡¯t I been training enough already?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve sufficiently honed your body. Now it¡¯s time to refine your mind.¡± ¡°My... mind?¡± Joo Hayun nodded before continuing, ¡°As a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline, you must possess the appropriate dignity and intellect.¡± A shiver ran down Hanul¡¯s spine. He looked at Joo Hayun with a face full of dread. ¡°From today onward, you¡¯ll be studying etiquette, culture, languages, and humanities.¡± ...Good grief. Hanul¡¯s face turned pale. It was an obvious fact, but Hanul had never been one for academics. He had received only the bare minimum education required by law and spent the rest of his life as a Hunter. A Hunter needed to know how to kill monsters, not memorize English vocabulary. And now, all of a sudden, he was expected to study? No wonder he felt a deep sense of unease. ¡®Just when I thought nothing else could surprise me... Becoming part of the Hyukcheon bloodline really isn¡¯t easy.¡¯ Wait... but this? Once he actually started, he found it surprisingly manageable. ¡°Hanul, your memory is quite exceptional.¡± No, to say it was merely manageable was an understatement. ¡°...You¡¯ve already memorized everything?¡± Joo Hayun was astonished. Hanul absorbed everything like a sponge, answering every test question perfectly. He mastered complex dining etiquette and different forms of greetings from various cultures after seeing them just once. It wasn¡¯t just rote memorization¡ªhe grasped even the most complex concepts that required application. Thinking back, he had never struggled with memory or comprehension his entire life. Perhaps Hanul¡¯s greatest talent wasn¡¯t his physical prowess, but his intellect. As expected, even a rotten branch of the Hyukcheon bloodline still had some strength left in it. ¡°Still, I have no intention of selling it.¡± ¡°What?! Are you out of your mind?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m perfectly sane, which is exactly why I¡¯m not selling it.¡± ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Kwon Jiseok finally lost his temper. ¡°That¡¯s something I¡¯ve been after for years! I went through hell just to find a way to purify it, and then you snatched it up!¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve worked faster then.¡± ¡°And listen here! That Core was originally found by our Hyukcheon Group! It¡¯s not something a nobody like you should have!¡± Irritation flickered in Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes. Even after awakening the True Black Dragon¡¯s Blood and mastering the secret techniques, Kwon Jiseok still treated him like an outsider. ¡°Shut up and give me your account number. Or else¡ª¡± ¡°Kwon Jiseok, that last remark was quite unpleasant.¡± A new voice cut in. Joo Hayun. She turned her gaze toward the phone and spoke in a firm tone. ¡°You just referred to him as ¡®a nobody.¡¯ But let¡¯s be clear¡ªKwon Hanul has every right to that Core. Wasn¡¯t it his father, Kwon Cheon, who slayed the Imoogi and obtained it?¡± ¡°H-Hayun? How dare you raise your voice at me...?!¡± Kwon Jiseok sounded shaken. But his shock was nothing compared to what Kwon Hanul felt. ¡°S-Sure, that traitor might¡¯ve found it, but... he gave it to Grandfather as a tribute! So it¡¯s no longer his concern!¡± Kwon Jiseok tried to argue, completely unaware of how pathetic he sounded. ¡°A-Anyway, just hand it over! It¡¯s not like you can consume it, right? It should go to someone who actually can!¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s patience was running thin. He needed to ask about Kwon Cheon, not waste time dealing with Kwon Jiseok. ¡°What will you do if I consume the Core?¡± ¡°Stop talking nonsense and just give it to me!¡± ¡°Now that I think about it, you said something similar before. That I wouldn¡¯t be able to master the secret techniques at Dragon Sage Martial Archive.¡± A third silence fell. This time, it was shorter. ¡°Y-You bastard! Are you mocking me?!¡± Kwon Jiseok erupted in fury. ¡°If you¡¯re so confident, then go ahead and eat it! Let¡¯s see what happens!¡± ¡°What will you do if I succeed?¡± ¡°Ha! If you actually pull it off, I¡¯ll grant you any request you want! Not that it matters, since you¡¯ll be dead before you even digest it!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so vague. Let¡¯s make it official. If I successfully absorb the Imoogi¡¯s Core, you have to grant me one favor. No matter what it is.¡± ¡°Fine! Whatever you want! But only if you actually survive!¡± Click! The call ended with a loud slam. Kwon Hanul handed the phone back to Joo Hayun and asked, ¡°So my father was the one who obtained the Imoogi¡¯s Core?¡± Joo Hayun let out a long sigh, as if realizing she¡¯d made a mistake. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Why was that kept secret?¡± ¡°It was the Chairman¡¯s order.¡± She added, ¡°Do you remember when I mentioned that some of Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline members make their debut in Platinum-ranked dungeons?¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. ¡°Well, one of those people was Kwon Cheon. And the monster he faced in his debut dungeon was an Imoogi.¡± Kwon Hanul was stunned. ¡®...My father cleared a Platinum-ranked dungeon alone?¡¯ Solo-clearing a Platinum dungeon was a feat rarely accomplished, even within the Hyukcheon Group. And yet, his father had done it. ¡®What kind of person was my father?¡¯ For the first time since arriving at Hyukcheon, Kwon Hanul felt genuinely curious about his father. After a long moment of contemplation, he murmured to himself. ¡°Now... what should I ask Kwon Jiseok for?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 11 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 11: Curious About Bloodline (2) "You damn bastard." Kwon Jiseok hung up the phone irritably. Still seething with anger, he swept everything off his desk in a fit of rage. "Do you have any idea how badly I need that inner core?! And after swallowing it whole, all you have to say is, ''I can''t give it to you''?" His anger refused to subside. He needed another kind of stimulus to shake off this foul mood. Kwon Jiseok dialed another number. After a short ring, someone answered. "Yeah, it''s me. How''s the progress on the items I asked for? You''ve already secured half of them? Which ones?" The voice on the other end began listing materials. ¡°Orgerite, Troite, Heaven Blue...¡± All of them were rare and expensive resources needed for crafting high-end equipment. "Good. Keep up the work." Ending the call, a satisfied smirk spread across Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face. "Chanseong hyung, you might be stronger than me... but when it comes to gear, that won¡¯t be the case for long." * * * Three months had passed since Kwon Hanul became part of the Hyukcheon Clan. Though his days had been filled with nothing but training and lessons, not once did he find them tedious. If anything, it was the opposite. He had never spent such fulfilling days in his life before. Thanks to this, his stats were rising at an astonishing pace. Awakener: Kwon Hanul Titles: MAster of Dragon Sage Armory, Master of Wishstone Strength (C) 42.25 Agility (C) 41.55 Endurance (C) 43.24 Magic Power (C) 44.52 Perception (C) 40.91 Mental Strength (C) 42.18 Typically, members of the Hyukcheon Bloodline can raise all their abilities to B-rank using the Wishstone. The time required for this ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of two. Yet, in just three months, Kwon Hanul was already on the verge of reaching B-rank. It was thanks to his title, Healthy Bloodline, and the power of the Wishstone. The speed of his progress was almost absurd. And it wasn¡¯t just his stats. He had already mastered Level 3 of the introductory form of Black Dragon Ascension Art. Everything was progressing smoothly. Except for one thing. His Black Dragon Blood Synchronization Rate had been stuck at 9% and showed no signs of increasing. At 10%, he would unlock his first Authority. Naturally, this filled him with anticipation, making his current stagnation all the more frustrating. Did he need a different training method? As he was contemplating his options, something unexpected happened. "Sir Kwon Hanul, you¡¯ll need to cancel all your plans for today." It was during breakfast when Joo Hayun suddenly made the announcement. "Is something wrong?" Confused, Kwon Hanul looked at her. "You need to visit the workshop for equipment crafting." After finishing his meal, Kwon Hanul boarded a private jet. The Hyukcheon Group¡¯s workshop was enormous¡ªso large that it wasn¡¯t even located within the Hyukcheon Family¡¯s territory. Instead, it was situated in Jagang Province, right next to Pyongan Province, where the family resided. That¡¯s why he had to take a private jet to get there. "Typically, once bloodline members reach C-rank in all their abilities, the Hyukcheon Family provides them with custom-made equipment." All the materials and costs were fully covered. "If it''s made by the Hyukcheon Workshop, the quality must be incredible." "At minimum, it will be Unique-grade C-rank equipment." Both equipment and skills are classified by grade and quality. Even if two items have the same quality, their grade determines their performance. And Unique-grade items? Just one of them appearing in the hunter world was enough to cause an uproar. Yet the Hyukcheon Family wasn¡¯t acquiring them from dungeons¡ªthey were crafting them. How could anyone not be impressed? "That¡¯s amazing." "Actually, within the Hyukcheon Group, this is considered low-tier gear." "Low-tier?" "The equipment you''re about to receive is just starter gear. Depending on your achievements, you''ll later be able to craft or receive higher-grade equipment." Calling Unique-grade gear "starter equipment" left Kwon Hanul speechless. "Have you ever commissioned equipment crafting during your time as a hunter?" "No. I never managed to obtain materials valuable enough to justify it." Hunters usually commission equipment crafting when they acquire high-quality materials from monsters. But as a third-rate hunter, Kwon Hanul had never once been in possession of anything worth crafting. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m really looking forward to this." Not only would this be his first set of custom-made equipment, but it would also be his first Unique-grade gear. Until now, he had struggled with nothing but Uncommon-grade equipment. Unique-grade items had been so far out of reach, they were nothing more than a dream. Yet here he was, about to receive them effortlessly. "You won¡¯t be disappointed. The Hyukcheon Workshop is one of the best in the world. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love it." Joo Hayun¡¯s confidence was rare, which only heightened Kwon Hanul¡¯s anticipation. "...By the way, are you really not going to tell me anything about my father?" At the sudden question, Joo Hayun looked troubled. She lowered her head before replying, "I¡¯m sorry. It was a direct order from the Chairman..." A few months ago, after his phone call with Kwon Jiseok, Kwon Hanul had asked Joo Hayun about his father, Kwon Cheon. But all she ever said was that she couldn''t answer. "Besides, I don¡¯t know much. Lord Kwon Cheon left before I joined the Hyukcheon Group..." "In that case, I guess it can¡¯t be helped." "You?" The man, Kwon Jiseok, pointed at Kwon Hanul with a sneer. "What the hell are you doing here?" "What? You came here for your initial equipment? Pfft, hahaha!" Kwon Jiseok burst into laughter. "What¡¯s so funny?" "You¡¯re just relying on the group¡¯s support for your equipment, aren¡¯t you?" "Of course. Why wouldn¡¯t I?" "No additional materials?" "And if I don¡¯t have any?" Kwon Jiseok smirked. Kwon Hanul felt irritation creeping up. "You wouldn¡¯t understand, but in the Heukcheon main house, when a descendant receives their initial equipment, it¡¯s customary for their parents to provide additional materials. That way, the equipment can be made even stronger." For purebloods, who were closely tied to the main house, the amount and quality of additional materials were even greater. "But you? A so-called direct descendant of the main house, making do with nothing but the group¡¯s standard support? It¡¯s laughable, isn¡¯t it?" Kwon Jiseok couldn¡¯t stop laughing. "This is why lowborns are hopeless. Your father left you nothing, so you have nothing." Kwon Hanul clenched his fists without even realizing it. Normally, he would have ignored such mockery, but this time, rage welled up inside him. Perhaps it was because he had only just begun to feel curiosity about his father. "Enough wasting my time with you... Master Park Tae-sik?" Kwon Jiseok snapped his fingers. The men behind him stepped forward, placing several metal cases in a neat row. Park Tae-sik frowned. "What¡¯s all this?" "Materials. Use them to craft my equipment." Park Tae-sik opened the cases one by one, inspecting the contents. With each case he examined, his eyes widened in surprise. "These are all rare metals infused with monster blood... Expensive and difficult to acquire. How did you get them?" "That¡¯s corporate secrecy. Anyway, what I want is¡ª" "Hey, boys, the customer has placed an order. Listen carefully and take care of it." Park Tae-sik turned to leave. Kwon Jiseok, flustered, called out. "Where are you going? I came here to have you craft my equipment!" "I don¡¯t deal with rookies." "R-rookie? You¡¯re calling me a rookie?" Kwon Jiseok looked completely stunned. Park Tae-sik smirked. "A kid without a single achievement to his name is a rookie. You think you¡¯re a pro?" "Watch your words! I don¡¯t have achievements because the Chairman hasn¡¯t allowed me to form a team yet!" "Which is exactly why you¡¯re a rookie. Now get lost. I have no business with you." Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face twisted in disbelief. Then, Park Tae-sik chuckled and said, "Alright. How about this? If you pass my test, I¡¯ll craft your equipment." "Really?" "But if you fail, you leave without another word. Got it?" Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Kwon Jiseok nodded. Park Tae-sik grinned and beckoned him over. "Alright, come this way... Hmm, actually¡ª" Then, he turned to Kwon Hanul. "What about you? Want to give it a try?" * * * Park Tae-sik led Kwon Hanul and Kwon Jiseok to a storage room within the workshop. "The test is simple. You just need to find materials sourced from a Dragon-type monster inside this storage." Kwon Hanul and Kwon Jiseok immediately scanned their surroundings. Given the sheer scale of the workshop, the storage room was larger than an average logistics warehouse. How were they supposed to find Dragon-type materials in a place like this? On top of that, neither of them had any knowledge of monster materials. Even if they stared at the items long enough, they had no way of determining which ones came from a Dragon-type monster. "Alright, let''s see what you can do." Park Tae-sik unfolded a collapsible chair, sat down, crossed his arms, and quickly dozed off. "This crazy old man... How the hell are we supposed to find Dragon-type monster materials in here?" Kwon Jiseok gritted his teeth in frustration. While he fumed, Kwon Hanul walked around the storage, inspecting the materials. Horns, bones, teeth, hides, tendons¡ª There was a mountain of different materials, but they were all cut up, making it impossible to distinguish their origins. <[True Black Dragon Bloodline] detects the power of a dragon.> ...He hadn''t expected that. Kwon Hanul''s eyes widened as he lifted a piece of hide. A strange energy clung to his fingertips. <[True Black Dragon Bloodline] detects the power of a dragon.> It wasn¡¯t just his imagination¡ªthe same message popped up again. ''Can it really be this easy?'' He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. This meant he could pass Park Tae-sik¡¯s test¡ªthe test set by the greatest craftsman of all time. That alone was enough to be satisfied. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Judging by how Kwon Jiseok was struggling, it was clear that only the True Black Dragon Bloodline could sense a dragon¡¯s power. This was the perfect opportunity. After all, Kwon Jiseok had a lot to repay him for. "Hey." "Huh?" "Searching randomly like this is boring. Let¡¯s make a bet." Kwon Jiseok frowned. "What kind of bullshit is that?" "If you pass this test, I''ll give you the Core." Kwon Jiseok''s eyes widened. "But if I pass, you kneel before me." Kwon Hanul met his gaze directly. "Kneel and formally apologize for every insult you''ve ever thrown at me." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 12 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 12: Curious About Bloodline (3) He could have asked for something material. But what Kwon Hanul wanted most was Kwon Jiseok¡¯s submission. By receiving a formal apology, he would redefine their relationship¡ª So that the word "lowborn" would never come out of Kwon Jiseok¡¯s mouth again. No¡ªactually, that didn¡¯t matter. None of that mattered anymore. He simply couldn¡¯t endure it any longer. The insults calling him lowborn, the accusations of his father being a traitor¡ª He would use this opportunity to shatter Kwon Jiseok¡¯s arrogance so thoroughly that he would never dare spew such nonsense again. "This bastard must be out of his mind. Why the hell would I accept that kind of bet?" As expected, Kwon Jiseok wasn¡¯t quick to take the deal. ''Of course.'' Given how vague the situation was, it was only natural for him to be suspicious since Hanul had been the one to suggest the wager first. "Well, if you¡¯re not confident, you can always back out." Hanul feigned indifference. "In that case, I¡¯ll just take my time enjoying the Core." At those words, Kwon Jiseok immediately shouted, "Wait! Fine, I accept the bet!" Hanul smirked internally. He knew Jiseok would agree¡ªhe was the one at a disadvantage here, after all. "Remember those words," Hanul warned. "I should be the one saying that," Jiseok shot back. The two locked eyes for a brief moment before going their separate ways. ¡®Idiot.¡¯ Kwon Jiseok suppressed a laugh. ''He must have something up his sleeve if he¡¯s proposing a bet... But it won¡¯t work on me.'' He pulled out a monocle from his coat and placed it over his left eye. A faint, glowing ring surfaced on the monocle¡¯s lens¡ªproof that it was a relic with a special ability. Monocle of the Royal Thief Grade: Unique (C) His vision shifted, now overlayed with colors. The materials in the storage room appeared in different hues. The monocle¡¯s ability allowed him to visually distinguish the value of each item and provided precise information about them. ''A dungeon raider wouldn¡¯t survive without an appraisal artifact.'' A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. ''What a fool. That Imoogi¡¯s Core is as good as mine.'' Jiseok confidently roamed the storage, selecting all the materials labeled as coming from Dragon-type monsters. "I¡¯ve gathered them." "Hmm?" Park Tae-sik, who had been napping in his chair, opened his eyes at the sound. He casually glanced at the materials Jiseok had brought. "Huh. You actually picked the right ones." "Please, this was nothing." Jiseok chuckled, relieved. He had been tense since this was a test set by the legendary craftsman, but it turned out to be easier than expected. Meanwhile, Hanul was still searching the storage. Jiseok had no doubt that he had already won. Until¡ª "This won¡¯t do." Park Tae-sik shook his head. "...What do you mean? You said to bring Dragon-type materials," Jiseok protested. "I did say that. But I never said you could use an appraisal artifact." Jiseok¡¯s face stiffened. He looked like he had just been caught red-handed. ¡®When the hell did he see me using it?¡¯ "Every single person who takes my test uses appraisal items. And because of that, they all make the same mistake." Park Tae-sik waved dismissively, as if swatting away a pesky bug. "You fail. Those materials belong to the Hyukcheon Group. Put them back where they were." "T-This is absurd! You never said we couldn¡¯t use appraisal items! You clearly stated we just needed to bring Dragon-type materials!" Tsk tsk. Park Tae-sik clicked his tongue. "You think this is some standardized test? If I say it doesn¡¯t count, it doesn¡¯t count. If I say it does, then it does. Hell, even if you somehow passed, I could just refuse to acknowledge it, and that¡¯d be the end of it." "That¡¯s ridiculous!" "Listen, kid. You¡¯ve got this all wrong. You are the one in need here¡ªnot me." Jiseok gritted his teeth. But before he could argue further, Tae-sik continued. "True Black Dragon Bloodline holders are naturally drawn to the power of dragons. And the stronger the potential of the bloodline, the greater that instinct becomes. This test is meant to assess that potential." Just then, there was a movement from behind. Hanul had finally returned, holding a single item. Unlike Jiseok, who had gathered a pile of materials, Hanul had chosen just one. A small glass vial filled with dark red blood. Jiseok scoffed when he saw it. But Tae-sik¡¯s reaction was entirely different. "Puha-ha-ha-ha!" The old craftsman suddenly burst into laughter. Jiseok, confused, stared at him. Still chuckling, Tae-sik took the vial and examined it closely. "I never thought anyone would actually pick this." He looked at Hanul with an expression of pure amusement. "Not even the pureblood managed to find this. But you did. You truly are a dragon-blooded." * * * When Kwon Jiseok pulled out an appraisal artifact, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised. ¡°You must be feeling cocky after defeating some low-level bastard, but I¡¯m different!¡± ¡°Who said anything about a brawl? I said we¡¯d test our skills with a single technique.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the same thing¡ª¡± ¡°There¡¯s a technique in the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques that focuses purely on skill rather than brute force, isn¡¯t there?¡± Jiseok narrowed his eyes. The Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques was a power-based martial art. It relied on overwhelming physical strength to unleash explosive destruction. Then, suddenly, it hit him. ¡°...You¡¯re talking about the Disruptive Style, aren¡¯t you?¡± The Disruptive Style was an unusual technique within the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. It neutralized an opponent¡¯s power by either redirecting their force or nullifying it entirely. Because of that, it was the only technique in the entire martial art that wasn¡¯t dependent on physical abilities. ¡°Yes. Whoever forces the opponent to their knees first wins.¡± ¡°...You bastard.¡± Jiseok didn¡¯t particularly like the Disruptive Style. But since it was required for advancement, he had trained it up to the fifth level. There was no way he could lose to someone like Hanul, who had just begun learning advanced techniques. Even knowing that, why had Hanul suggested such a reckless condition? The intent was unclear¡ªbut Jiseok had no choice. If he refused, he would have to kneel before Hanul. ¡°...Fine. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Jiseok growled, his voice laced with fury. * * * The three of them stepped out of the warehouse. Causing a commotion in a place like this was out of the question. As soon as Kwon Hanul emerged, Joo Hayun approached him with a concerned expression. ¡°How did it go?¡± ¡°I passed.¡± For a brief moment, a smile flickered across her face before disappearing. She was truly someone whose smile was rare to see. ¡°But I made a bet.¡± ¡°A bet?¡± ¡°That bastard challenged me to a match using the Disruptive Style.¡± From a short distance away, Kwon Jiseok shouted, pushing a steel box filled with materials forward. ¡°As promised, if you win, all of this is yours.¡± ¡°And if you win, we¡¯ll pretend none of this ever happened.¡± Hearing their exchange, the craftsmen around them began murmuring amongst themselves. They didn¡¯t know the full story, but one thing was certain¡ª Kwon Hanul, a True Blood, was about to duel Kwon Jiseok, a Pure Blood. ¡°...Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± Concern returned to Joo Hayun¡¯s face. Kwon Hanul reassured her before stepping toward Kwon Jiseok. ¡°The conditions remain the same as we discussed earlier.¡± ¡°Only Disruptive Style. The first to force their opponent to their knees wins. That correct?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± The two grasped each other¡¯s hands, their gazes locking in midair with fierce intensity. ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret everything that happened today.¡± ¡°You talk too much. Less chatter, more action.¡± Kwon Jiseok scowled. At that very moment, his hand moved. The match was decided in an instant. ¡®I have to win!¡¯ That was the only thought in Kwon Jiseok¡¯s mind. His pride wouldn¡¯t allow him to kneel before Kwon Hanul. More than that, he refused to suffer another humiliation. Fortunately, the odds were in his favor. With no other conditions¡ªjust technique¡ªit was obvious that the one with the higher mastery would win. Kwon Hanul had only been training for five months, whereas Kwon Jiseok had been practicing for over a year. His level of mastery was undeniably higher. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Basic Form Disruptive Style: Soul Release A technique that subdued the opponent by redirecting their movement. Of all the Disruptive Style techniques, this was the one Kwon Jiseok was most confident in. And then¡ªhis body trembled. ¡°...What?¡± Confused, Kwon Jiseok looked down. Just moments ago, he had been standing firm, yet now¡ªhis knees were on the ground. It had happened before, during Hanul¡¯s fight with the Mixed Blood. Back then, Kwon Hanul had completely subdued his opponent using Disruptive Style from the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. It worked not just because he caught him off guard, but also due to the sheer gap between their techniques. But Black Dragon Ascension Art wasn¡¯t just stronger than the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. It held far deeper meaning. Sometimes, it even manifested as an entirely different technique. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Disruptive Style: Soul Release A technique that instantly drains an opponent¡¯s strength. That was all it did¡ªon the surface. But Soul Release from Black Dragon Ascension Art and Soul Release from the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques were entirely different in nature. And a person cannot defend against a technique they don¡¯t understand. That was why Kwon Hanul had made this bet. ¡°W-What? Wait... no, hold on¡ª¡± Kwon Jiseok, kneeling on the ground, shouted in disbelief. Kwon Hanul let go of his hand and spoke. ¡°The materials are mine now.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 13 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 13 ¨C Curious About Bloodline (4) Kwon Jiseok could only stare in blank disbelief. It was clear that he was struggling to accept the reality of the situation. But Kwon Hanul had no intention of showing him any mercy. He was going to crush Kwon Jiseok¡¯s pride completely¡ªhumiliate him beyond recovery. ¡°Oh, and we still have an outstanding debt to settle, don¡¯t we?¡± ¡°A... debt?¡± ¡°You still owe me an apology for everything you¡¯ve done.¡± A flicker of life returned to Kwon Jiseok¡¯s eyes. No¡ªit wasn¡¯t life, but fury. ¡°Y-You! You bastard! Do you really think you can walk away unscathed after doing this to me?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s for me to worry about. You don¡¯t need to concern yourself with it,¡± Kwon Hanul replied icily. ¡°Hurry up and beg. You¡¯re already on your knees, so at least that part¡¯s convenient.¡± ¡°You... you son of a¡ª!¡± Kwon Jiseok roared in rage. At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke up. ¡°Lord Kwon Jiseok, if you go back on your word and the Chairman finds out about this, you will face severe consequences.¡± ¡°Wh-Why are you bringing up my grandfather here?!¡± ¡°I merely meant to remind you to act wisely.¡± Kwon Jiseok trembled where he knelt, his fingers digging into the ground. ¡°I... I, Kwon Jiseok...¡± He forced his lips to move, but his voice faltered, and his words scattered into nothingness. Even so, there wasn¡¯t a hint of impatience on Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. Quite the opposite. The same Kwon Jiseok who had always looked down on him as the son of a traitor was now on his knees. Bowing his head. Apologizing. Something surged within his chest¡ªan unfamiliar feeling. But Kwon Hanul recognized it immediately. Victory. He had seized victory with his own hands. He had subdued his enemy and claimed his spoils. The satisfaction of it thrilled him. ¡°I... I apologize to Kwon Hanul for everything I¡¯ve done...¡± Just as Kwon Jiseok was about to finish his sentence¡ª ¡°I beg your pardon, Lord Kwon Hanul!¡± One of Kwon Jiseok¡¯s attendants suddenly shouted. ¡°Lord Kwon Jiseok is a direct descendant of Kwon Seonwoo, the head of the family! Such humiliation cannot be tolerated!¡± The attendant¡¯s face was twisted with anger¡ªnot just an attempt to curry favor, but genuine fury on his master¡¯s behalf. Even if Kwon Jiseok was insufferable, he had the loyalty of his people. But to Kwon Hanul, this was nothing more than a nuisance. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I, too, am a direct descendant of the family head.¡± His retort left the attendant speechless. Kwon Hanul had always been mocked as the traitor¡¯s son, as someone of tainted blood, but in terms of status alone, he far outranked a mere branch family member. Yet the attendant didn¡¯t back down easily. ¡°But Lord Kwon Jiseok is the second son of Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk¡ª¡± ¡°Do you not understand the situation?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice was razor-sharp. ¡°A branch family member like you has no right to interfere. Shut your mouth and get lost.¡± The attendant¡¯s face turned deathly pale. He fell silent and didn¡¯t dare speak again. Unlike the other branch family members Kwon Hanul had dealt with before, this one seemed to be genuinely afraid of him. Kwon Hanul glanced around at the other onlookers. They averted their gazes. ¡°...Hah.¡± A short chuckle escaped his lips. Winning his match against Kwon Jiseok hadn¡¯t just earned him materials. It had earned him authority. Despite being a craftsman, Park Tae-sik had enough experience to accurately read Kwon Hanul¡¯s circumstances. As they spoke, they arrived at Park Tae-sik¡¯s workshop. Together, they unloaded all the materials from the truck. "This is my personal workshop." When Park Tae-sik flipped on the lights, the interior came into view. It was smaller than the previous workshop Hanul had seen, but it was packed with even more materials and tools. All around were finished or half-completed weapons and armor. The gleaming blades, flawless craftsmanship, and sheer presence of the equipment made it clear¡ªthese were no ordinary pieces. As expected of a master craftsman¡¯s personal workshop. "Kwon Jiseok might be an idiot, but he sure knows how to get his hands on rare materials. Where the hell did he find all these treasures?" Park Tae-sik grinned as he examined the metal containers filled with materials. As a craftsman, he seemed practically itching to get started. "The quality is impressive, but the quantity is even more amazing. With all this, I can make whatever you want." "I¡¯ll be in your care." "Oh, don¡¯t be so formal. Before we decide what to make, let¡¯s take your measurements first." Park Tae-sik pulled out a measuring tape and began taking Kwon Hanul¡¯s precise dimensions. Once he finished, he fell into deep thought for a while. "Hmm... It¡¯s exactly the same." "What is?" Without answering, Park Tae-sik walked into his storage area. A moment later, after a lot of clattering and rummaging, he returned carrying a stand. Hanging from it was a suit of black armor. The moment Hanul laid eyes on it, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning. The armor¡¯s design was reminiscent of a dragon. The sharp angles of the forearms and shoulders gave it a fierce appearance, while the rest of the armor flowed with smooth, curved lines. It was an impressive sight, but what truly shocked Hanul was the overwhelming magical energy radiating from it. "Impressive, isn¡¯t it?" Hanul could only nod blankly. "It doesn¡¯t just protect the wearer¡ªit also enhances their hands and feet, maximizing the destructive power of martial arts." Park Tae-sik seemed eager to continue boasting. "On top of that, it¡¯s made from an exceptional core material, giving it a variety of functions. It even allows the user to harness the abilities of the monster it was made from." At that level, it wasn¡¯t just unique-grade¡ªit was unquestionably legendary. "Out of everything I¡¯ve crafted, this ranks in my top ten. The core material is that extraordinary, and I put an incredible amount of time into making it." A masterpiece that a world-renowned craftsman personally ranked among his greatest works. There was no need to question its value. "The problem is... it¡¯s unfinished." "Why didn¡¯t you complete it?" "Two reasons. First, the client who commissioned it is dead. No reason to finish a piece no one will use, and no one else was willing to provide the remaining materials." "Couldn¡¯t you have given it to someone else?" "That¡¯s the biggest issue. This armor was custom-made. It was designed specifically for the original client, meaning no one else can wear it properly." Custom-made equipment was tailored to fit the wearer perfectly, allowing its performance to be maximized. But that also meant no one else could use it. "Then why are you showing it to me?" "Would you be interested in finishing this armor with the materials you just acquired?" "But you just said... it was designed to fit only one person¡ª" "Do you know who ordered this armor?" Park Tae-sik¡¯s words made Hanul freeze. "It was your father, Kwon Cheon." Hanul¡¯s entire body stiffened. "Maybe it¡¯s just a coincidence, or maybe it¡¯s the power of genetics. But your body measurements are exactly the same as your father¡¯s. In other words, you can wear this armor." That explained why Park Tae-sik had been so deep in thought while taking his measurements. "And we just happen to have the materials from Kwon Jiseok..." Park Tae-sik turned to Hanul once more. "So, what do you say? Want to finish what your father started?" [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 14 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 14: A Clash of Bloodlines (1) At the break of dawn, Kwon Hanul was already in the training room, wrestling with the equipment. With a barbell loaded with plates the size of bulls on either side resting on his shoulders, he performed squats¡ªlowering and raising himself repeatedly. With every movement, his veins bulged visibly across his entire body. Sweat poured down like a torrential downpour, forming puddles on the floor. Messages popped up with each motion, but Kwon Hanul had no time to read them. His mind was occupied with something else entirely. ¡®Three months from now, the armor will be complete.¡¯ It had already been a week since his visit to the forge. Naturally, he had accepted Park Tae-shik¡¯s offer. After all, who would refuse the world¡¯s greatest craftsman offering to forge the finest equipment? The promised deadline was three months¡ªcoinciding exactly with the debut match deadline imposed by the Chairman. ¡®Not just Unique, but Legendary-grade armor...¡¯ Park Tae-shik had outright classified the armor as Legendary. Legendary. Just the thought of it sent a rush of excitement through him. Legendary equipment, as the name implied, possessed overwhelming performance. Some even referred to Legendary artifacts as divine tools capable of performing miracles. Moreover, this armor was specifically designed by the world¡¯s greatest craftsman to maximize the power of Black Dragon Blood and Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. It was bound to surpass even the average Legendary items. Just as Kwon Hanul¡¯s thoughts reached that point¡ª He swiftly dropped the barbell. Thud! The floor trembled slightly upon impact. Immediately, a change swept through his body. It was as if a hot spring had erupted within him, filling his body with searing energy. His muscles swelled and contracted in cycles, while his bones shifted and realigned themselves. The bizarre phenomenon lasted only a brief moment. Wiping the sweat from his face, Kwon Hanul spoke. ¡°Status window.¡± Awakener: Kwon Hanul Titles: Master of the Black Dragon Ascension Art, Msster of the Wishstone Strength (B) 0.00 / Agility (B) 0.00 / Stamina (B) 0.00 Magic Power (B) 0.02 / Perception (B) 0.01 / Mental Fortitude (B) 0.04 The phenomenon he had just experienced was the physical reconstruction that occurred when all attributes reached B-rank. For those at C-rank, they were still within the realm of enhanced humans, comparable to steroid-fueled athletes. But from B-rank onward, one stepped into the realm of superhumans. And to handle a superhuman¡¯s strength, the body had to undergo an appropriate transformation. This was precisely why Kwon Hanul had been pushing himself so hard. He was so close to reaching his goal. Other bloodline members took a full year to reach B-rank. Kwon Hanul had achieved it in just three months. ¡®It¡¯s all thanks to the Healthy Bloodline.¡¯ Even if he pushed his body to exhaustion, it would fully recover in just a few minutes. Even if he overworked himself to the point of breaking down, by the next day, he would be completely healed. Thanks to the Healthy Bloodline¡¯s ability, he was able to endure this extreme training. To test his newfound strength, he grabbed the barbell he had been using. Each side carried 150 kg, making it a total of 300 kg, not counting the weight of the bar itself. Previously, he needed both hands to lift it. Now, he could lift it with just one hand. ¡®With this, I¡¯ve met the requirements for my debut match.¡¯ To qualify for a debut match as a Black Dragon bloodline member, one needed: -All stats at B-rank or higher -Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques at 5-star proficiency or higher -Synchronization rate above 30% Kwon Hanul had almost met every requirement. All of his stats were B-rank, and he had reached 5-star proficiency in Black Dragon Ascension Art. The only issue was that his Synchronization Rate was stuck at 9%, refusing to rise any further. But he wasn¡¯t too concerned. ¡®Even with a 9% Synchronization Rate, I defeated a branch family member with over 30%. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡¯ Still, he found it a bit regrettable. At 10%, the Authority of the Black Dragon Bloodline would awaken. He was curious to see what kind of power it would grant him. ¡®Regardless, I¡¯ve passed the first trial.¡¯ The Chairman had given him five months to prepare for his debut match. He had completed the necessary training in three months. But Kwon Hanul had no intention of rushing into the match immediately. Because there was still a second trial to pass. Solo-clearing a Platinum-tier dungeon. ¡®To challenge a Platinum-tier, I need all stats at A-rank and Black Dragon Ascension Art at 7-star proficiency.¡¯ Even with his Healthy Bloodline, reaching A-rank in just two months was practically impossible. ¡®This must be a test¡ªto see if I can handle this.¡¯ Reaching into his pocket, Kwon Hanul pulled out a small, purple-hued bead. The Imoogi¡¯s Core. It was a treasure once acquired by his father, Kwon Cheon, which had eventually made its way to Kwon Hanul through the Chairman. A high-grade Core didn¡¯t just raise one¡¯s stats. In some cases, it granted unique abilities or increased skill mastery. If he consumed this Core, his attributes would undoubtedly increase¡ª And more importantly, his Black Dragon Ascension Art¡¯s mastery would advance as well. However, consuming it required detoxification beforehand. ¡®My poison resistance has reached 50, and my detoxification ability is at 47 thanks to the Healthy Bloodline. That should be enough to neutralize the poison.¡¯ Everything was going smoothly. And yet... Lately, he had been feeling an inexplicable heaviness in his chest. ¡®Could it be... because of my father?¡¯ Even to himself, the idea sounded ridiculous. Kwon Hanul had grown up in an orphanage. He had never known the love of parents¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even seen their faces. And yet, now, he found himself thinking about his father. ¡®Master Park said my father was banished.¡¯ He recalled Park Tae-shik¡¯s words. Since they came from an outsider, he couldn¡¯t take them as absolute truth. ¡®But... it¡¯s possible.¡¯ A straight-growing pine is often the first to be cut down. Because it holds too much value and has too many potential uses. And humans were no exception. ¡®What really happened to my father?¡¯ And, more importantly¡ª ¡®Why... was I abandoned?¡¯ Unanswerable questions continued to circle through his mind. ¡®Is there any way to learn more?¡¯ As Kwon Hanul was deep in thought, the training hall doors swung open with a burst of noise. ¡°So then, at that moment, I just completely...¡± A group of more than ten branch family members entered but immediately froze upon seeing Kwon Hanul. Without hesitation, they lined up and bowed deeply toward him. ¡°We greet the direct descendant of the main family!¡± Their attitude was excessively formal, almost oppressive. Ever since the incident with Kwon Jiseok had spread throughout the clan, the way the main family members treated Kwon Hanul had changed drastically. They regarded him with both fear and reverence, offering their respects before quickly stepping aside whenever they crossed paths with him. At long last, he was receiving the treatment befitting a trueblood. Kwon Hanul was about to pass them by and leave the training hall when something caught his attention. ¡°You all look strangely familiar... Have we met before?¡± At his question, the branch family members immediately dropped to their knees. ¡°We... We have committed a grave sin.¡± ¡°We had nothing to do with what happened that day! We swear!¡± ¡°It was all Kwon Woojin! He acted on his own!¡± Finally, Kwon Hanul remembered why their faces looked so familiar. They were the ones who had been with Kwon Woojin. While Kwon Woojin had provoked him, these people had simply stood by and done nothing. Now, afraid that he might hold them accountable, they were prostrating themselves before him. ¡°I don¡¯t see Kwon Woojin here. Where is he?¡± ¡°W-Woojin... I mean, that bastard has been holed up in his room lately!¡± ¡°He must have finally realized what he¡¯s done and is hiding in shame!¡± One after another, the clan members rushed to denounce Kwon Woojin. ¡®I need to find out who was behind it.¡¯ That day, something about Kwon Woojin¡¯s behavior had seemed off. Kwon Hanul was certain he hadn¡¯t acted alone. ¡°Well, all right then. Make sure you all train properly.¡± With that, Kwon Hanul resumed walking. As soon as he was out of sight, the branch family members let out a collective sigh of relief. ¡°I thought today was going to be my funeral...¡± When he stepped outside, Joo Hayun was waiting for him. She handed him a towel and a bottle of water. ¡°You worked hard.¡± ¡°I did it for myself, really. But how did you know I¡¯d be here?¡± ¡°Every morning, you come back completely drenched in sweat. There are only so many places you could be.¡± As Kwon Hanul drank his water, he glanced at Joo Hayun out of the corner of his eye. Her outfit was simple and modest, yet her presence was anything but. Even after knowing her for so long, he still found himself drawn to her. ¡®Recruit Joo Hayun to my side?¡¯ Kwon Hanul recalled his conversation with Park Tae-sik. It had happened after Park Tae-sik agreed to take his commission. * * * ¡°Good. I¡¯ll have the armor completed within three months.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s enough business talk. Mind if I ask you something?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°How in the world did you convince Hayun?¡± It was an unexpected question. ¡°That girl wouldn¡¯t take orders from anyone except Kwon Seonwoo. And yet, she¡¯s practically glued to your side.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because the Chairman assigned her to assist me.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t get it, do you? Even if the Chairman ordered her, she never listened to anyone before.¡± ¡°She was allowed to do that?¡± ¡°Anyone else would¡¯ve been kicked out immediately... But it¡¯s Hayun. Even the Chairman let it slide.¡± Kwon Hanul frowned in confusion, and Park Tae-sik let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°You really know nothing about her, huh?¡± ¡°I know she holds a high position and that Kwon Jiseok wants to recruit her.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just Jiseok. Even his older brother Kwon Chan-seong, along with members of the branch families, are all desperate to bring her into their ranks.¡± Kwon Hanul had known Joo Hayun was exceptional, but he hadn¡¯t realized just how sought-after she was. ¡°Why do they all want her so badly?¡± ¡°Because she¡¯s that skilled. She may not have bloodline abilities, but she¡¯s got something even rarer.¡± ¡°...You mean a Gift?¡± A Gift. A special ability possessed only by an extremely small number of Awakened individuals. Some called it a talent, while others considered it outright superhuman. Every renowned Hunter in the world was a genius born with a Gift. ¡°To succeed as a member of the Hyukcheon Clan, you need to build your own team and operate externally. If you manage to recruit Hayun when that time comes, it¡¯ll be a tremendous advantage.¡± Park Tae-sik crossed his arms and added, ¡°But it won¡¯t be easy. When she was young, she was taken in by Kwon Seonwoo. To her, his word is absolute. Getting her to switch allegiances won¡¯t be simple.¡± ¡°I never planned on trying in the first place.¡± At that, Park Tae-sik gave him a knowing smile. ¡°Once you see her abilities, you might change your mind.¡± * * * ¡°Hayun, if I ever form a team, would you help me then?¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s question, Joo Hayun answered without hesitation, ¡°I serve only the Chairman.¡± It was the response he had expected. Kwon Hanul chuckled bitterly. ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s that.¡± ¡°But... if it¡¯s just for a short while, I might be able to assist.¡± Her next words, however, were unexpected. Kwon Hanul looked at her in surprise. ¡°Because of the Chairman¡¯s orders?¡± ¡°Even if it weren¡¯t an order.¡± What was that supposed to mean? She always had a way of throwing him off. ¡°The meal is ready. Let¡¯s head back.¡± Joo Hayun turned and began walking toward the mansion. Kwon Hanul followed her, but just then, something in the sky caught his eye. Several large transport aircraft were approaching, each carrying the carcass of a massive monster. ¡°...What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°That would be Eclipse.¡± Joo Hayun, who was standing beside him, spoke. "It''s an SS-rank threat-level monster. It completely wiped out the southern part of Africa." Eclipse. Even Kwon Hanul had heard of it before. The so-called Demon of the Sea¡ªa monster that nations had joined forces to hunt, only to be hunted themselves in return. Since that day, the southern oceans of Africa were no longer humanity¡¯s domain. "Why is that thing here...?" "It seems Kwon Chan-seong has returned with his team." Kwon Hanul recalled an article he had read not long ago. It had reported that Kwon Chan-seong, the eldest son of the vice chairman of Hyukcheon Group and a world-class ranker, had led his elite subjugation team to hunt Eclipse. When he first saw the article, Hanul had thought that no matter how pureblooded a Hyukcheon clansman might be, going up against Eclipse was too much. Yet, Kwon Chan-seong and his team had not only hunted the monster, but they had also brought its corpse back with them. "If you seek the strongest, look to Hyukcheon first." The saying now felt more real than ever. What kind of monster must Kwon Chan-seong be to have taken down something like that? A fierce curiosity ignited within Hanul. "Where are those helicopters headed?" "They''re likely heading to the workshop. The dismantling team is stationed there." "Kwon Chan-seong is probably on one of those helicopters too, right?" "Most likely. A monster of Eclipse¡¯s caliber would have many eyes on it. He¡¯s probably escorting it personally." "Let¡¯s go see for ourselves." Kwon Hanul changed direction toward the private jet. But something felt off. The massive transport helicopters carrying Eclipse¡¯s corpse weren¡¯t heading toward the workshop. They were flying directly toward him. "Joo Hayun? I feel like I¡¯m seeing things wrong. That¡¯s really happening, isn¡¯t it?" "It seems you''re seeing things correctly." The helicopters rapidly closed the distance before gradually slowing down. Thanks to that, Hanul got a clear look at Eclipse¡¯s body. A skeletal main body, resembling the skull of a carnivorous beast, was covered with dozens of tentacles writhing like those of an octopus. But what was truly overwhelming was its size. The main body was as massive as a mountain, and its tentacles looked like they could tear skyscrapers from their foundations. And that terrifying monster was now lying dead, its head split clean in two. Judging by the sheer precision of the cut, it had been felled in a single strike. "How on earth..." Hanul was still shivering from the sheer sight when a sharp, metallic sound rang out. The transport helicopter¡¯s doors slid open, and a dozen or so figures leaped out. Even from 300 meters above the ground, they landed as lightly as feathers. One of them shouted loudly. "This is my first time seeing you in person! I almost passed by without noticing!" He looked to be in his mid-thirties¡ªhandsome, yet brimming with an untamed energy. Despite his confident demeanor, there was a heavy presence about him that made it clear he wasn¡¯t someone to be taken lightly. "Should I call you my cousin? Or should I just use your name? Ah, whatever, formalities don¡¯t matter!" The man strode toward Kwon Hanul with powerful steps. It wasn¡¯t the approach of a person¡ªit felt more like a typhoon or a tidal wave crashing forward. "Nice to meet you! I''m Kwon Chan-seong!" The moment Hanul saw him, he knew without a doubt. This was the man who had split Eclipse¡¯s head with a single strike. "I¡¯m not one for beating around the bush. So I¡¯ll get straight to the point." Chan-seong extended his hand toward Hanul. "Join my team, Kwon Hanul." It was nothing short of a bombshell declaration. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 15 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 15 ¨C A Clash of Bloodlines (2) "I am a Trueblood." After much deliberation, Kwon Hanul finally spoke. Those words carried significant weight. "I know. That¡¯s exactly why I need you. With your True Black Dragon Bloodline, you¡¯re destined to rise to a powerful position within the Hyukcheon clan." Kwon Chan-seong clenched his fist tightly. "I have a goal. To achieve it, I must stand at the very top of the Hyukcheon clan! If you, a Trueblood, join me, it will be an immense help!" "What I mean is... wouldn¡¯t it be strange for a Trueblood to serve under a Pureblood?" The True Black Dragon Bloodline was known to be possessed only by Kwon Hyunmoon, the founding patriarch of the Hyukcheon clan. Someone like Kwon Hanul, who carried that same bloodline, could not subordinate himself to someone with merely a Pure Black Dragon Bloodline. "I agree. It makes no sense for a Trueblood to follow a Pureblood." "Then why are you even making this offer?" "It seems you¡¯re misunderstanding something. This isn¡¯t about a Trueblood serving under a Pureblood. I¡¯m asking you to follow me, Kwon Chan-seong, the person." What was he even saying now? "Bloodline alone isn¡¯t enough to make someone worth following! What matters is whether that person is worth serving!" In other words, Kwon Chan-seong was saying: Don¡¯t follow Kwon Chan-seong, the Pureblood. Follow Kwon Chan-seong, the man. Because he was confident that he was someone worth following. "Kwon Hanul, be my right hand!" Hanul had never met someone so self-assured before. It threw him off for a moment. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and then turned to Joo Hayun. "Is he always like this?" "He¡¯s always like this," Joo Hayun replied, sounding exhausted. She had likely dealt with Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s reckless nature before. "He¡¯s eccentric, but his skills are the real deal. Kwon Chan-seong and his team receive the most support within the Hyukcheon Group. That¡¯s how exceptional they are." And now, the man leading that elite team was personally trying to recruit Kwon Hanul. Anyone else would have been flattered by such an offer. But Hanul felt the complete opposite. Disgust. For all his talk about valuing people, in the end, this still felt like a Pureblood trying to put a Trueblood beneath him. ¡®I must have come a long way. Back when I was a third-rate hunter, I could never have imagined this.¡¯ Back then, Kwon Hanul had to chase after opportunities, knocking on doors just to find a place to belong. Yet now, he was being scouted by one of the strongest teams¡ªand he found the offer distasteful. "I promise you, if you join my team, I¡¯ll give you full support! With your True Black Dragon Bloodline and my backing, you could become the most powerful force within Hyukcheon Group!" Saying this, Kwon Chan-seong turned to Joo Hayun. "This goes for you too, Hayun. If you join, the entire team¡¯s strength will soar!" "I only follow the Chairman¡¯s orders." "Just for a little while?" "I¡¯m sorry, but no." Kwon Chan-seong clicked his tongue but gave up without much resistance. "Ah, well. I suppose I¡¯ll have to settle for just the Trueblood. So, what¡¯s your decision?" He turned back to Kwon Hanul, who still hadn¡¯t made up his mind. Joining Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team wouldn¡¯t be a bad choice. Hanul would inevitably clash with the Purebloods. The higher he rose, the more their authority would waver. But if he joined Chan-seong, he¡¯d have a strong backing. It would guarantee his stability. Logically speaking, accepting the offer was the right move. The old Kwon Hanul¡ªthe third-rate hunter¡ªwould have jumped at the opportunity. But the current Kwon Hanul, the one who had awakened his True Black Dragon Bloodline, felt no desire to do so. Logic vs. Instinct. The two sides clashed within him. "Accepting the offer wouldn¡¯t be a bad choice," Joo Hayun whispered. "Kwon Chan-seong would provide you with a strong safety net. You¡¯d be able to establish yourself far more securely." Logically, it was the right decision. "But Kwon Hanul..." "Being inside a safety net also means being trapped within it. That¡¯s what you¡¯re trying to say, right?" Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened, as if surprised he had read her thoughts so easily. "Can I call you ¡®hyung¡¯?" "Of course! I¡¯d actually be disappointed if you didn¡¯t!" "Hyung, I truly appreciate your offer, but... I¡¯m still lacking in many ways. I¡¯m afraid I might become a burden to you." "If that¡¯s the problem, then I¡¯ll just train you until you¡¯re not." He really doesn¡¯t get it, does he? Hanul clicked his tongue internally and spoke bluntly. "I have no intention of joining your team, Hyung." Maybe now he¡¯ll understand. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s lips slowly pressed together. His half-lidded eyes locked onto Kwon Hanul. His gaze turned cold. Hanul felt a chilling pressure, as if an icy dagger had been thrust into his chest. "Let me ask again. Are you truly rejecting my offer?" "You can ask as many times as you want. My answer won¡¯t change." A faint smirk appeared on Chan-seong¡¯s lips, as if he were suppressing his irritation. "I nearly forgot... you¡¯re a Hyukcheon by blood as well. A shame, but I suppose it can¡¯t be helped." "Thank you for understanding." "Understanding?" Chan-seong scoffed, as if the word itself was absurd. "In my entire life, I have never failed to obtain something I wanted." "I am not an object." "Someday, you¡¯ll help me all the same. So, in the end, it¡¯s no different." Is he childish, or just arrogant? No¡ªhe¡¯s completely convinced. He had absolute confidence that things would go his way. Because that was how his life had always worked. But even so, his attitude was beyond what Kwon Hanul could accept. "I should get going now. We can¡¯t just leave Eclipse¡¯s corpse to rot forever." Kwon Chan-seong turned toward the helicopter. His team members, who had landed with him, also began preparing to move. "Ah, right." Suddenly, Kwon Chan-seong turned back around. "It¡¯s our first time meeting, but I haven¡¯t given you a proper gift." He pulled a ring from his pocket. The moment his team members saw it, their faces went pale with shock. "C-Captain! T-That¡¯s...! That¡¯s the artifact we extracted from Eclipse¡¯s heart!" "Wait, you¡¯re not actually going to give that away...? No! That thing is far too dangerous!" Ignoring their frantic objections, Kwon Chan-seong casually tossed the ring toward Kwon Hanul. "Take it. It¡¯s a valuable item." Instinctively, Kwon Hanul caught the ring. - Name: ??? - Quality: ??? - Description: ??? Strangely, no information appeared on the ring. "You¡¯ll find it useful someday." "I appreciate the gift," Kwon Hanul replied, though he remained skeptical. After how their conversation had ended, there was no way this was a purely good-willed gesture. Instead of putting the ring on, he slipped it into his pocket. And that¡¯s when it happened. A sharp prick of pain ran through his palm. Startled, he opened his hand to check. Nothing. His palm was completely unscathed. Just as confusion began to settle in¡ª < Bloodline ¡®???¡¯ has awakened in response to external stimuli. > < You have acquired the bloodline ¡®Genius Bloodline.¡¯ > What an absurd name. The shock of it almost overshadowed his curiosity. < Genius Bloodline is analyzing the curse. > < Analysis complete. The artifact contains a delayed-action curse, automatically triggered upon prolonged exposure. > < Effects: Induces mental instability and brainwashing over time. > Kwon Hanul¡¯s gaze darkened. A curse triggered by the artifact itself. The ring was designed to brainwash its wearer. So that¡¯s his plan? Kwon Chan-seong. At first, he had seemed like an easygoing yet eccentric man. But the real Kwon Chan-seong was nothing like that. ¡®He¡¯s nothing like his brother.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t just that he hid his true self¡ªhe had no hesitation in manipulating people¡¯s minds. And he was willing to do it so subtly that the victim wouldn¡¯t even realize what was happening. How do I remove this curse? Since it was a delayed-effect curse, it wouldn¡¯t affect him immediately, but that didn¡¯t mean he could afford to ignore it. At that moment¡ª < Genius Bloodline has analyzed the artifact¡¯s structure. > < Injecting necessary mana pattern to transfer ownership. > As if responding to his thoughts, his newfound bloodline automatically infused the ring with mana. < You are now the rightful owner of the artifact ¡®Eye of Eclipse.¡¯ > < Ongoing curse has been dispelled. > < Current artifact functions are locked. A special procedure is required for full activation. > - Name: Eye of Eclipse - Quality: Legendary (SS+) - Mana +30% / Mental Strength +50% - Skills: 1. Brainwash: Imposes a brainwashing curse on anyone who touches the ring, except for the owner. - The longer the exposure, or the more exhausted the target, the faster the curse takes effect. 2. ??? 3. ??? 4. ??? The effects of the Eye of Eclipse were overwhelming¡ªworthy of its legendary status. The shock nearly made Kwon Hanul shout aloud. This is mine now. Kwon Chan-seong had likely planned to retrieve the ring once the brainwashing was complete. But now that Kwon Hanul had become its rightful owner, that plan was completely ruined. Returning it wasn¡¯t an option. If Kwon Chan-seong was going to pull a cheap trick like this, then Kwon Hanul had every right to claim some compensation. "Well then, I¡¯ll be on my way." Finally, Kwon Chan-seong turned and walked toward the helicopter. Just as he passed by one of his team members¡ªa young man¡ªhis lips moved slightly. The man instantly tensed. Having already been wary of Kwon Chan-seong due to the ring incident, Kwon Hanul caught the subtle interaction. What is he planning now? Just as that thought crossed his mind, the young man who had received Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s whispered command strode toward Kwon Hanul. "Captain, come on. This is just embarrassing." One of Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team members stepped forward. A young man with bright golden-blonde hair. His muscular arms, visible between the gaps in his sleeves, looked as hard as stone. "Newbie, now¡¯s not the time," Kwon Chan-seong immediately warned. But the young man ignored him. "You expect me to just stand by while our captain¡¯s outstretched hand gets slapped away? And after you took his gift without a second thought?" He sounded genuinely angry. Whether or not that was true, one thing was certain¡ª They¡¯re both good actors. Kwon Hanul scanned the young man. There was no trace of the unique energy possessed by the Black Dragon Bloodline. Yet his power was comparable to that of the branch family members. "I¡¯m Lee Pilseung. I wonder if the esteemed descendant of the Hyukcheon Clan has heard of me?" Lee Pilseung. Kwon Hanul had heard the name countless times during his days as a hunter. A Gifted individual, someone so valuable that famous guilds overseas had offered him billions to join them. Back then, Kwon Hanul had been curious about which guild he would choose. Never did he expect him to end up in Hyukcheon Group¡ªlet alone as a part of Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team. "I¡¯ve heard of you. You possess a Gift, correct?" "Glad to see you¡¯re well-informed. Sounds like we¡¯d make a good match... How about a bet?" Lee Pilseung grabbed the massive sword strapped to his back and drove it into the ground. "Let¡¯s have a duel. If I win, you hand over that ring." Then, tapping his own wrist, he added, "If you win... well, this artifact of mine isn¡¯t as fancy as that ring, but it¡¯s still quite valuable. I¡¯ll wager it." Kwon Hanul remained silent, contemplating. The brainwashing curse accelerates if the victim sustains serious injuries. If he were to get hurt in battle, the curse¡ªif it hadn¡¯t been dispelled¡ªwould have advanced significantly. This was no simple challenge. Lee Pilseung wasn¡¯t just offering a fight. This was a trap. Kwon Chan-seong had undoubtedly sent the young man forward for that very reason. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking of bringing up the name of Hyukcheon, forget it. I don¡¯t care about that kind of thing.¡± What should he do? He could ignore it and move on. But the trick Kwon Chan-seong had just pulled was too irritating to let slide. After some thought, Kwon Hanul made his decision. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s do this.¡± He intended to crush this man¡ªto send a message to Kwon Chan-seong. That he wasn¡¯t someone to be taken lightly. That he shouldn¡¯t try to pull something like this again. At the same time, he was curious. Once, he had only been able to look up at top-tier Hunters from afar. Now, he wanted to know just how strong they truly were¡ªhow much of a gap existed between them and his current self. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Kwon Chan-seong burst into laughter. ¡°Our rookie¡¯s got quite the guts. Challenging a direct-bloodline heir to a duel, all for my honor.¡± Lee Pilseung gave a brief nod. ¡°Little cousin, you¡¯d better be careful. Our rookie may still be young and inexperienced, but he¡¯s got talent. Just now, he managed to slice off one of Eclipse¡¯s tentacles¡ªsmall feat, but impressive nonetheless.¡± The tentacles of Eclipse were massive, large enough to crush several low-rise buildings in an instant. Even when motionless, they were a terrifying threat. If Eclipse had been alive and rampaging, it would have been impossible to imagine the destruction it could have caused. To think this young man was skilled enough to cut through one of those tentacles... He hadn¡¯t challenged Kwon Hanul to a duel for no reason. ¡°And you¡¯re still willing to accept this match?¡± Kwon Hanul answered immediately. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Great! Then let¡¯s move to a proper location!¡± ¡°Ah, hold on a moment.¡± Kwon Chan-seong raised an eyebrow, as if asking what the holdup was. ¡°I just need to check something.¡± Kwon Hanul opened his status window. He wanted to take a closer look at the bloodline ability he had just acquired¡ªGenius Bloodline. Black Dragon Blood: Grade: SSS+ Purity: True Grants the power of a dragon. Healthy Bloodline: Grade: S+ Purity: True Enhances overall health. Genius Bloodline: Grade: S+ Purity: True Enhances intelligence. ???: Grade: ??? Purity: ??? For a moment, Kwon Hanul stared blankly at the status window. ¡®Why are these multiplying?¡¯ [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 16 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 16 ¨C A Clash of Bloodlines (3) ¡°Little cousin?¡± Kwon Hanul wanted to examine his status window more closely, but Kwon Chan-seong calling his name left him no choice but to close it for now. Bloodline abilities were too vast in scope to fully understand just by reading their descriptions. He would have to figure them out gradually over time. ¡°What are you standing around for? Hurry up and follow.¡± Kwon Hanul began walking, with Joo Hayun following alongside him. Then, something struck him as odd. ¡°You¡¯re not trying to stop me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true that I don¡¯t find this situation ideal... but I can¡¯t interfere in a fight that has already been agreed upon.¡± Joo Hayun let out a short sigh. ¡°But you must win.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Kwon Hanul answered as if it were obvious. Kwon Chan-seong led them to an outdoor training arena within the Hyukcheon family grounds. Unlike the training room Kwon Hanul had used previously, this space was far more expansive. ¡°If either of you gets seriously injured, I¡¯ll step in immediately. Understood?¡± Once Kwon Chan-seong moved aside, Kwon Hanul finally stood face-to-face with Lee Pilseung. ¡®Lee Pilseung... To think I¡¯d meet him in person instead of just hearing rumors.¡¯ Even when Kwon Hanul had been working as a Hunter, he couldn¡¯t go a day without hearing Lee Pilseung¡¯s name. That was how famous and formidable he was. Someone like Kwon Hanul wouldn¡¯t have even dreamed of holding a conversation with him. And now, not only was he standing before him, but they were about to cross blades. This won¡¯t be easy. Lee Pilseung possessed a Gift, and he had even faced the SS-rank colossal beast, Eclipse. There was no way Kwon Chan-seong had chosen him as an opponent without reason. But the same applied to Kwon Hanul. ¡®Ever since obtaining True Black Dragon Blood, I¡¯ve started sensing things.¡¯ When he faced an opponent, he could instinctively gauge whether he could defeat them or not. ¡°You just gonna stand there like a statue?¡± A sharp voice pulled Kwon Hanul out of his thoughts. ¡°If you¡¯re scared, I¡¯ll start first.¡± Lee Pilseung clapped his hands together. Something about the gesture unsettled Kwon Hanul. ¡°You¡¯re not using a weapon?¡± Lee Pilseung had supposedly sliced through Eclipse¡¯s tentacle. Kwon Hanul had naturally assumed he would use a blade. ¡°I don¡¯t use weapons. Instead, I use this.¡± Lee Pilseung unleashed his mana¡ªa staggering amount, far beyond what one would expect from someone his age. It was an impressive sight, but something felt off. ¡®Isn¡¯t he just wasting mana?¡¯ He wasn¡¯t channeling it into a skill or technique; he was simply expelling it into the air. It made no sense. Then, Kwon Hanul realized what was strange. ...The mana isn¡¯t dispersing? The energy released into the air didn¡¯t fade¡ªit lingered. It warped the space around Lee Pilseung, making the air ripple. ¡°Hup!¡± Lee Pilseung let out a sharp breath, and the scattered mana rushed back toward him. It condensed around his body and began transforming into something else entirely. Heat haze. Despite it being broad daylight, a shimmering mirage visibly rose around him. Lee Pilseung clenched his fist, and the heat haze gathered, forming the shape of a blade. The intangible sword, forged from condensed energy, glittered like scattered gemstone dust. It was mesmerizingly beautiful. But Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t afford to be captivated. ¡°...Don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°Kwon Chan-seong, you¡¯re always scheming.¡± Joo Hayun suddenly spoke up, her gaze fixed on Kwon Chan-seong. ¡°Scheming? I have no idea what you mean.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re going to feign ignorance... fine. But let me say this¡ªif you underestimate Kwon Hanul, you¡¯re going to regret it.¡± Kwon Chan-seong burst into laughter. ¡°I¡¯ve never once underestimated my little cousin.¡± The Black Dragon Blood was the foundation of the Hyukcheon family¡¯s power. The stronger its purity, the greater its strength. At its peak, a trueblooded wielder of Black Dragon Blood possessed power akin to that of a transcendent being. ¡°A Trueblood is undoubtedly formidable. No Hyukcheon master from any past generation could hope to match him.¡± The gap created by Black Dragon Blood was absolute. Most purebloods refused to acknowledge this reality, but Kwon Chan-seong had accepted it early on. Kwon Hanul, a Trueblood, would eventually grow into a terrifying force. ¡°But that¡¯s something for the future. Right now, he¡¯s still lacking in many ways.¡± Even dragons had once started as mere serpents. The same applied to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Meanwhile, the rookie is already complete. Just watch¡ªit¡¯s starting.¡± Kwon Chan-seong gestured toward Lee Pilseung. In the distance, waves of heat haze rose from his entire body. Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Aura? That¡¯s impossible. How could someone his age...?¡± Even among high-ranking Hunters, very few had mastered Aura. Unlike a skill, Aura could only be obtained through experience and enlightenment. ¡°That¡¯s his Gift¡ª¡®Natural Extremity.¡¯¡± Kwon Chan-seong spoke with unmistakable pride. ¡°He was born with an innate mastery over all things mana¡ªstorage, affinity, adaptation¡ªyou name it.¡± There were many kinds of geniuses in the world. A genius in martial arts, a genius in weaponry, a genius in writing... ¡°Our rookie? He¡¯s a genius of mana itself.¡± ¡®I didn¡¯t expect him to use Aura... Aura¡ªa force that could only be obtained by refining mana to its purest form, over and over again. A power so rare that only a handful of Hunters had ever achieved it. And yet, Lee Pilseung had already mastered it. ¡°Hah!¡± Lee Pilseung shot forward. No¡ªhe was launched like a bullet. His Aura propelled his body forward at terrifying speed. Kwon Hanul instinctively bent backward. At that exact moment, a gleaming line of light was drawn through the air. The Aura blade had just sliced through the space where his head had been. ¡°Your reflexes aren¡¯t bad!¡± Lee Pilseung swung his Aura blade again. No¡ªby the time Kwon Hanul registered the motion, the attack had already been executed. Aura was sharp enough to slice through even a monster¡¯s hide as if it were tofu. If it made contact with Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, it would cut through him as easily as water. He couldn¡¯t let his guard down for even a second. Not a single misstep was allowed. His attacks are simple. Despite the danger, Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind remained surprisingly calm. Is it because of the Black Dragon Blood? The more his synchronization rate increased, the more his instincts changed. Rather than fearing injury, his body was thrumming with excitement for battle. ¡°Hah!¡± Lee Pilseung swung his Aura blade downward with full force. At that moment, Kwon Hanul¡¯s instincts screamed at him. He kicked off the ground with everything he had, retreating in an instant. The very next second¡ªBOOM. The spot where he had just stood shattered as if struck by a hammer. ...Did he just transform Aura into a hammer? Just before impact, Lee Pilseung had condensed his Aura into a massive blunt weapon. If Kwon Hanul had reacted a second later, his body would have been crushed to pieces. "You dodged that?" Lee Pilseung muttered in disbelief. "Then, how about this?" Lee Pilseung unleashed his Aura. Due to his backward retreat, the distance between Kwon Hanul and Lee Pilseung had grown to over 10 meters¡ªfar beyond striking range unless the Aura was thrown. Yet, Kwon Hanul instinctively twisted his waist to the side. A spear-like extension of Aura brushed past his abdomen. He can wield Aura this freely at such a young age? As far as Kwon Hanul knew, mastering Aura was already difficult¡ªcontrolling it was even harder. To use it so fluidly required immense experience. It shouldn''t have been possible at Lee Pilseung''s age. "So, it really is a Gift." There were rumors that Lee Pilseung was a prodigy of magical energy. At the time, Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t understood what that meant. Now, he did. "Sharp instincts!" Lee Pilseung swung his Aura again. It extended like a whip, lashing toward Kwon Hanul. Each strike split the ground apart. If even one of those attacks landed, it wouldn¡¯t be the ground breaking apart¡ªit would be him. "This is bad." Lee Pilseung was overwhelmingly powerful with his Aura. Aura surpassed magical energy¡ªit was like replacing an engine with a superior fuel. ¡®And since it''s Aura, I can¡¯t just block it carelessly either.¡¯ Aura wasn''t merely a sharp blade¡ªit was a mass of raw magical energy. Anyone other than the user who touched it would be harmed. ¡®And yet, I thought I could beat someone like this?¡¯ Was the Black Dragon Blood really something he could trust? As he grumbled inwardly¡ª A flood of knowledge surged into Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind. "Wait...?" Inside his head, thoughts sparked and fused like a chemical reaction. In that instant, Kwon Hanul realized something. "Why have I been using my magical energy like this?" Until now, he had only used his magic for Black Dragon Ascension Art. But magical energy wasn¡¯t meant to be used that way. ¡®Magical energy is water. My body is the vessel that holds it. If water stays still, it serves no purpose. It must flow¡ªconstantly moving, constantly changing.¡¯ A simple realization¡ª But the effect was enormous. Magical energy coursed through Kwon Hanul¡¯s entire body. Power surged into his movements. His speed increased naturally. Where before he had been dodging the slashes at the last moment¡ª Now, he was avoiding them a step ahead. "Huh?" A flicker of shock crossed Lee Pilseung¡¯s face. "You... you grasped magical energy control?" As a magic prodigy, Lee Pilseung immediately sensed the change. Most hunters treated magical energy as nothing more than fuel for their skills. But veteran hunters who mastered Magical Energy Control saw it as raw power¡ªsomething to be shaped and used in countless ways. "But... how?" Magical Energy Control was essential to mastering Aura, a technique that required years of experience. Yet Kwon Hanul had just learned it mid-battle. It was only natural for Lee Pilseung to be stunned. But Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t focused on his reaction. ¡®No... this method doesn''t suit me.¡¯ Without hesitation, he modified the way he controlled magical energy. Altering magical energy control was something even veteran hunters hesitated to do¡ª It was difficult, dangerous. But Black Dragon Bloodline continued to pour inspiration and knowledge into him. Kwon Hanul¡¯s Personalized Magic Pathway Quality: Unique (S) Effects: Skill activation speed +20% Magic regeneration speed +20% Magic flow efficiency +20% Magical energy filled Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. An endless well of vitality surged forth. At the same time, magic gathered in his hand¡ª Taking shape, like a droplet of water forming at his fingertips. Seeing it, Lee Pilseung shouted in shock, "H-How can you do that?!" It wasn¡¯t Aura¡ª But it was close. A man who had been a third-rate hunter only three months ago had now reached the threshold of wielding Aura? "That¡¯s impossible!" Lee Pilseung roared, summoning another blade of Aura. He crossed his arms and slashed forward¡ª Twin Sword Cross Grave A Unique Skill¡ªCross Grave. A massive cross-shaped slash cut through the air, aiming straight for Kwon Hanul¡¯s chest. Black Dragon Ascension Art (Entry Form) Defensive Style¡ªTwisting Fork Kwon Hanul thrust his hands forward. The cross-shaped slash split apart like a flowing stream. Lee Pilseung¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. He had frozen mid-motion, arms still outstretched¡ª Leaving his chest completely exposed. Kwon Hanul seized the opening and launched himself forward. His elbow shot straight toward Lee Pilseung¡¯s solar plexus¡ª Black Dragon Ascension Art (Entry Form) Forceful Strike¡ªRamming Horn His elbow pierced Lee Pilseung¡¯s midsection. Magical energy detonated¡ªsending Lee Pilseung flying backward. A flawless victory. Kwon Hanul slowly lowered his stance. "Phew." He tried to act calm, but inside, emotions surged. A third-rate hunter like him had just defeated a rising star like Lee Pilseung. The sheer joy of it was overwhelming. "Black Dragon Blood... this thing is legit." As Kwon Hanul murmured¡ª A sinister aura flared from where Lee Pilseung had been thrown. * * * ¡°What did I tell you?¡± Watching Lee Pilseung get knocked back, Joo Hayun smirked. "I told you not to underestimate Kwon Hanul." "...It¡¯s not over yet." Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s gaze remained locked on Lee Pilseung. "He still has a trump card." A trump card? Joo Hayun frowned. Then¡ª From the dueling ground, an overwhelming feral energy erupted from Lee Pilseung. Joo Hayun, who had spent years in Hyukcheon, recognized it immediately. "...How is an outsider using Dragon Combat Techniques?" A power granted only to those with the Black Dragon Bloodline. Yet Lee Pilseung was using it. "I told you¡ª" Kwon Chan-seong grinned. "That guy¡¯s a magic prodigy. He watched me use Dragon Combat Techniques over and over¡ªuntil he finally copied it." With confidence, Kwon Chan-seong declared, "As a pure-blood, I guarantee it. Lee Pilseung¡¯s Dragon Combat Techniques... are stronger than even mine." * * * The oppressive aura felt like facing a monster. "Dragon Combat Techniques?" There was no mistake. Lee Pilseung¡¯s energy was unmistakably Dragon Combat Energy. People often called Gifts the blessings of the gods. But who would have thought one could even mimic the Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯s power? "It¡¯s not over yet." Lee Pilseung spat onto the ground¡ªhis saliva tinged with blood. His insides were damaged. "Things won¡¯t be easy from here. But you already knew that, didn¡¯t you?" He shot forward. His foot struck the ground¡ªsending tremors through the earth. The gap of dozens of meters closed in an instant. At point-blank range, Lee Pilseung slashed with a blade forged from Dragon Combat Energy. Kwon Hanul twisted his body¡ªdodging the strike. But the moment the blade struck the ground¡ª Dragon Combat Energy detonated. The sheer force blew Kwon Hanul and the entire battlefield away. "This power...!" For the first time¡ªKwon Hanul felt fear. And deep within his soul¡ª Something began to awaken. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 17 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 17 ¨C Clash of Bloodlines (4) The mana flowing through his body was changing¡ªtransforming into something else. If his mana had once been like a quiet stream, now it was an ocean caught in a raging storm. A wild, overwhelming force surged through his entire body, and it wasn¡¯t stopping there. It was beginning to spill outward. Dragon Demon Aura? The thought crossed his mind, but he pushed it aside. The immediate concern was the enemy in front of him. "Your neck is wide open!" While Kwon Hanul was briefly distracted, Lee Pilseung swung his twin swords. In that instant, Hanul unleashed his Dragon Demon Aura. No¡ªunleashed wasn¡¯t quite the right word. It was more like opening a barely contained dam, releasing all the built-up water in a single, explosive surge. The Dragon Demon Aura erupted. The ground beneath him shattered, cracks spiderwebbing in all directions. The force alone sent Pilseung flying backward. --- Pilseung quickly regained his stance. What the hell is that? The black aura radiating from Hanul left him stunned. Dragon Combat Aura? No... it¡¯s something different... He wasn¡¯t a pureblood, but being part of Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team meant he had seen Dragon Combat Aura more times than he could count. He had even learned to imitate it through sheer observation. That¡¯s why he could say with certainty¡ªthis was not Dragon Combat Aura. The sheer intensity of it made Dragon Combat Aura seem like a cheap imitation in comparison. But what was truly terrifying was the sheer volume. The amount of energy spilling from Hanul¡¯s body was beyond comprehension. It was as if he were standing alone in the heart of a wildfire strong enough to consume a mountain. Not even the Captain was like this... Even Kwon Chan-seong, a pureblood, had never radiated such overwhelming pressure. Unconsciously, Pilseung swallowed hard. Then, he saw it¡ªHanul slightly bent his knees. The black aura responded, concentrating around his legs and feet. ¡®He¡¯s coming!¡¯ By the time the thought registered, Hanul was already upon him. It was nothing but a simple leap. Yet, he had crossed the distance in an instant. Pilseung barely managed to react, crossing his twin swords. Twin Sword¡ªPoint Bomb His aura expanded like an inflated balloon. Hanul kicked it. "Even an Ogre¡¯s punch couldn¡¯t break through this technique! That leg is mine!" The moment they clashed, the ballooning aura¡ª Exploded. "Guh!" Hanul¡¯s foot punctured straight through the center of the aura. The energy dispersed like mist, unable to stop the incoming attack. Pilseung barely had time to register it before Hanul¡¯s foot slammed into his solar plexus. His body shot backward like a kicked soccer ball. "Cough! Cough!" Even as he spat up blood, Pilseung¡¯s mind was racing. What was that? How did my aura get pierced? Normally, when auras collided, the weaker one would be pushed back. But! But! His Dragon Combat Aura hadn¡¯t even resisted. It had been sliced through like soft tofu. That could only mean one thing¡ª Hanul¡¯s power was in an entirely different league. "E-even when sparring with the Captain, it wasn¡¯t this bad!" Pilseung had fought Kwon Chan-seong multiple times. Their auras had clashed more than once. He had always lost, but never this decisively. This wasn¡¯t just a loss¡ªit was a complete and utter defeat. An overwhelming difference in class. Yet, despite the gap, his fighting spirit remained unshaken. There has to be a way to win. Drawing on all his experience, he searched for an opening. That kind of power... there¡¯s no way he can control it perfectly yet. The stronger the force, the harder it was to tame. Hanul had just awakened this strength¡ªthere had to be gaps in his control. ¡®I¡¯ll find them and strike.¡¯ As soon as the thought formed, Hanul moved again. Pilseung immediately condensed his aura into blades. Then, he shifted into a strange stance. He gripped one sword in reverse, the other in a lowered position. Twin Sword¡ªSwallow Strike. "This is the slash that severed an Eclipse Tendril. If you can block this, I¡¯ll acknowledge you." His words sounded like a taunt, but they weren¡¯t entirely empty. It was true that this technique had cut through an Eclipse Tendril. But what he didn¡¯t say¡ª Was that this wasn¡¯t an attack. It was a counter. ¡®The moment he strikes¡ªI¡¯ll cut straight through his neck.¡¯ Among all his techniques, this was one of his strongest. And yet¡ª For some reason, his hands felt clammy. His grip trembled slightly. The last time he had felt this nervous was the first time he had entered a dungeon. "Come!" Hanul kicked off the ground. His aura exploded, propelling him forward. In an instant, he was upon Pilseung. Pilseung swung his aura-infused blades. And in that very moment¡ª Suddenly, Kwon Hanul¡¯s body shifted to the side. It was as if he were gliding across ice. ¡®What? Aura Movement Technique?¡¯ Those adept at using aura could employ it for unique footwork techniques. And among them, this was one of the most advanced¡ªan ability that eliminated friction with the ground and generated propulsion to move fluidly. ¡®Even I haven¡¯t fully mastered the Aura Movement Technique yet...!¡¯ Hanul wasn¡¯t moving in a straight line. He traced a curved arc, slipping behind Lee Pilseung. Pilseung, startled, turned to react¡ª But Hanul¡¯s fist had already driven into his side. Black Dragon Ascending Art ¨C Beginner Form Iron Chime Hammer The moment the punch landed, Pilseung¡¯s entire body rang. It wasn¡¯t his imagination. A deep, resonant sound, like a bell being struck, echoed through the air. "Guh¡ª!" He couldn¡¯t even scream. The pain of his organs being crushed and his bones fracturing locked his voice inside. "I-I need to counter¡ª" Before he could react, another fist slammed into his opposite side. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through his ribs. "Kuhhh¡ª!" Damn it¡ªhe had to run. All thoughts of counterattacking vanished. One instinct consumed him¡ªescape. As Pilseung turned to flee, Hanul was already closing in. His leg lifted high into the air. Black Dragon Ascending Art ¨C Beginner Form Bamboo Splitter The raised leg came crashing down. A deep fissure split the ground between them. BOOM! The impact triggered an explosion. Aura surged through the cracks, engulfing Pilseung. His body was launched skyward before plummeting back down, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud. He didn¡¯t move. Whether he had lost consciousness or worse, it was unclear. Hanul walked toward him, slow and deliberate. Even though Pilseung had lost all will to fight, Hanul¡¯s presence remained as fierce as ever. He planted one foot on Pilseung¡¯s head. Black Dragon Ascending Art ¨C Beginner Form Thousand-Pound Hammer His foot, brimming with aura, was about to crush Pilseung¡¯s skull¡ª "That¡¯s enough, little cousin." A swift kick struck Hanul¡¯s shin, knocking his foot aside. Instead, his heel slammed into the ground right beside Pilseung¡¯s head, leaving the earth shattered. "It was a good sparring match. But we can¡¯t have a murder on our hands, now can we?" Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s voice was calm, almost chiding. "You''re absolutely right." Kwon Hanul pulled his foot from the ground and spoke. "I must have gotten too excited as the fight escalated." "I understand. I was the same when I obtained my first Authority. It felt like I wasn¡¯t myself¡ªlike something had taken over me." Kwon Chan-seong sounded oddly exhilarated. "Little cousin, you¡¯re truly incredible. I never imagined the True Bloodline¡¯s potential could be this immense! I¡¯ve never seen an aura that massive in my life!" Of course, it wasn¡¯t Dragon Combat Aura¡ªit was Dragon Demon Aura. But Chan-seong continued marveling at Hanul¡¯s power, going on and on about it. And because of that, he failed to notice¡ª Hanul¡¯s gaze was still fixed on Lee Pilseung. "Guh... ugh...!" Pilseung stirred, regaining consciousness. He groggily pushed himself up, eyes flicking between Hanul and Chan-seong. "H-how... did the duel... end...?" "Rookie, can¡¯t you tell? You lost. Didn¡¯t I warn you? I told you not to underestimate my cousin." The word lost struck Pilseung like a hammer. Chan-seong patted him on the back. "Come on, now. Apologize to my cousin and let¡¯s end this on good terms." "Hyung, I have a question." "Hmm? What is it?" "In the Hyukcheon Clan, what happens if an outsider disrespects a Hyukcheon Bloodline member?" "It depends on the situation, but usually, they¡¯d face severe punishment." "And what happens if an outsider lays hands on a Bloodline member?" "Well, no matter who it is... execution." That was the answer Hanul had been waiting for. Without hesitation, he lunged at Pilseung. His shin aimed directly for Pilseung¡¯s temple. "Hanul!" Chan-seong¡¯s eyes sharpened. He intercepted Hanul¡¯s shin with his hand. "The duel is already over¡ª" Black Dragon Ascending Art ¨C Basic Form Counter Kick Hanul instantly retracted his caught leg and spun his body. His opposite foot lashed out in a vicious arc¡ª His heel struck Pilseung¡¯s chin. CRACK! With a sickening crunch, Pilseung¡¯s head slammed into the ground. Chan-seong stared blankly at Pilseung for a moment. Then, his face twisted in anger. "...What the hell was that, little cousin?" "Hyung, you just said it yourself,¡± Hanul replied matter-of-factly. "In the Hyukcheon Clan, an outsider who lays hands on a Bloodline member is sentenced to death. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s dead or not... but for your sake, I¡¯ll leave it at this." "Hanul, the rookie is my subordinate." "And I am of the Hyukcheon Bloodline." "Couldn¡¯t you have let this slide, for my sake?" "Because it¡¯s you, I couldn¡¯t let it slide even more." Chan-seong silently studied Hanul, then finally came to a realization. "...So you¡¯re not cursed." His face filled with confusion. A moment later, his expression softened, and he spoke. "You¡¯re right, little cousin. This was my failure¡ªI didn¡¯t manage my subordinates properly." Without further argument, Chan-seong admitted his mistake. Then, he slung Pilseung¡¯s limp body over his shoulder. "Aren¡¯t you going to ask how I broke the curse?" "I wouldn¡¯t do something so crude. But... losing that ring still stings a little." For a Legendary artifact of that caliber, he didn¡¯t even ask for it back. Was it because he was that magnanimous? Or did he simply own so many Legendary items that it didn¡¯t even matter? Hanul found himself slightly impressed. "I may have teased you a little, but everything I promised still stands." "I have no intention of serving under anyone." At those words, Chan-seong chuckled. "You should think carefully, little cousin. Otherwise, you might end up like our uncle." Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. Chan-seong only had one uncle. "What do you mean by that?" "Take my hand, and I¡¯ll tell you everything. Until then, I won¡¯t say a word." Hanul glared at Chan-seong, but Chan-seong just smirked. "Join me. I¡¯ll tell you the full truth¡ªand I¡¯ll promise you the highest seat of power." With a casual wave, Chan-seong turned and walked away. Hanul stood still, watching his retreating figure. "Lord Hanul, well fought." Joo Hayun approached, handing him a towel and a bottle of water. But instead of taking them, Hanul looked straight at her and asked, "What did he mean just now?" "I..." "You can¡¯t tell me because of the Chairman¡¯s orders, can you?" Hayun gave a small nod. Hanul clenched his teeth. "...Damn it." Kwon Hanul collapsed onto the ground, cursing under his breath. He lowered his head, trying to suppress his anger. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a weary voice. "...Before joining the Hyukcheon Group, I had to live my life constantly worrying about others'' opinions." He had been shackled by the annoying regulations imposed by the Hunter Association. He had to avoid the tyranny of the major guilds. He had to survive on meager earnings, scraping by day after day. "I thought that once I joined Hyukcheon, I¡¯d finally be free from everything. That I¡¯d be able to live on my own terms. But in reality, nothing has changed." Physically, life was much more comfortable. He now had access to luxuries he could never have even dreamed of before. But he was still looked down upon because of his origins. He was still forced to make choices against his will. He couldn¡¯t even get a straight answer about his own father. "This life is a goddamn joke." Just then, a towel touched his face. Joo Hayun gently wiped the sweat trickling down Hanul¡¯s face and spoke. "I¡¯m sorry." But in truth, she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong. "As time passes, things like this will only happen more often. Many people will either want you... or try to break you." "That sounds absolutely delightful," Hanul scoffed sarcastically. "There is only one way for you to live the life you desire." "And that is?" "You must reach the summit." Hanul frowned. The summit? "Face those who seek to bind you. Crush them, break them, and make them kneel before you. If you become the sky above Hyukcheon itself... then you will be able to live as you wish." Hanul let out a dry laugh. The Hyukcheon Group was a behemoth¡ªan entity so massive it was called the ruler of East Asia. And she was telling him to rise to the very top of it? Was that even remotely realistic? "......" Joo Hayun patiently waited until Hanul finished processing his thoughts. "...Let¡¯s just go back for now," he finally said, getting to his feet. * * * That night, Hanul sat on his bed, staring at the Imoogi¡¯s Core resting in front of him. He was fully prepared to consume it. All his stats had reached B-rank, and his detoxification and poison resistance were at an acceptable level. Whether or not he could absorb the core wasn¡¯t even a question. "The summit of Hyukcheon, huh..." Joo Hayun had told him¡ªif he wanted to control his own fate, he had to become the sky above Hyukcheon. It wasn¡¯t impossible. Hyukcheon¡¯s Chairman, Kwon Seonwoo, had once promised him: "If you prove yourself with results, I¡¯ll even give you my position." It could have been a joke. But someone like Kwon Seonwoo¡ªthe ruler of Hyukcheon¡ªwas not the type to make empty promises. "And as for ability... I should have more than enough." Hanul possessed True Black Dragon Blood ¡ªas well as several other bloodlines. Why his lineage had turned into such a chaotic mix was something he would ponder later. "If I have these bloodlines, then it¡¯s possible." He had experienced their overwhelming power firsthand. "To challenge the peak of Hyukcheon, I need results." And the first step¡ªwould be making his debut in a Platinum Dungeon. "But if I go down this path, I¡¯ll become Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s enemy." To challenge the peak of Hyukcheon meant taking a different road than Chan-seong. And there was no way Chan-seong would tolerate that. Not just him¡ªevery pureblood in Hyukcheon would see Hanul as a threat. "If I follow Chan-seong, life will be easy." If Kwon Hyuk was the strongest candidate for Hyukcheon¡¯s next leader, then Kwon Chan-seong was the strongest candidate to be Hyuk¡¯s successor. Barring any major incidents, Chan-seong was destined to be the heir after next. Following him would mean gaining an unshakable backing and immense power. "This is insane." In truth, his mind had already made its decision. No matter how much he tried, the scales refused to tip in the other direction. "I must be out of my mind." He had always considered himself a rational, practical person. And he had lived accordingly. Instead of chasing dreams, he chose stability. Instead of gambling on the future, he secured the present. The peak of Hyukcheon? It sounded nice in theory. But in reality, the succession line was already half-determined. Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk and his sons were the ones set to inherit the throne. To claim the peak for himself, Hanul would have to challenge them¡ªdefeat them. On the other hand, if he submitted to Chan-seong, he could avoid such a treacherous path. A life of luxury and security would await him instead. He knew this all too well. And yet¡ª "Screw it. Let¡¯s see how far I can go." Hanul picked up the Imoogi¡¯s Core. And without hesitation¡ª He bit down. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 18 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 18: A Bloodline''s Resolve (1) Crunch. The Imoogi¡¯s Core shattered in his mouth, dissolving almost instantly. As it traveled down his throat and reached his stomach, a powerful surge of energy spread throughout his body. Hot? No, it was cold. So cold that it felt like burning heat. As expected, the Imoogi¡¯s Core was not something that would yield its power so easily. The poison surged through Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, attacking both his flesh and mind. However, Hanul¡¯s body wasn¡¯t weak either. He had built up poison resistance and detoxification abilities over time, using them as a shield to withstand the venom¡¯s assault. The poison, as if enraged by his resistance, intensified its attack. A thin line of blood trickled from Hanul¡¯s lips. ¡®From here on, this is my battle.¡¯ Would his stamina deplete first? Or would the poison surrender? From this point, it was a battle of willpower. ...That was unexpected. ¡®Huh.¡¯ Hanul hadn¡¯t anticipated that his bloodline would absorb the poison in real time. And not only that¡ªit even generated a new trait. Although it was inferior to ¡®Absolute Poison Immunity,¡¯ the ultimate poison resistance ability, ¡®Impervious to All Poisons¡¯ was still powerful enough to neutralize most toxins. <¡®Impervious to All Poisons¡¯ resists the venom!> If the Imoogi were still alive, it might have clicked its tongue in frustration. ¡®...So there really was something hidden inside.¡¯ Before Hanul could react, the malice began to stir. His vision turned red. Deep within, a surge of fury began to rise. Hanul clenched his teeth without realizing it. If it was this strong from the start, he needed to brace himself properly to endure it¡ª ...Or so he thought. His mind cleared, and his emotions calmed instantly. His mana moved instinctively, seeking out the dark energy hidden within the core¡¯s essence and incinerating it completely. Was it just his imagination, or did he hear the distant scream of a beast? ¡®That was easier than I expected.¡¯ Not that he was complaining. Less suffering was always a good thing. Feeling relieved, Hanul focused on fully absorbing the core¡¯s energy. The moment he reached A-rank, his body underwent a transformation. It felt as though everything melted away and was reconstructed anew. And that wasn¡¯t the end. His bloodlines stirred once more. ¡®Draconic Physique?¡¯ Hanul opened his status window. Trait: Draconic Physique Grade: Unique (SSS) Description: Grants the body of an Imoogi. He could feel the changes happening within him. His bones grew denser. His muscles hardened like tightly coiled steel wires. Clenching his fist, he immediately noticed it¡ªhis strength was now incomparable to before. And that wasn¡¯t all. The darkness in his room became clearer. Even in the absence of light, he could now see through the shadows. His senses had expanded significantly. The range of his perception now stretched far beyond the room, encompassing the entire mansion. He could feel the movements of the staff as if they were right next to him. ¡®...This is incredible.¡¯ The physical and sensory enhancements granted by the Draconic Physique were nothing short of astonishing. Genius Bloodline responded with its own improvements. It hadn¡¯t generated a new trait like Healthy Bloodline, but the enhancements were still substantial. ¡®I must be crazy. Draconic Physique alone is already incredible, and here I am expecting more.¡¯ Hanul chuckled at his own greed. And then¡ª ¡®Dragon Pearl?¡¯ He immediately checked his status window. Dragon Pearl Grade: Unique (S) Description: Enhances the power of a dragon. Upon completion, it will evolve into a ¡®Wish-Granting Pearl.¡¯ Hanul¡¯s gaze fixed on the term ¡®Wish-Granting Pearl.¡¯ An Imoogi becomes a true dragon upon obtaining this pearl. So, what would happen if Hanul, who had gained an Imoogi¡¯s body, acquired one? ¡®If I¡¯ve gained power, I should test it.¡¯ Standing in the center of his room, Hanul activated his Dragon Demon Energy. The energy surged through his mana circuit like a storm. The sheer force startled him. ¡®My mana circuits have changed along with my body.¡¯ If his previous mana circulation was akin to a regular road, his current one was a highway. The volume, speed, and intensity of his Dragon Demonic Energy had all reached unprecedented levels. Just as he was about to suppress it¡ª His power nearly doubled. For a moment, he lost control. A surge of uncontrollable energy exploded outward. The mansion trembled, and every window shattered instantly. ¡°Wh-What¡¯s happening?!¡±¡°An intruder! Contact the security team immediately!¡± Panicked shouts filled the air. Hanul rubbed his face with both hands and muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t live like this.¡± * * * Morning Joo Hayun arrived at the mansion where Kwon Hanul was staying. He had requested a meeting with the Chairman. However, something felt off today. Every window in the mansion was shattered. The staff, with dark circles under their eyes, were busy cleaning up the glass shards. Finding the situation strange, Joo Hayun made her way to Hanul¡¯s room. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m coming in.¡± After a soft knock, she opened the door. Hanul was sitting cross-legged on his bed. She paused. His presence was entirely different from yesterday. Yesterday, Hanul had been like a raging fire¡ªoverflowing with energy, restless and wandering. But today, he was like a tranquil lake. Calm, serene. Impossible to gauge, yet deeply stable. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here?¡± Hanul opened his eyes and looked at her. Joo Hayun smiled. ¡°Congratulations. It seems you¡¯ve gained quite the opportunity.¡± ¡°It was just the Core you gave me.¡± She was quietly astonished. No mere Core could cause this much change. ¡°Shall we go? The Chairman will see you at 10:30¡ªexactly for five minutes.¡± ¡°Harsh.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a busy man.¡± Hanul followed Joo Hayun to the Chairman¡¯s mansion. * * * As they stepped inside, they saw Kwon Seonwoo flipping through a mountain of paperwork. "I''m busy. My schedule is packed, so say what you need to and leave quickly¡ª" Seonwoo, who had been speaking at a rapid pace, suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He glanced over Kwon Hanul and then picked up his phone. "It''s me. Cancel all my appointments for the next hour." After hanging up, Seonwoo gestured toward a seat. "Sit." As soon as Hanul sat down on the sofa, Seonwoo got straight to the point. "What happened in just one day? How could you have changed so much?" Even though they hadn¡¯t seen each other in months, Seonwoo specifically said ¡°one day.¡± It was clear that he had been receiving regular reports on Hanul. "I consumed the Imoogi¡¯s Core." "...You actually found a way to consume it? How did you manage that?" "It was all thanks to the Black Dragon Blood." In truth, the combination of his Healthy Bloodline and Genius Bloodline had made the absorption effortless, but he couldn¡¯t reveal that. Instead, he offered a plausible excuse. "So True Blood has such a function... It seems I''ll have to revise my assessment." It felt like a misunderstanding had taken root, but Hanul saw no need to correct it. "Absorbing a Core means... am I right in thinking what I think I am?" "Yes. I want my debut battle to be in a Platinum Dungeon." For a brief moment, Seonwoo''s eyes gleamed. "I did set that condition myself... but I never thought you''d actually fulfill it." "You haven¡¯t forgotten our bet, have you?" "Hah, that only applies if you actually clear the Platinum Dungeon." Seonwoo scoffed. "Don''t get ahead of yourself. Clearing a Platinum-tier dungeon solo is no easy feat. Compared to that, meeting the requirement is just child''s play." "Well, we¡¯ll just have to see, won¡¯t we? But no matter how I look at it, the reward doesn''t seem fair." "What do you mean?" "A single pass to the Hyukcheon Treasury in exchange for clearing a Platinum-tier dungeon? You should be offering something much more substantial." Seonwoo looked puzzled, as if further explanation was needed. "Grant me the right to form a team." "A team? You¡¯re not seriously..." Forming a team meant stepping into the public eye and expanding his influence. Seonwoo''s tone carried disbelief. "Are you planning to reject Chan-seong¡¯s proposal?" So he knew that much already. The old snake. Hanul continued. "A True Blood can''t serve under a Pure Blood, can they?" "If you form a team, you''ll end up clashing with Chan-seong. No¡ªevery Pure Blood will see you as an enemy." "I''m aware of that. I''m asking you anyway." Seonwoo stared at Hanul for a long moment before breaking into a faint smile. "This is where you''re different from your father. Fine. If you clear the Platinum Dungeon, I''ll give you what you want." "And there''s one more thing I''d like to ask." "If you add any more conditions, I¡¯ll be the one getting the short end of the stick." "Tell me about my father." Seonwoo''s smile disappeared instantly. "I could tell you." An unexpected answer. "But only if you bring me results worthy of it." "So, the Platinum Dungeon¡ª" "That alone won¡¯t be nearly enough." Seonwoo''s voice turned cold. "Bring back an achievement so great that no one can deny you. Then, and only then, I''ll tell you about your father." Before Hanul could respond, Seonwoo gestured toward the door. "Leave now. I don¡¯t have any more time to waste on you." Hanul felt dissatisfied, but he knew there was no convincing Seonwoo at the moment. "I''ll be going, then." After a brief bow, he stepped outside. As soon as Hanul left, Seonwoo picked up his phone again. "It''s me. Cheon''s son has decided to make his debut in a Platinum Dungeon. Find a suitable one for him." Seonwoo spoke slowly, deliberately. "There will be plenty of people trying to interfere. Should we stop them? No, of course not. Let them be." He gazed out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. "If we really want to see his true worth, we have to test him properly, don¡¯t we?" As soon as Hanul stepped out of the chairman¡¯s office, he spotted Kwon Chan-seong leaning against the wall. "I''m disappointed in you, little cousin." "Don''t tell me you were eavesdropping?" "Don¡¯t get the wrong idea. My hearing is just sharp. I couldn¡¯t help but hear it." Chan-seong shrugged off the accusation with a casual excuse. "I was willing to be generous, you know. And yet, my little cousin disregards my goodwill like this?" He flashed a faint smile, but his eyes were anything but friendly. "I must have told you multiple times what my answer would be." "And yet, your potential is so enticing that I still wanted to claim you for myself." Chan-seong pushed himself off the wall and slowly approached. "Do you know, little cousin? Kids can be incredibly possessive. When they want a toy, they''ll do whatever it takes to get it." A quiet, oppressive aura leaked from Chan-seong, making Hanul¡¯s skin prickle. "But do you know what happens when they can''t have it? They break it¡ªjust to make sure no one else can have it either." The pressure around him grew stronger, as if invisible blades were pressing against his skin from all directions. "Are you ready to end up like that, little cousin?" Hanul grinned. A smile filled with layered meanings. Until yesterday, he hadn''t even grasped how vast Chan-seong¡¯s presence was. But now, he saw it clearly. He understood the limits of this so-called "great" man. "Breaking a toy just because you can''t have it? What a spoiled little brat. And do you know how you''re supposed to deal with brats like that?" "Oh? And how¡¯s that?" "You give them a good smack on the ass to teach them a lesson." Chan-seong''s eyes widened for a moment¡ªbefore he burst into laughter. It was the kind of laugh one would give while watching a puppy play. No matter how loudly the puppy barked, it would never be a threat. Yes, they were all the same. The Hyukcheon Bloodline always looked down on him like that. They all thought they could crush him underfoot. Chan-seong would be no different. Hanul would make sure of it. When that time came, what kind of expression would Chan-seong have? Suppressing the twisted grin forming on his lips, Hanul turned to leave. "You''re right. Brats do need discipline." "Then, if you¡¯ll excuse me." Without another glance, Hanul walked past him and disappeared. Chan-seong, who had been laughing for a while, finally took out his phone and made a call. "It''s me. Find out which Platinum Dungeon my dear little cousin is going to debut in." After a brief pause, he added, "Oh, and cut off a couple of Eclipse¡¯s tentacles while you''re at it. No, make it two." Once he got his answer, he ended the call and chuckled to himself. "My little cousin is quite entertaining. Now, let¡¯s see... will the toy break first? Or will the brat get spanked first?" [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 19 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 19: A Bloodline''s Resolve (2) The debut battle schedule was set within just a week. Kwon Hanul boarded a private jet to scout the dungeon in advance. ¡°The newly discovered dungeon is located inside Bomunsan, in the Daejeon region of South Korea.¡± Inside the airborne jet, Joo Hayun provided a brief overview of the dungeon. ¡°Bomunsan? That¡¯s a real place?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a small mountain in Daejeon. It¡¯s not particularly famous, so it¡¯s understandable if you haven¡¯t heard of it.¡± As Kwon Hanul listened, he kept adjusting his tie in front of a full-length mirror. Was this how it was supposed to look? Wearing a suit for the first time in his life felt incredibly awkward. ¡°Based on the monsters that have escaped, we suspect that the dungeon is a Karankula nest.¡± ¡°Those things are nasty. They¡¯re monsters that constantly multiply around a central queen.¡± ¡°You¡¯re well-informed. If left unchecked, they could easily consume an entire city in no time.¡± It was fitting for a Platinum-ranked dungeon. The caliber of the monsters was on a different level. Yet, at that moment, the real enemy wasn¡¯t the Karankula¡ªit was the tie. Struggling to adjust it, Kwon Hanul asked, ¡°If it¡¯s Karankula, then the dungeon must be a network of burrows, right?¡± ¡°Yes, and that¡¯s what makes exterminating them so difficult. The tunnels are vast enough for a single person to move around freely, but...¡± ¡°But too cramped for proper combat.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°I picked up a few things while working as a Hunter.¡± Joo Hayun tilted her head slightly, puzzled. His knowledge seemed a bit too detailed to be just ¡®picked up.¡¯ ¡°By the way, is it really necessary to wear this suit? It¡¯s ridiculously uncomfortable.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible. It was tailored specifically to your measurements, using Arakne silk for flexibility and even temperature control¡ª¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant... It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve never worn something like this before. It feels unnatural.¡± This was his first time ever wearing a suit. He had never needed to before. He¡¯d always lived in worn-out t-shirts and faded jeans. A suit felt like an alien concept. For the first time, he truly understood the phrase "clothes that don¡¯t fit." ¡°The black suit is the symbol of the Hyukcheon family. In official settings, it is mandatory attire.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. ¡°A family symbol? A black suit? Who even decided that?¡± ¡°The first head of the family.¡± Kwon Hanul made up his mind. Once he reached the top of Hyukcheon, the first thing he¡¯d do was abolish the suit from the family¡¯s traditions. For now, he continued fumbling with his tie. After several failed attempts, he finally got it right. ¡°Got it!¡± He instinctively raised his arms in victory. No matter how many times he¡¯d tried before, he hadn¡¯t been able to get the shape just right¡ªuntil now. Kwon Hanul turned to Joo Hayun, clearly eager to show off. She let out a brief chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re skilled at so many things, yet you struggle with something like this.¡± She stepped in closer, reaching for his tie. Then, with practiced hands, she untied and retied it properly. Kwon Hanul stiffened slightly. As he looked down, he caught a glimpse of her neatly styled hair and the pale swirl of her cowlick. A faint, pleasant scent lingered in the air. Feeling oddly flustered, he turned his head away. For a while, only the sound of the tie being adjusted filled the space. Once she finished, Joo Hayun lightly patted his chest and said, ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll handle your tie for you.¡± ¡°I should probably practice doing it myself.¡± Kwon Hanul scratched the bridge of his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°We should be arriving soon. When we reach the dungeon, you¡¯ll meet the site administrators first.¡± ¡°Are they also from the Hyukcheon Group?¡± At his question, Joo Hayun smiled in a way that was strangely playful. It was surprising¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected her to make that kind of expression. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± * * * He got his answer as soon as they arrived at the airport. ¡°Welcome! We appreciate your efforts in coming here!¡± A group of people had gathered to greet them. And Kwon Hanul recognized them well. ¡°From now on, Iron Fang will be assisting you, Kwon Hanul!¡± Iron Fang. A guild with a rather... complicated history with him. They had once tried to pin the blame for a dungeon failure on him, only for Joo Hayun to intervene and shut them down. A luxury limousine sped down the highway. Inside, three people were seated. Kwon Hanul, Joo Hayun, and... ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline!¡± The guild master of Iron Fang. He was a stout, pot-bellied man¡ªthe kind of figure you¡¯d expect to see running a neighborhood barbecue joint rather than leading a Hunter guild. Yet, despite his unimpressive appearance, he had once been a formidable Hunter, earning the nickname "Iron Fang" after taking down countless monsters. ¡°Just as the rumors say¡ªyou¡¯re remarkably dignified and handsome, almost radiant!¡± And yet, this so-called Iron Fang was now showering Kwon Hanul with flattery. It was surreal enough that Kwon Hanul leaned toward Joo Hayun and whispered, ¡°Why is a major guild like Iron Fang going out of their way to do this?¡± Iron Fang wasn¡¯t just overseeing the Platinum-ranked dungeon. They were also tasked with Kwon Hanul¡¯s security, accommodations, training grounds, and anything else needed for his debut battle. The Hyukcheon Group was powerful, but even then, it seemed extreme for South Korea¡¯s number-one guild to go this far. ¡°Kwon Hanul, there isn¡¯t a single guild in the world that can refuse an order from the Hyukcheon Group.¡± Not a request. An order. The sheer arrogance of the statement was enough to make him scoff¡ªbut at the same time, it made sense. Given Hyukcheon¡¯s status, this wasn¡¯t an impossible scenario. ¡°Besides, from Iron Fang¡¯s perspective, having Hyukcheon handle the Platinum-ranked dungeon is a blessing.¡± A dungeon of this caliber was a major issue¡ªone that even a large guild like Iron Fang would struggle to manage alone. ¡°So it¡¯s a matter of risk and reward.¡± ¡°Even if there were no benefits, Iron Fang has no choice but to obey.¡± ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Because Hyukcheon has already intervened in your affairs once before.¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. That explained their submissive attitude. ¡°Is your seat comfortable? We did our best to accommodate you, but if there¡¯s anything lacking...¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine.¡± He reassured the guild master. Yet, the man kept glancing at him nervously. The reason was obvious. ¡°Kwon Hanul, I apologize for bringing this up upon our first meeting, but...¡± Suddenly, the guild master threw himself to the floor, prostrating in the spacious limousine. ¡°I beg for your forgiveness on behalf of Iron Fang!¡± Even though Hyukcheon had already dealt with them, it felt too easy to just let them off the hook. On the other hand, picking a fight before his debut battle wasn¡¯t ideal either. After some thought, he responded, ¡°I¡¯ll decide based on Iron Fang¡¯s behavior moving forward.¡± The guild master¡¯s face turned deathly pale. Kwon Hanul suppressed a smirk. ¡°Kwon Hanul, you really are... quite mean,¡± Joo Hayun whispered beside him. He merely shrugged, feigning innocence. ¡°That is the gate to the Platinum-ranked dungeon.¡± Slightly off the main trail of Bomunsan. Between the trees, a massive, floating circular gate loomed in the air. Strangely, the gate was entirely made of platinum. The brilliant white light reflecting off it was almost blinding. Around the gate, heavily armed hunters stood on high alert. They were members of the Iron Fang Guild. ¡°What about the monsters that escaped from the gate?¡± ¡°We took care of them. Iron Fang handled the hunt, and we have the corpses in our possession... Do you need them?¡± ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary.¡± I¡¯ll be taking down plenty inside anyway. A few stragglers won¡¯t make a difference. ¡°Have there been many cases of Karankula hatchlings escaping from the dungeon?¡± ¡°There were frequent incidents early on, but none recently.¡± The guild master¡¯s response made Kwon Hanul pause. ¡°None recently, you say?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Did you send a raid party inside?¡± ¡°No way! Iron Fang would never interfere with a Hyukcheon operation!¡± The Iron Fang Guild Master frantically shook his head, his panic evident¡ªfearful of even the slightest misunderstanding. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying no one has entered the gate?¡± ¡°Yes! That¡¯s right!¡± Kwon Hanul silently observed the guild master. The man gulped nervously under the scrutiny. Then, Kwon Hanul smiled faintly. ¡°Still, it¡¯s a relief that no Karankula hatchlings have escaped.¡± ¡°I think so too. Ha ha ha.¡± The guild master went on to explain various things¡ªhow Iron Fang was in charge of the Bomunsan area, and how they had a special unit ready to assist Kwon Hanul in case of emergencies. But Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t interested in any of that. Walking alongside the guild master, he whispered to Joo Hayun, ¡°The Iron Fang Guild did something to the dungeon.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. As if Iron Fang would dare defy Hyukcheon...¡± ¡°They wouldn¡¯t act alone. There¡¯s no benefit for them. Whoever¡¯s behind this... someone must be helping them.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s face hardened. There was no need to ask who. The prime suspect had to be a pureblood from the Hyukcheon clan. ¡°How did you figure that out so quickly?¡± ¡°When I questioned him earlier, his heart rate spiked.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± Joo Hayun looked genuinely shocked. Hunters had sharper senses than normal people, but hearing a heartbeat from a distance? ¡°My ears are... a little special.¡± It was thanks to the Draconic Sensory Perception he had acquired from the Imoogi¡¯s remnants. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it.¡± ¡°Alright. Do what you need to. Just give me half a day,¡± Joo Hayun replied in a low voice. Just then, the Iron Fang Guild Master¡¯s phone rang. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What? A Gold-tier dungeon? In Daejeon? We¡¯re already short on manpower... Just secure the perimeter for now!¡± The guild master turned toward them and bowed repeatedly. ¡°I deeply apologize. Something urgent has come up... Would it be alright if I step away?¡± ¡°A Gold-tier dungeon, you said?¡± ¡°Yes! Our people on-site can¡¯t handle it alone... I need to take care of this immediately.¡± ¡°Perfect timing. I needed a warm-up.¡± The guild master looked at Kwon Hanul in disbelief. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to help, that would be¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go in alone.¡± The guild master¡¯s expression went blank. ¡°Haha... Kwon Hanul, you must¡¯ve misheard me. This isn¡¯t just any dungeon. A Gold-tier dungeon just appeared.¡± ¡°I heard you.¡± ¡°But... you¡¯re saying you¡¯ll enter alone?¡± ¡°Before an official debut, it¡¯s standard practice to clear other dungeons to gain experience and warm up.¡± A debut meant proving one¡¯s strength by solo-clearing a dungeon. Even for the Hyukcheon bloodline, this was no easy feat. That¡¯s why it was customary to start with dungeons at least two ranks lower for practice. ¡°O-Of course! That¡¯s why Iron Fang prepared several training dungeons as per Hyukcheon¡¯s instructions! But the guideline clearly states they should be two tiers below...¡± Training was just that¡ªtraining. It wasn¡¯t meant to push one¡¯s limits. Which meant the practice dungeon had to be at least two tiers lower than the debut dungeon. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is that a Gold-tier dungeon would be too much for me?¡± ¡°N-No! Not at all! You¡¯re even planning to challenge a Platinum-tier dungeon! But... what if you get injured before your debut...¡± If that happened, Iron Fang would be to blame. And the way Hyukcheon would retaliate was obvious. Then, as if struck by inspiration, the guild master snapped his fingers. ¡°Ah! Before your Platinum-tier challenge, didn¡¯t you ask us to secure practice dungeons? We¡¯ve got a few in Daejeon! Three Bronze-tier and one Silver-tier¡ª¡± ¡°At this rate, I might just lose my patience.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s words made the guild master stiffen. ¡°You should hurry up and lead the way.¡± Hearing that, the guild master¡¯s shoulders slumped in resignation. * * * ¡°This is it...¡± The guild master weakly gestured toward the road. A golden ring floated above the black asphalt, shimmering with an eerie light. Standing before it, Kwon Hanul rolled his shoulders, loosening up. The guild master looked increasingly anxious. ¡°A-Are you really going in alone? Perhaps you should take some of our hunters with you¡ª¡± ¡°See you soon.¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t even acknowledge him. Without hesitation, he threw himself into the golden ring. ¡®Damn it! That arrogant brat!¡¯ The guild master cursed silently. ¡®Just because he¡¯s aiming for a Platinum-tier dungeon, he thinks Gold-tier will be easy?¡¯ Having the strength to take down a lion didn¡¯t mean a hyena wasn¡¯t dangerous. Even veteran hunters who had conquered Gold-tier dungeons many times could die in a Silver-tier if they let their guard down. And he was going in unprepared? ¡®If he gets hurt, Iron Fang will take all the blame!¡¯ And if he died? The thought alone was terrifying. As he furiously cursed Kwon Hanul in his head, the guild master suddenly glanced at the woman standing nearby. Even a man who had sworn lifelong devotion to his wife couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to her beauty. ¡®Why isn¡¯t she worried? Why isn¡¯t she stopping him?¡¯ As the guild master was about to start cursing again¡ª ¡°You¡¯re back sooner than I expected.¡± The woman spoke suddenly. The guild master blinked in confusion and turned toward the gate. The golden ring was dissolving into dust. The dungeon had been cleared. ¡°Wha... Wha...?¡± As the dust settled, only one figure remained. Kwon Hanul stood there, holding up the severed head of a monster the size of a small car. ¡°Yeah... That was tougher than I thought.¡± The guild master checked his watch. Not even ten minutes had passed. Unbelievable. He barely managed to keep himself from collapsing. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 20 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 20: A Bloodline''s Resolve (3) Silver-Rank Dungeon A place where only raid teams of five or more, including first-rate hunters, are permitted entry. A battle was unfolding within. "Chwirarararak!" Monstrous beings with pig-like heads and sickly greenish-blue skin charged forward, letting out ferocious cries. Their thick, muscular bodies and crude axes, forged from shattered ore, exuded a chilling menace. Man-eating Orcs. Monsters known for their relentless fighting spirit, wild nature, and bodies as hard as steel. Even experienced hunters avoided them due to their ferocity, yet here they came¡ªdozens of them, surging forward. And into their midst, someone leaped. Alone. Without even proper equipment. Anyone could predict the outcome¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a metaphor; he would literally be trampled and torn apart by the horde of orcs. Yet, the scene that followed was the complete opposite. With a single kick, the man''s foot struck an orc¡¯s head, sending it flying. The orcs¡¯ eyes turned blood-red at the sight of their fallen kin. "Chwirarararak!" "Chwirururak!" There was no monster more dangerous than an enraged orc. With their numbers in the dozens, the threat required no further explanation. Weapons raised, the orcs rushed at their foe. ¡°......Hoo.¡± The man who had charged into the fray, Kwon Hanul, took a deep breath. Oxygen filled his lungs and coursed through his bloodstream, spreading throughout his body. The primal instincts of a dragon and the calculated reasoning of a genius intertwined. Inside his mind, the orcs¡¯ movements became clear, as if he were viewing himself from a third-person perspective. One by one, starting with the nearest enemy. Each time Kwon Hanul moved, another orc fell lifeless. Each punch shattered a skull. Each kick snapped a spine. His five fingers crushed throats with ease. With swift and efficient movements, Kwon Hanul reaped the lives of the orcs, resembling a predator among a flock of helpless sheep. A shadow of fear crept across the surviving orcs¡¯ faces. The orcs, infamous for their unwavering combativeness, turned and fled. ¡®Ten more left!¡¯ Chasing after them, Kwon Hanul shouted in his mind. * * * ¡®Amazing.¡¯ Watching from a distance, Joo Hayun marveled at Kwon Hanul¡¯s battle prowess. ¡®Every single move is aimed directly at a vital point. It¡¯s as if he already knows exactly where to strike.¡¯ Despite being inside a dungeon, Joo Hayun had not drawn her weapon or taken any defensive measures. That was how flawlessly Kwon Hanul was handling the orcs. ¡®And his combat flow is calculated. Even against this many orcs, he hasn¡¯t taken a single hit.¡¯ At first glance, it seemed as though he was fighting wildly, surrendering to his primal instincts. His movements were aggressive and unrelentingly violent. But Joo Hayun saw through it. Kwon Hanul moved before the orcs even had a chance to attack. He dodged first. He struck first. He defended first. He countered first. Such precise movements were only possible if he could read and predict every action his opponents would take. ¡®And the most astonishing part... he¡¯s not using any magic at all.¡¯ Kwon Hanul was overwhelming the orcs using nothing but his physical abilities. Not a single trace of magic had been used. ¡®Is that even possible?¡¯ After consuming a Core, all of Kwon Hanul¡¯s stats had reached rank A. A rank signified true superhuman status. Against orcs, sheer physical ability alone should be enough to dominate. ¡®But against an entire horde? That¡¯s another story.¡¯ No matter how skilled a fighter, one person couldn¡¯t overpower ten at once, just as one hand couldn¡¯t block ten strikes. And orcs were known for their pack mentality. Even for a hunter with all stats at rank A, facing a horde of orcs without magic was an incredibly difficult feat. Yet, Kwon Hanul made it possible with near-divine foresight and an unparalleled tactical view of the battlefield. This wasn¡¯t the first time he had imposed such restrictions on himself. He had done the same in countless practice dungeons before this. And with each dungeon he conquered, his combat abilities only grew sharper. Like a driver gradually adapting to a newly purchased sports car. ¡®If he were to fight at full power...¡¯ Without a doubt, clearing even a Platinum-Rank dungeon would be as effortless as stepping over a doorstep. * * * ¡°Hoo.¡± A deep exhale filled the air. The battle had already ended. It had taken less than five minutes to deal with all the orcs. ¡°Surely, watching this wasn¡¯t entertaining enough to be worth following me in here.¡± ¡°No, it was an impressive display of combat.¡± ¡°You¡¯re just flattering me now.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke with an awkward smile. Despite his usual composure, which at times bordered on shamelessness, he was oddly susceptible to compliments. ¡°Let¡¯s head back quickly.¡± As if trying to hide his embarrassment, Kwon Hanul took the lead. That evening, Kwon Hanul was resting in the suite of a hotel prepared by Iron Fang. Iron Fang had cleared out the entire top floor for his exclusive use, ensuring he could enjoy the space without any disturbances. ¡°I must be straining Iron Fang¡¯s finances quite a bit.¡± ¡°As a member of the Hyukcheon Bloodline, you deserve far more than this.¡± At Joo Hayun¡¯s response, Kwon Hanul let out a bitter chuckle. Perhaps it was because of his origins, or because he hadn¡¯t been part of the Hyukcheon Bloodline for long, but he still hadn¡¯t fully adjusted to this kind of treatment. ¡°So, did you look into what I asked?¡± ¡°Yes, I was just about to report on that.¡± Joo Hayun opened a folder, pulling out several photographs and a tablet. ¡°These are images captured by surveillance cameras on the Bomon Mountain hiking trail three days ago.¡± The camera quality was poor, but the contents were still discernible. ¡°If you look here, you¡¯ll see members of Iron Fang¡¯s guild transporting something.¡± Dozens of Iron Fang guild members were pushing a large cart, which was covered with a massive cloth. ¡°What is this?¡± Without a word, Joo Hayun played a video on the tablet. The grainy footage showed Iron Fang guild members struggling to push the cart. Then it happened. The cloth suddenly fluttered, and one of the guild members was sucked into the cart. Moments later, the cart trembled violently as blood sprayed out. ¡°Though we can¡¯t be completely certain... the cargo in that cart appears to be¡ª¡± ¡°The tentacle of an Eclipse.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened at Kwon Hanul¡¯s swift deduction. Given the poor resolution and frame rate, only a few blurry frames of the Eclipse¡¯s tentacle dragging the guild member in were visible. Even Joo Hayun had needed to slow the playback and concentrate to identify it. ¡°You recognized it right away.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen them enough times to take a guess.¡± ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right. The cart contained an Eclipse¡¯s tentacle.¡± The blood of Eclipse possesses the ability to forcibly subjugate and mutate monsters. It seems likely that Kwon Chan-seong deliberately inserted Eclipse''s tentacle with that in mind. Mutation. Kwon Hanul stroked his chin, recalling how powerful the legion of monsters that followed Eclipse was. He had briefly read a newspaper article that condemned the sheer terror they instilled. "If Karankula consumed Eclipse''s tentacle..." "By now, the interior of the dungeon must have turned into a horrifying lair." Karankula was already deemed highly dangerous, and now it had devoured Eclipse''s tentacle? "This dungeon has likely surpassed the threat level of a Platinum-tier dungeon. It might even be at the Diamond level." Joo Hayun spoke with concern. "Lord Kwon Hanul, this dungeon is too dangerous. You should inform the Chairman and find a new dungeon." "Do you really think the Chairman is unaware of this?" At Kwon Hanul''s words, Joo Hayun fell silent. "...He probably already knows." "Exactly. There''s no way the Chairman of Hyukcheon wouldn''t be aware of something like this. He must have known and chosen to ignore it." During their first meeting, Kwon Sunwoo had said: Treasure never loses its value, no matter the circumstances. Given his philosophy, wouldn''t he expect Hanul to overcome such a minor scheme? "If I expose this and opt for a different dungeon... the Chairman will surely be disappointed. He wouldn¡¯t even spare me another glance." That would mean losing the foundation needed for growth. Like it or not, surviving within Hyukcheon required the Chairman¡¯s support. "I will proceed with the Platinum dungeon as planned." Joo Hayun''s face darkened. She looked as if she wanted to dissuade him. Hanul shrugged. "I boldly claimed I would reach the pinnacle of Hyukcheon. I can¡¯t afford to be scared of a few spiders that gnawed on an octopus tentacle." There was another reason. Competitiveness and conviction. He possessed the True Black Dragon''s blood. There was no way he would cower before something as insignificant as a tentacle. "But as it stands, the risks outweigh the rewards." Regardless, from Hanul¡¯s perspective, this was an unpleasant situation. "Since I¡¯m already taking on the challenge, I might as well raise the stakes. Make a call for me." "To whom?" "To Kwon Chan-seong hyung." Joo Hayun''s eyes widened slightly. She dialed the number on the suite¡¯s wireless phone and handed it to Hanul. After a few rings, the call connected. "Hyung, how have you been?" -Hanul? How did you get my number? "I asked Hayun." -Ah, right. Hayun is with you. What¡¯s the occasion for this sudden call? Hanul carefully chose his words. In moments like this, being direct was best. "I see you¡¯ve been playing some interesting tricks with the Platinum dungeon where I plan to debut." Silence. -...Oh? You figured that out? Faster than I expected. Though he feigned composure, his response was slightly delayed. A smirk crept onto Hanul¡¯s lips. Chan-seong probably never expected to be caught off guard like this. -Now that you know, let me give you a piece of advice. You should abandon that dungeon. "Because you placed Eclipse¡¯s tentacle inside?" -... A second silence. This one was shorter. -Opening the gift box I had prepared ahead of time... You¡¯re no fun today, little cousin. Chan-seong let out a brief complaint. -So, did you call to confront me about it? "Would that change anything?" -True. You¡¯re sharp as always. Chan-seong chuckled over the phone. -Can I offer you a bit of advice? If you¡¯re considering backing out¡ª "I have no such intention, so don¡¯t waste your breath." Hanul cut him off before he could even suggest it. "I will proceed with my debut in this Platinum dungeon as planned." -Little cousin, no offense, but are you drunk? "No, I¡¯m perfectly sober." Hanul leaned back in his chair, speaking more comfortably. "The Chairman once told me that treasure never loses its value, no matter the circumstances." The moment he heard that, Hanul immediately understood what kind of person Kwon Sunwoo was. "There¡¯s no way the Chairman didn¡¯t foresee this. He must have known and let it happen." The assignment given to him likely included dealing with unexpected disasters like this. If he were to back out now due to such a disaster? "The Chairman would be gravely disappointed in me and would never take interest in me again." Not necessarily a bad outcome. "On the other hand, if I complete this task, he will place even greater expectations on me." Kwon Sunwoo was not a petty man. If he recognized the value of treasure, he would do whatever it took to nurture it. -That¡¯s true. But little cousin, do you really think it¡¯s possible? "The only way to know is to try." -I willingly used two of Eclipse¡¯s tentacles for this dungeon. "I¡¯m aware." -You think you can clear Karankula¡¯s nest, after it consumed Eclipse¡¯s tentacle, all by yourself? I acknowledge your skills, but it¡¯s impossible. "Last time, you underestimated me and lost, if I recall correctly." Chan-seong laughed again. -That day, I saw everything you had to offer with my own eyes. During his battle against Lee Pilseung, Hanul had pushed himself to the limit. Chan-seong had observed the entire fight from start to finish. -I assessed your skills perfectly and made my plans accordingly. There¡¯s no way you can clear this dungeon. "I¡¯m not the same person I was back then." -Are you referring to consuming the Imoogi¡¯s Core? I¡¯ve never had one myself, but I¡¯ve taken similar elixirs. I can guess exactly how much stronger you¡¯ve gotten. "How can you be so sure?" -Let me ask you in return. Do you really think I¡¯d misjudge your abilities and growth? Hanul didn¡¯t hesitate. "That¡¯s unlikely." Kwon Chan-seong wasn¡¯t just any hunter. He had slain the SS-rank Eclipse and was one of the world¡¯s top-ranked hunters. There was no way such a skilled individual had miscalculated. If anything, he had probably gauged Hanul¡¯s abilities with pinpoint accuracy. -I guarantee it. You won¡¯t clear that dungeon. Perhaps Chan-seong was right. If Hanul wasn¡¯t of True Bloodline. And if another bloodline didn¡¯t exist. "Then how about a wager?" -Why would I bet with someone who¡¯s about to die? "You never know how things might turn out." Chan-seong burst into laughter. It was the same chuckle Hanul had heard before. The sound of someone entertained by a puppy¡¯s antics, yet looking down on it. Hanul clenched his fist and asked, "If I clear the dungeon, what will you give me?" -If that happens, I¡¯ll hand over one of my prized treasures. What do you say? "Are you serious?" -I¡¯ve never broken a promise in my life. At that, Hanul grinned victoriously. "Then you¡¯ll have to keep your word." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 21 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 21: A Bloodline¡¯s Resolve (4) Two days later, the long-awaited debut battle had finally arrived. Kwon Hanul was in the midst of his final preparations for his challenge against the Platinum Dungeon. ¡°All set,¡± Joo Hayun announced. At her words, Kwon Hanul glanced down at himself. A suit of jet-black armor enveloped his entire body. The armor, crafted from what seemed to be overlapping Imoogi scales, exuded an undeniable sense of excellence. ¡°Master Blacksmith Park Tae-sik wanted me to pass along his apologies for only sending the armor,¡± Joo Hayun added. ¡°He¡¯s busy with work, isn¡¯t he? It can¡¯t be helped.¡± Not that he had any complaints. Even if he had, they would have vanished the moment he read the armor¡¯s description. Aryongtae ¨C The Molted Scales of a Young Dragon Grade: Legendary (A+) Description: A suit of armor forged from an Imoogi¡¯s heart and scales, combined with various rare metals. Abilities: Increases all stats by 20% when worn. Enhances mana efficiency by 20%. Boosts the power of all impact-based attacks by 20%. Absorbs up to 20% of external damage. Passively absorbs ambient mana to form an automatic Qi Barrier. With five powerful abilities, it was worthy of its A+ Legendary ranking¡ªprecisely the kind of equipment Kwon Hanul had hoped for. ¡°Master Park mentioned that he focused on maximizing mobility. Why don¡¯t you try moving around?¡± Kwon Hanul performed a few test movements. He raised both arms high and swung them side to side. He extended one leg straight up. None of it hindered his mobility in the slightest. Moreover, the armor felt incredibly light¡ªalmost like he was wearing nothing more than a thin layer of clothing. ¡°Incredible,¡± he muttered. ¡°An A+ Legendary-grade armor is a rare find, even within Hyukcheon,¡± Joo Hayun remarked. Starting off with such an artifact was no small stroke of luck. ¡°All that¡¯s left now is to clear the dungeon,¡± Kwon Hanul said, swinging his fists in the air. Joo Hayun, however, still looked uneasy. ¡°Why the worried face?¡± he asked. ¡°I feel like my words have put you in danger.¡± He blinked, momentarily confused, before realization dawned on him. ¡°You mean when you told me to challenge the peak of Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°So, you do remember.¡± ¡°Of course. But don¡¯t blame yourself for that. You only suggested it¡ªI made the decision. So don¡¯t let it weigh on you. Besides...¡± Kwon Hanul trailed off, casting a brief glance at his armor before speaking again. ¡°Even if you hadn¡¯t said anything, I would have ended up doing this sooner or later.¡± It wasn¡¯t a guess. It was a certainty. ¡°I¡¯ve been suffocating for too long.¡± Growing up as an orphan, Kwon Hanul had always been an outsider. It was difficult to blend in, yet all too easy to be cast aside. Even after learning the truth about his birth and joining the Hyukcheon family, his situation had remained unchanged. ¡°Really... it was stifling beyond words.¡± He suddenly became aware of Joo Hayun standing right next to him. When he looked down, he saw her hand gripping his. Unconsciously, he had clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. ¡°You¡¯re about to enter the dungeon. You shouldn¡¯t be harming yourself like this,¡± she said. Kwon Hanul exhaled and loosened his grip, shaking out his hands. ¡°Let¡¯s head out.¡± He stepped out of the container. Not far ahead, the gate to the Platinum Dungeon loomed. A mix of anticipation and tension swirled within him. Before stepping through, he glanced back. Joo Hayun stood there, holding a towel and a water bottle. ¡°See you later.¡± With those parting words, Kwon Hanul leaped into the gate. * * * Morning Kwon Chan-seong made his way to his grandfather¡¯s office. Kwon Seonwoo had summoned him, instructing him to arrive before lunch. What could this be about? With each step, a heavy feeling settled over him. An unshakable discomfort climbed up his throat. Kwon Seonwoo. Chairman of Hyukcheon Group. Head of the Hyukcheon family. To all those carrying Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline, Kwon Seonwoo was both revered and feared. That included Kwon Chan-seong, his father Kwon Hyuk, and his aunt Kwon Mi. ¡°I¡¯m coming in.¡± After a light knock, he opened the door. Inside, Kwon Seonwoo sat at his massive desk, buried in an avalanche of documents. Without even looking up, he spoke. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± Kwon Chan-seong felt an invisible weight press down on his shoulders. Immediately, he bowed. ¡°I trust you¡¯ve been well.¡± Anyone who knew Kwon Chan-seong would have been shocked by his demeanor. The self-assured, arrogant man of usual was nowhere to be seen. At this moment, he was as cautious as a man walking on a razor¡¯s edge. ¡°Sit.¡± Only after the Chairman gave his command did Kwon Chan-seong take a seat. ¡°Do you know why I called you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t,¡± he replied without hesitation. He had seen what happened to those who tried to predict the Chairman¡¯s intentions and failed. ¡°It¡¯s about Kwon Hanul.¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s expression flickered with surprise. This was unexpected. ¡°I hear he stirred up quite an interesting game in his Platinum Dungeon challenge.¡± ¡°I apologize.¡± Kwon Chan-seong immediately bowed his head. He had never imagined the Chairman would pay such close attention to Kwon Hanul. A grave miscalculation. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m not blaming you.¡± Relief washed over him. ¡°I simply wanted to ask¡ªdo you think he¡¯ll survive his debut battle?¡± Kwon Chan-seong answered without hesitation. ¡°Hanul will die today.¡± Amusement flickered in Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s eyes. ¡°And what makes you so sure?¡± ¡°Because I set the board to ensure it.¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s voice brimmed with confidence. The Chairman chuckled. His eyes widened. It had been a long time since he had seen the Chairman laugh. ¡°You¡¯re still just a brat.¡± The remark stung. ¡°Grandfather, my judgment¡ª¡± ¡°I get it. You have confidence in your own foresight. But remember¡ªnothing in this world is certain. What worked yesterday may not work today.¡± ¡°Then... do you believe Hanul will clear the dungeon?¡± ¡°That, I do not know.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s words were firm, contradicting his previous statement. Kwon Chan-seong hesitated. ¡°I just told you, didn¡¯t I? No one knows how things will turn out. However...¡± After a brief pause, the Chairman continued, ¡°My instincts tell me¡ªhe¡¯ll survive.¡± * * * Inside the Dungeon As soon as Kwon Hanul entered, he was met with a vast cavern, its scale reminiscent of a massive valley. Every inch of the towering walls was covered with swarming Karankula drones. ¡°For eating just two tentacles, this is a bit much, isn¡¯t it?¡± Even at a glance, there were hundreds of thousands of them. And they weren¡¯t just numerous. They were enormous. Karankula drones were typically the size of large dogs. But the ones before him rivaled tigers in sheer size. Worse yet, every single one of them exuded murderous intent, all directed at him. ¡°You¡¯re hungry, huh? Well, don¡¯t just stare¡ªcome get your meal.¡± The drones leaped from the walls all at once, darkening his vision. Then¡ª BOOM! The Karankula drones exploded in unison, and the world was bright once more. Dragon Aura. Simply unleashing his Dragon Aura had crushed them. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s first miscalculation: He had drastically underestimated Kwon Hanul¡¯s power. Synchronization Rate 10 ¡ú 12% Kwon Hanul''s heart pounded even harder. He could feel the rapid surge of blood coursing through his veins. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form Forceful Strike Technique: Bamboo Splitter He raised his leg high and slammed it down with full force. The ground cracked like a spiderweb. Immediately afterward, a massive explosion followed. The lingering presence of dragon energy wiped out the remaining Karankula workers entirely. ¡°Phew...¡± Kwon Hanul steadied his ragged breathing. The intense movement in such a short span had drained a significant amount of his stamina. Managing stamina during battle was crucial. But even knowing that, Kwon Hanul had pushed himself recklessly. Because¡ª <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ detects extreme movement!> By the time he took a deep breath once, twice, and finally a third time, all fatigue had vanished. Just like before the battle started, his entire body was brimming with energy. It was then¡ª A flurry of wing beats echoed from above. Looking up, he saw a swarm of Karankula Hummingbirds gathering. In unison, they fired their spikes. The elongated projectiles bombarded the spot where Kwon Hanul had just been standing. Kwon Hanul raised his leg and stomped down with all his might. The scattered remains of the Karankula workers lifted into the air. Then, with a swift kick, he sent the debris flying. Shards of armor imbued with dragon energy rained down upon the Karankula Hummingbirds. He continued hurling debris, forcing the hummingbirds to scatter in different directions. Then, he began to run. Scaling a wall, he climbed to their altitude, then propelled himself off the surface and into their midst. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form Continuous Strike Technique: Chaotic Onslaught Kwon Hanul¡¯s hands moved in a blur, intertwining in a frenzy. The Karankula Hummingbirds were torn apart, their bodies shredded. After confirming that they had been completely wiped out, he landed lightly on the ground. But the moment his feet touched the earth, massive creatures erupted from below. Karankula Soldiers. Monsters born for the sole purpose of exterminating intruders. Normally, they were about the size of a midsize car. But now¡ª They had grown to the scale of a low-rise building. And there were at least five of them. ¡°This... could probably bring down a whole building.¡± They were now several times larger than before. ¡°And they''ve even got weird pincers.¡± Not only that, their front limbs resembled those of a lobster, making them even more suited for combat. ¡ªScreeeech! One of the Karankula Soldiers lashed out at Kwon Hanul with its front limb. The attack was swift and precise, like a bee¡¯s sting. Yet, the force behind it was no joke. Kwon Hanul channeled his dragon energy into both hands. His palms looked as if they were stained with black ink. Ignoring the incoming attack, he lunged forward. The soldier¡¯s pincer struck Kwon Hanul¡¯s torso. At that moment, a black barrier formed on the surface of his armor. The pincer failed to penetrate it and was repelled backward. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s Miscalculation #2. He had underestimated the quality of Kwon Hanul¡¯s gear. In other words¡ª"gear advantage." <¡®Imoogi''s Limbs¡¯ resonates with ¡®Young Dragon¡¯s Molt¡¯!> <¡®Young Dragon¡¯s Molt¡¯ has been enhanced!> <¡®Young Dragon¡¯s Molt¡¯ gains a new special ability!> The dragon energy gathered in his hands thickened. Kwon Hanul drove his fist into the soldier¡¯s chest. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form Forceful Strike Technique: Iron Resonance Hammer A sound like a giant bell being struck echoed as the soldier¡¯s shoulder plate shattered. Its internal organs were pulverized along with it. With a single blow, the creature collapsed like a crumbling building. Using the wreckage as a foothold, Kwon Hanul leaped into the air. ¡ªScreeeech! Another soldier attempted to strike him with its pincer. But before it could, Kwon Hanul had already reached its underside. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form Forceful Strike Technique: Bone-Crushing Kick He twisted his body and delivered a vicious kick to its throat. His dragon energy-infused leg sliced through the air in a perfect arc. Crack. With a sharp sound, the soldier¡¯s head was sent flying. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t stop there. Stepping onto its shoulder, he ascended higher. And then, he stomped down with full force. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form Forceful Strike Technique: Thousand-Pound Hammer The soldier¡¯s body crumbled from the top down. By the time Kwon Hanul landed, only debris remained. The moment his feet hit the ground, he dashed forward. With every punch and kick imbued with dragon energy, dark traces lingered in the air. The remaining soldiers were reduced to fragments. Then¡ªKwon Hanul abruptly stopped. No enemies remained in sight. Looking back, he saw the battlefield littered with shattered remains. Was it over? Just as he found the battle underwhelming¡ª The ground quaked violently. As if an earthquake had struck, everything trembled. And then, monstrous figures emerged, tearing through the earth. They were similar in size to the soldiers, but their forms were completely different. They had humanoid limbs covered in an exoskeletal armor. Karankula Generals. Monsters with bodies so durable that even concentrated artillery fire from an army couldn¡¯t take them down. Only a few existed within the Karankula ranks. ¡°This won¡¯t work with the entry-level form.¡± The Black Dragon Ascension Art grew more powerful at higher levels. The entry form, which he had relied on so far, wouldn¡¯t be enough against the Karankula Generals. ¡°Perfect timing.¡± To properly wield an advanced form, one had to master the lower forms up to 10 Stars. Kwon Hanul had recently reached 10 Stars in the entry form. That meant he could now fully utilize the Basic Form. His stance shifted. His aura became even more ferocious. ¡ªScreeeeech! A Karankula General roared and charged at him. Synchronization Rate 12 ¡ú 14% Kwon Hanul shot forward, extending his fist straight from his waist. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Basic Form Collapsing Strike Technique: Spiral Wave His tightly clenched fist struck the general¡¯s abdomen. Dragon energy infiltrated its body, spiraling violently, destroying everything inside. With a deafening explosion, a gaping hole burst through the creature¡¯s back. The lifeless shell toppled over. Kwon Hanul moved deeper into the tunnels. There, he found the Karankula Queen¡ªnesting over a massive clutch of eggs. And with unwavering resolve, he raised his hand for the final strike. ¡°I will ascend to the peak of Hyukcheon.¡± With that unshakable conviction, his hand came down. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 22 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 22: Detected Conspiracy (1) It had been 30 minutes since Kwon Hanul entered the Platinum Dungeon. The guild master of Iron Fang anxiously watched the gate. ¡®He must be dead by now. There''s no way he survived. He has to be dead.¡¯ He desperately hoped that Kwon Hanul wouldn¡¯t return. It wasn¡¯t that he harbored any personal hatred toward the man. But if Kwon Hanul came back alive, the Iron Fang Guild would be in grave danger. ¡®Damn it. Why did I have to get dragged into this mess...?¡¯ A few days ago, a hunter from the Hyukcheon Group had paid a visit to Iron Fang. The hunter handed over a Tentacle of Eclipse and demanded that it be thrown into the Platinum Dungeon¡ªif the guild wished to protect itself. ¡®If they have internal conflicts, they should handle it themselves. Why drag me into it?¡¯ Iron Fang was the number one guild in South Korea, but that meant little on the world stage. Compared to Hyukcheon, which operated globally, Iron Fang was pathetically weak. If they got caught in the crossfire of Hyukcheon¡¯s internal struggles, the guild would be wiped out. However, refusing the hunter¡¯s demand meant immediate peril. With no choice, the guild master reluctantly complied. ¡®If Kwon Hanul dies... everything will be solved.¡¯ The Hyukcheon hunter had promised that if Kwon Hanul perished, the matter would be quietly buried. Whether that promise would be kept was a separate issue. The priority was making sure Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t return alive. If he did, everything Iron Fang had done would be exposed. And that would be the end of the guild. ¡®Please, please... I''m begging you!¡¯ Not only had they thrown the Tentacle of Eclipse, an SS-rank disaster-class entity, into a Platinum Dungeon¡ªa dungeon with city-scale destruction potential¡ªbut they had done so to ensure Kwon Hanul¡¯s demise. By all logic, there was no way he could have survived. Even so, the Iron Fang guild master couldn¡¯t shake his unease. "It''s taking longer than expected,¡± The woman standing beside him muttered to herself. The guild master glanced at her. As always, he found her beauty almost unreal¡ªso much so that even in this dire moment, she caught his eye. She gazed at the gate, her face full of concern. ¡®What''s their relationship?¡¯ The guild master pondered blankly before shaking his head. This wasn¡¯t the time to be distracted. Then¡ªit happened. The gate suddenly began to expand. What had been just large enough for a person to pass through quickly grew to the size of a passage fit for a massive warship. "A monster is coming through! Weapons ready!" "This one isn¡¯t like the others! We cannot let it reach the city!" Judging by the size of the gate, the creature attempting to escape was far beyond the initial Karakula worker-class monsters. The situation was critical. And yet, the guild master nearly let out a cheer. ¡®Yes! That bastard is dead!¡¯ If Kwon Hanul were alive, no monsters would be escaping the dungeon. The only explanation was that he had perished, and now the monsters had shifted their focus to the outside world. ¡®My guild is safe now!¡¯ But moments later, his expression turned to stone. "W-What...? H-Huh?!" It wasn¡¯t a monster that emerged from the gate. It was Kwon Hanul. Without hesitation, he reached back into the gate. With a forceful pull, he dragged out an enormous monster carcass. "Wh-what in the world...? T-That¡¯s a Karakula General! "Not just one¡ªthere¡¯s two of them?!" "W-Wait... isn''t that a Karakula Queen?!" "If the Queen is dead... then that means he wiped out the entire Karakula swarm..." The jaws of the Iron Fang guild members hung open. But no one was more shocked than the guild master himself. ¡®H-He¡¯s alive?! S-Sure, they say the Hyukcheon bloodline produces monsters, but... this is insane!¡¯ As the guild master stood there in horror, Kwon Hanul finished pulling out the last of the corpses. "Phew, that was heavy." He wiped sweat from his forehead as Joo Hayun approached and bowed her head. "I¡¯m relieved you made it back safely." "It wasn¡¯t that big of a deal." Kwon Hanul patted one of the monster corpses. "They¡¯re a bit banged up, but... we should be able to craft some decent gear from these, right?" "If we leave them to Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik, they won¡¯t just be decent¡ªthey¡¯ll be exceptional." Watching Kwon Hanul casually chat with Joo Hayun, the guild master fell into deep turmoil. He had spent his entire life building this guild. He couldn¡¯t just let it crumble like this. ¡®Should I launch a surprise attack? If I drive a blade into his heart, even a Hyukcheon bloodline monster should¡ª¡¯ His thoughts spiraled as rational judgment faded. Then, he suddenly realized¡ª Kwon Hanul was watching him. "You¡¯re thinking about something very interesting, aren¡¯t you?" A surge of pressure emanated from Kwon Hanul. Dark mana, as black as the abyss, engulfed the entire area. The sound of insects faded. The world fell into silence. It was not just overwhelming. It was absolute. The guild master¡¯s fighting spirit crumbled instantly. "Stop wasting time. Let¡¯s talk about what you¡¯ve done." He was screwed. The guild master felt his heart plummet. "Let¡¯s see... first, you interfered with a Hyukcheon Group operation." Kwon Hanul counted on his fingers. "Second, you introduced a classified hazardous object¡ªthe Tentacle of Eclipse¡ªinto the dungeon, nearly triggering a disaster." Another finger folded. "And lastly, you tried to have me, a Hyukcheon member, killed." With each statement, the guild master trembled. "Hayun, what¡¯s the standard punishment for this?" "They all have to die,¡± Joo Hayun stated firmly. "Threatening a Hyukcheon member carries a severe penalty. If you give the order, I will personally execute them." The guild master collapsed to his knees. "W-We were just following orders! A hunter from Hyukcheon came to us, a-and we had no choice...!" "And? What do you think, Hayun?" "They still have to die." Joo Hayun remained resolute. "Regardless of their reasons, their crimes are unforgivable." The faces of the Iron Fang members turned deathly pale. "Hmph." Kwon Hanul stroked his chin in thought. "Iron Fang and I had bad blood even before I joined Hyukcheon." The guild had once tried to pin a crime on him to protect their successor. Had Joo Hayun not intervened back then, things would have ended very differently. "And now, you¡¯ve again tried to get rid of me." No matter the circumstances, Iron Fang had wronged him twice. "I-It wasn¡¯t our choice! They threatened to wipe out our guild if we didn¡¯t cooperate...!" "So you weren¡¯t afraid of me?" The guild master¡¯s face went blank. "T-That¡¯s not what I meant...!" "Oh? So you figured, ¡®It¡¯s fine if this guy dies¡¯? That¡¯s what you thought, right?" "N-No, that¡¯s not it¡ª!" "Am I wrong?" Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice turned razor-sharp. The guild master clamped his mouth shut. "Fine. I¡¯ll spare your lives. And your guild." The guild master¡¯s eyes widened. "But if anything like this happens again, you will take my side. Understood?" "O-Of course! Absolutely!" The guild master nodded frantically while thinking¡ª ¡®I¡¯ll never deal with Hyukcheon again. Even if it means leaving Asia!¡¯ Kwon Hanul smiled knowingly. * * * "Why did you forgive them?¡± As soon as they arrived at the lodging, Joo Hayun asked. Kwon Hanul gave her a puzzled look. "I never forgave them." "But you let Iron Fang go unpunished." "Oh, that?" Kwon Hanul took off his jacket and spoke casually. "The one orchestrating all of this is Chan-seong. Iron Fang was just a pawn in his game." Destroying a dead piece wouldn''t change the outcome of the match. "Wouldn''t it be better if I took that piece and put it to good use instead?" Iron Fang might not compare to Hyukcheon Group, but being Korea¡¯s number-one guild was no small matter. If handled properly, he could use them to strike a heavy blow against Kwon Chan-seong. That was Kwon Hanul¡¯s reasoning. "Iron Fang''s guild master is not someone to be trusted. When the moment comes, he will betray you." "I know. That''s why I put a leash on him in advance." The ring Kwon Hanul had handed the guild master wasn¡¯t just any accessory. It was the Ring of Binding¡ªsomething he had taken from Kwon Chan-seong. By now, the brainwashing curse infused within it was continuously corrupting the Iron Fang guild master¡¯s mind. Once the brainwashing was complete, Kwon Hanul could use him as a hunting dog¡ªor a convenient tool. There were endless ways to make use of him. "A leash...?" Joo Hayun tilted her head in confusion. At that moment, Kwon Hanul¡¯s smartphone vibrated. When he checked the caller ID, he was surprised. It was Kwon Seonwoo. What does this old man want? Kwon Hanul answered the call, feeling slightly wary. "What¡¯s the matter?" ¡ªStill as curt as ever, I see. "Coming from you, Chairman, that¡¯s hardly fair." If Kwon Hanul was merely unfriendly, then Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s way of speaking was downright indifferent to the point of being infuriating. ¡ªCongratulations on completing your debut mission safely. "Thank you." ¡ªI must admit, I didn¡¯t expect you to single-handedly annihilate the Karankula swarm after absorbing the Tentacle of Eclipse. As expected, Kwon Seonwoo knew everything. He had known and yet did nothing. What a nasty old man. Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue. ¡ªNow that you''ve passed all the tests, I will keep my promise. You are granted access to Hyukcheon¡¯s Treasure Vault and permission to form your own team. Kwon Hanul clenched his fist. Getting approval to form a team within Hyukcheon Group was an incredibly difficult feat. Not only did one have to prove their abilities over a long period, but they also needed direct approval from the Chairman. Even Kwon Jiseok, the Vice Chairman¡¯s second son, had only recently received permission to form his own team. ¡ªBut giving you just this might be a little boring. If you return to the Hyukcheon bloodline, I will grant you the Subspace Skill. It will be useful. Kwon Hanul''s eyes widened. The Subspace Skill allowed its user to distort dimensions and store various objects. It was incredibly rare¡ªless than three were discovered worldwide in a year. And yet, Kwon Seonwoo was offering it just like that. This is exactly the kind of wealth you''d expect from Hyukcheon''s Chairman. ¡ªAnd one more thing. "Yes, sir?" ¡ªYou did well. For a moment, Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind went blank. Did this old man just... compliment me? He wanted to ask for clarification, but before he could, Kwon Seonwoo smoothly changed the subject. ¡ªYou''ll need money and equipment to establish a team. "Isn¡¯t that something Hyukcheon Group should naturally take care of?" ¡ªHah. You say some amusing things. Do you think Hyukcheon Group runs on charity? Kwon Hanul hesitated for a moment. ¡ªWe are not generous enough to invest in a team without proven ability. "So you¡¯re saying I need to show results first if I want support." ¡ªYou¡¯re catching on quickly now. Kiss my ass. Kwon Hanul swore internally. ¡ªI happen to have a fitting job for you. Interested? "What is it?" ¡ªDo you know of the Mei Family of Tianjiang? There was only one Mei Family that someone of Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s status would bother mentioning. "Of course. They''re one of China''s most powerful noble families." There were several prominent clans around the world that possessed immense power. While Hyukcheon was currently at the top, they couldn¡¯t ignore the rapid growth of other families. That was why constant surveillance and power struggles between them never ceased. The Mei Family of Tianjiang was one such competitor. "I¡¯ve heard that, like Hyukcheon, they also have a special bloodline." ¡ªHah. You have no idea. Compared to our Black Dragon Blood, their bloodline is a pathetic excuse for power. Kwon Hanul smirked bitterly. While it was true that Hyukcheon was considered the dominant force in East Asia, the Mei Family had enormous influence over all of China. And with that influence came formidable bloodline abilities. ¡ªRecently, a dungeon dispute broke out between us and the Mei Family. I was planning to crush those arrogant bastards... but they proposed something interesting. "What kind of proposal?" ¡ªEach family will select three representatives for a team battle. The winner will claim ownership of the dungeon. Kwon Seonwoo spoke as if it was no big deal, but this match carried tremendous significance. Each family choosing representatives to fight meant this was a battle for honor and pride. ¡ªInterestingly, they suggested that only those who haven¡¯t participated in external missions before be allowed to compete. Seems like they¡¯ve got a promising new talent of their own. That makes sense. Defeating Hyukcheon would be a shortcut to instant fame. That must be why Kwon Seonwoo was bringing it up now¡ªbecause Kwon Hanul had only just made his debut and wasn¡¯t yet well-known. ¡ªSo, what do you say? Interested? "Make sure the funding is generous." There was no need to hesitate. * * * After ending the call, Kwon Seonwoo put his phone down and spoke. "Well? Didn¡¯t I tell you things would play out like this?" Kwon Chan-seong lifted his head. His face was as rigid as stone. "I didn¡¯t expect a pureblood to be outmatched by a trueblood so soon. I wonder... is it the difference in grade, or simply the difference in individuals?" Kwon Chan-seong bit his lip. This turn of events had devalued him while raising Kwon Hanul¡¯s worth. He wasn¡¯t sure how much of an obstacle this would become in the future, but one thing was clear¡ªthis would be a major setback. "Leave now." With those words, Kwon Chan-seong silently left the room. He walked a long way from the mansion, his mind a swirling storm. Then¡ª ¡°......Arghhh!¡± The rage he had been suppressing exploded. He kicked a nearby tree with full force. The trunk shattered into splinters, and he stomped on the debris until nothing but dust remained. After venting for a long while, he finally managed to calm himself. "Hanul... little cousin... You¡¯re going to pay dearly for this." His teeth clenched so hard that the grinding sound echoed ominously. Just then¡ª His phone vibrated in his pocket. Checking the screen, he saw a message from Kwon Hanul. ¨CI won the bet. Don¡¯t forget our deal. ¡ªKwon Hanul¡ª His blood pressure shot up. Kwon Chan-seong took a deep breath to steady himself. Then, a second message arrived. ¨CYou really have no talent for gambling. ¡ªKwon Hanul¡ª "You son of a¡ª!" In the end, Kwon Chan-seong clutched the back of his neck in frustration. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 23 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 23: Detected Conspiracy (2) A few days later, Kwon Hanul returned to the Hyukcheon Clan. It was during a rare moment of relaxation at home when Joo Hayun handed him a thin, notebook-sized stone tablet¡ªa Memory Page that could be used to acquire a skill. "This is the subspace skill the Chairman promised you. Since he''s been extremely busy, I picked it up on your behalf." Kwon Hanul accepted the Memory Page. As expected of a subspace skill, the Memory Page shimmered in gold, signifying its unique-grade quality. When he snapped it in half, it disintegrated into glowing particles that were absorbed into his body. Quality: Unique (S+) Description: Opens an invisible storage space once used by goblins to hide their belongings. Can store up to 50kg of items. Upon activating the skill, a black hole appeared in midair. He reached into it to test it out, feeling an odd sense of displacement. "This is amazing." "And please accept this as well." Joo Hayun handed over a large box filled with various items. "And this is...?" "Supplies for dungeon expeditions and emergency-use medical treatments." Kwon Hanul picked up a vial and examined the label. "Mansumugang Pharmaceuticals... wait, isn''t this the company infamous for selling ointments that cost millions of won per jar?" "Yes, that''s correct." Dungeons were home to countless creatures unknown to Earth. As a result, the modern pharmaceutical industry had significantly advanced by utilizing materials from these beings. Mansumugang Pharmaceuticals was one of the leading companies in this field, known for using only premium ingredients to create high-end medicines. "I heard that just purchasing a proper batch from them costs tens of millions of won..." He checked the quantity inside the box. Even with a conservative estimate, the value easily exceeded billions. "Did the Chairman provide these as well?" "No, this is a gift from me." Kwon Hanul''s expression shifted to one of surprise. "This is far too generous. I feel bad accepting it." "It¡¯s customary for those who acquire a subspace skill to receive provisions to fill it up." Joo Hayun spoke nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal. However, Kwon Hanul couldn''t take it lightly. He decided to accept the gift with gratitude, vowing to repay the kindness in the future. After all, in dangerous situations, high-quality medicine was as valuable as a second life. "And in the afternoon, you have an appointment to visit Hyukcheon Vault." "I''m just picking up an item. Do I really need a reservation?" "The vault is secured with multiple layers of defense, hundreds of times more stringent than ordinary security systems. It can only be accessed at designated times." Hyukcheon Vault housed all the treasures of the Hyukcheon Group. Naturally, it was a prime target for many, making airtight security a necessity. "Lord Kwon Hanul, have you decided on what you''ll take from the vault?" "Not yet." "Hyukcheon Vault is unimaginably vast. Exploring it in its entirety would take at least a month. You should have a plan before going in." Given the sheer scale of the vault, anything he chose would undoubtedly be beneficial. But squandering such a rare opportunity was out of the question. "I''m not sure what I need most right now." At present, he didn''t feel lacking in any particular area. He possessed three items, the Black Dragon Ascension Art, the Imoogi¡¯s Body, and the Eye of the Eclipse. In terms of offense, defense, and stamina¡ªhe was already near perfection. "Right now, elixirs seem like the most useful choice." "If you don''t mind, may I offer a recommendation?" "Of course." "I suggest acquiring movement skills, including footwork techniques." "Movement skills?" It wasn''t something he had ever considered. "But I already have Aura Step. Do I really need another movement skill?" Ever since acquiring the Black Dragon Ascension Art, Kwon Hanul had mastered Aura Step, using it freely and effortlessly. His proficiency was at a level few could ever hope to match. "Your Aura Step is exceptional, especially against monsters. However, the enemies you''ll be facing in the future won¡¯t just be monsters, will they?" Joo Hayun was right. Kwon Hanul¡¯s greatest foes weren¡¯t beasts but humans¡ªspecifically, the people of Hyukcheon. "In one-on-one combat, footwork determines everything. Securing an advantageous position and seizing attack opportunities all come down to footwork." There was a saying: Amateurs train their muscles; masters train their footwork. "Actually, you could learn a footwork technique right now. The Hyukcheon Group has countless skills reserved for its members. They are all excellent... but none of them will help you get ahead." "So, they¡¯re not enough to surpass my competition?" Joo Hayun nodded. "Moreover, if you intend to fight the Mei Family, footwork is crucial. Their techniques are bizarre and unpredictable. If your footwork isn¡¯t refined, you¡¯ll lose before you even get a chance to fight back." "Understood. I¡¯ll retrieve a footwork skill from the Hyukcheon Vault." "Thank you for considering my advice. Now, I have one last question for you, Lord Kwon Hanul." What now? He turned to Joo Hayun, listening intently. "A footwork skill that is stable, safe, and effective¡ªor one that is highly dangerous but holds the potential to surpass all limits. Which do you prefer?" "Obviously, the second option." Kwon Hanul answered without hesitation. "My situation isn¡¯t easy enough for me to afford a safe, slow path to strength, is it?" Joo Hayun smiled silently, as if satisfied with his answer. "In that case, I¡¯ll tell you exactly what you should be looking for." * * * Hyukcheon Vault The Hyukcheon Vault was located deep beneath the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s territory. Kwon Hanul passed through five heavily guarded checkpoints before finally reaching the elevator that led to the vault. As the high-speed elevator plummeted downward for several minutes, he finally arrived at its entrance. "Hello! I¡¯m Kwon Sujin, in charge of vault security!" The vault''s manager was a woman who appeared to be around the same age as Kwon Hanul. "I¡¯ve heard so much about you! You''re a True Blood, right? I never thought I''d get to see one in my lifetime!" "Nice to meet you." "Oh, you don¡¯t have to greet me! I¡¯m from a branch family, so it¡¯s not my place to receive a greeting from a True Blood... But thank you anyway!" She was incredibly energetic. "I heard you debuted in a Platinum-rank dungeon! That¡¯s one of the rarest achievements in Hyukcheon¡¯s history! You¡¯re amazing!" "I just got lucky." "Lucky? No way! Solo-clearing a Platinum-rank dungeon is something that can never¡ªever¡ªbe done by luck alone! A low-tier Black Dragon Blood like me could never even dream of that! You''re incredible!" Kwon Sujin''s eyes sparkled with admiration. She looked at him like an idol fan meeting their favorite celebrity. It was... overwhelming, to say the least. "Please follow me! I¡¯ll guide you to the Hyukcheon Vault!" Kwon Hanul walked alongside her. Beyond the elevator, a massive door¡ªresembling the entrance to a fortress¡ªcame into view. "We¡¯ll now begin the security clearance process. Once the vault opens, you¡¯ll have one hour to explore." Kwon Sujin approached the door and initiated a series of authentication steps: Fingerprint, iris scan, blood sample, hand vein scan, mana signature, mana pattern... After dozens of verifications, sounds of machinery echoed from beyond the door. The roar of engines, the grinding of colossal gears, and the clashing of heavy steel filled the air. Slowly, the iron doors parted. Revealing yet another elevator. "Shall we?" Kwon Sujin entered the elevator alongside Kwon Hanul. A quick glance revealed that the building had a staggering 30 basement floors. The sheer scale of the place was overwhelming. And yet, they were only given an hour to look around. Even if it was for security reasons, this was excessive. ¡°So, which floor would you like to go to? For reference, the first to fifth floors store potions and elixirs...¡± Kwon Sujin briefly explained the layout of the facility. ¡°I¡¯d like to go to the 30th floor,¡± Kwon Hanul interrupted. Sujin looked impressed. ¡°You already know exactly what you¡¯re here for! That¡¯s amazing! Alright then, 30th floor it is!¡± With a press of a button, the elevator began its descent. After a long ride down, it finally came to a stop. ¡°Alright, feel free to look around! Just don¡¯t forget¡ªyou¡¯ve only got an hour!¡± The interior of the Hyukcheon Vault resembled a warehouse-style megastore. Tall, wide shelves made of reinforced steel stretched out in neat rows, each holding a variety of items. Kwon Hanul wasted no time and started navigating the 30th floor. He had already gathered all the necessary intel from Joo Hayun. He knew exactly where to go and what to take. ¡®I¡¯m supposed to find a pair of boots that glow bright blue.¡¯ As he searched, he passed by an array of extraordinary items¡ªeach one remarkable in its own right. Any hunter would have been left in awe at the sight of such artifacts. But Hanul didn¡¯t even spare them a glance. Before long, he spotted what he was looking for. Tucked away in a dusty corner of a shelf sat a pair of deep blue boots, covered in grime. Grabbing the boots, he headed back to the elevator. ¡°You¡¯re back already! That was quick... huh?¡± Seeing the boots, Kwon Sujin¡¯s expression turned to one of confusion. ¡°Wait... you¡¯re really choosing those boots?¡± ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just... well...¡± Sujin hesitated, looking troubled. It was only natural. The boots Hanul had picked out were in terrible condition. The leather looked like it had been tanned by an amateur, stitched together in a crude, patchy fashion. The shape was uneven, the form completely mismatched. It was hard to believe such a thing had made its way into the Hyukcheon Vault. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to choose something else?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll take these.¡± ¡°Hmm... well, alright then.¡± Reluctantly, Sujin gave up trying to dissuade him. Hanul was about to step into the elevator when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± ¡°Oh! Are you changing your mind?¡± Sujin asked hopefully. But that wasn¡¯t the reason Hanul had paused. Something felt strangely familiar. Following the sensation, he walked toward the farthest, most secluded part of the 30th floor. ¡®What is this? There¡¯s nothing here...¡¯ Scanning the area, he crouched down and placed a hand on the floor. A message appeared before his eyes. His heart pounded in his chest. Just like with the Dragon Sage Armory and the Wishtone, Kwon Hyunmoon had left something here in the Hyukcheon Vault for the True Black Dragon¡¯s Blood. What exactly was inside? Excitement thrummed through his veins as he reached for the vault. But the Hyukcheon Vault was not so easily breached. He tried again, but the result was the same. ¡®Looks like I¡¯ll have to come back later.¡¯ With no other choice, Hanul left the vault behind and returned to the elevator. * * * Upon leaving the Hyukcheon Vault, Hanul headed straight for the mansion. Joo Hayun was waiting for him. He held out the boots. ¡°These are the ones you asked for, right?¡± ¡°Yes, you got them perfectly.¡± ¡°...Are you sure these are the right boots?¡± Hanul asked skeptically. It wasn¡¯t just because of how terrible they looked. Storm Boots Quality: Unique (E-) Ability: Indestructible. Even the status window displayed unimpressive information. ¡°Hanul, not everything is as it seems. Even a status window has its limits.¡± Joo Hayun pulled out a small glass vial, corked shut. Inside was a thick, murky liquid. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°The power of a demon.¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. Ever since dungeons appeared, Earth had been overrun by monsters. Among them, demons¡ªhighly intelligent and organized¡ªhad waged war against humanity, making them one of the greatest threats. Even now, any sighting of a demon was met with immediate extermination orders. ¡°Isn¡¯t demonic power something that shouldn¡¯t be in a civilian¡¯s possession?¡± ¡°Well... I happened to come across it.¡± ¡°...You just happened to?¡± That wasn¡¯t the kind of thing one accidentally obtained. The more he learned about Joo Hayun, the less he understood. ¡°If I pour this onto the boots, something interesting will happen.¡± Without hesitation, she poured the demonic power over the boots. Immediately, their status changed. The Seventh Leg of Marquis Vernak. Quality: Legendary (S+) Ability: Indestructible. Upon passing the Demon¡¯s Trial, inherit the power of Duke Vernak. ¡°If you slay a demon, you can claim their authority.¡± Hanul stared at the boots in astonishment. ¡°The catch is, you have to pass the trial¡ªand failing means death. But the reward is worth the risk.¡± A thought crossed Hanul¡¯s mind. How did Joo Hayun know all of this? She had pinpointed the exact location of the boots, known about their hidden potential, and even had the necessary demonic power on hand. Hanul had always known she was no ordinary person, but today was on a whole other level. ¡°So that¡¯s why you warned me this would be dangerous.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to go through with it.¡± ¡°No... If I can¡¯t overcome this, I¡¯ll never accomplish anything.¡± The stronger the demon, the higher its rank. And a marquis was the third-highest among them. The power of such an entity would be immeasurable. Resolving himself, Hanul slipped on the boots. A dark energy surged up his legs, swallowing him whole. His vision blurred, then cleared. He was no longer in the mansion. He was suspended in the stormy sky, lightning crackling around him. A voice boomed like thunder. From within the storm, a demon emerged. Standing over five meters tall, its massive frame exuded raw power. Hanul immediately recognized him. Marquis Vernak. The rightful owner of the power. Vernak laughed heartily, then bolted through the air. With each step, the storm intensified. Thunder roared. Hanul understood¡ªthis was the power the demon had wielded in life. Then, Vernak¡¯s expression shifted. His eyes narrowed in fury. A wicked grin spread across his face. Before Hanul could react, the ground beneath him vanished. And he plummeted. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 24 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 24: The Gathering of Bloodlines (1) Kwon Hanul headed straight to the conference hall. True to the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s signature style, every building was constructed in the traditional hanok style. The conference hall itself was reminiscent of a royal audience chamber from the Joseon Dynasty. The overwhelming grandeur of the place made it feel as though history had been resurrected. The only difference was that this hall was built on a much larger and grander scale. Inside, about ten people had already gathered, though it seemed not everyone had arrived yet. Even after Kwon Hanul stepped in, more figures continued to trickle in. To his surprise, every single one of them was of pure blood. He could tell thanks to the unmistakable presence of the True Black Dragon Blood. "I see a lot of unfamiliar faces." "Not all purebloods reside within the Hyukcheon Clan. Most of the ones you see here have come from different regions for the upcoming team battle." Joo Hayun gestured toward the purebloods as she spoke. "Some are elders from past generations, while others come from bloodlines that, while not direct descendants, have still managed to maintain their purity." That made sense. The Hyukcheon Group couldn¡¯t possibly sustain itself if only the chairman¡¯s direct bloodline remained pure. Just then, the crisp sound of high heels echoed through the hall. A middle-aged woman in a crimson suit strode in with an air of authority. It was Kwon Mi¡ªKwon Hanul¡¯s aunt. "Thank you all for gathering here. I am Kwon Mi, and I¡¯ll be overseeing this operation." Given that Kwon Mi was in charge of Hyukcheon Group¡¯s diplomatic affairs, this appointment was only natural. For Kwon Hanul, however, this was an unfortunate turn of events. Of all people, the one assigned to lead the team battle had to be the very person who despised him. "As you all may be aware, tensions have arisen over the ownership of a dungeon between us and the Mei Family. The Mei Family has proposed a team battle to settle the dispute¡ªthe winning side will claim the dungeon as their own." At her words, the expressions of the gathered purebloods darkened. "The likes of the Mei Family dare to challenge Hyukcheon?" "They''ve grown bold. Back in my day, they wouldn¡¯t have even dared to speak out of turn against us." "It seems we¡¯ll have to remind them of their place soon." "Is that enough? Why don¡¯t we wipe them off the map entirely?" Kwon Hanul was taken aback by their reaction. They weren¡¯t just expressing anger for the sake of appearances¡ªthey were genuinely outraged and found the Mei Family¡¯s actions laughable. For a moment, he wondered if they were underestimating the Mei Family too much. After all, they were the rulers of the Chinese continent. ¡®No... this reaction makes sense.¡¯ This was the Hyukcheon Clan. No matter how formidable the Mei Family had become, they were still nothing compared to Hyukcheon. Hyukcheon had always been the dominant power of East Asia, while the Mei Family was merely a challenger. This level of arrogance was only natural. "I understand how you all feel, but... the chairman has already accepted the challenge." "The chairman actually agreed to engage with those lowlifes?" "Why bother? If he just gave us the order, we¡¯d put them in their place immediately!" "He said it sounded fun." At Kwon Mi¡¯s words, the room fell silent. "The Mei Family has always refused to acknowledge the vast difference between them and us. So the chairman sees this as an opportunity to engrain that difference into their very bones." "That does sound amusing." "Now that you put it that way, I rather like it." The purebloods nodded in agreement. "The Mei Family proposed three rules for the battle. First, each side will select three representatives. Second, the last remaining fighter will determine the victor and claim ownership of the dungeon. Third, only bloodline members who have yet to make a name for themselves may participate." The purebloods scowled. The last rule was the problem¡ªit meant they couldn¡¯t personally crush the Mei Family. "We will now decide our representatives. Elders, if you have any recommendations, please share them." At Kwon Mi¡¯s words, the purebloods immediately began proposing candidates. "My grandson has shown great promise lately..." "My daughter is an exceptional fighter." The atmosphere shifted abruptly. Just moments ago, this was a war council discussing how to annihilate the Mei Family. Now, it felt more like a gathering of doting parents trying to show off their children. "Why is everyone getting so worked up?" "It¡¯s a rare opportunity to elevate their children¡¯s reputations. If they do well, they might even catch the chairman¡¯s attention." In other words, this war council had turned into a battleground for political advancement. Then, without warning, the doors to the conference hall swung open. Sunlight poured into the room, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. "Ugh, this is intoxicating." The one who had entered was an elderly man with graying hair and a full beard. Despite his age, his physique was overwhelmingly robust¡ªhis muscles alone were enough to make him look menacing. The old man took a long swig from the bottle of alcohol in his hand. His face was flushed red, likely from heavy drinking in the middle of the day. His conduct was shockingly inappropriate for such a formal setting. Yet, rather than scolding him, the purebloods gazed at him with reverence. "Is that... Executive Director Kwon Myung-woo?" "What is he doing here...?" Hearing that name, Kwon Hanul felt a jolt of shock. Kwon Myung-woo. The younger brother of Hyukcheon Group¡¯s chairman, Kwon Seonwoo. And the strongest member of the Hyukcheon Clan. A man of unparalleled talent, he had personally created dozens of S-rank skills. In fact, most of the techniques practiced by Hyukcheon¡¯s elite hunters were his creations. "Uncle, what brings you here?" Kwon Mi hurried over to him, her voice laced with urgency. He took another swig before responding. "Well, you see... our dear Chairman Kwon Seonwoo gave me a special order." "A... special order?" Kwon Mi was the one overseeing the team battle. If even she was unaware of this order, that meant... "Is there someone named Kwon Hanul here?" How does he know my name? The sudden callout caught Kwon Hanul off guard. Raising his hand, he spoke. "That would be me." "Yeah, the order was to make sure that Kwon Hanul participates in the team battle. No exceptions." The purebloods¡¯ expressions hardened. Among them, Kwon Mi¡¯s face was the most twisted of all. "...What did you just say?" She looked as if she had seen a ghost. "I said, put Kwon Hanul in the team battle. No exceptions." Kwon Myung-woo repeated himself. Kwon Mi bit her lip and shouted, "This is absurd! This team battle isn''t just about the dungeon''s ownership¡ªit¡¯s about the pride of the entire Hyukcheon family! How can you throw him in without a proper vetting process?!" "Mi, you''re saying something pretty amusing." Kwon Myung-woo downed the rest of his drink and smirked at her. "You want to verify the skills of someone who had their debut in a Platinum Dungeon? That¡¯s a joke that isn''t funny." At those words, murmurs spread through the purebloods. "A debut match in a Platinum Dungeon? So that guy is the rumored True Blood." "As expected of a True Blood. He¡¯s different right from the start. We¡¯ll have to be careful." "Hmph, it¡¯s nothing special. Even Chan-seong had his debut in a Platinum Dungeon!" The atmosphere in the conference hall changed. Everyone was now wary of Kwon Hanul. Kwon Hanul quietly smiled. The pureblood elites of Hyukcheon, known for their exceptional skill and influence, were now on guard because of him? It didn¡¯t feel bad. No¡ªrather, it felt great. "That statement is incorrect!" Kwon Mi shouted, refusing to back down. Kwon Myung-woo tilted his head. "What do you mean?" "Hunting monsters and fighting people are completely different matters! Just because he¡¯s good at killing monsters doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯ll be just as effective in battle against humans!" Surprisingly, many purebloods nodded in agreement. "Now that you mention it, that¡¯s true. Hunting monsters and fighting humans require completely different skills." "Monsters and humans are too different." There had even been instances where famous hunters were assassinated by second-rate killers. Because they had no experience fighting against people. As the room''s opinion leaned in her favor, a small smile formed on Kwon Mi¡¯s lips. "I will personally explain this to the chairman. So for now, let''s put this decision on hold¡ª" "Did you say I haven¡¯t proven myself?" All eyes turned to Kwon Hanul. He was stepping forward. "Who do you think you are? Do you even know where you are right now, acting so arrogantly?" "Since you claim I am lacking, I¡¯ve come to prove myself." "What? Prove yourself?" Kwon Hanul activated his Dragon Aura. An inky-black energy exploded outward. The purebloods were utterly shocked. "My god... how can he have that much Dragon Energy?" "I''ve never seen such a sinister presence before." The purebloods present were all figures who had greatly contributed to the Hyukcheon family. They had fought on the front lines, securing countless victories and glory for the Hyukcheon Group. In terms of pure skill, Kwon Hanul was still a step below them. But even they couldn¡¯t dismiss the overwhelming force of his Draconic Aura. Kwon Hanul turned to face them and declared, "Step forward, anyone who wishes. I will prove my strength here and now." * * * "Ha! Look at that arrogant brat!" "How dare he challenge us with such words?!" Outrage erupted from all around, but not a single person stepped forward. Their pride wouldn''t allow it. They knew that Kwon Hanul was a promising talent within the True Bloodline, but not to the extent that he could compare himself to them. And then¡ª "Hahahaha!" Standing beside Kwon Mi, Kwon Myung-woo suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Look at this cocky brat. What? Challenge me? You think I¡¯d actually bother to fight you? Hahahaha!" A surge of Dragon Combat Aura flared from Kwon Myung-woo. The sight left Kwon Hanul slightly taken aback. ¡®Wait, he''s the one fighting me?¡¯ Kwon Myung-woo was one of the pillars of Hyukcheon, standing alongside Kwon Seonwoo, and was widely regarded as the strongest among them. Hanul had always wanted to test his strength against him¡ªsomeday. But not now. There were still too many areas where he wasn¡¯t perfect yet. Right now, he wasn¡¯t just hesitant¡ªhe wanted to refuse outright. ¡®I should find an excuse to back out...¡¯ But Kwon Myung-woo didn¡¯t give him the chance. "Seeing is believing! Let¡¯s start right now!" He closed the distance in an instant, unleashing a wave of Dragon Combat Aura. In the same fleeting moment, Kwon Hanul responded with Dragon Demon Aura. Their clash ignited the battlefield like two raging flames meeting head-on. But then¡ª ¡®My Dragon Demon Aura... is being overpowered?¡¯ It was shocking, to say the least. The Dragon Demon Aura was supposed to be a superior force compared to Dragon Combat Aura. And yet, it was being pushed back? "You dare let your guard down before me? That¡¯s some nerve!" Kwon Myung-woo swung his fist. It was a simple punch, devoid of any complex technique¡ª But¡ª ¡®I can''t block it head-on.¡¯ Hanul realized it instinctively. He crossed his arms and lifted his body slightly. A split second later, his body was sent crashing into the ceiling. With a deafening impact, dust rained down from above. Kwon Myung-woo looked up, visibly perplexed. "Huh? That was way too light." Still staring at the ceiling, he called out¡ª "Hey?" At that moment, the grin on his face vanished. From the shattered ceiling, Hanul came soaring down¡ªhis heel plunging straight toward Myung-woo. With his forearm, Myung-woo blocked the strike. The collision echoed like steel beams slamming together. "Oh-ho." A smile crept back onto Myung-woo¡¯s face. "That was a solid hit." "You won¡¯t be saying that for much longer." "And the kid¡¯s got spirit too!" Myung-woo threw another punch. Logic screamed at Hanul to dodge. But his instincts told him the opposite. He didn¡¯t hesitate. He braced himself and took the blow head-on. Even though he managed to block it, his entire body felt like it was about to shatter. "Oh-ho?" Myung-woo raised an eyebrow in surprise. Hanul retaliated with a punch of his own. Myung-woo blocked it with his forearm. Between their locked fists, Myung-woo¡¯s grin was visible. "You actually think you can go toe-to-toe with me in a slugfest?" "Why not?" "Hah! Arrogant brat!" Myung-woo let out a hearty laugh and swung his fist again. Hanul clenched his teeth and met him head-on. Fist and forearm clashed relentlessly, the repeated collisions shaking the entire conference hall as if an earthquake had struck. "T-This can¡¯t be..." "I-It¡¯s unbelievable!" The Purebloods watching from the sidelines could hardly believe their eyes. "He¡¯s actually trading blows directly with him..." Those who knew Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s true strength had already realized it¡ª He wasn¡¯t going all out against Kwon Hanul. But even so¡ª Even if Myung-woo was holding back, his punches weren¡¯t something anyone could simply "take" just because he was going easy. "As expected of a Trueblood!" Myung-woo''s punches grew even heavier. Hanul blocked them, but his knees buckled under the force. Grinding his teeth, he forced himself to straighten up and countered with an uppercut aimed at Myung-woo¡¯s chin. Myung-woo caught it with his palm¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t a light hit. He was pushed back¡ªjust slightly. "Ha!" "Hah!" Both of them grinned, their smiles widening almost unnaturally. The spectators were left in stunned silence. "T-They¡¯re both... enjoying this." Every single member of Hyukcheon was driven by battle. It was in their Black Dragon Blood¡ªtheir nature. But even among them, no one laughed in the middle of a brutal slugfest like these two did. It meant that their fighting spirit¡ªtheir thirst for combat¡ªwas on a completely different level. "Kid! You look like you''re struggling. Why don¡¯t you rest?" "If anything, you should take a break, old man. You must be getting tired at your age." "Hah! You cheeky brat!" Hanul raised his fists once more. And then¡ª "This is fun! But if we keep going, you¡¯re going to be in real danger!" He could still fight. Just as Hanul was about to shout that out¡ª A knife-hand strike flashed like lightning. In an instant¡ª Everything went dark. He couldn¡¯t even see it, let alone react. The strike slammed into the back of his neck. And just like that¡ªHanul crashed into the ground. Hanul¡¯s body hit the floor. The impact shattered the ground, sending dust billowing into the air. "Hahahaha!" From within the dust cloud, Myung-woo¡¯s hearty laughter rang out. His voice alone was enough to make those who heard it feel exhilarated. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I¡¯ve never seen someone so perfectly suited for Hyukcheon!" He turned to the gathered Purebloods, his sharp gaze making them flinch. "I, Kwon Myung-woo, personally vouch for him! This boy is more than enough to bring glory to Hyukcheon in the upcoming team battle against the Mei Family! No¡ªhe exceeds expectations!" As if to drive his point home, Myung-woo shouted once more. "If anyone disagrees, step forward! I¡¯ll personally convince you!" But there wasn¡¯t a single Pureblood bold enough to challenge the strongest elder of the Hyukcheon Group. With silence as their only response, Myung-woo turned to Kwon Mi. "Seems like no one has any objections. What do you think?" Kwon Mi bit her lower lip. She had more than enough complaints¡ªbut voicing them was impossible. "...Fine. I¡¯ll acknowledge him as the representative." "Hahaha! Now that¡¯s the right attitude!" Myung-woo burst into laughter once more. And then¡ª A woman stepped forward. "Elder, if I may speak?" "Hmm? You got a problem with my decision?" "Of course not. I¡¯m just... concerned." "Concerned?" The woman, Joo Hayun, pointed at the ground. A massive hole was left where Hanul had crashed through. "Kwon Hanul... still hasn¡¯t gotten up." A brief silence followed. Then¡ª Myung-woo hastily dropped to his knees and started digging with both hands. "D-Did I hit him too hard?! Hey! You better not be dead!" [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 25 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 25: The Gathering of Bloodlines (2) As soon as Kwon Hanul opened his eyes, he sprang up and urgently scanned his surroundings. Familiar scenery came into view¡ªit was his own mansion. ¡°You''re awake.¡± A voice came from beside him. It was Joo Hayun, sitting in a chair next to the bed. ¡°What happened... Ugh!¡± A sharp pain shot through the nape of his neck. Suddenly, everything came rushing back¡ªthe team match selection, the brutal fight against Kwon Myung-woo, and his defeat. ¡°...I lost.¡± It was indeed a performance befitting the strongest fighter of Hyukcheon. Hanul had been defeated before he could even draw out his true strength. ¡°You were truly impressive. Everyone was in awe when they saw you go toe-to-toe with Kwon Myung-woo.¡± ¡°That was only because he went easy on me.¡± ¡°Even considering that, it¡¯s no small feat. Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s fighting spirit and sheer force aren¡¯t things that just anyone can withstand.¡± Despite Hayun¡¯s words, Hanul found little comfort in them. A deep sense of emptiness washed over him, and he collapsed back onto the bed. Then, something more important came to mind. He sat up again and asked, ¡°What happened with the representative selection?¡± ¡°Thanks to Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s strong endorsement, you were the first to secure a spot as a representative.¡± ¡°He supported me?¡± He was honestly taken aback. Ever since joining the Hyukcheon group, everyone had been an enemy. He never expected anyone from the bloodline to back him. Along with surprise, suspicion crept in. Was it purely for Hyukcheon¡¯s victory? Or did Myung-woo have some ulterior motive? ¡°He seems to have taken quite a liking to you. He kept asking me multiple times if you were already part of a team.¡± ¡°Why would he ask that?¡± ¡°It seems he¡¯s planning to recruit you.¡± Hanul was familiar with Myung-woo¡¯s team. The Hyukcheon Squad. It was the only team within the Hyukcheon group permitted to bear the name "Hyukcheon", a testament to its unparalleled strength and prestige. Every hunter who knew of Hyukcheon¡¯s power longed to join. ¡°I appreciate the offer, but I¡¯ll have to decline.¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t particularly interested in Myung-woo¡¯s proposal. ¡°I plan to form my own team.¡± His goal was to reach the pinnacle of Hyukcheon. To do that, he needed to build his own team and establish its reputation. In other words, he wasn¡¯t looking to join the strongest team. He was going to create the strongest team. ¡°Who were the other two representatives selected?¡± ¡°One is Kwon Jiseok.¡± ¡°He¡¯s busy forming his own team. He joined as a representative?¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably why he volunteered.¡± Hanul found it strange for a moment but soon understood what Hayun meant. ¡°Losing that bet against me must have caused trouble for his team¡¯s formation.¡± Kwon Seonwoo judged people by their value. Jiseok, having lost to Hanul twice, had likely seen his worth plummet. The support he was originally set to receive was probably revoked. ¡°And the third representative?¡± ¡°Kwon Hudon.¡± The name was unfamiliar. ¡°He¡¯s Kwon Mi¡¯s youngest son.¡± The commander of the team had recommended her own child? ¡°Is that allowed?¡± ¡°There were complaints, but he was selected with majority approval.¡± ¡°If he received that much support... he must be quite skilled.¡± ¡°As the youngest son of Kwon Mi and her spouse, his abilities are undeniable. But it¡¯s also highly likely Kwon Mi pulled some strings.¡± Hayun smirked. ¡°Given his background, there¡¯s no way he would¡¯ve gotten that many votes otherwise.¡± ¡°His background?¡± ¡°He was originally classified as Inferior Black Dragon Blood but was later reclassified as Pure Black Dragon Blood.¡± That didn¡¯t make sense. Hanul had never heard of such a thing. ¡°Can Black Dragon Blood even change like that?¡± ¡°No, not once in Hyukcheon¡¯s history. Kwon Hudon is the only case. It was a huge controversy at the time.¡± According to Hayun, all branch family bloodlines had come to question Kwon Mi about it, and even the chairman himself had inquired. ¡°Kwon Mi claimed her son¡¯s talent influenced his bloodline. Not many people believed her, though.¡± It was too suspicious to be taken at face value. ¡°The team match lineup has also been decided. Here¡¯s the list.¡± Hayun handed Hanul a sheet of paper detailing the tournament rules and the representatives from each family. Hanul focused on the match order. Vanguard: Kwon Hudon Midfielder: Kwon Hanul Captain: Kwon Jiseok After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Hayun. ¡°In team matches, the most critical position is the vanguard, right?¡± ¡°Yes. They open the match, and their performance sets the team¡¯s momentum.¡± ¡°And the captain holds the highest position?¡± ¡°Yes, as the team leader, the most skilled person takes that role.¡± ¡°Then what about the midfielder...?¡± ¡°That¡¯s where the weakest fighter is placed. Their impact on the match is minimal compared to the other two.¡± Hanul looked at the list again. ¡°I don¡¯t agree with being the midfielder.¡± ¡°Neither do I.¡± Hanul got up from the bed, rolling his neck. Though some pain remained, his recovery was remarkable, thanks to the Healthy Bloodline. ¡°I¡¯m going to raise an objection.¡± ¡°Right now, Kwon Mi is in the conference room drafting the team match strategy with the other two representatives.¡± ¡°Perfect.¡± Without hesitation, Hanul stepped out. The conference room wasn¡¯t far. He swung the door open and stepped inside. Kwon Mi, Kwon Jiseok, and a young man he didn¡¯t recognize all turned to stare at him in surprise. ¡°You! How dare you barge in like this?¡± ¡°I have something to ask.¡± Hanul strode forward and thrust the paper in front of Kwon Mi. The woman¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Why am I the midfielder?¡± ¡°That¡¯s obvious! It¡¯s because you¡¯re the weakest of the three!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see it that way.¡± At that, Jiseok¡¯s face flushed red. ¡°What the hell are you saying? Are you implying you¡¯re stronger than me?¡± Jiseok shot up from his seat, yelling. ¡°Do I look that easy to you? You won a bet against me twice and now think you¡¯re my equal? If we fight for real, you don¡¯t stand a chance!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, how about another wager?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I bet that I¡¯ll win.¡± Jiseok¡¯s expression grew more menacing. ¡°Hey, you! Say something! You¡¯re a representative too!¡± Jiseok turned to the young man next to him. The man flinched. Hanul also turned to look at him. The young man, Kwon Hudon, had a small build and sculpted features¡ªso handsome that even Jiseok and Kwon Chan-seong paled in comparison. ¡°Uh... umm...¡± Hudon hesitated, glancing between Hanul and Jiseok. ¡°Uh, my mom said... I-I have to be the vanguard. So, I¡¯ll be the vanguard.¡± His words were stuttered and awkward¡ªcompletely unfitting for his looks. ¡°Tch, forget it. What did I expect from you? Fine, you think you¡¯re stronger than us? Let¡¯s step outside and settle this.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± A new voice interrupted. Everyone turned their eyes upward. Someone was lying across the beams supporting the conference room¡¯s ceiling. ¡°...Uncle Kwon Myung-woo?¡± ¡°...Granduncle Kwon Myung-woo?¡± Myung-woo leapt down, landing without a sound. Kwon Mi was startled. ¡°What were you doing up there?¡± ¡°I saw this kid running over, so I thought I¡¯d secretly follow him. Pretty good, huh?¡± Myung-woo laughed heartily, then walked over to Hanul and slung an arm around his shoulder. ¡°You brat! You¡¯re okay! Do you know how worried I was?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? It didn¡¯t even hurt that much.¡± "What? Hahaha! You''re still as arrogant as ever!" Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter. "By the way, I heard from above that this arrogant brat is now a mid-rank? Is that true?" "Yes, that''s correct. It was decided based on individual skill and position within the group..." "Skill, group position, blah blah. That''s all just noise to me." Kwon Myung-woo waved his hand dismissively, as if swatting away a fly. Then, he turned to Kwon Hanul and asked abruptly, "Kid, what position do you want?" Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul answered immediately. "I want to be the vanguard." The vanguard opens the team battle and draws the most attention. More than anything, securing the first victory is crucial. Kwon Hanul preferred being the vanguard over the commander. "Khahaha! That''s the spirit! A member of the Hyukcheon Clan should never fear standing at the front! In that case, let this kid take the vanguard position." Kwon Mi bit her lip. She didn¡¯t seem willing to accept Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s decision so easily. "Uncle! No matter what, this is my jurisdiction!" "Is that so?" "The lineup will remain as planned!" "Mi, you seem to be misunderstanding something. Your father put you in charge, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can do whatever you want." "I''ve never done that!" "Putting your own son in as the representative wasn¡¯t enough, now you want him to be the vanguard too...?" Kwon Myung-woo''s laughter disappeared. His gaze turned cold as he looked down at Kwon Mi. "The reason your father put you in charge was for the benefit of the group. You should seriously consider how far he will tolerate your recklessness." Kwon Mi''s face turned pale. "H-Hudon being the representative was... w-well, everyone agreed to it..." "You think I brought this up for no reason? The chairman already knows everything." Kwon Mi closed her mouth. That was her silent way of conceding. Patting her shoulder, Kwon Myung-woo spoke. "Don¡¯t worry. My judgment is always spot on. You won¡¯t regret listening to me. Hahaha!" At that moment, Kwon Jiseok, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Granduncle, what about the rest of the positions?" "Why are you asking me? You should be asking your aunt." Kwon Myung-woo looked puzzled. But Kwon Jiseok didn¡¯t even spare Kwon Mi a glance. At this moment, the person in the strongest position wasn''t Kwon Mi¡ªit was Kwon Myung-woo. "Well, Jiseok, you should be fine as the commander. As long as you don¡¯t get nervous, that is." "Nervous? That won¡¯t happen this time!" "Hmm... how many times have I heard that before?" Kwon Myung-woo gave him a skeptical look. Kwon Jiseok clenched his jaw but couldn''t refute it. "Well, it seems like the discussion is over. I¡¯ll be taking my leave." Kwon Myung-woo turned and left the conference room. Kwon Hanul quickly followed after him. "Executive Director Kwon Myung-woo!" Kwon Myung-woo spun around, irritated. "Hey! You rude brat!" Kwon Hanul hesitated for a moment, wondering if he had used the wrong title and was about to apologize. But what came out of Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s mouth was entirely unexpected. "Executive Director? That sounds so stiff! Call me Granduncle!" Kwon Hanul was caught off guard. He had never experienced such a casual attitude before. "Granduncle, thank you for your help." "I thought you were just an arrogant brat, but you actually know how to be polite!" "I won¡¯t forget what you¡¯ve done for me." Kwon Myung-woo grinned in satisfaction. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Ahem. By the way, kid, have you considered joining my team?" His face radiated confidence, as if he had no doubt the offer would be accepted. But Kwon Hanul immediately responded. "No." "Yeah, that¡¯s a good¡ª Wait, what? No?" "I''m planning to form my own team." "W-what?" "Then, I¡¯ll take my leave now." Kwon Hanul turned to walk away. Kwon Myung-woo followed after him, flustered. "Hey, hey! Don¡¯t be like that. Just think about it one more time, huh? This kind of opportunity doesn¡¯t come often!" "I''m not interested." "Come on, kid! Huh? Huuuh?" * * * Kwon Myung-woo kept pestering him, while Kwon Hanul continued to shut him down. A few days later, a large aircraft departed from the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s headquarters. Onboard were numerous members of the Hyukcheon Bloodline¡ªincluding Kwon Hanul. ''This is my first time going overseas.'' He had been too busy trying to survive. Forget traveling abroad¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even been able to dream of domestic trips. And now, his first trip was overseas. Life really was unpredictable. ''Though technically, this isn¡¯t a vacation.'' Kwon Hanul was heading out for a team battle against the Mei Family. No matter how the battle ended, tensions would be high afterward. There wouldn¡¯t be any time for sightseeing. ''Hayun isn¡¯t here, and for once, I¡¯m alone.'' A slight feeling of loneliness. Maybe it was because he had always relied on Joo Hayun¡¯s support. Her absence felt more noticeable than expected. But there was no time to get sentimental. "Hey, are you really not interested in joining?" From the seat next to him, Kwon Myung-woo was persistently trying to recruit him again. "Kid, I hate to brag, but our Hyukcheon Squad is the best of the best! If you join, everyone will fear you! Are you really going to pass that up?" "As I said, I''m forming my own team." "You don¡¯t realize what a huge opportunity this is... Fine! I¡¯ll be generous. There just so happens to be an open captain position. I¡¯ll give it to you. How about it?" "No." For the entire duration of the flight, Kwon Hanul and Kwon Myung-woo bickered. Kwon Mi watched them with an irritated expression. As long as Kwon Myung-woo was around, she couldn¡¯t act as freely as she wanted. "Granduncle, may I ask you something?" At that moment, Kwon Jiseok cut in. Kwon Myung-woo tilted his head. "What is it?" "I''d like to hear your thoughts on the upcoming team battle." Kwon Myung-woo clicked his tongue. "Advice? What advice? No need to worry about those bastards! Just beat the crap out of them!" Just like that, the prestigious Mei Family, rulers of China, were reduced to "those bastards." "Though I¡¯ll admit... their weapon skills are something else." Everyone¡¯s eyes focused on him. Kwon Jiseok, Kwon Hudon, and Kwon Hanul all listened carefully. They all knew about the Mei Family¡ªbut only in theory. None of them had actually faced them in battle before. "The Mei Family¡¯s entire bloodline is proficient with every type of weapon. They can switch from swords to spears, from spears to bows, seamlessly." In battle, distance is everything. Knowing the enemy''s attack range¡ªand your own¡ªdetermines the flow of combat. But what if the enemy could switch weapons at will? Your sense of distance would be completely thrown off. "That¡¯s the power of their ''Shura Bloodline.'' Even if they only master one weapon, they can wield a thousand as if they were their own. But their real problem lies elsewhere." Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s expression turned serious. "When Shura Bloodline is applied directly to a weapon, it mutates. Its performance increases, and it gains unique abilities. The Mei Family calls it being ''infused with Shura.''" At that moment, an announcement played over the intercom. ¡ªWe are now entering Mei Family airspace. We will be arriving shortly. And simultaneously, a message appeared. <¡®True Shura Bloodline¡¯ has awakened.> [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 26 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 26: The Victory of Bloodline (1) Kwon Hanul stood frozen for a moment. Fortunately, this wasn¡¯t his first time experiencing something like this, so he quickly regained his composure. He opened his status window to check his bloodline. Black Dragon Bloodline: Grade: SSS+ Purity: True Effect: Grants the power of a dragon. Healthy Bloodline: Grade: S+ Purity: True Effect: Enhances physical health. Genius Bloodline: Grade: S+ Purity: True Effect: Enhances intelligence. Shura Bloodline: Grade: SS+ Purity: True Effect: Instills the essence of a Shura within the body. ??? Grade: ??? Purity: ??? ¡®...It multiplied again.¡¯ The mysterious ??? Bloodline remained, just like last time. This meant there was a high probability that another bloodline would manifest in the future. "What exactly is happening to my body?" A bloodline, by definition, is something a person can have only one of. If someone possessed more than one, their body would collapse, leading to death. Even in the rarest of cases, where a miracle allowed a person to have two, that would already be considered an anomaly. But possessing five bloodlines, like Kwon Hanul? That simply shouldn¡¯t be possible. ¡®My father belonged to the Hyukcheon Clan. Could there be something on my mother¡¯s side?¡¯ Or perhaps there was something unusual on his father¡¯s side as well¡ªor both. ¡®Once this is over, I need to investigate my parents¡¯ history.¡¯ For now, Kwon Hanul decided to put his concerns about his bloodline aside. He needed to focus on preparing for the group match against the Mei Clan. That was when a thought crossed his mind. ¡®The Mei Clan doesn¡¯t have any True Blood, do they?¡¯ Unlike the Healthy Bloodline and Genius Bloodline he had obtained earlier, the Shura Bloodline originated from the prestigious Mei Clan. And now, he had awakened the True Shura Blood? This might be a far more significant event than he had initially realized. The captain¡¯s announcement over the intercom interrupted Kwon Hanul¡¯s thoughts. "We will be landing shortly." * * * Somewhere in Hangzhou, China. A large airplane descended onto the runway. The moment the door opened, someone bolted out as if they had been waiting for this exact moment. ¡°Haha! It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been here!¡± The first person to step off the plane was Kwon Myung-woo. Forgetting that he was now in the heart of the Mei Clan¡¯s territory, Kwon Myung-woo confidently strode forward. Behind him, members of the Hyukcheon Clan disembarked one after another¡ªincluding Kwon Hanul. He glanced around. Just like the Hyukcheon Clan had turned their homeland into their domain, the Mei Clan had done the same with Hangzhou. The key difference was that while the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s architecture was built around traditional Korean hanok, the Mei Clan had fully embraced modern buildings. From a distance, a voice spoke in Chinese. ¡°Welcome. You must have had a long journey.¡± Looking up, Kwon Hanul saw a group of people dressed in traditional Chinese robes standing before them. As Kwon Myung-woo approached, the rest of the Hyukcheon Clan followed suit. Now, the Mei Clan, clad in red traditional robes, and the Hyukcheon Clan, dressed in black suits, stood facing each other. ¡°We, the Mei Clan, sincerely welcome the Hyukcheon Clan!¡± A middle-aged man at the center shouted. Despite speaking in Chinese, Kwon Hanul understood him perfectly. Thanks to the translation skill he had acquired before arriving. Ears and Eyes Open Quality: Unique (A) Effect: Allows the user to comprehend foreign languages and written text. (However, subtle nuances may not be perfectly understood.) Though not as rare as spatial abilities, translation skills were still considered highly valuable. However, within the Hyukcheon Group, acquiring translation skills was as simple as requesting them. ¡°Mei Tian! The head of the Mei Clan personally came to greet us? What an honor!¡± ¡°Of course! It is only right for the host to welcome esteemed guests.¡± The atmosphere seemed friendly, but Kwon Hanul quickly realized that was just an illusion. ¡°Though I must say, I did not expect Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist to accompany you. Were you so afraid to step into the Mei Clan¡¯s territory that you brought him along? To think the mighty Hyukcheon would act so cowardly!¡± Mei Tian, the head of the Mei Clan, provocatively smirked. Kwon Myung-woo responded with a grin of his own. ¡°If I were scared of the Mei Clan, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered coming. I only came because I was bored.¡± Despite their harsh words, both men continued to smile. Just then, a man stepped forward from behind Mei Tian. ¡°You¡¯re still as arrogant as ever.¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Mei Rong. So even the Greatest Sword of the Central Plains is here.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve told you before¡ªit¡¯s Best Sword of China now.¡± ¡°Claiming to be China¡¯s greatest while you¡¯ve never beaten me? That¡¯s bold.¡± Mei Rong, the so-called "Best Sword of the Central Plains." Kwon Hanul had heard his name many times. If the Hyukcheon Clan had Kwon Myung-woo, then the Mei Clan had Mei Rong. However, just like the gap between the two clans, the gap between these two men was vast. For decades, Mei Rong had never once defeated Kwon Myung-woo. ¡®So this is the Mei Clan...¡¯ Kwon Hanul slowly observed the members of the Mei Clan. He had heard many stories about them, but this was the first time he was seeing them in person. There was a saying that touching their skin would leave behind traces of white sand¡ªa testament to their pale, delicate complexions. Among them, several were glaring at the Hyukcheon Clan with open hostility. ¡®Those must be the Mei Clan¡¯s representatives.¡¯ There were exactly three of them¡ªtwo men and one woman¡ªall radiating confidence. ¡®Except for the woman.¡¯ Unlike the others, she felt out of place. Although she harbored hostility, it didn¡¯t seem directed at the Hyukcheon Clan. More than anything, she looked forlorn¡ªas if she were carrying an overwhelming burden. ¡®Not my problem.¡¯ Just as Kwon Hanul brushed the thought aside, Mei Tian turned to Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°For our esteemed guests, I have prepared a grand banquet. Would you care to join us?¡± ¡°Oh, that sounds great! I was just getting¡ª¡± ¡°Wait a moment!¡± A voice interrupted as Kwon Mi stepped forward. ¡°I am the one in charge of this group match, not Uncle Myung-woo! You should be asking me!¡± Mei Tian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kwon Myung-woo, who simply folded his arms and stepped aside. ¡°My apologies, then. What would you like to do?¡± ¡°We appreciate your hospitality, but we don¡¯t have time for a banquet.¡± Kwon Hanul immediately understood Kwon Mi¡¯s reasoning. She had no intention of eating food that may have been tampered with by the Mei Clan. ¡°Then what do you propose?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t come here for diplomacy. I suggest we begin the group match immediately.¡± The Mei Bloodline members visibly reacted. ¡°So soon after arriving? Surely, you must be exhausted from your travels.¡± ¡°We¡¯re fine. We had plenty of time to rest on the plane.¡± A grin spread across Mei Tian¡¯s lips. ¡°Very well. Then let¡¯s begin.¡± ¡°Ugh... Urgh... My stomach hurts...¡± Kwon Jiseok clutched his stomach with a pale face. Seeing this, Kwon Hanul asked incredulously, ¡°Do you have stress-induced gastritis or something?¡± ¡°S-So what if I do? W-What are you gonna do about it?!¡± Kwon Jiseok snapped, but his usual forcefulness was absent. ¡®Now I get why Great Uncle said he had the makings of a leader¡ªonly when he wasn¡¯t nervous.¡¯ Perhaps this was the reason he had been the last among the brothers to receive permission to form a team. If gastritis had held him back at critical moments, it made sense. ¡°Then let¡¯s send both vanguards forward,¡± Mei Clan¡¯s leader said. ¡°Understood.¡± At those words, Kwon Mi shot Kwon Hanul a deadly glare, as if to say, If you lose, I won¡¯t let this slide. Kwon Hanul opened his subspace, reached inside, and pulled out a pair of gloves. To ensure fairness in this team battle, the Hyukcheon Clan and the Mei Clan had agreed to craft and distribute equipment using only pre-designated materials. These gloves and greaves were the result of that agreement. ¡°Wait... Is that a subspace?¡± Kwon Jiseok, standing nearby, exclaimed in shock. Kwon Hanul responded casually. ¡°Yes, it is.¡± ¡°No way... I couldn¡¯t even get one because no one was selling it. Where did you get it?¡± ¡°The Chairman gave it to me.¡± At that, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face went blank with disbelief. ¡°G-Grandfather just gave you a subspace skill? That cold-hearted man? No... That¡¯s impossible.¡± Ignoring him, Kwon Hanul stepped onto the dueling ground. On the opposite side, Mei Chau, the Mei Clan¡¯s vanguard, ascended as well. Mei Chau rotated his sword several times in the air, loosening his wrist. With each swing, thin lines appeared on the ground¡ªhis aura¡¯s sharpness was chillingly intense. ¡°Hey, Black Worm!¡± Suddenly, Mei Chau shouted. Black Worm? At first, Kwon Hanul was confused, but he quickly realized it was a derogatory term meant to insult the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Let me give you some advice. You¡¯d best give up now.¡± Mei Chau¡¯s voice brimmed with confidence. ¡°You and I are different. My father is the Greatest Sword.¡± Hearing that, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but scoff. No matter how prestigious a bloodline, it was still just a pureblood lineage. And yet, he dared to boast about that to him¡ªa trueblood. ¡°Spout nonsense all you want, but don¡¯t cry when you get beaten.¡± Kwon Hanul had no time to humor Mei Chau¡¯s drivel. The thrill of battle surged through his body. He wanted to unleash his power¡ªto show it. ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Mei Chau¡¯s eyes turned vicious, but at that moment, the Mei Clan¡¯s leader called out. ¡°Both sides, move to the far ends!¡± The dueling ground was oval-shaped. Kwon Hanul and Mei Chau each moved to their respective ends. As he reached his position, Mei Chau appeared small in the distance. Kwon Hanul slipped on his gloves, feeling an unusual energy settle within them. Even my gloves are affected by the Shura Bloodline? Briefly surprised, he quickly adapted. He clenched and unclenched his fists. The gloves had already been lightweight, but now, they felt as if he weren¡¯t wearing anything at all. ¡°Begin!¡± At the Mei Clan leader¡¯s signal, Mei Chau assumed a stance and let out a battle cry. ¡°Haaah!¡± It was his way of psyching himself up before combat. But it was too late. Far too late. Kwon Hanul had already finished his preparations before the signal had even dropped. He bent his knees. The air around him began to swirl. A power obtained after subjugating the Demon Marquis, Vernak. That power summoned a violent gale. The winds compressed beneath Kwon Hanul¡¯s feet, ready to explode at any moment. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± ¡°Wind? Since when did the Hyukcheon Clan have techniques like that?¡± The Mei Clan¡¯s bloodline members murmured anxiously at the unusual sight. A black aura erupted from Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, clashing against the Monarch¡¯s winds in violent resistance. Using that force as an explosive catalyst, he kicked off the ground. The floor shattered. His body shot forward like a bullet. The winds propelled him. Each time his foot struck the ground, the Dragon Demon Aura detonated beneath him, accelerating his speed. ¡°W-Wait, what?!¡± Mei Chau¡¯s face twisted in shock. Kwon Hanul reached him before he could even process the situation. Panic-stricken, Mei Chau floundered, unable to decide what to do. In that moment, Kwon Hanul struck. A full-force punch. Mei Chau barely managed to tilt his blade horizontally in an attempt to block. Gloves and sword clashed. And Kwon Hanul saw it. The Shura energy within his gloves¡ªshattering the Shura energy within Mei Chau¡¯s sword. The blade crumbled into pieces. His fist, unchecked, slammed into Mei Chau¡¯s torso. The impact sent him hurtling out of the dueling ground, straight into the outer wall. The wall exploded upon impact, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air. When the dust settled, Mei Chau was revealed¡ªbattered, embedded into the wreckage. The match had ended with a single decisive blow. Silence blanketed the dueling ground. Kwon Hanul dusted off his hands and muttered, ¡°Too easy.¡± A beat later, the Mei Clan¡¯s bloodline members erupted in shock. ¡°D-Did Mei Chau just lose?¡± ¡°The heir of Mei Rong... lost?¡± ¡°W-Who the hell is that Hyukcheon Clan member?¡± Less than ten seconds had passed since the match began. Even the spectators, who had been watching from a third-party perspective, struggled to accept what had just happened. ¡°Hahahaha! Yes! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about! What did I say? That kid was the perfect choice for vanguard!¡± Amidst Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s roaring laughter, Kwon Hanul stepped off the dueling ground. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 27 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 27: The Victory of Bloodline (2) "Wait!" A powerful voice rang out, stopping Kwon Hanul in his tracks just as he was about to leave the arena. Turning around, he saw a figure standing tall in the waiting area¡ªthe renowned "Greatest Sword," Mei Rong. "That was truly an impressive duel. Your skills are indeed worthy of the Hyukcheon¡¯s reputation." Despite the praise, Mei Rong¡¯s eyes gleamed with killing intent. It was only natural. His son had suffered a humiliating defeat¡ªone that hadn¡¯t even lasted ten seconds. To make matters worse, this disgrace would forever stain the honor of the Mei Clan. "As much as I¡¯d like to simply congratulate you on your victory, it¡¯s difficult for me to do so as a warrior representing the Mei Clan. This incident will undoubtedly be a major blemish on our family¡¯s legacy." Mei Chau, the son of the Mei Clan¡¯s greatest swordsman, had been defeated the moment the duel began. And in just a single strike. If word got out, the Mei Clan would become the laughingstock of the martial world. "That¡¯s why I hope you¡¯ll allow us a chance to make amends." Kwon Hanul narrowed his eyes. Just how did he intend to do that? Mei Rong then declared in a loud voice, "I, Greatest Sword, propose this to the Hyukcheon¡ªwhy don¡¯t we change the rules of the match to a winning streak format?" Both the Hyukcheon Clan and the Mei Clan were shocked. Kwon Hanul turned to Mei Rong and asked, "So you''re saying that the victor stays in the ring and keeps fighting until they lose?" "Exactly!" Hanul let out a short, incredulous laugh. For the prestigious Mei Clan to pull something this absurd... It wasn¡¯t hard to understand their reasoning, though. They needed to defeat Kwon Hanul in the arena¡ªany way they could¡ªto salvage what little honor they had left. "This isn¡¯t a bad deal for you either," Mei Rong continued. "The fact that you¡¯re standing here means you thirst for glory as well." If Hanul won against the remaining two opponents, his fame would skyrocket. But if he lost? Then his victory over Mei Chau would be seen as nothing more than a fluke. "Besides," Mei Rong smirked, "isn¡¯t this still unsatisfying for you? I can tell¡ªyou¡¯re itching for another fight." He was right. The battle had ended far too quickly. Hanul hadn¡¯t even had time to fully enjoy himself. Just as he was about to respond, a sharp voice cut through the tension. "Who gave you the right to change the rules?!" All eyes turned to Kwon Mi, who was bristling with anger. "This isn¡¯t what we originally agreed upon! I won¡¯t allow you to change the team battle rules on a whim!" She sounded frantic. Hanul immediately understood why. She was anxious. Her son was supposed to be the one in the spotlight. But right now, all attention was on Kwon Hanul. "We will proceed with the next match as originally planned¡ª" "That sounds fun!" A voice interrupted her. It was Kwon Myung-woo, standing beside her, laughing heartily as he clapped his knees. "I never liked the idea of fighting one by one anyway. A winning streak format? Now that¡¯s more like it! I love it!" "S-Sir...?" Kwon Mi tried to stop him, but Myung-woo ignored her. Mei Rong wasted no time. "Then, we¡¯ll consider it confirmed by the Strongest Fist of Hyukcheon himself." With that, he turned toward the two remaining representatives of the Mei Clan. "Now, who among you will step forward? Who will defeat the young dragon of Hyukcheon and restore the honor of the Mei Clan?" "If you¡¯ll permit me, I¡¯d like to do it!" A young man shot to his feet. He was tall, his wavy hair framing a sharp, confident face. "Mei Feng!" "The future of the Mei Clan has arrived!" "Mei Feng! Mei Feng!" The Mei Clan erupted into cheers. It was only natural. That man¡ªMei Feng¡ªwas the son of the Mei Clan leader and the team¡¯s captain. "Oh? The captain himself is stepping in already?" Kwon Myung-woo chuckled. The captain was typically the strongest member of a team. And by all accounts, Mei Feng was more than qualified. With nimble steps, Mei Feng entered the arena, offering Hanul a respectful fist salute. "I appreciate you accepting our request. Your generosity is commendable!" Unlike Mei Chau, Mei Feng was courteous. "However, you¡¯ve gotten a little too full of yourself¡ªagreeing to this proposal so easily." At least, outwardly. "You only managed to defeat Mei Chau because you caught him off guard. That won¡¯t work on me." Then, he raised his voice for all to hear. "You¡¯ll soon regret not taking your cheap little victory and walking away!" The crowd roared in approval. His popularity as a direct bloodline descendant was undeniable. Kwon Hanul stepped into the arena, facing Mei Feng directly. "Are both fighters ready?" Both nodded in unison. "Then¡ªbegin!" Mei Feng gripped his crescent blade with both hands, assuming a stance. A deadly aura surged forth, sharp enough to slice the air itself. Hanul smirked. Yes¡ªthis was the kind of challenge worth crushing. "You¡¯re smiling?" Mei Feng frowned, displeased. "I¡¯ll wipe that smirk off your face!" Mei Feng charged forward, swiftly closing the distance before swinging his blade. A wide arc cut through the air, the aura-infused edge slicing toward Hanul¡¯s neck. Just before it could reach him, Hanul shifted¡ªhis movement strangely effortless, as if he were being carried by the wind. [The Authority of ''Monarch¡¯s Wind'' aids you!] "Tch! So, you¡¯ve picked up some fancy footwork somewhere!" Mei Feng gritted his teeth and pressed the attack. But no matter how skilled he was, one thing remained true¡ª You can¡¯t cut the wind. Not once did his blade so much as graze Hanul¡¯s clothes. The Mei Clan¡¯s strongest techniques were completely useless against him. "Stop running and fight me properly!" Mei Feng finally shouted in frustration. Hanul replied with a smirk, "Shall I?" He had been planning to switch to offense anyway. With a powerful step, he lunged forward and struck¡ªhis fist colliding with the shaft of Mei Feng¡¯s crescent blade. The shaft snapped like a twig. Mei Feng¡¯s face twisted in shock. "H-how...?" Now defenseless, his torso was left completely open. Hanul stepped in and thrust his foot straight at Mei Feng¡¯s solar plexus. But just before the strike landed¡ª Twin blades materialized in Mei Feng¡¯s hands. Crossing them in front of him, he blocked the kick. With a heavy thud, he was sent skidding backward. As Hanul narrowed his eyes, Mei Feng grinned. "Breaking my weapon is useless. I¡¯ve already prepared for that." The weapons in his hands kept shifting¡ª From longswords to daggers, from daggers to throwing knives, from throwing knives to spears. ¡®So this is what my granduncle was talking about... The Mei Clan¡¯s special ability.¡¯ On the way here, Kwon Myung-woo had explained¡ª The bloodline of the Mei Clan possessed a unique skill that allowed them to store and summon a vast arsenal of weapons at will. Their specialty lay in wielding multiple weapons simultaneously. "Now, allow me to show you the true swordsmanship of the Mei Clan!" Mei Feng let out a battle cry as he thrust his spear forward. Kwon Hanul dodged the attack using the Authority of Monarch. In that instant, the spear suddenly vanished. Instead, a whip appeared in Mei Feng¡¯s hand. Without missing a beat, he swung the whip wildly. The sharp cracks of the whip slicing through the air echoed without pause. Kwon Hanul took a large step back. Immediately, shurikens came flying toward him. ¡°As expected of Mei Feng! What an incredible assault!¡± ¡°Show that coward what real power looks like!¡± ¡°Avenge Lord Mei Chau!¡± Cheers erupted from all sides, with criticism toward Kwon Hanul mixed in for good measure. Hearing their voices, Kwon Hanul smirked. They were gravely mistaken. Mei Chau hadn¡¯t lost because he was caught off guard or because of an unlucky opening. He had lost simply because Kwon Hanul was overwhelmingly stronger. ¡°Take this!¡± Mei Feng swung his axe down with all his might. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he clenched both fists tightly. Dragon Demon Aura surged through his entire body. He met the descending axe head-on with his fist, infused with condensed Dragon Demon Aura. ¡°You¡¯re insane!¡± Even with gloves on, such an action was madness. An axe was a weapon specialized in destruction. The sheer impact couldn¡¯t be nullified with mere gloves. However¡ª At the moment of impact, the thing that shattered wasn¡¯t his fist. It was the axe. ¡°That¡¯s impossible...¡± Mei Feng swung the curved blade in his other hand. Kwon Hanul struck it down with his elbow. The blade snapped like a brittle reed. ¡°Huh?¡± Mei Feng stumbled back, drawing another weapon. But before he could even swing it, it was smashed apart by Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist. ¡°Damn it!¡± His face twisted in shock as he pulled out a third weapon. At that moment, Kwon Hanul shifted his stance. He spread his legs wide, grounding himself firmly. He pulled his tightly clenched fists to his waist. From his heart to his fists¡ª Dragon Demon Aura swirled and gathered. The moment the energy reached its peak, he unleashed a powerful punch forward. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Forn Collapse Strike: Spiral Wave His fist shot out in a straight line, slamming into Mei Feng¡¯s torso. The unleashed Dragon Demon Aura struck deep inside his body. ¡°Gah...!¡± With a scream, Mei Feng¡¯s body was sent flying out of the arena. Just like Mei Chau before him, he crashed into the wall. But this time, the impact wasn¡¯t the same. The wall behind Mei Feng began to crack. Then, with a deafening noise and a cloud of dust, it collapsed entirely. Through the gaping hole, the scenery outside was clearly visible. Silence fell again¡ªthis time, even longer than before. Without waiting for the quiet to end, Kwon Hanul turned toward Mei Rong and shouted, ¡°Next!¡± Mei Rong¡¯s face twisted. ¡°...Cough.¡± Just then, a coughing sound broke the silence. The rubble shifted as Mei Feng slowly stood up. His condition was horrific. The areas where Kwon Hanul had struck him were completely crushed, reduced to nothing but bloodied flesh. ¡°Cough, cough.¡± The blood dripping from his lips was an ominous shade of dark red¡ªevidence of severe internal injuries. ¡°You should just stay down.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke casually. ¡°I held back at the last moment to keep you alive... But if you keep moving, you might actually die.¡± ¡°Sh-shut up!¡± Mei Feng gritted his teeth and shouted. ¡°The Mei Clan... does not lose! Especially not to you damned Hyukcheon bastards!¡± He pulled out a spear once again. Then, without warning, he gripped the blade with his bare hand. Kwon Hanul frowned at the unexpected self-inflicted wound. Mei Feng¡¯s blood soaked the spear¡¯s blade. And then¡ªsomething changed. The entire spear turned crimson. It wasn¡¯t just the color that changed. A chilling, ominous aura emanated from it. Seeing this, Kwon Hanul muttered a single word. ¡°...Shura.¡± Even Kwon Myung-woo had warned him to be wary of Shura-imbued weapons. ¡°You damned Black Worm! Now the real battle begins!¡± The moment he unleashed Shura¡¯s power, Kwon Hanul felt a cold shiver run down his spine. His body instinctively warned him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t take this lightly. Underestimating this could be dangerous. Just as he thought that, something caught his eye. A longsword, lying on the ground. One of the weapons Mei Feng had dropped during the fight. Despite the fierce battle, the sword remained intact. Kwon Hanul flicked it into the air with his foot and caught it. Kwon Hanul swung the sword a few times. It felt completely natural, as if he had wielded it for years. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Mei Feng looked at him in disbelief. The battle wasn¡¯t even over, yet he was suddenly testing out a sword? Kwon Hanul playfully tilted the sword¡¯s tip back and forth. ¡°I just thought I¡¯d try this out.¡± At those words, Mei Feng let out a short laugh. ¡°Hah.¡± His laugh grew louder. ¡°Haha... Hahaha...!¡± But soon, it turned into anger. ¡°You dare...! A martial artist from Hyukcheon... dares to wield a weapon against a descendant of the Mei Clan?!¡± The Shura energy within his spear responded to his fury, blazing with even greater intensity. ¡°I¡¯ll rip out your heart and devour it!¡± Mei Feng raged so fiercely that it almost seemed worrying. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to disrespect you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give me that bullshit!¡± ¡°Well, if that¡¯s how you see it, can¡¯t be helped.¡± Kwon Hanul summoned his Dragon Demon Aura. A dense black aura engulfed the entire arena. Mei Feng¡ªand even the spectators¡ªfroze in shock. ¡°T-that can¡¯t be... Is that Dragon Combat Aura?¡± ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous... No matter how strong Hyukcheon is, how could he...?¡± ¡°The sheer amount... It¡¯s like an entire lake pouring out all at once.¡± Kwon Hanul focused all his Dragon Demon Aura into the longsword. The energy naturally condensed into the blade. <¡®Dragon Demon Aura and ¡®Shura Aura¡¯ are merging.> The aura surrounding the sword grew even stronger. Mei Feng¡¯s face turned deathly pale. ¡°What do you think? With this, I should be worthy of testing my swordsmanship against the great Mei Clan, right?¡± His voice was laced with mockery. Mei Feng didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he silently adjusted his stance. Kwon Hanul sensed it immediately¡ªhe was preparing his ultimate technique. He readied himself as well. Since he knew nothing of swordsmanship, he chose to rely on the Black Dragon Ascension Art. Mei Feng lunged, thrusting his spear forward. The crimson aura split into hundreds of streaks, raining down like a storm of arrows. Kwon Hanul adjusted his stance to unleash his sword technique. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Shatter Strike: Surging Flow Originally, it was a technique that released energy all at once to destroy everything in its path. Even before executing the technique, he knew¡ªthis attack would decide everything. He unleashed all the aura stored in his sword. A black tidal wave swallowed everything. ¡°You... monster...¡± Those were Mei Feng¡¯s final words before he was completely consumed by Dragon Demon Aura. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 28 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 28: The Victory of Bloodline (3) Just before the black tide could engulf Mei Feng, someone stepped in to block its path. With a clear ringing of a sword, the dragon aura was split in half. Through the opening, Mei Rong emerged. "The young dragon of Hyukcheon is being excessive. Our representative nearly lost his life." Mei Rong glared at Kwon Hanul with a fearsome expression. The sheer volume of dragon aura Kwon Hanul had unleashed was overwhelming. Had Mei Rong not intervened, Mei Feng would have been torn apart. At Mei Rong¡¯s rebuke, Kwon Hanul responded nonchalantly, "I trusted that the Greatest Sword would protect him.". Kwon Hanul gave a slight bow. "It is an honor to witness the swordsmanship of Greatest Sword firsthand." With that single remark, the audience realized something they had momentarily forgotten. The shocking fact wasn¡¯t just that Mei Rong had stepped in. It was that he had fully drawn his sword. "Mei Rong... drew his sword...?" "Does that mean the attack was that dangerous?" "Wait, don¡¯t tell me... he unsheathed it just to make a point?" Had Mei Rong merely intervened, it would have been understandable. After all, an elder stepping in when a duel turns dangerous is not uncommon. But the fact that Mei Rong¡ªthe Greatest Sword¡ªhad actually drawn his blade was beyond comprehension. ¡°No, that¡¯s not the real issue here...¡± Then, someone mumbled blankly. "The Mei Clan... lost... to Hyukcheon Clan... with the sword..." That single sentence sent shockwaves through the crowd. The Mei Clan''s spectators erupted in disbelief. "This... This can''t be! Even if it¡¯s the Hyukcheon lineage, how could they surpass the Mei Clan in swordsmanship?!" "They just overpowered him with brute force! You all saw it! That¡¯s all it was!" Despite the passage of time, the murmurs only grew louder. At that moment¡ª Mei Rong ran a finger along his blade. A piercing sword resonance rang through the dueling grounds, sharp enough to tear through the air. "Silence!" With that command, Mei Rong sheathed his sword. Then, he turned to Kwon Hanul. "I have just one question. How did someone of Hyukcheon Clan learn such swordsmanship?" All eyes focused on Kwon Hanul. Not just the Mei Clan''s descendants, but even those of Hyukcheon watched intently. "I practiced whenever I had the time," he replied. "...You¡¯re saying you reached that level just by practicing occasionally?" "Yes, is that a problem?" Kwon Hanul lied without hesitation. Well... technically, it wasn¡¯t entirely a lie. At those words, Mei Rong''s brow furrowed even further. "Don¡¯t lie to me." "I¡¯m telling the truth." In reality, Kwon Hanul had no choice but to feign ignorance. No one could ever discover that he possessed more than one bloodlines. The consequences of that revelation were unpredictable, and there was no need to reveal his greatest weapon. Thus, he decided to masquerade as a genius instead. "If that¡¯s true, then Hyukcheon is blessed with fortune... while for our Mei Clan, this is nothing short of a disaster." Mei Rong turned his back, pulling Mei Feng to his feet as he loudly declared: "The Mei Clan concedes the second duel!" The faces of the spectators twisted in frustration. They seemed to have countless things to say, but none dared to speak. "Mei Hong!" Mei Rong called out their final representative. "Can you win?" Mei Hong shook her head in silence. Mei Rong''s expression darkened at her response. Dragging Mei Feng back to the waiting area, he leaned in and whispered something into Mei Hong¡¯s ear. In that instant, Mei Hong''s eyes widened. She turned to glare at Mei Rong, her face contorted with fury. "You absolute bastard..." "If you have time to be angry, use it to figure out how to win." After a long moment of glaring, Mei Hong finally stepped into the arena. "I am Mei Hong." Her clear voice rang out as she assumed her stance. ¡®This is...¡¯ Unlike Mei Chao¡¯s overwhelming presence or Mei Feng¡¯s chilling aura, Mei Hong exuded neither. She was calm¡ªlike an unmoving boulder in the middle of a vast field. Yet, Kwon Hanul could feel it. ¡®She¡¯s far stronger than the two before her.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t understand why someone of her caliber had been placed as the middle contender. ¡®There must be a reason for it.¡¯ But that was none of his concern. What mattered was that, finally, a worthy opponent had appeared. With that, he tossed his longsword aside. Mei Hong gave him a puzzled look. "You don¡¯t seem like someone I should take lightly." Thanks to his Shura Bloodline, Kwon Hanul could wield any weapon freely. But to unleash his full power¡ªhis fists were the best choice. "Both sides, prepare yourselves!" Mei Rong''s voice rang out. "Begin!" The moment the duel was declared¡ª Mei Hong unsheathed her sword and slashed her own forearm in one swift motion. The blade was instantly dyed crimson. But it didn¡¯t stop there¡ªsomething eerie began to surface on the sword¡¯s sheen. Eyes. Like those of a lizard, slit pupils emerged at the center of the blade. It was on an entirely different level compared to what Mei Feng had summoned. If his was akin to a housecat, hers was a full-fledged tiger. A smile crept onto Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips. Excitement surged from deep within his chest. [Synchronization Rate: 18% ¡ú 19%] His blood boiled. His dragon aura flared even more fiercely. And then¡ª "Stop this match!" The Mei Clan¡¯s Patriarch suddenly shouted. Kwon Hanul and Mei Hong both froze in place. "Our Mei Clan concedes this duel." The declaration left the entire audience in shock. The only one who felt something different¡ªwas Kwon Hanul. Displeasure. Just when things were starting to get interesting. What nonsense is this? ¡°What do you mean, my lord?!¡± Mei Rong shouted in shock. The Mei Clan Patriarch replied calmly, ¡°Did you not see? That young dragon of Hyukcheon is far too strong. The outcome is already decided.¡± ¡°But¡ª!¡± The patriarch ignored Mei Rong¡¯s outburst and turned to Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°This team match is Hyukcheon¡¯s victory. As promised, we will relinquish ownership of the dungeon.¡± ¡°Excellent! We of Hyukcheon accept the Mei Clan¡¯s surrender! Hahaha!¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s laughter echoed through the dueling ground. The Mei Clan¡¯s bloodline, including Mei Rong, scowled at him with disdain. But it was meaningless. Celebrating victory was the right of the winner. ¡°You rascal!¡± Kwon Myung-woo leaped from the waiting area, grabbed Kwon Hanul, and lifted him high into the air. ¡°You took down three opponents by yourself! Truly impressive!¡± ¡°Granduncle, I can¡¯t breathe.¡± ¡°Just endure it, you brat! Hahaha!¡± The other members of Hyukcheon Clan also climbed onto the stage. Among them, Kwon Jiseok grumbled in frustration. ¡°This bastard took all the glory for himself... Damn it! Do you even know how much I was looking forward to today?¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve volunteered to go first.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Kwon Jiseok yelled, then scratched his head. ¡°Damn it, you lucky bastard. Still, that was impressive.¡± Kwon Hanul doubted his ears. Did Kwon Jiseok just praise him? ¡°Of course, I would¡¯ve done better! But you did well, so I¡¯ll let it slide this time. Don¡¯t expect this to happen again,¡± Kwon Jiseok continued to grumble. Just then, Kwon Hudon clapped Kwon Hanul¡¯s shoulder. ¡°H-hello.¡± As always, Kwon Hudon stuttered. ¡°A-amazing. You were r-really... I mean... I c-can¡¯t even put it into words...¡± He flailed his arms awkwardly. For someone with such striking looks, his mannerisms created quite the contrast. ¡°C-can we be f-friends from now on?¡± It was like a grade-schooler awkwardly asking to be friends. How was he supposed to respond to that? Kwon Hanul hesitated. Then¡ª ¡°You!¡± A sharp voice rang out. Kwon Mi approached briskly and grabbed Kwon Hudon by the nape. ¡°How many times do I have to tell you not to act like this?¡± ¡°M-mom...¡± ¡°Get back to your seat right now!¡± Looking dejected, Kwon Hudon trudged away. Kwon Mi then glared at Kwon Hanul with piercing eyes. ¡°...Don¡¯t get cocky just because you had a good day.¡± Her tone remained irritable. ¡°Anyone from our side would¡¯ve produced the same result.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Kwon Hanul replied halfheartedly. Kwon Mi¡¯s eyebrows twitched. ¡°Have you all celebrated enough?¡± At that moment, the Mei Clan Patriarch spoke. Kwon Myung-woo shook his head. ¡°Of course not! We need to return to Hyukcheon and announce the news, then hold a grand celebration! Hahaha!¡± The Mei Clan Patriarch¡¯s expression darkened slightly. For Hyukcheon, this was a joyous occasion. For the Mei Clan, it would be an eternal humiliation. ¡°But before you leave, I find it hard to simply let today¡¯s protagonist walk away.¡± Out of nowhere, the Mei Clan Patriarch spoke again. ¡°You entered the heart of the Mei Clan and defeated its bloodline in swordsmanship... Even I can barely believe it, despite witnessing it firsthand.¡± The patriarch then turned to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Young dragon of Hyukcheon, is there anything you desire? Speak, and I shall grant it.¡± Kwon Hanul doubted his ears. ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± A stroke of unexpected luck. Kwon Hanul pondered. How could he make the most of this opportunity? ¡®He said anything, but that can¡¯t be entirely true.¡¯ Asking for clan secrets or treasured artifacts would be impossible. This was merely a gesture of goodwill from the Mei Clan Patriarch. ¡®Then the choice is obvious.¡¯ Kwon Hanul turned to the patriarch and spoke. ¡°In that case, I would like to spend a day observing the Mei Clan and broadening my knowledge.¡± The Mei Clan Patriarch tilted his head. ¡°To observe?¡± In other words, he wanted to take a tour. It wasn¡¯t often that one got the chance to look around a great clan like the Mei Clan. But given the patriarch¡¯s offer, why ask for something like that? Then¡ª ¡°Hahaha! What a bold rascal!¡± Kwon Myung-woo suddenly burst into laughter. Everyone looked at him in confusion. ¡°Are you planning to scout out the Mei Clan yourself, knowing that we may be enemies one day?¡± At his words, the others¡¯ expressions shifted in shock. Everyone except Kwon Hanul. ¡®That wasn¡¯t my intention, but...¡¯ Kwon Hanul had only wanted to see if he could obtain something using his True Shura Bloodline. But the others took Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s words at face value. ¡°As expected of Hyukcheon Clan...Not even letting such a small opportunity slip away.¡± ¡°With that talent... that boldness... I¡¯ve never feared Hyukcheon as much as I do today.¡± The Mei Clan trembled in apprehension. Even the Mei Clan Patriarch¡¯s expression hardened slightly. ¡®...Terrifying. If he¡¯s like this now, I can¡¯t even imagine what kind of force he¡¯ll become in the future.¡¯ It was a perfect example of how interpretation could surpass intention. ¡°I have already made my promise, so I cannot go back on my word.¡± The patriarch then added¡ª ¡°But my offer extends only to the young dragon. The rest of Hyukcheon must wait outside.¡± ¡°A fair decision.¡± Kwon Myung-woo laughed heartily. ¡°The victor alone deserves the spoils! Hahaha!¡± He was still beaming. ¡°Oh, right. Come here for a moment.¡± Suddenly, Kwon Myung-woo called out to Kwon Hanul. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 29 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 29: The Bloodline¡¯s Suspicion(1) Kwon Myung-woo led Kwon Hanul to the area behind the waiting seats. "This should be far enough." Kwon Myung-woo released his aura, forming a sound barrier. Instantly, all surrounding noise was completely cut off. Seeing such an advanced martial technique¡ªone only those who had mastered aura manipulation could use¡ªKwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. "You brat. Of all things, you had to make that request?" "Was it a dangerous request?" "Of course, it was dangerous! You crushed the Mei Clan¡¯s pride and then asked for a tour of their home. Do you really think they''d take that kindly?" Kwon Myung-woo spoke loudly, but his tone didn¡¯t sound reprimanding. If anything, he seemed rather pleased. "But that¡¯s exactly what makes you a true descendant of Hyukcheon. It was an excellent request. Opportunities to personally observe the Mei Clan¡¯s homeland don¡¯t come often." Of course, Hanul¡¯s real reason was to use his True Shura Bloodline to uncover hidden secrets. "Here, take this." Kwon Myung-woo handed him a necklace. A small, thumb-sized stone was attached to it, shimmering with rainbow colors. "This is the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel." Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. A legendary artifact known to neutralize nearly all poisons in existence. While not as powerful as an absolute poison immunity physique, it was still among the highest-tier relics. "This is incredibly valuable... Why are you giving it to me?" "Just in case. Besides, I don¡¯t need it anymore." That statement alone revealed that Kwon Myung-woo had reached a level of mastery akin to an immune physique. Hanul was once again reminded that this old man was the Strongest Fist, the strongest martial artist in their family. "Well, nothing major should happen. If they dare lay a hand on you, it would mean war with the entire Hyukcheon Clan. No sane person would risk that." Kwon Myung-woo''s expression turned sharp. "But it never hurts to be cautious. The Mei Clan is not to be trusted. You never know what they might pull." He continued. "Our Hyukcheon Clan has clashed with the Mei Clan countless times. I led nearly all those battles, so I know their nature better than anyone." Hanul listened intently. "The Mei Clan will do anything to defeat us. Sometimes, they resort to extreme measures." "Extreme measures, like...?" "Using poisons and curses, pretending to negotiate peace only to launch surprise attacks¡ªthings like that." Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s expression twisted with disgust. "Every time, we crushed them completely, yet instead of being scared, they only grew more desperate. That¡¯s how much they hate being weaker than us." Sometimes, people prioritize their pride over practicality. The Mei Clan was exactly like that. "Starting today, you are the warrior they will fear and keep a close watch on the most." Being chosen as a representative of a clan meant you were expected to uphold its future. Hanul had completely overwhelmed one such representative and bested another in swordsmanship. There was no way the Mei Clan wouldn¡¯t be wary of such talent and potential. "Do you know the simplest way to prevent future threats?" "Eliminate them early." "Exactly. That¡¯s why you need to be extra careful." A question crossed Hanul¡¯s mind. "Then why didn¡¯t you stop me?" Despite the risks, Kwon Myung-woo hadn¡¯t tried to dissuade him. In fact, he had even encouraged him. It was a puzzling decision. "You''re still lacking awareness as a Hyukcheon descendant." Kwon Myung-woo sighed as if disappointed. "Tell me, boy, are you the kind of person who refuses to ferment soybean paste just because you¡¯re afraid of maggots?" Hanul was momentarily speechless. Comparing the Mei Clan to maggots¡ªnow that was harsh. "We are Hyukcheon. The world may call us the strongest in East Asia, but I see it differently. Hyukcheon is the strongest in the world." It was an utterly arrogant declaration. "What does it mean to be the strongest? It means standing at the top, always. No matter how fierce the storm, no matter how strong the winds, we remain unmoved. That is why we are the strongest." Hanul listened carefully, recognizing this as a lesson from an elder of Hyukcheon. "If you desire something, take it. If someone stands in your way, crush them. That is what it means to be the strongest. That is Hyukcheon. And you¡¯re telling me you would avoid the Mei Clan¡¯s schemes out of fear? If I saw someone like that, I¡¯d beat them to death myself!" Hanul immediately nodded in understanding. Kwon Myung-woo grinned in satisfaction. "Looks like you get it now." With that, they returned to the dueling grounds, where the Mei Clan¡¯s head greeted them with a smile. "You¡¯re back! Mei Rong, please see to it that our young guest is well taken care of." Mei Rong silently bowed, then turned to Hanul. "Follow me." It seemed he had been chosen as his guide. * * * At first, Hanul had high expectations for the tour. When he arrived at the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s main house, he had unlocked an ancient inheritance left by his ancestor, thanks to his True Black Dragon Bloodline. So naturally, he hoped for a similar discovery within the Mei Clan. But... "This is where our bloodline trains." Even when he entered their training grounds... "That artifact calms the mind and enhances meditation efficiency." Even when he examined their prized relics... "This hall contains the complete history of the Mei Clan." Even when he explored their most sacred archives... He found nothing left behind by their ancestor. ¡®It seems not every ancestor leaves behind hidden inheritances.¡¯ It was truly disappointing. ¡®Now that I think about it, the True Shura Bloodline doesn¡¯t grant any special powers on its own.¡¯ The Black Dragon Bloodline allowed its lesser descendants to wield Dragon Combat Aura, while its true descendants could use Dragon Demon Aura¡ªcompletely different abilities. The Shura Bloodline only allowed the use of Shura Techniques, regardless of purity. ¡®It was slightly stronger... but nothing extraordinary.¡¯ Disappointment began to creep in. Still, it was a valuable experience. He had learned that a True Bloodline wasn¡¯t always superior to a lesser lineage. ¡°What are you standing around for?¡± A sharp voice called out from ahead. Mei Rong. Kwon Hanul quickened his pace. ¡°I just don¡¯t understand,¡± Mei Rong suddenly spoke. ¡°You¡¯re a formally invited guest, yet you asked for a tour of our estate. Are you bold, or just foolish?¡± His demeanor began to change. A chilling air seemed to seep in from nowhere. ¡°This is the heart of our Mei Clan. No matter what happens here, Hyukcheon cannot protect you.¡± He tapped the hilt of his sword. ¡°If I were to kill you right now, what would you do?¡± ¡°If you harm me, the Hyukcheon Family won¡¯t stand idly by.¡± No organization could overlook the murder of one of its members. Especially not one as proud as Hyukcheon. Yet Mei Rong scoffed. ¡°There are all sorts of relics in this world. Poisons that kill in one¡¯s sleep, curses that seal a person¡¯s intelligence.¡± This wasn¡¯t an empty threat. The terrifying thing about relics was their sheer variety and limitless potential. ¡°With the right artifact, disposing of you without Hyukcheon knowing would be effortless.¡± A threat. He neither radiated killing intent nor hostility, yet the pressure weighing down on Kwon Hanul was immense. ¡®Formidable...¡¯ As expected of the Greatest Sword of the Central Plains. Even his mere presence was enough to overwhelm. A smile crept onto Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. ¡®Yes, someone of this caliber should feel like this.¡¯ In the past, he had always avoided the strong. One wrong move, and survival wasn¡¯t guaranteed. But now, with the Black Dragon Bloodline coursing through him, the sight of a powerful opponent thrilled him. He couldn¡¯t wait for the day when he would finally challenge him. "Why are you silent? Don¡¯t tell me you think I¡¯m joking?" There was a hint of displeasure in Mei Rong¡¯s voice. "Of course not. How could I possibly take the words of the Greatest Sword of Mei Clan as a joke? Amusingly enough, I just had a similar conversation not too long ago." This time, a flicker of curiosity crossed Mei Rong¡¯s face. "You already had this conversation?" "Yes. That person said this to me¡ª" Hanul recited Kwon Myung-wu¡¯s words exactly, not missing a single syllable. "Would you stop making soy sauce just because you¡¯re afraid of maggots?" Silence lingered for a moment. Then, Mei Rong let out a short, incredulous laugh. "This is why I despise the Hyukcheon clan. Whether young or old, you¡¯re all unbearably arrogant." "With all due respect, Greatest Sword, you were the one who spoke harshly first." "Ah, forget it. Let¡¯s continue the tour." Mei Rong resumed walking. As they passed by a particular building, Kwon Hanul suddenly spoke up. "Why are we skipping that one?" "That¡¯s the ancestral shrine of the Mei family. I figured an outsider like you would find it dull, so I didn¡¯t bother." "Would it be alright if I take a look?" "There¡¯s not much to see." "Since I¡¯m already here, I should at least pay my respects to the ancestors of the Mei family." That was just an excuse. In truth, something about that shrine had caught his attention. "Fine, take a look." Mei Rong opened the doors to the shrine. Kwon Hanul stepped inside. Just as Mei Rong had said, there wasn¡¯t anything particularly unusual. The interior was modest, containing little more than the ancestral tablets. But there was one thing that stood out. What is that...? Right behind the ancestral tablet¡ª A painting of a monstrous figure with six arms was hanging on the wall. "That is our first ancestor," Mei Rong explained, staring at the painting. "The founder of our clan discovered the Shura King inside a dungeon and gained its power." Indeed, the creature in the painting looked every bit like a being worthy of the title Shura King. "When he passed away, he declared that anyone who could claim the Shura King should take it for themselves. But..." "But no one has ever managed to obtain it." "Not only that, we haven¡¯t even been able to find where it is." Mei Rong clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Ah, I¡¯ve spoken too much. Take your time looking around." With that, Mei Rong stepped outside and shut the door behind him. Now alone, Kwon Hanul could study the painting more carefully. "Hmm..." He reached out towards the image. The moment his fingers touched the canvas¡ª The creature in the painting opened its eyes. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 30 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 30: The Bloodline¡¯s Suspicion(2) The Shura King transformed into crimson smoke and was absorbed into Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. For having just absorbed a being as powerful as the Shura King, the system messages seemed rather underwhelming. But Kwon Hanul could feel it¡ªthe sheer terrifying presence of the Shura King now residing within him. To truly understand its power, he had to infuse it into a weapon. Otherwise, it would remain sealed, as if nothing had changed. ¡®But what exactly is Shura Soul?¡¯ Without hesitation, he decided to test it firsthand. He retrieved a dagger from his subspace and infused it with Shura Soul. The moment it absorbed the Shura Soul, the dagger floated into the air, whizzing chaotically around him. When he opened his palm, the dagger returned to his hand. ¡®...This could be useful.¡¯ As a martial artist, Kwon Hanul rarely used weapons. Instead, he considered a different application. ¡®If I infuse Shura Soul into debris during battle...¡¯ He could control scattered remnants mid-fight, launching surprise attacks at his enemies. Or, he could even imbue it into his clothes, manipulating them at will. Various possibilities crossed his mind, and he nodded in satisfaction as he stowed the dagger away. ¡®Time to head out.¡¯ He turned toward the shrine¡¯s entrance¡ªthen suddenly, a faint scent reached his nose. If not for the heightened senses granted by his Dragon Physique, he would have missed it entirely. What is this? A slightly sweet yet sour odor. He sniffed again, trying to pinpoint it. <¡°Healthy Bloodline (½¡¿µÑª)¡± detects a deadly toxin!> <¡°Genius Bloodline¡± detects a supreme curse!> Kwon Hanul swiftly pulled out the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel and placed it in his mouth. This was why the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel was considered a top-tier legendary artifact. Unlike ordinary antidote pearls, which only counteracted poison, this one could neutralize all harmful substances. The Mei Clan must have pulled some tricks. He hadn¡¯t expected them to act so soon after Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s warning. ¡®Did they really want me dead that badly?¡¯ To the Mei Clan¡ªwho harbored an inferiority complex toward Hyukcheon¡ªKwon Hanul¡¯s very existence was a threat. But why? If they kill me so openly, it would start a war with Hyukcheon. Would they really risk an all-out conflict just to eliminate him? It didn¡¯t make sense. As he pondered, another message appeared. Knew my bloodline had some tricks, but this... Kwon Hanul carefully read the details. Once infected, he would die within a week¡ª168 hours, to be exact. A memory resurfaced. Something Mei Rong had said, "There are relics that can kill a person without leaving a trace." Looking back, that wasn¡¯t a mere comment¡ªit was a warning. A preemptive declaration. Had it not been for his Healthy Bloodline, Genius Bloodline, and the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel, he would have been helpless. What should I do now? The Mei Clan had just attempted to assassinate him. The realization ignited something within his chest. Surprisingly, it wasn¡¯t fear¡ªit was rage. ¡®The Mei Clan tried to kill me? And not through combat, but with poison?¡¯ His blood boiled. His teeth clenched. He couldn¡¯t let this go unpunished. The Mei Clan would be held accountable. ¡®But this isn¡¯t something I can decide alone.¡¯ This wasn¡¯t just a random incident¡ªit had occurred while Hyukcheon was visiting the Mei Clan. If handled poorly, it could escalate into full-scale war. ¡®I need to inform Granduncle first.¡¯ With that, Kwon Hanul stepped out of the shrine. Waiting outside, as if expecting him, was Mei Rong. ¡°Did you have a valuable experience?¡± Despite orchestrating this entire scheme, Mei Rong¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. What a wretched bastard. Brazen. Shameless. Utterly detestable. ¡°Yes. It made me curious about what kind of person the Mei Clan¡¯s ancestor was.¡± ¡°Perhaps you¡¯ll meet him sooner than you think.¡± ¡°How would I meet someone who¡¯s already dead?¡± Mei Rong simply smiled¡ªa cryptic, knowing smile. ¡°Just a thought.¡± He started walking again, but someone approached him. It was Mei Hong¡ªone of the representatives of the Mei Clan. ¡°Lord Mei Rong, the Patriarch has summoned you.¡± ¡°The Patriarch? For what reason?¡± ¡°How should I know?¡± Despite addressing one of the highest-ranking elders, Mei Hong¡¯s tone was flat and indifferent. Mei Rong clicked his tongue in irritation before turning to Kwon Hanul. ¡°My apologies. I must step away.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve seen everything I needed to.¡± ¡°Appreciate your understanding. Mei Hong, guide the Hyukcheon representative to his kin.¡± With that, Mei Rong quickly disappeared. Mei Hong, now left with Kwon Hanul, spoke in a polite tone, ¡°Allow me to escort you.¡± As she passed him, she subtly pressed something into his palm. His instinct was to check what it was, but before he could, she whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t lower your head.¡± Kwon Hanul immediately froze. ¡°There are too many watchers. If you act suspiciously, they¡¯ll notice.¡± Keeping her eyes forward, Mei Hong continued walking. Kwon Hanul followed in silence. ¡°...You may find this hard to believe, but right now, your body¡ª¡± ¡°Is poisoned, correct?¡± Mei Hong¡¯s expression stiffened slightly. ¡°How did you¡ª?¡± ¡°I also know its effects. If left untreated, I¡¯ll die within a week.¡± He spoke just loud enough for only Mei Hong to hear. Her face hardened further. ¡°...They wanted to kill you without provoking Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°And this is the antidote, I presume?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°What exactly is this poison?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called Dreamshade Venom¡ªa synthetic toxin crafted from relic-based poisons. Once infected, you die in your sleep, as if you merely drifted off.¡± ¡°Relic-based poison... Sounds expensive.¡± ¡°You could sell an entire mid-sized city and still not afford the materials.¡± ¡°Must be an honor to have something that valuable used on me.¡± A cold laugh escaped his lips. Just how desperate were they to kill him? ¡°But why are you telling me this? You¡¯re part of the Mei Clan.¡± A faint grinding of teeth. Mei Hong¡¯s gaze remained forward, but the hatred in her eyes was undeniable. ¡°I want revenge on the Mei Clan.¡± A chill ran down his spine. He could feel the raw intensity of her hatred. ¡°I want them annihilated. I want the Patriarch¡¯s head. And I want to tear out Mei Rong¡¯s heart with my own teeth.¡± ¡°...And how does that involve helping me?¡± "Please accept me into the Hyukcheon Clan." Kwon Hanul''s eyes widened. "I want to stand with the Hyukcheon Clan and fight against the Mei Clan." What could have possibly happened to make her hate her own family so much? He wanted to ask, but Kwon Hanul chose not to press further. They weren¡¯t close enough for that, and he wasn¡¯t sure how much he could trust her. ¡®She wanted to join the Hyukcheon Clan for revenge. That¡¯s why she helped me.¡¯ It sounded reasonable. But what if that wasn¡¯t the case? What if this was just another scheme by the Mei Clan¡¯s leader? "I''m sorry, but I can''t trust you." Kwon Hanul handed the antidote back to Mei Hong. "This is a matter between me and the Mei Clan. Stay out of it." Mei Hong bit her lip in frustration. Meanwhile, Kwon Hanul reached the place where the Hyukcheon bloodline members were waiting. * * * "There he is!" The first to greet him was Kwon Myung-woo. "So, how did it feel to see the Mei Clan with your own eyes?" "They are nothing compared to the Hyukcheon Clan." "Ha! Of course, they aren¡¯t!" Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter. Kwon Hanul stepped closer and whispered, "Great-Uncle, the Mei Clan tried to poison me." The laughter vanished from Kwon Myung-woo''s face. "...What did you just say?" Kwon Hanul held out the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel. The pearl, once shimmering with rainbow hues, had turned black. A sign that the poison and curse had been purified. "...Did you identify the poison?" "They called it Dreamshade Venom. It''s an airborne toxin¡ªonce inhaled, the victim dies peacefully in their sleep after seven days." "Where did you get this information?" "I heard it from Mei Hong. She claimed she wanted to side with us for revenge." "Can she be trusted?" "I''m not certain." Kwon Myung-woo''s expression darkened as he fell into deep thought. At that moment, a presence approached. "It seems our time together is coming to an end." The Mei Clan¡¯s leader had drawn near and addressed Kwon Myung-woo. "It would be a shame to part ways like this. What do you say to sharing a drink before we go?" "A drink, huh? The Mei Clan¡¯s plum wine is quite something." "You have good taste. As it happens, we have a batch that¡¯s been aged to perfection. Why not come in for a glass?" A broad grin spread across Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s face as the Mei Clan¡¯s leader offered him the drink. And with that same smile, Kwon Myung-woo swung his fist straight at the Mei Clan leader¡¯s head. Just before the fist connected, Mei Rong intervened. Drawing his sword, he blocked Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s strike. The moment fist met blade, the air trembled. With their weapons locked, Kwon Myung-woo and Mei Rong glared at each other. "Hyukcheon¡¯s Fist of the Black Dragon! Have you gone mad?!" "Spare me the nonsense. My mind is perfectly clear." "Then what the hell are you doing?! You dare attack our clan leader? This won''t be overlooked!" At Mei Rong¡¯s outburst, Kwon Myung-woo scoffed. "Bold words for someone whose clan just tried to kill a member of the Hyukcheon Clan." "Don''t slander the Mei Clan without proof!" "Slander? Maybe I should smash that thick skull of yours and check for myself!" The air between them grew tense with killing intent. Before the situation could spiral any further, the Mei Clan¡¯s leader shouted, "Mei Rong! Stand down!" Mei Rong tightened his grip on his sword before stepping back, as if propelled by force. "Hyukcheon¡¯s Fist of the Black Dragon, I fail to understand your actions." "Still feigning ignorance, I see." Kwon Myung-woo raised the now-darkened Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel. "This was given to my grandnephew. Notice the discoloration?" One cannot purify a poison without first being poisoned. The Mei Clan¡¯s leader looked visibly shaken by the undeniable proof that Kwon Hanul had been targeted. "Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel? Are you saying you gave my late wife¡¯s keepsake to that boy?" "That¡¯s hardly the point. A member of the Hyukcheon Clan was nearly assassinated within the Mei Clan¡¯s territory. How do you explain that?" "We had no knowledge of this!" "Spare me the act before I rip that smug face off." Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s voice was filled with murderous intent. "We already know the poison used was Dreamshade. We know it kills in seven days, leaving no visible trace." The Mei Clan leader¡¯s expression stiffened. He had never expected them to know the poison¡¯s name and effects. "This is outrageous! We had nothing to do with it! In fact, perhaps the Hyukcheon Clan is framing us¡ª" "Mei Clan Leader." Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s voice cut through the air like a blade. "Enough with the performance. Whether you¡¯re innocent or not, I have no intention of letting this slide." Kwon Myung-woo unleashed his Dragon Aura. A black energy surged toward the sky. The Mei Clan members paled at the overwhelming force. "Are you really intent on bloodshed?" "Why ask the obvious?" The Mei Clan¡¯s leader closed his eyes and sighed heavily, as if exhausted by the situation. "What a shame," the Mei Clan¡¯s leader mused. Despite being the perpetrator, he remained composed. "If things had gone as planned, we could have cut off that young dragon before he had a chance to grow, all while maintaining amicable relations with Hyukcheon." He turned to Kwon Hanul. "You, young dragon of Hyukcheon¡ªI must admit, there''s something I don¡¯t understand. Dreamshade Venom is subtle, nearly undetectable. That¡¯s why I chose it for this occasion... So how did you realize it?" "It was thanks to the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel my Great-Uncle gave me." "You think I didn''t account for that? I acknowledge its effectiveness, but at the end of the day, it''s still a poison-neutralizing pearl. And poison-neutralizing pearl can detect liquid toxins, but not airborne ones." Kwon Hanul realized just how meticulous the Mei Clan had been in their preparations. "Tell me. How did you know?" "Well... I have pretty sharp instincts,¡± Kwon Hanul answered nonchalantly. The Mei Clan¡¯s leader frowned at the response. "Don¡¯t joke with me." "I''m being serious." It was a familiar exchange. Hadn¡¯t Mei Rong asked him the same thing earlier? "...Could it be that you noticed purely by instinct? Frighteningly perceptive... It seems I wasn¡¯t wrong. As long as you live, the Mei Clan can never surpass Hyukcheon." A wave of killing intent surged toward Kwon Hanul. Although not as fearsome as Mei Rong, the Mei Clan¡¯s leader was still a formidable warrior. The sheer pressure bore down on Kwon Hanul. "You dare oppress a child? What have you done with all your years?" Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s voice rang out, instantly shattering the Mei Clan leader¡¯s aura. The difference in power was undeniable. "At least you admit the truth. Now, shall we deal with the rest?" Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s energy flared, stronger than before. The Mei Clan¡¯s leader looked on in disbelief. "Don¡¯t tell me... you actually intend to fight us here?" "And if I do?" "Hah! Hyukcheon arrogance knows no bounds! Do you realize where you are? This is the Mei Clan¡¯s stronghold¡ªour soldiers, weapons, and masters are all here! You think five of you can take us on?" The Hyukcheon members numbered only five, while the Mei Clan had hundreds. But Kwon Myung-woo remained unfazed. "Why not?" "...What did you just say?" "I¡¯ll handle you and that so-called Greatest Sword of yours. My men can deal with the rest." The Mei Clan leader¡¯s jaw dropped. "Hyukcheon¡¯s Fist of the Black Dragon... Are you insane?" "And if I¡¯m not?" "Even the strongest cannot fight an entire clan alone!" Kwon Myung-woo took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. His Dragon Aura burned like a raging inferno. "Watch me." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 31 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 31: The Bloodline¡¯s Suspicion (Part 3) Everyone was shocked by Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s response. Kwon Hanul was no exception. Upon hearing it, he recalled the conversation they had earlier. "Take what you want, crush what you don¡¯t like¡ªthat¡¯s what it means to be the strongest." Easier said than done. Acting on those words, especially when facing an entire clan, was no small feat. ¡°Why the long face, kid?¡± When Hanul looked up, he met Myung-woo¡¯s gaze. Misunderstanding his expression, Myung-woo tried to reassure him. ¡°Relax. As long as you stick with me, you won¡¯t die at the very least!¡± Hanul let out a small laugh. He couldn''t let that misunderstanding slide. ¡°That¡¯d be a problem.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that now?¡± ¡°If I rely on you, Uncle, how will I take my revenge on the Mei Clan with my own hands?¡± Myung-woo¡¯s eyes widened at Hanul¡¯s spirited reply. ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit of Hyukcheon! Hahaha!¡± While Myung-woo laughed heartily, the head of the Mei Clan finally spoke. ¡°...Truly the audacity befitting Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist.¡± Oddly enough, despite holding the upper hand, the Mei Clan¡¯s leader looked distinctly troubled. Hanul easily saw through his true intentions. ¡®He wants to avoid war.¡¯ Despite his bravado, the Mei Clan surely knew¡ªthough they were a prestigious clan, they couldn¡¯t compare to Hyukcheon. If war broke out, the losing side would almost certainly be the Mei Clan. ¡°But I can¡¯t say the other members feel the same.¡± He gestured toward the figures behind Kwon Myung-woo¡ªKwon Jiseok, Kwon Hudon, and Kwon Mi¡ªeach wearing different expressions. ¡°Was your name Kwon Jiseok? What do you think?¡± Jiseok wore his usual scowl, not bothering to hide his displeasure with the situation. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve got no desire to fight for that bastard...¡± The Mei Clan leader smiled slightly. Seeing this, Hanul clicked his tongue. To think he¡¯d try to manipulate them into internal strife to escape the situation. ¡®Unworthy of being clan head.¡¯ But then Jiseok continued. ¡°Still, we can¡¯t just sit by when a nobody like the Mei Clan lays a hand on our bloodline.¡± Neither Hanul nor the Mei Clan¡¯s leader expected that answer. Flustered, the clan head quickly changed his target. ¡°Wait! I can¡¯t ask just one! What about you?¡± ¡°M-me?¡± Hudon looked up in alarm, nervously biting his thumbnail. ¡°Do you want to go to war with the Mei Clan?¡± ¡°F-fighting is scary...¡± The Mei Clan leader¡¯s face brightened with hope. ¡°B-but mom said... Anyone who threatens our clan¡¯s honor, I should... bash their heads in.¡± Hudon exuded killing intent. The murderous aura was so thick it suffocated the surroundings. ¡°S-so I¡¯ll kill them all... every single one of them.¡± With Hudon now resolved to fight, the Mei Clan head¡¯s face grew desperate. ¡°Th-then! Representative Kwon Mi!¡± Hanul instinctively turned toward Kwon Mi, who stood calmly, arms crossed. ¡°Do you feel the same? Are you really going to start a war with the Mei Clan right here?¡± Kwon Mi let out a long sigh. ¡°That would be problematic.¡± Color returned to the Mei Clan head¡¯s face, betraying his lack of composure. Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised¡ªhe had expected this reaction from Kwon Mi, who had made her dislike of him clear during the entire team battle. ¡°We came here for the team match, not to declare war.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡± ¡°If war breaks out now, neither Hyukcheon nor the Mei Clan will gain anything.¡± The Mei Clan head nodded enthusiastically. ¡°You really understand what¡¯s important. Then let¡¯s part here and talk again another¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up, you damned old bastard.¡± The atmosphere froze. ¡°W-what did you just say...?¡± He couldn¡¯t finish. Kwon Mi stomped on the ground with all her strength. The earth trembled like waves. Pavement cracked and flipped, and nearby buildings crumbled. ¡°How dare the likes of the Mei Clan touch Hyukcheon¡¯s members? Did you think I¡¯d sit back and do nothing?¡± They had forgotten. Kwon Mi was also a direct descendant of Kwon Seonwoo and one of Hyukcheon¡¯s top warriors. ¡®...Am I seeing this right?¡¯ Even if Hudon was a wild card, Jiseok and Mi both disliked Hanul. Yet when an outsider attacked Hanul, they didn¡¯t hesitate to retaliate. His chest felt tight¡ªan emotion he¡¯d never experienced before. Hanul realized it. ¡®This is... relief.¡¯ He chuckled dryly. Born an orphan, he¡¯d lived over 20 years without once feeling this kind of reassurance. That he¡¯d experience it in Hyukcheon, from people who seemingly couldn¡¯t stand him¡ªit was surreal. ¡®So this is Hyukcheon...¡¯ Now, he truly understood what it meant to be part of this clan. ¡®Basically, only we can mess with this bastard. Outsiders? No way.¡¯ Despite their usual hostility, they united now¡ªit was clear. ¡°Hahaha! You guys never disappoint!¡± Myung-woo¡¯s sudden laughter snapped Hanul from his thoughts. ¡°Enough small talk¡ªlet¡¯s get started.¡± Quickly, Kwon Mi opened her subspace and retrieved equipment. It was the personal gear of Kwon Jiseok and Kwon Hudon, which she had prepared beforehand. ¡°Here, take it.¡± She tossed the equipment to them. ¡°You can handle yourself, right?¡± Hanul nodded, opening his own subspace and equipping Aryongtae. ¡°...So we¡¯re really drawing blood.¡± The Mei Clan leader¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°There¡¯s no turning back now. But remember this¡ªyou refused the peaceful drink and chose the bitter one yourselves!¡± He raised his arms and shouted. ¡°Draw your weapons!¡± The Mei Clan¡¯s members all unsheathed their weapons, staining them with their blood to summon Shura. Vicious demon weapons, said to pierce even dragon scales, were aimed squarely at Hyukcheon¡¯s warriors. ¡°Seven Hands of Plum Blossom, step forward!¡± From among the many bloodline members, seven clearly distinguished warriors stepped forth. Seven Hands of Plum Blossom Seven elite warriors who guarded the Mei Clan¡¯s main household. Though not at the level of Greatest Sword, they were renowned masters of exceptional skill. Dozens of Mei Clan warriors and the Seven Hands of Plum Blossom. But it didn¡¯t stop there¡ªthe clan head shouted again. ¡°Activate the artifacts!¡± At his cry, a massive pillar of light surged from the Mei Clan¡¯s central estate. The light burst into waves, radiating in all directions. As the shockwaves hit, Kwon Myung-woo felt his body grow heavy. You are exposed to ¡®Light of Shura.¡¯ All attributes reduced by 20%. ¡®Fragrance of Eculus¡¯ spreads. Mana control impaired. Affected by ¡®Battlefield¡¯s Narrowness.¡¯ Willpower, fighting spirit, and morale suppressed. ¡®Cursed Eye¡¯ gazes upon you. Curse resistance drastically reduced. ¡®Black Hatred¡¯ seeps into your limbs. All senses dulled. Clenching his fists, Myung-woo realized his movements were sluggish. ¡°How do you like it? These artifacts were prepared for a future Mei Clan war.¡± The Mei Clan head spoke proudly. ¡°They bring agony to intruders and strength to our bloodline.¡± As the wave spread, the Mei Clan warriors¡¯ power visibly surged. ¡°You won¡¯t call this unfair, will you? You came to our domain to make trouble¡ªthis is the least you can expect.¡± In response, Myung-woo casually threw out a remark. ¡°So what?¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°Is that all?¡± ¡°Do you not grasp the situation?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s it, then let¡¯s get started.¡± Myung-woo¡¯s voice boomed, echoing across the entire area. ¡°Listen well! I¡¯ll take care of the Greatest Sword and the Mei Clan head myself!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Mi! I¡¯m leaving those so-called Plum Blossom Seven Hands and Plum Blossom Seven Idiots to you!¡± ¡°Yes, Uncle.¡± ¡°As for the remaining three, crush the Mei clan however you see fit!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± As soon as the order was given, Kwon Myung-woo stomped the ground and launched forward. At the same time, Mei Rong also sprang into action. ¡°Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯s Greatest Fist! Your arrogance pierces the sky! One such as you is not worth more than me alone!¡± Kwon Myung-woo sneered at his words and shouted mockingly. ¡°Still don¡¯t know your place, do you?¡± Kwon Myung-woo threw a punch. Mei Rong swung his sword. For the second time today, Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯s Supreme Fist and Greatest Sword of Central Plains clashed. The result was completely different from the first encounter. The Dragon Aura consumed the Shura Aura completely. Mei Rong was blown back and slammed into the ground. ¡°Rong!¡± ¡°Is now the time to be distracted?!¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s fist smashed into the Mei Clan Leader¡¯s abdomen. The Clan Leader hastily summoned a shield to block the blow. The shield shattered, and the Mei Clan Leader¡¯s body was sent skidding backwards. A trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth ¡ª clear evidence of internal injury from the recent strike. ¡°You monster... Just how much stronger have you become?!¡± ¡°Why act surprised? Shall we continue?¡± Under Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s killing intent, the faces of Mei Clan Leader and Mei Rong stiffened. At that moment¡ª Suddenly, something came flying and crashed beside Mei Rong. To their shock, it was one of the Plum Blossom Seven Hands. ¡°What the hell is going on?!¡± Mei Rong shook the fallen man, but he was already dead ¡ª his breath long ceased. Mei Rong looked up and surveyed the battlefield. Only then did he see the situation clearly. A mere four members of the Black Dragon Bloodline were completely overwhelming the Mei Clan. ¡°You pathetic bastards!¡± Kwon Jiseok shouted scornfully and unleashed a strike. True to his status as a direct bloodline member, his attack was ferocious and unrelenting, cutting down the Mei Clan¡¯s warriors without mercy. ¡°D-Don¡¯t come near me!¡± Kwon Hudon, despite his delicate appearance, fought with brutal, reckless tactics. Covered head-to-toe in Dragon Aura, he charged forward like a battering ram. ¡°Gyaaah!¡± ¡°S-Someone stop him!¡± But his speed and power were overwhelming ¡ª even a glancing blow would shatter bones. No one could stop Kwon Hudon. ¡°What are the Plum Blossom Seven Hands doing?!¡± A Mei Clan warrior shouted. But their situation was even more dire. ¡°Maintain the formation!¡± ¡°Even if we hold, we¡¯re getting overpowered... Urgh!¡± The seven elite warriors defending the Mei Clan couldn¡¯t even handle a single Kwon Mi. Worse yet, one of them had just been killed, leaving only six. ¡®Impressive.¡¯ Kwon Hanul watched the scene unfold from behind. Though affiliated with Black Dragon Bloodline, Kwon Hanul had only recently joined and was considered an outsider. He had heard much about Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯s fearsome reputation, but this was his first time witnessing their true strength. And what he saw was terrifying. ¡®Maybe these people really are special.¡¯ There¡¯s no way they would send just anyone to a battle that risked the family¡¯s honor and pride. In fact, Kwon Jiseok was a direct bloodline, and Kwon Hudon was skilled enough to be acknowledged by Joo Hayun herself. ¡®Time for me to move, too.¡¯ He had stepped back to assess Kwon Mi, Kwon Jiseok, and Kwon Hudon¡¯s capabilities. But his blood had been boiling for some time now ¡ª it was hard to restrain himself. He wanted to unleash his power and crush his enemies. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± Two Mei Clan warriors appeared before him ¡ª Mei Chau and Mei Feng. They were the clan¡¯s vanguard and captain ¡ª prominent representatives. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d get a chance to avenge my humiliation so soon!¡± ¡°Right here, I¡¯ll take your head and settle the score!¡± Kwon Hanul scoffed. ¡°You losers have the nerve to come crawling back?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous! That match wasn¡¯t real combat!¡± ¡°Exactly! Let¡¯s decide this for real right here!¡± Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue in disdain. Both were charging him together, and even resorting to weakening his body using clan artifacts ¡ª yet that¡¯s all they had to say? In truth, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t bothered by their approach. [System Notification] You¡¯ve been exposed to the ¡°Light of Shura.¡± Your Shura Bloodline is further strengthened! All abilities increase by 20%! ¡®Fragrance of Eculus¡¯ spreads.Shura Bloodline strengthens further! Magic manipulation becomes smoother! Affected by ¡°Battlefield¡¯s Narrowness.¡¯ Your will and fighting spirit blaze! ¡°Cursed Eye¡± gazes upon you. Shura Bloodline strengthens further! Curse resistance greatly increases! ¡°Black Hatred¡± aids you! Shura Bloodline strengthens further! All senses sharpen! Kwon Hanul was receiving the full benefits meant for Mei Clan warriors. ¡°Wow, didn¡¯t see that coming.¡± The system was designed to weaken outsiders and strengthen Mei Clan. The criterion was possession of the Shura Bloodline. And since only the Mei Clan was thought to have it, the setup made perfect sense. ¡°Die!¡± Mei Chau and Mei Feng charged simultaneously. Kwon Hanul clenched his fist. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Instant Strike ¨C Projectile Blow Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist blurred. In the next moment, it pierced through Mei Chau¡¯s chest. ¡°...Wha?¡± A look of confusion crossed Mei Chau¡¯s face. Instant Strike ¨C Projectile Blow A rapid striking technique, akin to drawing a sword. The already large power gap widened further due to the buffs. Mei Chau couldn¡¯t even perceive Kwon Hanul¡¯s punch. Mei Chau¡¯s body slowly tilted over. Before he could comprehend what had happened, he was dead. ¡°Mei Chau!¡± Mei Feng screamed and lunged at Kwon Hanul with his spear. A weapon imbued with Shura Energy couldn¡¯t be taken lightly, even by Kwon Hanul. He activated the Monarch¡¯s Authority. A violent gust blew him backward. ¡°You killed Mei Chau!¡± Unable to control his rage, Mei Feng wildly swung his spear, leaving himself wide open. Kwon Hanul redirected the wind and surged forward. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Crushing Strike ¨C Spiral Wave Dragon Demon Aura converged into his fist. During the team battle, he had to hold back to avoid killing. Now, there was no need for restraint. He threw his punch with full force, amplified by the buffs on his body. The strike slammed into Mei Feng¡¯s abdomen. ¡°Urk?¡± The compressed Dragon Demon Aura exploded. Not just Mei Feng, but the Mei Clan warriors behind him were blown away entirely. The overwhelming power turned all eyes toward Kwon Hanul. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Kwon Hanul laughed loudly, the exhilaration of unshackled power flooding his body. ¡°Why is everyone just standing there? Shouldn¡¯t someone hurry up and kill me?¡± The Mei Clan warriors exchanged glances ¡ª then five of them charged at once. Even under their murderous intent, sharp as razors, Kwon Hanul grinned ferociously. [Synchronization Rate 19% ¡ú 20%] [Reached a multiple of 10.] [Second Authority unlocked.] At that moment, a new message appeared. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 32 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 32: The Emergence of Bloodlines (1) Those who possess Black Dragon Blood gain Powers once their Synchronization Rate surpasses a certain threshold. The first power they acquire is Dragon Combat Aura. The next is Black Scale Armor. This much is common knowledge in Hyukcheon. For Kwon Hanul, this was the second time acquiring a power. However, the power he had just unlocked was not Black Scale Armor. ¡°¡®Demonic Dragon Scale Armor¡¯ has been unlocked.¡± Despite the name being different, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t particularly surprised. He already knew that True Black Dragon Blood differed from other grades. Right now, what mattered was the enemy in front of him. The Mei Clan warriors charging toward him¡ªeach wielding weapons imbued with Shura Energy. Weapons laced with Shura Energy could pierce even Dragon Combat Aura. Even the elite of Hyukcheon had to be cautious before such weapons. But as always, nothing in this world is absolute. ¡°Attack together!¡± ¡°Aim for the joints!¡± The Mei Clan warriors swung their weapons, each following a different trajectory, attacking Kwon Hanul from all angles. ¡°¡®Demonic Dragon Scale Armor¡¯ activated.¡± The armor crafted by Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik, known as Aryongtae, was now overlaid with the Demonic Dragon Scale Armor. Originally a grayish hue, Aryongtae was instantly dyed pitch black. Clang! With a sharp metallic sound, the Shura-infused weapons bounced off as if they were mere toys. ¡°Damn it! He¡¯s summoned the Black Scale Armor!¡± This was precisely why the Mei Clan could never surpass the Hyukcheon Clan. Black Scale Armor was so sturdy that even Shura-infused weapons couldn¡¯t easily penetrate it. ¡°Fall back! Look for an opening!¡± ¡°Target the parts not covered by the armor!¡± The Mei Clan was well-versed in countering Black Scale Armor. As powerful as it was, the armor was difficult to manage. The larger its surface area, the more Mental Energy it required to maintain¡ªexponentially so. Thus, even Hyukcheon warriors could only generate a limited coverage of Black Scale Armor. The Mei Clan warriors circled Kwon Hanul, searching for unprotected areas. But soon, they realized. ¡°There¡¯s no gap...?¡± Black Scale Armor¡ªno, Demonic Dragon Scale Armor¡ªcompletely enveloped Kwon Hanul without a single opening. The purer the bloodline, the easier it is to wield powers. Kwon Hanul, a Trueblood, neither hotblooded nor half-blood, could freely manipulate powers he had just acquired. Covering himself entirely in Demonic Dragon Scale Armor was nothing to him. ¡°No choice¡ªoverwhelm him with force!¡± ¡°Drain his Mana!¡± ¡°Strip off his armor!¡± The second weakness of Black Scale Armor: massive Mana consumption makes it unsustainable over time. Simply maintaining it was taxing¡ªbeing attacked would deplete even more Mana at once. The Mei warriors focused their Mana into their Shura-infused weapons. Their already crimson blades glowed an even deeper red. ¡°Haaah!¡± The Mei Clan warriors simultaneously unleashed Shura Energy in a focused assault against Kwon Hanul. ¡°Got him!¡± They cheered¡ªsuch an intense barrage would surely deplete his Mana entirely, leaving him wide open. But their faces quickly froze. Despite taking the full brunt of Shura Energy, Kwon Hanul stood unscathed. Not only that¡ªDemonic Dragon Scale Armor remained fully intact. ¡°H-How is he still standing?¡± ¡°Even a pureblood couldn¡¯t maintain Black Scale Armor this long...¡± Their miscalculation. Demonic Dragon Scale Armor, like Demon Dragon Combat Aura, was a superior version of Black Scale Armor. In durability, duration, Mana efficiency¡ªit surpassed Black Scale Armor by multiple levels. Even after that focused attack, the armor didn¡¯t have a scratch. What¡¯s more, Kwon Hanul possessed Healthy Bloodline. Even if his stamina and Mana depleted, Healthy Bloodline enabled rapid recovery. Thanks to it, Kwon Hanul could maintain his armor without burden. ¡°What an amazing power.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but admire the capabilities of Demonic Dragon Scale Armor, beyond even his expectations. ¡°With this, I¡¯ve got no reason to hold back.¡± The Mei warriors immediately understood the meaning behind those words. A power that could indefinitely block Shura weapons. With such a power, why fear the Mei Clan at all? Kwon Hanul charged straight at them. Their faces turned pale. ¡°H-He¡¯s coming right at us!¡± ¡°Hold the line¡ªdon¡¯t give him ground!¡± The Mei warriors began scattering. Kwon Hanul activated yet another power. ¡°Demonic Power ¡®Monarch¡¯ activated.¡± A fierce gale erupted, propelling him forward at even greater speed. He overtook the fleeing Mei warriors and rushed into their midst. ¡°Y-You bastard!¡± ¡°Attack him!¡± Blades slashed from all sides. Ignoring them, Kwon Hanul prepared Black Dragon Ascension Art. Black Dragon Ascension Art - Basic Form Rapid Strike Form ¨C Twelve Flash Strikes Shura-infused weapons scraped against his armor without effect. At the same time, Kwon Hanul¡¯s fists moved with blinding speed. In mere moments, Mei warriors were struck in the abdomen, solar plexus, and philtrum¡ªone after another. Struck in three vital points, the Mei warriors spurted blood like fountains, collapsing like bowling pins. ¡°Impressive.¡± Even more surprising, Demonic Dragon Scale Armor amplified the power of Demon Dragon Combat Aura. He¡¯d never heard of Black Scale Armor doing this¡ªit must be a unique trait of Demonic Dragon Scale Armor. ¡°You got careless!¡± ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re looking?!¡± Mei warriors flanked him from behind. Axes, hammers, flails¡ªweapons designed to pierce armor¡ªstruck at his head and back. Even if the armor held, the shock would transfer, injuring him internally. Boom! Metal clanged repeatedly¡ªbut Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t budge an inch. ¡°W-Why¡¯s he still fine...?¡± Demonic Dragon Scale Armor wasn¡¯t just armor¡ªit absorbed shock as a basic function. Kwon Hanul raised his leg and slammed the ground with force. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Crushing Strike Form ¨C Overflowing Flow Cracks spread in a reverse triangle pattern, engulfing the ground beneath the Mei Clan warriors. Then, it exploded. ¡°Gaaahhh!¡± ¡°Aarghhh!¡± Debris-laced Demon Dragon Aura slammed into them. Screams and blood burst out simultaneously. ¡°M-My god.¡± ¡°How do we fight this...?¡± All eyes, filled with terror, locked onto Kwon Hanul. Scanning his surroundings for the next target¡ª Suddenly, a slash of Aura flew from afar, sending him sliding back upon impact. Looking down, he saw something shocking¡ªa deep gash along his armor¡¯s midsection. Whoever launched that attack was at least on par with him. ¡°You withstood my strike? You¡¯re no ordinary bastard.¡± Kwon Hanul looked up. A man exuding intense killing intent stood before him. ¡°I step out for a bit, and this is what I return to?¡± Kwon Hanul assessed him. Clearly weaker than Mei Rong. Weaker than Strongest Fist. But far stronger than the other Mei warriors he had crushed thus far. ¡®A mid-tier master.¡¯ If Kwon Myung-woo and Mei Rong were the faces of the clan, mid-tier masters were the foundation. They weren¡¯t famous, but with the clan¡¯s support and ample experience, they couldn¡¯t be underestimated. ¡®And it¡¯s not just him.¡¯ He could feel it. Other masters were gathering at the battlefield. ¡°Hey, Hyukcheon¡¯s black worm. You¡¯ve held out for a while, huh? But now that I¡¯m here¡ªit¡¯s over.¡± ¡°Correction¡ªwe¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Damn right.¡± Two more figures appeared beside the man. They were martial artists of similar caliber. Kwon Hanul moistened his lips, thinking to himself. ¡®This is bad.¡¯ One of them alone would be a tough opponent. But it wasn¡¯t just one¡ªit was three. And the possibility of more reinforcements was high. He couldn¡¯t expect help either. The other four were in situations just like his. ¡®Seriously bad.¡¯ Against those three, even the Demonic Dragon Scale Armor wouldn¡¯t be enough. From this point on, he¡¯d have to brace himself to at least lose an arm. ¡°Hey, this guy¡¯s hilarious.¡± One of the mid-tier martial artists let out a dry laugh. ¡°You¡¯re grinning with us standing right in front of you?¡± Just as he said, Kwon Hanul was laughing¡ªwide enough to show his canines. Like a child. As if the bloodbath about to begin had him thrilled beyond reason. ¡°Fine. If you''re that excited, we¡¯ll give you what you want.¡± ¡°Did the clan head say we could kill him?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re worried, we¡¯ll just start by cutting off his arms and legs.¡± The three infused their weapons with Shura''s Aura. A chilling energy surged toward Kwon Hanul. And then¡ª A massive explosion erupted nearby. The shockwave collapsed buildings and split the earth. A storm of dirt and stone fragments blasted in all directions. ¡°Wahahaha!¡± At the epicenter of the explosion¡ª Kwon Myung-woo let out a deafening roar of laughter. ¡°Greatest Sword of Central Plains! Head of the Mei Clan! Truly impressive!¡± Despite the praise from Kwon Myung-woo, the two men could only gasp for breath, unable to reply. To push the Mei Clan¡¯s top two martial artists this far¡ªKwon Myung-woo¡¯s strength was unbelievable. ¡°Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist, how long do you intend to drag out this fight, when the result is already decided?¡± Having caught his breath, the Mei Clan Head spoke to Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°What nonsense. Ah, are you saying the outcome is decided in your favor?¡± ¡°I am a warrior responsible for my clan. I know the state you¡¯re in. Enough with the bluffing.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You must be feeling your stamina depleting by now, aren¡¯t you?¡± Indeed, Kwon Myung-woo wasn¡¯t unscathed. He was covered in cuts and his aura had visibly weakened. The artifacts he used had lowered his physical capabilities. Combined with the relentless assault from the Mei Clan¡¯s best, even the Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist couldn¡¯t avoid fatigue. ¡°How much longer can you hold out? A day? Ten hours?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Before I run out of stamina, your skulls will be crushed.¡± ¡°Ha.¡± The Mei Clan Head laughed mockingly and raised his hand high. A pulse radiated from the heart of the Mei Clan¡¯s territory. As the wave washed over him, the Mei Clan Head¡¯s body changed. His wounds healed rapidly. His drained energy and stamina fully restored. Not just him¡ªall Mei Clan members exposed to the pulse were healed. ¡°Now, what do you think?¡± With the same overwhelming aura from before, the Mei Clan Head spoke. ¡°There¡¯s no doubt about the might of Hyukcheon. But this is the Mei Clan¡¯s core. Everything here exists for our bloodline.¡± And that wasn¡¯t all. ¡°Do you feel it? The clan¡¯s warriors who were out are returning. Many more than you defeated are gathering here.¡± A triumphant smile spread across the Mei Clan Head¡¯s face. ¡°If this drags out, the Mei Clan will inevitably win. What do you think, Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist? Starting to regret it yet?¡± The Mei Clan, able to endlessly supply warriors and resources, versus the five isolated members of Hyukcheon. The outcome seemed clear to anyone. ¡°Hyukcheon¡¯s Greatest Fist. It¡¯s not too late. Surrender now, and I¡¯ll guarantee your life.¡± Kwon Myung-woo remained silent. His uncharacteristic quietness deepened the Mei Clan Head¡¯s smile. ¡°I¡¯ll guarantee the safety of the rest of your bloodline as well. It would be wise...¡± ¡°Mei Clan Head, do you really think we declared war without a plan?¡± The Mei Clan Head looked puzzled. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°If Hyukcheon acted purely on emotion, we wouldn¡¯t have survived this long.¡± A slight crease appeared on the Mei Clan Head¡¯s brow. ¡°You make it sound like you have an escape plan.¡± ¡°Escape? Do I look like someone who¡¯d run away in disgrace?¡± Kwon Myung-woo raised his head and shouted, ¡°Mi! How much longer?¡± Even while engaged with Plum Blossom Seven Hands, Kwon Mi shouted back. ¡°Almost here!¡± Hearing that, the Mei Clan Head was filled with confusion. ¡®Here? What is? Arriving? Who?¡¯ ¡°C-Clan Head!¡± A Mei Clan member ran up, panicked. ¡°T-The Chinese government just contacted us! Something is flying through Chinese airspace!¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°They said... no matter how many missiles they fire, they can¡¯t bring it down...¡± ¡°What the hell do you mean?!¡± The Mei Clan Head yelled, anxiety twisting his face. The Mei Clan warrior trembled as he replied, ¡°They¡ªthey said a dragon is flying in...¡± A dragon? That single word yanked a forgotten memory from the Mei Clan Head¡¯s mind. ¡°...No way.¡± At that moment¡ª From afar, an immense Aura surged in the sky. A pressure like millions of troops descending crushed the land. Not only the Mei Clan Head¡ªevery Mei Clan member on that land looked up in a daze. The white clouds split apart, revealing a black dragon. ¡°W-What the hell is that?!¡± ¡°A... dragon?¡± The dragon plummeted to the ground. When it struck, an earthquake erupted. The ground quaked, the world shook. The Mei Clan members collapsed, unable to stay standing. Every building crumbled. When the earthquake subsided¡ª ¡°Phew.¡± An old man stood where the dragon had landed, straightening his back. ¡°I¡¯m busy as hell, and you call me out for this?¡± He muttered a complaint. At that, Kwon Myung-woo burst into hearty laughter. ¡°You need to exercise sometimes, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Exercise? You call this exercise? Flying here from my office nearly broke my back!¡± ¡°No one else could do it, so it had to be you.¡± The old man clicked his tongue and shook his head. His eyes met the Mei Clan Head¡¯s. The Mei Clan Head¡¯s face twisted in horror. The old man, on the other hand, smiled. ¡°Well, it¡¯s been decades, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Blood rushed to the Mei Clan Head¡¯s face. Consumed by rage, he roared, ¡°Kwon Seonwoo!¡± Head of the Hyukcheon Clan and Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group. ¡°Watch your tongue, brat. Don¡¯t speak an elder¡¯s name so lightly,¡± Kwon Seonwoo said, sneering. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 33 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 33: The Emergence of Bloodlines (2) ¡°This is absurd!¡± The head of the Mei Clan roared. He was so agitated that the muscles and veins on his face looked like they might burst at any moment. ¡°An Incarnate Body? No matter who you are, this is impossible!¡± His cries, full of despair, poured out as if the sky had collapsed. That¡¯s how desperately the Mei Clan leader wanted to deny the reality before him. ¡°You¡¯re a grown man¡ªstop squealing like a child.¡± ¡°Since when? When did you reach the state of Incarnation?¡± Kwon Seonwoo responded with a bored expression. ¡°You look pitiful, so I¡¯ll humor you. I reached that state after your father died.¡± For a moment, the Mei Clan leader¡¯s face went blank. ¡°That was twenty years ago... Then why didn¡¯t anyone know about this?¡± ¡°Because I didn¡¯t tell anyone.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because there was no need to.¡± ¡°So why didn¡¯t you¡ª¡± ¡°You idiot.¡± Kwon Seonwoo clicked his tongue. ¡°A trump card is only useful if it stays hidden.¡± The Mei Clan leader clamped his mouth shut. In his empty, stunned eyes, a glint of murderous intent slowly returned. ¡°All members of the Mei Clan, hear me! Kill Kwon Seonwoo, the head of Hyukcheon, right now!¡± The Mei clansmen turned to him, their faces filled with confusion. ¡°Even if he¡¯s an Incarnate Body, flying here from the northern Korean Peninsula isn¡¯t easy! And he even breached our aerial defense systems!¡± The clan leader shouted with conviction. ¡°His stamina and mana must be depleted! This is our chance¡ªkill him before he can recover!¡± His words carried undeniable logic. The wavering eyes of the Mei clansmen began to regain their fighting spirit. They tightened their grip on their weapons and glared at Kwon Seonwoo. Kwon Seonwoo watched them with indifference. ¡°Still as rude as ever. Instead of facing me yourself, you send these lowly insects to do your bidding?¡± The Mei clansmen charged at him. In truth, fear outweighed hostility in their minds. Their instincts, long buried, were screaming at them. ¡®If we don¡¯t kill him, we¡¯ll die. No¡ª the entire Mei Clan will be destroyed.¡¯ ¡°This is seriously annoying.¡± As the Mei clansmen closed in, they thrust their weapons at Kwon Seonwoo. ¡°You dare bare your fangs at me?¡± His eyes gleamed with power¡ªand in an instant, their heads exploded. Their headless bodies collapsed to the ground. The others skidded to a halt, panic in their eyes. ¡°E-Everyone... they¡¯re dead.¡± ¡°W-What just happened?¡± Kwon Seonwoo hadn¡¯t lifted a finger. He had done nothing, yet over a dozen Mei clansmen¡¯s heads had burst. ¡°...Intent Overwhelming the Spirit.¡± Only one person recognized it. ¡°The head of Hyukcheon... has reached a level where he can kill with intent alone!¡± It was the stage just before Heart Sword¡ªa realm every Hunter dreamed of. After hearing "Intent Overwhelming the Spirit," there was no longer any resolve in the Mei clansmen¡¯s eyes. Only raw terror remained, as though they stood before a monster beyond comprehension. ¡°What are you waiting for? You drew your weapons¡ªnow you¡¯re thinking of running?¡± Despite Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s taunt, the Mei clansmen only stumbled backward. ¡°That won¡¯t do. You need to pay the price.¡± He unleashed his Dragon Aura. Black energy spiraled and surged toward the sky. ¡°A dragon¡¯s tail?¡± One of the Mei clansmen muttered. In the next instant, the Dragon Aura swept across the field. Those caught in it were completely vaporized. The Mei Clan leader could only watch in stunned silence, speechless from the overwhelming devastation. ¡°You thought I¡¯d be exhausted from coming all this way?¡± The clan leader violently shook his head. Over and over. As hard as he could. Kwon Seonwoo smiled. ¡°You were exactly right.Still, you¡¯re surprisingly sharp for someone leading a whole clan.¡± Another emotion flickered across the Mei Clan leader¡¯s face. What... did he just say? ¡°Flying all the way here from Hyukcheon wasn¡¯t easy. I even got attacked along the way.¡± What is he trying to say? ¡°Honestly, I just want to lie down and rest right now.¡± Kwon Seonwoo opened a dimensional pocket and pulled something out. The clan leader flinched, thinking it might be a relic weapon. But what Kwon Seonwoo produced wasn¡¯t a relic or a weapon¡ªit was a plain folding chair, the kind used for fishing trips. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a break. You should keep that in mind.¡± The Mei Clan leader felt his blood pressure spike. How low did he think of the Mei Clan to act like this? But if Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s words were true, this might be the perfect chance to kill him. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t get any ideas.¡± Kwon Seonwoo leaned back in the chair, almost lying down. ¡°You didn¡¯t really think I came here alone, did you?¡± He pointed to the sky. Instinctively, the clan leader looked up. Under the blue sky, a circle even bluer had formed. Its interior was filled with mysterious symbols and text. The clan leader recognized it immediately¡ªas would any Hunter. It was the summoning circle they¡¯d all seen countless times in dungeons. ¡°A magic circle? Did you bring Joo Hayun with you?¡± Before Kwon Seonwoo could respond, dozens of people descended from the sky. Strangely, they didn¡¯t gather around Kwon Seonwoo¡ªbut surrounded Kwon Myung-woo. It made sense. Their direct superior wasn¡¯t Kwon Seonwoo¡ªit was Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°Awaiting orders!¡± Dozens of soldiers dropped to one knee. Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Why are you guys here?¡± Hyukcheon Corps The most elite and powerful unit in the Hyukcheon Group, rulers of East Asia. And they were here. The Hyukcheon Corps stood up from their kneel. Gone was the heavy tension¡ªtheir faces now lit up with playful grins. ¡°Captain, you were in danger. Of course we had to come.¡± ¡°You¡¯re getting old, sir. Not like the good ol¡¯ days.¡± ¡°You hurt anywhere?¡± Kwon Myung-woo growled, irritated at their concern. ¡°Who the hell do you think you''re worried about?! Of course I¡¯m fine, you bastards!¡± ¡°Eh, you really don¡¯t look fine though.¡± ¡°Yeah, seems like you got stabbed a fair few times all over.¡± ¡°You punks! Want to come over here and check for yourselves?!¡± Kwon Myung-woo swung his fists in the air. The members of the Hyukcheon Corps flinched and scattered in surprise. ¡°Boss, please, even as a joke, don¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Seriously! If you hit us, we¡¯ll be bedridden for three days!¡± ¡°Shut it! But why are you showing up just now? Weren¡¯t you supposed to come with hyung?¡± ¡°Yeah, we came together. Never thought I¡¯d get the chance to ride on the back of a dragon in this life.¡± ¡°Then what the hell were you doing all this time before showing up?¡± ¡°Chairman said he¡¯d handle the intimidation part first and told us to come down after.¡± ¡°So Hayun and I were just hovering in the air for a bit.¡± Kwon Myung-woo shifted his gaze toward Kwon Seonwoo, who now had his eyes closed as if none of this concerned him. ¡°Where did Hayun go?¡± ¡°She said she had someone to help and disappeared first.¡± ¡°Someone to help? Ah, you mean that guy, huh.¡± Kwon Myung-woo nodded as if understanding. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Hayun so concerned about someone else before.¡± ¡°Man, when word of this gets out, there¡¯ll be tons of men crying. Look, a few in the Hyukcheon Corps are already tearing up.¡± ¡°Shut it, you punks! Enough chatter, deal with those bastards already!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The Hyukcheon Corps replied playfully and turned toward the Mei clan forces. In that instant, the air shifted completely. All lightheartedness vanished, replaced by a crushing, iron-clad killing intent that pressed down on the Mei bloodline. ¡°Leave the Mei Clan Head and the ¡®Greatest Sword of the Central Plains¡¯ to me. Those two are mine. Got it?¡± ¡°At your command!¡± The Hyukcheon Corps scattered in all directions. The Mei Clan Head also issued his command. ¡°Draw your weapons, all of you! Sever the heads of those Hyukcheon bastards!¡± Yet, even with the order, the Mei clan members hesitated. Fear had already taken root deep in their hearts. ¡°Pull yourselves together!¡± The Mei Clan Head shouted sternly at his people. ¡°This is Mei territory! Are you seriously planning to lose to the Hyukcheon clan on our own land?!¡± His roar shook the pride of the Mei clan members. One by one, their fighting spirit returned to their eyes. ¡°The relics are still active! Our main force is on its way back!¡± This was Mei territory. They still had the advantage in numbers and terrain. Even with the Hyukcheon bloodline showing up, it was like adding a drop of water to muddy waters. ¡°Drive out the invaders!¡± The Mei clan, wielding weapons imbued with Shura¡¯s Wrath, surged forward. The Hyukcheon Corps responded with a surge of Dragon Aura. A crimson tide clashed with a black wave. And the crimson tide began to be pushed back. Over a hundred men were being overwhelmed by just a few dozen. The sight was so shocking that the Mei Clan Head was left speechless. ¡°What the hell is this...!¡± Suddenly, a realization struck him. ¡°We¡¯ve already lost... in spirit.¡± The appearance of Kwon Seonwoo had completely crushed the Mei clan¡¯s will to fight. The Mei Clan Head had tried to reignite that flame with sheer force. But no matter how much you try to revive a dying fire, it¡¯ll never burn as bright as before. A demoralized Mei clan against a Hyukcheon Corps blazing with resolve. The outcome was already sealed. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet! It¡¯s not over!¡± The Mei Clan Head gritted his teeth and shouted, ¡°Activate all relics! We must crush Hyukcheon here and now, no matter what!¡± His eyes gleamed with madness. ¡°Kill them! Kill them no matter what! If we take out Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist and Kwon Seonwoo, Hyukcheon won¡¯t be feared anymore! Our Mei clan can devour them whole!¡± And then¡ª <¡®Light of Shura¡¯ has vanished. Your stats have returned to normal.> <¡®Fragrance of Eculus¡¯ dissipates. Your mana manipulation returns to its original state.> <¡®Cursed Eye¡¯ closes. Your curse resistance is restored to normal.> <¡®Black Hatred¡¯ no longer aids you.> The relics suddenly ceased to function. The Mei Clan Head panicked. ¡°What... what is this...?¡± ¡°Mei Tian!¡± A voice shouted his full name from afar. The Mei Clan Head turned in that direction. At the heart of the Mei estate, where the relics were stored, stood Mei Hong. ¡°I¡¯ve cut off the mana supply to all the relics!¡± Mei Hong shouted with fury. ¡°This is how I¡¯ll avenge my parents!¡± ¡°That... that wretch, and at a time like this...¡± He wanted to rip her head from her shoulders right then and there. But now was not the time to worry about Mei Hong. With the relics¡¯ powers gone, the Hyukcheon Corps¡¯s assault intensified. The Mei clan couldn¡¯t hold out at all. Weapons shattered, skulls cracked, spines crumbled. The bloodline¡ªmembers of the Mei clan¡ªwere being slaughtered. Yet the Mei Clan Head couldn¡¯t help them. He had to worry about his own life first. ¡°...Clan Head.¡± Mei Rong swallowed hard and spoke. ¡°You should get ready.¡± Not far away, an overwhelming energy surged. It felt like standing next to seething lava. ¡°Now this is living.¡± Kwon Myung-woo was now free of the relics¡¯ interference, unleashing his full Dragon Aura. The energy gathered in his fist¡ªcompressed, and compressed again, crystallizing like a gem. Fist Aura. A technique of the Transcendent. With that energy wrapped around both hands, Kwon Myung-woo shouted, ¡°Mei Clan Head! And ¡®Greatest Sword of the Central Plains¡¯! Let¡¯s settle this once and for all!¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 34 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 34: The Emergence of Bloodlines (3) "How did you get all the way here...?" "You were in danger. How could I just sit and wait quietly?" Kwon Hanul couldn''t help but laugh. He had already known she wasn¡¯t an ordinary woman¡ªbut to think she¡¯d come straight into the enemy''s stronghold. What an incredible woman. "I never thought I¡¯d lay eyes on the witch the Chairman of Hyukcheon had hidden away so thoroughly." It was Mei Rong who spoke. This was already the second time he¡¯d referred to her as a witch. The creation of dungeons, the crafting of relics¡ª All of it relied on technology from another world. And people called that technology: Magic. And the only beings on Earth who could wield this magic were witches and sorcerers. So that¡¯s what Hayun¡¯s gift was... To learn magic, one needed truly extraordinary talent. Only those born with that gift could inherit the right to wield magic. Joo Hayun¡¯s gift was none other than her aptitude to become a witch. "What a golden opportunity. If I capture you, the Clan Head will be pleased." Greed twisted Mei Rong¡¯s face. Naturally¡ªmagic was the foundation of power used to create dungeons and relics. Granted, Earth''s witches and sorcerers were still too weak to create dungeons or relics themselves. But they could provide enormous support in conquering dungeons. "Apologies, but I serve only the Hyukcheon Clan. I have no business with any other house." "You say that now, but who knows? There are plenty of ways in this world to break a person¡¯s will." "You dream big." Magic gathered at the tips of Joo Hayun¡¯s ten fingers, glowing with a brilliant blue light. "We¡¯re short on time¡ªwhy don¡¯t all three of you come at once?" Her provocation made Kwon Hanul brim with anticipation. He¡¯d heard rumors¡ªmagic was like a miracle, possessing immense power. He wondered how a witch would fight. And just how powerful Joo Hayun really was. Then it happened. ¡ªLord Kwon Hanul. A voice echoed in his mind. ¡ªDon¡¯t be alarmed. I¡¯m communicating with you directly through magic. As Kwon Hanul marveled at this first experience with magic, Joo Hayun continued: ¡ªTo be honest, I can¡¯t take on all three of them alone. Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. He¡¯d been so full of expectations¡ªand now this? ¡ªI need your help. Please prepare the strongest technique you can use. He shot her a look, silently asking how strong she needed it to be. ¡ªDon¡¯t worry about the details. Don¡¯t fret about whether the attack will hit. Just prepare your most powerful strike. It was an absurd request, but Kwon Hanul decided to trust her. So far, following her advice had never led to loss¡ªonly gain. Kwon Hanul summoned his Dragon Aura, pushing his mana to its limits. "This is perfect. I¡¯ve been wanting to see what magic is all about anyway." Strangely, despite the intensity of Kwon Hanul¡¯s Dragon Aura, neither Mei Rong nor his henchmen noticed a thing. It was because of the magic circle Joo Hayun had secretly drawn in the air. That circle must have cast a veil, concealing Kwon Hanul¡¯s aura. ¨CHe¡¯s valuable¡ªcripple him by severing tendons, but don¡¯t kill him. The flowing Dragon Aura surged, amplified by the Dragon Pearl. The amplified force channeled perfectly through the Dragon¡¯s Physique Technique, concentrating in his fist. That focused power was further strengthened by the Dragon Scale Armor. Finally, it merged with the Shura Soul, amplifying the power to a terrifying degree. Mei Rong and his two henchmen lunged at him. Simultaneously, Kwon Hanul threw his punch. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Crushing Strike Style: Mount Tai Collapse Fist The compressed Dragon Aura exploded. Unable to withstand it, the magic circle shattered into pieces. "What the hell is that?!" Mei Rong and his henchmen scattered in panic. Since the attack was thrown indiscriminately, it was easy for the three to dodge. Ordinarily, that would have been the case. Joo Hayun spread her hands. At that moment, a black hole opened in front of the Dragon Aura. The energy passed through and split into three streams. Each struck one of the enemies. Blood poured from every orifice of their bodies as they were hurled away. "Holy..." Kwon Hanul was speechless. It was beyond awe¡ªit was absurd. He¡¯d heard tales of the mystique of magic, but this was beyond what he imagined. "I didn¡¯t expect you to be a witch." "Not much good comes from spreading rumors,¡± Joo Hayun replied nonchalantly. She had a point, so Kwon Hanul let it go. Just then¡ª An enormous wave of energy surged in the distance¡ªthen subsided. "Looks like things are wrapping up over there too," Joo Hayun said, gesturing toward it. "Let¡¯s go witness the fall of the Mei Clan." * * * When Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun arrived, everything was already over. Mei Rong, Swordmaster of Ten Thousand Techniques, was slumped against the wall with a gaping hole in his chest. Most of the Mei Clan¡¯s bloodline had surrendered their weapons, awaiting judgment. And the Clan Head of Mei¡ª "...Khak." ¡ªwas on his knees, utterly wrecked. One arm was torn off, and his body was broken in several places. "Mei Rong... are you still with me?" At his words, Mei Rong painfully lifted his head. Despite a pierced chest and missing heart, he was still alive. A life force worthy of awe, but even that wouldn¡¯t last long. Even for the "Swordmaster of Ten Thousand Techniques," survival was impossible with such wounds. He was simply holding on to life by sheer will. "We¡¯ve lost." Though the Mei Clan had greater numbers, their actual power was inferior. Their enemies had Kwon Seonwoo, Kwon Myung-woo, and the elite of elites¡ªthe Hyukcheon Corps. Even if they somehow held off the Hyukcheon Corps, Kwon Myung-woo stood behind them, and beyond him, Kwon Seonwoo, regaining strength. Further resistance was meaningless. "We lost... to the Hyukcheon Clan." Mei Rong lowered his head quietly. Drops of blood fell like tears. "Why... why did we lose?" Emotion crept into the Clan Head¡¯s voice¡ªlament turned to rage. "How did we lose to less than a hundred of them?" Excuses were many. Most of Mei Clan¡¯s top warriors were away. Less than half had returned. In contrast, the enemy had the rarest top-class elites of Hyukcheon. Numerically superior, yet vastly inferior in quality. They had also been caught off guard. The Mei Clan Head hadn¡¯t known Kwon Seonwoo had reached Incarnation Form. Originally, he had planned to kill Kwon Myung-woo quickly and attack the Hyukcheon Clan. Instead, Kwon Seonwoo, using his Incarnation powers, had led the assault himself. They couldn¡¯t even kill Kwon Myung-woo¡ªthey had been struck first. "In my father¡¯s time, this wouldn¡¯t have happened. Our Mei Clan... even if outmatched by Hyukcheon, was never this weak!" The Mei Clan Head howled. "That¡¯s just your delusion,¡± Kwon Seonwoo replied coldly. "You say it wasn¡¯t like this? No, it was always like this. Mei has always been beneath Hyukcheon." His tone was arrogant, but no one present accused him of excess. "The founding heads of Hyukcheon and Mei were contemporaries. They competed across East Asia¡¯s dungeons." When dungeons first appeared, the world fell into chaos. Dungeons appeared randomly, paralyzing society. Humanity quailed before monsters immune to technology. The whole world was in peril¡ªEast Asia worst of all. High-difficulty dungeons sprang up like weeds. Cities fell overnight, and people died en masse. So all East Asian nations agreed to open borders and tackle dungeons together. Then, Kwon Hyun-moon, founder of the Hyukcheon Clan, brought East Asia under control. From that moment, Hyukcheon was called ruler of East Asia. "Your Mei Clan always lagged behind Hyukcheon. Then and now. The gap only widened." When Mei Clan proposed a group battle, Kwon Seonwoo and Hyukcheon¡¯s purebloods scoffed. Not as a morale tactic¡ªbut because it was reality. "We let you be because wiping you out wasn¡¯t worth the effort." To Hyukcheon, the Mei Clan wasn¡¯t even worth destroying. "Besides, we were too busy dealing with the Western Royal Bloods." The world is vast, and forces rivaling Hyukcheon do exist. Until now, Hyukcheon had been preoccupied with those rivals. "Do you understand now? Today¡¯s outcome wasn¡¯t a miracle. It was inevitable." At those words, the Mei Clan Head lowered his gaze. "Chairman of Hyukcheon... if I surrender, will you spare me?" "No¡±, Kwon Seonwoo answered without hesitation. "Maybe others¡ªbut not you. You touched Hyukcheon blood. You must pay for that." And that debt was paid with life. "...Cruel, aren¡¯t you?" "If you dared touch Hyukcheon¡¯s blood, you should have known the price." "Let me see my son, Mei Feng, one last time." "I¡¯m afraid that won¡¯t be possible." It wasn¡¯t Kwon Seonwoo who replied¡ªit was Kwon Hanul. All eyes turned to him as he spoke calmly. "He¡¯s dead. I killed him." "...Dead?" The Mei Clan Head¡¯s face went blank. "When... when did he die?" ¡°He died right when the battle began.¡± That meant he had been killed by Kwon Hanul the moment the fight started. The Mei Clan Head looked beyond shocked¡ªutterly bewildered. ¡°...That¡¯s impossible. Do you have any idea how much I prepared to ensure that child¡¯s safety?¡± ¡°My apologies.¡± Despite the words, there wasn¡¯t the slightest trace of regret on Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. It was Mei Feng who had struck first, attempting to kill. Kwon Hanul merely responded. There was no reason for guilt. ¡°That child inherited the Shura Bloodline in full¡ªpurest of the purebloods. And yet... who exactly are you?¡± The Mei Clan Head couldn¡¯t have known¡ªeven in his wildest dreams. How meaningless it was to boast of lineage before Kwon Hanul. Under the heavens, not a single soul possessed a bloodline comparable to his. ¡°Ha ha ha! If we¡¯re talking bloodlines, your son doesn¡¯t stand a chance,¡± Kwon Myung-woo said with a laugh. ¡°That kid isn¡¯t just pureblood¡ªhe¡¯s Trueblood.¡± The Mei Clan Head couldn¡¯t grasp what that meant at first. Kwon Myung-woo chuckled again and elaborated. ¡°Don¡¯t get it? He¡¯s Trueblood. He shares the exact same bloodline as our First Clan Head¡ªthe one who first received the Black Dragon¡¯s Blood.¡± The Mei Clan Head¡¯s eyes widened¡ªso wide it looked like his eyeballs might pop out. ¡°First the Incarnate Body, then Kwon Hanul, and now Trueblood? Why is it always you of Hyukcheon... why only you people!¡± He pounded the ground with his fist and screamed. Kwon Seonwoo silently watched, then gave an order to a Hyukcheon operative. ¡°Execute the Mei Clan Head.¡± The Hyukcheon warrior stepped forward. The Mei Clan Head clenched his teeth and snarled. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet!¡± ¡°You still have something to say?¡± ¡°Even if I die, the Mei Clan won¡¯t end! Blood relatives scattered across the world will one day rebuild the clan!¡± ¡°Probably. Cockroaches are notoriously hard to exterminate.¡± Kwon Seonwoo spoke indifferently, as if the Mei Clan didn¡¯t matter at all. That nonchalance ignited a fury in the Mei Clan Head. ¡°Listen, Mei Rong!¡± The Mei Clan Head shouted. ¡°Today, the two of us will die.¡± Mei Rong could not respond¡ªhis life was nearing its limit. ¡°So at the very least, do something for the future of the Mei Clan.¡± A glint returned to the Mei Clan Head¡¯s eyes. Kwon Seonwoo furrowed his brow. ¡°You...¡± The Mei Clan Head plunged his remaining hand into his own chest. His fingers burrowed deep into his heart. ¡°Urgh!¡± He yanked his hand out¡ªblood gushed like a fountain from his heart. The blood didn¡¯t fall to the ground¡ªit floated into the air. ¡°At the very least, I¡¯ll take your head with me!¡± The blood transformed into slashing strikes and scattered in all directions. A warrior of his caliber, unleashing a final attack at the cost of his life. The Hyukcheon operatives hurriedly blocked the slashes with their Black Scale Armor. ¡°Kwon Seonwoo!¡± The Mei Clan Head charged at Kwon Seonwoo, trying to pierce his neck barehanded. ¡°You dare attack the elder!¡± Kwon Myung-woo intercepted him, swinging his elbow and smashing the Mei Clan Head¡¯s skull. For a clan leader, it was an utterly anticlimactic death. ¡°...It wasn¡¯t me.¡± Suddenly, Kwon Seonwoo spoke. Everyone looked puzzled. ¡°That bastard wasn¡¯t aiming for me!¡± At that moment, Mei Rong lunged forward. Kwon Myung-woo quickly turned his head. ¡°That bastard!¡± He had been pretending to die while secretly recovering strength. But even so, it wouldn¡¯t change his fate. He could barely move, let alone fight. Why, then? In that state, he couldn¡¯t harm Kwon Seonwoo or save himself. Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s question was quickly answered. Mei Rong wasn¡¯t running toward him. He was after Kwon Hanul. ¡°Stop him! Don¡¯t let him reach the kid!¡± Two Hyukcheon operatives closest to Kwon Hanul moved to intercept. In full condition, things might be different. But Mei Rong¡ªthe Greatest Sword in Central Plains¡ªon death¡¯s door, was far slower than the Hyukcheon operatives. They reached him first, striking at Mei Rong. At that moment, Mei Rong pulled something from his robes and threw it. It was a safe, roughly the size of a child¡¯s fist. ¡°That¡¯s...!¡± The safe opened with a flash of light. When the light faded, Mei Rong was gone. And so was Kwon Hanul. * * * Kwon Hanul looked around. There had been a flash, and now he was... somewhere else. The ground was stone, but a heavy sandstorm howled from all directions. ¡°This place...¡± ¡°Is inside the Prison of Golden Sands.¡± Mei Rong stood before him. His voice was surprisingly clear for someone who should be dying. ¡°Prison of Golden Sands?¡± ¡°The relic I just used. An S-rank legendary artifact that creates a sealed space, cutting off any outside interference.¡± In other words, Kwon Hanul was now trapped here. With Mei Rong¡ªthe Greatest Sword of Central Plains. ¡°I originally prepared this to settle the score with the strongest of Hyukcheon, without interference...¡± Mei Rong chuckled bitterly, as if he hadn¡¯t expected things to unfold this way. ¡°Trueblood... I suspected there was something more, a power that couldn¡¯t be explained by talent alone. So that was your secret.¡± His gaze darkened. ¡°To let you grow would be a threat to the Mei Clan¡¯s future. That¡¯s why you must die here.¡± ¡°You think you can kill me in that condition?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s question was perfectly fair. An injured beast was dangerous¡ªbut even that had its limits. Mei Rong wasn¡¯t just injured. He was barely clinging to life. Anyone else would¡¯ve died long ago. Only sheer vitality kept him going. ¡°Let me ask instead. Do you think I can¡¯t kill you?¡± Mei Rong summoned his longsword. The moment he grasped it, his presence surged. Even with his chest pierced, his crushing defeat, witnessing his clan leader¡¯s death, and the annihilation of his clan... Mei Rong¡¯s presence hadn¡¯t diminished in the slightest. ¡°Truly, the Greatest Sword of Central Plains.¡± Even as an enemy, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but admire him. A warrior representing his clan¡ªtruly formidable. But that admiration came with another emotion. Rage. ¡°Before joining Hyukcheon, I was nothing more than a third-rate Hunter.¡± Mei Rong frowned at the sudden confession. ¡°I hunted goblins just to get by. If I ran into an orc, I had to flee for my life.¡± There was no dreaming of becoming strong, let alone planning a future. ¡°Hyukcheon? The Mei Clan? That was another world¡¯s business¡ªso distant I couldn¡¯t even imagine it in my dreams.¡± Kwon Hanul smiled. ¡°And yet, here I am, fighting for my life against the Greatest Sword of Central Plains. Life¡¯s unpredictable.¡± ¡°Sorry to disappoint, but you¡¯re not strong enough to fight me for your life.¡± Perhaps. Mei Rong was the Greatest Sword of Central Plains. Even dying, he was far stronger. But. ¡°You¡¯re underestimating me.¡± And that infuriated him. ¡°You don¡¯t even have a heart¡ªyour body¡¯s functions are failing.¡± With that wreck of a body. ¡°Your mana¡¯s unstable, your aura¡¯s been flickering since earlier.¡± In such a state. ¡°You think you can kill me?¡± There¡¯s a limit to looking down on someone. ¡°You said this artifact blocks outside interference? Perfect.¡± Kwon Hanul removed his Aryongtae Gauntlet, exposing his thumb. He bit into it. Startled by the sudden self-harm, Mei Rong tilted his head. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Kwon Hanul ran the bleeding thumb along his armor, drawing a long red line. From the bloodline, a crimson energy spread across the armor, seeping into every part. ¡°You...¡± Shock washed over Mei Rong¡¯s face. He¡¯d seen many surprises, but none like this. ¡°How can a Hyukcheon clansman summon a Shura...¡± Mei Rong fell silent mid-sentence. The Aryongtae armor had undergone a second transformation. The gray metal turned supple, like leather. Mei Rong muttered in disbelief. ¡°No... is that the First Clan Head¡¯s...¡± The transformation completed, and a message appeared. <¡®Shura King¡¯ awakens.> [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 35 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 35: The Emergence of Bloodlines (4) <''Shura King'' Awakens.> The aura of the Shura King engulfed the entirety of Aryongtae. Armor, once as hard as steel, clung tightly to his body¡ªalmost as if it were a living creature. Mei Rong stared in stunned disbelief. ¡°How can a wretch like you, of the Hyukcheon Clan, possess the Shura King?!¡± ¡°I retrieved it from the shrine of the First Clan Lord.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t spout nonsense! That shrine is where the Clan Lord prays every single day! If the Shura King had been there, the Clan Lord would have known!¡± ¡°He couldn¡¯t have known. The Shura King only responds to True Blood.¡± ¡°True Blood...?¡± Mei Rong staggered, his legs suddenly giving way. ¡°...Impossible,¡± He muttered, his face stricken with disbelief. ¡°One can possess only a single bloodline. How do you have two... and both are True Blood...? What are you?! What kind of devil has Hyukcheon created?!¡± Even Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t have the answer. Why he possessed multiple bloodlines. Why new bloodlines continued to emerge. But that wasn¡¯t what mattered now. A wielder of the Shura Blood can master a hundred weapons by learning only one. Additionally, they can enhance their gear with a unique power called Shura Aura. Yet, these are merely secondary abilities. The true power of Shura Blood reveals itself when a weapon is imbued with Shura. This phenomenon¡ªknown as ¡°Shura infusion¡± or ¡°releasing the Shura¡±¡ªelevates the weapon to an entirely different realm, capable of piercing even Dragon Slayer-grade armor. Like Black Dragon Blood, Shura Blood becomes more potent with higher purity. Inferior Blood is inferior to Mixed Blood, and Mixed Blood to Pure Blood. And True Blood? What, then, is the power of the Shura King, which manifests only within True Blood? Such stat boosts are mere trifles compared to the Shura King¡¯s true might. Even these equipment upgrades are peripheral. This. This is the true power of the Shura King. Dragon Demon Energy gathered in Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist. What once flickered like smoke or flame now condensed into something dense and tangible. Mei Rong¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°That power...!¡± He had just witnessed it. No¡ªhe had experienced it firsthand. Though only the beginning, it was unmistakable... Amazingly, the Shura King had bestowed upon Kwon Hanul the supreme power¡ªUnyielding Aura¡ªaccessible only to true transcendent beings, merely by absorbing mana. Even more terrifying was the fact that this was only the beginning. Kwon Hanul¡¯s synchronization rate with the Shura Blood was only 6%. As the rate rises, the Shura King''s power will grow stronger. In other words, even with this barely awakened power, he had generated Unyielding Aura. At 100% synchronization, he would surely gain access to techniques surpassing even Unyielding Aura. But there was no room for celebration. ¡°This is overwhelming.¡± The Shura King was a true demonic weapon. Maintaining it alone drained all his mana. The Shura King consumed it faster than his Healthy Bloodline could replenish it. Worse, it constantly sought to possess Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. As synchronization increased, so did the rate of the Shura King¡¯s invasion. A monstrous weapon. No other weapon in existence could match it. Yet one misstep would mean losing his body to the Shura King, going berserk in a frenzy of slaughter and destruction. ¡°But breaking it in will be satisfying.¡± Unfortunately, he had no time. He was already gasping for breath. Even maintaining a fraction of the Shura King¡¯s power had pushed him to his limits. Any further delay, and he would collapse. He had to end this fight with Mei Rong¡ªnow. ¡°Well then, Greatest Sword of Central Plains.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice rang with power as he shouted at Mei Rong: ¡°Care to take a swing at me?¡± Mei Rong clenched his teeth. Kwon Hanul¡¯s sudden shift in tone wasn¡¯t out of respect. It was sheer mockery. And despite the humiliation, Mei Rong said nothing. Instead, he channeled the blood from his heart into his sword, summoning forth the Shura. ¡°I¡¯ll stake my life to kill you here and now.¡± ¡°The famed Greatest Sword of Central Plains challenges me to a duel of life and death? I¡¯m honored.¡± Even Kwon Hanul¡¯s taunt didn¡¯t rattle Mei Rong. That¡¯s how formidable Kwon Hanul had become in his eyes. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll go first.¡± Kwon Hanul stepped forward. There was no room for technique. Just controlling the Shura King took everything he had. He poured all his strength into his fist and let it fly, unleashing immense power. Simultaneously, Mei Rong raised his sword, channeling every drop of blood through his arm into the blade. Screaming¡ªwhether a battle cry or desperation¡ªMei Rong struck with the sword. Fist and blade collided. The outcome was instantaneous. * * * ¡°Mei Rong, you bastard!!¡± Kwon Myung-woo roared, his eyes bloodshot. ¡°The so-called Greatest Sword of Central Plains¡ªhow could he resort to such cowardice at the very end?!¡± ¡°Commander, please calm down.¡± ¡°Calm down?! Do I look calm to you?!¡± Kwon Myung-woo pointed furiously at the artifact. ¡°Kwon Hanul is trapped in there! If we don¡¯t open that relic now, he¡¯s going to die!¡± Though Mei Rong had lost to Kwon Myung-woo in an instant, he was still the Mei family¡¯s greatest swordmaster. During his career, Mei Rong had cleared countless nation-level disaster dungeons and slain the highest-risk monsters. Even with his heart pierced and energy spent, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t possibly win against him. ¡°Hayun! Isn¡¯t there any way?!¡± Joo Hayun, who was examining the artifact, shook her head. ¡°Once activated, it can¡¯t be opened unless the owner releases it. That¡¯s how this relic works.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t magic do something?!¡± ¡°You know that Earth¡¯s magic can¡¯t affect a Legendary-grade relic.¡± Not just for Joo Hayun¡ªfor every mage and witch on Earth, this was true. Earth¡¯s magic was still in its infancy. It couldn¡¯t interfere with relics. ¡°Damn it!¡± Kwon Myung-woo cursed, turning to the Mei bloodline. His eyes, burning with killing intent, struck fear into their hearts. ¡°Anyone! If any of you can open this relic, step forward now!¡¯¡± Sadly, the artifact was a closely guarded relic even within the Mei family. There was no way anyone else knew how to operate it. No one stepped forward, and veins bulged on Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s forehead. ¡°You dare ignore me?!¡± He clenched his fist, terror seizing the Mei bloodline. ¡°Calm yourself.¡± Just then, Kwon Seonwoo spoke. ¡°Brother! How can you stay so calm?! If we don¡¯t get him out soon, that kid¡¯s going to die!¡± ¡°Getting all worked up like you is not going to magically solve anything, is it?¡± Kwon Myung-woo clamped his mouth shut and just huffed in frustration. ¡°Brother, seriously¡ªthere¡¯s no way? Not even one?¡± ¡°There isn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Think again, please!¡± ¡°Unless we bring in the Midas Clan, there¡¯s nothing we can do¡ªbut how on earth are we supposed to summon them in time?¡± Kwon Myung-woo slammed his fist into the ground. The earth trembled beneath him. ¡°...I¡¯m sorry.¡± He looked at the relic with a face full of guilt. ¡°I wanted at least to help you take your revenge...¡± But that would be impossible. After all, once Kwon Hanul is dead, Mei Rong will die too. And no one can collect a debt from the dead. ¡°Damn it all!¡± That¡¯s what infuriated him the most¡ªbeing unable to avenge his fallen comrade. Just then¡ª Clank! A metallic click echoed as the lock disengaged and the artifact began to open. An explosion followed immediately. Kwon Myung-woo raised his arm to shield his face. A powerful force grazed his arm as it tore through the air. Soon, the world settled into silence. He slowly lowered his arm. Through the thick cloud of dust, a lone figure emerged. Kwon Myung-woo bared his teeth and growled. ¡°Mei Rong! So you¡¯re still alive! I¡¯ll tear you apart, alive and screaming!¡± Then the dust cleared completely, revealing the person within¡ªand everyone¡¯s eyes widened. It wasn¡¯t Mei Rong. ¡°What¡¯s with all the hostility?¡± The voice only deepened Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s shock. ¡°You¡ªYou¡ªHow... how are you still alive?!¡± ¡°Were you hoping I¡¯d be dead?¡± ¡°N-no, it¡¯s not that... That damned Mei Rong, what the hell happened to him...?¡± It was only then that Kwon Myung-woo noticed. A little ways away from Kwon Hanul, there lay a corpse. Whatever had happened, more than half of the body was gone. The shock of seeing Kwon Hanul alive had distracted him from noticing that corpse. The body lying motionless on the ground¡ªwas Mei Rong. Kwon Myung-woo, Joo Ha-yeon, the Hyukcheon operatives, even the Mei Clan¡ªall stood with their mouths agape. Even Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The Hyukcheon¡¯s Kwon Hanul has defeated the Greatest Sword of the Central Plains¡ªMei Rong!¡± One of the Hyukcheon operatives shouted. Like a spark in dry grass, others quickly joined in. ¡°Kwon Hanul of Hyukcheon has slain the greatest swordsman of the Central Plains!¡± The Hyukcheon warriors erupted in cheers. Kwon Myung-woo, still dumbfounded, muttered under his breath. ¡°That bastard... Just had to swoop in at the end and steal all the glory...¡± But soon, a smile crept onto Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s lips. Given the gap between Kwon Hanul and Mei Rong, it should¡¯ve been impossible to even finish the fight. And yet, Kwon Hanul had done the impossible. ¡°As expected of True Blood. Truly, the son of Cheon.¡± He murmured, before raising his voice in a shout¡ªhis neck veins bulging with intensity. ¡°That¡¯s right! Kwon Hanul of Hyukcheon has defeated the Greatest Sword of the Central Plains!¡± That day, a new hero was born in Hyukcheon. Sure, he¡¯d stolen the final bite¡ªbut the victory was his. At the height of the celebration¡ª ¡°Sorry to interrupt your moment of glory,¡± Kwon Seonwoo spoke up, ¡°but we can¡¯t stay here forever. The remaining Mei Clan warriors and the Chinese military will soon converge here. It¡¯ll become a major headache.¡± They weren¡¯t in Hyukcheon territory¡ªthey were deep inside enemy lines. There was no time to relax. ¡°How do we get out of here?¡± Kwon Hanul asked. Kwon Seonwoo answered casually, ¡°Same way we got in.¡± ¡°...The same way?¡± Kwon Myung-woo nodded and chimed in, ¡°Brother, have you fully recovered your magic power?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve recovered enough. Just need to take this final dose.¡± Kwon Seonwoo pulled out a small pill. As soon as he did, a refreshing fragrance filled the air. It was clearly no ordinary recovery item. ¡°But before we go, there¡¯s something that needs doing.¡± He pointed toward the Mei Clan¡¯s buildings and gave the order¡ª ¡°Loot it.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 36 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 36: A Bloodline Accompanies (1) Kwon Seonwoo led all members of the Hyukcheon Clan toward the Mei Clan¡¯s treasure vault. Unlike Hyukcheon¡¯s vault, located deep underground, the Mei Clan¡¯s vault stood above ground. Its size was roughly that of a soccer field, and it stretched up to five stories high. In comparison to Hyukcheon¡¯s vault, it was considerably smaller. Still, it was the vault of a prestigious clan, so various security systems blocked the path of the Hyukcheon bloodline. ¡°Hyah-cha-cha-cha!¡± Not that it mattered¡ªone punch from Kwon Myung-woo shattered everything in their way. Before entering the now-defenseless vault, Kwon Seonwoo assigned everyone their tasks. ¡°Hyukcheon Corps, head outside and collect all the Mei Clan¡¯s weapons. Myung-woo, go to the first floor¡¯s armory and take anything worthwhile. Mi, you go to the second floor and...¡± As he assigned duties one by one, it was now Kwon Hanul¡¯s turn. ¡°You and Hayun go to the underground herb storage.¡± ¡°Uh, Dad?¡± Kwon Mi was startled by the command. ¡°Why would you entrust that place to him... We have Hudon as well...¡± ¡°Silence. If you¡¯re going to argue, leave now.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, sir.¡± Kwon Mi lowered her head with a sullen face. She wasn¡¯t alone¡ªKwon Jiseok also looked visibly displeased. Only one person, Kwon Myung-woo, was overjoyed. ¡°Ha-ha! As expected, you¡¯re entrusting him with that place, big brother!¡± ¡°Quiet, you fool.¡± Kwon Seonwoo spoke with irritation and went upstairs. The family members moved to their assigned areas. Watching them disperse, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but tilt his head in confusion. What¡¯s so special about a herb storage that everyone¡¯s reacting this way? ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, let¡¯s move out.¡± Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun headed to the underground herb storage. Since Hayun knew more about herbs than Hanul, she took the lead. ¡°Let¡¯s see... we need to take all the herbs on this shelf.¡± Out of nowhere, Joo Hayun pulled out a massive sack and began sweeping the herbs into it. Kwon Hanul helped her from the side. After emptying one shelf completely, they moved to the next. ¡°Please store all these herbs in your dimensional storage.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but ask in surprise. At a glance, the herbs on this shelf looked incredibly valuable. ¡°Are you sure this is okay?¡± ¡°Yes. This is the fun of looting. No one will notice if a few go missing.¡± Hanul was quite shocked by her casual attitude. ¡°You seem... experienced at this.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve done it a lot.¡± ¡°A lot...¡± Suddenly, a realization struck Hanul like lightning. ¡°So that¡¯s why the Chairman sent me to the herb storage?¡± ¡°Exactly. You¡¯ve raised all your stats to Grade A now, correct? Have they increased at all since then?¡± ¡°Now that you mention it... not even once.¡± No matter how much he trained or hunted monsters, his stats hadn¡¯t budged. Even the effect of Healthy Bloodline, which once boosted his stats, had stopped. ¡°That¡¯s to be expected. With conventional methods, you can¡¯t go from Grade A to Grade S.¡± Hunters grow stronger by increasing the stats displayed on their status windows. All Hunters start at Grade E, and their grade increases once they reach a stat score of 50. At a glance, it seems like stats steadily improve, but reality is different. As one¡¯s grade rises, it becomes exponentially harder to increase stats. ¡°If Grade A is the realm of superhumans, Grade S is called the realm of transcendent beings. Achieving Grade S is harder than reaching for the stars. Your global ranking is determined by how many S grades you¡¯ve attained.¡± This was news to Hanul. Or rather, he¡¯d never had a chance to hear it. Until recently, Kwon Hanul had been a third-rate Hunter who couldn¡¯t even reach Grade C. ¡°There are two main ways to reach Grade S: defeat a powerful boss monster, or consume a potent elixir equivalent in power.¡± Only now did Hanul fully grasp why he had been sent to the herb storage. ¡°He wanted me to steal herbs capable of granting Grade S stats.¡± ¡°Correct. Even within Hyukcheon, such elixirs are rare and highly coveted. Without this opportunity, your turn might never come.¡± Now he understood why Kwon Mi and Kwon Jiseok had been so dissatisfied¡ªthey didn¡¯t want to miss this golden chance. ¡°Just in time, here¡¯s one of those herbs.¡± Joo Hayun picked up an item from the shelf. It was a seed, roughly the size of a child¡¯s fist. ¡°The Mei Clan shouldn¡¯t be underestimated... I can¡¯t believe they had this.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Golden Apple Seed.¡± Cough. Hanul choked in shock and had to calm himself before he could ask again. ¡°A... Golden Apple Seed?¡± A spiritual fruit that, once consumed, restores youth and grants boundless vitality. In the past, three global guilds clashed over the Golden Apple due to its immense value. Now he was looking at its seed¡ªit was no wonder he was stunned. ¡°If you eat the Golden Apple, you can raise one stat to Grade S. But growing it to bear fruit is extremely difficult.¡± ¡°How do you grow it?¡± ¡°You need a special artifact called the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water. It has the power to unseal anything in this world, making it just as rare as the seed itself.¡± This was why Golden Apples were so scarce. Not only were the seeds rare, but the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water needed to grow them was even harder to obtain. ¡°But it¡¯s worth the effort. To challenge the peak of Hyukcheon, you¡¯ll need at least three stats at Grade S.¡± Even achieving one S-grade stat made someone a transcendent. To need three just to qualify¡ªsuch conditions bordered on the impossible. ¡°What about Kwon Chan-seong hyung?¡± ¡°He reached S grade in all his stats long ago.¡± ¡°And Granduncle?¡± ¡°Lord Kwon Myung-woo reached S grade as well¡ªand I heard his strength is SS grade.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t even wrap his head around S grade. SS grade? That was beyond imagination. ¡°It¡¯ll take forever just to qualify at this rate.¡± ¡°Not necessarily.¡± Joo Hayun disagreed. ¡°Considering your growth speed, it won¡¯t take long.¡± Her words made Hanul flinch slightly. With multiple bloodlines coursing through him, his growth was anything but normal. With their help, achieving S grade would be within reach. ¡°I¡¯m not that impressive.¡± Still, he couldn¡¯t reveal this to Hayun. Brushing it off, Hanul stored the Golden Apple deep in his dimensional storage. After that, they continued combing the herb storage together. Unfortunately, the Golden Apple Seed was the only herb capable of granting S-grade stats. ¡°We should head back.¡± They¡¯d gathered everything of value. It was time to leave. Hanul and Hayun walked out together. Back on the first floor, they found the other family members already waiting after finishing their looting. Since the herb storage had been the largest, Hanul and Hayun were the last to return. ¡°Oh, there you are.¡± Kwon Myung-woo greeted Hanul first. He was carrying sacks larger than oxen on both shoulders. Judging by their shape, they were full of weapons. ¡°So, did you fill your pockets?¡± ¡°I swept everything in sight.¡± At Hanul¡¯s reply, Myung-woo burst out laughing. Just then, a voice rang out from outside. ¡°Who is this girl?¡± Everyone in the vault rushed outside. They found Kwon Seonwoo, with several kneeling Hyukcheon members behind him. Lying in front of them was a bloodied young woman. ¡°We found her wandering the Mei Clan¡¯s grounds.¡± ¡°Did you do this to her?¡± ¡°No. She was like this when we found her.¡± She was alive, but her injuries were severe enough that she could die at any moment. Hanul stared at her for a moment. A thought crossed his mind. ¡°Mei Hong?¡± He approached and examined her face. Though it was battered, it was indeed Mei Hong. ¡°You know her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s one of the Mei Clan¡¯s representatives. Also... she¡¯s the one who severed the artifact¡¯s mana channel.¡± ¡°This girl is that Mei?¡± No wonder she was in this state¡ªshe must have been attacked by her own clan right after cutting off the mana channel. ¡°Someone, bring medicine.¡± One Hyukcheon member produced a vial and poured its contents into Mei Hong¡¯s mouth. Shortly after, Mei Hong awoke, coughing violently. She looked around, bewildered, and recognized the blood relatives of the Hyukcheon Clan. She asked, ¡°...The battle... What happened to Mei Tian?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re referring to Lord Mei, he¡¯s already dead,¡± Kwon Hanul replied. At his words, Mei Hong¡¯s face showed relief. ¡°...Thank goodness.¡± Hack! Mei Hong coughed up blood. Kwon Seonwoo turned to Kwon Hanul and asked, ¡°Do you know this girl well?¡± ¡°No, sir. I met her for the first time today.¡± ¡°Can she be trusted?¡± Kwon Hanul paused briefly before answering. ¡°I believe so. She¡¯s the one who warned me about the Mei Clan¡¯s attempt to poison me.¡± Though the warning was ultimately useless due to his reinforced constitution¡ªthanks to the Healthy Bloodline and Genius Bloodline¡ªhe still appreciated the intent. ¡°Very well. Heal her wounds. We¡¯ll take her back to Hyukcheon.¡± Kwon Hanul looked surprised at Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s words. He wondered¡ªcould this be an act of repaying a debt? ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to bring the Shura Blood under my control. It¡¯s fortunate to have found a cooperative member of the Mei bloodline.¡± Ah, that makes more sense. It seemed Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s motivation wasn¡¯t about gratitude, but rather, about gaining strategic advantage for his clan. ¡°Everyone, clear the area.¡± The Hyukcheon blood relatives immediately backed away. Once they had withdrawn to a safe distance, Kwon Seonwoo summoned his Dragon Aura. In an instant, a towering cliff seemed to appear before them. This was an illusion caused by the overwhelming density and sheer volume of the Dragon Aura he released. The aura began to take form¡ªa colossal dragon emerged, soaring through the blue sky. ¡°Amazing, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kwon Myung-woo said, slapping Kwon Hanul on the back. Kwon Hanul nodded blankly. ¡°Remember this sight. That form is called the Incarnation Body¡ªthe pinnacle of all bloodlines.¡± Kwon Myung-woo spoke with admiration in his eyes. Even he, Hyukcheon¡¯s Greatest Fist and bearer of the Fist Aura, looked upon the Incarnation Body with reverence. ¡°How does one attain the Incarnation Body?¡± Hanul asked. ¡°Only those qualified can achieve 100% resonance with their bloodline. That¡¯s the only way.¡± ¡°What do you mean by ¡®qualified¡¯?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Kwon Myung-woo answered flatly. ¡°Many among the Hyukcheon bloodline have sought the Incarnation Body, but only three have succeeded¡ªthe first Patriarch, the second Patriarch, and my brother.¡± His tone turned bitter. ¡°No one knows the exact criteria... but one thing is certain¡ªonly a rare few can ever reach that state.¡± It seemed that Kwon Myung-woo had likely tried and failed himself. Perhaps that¡¯s why he looked at Kwon Seonwoo with such regretful longing. ¡°But you, as a Trueblood, will surely achieve it. You might even surpass my brother. No, I¡¯m certain you will.¡± His voice brimmed with conviction. Kwon Hanul only smiled faintly. ¡°But I do have one question.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Sir, the Chairman has clearly attained the Incarnation Body¡ªso why are you still called the Hyukcheon¡¯s Greatest Fist?¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s expression twisted instantly. ¡°You brat! I may not have achieved the Incarnation Body, but when it comes to martial arts, even my brother can¡¯t beat me!¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± ¡°What kind of half-hearted answer is that?! Come here so I can show you just how ¡®unsatisfactory¡¯ that answer is!¡± As the two bickered, the fully incarnated dragon that was Kwon Seonwoo descended. ¡ªEveryone, climb on my back. * * * Hyukcheon Clan Grounds. In an open space filled with earth, the purebloods of Hyukcheon had gathered in droves. With anxious faces, they kept looking up at the sky. Someone muttered quietly, ¡°When will the Chairman return...?¡± It had been seven hours since Kwon Seonwoo transformed into his Incarnation Body and flew off to the Mei Clan. No one believed he could be defeated by the likes of the Mei Clan, but with their leader deep in enemy territory, they couldn¡¯t rest easy. ¡°There! The Chairman is returning!¡± A voice rang out. A black dragon appeared in the distance, flying toward them. ¡°He¡¯s safe!¡± ¡°Of course he is! The Chairman and the Greatest Fist were together¡ªnothing could have gone wrong!¡± As the purebloods exchanged remarks, Kwon Seonwoo descended. Once the blood relatives he carried dismounted, he reverted from his Incarnation Body. ¡°Whew... Transforming twice in one day is exhausting.¡± ¡°You really are getting old, brother.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to hear that from you,¡± Kwon Seonwoo grumbled. The purebloods rushed forward. ¡°Chairman! Are you injured?¡± ¡°What became of the Mei Clan?¡± At that, Kwon Seonwoo, clearly uninterested in explaining, gestured at Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°Ask him. He¡¯ll tell you everything.¡± All eyes turned to Kwon Myung-woo. With a proud grin, he declared, ¡°What kind of question is that? Of course, we crushed them!¡± He threw down a sack he had been carrying. Other blood relatives followed, unloading goods from their stores. The sacks overflowed with spoils of war, drawing gasps from the onlookers. ¡°Hahaha! It was an incredible battle! But do you know who stood out the most? Hanul! Come here!¡± Kwon Myung-woo called Hanul over with pride. ¡°This young man here defeated the Swordmaster of Mei Clan in single combat!¡± Silence fell over the crowd. Kwon Hanul sighed. ¡°Great Uncle, you need to explain this properly. That¡¯s not what happened...¡± ¡°Hahaha! Isn¡¯t it incredible? At his age, he brought down the Swordmaster!¡± ¡°No, I mean, if I could just clarify...¡± ¡°That coward used some strange artifact to kidnap this lad! A foolish move¡ªit got him killed by Hanul inside it!¡± Ignoring Hanul¡¯s protests, Kwon Myung-woo rambled on. The longer he boasted, the more stunned the purebloods became. Hanul eventually gave up trying to correct him. ¡°You¡¯re noisy,¡± Kwon Seonwoo interjected. ¡°Brother, what now?¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense.¡± The purebloods looked at Kwon Seonwoo with hope¡ªbut he offered no clarification. ¡°You probably have many questions, but the main players are exhausted. We¡¯ll adjourn for today.¡± His tone brooked no argument. ¡°We¡¯ll handle the rewards and merits and recount the details of this event in the upcoming clan meeting.¡± Everyone bowed and answered in unison. ¡°Take your rest.¡± The crowd dispersed. Hanul turned to leave as well. Then¡ª ¡°You stay. I need a word.¡± Kwon Seonwoo called him. ¡°The day after tomorrow, you¡¯re coming with me. Start preparing.¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°To the Delos Auction.¡± Kwon Seonwoo said it casually, but Hanul was stunned. Delos Auction. The world¡¯s most prestigious auction house, known for trading the rarest and most expensive artifacts. Even world-ranked elites struggled to gain entry¡ªyet he was being invited? ¡°Why... why take me?¡± Kwon Seonwoo turned away and answered, ¡°I need someone to carry my bags.¡± ¡°...Bags?¡± Hanul could hardly believe his ears. ¡°You won¡¯t be bored. All sorts of people gather at Delos¡ªeven members of other clans.¡± Other clans... Hanul¡¯s eyes gleamed at those words. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 37 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 37: A Bloodline Accompanies (2) Two days after returning from the Mei family estate, Kwon Jiseok received a call. ¡°What? Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water*?¡± Kwon Jiseok shouted in disbelief. The caller¡¯s demand was absurd. ¡°Hey! How am I supposed to get that? No, more importantly, why should I even get that for you?¡± In response to Jiseok¡¯s protest, the caller, Kwon Hanul, clicked his tongue and said: ¡ª¡°Why are you suddenly trying to back out?¡± ¡°You bastard...¡± ¡ª¡°You lost the bet and agreed to grant me a favor of my choosing, didn¡¯t you?¡± At that, Kwon Jiseok flinched. It was a terrible memory he had long forgotten. ¡ª¡°You¡¯re not pretending to forget just because you don¡¯t want to do it, right?¡± ¡°What the hell do you take me for! You think Kwon Jiseok would stoop to something so petty?!¡± ¡ª¡°Then get me the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water.¡± Cold sweat trickled down Jiseok¡¯s back. Even for him, obtaining Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water was like plucking a star from the sky¡ªutterly impossible. The price alone was astronomical, and even finding one on the market was near impossible. That¡¯s how rare and precious Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water was. ¡°Can¡¯t you ask for something else?¡± ¡ª¡°No.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not saying this because I don¡¯t want to help. That thing¡¯s just really hard to get...¡± ¡ª¡°I thought so.¡± Thought so? What the hell does he mean by that? ¡ª¡°I just asked in case, but I figured you wouldn¡¯t be able to get it.¡± ¡°What the¡ªare you mocking me now?! You wanna die¡ª?¡± ¡ª¡°I¡¯ll hang up now.¡± Click. The call ended. Kwon Jiseok gripped his phone tightly, trembling with rage. ¡°That bastard¡¯s asking for death!¡± * * * Kwon Hanul ended the call and stepped out of the restroom. He¡¯d taken the call there because this wasn¡¯t his residence. In fact, it wasn¡¯t even a building. It was an airplane¡ªa private jet owned by Kwon Seonwoo, the Chairman of Hyukcheon. Given the jet¡¯s luxurious amenities, making a call was no issue. Hanul walked toward the lounge area. There, he saw Kwon Seonwoo seated comfortably, with Joo Hayun preparing tea beside him. As Hayun placed a steaming teacup in front of Seonwoo, she spoke. ¡°I changed the tea leaves. I hope it suits your taste.¡± ¡°Tea brewed by you is always excellent. I¡¯ll enjoy it.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice was unexpectedly gentle. Hayun smiled warmly. Watching them, Hanul felt a tangle of emotions. They looked more like grandparent and grandchild than he and Seonwoo, who were actually blood relatives. ¡°Would you like a cup as well, Kwon Hanul?¡± Hayun offered. Hanul took a seat across from Seonwoo and accepted the teacup. A single sip filled his mouth with rich aroma. Seonwoo¡¯s compliment hadn¡¯t been idle. As Hanul sipped, he cautiously studied Seonwoo, then asked, ¡°Are you really bringing me along just to carry luggage?¡± Seonwoo only lifted his gaze. His eyes, under thick brows, flashed sharply. ¡°Do you have a problem with that?¡± ¡°No, not exactly...¡± ¡°Then shut up and don¡¯t say anything unnecessary.¡± Hanul had thought they¡¯d grown a bit closer lately, but Seonwoo was as prickly as ever. Just then, Hayun interjected softly. ¡°It¡¯s the first time the Chairman has personally brought someone along.¡± ¡°There will be a lot of luggage today,¡± Seonwoo replied. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you just have the other subordinates handle it?¡± Seonwoo shot Hayun a glare. She feigned ignorance and looked at Hanul. Ah. Her expression made things clear. She hadn¡¯t said that without reason¡ªshe was hinting at something. ¡®There¡¯s definitely some other agenda here...¡¯ But Seonwoo rarely revealed his true thoughts, making it impossible to read him. Truthfully, even if Hanul ended up carrying luggage, he wouldn¡¯t lose out. The Delos Auction House was the world¡¯s largest auction. Just visiting would be a valuable experience. ¡®Of course, that¡¯s not my real objective.¡¯ People from various powerful families would gather at Delos. Interacting with them might allow him to gain new bloodlines. ¡®To reach the top of Hyukcheon, I need real strength¡ªand recognition.¡¯ To be acknowledged as part of Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline, he had to operate on a global stage. To do that, he needed at least three stats elevated to S-rank. ¡®I¡¯ve heard some bloodlines can drastically enhance stats like strength or magic.¡¯ If he could obtain such a bloodline, he could greatly shorten the time needed to reach his goal. While he was lost in thought¡ª ¡°We¡¯ve arrived,¡± Seonwoo murmured. At his words, Hanul looked out the window. In the midst of a dark ocean, an island glittering with dazzling lights came into view. Delos Auction House. Famed as the world¡¯s largest and finest auction, it was held exclusively at sea. However, despite always being hosted on the ocean, the location changed every time. Sometimes in the Atlantic, other times deep in the Pacific. This was possible because the Delos Auction House was built atop a relic. This relic allowed both oceanic navigation and deep-sea submersion, freeing Delos from any fixed location. Thanks to this, not once since its inception had Delos suffered theft or intrusion. The private jet landed smoothly on the island. The group was greeted by a middle-aged woman impeccably dressed in a tailcoat. ¡°Welcome, Chairman of Hyukcheon.¡± She bowed deeply¡ªkneeling, not merely bending at the waist. The attendants with her did the same. They weren¡¯t treating him as a guest¡ªbut as their lord. ¡®Incredible.¡¯ ¡°Madam, it¡¯s been a while. But your attendants seem less capable than before.¡± ¡°You wound me. These are elite hunters tasked with guarding the auction house.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to slight you.¡± Clearly familiar, the two conversed without formality. ¡°Please, follow me.¡± The woman guided them into the island¡¯s interior. After descending via elevator and walking a long hallway, they arrived at a spacious room like a hotel suite. ¡°Please enjoy your stay.¡± The madam closed the door behind her. Once she left, Hanul asked Seonwoo, ¡°When do we head to the auction floor?¡± ¡°Head down? What nonsense is that?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we come here to participate in the auction?¡± Seonwoo¡¯s eyes turned half-lidded, as if looking at a country bumpkin. ¡°Hayun, turn it on.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Hayun walked toward the wall of the suite. Strangely, this wall was completely bare¡ªno furniture against it, giving it a desolate feel. Joo Hayun pressed a button affixed to the wall. Instantly, the once-empty wall became transparent. ¡°Huh?¡± Through the now-clear glass, the view outside came into focus. A massive hollow space unfolded. Square windows were spaced evenly along the cylindrical walls, which had been carved smooth like a giant column. Below lay a vast stage. On it, a man held a microphone and shouted loudly. ¡°Alright, next item up for auction! A rare magical beast¡ªa unicorn¡ªcaptured with great difficulty by the T-Bone Guild in America!¡± A section of the stage floor opened, and a large cage rose into view. Inside the cage, a wounded unicorn panted heavily, its breath ragged. ¡°As you all know, unicorns are magical creatures imbued with powerful spiritual energy. Every part of their body is valuable¡ªhair, blood, tendons, liver, gall bladder, heart, you name it.¡± The man went on incessantly. ¡°We¡¯ll begin bidding at 5 million dollars!¡± From the multitude of windows lining the massive chamber, numbers began lighting up one after another. ¡°5.1 million! 5.4 million! 5.7 million! We have 5.7 million! Any higher? Ah, 6 million! 6 million dollars!¡± It was then that Kwon Hanul realized it. Each of those glass windows represented a separate auction participant. Hanul had always imagined auctions to be noisy gatherings where many people shouted bids in a large hall. But Delos Auction House was nothing like that. Here, bidders stayed in luxurious private rooms, participating remotely. ¡°Now do you understand?¡± The voice had a distinct tone, almost as if saying, You country bumpkin. ¡®Yeah, yeah. We get it¡ªyou¡¯re impressive.¡¯ ¡°Well then, let¡¯s just sit back and relax.¡± Despite coming all the way here, Kwon Seonwoo didn¡¯t place a single bid. He simply sat and watched quietly. Hanul also took a seat beside him, observing the items presented on the auction stage. Monsters he¡¯d never seen before, artifacts with incredible powers. It was a rare and valuable experience, broadening his horizons, though a sense of frustration lingered. I thought I¡¯d get to see other clans here. With such a closed structure, there was no way to meet fellow participants. They¡¯re probably hiding everyone¡¯s identities for security reasons. Everyone gathered here held positions of influence or were highly skilled individuals. It made sense¡ªthey didn¡¯t want tensions to flare unnecessarily. Still, it¡¯s disappointing. He couldn¡¯t gain access to any bloodlines this way. As Hanul licked his lips in regret, a new item appeared on the stage. ¡°Alright, next up... Unbelievable! I can¡¯t believe this item made it to Delos Auction House! You¡¯ll regret it if you miss this opportunity!¡± An auction staff member brought out a glass bottle shaped like a gourd. Inside, a golden liquid shimmered and sloshed. Pointing to it, the host shouted, ¡°This is Sacred Emperor''s Water!¡± At the mention of Sacred Emperor''s Water, Kwon Hanul jolted upright before he realized it. He hadn¡¯t expected to see the very item needed to germinate the seed of the Golden Apple. ¡°As you all know, Sacred Emperor''s Water has the power to lift seals! No matter how strong the seal, with this¡ªswish swish swish¡ªit¡¯s undone! Such a precious item, we¡¯ll start at 10 million dollars!¡± 10 million dollars. Over 1 billion won¡ªa staggering amount. And that was just the starting price. The bidding climbed rapidly, unrelenting. ¡°11 million! 12 million! 12.5 million! Such fierce bidding right from the start! We¡¯re now at 13 million!¡± Obviously, Hanul didn¡¯t have that kind of money. He had no choice but to watch silently. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Seonwoo suddenly spoke. ¡°I was just thinking... everyone¡¯s so rich. I¡¯m envious.¡± ¡°A child of Hyukcheon envious over such a paltry sum?¡± ¡°But the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s wealth isn¡¯t mine, is it?¡± Hanul said, tapping his pocket. Seonwoo chuckled at the gesture. ¡°That all?¡± ¡°I¡¯m realizing how vast the world really is.¡± To protect the participants, Delos Auction House concealed everyone¡¯s identity. Private rooms were provided for that reason. Even so, Hanul could feel it¡ªthe overwhelming presence of the other bidders, emanating through walls and glass alike. It felt as if he¡¯d been thrown unprotected into a raging storm. And this was with the walls in place. He trembled imagining what it would be like to face them in person. ¡°You¡¯re sensing it well. Everyone here is a world-class powerhouse. Some of them, even Hyukcheon can¡¯t ignore.¡± The world was a vast place. Hyukcheon was certainly powerful¡ªbut not invincible. ¡°The Hyukcheon family leads the Hyukcheon Group. Do you know what¡¯s most important for a leader?¡± ¡°To conquer dungeons and retrieve the spoils.¡± Seonwoo smiled at Hanul¡¯s answer. The group¡¯s current status was thanks to the artifacts they¡¯d recovered from dungeons. Imagine an artifact producing infinite resources, enough to replace oil. Whoever owns that reaps immense profits. The duty of Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline was to outcompete rivals and seize such artifacts. That was how the group thrived and endured. ¡°If you form a team, you¡¯ll have to compete against them. Think you can handle it?¡± Everyone here was far stronger than Hanul. If he fought one-on-one, he¡¯d surely die. Could he truly survive if the day came to face them? ¡°Of course.¡± Hanul answered without hesitation. ¡°You think you can win?¡± ¡°Not now. But I¡¯m not fighting them today, am I?¡± Hanul had his bloodline. Even one of his powers could make him strong, and he had several. He couldn¡¯t be afraid of them. ¡°Hah. What a cocky brat.¡± Seonwoo laughed dryly. ¡°When I brought Chan-seong here, he thought it over for a while, then said he could do it.¡± Knowing Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s personality, he¡¯d probably analyzed it carefully before answering. ¡°When I asked Jiseok, he answered in a burst of excitement.¡± Given Kwon Jiseok¡¯s nature, it was no surprise he spoke without thinking it through. ¡°But you¡ªyou¡¯re the first to act this bold. Just as Myung-woo said, you¡¯re an arrogant punk.¡± Seonwoo laughed and shook his head. ¡°Fine. You¡¯ve passed.¡± Passed? Wait, bringing me here was a test? Geez, what a difficult old man. As Hanul grumbled internally, Seonwoo spoke again. ¡°As a reward, I should give you a small gift.¡± Just then, the host¡¯s voice boomed through the glass. ¡°Alright! Bidding has reached 20 million dollars! Are we done? No more bids? Then I¡¯ll close the auction¡ª¡± In that instant, Seonwoo pressed a button on his chair¡¯s armrest and said, ¡°30 million dollars.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 38 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 38: A Bloodline Accompanies (3) A figure appeared on the glass screen¡ª30 million dollars. The host¡¯s jaw dropped at the sudden spike in price. ¡°Th-thirty million dollars! We have thirty million! Any higher bids?¡± A long silence followed. Then, someone raised the stakes again. ¡°Thirty-five million dollars! We have thirty-five! Any more bids...?¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Seonwoo pressed his button and spoke again. ¡°Fifty million dollars.¡± The host¡¯s mouth opened even wider in shock. Looking around, he shouted, ¡°Fifty million dollars! Fifty million has been bid! Any higher?¡± Several minutes passed, but no one called out a higher amount. The host raised his fist and declared, ¡°Sold at fifty million dollars!¡± Kwon Hanul sat dazed, watching it all unfold. Just a few months ago, he had trembled over a few hundred thousand won. Now, someone had spent fifty million dollars¡ªalmost 60 billion Korean won¡ªwithout a second thought. He couldn''t wrap his head around it. ¡°That Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water is yours now.¡± Hanul whipped around in shock to face Seonwoo. ¡°You¡¯re giving that to me?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it was a reward for passing the test?¡± Hanul sat in stunned silence, mouth agape. As he sat frozen, Seonwoo turned to Joo Hayun. ¡°Hayun, turn off the screen now.¡± Hayun stood and operated the switch. The auction scene disappeared, replaced by a blank wall. It was clear¡ªthey had no more interest in the auction. Hanul felt even more confused by this. ¡®Did they really come to the auction just to test me?¡¯ He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if all these chairman-types were just twisted in the head. Just then, Joo Hayun sat beside him and whispered, ¡°Congratulations. The Chairman has acknowledged you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with the sudden change in attitude?¡± ¡°Considering what you achieved at the Mei family, it¡¯s not so strange.¡± It should have been a joyous moment. Yet, Hanul¡¯s mind was a tangled mess. This was the first time Seonwoo had treated him with any warmth. Suddenly, the intercom buzzed. Hayun picked it up. ¡°Yes, what is it?¡± ¡ª¡°Apologies for the interruption. One of the guests is eager to acquire the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water and wishes to propose a trade.¡± Hayun looked at Seonwoo. He gestured for her to hand him the intercom. ¡°They want to trade for the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water?¡± ¡ª¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°In this situation, wouldn¡¯t it be proper to state one¡¯s identity first?¡± Each auction house had its own rules. At Delos Auction House, after an auction concluded, personal negotiations could take place¡ªbut only after revealing one¡¯s identity. That way, the other party could properly consider the offer. ¡ª¡°It¡¯s a request from Catalina Blaga.¡± Blaga? Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. There was no way he wouldn¡¯t know that name. The Blaga family was one of the Western Royal Bloodlines, wielding power so great that even the Hyukcheon could not disregard them. In terms of raw power, the Blaga family was far behind the Hyukcheon clan. Yet, the reason the Hyukcheon couldn¡¯t treat them lightly was because of the Blaga family¡¯s immense connections and influence. ...Or so he thought. ¡°That wretched courtesan wants the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water?¡± From Seonwoo¡¯s tone, it was clear¡ªhe didn¡¯t give a damn about the Blaga family. ¡°Tell her to buzz off¡ª¡± Suddenly, Seonwoo¡¯s expression changed. Stroking his chin, he seemed to contemplate something. ¡°Fine. Tell her we¡¯ll meet face to face.¡± ¡ª¡°Understood. Lady Catalina Blaga will be with you shortly.¡± Seonwoo set the intercom down and asked, ¡°Do you know what kind of family the Blagas are?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± ¡°Then you must also know of their bloodline ability, correct?¡± Hanul nodded. The Blaga family had few members. There were less than ten purebloods, and the inferior-bloods and mixed-bloods were also scarce. Even so, their influence was comparable to any other family¡¯s. Why? Because of their blood-bound power¡ªthe ability to dominate and control others. The Blagas used this power to enslave humans, manipulate them, and expand their reach. Catalina Blaga was one of their rare purebloods and among the five elders who led the Blaga family. Her domination ability had to be formidable. ¡°When you meet Catalina Blaga, don¡¯t let your guard down for even a second. Or you¡¯ll fall under her control.¡± ¡°Yes, understood.¡± ¡°If you get ensnared by that witch, I¡¯ll personally crush your skull.¡± ¡°...That¡¯s a joke, right?¡± ¡°Did that sound like a joke to you?¡± There was a chilling glint in Seonwoo¡¯s eyes. Hanul gulped. ¡°As long as I live, I won¡¯t tolerate a Hyukcheon bloodline being bewitched by such filth.¡± Hanul bit back a retort¡ªThen why are you letting her come here at all? ¡®Wait, could this... be another test?¡¯ Considering Seonwoo¡¯s personality, it wouldn¡¯t be out of the question. If so, this was a seriously twisted game. As he pondered, a knock came at the door. ¡°Lady Catalina Blaga has arrived.¡± Click¡ªthe door opened. A sickly sweet fragrance filled the room. The scent parted, and a woman entered. Two men followed behind her. The moment Hanul laid eyes on her, he felt as if his entire body froze from the toes up. He barely noticed the two men. Her golden hair, gleaming like sunlight, and a red dress that clung to her body like skin¡ª ¡°...Haah.¡± The woman let out a long sigh, a palpable thirst in the air¡ªas if her desire was smoldering. ¡°I was wondering who could¡¯ve paid fifty million dollars for the Sacred Emperor''s Water...¡± Catalina Blaga. ¡°Never would¡¯ve guessed it¡¯d be the Chairman of Hyukcheon.¡± The pureblood of the Blaga family clicked her tongue as she spoke. ¡°If it had been someone else, getting the Sacred Emperor''s Water would¡¯ve been much easier...¡± Catalina Blaga pressed a finger against her temple. Even such a small gesture was enough to tug at the heartstrings. ¡°You haven¡¯t changed a bit, not then, not now. Still up to your vulgar tricks.¡± ¡°Vulgar? Using a bloodline¡¯s ability isn¡¯t wrong, is it?¡± Catalina replied nonchalantly, while Kwon Seonwoo responded with a cold sneer. ¡°That very attitude is what makes it vulgar.¡± ¡°Such a shame. If only you¡¯d let go of that rigid way of thinking, you¡¯d be such an attractive man, Chairman.¡± Catalina licked her lips. Her moist, crimson tongue flickered briefly into view. ¡°What do you say? Why don¡¯t we spend a long, intimate night together¡ªjust the two of us?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I have no interest in lying on rags.¡± At those words, one of the men behind her bristled with anger¡ªa young man, seemingly about the same age as Kwon Hanul. Catalina glanced at him, and though displeased, he restrained himself. ¡°Chairman, won¡¯t you let me have the Sacred Emperor''s Water?¡± ¡°What do you plan to use it for?¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t pry into others¡¯ secrets like that.¡± Catalina smiled with her eyes¡ªan enchanting sight that could make one''s heart race¡ªbut Kwon Seonwoo only scowled. ¡°Even if you ask me, it¡¯s not my decision to make. The Sacred Emperor''s Water belongs to someone else.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean, that child over there is the rightful owner. You¡¯ll need to negotiate directly with him.¡± Kwon Seonwoo pointed at Kwon Hanul. Their eyes met¡ªHanul¡¯s and Catalina Blaga¡¯s. ¡°You won¡¯t regret those words, Chairman?¡± Catalina said, smiling. Unconsciously, Hanul swallowed hard. ¡°By the way, who is this person? I¡¯ve never seen him before.¡± ¡°You should know already. Word¡¯s spread across the world by now.¡± ¡°Word?¡± Catalina¡¯s eyes widened gradually. ¡°...Don¡¯t tell me this is Hyukcheon¡¯s Little Dragon, the one who killed the ¡®Greatest Sword of the Central Plains¡¯?¡± Hanul grimaced at the nickname. ¡°Who came up with that childish name?¡± ¡°Oh my, he spoke! Your voice is quite pleasant to listen to.¡± ¡°Can we get back to the point?¡± Catalina tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled. ¡°That¡¯s the nickname given to the super rookie who took down the Greatest Sword. Isn¡¯t it adorable?¡± ¡°It¡¯s childish.¡± ¡°Oh dear, don¡¯t like it? Too bad. Everyone who talks about you is calling you Little Dragon.¡± He really hated it. He couldn¡¯t control his expression. Little Dragon, seriously? Seeing Hanul¡¯s reaction, Catalina nodded thoughtfully once again. ¡°You seem a little off.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Oh, nothing at all.¡± She shook her head. Every movement of hers was both charming and bewitching. ¡°I¡¯ve been curious about what Hyukcheon¡¯s Little Dragon was like, and now I get to meet you. It¡¯s a pleasure!¡± Catalina extended her hand. Hanul, before he realized it, took it. Her skin was smooth like silk. A current surged through Hanul¡¯s body. Sensing danger, he tried to pull away¡ªbut Catalina was faster. She tugged him toward her. Their faces were now so close, their noses almost touched. ¡°So, Little Dragon, won¡¯t you give me the Sacred Emperor''s Water?¡± She wrapped her arms around his forearm, the softness of her body pressing fully against him. ¡°I¡¯m asking you nicely.¡± A sweet scent invaded his nose, making his head spin. ¡°Please? Pretty please?¡± Her nasal, coquettish tone dug into his ears¡ªit felt like his brain was being toyed with. In that dizzying moment, Hanul answered. ¡°No.¡± Flatly, without hesitation. When Hanul first met Catalina Blaga, he felt fear. Not the kind he felt in front of a strong opponent. This was different¡ªan instinctive, primal fear as a man. She¡¯s terrifying... No man¡ªno human¡ªcould resist her charm. Even Hanul himself was struggling against it. If things had gone just slightly differently, he would¡¯ve fallen for her and handed over the Sacred Emperor''s Water. If it weren¡¯t for his Genius Bloodline... Hanul forcibly pulled his arm away from Catalina. Even as his bloodline resisted her, part of him regretted it¡ªproof that Catalina¡¯s power was monstrously strong. That was close... To shake off the lingering feeling, Hanul dusted off his arm. ¡°The Sacred Emperor''s Water is something I absolutely need. I can¡¯t give it to you.¡± ¡°Even though I¡¯m asking like this?¡± Catalina looked up at him with glistening, pleading eyes. ¡°Yes.¡± Hanul¡¯s unwavering reply caused Catalina¡¯s face to harden. As if her world had just collapsed. ¡°...Interesting.¡± Her gaze shifted. Her once-innocent eyes now curved like a snake¡¯s tail. Not just her eyes¡ªthe entire atmosphere had flipped. ¡°A mere youth, even if a Hyukcheon bloodline, dares to reject me?¡± Danger. Instinct screamed at him. Stay here, and you won¡¯t come out unscathed. Get out¡ªnow. ¡°As a woman, more than as a Blaga bloodline, I¡¯m deeply insulted.¡± Her eyes slit like a serpent¡¯s. In that moment, Hanul felt an invisible force gripping his heart. Then it happened. <¡®???¡¯ responds to the authority of The Blood of Vassal.> A message appeared before his eyes. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 39 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 39: A Bloodline Accompanies (4) As soon as Catalina Blaga¡¯s eyes turned a pale pink, Kwon Seonwoo shouted sharply. ¡°Catalina Blaga!¡± At his bellow, the entire building vibrated faintly. It was not a volume any human voice could reach. ¡°I warned you before. If you recklessly use your Authority on the bloodline of Hyukcheon again, I¡¯ll rip your damn eyes out!¡± Catalina Blaga quickly returned her eyes to their normal state and raised both palms in a disarming gesture, feigning innocence. ¡°Oh my, I¡¯m sorry. Little Dragon was just so charming that I couldn¡¯t help but use my Authority.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t try to gloss over it with that kind of nonsense!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll undo the mind control right away, so please, calm down.¡± Smiling sweetly, Catalina reached out her hand toward Kwon Hanul. At that moment, Kwon Hanul spoke. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Catalina blinked in confusion. ¡°That¡¯s odd. I didn¡¯t give him permission to speak...¡± ¡°Cut the nonsense and move your hand. You¡¯re giving me a headache.¡± Only then did Catalina¡¯s eyes widen in shock. Seeing Catalina¡¯s stunned expression, Kwon Hanul thought to himself. ¡®It felt like forever, but in reality, not even a second passed.¡¯ When Catalina had used her Authority, Hanul thought time had elongated. But it had been no more than a fleeting moment. Which only emphasized how powerful her Authority was. ¡®If I didn¡¯t possess Blood of the True Vassal, I would¡¯ve been completely controlled.¡¯ Hanul looked up and checked his status window and the message. Acquired: True Blood of the Vassal Blood of the Vassal Rank: SS+ Purity: True Grants dominion over mind and body. As with most bloodlines, the explanation was vague. But some things were clear. -True Blood of the Vassal negates the Authority of lower bloodlines. -Higher-tier Vassal Bloodline is immune to the dominion of lower-tier vassals. -Your dominion is insufficient. Cannot subjugate Pure Blood of the Vassal. In short, Hanul couldn¡¯t control Catalina Blaga. ¡®The Blaga family has a stricter bloodline hierarchy than most.¡¯ This was because the dominion of Vassal Bloodlineline was more potent among those of the same bloodline. Hanul had just acquired his Blood of the Vassal, while Catalina was of Pure Blood, just beneath True Blood, and a senior elder who made decisions for the entire Blaga clan. It was natural Hanul would be at a disadvantage. -As your Synchronization Rate increases, your dominion through Vassal Bloodline strengthens. Higher Synchronization Rate unlocks additional abilities. For now, that is. Hanul had acquired True Blood. One day, Catalina would kneel before him. ¡®No, not just Catalina Blaga.¡¯ He could place the entire Blaga family beneath his feet. That realization sent a thrill through him. If he could subjugate the Blaga family, a mighty clan even the Hyukcheon bloodline dared not challenge¡ªand make them his allies¡ª Undoubtedly, he¡¯d wield immense power. ¡°Heh.¡± Suddenly, a mocking laugh broke his thoughts. To his surprise, it was Kwon Seonwoo. ¡°For Catalina Blaga to use her Authority and still fail to ensnare one man... What a rare spectacle.¡± With a wide grin, Kwon Seonwoo ridiculed Catalina. ¡°For all their vulgar play, the Blaga clan always excelled at toying with people. Can¡¯t even do that anymore?¡± Catalina said nothing, still seemingly reeling from shock. ¡°Well, looks like we¡¯re done here. Get out. Any longer near you, and your stench might rub off on me.¡± It was then¡ª ¡°...A word to the Lord of Hyukcheon!¡± One of the two men who had accompanied Catalina, a young man, stepped forward. ¡°Lady Catalina is an elder of the Blaga family! Even if you are the chairman of Hyukcheon...¡± Before he could finish, his body was slammed into the wall. Hanul was startled and looked at Seonwoo. ¡®Will of Intent!¡¯ It was the same technique that had instantly killed dozens of Mei clan bloodline members. ¡°You filthy mutt in heat. How dare you run your mouth?¡± Seonwoo said coldly, glaring at the shattered wall. The young man staggered out of the wreckage, blood pouring from his mouth. ¡°To withstand my Will of Intent... You¡¯re a half-decent mutt, I¡¯ll give you that.¡± But even withstanding it once had wrecked his body. Another strike, and he¡¯d surely die. Just then, Catalina Blaga stepped between them. ¡°Oh dear, Chairman. Please calm down. This boy is just too fond of me and got overly eager.¡± ¡°Eager? What repulsive drivel. I¡¯ve always hated the filthy dogs you keep. In heat all year round, they can¡¯t tell whether they¡¯re staring at a tiger or a dragon.¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯ll personally re-educate him!¡± Catalina chirped cheerfully, then turned to the young man. ¡°You should¡¯ve held back.¡± ¡°S-sorry.¡± ¡°At least you¡¯re alive. You endured well.¡± She slit her wrist with her fingernail. Blood beaded at her fingertip. The young man¡¯s eyes glazed over the moment he saw the blood. ¡°Go ahead. Lick it.¡± Like a castaway finding dew in the desert, the young man licked her finger. His body began healing rapidly. Hanul observed carefully. ¡®So that¡¯s a vassal.¡¯ Another function of Vassal Bloodline: the ability to transform someone into a Vassal. A Vassal gains enhanced abilities in exchange for total subjugation. In other words, an eternal slave. ¡°Another plaything, huh?¡± Seonwoo spat, disgusted. ¡°Who is that mutt, to have endured my Will of Intent?¡± Even Mei clan elites had died from it, yet that young man survived one strike. Proof enough of his strength. ¡°He¡¯s a disciple of the Thunderfist.¡± ¡°Oh? So he¡¯s the successor...¡± Seonwoo¡¯s expression twisted in revulsion. ¡°You couldn¡¯t restrain yourself and touched someone else¡¯s disciple again?¡± ¡°He was so charming, I acted on impulse.¡± ¡°Enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to, but...¡± Catalina glanced at Hanul. ¡°Seems I¡¯ve found someone else I want.¡± Her eyes gleamed dangerously, just like before she used her Authority. Apparently, Hanul had provoked her dangerous side. ¡°Look away before I rip your eyes out.¡± ¡°My, don¡¯t say such scary things.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll warn you again. Try to dominate a Hyukcheon member, and I won¡¯t just end you¡ªI¡¯ll wipe the Blaga clan from existence.¡± Catalina shook her head in playful defiance. ¡°I¡¯ve told you several times already. I don¡¯t mess with members from other houses.¡± ¡°You, of all people¡ªthe one famed as a collector of humans¡ªsaying that, how utterly laughable.¡± Catalina Blaga simply smiled, saying nothing. It was a smile that radiated ominous intent. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll be taking our leave. See you next time.¡± She turned toward the door with the two men in tow. ¡°And Little Dragon.¡± Just before stepping out, she turned to Kwon Hanul and said, ¡°Let¡¯s have a meal together sometime.¡± Her smile was dazzlingly beautiful, captivating enough to draw one¡¯s gaze. But beneath her eyes, a possessive obsession gleamed. It wasn¡¯t a mild infatuation. It was a suffocating kind of intensity, like swarms of insects gnawing away at one¡¯s flesh. ¡°That sounds great.¡± But Kwon Hanul brushed it off without flinching. ¡°If you call, I¡¯ll make time¡ªeven if I have to force it.¡± Catalina Blaga¡¯s expression shifted, clearly surprised by his unexpected reply. Then she chuckled softly. ¡°You¡¯re making yourself even more desirable.¡± With those parting words, she walked out, the two men trailing behind her. The moment she left, Kwon Seonwoo grabbed Kwon Hanul, demanding answers. ¡°What the hell did you do? How did you break free of the Bloodline of Vassal¡¯s control?¡± Hmm. Obviously, he couldn¡¯t say it was thanks to that very same Bloodline of Vassal. ¡°Chairman, you didn¡¯t forget, did you?¡± ¡°Forget what?¡± ¡°That I possess True Blood.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s face went blank for a moment before he burst into laughter. ¡°Ah, right. You are True Blood. Of course¡ªa True Black Dragon Blood isn¡¯t something that lowly wench could control.¡± It was a hastily made-up excuse, but it worked surprisingly well. ¡®Still, how do I increase the Synchronization Rate of Bloodline of Vassal?¡¯ To place the entire Blaga family under his feet, he needed to boost the Bloodline of Vassal¡¯s influence by raising its Synchronization Rate. In Kwon Hanul¡¯s experience, each bloodline had a different method of increasing Synchronization. For the Black Dragon Blood, it was combat. For Shura Blood, he had to summon the Shura King. ¡®Probably for Bloodline of Vassal, the Synchronization Rate increases when I dominate others.¡¯ As he pondered potential methods, Kwon Seonwoo suddenly spoke. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve proven your abilities, it¡¯s time I kept my promise.¡± He was referring to an earlier commitment. ¡°I told you¡ªif you produced good results with the Mei family, I¡¯d give you my full support.¡± Kwon Seonwoo leaned back in his chair. ¡°Go ahead¡ªassemble a team of your choosing.¡± * * * ¡°This is getting interesting.¡± Back in her private room, Catalina Blaga finally spoke. ¡°How could someone from the Hyukcheon bloodline¡ªa young man at that¡ªresist my power?¡± The two men accompanying her remained silent. They understood well that she wasn¡¯t seeking an answer, just attentive listeners. ¡°Ahh...¡± She let out a breathy sigh, her body tingling with excitement. It had been a while since she¡¯d felt this alive. ¡°I must have him.¡± Greed flickered in her eyes. This wasn¡¯t the innocent desire of a child. It was the twisted, sticky lust of someone determined to possess, no matter the cost. ¡°Find out everything about him.¡± She addressed the two men. ¡°His age, birthplace, background, food preferences¡ªI want it all.¡± Proper research is essential when acquiring a treasure. ¡°And especially¡ªfind out exactly what his role will be within the Hyukcheon family. Investigate it thoroughly.¡± Even more preparation was required when stealing that treasure. ¡°Lady Catalina.¡± One of the men¡ªRuyn, the young man who had been battered by Kwon Seonwoo earlier¡ªfinally spoke. ¡°This seems to be your first time dealing with something like this, so I think you¡¯re a bit too excited. I doubt that punk resisted your power on his own.¡± Ruyn¡¯s words came quickly, almost frantically. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t leave someone who killed the Greatest Sword alone. He¡¯s probably outfitted with relics that block mind control.¡± His tone was urgent, attempting to ground her. ¡°So please, let¡¯s think this through more calmly¡ª¡± ¡°Ruyn, come here.¡± Suddenly, Catalina Blaga spread her arms open. Ruyn hesitated. ¡°Uh... I...¡± ¡°My arms are getting tired.¡± With reluctance, Ruyn stepped forward and embraced her. Catalina gently stroked his hair. ¡°I know what you¡¯re worried about, Ruyn. But you don¡¯t need to be. You¡¯re precious to me too.¡± Relieved, Ruyn buried his face into her chest. Which is why he didn¡¯t see it. The look of boredom that crossed Catalina Blaga¡¯s face. She was already growing tired of him. Muttering under her breath, she lazily gazed up at the ceiling. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 40 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 40: Keeping Promises (1) In a dimly lit room. Kwon Chan-seong sat at his work desk, eyes fixed on the monitor in front of him. Displayed on the screen was information about the next monster he was tasked with subjugating. Hecaton, an SS-rank monster. It resembled a bear, but stood over 50 meters tall, its entire body composed of wood, stone, and similar materials. On top of that, it had the terrifying ability to endlessly create clones that possessed the same destructive power as its main body. While it wasn¡¯t on the same level as Eclipse, the SSS-rank behemoth he had previously taken down, Hecaton was still classified as a global catastrophe, an immense threat. The Hyukcheon Group had entrusted Hecaton¡¯s extermination to Kwon Chan-seong alone¡ªevidence of his elevated status within the organization. ¡°...Sigh.¡± Despite being tasked with such a weighty mission, Kwon Chan-seong couldn¡¯t focus on the data in front of him. His mind was preoccupied with something else¡ªno, someone else. ¡°What should I do about that bastard?¡± He muttered under his breath when suddenly, the ringtone of his phone rang out. He glanced at the screen and saw the caller ID. Kwon Hyuk. His father. ¡°...¡± He didn¡¯t answer right away. After taking a deep breath and organizing his thoughts, he finally picked up the call. ¡°Father, is something the matter?¡± ¡ª ¡°Tsk, my son. Why are you answering your father¡¯s call so coldly?¡± A playful tone echoed through the speaker. But the wariness on Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s face didn¡¯t fade. His father wasn¡¯t one to call without a purpose. ¡ª ¡°So, how¡¯s the monster hunt preparation going?¡± ¡°Yes, everything should be wrapped up within the month.¡± ¡ª ¡°As expected of my son. Excellent.¡± Even with such affectionate words, Kwon Chan-seong remained cautious. Especially because it was him. His father never wasted words or gestures without motive. ¡ª ¡°But tell me, why haven¡¯t you dealt with Kwon Hanul yet?¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s fists clenched involuntarily. His vigilance had paid off. ¡ª ¡°I heard everything. You tried to mess with that brat and failed, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s...¡± ¡ª ¡°And on top of that, you got caught by the Chairman.¡± On the day of Kwon Hanul¡¯s initiation ceremony. Kwon Chan-seong had tried to kill him by introducing a tendril of Eclipse into the dungeon. Eclipse¡¯s blood mutates monsters, making them far stronger. The Platinum-ranked dungeon, where Kwon Hanul was meant to debut, was forcibly elevated to Diamond-level danger. Back then, Kwon Chan-seong was convinced Kwon Hanul would die. But Kwon Hanul had shattered that expectation. He cleared the dungeon¡ªalone¡ªand with absurd ease. ¡ª ¡°Do you remember what I told you when I left that boy in your hands? I told you, if you¡¯re going to kill him, do it early, didn¡¯t I?¡± Kwon Hyuk¡¯s tone was soft, almost tender. He didn¡¯t sound reprimanding at all, which made Kwon Chan-seong even more tense. ¡ª ¡°It was just one failed attempt, but what happened afterward? What has Kwon Hanul achieved since?¡± He won a duel against the Mei family all by himself. Then, in the subsequent war, he killed the Greatest Sword of the Central Plains. ¡ª ¡°Right now, you stand far above him. But that won¡¯t last long. Given his rate of growth, it won¡¯t be long before he stands on equal footing with you.¡± Kwon Hyuk¡¯s words weren¡¯t worry¡ªthey were near certainty. ¡ª ¡°He may have a questionable origin, so the bloodline elders don¡¯t support him. But Hyukcheon moves according to strength. Sooner or later, the whole bloodline will recognize him.¡± A brief pause. ¡ª ¡°What do you intend to do now?¡± ¡°I will eliminate him. Soon.¡± ¡ª ¡°How?¡± Kwon Hyuk¡¯s voice rose slightly. ¡ª ¡°The name Kwon Hanul has already spread throughout the entire Hyukcheon clan. It''s even making waves beyond. He¡¯s in the spotlight now.¡± Fame attracts eyes. And the more eyes watching, the harder it is to make a move. ¡ª ¡°On top of that, the Chairman is already backing Kwon Hanul.¡± He encourages competition but forbids bloodshed. That was Chairman Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s stance. He was the type who liked weighing people¡¯s worth but did not want the clan bathed in blood. ¡ª ¡°Getting rid of Kwon Hanul under the Chairman¡¯s watchful eye is next to impossible. So how do you plan to kill him?¡± Kwon Chan-seong couldn¡¯t answer recklessly. His father was right¡ªeliminating Kwon Hanul without the Chairman noticing was practically impossible. ¡ª ¡°Useless fool.¡± Kwon Chan-seong shuddered at those words. ¡ª ¡°Do you know why I left this to you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± He answered honestly. His father, Kwon Hyuk, was not one to tolerate rivals. He always handled them personally. But this time, he didn¡¯t. He passed it on to Kwon Chan-seong. ¡ª ¡°Because that brat is Kwon Cheon¡¯s son.¡± Kwon Cheon. Kwon Hyuk¡¯s younger brother. Kwon Hanul¡¯s father. And Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s uncle. ¡ª ¡°I refuse to accept that my own blood is inferior to that man¡¯s son.¡± A chill ran down Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s spine. His father never forgave those who disappointed him. Even if it was his own son. ¡ª ¡°This is your last chance.¡± Kwon Chan-seong straightened his posture. ¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll send you a contact. Work with them to deal with Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°Yes, understood.¡± Click¡ªthe call ended. A moment later, a text arrived. It contained a phone number¡ªand a name. ¡°...No way.¡± As soon as he saw the name, Kwon Chan-seong was taken aback. ¡°You expect me to work with her?¡± He was torn. His pride as a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline wouldn¡¯t allow it. This crossed the line¡ªhe couldn¡¯t condone this. But logic, fear, and instinct screamed otherwise. Defy his father¡¯s expectations, and life would become worse than death. ¡°....¡± Kwon Chan-seong shut his eyes tight. Then, slowly, he dialed the number. ¡ª ¡°Oh my, I really did get a call.¡± A young woman¡¯s voice chimed sweetly through the receiver. Kwon Chan-seong forced himself to sound calm. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to finally speak. Catalina Blaga.¡± Soft laughter, like a whisper against his ear, echoed from the other end. * * * Late afternoon. Kwon Hanul quietly stared at the two items laid on his desk. A Golden Apple Seed and the Sacred Emperor¡¯s Water needed to sprout it. With these, he could finally raise one of his stats to S-rank. It should have been a joyous moment, yet he couldn¡¯t immediately obtain the Golden Apple. ¡°So, I need dungeon soil?¡± In response to his question, Joo Hayeon nodded. ¡°Earth¡¯s soil can¡¯t sustain the Golden Apple seed. You need dungeon soil.¡± He¡¯d heard of this before. Dungeon soil was far superior to Earth¡¯s, rich in unique and potent properties. Even the same crops grown in dungeon soil had better taste and nutritional value. ¡°Ordinary dungeon soil won¡¯t do either. It must be high-grade soil worthy of the Golden Apple seed.¡± ¡°Sounds like this won¡¯t be easy,¡± Kwon Hanul murmured. Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue shortly. There¡¯s plenty of land on Earth, but only a small fraction is suitable for farming. The same applied to dungeons¡ªif anything, it was worse. Dungeons generated all sorts of terrains: wastelands, deserts, even oceans. Among those, finding soil suitable for cultivating crops¡ªespecially high-quality soil¡ªwas far from easy. ¡°Can¡¯t we get some from the family¡¯s warehouse?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no supply at all. Dungeon soil is in such high demand...¡± ¡°Whew.¡± A sigh escaped Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips before he realized it. ¡°We don¡¯t even have the money to buy it from elsewhere. This is bad.¡± The Hyukcheon family was wealthy¡ªbut only the family was. Kwon Hanul himself had no money. ¡°I could purchase it for you if you¡¯d like...¡± Joo Hayun offered cautiously. Hanul shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d feel too ashamed to rely on your help. Besides, wouldn¡¯t the Chairman be disappointed if I did that?¡± ¡°Your judgment is sound.¡± Given the Chairman¡¯s penchant for testing people, this situation likely was a test. Still, he was out of options. If there truly was no way, he could always delay things, but¡ª ¡°I really want to get the golden apple as soon as possible.¡± The difference between A-rank and S-rank stats was like heaven and earth. Such immense power was within reach, and yet he might have to postpone again. The thought alone was frustrating. At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke. ¡°Just in case, I looked into dungeons where we might be able to obtain soil.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hanul¡¯s face brightened. He hadn¡¯t expected her to prepare that far ahead. ¡°Among the dungeons currently managed by the Hyukcheon Group, there¡¯s exactly one where we can obtain soil suitable for cultivating golden apples.¡± ¡°Which dungeon is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Gold-Class dungeon. The interior is forest terrain, and many Mud Trolls inhabit it.¡± Mud Trolls. They lived deep in the forest and, unusually for trolls, lived in groups. Their disposition was calm, and they loved to nap buried in dirt and mud¡ªhence the name Mud Trolls. That was about all Hanul knew. Mud Trolls were rare monsters, so little was publicly known about them. ¡°Mud Trolls consume soil and herbs to survive. Because of that, their bodies contain large amounts of earth.¡± ¡°So if I just get that soil, I can grow the golden apple?¡± ¡°Yes. Especially the white soil which can only be obtained from the leader of the Mud Trolls. It¡¯s a top-tier material that trades at a high price. If you use white soil to grow the golden apple, its effects might be even greater.¡± Hanul¡¯s ears perked up. Even normally, golden apples could raise one stat to S-rank with certainty. If its efficacy increased, who knew what could happen? The mere thought gave him chills of excitement. ¡°However, there¡¯s one concern...¡± ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°That dungeon is currently being cleared by Kwon Jiseok.¡± Hanul raised an eyebrow. Wasn¡¯t Jiseok banned from forming a team? ¡°Thanks to his performance during the conflict with the Mei Family, the Chairman permitted him to form a team. They chose the Mud Troll dungeon as a training ground to build their teamwork.¡± Hanul nodded. Jiseok had performed impressively back then. ¡°But your relationship with him isn¡¯t exactly amicable, so even if you ask, I¡¯m not sure he¡¯d agree...¡± ¡°No need to worry about that,¡± Hanul replied confidently. Joo Hayun looked puzzled. ¡°He owes me a debt.¡± * * * The next day, Kwon Hanul headed to Busan. The dungeon Jiseok was clearing was located there, on a secluded beach. Around the oval-shaped dungeon entrance stood Kwon Jiseok, his team, and support staff from the Hyukcheon Group. ¡°What the hell are you doing here? And Hayun¡¯s with you too?¡± As expected, Jiseok greeted Hanul with his usual gruffness. Though they¡¯d fought side-by-side against the Mei Family, Jiseok¡¯s attitude hadn¡¯t changed. Hanul, already anticipating this, ignored it and got straight to the point. ¡°I want to get some soil from the Mud Trolls.¡± ¡°...Are you insane?! Why the hell would I give that to you?!¡± Again, expected. Hanul let the outrage flow in one ear and out the other. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m asking for the moon¡ªjust some soil.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb! You¡¯re not after just any soil¡ªyou want the white soil from the boss, don¡¯t you?!¡± Jiseok instantly saw through Hanul¡¯s intentions and exploded. ¡°The white soil is already sold!¡± ¡°Already? Who did you sell it to?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Hanul frowned, and Jiseok quickly explained. ¡°The buyer was arranged by my older brother. I can¡¯t sell it to anyone else.¡± ¡°Your brother?¡± ¡°Yeah. He gave me the rights to this dungeon in the first place¡ªon the condition that I sell the white soil to that buyer. So don¡¯t even dream of getting it from me.¡± ¡°Does this buyer even exist?¡± ¡°Are you calling me a liar?! He said he¡¯d visit soon!¡± Hanul paused to think. If there really was a buyer, he should back off. But thinking of what Jiseok and Kwon Chan-seong had done to him... backing off didn¡¯t feel right. Besides, Chan-seong owed him a debt too. ¡°You¡¯re making this difficult.¡± ¡°What? Difficult?!¡± ¡°You promised me, remember? That you¡¯d grant me one request, anything I wanted.¡± A few months ago, Hanul had made a wager with Jiseok during an internal competition within the Hyukcheon family. Naturally, Hanul won¡ªand Jiseok was bound to fulfill any request Hanul made. ¡°Surely a noble pureblood of the Hyukcheon family wouldn¡¯t break his word?¡± Jiseok¡¯s face twisted in agony. ¡°Y-You¡¯re blackmailing me now?! You think I¡¯ll just let this slide?!¡± His face had gone pale. Even if it was just a verbal promise, if Hanul went around spreading the word, Jiseok¡¯s honor would be in shambles. ¡°What¡¯s it going to be?¡± Hanul asked coolly. Jiseok clenched his teeth. ¡°...Still no.¡± Hanul stared at him. ¡°I said no! Even if you glare at me!¡± ¡°Your promise to your brother must be really important, huh?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not just that... I mean, it is, but... actually, there¡¯s another issue...¡± Jiseok hesitated, frustration plastered across his face. After sighing a few times, he finally confessed. ¡°...We haven¡¯t cleared the dungeon yet.¡± It was, indeed, a shocking revelation. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 41 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 41: Keeping Promises (2) Kwon Hanul initially doubted his ears. The bloodline of Hyukcheon possessed strength that defied all logic. A Gold-rank dungeon? One of their lesser blood members could clear that solo¡ªno team required. And yet, what was this nonsense he was hearing? ¡°No matter how much you hate the idea of passing the responsibility, lying isn¡¯t the answer.¡± Kwon Hanul was convinced Kwon Jiseok was lying. It seemed a completely reasonable conclusion. But¡ª ¡°...¡± Kwon Jiseok didn¡¯t even get angry¡ªhe just stayed silent. The moment Hanul saw that, he realized it was the truth. Hanul couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it aloud, but his face made it clear he thought this was pathetic. ¡°Hey! You think this is all my fault?!¡± ¡°Any accident in a dungeon is the team leader¡¯s responsibility.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s true, but... I have my reasons!¡± ¡°What kind of reason could make someone with a team like this fail to clear a Gold-rank dungeon?¡± Letting out a long sigh, Kwon Jiseok began explaining the whole situation. ¡°...That¡¯s what happened.¡± After hearing it all, Kwon Hanul tilted his head in confusion. ¡°The Mud Trolls aren¡¯t showing themselves?¡± Kwon Jiseok sighed heavily and nodded. ¡°Yeah. I tried everything¡ªluring them out using their habits, again and again¡ªbut nothing worked.¡± Every beast has its own behavioral patterns. Monsters are no different. ¡°I¡¯ve scattered bait they love, even set fires throughout the forest, but only one or two ever show up. The rest? Not a trace.¡± It was bizarre. Even the most laid-back Mud Trolls would never tolerate intruders in their territory. And yet, despite all this chaos, they stayed completely still? ¡°Hayun, what do you think?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve entered hibernation.¡± Hanul let out a surprised breath. He¡¯d overlooked it. ¡°Of all times to get a dungeon in that season... Talk about bad luck.¡± ¡°So you knew?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen it once, a long time ago.¡± Jiseok looked lost. Finally, he raised his voice in frustration. ¡°What the hell is hibernation? Let me in on this too!¡± ¡°What? You don¡¯t know? You do realize dungeons have seasons, right?¡± Time flows within dungeons, and the weather and seasons change accordingly¡ªthough the cycle varies by dungeon. Monsters, too, are affected by time. ¡°All the Mud Trolls have gone into hibernation because of the dungeon¡¯s current environment.¡± During hibernation, Mud Trolls hide throughout the forest and enter a deep slumber. Waking them is practically impossible. ¡°See?! It¡¯s not my fault! Given the situation, how was I supposed to¡ª¡± ¡°Kwon Jiseok, as a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline, you should be able to handle worse than this.¡± Joo Hayun spoke sharply. ¡°Well... yeah, but... How could you say that to me, Hayun?!¡± ¡°We¡¯re nothing to each other, and I simply stated the truth.¡± Her tone wasn¡¯t just firm¡ªit was icy enough to chill the air. Even Hanul shivered slightly. ¡°W-well, since we know the cause, you must know how to fix it, right?¡± ¡°Sorry, but there¡¯s no known way to wake hibernating Mud Trolls.¡± ¡°Then...?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to either level the dungeon or conduct an exhaustive, time-consuming search.¡± Despair settled over Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face. Hanul was just as troubled. He¡¯d come to acquire the dungeon¡¯s soil as quickly as possible¡ªnow, that seemed impossible. There had to be another way. As Hanul was lost in thought¡ª ¡°Hey.¡± Jiseok suddenly called to him. ¡°Did you come up with something?¡± ¡°No, not that.¡± ¡°Then why call me?¡± ¡°Remember when you asked me to get you Sacred Emperor''s Water?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°And now you¡¯re here for White Earth. Don¡¯t tell me... you have a Golden Apple seed?¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t trying to hide it, so he nodded. ¡°Yes. I got it from the Mei family¡¯s vault.¡± ¡°...So that¡¯s why Grandfather sent you personally.¡± Jiseok muttered, sounding a little hurt. ¡°What about the Sacred Emperor''s Water? Is that why Grandfather took you to the Delos Auction last time?¡± ¡°Yes. I obtained it there.¡± ¡°Damn it, how¡¯d you sweet-talk Grandfather into giving you that too?¡± Jiseok looked green with envy. No wonder¡ªan elixir that boosts your stats to S-rank can¡¯t be bought with mere money or connections. ¡°Just one more thing.¡± ¡°What now?¡± ¡°You saw Catalina Blaga at the Delos Auction, right? Is that true?¡± Hanul frowned without realizing it. That hadn¡¯t been a pleasant meeting. ¡°We met, yes.¡± ¡°Was she beautiful?¡± For a moment, Hanul doubted his hearing. Was that really the question Jiseok wanted to ask about someone as infamous as Catalina Blaga? ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be thinking of a solution first?¡± ¡°Come on, I¡¯m just curious. Catalina Blaga¡¯s a legend¡ªface, figure, she¡¯s perfect. People say one look at her and you¡¯re done for.¡± Hanul had always thought Jiseok¡¯s way of speaking was incredibly crude for a noble. ¡°She was beautiful.¡± Jiseok perked up his ears. Even Joo Hayun glanced over, seemingly interested. Hanul was baffled. Of all people, didn¡¯t Hayun see Catalina Blaga at the auction herself? ¡°How beautiful?¡± ¡°Hard to put into words.¡± ¡°That beautiful?¡± He meant he wasn¡¯t good with words, but Jiseok took it to mean she was beyond description. ¡°I¡¯m curious too¡ªwhat did you think of her, Kwon Hanul?¡± Hayun chimed in. No way out now. ¡°Uh, well...¡± Hanul instinctively glanced at Hayun. For some reason, it felt like he really needed to phrase this carefully. Just then, a commotion started near the fence entrance. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hanul seized the chance to change the subject, looking away¡ª ¡°Cough, cough.¡± And choked immediately. Catalina Blaga was walking toward them. And she wasn¡¯t alone. Behind her was Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°What the hell are they doing here?¡± He thought he was hallucinating from shock. But that overwhelming presence¡ªthat skin-prickling dread¡ªconfirmed it was real. ¡°Little Dragon, we meet again~¡± Catalina Blaga smiled sweetly, now right in front of them. The people around them gasped. ¡°Oh... damn... whoa...¡± Jiseok¡¯s jaw practically hit the ground. The problem? He wasn¡¯t alone. Everyone¡ªmen and women alike¡ªreacted the same way. At that moment¡ª Thud. Ruyn Aspadam stomped the ground. A heavy shockwave rippled out, rattling everyone¡¯s bones. His presence was terrifying. ¡°Do not dare look at Lady Catalina.¡± Ruyn¡¯s voice dripped with murderous intent. Catalina lightly slapped his shoulder. ¡°Ruyn! We¡¯re guests, remember? You can¡¯t act like this.¡± ¡°My apologies, Lady Catalina.¡± But Ruyn looked anything but apologetic. If anything, his glare at the crowd grew fiercer. Then his eyes locked with Kwon Hanul¡¯s. Killing intent flared. Hanul couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Hanul asked Catalina directly. She pouted. ¡°Oh, so cold. Aren¡¯t you happy to see me?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not exactly on those terms.¡± At the auction, Catalina had tried to use her Authority on him. Hanul had zero reason to be happy about this reunion. ¡°No need to be so harsh. We have a reason for coming.¡± ¡°A reason?¡± ¡°Are you Mr. Kwon Jiseok?¡± Kwon Jiseok nodded enthusiastically, his already wide grin stretching even further. Kwon Hanul sighed inwardly. Just hearing his name called was enough to make him that happy? ¡°I¡¯m here to receive the white soil on behalf of your older brother, Mr. Kwon Chan-seong.¡± At that, Kwon Hanul snapped back to attention. Wait¡ªwas the buyer that Chan-seong arranged really Catalina Blaga? ¡°W-white soil, you say?¡± Kwon Jiseok was visibly flustered. He glanced nervously at Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun. Both of them ignored his gaze. It wasn¡¯t something they needed to involve themselves in. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to wait a little longer...¡± ¡°A little longer? Isn¡¯t it a Gold-ranked dungeon? That shouldn¡¯t take too long, should it?¡± Her genuinely confused question made Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face flush red. ¡°Well, the thing is...¡± Kwon Jiseok quickly explained the current situation to Catalina Blaga. After hearing him out, Catalina frowned slightly, clearly troubled. ¡°Oh dear... that¡¯s quite a complicated situation.¡± ¡°If you could just wait a bit more...¡± ¡°I¡¯m not in that much of a rush. No need to stress about it.¡± ¡°R-Really?¡± Relief washed over Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face, his features lighting up. Kwon Hanul let out a quiet sigh. Watching Kwon Jiseok flounder at Catalina Blaga¡¯s every word was exhausting. Just then, Ruyn Aspadam lightly shoved Kwon Jiseok aside. ¡°You¡¯re too close. Keep your distance.¡± Kwon Jiseok scowled, as if to say, ¡®What the hell is this bastard saying?¡¯ Kwon Hanul leaned in and whispered to him, ¡°Do you know who that is?¡± ¡°No clue.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Ruyn Aspadam.¡± ¡°...The disciple of the ThunderFist?¡± The name immediately erased the hostility from Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face. So the man really was someone notable. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve been curious¡ªLittle Dragon, are you here to help Mr. Kwon Jiseok?¡± ¡°No. I also need white soil, which is why I came.¡± ¡°What a coincidence! But doesn¡¯t white soil only drop from a single dungeon boss?¡± And that was the real headache. Most buyers would¡¯ve thrown a fit. After all, it wasn¡¯t their job to deal with the situation¡ªKwon Jiseok and Kwon Chan-seong were responsible for that. But if the buyer was someone as influential as Catalina Blaga, things got more complicated. ¡°I really need the white soil too... What should we do?¡± ¡°What do you need it for?¡± ¡°It¡¯s great for skin care. I collect it whenever I get the chance.¡± Catalina Blaga thought for a moment before replying. ¡°Well, it feels wrong to send you back empty-handed, especially since this feels like fate.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying you¡¯ll let us have it?¡± ¡°But just giving it away would be boring, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± A playful grin spread across Catalina¡¯s face. ¡°If you win a bet with me, I¡¯ll give you the white soil. How about it?¡± Kwon Hanul eyed her suspiciously. A bet? Out of nowhere? ¡°What kind of bet?¡± ¡°Little Dragon and Ruyn¡ªboth of you go into the dungeon. Whoever hunts more Mud Trolls wins. Sound good?¡± Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue internally. No matter how he looked at it, the odds were stacked against him. He had once asked Joo Hayun about Ruyn Aspadam. A disciple of the Thunder Fist, nearly top-ranked globally. He had countless titles to his name¡ªa testament to his prowess. Joo Hayun mentioned that his agility stat was likely at S-rank. The gap between A-rank and S-rank stats was often compared to a massive wall. Kwon Hanul¡¯s chances of winning against Ruyn Aspadam were close to zero. ¡°I have nothing to wager, though.¡± ¡°Hm... then how about this? If Little Dragon loses, you accept my dinner invitation. What do you say?¡± A dinner invitation? Kwon Hanul tilted his head in confusion at the unexpected offer. At that moment, Joo Hayun grabbed his hand tightly. ¡°You can¡¯t accept this bet. It¡¯s too dangerous.¡± ¡°Dangerous?¡± ¡°No one knows what happens at Catalina Blaga¡¯s invitations. One thing¡¯s certain¡ªno one has ever returned from them. They all end up pledging loyalty to her... or becoming her servant.¡± Kwon Hanul frowned. There was clearly a reason white soil was being wagered. He hesitated. Under normal circumstances, he had no chance of beating Ruyn Aspadam. But this wasn¡¯t a direct fight¡ªit was a competition to hunt more Mud Trolls. And in that case, his answer was clear. ¡°Alright. I accept.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened in shock. In contrast, Catalina Blaga clapped like an excited child. ¡°Knew you¡¯d be game! Ruyn, what about you?¡± She turned to Ruyn Aspadam, beaming. Unlike her, Ruyn¡¯s face was twisted in anger. ¡°Catalina... is this why you brought me here?¡± ¡°Looks like Ruyn doesn¡¯t like the situation.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t. That man may be of the Hyukcheon Clan, but he¡¯s just a greenhorn no one¡¯s even heard of!¡± In other words, beneath him. Kwon Hanul felt a sting of offense. ¡°Oh my, so you¡¯re backing out, Ruyn?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯m your vassal, Catalina. If you command it, I must obey.¡± Ruyn Aspadam turned to Kwon Hanul, eyes blazing with hostility. ¡°Just wait. I¡¯ll prove to you¡ªagain¡ªwhat kind of man your chosen vassal truly is.¡± With that, the bet was official. ¡°Oh, and Mr. Kwon Jiseok, is this alright with you?¡± ¡°Of course! Do whatever you like!¡± ¡°You¡¯re refreshingly straightforward.¡± Kwon Jiseok grinned from ear to ear. ¡°Shall we head to the dungeon then?¡± At the dungeon entrance... ¡°Let me explain the rules again.¡± Catalina Blaga addressed Kwon Hanul and Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°Whoever hunts more Mud Trolls scattered around the dungeon wins. The moment the boss is defeated, the bet¡¯s over. The boss counts as three trolls.¡± She tapped her forehead lightly. ¡°Mud Trolls grow a small horn on their foreheads. Bring them back as proof. Simple, right?¡± Both Kwon Hanul and Ruyn nodded. ¡°Since this is the first round, let¡¯s meet back here in four hours. Ready? Go!¡± Kwon Hanul stepped through the dungeon gate. A massive forest unfolded before him. Trees so thick ten people couldn¡¯t wrap their arms around them soared into the sky. They stretched so high he had to crane his neck all the way back. Roots jutted above ground, covering the earth, while waist-high weeds filled the gaps. Everything¡ªthe trees, the weeds¡ªwas tall and oversized. Kwon Hanul felt like he had shrunk. ¡°Greenhorn.¡± He turned to see Ruyn Aspadam glaring at him. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯d crush you with overwhelming force, but using my full strength against you would hurt my pride.¡± ¡°What are you even saying?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you one condition. I won¡¯t use any skills.¡± Kwon Hanul felt insulted¡ªthen furious. ¡®So you think you can win without even using skills, just because you¡¯ve got S-rank agility?¡¯ Then it hit him just how nai?ve he¡¯d been. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll be off.¡± Before he finished speaking, Ruyn Aspadam vanished. Startled, Kwon Hanul looked around. No sign of movement. He had no idea where Ruyn had gone. Even when he heightened his senses, he couldn¡¯t detect a trace of him. Then¡ªa deafening boom echoed from afar, followed by a Mud Troll¡¯s cry. ¡°...You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± He¡¯d heard the gap between A-rank and S-rank was massive¡ªbut this? ¡°There¡¯s no way I can beat him head-on.¡± But Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t accepted the bet blindly. He had a plan to win. <¡®Bloodline of the Vassal¡¯ begins to stir.> Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes glowed crimson. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 42 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 42: Keeping Promises (3) Bloodline of the Vassal This is a bloodline ability possessed by the Blaga family, granting them the power to dominate others. Because this power is overwhelmingly strong, members of the Blaga bloodline are widely feared and avoided. The power manifested through Kwon Hanul''s authority. The ¡®Bloodline of the Vassal¡¯ draws living beings to you. Magical energy infused with the authority of the Bloodline of the Vassal began radiating in all directions. As the saying goes, "It¡¯s darkest under the lamp"¡ªfrom the nearby ground, two Mud Trolls burst forth, clawing their way up. Watching the two trolls, Kwon Hanul smiled. ¡°Bloodline supremacy really is OP.¡± * * * ¡®What on earth is Lady Catalina Blaga thinking?¡¯ As he darted through the forest, Ruyn Aspadam was plagued by this tormenting question. Catalina Blaga had come here for one reason only¡ªto seduce and dominate Kwon Hanul. Her presence here was no coincidence either. Catalina had deliberately orchestrated this meeting to establish a connection, no matter what. Up to that point, everything made sense. Catalina was well-known for her tendency to ¡°collect¡± people she found appealing¡ªearning her the nickname Human Collector. The problem lay in her demeanor. ¡®She¡¯s acting different than usual. Something¡¯s off.¡¯ Having served by her side for years, Ruyn immediately sensed the shift. Catalina¡¯s interest¡ªand obsession¡ªwith Kwon Hanul was far beyond excessive. Since returning from the Delos Auction House, she had spoken of nothing but Kwon Hanul. And it wasn¡¯t just words¡ªshe began gathering every piece of information about him. It¡¯s hard to pinpoint, but... she¡¯s acting like a girl with a crush. Even as he made the comparison, Ruyn could only let out a hollow laugh. A crush? A girl? Despite her youthful appearance, Catalina had lived a very long life. Could she have spent countless nights alone? Far from it. Sometimes with one, sometimes with dozens. Why, of all people... that guy? Was it because Kwon Hanul had resisted her seduction? Such cases weren¡¯t unheard of. Due to the complexity of the human mind, there were rare individuals who managed to resist Catalina¡¯s allure. But in the end, even they surrendered to Lady Catalina. Kwon Hanul was a rarity¡ªhe resisted despite his young age and undeveloped abilities. But Ruyn¡¯s confusion stemmed from something else. Despite past examples, Catalina¡¯s obsession with Kwon Hanul was irrational¡ªalmost abnormal. Damn it. Every time Catalina spoke of Kwon Hanul, Ruyn¡¯s mouth went dry and his gut twisted in agony. There¡¯s nothing more painful than hearing the name of another man from the lips of the one you love. ¡®And a wager? Without even consulting me?¡¯ Catalina often used her subordinates in her ¡°collections,¡± but never once had she involved Ruyn. To that extent, she treated him as special. Yet today, she issued him a command. Crack. His teeth clenched involuntarily. Was she saying he was inferior to Kwon Hanul? Given the situation, there was only one thing Ruyn could do. Win¡ªdecisively and overwhelmingly. And prove it to Catalina Blaga. The true worth of the man she loved¡ªand just how insignificant Kwon Hanul really was. ¡°Found one!¡± Ruyn shouted as he descended, slamming his fist into the ground. A massive shockwave shattered the earth. Instead of dirt and gravel, blood and flesh exploded outward. Graaaah! A Mud Troll, its body utterly pulverized, let out a death cry. Tearing off the troll¡¯s horn, Ruyn set off to find his next prey. ¡°Too easy. Way too easy.¡± Ruyn¡¯s speed was S-rank. Without using any skills, he could sweep half the forest in the time it takes to sip tea. At this rate, finding Mud Trolls wouldn¡¯t be an issue at all. ¡®What kind of gift should I ask for from Lady Catalina when I¡¯m done here?¡¯ Pondering happily, Ruyn raced off through the forest again. But soon, he hit a wall. ¡°...Why can¡¯t I find any?¡± After killing the first Mud Troll, no matter how much he scoured the forest, not a single other troll appeared. ¡°Did I miss one somehow?¡± Retracing his steps yielded nothing. ¡°...Damn it.¡± What he¡¯d thought would be an easy wager now felt crushing. If Kwon Hanul managed to kill more trolls at this rate¡ª He could lose all of Catalina¡¯s favor. ¡®With a skill, I could comb through this dungeon multiple times...!¡¯ But Ruyn shook his head, banishing the thought. His pride wouldn¡¯t allow him to use skills against someone with A-rank stats. That bastard doesn¡¯t even warrant a skill! And so, Ruyn resumed his hunt. * * * Kwon Hanul roamed the forest, dominating Mud Trolls one by one. ¡®Just as I researched¡ªGold-ranked monsters are easy to control.¡¯ After acquiring the Bloodline of the Vassal, he thoroughly researched it. Luckily, the archives of the Hyukcheon Clan had detailed records on both the Blaga family and the Bloodline of the Vassal. Even the lowest-tier blood could dominate Gold-ranked monsters. Considering that clearing a Gold-ranked dungeon usually required three top-tier Hunters, this bloodline was absurdly powerful. Warm-bloods can dominate up to Platinum rank, pure-bloods can control Diamond-ranked monsters... Beyond rank, another key difference was the number of monsters they could control at once. Low-tier: up to 3 Gold monsters. Warm-blood: 5. Pure-blood: 7. The number of Mud Trolls under Kwon Hanul¡¯s control? Way too many. The trolls gathered around him easily numbered over ten. All were trolls he had dominated while exploring the dungeon. ¡®Am I supposed to kill all these one by one?¡¯ Kwon Hanul sighed, looking annoyed. If only they¡¯d just kill themselves¡ªit¡¯d be so much easier. Unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t possible. The strongest instinct of any living being is the will to survive. Not even the Bloodline of the Vassal could override that and force a creature to commit suicide¡ª Screeeee! Skrreeeee! Suddenly, shrill cries erupted. The Mud Trolls began slamming their heads against trees or strangling themselves¡ªcommitting suicide en masse. Within minutes, all the trolls were dead. Surrounded by the thick stench of blood, Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue. ¡°Ugh.¡± Just then, a wave of dizziness slammed into him. -You have exhausted all mental energy. The activity of ¡®Bloodline of the Vassal¡¯ has ceased. A brutal dizziness and searing pain assaulted his head. It was a kind of pain he had never experienced before. Staggering repeatedly, Kwon Hanul finally collapsed to the ground. ¡°Urgh.¡± Kwon Hanul clutched his head, waiting for the pain to subside. Who knew how much time had passed. Only after the pain dulled to a bearable level did Kwon Hanul push himself up again. ¡°This Bloodline... it''s impressive, but not something I can use often.¡± If Black Dragon Bloodline and Shura Bloodline consumed mana, then Vassal Bloodline seemed to drain mental energy. The pain that came when his mind was exhausted was beyond anything he had imagined. The headache had only lessened, not vanished. On top of that, nausea began to set in. Kwon Hanul decided to revise his plans a little. ¡°...Let¡¯s take a break first.¡± With that, he collapsed onto the grass and was asleep in moments. * * * Four hours had passed, just as promised. The sun was beginning to set. The blue sky was now bathed in hues of twilight. Everyone waiting outside the dungeon gate kept their eyes fixed on it, anticipating Kwon Hanul and Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s return. ¡°That idiot.¡± Kwon Jiseok suddenly muttered under his breath. Only Joo Hayun, standing beside him, caught the words. ¡°Please don¡¯t speak carelessly about Lord Hanul.¡± ¡°How can I not say something? Why the hell did he agree to such a reckless wager? His opponent is Ruyn Aspadam! There¡¯s no way he can win!¡± Joo Hayun frowned, glaring at Kwon Jiseok. ¡®If you really wanted to place blame, wasn¡¯t it Kwon Jiseok¡¯s fault for falling head over heels for Catalina Blaga and doing nothing to stop this?¡¯ Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Kwon Jiseok let out a gruff cough. ¡°I don¡¯t know what spell I was under earlier... Anyway, the point is, he should never have accepted this bet! If he loses to Ruyn Aspadam, the humiliation will be enormous! You should¡¯ve stopped him!¡± ¡°I serve Lord Hanul. I can offer advice, but I would never dare to restrict his actions.¡± Her firm reply left Kwon Jiseok at a loss for words. But there was something else that unsettled him. ¡°Serve him? You really intend to stay under his command?¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern.¡± ¡°Think carefully. You¡¯re wasting yourself on someone like him¡ª¡± Kwon Jiseok abruptly cut himself off. ¡°...I mean, he¡¯s got some skill, I¡¯ll give him that. But still, you don¡¯t belong there.¡± Joo Hayun glanced at him. His face was filled with hesitation. ¡°He did show some prowess when we fought the Mei Clan. But as someone with True Blood, that should be the bare minimum.¡± Kwon Jiseok continued grumbling. Joo Hayun was quietly surprised. This was the first time Kwon Jiseok had acknowledged Kwon Hanul¡¯s abilities. And more than that, wasn¡¯t his attitude now one of concern? ¡°As expected, you are a member of the Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°What kind of obvious statement is that?¡± Joo Hayun didn¡¯t bother elaborating. Those of the Hyukcheon Clan had fierce pride. They didn¡¯t acknowledge others easily. But in the end, they couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to strength. Just like Kwon Jiseok had grudgingly acknowledged Kwon Hanul. ¡°Are you even listening?¡± ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°What?¡± Just as Kwon Jiseok was about to erupt again, the dungeon gate began to ripple. Someone was coming out. All eyes turned to it. Soon, Ruyn Aspadam emerged. ¡°Ruyn¡¯s out first!¡± Catalina Blaga clapped her hands with childlike glee. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s lips curled in satisfaction, as if he¡¯d been waiting for that reaction. Ruyn Aspadam approached, his eyes only on Catalina Blaga. Kneeling before her, he extended his hands. ¡°One, two, three... Seven in total? You¡¯ve done well.¡± ¡°For Lady Catalina, this was nothing at all.¡± His voice dripped with confidence. He clearly believed victory was his. ¡°Hayun, seven of them... is that a lot or not?¡± ¡°Finding dormant Mud Trolls is extremely difficult. Even experienced hunters have very low success rates.¡± ¡°So is it a lot or not!¡± ¡°...You could say it¡¯s a lot.¡± At her words, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face stiffened. Then, once again, the dungeon gate shimmered. A moment later, Kwon Hanul stepped through. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m a bit late.¡± Kwon Jiseok and Joo Hayun rushed over to him. ¡°Hey! The horns! How many horns did you get!¡± Everyone¡¯s attention was now on Kwon Hanul. He blinked and replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t bring any.¡± Kwon Jiseok smacked his forehead. Joo Hayun closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. Others from the Hyukcheon sighed as well. ¡°Little Dragon, no matter how embarrassed you are, you should at least be honest.¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s voice oozed with smugness, his face full of a victor¡¯s grin. ¡°You didn¡¯t bring them because you couldn¡¯t. You didn¡¯t manage to slay even a single Mud Troll.¡± Annoyance flickered across Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. He spoke, clearly uninterested in arguing. ¡°My head¡¯s still killing me. Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± ¡°...What did you say?¡± Kwon Hanul turned to Kwon Jiseok, pointing toward the dungeon. ¡°Send someone to clean it up. Just head east inside, and you¡¯ll find them. Bring the horns separately.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°I was going to do it myself, but I¡¯m too tired right now.¡± With that, Kwon Hanul collapsed under the shade of a tree. The situation was so absurd that no one knew what to say. ¡°Clean what up?¡± Grumbling, Kwon Jiseok stepped into the dungeon gate. Others followed him. They walked a little in the direction Kwon Hanul indicated¡ªand stopped in disbelief. The ground was littered with the corpses of Mud Trolls, creatures they¡¯d struggled to find even one of. Kwon Jiseok and the others stood in stunned silence. Only after a long pause did someone finally speak. ¡°...What the hell is this?¡± It was Ruyn Aspadam. His face was one of utter disbelief. ¡°All of this... how...?¡± Anyone could see there were at least twice as many corpses as the seven Ruyn Aspadam had brought back. Had there been a chieftain among them, Kwon Hanul¡¯s victory would¡¯ve been completely overwhelming. ¡°...This can¡¯t be happening.¡± Ruyn Aspadam stumbled forward, mumbling in a daze. ¡°I barely managed seven... How could he... this many... This is impossible...¡± His voice trembled violently. And then¡ª ¡°...Hah.¡± A heavy sigh, like molten chocolate, echoed in the air. Everyone turned toward the source. At some point, Catalina Blaga had entered the dungeon. She clutched her mouth with one hand, her eyes glaring at the Mud Trolls with a twisted intensity. ¡°I knew it. I want him.¡± Greed began to smolder in Catalina Blaga¡¯s eyes. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 43 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 43: Jealousy (1) Pop! With a satisfying sound, the cork of the potion bottle shot off. Kwon Hanul raised the glass bottle filled with a sky-blue liquid and downed it without hesitation. ¡°Ahh.¡± A refreshing sensation spread through his entire body, and the lingering headache vanished completely. Joo Hayun handed him another potion with a worried look. ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± ¡°Yes, I think I¡¯m going to live now.¡± Kwon Hanul stood up from the ground. With his mental strength fully restored, he no longer felt any fatigue. ¡°What on earth happened in there?¡± ¡°I strained my already not-so-great brain trying to take down a Mud Troll. I guess it backfired.¡± He spoke playfully, but Joo Hayun¡¯s expression didn¡¯t relax in the slightest¡ªin fact, it grew colder. ¡°Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind if you keep things from me. But don¡¯t do anything reckless. Promise me that.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Not wanting to upset her further, Kwon Hanul replied quickly. At that moment, the Dungeon Gate opened, and Kwon Jiseok burst out. Without even glancing anywhere else, he ran straight to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Hey! What the hell did you do?!¡± As if that wasn¡¯t enough, he grabbed Hanul by the shoulders and shook him furiously. ¡°When I went in, all the Mud Trolls were dead! What did you do? Spill it¡ªnow!¡± Joo Hayun looked at Kwon Hanul in shock. Receiving both their intense gazes, Kwon Hanul replied nonchalantly, ¡°You¡¯re not seriously asking me to share such valuable information for free, are you?¡± Kwon Jiseok flinched. As Hanul implied, demanding a dungeon strategy like that was simply bad manners. ¡°Come on, we¡¯re family! Same clan and everything! Isn¡¯t that worth sharing?¡± ¡°Even among family, some secrets are better left untold.¡± Kwon Jiseok looked even more desperate. But Hanul had no intention of sharing. He¡¯d already decided to play dumb to conceal the existence of Bloodline of Vassal, his hidden ability. ¡°Well then, at least give me a hint...¡± Jiseok¡¯s plea was cut short. The Dungeon Gate opened again, and Catalina Blaga and Ruyn Aspadam stepped out. ¡°Little Dragon!¡± The moment she emerged, Catalina beamed and ran over. ¡°You¡¯re amazing! How did you manage to find and take down that many Mud Trolls?¡± Kwon Hanul frowned slightly. This reaction wasn¡¯t what he had expected at all. ¡°Catalina Blaga, no offense, but if things keep going this way, I¡¯ll win the bet.¡± ¡°Well, of course you will. You¡¯re more skilled.¡± She replied as if it were obvious. Hanul wondered if his point had been understood correctly. ¡°White soil can always be obtained again. But talent like yours, Little Dragon? That¡¯s one in a million. Especially...¡± Catalina glanced over at Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°If you have the talent to beat someone with S-rank stats using only A-rank stats, well¡ªthat¡¯s beyond rare.¡± Ruyn¡¯s face contorted even more. ¡°Catalina, I¡ª¡± ¡°Ruyn, not now. I¡¯m still talking with Little Dragon.¡± Catalina cut Ruyn off coldly, without a trace of hesitation. Ruyn clenched his fists in silence. ¡°What trick did you use? Is there some special tactic that works against Mud Trolls?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a secret.¡± ¡°So cold.¡± Catalina put on a mock-hurt expression. Beside her, Kwon Jiseok clutched his chest as if in pain. Kwon Hanul shot Jiseok a sharp look as if to say, Don¡¯t even think about doing anything stupid. ¡°Well, it¡¯s fine. I can guess anyway.¡± Guess? Hanul looked puzzled. Suddenly, Catalina clapped her hands. ¡°Let¡¯s summarize, shall we? The number of Mud Trolls Little Dragon killed was more than double what Ruyn managed!¡± It was a landslide victory for Kwon Hanul. But the bet wasn¡¯t over yet. ¡°Neither of you has taken down the boss monster. So let¡¯s continue the bet tomorrow. Sound good?¡± Hanul had no objections to Catalina¡¯s suggestion. That¡¯s what they originally agreed to¡ªthere was no reason to complain. However, the disrespect he¡¯d received from Ruyn Aspadam couldn¡¯t just be ignored. ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± Hanul stared directly at Ruyn. ¡°I¡¯m just worried that he¡¯s going to have a rough day tomorrow.¡± Ruyn gritted his teeth. ¡°Greenhorn. Don¡¯t get cocky. You only know who¡¯s better when it¡¯s all said and done.¡± ¡°I just don¡¯t expect much from you, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°What did you say?!¡± Ruyn stormed forward, enraged. At that moment, Catalina spoke with an icy tone. ¡°Ruyn. Stop embarrassing yourself.¡± ¡°...Understood.¡± ¡°Little Dragon, I get what you¡¯re trying to say. But we¡¯ve already made a promise, haven¡¯t we?¡± Hanul nodded, indicating his agreement. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll take our leave. Let¡¯s regroup tomorrow at 10 a.m. Oh, and one more thing...¡± Hanul looked at her curiously. At that moment, Catalina¡¯s eyes glinted, her pupils turning crimson. By the time he realized it, it was too late. A wave of dizziness overwhelmed Hanul. The floor and ceiling spun wildly. ¡°How about joining me for dinner?¡± Her words echoed in his head, scrambling his thoughts. His mind went blank, and it felt as if his body was melting¡ªlike being submerged in sweet, sticky honey. This was the second time he had been exposed to Bloodline of Vassal, Catalina Blaga¡¯s power. He¡¯d experienced it before, but its terrifying influence hadn¡¯t diminished at all. However¡ª Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind immediately snapped back to normal. ¡°No, thank you.¡± When Kwon Hanul rejected her, Catalina Blaga looked momentarily stunned. But then, she quietly smiled and said in a soft voice, ¡°Just as I thought.¡± ¡°You expected this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Anyway, since you said no, I guess there¡¯s no helping it.¡± With that, Catalina Blaga turned away without protest. As she walked off, she waved at Kwon Hanul. ¡°See you later, then.¡± See you later? Kwon Hanul raised an eyebrow in confusion. But before he could ask, Catalina disappeared with Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°Ahhh...¡± Kwon Jiseok sighed in disappointment. Kwon Hanul held back from snapping at him. Not just Kwon Jiseok¡ªeveryone else from the bloodline and staff were staring at Catalina¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°...Sigh¡± In contrast, Kwon Hanul let out a deep breath of relief. Only after she left did he feel like he could finally relax. Catalina Blaga truly was a giant among giants. Even without invoking her Bloodline of Vassal, just being in her presence was exhausting. ¡°Hayun, did you arrange a place to stay?¡± ¡°I booked the royal suite at the hotel.¡± ¡°As expected, thorough as always. Let¡¯s head back, then.¡± Kwon Hanul got up and dusted off his pants. Joo Hayun began packing their belongings. Watching them, Kwon Jiseok protested, ¡°Hey, hey, you¡¯re not seriously leaving me here while you go rest, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one in charge of the dungeon, aren¡¯t you? Who knows what might happen¡ªyou should stay on standby.¡± ¡°Well, yeah, but you¡¯re clearing the dungeon too...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be off, then.¡± Kwon Hanul casually brushed him off and walked away. He climbed into the waiting car. The moment he sat down, fatigue hit him like a wave. Overusing the Bloodline of Vassal, and the unexpected encounter with Catalina Blaga¡ªit was overwhelming. What the hell is Catalina Blaga up to? She claimed it was coincidence, but there¡¯s no way that was true. She clearly had investigated him beforehand and came looking. ¡®Is she trying to recruit me?¡¯ But if that were the case, her attitude felt too lukewarm¡ªuncharacteristic for someone known as the Human Collector. ¡®What¡¯s more suspicious is how she treated Ruyn Aspadam.¡¯ She kept comparing him with Ruyn, and subtly kept chipping away at Ruyn¡¯s pride. What¡¯s her goal? Just then, Kwon Hanul¡¯s stomach growled. He looked out the window and made a decision. ¡®Let¡¯s eat first. Then rest.¡¯ But that resolve was never fulfilled. The moment he entered the hotel restaurant for a meal, he was met with a face he didn¡¯t exactly welcome. ¡°Oh my, we meet again.¡± Catalina Blaga was smiling brightly and waving. ¡°...¡± Kwon Hanul was too dumbfounded to even feel angry. Meanwhile, Catalina Blaga continued waving with her ever-cheerful expression. ¡°I wanted to spend time alone with you, Little Dragon. So I rented out the entire restaurant today.¡± She gestured to the seat across from her, inviting him to sit. Kwon Hanul stood frozen for a moment, then slumped into the chair. ¡°Oh my, you¡¯re actually listening to me this time.¡± ¡°If I had it my way, I¡¯d have just walked out.¡± He glared at her and continued, ¡°But I¡¯m curious. Why are you being so persistent?¡± ¡°Why does a woman chase after a man? Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m interested in you.¡± ¡°...Hah.¡± Kwon Hanul laughed in disbelief. Interest from Catalina Blaga, the Human Collector? He¡¯d rather she cursed him instead. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in you. At all.¡± He cut her off firmly. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s eyes immediately flared with murderous intent. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes. So let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time. If you keep this up, it won¡¯t end well for the Blaga family either.¡± At that warning, Ruyn Aspadam bristled behind her. But before he could act, Catalina raised her hand and stopped him. ¡°When two people like each other, what problem could that cause for the families?¡± ¡°That logic only applies to ordinary people. And I just told you¡ªI have no interest in you.¡± ¡°Hearing that twice... Even I¡¯m a little hurt now.¡± Catalina dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. Kwon Hanul knew it was an act, but still felt a flicker of discomfort. Just for a moment. ¡°Feelings between a man and woman can grow slowly. Talking, dining together... or even sharing the night.¡± There was something suggestive in the way her hand rested on the table. Without him noticing, Catalina Blaga was lightly tracing her finger over the back of his hand. Kwon Hanul pulled his hand back and spoke sharply. ¡°Get to the point.¡± ¡°How about we join forces?¡± Kwon Hanul stared, suspicious. Catalina¡¯s eyes twinkled as she added, ¡°I¡¯ll be your sponsor, help you expand your influence within the Hyukcheon Family.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 44 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 44: Jealousy (2) ¡°Lady Catalina!¡± Suddenly, a shout rang out. Ruyn Aspadam had slammed his palm down on the table with a loud thud. ¡°What do you mean by that just now?!¡± ¡°Ruyn, you¡¯re getting too worked up.¡± ¡°You cannot make such decisions without consulting me! I absolutely cannot accept this!¡± ¡°Ruyn, calm yourself.¡± ¡°I cannot calm down! Don¡¯t tell me... you came here from the beginning with this in mind¡ª¡± ¡°Ruyn.¡± Just one word. That single word weighed down on the entire restaurant like a crushing force. ¡°I¡¯m the one speaking right now.¡± Ruyn Aspadam fell silent. But his eyes burned with frustration as he glared at Kwon Hanul. It was rather unjust from Kwon Hanul¡¯s perspective. ¡°I did some research on you,¡± Catalina Blaga said. Her tone had, at some point, returned to a calm and gentle one. ¡°You¡¯re the son of a fugitive who ran away from his clan. Because of that, your position is extremely precarious, and you don¡¯t have any allies either.¡± She spoke of Kwon Hanul¡¯s circumstances as if reciting a report. ¡°Even though Hyukcheon Chairman has taken a liking to you, that man is a warrior to his very core. He¡¯s not someone who¡¯ll look after you with care.¡± It was far too detailed for an outsider to know. Kwon Hanul stared at her with eyes full of suspicion. Catalina Blaga chuckled softly. ¡°If the Hyukcheon clan excels in martial power, then our Blaga family is unrivaled when it comes to handling information,¡± she said, her voice tinged with subtle persuasion. ¡°Little Dragon. Take my hand. Your situation will completely change if you do.¡± ¡°How could an outsider like you possibly help me?¡± ¡°There are plenty of ways. I could provide you with the information you need, lend you support when fulfilling tasks given by the clan, and most importantly...¡± Catalina Blaga raised a finger and pointed at Kwon Hanul. ¡°I could give you the means to become stronger than you are now. If necessary, I could even open the Blaga family¡¯s vaults for you.¡± It was a truly tempting offer. Kwon Hanul lacked backing and was in no position to receive material aid. Even now, he¡¯d had to come here himself because he couldn¡¯t acquire White Soil through other means. Rising in status within the Hyukcheon Group might resolve these problems, but doing so was no easy feat. Yet, if he accepted Catalina Blaga¡¯s proposal, all those worries would vanish in an instant. The problem was the one making the offer¡ªCatalina Blaga herself. Still wary, Kwon Hanul asked, ¡°What is it that you want from me?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already told you.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve told me?¡± ¡°I said I want to be your sponsor. So, what do you think I want from you?¡± Her gaze roved over Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, thick with suggestion. It was only then that Kwon Hanul understood what Catalina Blaga truly wanted. ¡°You¡¯re young, full of vigor, good-looking, and above all, you have outstanding talent and skill. I¡¯m satisfied simply by forming a deep relationship with someone like you.¡± Catalina Blaga licked her lips with a flick of her tongue. ¡°Oh, are you worried about receiving help from the Blaga family while being part of the Hyukcheon clan? Don¡¯t worry. Our relationship will be kept completely secret.¡± Given her expertise with information, it was safe to assume she was also skilled at hiding it. ¡°Or... are you hesitating because you fear being dominated by me?¡± Her eyes narrowed, as if mocking him, teasing his pride with a smile that felt like a taunt. ¡°How disappointing. A scion of Hyukcheon, afraid of being bewitched by a single woman like me.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes twitched at the blatant provocation. ¡°I¡¯m just a mere woman in bed, you know. Depending on how you handle me, I can scream, be led, and serve.¡± Catalina Blaga rose from her seat and approached Kwon Hanul, slowly, like a spider closing in. ¡°How you choose to treat me is entirely up to you. Even so, are you still going to reject me?¡± Her pale fingertips grazed Kwon Hanul¡¯s chest. Kwon Hanul silently stared at that hand. A victorious smile curled at Catalina Blaga¡¯s lips. In a confident voice, she said, ¡°Then, shall I take that as you accepting my¡ª¡± ¡°I refuse.¡± Kwon Hanul pushed her hand away the moment he spoke. Catalina Blaga¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°I appreciate the offer, but I have no need for the Blaga family¡¯s help. Besides...¡± He looked her squarely in the eye. ¡°You¡¯re not all that attractive.¡± At that moment, Catalina Blaga¡¯s face turned blank, as if struck by a hammer. Though she had kept her true feelings hidden until now, Kwon Hanul¡¯s words seemed to have genuinely shocked her. Seeing no more reason to linger, Kwon Hanul stood up and turned away. ¡°You made the right choice,¡± Joo Hayun whispered into his ear. ¡°She¡¯s too dangerous an opponent to accept.¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. Catalina Blaga was like a poisoned chalice¡ªone couldn¡¯t tell if the gain outweighed the risk. In such cases, the wisest choice was to simply ignore it. Just as Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun were about to leave, a furious shout erupted from behind. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± Turning around, Kwon Hanul saw Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s face twisted with rage. ¡°You dare insult Lady Catalina and try to run away?!¡± Ruyn Aspadam strode toward him. Catalina Blaga hurriedly tried to stop him. ¡°Ruyn, stop.¡± But Ruyn didn¡¯t listen. Instead, he unleashed his magic. Objects around them flew about as if caught in a typhoon. His magic was as formidable as his reputation. But it wasn¡¯t exactly awe-inspiring. ¡®Aside from agility, his stats are about the same as mine.¡¯ As Kwon Hanul calmly assessed Ruyn Aspadam, Joo Hayun stepped forward. ¡°Kwon Hanul, please stand behind me.¡± But Kwon Hanul stopped her. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± "That man is Ruyn Aspadam. He''s still dangerous¡ª" "If you say it like that, it only makes me more determined," Kwon Hanul said with a smile. "Other than being a bit fast, there''s really not much to look at. Don¡¯t worry so much." Reason told him not to engage yet. But his instincts said otherwise¡ªthey told him he wouldn''t lose. "Besides, that guy¡¯s been calling me a rookie or whatever nonsense since earlier." In truth, Ruyn Aspadam had no right to even raise his head before Kwon Hanul. Sure, he was once the disciple of the Thunder Fist, but that was ancient history. Yes, he was a vassal of Catalina Blaga, but that only meant something within the Blaga family. Yet, despite his lowly standing, he dared to look down on Kwon Hanul. "A man who abandoned his master because he got seduced by a woman¡ªlaughable." There was a faint trace of anger in Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice. Joo Hayun sighed slightly and stepped back. "...Just be careful." "I told you, I¡¯ll be fine." Kwon Hanul stepped forward, facing Ruyn Aspadam head-on. "I''ll give you credit for not hiding behind the witch." "Unlike some people, I¡¯m not into tailing after women," Kwon Hanul retorted. At his provocation, Ruyn Aspadam furrowed his brows. "First, I¡¯ll crush your face!" With a shout, Ruyn Aspadam kicked off the ground. Kwon Hanul tensed every muscle in his body, ready to counter the attack at any moment. He had already seen how fast S-rank stats could be back in the dungeon. He could handle it. Or so he thought. A fist appeared in front of him. ¡®...What?¡¯ Before he could react, the fist smashed into his face. His body flew backward, crashing through tables and chairs, slamming into the wall. Where Kwon Hanul had been standing, Ruyn Aspadam stood with his fist extended. Retracting his hand, Ruyn growled. "Consider this blow repayment for your insolence toward Lady Catalina Blaga!" He turned his body. Or at least, he tried to. "...Urgh?" A searing pain like shattered bones shot up from his fist. Ruyn Aspadam looked down. His fist was swollen and discolored¡ªhis bones had fractured. "What the hell...?" He quickly turned back to Kwon Hanul. Despite taking such a heavy hit, Kwon Hanul was calmly rising to his feet. Black armor had covered half his face. Ruyn Aspadam scowled. "You... when did you activate Black Scale Armor?" At the moment of crisis, Kwon Hanul had deployed Dragon Demon Armor to shield his face. He had planned to dodge, but there was no time. "That was close." The Dragon Demon Armor crumbled into dust. Armor that could withstand aura had shattered in a single blow. Proof of just how powerful Ruyn Aspadam''s strike had been. <¡®Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline¡¯ rages!> <¡¯Shura King¡¯ refuses to tolerate the enemy!> Two forces erupted inside Kwon Hanul like wildfire, demanding that he bring the man to his knees. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t suppress them. He let them loose. In that instant, his aura multiplied many times over. Even Ruyn Aspadam had to tense up. That was how overwhelming Kwon Hanul¡¯s presence had become. "Little Dragon, are you really going to continue?" "You started it, didn¡¯t you? And now that we¡¯ve begun, we might as well see it through." "...Fine." Ruyn Aspadam raised his magic power. "This time, I will break your face." His aura now was far more intense than before. But Kwon Hanul only looked bored. "Not planning to use Thunderclap Fist?" From the dungeon until now, Ruyn Aspadam had never used any skills. He fought purely with physical ability and magic power. "Thunderclap Fist? I wouldn¡¯t waste a skill like that on a greenhorn like you. I¡¯d never be able to show my face again if I did." Ruyn sneered. "A rookie like you? I don¡¯t need skills to handle you." "Is that so? I¡¯ve actually always been curious about what Thunderclap Fist was like." Kwon Hanul took a stance, ready to strike at any moment. "I¡¯ll force you to use it, even if I have to." Ruyn''s sneer deepened. "Then I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t act cocky ever again." Before the words even finished, Ruyn Aspadam vanished. Not even an afterimage remained¡ªhe was that fast. Again, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t see him. Couldn¡¯t sense him. However¡ª <¡®Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline¡¯ rages!> The black dragon blood boiled through Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. Instinctively, he threw a punch into the air. In that moment, Ruyn Aspadam appeared. Their fists collided. No¡ªthey almost did. Had both fists not stopped mid-air, suspended. Both Kwon Hanul and Ruyn Aspadam looked at their fists in shock. Their punches had been caught¡ªby someone else. "You both seem a little too worked up." Catalina Blaga. She stood between them, gripping both of their fists. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 45 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 45: Jealousy (3) It was a shocking turn of events. They had expected Catalina Blaga to intervene somehow, but not in such a forceful and unceremonious way. ¡®I... can¡¯t move.¡¯ No matter how much strength he exerted, his fist wouldn¡¯t budge¡ªas if it were cemented into a wall. ¡°Lady Catalina! Please release me!¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s sudden outburst snapped Kwon Hanul out of his thoughts. ¡°That insolent brat... I must take care of him with my own hands¡ª¡± ¡°Ruyn. Bow your head.¡± Just a single command. With just that, Ruyn Aspadam dropped to the ground, pressing his forehead into the floor. It wasn¡¯t loyalty that compelled him¡ªit was the manifestation of the Bloodline of the Vassal. ¡°Little Dragon, I apologize. Please understand¡ªRuyn simply cares too much about me. That¡¯s why this happened.¡± Catalina Blaga smiled as she released Hanul¡¯s fist. Only then could he move his hand again. ¡°You should manage your subordinates better.¡± ¡°Subordinate? No, Ruyn and I are partners who share a deep bond.¡± Hanul glanced at Ruyn Aspadam. Partner? That man slammed his forehead into the ground with a single word from her. What kind of partnership is that? ¡°In any case, I¡¯ll calm him down. So could you tell that Witch of Hyukcheon to withdraw her mana?¡± That¡¯s when Hanul realized it. Joo Hayun¡¯s mana was surging throughout the entire restaurant. The air had changed. No¡ªit felt more like being submerged underwater. That¡¯s how dense her mana had become. He¡¯d forgotten. Joo Hayun was Chairman Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s closest aide and a fellow Hunter who had fought by his side. Her presence was powerful¡ªcomparable even to Catalina Blaga. ¡°Hayun.¡± ¡°Not until that woman leaves.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what she said,¡± Hanul replied curtly. Truthfully, he had no desire to resolve this peacefully either. Catalina Blaga had made Ruyn Aspadam bow with just a word. That meant she could¡¯ve stopped him before things escalated¡ªbut chose not to. ¡°She¡¯s made an enemy out of me now. Hmm... what should I do about that?¡± Catalina Blaga grasped her right forearm with her left hand. Crack. With a short, brutal sound, her arm was torn from her shoulder. Blood spurted from the severed stump, staining the floor. ¡°Will this be enough to earn your forgiveness?¡± She smiled casually as she spoke, while Hanul¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Oh, but don¡¯t worry. Just a little effort and...¡± Even as she spoke, the torn limb began to regenerate. Veins and muscles regrew, bone reformed¡ªand in the blink of an eye, her right arm was restored down to the forearm. ¡®...What is that?¡¯ Regenerating lost body parts is difficult even with dungeon artifacts. And to do it this quickly? Nearly impossible. ¡®Come to think of it, one of the powers of the Bloodline of the Vassal is immortality.¡¯ The Bloodline of the Vassal doesn¡¯t only affect others. It grants absolute command over one¡¯s own body. Her incredible regeneration was part of that power¡ªachieved through complete control over her own flesh. ¡°Well, I guess this makes punishment meaningless.¡± Crack. Catalina Blaga tore off her arm again. Watching a woman rip off her own arm twice¡ªit was surreal, almost grotesque. ¡°I¡¯ll live with one arm for the next week. Would that be enough to show my sincerity?¡± ¡°...That seems sufficient.¡± ¡°How merciful of you.¡± Catalina beamed brightly, blood still pouring from her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°See you in the morning.¡± If they were meeting in the morning, it could only mean one thing¡ªthe wager. Even after all this, she still intended to follow through with their bet? Hanul was half-stunned by her attitude¡ªbut at the same time, he realized it might be a chance to settle the score with Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± After his reply, Kwon Hanul immediately left the restaurant. * * * In the elevator up to the suite, he asked Joo Hayun, ¡°What is she really after?¡± Showing up out of nowhere and offering to sponsor him¡ªsomething wasn¡¯t right. ¡°She claims it¡¯s all a coincidence... but let¡¯s be real. That¡¯s impossible.¡± Everything had been orchestrated by Catalina Blaga. But there was one thing he couldn¡¯t wrap his head around. ¡°What could she possibly want that¡¯s worth all this?¡± ¡°Catalina Blaga is unpredictable, but her goal is likely simple: she wants you to submit to her.¡± ¡°She did all this just to dominate me?¡± ¡°You might not understand, but Catalina has done things like this more times than I can count.¡± No wonder people called her the ¡°Human Collector.¡± ¡°Besides, you resisted her control. That alone would¡¯ve sparked her interest.¡± Looking back, Hanul realized she¡¯d used the Bloodline of the Vassal several times on him. Was it all to test whether her domination truly didn¡¯t work on him? ¡°She¡¯s trying to control me¡ªeven with the Hyukcheon Clan behind me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s Catalina Blaga. She¡¯s as troublesome as she is thorough.¡± ¡°What do you mean by thorough?¡± ¡°She¡¯s meddled with heirs of major Houses before¡ªand not once was she held accountable.¡± Joo Hayun added, ¡°There¡¯s suspicion, but no proof.¡± ¡°I¡¯d better be careful. The thought of ending up like Ruyn Aspadam... it¡¯s horrifying.¡± ¡°Do you really think so?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°There are plenty of people in this world who would willingly be kept by Catalina Blaga. She¡¯s breathtakingly attractive¡ªand wields immense power.¡± ¡°Come on, who would¡ª¡± Then Hanul thought of Kwon Jiseok. He quickly changed his tune. ¡°...I mean, I¡¯m sure they exist. But I¡¯m not one of them.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not my type.¡± He shrugged and added, ¡°I prefer women my own age. Older women like her are just... not my thing.¡± Joo Hayun burst into laughter. ¡°Oh, and we totally trashed the restaurant.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This hotel belongs to the Hyukcheon Group. HQ will take care of it.¡± ¡°Times like this, it¡¯s good to have money.¡± Hanul chuckled. ¡°Oh, Hanul.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the same age as you.¡± Her unexpected confession left Hanul momentarily speechless. * * *. ¡°Ahem.¡± Catalina Blaga sat comfortably in a chair, rhythmically tapping her heels against the ground. She even hummed a tune, clearly in a pleasant mood. Kneeling beside her was Ruyn Aspadam, his face contorted with humiliation and fury. ¡°Ruyn, what do you think?¡± ¡°I apologize. We failed today, but next time, I swear I¡¯ll kill that bastard¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Catalina Blaga interrupted him with a cheerful tone. ¡°He resisted my seduction again. Twice in a row, no less.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because the guy¡¯s eyes are like knotholes! He¡¯s a fool who can¡¯t recognize a gem when he sees one!¡± ¡°At Delos Auction House, I thought Kwon Seonwoo must¡¯ve used some trick. But even when I was alone with him, it didn¡¯t work?¡± Catalina continued talking, seemingly indifferent to Ruyn¡¯s response¡ªwhether she truly didn¡¯t hear him or simply chose to ignore him was unclear. ¡°What really shocked me was the last attempt. I approached him as a ¡®woman,¡¯ openly seductive, yet he turned me down so easily.¡± The power of the Bloodline of Vassal is influenced by various factors. One can dominate others through violence, through negotiation, or¡ªas Catalina preferred¡ªthrough sexual allure. This was her most potent and trusted method. Many Hunters, even when aware and prepared, had fallen prey to her charms. ¡°It didn¡¯t even feel like he was resisting¡ªit felt like it had no effect at all... What¡¯s his secret? Could he have been born with both a bloodline and a gift?¡± Such individuals¡ªthose born with both a powerful lineage and a supernatural gift¡ªwere extraordinarily rare. Even calling it ¡®divine fortune¡¯ wouldn¡¯t justify it. Since the Dungeons opened, throughout human history, cases like that could be counted on one hand. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, his gift must be mental-type... Did he use it when he defeated the Mud Troll too? I don¡¯t know. There¡¯s nothing I can be sure of.¡± Catalina wet her lips with her tongue. ¡°I want him. I¡¯ve never desired a treasure this much. What should I do? I¡¯m going mad with longing.¡± Ruyn Aspadam swallowed hard, almost reflexively. It was because the look on Catalina¡¯s face went beyond greed¡ªit reeked of madness. ¡°We¡¯re done here. Let¡¯s return to the family.¡± ¡°...What?¡± Ruyn couldn¡¯t help but be shocked at her declaration. Understandably so¡ªshe had not yet accomplished her goal. ¡°But you haven¡¯t secured the Little Dragon yet...¡± ¡°Oh, Ruyn, really.¡± Catalina waved dismissively as if he were speaking nonsense. ¡°This is Korea. How could we steal the Little Dragon under the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s nose?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why you joined hands with Kwon Chan-seong, isn¡¯t it? He agreed to help kidnap the Little Dragon in exchange for cooperation¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, that man.¡± Catalina looked unimpressed. Though she had a keen interest in talented individuals, she showed not a shred of interest in Kwon Chan-seong. ¡°If it were Kwon Hyuk, maybe¡ªbut Kwon Chan-seong? I wouldn¡¯t trust a mere pup like him. Besides, he never even explained how the Little Dragon resisted my seduction. He didn¡¯t reveal that secret, did he?¡± Catalina¡¯s actions were simple. But her intentions were anything but. ¡°This is enough for now. I¡¯ve confirmed again just how dazzling he is. And most importantly... I saw his face.¡± Ruyn Aspadam doubted his eyes¡ªCatalina¡¯s cheeks were slightly flushed. It was absurd. Could Catalina Blaga, of all people, blush for such a reason outside the bedroom? A strange, unfamiliar emotion swept through Ruyn, making him tremble. ¡°Early tomorrow morning... Ah, right. There¡¯s still that wager left.¡± As if just remembering, Catalina looked up. ¡°The Little Dragon defeated more than double the Mud Trolls, didn¡¯t he? If the tables were turned, Ruyn, you¡¯d have insisted you won and ended things early.¡± Catalina sighed briefly. ¡°No helping it, I¡¯ll have to stay a bit longer. Though honestly, won¡¯t you just lose again?¡± ¡°...No. I¡¯ll turn the tables tomorrow, without fail.¡± ¡°Really? Confident?¡± Ruyn bit his lip and shouted, ¡°I swear! I will win!¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± Catalina¡¯s gaze turned cold. ¡°Ruyn, how could you think to deceive me? You know what my eyes can see.¡± The Bloodline of Vassal is a lineage that manipulates willpower. Reading someone¡¯s emotions and mental state was trivial for her. ¡°Both your logic and emotions are in disarray. Truth is, you¡¯re not confident, are you?¡± He wanted to deny it. But Ruyn Aspadam couldn¡¯t bring himself to speak. ¡°That¡¯s troublesome. I don¡¯t care about giving up white soil, but if you lose, the Little Dragon might start doubting my judgment.¡± Ruyn felt wronged. Even now, she was thinking about Kwon Hanul? ¡°Might as well leave a good impression before we depart, right?¡± Catalina looked up at the ceiling. ¡°K. Are you here?¡± ¡ªYes, I await your orders. A voice echoed from the empty air. Ruyn flinched and looked around. Yet he could sense no one¡ªnot even a presence. He immediately realized the identity of this unseen speaker. Knights of Shadow. Catalina Blaga possessed a group of special retainers who had served her for many years. No one knew their gender, age, or race. Everything about them was shrouded in mystery. The only known fact was that each one possessed exceptional skill. ¡°I told you to have the team on standby, just in case. How¡¯s that going?¡± ¡ªWe¡¯ve already secured two bloodkin. The relics for dungeon entry are also prepared. ¡°Excellent.¡± ¡ªYou flatter me. With that, the voice faded. ¡°Well then, Ruyn, shall we rest?¡± Catalina extended a hand. Ruyn, his face dark, supported her. ¡°Ruyn, you seem tired.¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± ¡°Is it because I¡¯m interested in the Little Dragon? If so, I¡¯m disappointed.¡± Catalina wrapped her arms around Ruyn¡¯s neck. The scent of her skin engulfed him, and Ruyn¡¯s face flushed crimson. ¡°I like men who obsess over me¡ªright to the end.¡± Ruyn¡¯s face turned a deep red. ¡°It¡¯s chilly tonight. Must be cold alone.¡± ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ll serve you with all my devotion.¡± Ruyn stammered like an innocent youth. Catalina smiled, finding even that adorable. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 46 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 46: Forced Subjugation (1) The next day, Kwon Hanul and Catalina Blaga met at the dungeon entrance at the agreed-upon time. ¡°You look even more beautiful this morning, Lady Catalina Blaga!¡± ¡°Thank you for the kind words¡±, Catalina Blaga replied with a warm smile. Kwon Jiseok, grinning sheepishly, leaned over and whispered to Kwon Hanul, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s with this vibe? Why didn¡¯t she react to my pickup line? That was gold, right?¡± Kwon Hanul flinched. That was supposed to be a pickup line? ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Still, what¡¯s with this weird atmosphere?¡± Ignoring Jiseok¡¯s confusion, Kwon Hanul headed toward the gate. Ruyn Aspadam was already waiting ahead. ¡°I¡¯ll go in first.¡± Without looking back, Ruyn Aspadam stepped into the gate. ¡°Well, that was anticlimactic.¡± Muttering to himself, Kwon Hanul entered the dungeon as well. Ruyn Aspadam was nowhere to be seen¡ªhe must have gone far ahead already. ¡°Is he that desperate to beat me?¡± Clicking his tongue, Kwon Hanul activated the power of the Bloodline of the Vassal. His eyes turned a deep crimson. * * * Ruyn Aspadam, now inside the dungeon, first moved far from the gate before stopping. From his pocket, he took out two fist-sized dolls. Placing them on the ground, the dolls suddenly transformed into people with a puff of smoke¡ªone a young girl, the other a middle-aged man. ¡°Ugh, this feels unpleasant somehow.¡± ¡°You endured well, my lady.¡± Relic ¨C World of Dolls A legendary (AA+ rank) relic that, with mutual consent, allows a person to be temporarily transformed into a doll. Though it has limited uses, Catalina Blaga spared no expense deploying it for this mission. ¡°So this is the dungeon you mentioned yesterday?¡± The girl glanced at Ruyn Aspadam. He remained silent. The middle-aged man scowled and barked at him. ¡°Insolent wretch! Lady Nadia asked you a question!¡± ¡°...Yes. This is the dungeon I spoke of yesterday.¡± ¡°Watch your tone!¡± The man exploded again, only calming when the girl intervened. ¡°Uncle Del, please. He¡¯s just a vassal. They only show loyalty to their master.¡± ¡°But Lady Nadia, you are of pure blood! All vassals must serve and obey the Purebloods¡ªit''s the law of our house!¡± The man, Del Blaga, was still visibly seething. ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t this entire mess his fault? If this incompetent fool had done his job properly, everything would¡¯ve been resolved smoothly.¡± Ruyn Aspadam glared at Del Blaga, who sneered back. ¡°What? Did I say something wrong? Look at me like that again, and I¡¯ll pluck those eyes out myself.¡± Objectively speaking, Del Blaga was far weaker than Ruyn Aspadam. But vassals could never defy the power of the Blood of the Vassal. As a fervent blood relative of House Blaga, if Del truly commanded it, Ruyn Aspadam would be forced to obey¡ªeven if it meant losing his eyes. ¡°Uncle Del, let it go. We have a job to finish, as ordered by Lady Catalina.¡± ¡°Oh dear, I nearly lost myself there.¡± Del Blaga quickly reverted to a smile, as if he had never been angry. The stark shift in demeanor was understandable. This girl, Nadia Blaga, was one of the rare young Purebloods of House Blaga. ¡°Then, my lady, please assist this vassal. I shall go and hinder that man¡ªKwon Hanul.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll go to Kwon Hanul myself.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Del Blaga grew anxious. House Blaga had very few Purebloods compared to other noble houses. Nadia was the first born in 30 years. He only wanted her to take on safe tasks. ¡°I¡¯m curious about the man Lady Catalina has taken an interest in.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have this.¡± Nadia revealed a necklace¡ªa relic imbued with a stealth skill. ¡°Well then, I¡¯m off~¡± Cheerfully, Nadia disappeared in the direction where Kwon Hanul had gone. ¡°Please, let nothing happen to her...¡± Del Blaga watched her go, his expression filled with concern. He soon turned to Ruyn Aspadam with a cold glare. ¡°I¡¯ll draw out the Mud Trolls. You kill him. Surely, you can manage something that simple?¡± * * * Nadia Blaga found Kwon Hanul quickly. Only four humans were inside this dungeon. By using Bloodline of the Vassal, she sensed their mental energy and simply followed it. She activated her relic¡¯s stealth skill and began to watch Kwon Hanul from a hidden spot. ¡°So this is the man Lady Catalina wants as her next collectible?¡± Honestly, an elder chasing after a younger man would normally be condemned. But there was no hint of disapproval on Nadia¡¯s face. House Blaga is a family of dominators. The greatest source of pride was whom one could dominate. ¡°Even aside from that, no one can criticize Lady Catalina.¡± Publicly, House Blaga was said to be ruled by a council of elders, not a patriarch. ...but that wasn¡¯t the whole truth. In reality, House Blaga functioned around Catalina Blaga and the elders. ¡°It¡¯s because of her that our house even exists in its current form.¡± The power and influence of House Blaga came from external connections¡ªconnections that Catalina built using the Bloodline of the Vassal and her feminine charm. Because of this, even among the elders, her influence was absolute. ¡°She has excellent taste.¡± Even from a distance, it was clear. Kwon Hanul¡¯s body was superbly trained, and his mana honed with incredible precision. ¡°He¡¯s truly impressive.¡± Modern hunters could easily raise their stats through system interfaces. But mastering that power was another matter entirely. Especially with mana¡ªcontrol differed greatly from person to person, even at the same level. This was where talent and effort came into play. In that regard, Kwon Hanul was near perfect. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Lady Catalina, I¡¯d want him for myself.¡± Nadia swallowed hard. Of course, she wasn¡¯t foolish enough to act on that. But the more she looked, the more drawn she was. ¡°...Haah.¡± A deep sigh escaped her lips before she realized it. Her whole body felt flushed. ¡°Strange... He¡¯s not even my type.¡± She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off him. Then, it hit her¡ªher behavior was identical to that of lower blood relatives when they gazed upon higher ones. ¡°No way... that can¡¯t be, right?¡± Of course not. That man was of the Hyukcheon Clan¡ªhe likely had Black Dragon Bloodline, so Bloodline of the Vassal shouldn¡¯t affect him. ¡°Time to focus.¡± She subtly activated her power, intending to drive all nearby Mud Trolls away from Kwon Hanul. But then, Kwon Hanul suddenly looked in her direction. ¡°...Huh?¡± Caught off guard, she froze as his eyes turned crimson. ¡°...Wha¡ª?¡± Before she could grasp the situation, her mind went blank. * * * After dominating the Mud Trolls, his assimilation rate quickly passed 10%. ¡°Unlike Black Dragon Bloodline, I don¡¯t gain new powers even after reaching 10%.¡± Each bloodline awakened powers at different thresholds, so he wasn¡¯t discouraged. ¡°Anyway... who are you, and why were you spying on me?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s gaze fell downward, where a girl sat dazed on the ground, staring at him. ¡°You¡¯re from House Blaga, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Y-Yes! I¡¯m Nadia Blaga!¡± She blurted it out hastily. ¡°I¡¯m a Pureblood of House Blaga! I¡¯m 20 years old this year, and¡ª¡± Nadia began rattling off information Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t even asked for, as if compelled to answer everything. ¡°Quiet.¡± At his command, she instantly fell silent, eyes scanning his face for any sign of displeasure. ¡°Did Catalina Blaga send you?¡± Nadia nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Yes! Lady Catalina Blaga sent me!¡± ¡°What was her goal? Did she order you to abduct me?¡± ¡°H-how could someone like me dare... I¡¯ve never had such disrespectful thoughts, not once!¡± ¡°Only answer what I ask.¡± ¡°No! I was never given such an order!¡± Under his control via the Bloodline of the Vassal, lying was impossible. ¡°Then why are you here?¡± ¡°I was told to ensure you defeat Ruyn Aspadam!¡± ¡°Why? Because of the White Soil?¡± ¡°No! Lady Catalina was worried you might doubt her capabilities because of Ruyn Aspadam, so she made this decision!¡± Kwon Hanul furrowed his brow slightly. The world was full of unknowns, but this seemed to have hidden motives. Why deploy a Pureblood for something so minor? ¡°Poor Ruyn Aspadam. No trust from his master, now utterly cast aside...¡± Suddenly, a thought struck him. ¡°What happened to Catalina Blaga¡¯s other vassals?¡± At his question, Nadia looked puzzled, but answered. ¡°I heard you either joined Catalina Blaga¡¯s secret knight order, Knights of Shadow, or you became a sacrifice.¡± ¡°A sacrifice?¡± ¡°Oh, not literally. It¡¯s more like... slang. It means being used to test other blood-bound.¡± Before Nadia Blaga could finish, thunder rumbled across the sky. Kwon Hanul looked up sharply. The sky was a clear, radiant blue without a single cloud. A bolt from the blue. Only one person could cause such a phenomenon. ¡°Ruyn Aspadam?¡± No sooner had the name left his lips than a lightning bolt struck from above. With an ear-splitting roar, the surrounding trees were reduced to ashes. From within the flames, Ruyn Aspadam emerged, walking calmly. It was after they had taken down their second Mud Troll. * * * ¡°This mission is tougher than I expected...¡± Del Blaga wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He had underestimated the monster just because it was Gold-ranked. In reality, it was anything but easy. Normally, these beasts were sluggish, but because they were in hibernation, even using blood-bound enchantments to lure them out proved difficult. ¡°Let¡¯s take a short break.¡± ¡°No,¡± Ruyn Aspadam replied firmly. ¡°At this pace, we¡¯ll never surpass the number of Mud Trolls that Kwon Hanul has taken down. We need to move faster.¡± Del Blaga¡¯s face twisted in irritation. His tone was filled with disdain. ¡°A mere blood-bound dares to talk back to me?¡± ¡°Del Blaga. Watch your mouth.¡± Ruyn Aspadam didn¡¯t back down, glaring right back. ¡°I¡¯m not just any blood-bound. I serve Lady Catalina Blaga. Don¡¯t think some hot-blooded clan member can stand above me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re acting all high and mighty just because you¡¯re hiding behind Lady Catalina¡¯s name.¡± Even after hearing Catalina Blaga¡¯s name, Del Blaga only sneered. Ruyn Aspadam flared in rage. ¡°Are you insulting Lady Catalina Blaga¡ª?¡± ¡°You really think she won¡¯t discard you soon? Wake up.¡± Every muscle in Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s body tensed. What did he just say? ¡°Discard me? What bullshit is that¡ª¡± ¡°You know this already. There are many blood-bound, but Lady Catalina only ever favors one. And that favor doesn¡¯t last forever. So what happens when you lose it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s obvious! You¡¯re either assigned to Knights of Shadows to serve her forever, or¡ª¡± Suddenly, it hit him like a blow to the head. He remembered the moment when he was seduced by Catalina Blaga. Another blood-bound had defied her, and Ruyn Aspadam killed that one, earning Catalina¡¯s approval... ¡°You¡¯re going to be used as a test¡ªto see if Kwon Hanul is worthy of her favor. And you dare to use her name to insult me?¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s face went blank. He muttered under his breath. ¡°...Lies.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lie. There¡¯s no way Lady Catalina would abandon me.¡± Del Blaga wore a bored expression. He¡¯d seen countless discarded blood-bound lose their minds like this. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this tantrum. If you¡¯re just going to whine, then¡ª¡± ¡°No. I understand now.¡± Del Blaga flinched. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s voice had turned chilling. ¡°I know what Lady Catalina wants from me.¡± Then he began to laugh, shoulders shaking. ¡°This is a test. A test from Lady Catalina Blaga¡ªto protect the favor that Kwon Hanul is trying to steal.¡± Ruyn Aspadam straightened up. His face radiated murderous intent. ¡°I just have to kill Kwon Hanul. Then everything will go back to the way it was.¡± ¡°Tch.¡± Del Blaga clicked his tongue. ¡°He¡¯s completely lost it. Useless now.¡± Del Blaga activated the power of the blood-bound and gave an order. ¡°Ruyn Aspadam. Restrain yourself.¡± Blood-bound were bound by absolute obedience to the Blaga family¡¯s bloodline. A commandment every Blaga clan member knew. But¡ª ¡°Move aside.¡± The command had no effect on Ruyn Aspadam. Del Blaga blinked rapidly. What was happening? His eyes turned pink as he pushed the blood-bound power to its limit. ¡°Ruyn Aspadam. Restrain yourse¡ª¡± Lightning grazed Del Blaga. In an instant, his head vanished. * * * ¡°Kwon Hanul... Where is Kwon Hanul?¡± Ruyn Aspadam looked around wildly, extending his senses to find him. Then he smiled. ¡°Found you.¡± Blue lightning coiled around him. The lightning shot skyward, then fell toward Kwon Hanul¡¯s location. A storm of electricity leveled the surrounding area. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± Ruyn Aspadam tore through the debris, advancing toward him. ¡°I¡¯ve come to reclaim Lady Catalina¡¯s favor!¡± ¡°Ruyn Aspadam! What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Nadia Blaga shouted furiously. ¡°You disobeyed Lady Catalina¡¯s orders and acted on your own! What happened to Uncle Del?!¡± Ruyn Aspadam threw something to the ground¡ªthe head that had once been Del Blaga rolled across the dirt. Nadia Blaga shrieked, ¡°You dare... Uncle Del!¡± Her eyes turned blood-red. The pure blood-bound power awakened. ¡°Rip out your eyes. Now!¡± But nothing happened. Panicked, she screamed again, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?! I said, rip out¡ª¡± Ruyn Aspadam vanished and closed the distance in an instant, his fist swinging. ¡°Ah¡ª?¡± Nadia Blaga saw her life flash before her eyes. The moment she accepted death, Kwon Hanul stomped the ground. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Smashing Style ¨C Original Flow The ground between Nadia Blaga and Ruyn Aspadam split. A wall of dragon energy surged upward. Ruyn Aspadam stopped his punch and backed off, clicking his tongue in frustration. ¡°Th-thank you...¡± ¡°No thanks. Just get out of here, now.¡± Nadia Blaga¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Y-you¡¯re saving me?¡± ¡°Stop babbling. Just go.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if he should let someone of pure blood die, so he drove her off. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t speak of what happened here. Ever.¡± Nadia Blaga nodded and ran for the gate. Ruyn Aspadam stood still until she was gone. Kwon Hanul looked surprised. ¡°You¡¯re not chasing her?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t take my eyes off prey. Once I kill you, everything goes back to normal.¡± ¡®You touched a clan member and think that¡¯s acceptable?¡¯ ...He almost said, but the madness in Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s eyes made him stop. ¡°You came here to kill me?¡± ¡°Yes. Kill you and reclaim Lady Catalina¡¯s favor.¡± ¡°I never had it, and I don¡¯t want it.¡± ¡°Stop playing games.¡± Ruyn Aspadam stepped forward, bloodlust and mana swirling. A formidable enemy. Even if he gave it his all, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t sure he could win. ¡°I guess I can¡¯t hold back.¡± Kwon Hanul opened a pocket dimension, retrieved Aryontae, and equipped it. The armor wrapped around his body. ¡°Futile.¡± Ruyn Aspadam scoffed. Then Kwon Hanul raised a hand. ¡°Wait. One thing I want to check.¡± ¡°Begging for your life? You were once the object of Lady Catalina¡¯s attention. Die with dignity.¡± Kwon Hanul pointed at the ground. ¡°Head down.¡± ¡°Cut the cra¡ª¡± Thunk A short, solid sound. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s knees hit the ground. ¡°...?¡± No time for questions. His forehead struck dirt. As the earthy scent filled his nose, Ruyn Aspadam realized. He was bowing. ¡°I just tried it on a hunch,¡± Kwon Hanul mused, looking down at him. ¡°It worked?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 47 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 47: Forced Subjugation (2) What... What is happening? With his face pressed to the ground, Ruyn Aspadam was in utter confusion. He tried to tense his neck, pushed against the earth with both hands, gritting his teeth in a desperate attempt to rise. But¡ª No matter how much strength he summoned, only his muscles trembled. He couldn¡¯t stand. He couldn¡¯t even lift his head, let alone get to his feet. ¡°...How?¡± He knew the reason. Ruyn Aspadam was a Vassal¡ªa being bound to obey the commands of the Vassal Bloodline. But the man before him... was of the Hyukcheon Clan. He bore the blood of the Black Dragon, not the Vassal Bloodline. ¡°This... doesn¡¯t make any sense...¡± It was a universal truth: no one could possess more than one bloodline. It was as fundamental as the sun chasing away the darkness or the impossibility of lighting a fire underwater. Then who¡ªwhat¡ªwas the man standing before him? How could he wield the power of the Vassal Bloodline while clearly possessing the Black Dragon Bloodline? No, what was even more baffling¡ª ¡°...How... how did he force me... to submit?¡± Vassals must obey those of the Vassal Bloodline. There were rare exceptions: if the gap in strength between servant and bloodline bearer was too wide, or if the servant had an unbreakable will, or if the blood purity was too diluted. In such rare cases, a servant could resist. Without such an exception, how else could Ruyn Aspadam have defied the orders of Nadia Blaga and Del Blaga? ¡°I heard it¡¯s notoriously difficult to command a person,¡± a voice said, footsteps echoing closer. ¡°But this was too easy. Is it because you¡¯re a servant?¡± Step, step¡ªa foot landed on his head, pinning him down. ¡°If I crush you right here, it¡¯d be over, nice and clean.¡± Press¡ªhis head was ground into the dirt. Humiliated to his bones, Ruyn Aspadam clenched his teeth. Then, suddenly, the foot lifted. His body felt lighter at once. Ruyn Aspadam shot up. ¡°Why... did you release me?¡± ¡°What a waste that would be.¡± Kwon Hanul shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°I¡¯ve been curious about your skills for a while. They say you were once a contender for the world rankings, right? I should see for myself what makes you so great.¡± Ruyn Aspadam blanked for a moment, stunned. Then it hit him¡ªKwon Hanul was mocking him. ¡°I promise,¡± Hanul said, ¡°from now on, I won¡¯t use the power of the Vassal Bloodline. Come at me with everything you¡¯ve got¡ªtry to kill me.¡± A menacing killing intent consumed Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s face. He¡¯d figure out later how this man of the Hyukcheon Clan had managed to command him. For now, there was only one thing to do: repay this humiliation with blood. ¡°...Fine! I swear I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Ruyn Aspadam exploded with fury. A savage aura radiated in all directions, as if he¡¯d leap at Hanul any second. ¡°You¡¯re still not going to use skills?¡± Hanul asked. ¡°I told you already! I don¡¯t need skills to deal with trash like you!¡± Ruyn Aspadam stomped the ground. Boom¡ªair cracked as he shot forward, fist swinging toward Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. In that instant, Hanul¡¯s hands wrapped around Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s arm. ¡°...?¡± No time to react¡ªhis vision flipped. A sudden floating sensation, followed by a bone-shattering impact on his back. ¡°Gah!¡± Pain exploded throughout his body, but he quickly understood what had happened. He¡¯d been thrown. The moment he¡¯d punched, Hanul had grabbed his arm and slammed him into the ground. ¡°If you move the same way three times, of course I¡¯ll catch on.¡± Hanul clenched his fist, Dragon Demon Aura swirling around it. ¡°W-wait¡ª!¡± Before Ruyn Aspadam could stop him, Hanul brought down his fist. The Dragon Demonic Aura pierced through Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s torso. * * * Outside the Dungeon Nadia Blaga had run for her life, using every ounce of strength she had left. The moment she exited the dungeon gate, she screamed, ¡°Help me!¡± The Hyukcheon hunters outside froze, staring at her in shock. An uninvited person had just burst out of the gate. Naturally, they were alarmed. ¡°An intruder?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s capture her first.¡± They moved in, but Nadia grabbed them first, yelling, ¡°W-wait! That¡¯s not important right now! Kwon Hanul¡ªLord Kwon Hanul¡ªis in danger!¡± The hunters stiffened. They didn¡¯t know the full story, but something was clearly wrong. ¡°Get Lord Kwon Jiseok, now!¡± One hunter darted away. Moments later, Kwon Jiseok arrived, with Joo Hayun at his side. ¡°What the hell is going on? She came out of the gate?¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Who the hell are you? How did you get inside the dungeon?¡± ¡°She¡¯s of the Blaga family,¡± Joo Hayun said, eyeing Nadia. ¡°What? The Blaga family? Why is she coming out of our dungeon?¡± At that moment, Nadia realized her grave mistake. She, a member of the Blaga family, had trespassed into a dungeon under Hyukcheon jurisdiction. This could spark a full-blown conflict between the families. Should she lie? Dodge the issue? For a moment she hesitated, but quickly decided: Kwon Hanul¡¯s safety came first. ¡°L-Lord Kwon Hanul is in danger!¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul? What about him?¡± ¡°R-Ruyn Aspadam... that madman is trying to kill him!¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened. Without a word, she turned. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Jiseok asked. ¡°To save Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± She bolted toward the dungeon gate, vanishing in an instant. One team member turned to Kwon Jiseok. ¡°What should we do? Send backup?¡± ¡°Are you kidding? Even all of you together wouldn¡¯t be much help to Hayun.¡± ¡°True, but...¡± ¡°We stay here. You, contact the Seoul Defense Corps. Now.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Kwon Jiseok gave rapid orders. ¡°And you...¡± Nadia flinched. Now that she¡¯d helped Hanul, it was time to worry about her own life. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you. But you will tell me everything.¡± ¡°Oh my, how frightening.¡± A voice, soft as feathers brushing the ear, rang out. Catalina Blaga was approaching. ¡°What are you planning to do to such a delicate girl?¡± She wore a crimson velvet dress, her deeply cut neckline radiating an intimidating presence. Despite her alluring appearance, no one¡ªincluding Kwon Jiseok¡ªpaid her beauty any attention. ¡°Catalina Blaga,¡± Jiseok growled, grinding his teeth. ¡°You slipped a Blaga bloodline member into my dungeon? You want a war with Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°Oh my, do I look like an idiot to you?¡± ¡°Then what¡¯s the meaning of this? Explain yourself. Now. Or else...¡± He grabbed Nadia by the throat. She choked, gasping for air. ¡°If that girl dies, things get complicated. Why not hand her over to me for now?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense¡ª¡± Catalina¡¯s eyes glowed pink. At once, Jiseok¡¯s tense expression relaxed slightly. ¡°...!?¡± He snapped out of it quickly, but realized his hands were empty. ¡°Cough, cough...¡± ¡°Nadia, you¡¯ve had a rough time. Are you alright?¡± Nadia was suddenly at Catalina¡¯s side. She coughed, clinging to her. ¡°L-Lady Catalina! T-this is bad! Ruyn Aspadam... he¡¯s finally lost control!¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°D-Del is dead... and he¡¯s gone to kill Lord Kwon Hanul too!¡± ¡°I know everything. Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°We have to stop him, now¡ªwhat?¡± Nadia¡¯s face went blank. She couldn¡¯t comprehend what she¡¯d just heard. ¡°Y-you knew Ruyn Aspadam would do this?¡± Catalina nodded. Nadia¡¯s face twisted in rage. ¡°H-How could this happen...? Uncle Del is dead! And I-I almost died too! How could something like this¡ª!¡± ¡°Because this is what I wanted.¡± Nadia Blaga was left speechless by the absurd reply. ¡°W-What in the world...¡± ¡°Let¡¯s stop with the headache-inducing talk, shall we?¡± ¡°Please, explain everything in detail! Otherwise, I¡¯ll never¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ll understand, won¡¯t you?¡± Catalina Blaga spoke in a gentle tone. Nadia Blaga¡¯s tense face relaxed. She simply nodded blankly. ¡°I¡¯m glad you understand.¡± Catalina clapped her hands with joy. Kwon Jiseok looked at her with utter disgust. ¡°What the hell do you think of your own bloodline?¡± ¡°You¡¯re really angry, huh? People of Hyukcheon truly value things like this. You could call it... strong family ties.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± Fury ignited Kwon Jiseok¡¯s fists. A chilling bloodlust surged toward Catalina Blaga. Despite receiving the lethal intent of Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline¡ªespecially from one of pure lineage¡ªCatalina merely smiled. ¡°Are you really going to fight me? You don¡¯t stand a chance.¡± Her aura shifted. In that instant, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s killing intent vanished completely. She hadn¡¯t summoned any magic or emitted any hostility. Simply by revealing her presence, Catalina Blaga had completely overwhelmed his momentum. ¡°I don¡¯t like getting physical... but none of you here are capable of threatening me.¡± Only then did Kwon Jiseok fully grasp the reality. The woman standing before him was of pure blood from the Blaga family¡ªthe eldest and most ancient elder. Not just himself, even if his entire team attacked, they wouldn¡¯t reach even the tip of the power Catalina Blaga had amassed. Unless it was someone like his older brother or Kwon Seonwoo, no one could deal with this woman. ¡°This crazy bitch, what nonsense is she spewing now?¡± Even so, Kwon Jiseok didn¡¯t back down. Instead, his killing intent only grew stronger. ¡°The Republic of Korea is Hyukcheon¡¯s territory. And you dare make threats after committing crimes?¡± Catalina tilted her head slightly. ¡°I¡¯m telling you¡ªyou¡¯ll die if you try.¡± ¡°So what?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Kwon Jiseok summoned his magic. And not just him¡ªhis entire team followed suit. ¡°...¡± For once, Catalina Blaga was at a loss for words. ¡°...Ah, I forgot. This is Hyukcheon, after all.¡± Fools who lived solely by their pride. Idiots who¡¯d charge in to avenge any fallen kin, dragging the entire family into a blood feud. But they had the skills to back it up¡ªmonsters feared by all. ¡°Hmm, but I can¡¯t exactly kill you all.¡± ¡°Then shut up and die quietly.¡± ¡°Could you wait a moment?¡± Suddenly, Catalina Blaga pulled out her smartphone and made a call. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s me. The plan¡¯s gone a bit sideways. Things turned out like this. You¡¯re asking why I didn¡¯t stick to what we agreed on? It just... happened.¡± Kwon Jiseok frowned. What the hell is this woman doing? ¡°Please tell your brother on my behalf. You don¡¯t want this to escalate either, right?¡± Catalina ended the call. Moments later, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s phone rang. ¡°What are you doing? Pick up.¡± He checked the caller ID. ¡ªHyung¡ª The moment he saw the name, his mind went blank. * * * Kwon Hanul withdrew his fist from the ground, then turned his head away, as if he¡¯d seen something he shouldn¡¯t have. ¡°Ugh.¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s condition was horrific. A gaping hole had torn through his abdomen, revealing everything inside. ¡°Should I take the body with me?¡± As Kwon Hanul pondered, Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°...What?¡± Startled, Kwon Hanul instinctively backed away from the corpse. Ruyn Aspadam didn¡¯t stop at twitching¡ªhe clenched his fist tightly. ¡°Ggh... grrrgh...¡± Slowly, Ruyn Aspadam stood up. The movement was grotesque, like a puppet being pulled up by strings. ¡°Grgh... grrraah...¡± He groaned. Kwon Hanul finally managed to speak. ¡°...How are you alive?¡± Hunters have extraordinary vitality, but this was beyond any limit. With his organs blown out and his spine ripped clean, survival should¡¯ve been impossible. ¡°Heh-heh, this is the grace of Lady Catalina Blaga.¡± The massive wound in his abdomen began to heal rapidly. His spine regenerated, and his organs and muscles filled back in. Kwon Hanul had seen something similar from Catalina Blaga before. ¡°...The power of an blood-bound.¡± Becoming an blood-bound granted various abilities. He¡¯d heard of it, but this was the first time he saw it firsthand. ¡°This is beyond imagination.¡± Catalina Blaga¡¯s regenerative powers were incredible, but Ruyn Aspadam was no slouch either. To recover from a fatal wound in an instant¡ªthis was beyond normal. ¡°Ahh, I feel no more pain.¡± Ruyn Aspadam smiled in satisfaction. ¡°What a pity. You missed your chance to kill me.¡± He released his magic, which morphed into a vivid blue electrical force. The crackling energy scraped against trees and the ground, making a cacophony of noise. ¡°You said you wanted to see my Thunder Fist?¡± Electric force surged around Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s body, bursting forth with every move he made. The secret technique of the Thunder Fist user finally came into view. ¡°Thunder is not only swift¡ªit splits into thousands, tens of thousands of paths.¡± The electrical force swirling around his body grew even fiercer. ¡°Thus, the Thunder Fist is speed, transformation, and adaptation.¡± Lightning concentrated in Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s hands and feet. A shiver, as if his spine had been yanked out, ran up Kwon Hanul¡¯s back. Thunderclap Fist of Heaven ¨C Triple Thunder One Fist, Hundred Changes Hundreds of strikes rained down on Kwon Hanul¡¯s entire body. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 48 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 48: Forced Subjugation (3) A blackened road had been carved through the forest. Trees were charred pitch-black, and the ground scorched dark. The trail of destruction stretched far and wide, resembling a road more than mere devastation. At the end of that road, a man stood alone. ¡°Hoo...¡± The man, Ruyn Aspadam, dusted off his hands and stared straight ahead. There, Kwon Hanul lay in a broken heap. The armor he wore was in tatters. His muscles and bones had been crushed to pulp. It was the natural outcome. It was an overwhelming victory, by any measure, for Ruyn Aspadam. Yet, a hint of displeasure lingered on Ruyn¡¯s face. As though something didn¡¯t sit right. ¡°...The body is still intact.¡± Ruyn hadn¡¯t attacked with the intent to merely kill Kwon Hanul. He¡¯d intended to rip his body to shreds¡ªleave nothing recognizable. And yet, Hanul¡¯s form remained human. Why? Ruyn glanced at Hanul¡¯s armor. True, the armor had been sturdy¡ªit had endured several of Ruyn¡¯s attacks. In exchange, it was now utterly ruined, unsalvageable from this day forward. ¡°...¡± Ruyn shook his head. The armor had done its part. But during the assault, Hanul had evaded several strikes¡ªprecisely the ones that would have been fatal. To dodge only the truly lethal blows amidst a storm of thousands? Instinct? Talent? No, it had been too precise¡ªtoo calculated. Ruyn abandoned the thought. He was the victor, after all. ¡°With this, Lady Catalina Blaga¡¯s favor will return to me.¡± Ruyn¡¯s face contorted in ecstasy, his body trembling at the mere thought. Then¡ª ¡°Urgh...¡± Kwon Hanul let out a low groan as he rose to his feet. Ruyn stared in shock. ¡°I don¡¯t get what¡¯s so great about that wicked woman for you to go this far.¡± Ruyn¡¯s body twitched visibly, his composure unraveling for all to see. ¡°...How are you still alive?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always been pretty healthy.¡± Ruyn couldn¡¯t see it, but before Hanul¡¯s eyes, several messages appeared: -Healthy Bloodline has detected anomalies in your body! -Stamina recovery temporarily increased by 200%! -Natural regeneration temporarily increased by 100%! -Endurance temporarily.... Healthy Bloodline had activated all its powers to heal Hanul¡¯s wrecked body. ¡°Your speed was terrifying. Truly worthy of the world¡¯s fastest martial art.¡± Thunderclap Heaven Fist: Three Heavens Fists rained down from all directions, like fighting dozens at once. Not only was it fast, but every blow carried tremendous force¡ªstrong enough to shred even the once-sturdy Aryongtae armor. ¡°You are indeed worthy of being chosen by Lady Catalina... Yes, you should be this formidable.¡± ¡°Still going on about that? Why don¡¯t you come to your senses?¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Ruyn roared in fury. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly imagine! The agony of losing Lady Catalina¡¯s favor! The mere thought twists my insides!¡± His eyes bloodshot, as if he would weep tears of blood. ¡°Her favor is mine! I will never surrender it!¡± ¡°I told you¡ªI don¡¯t need it.¡± Ruyn stomped the ground. In a flash of lightning, he vanished. In the blink of an eye, he was behind Hanul. ¡°This ends now!¡± He struck with a palm filled with Lightning Energy, aiming to sever Hanul¡¯s neck. At that instant, Hanul twisted his waist and smashed an elbow into Ruyn¡¯s face. ¡°Guh!¡± Unprepared, Ruyn took the full force of the unexpected blow and staggered back, confused. ¡®How did he hit me?¡¯ ¡°You bastard!¡± Ruyn vanished again, reappearing before Hanul. Left temple. Philtrum. Solar plexus. Three rapid strikes in a blink. So fast they seemed simultaneous. Yet¡ª Hanul casually blocked them with his forearm. ¡°...What?¡± Not stopping there, Hanul struck Ruyn¡¯s torso with an open palm. A dull thud, and blood burst from Ruyn¡¯s lips. ¡°Gah!¡± Clutching his abdomen, Ruyn retreated, his voice shaking. ¡°...How did you do that?¡± Once might be chance. Twice? Incomprehensible. He¡¯d not only blocked the second strike¡ªhe¡¯d counterattacked. ¡°Can you... see my movements?¡± ¡°Not quite.¡± Hanul coolly denied it. ¡°How would I see movements like yours?¡± Ruyn possessed S-Class Agility. Hanul could barely track Ruyn¡¯s natural movements, let alone when Ruyn used Thunderclap Heaven Fist. Not a chance. ¡°I just anticipated and responded.¡± ¡°...Anticipated?¡± Ruyn murmured, stunned. Did this man realize how absurd that sounded? Anyone can react if they see. But reading movements¡ªthat¡¯s different. It requires prediction. That means more than observation¡ªit demands analysis. One must understand the opponent¡¯s presence, habits, techniques... And Ruyn, with S-Class Agility and Thunderclap Heaven Fist? Predicting that was nearly divine. ¡°I¡¯m starting to get the hang of it now.¡± Hanul cracked his neck. A popping sound echoed. ¡°How best to use and maximize my abilities.¡± ¡°Abilities? You mean Black Dragon Bloodline?¡± ¡°That too.¡± That too? Ruyn couldn¡¯t grasp it. ¡°I thought Shura Bloodline was just about mastering weapons...¡± Not wrong. Ordinary Shura Bloodline grants mastery over all weapons once you learn even one. But Hanul possessed the True Shura Bloodline¡ªinfused with the soul of the Shura King. He could sense far more. ¡°That wasn¡¯t it. Its true power is seeing through martial arts itself.¡± When Ruyn used Thunderclap Fist, Hanul glimpsed the flow and structure of the technique. Not every detail¡ªbut enough to understand the general form. Still, Shura Bloodline only provided the data. Comprehending and utilizing it was thanks to Genius Bloodline. Without it, he couldn¡¯t have processed the information. Where Ruyn would move. How to respond. Genius Bloodline provided the answers. And he could apply them instantly thanks to Black Dragon Bloodline. All the knowledge and solutions would¡¯ve been useless otherwise. Even a technique practiced thousands of times is hard to execute in real combat. But Black Dragon Bloodline endowed Hanul with the instincts of a dragon, allowing him to apply the knowledge in real-time. Together, the three bloodlines allowed Hanul to avoid fatal blows amid a storm of strikes. The synergy of bloodlines. That power exceeded anything Hanul imagined. It was why he hadn¡¯t feared Ruyn Aspadam from the beginning. His bloodlines knew. With them, Ruyn was nothing. Then¡ª -Your understanding of Genius Bloodline and Shura Bloodline has greatly increased! -Genius Bloodline¡¯s abilities have been enhanced! -Brain capacity expanded! -All cognitive abilities increased! -Mental resilience greatly strengthened! Hanul¡¯s perception of the world broadened. It felt like invisible shackles had fallen away. -Shura Bloodline synchronization increased! -True Shura Bloodline: 8% ¡ú 20% -Partial seal on Shura King has been lifted! -You have acquired the Shura King''s power! -Ability unlocked: Three Realms, Six Paths ¨C Human Path. The Shura King, long dormant within, opened his eyes¡ªand roared in joy. Only 20%¡ªbut the change was tremendous, like a spark igniting a wildfire. ¡°It¡¯s time to end this.¡± Crack. Hanul bit his thumb, drawing a line of blood across the center of Aryongtae. A crimson glow spread, and a chilling aura radiated outward. -The Shura King awakens. -Physical abilities temporarily boosted: All stats +30%! -Resistances increased: All resistances reach 100! -Skill proficiency increased: Mastery over all weapons! -Three Realms, Six Paths ¨C Human Path activated! The Shura King revealed himself. As if protesting why he hadn¡¯t been summoned sooner, his aura exploded outward. ¡°...What is that?¡± Ruyn muttered. His voice low, but full of dread. ¡°What the hell is that!?¡± As Ruyn reeled in horror, the Shura King¡¯s power surged, staining the blue sky red. ¡°Tell me! What have you unleashed!?¡± Ruyn screamed. Every fiber of his being rejected it. That presence was too ominous, too malevolent. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t bother to answer. He merely gauged the balance of power between himself and Ruyn Aspadam. It wasn¡¯t enough. Not yet. And so, he summoned another force. -You are manifesting the Demonic Authority ¡®Monarch¡¯. -The winds obey your will. Wind surged violently around Kwon Hanul. It was the Authority of Wind he had once honed to confront the Mei Clan. ¡°This is more like it.¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s expression hardened. Then he spat out a bitter accusation. ¡°Little Dragon, are you trying to steal Lady Catalina Blaga¡¯s favor from me by any means necessary?¡± ¡°......¡± They say when someone¡¯s too dumbfounded, they¡¯re left speechless¡ªKwon Hanul found himself in exactly that position. ¡°...Ah, right. You¡¯ve lost your mind.¡± There was no point explaining anything to him; he wouldn¡¯t understand. Instead, Kwon Hanul chose to provoke him. ¡°Fine then. I¡¯ll kill you here and claim Catalina Blaga¡¯s favor for myself.¡± ¡°So you finally admit it! I won¡¯t let someone like you have Lady Catalina! I¡¯ll defeat you here and now!¡± Ruyn Aspadam unleashed his mana to the limit. Blue thunderous energy coiled around him¡ªso bright it almost blinded the eyes. ¡°That¡¯s it. Let¡¯s see everything you¡¯ve got.¡± The two charged at each other simultaneously. They moved at the same time, but it was Ruyn Aspadam who struck first. With a flash of blue lightning, he dashed forward and drove a punch straight into Kwon Hanul¡¯s solar plexus. At that moment, Kwon Hanul deflected Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s fist with the back of his hand, then struck his ribs with a counterpunch. ¡°Guh!¡± Ruyn Aspadam clenched his teeth and launched both fists in a fierce cross blow. Kwon Hanul, as if expecting it, slammed down both of Ruyn¡¯s fists with his own. Then, he surged forward, ramming his knee into Ruyn¡¯s midsection. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s face twisted in pain once again. An involuntary curse slipped out. ¡°Damn it!¡± Ruyn Aspadam was definitely faster. He was always landing the first hit, proof of his superior speed. But Kwon Hanul read every move and countered them all¡ªhe couldn¡¯t gain the upper hand. ¡°You insolent bastard!¡± Ruyn Aspadam seethed with rage. It was already humiliating to go all out against a Hunter who hadn¡¯t even reached S-rank stats. But to be losing? ¡°Now I¡¯ll get serious! I haven¡¯t even shown you all my techniques yet!¡± Lightning surged over both his hands. Thunderstorm Heavenfist ¨C Third Sky Hundredfold Hands Kwon Hanul responded instantly. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Victory Strike Style: Speed Fist Dozens of fists flew at Kwon Hanul without pause, but he countered every one. The Speed Fist was a martial art that accelerated with each use. And the more he blocked the Hundredfold Hands, the faster they became. ¡°Not a chance!¡± Ruyn Aspadam ramped up his speed. Dozens of strikes multiplied into hundreds. The Hundredfold Hands outpaced even the accelerated Speed Fist. It didn¡¯t matter if you could read your opponent¡¯s movements¡ªif you couldn¡¯t block them, it was meaningless. Eventually, Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s barrage hammered Kwon Hanul all over. ¡°Urgh!¡± Yet the one who suffered damage... was Ruyn Aspadam. The crimson energy condensed in Kwon Hanul¡¯s Black Dragon Physique was so ferocious that it damaged Ruyn¡¯s fists upon impact. Still, he couldn¡¯t afford to give up the advantage because of pain. ¡°Graaaaagh!¡± Ruyn Aspadam gritted his teeth and pounded Kwon Hanul¡¯s body relentlessly. His fists shattered and broke, but he endured by tapping into the regenerative power of his Vassal bond. ¡°For Lady Catalina!¡± Right after shouting, Ruyn Aspadam was sent flying. ¡°Guh!¡± He scrambled to his feet¡ªbut something was wrong. ¡°...What the hell.¡± His arms. They were gone. ¡°...What did you do to me this time?!¡± He shouted in fury, but Kwon Hanul simply twitched a finger. ¡°Why don¡¯t you figure it out for yourself?¡± Ruyn Aspadam growled. He pushed his Vassal¡¯s regeneration to its limits. His lost arms regrew in an instant. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll test it myself!¡± Lightning flared. Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s form split into multiple copies. Thunderstorm Heavenfist ¨C Third Sky Thunderclap Earth Azure All the clones charged at Kwon Hanul, attacking from every angle with unpredictable movements. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t flinch. He lowered his hands and stood still. ¡°You insane fool!¡± Not that Ruyn had any intention of holding back. At that moment, the crimson energy of the Shura King¡¯s Power surged from Kwon Hanul¡¯s Black Dragon Physique. Wherever Ruyn struck, red energy gathered. The moment his fists touched it¡ªan explosion erupted, obliterating his hands. ¡°Gah, gahhh!¡± Ruyn Aspadam staggered back, clutching his vanished wrists. Three Realms, Six Paths ¨C Human Path. Kwon Hanul finally spoke. ¡°It¡¯s an Authority that automatically defends against attacks I can¡¯t detect.¡± An auto-defense system, essentially. And powerful enough to block all of Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s strikes¡ªand even rebound the damage. It had a major drawback: he couldn¡¯t manifest aura while using it. But it was worth the tradeoff. Thanks to it, he could stand toe to toe with Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°You bastard! You think I¡¯ll give up?!¡± Ruyn Aspadam roared. ¡°I won¡¯t sit idly anymore! I¡¯ll risk everything to protect Lady Catalina¡¯s favor!¡± Boom! At first, Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t understand what that sound was. Boom! Boom! Then he realized. It was Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s heartbeat. His heart pounded wildly. Blood rushed through his veins, and his skin flushed crimson. His body wasn¡¯t the only thing that changed. The lightning energy within him transformed, becoming volatile, as if about to explode. Like a water balloon filled beyond capacity. ¡°A Vassal can borrow part of their master¡¯s power¡ªthe more affection they receive, the more they draw.¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s voice had turned from smooth to rough, almost metallic. ¡°In House Blaga, we call this Adus.¡± He slammed the ground. Leapt sky-high, then crashed both fists down. Lightning burst¡ªand the surrounding terrain was obliterated. A terrifying power, even without using a skill. ¡°This is Lady Catalina¡¯s love! The fruit of her affection!¡± Even after unleashing such force, Ruyn Aspadam didn¡¯t look fatigued. He conjured even more lightning and charged again. ¡°It¡¯s not just strength! I have Lady Catalina¡¯s experience and talent with me now!¡± He grasped at the air. Lightning compressed, elongating into a spear. He hurled it with all his might at Kwon Hanul. Thunderstorm Heavenfist ¨C Second Sky Lightning Spear The lightning spear flew¡ªbut not at Kwon Hanul. It struck slightly to the side. Then the lightning detonated. Kwon Hanul shielded himself with Dragon Aura. Even without a direct hit, the shockwave shook his body. The sheer force was monstrous. ¡°HAHAHA! This is the power of Thunderstorm Heavenfist Second Sky! My master said I could never use it¡ªbut look! With Lady Catalina, I can do anything!¡± Ruyn Aspadam laughed madly, eyes locked on Kwon Hanul. ¡°With Lady Catalina beside me, trash like you doesn¡¯t stand a chance!¡± Annoying as his words were, there was no denying the truth. His physical and magical prowess had surged. His skills had grown more lethal. Against someone like Ruyn Aspadam, who overwhelmed with raw destruction, even bloodline combinations couldn¡¯t win. ¡°Little Dragon! Don¡¯t you dare run!¡± But Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t panic. Calmly, he evaded the attacks, waiting for the right moment. ¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ awakens! A message popped up. A smile tugged at Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips. ¡°Took you long enough to wake up, you lazy thing.¡± True Black Dragon Bloodline Synchronization Rate: 26% ¡ú 27% The fastest way to increase Synchronization was to battle a powerful foe. Synchronization Rate: 28% ¡ú 29% The Black Dragon Bloodline now recognized Ruyn Aspadam as a dangerous enemy. Synchronization Rate: 29% ¡ú 30% Upon reaching 30%, everything changed. Black Dragon Bloodline Synchronization has reached 30%! The third Authority ¡®Dragon Eye of Providence¡¯ is now unlocked! [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 49 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 49: The Final Authority (1) Ruyn Aspadam didn¡¯t have much time left. Adus was not a power meant for prolonged use. The longer it was sustained, the greater the toll it took on his body. He had to kill Kwon Hanul as quickly as possible. Otherwise, there was no future for him. ¡°Little Dragon!¡± The problem was that Kwon Hanul refused to be pushed back. No matter how hard Ruyn pressed the assault, Kwon Hanul never allowed a decisive blow. He either blocked or dodged every strike. The greatest obstacle was the ominous power imbued in Kwon Hanul¡¯s armor. That power repeatedly neutralized Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s attacks. ¡°You... of all people!¡± But Ruyn Aspadam could no longer afford to retreat. For Lady Catalina. To be loved by her once more. To feel that burning passion again. ¡°I will make it happen!¡± Then, amidst the crumbling debris and flashing lightning, Ruyn Aspadam saw it. Deep within Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes¡ªhis irises had begun to glow with a violet hue. Ruyn Aspadam immediately recognized that gaze. Dragon¡¯s Eye¡ª The Eye of Darkness and Light True to its name¡ªan eye that illuminates the darkness¡ª could see through all things. It granted X-ray vision, expanded and enhanced visual range, and improved dynamic sight, among other abilities. It was undoubtedly a powerful authority, but Ruyn Aspadam didn¡¯t feel threatened. ¡°With Lady Catalina¡¯s blessing upon me, that Eye won¡¯t amount to anything!¡± His rampaging assault wouldn¡¯t be hindered by some eye. Or so he thought. Suddenly, Kwon Hanul¡¯s forehead split vertically and opened wide. Within it was another eye. Jet-black sclera, a golden pupil, and a slit iris like that of a reptile. ¡°A... third eye?¡± The Dragon¡¯s Eye was one of the three core powers of the Black Dragon Bloodline, along with Dragon Combat Technique and Black Scale Armor. It was thus the most well-known. However, none of the rumors or known information about the Eye of Darkness and Light mentioned a third eye. That golden eye stared directly at Ruyn Aspadam. The moment it met his gaze, a chill ran down his spine. Dread whipped through him. Ruyn condensed lightning power in his hands and lashed out at Kwon Hanul. Lightning Fist of Roaring Heaven ¨C Level Two Thunder Tiger Fang Ruyn swung all ten fingers through the air. The ten streams of lightning formed fangs that descended upon Kwon Hanul from above. But then¡ªthey simply scattered. They weren¡¯t blocked or countered. They vanished, like cotton candy dissolving in water. ¡°...!¡± Could the Eye really do that? No¡ªeven aside from the Eye, Ruyn had never seen or heard of anything like this. Another chill ran through him. Reading S-class agility, a cursed power over the armor¡ªand now, an ability that defied common sense. He no longer had the energy to shout what the hell is that. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet! I haven¡¯t shown the true magnitude of Lady Catalina¡¯s grace!¡± Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s body was consumed by lightning. His movements grew several times faster. Lightning Fist of Roaring Heaven ¨C Level Two Flashstep Body He charged Kwon Hanul at supersonic speed, zigzagging around him, enclosing him in a dome of lightning. It was as if Kwon Hanul had been trapped in a cage of lightning. Ruyn never stopped moving, constantly searching for an opening. And then he noticed. Kwon Hanul¡¯s body was still, but the third eye on his forehead moved rapidly, tracking Ruyn¡¯s every motion precisely. A third wave of chills¡ªno, terror¡ªspread through him. Ruyn clenched his teeth. He vanished, reappearing high in the sky, drawing up all his lightning power into one leg. Lightning Fist of Roaring Heaven ¨C Level Two Falling Thunder ¡°HRAAAAARGH!¡± With all his might, he stomped down. A massive lightning bolt struck Kwon Hanul¡¯s position. Not once, but continuously¡ªas if a lightning pillar had connected heaven and earth. At the center of it stood Kwon Hanul. The lightning didn¡¯t touch him. It avoided him completely, forming a circular space around where he stood. Ruyn Aspadam could only gape in speechless disbelief. ¡°They say the Dragon¡¯s Eye can see through the laws of heaven and earth.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke. Ruyn, as if entranced, could only listen. ¡°You can¡¯t even begin to guess what this eye sees.¡± And he was right. Ruyn couldn¡¯t even comprehend what was happening. ¡°Using that Adus power was fine and all, but what happens when you wield an unfamiliar skill recklessly? Something like this...¡± Kwon Hanul raised his hand. The falling lightning vanished instantly. ¡°You get countered by me.¡± Power returned to Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s dazed eyes. Countered? Did he just say countered? This technique, granted by Lady Catalina¡¯s blessing, was countered? A technique his master had spent a lifetime developing¡ªcountered? ¡°You insolent bastard! I¡¯ll make sure you never speak such nonsense again!¡± His body was nearing its limit, but it didn¡¯t matter. Even if it cost him his life, he had to repay this humiliation. Ruyn clenched his fist, lightning engulfing his arm. It spread from his hand to his elbow, then his shoulder¡ªglowing a fierce electric blue. ¡°Oh?¡± For the first time, Kwon Hanul seemed impressed. ¡°That I won¡¯t be able to interfere with.¡± Kwon Hanul summoned his mana. Black aura enveloped him. Ruyn¡¯s lips curled. To block that with mere Dragon Combat Aura? ¡°...What is this?¡± He thought he could no longer be surprised¡ªbut when Kwon Hanul¡¯s aura blanketed the entire ground, he was stunned. ¡°How can anyone handle that much mana...?¡± Humans can only control a limited amount of mana at once. Even if someone has a pool of 100 mana, they might only control 20 at a time¡ªlike a car capable of 200 km/h, but most can¡¯t handle that speed. Yet Kwon Hanul¡¯s mana output clearly exceeded all logic. He released all 100¡ªand controlled it flawlessly. ¡°You made the first move.¡± Ruyn grit his teeth. ¡°Then I won¡¯t hold back!¡± He grounded his feet and unleashed all his lightning at once. Lightning Fist of Roaring Heaven ¨C Level Two Lightning Split Earth A vivid bolt of lightning cleaved the earth in two. Before it struck, Kwon Hanul cupped his hands before his chest, palms slightly apart. Within that space, Dragon Demon Aura gathered and began to spin violently. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Flowing Sand¨C Wind Sever He unleashed it. A massive black circular blade shot forward. The black blade collided with the lightning¡ªit didn¡¯t just clash; it split it apart. Wind Sever obliterated Lightning Split Earth, then sliced through Ruyn Aspadam himself before vanishing. ¡°...Huh?¡± A red line split Ruyn from head to groin. He clutched his head with both hands, but couldn¡¯t stop the blood from pouring out. ¡°L-Lady Catalina...¡± Those were his final words. With that, Ruyn¡¯s body fell, split in two. Kwon Hanul stood, watching the corpse. Only after confirming Ruyn was truly dead did he collapse to the ground. ¡°Damn, that was rough.¡± As he relaxed, the Shura King vanished. The third eye closed. Exhaustion crashed over him. He had pushed through sheer will¡ªbut he had long since reached his limit. ¡°Cough.¡± It wasn¡¯t just exhaustion¡ªblood poured from his mouth. Just using multiple bloodlines and authorities had caused internal injuries. ¡°Combining bloodlines is great... but it¡¯s too much of a burden.¡± It felt like his lifespan was being shaved in real time. Especially after surpassing the limit with Dragon Eye. Dragon Eye ¡ª the third authority of the Black Dragon Bloodline. It allowed him to see and interfere with the laws governing everything visible. That¡¯s why Ruyn¡¯s skills vanished around him. And why Kwon Hanul could control mana beyond normal limits. ¡°I need to find a way to compensate...¡± Kwon Hanul struggled to his feet, preparing to leave. Then, something sparkled beside Ruyn¡¯s corpse. He approached. A diamond-shaped crystal lay on the ground. ¡°An interdimensional space gem?¡± When someone with an interdimensional space skill dies, their space becomes crystallized like this. With this gem, one can access the dead person¡¯s space¡ªthough only to retrieve, not store. ¡°Looks like Ruyn¡¯s personal storage.¡± Kwon Hanul examined the gem, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. A man like Ruyn must¡¯ve had incredible treasures. He pocketed the gem. Then, he sensed someone approaching. Turning, he saw Joo Hayun. ¡°Hayun!¡± He waved, relieved¡ªbut her expression was grim. A bad feeling crept over him. ¡°...How long have you been here?¡± ¡°I came in when you used Shura Energy.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s face froze. He hadn¡¯t imagined being exposed like this. ¡°Hayun, that is...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t try to lie to me.¡± At her cold words, Kwon Hanul shut his mouth. ¡°I rushed in to help you¡ªbut you didn¡¯t need help, so I watched. I never expected to see that...¡± Joo Hayun sighed deeply. ¡°You seem exhausted. I won¡¯t ask more now. But later¡ªyou must explain.¡± She didn¡¯t even glance at Ruyn¡¯s corpse. She helped Kwon Hanul out of the dungeon. Supported by her, Kwon Hanul finally felt some relief. He had no idea how to explain the Shura Bloodline, but with Joo Hayun at his side, he could finally rest. But his relief was short-lived. ¡°...You¡¯re back.¡± Outside the dungeon, Kwon Jiseok greeted him gruffly. Next to him stood a face Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t want to see. ¡°Little Dragon! You¡¯re safe! Thank goodness!¡± Catalina Blaga greeted him with a radiant smile. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 50 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 50: The Final Authority (2) ¡°I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re safe!¡± As soon as she saw Kwon Hanul, Catalina Blaga¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry about what happened. I thought I might lose the bet, so I sent one of our blood kin to assist Ruyn... I never imagined that would cause him to go mad.¡± Tears welled up in Catalina Blaga¡¯s eyes. ¡°If anything had happened to Little Dragon, I... I...!¡± Eventually, tears streamed down her cheeks. It was a heart-wrenching sight, proving the adage that a woman¡¯s tears are a weapon. Yet Kwon Hanul merely stared at her coldly. ¡°Good thing the Witch of Hyukcheon arrived just in time. You held out well against Ruyn all that while.¡± At those words, Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun exchanged glances, both visibly confused by what they¡¯d just heard. Sensing the sudden tension, Catalina Blaga looked momentarily flustered. ¡°Lady Blaga, when I entered the scene, Ruyn Aspadam was already dead,¡± Joo Hayun said. Shock spread across Catalina¡¯s face. ¡°Already dead? Then don¡¯t tell me Little Dragon... handled him alone?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct.¡± Catalina¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She could only stare at Kwon Hanul, speechless. ¡°If you think you can sweep this incident under the rug with a simple apology, I suggest you think again,¡± Kwon Hanul said, his voice so sharp it seemed to carry the weight of killing intent. Nadia Blaga, the pure-blooded kin they had encountered in the dungeon, had told Kwon Hanul she had no intention of harming him and that her only order had been to ensure his victory in the bet. A pure-blood like her had no reason to lie to a true-blood like Hanul. Still, he found it hard to take her words at face value. How could someone of Catalina Blaga¡¯s stature not anticipate her kin spiraling out of control? Even if she hadn''t foreseen it, the fact remains¡ªthe Blaga family¡¯s blood kin tried to kill a member of the Hyukcheon family. ¡°I will be filing a formal protest with the Blaga family over this matter.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too worked up, man.¡± Suddenly, Kwon Jiseok cut in. ¡°While you were in the dungeon, I had a chat with Lady Blaga. This whole incident was an accident for her, too. One of their blood kin also got killed by Ruyn Aspadam.¡± ¡°What are you even saying...?¡± ¡°Look, one kin went berserk. Dragging the entire family into it feels like overkill.¡± Kwon Hanul stared at Jiseok in disbelief. ¡°A member of another family caused chaos in Hyukcheon territory.¡± ¡°I know, I know. But this is my operational zone.¡± Jiseok shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re not letting it go for free. She¡¯s agreed to pay reparations.¡± With that, Hanul couldn¡¯t argue any further. Jiseok was in charge here. ¡°As expected of you, Jiseok. Thank you for understanding my situation,¡± Catalina said, smoothly stepping back into the conversation. At that moment, a flicker of hostility passed through Jiseok¡¯s eyes¡ªbut vanished just as quickly. Hanul almost doubted his own eyes. He thought Jiseok had lost it, charmed by Catalina, but that wasn¡¯t it. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll take my leave. Oh, and Little Dragon¡ª¡± Catalina Blaga approached Hanul. ¡°Separate from the compensation to the Hyukcheon family, I¡¯ll be sending you a personal gift as an apology.¡± Her gaze lowered, subtly scanning Hanul¡¯s body. ¡°You seem to be in need of new clothes, after all.¡± At that, Hanul looked down at himself. His Aryongtae was in tatters, crushed and mangled. The scales of a lesser dragon weren¡¯t nearly enough to fend off Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s attacks. ¡°You can look forward to it,¡± she added, brushing past him. Before she could fully turn away, Hanul asked, ¡°Is Nadia Blaga safe?¡± ¡°Oh, she¡¯s perfectly fine¡ªnot a scratch on her. Thank you for saving her.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t say anything?¡± ¡°Nothing at all. Why do you ask?¡± Hanul shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Looking puzzled, Catalina boarded her car. Once she was gone, Hanul turned to Jiseok. ¡°We need to talk.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d love to, but I gotta clean up the dungeon mess first. After that chaos, even the Mud Trolls should¡¯ve snapped out of it. If I find any White Soil, I¡¯ll make sure it gets to you. Don¡¯t worry.¡± With that, Jiseok hurriedly fled. Hanul clicked his tongue. Everything left a bitter taste in his mouth. * * * As soon as Jiseok stepped into his private tent, his phone rang. He quickly answered. ¡°Hyung?¡± ¡ªYes, it¡¯s me. Did you handle everything as I instructed? ¡°I did.¡± ¡ªWell done. Despite the praise, Jiseok looked anything but pleased. ¡ªI was worried that woman might get other ideas, but things went as expected. Thanks to you, everything worked out. Jiseok clenched his fist, voice rising with anger. ¡°Hyung, what the hell are you thinking?!¡± ¡ªWhat do you mean by ¡®hell¡¯? ¡°You brought in Catalina Blaga to hand over Kwon Hanul to the Blaga family? That¡¯s insane! This can¡¯t happen!¡± ¡ªWhy not? ¡°How can you ask that?! That bastard... Hanul might be a pain, but he¡¯s our family! How can you even consider giving him to outsiders?!¡± ¡ªSo? Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s voice remained calm and even. ¡ªIs that all you have to say? Jiseok was at a loss for words. ¡ªHanul is too dangerous. We need to root him out early. But he¡¯s protected by the Chairman, so we can¡¯t touch him easily. That¡¯s why I allied with Catalina Blaga. Chan-seong¡¯s tone was unnervingly composed. Jiseok had never felt his brother so unfamiliar. ¡ªDon¡¯t forget, he¡¯s a true-blood. He¡¯s overlooked now because of his origins, but one day, he¡¯ll surpass everyone in the family. Jiseok listened in silence. ¡ªBy then, it¡¯ll be too late. Everyone will look up to him. Even Father¡¯s position could be threatened. ¡°So you¡¯re just going to hand him over to another family? That makes no sense! As Hyukcheon blood, we should be trying to surpass him ourselves!¡± ¡ªNonsense. For the first time, Chan-seong¡¯s voice turned sharp. ¡ªLook at the mixed-bloods and inferior-bloods. No matter how strong they are, they¡¯ve never surpassed the pure-bloods. Do you think we¡¯re any different? ¡°But this... this isn¡¯t right. Hyung, this is truly wrong.¡± ¡ªThen what? Are you saying you¡¯ll accept it? If he surpasses you and proves himself, will you acknowledge him and step aside? A long silence followed. Finally, Jiseok answered. ¡°I will.¡± ¡ªWhat did you just say? ¡°I said, if Hanul reaches that point, I¡¯ll acknowledge him.¡± ¡ªPathetic. Do you know why Father cast you aside? Because of this! Chan-seong roared. ¡ªI don¡¯t care what you think! Just don¡¯t interfere with my plans! The call ended. Jiseok lowered the phone, drained of strength. He let out a deep sigh. * * * Catalina Blaga climbed into her van. The interior was lavish, decorated entirely in red, exactly to her tastes. ¡°You¡¯re here,¡± Inside, Nadia Blaga was already seated. Catalina took a seat beside her. ¡°K, are you there?¡± ¡ªYes, ma¡¯am. A disembodied voice answered from the air. ¡°Use as much of the main house¡¯s resources as you need. Make sure the Hyukcheon family doesn¡¯t hold any grudges.¡± ¡ªUnderstood. ¡°I can always count on you.¡± ¡ªYou flatter me. Catalina smiled faintly. ¡°You seem curious. Go ahead, ask. I¡¯m in a very good mood right now.¡± ¡ªWhy didn¡¯t you act according to your agreement with Kwon Chan-seong? Originally, Catalina had agreed with Chan-seong to kidnap Hanul today. That was the condition of their cooperation. Yet once she arrived, she deviated from the plan. ¡°I didn¡¯t trust him.¡± Catalina Blaga spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We don¡¯t really know the guy that well¡ªhow could we just trust him right away?" K nodded. His master might appear careless at times, but she was meticulous about matters like this. "Chances are, Kwon Chan-seong doesn¡¯t fully trust me either." Catalina yawned briefly, then continued. "I¡¯m satisfied just knowing I can trust Kwon Chan-seong a little more now. He probably feels the same." ¡ªUnderstood. May I ask one more question? "Go ahead." ¡ªThen why did you use Ruyn Aspadam as the sacrifice? In K¡¯s eyes, Ruyn Aspadam was an exceptional talent¡ªfar too valuable to be used merely as a test for evaluating Kwon Hanul''s capabilities. "You rate Ruyn very highly, don¡¯t you, K?" ¡ªThat¡¯s how I saw it. "Well, I didn¡¯t." Catalina cut him off coldly. "Ruyn¡¯s growth plateaued after we took him from Thunder Lord There was nothing more to expect from him." For Catalina Blaga, potential for growth was the most critical factor when selecting her Vassals. If a Vassal reached the level she anticipated, they¡¯d be elevated to Shadow Knights¡ªa higher rank. If not, they¡¯d be discarded without hesitation. ¡ªThen were you satisfied with Kwon Hanul? A smile spread across Catalina¡¯s face. The kind of smile that only came when she was truly overjoyed¡ªutterly unable to contain her delight. "More than I expected... no, he was beyond all expectations." ¡ªThat much? "I planned to judge the Little Dragon¡¯s potential based on how intact he¡¯d be by the time Joo Hayun arrived." As someone known as the Human Collector, Catalina had her own unique standards for evaluating people. From K¡¯s experience, her criteria were always spot-on. "If he survived, he¡¯d pass. If he came out with all limbs intact, he¡¯d be top-tier... and the Little Dragon? What did he do?" ¡ªHe... defeated Ruyn. "Yes! He won! I don¡¯t know how, but... he won! He really, truly won!" Catalina stomped her foot excitedly on the ground, as if she were about to burst from sheer exhilaration. "I¡¯ve never met anyone like the Little Dragon! Out of all the talents I¡¯ve seen... no, out of all the people I¡¯ve met¡ªhe¡¯s the best!" She clutched her face with both hands, her eyes swirling with madness. "I have to have him. No matter what. If I have to sacrifice the entire Blaga family to do it, so be it." Suddenly, K felt a strange sense of unease. It wasn¡¯t unusual for Catalina Blaga to get excited over someone with potential. But something about her demeanor now felt... off. Almost as if she were possessed. "Oh, Nadia?" Catalina turned to her side. Sitting there silently, barely breathing, was Nadia Blaga. "What really happened in that dungeon? You told me everything, right?" Nadia swallowed hard, her face tense. "Y-Yes... I was definitely hiding, but... Kwon Hanul¡ªno, Kwon Hanul found me." "Even though you used an artifact, you still got caught?" "Y-Yes!" Catalina scrutinized Nadia with suspicion, who shrank back in fear. "Well, he did kill Ruyn. No reason he couldn¡¯t find you too." Fortunately, Catalina didn¡¯t press her further. "Besides, I know Nadia wouldn¡¯t lie to me." Those who bear the Blood of the Vassal cannot disobey the commands of their superior bloodline. Though both Catalina and Nadia were of the same Vassal bloodline, the gap in dominance between them was vast. Nadia clenched the hem of her robe tightly, Kwon Hanul¡¯s face flashing in her mind. * * * Back at the hotel, Kwon Hanul had to explain what had happened in the dungeon. "So... you¡¯re saying that skill you used came from the Mei family¡¯s warehouse?" Joo Hayun¡¯s expression was skeptical as she listened to his explanation. "Yeah, there was this suspicious statue¡ªI touched it, and suddenly I acquired the skill." "Then why didn¡¯t you tell me about it?" "Remember what you said? The chairman sent me to find a potion that boosts stats, and I was afraid I¡¯d get interrogated for finding something else. Then I missed the chance to say anything, and it ended up being an unintentional secret." He emphasized the words ¡°unintentional secret.¡± Joo Hayun still looked unconvinced. "...Please just tell me next time." But it seemed she decided to trust him anyway. "At the very least, tell me. It could be dangerous." "Didn¡¯t seem dangerous, so I didn¡¯t think it was worth mentioning." "You may not know this... but just like there are cursed artifacts that steal their owner¡¯s life, there are cursed skills too. And once acquired, you can¡¯t erase them. That makes them even more sinister." Only then did Kwon Hanul realize the real reason Joo Hayun was angry. She wasn¡¯t mad because he kept it from her¡ªshe was worried for his safety. "...I promise I¡¯ll tell you next time." "You¡¯d better." She gave him a faint smile. It seemed she wasn¡¯t angry anymore. "Oh, and I got this too." Kwon Hanul pulled out Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s dimensional storage gem. Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "That¡¯s Ruyn Aspadam¡¯s storage gem." "Yep. Mind helping me sort through it?" "Of course." He emptied the contents. Unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t much inside. "Potions for body enhancement. This one boosts agility, and this..." Her hand paused for a moment. "...This is a martial arts uniform." A yellow robe with a bird emblem¡ªneither a relic nor custom-made. Just an ordinary, powerless piece of clothing. "Why would he have this?" "Probably a gift from the Thunder Lord. He was known for crafting robes for his disciples." Joo Hayun carefully folded it and handed it to Kwon Hanul. "It¡¯s not valuable, but if you ever meet the Thunder Lord, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to return it. He was deeply devoted to his disciples." "...Wouldn¡¯t he want to kill me for killing his disciple?" Joo Hayun chuckled softly. "He¡¯d probably thank you¡ªfor putting a wayward disciple back on the right path." Kwon Hanul had never been led astray by her advice. He took the robe. It was clean¡ªlike it had just been washed. A question suddenly crossed his mind. Ruyn Aspadam had abandoned his master for Catalina Blaga. And yet... he still kept the robe his master had given him. "Well, not my business." "Sorry?" "Nothing." He resumed examining the rest of the items. Mostly junk. Then, something caught his eye¡ªa small stone tablet. "This is..." Memory Page¡ªa relic that stored skills. Thunderclap Heaven-Fist: Flash Step Rarity: Legendary (SS+) Description: A movement technique paired with Thunderclap Heaven-Fist. At its peak, allows movement at light speed. Skill Acquisition Condition 1: Must master Thunderclap Heaven-Fist: Two Heavens at 10 stars. Skill Acquisition Condition 2: Requires Lightning Power. Memory Pages vanish upon use. That it was still here meant Ruyn hadn¡¯t learned the skill yet. "Completely useless to me." It was undoubtedly an excellent technique¡ªbut the conditions were the issue. Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t learned Thunderclap Heaven-Fist and didn¡¯t have the Gift to alter his mana like Ruyn. He couldn¡¯t sell it either. If Thunder Lord found out, Kwon Hanul would be in serious trouble. "Guess I¡¯ll return this to Thunder Lord too." Then, a thought sparked in his mind. Shura Bloodline gave him talent in martial arts. Genius Bloodline expanded his cognitive ability and comprehension. With both, couldn¡¯t he deconstruct and recreate this skill? Kwon Hanul rubbed his chin, deep in thought. After a long pause, he reached a conclusion. "I can pull this off." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] : Chapter 51 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 51: Blaga¡¯s Gift (1) After returning to the Hyukcheon Clan, Kwon Hanul was bedridden for some time. The aftermath of using Vassal Bloodline multiple times was still not over. ¡°Great power comes at a cost.¡± It was something he¡¯d heard in a superhero movie long ago¡ªbut he never imagined he¡¯d experience it firsthand. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d pay for it with my body.¡± A few days later, once his body had recovered, he began researching Thunder Step. Normally, Memory Pages couldn¡¯t be used unless certain conditions were met. Fortunately, that problem was solved by Genius Bloodline. <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ interprets the Memory Page.> The Memory Page shattered, and he succeeded in acquiring Thunder Step. But acquiring it wasn¡¯t the end. He still had to analyze it and adapt it for his own use. Just imagining the work ahead made his mind reel. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, may I enter?¡± With a knock, Joo Hayun entered the room, carrying a box roughly the size of a basketball in her arms. ¡°This is White Soil sent by Lord Kwon Jiseok.¡± Exactly one week had passed since he returned to the Hyukcheon Clan. As promised, Kwon Jiseok delivered the gift. ¡°Now all that¡¯s left is to get the Golden Apple.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy. It requires immense dedication and care.¡± ¡°With S-rank stats within reach, that level of effort is worth it.¡± Grinning from ear to ear, Kwon Hanul opened the box. As its name suggested, it was filled with fine, pure white soil. ¡°Huh?¡± Curiously, a sheet of paper was placed atop the White Soil. -Use it well. This was unlike Kwon Jiseok. For him to go out of his way like this, there had to be a reason. Now that the White Soil was in hand, only one problem remained. ¡°Is Master Park Tae-sik still busy?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, it seems so.¡± He had hoped to repair Aryongtae for the next battle, but the master craftsman Park Tae-sik, its creator, kept replying that he was too busy. It wasn¡¯t hard to understand. Park Tae-sik was already renowned, and people inside and outside the clan constantly sought him out. ¡°Guess I¡¯ve no choice but to wait.¡± After a month of waiting, Kwon Hanul finally managed to schedule a meeting. When he arrived at Park Tae-sik¡¯s workshop¡ª ¡°Why won¡¯t you take my order?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not so free that I have time to make things for a brat like you.¡± ¡°Watch your mouth, Master Park. My patience has limits.¡± ¡°Brat. Your threats are just as pathetic as your skills.¡± Kwon Hanul arrived to see Park Tae-sik in a shouting match with another blood relative of the clan. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it. What¡¯s your problem with me?¡± ¡°You¡¯re beneath my standards. Go home and drink some more of your mama¡¯s milk.¡± ¡°...I told you to watch your mouth.¡± The man¡¯s face flushed red and blue. Though still restraining himself, he looked ready to explode. ¡°Watch my mouth? Screw off. You¡¯re not even worth dealing with.¡± The issue was that Master Park Tae-sik wasn¡¯t someone who knew how to ¡°watch his mouth.¡± Craftsmen were known for being eccentric, but Park Tae-sik was on another level. As the provocations continued, the blood relative¡¯s expression grew more and more dangerous. Kwon Hanul asked Joo Hayun, ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°That¡¯s Lord Kwon Maru. He¡¯s active in Southeast Asia.¡± ¡°Is he a big deal?¡± ¡°Absolutely. He¡¯s considered a key figure in the future of Hyukcheon. Already a big name in Southeast Asia.¡± Given his status, it made sense he was furious at being treated this way. Still, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t let things spiral. If Park Tae-sik were harmed, it would be a major problem. ¡°Ahem.¡± Kwon Hanul cleared his throat, and both men turned toward him. Upon seeing him, Park Tae-sik¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here? Come on in. You, get lost.¡± Waving his hand like swatting a fly, he dismissed Kwon Maru. Kwon Maru glared at Kwon Hanul. ¡°Who the hell are you to butt in?¡± ¡°I have an appointment with Master today.¡± ¡°I arrived first. Come back later.¡± Kwon Hanul began wondering how to de-escalate this peacefully. Then, one of Kwon Maru¡¯s companions whispered to him, ¡°Hyung, that man is Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°...What? That bastard¡¯s the son of the traitor?¡± Kwon Maru¡¯s eyes widened, while Kwon Hanul sighed inwardly. Being called the son of a traitor¡ªhe knew it meant trouble was brewing. ¡°You...¡± Sure enough, Kwon Maru¡¯s expression twisted menacingly. Kwon Hanul braced himself. If a fight broke out, he wouldn¡¯t back down. But then, Kwon Maru said something unexpected. ¡°If you have an appointment, then it can¡¯t be helped.¡± ¡°...?¡± Kwon Hanul was stunned. Why back down so easily? ¡°I¡¯ll leave for today. Tell the master I¡¯ll visit again.¡± Even his companions looked shocked. ¡°But hyung isn¡¯t this urgent for you? You arrived first...¡± ¡°Enough. I won¡¯t tolerate further noise.¡± Kwon Maru cut him off coldly. ¡°And that man is worthy of respect.¡± Kwon Hanul felt like he¡¯d been hit with a hammer. Respect¡ªa word he¡¯d never once heard in this clan. ¡°Ah, right.¡± After walking a few steps, Kwon Maru turned back. ¡°If you run into the European Branch members, be careful. They don¡¯t seem to think highly of you.¡± With that, Kwon Maru and his group left the workshop. Kwon Hanul looked after him, still surprised. ¡°That¡¯s a first.¡± ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve earned recognition. In Hyukcheon, power dictates everything.¡± It was unthinkable how far he¡¯d come since first arriving here. ¡°What are you doing? Aren¡¯t you coming in?¡± Park Tae-sik barked gruffly. Kwon Hanul quickly followed him inside. ¡°So, why are you here?¡± ¡°I sent someone to inform you. Didn¡¯t you hear?¡± ¡°I¡¯m busy. No time to care who¡¯s coming or what they want. Barely have time to remember it all.¡± That was Park Tae-sik, through and through. Kwon Hanul opened a spatial pocket and took out Aryongtae. The once-beautiful gray-scaled armor was now dented and riddled with holes. ¡°I came to ask for Aryongtae¡¯s repairs... Uwah!¡± Suddenly, a hammer came crashing down toward his head. Kwon Hanul barely dodged it. ¡°W-What are you doing?!¡± ¡°What am I doing? WHAT AM I DOOOING? You DARE ruin my masterpiece like this and ask what I¡¯m doing?!¡± Master Artisan Park Tae-sik was practically foaming at the mouth as he shouted, his rage so intense it seemed he had lost all sense of reason. His bloodshot eyes blazed with fury. ¡°Get over here right now! I¡¯m going to make you feel the pain my child suffered firsthand!¡± Brandishing his hammer, Park Tae-sik lunged at Kwon Hanul. Just then, two of his apprentices quickly grabbed him from either side. ¡°M-Master, p-please calm down!¡± ¡°Calm down? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll calm down just fine after I smash that brat¡¯s skull in!¡± ¡°N-No, you mustn¡¯t!¡± Only after quite some time did Park Tae-sik finally regain his composure, exhaling heavy breaths as he spoke. ¡°Right... weapons are made to be broken. It¡¯s their fate to die in place of their masters.¡± Kwon Hanul glanced at Park Tae-sik¡¯s hand. He was still gripping the hammer tightly. ¡°Who the hell did this to my child... no, to Aryongtae?¡± ¡°Someone named Ruyn Aspadam...¡± ¡°You let my child be destroyed by some third-rate nobody I¡¯ve never even heard of?!¡± ¡°He¡¯s a disciple of the Thunder Lord.¡± ¡°...Ah, I see. Well, then, that couldn¡¯t be helped.¡± Park Tae-sik lowered the hammer he had raised over his head. His reaction alone was proof of the Thunder Lord¡¯s incredible reputation. ¡°So, what do you want me to do about it?¡± ¡°Please repair it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not happening.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Without hesitation, Park Tae-sik brought his hammer down on Aryongtae. With a loud crack, the armor split clean in half. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? It¡¯s already dead. Even if I repair it, it won¡¯t perform like before.¡± Kwon Hanul looked down at Aryongtae with a bitter gaze. To him, the armor wasn¡¯t just equipment. It was the first legendary gear he had ever obtained¡ªand a comrade that had fought through countless deadly battles with him. In a way, it was also a memento from his father. ¡°I¡¯ll have to make you a new one. Honestly, this armor didn¡¯t really suit you anymore anyway.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t suit me?¡± ¡°I mean you¡¯ve outgrown it. You¡¯re too strong now for this armor.¡± Aryongtae had been forged from the scales of an Imoogi¡ªa serpentine monster of merely platinum rank. For someone like Kwon Hanul, who could easily slay diamond-ranked monsters, it was no longer fitting. ¡°You grew too fast, that¡¯s the problem. Any other bloodline would¡¯ve used that armor for years.¡± Park Tae-sik grumbled, clearly upset. Considering how much he¡¯d cherished Aryongtae, it was no surprise he was frustrated. ¡°Then, I¡¯d like to commission a new one...¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got the materials ready, then?¡± ¡°....¡± Kwon Hanul fell silent. He didn¡¯t. Just as Park Tae-sik pointed out, he didn¡¯t have the materials necessary to forge new armor. ¡°No need to worry about the materials. I¡¯ll prepare them.¡± At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke up. Her words stunned Park Tae-sik. ¡°...You? Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not doubting whether I¡¯m capable of that, are you?¡± Park Tae-sik stared blankly. ¡°Of course you¡¯re capable... but you, the stingy witch of Hyukcheon... spending your money... and on a man, no less... I¡¯ve lived too long...¡± Kwon Hanul grabbed Joo Hayun¡¯s hand. ¡°Hayun, you really don¡¯t have to go this far for me...¡± ¡°I understand your concern, but there¡¯s no need to worry. I can handle this much.¡± For a brief moment, it was as if Joo Hayun radiated light. Kwon Hanul was reminded again that she held a high position even within the Hyukcheon Group. ¡°I¡¯ll repay this debt as quickly as I can.¡± In response, Joo Hayun simply smiled without a word. ¡°Hate to break up the mood, but I¡¯m not making you any armor.¡± The abrupt statement made both of them look at Park Tae-sik. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°When did I say I¡¯d make it? I just asked if you had the materials.¡± He was right. All he¡¯d asked was whether the materials were prepared. ¡°I¡¯m busy as hell. I don¡¯t have time to make armor for the likes of you.¡± Park Tae-sik was firm. A moment of silence followed. Kwon Hanul tried to gauge what Park Tae-sik was really thinking. He claimed he was too busy, but it seemed like an excuse. ¡®Could he be under someone¡¯s influence?¡¯ Though Park Tae-sik didn¡¯t seem like someone who could be coerced or bribed, you never really know. While Kwon Hanul was deep in thought, Park Tae-sik¡¯s apprentices hurriedly interjected. ¡°Master! You can¡¯t say it like that!¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m just telling the truth.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve said there¡¯s no need to make new armor!¡± Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun looked at each other at the same time. ¡°...Now that you mention it, you¡¯re right. Yeah, there¡¯s no need to make armor for you.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something the Blaga family sent you.¡± The Blaga family? Kwon Hanul immediately thought of Catalina Blaga. If something had been sent from them, it could only have come from her. ¡°This is the first I¡¯m hearing of it.¡± ¡°Of course. Any equipment sent from outside has to be inspected by us first. Could be cursed, or have hidden effects that aren¡¯t exactly... beneficial.¡± Park Tae-sik pointed behind him. ¡°Good timing. The inspection¡¯s done. Go see for yourself.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 52 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 52: Blaga¡¯s Gift (2) The place Hanul Kwon arrived at, following Park Tae-sik , was the latter¡¯s personal workshop. Although it was his second visit, the scene hadn¡¯t changed much since the first. Tools were scattered all over, and various equipment hung on the walls. Each piece was extraordinary¡ªone could easily call them masterpieces. ¡°This place is always impressive, no matter how many times I see it.¡± ¡°No need for flattery. Anyway, the equipment you¡¯re here to see is...¡± Just then, a stack of hammers leaning against the desk came crashing down. Park Tae-sik scratched his head in annoyance. ¡°Ugh, hang on a minute. Let me tidy this up first.¡± While Park was organizing the mess, Hanul glanced around at the tools and equipment in the workshop. ¡°Huh?¡± His gaze stopped on something. There stood a headless mannequin. Hanul approached it, or rather, he focused on the clothes the mannequin was wearing. It was dressed in a black suit¡ªa classic style at a glance, unmistakably high-end. The jacket had wide lapels and sharply defined lines from the shoulders to the arms. A vivid red tie knotted at the center of a crisp white shirt gave off a commanding presence. The suit¡¯s three-button design cinched tightly at the waist. It looked like only someone confident in their physique could pull it off. ¡°Wow...¡± Hanul stared at the suit, momentarily entranced. He couldn¡¯t understand why he was so drawn to it. Out of all the impressive gear in the workshop, why was his attention caught by something as mundane as a suit? ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen you show any interest in a suit, Mr. Hanul.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Back before your debut, you were appalled at the idea of having to wear a suit out in public.¡± ¡°That was just because they¡¯re uncomfortable.¡± Hanul looked away awkwardly, but he kept glancing at the suit. ¡°Alright, finally done. I swear, this place never stays clean.¡± Park brushed his hands off and walked over. Hanul pointed to the suit and asked, ¡°Did you have this suit tailored recently? Seems a bit small for you, though.¡± ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I wear something like that?¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± Hanul gestured toward the suit again. Park suddenly burst into laughter. ¡°I was wondering what you were getting at. That¡¯s not mine¡ªit¡¯s yours!¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying you had this suit made for me?¡± ¡°Why do you always miss the point? That is the armor sent from the Blaga family!¡± At that, Hanul turned his gaze back to the suit, frowning in confusion. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± ¡°Do I look like I have time for jokes?¡± ¡°Then how exactly is a suit supposed to be armor?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s rare, so I suppose it¡¯s natural you wouldn¡¯t know. But Hayun, you should be able to recognize it, right?¡± Joo Hayun tilted her head in puzzlement. Then her eyes widened in realization. ¡°...Could it be a piece by the alchemical mage, Weber Heinkel?¡± ¡°Bingo.¡± Park nodded in affirmation. ¡°It¡¯s Weber Heinkel¡¯s handmade No. 34¡ªBlackriver. And, to my surprise, it¡¯s made from dragon hatchling blood.¡± Both Hanul and Hayun couldn¡¯t help but be stunned. In the world of dungeons and monsters, there are five standard danger rankings: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. But the types of monsters are countless. Some defy categorization¡ªcreatures so dangerous that standard ranks can¡¯t describe them. Hunters assigned these exceptional threats with a special rank: S-class. For example, the Eclipse monster that Kwon Chan-seong had previously slain was powerful enough to endanger the entire African continent. It was ranked as SSS-class. Dragon Hatchlings, on the other hand, are typically S-class, sometimes even SS-class depending on the individual. In other words, incredibly powerful. ¡°Are you serious? That suit is made from dragon hatchling blood?¡± Hanul had to ask again. Despite their danger, dragon hatchlings are highly valuable for their by-products. Many of the world¡¯s legendary weapons and armor are made from their hides and bones. ¡°I see the fire in your eyes now. Can¡¯t blame you¡ªdragon hatchlings are the pinnacle of draconic monsters.¡± Why is the hatchling considered the pinnacle and not the adult dragon? Simple¡ªthere have only ever been two recorded appearances of full-grown dragons in human history. Since then, for decades, only hatchlings have appeared. In today¡¯s world, they are essentially the strongest of their kind. ¡°The jacket was crafted from the hatchling¡¯s blood. The shirt, from its bones.¡± In short, the entire suit was made from the creature. Still, Hanul couldn¡¯t wrap his head around one thing. ¡°How do you make clothing out of blood and bone?¡± Blood is a liquid, bone a solid¡ªneither seems suitable for fabric. ¡°Weber Heinkel was a master of material-altering magic. That¡¯s why he was called an alchemical mage. For him, transforming blood and bone into fabric was child¡¯s play.¡± Which is likely why Park thought Hayun might recognize it¡ªshe was afterall a witch. ¡°What kind of abilities does it have, specifically?¡± ¡°Well, it has auto-repair and just by wearing it, it... Ugh, forget it. You¡¯ll find out yourself.¡± Park scowled as if chewing on bugs. Hanul cautiously asked, ¡°You don¡¯t seem to like it?¡± ¡°Of course I don¡¯t. This thing is the epitome of inefficiency! What kind of lunatic uses dragon hatchling materials to make a suit for armor?!¡± He exploded, as if waiting for an excuse to vent. ¡°He obsessed over aesthetics and completely failed to maximize the material¡¯s potential! If I had those resources, I¡¯d make something twice as powerful¡ªno, three times!¡± His rant didn¡¯t look like it would end anytime soon. Hanul found an opening and interjected. ¡°So, the performance is subpar?¡± ¡°...Not exactly.¡± Park¡¯s tone softened a little. ¡°The performance is... decent¡ªno, to be honest, it¡¯s exceptional. You won¡¯t find anything like it, even worldwide.¡± His expression clearly showed he hated to admit it. ¡°To put it bluntly, it¡¯s far too good for someone like you right now. Even world-ranking hunters would have no problem wearing it.¡± ¡°How much would it cost to buy?¡± ¡°You want to buy a Weber Heinkel piece? Don¡¯t be stupid. His works are more collectibles than gear. You couldn¡¯t get it for all the money in the world.¡± Park smoothed the sleeve of Blackriver, adding, ¡°For Catalina Blaga to send you something like this... It couldn¡¯t have been an easy decision. I can¡¯t say for sure, but I bet the Blaga family had to give up one of their foundation pieces for this.¡± Hanul recalled what Catalina Blaga had said. ¡°You won¡¯t be disappointed.¡± She hadn¡¯t been bluffing. ¡°Want to try it on?¡± As if entranced, Hanul nodded. ¡°There¡¯s no fitting room, so change behind that pillar.¡± Hanul carried the mannequin behind the pillar and started changing. He took off his own clothes and began donning Blackriver. But a small problem arose. ¡°...Ugh...¡± Unfamiliar with suits, Hanul couldn¡¯t get it to sit right. It had looked perfect on the mannequin, but on him, it was wrinkled and awkward. ¡°Well, performance is what matters, anyway...¡± ¡°What do you mean, performance is what matters?¡± Startled, Hanul turned to see Joo Hayun standing behind him. While he gaped in surprise, she stepped in and adjusted his suit. ¡°You really don¡¯t have to¡ª¡± ¡°Of course I do. As a member of Hyukcheon, you need to at least wear a suit properly. Otherwise, how will you maintain dignity in public?¡± Now that he thought about it, wasn¡¯t formal attire for the Hyikcheon family... a suit? Kwon Hanul had no choice but to let Joo Hayun take over and put himself in her hands. What he couldn¡¯t manage on his own, she handled flawlessly, leaving him neat and presentable. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you wearing the tie?¡± she asked. ¡°It was a bit... difficult.¡± Letting out a sigh, Joo Hayun tied the necktie for him herself. Once the tie was secured, Kwon Hanul stepped out from behind the pillar. ¡°You two out here playing lovers now?¡± As they emerged, Park Tae-sik greeted them with a gruff comment. ¡°The Witch of Hyukcheon, tending to a man like his maid. There¡¯s a whole truckload of people who¡¯d be shocked to hear this.¡± ¡°Stop talking nonsense.¡± ¡°Oh? Talking back to me now... Alright, alright, I get it.¡± When Joo Hayun shot him a cold glare, Park Tae-sik finally backed off. ¡°Hmph, well, I¡¯ll admit¡ªyou clean up nicely.¡± Coming from Park Tae-sik, who rarely gave compliments, that was high praise. That¡¯s how well it suited him. ¡°So, how does it feel?¡± Park Tae-sik asked, but Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t answer. He couldn¡¯t¡ªhe was too stunned. Blackriver ¨C Suit Jacket Grade: Legendary (S++) Description: The 34th masterpiece of Arch-Alchemist Weber Heinkel. Crafted by weaving fabric from the blood of a dragon hatchling. Dragon¡¯s blood symbolizes resilient life force. Wearing this suit is akin to donning that very power. Abilities: Absorbs up to 30% of all external damage. Reduces elemental damage below a certain threshold by 70%. Complete immunity to low-tier fire-based attacks. Blackriver ¨C Suit Pants Grade: Legendary (S++) Description: The 34th masterpiece of Arch-Alchemist Weber Heinkel. Crafted by weaving fabric from the blood of a dragon hatchling. Dragon¡¯s blood symbolizes resilient life force. Wearing this suit is akin to donning that very power. Abilities: Absorbs up to 30% of all external damage. Reduces elemental damage below a certain threshold by 50%. Complete immunity to low-tier fire-based attacks. Blackriver ¨C Dress Shirt Grade: Legendary (S++) Description: The 34th masterpiece of Arch-Alchemist Weaver Heinkel. Woven from the processed rib bones of a dragon hatchling. Dragon bone is more durable than any mineral known. Wearing this is like donning a fortress. Abilities: Increases all stats by 30%. Boosts mana efficiency and regeneration by 40%. Enhances resistance to all status effects by 70%. Amplifies magic power by up to 30%. Wearing the full Blackriver set unlocks special abilities. Blackriver Set Bonus: Auto-Repair: Automatically restores any damage to the equipment. Enhanced Defense: Durability and protection increase by 100%. Dragon Fear: Consumes mana to unleash the effect of Dragon Fear. ¡°Impressive, isn¡¯t it?¡± Park Tae-sik remarked. Kwon Hanul could only nod blankly in awe. ¡°The individual parts are already incredible, but the set bonus¡ªthat¡¯s the real game-changer. Auto-repair and enhanced defense? Even a world-ranked player would have a hard time scratching that armor.¡± But that wasn¡¯t even the most astonishing part. ¡°And Dragon Fear... I can¡¯t help but respect that. How did they manage to replicate Dragon Fear?¡± Dragon Fear¡ªarguably the most powerful area-of-effect skill in existence. Just activating it instills terror and can inflict internal damage on enemies. Those exposed to Dragon Fear suffer multiple debuffs, while allies receive buffs instead. ¡°You have Black Dragon¡¯s Blood, so this armor is a perfect match for you.¡± Dragons and drakes are different monsters, but as dragonkin, they share certain affinities. For Kwon Hanul, this gear was the best possible equipment. Likewise, for the gear, he was the ideal wielder. ¡°So, you like it?¡± Park Tae-sik asked curtly. Kwon Hanul knew he was supposed to say no in situations like this. But he couldn¡¯t lie. ¡°It¡¯s incredible.¡± Just then, Kwon Hanul noticed that Joo Hayun seemed... dissatisfied. ¡°Hayun?¡± ¡°...It just bothers me, like that ¡®woman¡¯ beat me to the punch,¡± she muttered, seemingly irritated. Suddenly, she turned to Park Tae-sik. ¡°Master Park, there¡¯s no weapon for a martial artist in the Blackriver set, right?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah, that¡¯s true.¡± Joo Hayun opened her dimensional storage. From it, she pulled out something that looked like elephant ivory and a large piece of leather. Master Park Tae-sik immediately recognized them. ¡°That¡¯s a dragon hatchling¡¯s fang and hide, isn¡¯t it?! How on earth did you get something so rare?¡± ¡°I once hunted a dragon hatchling with the chairman. This is what I received. Originally, I was going to use these to craft armor for Kwon Hanul, but...¡± She handed both items to Park Tae-sik. ¡°Since he already has armor, please craft gloves for him using these.¡± ¡°You want me to use all of this?¡± Park Tae-sik¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of his head. One of the core skills of master craftsmen is material compression¡ªin simple terms, compressing large quantities of materials to greatly enhance the item¡¯s power. Using all of this to make a single pair of gloves would result in an extraordinary item. ¡°But they must surpass that set.¡± Joo Hayun glared at the Blackriver set as she said it, her words carrying such weight that even Master Park swallowed hard. ¡°Y-yeah... I¡¯ll do my best.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 53 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 53: Bringing in a New Recruit (1) It had been a week since Kwon Hanul returned from Park Tae-sik¡¯s workshop. During that time, he stayed busy tending to the Golden Apple sapling and thinking about how to reconstruct the Thunder Step technique. Raising the Golden Apple sapling was meticulous work but not overly difficult. The real problem was Thunder Step. He was trying to dismantle and reconfigure an existing skill. Even with the Shura Bloodline and Genius Bloodline, it wasn¡¯t something that yielded answers easily. Just as he was about to give up, a new idea struck him. From that point, the path forward became clearer. Thunder Step is a technique that harnesses Lightning Energy¡ªusing ordinary mana to replicate its full potential was nearly impossible. So, Hanul decided to substitute Lightning Energy with the demon¡¯s authority, Monarch. Monarch is a power that governs the wind. In short, he would replace the Lightning Energy of Thunder Step with wind. * * * ¡°Man, it¡¯s cold.¡± Once again, Hanul was standing before the cliff at dawn. He was practicing how to fuse Monarch with Thunder Step. ¡°I still can¡¯t get a good grip on this.¡± Before starting, he muttered to himself in frustration. Applying the form of Thunder Step to Monarch was essentially the same as creating a new skill from scratch. Normally, skills are acquired¡ªnot created. Creating a new skill is so difficult, it¡¯s practically impossible. A gale erupted around Hanul. The wind swirled violently, scattering pebbles from the ground. Following the basic principles of Thunder Step, Hanul began manipulating the wind. The wind, which had been aimlessly raging, started to circle around his back. ¡°So far, so good.¡± He intensified the wind with Monarch¡¯s authority. The vortex grew stronger, the howling wind sharp enough to tear eardrums. ¡°Wow, things are going pretty well today.¡± Just yesterday, he couldn¡¯t even manage this simple movement. But today, he condensed the wind effortlessly. Riding that momentum, Hanul decided to attempt a more difficult maneuver. He turned again toward the cliff. The cliff stood vertical, as if it had been carved clean. He stepped toward it. In that instant, the wind gathered at his back lost control and exploded. The blast flung Hanul straight into the cliff face. ¡°W-whoa!¡± Before he could resist, he slammed into the rock. Cracks radiated out from where he hit. Moments later, Hanul dropped to the ground with a thud. ¡°Ow, ow...¡± Groaning, he rubbed his nose. Though he had shielded his body with mana just before impact, it didn¡¯t dull the pain. ¡°Man, this is not easy.¡± He grumbled but stood up immediately to try again. Each attempt yielded the same result. He succeeded in condensing the wind¡ªbut whenever he tried to use it to move, it would blast him off course. How long had he struggled like that? ¡°Lord Hanul?¡± A familiar voice called out¡ªJoo Hayun had come to check on him. ¡°Are you still alive?¡± Hanul was such a wreck that her concern was warranted. His entire body was caked in dirt from repeated impacts, and his clothes were torn all over. ¡°Oh, Ms. Hayun.¡± ¡°Here, take this water and towel.¡± She handed them to him. Parched, Hanul eagerly opened the bottle and chugged it. As his thirst was quenched, a refreshing sensation washed over him. He wiped his mouth and then used the towel to clean off his sweat, mixed with dirt, leaving him uncomfortable. ¡°Things didn¡¯t go well today, either?¡± Joo Hayun looked around. The ground was pitted with craters, and two or three holes were visible on the cliffside. ¡°When are you going to tell me why you¡¯re torturing yourself like this every morning at dawn?¡± Hanul hadn¡¯t told her about this endeavor. Fusing two distinct authorities and skills to create a new one was considered impossible. Only because he possessed both Genius Bloodline and Shura Bloodline could he even attempt it. ¡°I¡¯m just practicing to use Monarch more effectively.¡± He could only offer a vague answer. ¡°That¡¯s not the whole truth, is it?¡± Her sharp insight made Hanul flinch. He wondered how he could dodge the question this time. ¡°Anyway, you need to wrap up for today.¡± ¡°Already?¡± ¡°Yes, the Chairman has summoned you. Your appointment is in two hours¡ªyou should start preparing.¡± Hanul¡¯s face filled with confusion. The Chairman hadn¡¯t even paid him any mind since the auction. Why a sudden summons? ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± ¡°Beats me. You¡¯ll have to go see for yourself.¡± Her playful tone made Hanul feel uneasy. * * * ¡°Get out.¡± The Chairman¡¯s first words upon seeing Hanul again after so long were blunt. ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°Are you deaf now? I said get out of the main house.¡± Hanul retraced his recent actions. He couldn¡¯t think of anything that would have drawn the Chairman¡¯s ire. ¡°I can¡¯t keep feeding and housing you for free. You¡¯re a member of Hyukcheon now. It¡¯s time you took on a mission.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s what you meant? For a second, I thought you were kicking me out.¡± ¡°What nonsense.¡± At the Chairman¡¯s scolding, Hanul scratched his cheek awkwardly. ¡°Here. This is your assignment.¡± The Chairman tossed a sheet of paper at him. Hanul caught it and read through it. It was a simple escort mission¡ªprotect the client from an assassin. That¡¯s it. The problem was who the assassin might be. ¡°Chairman?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I think I read this wrong... The suspected assassin group¡ªit says Pandemonium?¡± At Hanul¡¯s words, the Chairman frowned. ¡°So what?¡± ¡°What do you mean, ¡®so what¡¯...?¡± Pandemonium, also known as Den of Demons¡ªa shadowy Hunter organization that only the worst of criminals could join. Minor crimes wouldn¡¯t even get you in the door. Rumor had it that most of the world¡¯s most-wanted criminals belonged to Pandemonium. ¡°You scared of some thugs?¡± The Chairman¡¯s remark left Hanul speechless. Hunters from Pandemonium weren¡¯t ordinary criminals. The fact they were still alive despite their heinous crimes was proof of their strength. If the global ranking system measured Hunters in the light, Pandemonium had its own dark world ranking¡ªexclusive to criminals. And yet the Chairman called them ¡°thugs.¡± Hanul knew the Chairman had the right to say such things, but it still shocked him. ¡°I¡¯m not scared. I¡¯m just surprised you¡¯re asking me to deal with guys like this all of a sudden.¡± ¡°You killed Ruyn Aspadam, didn¡¯t you? Don¡¯t be afraid of Pandemonium.¡± At that, Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You knew?¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing I don¡¯t know in Hyukcheon.¡± The Chairman replied casually. ¡°I heard Ruyn Aspadam went berserk and you stopped him. Killed him solo, right?¡± A smile crept onto the Chairman¡¯s face. ¡°To think a disciple of Thunder Lord would fall to one of Hyukcheon¡¯s member. That stubborn old man would be furious if he found out. Well done.¡± Hanul had never met the Thunder Lord, but he could tell relations with Hyukcheon were strained. ¡°Do you trust what Catalina Blaga said?¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m a fool?¡± The Chairman replied firmly. ¡°She¡¯s frighteningly perceptive. No way she didn¡¯t know her own subordinate would die. That was her doing. I was going to confront her personally...¡± His brow furrowed slightly. ¡°But she came with compensation first. Admitted it was her fault but claimed the Blaga Clan also suffered, so they¡¯re victims too.¡± Hanul felt a chill. Could Catalina Blaga have intended for her own clan member to die? ¡°In that context, I couldn¡¯t escalate things. I decided to let it go¡ªfor now.¡± Suddenly, the Chairman pulled a phone from his drawer and tossed it to Hanul. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a direct line to me. If Catalina Blaga tries anything suspicious again, contact me directly. I¡¯ll declare war on the Blaga family immediately.¡± Kwon Hanul swallowed hard. The small phone suddenly felt heavy in his hand. ¡°In any case, if you''re strong enough to kill Ruyn Aspadam, you should be more than capable of handling this mission.¡± ¡°No... Even so, how am I supposed to handle a protection detail alone?¡± When it comes to guarding someone, the number of people is more important than individual strength. After all, danger can strike from anywhere, anytime. Even the mission briefing clearly stated that a full unit should be assigned. ¡°What happened to that confidence you showed at the auction? Didn''t you boldly claim you¡¯d make a name for yourself on the world stage?¡± Kwon had no response. The chairman had a way of leaving him speechless. ¡°And strictly speaking, you¡¯re not alone, are you? There¡¯s also Hayun.¡± ¡°Is Miss Hayun allowed to join this mission?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no reason she can¡¯t. She¡¯s currently assigned to protect you anyway.¡± The chairman rested his chin on his hand and continued. ¡°If we assume the mission requires full capacity ¡ª ten-tenths ¡ª Hayun accounts for five, and you for three.¡± Five-tenths. That meant Joo Hayun was currently much stronger than Kwon Hanul. Coming from someone like Kwon Seonwoo, a Transcendent, it had to be an accurate assessment. ¡°But that still leaves us two-tenths short.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to cover that on your own.¡± Kwon Hanul smacked his lips in frustration. ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to confirm.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You said that if I formed a team, you¡¯d provide full support, right?¡± ¡°I did. But don¡¯t expect me to indulge any ridiculous requests.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s eyes glinted sharply, warning against any nonsense. ¡°Thank you for remembering. I¡¯ll contact you once I¡¯ve assembled the team.¡± ¡°Suit yourself. Anyway, time¡¯s up. Get out.¡± The twenty minutes they¡¯d agreed upon had passed, and the chairman dismissed Kwon Hanul without hesitation. Kwon gave a short bow and was about to leave. ¡°Chan-seong ¡ª that bastard took down another SS-rank monster.¡± Just before opening the door, the chairman¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re aiming for, but if you want to catch up to Chan-seong, you¡¯d better hurry.¡± For a moment, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t believe his ears. Was he... actually concerned about me? Pushing the thought aside, Kwon opened the door and stepped out. * * * ¡°Did the meeting go well?¡± Instead of answering, Kwon handed over a sheet of paper. Joo Hayun glanced at it and exclaimed in surprise. ¡°A protection mission. The suspected assassin is affiliated with Pandemonium... They¡¯ve given you a tough assignment.¡± ¡°Tell me about it.¡± ¡°The real problem is the lack of personnel. We can¡¯t take on a protection job with just the two of us... Why are you looking at me like that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Just like the chairman, Joo Hayun didn¡¯t seem too fazed by the name ¡®Pandemonium.¡¯ Exactly how strong is she to feel that way? Kwon couldn¡¯t help but wonder. ¡°We still have time. We should focus on recruiting additional team members.¡± ¡°Team members, huh...¡± Kwon trailed off. It wasn¡¯t that he¡¯d refused to form a team by choice. He¡¯d already reviewed data on solo hunters in the Hyukcheon Family. But not a single one met his standards. ¡°All the capable ones have already been scooped up by other teams.¡± ¡°Maybe your standards are too high, Mr. Kwon.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t afford not to be.¡± As Kwon Seonwoo had said, Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t have time. Even the obstacle standing right in front of him ¡ª Kwon Chan-seong ¡ª had already almost reached the level of a Transcendent. His team was top-tier as well. There was only one way to catch up: recruit equally exceptional talent. ¡°I understand your position. But for this mission, we must increase our numbers ¡ª even if it¡¯s just one more person.¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± Hanul groaned. Hayun was right; time was running out. ¡°Let¡¯s go over the list again. Or should we consider hiring mercenaries?¡± ¡°Do you have that kind of money?¡± Hanul fell silent. Hiring mercenaries strong enough to fight Pandemonium¡¯s villains would cost a fortune. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I have to worry about money even after joining Hyukcheon...¡± He looked up at the sky, sighing in frustration. Just then, Joo Hayun smiled slightly. ¡°What¡¯s with the smile?¡± ¡°I happen to have news that¡¯s perfect for you.¡± ¡°News?¡± ¡°You know there was a recent graduation ceremony at the training center, right?¡± Hanul nodded. The training center was an institution established by the Hyukcheon Group to train hunters. Hunters not of Hyukcheon bloodline received training there before joining the group. ¡°What about the graduation?¡± Hanul hadn¡¯t paid much attention to it. Compared to Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline, ordinary hunters simply didn¡¯t measure up. If someone with comparable talent had emerged, rumors would¡¯ve already spread. But there were none, so he hadn¡¯t cared. ¡°Apparently, an exceptional talent showed up at that graduation.¡± Hanul felt more skepticism than interest. Suddenly showing up out of nowhere? ¡°How exceptional are we talking?¡± ¡°Rumor has it even some purebloods of Hyukcheon wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± Hanul¡¯s doubt only grew. A genius of that level, and no one had heard a thing? ¡°Many squads are already trying to recruit this graduate.¡± ¡°Then they¡¯ve probably already signed on with someone else.¡± ¡°Strangely enough, they¡¯ve refused all offers.¡± ¡°Turned them all down?¡± ¡°Yes. So Hyukcheon assigned them temporarily to clean out dungeons near the main house.¡± Hanul tilted his head. How had he not heard about such a standout? ¡°You¡¯re not messing with me, right?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± ¡°It just seems unlikely that such a skilled person suddenly appeared.¡± ¡°Ah, well, apparently they didn¡¯t actually train at the center. They only joined the graduation symbolically.¡± Now Hanul frowned in confusion. ¡°Who is this person, exactly?¡± ¡°Mei Hong.¡± At first, he didn¡¯t remember. Then it clicked. ¡°...No way.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s that woman who aided Hyukcheon during the war with the Mei Family.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t hide his shock at the unexpected name. ¡°Mei Hong attended the graduation?¡± ¡°She was probably under investigation until now and has only just been formally accepted into Hyukcheon. That¡¯s likely why she participated.¡± It was a plausible guess, though they couldn¡¯t be sure. ¡°Was Mei Hong really that strong?¡± It wasn¡¯t out of the question. She had represented the Mei Family in battle, after all. ¡°Of course, even if you meet her, there¡¯s no guarantee she¡¯ll join you. Many teams have already been rejected.¡± With her skill, she could demand top treatment within the Hyukcheon Group. There had to be a reason she¡¯d turned everyone down. ¡°So, what will you do?¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Kwon Hanul made up his mind. ¡°Let¡¯s go see her.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 54 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 54: Bringing in a New Recruit (2) It wasn¡¯t difficult to find Mei Hong. After all, she was nearby, since they were already in the process of clearing out dungeons around the Hyukcheon family¡¯s main estate. As soon as he made the decision, Kwon Hanul got into his car and set off. The vehicle he was in sped along a road that ran alongside the mountains. At first glance, there was nothing special about this road¡ªbut in truth, it could be called the most luxurious road in all of South Korea. The northern half of the Korean Peninsula was Hyukcheon territory. This particular road had been built and maintained by the Hyukcheon Group exclusively for their own use. ¡°What happened to the Mei Clan?¡± Kwon Hanul, staring blankly out the window, turned and asked Joo Hayun. Since that fierce battle, he hadn¡¯t heard a single word about the Mei Clan. ¡°They¡¯ve collapsed¡ªcompletely and utterly.¡± Not only had they lost the majority of their combat force, but even the treasures stored in their warehouses had all been looted. No matter how powerful the Mei Clan had once been, such a blow was almost impossible to recover from. But something didn¡¯t quite make sense. ¡°Didn¡¯t the Chinese government have their back?¡± ¡°They did¡ªonce.¡± Kwon Hanul could only furrow his brows, confused. ¡°In the beginning, the Mei Clan grew rapidly with the support of the Chinese government. The problem was... they grew too powerful.¡± At some point, the Mei Clan began to ignore the government¡¯s commands, even making demands of their own. Even a sharp blade is only useful with a proper handle. To the Chinese government, the Mei Clan had become more of a headache than an asset. ¡°And then, when we at Hyukcheon brought them to the brink of ruin... well, you can guess the rest.¡± ¡°The Chinese government crushed them completely.¡± Joo Hayun nodded. ¡°The bloodline scattered. Some were captured and sold off¡ªwho knows where.¡± ¡°Sold?¡± ¡°Maintaining the bloodline has value¡ªin many ways.¡± A wretched end indeed. ¡°There are still remnants left. I¡¯ve heard they¡¯re moving in the shadows, trying to revive the Mei Clan.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel like a distant problem...¡± Kwon Hanul gave a bitter laugh. While the circumstances were different, the Hyukcheon Group, too, had often flexed its power against the Korean government. ¡°That is someone else¡¯s problem,¡± Joo Hayun replied firmly. Her confidence was unwavering¡ªHyukcheon would never fall like that. ¡°Then the remaining elites of the Mei Clan...¡± Just as Kwon Hanul began another question, a massive surge of magical energy pulsed in the distance. Both he and Joo Hayun instinctively turned to the right-side window. Far from the car, a dungeon gate was opening. ¡°An open-type dungeon,¡± Kwon Hanul observed, eyeing it closely. Unlike instanced dungeons, which required entry, open-type dungeons expelled all their monsters outward. He never imagined he¡¯d witness such a rare dungeon in this area. Just then, a group of people approached the dungeon gate. They must¡¯ve been the team assigned to clear the area. They varied in gender and age, but they had one thing in common¡ª Every single one of them belonged to the Hyukcheon bloodline. ¡®Five inferior-bloods, three mixed-bloods, and one pureblood.¡¯ As expected of Hyukcheon, each individual was formidable. Still, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but watch them with concern. ¡°They look like rookies¡ªprobably just debuted. That dungeon¡¯s going to be dangerous.¡± Judging by the magical energy, the open-type dungeon was undoubtedly Platinum-grade. Meanwhile, the Hyukcheon team was still fresh¡ªnewly minted fighters. Even Hyukcheon blood couldn¡¯t guarantee victory against a Platinum-grade dungeon right out of the gate. ¡°Still, if we intervene without permission, they¡¯ll be furious.¡± Given the Hyukcheon bloodline¡¯s notorious pride, that was almost a certainty. Kwon Hanul decided to watch for now. If things got critical, he could step in then. ¡°The gate¡¯s opening!¡± One of the bloodline fighters shouted. The dungeon gate split wide, and monsters began pouring out. Pitch-black from head to toe. Each with a different shape¡ªsome walked on four legs, others on two, and some even on one. Shadowcrawlers. Insectoid monsters, infamous for their grotesque appearance and lightning-fast, lethal strikes to vital points. ¨CKirrk! ¨CChirrk! With chilling cries, the Shadowcrawlers charged. The Hyukcheon fighters summoned their Dragon Aura and met them head-on. ¡°Attack! Don¡¯t fall back!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s finish this before she shows up!¡± ¡°This time, we reclaim Hyukcheon¡¯s pride!¡± Their Dragon Aura whipped around them, mowing down the Shadowcrawlers. At first glance, it seemed chaotic, but they moved in formation¡ªorganized and strategic. Even for Hyukcheon, fighting Platinum-grade monsters was no easy feat. Yet they were holding their own¡ªno, they were overwhelming the enemy. But the monsters were Platinum-grade for a reason. It wasn¡¯t going to end that easily. The endless flood of Shadowcrawlers suddenly stopped. The fighters stared at the gate, confused. ¡®...Why¡¯d they stop?¡¯ Suddenly, the dungeon entrance burst open, as if someone had grabbed the sides and ripped it apart. Through the now two to three times wider gap, something began to emerge. Another Shadowcrawler¡ªbut this one was different. Over three meters tall. More than ten legs. Its entire body bristled with blades. Its sheer presence froze the Hyukcheon fighters in place. ¡®...So the boss finally shows himself.¡¯ The pureblood among them spoke. ¡°Everyone, focus!¡± At her shout, the others snapped back to attention. ¡°If we don¡¯t give it our all, we die here! On my signal, charge together! I¡¯ll crush its throat myself!¡± The pureblood clenched her fist, Dragon Aura surging into her hand, like a searing fire gripped in her palm. ¡°Attack!¡± With her command, the bloodline fighters rushed in as one. At that instant, the blades covering the boss Shadowcrawler¡¯s body all shifted¡ªand lashed out. Every single fighter was flung backward. ¡°Urgh!¡± ¡°Gah!¡± Agonized groans echoed. Deep, blade-like gashes appeared on all their bodies, bleeding heavily. ¡°...Cough, cough.¡± Even the pureblood wasn¡¯t spared. She fared better than the others, but the damage was severe. ¡°...I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be this strong...¡± Her eyes filled with despair as she looked up at the monstrous Shadowcrawler boss. ¡°This is bad,¡± Kwon Hanul muttered, eyes fixed outside. He had a bad feeling, and sure enough, they were all in danger now. The others didn¡¯t know what hit them¡ªbut Kwon Hanul saw it clearly. The boss¡¯s blades had extended in an instant, slicing through the Hyukcheon fighters like paper. ¡°I¡¯ll go help them and be right back.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Joo Hayun silently stared out the window. Following her gaze, Kwon Hanul looked as well. The Shadowspawn leader was swinging its blades, preparing to finish off the remaining clan members. And then¡ªit happened. Someone dropped from the sky. Her hair was tied back in a neat bun. She wielded a plain, unadorned longsword. And she wore a black tracksuit. ¡®...A tracksuit?¡¯ She¡¯s hunting monsters... in a tracksuit? That was practically suicide. The only reason the blood clan members had survived their earlier encounter with the Shadowspawn leader was because they were wearing armor. Unless she was extraordinarily confident in her skills, she had to be completely insane. ¡°...Damn it.¡± The pureblood clan member who had been lying on the ground clenched her teeth. ¡°You again.¡± The woman spared her only a glance. She said nothing. Instead, she gripped her longsword and calmly walked toward the Shadowspawn leader. ¡ªKreee? The Shadowspawn leader noticed her approach. Recognizing her as a threat, it began to whip its blades around more furiously. ¡ªKreeek! Its blades blurred. Dozens of afterimages lashed out at her. The woman¡¯s hand moved. In a flash, she deflected every single afterimage hurtling toward her. ¡ªKree? Even the Shadowspawn leader was taken aback by the sheer speed and precision. ¡ªKREEK! More blades burst from its body. It swung them at her again, aiming to cut her down. She moved. Blocking each incoming blade, she closed in on the Shadowspawn leader. ¡®...Incredible.¡¯ While dodging its attacks, she began slicing off the creature¡¯s blades, one by one. Each time her sword moved, another of the monster¡¯s blades fell to the ground with a dull thud. ¡ªKREEEAAAH! The Shadowspawn leader shrieked in fury. Even more blades erupted from its body. But this time, they were massive¡ªtwo huge, scythe-like blades grew from its sides. ¡ªKREEEEK! The giant blades began to vibrate violently. At the peak of that vibration, the Shadowspawn leader swung both blades in a crossing motion. They slashed toward the woman, aiming to cut her down. She didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, she lunged forward, meeting the attack head-on with her sword. It looked as though she was trying to block a club with a toothpick. The outcome seemed obvious. And yet¡ªshe twisted her blade and lifted it upward. The two enormous scythe-blades slid harmlessly past, soaring into the air. ¡®She redirected them...¡¯ It was an astonishing feat, nearly impossible to believe even when witnessing it firsthand. Without hesitation, the woman surged forward. ¡ªKree!? Sensing danger, the Shadowspawn leader tried to retreat. But she was faster. She swung her sword upward, from low to high. Her blade rose in a wide arc¡ªand Kwon Hanul saw it. A massive slash of energy shot up into the sky, as if slicing the heavens themselves. The sword¡¯s energy carved cleanly through the Shadowspawn leader, from groin to crown. A thin line appeared across the creature¡¯s body. Then it split in two and collapsed. Black blood gushed from the severed halves, rising into the sky before falling like rain. The blood showered down on the woman¡¯s head. ¡°...Incredible.¡± Kwon Hanul murmured without realizing it. That sword strike, which had felled a Platinum-grade monster in a single blow, was no ordinary technique. He stepped out of the car and approached the woman. She stood still, soaked in black blood. ¡°You¡¯re Mei Hong, right?¡± At his question, the woman slowly turned toward him. Her face was splattered with black blood, but he recognized her instantly. She looked exactly the same as she had the last time he¡¯d seen her. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. First time seeing you since that day.¡± Mei Hong said nothing, listening silently to Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice. ¡°I came here because of you...¡± He didn¡¯t get to finish. Suddenly, Mei Hong turned away. ¡°Hey, wait!¡± Without warning, she shot off at a tremendous speed¡ªand vanished somewhere in the distance. Kwon Hanul stood alone, staring blankly in the direction she¡¯d gone. It took him a moment to process what had just happened. ¡°...Did I just get rejected?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 55 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 55: Bringing in a New Recruit (3) Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t bother chasing after Mei Hong. There was no need. It was obvious where she¡¯d gone¡ªthe only place nearby was the camp, the base set up by the Hyukcheon Clan for regional clean-up operations. What was more urgent now was the condition of the bloodkin. They were still alive, but they¡¯d lost far too much blood. Though he didn¡¯t know them personally, he couldn¡¯t just leave fellow members of the same clan to die. After administering basic first aid, he loaded them all into his vehicle for transport. Thankfully, the car was large enough to carry all the injured. He had to pack them in tightly, almost like cargo, but it worked. Upon arriving at the camp, Kwon Hanul went straight to meet the administrator. ¡°Ahh... I knew something like this would happen eventually...¡± The camp administrator sighed heavily upon seeing the wounded. According to the full story, some of the bloodkin¡ªthose who had fallen behind Mei Hong in both skill and achievements¡ªhad independently planned to subjugate a Platinum-tier dungeon. ¡®Of course. There¡¯s no way the proud members of Hyukcheon would endure such humiliation.¡¯ There was no way those prideful bloodkin could tolerate being outshone by none other than Mei Hong. ¡°Has Mei Hong come back here?¡± That was what mattered more to Kwon Hanul. The bloodkin¡¯s situation wasn¡¯t his concern¡ªMei Hong was. ¡°As expected, you came looking for her. Mei Hong just arrived. But she went straight into the showers, so you probably won¡¯t be able to meet her right away.¡± ¡°The showers?¡± Kwon Hanul raised an eyebrow. Seeing her hunt a monster wearing just a tracksuit, he¡¯d assumed she was rather lazy. But it seemed she was surprisingly fastidious. ¡°It¡¯s odd, right? Normally, even if she was covered in monster guts, she¡¯d hold off on washing up, saying she didn¡¯t know when the next dungeon would open.¡± Even the administrator sounded puzzled. In any case, meeting Mei Hong immediately was impossible. Kwon Hanul had no choice but to wait. As he exited the administrator¡¯s office, he saw Joo Hayun¡ªwho had said she¡¯d wait outside¡ªtalking with a young man. ¡°Well then, Miss Joo Hayun, I look forward to working with you.¡± ¡°Please, feel free to speak casually.¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t possibly, not with someone who worked alongside the Chairman.¡± A pureblood of Hyukcheon. And a highly skilled one, at that. As Kwon Hanul took in the young man, both he and Joo Hayun turned toward him, sensing his presence. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s the famed Trueblood everyone¡¯s been talking about.¡± The young man¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity. It seemed he was more widely known by the title Trueblood than by name. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hyung-min! I¡¯ve just been appointed as the captain of Unit 18!¡± He¡¯s no ordinary one, Kwon Hanul thought. As expected, he was a captain-level figure. Still, Kwon Hyung-min didn¡¯t seem to hold a particularly high-ranking position. The fact that his unit was referred to by number rather than name was telling. ¡°You¡¯re in charge of an Unnamed Unit.¡± ¡°Yes, though I¡¯m hardly worthy of the role.¡± Kwon Hyung-min scratched the back of his head. Unnamed Unit: A newly formed division without notable achievements, thus referred to by number instead of name. All divisions within Hyukcheon start as Unnamed Units. Once they accumulate accomplishments, they¡¯re granted an official name. Named Units¡ªthose with granted names¡ªrepresent the true fighting force of Hyukcheon. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you like this. I¡¯ve heard plenty of stories about you...¡± Kwon Hyung-min¡¯s eyes scanned Kwon Hanul from head to toe. ¡°...The rumors weren¡¯t exaggerated. If anything, they might not do you justice.¡± His gaze shifted, gradually taking on a competitive edge. Surprisingly, it was a thirst for challenge. ¡°If possible, I¡¯d like to witness your power for myself.¡± At that, Kwon Hanul chuckled. ¡°Even knowing I¡¯m a Trueblood, you still want to test me?¡± His words carried weight. Among the many clans, including Hyukcheon, bloodlines determined one¡¯s rank. Mixedblood, Inferior Blood, Pureblood. Between each class was an insurmountable wall. And Kwon Hanul¡¯s question implied: Do you really intend to challenge me knowing that? ¡°When the tiger is away, the wolf rules the mountain.¡± Kwon Hanul looked puzzled. Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be the fox? ¡°A wolf who¡¯s ruled as king wouldn¡¯t simply yield the throne just because a tiger suddenly appears¡ªespecially not when that wolf¡¯s pride is on the line.¡± Kwon Hyung-min¡¯s mouth curled into a sharp, feral grin, revealing his fangs. ¡°And if that tiger hasn¡¯t fully matured yet... well, no need to say more.¡± Kwon Hanul smiled, extending a hand. Without hesitation, Kwon Hyung-min took it. At that moment, Dragon Aura surged through their clasped hands. Kwon Hyung-min¡¯s aura lunged aggressively, trying to invade Kwon Hanul¡¯s body and stir chaos within. But before it could even begin to rampage, Dragon Demon Aura devoured it whole. It didn¡¯t even give the Dragon Aura a chance to resist¡ªit was overwhelmed in an instant. Kwon Hanul¡¯s Dragon Demon Aura surged into Kwon Hyung-min¡¯s body, causing his forearm to convulse as he groaned in pain. ¡°Guh...¡± Coughing up blood, Kwon Hyung-min dropped to his knees. Still, Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t let go of his hand. Instead, he looked down at him and asked, ¡°Care to continue?¡± Kwon Hyung-min shook his head with a bitter smile. Kwon Hanul helped him up with a tug of the hand. Brushing dirt off his knees, Kwon Hyung-min pulled out a business card and handed it to Kwon Hanul. Kwon Hanul looked at him, clearly wondering why. ¡°My card. If you ever need help, just call. My unit and I want to maintain good relations with you.¡± He seemed genuine, giving a respectful nod. ¡°Are you leaving now?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve already been rejected by Mei Hong, after all. I sincerely hope things go better for you, Mr. Kwon Hanul.¡± With that, Kwon Hyung-min departed. He staggered a bit, clearly suffering from internal injuries. ¡°Should I congratulate you?¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For making Kwon Hyung-min submit.¡± Kwon Hanul furrowed his brow. ¡°You call that submission?¡± ¡°Members of Hyukcheon are upright, but surprisingly simple. They¡¯ll resist with all sorts of excuses, but in the end, they always follow strength.¡± It was still a mindset Kwon Hanul struggled to understand. But having made that prideful pureblood bow down wasn¡¯t a bad feeling. ¡°He said he¡¯d help if needed, right?¡± ¡°Handed you a card, didn¡¯t he? He wasn¡¯t lying.¡± ¡°Well, that works for me.¡± Kwon Hanul pocketed the card. ¡°Any other teams show up?¡± ¡°While you were inside, three more Unnamed Unit captains came by.¡± ¡°That¡¯s quite a crowd.¡± ¡°Oh, and a Named Unit¡¯s here too.¡± ¡°A Named Unit?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. He expected Unnamed Units to compete for Mei Hong, but not an established Named Unit. ¡°Though they sent a representative, not the captain.¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t they reaching out? I¡¯d at least like to know which unit it is.¡± ¡°They¡¯re probably thinking the same.¡± So... a standoff? Kwon Hanul quickly realized the meaning behind what had initially puzzled him. ¡°...So, I¡¯m being summoned for a formal greeting, huh.¡± It was true that Kwon Hanul had grown stronger at an unprecedented rate¡ªunparalleled, even on a global scale. However, it was also true that he still fell short when compared to the true elites of Hyukcheon. So of course, neither the commander nor even a mere representative would treat him with deference. ¡°By the way, what happened to Mei Hong?¡± ¡°She¡¯s washing up. We¡¯ll need to wait a bit.¡± Just as Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue at the response, a sudden commotion erupted outside the building. He and Joo Hayun looked through the glass doors toward the entrance. A group of five people was approaching. At the front of the group, Hanul locked eyes with someone. He was an incredibly handsome man. Due to his small stature, it was hard to tell at first glance whether he was a man or a woman. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Both Kwon Hanul and the man recognized each other. ¡°Kwon Hudon?¡± ¡°H-Hanul, it¡¯s you.¡± When the Hyukcheon clan had gone to the Mei family, they had selected three representatives: Kwon Hanul, Kwon Jiseok, and the third¡ªKwon Hudon. Despite his nervous stammering and lack of confidence, his real strength was formidable. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. Who are the people with you?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, they¡¯re my team members. The Patriarch gave his approval because we fought well during the Mei family incident.¡± Even as he spoke, Kwon Hudon¡¯s face looked unusually somber. That was strange. Receiving approval to form a squad within the Hyukcheon Group was a tremendous honor. So why the gloomy face? ¡°B-By the way, are you here because of M-Mei Hong too?¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. Kwon Hudon gave a shy smile. Given his looks, even a simple smile was enough to create a picturesque scene. ¡°M-Me too. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t that interested... but my mom insisted I had to bring her back...¡± ¡°Captain, why are you rambling like that?¡± A brusque voice came from one of the men behind him¡ªa bald man whose face was covered in scars. ¡°We¡¯re on a tight schedule. Let¡¯s move.¡± ¡°C-Can¡¯t I talk just a little more...?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t forget what Lady Kwon Mi ordered you to do, did you? Do you want to get chewed out later?¡± The man pressed Hudon again, and Hudon¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°T-Then I¡¯ll see you later. I have to go...¡± With that, Kwon Hudon entered the building with his team. Once they were gone, Kwon Hanul turned to Joo Hayun. ¡°He¡¯s not in full control of his squad, is he.¡± ¡°I agree. Individually they seem skilled, but... they lack cohesion.¡± Could that even be called a team? Hanul was skeptical. ¡°He¡¯s not really leadership material. How did this happen?¡± ¡°Well, probably...¡± ¡°What did you just say about my Hudon?¡± A sharp voice rang out from behind. A middle-aged woman in a bright red suit appeared. Upon seeing her, Kwon Hanul sighed inwardly. ¡°Say that again! What did you just say?¡± ¡°You must have misheard.¡± ¡°Are you talking back to me now?¡± Her brow furrowed. Kwon Hanul tried to pacify her with as gentle a tone as possible. ¡°Of course not. How could I possibly talk back to you, Aunt?¡± Kwon Mi. Youngest daughter of Heukcheon Chairman Kwon Sun-woo and Kwon Hanul¡¯s aunt. She stood before him now. * * * From their first meeting, Kwon Mi had never liked Kwon Hanul. ¡°Are you mocking me right now?¡± And that hadn¡¯t changed. ¡°Aunt? I don¡¯t have a nephew like you!¡± ¡°Yes, I apologize.¡± Hanul let her words go in one ear and out the other. She had always treated him this way. ¡°I only helped you during the Mei family incident because I had no choice¡ªit doesn¡¯t mean I accept you!¡± Hanul bowed his head in understanding. He didn¡¯t feel hurt. They had never been close anyway. ¡°Blood relatives of Hyukcheon must carry themselves with dignity! But you¡ªborn a mess and raised outside¡ªyou have neither class nor poise.¡± ¡°Lady Kwon Mi, please mind your words.¡± Joo Hayun stepped forward. Hanul tried to stop her, but it was too late. ¡°The Chairman acknowledges Kwon Hanul. Any further insult to him is an insult to the Chairman.¡± Perhaps realizing it was a delicate matter, Kwon Mi clicked her tongue and turned away. ¡°You¡¯ve been lucky so far, gaining a bit of fame¡ªbut it ends here. Hudon will take the lead from now on.¡± Hanul swallowed dryly. Her expectations seemed... excessive. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, I assume you came to see that Mei family girl? Sorry, but she¡¯s joining Hudon¡¯s team.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve already discussed it with her?¡± ¡°No.¡± Hanul blinked in disbelief. She was boasting even without any agreement in place. ¡°But once she sees this, she¡¯ll join us right away.¡± Kwon Mi untied the bundle she carried at her side, revealing a sword¡¯s scabbard. Hanul immediately recognized it. After a moment of recalling, it clicked. ¡°...That¡¯s the Foremost Sword Among All, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°That sword originally belonged to that girl¡¯s father. Then Maejung Jeilgeom took it and used it himself.¡± There was a reason Kwon Mi was so confident. ¡°How did you come by it?¡± ¡°After the battle, I asked my uncle and acquired it. I contributed enough to deserve it.¡± In truth, her contribution had been far greater¡ªshe had blocked most of the top experts of the Mei family¡¯s main branch. ¡®To think she¡¯d use such a treasure just to bring Mei Hong over...¡¯ If it was worthy of Maejung Jeilgeom, it had to be of immense value. And she was offering it simply to recruit Mei Hong. ¡®Is this all for Hudon?¡¯ At least it showed how much effort Kwon Mi was putting into supporting her son¡¯s team. ¡°Now that you understand, stop wasting time and leave. I¡¯ll be taking that girl.¡± Just then, Hanul¡¯s eyes shifted to someone walking toward them¡ªa woman with a familiar presence. ¡°It¡¯s Mei Hong.¡± Unlike before, she was properly dressed¡ªnot in sweats¡ªand even wore light makeup. Kwon Mi turned toward her, recognized her, and approached. ¡°How have you been?¡± Mei Hong bowed her head. ¡°Lady Kwon Mi, it¡¯s a pleasure.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you recognized me. I came to take you with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡ª¡± ¡°That sword used to belong to your father, right?¡± Kwon Mi displayed the hilt of the sword. ¡°If you promise to come with me, I¡¯ll return it to you immed¡ª¡± ¡°Apologies.¡± Mei Hong bowed again¡ªand walked past her. Caught off guard, Kwon Mi¡¯s face stiffened in shock. Mei Hong stood before Hanul. ¡°Alright.¡± She suddenly said something unexpected. Hanul just blinked. Annoyed, Mei Hong pouted. ¡°Ugh, I said I¡¯m fine with it!¡± ¡°Uh... Fine with what exactly?¡± ¡°You came here to take me with you, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, but...¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m fine with it.¡± Still bewildered, Hanul could only stare. Mei Hong spoke again, clearly this time. ¡°Please take me with you!¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 56 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 56: Bringing in a New Recruit (4) ¡°You want to join my team?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Mei Hong answered energetically. Kwon Hanul looked at her, half-disbelieving, and asked, ¡°Then why did you run away earlier? Would¡¯ve been better if you¡¯d just accepted on the spot.¡± ¡°I was meeting my future superior. I couldn¡¯t very well show up covered in blood, could I? So I rushed off to clean up.¡± It was a reason that was only barely convincing. ¡°Why my team, though?¡± What¡¯s more, Mei Hong had accepted the offer without even hearing the conditions Hanul had mentioned. That meant she had a specific reason for choosing him. ¡°I fell for you.¡± A coughing sound came from the side. Joo Hayun was coughing like she had something stuck in her throat. ¡°I¡¯ve never forgotten the sight of you fighting against the Mei Clan¡¯s swordmasters that day¡ªnot even for a moment! That¡¯s when I made up my mind. I must follow Kwon Hanul¡ª¡± ¡°Lies.¡± Hanul cut her off flatly. He didn¡¯t need to hear more. Mei Hong fell silent for a moment, then slowly opened her tightly shut mouth. ¡°I can¡¯t say here. Let¡¯s move somewhere more private¡ª¡± At that moment¡ª ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Kwon Mi suddenly spoke, her already sharp demeanor becoming downright hostile. ¡°Girl! Did you not hear me properly? That sword belongs to your father!¡± ¡°I know.¡± Mei Hong answered with a respectful yet firm tone. ¡°I recognized it right away. Of course I know¡ªit¡¯s my father¡¯s sword.¡± ¡°And yet you still choose to follow Kwon Hanul? Think carefully. If you really join that man¡¯s team, I¡¯ll melt this sword down myself!¡± At Kwon Mi¡¯s warning, Mei Hong¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± But she didn¡¯t change her decision. Kwon Mi glared daggers at Mei Hong, then suddenly whipped her head toward Kwon Hanul, staring him down. ¡°......You damn unlucky brat.¡± With those parting words, she stormed into the building. At that moment, Kwon Hudon was just coming out. ¡°Huh? Mom? Why are you¡ª¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll just say our greetings and leave.¡± ¡°Huh? Wait, what about Mei Hong?¡± ¡°I said let¡¯s go!¡± Kwon Mi grabbed Hudon by the arm and dragged him away, leaving him bewildered. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one obstacle out of the way.¡± As soon as the mother and son were gone, Mei Hong turned to Hanul. ¡°Shall we move somewhere quieter?¡± Mei Hong brought Hanul and Hayun to the visitation room in the camp¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a better place, so she borrowed this one. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you have a lot of questions.¡± She set drinks in front of the seated Hanul and Hayun. ¡°And I have a lot I want to say.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t touch the drink. He asked bluntly, ¡°Then let¡¯s hear it. Why did you choose my team?¡± ¡°Because I said¡ªI fell for you.¡± Hanul gave her a cold, scornful look. Mei Hong put on a hurt expression. ¡°I¡¯m serious......¡± ¡°If you keep saying nonsense, I¡¯m leaving.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll be serious.¡± She took a deep breath. Her face turned solemn. ¡°There are two reasons. First¡ªI¡¯ve already been assigned to a team.¡± This was news to both Hanul and Hayun. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have heard. I just got notified yesterday. I¡¯ve been ordered to join the Iron Corps.¡± At those words, both Hanul and Hayun¡¯s expressions hardened. Iron Corps¡ªa disciplinary unit tasked with capturing and rehabilitating criminals or dangerous individuals within the Hyukcheon Group. Unlike the Guardian Corps, which upheld law and order, the Iron Corps existed solely for punishment, and was infamous for its brutality. ¡°What the hell did you do to get them involved...?¡± ¡°What do you mean ¡®what did I do¡¯?! Do I look like that kind of person to you?¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s no reason for the Iron Corps to come after you.¡± Mei Hong sighed deeply. ¡°How should I know the full story? Either way, I have no desire to join such a brutal unit at my age. I haven¡¯t even committed a crime against Hyukcheon.¡± That much was true. Who¡¯d willingly join a punishment force when they hadn¡¯t done anything wrong? ¡°You¡¯re Hyukcheon¡¯s true-blood, right? A Trueblood in this day and age¡ªit¡¯s hard to believe even as I say it out loud. Do you know how shocked I was when I found out? No wonder you¡¯re so incredibly strong.¡± Mei Hong rattled on. Hanul, overwhelmed, cut her off. ¡°Yes, and?¡± ¡°With that kind of status, I figured you¡¯d have the power to block the Iron Corps.¡± Hanul¡¯s face soured. It was true he was Trueblood¡ªa true-blood descendant of Hyukcheon¡¯s founding line¡ªbut he had zero influence in the clan. ¡°Let¡¯s set that aside for now.¡± Uncomfortable, Hanul dodged the question. ¡°What¡¯s the second reason?¡± ¡°Do you know why I betrayed the Mei Clan?¡± ¡°I was told it was revenge for your parents.¡± After the war with the Mei Clan, the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s intelligence division interrogated Mei Hong. Though she¡¯d aided them, no one trusted a traitor blindly¡ªthey needed a reason. Her motive was horrifying. ¡°That¡¯s right. It was for revenge.¡± Her father had been a prominent figure, admired both within and outside the clan. Skilled and charismatic, he had many supporters¡ªeven Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence division was keeping tabs on him. But being too exceptional breeds envy. ¡°The Mei Clan leader¡ªwell, he was just the deputy then¡ªdidn¡¯t like my father.¡± Their philosophies clashed. The clan leader believed in results, no matter the cost. Her father prioritized family. They often clashed, once even dangerously so. And the clan leader wasn¡¯t one to leave an enemy alone. ¡°He framed my father. He didn¡¯t even get a chance to defend himself before he was executed.¡± Her father had been brilliant, but politically naive¡ªand easily ensnared. ¡°And the one who helped with that plan was the Greatest Sword of Central Plains.¡± ¡°He must¡¯ve been loyal to the clan head, then.¡± Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have joined such a scheme. But Mei Hong¡¯s expression shifted¡ªon the verge of tears, yet holding them back. ¡°......No. He did it to turn my father into a Demon Blade.¡± ¡°A Demon Blade?¡± ¡°One of the powers of Shura Blood¡ªenslaving the souls of the dead to create specters.¡± Hanul frowned. Tampering with souls is a forbidden art in the Hunter world. "He did that... to a blood relative of his own clan?" "The performance of the Demon Blade varies greatly depending on the quality of the soul. Among them, the highest quality is that of one¡¯s own bloodline." Mei Hong''s father wasn''t just a wielder of the Shura Blood; he was so skilled that even the clan head felt threatened by him. There was likely no soul more suited to being forged into a Demon Blade. "In the Mei Clan, only those deemed traitors of the highest order are permitted to be turned into Demon Blades. My father was one of them... The Greatest Sword personally carried out his execution and forged my father¡¯s soul into a Demon Blade." There was silence. No words of comfort came to mind. As if wrongful death wasn¡¯t enough, Mei Hong¡¯s father couldn¡¯t even rest in peace, his soul bound and weaponized. How must Mei Hong have felt, having witnessed it all? "I understand. But those two are already dead, aren¡¯t they?" By then, one would think Mei Hong¡¯s revenge had been fulfilled. But she shook her head. "There''s still one more." "Who?" "Bloodflame Blade Mei Xiao." Kwon Hanul had never heard the name before. But Joo Hayun reacted differently. "...You mean the leader of the Assassin Sword Division?" Even if Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t know Mei Xiao well, he certainly knew of the Assassin Swords¡ªthe Mei Clan¡¯s secret enforcers. They acted solely on the clan head¡¯s orders, eliminating threats both within and outside the clan. "When my father was taken, my mother fled with me. But the clan head had already dispatched Mei Xiao... We were captured almost immediately." Mei Hong¡¯s fists trembled violently, clenched so tightly they had turned white. "My mother was murdered on the spot. Do you know what Mei Xiao said? She said my mother was too weak and useless, not even worth turning into a Demon Blade." Mei Hong''s face twisted with seething rage. "After that, I was taken to the clan head. He didn¡¯t kill me. Want to know why? Because I was still young, and he planned to raise me for his own use." Mei Hong tugged at her collar, exposing her neck. A deep red brand, stark against her pale skin, was burned into her flesh. "This was seared into me using a Legendary-grade artifact. Because of this brand, I couldn''t resist. I had no choice but to obey the clan head." Her face was filled with contempt. Kwon Hanul could guess why the clan head spared her¡ªMei Hong¡¯s talent was too valuable to waste. "Now that the clan head is dead, I¡¯ve heard the Mei Clan¡¯s bloodline members are rallying around Mei Xiao." Joo Hayun nodded. The intelligence network of Hyukcheon had already confirmed their movements. "Bloodflame Blade will come to kill you, Kwon Hanul. When she does, I want to take my revenge." "Why are you so sure she¡¯ll come for me? There were many people there that day." "Because you killed the Greatest Sword of Central Plains." Kwon Hanul frowned. What was she talking about? "Bloodflame Blade is his disciple. Mei Xiao idolized her master to the point of fanaticism. She became the leader of the Assassin Swords for his sake." "For his sake?" "As a disciple, she had already surpassed her master. If she¡¯d revealed her full strength, she would¡¯ve inherited the title of Greatest Sword of Central Plains. But she didn¡¯t. She sacrificed everything and became the leader of the Assassin Swords to preserve his honor." "Is that true?" "Yes. But now, her master is dead. She will stop at nothing to avenge him." Kwon Hanul fell silent. If that¡¯s the case, then Bloodflame Blade Mei Xiao is the Mei Clan¡¯s true strongest warrior. "Did you tell the investigator about this?" "I did. But they didn¡¯t think it was a big deal. Said Hyukcheon isn¡¯t the type to be scared by something like this." "What? And they didn¡¯t even consult me?" Kwon Hanul cursed the faceless investigator under his breath. "I''ve said everything I need to." Mei Hong looked Kwon Hanul in the eye, her gaze solemn. "The choice is yours. But I can say this with confidence¡ªyou won¡¯t regret accepting me." She stepped down from her seat and knelt. Kwon Hanul was momentarily taken aback. "I will follow any command. If you tell me to be a dog, I will. If you order me to die, I will. As long as I can kill Bloodflame Blade Mei Xiao... I¡¯ll give you everything." Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t answer immediately. He hesitated. At that moment¡ª "This is too dangerous." Joo Hayun stepped in. "Taking Mei Hong means going against the Iron Corps. Fighting the Iron Corps within Hyukcheon is reckless." And that wasn¡¯t the only concern. "If Mei Hong¡¯s right, Bloodflame Blade is already targeting you. Bringing Mei Hong in will only make you more of a target." From Bloodflame Blade¡¯s perspective, both her master¡¯s killer and her clan¡¯s traitor would be in one place. Her retaliation would be brutal. "Rather than taking Mei Hong in, we should focus on preparing for Bloodflame Blade." "You have a point." Mei Hong bit her lip slightly at that. "I¡¯ve heard about the Iron Corps¡¯ reputation. But we can¡¯t stop brewing soy sauce just because of maggots, can we?" The response caught both women off guard. "Bloodflame Blade is coming for me anyway. One more or one less, it doesn¡¯t matter." Kwon Hanul reached out his hand. "Mei Hong, I look forward to working with you." Mei Hong stared at his hand for a moment, then reached out as well. "Woohoo!" She raised her fist high, cheering. Her unexpected enthusiasm left Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun bewildered. "Let¡¯s work well together!" Whether they were ready or not, Mei Hong smiled brightly. * * * "So, I¡¯m your first official team member?" The three of them walked down the corridor. Mei Hong seemed delighted to be ¡°Number One.¡± "Does that make you that happy?" "It means I¡¯m the first, right? Being first always feels good!" Keeping up with her energy was oddly difficult. "Ahem." Joo Hayun cleared her throat from a few steps behind. "You are Number One, but not the first." "Huh?" Mei Hong looked at her as if she were speaking nonsense. "I was the first to assist Kwon Hanul." "Oh! Then I¡¯m not the first after all! That¡¯s a shame, but I¡¯ll concede, unnie!" "Thank you for understa¡ªwait, did you just call me unnie?" "Yep, unnie." Joo Hayun¡¯s face stiffened. Her usual composure was cracked. "Oh, right! Since you accepted me, I have a gift for you." "No need." Kwon Hanul refused. Accepting a gift from someone not yet settled in Hyukcheon felt wrong. It would be like stealing from the poor. "No need?" "Yes." "Are you sure? I was going to tell you about the Mei Clan Head¡¯s secret personal vault." "...What did you just say?" Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. "I learned about it while working for him. He has quite a few secret vaults." "Sorry, but Bloodflame Blade has probably already reclaimed those." Joo Hayun interjected. Mei Hong shook her finger. "There¡¯s one vault nobody else knows about. It¡¯s small, but it holds the clan head¡¯s finest treasures." "...Is that true?" Even Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but be intrigued. Mei Hong smiled smugly. "I told you, you wouldn¡¯t regret choosing me. But we should talk later¡ªtoo many ears around." As they stepped outside¡ª A harsh wind roared overhead. Military helicopters appeared in the sky. Kwon Hanul dismissed them at first. But Joo Hayun didn¡¯t. Her eyes narrowed at the emblem on the choppers. "The Iron Corps? They¡¯re here already?" Suddenly, the helicopter doors opened, and half a dozen figures jumped out. "What the...?" A bad feeling crept over Kwon Hanul. And sure enough, they were headed straight for him. "Get back!" He stepped in front of the two women. The moment the soldiers landed, the ground shook violently. A cloud of dust exploded outward. "...Hoo." A man stepped forward. Kwon Hanul eyed him cautiously. No hair. No eyebrows. His body was covered in scars. "I wanted to make a quieter entrance." The man''s deep voice echoed. Kwon Hanul broke into a cold sweat. The man¡¯s aura crushed him. It felt like the air had turned to mud, clinging to his skin. This pressure¡ªit was the same as when he faced Kwon Seonwoo and Kwon Myung-woo. "But I couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch a threat to public order escape." The man¡¯s gaze locked onto Mei Hong. She couldn¡¯t even swallow her saliva. "Mei Hong. The Iron Corps has come to take you." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 57 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 57: The Iron Ones (1) An Imoogi can ascend to become a dragon if it trains for over a thousand years and gains the mythical orb of power. However, not every Imoogi is destined to become a dragon. Some fail due to insufficient training, others accumulate sins during their path, and many fall short for various other reasons. When an Imoogi fails to ascend, its heart becomes consumed with deep rage and hatred. And when those vile emotions reach their peak, it falls into corruption. From that moment on, the Imoogi is called by a different name: Gangcheoli¡ªThe Iron Ones. An Imoogi that has become a Gangcheoli brings havoc upon the human world, unleashing its fury. It burns farmlands, devours mountains, and cannibalism is hardly uncommon. The Punishers of the Hyukcheon Group, known as the Iron Corps, were named after these very monsters. Among the criminals of the Hyukcheon family, those deemed "useful" are forcibly subdued and sent into action at ¡°critical locations.¡± That is the role of the Iron Corps. ¡°Sir Gu Eon, there are no criminals here. Please, withdraw the Iron Corps.¡± Joo Hayun spoke to the man, her voice strained with tension. The man, Gu Eon, slowly turned to face her. ¡°Joo Hayun, have you forgotten? The Iron Corps does not only take in criminals.¡± ¡°What do you mean...?¡± ¡°Our duty is to take anyone who may harm the clan or the group and turn them into tools. That is the purpose of the Iron Corps.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s gaze shifted back to Mei Hong. ¡°Mei Hong. A traitor of the Mei Clan. The inquisitors may believe you¡¯re trustworthy, but I do not.¡± His eyes darkened ominously. ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee that someone who betrayed their clan won¡¯t do it again. Above all, I can¡¯t let someone of foreign blood roam freely.¡± At that moment, Kwon Hanul stepped forward. ¡°Mei Hong has already joined my team.¡± ¡°The Iron Corps has authority to arrest any individual deemed a threat, regardless of affiliation.¡± This is why they¡¯re called Punishers. The Iron Corps wields power second only to the Chairman himself. No one knows when they¡¯ll be seized, which is why everyone fears them. ¡°On what grounds do you deem Mei Hong a threat?¡± ¡°A hunch.¡± For a second, Kwon Hanul thought Gu Eon was joking ¡ª but his face remained deathly serious. ¡°...Sir Kwon Hanul, you might find this hard to believe, but even the Chairman trusts Sir Gu Eon¡¯s instincts implicitly,¡± Joo Hayun added quickly. ¡°He¡¯s apprehended over ten individuals based on ''intuition'' alone ¡ª and all of them were secretly engaged in dangerous activities.¡± ¡°Dangerous activities?¡± ¡°Illegal trades involving unregistered dungeon gates, trafficking of hazardous monsters... even acts of treason. That¡¯s why Gu Eon is exceptionally authorized to arrest without a warrant.¡± Arrest first, find evidence later. By modern law, such conduct would be unthinkable. But this is the Hyukcheon Clan, not a court of law. And Gu Eon, with his proven record, gets away with this. Still, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t back down. He faced Gu Eon again. ¡°Mei Hong is neither an enemy nor a threat. She¡¯s never harmed the Hyukcheon Clan ¡ª in fact, she fought alongside us.¡± ¡°Trueblood. That¡¯s a problematic statement,¡± Gu Eon cut in sharply. ¡°To be precise, she fought with us only because we shared a common enemy. She¡¯s no ally ¡ª she could become our enemy at any moment.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s gaze returned to Mei Hong. ¡°And more importantly, her actions ¡ª leading to the downfall of her clan ¡ª and her boldness aren¡¯t traits of ordinary people. She may look intact on the outside, but she¡¯s surely rotted within.¡± His voice was filled with certainty. ¡°In my experience, such vicious people always end up bringing ruin to the clan.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying you¡¯ll take her before that happens?¡± ¡°Exactly. If someone like Mei Hong turns against the Hyukcheon Clan, she¡¯d be a formidable enemy. My role, and that of the Iron Corps, is to capture and repurpose her before that happens.¡± Gu Eon stepped forward, looming over Kwon Hanul. ¡°If you understand, stand aside. I will take Mei Hong with me today.¡± With a flick of his hand, his followers stood up. Each wore different attire, but they all bore shackles somewhere on their bodies. They were criminals, dragged into servitude by Gu Eon. ¡°Bring Mei Hong before me.¡± The Punishers of the Iron Corps advanced toward her. Mei Hong¡¯s expression stiffened, but after a deep breath, it shifted ¡ª she now glared at them with a deadly gaze, ready to strike if they came closer. ¡°If she resists, break all her limbs.¡± Gu Eon gave the order calmly. But the Punishers couldn¡¯t move any closer. ¡°Enough.¡± Kwon Hanul blocked their path. ¡°Kwon Hanul, I¡¯ve told you. The Iron Corps has the authority to seize anyone ¡ª you are no exception. Are you asking to be arrested now?¡± It was a chilling threat. Kwon Hanul sighed lightly. ¡°That would be inconvenient.¡± ¡°Then step aside.¡± ¡°That too would be... inconvenient.¡± For the first time, emotion flickered across Gu Eon¡¯s face ¡ª irritation. He addressed Kwon Hanul directly. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this wordplay.¡± ¡°Mei Hong is under my protection. A threat? She¡¯s committed no crime. You expect me to hand her over for that nonsense?¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t bother hiding his displeasure. ¡°I won¡¯t entertain this bullshit.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s cold eyes locked onto him. ¡°...You truly are a Trueblood. You show no fear despite the Iron Corps¡¯ infamous reputation.¡± An overwhelming force erupted from Gu Eon ¡ª it felt like the air itself was burning. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, your spirit is impressive. Let¡¯s see if your skills measure up.¡± Gu Eon unleashed his Dragon Aura. It was no ordinary Aura¡ª it radiated a suffocating ferocity that made the blood run cold. Facing him, Kwon Hanul raised his hand. Gu Eon¡¯s lips curled slightly. ¡°That¡¯s not a challenge.¡± Suddenly, the tension drained from Gu Eon¡¯s eyes. The others observing the standoff were just as confused. ¡°...What did you say?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not stupid enough to fight you.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s power rivaled even Kwon Seonwoo and Kwon Myung-woo ¡ª meaning he stood at their level. How could anyone fight such a top-tier master? ¡°...Didn¡¯t you just say you¡¯d oppose me?¡± ¡°I will ¡ª just with different methods.¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul. No one can override my authority. Unless it¡¯s the Chairman himself...¡± Before Gu Eon could finish, Kwon Hanul pulled out his phone and made a call. After a few rings, it connected. ¡ª¡°...You bastard.¡± A deeply displeased voice echoed from the phone. Everyone could hear it. ¡ª¡°How dare you call me without permission. Do you have a death wish?¡± The Head of the Hyukcheon Clan. The Chairman of Hyukcheon Group. It was Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice. ¡°I greet the Master of Hyukcheon!¡± ¡ª¡°That stiff attitude of yours hasn¡¯t changed. Anyway... Kwon Hanul, what kind of trouble have you stirred up this time?¡± A short sigh came through the phone. ¡°Well, about that...¡± Kwon Hanul gave a brief explanation of what had just happened. After listening to everything, Kwon Sunwoo spat out just one sentence. ¡ª¡°You arrogant bastard.¡± His voice was chillingly full of anger. ¡ª¡°You¡¯re not some brat, and yet you come running to me because your toy is about to be taken away? Asking me to protect it for you?¡± ¡°Ah, I wasn¡¯t asking you to protect it or anything.¡± ¡ª¡°Don¡¯t give me that crap! Do you think I gave you a phone to bother me with this nonsense?¡± ¡°So impatient. I wasn¡¯t going to ask for help¡ªI was going to ask for a chance.¡± ¡ª¡°A chance?¡± ¡°Yes. I figured it¡¯d be pointless if I said it myself.¡± Kwon Hanul turned to Gu Eon. ¡°You said Mei Hong is a dangerous person and needs to be properly disciplined, right?¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± ¡°But the Iron Corps doesn¡¯t necessarily have to be the one to do it. I¡¯ll train her myself, in a way that makes her an asset to Hyukcheon.¡± It would be difficult to convince someone like Gu Eon that Mei Hong wasn¡¯t dangerous. So instead, Kwon Hanul had to go along with his logic. ¡°Of course, words alone won¡¯t be enough. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll prove my qualifications right here and now.¡± ¡°And how do you plan to prove that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go along with the conditions set by the Iron Corps. That way, both sides can accept it.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s brow furrowed slightly¡ªhis displeasure was evident. But he didn¡¯t speak recklessly. ¡ª¡°Hoh...¡± It was the chairman on the other end of the smartphone who reacted with intrigue. ¡ª¡°So that¡¯s why you called me.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡ª¡°Gu Eon, what¡¯s your take? I¡¯m curious to see if this one is all talk, or if he¡¯s got something to show.¡± ¡°I follow your will, Chairman. However...¡± Gu Eon¡¯s once-calm eyes now gleamed ominously. ¡°It will be an impossible trial.¡± ¡ª¡°Do as you please. Since we¡¯re indulging his stubbornness, it¡¯s only fair you show some of your own, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue inwardly. He was starting to regret getting involved. ¡°...Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± At that moment, Mei Hong tugged on his sleeve. Her face was full of worry. ¡°It¡¯s okay. We¡¯re on the same team now, so this much is expected...¡± ¡°You have to win! I don¡¯t want to be sent to that creepy squad!¡± Kwon Hanul felt a bit put off¡ªthe conversation was taking a turn he hadn¡¯t anticipated. Meanwhile, Gu Eon gave a command to his Iron Corps. ¡°Bae Cheolmin, go fetch the prisoner we caught yesterday.¡± One of the Iron Corps members climbed to the rooftop. Apparently, he had business with the helicopter they¡¯d arrived in. A short while later, they returned carrying a steel cage barely big enough for a child. Inside was a fully grown man, crammed in tightly. His knees were pulled up, his back hunched, his body contorted as much as possible. What was more horrific was his physical condition¡ªover ten iron stakes were driven through his body, pinning him in place. ¡°...Where the hell is this now?¡± Despite his gruesome state, the man¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°Hey! Baldy! Where the hell did you drag me this time?¡± He even had the audacity to shout loudly. ¡°No Ho Min.¡± Gu Eon spoke his name. ¡°He was once a top-tier hunter in the Hyukcheon Group, highly regarded. But during a mission, he was blinded by greed over dungeon rewards and killed his teammates. That¡¯s how he ended up like this.¡± Top-tier hunter. Even within the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s elite hunters, only a rare few earned that title. At that level, even the bloodline of Hyukcheon couldn¡¯t treat them lightly¡ªthey were that formidable. And yet such a man was now trapped in a cage, looking like a wreck. ¡°He gave me quite a bit of trouble capturing him. That¡¯s why I was late meeting Mei Hong.¡± To unleash someone like him... Gu Eon really didn¡¯t want to let go of Mei Hong. Or perhaps Kwon Hanul had hit his pride a bit too hard. ¡°You can use violence or persuasion¡ªthere are no limits on methods. Do whatever it takes to subdue this man and make him submit. Then, I¡¯ll acknowledge your right to control Mei Hong.¡± Gu Eon snapped his fingers. An Iron Corps member approached with a key. ¡°I¡¯ll unlock the cage, and when I give the signal, we¡¯ll release the prisoner. Then it¡¯ll begin...¡± Clang! The cage opened. In that instant, the cage shattered, and the Iron Corps member holding the key was sent flying. ¡°Phew.¡± The prisoner, No Ho Min, stretched his back and rolled his shoulders casually. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but thanks for letting me out!¡± His body levitated slightly, and an opaque platform appeared beneath his feet. ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way now! Hahaha!¡± No Ho Min soared into the sky, gliding smoothly as if skating on air. ¡°Ah, I forgot to mention something. No Ho Min is famous among top-tier hunters for his speed. He reached S-rank agility ages ago.¡± Gu Eon addressed Kwon Hanul. ¡°At this rate, he¡¯ll escape for good. Well, when dealing with prisoners, unexpected things like this tend to happen.¡± Even though the prisoner was escaping, Gu Eon showed no sign of urgency. It was obvious he¡¯d released No Ho Min without any signal¡ªon purpose. ¡°If you let him get away, you¡¯ll be held accountable. After all, this whole mess is because of your request.¡± Suddenly, Gu Eon noticed something odd. Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t moved or said a word. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± Joo Hayun shook his shoulder. Only then did Kwon Hanul snap out of it. ¡°Ah, I was observing something.¡± ¡°Observing?¡± ¡°Yes, that man¡¯s skill.¡± Kwon Hanul looked up at the sky again. Heavenly Sky Path: Quality: Legendary (???) Description: A skill created by fusing the powers of ¡®Monarch¡¯ and ¡®Thunder Step¡¯. Combines wind¡¯s authority with lightning-speed techniques. Growth-type Skill Only transferable by its creator, Kwon Hanul. The inheritor must possess Wind-element magic. Forms: 1st Form: Lone Run 2nd Form: (Not yet created) 3rd Form: (Not yet created) All of his efforts had borne fruit. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 58 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 58: The Iron Ones (2) Knowledge and experience that had remained disjointed now merge into one. A refreshing sensation spreads, like a hole being drilled into his head and filled with ice-cold water. He could feel the new skill embedding itself into his body. It was different from when he acquired Black Dragon Ascension Art. Back then, the knowledge had been unfamiliar, forcefully injected into his mind. But this skill was different. It was the result of Kwon Hanul¡¯s relentless pondering, effort, and research. A sharp sensation of a large chunk of mana being drained is followed by a violent gust. Winds created by the Authority of Monarch always swirled around Kwon Hanul. But this time, it was different. The wind surged upward¡ªtoward the direction No Ho Min had fled. <¡°Heavenly Sky Path¡± has been created.> When he had seen No Ho Min¡¯s skill, Shura Bloodline had given Kwon Hanul the answer. If controlling the flow of wind was too difficult, then just let it run wild. And thus, it was completed¡ªa path of wind that allowed him to fly through the sky. Kwon Hanul handed his smartphone to Joo Hayun. Then he turned to Gu Eon. ¡°You must keep your promise.¡± He stepped onto the path of wind. In that instant, a fierce gale erupted. It was so strong, it was nearly impossible to keep his eyes open. When the windstorm subsided, Kwon Hanul was gone. * * * ¡®What the hell did I just see?¡¯ Right after Kwon Hanul vanished, Gu Eon replayed the scene over and over in his mind. It wasn¡¯t flashy. It wasn¡¯t awe-inspiring. He simply flew away. But it was terrifyingly fast. For a brief moment, he had reached speeds close to S-rank agility. ¡ªCan you hand the phone to Gu Eon? From the smartphone in Joo Hayun¡¯s hand, the chairman¡¯s voice emerged. Gu Eon respectfully accepted the phone with both hands. ¡°Yes, Chairman.¡± ¡ªWhat do you think is going to happen? For a moment, the mysterious skill Kwon Hanul had used flashed in Gu Eon¡¯s mind. But his answer remained the same. ¡°No question about it. He won¡¯t catch No Ho Min. He¡¯ll lose him.¡± Gu Eon spoke in a detached tone. In his mind, Kwon Hanul¡¯s failure was already decided. ¡ªIs that your intuition? ¡°There¡¯s no need to rely on intuition. No Ho Min¡¯s a scumbag blinded by greed who killed his comrades. But his skills? I have to admit they¡¯re the real deal.¡± There¡¯s no point in listing excuses. No Ho Min had S-rank agility. Between A-rank and S-rank was a gap that could never be bridged. Kwon Hanul had no chance of catching him. ¡ªBut that criminal isn¡¯t in top condition either. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s got his innards slashed up and took several iron spears to the thigh. Not to mention other wounds. At most, he¡¯s operating at 60% of his usual strength.¡± ¡ªAnd even so, you think Kwon Hanul won¡¯t catch him? ¡°Yes.¡± Gu Eon¡¯s voice remained firm with confidence. ¡ªIs that so. But this time, I find it hard to trust your judgment. Gu Eon¡¯s eyes wavered, clearly shaken by the chairman¡¯s words. ¡ªThat cocky bastard... Kwon Hanul tends to do things that defy expectations. Kwon Seonwoo spoke in a calm, deliberate tone. ¡ªTell me, Gu Eon. Care to make a bet? On whether that bastard Kwon Hanul can catch the criminal or not? Without a second thought, Gu Eon replied resolutely, ¡°He won¡¯t catch him. Not a chance.¡± * * * ¡°Heheh! What a stroke of luck!¡± Sliding through the air, No Ho Min let out a triumphant shout. ¡°Thought I¡¯d be stuck as a slave for the Iron Corps forever, but I actually got the chance to escape.¡± If nothing else, speed was his pride. Among peers, juniors, seniors¡ªno one could catch him. ¡°What should I do once I get away? First, I need to get my gear back... No, wait. Forget that. First, strawberries. I¡¯ll order a whole box, wash them in cold water, and gorge myself.¡± A blissful smile spread across his face just imagining it. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take revenge on the bastards who ratted me out. Break their fingers one by one... Damn it.¡± His words trailed off as he spat a curse. ¡°Even in this condition, I only made it this far? This is embarrassing.¡± About three minutes had passed. The camp he¡¯d fled from had long vanished beyond the horizon. Nothing surrounded him now. Despite moving at breakneck speed, No Ho Min felt he wasn¡¯t fast enough. ¡°Screw the plan. First, I need to recover...¡± Just then, a faint sound of wind reached his ears. No Ho Min maintained speed and glanced back. ¡°What... is that?¡± Someone was flying toward him. No¡ªwas that flying? It looked more like they were being pulled or pushed forward by something. And then, No Ho Min found the right comparison. ¡°A... current?¡± It felt like they were riding a rushing current. With each blink, the distance shrank alarmingly. ¡°Damn it!¡± No Ho Min pushed his speed even further. He didn¡¯t know what that was, but it reeked of danger. Then suddenly, the figure vanished. ¡°Huh?¡ªKgh!¡± Before he could react, a blow struck his back. That someone had stomped on him from above, slamming him downward. ¡°Gah!¡± With a short scream, No Ho Min plummeted. He crashed through the ground, buried deep below. Not far from the impact site, someone landed lightly. ¡°Huff.¡± Kwon Hanul exhaled. ¡°Barely caught up.¡± He had pushed himself to the limit to catch No Ho Min. His mana was almost depleted, but it had worked. <¡°Healthy Bloodline¡± detects fatigue!> After a few breaths, his drained mana quickly began to replenish. Kwon Hanul slowly approached to finish subduing No Ho Min. ¡°K-Kgh...!¡± The impact must¡¯ve been severe¡ªNo Ho Min still couldn¡¯t gather his senses. ¡°Hey.¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s call, No Ho Min weakly lifted his head. Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes turned pink. With the power of Vassal Bloodline, his gaze locked onto No Ho Min. Vassal Bloodline was one of the reasons Kwon Hanul had confidently accepted Gu Eon¡¯s challenge. Unlike with the Blaga clan¡¯s kin or Ruyn Aspadam, he couldn¡¯t dominate No Ho Min. Still, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t disappointed. He¡¯d anticipated this outcome. ¡®As expected, it¡¯s hard to dominate a regular person.¡¯ After his battle with Ruyn Aspadam, Kwon Hanul had done further research into the Vassal Bloodline. Strangely, he could easily dominate kin or familiars of the Blaga clan, but not ordinary people. He could only dominate if his mana and mental power vastly overpowered the target¡¯s. If the gap was small, domination became difficult. In such cases, he needed to first weaken their mental strength through other means. ¡®So how should I bring this one under control...¡¯ Suddenly, No Ho Min twisted his body and, from a seated position, swung his left leg. A bad premonition tugged at Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind. He bent backward. At that moment, an aura slash came flying at him. The slash grazed the tip of Kwon Hanul¡¯s nose, just barely missing him. It flew past and struck a distant mountain ridge head-on. With a thunderous roar that shook the earth, one side of the mountain began to collapse. ¡°Son of a biiiitch!¡± A curse rang out. Kwon Hanul straightened his back and looked forward. No Ho Min was glaring at him, his eyes bloodshot with fury. ¡°As if I wasn¡¯t already pissed off enough, now you¡¯re stepping on me? And you''re just some brat stuck at A-rank!¡± ¡°How¡¯d you know? Is it that obvious I¡¯m A-rank?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s obvious! A novice might not recognize a master, but a master always sees through a novice!¡± No Ho Min spat on the ground. ¡°Look at this cocky bastard. Acting all smug? Think I¡¯m gonna let you off just ¡®cause you¡¯re part of the Black Dragon bloodline?¡± A fierce wave of killing intent and magical energy erupted from No Ho Min. Nothing about him looked like someone who was injured. ¡°I¡¯m gonna grind you down, piece by piece!¡± Seeing him boiling with rage, one thought came to Kwon Hanul. There¡¯s only one way to crush someone this mad¡ªcompletely overpower them. ¡°You¡¯re gonna kill me? Funny, I¡¯m supposed to bring you back alive. So...¡± Instead of clenching his fists, he casually put his hands behind his back. No Ho Min scowled, as if to ask, What the hell is this guy doing? ¡°I won¡¯t use my fists. I¡¯ll deal with you using only my feet.¡± Silence. Then No Ho Min¡¯s face crumpled like crushed foil. ¡°You bastard! Who the hell do you think you are?!¡± Kwon Hanul calmly awakened the power of his Black Dragon Blood. ¡®The Dragon¡¯s Eye has opened. His eyes glowed with a violet hue. * * * ¡°More than anything, No Ho Min isn¡¯t just a fast hunter.¡± Gu Eon continued speaking. ¡°He qualified as a Special-Rank Hunter just five years after joining the Hyukcheon Group. That kind of rapid advancement is incredibly rare.¡± ¡ªI see. ¡°He has a natural combat sense. That¡¯s why I chose to capture him alive rather than execute him.¡± Being forcibly assigned to the Iron Corps¡ªironically, it¡¯s proof of his exceptional skills. The Iron Corps exists to ¡®recycle¡¯ talents too valuable to kill. ¡°I¡¯ve heard much about the achievements of the True Bloodline. But Kwon Hanul hasn¡¯t even been with the Hyukcheon family for a year. Can he really handle No Ho Min...?¡± Laughter echoed from the smartphone. ¡ªAh, sorry. Someone else said something similar before. Even as he apologized, the Chairman didn¡¯t stop laughing. ¡ªWell then, let¡¯s see how this turns out. * * * ¡°The Dragon¡¯s Eye?¡± Looking at Kwon Hanul¡¯s violet hued eyes, No Ho Min realized. The Dragon¡¯s Eye¡ªa power that manifests when one¡¯s synchronization with the Black Dragon Blood exceeds 50%. Even within the Hyukcheon Clan, few have awakened it. That¡¯s how powerful it is. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me... you¡¯re taking me on because you think that¡¯ll be enough?¡± But as far as No Ho Min could tell, Kwon Hanul¡¯s stats were all stuck at A-rank. His own agility was at S-rank. Even if the Dragon¡¯s Eye is powerful, it¡¯s not enough to bridge the gap between S and A. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to teach this Hyukcheon brat his place.¡± Aura surged into No Ho Min¡¯s leg. From heel to calf, blades of aura formed along his limb. ¡°Let¡¯s start by tearing open your belly.¡± No Ho Min charged at Kwon Hanul. His movements were strange, almost like gliding across ice. It looked odd¡ªbut the speed was insane. He instantly hit top speed and launched a brutal kick. At maximum speed and power, this kick had felled countless monsters. An A-rank wouldn¡¯t even see it coming, let alone dodge it. No Ho Min¡¯s front kick drove straight toward Kwon Hanul. At that moment, Hanul lifted his knee. With precise angle and timing, his shin deflected No Ho Min¡¯s kick to the side. ¡°What...?¡± Hanul swung the same knee down, striking No Ho Min¡¯s supporting leg. No Ho Min¡¯s knee buckled, his head dropped, and Hanul drove his knee into Ho-min¡¯s chin. ¡°Guhh!¡± It was like being hit by a sledgehammer. Teeth flew from his mouth as No Ho Min staggered back. ¡°Ugh, gahh!¡± His body and mind reeled. And in that moment, a question tore through No Ho Min¡¯s mind. ¡®How? How did an A-rank block my attack? Worse yet, did I just get hit by an A-rank?¡¯ Rage and humiliation consumed him, numbing the pain. ¡°RAAAGH!¡± With a scream, No Ho Min activated another skill. Shadowless Kick. A flurry of kicks so fast they¡¯re invisible to the naked eye¡ªhis specialty, and his strongest technique. Combined with S-rank agility, it was beyond mere invisibility. His leg seemed to split into several. Each phantom leg aimed at Kwon Hanul. Or tried to. Just before they struck, Hanul tapped the air with his heel. No Ho Min¡¯s body was blown back, and the phantom legs vanished. No Ho Min wasn¡¯t physically hurt¡ªbut he looked stunned. ¡®H-How... how did he pinpoint Shadowless Kick¡¯s weakness?¡¯ Shadowless Kick centers on the knee. Hit it before the technique fully activates, and you can stop it. But the skill¡¯s speed makes that nearly impossible. And yet, from the start, Hanul had been targeting his weaknesses¡ªlike he could read his mind. ¡°...Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°You done?¡± ¡°...What?¡± Hanul didn¡¯t seem interested in answering. ¡°If you¡¯re out of moves, my turn.¡± Wind began swirling around Hanul¡¯s feet. No Ho Min braced himself. ¡®No matter what, I¡¯m faster. I can dodge everything!¡¯ Hanul moved. Or rather, by the time No Ho Min registered movement, Hanul was already in front of him. Startled, he jabbed his knee upward. But Hanul¡¯s kick struck first¡ªright into his solar plexus. ¡°GAAH!¡± The pain made his vision blur. No Ho Min barely stayed conscious. Hanul charged again, pivoting his waist around his lead foot. A spinning kick! No Ho Min mirrored the motion. He¡¯d be faster with the same move! Then¡ªHanul¡¯s speed exploded, like he had a motor in his joints. ¡°Wh-What the¡ªurk!¡± Hanul¡¯s heel crashed into No Ho Min¡¯s chin with a sickening crunch. His body flew backward. No Ho Min landed face down, groaning. ¡°Ughh... uh, ugh...¡± His jaw shattered, he couldn¡¯t speak. Footsteps approached. Looking up, he saw Hanul standing over him. Dread crawled up his spine. It felt like facing an unrelenting monster. ¡°P-Please...¡± No Ho Min begged, voice trembling. Hanul silently raised his foot. ¡°U-Ugh... ah...¡± The shadow of Hanul¡¯s foot loomed over No Ho Min¡¯s face. His eyes trembled in fear. ¡°Spare me!¡± Hanul¡¯s foot slammed down. ¡°Pathetic.¡± Hanul withdrew his foot. ¡°You chickened out.¡± No Ho Min¡¯s head was unharmed. Instead, a clear footprint marked the ground next to him. Hanul closed his Dragon¡¯s Eye. No need to use his third eye. Its basic abilities alone were enough to defeat No Ho Min. ¡®Is he out cold?¡¯ Hanul peered at his face. Tears streaked his expression, dazed like he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°Looks like I won¡¯t need to use the Vassal Bloodline.¡± He scratched his cheek. ¡°Still... better activate my power, just in case.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 59 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 59: Iron Footsteps echoed nearby. Gu Eon turned toward the camp entrance. The sound was singular, yet two people were approaching. Kwon Hanul was carrying No Ho Min over his shoulder, walking toward them. ¡°I¡¯ve captured him.¡± Kwon Hanul threw No Ho Min down at Gu Eon¡¯s feet. For a moment, Gu Eon wondered if he was seeing things. ¡°How did you manage to catch No Ho Min?¡± ¡°I ran like hell and caught him,¡± Kwon Hanul replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Gu Eon was at a loss for words, stunned by the sheer absurdity. ¡ªHas Kwon Hanul really returned? What happened? ¡°What do you mean what happened? I caught him.¡± ¡ªJudging by that arrogant tone, it must be true. The Chairman burst out laughing again. Gu Eon couldn¡¯t help but be surprised. As far as he knew, the Chairman was not someone who laughed often. ¡ªSo Kwon Hanul, that guy won the wager? ¡°There¡¯s still something to confirm.¡± ¡ªConfirm? ¡°My condition wasn¡¯t just to catch No Ho Min, but to make him surrender. Just bringing him here isn¡¯t enough.¡± At those words, Kwon Hanul let out a sigh, visibly annoyed. ¡°You really hate admitting defeat, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand. People like him carry poison in their hearts. To control them, they must be utterly broken. Just defeating them in a fight isn¡¯t enough.¡± Kwon Hanul studied Gu Eon¡¯s face and realized something. Gu Eon wasn¡¯t being petty because he couldn¡¯t admit defeat. He genuinely believed what he was saying. ¡°Get up.¡± Kwon Hanul nudged No Ho Min with his foot. No Ho Min startled awake. ¡°W-where am I... W-what the¡ªmy jaw... my jaw¡¯s fine?!¡± ¡°I had it treated, just in case.¡± No Ho Min slowly looked up at Kwon Hanul. His face turned pale in an instant. ¡°Aaaaaargh!¡± ¡°Quiet.¡± ¡°Mmph! Mmmph!¡± No Ho Min hurriedly covered his mouth with his palms, his eyes darting wildly, watching Kwon Hanul¡¯s every move. ¡°Kneel.¡± No Ho Min immediately shifted his posture, kneeling like a servile slave. ¡°Enough?¡± Kwon Hanul turned to Gu Eon. Gu Eon¡¯s face was filled with shock. ¡°...You didn¡¯t just make him surrender. You completely broke him. How did you do it?¡± There was a reason Gu Eon had chosen No Ho Min. He was an exceptionally vicious and unyielding criminal¡ªso much so that even Gu Eon had planned to personally train him. Yet Kwon Hanul had subdued him in mere minutes. Even Gu Eon would¡¯ve struggled with that. ¡°I hit him a few times, and he listened.¡± ¡°You think that makes sense?¡± ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s time for you to keep your end of the bargain.¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s words, Gu Eon hesitated. Then, with a long sigh, he spoke. ¡°Fine, I admit it. You have the right to take Mei Hong under your wing. Neither I nor the Iron Corps will interfere with Mei Hong anymore.¡± Gu Eon had acknowledged defeat. At that moment, a shrill scream erupted. ¡°Kyaaah!¡± Mei Hong leapt forward and clung tightly to Kwon Hanul¡¯s neck, cheering. ¡°I knew I was right about you! Following you was the best decision I ever made!¡± Overcome with joy, she shook Kwon Hanul enthusiastically. His neck ached from the force. ¡°Please calm down.¡± Perhaps realizing this, Joo Hayun gently pulled Mei Hong back by her shoulders. Yet Mei Hong¡¯s excitement didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Unni! Did you see that?¡± ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so calm for someone who just witnessed that!¡± ¡°When you serve someone like Kwon Hanul, this kind of thing stops surprising you.¡± At those words, Mei Hong made a playful face. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s subtle bragging. How¡¯s a newbie like me supposed to survive?¡± As Mei Hong pouted, Gu Eon addressed her. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable, Mei Hong. The Iron Corps is always watching you.¡± His voice was cold as ever. ¡°If you do anything to harm the clan, we¡¯ll come for you immediately.¡± ¡ªGu Eon, can we have a word? Gu Eon¡¯s demeanor suddenly shifted. He politely pressed his comm device. ¡°Right now, sir?¡± ¡ªYes. Somewhere private, if possible. I don¡¯t want anyone overhearing this conversation. ¡°There are members of the Bae Clan present. Leaving without cause would be...¡± ¡ªThat¡¯s fine. In fact, I¡¯d like Hayun to come along too. A flicker of surprise crossed Joo Hayun¡¯s face. It wasn¡¯t common for both of them to be summoned together. ¡°Understood. You, restrain the criminal and prepare to leave.¡± The Iron Corps members bowed slightly. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, I¡¯ll be back shortly.¡± Joo Hayun followed Gu Eon as he left. ¡°Hmm... So, what should we do in the meantime?¡± At Mei Hong¡¯s question, Kwon Hanul shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss our plans. We¡¯ll be taking on a mission soon.¡± ¡°What kind of mission?¡± ¡°A guard mission...¡± Just as they started talking, someone approached. A male member of the Iron Corps stepped forward. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, it¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± His tone was polite, with no sign of hostility. ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to speak with you. Didn¡¯t expect the chance to come this soon. Looks like today¡¯s my lucky day.¡± Even so, Kwon Hanul¡¯s senses flared. Instinctively, he felt the need to be cautious around this man. The man gave a faint smile. ¡°No need to be on guard. Captain Gu Eon and the Witch of Hyukcheon are right nearby. What could I possibly do? Not that I¡¯d try anything.¡± Even so, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t relax. The man radiated an overwhelming presence. Slightly below average height. Messy, unkempt hair. A scrawny, unimpressive frame. And yet, it felt as if a massive mountain had been compacted into that frame¡ªa suffocating pressure. How had he not noticed before? How was this man so powerful? ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°You heard my name earlier, didn¡¯t you? Bae Cheol-min. Bae Cheol-min.¡± Kwon Hanul tried to recall. This was the man who had retrieved No Ho Min from the iron prison on Gu Eon¡¯s orders. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to meet you since I first heard about you. I¡¯m sure you feel the same.¡± ¡°Me? With you?¡± Bae Cheol-min looked slightly hurt by Kwon Hanul¡¯s reaction. ¡°Playing dumb, are we? Now that the Chairman recognizes you, does that mean our clan means nothing to you?¡± ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°...You do know who I am, right?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Bae Cheol-min, usually so talkative, suddenly fell silent in shock. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense... If you don¡¯t know me, that means you don¡¯t know the Cheongsong Bae Clan or Healthy Bloodline either?¡± ¡°Never heard of either...¡± Suddenly, Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°What did you just say? Healthy Bloodline?¡± Bae Cheol-min smirked at Kwon Hanul¡¯s reaction. ¡°Ha... This is unbelievable. The Head of Hyukcheon¡¯s family has really gone too far. Of all people, you should know about us.¡± Frustrated, Bae Cheol-min ruffled his hair violently. A nearby comrade shouted at him. ¡°Hey, Bae Cheol-min! Don¡¯t mess around! Captain Gu Eon gave us orders¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± Bae Cheol-min snapped, glaring at the Iron Corps member. The man immediately went silent. No, it wasn¡¯t just that. His body had stiffened, paralyzed¡ªunable to speak even if he wanted to. ¡°I¡¯m busy. Don¡¯t get in my way.¡± Despite speaking only a few words, the air was thick with deadly intent. ¡°Ah, excuse me. That was rude.¡± Bae Cheol-min turned back to Kwon Hanul, who stared at him with a steely expression. ¡°Our Cheongsong Bae Clan has served the House of Black Dragon for generations. Thanks to the Healthy Bloodline.¡± Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t misheard. It was the Healthy Bloodline. ¡°But decades ago, our entire clan was ruined. Now we¡¯re little more than slaves. All at the hands of the House of Black Dragon.¡± ¡°What does that have to do with me?¡± Kwon Hanul asked, his tone cold. Bae Cheol-min only smiled in response. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, how much do you really know about your father?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know much.¡± That was because every time he tried to learn about his father, Kwon Seonwoo and Joo Hayun remained silent. ¡°All I¡¯ve ever been told is that he fled the clan, mixed his blood with an outsider¡ªmy mother¡ªand was branded a traitor because of it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not entirely false, but it¡¯s not the whole truth either. Your father didn¡¯t exactly flee the clan on his own accord. It would be more accurate to say he was exiled.¡± ¡°Exiled?¡± ¡°Yes. Had he stayed, he would have faced execution.¡± It felt like he¡¯d been struck in the head with a solid hammer. ¡°...Execution? Why?¡± ¡°Why do you think? Because the head of Hyukcheon Clan gave the order.¡± ¡°And on what charges?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kwon Hanul frowned. Bae Cheol-min, however, still wore a smile. ¡°The head of Hyukcheon never disclosed the charges. He simply sentenced your father to death. Some tried to uncover the reason, but the clan head never said a word.¡± Bae Cheol-min chuckled as he continued. ¡°No one knew the reason. Not even your father. One day, he was suddenly bound and imprisoned.¡± ¡°He was sentenced to death without even being told why?¡± ¡°Haha, Lord Hanul.¡± Bae Cheol-min burst out laughing, with a gaze like he was looking at a pitiable child. ¡°That¡¯s just the kind of man the head of Hyukcheon is. Did you really not know that?¡± Kwon Hanul was speechless. ¡°The head of the Cheongsong Bae Clan couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer. He saved your father and helped him escape. In return... well, there¡¯s no need for me to say what came next.¡± Bae Cheol-min looked at Kwon Hanul steadily. ¡°Now you understand why I wanted to meet you.¡± It made sense now. From birth, Kwon Hanul had been entangled with this man and the Cheongsong Bae Clan. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°Want? Nothing of the sort. I just want you to know something.¡± Bae Cheol-min¡¯s voice lowered slightly, almost intimate. ¡°That our Cheongsong Bae Clan did everything it could for your father.¡± Unconsciously, Kwon Hanul clenched his fists tightly. ¡°Is it because of the clan¡¯s sins that you ended up in the Iron Corps?¡± ¡°Hyukcheon is a hellish place, but it doesn¡¯t send people to the Iron Corps over old grudges.¡± ¡°Then what crime put me in the Iron Corps?¡± ¡°Attempted assassination of the clan head.¡± Kwon Hanul stared at Bae Cheol-min, stunned. Bae Cheol-min spoke with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve said too much already.¡± By now, the Iron Corps soldiers had long since bound Noh Ho Min¡¯s limbs and locked him in a cell. Bae Cheol-min began walking toward them. ¡°There¡¯s one more thing I¡¯m curious about.¡± Kwon Hanul stopped him. Bae Cheol-min turned back with a puzzled look. ¡°How did you become so strong?¡± It was hard to believe he came from a fallen clan¡ªBae Cheol-min was that powerful. Even most of Hyukcheon¡¯s pure-bloods wouldn¡¯t be able to match him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing special. I simply focused on my bloodline.¡± ¡°You reached that level through the Health Bloodline?¡± It didn¡¯t make sense. Though the Health Bloodline was impressive, it wasn¡¯t meant for combat. ¡°The Healthy Bloodline strengthens its bearer under extreme conditions.¡± He knew that. When the bearer of the Health Bloodline experiences pain, they grow stronger to overcome it. But even so, how could that alone elevate him to this level? ¡°So that¡¯s how you became strong?¡± ¡°Of course, that alone wouldn¡¯t be enough.¡± Bae Cheol-min¡¯s smile remained unchanged. ¡°You just have to live in hell every day.¡± * * * Elsewhere ¡°Chairman, is it wise to let him speak freely like that?¡± Gu Eon asked, clearly unable to understand. ¡ªIt¡¯s fine. It¡¯s not something we could hide forever anyway. ¡°But Bae Cheol-min still harbors hatred for Hyukcheon. Someone like that wouldn¡¯t tell the truth.¡± ¡ªWhat does truth matter? Knowing it changes nothing. Isn¡¯t that right, Hayun? Joo Hayun lowered her head in silence. Gu Eon still looked displeased. ¡°I just can¡¯t help but worry. To reveal this in such a manner¡ªsurely there¡¯s a better way.¡± ¡ªThat child is no longer a child. I won¡¯t coddle him and explain everything step by step. Kwon Seonwoo spoke firmly. ¡ªYou misunderstand something, Gu Eon. I¡¯m not revealing the truth for his sake. I want to see how he reacts¡ªhow he acts once he knows about his father. Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s interest, now as always, was singular. To determine Kwon Hanul¡¯s worth¡ªhow valuable he was, and how best to evaluate that worth. Even the story of Hanul¡¯s father was just another tool. ¡°Lord Hanul doesn¡¯t seem that curious about his parents.¡± At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke up. ¡ªIs that so? Then there won¡¯t be much to gain from this. ¡°But I don¡¯t believe this is the right way.¡± ¡ªAre you reproaching me? ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s voice remained calm. ¡°I simply said it because I¡¯m concerned.¡± Still, she didn¡¯t stop speaking. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 60 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 60: I Know Everything (1) Ever since recruiting Mei Hong, Kwon Hanul¡¯s life had become a little busier. Having a team member didn¡¯t mean things were over. There were still many things to do before he could assign her to a guard mission. The first task was to properly assess Mei Hong¡¯s capabilities. ¡°It¡¯s all done!¡± Mei Hong waved her sword around energetically. Behind her, the corpses of monsters lay in pieces, her bright smile in stark contrast to the carnage. ¡°A gold-rank dungeon. Three golems. Cleared in 5 minutes and 20 seconds.¡± Kwon Hanul checked his watch as he spoke. Even by a second look, her skill was impressive. Golems were notorious not just for their destructive power, but for their near-impenetrable bodies. Most couldn¡¯t even scratch them. Though classified as gold-rank, these dungeons were considered on par with platinum rank due to the difficulty. And yet, it hadn¡¯t even taken her five minutes. ¡°Her skill¡¯s amazing, but...¡± Kwon Hanul murmured with a hint of concern. There was nothing to criticize about her technique, but watching her fight sometimes sent a chill down his spine. Suddenly, Gu Eon¡¯s words came to mind ¡ª that she looked fine on the outside, but inside, she might be rotting. She had witnessed her parents'' death with her own eyes and ended up working for their killers. Who¡¯s to say she didn¡¯t harbor some deep-rooted violence? ¡°I did well, right?¡± Before he knew it, Mei Hong had come up close. Kwon Hanul nodded, slipping his watch back into his pocket. ¡°You were impressive.¡± ¡°You can speak casually with me, you know.¡± ¡°I¡¯m more comfortable this way.¡± At his response, Mei Hong pouted slightly. ¡°Well, you do speak formally with Hayun too...¡± At that moment, the ground shook. A short distance away, the earth trembled, and two more golems emerged. ¡°I¡¯ll finish these in three minutes this time!¡± Mei Hong gripped her sword and dashed off again. Kwon Hanul watched her quietly. ¡°...¡± His eyes followed her movements, but his mind was elsewhere. Baek Cheolmin¡¯s words from the other day still rippled through his thoughts. ¡°...He didn¡¯t leave the clan by choice ¡ª he fled after being sentenced to death.¡± He wanted to know in detail why his father had been sentenced to death. But there was no one he could easily ask. ¡°The chairman and Hayun won¡¯t tell me anything again anyway...¡± That¡¯s why he¡¯d considered using Vassal Bloodline to dominate members of the clan and force an investigation. However, the power of Vassal Bloodline didn¡¯t work well on hunters. Unlike with No Ho Min, he couldn¡¯t just beat someone to a pulp and then control them, so he had no choice but to give up. ¡°To dominate someone with Vassal Bloodline, I need a medium...¡± You had to destabilize a person¡¯s will for the domination to take effect. Without that, the power wouldn¡¯t work. That¡¯s why Catalina Blaga honed her charm as a woman ¡ª to enthrall people with her beauty and then dominate them using Vassal Bloodline. ¡°...I need to find someone who can investigate for me.¡± Finding such a person wouldn¡¯t be easy. ¡°There¡¯s never an easy job in this world...¡± Just as Kwon Hanul muttered this, a dungeon gate nearby stirred, and Joo Hayun stepped through. ¡°Kwon Hanul, there¡¯s an incoming call request.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°The guild master of Iron Fang.¡± Iron Fang. They were the guild that had tried to pin a dungeon failure on him before he joined Hyukcheon. Later, during his debut match, he¡¯d gotten payback by thoroughly humiliating Iron Fang¡¯s guild master. ¡°What does he want now?¡± ¡°He said he¡¯s returning something.¡± Ah. Only then did Kwon Hanul recall an item he¡¯d forgotten about. ¡°He wants to send someone over with it. What should I say?¡± ¡°Just tell him to go ahead and¡ª¡± In that moment, a thought flashed across his mind. ¡°Actually, no. Tell him I¡¯ll go myself.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll go personally?¡± Joo Hayun asked, puzzled. Kwon Hanul nodded. ¡°Yes. I want to see Seoul again. It¡¯s been a while.¡± After that, Kwon Hanul began preparing for a trip to Seoul. When setting up the meeting with Iron Fang¡¯s guild master, he added another condition. He wanted access to at least one platinum-ranked dungeon that Iron Fang had secured. Gold-rank dungeons weren¡¯t enough to fully assess Mei Hong¡¯s capabilities. He needed a higher-level dungeon. However, platinum dungeons were specially managed within Hyukcheon, so Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t freely use them. Thus, he planned to use Iron Fang¡¯s resources to challenge a platinum dungeon and evaluate Mei Hong¡¯s strength. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s fine with just the two of you going?¡± This time, Kwon Hanul decided to go without Joo Hayun ¡ª only Mei Hong would accompany him. ¡°Yes. We want to handle this on our own.¡± The reason? To practice dungeon clearing without Joo Hayun. Up until now, she had handled everything ¡ª securing dungeons, gathering intel, preparing strategy items. While convenient, relying on her meant they¡¯d be helpless if something happened to her. So this time, they¡¯d do it themselves, start to finish. ...Or so Kwon Hanul claimed. At least on the surface. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll wait here, then,¡± Joo Hayun said, clearly reluctant but accepting. Leaving her behind, Kwon Hanul and Mei Hong boarded a private plane to Seoul. Inside the plane, Mei Hong turned to him. ¡°Kwon Hanul, be honest. Saying we¡¯re clearing a dungeon together ¡ª that¡¯s just an excuse, right?¡± ¡°Was it that obvious?¡± ¡°Not really. Most people wouldn¡¯t notice unless they were like me, watching you all the time.¡± Good ¡ª that meant it wasn¡¯t obvious. ¡°There is another reason, yes.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s personal, so I¡¯d rather not say.¡± Mei Hong looked disappointed. ¡°Are you going to tell Hayun? Well, I¡¯m still a bit upset you won¡¯t tell me... but I¡¯ll let it slide. You are my boss now, after all.¡± She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, clearly tired. Then suddenly, she opened her eyes wide and looked at him. ¡°Oh, wait ¡ª that makes us partners in crime now, huh?¡± * * * Upon arriving in Seoul, Kwon Hanul headed straight to Iron Fang¡¯s guild. ¡°Mei Hong, you must¡¯ve felt cooped up at Hyukcheon. Go get some fresh air.¡± Mei Hong glanced at him sideways. ¡°You¡¯re really trying to ditch me, huh?¡± ¡°You know the deal ¡ª cut me some slack.¡± ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go find something tasty to eat.¡± She disappeared into the city. With her language skills and formidable abilities, Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t particularly worried. Having seen her off, he made his way toward Iron Fang¡¯s guild headquarters. The moment he stepped through the entrance, a loud shout echoed through the hall. ¡°We pay our respects to Lord Kwon Hanul!¡± From the entrance to the first-floor lobby, all the guild members stood in formation and bowed deeply to Kwon Hanul. Through the middle of them, the guildmaster of Iron Fang waddled forward, his round belly bouncing with each step. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, it is an honor to see you again.¡± With a smile, Kwon Hanul patted the Iron Fang guildmaster on the shoulder, leaning in close to his ear. ¡°What¡¯s all this ruckus? Are you trying to make a spectacle?¡± As Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice dropped, low and menacing, the guildmaster¡¯s face turned deathly pale. ¡°I¡ªI was merely trying to welcome you in my own way...¡± ¡°Enough. Send them all away. Now.¡± ¡°R-right away!¡± The guildmaster hurriedly dispersed the staff, beads of sweat pouring down his forehead as he returned to Kwon Hanul. ¡°I-I¡¯ll escort you inside at once.¡± * * * Iron Fang. A massive guild that has firmly held the number one spot in South Korea for over a decade. Its hunters¡¯ skill and efficiency are unparalleled, earning the guild widespread trust and respect throughout Korean society. But inside the Iron Fang guildmaster¡¯s office, something unthinkable was happening. A young man sat in the guildmaster¡¯s chair¡ªwhile the actual guildmaster knelt before him. ¡°H-here it is.¡± With both hands, the guildmaster respectfully offered a ring. It was old and plain in appearance, but Kwon Hanul knew exactly what power it held. Item Name: Ring of Binding Quality: Legendary (???) Description: The true name and authority of the ring are sealed. Special procedures are required to unlock them. Skills: Veil ¨C Only the ¡®Owner¡¯ can see the ring¡¯s name and description. Domination ¨C Prolonged contact by anyone other than the ¡®Owner¡¯ causes mental subjugation to the ¡®Owner.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s a bit of a waste to use this when I already have the Vassal Bloodline.¡¯ Though the Ring of Binding was powerful, its usage conditions were too strict. It only worked on individuals who had been in prolonged contact with the ring, and if the ring¡¯s ownership was forcibly taken, all control would be lost. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, I heard you had a special request...¡± ¡°Ah, right.¡± Tearing his gaze away from the ring, Kwon Hanul looked directly at the Iron Fang guildmaster. ¡°I need you to investigate the Hyukcheon Family.¡± ¡°...Did you say the Hyukcheon Family?¡± Just the mention of the name made the guildmaster¡¯s eyes tremble violently. At the same time, a system message appeared. Kwon Hanul frowned slightly. Such an unstable ability. The guildmaster¡¯s fear was natural. No matter how powerful Iron Fang was, it was nothing compared to the Hyukcheon Group. The Hyukcheon Family was so influential that they weren¡¯t even included in the national guild rankings¡ªthere was simply no comparison. ¡°...Forget it. Never mind.¡± As Kwon Hanul withdrew his command, the guildmaster¡¯s eyes regained their stability. Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue. If only it were the Vassal Bloodline¡¯s domination¡ªit¡¯d make them leap into fire if I ordered it. On impulse, he activated Vassal Bloodline. ¡®As expected.¡¯ Hunters with a certain level of strength couldn¡¯t be dominated through Vassal Bloodline alone. Perhaps if he beat the guildmaster into submission like he did with No Ho Min, it would work¡ªbut that wasn¡¯t an option here. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± With that, Kwon Hanul rose from his seat. The guildmaster bowed repeatedly in farewell. Just as he was about to leave the room, Kwon Hanul realized something. He was still holding the Ring of Binding. He considered storing it in his subspace¡ªbut instead, he slid it onto his finger. It was an idle gesture, but the consequences were immense. Startled, Kwon Hanul stared at his finger. The ring began to burn, shedding its layers of rust. It transformed into the image of two crimson snakes, each biting the other¡¯s tail. Item Name: Ring of Lust Quality: Legendary (SSS+) Description: A ring symbolizing Lust, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The ring¡¯s abilities change depending on which finger it is worn on. Skills: Thumb ¨C Amplifies the wearer¡¯s presence. Index Finger ¨C Increases others¡¯ affection toward the wearer. Middle Finger ¨C Induces hypnosis in others. Ring Finger ¨C Greatly weakens the target¡¯s mental strength. Pinky Finger ¨C Induces hallucinations in others. As he held the ring, Kwon Hanul could feel a stirring in his Vassal Bloodline. <¡®Vassal Bloodline¡¯ resonates with the Ring of Lust.> <¡®Vassal Bloodline¡¯ authority is greatly amplified.> Kwon Hanul examined the ring thoughtfully. To dominate others with Vassal Bloodline, an auxiliary method was necessary. Until now, the lack of such a method had limited his control. But with this ring... things might be different. ¡®I¡¯ll have to test it to know for sure.¡¯ Sliding the Ring of Lust onto his ring finger, Kwon Hanul turned to the guildmaster, who tilted his head in confusion. ¡°Wh-what are you¡ªMmph!¡± Grabbing the guildmaster¡¯s head with the hand bearing the ring¡ª Dark energy seeped into the guildmaster¡¯s face, his eyes rolling back slightly. 14%> Kwon Hanul slowly released his grip. The guildmaster rubbed his face frantically. ¡°W-what was that?! No matter who you are, I won¡¯t tolerate this!¡± He was even more defiant than before. But Kwon Hanul remained unfazed and issued a command. ¡°You will investigate the Hyukcheon Family.¡± At that, the guildmaster¡¯s eyes quivered again. But he quickly bowed in submission. ¡°Please provide the details.¡± ¡°Everything on Kwon Cheon¡ªthe second son of Kwon Seonwoo, the current head of the Hyukcheon Family. Especially what¡¯s happening inside the family. Understood?¡± The Iron Fang guildmaster shouted resolutely. ¡°I will obey your command!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stay here for a while. Report back when you¡¯ve gathered the information.¡± As Kwon Hanul turned to leave, he looked back at the guildmaster once more. ¡°One more thing.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Iron Fang has a vault for relics, correct?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to pick out a few items from there. Is that alright?¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, the guildmaster nodded vigorously. ¡°Take everything if you wish!¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 61 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 61: I Know Everything (2) ¡°This is Iron Fang¡¯s vault!¡± The guild master led Kwon Hanul to Iron Fang¡¯s treasury. ¡°In fact, I intended to tell you first.¡± Throughout their walk, the guild master didn¡¯t stop talking. He kept explaining how much of an honor it was to present Iron Fang¡¯s treasures to Kwon Hanul. Watching him, Kwon Hanul was reminded of Ruyn Aspadam. His obsession with Catalina Blaga wasn¡¯t all that different from the guild master¡¯s behavior. ¡°Here we are!¡± The guild master declared proudly. The entire fifth basement floor functioned as a vault, yet Kwon Hanul¡¯s reaction was lukewarm. Compared to the vaults of the Hyukcheon family and the Mei clan, this was a mere drop in the ocean. ¡°I¡¯ll explain everything step by step. Please, this way.¡± The guild master began introducing the various items in the vault. Unfortunately, nothing particularly impressive stood out. Unlike Hyukcheon¡¯s vault, which contained mostly Legendary-grade items or better, Iron Fang¡¯s vault only had Unique-grade items at best. ¡°Are there any Legendary-grade items?¡± ¡°There are, but... all the capable guild members have borrowed them...¡± ¡°So, including those that were borrowed, how many are there in total?¡± The Iron Fang guild master shyly raised three fingers. Kwon Hanul was momentarily taken aback. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a huge gap in standards...¡± It wasn¡¯t surprising. The Hyukcheon Group cleared Diamond-ranked dungeons with ease and frequently took on S-rank or higher monsters. In contrast, Iron Fang struggled even with Platinum-ranked dungeons. Naturally, the difference in wealth between the two was immense. ¡°If you give the order, we¡¯ll retrieve them and present them to you immediately!¡± ¡°No need.¡± Kwon Hanul refused outright. With only three Legendary relics, they were likely the backbone of Iron Fang¡¯s strength. Taking them away would surely cause Iron Fang¡¯s standing to plummet. Kwon Hanul had plans to make long-term use of Iron Fang. ¡°As expected of Lord Kwon Hanul! Your generosity knows no bounds!¡± The guild master was moved to tears. Kwon Hanul shivered. Seeing the potbellied man act like this was unsettling. After sifting through the vault for a while, Kwon Hanul found two worthwhile items. ¡´Psychokinesis¡µ Grade: Unique (A) Description: Allows the user to lift objects from a short distance. As proficiency increases, the range and weight limit expand. ¡´Finger Bullet¡µ Grade: Unique (S+) Description: Fires a magic bullet from the fingertip. The bullet¡¯s power scales with the user¡¯s mana. Both were skill-type items. Psychokinesis was known as one of the most efficient Unique-grade skills. It was highly useful not just in battle but also in daily life, making it one of the more expensive Unique-grade skills on the market. Finger Bullet, on the other hand, was appealing due to its simplicity as a ranged attack skill. Kwon Hanul stored both skills in his subspace and prepared to leave the vault. Just then, something in the corner caught his eye. It was a rectangular iron box. Curious, he picked it up and examined it. ¡´Iron Box¡µ Grade: None Description: A box made of iron. ¡°What is this?¡± Upon hearing Kwon Hanul¡¯s question, the guild master took a closer look. ¡°Oh, that. We had it appraised, thinking it might be something special, but it turned out to be useless. So, we just left it here.¡± ¡°You had it appraised?¡± ¡°It originally had nothing but question marks. We assumed that meant it was something incredible, but it turned out to be a waste of money.¡± The guild master clicked his tongue. ¡°Hm.¡± Kwon Hanul inspected the box once more. And at that moment¡ª ¡´¡®Black Dragon¡¯s Blood¡¯ perceives the structure of the object.¡µ ¡´Infuse mana to release the first seal.¡µ ¡´Sealed Casket¡µ Grade: ??? Description: A box containing something within. Only those who have committed extreme atrocities can open it. Unlock Condition: Kill at least 1,000 people. Kwon Hanul frowned. A thousand kills? He had never heard of such a ridiculous condition before. He considered leaving it behind, but his curiosity got the better of him. He stored the box in his subspace as well. After that, he left the Iron Fang Guild. As he stepped outside, the evening sky was painted with hues of red and gold. Just as he was about to call Mei Hong¡ª ¡°Are you done with your business?¡± He turned his head to see Mei Hong sitting on a bench. ¡°How long have you been waiting?¡± ¡°For a while. I wandered around a bit, but I got bored, so I came here.¡± Kwon Hanul noticed something. ¡°You changed your outfit?¡± When she arrived in Seoul, she had been wearing her usual black tracksuit. But now, she wore a black striped skirt and a white T-shirt. Even her hairstyle was different. She used to tie her hair up casually with a hairpin, but now, her straight hair had a slight wave to it. ¡°Does it suit me?¡± ¡°It does... but it¡¯s unexpected.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t dress sloppily forever, can I? We¡¯ll be seeing each other every day.¡± Seeing who? The thought crossed Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind, but he chose not to ask. There was something more pressing to discuss. ¡°Let¡¯s head back for a meeting.¡± ¡°A meeting? About what?¡± ¡°We need to strategize for the Platinum-ranked dungeon. You haven¡¯t forgotten our goal, have you?¡± Mei Hong made a displeased face. But it didn¡¯t matter. They couldn¡¯t afford to waste time while waiting for Iron Fang to gather intelligence. ¡°For now, let¡¯s just start with a preliminary investigation tomorrow.¡± * * * Meanwhile, the Iron Fang guild master began gathering information on the Hyukcheon family, just as Kwon Hanul had ordered. It was no easy task. The name ¡®Hyukcheon¡¯ was well-known, but information about the family itself was extremely scarce. The Hyukcheon family was thorough in keeping their secrets. What stood out was the bloodline¡¯s unity. Hyukcheon clansmen never disclosed anything about their family to outsiders. Their strict secrecy made intelligence gathering even harder. ¡°I can¡¯t give up just like this!¡± But the guild master refused to surrender. His mission to fulfill Kwon Hanul¡¯s command was of utmost importance. His loyalty and sense of duty burned brighter than ever. By the third day, Iron Fang had mobilized all their manpower and connections in their investigation. Then, suddenly¡ª - Hello. Are you the guild master of Iron Fang? An anonymous caller reached out. It wasn¡¯t a call he could ignore. This was a private line known to only a select few. - I heard you¡¯ve been snooping around Hyukcheon lately. You¡¯re playing a very dangerous game. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± - Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. In response to the guild master''s question, the man spoke. -Kim Cheol-soo. At first, the guild master thought he was being mocked. -I am an agent of the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s Intelligence Division. But as soon as he heard those words, all such thoughts vanished. -I¡¯ll tell you the time and place. Come alone. If you don¡¯t, Iron Fang will cease to exist immediately. The guild master couldn¡¯t take Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s threat lightly. If this man was truly an agent of Hyukcheon¡¯s Intelligence Division, he would certainly have that kind of authority. * * * The next day. The guild master headed to the location Kim Cheol-soo had specified. A secluded alley on the outskirts of the city. In the basement of a commercial building with a ¡®For Lease¡¯ sign on it, Kim Cheol-soo was waiting. ¡°You¡¯re right on time.¡± Unlike the dust-covered, trash-strewn basement, Kim Cheol-soo was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His hair was neatly parted 2:8, with not a single strand out of place. ¡°Why... did you call me here?¡± "Now that¡¯s amusing. You¡¯ve been digging into Hyukcheon, and yet you¡¯re asking me why?" The guild master felt his entire body tense up. He had ordered his subordinates to be discreet, but in the end, they had been caught. Still, he had anticipated this outcome. There was no way a guild like Iron Fang could move under Hyukcheon¡¯s radar. That¡¯s why he was already prepared. "Everything was done on my own accord." At the very least, he had to prevent any harm from coming to Kwon Hanul. Kwon Hanul was his light, his hope, his reason for living. His everything... "Don¡¯t lie. It was Kwon Hanul¡¯s order, wasn¡¯t it?" The guild master was shaken to his core. In a trembling voice, he asked, "H-how...?" "Now¡¯s not the time to be asking that, is it?" That was true. Since they had been caught prying into Hyukcheon¡¯s affairs, Iron Fang¡¯s fate was already sealed. Destruction. The guild master¡¯s face turned pale. "Don¡¯t worry. I have no intention of holding Iron Fang accountable. Nor will I go after Kwon Hanul." The guild master let out a sigh of relief. Just then, a USB drive dropped at his feet. "What is this?" "The information you wanted. Details on the Hyukcheon family and Kwon Cheon." The guild master was dumbfounded. So why was this man giving him this information? "Deliver it to Kwon Hanul." "T-this? Why...?" At his question, Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s expression changed. The kind, youthful face twisted into something cold and snake-like. A chilling aura of murderous intent washed over the guild master. "If you try to dig too deep, you will really die." ¡°I-I-I understand.¡± "After handing over the information, make sure to observe Kwon Hanul¡¯s reaction. Then return here. Understood?" The Iron Fang guild master nodded repeatedly. "If you mention our meeting to Kwon Hanul... Iron Fang will be wiped from existence." The guild master frantically nodded and, as if waiting for permission, bolted from the room. Once the guild master was gone, Kim Cheol-soo made a call. "Yes, team leader. It¡¯s me. Everything went smoothly." A voice came through the smartphone. Kim Cheol-soo chuckled. "Since it was ¡®his¡¯ order, I was extra careful. Don¡¯t worry, just focus on persuading the Intelligence Division. If they find out I impersonated an agent, they¡¯ll be furious." His superior on the other end sounded concerned. At that, Kim Cheol-soo burst into laughter. "Worried that the Iron Fang guild master might tell Kwon Hanul? That won¡¯t happen." He spoke with absolute certainty. "A mere guild like Iron Fang defying Hyukcheon? Do you really think that¡¯s possible? I made sure to warn him properly¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t dare say a word. He doesn¡¯t have that kind of backbone." * * * ¡°...That¡¯s what happened.¡± Listening to the guild master¡¯s report, Kwon Hanul stroked his chin. So his movements had already been tracked. It was surprising, but considering Hyukcheon¡¯s reach, it was expected. What truly mattered was the man who had handed over the information. A member of the Hyukcheon family came and delivered this to him? Told the guild master to pass it along? ¡°This is way too suspicious.¡± There was a chance the man wasn¡¯t even from Hyukcheon. Who¡¯s to say someone else wasn¡¯t trying to manipulate him? "Hmph." Kwon Hanul plugged the USB into his laptop and examined its contents. - The second son of Kwon Seonwoo, the current head of the Hyukcheon family. - Had his debut battle in a rare Platinum-tier dungeon, a feat uncommon among Hyukcheon bloodline members. - Once considered a promising talent, but was sentenced to death and fled the family. - Later had a son with an ordinary woman. Up to this point, it was the same information he had heard from Bae Cheol-min. Kwon Hanul continued reading further. - Kwon Seonwoo compared the qualifications of his eldest son, Kwon Hyuk, and his second son, Kwon Cheon, for succession. - In the process, Kwon Cheon failed to meet Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s standards, leading to Kwon Hyuk being designated as the next head of the family. - To eliminate any future threats, Kwon Seonwoo decided to dispose of Kwon Cheon. - Trumped-up charges were placed on Kwon Cheon, sentencing him to death. - Kwon Cheon refused to accept the sentence and escaped with the help of the Cheongsong Bae Clan. It was shocking information, but Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t put much stock in it. There was no guarantee it was true. "Who the hell is behind this?" Everything was uncertain. Was the man truly from Hyukcheon? Was he really part of the Intelligence Division? And whose orders was he acting under? At times like this, there was only one surefire way to get answers. ¡°Where is that man right now?¡± As he asked, Kwon Hanul slipped the Ring of Lust onto his ring finger. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 62 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 62: I Know Everything (3) Late at night. Kim Cheol-soo sat in an underground shopping mall, having his dinner. Tonight¡¯s menu: a large cup of instant ramen. For someone of his status, it was an unthinkably poor meal. Yet, his face was full of anticipation. "This kind of thing has its own charm." The organization he belonged to strictly regulated every aspect of life, including diet. His meals were designed for nutrition rather than taste, consisting only of the highest-quality ingredients. But the flavors were always bland. That¡¯s why he indulged in strong, flavorful food whenever he was out on a mission. "Three minutes are up." His face brightened. He was about to tear open a pair of wooden chopsticks and lift the lid when footsteps echoed from the entrance. The weight and rhythm of the steps¡ªit was Iron Fang¡¯s Guild Master. As a member of Hyukcheon, being caught eating instant ramen would be disgraceful. Kim Cheol-soo sighed and quickly hid his cup noodles. "It won¡¯t taste good if it gets soggy..." His grumbling was short-lived. The moment Iron Fang¡¯s Guild Master stepped inside, Kim Cheol-soo had already composed himself. "You¡¯ve arrived sooner than expected. I trust you¡¯ve carried out my request..." His words trailed off. The person who entered wasn¡¯t alone. Kwon Hanul was with him. "...Well, this is an unexpected guest." Kim Cheol-soo shot a sharp glare at Iron Fang¡¯s Guild Master. The guild master, unfazed, simply pointed at Kim Cheol-soo and spoke. "It¡¯s him." "Thank you for showing me the way. Please wait upstairs for a moment." "But, Lord Kwon Hanul... It could be dangerous." "It¡¯s fine. If there¡¯s a problem, I¡¯ll call for you." The guild master hesitated, glancing between the two men before finally stepping outside. "Kim Cheol-soo, Intelligence Division agent of Hyukcheon." Kwon Hanul casually tossed a USB drive onto the table. "I hear you wanted me to have this. Is that correct?" "Even after my warnings... That idiot spilled everything." "Just answer the question." Kim Cheol-soo gave a polite bow. "It is an honor to greet a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline. Yes, you are correct." "Who ordered this? What¡¯s the purpose? And are you even part of the Intelligence Division?" "As someone loyal to Hyukcheon, I would normally obey Lord Kwon Hanul¡¯s commands... but this time, I must ask for your forgiveness." "You refuse to answer?" "I apologize." His tone was polite, but there was an unmistakable barrier between them. Kwon Hanul¡¯s energy surged. "I¡¯ll get my answers one way or another." "Then I¡¯ll do my best to escape." Kim Cheol-soo pulled a short staff from his waist. With a flick, a thin, needle-like blade extended from its tip. He positioned his feet like a fencer, raising the weapon to chest level, aiming directly at Kwon Hanul. "So you want to fight." "How could someone like me dare?" Despite his words, a deadly aura gathered at the tip of his blade. "I only wish to create an opening to flee." The shadows at Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s feet trembled. Suddenly, they expanded, rippling like water. Recognizing the eerie skill, Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes sharpened. "You¡¯re not Intelligence. You¡¯re with the Assassin Unit." He had never seen them in action, but Joo Hayun had described them before. Hyukcheon¡¯s elite assassins were trained in a unique shadow-manipulation technique. "I¡¯m honored to be recognized." "I¡¯ve heard that the Assassin Unit can kill even those several levels above them." "That¡¯s somewhat exaggerated but not entirely false." Kim Cheol-soo raised his blade slightly. "Would you like to experience it firsthand?" A sly grin appeared on Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips. "I won¡¯t hold back." Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s smile vanished. At that moment, the shadows surged up, swallowing the ceiling lights. Darkness filled the basement. Then¡ªhis blade lunged toward Kwon Hanul¡¯s heart. "...?" But he felt nothing. A moment later, the shadows dispersed, and the lights flickered back on. Kim Cheol-soo realized why¡ªKwon Hanul had retreated just enough to avoid the attack. "I expected more from the Assassin Unit. All you have are cheap tricks?" "...I apologize. I¡¯ll show you my real skills now." Kim Cheol-soo launched forward, attacking repeatedly, aiming for vital points. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he deflected every thrust with his bare palm. Kim Cheol-soo suddenly leaped backward. From the shadows where he had stood, spikes shot out at an angle, aiming to impale Kwon Hanul. But before they could fully form, they crumbled. Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s eyes widened as he looked at Kwon Hanul¡¯s feet. In that brief instant, Kwon Hanul had stepped on the shadow and released an aura, nullifying the skill. "...As expected of true blood." Cold sweat dripped from Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s forehead. Assassins prevailed against stronger foes by outmaneuvering them, creating opportunities through unpredictability and strategy. Yet, Kwon Hanul had preemptively shut down every single one of his tactics. As if he were reading his every move. "I never thought I¡¯d lose in a battle of wits." Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s killing intent intensified. His sharp gaze locked onto Kwon Hanul. "At this point, I won¡¯t hold back. I¡¯ll attack with the intent to kill." His growing aura proved his words weren¡¯t empty threats. But Kwon Hanul remained unimpressed. "That¡¯s a lie." "Do you think I won¡¯t harm you just because you¡¯re of the Hyukcheon Clan? That¡¯s a mistake. I must escape and complete my mission¡ª" "You claim you¡¯re trying to kill me, but your eyes keep shifting behind me." Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s expression stiffened. "You say you¡¯ll kill me, but your body¡¯s tension suggests you¡¯re looking for an escape." For the first time that night, Kim Cheol-soo felt fear. It was as if his mind had been read. "Your killing intent is real, but your heart says otherwise. No wonder assassins are feared." Kwon Hanul raised his hand. "I¡¯ll give you one last chance. Run." Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s eyes darkened. His killing intent faded. "Thank you for the opportunity. I won¡¯t waste it." His shadow spread, covering the basement floor entirely. Dozens of shadowy tendrils erupted, reaching out to bind Kwon Hanul. Shade Grab. A binding skill that, once caught, would immobilize the target for a full minute. The moment he activated it, Kim Cheol-soo sprinted toward the exit. * * * Just before the tendrils could ensnare him, Kwon Hanul vanished. Kim Cheol-soo froze in shock. He had escaped without disturbing a single tendril. A feat only a ghost could achieve. Then, suddenly¡ª Kwon Hanul appeared right in front of him. ¡°...No way?¡± Kim Cheol-soo instinctively threw himself backward, trying to leap over Kwon Hanul and escape. But before he could, Kwon Hanul¡¯s hand shot out and grabbed his face. <¡®Ring of Lust¡¯ shakes the target¡¯s mind.> <¡®Vassal Bloodline¡¯ dominates the target.> Kwon Hanul slowly lowered his hand. Kim Cheol-soo¡¯s eyes turned vacant as he fell to his knees. ¡°State your name and affiliation.¡± ¡°...I am Park Cheol-soo, an assassin of the Hyukcheon Group.¡± Hanul hadn¡¯t expected his real name to be just one syllable different from his alias. ¡°Who ordered you to hand me the information?¡± ¡°...That¡¯s...¡± Park Cheol-soo hesitated. Hanul¡¯s voice grew sharper. ¡°Answer me.¡± ¡°...Chairman Kwon Seonwoo.¡± Hanul¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°The family head? Are you certain?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no mistake.¡± The USB contained information seemingly meant to make Hanul resent Kwon Seonwoo. And yet, it was Kwon Seonwoo himself who had ordered it to be delivered? ¡°What the hell is that man scheming now?¡± A headache was already creeping in. * * * Elsewhere. ¡°So, the data was delivered properly?¡± A darkened room. Kwon Seonwoo was speaking on the phone. ¡ªYes, sir. ¡°What was his reaction?¡± ¡ªWe haven¡¯t received a report on that yet. ¡°I see. Good work.¡± ¡ªIt¡¯s nothing, sir. Your orders are absolute. Silence lingered. The line remained open. Sensing hesitation, Kwon Seonwoo spoke first. ¡°You have something to say, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡ª...May I ask a question? ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡ªWhy did you hand over that data? ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡ªIf Kwon Hanul sees it and resents you, it could become a serious problem. ¡°That¡¯s true. That boy is no ordinary person.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice remained calm. ¡°But it¡¯s the truth, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡ªIt¡¯s factual, but not the whole truth. Lord Kwon Cheon¡¯s death was... ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Kwon Seonwoo cut him off. ¡°In the end, it was my judgment, my decision.¡± Spinning his chair around, he gazed out the window and muttered, ¡°Whatever choice he makes is his own. All I want is for him to learn the truth about his father¡¯s death¡ªand use it as fuel to grow even stronger, even faster.¡± ¡ªEven if that means bringing harm upon yourself? ¡°Yes.¡± His voice was firm. ¡ª...If that happens, I will protect you, sir. ¡°How reassuring.¡± ¡ªI¡¯m not joking. ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I trust you.¡± There was no immediate response. A long sigh came through the receiver. ¡ª...I¡¯ll take my leave. Click. The call ended. Leaning back in his chair, Kwon Seonwoo closed his eyes for a moment. Then, reaching into the bottom drawer of his desk, he pulled out an old photograph. It showed a young man, smiling brightly. ¡°There¡¯s still much to do... and so little time.¡± For a long while, Kwon Seonwoo simply stared at the photo. * * * Kwon Hanul issued his command. ¡°Speak of this to no one. As far as you¡¯re concerned, your mission was a success. Understood?¡± ¡°I understand.¡± After bowing his head, Park Cheol-soo left the basement. Now alone, Hanul reopened the files on the USB. ¡°No matter how I look at it, this data is meant to drive a wedge between me and the chairman.¡± It was still hard to believe that Kwon Seonwoo had ordered it to be given to him. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± The more he thought about it, the more frustration welled up inside him. As if he didn¡¯t already have enough on his plate with Catalina Blaga and Kwon Cheon... And now, Kwon Seonwoo was stepping into the mix as well. ¡°I hate being dragged around like this.¡± Why had he set his sights on standing at the pinnacle of Hyukcheon Group? So that, unlike his days as a third-rate hunter, he would never again be at the mercy of the powerful. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on... but I won¡¯t go down easy.¡± Just as he murmured those words¡ª Ding. His phone vibrated with two new messages. The first was from Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik. [Your weapon is ready. Come pick it up.] The message meant that his gloves¡ªcrafted from a dragon hatchling¡¯s fangs and hide¡ªwere finally complete. It was good news, but it paled in comparison to the second message. The sender was Joo Hayun. [The Golden Apple has ripened.] Without realizing it, Kwon Hanul clenched his fist. The very thing that would push him to a higher realm... was finally within his grasp. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 63 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 63: Mission Preparation (1) Despite receiving the message, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t immediately return home. He only made his way back after watching Mei Hong tackle a platinum-ranked dungeon. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± As soon as he arrived, Joo Hayun greeted the two of them as if she had been waiting. ¡°What about the item?¡± ¡°It¡¯s already been delivered. Let¡¯s go inside first.¡± Following Joo Hayun¡¯s words, Kwon Hanul headed into his mansion. Upon entering, he saw a rectangular case sitting there¡ªan attache? case commonly referred to as a ¡®007 case.¡¯ ¡°This is a specialized case used by the production department to maintain security. Only the designated individual can open it.¡± Joo Hayun gestured toward him. ¡°Place your hand on the case.¡± Kwon Hanul did as instructed, resting his hand on the case. It absorbed his magical energy, and with a ¡®click¡¯, the lock disengaged. With slightly trembling hands, he slowly opened the case. Inside, a pair of gloves and a pair of shoes lay neatly arranged. They were made of leather, the kind worn by office workers¡ªsimple, without unnecessary embellishments. Kwon Hanul looked at Joo Hayun with a puzzled expression. ¡°Are you sure these were made by Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik?¡± ¡°Yes, they are. Why do you ask?¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me that Park Tae-sik made these?¡± The same Park Tae-sik who had criticized the design of the Blackriver Armor had created equipment that looked this plain? Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t wrap his head around it. ¡°I specifically requested that they match the style of the Blackriver Armor as closely as possible. It looks better that way.¡± ¡°And he didn¡¯t complain?¡± ¡°Oh, he did. A lot. But I kept asking, and fortunately, he relented.¡± Joo Hayun smiled brightly as she spoke. Kwon Hanul felt a chill. Just what kind of persuasion had she used to make that stubborn man swallow his pride? ¡°Try them on.¡± Kwon Hanul slipped on the gloves first. Strangely enough, they adhered perfectly to his hands the moment he wore them, almost as if they weren¡¯t gloves but a second skin. [Inksteel - Gloves] Grade: Legendary (SS) Description: Leather gloves crafted by Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik using the fangs and hide of a dragon hatchling. The use of compressed materials has significantly enhanced all performance aspects. Abilities: Increases the power of Aura by up to 30%. Increases the effectiveness of piercing and slashing attacks by up to 30%. Ignores up to 30% of the enemy¡¯s defense. Next, he put on the shoes. [Inksteel - Shoes] Grade: Legendary (SS) Description: Leather shoes crafted by Master Craftsman Park Tae-sik using the fangs and hide of a dragon hatchling. The use of compressed materials has significantly enhanced all performance aspects. Abilities: Increases the power of Aura by up to 30%. Increases the effectiveness of impact-type attacks by up to 30%. Ignores up to 30% of the enemy¡¯s defense. Special Effect of the Inksteel Set: Unlocks a unique skill when both items are worn. [Inksteel Set Bonus] Dragon-Suppressing Aura¨C Releases a special energy that neutralizes the enemy¡¯s magic. The Black River armor, created by Alchemical mage Weber Heinkel, was rated as Legendary S++. Meanwhile, the Inksteel set, made by Park Tae-sik, was SS-ranked. It seemed Park Tae-sik¡¯s boast that he surpassed Weber Heinkel wasn¡¯t an empty claim. ¡°Wow....¡± Beside him, Mei Hong¡¯s face filled with admiration. As an expert in weaponry, she immediately recognized how extraordinary the Inksteel Set was. ¡°Try using it!¡± ¡°Use it? How?¡± ¡°Oh, come on! Just throw a punch or something!¡± Following Mei Hong¡¯s suggestion, Kwon Hanul casually swung his fist through the air. Bang! Even though it was a simple punch, the surrounding air burst apart with a resounding noise. A shiver ran down Kwon Hanul¡¯s spine. If he used his full strength with this? He felt confident that he could bring down a mountain. ¡°Do you like it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s incredible. And this is just its base power¡ªit still has a special skill I haven¡¯t even activated yet....¡± Without realizing it, Kwon Hanul was getting more and more excited. Joo Hayun smiled as if pleased by his reaction. ¡°Oh, right. Mei Hong, there¡¯s something for you as well.¡± ¡°For me?¡± ¡°Yes, it was a special directive from the Chairman.¡± Joo Hayun opened a subspace and retrieved something. It was a red garment with a striking tiger-stripe pattern. ¡°The Chairman instructed me to give this to you as a gift to celebrate your induction into the team. It¡¯s made from the hide of a Crimson Blood Tiger, and its effects are....¡± ¡°Kyaaaaa!¡± Mei Hong let out an excited scream as she grabbed the garment. She examined it closely, then screamed again. ¡°You¡¯re seriously giving this to me?! Really?! This isn¡¯t a dream?!¡± ¡°I made a request on your behalf. I wanted you to get something good....¡± ¡°Unni! I love you so much!¡± Mei Hong threw her arms around Joo Hayun, who looked flustered as she tried to pry her off. ¡°Try it on.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Mei Hong left to change. Once she was gone, Kwon Hanul turned to Joo Hayun. ¡°Is that gear really that special?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Legendary A+++ grade. For a swordsman, it¡¯s one of the best pieces of equipment available. So many people wanted it that I didn¡¯t expect them to actually give it away. But since it was a direct order from the Chairman, no one objected.¡± ¡°The Chairman? That miserly old man actually gave such an order?¡± Kwon Hanul found it hard to believe. ¡°The Chairman said it was thanks to you.¡± ¡°Thanks to me?¡± ¡°Yes. As a penalty for losing a bet, he promised to provide full support for your team.¡± Hearing that, Kwon Hanul felt unfairly treated. ¡°Wait, so why didn¡¯t he give me anything...?¡± Just as he was feeling more and more aggrieved, Mei Hong returned in her new outfit. ¡°Unni! This is amazing! I feel lighter and stronger just wearing it!¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it.¡± ¡°Like it? This is beyond amazing! Even the Mei family doesn¡¯t have anything like this!¡± Mei Hong twirled around, admiring the garment. ¡°Oh, and I brought this as well.¡± Joo Hayun then pulled out a longsword and handed it over. ¡°This is the White River Sword. It was forged from rare metals found in dungeons.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s expression turned serious as she examined the sword. She carefully drew it, checking the blade and testing its balance. After a while, she finally spoke. ¡°...It¡¯s a fine sword.¡± Yet, her expression was somewhat stiff. Noticing this, Joo Hayun asked ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, I can get you another one.¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s an incredible sword¡ªfar beyond what I deserve! It¡¯s just....¡± Mei Hong trailed off. Kwon Hanul, observing her, asked, ¡°You¡¯re thinking about your father¡¯s sword, aren¡¯t you?¡± Slowly, Mei Hong nodded. Her father¡¯s sword, once his, was now with Kwon Mi. Reclaiming it was impossible. She had refused Kwon Mi¡¯s offer to join Kwon Hudon¡¯s team in exchange for it. ¡°Do you have any regrets?¡± ¡°No, of course not.¡± Mei Hong answered firmly. ¡°My father would rather see me take revenge than cling to a mere keepsake.¡± A fleeting trace of killing intent flickered in Mei Hong¡¯s eyes before quickly fading. ¡°Ah, and Kwon Hanul.¡± Just as the atmosphere started to turn heavy, Joo Hayun pulled out another item. ¡°This is still left.¡± She gestured to the attendants. One of them stepped forward, carefully carrying a tray with a round lid. The attendant moved with extreme caution, as if this act was the most solemn duty of their life. Once the tray was placed down, the lid was lifted. A sliver of golden light leaked out from the small opening. At the same time, a refreshing fragrance filled the room. Kwon Hanul swallowed instinctively. Finally, the lid was removed entirely, revealing a single golden apple resting on the tray, radiating a dazzling glow. ¡°The tree withered the moment it bore fruit.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s explanation barely registered. Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes were locked onto the golden apple. ¡°Have you decided which stat to enhance?¡± He gave a silent nod. ¡°Then, please consume it.¡± The moment Joo Hayun finished speaking, Kwon Hanul took a bite. As soon as it entered his mouth, the golden apple dissolved¡ªnot into a liquid, but into a gas that was instantly absorbed into his body. ¡®...This is an enormous amount of energy.¡¯ It felt like pouring an entire reservoir¡¯s worth of water into his body. And yet, strangely enough, his body accepted the overwhelming energy without any resistance. Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul made his choice. Among Strength, Agility, Stamina, Mana, Perception, and Mental Fortitude, he had chosen Stamina. Truthfully, he wanted to enhance Mana. Among all stats, Mana was considered the most important for Hunters. If other stats formed the framework of one¡¯s abilities, Mana was the fuel that powered them. With high enough Mana, one could compensate for weaker stats. And yet, Kwon Hanul had deliberately chosen Stamina. His reasoning? The Bloodlines. Right now, he could wield multiple Bloodlines at once, granting him immense power. The fact that he had defeated Ruyn Aspadam and No Ho Min without an S-rank body proved that. However, great power always came at a cost. Every time he layered Bloodlines, he could feel the toll it took on his body. That was why he prioritized Stamina. <¡®Stamina¡¯ has reached S-rank.> A Hunter¡¯s Stamina determined their endurance and recovery speed. The higher the rank, the faster they recovered from exhaustion. At S-rank, a Hunter¡¯s physical durability became akin to metal. Normal blades wouldn¡¯t even leave a scratch. Even with Aura enhancement, the results would be the same. But the transformation didn¡¯t end there. Grade: Legendary (A++) Description: A skill granted exclusively to those who consume the Golden Apple. It allows the user to radiate the apple¡¯s energy, strengthening vitality. Effects: Enhances the vitality of oneself or others, allowing wounds to heal. When used on plants, accelerates their growth. There were many elixirs capable of raising a stat to S-rank, but the Golden Apple was revered above all because of Golden Command. Healing abilities were already rare. High-grade healing skills were even rarer. ¡®I¡¯ve gained everything I could from this.¡¯ Just as Kwon Hanul had that thought, an unexpected message appeared. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ reacts to the Golden Apple!> <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ absorbs the Golden Apple¡¯s energy! Its authority grows stronger!> He felt the power of Healthy Bloodline surging within him. Another message followed. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ strengthens your body!> ¡®AAA-rank?¡¯ It was a term he had never heard before. Stats were supposed to go from A to S. ¡®Well, if it¡¯s offering, I¡¯m not going to refuse.¡¯ His second decision came just as quickly. <¡®Mana¡¯ has reached AAA-rank.> The once-dormant energy inside him surged violently. Kwon Hanul broke into a cold sweat as he tried to control it. He had let his guard down, thinking AAA-rank wouldn¡¯t be as intense as S-rank. But this was on a completely different level. It was wilder, more ferocious¡ªfar harder to control. It was as if a housecat had transformed into a leopard. ¡°...Whew.¡± Kwon Hanul exhaled deeply. Far too much had happened in such a short time. ¡°Well done,¡± Joo Hayun said, watching him closely. ¡°It seems you chose Mana.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°...What? That can¡¯t be. The energy waves just now were unmistakably¡ª¡± Rather than explain, Kwon Hanul turned to Mei Hong. ¡°Try cutting my throat with that sword.¡± Mei Hong didn¡¯t hesitate. She unsheathed her blade and swung. Clang! Her strike stopped mid-air. ¡°...You really followed me when I asked you to cut me,¡± Kwon Hanul muttered, looking unimpressed. He hadn¡¯t expected her to follow through so readily. ¡°I figured you wouldn¡¯t ask unless it was safe.¡± Mei Hong calmly withdrew her sword. There was only the faintest scratch where the blade had struck. And that was without Aura enhancement. Yet White River Blade was sharp enough to slice through solid rock like water. Even so, it had failed to cut Kwon Hanul¡¯s throat. ¡°...You chose Stamina, then.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± He rubbed his neck. The wound had already vanished. Another benefit of S-rank Stamina. With new gear and enhanced stats, there was only one thing left to do. ¡°Hayun, how much time do I have before the mission the Chairman assigned me?¡± ¡°You need to arrive at the designated location by the day after tomorrow.¡± Hearing that, Kwon Hanul smiled. ¡°Perfect.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 64 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 64: Mission Preparation (2) Two days later, Kwon Hanul boarded a private jet for the mission. ¡°We¡¯ll begin the briefing now.¡± Inside the flying aircraft, Joo Hayun addressed the two of them. She pressed a small remote in her hand, and a large screen hanging from the ceiling lit up with information. ¡°The client is the Takamine Clan. They¡¯re renowned for running a general hospital specialized in hunters. I''m sure you''ve both heard of them.¡± To say they¡¯d merely heard of it often would be an understatement¡ªthey heard about it all the time. Missing limbs, poisoning, curses¡ªyou name it. The Takamine Hunter General Hospital was famous for being able to handle any injury or illness that could happen in a dungeon. Famous hunters from around the world would always head to the Takamine Hospital after finishing a dungeon raid. ¡°The request is to stop a villain from Pandemonium.¡± Pandemonium. An underground hunter organization known to only accept the most heinous and vicious villains from around the globe. Just being affiliated with them was enough to prove someone¡¯s strength and brutality. ¡°The villain from Pandemonium has made the following demand: the Takamine Clan is to hand over one of their relics¡ªthe Coffin of Taechung.¡± The Takamine Hospital owed its current prestige to its relics. For generations, the Takamine Clan had imported relics related to healing. Even low-grade, unimpressive ones¡ªthey spared no expense collecting them. And among them, one turned out to be a jackpot. The Coffin of Taechung. A rare relic said to regenerate the body just by lying in it. Depending on how it''s used, it could even bring about a complete transformation of the body and soul¡ªa literal "rebirth". Thanks to this Coffin, the Takamine Hunter General Hospital had risen to its current stature. And now someone wanted them to just hand it over? There was no way they¡¯d agree to that. ¡°The Pandemonium villain warned that if the relic isn¡¯t delivered by the agreed time, they¡¯ll disrupt the succession ceremony.¡± The deadline he gave was today¡ªright around the time Kwon Hanul was expected to arrive. ¡°The Takamine Clan tried to hire hunters to stop him, but everyone turned them down the moment they heard the name Pandemonium.¡± Pandemonium was, in a way, the global ranking board for evil. Just being a member showed how brutal and powerful one was. Where would you even find someone brave¡ªor strong¡ªenough to go up against that? ¡°That¡¯s why they came to us¡ªHyukcheon.¡± ¡°And Hyukcheon accepted?¡± ¡°The previous head of the Takamine Clan and Chairman Kwon Seonwoo were close¡ªclose enough to be called dear friends.¡± Kwon Hanul blinked. If it was a friend¡¯s family, then this mission must hold personal meaning for Kwon Seonwoo. It was unexpected that he¡¯d entrust such a responsibility to him. ¡°This succession ceremony¡ªwho¡¯s it for?¡± ¡°It¡¯s for Takamine Ryoko, the eldest daughter of the clan.¡± Three years ago, the head of the Takamine Clan died in an accident. By custom, Takamine Ryoko should have inherited the clan and the hospital, but she was a minor at the time, so the succession was postponed. ¡°Hayun unni!¡± Mei Hong raised her hand. Joo Hayun looked at her, signaling her to go ahead. ¡°Do we have any info on the Pandemonium villain?¡± ¡°I was just getting to that.¡± Joo Hayun pressed the remote again. A young man¡¯s face appeared on the screen. ¡°His name is Ferdrance.¡± Kwon Hanul studied the man¡¯s face. Strong, defined eyebrows and tanned skin¡ªfeatures typical of Latin descent¡ªstood out. ¡°He¡¯s a member of Pandemonium, and his specialty is poison-based skills.¡± ¡°Ugh, poison?¡± Mei Hong grimaced. It was understandable. Poison-type skills were not only hard to counter but left lasting effects even after battle. Most people preferred to avoid such opponents entirely. Suddenly, Kwon Hanul spoke up. ¡°Wait... Ferdrance¡ªis he the one who killed all those people in Nepal?¡± ¡°Yes. Three years ago, at a national airport in Nepal, he turned over a thousand people into pools of blood in an instant. Just because he was annoyed about waiting in line.¡± There was no other word for it¡ªit was insane. ¡°Nepal mobilized all its hunters to try and capture him, but instead, Ferdrance killed them all and fled across the border.¡± The entire incident was broadcast worldwide. The scene was utterly horrifying. ¡°Since then, Ferdrance has been an internationally wanted criminal and joined Pandemonium. He¡¯s still at large to this day.¡± He was the one they had to face now. Kwon Hanul¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly¡ªnot from fear. But from a thrill stirring deep inside. ¡°Notably, he¡¯s known to forcibly enslave multiple hunters to serve under him.¡± ¡°How is that even possible?¡± Kwon Hanul asked. Joo Hayun responded immediately, ¡°He threatens them using latent poison.¡± ¡°Like... ¡®If you don¡¯t take the antidote on time, you¡¯ll die¡¯?¡± Joo Hayun nodded. ¡°These are photos sent by the Takamine Clan.¡± The screen changed again, showing a cargo ship and what seemed to be its interior. The ship¡¯s floor was soaked in blood. Amid the gore, blackened bones could be seen. ¡°This was discovered early this morning at a Japanese port. It¡¯s believed that Ferdrance and his subordinates arrived in Japan via that ship.¡± ¡°So we could be attacked as soon as we arrive?¡± ¡°It¡¯s unlikely. Ferdrance said he¡¯d act on the day of the succession ceremony. A Pandemonium villain wouldn¡¯t break their own word.¡± Even villains, it seemed, had their own twisted sense of pride. Joo Hayun believed he wouldn¡¯t break his promise. ¡°Still, it doesn¡¯t hurt to be cautious. Once we arrive, we¡¯ll check the mansion¡¯s security first.¡± ¡°Please do.¡± The briefing continued for some time after that. Eventually, the plane arrived in Japan. After landing at the Japanese airport, Kwon Hanul rode in a vehicle sent by the Takamine Clan. As they headed toward the Takamine mansion, Hanul mentally reviewed the plan. First, meet the Takamine heir Ryoko to explain the plan. Then inspect the mansion¡¯s security system. But things started to go off course from the very beginning. ¡°You¡¯ll have to wait about an hour.¡± The attendant¡¯s words irked Hanul. He had arrived precisely at the time the Takamine Clan had requested. And now they were late? By a whole hour? ¡°Is Miss Takamine not here?¡± ¡°She¡¯s here, but... she said she still has things to prepare.¡± Hanul¡¯s annoyance deepened. So it wasn¡¯t some unavoidable emergency¡ªthey just weren¡¯t ready yet? ¡°Excuse me. This is kind of unacceptable, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°I agree completely.¡± Mei Hong and Joo Hayun spoke up in Hanul¡¯s stead, their anger clear. The attendant panicked. ¡°M-my apologies. I¡¯ll inform her again right away¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll just wait.¡± Hanul stopped the maid. ¡°You said it¡¯ll take about an hour? Can we look around the mansion in the meantime?¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± The maid nodded quickly. Hanul led the two women out of the room. As soon as they stepped outside, Mei Hong protested. ¡°Why¡¯d you stop her? They begged us to come and now they¡¯re making you wait?¡± ¡°This is incredibly disrespectful.¡± Even Joo Hayun was quietly fuming. Hanul gave a wry smile and calmed them down. ¡°We can chew her out after we meet her. We need to inspect the security anyway¡ªthis just changes the order of things a bit.¡± The two nodded, though reluctantly. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the outside of the mansion.¡± ¡°Not the inside?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to ask someone familiar with the layout before checking the interior. There could be hidden passages we can¡¯t spot with the naked eye.¡± That was Joo Hayun¡¯s opinion, and it made sense. Hanul nodded in agreement. * * * ¡°This estate isn¡¯t too large¡ªjust the right size. I think I can cover the entire area with magic.¡± At those words, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but be a little dumbfounded. The Takamine estate was surrounded by a spacious garden. Sure, compared to the Hyukcheon family, it might be a drop in the bucket, but that didn¡¯t change the fact that it was still vast. He didn¡¯t know much about magic, but covering all this ground within the range of a single spell couldn''t be an easy feat. ¡°There aren¡¯t any large trees in the garden. From the rooftop, you¡¯d be able to spot anyone trying to sneak in.¡± Mei Hong chimed in. She had gone through various training sessions back in the Mei family. She had at least some knowledge of both assassination methods and how to counter them. Kwon Hanul walked a bit further in. And then¡ª ¡°Hm?¡± Behind a boxwood hedge trimmed into a square like a fence, he spotted a girl. She was holding a large pair of garden shears, snipping away at the branches sticking out awkwardly. With every clip of the shears, her shoulder-length bob swayed slightly. ¡°A gardener?¡± He muttered without thinking¡ªbut that clearly wasn¡¯t it. She was far too young to be a gardener. And there was something strangely refined about her presence. She seemed to genuinely enjoy tending the garden, even humming a tune as she worked. After trimming the boxwood into shape, the girl moved to the side¡ª That¡¯s when she locked eyes with Kwon Hanul. ¡°Oh?¡± Her eyes widened slightly. ¡°Who might you all be?¡± ¡°We¡¯re from Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°Hyukcheon? Ah... then you must be Kwon Hanul. And behind you¡ªthat must be Joo Hayun and Mei Hong?¡± She rattled off all three names instantly. Kwon Hanul immediately sensed that she wasn¡¯t an ordinary person. ¡°Pardon me, but who are you?¡± ¡°Oh! I should¡¯ve introduced myself first.¡± She set the shears down beside her, tidied up her clothes, and bowed politely. ¡°I¡¯m Takamine Ryoko, soon to be the successor of the Takamine family.¡± Now it was Kwon Hanul¡¯s turn for his eyes to widen. He hadn¡¯t expected to meet Takamine Ryoko here, of all places. ¡°You had us wait while you were out here trimming the garden?¡± Mei Hong¡¯s voice had a sharp edge. She was clearly scolding Takamine Ryoko for making them wait. ¡°Wait? What do you mean?¡± But Takamine Ryoko looked genuinely confused. ¡°I just found out you arrived... Ah¡ªNana must¡¯ve made that decision on her own again.¡± She murmured to herself knowingly, then bowed her head once more. ¡°I apologize. As the heir to the Takamine family, my response was inadequate.¡± Since Takamine Ryoko offered a sincere apology first, it was hard to press her further. Still, the name ¡°Nana¡± stuck in Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind. ¡°Let¡¯s head inside. I¡¯ll show you in myself.¡± Kwon Hanul followed Takamine Ryoko toward the estate. They were nearly at the entrance¡ª ¡°Miss Ryoko! Miss Ryoko!¡± A woman came rushing out with a flurry of footsteps. She had her hair tied in a round bun and wore circular glasses. Her tightly pursed lips and deep frown lines gave her a highly irritable air. ¡°Where on earth have you been?! I told you to stay inside today!¡± ¡°I noticed the garden trees had grown too much.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve left that to the gardeners! What if people start saying the Takamine heir is running around with oversized shears like a common laborer?!¡± The woman continued to berate Ryoko relentlessly. To anyone unfamiliar, it would¡¯ve looked like she was the master of the house. ¡°Nana, I understand. I¡¯ll be more careful from now on.¡± Takamine Ryoko responded with a constant, calm smile throughout the scolding. ¡°Honestly, what would you do without me? ...And who are these three?¡± Only then did the woman notice Kwon Hanul and the others. ¡°We¡¯re from Hyukcheon.¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s answer, the woman frowned. ¡°Hyukcheon? I told you to wait inside. Why are you outside?¡± ¡°We were surveying the estate for security purposes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I clearly told you to wait inside, didn¡¯t I?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s expression hardened¡ªbut not because of the woman. It was due to the killing intent radiating from behind him¡ªfrom Joo Hayun and Mei Hong. ¡°Nana, that¡¯s enough. What are you doing, scolding an honored guest who¡¯s come all this way because of me?¡± Takamine Ryoko intervened at just the right moment. The woman clamped her mouth shut, albeit reluctantly. ¡°...Well, I suppose your timing is just right. The others have arrived too.¡± With that, she turned and headed back inside. Once she was gone, Takamine Ryoko let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Who was that?¡± ¡°Oh, Nana... Her full name is Goriki Nana. She¡¯s someone I¡¯m deeply grateful to¡ªshe¡¯s been supporting me until I came of age.¡± Hmm. Kwon Hanul touched his chin. Since Ryoko¡¯s succession had been delayed due to her being a minor, it made sense that someone like Nana would¡¯ve acted as a guardian in the meantime. So that¡¯s why she¡¯s so domineering? But something felt off. It wasn¡¯t just that she was acting in a guardian¡¯s role¡ªshe behaved as if she were the head of the household herself. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside.¡± Kwon Hanul followed Ryoko into the estate. And inside¡ªhe saw a familiar face. ¡°H-Hanul... H-have you been well?¡± Waiting for him were Kwon Hudon and his team. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 65 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 65: Mission Preparation (3) ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s been a while,¡± Kwon Hudon greeted with a trembling voice. He seemed genuinely glad, but Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t return the sentiment. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Well... I¡¯m participating in this mission too.¡± Hanul frowned. This was news to him. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear anything about that from the Chairman.¡± ¡°Of course not. It was my decision,¡± Goriki Nana interjected before Hudon could explain further. Hanul gave her a disbelieving look. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°I hired his team as additional support,¡± Nana replied flatly. ¡°And why is that?¡± ¡°I appreciate Hyukcheon Group¡¯s support, but frankly, I don¡¯t find it reliable enough,¡± Nana adjusted her glasses with her index finger as she spoke. ¡°I did my own research on your team. It¡¯s just the three of you. And from what I found, you were just recently formed.¡± She crossed her arms and raised her voice, clearly on the offensive. ¡°The Takamine family is under threat from Pandemonium. I couldn¡¯t risk relying solely on a team like yours, so I arranged for a backup.¡± ¡°And the backup just so happens to be another Hyukcheon team?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t nitpick. I¡¯ve already settled it with Ms. Kwon Mi.¡± At the mention of Kwon Mi¡¯s name, Hanul¡¯s expression darkened. He had suspected as much, but didn¡¯t expect Kwon Mi to pull such a move. ¡°Ms. Takamine Ryoko, were you aware of this?¡± Ryoko¡¯s face stiffened. She took a deep breath before answering. ¡°...This is the first I¡¯ve heard of it. Nana, you should¡¯ve discussed this with me before making a decision.¡± Her voice was low as she scolded Nana. ¡°You¡¯re still too young to make such decisions.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an adult now,¡± Ryoko replied firmly. ¡°Even so, you lack experience. What if you make the wrong call?¡± ¡°That¡¯s...¡± ¡°I have a duty to protect you and the family until you¡¯re truly ready. Don¡¯t you understand that?¡± Nana¡¯s impassioned rebuttal silenced Ryoko. Hanul sighed inwardly. He was beginning to understand how this household operated. ¡°The Takamine family¡¯s request was reviewed and approved directly by Chairman Kwon Seonwoo,¡± Hanul finally said. Both Ryoko and Nana turned to look at him. ¡°The Chairman deemed the three of us sufficient for this mission. And yet the Takamine family decided to make an unauthorized move.¡± His tone sharpened. ¡°Are you saying the Chairman¡¯s judgment isn¡¯t trustworthy?¡± Nana gulped dryly under Hanul¡¯s firm tone. Then¡ª ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s seriously pissed off.¡± Hanul turned his head. One of Hudon¡¯s teammates was chuckling quietly. ¡°I get why you¡¯re upset, but maybe you should take it down a notch?¡± ¡°And you are?¡± ¡°You mean you don¡¯t recognize me? That stings a little,¡± the man scratched his head. ¡°They call me Rockbreaker.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t recognize the name¡ªbut Joo Hayun did. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± ¡°Oh, I figured you¡¯d recognize me,¡± Rockbreaker winked, but Hayun didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Hayun, you know who this is?¡± ¡°Yes. Mark Griffin. Known by the alias Rockbreaker. He¡¯s a global-ranked hunter.¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. Global-ranked. The pinnacle of the world¡¯s hundreds of millions of hunters. Even qualifying for the rankings was nearly impossible¡ªyou needed at least three S-rank stats, a mark of transcendent ability. ¡°He made headlines for capturing the internationally wanted playboy criminal Casano.¡± Hanul hadn¡¯t known, but this man was more than just famous¡ªhe was the real deal. Unlike that poser Ruyn Aspadam. ¡°Aw, you¡¯re making me blush,¡± Rockbreaker grinned. ¡°I hadn¡¯t heard anything about you recently. I didn¡¯t expect Ms. Kwon Mi to have recruited you,¡± Hayun said. ¡°Me neither. But the offer was just too good to pass up. And now...¡± He slung an arm over Kwon Hudon¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I work under Captain Kwon Hudon. I¡¯m his second-in-command and advisor.¡± ¡°R-Rockbreaker¡¯s been a great help,¡± Hudon muttered. But anyone could tell their dynamic didn¡¯t look like commander and subordinate. ¡°Hey, Little Dragon,¡± Rockbreaker addressed Hanul. He flinched at the unpleasant nickname. ¡°I get that you¡¯re mad about losing the spotlight, but c¡¯mon¡ªthis industry rewards the strong, doesn¡¯t it?¡± He was smiling, but his eyes weren¡¯t. It was a warning: fall in line or face the consequences. Hanul laughed aloud. He found it impressive¡ªthis guy had the guts to challenge Hyukcheon without flinching. ¡°Honestly, we¡¯ve got more people and more firepower. So for the duration of this mission, your team should follow my lead.¡± ¡°Your lead?¡± ¡°Oh¡ªslip of the tongue,¡± he chuckled, pulling Hudon closer. ¡°I meant our captain¡¯s lead.¡± He was clearly trying to take over the operation. Hanul¡¯s temper began to rise. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Mei Hong raised her hand, cutting through the tension. ¡°There¡¯s another world-ranked hunter on our side.¡± She looked to Joo Hayun. Hayun spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m a global-ranked hunter too.¡± Then, without changing her expression, she added, ¡°You and I are both Zero Numbering¡ªsame situation, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Zero Numbering. It referred to world-ranked hunters who weren¡¯t part of the top 500 list. It sounded like a contradiction¡ªhow could someone be ranked yet unranked? Simple. There were over a thousand hunters who qualified for global rank, but only 500 could be officially listed. The remaining ranked but unlisted were known as Zero Numbering. ¡°You say that like there¡¯s no difference between us,¡±Rockbreaker sneered. ¡°Do you even know who I am?¡± ¡°I do. The Witch of Hyukcheon. Of course I know. But you¡¯re still just another Zero Number, same as me.¡± That jab made Hayun¡¯s brow twitch ever so slightly. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right!¡± Nana raised her voice. ¡°Do you even know how famous Rockbreaker is? He¡¯s captured multiple criminals and appeared on TV more times than I can count!¡± Come to think of it, Hayun had recognized him instantly. Clearly, his fame wasn¡¯t just smoke. ¡°You¡¯d better learn to listen to someone like him!¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that won¡¯t be happening,¡± Hanul said bluntly. ¡°I was the one originally assigned to this mission. And now you¡¯re telling me to follow another team¡¯s orders? That¡¯s unacceptable.¡± ¡°Little Dragon, are you really trying to assert your pride against me¡ª¡± Rockbreaker couldn¡¯t finish his sentence. At some point, Mei Hong had placed the tip of her blade against his neck. ¡°Our leader¡¯s speaking. How about you shut up?¡± ¡°You arrogant bitch... Looks like you¡¯ve got a death wish.¡± ¡°If you think you can, go ahead and try.¡± Even when facing a threat from a world-ranked fighter, Mei Hong didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Then I¡¯ll continue.¡± Kwon Hanul resumed speaking. ¡°I¡¯m the one in command of this mission. Kwon Hudon, my subordinates, and the Takamine family will follow my lead.¡± ¡°Excuse me?! What are you saying?! The client is our Takamine family! You should be following us!¡° ¡°Seems you¡¯re misunderstanding something.¡± Kwon Hanul glared at Goriki Nana. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to take orders from the Takamine family. It was your family that first requested help. Our team, Hyukcheon, simply responded to that request.¡± His voice and demeanor shifted. The sheer weight of his presence made Goriki Nana swallow dryly. ¡°How we protect your family from Pandemonium will be decided by me. You lot just stay out of the way.¡± ¡°W-What did you just say?¡± The sheer audacity of his words left Goriki Nana stammering. ¡°Hmph. No mistaking it ¡ª Hyukcheon¡¯s temper is something else.¡± Rockbreaker smirked. He and Goriki Nana clearly had no intention of backing down. ¡°Then how about we settle the pecking order before the mission starts?¡± Rockbreaker stood. Kwon Hanul rose as well and faced him. Then suddenly, he turned away¡ªhis gaze fixed on an empty window. ¡°Hey?¡± Rockbreaker asked in confusion. Ignoring him, Kwon Hanul called out, ¡°Hayun.¡± ¡°So you sensed it too, Mr. Kwon.¡± ¡°Not sure how many.¡± ¡°More than ten. They¡¯ll breach any second now.¡± No one else in the room understood the exchange. Mei Hong groaned beside them. ¡°There they go again, talking like it¡¯s just the two of them.¡± Before her complaint even ended, the mansion¡¯s windows shattered all at once. Intruders burst in through the broken glass. ¡°Where¡¯s Takamine Ryoko¡ª¡± Before the sentence finished, one attacker¡¯s head snapped violently backward. He dropped dead. The rest looked down at him in alarm. A perfectly round hole was drilled through his forehead. ¡°Thought the deadline was today.¡± Kwon Hanul lowered his outstretched hand. From his index and middle fingers, smoke trailed into the air. ¡°That bastard Frederance sure is impatient.¡± Finger Bullet ¡ª a skill he¡¯d obtained from the Iron Fang Guild, revealed now for the first time. Kwon Hanul glanced at his fingers and remarked casually, ¡°Not bad.¡± The intruders shouted in panic. ¡°S-Spread out! Distract him!¡± ¡°Raise your aura! Protect your bodies!¡± A bright aura shimmered over the intruders¡¯ armor. Clearly, these weren¡¯t amateurs. But neither was Kwon Hanul. He opened all ten fingers, bent them at the second joints, and swung both arms outward. Ten bullets of magical energy fired at once. They punched through the intruders¡¯ aura and armor with ease. ¡°Gah!¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± ¡°Argh!¡± Cries of pain filled the room as attackers crumpled. But some were still standing. ¡°Why are you just standing there?! Grab Takamine Ryoko!¡± ¡°B-But that guy¡ª¡± ¡°You idiot! Die here or die to him, what¡¯s the difference?!¡± The remaining assailants lunged again. Kwon Hanul prepared to reload his bullets¡ª But Mei Hong moved first, charging ahead and slashing wide with her blade. A crescent-shaped arc of sword energy cut through the intruders at the waist. Their upper and lower halves collapsed to the ground separately. ¡°I could¡¯ve handled it too, you know.¡± ¡°The captain¡¯s job is to give orders from the back.¡± Mei Hong sheathed her sword and grinned as she turned to Joo Hayun. ¡°Right, unni?¡± ¡°There are more coming.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Before Mei Hong could even process the words, more enemies burst in through the windows. This time, they began sprinting across the ceiling. It was immediately clear¡ªthey were far more skilled than the last wave. ¡°Kyaaah! S-Someone stop them!¡± Goriki Nana screamed, hiding behind Takamine Ryoko. But the ceiling attack made it hard to react in time. The intruders reached Ryoko in an instant. Kwon Hanul raised his hand to fire again¡ªbut Joo Hayun was faster. She pointed her finger, drawing black magical energy to its tip. At the same time, dark rings formed around the intruders¡¯ heads. Joo Hayun flicked her finger upward. In that instant, the attackers were slammed into the ceiling. Squish. The sound wasn¡¯t loud¡ªbut the intruders were crushed, their bodies smeared into the plaster. It was like swatting mosquitoes against a wall with your palm. ¡°Oops. Got the ceiling dirty.¡± Joo Hayun withdrew her magic. Only then did blood and flesh begin to drip down in streams. The floor turned red beneath it. Watching it all unfold, she commented calmly, ¡°Figured we wouldn¡¯t get any useful intel from them anyway, so I just killed them.¡± No one objected to her decision. What she¡¯d just done had been terrifying. ¡°Ahem.¡± Kwon Hanul cleared his throat to gather attention. ¡°While all this happened, where were the mansion¡¯s guards, I wonder?¡± Then, in a cool but biting tone, he added, ¡°Not to mention, none of you noticed a thing either.¡± He turned to look directly at Rockbreaker. The man¡¯s face flushed red. ¡°Miss Takamine Ryoko.¡± ¡°Y-Yes?¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t even glance at Goriki Nana. His words were directed solely at Ryoko. ¡°Until the succession ceremony is over, our team will be handling the mansion¡¯s security. Do we have your permission?¡± He said it like a question, but it was effectively a declaration. Takamine Ryoko answered without hesitation. ¡°Yes. Please take care of it.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 66 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 66 ¨C Hidden Intentions (1) After being granted command, Kwon Hanul immediately issued orders. ¡°Kwon Hudon.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°Escort Miss Takamine Ryoko to a safe location. Then split the team and begin searching the estate¡¯s exterior.¡± ¡°R-Right.¡± Kwon Hudon quickly nodded. Just then, Rockbreaker grumbled with a sharp tone. ¡°Feels like you¡¯re making us do all the work. What exactly are you planning to do?¡± It was more of a complaint than a genuine question. Kwon Hanul stared at Rockbreaker squarely. ¡°I plan to interrogate the remaining intruders¡ªask them about Frederance.¡± Rockbreaker looked like he was about to say something, but Hanul raised his voice first. ¡°I¡¯m in charge now. Shut up and follow orders.¡± Rockbreaker glared at Hanul for a moment, then clicked his tongue and left with Kwon Hudon, escorting Takamine Ryoko out. Once Rockbreaker was gone, Mei Hong pointed after him, scoffing. ¡°What¡¯s his problem? Are all world-rankers that unpleasant?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Joo Hayun denied it in a calm tone. Mei Hong leaned closer to her. ¡°But seriously, unni. Are you really a Zero Number?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like it... You¡¯re saying you¡¯re in the same class as that arrogant jerk?¡± Joo Hayun only smiled without answering. Mei Hong kept probing, but it was no use. While the two chatted, Kwon Hanul turned his attention to the intruders. Among the scattered corpses, only one person was still alive. ¡°Ugh... ugh...¡± But he was bleeding heavily from the abdomen¡ªclearly a fatal wound. He¡¯d been hit by a Finger Bullet. ¡°Did Frederance send you?¡± ¡°Yeah, that bastard sent us. Said he¡¯d give us the antidote if we brought him Takamine Ryoko.¡± ¡°Antidote? You¡¯re infected with Dormant Poison?¡± ¡°Yeah. The most damnable poison you can imagine.¡± The man spoke with hatred in his voice. ¡°Sorry, but there¡¯s no point asking me more. I don¡¯t know anything.¡± ¡°And you are?¡± ¡°A mercenary from the David Guild.¡± At the name "David," Joo Hayun reacted. ¡°David? The guild that specializes in subjugating super-giant monsters?¡± ¡°An honor to be recognized by a beauty.¡± Kwon Hanul suddenly realized how they¡¯d infiltrated the estate undetected. He didn¡¯t know much about the David Guild, but he knew a bit about giant monster raids. The most crucial skills in those raids are stealth and aura-suppression¡ªto sneak close enough to strike a weak spot. That strange ceiling-crawling skill? It must¡¯ve been learned specifically to cling to a monster¡¯s body. ¡°How did you end up captured by Frederance?¡± ¡°Bad luck. We ran into him during a hunt.¡± The man gave a bitter laugh. Suddenly, black veins bulged across his skin. His body began melting like wax. The Dormant Poison had begun its final assault. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you. This was inevitable. But do me a favor¡ªkill that bastard.¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. A faint smile appeared on the man¡¯s face. Moments later, his body fully dissolved into a black puddle. Hanul reached toward it. Joo Hayun shouted in alarm. ¡°That¡¯s dangerous!¡± Despite her warning, Hanul touched the puddle with his fingertip. His fingertip darkened immediately. The poison was strong enough to melt a person in seconds. ¡°So Frederance¡¯s main weapon is poison. That¡¯s seriously nasty.¡± This level of toxicity was just for manipulation. The poison used for killing must be far worse. Without a way to counter it, defeating Frederance would be nearly impossible. Then¡ª <¡°Healthy Bloodline¡± detects the poison!> Hanul flicked his fingers. The poison peeled off, revealing an unharmed hand. ¡°I was worried about how to deal with that poison...¡± He flexed his fingers with a smile. ¡°...but at this rate, I think we¡¯ve got a real shot.¡± * * * Meanwhile, Takamine Ryoko was escorted to a bedroom. Outside the door, Kwon Hudon and Rockbreaker stood guard. With a world-ranker on duty, this was the safest place in the entire estate. Still, Ryoko felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. ¡°Young miss! What were you thinking?!¡± The scolding came from Goriki Nana. ¡°You handed over command to that man without even asking me!¡± ¡°I judged that he was trustworthy based on his ability.¡± ¡°Ability? You had Rockbreaker right there!¡± Nana raised her voice. ¡°Ask anyone¡ªthey¡¯d say trust the world-ranker over him!¡± ¡°Miss Joo Hayun is a world-ranker too...¡± ¡°Are you going to keep talking back?¡± Overwhelmed by Nana¡¯s pressure, Ryoko fell silent. ¡°This is why I worry about entrusting the family to you. You always make the wrong calls unless I¡¯m around.¡± Nana slumped into a chair with a heavy sigh. ¡°Hah... I¡¯ll have to consult Lord Nomura.¡± ¡°The director?¡± Traditionally, the head of the Takamine family also serves as hospital director. Currently, however, the position is held by former professor Nomura Masataka. ¡°Of course. This could affect the future of the family and the hospital. Just wait a moment.¡± Nana pulled out her phone and began making a call. Soon, her voice filled the room as she spoke urgently. Not once during the call did she ask for Ryoko¡¯s opinion. Ryoko turned to the window. Staring out at the garden¡¯s reflection, she murmured softly¡ª ¡°...It needs pruning.¡± * * * Outside Ryoko¡¯s room. Rockbreaker and Kwon Hudon kept watch in case of an emergency. ¡°...Captain, who is that guy?¡± Rockbreaker shot a glare at Hudon, his eyes blazing. Hudon flinched. ¡°W-Who?¡± ¡°That Kwon Hanul or whatever.¡± ¡°H-Hanul? Isn¡¯t he a-amazing?¡± ¡°You think I brought this up to praise him?¡± Rockbreaker growled. His pride had clearly taken a hit. ¡°That guy... noticed the intruders before I did. Is that even possible?¡± There were excuses to be made. Hunters each have their own specialties. Rockbreaker¡¯s was combat¡ªhis detection skills were weaker. But still, he was a world-ranker. The difference between him and Hanul should¡¯ve been like heaven and earth. ¡°H-Hanul¡¯s always been... r-really impressive...¡± ¡°I told you¡ªI didn¡¯t ask to hear that crap.¡± ¡ªMark Griffin. You¡¯re crossing the line. Suddenly, a voice cut in. Rockbreaker looked around in shock. Then he spotted the crystal pendant around Hudon¡¯s neck. ¡°The Named Transmission Orb?¡± A legendary relic that allows real-time communication¡ªwhether inside or outside a dungeon. ¡°You¡¯ve been watching us this whole time?¡± ¡ªOf course. I never know when my little Hudon might be in danger. Rockbreaker was stunned. To go so far as to monitor her son using such a rare artifact¡ªthis was overprotectiveness on another level. ¡ªRockbreaker, we had a deal, didn¡¯t we? I support you, and in return, you do your best to protect Hudon. ¡°...Yes, yes, I remember.¡± ¡ªThen what was that attitude just now? Rockbreaker clenched his teeth. Swallowing his pride, he lowered his head. ¡°Captain, I was out of line. Please forgive me.¡± ¡°O-Oh... i-it¡¯s fine.¡± Internally, Rockbreaker was cursing. Mark Griffin¡ªreduced to bowing to a clueless brat like this? It was humiliating. But for the sake of his future, he endured. ¡ªHudon... Inside the crystal orb, Kwon Mi called her son''s name. "Uh... Mom..." ¡ª Why did you let Hanul take the lead from you in front of everyone? You should¡¯ve been the one in charge. ¡°S-Sorry...¡± ¡ª Remember this well. The Chairman is personally monitoring this mission. You must take the lead. That¡¯s why I forced you into this in the first place. ¡°O-Okay...¡± There was hesitation in Kwon Hudon¡¯s voice. Kwon Mi sighed deeply. ¡ª What is it now? What¡¯s making you so nervous? ¡°If I mess up... on a mission this important... it¡¯ll be a disaster...¡± Kwon Mi paused for a moment and let out another deep sigh. ¡ª ...I didn¡¯t phrase that right. It¡¯s okay to fail. ¡°W-What...?¡± ¡ª So what if you fail? If that happens, I¡¯ll just come up with another plan. It was a blatant lie meant only to reassure Kwon Hudon. But it worked. The color slowly returned to his pale face. ¡ª But Hudon, don¡¯t forget this one thing. ¡°W-What is it...?¡± ¡ª No matter where or when... and no matter the circumstances... never forget the pride of Hyukcheon. Kwon Hudon¡¯s face went blank for a moment. Then he began quietly repeating the words "pride of Hyukcheon" over and over again. ¡°What a ridiculous mother-son pair,¡± Meanwhile, Rockbreaker scoffed. Trying to forcibly steal another clansman¡¯s mission and still talk about pride? Pride, really? He didn¡¯t bother pointing it out. Whatever those two said had nothing to do with him. All he had to do was play along with Kwon Hudon and get his reward from Kwon Mi. ¡°...No. No, that¡¯s not it.¡± Rockbreaker thought of Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun. He had never tasted such utter humiliation in his entire life. ¡°...I will get even.¡± Grit. Rockbreaker clenched his teeth. * * * Not far from the Takamine estate¡ª On the rooftop of a seven-story building, a young woman spoke. ¡°They¡¯re all dead, huh?¡± She turned to the man sitting beside her. ¡°They¡¯re all dead.¡± Her tone was mocking, which made the man frown. ¡°They were trash to begin with. Not a big loss. Thanks to them, we got a read on Hyukcheon¡¯s forces¡ªso it¡¯s still a win.¡± ¡°Really? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a waste?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve still got my real assets elsewhere.¡± The man glanced behind him. Twenty men and women stood in black uniforms. They didn¡¯t even blink. Just stood still¡ªeerily motionless. ¡°Hmm... Still, they¡¯re just dolls soaked in poison. You think you can do anything to Hyukcheon with that?¡± ¡°They¡¯re useful enough.¡± The man narrowed his eyes, recalling what he had just witnessed. ¡°That man¡ªwas his name Kwon Hanul? He¡¯s... truly shocking.¡± He had called the intruding hunters trash, but in truth, they were far from ordinary. They were all elite mercenaries from David, specialists in slaying colossal-class monsters. Taking down colossal monsters was several times more difficult than standard ones. Being part of David alone meant they were on a level far beyond normal hunters. Yet they couldn¡¯t even lay a finger on Kwon Hanul. ¡°What about Rockbreaker?¡± ¡°Not even worth mentioning. Sure, he¡¯s a world-ranked hunter, but that¡¯s all. There¡¯s nothing special about him.¡± Unlike Hanul, Rockbreaker received a scathing review. ¡°In another year, Rockbreaker probably won¡¯t even be able to look Hanul in the eye.¡± ¡°You¡¯re praising him a bit too much. You sure you¡¯re not going to end up losing to him?¡± The woman smiled teasingly, and the man smirked. ¡°He¡¯s still a rookie. If I wanted, I could melt him a hundred, no¡ªa thousand times over.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll admit you¡¯re good with poison if nothing else.¡± The woman nodded in agreement. ¡°But more importantly, I have a question.¡± ¡°What is it? Go on.¡± ¡°Why did you come here?¡± The woman tilted her head. ¡°You were the one who asked the Pandemonium Council for help, remember? Said you needed someone to tie down Joo Hayun.¡± ¡°Yes, but why you specifically?¡± ¡°Oh, come on. We¡¯re not just casual acquaintances, are we? That¡¯s a little hurtful.¡± She beamed playfully, though the man remained visibly displeased. ¡°Besides, we¡¯re dealing with the Witch of Hyukcheon. We can¡¯t just send some nobody.¡± ¡°Is Joo Hayun really that big of a deal?¡± ¡°You already knew she was dangerous. Isn¡¯t that why you contacted the council in the first place?¡± ¡°I knew she was trouble, but I didn¡¯t expect you to come.¡± In Pandemonium, this woman held an exceptional status. Maria Sanchez. A descendant of the Superblood lineage, she had claimed a key seat in the Pandemonium Council with her prodigious talent. The number of villains who underestimated her and paid for it with their lives was countless. What made Maria even more formidable was her background. The entire Sanchez family was deeply rooted in organized crime. They had long produced some of Pandemonium¡¯s most notorious criminals and thus wielded immense influence within its underworld. ¡°If you didn¡¯t know before, then remember now¡ªshe¡¯s terrifying. I wouldn¡¯t want to face her unless I had to.¡± The man studied her face, wary. She was someone who could lie as easily as breathing. ¡°Oh, but if it came down to it, I¡¯d still win. Don¡¯t get the wrong idea, okay?¡± Maria smiled sweetly as she added that part. ¡°So, what¡¯s the next step in the plan?¡± ¡°We wait for the succession ceremony.¡± ¡°Are you sure you can afford to take it easy? Kwon Hanul will probably start preparing.¡± At that, the man smiled for the first time. ¡°This whole operation is as good as done. Hyukcheon is just wasting their time.¡± Just then, his smartphone rang. The screen showed: Client. ¡°Excuse me.¡± He stepped away to take the call. Maria Sanchez casually followed, eavesdropping just out of sight. Clicking her tongue, she muttered under her breath, ¡°How can such a small family have so many traitors?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 67 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 67: Hidden Intentions (2) That night, Kwon Hanul stood on the rooftop of the mansion. He looked pitiful standing there alone in the chilly night breeze, but it couldn¡¯t be helped. He was the only one currently capable of monitoring the entire mansion. Joo Hayun was also around, but she was resting inside after exhausting herself by putting up a barrier over the whole estate. He couldn¡¯t rely on Rockbreaker either¡ªhe was far too unreliable. So Hanul had no choice but to take the watch himself. He stared into the distance. A translucent veil rose high along the perimeter of the mansion. It was a magical barrier cast by Joo Hayun. Visible only to those inside the mansion, it would sound an alarm if an uninvited guest tried to cross it. ¡°So that¡¯s magic, huh...¡± Secret knowledge said to be accessible only to witches and wizards. Magic operated on entirely different principles than skills¡ªcloser to an academic discipline than a learned technique, from what Hanul had heard. Beyond that, he didn¡¯t know much. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about it, but... I doubt there are many mages like Hayun.¡± Maintaining a barrier large enough to envelop this entire estate without pause... Even someone like Hanul, who knew nothing about magic, could tell how incredible that was. ¡°I wonder if patrol¡¯s going well?¡± Hanul looked down. He could see Kwon Hudon¡¯s team patrolling the mansion in small groups. Just then¡ª Suddenly, Hanul turned around. ¡°Huh.¡± There stood Mei Hong, looking startled. ¡°I suppressed my presence with a stealth skill. How did you know I was here?¡± ¡°If I couldn¡¯t detect that much, I wouldn¡¯t be much use.¡± ¡°You¡¯re making it sound like I¡¯m bad at what I do.¡± Mei Hong pouted. ¡°You¡¯re incredibly perceptive, though. You noticed me during the day too.¡± She was half-right. The sharpness of Hanul¡¯s senses had indeed improved thanks to the instincts granted by his Black Dragon Bloodline. But detecting today¡¯s intrusion¡ªand now Mei Hong¡ªwas because of his Vassal Bloodline. It allowed him to sense the mental energies of nearby living beings, letting him identify threats before they appeared. ¡°I thought you might be cold, hungry... maybe even feeling a little small. So I brought a few things.¡± ¡°What do you mean, ¡®small¡¯?¡± Hanul quipped back, and Mei Hong laughed, draping a blanket over his shoulders. ¡°I even brought soup. The chef here¡¯s surprisingly talented.¡± She opened the lid of a thermal container and handed it to him. Hanul accepted the meal and began eating. The warm soup went down easily¡ªit hit the spot. While enjoying the modest snack, someone caught his eye. Takamine Ryoko was crossing the garden. ¡°I told her not to wander around.¡± Joo Hayun had given them a warning when she put up the barrier: it was powerful, but not infallible. That¡¯s why Hanul was up on the roof, and why Kwon Hudon¡¯s team was patrolling below¡ªto be ready for anything. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Hanul set down the soup and blanket, then leapt down toward where Ryoko was. ¡°Oh my!¡± Takamine Ryoko gasped and stopped in her tracks. ¡°It¡¯s quite late. Where are you headed?¡± ¡°Ah... I was just about to do something small.¡± ¡°Something...?¡± She pointed to a nearby rose bush. ¡°I need to do some pruning.¡± Hanul sighed lightly. ¡°I thought I told you not to move around for safety reasons.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t get to finish all my work today...¡± ¡°No need to apologize. You¡¯re the owner of this house, after all.¡± Ryoko looked surprised. ¡°You¡¯re not mad?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t exactly scold the client, can I?¡± He stepped aside. ¡°Go ahead and finish up. I¡¯ll stand by just in case.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Ryoko bowed her head, then picked up the garden shears and began trimming the rose branches. Hanul stepped back and quietly observed her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Strangely, she apologized every time she cut a branch. ¡°That hurts, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°If it makes you feel that bad, why do it at all?¡± ¡°Because it helps the tree grow better.¡± Ryoko answered plainly. ¡°To grow strong and healthy, a tree needs to have its dead or unnecessary branches pruned. It¡¯s painful... but it¡¯s something that has to be done.¡± She continued snipping as she spoke. Hanul simply watched her. He had no real interest in gardening. Still, something about their conversation had felt... oddly dissonant. A short while later, Ryoko finished her task and turned to him. ¡°Thank you for waiting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Suddenly, Ryoko looked at Hanul intently. ¡°Is there something you want to say?¡± ¡°You¡¯re incredibly strong, Mr. Kwon.¡± The statement came out of nowhere. ¡°I was raised to inherit the Takamine family and the hospital. I started learning medicine at a young age. Treating Hunters is much harder than treating regular people, so there was a lot to learn.¡± Ryoko spoke with curiosity in her voice. ¡°You have to know not just anatomy, but also magical energy. That¡¯s how I learned to roughly gauge someone¡¯s power just by being near them.¡± She stepped closer and placed something in his hand. ¡°This is...?¡± ¡°Keep it with you. Please.¡± After a firm reminder, Ryoko turned and returned inside the mansion. ¡°......¡± Hanul turned the item over in his hands a few times, then slipped it into his pocket. Then, he leapt back up to the rooftop. ¡°I¡¯m back¡ªhuh?¡± But there was someone else on the roof now, in addition to Mei Hong. ¡°Ah, hey.¡± Kwon Hudon awkwardly waved. Hanul looked to Mei Hong first. ¡°When did he get here?¡± ¡°A while ago. I told him you were in the garden, but he insisted on waiting here.¡± Hanul turned to Hudon. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°W-Well... I, uh... came to r-return this...¡± Hudon held out a long item wrapped in silk. Hanul unwrapped it to check. It was a longsword. ¡°This is...¡± He¡¯d seen it several times before. Hanul glanced at Mei Hong. ¡°...Dad.¡± She muttered in a daze, on the verge of tears. Hanul handed the sword over. Mei Hong clutched it tightly to her chest. ¡°Why return the sword?¡± When Mei Hong¡¯s recruitment had failed, Kwon Mi had threatened to melt down this sword. Knowing her personality, she likely meant it. ¡°M-My mom told me to destroy it, b-but... it¡¯s a keepsake. I-I thought it was right to return it.¡± Hudon stammered. ¡°...You did this on your own?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah.¡± ¡°You¡¯d be in serious trouble if she finds out.¡± ¡°I-It¡¯s fine. Mom told me n-not to forget the pride of Hyukcheon. I-I just followed those words.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but laugh softly. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°M-Me too... thank you...¡± Mei Hong added in a trembling voice. Hudon grinned awkwardly once again. ¡°N-No big deal. It¡¯s just... w-what I should¡¯ve done.¡± * * * ¡°That dumb bastard.¡± At the back of the estate. Rockbreaker clicked his tongue as he listened to the voices coming from the rooftop. ¡°Pride of the Hyukcheons? Give me a break. How long are we supposed to keep following that idiot as our leader?¡± One of the team members next to him asked. ¡°Huh? What do you mean, sir?¡± ¡°Ah, right. You wouldn¡¯t have heard it. Never mind.¡± Only someone like Rockbreaker had sharp enough hearing to catch what was being said on the rooftop. The others didn¡¯t stand a chance. ¡°Anyway, is everyone here?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Rockbreaker looked at the people seated before him¡ªevery one of them was a member of Kwon Hudon¡¯s team. He had secretly gathered them here under the pretense of a patrol. ¡°What do you all think of our squad leader?¡± The team members glanced at each other. No one spoke, but the dissatisfaction on their faces was obvious. ¡°No need to even ask, huh? I mean, who¡¯d want to follow a guy who can barely get a word out?¡± They all nodded in agreement. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ve got me. Just follow my lead from now on, and everything will work out fine.¡± ¡°Are you saying we should betray the squad leader?¡± someone asked. Rockbreaker scowled. ¡°You idiot.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Betray him? You think we¡¯d survive getting blacklisted by the Hyukcheons if we actually pulled that crap?¡± Rockbreaker clenched his fist tightly. The expressions on the team¡¯s faces stiffened. ¡°Besides, who¡¯s backing our so-called leader? Kwon Mi. One of the real powerhouses in the Hyukcheons Group. Now that we¡¯ve got that connection, we should squeeze every bit of advantage out of it, shouldn¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Then what did you mean when you said we should just follow you, Vice-Captain?¡± Rockbreaker grinned. ¡°It¡¯s simple. When the time comes, just follow my orders over his. Got it?¡± He was openly declaring his intent to turn Kwon Hudon into a figurehead. But not a single person among the group voiced any objection. * * * Several days later. During that time, Kwon Hanul had been fully focused on securing the estate, but not a single attack came. ¡°What are they thinking?¡± Still, he couldn¡¯t let his guard down. That kind of complacency was the most dangerous. Before he knew it, a week had passed¡ªand the day of the succession ceremony had arrived. From early morning, the estate staff were buzzing with activity. The Takamine family¡¯s succession ceremony was being held in the estate¡¯s grand hall, and there was much to prepare. ¡°Why won¡¯t this thing tie properly...¡± Kwon Hanul had been wrestling with his necktie in front of the mirror since morning. It was a formal ceremony, after all. He couldn¡¯t show up looking sloppy, even if he was just there for security. ¡°What was Heinkel doing, not even including an auto-dress function in this thing...¡± As he grunted and fumbled with the tie¡ª ¡°Are you coming out soon?¡± The door opened, and Mei Hong stepped in. Then she froze as if she¡¯d been struck by lightning. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, it¡¯s just...¡± Her face flushed slightly. Kwon Hanul looked puzzled by the unusual reaction. ¡°Is something going on?¡± ¡°N-no, it¡¯s just... I thought the suit really suits you.¡± Kwon Hanul tilted his head at the sudden compliment. ¡°But... it looks like you¡¯re struggling with the tie.¡± She quickly changed the subject. Kwon Hanul tugged at the tie and said, ¡°Instead of just watching, maybe help out a little?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really good at tying ties either... I¡¯ll go get Hayun!¡± And with that, Mei Hong darted out of the room. A few minutes passed. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, I¡¯m coming in.¡± With a knock, Joo Hayun entered the room. ¡°I heard you¡¯re having trouble with your tie.¡± ¡°...Embarrassingly, yes. Still not very good at this.¡± Joo Hayun approached and gently took the tie. With deft, practiced fingers, she began to tie it for him. ¡°Mei Hong was going on and on.¡± ¡°About what?¡± ¡°Said it looks good on you.¡± Just as Kwon Hanul was about to ask what she meant, Joo Hayun stepped back. ¡°All done.¡± He examined the result in the mirror¡ªit was perfect. ¡°I¡¯m always in your debt.¡± ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s my pleasure.¡± She answered with a smile. Then came another knock. ¡°Mr. Kwon Hanul, you have a visitor.¡± A guest? For me? ¡°I¡¯ll let them in.¡± The door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in with a servant. He was well-built for his age, clearly someone who took meticulous care of himself. ¡°It¡¯s our first time meeting face-to-face.¡± The man extended his hand. ¡°I¡¯m Nomura Masataka.¡± The name triggered a memory Kwon Hanul had stored in his mind before the mission. Nomura Masataka. A former professor at Takamine¡¯s Hunter General Hospital, now serving as its interim director. Since the previous head of the Takamine family had passed, he had been the one wielding real power at the hospital. ¡°So you¡¯re the director. It¡¯s an honor to meet you.¡± ¡°To be recognized by the Hyukcheons¡¯ rising star¡ªmakes me feel quite proud.¡± Nomura Masataka smiled at Kwon Hanul¡¯s words. ¡°So, what brings you here?¡± ¡°I just wanted to ask you something.¡± ¡°Ask me what, exactly?¡± Leaning in, Nomura Masataka whispered: ¡°Have you ever considered transcending your limits?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 68 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 68: The Inheritance Ceremony (1) Transcending one¡¯s limits refers to a phenomenon in which one''s bones, organs, and every component of the body are entirely renewed. A body that has undergone such transformation experiences a complete enhancement of its abilities. But it''s not as simple as just gaining strength or improving mana control. The very foundation of life is altered. One''s essence as a living being is elevated to another tier of existence. It¡¯s said that a person''s combat ability increases at least three to four times through this transformation. Because of how extraordinary this is, only a handful of individuals among the world¡¯s top-ranked hunters have ever experienced it. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m definitely interested... but why are you asking me this?¡± Nomura Masataka glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice to a whisper. ¡°After years of research, Takamine Hospital has finally developed a procedure to induce rebirth and transformation.¡± ¡°...Are you serious?¡± As Kwon Hanul reacted, Nomura Masataka smiled, seemingly pleased. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s no easy feat. We have to mobilize every artifact and piece of equipment in the hospital, not to mention an enormous amount of elixirs. After a single procedure, all our relics need to be shut down for maintenance, and the hospital has to close for over a month.¡± Takamine Hospital is considered one of the world¡¯s top medical institutions. Shutting it down even temporarily speaks volumes about how demanding the process is. ¡°In spite of that, what would you say if I offered the procedure to you?¡± ¡°To me?¡± ¡°Yes. I like promising young talents like you. Especially since you¡¯re of Hyukcheon blood¡ªthere¡¯s nothing wrong with investing in you. However...¡± Nomura Masataka¡¯s eyes shifted. ¡°As I said, rebirth and transformation isn¡¯t something we can just hand out. It puts a massive strain on the hospital¡ªso I can¡¯t offer it lightly.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll pass.¡± Hanul refused without hesitation, causing Nomura Masataka¡¯s expression to falter slightly. ¡°You¡¯ll pass?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t ask you to put the hospital under such strain just for my benefit. Besides, I¡¯m on assignment right now. I don¡¯t have the capacity to be distracted by anything else.¡± Nomura Masataka went silent for a moment before smiling again. ¡°You¡¯re right. Still, if you ever change your mind, come find me.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°It was an honor meeting you.¡± With that, Nomura Masataka turned and left. ¡°Hayun, do you think he was telling the truth?¡± ¡°To be honest, it¡¯s hard to believe. If Takamine Hospital really had developed a method for rebirth and transformation, there¡¯s no way it wouldn¡¯t have leaked.¡± Joo Hayun had a point. This kind of transformation is in a different league from common encounters with mystical phenomena. Even world-ranking hunters would kill to obtain it. ¡°That said, we can¡¯t dismiss it completely. Rebirth and transformation has long been the Takamine family¡¯s greatest ambition. If they recently succeeded...¡± In other words, it might be true after all. ¡°Then why did you refuse so quickly? It didn¡¯t sound like there was any harm in hearing him out.¡± ¡°He was clearly trying to probe me, and I didn¡¯t appreciate it.¡± It was obvious that Nomura Masataka wasn¡¯t speaking from a place of pure goodwill. The entire time, he¡¯d been carefully observing Hanul¡¯s reactions¡ªdangling rebirth and transformation as bait to test him, to get something out of him. ¡°Besides...¡± Thanks to the power of his clan bloodline, Hanul could see the truth more clearly. Nomura Masataka¡¯s psyche was completely tainted by greed and arrogance. ¡°He¡¯s not someone to be trusted.¡± * * * Hanul entered the banquet hall alongside Joo Hayun. ¡°Oh! You¡¯re here!¡± Mei Hong rushed over to him. ¡°Did you spot anyone suspicious?¡± ¡°No, no one so far.¡± Hanul had already asked Mei Hong to keep an eye on the guests¡ªjust in case Frederance tried to pull something. While he was chatting with her, Takamine Ryoko and Goriki Nana approached. Hanul bowed first and spoke politely. ¡°Lady Takamine Ryoko, congratulations on officially inheriting the family.¡± ¡°Thank you for the kind words.¡± As Hanul raised his head, he examined the two women. Unlike Ryoko, who had kept her appearance elegant and understated, Nana was dressed flamboyantly with makeup that bordered on excessive. ¡°Seeing you all dressed up like this... I almost didn¡¯t recognize you.¡± Goriki Nana scanned Hanul from head to toe. Her stare gave him chills. He never thought he¡¯d feel this creeped out by a woman¡¯s gaze. Trying to change the subject, Hanul asked Ryoko, ¡°There aren¡¯t as many guests as I expected.¡± ¡°That¡¯s normal. Inheritance ceremonies are usually small, with only family members and hospital officials in attendance.¡± Hanul glanced around the hall. They had brought in an entire orchestra for live music. It didn¡¯t exactly feel ¡°small.¡± ¡°H-Hanul!¡± From across the room, Kwon Hudon came rushing over with Rockbreaker in tow. Hanul excused himself from Ryoko and walked over. ¡°How¡¯s the team?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, I deployed them just like you said. Teams One and Two are patrolling outside, and Team Three is stationed indoors.¡± ¡°Good work.¡± Hudon looked slightly relieved at the compliment. ¡°Rockbreaker.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Rockbreaker replied curtly. ¡°If something goes down¡ªI¡¯ll be counting on you.¡± ¡°Not sure I¡¯ll even get the chance to step in. With Little Dragon and those other two hotshots around, there won¡¯t be much left for me to do.¡± Even now, Rockbreaker spoke mockingly. Hudon looked uneasy beside him. ¡°Well then, Captain, let¡¯s go do our job.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll catch you later, Hanul.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t seem too bothered by Rockbreaker¡¯s attitude. They clearly didn¡¯t like each other. As long as Rockbreaker did his part, Hanul had no complaints. ¡ªAhem. Suddenly, a voice rang out across the banquet hall. Nomura Masataka had taken the stage and was holding a microphone. ¡ª¡°First of all, thank you to all the guests who joined us today.¡± Everyone¡¯s attention turned toward him. He looked around the room, almost as if he were savoring the moment. ¡ª¡°Standing here today reminds me of the previous family head¡¯s inheritance ceremony. Back then, I wasn¡¯t on this stage¡ªI was looking up at the late head from below.¡± He paused, seemingly reminiscing. ¡ª¡°And now, I¡¯m standing here, announcing the beginning of a new ceremony. It¡¯s deeply moving.¡± His speech dragged on¡ªstories of his youth, the former head¡¯s death, how hard he worked after becoming director. If you listened without context, you¡¯d think this ceremony was for him, not Ryoko. ¡ª¡°Now, Lady Takamine Ryoko will step forward.¡± Nomura Masataka stepped aside as Ryoko climbed the stairs to the platform. She took the microphone and prepared to greet the gathered VIPs¡ªwhen suddenly¡ª [Emergency!] A frantic voice burst through the tiny earpiece in Hanul¡¯s ear. [En-Enemies have appeared outside the barrier¡ª WH-what is that thing?! Aaaaaah!] A deafening explosion shook the entire mansion, followed by the sound of hundreds of windows shattering. Joo Hayun turned to Hanul, her voice urgent. ¡°Mr. Hanul¡ªthe barrier has been breached.¡± There was only one thing that could mean: The assault had begun. From outside the mansion came the sound of screams and weapons clashing. Kwon Hanul hesitated. After that first attack, the enemy had remained quiet. And now they were attacking with such brute force? ¡°Feels like a trap.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the most likely explanation,¡± Joo Hayun agreed. Frederance was a cunning man. He wouldn¡¯t do something like this without a plan. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul replied to Hayun¡¯s question. ¡°There¡¯s no need to play into the enemy¡¯s hand.¡± In this kind of situation, staying put was often the smarter move than rushing in blindly. Trying to smash through a trap head-on was exactly how one got caught in it. ¡°Kwon Hudon!¡± Hanul called out. Hudon looked up from nearby. ¡°Y-Yeah?¡± ¡°Take the team and protect Takamine Ryoko and the guests. Don¡¯t move from the banquet hall unless you have to.¡± Right now, the safest place was inside this mansion. Ever since Joo Hayun had reinforced the barrier, they¡¯d searched the interior thoroughly multiple times. ¡°W-What about you?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Hanul¡¯s lips curled into a savage, almost beast-like grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got some unwanted guests to greet.¡± When he stepped outside, he saw Kwon Hudon¡¯s team locked in battle with the invaders all over the garden. But the appearance of the attackers was grotesque. Some had grotesquely swollen limbs, others had skin discolored in unnatural hues. Their eyes were glassy and vacant, and green drool dripped endlessly from their mouths. No matter how you looked at them, they were anything but normal. ¡°Gah!¡± ¡°Kraaah!¡± But even more shocking¡ªHudon¡¯s team was being overwhelmed. Every time the creatures swung their limbs, a member of the team was sent flying, coughing up blood. ¡°...Am I really seeing this right?¡± These team members were handpicked by Kwon Mi herself. Their skills were not to be underestimated. And yet they were being beaten¡ªno, crushed¡ªwithout standing a chance? ¡°Ughraaah!¡± One team member was grabbed and slammed into the ground by a monster. The creature climbed atop him, raising its fists to pummel him. If Hanul just stood there, that guy was going to die. He immediately unleashed a volley of magic bullets. Dozens of rounds struck the monsters¡¯ bodies. The creatures screamed and staggered backward. But that was all¡ªthey retreated, but none went down. Even powerful magic bullets, potent enough to pierce reinforced aura, hadn¡¯t penetrated their skin. As Hanul stared in disbelief, Joo Hayun explained, ¡°...They¡¯re Homunculi. Products of a Puppeteer¡¯s craft.¡± ¡°A Puppeteer?¡± ¡°A villain affiliated with Pandemonium. He takes pleasure in horrific experiments that fuse humans with monsters.¡± She pointed toward the creatures. ¡°All of them have been enhanced using monster physiology. And from what I can tell, they¡¯ve used poison to push their bodies past normal limits.¡± ¡°They¡¯re using poison too?¡± ¡°Yes. Normal strength won¡¯t cut it against these things.¡± Even as they spoke, Hudon¡¯s team continued to be overwhelmed. It had reached the point where standing by was no longer an option. ¡°Get the injured out of here! Take them inside the mansion!¡± Hanul shouted. The team began dragging their wounded back toward the building. ¡°Let¡¯s wrap this up quickly and go find Frederance.¡± Hanul opened his subspace pocket and slipped on a pair of leather gloves. Mei Hong drew her sword beside him. But Joo Hayun remained motionless, her gaze fixed far off into the distance. ¡°Hayun?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Kwon,¡± she said suddenly. ¡°Someone¡¯s calling for me. I have to go.¡± Her expression was grim¡ªuncharacteristically so. ¡°Does it have to be you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the one who shattered the barrier in a single strike. I¡¯m the only one who can face them.¡± Apparently, Frederance wasn¡¯t working alone. Hanul nodded, concern in his eyes. ¡°Be careful.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Cloaked in mana, Joo Hayun vanished. The moment she disappeared, Hanul turned his glare on the monsters. ¡°Alright then. Time to do our part¡ª¡± But at that moment¡ª ¡°---!¡± ¡°---!!¡± ¡°---!!!¡± The homunculi let out a series of incomprehensible, monstrous howls. Black veins bulged across their bodies as the poison¡¯s effects intensified. They all charged at Hanul at once. Each creature had a different form, and seeing them charge in unison was grotesque beyond words. ¡°Ew.¡± Mei Hong recoiled, sticking out her tongue in disgust. Hanul stepped forward. ¡°Stay back.¡± His forehead split open down the center, revealing a new eye. The moment the authority was released, the homunculi¡¯s movements slowed dramatically. In fact, everything around him slowed¡ªthe whole world. Even specks of dust in the air seemed frozen in place. Hanul summoned his Dragon Demon Aura. He converted every bit of mana in his body into this enhanced energy. There¡¯s a difference between how much mana one has and how much they can control at once. Even if you possess 100 units of mana, most people can only wield about 30 at a time. But right now, Hanul was controlling all 100. <¡®Dragon¡¯s Eye¡¯ now governs the surrounding environment.> That was the power of the authority he had awakened. He gathered the entirety of his Dragon Demon Aura into both hands. Bending the second knuckle of his fingers, he loaded magic bullets. If regular bullets couldn¡¯t pierce these things, he just needed to amp up the firepower. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Peerless Form Modified Dragon Demon Bullet Technique Black beams of energy shot forth, piercing straight through the homunculi one after another. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 69 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 69: The Inheritance Ceremony (2) A few dozen minutes ago. ¡°So this is the magic cast by the Witch of Hyukcheon?¡± Maria Sanchez stood right in front of the barrier. ¡°This doesn¡¯t look like some simple alarm-type spell.¡± She touched the barrier with her fingertip. In that instant, blue flames flared up. ¡°Oh?¡± The flames completely engulfed her hand. Yet Maria Sanchez didn¡¯t pull away. ¡°It reacts to a certain level of mana. And upon contact, it incinerates completely.¡± She turned around. Behind her, dozens of living dolls were panting heavily. ¡°Do you guys realize how close you came to dying? If you¡¯d barged in just now, a third of you would¡¯ve burned alive.¡± A barrier of this scale with that much destructive power, spread so widely... ¡°Even in Pandemonium, there aren¡¯t many mages capable of this.¡± A look of intrigue crossed Maria Sanchez¡¯s face. ¡°Lady Maria.¡± Just then, someone spoke to her. One of the few present who wasn¡¯t a living doll, and a direct subordinate of Ferderance. ¡°It¡¯s almost time.¡± ¡°I know, don¡¯t rush me,¡± Maria replied irritably. ¡°Ferderance¡ªhe¡¯s so full of himself. I offer to move personally, and he just leaves me here alone?¡± ¡°The Master has a different method of infiltrating...¡± ¡°Still doesn¡¯t sit right with me. I should double the payment.¡± The subordinate¡¯s face went pale. Even as it stood, Maria Sanchez was promised an astronomical fee. And now she was suggesting doubling it? ¡°I¡¯m joking, relax. Like I¡¯d really take more money. You know the relationship Ferderance and I have.¡± Maria chuckled playfully and took off her outer coat. Her well-toned arms and back came into view. Every breath she took made her muscles twitch with tension. She clenched her fist. It was a simple gesture, something a toddler could do¡ªbut when Maria Sanchez did it, it felt entirely different. It was as if the very air¡ªor space itself¡ªwas warping around her fist. ¡°...What the hell is that?¡± Guards patrolling inside the barrier caught sight of Maria and the living dolls. ¡°A woman? And what¡¯s all that behind her?¡± ¡°You idiot! Can¡¯t you see? We¡¯ve got intruders!¡± The Hyukcheon Hunters shouted into their earpieces. ¡°W-We have an emergency!¡± Maria pulled her fist back. Then, like she was pitching a baseball, she hurled it forward with full force. ¡°Enemies¡ªoutside the barrier¡ªappeared... Wh-What is that? Aaaaargh!¡± Her punch collided with the barrier. The spell that had covered the entire mansion shattered completely. ¡°I¡¯ve unwrapped the packaging. Now it¡¯s your turn.¡± At Maria¡¯s words, the subordinate nodded. ¡°Then we¡¯ll move in as well.¡± ¡°You going in to fight?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve been given a separate task by the Master.¡± ¡°Again? That sneaky bastard.¡± The subordinate bowed to Maria and disappeared with the living dolls, who charged in exuding fierce killing intent. Now alone, Maria crossed her arms and muttered, ¡°Well then... shall I summon the Witch of Hyukcheon?¡± * * * ¡°You¡¯re telling me he said not to move from inside the banquet hall?¡± Rockbreaker yelled. Kwon Hudon stammered as he answered, ¡°Y-Yeah. He told us to stay and protect the guests.¡± ¡°That brat gave that order?¡± ¡°W-Why? Was it wrong?¡± Rockbreaker frowned and said, ¡°On the contrary. That guy... he knows how to assess the situation properly.¡± Only a fool would move carelessly without properly understanding the enemy. Right now, the banquet hall was the safest location. It was spacious and had a clear view¡ªideal for responding to unexpected variables. ¡°T-Then we should just follow Hanul¡¯s orders, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯re really something, you know that?¡± ¡°Uh... what?¡± ¡°If we do that, we don¡¯t get any of the fun.¡± Rockbreaker spoke with a tone of annoyance. ¡°If we just sit here protecting guests like Kwon Hanul told us to, that guy¡¯s going to take all the credit. You really want that?¡± ¡°B-But the mission comes first...¡± Rockbreaker let out a deep sigh. ¡°Captain, if you¡¯ve got a brain, think a little. Hanul has operational command of this mission. Do you know what that means?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t...¡± ¡°It means whatever happens, it¡¯s all on him. So we let him take the fall and we swoop in and grab the juicy parts.¡± Kwon Hudon¡¯s face stiffened. He couldn¡¯t understand what Rockbreaker was saying¡ª No, he didn¡¯t want to understand. People could die... and all this guy cared about was personal gain? ¡ªDo you have a plan? Kwon Hudon jumped as he heard his mother¡¯s voice coming from the necklace he wore. Rockbreaker, on the other hand, looked bored. ¡°Knew you were listening.¡± ¡ªOf course I was. Hudon could get hurt. ¡°With me here, you don¡¯t need to worry about that.¡± ¡ªJust answer the question. Do you have a plan or not? Rockbreaker smiled. Kwon Hudon instinctively turned his head away. That smile on Rockbreaker¡¯s face¡ªit looked far too cruel. ¡°I¡¯ve taken down plenty of criminals. Guys like this never come at you head-on. They¡¯ll always try to poke a hole somewhere.¡± ¡ªAnd you¡¯re going to use that hole against them. Kwon Mi replied with satisfaction. ¡ªFine. Do as you like. But Hudon better not get hurt. ¡°Obviously.¡± With permission granted, Rockbreaker had nothing to hold him back. ¡°Well then, Captain. Let¡¯s move.¡± ¡°M-Move where?¡± Rockbreaker sighed again. ¡°To find the rat hole.¡± ¡°Everyone! Please do not move carelessly!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid! No matter what happens, we will protect you!¡± Kwon Hudon¡¯s teammates roamed the banquet hall, calming the guests. Though some guests had initially caused a commotion demanding the police, they¡¯d mostly settled down. Mostly¡ªbut unease still clung to every face. ¡°An attack in broad daylight... What are the police even doing?¡± ¡°They¡¯re not normal criminals... We might need Hunters for this.¡± The guests exchanged nervous whispers. Among them was Takamine Ryoko. She stood quietly, not engaging with anyone, calmly watching the time. ¡°Young Lady!¡± Goriki Nana came running toward her. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for this! We need to get you out¡ªfast!¡± ¡°You mean... the safe room?¡± Old, prestigious families often had hidden shelters. The Takamine estate was no exception. ¡°Miss! Keep your voice down! What if someone hears?¡± Nana hissed, clearly agitated. If others learned of the safe room, they¡¯d panic and try to follow. ¡°But Mr. Kwon Hanul told me to stay here.¡± ¡°Look at how many enemies are out there! How can you be so calm?!¡± Nana raised her voice in frustration. ¡°If anything happens to you, it¡¯s the end of the Takamine family¡ªand the hospital! Don¡¯t you understand how serious this is?¡± Ryoko hesitated, then nodded. ¡°...Alright. I¡¯ll follow your lead, Ms. Nana.¡± ¡°Good! That¡¯s the right call.¡± ¡°But how do you plan to get there? In this chaos, someone will definitely notice.¡± Most guests had gathered in the center of the hall for safety, and Kwon Hudon¡¯s team was keeping watch. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Soon, there will be¡ª¡± Suddenly, Nana clamped her own mouth shut. ¡°¡ªI mean, once the opportunity arises, we¡¯ll move.¡± ¡°Opportunity? What do you mean by that?¡± Nana went pale. At some point, Rockbreaker had appeared behind her. ¡°I¡¯ve been listening. Where were you planning to go?¡± ¡°I-I... um...¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we make it clear? No one¡¯s to move without permission.¡± Nana¡¯s gaze darted around, lost and shaken. ¡°R-Rockbreaker, this is a misunderstanding¡ª¡± ¡°I heard everything. You¡¯re planning to take Lady Ryoko to the safe room.¡± Nana let out a long sigh, as if resigning to her fate. But then, an unexpected voice chimed in. ¡°That actually makes sense.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°If you think about it, the one Ferderance is after is Miss Ryoko Takamine. Leaving her here isn¡¯t smart.¡± Relief began to return to Nana¡¯s face. ¡°R-Right? I knew you¡¯d understand. So, could you guide us there?¡± ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s go together.¡± Nana froze. ¡°G-Go together...?¡± ¡°Exactly. We¡¯ll come with you.¡± ¡°B-But why...?¡± ¡°Why? To ensure double safety, of course. It¡¯ll be safer for the young lady if we¡¯re there too.¡± ¡°B-But that¡¯s a private Takamine safe room. Outsiders aren¡¯t allowed!¡± ¡°If the situation turns bad, just make an exception to the rules.¡± As Rockbreaker bulldozed his way through, Goriki Nana was left speechless, lips clamped shut. It was at that moment, as she stood there unable to decide what to do¡ª ¡°Count me in as well.¡± An unexpected figure spoke up: Hospital Director Nomura Masataka. ¡°You''re heading to a safehouse, right? I know it¡¯s shameless, but I¡¯d like to come along.¡± ¡°You too?¡± Rockbreaker asked, stroking his chin. Nomura Masataka nodded. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the shameless request. But if I die, Takamine Hospital will suffer a serious blow. For the sake of the hospital, I have to survive.¡± Saying so, Nomura Masataka pleaded sincerely, ¡°Ms. Nana, please take me with you too.¡± Caught off guard at being suddenly mentioned, Goriki Nana flinched in surprise. Then, she nodded and replied, ¡°Ah... Alright. Let¡¯s go together.¡± * * * Black Dragon Ascension Art ¡ª Formless Advanced Technique: Dragon Demon Bullet A black magic bullet fired from Kwon Hanul¡¯s hand pierced through the bodies of the living dolls. The moment they were hit by the Dragon Demon Bullet, the affected areas of their bodies disappeared entirely. If it struck an arm, the arm vanished. A shot to the head erased the head. A hit to the chest blew a massive hole clean through. In an instant, ten living dolls collapsed lifelessly to the ground. ¡°It¡¯s definitely powerful,¡± Kwon Hanul remarked, flexing his fingers. The Dragon Demon Bullet wasn¡¯t just a simple compression of demonic dragon energy into a bullet. He had fused the secrets of the Black Dragon Ascension Art with power drawn from both the Blood of Shura and the Genius Bloodline. On top of that, he poured every bit of magical power into it using the authority of the Dragon¡¯s Eye. ¡°¡ª¡ª!¡± ¡°¡ª¡ª!!¡± The remaining living dolls charged again. An ordinary person might have panicked and fled after witnessing such power, but these dolls had already lost all reasoning. Fear was no longer part of them. ¡°One more shot, then.¡± Kwon Hanul raised his energy once more, shaping demonic dragon energy into a bullet using the Dragon''s Eye. The second Dragon Demon Bullet struck the dolls straight in their chests. Their upper bodies were instantly obliterated. ¡°Wow...¡± Mei Hong, standing nearby, gasped in shock. ¡°You used something like that twice... Doesn¡¯t it wear you out?¡± ¡°A bit?¡± Hanul replied, cracking his neck side to side. Even after using the power of the Dragon''s Eye¡ªalready a heavy burden¡ªtwice in a row, he remained unphased. That resilience was thanks to the supernatural stamina he had gained after his stamina had reached S-rank. ¡°Let¡¯s finish off the rest.¡± With the looming threat of Ferderance possibly showing up any moment, they couldn¡¯t afford to waste time on these dolls. Just as Kwon Hanul was preparing a third shot¡ª ¡°Kyaaaaa!¡± ¡°S-Someone help!¡± Screams rang out from deeper inside the mansion. Hanul froze. He had definitely left the guests in the care of Kwon Hudon and Rockbreaker. Then what were those screams? ¡°...Mei Hong, I¡¯ll leave things here to you.¡± He dashed off toward the mansion. Upon entering, he saw living dolls that had broken through a wall and invaded. But it wasn¡¯t just the dolls¡ªKwon Hudon and Rockbreaker were nowhere to be seen. Nor were there enough team members guarding the place. Only a sparse few remained. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.¡± From within the crowd of dolls, someone spoke. ¡°I was told Rockbreaker would be inside if I came in... but there¡¯s hardly anyone guarding this place, let alone him.¡± Even the mutant seemed caught off guard. Hanul narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°Are you Ferderance?¡± ¡°No, of course not. I¡¯m merely a servant acting under my master¡¯s orders.¡± Hanul clicked his tongue. Right¡ªif it were truly Ferderance, he wouldn¡¯t have shown himself so easily. ¡°Things didn¡¯t go according to plan... but at least you stayed behind. That¡¯s a relief.¡± A smirk curled the mutant¡¯s lips. ¡°Little Dragon... You¡¯re absurdly strong. But no matter how strong one hand is, it can¡¯t overpower ten.¡± He spread his arms, and the dolls fanned out to both sides. ¡°If you want to protect them, stay right where you are.¡± At those words, the guests¡¯ faces turned pale. They all looked desperately toward Kwon Hanul. But Hanul wasn¡¯t interested in the mutant, nor the hostages. ¡°Hey.¡± Instead, he turned to one of Kwon Hudon¡¯s remaining teammates. ¡°Y-Yes?¡± ¡°Where did Kwon Hudon, Rockbreaker... and Takamine Ryoko go?¡± The team member swallowed hard. ¡°T-They slipped out of the banquet hall earlier.¡± ¡°Did I not give orders?¡± ¡°Y-You definitely did!¡± the team member stammered. Hanul buried his face in his hand. Took a deep breath. And exhaled. ¡°Goddammit.¡± He cursed under his breath. ¡°I knew something felt off¡ªthis was their plan all along?¡± The killing aura around him thickened. The mutant¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Little Dragon! If you value the lives of the guests, then stay back! Otherwise¡ª¡± ¡°Do it.¡± The mutant froze. Not by choice. Kwon Hanul¡¯s killing intent and fury poured out like an explosion, choking the very air. ¡°I said, do it.¡± He glared at the mutant, his voice low and lethal. A chill ran down the mutant¡¯s spine. ¡°K-Kill them all¡ª¡± Just then, Hanul activated his magic. A surge of overwhelming energy burst out in every direction. The glass ceiling shattered. Sky Path Technique First Step: Lone Run In that instant, the mutant saw it¡ªa translucent path of wind filling the entire hall. ¡°...What?¡± Kwon Hanul launched himself into the windpath. One by one, the heads of the dolls burst apart. ¡°Wh-What is this?!¡± Before the mutant could even finish the sentence, a palm slammed into his face. ¡°Guh¡ªKugh!¡± Hanul lifted the mutant high by the face, slamming him into a wall. ¡°Go on. Do it.¡± ¡°Aaaargh!¡± ¡°I said¡ªdo it.¡± ¡°S-Stop! Stop, please!¡± Hanul¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°AAAAAAH!¡± With a sickening crunch, blood sprayed across Hanul¡¯s face as something shattered. He flung the now-limp corpse of the mutant aside and turned to the remaining teammates with murderous eyes. ¡°Where are those bastards right now?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 70 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 70: The Inheritance Ceremony (3) Joo Hayun descended into the small park just outside the mansion. ¡°You''re here?¡± A woman was waiting for her in the park. There was no need for the woman to reveal her identity¡ªJoo Hayun had sensed who it was the moment she felt her presence. ¡°Maria Sanchez. I figured it was you.¡± Maria Sanchez smiled, clearly pleased. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. How have you been?¡± ¡°You¡¯re a member of Pandemonium¡¯s Council. What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Hey, is that any way to greet an old friend? You could at least pretend you¡¯re happy to see me.¡± ¡°Just answer the question. What is a Pandemonium councilor doing here?¡± The World Rank and Pandemonium were similar not only in their global status but also in their structure. If the World Rank assigned numbers to the most powerful fighters, Pandemonium awarded council seats to the strongest villains. ¡°Why am I here? It¡¯s simple. Frederance asked me to keep you in check.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think a Pandemonium councilor would have this much free time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not exactly free. But Frederance and I go way back. And more importantly, I wouldn¡¯t trust anyone else with the matter of you.¡± Maria Sanchez¡¯s smile shifted. Her lips curled up, but her eyes did not follow. ¡°I fought you ready to kill, and yet you''re the only one I couldn¡¯t finish. I haven¡¯t tied up that loose end yet. No way I¡¯d hand you over to someone else.¡± Joo Hayun''s brows furrowed even deeper. ¡°Oh, right. Did you know all of Pandemonium is buzzing about you?¡± ¡°I have no interest in that cesspool¡¯s gossip.¡± ¡°They¡¯re all talking about how the Witch of Hyukcheon is chasing after some man.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°Do you know how many people cried when they heard that? Especially Odin¡ªhe was crying out of his one and only eye, saying his woman had been stolen.¡± ¡°I have no interest in hearing about that repulsive man.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll be sure to pass that message on to Odin.¡± Maria Sanchez turned her gaze toward the mansion. ¡°The man in there... he¡¯s the one in the rumors, right?¡± A faint shimmer flickered in Maria Sanchez¡¯s eyes as she stared at the mansion. ¡°Not bad. Good judgment, guts, talent. He¡¯s weak now, but that won¡¯t last.¡± She touched her lips thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯m not too thrilled about a new dragon being born into the Hyukcheon Group.¡± Then suddenly, Maria muttered, casually¡ª ¡°Maybe I should just kill him while I¡¯m here.¡± In that instant, Joo Hayun¡¯s entire presence shifted violently. Dark energy surged around her. The floor of the rooftop cracked beneath her feet. ¡°Maria Sanchez of the Iron Fortress. Are you looking to die?¡± Maria¡¯s lips curled. Now things were getting interesting. ¡°Can you really kill me?¡± ¡°You think I can¡¯t?¡± ¡°Ooh, scary. Guess I can¡¯t just stand here and do nothing, huh?¡± Maria Sanchez¡¯s muscles began to ripple. Her body started to grow. From her petite height of around 160 cm, she suddenly shot up to nearly three meters. And it wasn¡¯t just size¡ªthe transformation came with thick, armor-like muscles layered over her entire body. Though her body now looked like a monster¡¯s, her face remained that of a delicate woman, creating an eerie contrast. ¡°Well then, shall we finish the duel we never concluded back then?¡± * * * Meanwhile... Kwon Hanul had his remaining team members search the mansion. But none of the missing people could be found. ¡°Where could they have gone...?¡± He muttered to himself, and the team members immediately turned pale. ¡°S-s-sorry, sir! If you give us a bit more time, we¡¯ll definitely find them!¡± ¡°Y-yeah! Just a little more time and this time we¡¯ll¡ª¡± The team members were terrified¡ªunderstandably so. They had just witnessed Kwon Hanul¡¯s fury boil over moments ago. ¡°Uh... I told you not to be so scared.¡± Hanul himself had already cooled down. He¡¯d lost his temper and lashed out, but now that he¡¯d calmed down, he realized nothing would come from getting even angrier. ¡°I mean, come on. Do you really think I¡¯d hurt fellow guild members?¡± Their faces went even paler. Hanul had meant that as reassurance, but to them, it clearly sounded like a threat. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be scared... Ah, forget it. Does anyone know where they might have gone?¡± The team all shook their heads. It looked like sheer incompetence, but Hanul didn¡¯t see it that way. They couldn¡¯t have gone far. They must still be nearby. Hanul¡¯s detection abilities were exceptional. He might¡¯ve been distracted during the battle, but he wouldn¡¯t have missed someone leaving the estate. But I can¡¯t sense them anywhere. That means they disappeared inside the mansion... More questions arose. Why did Rockbreaker even act on his own in the first place? Was it ego? That didn¡¯t sit right. He didn¡¯t even know where Frederance was, so why try to act like a hero? Staying in the banquet hall, protecting guests, and fighting enemies would¡¯ve earned more credit. ¡®Was it all just to mess with me?¡¯ Not impossible¡ªbut Hanul shook his head. ¡®He¡¯s not trustworthy, but he¡¯s not stupid either. He knows that if guests died because of him, he wouldn¡¯t come out unscathed.¡¯ So why had Rockbreaker made such a reckless move? As Hanul brooded¡ª ¡°U-uhm...¡± A middle-aged woman hesitantly raised her hand. One of the banquet guests. ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± As he addressed her, her face stiffened in fear. Like the others, she was intimidated by him. Hanul sighed inwardly and softened his tone. ¡°Ma¡¯am, did you have something to say?¡± ¡°Well... I happened to overhear Lady Ryoko and Goriki talking earlier...¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Really? What did they say?¡± ¡°Yes... Goriki said they needed to go to a hideout. That they should wait for the right moment to move so others wouldn¡¯t notice.¡± The woman described the conversation as best she could. ¡°And then... the man guarding that area overheard them. He said he¡¯d go with them to the hideout.¡± ¡°A hideout, huh?¡± ¡°Yes. He said it would be safer there.¡± Hanul stroked his chin. Goriki Nana¡¯s behavior was suspicious. Fear was expected under attack, but asking to sneak off to a hideout while surrounded by hunters? ¡°Oh, and... she also asked Director Nomura to come with them.¡± The woman added, remembering belatedly. Hanul muttered with a sour look. ¡°Suspicious.¡± Even just hearing about it was suspicious. He could imagine how it must¡¯ve looked in the moment. ¡°...Ah, I get it now.¡± He finally understood why Rockbreaker had moved. He must¡¯ve sensed something off about Goriki Nana¡ªfigured that following that scent would lead him to Frederance. ¡°Now it all makes sense.¡± Abandoning the guests wasn¡¯t excusable... But if he captured Frederance, everything changed. A mistake could be buried under the weight of a major achievement. ¡®He thinks he can kill him alone, does he?¡¯ And it wasn¡¯t just blind arrogance. If Frederance was a villain of Pandemonium, Rockbreaker was a world-ranked hunter. His sensory skills were weak, yes¡ªbut that alone didn¡¯t define him. His real strength was in battle. ¡°This is a problem.¡± His head had cooled, but anger still smoldered in his chest. He couldn¡¯t let this go without settling the score with Rockbreaker. But if Rockbreaker took down Frederance, all the credit would go to him. Hanul would have no grounds to press charges. ¡°Does anyone know where this hideout is?¡± He looked around at the guests. No one responded¡ªjust exchanged uncertain glances. ¡°What about the mansion staff?¡± Same silence. Hanul sighed. Disappointing, but expected. There¡¯s a reason it¡¯s called a hideout, after all. ¡°Isn¡¯t there anyone who knows?¡± He murmured to himself¡ªthen suddenly, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket. ¡°...Kwon Mi?¡± It was someone unexpected. Still, he answered. ¡ª¡°H-hello!¡± A panicked voice came through. Hanul was stunned. Kwon Mi had only ever spoken to him with anger or cold indifference. He had never heard her sound desperate¡ªor pleading. ¡°Auntie, I think you dialed the wrong number.¡± He assumed she had called by mistake. ¡°I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t pick up.¡± Even if they didn¡¯t get along, he could spare her dignity. Satisfied with his response, he was about to hang up¡ª ¡ª¡°D-don¡¯t hang up! I-it¡¯s not a mistake! I meant to call you!¡± Confusion flickered across Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a mistake?¡± ¡ª¡°There¡¯s no time for this! H-Hudon... Hudon¡¯s in danger!¡± ¡°...What do you mean¡ª?¡± ¡ª¡°Rockbreaker, that bastard... he¡¯s got Hudon...¡± Kwon Mi screamed, nearly in tears. ¡ª¡°If we don¡¯t do something, our Hudon¡¯s going to die!¡± * * * A high-ceilinged, dimly lit room. Cough. There, Kwon Hudon lay sprawled on the floor, coughing up blood. ¡°Cough, cough...¡± His condition was dire. His skin was charred black as if burned, and his abdomen looked shredded like crushed tomatoes. ¡°Oops. Did I go a little overboard?¡± A voice mocked him from above. ¡°Kind of disappointing, really. A member of Hyukcheon, and you go down in one hit? Either your boss is trash, or the rumors were inflated.¡± Hudon looked up and gasped out, ¡°W-why...¡± At that moment, a foot struck his abdomen, slamming him into the wall. ¡°Why? You¡¯re seriously asking why?¡± Rockbreaker casually flicked the foot he¡¯d kicked with, like brushing off garbage. ¡°Don¡¯t ask such lame questions.¡± He walked toward Hudon, who groaned and clawed at the floor in pain. ¡°Cut the crap and choose already, boss. You can either die here at my hands, or...¡± Rockbreaker spread his arms. Behind him stood his team and living puppets in neat rows. ¡°...swallow the poison and obey me. Just like them.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 71 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 71: The Traitors (1) "This is the place." At Goriki Nana¡¯s words, Rockbreaker looked around cautiously. They had arrived at the large dining hall used by the mansion staff. No matter how you looked at it, it didn¡¯t seem like a suitable hideout. "This? You¡¯re joking, right?" "Don¡¯t rush. This is just the entrance." After a scolding remark, Goriki Nana pulled out a palm-sized disk from her pocket. The disk had a single needle pointing to a number. It resembled a clock, but its numbers ranged from 0 to 20. Goriki Nana turned the needle three times. Then something strange happened. The dining hall floor split open, revealing a staircase descending underground. "Oho." Rockbreaker inspected the stairway with interest. "Doesn¡¯t seem like a mechanical device... Looks like they ripped out an entire dungeon relic and modified it." Relics from within dungeons often had aspects that Earth¡¯s science couldn¡¯t explain. That made them perfect for hiding secrets. "Let¡¯s go." Goriki Nana descended the staircase alongside Takamine Ryoko. Hospital Director Nomura Masataka followed. "Let¡¯s move." Rockbreaker gestured to his team. One by one, they followed down the stairs. Except for one¡ªKwon Hudon. He was visibly uneasy, repeatedly glancing back at the dining hall door. "Hey, Captain. Are you gonna keep doing that?" "B-but still..." "Didn¡¯t I promise I¡¯d give you credit for this? What¡¯s the problem?" "W-we¡¯re disobeying Hanul¡¯s orders..." Annoyance flickered in Rockbreaker¡¯s eyes. He calmed himself and addressed Kwon Hudon. "This operation was approved by Madam Kwon herself. Are you planning to defy your mother¡¯s command?" "...No." "Then get moving." Reluctantly, Kwon Hudon followed Rockbreaker down the stairs. The staircase was longer than expected. After a while, they finally arrived at the hideout. Upon entering, Rockbreaker muttered in awe. "This is no hideout... this is a full-scale bomb shelter." The ceiling was high, and the space was large enough to be used as a sports field. Several doors lined the walls, each marked with labels like Storage, Warehouse, and Living Quarters. "This hideout was built to house everyone in the mansion in case of an emergency." Suddenly, Takamine Ryoko, who had been beside them, offered an explanation. "It was designed to accommodate many people, so the entrance is large, and the space is vast." "And you two planned to come here alone?" Takamine Ryoko didn¡¯t respond. Rockbreaker looked unamused. "Well, no one¡¯s getting in here easily. Impressive place." "And the perfect place to trap prey." A new voice echoed. The tone was flat, the volume unremarkable¡ªyet it pierced clearly into everyone¡¯s ears. "I¡¯ve been waiting eagerly to meet our promised guest. But there are more of you than expected." Everyone turned toward the opposite wall from the entrance. There, sitting on a folding chair, was a man. The dim light from the ceiling barely reached him. He was seated in the shadows, making it hard to see his face. "Who are you?" Rockbreaker asked sharply. A soft laugh responded. "Not much imagination, huh? When you find someone suspicious in a place like this, who do you think he is?" "I asked who you are." "Try using your imagination." The man stood up and stepped into the light. Average build. Bronze skin, typical of Latin descent. Seeing the man, Rockbreaker unconsciously muttered, "Frederance." The man, Frederance, quietly confirmed his identity. "Frederance?" Rockbreaker frowned. "How did you get in? Not even the Witch of Hyukcheon¡¯s barrier reacted to you." "You really think there¡¯s only one entrance? As long as you have the key, you can use any of them." Frederance pulled something from his pocket and held it out. It was an identical disk to the one Goriki Nana had used. The existence of multiple keys to the hideout wasn¡¯t inherently strange. But the fact that one of them was in Frederance¡¯s possession couldn¡¯t be ignored. It revealed one undeniable truth. "Just as I thought." Rockbreaker began to grin viciously. "I figured if we followed the suspicious one, we¡¯d catch you in the act." He glared at Goriki Nana. She let out a shrill scream. "Stay right there. I don¡¯t care what else you¡¯ve done¡ªbut I won¡¯t forgive a traitor." "I-I... That is..." "Whatever you were thinking, bringing in one of Pandemonium¡¯s villains? I¡¯ll personally reeducate that rotten brain of yours." "Sorry to ruin your moment, but you¡¯ve got it slightly wrong." Frederance interrupted. "Yes, she cooperated. But I was hired by someone else." "There¡¯s another traitor?" Frederance pointed a finger¡ªat Nomura Masataka. Despite being singled out, Nomura Masataka remained calm. "Frederance. Was that really necessary to say?" "Why not? I¡¯m pretty sure he had his suspicions anyway." "Still, not exactly polite." "More importantly, what do we do about this many people? We were only supposed to bring Takamine Ryoko." "My apologies. They kept tailing us. Couldn¡¯t shake them. But with your skills, I assume this isn¡¯t a problem?" Nomura Masataka and Frederance conversed casually. "Mr. Nomura, is it true? Did you really call for Frederance?" Takamine Ryoko asked. Nomura nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Miss Ryoko. Just as you heard. Frederance didn¡¯t attack the mansion for the artifact. He came because I hired him¡ªto kill you." Ryoko silently stared at him. Nomura let out a chuckle. "Please understand. Ever since the former head passed away, I¡¯ve devoted my life to this hospital. It¡¯s grown larger than ever." He spoke dreamily. "And now you expect me to hand it all over to a little girl just because she inherited the title?" "So you brought Frederance into this?" "Exactly. Killing a newly-of-age girl isn¡¯t difficult. But the Takamine family¡¯s network can¡¯t be ignored. Just as I feared, the Hyukcheon Group got involved." He chuckled again. "Miss Nana, why did you betray me?" Next, Ryoko turned to Goriki Nana. Nana¡¯s expression tensed, then softened. "To get what I deserve." "But you already earn the highest salary in the mansion. You even helped set it..." "You think this is about money?!" Goriki Nana screamed. "Miss! Do you have any idea how hard I¡¯ve worked to manage the Takamine estate?!" "Is that so?" "Yes! And what happens when you become the head? I lose everything I¡¯ve built!" "So you joined the director¡¯s scheme?" "Yes!" Goriki Nana spoke proudly, clearly believing she¡¯d done no wrong. "I see now. Why you both wanted to kill me." For the first time, Takamine Ryoko sighed deeply. "I thought there¡¯d be some noble reason. Turns out, it was just greed¡ªmistaking entrusted power as your own." She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them. "Not even surprising, honestly." "Miss, I understand you¡¯re upset, but let¡¯s not be melodramatic. It¡¯s unbecoming." "I¡¯ve known for a long time you both harbored other intentions." A sneer formed at the corner of Nomura¡¯s mouth¡ªbut quickly disappeared. He realized Ryoko¡¯s expression, her eyes, were no different from usual. "...You really knew?" "But I had no evidence. And I was too weak. So I had to endure." The two of them had managed the family and hospital in her stead. Ousting them without just cause was impossible. "Should you really be standing around like that?" Only then did Nomura notice Rockbreaker¡¯s piercing gaze. "Get lost. I¡¯ll deal with you both later." Nomura and Goriki Nana scrambled toward Frederance. "Looks like the sides have been chosen." Clap. Frederance clapped his hands. The doors along the walls burst open, unleashing hordes of homunculi. "Just so you know, these aren¡¯t like the ones that attacked the mansion. These are top-tier models I put special effort into." The previous homunculi looked like lumps of crude clay. These were crafted like porcelain dolls, precise and uniform. "I fused elite hunters with Dire-grade monsters. They¡¯re going to be a handful." Frederance snapped his fingers. The homunculi charged. "They¡¯re coming!" "Don¡¯t panic! They¡¯re nothing special!" The team shouted bravely, gripping their weapons. Each activated their skills, launching ranged attacks. Multicolored skills bombarded the homunculi¡ªbut it didn¡¯t even slow them down. "What the hell?!" "They¡¯re not even flinching! Aaaaagh!" A teammate screamed as the homunculi swarmed them without hesitation. Then, Rockbreaker stepped in front of the charge. One homunculus raised both fists high¡ªastonishingly, they radiated aura. It slammed down. Both fists struck Rockbreaker¡¯s shoulders. "Hmph." But he didn¡¯t flinch. Not even a grimace. "Nothing to worry about." Rockbreaker punched the homunculus in the abdomen¡ªan explosion followed. BOOM! Its upper body vanished. Rockbreaker shoved aside the lower half and stepped forward. He threw another punch. An even stronger explosion engulfed the advancing homunculi. Thick smoke filled the hideout. When it cleared, half of them were already gone. "..." Frederance¡¯s eyes widened. Homunculi that had survived dozens of skills were annihilated in a single blow. No¡ªdestroyed was more accurate. "Did you forget who I am?" Rockbreaker cracked his knuckles. "These small fries couldn¡¯t even touch me if there were hundreds of them." "...So it seems." Frederance replied in a lowered tone and gestured at the homunculi. "Stand down, all of you." The remaining ones retreated toward the wall. Rockbreaker grinned. "Yeah, no point in making your underlings suffer. Let¡¯s settle this between the top dogs, shall we?" ¡°You say things that strike a chord. Surprisingly, we might actually be more compatible than I thought.¡± ¡°What a load of crap. I can¡¯t stand backstabbing bastards like you.¡± At that, Frederance curled his lips into a cold smile. ¡°What a shame. Shall we pick up where we left off?¡± ¡°I was going to, anyway!¡± Rockbreaker slammed his foot into the ground and charged toward Frederance. In contrast, Frederance stood still, calmly waiting for him to approach. ¡®I can see right through his game.¡¯ Rockbreaker scoffed inwardly. ¡®He probably thinks he can kill me any time with his Poison skill. But I¡¯ve come prepared.¡¯ The Poison skill was undeniably lethal¡ªpowerful enough to kill opponents even a level or two above your own if used well. But for all its potency, it had one fatal weakness. ¡®Its range is too narrow.¡¯ More precisely, the more toxic the poison, the smaller its area of effect. Poison skills that could be dispersed widely lost a significant amount of power. ¡®Which means it¡¯s the worst match-up for my skill.¡¯ His signature skill was Bomber Man¡ªa simple ability that caused a powerful explosion on contact. It sounded basic, but its destructive power was anything but. There hadn¡¯t been a single thing he couldn¡¯t break using Bomber Man. That¡¯s exactly how he got the nickname Rockbreaker. ¡®The blast from Bomber Man should be enough to blow away all that poison crap.¡¯ And to top it off, Rockbreaker had gone all-in for this fight, spending everything he had to get his hands on an ancient relic: Dew of the Elixir of Life. It was single-use, but said to rival the detoxifying power of the legendary Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel¡ªthe best in its class. ¡®This is my shot at changing my life. No way I¡¯m letting it slip.¡¯ Even when he closed in close enough for a punch to land, Frederance didn¡¯t budge. But Rockbreaker didn¡¯t let his guard down. What made venom attacks terrifying wasn¡¯t just their speed¡ªthey also required no noticeable wind-up or posture to activate. Frederance looked wide open, but that just meant he was ready to unleash his venom at any moment. ¡®But at this range... my punch is faster!¡¯ Rockbreaker launched a punch with explosive speed¡ªand in the next instant, a massive blast engulfed Frederance. ¡°Ha! Idiot.¡± Watching the smoke and flame billow into the air, Rockbreaker let out a sneer. ¡°Guess you were too shocked to even use your skill, huh?¡± But then, his face froze. As the smoke cleared, Frederance stood there completely unharmed. ¡°...What?¡± ¡°Decent punch,¡± Frederance said, brushing the dust off his coat. ¡°But a bit too light.¡± Without warning, Frederance lunged forward. Rockbreaker braced himself for the Poison skill he was sure would come. But Frederance didn¡¯t use poison. Instead, he swung a knife-hand strike. ¡®This bastard¡ª!¡¯ The fact that he was engaging in close combat instead of using his main skill infuriated Rockbreaker. ¡®I¡¯ll smash him for real this time.¡¯ He raised his forearm to block the strike and planned to punch Frederance in the exposed ribs. The moment he thought of that¡ª Crack. His forearm broke. The knife-hand didn¡¯t stop there¡ªit shattered his collarbone, too. ¡°Guh¡ªgahh!¡± Rockbreaker screamed and collapsed, the searing pain making it hard even to breathe. ¡°Everyone assumes I suck at close combat,¡± Frederance said, shaking his wrist. ¡°What do you think? Not bad for a downward chop, huh?¡± Rockbreaker grit his teeth, too wracked with pain to speak. ¡°It was a short meeting, but I enjoyed it.¡± Frederance clenched his fist. Just as he was about to finish the job, Rockbreaker screamed, ¡°S-Stop! Please don¡¯t kill me!¡± Frederance blinked in surprise. ¡°...What did you just say?¡± ¡°I¡ªI said please don¡¯t kill me! I¡¯ll do anything, just let me live!¡± ¡°How strange. Weren¡¯t you just ranting about how you can¡¯t forgive traitors?¡± Even when Frederance called him out, Rockbreaker showed no shame. On the contrary, he prostrated himself and begged. ¡°Please, I¡¯ll do anything! Just spare me!¡± ¡°Huh... This is a first. I¡¯ve never seen anyone beg for their life so easily.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Frederance nodded. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll let you live.¡± ¡°R-Really?¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a condition.¡± Frederance opened a dimensional pocket and took out a small vial. ¡°Drink this, and I¡¯ll spare you.¡± ¡°W-What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called Dormant Venom.¡± Frederance began explaining in a disturbingly casual, almost friendly tone. ¡°This venom won¡¯t kill you right away. But after a while, it¡¯ll start eating away at your organs.¡± His tone was that of a neighborhood doctor. But the content was anything but comforting. ¡°Don¡¯t worry though. As long as you regularly take the antidote I give you, you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Rockbreaker swallowed hard. ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t get any funny ideas about finding another antidote. Unlike external poisons, something ingested through the esophagus is much harder to neutralize.¡± Frederance whispered softly. ¡°Understand now? Begging for your life means becoming my slave. You¡¯ll probably live a life worse than death.¡± He placed the vial in front of Rockbreaker. ¡°The choice is yours. Drink the venom and live in submission for the rest of your life¡ªor die with honor¡ª¡± Before he could even finish, Rockbreaker grabbed the vial and drank it. ¡°...This is also a first. I¡¯ve never seen someone drink Dormant Venom so fast. What happened to that world-ranking pride of yours?¡± ¡°I¡ªI drank it. So now you¡¯ll let me live, right?¡± ¡°I always keep my word. Here¡ªhave some recovery potion too.¡± Frederance tossed him a healing potion. Rockbreaker quickly drank it, and his broken collarbone and arm began to heal. ¡°Now then... what should we do about the rest of them?¡± Frederance turned his gaze toward the remaining team members. Their faces had gone pale. If even Rockbreaker had submitted, they knew there was no hope left. ¡°You¡¯re in luck. Normally, I¡¯d just kill all of you. But this job cost me a lot of underlings, and I¡¯m short on manpower.¡± He opened his dimensional space again and spilled out more vials of Dormant Venom. ¡°Drink. And I¡¯ll let you live.¡± None of them moved. Becoming Frederance¡¯s slave was terrifying, but drinking the venom also meant betraying the Hyukcheon Group. They couldn¡¯t just run from a wolf only to run straight into a tiger. ¡°There it is¡ªthe reaction I expected. Honestly, that guy gave in way too easily.¡± Frederance looked satisfied. But satisfaction didn¡¯t mean his job was done. ¡°Rockbreaker.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Time to prove you¡¯re still useful. You¡¯ve got one minute. Make them drink the venom voluntarily.¡± ¡°One minute...?¡± ¡°Yeah. If you can¡¯t, you¡¯ll end up just like a living puppet.¡± Rockbreaker¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°You idiots! Didn¡¯t you hear him?! If you drink this, you live!¡± Without hesitation, he shouted at his teammates. They stared at him in disbelief, stunned by the sudden shift. ¡°You¡¯re still hesitating? Fine¡ªstay there. I¡¯ll kill you myself!¡± His killing intent flared. From the look in his eyes and the aura around him, it was no bluff. ¡°I-I¡¯ll drink it!¡± One teammate jumped forward and drank the venom. That triggered the rest. ¡°Outta my way! I¡¯m next!¡± ¡°I need one too! Move over!¡± Once it started, there was no stopping it. They all began scrambling for the venom. Within minutes, everyone had drunk it. ¡°...Looks like it¡¯s all over now.¡± The hospital director, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke. ¡°Frederance. Let¡¯s wrap up the job now. You¡¯ll finally get what you wanted, right?¡± ¡°Director Nomura. It¡¯s not over yet.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Frederance looked toward the spot where the team had stood. Two people still remained. Ryoko Takamine and Kwon Hudon. ¡°Hey, boss.¡± Rockbreaker frowned. ¡°What are you doing? Get over here already.¡± Kwon Hudon looked nervously between Rockbreaker and the others. Then, after a deep breath, he said, ¡°...I won¡¯t drink it.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 72 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 72 ¨C The Traitors (2) ¡°It was a joke.¡± The murderous aura that had been surging suddenly vanished. Maria Sanchez raised both hands in surrender. Her inflated body returned to normal. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Joo Hayun didn¡¯t let her guard down. Maria Sanchez, looking completely sincere, casually perched herself on the rooftop ledge. ¡°My job was just to keep you here. Fighting you now wouldn¡¯t be worth the trouble.¡± She let out a long sigh. ¡°Besides, this is Hyukcheon Group business, isn¡¯t it? If I interfere, I¡¯ll be picking a fight with them... and I¡¯m not that crazy.¡± Maria patted the spot beside her invitingly. ¡°So just chill out and take a seat too.¡± Joo Hayun narrowed her eyes at her. She wanted nothing more than to go help Kwon Hanul, but she knew full well Maria wouldn¡¯t let her go so easily. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. You know, right? You can¡¯t beat me.¡± ¡°I can still take you down with me.¡± ¡°Well, true. But do we really have to go through all that? It¡¯s just exhausting for both of us.¡± Joo Hayun withdrew her hostility and sat on the ledge¡ªthough not beside Maria, but across from her. ¡°Huh? You¡¯re actually staying put?¡± ¡°Would you prefer we fought?¡± ¡°I figured you''d be pacing back and forth, worried sick about that guy.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s Lord Kwon Hanul, there¡¯s no need to worry.¡± ¡°Oooh, confident much? Are you sure you''re not worried he¡¯ll back down at the name of Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡± ¡°Good to hear. Honestly, that guy¡ªFerderance¡ªhe hates high-ranking clans.¡± Maria wore a pitying expression. ¡°He¡¯s smart, and he¡¯s got skills too. But the second he runs into one of the old bloodlines, he loses his head. Can¡¯t make a rational decision. Your man might actually die, you know.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not really your concern, is it?¡± Joo Hayun answered flatly. Maria looked disappointed. ¡°Let me ask you one thing. Why did Ferderance attack the Takamine family? It can¡¯t be just for some ancient artifact. That doesn¡¯t add up.¡± ¡°Oh, that? Nah, it wasn¡¯t about the relic. It¡¯s about transcendence.¡± Joo Hayun frowned, not following. ¡°Transcendence?¡± ¡°Ferderance has been stuck at a plateau for a while. He was looking for a way to reach a higher realm when he got this proposal.¡± Hunters can grow infinitely through their stat windows¡ªat least, that¡¯s the common belief. But it¡¯s not true. Even with a status window, every Hunter hits a growth ceiling. Reaching S-rank stats, for instance, usually requires consuming powerful elixirs. But not everyone can get their hands on them. Some might earn them by clearing dangerous dungeons. Others? They just stagnate. At some point, every Hunter hits a wall they can¡¯t overcome. ¡°That idiot¡¯s just obsessed. That kind of fixation only holds you back,¡± Maria sighed again, looking almost regretful. * * * Everyone looked dumbfounded when Kwon Hudon refused to take the poison. ¡°What kind of BS is that?! You didn¡¯t hear him? If you don¡¯t drink it, you die!¡± Rockbreaker shouted. ¡°What, you scared of a little poison? It doesn¡¯t even hurt. Long as you take the antidote on time, you¡¯ll be fine¡ªFerderance said so himself.¡± ¡°I-it¡¯s not the poison,¡± Hudon said, trembling. ¡°I-I¡¯m just... stupid.¡± ¡°Yeah, we know,¡± Rockbreaker replied bluntly. Hudon flinched, but pressed on. ¡°I-I¡¯m dumb... always disappointing Mom... b-but...¡± He clenched his fists. ¡°I¡¯m a blood-born of Hyukcheon.¡± Which meant¡ªhe could not yield. He could not beg for his life. That was his choice. ¡°...Hah.¡± Rockbreaker scoffed. ¡°What a load of crap. You¡¯re basically saying you want to die?¡± He released his killing intent. Ferderance might¡¯ve beaten him, but Rockbreaker was still a world-ranked Hunter. Just standing in his aura made Hudon feel like his skin was being sliced open. ¡°Fine by me. You¡¯ve been pissing me off with your idiocy for a while now. This is a good chance...¡± ¡°Wait.¡± Ferderance held him back. ¡°Kwon Hudon, was it? You¡¯ve got some backbone. Very Hyukcheon of you.¡± Hudon looked confused. Why was the enemy praising him? ¡°Ah, not just any Hyukcheon, right? Your mom¡¯s Kwon Mi, the only one there with a lick of sense?¡± ¡°Y-yeah.¡± ¡°A direct line to the Chairman, then. Wow, you¡¯re actually a big deal.¡± Ferderance was clearly enjoying himself, talking to himself and chuckling. ¡°Rockbreaker.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Make sure he breaks.¡± He pointed at Hudon. ¡°I want him crawling, begging for his life. Make him drink the poison himself. Got it?¡± ¡°I mean... wouldn¡¯t it be cleaner to just kill him?¡± ¡°Are you defying my orders?¡± Ferderance¡¯s voice turned icy. Rockbreaker immediately shook his head. ¡°N-no sir! Hey, boss! You heard that, right?¡± Rockbreaker cracked his knuckles and stepped toward Hudon. ¡ª¡°Stop! Please stop!¡± A voice came from the crystal necklace around Hudon¡¯s neck. Ferderance immediately recognized the face inside the crystal. ¡°Lady Kwon Mi. A pleasure to meet you.¡± ¡ª¡°Likewise, Ferderance.¡± Kwon Mi¡¯s face appeared calm, but her pale skin and trembling voice betrayed her act. ¡ª¡°I understand the situation. Hyukcheon will no longer interfere with you.¡± ¡°You mean... you¡¯ll let me kill Takamine Ryoko?¡± ¡ª¡°Yes. But please... just let Hudon go.¡± Ferderance glanced at Ryoko. She barely reacted. Boringly stoic. ¡ª¡°Let him go, and I¡¯ll never forget the favor.¡± ¡°Now that... is a tempting offer.¡± Ferderance looked at Hudon. ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be safer to just feed him latent poison?¡± Kwon Mi froze for a moment. ¡ª¡°Touch one hair on my son¡¯s head and I will hunt you to the ends of the earth!¡± ¡°Be my guest.¡± ¡ª¡°Ferderance!!¡± Kwon Mi screamed, but it was no use. Rockbreaker was already closing in. ¡ª¡°Hudon! Drink the poison! Do whatever it takes to live! I¡¯ll come for you¡ªI swear it!¡± ¡°...Sorry, Mom.¡± ¡ª¡°What are you talking about?! Don¡¯t be stupid¡ªjust do what I say!¡± ¡°You told me, right? No matter what... never lose the pride of Hyukcheon.¡± Kwon Mi was speechless. It had just been something she said to comfort him. She didn¡¯t mean it. ¡°So I won¡¯t surrender.¡± Black scales wrapped around Hudon¡¯s body¡ªBlack Dragon Bloodline second ability: Blackscale Armor. But something was off. Blackscale Armor was hard to maintain due to its mana cost. Most blood-born could only partially summon it. Hudon, however, cloaked his entire body in it. He looked like he was wearing obsidian armor. ¡°...Oh?¡± Ferderance muttered, intrigued. ¡°Right... you weren¡¯t just a typical pureblood, were you?¡± Everyone in Hyukcheon possessed Black Dragon Blood, but the strength varied¡ªeven among those with identical purity levels. Some had innate affinities for specific abilities. Hudon was one of those rare cases¡ªborn with a natural talent for Blackscale Armor. Its performance, duration, and volume were all top-tier. He outclassed any other pureblood in that regard. ¡°He¡¯s coming.¡± Hudon charged. Clad in his armor, he looked like a battering ram on legs. ¡°Rockbreaker, stand down. Let¡¯s see what the others can do.¡± Ferderance gave the order. Rockbreaker stepped back, and the rest of the team moved in. ¡°Boss, are you serious?¡± ¡°You know he¡¯s gonna get wrecked, right?¡± They sneered. They knew Hudon well¡ªhow much of a coward he was, how pathetic. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting to send someone flying at least once.¡± The teammate with the massive hammer stepped forward and swung with all his strength. He was the one who got sent flying. ¡°...Huh?¡± ¡°...What?¡± They all froze. Panic set in. ¡°W-wait!¡± ¡°S-scatter!¡± Hudon charged forward without even acknowledging them. He bowled through them like human pins. ¡°Pathetic.¡± Ferderance clicked his tongue and looked toward his dolls. ¡°You lot, handle it.¡± One of the living dolls rushed in and threw a punch. It landed, hard. The basement shook. For the first time, Hudon was stopped¡ªbut only briefly. ¡°RAAAAH!¡± He roared and launched himself again, sending the doll flying. ¡°...¡± Ferderance looked genuinely stunned. The power was beyond expectations. ¡°What are his stats?¡± ¡°Only his mana is S-rank.¡± ¡°Then where the hell is that power coming from...¡± He trailed off¡ªthen realization hit. Blackscale Armor. He wasn¡¯t just using it for defense. He was flexing it like muscle¡ªenhancing his momentum many times over. ¡°It¡¯s not armor¡ªit¡¯s a power-enhancing exoskeleton.¡± Hudon barreled through the dolls, closing in on Ferderance. When he was nearly in range, he activated his draconic energy¡ªDragon Aura. ¡°RAAAAGH!¡± Combined with his charge, it was like a human missile. But. Rockbreaker moved. He threw both fists forward in a massive explosion that shattered the Blackscale Armor. ¡°AAAGH!¡± The explosion consumed Hudon entirely. He screamed as he was blown back, tumbling across the floor. ¡°Cough, cough...¡± Kwon Hudon kept coughing, but the pain wouldn''t go away. The blast had charred his entire body, turning his skin black like charcoal. His abdomen, pummeled by fists, looked like it had been ground in a mortar¡ªsoaked in blood. ¡°Oops. Maybe I went a little overboard.¡± Rockbreaker looked down at Kwon Hudon, mocking him. ¡°But I gotta say, I¡¯m a bit disappointed. For someone from the Family of Hyukcheon, you went down with just one hit. Is your boss that pathetic? Or were the rumors just overhyped?¡± Kwon Hudon weakly lifted his head, eyes locking onto Rockbreaker. ¡°W-Why...?¡± It was a question heavy with meaning. Why betray them so easily? Why strike without hesitation? But Rockbreaker didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he kicked Hudon in the stomach, launching him into the wall behind him. ¡°Why? You really wanna know why?¡± Rockbreaker scoffed, as if the question itself was ridiculous. ¡°What a lame thing to ask.¡± He began walking forward. As he approached, Hudon clawed at the ground in pain, trying to lift himself. ¡°Boss, let¡¯s cut the chit-chat. Hurry up and decide. You wanna die here by my hands, or...¡± Rockbreaker spread his arms wide. Behind him stood the living puppets and his teammates. ¡°...will you swallow the poison and follow me, like they did?¡± Kwon Hudon gritted his teeth. Forcing himself up, he clenched his fists. Rockbreaker laughed dryly. ¡°Wow, you really are the righteous type, huh?¡± He punched Hudon in the face. Hudon staggered back¡ªno more room to retreat. The wall was right behind him. ¡°I¡¯ll ask again. Will you drink it? Or won¡¯t you?¡± Rockbreaker began pummeling him all over. Hudon couldn¡¯t do anything but endure the beating, pressed against the wall. ¡°Make your choice already!¡± Rockbreaker''s fist smashed into Hudon¡¯s temple. His eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor. ¡°Cough, cough...¡± He coughed weakly. His boyish face¡ªso young he could be mistaken for a teenager¡ªwas now a bloody mess. ¡°Still not gonna listen? Huh?¡± Even seeing that face, Rockbreaker didn¡¯t stop. He kicked Hudon¡¯s torso over and over again. But even then, Kwon Hudon refused to give him the answer he wanted. ¡°This is getting boring.¡± Ferderance muttered in a disinterested tone. Standing beside him, Nomura Masataka asked, ¡°How long are we waiting? Just kill Takamine Ryoko already.¡± ¡°She¡¯s already caught in our trap. Why the rush?¡± ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°Yes, yes. I got it.¡± Ferderance, looking mildly annoyed, began walking toward Takamine Ryoko. He could¡¯ve ordered a living puppet to do it¡ªbut she was too important a target. He wanted to kill her himself. ¡°Miss Takamine Ryoko.¡± Ryoko turned her gaze to him, her expression calm. Ferderance¡¯s brow twitched slightly. That serenity in the face of death annoyed him. ¡°Miss Takamine. You''re about to die.¡± He said it, knowing it was pointless¡ªbut he wanted to provoke her. ¡°So it seems.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid?¡± ¡°Of course I am.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look it.¡± ¡°Showing it won¡¯t change anything.¡± Ferderance found himself both intrigued and irritated by her. He admired her composure¡ªaware of her death, yet calm. But that she remained so composed even before him¡ªthat he couldn¡¯t stand. He wanted to tear that mask off her face. ¡°If you¡¯d like, I could kill the director and that woman instead. Just say the word.¡± He offered in a soft, coaxing voice. After all, even someone enlightened before death would waver before hope. He was certain this offer would expose her true feelings. But¡ª ¡°No, that¡¯s all right.¡± Ryoko refused¡ªwithout hesitation. ¡°...Did you just say it¡¯s all right?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. He¡¯ll be here soon.¡± He? Ferderance''s face twisted with confusion. Who could possibly save her in this situation? * * * ¡°No! Nooo!¡± At Hyukcheon Group¡¯s HQ. Kwon Mi was screaming. ¡°Hudon! No! Hudon!¡± Through the crystal ball on her desk, she watched her son being beaten senseless. ¡°I-I have to stop this!¡± But how? With all their team members turned traitor, who was left to save her son? ¡°...Kwon Hanul.¡± Frantically, she grabbed the phone and called him. Thankfully, he picked up quickly. ¡°H-Hello!¡± Kwon Mi shouted. ¡ªAunt, I think you¡¯ve got the wrong number. Let¡¯s just pretend this call never happened. Her instincts screamed at her. She yelled back, ¡°D-Don¡¯t hang up! I didn¡¯t call by mistake! I meant to call you!¡± After a beat, he responded with suspicion. ¡ªYou didn¡¯t misdial? ¡°There¡¯s no time to explain! H-Hudon is in danger!¡± ¡ªWhat are you talking about...? ¡°Rockbreaker, that bastard¡ªhe¡¯s... he¡¯s beating Hudon...¡± She broke down crying but forced herself to keep speaking. ¡°If this keeps up, Hudon¡¯s going to die!¡± There was silence on the other end. She didn¡¯t have time to wonder what he was thinking. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you where he is! Ferderance is there too! Don¡¯t go alone¡ªbring Hayun¡ª¡± ¡ªHow do you know all this, Aunt? His voice turned icy, like a dagger made of frost. At that moment, Kwon Mi realized she had stepped on a landmine. ¡°That¡¯s...¡± ¡ªAnswer the question. How do you know? Surely Hudon didn¡¯t call you mid-beating. With no other choice, Kwon Mi told him everything. Normally, she¡¯d have come up with some excuse¡ªbut not now. Her son¡¯s life was on the line. When she finished, Kwon Hanul let out a bitter laugh. ¡ªSo you¡¯ve been using the relic to watch everything? ¡°Yes...¡± ¡ªThen you also knew Rockbreaker disobeyed my orders, and you didn¡¯t stop him? ¡°H-Hanul, I...¡± ¡ªAnd you¡¯re the one who sent Hudon on this mission in the first place. And now you¡¯re interfering too? I didn¡¯t expect this even from you. Normally, she would¡¯ve yelled that he was being ridiculous. But not when her child¡¯s life was at stake. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry. I truly am. I¡¯ll never do it again. Please, just save Hudon... just him...¡± ¡ªNo. I won¡¯t. Kwon Hanul cut her off. ¡°H-Hanul... What are you saying?¡± ¡ªThink about what you¡¯ve done. Why should I help you after this?¡± ¡°I-I was wrong! But Hudon did nothing wrong. It¡¯s all my fault.¡± ¡ªI¡¯m hanging up. ¡°Wait! Just wait a minute!¡± Click. The call ended. Kwon Mi screamed. ¡°No! No! No!¡± She called again. No answer. Again. Still no answer. ¡°Please, please...¡± Desperately, she kept dialing like a madwoman. Suddenly, the line connected. ¡ªYou¡¯re being loud. Stop calling. ¡°Hanul! Please, I beg you¡ª!¡± ¡ªI¡¯m busy. Goodbye. Despair washed over Kwon Mi¡¯s face. Then, she heard one last thing. ¡ªI need both hands now, so don¡¯t bother. Both hands? Confused, she blinked¡ªand then a massive crashing sound came through her phone. * * * Rockbreaker¡¯s fists froze mid-air. His instincts screamed at him. Something was wrong. ¡°...Above?¡± He looked up at the ceiling. A second later, a massive shock rocked the hideout. ¡°W-What the hell?!¡± Crumbling echoed around them. Then¡ªanother boom. And another. Not just loud. ¡°It¡¯s getting closer¡ª¡± Before he could finish, the stairwell entrance exploded. Chunks of stone blasted outward. ¡°Hoo...¡± Someone stepped through the dust and rubble. ¡°Well, everyone¡¯s here.¡± Kwon Hanul glanced around at the group. ¡°First time seeing you... You must be Ferderance?¡± ¡°Quite the imaginative one. You guessed right.¡± Ferderance looked intrigued. ¡°But how did you know to come here?¡± ¡°Questions later.¡± Hanul turned his gaze to Rockbreaker. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Rockbreaker scowled and muttered. Suddenly, Kwon Hanul darted forward¡ªhis fist connecting directly with Rockbreaker¡¯s jaw. The blow whipped Rockbreaker¡¯s head to the side. His legs buckled. In that instant, Hanul shifted his stance again. Black Dragon Ascension Art¨C Basic Form Rhythmic Strike Type: Spiral Wave His fist slammed into Rockbreaker¡¯s abdomen. ¡°Grahh!¡± Rockbreaker let out a gasp¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t over. The released dragon energy blasted both him and the wall behind him. The wall collapsed, burying his body beneath the rubble. Kwon Hanul wiped sweat from his forehead and smiled. ¡°Now that felt good.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 73 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 73: The Traitors (3) Kwon Hanul shifted his gaze. He saw Kwon Hudon, battered and covered in blood. His face was swollen beyond recognition, and his eyes were wide with confusion. "You did well,¡± Hanul said briefly. And yet, those words were enough to make tears stream down Hudon¡¯s face like raindrops. "Your mother was very worried." Hanul placed a hand on Hudon¡¯s shoulder. A golden light enveloped his body. Golden Healing A recovery skill gained from consuming the golden apple. As expected of a legendary-grade ability, the swelling on Hudon¡¯s face vanished in an instant. "Take some time to rest." After healing Hudon, Hanul turned to Takamine Ryoko. "Miss Takamine, apologies for the delay." "It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m just grateful you came. But..." She looked toward the collapsed entrance and asked, "Was it really necessary to break through like that? I gave you the key, didn¡¯t I?" "The key? You mean this?" Hanul pulled out a round plate from his coat. Takamine Ryoko sighed. "Yes, that¡¯s the one." "I didn¡¯t know how to use it, so I just broke in." "...Oh." Apparently, that hadn¡¯t occurred to her. She thought he was just pretending to be clueless, but perhaps not everything had been an act. "If you didn¡¯t know how to use the key, then you shouldn¡¯t have known where the hideout was either. So how did you find it?" "I had help from a capable teammate." Right then, there was movement at the entrance. Mei Hong stepped carefully down the rubble like stepping stones. "Mr. Hanul, you can¡¯t just rush in alone like that." Mei Hong said with a reproachful tone. Hanul explained to Ryoko again. "She¡¯s had a lot of training in this field." Mei Hong had been trained as an assassin by the Mei family. Among her training was the ability to deduce hidden spaces based on building structures. She had spent the past few days wandering Takamine¡¯s estate tirelessly. She had already figured out there was a hideout beneath the grand dining hall. She just hadn¡¯t told Hanul. "You two came alone?" "That¡¯s right. Are you worried?" "No, I trust my eyes." Ryoko shook her head firmly. "You came with just the two of you, without Joo Hayun?" Frederance cut in on the conversation. "Foolish move. Not that you¡¯d know any better. You¡¯ve just arrived¡ªyou probably don¡¯t even grasp the situation yet." "I do. I¡¯ve been briefed. I know you¡¯re here, and that there are traitors among us." Suspicion flickered across Frederance¡¯s face. "You came knowing that? Are you blinded by ambition? Or are you getting cocky now that you''re famous?" "Neither." "Then did you think I, Frederance, would be easy to take down?" "Not quite, but..." Hanul glanced around¡ªat Hudon¡¯s team, the living dolls, and finally Frederance himself. "Doesn¡¯t seem like something I can¡¯t handle alone." Frederance burst out laughing. "You think you can handle this alone when you''re not even a world-ranked player?" Frederance didn¡¯t know exactly what Hanul was capable of. The Hyukcheon Clan was notoriously secretive. Even for someone as prominent as Hanul, no personal info had ever been leaked. "With only one S-rank stat under your belt, you think you can take us on solo?" But strong recognizes strong. When Frederance first saw Hanul, he¡¯d sensed his caliber immediately. "Kwon Hanul, I actually rate you pretty highly. But with your current level, I doubt you could even take down a single living doll here." Frederance pointed to one of the dolls clinging to the wall. "Looks like you don¡¯t quite understand either." "What do you mean?" "Ah, makes sense. If you¡¯ve been holed up here, you wouldn¡¯t have seen it¡ªhow I dealt with the dolls attacking the mansion. Isn¡¯t that right?" Frederance momentarily faltered. What about the mansion¡¯s living dolls? He had sent them merely as a distraction, but they weren¡¯t weak. Hanul shouldn¡¯t have been able to handle them. "You sure talk big for someone with such mediocre power. Don¡¯t tell me landing a hit on Rockbreaker gave you a false sense of confidence?" Before he could finish, an explosion erupted from the ruined wall. From the gaping hole, Rockbreaker burst in. "Kwon Hanul! You bastard! You punched me in the face?! I swear I¡¯ll kill you myself!" Despite getting ambushed by Hanul¡¯s energy wave, Rockbreaker was completely fine¡ªnot even slightly dazed. "I¡¯d love to let you have him, Rockbreaker, but that¡¯d be a waste." Frederance shrugged and signaled to his team. "Don¡¯t kill him. Capture him." Then added, "If you don¡¯t have him in ten minutes, I¡¯ll activate the latent poison." A threat to one¡¯s life brings out their absolute limit. With that, his team¡¯s eyes sharpened. As if on cue, they all rushed Hanul. "Mei Hong." "Yes!" "Protect Miss Takamine." Hanul issued the order swiftly. "Swarm him!" "Don¡¯t let him get away!" The team spread out wide to surround Hanul. "Hoo..." Hanul drew up all his mana, channeling it into his suit. In that instant, the team members surrounding him saw something. Hanul¡¯s black suit began to writhe¡ªas if alive. And behind him, a figure began to form. "...A dragon?" Someone murmured. The next moment, a dragon¡¯s roar blasted them all away. Dragon Fear A unique skill usable only by especially powerful dragon-type monsters. "G-Gah!" "My head...! My head...!" Those of weaker standing suffer immense trauma just from exposure to the aura. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. "M-My mana... it¡¯s not moving..." "I-I can¡¯t feel my limbs..." It didn¡¯t stop there. Dragon Fear reversed the flow of mana and drastically lowered all stats. Not just the team¡ª even the living dolls were on the floor, writhing in agony. With a single move, Hanul had neutralized all of Frederance¡¯s forces. "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me." Frederance could only let out a hollow laugh. "You¡¯re surprised already? We¡¯re just getting started." Hanul pulled a ring from his coat. It looked like a carved ruby, and he slid it onto his pinky. The Ring of Lust grants five unique abilities depending on which finger it¡¯s worn on. The power unlocked on the pinky was¡ª "Listen to me." Illusion. "The one next to you is your enemy. Kill them." In an instant, silence blanketed the hideout. The team and the dolls turned to those beside them. And then, chaos erupted. "There! That¡¯s Kwon Hanul!" "Die! I have to kill you to survive!" "Arghhh!" It was carnage. So horrific that even Frederance was left speechless. Then someone shouted¡ª "Hanul!" Rockbreaker charged in from the side. With his high mana stats, he hadn¡¯t fallen under the illusion like the others. "You let your guard down!" He swung his fist. An explosion obliterated the spot where Hanul had just been. "Hah! Now that was satisfying!" "Glad to hear it." The Rockbreaker¡¯s laughter came to an abrupt stop. As the explosion smoke cleared, Kwon Hanul stood there, completely unscathed. ¡°W-What the...?¡± ¡°Gear difference.¡± ¡°...What?¡± Kwon Hanul spread his arms wide. Dragon Demon Energy gathered into his hands. ¡°Sorry for underestimating you earlier.¡± The Rockbreaker flinched and clenched his fist again, flustered. ¡°This time, I¡¯ll land a proper hit!¡± ¡°Screw you!¡± The Rockbreaker attempted to slam his fist down, but before he could, Hanul reached out and caught his punch mid-air. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Reversal Style: Willow Strike The force and magic imbued in the Rockbreaker¡¯s fist twisted violently. What was meant to be unleashed toward Hanul suddenly turned inward. With a sickening snap, the joints dislocated and his arm was flung backwards. ¡°GAAARGH!¡± The Rockbreaker let out a scream. His shoulder, forearm, and wrist joints were all dislocated in one brutal motion¡ªpain no human should have to endure. At that moment, both of Hanul¡¯s hands moved again. Dragon Demon Aura surged to his fingertips, exuding razor-sharp killing intent like blades. Black Dragon Ascension Art¨C Basic Form Slash Style: Twin-Handed Severance Hanul¡¯s hands sliced through the air. Two black lines tore across the Rockbreaker¡¯s body in an instant. Moments later, deep lacerations bloomed across his flesh, and blood gushed out violently. ¡°G-GAAAHH!!¡± Assaulted by the fresh wave of pain, the Rockbreaker screamed again. Hanul clenched his fist, preparing for the final blow. The Spiral Wave technique he used earlier¡ªpart of the Impact Style¡ªwas a powerful internal destructive move that unleashed Dragon Demon Aura to rupture targets from within. However, against someone like the Rockbreaker, whose raw mana far surpassed his, it wasn¡¯t nearly as effective. So this time, he chose a different technique. Black Dragon Ascension Art¨C Basic Form Impact Style: Ice White Crash Fist Before swinging his punch, Hanul twisted his waist. The delayed strike slammed directly into the Rockbreaker¡¯s torso. The concentrated mass of Dragon Demon Aura crushed through his thick muscles, shattered the bones beneath, and tore into his internal organs. The Rockbreaker was sent flying without even a moment to scream. ¡°Guh... GUHH!¡± He crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony, blood gushing from his mouth. Just as Hanul approached to finish him off¡ª A surge of killing intent hit him from behind. It was sharp¡ªalmost like a real dagger was flying toward him. Instinctively, Hanul turned around. Frederance was glaring directly at him. ¡°Kwon Hudon.¡± ¡°H-Huh?!¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to be the one to finish him, but I guess that won¡¯t happen.¡± Frederance clearly had no intention of letting Rockbreaker die. Probably because it wasn¡¯t easy to acquire another slave ranked as a World-Class combatant. ¡°You take care of Rockbreaker.¡± ¡°...M-Me?¡± ¡°What? Too much for you?¡± Hesitation flickered across Hudon¡¯s face, but he soon responded firmly. ¡°...No. I can do it.¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯m counting on you.¡± With that, Hanul turned to face Frederance. ¡°You must¡¯ve gotten attached during that short time¡ªstepping in to keep him alive and all.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a World-Ranker. Would be a shame to let him die here.¡± Frederance gave Hudon a sidelong glance and asked, ¡°You¡¯ve made a foolish decision. Even if he¡¯s injured, Rockbreaker is still a World-Class Ranker. You really think that fool can take him on?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not your concern,¡± Hanul replied with a firm tone. The clarity of his response left Frederance with no choice but to nod. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s not my business. But something else is bothering me... That gear you¡¯re wearing¡ªdon¡¯t tell me... Is that the Blackriver from the Weber Heinkel line?¡± ¡°It is. Why?¡± ¡°I knew it.¡± Frederance¡¯s eyes scanned the Blackriver set hungrily. ¡°There aren¡¯t many armors out there that can block a World-Ranker¡¯s attack and endure Dragon Fear. After the Blaga family took it ages ago, no one¡¯s seen it since... and now it¡¯s just standing in front of me.¡± Greed was written all over his face¡ªhis eyes practically glowing with desire. ¡°Today¡¯s a lucky day. A World-Ranker and the Blackriver set falling into my hands?¡± ¡°Too bad I¡¯m not giving it to you. Sounds like wishful thinking.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not your call to make.¡± Frederance¡¯s bloodlust surged. ¡°I¡¯ll just kill you and take it myself.¡± Hanul took up a fighting stance, ready to strike at any moment. Frederance beckoned with his fingers as if inviting him. ¡°Come. In honor of your ¡®Hyukcheon¡¯ title, I¡¯ll let you have the first move.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t turn down the offer. He kicked off the ground and charged straight in. But Frederance made no move at all. Even as Hanul found it suspicious, he pushed forward with Dragon Demon Aura building rapidly. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Strike Style: Bullet Impact The fastest technique, delivered through the fastest path. Hanul¡¯s fist shot like a bullet toward Frederance¡¯s face. Just then¡ª ¡°H-Hanul!¡± Hudon shouted out in panic. ¡°Watch out!¡± Hanul¡¯s punch landed directly on Frederance¡¯s face. It hit clean. Yet Frederance didn¡¯t even flinch. It was as if he felt nothing. Not even a blink. ¡°That¡¯s a decent punch.¡± Frederance said with a grin, his face still pressed against Hanul¡¯s fist. ¡°But it¡¯s useless against me.¡± Suddenly, Frederance lunged forward. A knife-hand strike whipped toward Hanul¡¯s neck. Even with the Blackriver¡¯s superior defense, unprotected areas couldn¡¯t be covered. The flash-like strike aimed to pierce Hanul¡¯s neck¡ª But just before it landed, Hanul ducked to the side, as if he had seen it coming. Planting a hand on the ground, he spun his body and lashed out with a sweeping kick aimed at Frederance¡¯s head. With a thunderous impact, Frederance was pushed back. Though his face remained untouched, it was clear he hadn¡¯t expected that. ¡°...How did you anticipate that?¡± Thanks to utilizing multiple bloodlines, Hanul¡¯s battle sense had reached the level of true foresight. This much didn¡¯t even surprise him anymore. However, not even Hanul had seen this next event coming¡ª ¡®???¡¯ has come into contact with ¡®Superhuman Bloodline¡¯ You have acquired ¡®Superhuman Bloodline¡¯ A violent change began to stir within Hanul¡¯s body. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 74 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 74: Eruption of Power (1) Superhuman Bloodline. It¡¯s the hereditary trait of the infamous crime family¡ªthe Sanchez Clan. As the name suggests, the Superhuman Bloodline enhances the physical body. Compared to other bloodlines, its effect is deceptively simple. The problem is how overwhelming that effect actually is. Overpowering monsters with brute strength alone? That¡¯s just the baseline. Their physical durability is so extreme, even concentrated modern weapon fire leaves them unscathed. They possess extraordinary resistances, capable of surviving in even the most extreme environments. Poison and disease? Practically immune. ¡°You¡¯re from the Sanchez Clan, aren¡¯t you?¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s words, Frederance¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°...How did you figure that out?¡± He knew thanks to ¡®???¡¯, but he couldn¡¯t exactly say that out loud. ¡°You¡¯ve got that aura wrapped around you like armor. Only a fool wouldn¡¯t notice.¡± Protective Aura. A power unique to those who carry the Superhuman Bloodline. It¡¯s called Aura, but unlike the more freely manipulated energy types like Dragon Aura, it functions more like an automatic barrier¡ªconstantly shielding the body. ¡°...You recognized my Protective Aura?¡± The suspicion on Frederance¡¯s face only grew deeper. Normally, Protective Aura isn¡¯t visible. If it were, there¡¯s no way Frederance could¡¯ve kept his secret this long. Rather than pushing the issue further, Kwon Hanul shifted the conversation. ¡°I was wondering why you didn¡¯t bother dodging the attack. Now it makes sense¡ªyou were counting on that shield.¡± According to what Kwon Mi told him, Frederance had taken down Rockbreaker with a single blow. That had confused him. Frederance is infamous for poison-based skills¡ªhow did he win a close-quarters fight against Rockbreaker? Now he knew. He used Protective Aura to block Rockbreaker¡¯s attacks, threw him off balance, and struck when there was an opening. Protective Aura isn¡¯t just the ultimate defense¡ªit can also be the strongest offense. A knifehand strike reinforced by it would hit harder than most weapons. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten quite a lot of mileage out of that little trick, haven¡¯t you?¡± In the end, it was a trick. If Rockbreaker had known Frederance possessed the Superhuman Bloodline? He wouldn¡¯t have rushed in head-on so carelessly. Even if Frederance had tanked the blow, Rockbreaker would¡¯ve adapted on the spot. ¡°It¡¯s not a trick¡ªit¡¯s strategy.¡± Frederance stood tall, as if ¡°fair play¡± had no place in life-and-death battles. ¡°And calling it a trick? That pisses me off. Do you even know how much effort it took me to get my Protective Aura to this level? Even in the Sanchez Clan, no one can match this.¡± ¡°...I can believe that.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s acknowledgement made Frederance frown. ¡°I mean I understand how much work you must¡¯ve put in.¡± When ¡®???¡¯ made contact with the Superhuman Bloodline, Hanul could feel it¡ª The presence of the bloodline within Frederance. And just how faint it really was. ¡°The Superhuman Bloodline you carry¡ªit¡¯s diluted. A mixed strain. Barely even registers.¡± Bingo. Frederance¡¯s expression turned stone cold. ¡°To refine such weak Superhuman Blood into Protective Aura capable of withstanding world-class attacks... That¡¯s not something hard work alone could achieve.¡± Frederance¡¯s face began to flush red. Hanul added fuel to the fire. ¡°Actually, I doubt it was just effort. Did you abandon the other powers of the bloodline to focus entirely on strengthening your Aura?¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Frederance finally lost it. His shout exploded with raw mana. The sudden release sent spiderweb cracks rippling across the floor. ¡°...Yeah, you¡¯re right. I was born into the Sanchez Clan, but my bloodline was so thin I was considered useless.¡± The struggle in his voice was palpable. ¡°That¡¯s why I turned to Poison Skills. My body was sturdy enough¡ªthanks to what little Superhuman Blood I had¡ªto withstand all the self-testing.¡± Grit. He ground his teeth audibly. ¡°There. Satisfied now? You got your little revelation?¡± ¡°Not really. It wasn¡¯t all that interesting.¡± Frederance froze. The moment the realization hit¡ªthat he¡¯d been played¡ªrage flared again. ¡°This is why I hate those damn purebloods. They¡¯re born lucky and act like they¡¯re better than everyone else!¡± Frederance¡¯s mana erupted, boiling with killing intent¡ªlike magma breaking through the earth. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you myself!¡± He cracked his wrist and began to march forward. Hanul let out a short laugh, as if amused. ¡°So you wanna go hand-to-hand... You do realize I¡¯m from the Black Dragon Bloodline, right?¡± ¡°You clearly don¡¯t get it. The title of close-combat supremacy belongs to the Superhuman Bloodline.¡± Frederance glared daggers. ¡°Or are you looking down on me just ¡®cause I¡¯m an inferior-blood? Here¡¯s a tip for you¡ªeven a mutt can kill a tiger cub. Got it?¡± Higher-tier bloodlines are typically stronger. But a stunted superior bloodline versus a fully developed inferior one? That¡¯s a different story. ¡°My Superhuman Bloodline¡¯s synchronization rate is 80%.¡± Frederance growled the words. ¡°Get ready. I¡¯ll make you feel just how pathetic a bloodline-dependent bastard like you really is.¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t reply. He just glanced upward. ¡®???¡¯ has made contact with [Superhuman Bloodline]. Acquiring [Superhuman Bloodline (³¬ÈËѪ)]... A second message followed. [Superhuman Bloodline] adapting to host body. Estimated time: 10 minutes. The whole reason he¡¯d been stalling was for this¡ªfor time. And just now, the adaptation completed. [Superhuman Bloodline] is transforming the body. Muscles and bones rapidly evolve. Mana pathways expand. Vital organs shift into overdrive, optimizing all functions. Strength has reached AAA rank. All resistances and immunities increased by 100. Senses sharpen. Sixth sense heightened. Body durability improved¡ªresistant to internal and external impact. Blood vessels and mana channels reinforced¡ªextreme physical movement enabled. Back when Hanul consumed the Golden Apple, his Healthy Bloodline temporarily boosted his mana to AAA level. AAA rank is a rare sub-tier exclusive to A-rankers. The gap between A and S rank is so massive that, when someone approaches but doesn¡¯t quite reach S, they hit AAA¡ªa special plateau. Strictly speaking, even AAA is inferior to S. But the difference? AAA can challenge S-tier. Gained the true Superhuman Bloodline power: Tyrant Star [Tyrant Star] enhances all physical abilities, excluding mana and mental stats. Gained the true Superhuman Bloodline power: Diamond Aura [Diamond Aura] now protects your body. Hanul took a deep breath in¡ªand let it out. Just breathing, that basic act¡ªhe could feel it. His newly transformed body had reached another level entirely. ¡°Frederance.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke the enemy¡¯s name in a calm, low voice. ¡°You said you¡¯d show me how ¡®pathetic¡¯ I really am?¡± Most hunters avoid head-on fights with someone carrying Superhuman Bloodline. It¡¯s just too risky. ¡°I like that idea.¡± But things change when he has that power, too. Hanul smiled¡ªhis lips twisting upward like he couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. The thrill of trying out this new power, the high of clashing with a strong opponent¡ªit filled him with glee. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± As if answering his will, every muscle in Hanul¡¯s body began to pulse. * * * Kwon Hanul¡¯s aura shifted dramatically. The murderous intent radiating from Ferdrance was suddenly overwhelmed, and the void was quickly filled by Kwon Hanul¡¯s dominating presence. ¡°......¡± Ferdrance¡¯s face stiffened. All at once, Kwon Hanul seemed larger¡ªimmeasurably so. Just standing before him felt suffocating. He now exuded an overwhelming pressure, too vast to casually provoke. He had felt this kind of pressure before, once. ¡°...A pure Superhuman Bloodline?¡± No¡ªit wasn¡¯t just that. It was more. Something beyond even that could be felt radiating from Kwon Hanul. Danger. Instinct screamed at him¡ªrepeatedly, so violently it made his head ache. To fight in this situation would be foolish. Ferdrance glanced at his living dolls. They were still frozen, unable to break free from the effects of Dragon Fear. ¡°Useless things...¡± Left with no choice, Ferdrance pulled out his last resort. From his pocket, he retrieved a whistle and blew it hard. A shrill, spine-chilling screech rang out¡ªlike fingernails scraping a chalkboard. The eyes of the living dolls turned pitch-black. Black veins began bulging across their entire bodies. ¡°----!¡± ¡°----!!¡± The dolls let out grotesque howls. Their eyes gleamed with killing intent, as though they had never suffered under the Dragon Fear. ¡°So much for fighting me yourself. Going to hide while your minions do the work?¡± Despite Kwon Hanul¡¯s mocking tone, Ferdrance remained unfazed. Instead, he simply raised a finger and gave the command: ¡°Attack him¡ªtogether.¡± The living dolls charged at Kwon Hanul. A faint smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Well, more test dummies for me.¡± The lead doll lunged at him with a powerful punch. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t dodge. He met it head-on with a punch of his own. Seeing this, Ferdrance clicked his tongue. Stat-wise, the living dolls were stronger than Kwon Hanul. On top of that, the poison coursing through them was unlocking their full potential. Yet Kwon Hanul chose to face them head-on¡ªwith bare fists. ¡°Is he insane?¡± The moment that thought crossed his mind, the two fists collided. A split-second later, something blurred past Ferdrance. Then came a deafening crash. Ferdrance slowly turned his head. The living doll had been crumpled and smashed into the wall. ¡°What the hell...¡± Words failed him. ¡°---!¡± Another doll screamed and threw a punch. Kwon Hanul mirrored the attack with his own fist. The doll¡¯s monster-enhanced arm was massive¡ªlike a boulder. In comparison, Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist looked like a child¡¯s. To any observer, the outcome seemed obvious. But Kwon Hanul was confident. And at the moment their fists collided, he saw it clearly: ¡®Tyrant Star¡¯ amplifies your strength. His upper body muscles roared to life. ¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ protects your body. A faint golden light wrapped around his fist like armor. ¡°----?!¡± The doll¡¯s fist shattered. Not just the arm¡ªbut all the way up to the shoulder. ¡°----!¡± Without pause, Kwon Hanul sent the entire doll flying. It sailed backward like a ball, grazed past Ferdrance, and slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch. It looked like someone had squashed a tomato against it. ¡°Hah!¡± The sheer impact made Kwon Hanul laugh without meaning to. ¡°---!¡± ¡°---!!¡± The rest of the dolls rushed in. Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t retreat. He stood his ground. He reached out with both hands and grabbed the faces of two dolls mid-charge¡ªthen slammed them down into the ground, crushing their heads. ¡°---!¡± Another doll seized the opening and brought both fists down on him. ¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ blocks the enemy¡¯s attack. Instead, it was the doll¡¯s arms that shattered. As it reeled in pain, Kwon Hanul drove his fist straight into its chest. He could feel the bones break, the heart burst under the blow. ¡°---!¡± Another one lunged at him from the side. He countered with a kick to its ribs. The doll¡¯s side caved in. Its spine snapped audibly. Kwon Hanul kept going, striking at the remaining dolls. Each blow sounded like a bat hitting a ball¡ªone by one, the dolls slammed into the walls and ceiling. ¡°---!¡± From behind, one doll wrapped both arms around Kwon Hanul¡¯s neck in a chokehold. Normally, to break free from a grip like that, you¡¯d need nearly twice your opponent¡¯s strength. The doll had aimed precisely for that. Its arms tightened, trying to snap his neck. But Kwon Hanul casually grabbed its wrists and peeled it off. ¡°---?¡± Surprise flickered across the doll¡¯s face. In that instant, Kwon Hanul seized the doll¡¯s neck¡ªand twisted. Its body crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut. ¡°Hoo.¡± Kwon Hanul cracked his neck to either side, his expression clear and refreshed¡ªlike he¡¯d just finished a morning workout. ¡°Now... you¡¯re the only one left, huh?¡± Ferdrance stared at him silently, looking as though his soul had left his body. ¡°Heh... heh heh.¡± Then his shoulders began to shake. ¡°You really are a monster. Is everyone in Hyukcheon like you?¡± Ferdrance laughed for a long while. ¡°As expected of a pureblood. Just when I think I¡¯ve surpassed you, you catch up. You get stronger than me with just a bit of effort.¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°I admit it. You really are worthy to fight me.¡± A black swamp began to spread at Ferdrance¡¯s feet, bubbling and churning. From the mire, a giant snake slithered out¡ªthick as an anaconda. It coiled up around Ferdrance¡¯s body. A green mist began to waft from the snake¡¯s mouth. Poison. Ferdrance¡¯s true weapon¡ªwhat had elevated him to his current status¡ªfinally revealed itself. ¡°Let me give you some advice. From here on, you¡¯d better stay sharp.¡± The snake bared its fangs. Thick drops of venom dripped down. As soon as they hit the floor, black smoke hissed up, and a large hole was burned through. ¡°Even a single scratch¡ªand you¡¯re as good as dead.¡± That was the terrifying thing about poison skills: Even the slightest wound was enough. The venom would invade the body, and that would be the end. And yet, Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t seem even remotely tense. ¡°You¡¯re going to use poison?¡± A curious smile spread across his face. ¡°That won¡¯t work on me.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 75 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 75 ¨C Eruption of Power (2) At Kwon Hanul¡¯s provocation, a smirk crept across Frederance¡¯s face as well. ¡°Everyone says that at first.¡± The black serpent grew even longer, high enough to reach the ceiling, looking down on Kwon Hanul from above. ¡°They all think they¡¯ve got a solid countermeasure¡ªuntil the poison hits.¡± Kwon Hanul studied Frederance. Sure, he spoke provocatively, but he had no intention of just sitting there and letting the poison get him. He trusted his Superhuman Blood and Healthy Bloodline, but his opponent was a villain from Pandemonium. They may operate in different domains, but this man had reached the pinnacle of hunters. He couldn¡¯t afford to take a direct hit from someone that strong. ¡°How long are you going to just stand there watching?¡± Frederance finally spoke. ¡°Or should I start things off myself?¡± Even before he finished speaking, the serpent¡¯s head dropped like a meteor. Its mouth wide open, aiming to rip Kwon Hanul apart. It was a simple attack¡ªbut the pressure behind it was anything but. The force was so intense it displaced the air around it in a burst. Kwon Hanul quickly retreated. The serpent¡¯s head crashed into the spot he had just been standing on. A split second later, the ground shattered to dust. The sheer destructive force was overwhelming. ¡°...That¡¯s intense.¡± Before coming here, he had heard from Joo Hayun about that snake. The Dividing Serpent. Frederance¡¯s signature and trump card skill. It spawns endlessly dividing snakes. Their strength scales with the user¡¯s stats, and they can use the user''s skills and items. Each fang of that snake was filled with a venom crafted by Frederance himself. One bite, and it¡¯s game over. Even a graze was dangerous. It was Frederance¡¯s secret weapon, developed to overcome the short-range limitations of most poison-based skills. ¡°This skill scales with the user''s power, granting immense physical might.¡± Frederance wasn¡¯t just a villain of Pandemonium. He also carried the Superhuman Blood trait. If all that power was reflected in the skill, the destructive force made sense. ¡°You¡¯ll have a hard time blocking this.¡± The black serpent pulled its embedded head free. Hissing menacingly, it charged again. Kwon Hanul clenched his fist. This time, he didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he lunged forward. He punched straight into the charging serpent. The impact from their clash rippled through his forearm. If this were the Kwon Hanul from yesterday, his arm would¡¯ve shattered from the force. But today¡¯s Kwon Hanul was different. <¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ protects your body.> The black serpent began to burst apart, starting from its head. Black fragments scattered in every direction. ¡°Everyone thinks they¡¯ve got a solid plan.¡± He¡¯d dodged earlier just to gauge the skill¡¯s power. ¡°Until they get hit.¡± But the current Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t someone who¡¯d be shaken by just that level of attack. Even though his prized skill had been destroyed in one blow, Frederance still wore a smile. And then¡ª ¡°...Ugh.¡± A wave of intense dizziness slammed into Kwon Hanul¡¯s head. His vision darkened, and strength drained from his legs. A groan escaped his lips from the sheer pain. ¡°You thought the venom was only in the fangs? Foolish. The entire snake is poison.¡± The toxin continued to spread throughout Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. He could feel his systems deteriorating in real time. ¡°I loaded it with a colorless, odorless neurotoxin. The moment you destroyed that snake, the poison dispersed in every direction. And you... you inhaled it all without realizing.¡± His vision faded to black. Ringing filled his ears. ¡°Starting to realize the gap in our levels?¡± No answer. Still, Frederance felt more than satisfied. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Weren¡¯t you talking so confidently just now? Cat got your tongue?¡± He chuckled. ¡°You see now? Aside from your bloodline, you¡¯re nothing but¡ª¡± ¡°Hoo...¡± Just then, Kwon Hanul let out a long breath and straightened his back. ¡°Damn, that really hurt.¡± He started stretching, loosening up muscles that had stiffened from the toxin. ¡°...What¡¯s going on?¡± Frederance stared in disbelief. ¡°Why... are you still standing? You should be writhing in agony for at least three hours.¡± ¡°I adapted.¡± Kwon Hanul said it like it was no big deal. Frederance¡¯s face instantly contorted. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous! Do you even know what kind of poison that is?! I¡¯ve spent my entire life developing it! And you adapted?!¡± Frederance was more agitated than ever before. And understandably so. Poison was the path he had chosen¡ªabandoning his bloodline in the process. It wasn¡¯t just a specialty. It was his everything¡ªhis pride. And now someone said they adapted to it? In just a few minutes? ¡°What¡¯s the point of telling the truth if you won¡¯t believe it?¡± Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue and looked away. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ detects a deadly poison!> The messages kept flashing. All signs that his Healthy Bloodline had neutralized the poison¡ªand that his stats had increased. ¡°...Fine. Let¡¯s see you adapt to this next one.¡± From beneath Frederance¡¯s feet, another black serpent shot up. It was smaller than the first one¡ªbut this time, there were eight of them. ¡°This time, I¡¯ll inject the poison directly into your body.¡± The eight snakes lunged in unison, mouths open, venomous fangs ready to strike. ¡°Did you learn nothing from watching the last one get obliterated?¡± Kwon Hanul planned to crush all eight of them before they got close. He drew back his fist, aiming for the leading serpent¡ª Then a sudden sense of danger flashed through his mind. Instinctively, he twisted his body. A stream of venom pierced through the spot where his head had just been. When the toxin hit the ground, it blew a massive hole into it. But it hadn¡¯t melted the floor. The hole had been punched into it by sheer pressure¡ªlike a high-pressure jet of fluid. ¡°You¡¯ve got good instincts, dodging that.¡± Kwon Hanul turned toward Frederance. At some point, the villain had summoned four more serpents. One of them had just fired that venom jet. ¡°But how long can you keep dodging?¡± The eight snakes pounced again. Kwon Hanul kicked off the ground, dodging to the side. Another venom jet immediately followed. ¡°Tch.¡± If he focused on attacking the eight snakes, the venom would strike. If he paid attention to the venom, the snakes would close in. It was an annoying, frustrating strategy. ¡°Alright, time to get serious.¡± The four venom-spraying snakes surrounded Kwon Hanul. From every angle¡ªabove, behind, to the sides¡ªthey launched their venom jets. Simultaneously, the other eight serpents watched for an opening, ready to strike with their fangs. ¡°Got you now.¡± Before he knew it, twelve serpents had completely surrounded Kwon Hanul. Genius Bloodline warned Kwon Hanul of the incoming danger. There was no time to evade. Even if one snake was struck down with a punch, another would immediately lunge in, aiming for an opening. Watching Ferdrance from between the swarming snakes, Kwon Hanul spoke. ¡°You¡¯ve thought this through quite well.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡± Twelve snakes bared their fangs and lunged at once. Just as Genius Bloodline sensed, there was nowhere to dodge. Kwon Hanul summoned his Dragon Demon Aura. At the same time, he clenched his fists and steadied his stance. The Superhuman Bloodline doesn¡¯t affect magical power. It only enhances the physical body. But it does reinforce the magic channels¡ªstrong enough to withstand even reckless techniques. ¡°Haa...¡± The Dragon Demon Aura gathered into his fists. Kwon Hanul slammed his fist into the ground with all his might. In an instant, the unleashed pressure and Dragon Demon Aura obliterated all twelve snakes. ¡°......¡± Ferdrance, witnessing the spectacle, muttered involuntarily, ¡°You damn monster...!¡± Ferdrance had never underestimated Kwon Hanul. Ever since witnessing him crush a living puppet with a single blow, he¡¯d regarded Hanul as a threat that required full strength. That¡¯s why he had released the Dividing Snake¡ªa skill he rarely used. It was a trump card, meant only for critical moments. ¡°You damn monster...!¡± But now, Ferdrance realized something. Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t merely an opponent who required full strength. He was someone you¡¯d have to risk your life to defeat. ¡°How... How is this even possible?!¡± It made no sense. Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t a world-ranked fighter, nor did he possess more than three S-rank stats. In contrast, Ferdrance had multiple S-rank abilities and was a villain affiliated with Pandemonium. His poison was lethal¡ªstrong enough to kill even those several tiers above him. Logically, Kwon Hanul should have already turned into a puddle of blood from Ferdrance¡¯s venom. But reality was different. Ferdrance was the one being overwhelmed. None of his tactics were working. ¡°There¡¯s not even someone like you in Pandemonium! This shouldn¡¯t be happening!¡± Ferdrance grabbed his face with his palm, taking a long breath. He forced himself to calm down. If not, he felt he might break. ¡°......No. As long as I sink my fangs in once, I win.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure what makes you so confident.¡± Kwon Hanul rolled his wrist casually as he replied. ¡°Are you even confident you can land a bite in the first place?¡± Ferdrance ground his teeth. ¡°If something doesn¡¯t work, just increase the numbers.¡± A black swamp rose once again beneath his feet. This time, thousands of small snakes emerged. Kwon Hanul looked unimpressed. ¡°When quality fails, you¡¯re going for quantity now?¡± Ferdrance no longer answered. Instead, he sent the swarming snakes charging. They surged like a tidal wave crashing down on Kwon Hanul. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to wipe them out again before you come to your senses.¡± Kwon Hanul raised his Dragon Demon Aura once more. This time, he prepared a technique. But then¡ª Hundreds of snakes exhaled a toxic mist all at once. The volume was so overwhelming that it completely obscured vision. Kwon Hanul was about to blast the mist away using his Dragon Demon Aura, but suddenly paused. He wasn¡¯t alone in the hideout. Mei Hong, Kwon Hudon, and Takamine Ryoko were there too. While Hanul could withstand the poison, the others couldn¡¯t. He had no choice but to use a different technique. Black Dragon Ascension Art Flow Style: Wind Severance Kwon Hanul brought both hands together in front of his chest. Manipulating his mana, he began gathering the poisonous mist. Originally, Wind Severance was a technique that compressed aura and air into a massive slashing wave. But Hanul only compressed the poison, then absorbed it into his body. ¡°...Kgh.¡± Though he had developed a tolerance, it was still taxing. Ferdrance¡¯s poison wasn¡¯t to be taken lightly. The poisonous mist vanished completely. At that moment, Kwon Hanul noticed the black snakes forming a wall around him. ¡°So this is what you were aiming for?¡± The snakes all bit down on different parts of Hanul¡¯s body. There were so many that they nearly buried him. At that instant, Dragon Fear roared through the area. All the snakes clamped onto Hanul exploded simultaneously. ¡°Fangs of snakes can never pierce a dragon.¡± Kwon Hanul stepped forward, crushing the remains underfoot. Despite the countless bites, not a single scratch marred his body. It was thanks to the Blackriver Set and Diamond Aura. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± At his question, a grin spread across Ferdrance¡¯s face. ¡°No.¡± Instinctively, Kwon Hanul looked down. The shattered remains of the snakes began to gather. Soon, they reformed into a giant serpent¡ªlarger than the one before¡ªtowering right in front of Hanul. With no time to react, the massive snake coiled tightly around his body. The crushing force made his bones creak. Fangs like longswords pierced his neck. The Blackriver Set was breached. Even the Diamond Aura that coated his skin couldn¡¯t hold. The venomous fangs sank in. Immediately after, the entire black serpent dissolved into venom and invaded Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. ¡°I¡¯ll admit it honestly. You were a tough opponent.¡± Ferdrance approached Kwon Hanul. His steps were light, full of confidence. ¡°Ridiculous, isn¡¯t it? That someone like me¡ªa villain of Pandemonium¡ªfelt pressure from a greenhorn who just started gaining fame.¡± He was exposing his own vulnerability, but it didn¡¯t matter. He had won. What was there to fear? ¡°Do you know why I won and you lost?¡± No reply came. And of course, there wouldn¡¯t be. The poison inside Kwon Hanul was Venom Purity¡ªa toxin Ferdrance had personally refined. Just one drop could turn a metropolis into a death zone. Even with resistance, no one could survive that. ¡°I have experience. You don¡¯t.¡± Pandemonium was a world where the strong devoured the weak. To join it, Ferdrance had fought countless battles. Even after becoming one of its villains, he had to keep fighting to maintain his position. And all those battles had become deeply ingrained experience. ¡°I¡¯ve already figured you out completely¡ªyour fighting style, your tactics, even your temperament.¡± Right now, Kwon Hanul was dying. Perhaps already dead. ¡°What a shame. I could¡¯ve made you my underling.¡± Suddenly, Ferdrance heard something near his ear. Kwon Hanul was muttering something in a faint voice. Ferdrance leaned down to hear. ¡°...ra...¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°...don¡¯t know...¡± At that moment, Kwon Hanul raised his head. His skin had blackened from the venom, and his entire body trembled. But his eyes were still fierce. ¡°You... don¡¯t know... anything... about me...¡± <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has completely neutralized the poison!> His skin rapidly returned to normal. The trembling ceased. Seeing this, Ferdrance recoiled in shock. ¡°You... You¡¯re not serious¡ª!¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t wait for him to finish. He surged forward, thrusting out his fist. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Tendon Style: Frostwhite Devotion Fist It was already too late to dodge. Ferdrance hurriedly summoned his defensive aura. With an 80% affinity, he had learned to control it freely. He concentrated all of it into his abdomen¡ªexactly where Kwon Hanul¡¯s punch landed. ¡°Not a chance!¡± Ferdrance roared. But the moment fist met aura, something unbelievable happened. Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist turned golden¡ªthen shattered Ferdrance¡¯s aura like an eggshell. ¡°What the¡ª!¡± Before he could even process it, Kwon Hanul¡¯s punch slammed into his entire body. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 76 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 76 ¨C Eruption of Power(3) ¡°...Cough.¡± Frederance forcibly pulled his body out of the wall he¡¯d been slammed into. ¡°Cough, cough.¡± Blood continued to spill from his mouth¡ªbright red, fresh blood, not the dark kind that comes after death. It was proof of severe internal injuries. ¡°So you''re still alive?¡± At the sound of the voice, Frederance lifted his head. A short distance away stood Kwon Hanul. ¡°...¡± Questions surged to the tip of his tongue. How had Hanul neutralized the poison? How had he destroyed the personal defense gear? But Frederance didn¡¯t ask a single one. He already knew there was no point in asking. ¡°...That¡¯s how monsters are.¡± Frederance spoke with difficulty. ¡°They pull off things no one else can even imagine, like it¡¯s nothing. They succeed at the impossible like it''s routine.¡± He recalled the many monsters he''d met in Pandemonium¡ªMaria Sanchez, and countless others. ¡°...I wanted to be one of them too.¡± But the talents granted to him were mediocre at best. His superhuman bloodline was weak, and even the one skill he showed potential in¡ªPoison Skill¡ªhad clear limits. No matter what he tried, he couldn¡¯t grow stronger. So, as a last resort, he¡¯d chosen rebirth through transcendence. ¡°And yet... to have all my plans ruined by a monster that doesn¡¯t even feel like a real monster.¡± Frederance chuckled, his shoulders shaking. Then, he violently coughed up more blood. ¡°I wanted to at least take you down with me... but even that¡¯s out of reach.¡± Suddenly, a message appeared in front of Kwon Hanul. <¡®Mark Griffin¡¯ wants to transfer a skill to you.> ¡°It¡¯s... my dimensional storage skill... My belongings... they¡¯re inside... take them.¡± Kwon Hanul stared at Frederance, shocked. Frederance spoke weakly. ¡°Pandemonium¡¯s rules... the victor... takes everything from the defeated...¡± Frederance¡¯s head drooped slowly¡ªand never lifted again. * * * Kwon Hudon silently watched as Kwon Hanul fought. ¡°Hanul is really something...¡± Watching him go toe-to-toe with one of Pandemonium¡¯s villains left him speechless with admiration. ¡°Hey, boss. Who are you looking at?¡± A chilling voice interrupted his thoughts. Kwon Hudon turned his gaze. ¡°Looking away when I¡¯m right in front of you? You out of your mind? Then again, if you were in your right mind, you wouldn¡¯t be trying to stop me...¡± Rockbreaker trailed off, wincing in pain. He was pretending to be fine, but clearly wasn¡¯t. One arm had all its joints broken, his body was riddled with slash wounds, and his ribcage was shattered¡ªdamaging his internal organs as well. ¡°Hurts a lot, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Hudon said. ¡°Hah! I never imagined you had it in you to mock someone, boss.¡± ¡°How about we stop this now?¡± At those unexpected words, Rockbreaker¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Our real enemy was Frederance. You only followed orders because of that latent poison inside you, right?¡± Rockbreaker fell silent. He couldn¡¯t exactly argue with that. ¡°If you come with us to the Hyukcheon Group, we might find a cure for that poison. Then there¡¯s no reason for us to fight.¡± ¡°Hah. Guess tomorrow the sun¡¯s rising in the west. Never thought I¡¯d hear something so persuasive from a dimwit like you.¡± Rockbreaker scoffed. ¡°But you¡¯re forgetting one thing. Let¡¯s say I do go back to the Hyukcheon Group¡ªdo you really think they¡¯ll let me live?¡± Of course not. The Hyukcheon Group never forgives betrayal. And Kwon Mi¡ªKwon Hudon¡¯s mother¡ªwould make sure he died, no matter what. ¡°And that punk, Kwon Hanul¡ªafter taking that beating from a rookie like him, you think I can just let it go?¡± Rockbreaker ground his teeth. ¡°I can¡¯t stomach it¡ªespecially him! That bastard, I¡¯m killing with my own hands!¡± ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ve got no choice,¡± Hudon replied. ¡°But since we go way back, I¡¯ll give you a chance, boss. If you run right now, I won¡¯t chase you.¡± Rockbreaker offered magnanimously. But Hudon immediately shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Hanul trusted me to take care of you. I can¡¯t betray that trust.¡± Rockbreaker looked dumbfounded for a moment. Then his face twisted in rage. ¡°...I really must look pathetic. Even a damn cripple like you thinks I¡¯m weak.¡± A murderous aura erupted from Rockbreaker. ¡°Forget a clean death¡ªI¡¯ll tear you to shreds!¡± The killing intent was overwhelming, but Kwon Hudon remained completely calm. He didn¡¯t understand it himself. The old him would''ve been shaking with fear. ¡°...Ah.¡± Then he realized why. What scared him more than Rockbreaker was the thought of failing Hanul¡¯s trust. I will bring him down. Hudon steadied himself and activated his Dragon Warrior Aura. That¡¯s when it happened. Black scales surged from his feet, wrapping around Hudon¡¯s body like a second skin. ¡°Is that all your trick can do, boss?¡± Rockbreaker mocked. But the smirk vanished a moment later. Kwon Hanul had a unique constitution that allowed him to mass-produce Blackscale Armor¡ªand even move it like muscles to enhance agility. But this... this wasn¡¯t just armor. The Blackscale Armor formed a massive egg around Hudon. From it, limbs and a head emerged. A giant figure made of black scales slowly lifted its head. ¡°Boss, what the hell did you just do...¡± No answer came¡ªonly the giant¡¯s gaze locked onto Rockbreaker. Suddenly, Rockbreaker remembered something he¡¯d heard in the past. ¡°...The Hyukcheon bloodline produces only monsters.¡± As the words left his mouth, he gathered his strength. ¡°Don¡¯t talk crap!¡± Rockbreaker leapt forward, cursing. His right arm was useless thanks to Hanul. His body ached with every movement after taking a direct hit from Fist of Authority. But it didn¡¯t matter. He gathered everything he had into one punch and struck the giant. An enormous explosion swallowed it whole. The shockwave sent Rockbreaker flying back, but he quickly righted himself. Earlier, he held back because he wasn¡¯t supposed to kill Hudon. But now, he had no reason to restrain himself. ¡°Boss! You should¡¯ve listened to my advice!¡± It was an attack powerful enough to obliterate both the armor and Hudon himself. Or so he thought. The giant emerged from the explosion, unscathed. ¡°...What?¡± Well¡ªnot entirely unscathed. A part of its torso had been blown off¡ªbut it regenerated instantly. ¡°This... This is insane!¡± The giant raised its fist, cloaked in Dragon Warrior Ki, like a burning iron mace. ¡°W-wait!¡± Rockbreaker raised both hands in panic. But the giant¡¯s fist came crashing down. * * * Kwon Hanul stared silently at the message floating in front of him. -Grade: Legendary (SS+) -Description: A storage crafted by demons to mimic human greed. Can hold up to 300 kg of items. A Legendary-grade dimensional storage skill. His old one, Goblin¡¯s Secret Vault, was only Unique-grade and capped at 50 kg. In comparison, Greed¡¯s Treasure Jar could hold up to 300 kg¡ªan absurd difference. ¡°Should I accept this?¡± Dimensional storage skills were rare, expensive, and highly coveted. Even his old Unique-grade skill was traded like a Legendary on the market. So this one... would be worth even more. But something felt off. It was a gift from an enemy. Just as he hesitated¡ª <¡®Greed¡¯s Treasure Jar¡¯ will vanish in 5 seconds.> ¡°Accept!¡± Hanul shouted instantly. Inside were also the items previously owned by Frederance. Hanul figured he¡¯d sort through it later¡ªnow wasn¡¯t the time. He turned to check on the others. Kwon Hudon was resting beside the broken-down Rockbreaker. Looking further, he spotted Mei Hong waving, surrounded by teammates clutching their wounds. Apparently, someone had tried to ambush them during the chaos but had failed and been countered. ¡°Everyone¡¯s okay.¡± Then he remembered¡ª ¡°What about Hayun?¡± * * * ¡°It¡¯s over now,¡± Maria Sanchez said, rising from the railing. She dusted her pants with both hands. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be heading off now.¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving without a fight?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a professional. The guy paying me is dead¡ªno point sticking around.¡± She looked toward the mansion and added, ¡°Still, it wasn¡¯t a total loss. Now I know what kind of person Hyukcheon¡¯s rising star really is.¡± Her eyes narrowed lazily as she spoke. Joo Hayun replied, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± ¡°Haha, caught me. I was debating whether I could kill you here.¡± Maria chuckled. ¡°Let me give you a little advice.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± ¡°Watch out for the Bloodflame Sword.¡± Hayun¡¯s expression froze. That was no nickname to take lightly. Bloodflame Sword Mei Xiao. She was a master who had once surpassed her own teacher, the greatest swordmaster of his time. Now she led the last remnants of the Mei clan¡ªand she was undoubtedly sharpening her blade for revenge against the Hyukcheon Group and Kwon Hanul. ¡°...Don¡¯t tell me she''s on the move?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know the details. Just... been hearing a lot of strange rumors.¡± ¡°Rumors?¡± ¡°Come on. You know I can¡¯t spill everything between us.¡± Maria flashed a playful grin. ¡°Well then, next time¡ªfor real¡ªwe settle this.¡± With that, Maria Sanchez vanished into the shadows. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 77 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 77: Eruption of Power (4) Not everyone was celebrating Kwon Hanul¡¯s victory. ¡°We¡ªwe lost!¡± Goriki Nana was on the verge of a breakdown as she saw Ferderance fall. Terror consumed her. Having already betrayed Takamine Ryoko, Ferderance had been her only remaining lifeline. And now, that lifeline had just been cut off. ¡°Wh-what do we do now?¡± Goriki Nana turned to Nomura Masataka in desperation. Unlike her, who was visibly shaken, Nomura Masataka was calmly assessing the situation. ¡°We have to run.¡± ¡°W-what? Run away?¡± ¡°Yes. If we get caught here, that¡¯s really the end. Running is our only option.¡± ¡°B-but... how do we escape from the Hunters...?¡± Nomura Masataka frowned in frustration. She really was useless at times like this. ¡°Everyone¡¯s distracted by that Kwon Hanul guy right now. If we sneak out quietly, no one will notice.¡± Despite his explanation, Goriki Nana still didn¡¯t look convinced. Nomura Masataka gave up on persuading her and started moving on his own. ¡°W-wait for me!¡± Goriki Nana hurried after him. The two tiptoed toward the exit, keeping their footsteps as quiet as possible. Luckily, fortune seemed to be on their side. No one noticed them by the time they reached the entrance. ¡°We¡ªwe made it!¡± ¡°Shh! Quiet!¡± Nomura Masataka scolded her and looked toward the entrance. When Kwon Hanul had entered, he¡¯d destroyed everything¡ªincluding the stairs. They were completely smashed. Fortunately, the rubble was unevenly piled, creating a path they could potentially climb. ¡°If we can just get up there!¡± Nomura Masataka began climbing the debris. All they had to do was make it outside. He still had plenty of connections. With their help, he might still be able to turn this around... ¡°Where are you rushing off to?¡± A sudden voice made Nomura Masataka look up. Standing just ahead was Joo Hayun. ¡°......¡± His entire body tensed up. ¡°What¡¯s going on down there?¡± For a moment, Nomura Masataka saw a glimmer of hope in her question. She didn¡¯t know they were the traitors yet. ¡°Perfect timing! Your team leader... Kwon Hanul defeated Ferderance!¡± He quickly spun his tale. ¡°Miss Ryoko ordered us to go back and inform the people at the estate right away! To calm everyone¡¯s nerves, you see.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll be on our way.¡± Nomura Masataka and Goriki Nana tried to walk past her. But then¡ª A surge of magic bound them tightly, and both were thrown to the ground before they could escape. ¡°Wh-what are you doing?!¡± ¡°You¡¯re acting this suspicious and expected me to just let you go?¡± With a wave of her hand, Joo Hayun lifted them into the air. ¡°I don¡¯t know what your story is, but for now¡ªlet¡¯s head back down.¡± Their faces turned pale. Joo Hayun dragged the two back to the hideout and threw them to the floor. ¡°Caught these two trying to escape.¡± ¡°Thanks. I almost let them slip away,¡± said Kwon Hanul. Joo Hayun narrowed her eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t let them go on purpose just because you knew I was coming, did you?¡± ¡°How¡¯d you guess?¡± As the two joked, Takamine Ryoko approached the prisoners. ¡°M-Miss Ryoko...¡± Goriki Nana was trembling violently. Though her limbs were tightly bound, she still managed to bow her head desperately. ¡°I-I was wrong! I-I wasn¡¯t thinking straight for a moment... P-please, just spare my life...¡± Takamine Ryoko turned her gaze to Nomura Masataka. He sighed and spoke. ¡°...Looks like I¡¯ve lost.¡± Unlike Goriki Nana, who was trembling, Nomura Masataka remained unflinchingly composed¡ªalmost shamelessly so. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the punishment to you. Turn me over to the police or whatever you see fit.¡± But Takamine Ryoko shook her head. ¡°I have no intention of calling the police.¡± Both of them looked shocked. ¡°M-Miss Ryoko...!¡± Goriki Nana cried out in relief, clearly misunderstanding her words in an overly optimistic way. ¡°There¡¯s no way the two of you planned and executed something this large on your own.¡± But that wasn¡¯t what Ryoko meant at all. ¡°I¡¯m sure there were collaborators¡ªat the estate, the hospital, and from outside. Am I wrong?¡± There¡¯s a saying: if you see one cockroach in your house, there are a hundred more hidden. Takamine Ryoko had no intention of ending things with just these two. Even if they were the ringleaders. ¡°I¡¯ll be hiring a new security detail for the estate. People experienced with killing and torture.¡± Only then did the two realize what Ryoko really meant. ¡°I¡¯ll scrape every last bit of information from your heads¡ªwhether you want to or not.¡± Even Nomura Masataka couldn¡¯t keep his expression steady. Goriki Nana passed out from sheer terror. Seeing there was nothing more to say, Ryoko turned away from them. Then she bowed to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Thank you. If not for you, the Takamine family¡ªand I¡ªwould¡¯ve been in serious danger.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just did what I was hired to do.¡± ¡°That¡¯s too modest. What you¡¯ve done is more than enough to earn our gratitude.¡± Ryoko raised her head. ¡°Mr. Kwon Hanul, if anything happens during future dungeon expeditions, please come to Takamine Hospital. We¡¯ll provide you with the best service¡ªsame goes for anyone you recommend.¡± Takamine General Hunter Hospital is equipped with world-class facilities¡ªso much so that even famous Hunters often can¡¯t get appointments. To have unrestricted access to such a hospital was an immense privilege. Of course, Kwon Hanul himself had Superhuman Blood and Healthy Bloodline, so he likely wouldn¡¯t need it. But his teammates or acquaintances were a different story. ¡°No need to go that far.¡± He appreciated the gesture but found it a bit too much. After all, he¡¯d simply completed his assignment. Still, Ryoko wasn¡¯t backing down. ¡°This is also for me. I want to stay connected with you, Mr. Kwon Hanul. You never know what might happen next.¡± She added, ¡°My grandfather and Chairman Kwon Seonwoo shared a long-standing friendship¡ªthey always helped each other out. I don¡¯t see why we shouldn¡¯t do the same.¡± Suddenly, a thought crossed Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind. Was this why the Chairman had suddenly assigned him this mission? To help him build connections with the Takamine family? But he quickly shook his head. That stubborn old man would never be that subtle. ¡°I¡¯ll gladly accept your offer then.¡± Kwon Hanul decided to accept Ryoko¡¯s goodwill. As she said, there was no downside for either of them. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s one more thing I¡¯d like to ask.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Is it true that the Takamine family discovered a method to induce a full-body rebirth?¡± Ryoko¡¯s expression shifted to surprise. ¡°Where did you hear that?¡± ¡°That man over there brought it up to me.¡± He gestured toward Nomura Masataka. ¡°...We¡¯ve recently developed a procedure that can artificially trigger a full-body rebirth. But¡ª¡± Her tone darkened slightly. ¡°It¡¯s still only theoretical. There are way too many uncertainties. And the required materials are excessive.¡± ¡°What kind of materials?¡± Ryoko listed them off one by one. Kwon Hanul looked dumbfounded. ¡°That¡¯d cost almost as much as a national annual budget.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t bring it up.¡± Kwon Hanul shot a glare at Nomura Masataka. He¡¯d implied it was difficult but doable. But in reality, it was completely unfeasible. So he had no intention of actually doing it. He¡¯d just dangled the bait. ¡°...You really thought I was a pushover.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± It was disappointing¡ªbut nothing could be done. Just as Kwon Hanul was about to let it go... Suddenly, the words Frederance had said just before his death came rushing back. He had accepted this mission to become even stronger. But what method could make someone who had already reached the pinnacle of a Hunter even stronger? Rebirth¡ªa complete transformation¡ªwas the only path. ¡°......¡± Kwon Hanul opened the subspace skill ¡°Greed¡¯s Jar of Treasure¡± that he had inherited from Frederance. The subspace could store up to 300kg, and it was already filled with more than 200kg of items¡ªall of it belonging to Frederance. ¡°Ryoko, could you repeat the list of medicinal ingredients you mentioned earlier?¡± Though confused, Takamine Ryoko recited the list once again. As he checked the contents of the subspace, Kwon Hanul¡¯s face lit up. ¡°It¡¯s not everything, but I¡¯ve got at least half.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll contact you once I get the rest.¡± A hint of doubt crossed Takamine Ryoko¡¯s face, but she nodded in understanding. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting anytime.¡± After finishing their conversation, Hanul went to find Hudon. He had something he needed to say. ¡ªHudon! I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re safe! Inside the communication crystal, Kwon Mi appeared, tears streaming down her face. ¡ªIf something had happened to you too, then I... ¡°I¡¯m okay, Mom. So don¡¯t cry.¡± In a reversal from usual, it was Hudon who was comforting Kwon Mi. But his words did little to stop her tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom. You worked so hard to build that team for me, and I ruined it all...¡± ¡ªDon¡¯t say that! As long as you¡¯re safe, that¡¯s all that matters! A new team can always be formed again. Kwon Mi¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡ªThis time, I¡¯ll gather people who will never betray you, who will devote themselves to you fully. So don¡¯t worry and get some proper rest. At her words, Hudon wore a strange expression. Scratching his cheek, he finally spoke. ¡°Mom. That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡ªWhat do you mean? ¡°No matter how I look at it... I don¡¯t think I¡¯m fit to lead anyone.¡± ¡ªThere you go again. I told you, everyone struggles with new things at first! This time didn¡¯t work out, but you can use it as experience and next time¡ª ¡°Mom.¡± Kwon Hudon¡¯s voice was calm. The quiet weight of it caused Kwon Mi to go silent instinctively. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t live up to your expectations. But this just isn¡¯t my path.¡± Only then did Kwon Mi realize something. Her son, who usually stammered and constantly worried about others'' reactions, wasn¡¯t showing any of that now. ¡ªThen what do you plan to do from now on? ¡°I¡¯ve already decided. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯ll work out, but...¡± ¡ªAlready? Just then, they sensed someone approaching from behind. It was Kwon Hanul. ¡°I came to see what was going on... and it¡¯s Aunt Mi, huh?¡± Hanul looked curiously at the communication crystal. ¡ªYou... Kwon Mi fell silent for a moment before barely managing to speak. ¡ª...Thank you. ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me. I didn¡¯t save Hudon because you asked me to.¡± ¡ªYou didn¡¯t? Kwon Hanul turned his gaze to Mei Hong. ¡°Do you see that sword?¡± ¡ªThat¡¯s... ¡°He came to return my father¡¯s keepsake to one of our teammates. I was just repaying that gesture.¡± Kwon Mi couldn¡¯t find words. Barely, she murmured, ¡ª...Even so, thank you. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± Just as Kwon Hanul turned to leave, Kwon Hudon quickly stopped him. ¡°W-Wait, Hanul.¡± ¡°Still got something to say?¡± ¡°Well, uh... I mean...¡± Hudon fidgeted, his eyes darting. ¡°I-I¡¯m not much of a f-fighter or anything, but... I¡¯m confident in my stamina, at least. So...¡± ¡°So what?¡± ¡°E-Even as just a g-gofer or something... would you l-let me join your t-team...?¡± He squeezed his eyes shut as he spoke. ¡°W-Would that be o-okay...?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± The immediate response made Hudon¡¯s eyes go wide. ¡°R-Really?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°B-But I¡¯m not even g-good at fighting...¡± ¡°I saw you earlier. You fought just fine. What are you talking about?¡± Even though he got hurt, Rockbreaker was a world-class Hunter. Yet Hudon had endured Rockbreaker¡¯s attacks and even brought him down. Despite his self-doubt, his talent and skill stood out even among the purebloods of the Hyukcheon. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± Hanul reached out his hand. Hudon stared blankly for a moment before taking it. ¡°......¡± * * * Inside the Hyukcheon Group¡¯s operations room. Kwon Mi silently touched the corner of her eye as she watched the scene in the communication crystal. Her emotions were tangled. She was proud to see her son grow... but it hurt that he had chosen to follow Kwon Hanul. ¡°Secretary Kim.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°What do you think of Hudon¡¯s decision?¡± The young secretary didn¡¯t answer right away. Sensing the hesitation, Kwon Mi added, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Speak freely.¡± ¡°I think it was a wise decision.¡± ¡°In what sense?¡± ¡°Master Hudon possesses great ability. But when it comes to leadership, I can¡¯t help but have doubts.¡± Kwon Mi bit her lip at the blunt response. ¡°You saw it too, didn¡¯t you? Lord Hanul... that¡¯s not just talent. It¡¯s genius, beyond comprehension.¡± A rookie who had never even appeared in world rankings defeated a villain of Pandemonium. It was like a newborn pup killing a lion¡ªutterly absurd. ¡°It¡¯s time to accept it. Lord Hanul is a true-blood. Sooner or later... perhaps very soon, the entire Hyukcheon clan may find itself under his command.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying we should ride that wave?¡± ¡°Yes. They say it¡¯s better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon¡ªbut I disagree. Even a dragon¡¯s tail still flies in the sky.¡± Kwon Mi closed her eyes. Secretary Kim wasn¡¯t wrong. ¡°Then there¡¯s only one thing left for me to do.¡± Kwon Hudon had chosen to become the dragon¡¯s tail. In that case, the head had to rise higher¡ªso that the tail might rise with it. ¡°To think there¡¯d come a day when I side with Cheon¡¯s son...¡± She chuckled bitterly. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 78 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 78 ¨C Conditional (1) After completing his mission, Kwon Hanul returned to the Hyukcheon Clan. He had hoped to take some time off, but unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t an option. ¡°Lord Hanul, the Chairman has requested a private meeting at noon.¡± Just as he was about to relax at the estate, Joo Hayun brought him an unexpected message. It wasn¡¯t a request¡ªit was a command. Classic Kwon Seonwoo. ¡°The Chairman?¡± ¡°Yes. He said he wants to have lunch with you.¡± Kwon Hanul blinked in surprise. He had met with the Chairman many times, but never once shared a meal with him. ¡°Why do you think he called me?¡± ¡°He likely has a lot to say about what happened.¡± Kwon Hanul checked the time. About an hour until the appointment. ¡°He did say you could decline if you were busy.¡± ¡°Now that¡¯s a meaningless thing to say.¡± Who would dare refuse the order of Kwon Seonwoo, head of the Hyukcheon Clan and Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group? ¡°Even if I get ready now, I¡¯ll be cutting it close.¡± He was already within the main estate, so it wouldn¡¯t take long to get there¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t exactly show up in casual clothes when summoned by the Chairman. Hanul immediately called for an attendant to help him prepare, dressed in proper formal wear, and made his way to the meeting spot. The place Kwon Seonwoo had summoned him to was the peak of Mount Oga, near the main estate. They had flattened the summit and built a small tower atop it. Standing on the top floor of the tower, Kwon Hanul looked out the window. ¡°Wow... I had no idea this place existed.¡± The blue sky stretched endlessly above, and the mountain ranges below sprawled out like a grand painting. Just then, the door opened. Kwon Seonwoo entered, flanked by bodyguards. As soon as he saw Hanul, the Chairman frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t act like a fool.¡± Being scolded out of the blue, Hanul couldn¡¯t help but feel a little unjustly accused. ¡°What did I do?¡± ¡°You were probably gawking out the window in awe, weren¡¯t you?¡± Nailed it. Hanul couldn¡¯t deny it anymore. ¡°Sit.¡± Seonwoo gestured toward the table¡ªthe only one in the entire spacious floor. It would¡¯ve been ridiculously inefficient for a restaurant, but this wasn¡¯t just any room. This space existed for the Chairman alone. Hanul took a seat. After a short wait, servants brought out the food. As expected of a meal prepared for the Chairman, the aroma alone could stir one¡¯s appetite. But Hanul couldn¡¯t fully enjoy the taste¡ªafter all, this was essentially a meeting. ¡°The clams are nice and plump.¡± Yet the Chairman quietly continued eating without saying another word. ¡°Why did you ask to see me?¡± Unable to hold back any longer, Hanul asked. Seonwoo raised an eyebrow and looked at him. ¡°Were you always this impatient?¡± ¡°Normally, I¡¯m laid-back. But today, I feel like being impatient.¡± ¡°Foolish brat. You¡¯re supposed to wait quietly while someone is eating.¡± Despite the scolding, Seonwoo finally set his utensils down. ¡°You did well this time.¡± Hanul almost doubted his ears. Praise¡ªfrom the Chairman¡ªthis easily? ¡°Pardon me... Are you really the Chairman? You¡¯re not an imposter in disguise or something?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve lost your damn mind, spouting nonsense like that.¡± Considering how naturally the Chairman cursed, yeah¡ªit was definitely him. Hanul was even more confused now. So... did he really just get praised? ¡°You protected Takamine Ryoko, eliminated the traitor Rockbreaker, and defeated Ferderance... Honestly, it¡¯s far beyond expectations.¡± The Chairman tapped the table with his fingers. ¡°No... ¡®unexpected¡¯ would be more accurate. I never imagined you¡¯d actually kill Ferderance.¡± His gaze darkened slightly. ¡°Impressive, yes¡ªbut it also raises questions. Can this truly be explained by being of True Blood?¡± Hanul flinched internally. ¡°What do you think?¡± Seonwoo¡¯s eyes narrowed as he locked his gaze onto Hanul. He carefully masked his true feelings and answered: ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the Hyukcheon Clan is the best in the world? Then as a True Blood, shouldn¡¯t I at least be capable of this much?¡± Apparently satisfied, Seonwoo gave a small nod. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not just going to leave it at words, are you?¡± Hanul¡¯s casual demand for compensation made the Chairman chuckle dryly. ¡°You¡¯re right. You deserve a proper reward.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll grant you access to the Treasury.¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Enter with your teammates. Each of you may take one item.¡± ¡°...You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°You defeated one of Pandemonium¡¯s villains. That kind of feat deserves a worthy reward.¡± The Hyukcheon Treasury housed all the treasures the clan had ever acquired. Letting not just Hanul, but even his teammates take something from there¡ªthis was an incredible privilege. ¡°Anything else you¡¯d like?¡± Seonwoo didn¡¯t stop at the Treasury. He even asked if Hanul had any other requests. ¡°Yes. There is.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡± Hanul took out a sheet of paper he had been waiting to hand over. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°A list of ingredients. I¡¯d like you to obtain them.¡± Seonwoo scanned the paper. As he read further, his brow gradually furrowed. ¡°Root of Solar Pepper, petals of Ice Bloom... Mandrake fruit...¡± He looked up from the paper and stared at Hanul. ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised. He expected this reaction. None of the listed herbs boosted combat stats. But they did things like rejuvenate the body or regenerate damaged brain tissue¡ªextraordinarily rare effects, making them outrageously expensive. The total cost would be a burden even for the Hyukcheon Group. ¡°Are you planning to ask the Takamine family for a Rebirth Procedure?¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°If I didn¡¯t know at least that much, I wouldn¡¯t be sitting here.¡± Seonwoo spoke casually, but Hanul felt a chill. The Rebirth Procedure was a technique the Takamine family had only just recently developed, and very few even within the family knew about it. Yet Seonwoo not only knew¡ªit seemed he had already identified the list down to its purpose. ¡°The Rebirth Procedure... not a bad idea. Not every master has undergone it, but everyone who has become a master has.¡± After some thought, Seonwoo spoke again. ¡°I can get them.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a condition. Hand over all the poison you obtained from Ferderance.¡± ¡°What do you want that for?¡± ¡°Do you think poisons that potent are easy to come by? They¡¯re useful in all sorts of ways.¡± That condition wasn¡¯t difficult to agree to. After all, having the authority was meaningless if it couldn¡¯t be used. ¡°Lastly, raise the prestige of Hyukcheon. Then I¡¯ll hand it over.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± Kwon Hanul frowned and asked again. The condition was too vague. Raise the prestige? Perhaps sensing Kwon Hanul¡¯s confusion, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already figured out how.¡± Just then, a bodyguard whispered something into Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s ear. He nodded and said: ¡°Perfect timing. Let them know I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Even though there was still food left on the table, Kwon Seonwoo rose from his seat. ¡°Let¡¯s go. There¡¯s someone you need to meet.¡± Kwon Seonwoo led Kwon Hanul to a reception room, clearly intended for entertaining guests. Inside, two people were already seated¡ªan elderly man and a young man. As soon as Kwon Seonwoo entered, both men stood up and bowed their heads. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Chairman.¡± Kwon Seonwoo grasped the old man¡¯s hand in a warm handshake. The two seemed to be on very familiar terms. ¡°Thank you for coming all this way.¡± ¡°It was nothing. I was too excited about delivering this important news to feel tired.¡± Kwon Seonwoo laughed heartily, then turned to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Introduce yourself. This is Abdul Rasad from the House of Rasad.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hanul. It¡¯s a pleasure.¡± Hanul bowed politely. The elderly man¡ªAbdul Rasad¡ªlet out a hearty laugh. ¡°I may be old and plain, but I serve as a Master Tuner for the House of Rasad.¡± A puzzled expression spread across Hanul¡¯s face. It was the first time he¡¯d heard of the Rasad family or the title of Master Tuner. Thankfully, Kwon Seonwoo noticed his confusion and offered an explanation. ¡°The Rasad family is based in the Middle East. They¡¯re the only truly neutral clan in the world.¡± ¡°Neutral?¡± ¡°No faction is allowed to interfere with the Rasad family, and in turn, they cannot side with any particular group. That¡¯s the agreement.¡± It was a remarkable and unprecedented agreement. Hanul looked at Abdul Rasad again, now with even more astonishment. Rasad only smiled silently. ¡°It¡¯s not as grand as it sounds. Our family lineage happens to carry a rather unique trait.¡± ¡°You¡¯re being modest. Countless Hunters have benefited from the Tuners of the Rasad family.¡± ¡°I appreciate the kind words.¡± Abdul Rasad smiled brightly and continued. ¡°If you¡¯re unfamiliar with our family, then I assume you haven¡¯t heard of the Genius Bloodline either.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid not... Wait, what?¡± Hanul shouted in surprise. ¡°Did you say the Genius Bloodline?!¡± ¡°Hahaha, the name is misleading. It doesn¡¯t literally make you a genius. It¡¯s a bloodline that enhances cognitive flexibility, allowing you to understand things others wouldn¡¯t.¡± There was no way Hanul didn¡¯t know it. He possessed that very bloodline. It not only expanded thought processes, but also offered defense against mental attacks, insight into structures of objects, and the ability to dispel curses¡ªmaking it a truly versatile lineage. ¡°With the power of the Genius Bloodline, one can accurately assess a Hunter¡¯s condition. For example¡ªwhether their physique is well-balanced, or whether they¡¯ve developed any bad habits. Things like that.¡± But the version Abdul Rasad was talking about seemed a bit different from what Hanul knew. ¡°No matter how skilled a Hunter is, they always pick up a few bad habits. Our Rasad family¡¯s work is to identify and correct those flaws.¡± Correction of flaws. Hearing that, Hanul felt a resonance. It seemed similar to the True Genius Bloodline he possessed. To be precise, it was clearly a subset of his True Genius Bloodline. Hanul had experienced it firsthand¡ªTrue Bloodlines possessed powers on an entirely different scale compared to standard ones. ¡°Even with an explanation, it may not feel real. Why don¡¯t you experience it for yourself?¡± Suddenly, Abdul Rasad¡¯s expression turned serious. He scanned Hanul¡¯s body with piercing eyes. A moment later, his face revealed genuine surprise. ¡°...This is astonishing.¡± ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°On the contrary. There¡¯s nothing wrong at all.¡± Clearly finding it hard to believe, Abdul Rasad continued to observe Hanul. ¡°Your skeletal alignment is perfect, and your muscles are evenly developed. I¡¯ve never seen a body this flawless.¡± He tilted his head slightly in wonder. ¡°This is unusual. Even the most rigorous Hunters tend to have one or two weak points in their flow of mana. But I can¡¯t find a single one in you, Mr. Kwon.¡± It was the first time Hanul had heard something like this. But he had a good guess why. Because what he possessed wasn¡¯t just any Genius Bloodline¡ªit was True Blood. Without realizing it, his flaws may have already been corrected. ¡°Ah, pardon me. I¡¯ve behaved rudely... It¡¯s just so surprising...¡± Even as he apologized, Abdul Rasad couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Hanul. At that moment, Kwon Seonwoo asked, ¡°And the young man beside you?¡± His gaze shifted to the youth who had accompanied Abdul Rasad. ¡°I greet the Master of Hyukcheon!¡± The young man immediately dropped to his knees. ¡°My name is Steven Babel.¡± Even if the name wasn¡¯t familiar, Hanul had heard the surname Babel many times before. The House of Babel. A lineage known for possessing the Dragon Heart Bloodline)¡ªa bloodline tied to dragons. Dragons and Eastern-style dragons were different species, but both belonged to the category of ¡°dragonkind.¡± Naturally, comparisons between the Hyukcheon family and the Babel family were frequent. Just as the Hyukcheon Clan was known in the East, the Babel family was their counterpart in the West. As one might expect, the relationship between the two families was far from cordial. ¡°Babel?¡± Kwon Seonwoo asked with a curious expression. ¡°What¡¯s someone from the Babel family doing here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m currently escorting him on behalf of the Babel family to request tuning from Master Abdul Rasad.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Kwon Seonwoo stroked his chin. ¡°I never intended to allow anyone from the Babel family into this place.¡± His single comment instantly dampened the mood in the room. Steven Babel swallowed nervously. The Hyukcheon clan, known for their pride, would hardly view the often-compared Babel family in a positive light. The reverse was also true. Simply put¡ªtheir relationship was... ¡°Somewhat unpleasant.¡± Hostile, even. Sweat poured from Steven¡¯s face. Kwon Seonwoo eventually let the tension go. ¡°I¡¯m joking.¡± It was clearly not a joke. He¡¯d just asserted dominance to put the Babel representative in his place. ¡°Well, he¡¯s still an honored guest. Greet him properly.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Hanul quickly stepped forward, as if he¡¯d been waiting for this moment. Ever since he heard the name Babel, he had something in mind. ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hanul.¡± He swiftly extended his hand. Steven Babel, watching Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s reaction, cautiously shook it. <¡®???¡¯ detects the presence of the Dragon Heart Bloodline.> [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 79 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 79: Conditional (2) The Babel Family. Like the Hyukcheon Clan, they also possess draconic blood. However, their lineage is known by a different name: Dragon Heart Bloodline. Why is it called that? Because their bloodline doesn¡¯t originate from a Korean/Chinese dragon, but from a Dragon in the Western sense. While a Korean/Chinese dragon''s power is drawn from its dragon pearl, a Dragon¡¯s power stems from its heart. That¡¯s where the name "Dragon Heart" comes from. Those who possess the Dragon Heart Bloodline undergo a mutation¡ªtheir heart transforms into a pseudo-DragonHeart. Of course, it¡¯s far from being a true DragonHeart. Depending on the purity of one¡¯s bloodline, the DragonHeart is a degraded version. Even in the case of a pureblood, it doesn¡¯t come close to the real thing. <¡®???¡¯ detects the presence of Dragon Heart Bloodline.> The moment Kwon Hanul first heard the name "Babel Family," he made up his mind¡ªhe had to acquire this bloodline. Possessing Dragon Heart Bloodline alone won¡¯t grant him a true Dragon Heart. But Kwon Hanul is unique. No matter the lineage, he can always acquire the True Blood of it. So then¡ªif he could obtain the True Dragon Heart Bloodline, could he then gain a real DragonHeart? That thought alone made him crave the Dragon Heart Bloodline... however¡ª <¡®???¡¯ defers acquisition of the bloodline.> Something completely unexpected happened. Kwon Hanul was caught off guard. He had acquired countless bloodlines before, but this had never happened. Still, the confusion only lasted a moment. He had always expected a day like this to come¡ªso he quickly composed himself. ¡®It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t. The vessel has simply reached its limit.¡¯ If he could expand it, he could acquire more bloodlines. There was no need to speculate what "vessel" meant here. It referred to the body, or more precisely, his stats. If he increased his stats and developed his physical form, then the ¡°vessel¡± that ¡®???¡¯ mentioned would naturally expand. ¡°Mr. Kwon Hanul?¡± A voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts. Steven Babel was looking at him with a puzzled expression. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but... would you mind letting go of my hand now?¡± Only then did Hanul realize¡ªhe had been holding Steven Babel¡¯s hand all this time. ¡°Ah, I apologize.¡± He quickly let go. ¡°Haha, you must¡¯ve been startled. It¡¯s probably your first time meeting a direct blood of the Babel Family, isn¡¯t it?¡± Abdul Rasad chuckled as he spoke. To this, Kwon Seonwoo responded, ¡°It is quite something to witness¡ªespecially since it¡¯s the personal guard of the Babel Family¡¯s head.¡± That comment caused Abdul Rasad and Steven Babel¡¯s expressions to stiffen. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you need a Coordinator, but if they sent the personal guard too... this must be a matter of considerable importance, huh?¡± ¡°Well...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Abdul. I¡¯m not going to pry. Maintaining neutrality in all matters is the Rasad Family¡¯s unbreakable principle, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Thank you for your understanding.¡± Abdul Rasad gave a nervous bow. Steven Babel also lowered his head politely. ¡°Well, now that introductions are over, let¡¯s get to the point.¡± At Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s words, Abdul Rasad nodded. He placed a tablet on the table before them. On the large screen, a single photo was displayed. ¡°This was taken around 2 p.m. yesterday over the Pacific Ocean.¡± A circular platform hovered above the sea. On top of it was a slightly smaller platform, and above that, yet another. Like a stack of discs, more than ten layers floated skyward. ¡°The Sky Arena has reappeared¡ªfor the first time in five years.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s body heated with excitement. The Sky Arena. He knew it well. In fact, who in the world didn¡¯t? It appeared unpredictably on Earth. As long as one met the entry conditions, anyone could enter. To ascend the levels, participants had to either compete against each other or clear quests. The higher you climbed, the better your ranking¡ªand the greater the rewards. ¡®But the real reason people compete in the Sky Arena... isn¡¯t just for the rewards.¡¯ Fame. Strangely enough, the Sky Arena is completely visible from the outside. So whenever it appears, news broadcasters rush to record and air the footage. The sight of world-class prospects competing¡ªit¡¯s nothing short of thrilling. Whenever the Sky Arena opened, it seized the world¡¯s attention. There was no better stage for gaining recognition. ¡°Five years, huh... I don¡¯t think it¡¯s ever come back this quickly.¡± ¡°Exactly. Even the shortest cycle was ten years. This is highly unusual.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Kwon Seonwoo stared at the image of the Sky Arena, lost in thought. ¡°I miss it. I once climbed that tower myself.¡± ¡°And you won. After that, Mr. Kwon Hyuk and Mr. Kwon Chan-seong took home consecutive victories.¡± That last bit jogged Kwon Hanul¡¯s memory. Back when he was a Hunter, he¡¯d heard that a rising star from the Hyukcheon Clan had dominated the Sky Arena with overwhelming skill. He hadn¡¯t realized that person was Kwon Chan-seong. ¡°Once again, the Rasad Family places great expectations on the Hyukcheon Clan.¡± As a neutral family, the Rasads often hosted global events like the Sky Arena. That¡¯s also why Abdul Rasad had come in person¡ªto inform the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°So, who will be representing you this time?¡± At that, Kwon Seonwoo turned and looked directly at¡ª Kwon Hanul. ¡°...Huh?¡± Caught off guard, Hanul responded with a dazed voice. ¡°You want me to compete?¡± ¡°Do I really have to spell it out for you?¡± Then it hit him¡ªwhat Seonwoo had said about a chance to elevate Hyukcheon¡¯s name. ¡°Wait... when you said I could raise the Clan¡¯s name, you meant¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Win the Sky Arena, and I¡¯ll give you all the herbs and medicine you need.¡± Hanul was speechless. The Sky Arena? It was the global stage¡ªwhere every great family, guild, and elite combatant gathered. Just entering meant you¡¯d be acknowledged as one of the strong. And now he was being told to win it? ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You scared?¡± Seonwoo¡¯s taunt sparked a grin on Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°Not at all.¡± He was stunned, but more than that, overwhelmed¡ªbecause the place he had long dreamed of... he was finally going there. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s name claims the victor¡¯s throne once more.¡± Abdul Rasad smiled approvingly at Hanul¡¯s declaration. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that won¡¯t be possible.¡± Then he abruptly added, ¡°Because Mr. Kwon Hanul does not currently meet the qualifications.¡± A bombshell statement. ¡°To clarify¡ªhe¡¯s not qualified yet.¡± Abdul Rasad¡¯s follow-up let Hanul breathe a bit easier. ¡°The Sky Arena opens in five months. You¡¯ll need to meet the entry requirements by then.¡± He continued explaining: ¡°To qualify, you must have exactly three stats at S-rank. No more, no less.¡± ¡°That¡¯s... oddly specific. Exactly three S-ranks?¡± ¡°There¡¯s speculation that the Sky Arena enforces this for fairness, but no one really knows for sure.¡± Hanul sank into thought. Right now, his stats were: Stamina: S-rank Magic and Strength: AAA-rank All others: A-rank He¡¯d acquired plenty of elixirs after defeating Ferdrance, but they had no effect on his stats. And he needed those for his body reconstruction anyway. He glanced at Kwon Seonwoo¡ªwho scowled. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± As expected. Hanul clicked his tongue inwardly. He still had one favor left from Kwon Mi, but using it on this felt like a waste. Yet he couldn¡¯t give up either. Even aside from the Sky Arena, Hanul needed to raise his stats to gain new bloodlines. Plus, if he won, he¡¯d get the materials for Body Rebirth. It was an opportunity he couldn¡¯t afford to miss. ¡°...Wait.¡± Suddenly, one term came to mind: Healthy Bloodline. Originally, it was a lineage that enhanced physical stats. But once Hanul¡¯s stats hit A-rank, its effects stopped. He had dismissed it, assuming it had limitations. But then he remembered something Bae Cheol-min had said¡ª He once asked how Bae Cheol-min became so strong with the Healthy Bloodline. Bae Cheol-min¡¯s cryptic answer was: ¡°Just live in hell.¡± ¡®By embracing extreme toxins, the Healthy Bloodline gave me a body immune to all poisons.¡¯ If suffering to the brink of death could awaken such changes¡ª Could Hanul push his AAA-level Strength and Magic to S-rank too? * * * After placing Kwon Hanul on the preliminary candidate list, Abdul Rasad boarded a flight headed for the Babel Family estate. ¡°You seem rather displeased.¡± Abdul Rasad glanced over at Steven Babel as he spoke. Steven¡¯s face was expressionless, like a man wearing a mask of stone. But Abdul Rasad could still tell¡ª Steven was clearly unhappy with him. ¡°Pardon my bluntness, but... was it truly necessary to stop by the Hyukcheon Clan?¡± ¡°I believe I already explained¡ªvisiting Hyukcheon was one of the most important tasks on my itinerary.¡± Maintaining good relations with Kwon Seonwoo was crucial¡ªnot just for Abdul Rasad, but for the entire Rasad Family. Even the smallest gestures to earn Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s favor were worthwhile. That¡¯s why, instead of sending documents, Abdul Rasad had personally visited to deliver the Sky Arena announcement. After all, a neutral family like theirs maintained balance by walking a very fine line. ¡°What I meant was... did you really have to do that on the way to the Babel Family?¡± Steven Babel had a point. The Rasad Family wasn¡¯t so poor they couldn¡¯t afford separate flights. Visiting another powerful clan en route to the Babels was a questionable decision, politically speaking. ¡°To be honest,¡± Abdul said with a smirk, ¡°I was feeling a little spiteful.¡± Steven¡¯s brow twitched at that. But he couldn¡¯t openly object¡ªnot after how much the Babel Family had insisted on bringing Abdul in the first place. ¡°Do you know how busy this old man is? Not to exaggerate, but my schedule¡¯s fully booked for the next five years.¡± Even within the Rasad Family, Master Coordinators were rare. Becoming one required more than just possessing the Pure Blood of Genius Bloodline¡ªit also demanded immense talent and effort. Abdul Rasad was one of those rare few. That¡¯s why so many around the world sought him out. ¡°And thanks to the Babel Family, my entire schedule is now in shambles.¡± The Babels had gone to outrageous lengths to bring Abdul Rasad in. They paid the Rasad Family an enormous sum, even dug up and leveraged old favors. In the end, the Rasad Family¡ªreluctantly¡ªcanceled all his appointments and sent him as an emergency envoy. ¡°I understand. But I hope you realize... we had no other choice.¡± Steven Babel bowed deeply. That gesture softened Abdul¡¯s expression. ¡°Steven, allow me to repeat myself¡ªjust once more.¡± ¡°Yes, sir?¡± ¡°Even if I go... I might not be able to heal the family head.¡± Steven¡¯s expression darkened instantly. ¡°That can¡¯t be... You¡¯re Abdul Rasad, the¡ª¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m a Master Coordinator¡ªone of the best, even. But that doesn¡¯t mean I can solve everything in this world.¡± Steven¡¯s face turned even grimmer. ¡°If... if even you can¡¯t heal the Family Head... then what options do we have left?¡± Abdul paused to think before answering. ¡°That, I don¡¯t know.¡± A wave of deep disappointment washed over Steven. ¡°But I¡¯ll say this: If I can¡¯t fix it, then no one in this world can.¡± Then Abdul added quietly, ¡°Unless the Progenitor¡ªwho once wielded the True Blood of Genius¡ªreturns from the grave.¡± * * * ¡°Made your decision rather quickly, didn¡¯t you?¡± After Abdul Rasad and Steven Babel departed, Kwon Seonwoo spoke. ¡°Just so you know¡ªthe Sky Arena isn¡¯t something to take lightly.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Of course Kwon Hanul knew. He¡¯d heard about the Sky Arena since he was a child growing up in an orphanage. He used to get excited watching the occasional match broadcast on TV. He dreamt of one day standing on that same stage¡ªwhere the strongest from around the world gathered. But by the time he became an adult, Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t made it anywhere near the Sky Arena. He was just another third-rate Hunter. And now, he was going to that very stage. Representing the Hyukcheon Clan, no less. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right¡ª¡± ¡°You have something else to say?¡± ¡°This time, in the Sky Arena, we¡¯re going to reveal that you possess True Blood.¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Until now, the Hyukcheon Clan had maintained an unspoken rule¡ªto keep Hanul¡¯s true lineage hidden. Considering the symbolic power of True Blood, it had always seemed safer to keep it secret. ¡°But then I thought... why hide it?¡± That kind of mindset didn¡¯t suit the Hyukcheon Clan. They weren¡¯t the type to hide treasures for fear of theft. If anything, they were more inclined to show them off. ¡°If word gets out that you possess True Blood, things are going to get very interesting.¡± Every founding ancestor of the major clans had True Blood. They built countless legends and miracles using its extraordinary power. And now, True Blood had reappeared in the modern era. All the world¡¯s powers would go into a frenzy trying to predict what impact it might have. ¡°But in the end, I¡¯ll leave the choice up to you.¡± Hanul almost couldn¡¯t believe his ears. This man¡ªthe ever-imposing chairman¡ªwas giving him a choice? He suspected it might be some kind of test. But when he saw the sincerity on Seonwoo¡¯s face, he understood: the chairman truly meant it. ¡°If the world learns you have True Blood, you¡¯ll become a celebrity overnight.¡± The name Kwon Hanul would be etched into the minds of people all around the world. His reputation and position would skyrocket. No other Hunter could achieve that, no matter how much money they threw at it. ¡°But with fame comes weight.¡± The Hyukcheon Clan was already a major force¡ªand now they had someone with True Blood. There wasn¡¯t a single person who would welcome that news. ¡°The choice is yours. Take some time and think it over.¡± True to form, Kwon Seonwoo stirred up Hanul¡¯s heart... and then unceremoniously dismissed him. ¡°I¡¯ve already informed the Vico team manager. Just bring your team when you''re ready, and the gates will open for you.¡± At the mention of Vico, all Hanul¡¯s inner turmoil melted away. ¡°Thank you.¡± Hanul stepped out of the room and quickened his pace. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 80 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 80 ¨C Conditional (3) "You¡¯re saying we can enter the Vault?" Returning from his meeting with the Chairman, Kwon Hanul broke the news about the Vault to the others. "R-Really?!" "H-Hanul... is that true?" Their reactions were intense. "I can¡¯t believe it... Me, a member of the Mei family, stepping foot into the Hyukcheon Vault." Mei Hong collapsed into her chair, stunned. But curiosity quickly took over, and she turned to Kwon Hanul with an eager expression. "They say only legendary treasures are kept in the Vault. Is that true?" "It¡¯s more than just a rumor." ¡°Kyaaahhh!¡± Mei Hong let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement. "Thanks to you, Lord Kwon Hanul, I get to experience something like this!" Someone tugged at his sleeve. Turning, Kwon Hanul found Kwon Hudon looking at him with teary eyes. "H-Hanul... T-Thank you. I never imagined I¡¯d be allowed into the Vault..." The Hyukcheon Vault was rarely accessible. Only those deemed worthy of receiving support from the Hyukcheon lineage were granted entry. For blood relatives of Hyukcheon, being granted access was a tremendous honor. "You both might want to calm down a little." At that moment, Joo Hayun set down her teacup and spoke. Her calm yet cool tone left Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon speechless. "I understand your excitement, but first, you need to decide what to retrieve from the Vault and how you plan to move through it." The Vault spans 30 underground floors¡ªa vast labyrinth. It would take more than 30 days to see it all. But the time allowed for exploration? Just one hour. Because of strict security, the Vault only opens on designated dates, and even then, for a mere hour. Without a plan, you risk wasting your time or coming out with something useless. "I¡¯ve already decided. I¡¯m going to get an elixir that boosts my stats." To Mei Hong¡¯s comment, Joo Hayun offered a different perspective. "Elixirs are great, but there are also rare weapons stored in the Vault." "I¡¯m good on weapons. This sword is more than enough." Mei Hong held up her father¡¯s keepsake. "Plus, I recently had it enhanced." She slightly drew the blade. A dark crimson aura rippled along the gleaming white steel. The moment they saw that energy, Kwon Hanul and Kwon Hudon couldn¡¯t help but grimace. There was a reason for that reaction¡ªthat sword was imbued with the soul of Rockbreaker. Ghostblade A forbidden technique of the Shura Bloodline that enslaves the souls of those you kill. After being struck down by Kwon Hudon, Rockbreaker had been on the brink of death. Mei Hong finished him off, forging the Ghostblade. As disgraceful as Rockbreaker had been, he was still a world-ranked hunter. A sword forged from such a soul was bound to be terrifyingly powerful. "Ghostblades consume a ton of mana. So I want to raise my mana stat to S-rank." "A smart choice. What about you, Kwon Hudon?" "I¡¯m after a skill." "A skill?" "Yeah. My mom told me that back when she entered the Vault in her youth, she saw a skill based on using armor for both offense and defense." It sounded like the perfect skill for Kwon Hudon, who specialized in using Blackscale Armor. And if it was stored in the Vault, it had to be powerful. "What about you, Lord Kwon Hanul?" The question shifted to Kwon Hanul. He paused for a moment before responding. "A seal... More specifically, I need an artifact that can unlock locks." "Locks?" Joo Hayun tilted her head, surprised. "Yes." What Kwon Hanul needed right now was an elixir to boost his stats. But the Healthy Bloodline had shown him a different possibility. He might be able to increase his stats just by acquiring more bloodlines. Choosing an elixir now would be short-sighted. "You know how, during dungeon raids, we often pass up locked doors or treasure chests?" That¡¯s why most hunters, whether through gear or personnel, always made sure they had a way to unlock things. Kwon Hanul also wanted to fill that gap now. There was another reason, too. He had a mysterious chest obtained from the Iron Fang Guild¡¯s vault. It required killing a thousand people to open¡ªa brutal condition he hadn¡¯t dared touch. But maybe now, with the right artifact, he could try. "Hmm... I can think of a few possible artifacts. I¡¯ll explain them in detail later." "Thanks." And so, their plans were set. "I¡¯ll schedule the Vault visit." * * * One month later, the Vault was finally opened. After undergoing multiple rounds of strict security, the trio boarded the elevator to descend. They kept descending... until finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Vault. "Hello! I¡¯m Kwon Sujin, head of Vault security!" A cheerful young woman greeted them. "Lord Kwon Hanul, this is your second visit! The other two are first-timers, right?" Hanul gave a wry smile. He remembered how talkative Sujin had been during his first visit. "Coming back so soon? That¡¯s rare! You really are true-blooded Hyukcheon!" Her eyes sparkled. "I mean, you did defeat Ferderance! I still can¡¯t believe it¡ªand I¡¯m the one saying it! You¡¯re not even world-ranked yet, and you beat one of Pandemonium¡¯s top villains!" Sujin pumped her fists, practically trembling with excitement. And Hanul was the one who actually did it. "You know, everyone in the Hyukcheon Group is talking about that right now!" Of course they were. Lately, everywhere Hanul went, people reacted with shock and awe. "I just got lucky." "Luck?! Do you know who Ferderance is?! He¡¯s in the top five for poison skills in all of Pandemonium! You call that luck?!" Sujin fired off words like a machine gun. At this rate, she¡¯d be asking questions all day. Thankfully, Hanul¡¯s fears were unfounded. "Oh! It¡¯s almost time to open the Vault. I¡¯ll save my questions for next time." She led them forward. They soon reached a towering door¡ªso large even a giant could walk through. "I¡¯ll now deactivate the Vault¡¯s security. Regardless of whether you¡¯re inside, it will automatically shut in one hour. Please keep an eye on the time." She added, "Also, spatial inventory use is prohibited inside. A barrier has been placed to prevent it." And with that, the massive door opened. Inside, another elevator awaited. "Now, where to?" The three split up, heading to their target floors. Kwon Hanul headed to the 20th floor. "Enjoy your time~!" Sujin said as she closed the elevator. Though it was his second visit, everything still amazed Hanul. "Let¡¯s see... what Hayun mentioned should be..." He scanned the shelves of artifacts¡ªuntil something made him stop. "This is it." He picked up a marble the size of a pinky nail. Open Sesame Grade: Legendary (A+) Description: A relic crafted by an ancient artisan. Crush it and sprinkle it on any lock you want to open. Effect: Opens any locked object. Single-use only. Hanul examined it but then put it back. Perfect functionality¡ªbut the single-use aspect was disappointing. "There was another one..." He searched again and found a key covered in rust. "This is the one." He picked it up and checked its details. Jack-of-All-Key Grade: Legendary (S-) Description: A mysterious key said to open everything except the unopenable. Requires mana infusion with each use. Effect: Unlocks any locked item¡ªeven without a keyhole. Unlimited use, but mana must be recharged manually. Clearly worth its S- rating. But if it was that good, why had it remained unused in the Vault? "Right... they say charging it is a nightmare." You had to manually channel mana through a maze-like circuit. And it changed layout every use. You couldn¡¯t even pre-charge it¡ªafter a certain time, the circuit reset itself. That¡¯s why Hayun hadn¡¯t recommended it. Genius Bloodline analyzes the internal structure. Automatically infusing mana... Jack-of-All-Key is fully charged. You may now use its functions. With Genius Bloodline, Hanul could always use the key. He smiled in satisfaction and stowed it away. He wanted to try opening the mysterious box immediately. But spatial storage was blocked here, so he¡¯d have to wait. "All done?" When he returned to the elevator, Sujin greeted him. Hanul shook his head. "I¡¯d like to visit the 30th floor as well." "The 30th? Sure." Sujin activated the elevator. There was still time left. "30 minutes remaining~." Hanul entered the 30th floor and headed toward the most secluded area. A message popped up. True Black Dragon Bloodline detected. Secret vault of ¡®Kwon Hyunmoon¡¯ discovered. Proceed with verification? A faint smile touched Hanul¡¯s lips. Kwon Hyunmoon. Founder of the Hyukcheon lineage. Traces of his legacy were hidden throughout Hyukcheon. "I didn¡¯t have the qualifications last time." Hanul¡¯s current assimilation rate: 30%. It was unclear if that would be enough, but he had to try. "I¡¯ll begin the verification." Another message appeared. Assimilation rate too low. Vault cannot be opened. Hanul clicked his tongue. As expected, 30% wasn¡¯t enough. He considered using the Jack-of-All-Key¡ªbut shook his head. The key could only unlock physical locks¡ªnot bypass trials or qualifications. If it could, it¡¯d be called Master-Key, not Jack-of-All-Key. Just as he turned to leave... Test subject¡¯s assimilation rate has met a specific threshold. User ¡®Kwon Hyunmoon¡¯ initiates First Legacy Transfer. Something appeared before him. The moment he saw it, Hanul¡¯s face filled with shock. "This is..." * * * "Time¡¯s up~!" Their hour was up. The three returned to the surface. "Thanks for using the Vault! I hope you make more great achievements and come back again~!" Sujin waved like a restaurant owner bidding farewell. "Uwaaaaah!" "Woooaaah!" Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon shouted as soon as they stepped outside. "It was incredible! Just looking around was overwhelming!" "I know, right? Everything in there was insane." As first-timers, they couldn¡¯t calm down. "So, what did you get, Lord Kwon Hudon?" "Me?" Hudon smiled and pulled out a Memory Page. Skill: Overlord¡¯s Immortal Supreme Legend Grade: Legendary (SS-) Description: A combat art created by a lunatic who called himself the Absolute One. The creator''s mental stability is questionable, but the skill¡¯s power is undeniable. "..." "..." Silence. Hanul and Mei Hong stared at Hudon with worried looks. Hudon scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I-It¡¯ll be fine! It¡¯s SS- grade!" Well, as long as it was powerful, Hanul decided not to worry. "I picked this." Mei Hong opened a small wooden box. A refreshing scent filled the air. Great Rejuvenation Pill Grade: Legendary (SS) Description: An elixir crafted from an unknown secret method. Grants immense power upon consumption. "What about you, Lord Kwon Hanul?" Mei Hong looked at him. Hanul showed them the Jack-of-All-Key. They examined it curiously. "This is the one Hayun unni mentioned, right?" "I heard it¡¯s hard to use. You sure it¡¯s okay?" Hanul reassured them with a nod. Meanwhile, his mind drifted back to the message that had just appeared: Dragon-Carving Sky Talk Grade: Unmeasurable Description: One of the ultimate techniques attainable after mastering all three forms of Black Dragon Ascension Art. Speak with the heavens. Carve dragons. When the art is unleashed, one may witness a dragon ascending into the sky. He had just acquired something almost too powerful to comprehend. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 81 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 81: A Dangerous Exchange (1) Inside the training hall of the Hyukcheon clan. There, Kwon Hanul was facing off against a single opponent. ¡°H-Hanul... I-I¡¯m going to... attack now, okay?¡± Kwon Hudon spoke in a timid voice. The moment he did, black armor began forming over his body. The armor didn¡¯t just wrap around Hudon entirely ¡ª it grew larger by the second. His small frame, barely 160cm tall, swelled into a hulking figure over two meters tall. ¡°......¡± A red gleam flashed from within his helmet. Hudon launched forward. Despite his massive size, his movements were light and agile ¡ª one of the defining traits of the Blackscale Armor. Its performance was top-tier, and yet it was surprisingly light. When only a few steps remained between the two, Hudon suddenly accelerated ¡ª as if someone had shifted a car into two gears higher. Unbeatable Armor ¨C Unbreakable Curve This was the first skill Hudon had acquired from the Tyrant¡¯s Armor, found in the Hyukcheon Vault. Its original name had been much longer, but for convenience, it was shortened to just Unbeatable Armor. Without slowing down, Hudon charged straight at Hanul. But Hanul dodged with ease, simply stepping to the side. Then¡ª Hudon¡¯s body twisted sharply, slamming toward Hanul with his shoulder. Hanul, without flinching, took the blow head-on with his bare body. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Defensive Stance ¨C Steelwood Guard Though the impact sent Hanul sliding back, the magical energy coursing through his body shielded him from any real damage. Hudon moved without delay into his next attack. He clenched both fists and unleashed Dragon Aura. The gauntlets on his forearms began to spiral violently. Unbeatable Armor ¨C Myriad-Breaking Fist He brought both fists crashing down. Hanul twisted and surged forward, slipping right between the two fists and landing a clean blow to Hudon¡¯s chest. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Smashing Style ¨C Spiral Shock The Dragon Aura from Hanul¡¯s punch rippled through Hudon¡¯s armor, causing cracks to spread. His limbs gave out as the suit began to crumble. ¡°Ugh¡ª!¡± Hudon¡¯s pained voice echoed from inside. At that moment¡ª Mei Hong appeared behind Hanul without a sound or any sign of presence, slashing at his neck with her sword. Hanul didn¡¯t even look. He simply ducked, evading the strike. ¡°Tch.¡± Clicking her tongue, Mei Hong launched into a rapid series of strikes. Each slash aimed precisely at Hanul¡¯s vitals, laced with killing intent. Hanul dodged her attacks and summoned his Dragon Aura. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Slashing Style ¨C Twin Fang Severance The Dragon Aura sharpened in both his hands like blades. Hanul swung his arms, exchanging blows with Mei Hong. At first, the two seemed evenly matched. But over time, Mei Hong began to lose ground. It wasn¡¯t just the difference between two hands and one sword. Hanul anticipated Mei Hong¡¯s every move as if reading her mind. He blocked each of her attacks with ghostly precision, while his own strikes found every opening in her defense. The fierce battle ended in a flash. Mei Hong couldn¡¯t deflect Hanul¡¯s downward palm strike in time, and had to meet it head-on with the edge of her blade. ¡°Kh...¡± The force behind it was greater than she expected. She dropped to one knee. Their eyes met. Hanul¡¯s gaze asked if she would admit defeat. Mei Hong responded silently. ¡°Now!¡± Hanul reflexively turned around ¡ª only to see Hudon, now unarmored, thrusting his bare palm forward. ¡°U-Uraaaah!¡± With a shout, Hudon clenched his fist. The shattered fragments of the Blackscale Armor scattered on the ground glowed, then launched at Hanul like bullets. Impressed by their coordinated assault, Hanul lifted his leg and stomped down. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Crushing Style ¨C Origin Wave Dragon Aura burst out in a wave, sweeping away the incoming armor fragments completely. ¡°...We lost again.¡± Hudon slumped to the ground, sighing at their failed surprise attack. ¡°Geez, you never let us win even once.¡± Mei Hong sheathed her sword and grumbled. Hanul addressed them both, ¡°If I start throwing matches on purpose, then the training becomes meaningless.¡± ¡°You could let us win once for morale¡¯s sake, you know.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s pouting dragged on longer than usual ¡ª she was genuinely sulking. ¡°Losing is one thing, but come on, not even landing a single scratch? That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± ¡°S-Scratch? Don¡¯t even joke about that¡ª!¡± Hudon flinched in panic. Mei Hong teased him with a playful smirk. ¡°Oppa, you say that, but you went all out on Hanul just now. You don¡¯t really have much ground to stand on.¡± ¡°T-That¡¯s... I mean, Hanul wouldn¡¯t get hurt anyway... B-Besides, stop calling me ¡®oppa¡¯ already...¡± Hudon¡¯s face turned bright red. Mei Hong giggled, clearly enjoying the reaction. While the two messed around, Hanul went to a water bottle left in the corner and opened it. Just then¡ª ¡°So, Hanul, what did we do wrong?¡± ¡°Yeah, what were we lacking?¡± They asked in unison. Hanul shot them both a tired look. ¡°Let me drink first.¡± ¡°No way! You can drink after feedback!¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, tell us what to fix first!¡± Cornered by their persistence, Hanul sighed and set the bottle back down. ¡°Let¡¯s start with Hudon...¡± Originally, this sparring match was meant to improve team coordination ¡ª but somewhere along the way, that purpose had shifted. ¡°Your understanding of the skill is lacking. I don¡¯t think Unbreakable Curve is meant for charging. It has minimal wind-up and is excellent for sudden directional changes. It''s clearly designed for catching opponents off guard at close range.¡± The problem, of course, stemmed from Hanul himself. Ever since his encounter with Abdul Rasad, Hanul had started experimenting to see if his Genius Bloodline could be used for resonance. His test subjects were none other than Hudon and Mei Hong. ¡°As for you, Mei Hong ¡ª your ambush just now was really good. But you gave yourself away during the attack. There¡¯s too much weight in your steps every time you swing your sword.¡± The resonance wasn¡¯t hard. Just like in combat, Hanul would read their movements and point out their flaws. ¡°The last thing ¡ª your team play was way too dangerous. You both used each other as bait! You can¡¯t just do that.¡± The issue was that Hanul¡¯s Genius Bloodline was actually the True grade¡ª with the Shura Bloodline mixed in. After listening to Hanul¡¯s critique, the two spent the entire day in shock. ¡°Anything else? Come on, there must be more.¡± ¡°When you thrust your sword earlier, wasn¡¯t your strike zone just a little off?¡± Now Hanul was being bombarded relentlessly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing else! That¡¯s it!¡± Hanul waved his arms, visibly annoyed. Only then did the two finally back off. And then, they began replaying the sparring session in their heads, reflecting on each point Hanul had made. They were so serious about it that even Hanul hesitated to approach them again. Finally, Hanul felt safe to pick up his water bottle again. ¡°...Oh, right.¡± Hudon spoke up once more. ¡°You¡¯re trying to ask me something again, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°N-No, that¡¯s not it... I was just wondering if maybe you weren¡¯t feeling well or something...¡± ¡°Me? Not feeling well?¡± That was news to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Oh, I was going to ask too. You¡¯ve been unusually sluggish today.¡± Only then did Hanul realize why they were acting this way. ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯m not sick.¡± As he spoke, Hanul glanced subtly at his hand. On his wrist was a strange-looking ring, almost as if it were made of connected letters. Grade: Legendary (SSS+) Description: A ring symbolizing Sloth, one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The ring itself is so lazy, it only grants a single ability. Ability: ¡ú Restriction: Imposes a self-inflicted limitation. The greater the restriction, the greater the reward. It was something he¡¯d found inside an iron ingot from the Iron Fang Guild¡¯s vault. At first, he didn¡¯t fully grasp how the ability worked. But after a few trials, he started to get a feel for it. The concept was simple¡ªthink of it like a supercharged version of wearing weighted training gear. By intentionally overloading the body, it helped boost physical performance. Of course, it was far more effective, covered a wider range of abilities... and was significantly more dangerous. Every movement felt like dying. In the beginning, even breathing while lying down was difficult. Thankfully, the suffering was proving worthwhile. The stat growth that had been stagnant due to the Healthy Bloodline had started up again. To Kwon Hanul, this was nothing but good news. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, are you here?¡± At that moment, Joo Hayun entered the training room. Hanul approached her, puzzled. She usually waited outside until training was over, so as not to interrupt. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°The Chairman has assigned you a mission.¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t particularly surprised. It had been quite a while since they returned from Japan. He¡¯d expected a new mission soon. ¡°What kind of mission?¡± Judging by the fact that the Chairman didn¡¯t summon him personally and sent Hayun instead, it probably wasn¡¯t anything too dangerous. ...Or so he thought. ¡°It¡¯s the clearing of a presumed S-rank dungeon.¡± The words that came out of Hayun¡¯s mouth were nothing short of shocking. There are five standard grades used to classify monsters and dungeons: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. But Earth is a big place, and the variety of dungeons and monsters appearing is vast. Among them were beings too powerful and dangerous to fit within the confines of the "Diamond" category. Creatures whose mere existence could threaten an entire continent¡ªor even the survival of humanity. Hunters eventually began referring to such monsters with a special designation: S-rank. ¡°To be precise, it hasn¡¯t officially been confirmed as S-rank. It¡¯s just presumed.¡± Hayun continued her explanation. ¡°It was a private assessment by the group that put the dungeon up for sale.¡± ¡°Still, that means it¡¯s too dangerous to measure accurately.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± There were countless stories of world-ranked hunters challenging S-rank dungeons or monsters and losing their lives. The danger level of S-rank targets was staggering. ¡°But the rewards are just as high.¡± Despite the risks, people still pursued S-rank dungeons. And with good reason. The rewards they offered were on a whole different scale compared to other dungeons. ¡°If you defeat the boss monster of an S-rank dungeon, you¡¯ll gain a significant amount of stat boosts. In some cases, you can even acquire unique skills. Not to mention powerful relics.¡± At the mention of stats, Hanul¡¯s ears perked up. To participate in the Heavenly Arena in five months, he needed to boost his stats. Taking down this dungeon boss could bring him much closer to his goal. ¡°You¡¯re allowed to refuse.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not thinking of refusing.¡± His initial negative reaction wasn¡¯t out of fear. He simply didn¡¯t like the idea of assigning such a dangerous mission to a newly formed team. That old man¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a single thing Hanul liked about him. ¡°But I¡¯m more worried about the other two than myself.¡± He looked at Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon as he spoke. Without hesitation, both replied: ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Same here.¡± Neither showed a hint of doubt. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re all in agreement. Then, please each take one of these.¡± Hayun began handing out small booklets, about palm-sized. ¡°Oh, thank you.¡± Hanul accepted it politely. He didn¡¯t need to open it to know what it was¡ªprobably a guide or precautionary document regarding the S-rank dungeon. At least, that¡¯s what he thought... until he checked the title. ¡ªMexico¡ª Hanul rubbed his eyes with both hands, then checked the title again. ¡°...Hayun?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a travel guide for Mexico.¡± She responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°I mean, I can see that... but why are you giving this to us?¡± ¡°Because the party offering the S-rank dungeon is the Pablo Family, a Mexican cartel.¡± At the word cartel, Hanul blinked rapidly. ¡°The Pablo Family?¡± Even after dungeons appeared, some things on Earth retained their value. And one of those things was drugs. That devil¡¯s product still firmly held its place in the world. And the biggest producers and distributors were the cartels of South America. Among them, the Pablo Family was especially large and influential. ¡°Quite the business partner, huh.¡± In the past, South American cartels were said to operate armies on par with national militaries. That hasn¡¯t changed. In fact, it¡¯s gotten worse. Thanks to hunters¡¯ supernatural powers and relics obtained from dungeons, South American cartels had effectively become nations of their own. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any issues. The negotiations are already complete, and no one takes the name of Hyukcheon lightly.¡± Hayun¡¯s voice carried firm confidence. And truthfully, no matter how powerful the cartel was, it still paled in comparison to the Hyukcheon Group. They wouldn¡¯t dare poke the sleeping lion. ¡°...There really won¡¯t be any problems, right?¡± But Hanul still felt a strange unease. How many missions had gone smoothly for him? Not a single one, right? ¡°There won¡¯t be.¡± Hayun¡¯s tone was resolute. Ironically, that only made Hanul more uneasy. ¡°Please, just focus on conquering the dungeon, Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 82 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 82: A Dangerous Exchange (2) Noon. The time when the sun is at its highest. ¡°Screeeam!¡± ¡°Aaaah!¡± A small village in Mexico was thrown into chaos. Cartel soldiers suddenly stormed in and began ransacking the place. They tore through every house until they dragged one family into the village square. The couple, yanked out without warning, trembled in fear, clueless as to what was happening. Their young son stood by, just as terrified. ¡°We¡¯ve got them.¡± The soldiers addressed a man seated in the square. A large, heavyset man replied with a detached expression. ¡°You sure?¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± ¡°Good work.¡± He heaved his bulky frame off the ground and walked toward the family. ¡°HKK2021.¡± He blurted out something completely out of the blue. The couple stared at each other in confusion. ¡°Who¡¯s HKK2021?¡± He asked again, this time with a murderous tone that implied he wouldn¡¯t ask a third time. Then, a hand went up. It was the son. ¡°T-That¡¯s... the username I use online.¡± ¡°Oh, for crying out loud.¡± The man laughed, utterly dumbfounded. ¡°You¡¯re telling me we came all the way here because of this tiny brat?¡± The couple darted their eyes between their son and the man, their expressions screaming confusion. ¡°So you¡¯re the kind of parents who don¡¯t even know what their kid¡¯s been up to? This cheeky little punk¡¯s been posting trash about our Pablo Family online.¡± At that, the couple¡¯s faces went pale. The Pablo Family ¡ª or rather, the South American cartel ¡ª tolerated no slander, no matter the age of the offender. ¡°P-Please forgive us!¡± The father dropped to his knees. The mother followed suit. ¡°O-Our son¡¯s just immature! He didn¡¯t know any better!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll discipline him thoroughly ¡ª just spare us, please!¡± They pleaded with clasped hands, desperation pouring from them. ¡°Hmph.¡± The man looked down on them with indifference. ¡°Immature, huh... Yeah, I guess kids do dumb things.¡± Their faces brightened slightly with hope. ¡°Saying stuff like all the Pablo Family¡¯s parents are odd-numbered, or that their corpses get auctioned off to demons when they die, or how they¡¯re all so horny at night they can''t keep their hands off each other...¡± But then, his words continued¡ªand so did their horror. ¡°He sure picked some vile things to say. But I get it. He¡¯s just a kid. Still...¡± His expression hardened. ¡°Parents shouldn¡¯t just let that slide, should they?¡± He made a hand gesture to his men. ¡°Kill the man and the brat. Strip the woman and pass her around to the boys.¡± A blood-curdling scream erupted from the couple. The son fainted on the spot. ¡°P-Please, have mercy!¡± ¡°P-Please! Please!¡± Despite the cries, the cartel soldiers didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°S-Someone help us!¡± The mother cried out to the villagers. But only a few windows slammed shut ¡ª not a single soul stepped up. ¡°I just have one question.¡± They didn¡¯t expect anyone to. Everyone turned their heads toward the unfamiliar voice. At the village entrance stood a cloaked figure in a brown robe. ¡°And who the hell are you?¡± The man looked up slightly, meeting the cartel boss¡¯s eyes. ¡°You must be Lilo Moro, the Pablo Family¡¯s Cleaner, yes?¡± ¡°I said ¡ª who the hell are you?¡± ¡°I asked first. Are you Lilo Moro or not?¡± ¡°Are you nuts? Yeah, I¡¯m Lilo Moro.¡± Lilo Moro scoffed, bewildered. ¡°You know my name. That means you gotta pay for it. Boys, we¡¯ve got one more body to add to the pile.¡± At his command, a few soldiers approached the cloaked man. ¡°Play nice and we¡¯ll make your death quick¡ª¡± ¡°Humans...¡± The man finally spoke again. A soldier scowled. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°When people sin, they must pay the price.¡± ¡°What kind of bullshit¡ª?¡± The man removed his hood. In that instant, the cartel soldiers, the terrified family, and even the villagers peeking through the windows couldn¡¯t believe their eyes. ¡°Rabbit ears...?¡± A pair of fluffy, snow-white rabbit ears popped up from his head. ¡°In all my life, I¡¯ve never seen a lunatic walking around with rabbit ears.¡± Lilo Moro scoffed again. But then¡ª ¡°Ogre.¡± He muttered a single word, and the rabbit ears vanished. In their place, his skin turned a sickly blue. His teeth sharpened like saw blades. Crimson light burst from his eyes. He swung his palm sideways toward a stunned soldier. Wherever his hand passed, heads burst like lightbulbs. Every soldier around him dropped to the ground, lifeless. ¡°You idiots! Don¡¯t just stand there ¡ª kill him!¡± Lilo Moro bellowed. Soldiers raised their rifles and opened fire. Hundreds of bullets exploded across the air ¡ª but none pierced the man¡¯s skin. ¡°Use everything! All of it!¡± One soldier aimed a grenade launcher and fired. BOOM! The blast engulfed the man in flames ¡ª but he strolled out unscathed. ¡°H-He¡¯s a monster!¡± The man charged the soldiers. Every swing of his limbs ended five, six lives. ¡°Why the hell aren¡¯t the Hunters doing anything?!¡± Lilo Moro¡¯s cry reached the rear guard. The cartel¡¯s elite ¡ª the Hunters ¡ª drew their weapons. Ominous auras wrapped around their gear. As expected of the Pablo Family¡¯s Hunters, they were no joke. They lunged at the man, blades coated with killing intent. And then he whispered again: ¡°Salamander.¡± His skin sprouted red scales. His pupils stretched like a reptile¡¯s. He snapped his fingers. The Hunter in front burst into flames. ¡°Aaaagh!¡± The scream was short. The pain even shorter. In seconds, he turned to ash. ¡°What?!¡± Another Hunter cried out, panicked. But then ¡ª another snap. All the Hunters were engulfed in fire. ¡°Aaaaagh!¡± ¡°Aaaaack!¡± The screams ended, leaving only black ash scattered on the ground. ¡°N-Nooo!¡± Lilo Moro shrieked and tried to run ¡ª but his legs tangled and he collapsed. ¡°S-Stop him! Someone stop him!¡± He screamed in desperation, but all his soldiers had already fled. The man slowly walked toward him. Blood dripped from his leg as he stepped. ¡°W-What the hell are you?!¡± ¡°This time, I¡¯ll be asking the questions.¡± ¡°D-Do you even know who I am?! I¡¯m a Pablo Family executive!¡± ¡°Where are the blood relatives of the Garcia clan?¡± ¡°Y-You lay a hand on me and the Pablo Family will never¡ª¡± Lilo Moro¡¯s face twisted in confusion. ¡°G-Garcia... What?¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking where the Garcia clan¡¯s bloodline ¡ª the ones the Pablo Family abducted three years ago ¡ª are now.¡± His face turned from confusion to horror. ¡°Garcia...? Y-You... Are you from the Sacred Beast Bloodline¡ª?!¡± The man crushed Lilo Moro¡¯s arm underfoot. A sickening crunch and a spray of blood followed. ¡°Aaaargh!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate useless chatter. Where are the Garcia clan members?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know! Lord Jose ¡ª Jose del Pablo took them! That¡¯s all I know!¡± ¡°Is that so.¡± Realization dawned on Lilo Moro. The only reason this man had spared him was to ask about the Garcia clan. But now that he knew he was useless¡ª ¡°W-Wait¡ª!¡± Lilo Moro screamed. But before he could say another word, the man¡¯s foot crushed his skull. * * * A few days later, Kwon Hanul departed for Mexico. ¡°If it were me, I¡¯d go for the legs, not the neck.¡± ¡°But if you do that and they counterattack, it¡¯s more dangerous.¡± Aboard the private jet to Mexico, Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon passed time with a sparring simulation. They¡¯d been correcting flaws pointed out by Kwon Hanul during training before departure. Watching them, Joo Hayun spoke up in awe. ¡°You two have improved so much.¡± Kwon Hanul, sitting beside her, replied casually, ¡°They both train hard. Plus, they¡¯ve got talent.¡± ¡°Well, yes, but still...¡± Joo Hayun tilted her head in curiosity. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such drastic improvement in such a short time.¡± For someone like her to be surprised meant the growth was truly remarkable. Hanul couldn¡¯t help but be a little shocked too. Their rapid progress was surely thanks to his guidance ¡ª knowledge derived from analyzing the True Genius Bloodline and the True Shura Bloodline. He¡¯d figured it¡¯d be useful, but not to the point of impressing even Joo Hayun. ¡°Oppa Hudon! I told you ¡ª backing away there is a bad move! What if I twist my sword and lunge?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, but charging in is so much harder...¡± As the two bantered, Hanul turned his gaze to his tablet. A report outlining their current mission filled the screen: This mission wasn¡¯t just about clearing an S-class dungeon. They had to transport the dungeon back to the Hyukcheon Clan. Normally, a dungeon disappears once it¡¯s cleared. But the Hyukcheon Clan had a special method to preserve them for future use. This S-class dungeon was no exception ¡ª it was vital for acquiring key resources for the clan, and had to be moved intact. ¡°Hayun, the dungeon has to undergo special processing before it can be moved, right? How does that work?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll handle all of that. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡± Only a few elite clans, including the Hyukcheon, knew the secret technique to make dungeons portable. It was so top-secret that even Hanul wasn¡¯t privy to the details. ¡°So my role is just to clear it out, huh.¡± As he scrolled to the next page¡ª Suddenly, a ringtone echoed. Kwon Hudon pulled out his phone. ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this.¡± He stepped toward a quiet corner of the jet. After a short exchange, his face twisted in shock. ¡°Huh? Wait, Hanul...?¡± At the sudden mention of his name, Kwon Hanul looked at Kwon Hudon with a puzzled expression. Kwon Hudon pointed to his smartphone and spoke. ¡°H-Hanul... My mom wants to speak with you...¡± Hanul¡¯s eyebrow twitched slightly. This wasn¡¯t exactly welcome news. Still, he couldn¡¯t just ignore it. Hanul reached out and took the phone. ¡ªIt¡¯s been a while. A sharp, biting voice greeted him the moment he answered. Hanul gave a bitter smile. He¡¯d even gone so far as to save Hudon¡¯s life, and yet his relationship with Kwon Mi hadn¡¯t improved at all. ¡°Auntie, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡ªI just have a few things to advise you about. Advise? Not warn? Hanul frowned inwardly. The tone Kwon Mi gave off didn¡¯t suit a soft word like ¡°advice.¡± If she was here to issue a warning or give a direct order, that he could believe. ¡ªWhen you enter the dungeon, don¡¯t let your guard down for even a second. In S-Rank dungeons, the moment you feel safest is often when it¡¯s most dangerous. Kwon Mi launched into a series of precautions regarding S-Rank dungeons. Hanul blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Um... I appreciate it, but... why are you telling me this?¡± ¡ªWhat kind of nonsense is that? If you make a mistake, my Hudon could be in danger! Of course. That made more sense. Kwon Mi worrying about Hanul? That would be the day hell froze over. ¡ªAnd if you don¡¯t complete the mission properly, I¡¯m the one who gets the headache. ¡°Why would you be troubled by that, Aunt?¡± In response to Hanul¡¯s confusion, Kwon Mi clicked her tongue. ¡ªWhy do you think? I¡¯m the one in charge of the transport unit. Hanul felt his brain go a bit blank for a moment. Kwon Mi was put in charge of the transport unit responsible for relocating the dungeon gate? ¡°That must¡¯ve been a tough decision, especially with your busy schedule.¡± ¡ªYou don¡¯t seem too happy about it? ¡°Not at all.¡± Sharp as ever, Hanul grumbled internally. ¡ªOne last thing. There¡¯s more? Hanul was starting to feel overwhelmed when¡ª ¡ªWatch out for the Pablo Family. The unexpected warning snapped him to attention. ¡°Are you saying the Pablo Family might attack us?¡± ¡ªUnlikely, unless they¡¯ve completely lost their minds. They wouldn¡¯t dare mess with Hyukcheon. That part matched what Joo Hayun had said. ¡ªBut things have changed recently. There¡¯s been a rift between Ricardo Pablo, the head of the Pablo Family, and the "Godfather," the leader of the South American cartel alliance. The South American cartels maintain a tight alliance. The Brazilian cartel handles production, the Mexican cartel processes it, and the Colombian cartel handles export¡ªeach with clearly defined roles. And the one who oversees all of that? The Godfather. As the leader of the united cartels, he was essentially the de facto king of South America. ¡°Thank you for the warning. But from what you¡¯re saying, shouldn¡¯t we be more cautious of the Godfather rather than the Pablo Family?¡± ¡ªThe Pablo Family¡¯s currently split in two due to their conflict with the Godfather. Kwon Mi continued. ¡ªThe anti-Godfather faction is led by Ricardo Pablo. The pro-Godfather faction is headed by Jose? del Pablo. Hanul recognized the names from the report. ¡°Jose? del Pablo... you mean the strongest Hunter in the Pablo Family?¡± Jose? del Pablo. Nephew of Ricardo and the family¡¯s most powerful Hunter. Even among the cartel alliance, he was known for his unmatched combat ability. He was so formidable that the Godfather had personally adopted him as a foster son. The report had given him special attention for a reason. ¡°It said in the report that he killed two global rankers and one of Pandemonium¡¯s infamous villains.¡± Hanul¡¯s voice carried a note of disbelief. Could a Hunter who operated solely in South America really be that powerful? ¡ªIt caused a massive stir in the Hunter community at the time. But with even Kwon Mi confirming it, he had no choice but to believe it. And now that same man was at odds with the family¡¯s head. This had to be more than just a difference of opinion¡ªlikely a power struggle over the family¡¯s leadership. Only then did Hanul realize why Kwon Mi had warned him. ¡ªAnyway, I¡¯ll hang up now. With her business concluded, Kwon Mi immediately ended the call. Her cold, abrupt manner made Hanul chuckle bitterly. ¡ªOne last thing. Didn¡¯t she say that already? Hanul was about to question it when¡ª ¡ªThanks for saving Hudon. His eyes widened. But the call had already ended. ¡°....¡± Hanul stared blankly at the phone for a while. Hudon looked at him, concerned. ¡°H-Hanul? You okay?¡± Hanul let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± * * * Several hours of flight later... They finally arrived over Mexican airspace. As the plane descended and touched down on the runway, a greeter from the Pablo Family was waiting outside to welcome them. ¡°Welcome to Hyukcheon.¡± Instead of returning the greeting, Hanul carefully scanned the greeter and the entourage. Surrounding the VIP vehicles were heavily armed soldiers, armored transport trucks, and even an armored personnel carrier. It looked more like a convoy going to war than a welcoming committee. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bit much for a welcome?¡± The greeter quickly bowed. ¡°My apologies if we¡¯ve offended. There¡¯s no hidden intent. A few days ago, a Pablo Family executive was assassinated. So we¡¯ve heightened security.¡± ¡°An assassination?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll find the killer soon, so please rest easy.¡± The gleam in the greeter¡¯s eye was chilling. Hanul couldn¡¯t help but feel pity for the unknown culprit. ¡°This way, please.¡± The convoy carrying Hanul and his team departed, flanked by armed guards. The road to the Pablo Family estate was long. Only after passing through five cartel-controlled checkpoints did they finally arrive. ¡°Whoa.¡± ¡°Wow...¡± ¡°Damn...¡± Gasps escaped their lips the moment they stepped inside. The estate was utterly extravagant. The floors were adorned with amber gemstones, the walls decorated with platinum, and the hallways lined with priceless artworks. Even Kwon Hudon and Joo Hayun, who were born and raised in Hyukcheon, were stunned. They hadn¡¯t imagined drug money could buy this much opulence. ¡°This way, please.¡± The guide led them to a grand reception hall. Inside, a man sat alone in the massive room. Hanul observed him carefully. He seemed like an ordinary civilian¡ªno aura of mana at all. But the air around him was thick with the stench of blood. Not an actual smell, but something that clung to his very presence and movements. This man had clearly killed many. ¡°Welcome.¡± Despite lacking a shred of magical energy, his presence was overwhelming. ¡°I am Ricardo Pablo, head of the Pablo Family.¡± So it was true. Even the family head wasn¡¯t someone ordinary. Impressed, Hanul introduced himself. ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hanul of the Hyukcheon clan.¡± As soon as he heard the name, Ricardo Pablo¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Hyukcheon... you¡¯re being a bit unreasonable.¡± Though Hanul didn¡¯t know why, Ricardo¡¯s voice was filled with displeasure. ¡°Sure, we might be drug dealers, but sending someone like you as the negotiator?¡± Objectively, Hanul¡¯s status was low. So from Ricardo¡¯s point of view, sending him for this deal was an insult. ¡°How am I supposed to take this?¡± Ricardo stood up and approached Hanul. As he drew near, Hanul carefully considered his next words. How should he soothe Ricardo and ensure the deal went smoothly? Then, out of nowhere, Ricardo grabbed his hand. ¡°What an honor this is!¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°To meet the rising star of Hyukcheon in person!¡± For a moment, Hanul thought Ricardo was mocking him. But the sparkle in his eyes and the wide smile proved otherwise. ¡°You seem to know a lot about me...¡± ¡°Of course I do! The ¡®Little Dragon¡¯ of Hyukcheon, who defeated Pandemonium¡¯s villain Frederance!¡± Hanul blinked in confusion, and Ricardo burst into booming laughter. ¡°Sounds like you don¡¯t even know how famous you are. Compared to what others say, I¡¯m being modest!¡± The stern presence from earlier was gone¡ªRicardo was now like an excited child. ¡°Ask for anything. Until the dungeon raid begins, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re treated like royalty.¡± ¡°Uh... thank you.¡± Hanul decided to accept the goodwill as it was. ¡°When do you plan to begin the dungeon raid?¡± ¡°In about a week.¡± ¡°Smart! That¡¯s enough time to prepare. I¡¯ll assign someone to guide you¡ªhe¡¯s already explored that dungeon himself, so he should be useful.¡± Hanul expressed his thanks, though a strange sense of unease crept in. And then¡ª ¡°N-No! You can¡¯t go in! We have guests right now!¡± ¡°P-Please, stop!¡± A sudden commotion erupted outside. The door slammed open. ¡°Uncle!¡± A young man with dreadlocks burst into the room, shouting. ¡°You¡¯re seriously planning to sell that dungeon to these Hyukcheon nobodies?!¡± Ricardo shot up from his seat, furious. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?! Can¡¯t you see we have guests?!¡± The young man ignored the scolding and walked straight up to Hanul. ¡°You the punk from Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°And who are you supposed to be?¡± Hanul asked calmly. ¡°Name¡¯s Jose? del Pablo, you motherf¡ªer.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 83 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 83: A Dangerous Exchange (3) Jose? del Pablo. The strongest member of the Pablo Family, rulers of the Mexican region. A pillar upholding the South American Cartel Alliance. The Prince of South America. The report had no shortage of grand titles for him. ¡°Jose?! How could you speak so rudely to a guest!¡± ¡°Heh, Uncle, don¡¯t act so refined all of a sudden. Isn¡¯t it tradition in the Pablo Family to first ask about the guest¡¯s parents before anything else?¡± Beyond the titles, the report was filled with endless warnings about how dangerous Jose? del Pablo was. And understandably so. His infamy remained mostly in South America, but the deeds he committed were nothing short of shocking. ¡°Uncle! Expel Hyukcheon immediately and erase this whole incident!¡± ¡°Silence! That matter is already settled! Don¡¯t speak another word about it!¡± As he read through the report, Kwon Hanul found himself curious about the man. Was he really as formidable as the document claimed? Then he saw Jose? del Pablo for himself. ¡°Uncle! Are you not afraid of the Godfather¡¯s wrath?!¡± ¡°The Godfather? You fool! The Godfather is nothing more than the Alliance''s administrator! He¡¯s not the leader!¡± ¡°That¡¯s just what you believe!¡± What he witnessed far exceeded what the report described. A monster? That word didn¡¯t even come close. Just standing across from him, Kwon Hanul could feel it. <¡°The Black Dragon''s Bloodline stirs.¡±> Normally unresponsive unless triggered by extreme battle intent, the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline awakened the moment it faced Jose? del Pablo. Even the synchronization rate was rising. It was a clear indication: in his current state, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t defeat this man. His body instinctively recognized Jose? del Pablo as a grave threat. ¡°Hey, you!¡± Jose? del Pablo shouted at Kwon Hanul. ¡°I don¡¯t know what Hyukcheon wants with some backwater dungeon, but you¡¯d better walk away while you can!¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Kwon Hanul. You didn¡¯t seem to know, so I thought I¡¯d let you know.¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul? The one who killed Frederance?¡± A glint flickered in Jose?¡¯s eyes. ¡°The one who wasn¡¯t even ranked among the world¡¯s top contenders, yet took down a Pandemonium villain?¡± He walked toward Kwon Hanul, closing the distance. ¡°Pandemonium, world rankers¡ªI''ve killed a few of those before. They¡¯ve got fancy names but don¡¯t amount to much. Still, someone like you shouldn¡¯t have been able to...¡± Jose? stopped walking. ¡°Let¡¯s test it.¡± At that moment, Jose?¡¯s killing intent exploded. His bloodlines were responding in kind, surging higher. ¡°Jose?! That¡¯s enough! He¡¯s from Hyukcheon!¡± ¡°Uncle, there¡¯s no need to state the obvious. Have you forgotten already?¡± Jose? narrowed his eyes. ¡°When I killed those world rankers and Pandemonium bastards, their guilds and organizations all screamed revenge... and then? What happened next? Forgotten that too?¡± Not even Ricardo Pablo¡¯s warning could stop Jose? del Pablo. Then¡ª A blade was suddenly at Jose?¡¯s throat. Mei Hong had appeared beside him without a sound. ¡°And who are you supposed to be?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. But if you lay a hand on our captain, I¡¯ll slice you open.¡± ¡°You think you can stop me with that dull blade?¡± ¡°On my own? Probably not.¡± Mei Hong glanced to the side. Jose? followed her gaze. Kwon Hudon was crouched, ready to spring forward, his arms and legs covered in black-scaled armor. ¡°Tch.¡± Jose? let out a mocking snort. ¡°You people must be out of your minds. You think you can take me with this sorry lot?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here too.¡± ¡°Who now?!¡± Jose? turned and looked toward the voice. Standing behind Kwon Hanul was Joo Hayun. His expression stiffened. She wasn¡¯t someone he could easily dismiss. ¡°...And what the hell are you supposed to be?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know me?¡± ¡°Why the hell would I know someone like you?¡± He raised his voice¡ªbut Kwon Hanul could tell. Through the power of the Genius Bloodline, he could sense Jose?¡¯s mind. The moment Joo Hayun stepped forward, Jose? del Pablo had grown tense. ¡°This just keeps getting more interesting.¡± Still, the tension didn¡¯t last. His bloodlust flared up once again. ¡°Yeah, screw waiting. Let¡¯s settle this right now.¡± ¡°Jose?, that¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°Uncle, with all due respect, just be quiet. I¡¯ll take care of this...¡± Just then¡ª A ringtone cut through the air. Jose? held up his hand. ¡°One moment. I need to take this.¡± He pulled out his phone. ¡°What? Again? Another one killed? Who now? Orihel?!¡± He hung up with a frustrated grunt. ¡°Uncle. Orihel¡¯s dead.¡± Ricardo Pablo¡¯s face turned grave. ¡°What are you talking about? That bastard had plenty of hunters with him!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. I just found out.¡± Whatever hostilities remained between the two were momentarily shelved. ¡°Damn it, I¡¯m too busy for this.¡± Jose? pulled back his murderous aura. Pointing a finger at Kwon Hanul, he said, ¡°Something urgent¡¯s come up, so I¡¯m leaving for now... but I suggest you give up on that dungeon.¡± He slammed the door behind him and disappeared. ¡°That foolish boy...¡± Ricardo Pablo let out a deep sigh. ¡°I apologize. Truly.¡± ¡°Think nothing of it. I came here already well-informed about the Pablo Family¡¯s internal situation.¡± At those words, Ricardo¡¯s expression darkened. The fact that their inner conflict was now known to outsiders spoke volumes. ¡°If it¡¯s alright, I¡¯d like to take a look at the dungeon now.¡± Ricardo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°No offense, but... even after seeing my nephew go berserk like that, you still want to enter the dungeon?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you mean.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s face showed genuine confusion. ¡°Would anyone be afraid just because a stray dog barked?¡± Ricardo froze for a moment. ¡°Oh, and you may want to keep a tighter leash on your nephew.¡± Kwon Hanul said calmly. ¡°I might let this slide¡ªbut other members from Hyukcheon won¡¯t.¡± * * * Jose? del Pablo rushed to the scene. ¡°Damn it.¡± And upon seeing it, all he could do was curse. A dark alleyway in the city. Bodies of cartel soldiers were charred black and strewn everywhere. Orihel, the city guard captain, had suffered even worse. His body was mutilated beyond recognition. Jose? asked one of his men, ¡°Witnesses?¡± ¡°N-No, sir.¡± Without warning, Jose? punched him. The man¡¯s jaw snapped, teeth scattering to the ground. ¡°You piece of shit! Who the hell¡¯s messing with our family?!¡± That made five. Five deaths, and still no clue as to the perpetrator. ¡°Where the hell did this bastard crawl out from?¡± Orihel hadn¡¯t been some small fry. Even among the Pablo Family¡ªno, the entire South American cartel¡ªfew matched his skill. He was made captain for a reason. And yet... he¡¯d been slaughtered. That could only mean the difference in power was immense. ¡°Scour the area. I don¡¯t care how small¡ªfind something to trace the bastard!¡± Jose? shouted, his voice trembling with fury. The men scattered in a panic. Grinding his teeth, Jose? exited the alley and stepped onto the main road¡ªwhen a car pulled up in front of him. The back door opened. A woman leaned out. ¡°Hey there, handsome. Need a ride?¡± Jose? let out a laugh. ¡°What a cheesy line.¡± Still, he got into the car. ¡°What happened with the dungeon?¡± the woman asked. Jose? clicked his tongue. ¡°Uncle decided to hand it over to Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°Oh no... the Godfather had high hopes for that dungeon.¡± ¡°Tell him not to worry. I¡¯ll put a stop to it.¡± ¡°Will he listen just because I say so...?¡± ¡°Quit pretending. We both know you can handle it.¡± At his words, the woman¡ªAshley¡ªsmiled slyly. ¡°In fact, since it¡¯s already in Hyukcheon¡¯s hands... why not use that to our advantage?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ashley leaned in and whispered something. The longer she whispered, the more Jose?¡¯s expression shifted¡ªshock, then grim resolve. ¡°...You want me to betray Uncle?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t leave the Pablo Family in a fractured state forever, can we? With Hyukcheon, we can simplify things.¡± ¡°And what if they retaliate?¡± Jose? had heard plenty about Hyukcheon¡¯s infamy. He wasn¡¯t scared, but it still left a bad taste. ¡°All the blame will fall on Ricardo Pablo.¡± Ashley added with a playful tone, ¡°Besides, what¡¯s there to fear when the Godfather¡¯s got our back?¡± Jose? grinned, flashing his teeth. ¡°As if I¡¯d be scared...¡± But before he could finish the sentence, an image came to mind¡ªKwon Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°...¡± Why? The man was clearly weaker. And yet, Jose? couldn¡¯t shake him from his thoughts. Those eyes. Eyes like a black ocean¡ªunfathomably deep. ¡°Jose??¡± Ashley called again. He finally spoke, ¡°With the Godfather behind us, what¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± * * * Kwon Hanul left the mansion and boarded the car prepared by Ricardo Pablo, heading toward the dungeon. He had no intention of entering today. The plan was to meet the guide, get an overview, and start drafting a strategy. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± The driver announced. In the middle of the desert, dotted with cacti, a dungeon gate shimmered in the air. ¡°So this is an S-rank dungeon...¡± If regular dungeons carried a faint magical scent like wildflowers, this one reeked of magic¡ªlike someone had dumped an entire bottle of perfume. ¡°Incredible.¡± ¡°Woooow...¡± Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon were visibly amazed. Joo Hayun, however, didn¡¯t react at all. ¡°Hayun, you don¡¯t seem surprised.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen a lot of these.¡± A cool, experienced demeanor. Suddenly, someone approached. ¡°You¡¯re from Hyukcheon, correct?¡± A man in a robe addressed Kwon Hanul. He nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be your guide for this dungeon.¡± The man bowed. ¡°You may call me GG.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Kwon Hanul. And this is...¡± Just as he was about to introduce the others, Kwon Hanul flinched. From GG... there was a faint scent of blood. ¡°...Mei Hong, Kwon Hudon, and Joo Hayun.¡± An assassin? Possibly. But he didn¡¯t sense any hostility. ¡°Let¡¯s get along.¡± Kwon Hanul offered a handshake. ¡°Of course.¡± GG clasped his hand. And then¡ªa message appeared. <¡°???¡± detects the presence of Sacred Beast¡¯s Bloodline.> [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 84 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 84: Dungeon Raid (1) [¡®???¡¯ has deferred acquiring the Sacred Beast¡¯s Bloodline.] [The user''s vessel has reached its limit.] [To acquire a new bloodline, the vessel must be expanded.] Once again, the bloodline hadn¡¯t been acquired. But since Hanul hadn¡¯t upgraded his stats yet, it wasn¡¯t all that surprising. What mattered more now was that the man standing in front of him possessed that bloodline. ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡¯ He had never heard of such a bloodline before. ¡°You said your name was GG?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The man answered briefly, his demeanor terse and reserved. ¡°If you''re a guide, are you affiliated with the Pablo Family?¡± To Hanul¡¯s question, GG replied stiffly, ¡°I¡¯ve only been temporarily hired. I¡¯m originally a freelance hunter.¡± Because South America was largely lawless, many disreputable hunters often went into hiding there. And judging by the alias "GG", it was highly likely this man had come to South America for similar reasons. Hanul wanted to probe further into his identity, but he couldn¡¯t predict how GG might respond. He¡¯s the only one who knows anything about the dungeon. If he bolts, that would be a serious problem. Whatever the case, dungeon info came first. ¡°What¡¯s the dungeon like inside?¡± GG pulled out a thick sheet of paper from inside his coat and spread it over a nearby rock. ¡°This is a map I drew during my exploration.¡± Hanul and the other three leaned in to look. The drawing was crude, but the layout of the structures and paths inside the dungeon was surprisingly detailed. ¡°The interior consists of ruins,¡± GG said. Hanul furrowed his brows. Among the many types of dungeons, this was one of the trickiest. First, it was impossible to predict what kinds of mechanisms were inside. Traps were a given, and sometimes doors would be locked tight and wouldn''t open. To get through, you¡¯d either have to solve complex puzzles or find keys ¡ª neither of which were easy tasks. ¡°What kind of monsters appear inside?¡± Hanul asked as he studied the map. ¡°Demons.¡± He looked up at that. ¡°Demons inhabit the interior of the dungeon.¡± GG repeated the statement, as if driving in a nail. Demons. Among the beings encountered in dungeons, demons were the only species known to possess highly developed intelligence and a form of civilization. Which meant the danger they posed was in an entirely different league from other monsters. Humanity had once been brought to the brink of destruction by demons. Ever since, the global policy was to exterminate on sight whenever a demon appeared. ¡°Only low-tier demons have shown up so far, so none of them have been particularly threatening.¡± Thankfully, the ones inside this dungeon were supposedly low-tier. At most, they had the intelligence of wild beasts. Still, that didn¡¯t mean they could let their guard down. Demons, even the weakest, were born with immense magical energy and physically superior bodies. A dungeon that only spawns low-tier demons was already considered S-rank. If a mid-tier one were to appear, the risk would spike dramatically. But it wasn¡¯t all bad news. Compared to regular monsters, slaying demons came with far greater rewards. I might even gain a Authority. That was the most exciting possibility. Hanul had previously gained the Wind Authority: Monarch from a demon¡¯s boots in Hyukcheon¡¯s Vaults. That Authority became the foundation of his current movement technique, Sky Path. This time, he might gain another Authority like Monarch. Hanul returned his attention to the map. Suddenly, something at the center caught his eye. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°A structure I saw deep within the dungeon. I don¡¯t know what it is either.¡± Hanul examined the drawing closely. It looked like an egg ¡ª possibly the dungeon¡¯s final reward. He made it all the way to the deepest part? That meant GG had entered and returned from the depths of a demon-infested dungeon alone. Only someone with exceptional skill could pull that off. Definitely not just an ordinary guide. There were too many things that didn¡¯t add up. Hanul wanted to press him for answers now, but the dungeon came first. ¡°Are you planning to enter the dungeon today?¡± ¡°No, not today.¡± ¡°Then please call for me again once the schedule is set.¡± GG gave a short bow and disappeared. As he walked away, Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon commented, ¡°Man, that guy gives off serious gloomy vibes.¡± ¡°Feels like he eats rocks instead of meals.¡± Hanul agreed silently. ¡°Hayun, do you know anything about Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡± ¡°Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡± Joo Hayun didn¡¯t seem to know either ¡ª she furrowed her brows in thought, which was rare. ¡°...I think I¡¯ve heard it mentioned in relation to the earliest hunters.¡± ¡°The first-generation hunters?¡± ¡°Yes. I believe one of the First Hunters ¡ª the ones who defended South America during the initial dungeon outbreaks ¡ª possessed that bloodline.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but wonder. ¡°Then why haven¡¯t I heard of this person?¡± ¡°Because they disappeared right after fending off the monster invasion.¡± ¡°Disappeared?¡± ¡°Rumor has it they went into hiding somewhere with a group of followers. The reasons aren¡¯t clear.¡± That must be why such a legendary figure had faded into obscurity. ¡°So what kind of bloodline is Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡± ¡°The details aren¡¯t well-known, but apparently it grants the ability to use monster-like powers.¡± After finishing her explanation, Hayun asked curiously, ¡°But why do you ask about Sacred Beast Bloodline all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Oh, I just overheard something. It¡¯s been hard to find any info.¡± Hanul deflected the question. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s head back. Everyone must be tired from coming all the way here.¡± After that, Hanul and the others headed for the hotel they had booked. Though Mexico was a lawless zone, not all areas were like that. Cities under the Pablo Family''s direct control were well-developed and tightly secured. It was ironic, but not Hanul¡¯s concern. Once at the hotel, Hanul rested and discussed dungeon strategy with the group. They checked their gear and the condition of their supplies. Meanwhile, Hanul contacted Ricardo Pablo to ask about GG. ¡°Curious about the guide, are you? Very thorough of you. Not even choosing a guide carelessly, I see.¡± Ricardo praised Hanul, interpreting even his caution as a virtue. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about that guide. But I¡¯ll connect you with someone who might.¡± It wasn¡¯t like a crime syndicate boss would know about every freelance hunter under his employ. Ricardo connected him with the person in charge of managing dungeons and hunters for the Pablo Family. ¡°GG? Boring guy, but very capable.¡± ¡°No matter how complicated the dungeon, he always finds the right path.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve worked together for quite a while now. Over a year, at least.¡± ¡°As for his background... well, there are so many operating under aliases these days...¡± Freelance hunters were like disposable tools ¡ª useful when needed, forgotten when not. No one really bothered to look into their backgrounds. If Hanul wanted to uncover GG¡¯s identity, he¡¯d have to ask the man himself. Eventually, the day of the dungeon raid arrived. ¡°Greetings.¡± GG hadn¡¯t changed at all ¡ª still expressionless, still taciturn. ¡°You called sooner than I expected.¡± ¡°Oh really?¡± ¡°I assumed it¡¯d take about a week, not just three days.¡± GG scanned Hanul¡¯s group. ¡°But it seems not everyone has arrived yet?¡± ¡°This is everyone.¡± GG glanced again at the team. ¡°I only see four people.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all of us.¡± GG¡¯s pupils widened slightly. ¡°Forgive me for being presumptuous...¡± His expression hardened. ¡°That dungeon is extremely dangerous. Even I barely made it out alive several times. I don¡¯t think four people will be enough.¡± Hanul smiled. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s just three of us. Hayun won¡¯t be joining this time.¡± Joo Hayun had opted out of this raid. She believed that if she joined, the dungeon would be cleared too easily ¡ª and the Chairman wouldn¡¯t recognize the achievement. GG looked at Hanul like he had a lot to say ¡ª but ultimately held his tongue. ¡°Understood.¡± Hanul and his team stood before the dungeon gate. A little ways back, Hayun watched them quietly. ¡°We¡¯ll be back soon, Hayun.¡± ¡°Stay safe.¡± With her words seeing them off, they stepped through the gate. Once inside, they saw a darkened sky above. Below it sprawled the ruins ¡ª broken, ancient structures in disarray. ¡°That way leads to the central area,¡± GG said, pointing west. Despite having expressed doubt earlier, now that they were inside, he calmly got to work. ¡°From this point on, please follow my instructions carefully. If you lose focus for even a second, the ruins¡¯ traps will...¡± Just as he was about to speak, GG suddenly stopped in his tracks. He looked around and said, ¡°Demons are approaching.¡± Kwon Hanul expanded his sensing range as well, but he couldn¡¯t detect anything. In that brief moment of confusion, thorns sprouted beneath their feet. Kwon Hanul reacted quickly, using the thorns as a springboard to leap into the air. The rest of the team was a bit slower to respond but managed to dodge the thorns by twisting their bodies midair. ¡ª Kyaruruk. From underground, black creatures sprang up. Their arms and legs were long and thorn-like, while their torsos and heads were tiny. ¡°Xcies,¡± GG said, his tone calm and serious despite the situation. ¡°They use their limbs like spikes and can spit out acidic fluid from their mouths. Both are dangerous, but you need to be especially careful of the acid. If it hits, it¡¯ll melt through your gear along with you.¡± More and more Xcies began bursting from the ground, quickly growing into dozens. ¡ª Kyaruru. ¡ª Kyarururuk. The Xcies let out shrill cries, disturbingly similar to human laughter. ¡°If they charge all at once, it could get ugly. We should fall back to a safer position first¡ª¡± ¡°Ugh, that sound is seriously irritating,¡± Mei Hong cut GG off mid-sentence. It wasn¡¯t out of malice. ¡°They¡¯re loud. Let¡¯s shut them up first.¡± She drew her sword. Running her palm along the blade, she sliced it open. Her blood stained the sword red, and glowing letters appeared on the blade: Ghostblade¨C ¡°Truth or Falsehood, Sever the Feet¡± It wasn¡¯t Shura Aura. It was one of the abilities of Shura Bloodline¡ªthe manifestation of the Ghostblade. Mei Hong swung her sword in a wide arc. A crimson wave of sword energy rippled out in a circle, slicing through the Xcies in one motion. The Xcies screamed as they were struck, but their injuries were only superficial¡ªjust scratches on their skin. ¡ª Kyaruk? ¡ª Kyaruru! ¡ª Kyarururuk! Their cries grew louder, as if mocking her. Mei Hong¡¯s lips curled in a smirk. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t get hit by that.¡± The wounds on the Xcies'' torsos began to glow red. ¡ª Kyaruk? Right as confusion spread across their faces, the glowing gashes flared¡ªand exploded. Their laughter turned into screams in an instant. Severed limbs were flung in every direction. Ghostblade (¹í„¦): A power of Asura¡¯s Blood that enslaves the souls of those it kills. Mei Hong had explained this once before: The greatest strength of the Ghostblade is that it lets the wielder use one skill from the soul they¡¯ve absorbed. The soul she used this time belonged to Rockbreaker. His signature ability? An explosive skill dubbed Bomberman. ¡°How was that?¡± Mei Hong asked, clearly proud of herself. And then¡ª ¡ª Kkiruk! Several surviving Xcies charged toward her. Despite having lost limbs¡ªand even parts of their upper bodies in the explosion¡ªthey moved frighteningly fast. They all opened their mouths. With a sharp phut, they spat out green fluid. To call it "spitting" was generous¡ªit fired like a bullet. Kwon Hudon jumped in front of her just in time. He was already armored in his signature Blackscale Armor. ¡°That stuff¡¯s dangerous,¡± Kwon Hanul warned. Even with his Blackscale Armor, Hudon could be in serious danger if hit directly by that acid. But Hanul¡¯s concern was unnecessary. Kwon Hudon wasn¡¯t planning to just tank it. Unbreakable Armor: Scattered Potassium Burst Cracks appeared on the surface of his Blackscale Armor. A powerful explosion burst from it, sending shards of armor flying, deflecting the acid, and blasting the charging Xcies away. The remaining Xcies were wiped out in one go. ¡°Phew!¡± Kwon Hudon wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°Hanul! I finished them off!¡± ¡°Why are you acting like you did it all? I took out like 70% of them.¡± ¡°I-I never said I did it all...¡± As Hudon and Mei Hong bickered¡ª The ground trembled violently. A massive creature burst through the ruins of the ancient building. It stood over three meters tall. But what stood out even more was its grotesque appearance. It had the legs of a horse, the torso of a man, and the head of a goat. ¡°Goatman...?¡± For the first time, GG¡¯s ever-serious voice wavered. During the demonic invasion, Goatman was responsible for more human deaths than any other. He was powerful. Ruthless. Nothing like the Xcies they had just fought. ¡ª Meeeeehhhhhh... With a chilling cry, the Goatman raised his massive axe. Mei Hong, Hudon, and even GG braced for battle. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this one.¡± Before anyone could move, Kwon Hanul stepped forward. He pulled out a pair of black gloves from a subspace and slipped them on. ¡°H-Hanul? Isn¡¯t it too dangerous to go alone¡ª?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s waiting deeper in the dungeon. We need to manage our stamina.¡± That was his stated reason¡ªsince he hadn¡¯t fought earlier, it made sense for him to take on this fight. ...but the truth was different. The Ring of Sloth was a relic that amplified training effects by imposing constraints on the user. Hanul applied three deadly restrictions. What he¡¯d learned about the Ring of Sloth: The harsher the conditions, the greater the reward. And he¡¯d always wanted to test it on a monster of Goatman¡¯s caliber. ¡ª Meeeeeh! Goatman charged. Hanul rushed in as well. The giant axe came crashing down, splitting the ground in an instant. ¡ª Meeh?! Goatman cried out in confusion. Hanul wasn¡¯t crushed beneath the axe¡ªhe was standing on top of it. Sky Path Phase One: Lone Run A path of wind connected Hanul and the Goatman. He raced along it in a blur. His spiritual energy surged as he reached Goatman¡¯s head in the blink of an eye. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Execution Slash: Decapitation Style Dragon Demon Aura wrapped around both of Hanul¡¯s hands as he crossed them and slashed. Blood exploded into the air¡ªGoatman¡¯s head hit the ground. Hanul landed just as the severed head struck earth. He casually flicked the blood from his gloves. <¡®Ring of Sloth¡¯ mission complete!> Goatman had been weaker than expected, so the reward wasn¡¯t anything extraordinary. Brushing off his disappointment, Hanul turned to the group. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± ...but no one replied. They all just stared at him, completely dumbfounded. ¡°What? Haven¡¯t you seen a demon die before?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 85 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 85 ¨C Dungeon Raid (2) It looked like he was wearing a mask carved from stone. Anyone who knew GG would say the same thing at least once. That¡¯s how emotionally unreadable he normally was. No matter the situation, he maintained a blank expression. ¡°......¡± But ever since they entered the dungeon, even GG hadn¡¯t been able to hide his astonishment. ¡°They¡¯re coming again. I¡¯ll cover the front.¡± ¡°Okay! Ah¡ªHudon oppa, behind you! Look behind you!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll block it!¡± The reason for GG¡¯s shock stood right in front of him¡ªthree people. Not because there was a problem. Quite the opposite. ¡°We¡¯ll charge at the same time.¡± ¡°Hudon oppa! Please finish it off!¡± ¡°J-just leave it to me!¡± Demons that came charging at them were instantly reduced to corpses by the trio. And it wasn¡¯t like only weaklings were attacking them. ¡°Watch out for the bio-priest! It¡¯s dangerous¡ªfall back!¡± ¡°Got it¡ªkyaa!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll grab it!¡± An Ekimara known for its deadly venomous stingers. A Minotaur with a bull¡¯s head. A Gargoyle with a body of living stone. They were all lower-ranked, but well-known for being powerful demons¡ªand they were all aiming for the group. Yet none of them managed to land a single scratch. ¡°Hudon oppa! Please block! I¡¯ll break through!¡± ¡°O-okay, but I can¡¯t hold for long!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that!¡± GG¡¯s mouth hung open in disbelief. Based on his judgment, this dungeon was easily S-rank¡ªexceptionally dangerous. Demons were known for their bizarre and unpredictable tactics. But here these three were, carving through the dungeon like fish slicing through water. What surprised him most was the one leading the team¡ªKwon Hanul. Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon were strong, but Hanul was in an entirely different league. ¡°U-ugh! Here comes another wave!¡± ¡°W-why are there so many?!¡± ¡°Both of you, behind me.¡± He¡¯d wipe out entire waves of charging demons in an instant. ¡°Hanul! Look at that one!¡± ¡°That thing¡¯s way too big!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle it¡ªplease clear the surroundings.¡± Whenever a demon appeared that Mei Hong or Hudon struggled with, Hanul would leap into battle alone and finish it off without hesitation. ¡°I think that¡¯s the last of them. Let¡¯s take a short break.¡± ¡°Yes, please!¡± ¡°Ahhh, I¡¯m exhausted.¡± GG glanced around. The swarm of demons had all been reduced to mangled corpses. He¡¯d witnessed the entire fight from beginning to end¡ªand yet still couldn¡¯t believe their power. ¡°Guide, sir?¡± A sudden voice snapped him back to reality. Mei Hong was offering him a water bottle. ¡°Have a sip.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± GG took the bottle but didn¡¯t drink. Instead, he stopped Mei Hong as she turned to leave. ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You three... are you perhaps some kind of secret weapons raised in secret by Hyukcheon?¡± Mei Hong burst out laughing at GG¡¯s question. He blinked, clearly baffled. ¡°Ah, sorry. That¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard that one. You must not have been told anything about our team?¡± ¡°I was only told to treat you as VIPs from Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°I see. Well, yeah¡ªour team¡¯s pretty strong. Two of us are purebloods. Actually... all three of us are.¡± GG¡¯s face finally cracked. Purebloods. Even among families with bloodlines, they were rare and precious beings. Usually, a single pureblood was assigned where necessary¡ªnever more than one. But they had three. ¡°...I¡¯m stunned.¡± Yet, what shocked GG even more was that they weren¡¯t strong just because they were purebloods. All three had rare and exceptional talents. Each of them had the makings of becoming a pillar for their respective houses. Three such individuals gathered together? Of course they were strong. But his awe didn¡¯t last. GG quickly slapped both cheeks, shaking off his emotions. He was here as the guide. He couldn¡¯t afford to be amazed forever. ¡°We¡¯ll proceed to the next area.¡± * * * As they cleared more of the dungeon, Kwon Hanul found himself silently impressed. ¡®Everyone¡¯s really good.¡¯ Mei Hong, of course¡ªbut even Hudon was moving precisely when needed. Unless something unusual happened, Hanul had no reason to step in. He suddenly recalled a conversation with Joo Hayun. ¡°What role do you think is missing in my team right now?¡± ¡°A role?¡± ¡°Yeah. Isn¡¯t dividing roles the first step to a strong team?¡± ¡°You''re right... but in your case, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary.¡± At the time, Hanul hadn¡¯t really understood what she meant. But now, inside the dungeon, it made sense. Roles are assigned to patch up weaknesses in a team. But his team had none. The reason was simple: They were just that good. Mei Hong and Hudon weren¡¯t just purebloods¡ªthey had been chosen to represent their clans. Rare gems even their families struggled to find. Two such rare talents working together¡ªno wonder Hayun said they didn¡¯t need fixed roles. ¡®Even that GG guy shouldn¡¯t be underestimated.¡¯ He¡¯d been handpicked by a Pablo Family representative. That said a lot. He was able to detect incoming demons before they appeared, and pinpoint traps with eerie precision. ¡®His sensing ability surpasses mine.¡¯ It was hard to believe. Hanul had inherited multiple bloodlines. Yet GG, who had only one beast-bloodline, outperformed him in this area. ¡®Must be the power of the Sacred Beast Bloodline.¡¯ Sacred Beast blooded individuals could mimic monsters¡¯ abilities. If GG was using a monster¡¯s detection skill, it made sense he¡¯d surpass Hanul. ¡®His combat ability is a bit lacking, though.¡¯ As a guide, GG didn¡¯t engage in fights unless necessary. Still, when he did step in, it helped the flow of battle immensely. ¡®What if he used a monster¡¯s combat ability instead...?¡¯ It was hard to say. That¡¯s how versatile and high-potential beast-bloods were. ¡°Even if you leave Kwon Hanul¡¯s team as-is, they¡¯ll continue to grow stronger.¡± Hayun¡¯s words resurfaced. ¡°If I had to point out one flaw... I¡¯d say they need one all-rounder. Someone who can support everyone.¡± Hudon had excellent stamina and defense, but weaker offense. Mei Hong was overwhelming in offense, but lacking elsewhere. Someone to patch up their blind spots. ¡®That guy would be perfect... but¡ª¡¯ They barely knew him. He couldn¡¯t just rush into a recruitment. Besides, GG was a suspicious figure. They couldn¡¯t accept him into the team so easily. ¡®Guess it can¡¯t be helped.¡¯ Hanul shelved the idea and let the thought go. The already dim sky darkened even further¡ªnight had fallen in the dungeon. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous to keep going. We¡¯ll make camp.¡± GG led the group to a safe zone he had scouted in a previous expedition. Once there, he moved with practiced ease¡ªsetting up camp, pitching tents, and preparing a meal. ¡°All done.¡± Before any of them could even step in, GG had everything ready. ¡°I made a simple stew. Please forgive me if the taste is lacking.¡± He handed steaming bowls to each of them. The three took a spoonful almost simultaneously¡ªand immediately let out murmurs of amazement. ¡°This is really good!¡± ¡°Seriously, how¡¯d you season this?¡± ¡°C-can I have seconds?¡± The stew wasn¡¯t just decent¡ªit was delicious. Everything was cooked perfectly, and the deeper they ate, the more flavor unfolded. The trio quickly emptied their bowls and lined up for more. ¡°Sorry to leave all the work to you,¡± Hanul said mid-bite, clearly feeling guilty. ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. It¡¯s most efficient for the quickest person to handle it. Please leave it to me again next time.¡± GG was firm, but Hanul didn¡¯t back down. ¡°At least let us help with the dishes.¡± ¡°No, really, it¡¯s¡ª¡± GG suddenly paused, as if thinking something over. ¡°...Instead of that, may I ask a favor?¡± ¡°A favor?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Hyukcheon clan is based in Korea. I¡¯d like to know more about the country.¡± There was a faint curiosity in GG¡¯s eyes. ¡°What kind of places to visit... what the people are like...¡± His voice was slightly excited. ¡°Oh, come on¡ªwhat are you going to do with that info?¡± Mei Hong grinned, handing over her empty bowl. ¡°Just come visit! You¡¯ve earned it after cooking us this meal! Hudon oppa can give you the grand tour!¡± ¡°M-me?!¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯d be weird for me, a Chinese national, to introduce Korea, don¡¯t you think?¡± It was a fair point. Hanul nodded, but then¡ª ¡°...That won¡¯t be possible.¡± GG¡¯s voice abruptly cut through the atmosphere. The three turned to him. Gone was the slight excitement. His tone was ice-cold¡ªoppressively dark. ¡°What do you mean, it¡¯s not possible?¡± ¡°Yes. I cannot visit another country for personal reasons.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s just a trip¡ª¡± ¡°No.¡± GG¡¯s eyes were shadowed. His voice was final. ¡°I... must atone.¡± He added a phrase none of them could decipher. ¡°I¡¯ll keep watch. Please rest.¡± Dinner had ended, and it was time to sleep. GG saw the others off to bed and took the first watch himself. As time passed, the night grew deeper. The tent zipper opened quietly¡ªHanul stepped outside. Scanning the area, he spotted GG standing atop a nearby rock. ¡°You¡¯re not sleeping?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t fall asleep.¡± ¡°You should rest when you can, especially in a dungeon¡ª¡± ¡°You have multiple bloodlines, don¡¯t you?¡± Hanul cut in suddenly, testing him. ¡°Yes, I do.¡± But GG didn¡¯t even flinch. Hanul was left disarmed. ¡°So it¡¯s not a secret?¡± ¡°No¡ªit is. A deadly one. If it ever got out... I¡¯d kill whoever discovered it.¡± ¡°Then why are you so calm?¡± ¡°Because I know I can¡¯t kill you.¡± GG admitted it freely. ¡°So all I can do is tell the truth.¡± ¡°Have you given up?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t intend to use this against me anyway, do you?¡± That, too, was accurate. GG hadn¡¯t caused any harm up to this point. In fact, he¡¯d supported the team selflessly. ¡°One more question. Are you the one who¡¯s been killing Pablo Family executives?¡± ¡°Yes. That¡¯s me.¡± Again, he admitted it without hesitation. ¡°Why?¡± This time, he hesitated¡ªlooking up at the sky. ¡°There are people I need to find.¡± Then turned to Hanul. ¡°Please don¡¯t ask me anything more.¡± Hanul stayed silent. What could he say to that? ¡°May I ask you something?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± GG stared at him. Just as Hanul was about to ask again, GG spoke. ¡°How can you stay so sane, with that many bloodlines inside you?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 86 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 86 ¨C Dungeon Raid (3) It was the first time. Someone had figured out Kwon Hanul¡¯s secret. ¡°...How did you know?¡± His voice naturally dropped. ¡°The Sacred Beast Bloodline is extremely sensitive to energy.¡± When they shook hands, it wasn¡¯t just Kwon Hanul who sensed GG¡¯s bloodline. GG had also recognized Kwon Hanul¡¯s¡ªno, bloodlines¡ªplural. ¡°I detected not just one or two distinct energies. Each one... felt overwhelmingly powerful.¡± Kwon Hanul fell silent in thought. A secret he could never afford to be exposed had been uncovered. The question now was how to deal with it. ¡°As I thought... you¡¯re...¡± At that moment, GG swallowed nervously before continuing. ¡°You¡¯re the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s secret weapon, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°...What did you just say?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no point trying to dodge the question. I already know everything.¡± GG nodded, wearing a satisfied expression, as though proud of having uncovered the truth. ¡°I saw it on YouTube. They say mega-corporations like the Hyukcheon Group run secret experiments to preserve their wealth and influence.¡± Kwon Hanul tilted his head slightly. Did they? ¡°There were tons of comments calling the video fake, but I didn¡¯t believe them.¡± ¡°Well... maybe you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°I knew I was right. Who would''ve thought I¡¯d meet someone like you...¡± GG¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. It was more than a little uncomfortable. ¡°What kind of experiments did they run to end up with someone who possesses so many bloodlines...?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the issue here.¡± Kwon Hanul sharply cut him off. ¡°Now that you know my secret... I can¡¯t just let you walk away.¡± A faint killing intent rose from him. GG¡¯s face turned stiff. ¡°Even if I talked, no one would believe me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not something you can count on.¡± This wasn¡¯t something he could just gloss over. If his secret were exposed, there was no telling what would happen. ¡°Are... are you going to kill me?¡± GG asked, his voice trembling. Kwon Hanul shook his head. That would be a last resort. ¡°Join my team.¡± GG¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡¯m being serious.¡± If GG joined Kwon Hanul¡¯s team, he¡¯d become family. There¡¯d be no fear of secrets leaking. Besides, the team was currently short-handed. GG wasn¡¯t just a potential asset¡ªhe could very well fill the gaps and boost their overall strength. ¡°...I¡¯m sorry.¡± GG bowed his head deeply. ¡°Thank you for offering a free hunter like me a spot on your team. But... there¡¯s still something I must do.¡± ¡°Is it related to the Pablo Family?¡± GG clamped his mouth shut. It was clearly a refusal to answer. ¡°The Hyukcheon and Pablo Families only exchanged dungeons. There¡¯s nothing else between them.¡± So there was no need to hide it. After a moment, GG slowly began to speak. ¡°...I have to find the bloodkin kidnapped by the Pablo Family.¡± He kneeled in front of Kwon Hanul. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, I promise I won¡¯t tell anyone about this. So please...¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Kwon Hanul replied without hesitation, surprising GG. ¡°I didn¡¯t seriously plan to kill you.¡± It hadn¡¯t been long, but Kwon Hanul had learned enough about GG. At the very least, he wasn¡¯t the kind of person to go around spreading dangerous secrets. ¡°Oh, by the way¡ªwhat¡¯s your name? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not even going to tell me that?¡± Kwon Hanul asked. GG hesitated, then finally spoke. ¡°Gael Garcia.¡± * * * The next day, the group set off once again. The second day wasn¡¯t much different from the first. They reached the dungeon¡¯s inner depths without much difficulty. There, the team was forced to halt. A massive wall, almost like a fortress, circled the core of the dungeon. ¡°I couldn¡¯t get past this wall either.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t we just climb it?¡± In response to Kwon Hanul¡¯s question, GG picked up a stone and hurled it at the wall with all his strength. The stone shot upward, as if it would easily clear the wall¡ªthen suddenly curved mid-air and plummeted to the ground. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s some kind of barrier or what, but once you reach a certain height, gravity reverses.¡± So jumping over was out. Then what about breaking through? Kwon Hanul lightly struck the wall to test it. The recoil made his fist ache. ¡°It¡¯s solid.¡± He scanned the wall carefully. Then he noticed a column poking out just past the top of the wall. Atop the pillar sat a round egg. It was the same egg that had appeared on GG¡¯s map. ¡°The only way past this wall is to open that door...¡± ¡°Door? I don¡¯t see any.¡± Mei Hong tilted her head in confusion. GG walked up to the wall and began feeling around with his hands. ¡°Here. Come take a look.¡± The group leaned in where GG pointed. A groove had been carved out¡ªlong and narrow, forming a rectangle. ¡°As you can see, there is a door. But with no handle, no keyhole... there¡¯s no way to open it.¡± This was the hardest part of raiding a ruin-type dungeon. ¡°Hanul, should we split up and look for clues?¡± ¡°Why not just smash it? It¡¯s sturdy, yeah, but if we all hit it together, I bet we could crack it.¡± ¡°I think the answer lies in this door.¡± Each of the three voiced a different opinion. But the one who needed to make the decision, Kwon Hanul, was focused on something else entirely. ¡°Captain? Are you even listening to us?¡± ¡°Ah, sorry.¡± As he apologized, they noticed something in his hand: an old key. He placed it against the door¡¯s surface and turned it. Click. With a metallic grind, the door slowly began rising upward, stone scraping against stone and shedding dust. ¡°What was that?¡± The three of them stared at him in disbelief. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a utility key I picked up in Vigo.¡± ¡°You could¡¯ve told us you had something like that!¡± Mei Hong muttered irritably while GG, still in a daze, mumbled, ¡°As expected of a secret weapon...¡± ¡°Cut the nonsense. Let¡¯s move.¡± Following Kwon Hanul, the group stepped through the wall. There was nothing. No ruins like those they¡¯d seen earlier. No demons they¡¯d hunted relentlessly. Just a vast empty plain, with a single pillar at its center. ¡°There¡¯s really... nothing here.¡± ¡°Seriously.¡± Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon murmured as they looked around. That¡¯s when¡ª ¡°...Everyone, stop.¡± GG spoke up suddenly. His gaze was fixed on the central pillar. Kwon Hanul quickly focused his senses and looked. Something was wrapped around it. Chitinous armor, insect-like. Dozens of legs. Segmented joints twisted at unnatural angles. It looked like a¡ª ¡°A centipede?¡± Technically, it wasn¡¯t a normal centipede. Its body wasn¡¯t flat but long and cylindrical, and its mouth budded outward like a flower. Was it asleep? Or dead? It clung to the pillar, completely motionless. ¡°What kind of demon is that?¡± Kwon Hanul asked. GG, voice trembling, wiped the sweat from his brow. Then he finally answered. ¡°I think... that might be a Behemoth.¡± * * * It happened in the early days, when dungeons first began to appear. Back then, humanity suffered greatly due to the sudden emergence of monsters. Fortunately, a group later known as the ¡°First Hunters¡± appeared and swiftly restored order amidst the chaos. But shortly after, humanity faced yet another crisis¡ª An invasion by demons. Unlike the mindless monsters, demons possessed high intelligence and a structured civilization. They organized themselves and launched a full-scale assault on humanity. Though the war eventually ended in a human victory, the damage left behind was catastrophic. And leading the charge for the demons were their living weapons: the Behemoths. Strictly speaking, Behemoths weren¡¯t demons. Though they were used as weapons, they weren¡¯t standardized or uniform. Their forms, appearances, and abilities varied drastically. If there was one commonality, it was this: they were colossal¡ªand monstrously powerful. ¡°Is that... a Behemoth?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t sense any demonic energy. But it¡¯s nested in this dungeon. That only leaves one possibility¡ªBehemoth.¡± GG¡¯s intuition was sharp¡ªsharp enough to detect Kwon Hanul¡¯s hidden power. And Kwon Hanul had heard about this before. If you come across something in a demon¡¯s dungeon that isn¡¯t a demon, chances are, it¡¯s a Behemoth. That¡¯s how widely Behemoths had been deployed. ¡°If that really is a Behemoth, we need to be extremely careful,¡± GG said cautiously. ¡°Before it wakes up, let¡¯s retreat for now¡ª¡± ¡°Ha... Hanul...¡± Just then, Kwon Hudon¡¯s voice trembled as he called out. ¡°L-Look over there...¡± Kwon Hanul turned his eyes toward where Kwon Hudon was pointing. At some point, the Behemoth had uncoiled and was now raising its massive torso upright. It had no eyes, so it was impossible to tell where it was looking. But there was no doubt¡ªit was aware of their presence. Crunch. One by one, the Behemoth¡¯s legs unfolded. Each time it flexed or extended, a grotesque cracking sound rang out. Its mouth, once sealed like a flower bud, slowly opened wide. Without its throat, it almost resembled a blooming flower. ¡°%#&$%!!¡± A monstrous roar. It shook the entire dungeon. At the same time, the Behemoth released a surge of magical energy. In an instant, the sheer pressure of the energy wave made it difficult to even breathe. ¡°-#$&^!¡± The Behemoth charged. Its massive frame slid across the ground like a runaway landslide. ¡°Scatter!¡± Kwon Hanul shouted, and everyone split in different directions. The Behemoth¡¯s head crashed down on the spot they had just been standing. ¡° -%$#^$!¡± The Behemoth began pulling its embedded head out of the ground. Now was their chance. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Echo Strike Style: Spiral Wave Kwon Hanul activated his draconic energy and launched a Spiral Wave at the Behemoth¡¯s body. ¡°Hyaah!¡± He wasn¡¯t the only one. Kwon Hudon, clad in his Dragonscale Armor, slammed into the creature. Mei Hong drew her Ghostblade and slashed a deep line across the Behemoth¡¯s side. But it wasn¡¯t enough. ¡°-%$&$!¡± The Behemoth coiled its body and lashed out with its tail like a whip. For such a massive creature, it moved with terrifying agility. Kwon Hanul quickly crossed his arms in front of him. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Guard Style: Hardened Wood He deployed one of the six basic forms of the Black Dragon technique to block the blow. His arms absorbed the hit, but even that couldn¡¯t fully withstand the impact. ¡°Ugh!¡± Kwon Hanul was flung backward. So were Kwon Hudon and Mei Hong. ¡°It¡¯s fast!¡± ¡°This thing isn¡¯t going down easy...¡± And then¡ª ¡°The fifth segment!¡± GG shouted from a distance, carefully observing the Behemoth. ¡°There¡¯s a scar under the carapace of the fifth segment! That¡¯s its weak spot!¡± Everyone turned their eyes toward the creature¡¯s segmented body. But its belly was pressed against the floor¡ªthey couldn¡¯t see the scar. ¡°Must¡¯ve seen it when the tail whipped around.¡± That single detail was worth its weight in gold right now. ¡°Kwon Hudon. You and I will flip that thing.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Mei Hong, when we do¡ªuse your Ghostblade.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± After giving his orders, Kwon Hanul rushed at the Behemoth. But as he took his first step forward¡ªhe froze. Even with the Behemoth right in front of him, his instincts forced him to turn back. To the pillar where the Behemoth had been coiled earlier. The egg placed atop it... had begun to crack. Crk! With a loud crack, the egg split in two, and something inside began to rise. It had two arms and two legs¡ªhumanlike. But its entire body was ashen-gray, like burned cinders. A thick horn protruded from its forehead, and a smooth tail swayed behind it. ¡°What the...?¡± Kwon Hanul murmured as the gray figure locked eyes with him. ¡°#@%42$.¡± A bizarre sound emerged from its mouth. ¡°-[@%!@]?¡± It tilted its head, as if confused. ¡°Ah... this is how humans communicate, isn¡¯t it?¡± Then it spoke¡ªin perfect human language. ¡°I¡¯ve been asleep so long... I didn¡¯t even realize.¡± Monsters don¡¯t speak. They lack the intelligence. But among dungeon-born creatures, there is one kind that can speak. High-ranking demons. ¡°It¡¯s far too noisy in here.¡± Suddenly, the demon vanished. Even with Kwon Hanul¡¯s enhanced perception and senses, he couldn¡¯t track it. Just as he began scanning in a panic¡ª Something grabbed his face. With tremendous force, it slammed him backward. A dizzying sense of weightlessness overtook him, and he was thrown violently through the air. Kwon Hanul barely managed to twist and land on his feet. When he looked up, he saw unfamiliar buildings¡ªhe¡¯d been hurled outside the dungeon wall. He tried to rush back in. His teammates were still inside. Still fighting the Behemoth. If he didn¡¯t act quickly, they¡¯d be in grave danger. ¡°I dragged you here because I wanted to talk somewhere quieter.¡± The demon blocked his path. ¡°You seemed calm, at least. So I¡¯ll ask again: what year is it? Human years, of course.¡± ¡°Move.¡± The demon stopped talking. Its gaze sharpened as it stared Kwon Hanul down. ¡°You dare interrupt me? Do you want to die? Feel the pain of your insides being shredded? Or live a life worse than a beast¡¯s? Or perhaps...¡± ¡°I said move.¡± The demon silently studied him. ¡°How bold, for a human.¡± Its eyes narrowed. ¡°Then try. Move me by force.¡± At that, Kwon Hanul¡¯s draconic aura burst forth. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 87 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 87: Dungeon Strategy (4) "What was that just now?" Mei Hong shouted in confusion. The ash-gray figure that emerged from the egg seemed to speak, but suddenly disappeared along with Kwon Hanul. GG, looking toward the door, spoke. "It¡¯s a high-level demon." "A high-level demon? Why is it here?!" "It seems it was recovering from injuries sustained during the war." Demons who had suffered heavy damage in the war with humanity often hid in dungeons to heal their bodies. The demon that took Kwon Hanul also seemed to be in such a situation. "Hey, hey! Behemoth is charging at us!" Kwon Hudon cried out in a terrified voice. Behemoth was scratching the ground as it charged toward the three. "How can we kill that thing without Hanul?!" "If we just stand here, we¡¯ll die!" "Now that you mention it, you''re right!" Kwon Hudon made a desperate expression. "Oppa, what are we going to do?" "I¡¯ll draw its attention. You aim for its weak spot!" Kwon Hudon wrapped himself tightly in his Blackscale Armor. Despite his trembling voice, he ran toward Behemoth without hesitation. Behemoth swung its tail at Kwon Hudon. Hudon didn¡¯t dodge but braced himself, taking the hit with his body. Unyielding Armor ¨C Ancient Castle The magical power that extended from his legs firmly rooted itself in the ground. A massive shock rattled Kwon Hudon''s body. However, he was only pushed back slightly, and no harm was done. "Ughh!" Kwon Hudon¡¯s fist was enveloped by his dragon¡¯s technique, swirling and increasing in power. Unyielding Armor ¨C Ten Thousand Break Fist Both of his fists struck simultaneously. Two small whirlwinds slammed into Behemoth¡¯s armor. A powerful shockwave shook the surroundings. Despite how strong the strike was, even acknowledged by Kwon Hanul... "It¡¯s... fine?!" Behemoth seemed unaffected. It raised its tail high and aimed to strike Kwon Hudon down. At that moment, Mei Hong appeared behind Behemoth. "Oppa, good job." She thrust her ear sword into Behemoth¡¯s fifth joint, targeting the weak point GG had found. The fifth joint exploded. "... Huh?" Despite taking the attack, Behemoth remained unharmed. While Mei Hong was stunned, Behemoth twisted its body. Magical orbs surrounded Behemoth. "We need to dodge..." The orbs fired beams of light. Dozens of beams engulfed Mei Hong. The battle raged on. * * * Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist collided with the demon¡¯s as it deflected his punch. The demon¡¯s extended limb was blocked by Kwon Hanul. Each time they collided, shockwaves erupted. Buildings around them were destroyed, and the ground trembled. "You¡¯re quite good for a human!" The demon spoke with satisfaction as it slammed down with its fist. Before the punch could land fully, Kwon Hanul pushed it away with his palm. The force and magical energy in the punch were reversed. The demon¡¯s arm twisted in response. "Oh?" The demon let out an exclamation and looked at its twisted arm. Seizing the opportunity, Kwon Hanul delivered a punch straight into its chest. The intense energy in his punch shattered the demon¡¯s outer defense, digging deep into its interior. The demon spewed black blood and was pushed back. "Hah, hahaha!" The demon laughed loudly. "To wake up from such a long sleep and meet such an entertaining human!" The demon wiped the blood from its lips. Its twisted arm and crushed chest quickly returned to their original form. One of the demon¡¯s characteristics was its body, made entirely of magical energy. As long as it had enough magic, it could recover almost instantly. "But this is strange. No matter how I look at it, my physical abilities are much higher. Yet, you¡¯re fighting me evenly." Speed, strength, magic, and so on. In every aspect, the demon was superior to Kwon Hanul. Yet, Hanul was holding his ground and even seemed to be gaining the upper hand. "It¡¯s as though you¡¯ve been predicting my moves. I¡¯ve never had such an experience before." The demon laughed and asked. "I¡¯m Mammon. A demon of the noble rank. What¡¯s your name?" "Shut up." Instead of responding, Kwon Hanul summoned his dragon¡¯s technique. He had intended to end the battle with his previous strike, but the demon was still standing. The demon was hiding its full power. So, Kwon Hanul had no choice but to meet it with even more force. "You¡¯re an uncultured human. Are you worried about your comrades back there?" At that moment, a flash of light erupted from behind the walls. Kwon Hanul could feel an enormous surge of magical power strike the ground. "... Mei Hong?" Hanul muttered in disbelief. Mammon smiled and spoke. "How convenient. The worry is gone now." In that moment, Kwon Hanul¡¯s vision went blank. Activating the ¡®Dragon¡¯s Eye¡¯. The ¡®Dragon¡¯s Eye¡¯ took control of the surrounding environment. Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes glowed violet as his forehead split open, revealing a third eye. "Oh?" Hanul placed his thumb in his mouth and bit down. He drew a line of blood across his Blackriver Jacket. ¡®Shura King¡¯ awakens. His physical abilities were temporarily enhanced. All stats increased by 30%. His resistance skyrocketed, reaching a full 100. His skills were heightened, allowing him to wield any weapon like an expert. Shura King began to consume his jacket. A massive aura engulfed the surroundings. "Ohh?" Mammon grinned, clearly pleased. "I like this! What an amazing thing! I can¡¯t just sit back now!" Mammon summoned his magical power. Dark clouds began to swirl around his body. "This is my power, ¡®Falling Saint Cloud¡¯." Mammon¡¯s body lifted high into the air. He began to soar through the sky as if swimming. "I wonder how you¡¯ll handle this!" The Falling Saint Cloud began dispersing magical energy. The magic turned into bullets and rained down on Kwon Hanul. The ground beneath him quickly became a wasteland. "What¡¯s this? You¡¯ve become powerless all of a sudden!" Mammon¡¯s flight increased in speed. As it did, the number of magical bullets from the Falling Saint Cloud increased. "You¡¯re just going to die slowly, huh?!" The continuous spray of bullets had already reduced the ground to deep craters. Suddenly, Mammon stopped moving and looked down. "... What?" Kwon Hanul was standing unharmed. Mammon, startled, began scattering more bullets. The bullets flew toward Hanul, but just before they hit, a red energy wiped them all out. Activating ¡®Three Realms and Six Paths¡¯ ¨C Human Path. The Shura King¡¯s power automatically blocked the incoming demon¡¯s bullets. Deactivating ¡®Three Realms and Six Paths¡¯ ¨C Human Path. Kwon Hanul suppressed the ability. This left him vulnerable to Mammon¡¯s attacks but allowed him to use the power. Shura King condenses the surrounding magical power. Light gathered around Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist. A powerful, unusual energy began to radiate from it. Fist Energy. The supreme light that could only be generated by one who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts concentrated in Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist. "..." Mammon¡¯s face hardened. The force of the Fist Energy was enough to make even a high-level demon wary. "What a ridiculous weapon you have!" Mammon moved again. He was so fast that he left afterimages in his wake. Kwon Hanul¡¯s third eye, located on his forehead, tracked Mammon¡¯s movements relentlessly. The reason he activated the Human Path was to observe and read Mammon¡¯s moves. Skyward Path The first stage, Lone Run.. The wind path extended into the sky. Kwon Hanul launched himself along the wind path. His body soared with tremendous speed, colliding with Mammon. "What?" Mammon shouted in surprise. Ignoring his reaction, Kwon Hanul punched straight into Mammon¡¯s chest. The light pierced the demon¡¯s body. * * * ¡°Danger!¡± Just before the laser fired, Kwon Hudon started to run, focusing all his mana into his movements. He narrowly pushed Mei Hong aside. The laser, which had been aimed at Mei Hong, shifted to target Kwon Hudon instead. ¡°Gaaah!¡± The black metal armor shattered like glass. The laser began to scorch Kwon Hudon¡¯s unprotected body. ¡°Hudon Oppa!¡± Mei Hong swung her sword. The strike sliced through the laser. But it was only for a moment; the laser filled the space again. In that instant, GG leaped forward. He pulled Kwon Hudon into his arms and moved quickly out of the laser''s range. After retreating back to where Mei Hong was, GG gently set Kwon Hudon down. Kwon Hudon was barely breathing, his body scorched black. ¡°We have to escape,¡± GG said to Mei Hong. ¡°No... Kwon Hanul... if only the Captain arrives...¡± Mei Hong said, her voice shaky. ¡°Do you really think you can afford to act so calmly against a high-level demon?¡± Mei Hong closed her mouth, realizing the truth of GG¡¯s words. ¡°You can¡¯t shake off Behemoth, even if you run.¡± ¡°We can sacrifice one.¡± GG looked toward Kwon Hudon. Mei Hong¡¯s face twisted with anger. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± ¡°If you oppose it, I¡¯ll do it alone,¡± GG said coldly. ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re going to say now?¡± Mei Hong started to shout, but she bit her lip, stopping herself. GG wasn¡¯t a team member. He was only a hired hand. In a situation like this, he couldn¡¯t be forced to risk his life. Even if he were pushed, it was clear he wouldn¡¯t obey. So, Mei Hong knew what she had to do. ¡°...Please, take care of Hudon Oppa.¡± ¡°You still won¡¯t accept my proposal, huh?¡± GG remarked. ¡°It¡¯s not that...¡± Mei Hong gripped her sword and spoke firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll stop him. So you take Hudon Oppa and go.¡± GG hesitated. He looked at Mei Hong and asked again, ¡°You¡¯re... sacrificing yourself?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the only way to be certain.¡± Throwing a dying person as bait might not be enough to make Behemoth hesitate. But Mei Hong was someone who could definitely hold him back. ¡°Besides, you have something to do, don¡¯t you?¡± GG looked at her, confused. ¡°You have someone to take revenge on, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°How did you...?¡± ¡°I can tell, because I¡¯m just like you.¡± GG still didn¡¯t understand. ¡°If you¡¯re like me... then how can you willingly choose to sacrifice yourself?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. I have a lot of things I need to do,¡± Mei Hong said, gazing at Behemoth. ¡°I guess I¡¯ve grown a little attached in such a short time.¡± Behemoth moved again. Mei Hong¡¯s voice was sharp as she spoke. ¡°Go!¡± GG lifted Kwon Hudon onto his shoulder and began running as fast as he could. Behind him, a violent sound echoed, but it quickly stopped. They had to escape. Though he knew that, GG found himself looking back, almost involuntarily. ¡°Ugh... ugh...¡± Mei Hong was lying on the ground. Red burns crossed her torso. It was from Behemoth¡¯s laser. Behemoth lifted his head high. He opened his mouth wide and dropped down toward Mei Hong. * * * ¡°... This is absurd.¡± Mammon mumbled, stuck against the wall. ¡°How is it that... not once, but twice, I¡¯ve been defeated by humans?¡± There was a massive hole in Mammon¡¯s chest, through which mana was leaking out. ¡°This won¡¯t do.¡± The human who had defeated him was already far away. It was as though Mammon¡¯s life or death meant nothing to the person. For some reason, that made Mammon laugh. ¡°Guess I should say, it''s for the best.¡± Even if he were to leave the dungeon alive, what awaited him was nothing but hopelessness and loneliness. The demons had lost the war against humanity. Most of their forces were gone, and the artifacts that were their foundation had all been taken by humans. They had hidden in the dungeon, hoping for a future, but Mammon had already accepted his fate. ¡°At least... it was fun.¡± Mammon¡¯s body began to break apart. ¡°But... it¡¯s a little regrettable.¡± He thought of the human who had defeated him. ¡°So it¡¯s still there... the bloodline... I didn¡¯t think it would survive...¡± * * * Kwon Hanul ran with all his strength. He could feel the mana reactions, and too much time had passed. In the worst case, his team might already be dead. ¡°Mei Hong! Kwon Hudon!¡± He called their names as he rushed in. That¡¯s when he saw it. The two of them were lying on the ground in a horrific state. ¡°Kugh!¡± And off in the distance, GG was still fighting Behemoth. GG looked different. His skin was bluish, his teeth sharp like fangs. ¡°Graaah!¡± GG let out a terrifying roar and swung a punch. Behemoth staggered from the blow. But Behemoth soon retaliated, swinging his tail. GG was sent flying far away after being struck. ¡°Salamander!¡± GG shouted, his body covered in red scales. His eyes elongated like a reptile¡¯s. ¡°Hah!¡± GG summoned his mana, and flames engulfed Behemoth. But Behemoth ignored him and fired a mana beam straight at GG. The beam passed through GG¡¯s body. GG gasped in pain, collapsing to the ground. ¡°Gah... gah...¡± GG breathed heavily as he looked up at Behemoth. Despite all the attacks, Behemoth was still unharmed. Behemoth slowly approached GG, opening his mouth to feed. That was when someone dropped down on top of Behemoth¡¯s head. His head slammed into the ground with the force of a hammer. ¡°#$%#^@!¡± For the first time, Behemoth let out a scream full of pain. He roared in rage, releasing murderous intent. The person standing on Behemoth¡¯s head raised their fist again, bringing it down with all their might. Behemoth¡¯s head was crushed like a walnut, its contents spilling onto the ground. ¡°Gah... gah...¡± GG, still gasping for breath, stared at Behemoth¡¯s destroyed head. It was Kwon Hanul looking down at him. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 88 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 88: Dungeon Strategy (5) Immediately after crushing Behemoth''s head, numerous messages appeared before him. However, Kwon Hanul had no time to pay attention to the messages. His focus was solely on GG. ¡°Could it be...?¡± Kwon Hudon and Mei Hong were lying on the ground. GG, who had been facing Behemoth alone. The situation was clear. ¡°Why did you stay behind?¡± GG wasn¡¯t a member of Kwon Hanul¡¯s team. They had only spent two days together, strategizing through the dungeon. Yet, GG had risked his life to draw Behemoth¡¯s attention, all to save these two. ¡°I was trying to run away.¡± GG spoke frankly. ¡°I even told the lady over there. I told her to run away.¡± Behemoth had been a truly dangerous opponent. The only reason Kwon Hanul could split Behemoth¡¯s head with one strike was because of the Shura King¡¯s power. ¡°But why didn¡¯t you run?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t just abandon the client.¡± GG averted his gaze as he spoke. ¡°Well... it just turned out like this.¡± Kwon Hanul climbed off Behemoth¡¯s head and stood in front of GG, bowing his head. Taken aback, GG¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Why the sudden change?¡± ¡°Thank you. Because of you, my team members are safe.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing... I mean, if you hadn¡¯t come, we wouldn¡¯t have survived. I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± Kwon Hanul shook his head at GG¡¯s words. It was because of GG¡¯s delay that Kwon Hanul was able to defeat the demon in time. A demon? Kwon Hanul noticed a subtle sense of unease. When he defeated Behemoth, a message had appeared. However, no message appeared from the demon. ¡°...GG, could you help me a little more?¡± Without understanding why, GG nodded. Kwon Hanul carried Kwon Hudon on his back, leaving Mei Hong with GG. They then headed toward the place where they had fought the demon. He needed to confirm the demon''s death. He couldn¡¯t leave Kwon Hudon and Mei Hong alone with their memory loss. When they arrived at the demon¡¯s location, they saw the dying demon, Mammon. Who is this? The demon, Mammon, was on the brink of death. I thought you¡¯d leave... but something changed, huh? ¡°Guess you¡¯re still alive?¡± Alive? First time I¡¯ve heard such a ridiculous joke. Mammon scoffed. There was a hole in his stomach, and his mana was leaking out constantly. His body was hardening, crumbling like dry clay. At least someone¡¯s here to witness my death... I had something I wanted to say. ¡°Something you wanted to say?¡± Human, I have one question. Do you have #@%$? Kwon Hanul frowned. ¡°What did you say?¡± #@%$. ¡°I can¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying.¡± Mammon licked his lips. Looks like you¡¯re not ready yet. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I¡¯ll ask another way. There¡¯s something on your status window that doesn¡¯t show up, isn¡¯t there? Kwon Hanul¡¯s face stiffened slightly. ¡°How do you know about that...?¡± There¡¯s no way you wouldn¡¯t know. You have five bloodlines, each more than enough for a human. Without realizing it, Kwon Hanul stepped closer to Mammon. ¡°Do you know about this ability?¡± Why? Curious, are you? ¡°Tell me. What kind of ability is this?¡± You¡¯re in a hurry. You¡¯ll figure it out in time. Kwon Hanul frowned. Mammon just grinned. Even if I explain, there¡¯s no way you¡¯ll understand, being human. ¡°Just explain.¡± To put it simply... a vessel? No, that¡¯s too vague. You could say it''s an ark. The metaphor only deepened the mystery. Don¡¯t look at it that way. I feel like questioning it too. Of all the people, a human like you gets to have such power... after all our searching... Mammon¡¯s body began to slowly disintegrate. One piece of advice... perfect your bloodline... someday... And then, he turned to ashes. At that moment, the messages appeared. All stats had reached AAA rank. Kwon Hanul could feel his body changing from the roots, becoming more solid and robust. But more noteworthy than his stats was the divine ability. Quality: Legendary (S+) Description: The divine ability mainly used by the demon count Mammon. Consumes mana to allow flight. As proficiency increases, flight speed increases and special abilities can be used. The legendary S+ rank. It was truly a demon-class ability. ¡®He was weakened.¡¯ An upper-class demon wasn¡¯t supposed to be this weak. Even one such demon would send the entire world into chaos. But, despite his notorious reputation, Mammon had been easily defeated. The fact that the ability gained was only at an AAA rank showed just how weakened he had been. ¡®What was that about ???¡¯ Kwon Hanul mulled over Mammon¡¯s words. There was nothing particularly useful in them. ¡®He said that the reason my name didn¡¯t show up was because I wasn¡¯t ready.¡¯ And then there was the part about perfecting the bloodline. Why? While Kwon Hanul was deep in thought, he noticed GG was carefully handling the demon¡¯s ashes. He approached and saw GG sniffing or even tasting the ashes. ¡°What are you doing?¡± GG turned his head at Kwon Hanul¡¯s question. ¡°I was sensing the demon.¡± ¡°Sensing the demon?¡± ¡°The ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯ lineage mimics the abilities of other creatures¡ªmonsters, spirits, and...¡± GG¡¯s gaze turned to the ashes. ¡°I joined this dungeon because I wanted to gain the power of a powerful demon.¡± GG licked his finger, which was coated in ash. Immediately, Kwon Hanul felt an ominous energy deep within GG¡¯s gaze. ¡°Could it be... that you¡¯re acquiring the power of an upper-class demon?¡± GG¡¯s face, once expressionless, now had a smile. It was a creepy, unsettling smile. ¡°I can only use 30% of the pureblood, but how powerful is the full strength of this demon?¡± There was a mad gleam in GG¡¯s eyes. ¡°This will advance my plans.¡± Kwon Hanul also knelt to sift through the demon¡¯s ashes. He could faintly feel the demon¡¯s remaining mana. Then, another message appeared. <¡®???¡¯ is reacting.> The Sacred Beast Bloodline lineage had now settled within Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. Unlike with the Superhuman Bloodline, there was no immediate change in his stats or dramatic transformation. But the true value of the Sacred Beast Bloodline lineage would only show itself now. <¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯ senses internal energy.> It was clear now. In order to manifest a creature¡¯s abilities, he would need to understand them better. However, to unlock the full potential of the target¡¯s power, the synchronization rate of the Sacred Beast Bloodline lineage needed to be high. Even increasing his understanding was causing his mind to be tainted. This relentless nature of demons, even after death, was truly fitting. <¡®Vassal Bloodline¡¯ preserves your mind!> <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ defends against malice-induced corruption!> For Kwon Hanul, this wasn¡¯t a problem. <¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯ senses inner energy.> Then, another message appeared. <¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯ merges with ¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ (ºÚýˆÑª).> <¡®Black Dragon¡¯ is now available for manifestation.> Kwon Hanul¡¯s mouth dropped open. The first ancestor of the Black Sky family, Kwon Hyun-mun, had slain the Black Dragon and gained its power. There was no clear record of what the Black Dragon was, but considering it was the first being to exceed SSS rank and be recorded as EX rank, its danger was evident. He could now manifest the Black Dragon. And he could do it at full power. It was beyond astonishing¡ªit was terrifying. ¡®If Black Dragon Bloodline reacted... this means other bloodlines might be possible too.¡¯ Every bloodline has an origin. Perhaps with Sacred Beast Bloodline, he could manifest the powers of all those origins. ¡°Sorry, Kwon Hanul, but I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± Suddenly, GG spoke. Kwon Hanul was puzzled. ¡°Leaving?¡± ¡°Thanks to you, everything is ready. I can¡¯t leave them waiting any longer.¡± No need to ask what he was planning. It was clear. ¡°Don¡¯t use the demon¡¯s power.¡± Kwon Hanul said immediately. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. If you use it recklessly, you might lose yourself.¡± For Kwon Hanul, the Genius Bloodline and Vassal Bloodline protected him from demon corruption. But GG only had Sacred Beast Bloodline. In his situation, calling upon the demon¡¯s power could lead to disaster. ¡°How do you... no, wait...?¡± A look of shock appeared on GG¡¯s face. ¡°You... also got Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡± Kwon Hanul nodded. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m warning you. Never use the demon¡¯s power.¡± GG silently stared at him. ¡°The guilty must be punished.¡± A hatred rose on GG¡¯s once-stony face. It was obvious who it was directed at. The Pablo Family. The anger directed at those who had kidnapped the Garcia family was undeniable. ¡°If the chance arises, I hope we meet again.¡± It sounded like he was saying they might never meet again. GG turned and disappeared. Kwon Hanul watched where GG had gone for a while. Kwon Hanul brought his team out of the dungeon. ¡°What the...!¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s face was a mix of shock and disbelief. ¡°What happened to you? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Fine? You¡¯re covered in dirt... What happened to the others? What in the world happened...?¡± Kwon Hanul explained everything: meeting Behemoth and killing the upper-class demon. ¡°You really killed an upper-class demon?¡± ¡°Luckily, it was weakened.¡± It seemed hard to believe. Joo Hayun looked skeptical. Kwon Hanul took out a small glass vial. The moment she saw it, Joo Hayun¡¯s face went blank. ¡°This...¡± It was the demon¡¯s ashes that he had brought just in case. Joo Hayun couldn¡¯t find words. ¡°If I had known how dangerous it was, I would have gone in with you.¡± ¡°Dungeons are unpredictable, you know.¡± ¡°But...¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s face was filled with guilt. Kwon Hanul reassured her. ¡°By the way, did anyone come out of the dungeon entrance?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t heard any reports from the guards.¡± The entrance to the dungeon was guarded by security sent by the Pablo Family. Given GG¡¯s abilities, slipping past the guards and leaving the dungeon would have been no problem. ¡°I¡¯ll take charge of the dungeon from now on. You should rest.¡± With the dungeon cleared, the only remaining task was processing the materials for transport. ¡°I¡¯ll call Kwon Mi to update her.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡± Kwon Hudon would have been ideal to handle it, but he wasn¡¯t conscious yet. Kwon Hanul pulled out his phone and tried to call Kwon Mi. But soon, he had to put the phone down. ¡°She''s on another call.¡± * * * A ship stationed in the Atlantic. Inside, Kwon Mi was frowning heavily. ¡°...Why did you call?¡± -My younger sibling sounds unusually down today. Her brother, Kwon Hyuk, spoke while laughing. Because of you. Kwon Mi suppressed the words that almost escaped her throat. ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡± -Of course, you must be. You¡¯re out at sea for the mission, right? Something about transporting dungeon materials? He was asking as if he didn¡¯t know. ¡°Just get to the point.¡± -Oh, it¡¯s nothing major. Kwon Hyuk continued to grin. -But I¡¯m planning to send my cute little niece on an eternal journey to a place he can never return from. Interested? [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 89 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Episode 89: Spark (1) ¡°Cut the crap.¡± The harsh words flew out instantly. Even Kwon Mi was surprised at herself. ¡ª Whoa, calm down. It¡¯s not like I said anything that crazy. ¡°You said you were going to kill Hanul. How do you explain that?¡± ¡ª Kill? Don¡¯t use such violent words. I merely said I¡¯d send him on a little trip. Kwon Mi clenched her fists. So shamelessly blatant. Just hearing it made her furious. ¡ª What¡¯s more surprising is that you, of all people, are getting mad over that guy. You hated Cheon¡¯s son, didn¡¯t you? ¡°Shut it.¡± ¡ª It¡¯s kind of sad, really. The woman who used to act all fierce, saying she¡¯d do anything for her son, has changed so much. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± ¡ª Geez, so touchy. I just wanted to have a nice little sibling chat after so long. This is what he calls a ¡°chat¡±? Kwon Mi held back her anger. If she lost her temper now, she¡¯d be playing right into Kwon Hyuk¡¯s hands again. ¡ª I¡¯ll take it that you have no interest in working with me. But hey, if you change your mind... Click. Kwon Mi hung up without another word. ¡°Piece of shit.¡± Her irritation only lasted a moment before concern clouded her face. Kwon Hyuk isn¡¯t someone who acts without purpose. ¡°What the hell is he plotting?¡± Her unease deepened. * * * Meanwhile... ¡°I¡¯ll head in now.¡± Joo Hayun spoke before entering the dungeon. ¡°This could take a while, so feel free to head back and rest.¡± ¡°How could we possibly do that?¡± ¡°You might not care, but the other two need someplace safe to recover.¡± She glanced at Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon. They still seemed dazed, likely from the exhaustion of battle. ¡°Please look after them while I¡¯m gone.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us.¡± Suddenly, Kwon Hanul turned to Joo Hayun with a question. ¡°But how are you going to stabilize the dungeon on Earth?¡± Normally, dungeons disappear when the core is destroyed or the boss is defeated. However, some families have found ways to anchor dungeons and repurpose them. That¡¯s exactly what Joo Hayun was about to do. ¡°You just manipulate the dungeon core.¡± ¡°And how do you do that, exactly?¡± ¡°Like I said before¡ªit''s an artifact.¡± Her tone was firm. The method for stabilizing dungeons isn¡¯t shared with outsiders. It¡¯s one of the reasons why major families and guilds can thrive. ¡°I¡¯m from Hyukcheon too, remember?¡± ¡°The more people who know a secret, the faster it spreads.¡± Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t argue with that logic. ¡°Well then, I¡¯m off for real this time.¡± Just as Joo Hayun stepped toward the gate, a small unit approached from afar. Hanul and Hayun turned toward them in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°No idea...¡± The unit was escorting a mid-sized car. Hanul stared at it curiously. The vehicle came to a stop in front of them. The door opened, and someone stepped out. Messy dreadlocks, but sharp, clean clothing. ¡°What the hell? Why are you here?¡± It was Jose del Pablo. ¡°I heard you went into the dungeon. Guess it was too much for you, huh?¡± That wasn¡¯t the case, but Hanul didn¡¯t bother responding. ¡°Actually, this works out. I¡¯ve got a question for you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the guide who went into the dungeon with you?¡± Hanul instinctively knew¡ªGG¡¯s movements had been exposed. ¡°Why are you asking?¡± Jose del Pablo scowled as he answered. ¡°We got a witness. Said they saw him near the scene where one of our officers was murdered.¡± Hanul clicked his tongue internally. They say if the tail¡¯s too long, it eventually gets caught¡ªand it had. ¡°Talk. Where is he?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. He vanished on his own business.¡± ¡°You serious?¡± ¡°I am.¡± It wasn¡¯t a lie. GG never told him where he was headed. Hanul knew plenty¡ªGG¡¯s goal, even his identity¡ªbut he had no intention of sharing any of it. ¡°Listen, you Hyukcheon maggot...¡± Jose stepped in close, glaring. ¡°I¡¯m in a really shitty mood right now. Know why? Because every one of the guys that bastard killed were my men. And if you¡¯re lying to my face...¡± An overwhelming killing intent surged from Jose¡¯s body. Silent, but thick and suffocating¡ªlike poison clinging to skin, burning him all over. ¡°You¡¯d better be ready to face the consequences.¡± Hanul stayed silent. Jose let out a cold chuckle. ¡°What, cat got your tongue? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not actually gonna¡ª¡± ¡°Now that I think about it, this is kind of hilarious.¡± Hanul suddenly interrupted. ¡°Hilarious?¡± ¡°Why are you asking me about the guide you assigned me?¡± Jose frowned. ¡°He¡¯s not one of ours. Just a freelance hunter. And you were the one working with him.¡± ¡°Sure, but the employer is still the Pablo Family, right? He¡¯s worked with you longer than he¡¯s ever worked with me. So why are you grilling me?¡± Hanul poked Jose¡¯s forehead with his finger, pushing him back. ¡°You messed up managing your own guy. Don¡¯t come dumping that crap on me.¡± ¡°...Crap?¡± ¡°Yeah, what else do you call it? Or were you just lashing out without thinking?¡± Jose¡¯s face stiffened at Hanul¡¯s bluntness. ¡°Don¡¯t go strutting around just because you¡¯ve got Hyukcheon backing you. This isn¡¯t Korea. Keep acting like that and you¡¯ll disappear without a trace.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got it twisted.¡± Hanul poked at Jose¡¯s chest with his finger. ¡°¡®Don¡¯t strut around just because of Hyukcheon¡¯? Your Pablo Family¡ªor hell, even the entire South American cartel¡ªcouldn¡¯t dream of matching Hyukcheon¡¯s reputation.¡± His voice dropped to a deadly calm. ¡°So do yourself a favor and get lost.¡± Silence fell. After a long pause, Jose burst out laughing. ¡°Hahaha!¡± The laughter echoed for a while. Then, out of nowhere, magical energy erupted from his body. The air exploded outward in a violent gust. The laughter stopped abruptly. Jose¡¯s eyes were filled with murderous rage. ¡°You son of a¡ª!¡± Jose? del Pablo extended his hand toward Kwon Hanul. Even that simple gesture carried an overwhelming sense of pressure. But Hanul didn¡¯t react. He didn¡¯t need to¡ªhe had a powerful ally standing beside him. ¡°That''s enough.¡± Joo Hayun grabbed Jose? del Pablo¡¯s wrist. ¡°Jose? del Pablo. Out of respect for your uncle, Ricardo Pablo, I¡¯ll let this slide¡ªjust this once. Now leave.¡± ¡°And if I refuse?¡± Hayun summoned her mana. In an instant, Jose?¡¯s energy was forcefully pushed back¡ªcompletely overpowered. Having taken control of the space in a heartbeat, Joo Hayun stared him down. ¡°Shall I rip off this arm to start with?¡± The two locked eyes in silence for a long moment. Eventually, Jose? backed down and withdrew his hand. ¡°...Not exactly polite of me to act like that in front of guests.¡± With that, Jose? climbed back into his vehicle. Then, along with his unit, he turned back the way he came. * * * ¡°Nice work.¡± As Jose? del Pablo took his seat, the woman next to him spoke. ¡°So, how was it¡ªmeeting the Witch of Hyukcheon in person?¡± ¡°...She¡¯s no joke,¡± he replied curtly. ¡°Think you could beat her?¡± Ashley¡¯s question hung in the air as Jose? fell into thought. ¡°Not confident?¡± Jose?¡¯s brow furrowed¡ªhis pride clearly bruised. ¡°You don¡¯t know till you try.¡± ¡°The Witch of Hyukcheon isn¡¯t someone you can take lightly. She used to work directly with the chairman of Hyukcheon himself.¡± His scowl deepened further. ¡°Then why¡¯d you have me provoke her? Didn¡¯t you say we shouldn¡¯t mess with Hyukcheon carelessly?¡± The reason Jose? had come here in the first place was because of GG. But the reason he¡¯d picked a fight with Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun was because Ashley had asked him to. She¡¯d wanted him to test her power. ¡°I did say that. But... the situation has changed a bit.¡± ¡°Changed how?¡± ¡°Paqueta Family just pledged loyalty to the Godfather.¡± At those words, Jose?¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait, that means... the Godfather¡¯s managed to unify all the South American families?¡± It was the first time since the era of the original drug kingpin that all the cartels in South America had come together. Jose? looked deeply moved¡ªhe was living in a glorious age. ¡°...Not all of them,¡± Ashley said, pouring cold water on his excitement. ¡°The Pablo Family is still left.¡± Jose? grimaced like he¡¯d swallowed something bitter. She was right. While all the other families had pledged allegiance, only his uncle, Ricardo Pablo, still refused to submit to the Godfather. ¡°I¡¯m with the Godfather now. It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡± ¡°True... but why wait at all?¡± ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Ashley leaned in and whispered into his ear, ¡°The Godfather and all the families are on your side. So why tiptoe around it? Just use force.¡± Jose?¡¯s face stiffened. Even for him, taking down his own blood... ¡°...You know what? You¡¯re right.¡± It wouldn¡¯t be a problem. ¡°The Godfather is ready. We could go ahead with it as soon as tomorrow.¡± But Jose? wasn¡¯t even listening anymore. His mind was already racing¡ªthinking of Ricardo Pablo¡¯s closest aides, and when the next meeting was scheduled. ¡°...So why mess with Hyukcheon?¡± Then he suddenly remembered. ¡°To steal their tech,¡± Ashley said plainly. ¡°Tech?¡± ¡°Do you know how a mega-corp like Hyukcheon managed to grow so powerful?¡± ¡°Because they¡¯re strong?¡± Ashley shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s because of dungeons.¡± ¡°Dungeons spawn in South America too.¡± ¡°More accurately, it¡¯s because they figured out how to modify and utilize dungeons.¡± Ashley glanced toward the rear window of the car. They were already far from the site¡ªbut back there was the S-rank dungeon that the Hyukcheon family had claimed. ¡°They know the technique. And the Godfather wants it.¡± ¡°The Godfather?¡± ¡°Yes. He has no intention of dying just a drug lord. He wants to expand our influence¡ªto the whole world.¡± To do that, they needed the technology to harness dungeons. That¡¯s why she had Jose? test Joo Hayun¡¯s power. A confrontation might break out, after all. ¡°...You''re seriously thinking of going after Hyukcheon?¡± Even Jose?, usually all too eager to fight, hesitated at the thought. ¡°We have the Godfather on our side.¡± Ashley¡¯s calm words erased that hesitation in an instant. ¡°Think about it. What happened when you killed that world-ranked hunter?¡± The guild that hunter had belonged to had declared war. It was a famous global guild¡ªlarge, with many elite hunters. But¡ª ¡°What happened after that?¡± The moment the Godfather stepped in, they went silent. No one was reckless enough to fight the entire South American cartel. ¡°Trust in the Godfather. He already has it all planned out.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 90 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 90: Spark (2) How am I supposed to deal with this? It had been an hour since Joo Hayun entered the dungeon. Kwon Hanul was now facing a troublesome situation. "You really passed out like that... pathetic." ¡°S-Sorry, Hanul.¡± It was all because of Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon. After coming to their senses and hearing what happened from Kwon Hanul, the two of them were overwhelmed with shame and self-blame. ¡°To think I couldn¡¯t even handle a measly bug...¡± ¡°If only I were a bit sturdier...¡± It must¡¯ve been a huge shock for them¡ªpassing out without being able to do anything against Behemoth. ¡°Just surviving against Behemoth is impressive. Don¡¯t beat yourselves up too much.¡± Kwon Hanul tried to comfort them. But hearing that only made them look even more dejected. ¡°...Come to think of it.¡± As if remembering something, Mei Hong asked Hanul, ¡°You said GG protected us until you showed up, right? Then... where is GG now?¡± ¡°He left right after it was over.¡± ¡°He left? Where to?¡± Kwon Hanul shrugged, clearly unsure himself. ¡°We didn¡¯t even get to thank him.¡± ¡°Yeah... he must¡¯ve been in danger too, yet still looked after us...¡± Kwon Hanul was just as concerned about GG as they were. GG¡¯s plan was to rescue blood relatives kidnapped by the Pablo Family. But the Pablos were a cartel that ruled over a region in South America. Facing them alone would be overwhelming¡ªeven for GG. ¡°Oh right, Hanul. What about the demon? Was it strong?¡± Kwon Hudon¡¯s question piqued Mei Hong¡¯s interest too. It was the first time either of them had encountered a high-ranking demon. They might never get the chance again, so it was natural to be curious. ¡°It was strong.¡± Hanul answered without hesitation. The high-ranking demon who introduced himself as Mammon¡ªhe truly was powerful. ¡°If he hadn¡¯t been weakened, I probably wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance.¡± ¡°H-He was that strong?¡± ¡°But you still won, right? That¡¯s all that matters.¡± Mei Hong tried to lighten the mood, but Hanul could only give a bitter smile. He may have won¡ªbut it didn¡¯t feel like a true victory. ¡®My Dragon Ascension Art didn¡¯t work on Mammon at all.¡¯ Kwon Hanul assessed his strength based on two different standards: One¡ªwhen he used only his Black Dragon Bloodline. Two¡ªwhen he used all of his bloodlines. The gap between the two was far too wide to ignore. When using all his bloodlines and authorities, Hanul became strong enough to take down formidable enemies with ease. But because he kept the existence of his other bloodlines a secret, he couldn¡¯t use them freely. And since this state was more like a temporary ¡°doping¡± boost, it wasn¡¯t a reliable measure of his average strength. That¡¯s why Hanul considered his pure ability to be what he could do with only the Black Dragon Bloodline. ¡®The Black Dragon Bloodline is the strongest among the ones I possess¡ªand it¡¯s the foundation of all my power.¡¯ From his combat style to the authorities he normally relied on, it all stemmed from the Black Dragon Bloodline. ¡®And the fact that it didn¡¯t work means... I was nowhere near Mammon¡¯s level.¡¯ Even after using the Dragon Ascension Art, Mammon got right back up¡ªunharmed. Hanul had fought countless powerful enemies before, but never had this happened. ¡®I need to elevate the Dragon Ascension Art even further.¡¯ There was still vast potential in the technique. He hadn¡¯t even unlocked its final form: the Ascending Form. Not to mention, he hadn¡¯t yet utilized some of the secret arts he recently acquired. ¡®I also haven¡¯t fully unlocked all the Black Dragon Bloodline authorities.¡¯ The true potential of the Dragon Ascension Art shines when it¡¯s combined with the authorities of the Black Dragon Bloodline. A technique that might normally have a power level of ¡°10¡± could become several times stronger with the Black Dragon¡¯s support. ¡®Come to think of it... once my Synchronization Rate hits 40%, I should be able to use the Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯s authority.¡¯ According to GG, the Sacred Beast Bloodline allowed one to mimic the abilities of other creatures. If he could channel the power of the Black Dragon itself¡ªjust how strong would he become? ¡°How did he compare to that guy?¡± A sudden question from Kwon Hudon interrupted his thoughts. ¡°That guy?¡± ¡°You know... Jose del Pablo.¡± Hanul hesitated, trying to assess who would be stronger between the two. ¡°...He¡¯d be stronger.¡± He ended up saying it without thinking. ¡°Who? The high-ranking demon? Of course he¡¯d be stronger, right?¡± ¡°No.¡± Hanul shook his head. ¡°Jose del Pablo is far, far stronger.¡± * * * Even in lawless Mexico, not every region is dangerous. Some areas rival the metropolises of other countries with their vibrant nightlife and luxury. Zebra City. The most glamorous city in Mexico. Thanks to the Pablo Family maintaining order, it was also one of the safest cities in the country. And the reason the Pablos protected this city was simple¡ª It was their golden goose, producing an endless stream of profit. There were other minor reasons too. Even cartel members are still human. They needed a place to release their desires. Thus, Zebra City flourished¡ªa city where the lights never went out. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve arrived.¡± In a dark alley behind Zebra City, a luxury car came to a halt. A man stepped out from the front passenger seat and opened the rear door. Out stepped an older man. But despite his age, no one in Mexico would dare look down on him. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± This was Ricardo Pablo¡ªboss of the Pablo Family. With two subordinates, he entered the building through the back door. Inside was a club. Despite it being peak hours, the club was completely empty. ¡°Mr. Ricardo!¡± A young woman rushed over, clearly flustered. She was the madam running the club. ¡°You gave no warning! Do you know how hard it was to clear out all the guests?¡± ¡°My apologies. Things have been a bit stressful lately. I knew it¡¯d trouble you, but I came anyway.¡± The madam led Ricardo to the center of the club¡ªnot a private room. This was because Ricardo preferred drinking in wide-open spaces over cramped ones. He sat down, and the madam quickly took the seat beside him. ¡°Any trouble lately?¡± ¡°With you here, Mr. Ricardo? Of course not.¡± She poured his drink as she spoke. ¡°You really don¡¯t have to come all the way out here, you know? Just summon me to the mansion.¡± ¡°But then, what would this old man live for? Seeing your face is my only joy these days.¡± ¡°I only say that because I worry for your health.¡± ¡°Being cooped up in the mansion is suffocating. If I don¡¯t get out now and then, I start to feel stiff.¡± Ricardo tossed back his drink. The strong whiskey burned down his throat. ¡°There are a lot of disturbing rumors going around lately.¡± The madam promptly refilled his glass. ¡°They say all the cartels have sworn loyalty to the Godfather.¡± ¡°Not all. I¡¯m still here.¡± Ricardo scowled as he lifted his glass again. ¡°You don¡¯t recognize the Godfather?¡± ¡°Recognize what? The alliance was only meant to prevent conflict among the cartels. That arrogant kid¡¯s just overstepping.¡± The problem was¡ªthat arrogance was producing results. One by one, smaller cartels had bowed their heads. Even major ones had started falling under the Godfather¡¯s banner. ¡°If I may ask boldly... didn¡¯t you ever want to unify the cartels yourself?¡± Back in the day¡ªbefore dungeons appeared on Earth¡ªSouth America¡¯s cartels had once been united. Under the name of a Drug Kingpin, they had operated as a single entity. Never had the cartels been stronger or more prosperous. ¡°I did.¡± Ricardo admitted it readily. ¡°But the Godfather... he¡¯s not the one. He¡¯s too dangerous. He dreams above his station.¡± ¡°Dreams above his station?¡± ¡°He seeks fame.¡± Ricardo emptied his third glass. ¡°He¡¯s spouting nonsense about growing cartel power to spread globally. How could I trust someone like that?¡± It wasn¡¯t entirely incomprehensible. In the past, national power meant things like economy, politics, military, and culture. But now, the definition had shifted. How many elite Hunters does a country have? How many powerful relics do they control? All of these things can be obtained through dungeons. And dungeons can appear anywhere. The Godfather¡¯s vision was born from this¡ªraising powerful Hunters to elevate the cartel''s standing. ¡°Foolish.¡± But that was only possible because he didn¡¯t understand the world. Beyond South America, the world was teeming with monsters too terrifying to even describe. No need to look far¡ªtake Hyukcheon Group, currently visiting Mexico. They were the dominant force in East Asia¡ªrenowned globally. ¡°The Godfather... and that nephew of mine... neither of them knows a thing.¡± As he raised his fourth glass¡ª The club doors suddenly burst open, and over a dozen men entered. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°You know who¡¯s in here right now?!¡± Ricardo¡¯s two bodyguards stepped in to block them. Then, a familiar voice called out¡ª ¡°Of course I know. Why else would I come?¡± The group parted to reveal a man walking forward. At the sight of his face, Ricardo¡¯s expression twisted in rage. ¡°...You bastard.¡± ¡°Uncle. Sorry to interrupt your secret meeting.¡± Jose del Pablo smirked. ¡°What the hell are you thinking?¡± ¡°You already figured it out, didn¡¯t you? You just want to hear it from me. I¡¯m here to change the boss of the Pablo Family.¡± A vein bulged on Ricardo¡¯s forehead. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°The Godfather wants the Pablo Family. To realize his grand vision, the cartel must become one.¡± ¡°That grand vision? You mean that delusional talk about making us a global power?¡± Ricardo¡¯s voice trembled with fury. ¡°The Godfather can make that vision a reality.¡± ¡°Enough with your dog crap! Just because you¡¯ve taken over some backwater town, you think you¡¯re king?!¡± ¡°No reasoning with you, huh? Then there¡¯s no point.¡± Jose clicked his tongue. ¡°Uncle. Step down quietly. I don¡¯t want to spill blood¡ªnot yours. Even I would lose sleep if I killed you.¡± ¡°You son of a...¡± ¡°And the Godfather wants the Pablo Family intact.¡± That¡¯s why they waited until Ricardo came to the club¡ªhis only time moving without his guard squad. If they¡¯d tried at any other time, a bloody civil war would¡¯ve erupted. ¡°I¡¯m the one who raised you! With my money and blood, I made you what you are, and this is how you repay me?!¡± ¡°I do feel a bit bad. But thanks to me, the Pablo Family will prosper more than ever. Let¡¯s call it even.¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Ricardo pointed at him and roared, ¡°What are you waiting for?! Get that brat on his knees right now!¡± At the outburst, Jose sneered. ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t tell me... you really think those guys can stop me...¡± But then his voice faltered. Black-clad figures suddenly appeared from the pillars and ceiling. ¡°...What¡¯s this, Uncle? A little gift?¡± ¡°I knew you''d betray me sooner or later. I hired them in advance¡ªthe Brothers of the Desert.¡± Jose didn¡¯t even recognize the name, much to Ricardo¡¯s disgust. This ignorant brat... Ricardo sighed and explained, ¡°They¡¯re infamous assassins from the Middle East¡ªknown for killing a Triple-Numbered world-ranked Hunter.¡± The world¡¯s strongest Hunters are ranked. Among them, the top 500 are assigned numbers¡ªand Triple Numbers are among the most powerful. The Brothers of the Desert had enough skill to kill even one of them. ¡°You think you¡¯ve trapped me¡ªbut it¡¯s the other way around. I¡¯ve lured you into a trap.¡± The assassins pulled out their weapons¡ªchains, throwing knives, scythes. They had killed so many that the scent of blood clung to them even from afar. ¡°I arranged the best service just for you. Be grateful.¡± Jose opened a subspace portal and drew two weapons¡ª A massive greatsword with rows of sharp protrusions¡ªand a small pickaxe shaped like a climbing tool. ¡°Desert brothers, or whatever... doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Gripping a weapon in each hand, Jose del Pablo radiated killing intent. ¡°I¡¯ll make you regret this.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 91 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 91: Jose del Pablo (1) The sun had already set, yet Joo Hayun still hadn¡¯t emerged from the dungeon. ¡°She¡¯s really late.¡± Kwon Hanul murmured as he stared at the dungeon gate. When she told them they could head back without her because she¡¯d be a while, she wasn¡¯t just being polite. ¡°Whoa.¡± ¡°Woooow...¡± Just then, he heard voices of admiration beside him. Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon were watching something on their phones. ¡°What¡¯s got you two so hooked?¡± ¡°Oh, Hanul! Wanna watch too?¡± Kwon Hudon held out his phone. A YouTube video was playing. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s footage of a fight involving the Brothers of the Desert, an assassin guild.¡± Kwon Hanul blanked out for a second. ¡°They just upload videos of assassins fighting publicly like this?¡± ¡°They edited out the graphic parts.¡± ¡°And it¡¯s age-restricted,¡± Mei Hong added. Hanul looked unconvinced. ¡°No, I mean... if assassins get this much exposure...¡± He trailed off. Well, it is said that since the rise of the internet, there are no secrets anymore. In that case, what¡¯s a few assassin videos? ¡°Just give it a look. Even if they¡¯re assassins, their skills are top-tier!¡± Hanul peered at the screen. Contrary to the stealth associated with assassins, they were fighting in broad daylight. Five assassins in black robes were clashing with a well-equipped Hunter. The Hunter¡¯s no pushover either. It wasn¡¯t easy to tell from a video, but the aura coating his weapon burned vividly¡ªhe was clearly a powerhouse. Even more shocking, however, was the assassins¡¯ technique. Chains? The five assassins hurled chains from all directions. The long chains lashed against the Hunter¡¯s armor, each strike making him stagger. He blocked them, though... didn¡¯t he? The Hunter wasn¡¯t just taking it. He parried or deflected the chains with his weapon. But even then, the force of impact knocked the weapon from his grip. He dodged that one. The Hunter ducked so low he nearly hit the ground, letting a chain whip over his head. The chain smashed into a nearby freight truck. And in that instant, the truck crumpled. ...What? It didn¡¯t just dent or break. It was flattened¡ªlike dough squashed under a boot. ¡°Incredible, right?¡± Mei Hong paused the video. ¡°It¡¯s one of the signature moves of the assassins from the Brothers of the Desert. They say it can decapitate most monsters in a single strike.¡± The Brothers of the Desert had begun their move. There wasn¡¯t even the faintest rustle of fabric or footstep. They moved like shadows. * * * ¡°So they did take down the Triple Numbering.¡± Jose del Pablo grinned viciously. ¡°No wonder the atmosphere¡¯s different.¡± He swung his jagged sword in wide arcs. The weapon was so massive it kicked up gusts of wind with every swing. ¡°Enough sizing me up. Just come at me already.¡± Before he even finished speaking, the assassins¡¯ black cloaks flared. From within them, chains gleamed silver as they shot out. Chains flew at him from every direction, leaving no room to dodge. Normally, such an attack would shatter bones and tear muscle. But just before impact, the chains froze in midair¡ªsuspended as if gripped by invisible hands. ¡°Did you really come at me without even checking what my skill is?¡± Jose slammed his jagged sword into the ground. The chains snapped backward¡ªnot as if they¡¯d been repelled, but like they were being rewound. The assassins tried to regain control of the chains, but it was no use. The redirected chains struck their wielders. With a sickening crunch of breaking bones, the assassins were flung backward, smashing into walls. ¡°They¡¯re the ones who supposedly took down the Triple Numbering... and they¡¯re dropping like flies?¡± Then it happened. Something glinted from the broken wall¡ªa barrage of throwing knives flew at him. But like the chains, they halted midair. Jose clicked his tongue and raised his sword. ¡°No learning curve, huh?¡± Just as he was about to strike the ground again, he caught sight of something. Through a gap in the broken wall, one assassin was spinning something in his hands. A massive circular blade¡ªlarger than a car tire. And he wasn¡¯t the only one. Front, back, left, right¡ªfour assassins simultaneously hurled their chakrams. ¡°Well, well. Look at you.¡± Jose didn¡¯t strike downward. Instead, he swung his sword horizontally to intercept the incoming chakrams. ¡°So you did do your homework before showing up!¡± His blade met one of the chakrams. At that moment, it lit up. A massive burst of aura exploded, transforming into a colossal energy slash. The aura cleaved straight through Jose del Pablo. * * * ¡°This one¡¯s good too.¡± Mei Hong queued up another video. This time, the assassins were throwing throwing knives. The speed of the knives was faster than bullets¡ªdozens were unleashed in the blink of an eye. Then, one of the assassins pulled out something unusual. ¡°A chakram?¡± But it was far larger than usual. Spinning like a shot-put athlete, the assassin hurled it with full force. The chakram soared through the air, aimed at a distant Hunter. The Hunter rolled to evade it. The chakram buried itself into a three-story building behind him. And then¡ª A flash of light, and the building was sliced clean in half. Not just that one. Like dominoes, the buildings behind it were also cut through, one after another. ¡°They say it¡¯s a technique that releases compressed aura.¡± ¡°Creepy...¡± The slicing power was enough to cut through five or six buildings in a single swing. Let alone blocking¡ªit didn¡¯t even seem dodgeable. ¡°Now I get it.¡± Why these videos were allowed to exist. And why the Brothers of the Desert didn¡¯t care. Because even knowing about these techniques, there¡¯s no way to stop them. ¡°Hudon oppa, don¡¯t you think you could handle it?¡± ¡°Me? Uh... well...¡± Kwon Hudon scratched his head. He didn¡¯t sound confident. Which was surprising. The Blackscale Armor was so tough that even experienced fighters shook their heads at the idea of breaking it. And Hudon had a rare talent for wielding it. But even he wasn¡¯t sure he could block that technique. ¡°You might not be able to now. But you will.¡± Kwon Hanul said it firmly. The Blackscale Armor¡¯s powers had that much potential. If the Black Dragon Bloodline synchronization rate increased, and he honed its abilities, this kind of technique would be nothing. ¡°Got any more videos?¡± ¡°I knew you¡¯d get into this!¡± Mei Hong lit up and started searching. ¡°Ah, here¡¯s the highlight reel!¡± She played it and added some commentary. ¡°This will show you why the Brothers of the Desert are so famous.¡± * * * ¡°Tch.¡± Jose del Pablo clicked his tongue and turned around. Where a solid wall should¡¯ve been, the outside was now in plain view. The clash earlier had completely destroyed part of the building. ¡°This is why I hate fighting indoors. The place never survives when I go all-out.¡± He looked down at his shredded clothes. ¡°And the outfit¡¯s always ruined, too.¡± He stripped off the rags. Beneath the torn-up uniform, his body didn¡¯t have a single scratch. ¡°No one left?¡± The assassins flinched at his words. ¡°If not, then we¡¯re done here.¡± Jose gripped his sword tightly, then lunged forward. In a flash, he was right above one assassin. He brought his sword down on their head. The assassin¡¯s body was crushed¡ªlike a tomato under a hammer. The rest scattered quickly, putting distance between themselves and Jose. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Jose grabbed at the air with his empty hand and pulled. The retreating assassins were yanked forward¡ªas if something was dragging them back. Aura coiled around his sword. But unlike typical aura, it didn¡¯t form a clean blade¡ªit twisted and swirled violently. ¡°Hraaagh!¡± Jose swung with all his strength. The storm of aura engulfed the assassins. Not just them¡ªeverything nearby was obliterated, ground to dust. ¡°Clean-up¡¯s done.¡± Jose turned around. Through the club¡¯s wreckage, Ricardo del Pablo was visible, surrounded by bodyguards. ¡°Uncle. You said you prepared this for me. Is this all?¡± Ricardo clenched his teeth. ¡°You insolent¡ª!¡± ¡°Come on now, don¡¯t just yell. This can¡¯t possibly be your trump card against me, Jose del Pablo, can it?¡± Jose stepped toward him. With every step, Ricardo¡¯s face grew paler. It happened then. Jose del Pablo suddenly stopped walking. A sharp sensation pricked at his elbow. "Huh?" Looking down, Jose del Pablo saw a translucent thread piercing through his elbow and anchored deep into the ground. "What the hell is this?" He touched the thread with his finger¡ªand in that instant, it felt like fire surged through his nerves. "Khgh?" Suddenly, a bundle of threads rained down from the ceiling, piercing through Jose del Pablo¡¯s entire body. "AAAAAAARGH!" A scream tore from his throat as searing pain engulfed his entire body like wildfire. Assassins dropped from the ceiling. One of them, an older man with a white beard, stepped forward and said: "These threads were crafted from Inmyeon Jiju¡ªa special material treated for a very specific purpose." Jose del Pablo groaned in agony. "They¡¯re incredibly thin, so they can easily pierce human flesh. But after a few minutes, they dissolve completely and leave no lasting damage. However..." The old man lightly touched one of the threads. Jose del Pablo screamed again. "...they¡¯re perfect for restraining someone through sheer, excruciating pain." "Kuh... kuheh... heh..." Despite the pain, Jose del Pablo chuckled darkly. "So this is your ¡®premium service¡¯... hell of a way to roll it out..." The old man motioned with his hand. One of the assassins brought over an axe. Gripping the axe, the old man let out a crimson aura that completely enveloped the blade. "Jose del Pablo, I¡¯ll be completing the contract right here." He brought the axe down toward Jose del Pablo¡¯s head¡ª But it didn¡¯t land. The axe shattered upon impact. "...Even in this state, you didn¡¯t release your mana control?" The old man shouted in disbelief. Just by circulating mana inside his body, the threads should¡¯ve reacted and inflicted unbearable pain. But Jose del Pablo was enduring it. No¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just enduring it. "I was hoping to end this without much collateral." Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. The assassins looked around, confused. And then they realized¡ª It wasn¡¯t the ground trembling. The sheer magnitude of mana erupting from Jose del Pablo was causing the entire building to shake. "Guess that¡¯s out of the question." Jose del Pablo¡¯s eyes glowed. And the building collapsed. * * * Kwon Hanul instinctively looked up, his brow furrowing as he scanned his surroundings. "Hanul, what''s wrong?" "Is everything alright, Lord Kwon?" "It¡¯s nothing." He shook his head and sat back down. For a moment, he thought he felt an overwhelming surge of mana... but maybe it was just his imagination. "Hey, Hanul. Look over there." Kwon Hudon pointed toward the dungeon gate. Its surface rippled before Joo Hayun emerged from within. "Hayun!" "Sir Kwon? I told you to stay inside and rest." "Is it all over?" "There¡¯s one more task left." Joo Hayun pulled a small box out from her subspace. She placed it on the ground and stepped back. "Oh?" The dungeon gate started being sucked into the box. As it absorbed the gate, the box expanded in size. Eventually, the entire dungeon gate disappeared, and the box had grown to the size of a small building. "Now we just need to take this with us." Joo Hayun tapped the box as she spoke. "Can we just carry it out?" "Want to give it a try?" Kwon Hanul tried lifting the box. No matter how much strength he used, it didn¡¯t budge an inch. "That¡¯s why we need a separate transport team. It¡¯s ridiculously heavy." He let go of the box without hesitation. "Guess I¡¯ll need to call my aunt tomorrow." * * * Ghibli City. A city so prosperous that people said its lights never turned off¡ª365 days a year. But now, Ghibli City was cloaked in darkness. The cause? A sudden explosion in the city¡¯s center. Buildings collapsed in its wake, and the city¡¯s entire infrastructure ground to a halt. "Ugh... Damn. Almost died back there." Perched atop the rubble, Jose del Pablo was rubbing his neck. The threads that had once pierced through him had all vanished. "Calling them assassins... they sure brought some weird toys." "Kh... khuhhh!" A horrible scream rang out. Beneath Jose del Pablo¡¯s feet, the old man was pinned under debris. "That¡¯s all you had? If you¡¯ve got more, you better bring it out." "AAAAARGH!" "If not, guess you¡¯re done here." Jose del Pablo pressed down with his foot. The man¡¯s chest caved in, and his breathing stopped. Then¡ª The rubble shifted, and from underneath crawled Ricardo Pablo. "Gah... haah..." He looked utterly wrecked, his face pale from the struggle below. "Uncle. Still breathing, huh?" Ricardo Pablo flinched at the sound of that voice and turned. "Uncle, look around. Thanks to your little stunt, the city you cared so much about? It¡¯s ruined." "You... You monster...!" "What¡¯re you talking about? You raised me." Jose del Pablo chuckled. "Anyway, Uncle¡ªwhen you get to the afterlife, do me a favor and say hi to my mom." He grabbed his stone blade. Ricardo Pablo¡¯s face twisted in terror. "J-Jose, wait¡ª" Ricardo begged, but Jose del Pablo didn¡¯t hesitate. He brought the blade down onto Ricardo¡¯s skull. ¡°Sylphid.¡± The wind howled. A man suddenly appeared, standing between Jose del Pablo and the aftermath. Surprised but unfazed, Jose del Pablo didn¡¯t stop¡ªhe swung his blade at the stranger. ¡°Ogre.¡± The man¡¯s skin turned green, and with both fists, he slammed into Jose del Pablo¡¯s gut. The hit sent him flying from the unexpected power. "The hell is this guy?!" Jose del Pablo landed with a shout. But when he looked up¡ªno one was there. "...What the? Where the hell did they go?" He looked around, scanning the area, but couldn¡¯t see either of them. "Those f***ing bastards..." Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message¡ªfrom Ricardo Pablo¡¯s number. If you want your uncle back, come alone to the place I mentioned. ¡ªGG¡ª A vein bulged on Jose del Pablo¡¯s forehead. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 92 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 92: Jose del Pablo (2) Ricardo Pablo was beyond confused¡ªhe couldn¡¯t even begin to grasp what was happening. One moment, he thought he was about to be killed by his nephew, Jose del Pablo. The next, a mysterious figure appeared and abducted him. ¡°Y-You there...¡± Ricardo tried speaking to the stranger. But the man said nothing. He simply leapt from rooftop to rooftop, with Ricardo slung over his shoulder like a sack. ¡°W-Who are you?! Why are you doing this to me...?¡± Suddenly, the man came to a halt. Before Ricardo knew it, they were standing in the wilderness outside the city. ¡°Impossible...¡± To have gotten this far so quickly¡ªnone of the Pablo family¡¯s fighters were this fast. ¡°Well, I suppose I should thank you. You did save my life, after all¡ªurk!¡± Without warning, the stranger grabbed Ricardo by the collar. ¡°Do you know anything about the Garcian family?¡± ¡°Guh¡ªl-let go of me firs¡ª!¡± ¡°Answer the question. I asked if you know the Garcian family.¡± ¡°W-What¡¯s that supposed to¡ªugh!¡± The man threw Ricardo to the ground like a rag doll. ¡°So it was Jose del Pablo pulling the strings behind all this.¡± ¡°W-Who are you...?¡± ¡°Your phone.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°I said, give me your phone.¡± Fearing further violence, Ricardo hurriedly pulled out his smartphone and handed it over. The man took it and began typing something with intense focus. Meanwhile, Ricardo studied his captor¡¯s face. No matter how hard he looked, it was a face he¡¯d never seen before. Not that it mattered. Whether they¡¯d met before or not wasn¡¯t the issue. Right now, what mattered was surviving this. ¡°If you just let me go, I can compensate you¡ªhandsomely, of course¡ª¡± ¡°Shut it.¡± The stranger¡¯s voice was laced with murderous intent. ¡°You¡¯re nothing more than bait¡ªto lure out Jose del Pablo. So be a good bait and keep quiet.¡± * * * ¡°What kind of bastard is this now?!¡± Jose del Pablo roared, stomping his foot. The building was already reduced to ruins, but now it completely collapsed into dust. Just then, another message arrived. It was a photo of the bound Ricardo Pablo, along with a location. ¡°That son of a bitch...¡± Despite his rage, Jose forced himself to think clearly. Whoever had taken Ricardo did so right under his nose. This wasn¡¯t the time to act on emotion. ¡°Could it be... that guy?¡± He thought back to the mysterious killer who had recently been targeting cartel members. ¡°This is bad.¡± His original plan was to get rid of Ricardo Pablo first, then slowly take over the family. But if Ricardo slipped away now, the entire plan would fall apart. Sure, the kidnapper might kill Ricardo anyway, but Jose couldn¡¯t be sure. His phone rang again. Thinking it was the kidnapper, he quickly picked up. ¡°You! Who the hell are you?! And drop that stupid ¡®GG¡¯ alias¡ªtell me your real name!¡± ¡ª¡°What are you talking about?¡± But it wasn¡¯t GG. It was Ashley. He¡¯d been so worked up, he hadn¡¯t even checked the caller ID. ¡ª¡°GG? What¡¯s going on over there?¡± ¡°Ah, right...¡± Jose explained the situation to her. A sigh came through the speaker. ¡ª¡°You¡¯re saying... you lost Ricardo Pablo?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll find him and finish the job.¡± ¡ª¡°That¡¯s not the issue. The Hyukcheon group has finished prepping for dungeon transport.¡± Jose furrowed his brow. Already? ¡ª¡°They¡¯re planning to leave soon.¡± ¡°What about the Godfather¡¯s plan to find a way to stabilize the dungeon?¡± ¡ª¡°That plan¡¯s failed. Why are you even asking?¡± Jose¡¯s expression darkened. If he didn¡¯t take care of Ricardo soon, he couldn¡¯t secure the family. But if he didn¡¯t stop Hyukcheon, the Godfather¡¯s plan would fall apart. He couldn¡¯t handle both. Both situations required his personal strength. ¡°Buy some time with the Hyukcheon group.¡± He decided to deal with Ricardo first. Taking control of the family had to come before anything else. Especially with this mysterious GG figure in play. ¡ª¡°You want me to stall them?¡± ¡°Yes. Any method is fine. Just keep them from moving. I¡¯ll handle my uncle and be there ASAP.¡± Ashley let out a long sigh. She clearly wasn¡¯t thrilled, but there weren¡¯t many options. ¡°This is for the Godfather. You¡¯ll help, right?¡± He knew she couldn¡¯t refuse once the Godfather was mentioned. ¡ª¡°Fine. But make sure you kill Ricardo Pablo fast.¡± And with that, Ashley hung up. Jose rechecked the message from GG. ¡°The port, huh...?¡± * * * ¡°Fine. But make sure you kill Ricardo Pablo fast.¡± Ashley hung up and rubbed her forehead, clearly frustrated. ¡°Looks like the plan¡¯s falling apart,¡± said the man in the driver¡¯s seat. Ashley gave him a silent nod. ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll head to Hyukcheon first thing.¡± ¡°Will you be alright?¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just...¡± The driver hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m worried. Without Jose del Pablo, are we really going to mess with Hyukcheon¡¯s hunters?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not messing with them. We¡¯re just keeping them busy.¡± ¡°Still...¡± He swallowed hard. ¡°I¡¯ve heard too many nasty rumors about Hyukcheon. Things like... wiping out entire guilds over a dungeon dispute, or going to war with a noble house for being disrespected...¡± Ashley had heard those stories too, but she wasn¡¯t worried. ¡°If we end up fighting right then and there...¡± ¡°Rumors are always exaggerated.¡± A whisper becomes a roar. A cat becomes a tiger. A breeze becomes a typhoon. ¡°Besides, don¡¯t forget where we are. This is Mexico¡ªcartel territory. And how many hunters did Hyukcheon send?¡± The power imbalance was clear¡ªand absolute. Even Hyukcheon¡¯s hunters wouldn¡¯t act recklessly under these conditions. ¡°But if they do decide to fight...¡± ¡°The ones here are the Nameless Unit. That means they have no authority.¡± They¡¯d already looked into the personnel. All of them had unusual backgrounds and impressive skills. They had earned recognition within Hyukcheon. But. ¡°The Nameless Unit doesn¡¯t have the power to start a war. No way.¡± Not a chance. ¡°Unless someone with higher authority shows up... which they won¡¯t.¡± Ashley said it with confidence. ¡°So stop worrying and drive.¡± * * * The day after the dungeon stabilization was completed¡ª Kwon Hanul, who had been staying at the hotel, received an unexpected visitor. ¡°Aunt?¡± It was Kwon Mi. He was completely caught off guard. Sure, it made sense for her to come, since she was leading the transport unit, but¡ª ¡°I thought you said you¡¯d arrive this evening.¡± Transporting a stabilized dungeon was no small task. You couldn¡¯t just toss it in a truck like a parcel. It required multiple heavy-lift helicopters and a full security detail. ¡°The transport unit¡¯s still coming later.¡± ¡°Then why are you here?¡± ¡°I wanted to check on Hudon... and there¡¯s something I need to tell you.¡± Hanul was still confused when the door opened again¡ªand Kwon Hudon stepped in. ¡°Huh? Mom?¡± ¡°Hudon!¡± Even he looked surprised by her appearance. Kwon Mi immediately hugged her son tight. ¡°How was the dungeon? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Hanul gave them space for a moment. He was curious about what she wanted to tell him, but it didn¡¯t feel right to interrupt their moment. ¡°Oh, right.¡± After checking on her son several times, she finally turned back to Hanul. ¡°Has the Pablo family... or rather, the cartel¡ªshown any suspicious behavior?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so... is there some kind of problem?¡± Hanul¡¯s expression turned serious. For someone like Kwon Mi to show up in person¡ªit had to be something big. ¡°It¡¯s not quite a problem...¡± But contrary to his concern, she shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ªsomeone suspicious has taken an interest in you.¡± ¡°Suspicious how?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask for the details. Just tell me¡ªnothing strange has happened, right?¡± Hanul was about to say no, but then thought of Jose del Pablo. Still, he pushed the memory aside. Jose had picked a fight, sure¡ªbut it didn¡¯t quite count as suspicious activity. Besides, Ricardo Pablo had been friendly toward him. It didn¡¯t seem like anything serious. ¡°If anything happens involving the Pablo family, contact me right away.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°I mean it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Kwon Mi repeated her warning several times. Just then, the hotel intercom rang. Curious, Hanul picked up. ¡ª¡°Mr. Kwon Hanul, sorry to disturb you so early.¡± It was Joo Hayun¡¯s voice. ¡°Ms. Hayun? Is something wrong?¡± ¡ª¡°Someone from the Pablo family is here to see you.¡± A chill ran down his spine. Of all times¡ªright after Kwon Mi¡¯s warning, someone from the family had shown up? ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll meet them in the hotel lounge.¡± ¡ª¡°Understood.¡± As he set down the phone, Kwon Mi immediately spoke. ¡°I¡¯m coming with you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t trouble you with¡ªreally, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± ¡°No. There¡¯s something I need to confirm.¡± And with that, she insisted on tagging along. At the hotel lounge, a Latina woman greeted him. ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Ashley Massieu.¡± Her tone and posture exuded confidence. It was clear she was someone used to power. ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Ashley smiled. ¡°So the infamous Hyukcheon Witch didn¡¯t come with you, I see.¡± The only ones in the lounge were Hanul and Ashley. Well¡ªtechnically there was one more, but she didn¡¯t count. From the start, Kwon Mi had said she¡¯d stay out of sight. If she appeared too early, it might make the other side nervous. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get straight to the point. I believe we need to renegotiate the contract.¡± Hanul frowned. Ashley kept smiling. ¡°I was under the impression the deal was finalized.¡± ¡°It was. But circumstances have changed.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize contracts were so easily rewritten.¡± ¡°There¡¯s been a change in leadership within the Pablo family.¡± Hanul¡¯s brows furrowed deeper. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Mr. Ricardo Pablo has officially passed leadership to Mr. Jose del Pablo.¡± Hanul thought back to Ricardo¡¯s healthy, composed appearance the other day. There was no way someone like that would suddenly step down. He must¡¯ve been forced... ¡°So there was a coup, then.¡± Ashley said nothing. She only smiled. ¡°And what does that have to do with our agreement?¡± ¡°Everything. The boss has changed. So we have to renegotiate.¡± ¡°And if we refuse?¡± At that, Ashley leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms¡ªradiating arrogance. ¡°Hyukcheon may have a strong reputation, but have you considered where you¡¯re standing right now?¡± ¡°You¡¯re threatening us?¡± ¡°Mr. Jose del Pablo has the Godfather¡¯s backing. If need be, not just the Pablo family¡ªevery cartel in South America will step in.¡± Hanul let out a laugh. He sounded completely unimpressed. ¡°Are you insane?¡± Ashley¡¯s face twisted in irritation for the first time. ¡°Watch your mouth.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what game you¡¯re playing, but you picked the wrong time. And you? You¡¯ve got the worst luck of all.¡± Hanul shifted his gaze. Ashley instinctively followed it. Someone was walking toward them. The moment she saw the woman¡¯s face¡ªAshley froze. ¡°Y-You¡¯re...¡± She immediately recognized Kwon Mi. ¡°Why are you here...?¡± ¡°Go ahead. Say that again.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 93 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 93: War (1) ¡°...W-We¡¯re not just going to sit back and take this!¡± Ashley shouted at Kwon Mi. ¡°Do you even know who¡¯s backing Mr. Jose del Pablo? The Godfather himself! One word from him, and every single cartel in South America will rise up!¡± Even a cornered rat will bite the cat. Ashley clenched her teeth and yelled. ¡°Our cartel might not be as powerful as Hyukcheon, but we can kill everyone here¡ªincluding you! So don¡¯t forget tha¡ªkyaaah!¡± Kwon Mi reached out and seized Ashley by the throat. ¡°Just because it comes out of your mouth doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s worth saying. You said if the South American cartels move, even if the Hyukcheon Group survives, everyone here¡ªincluding me¡ªwill die?¡± But a rat is still just a rat. It can''t defeat a cat. And Kwon Mi wasn¡¯t just any cat¡ªshe was a tiger. ¡°So that¡¯s why you were barking so confidently. You thought you were safe in your own yard. After a provocation like that, how could I possibly let it slide?¡± Kwon Mi pulled out her smartphone and made a call. ¡°Secretary Kim. It¡¯s me. Relay my orders to the team on the ship.¡± Her voice was steady, unwavering. ¡°Destroy every major base belonging to the South American cartels. Immediately.¡± After giving the order, she hung up. Ashley, her face blank with shock, screamed out. ¡°D-Don¡¯t bluff! Y-You barely brought more than a dozen Hunters! There¡¯s no way you can fight the entire alliance with just that many people¡ª!¡± ¡°Who do you think we are?¡± Kwon Mi looked at her with amused disdain. ¡°You really thought you could measure Hyukcheon by your pitiful standards?¡± The moment her words ended, a ringtone blared. Ashley slowly pulled out her phone. ¡ª¡°M-Miss Ashley!¡± A scream tore through the speaker. ¡ª¡°W-We¡¯re under attack! Someone just showed up and they¡¯re destroying everything¡ªour people, the buildings¡ª!¡± Ashley, her expression hollow, asked in a daze, ¡°...How many of them are there?¡± There was a loud explosion. Then, the voice returned. ¡ª¡°Just one!¡± The call ended abruptly. Moments later, another call came in. ¡ª¡°Ashley! Thank God you picked up!¡± This time, it was a different voice. ¡ª¡°We¡¯re under sudden attack! Our entire unit¡¯s been wiped out! Get out of there while you still can¡ªblock them! I said block¡ªjust one guy, why can¡¯t you¡ªAGHHH!¡± Another call dropped. Ashley stared up at Kwon Mi in a daze, completely overwhelmed. Ashley screamed and bolted out of the hotel. Kwon Mi didn¡¯t bother chasing her. It was as if she knew there was no need. ¡°I owe you an apology.¡± Kwon Mi turned to Kwon Hanul. He couldn¡¯t hide his surprise¡ªKwon Mi was apologizing to him? ¡°This was your mission. I shouldn¡¯t have taken over like that.¡± ¡°Well... it is what it is.¡± Hanul brushed it off casually. Though to be honest, he thought this whole "war" might have been a bit overkill. Then again, Hyukcheon was never known for subtlety, so he let it go. ¡°In that case, Auntie, please leave Jose del Pablo to me.¡± ¡°...That guy?¡± A rare look of concern flickered across Kwon Mi¡¯s face. ¡°Are you sure? Jose del Pablo is... extremely dangerous.¡± Hanul was taken aback again. She was genuinely worried about him. He never thought he¡¯d see the day. ¡°I still want to take him on.¡± Even so, he had no intention of backing down. ¡°You were right. This was my mission to begin with. I need to be the one to end it.¡± Jose del Pablo was the one behind all of this. It had to be Hanul who took him down. Besides, there was another person he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about: GG. The man with a grudge against the Pablo Family¡ªthere was no way GG would let this opportunity slip. If Jose del Pablo was involved, GG would be nearby. And if he was just a stranger, maybe Hanul could¡¯ve ignored it. But GG had once saved his teammate¡¯s life. He couldn¡¯t just turn a blind eye. ¡°...Alright,¡± Kwon Mi sighed, still worried. ¡°But if you''re going, you must defeat him.¡± * * * After calling Ashley, Jose del Pablo immediately headed for the meeting point. The kidnapper had summoned him to a coastal village. It had once been a thriving port town but had since fallen into decline after losing its shipping functions. Jose made his way to an old warehouse¡ªmassive and open, used for storing cargo. ¡°There¡¯s no one here?¡± The place was empty. ¡°Did I get the wrong location?¡± He double-checked the message several times. No mistake. This was the place. ¡°What¡¯s that bastard trying to pull now...¡± He had no choice but to wait inside. He dragged over an abandoned chair and sat down. Hours passed. Then night fell. Still, no one showed up. Eventually, the sun rose again. And finally, after who knows how long, someone appeared at the warehouse entrance. ¡°There you are.¡± Jose stood up, stretching his stiffened body. ¡°Where¡¯s my uncle?¡± The kidnapper said nothing. Jose clicked his tongue internally. Of course¡ªit was never going to be that easy. ¡°You. Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°Do you know why I brought you here?¡± Jose frowned. ¡°What¡¯re you babbling about?¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t remember what this place is, do you?¡± ¡°Why the hell would I remember some dump like this?¡± The kidnapper pulled down his hood. Jose¡¯s eyes twitched. ¡°...Rabbit ears?¡± Two fuzzy rabbit ears poked out from the man¡¯s head¡ªclearly not normal. The absurd sight made Jose burst into laughter. ¡°Pfft¡ªHahaha! What kind of lunatic... seriously, what kind of nutjob wears that crap¡ª¡± He suddenly stopped laughing. A buried memory from deep within his mind stirred. ¡°...Beast Bloodline?¡± Jose narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re from the Garcian clan, aren¡¯t you? Then this warehouse must be...¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The kidnapper¡ªGG¡ªgrowled. ¡°This is the warehouse where you locked up the Garcian clan after you captured them.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Jose pointed a finger at the man, realization dawning. ¡°I remember now. You were that idiot.¡± He let out another mocking laugh. ¡°The one dumb enough to give up his family¡¯s location¡ªjust because I tricked you!¡± ¡°I never thought you¡¯d actually show your face in front of me.¡± Jose del Pablo said with a bizarre sense of cheer. ¡°That day, I captured everyone else. You were the only one who slipped through my fingers. I always wondered where you ended up...¡± He looked GG up and down. ¡°So why now? Why come back?¡± ¡°You really have to ask?¡± The sound of gritted teeth filled the air. GG¡¯s voice was ice-cold. ¡°I came to take back the Garcian clan you stole.¡± ¡°...What? Take them back? Pfft¡ªhahaha!¡± Jose doubled over laughing. ¡°You mean the same clan you sold out and abandoned to save your own skin? And now you¡¯re here to rescue them?¡± He laughed so hard he wiped tears from his eyes. ¡°So much effort. I guess I should let you meet them, huh?¡± He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a necklace. It looked like a pale ivory bear charm¡ªhand-carved, almost milky in color. ¡°Here. Say hi.¡± GG¡¯s face contorted in disgust. What the hell kind of twisted joke was this? ¡°Take a good look. Guess what it¡¯s made of?¡± Jose played with the necklace, smirking. ¡°A unicorn horn.¡± ¡°Unicorn? Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Unicorn horns aren¡¯t that¡ª¡± GG fell silent. His eyes locked onto the charm, unblinking. ¡°...No way.¡± ¡°You figured it out fast. Yeah. This isn''t just any unicorn horn.¡± GG¡¯s body started to tremble. Blood dripped from his clenched fists. ¡°This was crafted from the horn of a unicorn born from your very own Garcian bloodline.¡± * * * Sacred Beast Bloodline Conversion A bloodline capable of imitating the abilities of other creatures. That¡¯s not entirely wrong¡ªbut it¡¯s not quite accurate, either. Sacred Beast Bloodline Conversion doesn¡¯t just imitate abilities. It transforms the user¡¯s body into that of another living being, granting them that creature¡¯s abilities. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you how lucky I was to find your Garcian family back then.¡± The purer the bloodline, the more accurate the transformation. ¡°I was preparing a gift to win over the Godfather. I wanted to make an art piece using rare monster byproducts... but I was short on materials.¡± The duration of the transformation depends on the user¡¯s stamina. But there is one way to make the transformation permanent. ¡°Let¡¯s see... unicorn horn, salamander heart... what else was I missing? Oh, right¡ªthe eye of a Hwawikjo.¡± Death. If one dies while transformed, their body remains permanently altered. ¡°The low-purity mutts weren¡¯t worth anything, but the hot-blooded ones turned out pretty decent.¡± A cry rang out. A sound filled with rage and sorrow, like a wild beast in pain. ¡°Wanna see the others too? Come to my room. I kept the ones I couldn¡¯t use as gifts for the Godfather.¡± GG kicked off the ground and charged forward. Thanks to the rabbit''s leg strength, he closed the distance in a flash. His fist smashed into Jose del Pablo¡¯s face. But it was GG who grimaced in pain. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re pretty mad.¡± Jose del Pablo smirked. ¡°Too bad. This level of skill isn¡¯t nearly enough.¡± Jose del Pablo moved. GG quickly transformed into another creature. ¡°Ogre!¡± GG¡¯s skin turned a sickly bluish-green in an instant. Jose del Pablo¡¯s punch landed straight into his body. GG was sent flying. He bounced off the ground and was flung into a wall. ¡°Gah!¡± One hit. Just one blow, and his insides were turned upside down. GG coughed up blood in agony. ¡°You were the strongest among the Garcian family. Your blood was the purest too.¡± Jose del Pablo dusted off his hands. ¡°The Godfather¡¯s birthday is coming up. Talk about perfect timing.¡± ¡°...How did they die?¡± GG forced the words out. ¡°The people of the Garcian family... how did they die?¡± ¡°How the hell would I know?¡± Jose del Pablo frowned. ¡°I left that to the organization. I¡¯m sure they died just fine.¡± A laugh echoed. It wasn¡¯t Jose del Pablo. GG was laughing, blood trailing from his lips. ¡°So they all died like dogs, huh...¡± GG pushed himself to his feet, glaring at Jose del Pablo. ¡°Mammon.¡± Jose del Pablo tilted his head. ¡°Mammon? What kind of monster is that...?¡± In that moment, mana exploded from GG¡¯s body. It wasn¡¯t normal mana. It was twisted¡ªterrifying just to witness. The mana wrapped around him¡ªand then, the sounds began. Crack. Bones twisted, one after another. With each noise, GG¡¯s body changed. His spine stretched. Limbs thickened. His mouth elongated. Hair sprouted all over. A beast. A monstrous beast stood on two legs, eyes locked onto Jose del Pablo. ¡°A demon...?¡± Before he could finish, Jose del Pablo¡¯s body was launched through the air. A blow to his gut sent him flying. ¡°Urgh!¡± Jose del Pablo quickly regained his stance. ¡°You bastard... hiding something like this?¡± This time, a punch came down from above. It smashed him into the ground. ¡°......#%$#%#!¡± The beast roared¡ªan inhuman howl¡ªas it relentlessly stomped Jose del Pablo. Each stomp cracked and shattered the floor. Suddenly, the beast stopped moving. As it lifted its foot, Jose del Pablo¡¯s crushed body was visible, embedded deep into the ground. The beast grabbed him and yanked him out¡ªgripping him by the head. ¡°...Heh.¡± Jose del Pablo managed to speak. ¡°Not bad. You¡¯d make an excellent material.¡± He reached out, placing his palm on the beast¡¯s chest. In that instant, an invisible force slammed the beast away. Blood trickled from its mouth. ¡°%#$%$#.¡± But the beast quickly shrugged off the pain¡ªand charged again. ¡°Sturdy, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jose del Pablo smirked, raising one finger. The beast suddenly floated into the air. It flailed its limbs, but continued to rise. ¡°Die.¡± Jose del Pablo flicked his finger downward. The beast slammed into the ground. The shock was enough to shake the earth. The beast struggled to rise. It barely lifted its head¡ªJose del Pablo was nowhere in sight. ¡°You should look up.¡± GG raised his gaze. Jose del Pablo was descending, a jagged blade in each hand. As he fell, he brought the blades down. The jagged edges tore into the beast¡¯s flesh. At that moment, a burst of aura detonated, collapsing the entire warehouse. ¡°Tch.¡± Amid the ruins of the destroyed warehouse, Jose del Pablo spat. ¡°All this trouble over a worthless brat.¡± He looked down. GG had reverted to human form and lay unconscious. Barely conscious, about to pass out. ¡°Where¡¯s your uncle?¡± GG couldn¡¯t answer. Jose del Pablo slapped him across the face. ¡°Still out of it, huh?¡± He slapped him repeatedly. GG¡¯s head swung with each blow. ¡°Where is Ricardo Pablo?!¡± Just then, a ringtone rang out. Annoyed, Jose del Pablo grabbed his phone. ¡°Who the hell is calling me at a time like¡ª¡± ¡ªB-Boss! It¡¯s an emergency! A panicked voice shouted from the other end. ¡ªIt¡¯s Hyukcheon Hyukcheon¡¯s gone crazy! ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡ªHyukcheon¡¯s attacking us! For a moment, the world seemed to stop. ¡°What the hell do you mean...?¡± ¡ªThey¡¯re killing all our guys! You have to come now! ¡°Ashley... what the hell did that bitch do...¡± Veins bulged on Jose del Pablo¡¯s forehead. ¡°Good. I¡¯ve had enough of that arrogant attitude. I¡¯ll ask the Godfather to wipe them all out...¡± Even upon hearing the name Hyukcheon, he showed no fear¡ªonly battle-lust. But the voice on the phone screamed back: ¡ªNo! You can¡¯t! ¡°Who do you think you are to question me?¡± ¡ªIt¡¯s not just our family¡ªevery single family in the alliance is being attacked by Hyukcheon! It felt like a hammer had struck the back of his head. Jose del Pablo¡¯s brows narrowed until they nearly met. ¡°What kind of nonsense is that?! How many hunters did Hyukcheon even bring?! You¡¯re telling me all our families are being attacked?!¡± Ashley had already done her homework. There were barely over ten combatants among Hyukcheon¡¯s people in South America. So how could they be launching a full-scale assault? ¡ªThose lunatics split up! If it wasn¡¯t already absurd, the subordinate made it worse. ¡ªThey sent one fighter to each family¡ªto cause absolute chaos! [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 94 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 94 ¨C War (2) ¡°This... this can¡¯t be happening...¡± Nelson Goncalves muttered in a daze, utterly stunned. The Goncalves Family possessed the largest private military force among the cartels. And recently, with the Godfather¡¯s backing, their army had grown even larger. It wasn¡¯t just about size anymore. The quality of their forces had also drastically improved. They had smuggled advanced weaponry from around the world through international arms dealers. For equipment that couldn¡¯t be transported whole, they imported the parts and assembled them on site. The result was a military force so powerful, it rivaled the armies of entire nations. ¡°It¡¯s all... It¡¯s all destroyed...! Everything¡¯s been destroyed!¡± That very army was now being obliterated before his eyes. The state-of-the-art tanks, painstakingly transported from the U.S., had been turned into heaps of scrap metal. Armed helicopters that once dominated the skies had all been shot down. Their soldiers, armed to the teeth with advanced gear, were scattered like leaves in the wind. ¡°This... this is impossible...!¡± ¡°What¡¯s so impossible about it?¡± A young man sneered from atop an overturned tank, looking down at Nelson Goncalves. ¡°Everyone knows modern weapons can¡¯t take down a Hunter.¡± And he was right. Since the emergence of Hunters, the value of modern weaponry had plummeted. Superhuman physical abilities, powerful supernatural skills, relics that defied logic... Even a single high-ranking Hunter could destroy tanks or kill hundreds of soldiers alone. ¡°Common knowledge? Don¡¯t be ridiculous! You think that makes sense? How could one person... just one person do all this...?!¡± But there were limits¡ªeven for Hunters. They were still human. They could get tired. They could slip up. And yet this young man had singlehandedly taken on the full military might of the cartel. Hundreds of tanks. Thousands of soldiers. Dozens of air units attacking from above. And he crushed them all. In the blink of an eye. ¡°I guess you guys just had bad luck.¡± The young man nodded to himself. ¡°This whole mess started because of the Pablo Family. You guys are just... an example.¡± An example? The strongest military force in the South American cartel... Was the Goncalves Family now just a warning to others? ¡°You arrogant little...!¡± The young man swung his sword¡ªand despite the distance between them, Nelson Goncalves¡¯s head was severed clean off. Then, suddenly¡ª A shell came flying in and exploded, engulfing the young man in a fiery blast. And it wasn¡¯t just one. A bombardment followed. Deafening explosions rocked the earth. ¡°What, there are still some left?¡± But not even a thread of the young man¡¯s clothing was singed. ¡°Well then, time to finish the job.¡± He sprinted toward the direction the shells had come from. Moments later, another explosion echoed across the battlefield. * * * ¡°Pathetic.¡± A man in a sleek black suit adjusted his cufflinks as he muttered. At his feet, a middle-aged man was trembling uncontrollably. ¡°P-please... p-please, no...!¡± He was crying out in pure terror. One more push and he¡¯d probably start frothing at the mouth. Anyone who recognized this man would have doubted their eyes. This was Ronald Mora. Boss of the Mora Family¡ªone of the key pillars of the South American Cartel Union. ¡°W-who are you?! Who the hell are you?!¡± And yet this high-ranking cartel boss was quivering like a child. Who could blame him? Just moments ago, all the Hunters of the Mora Family had been slaughtered by this one man. ¡°I¡¯m from Hyukcheon.¡± Even after such a massacre, the man showed no emotion. ¡°Hyukcheon...? Why? Why are you doing this?!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask.¡± The man dismissed him coldly. ¡°Don¡¯t be curious. Don¡¯t ask why. You¡¯re nothing but weeds to be trampled.¡± Despair filled Ronald Mora¡¯s face. Weeds? He was calling the Hunters of the Mora Family weeds? ¡°That¡¯s... that¡¯s insane...! Even if Hyukcheon is strong, this level of difference makes no sense!¡± The Mora Family had been the first to pledge loyalty to the Godfather. In return, the Godfather entrusted them with his most important project: Hunter Development. They had access to all the resources of the cartel and every dungeon in South America to raise elite Hunters. It was Ronald Mora¡¯s life¡¯s mission. He poured everything he had into it. He scouted talent from all across South America. Designed training programs inspired by the world¡¯s top guilds. Carefully distributed relics and skills obtained from dungeons. ¡°I¡ªI raised them with everything I had! This isn¡¯t possible!¡± Ronald truly believed that the Hunters he nurtured were on par with any global guild. But in the end, all of them were wiped out¡ªby a single man. ¡°Don¡¯t delude yourself.¡± For the first time, emotion crept into the man¡¯s voice. ¡°You¡¯re not the first idiot with grand delusions I¡¯ve met, but it¡¯s still nauseating every time.¡± ¡°Delusions...?¡± ¡°Thinking that just because you have power, or dungeons, or people under your command, you can catch up to Hyukcheon. That¡¯s the very definition of a delusion.¡± The man¡¯s words dripped with contempt. ¡°You want to know the difference between you thugs and Hyukcheon?¡± Ronald instinctively shook his head. How could he know? ¡°History.¡± It was an old-fashioned word, but it hit like a hammer. ¡°Do you think the Hyukcheon Clan stands where it does just because of its bloodline?¡± Yes, the power of the Black Dragon Bloodline played a part. But it wasn¡¯t enough to explain the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s overwhelming strength. ¡°For over a hundred years, we¡¯ve clawed our way forward.¡± They fought monsters powerful enough to wipe out entire nations. They challenged dungeons that risked their very lives. All to gain rewards¡ªand use those rewards to become stronger. ¡°For a hundred years, we shed blood to increase our strength.¡± They studied how to recognize talent. They researched ways to unlock its full potential. They refined the best matches of skills and relics. All for a hundred years. ¡°And you think a bunch of street punks can catch up to that?¡± The man raised his hand, aura gathering at his fingertips. Ronald¡¯s body froze, sensing his impending death. Just then¡ª ¡°Boss!¡± From the distance, Mora Family Hunters arrived, rushing back to the scene. ¡°You bastard! How dare you attack the Mora Family?!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll skin you alive and hang your corpse!¡± They charged at him in fury. Blades, fire, ice¡ªevery kind of skill surged toward the man. Lava blanketed the ground. A glacier formed out of nothing. Winds sharp as razors shredded the air. ¡°Pathetic.¡± Not a single attack pierced the magical barrier surrounding him. ¡°Time to die.¡± Light spheres materialized around him. With a flick of his finger, they shot forward, impaling every last Hunter. ** * ¡°Don¡¯t take it too personally, okay?¡± Pedro Blatt was shivering, buried in rubble. He looked nothing like the proud boss of the Blatt Family. But he couldn¡¯t help it. Because of the woman standing before him. ¡°Our Black Edge Division is the best team in Hyukcheon, after all. Better to lose to the top than get stomped by nobodies, right?¡± She held a massive battle axe¡ªlarger than her own body. Every time she swung it, a building collapsed. It took less than thirty minutes for the entire city the Blatt Family was protecting to be reduced to rubble. ¡°Actually, I guess we¡¯re not the best. Master Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s Hyukcheon Core is officially the strongest. There¡¯s also Vice President Kwon Hyuk¡¯s team... and Lord Kwon Chan-seong...¡± She counted on her fingers as she listed names. ¡°But anyway, we¡¯re one of the top squads in Hyukcheon. So don¡¯t feel too bad, alright?¡± She gave a bright smile. Pedro felt like crying. ¡°Oh? More of them?¡± She turned to the horizon. Troops and Hunters were rushing in, raising a cloud of dust. She gripped the axe with both hands. A surge of mana poured into it. ¡°Hraaah!¡± She hurled the axe with all her might. Explosions erupted along the horizon. The entire incoming army was wiped out in an instant. The axe returned like a boomerang. She reached high and caught it with ease. ¡°Now, which city is next?¡± She checked her phone casually. * * * ¡ªCurrently confirmed destroyed: Goncalves, Mora, Blatt... Just got word that Andus has fallen too! Throughout the report, Jose del Pablo felt completely detached from reality. ¡ªMatos and Santoru have also been hit! Their central branches have been wiped out... The once-mighty cartel alliance was collapsing like a sandcastle. He couldn¡¯t snap back to reality. ¡°What about the Godfather...?¡± ¡ªAs soon as the reports came in, he evacuated by sea! Jose exhaled in relief. The Godfather¡¯s safety was paramount. As long as he was alive, the cartel hadn¡¯t truly lost. Jose slapped his cheeks. This was no time to be dazed. ¡°Just hang on a little longer. I¡¯m coming.¡± Confidence returned to his voice. So what if someone wiped out armies and Hunters in seconds? Jose del Pablo could do the same. ¡°I¡¯ll finish this myself!¡± He shouted boldly and stepped forward¡ª Only to feel something grabbing his ankle. He looked down to see GG staring up at him. ¡°...Ugh...¡± The wounds were too severe. GG couldn¡¯t speak clearly. And yet, he clenched Jose¡¯s ankle tightly, eyes full of hatred. ¡°Tch.¡± Jose let out a dry laugh. ¡°I was going to let you live because you were still useful. You¡¯ve lost your damn mind, haven¡¯t you?¡± He kicked GG in the head. GG¡¯s body swayed violently¡ª But he didn¡¯t let go. ¡°You stubborn bastard. Just let go already!¡± Jose kicked him again. And again. Blood burst from GG¡¯s lips. Teeth shattered. Still, he wouldn¡¯t let go. ¡°God, you¡¯re persistent. You must really hate me.¡± Jose screamed as he continued kicking. ¡°Who do you think exposed the Garcia bloodline hiding on that island? It was YOU! You ran away out of curiosity!¡± The Garcia Clan¡¯s founder was a mighty warrior. But he hated conflict. He wanted a peaceful life. Still, with the Sacred Beast Bloodline, the world wouldn¡¯t leave him alone. So he took his followers and hid away on an island. That was the origin of the Garcia Clan. ¡°If you¡¯d just kept your mouth shut when I caught you, things would¡¯ve been fine. But no¡ªyou told me everything about the island!¡± The first settlers wanted peace. But their descendants were different. GG. Gael Garcia was one of them. He used his bloodline powers to escape the island. And that¡¯s when he met Jose del Pablo. ¡°And now you want to blame me? This was your fault!¡± Jose kicked Gael away. He flew across the ground like a rag doll. ¡°Persistent little bastard.¡± Jose drew his jagged sword and approached. Gael stared back with swollen, bloodshot eyes. ¡°Pissed me off. Just die here and be done with it.¡± Jose raised his sword. Just then, his phone rang. Irritated, he answered it. ¡°What the hell do you want?! I¡¯m on my way! Just shut up and wait¡ª¡± ¡ª¡°Oh wow. This call actually went through.¡± A familiar voice. Jose frowned. ¡°Who the hell are you? What¡¯d you do to my men?¡± ¡ª¡°They were in the way, so I took care of them. More importantly, you¡¯re by the coast, right?¡± That voice. He suddenly remembered who it belonged to. ¡°No way... You¡¯re¡ª!¡± ¡ª¡°I¡¯ll be there soon. Just sit tight.¡± Soon? Before Jose could respond, the call ended. And then, in the sky above¡ªviolent bursts of magical energy exploded. ¡°What the...?¡± Not once. Multiple times. Each blast heralded something fast approaching. Far in the distance¡ªa dark shape appeared. It was cloaked in shadow, like the night itself. ¡°What the hell is that now?!¡± At first, it looked like a tiny dot. Then, in an instant¡ªit was right above him. It slammed into the ground, sending building debris flying in all directions. When the dust cleared, someone stood up in the newly swept clearing. ¡°Jose del Pablo.¡± Kwon Hanul dusted off his clothes. ¡°I¡¯ve come to take your life.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 95 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 95: War (3) A cloudless, vivid blue sky. A single black dot hovered in that expanse. It was far too large to be a bird. More importantly, unlike a bird, it remained perfectly still in the air without flapping its wings. A closer look revealed its true identity. A man. A man in a sharp black suit stood mid-air, gazing down at the ground. ¡ª ¡°Secretary Kim! The Santoru Family has been taken care of!¡± ¡°You did well. What¡¯s the status with the Matos Family?¡± ¡ª ¡°Almost wrapped up on our end too~.¡± ¡°Pick up the pace. There are still plenty of families left.¡± The man¡ªSecretary Kim¡ªcontinued giving orders while maintaining constant communication. He didn¡¯t need any electronic devices. His own skill was more than enough. ¡´Karama¡¯s Herald¡µ A skill that allows communication with up to ten people simultaneously. Though the number is limited, the range is practically infinite. Unlike devices, it works even in areas with no signal. In addition to that, Secretary Kim was using another skill: ¡´Clairvoyance¡µ A skill said to let the user see anywhere in the world. While not literally all-seeing, he could easily observe the entirety of South America. From the skies, Secretary Kim commanded Black Prey Unit, the team under Kwon Mi. ¡°Some of the remaining forces are retreating east. Pursue and annihilate them.¡± Truthfully, it hardly counted as commanding. The difference in strength between the Black Prey Unit and the cartels was not just overwhelming¡ªit was absolute. Secretary Kim¡¯s role was merely to ensure that Black Prey could destroy more, faster. ¡ª ¡°Ah, right! Secretary Kim!¡± A woman¡¯s voice came through¡ªKim Ha-eun, who had just wiped out a family using her pad. ¡ª ¡°Is it true that Kwon Hanul volunteered to take on Jose del Pablo alone?¡± ¡ª ¡°Yeah, I heard that too. Isn¡¯t that insanely dangerous?¡± ¡ª ¡°Exactly! Why didn¡¯t Kwon Mi just let us handle it? Why agree to such a reckless request?¡± The team began speaking over each other. Karama¡¯s Herald allowed them to communicate freely amongst themselves as long as the skill¡¯s user served as the relay. ¡ª ¡°Kwon Mi specifically warned us about Jose del Pablo. He¡¯s the only one she gave that kind of caution for.¡± ¡ª ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s hard to believe...¡± ¡ª ¡°Same here. Is he really that strong?¡± Amid all the speculation, Secretary Kim spoke up. ¡°Kwon Mi once calculated the outcome if Jose del Pablo clashed with the Black Prey. Want to hear it?¡± ¡ª ¡°Yes, please!¡± ¡ª ¡°Don¡¯t keep us hanging¡ªspill it!¡± ¡ª ¡°Now I¡¯m curious too.¡± Secretary Kim calmly delivered the verdict: ¡°One dies. Two have the advantage. Three win, guaranteed.¡± The previously chatty group fell completely silent. * * * ¡°Did you come alone?¡± Jose del Pablo asked, facing Kwon Hanul. Hanul spread his arms. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell by looking?¡± ¡°Have you gone mad?¡± It wasn¡¯t said to provoke. Jose was genuinely surprised. ¡°You seriously think you can take me on by yourself?¡± ¡°Why not? Is there a problem?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a lot of problems. A lot.¡± Grit. Jose del Pablo ground his teeth. He looked visibly irritated. ¡°Is this what all Blood of Hyukcheon are like? So rude? Or did the infamy of ¡®Hyukcheon¡¯ blind you completely?¡± His seething rage was almost tangible, the bloodlust riding on it suffocating. A deadly sense of foreboding crawled across Hanul¡¯s skin. ¡°I didn¡¯t like you the moment I laid eyes on you.¡± Jose raised his jagged sword. Aura enveloped the blade. He swung it sideways¡ªan aura slash tore through the air. In that instant, the sea split in two, then rose violently. The sheer power of it was terrifying. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re truly worthy of that arrogance!¡± * * * Back on comms, the team voiced their disbelief. ¡ª ¡°This has to be a joke, right?¡± ¡ª ¡°A guy like that, out in some backwater, is that strong?¡± ¡ª ¡°It sounds made up... but if Kwon Mi said it, we can¡¯t exactly deny it...¡± The team could accept that one-on-one, Black Prey would lose. But two only gaining the upper hand¡ªand not a guaranteed win? ¡°That¡¯s because all of Jose del Pablo¡¯s stats are already at S-rank.¡± Even one S-rank stat grants superhuman power. He had them all. He had also mastered every skill and trait to maximize those stats. And he could wield all of it flawlessly. ¡°His skill set is equally dangerous.¡± ¡´Hands of Eight Directions¡µ A simple concept: push and pull objects. The catch¡ªit works in every direction, granting limitless utility. Offense, defense, mobility¡ªit did it all. ¡°They say he once lifted a million tons of seawater into the air with that skill.¡± Imagine using that force to crush or fling someone¡ªno ordinary durability could survive it. ¡ª ¡°Still, raw stats and good skills alone don¡¯t make someone strong.¡± ¡ª ¡°Exactly. How you use them is just as important.¡± ¡ª ¡°Training matters too. It¡¯s the only way to reach your full potential.¡± The team shared valid concerns. Secretary Kim replied flatly, ¡°You all seem to forget who Jose del Pablo has killed.¡± Two world-ranked hunters and one Pandemonium villain. ¡°Raul Phoenix. Heir to the globally recognized Phoenix Guild. A prodigy who made world rank in his mid-20s. Came to South America on vacation, picked a fight with Jose... and got his head blown off.¡± Phoenix Guild threw a fit¡ªbut they backed down in the face of the Cartel. ¡°Ivan Lichteauer. Second son of a noble European house, on the cusp of reaching Triple Numbers. Came to buy a dungeon in South America, deal fell through, challenged Jose out of anger¡ªwas crushed to death.¡± The Lichteauer family tried to seek revenge, but no one would take the job. ¡°Gremlin. A Pandemonium villain. He once killed every young man in a city in one night. Tried the same in South America¡ªgot beaten to death with Jose¡¯s bare hands.¡± Gremlin had no allies, so the world moved on. These incidents proved one thing: ¡°Jose del Pablo is already on par with the world¡¯s top hunters¡ªmaybe even Triple Numbers.¡± The team murmured in disbelief. But they gradually accepted it. The world was vast. Sometimes, monsters like him appeared out of nowhere. And really, weren¡¯t the members of Black Prey all cut from the same cloth? ¡ª ¡°Wait... so Hanul seriously volunteered to take him on alone?¡± ¡ª ¡°Shouldn¡¯t someone stop him?¡± The chatter swelled. Then one voice said: ¡ª ¡°Isn¡¯t he under the protection of the Witch of Hyukcheon? Should be fine, right?¡± ¡°She¡¯s on a separate mission.¡± ¡ª ¡°...Why?¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul begged her. Said he¡¯d handle Jose himself, and asked Joo Hayun to support Black Prey instead.¡± The whole team was floored. They were shocked that Joo Hayun actually agreed. And even more shocked that Hanul truly intended to face Jose del Pablo alone. ¡ª ¡°Uh... this might sound bad, but... is Hanul suicidal?¡± ¡ª ¡°Maybe he¡¯s got something up his sleeve?¡± ¡ª ¡°Even then, the gap¡¯s too huge for any trick to work...¡± Despite their protests, Secretary Kim spoke firmly, ¡°Kwon Mi¡¯s orders. No interference.¡± ¡ª ¡°But why?! That¡¯s basically sending him to die!¡± The team erupted. ¡ª ¡°Is she doing this for her son?¡± ¡°Enough. Keep talking nonsense, and I won¡¯t let it slide.¡± Secretary Kim¡¯s cold warning froze the air. ¡°...Kwon Mi said this about Hanul: He always pulls off the impossible like it¡¯s nothing.¡± Those words made every Black Prey member recall what they¡¯d heard about him. The second Trueblood of Hyukcheon. A man who¡¯d repeatedly achieved the impossible. ¡°Kwon Mi believes in the potential of the Trueblood.¡± * * * ¡°Ah, hold on.¡± Suddenly, Kwon Hanul held up both palms. The sudden move made Jose falter for a beat. ¡°What? If you¡¯re thinking of begging for your life now¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it. There¡¯s someone I need to check on.¡± Hanul lowered his gaze and spotted GG lying at Jose¡¯s feet. ¡°GG, are you still alive?¡± Through the bloodied mess of his face, GG¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Hanul smirked. ¡°Judging by your reaction, you¡¯re not in critical condition.¡± Jose frowned. ¡°So you do know each other.¡± ¡°Why not let him go before we fight?¡± ¡°Says who?¡± Jose stomped on GG¡¯s back. GG groaned in pain. ¡°I¡¯ve got no intention of letting this bastard go.¡± ¡°No mercy, huh? You¡¯ll regret that later.¡± ¡°More nonsense.¡± ¡°When you lose, you¡¯ll be the one groveling on the ground. Imagine how embarrassing that¡¯ll be.¡± ¡°...You¡¯ve really lost your mind.¡± Jose¡¯s voice rose. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re relying on, but you¡¯d better quit while you¡¯re ahead! Or I¡¯ll mince your flesh piece by piece and¡ª¡± And then¡ªhe stopped. He didn¡¯t even know why. Something about Kwon Hanul suddenly felt too dangerous. ¡°...It¡¯s my first time trying this, so it¡¯s hard to get a feel for it.¡± An odd comment¡ªbut Jose didn¡¯t have time to press. Hanul¡¯s aura had become downright alarming. ¡°Thanks for playing along with my nonsense. I needed the time.¡± What is he doing? A terrifying energy swelled and receded from Hanul¡¯s body in waves. ¡°Ah, so that¡¯s how it works.¡± As if he¡¯d realized something, Hanul let out a quiet ¡°aha.¡± Like a dormant volcano erupting, his magical power surged. Something was going very, very wrong. In reflex, Jose grabbed GG by the collar and lifted him. ¡°Kwon Hanul! Stop right now!¡± He shouted, pressing a blade to GG¡¯s neck. ¡°Take one more step, and I¡¯ll cut his damn head off!¡± He didn¡¯t know what kind of connection they had. But he was sure of one thing¡ªhe had to stop Hanul. ¡°I said STOP!!¡± Jose roared. And then, Kwon Hanul whispered: ¡°Dragon.¡± Power began condensing around him. Black energy wrapped around his body like a cocoon. ¡´Activating the power of ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯¡µ ¡´¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ reacts with ¡®Sacred Beast Blood¡¯!¡µ ¡´Power of ¡®Sacred Beast Blood¡¯ is transforming!¡µ ¡´The might of the Black Dragon manifests in this place!¡µ ¡´Initiating partial avatar transformation!¡µ [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 96 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 96: Incarnation Body (1) The rampaging mana suddenly fell silent. The world quieted, as if it had all been a lie. But Jose del Pablo couldn¡¯t relax. Not with that black spire standing in front of him. Gulp. He swallowed hard without realizing it¡ªa clear sign that the tension had reached its peak. Then, the black spire began to dissolve like smoke. And from within it, Kwon Hanul emerged. ¡°...What the hell is that?¡± Yet Jose del Pablo couldn''t help but doubt whether that was truly Kwon Hanul. Two horns had sprouted from his forehead. His entire body was cloaked in black flames. His legs had bent backward like a beast''s. Ten claws, more savage than any blade, extended from his fingers. But the most striking feature was what swayed behind him... ¡°...A tail?¡± A thin, sinuous tail waved gently in the air. ¡°...Is that really Kwon Hanul?¡± His face definitely looked like Hanul¡¯s. But Jose del Pablo¡¯s instincts and experience refused to acknowledge the creature before him as human. The atmosphere, the ominous aura, the spine-chilling sensation¡ª He had completely transformed into something else. ¡ª Fascinating. Hanul finally spoke. But his voice was strange. ¡ª So this is what it feels like... to become a dragon. The voice didn''t come through the ears. It echoed directly in Jose del Pablo¡¯s mind. He felt sweat soak his back. Just hearing that voice made his entire body tense up. Every warning bell in his mind went off in a frenzy. ¡ª I want to savor this feeling a little longer. Hanul¡¯s glowing eyes fixed on Jose del Pablo. At that moment, an overwhelming terror gripped Jose del Pablo, like every nerve in his body had been ripped out. He hurriedly thrust GG forward, right in front of Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°Stop!¡± It seemed to work. Hanul froze in place. But Jose del Pablo still couldn¡¯t let his guard down. ¡°Take another step, and I¡¯ll kill this one.¡± ¡ª Disappointing. Hanul responded flatly. ¡ª Is hostage-taking all the so-called strongest Hunter in South America can do? Even with the provocation, Jose del Pablo didn¡¯t flinch. More precisely, he didn¡¯t have the luxury to feel ashamed. He needed to stop Hanul¡¯s approach¡ªby any means necessary. ¡°Cut the crap. Just stay still.¡± He lightly tapped the ground with his spiked sword. The ground beneath him floated upward. It soared to a dizzying height. Standing atop it, Jose del Pablo looked down at Hanul¡ªwho now seemed as tiny as an ant. ¡°Yeah, stay just like that.¡± He summoned his mana. A massive amount was drained in an instant as his skill activated: Hands of the Eight Directions. A skill that manipulated attractive and repulsive forces. Debris scattered on the ground began to rise. But the amount was abnormal. It wasn¡¯t just a few pieces¡ªevery single object littering the ground floated up without exception. Even buildings were uprooted and lifted into the air. Every structure in the port town rose skyward. What had been a harbor just moments ago was now flat, empty land. ¡°Watch closely!¡± With a snap of his fingers, a toy flew toward the sea. A shockwave burst in midair. Instantly, the ocean exploded. Water shot into the sky before crashing back down. ¡°I¡¯m going to focus all of this on you!¡± If a plastic toy had that kind of power¡ª Imagine what concrete or scrap metal would do. ¡°If you care about this hostage¡¯s life, don¡¯t even think about dodging!¡± It was a completely unreasonable, absurd demand. Jose del Pablo raised his hand high and then slammed it down. Hands of the Eight Directions generated repulsive force. Every single piece of floating debris was hurled toward Kwon Hanul. Hundreds of thousands of fragments flew at him. The shockwave alone shook the sky. The first projectile struck Hanul in the chest. The impact shattered the ground and sent his body flying backward. Then the rest followed, pummeling his body all over. Hanul¡¯s body shook violently under the barrage. ¡°Yes! Don¡¯t dodge! Just die already!¡± Jose del Pablo was clearly in control of the fight. And yet, he looked like the one cornered. Then it happened. Hanul¡¯s lips parted slightly. Inside were beast-like fangs. He inhaled. His chest expanded. Like a balloon being inflated, his torso grew. At the peak of that swelling¡ª Hanul exhaled all at once. Black Dragon Ascension Art, Upper Form: Strike Style: Dragon¡¯s Roar Sound waves erupted from Hanul in every direction. Anything the shockwave touched disintegrated into dust. In an instant, the world was swept clean. ¡°....¡± Jose del Pablo was speechless at the sheer absurdity of what he had just seen. ¡ª Is it over? Hanul¡¯s voice echoed in his mind again. Jose del Pablo gritted his teeth. Now was not the time to be in awe. If he didn¡¯t kill Hanul, he would die. He activated Hands of the Eight Directions once more¡ªbut this time, he didn¡¯t use it on debris. ¡°No!¡± He reversed the skill. Gravitational force now pressed down from the sky, aimed directly at Hanul. The force that had previously lifted an entire town¡¯s worth of matter was now focused on crushing a single person. The pressure was unimaginable. The ground under Hanul''s feet cracked and sank. Jose del Pablo intensified the skill. The pressure doubled, then tripled. The ground was being destroyed. And yet, Hanul remained perfectly fine. He just stood there, unfazed, staring back at him. ¡ª How dull. Hanul bent his knees slightly, poised to dash. Alarmed, Jose del Pablo yelled: ¡°You''re wasting your time!¡± With Hands of the Eight Directions, Jose could lift a million tons of seawater. That same force was now pressing down on Hanul. No one could move under such weight. Or so he thought. Hanul launched himself off the ground. Black aura exploded around him as he sprinted straight ahead. ¡°Y-You madman!¡± Panicking, Jose del Pablo shifted the skill from pressure to direct impact¡ªslamming Hanul repeatedly. But Hanul was too fast. The blows couldn''t land. Hanul pushed off the ground again¡ª This time, he soared high into the sky, above even Jose del Pablo¡¯s position. ¡°You don¡¯t care about this hostage''s life¡ª¡± He shouted while holding GG forward. That¡¯s when GG saw it. Hanul kicked off from thin air. He descended diagonally, from the sky¡ª And in that moment, Jose del Pablo¡¯s waist folded inward. ¡°Guh...!¡± Hanul¡¯s fist was buried in his gut. His body hurtled downward. Moments later, the ground quaked violently. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 97 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 97: Incarnation (2) When the members of the Pablo Family saw Joo Hayun, only three thoughts came to mind: She¡¯s disgustingly beautiful. Disgustingly strong. And she looks disgustingly pissed off. ¡°P-please, spare me!¡± ¡°S-she¡¯s a lunatic! She¡¯s gonna kill us all!¡± Every time Joo Hayun cast a spell, buildings crumbled, and the ground shook. The Pablo Family''s members scattered in all directions, desperate to survive. It was a pitiful, gruesome scene¡ªbut Joo Hayun didn¡¯t bat an eye. ¡°Wow.¡± Even Kwon Hudon couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of fear wash over him. ¡°She¡¯s unusually aggressive today.¡± ¡°She¡¯s just in a really bad mood.¡± ¡°Holy crap!¡± Startled by the voice whispering in his ear, Hudon jumped. Mei Hong had appeared beside him without warning. ¡°Hayun¡¯s in a bad mood?¡± ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s wasting way more mana than usual, and her spells are unusually rough, don¡¯t you think?¡± Hudon frowned, clearly confused. From what he could see, Joo Hayun was casting her magic with flawless precision. ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s actually upset?¡± ¡°Oppa... I figured as much, but wow¡ªyou¡¯re really clueless.¡± ¡°Huh? What?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t get it, then just remember this¡ªthat is what Hayun unnie looks like when she¡¯s angry.¡± Hudon still looked unsure. ¡°Then what¡¯s she mad about? Did something happen to upset her?¡± ¡°Come on, Oppa. Did you already forget what Kwon Hanul said to her?¡± Originally, Joo Hayun had planned to go with Kwon Hanul, not Hudon and Mei Hong. Jose del Pablo was too dangerous to face without backup. But Hanul rejected her help and went to confront Jose alone. ¡°She¡¯s that upset over something like that?¡± ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t say it like that. You don¡¯t get how serious it was...¡± ¡°Miss Mei Hong.¡± Joo Hayun suddenly snapped her head toward them. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes gleamed with sharp intensity. ¡°Could you stop with the pointless chatter?¡± ¡°Y-yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Mei Hong, usually so cheeky and carefree, couldn¡¯t bring herself to joke around this time. ¡°The reason the two of you were assigned to me wasn¡¯t just for my safety¡ªit was because Lady Kwon Mi wanted me to gain combat experience.¡± As she spoke, Joo Hayun gestured with her hand. A wave of black mana surged, and a nearby wall exploded outward. ¡°We¡ªwe¡¯ve been spotted!¡± ¡°AAAAAHHH!¡± With screams came flying chunks of what used to be human flesh, scattering in all directions. The sheer horror of it made Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon freeze in place. ¡°Did I make myself clear?¡± They both nodded furiously. Only then did Joo Hayun turn away. ¡°See? Told you,¡± Mei Hong whispered to Hudon. He looked at her like she¡¯d lost her mind. And then¡ªthey all felt it. A surge of terrifying mana from far off in the distance. Hudon turned his head on instinct. Mei Hong and Joo Hayun did the same. So did every remaining Pablo Family hunter who hadn¡¯t already fled or died. ¡°W-what... what the hell is that?¡± Hudon murmured, eyes wide. A black dragon was rising into the sky. *** The cartel¡¯s forces had been decimated. But Secretary Kim was battling a headache. ¡ª Did you just see that?! Something just flew into the sky! ¡ª I saw it too! Wasn¡¯t that a dragon? I¡¯m pretty sure that was a dragon! ¡ª That can¡¯t be a real dragon! What the hell was that thing?! His teammates, all linked to Karama¡¯s Messenger skill, had started talking all at once. And all communications passed through Secretary Kim before being relayed to others. When chatter piled up like this, the mental strain on him was overwhelming. ¡ª Wait a sec! That direction... isn¡¯t that where Kwon Hanul and Jose del Pablo are?! ¡ª No way. For real? Did Jose have a skill like that? ¡ª You idiot. That aura belongs to the Black Dragon Bloodline. ¡ª Then that means... it¡¯s Kwon Hanul¡¯s skill? No way... The comms didn¡¯t calm down for even a second. Eventually, Secretary Kim had to intervene. ¡°Quiet. You¡¯re all talking too much.¡± His voice was sharp with irritation. That should¡¯ve done it¡ªbut no. ¡ª Right! Secretary Kim, didn¡¯t you see it with your Clairvoyance? Was it really Kwon Hanul¡¯s skill? ¡ª Spill it! What the hell just happened?! ¡ª I¡¯m dying of curiosity! Just tell us already! Instead of stopping, they only got louder. With a sigh, Secretary Kim canceled Karama¡¯s Messenger. The chaotic voices vanished instantly. ¡°Can¡¯t believe they¡¯re relaxing just because the war¡¯s almost over...¡± He clicked his tongue. No matter how weak the enemy seemed, you never let your guard down until you finished the job. He¡¯d definitely have to re-educate the team when they got back. ¡°...Though I can¡¯t exactly blame them either.¡± Anyone who had just witnessed a black dragon ascending into the sky would¡¯ve had the same reaction. That overwhelming presence¡ªit wasn¡¯t just for show. The destructive power was real. The battlefield where Kwon Hanul stood now had a massive gorge torn into it. A scar left behind from when the black dragon ascended. ¡°....¡± There isn¡¯t a single person in the Black Cloak Division who could block that technique. And it wasn¡¯t just the skill itself. Secretary Kim had watched Kwon Hanul¡¯s battle from beginning to end using his Clairvoyance¡ªready to intervene in case of danger. But once the fight began, what unfolded was the complete opposite of what he¡¯d expected. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± As soon as the battle started, Kwon Hanul transformed into something else¡ªand achieved a crushing victory. Crushing. There¡¯s no better word for it. He¡¯d suspected Hanul was hiding something powerful. But to think he¡¯d use it to completely overpower Jose del Pablo? That was beyond imagination. ¡°Even if he¡¯s a trueblood...¡± In Kim¡¯s assessment, Jose was at least five times stronger than Hanul. Yet Hanul closed that massive gap in an instant. No¡ªhe didn¡¯t just close it. He surpassed it. ¡°Is that even possible...?¡± Kim found himself shuddering. *** Kwon Hanul lowered his outstretched hands, surveying the destruction he had caused. What was once flat land had become a deep canyon. It was the aftermath of the "Black Dragon Ascension Art¡± tearing through the ground. [Disengaging the power of Sacred Beast Bloodline.] [Reverting from Half-Incarnation state.] His body returned to normal. The overwhelming power that had surged through him vanished in an instant. ¡°Ugh...¡± He let out a groan and collapsed, arms and legs sprawled. ¡°That... was insane.¡± Even he was in awe of the Half-Incarnation¡¯s power. His muscles, bones, even internal organs had transformed and aligned in perfect harmony. The force it produced was nothing short of terrifying. ¡°And this isn¡¯t even complete yet.¡± This wasn¡¯t a full Incarnation. Because of the combined bloodlines of the Sacred Beast and the Black Dragon, Hanul had only managed to approximate a true Incarnation. But even that was enough to treat Jose like a child. Now he understood why the previous head of the Mei clan had been so shocked after seeing Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s Incarnation. ¡°It¡¯s strong, no doubt... but it¡¯s got some serious downsides too.¡± First, while in Half-Incarnation, he couldn¡¯t access any bloodlines besides the Black Dragon. Not a big issue, given how powerful that state was. But the second drawback was far worse. ¡®...All my bloodlines are dormant.¡¯ Not just the Black Dragon Bloodline¡ªall of them. No matter how hard he tried, none of them responded. Eventually, they¡¯d reawaken. But it would take time. ¡°It really has to be a last-resort move.¡± A powerful trump card¡ªbut one with a high price. At that moment, he sensed someone approaching. GG had returned. ¡°...You won,¡± GG said, voice trembling. Hanul smiled faintly. ¡°He¡¯s still alive. Wanna get your revenge?¡± He gestured toward the bottom of the canyon. Lying there, battered and broken, was Jose del Pablo. ¡°He¡¯s alive...?¡± ¡°I was going to kill him, but then I remembered what Aunt Kwon Mi said¡ªhow he might still be useful alive.¡± In the moment he used the technique,Hanul had recalled her words and adjusted his attack. Thanks to that, Jose avoided a fatal blow and survived. ¡°...No.¡± GG shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re the one who defeated Jose del Pablo. I wouldn¡¯t dare interfere.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you land a few punches though,¡± Hanul said with a grin. GG chuckled. ¡°By the way, that form you took just now...¡± He stopped mid-sentence. Now wasn¡¯t the time to ask. ¡°...Thank you.¡± He dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground. ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯ve avenged my family... no, my people.¡± And that wasn¡¯t all. ¡°You also saved my life.¡± Hanul scratched his cheek, clearly uncomfortable with the gratitude. ¡°Raise your head.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t look my savior in the eye.¡± What a stiff person, he thought. He¡¯d probably get along well with Joo Hayun. ¡°If you¡¯re that grateful... would you do me a few favors?¡± ¡°Anything.¡± Hanul opened his subspace and took out a set of restraints. ¡°Could you cuff Jose with this? As you can see, I¡¯m in no condition to do it myself.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°And also¡ªthis is just a suggestion¡ªbut... want to join my team?¡± Gg¡¯s eyes widened. Hanul just shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re short on people. And you¡¯re ridiculously talented.¡± GG had already proven himself¡ªboth as a dungeon guide and a fighter, possessing the Pure Sacred Beast Blood. ¡°You can say no, if it¡¯s too much.¡± He held out his hand. GG stared at it for a moment. ¡°...I¡¯ll do my best.¡± And he took his hand. Shortly after GG cuffed Jose del Pablo¡ª ¡°AAAAAGHH!!¡± He regained consciousness and immediately let out a gut-wrenching scream. A mix of despair and rage. ¡°M-my arms! No! This can¡¯t be happening!¡± Both arms were gone¡ªsevered clean from the shoulders. Hanul¡¯s attack had spared his life¡ªbut not much else. ¡°God, you¡¯re loud.¡± Hanul winced at the noise. Jose glared at him with murder in his eyes. Even in this high-tech age of relics and magic, regenerating lost limbs was nearly impossible. So his rage made sense. ¡°You look pissed. Keep that up, and I might finish the job.¡± But the moment Hanul met his eyes, Jose looked away. His face went pale. He trembled. ¡°...I-it¡¯s not over.¡± Still, he kept talking. ¡°The Godfather is still out there! As long as he lives, the Union will never fall!¡± ¡°Oh, that guy?¡± ¡°¡®That guy¡¯?! Don¡¯t talk about the Godfather like that!¡± ¡°He¡¯s probably been captured by now.¡± Jose¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°W-what are you talking about?¡± ¡°My aunt, Kwon Mi, went after him herself,¡± Hanul said casually. ¡°She said she was gonna crush him properly.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 98 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 98: Conclusion (1) A luxurious bedroom. A middle-aged man sat nervously, gripping a walkie-talkie tightly in his hand. Then, a burst of static came through the device. "Godfather! We just got a report!" At those words, the man¡ªthe Godfather¡ªhurriedly brought the walkie-talkie to his ear. "All of the South American cartel families have been completely wiped out!" The message was staggering. The Godfather sank onto the bed, face pale. He could no longer count on reinforcements. Still, he clung to hope and asked, ¡°What about Jose del Pablo? What happened to him? Why hasn¡¯t he shown up yet?¡± "He was captured after a battle with Kwon Hanul of the Hyukcheon Clan!" It felt like a boulder had crashed onto his head. The Godfather let out a deep sigh. He had secretly hoped Jose del Pablo could somehow turn this situation around. But reality was merciless. ¡°To think Hyukcheon was on this level...¡± The Godfather hadn¡¯t truly believed the cartel alliance could overpower the Hyukcheon Group. But he¡¯d thought at the very least they¡¯d grown enough that the group would have to seriously consider going to war. Clearly, that wasn¡¯t the case. The Hyukcheon Clan had ravaged the entire South American region with what amounted to a single battalion¡ªno, not even twenty people. ¡°Those lunatics... Even rabid dogs aren¡¯t this aggressive.¡± From the beginning, the Godfather had no intention of clashing with the Hyukcheon Clan. All he¡¯d wanted was a method to stabilize the dungeon. That was why he¡¯d merely prodded them slightly, using Ashley and Jose del Pablo to do so. If Hyukcheon had overreacted, he was ready to pull back immediately. But instead of an overreaction, Hyukcheon had responded with outright war. They hadn¡¯t allowed for explanations, excuses, or even an apology¡ªobliterating the cartel alliance without a second thought. ¡°Damn it.¡± He cursed, moving to the small table in the room. Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, he downed it in one gulp. The burning liquid slid down his throat and settled in his gut. ¡°Haaah...¡± He wiped his mouth, eyes gleaming cold and sharp. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet.¡± The cartels may have been destroyed, but he¡ªthe Godfather¡ªwas still alive. During the unification of South America¡¯s cartels, the Godfather had quietly taken possession of all their most valuable assets. Only he knew where those vast resources were hidden. With them, he could rebuild the alliance from scratch. ¡°I just need to hold out a little longer.¡± His current location: a bunker five kilometers beneath the ocean floor. Once, constructing something this deep would¡¯ve been nearly impossible. But with Hunters and artifacts, the world had changed. ¡°Even Hyukcheon couldn¡¯t possibly find me down here.¡± Modern bunkers weren¡¯t judged by how sturdy they were¡ªbut by how hard they were to access. No matter how strong a Hunter was, an underwater bunker was nearly untouchable. ¡°Once Hyukcheon backs off... I¡¯ll make my move again.¡± He took another swig of whiskey, wiping his mouth¡ªwhen suddenly, alarms began to blare. ¡°W-What now?!¡± Panicking, the Godfather ran out of the bedroom. Since he was alone in the bunker, he had to investigate personally. ¡°The central control room¡ª¡± But before he could reach it, the entire bunker began to shake violently. The Godfather lost his balance and fell to the floor. ¡°A-an earthquake?!¡± The tremors intensified. Cracks spread across the walls and ceiling. Chunks of stone rained down. Then, the entire ceiling lifted¡ªand began to collapse. ¡°Uwaaaaah!¡± The Godfather screamed, forgetting all pride and composure. He braced himself for the inevitable rush of seawater. But it never came. Instead, light poured into the room. The Godfather slowly raised his head. ¡°Huh...? Wha¡ª?¡± The sea above him had been pierced wide open, revealing the sky beyond. ¡°H-How...?¡± Over five kilometers of ocean had been split in a straight line¡ªan utterly impossible sight. Then he saw it. A swirling vortex of black aura, rising like a pillar, was holding the sea at bay. ¡°What in the world...?¡± ¡°Godfather.¡± A strange voice called out. High in the sky floated a woman. ¡°Y-You¡¯re...?¡± She gently descended and landed before him. ¡°You know who I am.¡± Of course he did. The second daughter of Kwon Seonwoo¡ªleader and head of the Hyukcheon Group. The one who¡¯d devastated all of South America. The one known as the reasonable one of Hyukcheon . Kwon Mi. ¡°......¡± The Godfather¡¯s face turned pale, but he barely managed to stay conscious. Her nickname¡ª¡°the reasonable one of Hyukcheon ¡±¡ªhad been earned because, unlike the rest of her clan, she was known to negotiate before acting. Which meant... maybe he could still talk his way out of this. ¡°P-pleased to meet you. I¡¯m the Godfather.¡± He forced a calm tone. Showing fear now would only get him steamrolled. ¡°I think this is all a misunderstanding. I¡ªor rather, the cartel alliance¡ªnever intended to be hostile toward Hyukche¡ªGurk!¡± Suddenly, Kwon Mi grabbed his throat. ¡°Cut the crap.¡± ¡°W-Wait!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what game you were playing, but if you don¡¯t want to die, shut your damn mouth.¡± At that moment, the Godfather understood why her nickname included ¡°reasonable¡ª barely.¡± She might speak first, but she was still Hyukcheon . ¡°I¡¯m going to ask you some questions. You¡¯re going to dig deep and answer.¡± The Godfather nodded rapidly. ¡°What were you planning with Kwon Hyuk?¡± His face went blank. He hadn¡¯t expected that name at all. ¡°W-What do you mean by that...? Gah!¡± ¡°Play dumb again and I¡¯ll really kill you. What were you planning with Kwon Hyuk?¡± ¡°I-I really don¡¯t kn¡ªGAAH!¡± Kwon Mi slammed him to the ground, looking down with murderous eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not getting it, huh? Guess I need to do some prep work.¡± Dark aura surged around her clawed fingers. Fear flooded the Godfather¡¯s face. *** Meanwhile, Kwon Hanul had returned to the hotel. The war had started so suddenly, they hadn¡¯t even set up a base of operations. So the hotel they''d originally stayed in became their regrouping point. As soon as he arrived, he spotted Joo Hayun, Kwon Hudon, and Mei Hong. Relieved they were safe, he waved from afar. But suddenly, Hudon and Mei Hong rushed over. ¡°Hanul!¡± ¡°Captain!¡± Their intensity was almost terrifying. They swarmed him with questions. ¡°That thing! What was that?!¡± ¡°Yeah! We saw something insane flying into the sky! What the hell was it?!¡± ¡°We were pretty far away, right? But even from there, it made us shake¡ªwe were so scared...¡± ¡°And it¡¯s not just us! Everyone¡¯s talking about it! On our way here, we ran into the Black Flame Unit, and they said¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Joo Hayun cut them off. ¡°Please calm down, both of you. Lord Hanul hasn¡¯t had a chance to speak.¡± She was right¡ªHanul hadn¡¯t gotten a word in edgewise. ¡°Ah, Hayun. Thanks.¡± ¡°......¡± She didn¡¯t respond¡ªjust gave a slight bow. Her behavior felt different than usual, and it caught Hanul off guard. ¡°So, what was that?¡± ¡°Please tell us!¡± Before he could reply, they asked again. Hanul gave the answer he¡¯d prepared. ¡°It was the power of True Bloodline.¡± Technically, not a lie. The Sacred Beast Bloodline had merely drawn it out¡ªthe power itself belonged to the Black Dragon Bloodline. But even so, the looks on their faces changed. ¡°You¡¯re saying... that was just True Bloodline¡¯s power?¡± ¡°You can do that with True Bloodline?¡± Seeing their suspicion, Hanul felt a twinge of guilt. He¡¯d been relying on the excuse that his version of the Black Dragon Bloodline was special, but maybe that excuse was starting to wear thin. ¡°Hanul, seriously. Tell us the truth.¡± ¡°Please be honest.¡± They pressed him harder. Then, Joo Hayun once again stepped in to rescue him. ¡°Lord Hanul, who are the people behind you?¡± Technically, one was free¡ªwhile the other was bound hand and foot. ¡°Ah, let me introduce them. This is Jose del Pablo.¡± He pointed to the tied-up man. ¡°And the other one... it¡¯d be better if he introduced herself.¡± At Hanul¡¯s cue, the hooded figure pulled his hood back. The moment they saw hid face, Hudon and Mei Hong¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°GG?!¡± ¡°Nice to see you again.¡± GG gave a small bow. The others were stunned. ¡°W-Wait, why are you two together?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you had no idea where GG went?¡± Before answering, GG glanced at Hanul. He gave a small nod. ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡± He briefly explained everything¡ªhis origins, his past, why he attacked a cartel executive, and finally, how he¡¯d received demonic power from a dungeon and attempted to take down Jose del Pablo... only to fail, nearly die, and be saved by Hanul. Naturally, he left out Hanul¡¯s bloodline, as instructed. ¡°The... Garcia family?¡± ¡°And you¡¯re from the Sacred Beast Bloodline?¡± Hudon and Mei Hong were stunned. ¡°No wonder he always felt... different.¡± ¡°I never imagined he was a bloodline holder.¡± Hanul cleared his throat. Everyone turned to him. ¡°Well, now that introductions are done... I have an announcement.¡± Everyone tilted their heads. Hanul gestured toward GG. ¡°Starting today, GG will be joining our team.¡± The reaction was almost too intense. Not because anyone doubted his skills or personality¡ªthose had already been proven. They were shocked for another reason. ¡°W-Wait a sec¡ªGG¡¯s from the Sacred Beast Bloodline.¡± ¡°And she¡¯s pureblood, right? That makes four purebloods on our team now?!¡± Bloodline holders were rare. Purebloods were even rarer. Usually, a pureblood wouldn¡¯t join a team¡ªthey¡¯d lead one. That¡¯s how strong and prestigious they were. Yet Hanul¡¯s team now had four of them. And not just any purebloods¡ªthese were prodigies, acknowledged by all. ¡°I-Isn¡¯t that kind of insane?¡± ¡°Definitely. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s ever been a team in history with this many purebloods.¡± It wasn¡¯t planned, but things had turned out that way. Hanul tapped GG on the back. ¡°Go ahead¡ªtell them your real name.¡± GG hesitated. Back when his entire family had been captured because of him, he¡¯d discarded his name. He believed a criminal like him had no right to use the Garcia name. He never thought he¡¯d ever introduce herself this way again. ¡°Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Gael Garcia.¡± And so, their team gained one more extraordinary member. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 99 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 99: Conclusion (2) The war had ended, but Kwon Hanul couldn''t leave South America right away. He had to stay until someone from Hyukcheon came to retrieve him. Hyukcheon Group responded swiftly once contacted, immediately dispatching personnel. They cleaned up the remaining forces and, in the process, confiscated all the cartel¡¯s assets. ¡°You don¡¯t seem like this is your first time doing something like this.¡± ¡°Because it¡¯s not,¡± Joo Hayun replied. Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but make a strange face at her response. But Hyukcheon wasn¡¯t just there to collect spoils. They maintained public order in South America in place of the cartel and simultaneously searched for someone to manage the now-leaderless region. That person turned out to be Ricardo Pablo. After being kidnapped by GG, Gael Garcia, Ricardo Pablo had been left abandoned in a hut somewhere in the wilderness. He was the only one among the South American cartels who had opposed the Godfather faction, and he already had experience managing a family. He was the perfect candidate. ¡°Why not just take direct control?¡± ¡°Because Hyukcheon is a Group, not a Kingdom.¡± That was by far the strangest answer Kwon Hanul had heard. ¡°The cartels might¡¯ve been the de facto rulers here, but the fact remains¡ªthis is still a sovereign nation. Invading a nation¡¯s territory is far too risky.¡± They could do it¡ªbut there was no need to. Just propping up Ricardo Pablo was enough to secure their gains. ¡°Ricardo Pablo really hit the jackpot, huh?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Joo Hayun nodded in agreement. Once the handover was complete, their return date was set. The night before leaving South America, Kwon Hanul rented out a hotel restaurant to throw a celebration for his team. ¡°You turned into a demon and fought Jose del Pablo?¡± Mei Hong asked Gael Garcia, sipping drinks and enjoying the feast. ¡°Yes. The Sacred Beast Bloodline can mimic the abilities of other lifeforms.¡± ¡°Could you copy my sword skills then?¡± ¡°Individual skills can¡¯t be copied. It only imitates species-specific traits.¡± Hearing that, Kwon Hudon asked with awe, ¡°Wow, that¡¯s insane. Then can¡¯t you just turn into some super-strong monster and win everything?¡± ¡°If that were possible, I wouldn¡¯t have lost to Jose del Pablo,¡± Gael replied with a wry smile. ¡°Even with pure Sacred Beast Blood, you can¡¯t mimic every lifeform. And even if you do mimic them, you can¡¯t draw out all their abilities.Even at max synchronization, 50% is the limit.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s powerful, but not invincible...¡± It was an incredibly versatile bloodline¡ªbut not without its limits. ¡°Still, during my fight with Jose del Pablo, I really wished I could¡¯ve increased the synchronization rate. If I had gained dual-mimicry, I might¡¯ve been able to hold my own.¡± ¡°Dual mimicry?¡± Mei Hong perked up with interest. ¡°The final power of the Sacred Beast Bloodline¡ªit allows you to copy the abilities of two creatures at once.¡± ¡°That means you could amplify strengths or compensate for weaknesses, huh.¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t join the conversation. Ever since all the bloodlines had fallen dormant, he¡¯d been constantly hungry. Right now, his priority was food. Just as he finished off a steak the size of a pot lid¡ª <¡¯Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯ has regained its power.> It had awakened again. Following that, the other bloodlines also began to stir one by one. ¡°But is it really only two creatures? Can¡¯t you go for three?¡± ¡°Even with pure blood, that¡¯s impossible. Two is the absolute limit.¡± Kwon Hanul called over a waiter and ordered yet another steak. His fifth one already. At that moment, more messages appeared: Thanks to Partial Incarnation, he¡¯d briefly tapped into the power of a real dragon. It seemed that was enough to boost his synchronization. Then more alerts popped up: ¡®Favoritism? Missed opportunities?¡¯ Kwon Hanul smirked. Bloodlines had sometimes acted like living things¡ªbut this level of emotion was a first. <¡®Shura King¡¯ is merging with ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯.> <¡®Superhuman Bloodline¡¯ is merging with ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯.> < ¡®Shura King¡¯ has been added to the Manifestation List.> <¡®Pangu¡¯ has been added to the Manifestation List.> Kwon Hanul stared at the messages in shock. ¡®More forms added?¡¯ Apparently, he wasn¡¯t limited to just transforming into a dragon. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t test it yet. The new bloodlines were still far from meeting that threshold. ¡®Guess I¡¯ll need to focus on boosting synchronization for now.¡¯ Even aside from Manifestation, bloodlines like the Vassal Bloodline still had abysmally low rates. Just then, Gael Garcia whispered near Kwon Hanul¡¯s ear, ¡°Oh, by the way¡ªnot all Sacred Beast Bloodlines are limited to just two creatures.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°The founder of the Garcia clan... he supposedly mimicked multiple creatures simultaneously.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, that¡¯s a trueblood ancestor. That¡¯s basically a different league,¡± Mei Hong said, unimpressed. ¡°Just thought I¡¯d mention it.¡± After hearing that, Kwon Hanul looked back at his Manifestation List. Thanks to the Sacred Beast Bloodline, he could now draw on the essence of other bloodlines and assume a partial Incarnation. But if true Sacred Beast Bloodlines could mimic multiple creatures at once... That meant¡ª :Could I... manifest multiple Incarnations at the same time?¡¯ *** A small room. Two men were tied to metal chairs. ¡°Ghh... ugh...¡± ¡°Nghhh...¡± Neither was in good shape. They¡¯d clearly been tortured¡ªno part of their body was unscathed. It was a miracle they were even alive. Anyone would be shocked to hear their names: The Godfather and Jose del Pablo. The very ones who once ruled over the South American cartel alliance. ¡°They both seem completely in the dark.¡± A Hyukcheon operative wiped blood from his hands¡ªthe same man who had reduced them to this state. ¡°They don¡¯t know? Are you sure?¡± Kwon Mi¡¯s voice was sharp. The operative nodded without hesitation. ¡°Yes. They know nothing about Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk.¡± Kwon Mi¡¯s expression darkened. She didn¡¯t doubt the operative¡ªhe was practically a specialist in these things. But it was still hard to believe. ¡°Then why did he call me and suggest a plan involving Kwon Hanul?¡± Not long ago, Kwon Hyuk had called Kwon Mi with a proposal to deal with Kwon Hanul. She had assumed he meant using the South American cartels. But that had clearly been a huge misunderstanding. ¡°...What are you really up to, Kwon Hyuk?¡± Her expression turned grim. *** Kwon Hyuk idly scratched his ear. A woman beside him asked, ¡°Something wrong?¡± ¡°Just felt a tickle. In Korea, we say your ear itches when someone¡¯s talking behind your back.¡± ¡°Charming little superstition.¡± Her expression said otherwise¡ªshe looked bored. Kwon Hyuk didn¡¯t mind. This woman had every right to treat him as an equal. ¡°So, why have you come to see me, Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk?¡± ¡°Just passing by. As one of the elders of the Blaga family, I figured it was time for a visit.¡± The woman, Catalina Blaga, gave a strange smile. ¡°Drop the pleasantries. Tell me why you¡¯re really here.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not exactly thrilled to see me, huh?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the visit I dislike. It¡¯s you I have a problem with.¡± She was still smiling¡ªbut coldly. ¡°That¡¯s harsh.¡± ¡°Should I apologize?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Kwon Hyuk sipped the tea she had served him. Catalina Blaga narrowed her eyes slightly. No one ever let their guard down around her¡ªone never knew what tricks she might use to enslave them. But this man behaved like he owned the place. ¡°I hear you¡¯ve been ignoring my son¡¯s calls?¡± Kwon Hyuk spoke up suddenly. ¡°Why? You¡¯ll need his help to get to Kwon Hanul, won¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Wasn¡¯t too impressed last time he helped.¡± ¡°I see. Then perhaps it¡¯s good that I came in person.¡± Kwon Hyuk¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Catalina Blaga. How about making a deal with me instead?¡± ¡°No thanks.¡± She shut him down immediately. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. I can bring him over myself.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve said this already¡ªI don¡¯t like you. The idea of partnering with you makes my skin crawl.¡± ¡°May I ask why?¡± Catalina clucked her tongue. ¡°Because you¡¯re not like the rest of Hyukcheon.¡± A curious answer. ¡°Sure, the Hyukcheon bloodline is full of insane bastards¡ªbut at least they only act that way toward outsiders.¡± She had observed them for a long time and come to that conclusion. ¡°But you? You act the opposite. That¡¯s ominous.¡± Calling him a heretic wasn¡¯t enough. Kwon Hyuk might carry Hyukcheon blood¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t Hyukcheon. ¡°I tried to tolerate it at first. But the more I thought about it, the harder it became.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re cutting ties with me?¡± ¡°Yes. And as I said, I can do this alone.¡± ¡°You¡¯re making the same mistake I once did. Believing you can handle Kwon Hanul by yourself.¡± ¡°What a joke.¡± Catalina¡¯s lips curved up, but her eyes didn¡¯t smile. She was clearly offended. ¡°Ever wonder why I keep coming to you? I could eliminate a bloodline member on my own¡ªbut I still sought you out.¡± She crossed her arms. It was true¡ªshe had always wondered about that. With Kwon Hyuk¡¯s power, why hadn¡¯t he just gotten rid of Kwon Hanul himself? ¡°It¡¯s because the Chairman has his eyes on him. Even I can¡¯t touch him easily.¡± ¡°Plenty of people say that. Still didn¡¯t stop me from taking things they loved.¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul is a Trueblood.¡± Kwon Hyuk said it flatly. Catalina furrowed her brow. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°He¡¯s the second person after our founder, Kwon Hyunmoon, to possess the True Black Dragon Bloodline.¡± ¡°Who¡¯d believe that kind of lie...¡± But she stopped mid-sentence. Bowed her head and thought back. ¡°...Now it all makes sense.¡± Why her seduction hadn¡¯t worked. Why her bloodline powers were useless . Why Ruyn Aspadam had lost. ¡°It¡¯s because he¡¯s a Trueblood.¡± Catalina looked up. And on her usually composed face was a terrible, indescribable greed. ¡°Now you understand how much the Chairman values that child,¡± Kwon Hyuk said with a satisfied smile. ¡°As long as the Chairman lives, neither of us can lay a hand on him. But...¡± If they joined forces, it might be different. ¡°Catalina Blaga. Will you accept my offer now?¡± He asked in a hushed, conspiratorial tone. But the answer was already clear. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 100 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 100: Naming Battle (1) ¡°We must punish Kwon Hanul immediately!¡± A dark room. On the wall, a massive screen displayed countless faces in a video conference. One of them¡ªa man at the center¡ªraised his voice. ¡°Kwon Hanul grossly overstepped his authority on this mission! We sent him to secure the dungeon, and instead he started a war!¡± The other faces on the monitor nodded in agreement. ¡°Do you know how many complaints we had to deal with because of this? Even the South Korean government asked us to rein him in!¡± With great power comes great responsibility. The blatant invasion of South America by the Hyukcheon Group had provoked numerous factions. They had struggled immensely just to smooth things over. ¡°This is all Kwon Hanul¡¯s fault! We absolutely cannot let this slide¡ªChairman?¡± The man looked confused when he called out, but Chairman Kwon Seonwoo gave no reply. He was staring at a tablet instead of paying attention to the screen. ¡°Chairman!¡± When the man shouted again, Seonwoo finally looked up. ¡°Ah, did you call me?¡± ¡°What are you even watching right now?¡± ¡°This.¡± Chairman Kwon Seonwoo turned his tablet to the camera. A video was playing on the screen. It was grainy¡ªclearly taken from a distance on a smartphone¡ªbut the content was unmistakable. In the video, two men were fighting. One held a jagged stone blade in his hand. The other had horns on his forehead, scales covering his entire body¡ªhis form far removed from anything human. ¡°No matter how many times I watch it, it still amazes me.¡± ¡°Chairman, that¡¯s not what¡¯s important right now¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ve all seen it too, haven¡¯t you? Well then, let¡¯s hear your thoughts.¡± Silence fell. As Kwon Seonwoo said, everyone here had seen the video¡ªand that¡¯s exactly why no one could speak. It was that shocking. ¡°You all know who Jose del Pablo is. I¡¯m sure you investigated him after this incident.¡± Jose del Pablo wasn¡¯t a well-known name. But his skills were indisputable. Had he emerged beyond South America, he would¡¯ve been ranked among the elite¡ªearning the prestigious Triple Numbering rank as a true world-class fighter. ¡°To see someone of that caliber overwhelmed so easily... Truly impressive. That¡¯s the power of the True Bloodline.¡± According to Kwon Hanul¡¯s report, this was a unique ability possessed only by the True Bloodline. Whether it was genuine or not, there was no denying it was an extraordinary power. ¡°Chairman.¡± The same man who had protested earlier spoke again, his face set with determination. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to praise Kwon Hanul. We need to make sure he never pulls a stunt like this again¡ª¡± ¡°Let¡¯s be honest with ourselves. Isn¡¯t this all just an excuse to find fault with him?¡± A second silence followed Seonwoo¡¯s words. A smile crept onto his lips. ¡°Until now, none of you really took the True Bloodline seriously. You figured it was impressive, sure¡ªbut not that impressive. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± The faces on the screen were all senior elders of the Hyukcheon Group¡ªpeople with power and influence. Having already secured their positions, they hadn¡¯t given much thought to Kwon Hanul. ¡°But lately, as stories of his achievements spread, you started to realize. The True Bloodline isn¡¯t just impressive¡ªit¡¯s far beyond what you imagined. And if left unchecked, he could threaten your turf.¡± The elders had simply wanted Kwon Hanul to be a strong warrior representing the clan. But he wasn¡¯t someone who¡¯d remain ¡°just a skilled warrior.¡± It hadn¡¯t even been a full year since Kwon Hanul joined the Hyukcheon Clan. In that time, what kinds of enemies had he taken down? What feats had he accomplished? ¡°By clan law, all Purebloods must submit to the True Bloodline. But none of you have any intention of doing that, do you?¡± Until now, the Purebloods had been the undisputed rulers of the Hyukcheon Clan. They believed only they possessed the nobility and right to lead, living as revered and feared figures among the Mixed Bloods and Inferior Bloods. So naturally, they had no intention of yielding to the True Bloodline. ¡°So now you¡¯re trying to rein him in, aren¡¯t you?¡± Using this alleged abuse of authority as justification, they wanted to discipline Kwon Hanul and bend him into obedience. That¡¯s what the elders truly wanted. ¡°How petty,¡± Seonwoo said bluntly. ¡°To think this was the best plan you could come up with... Has age turned the Hyukcheon bloodline into nothing more than decrepit snakes?¡± The elders¡¯ faces twisted in rage. Even through the screen, their fury was palpable. To show such defiance at the clan head¡¯s words¡ªthis was insubordination in its purest form. But Seonwoo only smiled, unbothered. ¡°Yes... now this is the Hyukcheon blood I know.¡± The Hyukcheon Clan had risen this far on pride alone. Their resistance wasn¡¯t out of greed, but pride¡ªunwillingness to bend to the True Bloodline. ¡°Do you want to defeat him? Then don¡¯t scheme¡ªact.¡± The elders looked puzzled at Seonwoo¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll be holding a Naming Battle soon.¡± Their eyes widened. The Naming Battle was a tradition where unrecognized units (nameless squads) fought one another. The winner would be promoted and granted an official name. A named unit would receive vastly expanded authority¡ªbecoming a true Hyukcheon squad. ¡°Send your nameless squads. Defeat the True Bloodline there. Then you¡¯ll have no more complaints, right?¡± Then, someone spoke up. ¡°But what if the True Bloodline is seriously hurt?¡± ¡°I doubt that would happen... Ah, I see.¡± Seonwoo turned to look at a man on the monitor. He was middle-aged, with striking features¡ªblond hair and blue eyes. A mixed-race descendant of Hyukcheon and European lineage¡ªKwon Dagmar, head of the Europe branch. ¡°Your child recently left Chan-seong¡¯s team to form their own unit, didn¡¯t they?¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team was one of Hyukcheon¡¯s elite units. Dagmar¡¯s child had served as Chan-seong¡¯s right-hand. ¡°Without achievements, no one is eligible to receive a name. Because of that clause, my child is currently leading a nameless unit. May I enter them?¡± Without hesitation, Seonwoo nodded. ¡°As you wish.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± With that, the meeting ended. One by one, the faces disappeared from the monitor. Once the screen went dark, Seonwoo sighed. ¡°Damn... I forgot about that brat.¡± He smacked his lips in annoyance. Even someone like Kwon Seonwoo, who always seemed composed, had moments like this. ¡°No matter how much of a monster Kwon Hanul is... this might be tough.¡± If Jose del Pablo was a firefly, Dagmar¡¯s child was a full moon. The difference was massive¡ªbut for good reason. Jose del Pablo had only ever operated in the confines of South America. Dagmar¡¯s child, however, had been part of Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s top-tier team. ¡°Hmph.¡± Kwon Hanul had always done the impossible. But this time, Seonwoo had serious doubts. ¡°...And yet, it¡¯s in times like this that true value reveals itself.¡± The Seonwoo of old wouldn¡¯t have cared. Even if this situation arose from his own mistake, a true gem shines no matter where it is. Overcoming such odds should be expected. But still... He picked up the phone and made a call. No one answered. Only after several attempts did the line finally connect. ¡°Why did it take you so long to pick up? You said you were on vacation and had nothing to do.¡± The voice on the other end grumbled. Seonwoo clicked his tongue. ¡°I have something I need you to handle.¡± The protest was fierce¡ªwhy assign work during vacation? But Seonwoo ignored it and said, ¡°Kwon Hanul.¡± The voice went silent. ¡°You¡¯ll be in charge of him and his team for now.¡± *** Three days had passed since returning from Mexico. Kwon Hanul spent that time training with Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon. ¡°Hah... I-I can¡¯t go on anymore...¡± ¡°Same here...¡± The two collapsed flat on the ground, soaked in sweat. ¡°You¡¯re the ones who asked me for help¡ªhow can you be the first to give out?¡± In contrast, Kwon Hanul looked completely unfazed. His appearance was identical to when he first entered the training hall¡ªnot even a wrinkle on his clothes. ¡°H-Hanul... what the heck is going on?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Your movements¡ªthey¡¯re nothing like before...¡± ¡°Exactly! Just a few days ago we could sort of keep up... but today it¡¯s impossible!¡± ¡°Maybe you two are just off your game today.¡± He said that, but the real reason was different. Ever since partially awakening into a half-transformed avatar, the power of the Black Dragon Bloodline had surged. The Black Dragon Bloodline imbued its user with the instincts of a dragon. As its power grew, those instincts sharpened¡ªdirectly enhancing Kwon Hanul¡¯s movements. ¡°Let¡¯s go one more round.¡± ¡°I¡¯m all recovered too!¡± Just as the two got back up, ready for another bout, Hanul¡¯s instincts screamed a warning. ¡°Get back!¡± Hudon and Mei Hong didn¡¯t sense anything¡ªbut immediately obeyed his shout and leapt aside. A massive figure dropped from the sky. When he landed, the ground quaked with a shockwave of overwhelming magical energy. ¡°Aagh!¡± ¡°Kyaa!¡± The wave of force sent Hudon and Mei Hong flying. The assailant swatted them both aside effortlessly. ¡°Hudon! Mei Hong!¡± But Hanul had no time to check on them. The man was already charging at him. ¡®Fast¡ª¡¯ Before he could finish the thought, a fist was already in his face. The pressure crushed the air around it. The sheer force was staggering. This wasn¡¯t an attack he could block. Hanul twisted his waist and barely dodged the punch. At the same time, he countered with a kick to the man¡¯s jaw. The angle was perfect¡ªbut Hanul was the one who reeled from the impact. ¡®What is this guy made of...?¡¯ His leg throbbed from the blow. But there was no time to be stunned. The attacker punched again¡ªfaster this time. ¡°Tch!¡± No way to dodge. Hanul crossed his arms and summoned his Dragon Aura to shield himself. The man didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe punched anyway. ¡®Is he insane?¡¯ A bare fist against Aura? The latter should¡¯ve crushed it. Aura was refined magical energy. No unenhanced punch could stand against it. But¡ª The man¡¯s fist shattered Hanul¡¯s Aura. ¡°What?¡± His defense broke, and the punch slammed into his forearms, rattling his insides. Hanul was flung backward, coughing blood. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare lay a hand on Hanul!¡± A roar rang out¡ªHudon had recovered. He summoned his Dragon Scale Armor, transforming into a black giant and charged. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t let your guard down.¡± A blade pressed against the attacker¡¯s throat. Mei Hong had closed in, her sword at his neck. ¡°Ho...¡± The man let out a short chuckle. And then¡ª ¡°You two, stand down.¡± Hanul said something unbelievable. Both Hudon and Mei Hong looked at him in confusion. Hanul sighed. ¡°Great-Uncle... don¡¯t you think that was a bit much?¡± The man pulled off his hood, revealing a mischievous grin. It was Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°Was it that obvious?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 101 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 101: The Naming Battle (2) ¡°Ha ha ha! It¡¯s good to see you again! Been well?¡± Kwon Myung-woo laughed heartily, giving Kwon Hanul a few firm pats on the back. It was a gesture of affection, but every hit made Hanul¡¯s entire body ache. ¡°I trust you¡¯ve also been well, Granduncle.¡± ¡°Drop the formalities! Man, your skills have improved since I last saw you. Didn¡¯t expect you to react to all my punches!¡± Hanul could only offer a wry smile. Truthfully, he hadn¡¯t managed to fully block Myung-woo¡¯s strikes. One of his spirit techniques had even shattered from a barehanded blow. The gap between them was still immense¡ªso large he couldn¡¯t even think of bridging it. ¡°Long time no see, Hudon.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, sir! H-Hello!¡± Kwon Hudon answered nervously, stiff as a board. Kwon Myung-woo wasn¡¯t just known as the Strongest Fist of Hyukcheon, but also second in influence only to Kwon Seonwoo. Even with close blood ties, it was impossible not to be intimidated. ¡°And this must be Mei Hong, right? The girl who sided with Hyukcheon during the war with the Mei clan?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Elder.¡± Mei Hong replied politely¡ªcompletely unlike her usual demeanor. Even someone like her had to show respect in front of Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°I heard there was one more in your group. Where is he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s still being questioned.¡± His unclear origins meant interrogation was unavoidable. ¡°Tch... That¡¯s inconvenient. I¡¯ll contact the interrogators myself and tell them to wrap it up and send him here immediately.¡± ¡°Inconvenient? How so?¡± ¡°Well, you see¡ª¡± ¡°Lord Kwon Myung-woo?¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s voice called from nearby. She looked surprised to see him. ¡°Hayun! It¡¯s been a while!¡± ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Just some business. Is that food yours?¡± He pointed to the basket in her hands. Hayun often brought snacks around the time Hanul¡¯s training ended. ¡°Yes... it is.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starving. Let¡¯s talk while we eat.¡± Myung-woo licked his lips hungrily. * * * ¡°Soon, the Naming Battle will be held.¡± Munching on one of the scones Hayun brought, Myung-woo spoke. The term was unfamiliar to Hanul. ¡°The Naming Battle?¡± ¡°Ah, you probably haven¡¯t heard of it. It¡¯s a tournament where unnamed units fight to be promoted into named units.¡± Hyukcheon¡¯s forces are split into two major categories: Named Units, which have official designations, and Unnamed Units, which are referred to by numbers. Naturally, Named Units hold more authority and prestige. ¡°Elder, may I ask something?¡± Hayun poured tea as she asked. ¡°Why is the Naming Battle being held now? I thought it was only convened under special circumstances.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because of him.¡± Myung-woo pointed at Hanul, who blinked in surprise. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yes. The elders are in an uproar over what you pulled in South America. They¡¯re calling it a breach of authority.¡± ¡°Breach of authority? But I¡ª¡± ¡°A-Ah! No! That wasn¡¯t Hanul! My... my mom was the one who¡ª!¡± ¡°I know. The elders know too. Everyone knows it wasn¡¯t your decision alone¡ªit was Kwon Mi¡¯s call.¡± ¡°T-Then why¡ª?¡± ¡°Because the truth doesn¡¯t matter much here.¡± Myung-woo took a sip of tea. Despite his rough demeanor, the elegance with which he savored the tea was surprising. ¡°They¡¯re using this as an excuse to restrict your actions, Hanul.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m a Trueblood, huh.¡± Myung-woo nodded at Hanul¡¯s words. ¡°They can¡¯t stomach acknowledging a Trueblood like you, not even as fellow members of the Hyukcheon bloodline.¡± In the Hyukcheon family, one¡¯s rank is determined by blood purity. By law, all should bow to a Trueblood like Hanul. But Purebloods weren¡¯t so willing to submit. ¡°So my brother proposed a solution. If they don¡¯t want to accept you by blood, then make them yield by strength. That¡¯s why he called for the Naming Battle.¡± By sending their subordinate units into an official match against Hanul¡¯s, they could determine rank the old-fashioned way¡ªthrough combat. ¡°Well, damn...¡± Hanul scowled. All of this had been arranged without even asking him? ¡°This is an opportunity!¡± Mei Hong suddenly exclaimed. ¡°Who could even stand against Lord Hanul? To be promoted this fast¡ªthis kind of luck doesn¡¯t come around twice!¡± ¡°Y-Yeah! Once you¡¯re a Named Unit, you can do so much more!¡± Unnamed Units had to follow orders from the family and higher units. Named Units, though, had autonomy in operations and received more support. ¡°Winning won¡¯t be easy.¡± Myung-woo cut in firmly. ¡°This time, a real monster¡¯s joining the battle.¡± ¡°Wh-Who do you mean?¡± Hudon asked timidly. Myung-woo turned sharply, his gaze fierce. ¡°Vain Hope.¡± Hanul had never heard the name before. But Hayun and Hudon¡¯s reactions were explosive. ¡°They¡¯re participating?!¡± ¡°N-No way! Even Hanul can¡¯t... not against that one...!¡± They weren¡¯t just surprised¡ªthey were terrified. Hanul finally asked the obvious question. ¡°Who exactly is this Vain Hope?¡± ¡°Heir to the European branch. Once the right hand of Lord Kwon Chan-seong. A member of Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline.¡± ¡°They say ¡®right hand,¡¯ but their skill was practically equal... at least back in the day.¡± ¡°Their achievements with Kwon Chan-seong are legendary. They even cleared an entire country¡¯s dungeons alone once.¡± Just hearing it painted a vivid picture. A monstrous talent among monsters. ¡°E-Even you can¡¯t take on that person, Hanul... Let¡¯s just sit this one out...¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight them either. But can I really back down?¡± ¡°H-Huh?¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t participate, I¡¯ll be seen as a coward.¡± Myung-woo nodded. ¡°Exactly. The whole event¡¯s staged to put you down. If you run, every Hyukcheon bloodline will think you¡¯re weak.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do.¡± Hanul had his sights set on the top of Hyukcheon. He couldn¡¯t afford to be mocked by everyone. ¡°This works out.¡± Myung-woo raised a brow. ¡°Works out?¡± ¡°I was going to show them who I really am sooner or later.¡± A chance to clash not with individuals, but with the entire Pureblood faction. ¡°Time to break their pride.¡± At Hanul¡¯s bold words, Myung-woo burst out laughing. Even so, Hudon still looked anxious. ¡°B-But Vain Hope is....¡± ¡°People say you''re timid, but I didn¡¯t know you were this bad.¡± Hudon looked crushed by Myung-woo¡¯s blunt jab. ¡°You worry too much! That¡¯s no way for a Hyukcheon bloodline to act. A man¡¯s got to charge forward, whether it ends in glory or failure!¡± ¡°Granduncle, easy for you to say¡ªit¡¯s not your neck on the line.¡± Hanul clicked his tongue. Myung-woo just laughed louder. ¡°Relax. I¡¯m not sending you in unprepared!¡± ¡°You¡¯re not?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll personally train all three of you!¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened in shock. This was Kwon Myung-woo¡ªthe man hailed as the greatest martial artist in Hyukcheon. A living legend. And he was going to train them? ¡°Ah right. Including the newcomer, that makes four.¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Would I lie? Just trust me.¡± He thumped his chest confidently. ¡°I only attacked you earlier to assess your abilities. How else would I know how to train you?¡± ¡°You figured that out that fast?¡± ¡°Of course! Honestly, Hanul, you don¡¯t need my help. You¡¯re already on the path to mastery.¡± A compliment so high it was dizzying. ¡°But you¡¯re still not using defensive formations under pressure. I can tell you haven¡¯t fully mastered the Twelve Black Dragon Forms.¡± The following critique hit home. Hanul had only really used four of the six basic forms. The rest had fallen out of use. ¡°And without the foundation from those forms, you¡¯ll never unlock the Ascension Form.¡± ¡°How did you know I can¡¯t use it?¡± ¡°I saw your fight with Jose del Pablo. You only used ¡®Dragon¡¯s Roar,¡¯ and even that was incomplete.¡± He was right. Hanul couldn¡¯t use the Ascension Form. His mana twisted or his body couldn¡¯t handle it whenever he tried. Even Dragon¡¯s Roar only worked because of his half-divine body. ¡°Once your basics are solid, you¡¯ll master it quickly.¡± ¡°Then... can I beat Vain Hope?¡± ¡°That, I don¡¯t know.¡± Myung-woo answered bluntly. ¡°Even with Ascension, that child... might be out of reach.¡± Then he smiled. ¡°But you¡¯ve always done the impossible, haven¡¯t you?¡± Hanul gave a crooked smile in return. ¡°But you two... you¡¯re the problem.¡± He turned to Mei Hong and Hudon. His tone chilled noticeably. ¡°I see potential¡ªbut that¡¯s it. Your overall level is too low. When Hanul was parrying my blows, what were you two doing? Knocked out from a single hit?¡± Hudon hung his head. Mei Hong bit her lip. ¡°Pathetic. Subordinates not even worth their leader¡¯s shadow. How¡¯s he supposed to achieve greatness with allies like that?¡± Hanul tried to intervene¡ªbut Hayun subtly stopped him. ¡°From a regular perspective, you¡¯re strong. But to the real elites, you¡¯re nowhere near enough. You need to wake up. Especially you.¡± He pointed at Mei Hong. Her eyes widened. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yes. You¡¯re a blood of the Mei clan¡ªand you hate them. But with your current strength, you couldn¡¯t even kill one of their survivors.¡± Her face hardened. ¡°...You¡¯ve seen them?¡± ¡°Yes. Ran into a few on a mission recently. So consumed by hatred it chilled even me.¡± ¡°Where are they?¡± His brow furrowed at the interruption. But Mei Hong pressed him. ¡°Tell me. Where can I find them?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother. You wouldn¡¯t last five seconds.¡± ¡°That¡¯s for me to decide! Just tell me where¡ª¡± She went silent. Myung-woo¡¯s finger had suddenly touched her forehead. She hadn¡¯t seen him move. It wasn¡¯t a finger¡ªit felt like a glowing needle of heat. Just touching it could vaporize her skin. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky.¡± His voice was cold, emotionless. But the pressure he gave off was overwhelming. ¡°I¡¯m not here to indulge your tantrums. You¡¯re not even family. Don¡¯t expect my patience to last.¡± Mei Hong slowly nodded. Only then did he lower his hand. ¡°Now, let¡¯s move out.¡± He turned to Hanul, who frowned. ¡°Move out? Where are we going...?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 102 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 102: Mystery (1) Once the decision was made, Kwon Myung-woo immediately contacted the interrogators. With a single phone call from him, the interrogators promptly brought in Gael Garcia. After that, Kwon Hanul and the remaining three prepared for travel and boarded Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s private jet. ¡°Wahaha! So you''re the third one to join, huh!¡± Inside the plane, Kwon Myung-woo showed great interest in Gael Garcia. It was clear that Gael¡¯s rare sacred beast bloodline intrigued him deeply. ¡°Just one look, and I can tell¡ªyou¡¯re no ordinary guy. Hanul, I¡¯ll be counting on you to guide him.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Gael Garcia replied in a stiff tone. Even in front of a major figure like Kwon Myung-woo, Gael¡¯s demeanor remained unchanged. Hanul had sensed it before, but Gael Garcia truly wasn¡¯t an average person. As Kwon Hanul observed the two, Kwon Hudon, seated beside him, murmured blankly, ¡°I-I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going to be trained by Granduncle Myung-woo...¡± Overcome with emotion, Hudon wiped away a tear. ¡°H-Hanul... what kind of training do you think he¡¯ll teach us?¡± ¡°No idea.¡± ¡°W-What if I mess up because I¡¯m d-dumb? What if Granduncle thinks I¡¯ve got no talent and sends me back...¡± The kid was worrying for no reason. Kwon Hudon had already shown exceptional talent¡ªenough to impress even Kwon Myung-woo. There was no way things would turn out the way Hudon feared. ¡°Still... I¡¯m curious about the training too.¡± Truthfully, Kwon Hanul was just as eager. He already knew how formidable Kwon Myung-woo was¡ªhe¡¯d seen it during the Mei Clan incident. Despite being attacked by the Mei Clan¡¯s head and the so-called Greatest Sword of Central Plains, he had come out victorious. That alone was proof of his extraordinary skill. ¡°Miss Hayun, do you have any guesses?¡± Hanul turned to Joo Hayun. She was reading a book with her glasses on, which softened her normally sharp expression. ¡°Hmm... I do have a hunch.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hanul perked up. So did Hudon. ¡°But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d use such a barbaric method nowadays.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Never mind.¡± Joo Hayun shook her head and returned to her book. Hanul and Hudon looked at her in confusion. ¡°Hey, Hanul.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°Do you think... Mei Hong is okay?¡± Hudon cautiously pointed to Mei Hong. She was sitting a little apart from the group, staring silently out the window. Normally, she¡¯d be clinging to Hayun or teasing Hudon by now. It was an unfamiliar sight. ¡°Should... should we try to comfort her or something?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to leave her alone for now.¡± Hanul gently stopped him. ¡°Everyone needs time to be alone sometimes.¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s private jet landed at a port in the southernmost part of Australia. There, a large yacht awaited them. ¡°Greetings. My name is Paul Nadine, and I¡¯ll be your captain for this journey.¡± Several people standing at the yacht¡¯s entrance bowed to Kwon Myung-woo. Paul Nadine introduced the team around him¡ªeach one essential to operating the vessel. ¡°Right this way, please.¡± Just before boarding, Hanul couldn¡¯t hold back his question. ¡°Granduncle?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I thought we were going for training?¡± ¡°We are.¡± ¡°Then... why a yacht?¡± Kwon Myung-woo simply replied, ¡°You¡¯ll see when we get there.¡± Hanul boarded the yacht, still unsure. Though it was called a ¡°yacht,¡± the vessel was the size of a cruise liner. There was even a massive pool on deck, along with a movie theater and a medical facility inside. The journey wasn¡¯t boring by any means¡ªbut it certainly didn¡¯t feel like training. It felt more like a luxurious vacation. After some time had passed¡ª ¡°There it is.¡± Kwon Myung-woo pointed at something in the distance. When Hanul looked, he couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. A dungeon gate floated above the ocean. It was massive¡ªlarge enough for three of their yacht to enter side by side. Surrounding it were real warships outfitted with proper equipment, not the black-market junk he¡¯d seen with cartels before. ¡°What is this place?¡± Cartels had military forces too, but not like this. Those were mostly smuggled arms¡ªnothing official. The yacht slowly entered the dungeon gate. And before long, a vast city unfolded before Hanul¡¯s eyes. ¡°What the...¡± The first thing he noticed was a coliseum¡ªa giant, circular arena. Not just one, but three of them stood tall. Surrounding the coliseums were buildings of all shapes and sizes. ¡°Amazing, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kwon Myung-woo grinned. ¡°Welcome to Mystery.¡± After dungeon gates first opened, humanity faced a major crisis. Monsters poured through, and there was no way to stop them. But fortunately, humanity was saved by the emergence of Hunters¡ªthose who awakened the ability to access status windows. The crisis passed, and peace returned. As the peace endured, civilization began to stabilize. And once survival was secured, people naturally turned their attention to pleasure. On top of that, Earth was now flooded with all sorts of magical artifacts brought through the dungeons. So, a handful of wealthy elites banded together to create a city where they could indulge themselves however they pleased. ¡°That¡¯s how the city of Mystery was born.¡± Kwon Myung-woo explained as they walked. ¡°A playground for the rich. A place where illegal acts happen out in the open.¡± ¡°Then... why are we here?¡± ¡°Ah, good question.¡± Kwon Myung-woo pointed to the coliseums. ¡°Do you know what the most popular form of entertainment is in this city? Death matches.¡± Hanul frowned at the term. ¡°Exactly what it sounds like. Fights to the death. Some coliseums pit people against each other. Others, humans versus monsters.¡± That explained the presence of multiple coliseums. ¡°Each of you will be assigned one arena. Conquer it. That will be your training.¡± At that, Joo Hayun smacked her forehead and sighed. ¡°...I knew it.¡± Now, Hanul finally understood why she had been so worried. * * * At that moment, just as Hanul¡¯s group arrived in the city of Mystery¡ª A secret meeting was taking place on the rooftop of one of the city¡¯s skyscrapers. ¡°Pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Mark Goldpixie.¡± A well-dressed man extended his hand. A woman took it. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure. My name is Maria Sanchez.¡± After shaking hands, they each took a seat. Mark Goldpixie poured a drink and asked, ¡°Would you like a glass?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m not very good with alcohol.¡± She smiled faintly¡ªdelicate and soft, almost fragile enough to awaken any man¡¯s protective instincts. But Mark quickly shook the thought from his mind. This woman was the furthest thing from someone needing protection. She was violence incarnate. ¡°Thank you for agreeing to this. Without your cooperation, the Sanchez family wouldn¡¯t have made it into Mystery.¡± Since Mystery¡¯s existence was kept secret, security and surveillance were extremely tight. Especially against criminals or anyone who could threaten the city. ¡°We¡¯re just helping each other out. Your family promised to do something for me, didn¡¯t they?¡± The Sanchez family¡ªa clan with superhuman bloodline, and the only known family in the world entirely immersed in crime. Maria Sanchez, seated across from him, was a member of Pandemonium¡¯s Council, famously known as the Iron Maiden. ¡°Let¡¯s go over the deal again. I, Mark Goldpixie, smuggle members of the Sanchez family into Mystery and get them into the coliseum matches. Correct?¡± ¡°And we, the Sanchez family, will win every match and raise your name, Mark Goldpixie, to the Hall of Fame. Correct?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Mark smiled, pleased. ¡°I¡¯m glad I met you. I¡¯m one of the original founders of Mystery. But... we haven¡¯t had a single sponsored fighter win in years.¡± ¡°Oh dear... that must¡¯ve been rough.¡± ¡°Rough doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it. It¡¯s been downright shameful. I can¡¯t face my ancestors.¡± He clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Sanchez family will make sure your name is enshrined in glory.¡± ¡°I¡¯m counting on you. But... are you really satisfied with just the winner¡¯s prize?¡± The Sanchez family had agreed to take the prize while giving Mark the glory. But Mark found it odd¡ªthey seemed too content with such a basic deal. ¡°We¡¯ve got our eyes on some specific items. No matter what, we¡¯re going to get them.¡± ¡°There wasn¡¯t anything that valuable among the prizes...¡± ¡°That¡¯s how it may seem to others. But only our family understands their true worth.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Curiosity sparked in Mark¡¯s eyes. Maria gave a coy smile. ¡°If I told you, your life might be in danger.¡± Mark flinched, jerking backward. Maria chuckled. ¡°Just kidding.¡± ¡°...That¡¯s a bit much for a joke.¡± ¡°As an apology, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± She leaned in and whispered, ¡°They¡¯re the treasures left behind by the founder of the Sanchez family.¡± Mark¡¯s eyes widened. If such priceless items had entered the city, how had none of the appraisers noticed? He made a mental note¡ªtime to replace some staff. Pouring himself a drink, Mark asked, ¡°Are you confident you¡¯ll win?¡± ¡°Do you not trust us?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I doubt your family¡¯s reputation... but the coliseums of Mystery are no joke. Many big names came in cocky and left in defeat. You¡¯d be surprised by who.¡± Maria simply smiled in response. ¡°At times like this, it¡¯s best to show rather than tell.¡± She clapped her hands. The door opened, and several people entered. The moment Mark saw them, he felt an overwhelming pressure¡ªas if the air had been sucked from his lungs. He¡¯d met countless Hunters in his life, but never once had he felt like this. ¡°All of them are pureblood Sanchez.¡± Mark¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I guarantee it. No one in this city can defeat the Sanchez family.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 103 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 103: Mystery (2) The deal with Mark Goldpixie was complete. Maria Sanchez exited the building with her bloodkin. ¡°Lady Maria.¡± It was as they walked through the streets of Mystery City. One of the bloodkin spoke up. ¡°I believe you told the outsider a bit too much.¡± ¡°Hm? Ah, you mean when I mentioned that one of the championship prizes includes the Founder''s relic?¡± Maria Sanchez smiled as she responded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Mark Goldpixie may be an idiot, but he¡¯s not stupid enough to risk his life. He knows very well that if he lays a finger on that relic, we¡¯ll be the ones ending him.¡± The Sanchez Family. No one is ignorant of their infamy¡ªespecially as the bearers of Superhuman Bloodline. No matter how wealthy or powerful Mark Goldpixie is, he¡¯s no match for the Sanchez family. ¡°Anyway, focus on the tournaments. You all know we have to win every match, right?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it enough if we just win the underground arena? That¡¯s where the Founder¡¯s relic is, after all.¡± ¡°Since we¡¯re here, might as well take all the prizes. Besides, the deal with Mark Goldpixie was to win every Colosseum event.¡± At Maria¡¯s words, the bloodkin all looked visibly annoyed. ¡°Now that it¡¯s come to this, why don¡¯t we make a bet? On who wins the fastest?¡± ¡°Forget that. Let¡¯s say whoever racks up the highest kill count wins.¡± ¡°You idiot. That gives the edge to whoever ends up in the team battle.¡± Despite the banter, not a single member of the Sanchez bloodline looked nervous. Whether they won or lost wasn¡¯t even a concern¡ªit was a foregone conclusion. The only question was how much more they could take from the experience. ¡°Um... Lady Maria?¡± That¡¯s when a voice spoke¡ªsmall and hesitant. It came from a petite girl among them. ¡°What if... I mean, just in case... in the unlikely event... we don¡¯t win every match¡ªwhat happens then?¡± ¡°What the hell are you babbling about?!¡± ¡°You lost your damn mind or something?!¡± A wave of curses erupted. The girl hugged her head with both arms. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t mean¡ª!¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Maria Sanchez finally spoke, and the verbal assault stopped. She looked straight at the girl. ¡°Larisa. You want to die?¡± Her face wore a smile. But her voice? Absolutely laced with malice. Larisa froze on the spot. ¡°The games haven¡¯t even started yet, and you¡¯re spouting this bad-luck nonsense? Want me to rip out your tongue?¡± Larisa Sanchez shook her head rapidly. ¡°That was a dogshit question, but fine¡ªI¡¯ll humor you. What if we don¡¯t win every match?¡± Maria turned away from her as she answered. ¡°Our Sanchez family will never give up on that relic. One way or another¡ªwe will take it.¡± * * * Kwon Myung-woo brought the group back to their lodging first. Surprisingly, the place he¡¯d rented wasn¡¯t a hotel. It was an entire estate located on the outskirts of Mystery City. Complete with a massive pool and manicured gardens¡ªit even dwarfed Kwon Hanul¡¯s own home back in the Hyukcheon clan. ¡°Tch. I know we came in a rush, but this dump for a base?¡± Even a mansion like this didn¡¯t seem to meet Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s standards. After grumbling while checking out the estate, he gathered everyone in the living room. ¡°Now, about that tournament I mentioned earlier.¡± He spoke while lounging on a massive sofa. ¡°It¡¯s a death match, yes¡ªbut the killing part isn¡¯t mandatory. If someone declares defeat, the match ends immediately.¡± At that, Kwon Hudon raised his hand, hesitantly. ¡°W-What if you can¡¯t declare defeat...?¡± ¡°Then you die,¡± Myung-woo answered casually. Hudon¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Why are you so scared? Just win. You get the experience and the prize.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Mystery City¡¯s loaded, so the prizes are top-tier. Ah, right. Here¡ªtake these.¡± He opened a spatial pocket and pulled out a pile of masks. ¡°You¡¯ll all need to hide your identities for this. These masks will help.¡± ¡°Hide our identities?¡± Kwon Hanul asked on everyone¡¯s behalf. Myung-woo nodded and explained. ¡°The Colosseum in Mystery is great for gaining experience. But really, it''s just entertainment for spoiled rich folks. We can¡¯t have the name of Hyukcheon being used in a place like that.¡± The Hyukcheon name carried immense weight. Using it recklessly was unthinkable. ¡°Now, these aren¡¯t relics, but they¡¯re made from special materials. They won¡¯t come off no matter how intense the fight gets¡ªand they¡¯re sturdy too.¡± He handed each person a mask. ¡°Now I¡¯ll assign you all to your respective Colosseums. First¡ªHudon.¡± ¡°Y-Yes!¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to the East Arena. That¡¯s where the team battles are.¡± ¡°T-Team battles...?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a chaotic brawl with dozens of fighters in one space. One wrong move and you¡¯ll get gutted by a stray blade.¡± Hudon¡¯s face stiffened¡ªbut then his eyes regained some spark. ¡°I¡¯ll win! No matter what!¡± ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t use your Blackscale Armor.¡± ¡°...What?¡± Hudon¡¯s face went blank. ¡°If you use it, people will figure out who you are right away.¡± ¡°B-But without it... I can¡¯t fight at all...¡± ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you not to.¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°Your Blackscale Armor is excellent. But because you rely on it so much, your combat experience is lacking.¡± Kwon Myung-woo wasn¡¯t wrong. Hudon¡¯s entire combat style revolved around charging in, armor on. ¡°After some brawling, you¡¯ll gain a new perspective. Plus, it''ll help toughen up that crumbly little mentality of yours.¡± At the word crumbly, Hudon looked like he might cry. ¡°Next¡ªMei Hong.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯re heading to the West Arena. It¡¯s a hunter-versus-monster setup.¡± ¡°Is there a reason you chose that for me?¡± Given what had just happened with Hudon, it was clear that Myung-woo¡¯s assignments weren¡¯t random. So Mei Hong asked. ¡°No particular reason.¡± ¡°...¡± Her expression turned unreadable. ¡°I¡¯m sending you there to blow off some steam.¡± ¡°...Why would I waste time on something so pointless?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got too much rage built up in your heart. One day, that anger might end up killing you. Rage doesn¡¯t care who it hurts¡ªfriend or foe.¡± ¡°But still¡ª¡± ¡°You want revenge against the Mei clan, don¡¯t you? But the most important thing in battle is a calm mind. Your heart can burn with fury¡ªbut your head must stay cold.¡± Mei Hong didn¡¯t respond, but it was clear Myung-woo¡¯s words had made an impression. ¡°Go. Confront the rage inside you. Learn how to control it. That¡¯s your assignment from me.¡± Next, Myung-woo turned to Gael Garcia. ¡°So you¡¯re Gael Garcia?¡± ¡°Sir.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got no obvious weaknesses¡ªphysically or mentally. You¡¯re well trained.¡± That alone was remarkable¡ªespecially considering even Hanul had received some criticism. ¡°But even so, winning won¡¯t be easy. The South Arena you¡¯ll be entering is riddled with traps. It¡¯s a dangerous place.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care where I go...¡± Gael replied flatly. ¡°But I won¡¯t follow your orders.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in shock. As if to make sure there was no misunderstanding, Gael added, ¡°You don¡¯t have the authority to command me. ¡°But I will follow orders from my commander.¡± Gael turned to Kwon Hanul. At that, Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter. ¡°Hah! That¡¯s right¡ªyou¡¯re not one of mine, but his subordinate! Ahahaha!¡± He laughed so hard, clutching his belly. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for, Hanul? Give the order!¡± ¡°Uh... Just do your best and win.¡± Gael gave a silent nod. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s three of you done... Only you left.¡± Myung-woo¡¯s eyes turned to Kwon Hanul. ¡°You¡¯re going to the Underground Arena.¡± At that, Joo Hayun flinched. ¡°Lord Kwon!¡± ¡°What are you so shocked about? That¡¯s the only place suited to his current level.¡± ¡°But what if he gets hurt?!¡± ¡°Him?¡± Myung-woo looked at her like she¡¯d said something absurd. ¡°Considering what he¡¯s survived so far, you could toss him into an SS-ranked dungeon unarmed and he¡¯d walk out fine. What¡¯re you worried about?¡± ¡°Lord Kwon!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not deaf. Stop yelling.¡± He frowned. ¡°You¡¯re always too protective of him, Hayun. You¡¯re not his parent. You¡¯re not his lover either...¡± ¡°Please stop with the jokes.¡± As the argument dragged on, Hanul finally asked, ¡°What kind of place is the Underground Arena, exactly?¡± He knew it was dangerous¡ªbut not how or why. ¡°It¡¯s the largest arena in this city. You could say it¡¯s where the elite members of Mystery City clash for prestige.¡± Myung-woo explained. ¡°Each member enters a contestant. If their contestant wins, they become more famous.¡± Hanul frowned slightly. ¡°So the competitors must be incredibly strong.¡± ¡°¡®Incredibly strong¡¯ doesn¡¯t even cover it,¡± Joo Hayun added. ¡°The people who run this city are world-renowned tycoons. The contestants they sponsor are all monsters.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not all. The sponsors will use any means necessary to ensure their fighter wins.¡± ¡°And you still want me to compete there?¡± Hanul looked at Myung-woo. The man cleared his throat. ¡°You¡¯ve got what it takes.¡± Hanul hesitated, then looked between Myung-woo and Joo Hayun. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± His voice was clear and decisive. Joo Hayun sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Hayun. How strong can they really be?¡± ¡°I believe in you... but still...¡± She didn¡¯t argue further. Advising without interfering was her policy. ¡°Yes! That¡¯s the spirit! That¡¯s how a man should be!¡± Myung-woo clapped him on the back, beaming. ¡°Oh, and only use barrier techniques.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You need to keep your Hyukcheon identity hidden. No powers. No skills. Barrier spells don¡¯t stand out, so go ahead and use them.¡± Hanul looked a bit uneasy, but it was manageable. He¡¯d come here to train those techniques and reach the ¡°ascending type¡± form anyway. ¡°Oh, and no magic either.¡± ¡°...What?¡± That last part crossed a line. ¡°The other fighters will be using magic and skills, though.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± Myung-woo¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°You¡¯ll fight using only your physical abilities.¡± It was an absurd handicap. Hanul wondered if this really was training... or sabotage. ¡°It¡¯s a bit much... but alright. I¡¯ll try.¡± He accepted it without complaint. To a Black Dragon bloodline member like Hanul, not being able to use mana was a massive disadvantage¡ªespecially since Black Dragon Bloodline powers required heavy mana consumption. But Hanul wasn¡¯t just born of the Black Dragon. He also carried the Superhuman Bloodline¡ªa lineage known for being the best in the world when it came to raw physical power. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 104 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 104: Underground Arena (1) The next day, the team split up and headed to their designated arenas. Hanul Kwon was led to the underground arena by a staff member from Mystery City. As expected of the city¡¯s most crucial location, the path to the underground arena was shrouded in secrecy. He had to take a hidden elevator tucked away in a remote corner of the city, descending deep underground. ¡°Whoa...¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but marvel when he arrived. The underground arena was nearly twice the size of the colosseum built outside the city. Led to the waiting room, Hanul found himself in deep thought. He had to decide when he¡¯d enter the competition. ¡°Win-streak system. You win if you get ten consecutive victories or if there are no challengers left.¡± The arena¡¯s rules were straightforward. It wasn¡¯t a tournament, but a win-streak format¡ªkeep fighting until you lose or win ten times in a row. Of course, any serious injuries sustained during the matches were the fighter¡¯s own responsibility. ¡°Simple, but troublesome.¡± Even the strongest could fall after consecutive matches due to accumulated injuries. On the other hand, a weaker fighter might seize victory by catching a stronger opponent when they¡¯re worn down. ¡°Normally, I¡¯d wait and see... but.¡± Hanul chose to be the first contestant without hesitation. There wasn¡¯t a grand reason¡ªhe just wanted to finish quickly and watch his teammates¡¯ matches. Although Joo Hayun had warned him repeatedly about the dangers of the underground arena, Hanul was confident he wouldn¡¯t lose. The announcement rang through the waiting room speakers. Donning the mask given to him by Kwon Myung-woo, Hanul exited the room. He walked through a long corridor and stepped into the arena. The underground arena was built in the style of a colosseum, with rows upon rows of seats stacked around the central battlefield. ¡°Looks like a weakling.¡± A gruff voice greeted him the moment he stepped in. His opponent stood some distance away¡ªa man easily three times his size. ¡°What¡¯s with that mask?¡± ¡°You¡¯re wearing one too.¡± Hanul pointed at the man¡¯s face, which was also covered by a mask. ¡°I¡¯ve got my reasons.¡± ¡°So do I.¡± ¡°Tch, what a punk.¡± But if anyone was being absurd, it was Hanul. ¡°Whatever. Let¡¯s keep it clean and shake hands before we start.¡± The man extended his hand. His forearm was easily three times thicker than Hanul¡¯s. Hanul grabbed it without hesitation. That¡¯s when it happened. ¡°Don¡¯t take it the wrong way.¡± The man clamped down on Hanul¡¯s hand with a crushing grip. ¡°I don¡¯t need tricks to kill you. I just didn¡¯t want to waste time chasing you around.¡± Then, his fist slammed into Hanul¡¯s face. * * * ¡°Hahaha.¡± While Hanul was still in the waiting room, Kwon Myung-woo and Joo Hayun were sitting side by side in the spectator stands. Like Hanul, they were also wearing masks. It wasn¡¯t just Hanul and his team who needed to stay hidden¡ªMyung-woo also couldn¡¯t afford to reveal his identity. He¡¯d created a false persona long ago to operate in Mystery City. That wasn¡¯t unusual. Many visitors to the city used aliases to hide their activities. ¡°Hehehe.¡± Myung-woo¡¯s face beamed with joy. ¡°Having that much fun?¡± Joo Hayun finally spoke, her tone sharp and irritated. She had a good reason. ¡°Of course I¡¯m enjoying it. This match is going to make me rich.¡± Mystery City was all about entertainment¡ªand no entertainment district is complete without gambling. The underground arena was no exception. Myung-woo had just placed a massive bet on Hanul¡¯s victory. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you brought him here just to make money?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. This is all part of his training.¡± His tone grew serious. ¡°Hanul¡¯s so talented, it¡¯s a problem. How can someone who hasn¡¯t even reached full mastery react to my punches?¡± ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be able to.¡± Myung-woo was a world-renowned powerhouse. ¡°His reflexes, dynamic vision, even his raw talent¡ªit¡¯s all natural. He never has to block. He just dodges or counters.¡± Which meant... ¡°He barely uses defensive techniques. And to advance to the next level, he needs to refine those techniques.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why you brought him here?¡± ¡°Exactly. Skills won¡¯t become second nature through repetition alone. He needs real combat.¡± That¡¯s why Myung-woo chose the underground arena. Here, Hanul could experience multiple real fights in a short time. ¡°Plus, I get to make some pocket money.¡± He grinned, earning a glare from Joo Hayun. ¡°Look who it is!¡± Someone approached them¡ªa middle-aged man with a well-groomed beard. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Black Crow to show up!¡± "Black Crow" was Myung-woo''s alias in Mystery City. The man offered a handshake. Myung-woo accepted it and replied, ¡°Mark Goldpixie. Didn¡¯t expect to see you here. What about your company?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on vacation. No way I¡¯d be stuck at a desk while the underground arena¡¯s running.¡± They laughed as they chatted. ¡°You brought someone this time too?¡± ¡°I did.¡± ¡°The last one you sponsored won, and you¡¯re still not satisfied?¡± The "Black Crow" had become something of a legend in Mystery City. Every fighter he sponsored had gone on to win the underground tournament. All of them were part of his elite squad, the Hyukcheon Corps. ¡°I¡¯m in too.¡± ¡°Ahaha, really? Did you bring someone decent this time?¡± Mark''s brow twitched at that. ¡°...Yes. I did. You¡¯ll see.¡± After shaking hands, Mark left. As he walked away, Joo Hayun asked, ¡°Was that... the same Mark Goldpixie I know?¡± ¡°Yes. Head of the Goldpixie family¡ªone of the founders of Mystery City.¡± Myung-woo sounded indifferent. ¡°He¡¯s probably so jumpy because it¡¯s been years since his family produced a champion in the arena.¡± He clicked his tongue. ¡°If he loses again, he¡¯ll really blow a fuse.¡± At that moment, Hanul stepped onto the battlefield. Myung-woo leaned back in his chair. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s enjoy the show.¡± Suddenly, the opponent offered a handshake. Hanul took it without suspicion. The next instant, the man sucker-punched him. ¡°...Huh?¡± Myung-woo¡¯s eyes widened. * * * ¡°Lousy bastard.¡± Mark Goldpixie stormed to the VIP suite at the very top of the arena. Unlike regular spectators, he had a private lounge. ¡°What¡¯s got you so worked up?¡± Maria Sanchez greeted him as he walked in. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just heard something irritating.¡± He stomped over to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and drank straight from it. After wiping his lips, he asked, ¡°This fighter of yours... can I trust him?¡± ¡°Even you shouldn¡¯t be doubting someone from the Sanchez family. That¡¯s a little insulting.¡± Her tone made Mark break into a cold sweat. He¡¯d gotten too worked up and forgotten¡ªthis woman was one of the most feared villains in the world. ¡°...Apologies. I just need to win this underground tournament, no matter what.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯s more than capable.¡± She spoke with confidence. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of Marcos Sanchez, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°...You don¡¯t mean the Destroyer?¡± Maria nodded. Mark hiccupped in shock. Marcos Sanchez¡ªthe Destroyer. A criminal from Pandemonium, infamous for razing an entire Russian city. Back then, the best Russian hunters had gathered to stop him¡ªand were completely obliterated. ¡°He can¡¯t use his skills or abilities freely here, since we can¡¯t reveal he¡¯s a Sanchez, but... he¡¯s not someone who¡¯d lose in a place like this.¡± Just then, Marcos stepped into the arena. He exchanged a few words with Hanul and extended his hand. Maria sighed. ¡°Ahh... I told him to stop toying with opponents before killing them.¡± Hanul, clueless, shook his hand. Then Marcos struck, slamming his fist into Hanul¡¯s head. ¡°When this is over, I¡¯m giving him a serious lecture¡ª¡± But before she could finish, Marcos was sent flying into the air. ¡°...What?¡± * * * Crack! The moment Marcos threw his punch, a sharp pain shot through his wrist. Stunned, he looked down. His wrist... was broken. ¡°I was watching to see what you¡¯d do. You¡¯re just a cheap thug.¡± In front of him stood Hanul¡ªcompletely unharmed. Even though Marcos hadn¡¯t used his full strength, he¡¯d still put power behind that punch. Yet Hanul stood there like nothing had happened. It made no sense. Even without using his skills, Marcos had S-rank stats and the divine bloodline abilities of Guardian Aura and Superhuman Strength. Guardian Aura was a defensive power that protected his body. Superhuman Strength amplified his strength and stamina. Together, his punches were stronger than most explosives. And yet... Not only had the attack failed, his wrist was broken. ¡°And Guardian Aura, huh? What¡¯s someone from the Sanchez family doing here?¡± ¡°How... how do you know that...?¡± ¡°How?¡± Hanul looked up. <¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ protects you from ¡®Guardian Aura¡¯!> That was the message that flashed before him when the punch landed. Marcos¡¯s fist had been shattered by Hanul¡¯s Diamond Aura¡ªa superior version of Guardian Aura. It wasn¡¯t just stronger¡ªit outright destroyed it. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know how.¡± Hanul rolled his neck. A cracking sound echoed. ¡°This is really pissing me off.¡± There was fury in his voice. Getting hit out of nowhere would anger anyone¡ªbut this was different. <¡¯Superhuman Bloodline¡¯ reacts with fury!> Perhaps it was because he¡¯d been struck by a lesser bloodline member. Hanul¡¯s Superhuman Bloodline surged. No¡ª"surged" didn¡¯t begin to cover it. His blood boiled. Muscles trembled. Rage bubbled from deep inside. <¡®Overlord Star¡¯ and ¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ grow stronger!> Countless messages appeared, but Hanul didn¡¯t see any of them. All his senses locked onto the man in front of him. ¡°Y-you bastard...¡± Marcos felt a sense of doom. His instincts screamed at him to run. But before he could, Hanul seized his hand. ¡°L-let go of me!¡± Marcos struggled, but his arm didn¡¯t budge. Hanul twisted his torso and drove a fist straight into Marcos¡¯s gut. <¡®Diamond Aura¡¯ destroys ¡®Guardian Aura¡¯!> <¡®Overlord Star¡¯ amplifies strength!> Without Guardian Aura, Marcos might as well have been bare-skinned. The punch, empowered by Overlord Star and S-rank strength, did its work. ¡°Guh¡ª!¡± Marcos''s body was launched skyward¡ªhigh enough to nearly hit the ceiling. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 105 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 105: Underground Arena (2) Kwon Hanul quietly watched the member of the Sanchez family being carried away on a stretcher. The man was foaming at the mouth, a deep dent where his solar plexus had been crushed. ¡°...What the hell is that guy?¡± The Sanchez family is a criminal syndicate deeply connected with Pandemonium. Normally, it should¡¯ve been impossible for them to even set foot in Mystery City. Yet somehow, not only had they entered, but they had also taken part in a match at the central underground arena. A bad feeling crept up Hanul¡¯s spine. He had to inform Kwon Myung-woo as soon as possible. The problem was¡ªthe match wasn¡¯t over yet. So for now, he had no choice but to put it off. ¡°Still... I got a lot out of it.¡± To fully draw out the power of his bloodline, he needed to increase his Synchronization Rate. Typically, as the host grew stronger, so did the rate. However, there were exceptional situations where the synchronization would skyrocket under specific conditions unique to each bloodline. For instance: Black Dragon Bloodline grew when fighting formidable enemies. Vassal Bloodline thrived when subjugating others. And Superhuman Bloodline... it seemed to spike most when experiencing insubordination. Just now, when he got hit by the Sanchez family member, the Superhuman Blood boiled over, and his Synchronization Rate had shot up to 30% in an instant. Thanks to its growth, both his Strength and Agility had reached S-rank, and a new Authority had awakened. For Hanul, it was an enormous gain. ¡°I¡¯ve finally earned the qualifications to enter the Sky Arena.¡± To be eligible for the Sky Arena, you need at least three S-rank attributes. With the Golden Apple, his Vitality had already reached S-rank. And now, thanks to the Superhuman Bloodline, his Strength and Agility had caught up. With that, the entrance conditions were met. He rolled his shoulders lightly. Strength, Agility, and Vitality¡ªthe foundation stats that dictate physical performance. No wonder his body felt vastly different from before. ¡°Not bad.¡± Hanul smiled, pleased. He couldn¡¯t wait to test out these new stats. No need to rush. His next opponent would be stepping into the arena soon enough. And so, he waited. Thirty minutes passed. Then, someone finally emerged from the opposite entrance. The moment he saw the new participant, Hanul couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°...A woman?¡± * * * At that exact moment... ¡°...Huh?¡± Kwon Myung-woo rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. The scene before him hadn¡¯t changed. ¡°Was that kid always that strong?¡± ¡°Being of true blood, he was certainly physically gifted for his stats, but...¡± Joo Hayun trailed off. She was just as taken aback. Sending an opponent flying all the way to the ceiling? Seriously? After a moment of thought, Hayun offered a hypothesis. ¡°Maybe the opponent was weaker than he looked?¡± ¡°He looked plenty tough to me,¡± Myung-woo replied, stroking his chin. ¡°...Could he really have been that weak?¡± It seemed like the most plausible explanation. ¡°Yeah... must¡¯ve been a glass cannon after all.¡± Myung-woo nodded in agreement. ¡°But that means the kid won¡¯t be able to properly practice.¡± Just then, the second contestant stepped into the arena. ¡°Oho... bold one, aren¡¯t they.¡± To enter the ring after watching someone get launched like that? They had to be extremely confident in their skills. But as soon as Myung-woo saw the contestant, his expression turned serious. ¡°...Who the hell brought that monster in?¡± * * * Meanwhile... Maria Sanchez couldn¡¯t shut her gaping mouth. Marcos Sanchez had lost. If he¡¯d lost after a hard-fought battle, she wouldn¡¯t be this shocked. But it was a single blow. Just one punch¡ªand it was over. A member of the Sanchez family, said to be the strongest in raw physical power, had been taken out like that. ¡°...Miss Maria, care to explain what I just saw?¡± Mark Goldpixie had sidled up next to her. His tone was sharp. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the bloodline you brought... lost, didn¡¯t he?¡± Their deal hinged on winning the Underground Arena and getting Mark Goldpixie¡¯s name enshrined in the Hall of Honor. But things had gone off the rails from step one. A very unpleasant situation. ¡°I warned you in advance, didn¡¯t I? Not to underestimate this place.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t. Marcos is the third strongest of all the members I brought with me.¡± ¡°Then what the hell did I just witness?¡± Displeasure crept into Mark¡¯s voice. Maria swallowed dryly. Her pride told her to snap back and ask if he doubted her judgment. But the fault lay squarely with her this time. She had no ground to stand on. ¡°Calm down. You can still send in more fighters, can¡¯t you?¡± There was no cap on how many contestants a sponsor could field in the Underground Arena. If they wanted, they could send one¡ªor ten. This was possible because the arena didn¡¯t use a tournament format. It was based on win streaks. You needed ten straight wins to be crowned champion. So it didn¡¯t matter how many people you sent in. ¡°This makes me look like a damn fool.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility for this. Will that satisfy you?¡± ¡°And how exactly do you plan to do that?¡± ¡°Before that¡ªplease grant me one request. I want to know who that guy is. Who¡¯s backing him.¡± To crush a bearer of Pure Superhuman Bloodline in a single blow¡ªthere couldn¡¯t be many who were that powerful. And this event involved a Founder¡¯s Relic. Caution was paramount. ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡± Mark shook his head. ¡°In Mystery City, customer management falls under the Livercross family. And they never disclose client information. That¡¯s the cornerstone of how this city operates.¡± Mystery City was built for indulgence. Wealthy and powerful figures flocked here to fulfill their darkest desires. And desire, by nature, is something shameful. The Livercross family understood that. Which is why they never revealed client information under any circumstance. ¡°...I see. Then I guess I¡¯ve got no choice.¡± Suddenly, Maria stood up. She took off her coat and put on a mask. Mark¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously thinking of entering yourself...?¡± ¡°Marcos was the third strongest among those I brought. If he lost, it makes sense for me to go next.¡± ¡°But if you enter and your identity is exposed, it¡¯s all over!¡± There are countless criminals in the world. But few were as infamous as Maria Sanchez. Just hearing her name would make any government official flinch. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Maria replied calmly. ¡°If I couldn¡¯t even pull off a disguise, I wouldn¡¯t be much of a criminal, now would I?¡± * * * Kwon Hanul studied the woman who had stepped into the ring. Petite and fragile-looking. She didn¡¯t belong in a brutal place like this. But his instincts screamed: Don¡¯t take your eyes off her. Not even for a second. ¡°...Ahh.¡± The woman let out a sigh. Her mask hid her expression. ¡°This is all your fault, you know. How are you going to fix this mess?¡± Hanul furrowed his brows. What was she even talking about? ¡°Have we met before? You look familiar.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wearing a mask. How could I possibly tell?¡± ¡°Oh, you can tell. Build, mana signature... People have more than one identifying trait.¡± She scanned Hanul from head to toe. ¡°You do seem familiar. But I can¡¯t quite place it. My memory¡¯s usually better than this...¡± She shook her head. ¡°Anyway, let me apologize in advance. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°...For what?¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for all this nonsense, I wouldn¡¯t be here, and you¡¯d have won by now.¡± ¡°You talk like you¡¯ve already won.¡± Hanul¡¯s words made her chuckle softly. ¡°If you knew who I was, you¡¯d drop to your knees right now.¡± Hanul¡¯s eye twitched. He could tell she was strong. Maybe even stronger than him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t be sure. But this level of disregard was starting to get on his nerves. ¡°Oh my, did I strike a nerve?¡± She immediately noticed his shift in mood. ¡°Understandable. But once you learn who I am, your perspective will change.¡± She raised her tiny fists in front of her. Hanul assumed his stance, ready to counter at any moment. They glared at each other in tense silence. The atmosphere in the underground arena turned oppressive. Even the audience fell silent. ¡°...Ah, right.¡± She broke the silence. ¡°I should avenge that guy.¡± Suddenly, she stepped forward. Her footsteps were light, almost like she was out for a stroll¡ªleaving tons of openings. Hanul narrowed his eyes and locked onto her movements. Seeing this, the woman laughed. ¡°What¡¯s with that face? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m gonna¡ª¡± At that instant, Hanul stomped forward. His torso twisted sharply, arm swinging wide. His full strength and weight concentrated into one punch¡ªslamming into her masked face. A thunderous sound followed. ¡°...Wow.¡± But she was fine. She hadn¡¯t even flinched. ¡°You really don¡¯t hold back on women, huh?¡± And then, she moved. Stepping forward, she channeled all that force into an upward punch¡ª Right into Hanul¡¯s gut. The entire arena trembled. Crunch. A sickening crack of muscle and bone echoed. Maria Sanchez stared at Hanul in disbelief. She had aimed to send him flying to the ceiling. But his feet were still firmly planted on the ground. And more than that¡ª Her punch, meant to pierce through his abdomen, had been blocked by his forearm. She couldn¡¯t use her full strength without revealing her identity. But she hadn¡¯t gone easy either. It had been fast and strong enough that he shouldn¡¯t have been able to block it. ¡°...I almost broke my arm,¡± Hanul gritted out through clenched teeth. ¡°...How did you block that?¡± So many implications packed into that question. Hanul answered bluntly, ¡°Well.¡± The truth was simple. His body was reinforced by the Diamond Aura and the Tyrant¡¯s Nature. And one more thing¡ª Foundational Form of Black Dragon Ascension Technique Guardian Style: Iron Block It was thanks to using Guardian Style. Hanul pushed Maria back and stepped away. Rubbing his forearm, he muttered, ¡°So you¡¯re Maria Sanchez.¡± Her expression froze. ¡°...How do you know that?¡± ¡°You have Superhuman Bloodline, and there¡¯s no other woman with your skillset.¡± Hanul had never met Maria before. But after a mission protecting the Takamine family in Japan, he¡¯d heard about her from Joo Hayun. Iron Maiden¨C Maria Sanchez. A genius who became a Pandemonium lawmaker at the youngest age in history. Even among the Sanchez family, few could compare to her. ¡°So the first guy was Sanchez too... and now you, Maria Sanchez.¡± Hanul rubbed his forearm again. ¡°What exactly are you people planning?¡± At that moment, Maria¡¯s aura changed. ¡°I was going to let you live... but now I¡¯ll have to kill you right here.¡± Her killing intent flared. The sheer pressure made it feel like his entire body was being crushed. Even though she looked delicate, it felt like standing in front of a giant. ¡°...This is seriously bad.¡± Her presence was on a whole other level compared to someone like Jose del Pablo. Sweat trickled down his brow. Just then¡ª [True Superhuman Bloodline detects the presence of Pure Superhuman Bloodline.] [It is outraged by the disrespectful behavior of a lesser bloodline!] A system message flashed before his eyes. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 106 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 106: Underground Arena (3) What was the most dangerous moment of your life? If someone asked him that, Kwon Hudon could answer without hesitation. ¡°Aaaagh...¡± Kwon Hudon crouched behind a pile of debris, clutching his head. ¡°Hahaha! I see you over there!¡± ¡°I''ll kill every last one of you with my own hands!¡± Outside the wreckage, dozens of people were engaged in a brutal, bloody battle. The Colosseum in the East Wing, where Kwon Hudon was participating, was built for team battles. In an arena themed after a ruined wasteland, over fifty people were frantically trying to kill each other. ¡°My arm! Aaaagh!¡± ¡°Hahaha! You dumb bastard! You''re as good as dead... guh! Ugh¡ª!¡± Afraid of being spotted, Kwon Hudon shrank down even further, making his already small frame as compact as possible. ¡°How the hell am I supposed to win this without using the Blackscale Armor...?¡± Kwon Hudon might be a coward, but he wasn¡¯t the kind to hide right in front of his enemies¡ªnormally. But this time was different. He had been given a strict order from Kwon Myung-woo: Do not use the Blackscale Armor. That wasn¡¯t all. Since his identity as a descendant of the Black Dragon Bloodline couldn¡¯t be revealed, he was also restricted from using the other abilities and skills tied to the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline. And now he was expected to survive a bloodbath like this? Impossible. BOOM! An explosion erupted nearby, and a man¡ªcharred black¡ªcollapsed to the ground. Kwon Hudon''s face turned even more ashen. ¡°Hiiiiek!¡± Then, a shriek pierced the air. Kwon Hudon froze. It hadn¡¯t come from him. That¡¯s when he spotted a woman not far from him. Like him, she wore a mask over her face. Just as he noticed her, she noticed him. ¡°Aaaahhh!¡± ¡°Eeeek!¡± They both shrieked at the same time, panicking and preparing to bolt in opposite directions. After several minutes of frozen, mutual distrust¡ª ¡°...Y-You¡¯re not going to fight me?¡± ¡°I... I was about to ask you the same thing...¡± Only then did they realize¡ªthey were on the same side. The moment they saw the other wasn''t hostile, they relaxed in unison. ¡°W-What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Larisa San¡ªno, just Larisa is fine.¡± Clearly, the mask wasn¡¯t just for show. She was hiding her identity. That suited Kwon Hudon just fine. He didn¡¯t press further. ¡°And you?¡± ¡°Uh... Just call me Hu.¡± He adjusted his mask as he answered. ¡°Larisa, why did you enter this battle?¡± ¡°I need the winner¡¯s prize.¡± ¡°Same here.¡± After a bit of small talk, Kwon Hudon began to feel a strange kinship with her. Their personalities, their situations¡ªso many things about them were similar. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot too, huh, Larisa...¡± ¡°You as well, Hu...¡± They exchanged sympathetic looks. And then¡ª A man suddenly leapt onto the debris where Larisa was hiding and aimed a spear at her head. ¡°Look out!¡± Kwon Hudon lunged forward, pulling Larisa out of the way just in time. The man¡¯s spear stabbed into the ground, missing her. ¡°Huh, you move better than I expected from a nobody.¡± He yanked the spear back out with ease. ¡°So, you two thinking of teaming up?¡± ¡°I-Is that... not allowed?¡± Hoo asked, voice trembling. The man shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s no rule against it. Others are already doing it, anyway.¡± With that, he blew a sharp whistle through his fingers. Moments later, half a dozen people appeared and surrounded them. ¡°So of course, I am too.¡± Hu and Larisa both went pale. * * * -Go let off some steam. When Mei Hong first heard that, she was deeply disappointed. She barely managed to keep her face from giving away her frustration. She¡¯d followed eagerly, thinking someone like The Strongest Fist of Hyukcheon would train her. But what she got instead? ¡°Killing things like this won¡¯t blow off any steam.¡± She muttered irritably, flicking blood off her blade. A massive monster lay slain at her feet, its head severed clean. It had taken her just 47 seconds to bring it down. -Wooooaaahhh! -Aaaahhh! The crowd roared with excitement at her swordsmanship, regardless of her mood. But Mei Hong didn¡¯t even glance their way. She just waited for her score to appear on the scoreboard. The West Wing, where she was competing, featured one-on-one fights between monsters and humans. The rules were twisted: the crowd judged the performance, and the highest scorer won. <91 points> Not amazing, but not bad either. Mei Hong turned around and headed back to the waiting room. Inside, competitors sat around awaiting their turn. As soon as she entered, the room fell silent. Even those who¡¯d been flirting with her earlier couldn¡¯t meet her eyes. She dropped into a chair. ¡°That swordplay of yours was impressive.¡± She opened her eyes to see a masked woman standing in front of her. Dark-skinned, massive frame, bulging muscles. ¡°Cutting through that thick bastard¡¯s neck in one stroke¡ªdamn impressive.¡± ¡°You¡¯re loud. Leave.¡± Arms crossed, eyes shut¡ªMei Hong was nothing like how she acted with Kwon Hanul and the rest of her team. Still, the woman didn¡¯t back off. ¡°You know something? There¡¯s a flaw in your sword.¡± Mei Hong had planned to ignore whatever nonsense this woman spouted. But that one sentence stopped her. ¡°...What did you just say?¡± ¡°Haha! Now you react.¡± The woman grinned like she¡¯d been waiting for this. ¡°Don¡¯t get too worked up. I¡¯ll show you what I mean, not just say it.¡± At that moment, a voice called out: The woman waved goodbye and left for the field. Moments later, she stood center stage. Mei Hong watched from the window, annoyed but curious. ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s so special about her.¡± ¡°Raaaghhh!¡± The woman, Valkyrie, stretched her clasped hands above her head. Muscles rippled visibly from forearm to shoulder. The iron gate across the arena began to rise. A massive beast emerged. Twin-Headed Ogre. Twice the size of a regular ogre, with two heads¡ªand said to be twice as strong and smart. -GRRRRAAAAHH! It charged at Valkyrie, shaking the ground with every step. But she didn¡¯t flinch. She opened a spatial rift and reached inside. Then pulled something out. ¡°...What the hell is that?¡± Mei Hong couldn¡¯t help but mutter. Valkyrie drew a massive sword. No, not just massive¡ªabsurdly gigantic. About 10 meters long, 2 meters wide. It looked more like she was wielding a bus. She raised the blade high. Its shadow covered half the arena. -GRRRRAAAAHHH! The Twin-Headed Ogre was just 3 meters away. Valkyrie swung. The ground split in two. The ogre didn¡¯t just break¡ªit was pulverized. Silence fell. Then, the arena erupted. -Wooooaaaahhh! -Amazing!! The scoreboard lit up: <96 points> Valkyrie laughed heartily and bowed to the crowd. Then turned toward the waiting room. And locked eyes with Mei Hong. ¡°Get it now?¡± Her lips moved silently. ¡°What you lack is boldness. Your sword has no flair.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s lips twisted into a grimace. * * * Gael Garcia had entered the South Wing Colosseum under Kwon Hanul¡¯s orders. The competition here? In short: a deadly footrace. Whoever crossed the finish line first won. Simple. The catch? The entire course was littered with traps. Stepping on the wrong tile would trigger poison darts from the ceiling and walls¡ªand that was the easy part. There were invisible barriers that paralyzed the body upon contact, and heat rays so intense they could melt stone in an instant. But this was Gael Garcia we¡¯re talking about. A man with the blood of sacred beast¡ªable to mimic the senses and physical prowess of other creatures¡ªand a seasoned dungeon guide with extensive field experience. He tore through every trap and seized the lead in a single charge. At this rate, victory was as good as his. ¡°Wahahah! Stop right there!¡± That is, if it weren¡¯t for the man who suddenly surged into second place. ¡°I said stop!¡± Shockingly, the way the man caught up wasn¡¯t through skillful dodging or deactivating traps¡ª He just charged straight through them. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me...¡± Gael clicked his tongue in disbelief. The man was tanking traps designed to kill, sprinting headlong through the mayhem. There was no way a normal human could survive that. ¡°First place is mine!¡± Even now, the man was charging through the traps without hesitation. The shocking part? Not a single scratch on his body. A grin crept across Gael¡¯s face. As a child, Gael had always wondered about the world beyond the island. He had wanted to experience the vast unknown, overflowing with things he didn¡¯t yet understand. Though he¡¯d put that dream on hold to pursue his family¡¯s revenge, it was thanks to Kwon Hanul that he could finally face the world head-on. ¡°The world really is entertaining.¡± Still, the situation was dangerous. The man¡¯s raw speed was faster than Gael, who was carefully navigating each trap. At this rate, Gael would lose the race. ¡°I can¡¯t afford to lose.¡± The man who saved his life had commanded him to win. And so, no matter the cost, he had to fulfill that command. ¡°Sacred.¡± Gael murmured the word under his breath. Moments later, his figure began to blur. * * * Along with the messages, a change surged through Kwon Hanul. A scorching wave of emotion burned through his entire body¡ªfury from the True Superhuman Bloodline, directed at the audacity of a lower bloodline¡¯s defiance. ¡®What the hell is up with this thing?¡¯ Even Kwon Hanul was rattled. He had known vaguely that the bloodline had a will of its own¡ªbut never had its emotions felt this intense before. Just then¡ª ¡°Where should I start?¡± Maria Sanchez was poking at the air with her fingers as if making a selection. ¡°What... are you doing?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, don¡¯t mind me. Just deciding which bone to break first.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t just say stuff like that¡ª¡± Another burst exploded from within his body. Kwon Hanul could barely keep control anymore. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s go with the neck.¡± Maria Sanchez sprang forward. Though she was small in frame, the force with which she charged felt like a war machine rolling in. She wasn¡¯t fast¡ªbut the pressure was terrifying. She aimed a knifehand strike straight at Kwon Hanul¡¯s throat. He moved first. Blocking her strike with his forearm, flesh met flesh¡ªyet the impact rang out like steel clashing. ¡°Wow. You¡¯re tougher than I thought.¡± A look of surprise flickered across Maria¡¯s face. ¡°If I¡¯m going to kill you, I¡¯d better go all in.¡± Before she even finished the sentence, her waist twisted, unleashing a barrage of strikes all over Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. ¡®This woman is insane!¡¯ There was no technique or finesse in Maria¡¯s attacks. To put it kindly: direct. To put it harshly: brutishly simple. But Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t hold out. He was steadily being pushed back. ¡®She¡¯s relying purely on brute strength...¡¯ Maria¡¯s combat style was straightforward¡ªno defense, only offense. It didn¡¯t matter whether her opponent dodged or blocked. She just kept pummeling until they broke. It was a ludicrous tactic¡ªbut when wielded by a top-tier Superhuman Bloodline like hers, it became something else entirely. Each hit felt like catching a bomb. That¡¯s how heavy and solid her blows were. ¡®This won¡¯t cut it...¡¯ Maria Sanchez was powerful¡ªso powerful that even touching her seemed impossible. Even with the True Superhuman Bloodline, closing that gap was hard. To make things worse, Kwon Hanul¡¯s Black Dragon Bloodline abilities were sealed. ¡®Should I just unleash everything and risk exposing my identity?¡¯ He quickly discarded the thought. Maria had her secrets too. Just as Kwon Hanul was holding back, she likely wasn¡¯t using the full extent of her Superhuman powers either. Kwon Hanul could deal with the embarrassment of being exposed¡ªbut Maria couldn¡¯t afford that. Given her infamy, the moment her identity was revealed, the entire city would rise up to kill her. ¡®Besides... the True Superhuman Bloodline wants to win on its own.¡¯ This bloodline wasn¡¯t just power¡ªit had a will. And ignoring that will would bring no good. ¡®Fine. Have it your way.¡¯ As Kwon Hanul muttered this¡ª As if responding to his resolve, the synchronization rate rose. He could feel the blood¡¯s power growing stronger. At that moment¡ª Something touched Kwon Hanul¡¯s back. It was the arena wall. He had been pushed back that far. ¡°Now you¡¯ve got nowhere to run.¡± Maria¡¯s voice rang out as she pulled back her fist. The muscles in her arm suddenly doubled in size, wrapping tightly around her limb like coiled rope. Magic and air swirled violently around her clenched fist. Kwon Hanul knew it instinctively¡ª He couldn¡¯t dodge. If he blocked it, he¡¯d be pulverized. ¡°This is the end!¡± Maria Sanchez threw her punch. But Kwon Hanul¡¯s instincts moved him first¡ªhe met the strike with his palm. A thunderous boom exploded through the arena. The wall and floor behind Kwon Hanul shattered completely. And yet, he stood unharmed. ¡°...What?¡± Maria looked stunned. ¡°Whoa.¡± Kwon Hanul, on the other hand, let out a breath of awe. A message had just appeared before his eyes: [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 107 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 107: Underground Arena (4) Even an S-class stat is considered transcendent and commands respect in the Hunter industry. With just three S-class stats, one can qualify as a world-ranked Hunter. However, the growth of stats doesn¡¯t end with S-class. Higher stats exist beyond that. While S-class is considered transcendent, SS-class exists on an even higher level. Throughout the world, and in fact throughout history, there are very few Hunters with SS-class stats. SS-class is revered as legendary and is considered a level above even the transcendents. Now, this immense power was in his hands. Although it was only a temporary phenomenon. It wasn¡¯t even a situation where it could be controlled, yet it still felt overwhelming. Simply standing still, he could feel the volcanic force surging through his entire body. At any moment, he thought, his body might just explode. ¡°Blocking my punch and still fine, huh?¡± At that moment, Maria Sanchez spoke with a perplexed expression. Her punch, thrown with all her might, was gently caught by Kwon Hanul''s hand. Kwon Hanul, who should have been torn into pieces, was standing unharmed. ¡°You¡¯re interesting, aren¡¯t you?¡± A chilling smile spread across Maria Sanchez''s lips. It was the kind of smile a cat might give before killing a mouse after toying with it. ¡°Can I treat you a little rougher?¡± Maria Sanchez yanked her fist back, spinning her body as she launched a spinning kick. Her heel struck Kwon Hanul¡¯s temple directly. Though it was clearly a human leg striking, a sound like a bomb explosion echoed through the air. But, contrary to the loud noise, Kwon Hanul''s head remained intact. No, his upper body didn¡¯t even sway. ¡°You¡¯ve got a temper.¡± Kwon Hanul lightly pushed her foot away with his palm. Maria Sanchez retracted her extended leg and stepped back. ¡°You...?¡± ¡°After hitting me twice, it¡¯s my turn.¡± Kwon Hanul clenched his fist, gathering strength to throw a punch. As Kwon Hanul gripped his fist, Maria Sanchez felt as if a towering, enormous wall that could block out the sky was gazing down at her. Simply standing still, she felt suffocated and breathless. Then, the man¡¯s body shifted slightly. One shoulder dropped as his opposite fist moved. In that instant, Maria Sanchez sensed death. If he threw that punch, she would die. It didn¡¯t matter how far away. Her entire body would be crushed, and she would lose her breath. Then, it happened. The man¡¯s movements stopped. The punch he was about to throw froze in mid-air. ¡°Oh, right, I shouldn¡¯t do this.¡± He muttered something odd before loosening his grip on his fist. ¡°...What are you doing?¡± ¡°There are too many eyes watching.¡± He slapped his hands and arms, as though releasing tension from his body. ¡°I need to hold back.¡± It was an unintelligible comment. But one thing was clear. This man had intentionally limited his abilities during the fight. Such an action couldn¡¯t be done without looking down on the opponent by a considerable margin. ¡°You know who I am, right?¡± ¡°I told you earlier, Maria Sanchez, didn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°So, even knowing who I am, you still do this?¡± In this absurd situation, Maria Sanchez couldn¡¯t even manage a laugh. Rage rose within her. Her muscles twitched. The power from her Superhuman Bloodline reacted, and her physical abilities surged. ¡°You really think I¡¯ll let this slide...?¡± Just then, Kwon Hanul lowered his body. The moment he moved, he was already right in front of Maria Sanchez. ¡°This!¡± She was momentarily stunned but quickly responded. She brought her palm down toward his head. But Kwon Hanul moved first. He grabbed her hand before it could strike. ¡°How dare you grab my hand?¡± Maria Sanchez snarled and gripped his hand in return, trying to suppress him with strength. But Kwon Hanul used his strength, pulling her in toward him instead. ¡°...Huh?¡± Her body flew through the air. In the blink of an eye, Kwon Hanul slammed her down to the ground with all his might. It was like swinging a wet towel onto the floor, her body slammed into the ground with force. ¡°Eek!¡± The ground wasn¡¯t as solid as her body, so it didn¡¯t hurt, but it left her disoriented. But she was still a Hunter of the highest caliber. She immediately regained her composure. And then she saw it. Right in front of her, Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist was clenched. ¡°This is gonna hurt.¡± With those words, Kwon Hanul drove his fist downward. The entire underground arena shook. * * * Maria Sanchez regained her senses and quickly got up. ¡°Sister!¡± Looking to her side, she saw Marcos Sanchez with a worried expression. ¡°Where am I?¡± ¡°The infirmary of the Underground Arena!¡± ¡°The infirmary? What happened to the fight?¡± Marcos Sanchez clenched his mouth at her question. ¡°What happened to the fight?¡± Maria Sanchez demanded, her tone sharp. ¡°...You lost, sister.¡± Her strength drained from her body at those words. She had known it already, but hearing it from Marcos Sanchez made it feel real. But she couldn¡¯t dwell on her defeat. ¡°Hey.¡± A voice laced with suppressed anger reached her ears. Maria Sanchez turned to see Mark Goldpixie, his face twisted with frustration. ¡°I know it¡¯s customary to comfort someone just waking up, but before that, I have to ask.¡± Mark Goldpixie gritted his teeth. ¡°How do you plan to handle this situation?¡± Marcos Sanchez jumped to his feet and glared at Mark Goldpixie. ¡°Can¡¯t you see my sister¡¯s lying here?¡± ¡°Marcos, enough.¡± ¡°Sister!¡± ¡°I said enough.¡± After several warnings, Marcos Sanchez finally fell silent. ¡°Mark, I apologize. Things really got out of hand.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll warn you right now. Don¡¯t even think about sending a third participant. There¡¯s no limit to the number of players, but sending a third one will just get them mocked!¡± Maria Sanchez shook her head. ¡°I won¡¯t be doing that, so don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°So what do you plan to do?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to change our plan.¡± ¡°Change your plan? How?¡± ¡°Marcos, take him down.¡± At her command, Marcos Sanchez restrained Mark Goldpixie and pushed him to the ground. ¡°Ugh!¡± Mark Goldpixie screamed in surprise. ¡°How dare you lay a hand on me! What is this nonsense...¡± ¡°Shut up, or I¡¯ll snap your neck right here.¡± Marcos Sanchez threatened, his voice menacing. That warning made cold sweat appear on Mark Goldpixie¡¯s forehead. He had momentarily forgotten in his anger. They were blood relatives of the Sanchez family, and that family was infamous in Pandemonium for being literal demons. ¡°Are you... trying to kill me?¡± ¡°Of course not. We¡¯re not the kind to kill anyone recklessly.¡± Maria Sanchez smiled faintly. But Mark Goldpixie couldn¡¯t relax. ¡°I¡¯ll apologize first. The contract won¡¯t be honored.¡± Mark Goldpixie¡¯s face was filled with conflicting emotions. But he kept them in check, knowing that expressing them could cost him his life. ¡°...Fine. I won¡¯t pursue this matter. You all leave quietly.¡± It was the most he could concede. But Maria Sanchez wasn¡¯t satisfied with just that. ¡°Sure, but before that, you need to do us a favor.¡± ¡°A favor?¡± ¡°Look into the man I fought.¡± ¡°I told you, such information is impossible to obtain...¡± ¡°I¡¯m not asking for an identity check. I already know who he is.¡± ¡°You do?¡± ¡°His name is Kwon Hanul.¡± The name didn¡¯t ring any bells, so he wasn¡¯t famous. But Mark Goldpixie quickly recalled it, having heard relevant information recently. ¡°...Wasn¡¯t he a key player in the South American cartel wars?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I didn¡¯t recognize him at first, but the technique he used gave him away.¡± The technique of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques. ¡°I know all that. So why do you want me to investigate?¡± ¡°Where he¡¯s being held, when he¡¯s leaving the city, and if he¡¯s leaving, where he¡¯s going. That¡¯s all I need.¡± At these words, Mark Goldpixie¡¯s eyes began to tremble with fear. ¡°You¡¯re not planning to ambush him, are you? If you do that, you¡¯ll make an enemy of the entire Mystery City!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not crazy enough to do that, so don¡¯t worry. Just do as we ask, and we¡¯ll let you go.¡± Though this deal wasn¡¯t to his liking, Mark Goldpixie had no other choice. ¡°...Alright, I¡¯ll do it your way.¡± ¡°Thank you. Marcos, let him go.¡± As Marcos Sanchez stepped back, Mark Goldpixie adjusted his wrist. Maria Sanchez handed him her smartphone. ¡°What are you doing? Call your secretary already.¡± Mark Goldpixie reluctantly took the phone. ¡°And don¡¯t say anything unnecessary to your secretary, alright?¡± After the warning, Maria Sanchez gave Marcos Sanchez another order. ¡°Marcos, I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on that man. You go to the other arena and bring the others.¡± ¡°You¡¯re planning to ambush Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°Yes. So get ready.¡± ¡°But if you do that, it could lead to war with them.¡± Even the Sanchez family found Hyukcheon a tough opponent. Their elders tried to avoid entangling with them. ¡°There¡¯s no choice. We can¡¯t give up the patriarch¡¯s treasure like this.¡± But this time, it was unavoidable. The treasure was more important than turning Hyukcheon into an enemy. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t be too hard. We just need to watch out for Joo Hayun among Kwon Hanul¡¯s group.¡± * * * Whenever a participant won a consecutive match, they could request a short break. ¡°Sanchez family is here.¡± During this break, Kwon Hanul called Kwon Myung-woo and Joo Hayun into the waiting room. Both of them widened their eyes. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Both of the people I fought are blood relatives of the Sanchez family.¡± ¡°No wonder they felt different.¡± Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s expression became serious. The Sanchez family wasn¡¯t something that could be taken lightly, not even by Hyukcheon. Their power from the Superhuman Bloodline was formidable, but the Sanchez family''s influence in Pandemonium was immense. ¡°Was one of them Maria Sanchez?¡± ¡°Right. I guess you¡¯ve figured it out.¡± ¡°You think I don¡¯t know her? I just thought it was impossible, but...¡± Joo Hayun trailed off. She had personal matters to settle with Maria Sanchez. ¡°Hmmm... Mystery City isn¡¯t the kind of place where you can sneak in. There must have been some kind of help. But what could be worth all that trouble?¡± Kwon Myung-woo stroked his chin as he pondered. After a moment, he came to a conclusion. ¡°...They¡¯re after the grand prize.¡± At this, both of them looked at Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°Sometimes, things of unknown origin end up in the underground arena. The Sanchez family must need something here, or they wouldn¡¯t have come.¡± ¡°So, are the blood relatives of the Sanchez family going to keep challenging Kwon Hanul?¡± Kwon Myung-woo shook his head. ¡°To enter the underground arena, you need a sponsor. There¡¯s no rule on how many players a sponsor can enter, but if they send more than two, they¡¯ll attract unwanted attention.¡± The Sanchez family had already sent two blood relatives. The rounds were finished. ¡°Haha, I¡¯ve unintentionally spoiled the Sanchez family¡¯s feast.¡± Kwon Myung-woo grinned. Kwon Hanul then asked him, ¡°If it¡¯s so important, wouldn¡¯t they try anything to get it?¡± ¡°They¡¯ll try. But there¡¯s not much they can do.¡± Kwon Myung-woo spoke with confidence. ¡°Unless they¡¯re crazy, they won¡¯t start a ruckus in Mystery City.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 108 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 108: Postponed (1) A massive hammer came crashing down from above. It was a brutal strike swung with both hands by a burly man, and the sound of it tearing through the air was ominous. Terror prickled down his spine, but Kwon Hudon didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he rammed his shoulder into the hammer. Invincible Shell: Indestructible Curve The hammer met Kwon Hudon¡¯s shoulder¡ªand shattered like ice. ¡°You bastard!¡± Even with his weapon destroyed, the brute didn¡¯t give up. He tried to stab Hudon with the broken handle. Kwon Hudon didn¡¯t back down either. He stepped forward and threw both fists at once. Invincible Shell: Myriad-Breaking Fists His fists crashed into the brute¡¯s torso. Blood burst from the man¡¯s mouth. ¡°Gah!¡± He was sent flying backward. Kwon Hudon wiped the sweat off his brow and sighed in relief. ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s over.¡± He wasn¡¯t referring to just defeating the brute. Around him, dozens of people lay unconscious, sprawled across the ground. All were opponents Hudon had taken down. No¡ªtechnically speaking, he hadn¡¯t done it alone. ¡°Aaaaahhh!¡± A scream came from behind. Hudon turned to see a man clutching his broken leg. ¡°I¡ªI give up! I surrender...!¡± The man pleaded desperately. But the woman in front of him didn¡¯t flinch. She raised her hand and brought it down like a blade. Her small palm shattered his neck and slammed his head into the ground. It was such a vicious blow, it was questionable whether the man had survived. Hudon stared at the scene, visibly shaken. ¡°Ah, Mr. Hu!¡± The woman who¡¯d just crushed the man waved cheerfully at Hudon. He returned the gesture with an awkward smile. ¡°L-Larisa...¡± ¡°Sorry I couldn¡¯t help more! I was too busy fending off the ones coming at me...¡± Larisa looked genuinely apologetic as she glanced at Hudon. In that moment, she looked like a bashful girl. But during the fight, Hudon had seen her true self¡ªmore than once. What she¡¯d just done to that pleading man was nothing. She had snapped the limbs of more than ten people without a flicker of emotion. It was terrifying to watch. ¡°A-Anyway, looks like it¡¯s finally over.¡± ¡°Not quite. You and I are still standing, right?¡± Larisa looked at Hudon, her face now devoid of smiles. Her calm stare made him gulp instinctively. Just as she said, only one victor could emerge from this arena. They had cooperated out of necessity¡ªbut only one could remain in the end. ¡°D-Do we really have to fight?¡± Knowing the rules didn¡¯t stop Hudon from asking. He couldn¡¯t instantly see her¡ªsomeone he had just fought beside¡ªas an enemy. ¡°One of us could surrender. But I hope that won¡¯t be you, Mr. Hu.¡± ¡°Why... why not?¡± ¡°Because I want to fight you.¡± A spark lit up in Larisa¡¯s previously emotionless eyes¡ªcuriosity. ¡°I saw everything. The way you fought, the skills you used... You¡¯re incredibly strong.¡± Just as Hudon had observed her, she had been watching him. ¡°Besides, you haven¡¯t even shown everything you¡¯ve got, have you? There¡¯s still more, isn¡¯t there?¡± She even figured that out? He couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. ¡°Y-You¡¯re hiding your full strength too, aren¡¯t you, Miss Larisa...?¡± The words slipped out before he realized it. In that moment, her presence changed completely. ¡°So you noticed. I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong about you.¡± A fierce killing intent radiated from Larisa. While she heated up with excitement, he froze with fear. Just then¡ª Hudon and Larisa looked up in confusion. "Black Turtle" was the alias Kwon Myung-woo had hastily registered for Kwon Hudon. ¡°Lily¡± probably referred to Larisa. Hudon looked at Larisa in disbelief. ¡°...Seems something came up on my end,¡± she said, sounding disappointed. ¡°Well then, Mr. Hu. If fate allows, let¡¯s meet again someday.¡± Larisa turned and walked out of the arena. The moment she disappeared, Hudon collapsed to the ground. ¡°That was ten years off my life...¡± * * * Colosseum of the Western Hall A stadium built for the spectacle of humans versus monsters. Today marked its most exhilarating moment since it first opened. ¡ª"Yeah! Valkyrie! Cut them down with one swing!" ¡ª"What¡¯s the Ghost Blade doing? She¡¯s slowing down!" Two women fought against monsters in the arena. One, known as Valkyrie, wielded an enormous greatsword. Every time she swung it¡ªmassive, almost the size of a bus¡ªmonsters were reduced to chunks of meat. Opposite her, a woman wielded a more standard sword. Yet she was no less formidable. While Valkyrie relied on brute strength, this woman fought with skill and speed, striking monsters¡¯ vital points in the blink of an eye. ¡ª"They finished at the same time again!" ¡ª"Wow! They¡¯re amazing!" Normally, only one fighter was allowed per match. But the gap between these two and the rest of the contestants had been so overwhelming that the organizers changed the rules. After all, the colosseum existed for entertainment. Mystery City, the overseeing body, saw no harm in bending a rule or two for fun. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Valkyrie laughed, resting her blood-dripping greatsword on her shoulder. Her laughter echoed just as loudly as her size suggested. ¡°You¡¯re pretty damn good! You¡¯re the first to stand toe-to-toe with me like this!¡± Mei Hong didn¡¯t respond right away. She needed a moment to catch her breath. ¡°I could say the same. You¡¯re the first who¡¯s ever kept up with my blade.¡± ¡°Haha! So I¡¯m your first too? That¡¯s kinda flattering!¡± Valkyrie¡¯s grin widened. ¡°I¡¯m glad I got to fight a swordswoman like you... but I know you feel it too, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Feel what?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. You know who¡¯s gonna win this.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s grip on her sword tightened. She didn¡¯t want to admit it¡ªbut Valkyrie was right. Starting from the tenth monster, Valkyrie had been finishing them off slightly faster. It wasn¡¯t just speed. Mei Hong had to go all-out, grinding her teeth, to keep up. Valkyrie, meanwhile, barely seemed to break a sweat. ¡°...You¡¯re acting high and mighty for someone who won in a match tilted in their favor.¡± That didn¡¯t mean Mei Hong was weaker. Unlike the brute force of Valkyrie, she relied on technique. But against monsters, Valkyrie¡¯s approach simply had the upper hand. ¡°Well, life¡¯s never fair, is it?¡± Valkyrie didn¡¯t deny it¡ªand she certainly wasn¡¯t ashamed. Just then, two more monsters walked into the arena. The scoreboard lit up. Mei Hong bit her lip. She hadn¡¯t fully recovered her stamina. If the fight started now, she¡¯d undoubtedly lose. ¡°Haha! Let¡¯s wrap this up then!¡± Valkyrie hoisted her greatsword high. Then, a voice echoed from the speakers: ¡°...What?¡± The look on Valkyrie¡¯s face twisted in disbelief. ¡°Who said I was forfeiting?! I can still fight!¡± She roared, looking ready to raise hell. But suddenly, she froze¡ªstaring into the audience. ¡°...Damn it.¡± She turned to leave the arena. ¡°You¡¯re ending it like this?¡± Mei Hong called after her. ¡°What are you, stupid? Didn¡¯t you hear? I forfeit. You win. Got it?¡± Before Mei Hong could respond, Valkyrie spoke again. ¡°Being lucky is a kind of skill too. So don¡¯t get all mopey about it.¡± Without hesitation, Valkyrie walked off. Mei Hong stood still, then muttered quietly, ¡°...I don¡¯t like this.¡± * * * Southern Colosseum A race through a trap-ridden course where the first to cross the finish line wins. A victor had just been declared. It had been a close one¡ªless than a second between first and second. ¡°Tch. I lost.¡± GG looked to the side. A man who¡¯d just finished second clicked his tongue. ¡°I don¡¯t know who the hell you are, but all those weird skills you used... If not for that, I would¡¯ve won.¡± The pot-bellied man grumbled. It wasn¡¯t just empty whining. Unlike Gael Garcia, the man had charged through the traps head-on. It was reckless¡ªbut impressively fast. Gael had barely scraped by. ¡°Talkative for a loser.¡± Still, Gael Garcia didn¡¯t intend to let it slide. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve lost, step down quietly. Isn¡¯t that what a loser should do?¡± Gael hadn¡¯t meant to be this harsh. But the man¡¯s cocky attitude had rubbed him the wrong way. ¡°Hah. You''re only useful for finding paths in dungeons anyway.¡± The man stomped toward him, eyes flaring. ¡°If I weren¡¯t under orders, I¡¯d kill you right here.¡± His eyes glinted. Not the eyes of a normal hunter¡ªbut someone used to killing. Someone who enjoyed it. The very kind of person Gael Garcia loathed. ¡°Talk¡¯s cheap.¡± ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°Cowards bark the loudest. You seem like the type.¡± The man¡¯s bloodshot eyes narrowed. His bloodlust surged. ¡°You little bastard!¡± He raised his fist with a shout¡ª The man froze. ¡°...You. I¡¯ll see you again. Next time, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± With that chilling promise, he left the arena. Gael Garcia calmly watched him go. His Mystic Vein could sense the life force of living things. It helped him gauge their level. And as far as he could tell... ¡°That¡¯s not someone I want to fight.¡± Better to avoid him if possible. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 109 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 109: Postponed (2) That night, Kwon Hanul gathered his team. It was to inform them about Sanchez. ¡°Those muscleheads are in Mystery City?¡± Mei Hong was the first to react. ¡°What could they possibly want here of all places?¡± ¡°Great Uncle speculates that they¡¯re after the tournament prize.¡± Kwon Myung-woo and Joo Hayun had stepped out to consult with the city¡¯s upper echelon, so Kwon Hanul relayed Myung-woo¡¯s words in his stead. ¡°What kind of prize is it that they¡¯d go to such lengths?¡± ¡°Right... Mystery City bans criminals from entering. It must be something serious if they¡¯re forcing their way in...¡± ¡°Did you look into it yourself?¡± At Gael Garcia¡¯s question, Kwon Hanul nodded and pulled out a catalog he had obtained from the underground arena. ¡°This is the underground tournament¡¯s grand prize.¡± Everyone¡¯s attention turned to the catalog. One by one, they nodded. The grand prize... was a small dish. Not even the size of a rice bowl¡ªmore like something to dip soy sauce in. ¡°...This is the grand prize?¡± ¡°And the Sanchez family wants this?¡± ¡°To me, it doesn¡¯t look particularly special.¡± The dish wasn¡¯t completely worthless. According to the catalog¡¯s description, it was crafted from rare gemstones nearly impossible to find even in dungeons. Its surface was covered in incredibly fine, delicate artwork, suggesting it once belonged to someone of noble status. Its artistic value alone would send collectors into a frenzy. But from a Hunter¡¯s perspective, it wasn¡¯t especially useful. So why was the Sanchez family so obsessed with it? ¡°Couldn¡¯t the Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist be mistaken? Maybe the Sanchez family has a different motive.¡± Mei Hong boldly questioned Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s judgment. Kwon Hanul let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Maybe. But if they had another motive, why would they enter the underground tournament? And send in two participants back-to-back?¡± It seemed reasonable, and Mei Hong nodded in agreement. ¡°W-What did Grandfather say about all this?¡± Kwon Hudon raised his hand and asked. Kwon Hanul closed the catalog and replied, ¡°He told us not to worry and to focus on our assigned tasks.¡± ¡°Still, if the Sanchez family pulls something, it could get dangerous...¡± ¡°He said even the Sanchez family wouldn¡¯t dare stir up trouble in this city.¡± Kwon Hanul shrugged. ¡°Besides, even if they did, we have Great Uncle with us.¡± At those words, Kwon Myung-woo gave a big grin. Right. The Kwon Myung-woo¡ªHyukcheon¡¯s strongest¡ªwas here. This might be the safest place on earth. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get some rest. We still have matches tomorrow.¡± There were more battles ahead before they could claim victory. ¡°Since we¡¯ve come this far, we¡¯d better get that reward.¡± * * * Two days later, the tournament crowned its winners in all arenas. ¡°Just as I predicted!¡± That same day, laughter echoed through the lodging as Kwon Myung-woo celebrated. ¡°Not a single loss! Everyone won! Well done, all of you!¡± And it wasn¡¯t just any victory. The matches had gone so smoothly that the audience called them boring. All four teammates had cruised through, struggling only in their first-day matches. ¡°We have a guest.¡± Joo Hayun entered, accompanied by four others. ¡°These are the prizes, sent by the tournament committee. They said to pass along their admiration.¡± ¡°Admiration? It was the obvious result! Ahaha!¡± Kwon Myung-woo laughed heartily and looked at the others. ¡°Well? Aren¡¯t you going to open them?¡± Each person opened the box labeled with their name. ¡°Wow...¡± Kwon Hudon received a necklace. But it wasn¡¯t just decorative¡ªit was crafted from a phoenix¡¯s heart and could absorb all damage inflicted on its wearer. Its only flaw: a limited capacity. Once it hit its limit, it couldn¡¯t be used again for some time. Still, it was an incredible protective item. ¡°A dangerous little toy.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s reward was a dagger with a cloaking ability. Invisible under normal circumstances, it appeared in her hand with a simple motion. ¡°Ohh, I¡¯ll save this for later.¡± Gael Garcia received a potion¡ªone that could raise a single stat to S-rank. Out of the four, Gael had the lowest stats, so it was a perfect fit. Lastly, Kwon Hanul... ¡°What... even is this thing?¡± He examined the tiny dish¡ªno bigger than a soy sauce bowl¡ªwith a puzzled look. Just in case, he tried infusing it with magic, but nothing happened. ¡°Any idea what it is?¡± Kwon Myung-woo asked. Kwon Hanul shook his head. No matter how he examined it, he couldn¡¯t tell. ¡°What about you, Hayun?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t learned detection magic.¡± ¡°Ah, right.¡± Kwon Myung-woo took the dish and studied it himself. After a moment, he muttered, ¡°Maybe we should try smashing it¡ªkidding! Don¡¯t give me that look!¡± Everyone stared at him like he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°Anyway, we¡¯ll figure this out later. No way we¡¯re letting a day like this go to waste. Let¡¯s throw a celebration tomorrow!¡± He beamed with joy. ¡°No, a party¡¯s not enough! I¡¯ll show you all the pleasures this city has to offer!¡± Everyone lit up with anticipation. Mystery City was built for one thing: indulgence. The pleasures it offered were limitless. ¡°Uhh... won¡¯t that cost a fortune?¡± Kwon Hudon asked hesitantly. Kwon Myung-woo slapped his chest and declared, ¡°Ahaha! Don¡¯t worry about it. I made a tidy sum recently.¡± Hearing ¡°tidy sum,¡± everyone nodded¡ªexcept Joo Hayun, who just sighed. ¡°Alright then. Let¡¯s treat our taste buds first...¡± Music rang out. Kwon Myung-woo pulled out his smartphone and answered the call. ¡°What is it?¡± The call didn¡¯t end quickly. The longer it dragged on, the grimmer Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s face became. ¡°...Sorry, everyone. The celebration¡¯s canceled.¡± He put the phone down, his voice dark. ¡°I have to return to the clan immediately.¡± ¡°Did something happen?¡± Kwon Myung-woo nodded. ¡°The Naming War has been postponed.¡± If that were all, he wouldn¡¯t be this urgent. ¡°Vain Hope has been killed.¡± Vain Hope. Once Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s right-hand man and the heir to Hyukcheon¡¯s European branch. ¡°Vain Hope¡± wasn¡¯t a name but a title. In this world, being referred to by a title meant one possessed extraordinary power. Kwon Hanul had come to Mystery City specifically to prepare for a match against him in the Naming War. ¡°Who killed him?¡± Kwon Myung-woo had personally trained Kwon Hanul to face him, that¡¯s how formidable the man was. Who could have possibly defeated such a figure? ¡°He was killed by the swordmasters of the Mei family, led by Bloodflame blade Mei Xiao.¡± Everyone held their breath. Their eyes turned toward Mei Hong. Her reaction? ¡°So... she¡¯s finally shown up.¡± She smiled, pure and unshaken. * * * ¡°...Thank you for your efforts.¡± In a room decorated entirely in gold¡ªfrom walls to ceiling¡ªMark Goldpixie ended a call. ¡°How did it go?¡± As he put down his smartphone, Maria Sanchez, seated nearby, asked. ¡°They said no matter how much they dig, they can¡¯t find anything on ¡®Black Bird.¡¯¡± Black Bird. The man who had brought Kwon Hanul to Mystery City and who had long been involved in the underground tournaments. Every participant he recommended placed highly. ¡°Keep digging. Even a small lead will do.¡± ¡°Look, I¡¯ve done what I can. Mystery City never¡ª¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t help me, things might get... unpleasant.¡± Maria Sanchez scratched the marble table with her fingertip. With a horrible screech, a deep gouge appeared. She wasn¡¯t with Mark Goldpixie just for business¡ªshe was threatening his life. ¡°...Damn it!¡± Normally, this level of threat would have been enough. But today, Mark Goldpixie snapped. ¡°I¡¯ve already stationed surveillance around Kwon Hanul¡¯s lodging, just like you asked! The higher-ups have probably noticed. Do you even know what kind of punishment I¡¯ll face?!¡± Surveilling Kwon Hanul was part of what Maria had requested. Though the security was airtight and yielded little intel... ¡°Isn¡¯t that enough?! Let me go already!¡± ¡°No can do,¡± Maria said firmly. Whatever problems he had, they were his to solve. She had no intention of releasing him. This matter was that important to the Sanchez family¡ªafter all, it involved a relic once used by their progenitor. ¡°Just find out more about Black Bird. Then I¡¯ll let you go.¡± ¡°Why are you so obsessed with that guy? You¡¯re from the Sanchez family!¡± The villains of Pandemonium were mostly insane¡ªand among them, the Sanchez family was notorious. Bad attitude. Great skill. The list of major crimes they¡¯d committed was endless. ¡°I just want to minimize variables this time.¡± ¡°Variables?¡± ¡°That¡¯s all you need to know.¡± Maria¡¯s obsession with Black Bird wasn¡¯t without reason. She had a bad feeling. An assignment that should have been easy¡ªyet she¡¯d run into Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline and lost, even with her powers restrained. Two impossible things had already happened. She had no choice but to stay on guard. ¡°If you don¡¯t figure out who he is before they leave, are you going to kill me?¡± ¡°Kill you? No. But I might be disappointed enough to strike.¡± That alone made Mark Goldpixie tremble. A superhuman bloodline member¡¯s touch could be fatal to someone like him. ¡°So find out. Whatever it takes.¡± Then his phone rang. Maria gestured for him to answer. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡ª¡°Sir, about the surveillance target...¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡ª¡°The staff at the mansion are moving quickly. It looks like they¡¯re preparing to leave.¡± ¡°Got it. Keep monitoring.¡± Mark hung up and looked anxiously at Maria. ¡°I figured they¡¯d leave soon after receiving their prizes, but not this fast.¡± Maria fell into thought, then pulled out her phone and made a call. ¡°Marcos, can you hear me?¡± ¡ª¡°Yes, sister. What is it?¡± ¡°Go outside right now and pass on my message.¡± ¡ª¡°What should I say?¡± ¡°Tell him, ¡®We¡¯re hunting black worms tomorrow. If we¡¯re unlucky, a snake might come out instead.¡¯¡± ¡ª¡°Understood.¡± That man could handle any unforeseen variable. When she first heard he was coming, Maria had resented it¡ªthinking the family didn¡¯t trust her. But now, she was grateful. ¡ª¡°Sister.¡± Marcos Sanchez suddenly spoke. Maria looked puzzled. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡ª¡°I have a request. Please let me be the one to kill Kwon Hanul.¡± Her expression shifted. ¡°You sure? We both lost to him.¡± ¡ª¡°That¡¯s only because our powers were restricted! If I could go all out, it would¡¯ve ended differently!¡± Marcos¡¯s voice was full of frustration. When they fought Kwon Hanul, neither of them had used even half their true power. Maria, too, had held back. ¡°Hmm...¡± She paused, considering. She had her own grudge against Kwon Hanul. But there was someone else she needed to face that day. Joo Hayun. The right-hand woman of Kwon Seonwoo, the head of Hyukcheon, and someone Maria had clashed with many times before. ¡°Fine, do as you like. But make sure you kill him for good. Got it?¡± Marcos Sanchez answered with a chuckle that dripped with cruelty. ¡ª¡±Leave it to me.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 110 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 110: Postponed (3) The next day, Kwon Hanul boarded a flight bound for the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Geez, all this chaos just because of some Mei Xiao or whatever...¡± Kwon Myung-woo grumbled, clearly displeased with the abrupt change in schedule. Joo Hayun placed a teacup in front of him and asked, ¡°Is it really that bothersome to you?¡± ¡°Of course it is. I finally had a chance to spend time with this brat Hanul, and now it¡¯s all gone to waste.¡± Hanul, sitting nearby, replied in disbelief, ¡°I''m not a kid. ¡®Spend time with me¡¯¡ªreally?¡± ¡°To me, you¡¯re still just a child.¡± ¡°Considering the age gap between us, that¡¯s fair, I suppose.¡± ¡°You brat, you think I meant it like that?¡± Kwon Myung-woo clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡°I was going to show you how fun it is to spend money.¡± He kept fidgeting with the mask he had worn since arriving in the city of Mystery. He clearly had some lingering attachment to it. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, here.¡± ¡°Ah, thank you.¡± Hanul took the tea that Hayun handed him, took a sip, and glanced around the plane. ¡®The atmosphere feels so gloomy.¡¯ Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, and Gael Garcia were all sitting apart, each in their own space. They didn¡¯t seem to be fighting, just lost in thought. ¡®The opponents they faced on the first day weren¡¯t ordinary.¡¯ While Hanul was fighting a member of the Sanchez family, the other three had also encountered powerful adversaries. All three of them were frustrated that none of their battles had ended decisively. As he looked around, lost in thought, Hanul suddenly turned to Kwon Myung-woo. ¡°Granduncle, can I ask you something?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Kwon Myung-woo was about to remove his mask when Hanul asked, ¡°Why did the Chairman order you to assist me?¡± Myung-woo froze mid-motion. * * * ¡°Is that plane carrying the Hyukcheon worms?¡± A man wearing an orange bandana asked. Ten others stood around him, all wearing matching orange headbands. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s confirmed. We got the info by threatening someone high up in the city of Mystery.¡± ¡°You must be talking about Mark Goldpixie. If the elders find out we¡¯ve made an enemy of the Goldpixie family over this, they¡¯ll be furious.¡± ¡°There was no other choice. And don¡¯t forget, it was the elders themselves who said we could do anything to retrieve the Founder''s artifact.¡± The man still looked displeased but didn¡¯t argue further. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we shoot the plane down before it gets any farther?¡± Maria Sanchez asked. The man responded with concern, ¡°If it¡¯s your order, I¡¯ll follow it... but this is a civilian area. If we cause trouble here, things will escalate.¡± As he noted, the area was surrounded by residential buildings. Any battle here would inevitably result in civilian casualties. ¡°Oh, you sound like such a child all of a sudden. Are you really the Khan Sanchez I know?¡± Khan Sanchez. If the Sanchez family''s bloodline were ranked by strength, he would proudly stand at the top. One of the few true powerhouses recognized worldwide. The people wearing the same bandanas as him were members of Dentes de Leao ¡ª the elite force of the Sanchez family. ¡°Of course I am. I was just double-checking.¡± Khan Sanchez shrugged it off. In truth, he couldn¡¯t care less about civilian casualties. ¡°Then let¡¯s begin.¡± With that, Khan Sanchez activated his power. * * * Cough. Kwon Myung-woo coughed, shocked. He stared at Hanul, having forgotten all about removing his mask. ¡°H-how did you know?¡± ¡°I was just fishing... So the Chairman really did give the order.¡± Kwon Myung-woo looked dumbfounded. ¡°You little punk¡ªdid you just trick me?¡± ¡°Trick? Please, let¡¯s call it ¡®leading questioning.¡¯ I had my suspicions, but no proof.¡± ¡°Ugh...¡± Myung-woo groaned. ¡°Can¡¯t believe I fell for that, at my age. When did you start suspecting me?¡± ¡°From the start. The opponents were too strong for you to just show up to ¡®help.¡¯ You¡¯re not the meddling type.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t claim to fully understand Myung-woo. But one thing he knew for sure: Myung-woo was never the kind of man to interfere in someone else¡¯s fight. ¡°So I figured someone must¡¯ve asked you. And there¡¯s only one person who could give such an order to you.¡± There was only one man who could command the Hyukcheon Strongest Fist. Kwon Seonwoo ¡ª Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group, and head of the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Honestly, I wasn¡¯t sure. The Chairman¡¯s not exactly the helpful type.¡± Kwon Seonwoo was known to push people into crises in the name of ¡®testing their value,¡¯ not to help them. Besides, there was another reason Hanul had doubts. ¡°I thought the Chairman hated me. Why would he ask you to help me?¡± Myung-woo scratched his head, clearly uncomfortable. ¡°That¡¯s not something I can answer carelessly. But I can tell you this: My brother doesn¡¯t hate you.¡± ¡°Impossible. My father...¡± ¡°Yes. Your father, Kwon Cheon, and my brother didn¡¯t get along. But that...¡± Myung-woo paused. ¡°That¡¯s something you should hear from the Chairman himself.¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t ready to drop the subject. But just then, Myung-woo¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°...Sanchez. Those meatheads have really lost it.¡± Hanul could feel it too ¡ª the massive surge of mana outside the plane. He rushed to the window and looked toward the port they had departed from. A giant was approaching ¡ª formed from cloudy, mist-like energy, clenching its fist. The giant extended its fist slowly, then suddenly accelerated toward the plane. ¡°Everyone, brace yourselves!¡± The moment Myung-woo shouted, the giant¡¯s fist smashed into the aircraft. * * * ¡°No deaths, as expected.¡± As Khan Sanchez deactivated his power, the giant made of mist vanished. ¡°No deaths? What about the flight crew?¡± ¡°There must be someone quite skilled among them. Even protected the crew.¡± Khan¡¯s head turned slightly, tracking something in the air. A man was leaping through the sky, holding the unconscious crew in both arms. Khan wanted to see his face ¡ª but the man wore a mask. ¡°I¡¯ll handle him. You, retrieve the artifact.¡± ¡°Understood. What about the Dentes de Leao unit?¡± ¡°Keep them on standby. Call them if it gets dangerous.¡± Maria Sanchez smirked. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± ¡°I am.¡± With that, Khan Sanchez vanished after the masked man. Once he was gone, Maria turned to the other Sanchez bloodlines who had come with her. ¡°Time to move. Everyone, target one person each. And...¡± She turned her thumb downward. ¡°Make sure they die.¡± * * * ¡°Bastards.¡± Kwon Myung-woo laid the unconscious crew on the grass and cursed. ¡°How dare they target Hyukcheon. They must have a death wish.¡± The plane he had been on was marked with the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s emblem. Attacking it was no different from declaring war. ¡°I hope the others made it out okay...¡± The explosion had scattered the party in all directions. He wanted to search for them immediately, but first, he had to get the crew to safety. ¡°Let¡¯s get them somewhere secure first...¡± A sound of someone landing interrupted him. He turned to see a man with a crimson bandana. ¡°You.¡± The moment he saw the man, he knew ¡ª this was the one who destroyed the plane. ¡°Yes. Me.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a rude way of speaking for a young punk.¡± The man wasn¡¯t that young, but compared to Myung-woo, he was still a junior. ¡°We¡¯re about to try to kill each other. No point being polite.¡± ¡°That disrespectful attitude suits the Sanchez family.¡± Myung-woo turned fully toward him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Khan Sanchez.¡± Ho¡ª Myung-woo let out a low whistle. ¡°So you¡¯re the upstart who replaced Leonardo Sanchez as the top dog.¡± Khan¡¯s brow twitched at the name of the previous first-in-command. The man in front of him was far too composed. ¡°And your name?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know me? Ah, must be the mask.¡± Myung-woo raised his hand and took off his mask. Khan¡¯s face turned pale the moment he saw it. ¡°...Th-the Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist?¡± Myung-woo bared his fangs in a grin. ¡°Now do you realize who you¡¯ve messed with?¡± Khan¡¯s face drained of all color. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one chance. Take your people and get out of here.¡± Conflict flickered across Khan¡¯s face. ¡°Everyone, gather!¡± Khan suddenly roared. The shout echoed in all directions. Soon, others wearing the same red bandanas appeared. Myung-woo studied them with interest. ¡°Dentes de Leao, huh? Even brought the Sanchez elites. What are you planning?¡± Even after recognizing them, Myung-woo showed no sign of tension. On the contrary, it was the elite unit that looked visibly shaken. ¡°Calling them here... means you¡¯re serious about fighting me, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Myung-woo¡¯s power surged ¡ª the aura he had been holding back exploded outward. ¡°Don¡¯t expect to leave here alive.¡± * * * Landing wasn¡¯t that hard. Kwon Hanul quickly sharpened his senses. He needed to locate where the others had fallen. But before that, a man dropped from the sky. He radiated a chilling killing intent. It was a face he had never seen, but he already knew who it was. He¡¯d encountered someone with that kind of physique before. ¡°One of the Sa?nchez bloodkin I saw at the underground arena?¡± ¡°Thanks for recognizing me.¡± The man twisted his mouth into a smirk. Kwon Hanul smiled back in kind. ¡°Let me introduce myself properly. Marcos Sa?nchez.¡± Marcos Sa?nchez. One of the high-risk individuals Joo Hayun had warned him about after their previous clash with the Sa?nchez family. Among the active bloodkin of the Sa?nchez family, he stood out with overwhelming power. But Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t care less about the guy¡¯s name. ¡°So, Marcos Sa?nchez. Why are you here in front of me?¡± ¡°What a question. Obviously¡ªfor revenge.¡± ¡°One loss wasn¡¯t enough for you, huh?¡± At those words, Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Arrogant bastard. I couldn¡¯t use even half my power back then because I had to hide my identity. But now¡ªit¡¯s different!¡± The muscles on Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s body began to swell grotesquely. It looked as if he were donning armor made of flesh. Strength Amplification. If the Black Dragon Bloodline had Demonic Aura, then for the Superhuman Bloodline, this power was their defining ability. ¡°Judging from that look, you know what this is. Seems like you¡¯ve done your homework on the Superhuman Bloodline?¡± ¡°To some extent.¡± ¡°Then you must know exactly what this ability does.¡± Of course he did. Explosive enhancement of physical abilities. And enough durability to withstand external attacks. It was, quite literally, armor made of muscle. ¡°Now I¡¯ll show you my real strength.¡± Marcos Sa?nchez bent his knees. His grotesquely enlarged muscles contracted. As he straightened them, they expanded once more¡ªturning his body into a cannonball. A charge as simple as it was brutal. Using that momentum, he threw a punch at Kwon Hanul. At that moment, Kwon Hanul moved his hand. Foundational Form of the Black Dragon Ascension Technique Guarding Strike: Claw Angle Kwon Hanul swung his forearm and blocked Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s punch. With a harsh sound, Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s fist was knocked aside. Shock flickered across his face. He hadn¡¯t expected his all-out attack to be brushed off so easily. ¡°You said you were holding back to hide your identity?¡± Marcos Sa?nchez looked up at the voice coming from just steps away. ¡°So was I.¡± Kwon Hanul took a stance. Clenching his fist, he aimed at Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s solar plexus and twisted his waist to strike. Foundational Form of the Black Dragon Ascension Technique Striking Form: Spiral Wave Kwon Hanul¡¯s punch slammed into Marcos Sa?nchez¡¯s gut. The unleashed Dragon Demon Aura tore across the ground. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 111 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 111: The Sanchez Family (1) A residential district far from the port. A woman fell there. After landing on the ground, Joo Hayun let out a brief sigh and murmured to herself, ¡°I should¡¯ve stopped it...¡± Just before the giant¡¯s fist struck, Joo Hayun had quickly cast a spell. She protected the plane with a barrier, but it wasn¡¯t enough to completely block the giant¡¯s punch. As a result, the plane exploded, and the people inside were scattered in all directions. ¡°I have to find Kwon Hanul first.¡± Kwon Seonwoo had ordered Hayun to protect Hanul. Even if it cost him his life, Hanul had to be kept safe. Just as Joo Hayun was about to use magic to search for Hanul¡ª Suddenly, the surroundings grew noisy. ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°Something just exploded in the sky!¡± Startled by the sudden commotion, the townspeople began coming out of their homes one by one. ¡°Should we call the police?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just watch a bit longer.¡± ¡°But who¡¯s that Asian woman?¡± A few residents spotted Hayun and stared curiously. She was a face they''d never seen before. Then it happened. Something fell from the sky. The ground cracked apart, and the entire area shook. ¡°Kyaaah!¡± ¡°W-what the hell!¡± Thankfully, no one was caught in the impact. The townspeople stared in shock at the spot where the object had landed. From within the deep crater, someone walked out. In that instant, the village was engulfed in silence. ¡°...That''s Maria Sanchez of Superhuman Bloodline.¡± ¡°Why is the Butcher of the Sanchez family here?!¡± ¡°H-how should I know?! Run for your lives!¡± The villagers screamed and fled in a wave, like a receding tide. ¡°Being famous is such a pain.¡± Maria Sanchez spoke playfully as she turned to face Joo Hayun. ¡°Long time no see. Been doing well?¡± Hayun glared coldly at her. ¡°So it was you.¡± ¡°I came to fulfill the promise we made in Japan. Today, we settle this.¡± ¡°Why did you attack Hyukcheon?¡± Hayun¡¯s tone was icy, as if uninterested in anything else. ¡°Tired of living? If you wanted to die, you should¡¯ve just taken poison somewhere quiet instead of dragging Hyukcheon into it.¡± ¡°Ah, that? Couldn¡¯t be helped. The young lord you serve happens to have something we want.¡± ¡°You mean the prize from the underground arena?¡± Maria wasn¡¯t particularly surprised. She had already expected that Kwon Hanul, having realized who they were, would figure out that much. ¡°What¡¯s so special about that teacup that you¡¯d go this far?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a secret. I¡¯m not telling, so don¡¯t bother asking.¡± A sinister grin stretched across Maria¡¯s face, almost reaching her ears. ¡°But I can tell you something else¡ªlike what¡¯s happening to Hyukcheon¡¯s scattered bloodline right now.¡± At those words, a twitch appeared in Hayun¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve sent members of the Sanchez family after them. They¡¯re probably all dead by now.¡± ¡°Ridiculous. Do you really think people like them would fall to the Sanchez family?¡± Maria gave a twisted smile. ¡°Still going to say that after hearing who I brought with me? I brought a lot. Let¡¯s name a few...¡± She folded her fingers one by one as she listed off names. With each name, Hayun¡¯s face hardened more and more. ¡°Impressive list, huh?¡± ¡°...You dragged the Sanchez family¡¯s elite combat force into this? Are you insane?¡± ¡°If you want to save your precious Kwon Hanul, you¡¯d better get moving. He won¡¯t last long.¡± Oh, that¡¯s right¡ª Maria clapped her hands with an exaggerated expression. ¡°Or who knows, maybe he¡¯s already dead by now.¡± In that moment, fury exploded from within Joo Hayun. Her magic surged out of control, bursting outward. Everything it touched twisted and crumbled. The nearby buildings all collapsed. ¡®...Even seeing it again, it¡¯s terrifying.¡¯ Even Maria Sanchez couldn¡¯t help but tense up at that overwhelming display. ¡°You really are the Witch of Hyukcheon.¡± In this world, there are people called wizards and witches. They handle the mysterious knowledge known as ¡°magic,¡± brought to Earth through the dungeons. Though similar to hunters in their use of mana, they are fundamentally different. Magic is not a skill. It cannot be acquired via a system window¡ªonly through knowledge. Even then, not everyone who learns the knowledge can wield magic. To become a wizard or witch, one needs a unique talent known as a Gift. Joo Hayun was one of those few. In fact, she might be even more special than the rest. She wielded dimensional magic¡ªa branch of magic known only to her, anywhere in the world. ¡°Did you know? Aeon is still obsessed with you.¡± Aeon¡ªan organization formed by wizards and witches. It is said to possess all the magic in the world, yet even Aeon doesn¡¯t have dimensional magic. That¡¯s why, in the past, Aeon tried every coercive tactic imaginable to bring Joo Hayun into their fold. ¡°Guess I should get ready too.¡± Maria Sanchez¡¯s body began to grow. Her bones lengthened, her muscles swelled. The once delicate woman transformed into a 3-meter-tall mass of muscle. ¡°Hoo...¡± Maria summoned her mana. A pale mist wrapped around her. ¡°Shall we finish what we started last time?¡± In a blink, Maria Sanchez had closed the distance and stood before Hayun. She raised both fists high, and the mist around her formed a shape. A giant, formed entirely of mist, appeared behind her. It mimicked her exactly¡ªsame fists, same posture. ¡°Hraah!¡± With Maria¡¯s shout, the giant slammed its fists down. * * * Meanwhile, Kwon Hanul withdrew his fist. Before him lay Marcos Sanchez, beaten to a pulp. As Hanul examined him, he realized¡ª ¡°He¡¯s alive?¡± There was still a faint breath. Marcos hadn¡¯t died. He was merely unconscious. ¡°How is he still breathing?¡± Spiral Wave¡ªa technique that releases swirling dragon demon aura to destroy the target from within. And yet Marcos had survived it. Truly, the durability of a Superhuman Bloodline was impressive. ¡°Can¡¯t let him walk away.¡± To finish him off, Hanul raised a knife-hand strike aimed at Marcos¡¯s chest¡ªready to pierce straight through his heart. But then, Hanul froze. ¡°...What?¡± Once he relaxed his body, he could move again. Confused, he raised his hand again. But the moment he resolved to kill Marcos, his body froze once more. ¡°What the hell is this...?¡± Then, a message appeared before his eyes: That was the cause. The Superhuman Bloodline itself was interfering with Hanul¡¯s intent to kill. Hanul stared at the message, dumbfounded. ¡°They were mad about the hierarchy violation during the underground arena match, and now this...¡± So apparently, the Superhuman Bloodline forbids not just insubordination from lower to higher tiers, but also the reverse. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± Hanul had heard that some bloodlines possessed taboos, but he hadn¡¯t imagined that would include the Superhuman Bloodline. Considering Joo Hayun had never mentioned this, it must have been a well-kept secret even within the Sanchez family. ¡°This is ridiculous.¡± Still, he couldn¡¯t just let Marcos live. Marcos Sanchez had shown open hostility toward Hyukcheon. He had to be eliminated. ¡°You really gonna do this?¡± Hanul grumbled. The Superhuman Bloodline gave no answer. Then, a thought struck him. Hanul opened a subspace and took out a ring, slipping it onto his finger. The Ring of Lust had different effects depending on which finger it was worn on. The fourth finger¡¯s ability was to weaken the target¡¯s mental resistance, making them easier to dominate. Hanul reached toward Marcos Sanchez. And then¡ª ¡°Ugh... Urgh...¡± Marcos regained consciousness. To wake up so quickly was a testament to his iron will. ¡°W-what happened... Ugh¡ª!¡± But due to his internal injuries, he vomited blood the moment he came to. Only after spitting up a handful of blood did he realize Hanul was standing right in front of him. ¡°K-Kwon Han¡ªMmph!¡± Hanul immediately grabbed Marcos by the face and invoked his bloodline ability. The domination power of Vassal Bloodline pierced into Marcos¡¯s mind. But Marcos did not yield so easily. The Vassal Bloodline¡¯s ability was powerful¡ªbut not easily used. Controlling someone as strong as Marcos was nearly impossible. But Hanul had used it anyway¡ªfor a reason. The True Superhuman Bloodline Hanul possessed overwhelmed both Marcos and his Pure Superhuman Bloodline. Marcos¡¯s pupils trembled violently. <¡¯Vassal Bloodline¡¯ has dominated the target.> <21% ¡ú 27%> Hanul released Marcos¡¯s face. The man¡¯s eyes were dazed. ¡°How long are you planning to keep your head up?¡± At that, Marcos immediately slammed his forehead to the ground. Seeing the once-proud Marcos fully submit, Hanul curled one corner of his mouth. ¡°So it does work.¡± Hanul was pleased. Marcos Sanchez was not only a powerful fighter but also a key figure within the Sanchez family. The fact that he now controlled such a person was more than satisfying. ¡°Marcos!¡± Just then, two men came running up with a shout. Other members of the Sanchez bloodline had come to assist. ¡°The more pawns, the better, right?¡± Hanul flexed his ring-clad fingers. ¡°Might as well raise the Vassal Blood Synchronization rate while I¡¯m at it.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 112 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 112: The Sanchez Family (2) It looked like a scene straight out of a myth. With every move the muscular woman made, the ground cracked and the air reverberated. Her opponent was no ordinary figure either. Whenever the woman in the black suit swept her hand through the air, space twisted and distorted. "Yes! This is it!" The muscular woman let out a shout of joy. "I''ve been waiting for a fight like this! A battle only you could give me!" The muscular woman¡ªMaria Sanchez¡ªcharged forward with a wild yell, like someone half out of her mind. Joo Hayun''s hands moved swiftly. A massive amount of mana was consumed in an instant. "Mm." Gravity intensified, anchoring Maria Sanchez in place. "Kh...!" The force was overwhelming, enough to make even Maria struggle to break free. Joo Hayun cast another spell. A massive spear appeared in the sky. The same gravity that held Maria down now drew the spear downward. It plummeted at incredible speed¡ªstraight toward Maria Sanchez. But just before it could impale her, Maria caught the spear with her bare hands. Using sheer brute strength, she stopped it¡ªand then crushed it to pieces with her grip alone. "Haaaaah!" With a shout, Maria raised her leg and stomped down hard. The ground and the magic binding her shattered simultaneously. The gravity that had been restraining her vanished in an instant. "I was worried you¡¯d grown rusty after being out of action for so long¡ªbut you haven¡¯t lost a step," Maria said with satisfaction. Joo Hayun merely frowned. Maria was right¡ªHayun¡¯s skills hadn¡¯t deteriorated. But they hadn¡¯t improved either. Maria Sanchez, on the other hand, had grown stronger. Far stronger than when they last fought. It made sense. Maria wasn¡¯t just anyone. She was a once-in-a-century genius¡ªsomeone even the Sanchez Family, known for producing monsters, treated as a rare treasure. "But if you keep fighting like this¡ªhalf-heartedly¡ªyou won¡¯t be able to save Kwon Hanul. Not just him. None of your bloodline will survive." Maria¡¯s tone was deliberately provocative. Riling up her opponent was one of her favorite ways to escalate a fight. But contrary to Maria¡¯s expectations, Joo Hayun only responded with a faint, enigmatic smile. "Maria Sanchez. Do you really believe the Sanchez bloodline members you brought can kill them?" "Of course I do." Maria didn¡¯t hesitate in the slightest. "No need to even bring up the difference in power. Those fledglings you came with from Hyukcheon? They''re nobodies¡ªnames that don¡¯t even ring a bell." In contrast, those Maria had brought with her were internationally notorious. "There¡¯s no way they could ever win... not in a million¡ª" Suddenly, Maria stopped mid-sentence. Her expression turned confused as she scanned the area. The presence of the Sanchez bloodline¡ªonce dominating the air¡ªhad drastically diminished. There was only one explanation for that. "...No way." Joo Hayun¡¯s smile deepened. * * * A wide road paved with asphalt. A perfectly round crater had formed in the middle, almost as if it had been pressed out by a giant cookie cutter. "Whoo!" Someone poked their head out from inside it¡ªa young man, small-framed and delicate in appearance. "Ha... that was close." Kwon Hudon let out a breath of relief, clutching his chest. He had used his Black Scale Armor just before hitting the ground, which had protected him from the impact. "I-Is everyone else okay?" Hudon¡¯s first concern was the others. They were all much stronger than him, so logically, they should be fine¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t help but worry. BEEP! A car horn blared. Drivers, unable to move because of him, had started honking. It was only then that Hudon realized he had landed in the middle of a road. "A-Ahh! I¡¯m so sorry!" He scrambled to get off the road in a panic. But at that moment, the cars behind him crumpled like paper. Blood sprayed from crushed metal. Screams followed. In an instant, the peaceful road turned into a scene of chaos. "Wh-What...?" Stunned by the sudden turn of events, Hudon looked up at the crumpled cars. Standing atop them was a slender woman. "You... you''re from Hyukcheon, right?" She asked with a hesitant tone, voice shaky. "I-I¡¯m from the Sanchez Family. I-I¡¯m supposed to... k-kill you. I-I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re not going to cooperate?" The voice was familiar¡ªso much so that Hudon couldn¡¯t help but ask back. "...Miss Larisa?" It was the same voice as the woman he met at the underground arena. The woman tilted her head. "Wait... Mr. Hu?" "Y-Yes! It¡¯s me!" Hudon¡¯s face lit up with recognition. Larisa reacted the same way. "I had no idea you were from the Hyukcheon bloodline! I heard someone named Kwon Hudon was part of Hyukcheon¡ªso that¡¯s why you introduced yourself as ¡®Hu¡¯?" "Y-Yeah... that¡¯s right." Hudon replied, looking a little bashful. Larisa clapped her hands in delight. "I was so disappointed we didn¡¯t get to finish our match that day. I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re meeting again like this¡ªit must be fate!" At the mention of a "match," Hudon¡¯s face stiffened slightly. He had forgotten in the joy of reunion. That day, Larisa had tried to fight him in the underground arena, but for some reason, had to withdraw. "...So, Miss Larisa, are you going to fight me?" "Of course! I¡¯ve always wanted to see how I¡¯d fare against you!" Larisa Sanchez was still smiling. But her eyes glinted with a deadly intent. "Besides, you¡¯re from Hyukcheon, and I¡¯m from Sanchez. Isn¡¯t that reason enough for us to fight?" "B-But..." Hudon began, hesitation all over his face¡ªwhen another voice cut in. "This is the police! Hands where we can see them!" At some point, they¡¯d been surrounded by officers in police uniforms. "Try anything, and you¡¯ll be shot on the spot!" Strangely, the police weren¡¯t carrying guns¡ªthey held swords and spears. They weren¡¯t ordinary officers. They were Hunter-Enforcers who worked in law enforcement. "State your identity and purpose¡ª" The leading officer fell silent mid-sentence. His face turned ghostly pale. "...L-Larisa Sanchez?" The name dropped like a bomb. The officers¡ªalong with all nearby citizens¡ªfroze in terror. "That¡¯s Larisa Sanchez, the Third Hand!" "R-Run! Everyone, run!!" The officers dropped their weapons and fled. The civilians scattered in all directions. Even Hudon found himself overwhelmed by the dramatic shift in atmosphere. "Now we don¡¯t have any spectators left." Larisa Sanchez raised both fists to her face, aligning them with her eye line. Her stance narrowed, body angled slightly¡ªlike a boxer entering the ring. ¡°Stay sharp. I don¡¯t intend to end this fight in vain.¡± Larissa lunged forward, bending at the waist. In the blink of an eye, she was upon Kwon Hudon. Her fists disappeared from view. On instinct, Kwon Hudon activated his Blackscale Armor to shield himself. His body moved before his mind could. Dozens of punches rained down on the armor. The Blackscale Armor shattered like glass. In an instant, Kwon Hudon was left defenseless. Larissa swung her fist horizontally¡ªaiming to break his jaw. At that moment, Kwon Hudon''s body moved¡ªalmost as if someone had pushed him¡ªcharging toward Larissa. Unyielding Armor: Unbreakable Curve His shoulder slammed into Larissa¡¯s torso. The unexpected hit threw her off balance. Taking advantage of the opening, Kwon Hanul shot his fists forward. Unyielding Armor: Ten Thousand Shattering Fists His fists, cloaked in Blackscale Armor, struck Larissa¡¯s abdomen. ¡°Urgh!¡± It was a ruthless blow, hard to believe it came from someone who¡¯d been hesitating just moments before. Larissa coughed up blood as she was flung backward. Kwon Hudon looked at her with a conflicted expression. ¡°I don''t like this, but... I guess there¡¯s no choice...¡± His voice still trembled. But his movements were decisive. He summoned a massive amount of Blackscale Armor, encasing his body. A towering black giant now loomed over Larissa. Larissa involuntarily swallowed. ¡°Larissa Sanchez.¡± The black giant raised its arm. "The price for laying hands on Hyukcheon is a heavy one." A fist, as forceful as a war hammer, slammed into Larisa Sa?nchez. * * * ¡°Haha, what a coincidence life throws sometimes.¡± At the same time, Mei Hong stood face-to-face with a woman. The woman was massive, her entire body packed with thick, gnarled muscles like tree roots. Proving that her muscles weren¡¯t just for show, she wielded a massive greatsword nearly ten meters long. ¡°To think the opponent I fought in the underground arena was you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just as surprised,¡± Mei Hong replied, drawing her longsword. ¡°I never imagined I¡¯d be fighting you like this.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what makes life interesting. Oh right, I guess you don¡¯t know my name, do you?¡± Resting the greatsword on her shoulder, the woman introduced herself. ¡°I¡¯m Karolina Sa?nchez. And you¡¯re Mei Hong, right? The traitor of the Mei family.¡± ¡°Mind skipping that last part? It¡¯s extremely unpleasant.¡± ¡°Fair enough. ¡®Traitor¡¯ isn¡¯t exactly a flattering title,¡± Karolina Sa?nchez said with a nod. ¡°This puts me in a dilemma.¡± ¡°About what?¡± ¡°Whether I should really kill you here and now.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s brow furrowed. What nonsense was this woman spewing? ¡°A chance encounter like this is rare and kind of fun. Do I really need to kill you...? Besides, you''re not a bloodline member of Hyukcheon, so maybe it¡¯s fine...¡± Karolina Sa?nchez mulled it over for a while. ¡°...Alright, I¡¯ll be generous. If you run now, I¡¯ll let you go.¡± At that moment, Mei Hong drew her blade. A sharp gust of wind from the sword sliced off a single strand of Karolina Sa?nchez¡¯s hair and vanished. ¡°And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°It means: quit spouting nonsense and come at me.¡± ¡°Then die. Got it?¡± Mei Hong burst into laughter¡ªas if to say, how ridiculous. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you actually think you can beat me with a sword?¡± Though the Mei family had been wiped out, they were once renowned for producing geniuses in martial weapons. Even searching the world over, it was nearly impossible to find swordsmen who could rival the Mei family. ¡°In pure weapon technique, I might lose to you.¡± Karolina Sa?nchez admitted this frankly. ¡°But I think you¡¯re forgetting something...¡± Suddenly, she raised her greatsword high¡ªand brought it down in one powerful strike. Thanks to its enormous length, the sword reached Mei Hong even without Karolina moving. The blade sliced past Mei Hong¡¯s cheek and came down toward her shoulder. Just before it struck, the greatsword came to a halt. ¡°When people hear the name ¡®Gulliver¡¯ Karolina Sa?nchez, most of them wet themselves. Compared to that, what are you?¡± Just a no-name swordswoman, only known as the Mei family¡¯s traitor. ¡°And you think you can beat me?¡± Mei Hong didn¡¯t answer. She simply moved. She slid her longsword underneath the greatsword resting on her shoulder¡ªand swung upward. The greatsword was cut in half, as if slicing through tofu, not steel. ¡°What the hell...¡± Karolina Sa?nchez was thrown off by the suddenness, and in that moment, Mei Hong lunged forward. Karolina quickly raised the broken greatsword and swung it down, aiming for Mei Hong¡¯s skull. But Mei Hong didn¡¯t stop. She struck again and again with her longsword¡ªshattering the massive blade into pieces. Now face-to-face with Karolina Sa?nchez, Mei Hong slashed horizontally, aiming for her throat. ¡°You arrogant bitch!¡± Karolina Sa?nchez shoved her hand into a subspace pocket. Out came a hammer the size of a house. She swung it down at Mei Hong. This time, it seemed even Mei Hong couldn¡¯t slice through it. She leapt backward. The hammer slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash. ¡°Now do you see?¡± From a distance away, Mei Hong smiled and said, ¡°You can¡¯t win against me.¡± * * * A deafening boom shattered the building. Two men burst out through the wreckage. ¡°We finally meet again! Where do you think you¡¯re going?!¡± A bear-sized man chased after a much smaller man. ¡°Gael Garci?a! Fight me like a man! Stop running!¡± Gael Garci?a didn¡¯t bother to reply. Because he knew exactly how foolish it was to take that man head-on. Mutant: Bruno Sa?nchez. Thanks to their superhuman bloodline, every member of the Sa?nchez family possessed incredible physical strength¡ªbut even among them, Bruno was in a league of his own. There were stories of him taking on simultaneous attacks from three world-ranked fighters¡ªbarehanded. Even Gael had heard those tales. ¡°Got you!¡± Bruno lunged with both arms. Gael ducked and sprang away in one swift movement. Bruno glared at him in frustration. ¡°Stop scurrying around like a cockroach and fight me already!¡± Foolish words. Gael had learned the hard way, during his battle with Jose del Pablo, what happens when you recklessly charge at a powerful foe. ¡°If I get my hands on you, I¡¯ll twist you into a corpse!¡± Bruno charged again. Gael tried to put more distance between them. Just then, Bruno kicked up a cloud of dirt and gravel into Gael¡¯s face. He hadn¡¯t expected such a cheap trick¡ªand couldn¡¯t dodge in time. Instinctively, he shut his eyes. ¡°Got you!¡± Bruno took advantage of the opening and lunged, reaching for Gael¡¯s neck. But then¡ª Gael¡¯s body moved. Eyes still closed, he batted Bruno¡¯s hand away and drove his elbow into his gut. ¡°Ugh?!¡± Bruno winced. Gael used the moment to retreat again. ¡°How did you move like that¡ªwhen you couldn¡¯t even see?¡± Gael pulled back his hood. A pair of fluffy white rabbit ears popped out. ¡°I didn¡¯t use my sight. I relied on hearing.¡± ¡°...You¡¯re one strange guy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a good grasp of who you are now.¡± ¡°Oh yeah? So now you realize how terrifying I am?¡± Bruno grinned expectantly. But Gael¡¯s reply was the exact opposite. ¡°You¡¯re not much.¡± ¡°...What did you say?¡± ¡°I was wary since you¡¯re a famous villain. But you¡¯re no Jose del Pablo. You¡¯re not someone I need to be afraid of.¡± A vein bulged in Bruno Sa?nchez¡¯s eye. His rage was palpable. Then, Gael muttered a single word. ¡°Mammon.¡± Demonic energy surged around him. Beast-like hide began to cover his body. An overwhelming aura erupted. Bruno¡¯s expression slowly froze. ¡°I¡¯m done running. Come at me as much as you like.¡± With those words, Gael dashed forward. A scream echoed in the air soon after. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 113 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 113: The Sanchez Family (3) The giants were destroying everything. They looked like masses of cloud clumped together, swinging their fists and smashing buildings, the ground¡ªeverything in sight. At a glance, it seemed like random, indiscriminate destruction, but that wasn¡¯t the case. There was a clear target. ¡°Wahaha!¡± A fist came crashing down. And there, standing at the center of the impact, was an East Asian man laughing loudly. ¡°The Sanchez family''s gigantification is always a spectacular sight!¡± Every time the giant¡¯s fist struck the ground, the earth trembled. The air itself seemed to be crushed. Yet despite being exposed to such overwhelming force, the man laughed like he was having the time of his life. ¡°But what a shame! Did you really think such slow punches could catch someone like me, Kwon Myung-woo?!¡± Contrary to his words, the giant¡¯s fists weren¡¯t slow at all. To the average eye, the moment a punch seemed to be raised, it had already slammed into the ground. But Kwon Myung-woo was faster. He dodged before the punch even landed. ¡°Well, now that I¡¯ve had my fill of spectating, let me show you my own fists!¡± Kwon Myung-woo activated Dragon Aura Combat Arts. A black aura surged around him. Kicking off the ground, he soared into the sky, leaving a dark afterimage like a dragon ascending to the heavens. In an instant, he reached the giant¡¯s eye level¡ªand then threw a punch. Black Dragon''s Twelve Ascending Techniques ¡ª Upper Form Aura Strike Technique: Rising Dragon Fist A tremendous amount of Dragon Aura burst forth. The energy took the shape of a dragon¡¯s head and pierced the giant¡¯s torso. Even after penetrating one giant, the Rising Dragon Fist didn¡¯t dissipate¡ªit went straight through to the next. In a flash, two giants vanished with gaping holes in their bodies. All that remained in their places were corpses. ¡°Wahahaha! This is delightful!¡± Kwon Myung-woo roared with joy. Watching him, Khan Sanchez clenched his teeth. ¡®That lunatic old man...¡¯ There was no other way to describe him. Who were the ones currently fighting Kwon Myung-woo? They were the strongest hunters and elite warriors of the Sanchez family. Only the best of the best were gathered here, yet they were being overwhelmed by one man. ¡®What is he?! What the hell is he?!¡¯ The higher-tier ability of the Superhuman Bloodline¡ªGigantification¡ªwasn¡¯t just about becoming huge. It granted overwhelming destructive power and unimaginable defensive capability, far beyond what a human body could contain. A Sanchez blood relative in a gigantified state was basically a walking fortress¡ªand a bomb. Yet this man, Kwon Myung-woo, was not only handling multiple of them at once but obliterating them in a single strike. ¡®This kind of difference in power? It¡¯s insane!¡¯ It was beyond comprehension. He knew Kwon Myung-woo was hailed as the Strongest Fist of Hyukcheon, one of the top hunters in the world. But the Sanchez side was also among the strongest. So how was there such a massive gap in ability? ¡°Wahaha!¡± Just as Khan Sanchez let out a curse under his breath, yet another giant was wiped out. ¡ªDisengage gigantification! You¡¯re just making yourselves bigger targets at this rate! Realizing things couldn¡¯t go on like this, Khan issued a command. The remaining members of Dentes de Leao¡¯s unit all deactivated their gigantification. ¡°What a shame. It was fun punching you lot.¡± Kwon Myung-woo said, casually scanning his enemies. Unlike him, the Sanchez bloodline members were gasping for breath. Not only did gigantification consume enormous stamina, but they had also fought Kwon Myung-woo in that state. Even in their exhaustion, the Sanchez clan remained tense¡ªunsure when he might strike again. ¡°Hm.¡± But Kwon Myung-woo didn¡¯t attack immediately. Instead, he looked to the sky and muttered. ¡°They¡¯re all doing quite well.¡± Khan and the others didn¡¯t immediately understand what he meant. ¡°Can you feel it too? The tide of battle far off in the distance¡ªit¡¯s shifting.¡± Only then did they realize. The flow of Aura in the distance had changed. The Sanchez clan¡¯s presence had noticeably weakened. In contrast, the aura of the Black Dragon bloodline had grown stronger. There was only one possible interpretation. The Sanchez family was being pushed back. Khan Sanchez and his unit''s expressions darkened. ¡°Hudon¡¯s a talented kid with great instincts... but he''s too afraid. He keeps avoiding fights, so of course he lacks experience. And hiding behind the Blackscale Armor all the time doesn¡¯t help either.¡± Whether they listened or not, Kwon Myung-woo kept talking with a satisfied smile. ¡°There are realms in this world you can only reach by risking your life. That¡¯s why I forced them into this group battle. And they¡¯ve grown just as I¡¯d hoped.¡± His monologue wasn¡¯t over yet. ¡°That Mei Hong girl¡ªit seems she finally let go of some of that pride. You¡¯ve heard, haven¡¯t you? That the Mei family are traitors?¡± His expression turned solemn. ¡°The first time I saw that child, I felt chills. That kind of dazzling talent is rare. If she¡¯d been an enemy, I would¡¯ve killed her without hesitation¡ªto eliminate any future threat.¡± That such a monster of a man would speak so highly of someone... Under different circumstances, Khan might have been impressed. But he didn¡¯t have the luxury to think about that now. He had to recover his drained stamina as quickly as possible. ¡°But right now, she¡¯s on Hanul¡¯s team, so we¡¯ve got to help her. Her problem was that she carried too much weight on her shoulders.¡± Kwon Myung-woo lightly tapped his own shoulder. ¡°I get it. She bears too many burdens. But if you¡¯re consumed by revenge, you can¡¯t grow. That¡¯s why I sent her to the underground arena¡ªto let her blow off some steam.¡± Khan Sanchez felt his breathing beginning to stabilize. ¡°Gael Garcia... well, there¡¯s not much to say about that one. He does fine on his own. His stats are a bit lacking, though, so I had him join to power up with the tournament prize.¡± Khan glanced around. The rest of the unit was recovering too. ¡°Hanul¡¯s a lucky one. How does he keep gathering those kinds of people?¡± Mid-sentence, Kwon Myung-woo turned his gaze to Khan and the Dentes de Leao soldiers. ¡°So? Everyone caught their breath?¡± A vein bulged on Khan¡¯s forehead. Was that whole monologue just to give us time to recover?! There was no greater insult. ¡°Then let¡¯s begin again.¡± Kwon Myung-woo reignited his Dragon Aura. Facing that immense force, Khan roared¡ª ¡°Attack!!¡± * * * Meanwhile... ¡°This can¡¯t be...¡± Maria Sanchez refused to believe it. The blood relatives she had brought were among the finest in the entire Sanchez family. Some were already affiliated with Pandemonium, and the rest had reputations that towered sky-high. And yet¡ªthey were losing to a bunch of unknown rookies? ¡°What¡¯s got you so surprised? You were like that once too, weren¡¯t you?¡± Maria Sanchez had become a Pandemonium council member at a young age. The reason? She was a genius. She overcame disparities in stats, experience, and age through sheer talent. That was Maria Sanchez. ¡°...Don¡¯t tell me you think those brats are in the same league as me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if they¡¯re the same, but I¡¯m saying it¡¯s not impossible.¡± With that, Joo Hayun raised her mana. At that moment, a black wall formed behind her. It wasn¡¯t a real wall. Her mana was simply so intense that it appeared that way. ¡°No need to drag this out.¡± The vast magic began to take shape into a spell. The space around her started to warp. Though seemingly empty, the distortion began to form a visible shape. A spear. A spear forged from twisted space materialized above Joo Hayun¡¯s head. ¡°...Zanella Ibisili.¡± Maria Sanchez muttered softly. It was Joo Hayun¡¯s ultimate spell¡ªone that had earned her the nickname Witch of Hyukcheon. A single touch from that spear erased anything, no matter what it was. Back when she worked with Chairman Kwon Seonwoo, she used it to kill an S-class monster in one blow. ¡°...You¡¯re right. No point in dragging it out.¡± She¡¯d wanted to enjoy this fight a little longer. But with her bloodline comrades in danger, she couldn¡¯t afford to indulge. At that moment¡ª ¡ª¡±Miss!¡± Khan Sanchez¡¯s voice echoed in her mind. He was using a specialized skill for telepathic communication. ¡°Mr. Khan? You called at the perfect time! Things are taking a serious turn. We need your help right awa¡ª¡± ¡ª¡°Miss, I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not in a position to help either.¡± At those words, Maria Sanchez¡¯s mind went blank for a moment. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡ª¡°Do you know who let them into the Mystery City? It was Hyukcheon¡¯s Greatest Fist!¡± At that, Maria felt a chill shoot through her entire body. ¡°No... That¡¯s a lie, right?¡± ¡ª¡°If only it were.¡± ¡°Even if it¡¯s Kwon Myung-woo... if it¡¯s you and the Dentes de Leao Unit¡ª¡± The call abruptly cut out. A few moments later, the line resumed. ¡ª¡°Huff¡ªhuff!¡± Heavy breathing followed. ¡ª¡°Miss, I can¡¯t explain further! You need to forget about the other clans.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡ª¡°I mean prioritize the mission! You must return our Founder¡¯s relic to the family!¡± Khan Sanchez¡¯s voice grew increasingly urgent¡ªa sign that things were getting worse. ¡ª¡°After fighting that monster Kwon Myung-woo, I¡¯m convinced. If things continue like this, the Sanchez family will never surpass the Hyukcheon Clan!¡± It was hard to believe such words were coming from the proud Khan Sanchez himself. ¡ª¡°The Founder¡¯s relic is absolutely necessary! We need it! And one more thing¡ªyou must survive and return!¡± With just Maria and the Founder¡¯s treasure, the Sanchez family could outmatch the Hyukcheon Clan. Such was Khan Sanchez¡¯s faith in Maria Sanchez¡¯s abilities. ¡ª¡°Please, do exactly as I say¡ª¡± The call disconnected before he could finish. Maria stood dazed, her expression blank. ¡°What are you doing?¡± It was Joo Hayun speaking to her. ¡°...Things have changed.¡± ¡°What are you talking about all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I wanted to at least finish this properly, but it looks like I can¡¯t.¡± Without warning, Maria opened a subspace. She reached into it and began rummaging around. Eventually, she pulled out a pink-colored pill¡ªa hwandan, a mystical alchemical pill. ¡°...What¡¯s that?¡± The stench emanating from the hwandan was so intense that Joo Hayun¡¯s face stiffened. Not because it smelled foul, but because just inhaling it elevated her senses and agitated her mana. ¡°Is that... a booster?¡± Some hunters used drugs to supplement their lacking abilities. ¡°Don¡¯t insult it like that.¡± Maria dismissed her. ¡°It¡¯s similar, but completely different. This is a secret technique passed down in the Sanchez family.¡± Maria rolled the hwandan in her palm. Its pink hue deepened. ¡°Boosters vary in effect, but they all have one thing in common: the stronger they are, the worse the side effects.¡± By now, the hwandan had turned crimson. ¡°And Sanchez bloodlines are far stronger physically than most hunters.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes widened. She realized what Maria was about to do. ¡°No way...¡± Maria bit down on the hwandan. Her body was instantly dyed red. Every vein stood out, bulging with power. Her appearance resembled molten metal¡ªunstable, threatening to melt down from within, yet bursting with overwhelming force. ¡°Dear god...¡± Those with superhuman bloodline possess bodies far beyond ordinary hunters¡ªnearly unkillable, with exceptional vitality. What kind of strength could be attained if such a body were pushed to its absolute limits with doping? The very thought was terrifying. At that moment, Maria assumed a combat stance. Joo Hayun quickly aimed Zanella Ibijilli, her intangible spear, at her. The spear flew toward Maria¡ª ¡ªbut Maria struck it with her fist. Magic and muscle collided. In that instant, the spell shattered. Piercing through the exploding mana, Maria charged forward. ¡°It¡¯s been fun.¡± With those parting words, Maria kicked Joo Hayun in the stomach. Joo Hayun¡¯s body shot off like a bullet and vanished. ¡°Still alive, huh?¡± Maria looked down at Joo Hayun, now embedded into a building. After crashing through dozens of buildings and tearing up the ground, she had finally stopped. ¡°How are you even alive?¡± Joo Hayun couldn¡¯t respond¡ªshe was unconscious. Maria noticed the accessory on her and understood. ¡°A protective relic?¡± Artifacts that absorbed damage on behalf of the wearer. That must have been what saved her. Even so, they hadn¡¯t absorbed everything¡ªthe relics were destroyed, and Joo Hayun was barely clinging to life. ¡°I¡¯ve got no time, but I should still finish this properly.¡± Maria raised her foot to crush Joo Hayun¡¯s head¡ª That¡¯s when it happened. ¡°Sis!¡± A familiar voice. A welcome face. ¡°Marcos?¡± Maria turned, visibly relieved. ¡°I just finished off Kwon Hanul and¡ª¡± She stopped mid-sentence. Behind Marcos Sanchez... stood Kwon Hanul. ¡°Kwon Hanul?¡± ¡°Hello there.¡± Kwon Hanul waved casually. Maria was stunned. ¡°What¡¯s with the polite speech¡ªno, wait, more importantly, what the hell is he doing here... Marcos, don¡¯t tell me you captured him?¡± But that didn¡¯t make sense. Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t bound or even injured. Still, it was too surreal to assume anything else. ¡°Sis! That¡¯s not it!¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve finally realized who my true master is!¡± Marcos Sanchez dropped to his knees and pointed at Kwon Hanul with both hands. ¡°It¡¯s him! He¡¯s the one I¡ªno, the entire Sanchez family¡ªshould devote our loyalty to!¡± Maria¡¯s jaw slowly dropped. ¡°Marcos. This is no time for jokes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a joke! I saw the light after meeting Lord Kwon Hanul! I finally understood why I was born!¡± He clenched his fists, trembling with emotion. ¡°I was born to serve him! To give my life for Kwon Hanul¡¯s great cause!¡± Maria closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple. To calm the headache. ¡°The relic?¡± ¡°The Founder¡¯s treasure? Of course, Lord Kwon Hanul has it. He¡¯s the true, rightful bearer¡ª¡± A murderous aura erupted from Maria. In a flash, she appeared in front of Marcos and threw a punch. At that moment, Kwon Hanul grabbed her fist mid-air. ¡°Family shouldn¡¯t fight.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll deal with that idiot later. You¡¯re next. Let go and get lost.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t do that.¡± Kwon Hanul rejected her flatly. ¡°As you can see, Marcos Sanchez has pledged his loyalty to me.¡± Maria¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°What did you do to him?¡± ¡°Oh, a bit of this and that. Don¡¯t worry, nothing bad for his health.¡± Maria¡¯s face twisted further. ¡°...Right. Looks like I got the order wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have started with that idiot¡ªshould¡¯ve killed you first.¡± She reached with her other hand and grabbed Kwon Hanul by the throat. With the power of her superhuman bloodline and the doping effect, she should¡¯ve been able to crush him. She should have. No matter how hard she squeezed, his neck wouldn¡¯t budge. It was like pressing against a steel pillar embedded in bedrock. ¡°How are you...?¡± Before she could finish, Kwon Hanul grabbed her hand in return. Maria screamed¡ªthe pain felt like her bones were being shattered. ¡°I¡¯ll explain everything later.¡± He raised his other hand. On his fourth finger was a strange, ornate ring. ¡°But first¡ªthis.¡± He clamped the ringed hand over Maria¡¯s face. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 114 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 114: The Sanchez Family (4) [A Lesser Superhuman Bloodline stands in your way! The True Superhuman Bloodline burns with fury!] From the moment Kwon Hanul spotted Maria Sanchez, the Superhuman Bloodline reacted. [Authority ¡°Hierarchy¡± has been activated!] [Powers of any Lesser Superhuman Bloodlines within range are temporarily weakened!] [Strength temporarily boosted to SS-rank when fighting a Lesser Superhuman Bloodline!] [Warning: Your strength level exceeds safe thresholds!] [Caution: Excessive strength is damaging your body!] [Alert: Strength will be momentarily capped!] Even restricted, his strength remained SS-rank. Kwon Hanul easily caught Maria Sanchez¡¯s punch. Then he gripped her hand and completely overpowered her. ¡°I¡¯ll explain everything later.¡± After all, a Higher Superhuman Bloodline can''t kill a Lesser one. ¡°But first, this.¡± He reached for Maria¡¯s head¡ª To brainwash her using Bloodbound Control, direct contact was required. Just before he could grab her, Maria seized his wrist. ¡°You... what are you trying to do to me?¡± There was no need to explain. He was going to take control anyway. Kwon Hanul tightened his grip, intent on forcing her head into his grasp. But his hand didn¡¯t move. His own hand. ¡°...So you¡¯re not planning to answer, huh?¡± Maria was holding firm, her grip unshaken. It was hard to believe. Her abilities had been weakened by the Authority Hierarchy, and Hanul currently had SS-rank strength. Even with some of that power suppressed, Maria Sanchez shouldn¡¯t have been able to resist. ¡°What¡¯d you do¡ªsteal some high-grade drugs or something? I never thought a Lesser Bloodline from the Hyukcheon could overpower me.¡± Maria¡¯s strength kept rising. An ominous pressure radiated from her. ¡°But that¡¯s still not enough!¡± Suddenly, she threw her head back¡ª ¡ªand slammed her forehead straight into Hanul¡¯s skull. He flew backward from the impact. A headbutt. It may seem comical, but it¡¯s not. The human skull is one of the densest bones in the body. And Maria¡¯s was reinforced by the Superhuman Bloodline. Her skull had just slammed into Hanul with force even his SS-rank strength couldn¡¯t hold off. ¡°...You¡¯re not dead, right?¡± Maria looked down at the fallen Hanul and asked¡ª her voice oddly cheerful. ¡°I haven¡¯t even repaid you for the humiliation I suffered. You can¡¯t go down already.¡± Her energy surged. Her skin flushed a deeper red. The enhancement drug she¡¯d taken was intensifying. Then, to her surprise, Kwon Hanul stood up. Even after that reckless headbutt, he looked fine¡ªaside from a slightly red nose. ¡°...How are you still standing?¡± Maria frowned at the absurdity of it¡ªthen smiled. Good. She could go all out now without worrying about holding back. ¡°Marcos Sanchez. Please take care of Ms. Hayun.¡± Hanul said calmly, touching his nose. Marcos obeyed instantly. Maria gave him a look of disbelief. ¡°You... When we get back to the family, you¡¯re going to regret this.¡± She wanted to half-kill him right there, but held herself back. Her true opponent was elsewhere. ¡°Tch. My nose still stings.¡± Hanul was still rubbing his face. Maria didn¡¯t wait. She launched herself forward, feet tearing into the ground. As she sprinted, the earth cracked beneath her. She hurled a punch at Hanul¡ªno technique, just raw power to crush the target in front of her. But before her punch could fully swing, Hanul¡¯s elbow snapped up. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Deflecting Claw Technique A technique that counters attacks using sharp joints like elbows or knees. Maria¡¯s punch deflected with absurd ease. ¡°Not bad!¡± But she responded instantly, spinning into a brutal back kick straight to Hanul¡¯s head. A surprise finisher. She was certain his skull had burst. But¡ª ¡°Really now.¡± Hanul¡¯s head remained perfectly intact. Her foot had stopped cold. ¡°That could¡¯ve gone badly.¡± No, it should have gone badly. ¡°How...?¡± ¡°I used a technique.¡± Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Deflecting Iron Tree A defensive move that absorbs incoming attacks while standing still. It wasn¡¯t the strongest technique, but it was perfect in a pinch. ¡°You expect me to believe that...?¡± Maria muttered in disbelief. She was under the effects of a special enhancement drug. Her powers were at their peak. And he blocked it bare-handed? Impossible. Or... something was wrong. ¡°And how long are you planning to keep your foot on my face?¡± Hanul motioned toward her leg. ¡°If you keep that up, I¡¯ll hit you.¡± Maria hastily pulled her leg back. That instant, Hanul moved. Both his fists flew¡ªdelivering a barrage of strikes at her. ¡°Trying to take me head-on?¡± Maria counterattacked, her fists crashing toward him with overwhelming force. Countless strikes collided midair. Both fighters had strength rivaling SS-rank. Each clash sent shockwaves through the air. Hanul¡¯s fist slammed into her jaw. ¡°You¡¯re pretty good. This is fun!¡± Maria grinned and charged again. But as she stepped forward, Hanul swept her shin. She staggered, off-balance. He immediately kicked her in the head. She tumbled back, clutching her temple. ¡°...You¡¯ve got good timing, I¡¯ll give you that.¡± Maria stomped again. The clash resumed. They exchanged blows for a long stretch. Then Maria realized¡ª She couldn¡¯t overpower him. Strength, agility, magic, experience, technique¡ªshe outclassed him in every area. Yet she couldn¡¯t win. Hanul was reading her movements, countering as if he¡¯d seen them in advance. ¡°...No way.¡± She was losing at the level of strategy. A Pandemonium councilwoman¡ªbeing outplayed by a no-name hunter. He hadn¡¯t even landed a clean hit yet. She, meanwhile, had been struck multiple times. ¡°...Don¡¯t you dare mock me!¡± Her rage exploded. Maria screamed, clenching her fists. Suddenly, a giant white figure appeared behind her. It mirrored her pose¡ªfist clenched tight. Partial Giantification, one of the Superhuman Bloodline¡¯s higher abilities. ¡°You think you can stand against me?!¡± The giant¡¯s image grew sharper and more solid. Hanul muttered under his breath, ¡°...There¡¯s no way I can dodge that.¡± It was too massive to avoid. His only option¡ªfight back. Hanul clenched his fist. A surge of Dragon Demon Aura exploded around him. This giant was an upper-tier Superhuman ability. The pinnacle of their power. To counter it, no ordinary skill would do. ¡°...Hoo.¡± The aura intensified¡ªso dense it nearly swallowed him whole. ¡°Just die already!¡± Maria struck. So did the white giant. Just before the punch landed, Hanul moved. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Advanced Form Dragon Ascension Fist Dragon Demon Aura detonated¡ª A black dragon roared skyward, maw wide open. In the next instant, the giant¡¯s arm was ripped clean off. The black dragon swallowed not just the arm, but its entire upper torso. The upper half of the giant dissolved into the air. Maria Sanchez stared, stunned. ¡°...Thanks.¡± Suddenly, Hanul spoke. ¡°Thanks to you all, I finally learned the Advanced Form.¡± Advanced Form¡ª The most powerful of the three forms of Black Dragon Ascension Art. Learning it required complete mastery of both the Entry and Basic Forms. Until now, Hanul couldn¡¯t use it¡ª ecause he hadn¡¯t mastered even the Basic Form¡¯s Deflecting Techniques. Ironically, his own strength was the reason. His superior tactical insight, gained from blending bloodlines¡ª His countless powers that could reverse any situation¡ª He never had reason to defend. No need meant no practice. His skill with defensive forms was weak. But during his recent travels with Kwon Myung-woo, and this battle with the Sanchez family¡ª He finally mastered Deflecting Techniques. ¡°You, especially, helped a lot. I had no choice but to block so many of your dangerous attacks.¡± With that breakthrough, the Black Dragon Ascension Art restructured itself in his mind. The foundation for the Advanced Form was set. ¡°...All you do is talk shit, nonsense, and delusions.¡± Maria¡¯s face twisted more with every word. ¡°But one thing¡¯s clear. You... you have to die here.¡± Her instincts and experience screamed it. If she didn¡¯t kill Kwon Hanul now, there would be no stopping him. While he was still weaker¡ªshe had to end it. The moment she resolved that, her aura flared again. If her earlier energy was a campfire, this was gasoline dumped onto it. ¡°...Didn¡¯t think it would come to this.¡± The enhancement drug she took had a unique trait¡ª Its effects grew stronger the longer it went without an antidote. The stronger it became, the more power she gained¡ª But the side effects worsened too. She had planned to wrap things up and take the antidote right away. ¡°...But no helping it now.¡± Her energy surged. So much that even Hanul¡¯s expression stiffened. ¡°...Guess I¡¯ll have to bring out my last card too.¡± Maria scoffed. Last card? What could he possibly pull out now? Right now, under the peak effect of her drug, Maria Sanchez was invincible. She¡¯d traded her life force for power. Of course she was unbeatable. That belief shattered in the next moment. Golden energy enveloped Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. ¡°...Gold?¡± At first, it was faint. But it grew¡ª and grew¡ª until it shone like a halo behind his back. It was dazzling. Maria had never seen anything like it. But the energy... felt familiar. She whispered without realizing, ¡°...Guardian Aura?¡± Impossible. Guardian Aura could only be used by those with the Superhuman Bloodline. A defensive force that protected the user in any situation. So how was he, someone from the Hyukcheon, using it? And more importantly¡ª why was it gold? Then, a word surfaced in Maria¡¯s mind. Something the elders always spoke of. A phrase she¡¯d read many times in the family archives: ¡°True Blood.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 115 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 115: The Sanchez Family (5) Maria Sanchez immediately denied her own thoughts. Kwon Hanul was a descendant of the Hyukcheon bloodline. He not only possessed the Black Dragon¡¯s blood but had also mastered the secret techniques of his clan. There was no way someone like that could wield the power of the Superhuman Bloodline¡ªespecially the true Superhuman Bloodline. She must be mistaken. Or so she believed. Then, a new transformation occurred in Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. His entire musculature twitched¡ªand then suddenly, it expanded. ¡°...Enhanced Strength?¡± One of the fundamental abilities granted by the early stage of the Superhuman Bloodline. It temporarily increases muscle mass to boost physical capabilities. At higher levels, it can even expand the skeleton itself. Maria rubbed her eyes in disbelief. But there was no denying it¡ªKwon Hanul¡¯s change was identical to the effects of Enhanced Strength. Then, just as suddenly, his swollen muscles contracted, and his skin began to turn gray. ¡°This is...¡± Unfamiliar¡ªbut not unknown. According to her family¡¯s ancient records, the abilities of a true Superhuman Bloodline differed entirely from those of the lesser variants. Just as they used Diamond Aura instead of Protective Aura, true Superhumans didn¡¯t use simple augmentation abilities. They wielded Giant Ascendant Strength. Where Enhanced Strength merely amplified the user''s muscles or bones, Giant Ascendant Strength transformed the very essence of the user''s body. It was the power that originated from Pangu¡ªthe primordial giant who was the source of the Superhuman Bloodline itself. ¡°...I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on,¡± Maria muttered. But her killing intent surged. ¡°That doesn¡¯t change what I have to do.¡± Behind her, a massive white giant emerged. Its body dispersed and wrapped itself around her like armor. This was another technique utilizing gigantification¡ªone that focused the raw power of a giant into a single point of destruction. ¡°I¡¯ll shatter you!¡± Maria¡¯s fist cut through the air like a bullet, headed straight for Kwon Hanul. Fueled by extreme doping through special enhancers. Enhanced again by concentrating the power of gigantification. Her punch landed¡ªand then the sound followed. ¡°Hyaah!¡± Maria¡¯s fists and feet rained down upon Kwon Hanul in a relentless barrage. She moved so fast that her body seemed invisible. But... No matter how much she struck, it was useless. She couldn¡¯t break through the Diamond Aura surrounding Kwon Hanul. Every one of her attacks was blocked. Worse¡ªher own fists began to show damage from the repeated impacts. With every punch against that invincible aura, her Protective Aura began to disperse. You can¡¯t pierce Diamond Aura with bare fists. And now, her hands were starting to break apart. Crack. Maria gritted her teeth and channeled all her strength into one final blow. But just as she launched it, Kwon Hanul caught her fist. ¡°Let go of me!¡± At that moment, even the lobes of his ears turned completely gray. The mutation triggered by Giant Ascendant Strength had completed. As it did, a system message popped up¡ªvisible only to Kwon Hanul: [You have activated the Authority ¡®Giant Ascendant Strength¡¯! Your body draws closer to ¡®Pangu¡¯!] [Your mutated body is now adapting to SS-rank strength!] With that, his presence utterly overwhelmed Maria Sanchez. No, it didn¡¯t just overwhelm¡ªit completely erased her presence. The entire area was now under Kwon Hanul¡¯s domination. He clenched her fist tighter. ¡°Gah!¡± Maria nearly screamed from the pain. She tried to pull away, but no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn¡¯t break free from his grip. ¡°I know this might sound strange...¡± Kwon Hanul suddenly spoke. ¡°But you were really strong. If not for this special situation, I¡¯d have had a hard time.¡± Maria wasn¡¯t just a bearer of the Superhuman Bloodline¡ªshe was a councilwoman at Pandemonium. Her experience alone far exceeded Kwon Hanul¡¯s. Her skill didn¡¯t even need to be mentioned. Even Jose del Pablo, whom Kwon Hanul had fought before, couldn¡¯t compare to Maria Sanchez. ¡°But things turned out this way, so there¡¯s no helping it.¡± He placed his hand on top of Maria¡¯s head. She could only stare up at him, powerless. ¡°See you in a bit.¡± He exerted force¡ªwith his full SS-rank strength¡ªand drove her head into the ground. The earth cracked open beneath her. Kwon Hanul released her head. He had applied a lot of force, but since he hadn¡¯t struck a vital point, Maria Sanchez was still alive. ¡°You could¡¯ve just let me dominate you. It would¡¯ve been so much easier.¡± [You have completely defeated a lower-tier Superhuman Bloodline!] [The true Superhuman Bloodline is greatly satisfied!] [Synchronization rate with the Superhuman Bloodline increases!] [34% ¡ú 40%] [You¡¯ve met the conditions to materialize the ¡®Sacred Beast Bloodline¡¯!] [You can now manifest the ¡®Half-Incarnation¡¯ of Pangu!] A solid reward. Though he hadn¡¯t acquired a new ability, he could now manifest Pangu¡¯s half-incarnate form. ¡°Now, let¡¯s finish this.¡± Kwon Hanul grabbed Maria Sanchez with his ringed hand¡ªand activated the power of the Vassal¡¯s Bloodline. [Vassal¡¯s Bloodline is dominating the target.] [You have successfully dominated an overwhelmingly powerful target!] [Synchronization rate with the Vassal¡¯s Bloodline has greatly increased!] [27% ¡ú 40%] [Synchronization rate has reached 40%.] [You have acquired the Authority ¡®Illusory Homeland¡¯.] As expected, Maria Sanchez was exceptionally powerful. An instant 13% jump in synchronization. He had never seen a case like this before. It even unlocked a new authority. And yet, it wasn¡¯t over. [Synchronization rate has exceeded 40%.] [Vassal¡¯s Bloodline is fusing with Sacred Beast Bloodline.] [¡®Vampire Lord¡¯ has been added to your manifestable forms.] [If certain conditions are met, you may manifest the ¡®Half-Incarnation¡¯ of the Vampire Lord.] ¡°Vampire Lord, huh?¡± Come to think of it, he had never learned the origins of the Vassal¡¯s Bloodline. ¡°What are these special conditions, though?¡± Normally, passing 40% Synchronization was enough to manifest a Half-Incarnation. But in the Vassal¡¯s case, reaching 40% merely unlocked it. Additional conditions were required. ¡°Really is an odd bloodline...¡± Just like how the Superhuman Bloodline can¡¯t kill others of its kind, each lineage had its own unique rules. Kwon Hanul was about to check the conditions¡ªwhen¡ª ¡°Ugh...¡± Maria Sanchez regained consciousness. ¡°What... what the hell happened...¡± Clutching her head in agony, she caught sight of Kwon Hanul. Instantly, her face twisted in fury. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± ¡°Kneel.¡± At that single word, Maria Sanchez dropped to the ground, face-first. Her expression was filled with confusion and disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t disobey me now. Don¡¯t bother resisting¡ªyou¡¯ll just wear yourself out.¡± Kwon Hanul dropped into a seated position. Most objects nearby had been destroyed, so there wasn¡¯t even anything left to sit on. ¡°You may raise your head if you understand.¡± Maria sat up immediately and pointed an accusatory finger. ¡°What did you do to me?¡± ¡°I dominated you. Don¡¯t ask for the details.¡± ¡°Undo it¡ªright now!¡± ¡°Head down.¡± Maria slammed her head back to the ground. Her powers had been nullified, and she had returned to the appearance of a delicate young woman. But Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t hesitate to issue commands. ¡°So defiant. Is this what happens when you dominate someone this powerful?¡± But seeing her completely unable to resist reassured him. He released the domination. Maria raised her head again. ¡°You dominated me... what are you going to do with me?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t thought that far ahead. I only did it because I couldn¡¯t kill you.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t kill me...? Wait, are you seriously...?¡± Her face froze. ¡°How can someone of the Hyukcheon bloodline possess the Superhuman Bloodline? Just what kind of abomination is your clan cooking up?!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that before. Guess we¡¯ve got a bad reputation.¡± Kwon Hanul waved it off. ¡°It¡¯s true I have the Superhuman Bloodline¡ªbut I¡¯ve got nothing to do with the Hyukcheon clan.¡± ¡°Then how do you have two bloodlines?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know. Don¡¯t ask.¡± Maria fell silent. She clearly wanted to question him further¡ªbut couldn¡¯t, because of his command. ¡°Oh, right. I have a question for you too.¡± Kwon Hanul opened his subspace and pulled out a small teacup. Maria¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Marcos Sanchez told me this is a treasure left behind by the founder of the Sanchez family. Is that true?¡± Maria clenched her mouth shut¡ªbut couldn¡¯t hold out for long. ¡°...Yes. It¡¯s a relic from our founder.¡± ¡°Marcos didn¡¯t know how to use it. Do you?¡± She tried desperately to resist. But her mouth moved on its own. ¡°Break it. You¡¯ll absorb the founder¡¯s final legacy.¡± ¡°Then why make it into a teacup?¡± Kwon Hanul looked baffled. ¡°Only someone with the Superhuman Bloodline can break it. It shatters in response to the Protective Aura.¡± ¡°What¡¯s inside?¡± ¡°No idea.¡± She shook her head. ¡°That part was lost to time.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Kwon Hanul held the cup tightly, but then stopped short of smashing it. ¡°I¡¯ll save this for later...¡± He turned his attention back to Maria. ¡°Now, what to do with you...¡± Maria trembled slightly. Higher-ranked Superhuman Bloodlines couldn¡¯t kill lower-ranked ones. But that only applied to doing it personally. There were countless other ways to make someone die. He could order someone else. Or feed her poison. ¡°I could take you back to the Hyukcheon family as a prisoner, but... that feels like a waste.¡± Kwon Hanul stroked his chin in thought. Then, an idea struck him. ¡°You¡¯re pretty high up in the Sanchez family, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How high?¡± ¡°High enough that everyone had expectations for me.¡± She answered with resignation. There was no point resisting. ¡°Then... could you aim to become head of the Sanchez family?¡± Her eyes widened in shock. ¡°Why would you ask that...?¡± ¡°Just answer me¡ªyes or no.¡± She had a bad feeling. She knew she shouldn¡¯t answer. ¡°...Yes.¡± But her mouth gave the answer anyway. ¡°I see... interesting.¡± A smile crept across Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. Maria Sanchez closed her eyes tightly. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 116 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 116: The Sanchez Family (6) ¡°There¡¯s nothing I need you to do right this moment...¡± It was clear now that Maria Sanchez held a very high position within her family. That alone could be a huge asset if used well. But the real reason she had been subdued in the first place was due to the forbidden command of the Superhuman Bloodline. ¡°I¡¯ll let you go. But if the Sanchez family or Pandemonium tries anything suspicious, contact me.¡± Kwon Hanul pulled out a business card and handed it to her. Maria Sanchez accepted it with a dumbfounded look. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°I mean, if you¡¯re going to use me, you could do anything...¡± Even Maria herself looked startled by her own words. This should¡¯ve been something to celebrate¡ªso why did she say that? ¡°You could wipe out the Sanchez family... or go after their heirlooms...¡± ¡°Whoa, sounds like you¡¯ve got quite the grudge against your family. You¡¯d get along well with Mei Hong.¡± That remark made Maria flare up. She was in the middle of talking, and he just had to mock her like that? ¡°It¡¯s all tempting, sure... but these are grand plans. You¡¯d need to prepare and execute them properly.¡± He knew from experience with the Hyukcheon clan¡ªpowerful families were tightly managed and heavily guarded. A few traitors wouldn¡¯t be enough to bring them down. Even if one of those traitors was Maria Sanchez. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve got a lot on my plate.¡± The Sky Arena Tournament was fast approaching. Not to mention the remaining threats from the Mei family. ¡°So this setup feels just about right.¡± With that, Kwon Hanul left Maria Sanchez behind and headed to where Joo Hayun was waiting. ¡°Kwon Hanul, sir!¡± Marcos Sanchez lit up at the sight of him. ¡°I saw everything! You really pushed Maria that far¡ªSir, you¡¯re truly...¡± ¡°Yeah, okay.¡± Marcos looked like he was ready to lick the dirt off Kwon Hanul¡¯s shoes. ¡°You should head back now.¡± The moment those words left his mouth, Marcos looked as though his whole world had collapsed. ¡°I want to serve by your side, sir!¡± ¡°No. Go back. Now.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s tone left no room for argument. Dejected, Marcos trudged off in the direction of Maria Sanchez. Even as he walked away, he kept glancing back at Kwon Hanul, clearly reluctant to leave. Kwon Hanul watched him go, lost in thought. Marcos acted like he would give up everything for him... So why was Maria so different? ¡°That¡¯s strange...¡± ¡°Sis.¡± ¡°Shut it. Before I rip your mouth open.¡± Maria Sanchez¡¯s voice dripped with venom. Still, she couldn¡¯t actually lay a hand on Marcos. Kwon Hanul had ordered her to forgive him before leaving. ¡°Start pulling our people back. Let Elder Khan Sanchez know, too.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Marcos quickly fled to carry out the order. ¡°I don¡¯t get what just happened...¡± Ever since Kwon Hanul grabbed her head, she hadn¡¯t been able to disobey his commands. What made it worse¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just obedience against her will. ¡°It... it didn¡¯t even feel that bad...¡± That outrage she¡¯d shown earlier? All an act. The truth was, Maria felt... pleased to follow his orders. It was utterly baffling. ¡°No way. I¡¯m losing it. I¡¯ve really lost it.¡± Then she remembered the last thing Kwon Hanul had said. ¡°Could you aim to become the head of your family?¡± But he hadn¡¯t commanded her to become the family head. All he said was to keep an eye on the Sanchez family and Pandemonium. Still... ¡°...If I became the head... wouldn¡¯t I be able to help him even more?¡± At some point, Maria had started referring to Kwon Hanul as him¡ªwith reverence. That was the terrifying power of the contract. Without even realizing it, the body and heart surrender completely to the master. ¡°...Yeah. That¡¯s right.¡± The moment she set that goal, a firework exploded high in the sky with a loud bang. It was the retreat signal¡ªlaunched by Marcos Sanchez. * * * Meanwhile, Kwon Hudon was in a real bind. ¡°What the hell am I supposed to do...¡± Lying unconscious at his feet was a woman. Larisa Sanchez¡ªa member of the Sanchez family¡¯s bloodline¡ªwhom he had just fought. ¡°Seriously, what now...¡± The moment the battle started, she went down from a single punch. The real problem came after that. She was the enemy, so killing her should¡¯ve been a no-brainer. But now that she was unconscious, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to do it. ¡°...Damn, I should¡¯ve hit harder from the start.¡± Had he done that, she would¡¯ve died on impact and spared him this moral dilemma. ¡°Ugh...¡± Kwon Hudon hesitated as he stared at Larisa. Then¡ªboom! A firework exploded in the sky. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± He looked up in confusion, and just then, Larisa Sanchez¡¯s body twitched. ¡°Ugh... my head...¡± Seeing her regain consciousness, Kwon Hudon sighed in relief. He¡¯d been unsure about killing a defenseless opponent. Now that she was awake, problem solved. If she attacked again, this time... ¡°...You spared me, didn¡¯t you?¡± Kwon Hudon froze. Wait, what? ¡°I tried to kill you... but you...¡± Larisa Sanchez¡¯s eyes welled with tears. It seemed she had wildly misread the situation in her mind. ¡°The retreat signal¡¯s been fired. I¡¯ll never forget this kindness.¡± With that, Larisa pushed off the ground and vanished. Once she was gone, Kwon Hudon muttered quietly to himself. ¡°...I should¡¯ve just killed her earlier.¡± * * * ¡°Spare me.¡± It was the moment just before the killing blow. Out of nowhere, Karolina Sanchez spoke up. ¡°What kind of crap is that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m saying I don¡¯t wanna die, so please spare me.¡± Despite her massive frame, Karolina Sanchez showed no shame in begging for her life. ¡°You¡¯ve already won, haven¡¯t you? So couldn¡¯t you show just a bit of mercy?¡± The battle with Karolina Sanchez hadn¡¯t been easy. She swung massive weapons like they were feathers, and her relentless attacks had pushed Mei Hong into danger more than once. But in the end, the victor was Mei Hong. ¡°So come on, let me live.¡± ¡°Killing you seems like the smarter choice. Better to get rid of future trouble while I can.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a point. But how about this¡ªthink of it this way: if you let me live, someday I¡¯ll be of use to you.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s eyes narrowed, half-lidded. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as ¡®never¡¯ in this world. Who knows? Maybe someday I¡¯ll end up helping you.¡± Mei Hong tightened her grip on the sword. She didn¡¯t see the point in listening to this nonsense any longer. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about what the Mei Clan is planning?¡± But that made her pause. ¡°You know something?¡± ¡°Not right now. But if the Mei Clan wants to attack your Hyukcheon, they¡¯ll have no choice but to get help from the Underworld.¡± Crack. The sound of teeth grinding filled the air. Mei Hong¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. ¡°So you¡¯re dangling the Mei Clan as a bargaining chip without even knowing anything?¡± Karolina Sanchez shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s how desperate I am. And you¡¯re no different, are you? You¡¯re so in the dark that even vague info like this has you biting.¡± In that moment, Mei Hong¡¯s sword flashed. A shallow cut traced across Karolina Sanchez¡¯s neck. ¡°...Get lost. And don¡¯t forget your promise.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Without hesitation, Karolina Sanchez fled. Mei Hong silently watched her go. * * * Meanwhile ¡°Gotcha!¡± Bruno Sanchez spread his arms wide and shouted. Despite being known as the toughest in the Sanchez family, his body was covered in wounds. But this humiliation would soon be over. All he had to do was grab the enemy and crush him with his bare hands¡ª Then Gael Garcia reached into the air. Demonic energy gathered, forming an executioner¡¯s axe. Bruno Sanchez¡¯s face went pale. ¡°Hey! That¡¯s cheating...!¡± The black axe dropped vertically. A dark line sliced down from the top of Bruno¡¯s head to his groin. From that line, blood burst forth. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Gael Garcia grabbed Bruno Sanchez¡¯s head and raised it high. Only after confirming death did he release his demonic form. ¡°Whew... Definitely not a technique I should use often.¡± Summoning demonic power granted immense strength, but the toll was just as great. Just then, a fireball shot into the sky and exploded, lighting up the air with grand fireworks. ¡°Fireworks? In broad daylight?¡± Though puzzled, Gael Garcia quickly dismissed the thought. ¡°Better regroup with the boss.¡± Leaving Bruno Sanchez where he lay, Gael turned and walked away. Moments after he left¡ª ¡°Urghh!¡± With a guttural breath, like someone exhaling after holding it too long, Bruno Sanchez raised his head. ¡°Damn near died there.¡± Anyone who heard that would¡¯ve screamed. He¡¯d been sliced from head to groin. Not split in two, but still a wound he should¡¯ve died from. ¡°Never fighting that guy again.¡± Bruno shook his head violently, then looked up at the fireworks. ¡°Guess that was the retreat signal. Time to get the hell out of here.¡± * * * Seeing the fireworks in the sky, Khan Sanchez was taken aback. A retreat signal? Now, of all times? Could Lady Maria have already secured the Founder''s Relic? A dozen thoughts raced through his head. But the last one that surfaced was: Impossible. Retreating only works against opponents who are in your weight class. Escaping from Hyukcheon¡¯s top martial artist¡ªthis monster¡ªwas out of the question. ¡°So the Sanchez family uses easy-to-spot retreat signals.¡± Kwon Myung-woo looked up and remarked. ¡°Pah.¡± Khan Sanchez spat out blood instead of replying. His mouth had torn from a punch just moments ago. ¡°Don¡¯t bother talking.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got some fight in you, kid. Most would be scrambling to run by now after getting pushed this far.¡± All of Dentes de Leao¡¯s squad members were down. Most were dead, and the rest were critically injured. Khan Sanchez was relatively intact¡ªbut that wouldn¡¯t last. Then Kwon Myung-woo did something unexpected. He sat down on the ground. Perplexed, Khan Sanchez asked, ¡°You¡¯re letting me and my men go?¡± Kwon Myung-woo nodded. ¡°A reward for standing your ground and not losing your will, even against me.¡± That instant, Khan Sanchez seethed with fury. ¡°How far are you going to humiliate us?!¡± They hadn¡¯t landed a single hit. Now they were being spared out of pity? Was there any greater shame for a warrior? ¡°Get up and fight me!¡± To his killing intent, Kwon Myung-woo responded with calm indifference. ¡°You just inherited the title of strongest in the Sanchez family. That makes you the clan¡¯s representative. You may not know it yet, but taking on that title marks your true beginning.¡± Then he added, ¡°You¡¯ve just begun to sprout. Crushing you now would be a waste. Grow stronger¡ªand we¡¯ll meet again.¡± To say he looked forward to his enemy¡¯s growth¡ªit was unbearably arrogant. Yet Khan Sanchez couldn¡¯t deny him those words. Kwon Myung-woo had earned that right. ¡°...Damn it.¡± Khan gathered his surviving squad members. He stored the dead in subspace. At the very least, he had to bring back their bodies. ¡°Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist¡ªnext time we meet, it won¡¯t be like this.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be around,¡± Kwon Myung-woo said, waving a hand. After Khan Sanchez disappeared, Kwon Myung-woo patted his back with a clenched fist. ¡°Oof, my back. Am I getting old?¡± Even with his overwhelming skill, fighting the Sanchez family¡¯s top hunter¡ªand their elite squad¡ªhad taken its toll. ¡°Not bad.¡± Had Khan Sanchez been less impressive, Kwon wouldn¡¯t have let him live. But he¡¯d held his own, even pushed Kwon to get serious. ¡°My brother always said it was a bad habit... but oh well.¡± Letting strong enemies go was a habit of his¡ªand perhaps the reason he¡¯d come this far. ¡°Time to go find someone else to beat up.¡± With that, Kwon Myung-woo stood and walked off. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 117 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 117: Name (1) Even after the battle was over, Kwon Hanul and his group couldn¡¯t afford to rest. They needed to return to the Hyukcheon Clan as soon as possible. But there was a problem¡ªKwon Myung-woo¡¯s private jet had been destroyed. Thankfully, the issue was quickly resolved. The City of Mystery provided them with an aircraft. ¡°For the City of Mystery to hand over a plane like this... They must be really sweating,¡± Kwon Myung-woo said with a satisfied smile aboard the aircraft. ¡°Well, they pretty much caused this whole mess,¡± Kwon Hanul replied. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± When the plane was handed over, the top executives of the City of Mystery came out personally to apologize. They confessed that the attack happened because Mark Goldpixie had conspired with the Sanchez family. ¡°That idiot... Selling out for a bit of fame and teaming up with the Sanchezes?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Myung-woo said, shaking his head, and Hanul nodded in agreement. In fact, when things didn¡¯t go their way, the Sanchez family had taken Mark Goldpixie hostage and committed all kinds of atrocities. ¡°If it were up to me, I¡¯d level the City of Mystery,¡± Myung-woo muttered, rubbing his temple. ¡°But since they came crawling with apologies and even offered compensation...¡± Clearly, the City of Mystery¡¯s offer had been significant¡ªenough for Myung-woo to let it go without a fuss. ¡°Anyway, you all did well this time,¡± he said, glancing at the team. ¡°When the Sanchezes attacked, I thought they were laughable¡ªbut honestly, I was worried about you guys.¡± That he would say such a thing spoke volumes about how dangerous the ambush was. The Sanchez family''s hunters were both highly skilled and notoriously vicious. ¡°Even just holding out would¡¯ve been impressive. I didn¡¯t expect everyone to come out victorious.¡± Myung-woo¡¯s pride was visible on his face. ¡°Of course, we did let them all live.¡± That comment left the group looking a bit awkward. ¡°Especially you, Gael Garcia. You should¡¯ve made sure your target was dead.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got no excuse.¡± But Myung-woo didn¡¯t pursue the matter further. ¡°Well, I let mine live too, so I can¡¯t say much.¡± Just then, Myung-woo¡¯s gaze shifted toward Hanul. A sly smile curled at his lips. ¡°And you, you cocky little rascal!¡± He suddenly threw his arms around Hanul in a hug. ¡°You held off Maria Sanchez until she retreated? You crazy bastard! That¡¯s incredible!¡± For Myung-woo to get this excited meant Maria Sanchez was no ordinary opponent. He wasn¡¯t even celebrating a victory¡ªjust the fact that Hanul had endured until she backed off. ¡°Granduncle, I can¡¯t breathe.¡± ¡°Just bear with it, you brat!¡± Hanul protested, but Myung-woo didn¡¯t let go. That¡¯s how thrilled he was. ¡°There¡¯s never been anyone like you in the history of the Hyukcheon Clan! You, of all people, facing off against Maria Sanchez and holding your ground¡ªeven with Trueblood in your veins!¡± In truth, Hanul had defeated Maria Sanchez, not just held her off¡ªbut he didn¡¯t bother to clarify. After all, it was thanks to his Superhuman Bloodline that he had managed it. Saying he merely endured sounded more natural. ¡°Here you go,¡± Just then, Joo Hayun placed teacups in front of them. Hanul turned to thank her. ¡°Ah, thank you, Hayun.¡± But something was off. Hayun turned away without even acknowledging his thanks and walked off. Her strangely cold demeanor left Hanul puzzled. ¡®Is it because I lost to Maria Sanchez?¡¯ He quickly dismissed the thought. The Joo Hayun he knew wasn¡¯t someone who¡¯d sulk over something like that. There had to be another reason. ¡°As promised, could you tell us about Mei Xiao now?¡± It was Mei Hong who spoke up. ¡°Ah, right. I said I¡¯d explain on the way back.¡± Last night, when they decided to return, Myung-woo had said he¡¯d go over the details en route, as the situation was urgent. But before they even boarded, they were ambushed by the Sanchezes¡ªso the explanation had been delayed. ¡°As I said before, numerous Hyukcheon bloodline members, including Vain Hope, were killed by Mei Xiao.¡± At the mention of that name, Mei Hong¡¯s eyes darkened with a murderous glint. ¡°More specifically, Vain Hope¡¯s entire Nameless Unit and two of our elite divisions¡ªBlack Flag Squads¡ªwere annihilated.¡± ¡°Even the Black Flags?¡± Hanul asked, clearly shocked. Unlike the Nameless Units, the Black Flags were considered the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s real powerhouses. For even them to be wiped out¡ªit was beyond serious. ¡°Yes. Technically, Vain Hope was never at a Nameless-level skillwise anyway. His subordinates were elite too.¡± Myung-woo looked grave. ¡°S-So, how were they ambushed?¡± It was Kwon Hudon who asked nervously. ¡°Right after they cleared a dungeon together. They were hit the moment they exited.¡± ¡°That means... there was a traitor.¡± Hudon¡¯s face stiffened. Myung-woo, however, didn¡¯t seem surprised. ¡°Why so shocked? The bigger the beast, the more parasites it attracts. We¡¯ve had traitors before.¡± But then, in a more serious tone, he added, ¡°Still, this is the first time they¡¯ve worked with such a dangerous enemy.¡± He folded his arms. ¡°The Clan is likely holding an emergency meeting as we speak. I was supposed to be there, too¡ªuntil the Sanchez incident...¡± Tsk. Myung-woo clicked his tongue. ¡°My brother will probably assemble a pursuit squad to wipe out the remnants of the Mei Clan.¡± The mention of a pursuit unit made Mei Hong react¡ªbut Myung-woo cut her off with a scoff. ¡°Dream on. You think they¡¯d let you chase someone that dangerous?¡± His tone was final. Still, Mei Hong looked reluctant to accept it. ¡°But... what happens to the Naming Battle now?¡± It was Hudon again, hesitantly raising his hand. Everyone exchanged glances. Myung-woo scratched his chin. ¡°Well... I guess it¡¯ll be postponed.¡± * * * Meanwhile, at Hyukcheon Headquarters... ¡°Looks like we have a provisional decision.¡± Kwon Seonwoo addressed the gathered elders. Today wasn¡¯t a video conference¡ªall the elders had convened in person. The matter was that serious. ¡°We¡¯re forming a pursuit squad under Kwon Myung-woo and his Hyukcheon Squad. Their objective is to eliminate Mei Xiao and her hunters.¡± Naturally, no one objected. ¡°Now, onto the next item.¡± The elders looked around, confused. Next item? ¡°I propose that Kwon Hanul¡¯s unit be promoted to the status of a Black Flag Division.¡± ¡°Lord Seonwoo!¡± One elder shot to his feet in protest. A blond-haired, blue-eyed man¡ªKwon Dagmar, head of the European branch. ¡°My son died less than a week ago! And now you¡¯re handing them a promotion?!¡± ¡°Precisely because of that,¡± Seonwoo said calmly. ¡°We¡¯ve lost too much¡ªespecially the Black Flags. We can¡¯t afford to leave those seats empty.¡± ¡°That much I understand! But why Hanul? His team hasn¡¯t even proven themselves yet!¡± Dagmar¡¯s objection was valid. While Hanul¡¯s skill was undisputed, the abilities of his team were still in question. That¡¯s why the Naming Battle had been scheduled in the first place¡ªto evaluate them properly. ¡°True. But perhaps this will change your mind.¡± With that, Seonwoo gestured. His assistant brought up footage on the conference room monitors. ¡°These videos were just uploaded today.¡± Despite being only hours old, the videos had already gone viral¡ªover 5 million views and thousands of comments. ¡°Before we watch, let me address the elephant in the room. You¡¯ve all been wondering why Myung-woo isn¡¯t here, yes?¡± The elders nodded. It was strange for him to miss a critical meeting. ¡°That¡¯s because he was ambushed by the Sanchez family¡ªwhile returning with Hanul and his unit.¡± The word ambushed made the room tense. Already on edge due to Mei Xiao, this added fuel to the fire. ¡°Who did it?!¡± ¡°The Sanchez family.¡± ¡°Those brainless muscle-heads¡ª!¡± The elders erupted in fury. Seonwoo raised a hand to calm them. ¡°Just watch.¡± Three videos appeared on the monitors. Each showed a one-on-one hunter duel. After watching for a while, the elders began to react. ¡°That¡¯s Hudon!¡± ¡°And that¡¯s Mei Hong!¡± ¡°The other looks like one of the Sacred Beast Bloodline...¡± But what shocked them more were the opponents. ¡°Wait¡ªisn¡¯t that Larisa Sanchez, the Massacrer?¡± ¡°The one Mei Hong¡¯s fighting¡ªisn¡¯t that Karolina Sanchez?¡± ¡°And him¡ªBruno Sanchez! The zombie that held off a world-ranker by himself!¡± The Sanchez trio was so notorious that even the elders recognized them instantly. ¡°They¡¯re actually holding their own...¡± ¡°No... they¡¯re winning?!¡± Stunned silence filled the room. ¡°There¡¯s no video,¡± Seonwoo continued, ¡°but Myung-woo and Hanul were attacked too.¡± ¡°By who?¡± ¡°Khan Sanchez. And Maria Sanchez.¡± The moment those names were said, the room fell deathly quiet. ¡°You don¡¯t mean... Hanul fought Maria Sanchez...?¡± ¡°Yes. And he held out until she retreated.¡± Gasps rippled through the chamber. ¡°Now do you understand why I brought this proposal forward?¡± Seonwoo looked around at the elders. ¡°Given how much power we¡¯ve lost to Mei Xiao, keeping Hanul¡¯s team at Nameless status after withstanding and defeating the Sanchez elites is a loss to the clan.¡± Some of the elders nodded, unable to deny it. ¡°I propose elevating Kwon Hanul¡¯s unit to Black Flag Division. If anyone objects, speak now.¡± A heavy silence followed. No one spoke. Not even Kwon Dagmar. ¡°Very well. I take it we are all in agreement.¡± And thus, a new elite unit was born within the Hyukcheon Clan. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 118 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 118: Name (2) The plane departing from Australia landed safely at the Hyukcheon Clan¡¯s estate. A secretary of Kwon Seonwoo, who had been notified in advance, greeted the group. ¡°What? The meeting¡¯s already over?¡± The secretary gave Kwon Myung-woo a rough summary of the situation as soon as he stepped off the plane. The elders of the Hyukcheon Clan had convened and reached a decision. ¡°The Chairman is waiting for you, Mr. Kwon Myung-woo.¡± ¡°All right. I¡¯ll head there right away.¡± ¡°And Mr. Kwon Hanul and your teammates are also requested to join.¡± Everyone was taken aback by those words. Kwon Seonwoo had summoned Kwon Myung-woo to discuss how to respond to the Mei Family¡¯s assault. But to invite not only Kwon Hanul, but the other three as well¡ª? If it had been just Kwon Hanul, it wouldn¡¯t have been such a surprise. ¡°W-Why would Grandfather call us too...?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, why indeed...¡± ¡°......¡± Kwon Hudon and Mei Hong were so flustered they stumbled over their words. Gael Garcia looked completely spaced out. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You¡¯ll need to hear the details directly from the Chairman.¡± Even when Kwon Hanul asked, the secretary simply lowered his head. This only fueled their confusion and unease. ¡°You¡¯re all grown adults¡ªwhy are you so scared? Let¡¯s go already!¡± But there wasn¡¯t any time to hesitate¡ªKwon Myung-woo urged the group forward. With no time to process what was happening, Kwon Hanul and the rest followed him toward the Chairman¡¯s office. ¡°Ms. Joo Hayun, you¡¯re requested elsewhere.¡± Just then, the Chairman¡¯s secretary stopped Joo Hayun. ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± ¡°The Chief of Staff would like to speak with you. He says he has something to discuss, as someone who once supported the Chairman closely.¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s expression hardened momentarily before softening. She apologized to Kwon Hanul and disappeared with the secretary. Kwon Hanul quietly watched until she was out of sight. Something about her expression at the end lingered in his mind. ¡°What are you staring at? Let¡¯s move.¡± At Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s urging, he finally started walking again. As they made their way to the office¡ª ¡°Uh... Hanul?¡± Kwon Hudon, who was trailing behind, looked around cautiously before speaking. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just me, but... doesn¡¯t something feel off?¡± Normally, Hanul would¡¯ve brushed it off, thinking Hudon was just being overly sensitive. But not today. He was feeling it too. ¡°So you felt it too, Hudon oppa? Guess it wasn¡¯t just me.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t explain it either, but... it feels really uncomfortable.¡± Even the other two echoed the same sentiment. Hanul subtly scanned the people they passed¡ªclan employees, newly inducted blood relatives, and so on. Every one of them either stepped aside or glanced at him with unreadable eyes. At first, he thought it was because of Kwon Myung-woo. But after a while, it became clear¡ª It wasn¡¯t just Myung-woo. They were reacting the same way to Hanul and the others as well. ¡°It¡¯s not like they¡¯re avoiding us out of fear...¡± Though people were acting cautiously, it didn¡¯t seem like they were scared. And Hanul had never done anything in the clan that would instill fear. As they continued walking¡ª Two men approached from ahead. Strangely, one looked furious while the other was doing his best to calm him down. ¡°Come now. Settle down.¡± ¡°Settle down? Fine, I¡¯ll calm down¡ªafter I¡¯ve said everything I need to!¡± The two stopped in front of Kwon Myung-woo. The angry one raised his voice. ¡°Salutations to Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist!¡± Kwon Myung-woo raised an eyebrow. ¡°Kwon Tae-hoon? What¡¯s got you so riled up?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because of that guy standing behind Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist!¡± He glared fiercely at Kwon Hanul. ¡°I agreed to the Chairman¡¯s decision this time, but that doesn¡¯t mean I accept you!¡± Hanul blinked, startled. He had no idea why this man was so upset. ¡°So don¡¯t get cocky just because you got promoted!¡± After saying his piece, the man brushed past Hanul and walked off. Hanul could only stand there, bewildered. ¡°I apologize on his behalf.¡± The man who had been trying to calm him down finally spoke. He had a gentler demeanor. ¡°He¡¯s someone who¡¯s prepared to give his life for the clan. His pride in being part of Hyukcheon sometimes makes him go overboard.¡± He spoke in a soft voice. ¡°I see things differently. This recent incident proved you¡¯re more than qualified. You went above and beyond.¡± He patted Hanul on the shoulder. ¡°Many elders truly recognize you now. So stay strong. I¡¯ll go calm him down.¡± With that, the man also walked away. Once they were out of sight, Kwon Myung-woo muttered in disbelief, ¡°Those fools have lost their minds.¡± They resumed walking to meet the Chairman. When they arrived at the building where Kwon Seonwoo was waiting¡ª A man stood at the entrance. He had blond hair and piercing blue eyes. ¡°Greetings, Mr. Kwon Myung-woo.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re here too.¡± A look of discomfort crossed Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s face. A rare sight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your son¡¯s death.¡± That snapped Kwon Hanul to attention. A foreign-looking man who had lost his son¡ª There was no mistaking it. This was Kwon Dagmar, head of the European branch and father of Vain Hope, who was supposed to fight Hanul during the Naming Ceremony. ¡°I¡¯m not the only one who lost a child in that incident. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°But still...¡± ¡°On the contrary, I¡¯m proud of my son. He died fighting the enemy of our clan with honor.¡± Kwon Dagmar said it calmly. ¡°So, what brings you here?¡± ¡°I was waiting to see Kwon Hanul.¡± His gaze turned to Hanul. And in that moment, Hanul was struck. For a grieving father, his eyes were eerily calm and resigned. ¡°My son was superior to you in every way.¡± Even his voice carried no resentment or anger. ¡°Not even Maria Sanchez could¡¯ve matched him.¡± No, that was a mistake. His voice wavered slightly at the end. ¡°You took the position that was meant for my son. So you must grow stronger.¡± After bowing to Kwon Myung-woo, Kwon Dagmar turned and left. Watching him go, Kwon Myung-woo spoke bitterly, ¡°Let¡¯s go up.¡± * * * ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± As always, Kwon Seonwoo greeted his guests in a dry, emotionless voice. ¡°Hyungnim, your greetings are still as dull as ever.¡± ¡°Quiet. Do you think I summoned you here to exchange jokes and laughter?¡± Kwon Seonwoo frowned. His displeasure was clear, and everyone except Kwon Myung-woo and Kwon Hanul froze in place. ¡°I heard the meeting ended before we arrived?¡± ¡°Yes. You and the Hyukcheon Corps will be in charge of the pursuit unit.¡± Kwon Myung-woo nodded, as if he had expected the answer. ¡°What kind of support can I expect?¡± ¡°Whatever you need. Take whichever unit you see fit.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone else... I¡¯d like to take the Iron Corps.¡± ¡°Do as you wish.¡± Mei Hong flinched. The Iron Corps was the disciplinary unit made up of criminals within the Hyukcheon organization. There was a time when Mei Hong had nearly been dragged off by them. ¡°But are those people really strong enough that I need to get involved?¡± ¡°Most of them are nothing special. But the Bloodflame Blade, Mei Xiao... she¡¯s different.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s gaze turned serious. ¡°She¡¯s far beneath you, but if we send anyone else, it¡¯ll just be a waste of lives.¡± This was the same Kwon Seonwoo who had belittled even the head of the Mei clan and the so-called greatest sword of the Middle Continent. If even he acknowledged Mei Xiao¡¯s skill, she had to be extremely formidable. ¡°I could send Hyuk or Chan-seong, but... I don¡¯t want even a drop of their blood spilled right now.¡± ¡°I understand, hyungnim. You can count on me.¡± Only then did a faint smile appear on Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s lips. ¡°Next... Kwon Hanul.¡± The Chairman called Hanul¡¯s name. ¡°Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, Gael Garcia.¡± The other three names were also called in turn. All three of them stiffened nervously¡ªHudon looked like he was about to cry. ¡°I¡¯m promoting the Nameless Unit you¡¯re part of into an official Named Unit.¡± A long silence followed. The three, especially Hudon, were so stunned they couldn¡¯t close their mouths. Hanul hesitated, then asked, ¡°Um... is that it?¡± Kwon Seonwoo raised an eyebrow. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I thought becoming a Named Unit would be... a bigger deal. You know, some kind of ceremony, a celebration maybe? But this feels more like roasting beans over a flash of lightning.¡± Kwon Seonwoo let out a dry chuckle. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of expectations, don¡¯t you. You¡¯re not wrong. But with people like Mei Xiao targeting Hyukcheon, we don¡¯t have the luxury of throwing parties.¡± His gaze turned sharp. ¡°The only reason you¡¯re getting promoted is to fill the vacancy left by Mei Xiao¡¯s attack. If not for that, you''d still be stuck doing grunt work in the Nameless Unit.¡± In other words, don¡¯t get any ideas. ¡°I get that this is thanks to the Mei Clan, but... didn¡¯t the Elders object?¡± ¡°They agreed to recognize your victory over the Sanchezes. It¡¯d be a waste to leave a team with your level of ability in the Nameless Unit.¡± News traveled fast¡ªsuch was the age of the internet. ¡°What¡¯s the new unit name?¡± ¡°Darkshade Unit.¡± Black and shadowed. Hanul memorized the name without much reaction. But Kwon Myung-woo wasn¡¯t so indifferent. ¡°Hyungnim, isn¡¯t that the name you were planning to give Cheon¡¯s unit?¡± Hanul looked back at Kwon Seonwoo in surprise. Kwon Cheon. Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s second son. Hanul¡¯s father. And the man who betrayed the clan. A blood relative sentenced to death by Seonwoo himself. ¡°The reason you never gave that name to another unit was... don¡¯t tell me¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice turned cold with displeasure. ¡°It just felt wrong to give a name once meant for a traitor to another unit. And now, I¡¯ve given that name to him so that he can wash away his father¡¯s disgrace before he dies.¡± Cold¡ªalmost cruel. ¡°Now that it¡¯s decided, I¡¯ll give you and the Darkshade Unit a new mission.¡± Kwon Seonwoo composed himself. Hanul straightened his posture. ¡°At the upcoming Sky Arena, bring glory to Hyukcheon. Make the name of the Darkshade Unit known far and wide. And...¡± He paused briefly, then added: ¡°Reveal that you¡¯re of True Blood¡ªso that the legend of Kwon Hyunmoon, the Founder, spreads through the world once again.¡± ¡°Hyung really takes things too far sometimes.¡± Kwon Myung-woo clicked his tongue as they left the building. ¡°Giving him that name just to say he has to atone for his father¡¯s sins? I swear, there¡¯s no psycho like this psycho.¡± Hanul looked at him, surprised. It was the first time he had ever seen Kwon Myung-woo openly criticize Kwon Seonwoo like that. ¡°Anyway, congratulations. You¡¯re finally recognized as a real Hyukcheon unit now.¡± Myung-woo grinned widely. The tension broke, and smiles finally returned to the other three. ¡°I-I got promoted to a Named Unit... My mom¡¯s going to be so happy.¡± Kwon Hudon even shed a few tears. ¡°Still, since I¡¯ve been assigned to the pursuit unit, I probably won¡¯t get to see you for a while.¡± Myung-woo stroked his chin in silence, looking like he was pondering something. Then, out of nowhere, he turned to Hanul. ¡°Come to the training hall tonight.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°We might not see each other for a long time...¡± He lowered his voice. ¡°You¡¯ve already stepped onto the path of Ascension. So now¡¯s the perfect time for me to show you¡ª¡± He pointed to the sky with a finger. ¡°¡ªexactly how high you should aim.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 119 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 119: Name (3) Kwon Hanul felt his heart pounding in his chest. Right now, Kwon Myung-woo was trying to pass down his own revelations to him. Not just anyone¡ªbut the man known as the Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist, a living legend. ¡°...I won¡¯t forget this. I promise I¡¯ll make it out.¡± Hanul did his best to suppress his emotions as he spoke. Myung-woo smiled as if to say, I¡¯m looking forward to it. ¡°Well then, shall we wrap things up? Everyone must be tired¡ªget some good rest...¡± Myung-woo trailed off. Someone was approaching. A sharp suit. Slicked-back hair with not a strand out of place. It was Kwon Hyuk, Vice Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group. ¡°Uncle, have you been well?¡± Hyuk bowed deeply with formal politeness. But Myung-woo didn¡¯t bother to return the sentiment¡ªhis expression remained sour. ¡°What brings you here all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Haha, do I need a reason to visit family?¡± ¡°That may be true, but you aren¡¯t the type to show up without an agenda.¡± ¡°As expected, you know me too well, Uncle,¡± Hyuk replied with an empty chuckle. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m here to see my nephew. I heard he¡¯s been promoted to the Elite Division.¡± Hyuk¡¯s gaze shifted to Hanul, a warm, fatherly smile forming on his face. ¡°Congratulations on the promotion. You¡¯ve officially been recognized as a Hyukcheon Hunter now.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Hanul replied briefly. ¡°What¡¯s your unit called?¡± ¡°Darkshade.¡± ¡°Oh? Darkshade, huh. That was the name Cheon was supposed to receive... now it¡¯s been passed on to you.¡± Hyuk¡¯s face was filled with emotion as he lightly patted Hanul¡¯s shoulder. ¡°No one¡¯s ever been promoted to the Elite Division this quickly before. If Cheon were here to see this, he would¡¯ve been thrilled.¡± From his expression and tone, Hyuk seemed to be genuinely happy for Hanul¡¯s achievement. But Hanul couldn¡¯t lower his guard around him. It had always been that way, from the first time they met. It was like looking into a bottomless well¡ªsomething about him sparked instinctive revulsion and unease. ¡°Then again... he might be resenting you from the afterlife.¡± As expected, Hyuk¡¯s tone abruptly shifted. ¡°To think... his own son is living comfortably under the same roof as the people who killed him.¡± ¡°You bastard!¡± Myung-woo suddenly shouted. ¡°Watch your mouth, right now!¡± ¡°Uncle, why are you so angry? It¡¯s not like what I said was baseless.¡± ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Myung-woo¡¯s killing intent flared. It was so intense it felt like it could scorch the air itself, all directed at Hyuk. But shockingly, Hyuk withstood it without even blinking. ¡°Hanul, you probably think your father was simply a traitor to the family. But the truth is a little more complicated. You see, your father¡ªhe was actually¡ª¡± ¡°I told you to shut your mouth!¡± Myung-woo exploded in rage and lunged to grab Hyuk by the collar. His hands moved like lightning¡ª ¡ªbut they were stopped midair. Hyuk had caught him. ¡°Uncle. Please, calm down.¡± Everyone was stunned. Myung-woo, the man known as the Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist, had his hands frozen in place. Even worse, he couldn¡¯t shake off Hyuk¡¯s grip or press forward. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be celebrating your nephew¡¯s promotion, instead of doing this?¡± ¡°You dare lecture me?¡± The veins on Myung-woo¡¯s forehead bulged. His eyes burned with fury. ¡°I already know.¡± At that moment, Hanul¡¯s voice pierced through their standoff. Both Myung-woo and Hyuk turned to look at him. ¡°The Chairman was the one who ordered my father¡¯s execution. My father ran away to avoid the sentence, and that¡¯s why he was labeled a traitor.¡± ¡°...How do you know that...?¡± Myung-woo¡¯s face was etched with shock. Hyuk only frowned slightly. ¡°Where did you learn that?¡± Hanul answered calmly, ¡°That¡¯s not what matters, is it?¡± Hyuk released Myung-woo¡¯s hands. He straightened out his wrinkled clothes and spoke to Hanul. ¡°Then do you know why the Chairman ordered your father¡¯s execution in the first place?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± At that, Hyuk¡¯s lips curved into a faint smirk. ¡°Then let me give you a piece of advice.¡± He suddenly closed the distance between them and whispered into Hanul¡¯s ear. ¡°Don¡¯t trust the Chairman too much. Right now, he may seem friendly, but the moment you fail to meet his expectations, he¡¯ll discard you without hesitation.¡± He stepped back, adding with a grin, ¡°Just like he did with your father.¡± Hanul¡¯s brow furrowed. Hyuk walked away, clearly satisfied with the reaction. ¡°That bastard...¡± Myung-woo spat venomously in Hyuk¡¯s direction. ¡°Every time I see him, he just pisses me off. Hanul, you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°No you¡¯re not. Dammit...¡± Myung-woo spat on the ground and said, ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day for real this time. Go get some rest!¡± * * * Later that evening... Kwon Hyuk had left the scene quickly. Sticking around any longer might¡¯ve gotten him decked by Myung-woo. After walking for a while¡ª ¡°You did well today, sir.¡± A young man suddenly joined Hyuk from behind. ¡°It was just a chat. Nothing to fuss over.¡± ¡°But you endured Uncle¡¯s killing intent.¡± ¡°Well... that was tough,¡± Hyuk admitted. ¡°He¡¯s gotten old. Back in the day, I wouldn¡¯t even have been able to meet his eyes, let alone withstand that aura.¡± ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because you¡¯ve gotten stronger,¡± replied Kwon Chan-seong, with a touch of flattery. Hyuk simply chuckled quietly. ¡°Still... Hanul knew a lot more about his father than I expected.¡± ¡°Should I look into where he got the information?¡± ¡°No need. What would be the point? He¡¯ll be gone soon anyway.¡± Chan-seong fell silent, clearly displeased. ¡°You¡¯ve got something to say, don¡¯t you? Is it because you couldn¡¯t take him out yourself?¡± ¡°No, sir. It¡¯s my failure, and I accept that.¡± ¡°Yes, it was a failure.¡± In that moment, Chan-seong felt a chill down his spine. ¡°I warned you, didn¡¯t I? Repeatedly. But in the end, you still couldn¡¯t eliminate him.¡± His face began to pale. Hyuk was notorious¡ªonce he lost faith in someone, he never gave them a second chance. Chan-seong was his son, and he had a solid reputation in and outside the family. But knowing Hyuk¡¯s nature, that might not be enough. ¡°I even went out of my way to introduce you to Catalina Blaga... and this is the result.¡± ¡°I have no excuse.¡± ¡°Well, to be fair, I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d be that hard to deal with either.¡± After their first transaction, Catalina refused to deal with Chan-seong anymore. The reason was simple: she had no interest in dealing with a boy who had nothing more to offer. Hyuk had to step in himself. ¡°Now, we leave everything to her.¡± ¡°But Father... I¡¯m still worried. Do you really think she¡¯ll move according to our plan?¡± Hyuk laughed. ¡°My dear son, you worry too much. That¡¯s why I told Catalina in advance¡ªthat Hanul is a Trueblood.¡± The moment she heard that, Catalina''s eyes had lit up with obsession. To the one known as the Human Collector, a Trueblood was of immeasurable worth. ¡°And I told her the Chairman plans to reveal that fact during the next Sky Arena Tournament.¡± Once the world finds out Hanul is a Trueblood, all eyes will be on him. That makes kidnapping him nearly impossible. ¡°Catalina will try to abduct Hanul before the tournament starts.¡± That would take a thorn out of their side. Hyuk let out a quiet laugh. ¡°But Father... if it comes to that...¡± Chan-seong swallowed hard. ¡°Won¡¯t it be dangerous for us, in the long run, if the Blaga family gets their hands on a Trueblood?¡± Not just because of the power Truebloods possess. A Trueblood is the origin of a bloodline. If the Blaga family secures Hanul, they might try to mass-produce Black Dragon bloodline members. That could spell the end for the Hyukcheon clan. ¡°So what?¡± Hyuk shrugged. ¡°If Hanul keeps growing, he¡¯ll eventually reach the top of our family. And when that happens, everyone will follow him.¡± The Hyukcheon bloodline always bows to strength. ¡°But we can¡¯t kill him either. The Chairman¡¯s watching him like a hawk.¡± Most people didn¡¯t know it, but Hyuk did. Chairman Kwon Seonwoo treasured Hanul more than anyone. ¡°So instead of just standing by, wouldn¡¯t it be better to hand him over to the Blagas? Even if...¡± Chan-seong shuddered at what came next. ¡°...even if it means our family is wiped out.¡± * * * That evening, at the estate. Kwon Hanul sat alone, organizing his thoughts. There was one thing he needed to deal with before meeting with Myung-woo again. ¡°So breaking this is all I need to do?¡± He examined the teacup in his hand. Shattering it would grant him the hidden legacy left by the founder of the Superhuman Bloodline. No one knew exactly what it was, but the Sanchez family had thrown everything they had at trying to obtain it. It had to be something extraordinary. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a shot.¡± Hanul gripped the teacup. It was small enough to crush with one hand. ¡°Hup¡ª!¡± He squeezed with all his might. Nothing. ¡°What...?¡± He tried again with both hands. ¡°Hrrrrgh!¡± Even with mana, it didn¡¯t budge. ¡°...You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me.¡± Hanul set the teacup down and clenched his fist. If it won¡¯t break by squeezing... he¡¯d just smash it¡ª ¡°Mr. Kwon Hanul, may I come in?¡± A voice called out from outside. Hanul lowered his raised fist. ¡°Come in.¡± The door opened. It was Joo Hayun. ¡°So, you¡¯re back now?¡± It was the first time he¡¯d seen her since the assistant took her away. ¡°Must¡¯ve been a long conversation.¡± ¡°There were... a few things to deal with.¡± An awkward silence settled between them. Neither of them were the chatty type, but this felt strange even for them. Now that he thought about it, this wasn¡¯t the first time. Ever since the battle with the Sanchez family, there had been several moments of tense silence. ¡°Hayun, is something...¡± He was about to ask when she cut in. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul. Please be honest with me.¡± She took a breath¡ª ¡°You¡¯re not... a Superhuman Bloodline member, are you?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 120 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 120: Name (4) ¡°Superhuman Bloodline?¡± Kwon Hanul responded as if he didn¡¯t understand what she meant. Outwardly, he appeared calm, but internally, he was anything but. The fact that he possessed multiple bloodlines was a secret that absolutely couldn¡¯t be exposed. And now that very secret had been brought up by Joo Hayun¡ªof course he was rattled. ¡®Did Gael Garcia reveal it?¡¯ It was the most plausible assumption. But Hanul immediately dismissed the thought. To Kwon Hanul, Gael Garcia was a lifesaver¡ªa benefactor. There was no way he would betray him. Of course, you can never truly know what¡¯s in someone¡¯s heart. Even so, from a practical standpoint, there was nothing Gael Garcia could gain by revealing that secret to Joo Hayun. ¡®Then what the hell is going on?¡¯ As he was considering various possibilities, Joo Hayun spoke again. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, please... trust me and tell me the truth.¡± Hanul hesitated. He had spent a long time with Joo Hayun. He had received more advice and help from her than he could count. But in the end, Joo Hayun wasn¡¯t on his team. She belonged elsewhere, and ultimately, she answered only to the Chairman. Revealing his secret to an outsider like her was far too risky. ¡°I¡¯m not even sure why you¡¯re asking this. How could I, someone with the Black Dragon Bloodline, have the Superhuman Bloodline?¡± ¡°I saw it with my own eyes the day you fought Maria Sanchez.¡± Hanul¡¯s body flinched. ¡°What exactly... did you see?¡± ¡°I saw you, Lord Kwon Hanul...¡± Joo Hayun paused briefly before continuing. ¡°...overpowering Maria Sanchez with raw strength.¡± ¡°You must be mistaken...¡± Hanul didn¡¯t look startled or flustered. He just wore a mildly troubled expression. ¡°Me? Overpower Maria Sanchez? Come on...¡± Hanul was convinced Joo Hayun was mistaken¡ªor lying. During the fight with Maria Sanchez, Hanul had specifically ordered Marcos Sanchez to act. If Joo Hayun showed signs of regaining her senses, he was to get her out of there immediately. He had made thorough preparations¡ªso he was confident. ¡°You must have misseen something.¡± Joo Hayun had seen it. But it wasn¡¯t with a clear mind. She had most likely witnessed it in a state of confusion, likely due to the shock from Maria Sanchez¡¯s attack. That meant he could play it off. ¡°Miss Hayun, are you sure you saw it correctly?¡± Joo Hayun stared silently at Hanul, as if trying to read his thoughts. But no matter how hard one stared, the truth couldn¡¯t be seen. In the end, she sighed and shook her head. ¡°Forgive me. That was a strange question.¡± As she withdrew her suspicion, Hanul was finally able to relax. But still¡ªsomething didn¡¯t sit right. A person can only have one bloodline. That was an industry truth¡ªalmost a law of nature. So why had Joo Hayun asked him so specifically whether he had the Superhuman Bloodline? If she had simply asked how he managed to overpower Maria Sanchez, or whether her eyes had deceived her¡ªthat would have made sense. ¡°Miss Hayun... Is something going on?¡± When Hanul asked, Joo Hayun looked briefly taken aback. ¡°...What I¡¯m about to tell you is top secret. It came from Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence bureau¡ªhard-earned intel.¡± Even though they were alone, Joo Hayun lowered her voice. That¡¯s how sensitive the information was. ¡°When I met with the Chief of Staff earlier, I heard a number of things. Among them, one strange piece of news stood out.¡± ¡°Strange how?¡± ¡°Have you heard of Aeon?¡± Hanul searched his memory. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the mage organization? They¡¯re notorious.¡± Mages themselves were already rare beings. But Aeon was relatively well-known¡ªmostly because of all the incidents they had caused. ¡°That¡¯s right. Then do you know why Aeon exists?¡± ¡°That... I don¡¯t.¡± Hanul trailed off. Now that he thought about it, while he¡¯d heard plenty about Aeon and their atrocities, he¡¯d never heard their actual purpose. ¡°Aeon has a single goal: to uncover the secrets of the Dungeons.¡± Ever since Dungeons began appearing on Earth, humanity had advanced by utilizing the relics found within them. But one mystery remained unsolved. Why did Dungeons appear on Earth? And what exactly were the extinct civilizations that exist within them? ¡°Recently, Aeon has resumed activity. According to Hyukcheon''s intelligence, they¡¯re searching for someone.¡± Joo Hayun paused again. ¡°Someone who possesses multiple bloodlines.¡± At those words, Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Is... is that even possible?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Joo Hayun replied firmly. ¡°But it¡¯s also a fact that Aeon is searching for such individuals. And they know more about Dungeons than any other group on Earth.¡± It was impossible, yet Aeon was actively looking. That meant they had a reason. ¡°Yes. Aeon is full of lunatics who will do anything to unravel the Dungeon¡¯s secrets. It doesn¡¯t matter who stands in their way¡ªbe it Hyukcheon or anyone else.¡± It was the first time Hanul had ever heard Joo Hayun speak with such harsh language. That¡¯s how deranged she believed Aeon to be. ¡°That¡¯s why I asked you¡ªjust in case. But it seems I was wrong.¡± A faint smile crossed Joo Hayun¡¯s face. Hanul found himself letting out a bitter chuckle. Watching her genuinely relieved expression stirred his conscience. ¡°I¡¯ve caused you trouble at this late hour.¡± As soon as the conversation ended, Joo Hayun left the room. After she was gone, Kwon Hanul sat alone in his chair, deep in thought. ¡°Aeon is targeting me.¡± Strictly speaking, Aeon wasn¡¯t targeting him specifically. They were after someone who possessed multiple bloodlines. ¡°If they¡¯ve resumed activity recently... then something¡¯s definitely going on.¡± He had left no traces. So did they have some kind of detection technology? ¡°I need to be careful.¡± Aeon had caused so much havoc yet still remained untouched¡ªbecause they were that powerful. If someone like Joo Hayun was this concerned, taking precautions was only logical. As he continued thinking, Hanul suddenly checked the time. ¡°Ah.¡± It was time for his meeting with Kwon Myung-woo. * * * ¡°You brat! How can you be later than me?!¡± When Hanul arrived at the training hall, Kwon Myung-woo was already there¡ªand furious. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I ended up talking with Miss Hayun for longer than expected.¡± ¡°With Hayun? Then I¡¯ll let it slide.¡± At the mention of Joo Hayun, Myung-woo calmed down immediately. ¡°Anyway, have a seat.¡± Hanul and Myung-woo sat across from each other in the training hall. ¡°Ahem.¡± Myung-woo cleared his throat. Then, in a serious tone, he said, ¡°Do you know why I called you here?¡± ¡°You said you¡¯d show me the path, didn¡¯t you, Granduncle?¡± Hanul answered right away, causing Myung-woo to frown. ¡°You punk, can¡¯t you see I¡¯m trying to set the mood? You¡¯re supposed to say no at times like this.¡± ¡°Should I try again?¡± ¡°Forget it. Hmph... I was trying to be dramatic.¡± Myung-woo clicked his tongue in frustration. ¡°I¡¯ve decided to pass down a technique to you.¡± That made Hanul tilt his head. He had said he¡¯d show him the path¡ªbut a technique? ¡°It¡¯s a culmination of everything I¡¯ve learned in my lifetime. It¡¯s still incomplete, but I can say with pride that it¡¯s worthy of standing anywhere in the world.¡± Only then did Hanul¡¯s heart begin to race. Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist As far as Hanul knew, only Kwon Seonwoo was stronger than Kwon Myung-woo. Someone just one step below the strongest in the Hyukcheon family¡ªa true master¡ªwas offering to teach him a technique forged from his entire life¡¯s experience. ¡°But first, you¡¯ll have to pass my test.¡± Myung-woo took out a book and placed it before Hanul. ¡°Watch closely.¡± From Myung-woo¡¯s body, Dragon Combat Aura began to flare. In an instant, black aura filled the training hall. A massive surge of Dragon Combat Aura was instantly drawn into Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s body. At that very moment, the book exploded. Black flames engulfed the book before vanishing. A faint burnt smell spread in all directions. ¡°Take it,¡± Kwon Myung-woo said, handing over the book. ¡°Figure out what I just did to it.¡± Strangely enough, despite the explosion, the book was completely intact. To uncover its secrets, Kwon Hanul began flipping through the pages. He was about halfway through when he noticed something odd. A single page. There was a clean, round hole right in the center of it. Despite using an enormous amount of Dragon Combat Aura, there was only one hole¡ªjust on that page. ¡°...How did you do this? This isn¡¯t just precision¡ªit¡¯s surgical.¡± Out of hundreds of pages, only one had a hole in it, and it was flawless. Hanul had never seen a technique this precise. ¡°That all you¡¯ve got?¡± Kwon Myung-woo''s voice was flat¡ªhe wasn¡¯t satisfied with the answer. ¡°If that¡¯s all you saw, you¡¯re not worthy of inheriting this technique.¡± His tone was colder than Hanul had ever heard it. Hanul examined the paper again. Then it hit him¡ªsomething else was off. It was too clean. If it had been burned with aura, there would be scorch marks. But the hole looked like it had been cut out with a blade. It couldn¡¯t have been pre-cut. Myung-woo wasn¡¯t the type to pull cheap tricks, and there definitely was a burnt smell... ¡°...Ha.¡± At that moment, Hanul realized the secret behind the page¡ªand just how much of a monster the old man standing before him, the legendary ¡°Hyukcheon¡¯s Strongest Fist¡±, truly was. ¡°You created an explosion by colliding Dragon Combat Aura and used the force to remove just one page from the book... with perfect accuracy.¡± A smile appeared on Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s lips. ¡°Correct. It¡¯s a technique called Ink Flame,¡± Myung-woo said, raising his index finger. A black flame ignited atop it. ¡°You concentrate a massive amount of Dragon Combat Aura into a single point to incinerate objects. That¡¯s the simple explanation, but...¡± He raised his other hand. The energy gathered and formed a manifestation of condensed aura. He brought the ink flame to it. Instantly, a hole burned clean through it, releasing a trail of smoke. ¡°Even condensed aura can be pierced this way.¡± Hanul¡¯s jaw dropped. Condensed Aura is a technique that exists on a higher plane than aura¡ªonly those who have reached the status of ¡°Absolutes¡± can wield it, and it holds overwhelming destructive power. And Myung-woo had just burned through it like it was nothing? ¡°The true strength of ink flame lies in its precision. You can target exactly what you want to destroy¡ªwithout damaging anything else.¡± Hanul had seen that firsthand in the book. Out of all those pages, only one had been burned. Cleanly. ¡°Of course, learning ink flame doesn¡¯t mean you can immediately pierce condensed aura. You¡¯ll need consistent training.¡± Myung-woo withdrew his energy. Both condensed aura and ink flame disappeared. ¡°But even knowing how to use it will be a huge asset to you.¡± Not just because of its destructive power. ¡°You¡¯ve already defeated opponents stronger than you. That¡¯s impressive... but now the world¡¯s strongest have their eyes on you. That¡¯s the dangerous part.¡± Myung-woo clicked his tongue. ¡°You might have to face someone even stronger than Maria Sanchez. Possibly someone who¡¯s stepped into the true realm of mastery.¡± He didn¡¯t elaborate, but Hanul understood what Myung-woo meant by ¡°realm.¡± The domain of the Absolutes¡ªthose who had set foot beyond the limits of the known world. ¡°Those who¡¯ve reached that realm are on a different level. Their magic forms its own protective defensive energy shield. Unless you¡¯re in the same league, you can¡¯t break through it.¡± In short, no matter how hard you try, you can¡¯t pierce their armor. ¡°But ink flame is different. It can even burn away magic itself. With it, you can land a meaningful blow.¡± That was why Myung-woo intended to pass it down. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you this skill. Listen carefully from now on.¡± His expression turned solemn. ¡°ink flame consumes a vast amount of Dragon Combat Aura in an instant. The backlash is intense¡ªyou¡¯ll need to endure it physically.¡± Hanul straightened his posture. A technique powerful enough to pierce condensed aura wouldn¡¯t come easy. He needed to memorize every single word Myung-woo said¡ªand follow the training exactly. ¡°To start, you¡¯ll need a trait that strengthens your skeletal structure. SSS-rank Unique should suffice, but ideally, you want something Legendary-grade.¡± Hanul blinked in disbelief. ¡°And it¡¯d help to have a trait that reinforces your mana channels. Not essential, but it¡¯ll make using the skill much easier.¡± ¡°Um... Granduncle?¡± ¡°A mental clarity trait would be good too. Doesn¡¯t seem related, but focusing all your energy in one point consumes an immense amount of willpower¡ª¡± ¡°Granduncle!¡± Hanul finally raised his voice. Myung-woo looked at him with a tilt of the head. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You said you¡¯d teach me ink flame, so why are we talking about traits?¡± ¡°Because you need them to activate it.¡± ¡°But you should be telling me how to learn it¡ª¡± At that, Myung-woo¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Why would I bother with that? You¡¯ve got a skill window, don¡¯t you? Use it to learn it.¡± Hanul went momentarily blank. Oh, right. If you have a skill window, you can instantly learn any skill¡ªas long as the skill itself is fully mastered by someone else and passed on to you. ¡°...You¡¯ve mastered ink flame well enough to pass it down?¡± ¡°Obviously.¡± ¡°But earlier you said it wasn¡¯t complete...¡± ¡°That just means you need to keep improving it.¡± Myung-woo spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°Anyway, take the skill already.¡± The moment he said it, a message popped up in front of Hanul. [Offer: Would you like to learn the skill ¡®Ink Flame¡¯?] Hanul accepted the prompt and acquired the skill. ¡°Now then, where were we? Right¡ªafter getting a mental clarity trait, the next thing you want is...¡± It wasn¡¯t quite what he¡¯d expected¡ªbut Hanul listened closely to the rest of Myung-woo¡¯s explanation. * * * After receiving ink flame, Hanul returned to his room. ¡°Man... Did I really just get this so easily?¡± He stared at the ink flame skill in his window. Then he remembered what Myung-woo had said: You won¡¯t be able to use it right away. You need to meet all the conditions I mentioned to activate it. There were more than ten traits required to use ink flame properly. Considering how hard it was to acquire traits, it was going to take a while before he could use the skill. ¡°To summarize Granduncle¡¯s advice: I need a body and mind strong enough to endure ink flame...¡± As he recalled Myung-woo¡¯s words¡ª ¡°...Wait, I already have all that.¡± Superhuman Bloodline enhanced his physical body. Genius Bloodline boosted his mental capabilities. ¡°Wanna give it a shot?¡± Hanul gathered up all the Dragon Demon Aura in his body and detonated it in a single burst. Black flames erupted briefly in the air¡ªthen vanished. Hanul smiled at the sight. ¡°Bloodline advantage, baby.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 121 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 121: The Blaga Family (1) A month later, Kwon Hanul boarded a private jet headed for the Pacific Ocean to participate in the Sky Arena Tournament. There was still time before the tournament officially began, but he thought it wouldn''t hurt to arrive early and prepare. ¡°Wow... I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going to see the Sky Arena with my own eyes,¡± Kwon Hudon said, his voice dreamy as he looked out from the jet. ¡°You¡¯re not even competing, Hudon-oppa. Why are you so nervous?¡± Mei Hong teased. ¡°Well, still...¡± Hudon mumbled in protest, his voice sulky. ¡°It¡¯s the Sky Arena, you know? Just being able to see it in person is incredible...¡± The Sky Arena Tournament was known as the largest and most prestigious competition held on Earth. The fact that it took place in a mysterious dungeon that appeared periodically was enough to draw massive attention. Hunters affiliated with renowned guilds and noble houses gathered to compete. And since the dungeon could be observed externally, spectators could watch the action unfold. Naturally, it was an event that drew global attention. ¡°To think Hanul is competing as our house¡¯s representative...¡± Hudon looked at Hanul with reverent eyes. Feeling uncomfortable, Hanul averted his gaze. ¡°Captain.¡± Sitting across from him, Gael Garcia suddenly spoke. But his expression was unusual. His face still looked like a carved statue as usual, but his eyes were twinkling and his cheeks were slightly flushed. ¡°To be able to see the Sky Arena I¡¯ve only ever heard about on the island... I¡¯m overwhelmed,¡± Gael said. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. You said you spent your life confined to the island.¡± Gael gave a slight nod. ¡°Over twenty houses and guilds have already declared their participation! I¡¯m especially excited to see the Babel House!¡± It was hard to believe this was the same normally quiet Gael Garcia¡ªhe was talking nonstop. Hanul didn¡¯t interrupt, just gave a wry smile and listened. Though he didn¡¯t show it outwardly, Hanul was just as anxious about the upcoming Sky Arena Tournament. Or perhaps ¡°anxious¡± was a better word than ¡°excited.¡± It all stemmed from something Kwon Myung-woo told him when he passed down the art of Ink Flame. ¡°I think the elder sent you to the Sky Arena so you could finally shake off the label of ¡®traitor¡¯s son.¡¯¡± Myung-woo had spoken in a serious tone after Hanul completed his ink flame training. ¡°Though he didn¡¯t say it outright, the recent Mei Xiao attack did serious damage to Hyukcheon¡¯s reputation.¡± It made sense¡ªHyukcheon clansmen had been massacred by the descendants of a ruined house. ¡°But if you win the Sky Arena, you can restore that lost reputation. No, your standing will rise even higher than before.¡± If that happened, Hanul would go from being a traitor¡¯s son to a hero who brought glory to the house. What puzzled Hanul was why Kwon Seonwoo cared so much about him. He had treated him so coldly when they first met¡ªand not just then, but always. And yet, it wasn¡¯t something he could get a straight answer about. ¡°The elder... no, I have no right to speak of Cheon.¡± Hanul leaned back in his seat. To be honest, he¡¯d never really cared about being labeled a traitor¡¯s son. His goal wasn¡¯t to clear his father¡¯s name. It was to rise to the top of Hyukcheon. ¡°What¡¯s got you so deep in thought?¡± Joo Hayun said as she set down a teacup beside him. Hanul thanked her and took a sip. ¡°I was thinking about the Sky Arena.¡± ¡°At your level, Lord Hanul, you have nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°Still, you never know what might happen.¡± He held the tea in his mouth for a moment. A refreshing fragrance spread across his tongue. ¡°Tea brewed by you is always¡ª¡± He was about to say ¡°the best,¡± but the words wouldn¡¯t come out. It wasn¡¯t just his mouth¡ªhis entire body was paralyzed. He couldn¡¯t even move a finger. The only thing he could move were his eyes. Looking down, he saw shimmering rings of light binding his arms, legs, and torso. ¡®What... is this?¡¯ Hanul waited for Joo Hayun to help him. But something felt off. ¡°I reviewed the profiles of all the participants gathered by Hyukcheon¡¯s intel unit. None of them pose a real threat to you, Lord Hanul,¡± she said, completely unaware of his condition. In fact, no one else on the plane seemed to notice anything was wrong with Hanul. ¡°There is one potentially dangerous competitor, though¡ªa direct disciple of the Dragon Slayer. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard the name...¡± A bright flash blinded him. He couldn¡¯t see anything. The light lasted for a while. And when it finally faded, Hanul realized he was no longer on the plane. He was in an entirely different room¡ªlavishly decorated with red silk and ornate furnishings. He was seated in the center. ¡°What the hell is going on...?¡± His mouth moved. His body responded. Just as Hanul began to panic¡ª ¡°Oh my.¡± A familiar, though unwelcome voice rang out. He turned his head. A woman lay languidly across a long sofa. ¡°It¡¯s really nice to see you again.¡± Catalina Blaga. The moment he saw her face, every nerve in Hanul¡¯s body went on high alert. Instinctively, he summoned his Draconic Aura and tried to move away. But then, someone gripped his shoulder from behind. A crushing force of mana pinned him down. He was forced back into the chair. Looking up, he saw a man whose face was covered in scars. ¡°You stand before Lady Catalina Blaga. Do not act so rudely.¡± The energy radiating from the man wrapped tightly around Hanul. It felt similar to what he experienced when facing Kwon Myung-woo. This man, too, had reached the peak. ¡°Troy, don¡¯t be so rough. He¡¯s a very special guest,¡± Catalina said. At her words, the man immediately released Hanul¡¯s shoulder and bowed with one arm across his chest. Hanul rubbed his shoulder. It still ached from the brief grip. ¡°Catalina Blaga. What is the meaning of this?¡± ¡°Why so formal between us?¡± Catalina pouted slightly. ¡°You can call me Cassie. All my close friends do. Right, Troy?¡± Troy bowed again. Catalina responded with a gleaming smile. ¡°Cut the crap.¡± The curse slipped out on its own. Immediately, Troy radiated killing intent. The sheer malice from someone of his caliber felt like a weapon in itself. It tore at Hanul¡¯s skin like it was being flayed. Hanul gritted his teeth and endured it. Thankfully, he¡¯d experienced Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s killing intent before¡ªthis wasn¡¯t quite at that level. ¡°Tell me how you kidnapped me, why you did it, and where I am.¡± ¡°Oh my, it feels like I¡¯m being interrogated.¡± Catalina laughed, amused by the situation. ¡°Shall I start with how I did it? Explaining it fully would take all day, so I¡¯ll just summarize.¡± Her face lit up as she began, like a child excited to share a secret. ¡°First, we scattered members of the Blaga family all around the Hyukcheon circle. We can¡¯t control those within the family, but those around them? That¡¯s doable.¡± She grinned. ¡°Maybe you think there¡¯s not much to learn from those outside the inner circle. But gather enough scraps of info, and you start to see the bigger picture.¡± The Blaga family was famed for its information-gathering skills. Collecting and compiling data was their specialty. ¡°Thanks to that, we figured out exactly when the Little Dragon would leave and what route the flight would take. And that¡¯s when the operation began.¡± Catalina¡¯s lips curled into a deep smile. ¡°We waited in the airspace along the route and set up the relics. Want to guess what we used? One to locate the target, one to incapacitate, another to cast illusions on bystanders, and finally, one to transport you.¡± As she listed them off, she folded her fingers. ¡°They¡¯re all one-use, install-only relics¡ªvery tricky to use. But we had plenty of time to prepare.¡± The more she spoke, the more flushed her face became. ¡°All of them were insanely expensive. Put together, they could probably buy an entire city. No joke.¡± That¡¯s when Hanul realized why she was explaining everything so eagerly. She was boasting. About everything she¡¯d done just to get him. ¡°And why go this far?¡± He couldn¡¯t understand it. Catalina was known as a ¡°collector of humans,¡± but this seemed extreme¡ªeven for her. ¡°Because you have True Blood.¡± At her answer, Hanul¡¯s mind went blank for a moment. ¡°...How do you know that?¡± ¡°Your vice-chairman told me.¡± ¡°That lunatic...¡± Even hearing Kwon Hyuk¡¯s name didn¡¯t shock Hanul as much as it made him curse. No matter how much the man hated him, revealing that secret to another house was beyond insane. ¡°To possess the True Black Dragon bloodline... that¡¯s more than worth the effort, don¡¯t you think?¡± Catalina rose from the sofa. As she moved, a sweet scent drifted toward him, intensifying as she drew closer. ¡°You hate me now, but that¡¯s just temporary. Everyone does at first. But once they become mine, they say it¡¯s the happiest they¡¯ve ever been.¡± ¡°That¡¯s horrifying.¡± Catalina burst into laughter, then suddenly stopped and looked directly into Hanul¡¯s eyes. Her pupils glowed pink. She was using the power of the Vassal Bloodline ¡ªbut nothing happened. ¡°As expected, I can¡¯t control you. Is it because of the True Blood?¡± She reached out and lightly brushed the hem of his clothes. Hanul gave her a look of utter disgust. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about running. We¡¯re on a ship, and my Bloodbounds¡ªincluding Troy¡ªwill be watching you.¡± ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± ¡°To the Blaga family estate. There, I¡¯ll slowly make you mine.¡± She signaled to Troy. He clamped thick shackles around Hanul¡¯s wrists. ¡°These bind your mana. Don¡¯t bother trying to break them.¡± Catalina and Troy left the room. Hanul stood and walked to the window. As she said, all he could see was the ocean. Suddenly, the door burst open again. A man he¡¯d never seen before entered and scowled the moment he saw Hanul. ¡°I¡¯m Ben Blaga. I¡¯ve been ordered to watch over and serve you until we reach the estate.¡± His tone was far too rude for someone assigned to serve. ¡°I¡¯m a pureblood of the Blaga family and a knight by title.¡± Hearing that, Hanul raised an eyebrow. This man wasn¡¯t the type to serve anyone. ¡°Do you know why I told you my name, my rank, and my title? It¡¯s to remind you that if it weren¡¯t for Lady Catalina¡¯s orders, someone like you wouldn¡¯t even be worthy to look at me. Know your place.¡± He sure had a long-winded way of venting. ¡°I¡¯m Kwon Hanul. Direct bloodline of Hyukcheon and commander of the Darkshade Unit.¡± ¡°So what?¡± ¡°It means you should watch your mouth. You¡¯re in no position to speak so freely.¡± Ben Blaga let out a scoff. ¡°So you really have no idea what¡¯s happening to you. You¡¯re already Lady Catalina¡¯s Bloodbound.¡± ¡°Not yet, I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°But you will be.¡± Ben walked closer. ¡°There¡¯s one rule in the Blaga family¡ªour most important rule. All Bloodbounds must obey the bloodline. Even mixed-bloods.¡± Ben suddenly grabbed Hanul¡¯s head and shook it violently. ¡°In short, all blood bounds are beneath the bloodline. Even if you become Lady Catalina¡¯s blood bound, it¡¯s no different. Understand your place.¡± He shoved Hanul¡¯s head away and flopped down into a chair. ¡°If you want a quiet life in the Blaga household, you¡¯d better start doing what I say.¡± Ben pulled out a metal cigarette case from his pocket. He held a cigarette between his lips and barked, ¡°Now go get me an ashtray.¡± Hanul didn¡¯t move. Instead, he asked, ¡°Is it any good?¡± ¡°This? Of course. It¡¯s a premium custom order. Made from dungeon plants.¡± Ben took out a lighter, about to light the cigarette, when Hanul spoke again. ¡°I¡¯ve never smoked before, so I wouldn¡¯t know... Mind giving me one?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve never tried this? Seriously?¡± Ben readily offered the cigarette case. There was some distance between them. One of them would have to move to close it. ¡°What are you waiting for? Come get it.¡± Ben shook the case, urging him. But Hanul replied, ¡°You come here.¡± ¡°Tch. What a pain.¡± Ben got up and offered the case. Still, Hanul didn¡¯t take one. He simply held out two fingers. ¡°Put it here.¡± Ben sighed, pulled out a cigarette himself, and carefully placed it between Hanul¡¯s fingers. And suddenly, a strange awareness struck him. ¡®Why... am I doing what he says?¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s the point of handing it over if you don¡¯t light it?¡± Hanul flicked the cigarette as he spoke. In that moment, fury surged through Ben Blaga. ¡°How dare a blood bound give orders to a bloodline¡ª!¡± But as he was about to shout, their eyes met. Hanul¡¯s eyes, once black, were now glowing red. Ben froze, horrified. ¡°Vassal Bloodline? H-How...?!¡± ¡°Fire.¡± The instant Hanul said it, Ben¡¯s mind blanked. A massive wave crashed through his thoughts, wiping away every emotion, every rational impulse. He knelt down on the floor, hands trembling, and carefully lit the cigarette. Hanul took a slow drag, then frowned. ¡°Just tastes like smoke. Bring me an ashtray.¡± Ben jumped up, fumbling around the room. But there wasn¡¯t one. ¡°I said, bring it.¡± Hanul repeated. Ben, desperate, held out both palms. Hanul stubbed the cigarette out in his hand. ¡°Clean it up.¡± Ben stepped back, clenching the used cigarette. As soon as he left, Hanul rested his chin on his hand and muttered, ¡°Now... what to do next?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 122 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 122: The Blaga Family (2) The first thought that came to his mind was that he needed to escape¡ªfast. ¡®I¡¯m supposed to enter the Sky Arena. This is such a headache.¡¯ There was still some time left before the Sky Arena began, but not enough to take it easy. He couldn¡¯t remain stuck under Catalina Blaga¡¯s thumb forever. ¡°Hey.¡± Kwon Hanul called out to Ben Blaga, who stood nearby. Ben responded immediately. ¡°Yes sir, what is it?¡± ¡°Is there a way to escape this ship?¡± They were at sea, but with Hanul¡¯s abilities, running across the ocean to reach the mainland would be a trivial matter. ¡°There is not.¡± But Ben answered without hesitation. Hanul''s brows furrowed slightly. ¡°This isn¡¯t an ordinary ship. You¡¯re currently riding on the back of a monster controlled by Lady Catalina Blaga.¡± ¡°A monster?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a manta ray-shaped sea monster called Blue Eyes. It¡¯s classified as an S-rank creature¡ªhighly dangerous. Escaping its senses while at sea is impossible.¡± It was shocking enough that she had tamed a monster¡ªan S-rank one at that. If it were anyone but Catalina Blaga, Hanul would¡¯ve laughed and called it nonsense. ¡°Not only that, but there are two members of the Shadow Knights on board.¡± ¡°Shadow Knights?¡± ¡°An elite order composed of the strongest among Lady Catalina¡¯s blood-bound knights. Lord Troy is also a Shadow Knight.¡± Hanul recalled the overwhelming pressure Troy had exerted earlier. To think there was another like him on board. Escaping might not be an option after all. ¡®But still... I can¡¯t just walk into the Blaga Family¡¯s territory without a fight.¡¯ The Blagas, though not on par with the Hyukcheon Clan, were still a globally renowned noble family. Escaping from a place like that wouldn¡¯t be easy. Especially not under Catalina Blaga¡¯s watchful gaze. ¡®...Actually, maybe heading into their estate is the smarter move.¡¯ Lesser blood-bound are unable to defy higher bloodlines. Hanul¡¯s bloodline was True Blood, the highest class. Most of the Blaga family members would be unable to resist his commands. However, that didn¡¯t mean he could control all of them. With his current level, overpowering someone like Catalina Blaga was still out of reach. ¡®But if I think about it... as long as they¡¯re not on her level, I can control them.¡¯ That meant the majority of the Blaga family would be forced to obey him. Using them, he could find¡ªor even create¡ªa way to escape. One way or another. ¡®Alright. Plan¡¯s set.¡¯ He¡¯d go to the Blaga estate, take control of as many blood-bound as he could, and find an escape route. Then, he¡¯d expose Catalina Blaga¡¯s actions to the Hyukcheon Clan and head to the Sky Arena. Just as Hanul finished his thoughts¡ª The door swung open again. Another member of the Blaga family entered the room. ¡°Ben! What took you so long?¡± This time it wasn¡¯t a man¡ªit was a woman. Her expression turned curious when she saw Hanul. ¡°So you¡¯re the guy who¡¯s got Lady Catalina all worked up? You¡¯re younger than I expected.¡± Without warning, she grabbed Hanul¡¯s chin and examined his face closely. ¡°Not bad looking. But I don¡¯t get it. Lady Catalina¡¯s always liked men with a more mature charm...¡± ¡°You insolent brat!¡± Ben Blaga roared. The woman flinched and stepped back. ¡°What the hell?! Are you insane?! Why are you shouting?!¡± ¡°Do you even know who this man is?! How dare you act so rudely?! Get on your knees and apologize, now!¡° The woman scoffed in disbelief. ¡°Kneel? To some random blood-bound? Have you completely lost it?¡± ¡°You wretched¡ª!¡± Ben¡¯s face twisted in fury. But just then, Hanul raised his hand to stop him. ¡°There¡¯s no need to fight. You¡¯ll both be working for me from now on anyway.¡± ¡°What kind of nonsense¡ª?¡± Hanul turned to the woman and activated the power of his bloodline. The moment his power was invoked, her face turned hazy. Like someone possessed, she dropped to her knees before him. ¡°That was ridiculously easy.¡± So long as they weren¡¯t on Catalina Blaga¡¯s level, the Blaga family members couldn¡¯t even resist him¡ªlet alone defy him. No, obedience wasn¡¯t the right word. It was closer to complete subjugation. Just then: Hanul read through the system message carefully. Then, with mild amusement, he muttered, ¡°Oh?¡± * * * ¡°Kyaaah!¡± As soon as she stepped into her private quarters, Catalina Blaga threw herself onto the bed with a squeal of joy. Rolling around on the oversized king bed, she shrieked with glee. ¡°I finally brought Kwon Hanul here! He¡¯s here!!¡± After a long moment of wild celebration, Catalina finally settled down. She sat on the bed and gestured to Troy. ¡°Troy, could you get me a glass of water?¡± Troy, as if waiting for this very moment, handed her a glass of water. After draining it, she passed the glass back¡ªthen it happened. ¨CLady Catalina. A voice echoed from thin air. Catalina wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and replied, ¡°K. What is it?¡± ¨CThe Hyukcheon Intelligence Bureau is on the move. The illusion placed on Hanul¡¯s private jet appears to have been dispelled. ¡°Already? Even after using such an expensive artifact? Maybe it¡¯s because the Witch of Hyukcheon was on board?¡± Catalina didn¡¯t seem concerned. The illusion on the jet was only meant to buy enough time to capture Hanul. More time would¡¯ve been better¡ªbut this much was enough. ¡°You cleaned up the evidence, right?¡± ¨CYes. All artifacts were retrieved, the scene was destroyed, and the involved parties were ordered to commit suicide. ¡°That¡¯s my K. Excellent work.¡± ¨CStill, we¡¯re dealing with Hyukcheon. No matter how careful we are, they¡¯ll eventually trace it back. K sounded genuinely worried. Catalina smiled faintly. ¡°You worry too much. Is Hyukcheon really that scary?¡± No answer came, but none was needed. Even the fanatical Shadow Knights feared Hyukcheon¡¯s infamous reputation. ¡°We kidnapped a Trueblood. That¡¯s no small crime. Hoping Hyukcheon won¡¯t find out would be delusional.¡± She picked up a nut from the tray beside the bed. Crunch. It shattered between her teeth. ¨CAnd if Hyukcheon declares war...? ¡°Then we fight.¡± Her answer was casual, as if it were obvious. K let out a silent sigh. What he¡¯d hoped to hear was: Let¡¯s send Hanul back. But clearly, Catalina had no intention of giving him up. ¡°Once we arrive at the estate, what should I do first? How can I make Hanul my blood-bound?¡± Rather than giving up, she was plotting how to turn Hanul into hers. ¡°He beat Ferderance, so poison won¡¯t work. He¡¯s from the Hyukcheon Clan, so money won¡¯t tempt him. I guess it¡¯s gotta be woman-to-man, body-to-body... I¡¯ll just have to seduce him.¡± ¨C...I¡¯ll go monitor Hyukcheon¡¯s movements. ¡°Hey! At least answer me before you leave!¡± Catalina called out, but K had already vanished. Left with no one else, she turned to Troy. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°About what, my lady?¡± ¡°How do I make Kwon Hanul mine?¡± Troy¡¯s face turned grave. After a long pause, he answered. ¡°Perhaps beat him into submission?¡± Catalina''s face soured in disappointment. ¡°Why do I even bother asking you?¡± ¡°If you leave it to me, I¡¯ll ensure he suffers without damaging his bones¡ª¡± ¡°No, thank you.¡± She waved him off. ¡°What to do... This could work... That could work...¡± Catalina rolled across the bed, deep in thought. To make someone a blood-bound, their heart must completely yield to her. She could use illusions, bribes, or anything else¡ªas long as it got the job done. The problem was: Nothing worked on Hanul. ¡°If only he¡¯d just fall for me already.¡± Despite her words, her face was full of smiles. * * * Something felt wrong. Troy stared at his master, uneasy. This wasn¡¯t the first time Catalina Blaga had taken interest in a man. Every time she took a new blood-bound, she showered them with affection. But this time... was different. This wasn''t affection¡ªit was obsession. Troy couldn''t shake the feeling that Catalina was becoming enslaved by Hanul. ¡®Maybe I should inform the others...¡¯ Among Catalina¡¯s blood-bound, there was an unspoken rule. No one had officially declared it, but everyone followed it nonetheless. If Catalina became too attached to a particular blood-bound, the rest would intervene¡ªeven if it meant killing the object of her affection. Catalina never appreciated such actions¡ªbut neither did she punish them. Those who killed her favored blood-bound often became favorites themselves. ¡®Maybe she actually wants that.¡¯ Catalina Blaga was breathtakingly beautiful¡ªpossibly the most beautiful woman alive¡ªbut deeply twisted on the inside. Even her most loyal subordinates acknowledged it. She might find satisfaction in watching her blood-bound kill each other over her favor. And if that was the case, then this time as well¡ª ¡°Oh, right. I should make this clear ahead of time.¡± Catalina rose from the bed and stared directly at Troy. ¡°Do not touch Kwon Hanul.¡± The moment those words were spoken, Troy''s mind reeled. ¡°No matter what happens. No matter the circumstances. Never lay a finger on him. If you do, I won¡¯t forgive it.¡± Why? Why him, of all people? So many questions surged within¡ªbut loyalty as a blood-bound came first. ¡°Understood.¡± Troy knelt on the floor, bowing his head. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 123 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 123: The Blaga Family (3) The water in the kettle began to bubble and boil. Joo Hayun measured out an appropriate amount of tea leaves from a glass jar and added them to the pot. Then she opened the lid of another jar. ¡°One gram of dried mandrake leaves... and two moon-scented herb leaves...¡± Unusually, Joo Hayun didn¡¯t use just one type of tea leaf. She blended multiple kinds together. This was the reason why everyone who had tasted her tea sang its praises. For years, Joo Hayun had tasted all kinds of herbs¡ªboth toxic and medicinal¡ªexperimenting with combinations. Thanks to that dedication, she had discovered the perfect recipes for brewing exceptional tea. Once the tea had steeped thoroughly, she poured it into a teacup and stepped out of the kitchen. There were many people aboard the private aircraft. But without hesitation, Joo Hayun walked straight toward Kwon Hanul. He hadn''t noticed her approaching, deep in thought. ¡°What¡¯s got you so deep in thought?¡± she asked, setting down the teacup. Only then did Kwon Hanul realize Joo Hayun was standing right next to him. ¡°I was thinking about the Sky Arena.¡± ¡°With your level,Lord Kwon, there¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°Still, you never know.¡± He sounded genuinely concerned as he took a sip of the tea. His eyes widened instantly. ¡°Tea made by you always tastes¡ª¡± He paused mid-sentence. Even his movements froze. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± Something felt off. Just then, his voice returned. ¡°Tea made by you always tastes the best, Miss Hayun.¡± Joo Hayun smiled at the compliment. She had heard praise for her tea many times before, but hearing it from Kwon Hanul somehow felt different. ¡°I reviewed intel on the other participants, but none seemed to be a match for you, Lord Kwon.¡± Wishing to prolong the conversation, Joo Hayun brought up the information she had researched. ¡°There¡¯s only one truly dangerous participant¡ªapparently, a direct disciple of the Dragon Slayer will be joining. You¡¯ve probably heard of them too, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I have.¡± Dragon Slayer. A hunter who specialized in hunting draconic monsters. Their true identity was unknown, but they wielded a power that weakened dragon-type creatures. The troubling part was that this power also worked on the bloodline of Hyukcheon. ¡°You need to be thoroughly prepared, especially for the Dragon Slayer. No one else poses a real threat.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± ¡°If you¡¯d like, I can teach you how to counter them myself.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯d appreciate that.¡± Suddenly, Joo Hayun realized something. The conversation felt... off. Kwon Hanul was only giving short, one-line replies. The moment she sensed the incongruity, her instincts kicked in. She suddenly waved her hand¡ªbut it passed right through Kwon Hanul¡¯s head. A moment later, his entire body dispersed into smoke. Joo Hayun stood silently, staring at the now-empty space. ¡°...Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± By the time they realized, the ship had arrived at the Blaga family estate. * * * ¡°Little Dragon! We¡¯ve finally arrived!¡± As soon as they docked, Catalina Blaga grabbed Kwon Hanul¡¯s hand and dragged him outside. Only then did Kwon Hanul get a good look at the full form of the Blue Eyes, the creature they¡¯d been riding. ¡°It really does look just like a giant stingray.¡± It was his first time seeing an S-rank monster up close, and he wanted to examine it more. At that moment, music began to play. At first, he thought he misheard it. But as he turned his head, he realized he hadn''t. At the harbor where Blue Eyes had docked, a band dressed in red was playing instruments. Around them, dancers in matching red outfits performed, and from the rooftops, people were showering flower petals. It looked just like a festive celebration. ¡°¡ªLady Catalina Blaga!¡± The crowd cheered her name from all directions. She was being welcomed like a global superstar. ¡°Welcome to the Blaga Family!¡± Catalina Blaga spread her arms wide and shouted. ¡°That over there is our carriage.¡± A short distance away was a roofless open-air carriage. At the front wasn¡¯t a horse¡ªbut a monster that looked like an elephant. ¡°Shall we get going?¡± Catalina pulled Kwon Hanul along, and with no choice, he climbed into the carriage with her. Bwooo... The monster let out a strange sound as it started pulling the carriage. Kwon Hanul sat and looked around the Blaga estate. Like the Hyukcheon clan, the Blaga family possessed vast lands. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about this ever since I knew you were coming.¡± Catalina spoke as they traveled. Kwon Hanul responded bluntly. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you were thinking of letting me go.¡± ¡°Aha! You¡¯re so good at jokes.¡± He asked just in case¡ªbut of course, the answer was no. ¡°I was thinking about how I could win over Little Dragon. How I could make you mine. What you might like.¡± ¡°No matter what you try, it won¡¯t work.¡± ¡°I thought that too... but then I realized there¡¯s one thing that might work.¡± She reached out and lightly touched the hem of his jacket. ¡°You¡¯re wearing the clothes I sent you, aren¡¯t you?¡± That caught Kwon Hanul off guard. Just as she said, he was wearing the Blackriver Set. It looked like a formal suit¡ªperfect for everyday wear and highly functional. ¡°I understand. Any hunter would want high-quality gear. So...¡± The carriage came to a stop¡ªthey had arrived. Before them stood an ancient fortress. ¡°Take my hand.¡± Catalina stepped down first and extended her hand to him. It was the classic image of a man escorting a lady¡ªexcept their roles were reversed. Kwon Hanul stepped down without taking her hand. Catalina looked mildly disappointed. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s go inside.¡± She took the lead. The interior of the fortress was vast and immaculate despite its old exterior. ¡°This way.¡± Catalina practically danced down the corridor. She stopped in front of a massive door, grabbed it with both hands, and pushed it open with force. Kwon Hanul followed her inside. The room was a grand hall. Inside, dozens of glass cases were on display. He approached the nearest one. A glass lid atop a wooden pedestal. Inside was a massive obsidian crystal. ¡´Akrich¡¯s Life Vessel¡µ Quality: Legendary (SSS+) Description: The Life Vessel once owned by the legendary necromancer Akrich. Possession grants access to all of Akrich¡¯s knowledge. Kwon Hanul instinctively recoiled in shock. Akrich. One of the demons who nearly destroyed humanity in the early days of the dungeons. He was finally brought down after a joint strike by the Allied Forces¡ªat the cost of massive casualties. It was said no relics were recovered from the battle. ¡°...Why is this here?¡± Catalina smiled in response. ¡°If that surprises you, you¡¯re in for trouble. That¡¯s actually one of the least valuable items in my collection.¡± ¡°You¡¯re calling this a collection? Don¡¯t tell me...¡± Kwon Hanul looked around the hall in disbelief. Just then, Catalina wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. ¡°Little Dragon.¡± She held him tightly and whispered into his ear. ¡°Swear to be mine. If you do that...¡± Her voice dripped with heat, like molten honey. ¡°Everything here... No¡ªeverything that belongs to the Blaga family... I¡¯ll give it all to you.¡± * * * While Catalina was showing off her collection to Kwon Hanul... Troy was waiting outside the fortress for the two of them to come out. ¡°Mr. Troy!¡± A youthful voice called out. When Troy turned his head, he saw a short-haired girl approaching. ¡°Rabbit.¡± He greeted her, and she smiled shyly. ¡°What about your training? Why are you here?¡± ¡°I heard Lady Catalina Blaga was here, so I snuck away.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve just become a Shadow Knight, and you¡¯re already slacking off?¡± Rabbit stuck her tongue out. ¡°I saw it all. Lady Catalina took Little Dragon inside, didn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Troy¡¯s answer was brief. Rabbit stepped closer. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange? It¡¯s the first time Lady Catalina has brought one of her blood bounds into that place.¡± Indeed, Catalina Blaga had never taken anyone into that fortress before. Though she was generous to her blood bounds, there were certain boundaries she never allowed to be crossed. One of them was: Do not set foot inside that fortress. ¡°All the other blood bounds are in a frenzy. Everyone¡¯s saying her behavior toward the new guy is suspicious.¡± Catalina had been at the estate for less than an hour. Normally, that wouldn¡¯t be enough time for gossip to spread. But her blood bounds lived solely for her. They craved her affection and paid close attention to her every move¡ªso rumors traveled fast. ¡°He¡¯s a Trueblood. Naturally, she¡¯s paying more attention to someone that special.¡± ¡°Heh... Mr. Troy, don¡¯t play dumb.¡± Rabbit¡¯s smile vanished. ¡°That fortress holds relics used by the Blaga family¡¯s founder. That¡¯s why Lady Catalina has never let anyone inside.¡± Someone had now set foot in that forbidden place¡ªand she had taken him there herself. Of course the other blood bounds, including Rabbit, were on edge. ¡°Plenty of blood bounds think we can¡¯t let this go on. I¡¯m one of them.¡± ¡°Leave Kwon Hanul alone.¡± Troy¡¯s voice had a dangerous edge. Rabbit flinched. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? You used to be the one leading the charge.¡± ¡°Lady Catalina gave a direct order¡ªhe¡¯s not to be touched.¡± ¡°She... gave that kind of order?¡± He had slipped. Troy instantly regretted his mistake. He had tried to calm her down, but had instead poured oil on the fire. ¡°Then I really can¡¯t sit still anymore.¡± ¡°Rabbit. Are you planning to disobey Lady Catalina?¡± ¡°I could never. But still...¡± Her tongue slowly traced her lips. ¡°Watching Lady Catalina obsess over one man like this... I¡¯d rather kill him¡ªand die with him.¡± The blood bounds of Catalina Blaga were fiercely loyal. But there was one flaw: Their bond was built on lust and obsession. And sometimes, it twisted them. ¡°Don¡¯t try to stop me.¡± Rabbit turned away, adding, ¡°You know you couldn¡¯t, even if you tried.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 124 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 124: The Blaga Family (4) ¡°Ah~.¡± A massive hall filled with glass cases. A long sigh of disappointment echoed through the space. ¡°He rejected me.¡± Catalina Blaga looked genuinely baffled. Just moments ago, she hadn''t been alone¡ªthere had been someone else there with her. But now, she was by herself. ¡°I thought bringing him here would make him give in right away.¡± With a regretful expression, Catalina gently traced her finger along the glass case beside her. The relics stored here were a lifetime collection. Some of them were legendary artifacts that had appeared only once in the world before vanishing without a trace. Akrich''s Life Vessel, the Ten Thousand Echoes Fan, Amrita, the Storm Linker, and so on. To exaggerate only slightly: if even one of these artifacts were leaked to the outside world, half the planet might be drenched in blood. ¡°He couldn¡¯t possibly have failed to recognize their value.¡± Kwon Hanul was a top-tier hunter. There was no way someone like him wouldn''t sense the power these relics held. ¡°This won¡¯t be easy.¡± Catalina frowned, frustration clouding her expression. Among all the blood bounds she had subdued until now, none had ever been this difficult. ¡°What other methods are there?¡± Should she just ambush him in the dead of night? She was seriously entertaining the idea when a thought suddenly crossed her mind. ¡°...I don¡¯t remember feeling this way with the others.¡± Where had she felt this sensation before? Not recently. Not in the last few years. Not even decades ago. But somewhere deep in the past¡ªshe had definitely felt this before. ¡°Ah...¡± Abruptly, Catalina Blaga rose from her seat. She pulled back a dark purple curtain that covered one of the walls, revealing a hidden door. Before entering, she took a moment to fix her hair and straighten her clothes. Then, she opened the door. The room inside wasn¡¯t large. But with only one item placed within, it didn¡¯t feel cramped. A deep crimson cloak hung on the wall. Catalina pressed her face into the cloak with trembling hands and whispered, ¡°Founding Ancestor... I¡¯ve come to visit.¡± * * * After rejecting Catalina Blaga¡¯s offer, Kwon Hanul followed Troy to his new lodgings. They didn¡¯t speak a single word on the way there. Eventually, they stopped in front of a large mansion. ¡°You¡¯ll be staying here from now on.¡± It was much larger than the estate used by the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Even for a blood bound of Lady Catalina Blaga, it¡¯s rare to be given a place like this from the start. Be grateful.¡± ¡°How generous of you,¡± Kwon Hanul replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. Be grateful to his kidnapper? What a joke. ¡°Watch your mouth. If you badmouth Lady Blaga around here, you might end up as a corpse the next morning.¡± Troy glared at him, clearly displeased. ¡°If you¡¯re so worried, then how about taking these off first?¡± Hanul said, holding up his shackled wrists. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± ¡°Come on, don¡¯t be petty. Even without the cuffs, where would I run off to?¡± ¡°Lady Catalina warned me not to judge you by common sense. Said it¡¯d only get me into serious trouble.¡± ¡°So, no?¡± ¡°Obviously not.¡± Just then, the mansion doors opened and someone stepped outside. ¡°Troy! What are you doing out here?!¡± A young woman greeted them with a bright smile. Troy¡¯s face immediately hardened when he saw her. ¡°Rabbit? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Oh come on, didn¡¯t Lady Catalina say she needed someone to monitor the mansion? So I brought a few blood bounds I¡¯m close with and volunteered.¡± Kwon Hanul looked past Rabbit at the others with her. Their harsh expressions made it clear they didn¡¯t exactly hold him in high regard. ¡°Yes, she did say that but... of all people, you... already...¡± Rabbit gave Troy a curious look, and his voice trailed off. ¡°...Do as you please.¡± ¡°Thanks! Then starting now, I¡¯ll be Little Dragon¡¯s personal guide.¡± Rabbit stepped aside and pointed toward the mansion entrance. ¡°Well then, Little Dragon. Shall we head inside?¡± Rabbit gave Hanul a full tour of the mansion. To be honest, Hanul didn¡¯t hear a word of her explanations¡ªhe was too focused on Rabbit and the blood bounds with her. ¡®They¡¯re strong.¡¯ Even though his magical power was suppressed by the shackles, his senses remained sharp. ¡®At least three of them have stats at S-rank or higher.¡¯ They had the baseline qualifications of world-ranking hunters. ¡®And that woman... looks like she has all stats at S-rank.¡¯ Rabbit was the strongest among them. Hanul couldn¡¯t even guess the full extent of her abilities. ¡°What are you trying to figure out by measuring us?¡± Rabbit suddenly broke the silence. Hanul responded without hesitation. ¡°Just curious. I¡¯ve heard a lot about Catalina Blaga¡¯s blood bounds but wanted to see for myself.¡± ¡°And now that you¡¯ve seen us?¡± ¡°You¡¯re all impressive.¡± Hanul said it honestly. Rabbit laughed heartily. ¡°Well then, behave yourself. Don¡¯t even think about doing anything stupid.¡± Suddenly, Rabbit came to a stop. They were at the mansion¡¯s top floor. ¡°This is your room. Get some rest.¡± With that, Rabbit and the blood bounds disappeared. Hanul sat on the bed, gathering his thoughts. ¡°So, it won¡¯t work on high-level blood bounds.¡± He didn¡¯t even need to use the authority of the Vassal Bloodline to know it instinctively. His current bloodline wasn¡¯t strong enough to control them. If he wanted to dominate them, he would need a special method. ¡°This won¡¯t do.¡± Powerful presences were surrounding the mansion. Rabbit and her group were keeping watch. ¡°Catalina Blaga. She really does mean to imprison me.¡± If Hanul wanted to escape, he would first need to gain control of the mansion. A little freedom was the first step to planning her escape. ¡°A-A-Apologies, we¡¯re c-coming in now!¡± A voice stammered outside the door. It opened, and half a dozen attendants entered. They immediately threw themselves to the floor. ¡°B-B-Bath and m-meals have been p-prepared!¡± They were trembling with fear¡ªexcessively so. ¡°Hello,¡± Hanul greeted politely. But the attendants only pressed their bodies flatter to the floor. Hanul was taken aback. This wasn¡¯t like the Hyukcheon Clan, where attendants were treated as contracted employees. These ones acted more like slaves. ¡°Please, stand up.¡± No one lifted their heads. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You can get up.¡± ¡°S-S-Sorry!¡± One of the attendants finally spoke, voice shaking. ¡°In-In the Blaga family, w-we are not allowed to look the Master in the f-face. D-Doing so... is punished s-severely...¡± Hanul studied the attendant. A whip mark peeked out from under the collar. Not just one. All of them were hiding injuries beneath their clothes. ¡°So this is what it¡¯s like here.¡± The Blaga family possessed the Vassal Bloodline¡ªa lineage that granted control over people. And with that, came extreme social hierarchies. But this was a problem. If Hanul wanted to escape, he needed control. ¡°From this moment on, I am the master of this mansion. You will follow my orders.¡± He invoked the authority of his Truebloodline¡ªnarrowing its range to avoid being noticed by Catalina Blaga¡¯s nearby blood bounds. That alone was enough. The attendants immediately submitted to him. Messages floated in the air. To manifest the core of the Vassal Bloodline, one needed to form a following. But not just any group¡ªthose governed by the Bloodline¡¯s demands had to be dominated. ¡°Please... give us your orders.¡± Unlike blood bounds, civilians didn¡¯t just submit¡ªthey lost their sense of self entirely under the force of her True Bloodline. ¡°First, gather all the information you can about the Blaga family¡¯s organization and structure. Bring it to me by tomorrow.¡± Hanul issued his first order. That night, Hanul went to bed early. By the time the full moon was high in the sky, the door to his room creaked open. Several figures silently entered and surrounded his bed. Oddly, no sound accompanied their movements¡ªas if sound itself had been erased. One of them pulled out a needle, thin as a strand of hair. In a flash, they plunged it into Hanul¡¯s forehead. As it pierced his skin, the needle dissolved into poison. The attackers exchanged glances and began to step away. ¡°Going somewhere?¡± Hanul¡¯s voice froze them in place. He was already sitting up in bed. ¡°If you wake someone up in the middle of the night, the least you can do is apologize.¡± Kwon Hanul sat up in bed. One of the assailants, staring in disbelief, muttered under his breath. ¡°...How is he still alive?¡± ¡°Oh, you mean the poisoned needle?¡± Kwon Hanul ran a hand across his forehead. Just moments ago, the skin there had turned black from the poison¡ªbut now, it had returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. ¡°I guess I¡¯ve got a pretty sturdy body.¡± The assailants spread out, surrounding him. ¡°Fool. If you¡¯d just kept your mouth shut, you might¡¯ve lived until tomorrow.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a little too confident for someone who doesn¡¯t know what I¡¯m capable of.¡± At that, the assailants scoffed. ¡°And just how do you plan to fight us¡ªtied up in shackles?¡± Clink. With a dry metallic sound, the shackles binding Kwon Hanul¡¯s wrists dropped to the floor. They all stood frozen, eyes darting between the fallen cuffs and Kwon Hanul. ¡°...How did you do that?¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯m pretty smart, too.¡± Kwon Hanul glanced down and read the message that appeared before him: [Genius Bloodline analyzes the artifact¡¯s structure.] [Artifact¡¯s lock has been disengaged.] Finally freed from the cuffs that had been so suffocating, he started to flex his wrists. ¡°...Not that it matters,¡± one of the assailants¡ªno, one of the Bloodbound¡ªspat, eyes fixed on him. ¡°With your skills, you won¡¯t even be able to handle one of us.¡± ¡°So just die quietly.¡± ¡°At least we¡¯ll make it painless.¡± The Bloodbound took turns delivering their threats. This time, it was Kwon Hanul¡¯s turn to smile. ¡°Can¡¯t even handle one of you? Haven¡¯t you heard anything about me?¡± ¡°We have,¡± said the closest one. ¡°They say you killed Jose del Pablo and stood your ground against Mari?a Sa?nchez. Impressive, sure¡ªbut it all sounds a bit too exaggerated to be true.¡± ¡°Exaggerated?¡± Kwon Hanul echoed, a puzzled look on his face. ¡°You were supposed to compete in the Sky Arena, right? That means you must have three S-rank stats. But even with those, there''s no way someone at that level could take on Jose del Pablo and Mari?a Sa?nchez.¡± Just because something is true doesn¡¯t mean people will believe it. If anything, the more outrageous the truth, the less likely people are to accept it. These Bloodbound were convinced the rumors about Kwon Hanul were nothing but overblown hype. ¡°Just die quietly.¡± Each of them drew their weapons. Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue in disbelief. ¡°Man... This is so unfair, I might just have to raise my stats out of spite.¡± He smirked faintly. At that moment, one of the Bloodbound behind him lunged forward, pulling a dagger from his coat. A crimson aura slashed through the air, aiming straight for Kwon Hanul¡¯s throat. Just before the blade could land, Kwon Hanul moved¡ªhis hand snapped up and grabbed the attacker¡¯s wrist. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Willow-Strike Style: Sweeping Kick He yanked the Bloodbound¡¯s arm and slammed him into the ground. The man hit the floor hard, back-first. ¡°Guh!¡± Without pause, Kwon Hanul stomped down on his neck. The man¡¯s eyes bulged before rolling back. ¡°If you guys come at me like this, it actually makes things easier for me.¡± He had been wondering how to deal with the Bloodbound guarding the mansion. ¡°How about we make a deal?¡± The key to Bloodbound domination lies in getting the target to want to submit. You can persuade them with words. Bribe them with riches. Or simply beat them into submission¡ªit doesn¡¯t matter. ¡°From now on, the loser obeys the winner. Sound fair?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 125 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 125: Domination (1) ¡°Ughhhh...¡± Inside a dark room. Several people were sprawled across the floor, groaning in pain as they clutched their abdomens. ¡°Aaaaagh!¡± A sharp scream pierced through the air. At the center of the room, someone was howling as their face was being gripped tightly. ¡°You said you¡¯d kill me, but you¡¯re all worthless.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke with disdain as he tightened his grip. The scream grew louder. ¡°Stop! Please, stop!¡± ¡°Then swear your obedience.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice was dry. He wasn¡¯t doing this because he enjoyed torture. This man had stronger mental resistance than expected, so the Vassal Bloodline couldn¡¯t fully subjugate him. Pain was simply a means to that end. ¡°Gaaah!¡± Just as the scream reached its peak¡ª Only then did Kwon Hanul release the man¡¯s head, and the man¡¯s body collapsed in exhaustion. ¡°Stand.¡± At his command, not only the man, but the other subjugated ones slowly rose to their feet. Moments ago, their faces had been twisted with lust for Catalina Blaga¡ªnow, they were consumed with longing for Kwon Hanul. ¡®It¡¯s my own power, and even I find it creepy.¡¯ To be able to manipulate human emotions so easily¡ªan ability both terrifying and chilling. ¡°As your master, I¡¯ll give you your first command.¡± The servants straightened up at his words. Given that they had conspired to assassinate him, these were undoubtedly high-ranking subordinates of Catalina Blaga. Now that he had them under his control, Kwon Hanul¡¯s reach had extended considerably. But deciding how to use them could wait. He had a more immediate task in mind. ¡°Start by cleaning this room.¡± He gestured at the battlefield of a room, wrecked from the earlier fight. The servants immediately got to work. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the room to them...¡± He turned his gaze out the window. One massive energy still lingered. ¡°Guess I better go finish the job.¡± Kwon Hanul flung the window open and leapt outside. As he landed, the source of that powerful energy became clear. ¡°...Ah, so they failed.¡± Rabbit. She looked troubled. ¡°You should¡¯ve just died quietly. That would¡¯ve been easier for both of us.¡± Rabbit tapped the ground lightly with the tip of her foot. With each tap, the earth started to sink deeper. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. If you kill me, do you really think Catalina Blaga will just let it slide?¡± ¡°You must be new here. Do you know how often servants kill each other? Especially those under Lady Catalina.¡± Rabbit¡¯s feet never stopped moving. Tap tap¡ªthe irritating sound continued. ¡°And Lady Catalina doesn¡¯t even bother to stop it. If anything, it¡¯s practically a regular ritual. The old guard proves their love for her again, and the new ones prove they''re worthy to receive it.¡± Kwon Hanul found this bizarre. The insanity of such a ritual aside, there was something else he couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°I¡¯m a Trueblood. Basically a rare collector¡¯s item. You really think Catalina Blaga will just let me die?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªmaybe she won¡¯t. But that¡¯s fine.¡± Rabbit¡¯s tapping stopped. She no longer dug into the ground. ¡°Even if Lady Catalina is furious because of this, even if she comes to hate all of us, even if she orders us to kill ourselves¡ªit doesn¡¯t matter.¡± The mischief in Rabbit¡¯s voice vanished, replaced by a peculiar kind of madness. ¡°Because it¡¯s better than losing her favor.¡± She was ready to kill Kwon Hanul and die with him. Absolutely insane. ¡°We haven¡¯t properly introduced ourselves, have we? I¡¯m Rabbit, a Shadow Knight.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s interest was piqued. Shadow Knights¡ªthe elite order made up solely of Catalina Blaga¡¯s strongest servants. ¡°You don¡¯t look that strong.¡± ¡°You¡¯re comparing me to Troy, right? Well, he¡¯s been in the order for years¡ªI just joined.¡± So not all members of the Shadow Knights were at Troy¡¯s level. ¡°You¡¯re thinking you might stand a chance, huh?¡± A fierce grin spread across Rabbit¡¯s face, her gleaming white teeth almost eerie. Kwon Hanul shrugged. ¡°Yeah.¡± Rabbit scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll shatter that delusion for you.¡± She wedged her feet into the ground and bent her knees. In that moment, her leg muscles swelled massively, tearing through her clothing. Then¡ªboom!¡ªshe launched herself like a bullet. Her speed was incredible¡ªfast enough to momentarily vanish from sight. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Basic Form Defensive Strike Style ¨C Talon Angle Kwon Hanul moved on instinct, raising his elbow to block above. A crushing blow slammed down from above, collapsing the ground beneath his feet. Rabbit retreated quickly, blinking in surprise. ¡°You blocked that?¡± She tilted her head, clearly intrigued. Kwon Hanul flexed his arm where he¡¯d taken the blow. ¡°So you have a Gift.¡± He said it with certainty. That speed surpassed what both Shura Bloodline and Genius Blood could achieve. And instead of charging directly, she struck from above¡ªan unexpected variable. ¡°Yup.¡± Rabbit began bouncing on her feet. Shockingly, the ground rippled like water. ¡°Wherever I stand gains elasticity. For me, the world¡¯s one giant trampoline.¡± Now her earlier attack made sense. She¡¯d enhanced her charge with her Gift, and then used it again mid-flight to rebound into the air. So this is what it meant when people said a Gift was more than just talent¡ªit defied logic. ¡°You weren¡¯t just bluffing about being a Shadow Knight.¡± ¡°Bluffing? That¡¯s rude.¡± Rabbit leapt lightly, hovering in midair. And she didn¡¯t fall. Her feet bounced off the air itself. ¡°My Gift applies to the air too, not just the ground.¡± What a headache. Kwon Hanul studied her carefully. Based on that earlier clash, Rabbit had clearly specialized in kinetic burst attacks. And now, she could spring off thin air. Her attacks could come from anywhere. ¡°Here I come!¡± Rabbit pushed off the air and soared toward Kwon Hanul. Each bounce increased her speed. Rabbit darted through the air, searching for an opening. She wanted to overpower him with pure speed¡ªbut her experience warned her otherwise. The fact that he blocked her first strike meant this man was no pushover. So it wasn¡¯t a lie¡ªhe really did hold out against Maria Sanchez. Like the others, Rabbit had assumed the rumors about Kwon Hanul were exaggerated. But Maria Sanchez... She was a terrifying figure. A bloodline scion backed by the full might of the Sanchez family¡ªand the youngest ever to join the Pandemonium Council. Rabbit wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against her. Not win¡ªnot even survive. ¡®Trying to read my movements? Not gonna work.¡¯ Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes flicked rapidly, but not fast enough to track Rabbit¡¯s speed. She pushed off the air again and moved behind him. ¡®Now!¡¯ She enveloped her legs in aura and charged straight for his waist. She would split him clean in two. Just then, Kwon Hanul murmured: ¡°You¡¯re fast.¡± Rabbit ignored it. Landing this strike was all that mattered. ¡°...But now that I think about it¡ªwhy bother chasing you?¡± She saw it¡ªthe red glow in his eyes. And in an instant, the entire world turned crimson. Rabbit¡¯s body lost all momentum and collapsed. ¡°Wh-what is this...?¡± She tried to stand, but the ground turned gelatinous, swallowing her legs. She stumbled and fell. ¡°W-what the hell is happening...?¡± Everything had turned to jelly. She couldn¡¯t get her footing. She flailed helplessly. ¡°S-someone... help...¡± The jelly surged in from all directions. It was suffocating. Rabbit thrashed to survive¡ª Then snapped back to her senses. The red world vanished. The jelly returned to solid earth. She was lying on the dirt. ¡°H-how...?¡± She scrambled up¡ªonly to see Kwon Hanul standing before her. ¡°I only used it for a minute. Pretty effective, huh?¡± He looked down at her. Rabbit didn¡¯t understand what he meant¡ªbut that didn¡¯t matter now. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± She sprang up and kicked at his head, putting everything into it. But his punch, shrouded in Dragon Aura, was faster. It smashed into her face. Kwon Hanul dusted off his fists and looked down. Rabbit lay at his feet, her face bloodied. ¡°That was easy.¡± What he¡¯d just used was a power of the Vassal Bloodline¡ªIllusory Realm. A power that showed illusions. This was his first time using it¡ªand its effect was overwhelming. He reached out to dominate Rabbit. In that moment, she suddenly grabbed his wrist. ¡°Kwon... Hanul...¡± Her eyes burned with hatred. ¡°Of all people... you... can¡¯t... be given to Lady Catalina...¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand...! You¡¯ll have all her love from now on!¡± Her voice trembled with anger and tears. ¡°Do you know how painful it is... to watch her cherish someone else...?¡± ¡°...What are you even saying?¡± Kwon Hanul brushed her hand away, annoyed. ¡°Look, I wasn¡¯t going to say this, but¡ªI don¡¯t care about that attention.¡± Rabbit¡¯s face went blank for a moment. ¡°W-what...?¡± ¡°You guys are the ones obsessed with that woman. To me, she¡¯s just a damn nuisance getting in my way.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t insult Lady Catalina!¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s face twisted in irritation. These servants were all out of their minds. ¡°You don¡¯t understand! She¡¯s so mercif¡ª¡± He grabbed her face. ¡°And I don¡¯t want to.¡± He activated the Vassal Bloodline. Then¡ª ¡°Oh?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes widened slightly. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 126 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 126: Domination (2) When is the happiest time of day? If someone asked her that, Catalina Blaga could answer without a moment¡¯s hesitation: right now. ¡°Mm~¡± She stretched as she soaked in a large tub. The water, set to her exact preferred temperature, had been infused with a special blend of fragrant oils. Just sitting in it melted away the fatigue from her entire body, leaving her skin glowing. ¡°You may begin.¡± At her gesture, the young, handsome men standing beside the tub approached. They began massaging her body. As she relaxed under their touch, Catalina closed her eyes. Her face appeared serene¡ªbut her mind was far from it. No matter how she turned it over, she couldn¡¯t figure out how to turn Kwon Hanul into her blood bound. ¡°Should I just pounce on him tonight?¡± The thought escaped her lips without her realizing it. The young men paused, startled. ¡°Oh, pay it no mind. Continue.¡± She soothed them gently, and their hands resumed. Just then¡ª ¡°Lady Catalina. A call is coming in.¡± A servant entered the bath chamber with a phone in hand. Catalina frowned slightly. ¡°Whoever it is, just hang up.¡± She didn¡¯t want anyone ruining her moment of bliss and gave the order without asking who it was. But the servant didn¡¯t leave. ¡°I said, hang up.¡± ¡°It¡¯s... the Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group.¡± Her eyes flew open. Catalina dismissed the attendants and took a moment to compose herself before accepting the phone. ¡°Oh my, Chairman. What brings you to call at this hour?¡± ¡ªExactly. I don¡¯t enjoy having to hear your voice this late at night. His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. Though his words were harsh, Catalina wasn¡¯t surprised¡ªKwon Seonwoo always talked to her that way. Still, something felt off. Has he already found out about Kwon Hanul? Or was this about something else? ¡ªLet¡¯s keep this short. I don¡¯t want to waste time on the likes of you. ¡°Ask me anything. As long as I can answer...¡± ¡ªKwon Hanul. Her smile stiffened. ¡ªYou took him, didn¡¯t you? So he found out. She¡¯d tried to erase all traces, but it seemed that fooling Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence unit was impossible. Still¡ªthat was fast. Their agents were good, but pinpointing her family in under a day? ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re implying.¡± Even knowing it was pointless, Catalina played dumb. ¡°The Little Dragon was kidnapped? Where did this happen? How could such a thing¡ª?¡± ¡ªWe found remnants of ancient artifacts at the scene. Every one of them worth a fortune. There¡¯s only one lunatic who¡¯d waste priceless relics just to kidnap someone¡ªand that¡¯s you. Well, he had a point. Catalina found herself nodding unconsciously. ¡°I really don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. If you suspect me, bring me some proof.¡± ¡ªI don¡¯t have any. A smile crept onto her lips. She¡¯d destroyed the site thoroughly. There was no way he had any evidence. ¡°My, my... The Chairman of the mighty Hyukcheon Group, accusing me without proof? I know you dislike me, but this is too much.¡± She feigned tears. A low laugh rumbled from the other side of the phone. A guttural, animalistic sound¡ªlike a beast growling. ¡ªYou think telling me to bring evidence is going to work? Don¡¯t be stupid. ¡°Oh dear, are you planning to oppress me without even¡ª?¡± ¡ªCatalina Blaga. I¡¯ll say this only once, so listen closely. She rolled her eyes. Let me guess¡ªif I don¡¯t return Kwon Hanul, you¡¯ll come after me? ¡ªFrom this moment, I declare war on the Blaga family. For a moment, her mind went blank. Even Catalina was taken aback by the absurdity. ¡°...What?¡± ¡ªIn 12 hours, Hyukcheon will destroy everything the Blaga family owns. Her lips twitched. ¡°Declaring war without evidence? The world will turn against you.¡± ¡ªWe¡¯ll crush you first. We can deal with the fallout later. Ha. Catalina let out a disbelieving laugh. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± ¡ªStart digging your grave, you wretched girl. The call ended abruptly. She stared at the phone and laughed for a long time. Catalina had lived a long life¡ªand knew the Hyukcheon family fairly well. ¡°They were crazy, sure... but not this crazy.¡± They were maniacs, yes¡ªbut rational maniacs. To declare war without evidence? That wasn¡¯t like them. Was it because of the True Bloodline? Or... was it because it was Hanul? Catalina shook her head. Now wasn¡¯t the time to be pondering that. ¡°...We¡¯ll have to play every card we¡¯ve got.¡± The Hyukcheon Group. A corporate juggernaut that dominated the globe and was called the strongest guild in East Asia. Some even considered it the most powerful in the world. To go against them meant Catalina had to be ready to lose everything. Her entire family might be annihilated. ¡°I should visit our allied families first¡ª¡± And then she sensed it. ¡°...What the¡ª?¡± She felt a massive clash of energy in the direction of Kwon Hanul. No way... She sprang to her feet, blasting the water off her body with mana. Throwing on a robe, she dashed out. ¡°Lady Catalina?¡± Troy, who had been waiting outside, looked stunned. But there was no time to explain. Catalina kicked off the ground and ran toward Hanul¡ªon foot. And when she arrived, she saw it. Kwon Hanul, standing perfectly fine. Rabbit, unconscious at his feet. Catalina glanced between them. It took her a moment to process the situation. ¡°...Troy.¡± Her voice was eerily calm, which made it even more chilling. ¡°What did I tell you? Didn¡¯t I order you to warn the blood bounds not to touch the Little Dragon?¡± Cold sweat ran down Troy¡¯s cheek. He had plenty of excuses¡ªhe didn¡¯t know, Rabbit acted alone, etc.¡ª But he knew none of them would matter. Because in the end, Catalina¡¯s orders had been defied. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡± ¡°...I apologize.¡± ¡°You think an apology will fix this?¡± Her eyes flared red. The killing intent in her gaze felt like it was peeling Troy¡¯s skin. ¡°Find the instigator. The accomplices. And those who heard but didn¡¯t report it.¡± Troy flinched at the last part. ¡°Bring them all to me. Now.¡± Troy clenched his eyes shut. He didn¡¯t know what punishment awaited¡ªbut survival seemed unlikely. That¡¯s when¡ª ¡°What¡¯s all this fuss about?¡± It was Kwon Hanul, who had stayed silent until now. Catalina immediately approached. ¡°Little Dragon, you must be shaken. Are you hurt¡ª?¡± ¡°No, I asked you a question.¡± He stepped back, creating distance. ¡°What¡¯s with all this chaos?¡± ¡°Well, of course, the blood bounds who attacked you must be punished¡ª¡± ¡°Attacked me?¡± Hanul looked genuinely puzzled. ¡°We were just sparring.¡± Catalina scowled at the unexpected answer. ¡°Little Dragon... if they threatened you, you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll protect¡ª¡± ¡°She said she was a Shadow Knight. I asked her myself.¡± He nudged Rabbit with his foot. ¡°Hey. Wake up.¡± Rabbit groaned and clutched her head. ¡°Ow... So unfair. We agreed to spar, but she hit way too hard.¡± Then she saw Catalina¡ªand yelped. ¡°L-Lady Catalina!¡± Catalina narrowed her eyes. ¡°Rabbit... What exactly were you doing with the Little Dragon?¡± ¡°He said he wanted to spar for a bit... I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Y-Yes?¡± She looked genuinely confused. Catalina¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Even if you were sparring, causing that kind of disturbance¡ª¡± She still couldn¡¯t shake her doubt. But with Hanul himself claiming nothing happened, what could she do? ¡°...It really was just a sparring match?¡± ¡°Told you already.¡± Hanul sounded irritated now. Fearing she might provoke him further, Catalina backed down. ¡°...Fine.¡± She had no choice but to retreat. * * * ¡°That was close.¡± Only after Catalina had left could Kwon Hanul breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°If I¡¯d asked for the blood bounds to be replaced, that would¡¯ve been bad.¡± He hadn¡¯t protected Rabbit and the others out of sympathy. He had gone to the trouble of dominating them. Losing them now would¡¯ve been a huge setback. ¡°Rabbit.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She bowed low. Usually cheerful and flighty, she now treated Hanul with full deference. ¡°Investigate the Blaga family¡¯s structure and organization. I want a full report.¡± He gave similar instructions to the others. ¡°The rest of you¡ªpretend you¡¯re still watching me like before. Make it convincing. No one can suspect a thing.¡± They all responded affirmatively. ¡°Then go.¡± The blood bounds dispersed. Once they were gone, Hanul examined the new Authority he¡¯d gained. [Phantom Ring] Description: Deceives targets using sound. Though it can¡¯t create large-scale or intense illusions, it can subtly deceive the senses without detection. Effects last a long time. ¡°Not bad.¡± His earlier illusion Authority had been too flashy. But this one? Perfect for acting covertly within the Blaga family. No one would know. That within the Blaga family, a new power was quietly rising. ¡°A good start.¡± A smile crept across Kwon Hanul¡¯s lips. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 127 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 127: Invisible Cracks (1) ¡°Something¡¯s off.¡± The next morning, Catalina Blaga sat on her bed, deep in thought. She couldn¡¯t shake off what had happened the night before. ¡°No matter how I look at it, it feels like my blood bounds attacked Little Dragon...¡± But she couldn¡¯t blindly accuse them. If that were truly the case, Kwon Hanul wouldn¡¯t have tried to protect them. Besides, even Rabbit¡¯s reaction made Catalina hesitate. There was no way Rabbit would have sided with Kwon Hanul so naturally unless they had actually sparred. All signs pointed to Kwon Hanul telling the truth. Still, Catalina just couldn¡¯t let go of her suspicions. Then suddenly, she realized something. ¡°...The shackle.¡± The shackle she had placed on Kwon Hanul¡¯s wrist had been undone. She had been too shaken at the time to notice. ¡°How did he get it off?¡± Catalina had the only key to unlock that shackle. Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t remove it even if he died trying. ¡°...Troy?¡± She called softly, and Troy entered the room. ¡°Yes, my lady?¡± ¡°You know how deeply disappointed I was last night, don¡¯t you?¡± Troy fell to the floor, bowing his head so hard it shook the ground. ¡°I apologize, my lady.¡± Catalina looked down at him coldly before speaking. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a chance to make it up to me. Go and keep an eye on Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°Thank you for trusting me once more.¡± ¡°And keep watch on the other blood bounds in the estate, too.¡± ¡°...Pardon?¡± Troy looked confused. Catalina¡¯s voice turned sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t ask questions. Just do as you¡¯re told.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Troy left the room. Once he was gone, Catalina brushed her lips thoughtfully. ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing... but you never know.¡± Just as she murmured those words, a knock came at the door. ¡°My lady, someone from the Council of Elders has arrived.¡± Catalina didn¡¯t seem surprised. She had been expecting this. ¡°They said they have questions about Hyukcheon¡¯s declaration of war.¡± * * * Later that day. ¡°Starting today, I¡¯ll be part of the surveillance unit.¡± Kwon Hanul was already dealing with an unwelcome visitor by morning. ¡°Who gave that order?¡± ¡°Lady Catalina Blaga.¡± Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue at that. Troy¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°Did you just click your tongue at me?¡± ¡°Oh, no. You must¡¯ve misheard.¡± Kwon Hanul quickly denied it. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching you at all times. So don¡¯t even think about trying anything.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Kwon Hanul replied simply and waited for Troy to leave. But no matter how long he waited, Troy made no move to exit. ¡°Uh... excuse me?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t you leaving?¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± The two exchanged puzzled looks. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously planning to stay in this room, are you?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s what I thought.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m supposed to follow you. So if you leave the room, then I¡¯ll leave too.¡± A chill ran down Kwon Hanul¡¯s spine. Was Troy actually serious about what he said earlier? ¡°Even if it¡¯s an order, don¡¯t you think this is a bit much?¡± ¡°This is the final chance Lady Catalina gave me. I intend to see it through.¡± Troy¡¯s eyes gleamed with fierce determination. Kwon Hanul felt a headache coming on. Just then¡ª ¡°Mr. Troy!¡± The door slammed open and Rabbit burst in, clinging to Troy¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re on the surveillance team now? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°It was decided this morning. I didn¡¯t have time to tell you.¡± ¡°Well, this is perfect! Now I can ask you all sorts of things.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here to teach you¡ªI¡¯m supposed to watch Kwon Hanul¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, hush! Come on already! If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll get mad.¡± Rabbit pulled on him without a care. Despite his troubled expression, Troy reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged away. ¡°It¡¯ll just be a moment.¡± ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Before heading out, Rabbit gave Kwon Hanul a wink. As soon as they left, another blood bound entered the room. ¡°My lord.¡± The blood bound bowed and handed over the documents they had investigated¡ªdetails of the Blaga family¡¯s structure and hierarchy, just as Kwon Hanul had requested the day before. He scanned the papers quickly. ¡°So we¡¯re in the Philippines...¡± The Blaga family owned an entire island among the many scattered across the Philippines. No wonder no one had known their exact location until now. ¡°I thought the Blaga family originated in Europe. Why did they relocate to the Philippines?¡± He was curious, but now wasn¡¯t the time to ponder. ¡°Escaping won¡¯t be easy.¡± Not just because of the island¡¯s geography¡ªbut also due to the monsters guarding it. The Blaga family used monsters under their control, powered by Vassal Bloodline, as security forces. Their ranks ranged from gold to dire-tier. These monsters had sharper senses than any hunter. Sneaking past them would be impossible. ¡°If it¡¯s a fight, I could crush a few...¡± But once detected, the Blaga blood bounds would immediately move in. If someone like Troy¡ªa Shadow Knight¡ªstepped in, even Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t confident he could win. ¡°If escaping isn¡¯t an option... maybe I should walk out boldly.¡± The Blaga family produced their own food and goods using slave labor¡ªlargely self-sufficient. But they still relied on occasional shipments from outside for essential supplies. ¡°A cargo ship visits the island once a month.¡± And the next one was scheduled to arrive in just two days. Since the ship came and went regularly, it might be possible to sneak aboard and escape unnoticed by the monsters. ¡°First, I need to find a way to board the ship. Then I just need to stay hidden until it departs...¡± Finding a boarding route wouldn¡¯t be too hard. The real issue was staying hidden. With Troy watching his every move, hiding until departure was practically impossible. ¡°Maybe I can use Illusory Chime...¡± Illusory Chime. A power that creates illusions using soundwaves. Subtle and long-lasting, even the target doesn¡¯t realize they¡¯re under its influence. Originally, Kwon Hanul had planned to use this ability to remain undetected until the ship left¡ª ¡°I¡¯ll leave before Troy returns.¡± ¡°Oh, wait a moment.¡± He stopped the blood bound who was about to leave. He cast Illusory Chime on the blood bound to render himself invisible. ¡°How do I look to you?¡± ¡°I can see you, my lord...¡± The blood bound looked confused, as if wondering why he¡¯d ask something so obvious. Kwon Hanul sighed. ¡°If the target has even a bit of resistance, Illusory Chime won¡¯t work.¡± It was effective on ordinary servants¡ªbut not on blood bounds. The Authority of Vassal Bloodline was full of restrictions. In fact, it wasn¡¯t just Vassal Bloodline. All illusion-type skills used by hunters had finicky requirements. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll need another approach.¡± Suddenly¡ª His head buzzed like it had been struck by lightning. He let out a groan and clutched his skull. ¡°M-My lord?!¡± The blood bound rushed to support him, but he held out a hand to show he was okay. ¡°Ugh.¡± The pain eased slightly but still lingered. And then, new messages appeared. <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ resonates with ¡®Vassal Bloodline.¡¯> The world began to shift into vibrant colors. The bed, the desk, even the lamp¡¯s light began to swirl like paint. ¡°My lord...?¡± The blood bound¡¯s body glowed with dynamic hues. Unlike objects that only had one color, the blood bound¡¯s aura swirled with many¡ªred, blue, and sometimes even three colors at once. And instinctively, Kwon Hanul understood what they meant. He cast it again¡ªthis time focusing on the blue aura around the blood bound¡¯s head. Instantly, the blood bound¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°M-My lord? Where did you go?!¡± He looked around in confusion. He really couldn¡¯t see Kwon Hanul. While the blood bound panicked, a quiet smile spread across Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°Now this... might just be useful.¡± * * * Catalina Blaga made her way to a cathedral located at the outskirts of the Blaga estate. Inside was a round bronze table. Seven people were already seated around it. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see all seven elders gathered here.¡± She sat in the last open seat. ¡°Welcome.¡± A middle-aged man with a mustache greeted her. Though he looked much older than Catalina, he spoke with deference. ¡°Simon. You look even more dashing than I remembered.¡± ¡°You flatter me. But you, Lady Catalina, are as dazzling as ever.¡± Despite the compliments, Simon¡¯s face was anything but pleasant. And it wasn¡¯t just him. Every elder wore the same grim expression. ¡°Lady Catalina, let¡¯s skip the pleasantries and get to the point.¡± ¡°No need to beat around the bush. You all summoned me because of the Hyukcheon Clan, didn¡¯t you?¡± Catalina crossed her arms in displeasure. ¡°Why are you all so frightened? At this rate, the Blaga name will be a joke.¡± ¡°Lady Catalina... is this really the time for such words?¡± Simon rubbed his forehead in frustration. ¡°We¡¯re dealing with the Hyukcheon Clan. The same monsters who wiped out the Mei family overnight have now declared war on us.¡± ¡°Simon. Don¡¯t you dare lecture me. I know exactly what I¡¯m saying.¡± Bang. One of the elders slammed the table and stood up. ¡°You know? And yet you kidnapped a member of the Hyukcheon bloodline? What were you thinking?!¡± As one elder exploded, the others followed suit¡ªraising their voices in a chorus of condemnation. ¡°Return the man immediately!¡± ¡°He¡¯s right! We need to appease Hyukcheon at all costs¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Catalina released her aura. A terrifying pressure silenced the room instantly. They had all been so stunned by the name Hyukcheon that they¡¯d momentarily forgotten¡ª Who truly held power in the Blaga family. ¡°I have no intention of returning Kwon Hanul.¡± The elders¡¯ faces turned pale with despair. But Catalina didn¡¯t care. ¡°Hyukcheon, huh? Let them come, if they dare.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 128 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 128: Invisible Cracks (2) ¡°I¡¯ll stand against Hyukcheon.¡± Catalina Blaga¡¯s declaration left the elders speechless. Alongside their shock, a single question echoed in all their minds: Why is she so obsessed with Kwon Hanul? The Blaga bloodline was always known for being possessive. Catalina Blaga, in particular, was even more so. But she had always been someone who knew restraint. She wasn''t the type to risk war with Hyukcheon over just one man. Regardless, this couldn¡¯t be ignored. Waging war against Hyukcheon would be tantamount to suicide. All eyes turned to Simon Blaga. He was the only one present who might be able to persuade Catalina Blaga. ¡°Lady Catalina...¡± Simon had long since noticed the elders'' expectant gazes. ¡°As a blood relative of House Blaga myself, I understand just how difficult it is to let go of a treasure once it¡¯s in your grasp.¡± He spoke in a calm, composed tone. Catalina listened silently. ¡°But waging war against Hyukcheon is not an option for House Blaga.¡± They were never a martial family. Their power was sustained entirely through information and influence. ¡°We might be able to muster a force that could rival them by mobilizing all our connections. But even then, we wouldn¡¯t last long.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already said this. I¡¯m not sending Kwon Hanul back.¡± ¡°What if I had a way to stop the war and keep Kwon Hanul?¡± Catalina¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°That¡¯s even possible?¡± ¡°You seem to have forgotten who we are and how we¡¯ve lived.¡± House Blaga. A bloodline that survived by using the Vassal Bloodline¡ªto beguile humans, beasts, and monsters alike. ¡°We dominate Kwon Hanul, then send him back to Hyukcheon. Convince Kwon Seonwoo to stand down and, when the time is right, summon Kwon Hanul back.¡± Catalina¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°If that were possible, don¡¯t you think I¡¯d have done it already? Kwon Hanul is¡ª¡± ¡°I know. Your charm doesn¡¯t work on him, does it?¡± She clicked her tongue. Clearly frustrated and ashamed at her failure to seduce him. ¡°But just because your charm didn¡¯t work doesn¡¯t mean ours won¡¯t.¡± Simon placed a hand over his chest. ¡°If we leverage my humiliation, the other elders¡¯ pain and delusions, we might be able to break Kwon Hanul¡¯s mental defenses and take control.¡± He continued, ¡°Even if we can¡¯t dominate him completely, we can at least rattle him. Wouldn¡¯t that make it easier for you to take over?¡± Catalina didn¡¯t reply. Her displeasure at letting the other elders interfere with Kwon Hanul was evident. ¡°...Fine.¡± But in the end, she gave in. ¡°Enough.¡± As he was being dragged around by Rabbit, listening to a neat summary of the war between rabbits and the Australian military in the 1850s, Troy snappe * * * d. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to listen to some nonsense about how humans and rabbits fought.¡± ¡°But we¡¯re just getting to the fun part...¡± Leaving behind a crestfallen Rabbit, Troy started heading back to where Kwon Hanul was. To properly carry out Catalina¡¯s orders, he intended to stand guard outside Kwon Hanul¡¯s room. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to hear why the rabbits didn¡¯t run, even when faced with modern weaponry?¡± ¡°Save your crap for someone else.¡± Troy shoved off Rabbit¡¯s endless attempts at conversation and finally reached Kwon Hanul¡¯s door. Just as he was about to position himself for his watch¡ª Creak. The door swung open. ¡°...Huh?¡± The one who opened the door was Kwon Hanul. He looked surprised to see Troy. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I told you. I¡¯m going to be watching you.¡± Kwon Hanul frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just go about your business.¡± ¡°How am I not supposed to mind you when you¡¯ve said you¡¯ll follow me no matter what?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s already been decided, so you better get used to it.¡± It was absurd. ¡°...Do as you please.¡± Kwon Hanul began to walk. Troy followed him and asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°Just for a walk.¡± Troy frowned. The timing felt off. But Kwon Hanul truly just strolled around the estate. Sometimes pausing to admire the garden. Troy followed in silence. Then it hit. A cold, tingling sensation at the nape of his neck. Troy instinctively turned around. No one was there. He rubbed the back of his neck and muttered. Then looked forward again¡ªKwon Hanul was giving him a puzzled look. ¡°What¡¯s wrong all of a sudden?¡± ¡°...Nothing.¡± Troy shook his head, though he continued to rub his neck. The unease wouldn¡¯t go away. Still, he kept trailing after Kwon Hanul. They moved past the garden and toward the rear of the estate. ¡°You¡¯re sharper than I thought.¡± Once Troy was gone, the real Kwon Hanul emerged from a corner of the garden. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect him to react so sensitively to the Phantom Veil.¡± The moment he cast the illusion, he vanished from view. The Kwon Hanul Troy had been following was just a hallucination. ¡°Ugh.¡± A stinging sensation spread through his eyes. He rubbed them gently. ¡°Not a power I can use for long.¡± The only reason Kwon Hanul could cast an illusion even on someone far stronger like Shadow Knights was because of the the Genius Bloodline¡ªwhich allowed him to perceive weaknesses in a person¡¯s mental defenses. Genius Bloodline expanded the brain¡¯s cognitive reach. Combined with Vassal Bloodline, it granted him visual access to others¡¯ mental strength. Which made it easier to wield Vassal Bloodline¡¯s powers¡ªbut also placed a heavier burden on his brain. ¡°It¡¯s time to move.¡± The Phantom Veil had long duration, but Troy would eventually catch on. He needed to finish what he started before that happened. Kwon Hanul snuck through the Blaga estate, cloaked in illusions. Every person he encountered had the Phantom Veil cast upon them so they couldn¡¯t see him. It felt as though he were invisible. ¡°Let¡¯s see... where do they dock the cargo ships...¡± He used his memory of maps to confirm the estate¡¯s layout. He found the shortest route from the mansion to the cargo dock. Even after that, he continued scouting around. Until he reached the outer edge. Kwon Hanul instinctively took a step back. A foreboding presence was radiating from a cathedral in the distance. And it wasn¡¯t just one person¡ªseveral powerful individuals were gathered inside. Catalina Blaga was among them. The Phantom Veil wouldn¡¯t work on people that strong. He should¡¯ve fled¡ªbut curiosity got the better of him. He hid behind a tree and observed. It didn¡¯t take long before the cathedral doors opened. A few people stepped outside. ¡°So Simon will be the first, then?¡± Catalina Blaga was the first to appear. A middle-aged man followed. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll break Kwon Hanul first.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go too far. If he¡¯s seriously injured¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Simon then started walking. Toward the mansion where Kwon Hanul was hiding. Kwon Hanul immediately turned and hurried back. Troy was still following the fake Kwon Hanul around. Kwon Hanul used the opportunity to switch places with his illusion and quietly returned to his room. Not long after, a servant knocked. ¡°A guest is waiting in the drawing room.¡± Kwon Hanul followed the servant there. The man speaking with Catalina earlier was now waiting for him. ¡°My name is Simon Blaga. One of the Blaga family¡¯s elders.¡± Kwon Hanul examined the man before him. Meticulously groomed mustache. Elegant fedora. The perfect image of a gentleman. ¡°My name is Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°I already knew. You¡¯re the trueblood of the Hyukcheon lineage.¡± Simon studied him with evident interest. Then declared, ¡°I¡¯m here to make you submit.¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t take the statement seriously. Even Catalina couldn¡¯t break him¡ªwhat could the other elders possibly do? ¡°You¡¯re thinking I¡¯ll fail too, aren¡¯t you?¡± His heart skipped a beat. But he didn¡¯t show it. ¡°To be honest, yes.¡± ¡°If even Lady Catalina couldn¡¯t do it, I suppose that kind of confidence is to be expected.¡± Simon smiled. It was deeply unsettling. ¡°The human mind is curious¡ªrock-solid at times, but fluid and weak like water at others.¡± In other words, just because Catalina failed didn¡¯t mean he would. ¡°Care to make a wager with me?¡± The word ¡°wager¡± caught Kwon Hanul¡¯s attention. There weren¡¯t many people in the world who loved betting more than he did. ¡°What kind of wager?¡± ¡°Your specialty is martial arts, yes?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s have a martial arts duel.¡± Kwon Hanul frowned. Simon Blaga¡¯s hands were smooth and pristine¡ªas if they¡¯d never once touched a drop of sweat or dirt. They were nothing like a martial artist¡¯s. And now he wanted to duel? ¡°If even a single finger touches me, I¡¯ll consider it your victory. How about it?¡± The win condition was... touching him? Even slightly? ¡°I don¡¯t know what you''re thinking, but... why don¡¯t we change the terms before you regret it later?¡± ¡°Losing your nerve?¡± At those provocative words, Kwon Hanul¡¯s face twisted. ¡°I heard Hyukcheon was the name of the Kwon family¡¯s martial lineage. Was I mistaken? Maybe it''s the lineage of cowards.¡± ¡°Watch your mouth.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice dropped. He, too, was a direct descendant of Hyukcheon. Hearing his family insulted was not something he could tolerate. ¡°If that''s not the case, then prove it yourself.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± At Kwon Hanul¡¯s reply, Simon Blaga¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Shall we get started, then?¡± ¡°Right here?¡± ¡°Why not? Do you need time to prepare? I can give you as long as you like.¡± Kwon Hanul let out a soft chuckle. Another provocation. And one he couldn¡¯t help but rise to, even though he knew better. ¡°Let¡¯s just start now.¡± ¡°Good deci¡ª¡± Before the words were out of his mouth, Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist flew forward. It was a perfectly timed strike that exploited a brief opening. But Simon caught it effortlessly. ¡°In a hurry, aren¡¯t we?¡± Withdrawing his fist, Kwon Hanul moved in for a second strike. Then¡ªsuddenly¡ªhe felt a blow to his gut. His body flew backwards and crashed into the wall. ¡°Guh...¡± Clutching his stomach, Kwon Hanul got to his feet. Lifting his head, he saw Simon Blaga standing calmly in the center of the parlor. ¡°Surely you¡¯re not thinking of giving up already?¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind raced. Was he hiding his strength all along? He dismissed the thought. As a descendant of multiple bloodlines, Kwon Hanul had a keen sense for gauging the abilities of others from different angles. Simon Blaga wasn¡¯t a martial artist. There was no doubt about that. Then did he overpower me purely with physical stats? No¡ªhe rejected that, too. Simon had insisted on a duel based solely on martial arts. And that counter he just performed... it was flawless. A non-martial artist wielding perfect martial techniques... It was impossible. ...An illusion? That thought suddenly crossed his mind. He activated both the Genius Bloodline and the Vassal Bloodline simultaneously. Only then could he finally see it. The power of the Vassal Bloodline surrounding Simon Blaga¡¯s body. ¡°You just stand there like a frightened mutt.¡± Simon let out a quiet laugh as he spoke. Kwon Hanul¡¯s gaze turned ice-cold. He kicked off the ground and charged at Simon Blaga. In that instant, Simon''s power surged over him. A hallucination overtook Kwon Hanul¡¯s vision. The illusion became Simon Blaga¡ªblocking his punch and striking him across the jaw. Reeling from the impact, Kwon Hanul staggered backward. The illusion faded, and the real Simon Blaga sneered. ¡°Same attack again? How boring.¡± Kwon Hanul smirked in return. The feel of contact¡ªhis fist, the blow to his face¡ªit had all felt real. But none of it was. ¡°I see it now.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 129 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 129: Invisible Cracks (3) When Simon Blaga first saw Kwon Hanul, he was genuinely taken aback. ¡°So this is the Kwon Hanul I¡¯ve only heard about in rumors.¡± He had heard countless stories about Kwon Hanul¡ªabout his feats, his abilities, and what he¡¯d accomplished. At first, Simon didn¡¯t believe them. To qualify for the Sky Arena, one only needed to reach S-rank in three stats. That was still just a budding stage in the realm of true powerhouses. It seemed impossible that someone with such meager stats could have achieved so much. ¡°Is this... really possible?¡± But seeing it firsthand, he understood. Just how terrifyingly skilled this man named Kwon Hanul truly was. The explosive power lying dormant within him. Truthfully, Simon Blaga wasn¡¯t particularly skilled in combat. But he had lived far longer than most¡ªmany times the average lifespan¡ªand in that time, he had met and clashed with countless strong beings. Which is why he could see through Kwon Hanul''s true strength. Kwon Hanul had reached the level of a true world-class fighter¡ªwhat they called a Triple Number, a title reserved for those who ranked in the world¡¯s top three. Possibly even higher. ¡°So this is the true might of a Trueblood...?¡± Simon couldn¡¯t easily answer the question that surfaced in his mind. Truebloods were the stuff of legends. The legacy they left behind was brilliant¡ªuntarnished by the passage of time. So yes, perhaps it was possible. ¡°But can someone be this strong just for being a Trueblood?¡± He had never seen one in person, so he couldn¡¯t be certain. Even considering that, Kwon Hanul¡¯s strength seemed almost excessive. ¡°No wonder Lady Catalina is so obsessed.¡± Considering the rarity of Truebloods and the fact that someone so young had reached this level, it made sense that Catalina Blaga would defy even the Hyukcheon to possess him. Even Simon himself now felt the same greed. ¡°Is there really no way I can make him mine?¡± Simon was tempted. Any method would do. If he could use the dispute between Catalina Blaga and the Hyukcheon to his advantage and make Kwon Hanul his... ¡°Hey.¡± Hanul¡¯s voice cut straight through Simon¡¯s scheming thoughts. Snapping back to reality, Simon felt a chill. ¡®What was I just thinking? Was I really about to betray Catalina Blaga that easily?¡¯ ¡°You said if I land a single hit, I win, right?¡± ¡°To be exact, if you even graze my body, you win.¡± ¡°Then we never settled on the stakes, did we?¡± Hanul rubbed the spot on his jaw where he''d just been hit. ¡°You came here to force me into submission, right? So let¡¯s stop dancing around.¡± Hanul spoke firmly. ¡°Whoever loses this bet submits to the winner. No excuses.¡± Simon¡¯s eyes narrowed. The original plan was to chip away at Hanul¡¯s pride and self-worth little by little¡ªto wear him down mentally. But if Hanul was offering to skip ahead, why not? ¡°Fine.¡± Simon opened a sub-dimensional space and pulled out an old scroll. When he unfurled it, it was filled with strange, unfamiliar writing. ¡°This is a relic called the Contract of Souls. To put it simply, it enforces any agreement made between two parties.¡± It was a powerful artifact¡ªbut rarely used because of its strict conditions. Mutual consent was essential. If either party was coerced even slightly, the contract wouldn¡¯t activate. Simon bit his thumb and pressed a bloody fingerprint onto the scroll. ¡°Your turn.¡± Hanul caught the scroll tossed at him, and as he opened it, the strange writing shifted and turned into Korean. Everything Simon had just said was written exactly as spoken. Hanul added his fingerprint as well. The moment he did, the scroll burst into flames and vanished. ¡°There¡¯s no going back now.¡± ¡°Save the chatter. Let¡¯s begin.¡± Hanul clenched his fist. Watching him, Simon let out a mocking smile. ¡®Whatever it is, he thinks he¡¯s found a clever trick...¡¯ Hanul had survived up to this point through skill, not luck. He must have figured out some way to counter the current situation. He wouldn¡¯t be acting so confident otherwise. But his opponent now was Simon Blaga¡ªa man who had lived for centuries and faced all kinds of people. Nothing would work. ¡®You¡¯re mine now, Kwon Hanul.¡¯ Simon¡¯s desire to possess Hanul surged again. He would be the first person to ever dominate Kwon Hanul. If he played this right, he could even deceive Catalina Blaga and claim Hanul for himself. At that moment, dark aura erupted from Hanul¡¯s body. It filled the room almost instantly. ¡°...Oh?¡± It had been a long time since Simon had seen such a massive surge of Dragon Aura. It was quite the spectacle. Before Simon could finish admiring it, Hanul moved¡ªgliding through the air with lightning speed. Skyborne Steps Phase One: Lone Run A gust like a raging storm roared through the room. The sheer force of it even made Simon sway slightly. But he felt no threat. After all, Hanul¡¯s opponent wasn¡¯t really him. Simon¡¯s eyes turned crimson¡ªthe power of his Vassal Bloodline wrapped around Hanul. ¡°Haaah!¡± Hanul struck at the empty air repeatedly, unleashing explosive bursts of Dragon Aura with each punch. The power was truly frightening. Simon calmly observed from a step back. ¡°It¡¯s no use.¡± He manipulated the illusion of himself, making the phantom Simon kick Hanul in the gut and chin. ¡°Guh!¡± Hanul was knocked backward, bouncing off the ground. Despite only hitting an illusion, his chin was clearly swollen and red. Powerful illusions could even distort a person''s perception. Inflicting physical injury was the least of its capabilities. Still, Hanul charged the illusion again¡ªand again he was thrown back. But he didn¡¯t give up. He kept attacking. ¡°To hunt a beast, you wait until it tires itself out.¡± Simon sat in a lounge chair, reclining with ease. Just then, something touched his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw a hand. Following the arm up, he saw a familiar face. Kwon Hanul. Standing behind his chair, gripping Simon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°...What?¡± Simon looked forward¡ªHanul was still fighting the illusion. He looked up again¡ªand Hanul was right there, holding onto him. ¡°W-What the hell...?!¡± Hanul snapped his fingers. The illusionary version of himself vanished instantly. Simon¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°An illusion? How...? A member from Hyukcheon shouldn¡¯t be able to¡ªwait, how could you deceive even me...?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what you should be worrying about right now.¡± Hanul tightened his grip on Simon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I won. Just like we agreed.¡± Simon¡¯s face went pale. He leapt up from his chair, shouting, ¡°Y-You little brat! You think I¡¯ll bow to someone like you?!¡± The contract hadn¡¯t been fulfilled yet. If he could eliminate Hanul now, it could still be voided. ¡°Submit to me!¡± Behind Simon, dozens of soldiers appeared¡ªconjured through illusions. They weren¡¯t to be underestimated. Each one was modeled after powerful warriors Simon had faced in the past. ¡°Go!¡± They charged at Hanul¡ªbut before they could take even a few steps, a message appeared: An excruciating pain surged through Simon¡¯s body, as though his blood were burning. He collapsed to his knees, groaning. ¡°Aaaargh!¡± The artifact¡¯s compulsion paralyzed him. ¡°This... this can¡¯t be happening...!¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s happening.¡± Hanul¡¯s voice came from directly in front of him. He stood over Simon. ¡°You¡¯re witnessing it yourself.¡± Hanul slid a ring onto his finger¡ªthe Ring of Lust¡ªthen grabbed Simon¡¯s head. A familiar energy forced its way under Simon¡¯s skin. He gasped in horror. It was the domination power of the Vassal Bloodline. ¡°Th-This is insane...¡± But before he could even scream, darkness overtook his vision. * * * ¡°Phew.¡± Hanul released Simon¡¯s head. ¡°As expected from a council elder.¡± Even with the Ring of Lust enhancing his power, dominating Simon had drained him immensely. ¡°Without the contract, this would¡¯ve been impossible.¡± That much was obvious. Simon wasn¡¯t physically powerful, but his mental strength was extraordinary. Hanul hadn¡¯t even sensed the illusion being cast on him earlier¡ªthat¡¯s how overwhelming it was. Without the contract and the shock he¡¯d just inflicted, Hanul couldn¡¯t have overpowered Simon. Hanul could feel the Vassal Bloodline growing stronger within him. The higher your assimilation rate, the harder it became to raise it. Gaining 10% at once was unheard of¡ªit reaffirmed just how influential Simon was. ¡°Ugh... Ugh...¡± Simon opened his eyes. Upon seeing Hanul, he immediately prostrated himself. ¡°This lowly servant... offers his greetings.¡± Anyone witnessing this would have doubted their eyes. A council elder of the Blaga family¡ªsomeone who ruled over tens of thousands¡ªdeclaring himself a servant? ¡°Tell me exactly what Catalina Blaga ordered you to do.¡± Simon obediently explained everything that had transpired. ¡°They declared war on Hyukcheon?¡± ¡°That is correct.¡± Hanul was briefly stunned. He had hoped the Hyukcheon would come for him¡ªbut never imagined they¡¯d go so far as to declare war. ¡°So their plan was to dominate me, send me back, and stop the war...¡± Hanul let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd¡ªbut not entirely unreasonable. The power of the Vassal Bloodline was formidable. The Blaga family had probably used it countless times to settle messy affairs. ¡°Simon. I plan to escape from this family.¡± ¡°I will devote my life to fulfilling your will, Master.¡± Simon bowed low, radiating absolute loyalty. But Hanul wasn¡¯t paying attention¡ªhis mind was elsewhere. ¡°Things are going a little too smoothly...¡± With Simon¡¯s help, escaping wouldn¡¯t be hard. But... it felt like a waste. ¡°So, the other elders are going to come see me next?¡± ¡°Yes, that is correct.¡± Hanul hesitated. Should he escape now? Or... He looked through the Bloodline¡¯s system messages again, then made a decision. ¡°Simon.¡± ¡°Yes, Master?¡± ¡°Prepare a full list. Who¡¯s coming, and exactly what their abilities are. I want everything laid out.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 130 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 130: Invisible Cracks (4) The day after Simon Blaga visited Kwon Hanul¡ª A massive spider was crawling across the Blaga estate. Its torso, not to mention its eight legs, was grotesquely enormous. With each movement, it covered more than a hundred meters. Despite such a monstrous being roaming around, not a single person spared it a glance. Because it was a familiar sight to everyone there. ¡°I really don¡¯t like this.¡± A middle-aged woman voiced her irritation from atop the spider¡¯s back. She was Kosmina Blaga, one of the elders of the Blaga family. ¡°Kwon Hanul, Kwon Hanul¡ªwhy is Catalina so obsessed with that damn man?¡± Kosmina¡¯s blood bound silently endured her rant. Experience had taught them well¡ªit was far safer to listen quietly when Kosmina Blaga was in a foul mood than to agree or disagree. ¡°Even if he¡¯s a Trueblood, does that mean all the elders need to mobilize for one damn man?¡± Kosmina''s pride couldn¡¯t tolerate such a thing. ¡°If she wants him that badly, then carve him up until he listens! What, we¡¯re not allowed to hurt him?¡± Temptation from the Blaga family was never sweet alone. Violence and cruelty were more than plentiful in their arsenal. And Kosmina Blaga? She was practically a specialist in that department. Her expertise lay in subjugating monsters so feral they didn¡¯t even understand rationality. ¡°Catalina¡¯s ridiculous too. Acting all innocent now after all her years of experience. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± Kosmina turned to her blood bound, who only responded with a strained smile. A mere servant had no right to comment on an elder¡ªespecially not about Catalina Blaga. Just then, the spider came to a stop in front of an old-fashioned mansion. ¡°So this is it.¡± Kosmina looked up at the house. To give away a mansion this nice, just like that? She pouted. ¡°There¡¯s no need to drag this out.¡± She opened a pocket dimension and drew out a long whip¡ªan especially vicious one lined with sharp barbs. At the sight of it, the spider¡¯s body hair stood on end. ¡°Lady Kosmina!¡± The blood bound paled. ¡°Lady Catalina explicitly ordered no harm¡ª!¡± ¡°I know. Now move.¡± Her tone turned icy. ¡°Once he¡¯s under control, shutting him up will be easy.¡± The blood bound¡¯s mouth fell open. It was a brute-force approach¡ªbut, admittedly, it made sense. They didn¡¯t have time to dither like Catalina. Preventing war was the priority. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± At Kosmina¡¯s command, the spider moved again, leaping over the wall and into the garden. Then, someone caught Kosmina¡¯s eye. A man stood alone in the garden. ¡°You¡¯re Kosmina Blaga, I presume?¡± The man spoke first. Kosmina ordered the spider to halt. ¡°And you must be Kwon Hanul?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± At her signal, the spider crouched flat against the ground, and Kosmina dismounted. ¡°I heard Simon gave you quite the beating. You look better than I expected. Or are you just pretending?¡± She tilted her head. Simon Blaga, despite his gentlemanly appearance, was a nasty old man who loved messing with people. He especially enjoyed provoking skilled hunters. It was baffling, but even Kosmina had to admit his skills were top-tier. Someone like him wouldn¡¯t have done a half-hearted job. ¡°Perhaps,¡± Hanul replied vaguely. Kosmina scowled. ¡°Whatever. That¡¯s not what matters right now.¡± She uncoiled the whip. It dragged across the ground like a serpent. ¡°Unlike Catalina, I don¡¯t do half-measures.¡± She cracked the whip into the air, prompting the spider behind her to let out a threatening screech. ¡°There are only two answers I want to hear: ¡®Please spare me¡¯ and ¡®I¡¯ll do whatever you say.¡¯ Understood?¡± Her eyes turned a glowing crimson. The spider¡¯s eyes gleamed red in unison. ¡°You¡¯re free to fight back. But it¡¯s pointless in front of my baby¡ª¡± ¡°Of course it is. It is an S-class monster, after all.¡± Hanul suddenly cut her off. ¡°S-class monster ¡®Tarkleant.¡¯ One of the strongest monsters under Blaga family control, right?¡± He pointed directly at Kosmina. ¡°And I know who you are, too. Kosmina Blaga¡ªalong with Catalina, one of only two elders in the family capable of controlling S-class monsters. That¡¯s correct, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kosmina didn¡¯t take his words seriously. Any Blaga family insider would know that much. He must¡¯ve picked it up from someone. But what came next made her blood run cold. ¡°That whip¡ªit¡¯s a relic that heightens pain sensitivity, isn¡¯t it? A bit much to use on a person, don¡¯t you think?¡± Kosmina¡¯s expression twisted. Very few knew that. How did he¡ª? ¡°You manage the Blaga estate¡¯s security. You control a massive number of monsters, so to reduce the burden, you rely on relics for support.¡± Then he dropped the bomb. ¡°That Tarkleant¡ªyou maintain control by driving a spike into its central nervous system, don¡¯t you? Pull it out, and the control breaks. That would be a problem, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Kosmina broke into goosebumps. That information was absolutely forbidden. ¡°...Who told you that?¡± ¡°Simon Blaga did.¡± The voice came from behind. Kosmina whipped around in shock. Hanul¡ªwho had just been in the garden¡ªwas now standing atop Tarkleant¡¯s neck. ¡°This must be the spike, right?¡± He gripped a long rod embedded deep in the spider¡¯s neck. Kosmina¡¯s face turned deathly pale. ¡°You idiot! Do you realize what you¡¯re doing?!¡± Even for the Blaga family, controlling an S-class monster was no easy feat. It required the mobilization of the entire household. If Hanul messed with that spike and the control failed¡ªit could be catastrophic. ¡°Take your hands off that, right now!¡± ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡± ¡°Ark!!¡± Kosmina called her blood bound¡¯s name. Ark lunged at Hanul without hesitation. He grabbed Hanul¡¯s arm and shoved him off the monster. ¡°Tarkleant!¡± Kosmina shouted a command. The spider opened its jaws wide. From its throat, a torrent of webbing exploded. It shot straight toward Ark¡ªwho was hit mid-air and slammed into a wall, stuck fast. ¡°Tarkleant! What the hell are you doing?! Not him, the other one¡ª!¡± Kosmina didn¡¯t finish her sentence. Tarkleant¡¯s throat was now aimed at her. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Kosmina threw herself sideways in a panic. Webbing blanketed the ground where she¡¯d just been standing. ¡°Ta-Tarkleant!¡± Her eyes flared red again as she issued another command¡ªbut it didn¡¯t work. ¡°It¡¯s no use.¡± Hanul got to his feet and walked toward the spider. ¡°I¡¯ve taken control now.¡± Kosmina was about to scream nonsense!¡ªbut then she saw something she couldn¡¯t believe. Hanul¡¯s eyes were glowing red. ¡°...Vassal bloodline?¡± She couldn¡¯t believe the words even as she spoke them. How could someone from Hyukcheon possess Vassal Bloodline? ¡°How does a descendant of Hyukcheon... no, how in the world...?¡± ¡°Is that really the issue right now?¡± Hanul pointed a finger at her. ¡°Tarkleant. Bite.¡± Kosmina¡¯s face went ghostly white. ¡°S-Stop! Please, spare me!¡± She dropped to the ground, begging for her life. The hows and whys didn¡¯t matter anymore. What mattered was that she¡¯d die if she didn¡¯t act. ¡°Do you want to live?¡± Hanul looked down at her. Kosmina nodded frantically. ¡°There¡¯s a way.¡± With that, Hanul slipped on a red ring. * * * Meanwhile... ¡°Quiet again today.¡± A Blaga blood bound muttered as he stared at the sea bathed in twilight. ¡°I miss my son.¡± He spoke with a somber face. But it was a futile wish. He was stationed at a border outpost far from the Blaga family¡¯s main island. ¡°If I¡¯d been born with better blood, I wouldn¡¯t be stuck out here.¡± Those with the lowest lineage¡ªinferior blood¡ªwere often assigned to border duty. The family needed people to keep watch over its monsters. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± His colleague, also inferior-blood, had appeared beside him. ¡°I miss my kid.¡± ¡°Just hang in there. In two more days, we¡¯ll be rotated out.¡± The colleague handed him a beer can. The blood bound accepted it with a bitter smile. ¡°Still, it¡¯s a bit worrying. Didn¡¯t Hyukcheon declare war?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? No one knows where the Blaga estate is. And even if they did, we¡¯ve got these guys.¡± He gestured to the massive sea serpent right next to the outpost. A diamond-ranked monster¡ªdeadly as any S-class when in the sea. ¡°With this guy here, no one¡¯s invading the Blaga family.¡± And the sea serpent wasn¡¯t alone. Dozens of monsters kept watch across the waters¡ªand even in the skies. ¡°No matter how strong Hyukcheon are, they can¡¯t¡ª¡± That¡¯s when it happened. A strange sound reached their ears. The two looked around, trying to locate the source. ¡°What is that?¡± The sound grew louder¡ªand in the next instant, the sea serpent and the ocean exploded. ¡°AAAGH!¡± The two screamed and ducked. Slowly, they raised their heads. The monster was gone¡ªreduced to chunks of flesh and blood splattered everywhere. And in the center of it all¡ª A man in a black suit slowly rose to his feet. ¡°Ugh, gross.¡± He stuck out his tongue in disgust. ¡°I was excited about this mission¡ªfigured it¡¯d be something big. But cleaning up his mess? Seriously?¡± He grumbled on and on. Then he looked at the two Blaga blood bounds. ¡°Wh-Who are you...?¡± One of them managed to ask. The man grinned. ¡°Me?¡± His mouth twisted. ¡°Name¡¯s Kwon Jiseok.¡± The blood bounds froze. They didn¡¯t know Jiseok¡ªbut they definitely knew the surname Kwon. ¡°H-Hyukcheon...!¡± ¡°Right you are.¡± Jiseok smirked. ¡°Hyukcheon has arrived.¡± At that moment, black-suited hunters began to rain down from the sky. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 131 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 131: The Gap (1) At the name Hyukcheon, the two bloodline members instantly froze. Whether they should run or fight, they needed to choose¡ªbut fear kept them paralyzed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you just standing there?¡± Kwon Jiseok glanced at them as he asked. But the two could not bring themselves to answer. ¡°Hmph.¡± He clicked his tongue in disdain and waved his hand. ¡°Scram.¡± The two looked at him in disbelief. ¡°What¡¯s the point of killing guys who don¡¯t even want to fight? Just get lost.¡± They exchanged glances, then turned their backs and bolted toward the docked boat. But they never made it. Someone blocked their path. A man fell from the sky and grabbed both their heads with outstretched hands. ¡°Huh?¡± Their heads were torn off before they could even react¡ªno time to scream, no time to feel pain. Just like that, two lives were gone. The man threw the severed heads far away and turned to face Kwon Jiseok. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? Don¡¯t show mercy to the enemy.¡± Kwon Jiseok¡¯s expression hardened at the rebuke. ¡°Still, there¡¯s no need to kill them unnecessarily...¡± ¡°Idiot.¡± The man spoke coldly. ¡°What did Father say when he took you back in? That from now on, you must be prepared to stain your hands with blood. How long has it been since you heard that? And already you¡¯re spouting this pathetic nonsense?¡± Jiseok lowered his head. His voice trembled as he finally spoke. ¡°...Hyung, I was wrong.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need apologies. Just live up to Father¡¯s expectations. That¡¯s the only way you¡¯ll ever repay the grace he showed you.¡± Kwon Jiseok was now incomparably stronger than in the past. All of his stats were S-rank. He was equipped with powerful skills and rare artifacts. Thanks to that, he had just taken down a Diamond-grade monster in a single blow. It was all made possible by his father, Kwon Hyuk¡¯s, support. ¡°I won¡¯t say it again. Remember this.¡± The man¡ªKwon Chan-seong¡ªpatted Jiseok¡¯s shoulder. It was a human hand, but to Jiseok, it felt as cold as steel. Just then¡ª From the direction of the Blaga family¡¯s territory, enormous birds with sleek wings appeared in the sky. ¡°Wingcutters? Those are Diamond-grade monsters!¡± Chan-seong sounded genuinely surprised. But that wasn¡¯t all. From beneath the sea, large merfolk were swimming toward them. King Mermaids. Also Diamond-grade monsters. ¡°So this is the power of the Blaga family... Impressive.¡± He had heard about their Authority, but seeing it firsthand was still shocking. Diamond-grade monsters are so dangerous that even a nation would classify them as a national-level threat. And yet they weren¡¯t just summoning one or two¡ªbut controlling entire swarms. ¡°Ah, can you all hear me?¡± Chan-seong activated the wireless earpiece in his ear. Dozens of voices responded. ¡ªWe hear you. Should we exterminate the monsters? ¡°We don¡¯t have time to waste on those things. Everyone, hold position.¡± Chan-seong raised his hand high toward the sky. From his shoulder, energy resembling a dragon¡¯s fury coiled around his forearm and hand. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Upper Form Eradication Style: Severing Boundary He swung his hand down with force. Instantly, sky and sea split apart on either side. Then, he swung horizontally, tracing a black line between the sky and the sea. A black cross divided heaven and earth into four. And when that cross faded... Not a single monster remained. They were completely erased¡ªwithout even a trace. ¡°That was easy.¡± Chan-seong dusted off his hands. Jiseok stood frozen in shock. He knew his brother was powerful¡ªbut not this powerful. Annihilating hundreds of Diamond-class monsters in a single instant? ¡°The path is clear. Everyone, charge.¡± The troops began to move. Jiseok followed, preparing to run¡ª ¡°Jiseok.¡± Chan-seong called out. ¡°Don¡¯t forget your promise to Father.¡± Before coming here, Jiseok had made a vow to Kwon Hyuk: To do everything in his power to support Chan-seong¡¯s plan. All of the support he had received from his father was in exchange for that promise. ¡°...Understood,¡± Jiseok replied quietly. ¡°If I find Kwon Hanul, I¡¯ll inform you first.¡± * * * ¡°...Hyukcheon has arrived?¡± Deep within the Blaga family''s compound¡ª Catalina Blaga furrowed her brow at the messenger¡¯s report. ¡°That¡¯s odd. They shouldn¡¯t have found us this fast.¡± Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence network was excellent. But the Blaga family''s counter-intelligence and concealment were even better. They had calculated that it would take at least a week for Hyukcheon to locate them. ¡°Did I underestimate them? What¡¯s Hyukcheon¡¯s force composition? What¡¯s the situation?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t confirmed their numbers yet. The first defensive line is currently holding them off at the shore!¡± Hundreds of Diamond-grade monsters stood in their way. They wouldn¡¯t stop Hyukcheon forever, but they¡¯d buy some time. Catalina tapped her finger on the table, deep in thought. ¡°Follow the manual. Evacuate all non-combatants. The rest of the bloodline and blood bounds, send them to the front li¡ª¡± Just then, another messenger burst through the door. Dirt-covered and panting hard, he shouted: ¡°Th-they¡¯re here!¡± His voice trembled with panic. ¡°Hyukcheon has reached the main house!¡± Catalina¡¯s shoulder flinched. That was way too fast. ¡°A-and! Also...!¡± Struggling to breathe, the messenger scratched at his throat but kept talking. ¡°We¡¯ve confirmed the identity of Hyukcheon¡¯s commander!¡± ¡°...Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Kwon Chan-seong!¡± Catalina¡¯s eyes widened. She was speechless. The messenger shouted in her stead: ¡°One of Hyukcheon¡¯s strongest has come!¡± Her thoughts snapped back into motion. Her first question: Why Chan-seong? Sure, Kwon Myung-woo had stepped away to pursue remnants of the Mei family, but Hyukcheon still had plenty of elite hunters. So why him, of all people? ¡°...No way.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s face suddenly came to mind, along with a terrible suspicion. Catalina spoke to the empty air: ¡°K.¡± ¡ªAwaiting orders. ¡°Tell every Shadow Knight¡ª¡± She spoke sharply: ¡°Stop Hyukcheon. No matter what it takes.¡± * * * ¡°Aaaargh!¡± ¡°S-somebody help!¡± Screams echoed across the Blaga family estate. Hyukcheon¡¯s hunters had descended suddenly, destroying buildings and slaughtering the bloodline. ¡°Please, spare me!¡± ¡°Gahhh!¡± Hyukcheon didn¡¯t discriminate. Every enemy was cut down. Blood splattered in every direction without pause. Not that the Blaga family didn¡¯t resist. ¡°Stop them! Don¡¯t let them through!¡± ¡°Kill them!¡± The family¡¯s blood bounds and monsters kept charging in. They had hundreds in their defense force, while Hyukcheon had barely twenty. And yet¡ª ¡°Aaaaagh!¡± They weren¡¯t just failing to hold them back¡ªthey couldn¡¯t even slow the massacre. ¡°...Monsters.¡± A Blaga bloodline member with a severed arm muttered with a trembling voice: ¡°D-demons... They¡¯ve come to wipe us out...¡± And before he could finish the sentence¡ªhis head exploded. ¡®Where the hell is that bastard?¡¯ Even in the middle of battle, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s eyes kept scanning. ¡®I need to find Kwon Hanul before my brother does.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t about claiming credit. There was something he had to tell him. ¡°You bastard!¡± A Blaga bloodline member jumped out from behind a building, hand extended, activating his Authority. ¡°Be swallowed by illusion¡ªand die!¡± Jiseok didn¡¯t even flinch. He simply drove his fist into the man¡¯s abdomen. The bloodline member collapsed, vomiting everything in his stomach. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Jiseok turned to walk away. But the man shouted, grinding his teeth: ¡°Wh-when they arrive... You devils will all be dead! You monsters!¡± Jiseok stopped in his tracks. It nagged at him¡ªtoo specific to be just a sore loser¡¯s rant. ¡°¡®They¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes! When they come... the Shadow Knights...!¡± Just then, an ominous presence appeared behind him. Jiseok spun around. Someone stood not far away. ¡°...Who the hell are you?¡± The man replied in a flat tone. ¡°K.¡± Jiseok tilted his head in confusion. Then the man added: ¡°Shadow Knight.¡± * * * Kwon Jiseok swallowed hard. Back when he was in Hyukcheon, he¡¯d heard the name a few times¡ªsomething about a group within the Blaga family. A terrifying force, powerful enough that even the most elite hunters of Hyukcheon kept their distance. Their name was unmistakable: Shadow Knights. ¡°K!¡± A member of the Blaga bloodline cried out in delight. The man called K didn¡¯t even turn his head. ¡°Run. Now.¡± ¡°R-right, got it!¡± The bloodline member quickly fled in a panic, leaving only Kwon Jiseok and K behind. ¡°...I heard Shadow Knghts was a knight order. Where are the rest of them?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve already headed to the battlefield. By now, they¡¯re probably slaughtering your people in Hyukcheon.¡± Kwon Jiseok let out a dry laugh. Slaughter? Slaughter Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team? ¡°This really isn¡¯t the time for you to be mocking me.¡± K took off his cloak, revealing the leather armor underneath. At the same time, the energy he had been concealing surged outward. Kwon Jiseok instinctively shut his eyes tight. K¡¯s aura was so overwhelming it felt like staring into the sun¡ªit physically hurt to look. Even with the strength he¡¯d gained thanks to his father¡¯s support, there was no way he could fight this man. Forget fighting¡ªhe couldn''t even run. And then¡ª ¡°What¡¯s the point of toying with someone so beneath you? There¡¯s no fun in that.¡± A familiar voice spoke. Kwon Jiseok slowly turned his head. Kwon Chan-seong was standing there. ¡°H-hyung...?¡± Jiseok called out in shock. Chan-seong didn¡¯t even glance at him. ¡°Go do your job.¡± Jiseok hesitated for a second, then quickly took off. He knew full well he¡¯d only get in the way if he stayed. ¡°Kwon Chan-seong.¡± K spoke in a low voice. Chan-seong bowed deeply. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to greet a grand senior.¡± ¡°You know who I am?¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re none other than Chris Ben, who faced off against my father in the Sky Arena finals.¡± For the first time, an expression flickered across K¡¯s previously impassive face. ¡°...To hear my name from the mouth of Kwon Hyuk¡¯s son... I never expected that.¡± ¡°And I never thought I¡¯d meet you here. After you rose to the rank of Double Numbering, I heard you went missing during a dungeon raid...¡± Chan-seong¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d find you following orders from someone like Catalina Blaga.¡± K¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Watch your mouth when speaking of Lady Catalina Blaga.¡± ¡°Haha! So you¡¯re seriously following Catalina Blaga? My father would be thrilled to hear that.¡± K¡¯s face grew darker with every provocation. Chan-seong only looked more amused. ¡°Still got some pride left, huh?¡± ¡°You arrogant brat. There¡¯s nothing you won¡¯t say.¡± ¡°Anyone would have a lot to say if they saw the pathetic state you¡¯re in now, Senior.¡± K¡¯s killing intent surged, but Chan-seong met it head-on without so much as flinching. ¡°I¡¯ll sew that filthy mouth of yours shut right here and now!¡± ¡°Ooh, scary. You plan to sew my lips shut with the same hands that used to fondle young courtesans?¡± At last, K snapped. He drew the twin longswords strapped to his back. A deep violet aura wrapped around the blades, blinding like condensed light. ¡°You bastard!¡± K launched himself straight forward, swords aimed at Chan-seong¡¯s shoulder. In that instant, blood spurted into the air. ¡°...Guh!¡± K coughed violently. When he looked down, he saw it¡ªChan-seong¡¯s hand had pierced straight through his chest. ¡°H-how...¡± He was the one who struck first. Chan-seong hadn¡¯t even moved until his swords were about to land. And yet when he came to his senses, Chan-seong¡¯s hand was buried in his chest. ¡°You idiot.¡± Chan-seong¡¯s voice dripped with contempt. ¡°You wasted your life chasing after some whore, and now you think you can take me on?¡± He gripped K¡¯s heart. Blood spurted from K¡¯s mouth and nose as he died. Chan-seong pulled his hand out. K¡¯s body crumpled to the ground. Looking down at the corpse, Chan-seong muttered coldly, ¡°Pathetic.¡± * * * Kwon Jiseok had already fled from the scene. Just as he turned a corner, a hand suddenly grabbed the back of his neck. ¡°Guh!¡± He immediately swatted the hand away and jumped back, gaining distance. ¡°Who the hell is it this time...?¡± His eyes widened. ¡°Y-you?! Why are you here?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I should be asking you.¡± The person standing before him¡ª Kwon Hanul¡ªlooked at him with utter disbelief. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 132 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 132: The Gap (2) As soon as he succeeded in dominating Kosmina Blaga, familiar messages surfaced. ¡°Still a long way to go.¡± Though he had been steadily fulfilling the conditions for Manifestation while roaming through the Blaga family, there was still much left to do. ¡°Hey.¡± Kosmina Blaga, who had been dazed, suddenly flinched and looked at Kwon Hanul. He addressed her. ¡°Keep the fact that I have the Vassal Bloodline a secret. Also, tell the other Elders that you successfully tampered with my mental state as planned.¡± ¡°Ah, understood.¡± Kosmina Blaga didn''t question his order. She simply obeyed. ¡°Then you can go.¡± But she didn¡¯t comply immediately. As Kosmina hesitated, Kwon Hanul had to ask again. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Will you be keeping that child by your side?¡± She pointed to Tarkleant. Kwon Hanul replied nonchalantly, ¡°You can take him. I¡¯ll return the right of control to you, so don¡¯t worry.¡± The reason he could give orders to Tarkleant now was due to the power he had recently acquired: A power that lets one usurp the position of master in a hierarchical relationship. Its strength lay in the fact that it could not only dominate blood bounds under the Vassal Bloodline but also beings like summoned creatures. "Th-thank you." Kosmina expressed her gratitude and left with Tarkleant. Once she departed, silence fell over the mansion. The blood bounds who had been monitoring Kwon Hanul had temporarily withdrawn upon hearing Kosmina would be coming. Kwon Hanul sat on a garden bench and began reviewing intel on the other elders. Although Simon had given him a heads-up about who would visit next, it didn¡¯t hurt to be prepared. Then the front gate burst open, and Rabbit came running in. "Ma-master!" Her voice was so frantic it startled Kwon Hanul. "What¡¯s going on?" "You¡ªyou need to run, now! Hyukcheon is attacking the Blaga estate!" He was stunned. He had thought they might come to rescue him¡ªbut this soon? "I¡¯ll explain everything later! You need to evacuate now!" To that, Kwon Hanul asked, incredulously, "Why would I need to run?" "Well, obviously¡ª" Rabbit''s voice trailed off. Even she realized how odd it sounded. "You''re right... there¡¯s no reason for you to run, Master." Actually, this was perfect. Now he wouldn¡¯t need to bother with devising an escape plan from the Blaga family. Kwon Hanul stood, storing the elders¡¯ intel back into subspace. "Master? Where are you going?" "I¡¯m heading back." He expanded his senses. From the west, he could feel the energy of the Black Dragon Bloodline. He was about to move when¡ª Rabbit grabbed his sleeve. Her eyes quivered as she asked, "Wh-what about me...? No, us? What¡¯s going to happen to us?" At first, he didn¡¯t understand what she meant. "You accepted us under your wing... but now you¡¯re just going to abandon us?" Something stirred within him. The Vassal Bloodline responded. It was the same as with the Superhuman Bloodline. The Superhuman Bloodline prohibited killing its own kin, which was why Kwon Hanul had been forced to let members of the Sanchez family live. That same restriction now applied to the Vassal Bloodline. "You seem to be mistaken." He pried her hand off his sleeve. Fortunately, unlike the Superhuman Bloodline, the Vassal Bloodline didn¡¯t enforce this sense of duty¡ªit only voiced its displeasure. "I was never a member of the Blaga family to begin with." In fact, one could say he was their enemy. He had no intention of forgiving what Catalina Blaga had done. "You don¡¯t have to follow me anymore." He weakened the authority of the Vassal Bloodline. Rabbit''s eyes widened in panic. "Take care of yourself." He turned to leave. "Where do you think you¡¯re going?" A deep voice echoed. A man stood at the main gate. "I stepped out briefly when Lady Kosmina Blaga said she was coming... and now I return to find this absurd conversation taking place." Troy¡¯s face slowly contorted. "Rabbit. I didn¡¯t expect you to side with Kwon Hanul. This won¡¯t be forgotten. And Kwon Hanul..." Killing intent radiated from Troy¡¯s entire body. A savage aura filled the air. "You¡¯re not going anywhere. That is Lady Catalina Blaga¡¯s decree." "But my will is different. I intend to leave." "I told you that wasn¡¯t allowed!" Troy reached out to seize him, clearly intending to use force. At that moment, Kwon Hanul spoke. "Stop." Troy¡¯s hand froze midair. Not just his hand¡ªhis entire body was immobilized. "My powers have grown quite a bit these past few days." That¡¯s when Troy realized Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes had turned crimson. "Even those near the peak of power¡ªif they¡¯re blood bounds, I can command them without resistance." Kwon Hanul placed his palm over Troy¡¯s face and invoked his authority. "Don¡¯t try to stop me. And forget everything you just saw." He withdrew his hand. Troy nodded blankly. Kwon Hanul walked past him toward the gate. Before crossing the threshold, he looked back. There stood Rabbit, utterly lost and bewildered. "Take care of yourself." With that final farewell, Kwon Hanul vanished. The moment he stepped out of the mansion, explosions rang out. Buildings were collapsing in multiple locations. "What kind of unit did they send in?" Even from this distance, he could feel the overwhelming strength of the attackers. "Did Hayun and the others come too?" He had only been away for a few days, yet the longing hit him hard. He quickened his pace. Suddenly, he stopped in front of a building. "This place..." It was the keep where Catalina Blaga stored her collection. Due to the chaos caused by Hyukcheon, the keep appeared unguarded. Kwon Hanul hesitated. Not because he wanted the artifacts inside. But because something within was calling to him¡ªor rather, calling to the Vassal Bloodline. He sprinted inside. The security was unexpectedly lax, and he quickly reached the storage room. "Where is it..." He ignored everything else, searching for the item drawing the Vassal Bloodline. He found a door behind a curtain. Opening it, he stepped into a small room. Inside hung an ornate cloak. "What is this?" He touched the cloak. It was exceptionally soft¡ªclearly not ordinary fabric. "Huh?" The cloak''s threads began to unravel, dissolving and absorbing into his skin. The more the cloak unraveled, the more foreign knowledge flowed into his mind. "Argh..." The pain was splitting his head open. He wanted to stop, but forced himself to endure it. "Ugh..." He clutched his head, nauseated from the pain. But it was worth it. The Vassal Bloodline had grown immensely stronger. "I need to get out of here¡ªfast." Just as he exited the room, something else caught his eye. Description: The elixir of immortality once drunk by the gods. Instantly boosts any stat to SS-rank, regardless of its current level, or fully restores the body. He hadn¡¯t cared for the other artifacts¡ªbut this was different. His biggest weakness right now was his low stats. Thanks to the bloodlines, he could perform beyond his level¡ªbut if his stats improved, he could become far stronger. "I have to take this." He stored the obsidian flask containing Amrita in his subspace. As he left the keep and entered the city¡ª "Where the hell is that bastard?!" A familiar voice passed right in front of him. "Kwon Jiseok?" Reflexively, he grabbed the man by the collar. "Who the hell¡ª?!" Kwon Jiseok slapped his hand away and gasped. "Wha¡ªwhy the hell are you here?!" Kwon Hanul, confused, replied flatly, "Shouldn¡¯t I be the one asking that? I never imagined you¡¯d be the one to come save me." Kwon Hanul meant it. Their relationship was far from good¡ªbuilt entirely on bad blood. "This is not the time for crap like that!" "Then what should I be saying? A thank you speech?" "You think I came here to hear that crap?! Just shut up and follow me. We need to get out of here." Kwon Hanul nodded. "You¡¯re actually making sense for once. We¡¯re behind enemy lines¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t let our guard down. Let¡¯s regroup with the main force." "No, that¡¯s not what I¡ªah, forget it." Kwon Jiseok clenched his fists in frustration. Kwon Hanul was getting irritated, too. But his mood changed instantly with Jiseok¡¯s next words: "Do you know who else is on this island? It¡¯s the Black Aura Squad¡ªHyung-Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s personal unit!" A chill ran down Kwon Hanul¡¯s spine. "...Don¡¯t tell me..." "Yeah. Hyung came here to kill you." "The Chairman approved deploying the Black Aura Squad?" Something felt very wrong. Kwon Seonwoo had always had strong intel. He had to know how strained the relationship between Kwon Hyuk and Kwon Hanul was. Jiseok sighed. "Father sent Hyung first¡ªhe plans to report to the Chairman after the fact." "...Is that true?" "It is. I don¡¯t know what strings he pulled, but Father already knows the location of the Blaga family. He used ¡®rescuing you¡¯ as a pretext to send Hyung first, and then plans to inform the Chairman after you¡¯ve been taken care of." A shiver ran down his spine. The intent to kill from Kwon Hyuk was real¡ªhe could feel it. "If Hyung finds you... no, even if anyone from the Black Aura Squad finds you, it¡¯s over. We have to get out¡ªnow." Jiseok gestured, but Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t move. "Why are you helping me?" The Vassal Bloodline allowed him to sense that Jiseok meant what he said. But he didn¡¯t understand why. Jiseok was Kwon Hyuk¡¯s son and Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s younger brother. Why side with him? "What kind of lame-ass question is that?" Jiseok grumbled. "You and I¡ªwe¡¯re both Hyukcheon." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 133 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 133: The Gap (3) Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes widened at the completely unexpected response. He never imagined¡ªof all people¡ªthat it would be Kwon Jiseok who admitted that he was a Hyukcheon. ¡°Hurry up and follow me if you understood.¡± Jiseok sharply turned his head. The tips of his ears were burning red. Hanul let out a hollow laugh and followed him. That was when it happened. ¡°Lord Kwon Jiseok, this puts us in quite the difficult position.¡± A strange voice came from above. Two men were standing on the rooftop of a nearby building. One was slim, while the other was so overweight that his belly bulged outward. ¡°How could you betray the boss? And you¡¯re his own little brother, no less. Isn¡¯t that right, senior?¡± ¡°Agreed. This is a no-go.¡± The slim man poked the heavier one in the side. The latter nodded in agreement. ¡°...Black Aura Unit.¡± Jiseok swallowed hard. The two Black Aura Unit members leapt down from the building and landed smoothly on the ground. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± The slim man spoke to Hanul, who nodded in response. ¡°Do I know you?¡± ¡°Tch, cheap provocations like that won¡¯t do. For someone as famous as Kwon Hanul, acting so beneath yourself doesn¡¯t suit you. You¡¯ve got a reputation to uphold.¡± The slim man chuckled slyly. Hanul replied again, sincerely this time, ¡°I really don¡¯t know who you are.¡± The man¡¯s expression slowly hardened. ¡°...Seriously?¡± ¡°Seriously.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t recognize me?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Lee Pilseung! Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten even after hearing that name!¡± Hanul wracked his memory again. Still, nothing came to mind. Lee Pilseung¡¯s face briefly went blank¡ªthen contorted with rage. ¡°That day you first met Captain Kwon Chan-seong! You and I fought, remember?!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Only then did Hanul recall who he was. ¡°You were that rookie with the Gift that could alter the properties of magic.¡± At last, a smile returned to Pilseung¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for my chance to get revenge ever since. Never thought this day would actually come.¡± Pilseung drew twin blades from a subspace pocket. A sharply honed murderous aura swept through the air. ¡°Impressive.¡± Hanul genuinely admired him. Pilseung had grown far stronger than he had been back then. ¡°But what do you think you can do against me with that level of strength?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not blinded by revenge.¡± Pilseung turned to the fat man. ¡°Senior. Mind helping me out?¡± ¡°Sure. But the credit¡¯s mine.¡± The heavy man stepped up beside Pilseung. Despite his bulk, he radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure. Hanul sharpened his senses and assessed the man. He was multiple levels above Pilseung in power. ¡°...We need to run.¡± Jiseok spoke up, his face pale. ¡°Do you know who that is? That guy¡¯s Full Bear. He¡¯s the brute who always stands at the front lines when the Black Aura Unit fights monsters...¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s team was only ever deployed for high-risk missions. Every monster they faced was ranked SS or higher. ¡°Even within the Black Aura, he¡¯s one of the most respected. You can¡¯t beat him. We have to retreat.¡± Jiseok¡¯s voice was filled with fear. That¡¯s how overwhelming Full Bear¡¯s presence was. ¡°Smart. You can¡¯t win.¡± Full Bear agreed with a simple nod. ¡°I strong. Tough. Hit hard.¡± Then, Full Bear¡¯s body began to change. His protruding belly retracted, and his body started to grow larger. As his physique expanded, jet-black fur sprouted across his body. His snout elongated, and claws emerged from his hands and feet. In an instant, he transformed into a bear. But not an ordinary bear¡ªone clad in metallic fur and armor-like hide. ¡°How¡¯s this? Satisfied now?¡± Pilseung asked smugly. ¡°We¡¯ve gotta bring you to the boss, so we¡¯ll rough you up just enough to keep you alive.¡± Pilseung unleashed his mana. Full Bear followed suit, their energies rising in unison. Their combined aura encircled Hanul and Jiseok. Jiseok¡¯s face froze. ¡°Damn it, guess there¡¯s no choice. I¡¯ll take Pilseung, so you¡ªwait, hey! Where are you going?!¡± Suddenly, Hanul began walking toward the two of them. Jiseok was so shocked he couldn¡¯t even think to stop him. ¡°So?¡± Hanul stood before them and asked. ¡°Is that all?¡± Pilseung and Full Bear looked at each other, confused. ¡°That¡¯s it? This is all you¡¯ve got?¡± Pilseung¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°And what if it is?!¡± He screamed and lunged, slashing with his twin blades. The aura that burst forth turned into a thorny net aimed at Hanul. In that instant, Hanul dipped his waist slightly. Dragon Demon Aura erupted from him, obliterating Pilseung¡¯s aura in one sweep. ¡°...What?¡± Hanul straightened up and surged forward, landing a crushing kick to Pilseung¡¯s jaw. His jaw shattered as his body was launched into the air, eventually crashing back to the ground. ¡°You! Dangerous!¡± Full Bear swung his massive right paw. Long, razor-sharp claws charged with aura slashed toward Hanul. Hanul shielded his arm with the Demon Dragon Scale Armor and blocked the blow, then countered with a punch. Black Dragon Ascension Art: Basic Form Rhythmic Strike: Spiral Wave Hanul¡¯s fist drove into Full Bear¡¯s abdomen, flooding his insides with Dragon Demon Aura. ¡°Pain! But okay!¡± But Full Bear showed no sign of being fazed. ¡°Me! Angry!¡± He bared his fangs and charged, wildly swinging his front paws at Hanul. His attacks were powerful but followed predictable trajectories. Hanul dodged them all with ease. He slipped through Full Bear¡¯s swings and closed the distance, placing a fist against the bear¡¯s belly. ¡°Huh?¡± Full Bear looked down at Hanul in confusion. ¡°Whew...¡± Hanul took a deep breath¡ªand detonated the Dragon Demon Aura within him. A massive amount of energy was expended all at once, triggering an explosion. Ink Flame A thick, gray smoke engulfed them. When it cleared, only the lower half of Full Bear remained. Hanul retracted his fist and said, unclenching his hand: ¡°I told you¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough.¡± ¡°You...¡± Jiseok was at a loss for words. Hanul¡¯s display of power had been nothing short of supernatural. What was even harder to believe was that Hanul¡¯s stats weren¡¯t even at S-rank yet. Despite that, he had completely overwhelmed both Lee Pilseung and Full Bear. ¡°We need to go before we¡¯re seen.¡± Jiseok urged Hanul. But Hanul didn¡¯t respond. He just stared off into the distant sky. ¡°Come on. We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s already too late.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve already sensed me from over there.¡± Over there? Jiseok didn¡¯t even need to ask. The answer came falling from the sky. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me...¡± The answer, straight from the heavens. ¡°You always find new ways to surprise me, little brother.¡± Kwon Chan-seong clicked his tongue. ¡°You know why I¡¯m here, don¡¯t you?¡± Chan-seong asked. ¡°You¡¯re here to eliminate me, aren¡¯t you.¡± ¡°Good. Glad we¡¯re on the same page. Need time for a final message or anything?¡± ¡°No. Won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡°Oh? Hahaha!¡± Chan-seong burst into hearty laughter, clearly pleased with the response. ¡°It¡¯s always such a joy talking with you. Oh, mind if I have a quick word with my brother?¡± Chan-seong turned his gaze to Jiseok. Jiseok clenched his fists. ¡°Why are you standing over there?¡± A murderous glint entered Chan-seong¡¯s eyes. ¡°Give me an answer I can accept. If not, I¡¯ll kill you here along with him.¡± ¡°...Exactly what it looks like. I¡¯m helping Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve lost your damn mind.¡± Chan-seong scoffed. Jiseok grit his teeth. ¡°No, you and Father are the insane ones. You gave away a Black Dragon Bloodline member¡ªa true-blood heir¡ªto another family, and now you want to kill him?!¡± ¡°You idiot. I¡¯ve explained this to you a thousand¡ª¡± ¡°Yes! And I still don¡¯t accept it!¡± Jiseok yelled. ¡°Brother! I¡¯m following the way of Hyukcheon! I will face Kwon Hanul¡ª¡± He trailed off mid-sentence. No¡ªhe couldn¡¯t speak. Not when the killing intent radiating from Chan-seong was so overwhelming. ¡°Good. You understand. Now shut your mouth.¡± Chan-seong cracked his knuckles and said: ¡°Time to send both of you off to the afterlife.¡± * * * Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s presence radiated in every direction. It was an intensely domineering force. Kwon Hanul involuntarily swallowed hard. He had bluffed, sure¡ªbut the gap between them was painfully obvious. ¡°Hey, hey...¡± Kwon Jiseok called out to Hanul, trembling with fear himself. ¡°D-Do something...! Like before¡ªy-you know, unleashing that hidden power or... or something...!¡± Hanul shook his head. Ferderance, Jose del Pablo, Maria Sanchez. He¡¯d faced powerful opponents while being at a disadvantage before. But Kwon Chan-seong was in a different league. Wasn¡¯t he the absolute figure of Hyukcheon, mentioned alongside Kwon Seonwoo, Kwon Myung-woo, and Kwon Hyuk? Even if Hanul summoned the full strength of his bloodline, he couldn¡¯t possibly defeat Chan-seong. ¡°...We should run.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°When I give the signal, run in the opposite direction.¡± ¡°S-Signal?¡± Hanul released Dragon Demon Aura through the soles of his feet. It seeped into the earth, then erupted aboveground. Black Dragon Ascension Art¨C Basic Form Crushing Style ¨C Spear Stream The Dragon Aura surged like a wave, sweeping across the nearby ground. Dust and energy clouded the field of vision. ¡°Now!¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Kwon Hanul and Kwon Jiseok bolted in opposite directions. Skyborne Path Stage One: Lone Run A path of wind opened midair. Hanul ran with everything he had. In the blink of an eye, he was far from where he¡¯d started. ¡°...Slower than I expected.¡± Chills crawled up his spine. Chan-seong¡¯s voice came from directly behind. ¡°Would you pause for a moment?¡± Chan-seong brought down a knifehand strike. Hanul crossed his arms to block it. There was no magical energy. No Dragon Aura. Just a simple strike. Yet Hanul¡¯s body was sent crashing straight downward as if he¡¯d been struck by something immense. ¡°Guh...¡± He slammed into the ground and coughed up blood. His mind swam. It had been a long time since he¡¯d taken a hit this devastating. ¡°Cough... cough...¡± Hanul staggered out of the crater, hacking. When he lifted his head, he saw Chan-seong. ¡°Not bad. You blocked my hand and still have both arms attached.¡± Hanul spat blood onto the ground. He wanted to retort, to be snide, but he couldn¡¯t muster the strength. His body wouldn¡¯t respond. He couldn¡¯t even properly circulate his mana. Just blocking one hit had left his body wrecked. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this.¡± Chan-seong raised his index finger. Dark aura began to gather at the tip. Hanul needed to dodge, but his body wouldn¡¯t move. Kneeling on the ground, he could only watch. ¡°...I suppose it¡¯ll be a little dull without my younger brother around.¡± Chan-seong flicked his finger. A bolt of Dragon Aura shot toward Hanul¡¯s heart like a bullet. At that moment, someone appeared¡ªlaunching a kick that deflected the projectile. Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. Because standing before him¡ªwas a woman. ¡°Master.¡± Rabbit spoke. ¡°I apologize for disobeying orders.¡± Before she¡¯d even finished, more figures appeared. Hanul shifted his gaze to check their faces. They were all his former blood bounds¡ªthose he¡¯d ruled over at the estate. ¡°We came to help you.¡± In unison, the blood bounds spoke¡ªincluding Rabbit. For a moment, Rabbit¡¯s words stunned him. Help him? Why? For what reason? He hadn¡¯t had any particularly deep relationship with them. He had only taken control of them to avoid Catalina Blaga¡¯s surveillance. So why were they here? ¡°You really are strange, little cousin.¡± Chan-seong¡¯s voice snapped Hanul out of his thoughts. ¡°People from the Blaga family coming to your aid? Just what did you do in such a short time?¡± Chan-seong ran both hands through his hair, baring his forehead. ¡°Curious... but I¡¯ve got business to finish.¡± He moved. Rabbit shouted instantly, ¡°Take Master and run!¡± One blood bound picked Hanul up and started fleeing. Hanul stared at Rabbit, his face clouded in confusion. ¡°Buy us time! Stop him no matter what!¡± The blood bounds threw themselves in Chan-seong¡¯s path. Their heads were torn off. ¡°Annoying little gnats.¡± To Chan-seong, their lives weren¡¯t even worth a fly¡¯s. But the blood bounds didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªthey charged again. Why? Even as they grew more distant, the question gnawed at Hanul. Why would they...? But the answer was obvious. Because the dominion of the Vassal bloodline was terrifyingly absolute. They offered their lives simply because he was a true-blooded heir. They were no more than machines executing commands. Even so¡ª He couldn¡¯t bring himself to accept their actions as merely ¡°expected.¡± How could he be indifferent to people dying just to save him? ...Ha. Only now did he feel the true weight of the Vassal Bloodline. It wasn¡¯t as convenient as it seemed. ¡°J-Just a bit further! We¡¯ll reach the shore soon! We can escape by boat!¡± One blood bound shouted to Hanul. Then¡ª ¡°So this is as far as you run?¡± Chan-seong¡¯s voice came just before the blood bound¡¯s legs were severed. The blood bound screamed and collapsed. Despite the sudden attack, he fell forward¡ªto protect Hanul. His face scraped against the ground, blood spilling out. ¡°M-Master...!¡± Even with both legs lost, the blood bound still tried to protect Hanul. But Chan-seong was faster. He swung and severed the blood bound¡¯s neck. ¡°Guh...!¡± ¡°You¡¯re just going to leave without saying goodbye? We¡¯re not done here.¡± Chan-seong casually shook blood from his hand. His clothes, pristine just moments ago, were now stained with blood. ¡°What happened to the others?¡± ¡°They¡¯re dead.¡± Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised. But that didn¡¯t stop his chest from tightening. ¡°No more distractions, then.¡± Chan-seong reached for Hanul¡¯s throat. ¡°Oh my.¡± Just before his hand connected, a sultry voice rang out. Chan-seong¡¯s face twisted at the sound. He turned toward the source. ¡°Well, well. Two familiar faces.¡± Catalina Blaga. She had arrived. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 134 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 134:. Spear vs. Spear (1) ¡°Catalina Blaga...?¡± Kwon Hanul muttered in disbelief. It was only natural¡ªthis situation was absurd. ¡°You should¡¯ve stayed at the mansion. We found you late because you were wandering around.¡± Catalina Blaga scolded Kwon Hanul. Hanul was silently appalled. Why was he being lectured by this woman? ¡°Well, look who¡¯s finally graced us with her presence.¡± At that moment, Kwon Chan-seong spoke. He seemed perfectly composed, even in the presence of the true power behind the Blaga family. ¡°But don¡¯t you think you¡¯re a little late? Showing up only after your entire house has been decimated?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t possibly greet guests barefaced, could I? I needed time to prepare.¡± ¡°I honestly don¡¯t get why you wasted time on something so pointless.¡± A sneer curled at the corner of Chan-seong¡¯s mouth. ¡°Not like it matters. You¡¯re going to die soon anyway.¡± ¡°Oh my, how frightening. I suppose you feel free to say whatever now that you¡¯ve got nothing to lose.¡± Catalina chuckled right back at him. ¡°To be honest, I was surprised. I figured you wouldn¡¯t sit still, but I didn¡¯t expect you to move this fast.¡± ¡°My father doesn¡¯t believe in procrastination.¡± Chan-seong raised his chin slightly, pride glinting in his eyes. ¡°But your methods are rather crude. How do you plan to deal with Chairman Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s wrath?¡± ¡°I already have that part figured out. No need to worry.¡± He turned to look at Kwon Hanul. ¡°The star of this little scenario is none other than my dear cousin, Hanul.¡± ¡°How flattering.¡± Hanul muttered sarcastically. Chan-seong ignored him and continued. ¡°My brother here was kidnapped by the Blaga family. Catalina tortured him mentally in an attempt to seduce him. But he held on¡ªfought through it all. Right up until I arrived. He did well. Just the spirit I expect from a descendant of Hyukcheon. ¡° Chan-seong nodded approvingly. ¡°But unfortunately, by the time I rescued him, the trauma had already shattered his mind. He was broken. So I had no choice but to bring my now-mindless brother back home.¡± ¡°How kind of you to spare my life.¡± Hanul shot back mockingly. Chan-seong smirked¡ªa chilling, unpleasant expression. ¡°Hanul, you¡¯re not listening. In this scenario, you have to become a vegetable.¡± Chan-seong tapped his temple with a finger. ¡°But don¡¯t worry about how. I specialize in rupturing internal organs while leaving the skin intact. Same technique works on the brain. You¡¯ll survive¡ªbut with your mind completely gone.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like this story.¡± ¡°Too bad the lead actor doesn¡¯t get script approval.¡± ¡°The Chairman will see right through this farce.¡± ¡°Fair point. But Hanul, it¡¯s impossible to fool him completely. What I can do is...¡± ¡°...manipulate the situation so that even if he suspects something, he can¡¯t prove it.¡± Catalina cut in. Chan-seong turned to her. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been having similar thoughts lately. Seems we¡¯re more alike than I¡¯d like to admit.¡± Catalina slipped off the cardigan draped over her shoulders and began folding it carefully. ¡°Catalina Blaga. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re thinking of fighting me.¡± ¡°Obviously. It¡¯s not every day I meet a man who truly catches my interest. I can¡¯t let you turn him into a mindless husk.¡± Chan-seong scoffed, as if she were being ridiculous. ¡°You stupid bitch. Can¡¯t you see what¡¯s going on? Look around. What¡¯s left of your family?¡± Buildings in ruins. Blood kin and followers slaughtered. Even now, destruction and carnage continued all around them. ¡°Your clan¡¯s been wiped out. You should be fleeing with the survivors. What¡¯s that? You can¡¯t leave Hanul behind?¡± His scoff became raucous laughter. ¡°Coming from a slut who¡¯s spread her legs for men over centuries¡ªdon¡¯t try to act noble now. Know your place.¡± ¡°Such foul language from someone raised in high society.¡± Even as Chan-seong hurled vicious insults, Catalina remained unfazed. ¡°And I think you¡¯ve misunderstood something.¡± With good reason. ¡°Destroyed? The buildings, maybe. But those can be rebuilt. You¡¯re being overly dramatic.¡± ¡°Buildings, sure. But your people¡ªyour household¡ªare dead.¡± Just then, Catalina handed the neatly folded cardigan behind her. From thin air, a man appeared and received it. ¡°It¡¯s precious. Take good care of it, okay, K?¡± ¡°As you command.¡± Chan-seong¡¯s eyes widened. Standing there unharmed was Chris Ben¡ªthe same man whose heart he¡¯d crushed. ¡°This... how?¡± Chan-seong¡¯s gaze trembled. K¡¯s chest was soaked in blood. Wounds from a stabbing still gaped open. And yet, K was perfectly fine. ¡°Did you forget? Our Blaga bloodline is famous not only for illusions, but regeneration.¡± ¡°I destroyed his heart. No matter how resilient he is, no one survives that kind of wound.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what everyone thinks.¡± Catalina shrugged. ¡°We deliberately spread rumors that our regeneration was limited. So people would let their guard down.¡± And just like that, Chan-seong had underestimated K¡¯s recovery and failed to kill him properly. Thanks to that, K had managed to return alive¡ªeven against overwhelming odds. ¡°By now, all the blood kin and servants you thought were down are probably back on their feet.¡± Only the buildings were destroyed. The majority of the Blaga clan still lived. ¡°Hah...¡± Chan-seong let out a dry laugh. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Your people can¡¯t match my squad.¡± Even if a rabbit resurrects a hundred times, it can¡¯t defeat a lion. No matter how impressive their regeneration, the Blaga clan couldn¡¯t possibly stand against the Black Aura. ¡°If crushing a heart doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll tear off their heads. If that fails, I¡¯ll burn them to ashes.¡± This wasn¡¯t a threat. As commander of the Black Aura, Chan-seong knew exactly how ruthless his troops could be. Foes with extraordinary regeneration? They¡¯d faced worse. They would find a way to kill them for good. ¡°No one said we¡¯d be fighting.¡± Catalina¡¯s voice cut in sharply. ¡°You think we¡¯d waste our hard-earned survival by going toe-to-toe with your monsters? They¡¯ve already retreated.¡± Chan-seong scowled. Retreat? It was the smart move¡ªbut something felt off. Catalina didn¡¯t strike him as the type to surrender so easily. ¡°Our true strength doesn¡¯t lie in our warriors or monsters.¡± ¡°I know. Your greatest weapon is illusion.¡± The Blaga clan¡¯s bloodline had the power to manipulate minds. ¡°We came prepared.¡± Not only Chan-seong, but every member of the Black Aura had fortified their minds and were armed with relics that dispelled illusions. There was a reason the Blaga kin had fallen so easily¡ªthis was expected. Those relics were just contingency measures, though. Overpowering someone¡¯s mind was incredibly difficult. Maybe a second-rate hunter could be deceived¡ªbut to manipulate elite, world-class hunters like the Black Aura? Nearly impossible. ¡°Hmm.¡± So he thought. ¡°Captain Kwon, when did you get that gash on your thigh?¡± Chan-seong glanced down. A deep cut ran across his thigh¡ªlike it had been slashed by a blade. A sharp pain surged, and blood sprayed out like a fountain. He stared at it in disbelief. It wasn¡¯t the severity that shocked him¡ªit was the impossibility of it. ¡°No, I must¡¯ve imagined it.¡± Catalina clapped once. The wound vanished. ¡°Huh? But doesn¡¯t it feel heavy? Something¡¯s holding you down.¡± He blinked¡ªand saw thick tree roots coiled tightly around his entire body. An illusion. He bit his tongue, trying to wake himself with pain. But the more he tried, the tighter the roots constricted. ¡°You look uncomfortable. Let me help.¡± Suddenly, the roots vanished. Chan-seong glared at her. Then the ground quaked. The sky crumbled. Darkness spread beneath her feet. From that abyss, monstrous beasts emerged, jaws wide open like they¡¯d crawled out of hell. Illusions. Lies. Fakes. And yet¡ªhe couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°Did you really think those relics could suppress us? Maybe other bloodlines. But not ours.¡± Us. He knew exactly who she meant. The Twelve Elders of the Blaga family. All clans had elders¡ªbut the Blagas were different. These were ancient monsters who had existed since the founding of the house. ¡°They¡¯re probably on the battlefield by now.¡± Screams erupted in the distance¡ªmultiple voices. Chan-seong immediately knew. Those weren¡¯t Blaga voices. They were Black Aura soldiers. ¡°...I admit it. I underestimated the Blagas.¡± ¡°Funny. Everyone seems to realize that a little too late.¡± ¡°Then allow me to take you seriously from now on.¡± ¡°Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?¡± In a blur, Chan-seong moved. Just one step¡ªand he was already right in front of Catalina. ¡°Like this.¡± His hand, shrouded in dragon aura, lashed forward. The aura looked sharp enough to be mistaken for a blade. If he couldn¡¯t neutralize her illusions, he¡¯d strike before she could use them. He aimed straight for her heart¡ªa flawless, lethal blow. ¡°Oh dear.¡± She caught it. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t touch a lady¡¯s chest without permission.¡± With almost no effort, she crushed the energy in his hand. Shock flickered across Chan-seong¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s your punishment for messing with my house.¡± She yanked him forward and slammed him into the ground. It didn¡¯t hurt much, but the impact rattled him to his core. Dizzy, he pushed himself up. As he lifted his head¡ªhe saw her. Catalina drew back one leg like she was winding up for a kick. ¡°Yap!¡± With a playful shout, she launched her foot square into his face. The result wasn¡¯t playful at all. His head snapped back. Blood burst from his nose and mouth. His body flew, then crashed down. ¡°How was that?¡± Catalina lowered her leg with elegant composure. ¡°Still think I¡¯m an easy target?¡± Chan-seong raised his bloodied face. That had been no illusion. Catalina Blaga. The true power behind the Blaga family. She had mastered not only illusion¡ªbut her physical form as well. ¡°You damn monster...¡± Chan-seong spat out bloodied saliva¡ªand charged again. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 135 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 135: Spear vs. Spear (2) Kwon Chan-seong charged toward Catalina Blaga, unleashing the power of the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline. Black scales began to spread across both his arms, shoulders, and back. His front remained exposed. The Blackscale Armor only protected his arms and back. At a glance, it looked like a foolish move. The Blackscale Armor was a defensive ability, yet he left his front vulnerable and chose to shield his back instead. ¡°So that¡¯s your custom version, huh?¡± But Catalina Blaga didn¡¯t scoff at the sight. Very few bloodline members could fully cover their bodies in Blackscale Armor. Most simply didn¡¯t have the capacity to generate that much of it. As a result, the members of Hyukcheon adapted the armor into different forms. Kwon Chan-seong was no exception. By reinforcing his arms with the Blackscale Armor, he increased his offensive power. Covering his back created a brace to absorb the recoil of his attacks. ¡°You talk too much. Let¡¯s tear that mouth off first.¡± Kwon Chan-seong spread his ten fingers. The black-armored digits looked just like a dragon¡¯s claws. He slashed the air. Dragon Combat Aura burst forth in ten sharp waves, surging toward Catalina Blaga. Catalina didn¡¯t dodge. She punched through the incoming strikes, shattering them with a blow wrapped in aura. A clash between two absolutes. The shockwave alone leveled the buildings behind Catalina Blaga. The ground beneath them split apart. A massive cloud of dust filled the air. Catalina exhaled a sigh of exasperation. ¡°It¡¯ll cost a fortune to rebuild all this.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be worrying about staying alive first?¡± Kwon Chan-seong shot out of the dust and landed a direct kick to Catalina¡¯s abdomen. But the impact didn¡¯t send her flying. Instead, a chunk of flesh was ripped clean from her belly. A gaping hole was left behind. ¡°That hurt.¡± Yet Catalina didn¡¯t even flinch. For one of the bloodline members, a wound like that was little more than a scratch. Kwon Chan-seong had anticipated as much. Without hesitation, he clenched his fist and gathered his Dragon Combat Aura. The air around his fist began to swirl violently. Catalina¡¯s face tensed at the ominous sight. If that punch lands¡ªshe¡¯ll die. Catalina knew it instinctively. ¡°Haah!¡± With a shout, Kwon Chan-seong launched his fist forward. His Qi took on form as it gathered. Black Dragon¡¯s Twelve Ascending Techniques: Superior Form Aura Impact Technique ¨C Rising Dragon Fist At that moment, Catalina Blaga¡¯s eyes turned blood-red. Her ability flooded into Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s vision. The ground trembled. Countless spears shot up from beneath, impaling Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s body from every angle. ¡°Khgh...?!¡± Blinding pain surged through him. His limbs and torso were all pierced at once, rendering him unable to unleash the Rising Dragon Fist. Catalina seized the moment and grabbed his fist, unleashing a wave of magic power. When the two forces collided, a massive explosion erupted. Both were hurled backward from the blast. ¡°You¡¯re a real pain.¡± Brushing the dust from his clothes, Kwon Chan-seong muttered. Despite being at the center of the blast, he was unscathed. ¡°Seems you¡¯re not fond of my illusions.¡± Catalina, on the other hand, had injuries all across her body. But her wounds closed rapidly. ¡°Not fond at all. Finally met someone who can match me, and what does she do? Pulls cheap tricks like that. Pisses me off.¡± ¡°Tricks? That hurts my pride. Want me to show you something real, then?¡± Her crimson eyes gleamed even brighter. The instant Kwon Chan-seong saw that light, the ground beneath his feet gave way. ¡°What?!¡± He plummeted into the abyss below. He tried to conjure footholds with magic, but the energy dissipated instantly. Then they appeared. From the darkness below, monsters lifted their heads¡ªgrotesque creatures with murderous eyes and dripping fangs. Even Kwon Chan-seong felt a chill. These monsters were terrifying. ¡°This... is just an illusion?¡± He muttered in disbelief, raising his Aura and preparing to fight. He knew it was an illusion¡ªbut in front of Catalina Blaga, illusions were indistinguishable from reality. ¡°Damn it!¡± Cursing, he released his Dragon Combat Aura toward the monsters. * * * Meanwhile... ¡°Hyaaah! Hah! Haaaah!¡± In an empty clearing... ¡°I said, just DIE already!¡± Kwon Chan-seong was punching and firing Aura into thin air. Despite how ridiculous he looked, his expression was dead serious. Naturally¡ªbecause within the illusion, he was fighting hordes of monsters. ¡°Even the mighty Kwon Chan-seong turns into a joke once he¡¯s trapped in an illusion.¡± Catalina chuckled as she opened a subspace portal. She pulled out a long spear from within. Its shaft and blade were dyed a vivid crimson. Demonic Spear Taldaria An infamous relic said to pierce not just flesh, but the soul itself. Even Kwon Chan-seong wouldn¡¯t survive a hit from this. ¡°If I don¡¯t finish this in one blow, I might be in trouble.¡± Catalina poured magic into the spear. Its red glow deepened until it looked ready to drip blood. With the weapon gripped tightly, she approached. Aimed straight for Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s heart¡ªand thrust. The red arc pierced his chest. But in the same moment, the spear bounced back. Catalina¡¯s eyes widened. Through the torn fabric, black scales were visible. ¡°Blackscale Armor? When did you...?¡± ¡°Just now.¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s voice rang out. His eyes locked onto hers. Horror twisted Catalina¡¯s face. In the next instant, Kwon Chan-seong grabbed her spear and slammed his palm into her chest. Dragon Combat Aura tore through her insides. Her organs were crushed and shattered. She coughed up blood as she was flung away. Groaning, Catalina propped herself up with both hands, blood still streaming from her mouth. ¡°How... did you break the illusion?¡± Kwon Chan-seong pointed to his eyes. Unlike usual, they were glowing violet. ¡°Name-Seeker¡¯s Eye? But that ability doesn¡¯t cancel illusions...¡± ¡°Normally, no.¡± He nodded. The Name-Seeker¡¯s Eye enhances dynamic vision. Time slows down while using it. ¡°But as the synchronization rate with the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline increases, the power strengthens too.¡± His current synchronization rate: over 90%. Thanks to that, his Name-Seeker¡¯s Eye could now distinguish truth from illusion. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy. Had to pour every last drop of magic into it.¡± Blood tears streamed down his face. Overuse had pushed the ability past its limits. But to escape an illusion cast by someone like Catalina Blaga¡ªthat price was more than worth it. ¡°Now that illusions won¡¯t work, what¡¯ll you do?¡± He hurled the demonic spear far into the distance and strode toward her. But Catalina didn¡¯t get up to fight. She couldn¡¯t¡ªnot after taking that last hit. ¡°Can¡¯t stand? That¡¯s disappointing.¡± Kwon Chan-seong raised a knife-hand. Dragon Aura wrapped around his arm. ¡°Still, I had fun. You lived up to your reputation.¡± The aura in his hand flared even brighter. Catalina remained frozen. Not by choice¡ªshe *\still hadn¡¯t recovered from the blow. The strike fell. Black Dragon¡¯s Twelve Ascending Techniques: Superior Form Destruction Style ¨C Absolute End A massive arc of energy cut through the sky, falling toward Catalina¡¯s head. The same technique that once wiped out hundreds of monsters guarding the Blaga family. The arc was mere inches from striking¡ª When Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s arm vanished. ¡°What?!¡± He panicked. His eyes still saw the arm¡ªbut there was no feeling below the shoulder. Shocked, he lost control of his Aura. The technique dissipated completely. As soon as it vanished, sensation returned to his arm. He touched it, his expression grim. ¡°Phew... that was close.¡± Catalina slowly stood up. Her wounds fully healed¡ªno more blood at her lips. ¡°What did you do to me?¡± ¡°I used the bloodline ability.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie. The Name-Seeker¡¯s Eye can dispel illusions¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re dumber than I thought.¡± Catalina sneered. ¡°You think human senses begin and end with vision? That one eye could block all of a Vassal Bloodline¡¯s power?¡± Humans have five senses. The Vassal Bloodline can manipulate all of them. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s face twisted. ¡°You really are a monster.¡± ¡°That¡¯s my line.¡± Once again, the two of them surged with power. And clashed once more. * * * While Catalina Blaga and Kwon Chan-seong were fighting, Kwon Hanul desperately focused on recovering his physical condition. ¡°...There.¡± With great effort, Kwon Hanul managed to lift himself up. Raising his head, he looked toward the two locked in battle. The clash between the two transcendent beings was brutal. Every blow shook the earth. The clouds in the sky were torn apart. ¡°Terrifying...¡± Hanul didn¡¯t dare approach them. The battle was that intense. ¡°Hey! You bastard!¡± A familiar voice rang out. Kwon Jiseok was running toward him. But he wasn¡¯t alone. Others followed behind him. ¡°...Rabbit?¡± They were the bloodbounds who had once sacrificed themselves for Hanul. ¡°You¡¯re okay!¡± ¡°I told you to run!¡± ¡°If I ran off alone, all the effort we put into getting this far would¡¯ve been for nothing!¡± Jiseok snapped irritably, and Hanul let out a breathless chuckle. ¡°Anyway, say hi. These people here are¡ª¡± ¡°Rabbit.¡± ¡°...What, you already knew?¡± Hanul looked over at the other bloodbounds. ¡°How... weren¡¯t you dead?¡± ¡°Thanks to the regenerative ability of bloodbounds, we survived. ...Though not all of us made it.¡± Just as Rabbit said, more than half were missing. Their wounds must have been too severe for even bloodbound regeneration to heal. ¡°...Thank you.¡± Hanul bowed his head to the bloodbounds. They waved their hands in dismissal. ¡°Don¡¯t thank us. Dying for our Master is only natural...¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s not something that should be taken for granted.¡± He knew. In the end, it was due to the coercive force of the bloodbound bond. But Hanul couldn''t accept it as merely inevitable. He had controlled them¡ªyes, as a means to escape the Blaga family¡ªbut now he had to take responsibility for that choice. That was the duty of one who held the True Vassal Bloodline. No... it was the duty of a human being. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for small talk. We need to get out of here.¡± Jiseok urged Hanul. ¡°No, we can¡¯t.¡± ¡°...Now what? What¡¯s the problem this time? With hyung and Catalina Blaga fighting, this is our best chance.¡± ¡°Whoever wins, we¡¯re not escaping this family.¡± Watching the battle made it crystal clear¡ªHanul had no hope of escaping either of them in his current state. Even if he did manage to run, once the battle ended, one of them would come after him. ¡°And Kwon Chan-seong will win this fight. Once he does, he¡¯ll come for me. No doubt about it.¡± ¡°...Hyung¡¯s going to win? What are you talking about?¡± Jiseok looked confused, and understandably so. The two were still fighting on equal footing. Neither had the upper hand. But Hanul was certain of it¡ªKwon Chan-seong would emerge victorious. ¡°Catalina Blaga¡¯s taking more and more hits.¡± It wasn¡¯t obvious due to her regeneration, but she had already been struck multiple times. ¡°Her healing is also slowing down.¡± Wounds inflicted by aura don¡¯t heal easily. That¡¯s because traces of the opponent¡¯s mana linger and interfere with regeneration. There is a way to deal with it¡ªby using mana to erase the opponent¡¯s mana¡ªbut it consumes a massive amount of energy. No matter how exceptional her regeneration was, she had definitely used up a significant amount of mana by now. ¡°...But hyung¡¯s exhausted too.¡± Jiseok wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªKwon Chan-seong wasn¡¯t unscathed. His breathing was heavier, his body covered in wounds. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time.¡± No sooner had Hanul spoken those words¡ª A sudden explosion rocked the world. Hanul and Jiseok shielded their faces with their arms. As the shockwave subsided, they lowered their hands¡ªand saw it. Catalina Blaga lay on the ground, coughing up blood. And in front of her stood Kwon Chan-seong, smiling. ¡°Khak...¡± Catalina Blaga spat blood. Her condition was dire. Her overflowing regenerative power had ceased to function. ¡°Finally got you.¡± Kwon Chan-seong chuckled darkly, looking down at her. She looked up at him and muttered, ¡°...What... did you just do...¡± One moment he had vanished¡ªthen the impact struck. When she came to, she was already smashed into the ground. ¡°I used my trump card. Didn¡¯t expect you to force me to use it.¡± Catalina¡¯s mouth opened to speak, but blood poured out before she could utter a word. ¡°Catalina Blaga¡ªliving legend of the hunter world. Heard so many stories... but you¡¯re not much, are you?¡± It wasn¡¯t that Catalina Blaga was weak. Among the world¡¯s top-ranked hunters, very few could even hope to face her. Kwon Chan-seong was simply stronger. Strong enough to transcend centuries of power and experience. ¡°Grrk.¡± Kwon Chan-seong lifted his foot and pressed it against her chest. Her face twisted in agony. ¡°You¡¯ve lived long enough. You can¡¯t complain about dying now.¡± He pressed down harder. Her breastplate cracked. Her heart was being crushed. A scream tore from Catalina¡¯s throat. Just then¡ªsomething flew through the air. A chilling aura sharp enough to trigger Chan-seong¡¯s instincts. He leapt back. A spear landed exactly where he¡¯d stood¡ªa magic spear, the same one Catalina had tried to skewer his heart with earlier. ¡°...You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Chan-seong slowly turned his head. Kwon Hanul stood frozen, arm extended in a throwing pose. ¡°...Little cousin. What the hell was that?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I threw a spear.¡± Hanul relaxed his stance. ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m asking. Why did you stop me from killing her?¡± ¡°I gave it some thought. No matter which of you wins, it doesn¡¯t really benefit me. Between the two, I figured I¡¯d be better off with Catalina Blaga still breathing.¡± ¡°So you interfered?¡± Chan-seong clicked his tongue. ¡°Should¡¯ve just run while you had the chance. Or did you fall for her in those few minutes?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t see the point. Either way, you¡¯d catch me in no time.¡± ¡°Well, true. Fair assessment.¡± ¡°And when I thought it through, I realized¡ªmaybe I can beat you.¡± Chan-seong¡¯s body froze. He tilted his head slowly. ¡°You think you can defeat me?¡± ¡°Yeah. I think I¡¯ve got a shot.¡± ¡°Are you being serious right now?¡± ¡°Everyone who¡¯s ever fought me didn¡¯t believe me either. You know what happened to them?¡± Chan-seong began to laugh. And with each laugh, his aura swelled. ¡°...You just compared me to those worms?¡± His twisted smile looked more like a demonic grin. ¡°Fine. Then I¡¯ll fix your delusions right here, right now!¡± He was enormous. Just looking at him made Hanul¡¯s knees want to buckle. He felt like crying. Like curling into a ball. But Hanul didn¡¯t run. He stood his ground¡ªand slowly opened his mouth. ¡°...Dragon.¡± One word. Whispered. A storm of mana exploded forth. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 136 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 136: Spear vs. Spear (3) A black storm swirled around Kwon Hanul. It blew away everything on the ground and rose into the sky, tearing through the clouds. Catalina Blaga had to dig her fingers into the ground just to avoid being swept away. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the storm calmed. The winds dispersed, revealing Kwon Hanul. The first thing that stood out were the two horns protruding from his forehead. His entire body was engulfed in magical energy like black flames, and amidst it, violet eyes glimmered. ¡°...Little Dragon?¡± The words left Catalina Blaga¡¯s lips before she realized it. But Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t respond to her. He only glared at Kwon Chan-seong. ¡°So that¡¯s the power of the True Blood, a privilege only a descendant may wield.¡± Kwon Chan-seong slowly examined Hanul from head to toe. ¡°I was curious when I saw it on video. Just how powerful was that ability? What kind of potential did it hold?¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°This... far exceeds my expectations.¡± A grin crept across his lips. ¡°Impressive. That someone who hasn¡¯t even fully awakened could generate this kind of energy... That¡¯s a terrifying power.¡± A flush of excitement appeared on Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s face. The pride shared by all of the Hyukcheon clan suddenly surged within him. ¡°Cousin, allow me to test you.¡± Hanul shot forward. With just a light push from the ground, he was suddenly right in front of Kwon Chan-seong, swinging a punch. Chan-seong crossed his arms to block the blow. As their powers clashed, a burst of aura exploded around him. ¡°Heavy!¡± Chan-seong shouted in exhilaration. Remarkably, he remained unscathed. Then his own fist struck Hanul¡¯s abdomen. A shockwave rippled outward, shaking everything around them. Hanul¡¯s body was thrown back. But the impact didn¡¯t seem too severe. He quickly recovered, launched himself into the air, and raised one leg high. ¡°Oh?¡± His heel came crashing down in a straight arc. Chan-seong raised his forearms to block. The shock he couldn¡¯t fully absorb traveled through his legs and into the ground, causing the earth beneath him to sink. ¡°Your strength and speed are decent. Now let¡¯s see how skilled you are.¡± He pushed Hanul¡¯s leg aside and sent him flipping through the air. Hanul twisted his body mid-air and landed cleanly. Chan-seong clenched his fists, gathering dragon energy. Hanul swiftly summoned his own draconic power. ¡°Haa!¡± With a shout, Chan-seong launched a punch. An overwhelming surge of dragon aura burst forth. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Upper Form Aura-Strike Style: Rising Dragon Fist Hanul mirrored him with his own punch. His energy erupted. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Upper Form Aura-Strike Style: Rising Dragon Fist Two black dragons appeared. They lunged at each other, jaws wide to tear each other apart. But the moment their mouths clashed, Hanul¡¯s dragon disintegrated. The collapse of Hanul¡¯s dragon triggered an explosion of energy, wiping out Chan-seong¡¯s dragon as well. The impact zone was charred black, as if bombed. ¡°Khak.¡± Suddenly, a cough. Blood spattered from Chan-seong¡¯s mouth. ¡°Ah, brother. Don¡¯t get the wrong idea. This wound isn¡¯t from you.¡± ¨C I know. Chan-seong¡¯s eyes widened at the voice that echoed in his head. ¡°You can speak now? And you knew?¡± ¨C You¡¯re not in perfect condition. You¡¯re suffering internal damage from your fight with Catalina Blaga. Hanul hadn¡¯t rushed in without a plan. Though Chan-seong had won, he had taken serious damage from battling Catalina. He was physically worn and internally injured. Even so, Chan-seong was still holding the upper hand against Hanul, proving what a monster he truly was. ¡°To think you¡¯d understand. I appreciate that.¡± He wiped the blood from his lips and continued. ¡°If it had been any other Black Aura member here instead of me, they wouldn¡¯t have been able to defeat you.¡± Chan-seong raised his aura. Dragon aura coiled around both arms in the form of spiraling bands. The bands spun violently, emitting a shrill, ear-splitting sound that filled the air. ¡°But now I know. You¡¯re strong, cousin... but not complete.¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t deny it. The spirals around Chan-seong¡¯s arms emanated a terrifying presence. ¡°Then let¡¯s begin again.¡± This time, Chan-seong moved first¡ªso fast it was hard to track him without absolute focus. ¡°One strike!¡± His punch shot toward Hanul¡¯s ribs. Hanul slammed his elbow down to intercept it. But his elbow was deflected. The spiral around Chan-seong¡¯s arm repelled the blow. ¨C Khak! Chan-seong¡¯s fist drove into Hanul¡¯s ribs. Hanul cried out and stumbled back. ¡°Two strikes!¡± Chan-seong followed up immediately. Hanul raised his arm to block the next punch. Even though he blocked it, the shock reverberated through his entire body. His bones ached, his organs twisted. He couldn¡¯t keep blocking. Hanul instinctively knew this. He took a deep breath. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Upper Form Aura-Strike Style: Dragon Roar He exhaled the breath he had drawn in. The amplified soundwave ripped forward. But Chan-seong was gone. Hanul panicked. Had he vanished in that brief moment of preparation? ¡°I told you...¡± The voice came from above. ¡°You¡¯re not complete yet.¡± Hanul snapped his head up. But before he could react, Chan-seong¡¯s fist descended. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¨C Upper Form Destruction Style: Spiral Tempest The spirals unwrapped from Chan-seong¡¯s arms. His dragon energy mixed with the air and spun. A gray vortex consumed Hanul. Was it ten seconds? The vortex eventually faded, leaving the ground beneath shredded and cratered. Already ravaged terrain was now utterly devastated. At the center of it all¡ª Someone knelt, coughing blood. ¡°Heh, so you¡¯re still alive.¡± Chan-seong sounded genuinely surprised. Even after being caught in that, Hanul hadn¡¯t lost consciousness. But he couldn¡¯t fight anymore. The two horns on his forehead were broken. The black flames that had cloaked him were gone. His exposed black carapace was cracked all over like shattered glass. ¨C Khak, khak. Each cough sprayed bright red blood, like he was expelling his life force itself. ¡°To think your body¡¯s still intact... and you¡¯re still breathing...¡± Chan-seong¡¯s smile vanished. Despite his victory, he looked down at Hanul with solemn gravity. ¡°Father was right about you. You¡¯re dangerous. So dangerous, you need to be eliminated¡ªby any means necessary, as quickly as possible.¡± He raised his hand, compressing dragon energy into his palm. ¡°Cousin. Farewell.¡± He braced to throw the compressed energy¡ªraised one leg, drew back his arm. But at that moment¡ª ¨C I knew it. Hanul, who had only been coughing blood, spoke. ¨C You¡¯re strong. Well, it makes sense. The one once called heir to Hyukcheon wouldn¡¯t go down easily. Laughter followed. Hanul shook with laughter, as if it came from deep within his soul. ¡°Gone mad, have you? Guess you¡¯re delirious now that you¡¯re about to die.¡± Chan-seong frowned. ¡°Then let me end this before you lose your mind completely.¡± He hurled the dragon aura with full force. It shot toward Hanul¡¯s chest¡ªand hit. But in that instant, Hanul opened his hand. He caught the energy. His fingers crushed it. Then it exploded. A blast of black aura engulfed the area. But Hanul remained, unharmed. ¡°...How did you block that?¡± Chan-seong was dumbfounded. How could someone barely clinging to life stop that attack? ¨C A descendant of Hyukcheon shouldn¡¯t be asking that. Hanul slowly stood. His once-dim eyes now glowed again. ¨C We were born with this bloodline, after all. Each bloodline bore a distinct nature. The Black Dragon Bloodline manifested as an overwhelming lust for battle. <¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ is enraged!> And the bloodline responded most fiercely when facing powerful opponents. In fact, it only truly awakened when challenged by overwhelming strength. <¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ synchronization rate increased: 44% ¡ú 47%> As the synchronization rate climbed, its power surged¡ªaffecting Hanul¡¯s partial transformation. <¡®Black Dragon Bloodline¡¯ is further enraged!> At 40%, there had been no new power. But beyond 50%, he awakened something new. ¡°...Right. That¡¯s the kind of bloodline the Black Dragon Bloodline is.¡± Chan-seong muttered quietly. He too could feel the changes stirring in Hanul. ¡°But even so... you can¡¯t defeat me.¡± He wasn¡¯t bluffing. Though Hanul¡¯s bloodline had evolved, it still wasn¡¯t enough to surpass Chan-seong. Then it happened. A new message appeared before Hanul¡¯s eyes. Growth. At that moment, dormant bloodlines began to awaken. <¡®Healthy Bloodline¡¯ has opened its eyes!> The cracks on Hanul¡¯s body vanished. His broken horns regrew. And not just the body. His depleted energy surged back. <¡®Superhuman Bloodline¡¯ has awakened!> A liquid-like energy shrouded Hanul. The famed defense of the Superhuman Bloodline wrapped him once again. <¡¯Shura Bloodline¡¯ is regaining consciousness!> <¡¯Shura King¡¯¡¯ reclaims its presence!> Hanul extended his claws and drew a line down his forehead. <¡®Shura King¡¯ has opened its eyes.> A crimson energy followed the line, spreading through his body. Black and red intertwined. ¡°You...¡± Chan-seong¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°What... What did you just do?!¡± This shouldn¡¯t be possible. ¡°What is happening right now?!¡± Hanul didn¡¯t answer. He only clenched his fist. His glowing fist caught Chan-seong¡¯s eye¡ªleaving him stunned. ¡°No... It can¡¯t be. Someone like you... how could you...?!¡± Hanul launched his fist forward. Sword Aura. That radiant light pierced straight through Kwon Chan-seong. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 137 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 137: Spear vs. Spear (4) At that moment, Dragon Aura erupted¡ªan overwhelming surge, like a tidal wave crashing in. The Dragon Aura blocked Kwon Hanul. Light and a black wave collided. After a prolonged clash, both forces vanished simultaneously. ¡°Huff... Huff...¡± Kwon Chan-seong panted heavily, still frozen in a punching stance. He had managed to block Kwon Hanul¡ªbut he was far from unharmed. The skin on his outstretched fist had been completely torn off, leaving it soaked in blood. The sudden expenditure of immense mana made his head spin. ¡°As expected, that wasn¡¯t nearly enough...¡± Watching him, Kwon Hanul spoke in a dry tone. Condensed Aura was an absolute force capable of destroying everything. However, the version that Hanul used wasn¡¯t perfect¡ªbecause it had been formed through the authority of the Shura King. Still, imperfect or not, Condensed Aura was Condensed Aura. ¡°Khak!¡± Kwon Chan-seong coughed up blood. It wasn¡¯t from the wounds inflicted by Catalina Blaga¡ªthis internal injury was from withstanding Hanul¡¯s Condensed Aura. ¡°I don¡¯t understand... How could you use Condensed Aura...at this level no less...¡± Blood dripped from Chan-seong¡¯s mouth. His disbelief was understandable¡ªonly a handful in history had ever been able to manifest. Yet, Hanul had done it. ¡°And this energy surrounding you¡ªwhat is it? It¡¯s not the power of the Black Dragon Bloodline... That¡¯s...¡± He trailed off, eyes trembling. ¡°Surah Bloodline... No, Superhuman Bloodline... Not that either...¡± He shook his head. ¡°...No, never mind. That¡¯s a pointless question.¡± At some point, Chan-seong¡¯s breathing had stabilized. He¡¯d stopped coughing blood. He had recovered in that brief time, despite not possessing Hanul¡¯s regenerative Healthy Bloodline. ¡°Right now, I should be thinking about how to kill you.¡± Chan-seong summoned his Dragon Combat Aura again. The same overwhelming power he displayed at the start of their fight spread in all directions. Hanul showed faint admiration. Not only had Chan-seong endured the Condensed Aura, but his energy hadn¡¯t faded either. ¡®Heh... This won¡¯t be easy.¡¯ Hanul summoned his Demon Dragon Aura. Black aura surged outward like wildfire. The two slowly advanced toward each other. As they neared, their energies clashed violently, filling the air with crackling noise. They were soon nose-to-nose. Chan-seong glanced briefly at Hanul¡¯s fist. ¡°Not going to use it again?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a technique I can just throw around.¡± ¡°Well, lucky me then.¡± Suddenly, Chan-seong slammed his fist upward into Hanul¡¯s gut. Hanul staggered¡ªbut unlike before, he didn¡¯t fly back. He held his ground. The Diamond Aura surrounding his body had absorbed the blow. ¡°...You¡¯ve gotten tougher all of a sudden,¡± Chan-seong said, clearly baffled. Hanul didn¡¯t reply¡ªinstead, he raised his fist. He swung it with all his might, striking Chan-seong square in the face. Chan-seong¡¯s head snapped back violently¡ªbut he instantly reset it to its original position. ¡°You actually managed to rattle me?!¡± With a roar, Chan-seong charged again. Hanul met him head-on. The two clashed relentlessly. Fists tangled mid-air, striking each other''s vital points again and again. Each collision was accompanied by a thunderous boom. The sheer violence of it was almost exhausting to watch. ¡°Ha ha!¡± Chan-seong let out a wild laugh. His Black Dragon Bloodline instincts were ecstatic. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I had a fight this satisfying!¡± Then it happened. The Demon Dragon Aura around Hanul¡¯s fist began to condense. It soon started to glow. When he punched, Kwon Hanul flared. ¡°You little... That¡¯s dangerous.¡± Chan-seong¡¯s eyes turned violet¡ªhe had activated his Naming Eyes. He twisted his body to narrowly evade the Kwon Hanul, simultaneously turning and grabbing Hanul¡¯s arm. He tried to flip Hanul over with a shoulder throw. But then¡ªsomething blurred past him. Hanul, despite having his arm grabbed, had leapt into the air. ¡°What?!¡± Hanul, who should¡¯ve been behind him, was now in front of him. Only then did Chan-seong notice. Hanul¡¯s eyes were also violet. Dragon Eyes A power only accessible to true carriers of the Black Dragon Bloodline. It far surpassed the Naming Eyes, allowing Hanul to read all of Chan-seong¡¯s movements and tricks. Hanul yanked his captured arm back, pulling Chan-seong toward him. He placed a palm against Chan-seong¡¯s chest¡ªand ignited Demon Dragon Aura from within. Inkflame. Hanul¡¯s palm exploded. With a scream, Chan-seong¡¯s body was hurled backward. ¡°Graaagh!!¡± The Inkflame couldn¡¯t deliver a fatal wound¡ªbut it completely burned away the mana protecting Chan-seong¡¯s body. ¡°Kwon Hanul!¡± Chan-seong slammed his foot down in fury, seething with murderous intent. But then¡ªhe was forced to stop. Something emanating from Hanul rooted him in place. All the surrounding mana was being drawn into Hanul. That mana was converted into Demon Dragon Aura, rotating around both his hands. The auras spun in opposite directions and intertwined. The power radiating from them froze the blood in Chan-seong¡¯s veins. ¡°No way... That¡¯s...¡± A memory flashed in Chan-seong¡¯s mind. A battle in Brazil¡ªagainst Jose del Pablo. The final technique he had used there. Hanul unleashed the energy in both fists simultaneously. The Demon Dragon Aura exploded into a single, enormous form. Black Dragon Ascension Art ¨C Final Form Ultimate Technique: Dragon Carving the Heavens A black dragon soared into the sky¡ªthen plummeted down toward Chan-seong. * * * ¡ªHuff... Hanul gasped. The mana cost had been brutal. But the result was clear. The spot where the black dragon had landed was now a bottomless crater. Hanul¡¯s body returned to normal. A crushing fatigue swept over him. ¡°Feels like death...¡± It wasn¡¯t just talk¡ªthe recoil from using his Half-Manifestation Form was severe. He had no mana left, and all his bloodline powers were sealed. Eventually, he¡¯d recover¡ªbut until then, he was no different from a regular person. ¡°Hey! You jerk!¡± Just as Hanul sat down to rest, Kwon Jiseok ran up to him. But once he got there, he was speechless¡ªhe could only stare in awe and disbelief. ¡°You... Seriously... I mean...¡± Jiseok stammered, unable to finish his sentence. Hanul had to speak up instead. ¡°I suppose I owe you an apology.¡± ¡°Apology for what?¡± ¡°I killed your brother. Right in front of you.¡± Jiseok¡¯s expression turned conflicted. ¡°...He was trying to kill you. He got what was coming.¡± He wouldn¡¯t hold a grudge¡ªa reply very much in line with the Hyukcheon Clan. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± Jiseok extended a hand. Hanul took it and stood. Just then¡ª ¡°Little Dragon!¡± Someone suddenly pulled Hanul into a hug. It was sudden, but he knew immediately who it was. ¡°...Catalina Blaga.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! It¡¯s me!¡± ¡°Okay, now let go.¡± But Hanul had no strength left¡ªhe couldn¡¯t shake her off. Surprisingly, Catalina let go on her own. ¡°You saved me! So, you do have feelings for me after all, right?¡± ¡°What nonsense are you spewing now...¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Catalina raised her finger to her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to say it. I already know.¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense and let me¡ª¡± Just then¡ª An enormous surge of mana erupted from the crater where the black dragon had fallen. The three of them stared at it, stunned. Moments later¡ªsomeone emerged from the pit. ¡°That was close. I almost died.¡± It was Kwon Chan-seong. * * * ¡°...How are you still alive?¡± At that question, Kwon Chan-seong twisted his lips into a smirk. ¡°Do you remember when I said my younger cousin wasn¡¯t complete yet?¡± He pointed at a small orb floating around him. ¡°This is the reason why. Do you know what this is? It¡¯s the final authority of the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline.¡± The powers granted by the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline were all extraordinary. But above all of them, this¡ªattainable only at the very end¡ªwas the pinnacle. ¡°Dragon¡¯s Pearl.¡± The wish-fulfilling orb, an artifact that symbolizes dragons. The final authority of the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline was the ability to manifest a Dragon¡¯s Pearl. ¡°Never thought I¡¯d end up using even the Dragon Pearl on my little cousin.¡± The orb gradually lost its light, then slowly vanished. ¡°But anyway... looks like you¡¯re too spent to keep fighting, huh?¡± A murderous glint flared in Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s eyes. At that moment, Catalina Blaga leapt forward. She summoned a massive axe from a subspace and swung it down at him. But by the time it hit the ground, he was already gone. ¡°You''re annoying.¡± The voice came from the side. Kwon Chan-seong kicked Catalina in the ribs. Something cracked. ¡°You¡¯re so exhausted you can¡¯t even heal your wounds, and you think you can still charge at me?¡± He spat the words with contempt and turned away. ¡°H-Hyung...¡± Kwon Jiseok called out, but Chan-seong didn¡¯t respond. He simply waved his hand, blasting Jiseok away like a fly. With those two gone, no one was left to stop him. ¡°So, it¡¯s just you now.¡± A twisted smile played at Chan-seong¡¯s lips. Kwon Hanul exhaled quietly as he looked at him. ¡°You should¡¯ve just run while you had the chance.¡± At the mockery, Hanul had no words. ¡°Did you seriously think you could win against me? You? You¡¯re not even ranked globally yet.¡± There was a faint undertone of anger in Chan-seong¡¯s voice. Even the fiercest beast would react that way if bitten by a rabbit. ¡°Ten years... no, thirty years too early.¡± He raised his hand, and a violent surge of Dragon Aura spiraled around his clenched fist. ¡°I¡¯ll grind you into dust¡ªwon¡¯t even leave a bone behind.¡± Hanul sighed again and muttered under his breath. ¡°A waste, but I¡¯ve got no choice.¡± He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial made of obsidian. ¡°Amrita?¡± Chan-seong recognized it instantly. A legendary elixir that could boost a single stat to SS-rank without any conditions. He himself had taken one before. ¡°What do you think that¡¯ll do for you?¡± Which is exactly why he knew. Even if Hanul drank it, it wouldn''t change the outcome. Sure, an SS-ranked stat was impressive. Even one could turn the tide against most opponents. But it wasn¡¯t enough to flip this situation. ¡°What do you think I¡¯m gonna do?¡± Hanul downed the Amrita in one gulp. He felt its energy rush through his body. ¡°I need to tie up loose ends.¡± [You have consumed ¡®Amrita.¡¯] He waited for the next system message. [You may choose to recover your body.] [Would you like to recover your body?] Without hesitation, he selected the second option. The elixir''s energy surged into him, fully restoring every injury¡ªinternal and external. His stamina and mana were completely replenished. [Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline recovers its authority.] [Superhuman Bloodline regains its power.] [Shura Bloodline reveals its presence.] [Sacred Beast Bloodline awakens.] [Vassal Bloodline is...] Thanks to the Amrita, it wasn¡¯t just his wounds and mana that were healed. Even the powers sealed by using his semi-divine form returned. ¡°To think you¡¯d waste something as potent as Amrita on that...¡± Despite Hanul¡¯s restored strength, Chan-seong didn¡¯t seem the least bit concerned. ¡°Did you really think you''d win just because you recovered? Foolish.¡± Throughout their fight, Chan-seong had grown tired and wounded. But the gap between them remained wide. Even now, Hanul wasn¡¯t sure he could win. ¡°Fine then. I¡¯ll crush you one more time.¡± A wave of murderous energy radiated from Chan-seong. It was overwhelming. ¡°...He¡¯s terrifying,¡± Murmuring, Hanul glanced around. The battlefield had been decimated. Not a single structure remained intact. From the rubble, he felt gazes¡ªmembers of the Blaga clan and blood bounds were watching from all directions. ¡°Yeah. Can¡¯t blame them for staring.¡± After all that chaos, it was natural they¡¯d be watching. This much should be enough. With that thought, Hanul activated the authority of the Vassal Bloodline. His energy spread across the entire island, enveloping every single bloodline member watching him. ¡°What is this...?¡± ¡°Did he do this...?¡± The Blaga bloodline murmured in disbelief. That Kwon Hanul, of the Black Dragon bloodline, was using the authority of the Vassal Bloodline¡ªit was inconceivable. ¡°No... way.¡± The one closest, Catalina Blaga, was stunned. But her reason was a little different. ¡°...Founder?¡± It was a familiar energy¡ªone she hadn¡¯t felt in ages. ¡°Yes, you hear me, don¡¯t you?¡± His voice, amplified by mana, echoed in every direction. He felt all eyes on him. ¡°Hope you enjoyed watching me beat that bastard¡¯s face in.¡± Chan-seong scowled, but Hanul pressed on. ¡°I¡¯ll skip the details for now.¡± He had no time to explain everything with Chan-seong standing right there. ¡°If you want to live, submit to me.¡± At that moment, Hanul invoked the authority of domination. Vassal Bloodline domination is incredibly difficult. Even for the Blaga bloodline or blood bounds, successful domination required more than brute force. Hanul had acquired that missing piece through his battle with Chan-seong. He showed them hope. He proved he could do what no one else could. [A powerful bloodline submits!] [A blood bound submits!] [A bloodline member submits!] [A blood bound...] It worked exactly as Hanul intended. A flood of messages appeared¡ªand among them, the one he was waiting for: [The authority of the Vassal Bloodline has greatly increased!] [Influence of the Vassal Bloodline has expanded!] [Bloodline Synchronization Rate: 65% ¡ú 77%] [All conditions fulfilled to manifest the half-incarnation of ¡®Vampire Lord¡¯!] [Pureblood Domination: 10/10] [High-Ranking Retainer Domination: 20/20] [Civilian Domination: 30/30] It felt like a lock deep inside him had been released. A presence he had never felt before stirred within. Sensing that power, Hanul muttered softly. ¡°Lord.¡± Crimson mana erupted beneath his feet¡ªlike a fountain of blood. Suddenly, the fountain split in half. Membranous wings unfurled wide. ¡°...Another flashy trick, huh?¡± Chan-seong finally spoke. ¡°It¡¯s certainly an impressive sight... but that¡¯s all it is.¡± Even as the half-incarnated Vampire Lord stood before him, Chan-seong showed no fear. ¡°If you ask me, you were stronger when you used the Black Dragon¡¯s power.¡± The aura now radiating from Hanul was far weaker than before. So to Chan-seong, this could only be a bluff. Like a peacock fanning its feathers to scare off predators. ¡°Putting on airs at the last moment... how pitiful.¡± He gathered his mana again. Dragon Aura surged around him. ¡°This ends now.¡± But as he moved, Hanul raised a single finger toward him. ¡°Kneel.¡± Just one word. The instant it left his lips, all of Chan-seong¡¯s Dragon Aura vanished. When he came to his senses, his knees were on the ground. Chan-seong was stunned. He didn¡¯t understand what had just happened. He tried to stand, but it was like his knees were glued to the earth. ¡°Bow your head.¡± Suddenly, the world spun. And all he could see... was dirt. Only after some time did Chan-seong realize: His forehead was pressed to the ground. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 138 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 138: Monarch (1) Everyone who witnessed the scene was stunned. The bloodline of Blaga, the vassals, even the members of the Black Aura. Who was Kwon Chan-seong? A direct descendant of the Hyukcheon clan, and the designated heir after the current successor. It wasn¡¯t just about his prestigious lineage. The genius and skill that Kwon Chan-seong possessed were exceptional, even among the purebloods of the Hyukcheon. His name had already spread across the globe¡ªthere was no one who didn¡¯t know it. Universally recognized as one of the true Absolutes. And yet... that very Kwon Chan-seong... That Kwon Chan-seong was bowing his head to the ground. ¡°What the... hell is this...?¡± A string of curses slipped out. They came from none other than Kwon Chan-seong himself. He was grinding his teeth, using every last ounce of strength he had to lift himself from the ground. This was a body he had trained for over twenty years. A body he had honed with utmost dedication¡ªone that had never once failed to meet his expectations. But now, that same body was obeying someone else¡¯s command. ¡°...Cousin. May I ask just one thing?¡± In the end, Kwon Chan-seong had no choice but to give up¡ªfor now. Instead, he posed a question to Kwon Hanul. ¡°Is this... the power of the Vassal Bloodline?¡± ¡ªIt is. Kwon Hanul answered without resistance. Things had already come this far. What point was there in hiding it? ¡°So, you really do possess more than just the Black Dragon Bloodline.¡± Originally, one could only possess a single bloodline. Cases of holding two or more were extremely rare. And those who did... never lived long. Even so, Kwon Chan-seong accepted Hanul¡¯s words without much resistance. Because he had already suspected it. ¡°No wonder... I thought you suddenly grew stronger earlier.¡± When struck head-on, Kwon Hanul had exhausted all of his stamina and mana¡ªhe was on the verge of defeat. But suddenly, he recovered completely¡ªand not only that, he fought Kwon Chan-seong on even ground. In that moment, Kwon Chan-seong had sensed a power that did not belong to the Black Dragon Bloodline. ¡°But still, cousin...there¡¯s one thing I can¡¯t wrap my head around.¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s voice began to tremble with rising anger. ¡°Why... am I, of all people, bowing to the power of the Vassal Bloodline?¡± He could accept that Hanul had multiple bloodlines. But this situation was something else entirely. The power of the Vassal Bloodline was strong, yes¡ªbut notoriously difficult to use. It worked well on regular people, but not against seasoned Hunters. Let alone someone like Kwon Chan-seong, a top-tier Hunter who stood on a whole different level. And yet, Hanul was commanding him using the ¡°Command¡± authority¡ªsaid to be second only to ¡°Domination¡± in difficulty among the Vassal Bloodline¡¯s powers? ¡°Answer me now! I asked you a question!¡± At last, unable to endure the humiliation, Kwon Chan-seong burst out in fury. ¡ªYou¡¯re noisy. But Hanul¡¯s new command silenced him instantly. ¡ªOf course it doesn¡¯t make sense. It shouldn¡¯t even be possible. Hanul calmly admitted the truth. As a bearer of the Vassal Bloodline, he knew better than anyone. Using the Vassal Blood to create illusions or manipulate the five senses was one thing. But issuing a command to someone like Kwon Chan-seong? Impossible. Even with True Vassal Bloodline it should have been beyond reach. ¡ªBut that¡¯s only assuming you were at full strength. Hanul¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡ªKwon Chan-seong, let me ask you something. Did you really think you could ignore the power of the Vassal Bloodline in that worn-out body of yours? He had fought two opponents: Catalina Blaga, the de facto head of the Blaga family and another Absolute, and Kwon Hanul himself¡ªarmed with True Vassal Blood. Though both had been defeated, they had drained Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s stamina and mana and left him covered in injuries. ¡ªHow arrogant. Unbelievably arrogant. Hanul clicked his tongue with clear disdain. ¡ªMore importantly... do you even realize what kind of power I¡¯m using right now? The Vassal Blood Hanul possessed was the True version. And more than that¡ªits source was the Vampire Lord¡¯s Half-Incarnation. At this very moment¡ªand possibly on the entire planet¡ªthere was no illusionist stronger than Kwon Hanul. ¡ªIf you don¡¯t know, shut your mouth. Don¡¯t get cocky. Hanul began walking forward slowly. With each step, wings shimmered behind him like a mirage. He raised his foot and pressed it firmly on Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s head. ¡ªRight now, you¡¯re nothing more than an insect I could crush underfoot. And then¡ª A massive surge of mana burst from Kwon Chan-seong. So powerful, it pushed Hanul back. Kwon Chan-seong slowly raised his head. His neck must have been sore¡ªhe gently rubbed around it with his hand. ¡°That was close...¡± Floating around him were small orbs¡ª Dragon Pearl¡ª the beads that had once blocked Damcheon¡¯s dragon strike. ¡°Cousin, I understand being thrilled that you gained the upper hand... but don¡¯t you think you let your guard down too much? Giving me time to activate this ability?¡± Dragon Pearl. Though it was a power of the Black Dragon Bloodline, even Hanul didn¡¯t know exactly what it did. This ability was the final trump card of the Black Dragon Bloodline. Few among the Hyukcheon clan had ever achieved full synchronization with it. As a result, its nature remained largely unknown¡ªeven within the clan. All that was speculated was that it required cooldown between uses and had the ability to nullify enemy attacks. ¡°Well then, cousin... I¡¯ll make sure to return the humiliation I suffered¡ªwith interest.¡± Kwon Chan-seong launched himself forward, cloaked in Dragon Aura. Like a beast pouncing, he aimed a knife-hand strike directly at Hanul¡¯s heart. It was a simple thrust¡ªbut it carried monstrous power. ¡°No, don¡¯t...!¡± Catalina Blaga cried out in alarm. The Vassal Bloodline had formidable mental interference abilities, but its physical prowess was inferior. And right now, Hanul had pushed the Vassal Bloodline to its absolute limit. There was no way he could block that blow. Or so she thought. ¡ªKneel. A booming voice rang out. The ground trembled. Before Hanul, who still stood tall¡ª Kwon Chan-seong had dropped to his knees. ¡°What... is this...?¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Hanul looked down at him and spoke. ¡ªI warned you. Hanul slowly clenched his fist. ¡ªDon¡¯t act so arrogant. And with that, his fist smashed into Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s face. * * * ¡®Nothing special.¡¯ As the fist flew toward him, Kwon Chan-seong thought to himself. Slow. The force behind the punch was unimpressive¡ªfar weaker than when he had used the power of Black Dragon Bloodline. Of course it is. He was using a considerable level of mental domination. It was only natural that his physical prowess wouldn¡¯t be exceptional on top of that. ¡°Hit me all you want.¡± Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s body had long since reached a higher realm. His mana circulated on its own, shielding his body. A punch of that level? He could take it all day. So, he was confident. At least, until the fist actually hit his face. "Keurgh!" A scream burst out of him. His body was thrown back violently. Kwon Chan-seong touched his face in disbelief. The bridge of his nose had completely collapsed. And worse¡ªcracks had spread across the entire facial bone structure. Blood poured from his nose like a broken faucet. "H-How...?" ¡ªYou''re asking something obvious. Kwon Hanul casually shook off his fist and said, ¡ªWhen the master strikes, should a dog bare its fangs? In the very moment his fist moved, Kwon Hanul issued a new command¡ª To drop all of Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s physical defenses. "...Truly infuriating." Just then, the Dragon Pearl glowed. The spell that had shackled Kwon Chan-seong dissolved. His body vanished¡ªand reappeared behind Kwon Hanul in an instant. Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques ¡ª Upper Form Annihilation Style: Absolute Severance Kwon Chan-seong brought his hand down in a blade strike. A black arc slashed toward Kwon Hanul. ¡ªStop. But the moment Kwon Hanul spoke, all the dragon-imbued martial energy scattered. Kwon Hanul turned, and simultaneously, drove a kick into Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s side. "Kuk!" Once again, with all his defenses stripped, Kwon Chan-seong absorbed the full brunt of the attack. Kwon Hanul¡¯s shin dug deep into his ribs. The sound of bone shattering was unmistakable. Clutching his side, Kwon Chan-seong staggered back. Blood trickled from his mouth. His organs had taken damage. "How are you using the power of Vassal Bloodline with the Dragon Pearl still active?!" Kwon Chan-seong screamed in agony. In truth, the Dragon Pearl was functioning properly. His own commands were still breaking through as they should. The real problem was that the commands were still taking effect. Every time Kwon Hanul spoke, Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s body obeyed. ¡ªA difference in class. Kwon Hanul muttered, as if bothered by the whole thing. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s face contorted. "How dare the spawn of a traitor speak of class in front of me?!" ¡ªHaven¡¯t heard that one in a while. "Shut up!" With a roar of rage, Kwon Chan-seong charged. But Kwon Hanul vanished before he could reach him. "What?" He hadn''t just disappeared visually¡ª Even his senses couldn¡¯t pick him up. "What kind of trick...?" Then it hit him. A blow landed clean on his abdomen. "Guh!" His innards twisted violently. A mouthful of blood burst from his lips. Only then did he see¡ª Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist buried in his stomach. ¡ªThat one''s for when I first came to the clan and you picked a fight. Kwon Hanul vanished again. Kwon Chan-seong spun, searching frantically. Then his head jerked violently to the side. Kwon Hanul had reappeared and kicked him in the skull. ¡ªThat¡¯s for stirring up shit in my debut dungeon. Once again, Kwon Hanul disappeared¡ª Then swept his legs out from under him, knocking him to the ground. "...No way." That¡¯s when Kwon Chan-seong realized. It wasn¡¯t that Hanul was too fast to detect. He was manipulating Chan-seong¡¯s perception with the Vassal Bloodline¡ªblocking sight, sound, and sense. "This... is insane..." Thanks to the Dragon Pearl, the control spells were quickly dispelled¡ª But it didn¡¯t matter. The Dragon Pearl couldn¡¯t completely block the initial command. That tiny opening was all Kwon Hanul needed to attack. ¡ªThis one''s for conspiring with Catalina Blaga to have me killed. His hand sliced down on Chan-seong¡¯s collarbone¡ª It shattered like brittle sticks. ¡ªThis one''s for picking fights with me every time we met in the clan. ¡ªThis one¡¯s for chasing me all the way to House Blaga to try and kill me. ¡ªAnd this one''s for killing my blood bounds. Even as the blows rained down, Kwon Chan-seong couldn¡¯t help but feel dumbfounded. He¡¯d held onto all that? All those grudges? But he couldn¡¯t laugh. The relentless attacks from every direction were too fierce. And worst of all¡ª Before Kwon Hanul, Chan-seong was as defenseless as a naked man in a battlefield. His bones cracked and shattered. Muscles tore. Joints bent the wrong way, then broke. How long had it gone on? Eventually, Kwon Hanul¡¯s assault came to a stop. "Kuh...!" Kwon Chan-seong collapsed, coughing blood. His body was a shredded mess¡ªno better than a rag. "Is it... finally over?" He gasped, barely managing to get the words out. Every bone broken. Every muscle torn. ¡ªNot yet. Kwon Hanul reached out and seized him by the head. "Little cousin... You trying to dominate me now? Don¡¯t bother. Just kill me already,¡± Kwon Chan-seong sneered. Among all the abilities of the Vassal Bloodline, domination was the hardest to wield. Even in this pitiful state, he had no intention of submitting. ¡ªI don¡¯t plan to. Kwon Hanul¡¯s voice was firm. To dominate meant to crush a person¡¯s spirit entirely. It was far more difficult than most imagined. "Then just kill me already!" Even now, he didn¡¯t beg for his life. It was fitting for someone with the name Kwon Chan-seong. But Kwon Hanul had no intention of granting him a quick death. ¡ªDeath isn¡¯t enough. Kwon Chan-seong chuckled. He cackled as he said, "What, going to torture me now? How petty..." ¡ªI¡¯m going to destroy your mind. Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s eyes widened. What... did he just say? ¡ªFrom now on, you¡¯ll live as a hollow shell. A complete idiot with no sense of self. His pupils shook violently. That Kwon Chan-seong¡ª The once-feared Kwon Chan-seong¡ª Would become nothing more than a clueless fool. It was a fate more horrifying and humiliating than death. "You... you bastard...!" Kwon Chan-seong cursed, reaching with his only usable arm to grab Hanul¡¯s wrist. "Stop talking and just kill me! Kill me, damn it!" ¡ªI told you already. Kwon Hanul activated the power of the Vassal Bloodline. ¡ªDeath isn¡¯t enough. A massive surge of energy concentrated at Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s head. And then¡ª A scream tore through the air. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 139 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 139: Monarch (2) Kwon Hanul released his grip from Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s head. As his hand dropped, Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s body swayed slightly. ¡°Ugh...¡± A strange sound escaped from Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s slightly parted lips¡ªsomething the usual him would never have uttered. ¡°Uuugh...¡± His eyes were completely unfocused, and the muscles in his face had all gone slack. The Hunter Kwon Chan-seong, representative of the Hyukcheon bloodline, was no longer present in this room. Only the man¡ªKwon Chan-seong¡ªremained. The wings that had floated behind Kwon Hanul disappeared. His eyes also returned to their normal color. Kwon Hanul collapsed onto the ground. ¡°Feels like I¡¯m gonna die...¡± The backlash from using the Partial Manifestation hit him. His magic was completely depleted, and his bloodline abilities were sealed. For the time being, Kwon Hanul was no different from an ordinary human. As he sat there catching his breath, footsteps approached. He turned his gaze and saw Kwon Jiseok. ¡°...So hyung lost.¡± Kwon Jiseok walked up to Kwon Chan-seong and spoke to him. ¡°Hyung.¡± ¡°...Huh?¡± Kwon Chan-seong slowly turned to look at him. At that, Kwon Jiseok¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°His mind has been destroyed.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke to him. ¡°He¡¯ll never return to how he was.¡± He had poured all of the Partial Manifestation¡¯s power into it¡ªcracking, tearing, and completely erasing Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s consciousness. ¡°...Why didn¡¯t you just kill him?¡± It wasn¡¯t an accusation¡ªjust a genuine question. ¡°Because I wanted to punish him with something worse than death.¡± Kwon Hanul, as a person, had built up quite a bit of resentment over time. ¡°And killing him right in front of you... That just felt too cruel. He¡¯s your family, after all.¡± From a family¡¯s perspective, staying alive was better than dying. ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure how you feel about that.¡± Kwon Hanul had thought it through in his own way, but he knew it might be taken differently by Kwon Jiseok. Destroying someone¡¯s mind could be more horrifying than killing them, depending on how you look at it. ¡°...Hyung tried to kill you. So no matter what you did to him, he has no right to complain.¡± Truth be told, Kwon Jiseok and Kwon Chan-seong had never been particularly close as brothers. More rivals than siblings. Compared to Kwon Chan-seong, Kwon Jiseok lacked in too many areas. Watching his older brother succeed in ways he never could, Jiseok had harbored all sorts of dark feelings. ¡°But it¡¯s strange... seeing him alive like this... makes me feel relieved, oddly enough.¡± Still, they were brothers. That truth hit Jiseok just now. ¡°...Thanks.¡± He spoke briefly. And then¡ª The Blaga clan¡¯s people began to gather around Kwon Hanul. At the front were Catalina Blaga and the clan¡¯s elders. ¡°Little Dragon.¡± Catalina Blaga addressed Kwon Hanul. He swallowed nervously. Right now, he couldn¡¯t use any of his bloodline powers. If Catalina Blaga harbored any ill will, things could turn very bad. ¡°I¡¯ll ask later how you managed to use Vassal Bloodline¡ªespecially the Founder¡¯s power.¡± ¡°Later?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got more pressing matters right now.¡± Catalina Blaga knelt on one knee, hand to her chest, and bowed her head. The rest of the bloodline followed suit. Not a single Blaga stood with their head higher than Kwon Hanul¡¯s. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± Catalina¡¯s tone had changed. The playful arrogance in her voice had vanished. ¡°To the new Trueblood, we offer everything we have.¡± The entire Blaga clan had sworn allegiance to Kwon Hanul. With Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s defeat, the battle was over. Most of the Black Aura Unit surrendered voluntarily. Those who resisted were subdued by Catalina and the elders. And with that, a short period of peace settled in. * * * ¡°Now I need an excuse,¡± Kwon Hanul murmured from his hospital bed. At that, Catalina Blaga perked up beside him. ¡°Excuse for what, all of a sudden?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°Come on, tell me. I might be able to help.¡± She pressed him persistently, her excitement almost puppy-like now that they had something to talk about. ¡°I have no idea how to explain what happened to Kwon Chan-seong and the Black Aura Unit.¡± Naturally, based on what people knew of Kwon Hanul¡¯s power, there was no way he could have defeated Kwon Chan-seong. Explaining it would mean revealing the truth about his bloodline, and Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t willing to do that. ¡°And I have to think about how to keep the Blaga clan going, too.¡± Given that Catalina had basically kidnapped him, letting the clan fall would be poetic justice. But now that the Blaga clan had submitted completely to him, they were his faction¡ªhe couldn¡¯t just abandon them. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about our clan.¡± Catalina offered him a peeled apple. It was poorly cut¡ªuneven and jagged¡ªbut sincere. ¡°We¡¯re planning to go into hiding.¡± Kwon Hanul looked at her in shock. ¡°Hide?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been marked by the Hyukcheon family. We can¡¯t stay here. We¡¯ll go into hiding for now, then relocate once we find a new base.¡± ¡°Relocating an entire clan... that¡¯s not easy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not as hard as you think. We store all our critical items in subspace. We already have fallback locations prepared.¡± Catalina made it sound routine¡ªas if they¡¯d done it multiple times before. ¡°So all you need to worry about is hiding your secret. That way, we can use this incident to take down Vice-Chairman Kwon Hyuk.¡± Even by Hyukcheon standards, Kwon Hyuk and Kwon Chan-seong had gone too far in their internal power games. ¡°Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s a major figure. It¡¯s hard to come up with the right explanation...¡± ¡°Then can I offer a suggestion?¡± Catalina¡¯s eyes sparkled. Kwon Hanul nodded for her to go on. ¡°We just say that I kidnapped and tried to control you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not even a lie.¡± He pointed out, but she ignored it. ¡°Kwon Chan-seong took advantage of the situation, brought the Black Aura Unit, and tried to kill you. But he lost to me and the elders instead.¡± ¡°In that scenario, I¡¯d still be your prisoner.¡± ¡°Just wait¡ªlisten. During the fight, even we took heavy damage and collapsed. That caused chaos among the lower bloodlines, and...¡± Kwon Hanul started paying closer attention to her words. ¡°Fortunately, Kwon Jiseok was present. He took command and ordered the Black Aura Unit to retreat with you in tow.¡± Jiseok, being a direct heir of Hyukcheon and Kwon Chan-seong¡¯s brother, had the authority to issue such an order. ¡°But they were ordered to kill you.¡± ¡°They were too shocked by Chan-seong becoming a vegetable. In that confusion, Jiseok gave the retreat order.¡± ¡°Still... you really think they¡¯d all play along?¡± ¡°Why not? This is the Blaga estate,¡± Catalina said confidently. ¡°Of course, we can¡¯t control elite hunters like them. But with the elders¡¯ help, we can distort their memories.¡± Plus, with morale crushed by Chan-seong¡¯s loss, now was the perfect time to invoke Vassal Bloodline. It was a convincing plan¡ªbut one thing bothered Kwon Hanul. ¡°Not sure if Jiseok will go along with this.¡± ¡°We can just use Vassal Bloodline on him too¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s not right.¡± Hanul cut her off. Jiseok had betrayed his own brother and risked his life to save Hanul. To manipulate him with Vassal Bloodline would be unforgivable. Still, scrapping Catalina¡¯s plan felt like a waste. ¡°I¡¯ll go talk to him.¡± He stood up from the bed. Though his body was still weak, he could walk. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To see Jiseok.¡± As he left the room, he muttered, ¡°If I explain things properly, maybe he¡¯ll agree.¡± * * * ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s do it.¡± Jiseok agreed the moment he heard the plan. Hanul looked skeptical. ¡°Really? Just like that?¡± ¡°To be honest, I don¡¯t love the idea of you scrambling my brain with Vassal Bloodline...¡± Jiseok scratched his head. ¡°But if word gets out, I¡¯m dead. Father¡¯s going to kill me.¡± He¡¯d ruined Kwon Hyuk¡¯s plans and turned Chan-seong into a shell of a man. Even as his son, Jiseok wouldn¡¯t be spared. ¡°And I¡¯m a terrible liar. But if you change my memories, that solves everything, right?¡± Hanul looked at him silently. Jiseok, irritated, snapped, ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just surprised you¡¯re helping me this much.¡± ¡°What? Surprised? I help you and you act like I¡¯m a freak?¡± He cursed. But this was the Jiseok Hanul was familiar with. ¡°...I hate how my hyung and father do things. It¡¯s not what Hyukcheon should be.¡± Jiseok sighed. ¡°But I don¡¯t have the power or guts to stop them. So this is my way of pushing back. Also...¡± He trailed off, then waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Whatever. You get the idea.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Oh, and don¡¯t erase everything, or I¡¯ll kill you. You will restore my memories later.¡± ¡°That¡¯s easy.¡± Hanul stepped aside. Catalina stepped forward. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re starting already?¡± ¡°No time to waste.¡± Someone like Kwon Hyuk would already be calculating how long a report should take. Delaying would only raise suspicion. ¡°You need to call your father right now.¡± ¡°Hey¡ªcome on, don¡¯t rush me¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Blaga clan will handle the details. I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Going where?¡± Hanul pointed to the sky. ¡°To the Sky Arena.¡± * * * Not many days remained. Suddenly, Kwon Hyuk¡¯s phone rang. He checked the caller: Kwon Jiseok, his son. ¡°What is it?¡± Jiseok¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°Hm... mm...¡± Kwon Hyuk occasionally responded¡ªbut far too curtly for the gravity of what he was hearing. ¡°I see. Got it.¡± He put down the phone and touched his lips in thought. ¡°So the plan failed.¡± But calling it a ¡°failure¡± barely scratched the surface. Kwon Chan-seong had turned into a mindless fool after his battle with Catalina Blaga. The Black Aura Unit had taken heavy losses and retreated. ¡°Seems like everyone who gets involved with that boy, Kwon Hanul, ends up ruined.¡± Just then¡ª ¡°You done?¡± A low voice asked. Kwon Hyuk turned. Smiling, he responded, ¡°Yes, Father.¡± At the center of the room sat a table. Seated there was Chairman Kwon Seonwoo of the Hyukcheon family. ¡°Then explain yourself.¡± ¡°You¡¯re being harsh. You already know everything, and now you want an explanation?¡± ¡°Are you saying what I know is the whole truth?¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Hyuk nodded. ¡°Yes. I ordered Kwon Hanul¡¯s death.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 140 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 140: Monarch (3) Even after hearing those words, Kwon Seonwoo didn¡¯t explode in anger. He merely asked in a cold, emotionless voice, ¡°Why did you give such an order? That boy is your nephew, isn¡¯t he?¡± Ironically, it was Kwon Hyuk who displayed emotion. He let out a hollow laugh for a while before replying, ¡°Father, are you seriously asking me that? Or have you finally lost your mind?¡± Kwon Seonwoo''s eyebrow twitched. But even then, Hyuk didn¡¯t stop talking. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯ve always demanded of me?¡± Prove your worth. Protect that value. Even if it means killing your own blood. ¡°All I did was follow the path you laid out.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use me as an excuse to justify your actions. What I wanted was competition. Not for a senior of the clan, like you, to trample on a young sprout with overwhelming power.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice turned razor-sharp. Hyuk only shrugged. ¡°Competition, you say? That¡¯s exactly what I did. Hanul would have eventually grown strong enough to threaten my position. So I acted first. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Still spouting that nonsense...¡± ¡°What I don¡¯t understand is this¡ªweren¡¯t you the one who killed Hanul¡¯s father, Cheon, in much the same way?¡± At that, Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s eyes widened as if they might pop out. He glared at Hyuk like he could kill him on the spot. ¡°You let Cheon die like that, so why stop me? Shouldn¡¯t you be praising me instead?¡± Seonwoo¡¯s body began to tremble. ¡°If Cheon could see your actions from the afterlife, he¡¯d be speechless. Why kill him if you were going to act like this...¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s roar shook the room. Every glass window shattered. ¡°Ah, I may have gone too far with that one.¡± Hyuk still spoke with a calm air. Meanwhile, Seonwoo was visibly heaving with heavy breaths. ¡°So then, what punishment will you hand down to me?¡± Hyuk asked without a shred of fear. He had reigned for many years as the Vice Chairman of Hyukcheon. The influence he had accumulated over that time was not something even Kwon Seonwoo could dismiss lightly. In terms of sheer combat ability, he was known as the third strongest in Hyukcheon, right after Kwon Seonwoo and Kwon Myung-woo. But that wasn¡¯t why Hyuk could speak so boldly. ¡°Are you going to kill me with your own hands, just like you did with Cheon?¡± A shadow fell over Seonwoo¡¯s face. He finally spoke in a low voice, ¡°...This matter will be buried.¡± Slowly, Seonwoo rose to his feet. Was it just the mood? Somehow, he seemed smaller than ever. ¡°But only this once. If you so much as lay a finger on Hanul again... I¡¯ll kill you myself.¡± Even his warning felt devoid of strength. Seonwoo turned and began to walk toward the door. Hyuk called out to him. ¡°Why do you care so much about Hanul? Is it because he¡¯s a Trueblood? Or...¡± Seonwoo halted. ¡°Is it because he¡¯s Cheon¡¯s son?¡± Seonwoo slowly turned around. Staring Hyuk down, he spoke curtly, ¡°You don¡¯t need to know.¡± ¡°Come now, at least give me an answer. Otherwise, how am I supposed to gauge your intentions going forw¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡± A deadly aura radiated from Seonwoo¡¯s entire being. In that instant, Hyuk felt a crushing pain, as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart. He couldn¡¯t even breathe. Frozen in place, Hyuk could only stare at Seonwoo. ¡°Remember my warning.¡± The door slowly closed behind him. Even after Seonwoo left, Hyuk remained seated, unable to move. ¡°...Heh.¡± As the tension left him, a laugh escaped his lips. ¡°Father¡¯s still got it.¡± The ruler of Hyukcheon, one of the few living wielders of the Incarnation Physique in history. Hyuk, despite being Hyukcheon¡¯s third strongest, was still no match for him in raw power. ¡°Whew.¡± To calm his nerves, Hyuk grabbed a bottle of liquor. He poured it into a glass with a few ice cubes and brought it to his lips. The harsh aroma of the alcohol spread through his body, finally putting a stop to his trembling. ¡°So even the great Chairman of Hyukcheon is still a father, after all.¡± He had believed that even Kwon Seonwoo wouldn¡¯t be able to overcome familial bonds. That prediction had hit the mark. ¡°What an irony. The master of Hyukcheon, that devilish man... is still human. Still a father. All because of Cheon, huh?¡± Hyuk let out a low chuckle. The laugh of a man who had won. ¡°Still... I can¡¯t quite wrap my head around this. Catalina Blaga turned Chan-seong into a vegetable?¡± He recalled Kwon Jisuk¡¯s recent report. The Blaga family had been nearly annihilated by an assault led by Kwon Chan-seong and the Black Aura Unit. But due to the resistance from Catalina and the Blaga elders, Chan-seong had ended up incapacitated, and the Black Aura Unit had taken heavy losses. In the end, Jisuk had ordered the Black Aura Unit to retreat from the battlefield with Hanul. ¡°Catalina Blaga... she was always a tough one.¡± Catalina had always been a woman shrouded in mystery¡ªlike a fox with nine tails. She¡¯d toyed with people for years, a master of manipulation and intrigue. This time, thanks to the suspicious number of openings she¡¯d shown, they were able to trap her¡ªbut under normal circumstances, that would¡¯ve been unthinkable. ¡°She shouldn¡¯t have been able to beat Chan-seong, though.¡± In terms of raw combat skill, Catalina wasn¡¯t all that impressive. Sure, she might rank in the world¡¯s top 20, but for someone who led a prestigious family, her strength was sorely lacking. ¡°Damn it. Tools as competent and tight-lipped as Chan-seong aren¡¯t easy to come by.¡± The loss was severe. Hyuk clicked his tongue and looked up at the ceiling. ¡°Everyone tied to Kwon Hanul ends up in ruin, huh...¡± He never imagined he himself would be included in that group. ¡°What a curse...¡± Suddenly, Hyuk realized something. His hand, gripping the glass, was trembling violently. The moment he noticed it, all the emotions he¡¯d been suppressing surged out at once. ¡°Goddamn it!¡± He flung the glass across the room. It shattered against the wall. Old memories came rushing back¡ªwhen he¡¯d lost to Cheon during their rivalry, when his father had looked at him with disdain. He¡¯d felt this same way back then. ¡°Father or son... both exist only to stand in my way.¡± His teeth clenched involuntarily. He pressed a hand to his face, his skin twisting like it might tear. ¡°One day... I¡¯ll make you suffer the same fate.¡± * * * Meanwhile, Kwon Jisuk had already left the island with the Black Aura members. He had to report to Hyukcheon as quickly as possible. Kwon Hanul, on the other hand, had no choice but to remain on the island until his Trueblood powers fully recovered. Once that was done, his plan was to head straight to the Sky Battle Arena. So while he recovered... ¡°Pick one. Which outfit do you like?¡± ...he had become Catalina Blaga¡¯s new toy. More than fifty attendants lined up before Hanul, each holding an outfit. The room was so large that this scene was somehow possible. ¡°These are pieces designed by the Blaga family¡¯s in-house designers. Not only do they look good, but they¡¯re made from monster leather¡ªtop-notch in both form and function.¡± Hanul stared at the clothes with a less-than-thrilled expression. ¡°What¡¯s with all the clothes?¡± ¡°Oh come on, I told you already. You don¡¯t have to be so formal with me. A Trueblood doesn¡¯t need to speak politely to someone like me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m comfortable this way. And why exactly do I need to pick an outfit?¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to show your face to the world at the Sky Battle Arena. Obviously, appearance matters.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be wearing armor anyway, won¡¯t I?¡± He still had the Blackriver Set Catalina had given him¡ªit was more than enough. Although he sustained considerable damage while fighting Kwon Chan-seong, his body fully recovered thanks to the auto-regeneration function. ¡°Are you really going to keep wearing that outfit all the time? Of course not. Celebrities are supposed to be mindful of how they look even off stage.¡± Catalina Blaga chided him gently. Kwon Hanul was dumbfounded. ¡°Why do you care about that...?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the head of the Blaga family now, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s only natural that someone below you takes care of these things.¡± For someone who had once been the de facto ruler of the Blaga family, she didn¡¯t hesitate to call herself a subordinate. Kwon Hanul looked at her with suspicion. Due to the nature of the Vassal Bloodline, lower bloodlines couldn¡¯t defy higher ones¡ªbut if it was Catalina Blaga, she might have her own schemes. ¡°Don¡¯t you find it humiliating? Some kid who doesn''t even come close to what you¡¯ve achieved in life suddenly inherits the family.¡± He intentionally touched a nerve to probe her real feelings. Sure enough, the smile disappeared from Catalina Blaga¡¯s face. ¡°It is humiliating.¡± ¡°I thought so, too¡ª¡± ¡°What did you just say? I don¡¯t come close to your life experience? Do you think I¡¯m that old?¡± She was upset¡ªbut oddly, not about what he expected. ¡°Well, I am older, but... there are some things you just shouldn¡¯t say!¡± ¡°S-Sorry.¡± ¡°As long as you realize that.¡± Only after he apologized did her expression soften. ¡°I understand why you¡¯d ask something like that. It¡¯s because of what happened in Hyukcheon, right? Even though they knew you were a Trueblood, those blasphemers still refused to submit.¡± A subtle fury appeared on Catalina Blaga¡¯s face. ¡°Please don¡¯t lump us in with those kinds of people. The Blaga family exists solely to serve the Trueblood.¡± She stepped down from her chair and knelt on the floor, grasping Kwon Hanul¡¯s hand resting on the bed. ¡°Please, don¡¯t doubt us.¡± Her hands trembled slightly. Only then did Kwon Hanul realize she was afraid. The idea of being cast aside by a Trueblood was terrifying to her. ¡°...Alright.¡± He could only respond with an awkward expression. Catalina Blaga beamed. ¡°Well then, shall we pick out your clothes now?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s a bit much... and I¡¯m not even sure they¡¯ll fit me¡ª¡± ¡°No need to worry. They were made precisely to your measurements.¡± ¡°You had clothes made... to fit me?¡± Kwon Hanul frowned. He had never once had his measurements taken while staying with the Blagas. ¡°I figured that out a long time ago. Just a small detail,¡± she said with a smile. A chill ran down Kwon Hanul¡¯s spine. In the end, he had no choice but to become her dress-up doll for a while under Catalina Blaga¡¯s persistent pressure. He was finally resting after narrowly escaping her fashion tyranny, when¡ª ¡°By the way...¡± Catalina Blaga spoke again. Kwon Hanul flinched. ¡°What now.¡± ¡°No need to be so startled... I just wanted to ask if it¡¯s really necessary for you to participate in the Sky Arena.¡± He let out a breath of relief. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°Well, the Sky Arena is a grand event and all... but to be blunt, it¡¯s not really at your level, is it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a misunderstanding,¡± Kwon Hanul replied firmly. ¡°The reason I¡¯m strong is because I possess multiple bloodlines. But in the Sky Arena, I¡¯m only allowed to use my Black Dragon Bloodline.¡± He could still use latent powers not visible on the surface, but there was no denying his combat strength would drop significantly. ¡°Even the True Black Dragon Bloodline is powerful, sure, but I won¡¯t be able to show the overwhelming strength I had when I fought Kwon Chan-seong.¡± Despite his explanation, Catalina Blaga tilted her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know... Even if you hold back, I doubt there¡¯s anyone in the Sky Arena who could withstand a direct hit from you.¡± Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t argue with that. After all, this was a judgment coming from Catalina Blaga¡ªthe one known as the Collector of Humans. ¡°In my opinion, the Sky Arena is more of a shackle. You¡¯ve only got three stats at S-rank right now, right?¡± That was because the Arena¡¯s entry requirement was exactly three S-rank stats. ¡°But if you raised all your stats to S-rank, your overall level would skyrocket.¡± This held true for all rankings: A person¡¯s true potential revealed itself when all their stats were balanced at the same level. S-rank was no exception. Having one was amazing¡ªbut when everything reached S-rank, the result was far more powerful. ¡°You make a fair point. But I have to enter the Sky Arena.¡± His first reason was to gather the materials needed for Rebirth. Kwon Seonwoo had promised to supply all those materials if Kwon Hanul joined the Arena. The second reason was to make his name known. Only then could he expand his influence within the Hyukcheon clan. ¡°If that¡¯s truly your will, then I won¡¯t try to stop you.¡± Catalina Blaga didn¡¯t try to persuade him further. She only gave advice¡ªshe had no intention of interfering with his actions. ¡°Then I¡¯d better start preparing the elixirs for after the Arena ends.¡± ¡°Elixirs?¡± ¡°Once the Arena is over, you can raise your stats freely again, right?¡± Catalina spoke with excitement, just imagining it. ¡°The head of the Blaga family can¡¯t be given just any elixir. I¡¯ll make sure they¡¯re ones that grant special traits.¡± With the Blaga family¡¯s wealth¡ªrecognized worldwide¡ªgathering S-rank elixirs would be no trouble. ¡°Do you happen to have any SS-rank elixirs?¡± At that question, Catalina Blaga¡¯s face stiffened. ¡°There was only one...¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°You used it during your fight with Kwon Chan-seong.¡± ¡°...Oh.¡± Kwon Hanul let out a regretful groan. Back then, he¡¯d consumed Amrita to restore his body. In hindsight, it had been a terrible waste. ¡°SS-rank elixirs are extremely hard to come by. Even our Blaga family has only acquired three in the past century.¡± Even S-rank elixirs were considered treasures within the Hyukcheon clan. SS-rank was on another level entirely. ¡°But I¡¯ll try my best.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the elixirs right now. The family transfer is a more urgent matter.¡± ¡°But still¡ª¡± ¡°Did you forget? There¡¯s another way to get them within the Hyukcheon clan...¡± That¡¯s when it happened. <...> Mana surged within Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, accompanied by a cascade of messages. As all his bloodlines returned, the dormant senses came back to life. He stepped down from the bed and moved his body lightly. Then, smiling in satisfaction, he said, ¡°Now this is more like it.¡± Finally, he was ready to enter the Sky Arena. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 141 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 141: Invitation (1) Western Pacific. Normally, this vast expanse of ocean and sky was only inhabited by clouds, the sea, and the occasional airplane. But now, a colossal disc floated mid-air. Strangely, despite the sheer size of the object seemingly blocking the sky, sunlight still poured down over the ocean undisturbed. It was as if the light passed straight through the disc. ¡ª ¡°There it is, do you see it? That giant circular structure ahead is the Sky Arena!¡± A black helicopter circled the floating disc. Inside, a female reporter, microphone in hand, enthusiastically relayed her report. ¡ª ¡°You may not be able to see it with the naked eye, but the Sky Arena is surrounded by a barrier¡ªmeant to keep intruders out.¡± What she was saying wasn¡¯t new; by now, most people were already aware of these facts. That¡¯s how famous the Sky Arena had become¡ªone of the most anticipated and widely broadcasted global events. ¡ª ¡°See the ships down below? Each one is carrying Hunters, all gathered here to participate in the Sky Arena.¡± In truth, not every vessel carried Hunters. Some were cruise ships ferrying spectators eager to witness the event up close. ¡ª ¡°You can see the insignias of powerful guilds and noble families. As expected of the Sky Arena.¡± Large guilds and established clans had brought their own ships. Those with fewer resources had purchased transport from travel agencies running cruise services. ¡ª ¡°Ah! Over there! Zoom in!¡± The reporter pointed to a particular ship. The cameraman quickly refocused. ¡ª ¡°That¡¯s a vessel belonging to the Hyukcheon Group! They recently made headlines by wiping out both the Mei family and the South American cartel.¡± The Hyukcheon ship was notably massive, commanding presence by sheer size alone. ¡ª ¡°And the bloodline representative entering the Arena on behalf of Hyukcheon is none other than Kwon Hanul¡ªwhose achievements are almost unbelievable...¡± * * * ¡°I hope Hanul is safe...¡± Aboard the Hyukcheon ship, in a luxurious lounge, Kwon Hudon let out a deep sigh. It had already been over a week since Kwon Hanul went missing. The mere thought of what kind of hardship he might be enduring caused another sigh to escape him. ¡°And the Chairman just keeps telling us to wait...¡± Right after Hanul disappeared, they had contacted the main house, assuming the family would immediately help rescue him. But instead: ¡ª ¡°Wait at the location of the Sky Arena.¡± That was Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s order. He didn¡¯t want word of Hanul¡¯s disappearance getting out, so he kept the team in a holding pattern. As a result, they''d spent over a week doing nothing but waiting on this ship. ¡°Ugh...¡± Hudon sighed again, glancing toward Joo Hayun and Mei Hong. The two women sat at a table, deep in conversation. ¡°I¡¯ve done some digging¡ªHyukcheon¡¯s intelligence division believes it was the Blaga family that kidnapped him.¡± ¡°The Blagas? Those con artists? You¡¯re saying they¡¯re behind this?¡± ¡°The bigger issue is, the Chairman doesn¡¯t seem intent on launching a rescue. I think we¡¯ll have to take matters into our own hands.¡± ¡°I agree. But no one knows where the Blagas are hiding, do they?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve gathered a few leads...¡± ¡°Um... excuse me...¡± Hudon hesitantly called out. Both women turned to him simultaneously¡ªradiating an intimidating aura. ¡°What are you two planning...?¡± ¡°We¡¯re preparing a rescue mission for Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. We can¡¯t just sit back anymore.¡± Hudon swallowed hard. What they were saying made sense¡ªbut disobeying the Chairman¡¯s orders was a serious move. ¡°W-What about Gael? What does he think?¡± Hudon looked over at Gael Garcia, who sat cross-legged on the carpet in meditation. At Hudon¡¯s question, Gael slowly opened his eyes. ¡°I agree with Ms. Joo and Ms. Mei.¡± He said it without a shred of hesitation. ¡°B-But the Chairman might be furious...¡± ¡°My loyalty lies with Kwon Hanul.¡± Gael¡¯s words were resolute, and Hudon felt deeply moved. ¡°...You¡¯re right.¡± Hudon finally made up his mind. Truth be told, he had wanted to go rescue Hanul all along¡ªhe just hadn¡¯t had the courage. ¡°Let¡¯s bring Hanul back.¡± His voice was firm. Just then, a thudding noise rang out from above, followed by blaring alarms. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got an intruder,¡± Joo Hayun said coldly, a sharp gleam in her eyes. Since Hanul¡¯s abduction, Hayun had been on edge, constantly bristling with hostility. ¡°Whoever dares trespass on Hyukcheon¡¯s domain... they¡¯ll be made an example of.¡± Although there were guards on board, Hayun stood, intent on handling the situation personally. ¡°I¡¯ll cover the deck,¡± Mei Hong said, grabbing her sword. Seeing the deadly intent in both women, Hudon shivered. Then it happened. The blaring alarm suddenly fell silent. Just as confusion spread, the door burst open and someone casually walked in. ¡°Whew... that was rough.¡± The intruder strolled in as if he owned the place. ¡°Long time no see, everyone. I trust you¡¯ve all been well?¡± He even greeted them nonchalantly¡ªthen headed straight to the water dispenser, downing a full cup in one go. Everyone stood in stunned silence, staring at the intruder. It wasn¡¯t until he finished drinking that he noticed their gaping expressions. ¡°Why are you all looking at me like that...?¡± ¡°Hanul?!¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul?!¡± ¡°Captain?!¡± ¡°You¡¯re back!¡± One after another, they called his name. Hanul blinked in surprise. ¡°What happened? How did you get here?!¡± ¡°Tell us everything right now!¡± ¡°A-Are you hurt, Hanul?¡± The four of them bombarded him with questions. ¡°Okay, okay¡ªcalm down...¡± Hanul raised his hands, trying to settle them. ¡°So, here¡¯s what happened...¡± * * * ¡°...And that¡¯s how it went.¡± Hanul explained the situation¡ªbut not the full truth. His dual bloodlines remained a closely guarded secret, even from his team. So he stuck to the version scripted by Catalina Blaga. ¡°Catalina Blaga must be insane. To lay a hand on someone from the Hyukcheon bloodline... especially a Trueblood like you, Kwon Hanul!¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s brow twitched¡ªbarely containing her fury. Though, in truth, that wasn¡¯t what angered her most. ¡°And on top of that, Kwon Chan-seong tried to kill you? That had to be on Kwon Hyuk¡¯s orders. What the hell is he thinking?¡± A member of the Hyukcheon bloodline, holding the position of vice-chairman, had tried to kill one of their own. To Hayun, whose loyalty to Hyukcheon ran deep, this was unforgivable. ¡°Th-This is bad... R-Really bad. Your own uncle tried to kill you...¡± Hudon looked pale. A crisis on this scale was unimaginable. ¡°No, wait... Once the Chairman hears about this, he won¡¯t let it slide. Even if it¡¯s your uncle...¡± His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Hayun¡¯s expression. ¡°If the Chairman finds out, of course he¡¯ll punish someone. But...¡± Joo Hayun, who had served Hyukcheon for years, knew better than most¡ª Kwon Hyuk was meticulous. Cunning. Always prepared. ¡°He plans for every outcome. This time won¡¯t be any different.¡± ¡°I agree with Hayun,¡± Hanul said. Even Catalina Blaga had warned him: Kwon Hyuk wouldn¡¯t go down easily. ¡°Th-Then what do we do...?¡± Hudon gulped. That¡¯s when Mei Hong chimed in. ¡°Hudon oppa, why worry? Captain made it back alive, didn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, but only because of Catalina Blaga...¡± ¡°Still, he¡¯s fine now. That¡¯s all that matters.¡± ¡°I feel the same,¡± Gael added. ¡°The Captain has incredible luck.¡± With both of them so confident, Hudon had no choice but to fall silent. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m just glad to see everyone again,¡± Hanul said with a genuine smile. Back when he was locked away by the Blagas, the people he¡¯d missed most were his teammates. ¡°M-Me too, Hanul.¡± ¡°Glad you''re safe.¡± ¡°What a relief.¡± Each of them offered a heartfelt word. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Hanul scratched his cheek. ¡°Oh¡ªKwon Hanul. This arrived while you were gone.¡± Just then, Joo Hayun pulled out a letter from a subspace pocket. ¡°A letter?¡± Hanul asked, taking it with curiosity. In an age of social media, a physical letter¡ªsealed with wax, no less¡ªwas rare. ¡°It¡¯s an invitation from the Babel family.¡± The moment he heard the name Babel, Hanul¡¯s demeanor shifted. The Babel family. One of the very few clans in the world that could stand on equal footing with the Hyukcheon bloodline. If Hyukcheon carried the blood of dragons, then Babel bore the blood of true dragons¡ªdragons in the Western sense. ¡°They¡¯re hosting a party to help the Sky Arena participants get acquainted.¡± Hanul turned the letter over in his hands. But surely there was another motive. Most likely, they wanted to gather and evaluate the competition. ¡°What will you do? Decline?¡± Hayun asked. Hanul considered it. It wasn¡¯t a bad offer. He didn¡¯t like the idea of Babel sizing him up¡ªbut it was a good chance for him to size up the other participants, too. ¡®And I might have a shot at acquiring Dragonheart Bloodline.¡¯ It was a Babel-hosted event. Naturally, their bloodline members would be present. That meant a chance to obtain their unique lineage, Dragonheart Bloodline.. Dragonheart Bloodline wasn¡¯t just symbolic. All Babel bloodline members possessed a version of the Dragonheart thanks to it. Granted, it wasn¡¯t a true Dragonheart. Impure or diluted bloodlines produced weaker versions. Even purebloods couldn¡¯t match the original. But Hanul¡¯s version? Would be from a Trueblood. A real Dragonheart might be within reach. ¡°This invitation...¡± He suddenly noticed Hudon and Gael watching him closely, eyes filled with... hopeful pressure. ¡°Something you want to say?¡± ¡°Well... uh...¡± Hudon scratched his head awkwardly. ¡°I-I was wondering if maybe I could tag along... n-not for any big reason or anything, just that all the famous Hunters will be there...¡± It seemed Hudon just wanted to meet his idols in person. ¡°What about you, Gael?¡± ¡°Well... I¡¯ve never been to a party before...¡± Gael admitted, a bit bashful. With his natural curiosity, he was clearly interested in seeing what a high-society party hosted by a noble clan would be like. Hanul let out a crooked smile. With both of them looking like that, how could he say no? ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s all attend together.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 142 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 142: Invitation (2) ¡°It seems this treatment has failed as well.¡± The room was dimly lit. An elderly man spoke, his expression heavy with concern. ¡°The mana channels remain sealed, and no matter how much we try to stimulate them, there¡¯s no response from her mana.¡± The man wasn¡¯t well-known to the general public¡ªhis name carried no weight in the mainstream world. But within Hunter circles, it was different. Most Hunters dreamed of meeting him just once in their lives. Abdul Rasad. Even within the Rasad family, famed for possessing the rare Genius Bloodline, he was one of the few Master Tuners. ¡°Then... there¡¯s no treatment left?¡± The woman sitting across from Abdul Rasad asked. He slowly shook his head. ¡°There are still options, but they¡¯ll be of no use.¡± The Genius Bloodline held by the Rasad family grants a unique ability¡ªan expansion of cognitive function. With it, one can perceive and understand things beyond the capacity of ordinary people. The Rasads had long used this ability to refine the techniques of Hunters and resolve complex physical issues. This woman, too, had summoned Abdul Rasad in hopes of curing her incurable disease. ¡°I¡¯ve treated everything I could based on what I believed to be the cause... but...¡± Not even the Genius Bloodline could cure her. It was difficult enough to identify the cause¡ªlet alone heal it. ¡°If even someone like you can¡¯t help me... then I suppose there¡¯s truly no hope.¡± ¡°I am... deeply sorry.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize so much. If anything, I should be the one to apologize¡ªfor insisting until the day of the Sky Arena.¡± The woman smiled gently, attempting to ease Abdul Rasad¡¯s heart. But the concern on his face lingered. It wasn¡¯t just the patient¡¯s condition that worried him. It was who she was. If she were simply a skilled and famous Hunter, he wouldn¡¯t have felt this way. Her name was Dahlia Babel. She was the Matriarch of the Babel Clan, a powerful family whose influence rivaled even the famed Hyukcheon Clan of East Asia. ¡°I understand what you¡¯re worried about.¡± Dahlia Babel smiled again. ¡°The Babel Clan won¡¯t hold a grudge over this. We won¡¯t forget the Rasad family¡¯s kindness and will surely repay it someday.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Only then did Abdul Rasad let out a sigh of relief. Just then¡ª ¡°There really isn¡¯t any other way?¡± A girl sitting beside Dahlia cried out. ¡°Sasha, that¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°But this is your life we¡¯re talking about! We can¡¯t just give up!¡± Despite Dahlia¡¯s attempt to calm her, the girl didn¡¯t back down. ¡°Please, just consider it once more. There might still be something...¡± Abdul Rasad shook his head. He had truly done all he could over the past few months¡ªhe was confident in that. ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, then call another Tuner!¡± ¡°Lady Sasha. There is no Tuner in the Rasad family more skilled than I am.¡± His voice turned cold. It was a matter of pride¡ªhaving his abilities questioned, even out of desperation, wasn¡¯t something he could ignore. ¡°Unless the founding ancestor of the Rasad family, bearer of the True Bloodline, were to return from the dead... there is currently no one alive who can cure Lady Dahlia.¡± ¡°Abdul!¡± The girl raised her voice, but Dahlia gently held her hand. ¡°Sasha. Look at me.¡± She pulled the girl closer, cupping her face. ¡°Don¡¯t speak to Master Abdul so disrespectfully.¡± ¡°But... I can¡¯t just let this happen...¡± ¡°If you get this emotional, what does that make me, who put my trust in you?¡± At her words, Sasha fell silent, biting back tears. Instead, she clenched her fists tightly. ¡°I no longer have any lingering attachments to this world. I¡¯ve already prepared a capable heir to take my place, and everything within the clan has been set in order.¡± Dahlia Babel, Matriarch of the Babel Clan. She was suffering from an incurable disease that had petrified her mana and withered her mana channels. It had stripped her of all her power. Now, Dahlia Babel was no different from a powerless civilian. And as if that weren¡¯t enough, the disease had begun to devour her life force. ¡°Sasha Babel.¡± Dahlia called her by name. Sasha nodded. ¡°If you truly care for me, don¡¯t push things like this. Instead, focus on how you can uphold the Babel name in the Sky Arena.¡± ¡°...Yes, ma¡¯am...¡± Sasha nodded, tears streaming down her face. Dahlia quietly embraced her. ¡°My apologies, Master Abdul. That must¡¯ve been quite the scene.¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Abdul Rasad offered a faint, bitter smile. Knock, knock. Suddenly, a knock came at the door. A servant peeked in. ¡°Matriarch, the banquet is about to begin.¡± ¡°Is it that time already?¡± Dahlia gently released Sasha from her embrace. ¡°Master Abdul, won¡¯t you join us?¡± ¡°I¡¯m honored, but... an old man like me would only dampen the mood.¡± Dahlia chuckled at his joking tone. ¡°Then perhaps your grandson could accompany us instead. It would be a good opportunity for him to broaden his horizons.¡± Abdul gestured toward a boy standing quietly in the corner¡ªhe looked to be around middle school age, young and timid. He had been waiting silently in the room the entire time, assisting his grandfather with the treatment. ¡°P-Please t-take care of me!¡± He was so nervous he bit his tongue trying to speak. Dahlia smiled at the sight. ¡°Then shall we, Shahin Rasad?¡± The young Shahin Rasad nodded eagerly, though he kept stealing glances at Sasha. Dahlia led the two toward the banquet hall. As they walked down the corridor, Sasha spoke. ¡°...Do you really have to attend the banquet in your condition, Matriarch?¡± This banquet had been organized at Dahlia Babel¡¯s strong insistence. Sasha had opposed it. Deep down, she had hoped Dahlia would rest instead. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if something happens, Shahin will be there to help me. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, ma¡¯am! I¡¯ll do my best!¡± Shahin responded, flustered. ¡°More than anything, I wanted to see with my own eyes the young talents who will shape the future. They may even become enemies of the Babel Clan one day.¡± At that, Sasha was struck speechless. Dahlia Babel was dying. And yet, even at the very end, she was thinking of her clan. How could she have misunderstood such deep intentions? Sasha rebuked herself for her immaturity. ¡°Oh, right. At the banquet, you¡¯ll be my older sister.¡± Sasha blinked. Did she hear that right? ¡°Shahin, keep this in mind too. From now on, I¡¯m Alia Davi, Sasha¡¯s close friend.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± She hadn¡¯t misheard. Shahin was just as bewildered. ¡°Matriarch? What do you mean?¡± ¡°What do you think happens when the Babel Matriarch shows up at a gathering full of young people? I¡¯d just ruin the atmosphere.¡± ¡°B-But... won¡¯t everyone recognize you anyway?¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I did my makeup differently today. No one will recognize me.¡± Dahlia¡ªno, Alia Davi¡ªspoke nonchalantly. Sasha felt a headache coming on. ¡°Matriarch... no matter how you spin it, this just seems¡ª¡± ¡°Too late. I¡¯m opening the door.¡± Alia Davi flung the banquet doors open without hesitation. For a moment, the music stopped. All eyes turned to the trio. ¡°Lady Sasha Babel of the Babel Clan, her dear friend Alia Davi, and young master Shahin Rasad of the Rasad family have arrived!¡± At the sound of the announcer¡¯s voice, Sasha¡¯s headache only got worse. ¡°Hello, everyone!¡± Alia Davi greeted the crowd with a radiant voice. ¡°I¡¯m Alia Davi!¡± * * * Evening. Kwon Hanul and his group headed toward a ship belonging to the Babel family. ¡°Oh...¡± Hanul let out a quiet exclamation. The moment he stepped aboard, he could sense powerful auras emanating from all around. Judging by the similar nature of the auras, they likely belonged to members of the Babel bloodline stationed to guard the ship. It really lived up to its reputation of being on par with the Hyukcheon clan. ¡°It¡¯s a shame Hayun couldn¡¯t come too.¡± Mei Hong spoke wistfully. Joo Hayun had declined to come along, saying she wasn¡¯t qualified to participate. As a result, only Hanul and the remaining three had come here. ¡°But Captain, what¡¯s with the outfit?¡± Hanul was dressed for the party¡ªquite different from his usual attire. It was one of the outfits Catalina Blaga had picked out for him. ¡°Is it strange?¡± ¡°No, not at all. In fact, it looks so good that I wouldn¡¯t believe you picked it yourself.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying I have no fashion sense?¡± ¡°Huh? You didn¡¯t know?¡± Mei Hong asked with genuine surprise, which left Hanul a little stunned. ¡°That¡¯s why Hayun unni always spent time choosing your clothes.¡± ¡°What a pointless thing to do...¡± ¡°She seemed to enjoy it, though.¡± As Hanul exchanged small talk with Mei Hong, they arrived at the party hall inside the ship. ¡°Wooooow...¡± An awestruck gasp escaped as they entered. It was Kwon Hudon. ¡°H-Hanul, look over there!¡± Hudon pointed excitedly. A muscular man was sipping wine. ¡°That¡¯s Alain de Beaure from the Blue Rose Guild! He¡¯s already mastered all of his guild¡¯s exclusive skills¡ªeven though he¡¯s so young!¡± ¡°Oh! That¡¯s Koto Hisashi! He¡¯s famous for taking down an entire monster horde alone in Japan!¡± ¡°Baba Boateng...! The Guardian of Africa!¡± Hudon called out names and cheered enthusiastically. It was astonishing how he could recognize so many people. Mei Hong leaned in and said quietly to Hanul, ¡°I don¡¯t think Hudon oppa realizes how incredible he is.¡± ¡°I agree.¡± Kwon Hudon was likely far stronger than most Sky Arena contestants. But he didn¡¯t seem to realize that himself. ¡°What do you think, Hanul?¡± Hudon turned his head sharply and asked. ¡°They¡¯re all amazing, right?¡± ¡°They are.¡± Hanul answered briefly. But the words lacked any real sincerity. Everyone here was a rising star, representing major guilds or noble families. They likely possessed immense talent and skill. But they were underwhelming. At least to Hanul¡¯s eyes. Is this really the best they have to offer? It was almost shocking. ¡®Or... have I just grown that strong?¡¯ Just then, Gael Garcia turned to Hanul and said, ¡°Captain, something feels off.¡± The once-lively party hall had grown quiet. It was like someone had turned down the volume. That wasn¡¯t all¡ªevery eye in the room was now fixed on Hanul. Wherever he walked, their gazes followed. He could even hear people swallowing nervously. ¡°There¡¯s no hostility that I can sense, but...¡± Gael trailed off. Hanul and his group took their assigned seats. The tension still hadn¡¯t lifted. Then came the sound of approaching footsteps. A man with blue-toned skin was walking toward Hanul. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± The man said, looking down at Hanul as he approached. Instead of returning the greeting, Hanul looked at Hudon¡ªas if asking, Who is this guy? ¡°Henrico Bighand... He¡¯s the young head of the Bighand family...¡± Hudon replied cautiously. Hanul knew of the Bighand family. While not of noble blood, they were a distinguished lineage known for protecting the United Kingdom for generations. ¡°And he¡¯s one of the predicted winners... according to the experts...¡± His abilities matched his pedigree. Being named a top contender for the Sky Arena said it all. ¡°I have a favor to ask.¡± Henrico¡¯s gaze intensified, sharp and focused, like it could melt ice. ¡°I hope you won¡¯t refuse me.¡± Hanul barely managed to keep his lips from twitching. In such a public setting, with a tone that barely masked its intensity... It wasn¡¯t hard to guess what kind of ¡°favor¡± this was going to be. ¡°Not here. Could we step ou¡ª¡± ¡°An autograph, please.¡± Both men spoke at the same time¡ªthen stared at each other in surprise. ¡°An autograph?¡± ¡°Yes... Unless you¡¯d rather do it outside?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just...¡± Hanul was flustered. Not a challenge to a duel¡ªbut an autograph? ¡°My little sister¡¯s a fan of yours. She started admiring you after you wiped out the South American cartel...¡± Henrico blushed and held out a piece of paper and a pen. Hanul stared at him in disbelief. But he signed it in the end. ¡°She¡¯s going to be thrilled.¡± Henrico beamed and walked off. Almost immediately, a few more people approached. ¡°If it¡¯s alright, could I get one too...?¡± ¡°Me as well...¡± Still dazed, Hanul signed a few more autographs. Everyone who received one left with a satisfied smile. ¡°Wow... I didn¡¯t know you were such a celebrity, Captain.¡± ¡°Neither did I. Word about Hanul¡¯s exploits has really spread¡ªhe¡¯s gained a lot of fans.¡± Mei Hong and Hudon whispered to each other nearby, while Gael looked at Hanul like he was in awe. ¡°...I kind of regret coming.¡± Hanul¡¯s face grew hot with embarrassment. Just then¡ª ¡°Lady Sasha Babel of the Babel Clan, her dear friend Alia Davi, and young master Shahin Rasad of the Rasad family have arrived!¡± A man who looked like a butler announced loudly. Three people entered through the now-open doors. ¡°Hello, everyone!¡± The woman in front greeted them with her arms wide open. ¡°I¡¯m Alia Davi!¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 143 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 143: A New Bloodline (1) Henrico Bighand returned to his seat with the autograph in hand. ¡°This wasn¡¯t the plan.¡± A blond man spoke in an irritated voice. It was Alain de Beaure, a participant from the Blue Rose Guild. ¡°Weren¡¯t we supposed to confirm whether Kwon Hanul¡¯s reputation is real or not?¡± An Asian man with glasses, Koto Hisashi, nodded in agreement. ¡°You were supposed to confront Kwon Hanul, and we¡¯d take care of the rest of his team.¡± A bald man nodded as well¡ªit was Baba Boateng, the so-called Guardian of Africa. All three were considered among the most powerful of the promising talents competing in the Sky Arena. Originally, Henrico Bighand hadn¡¯t approached Kwon Hanul just to get an autograph. He had planned to verify whether all the feats surrounding Kwon Hanul were true. Henrico was supposed to deal with Kwon Hanul himself, while the other three handled Hanul¡¯s teammates. ¡°Hey, why didn¡¯t you say anything...¡± Alain de Beaure leaned over to look at Henrico, but stopped short. Henrico Bighand¡ªonce known for his composure and integrity¡ªlooked completely terrified. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Henrico grabbed a bottle of wine from the table and started chugging straight from it. Not satisfied, he reached for a bottle of whiskey and poured that into his mouth too. ¡°Something¡¯s off.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°That guy... something about him isn¡¯t right...¡± All the Sky Arena participants were more or less on equal footing. That was to be expected¡ªthe minimum requirement to enter was having three S-rank stats. Since stats were locked for the duration, there was usually not much disparity. Of course, differences in talent, skill proficiency, equipment, and other factors could influence outcomes. But even considering that, there wasn¡¯t supposed to be much of a gap. That was what Henrico had believed. ¡°Something... something...¡± He hadn¡¯t felt it while walking toward Kwon Hanul. Not even while standing face-to-face and talking to him. But when he tried to set the plan in motion¡ª The moment he was about to pick a fight¡ª ¡°Something...¡± ¡ªSomething appeared. A monstrous presence. Something so chilling it was hard to describe. His entire body froze. His mind went blank. If it weren¡¯t for his pride as a representative of his family, he would¡¯ve turned around and run. At that moment, he remembered the autograph request from his younger sibling. It became the perfect excuse to defuse the situation. ¡°...I won¡¯t be participating in this Sky Arena.¡± Henrico Bighand¡¯s body began to tremble. The three others exchanged glances. Each of their faces had gone rigid. * * * After Sasha Babel¡ªthe Babel family¡¯s contestant¡ªmade her entrance, the atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted dramatically. It was only natural now that the host had arrived. And this was no ordinary host. The Babel family was a global power. None of the other factions present could compare. None, perhaps, except for Kwon Hanul, who had the Hyukcheon Group behind him. ¡°Men, seriously...¡± Mei Hong didn¡¯t seem particularly impressed. ¡°Just look at them¡ªcompletely entranced like idiots.¡± The crowd around Sasha Babel was mostly male. Some of them were visibly infatuated. ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad at least the guys on our team aren¡¯t like that.¡± At her words, Kwon Hanul gave a crooked smile and pointed to Hudon. ¡°Hanul! Over there, look¡ªit¡¯s Angela Hook! She¡¯s an archer so skilled, she can pop a balloon from a full kilometer away!¡± Having admired all the male contestants already, Kwon Hudon had moved on to the female ones. ¡°Hudon-oppa¡¯s always like this.¡± Mei Hong responded nonchalantly. ¡°But I don¡¯t see Gael anywhere.¡± ¡°He¡¯s over there.¡± Kwon Hanul pointed toward a small crowd in the distance. Gael Garcia, who had gone to get food, was now surrounded by women. ¡°You¡¯re the one with the Sacred Beast bloodline, right?¡± ¡°Is it true you¡¯re the last surviving member of the Garcia family?¡± The women were showering Gael with questions. ¡°Huh, I didn¡¯t expect Gael to be so popular.¡± Objectively speaking, Gael Garcia was a handsome man with strong features and sharp eyes. The kind of man women might find attractive. But that wasn¡¯t what was drawing attention now. ¡°Would you consider joining our guild? We¡¯ll fully support you in rebuilding your family.¡± ¡°Our family can offer the same. Come with us.¡± What they truly wanted was his bloodline¡ªhis Sacred Beast bloodline. Unlike established lineages with firm foundations, the Sacred Beast bloodline was still weak in influence. They saw it as something they could easily claim for themselves. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get similar offers, Mei Hong?¡± The Mei family had been annihilated. Though some remnants remained, they had no real footing anywhere. Given that, many people would be after Mei Hong and her Shura bloodline. ¡°Not really.¡± But Mei Hong shook her head. Kwon Hanul found that odd¡ªuntil something interrupted. ¡°Mei Hong?¡± A deep voice called out. A man with a thick beard sat down in front of her. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, could I borrow a moment of your time? I¡¯m quite interested in you.¡± He winked at her. ¡°......¡± Mei Hong stared at him in silence, her gaze ice-cold. ¡°You¡¯re free to refuse, of course. But please, give me an answer.¡± ¡°......¡± ¡°Oh... Do you not know who I am? I¡¯m¡ª¡± ¡°......¡± She continued to glare at him with utter disinterest. ¡°S-Sorry to bother you.¡± Eventually, the man couldn¡¯t handle the pressure and retreated. ¡°So... what were we talking about again?¡± Mei Hong asked as if nothing had happened, leaving Kwon Hanul unsure how to respond. Now that he thought about it, before she became his teammate, she hadn¡¯t really mingled with anyone. ¡°Mei Hong.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Just... felt like saying your name.¡± ¡°What the heck,¡± She replied with mock irritation. Kwon Hanul let out a quiet laugh. * * * ¡°Haa...¡± Sasha Babel sank into her seat, visibly exhausted. She had just finished fending off a group of clingy men, and the ordeal had completely drained her. ¡°You look, um, really tired, Lady Sasha,¡± Shahin Rasad said, his voice full of concern. Sasha Babel responded in a gentle tone, ¡°I¡¯m all right. But thank you for your concern.¡± Shahin¡¯s face turned bright red. He quickly lowered his head, trying to hide it. ¡°Have you been sitting here the whole time, young master Shahin?¡± ¡°Y-Yes! I, uh... I was waiting for you, Lady Sasha.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine now. You should go and enjoy the party.¡± ¡°N-No, it¡¯s okay. I-I¡¯m happy just being here like this...¡± Shahin stole a glance at Sasha, but she was too busy scanning the room to notice his gaze. ¡°By the way, the head of the house... I mean, where¡¯s Alia?¡± ¡°If you mean Lady Alia, she¡¯s over there.¡± Sasha followed where Shahin pointed¡ªand immediately frowned. ¡°My, you own such a magnificent estate? I¡¯m jealous.¡± ¡°Haha, it¡¯s nothing special. If the chance arises, I¡¯d be happy to invite you.¡± ¡°That would be lovely. I¡¯ll be looking forward to it.¡± Alia Davi¡ªformerly Dalia Babel, the matriarch of the Babel family¡ªwas engrossed in conversation with a young male hunter. ¡°So you say you took down an Orc Lord in a single strike? Is that even possible?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a simple feat for someone like me. Here, take a look.¡± ¡°Oh my!¡± The hunter rolled up his sleeve to show off his arm. Alia covered her mouth with her hand, feigning bashfulness. ¡°...Young master Shahin.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Please pretend you didn¡¯t see any of that.¡± ¡°...Understood.¡± Sasha sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. While she was stewing in frustration, Alia Davi sent the hunter away and returned to her seat. ¡°These youngsters are just too cute these days. All that fuss over something as minor as taking down an Orc Lord,¡± Alia chuckled. Sasha shot a sideways glare at the head of her house. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± ¡°...No reason.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just sit here like a wallflower¡ªgo mingle. Snag a handsome man while you¡¯re at it.¡± Sasha flinched at Alia¡¯s words. Shahin also looked startled and glanced at Alia in surprise. ¡°Alia! Young master Shahin is sitting right here!¡± ¡°What? Did I say something wrong? You should experience dating too, you know. Don¡¯t make such a fuss.¡± Alia replied nonchalantly, brushing it off. Sasha let out another sigh. ¡°...So, Head of House. Now that you¡¯ve seen them yourself, what do you think?¡± ¡°They¡¯re all garbage.¡± Alia answered without the slightest hesitation. ¡°I only invited the top contenders from the Sky Arena. I don¡¯t understand how the quality could be this poor.¡± Her cheerful demeanor vanished. She looked across the participants with a cold, appraising gaze. ¡°At this rate, you¡¯ll probably win.¡± Then, as if she¡¯d never spoken harshly at all, she smiled warmly again. ¡°Well, if you say so, then I guess I don¡¯t have much to worry about.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t put too much faith in my judgment. There are plenty of top-tier participants who didn¡¯t accept the invitation. Besides, there¡¯s a rumor going around that a disciple of the Dragon Slayer is competing this time.¡± At the mention of "Dragon Slayer," Sasha¡¯s expression hardened. The Babel family was powerful¡ªso much so that no other faction dared to challenge them. But they weren¡¯t the strongest. Clans like the Hyukcheon Household rivaled them in might. And even more threatening than entire factions were the rare individuals who could match the Babel family on their own. One such person was the Dragon Slayer. As the title implied, a Dragon Slayer was a hunter who specialized in killing dragon-type monsters. What made this possible was the Dragon Slayer¡¯s unique Gift¡ªa supernatural ability that suppressed every ability and stat of dragon-blooded beings. This Gift even affected members of the Babel family, who carried dragon lineage. ¡°And then there¡¯s that one boy... he¡¯s not to be taken lightly either.¡± Alia¡¯s gaze landed on a man in the distance. Kwon Hanul. A participant from the Hyukcheon Household. Sasha found herself tensing up without even realizing it. In truth, he was the one participant she was most wary of. There were all sorts of rumors floating around about him. Even if only half of them were true, Sasha had no chance of beating him. ¡°That man... is he really that strong?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Alia shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s hard to gauge his level. He¡¯s hiding his presence with incredible precision.¡± Even if Alia had lost her power due to her incurable illness, she was once considered one of the strongest individuals alive. And even she couldn¡¯t get a read on him. That fact alone was astonishing. ¡°I can¡¯t be certain, but... all those rumors about him might just be true.¡± Alia stared intently at Kwon Hanul for a while. Then, turning to Sasha, she asked casually, ¡°Sasha, what do you think of that man¡ªas a potential husband?¡± Cough. Shahin choked on air, eyes wide as he glanced between the two women. ¡°Where did that come from?!¡± ¡°Do you not like him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that¡ªit¡¯s just so sudden!¡± Sasha blurted out, visibly flustered. Shahin, meanwhile, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°...But if it¡¯s for the good of the family, I¡¯ll do whatever¡¯s needed.¡± Only for that relief to vanish again at Sasha¡¯s next words. ¡°You¡¯re looking for a strong heir in case you¡¯re no longer with us, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Sasha. I love everything about you¡ªbut you really overanalyze my words sometimes. I was just curious because he seems like a good man, that¡¯s all.¡± Alia burst into laughter. Then, out of nowhere, she stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°I want to take a closer look.¡± ¡°W-What? Wait! Just a second!¡± Before Sasha could stop her, Alia was already walking toward Kwon Hanul. * * * At some point, Kwon Hanul¡¯s eyes had locked onto something. Mei Hong looked at him with curiosity. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± ¡°Oh, that woman over there.¡± He pointed at Alia Davi. Mei Hong followed his gaze, then asked. ¡°She your type or something?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not really the same style as Hayun unni... If she finds out, she¡¯ll be upset.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that...¡± He was so taken aback that he was briefly speechless. That wasn¡¯t the reason he was watching Alia Davi. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she seem... off to you?¡± There was something unidentifiable and ominous about her. Quiet for now, but like a bomb¡ªone spark and everything could go up in flames. ¡°Hmm... I don¡¯t know.¡± Mei Hong just tilted her head. Kwon Hanul grew uncertain. Was I imagining it? ¡°Oh? She¡¯s coming this way,¡± Mei Hong suddenly said in surprise. Sure enough, Alia Davi was approaching them. ¡°Hello,¡± she said, giving a slight nod. ¡°You must be Kwon Hanul. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you.¡± She extended her hand for a shake. But Kwon Hanul hesitated. The ominous feeling radiating from her had grown even stronger. It was like trying to cross a rotten rope bridge over a bottomless cliff¡ªone misstep and you¡¯d plummet. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Alia tilted her head slightly. Clenching his teeth, Kwon Hanul finally grasped her hand. ¡°...Pleased to meet you.¡± At that moment, a message appeared. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 144 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 144: A New Bloodline (2) Just then, a message appeared: <¡®???¡¯ has detected the presence of ¡®Dragonheart Bloodline)¡¯.> Kwon Hanul was caught off guard. Dragonheart Bloodline? Why would a Babel bloodline show up out of nowhere? This woman is just Sasha Babel¡¯s friend, isn''t she? Is she hiding her true identity? If so, why? Was there any need for secrecy? ¡®Still... why can¡¯t I feel anything?¡¯ There was definitely an ominous, spine-chilling aura about her¡ªbut Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t sense any magic or energy from the woman herself. Could she be an expert so skilled she can completely suppress her power? Hanul possessed multiple bloodlines. For someone to conceal themselves from all of them was nearly impossible. A new message popped up. He had finally obtained Dragonheart Bloodline. But before he could even enjoy the moment, his own magic began moving on its own¡ªstartling him. <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ is guiding your magic.> Guided by Genius Bloodline, the mana entered Alia Davi¡¯s body. As it flowed, images began forming in Hanul¡¯s mind. ¡®What is this...?¡¯ It was a diagram of Alia Davi¡¯s physical structure. Her muscles were laid out around her bones, and beneath them were hundreds¡ªno, thousands¡ªof blood vessels. And between those vessels, black lines were visible. Mana channels? They were the mana circuits Hunters used to manipulate magical energy. But something was off. The mana channels were completely blocked. ¡®Does that mean... she¡¯s a civilian?¡¯ As Hanul puzzled over this, he shifted his focus to her heart¡ªwhere all mana channels converged. ¡°...¡± He was at a loss for words. The mana dwelling within Alia Davi wasn¡¯t just powerful¡ªit was dazzling, as if molten gold was flowing through her veins. Why would someone with mana like this have all their channels blocked? That¡¯s when¡ª ¡°How long are you planning to hold my hand?¡± Alia Davi¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. ¡°Ah¡ªsorry about that.¡± Flustered, Hanul let go of her hand. Alia smoothed her fingers and smiled. ¡°You must really like my hand. You¡¯ve been fiddling with it for quite a while.¡± Hanul felt a shiver run down his spine. He never expected someone with that face to make such a corny old-man joke. ¡°Lady Alia Davi?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°I have a question, if you don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not going to ask for my number, are you?¡± Another chilling joke. Hanul frowned again. ¡°Are you... suffering from any medical conditions?¡± At that, Alia¡¯s eyes widened. A sharp, wary gaze replaced her usual calm demeanor. ¡°...Why would you ask something like that?¡± ¡°My apologies. That was out of line.¡± ¡°Obviously.¡± She turned on her heel and walked away. Watching her leave, Mei Hong grumbled. ¡°What a rude woman.¡± But Hanul continued to stare at her retreating back. That reaction confirmed it. Something was definitely wrong with Alia Davi¡¯s body. * * * Several years earlier, on his fifteenth birthday¡ª Shahin Rasad, a pureblood of the Rasad family, met a girl he would never forget¡ªhis first love. ¡°My name is Sasha Babel.¡± The problem was that the girl was a member of the Babel family. Not just any bloodline either¡ªshe was the one chosen by Dalhia Babel, the head matriarch, to inherit her full legacy. She was destined to become a central pillar of the Babel family within a few decades. It was impossible, and Shahin knew it. But he was too young to suppress the fever of first love. Eventually, in turmoil, he confessed to his grandfather, Abdul Rasad. ¡°Give up.¡± Abdul said it without hesitation. ¡°The Rasad family must remain neutral. We cannot grow close to any one house.¡± The Rasads possessed the Genius Bloodline. An immensely rare and powerful heritage. When a Hunter received tuning from the Genius Bloodline, their combat power could increase up to 1.5 times. Beyond that, they could even cure diseases that conventional medicine couldn¡¯t touch. Naturally, many factions coveted it. If they weren¡¯t careful, their family could be torn apart and enslaved by other powers. They¡¯d maintained independence only through their ancient royal Arab wealth and strict neutrality. ¡°Besides, the Rasads and Babels both have bloodlines. A marriage alliance between two bloodline families is... virtually impossible.¡± The greatest taboo among families was bloodline leakage. So Abdul had no choice but to speak coldly: ¡°Give it up.¡± But that was advice from a Rasad patriarch. ¡°As your grandfather though... if you really can¡¯t let her go, then at least give it your all.¡± His tone softened. ¡°A man shouldn¡¯t give up so easily.¡± Abdul shared the wisdom of experience. ¡°I don¡¯t know what Sasha Babel¡¯s type is, but one thing¡¯s certain¡ªdon¡¯t try to win her with strength.¡± It made sense. Genius Bloodline wasn¡¯t meant for combat. But Dragonheart Bloodline was among the most powerful fighting bloodlines in the world. ¡°You¡¯ll have to fight using your own unique strengths.¡± And Shahin¡¯s strength... No need to think about it. ¡°Genius Bloodline is your weapon. Make her see your worth.¡± From that day on, Shahin began thinking¡ªhow could he show Sasha Babel his value? No answers came. He could only pine and ache with longing. Then the day of the Babel family¡¯s party arrived. ¡°Sasha, what do you think of that man as a potential husband?¡± Shahin overheard something shocking. ¡°What are you talking about all of a sudden?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t like him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just so sudden!¡± The conversation left Shahin dizzy. His mind reeled. ¡°But if it¡¯s for the good of the family, I¡¯ll go along with it.¡± When he heard Sasha¡¯s answer, he realized¡ª ¡®This is dangerous! I can¡¯t keep sitting around. She could end up with another man at any moment!¡¯ His anxiety gave way to desperation. And that turned into reckless resolve. ¨CYou¡¯ll have to fight using your own strengths. Remembering his grandfather¡¯s advice, Shahin stood up. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Sasha looked surprised. ¡°Just going to mingle a bit. Like Grandfather suggested.¡± Of course, that wasn¡¯t his real motive. But close enough. He made his way to the center of the party. Just walking up to people and saying he was a Tuner wouldn¡¯t work¡ªit would only make them suspicious. So he scanned the crowd. That¡¯s when he noticed a man clutching his stomach, wincing. ¡°Hello!¡± Shahin greeted him brightly. The man frowned and turned his head. ¡°A kid?¡± ¡°My name is Shahin Rasad. I¡¯m a third-tier Tuner of the Rasad family.¡± At the words ¡°Rasad family¡± and ¡°Tuner,¡± the man¡¯s expression changed. He quickly straightened up. ¡°A Tuner from the Rasad family... What brings you to me?¡± ¡°You seemed to be in discomfort. Did you perhaps eat something that upset your stomach?¡± The man looked embarrassed. Hunters were tough, but they were still human. Overeating could cause indigestion. ¡°I can help. Could you show me your wrist?¡± The man complied without hesitation. The Rasad name and Tuner profession carried weight in Hunter society¡ªeven a kid¡¯s word could be trusted. ¡°I¡¯ll infuse a bit of mana.¡± Shahin grabbed the man¡¯s wrist and sent mana flowing into him. The mana traveled on its own, scanning the man¡¯s body, and then disappeared. As it moved, a map of the man¡¯s internal state formed in Shahin¡¯s mind, detailing his condition. ¡°Excuse me a moment.¡± Shahin moved behind him and smacked his back. ¡°Ugh!¡± The man burped loudly, surprised. ¡°Feeling better now?¡± He nodded in a daze. Hearing stories about Genius Bloodline was one thing¡ªexperiencing it was another. Awe filled his face. Others had started to gather around Shahin. He had achieved his goal¡ªdrawing attention. Turning to the crowd, he spoke up. ¡°Anyone else not feeling well? I¡¯d be happy to take a look.¡± People began lining up¡ªone with chronic shoulder pain, another with frequent dislocations. Others had issues with mana flow rather than physical ailments. ¡°Please be patient and wait your turn.¡± With practiced skill, Shahin listened and helped them all. He glanced toward Sasha Babel¡¯s seat, secretly hoping to impress her. But his hopes were quickly dashed¡ªshe was deep in conversation with another Hunter. ¡°...Aw.¡± Shahin slumped in disappointment. ¡°May I have a session as well?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± Still, he didn¡¯t neglect his duties. He hadn¡¯t won Sasha¡¯s heart, but he couldn¡¯t walk away from people in need¡ª ¡°Aaaah!¡± He turned¡ªand let out a startled scream. The person in front of him blinked in surprise. But Shahin couldn¡¯t help it. It was the last person he expected. ¡°K-Kwon Hanul?!¡± As soon as the name slipped out, he realized his mistake. ¡°...Sir!¡± He quickly added an honorific. Hanul raised an eyebrow. ¡°Did I offend you?¡± ¡°N-No, sir!¡± In his panic, he bit his tongue. Eyes watering, Shahin managed to ask, ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing... Are you feeling unwell?¡± ¡°Not exactly. I just wanted to see if you could help tune the flow of my mana.¡± Hanul sat down and extended his hand. Shahin gulped and took his wrist. Even as he held it, conflict gnawed at him. Strictly speaking, wasn¡¯t Kwon Hanul his rival for Sasha Babel? Helping a competitor felt... wrong. ¡°...Huh?¡± But then, Shahin¡¯s face twisted in confusion. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 145 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 145: A New Bloodline (3) Right after meeting Alia Davi, Kwon Hanul found himself deep in thought about her true identity. ¡°Judging by her mana, she¡¯s definitely not ordinary.¡± She had to be someone of extremely high status within the Babel Clan. In Hyukcheon¡¯s hierarchy, she would be at least equivalent to Kwon Chan-seong. ¡°But her condition isn¡¯t normal.¡± All her mana channels were dried up. In that state, she couldn¡¯t possibly manipulate mana. Though he couldn¡¯t be completely certain, it was likely that Alia Davi was no different from an ordinary civilian right now. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t she gotten treated?¡± The Babel Clan was a powerful family, rivaling even Hyukcheon. There was no way she lacked the money or resources for proper treatment. ¡°Could it be untreatable?¡± He¡¯d heard of it¡ªsome diseases hunters suffer from are incurable, no matter what method is used. And ¡°method¡± here didn¡¯t just refer to modern medicine, but even included relics found inside dungeons. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not really my concern.¡± The Hyukcheon and Babel clans weren¡¯t enemies, but they weren¡¯t exactly friendly either. From Hyukcheon¡¯s point of view, having one less powerful member of Babel was arguably a good thing. What really caught Kwon Hanul¡¯s attention, though, was something else entirely. ¡°What exactly did Genius Bloodline show me back there?¡± When he touched Alia Davi¡¯s hand, his Genius Bloodline revealed the entire structure of her body to him. It was something that had never happened before, despite all the times he¡¯d used Genius Bloodline. Maybe this was a new ability that emerged as Genius Bloodline evolved. ¡°They say it can be used not only for tuning but also for healing.¡± He¡¯d heard in passing that Genius Bloodline could diagnose physical issues and potentially heal them. ¡°I¡¯d really like to understand this ability better...¡± No one knows what the future holds. Someday, he might suffer from an incurable disease like Alia Davi. Or maybe one of his teammates would. If he could learn how to heal using Genius Bloodline, it would be invaluable in such situations. ¡°The problem is, how do I learn it?¡± The healing techniques of Genius Bloodline were uniquely developed by the Rasad Clan. There was no way an outsider like him could just access that knowledge. And just then¡ª ¡°Captain, do you see that?¡± Mei Hong tugged at his sleeve and pointed. A young boy was surrounded by a small crowd of people. It was Shahin Rasad. A direct bloodline member of the Rasad Clan¡ªpossessors of Genius Bloodline. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s treating people. Should we get checked too?¡± Opportunities to receive tuning from a Rasad bloodliner were rare. Mei Hong¡¯s excitement was understandable. But that didn¡¯t apply to Kwon Hanul. He possessed the true Genius Bloodline, meaning his body was already in peak condition without external tuning. Even Abdul Rasad, the top tuner of the Rasad Clan, had acknowledged this. But at that moment¡ª ¡°Urgh!¡± Shahin Rasad suddenly grabbed a hunter and twisted his neck with a loud crack. It was a move so aggressive it shocked everyone watching. But the hunter looked relieved. ¡°Wow, the headache¡¯s completely gone. What did you do?¡± ¡°I improved the blood and mana flow to your head. You won¡¯t feel pain anymore.¡± After repeatedly expressing his thanks, the hunter stood and left, and the next hunter took a seat. ¡°Interesting...¡± The very technique Kwon Hanul wanted to learn was unfolding right before his eyes. He approached Shahin Rasad with Mei Hong, watching quietly from behind as the boy performed treatment. ¡°He¡¯s not just using mana¡ªhe¡¯s using physical force too.¡± By adjusting the bones, he corrected muscle alignment. At the same time, he infused mana to fix internal problems. Even though no explanation was given, Kwon Hanul quickly grasped the underlying principle. That was only possible because he possessed not only Genius Bloodline but also Shura Bloodline. ¡°Fascinating.¡± He continued to observe Shahin Rasad closely. As long as he could read someone¡¯s physical structure with Genius Bloodline, the technique wasn¡¯t too difficult. But there was one thing he couldn¡¯t figure out just by watching. ¡°How does he insert mana so precisely?¡± Kwon Hanul himself could inject mana during a strike to disrupt an opponent¡¯s internal organs. But to subtly manipulate the mana flow without harming the person¡ªthat was something he couldn¡¯t replicate just yet. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just have to try it.¡± Kwon Hanul closed his eyes and activated Genius Bloodline. He visualized his own body in detail, then intentionally disrupted several of his mana channels. ¡°Cough!¡± The backlash caused him to spit blood. Mei Hong jumped in alarm. ¡°Captain?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°How can I not worry?!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just get treated right away.¡± Kwon Hanul glanced toward Shahin Rasad. Mei Hong looked at him, baffled. ¡°Wait... did you deliberately hurt yourself?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he calmly sat down in front of Shahin Rasad. ¡°Could I get treated too?¡± ¡°Huh...?¡± Shahin Rasad was looking elsewhere but turned toward him. ¡°AAAH!¡± The moment he saw who it was, he screamed. ¡°Ku-Kwon Hanul... sir!¡± Kwon Hanul looked puzzled. ¡°Did I startle you?¡± ¡°N-no, not at all!¡± Shahin Rasad seemed flustered¡ªhis eyes teared up as if he¡¯d bitten his tongue. ¡°So, what seems to be the issue?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I just wanted my mana flow tuned.¡± Shahin Rasad took Kwon Hanul¡¯s wrist. ¡°...Huh?¡± His eyes widened in shock. ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s nothing?! Your mana flow is completely messed up!¡± Shahin immediately understood the state of his body. ¡°Please stay still. This might hurt a bit.¡± He placed both palms on Kwon Hanul¡¯s chest. ¡°Hup!¡± With all his strength, he slammed his palms into Kwon Hanul¡¯s chest. With the shock, mana surged into his body, and Shahin¡¯s mana unraveled the tangled pathways inside him. ¡°...Impressive.¡± Even Kwon Hanul was surprised by how delicate and precise it was. But not so complex that he couldn¡¯t imitate it. ¡°I feel much better now. Thank you.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Kwon Hanul stood, carefully trying to remember the entire mana pattern Shahin had just demonstrated. ¡°Next, please.¡± As soon as Kwon Hanul stood, another hunter took his place¡ªa shabby-looking man. ¡°What seems to be the issue?¡± ¡°I need some tuning. Lately, I¡¯ve been feeling a sharp pain in my chest whenever I use my skills...¡± Shahin took the hunter¡¯s wrist and began his diagnosis. ¡°...Hmm?¡± His expression darkened. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This is beyond my ability to treat.¡± ¡°Even with Genius Bloodline?¡± The hunter looked confused. Shahin had been treating everyone so far, so this came as a shock. ¡°The pain you¡¯re feeling when using skills¡ªit¡¯s due to a disrupted flow within your heart.¡± ¡°My heart?!¡± ¡°If it¡¯s left untreated, eventually, your heart¡¯s function will deteriorate.¡± Hunters might have supernatural powers, but they were still human. A failing heart meant death. ¡°The heart is extremely delicate. I can¡¯t risk handling it with my current skill level. You¡¯ll need a first-rate tuner at the very least.¡± The hunter¡¯s face turned grim. Hiring a top-class Rasad tuner cost a fortune. And even that aside, just booking an appointment with one was nearly impossible. They only served the great clans. ¡°...I understand.¡± The hunter stood dejectedly. ¡°Excuse me.¡± Kwon Hanul stopped him. When the hunter stood, Kwon Hanul had just finished processing everything he¡¯d seen. How Shahin Rasad handled mana. How he used it to treat people. How it could be applied. It had been an incredibly educational experience. ¡°What is it... wait¡ªKwon Hanul?¡± Kwon Hanul was so intrigued, he wanted to try what he¡¯d just learned immediately. So without much thought, he grabbed the man¡¯s arm. ¡°Did I offend you or something...?¡± ¡°No. I was just wondering if you¡¯d consider letting me try.¡± ¡°T-try what?¡± Kwon Hanul lowered his voice slightly. ¡°Hyukcheon has its own healing methods. It might be possible to treat your heart with them.¡± The hunter looked doubtful. Shahin Rasad did too. ¡°Hey! What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Shahin scolded him harshly. ¡°The heart is too delicate! You can¡¯t just mess with it without proper training!¡± ¡°In the end, it¡¯s this man¡¯s choice, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kwon Hanul looked back at the hunter. The man gulped. ¡°I... won¡¯t die, right?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± ¡°And if there are side effects...?¡± ¡°Hyukcheon will take responsibility.¡± Only then did the man¡¯s expression brighten. ¡°Then... please help me.¡± To be honest, the man hadn¡¯t really expected Kwon Hanul to heal his body. He had merely hoped that, after Kwon Hanul made a mistake, Hyukcheon would offer some form of compensation. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± Kwon Hanul guided the man to a chair, then used Genius Bloodlineon him. In his mind, the man''s physical condition was mapped out. He could clearly see the blood stagnation coiling chaotically around the man''s heart. ¡®It was... like this, right?¡¯ Kwon Hanul focused his mind, then struck the man''s back with force. At the same time, he injected mana into him. ¡°Gahk!¡± The man let out a scream and collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest with both hands. ¡°Argh! AAAAAARGH!¡± His cries of agony echoed through the hall. Everyone looked at the Hunter in shock and confusion. ¡°I knew this would happen!¡± Shahin Rasad rushed to the man in a panic. He was still screaming in pain. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re okay¡ªtry to take deep breaths¡ª¡± Then, suddenly. The man''s expression turned peaceful. As if the screams had never happened, he shot up to his feet. The Hunter flared his mana. Blue energy enveloped his entire body. ¡°...Unbelievable.¡± A look of astonishment spread across his face. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt anymore...?¡± * * * So annoying. Sasha Babel couldn¡¯t help but think that as she sat across from the man. ¡°Lady Sasha, have you ever seen the beauty of Lake Bonzales?¡± Whether or not he noticed her disinterest, the man continued to ramble on about the landscapes of his homeland. ¡°If you wish, I would be honored to give you a personal tour.¡± The man was persistent, trying to keep the conversation going no matter what. Sasha Babel was representing the Babel family in the Sky Arena. That alone was proof her future was secure. So it made sense that people would try to cozy up to her. She could understand his intent¡ªbut that didn¡¯t make him any less of a nuisance. That¡¯s when¡ª ¡°Sasha!¡± Alia Davi strode up purposefully. ¡°Oh, your friend has arrived. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± ¡°It was a pleasure.¡± Reluctantly, the man got up and left. Sasha felt inwardly relieved to see him go. She turned to Alia and asked, ¡°Did something happen?¡± ¡°Of course something happened.¡± Alia sat down. Sasha, noticing her serious expression, waited anxiously for her to speak. Kwon Hanul was considered the top contender in this Sky Arena. A formidable talent. Alia Davi¡ª No, Dahlia Babel, Matriarch of the Babel family¡ªhow had she assessed Kwon Hanul? ¡°That boy... there¡¯s something strange about him. He realized I was ill almost instantly.¡± Whatever Sasha had been expecting, that wasn¡¯t it. Her thoughts were wiped clean in an instant. ¡°...You¡¯re saying he knew you were sick?¡± Currently, Alia Davi had lost all her strength to an incurable disease. To the average person, she appeared no different from any ordinary human. Only someone with Genius Bloodline would be able to perceive her condition. And yet, Kwon Hanul had seen through it immediately. ¡°Do you think he also figured out who you really are?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so... but how on earth did he realize I was ill?¡± Alia fell into thought, her mind spinning. ¡°Kuhak.¡± A sudden cough burst from her lips. Blood trickled from her mouth. ¡°Matriarch!¡± Sasha cried out in alarm. Alia calmly pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her mouth. Her movements were practiced¡ªclearly not the first time she¡¯d dealt with this. ¡°Sasha. Calm yourself.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get Master Abdul right away!¡± ¡°No. You know that won¡¯t help.¡± Alia''s complexion had gone pale in an instant. She staggered to her feet. ¡°I need... to lie down for a bit.¡± Sasha quickly rushed to her side to support her. This, at least, Alia couldn¡¯t bring herself to refuse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry... for making you go through this again.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t say that.¡± The two women quietly left the party hall, avoiding the eyes of others. * * * ¡°This should do it.¡± Kwon Hanul twisted the Hunter¡¯s wrist. A sickening crack echoed. The sound was horrible¡ªbut the result was the opposite. The Hunter rotated his wrist with a satisfied expression. ¡°Amazing. It doesn¡¯t hurt anymore. I used to feel sharp pain every time I applied pressure.¡± ¡°If you had left it untreated, your joint would have been damaged eventually.¡± ¡°Seriously?¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s deadpan response made the Hunter laugh heartily. ¡°My name is Nguyen. If you ever need my help, don¡¯t hesitate to ask. Though I doubt someone of Hyukcheon¡¯s blood would ever need a lowly Hunter like me.¡± Nguyen laughed loudly. Kwon Hanul offered a faint smile in return. Nguyen¡ªa Hunter from Vietnam known for his monstrous strength, capable of crushing the head of a diamond-ranked monster with a single blow. His guild wasn¡¯t particularly famous, so he hadn¡¯t made a global name for himself yet. But he had the potential to become a world-class Hunter. No harm in getting on good terms with him. ¡°Wow... That was incredible,¡± Shahin Rasad murmured in awe. ¡°I couldn¡¯t figure it out at all...¡± He looked genuinely embarrassed. Someone the Rasad bloodline couldn¡¯t heal¡ªyet the Hyukcheon bloodline could. At first, Shahin found that hard to accept. But in time, he acknowledged his own shortcomings and silently observed as Kwon Hanul healed others. He was young, but surprisingly open-minded. ¡®As expected... from the one recognized as Sasha¡¯s partner...¡¯ Shahin sighed in defeat. Kwon Hanul just gave him a puzzled look, as if to say, What are you talking about? ¡°Looks like that¡¯s the last one.¡± There were still people gathered around, but they were just spectators now. No one else was waiting for treatment. ¡°Young master Shahin Rasad. This was a productive meeting.¡± ¡°I¡ªit was an honor!¡± Shahin bowed deeply. Just as they were about to part ways¡ª ¡ª¡°Y-you can¡¯t come in here! You weren¡¯t invited!¡± ¡ª¡°Please step back!¡± Shouts rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall. ¡ª¡°If you keep this up, we¡¯ll be forced to¡ª¡± A loud crash. The wall caved in. The entire ship trembled. Then¡ªsilence. No more resistance. No more shouts. The banquet doors opened. A man and a woman entered through the broken doorway. ¡°Damn pests... Always getting in the way.¡± The man''s hands were drenched in blood. His clothes and face were splattered with it. Kwon Hanul looked past him. Two security guards lay slumped against the wall, heads buried into it. This was Babel¡¯s ship. All the guards were part of Babel¡¯s bloodline and had elite skills. To overpower them so easily¡ªthis man wasn¡¯t ordinary. ¡°So many promising young sprouts gathered in one place... Like a bed of weeds.¡± The man sauntered into the hall, speaking mockingly. He stood well over two meters tall, packed with bulging muscles. Everyone in the banquet was overwhelmed by his presence. ¡°Master. You¡¯re being a little too blunt.¡± ¡°Bwahaha, did I say something wrong? Damn mouth of mine.¡± He smacked himself lightly on the lips with his palm. The girl next to him gave him a quiet, unimpressed glare. In contrast to the man, she was tiny¡ªsmall enough to be mistaken for a middle schooler at a glance. Her twin braids only added to that impression. ¡°What¡¯s with all the scared faces? You¡¯re supposed to be Sky Arena participants, aren¡¯t you?¡± The man laughed cruelly, looking down on everyone in the room. ¡°And here I was thinking the host would greet their guests. Maybe I¡¯ll need to beat a few of you senseless to bring them out?¡± His gaze fell on a nearby Hunter. The Hunter went pale. He instinctively knew¡ªthis man wasn¡¯t joking. ¡°Who are you?¡± Kwon Hanul stepped forward. He knew if he did nothing, the man would undoubtedly cause a scene. ¡°Oh? So there¡¯s someone with backbone here. You must be from Hyukcheon. Living up to the name.¡± The man recognized Kwon Hanul immediately. Kwon Hanul, however, had no idea who the man was. ¡°Still, I must say I¡¯m disappointed. Looks like Hyukcheon doesn¡¯t show the younger generation what a true predator looks like anymore.¡± The man, arrogantly, was claiming to be Hyukcheon¡¯s natural enemy¡ªright to Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re asking who I am?¡± And he had the right to make such a claim. ¡°They call me... the Dragon Slayer.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 146 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 146: Natural Enemy (1) Alia Davi. No¡ªDahlia Babel lay on the couch, eyes closed. Her already pale complexion had turned even whiter, almost ghostly. At a glance, she looked dead. Sasha Babel gently wiped the sweat from Alia Davi¡¯s forehead with a towel, her face filled with concern. ¡°...Sasha.¡± Dahlia Babel slowly opened her eyes. The sharp and resolute gleam that always filled them was gone. Only a deep, hollow darkness remained, like a dried-up well. ¡°It seems... I don¡¯t have much time left.¡± Sasha brushed the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. Tears had begun to fall before she even realized it. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Sasha.¡± It was a cruel thing to say. Sasha Babel¡¯s parents had died on a mission when she was just a child. After that, she was taken in by Dahlia Babel¡ªlong before her own talents had even been recognized. To Sasha, Dahlia wasn¡¯t just a teacher. She was a second mother. ¡°I¡¯m alright. Actually, I¡¯m... glad. I managed to finish everything I needed to before the end.¡± She had laid the groundwork for the next family head. She had raised Sasha Babel into a worthy heir who could carry on her knowledge and experience. ¡°But... there¡¯s just one thing... still bothering me.¡± Sasha bit her lip and held Dahlia¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°...Please tell me. Whatever it is, I¡¯ll take care of it, no matter what.¡± ¡°Really...?¡± ¡°Yes. I swear on everything I have.¡± Suddenly, Dahlia¡¯s face twisted in pain. An unbearable wave of agony had struck again. ¡°Sasha...¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Sasha gripped Dahlia¡¯s hand even more firmly. She made a silent vow¡ªshe would resolve the final regret weighing on Dahlia¡¯s heart. ¡°...When are you finally going to get a boyfriend?¡± That solemn resolve vanished in an instant the moment Dahlia spoke. ¡°I can¡¯t rest easy because of you. You¡¯re still young, but you act like a stone statue...¡± ¡°...You''re not saying that is what¡¯s been bothering you, are you?¡± ¡°Why not? Do you know how much I partied around when I was your age? The number of men I dragged into my room alone...¡± Sasha placed a hand on her forehead. Hearing her mentor boast about her scandalous past gave her a throbbing headache. ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t been named the next head so early, I would¡¯ve enjoyed myself more too...¡± ¡°...Yes, yes. That must be such a regret.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t answer so half-heartedly. I¡¯m only saying this for your sake, you know. So you too¡ª¡± Sasha let the words drift in one ear and out the other as she carefully observed Dahlia¡¯s condition. Despite her calm expression, the veins on her neck were protruding noticeably. It was clear she was enduring tremendous pain. Unconsciously, Sasha bit her lip. ¡°L-Lady Dahlia!¡± Just then, the door to the parlor burst open. Shahin Rasad rushed in with a panicked look on his face. ¡°Young master Shahin, what is it?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s just that...!¡± Shahin gulped nervously and finally said: ¡°The Dragon Slayer is here!¡± * * * The Dragon Slayer. Or more bluntly¡ªthe Dragon Killer. Whenever the strongest hunters are discussed, his name inevitably comes up. He wasn¡¯t just strong¡ªhe was unrivaled. But his true notoriety came not from sheer power, but from something else: A unique Gift he possessed. Red Dragon Star. When dragon-type monsters are exposed to the aura of the Red Dragon Star, all their abilities are drastically reduced. Conversely, the wielder of the Red Dragon Star experiences a massive boost in all stats. Even the Hyukcheon Clan and the Babel Family aren¡¯t exempt. Since they both carry the blood or power of dragons, they are also affected by the Red Dragon Star¡¯s influence. ¡°So now that you know who I am, you¡¯ve finally sobered up?¡± The Dragon Slayer grinned, his yellowed, crooked teeth flashing between his cracked lips. ¡°But don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m not here to mess with a fledgling like you.¡± He spoke as though Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t even worth his attention. After all, the Dragon Slayer had once gone head-to-head with the Hyukcheon Clan¡ªand survived without a scratch. So someone like Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t even register as a concern. ¡°I¡¯m just here to check out the rookies who¡¯ll be fighting my disciple in the arena.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie,¡± said the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple with a sigh. ¡°You came to complain because you weren¡¯t invited.¡± ¡°Well, that too. My disciple getting excluded? That¡¯s outrageous. If you were the one bullying others, sure, but being the outcast? Unbelievable.¡± He ruffled his disciple¡¯s hair like a child. The disciple, clearly annoyed, scowled. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet a legendary senior,¡± said Kwon Hanul, bowing politely. Despite his poor first impression, the Dragon Slayer couldn¡¯t be ignored. Out of respect for his reputation, Hanul showed proper etiquette. ¡°...Hmm?¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s expression shifted, as though something had irked him. ¡°You¡¯re not afraid of me, are you?¡± All the hunters in the room were suffocating under the weight of the Dragon Slayer¡¯s presence. Not just the rookies competing in the Sky Arena, but even the security guards stationed at the party. This wasn¡¯t unusual¡ªhis cruel reputation preceded him. The Dragon Slayer was infamous for killing civilians on a whim. ¡°You said yourself you have no intention of harming me. Why should I be afraid?¡± Hanul answered calmly. But truthfully, that wasn¡¯t the real reason. He had once faced Kwon Chan-seong. Chan-seong wasn¡¯t as powerful as the Dragon Slayer, true. But he was still an absurdly powerful being far beyond normal comprehension. Having already endured Chan-seong, Hanul wasn¡¯t so easily shaken. ¡°On the contrary, I¡¯m honored to meet you.¡± Though, he was curious¡ª Would the Red Dragon Star affect his own pureblood Black Dragon lineage? ¡°As expected of the Hyukcheon bloodline. They really are something else. Hey, Mano, you seeing this? This is what Hyukcheon looks like. Impressive, right?¡± ¡°Okay, okay, can you not yell in my ear?¡± His disciple, Mano, rolled her eyes. ¡°This is gonna be a great fight for my disciple. Coming here was worth it after all.¡± The Dragon Slayer, now thrilled, slapped his hand down on Hanul¡¯s shoulder. It was at that moment¡ªwhen Hanul felt the unexpected touch¡ªthat it happened: A crushing force bore down on Hanul¡¯s entire body. His legs buckled. His knees hit the floor. His muscles trembled uncontrollably. His joints began to scream. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s this all of a sudden?¡± The Dragon Slayer feigned innocence. His expression was innocent, but his eyes¡ªcold as ice. Seeing that look, Hanul suddenly recalled something Joo Hayun had told him: ¡ª The Dragon Slayer is extremely savage. He¡¯ll kill even civilians if provoked. ¡ª But he¡¯s also cunning. When he clashed with Hyukcheon, he never crossed the line. ¡ª That¡¯s why the Hyukcheon Clan never went to war with him directly. ¡°Bwahaha! Look at our young friend, trembling in fear. So polite all of a sudden!¡± The Dragon Slayer burst out laughing. Even as he laughed, his hand remained firmly planted on Hanul¡¯s shoulder. Instead of weakening it, the Red Dragon Star¡¯s power only grew stronger. Kwon Hanul clenched his teeth¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t resist. ¡°You¡¯ve been kneeling for too long. It¡¯s not a good look. Get up already.¡± The Dragon Slayer burst out laughing. ¡°Hey.¡± It was then¡ª ¡°Would you mind taking your hand off our captain¡¯s shoulder?¡± Someone grabbed the Dragon Slayer¡¯s wrist. Not just one person¡ªthree. ¡°...And who the hell are you now?¡± The Dragon Slayer looked at them with a baffled expression. ¡°We¡¯re the ones who serve him.¡± Mei Hong spoke up. Kwon Hudon followed. ¡°If you don¡¯t let go of Hanul, we won¡¯t just stand by and watch.¡± Gael Garcia nodded firmly. ¡°Please release our Captain.¡± The Dragon Slayer gave a short, mocking laugh. ¡°And if I say no?¡± A vicious grin twisted across his face. A suffocating murderous aura suddenly flooded the room. It was so thick, it felt like being submerged underwater¡ªbreathing became difficult, and no one could think straight. ¡°Well? What are you going to do if I say no?¡± Neither Mei Hong, Kwon Hudon, nor Gael Garcia could respond. Just enduring the Dragon Slayer¡¯s presence was already too much. ¡°If you can¡¯t answer... you all die by my hands. Got that?¡± His killing intent wasn¡¯t just for show. The sheer pressure radiating off him made it clear he meant every word. ¡°I¡¯ll count to three. Speak before then. Three...¡± The Dragon Slayer began to count slowly. ¡°Two.¡± His gaze turned cold as ice. ¡°One.¡± And just then¡ª ¡°Senior.¡± A voice came from below. Kwon Hanul was slowly getting to his feet. With his neck straight and shoulders square, he addressed the Dragon Slayer. ¡°My teammates were a bit rude. I apologize on their behalf.¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s expression twisted in disbelief. ¡°...How did you stand up?¡± When the Red Dragon Star¡¯s pressure was crushing his entire body¡ª The suppressed Black Dragon Bloodline began to pulse once more. But it was futile. The Red Dragon Star¡¯s force was overwhelming¡ªeven the true Black Dragon Bloodline couldn¡¯t push back. ¡®As expected... It¡¯s something to be wary of in Hyukcheon.¡¯ Even the true lineage is suppressed by the Red Dragon Star. Lesser bloodlines wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. Of course, the main reason Kwon Hanul was affected so severely was the difference in power between them. He only had three stats at S-rank. The Dragon Slayer, on the other hand, was considered one of the strongest beings in the world. That¡¯s why his stats were slashed by 50% so quickly. ¡®This is overwhelming...¡¯ But the Black Dragon Bloodline wasn¡¯t the only lineage within Kwon Hanul. The other bloodlines within Kwon Hanul were unaffected by the Red Dragon Star. Instead, they grew enraged¡ªand began to push back against its energy. ¡°Senior. It¡¯s time you left.¡± Kwon Hanul looked the Dragon Slayer directly in the eyes. ¡°This is a place for juniors to hang out. It doesn¡¯t suit someone of your stature.¡± In other words: Get lost already. The Dragon Slayer scowled. ¡°Cut the crap and answer me. How did you stand up?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you mean.¡± Kwon Hanul replied with a nonchalant shrug. ¡°Oh¡ªare you talking about your aura? It wasn¡¯t much, I got used to it pretty quickly.¡± Calling the Red Dragon Star¡ªeverything the Dragon Slayer was¡ªnot much made the vein in his forehead pop. ¡°You little...¡± He looked about ready to swing his fist, but didn¡¯t. If he laid a hand on Hanul now, it would be as good as admitting defeat. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long that mouth keeps moving.¡± The Dragon Slayer stirred his mana. The Red Dragon Star¡¯s energy surged again. Another violent wave of mana shook the room. Hanul staggered. But the stronger the Red Dragon Star became, the more fiercely the other bloodlines responded. Hanul steadied himself. He faced the Dragon Slayer again. ¡°I¡¯m curious, too. When will my mouth stop moving? ...At this rate, it might never.¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s face darkened even more. Minus 90%. His stats were nearly wiped out. Yet Kwon Hanul¡¯s body didn¡¯t collapse. Instead, he only seemed to grow stronger. His stats had been cut drastically. The pressure was so immense that just moving felt impossible. If a battle broke out now, he¡¯d be dead in seconds. But this wasn¡¯t a battle. ¡°Senior.¡± Kwon Hanul spoke calmly to the Dragon Slayer. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± In that moment, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s eyes became bloodshot. ¡°You punk!¡± He let go of Hanul¡¯s shoulder¡ªand reached for his neck. It was that instant¡ª ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± A sharp voice rang out. At the same time, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s hand froze in place. No, he hadn¡¯t chosen to stop. It had been forcibly stopped¡ªby intruders. A squad of Hunters in white armor had their weapons trained on him from every direction. ¡°...The Babel Honor Guard, ¡° The Dragon Slayer muttered, glaring at them. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 147 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 147: Natural Enemy (2) ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to find lunatics here who move only for their Clan Head.¡± The Royal Guard¡ªan elite unit that answers solely to the Clan Head. Each member possesses formidable skill and fanatical loyalty. Even a Dragon Slayer couldn¡¯t disregard them. ¡°Thank you for granting my request.¡± A woman stepped forward to confront the Dragon Slayer. He shot her a sharp glare. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°I am Sasha Babel. Though I¡¯m lacking, I¡¯ve been chosen to represent the Babel Clan in this Sky Arena.¡± ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re the heir to the Babel Clan.¡± The Dragon Slayer gave Sasha Babel a once-over, eyes gleaming not just with curiosity¡ªbut with a lecherous glint. ¡°Not bad-looking. So, you were the one who commanded the Royal Guard?¡± ¡°Only the Royal Guard could stop someone like you, Sir Dragon Slayer.¡± Sasha bowed politely. ¡°Sir Dragon Slayer, the Babel Clan did not invite you. I¡¯d appreciate it if you would leave now.¡± Her tone was gentle, but firm. The Dragon Slayer chuckled coldly. ¡°And if I refuse?¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll be forced to act.¡± ¡°Hah! Hahaha!¡± The Dragon Slayer burst into manic laughter and gestured toward the Royal Guard. ¡°Surely you don¡¯t think a bunch of scrubs like these can take me on?¡± Arrogant as his words were, no one could deny them. The Babel Clan may be powerful, but that man was the Dragon Slayer. The natural enemy of all dragon-type monsters¡ªand the only hunter capable of standing against the Babel Clan on his own. There was no way a single unit of Royal Guards could stop someone of his caliber. ¡°That would be difficult,¡± Even Sasha Babel readily acknowledged the fact. ¡°But the Royal Guard isn¡¯t the only one on this ship.¡± ¡°What are you talking abou¡ª¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s head snapped to the side. A woman was watching him from afar. Her makeup was different, so he hadn¡¯t recognized her at first. But after a closer look, her identity became unmistakable. ¡°...I thought it was unlikely, but the Clan Head really is here.¡± Even the Dragon Slayer couldn¡¯t ignore the presence of a Clan Head. His Gift, Red Dragon Sta, could affect even an absolute being like a Clan Head. However, the closer their power levels, the weaker the effect of Red Dragon Star. And when measured objectively, the Clan Head was stronger than the Dragon Slayer. That gap couldn¡¯t be closed by Red Dragon Star alone. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve seen the Clan Head¡¯s face, I suppose I¡¯ll be taking my leave.¡± The Dragon Slayer immediately withdrew his murderous intent. All around him, people let out breaths they¡¯d been holding. ¡°Mano, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The Dragon Slayer turned around. Before leaving the banquet hall, he glanced back at Kwon Hanul. ¡°You¡¯re Kwon Hanul, right? Lucky break this time. But don¡¯t forget¡ªfortune like that won¡¯t come twice.¡± His voice carried a faint trace of killing intent. ¡°Keep sticking your neck out like that, and you¡¯ll be dead in no time.¡± ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯re the lucky one, Senior.¡± Just then, Kwon Hanul spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing Babel¡¯s Royal Guard showed up and stopped you¡ªotherwise, you¡¯d be branded a madman who beat a green rookie to death over a bruised ego.¡± A vein bulged on the Dragon Slayer¡¯s neck. He was visibly on the verge of exploding. ¡°Still, I appreciate the warning.¡± Just before he reached the boiling point, Kwon Hanul backed down. ¡°...Right.¡± The Dragon Slayer held back his fury and swallowed it down. ¡°We¡¯ll meet again.¡± With that, he and his disciple left the ship. As soon as the Dragon Slayer vanished, many people collapsed to the floor¡ªtheir legs having lost all strength. ¡°Phew...¡± Kwon Hanul was no exception. He slumped into a chair, having spent no small amount of mental energy resisting the aura of Red Dragon Star. ¡°To think such a Gift could even exist...¡± Gifts were special powers possessed by only a rare few hunters. Though often described as ¡°talents,¡± Gifts were on a completely different level. Not even genius could compare. They were supernatural powers¡ªsomething closer to psychic abilities. ¡°Good work, everyone.¡± Kwon Hanul looked around at his team. ¡°But you were all too reckless. In situations this dangerous from now on¡ª¡± Suddenly, Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon rushed in and threw their arms around him. ¡°Captain! Thank goodness you¡¯re okay!¡± ¡°H-Hanul, I thought you were gonna¡ªgonna¡ª!¡± Kwon Hanul was startled. He gave Gael Garcia a look that said Do something! Gael Garcia gave an awkward smile and shook his head. ¡°Sorry... I couldn¡¯t be any help again...¡± ¡°I¡ªI wanted to at least be your shield, but... my body wouldn¡¯t move... I¡¯m sorry...¡± Kwon Hanul patted the three of them on the back. At first, he didn¡¯t understand why they were reacting so strongly. ¡°They acted so they wouldn¡¯t repeat what happened with the Blaga Clan... Same goes for me.¡± It was only after hearing Gael Garcia¡¯s words that Hanul understood. None of the three had ever talked about it, but clearly, his abduction by the Blaga Clan had left a deep scar. That¡¯s why, despite their fear, they stood up to the Dragon Slayer. ¡°...Sheesh.¡± Kwon Hanul let out a dry laugh. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± Just then, a voice called out. Sasha Babel was looking his way. ¡°I apologize on behalf of the Babel Clan for what happened today.¡± ¡°No need. It couldn¡¯t be helped.¡± Their eyes met. This was their first proper face-to-face since the banquet began. Not bad. None of the other participants stood out to him. No one else had caught his eye. But Sasha Babel was different. The aura and mana she exuded were nothing to scoff at. He could see her expression tightening. Just as Kwon Hanul had recognized her, Sasha had also sized him up. ¡°...I¡¯m glad you said that.¡± Sasha glanced around at the others in the hall. ¡°I also owe an apology to everyone else. The chaos today will be properly compensated soon.¡± She then raised her head again. ¡°Let us call an end to today¡¯s banquet.¡± * * * Two figures raced across the dark sea. With every step that struck the water¡¯s surface, they surged forward effortlessly. Their destination: a small yacht. ¡°Damn it.¡± The moment they arrived, the Dragon Slayer spat out a curse, clearly irritated. ¡°I was planning to spend the night enjoying myself on the cruise ship. What a waste of time.¡± Where people gather, entertainment always follows. Especially here¡ªthis region was full of energetic young Hunters. Naturally, a pleasure cruise loaded with amusements was anchored nearby. ¡°We didn¡¯t have a choice. This was a special request from Aeon.¡± At the mention of Aeon, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s face twisted into a scowl. ¡°Those pampered bastards always make a mess and leave me to clean it up. What good is all that fancy magic if they¡¯re not going to use it?¡± ¡°Aeon¡¯s clever, but not really cut out for fieldwork. Maybe it¡¯s because they are always surrounded by other mages?¡± The two disciples continued grumbling about Aeon for a while. ¡°So, what did you think of the Babel Matriarch? Was Aeon¡¯s information accurate?¡± ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s really lost all his power.¡± The Dragon Slayer hadn¡¯t stormed into the Babel estate just to check out his disciple¡¯s competition. He¡¯d gone there at Aeon¡¯s request¡ªto assess the physical condition of Babel¡¯s head. ¡°She tried his best to hide it from me, though.¡± She built a wall of pressure with the Royal Guard, pushed Sasha Babel to the front, and retreated to the back herself. That trick might¡¯ve fooled most people. But the Dragon Slayer had already been tipped off by Aeon. So it didn¡¯t work on him. ¡°Still... they¡¯re something else. Just how did they manage to reduce the head of Babel to that state?¡± Aeon never explained it directly. But everything pointed to their involvement. Forbidden knowledge that defies the principles of magic. And Aeon possessed every form of magic in this world. ¡°They¡¯re not to be underestimated.¡± Dahlia Babel, the Lady Babel, was a powerhouse¡ªso strong that even the Dragon Slayer couldn¡¯t guarantee a win. So how had they reduced someone like her to a shadow of her former self, weaker than a regular human? ¡°Which is exactly why we need to get closer to them.¡± Unlike her master, Mano had a different view. ¡°Aeon improved both your Gift and mine, remember?¡± A Gift¡ªa unique and innate talent. One that¡¯s said to be granted only at birth. ...Or so the world believes. ¡°Well, that¡¯s true,¡± the Dragon Slayer reluctantly nodded. ¡°Anyway, what did you think of the party?¡± he asked. Mano paused to consider the question. ¡°No one particularly impressive, to be honest.¡± Her answer seemed to please him, and the Dragon Slayer grinned, baring his fangs. ¡°But...¡± Mano¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Kwon Hanul and Sasha Babel stood out. A lot.¡± A soft blush crept onto Mano¡¯s cheeks. Her body temperature was steadily rising. ¡°It was like looking at a finely cut, top-grade gemstone... or maybe a flower bud just before it blooms...¡± A strange desire gleamed in her eyes. ¡°They were so beautiful, I wanted to destroy them right then and there.¡± The Dragon Slayer let out a satisfied laugh. ¡°It won¡¯t be difficult. You and I have the same Gift.¡± The reason Mano had been accepted as the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple¡ª It was because she possessed the same rare Gift. ¡°Just be patient. The Sky Arena will open soon.¡± He looked up at the night sky. ¡°That day... you can kill to your heart¡¯s content.¡± * * * Meanwhile, inside Babel¡¯s ship¡ª ¡°You did well today, Sasha.¡± At Dahlia Babel¡¯s words, Sasha Babel quickly waved her hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t really do anything. I just threw around your name and acted tough.¡± ¡°That alone was hard enough. You were dealing with the Dragon Slayer, after all.¡± The Dragon Slayer was a top contender for the title of strongest in the world, even by sheer physical prowess alone¡ªand he possessed the Gift known as Red Dragon Star. For Sasha, who had only just begun to grow, he was an overwhelmingly powerful opponent. ¡°Do you think he noticed your condition...?¡± Sasha asked nervously. She had stepped in precisely to keep others from detecting the Lady¡¯s physical state. ¡°Of course not. Even if he did notice something was off, he wouldn¡¯t have guessed just how bad it really is.¡± Only then did Sasha finally look relieved. ¡°Young master Shahin Rasad, thank you for your efforts today as well.¡± Dahlia offered her gratitude to the young Rasad heir, who had been the first to alert them of the Dragon Slayer¡¯s intrusion. ¡°I heard you also treated the other guests at the party? You did well.¡± His grandfather, Abdul Rasad, would surely be proud¡ªhowever modest the achievement may be, it still brought honor to the Rasad name. ¡°Ah, well... I didn¡¯t do it alone.¡± The two women tilted their heads. ¡°You didn¡¯t?¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul helped me.¡± Their expressions stiffened. It didn¡¯t particularly matter whether a party guest used healing arts on others. But¡ª ¡°...You said Kwon Hanul?¡± That name was hard to ignore. ¡°Some people I couldn¡¯t even treat properly¡ªKwon Hanul laid hands on them and they were instantly fine!¡± Shahin Rasad launched into an animated account of Hanul¡¯s incredible feats. ¡°...Lady Dahlia.¡± Sasha quietly called out to the family head. Dahlia shook her head before Sasha could continue. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Please, just consider summoning him once¡ª¡± ¡°Even the Rasads couldn¡¯t heal me. Do you really think a child of Hyukcheon would be any different?¡± ¡°But...!¡± Sasha clenched her fists tightly. ¡°Didn¡¯t he notice your condition at first glance? And he healed people at the party, too. You never know¡ª!¡± People in desperate situations will clutch at anything. Sasha Babel was exactly that now. But Dahlia Babel wasn¡¯t. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± She had no intention of clinging to straws. ¡°Even if, by some miracle, Kwon Hanul could heal me... I won¡¯t accept help from Hyukcheon.¡± Her voice was firm and final. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 148 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 148: Natural Enemy (3) After returning from Babel¡¯s party, Kwon Hanul remained on the ship, preparing for the Sky Arena. There was less than a week left until the competition opened. But ¡°preparing¡± didn¡¯t mean he was doing anything extraordinary. He was simply checking his physical condition and reviewing the powers granted by each of his bloodlines. He also began researching the Babel lineage¡ª Dragonheart Bloodline. ¡°Let¡¯s see here...¡± Hanul peered at his laptop monitor. The screen displayed information sent by Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence bureau. The Babel clan had long been at odds with Hyukcheon. Naturally, the intelligence bureau had gathered a wealth of information on them. ¡°Here it is¡ªDragonheart Bloodline.¡± Hanul immediately focused on the information about Genius Bloodline. He skipped the parts he already knew. What he was curious about was the power that came with Dragonheart Blood. ¡°From the moment one obtains a Dragonheart, their mana is completely transformed.¡± According to the records, once the heart undergoes full mutation into a Dragonheart through Genius Bloodline, the person¡¯s mana changes fundamentally. Its purity is refined. Its quality is heightened. Its efficiency improves. But that¡¯s not even the half of it¡ªthe very grade of mana elevates. If an ordinary hunter¡¯s mana was like graphite, then Dragonheart-enhanced mana was on par with diamond. ¡°Drastically increased resistance to all attributes. Amplified power of elemental skills. Automatic disassembly and absorption of nearby skills... Is that even possible?¡± Hanul couldn¡¯t help but be stunned. If this information was accurate, it meant that most skills wouldn¡¯t even be able to scratch a member of the Babel bloodline. Even high-level skills or expert fighters would struggle to land effective hits. The sheer gap in mana quality would nullify most attacks. ¡°The true power of Dragonheart Blood lies in the Dragon Tongue. By speaking specific words, the user can manipulate reality itself.¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes gleamed. He¡¯d heard of the Dragon Tongue plenty of times. It was the defining trait of the Babel clan. A language only those with a Dragonheart could use. A power that could trigger all manner of supernatural phenomena with mere words. There was a well-known tale of a pure-blood Babel scion who once froze an oncoming tsunami with just one phrase of Dragon Tongue. ¡°What are you reading so intently?¡± Joo Hayun set down her teacup and asked, sneaking a side glance at the monitor. ¡°The Babel clan, huh... You must¡¯ve been really impressed at the party.¡± ¡°Well... I suppose so.¡± In truth, it was because Hanul had acquired Dragonheart BloodLINE himself. But he didn¡¯t reveal that, choosing instead to deflect. ¡°They¡¯re notoriously difficult opponents. Everyone I know who¡¯s fought them says it¡¯s like punching a blob of water.¡± ¡°Water?¡± ¡°They say no matter how much you hit them, nothing gets through. And I get where they¡¯re coming from.¡± ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve fought the Babel clan yourself.¡± ¡°I clashed with them plenty of times when I was working with the Chairman.¡± She made a face, suggesting they weren¡¯t pleasant memories. ¡°But I¡¯m surprised. I thought someone like you would be more wary of the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple.¡± After all, the most dangerous foe at the party hadn¡¯t just been Babel¡¯s bloodline. There had also been the Dragon Slayer¡ªthe natural enemy of all dragonkin. And in the upcoming tournament, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple would be participating as well. She was widely known for having inherited the same Gift as her master. ¡°Oh, you mean that woman?¡± Hanul tried to recall the disciple of the Dragon Slayer. His memory was hazy¡ªit took a while before her image came back to him. ¡°Hanul!¡± Suddenly, the door burst open. Kwon Hudon came running in, breathless, and rushed over to Hanul¡¯s desk. Both Hanul and Hayun blinked in surprise. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°L-Look at this!¡± Hudon shoved his smartphone at him. A flurry of news headlines were displayed: [Breaking News! A Trueblood has appeared in the Hyukcheon family!] [First Trueblood since the Ancestors! Emergence in Hyukcheon!] [What does the return of Trueblood mean in modern times?] Hanul instinctively furrowed his brow, eyes glued to the screen. ¡°These articles have been popping up since this morning.¡± Hudon was visibly nervous. The fact that Hanul was a a Trueblood was supposed to be an absolute secret. Now that it had leaked, his reaction was understandable. But the person in question, Hanul, calmly continued reading the article. ¡°Hanul? You okay?¡± Hudon asked again, clearly unable to understand his composure. Only then did Hanul look away from the screen. ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to worry about this.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean... if I¡¯m right about this...¡± At that moment, Hanul¡¯s phone rang. He checked the caller ID and answered. ¡ª¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± A familiar voice came from the other end. Hanul greeted the caller. ¡°Yes, Chairman. It¡¯s good to hear from you.¡± Without wasting time, he asked, ¡°I¡¯ve seen a lot of news about a Trueblood appearing in Hyukcheon. Did you order that?¡± ¡ª¡°I did.¡± Kwon Seonwoo answered without hesitation. ¡ª¡°I gave the order.¡± Just as Hanul suspected, the source of the leak was Kwon Seonwoo. ¡ª¡°When I ordered you to participate in the Sky Arena, didn¡¯t I also tell you? That I would publicly declare your identity as a Trueblood.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s still time before the Arena begins.¡± ¡ª¡°And if you just blurted out that you¡¯re a Trueblood out of nowhere, who¡¯d believe you? This is all groundwork.¡± The only people known to have received Trueblood were the founding ancestors of the noble clans. These days, it was almost treated as myth. Which meant even if Hanul told the truth, few would believe him. ¡ª¡°Reporters will be coming to you soon. That¡¯s when you confirm it.¡± Eventually, Hanul would have to reveal the truth. He¡¯d always known that. But now that the moment was here, he found it difficult to explain the complex emotions rising inside him. ¡ª¡°However, you can also choose to deny it.¡± Then came a curious comment from Seonwoo. ¡ª¡°There won¡¯t be a single person in this world happy about a Trueblood appearing in Hyukcheon. In fact, it¡¯ll make people feel threatened.¡± In today¡¯s world, hunters were considered strategic weapons. The more elite hunters a group had, the greater its power and influence. And now, in a family already known as the strongest¡ªa Trueblood had emerged? ¡ª¡°I guarantee it. There will be many who try to use the Sky Arena to kill you.¡± Those wary of the Trueblood would see this as the perfect opportunity. With standardized conditions and little disparity between competitors, this was their best chance to eliminate the Trueblood. ¡°Even if more people come after me, I don¡¯t think anything will change.¡± ¡ª¡°Don¡¯t be arrogant. The Arena will be filled with prodigies, each with their own specialties. If you let your guard down, their fangs will pierce and kill you.¡± Seonwoo¡¯s warning left Hanul with little to say. And he couldn¡¯t deny that there was some truth to it. There was no doubt that Hanul was vastly stronger than the other participants. But in a public arena like this, he couldn¡¯t freely use any bloodline power except for Black Dragon Bloodline. So, there was no guarantee something wouldn¡¯t go wrong. ¡ª¡°And it won¡¯t end with the Sky Arena. You¡¯ll never live in peace again. Assassins will come for you at all hours of the day.¡± After a pause, Seonwoo asked one last question. ¡ª¡°Even so, will you still declare yourself as a Trueblood?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Kwon Hanul responded immediately. There was no hesitation. ¡°The Chairman never mentioned any benefits I would gain from revealing that I¡¯m of true blood.¡± ¡ª¡±Benefits, you say?¡± ¡°If I reveal that I¡¯m of true blood, everyone will assume I¡¯m the next head of Hyukcheon.¡± The entire world would think the same. If the true-blooded heir doesn''t inherit the family, then who else could possibly be more qualified? The Hyukcheon clan members would see it like this: If the Chairman allowed it, that means he acknowledged Kwon Hanul. ¡ª¡±Insolent brat.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice lowered slightly. ¡ª¡±So you truly aim to become the family head.¡± Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t bother to answer. ¡°Since we¡¯re on the topic, I¡¯d like to confirm something again.¡± ¡ª¡±And what would that be?¡± ¡°You said that if I bring glory to Hyukcheon at the Sky Arena, you¡¯d provide all the ingredients needed for Rebirth.¡± Rebirth ¡ª a mythical transformation or transcendence, often symbolizing complete physical and spiritual renewal. ¡ª¡±I don¡¯t go back on my word. If you win at the Sky Arena, I¡¯ll ensure all the ingredients Takamine Hospital requested are provided.¡± Rebirth. Even world-dominating Hunters had yet to experience such a thing ¡ª and it was now within reach. That alone was reason enough to win the Sky Arena. ¡ª¡±There¡¯s one more thing you should know.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡ª¡±We¡¯ve decided to postpone Kwon Hyuk¡¯s punishment.¡± For a moment, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t grasp what he had just heard. ¡°Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk ordered Kwon Chan-seong to kill me.¡± ¡ª¡±I¡¯m aware.¡± ¡°That¡¯s something the laws of Hyukcheon can¡¯t allow, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡ª¡±You¡¯re right.¡± ¡°Then why...?¡± ¡ª¡±If we lose Kwon Hyuk now, the damage to Hyukcheon will be too great.¡± Kwon Hyuk had long served as Vice Chairman. Removing him would bring all his responsibilities to a standstill. Moreover, Kwon Hyuk was considered the third most powerful person in Hyukcheon, after Kwon Seonwoo and Kwon Myung-woo. There wasn¡¯t a single Hunter in the Hyukcheon clan capable of filling his shoes. ¡ª¡±That¡¯s why we¡¯ve decided to delay his punishment.¡± Kwon Seonwoo wasn¡¯t asking for Hanul¡¯s understanding. He was simply informing him of the decision he had made. ¡°Understood.¡± Kwon Hanul accepted it calmly. That reaction caught Kwon Seonwoo off guard. ¡ª¡±You have no objections?¡± ¡°Of course I do. Plenty.¡± ¡ª¡±Then why don¡¯t you say something?¡± ¡°Because I figured this is how it would go.¡± He remembered what happened while he was staying with the Blaga family. Catalina Blaga had once said this to him: ¡°It¡¯s possible this won¡¯t be enough to take down Kwon Hyuk.¡± The phrase ¡®It takes one to know one¡¯ rang true. Catalina Blaga, who had long specialized in political scheming, had her own evaluation of Kwon Hyuk: ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen, Kwon Hyuk is the type to secure an escape route before doing anything ¡ª no matter how advantageous the situation seems. He¡¯s not the kind of man to go down easily.¡± She also pointed out another reason: ¡°Kwon Hyuk holds immense influence both inside and outside the clan. He was once called the next family head ¡ª imagine the power that comes with that. Even the Chairman would find it difficult to handle him outright.¡± Thanks to her insights, Kwon Hanul had mentally prepared himself. ¡°I suppose this decision was made because I¡¯m not as valuable as Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk. I understand.¡± Even with mental preparation, his emotions couldn¡¯t be so easily dismissed. He grumbled briefly in Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s direction. ¡ª¡±Don¡¯t be absurd.¡± An unexpected response. ¡ª¡±If this decision was based purely on value, I would¡¯ve chosen you without a second thought.¡± Hanul¡¯s mouth opened slightly in surprise. It was the first time Kwon Seonwoo had ever said something like that. ¡°What do you mean by that...?¡± ¡ª¡±You seem dissatisfied, so I suppose I should give you something in return.¡± ¡°No, wait, what did you just mean about my value...?¡± ¡ª¡±After the Sky Arena, I¡¯ll grant you unrestricted access to the Vault.¡± A monumental decision. The Vault, which was typically opened just once for those who rendered exceptional service ¡ª to allow someone to use it freely? But to Kwon Hanul, what he had just heard meant even more than that. ¡°Chairman, please stop changing the subject. About what you said earlier, about my value...¡± ¡ª¡±That¡¯s enough for now.¡± Hanul tried to stop him, not wanting the conversation to end. ¡ª¡±Also, once the Sky Arena ends, I¡¯ll tell you everything about your father. How he died ¡ª and who your true enemy is.¡± His words left Hanul speechless. Before he could respond, Kwon Seonwoo ended the call. Hanul stared at the darkened phone screen for a long while before muttering: ¡°Damn it.¡± What is the Chairman really thinking? When Hanul had first met Kwon Seonwoo, he believed the Chairman despised him. Despite being of true blood and his grandson, Seonwoo never welcomed him ¡ª if anything, he treated him with contempt, calling him the child of a traitor. Hanul never received a single benefit due to his bloodline. Seonwoo never gave anything easily. Everything came with a condition ¡ª a task to fulfill before he would grant anything. Hanul had reached this point not thanks to family support, but because of the existence of other bloodlines, and through rewards he fought to claim. That¡¯s why Hanul had been convinced that the Chairman wanted nothing to do with him. But lately, that belief had started to waver. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± There were many strange things about Kwon Seonwoo. A few months ago, Hanul had investigated his father through the Iron Fang Guild in Korea. It was during that time that Seonwoo passed him information ¡ª that he was the one who killed Hanul¡¯s father, Kwon Cheon. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± What does Kwon Seonwoo want? And what really happened with his father? ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul!¡± A sudden voice snapped Hanul out of his thoughts. When he looked up, he saw dozens of reporters gathered on the deck. ¡°Can we start the press conference now?¡± One of the reporters asked sharply. Only then did Hanul remember where he was. ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡± As soon as he spoke, a wave of microphones came rushing toward him, reporters shouting all at once. One voice rose above the rest: ¡°Are you really of true blood?¡± The moment the question hit, Seonwoo¡¯s warning echoed in his mind ¡ª that revealing the truth could put his life in danger. ¡°Yes, I am.¡± So what? Kwon Hyuk, a monstrous force in his own right, was already his enemy. A few more wouldn¡¯t make a difference. ¡°How can we believe that?¡± One reporter yelled, clearly fishing for controversy. Hanul stared the reporter down. ¡°Please just answer the question!¡± He had some spine. The reporter didn¡¯t back down. Hanul raised a finger. ¡°Up there.¡± He pointed not just to the sky ¡ª but beyond it, toward the Sky Arena suspended high above. ¡°I¡¯ll prove it myself in the Sky Arena.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 149 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 149: Sky Arena (1) The day of the Sky Arena. Kwon Hanul stood in front of a mirror, finishing up his outfit. To the casual observer, it looked like an ordinary black suit. But in reality, it was a set of armor known as the Blackriver Set. Dressed impeccably in Blackriver, he even tied his own necktie. Only then did he step outside. Waiting for him at the door was Joo Hayun. She gave him a quick once-over. ¡°So you tied your tie by yourself today.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve worn it enough times to get the hang of it.¡± Hanul replied with pride. He had always felt a bit awkward and guilty whenever Hayun had to help him with his tie in the past. She looked straight at his chest and spoke. ¡°Too bad.¡± ¡°Sorry¡ªwhat?¡± Before he could ask what she meant, Hayun stepped closer. She reached out and adjusted his necktie. ¡°It was a little off-center. As a member of Hyukcheon, you can¡¯t overlook these small details.¡± There was a pleasant scent in her hair. It caught Hanul off guard¡ªit had been a while since he¡¯d smelled anything like it. Before he could gather himself, Hayun had already stepped back. ¡°All done. Let¡¯s go.¡± She took the lead, and Hanul scratched his cheek as he followed. ¡°Once it¡¯s 2 PM, a message will pop up in front of your eyes,¡± Hayun explained as they made their way to the deck. ¡°It¡¯ll be an invitation from the Sky Arena. Once you accept, you¡¯ll be transported inside.¡± So no grand spotlight entrance like in sports. Then again, with over a hundred participants, this method was cleaner. ¡°You¡¯ll likely begin the first match right away.¡± ¡°No one knows the match format yet, right?¡± ¡°Correct. The format changes every time, so you¡¯ll only know once you¡¯re inside.¡± The Sky Arena required its participants to go through multiple rounds, each with different rules. Prediction was pointless. As they stepped onto the deck, the sun greeted Hanul. His team was already waiting. ¡°Hanul!¡± Kwon Hudon couldn¡¯t contain his excitement at the sight of Hanul, even though they¡¯d had breakfast together that morning. ¡°This day has finally come! You''re... you''re actually entering the Sky Arena.¡± Hudon¡¯s eyes welled up with emotion. Mei Hong, standing beside him, looked unimpressed. ¡°You¡¯re not even the one entering. Why are you crying?¡± ¡°Well... still, the fact that Hanul¡¯s qualified to enter such a prestigious arena... It means the Chairman recognizes his strength. How could I not be proud?¡± ¡°Alright, alright. Just stop crying already.¡± Despite the jab, Mei Hong handed him a handkerchief. Hudon took it and wiped his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t say much,¡± Mei Hong said to Hanul. ¡°Last time I checked, those so-called participants weren¡¯t anything special. I could¡¯ve taken them all down myself. So with you in there? Please.¡± ¡°Want to join in yourself, then?¡± ¡°Nope. If you¡¯re there, I wouldn¡¯t win first place anyway. What would be the point?¡± She grumbled, and Hanul chuckled softly. ¡°Captain.¡± This time, Gael Garcia spoke. ¡°Please stay on guard. Ever since you declared yourself a Trueblood, participant movements have been... suspicious.¡± A few days ago, Hanul had revealed in a press conference that he was a Trueblood. The statement spread globally and caused a massive stir. The first to react were the hunters gathering for the Sky Arena. ¡°Even now, I can feel eyes on us.¡± They were constantly being watched¡ªspies, drones, long-range vision skills. All manners of surveillance. Hanul could¡¯ve countered it, but didn¡¯t bother. Even if he cleaned them out, more would come. ¡°They¡¯ll do anything to eliminate you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Hanul patted Gael¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. He checked the time. It was nearly time for the Sky Arena to open. Hanul turned to his team. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be back.¡± The moment he accepted, a brilliant light engulfed him. Suddenly, the light vanished. In its place stood a towering wall in front of Hanul, reminiscent of an apartment complex. ¡°Hanul?¡± But the wall wasn¡¯t the only thing. Five men were staring straight at him. ¡°Is that really Kwon Hanul?¡± ¡°Who else looks like that? Of course it¡¯s him.¡± ¡°First match and it¡¯s Hanul? Just our luck.¡± Each of the five muttered something. ¡°No¡ªthis is good luck.¡± One of them grinned, prompting the others to look at him. ¡°This is exactly why we formed a coalition¡ªto take him out early.¡± ¡°I hated the idea of forming alliances in a setting like this... but this works.¡± ¡°No point complaining. Orders came from the top. Let¡¯s handle him quickly, then go our separate ways.¡± Things were clearly off. Hanul spoke up. ¡°Just asking¡ªsurely you¡¯re not planning to gang up on one person, are you?¡± They didn¡¯t respond. Instead, they each pulled out a weapon. The air thickened with killing intent. Hanul clicked his tongue. ¡°Seriously? You don¡¯t even know what the match is yet...¡± ¡°...Oh, for crying out loud.¡± Hanul sighed. ¡°You do realize the outside world can observe the Sky Arena, right? If you kill me here, how do you plan to deal with the aftermath?¡± ¡°You sure talk a lot for someone from Hyukcheon,¡± said the man wielding a sword. ¡°Do you know what¡¯s scarier than Hyukcheon¡¯s wrath?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Hyukcheon gaining a Trueblood.¡± Hyukcheon was already a global powerhouse with few rivals. Adding a Trueblood to their ranks would only solidify their dominance. ¡°You really believe I¡¯m a Trueblood?¡± If Hanul wasn¡¯t, they¡¯d just made an enemy of Hyukcheon for no reason. The question was meant to sow doubt¡ªbut their resolve didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Enough talk. What, is the mighty Hyukcheon scared?¡± Their taunt was met with laughter. Hanul simply shrugged. ¡°Forming alliances is fine and all...¡± He clicked his tongue again. ¡°But if you¡¯re charging at me, you might want to rethink it.¡± No answer. Instead, the five simultaneously activated their skills. It was like a natural disaster. A wave of fire surged forward. The ground and walls melted under the intense heat. Then came a brutal cold, raising massive ice spikes from the scorched earth. A violent storm followed, shattering the icy terrain. All their skills converged on one point. The spot Hanul had been standing was scorched and destroyed. Then¡ªsilence. The attacks ceased. The noise vanished. ¡°...What the hell?¡± One of the five blinked in disbelief. ¡°Why is he... still standing?¡± The spot that had been annihilated¡ª Hanul stood alone, untouched. Not a single hair out of place. As if he were out for a stroll. ¡°This makes no sense...¡± They had the best skills, top-tier gear, and the highest level of support. But none of them had managed to land a single blow. ¡°I did warn you,¡± Hanul said, eyes shifting to the message in the air: ¡°I said think carefully before attacking me.¡± The Dragonheart had long been activated. Right now, his magically enhanced heart pulsed and released overwhelming mana. Truly worthy of its name¡ªDragonheart. Just by wrapping himself in its energy, he had nullified every one of their attacks. ¡°Bullshit!¡± A hunter with a spear lunged at him. In a flash, the spear drove toward Hanul¡¯s chest¡ªa strike strong enough to pierce flesh and bone. Dragonheart could block intangible skills, but not physical strikes. The spear tore through the mana barrier, aiming for Hanul¡¯s heart. But in that instant¡ªblack scales covered his chest. The spear clashed with the scales. A thunderous boom followed, and the attacker was sent flying. ¡°Gah¡ª!¡± The man crashed to the ground, gasping for air, clearly stunned. Black scales began to spread over Hanul¡¯s entire body. As the Dragonscale Armor formed, the five hunters'' faces stiffened. They knew that armor. Dragonscale Armor¡ªone of the highest-tier defensive authorities. ¡°Still want to continue?¡± Hanul asked calmly. The five exchanged glances¡ªand once again, killing intent flared. ¡°I admire your tenacity,¡± Hanul muttered with a smirk. The five attacked in unison. Weapons from all directions¡ªgreatswords, spears, blades¡ªclashed against Hanul. But not a single strike pierced his Dragonscale Armor. ¡°Sorry to say...¡± Hanul summoned his mana. The Dragonheart pulsed louder in response. With each beat, it released near-limitless mana. ¡°...I don¡¯t even need to lift a finger for the likes of you.¡± The five froze. With their weapons still pressed against him, they could sense it firsthand¡ª Just how utterly monstrous his mana was. ¡°This guy¡¯s insane...!¡± Before the sentence even finished¡ª Hanul unleashed everything. The arena''s walls crumbled around him. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 150 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 150: Sky Arena (2) At that very moment when the participants stepped into the Sky Arena¡ª The Dragon Slayer stood atop his yacht, gazing up at the floating coliseum above. It wasn¡¯t because he was worried about his only disciple. No matter who the opponent was, his disciple would take them down without much trouble. The real reason he was outside was to greet a certain guest. ¡°So you¡¯ve finally arrived.¡± The empty air split apart, and a frail old man emerged. His limbs were thin and wiry, and his back was hunched. He looked like he could die any moment now. But in stark contrast to his pitiful appearance, the old man¡¯s eyes were chillingly eerie¡ªentirely black with crimson pupils glowing in their depths. ¡°It¡¯s been a while,¡± the old man said with a grin, revealing a blood-red upper palate through his sparse teeth. The Dragon Slayer grimaced in response. ¡°Why¡¯d you come in person instead of sending a messenger?¡± ¡°How cold. Is there a reason I shouldn¡¯t be here?¡± ¡°Not really. But when someone¡¯s wrinkly old head pops out of nowhere, anyone would react the same.¡± There are secrets in this world that only a handful of people know. This old man was one of them. Azeth Hermes. Leader of the first and only mage organization ever to exist in this world. That was his true identity. ¡°When you get old, you have to move around from time to time. Keeps the body from falling apart.¡± ¡°How pitiful. That¡¯s why I always say it¡¯s better to die early when you get old.¡± ¡°Still as heartless as ever.¡± Azeth Hermes let out a laugh. Despite his looks, he was a man who laughed easily. ¡°Be honest. You¡¯re here because of the True Blood of the Hyukcheon Clan, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Why would I care about that brat?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. You told me yourself last time. You said a True Blood can only be born if they possess Aeon¡¯s relic. You¡¯re here to see whether Kwon Hanul has the vessel, aren¡¯t you?¡± Azeth Hermes clicked his tongue and replied, ¡°Yes, I did say that. But I don¡¯t believe Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t? But you said they were the ones who stole the vessel.¡± ¡°They did. But those fools have spent decades without even realizing what they stole.¡± A strong note of contempt colored Azeth Hermes¡¯s voice. ¡°And now, suddenly, they¡¯ve ¡®found¡¯ it? That¡¯s impossible. Besides, the vessel¡¯s power is absolute. If the Hyukcheon really had identified the vessel, they wouldn¡¯t be using it like that.¡± For a brief moment, ecstasy flickered in Azeth Hermes¡¯s eyes. That¡¯s the kind of thing the vessel was. Just the thought of it could set one¡¯s heart racing. ¡°Then are you saying the Hyukcheon are lying? But why?¡± ¡°How would I know what¡¯s in their heads? I suspect they made up the story about the True Blood to pressure their enemies.¡± Azeth Hermes shrugged as if it didn¡¯t matter much. ¡°But why ask me? You¡¯ve met Kwon Hanul in person¡ªyou should know better than I do.¡± ¡°...What?¡± ¡°So? Did you feel anything from him?¡± The Dragon Slayer scowled. He recalled how the boy had resisted his Gift so defiantly. In hindsight, it had been suspicious. A Black Dragon-blooded brat, resisting his Gift? And now claiming to be True Blood? ¡®Other than being an arrogant little bastard, nothing stood out.¡¯ But he didn¡¯t say any of that out loud. He and Aeon were only cooperating because their interests aligned¡ªthey weren¡¯t allies. It was better to keep things close to the chest, just in case. ¡°Then it¡¯s unlikely that Kwon Hanul is the vessel. Anyway, what happened to Babel¡¯s heir?¡± ¡°Oh, that woman? Just like you people said¡ªshe¡¯s not right in the head. What the hell did you do to her, huh?¡± ¡°That¡¯s classified. Don¡¯t ask for details.¡± ¡°After everything between us, you¡¯re gonna be like that?¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Azeth Hermes¡¯s tone sharpened. ¡°Dragon Slayer. You¡¯re just a collaborator, nothing more. Know your place and don¡¯t overstep.¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s face twisted in rage. His pride was wounded. ¡°Don¡¯t let your emotions show. Unless you want to go back to being a lab rat.¡± Azeth Hermes fixed him with a chilling stare. And so, they glared at each other in silence. ¡°...Why did you target Babel first, not Hyukcheon?¡± To everyone¡¯s surprise, the Dragon Slayer was the first to look away. ¡°Because one day, we¡¯ll have to fight Hyukcheon. Babel¡¯s Dragonheart Bloodline is quite similar to Black Dragon Blood, making it ideal for experimentation.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t testing directly on someone from Hyukcheon be more efficient?¡± ¡°That would provoke them. Aeon¡¯s forces aren¡¯t ready to face them yet.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying Hyukcheon are more dangerous? Most people say they¡¯re about equal.¡± ¡°Only the ignorant would say that. Dragonheart Bloodline grants dragon power, but Black Dragon Blood grants a dragon¡¯s very nature. The risk isn¡¯t even comparable.¡± It was an answer that both revealed and concealed. But the Dragon Slayer wasn¡¯t asking because he was curious, so he didn¡¯t press further. ¡°So, how¡¯s your disciple doing?¡± ¡°Perfect.¡± For the first time since Azeth Hermes¡¯s warning, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s face brightened. ¡°Her Gift has been perfectly tuned, and her combat prowess speaks for itself. The Sky Arena will be her personal stage.¡± He spoke confidently, and the old man nodded. ¡°Well, of course. Who do you think gave him that Gift?¡± Just then¡ª The old man¡¯s gaze sharpened, becoming half-lidded. The Sky Arena¡ª That pristine white structure was now shimmering in iridescent colors. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Even the Dragon Slayer was taken aback. He had never in his life heard of the Sky Arena changing colors. And that wasn¡¯t all. The Sky Arena was composed of several floating platforms stacked in layers. But now, one by one, the upper discs were disappearing. Until only the first platform remained. ¡°...No way...¡± Azeth Hermes muttered under his breath. Then it happened¡ªa deafening blast tore through the air. The explosion came from the Sky Arena. Both men snapped their heads upward. But from below, seeing anything above was impossible. The Dragon Slayer pulled out a laptop and brought up the live feed. ¡ª¡°Do you see that?!¡± Inside a helicopter circling the Sky Arena, a frantic reporter shouted. ¡ª¡°There¡¯s just been an explosion inside the Sky Arena!¡± The camera zoomed in on the arena. This time¡¯s theme must¡¯ve been a maze. A complex labyrinth had been erected across the entire arena. And at the southern end¡ª The walls had all been blown to pieces. ¡ª¡°We¡¯ll zoom in further!¡± Following the reporter¡¯s command, the cameraman increased the focus. As the image came into clear view¡ª The Dragon Slayer¡¯s eyes widened. * * * After the press conference revealing he was of the True Dragon Bloodline, Kwon Hanul was left with a dilemma. That dilemma was¡ªproving he was a Trueblood wasn''t as easy as he''d thought. There were many legendary tales about Truebloods, but specific records of what kind of powers they wielded were scarce. And it wasn''t like he could just show someone his status window. Prove it by using the unique Authority of the True Black Dragon Bloodline? That had its own problems. While the powers of the True Black Dragon Bloodline were overwhelmingly stronger than the lower-tier bloodlines, there wasn''t a stark visual difference that could be used as clear evidence. If he used his Half-Manifestation form, no one could possibly doubt him¡ªbut the Sky Arena was a public battlefield, visible from the outside. He couldn''t afford to reveal all his cards just yet. ¡®Then there¡¯s only one way.¡¯ So, the method Kwon Hanul chose was simple: to demonstrate a level of power so overwhelming, so absolute, that no one could deny the truth. To make it so that anyone would have no choice but to accept that he was a Trueblood. It wasn¡¯t a difficult task. There was already an insurmountable gap between Kwon Hanul and the other contestants. The only thing that surprised him was how much stronger Dragonheart turned out to be than he¡¯d expected. ¡°Gahk...!¡± ¡°Urgh...!¡± Groans echoed around him. The five people who had rushed him were now sprawled out on the floor, completely defeated and in shambles. The surrounding walls had all been obliterated. ¡°This is... a bit much.¡± Even Kwon Hanul hadn¡¯t anticipated that the Dragonheart¡¯s mana would be this powerful. Sure, the people around him might have been relatively weak¡ªbut they were still well-known Hunters with decent reputations. And yet, they were nearly knocked unconscious just from the mana he released. ¡°If anyone doubts me, I¡¯ll just insist they saw a Trueblood.¡± In situations like this, the fact that no one could definitively prove he wasn¡¯t a Trueblood worked in his favor. Even if he lied and called it the truth¡ªno one could prove otherwise. Kwon Hanul looked around. Beyond the shattered debris, he could see more walls. It seemed the maze opened once only one person remained standing. Leaving the five defeated contestants behind, Kwon Hanul began to walk. He¡¯d cleared the first round¡ªthere was no longer any need to bother with them. He stood before a new wall. It was just as tall and wide as the last. ¡°A maze, huh...¡± The wall was too high to scale. But walking through the maze on foot would be a waste of time and effort. Besides, he had already resolved to demonstrate overwhelming dominance. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just smash my way through.¡± If he¡¯d broken through a wall once, he could do it again. Kwon Hanul placed his hand on the wall. Activating the Dragonheart Bloodline, he concentrated all his mana into it. The released energy slammed into the wall. But to his surprise, it didn¡¯t break¡ªinstead, only spiderweb-like cracks appeared. ¡°Huh?¡± As Kwon Hanul frowned in confusion, a message popped up in front of him. The cracks vanished instantly. Not only that, the wall¡ªoriginally yellowish in color¡ªturned a deeper brown. Its durability had clearly increased. It seemed destroying the wall with raw mana alone wouldn¡¯t be easy. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is?¡± He figured he could probably break it using a skill instead of pure mana. But now he was feeling stubborn. He wanted to crush it using just mana¡ªnothing else. Conveniently, there was a power he¡¯d been wanting to test out. A black horn sprouted from Kwon Hanul¡¯s forehead. During his fight with Kwon Chan-seong, his synchronization rate with the Black Dragon Bloodline had exceeded 50%. That had unlocked this new power. For regular Dragon Bloodlines, such a top-tier Authority usually only manifested once synchronization reached 80%. Which made this one all the more powerful. Its effect? A massive boost in destructive power. When the Dragon Horn is active, any technique used by a descendant of the Black Dragon Bloodline becomes exponentially stronger. But the Azure Sea Dragon Horn was a Trueblood¡¯s Authority. Which meant its effect was even more immense. Not only did it boost destructive power¡ªit also amplified his mana itself. The Dragon Heart surged with power. That power met the Azure Sea Dragon Horn and multiplied several times over. Mana erupted from Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. Even without transforming it into Aura or Dragon Spirit Energy, it was so intense that it became visible to the naked eye. It was nearly too much for Kwon Hanul to control alone. So he invoked another Authority. His forehead split open, revealing a third eye. Using Dragon¡¯s Eye, he focused the rampaging mana into a single point. Then unleashed it all at once. The condensed energy struck the wall. And the walls behind it. One after another, they exploded in succession¡ªlike dominoes falling. Kwon Hanul grinned, satisfied, as he looked at the newly cleared path. ¡°Now that¡¯s satisfying.¡± He walked down the newly formed corridor toward the maze¡¯s center. With every wall he passed, other contestants began to appear. ¡°W-What the hell...¡± ¡°K-Kwon Hanul?!¡± Panicked contestants occasionally attacked him. It was futile. Skill-based attacks were blocked by the Dragonheart Bloodline. Physical ones bounced off his Dragonscale Armor. Each time a contestant appeared, Kwon Hanul released a blast of mana. Without exception, they were all blown away. After about the fourth explosion¡ª ¡°They¡¯re running now.¡± He could sense the presence of other contestants fading away. They were scattering to avoid him. Kwon Hanul kept walking. Eventually, he encountered another intact wall. As before, he blasted it apart with his mana. Had it already been 30 minutes? The Dragonheart Bloodline powered down. He also deactivated the Azure Sea Dragon Horn and the Dragon¡¯s Eye. The overwhelming aura around him vanished instantly. And just as he crossed over the shattered wall¡ª The air reeked of blood. Bodies were strewn everywhere, soaked in red. They looked like they¡¯d been attacked with bladed weapons¡ªgashes covered their entire bodies. Some were already dead. The rest looked like they were seconds away. ¡°Huh?¡± A sound came from the center of the corpses. A woman, drenched in blood, was looking straight at Kwon Hanul. ¡°Where have I seen that face? Oh, right¡ªyou¡¯re Kwon Hanul, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kwon Hanul lowered his gaze. Another woman lay at the blood-drenched woman¡¯s feet. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering? You are Kwon Hanul, right?¡± To his shock, the woman on the ground was Sasha Babel¡ªa contestant from the prestigious Babel family. She had stood so proudly at the banquet. Now she was barely breathing, her body riddled with wounds. ¡°Can we stop worrying about her already?¡± The blood-covered woman spoke irritably, then drove a dagger into Sasha¡¯s shoulder. Sasha let out a piercing scream. ¡°Ahhh!¡± She clutched her shoulder in pain. It was a pitiful sight for someone who¡¯d once been the Babel family¡¯s golden child. But it made sense. Because the one holding the dagger... was a disciple of the Dragon Slayer. Her name was¡ª ¡°Mano Stonelight.¡± As Kwon Hanul spoke her name, the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple smiled brightly. ¡°Correct.¡± Mano Stonelight pulled the dagger out of Sasha¡¯s shoulder. At that moment, a sinister energy filled the air. Kwon Hanul¡¯s body tensed. Seeing this, Mano bared her fangs in a grin. ¡°Looks like my final prey just walked in on his own.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 151 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 151: Sky Arena (3) ¡°...Sorry.¡± Sasha Babel spoke quietly to the fallen contestants strewn around her. Whatever had happened, all five had broken limbs¡ªarms and legs snapped in brutal ways. ¡°The condition for passing was that only one person could survive... I had no choice.¡± No sooner had she finished speaking than a system message appeared: One of the four enclosing walls vanished. Sasha Babel stepped through the opening. Before her stretched a vast labyrinth. With the tall walls blocking her view, it would be easy to get lost inside. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just break through?¡± She tried punching a wall, wrapping her fist with aura as a test. But the wall didn¡¯t so much as tremble, let alone crack. ¡°...Ow.¡± She winced, eyes stinging with tears. Breaking through wasn¡¯t an option. That meant she¡¯d have to navigate the maze on foot. First, she needed to understand its layout. Sasha slowly closed her eyes. The magic of Dragonheart surged around her. ¡°La Hu Retta.¡± Dragon words slipped from her lips. The ancient language resonated with the dragon¡¯s power. Like an echo rippling outward, the magic spread in all directions. As it traveled, the layout of the maze began forming clearly in Sasha¡¯s mind. ¡°A Hu Re?.¡± She spoke another dragon word. The earth beneath her lifted, levitating her into the air. It moved in the direction she pointed. The speed was fast¡ªblazing, even. In the blink of an eye, Sasha had crossed more than half the maze. Luckily, she hadn''t encountered any other contestants along the way. ¡°No, that¡¯s not luck for me. It''s luck for them.¡± If they had crossed paths, they wouldn''t have even stood a chance against her. Soon, she neared the maze¡¯s center. At this pace, she''d be the first to finish Round 2. And then¡ª The smell of blood hung heavy in the air. Sasha came to a stop. ¡°...Who''s there?¡± The stench was overwhelming. This wasn¡¯t just from one or two people bleeding. On top of that, there was a chilling murderous intent carried on the scent. She could¡¯ve ignored it and gone on. But her pride as a descendant of the Babel clan wouldn''t let her. She moved toward the smell. And what she found was horrific. Four or five contestants lay dead, their bodies butchered beyond recognition. It was so brutal, she questioned whether a human could¡¯ve done it. ¡°Aha... Ahaha...¡± In the middle of the corpses, a woman raised her arm over and over again, slamming something down. Upon closer look, she was holding a dagger. ¡°Come on, get up. You just gonna lie there forever?¡± Every time the dagger struck a body, blood splattered. She didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Hm?¡± Suddenly, the woman turned and looked at Sasha. ¡°My prey finally shows up.¡± She tossed aside a corpse, straightened her back, and locked eyes with Sasha. Sasha spoke, tension in her voice. ¡°...Mano Stonelight.¡± The woman smiled. ¡°...What is all this?¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± Mano Stonelight twirled the dagger around her finger, as if she hadn¡¯t a care in the world. ¡°They said only one person could pass. So I killed the rest.¡± ¡°...You didn¡¯t have to kill them.¡± Mano laughed, grabbing her belly as she cackled. ¡°Wow, how naive. You think this is a sports event or something? This is a dungeon. No rules, no limits. No one can stop what happens here.¡± ¡°This arena is being broadcast around the world. What you did here¡ªit¡¯s all been aired.¡± Sasha pointed to the corpses. ¡°You think the guilds those contestants belonged to will just let this go?¡± ¡°You know what my master told me?¡± ¡°How would I know that?¡± ¡°He said the ones who can¡¯t even escape me are nobodies anyway. So I should kill without worry.¡± Mano laughed again. ¡°Sasha Babel. What about you? Think you can at least run away?¡± Sasha¡¯s brows narrowed. She was of Babel blood. Though caught off guard, she never once considered herself to be in danger. ¡°Mano Stonelight. You''re arrogant.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know what my Gift is, huh? I think you¡¯re the arrogant one.¡± Mano gripped the dagger tightly and charged at Sasha. Sasha felt her body grow heavier. But she didn¡¯t panic. She¡¯d heard endless lectures from her elders about this ¡°Red Dragon Star¡± Gift¡ªwhat it did and how to counter it. ¡°La Hu Ta.¡± She calmly recited a dragon word. Her body lifted into the air. Mano looked up and shouted in frustration. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s cheating!¡± Sasha didn¡¯t respond. The first method for dealing with Red Dragon Star: create distance. As she rose higher, the burden on her body lifted. Proof she was out of the gift¡¯s range. ¡°Al Me Der Sed.¡± Hovering above, Sasha invoked another spell. Flames burst forth, forming a ring around her. ¡°You¡¯re not planning to throw that at me, right?¡± Mano asked, but Sasha just pointed. The fiery ring turned into arrows and rained down on Mano¡¯s position. ¡°An Ter Mada.¡± Without checking if Mano had survived, Sasha cast another spell. Bolts of blue lightning struck the ground¡ªdozens of them in rapid succession. ¡°I Fe Terra.¡± Despite the chaos below, Sasha didn¡¯t stop. A third spell activated. An invisible hammer slammed down from above, shaking the earth, cracking the ground and trembling the walls. ¡°...Hoo.¡± Sasha steadied her breath, but stayed alert. The second countermeasure against Red Dragon Star: don¡¯t give them a chance to counterattack¡ªoverwhelm with force. Then¡ª Mano burst through the flames, charging up a wall toward Sasha. ¡°...That¡¯s impossible.¡± Yet Sasha responded instantly. If she stayed put, Mano would reach her. She tried to retreat using a dragon word. Tried. Mano threw a dagger¡ªfast as lightning. Probably a skill. ¡°El Rada.¡± Sasha summoned a defensive barrier. A translucent shield appeared. But the moment the dagger touched it, it melted like a soap bubble. ¡°What?¡± Before she could react, the dagger grazed her neck. Her flight spell vanished. Sasha plummeted. ¡°Ugh!¡± The impact sent pain shooting through her weakened body. It was agonizing, but Sasha gritted through it. Mano was still above. She had to buy time until her Dragonheart recovered. But then¡ªMano landed from above and stomped on her back. ¡°Kyaa!¡± This time, Sasha couldn¡¯t help but scream. Mano grabbed her by the hair. ¡°Haha, finally caught you.¡± Her crazed face hovered over Sasha¡¯s. Sasha gritted through the pain and asked: ¡°...How did you nullify Dragonheart¡¯s power?¡± ¡°When Red Dragon Star¡¯s energy directly invades, that¡¯s what happens. Didn¡¯t you know?¡± ¡°That... I¡¯ve never heard of that kind of ability...¡± Without warning, Mano stabbed her thigh with the dagger. ¡°You keep asking the questions. That¡¯s not fair. From now on, only I ask.¡± Sasha clamped her mouth shut. Pride and stubbornness. Mano slashed Sasha¡¯s arm with the dagger. Another scream erupted. ¡°That¡¯s what I like about you lot.¡± Her smile widened. ¡°Always acting noble and superior with your ¡®dragon lineage¡¯ this and ¡®pure bloodline¡¯ that. But once that bloodline is suppressed¡ªyou¡¯re nothing.¡± She raked the dagger down Sasha¡¯s back. Blood sprayed. ¡°You had so much to say before. What, nothing to add now? Huh? I¡¯m talking to you. Answer me.¡± Mano raised the dagger again¡ª That¡¯s when it happened. A massive explosion shook the arena. One of the maze walls collapsed. For a moment, both Sasha and Mano could only stare in shock. ¡°That... That wall was breakable?¡± Mano mumbled in a daze. And from the rubble, someone emerged. ¡°Huh?¡± Mano narrowed her eyes at the intruder. ¡°Wait, I know that face. Kwon Hanul, right? Yeah, it¡¯s you.¡± Hanul¡¯s face showed a flicker of surprise. He looked straight at Sasha. Mano didn¡¯t like that¡ªat all. So she stabbed Sasha¡¯s shoulder with the dagger. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering me? You are Kwon Hanul, right?¡± ¡°Gah!¡± Hanul¡¯s eyes widened slightly. Then he finally spoke. ¡°Mano Stonelight.¡± ¡°Correct.¡± Mano smiled. ¡°The final prey walked right into the trap.¡± * * * ¡°The final prey?¡± Kwon Hanul tilted his head slightly, as if he¡¯d just heard something completely absurd. ¡°Before I came into the Sky Arena, I made a promise to myself. No matter what happens with the others, you and Sasha Babel¡ªI¡¯m going to kill you both.¡± Mano Stonelight yanked the dagger out of Sasha Babel¡¯s shoulder. Sasha screamed in agony, but she ignored it. Right now, Kwon Hanul was far more important. ¡°I really like your kind.¡± A look of twisted joy spread across Mano Stonelight¡¯s face. ¡°Nobodies without noble blood pretending to be big shots. And people actually worship them for it. But that bloodline trick doesn¡¯t work on me.¡± She poured even more power into the aura of Red Dragon Star. ¡°In this entire world, only my master and I can expose what you really are beneath the surface.¡± Mano Stonelight began to approach Hanul. Blood dripped steadily from the dagger in her hand. ¡°Nothing to say?¡± She asked eagerly, hungry for a response. She knew from experience¡ªif Hanul ran his mouth arrogantly, breaking him afterward would feel that much sweeter. Hanul paused, then calmly replied, ¡°What makes you so confident?¡± A grin spread across Mano Stonelight¡¯s lips. That was what she had been waiting for. The influence of Red Dragon Star intensifies! All dragonkin within range suffer a major stat reduction! All dragonkin within range experience movement disruption! Mano charged straight at him. Red Dragon Star didn¡¯t just reduce stats¡ªit interfered with movement as well. Under its pressure, Hanul should¡¯ve found it difficult to even turn his body. Start with the knee, she thought. She only needed to lightly cut the ligament. That alone would take out his leg, rob him of escape, and heighten his fear. Mano crouched low and swung the dagger at his knee. But in that instant¡ªHanul slammed his knee upward into her face. Her head snapped back, and her body flew through the air. ¡°Gah¡ª!! Guhhh!¡± Clutching her face, Mano Stonelight let out a horrible scream. Her nose was crushed, and several front teeth were knocked out. ¡°Kwon Hanul!!¡± She shrieked in rage. But in the next second¡ªHanul was already on top of her. She sensed a chilling bloodlust from above and instinctively dove to the side. Hanul landed exactly where she had been standing a moment before, stomping the ground. Cracks exploded outward from his foot, spreading across the floor¡ªthen extended further, ripping apart even the surrounding walls. ¡°...What...?¡± Mano looked up at him, stunned. ¡®But I used Red Dragon Star¡¯, she thought. ¡®The power of the Black Dragon Blood should have been weakened.¡¯ So then¡ªwhat was that destructive force just now? ¡°Hey.¡± Hanul called out to her. Startled, Mano looked up. ¡°What did you say earlier? Prey?¡± Hanul¡¯s tone was razor-sharp and brimming with irritation. Sure, being insulted by Mano was annoying¡ªbut there was another reason behind his anger. The Black Dragon Bloodline is enraged! The instincts of the dragon surge! Synchronization Rate: 52% ¡ú 58% Red Dragon Star¡¯s effects have been completely expelled! The Black Dragon Bloodline was furious. It had already been seething under the pressure of Red Dragon Star, and now¡ªseeing that disciple appear as well¡ªits rage had reached a boiling point. ¡°I get it¡ªyou¡¯ve been feeling cocky ever since that party scene...¡± Hanul narrowed his eyes, glaring at her in irritation. ¡°But you¡¯re not the Dragon Slayer, are you?¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 152 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 152: Sky Arena (4) What Mano Stonelight felt was confusion. The Gift she had obtained through Aeon¡ªRed Dragon Star¡ªwas a powerful ability that exerted influence over all dragonkin-type monsters. But Hanul Kwon... what was he? Instead of weakening under Red Dragon Star¡¯s effects, he was becoming even more ferocious, like a beast unleashed. Then, suddenly, a hypothesis formed in Mano Stonelight¡¯s mind. ¡®...Could he really be a True Blood?¡¯ Before entering the Sky Arena, Hanul Kwon had declared himself a True Blood¡ªthe origin and root of the Black Dragon Bloodline. If that were true, perhaps he could resist the influence of Red Dragon Star. But still¡ª ¡®He lost to Master, didn¡¯t he?¡¯ Back at the party, the Dragon Slayer had completely overwhelmed Hanul using Red Dragon Star. So why was she¡ªMano¡ªfailing to do the same? ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you before?¡± Hanul responded to her murmuring with an air of annoyance. ¡°You¡¯re not the Dragon Slayer.¡± There was an insurmountable gap between Hanul and the Dragon Slayer. Even without considering Black Dragon Bloodline or Red Dragon Star, purely in terms of skill¡ªMano was no match. And if that¡¯s the case, no matter how special Hanul¡¯s True Black Dragon Bloodline was, there was no way it could overpower Red Dragon Star. ¡°...Anyway, how long do you plan to just stand there stalling?¡± Mano clenched her teeth and opened a subspace to draw another dagger¡ªthis one with a jagged edge, like a sawblade. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you¡¯ve already won. You¡¯re just another bloodline mutt.¡± She inhaled deeply. The situation had caught her off guard for a moment, but upon reflection, it wasn¡¯t like Red Dragon Star wasn¡¯t working at all. Its effectiveness had just been weakened. Which meant¡ªMano Stonelight still had the upper hand. After all, Red Dragon Star was the natural enemy of dragons. ¡°Actually, the more I think about it, this is even better. The more arrogant you get, the more satisfying it¡¯ll be to break you.¡± A twisted smile returned to her face as she reactivated Red Dragon Star within her. A crimson aura began to form on both her daggers. She flipped them into a reverse grip, blades protruding like fangs. She looked like a praying mantis ready to rip her prey apart. ¡°I¡¯m going to shred you to pieces.¡± She said it, seething with hatred. Hanul sneered. ¡°Go ahead. Try.¡± Before the words were even finished, Mano Stonelight charged. * * * Outside the Sky Arena. Azeth Hermes, head of Aeon, stared in disbelief. ¡°Is he really a True Blood?¡± If that were true, it meant Hanul Kwon had the vessel¡ªa capacity, a container for power. So why then had Hyukcheon... treated such a unique existence so carelessly? Suddenly, Azeth Hermes fell silent. He lowered his head in thought, then began chuckling quietly. ¡°...He must not know. He knows Hanul¡¯s a True Blood¡ªbut not that he has the vessel. Is Hanul hiding it? That must be it. There¡¯s no way Hyukcheon would¡¯ve overlooked it otherwise.¡± If Hyukcheon didn¡¯t know about the vessel, it meant there was still time¡ªstill a chance to reclaim him. Azeth¡¯s laughter grew louder. ¡°Hey. Isn¡¯t there something more pressing we should be worried about?¡± The Dragon Slayer interrupted with a sour expression. ¡°My disciple is in there fighting him. What happens now? Does Red Dragon Star work on someone with a vessel too?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong question. Haven¡¯t you already fought Hanul Kwon once yourself?¡± At that, the Dragon Slayer snapped out of it. Right¡ªat the party, Hanul had been overpowered by his Red Dragon Star. ¡°Even if he¡¯s a True Blood, he can¡¯t fully escape Red Dragon Star¡¯s influence. That much we¡¯re certain of. The question is...¡± ¡°The question is?¡± ¡°How much of the vessel Hanul has filled. How many bloodlines are inside him. So far, Red Dragon Star only affects the Black Dragon Bloodline.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we don¡¯t have to worry, then.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± The Dragon Slayer pointed to a laptop screen. ¡°You just said it yourself¡ªhe¡¯s hiding the vessel. The whole world¡¯s watching right now. He¡¯s not going to reveal the other bloodlines.¡± ¡°...Ha. Every time, you amaze me with how devious your thinking is.¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s face twisted, unsure if he¡¯d just been insulted or praised. ¡°Anyway, that means my disciple still has a shot. But what happens if Mano slips up and actually kills him?¡± ¡°Well... There¡¯s still so much we don¡¯t know about the vessel. I can¡¯t say anything for sure.¡± The Dragon Slayer frowned, sensing that Azeth Hermes was hiding something from him. ¡°...Still, I can¡¯t believe the vessel made it inside the arena. No wonder the Sky Arena started changing.¡± ¡°What are you talking about now?¡± ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t know. The Sky Arena wasn¡¯t originally meant to be some tournament to rank participants. It was created to find the vessel.¡± ¡°...Are you serious? Then what now?¡± ¡°I have no idea.¡± The Dragon Slayer was surprised. For someone who despised ignorance, Azeth had just said ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± twice. ¡°From here on out, we¡¯re in uncharted territory¡ªeven for us at Aeon.¡± Azeth Hermes looked up at the Sky Arena with a face full of anticipation. * * * Mano Stonelight swung both blades at Kwon Hanul. In the span of a single breath, dozens of slashes sliced through the air. It wasn¡¯t just fast¡ªit was so silent that not even the sound of wind accompanied it. Astonishingly quick, yet silent to the point of eeriness. It was a truly troublesome technique. But the one whose face was twisted in frustration wasn¡¯t Kwon Hanul, the one being attacked¡ªit was Mano Stonelight, the one doing the attacking. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me!¡± Kwon Hanul dodged every one of Mano¡¯s strikes. Not with exaggerated movements, but with just enough space¡ªbarely the width of a sheet of paper. ¡°Stop running!¡± Mano Stonelight swung a massive horizontal slash, convinced it would be impossible to avoid. But Kwon Hanul retreated a step before the attack could even come through. The strike brushed dangerously close to the tip of her nose. ¡°Hoo...¡± Mano Stonelight steadied her rough breathing. If this continued, she¡¯d be the only one tiring out. With a mocking sneer, she tried to provoke Kwon Hanul. ¡°All this running... Guess even a Trueblood¡¯s scared of the Red Dragon Star, huh?¡± The crimson aura conjured by Mano wasn¡¯t just any aura¡ªit was imbued with the energy of the Red Dragon Star. For any draconic being, even grazing it could result in a fatal injury. ¡°A Trueblood, right? Shouldn¡¯t you be crazy strong? Then why all the dodging? Are you stupid? A moron?¡± ¡°I¡¯m neither.¡± ¡°Then prove it.¡± ¡°Shall I?¡± Kwon Hanul dashed forward, closing the distance. Mano¡¯s lips curled into a sneer. ¡°So you are a moron.¡± Mano met her charge with a swing of her crimson aura. The blade aimed for Kwon Hanul¡¯s neck. But before it could land, Kwon Hanul¡¯s foot smashed into Mano¡¯s shin. Pain shot through her leg, and she stumbled. ¡°Huh?!¡± Capitalizing on the opening, Kwon Hanul slammed her knee into Mano¡¯s face. ¡°Agh!!¡± The double impact was excruciating. Still, Mano quickly tried to recover her stance. She flailed both hands in a frenzy, aiming to slash Kwon Hanul¡¯s body. Even a minor wound would do. As long as she could land one blow, the Red Dragon Star¡¯s energy would penetrate and neutralize Kwon Hanul. ...Or so she thought. Kwon Hanul lifted one foot and kicked both of Mano¡¯s hands aside. Her arms flung wide open, leaving her torso exposed. ¡°Wait¡ª!¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul drove her foot into Mano¡¯s solar plexus. Mano staggered back, vomiting bile. It was agonizing, but there was no time to scream¡ªKwon Hanul was already on her again. He twisted at the hip with one pivot, unleashing a spinning back kick that struck Mano¡¯s head. Mano¡¯s body spiraled through the air. ¡°Gaaah!¡± Only then did Mano scream, clutching her chest and head as she glared at Kwon Hanul. ¡°Your eyes are vicious...¡± Kwon Hanul tapped the ground lightly with heis toes, calm and composed. ¡°So, is that it?¡± That single line ignited Mano¡¯s fury. She rose, gritting her teeth. ¡°Not yet.¡± Mano Stonelight¡¯s rage surged¡ªand the Red Dragon Star responded. The Red Dragon Star didn¡¯t just weaken draconic beings. Against such enemies, it could also enhance its wielder¡¯s stats. It had remained sealed because the current Mano couldn¡¯t bear the burden. But this wasn¡¯t the time for restraint. She could feel the energy spreading through her whole body. The crimson aura deepened¡ªno longer crimson, but scarlet. ¡°Impressive.¡± Even Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t ignore this. He summoned his own power. Black aura coiled around his limbs. Seeing this, Mano grinned. ¡°Dragon Combat Aura? You¡¯ll regret using that.¡± The Red Dragon Star reduces all of a draconic being¡¯s attributes¡ªincluding draconic authority itself. It was thanks to the Red Dragon Star that Mano had withstood Sasha Babel¡¯s attacks and shattered her draconic shield with ease. Even the Dragon Combat Aura of the Black Dragon¡¯s Bloodline wasn¡¯t immune. In a clash of auras, the Red Dragon Star always overpowered it. ¡°You talk too much.¡± ¡°Then shut me up¡ªif you can.¡± They both shot forward at once. Mano was confident. She had the Red Dragon Star. In a direct confrontation, she believed victory was hers. Just before they collided, Kwon Hanul leaned in¡ªhis right shoulder dipped. A left kick. Clear as day. Mano moved to slice off his leg, even through the Dragon Combat Aura. Then, a chill gripped the back of her neck. Reflexively, Mano ducked. Kwon Hanul¡¯s leg sliced through the air above her. Behind them, the entire wall cracked from the released aura. ¡°Wh-what?!¡± It wasn¡¯t just the speed. The aura was razor sharp. Her legs trembled. ¡°Spacing out? You got a death wish?¡± A chilling voice rang out. Mano turned her head¡ªand Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist was right in front of her. It radiated Dragon Combat Aura, burning ominously. Mano hurled herself backward with all her strength. Kwon Hanul¡¯s fist slammed into the ground. Black aura exploded, shattering the floor. The sheer destructive force left Mano stunned. But Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t stop. Both fists cloaked in Dragon Combat Aura, he charged at Mano like a demon. ¡°Hiccup.¡± Mano hiccupped in fear. She hadn¡¯t meant to. ¡°W-wait, hold on!¡± Mano abandoned all pride and turned to flee. Kwon Hanul chased, unleashing flurries of devastating blows. Every strike shattered the floor and walls. Mano¡¯s face grew paler by the second. It felt like a tank was firing nonstop shells right behind her. ¡°I said STOP!¡± Mano flailed wildly, sending slashes of aura in every direction. In that moment, a gust of wind wrapped around Kwon Hanul. Heavenly Sky Path Second Movement: Ghost Vanish Kwon Hanul disappeared. The crimson slashes cut through empty air. Panicking, Mano searched her surroundings. Then¡ªa shadow loomed beside her. She looked up. Kwon Hanul descended from above, a knife-hand strike ready. Her instincts screamed¡ªthis was her last chance. The Red Dragon Star weakened draconic powers. In a direct clash, the Red Dragon Star would win. ¡°Haaah!¡± She readied her dagger, focused her aura into a single point. The blade extended like a longsword. Mano struck without hesitation. Scarlet aura and black aura collided¡ªand then, the scarlet was sliced apart. Before she could even react, Kwon Hanul¡¯s knife-hand crushed her collarbone and damaged her internal organs. ¡°Guh!¡± Mano let out a short cry and dropped to her knees. ¡°Kh... Khurgh...¡± That one blow decided the match. Mano couldn¡¯t move¡ªjust groaned. ¡°H-how...?¡± She couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°W-with draconic powers, you... you beat the Red Dragon Star? That¡¯s... that¡¯s impossible!¡± Mano screamed, her worldview shattered. She had always believed the Red Dragon Star was invincible against dragons. ¡°Pretty sure I¡¯ve said this three times already.¡± Kwon Hanul looked completely unfazed, even after crushing Mano. ¡°You¡¯re not the Dragon Slayer. So why act like you are?¡± To Kwon Hanul, winning the Sky Arena was a given. Compared to his past opponents, the other contestants were pitifully weak. Even the Dragon Slayer¡¯s disciple¡ªMano¡ªwas no exception. ¡°You must feel special. Having Trueblood¡ªthe first one since the founder.¡± Maybe because she had already lost, Mano began mocking Kwon Hanul. ¡°I bet you strutted around, showing off that power. But the truth is, it¡¯s not you who¡¯s special. It¡¯s your bloodline! Without it, you¡¯re nothing!¡± Mano¡¯s voice turned shrill with resentment. ¡°I didn¡¯t lose to you! I lost to your bloodline! If I had a bloodline like that...¡± Her face froze. Kwon Hanul had raised one leg high into the air. Almost perfectly straight, like the number ¡°1¡±. Then¡ªhe stomped down. His heel drove into Mano¡¯s face and slammed her into the ground. Watching Mano twitch on the floor, Kwon Hanul muttered coldly, ¡°What a load of bullshit.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 153 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 153: The Demon (1) "Is she dead?" At the sudden voice, Kwon Hanul turned his head. Sasha Babel was looking at him. "You¡¯re..." "Sasha Babel. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten?" Kwon Hanul let out a faint smile. As if he ever could. She was, after all, a member of the Babel clan. "Is Mano Stonelight dead?" "Who knows?" Kwon Hanul answered indifferently. He¡¯d struck down with the intent to kill, but it didn¡¯t matter to him whether she lived. That¡¯s how insignificant Mano Stonelight was to him. "She¡¯s a disciple of the Dragon Slayer." Sasha Babel sighed as she said it. "There¡¯s no benefit to killing her. If it were me, I would¡¯ve tried to keep her alive and use her to my advantage." "Hyukcheon never forgets a grudge,¡± Kwon Hanul replied flatly. Even if Mano¡¯s death provoked the Dragon Slayer, he had no regrets. "So don¡¯t interfere with how Hyukcheon does things." He stared coldly at Sasha Babel. She swallowed hard. "...I was out of line." "As long as you understand." "Thank you... for sparing me." Kwon Hanul nodded in response. "Don¡¯t worry about it. It just happened that way." He hadn¡¯t fought to save Sasha Babel. He simply came across Mano Stonelight¡ªand settled a personal score. "...Even so, the fact remains that you saved my life. I won¡¯t forget this debt." "Then repay it right now." "What?" "How did you get beaten so easily?" Mano didn¡¯t have a scratch on her, but Sasha Babel was a complete mess. It had been a one-sided fight. They might have to face the Dragon Slayer one day. Understanding how Sasha lost might prove useful. "I¡¯m not exactly sure myself. One of the daggers Mano threw wounded me. Then the aura of the Red Dragon Star seeped in and suppressed the power of my Dragonheart Bloodline." "The Red Dragon Star has an ability like that?" It wasn¡¯t just the Babel clan that was wary of the Red Dragon Star. The Hyukcheon clan was too. Kwon Hanul had already studied it through Joo Hayun and the Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence division. But nowhere did it mention that the Red Dragon Star could suppress bloodline abilities. "I¡¯m just as surprised. There was no record of this ability in Babel¡¯s data either..." A Gift was something innate. It shouldn¡¯t change. If he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it. "It feels like it¡¯s almost worn off now. So you don¡¯t have to worry about¡ª" At some point, Kwon Hanul had walked right up to her. Sasha¡¯s words caught in her throat. It was just the two of them here. And Sasha couldn¡¯t use her Dragonheart power. If Kwon Hanul had any ill intent, she had no way of resisting. "Um..." She couldn¡¯t imagine a member of Hyukcheon acting like that, but her clan leader had always told her¡ªall men are wolves. And though it embarrassed her to admit it, Sasha knew she was beautiful. "Why are you suddenly this close...?" Just then, Kwon Hanul grabbed her wrist. Sasha screamed. "Kyahhh!" She raised her arm to shield her chest, shouting in panic as her clan leader¡¯s face flashed through her mind. "D-Don¡¯t touch me! If you lay a finger on me, I¡¯ll bite my tongue and kill myself!" Sasha flailed wildly. But something felt off. Kwon Hanul was only holding her wrist¡ªnothing more. That¡¯s when Sasha realized the look on Kwon Hanul¡¯s face. He looked... pitying. "I know this is a rude question, but... is something wrong with your head?" "N-No, it¡¯s just... you suddenly grabbed my hand and..." Mana flowed from Kwon Hanul¡¯s hand, passing through Sasha¡¯s body. The oppressive aura that had been restraining her vanished. Her Dragoheart power returned. "I needed to confirm what kind of influence the Red Dragon Star had. And whether I could nullify it with my power." With that, Kwon Hanul released her wrist. "I might have to fight the Dragon Slayer eventually. Do you understand me now?" Sasha''s face turned crimson. Though the Red Dragon Star¡¯s effect was gone, Sasha Babel was in no shape to continue fighting. The external injuries alone were serious. In truth, even if she¡¯d been fine, she¡¯d planned to give up. Anyone who had witnessed Kwon Hanul¡¯s fight with Mano would have thought the same. That¡¯s how overwhelming it was. "..." If she were honest, all of that was just an excuse. She was mortified by how pathetically she had acted in front of Kwon Hanul. She turned her face away, trying to hide her shame. "I¡¯ll be going now." * * * The moment he confirmed she had no intention to fight, Kwon Hanul turned to head back to the maze¡¯s center. The Sky Arena wasn¡¯t over yet. "Wait!" Sasha grabbed him. He turned to her and asked, "Why are you calling me? Trying to fight now?" "N-No! That¡¯s not it, I..." Sasha swallowed hard before continuing. "What did you just do to heal me?" "I can¡¯t reveal the secrets of Hyukcheon." "I¡¯ve never heard of Hyukcheon having such a technique." The Babel and Hyukcheon clans had been rivals for ages. They knew each other well. "Think what you like." Kwon Hanul had no intention of convincing her otherwise. There was no need. "Is it because you¡¯re of the True Bloodline?" "Believe what you want." "Then I¡¯ll assume you¡¯re the only one with this ability¡ªand I¡¯ll make a request." She couldn¡¯t get a confirmation, but Sasha had a sharp intuition. Among the Hyukcheon clan, only Kwon Hanul could heal someone. "Do you remember Alia Davi, the one from the party?" "I remember." "You asked her if she was ill when you first met her, didn¡¯t you?" "I did." "Can you heal her with your power?" Kwon Hanul considered it for a moment. Could he really heal her? After some thought, he answered. "Yes, I can." The moment she heard it, Sasha straightened her posture and knelt down, looking up at him. "Please. Once the Sky Arena ends, please heal Alia Davi." "I refuse." Sasha¡¯s eyes widened at the immediate reply. Kwon Hanul drove the point home. "Alia Davi is part of the Babel clan, isn¡¯t she?" Her face went stiff. "H-How did you..." "You think that¡¯s all I know? I¡¯m also aware she was one of Babel¡¯s top talents." By his assessment, she was far stronger than Kwon Chan-seong¡ªperhaps even on Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s level. "Objectively speaking, healing Alia Davi brings no benefit to Hyukcheon." Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t feel strong loyalty to his clan. He¡¯d grown up outside the clan, unaware of his origins¡ªso it made sense. But that didn¡¯t mean he¡¯d go so far as to heal a high-level fighter from Babel. "So I can¡¯t grant that request." He turned as if there was nothing more to discuss. But Sasha grabbed him again. "If you heal Alia Davi... I¡¯ll do anything you ask!" There was no reason to keep listening. Kwon Hanul kept walking. "Please... I¡¯m begging you! If you don¡¯t, she¡¯ll die!" He stopped. Sasha¡¯s face brightened, thinking he had changed his mind. But that wasn¡¯t the reason he froze. An ominous magic was in the air. It clung to the skin like something sticky. "...What kind of mana is this?" Familiar. He¡¯d felt it somewhere before. As Kwon Hanul stood confused, the Sky Arena suddenly began to shake. The ground trembled violently. The maze walls began to collapse. As the quake intensified, the sinister magic grew stronger. "...No way." From the edge of the Sky Arena, the ground began to crack. The fractures converged toward the center. The moment they all connected, the earth erupted skyward. Something black and red burst forth. It was massive¡ªits head reached the barrier covering the Sky Arena. And that was only its upper body. It spread its six arms wide, grabbing hold of the arena. %$#@!!%^. A roar rang out like a sonic bomb. It was too strange to comprehend. Wings unfurled from its back¡ªlarge enough to cover the entire arena. The moment they spread, a searing hot wind swept the field. !%@!$!! It screamed again. And that¡¯s when Kwon Hanul realized what it was. "...A demon." A creature from another world¡ªthe kind that once drove humanity to the brink of extinction¡ªhad awakened once more. Kwon Hanul swallowed hard. The demon he fought in Mexico had been severely weakened. Beating it hadn¡¯t been difficult. But this one was different. Just looking at it made it hard to breathe. Every muscle in his body tensed. He didn¡¯t need to fight it to understand¡ªthis demon¡¯s power was overwhelming. ¡ªAaaaaah. A human-like voice came from the demon¡¯s mouth. It used two of its six arms to cover its eyes. Kwon Hanul stayed on high alert, watching its movements carefully. ¡ªHaaaaah! The demon inhaled deeply¡ªthen exhaled. ¡ªIt¡¯s too bright! ...What? Kwon Hanul stared, wondering if he¡¯d misheard. ¡ªWhy¡¯d I have to wake up now? It¡¯s too damn bright! But he hadn¡¯t misheard. ¡ªSo bright! The demon¡¯s wings melted away. Strangely, the liquified wings clung not to the floor¡ªbut to the ceiling. The transparent barrier covering the Sky Arena turned pitch black. ¡ªPhew. Finally, the demon sighed in relief. It used the rest of its arms to stack a pile on the ground. Then, burying its face into them, it muttered, I¡¯m gonna sleep a little longer. Wake me up in ten minutes. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 154 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 154: The Demon (2) The emergence of the demon in the Sky Arena was broadcast live around the world through various media outlets. ¡°W-What the hell is that...?¡± The Dragon Slayer shook Azeth Hermes by the shoulders, his eyes fixed on the Sky Arena. ¡°...A demon,¡± Azeth replied. ¡°Of course it¡¯s a demon! But what kind of demon is that?!¡± Even from outside the arena, the terrifying presence of the creature could be clearly felt. It was powerful enough to make even someone like the Dragon Slayer feel threatened. ¡°Six arms... wings that block out the sky... a towering body so massive, its head could reach the ground if it stood upright...¡± Azeth Hermes spoke with a trembling voice. ¡°There¡¯s no doubt. That¡¯s the Demon King¡ªBeruel.¡± The Dragon Slayer¡¯s mouth fell open. ¡°Sure, demons are said to have a knack for hiding in dungeons, but... you¡¯re telling me the Demon King himself was lying dormant in the Sky Arena?!¡± Azeth Hermes fell into deep thought. ¡°If that¡¯s the case... could that ¡®method of identifying the vessel¡¯ they mentioned have been referring to Beruel?¡± At that moment, Beruel¡¯s wings began to melt and fused with the transparent barrier surrounding the Sky Arena. In an instant, the entire arena turned pitch black. Nothing inside could be seen anymore. ¡°What now? What the hell is going to happen in there?¡± The Dragon Slayer asked anxiously, but Azeth Hermes shook his head. ¡°I told you. From here on out, even Aeon doesn¡¯t know what will happen.¡± * * * The demon buried its head in its arms, but Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t let his guard down. Decades had passed since the war between humans and demons, but their infamy remained vivid. They were known to be cruel, cunning, and absolutely untrustworthy. Even this behavior might be a trick¡ªan attempt to lull him into a false sense of security before launching an attack. Hanul remained on high alert. Minutes passed. Still, the demon didn¡¯t move. ¡°...Is it actually asleep?¡± Hanul muttered skeptically¡ªthen, the demon suddenly raised its head. Hanul instinctively raised his fists in surprise. ¡ªGrooaaaan... The demon¡¯s eyes were glazed over, as if it had just woken up from a deep sleep. ¡ªI don¡¯t know why I¡¯m always so tired no matter how much I sleep. Don¡¯t you feel that way too? It spoke to Hanul in a bizarrely friendly tone. ¡°...What¡¯s your angle?¡± ¡ªAngle? ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. You¡¯re a demon.¡± And not just any demon. This aura, that form... ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Beruel, the Demon King, has six arms and enormous wings.¡± This demon¡ªwas Beruel. The King of Demons. ¡°Speak. What are you up to? Why is the Demon King hiding his identity in a place like this?¡± Demons were once humanity¡¯s greatest threat. The Hunter Association had standing orders to eliminate any demon by any means necessary upon discovery. ¡ªCould you not say such racist¡ªno, demonist things? That kind of language really wounds my delicate heart. The demon let out a laugh. Maybe it thought it was being humorous, but Hanul didn¡¯t find it funny in the slightest. Apparently realizing that, the demon scratched its head awkwardly with one of its arms. ¡ªYou¡¯re really on edge. But in the end, we¡¯re just losers. Its tone shifted. The playfulness vanished, replaced by a somber weight. ¡ªIn that war we had with you humans... I suffered a serious wound and fled. I hid myself in this Sky Arena¡ªjust in case my people ever found a chance to strike back. ¡°A chance to strike back?¡± Beruel pointed at Hanul with fingers thick and long like pillars. ¡ªI¡¯m talking about the Ark inside you. Though Beruel had seen through his secret instantly, Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised. The demon he met in Mexico had done the same. ¡°So you woke up because of the Ark?¡± ¡ªYou catch on quick. Beruel nodded. Due to his massive size, even that small gesture came off as intimidating. ¡ªThe fact that a human, not a demon, possesses the Ark... that must mean the war truly ended in our defeat. I expected as much, but it¡¯s still unpleasant to hear. Beruel scratched his chin. ¡°What even is the Ark? Why is it considered a ¡®chance to strike back¡¯?¡± ¡ª¡®Ark¡¯ is just a metaphor to help you humans understand. You could never comprehend what the @#@!%! actually is. Even the demon in Mexico had never stated the true name of the Ark, claiming human minds couldn¡¯t grasp it. ¡ªDon¡¯t even try to understand it. Maybe in ten thousand years, when your civilization has advanced enough¡ªbut not now. Beruel waved his hand dismissively in front of his face, causing a gust of wind each time. ¡ªBut I can explain what I mean by a chance to strike back. Tell me¡ªwhy do you think we demons lost to humans? ¡°Because over time, humans grew stronger.¡± ¡°And how did they get stronger?¡± ¡°By acquiring skills and items from dungeons...¡± ¡ªIn other words, you stole our power. ¡°¡®Stole¡¯ it?¡± ¡ªThe system you humans use¡ªstatus windows, skills, traits, relics, equipment¡ªall of it originally came from us. You humans simply took them. Beruel crossed all six of his arms. ¡ªBut do you know what the greatest power you took from us was? The bloodlines that now exist within your bodies. Dragons, shuras, giants, and more... ¡ªBefore we demons even arrived on Earth, your kind had already slaughtered the originators of those bloodlines and claimed their power. Then you passed it on to your descendants. During the war against the demons, it was the families with inherited bloodlines who made the greatest impact. Especially Hyukcheon¡ªthey were always at the frontlines, massacring countless demons. ¡°What do the Ark and the bloodlines have to do with each other?¡± ¡ªIf you have the Ark, you can restore a bloodline¡¯s origin with just a touch. And once you have the origin, erasing all lesser bloodlines is trivial. ¡°...That¡¯s actually possible?¡± ¡°As long as you can contain the bloodline origin inside the Ark¡ªyes. That¡¯s exactly what the Ark is for.¡± The bloodline origin¡ªhe must mean true blood. Which raises another question: What exactly is the Ark? And one more thing Hanul couldn¡¯t wrap his head around. ¡°How did you demons lose the Ark in the first place? And why do I have it?¡± ¡ªI don¡¯t know. Hanul was dumbfounded. Something supposedly that important, and he didn¡¯t know? ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who lost it, so I don¡¯t know the details. And as for why you have it¡ªthat¡¯s something you should know. How would I know?¡± When he thought about it, Beruel wasn¡¯t wrong. ¡ªSeriously¡ªyou don¡¯t know how you ended up with it?! Do you even realize what @#@!%! is? That thing can do anything! Beruel¡¯s voice started to rise. ¡ªYeah, @#@!%! If I had that, I could bring back my entire race and rebuild our fallen civilization! Beruel¡¯s pupils dilated. Magical energy poured from his body. Hanul shuddered the moment he sensed it. The aura was so overpowering, it felt suffocating. He had forgotten, for just a moment, because of the demon¡¯s casual tone. But this was the Demon King¡ªa walking apocalypse. ¡ªYes! @#@!%!! That¡¯s all I need! If I can just reclaim @!$!%#!¡± To resist Beruel¡¯s pressure, Hanul had to summon all his own magical power. Even then, it was almost too much to bear. ¡ª-@#@!%!! @#@#@!%!! Beruel raised all six arms. A storm of raw magic swirled around them. Hanul shielded his face with his arm. ¡ª...Nah. Forget it. Suddenly, Beruel said it like it was nothing¡ªand the pressure vanished without a trace. ¡°Forget it...?¡± ¡ªYeah. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say it was important?¡± ¡ªIt is. But it was a lost war. My people are all dead. Humanity¡¯s only gotten stronger while I slept... Beruel clicked his tongue. ¡ªWhat¡¯s the point of me raising a fuss by myself? Besides, I don¡¯t think you¡¯d let go of the Ark so easily. You¡¯ll hold out, at least until your allies arrive. It was an accurate assessment. If Beruel had attacked, Hanul had been ready to use every ounce of power he had to counter him. ¡°So what now? What do you plan to do?¡± The entire world had now seen Beruel. Hiding was no longer an option¡ªevery Hunter alive would try to kill him. ¡ªI don¡¯t want to fight, but I¡¯m not about to roll over and die, either... Beruel crossed his arms and fell silent, deep in thought. ¡ªStill... you¡¯re out of your mind too. Seven bloodlines in a single human body? Even collecting them is one thing, but holding that much power without falling apart must¡¯ve been agonizing. Beruel slowly closed his eyes. A black mist began to leak from his body. It gathered in the air¡ªthen condensed into a black crystal. ¡ªPhew... this is exhausting. His voice sounded tired. Or maybe it was just Hanul¡¯s imagination, but Beruel¡¯s presence seemed to have weakened. ¡°Take it.¡± The black gem flew toward Hanul. He stared at it cautiously. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡ªThe source of my power. Hanul¡¯s eyes widened. The source of power. In other words, by receiving this gem, he¡¯d gain a new bloodline. The Demon King¡¯s bloodline. ¡°Why are you giving this to me?¡± ¡ªConsider it a gift for the one who holds the Ark and has gathered seven bloodlines. Beruel let out a long, weary sigh. ¡ªI¡¯m too tired to keep struggling to survive. His tone was dry¡ªlike that of an old man. ¡ªYou humans can¡¯t imagine what we endured before reaching Earth. The lives we led... I want to bring it to an end now. Beruel urged him again. ¡ª-I promise you as the Demon King¡ªI will not harm you. Take it without fear. Though it was just words, they somehow felt sincere. Hanul reached out and grasped the crystal. The moment he did, it was absorbed into his body. Hanul could feel the emergence of a new power from within. At the same time, Beruel¡¯s body began to crumble from the edges, turning to dust. Having passed on his essence, his body was breaking down. ¡ªIt¡¯s finally over... Yet a faint smile crossed Beruel¡¯s face. ¡ªHe who bears the Ark... please tell your people this. As the collapse accelerated¡ª Just before he vanished completely, Beruel spoke one final time: ¡ªYou have won. And with that, Beruel was gone. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 155 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 155: The Demon (3) Kwon Hanul stared for a moment at the spot where Beruel had vanished. ¡°...What just happened?¡± Startled, Kwon Hanul turned to the side. Sasha Babel was looking right at him. The moment he saw her, regret flooded in. They¡¯d been so close¡ªthere was no way she hadn¡¯t overheard his conversation with Beruel. ¡°Well... that is...¡± Hanul scrambled for something¡ªanything¡ªto say. If even a fragment of what he and Beruel had discussed got out, it¡¯d be a disaster. But no plausible excuse came to mind. ¡°...You and that demon were just glaring at each other without saying a word. Then suddenly, the demon disappeared. What the hell just happened?¡± What came out of Sasha Babel¡¯s mouth completely caught Hanul off guard. ¡°What do you mean? You didn¡¯t hear anything we said?¡± ¡°¡®Said¡¯? You two were just staring at each other... Weren¡¯t you?¡± Kwon Hanul and Sasha both looked at each other in confusion. ¡®What is she talking about? Is she trying to fool me?¡¯ Just then, while Hanul was watching her face¡ª ¡ªYou shouldn¡¯t doubt innocent people like that. Beruel¡¯s voice echoed in his ear. Hanul looked around, startled. ¡°Beruel? You¡¯re still alive?¡± ¡ªOh, no¡ªmy body¡¯s already gone. I¡¯m in the middle of soul disintegration. So this was him using his last breath¡ªspeaking to Hanul before he completely faded. ¡ªNo one here in the Sky Arena, including her, could hear what we said. ¡°...You sure about that?¡± ¡ªI¡¯m a demon who values privacy, you know. I used my authority to make sure of it. But not anymore¡ªso watch what you say. At that, Hanul turned back toward Sasha. She looked at him like he was completely insane. To avoid looking any crazier, he spoke in his mind: ¡®So it¡¯s true no one else could hear our conversation?¡¯ ¡ªOf course it¡¯s true. What¡ªdon¡¯t you trust me? The urge to blurt out ¡°How the hell am I supposed to trust a demon?¡± rose to his throat, but he swallowed it back. ¡ª-I was going to keep quiet until I completely disappeared, but I got bored. And curious. ¡®Curious about what?¡¯ You should¡¯ve started to feel something by now. ¡ª...Feel something? And just then¡ª ¡°Gah!¡± A searing heat surged through his entire body¡ªas if molten metal had been poured into his veins. ¡°Khagh!¡± It was unbearable. Hanul collapsed to the floor in agony. ¡°W-What¡¯s happening to you all of a sudden?!¡± Sasha rushed over in alarm. ¡®You... tricked me.¡¯ ¡ªWow. Harsh. I generously gave you everything I had. You doubt me? Beruel grumbled. This is a natural reaction to absorbing the Half-Demon Bloodline. ¡®But that never happened when I accepted other bloodlines.¡¯ ¡ªThis one¡¯s different. It¡¯s a fragment of divinity. You think a human can just take that in without any side effects? That¡¯s wishful thinking. Beruel chuckled. ¡ªBetter to get the pain over with now. Since you¡¯ve already endured this once, the next half should go in easier¡ªassuming you even get the chance. Hanul wanted to ask what he meant by ¡°next half,¡± but the pain was too much. ¡ªLooks like you¡¯re about done adapting. As Beruel said that, the pain rapidly faded. But though the pain was gone, Hanul¡¯s body wouldn¡¯t move. He had no strength, no mana¡ªhe was completely spent. ¡ªYou¡¯ll need more time to fully adapt. Until then, don¡¯t expect to do anything. ¡®...Is that why you started talking to me again?¡¯ ¡ªYeah. Aren¡¯t you grateful I explained it all so nicely? Hanul let out a dry chuckle. Who would''ve thought he¡¯d ever feel grateful to a demon? ¡ªBut now that it¡¯s over, I¡¯m bored again. Beruel suddenly announced. Hanul felt a chill run down his spine. ¡®Why don¡¯t you just quietly disappear already.¡¯ ¡ªNow where¡¯s the fun in that? ¡®You shouldn¡¯t even have any power left.¡¯ ¡ªI¡¯ve got a tiny bit left. ¡®Didn¡¯t you promise not to harm me?¡¯ Hanul brought out his final card. ¡ªThis isn¡¯t harm¡ªit¡¯s just a little prank. ¡®What kind of bullshit¡ª¡¯ ¡ªWell then, good luck surviving. Hanul suddenly felt Beruel¡¯s magic flare to life one last time¡ªand the Sky Arena trembled violently. An overwhelming pressure slammed down on him¡ªand not just him. Sasha Babel was also forced to the ground. ¡°W-What¡¯s happening now?!¡± Sasha shouted in panic. Hanul tried to stay calm and assess the situation. Then he noticed¡ª The sky beyond the Sky Arena was moving. It was racing past at an unbelievable speed. ¡°...The arena is rising.¡± The Sky Arena was rocketing into the sky, and the pressure was a byproduct of its ascent. Given the intensity of the pressure and how fast the scenery was shifting, they were ascending at an incredible speed. ¡°Aaaaah!¡± Sasha screamed. The ground began to crack beneath them. Not just the ground¡ªeverything in the Sky Arena was collapsing, shattering. Even as it broke apart, the arena continued to rise. And then¡ªat the moment it completely disintegrated¡ªthe ascent stopped. The debris floated midair, as if gravity had abandoned it. Among the floating wreckage was Kwon Hanul. While drifting in midair, he looked down. He could see the ocean and the continent in a single glance. It was breathtakingly beautiful. But he couldn¡¯t enjoy it. ¡°...That damned demon! What the hell did he do?!¡± If he could see the continent from here, that meant they were really high up. And what goes up... must come down. ¡°Goddammit!¡± The floating sensation vanished¡ªhe began to fall. Not just Hanul. Everything from the arena was falling with him. ¡°Aaaaah! What is happening?!¡± ¡°Help! Somebody help!¡± Voices of other participants echoed between the falling debris. It was pure panic. But Hanul had no time to worry about them. He had to think about saving himself first. ¡°This is insane!¡± Thanks to the aftereffects of absorbing the Half-Demon Bloodline, he had no strength, no mana. If he hit the ground like this, he¡¯d die. ¡°Hey!¡± A familiar voice called out. He looked up¡ªSasha Babel. ¡°Take my hand!¡± She reached for him. Hanul quickly grabbed her hand. She pulled him in and embraced him tightly, then began to channel her magic. ¡°E Ade Ra!¡± She chanted a divine incantation. An invisible force tried to catch them. Their fall slowed slightly¡ªthen picked up again. Still, she didn¡¯t give up. ¡°E Ade Ra!¡± Once more, their descent eased¡ªonly to return to full speed. Despair flickered across Sasha¡¯s face. ¡°E Ade Ra!¡± Not much distance left to the ocean now. It wasn¡¯t land, but from this height, the impact would be just as deadly. ¡°...Sasha Babel.¡± This was the end. Hanul looked her in the eye. ¡°Thank you.¡± The sea rushed up to meet them. Hanul shut his eyes, bracing for death. And then¡ªhe felt it. A blast of hot wind surged upward beneath them. A rising column of heat pushed Hanul and Sasha back into the air, slowing their fall. They drifted downward like dandelion seeds. And it wasn¡¯t just the two of them. The other participants and the arena debris were also falling gently. ¡°...What the hell is happening now?¡± Hanul looked around, eyes wide. Then something huge swooped past. A massive creature was flying through the sky. Its dark scales shimmered in the sunlight with every movement. ¡°No way...¡± Even after seeing it with his own eyes, Hanul refused to believe it. Considering that person¡¯s personality... it just didn¡¯t seem possible. ¡°...You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± But it was right there¡ªclear as day. He couldn¡¯t deny it anymore. ¡°Chairman...?¡± A giant black dragon was soaring through the wreckage. Stunned by the sudden appearance of Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s incarnation, Kwon Hanul was left speechless. ¨CYou survived. Impressive. Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s voice rang out in his mind. Kwon Hanul followed him with trembling eyes. ¡°How are you here?¡± ¡ªI saw the Demon King appear. He must be eradicated at all costs. Kwon Seonwoo spoke in a flat tone. ¡ªBut when I arrived, there was no Demon King¡ªjust you lot falling from the sky. I figured you¡¯d die if I left you, so I stepped in. The sudden updraft¡ª It was Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s doing. Thanks to him, Kwon Hanul and the other participants had survived. ¡ªSeems you¡¯ve grown close to Babel¡¯s daughter. Only then did Kwon Hanul and Sasha Babel realize that he was still holding her tightly. The two quickly separated. With a beet-red face, Sasha Babel addressed Kwon Seonwoo. ¡°I pay my respects to the Chairman of Hyukcheon.¡± ¡ªSkip the greeting and prepare yourself. ¡°Huh?¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the updraft vanished. Their bodies began falling again. Kwon Hanul and Sasha Babel plunged into the sea. Behind them, the other participants and the Sky Arena¡¯s remains came crashing down. * * * ¡°Whoa...¡± The Dragon Slayer looked up at the sky in awe. More precisely, he was staring at the black dragon floating above. ¡°So that¡¯s Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s incarnation. Seeing it in person... it¡¯s incredible.¡± Though he bore the title "Dragon Slayer," he had never actually slain a dragon. That was why he couldn¡¯t help but be intrigued by Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s incarnation. ¡°I¡¯m not at a level where I could take that on yet.¡± He gauged the difference between himself and Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s transformed incarnation. As he was now, he didn¡¯t stand a chance. Unless his Red Dragon Star grew at least twice as strong, it was impossible. ¡°Hey, find out what happened to my disciple.¡± The Dragon Slayer turned to Azeth Hermes. But no matter how long he waited, there was no response. Azeth Hermes stood frozen, mouth agape, like a man out of his mind. ¡°Hey?¡± Only after the second prompt did Azeth Hermes snap out of it. ¡°Ah... sorry. It was just such a moving moment... I kind of lost myself. You were asking about your disciple?¡± Azeth Hermes pulled a compass-like relic from subspace. After fiddling with it, he spoke. ¡°The Red Dragon Star energy has been cut off. Looks like she¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°...What? She¡¯s dead? Are you sure? You¡¯re not lying, are you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true. Mano Stonelight is dead.¡± Azeth Hermes put the relic back into subspace. ¡°She and you were the only experimental subjects to manifest the Red Dragon Star. What a shame.¡± ¡°Then what about me? I needed her to further strengthen my Red Dragon Star!¡± The Dragon Slayer exploded with anger. Azeth Hermes clicked his tongue and replied, ¡°Without absorbing Mano Stonelight¡¯s Red Dragon Star, there¡¯s nothing to be done.¡± ¡°Goddammit!¡± The Dragon Slayer kicked the yacht¡¯s railing. It broke off and flew into the distance. ¡°I poured so much into raising Mano! All because of that bastard, Kwon Hanul!¡± ¡°Calm yourself. Thanks to Mano Stonelight¡¯s data, our experiment success rate has drastically increased. New test subjects are already being prepared in Aeon. You can absorb them instead.¡± But the Dragon Slayer couldn¡¯t easily suppress his fury. It was natural¡ªeverything he had worked for had been reduced to nothing. ¡°Just in case, let me remind you... you are not to lay a hand on Kwon Hanul until we give the go-ahead.¡± ¡°What? I thought we needed that ¡®vessel¡¯ thing? Then I¡¯ll just kill him and take it!¡± ¡°The vessel is incredibly delicate. It¡¯s not something you can claim through brute force.¡± Azeth Hermes¡¯ gaze turned cold. ¡°Do not touch him. We only just found the vessel¡¯s location. I won¡¯t tolerate interference.¡± The Dragon Slayer swallowed hard. ¡°What even is this vessel that you¡¯re so obsessed with?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an extraordinary item. The Red Dragon Star was created from just a fraction of our understanding of it.¡± The Dragon Slayer was stunned all over again. It was the first time he¡¯d heard such a thing. ¡°Those Hyukcheon fools¡ª they stole the vessel without even realizing what it was. And thanks to that, we have another chance.¡± Azeth Hermes let out a short laugh, as though unable to fully express his joy. He then started clawing at the skin on his face with his fingers. ¡°If it was that valuable, you should¡¯ve kept it safe. How did Hyukcheon manage to steal it?¡± ¡°You wound me. It was just bad luck, nothing more. Who could¡¯ve predicted that we¡¯d run into Hyukcheon while transporting the slave carrying the vessel?¡± As if he had never laughed, Azeth Hermes now scowled deeply. ¡°Even now, I get furious thinking about it. That bastard... if I could tear him apart, it still wouldn¡¯t be enough.¡± ¡°That bastard? Who are you talking about?¡± Azeth Hermes ground his teeth. ¡°There was someone like that. One of Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s children. His name was...¡± He paused for a moment, then said: ¡°Kwon Cheon.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 156 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 156: The Demon (4) Fortunately, Kwon Hanul was rescued quickly. After returning to Hyukcheon''s ship, the first thing he did was take a bath. He then emerged, dressed in a white robe. "So, you''ve finally finished bathing." As soon as he stepped out of the shower in his white robe, Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s face came into view. Seated in a chair, Kwon Seonwoo was elegantly sipping tea. Beside him stood Joo Hayun, holding a teapot and waiting silently. "How dare you keep me waiting. You''re getting bold." "And who was it that threw me into the sea at the end?" Grumbling, Kwon Hanul sat down across from him. "Is that all you have to say?" Kwon Hanul pressed his lips together tightly like a mute. He still hadn¡¯t said thank you. But strangely, the words just wouldn¡¯t come out. "Don¡¯t make me repeat myself." "...Thank you for saving me." Kwon Hanul finally forced the words out. Kwon Seonwoo gave a faint, satisfied smile. "Did you fly all the way here in your incarnated body from South Korea?" "The situation was urgent. There was no time to spare¡ªespecially not when facing the Demon King." As with the Mei family incident, Kwon Seonwoo''s incarnated body moved with astonishing speed. It made sense, considering it was the incarnation of a dragon. "What happened inside?" At last, the tough question came. Kwon Hanul recited the explanation he¡¯d prepared. "I met the Demon King. He said he was hiding in the Sky Arena to heal the wounds he suffered during the war." "Hiding in a dungeon¡ªhow typical of demons. Was that all?" "He claimed he intended to stay asleep until his kin came to retrieve him. But then he sensed my true blood and woke up." "...He reacted to your true blood?" "Yes. He said the aura of the Black Dragon Bloodline was so intense, he opened his eyes just to check." At that point, Kwon Hanul studied Kwon Seonwoo''s expression. He was trying to gauge whether his lie had been convincing. "To think even demons would be stirred by the true blood..." Fortunately, Kwon Seonwoo accepted it without much suspicion. Kwon Hanul quietly sighed in relief. It was moments like this that gave truth to the saying: the best lies are mixed with truth. "Then why did the Demon King disappear without killing anyone?" "He said that after all those years, with no one coming for him, he accepted defeat and chose to disappear. He asked me to spread the word that humanity had won." "The Demon King gave up on life for such a petty reason?" Suspicion crept into Kwon Seonwoo''s voice. In truth, it was the sight of Kwon Hanul¡¯s Ark that had broken the Demon King¡¯s will¡ªbut that couldn¡¯t be said out loud. "Well, no one died, did they? That proves it." Kwon Hanul responded boldly, using the lack of casualties as evidence. "...I suppose life still has surprises." Kwon Seonwoo handed his empty teacup to Joo Hayun, who quietly poured him another cup. "By the way, what was that with the Babel girl? Why were you two holding onto each other like that?" At that moment, Joo Hayun flinched slightly as she held the teapot. Unaware, Kwon Hanul answered Kwon Seonwoo. "We just cooperated to survive the fall from that height." "And that means you cling to each other? I¡¯ll never understand the minds of today¡¯s youth." "If you knew how high we fell from, you wouldn¡¯t be saying that." "You''re saying there was absolutely no other reason?" "None." "Just so you know, the Babel family is off-limits. They''ve been our sworn enemies for generations." "Ack, I told you¡ªit¡¯s not like that." Kwon Hanul had no choice but to reply irritably. That¡¯s when Joo Hayun gently set down the teapot and spoke up. "Chairman, Lord Kwon Hanul is not the type to give his heart away so easily to a woman." With her support, it felt like he had an army behind him. Kwon Hanul turned to thank her¡ªbut Joo Hayun suddenly whipped her head toward him. "Isn¡¯t that right?" She asked with a smile, but there was a strange pressure behind it. Under that pressure, Kwon Hanul could only nod. "...As she said." Even Kwon Seonwoo, overwhelmed by Joo Hayun¡¯s forceful presence, backed down. Kwon Hanul had a hunch¡ªit would be wise not to provoke Joo Hayun further. He quickly changed the subject. "Looks like I won¡¯t be able to fulfill your command, sir." At those words, Kwon Seonwoo tilted his head. "What do you mean?" "You told me to win the Sky Arena tournament and bring glory to Hyukcheon. But thanks to the Demon King, everything got ruined. I failed to keep that promise." "Oh, that." Kwon Seonwoo gestured to Joo Hayun, who handed over a tablet. "See for yourself." Kwon Hanul looked down at the tablet. His face was plastered across the front page of a major portal site. ¡ª Disciple of the Dragon Slayer! Overwhelmed by the True Blood of Hyukcheon! ¡ª A Dragon to Kill the Dragon Slayer? ¡ª Analyzing the skill that tore through the Sky Arena¡¯s maze in a single blow! Every article on the internet was about Kwon Hanul. "As you said, the Sky Arena has been destroyed. So there¡¯s no way to win." Kwon Seonwoo sipped his tea and continued. "But what you showed the world has more value than a mere victory." He pointed at one of the headlines. "I especially liked this one. ¡®A Dragon to Kill the Dragon Slayer.¡¯ That brat Slayer must¡¯ve lost his mind reading it." Kwon Seonwoo chuckled, clearly pleased. "You fulfilled my command. And so, I¡¯ll keep my end of the bargain. I¡¯ll fund the entire rebirth procedure for you. On top of that, I¡¯ll grant you unrestricted access to the Vault." Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but clench his fist in excitement. "But don¡¯t get cocky just because you reached your goal. This is just the beginning." "I understand." Now, Kwon Hanul was known to Hunters around the world. He had earned recognition as a powerful Hunter. But realistically speaking, only three of his stats had reached S-rank. Compared to global rankers, he was still far behind. "Still, with access to the Vault, I should be able to level up quickly, right?" "To a certain extent, yes." "What do you mean ¡®to a certain extent¡¯?" The ominous tone forced Kwon Hanul to ask. "Right now, we have leftover S-rank elixirs in the Vault. But SS-rank elixirs? None. Not a single one left." "What?" Kwon Hanul blurted out, startled, and Kwon Seonwoo frowned. "¡®What¡¯ nothing. Did you think SS-rank elixirs grow on trees? It¡¯s rare for one to even hit the market once every few years." It wasn¡¯t unreasonable. Even reaching S-rank had been an ordeal. SS-rank would be far harder. Still, the situation wasn¡¯t hopeless. At least they still had S-rank elixirs. That meant he could raise all his stats to S-rank relatively quickly. And by enhancing his Superhuman Bloodline and Dragonheart Bloodline, he could push his powers into SS-rank territory. "As long as you understand, that¡¯s enough. I¡¯ll be resting inside now." Kwon Seonwoo rose from his seat. Joo Hayun followed behind. "You said you¡¯d tell me about my father once the Sky Arena ended." At that moment, Kwon Hanul asked. Though it had already been promised, he wanted to hear it confirmed once more. Kwon Seonwoo stopped in his tracks. Without turning around, he replied, "Yes. I¡¯ll tell you everything¡ªsoon." With that, Kwon Seonwoo left the room. * * * After Kwon Seonwoo left, Kwon Hanul also went up to the deck. There were people there who needed an explanation of what had just happened. ¡°Hanul!¡± As soon as he appeared, the team welcomed him warmly. Kwon Hudon was the first to rush over. ¡°H-Hey... What did the Chairman¡ªI mean, Grandfather¡ªsay? H-He didn¡¯t say anything harsh, did he?¡± ¡°No, he didn¡¯t say much. Nothing to worry about. He just asked about the demon.¡± ¡°I-I see.¡± Kwon Hudon let out a sigh of relief. Even though he hadn''t done anything wrong, he found Kwon Seonwoo intimidating. He wasn''t the only one¡ªmost of the bloodline members felt the same. ¡°Please tell us too. What in the world happened in the Sky Arena?¡± Mei Hong spoke up, prompting Hudon and Gael Garcia to show interest as well. Clearly, everyone was dying to know. ¡°It wasn¡¯t much.¡± Kwon Hanul repeated exactly what he had told Kwon Seonwoo, not missing a single word. ¡°You¡¯re telling us the Demon King himself acted friendly toward you?¡± ¡°Who can understand a demon¡¯s motives?¡± Hanul shrugged, making it clear he had no idea either. ¡°How¡¯s the Chairman¡¯s condition? He used the Dragon Pearl, didn¡¯t he? He must be really exhausted.¡± ¡°Dragon Pearl?¡± ¡°That orb that lifted you and the entire arena into the sky... Oh, you probably don¡¯t know.¡± Hudon glanced awkwardly at Mei Hong and Gael Garcia. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Why are you looking at us like that?¡± ¡°Well, uh... It¡¯s kind of a secret outside the family...¡± Mei Hong¡¯s eyes sharpened with suspicion. The look in her eyes said, Do you not trust me?¡ªand Hudon backed down. ¡°Mom said it¡¯s confidential... but the Dragon Pearl is the final authority of the Black Dragon Bloodline. More precisely, it''s the ability to create a Dragon Pearl.¡± Hudon started explaining what he knew. ¡°They say once a Dragon Pearl is created, it can bring about changes in nature¡ªlike a real dragon. Its power increases depending on how much effort is poured into nurturing it.¡± Hanul remembered the time he fought Kwon Chan-seong. Back then, Chan-seong used the Dragon Pearl to escape from an illusion and block Condensed Aura. ¡°The Chairman used the Dragon Pearl widely to save you and the others. He must be completely worn out.¡± Which explained why he had retreated to rest as soon as it was all over. ¡°Do you know anything more about the Dragon Pearl?¡± ¡°Not really. Hardly anyone¡¯s even acquired one, and there are a lot of secrets surrounding them.¡± Hudon scratched his head. ¡°Oh, right! Our ancestor killed a Black Dragon and obtained its True Blood. I remember hearing that the Dragon Pearl from that dragon is hidden somewhere in the family.¡± ¡°The Black Dragon¡¯s Dragon Pearl?¡± That wasn¡¯t something one could just dismiss. Even a Dragon Pearl created by a human¡ªone who didn¡¯t even have True Blood¡ªwas enough to unleash immense power. Then the real thing, from an actual dragon, would surely possess even more terrifying strength. ¡°Ah, Captain. I have something for you.¡± Just as Hanul was about to ask more about the Dragon Pearl, Gael Garcia pulled a letter from his coat. ¡°While you were speaking with the Chairman earlier, someone from the Babel family handed this over.¡± Hanul opened the letter and checked the contents. Inside was an invitation. No date was specified. He could visit anytime he wanted. As long as he brought the invitation to the Babel estate, no one would stop or question him. ¡°Hm.¡± The reason Sasha Babel handed this over was obvious¡ªshe wanted him to heal Alia Davi. ¡°It¡¯s not something I can just ignore...¡± He owed Sasha a favor from when they fell from the sky. Repaying kindness was only right. But he couldn¡¯t afford to heal Alia Davi. If she regained her strength, who knew what kind of threat she¡¯d pose to Hyukcheon? Hanul folded the letter and tucked it away. For now, he would put it on hold. ¡°Right. There¡¯s something I wanted to tell everyone.¡± The three turned toward him. Hanul spoke to them. ¡°I¡¯ve been granted permission for unrestricted access to the Vault. Now we can all raise our power to a whole new level.¡± Even though the SS-grade elixirs were gone, there were still S-grade ones in stock. This was a chance for every team member to reach S-rank abilities. And with the Vault¡¯s weapons and equipment, the team¡¯s strength would rise even further. ¡°...¡± But something felt off. Not one of them looked happy. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hanul asked. Hudon hesitantly spoke up, ¡°Thanks... but... I don¡¯t think I deserve to use the Vault.¡± ¡°Me neither.¡± ¡°I feel the same.¡± Hanul was taken aback. ¡°What are you all saying?¡± ¡°Up to now, all we¡¯ve done is rely on you, Hanul.¡± Mei Hong and Gael Garcia didn¡¯t say anything, but their expressions showed agreement. ¡°Even this access to the Vault¡ªit''s thanks to you. So how could we possibly...¡± ¡°You¡¯re all worrying about the wrong things. Instead of wasting time on guilt, wouldn¡¯t it be a hundred times better to get stronger and actually be helpful to me?¡± Even then, their expressions didn¡¯t brighten. Hanul gave a wry smile. ¡°In the entire Hyukcheon clan, the only people I can truly trust are Hayun and you three.¡± Since joining Hyukcheon, the only person who had ever been on his side was Joo Hayun. But she was close to the Chairman, which made it hard to fully open up. The Dark Shade Unit was different. Though it was just three of them, every single one was fully on his side. ¡°You three need to grow stronger¡ªfor me to feel at ease. So please, don¡¯t say things like that...¡± Hanul stopped mid-sentence. Hudon was sniffling with tears in his eyes. ¡°You... you trust me... H-Hanul!¡± Hudon burst into tears and lunged at him. Hanul casually sidestepped. That was when it happened. ¡°Your team seems really tight-knit. It¡¯s a nice thing to see.¡± A strange voice rang out. Hanul instinctively looked toward the railing. A woman he didn¡¯t recognize was sitting on the railing, staring at him. ¡°This is what I love about youth. So fiery, so sweet¡ªit''s the most radiant time in life.¡± ¡°...Who are you?¡± ¡°Does the name ¡®Bloodflame Blade¡¯ ring a bell?¡± At those words, a storm of information rushed into Hanul¡¯s mind. Bloodflame Blade¡ªleader of the Assassins¡¯ Blade Unit, the one commanding the remnants of the Mei clan, and the one responsible for killing Mei Hong¡¯s mother. That name was... ¡°...Mei Xiao.¡± The woman smiled at the sound of her name. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 157 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 157: Mortal Enemies (1) Kwon Seonwoo was on his way to the VIP room with Joo Hayun guiding him when it happened. Suddenly, Kwon Seonwoo clutched his chest and dropped to his knees. Joo Hayun, startled, rushed to support him. "Chairman!" She called out urgently, but the chairman couldn¡¯t respond. All he could do was endure the pain in his chest, cold sweat pouring down his face. ¡°...Huff.¡± It took a long while before the pain subsided. He leaned against the corridor wall, exhaling heavily. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡± He addressed Joo Hayun, but she couldn''t hide her concern. ¡°The recoil is much worse this time... probably because I used the Dragon Pearl.¡± Most people don¡¯t truly understand the Incarnate Body. They think it¡¯s simply a way to gain monstrous strength. But the reality is far harsher. Even someone like Kwon Seonwoo felt an immense burden each time he used it. It made sense. Even with the right bloodline, a mere human could never properly wield the power of a dragon. ¡°...Was Kwon Hanul really that important to you? Important enough to endure this pain?¡± Joo Hayun suddenly asked. ¡°What nonsense is that?¡± ¡°Given your personality, Chairman, I doubt even a Demon King could have made you step forward like this. Not unless it was something greater.¡± Kwon Seonwoo was the trump card¡ªhis power overwhelming. His defeat would mean the downfall of Hyukcheon. That¡¯s why he never revealed his strength unless absolutely necessary. It was to keep valuable intel from reaching their enemies. And yet, he had transformed into his Incarnate Body and flown to the arena¡ªin front of the whole world¡ªto save Kwon Hanul. ¡°What a load of rubbish,¡± Kwon Seonwoo said with a bitter smile. ¡°I stepped in because I didn¡¯t want to lose a bearer of the true bloodline. Not because of that brat.¡± Just as Joo Hayun was about to say something more, Kwon Seonwoo cut in. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare mention any of this to Hanul. Understood?¡± ¡°...Why give such an order?¡± He went quiet and muttered under his breath, ¡°Because then he¡¯ll keep thinking of me as an enemy.¡± His voice was so low, Joo Hayun couldn¡¯t make it out. ¡°Chairman? Could you repeat that¡ª?¡± She asked again, but he said nothing and stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I need rest.¡± * * * ¡°Mei Xiao!¡± A shout rang out. Mei Hong charged with her longsword raised, aiming straight for Mei Xiao. But in that instant, Mei Xiao appeared behind her. She struck Mei Hong¡¯s neck with the edge of her hand, and Mei Hong collapsed mid-charge. Kwon Hanul instinctively clenched his fists. Kwon Hudon and Gael Garcia also shifted into battle stances. ¡°Everyone, calm down,¡± Mei Xiao said, holding up her empty hands. ¡°I only knocked her out. I¡¯d rather not cause a scene. Otherwise, the Chairman on board will notice me.¡± That¡¯s when Kwon Hanul sensed something was off. Someone like Mei Xiao¡ªthis close¡ªthere¡¯s no way Kwon Seonwoo wouldn¡¯t notice. ¡°You¡¯re wondering why the Chairman hasn¡¯t shown up yet, aren¡¯t you?¡± She smiled knowingly. ¡°Two reasons. First, your Chairman is exhausted from using the Incarnate Body. Second, I¡¯m an Assassin Swordswoman.¡± Kwon Seonwoo had pushed himself too far, reducing his ability to sense threats. Meanwhile, Mei Xiao, a professional assassin, excelled at hiding her presence. ¡°But if things escalate here, he¡¯ll notice me for sure. So please¡ªstay quiet, alright?¡± ¡°What if we refuse?¡± Kwon Hanul asked provocatively. In truth, the one at a disadvantage here was Mei Xiao. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn¡¯t defeat Kwon Seonwoo¡ªeven if he was worn out. ¡°If you refuse... then I¡¯ll die here at the hands of the Chairman,¡± Mei Xiao admitted calmly. ¡°But before that, I¡¯ll make sure to kill everyone else in this room.¡± A chill ran down their spines. Even without emitting killing intent, her words carried the weight of death. ¡°We all want to live, don¡¯t we? So let¡¯s compromise a little. I only came to talk with you today.¡± Kwon Hanul stared at her for a moment, then loosened his fist. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re cooperative.¡± ¡°Just answer the question.¡± ¡°...My master.¡± Mei Xiao¡¯s face lost all expression. It became arid, like a desert stripped of moisture. ¡°What was the final fate of the Greatest Sword of Central Plains?¡± The Greatest Sword of Central Plains¡ªMei Rong. Once known as the strongest in the Mei clan. He lost to Kwon Myung-woo during the war between Hyukcheon and the Mei clan. Though it was Kwon Myung-woo who defeated him, the one who delivered the final blow was someone else. It was Kwon Hanul who took Mei Rong¡¯s life. ¡°Do you really need to hear this?¡± Bloodflame Blade Mei Xiao had been Mei Rong¡¯s disciple. According to Mei Hong, Mei Xiao had surpassed her master even while still a student. Yet she chose the path of an Assassin Swordswoman to preserve his honor. That¡¯s how fanatically devoted she was to him. ¡°Yes. I absolutely do.¡± So it was obvious how Mei Xiao felt toward one of her master¡¯s killers¡ªKwon Hanul. ¡°Back then, he suffered heavy injuries fighting Director Kwon Myung-woo. His chest was pierced clean through¡ªhis heart obliterated.¡± He couldn¡¯t have survived. ¡°But to fulfill the Clan Head¡¯s final order of at least killing me, he used an artifact to trap us both in a pocket dimension. Yet in the end, he died by my hand.¡± Kwon Hanul told the truth, though he left out how he did it. Otherwise, he¡¯d have to reveal his Shura Bloodline. ¡°Lies.¡± Mei Xiao immediately rejected it. ¡°Given the gap in power at the time, that¡¯s impossible. Even at death¡¯s door, he wouldn¡¯t have lost. There must¡¯ve been another reason.¡± There was. Hanul had used the Shura King back then. ¡°Mei Rong was overconfident,¡± he said. ¡°That arrogance cost him his life.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie. That can¡¯t be true.¡± ¡°How is it a lie? The fact that I¡¯m still alive proves it.¡± Mei Xiao fell silent. ¡°...So it was really you who killed my master?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You really are his mortal enemy, then.¡± Her expression twisted¡ªsinister and sickly... and oddly delighted. Like a ghost grinning. ¡°Do you know why I haven¡¯t killed you yet?¡± Hanul shook his head. How could he possibly guess? ¡°Because I didn¡¯t want to kill my master¡¯s enemy while he was still a nobody. That would tarnish Mei Rong¡¯s honor.¡± Even after killing Mei Rong, Hanul wasn¡¯t famous. Among gossip circles, he was just someone who rode Kwon Myung-woo¡¯s coattails. He later made a name for himself through other events¡ªbut never enough to match the Greatest Sword of Central Plains. Now, things had changed. ¡°Thanks to the Sky Arena incident, your name is known around the world. People admire you, fear you.¡± Now, Hanul had become worthy of assassination. ¡°That¡¯s why I came today. This isn¡¯t just a hit¡ªit¡¯s revenge for my master and the honor of the Mei clan.¡± With that, Mei Xiao made her declaration. ¡°I¡¯ll come for you again soon. And next time, I¡¯ll take your life.¡± The Mei clan¡¯s greatest assassin. Its finest swordswoman. Declared her intent: She would kill Kwon Hanul. ¡°You think Hyukcheon will just stand by?¡± ¡°Of course not. But it doesn¡¯t matter. No one can stop me.¡± Mei Xiao picked up the sword Mei Hong had dropped. She drew it effortlessly, raising the blue-tinged blade high into the air. A strange energy wrapped around it¡ªpart haze, part smoke. Then the energy changed¡ªcondensing into a solid form that began to shine. Kwon Hudon and Gael Garcia didn¡¯t recognize it. But Hanul did¡ªhe¡¯d wielded it himself before. ¡°...Sword Force.¡± Sword Force¡ª a level beyond sword aura or energy. A devastating technique said to destroy anything it touches. Even the Greatest Sword hadn¡¯t attained it. But now, Mei Xiao had. She swung her sword through the air. The sword force vanished like a snuffed-out flame. ¡°Struggle as much as you like. That will only make my revenge sweeter.¡± She set the sword down and bowed. ¡°Then, let¡¯s meet again.¡± A moment later, her body turned to smoke¡ªand disappeared. Even after she vanished, the tension in Kwon Hanul¡¯s body remained. Hudon and Gael felt the same. ¡°...Ha, Hanul. Let¡¯s ask the Chairman for help,¡± Hudon said bravely. It was the most logical move. Mei Xiao had declared assassination, and now she possessed Sword Force. Hanul had no way to survive. But he had no intention of following Hudon¡¯s suggestion. ¡°Hudon. Could you carry Mei Hong to the sleeping quarters?¡± ¡°Y-yeah.¡± Without argument, Hudon picked up Mei Hong and carried her back inside the ship. ¡°Gael.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your opinion?¡± ¡°I agree with Hudon. We should ask Hyukcheon for aid.¡± So they were of the same mind. Hanul thought so, until¡ª ¡°But I don¡¯t think that¡¯s what you¡¯re planning.¡± Gael gave a surprising answer. ¡°What do you think I¡¯m planning?¡± ¡°You seem angry.¡± That struck Hanul to the core. His lips curled despite himself. ¡°You¡¯re right. It brought back some very unpleasant memories.¡± When he first joined Hyukcheon, everyone had mocked him as the traitor¡¯s son. Not just that¡ªKwon Jiseok, Kwon Chan-seong, even Kwon Mi tried to belittle and suppress him. ¡°How absurd. They strut around so confidently when all they¡¯ve ever done is lose to Hyukcheon.¡± Hanul gritted his teeth. ¡°They must¡¯ve hoped I¡¯d tremble in fear until the moment I died.¡± His rage boiled. His killing intent surged. At that moment, Kwon Hanul made a decision. He would kill Mei Xiao himself. ¡°The Chairman was right.¡± Kwon Seonwoo¡¯s words echoed true. There was no room for complacency. He had to grow stronger¡ªruthlessly so. And to do that, there was one thing he had to secure: An elixir that could raise his abilities to SS-rank. ¡°Gael. I have a favor to ask.¡± ¡°Command me.¡± ¡°Head to the Babel Clan¡¯s ship right now. Give them this message.¡± Hanul handed over the letter he had been keeping close. ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll visit at dawn.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 158 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 158: Mortal Enemies (2) Babel Family¡¯s Vessel. Dahlia Babel was staring intently at her laptop, her expression unusually serious. On the screen, Kwon Hanul was locked in combat with the disciple of the Dragon Slayer. ¡°That¡¯s the True Blood of Hyukcheon...¡± Dahlia replayed the footage several times. Her cold, narrowed eyes even seemed to carry a trace of killing intent. How much time had passed? With a deep sigh, she finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯m jealous.¡± She buried her face in her hands and said it again. ¡°I¡¯m so jealous I could die.¡± Throwing herself onto the bed, she rolled over it, repeating once more, ¡°I¡¯m going crazy with jealousy!¡± Thrashing about on the bed, Dahlia screamed out, ¡°Ugh, why does True Blood only appear in Hyukcheon?! Why not in the Babel family?!¡± To qualify for entry into the Sky Arena, one needed three S-grade stats. That was enough to be considered a powerhouse¡ªbut not on a global scale. The baseline for those known as true world-rankers¡ªTriple Numberings¡ªwas having all stats at S-grade. ¡°How is he that strong?! Is it because of the True Blood? Or did Hyukcheon just raise him that well?!¡± The power Kwon Hanul displayed in the video wasn¡¯t on the level of an average Sky Arena contender. He was closer to a world-ranker¡ªpossibly even near Triple Numbering status. Even more terrifying was the fact that Kwon Hanul clearly wasn¡¯t going all out. ¡°Even Red Dragon Star didn¡¯t work on him. What the hell is he made of?!¡± As the head of the Babel family, the Dragon Slayer was someone she naturally had to be wary of. Yet Kwon Hanul had effortlessly brushed off the Red Dragon Star wielded by his disciple, Mano Stonelight. ¡°Jealous! So jealous!!¡± Dahlia rolled across the bed again. ¡°Lady, may I come in?¡± A voice called from outside¡ªit was Sasha Babel. Dahlia¡¯s face lit up as she got off the bed. At last, someone she could share this jealousy with. ¡°Sasha!¡± Dahlia flung the door open wide. Hugging Sasha around the waist, she shouted, ¡°Sasha! You came at the perfect time! I just watched Kwon Hanul¡¯s video. Can you believe it?! Does any of this make sense?! Why do monsters like that only pop up in Hyukcheon?!¡± She pressed her face repeatedly into Sasha¡¯s stomach. ¡°I¡¯m jealous! So jealous! Why hasn¡¯t True Blood ever appeared in our Babel family?! What are we lacking?! This is so unfair! It¡¯s driving me insane!¡± Then suddenly, Dahlia¡¯s gaze landed on the man standing behind Sasha. The moment she saw his face, her body froze. ¡°...Kwon Hanul?¡± Kwon Hanul averted his gaze slightly, as if he had just witnessed something he shouldn¡¯t have. Dahlia lifted her head to look at Sasha. Sasha¡¯s face was flushed with embarrassment. ¡°Oh my.¡± Dahlia quickly stepped away from Sasha and cleared her throat before addressing Kwon Hanul. ¡°Come on in.¡± * * * ¡°You agreed to fulfill Kwon Hanul¡¯s request in exchange for healing me?¡± As soon as she heard the explanation, Dahlia¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Sasha, don¡¯t tell me¡ªyou told him about my condition?¡± There was anger in Dahlia¡¯s voice. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Someone as smart as you¡ªhow could you do something so reckless?! I¡¯m not letting this go!¡± Sasha bit her lip. ¡°I¡¯m ready for the consequences. But I judged it was worth it.¡± ¡°Worth it?¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul completely erased the Red Dragon Star¡¯s energy from my body.¡± That statement stunned Dahlia. She, of all people, knew how vicious the Red Dragon Star was. Once it infiltrated your body, purging it with mana was nearly impossible. Dahlia turned to Kwon Hanul and asked, ¡°Is that part of the True Blood¡¯s power?¡± ¡°You could say that.¡± Kwon Hanul gave a non-committal answer. At that, Dahlia blurted out without thinking, ¡°...I¡¯m jealous.¡± Kwon Hanul and Sasha looked at her, clearly wondering if they¡¯d misheard. Dahlia quickly corrected herself. ¡°Oh, I misspoke... Just forget I said anything.¡± She forced herself to appear composed. ¡°I understand now why Sasha brought you to me. I assume you¡¯re confident in your abilities if you came here.¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°But once you learn who I really am, you might change your mind.¡± Sasha tried to stop her in a panic. ¡°There¡¯s no need to reveal¡ª¡± ¡°Sasha, that wouldn¡¯t be a fair deal.¡± Dahlia turned to Kwon Hanul. ¡°My name isn¡¯t Alia Davi. It¡¯s Dahlia Babel.¡± The moment he heard her real name, Kwon Hanul¡¯s expression turned rigid. He asked for confirmation. ¡°...Are you the head of the Babel family?¡± ¡°I am. Surprised?¡± ¡°Not really. I already knew you weren¡¯t just anyone.¡± ¡°Healing me won¡¯t benefit Hyukcheon. Are you still willing to stay?¡± Kwon Hanul pondered deeply, then answered, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I came prepared for that.¡± He had known from the beginning that Dahlia was no ordinary person. He was also aware that treating her would be disadvantageous for Hyukcheon. Even so, her status as family head didn¡¯t change his decision. ¡°What I¡¯m asking in return is worth the risk.¡± ¡°And what exactly is it you want?¡± ¡°An SS-grade elixir.¡± This time, it was Dahlia¡¯s expression that stiffened. In today¡¯s world, where Hunters are considered strategic weapons, elixirs that boost stats are immensely valuable. And among them, SS-grade elixirs are so precious they¡¯re almost beyond valuation. ¡°So you¡¯re asking because Hyukcheon doesn¡¯t have one right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave that to your imagination.¡± ¡°Our Babel family does have one SS-grade elixir in the works.¡± It had originally been prepared for Sasha Babel. It wasn¡¯t ready for immediate consumption¡ªit still needed time to be perfected. ¡°If you can really heal me, I won¡¯t withhold it. But honestly, I don¡¯t trust you.¡± Of course, Kwon Hanul wouldn¡¯t be here unless he believed in his own abilities. But Dahlia, as the family head, had met too many people who claimed to be confident¡ªnone of whom had ever managed to cure her. ¡°I understand. But Lady Dahlia, if I treat you and it works, can¡¯t you give me the elixir then?¡± ¡°And how am I supposed to trust you? What if you have some ulterior motive?¡± ¡°Ulterior motive?¡± ¡°Like, targeting my body or something.¡± Cough. Both Kwon Hanul and Sasha coughed in unison. ¡°What? I¡¯m not saying anything outrageous. I¡¯m pretty attractive, right?¡± ¡°Well... you are beautiful.¡± ¡°I knew it!¡± ¡°But Lady Dahlia, I didn¡¯t come here with those intentions.¡± Kwon Hanul¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°If you don¡¯t trust my abilities, I can¡¯t help that. But I don¡¯t want to be misunderstood either.¡± His voice was calm but resolute. Dahlia stared at him for a moment, As if trying to determine whether or not he was telling the truth. Eventually, Dahlia leaned in and whispered to Sasha, ¡°He¡¯s intense.¡± ¡°Lady Dahlia!¡± ¡°Jeez, no need to yell.¡± ¡°This is not the time for that kind of comment!¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying...¡± Dahlia turned her head and grumbled. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll give you a chance. But Sasha has to be present during the treatment.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Kwon Hanul bowed his head. ¡°Then let¡¯s begin right away.¡± * * * There was nothing special required to prepare for Dahlia Babel¡¯s treatment. Instead, it had to be performed as close to her heart as possible to allow direct mana infusion. To meet that condition, Dahlia Babel removed her robe and sat on the bed with her back exposed. ¡°Haa...¡± Dahlia let out a deep sigh. Sasha Babel, watching with concern, asked, ¡°Are you still worried, Lady Dahlia?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just a little nervous about being naked in front of a young man.¡± ¡°...I see.¡± Sasha stepped back with an expression that suggested she¡¯d heard enough. ¡°Then I¡¯ll begin,¡± Kwon Hanul said. He placed both his palms on Dahlia¡¯s back. Since he couldn¡¯t touch her chest, this was the closest point to her heart. Mana began to spread through Dahlia¡¯s body, infused through his palms. <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ is analyzing the subject¡¯s structure.> A detailed anatomical map of Dahlia Babel¡¯s body unfolded in Kwon Hanul¡¯s mind. ¡®It¡¯s gotten much worse than last time.¡¯ When he had seen her at the banquet, there were still faintly open mana channels. Now, every single one of them was completely blocked. Observing the condition of her body, Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but wonder: ¡®Is this really just an illness?¡¯ In general, hunters and disease rarely go hand in hand. The mana within a hunter¡¯s body constantly maintains physical health. And once a hunter gains mana control, most ordinary illnesses can be cured. ¡®There are no signs that her mana resisted the disease.¡¯ Yet in Dahlia¡¯s case, her mana channels were entirely sealed without even a trace of resistance. The mana resting dormant near her heart was evidence of that. ¡®What in the world happened to her?¡¯ But Kwon Hanul chose to set aside his doubts for now. Finding the cause wasn¡¯t as urgent as healing her. First, he wove the mana he had infused into her body into delicate threads. He used those threads to force their way into the largest mana channel. Normally, mana that enters another person¡¯s body is difficult to control. Turning it into threads and navigating their mana pathways was even more difficult. It was a mentally exhausting process¡ªbut for Kwon Hanul, it wasn¡¯t too hard. <¡®Genius Bloodline¡¯ is interpreting the subject¡¯s structure.> Genius Bloodline assisted in the task. It had previously analyzed the structure of relics and even unsealed them. And it had advanced since then¡ªthis level of work was no problem now. ¡®Still, this isn¡¯t easy.¡¯ The mana channels were so dried up that even with Genius Bloodline, the task remained difficult. Only a few minutes had passed, but he had already nearly exhausted his mana. ¡®Guess I have no choice.¡¯ <¡®Dragonheart Bloodline¡¯ is activating!> With the Dragonheart Bloodline activated, his mana surged once again. But Kwon Hanul didn¡¯t use the Dragonheart Bloodline¡¯s mana directly. He filtered it through his own body before injecting it back into Dahlia. If he used it openly, the two women might discover the Dragonheart Bloodline¡¯s existence¡ªand that would be a problem. The mana threads continued burrowing deeper, finally reaching her heart. At that moment, the previously dormant mana within Dahlia¡¯s heart surged out through the narrow channel opened by the threads. ¡°Kh!¡± Dahlia let out a short cry. The backlash had been intense. ¡°Please bear with it a little longer.¡± Kwon Hanul injected more mana, expanding the threads to widen the channel. Then, it happened. A foreign energy suddenly flared up from Dahlia¡¯s body like fire. The curse shot into Kwon Hanul''s body in an instant¡ªand spread throughout. It was as if someone had grabbed a hose full of flowing water¡ªthe mana channels suddenly constricted. Kwon Hanul suffered internal damage from the shock. ¡°...Khak!¡± Blood spurted from his mouth. The curse was vicious. It rapidly took control of his body and began to wreak havoc. At that moment¡ª Magic. The moment Kwon Hanul focused on that word¡ª Genius Bloodline unleashed its mana, tearing the curse apart. The curse didn¡¯t even put up much resistance before it disintegrated. Not only the curse within Kwon Hanul¡¯s body, but the one afflicting Dahlia as well¡ªboth were cleansed completely in an instant. ¡°...Hoo.¡± Kwon Hanul let out a heavy breath and removed his hands from Dahlia¡¯s back. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± He said, then looked at Dahlia¡¯s face. She was staring blankly into space. ¡°Lady Dahlia?¡± Dahlia slowly raised her hand. A faint glow of mana shimmered at her fingertips. The glow soon grew into a substantial orb of mana. When she moved her hand, the mana obediently followed. Sasha Babel clapped both hands over her mouth, as if unwilling to disturb the moment. ¡°...Sasha, do you see this? I can control mana again.¡± Sasha nodded silently. Dahlia¡ª Kwon Hanul took a step back, watching her quietly. As a fellow hunter, he could understand what she was feeling right now. ¡°...Thank you.¡± Sasha bowed deeply to Kwon Hanul. He responded with a faint, wry smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it out of goodwill. I expect compensation¡ªno need for gratitude.¡± * * * After treating Dahlia Babel, Kwon Hanul left promptly. He had received a firm promise: the elixir would be sent to him once it was completed. ¡°Sasha.¡± After he left, Dahlia spoke. ¡°When the elixir is ready, send it to Kwon Hanul immediately.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Sasha¡¯s demeanor had grown even more respectful. Now that Dahlia had regained her power, she was returning to her role as Head of House Babel. ¡°And we need to investigate Kwon Hanul.¡± ¡°...Excuse me?¡± ¡°Just assigning people to watch him won¡¯t be enough. We need a dedicated division.¡± Sasha¡¯s face stiffened at those words. Kwon Hanul had saved Dahlia¡ªyet he was also a potential threat. Dahlia¡¯s cold decisiveness in ordering surveillance without hesitation was striking. ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll focus on identifying his weaknesses in case of¡ª¡± ¡°Huh? What are you talking about?¡± Dahlia blinked in surprise. Sasha was taken aback too. ¡°Didn¡¯t you give that order because you saw him as a danger?¡± ¡°Sasha... Are you really that kind of person? After everything he¡¯s done for me, how could you think like that?¡± Something swelled inside Sasha¡ªindignation? guilt? ¡°Then why give such an order at all?¡± ¡°Kwon Hanul has Dragonheart Bloodline.¡± Sasha¡¯s mind went completely blank. ¡°W-What nonsense are you saying now?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not nonsense. When I regained my mana, I felt it. He definitely has a Dragonheart beating in his chest.¡± Kwon Hanul had tried to hide the Dragonheart Bloodline¡¯s mana¡ªbut not well enough to escape Dahlia¡¯s perception. In terms of pure hunter skill, Dahlia was leagues above him. ¡°There¡¯s only one way a human can possess a Dragonheart Bloodline in this world.¡± Dragonheart Bloodline. Only those of the Babel bloodline could inherit it. ¡°But Lady Dahlia, it¡¯s impossible for someone to possess more than one bloodline¡ª¡± ¡°Then how do you explain the Trueblood awakening?¡± That silenced Sasha. ¡°Sasha, don¡¯t be bound by common sense. Just because it¡¯s never happened before doesn¡¯t mean it can¡¯t.¡± Before the gates opened, no one could¡¯ve imagined the world would change like this either. ¡°Kwon Hanul has both the Black Dragon Bloodline and the Dragonheart Bloodline. If the Black Dragonblood is a Trueblood, maybe the Dragonheart is too. Maybe he even has more bloodlines.¡± ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous...¡± ¡°I told you¡ªnot to be tied down by what you think is possible.¡± Dahlia herself didn¡¯t understand how Kwon Hanul could have both the Black Dragon Bloodline and the Dragonheart Bloodline. ¡°But do you know what I¡¯ve learned after all these years? Never mess with something that lies outside the bounds of common sense.¡± That¡¯s why they had to investigate. To uncover Kwon Hanul¡¯s secrets. ¡°And if he really does have the Dragonheart Bloodline, that means... he could be part of the Babel bloodline.¡± Dahlia¡¯s eyes gleamed with greed. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 159 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 159: The Past (1) It was a Monday afternoon, pouring rain. Though it was still early in the day, dark clouds blanketed the sky, casting the world into gloom. ¡°Please...¡± Her clothes were completely soaked. So was her hair. But Mei Hong didn¡¯t feel cold. That was thanks to the warmth of her mother, who was holding her tightly. ¡°Please... just spare this child.¡± If only her mother had taken shelter from the rain, too. Mei Hong wished so silently¡ªbut it was a futile hope. The ones surrounding her mother wouldn¡¯t allow such a thing. ¡°I beg of you...¡± Figures wearing white masks painted with red demons stood encircling her mother. The Assassins'' Blade Unit. A covert force created by the Mei Clan to eliminate enemies through dishonorable means. Swordsmen who had buried their lives, their honor, and their deaths in the shadows¡ªGhost Blades. ¡°What crime could this child possibly have committed? Please, I beg you...¡± Her mother bowed her head deeply before the Ghost Blades. Her voice trembled with sincerity. If she weren¡¯t holding Mei Hong, she would have fallen prostrate on the ground. ¡°Lady.¡± One of the assassins spoke. From the voice, it was a woman. ¡°No need to be so nervous. We, too, are of Mei Clan blood. Do you truly think we would harm a child of our own lineage?¡± There was something particularly sharp and commanding about her presence. Even young Mei Hong could tell at a glance¡ªthis woman was their leader. ¡°Th-thank you...¡± ¡°But Lady, I do have some doubts. Are you apologizing with full knowledge of your husband¡¯s crimes?¡± ¡°Of... of course I know.¡± ¡°Then please, say it aloud.¡± The woman cut her off coldly. Her mother looked up at her in shock. ¡°What crime your husband committed. How exactly he harmed the clan. Why we¡¯ve been pursuing you. Speak it yourself, in full detail.¡± Her mother¡¯s pupils trembled. Mei Hong gripped the hem of her mother¡¯s clothes tightly. A crime? There was no such thing. Those people¡ªthose who hated her father¡ªhad framed him. ¡°T-that¡¯s...¡± Of course her mother hesitated. They were demanding she confess to crimes her husband never committed. That she, his wife, tarnish his name with her own mouth. ¡°Did you really come to us to apologize without even knowing what his crimes were? What sincerity could there be in such an apology? Even your desire to save your child feels insincere.¡± The woman¡¯s voice grew colder. Her mother, panicked, quickly spoke. ¡°H-he... he misappropriated the clan¡¯s wealth...¡± ¡°Be more specific, please.¡± Her mother¡¯s arms around Mei Hong tightened. ¡°H-he stole artifacts¡ªtreasures meant to be presented to the Clan Head as tribute from conquered dungeons... And then he... he killed a fellow clansman who had caught on...¡± Mei Hong looked up at her mother¡¯s face. She was weeping. Of course she was. Her father wasn¡¯t that kind of man. He was too kind. So honest it was almost foolish. So noble it bordered on nai?ve. He was someone who always got the short end of the stick¡ªyet smiled through it. Everyone loved him. ¡°You¡¯re well informed, Lady. But I can¡¯t help but feel disappointed.¡± The woman leaned down, whispering into her mother¡¯s ear. ¡°You filthy bitch. So you curse your husband, even knowing the truth?¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes widened. The woman sneered at her shocked expression. ¡°I despise women like you the most. A person should have principles. And yet you toss yours away like garbage.¡± ¡°B-but... it was you who...¡± ¡°Then tell me again. Say that your husband did nothing wrong. That everything was a setup. That the entire Mei Clan has been played.¡± Her mother¡¯s pupils shook violently¡ªbut she couldn¡¯t say it. She knew what would happen to Mei Hong if she did. ¡°If you understand his crimes so clearly, then it¡¯s time for punishment.¡± The sneer vanished from the woman¡¯s face. In that moment, a longsword pierced Mei Hong¡¯s mother straight through the heart. ¡°Ah...?¡± The sword was withdrawn. Blood gushed out. Her mother¡¯s arms fell away from Mei Hong¡¯s body. ¡°Guh... khh...¡± Clutching her chest in agony, she tried to stop the bleeding¡ªbut it was no use. The woman didn¡¯t even glance back. She calmly wiped the blood off her sword and spoke icily. ¡°Take the daughter. The First Son has requested her.¡± One of the assassins seized Mei Hong by the wrist. She was dragged away without resistance. ¡°Ah... my baby...¡± Her mother stretched out a blood-soaked hand. But she couldn¡¯t reach Mei Hong, who was being pulled farther away. Even as she was dragged by the assassins, Mei Hong never took her eyes off her mother. Then it happened¡ªsomeone grabbed her chin and forced her to turn away. It was her¡ªthe woman who killed her mother. ¡°Your name was Mei Hong, right?¡± The woman removed her mask. Her sharp, predatory eyes cut like blades. ¡°Not crying, are you? Good. You¡¯ll need that strength. You¡¯re about to start your descent into hell¡ªpaying the price for your parents¡¯ sins.¡± She smiled. Her eyes and lips curved like crescent moons¡ªso twisted and revolting it made Mei Hong sick. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s see how long you can survive.¡± The leader of the Assassins¡¯ Blade Unit¡ªMei Xiao¡ª smiled coldly as she said it. Mei Hong jolted upright in bed, gasping for breath, her body curled tightly under the sheets. ¡°A-are you okay?¡± She turned to see Kwon Hudon¡¯s anxious face beside her. ¡°What... what happened to Mei Xiao?¡± ¡°She left a warning for Hanul... said she¡¯d be back soon to kill him.¡± ¡°What about me?¡± Kwon Hudon fell silent. His eyes wavered. ¡°S-she didn¡¯t say anything...¡± ¡°Please. Just tell me the truth.¡± Normally, she¡¯d say it with a smile¡ªbut right now, she had no room for that. It was all she could do to hold back her exploding rage. ¡°...She didn¡¯t say a word.¡± At that, her mind went blank. A hollowness rose from the depths of her chest. ¡°...Ha.¡± The emptiness turned into a bitter chuckle. ¡°Haha...¡± Mei Hong laughed for a long time. Kwon Hudon could only watch with deep concern. ¡°Hudon oppa... Could I be alone for a bit?¡± ¡°...Yeah.¡± He quietly stepped out. Alone in the room, Mei Hong stared at the blank wall for a long time. ¡°...She didn¡¯t say anything?¡± There was no need to question why. It simply meant¡ªshe was so insignificant, she wasn¡¯t even worth mentioning. ¡°So I¡¯m just that pathetic in her eyes?¡± Fury surged inside her. But she also had to accept it. When Mei Hong faced Mei Xiao... she couldn¡¯t sense a thing. No mana, no aura, no presence¡ªnothing. And that meant only one thing¡ª A gap so vast, it could never be closed. ¡°...I¡¯ll never be able to catch up to her, will I?¡± Despair clouded Mei Hong¡¯s face. * * * It was the night they returned from Babel¡¯s ship. Just as he was about to go to bed, Kwon Hanul received a message from Kwon Seonwoo. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about your father. Come outside.¡± In the end, Kwon Hanul had no choice but to take off his pajamas and change into street clothes. He stepped out onto the deck, but Kwon Seonwoo was nowhere to be seen. All Hanul could do was spend time gazing at the dark sea. Just then, the door leading to the cabin opened, and someone stepped out. ¡°Captain?¡± He thought it was Kwon Seonwoo, but it was Mei Hong. ¡°What brings you out here this late at night?¡± ¡°I was waiting for someone.¡± ¡°Waiting?¡± Mei Hong nodded. A sly smile spread across her face, as if she¡¯d figured everything out. ¡°Were you planning on having a secret rendezvous with Hayun unnie or something?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± ¡°Really? Doesn¡¯t look that way to me. Come on, be honest.¡± ¡°Mei Hong.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t tell anyone else.¡± ¡°Are you okay?¡± Hanul didn¡¯t say much, but Mei Hong¡¯s expression stiffened, as though her true feelings had been exposed. ¡°...Is it that obvious?¡± ¡°It is.¡± Compared to her usual self, she seemed unusually upbeat¡ªbut her eyes were dull. A clear sign that she was suppressing something. ¡°...Mei Xiao is my mother¡¯s enemy.¡± ¡°I know.¡± He¡¯d heard it directly from her the day they recruited her. What Mei Xiao had done to her and her mother. ¡°The only reason I joined your team, Captain, was to kill that woman.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡°I always knew this day would come. After all, you killed the greatest Sword. As his disciple, Mei Xiao was bound to come after you.¡± ¡°That prediction turned out to be spot on.¡± Kwon Hanul tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but Mei Hong¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°But when she actually showed up... I couldn¡¯t do a thing.¡± ¡°Well, that can¡¯t be helped...¡± ¡°I heard it from Hudon oppa. Mei Xiao didn¡¯t even spare me a single glance.¡± Before he realized it, Mei Hong¡¯s fists were clenched tight. Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly. ¡°That¡¯s...¡± He had no idea what kind of words could comfort her. Why hadn¡¯t Mei Xiao acknowledged her at all? Because Mei Hong posed no threat to her. ¡°Being mocked would¡¯ve been better. It would hurt less than being ignored over what happened to my mother.¡± But being dismissed like this¡ªshe couldn¡¯t bear it. ¡°What am I supposed to do now...?¡± What hurt even more was the fact that Mei Hong could feel it in her bones¡ªshe would never surpass Mei Xiao. ¡°What am I supposed to do...?¡± Mei Hong covered her face with both hands. Bent at the waist, she cried. ¡°Mei Hong.¡± Hanul gently took her hands and pulled them away from her face. Her eyes were swollen and red. ¡°You have me.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Why do you say things like that? Why are you giving in to despair? I¡¯m right here, next to you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if I deserve it. You might not want me to, either. But...¡± ¡°Let me carry your resentment. Your vengeance¡ªleave it to me.¡± Mei Hong¡¯s lips parted slightly. But no words came out¡ªher mouth felt frozen. ¡°Will you let me?¡± She slowly nodded. ¡°Then that¡¯s settled.¡± Hanul let go of her hands and said, ¡°Ah, and don¡¯t feel burdened. I¡¯m already a target¡ªMei Xiao is out for my life anyway.¡± He gave her a bright smile. At that, Mei Hong¡¯s expression shifted subtly. ¡°Captain, wait a minute. Don¡¯t tell me... you''re just conveniently helping with my revenge since you have to fight Mei Xiao anyway?¡± ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡± Mei Hong glared at him sharply. Her eyes were filled with pure, unfiltered resentment¡ªenough to make Hanul flinch. ¡°Uh... should I not?¡± She let out a deep sigh. ¡°I¡¯m the idiot.¡± ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m going back in.¡± She yanked open the cabin door and disappeared inside. Left alone, Hanul stood there, blank-faced. ¡°So you¡¯re finally done.¡± Hanul spun around, startled. At some point, Kwon Seonwoo had appeared beside him. ¡°When did you get here? I didn¡¯t sense anything at all.¡± ¡°You think a brat like you could sense me?¡± Hanul grumbled internally, ¡°Did you really have to say it like that?¡± ¡°That girl... Mei Hong, was it? Seems like she¡¯s holding in a lot.¡± ¡°It appears so.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make Hayun cry.¡± A completely out-of-the-blue statement. Hanul frowned and looked at him. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°You seem close with that girl.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it good to have a close relationship with your teammates?¡± Kwon Seonwoo gave him a look of utter exasperation. ¡°Tsk, tsk.¡± ¡°What is it now?¡± ¡°Forget it. You wouldn¡¯t understand even if I told you.¡± As if it wasn¡¯t even worth explaining, Seonwoo turned his head away. ¡°Aren¡¯t you angry?¡± ¡°About what?¡± ¡°Mei Xiao. She came and went, didn¡¯t she?¡± Currently, Mei Xiao was being hunted for her attack on Hyukcheon¡¯s elite forces. Despite that, she had appeared right before Seonwoo¡¯s eyes. Hanul had expected him to fly into a rage. ¡°It¡¯s certainly not a good feeling.¡± Seonwoo stroked his chin as he spoke. ¡°If it were up to me, I¡¯d chase her down and rip her to shreds. But... judging from the report you submitted, you¡¯ve sharpened your fangs quite well.¡± Despite claiming to be exhausted, she had eluded Seonwoo¡¯s perception¡ªand even completed geomgang. Geomgang is the pinnacle of swordsmanship, a skill possessed only by absolute masters. Throughout the long history of hunters, those who perfected it were few and far between. There might be fewer than five people in the entire world who could stand against Mei Xiao now. ¡°We¡¯ll have to raise her threat level. I should inform Myung-woo ahead of time.¡± Which is why even Kwon Seonwoo couldn¡¯t move carelessly. ¡°Enough talk about that woman. We¡¯ve got our own business to deal with.¡± At those words, Hanul nodded and asked, ¡°Please, tell me about my father¡ªas promised.¡± Seonwoo slowly walked over to the railing. Placing both hands on it, he let the night breeze wash over him. ¡°Yes, I should tell you. I did promise.¡± He gazed out at the dark sea. Hanul waited silently, thinking he might need a moment to gather himself. ¡°But just telling you... wouldn¡¯t be any fun.¡± Seonwoo said this out of nowhere. The next instant, his body vanished. A chill ran down Hanul¡¯s spine. He spun around, crossing his arms in defense. A straight palm strike slammed into his forearms. His body shook as he was pushed backward. ¡°What the hell¡ª?!¡± He didn¡¯t even get to finish the sentence. Seonwoo was already upon him, striking with the edge of his hand. Hanul whipped his head to the side. Seonwoo¡¯s fingers grazed his nape. It felt like he¡¯d been sliced with a blade¡ªhis neck split open and blood poured out. Clutching his throat, Hanul retreated. ¡°Not bad. Quick reflexes.¡± ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I say just telling you would be boring?¡± Seonwoo flicked the blood off his fingers as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll watch your skills. For every attack you endure¡ªI''ll tell you something about your father.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 160 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 160: The Past (2) That damned old man. Kwon Hanul cursed inwardly. Then Kwon Seonwoo spoke to him. "What''s wrong? You look unsure of yourself. I''m not asking you to lay a hand on me¡ªjust to endure. Are you saying you can''t even do that?" He added with a resigned tone, "I won¡¯t use mana or any skills. I¡¯ll also restrict my physical abilities to match yours exactly." The moment he said that, Hanul¡¯s brow twitched. "You¡¯re free to go all out. Don¡¯t hold back your strength. I don¡¯t care if you destroy this ship. Are these terms acceptable?" Even before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Hanul''s presence surged forward like a storm. "Getting snippy just because I¡¯m going easy on you? What an arrogant brat." But contrary to his words, a smirk tugged at the corners of Seonwoo¡¯s lips. "Yes, that¡¯s the Hyukcheon I know." "You¡¯ll be hurt if you''re not careful." "You little punk. Come at me, then." Seonwoo flicked his fingers. Hanul charged forward without hesitation. Hanul saw the world differently than others. The bloodlines he possessed each granted unique abilities: The Shura Bloodline gifted him with talent in martial arts. The Genius Bloodline expanded his cognitive capacity. The Black Dragon Bloodline endowed him with the instincts of a dragon. With these three bloodlines combined, Hanul had developed a nearly prophetic ability to read and predict an opponent''s movements. Seonwoo had declared that he wouldn¡¯t use mana or skills, and would match Hanul''s physical prowess exactly. That meant he intended to fight using technique alone. And that meant... Hanul couldn¡¯t possibly lose. "You better not get mad after I land a hit." "You talk too much." Hanul lunged straight at Seonwoo and threw a punch at his face without hesitation. It was a sudden strike, but Seonwoo deflected it with the back of his hand. That, however, had been Hanul¡¯s aim all along. As fist and hand clashed, Seonwoo¡¯s vision was momentarily obscured. Hanul seized the moment and launched a kick toward his abdomen. But just before impact, Seonwoo brought his palm down, knocking the kick off course. The foot veered past Seonwoo''s midsection, aimed instead below it¡ªguided by the same hand that had deflected Hanul¡¯s punch. "Is that all you''ve got?" "Of course not." Hanul kicked off the ground and raised his leg high. Determined to break through Seonwoo¡¯s defense, he slammed his heel downward. In that moment, Seonwoo caught the descending heel with his palm. The strike slipped aside and smashed into the ground next to Seonwoo. Hanul stared at his heel buried in the floor, stunned. "Pathetic." Hanul gritted his teeth and unleashed a flurry of attacks. Yet Seonwoo fended off every blow with just one hand. ¡®This is insane.¡¯ Hanul was shocked. He was being completely overwhelmed in terms of technique. He couldn¡¯t even match one of Seonwoo¡¯s hands with both of his own. "What¡¯s the matter?" Seonwoo spoke. Despite the prolonged fight, he was standing in the exact same spot, completely unshaken. "Already tired?" In contrast, Hanul was gasping for breath. He had just unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks. "...How are you blocking everything?" Hanul possessed multiple bloodlines that allowed him to read his opponents almost as if he could see the future. Yet none of it worked on Seonwoo. "A simple answer." Seonwoo replied nonchalantly. "You''re just not as skilled as I am." Hanul let out a hollow laugh. It was unbelievable¡ªbut at the same time, it made sense. Kwon Seonwoo was considered the strongest in East Asia¡ªpossibly even the world. It was only natural that there would be this kind of gap between them. "If you¡¯re frustrated, why not use mana and skills?" "I don¡¯t want to." "And why not?" "Because it would hurt my pride." At Hanul¡¯s honest reply, Seonwoo burst into hearty laughter. "Such confidence. But that means you¡¯ll lose to me just like this." "Even so, Chairman, I doubt you could¡ª" In that instant, Seonwoo launched off the ground. In a flash, he closed the distance and slammed his elbow into Hanul¡¯s solar plexus. It was an unexpected attack. Hanul had let his guard down and didn¡¯t have time to react. The elbow struck cleanly, sending Hanul flying backward. It was a textbook-perfect blow. "Hmph." But Seonwoo didn¡¯t look entirely satisfied. Something felt off. As expected, Hanul rose back to his feet almost immediately. "Heh." Seonwoo looked almost amused. "I thought that would finish you off... Didn¡¯t expect you to ride the blow like that." Hanul hadn¡¯t endured the hit head-on. He instinctively knew he couldn¡¯t. So instead, he threw his body backward¡ªto let the force flow through him and lessen the damage. "One hit." Hanul rubbed his solar plexus. "I endured one hit." ¡®So now... tell me about my father.¡¯ Seonwoo accepted the unspoken demand. "Have you ever heard how the next head of Hyukcheon is chosen?" Hanul shook his head. He¡¯d never heard such information before. "To become the head, one must prove their worth. Whether they¡¯re from the main line or a branch family doesn¡¯t matter. As long as they prove themselves, anyone can claim the position." This was because Hyukcheon¡¯s bloodline was that of the Black Dragon. Purebloods emerged in both direct and collateral lines. There was no need to insist on the main family alone. "Even if none of the direct line proves worthy, the current head must not interfere. The position cannot be given to someone undeserving." The strong claim everything. This was a core belief known to all in the Hyukcheon clan¡ªand direct descendants were no exception. "Do you know the best way to prove worth? Competition." It wasn¡¯t an unfamiliar idea. It was the same belief Seonwoo always preached¡ªthat value must be proven. "From the moment they¡¯re born, direct descendants of Hyukcheon must compete. They must prove they¡¯re superior to their siblings. Even when compared to the branch families, they must show they are the greatest." Then¡ª Seonwoo looked directly at Hanul. "What do you think happens to direct descendants who lose in that competition?" "They die?" "Those who lose... lose their lives." It was a chilling statement. In other words, family was pitted against family, and only the survivor could become the clan head. "I rose to this position through that very competition. My father¡ªhe loved women far too much. I had to fight against more than a dozen siblings." "Did you fight Granduncle Kwon Myung-woo too?" "Myung-woo submitted to me from the beginning. He declared himself my retainer, saying he would give his life to see me become the clan head." It was hard to believe. That someone as proud as Kwon Myung-woo would submit so easily. "But the others weren¡¯t like that. They didn¡¯t want to miss their chance. So Myung-woo and I... we killed our brothers with our own hands." Of the dozens of siblings, only two remained. It wasn¡¯t hard to imagine just how much blood was on Seonwoo¡¯s hands. "And so I became the clan head. Then came the time for me to think about my successor." Seonwoo looked up at the distant sky. "My father... Yes, he was a womanizer. But his intent was to produce as many children as possible to force them into competition¡ªand forge a worthy successor. I, however, thought differently." He believed that he didn¡¯t need that many children to produce the perfect heir. "I had only three. Kwon Hyuk, Kwon Cheon, and Kwon Mi. Mi was born late, so I had to wait to assess her qualifications. But your uncle and your father were different." Kwon Hyuk was already grown. Kwon Cheon was younger, but still an adult. Seonwoo wanted to assess their worth. "Hyuk met my expectations. He was everything I hoped for. But your father... Kwon Cheon, was not." Kwon Cheon had great talent¡ªeven among purebloods, he stood out. But he had a fatal flaw. "He was too soft. He had no ambition to become the head. He was content simply supporting his older brother." "Like Grandpa... and Uncle Myung-woo?" "No. That¡¯s not it." Seonwoo immediately denied it. "Myung-woo had ambition. He realized early on that he could never surpass me, and sought another way to rise to the top. That¡¯s why he became my retainer." But Kwon Cheon wasn¡¯t like that. He had no ambition, no desire. "He simply didn¡¯t care. That¡¯s why he supported his brother." There was anger in Seonwoo¡¯s voice. "No desire to be the head? For someone born into Hyukcheon to say such a thing?" From Seonwoo¡¯s perspective, it was utterly unacceptable. "Fine. If he didn¡¯t want to be the head, I could accept that. But he should have at least served as a stepping stone." At the word "stepping stone," Hanul¡¯s face hardened. "I dragged your father out. At the very least, he could have pushed Hyuk further¡ªserved as a tool to stimulate him. But he couldn¡¯t even do that." "So then..." Hanul finally spoke, his throat dry. "Did you sentence my father to death?" "Yes." Seonwoo answered without hesitation. "He escaped, so the execution was never carried out." A long silence followed. Hanul and Seonwoo stared at each other, saying nothing. "The story¡¯s over." Seonwoo spread his arms. "So what now? Will you avenge your father here and now?" Having suppressed all his mana, Seonwoo was completely unguarded. If Hanul wanted to, he could kill him right then and there. "No." But Hanul lowered his fists. "Do you take me for a fool? If I attacked you here, the entire Hyukcheon Group would turn against me." The outcome was already clear. What kind of choice was that? "If I handed over the clan head position to you right now¡ª" Seonwoo added, "You could kill me without making an enemy of Hyukcheon. So what will you do?" He asked again, "Will you kill me to avenge your father?" Hanul studied Seonwoo¡¯s face. He wondered if this was all just a test. But when he saw the heavy darkness in Seonwoo¡¯s eyes, that doubt vanished. Seonwoo wasn¡¯t testing him. He was asking¡ªgenuinely. "I won¡¯t." Hanul answered sincerely. "Is that truly how you feel?" "Yes. It is." Hanul scratched his head. "Honestly... I don¡¯t feel much of anything." He had never even seen his father¡¯s face. He felt no attachment to him. Why would he seek revenge? "I¡¯m not going to risk everything for a man I don¡¯t even remember." Hanul said it without hesitation. "...Words have power." Seonwoo spoke again. "What you say may one day come back to stab you like a knife." He turned and began walking toward the cabin. "That¡¯s why you should always be careful with your words." [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 161 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 161: Bound for Japan (1) "Ah, Hanul, is that you?" It was around dusk. Kwon Myung-woo held his smartphone while gazing at the sky tinged with the setting sun. "I heard the news. You were nearly ambushed by that Mei Xiao woman, huh? What a disgraceful mess." He scratched his cheek, an expression of discomfort clear on his face. "When I was scouring the city looking for her, she didn¡¯t show a trace¡ªonly to show up in a place like that... My brother must¡¯ve gone ballistic." Kwon Myung-woo was in the middle of carrying out an order: to eliminate Mei Xiao and the remnants of the Mei clan. Yet Mei Xiao had brazenly appeared where Kwon Seonwoo¡ªMyung-woo¡¯s older brother¡ªwas. Not only was Myung-woo¡¯s credibility severely damaged, he had no excuse if Seonwoo decided to reprimand him. "Anyway... I heard you¡¯re flying to Japan today. It¡¯s for the Rebirth Procedure, right? You lucky bastard. You get to experience something I never did." Myung-woo chuckled heartily. The Rebirth Procedure¡ªhow rare was that? Even some of the world¡¯s most powerful Hunters hadn¡¯t undergone it. That Hanul had earned the right to such an extraordinary procedure was something to be celebrated. "It¡¯s a great opportunity, sure, but I¡¯m still worried about Mei Xiao and what she might try. Honestly, I¡¯d guard you myself during the operation if I could..." But Myung-woo had obligations. There were still remnants of the Mei clan scattered around. "So, I¡¯ve made arrangements ahead of time. What kind of arrangements? You¡¯ll find out once you arrive in Japan." With a cryptic smile, he ended the call. Then, he slowly turned around. A man, battered and bruised, came into view¡ªrestrained by members of the Hyukcheon Corps. His limbs were bound and even his mouth was gagged. "Alright. Let him go." The moment he spoke, the unit members loosened their grip. Though physically freed, the man made no move to flee¡ªhis body was too broken to run. "Sorry about earlier. I had a call to take, but you were making too much noise." "You sons of bitches!" The man spat venomous curses. Vile words filled the air, but no one paid him any mind. "Mei Liu." Myung-woo looked down at the man. "I was genuinely surprised. While we were skirmishing with your Flower Blade Squadron, your leader Mei Xiao was off somewhere else. She played us good." At the very moment Hanul was encountering Mei Xiao, Myung-woo had gathered intel on the Flower Blade Squadron and was pursuing them across a foreign land. They eventually clashed. The result? Not worth mentioning¡ªit was decisive. "What¡¯s her game? What could¡¯ve been worth using your squad as bait for a stunt like this?" "You think I¡¯d answer your damned questions?" Mei Liu spat at the ground. Myung-woo simply nodded. "Yeah, of course you wouldn¡¯t. Even after hours of torture, you kept your mouth shut." The reason Mei Liu was still alive¡ªunlike the rest of the Flower Blade Squadron¡ªwas because Myung-woo believed he still had some use. "Your Hyukcheon won¡¯t last much longer! When the end comes, the Mei clan will lead the charge to wipe your arrogant bloodline off the map!" Mei Liu¡¯s eyes blazed as he screamed. Myung-woo, unfazed, raised an eyebrow. "I don¡¯t get it." He stroked his chin and said, almost thoughtfully, "I appreciate the concern, really¡ªbut shouldn¡¯t you be worrying about your own family first?" "...What?" A look of alarm crossed Mei Liu¡¯s face. Just then, a group of people ran over from the distance. Their appearance stood out. Unlike the uniformly outfitted Hyukcheon Corps, these newcomers wore mismatched clothing and wielded various weapons. "Sir!" The man in front bowed his head, and the rest followed. "The Iron Corps reporting back." "Good work. What¡¯s the status?" "Sir. We located around thirty Mei clan blood relatives at the northern base of the mountain. All were non-combatants." Mei Liu¡¯s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "H-How did you find them...?" "You¡¯ve underestimated Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence network. We already knew some of the Mei clan¡¯s bloodline were hiding in this area." While Myung-woo and the others had been engaged in battle, the Iron Corps had scoured the region¡ªflushing out the hidden members of the Mei family. "Take the Iron Corps and kill them all." Myung-woo spoke without hesitation. Mei Liu¡¯s face turned to stone. "K-Kwon Myung-woo! What the hell are you saying?! Is this the conduct of an elite clan like Hyukcheon?!" "Hyukcheon shows no mercy to enemies¡ªnot even to women or children." "KWON MYUNG-WOO!" Mei Liu shrieked. But Myung-woo didn¡¯t even blink. "Want to save your family? Then tell us where the rest of your clan is hiding." The group discovered earlier was just a fraction. The rest of the Mei bloodline was scattered across various locations, barely clinging to life. "Bite me." Mei Liu snarled, face twisted with fury. Myung-woo let out a dry laugh. "Seems like your pride in the clan outweighs your love for your family. So be it." He gave a signal with his eyes. One of the Hyukcheon soldiers drew his blade and sliced off Mei Liu¡¯s head in a clean motion. Blood pooled onto the ground. "Director, was that really your order?" The Iron Corps¡¯s captain, Gu Eon, asked. Myung-woo looked displeased. "Why are you asking too? Of course not." "I thought so." "I just wanted to see if we could crack him with a bluff." Even as ruthless as Hyukcheon was, there was a line. Enemies or not, they weren¡¯t monsters who would massacre civilians. "Even if I gave that kind of order, I wouldn¡¯t assign it to the Iron Corps." He glanced at the soldiers behind Gu Eon. The Iron Corps was created within Hyukcheon to dispose of internal threats¡ªan expendable force made up of irredeemable scum. There wasn¡¯t a single sane member among them. Giving them such an order would be unthinkable. In fact, when Myung-woo retracted his command, the Iron Corps looked visibly disappointed. "The Hyukcheon Corps will escort the Mei clan members to headquarters." "Yes, sir!" "The Iron Corps will proceed ahead and continue pursuing the Mei clan." After issuing his commands, Myung-woo departed with the Hyukcheon Unit toward the captured Mei clan members. Once he was gone, Gu Eon addressed his men. "Iron Corps¡ªlisten up. We¡¯re heading to Nepal." The groans came immediately. "Captain, Nepal? That¡¯s a hell of a hike." "Can¡¯t we take a break already? I¡¯m dead tired." Gu Eon silently let them vent, then opened his mouth. "Anyone who wants a break¡ªstep forward. I¡¯ll bury you right here and now." Silence fell like a hammer. He glared at them, voice like ice. "Don¡¯t get it twisted, you filthy maggots. You¡¯re in no position to make demands." The oppressive aura in his voice crushed the group. Some of them audibly swallowed. "Hyukcheon only wants one thing from you¡ªdie completing your mission. Got it?" The Iron Corps slowly nodded. Only then did Gu Eon let the pressure drop. "Bae Cheol-min." "Sir." "I¡¯ll guide the Hyukcheon Unit. In the meantime, monitor the Iron Corps. If even a whiff of disobedience surfaces, eliminate the source immediately." "Understood." The steel warrior known as Bae Cheol-min lowered his head. Kwon Eon left to oversee the Hyukcheon Corps. Only after he disappeared did Bae Cheol-min raise his head. ¡°Ridiculous.¡± When he lifted his head, his expression was no longer submissive as before. It was filled with hatred. ¡°To think the bloodline of Hyukcheon would pretend to be merciful.¡± Bae Cheol-min clenched his teeth. The clan he belonged to had fallen into slavery under the pretense of helping the criminals of Hyukcheon. Hearing such nonsense in that situation made his stomach churn. ¡°You trash.¡± Bae Cheol-min said as he turned toward Gang Cheol-dae. ¡°Did you hear what that bastard said? Shut your mouth and stay quiet.¡± * * * After the call ended, Kwon Hanul put down his smartphone. ¡°Was that a call from Director Kwon Myung-woo?¡± Joo Hayun asked, pausing from arranging tea leaves. Kwon Hanul nodded. ¡°Yes. It seems the Mei Xiao matter was troubling him a lot.¡± ¡°He must have been very angry.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t show it openly, but...¡± Kwon Hanul trailed off. It was obvious without seeing it. ¡°By the way, I didn¡¯t expect to be visiting Japan so soon.¡± At that moment, Kwon Hanul was sitting inside an airplane. The destination was Japan. Originally, he thought it would take more time. There were many materials needed for the Rebirth Procedure, and Takamine Hospital would also need time to prepare for the procedure. But contrary to his expectations, the Hyukcheon family actively stepped forward, allowing the procedure date to be moved up significantly. ¡®That old man, anyway...¡¯ Suddenly, Kwon Hanul recalled a conversation he had with Kwon Seonwoo the other day. On a dark night, on a ship, Kwon Seonwoo had told him everything about their father¡¯s death. ¡°He said they forced Father, who had no interest in becoming clan head, to take a test.¡± And when his Father failed to meet the standard, they sentenced him to death. The more Hanul thought about it, the more absurd and outrageous it seemed. Even more ridiculous was that Kwon Seonwoo asked Hanul if he intended to take revenge. ¡®Of course not.¡¯ Even thinking about it, it was too much, but there was nothing he could do. Hanul wasn¡¯t the emotional type to get angry over a father he never even knew. ¡°More than anything, there were too many suspicious points to just accept it as is.¡± A long time ago, Hanul had ordered the Iron Fang guild master to investigate his father. How they found out about this was unknown, but the Hyukcheon intelligence bureau had come to the Iron Fang guild master. They handed over information and threatened him to keep it secret from Hanul. The information provided by Hyukcheon¡¯s intelligence bureau contained everything Kwon Seonwoo had said, word for word. ¡°The problem is the person who sent that agent was the chairman himself.¡± If what the chairman said was true, why did he use such a troublesome method? ¡°Also, there was never any mention of Kwon Hyuk.¡± There was no way that sinister and cruel man competed fairly. But the chairman never said anything about Kwon Hyuk. ¡°This is a headache.¡± Hanul hated these troublesome matters. But he hated being dragged along without knowing the truth even more. ¡°What are you so deep in thought about?¡± Joo Hayun asked as she put tea leaves into the teapot. Since he couldn¡¯t exactly call the chairman ¡°that old man¡± out loud, he gave a vague answer. ¡°I was thinking about the Rebirth.¡± Rebirth. As the name suggests, it is a phenomenon that completely changes the body¡ªthe vessel of the flesh. It¡¯s not just a simple improvement of physical ability. Experiencing Rebirth is said to change the very foundation of a living being. He had heard that the combat power gained through Rebirth increased several times over the original. ¡°I once looked into Rebirth briefly.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Fortunately, the intelligence bureau had data on it. It is commonly known that Rebirth drastically enhances physical combat ability, but...¡± Joo Hayun checked the temperature of the teapot with a thermometer and added, ¡°In fact, that is a very minor aspect. The greatest benefit of Rebirth is said to be that it fills in one¡¯s deficiencies.¡± ¡°Deficiencies?¡± ¡°That varies with each hunter who experiences Rebirth, so it¡¯s hard to define precisely.¡± Even Hyukcheon¡¯s thorough intelligence bureau couldn¡¯t give a clear conclusion. That meant Rebirth was a mysterious and rare phenomenon. ¡°Hudon oppa! Behind you! Behind! It¡¯s behind you!¡± ¡°Behind? Ah, aghhh!¡± ¡°Gael! Bush check! If you don¡¯t do a bush check, you get stunned first!¡± ¡°Okay, got it. I¡¯ll remember from now on.¡± Suddenly, the seat next to them got noisy. Kwon Hanul and Joo Hayun glanced over. Mei Hong was holding onto Kwon Hudon and Gael Garcia, playing a game. All three had gamepads in their hands. ¡°Hudon oppa! Charge! Gael¡¯s using Seon-gung!¡± It was the same cheerful tone as usual. But Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t shake his anxiety. Because the night he met Mei Xiao, Mei Hong¡¯s behavior had been unusual. ¡°Hudon oppa! Don¡¯t die!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m done here... At least the two of you survive.¡± ¡°Hmm, bush check... bush check...¡± Unaware or ignoring Hanul¡¯s concern, Mei Hong was completely immersed in the game. The plane safely arrived in Japan. Kwon Hanul got off the private jet with his party. Thanks to the reputation of Hyukcheon, they skipped all the annoying cargo inspections. They were about to leave the airport. ¡°Ah! I found you!¡± A woman came running from afar. Judging it was dangerous, the group gathered protectively around Kwon Hanul. ¡°Wow, Kwon Hanul? Well, the title doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s been a while. You¡¯ve changed a lot. Strange, you must not have raised your stats by participating in the Sky Arena.¡± The woman kept talking nonstop. Kwon Hanul frowned and asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know me? Oh, maybe you haven¡¯t seen me in person.¡± Without hesitation, the woman opened her jacket wide. On her inner clothes was a familiar emblem. ¡°I¡¯m Alexander Aaron from Black Sharp Squad.¡± The party¡¯s eyes widened. They didn¡¯t know Alexander Aaron, but if it was Black Sharp Squad, then... ¡°Did Aunt send you?¡± ¡°Rather than saying she sent me... ah, come with me first.¡± Alexander Aaron gestured. Kwon Hanul and his group followed her outside. In the distance, a security vehicle they had prepared in advance was waiting. ¡°Long time no see.¡± And next to it stood Kwon Mi. ¡°Mom?¡± Kwon Hudon said in surprise. Kwon Mi smiled and hugged him. ¡°My son. It¡¯s been a while.¡± She released Kwon Hudon and then spoke to Kwon Hanul. ¡°By order of Director Kwon Myung-woo, I will be protecting you for the time being.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 162 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 162: Journey to Japan (2) ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come, Aunt.¡± Inside the car heading to Takamine Hospital, Kwon Hanul spoke first. ¡°Consider it an honor. I put everything aside and came just for you.¡± Kwon Mi, sitting across from him with her arms crossed, said. The interior space was spacious enough that the seats faced each other. ¡°I thought I¡¯d get to see Hudon more often as well... But why exactly did you want a private meeting?¡± Kwon Mi spoke in a slightly scolding tone. Before getting into the car, Kwon Hanul wanted to ride with Kwon Mi alone. There were questions he wanted to ask. ¡°I heard from the Chairman about my father.¡± At those words, Kwon Mi¡¯s expression briefly stiffened. ¡°...Whatever my father said?¡± Kwon Hanul relayed everything he had heard from the chairman, without leaving anything out. Then he asked, ¡°Is it all true?¡± ¡°Probably.¡± Probably? A look of puzzlement crossed Hanul¡¯s face. ¡°At the time, I was young. Too young to participate in the competition. So I only heard rumors about your father from afar.¡± ¡°What kind of rumors were they?¡± ¡°Just as you said. Cheon oppa failed, and my father was furious. A few days later, he was sentenced to death.¡± Kwon Mi looked out the window, as if trying to recall. ¡°After that, did you also enter the competition, Aunt?¡± She shook her head. ¡°No. I wanted to fight Hyuk oppa and prove my worth, but Father didn¡¯t allow anything.¡± Instead, they started assigning value in other ways¡ªmuch safer and limited methods than during the Kwon Cheon era. ¡°At that time, Father... how should I put it? It was like he had no soul.¡± Hanul stayed silent and just listened. Finally, he asked, ¡°What kind of person was my father?¡± ¡°He wasn¡¯t like the typical Hyukcheon.¡± ¡°Is that a bad thing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good thing. He didn¡¯t show pride, always careful with his words...¡± Surprisingly, a positive evaluation came from Kwon Mi. ¡°I liked your father,¡± Suddenly, Kwon Mi said. ¡°Cheon oppa was different from Hyuk oppa. He had a calm presence. When he was around, you could feel he cared. Yes, he was really like an older brother.¡± Most people have family. They live feeling that bond. But Hyukcheon, especially the head family¡¯s direct line, can¡¯t feel that. They are born destined to fight each other. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean he was weak. He was very responsible. In that way, he truly was a Hyukcheon¡¯s descendant.¡± Kwon Mi¡¯s face softened as she spoke of Kwon Cheon. ¡°So I couldn¡¯t believe it¡ªyour father running away from the family. Back then, I was deeply disappointed. If you¡¯re a Hyukcheon blood relative, you should find a way to clear your name. You can¡¯t just run away like that.¡± Kwon Mi sighed softly. ¡°...That¡¯s why when you returned to the group, I didn¡¯t like it.¡± Her disappointment in family turned to anger. And that anger focused on Kwon Hanul. ¡°I have no intention of apologizing to you. But if you intend to challenge the headship... I will support you.¡± At those words, Hanul could only give a bitter smile. ¡°I feel like everyone thinks I owe them because of my father.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a debt...¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really care, though.¡± That was what he had told the Chairman the other day. ¡°After all, I don¡¯t even remember my father or mother¡¯s faces.¡± So when people show regret, it¡¯s hard to empathize. ¡°But I¡¯ll gratefully accept help.¡± Hanul offered his hand. Kwon Mi frowned. ¡°When did you ever ask an elder for a handshake like this?¡± Still, she took his hand. * * * The group arrived at Takamine Hospital without incident. ¡°Well then, we¡¯ll inspect the hospital surroundings. You can come along.¡± Kwon Mi left with Black Sharp Squad and Dark Shade Unit. Meanwhile, Hanul met separately with Takamine Ryoko. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± Takamine Ryoko guided Hanul inside the hospital to explain the Rebirth procedure. ¡°You only come at times like this? That¡¯s harsh.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been too busy.¡± ¡°Oh, right. I heard a lot from various places. It was incredible.¡± Walking down the corridor, Takamine Ryoko chattered excitedly, clearly glad to see Hanul. ¡°I watched the live broadcast, too.¡± ¡°What broadcast?¡± ¡°When you declared your true bloodline. Wow, I never imagined the person who saved me would be true blood...¡± Takamine¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Can I take some blood later?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t help even if you do...¡± Though called ¡°true blood,¡± there¡¯s nothing physically in the blood itself. Bloodline exists as a power. ¡°I talked too much. There¡¯s something more urgent.¡± She quickly changed the subject as if embarrassed. ¡°How much do you know about the Rebirth procedure?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard the term but don¡¯t know the details.¡± ¡°Simply put, it¡¯s like melting down an iron puppet, then adding other metals to reshape it.¡± A grim explanation. ¡°The method is simple. Combining five S-grade elixirs creates a deadly poison that melts the body. Then, fifteen herbs are added so internal organs and bones can mix well...¡± The more Takamine Ryoko explained, the more Hanul cringed. ¡°If done wrong, people can die. They say many died in the early days.¡± ¡°...¡± Hanul didn¡¯t ask for more details. ¡°Is it really possible to Rebirth this way?¡± ¡°Not by this alone.¡± Takamine Ryoko stopped walking. They were in a strange room with tangled wires everywhere. It looked more like a data center than a medical room. ¡°Can you look at this?¡± Ryoko pointed to the center of the room. Among the modern machines lay an old stone coffin. ¡°At Takamine Hospital, we specialize in treating hunters using relics.¡± Hanul had heard this often, which gave the hospital its reputation as a hunter-specialized clinic. ¡°Among many relics, one that Takamine Hospital prides itself on is this. It¡¯s called the ¡®Coffin of Mutual Life¡¯. Like hypnotized, Hanul approached the coffin and placed his palm on it. Just touching it sent a tingling sensation through his skin from the energy radiating. ¡°It¡¯s a rare relic that sustains the life of the person inside. It¡¯s necessary for the Rebirth procedure.¡± Examining the coffin, Hanul realized, ¡°...The durability is almost completely worn out.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s still enough for one procedure.¡± That meant the coffin would be destroyed after this one use. No chance for a second Rebirth. ¡°May I have that one procedure... for me?¡± ¡°If you say it like that, I¡¯d be disappointed. You saved my life and helped me regain control of this hospital.¡± Takamine Ryoko smiled. ¡°Considering that, it¡¯s actually a bargain.¡± Hanul thought for a moment and said, ¡°Please take care of it.¡± * * * While Hanul met with Takamine Ryoko, Kwon Mi faced the Dark Shade Unit. ¡°Do you know why I called you all here separately?¡± Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, and Gael Garcia looked at each other, unsure. ¡°I was glad to see Hudon after a long time... No, that¡¯s not it.¡± Kwon Mi cleared her throat and said again. ¡°Let me be frank. Compared to Hanul, you three are too weak.¡± After saying that, she looked at their faces. Surprisingly, all accepted it. They clearly understood their position. Kwon Mi thought highly of them internally. ¡°Your physical power is lacking, not to mention knowledge and experience. So I called you here to watch and learn from Black Sharp Squad.¡± ¡°I have a question.¡± Then Gael Garcia raised his hand. Kwon Mi pointed at him. ¡°Ask.¡± ¡°By watching and learning from Black Sharp Squad, can we assist the captain?¡± Hmm. Kwon Mi admired internally. Their abilities might be lacking, but their attitude was right. Hanul already had promising talents around him. ¡°Impossible.¡± But that was that. ¡°Compared to Hanul¡¯s power, you won¡¯t be of any help.¡± Hanul had defeated formidable opponents even before entering the Sky Arena. No one, not even Kwon Mi, could predict how strong he would become after Rebirth. ¡°Then what should we do?¡± ¡°Work hard.¡± ¡°If the captain were in danger right now?¡± Kwon Mi had to admire again. What a steadfast person. Her nephew seemed to be blessed. ¡°If the enemy is strong enough to threaten Hanul, there¡¯s nothing you can do.¡± But she still had to speak reality. ¡°Even if you risk your lives, you might not hold him back for even one step.¡± Despite the grim evaluation, Gael Garcia¡¯s eyes remained steady. ¡°But no one knows what will happen. Maybe just buying a little time could change things.¡± So, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate your own lives.¡± Kwon Mi gave sincere advice. ¡°Oh, but Hudon, don¡¯t risk your life either.¡± She didn¡¯t forget to remind. * * * ¡°Why did you call me here?¡± Far from the group, Joo Hayun faced Secretary Kim. ¡°Thanks for your time.¡± Kim briefly expressed gratitude. They weren¡¯t close. It was almost accurate to say they barely knew each other. All Joo Hayun knew about this man was that he was Kwon Mi¡¯s right-hand and had wide communication skills. ¡°There¡¯s some troubling information.¡± ¡°What kind of information?¡± ¡°First, I want to ask about your past.¡± Past. Joo Hayun frowned. It was an unpleasant topic. ¡°Is that okay?¡± But Kim didn¡¯t back down easily. ¡°...Keep it brief.¡± ¡°You were affiliated with Aeon, right?¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s mouth twisted. ¡°I was just an experiment for Aeon. The magic they taught me was only to use me.¡± ¡°Sorry for asking something unnecessary.¡± ¡°Tell me the troubling information.¡± ¡°Have you heard of Odin?¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s face went pale. Odin. Who didn¡¯t know that name? A man holding the rank of a councilor¡ªone of only seventeen¡ªin Pandemonium, where all the world¡¯s villains gather. A power who firmly established his own kingdom in the dark world. But Joo Hayun wasn¡¯t shocked because of Odin¡¯s name. ¡°Wh-why that man...?¡± ¡°There¡¯s information that Odin is moving. If I¡¯m right, you and that man...¡± Joo Hayun hugged her shoulders, trembling in a curled position. Odin. A Pandemonium councilor, a wizard affiliated with Aeon. And the man who kidnapped her and turned her into a witch. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 163 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ] Chapter 163: The Procedure (1) Since then, Kwon Hanul had been admitted to Takamine Hospital and began undergoing various tests. ¡°We need to adjust the Coffin of Mutual Life according to your body. It¡¯s a very delicate artifact, so we have to be extremely careful.¡± Because of this, Kwon Hanul had to undergo physical exams or take mysterious medications every three hours. About three days passed like this. ¡°I¡¯m bored...¡± Kwon Hanul was suffering from intense boredom. Come to think of it, this was the first time he had rested for such a long time. After finishing a mission, he would return to the Hyukcheon family and stay at the mansion, but he focused on training to prepare for the next mission. Of course, Takamine Hospital was also a hospital specialized for hunters and was equipped with a training room. The facilities were excellent. The problem was that Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t engage in any rough activity. ¡°The medication Kwon Hanul took will slowly and gradually alter his body. But if he trains? If he sweats? The effect of the drug will increase. Do you know what that means? We would have to recalibrate the Coffin of Mutual Life all over again from scratch.¡± So Takamine Ryoko¡¯s explanation was clear: absolutely no strenuous movement. Given those circumstances, how could he move recklessly? ¡°Ah, I¡¯m so bored.¡± Even watching TV was no fun since it was all Japanese channels that didn¡¯t fit his mood. He didn¡¯t have a hobby for reading either. So Kwon Hanul had no choice but to pass time by walking around the hospital grounds. These damn pests! When he arrived at the training room out of boredom, Kwon Hanul saw a strange sight. Kwon Mi was angrily shouting with a furious expression. ¡°You guys are already tired even though you haven¡¯t even touched my body? Are you really part of the Hyukcheon family?¡± Around Kwon Mi, Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, and Gael Garcia lay collapsed, gasping for breath. They were covered in dust from how hard they had been beaten. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one minute! Get up and charge at me immediately! If not, I¡¯ll train you all night!¡± At Kwon Mi¡¯s threat, the three reluctantly stood up and charged, weakly shouting. Then, they were beaten again by Kwon Mi and thrown down. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul?¡± At that moment, a familiar voice called out. Joou Hayun stood there holding a towel and a water bottle. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Oh, Lady Kwon Mi said the level of the Dark Shade Unit is too low and decided to personally train them this time.¡± ¡°I see...¡± So that¡¯s why they were going through such hell. Kwon Mi was strict even with her own son, Kwon Hudon. That was just like her. ¡°I¡¯m jealous.¡± It would be hard on the body, but it was a priceless opportunity. Not just anyone, but Kwon Mi herself was personally training them. Kwon Hanul felt an itch to move. He wanted to ask Kwon Mi for some tips himself. ¡°Please calm down.¡± Suddenly, a cold water bottle touched his cheek. The chill woke Kwon Hanul up. ¡°You¡¯re about to have the procedure, aren¡¯t you? You shouldn¡¯t move recklessly.¡± ¡°Oh, right.¡± Kwon Hanul swallowed his disappointment, opened the bottle cap, and drank. The ice-cold water helped him regain some composure. ¡°But Hayun.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Is something wrong? You look gloomy.¡± At those words, Joo Hayun¡¯s face stiffened slightly. She caressed her cheek and said, ¡°...It¡¯s nothing.¡± It didn¡¯t seem like nothing. Kwon Hanul thought so but held back inside. He felt it was better not to ask any further. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, don¡¯t worry about me and focus on resting. You have a major procedure ahead, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m resting all the time. I have Aunt Kwon Mi and Dark Shade Unit here, right? There¡¯s nowhere safer in the world than here.¡± Kwon Hanul smiled. Even though Mei Xiao was trying to take his life, he wasn¡¯t too worried. Kwon Mi could definitely stop Mei Xiao. Even if Mei Xiao was stronger than Kwon Mi, there was no need to worry. This was Japan, not far from the Hyukcheon family. If an emergency happened, Kwon Seonwoo would surely help. Who¡¯s going to get distracted now? Stay focused! At that moment, Kwon Mi¡¯s sharp voice echoed. Kwon Hanul turned his gaze back to Dark Shade Unit. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± ¡°Enjoy your walk.¡± ¡°Want to come with me?¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Joo Hayun hesitated briefly but then put down her things. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take a moment of your time, Lord Kwon Hanul.¡± So Kwon Hanul spent some time with Joo Hayun before returning to his hospital room. * * * A few days later, the procedure date was set. It had been a week since Kwon Hanul arrived at Takamine Hospital. On the day of the procedure, he was in the medical room where the Coffin of Mutual Life was located. ¡°This is the final medicine.¡± Takamine Ryoko handed over a large cup. Inside, a rainbow-colored liquid churned wildly. ¡°It¡¯s a medicine made by combining S-class elixirs. You could say this is the core of today¡¯s procedure.¡± Kwon Hanul couldn¡¯t help but frown. Was this the medicine that melts internal organs? Never mind the color, the fact that it was a boiling liquid on its own gave him ominous feelings. ¡°Drink it all at once.¡± Whether she understood his thoughts or not, Takamine Ryoko smiled brightly and urged him on. He thought,¡¯ I won¡¯t die if I drink it. Oh, wait, I heard if you don¡¯t have the Coffin of Mutual Life, you¡¯d die.¡¯ With such useless thoughts, he swallowed the liquid in one go. He could clearly feel a thick substance sliding down his esophagus and settling in his stomach. As expected, it wasn¡¯t tasty. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°Nothing unusual right now.¡± ¡°How does it taste?¡± ¡°Terrible.¡± ¡°Right after ingestion... no... changes... medicine... taste... none...¡± Takamine Ryoko recorded Kwon Hanul¡¯s words on a sheet of paper. Kwon Hanul, feeling incredulous, asked, ¡°Why are you writing that down?¡± ¡°It might be useful later. Now, please lie down inside the stone coffin.¡± Following Takamine Ryoko¡¯s instructions, Kwon Hanul lay down inside the stone coffin. There was nothing cushioning the floor, so it was hard and uncomfortable. As soon as Kwon Hanul lay down, doctors struggled to close the lid. Then, complete darkness that didn¡¯t let in a single ray of light enveloped Kwon Hanul¡¯s vision. ¡°Lord Kwon Hanul, can you hear me?¡± ¡°Yes, I can.¡± ¡°Now, don¡¯t worry and get a good sleep. We¡¯ll handle adjusting your body from here.¡± ¡®Sleep, huh.¡¯ Kwon Hanul gave a bitter smile. To lie down and sleep inside a coffin¡ªwhat a horrible request. But what else could he do? His life depended on Takamine Ryoko from now on, so he had no choice but to obey her. He closed his eyes. The inside of the coffin was pitch black anyway, so it didn¡¯t matter if his eyes were open or closed. How long had passed? A cold chill began spreading deep inside his body. At first, it felt refreshing, but as time passed, it grew so cold that he started shivering. But it didn¡¯t feel painful. His consciousness was becoming hazy, as if it was drifting away into the void. ¡®Am I falling asleep now?¡¯ Consciousness of falling asleep? There was no more ridiculous notion than that. But that was the only way to describe Kwon Hanul¡¯s current state. Just as his consciousness was about to completely disperse¡ª A message appeared before his eyes. Startled, his scattered awareness sharpened again, but he had no sensation in his body. He couldn¡¯t move his arms or legs. What on earth is happening? Just as he thought that internally¡ª <¡®???¡¯ @!$!%! is @!$!%!! now.> <@!$!%!#$#!! by !$!$! on !$#!!%@!$!%!$.> <@!%#@!%^%&$%^$&%^%&.> Messages kept flooding in, but none formed a coherent sentence. The moment a proper message finally came through, suddenly the scene before him brightened. Kwon Hanul was flustered, unable to think clearly for a moment. It made sense¡ªwhat he saw now wasn¡¯t the inside of the stone coffin. It wasn¡¯t Takamine Hospital either. He was in a golden palace. Walls, pillars, and ceiling¡ªall shining gold. The brilliance was almost blinding. But Kwon Hanul wasn¡¯t surprised by the splendor of the place. ¡®Who are those...?¡¯ Many figures wandered around the palace. They were all either pitch black from head to toe or a dark crimson. He had seen them several times before. ¡®...They¡¯re demons.¡¯ Countless demons appeared here and there. They were chatting casually, sipping drinks¡ªspending peaceful time. That was what confused him the most. The demons he knew were all brutal and terrifying beings. ¡°Hey, why are you standing there like an idiot?¡± A voice came from nearby. Kwon Hanul turned around in surprise. And he couldn¡¯t help but be shocked. ¡®...Beruel?¡¯ The King of Demons, Beruel, was standing there. He was human-sized but unmistakable. The demon king stood right before him. Kwon Hanul pointed at Beruel and shouted, ¡°Is it you who messed with me?!¡± But Beruel said nothing. Kwon Hanul could only get angrier. ¡°Answer me! What have you done to me...? Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡± Suddenly, Beruel stepped closer. Kwon Hanul jumped back in surprise. But Beruel¡¯s steps were faster than his retreat. Then Beruel passed right through Kwon Hanul and went behind him. ¡®...What?¡¯ Shocked, Kwon Hanul looked back. Beruel had his arm around another demon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°How dare you ignore the king¡¯s words? Do you want to be executed?¡± ¡°Try it. The Ark won¡¯t survive if you do.¡± ¡°Hey, no jokes? You boring guy.¡± Beruel pinched the demon¡¯s cheek mischievously. The demon shook his head irritably and pushed Beruel¡¯s finger away. ¡°Why so nervous?¡± ¡°I have no choice. Our kind might get trapped in this dimension like this.¡± ¡°Haha, even you get scared sometimes. What a rare sight. Guess you gotta live long to see this.¡± The demon sighed deeply. ¡°You¡¯re way too relaxed. I¡¯m worried whether the Ark can arrive safely. And...¡± The demon took a breath and continued, ¡°I¡¯m also worried about what kind of place this Earth we¡¯re arriving at really is.¡± * * * ¡°Just now, Kwon Hanul¡¯s procedure has begun.¡± At Secretary Kim¡¯s report, Kwon Mi nodded. ¡°How long did they say it will take until the procedure finishes?¡± ¡°About ten hours.¡± ¡°That¡¯s long. We have to stay sharp all that time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already informed the entire Dark Shade Unit.¡± ¡°As expected of Secretary Kim.¡± Kwon Mi smiled and patted Secretary Kim¡¯s shoulder. Kim bowed more deeply. ¡°Seems Hayun is quite worried too?¡± Kwon Mi glanced sideways as she said this. Joo Hayun hurriedly lowered her head. ¡°No, with you here, how could I be worried?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to hide it. You¡¯re uneasy whether Hanul will endure the procedure, aren¡¯t you?¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s eyes flickered, as if her inner thoughts had been exposed. ¡°You¡¯re really something these days. When did that stiff girl become so emotional? Is this all because of Hanul?¡± Joo Hayun¡¯s face flushed slightly. Kwon Mi felt a strange sadistic urge to tease her more but held back. At that moment, Kwon Mi suddenly lifted her head, staring at the sky outside the window. ¡°What is that?¡± A faint veil began to cover the area around the hospital. Kwon Mi furrowed her brows at this unfamiliar phenomenon. ¡°What the...?¡± At that instant, the wall next to Kwon Mi trembled. A naked man burst out from the wall. ¡°Lady Kwon Mi!¡± Secretary Kim rushed forward. But even before Kim could, Kwon Mi¡¯s hand grabbed the man¡¯s throat, slamming him to the ground. ¡°What¡¯s your identity?¡± The man, his face flushed red from choking, didn¡¯t speak. In frustration, Kwon Mi gave up waiting for an answer and snapped his neck. ¡°Secretary Kim, contact the main family immediately.¡± Without hesitation, Kwon Mi spoke. They had attacked despite knowing that the Hyukcheon family was guarding this place. That meant the enemy knew they were here. If Kwon Mi and the Dark Shade Unit weren¡¯t here, they would have charged straight ahead. But Kwon Hanul was here. They couldn¡¯t allow even a small variable. ¡°It¡¯s useless.¡± At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke. Her eyes, full of hostility, were fixed on the veil outside. ¡°It¡¯s a magical barrier. Judging from the wavelength of the magic power, it¡¯s a spell to isolate and block the surroundings.¡± ¡°Magic? Could it be...¡± Flustered, Kwon Mi was told by Joo Hayun, ¡°It looks like the Aeon have come.¡± [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Starfall ]