Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 109
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
【Bloodline is a Thug Chapter 109】
109. Pending (2)
That night, Kwon Han-ul gathered his team members. He needed to tell them about the Sanchez Family matter.
“Those muscle-bound brutes are in Mystery City?”
Mei Hong reacted first.
“I have no idea what they could possibly be after to crawl their way in here.”
“According to Grandfather’s assessment, they’re likely after the championship prize.”
Kwon Myung-woo and Joo Ha-yeon excused themselves, saying they had matters to discuss with the city’s upper echelon.
Because of that, Kwon Han-ul had no choice but to relay Kwon Myung-woo’s words.
“What kind of prize would make them so desperate to obtain it?”
“Well, that’s… Mystery City is off-limits to criminals, so… they’d have to force their way in just to get it…?”
“Have you looked into it separately, perhaps?”
At Gael Garsian’s question, Kwon Han-ul nodded. He produced a catalog he’d obtained from the Underground Arena.
“This is the Underground Arena’s championship prize.”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the catalog. Soon, they all shook their heads in bewilderment.
The Underground Arena’s championship prize was a small bowl.
So tiny it wasn’t even fit for rice—more suited for dipping sauce.
“…This is the championship prize?”
“The Sanchez Family wants this?”
“By my assessment, it doesn’t seem particularly remarkable.”
The bowl itself wasn’t without value.
According to the catalog’s description, it was crafted from rare gemstones rarely obtainable even from dungeons.
Moreover, the bowl’s surface was densely covered with intricate, delicate illustrations.
It was likely an artifact once used by someone of noble status.
Its artistic value was so immense that collectors would lose their minds upon seeing it.
The problem was that from a hunter’s perspective, it wasn’t a remarkable object at all.
To the point where no one could fathom why the Sanchez Family was so obsessed with it.
“Could it be that the First Sovereign of Heukcheon is mistaken? I suspect the Sanchez Family might have a different objective.”
Mei Hong boldly questioned Kwon Myung-woo’s judgment. Kwon Han-ul let out a bitter laugh and replied.
“That’s possible. But if they had ulterior motives, they wouldn’t bother participating in the Underground Arena. Besides, they’ve sent two contestants in succession.”
Apparently finding his logic sound, Mei Hong nodded.
“W-what did Grandfather say?”
Kwon Hu-don raised his hand and asked. Kwon Han-ul closed the catalog and answered.
“He said not to worry about it and to focus on our respective duties.”
“But if the Sanchez Family causes trouble, it could become a serious problem…”
“He said that even the Sanchez Family can’t cause a disturbance in this city.”
Kwon Han-ul shrugged his shoulders.
“Besides, even if we cause a commotion, we have our little grandfather here with us.”
Upon hearing those words, Kwon Myung-woo’s jaw dropped.
That’s right. Here stood none other than Kwon Myung-woo, the supreme master of Heukcheon.
Perhaps this was the safest place in the entire world.
“Well then, let’s all get some proper rest now. We still have matches tomorrow, don’t we?”
There were still many matches to endure before claiming the championship.
“Since we’ve come this far, we might as well take home the prize.”
Two days later, champions were crowned in all the arenas.
* * *
“Just as I predicted!”
On the day all the champions were decided, Kwon Myung-woo’s laughter echoed through the lodging.
“Not a single one failed to win! Everyone did splendidly!”
It wasn’t merely victory. The spectators had found the matches so uneventful and tedious that the wins were almost anticlimactic.
All four of them had faced no real struggle except against their first-day opponents.
“We have a visitor.”
The door opened and Joo Ha-yeon entered, not alone but accompanied by four others.
“These are the championship prizes sent by the organizers. They asked me to convey their words of admiration.”
“Admiration? It was only natural. Ahahaha!”
Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter again. Then he glanced at the four and spoke.
“What are you doing? Open your prizes already.”
The four each opened the box bearing their name.
“Wow…”
Kwon Hu-don’s prize was a necklace. But it was no ordinary necklace.
Crafted from the heart of a phoenix, it possessed the ability to absorb all damage inflicted upon its wearer.
The drawback was that it had a limited absorption capacity, and once exhausted, it would be unusable for a long time.
Nevertheless, it was undoubtedly a remarkable protective artifact.
“A dangerous toy indeed.”
Mei Hong’s prize was a concealable dagger.
It possessed a peculiar ability—normally invisible, it would materialize in one’s hand with a simple gesture.
“Oh, I’ll have to test this later.”
Gael Garsian’s championship prize was an elixir. It had the remarkable effect of elevating one stat to S-rank.
Since Gael Garsian had the lowest stats among the three, it was a perfectly suited reward.
Finally, Kwon Han-ul…
“What exactly is this thing supposed to do?”
He turned over the small bowl-sized object, utterly bewildered.
He even tried infusing it with mana out of curiosity, but to no avail.
“Do you know what it is?”
At Kwon Myung-woo’s question, Kwon Han-ul shook his head. No matter how much he examined it, he couldn’t discern its purpose.
“Ha-yeon, what do you think?”
“I haven’t learned detection magic.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Kwon Myung-woo held the vessel for a moment, examining it from different angles. Then he casually dropped a remark.
“Just in case, maybe we should try breaking it… Just kidding, so don’t all stare at me like that.”
Everyone’s faces showed expressions of disbelief at such an absurd suggestion.
“Well, let’s worry about that later… We can’t just let such a joyous day pass by like this. How about we throw a celebration party tomorrow!”
Kwon Myung-woo spoke with great delight.
“No, a party alone isn’t enough! I’ll make sure you all experience every pleasure this city has to offer!”
Everyone’s faces lit up with anticipation at those words.
Mystery City was built solely for indulgence. The pleasures available here were endless.
“Um… But won’t that cost a lot of money?”
Kwon Hu-don asked worriedly. Kwon Myung-woo patted his chest confidently and replied.
“Hahahaha! Don’t worry about it. I made quite a substantial sum this time.”
At the mention of a large sum, everyone nodded eagerly. Only Joo Ha-yeon let out a heavy sigh.
“Then let’s start by satisfying our palates….”
A ringtone sounded. Kwon Myung-woo pulled out his smartphone from his pocket and answered the call.
“What’s the matter?”
The call didn’t end quickly. As it dragged on, Kwon Myung-woo’s expression grew darker.
“…I’m sorry, everyone. The plans are cancelled.”
Kwon Myung-woo hung up the phone and spoke in a grim voice.
“I need to return to the family immediately tomorrow.”
“Has something happened?”
Kwon Myung-woo nodded and spoke.
“The tournament has been suspended.”
If it were only that, Kwon Myung-woo wouldn’t have declared such an urgent return.
“Vain Hope has been murdered.”
Vain Hope.
Once Kwon Chan-seong’s right hand and the heir who would inherit Heukcheon’s European Branch.
Vain Hope wasn’t a name but a title. Being called by a title rather than a name in this industry meant one possessed extraordinary skill.
The reason Kwon Han-ul had come to Mystery City was to prepare for a confrontation with him in the tournament.
“Who killed him?”
That man possessed such formidable strength that Kwon Myung-woo had personally trained Kwon Han-ul for this purpose.
How could someone of that caliber possibly be dead?
“He was killed by the swordmasters of the Mei Family, led by Bloodblade Mei Xiao.”
At those words, everyone’s breathing momentarily stopped.
Moments later, all eyes turned toward Mei Hong.
Upon hearing the name of Bloodblade Mei Xiao, Mei Hong’s face showed.
“…Finally, she’s appeared?”
A flawless smile.
* * *
“…Yes, thank you for your efforts.”
A room adorned entirely in gold—walls, floor, and even ceiling.
Mark Goldpixie ended the call.
“What happened?”
The moment Mark Goldpixie set down his smartphone, Maria Sanchez, who stood nearby, asked.
“No matter how much we investigated, they say they couldn’t find anything about Black Bird.”
Black Bird.
The man who brought Kwon Han-ul—the one who fought Maria Sanchez in the Underground Arena—to Mystery City.
He had been frequenting Mystery City for a long time, and without exception, all the participants he recommended achieved excellent results in the Underground Arena.
“Investigate again. Even the smallest clue will do.”
“Listen, if it’s impossible, it’s impossible. Mystery City absolutely protects member information….”
“If you don’t grant my request, you’ll find yourself in a very difficult situation.”
Maria Sanchez dragged her fingertip across the marble table.
With a horrifying screech, the table gouged deeply.
Maria Sanchez wasn’t staying with Mark Goldpixie for no reason.
It was to use his life as leverage for coercion.
“…Damn it!”
Normally, this level of threat would have been sufficient. But today’s Mark Goldpixie was different.
“I already placed surveillance on the lodging where Kwon Han-ul is staying and even stationed watchers in the surrounding area, just as you asked! By now, the upper echelons of Mystery must have detected my actions! You can’t even imagine what kind of interrogation I’ll face later!”
Among the tasks Maria Sanchez had requested from Mark Goldpixie was surveillance on Kwon Han-ul.
The security at the lodging was so thorough that surveillance couldn’t reveal much.
“Surely that’s enough now! Let me go!”
“That won’t do.”
Maria Sanchez spoke firmly.
Whatever circumstances existed, they were Mark Goldpixie’s problem to solve. Maria Sanchez had no intention of releasing him.
This matter was that important to the Sanchez Family. A treasure once used by their ancestor was at stake.
“Stop wasting words and find out everything about Black Bird. Then I’ll release you.”
“Damn it! Why are you so obsessed with that man anyway! You’re the Sanchez Family!”
Most of the villains belonging to Pandemonium were unhinged.
And the Sanchez Family was particularly notorious among them.
Foul-tempered yet skilled. The major crimes committed by the Sanchez Family were beyond count.
“This time, I want to minimize variables as much as possible.”
“Variables?”
“Just understand it that way.”
The reason Maria Sanchez was obsessed with Black Bird was something else entirely.
Her instincts were screaming danger.
She had unexpectedly encountered the Heukcheon Bloodline during what should have been an easy mission. Moreover, even with his powers restricted, she had lost to him.
An impossible situation had occurred twice, so I couldn’t help but remain vigilant.
“Hmm, are you planning to kill me if I don’t find out about Black Bird before the Heukcheon Bloodline leaves?”
“Kill you? I have no such intention. It’s just that I might get a bit rough if I’m disappointed.”
At the mention of getting rough, Mark Goldpixie’s body trembled.
A body forged by superhuman blood possessed strength beyond imagination.
An ordinary person like Mark Goldpixie could lose his life if merely brushed by her fingertips.
“So find out by any means necessary.”
That was when it happened.
Mark Goldpixie’s smartphone rang. Maria Sanchez signaled with her eyes for him to answer it.
“…What is it?”
-Ah, Master. It’s about the surveillance targets.
“What’s the matter?”
-The Mansion’s employees are moving about busily. It appears they’re preparing to depart.
“I see. Continue surveillance.”
Mark Goldpixie hung up the phone. Then he looked at Maria Sanchez with an anxious expression.
“I knew they’d prepare to leave after receiving the championship prize, but I didn’t expect them to depart this quickly.”
Maria Sanchez fell into thought for a moment. She too picked up her smartphone and called someone.
“Marcos, can you hear me?”
-Yes, Sister. I’m listening.
“Go outside right now and deliver my message to him.”
-What should I tell him?
“Tomorrow we need to catch the black worm. If we’re unlucky, a snake might slither out instead.”
-Understood.
That man would be capable of handling any variable that arose.
In truth, when that man said he was coming, Maria Sanchez had been skeptical. It seemed the Family didn’t trust her.
But as it turned out, it was fortunate.
-Sister.
Suddenly Marcos Sanchez spoke. Maria Sanchez asked, puzzled.
“What is it?”
-I have a request. Please let me be the one to kill Kwon Han-ul.
At those words, Maria Sanchez’s expression shifted subtly.
“You lost to him, and so did I. Are you confident?”
-Sister! That’s only because we both suppressed our powers! If we fought properly, the outcome would have been different!
Marcos Sanchez spoke with a voice full of resentment.
During the fight with Kwon Han-ul, Marcos Sanchez hadn’t used even half of his true strength. Maria Sanchez had done the same.
“Hmm…”
Maria Sanchez pondered for a moment.
She too harbored a grudge against Kwon Han-ul. But Maria Sanchez had someone else she needed to face that day.
Joo Ha-yeon.
A woman who was the trusted aide of Heukcheon’s leader Kwon Seon-woo and had clashed with Maria Sanchez numerous times.
“Fine, do as you wish. But make sure you kill him for good. Understand?”
Marcos Sanchez replied with a laugh that carried a cruel edge.
-Leave it to me.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————