Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 146
—————
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 146】
146. Natural Enemy (1)
Alia Dabi.
No—Dalia Babel lay on the sofa with her eyes closed, her breathing shallow and labored.
Her already pallid complexion had drained of all remaining color, rendering her deathly pale. At a glance, she resembled a corpse.
Sasha Babel wiped the perspiration from Dalia Babel’s brow with a cloth, her expression etched with worry.
“…Sasha.”
Dalia Babel’s eyes opened slowly. The steely resolve that once burned within them had vanished entirely, replaced only by a profound darkness—like a dried-up well.
“It seems my time grows short.”
Sasha Babel brushed away tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. She hadn’t realized she was crying.
“Sasha, don’t cry.”
The words were cruelly spoken.
Sasha Babel’s parents had died on a mission when she was young.
After that, Dalia Babel had taken her in—before Sasha’s talents had even been recognized.
To Sasha Babel, Dalia Babel was far more than a mentor. She was a second mother.
“I am content. In fact, I’m grateful. I’ve managed to complete everything I needed to before the end.”
I laid the foundation for the next family head’s authority. I raised Sasha Babel—my successor who would carry forward my knowledge and experience—into an exceptional woman.
“But there is one thing… that troubles me still.”
Sasha Babel bit her lip and gripped Dalia Babel’s hand tightly.
“…Please, tell me. I’ll resolve whatever weighs on you, no matter what it takes.”
“You truly mean that…?”
“Yes. I swear it with everything I have.”
Suddenly, Dalia Babel’s face contorted. A vicious wave of pain seized her once more.
“Sasha…”
“I’m listening.”
Sasha Babel gripped Dalia Babel’s hand even more firmly.
She made a silent vow: she would fulfill whatever final wish remained in Dalia Babel’s heart.
“When are you finally going to get a boyfriend?”
And that solemn resolve evaporated the moment Dalia Babel spoke.
“I can’t rest easy because of you. You’re still young, yet you stand there like a block of wood every day…”
“Surely you’re not saying that’s what’s troubling you, family head?”
“Why wouldn’t it? Do you know how much I enjoyed myself at your age? The number of men I brought to my room alone…”
Sasha Babel pressed her palm to her forehead. Watching her successor boast about her romantic conquests right before her was giving her a headache.
“If I hadn’t been appointed as the next family head so suddenly, I would’ve enjoyed myself much more.”
“…Yes, I’m sure that’s regrettable.”
“Don’t answer so halfheartedly. I’m saying this all for your sake. So you should…”
Sasha Babel let Dalia Babel’s words go in one ear and out the other.
Even as she did, she studied Dalia Babel’s complexion.
Contrary to Dalia Babel’s composed expression, the veins in her neck stood out prominently—a telltale sign she was forcibly enduring pain.
Sasha Babel found herself biting her lip without thinking.
“M-Madam Head!”
Just then, the Reception Room door burst open. Shahin Rasad rushed in with an urgent expression.
“Shahin. What’s happened?”
“W-Well…!”
Shahin Rasad swallowed hard before speaking.
“The Dragon Slayer has arrived!”
* * *
The Dragon Slayer—also known as the Dragon Killer.
Whenever the strongest hunters are discussed, this name inevitably surfaces.
The Dragon Slayer possessed unparalleled skill. Yet the true reason he was counted among the strongest hunters lay elsewhere.
It stemmed from a special Gift he possessed.
Enemy Dragon Star.
Dragon-type monsters exposed to the Enemy Dragon Star’s aura experience a sharp decline in all stats. Conversely, the holder of Enemy Dragon Star sees all their stats increase.
The Heukcheon Estate and the Babel Family were no exception. Possessing the power of dragons and dragonkin, they could not escape the Enemy Dragon Star’s influence.
“Now that you know who I am, you seem to have snapped to attention, hmm?”
The Dragon Slayer grinned wickedly. Between his parted lips, yellowed teeth jutted out irregularly.
“But don’t be frightened. I have no intention of dealing with a young pup like you.”
The Dragon Slayer spoke as though Kwon Han-ul didn’t even register in his awareness.
In the past, the Dragon Slayer had faced Heukcheon himself and survived. Moreover, he’d walked away without a scratch.
Such a man would hardly concern himself with a single Kwon Han-ul.
“Today I’ve simply come to see what sort of opponents my disciple will be facing.
“You’re lying.”
The Dragon Slayer’s disciple sighed as he spoke.
“You came here complaining that I didn’t receive an invitation.”
“That too, yes. My disciple being ostracized? It makes no sense! Unless you were the one doing the ostracizing.”
The Dragon Slayer ruffled his disciple’s hair roughly. The disciple frowned in displeasure.
“It is an honor to meet you, Senior.”
At that moment, Kwon Han-ul bowed respectfully.
Though the man had made a poor first impression, he could not be dismissed. Given the Dragon Slayer’s renown, courtesy was the proper course.
“Hmm?”
The Dragon Slayer’s expression shifted, as if something displeased him.
“You don’t seem afraid of me.”
All the hunters in the Party Hall were overwhelmed by the Dragon Slayer’s presence, barely able to breathe properly.
This applied not only to the rookies participating in the Sky Arena, but also to the security personnel guarding the Party Hall.
It was due to the Dragon Slayer’s notorious brutality—a figure infamous for slaughtering even ordinary civilians if things went awry.
“The senior said he had no intention of harming me. Why would I be afraid?”
Kwon Han-ul spoke calmly. In truth, that wasn’t the real reason.
Kwon Han-ul had already faced Kwon Chan-seong in combat before.
Of course, Kwon Chan-seong was weaker than the Dragon Slayer. But Kwon Chan-seong was nonetheless one of those absolute beings who defied common sense.
Having already experienced Kwon Chan-seong, I could avoid being overwhelmed by the Dragon Slayer.
“Rather, I’m honored to meet you.”
Still, I was curious.
The Black Dragon Bloodline I possessed was a true bloodline. Would the Dragon Slayer’s Enemy Dragon Star ability truly work against a true bloodline?
“As expected, the Heukcheon Bloodline is different in every way. Mano! Did you see? This is Heukcheon. Truly magnificent people.”
“I understand, so please lower your voice.”
My disciple, Mano, retorted with a sidelong glance.
“My disciple will make for an excellent match. It was worth coming to the party hall deliberately.”
The Dragon Slayer beamed with delight and placed a hand on Kwon Han-ul’s shoulder.
It was at that moment of sudden physical contact that Kwon Han-ul felt a wave of displeasure.
【The aura of ‘Enemy Dragon Star’ is detected!】
【The Black Dragon Bloodline is greatly suppressed!】
An enormous force bore down upon my entire body.
【You have entered the sphere of influence of ‘Enemy Dragon Star’!】
【All stats decrease by –30%!】
【Stamina and mana are reduced!】
My legs buckled involuntarily. My knees touched the ground.
Every muscle in my body trembled violently. My joints began to scream in protest.
“Huh? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
The Dragon Slayer spoke with feigned innocence. Behind the mask of naivety, his eyes were piercingly cold.
That demeanor reminded me of words I had heard from Joo Ha-yeon before.
-The Dragon Slayer is an exceptionally savage individual. If things go wrong, he’ll kill even ordinary civilians.
-But at the same time, he’s cunning. When he clashed with Heukcheon in the past, the Dragon Slayer never overstepped the line.
-Because of that, Heukcheon couldn’t engage him in all-out war.
“Ahahaha, our young friend. You must have been quite frightened, judging by that respectful attitude.”
The Dragon Slayer laughed loudly. Yet he did not remove his hand from Kwon Han-ul’s shoulder.
【The influence of ‘Enemy Dragon Star’ grows even stronger!】
【All stats decrease by –50%!】
【Stamina and mana are drastically reduced!】
He was amplifying the power of Enemy Dragon Star even further. I gritted my teeth. But I couldn’t resist.
“You’ve been kneeling for far too long. It’s not a pleasant sight for others. Come now, stand up.”
The Dragon Slayer burst into raucous laughter.
“Excuse me.”
It was then.
“Would you mind removing your hand from our captain’s shoulder?”
Someone grabbed Dragon Slayer’s wrist. Not one person—three of them.
“…What are you all doing now?”
Dragon Slayer looked at the three with an expression of utter disbelief.
“We’re the people attending to this person.”
Mei Hong spoke. Kwon Hu-don picked up from there.
“If you don’t let Han-ul go, we won’t stay quiet either.”
Gael Garsian nodded in agreement.
“Please release our captain.”
Dragon Slayer let out a hollow laugh.
“What if I refuse?”
A savage smile spread across Dragon Slayer’s face. A vicious killing intent flooded the Party Hall in an instant.
The density of that murderous aura was suffocating—as if drowning, breathing became impossible and all thought ceased.
“Tell me. What will you do if I refuse?”
Mei Hong, Kwon Hu-don, and Gael Garsian could not answer. Merely enduring Dragon Slayer’s killing intent was overwhelming.
“If you can’t answer… will you all die by my hand?”
The murderous aura Dragon Slayer was emanating proved that this was no empty threat.
“I’ll count to three. Speak within that time. Three….”
Dragon Slayer counted slowly.
“Two.”
Dragon Slayer’s eyes grew gradually colder.
“One.”
That was when it happened.
“Senior.”
A voice came from below. Kwon Han-ul was slowly rising to his feet.
With his neck held high, he spoke toward Dragon Slayer.
“My teammates acted disrespectfully. Please allow me to apologize on their behalf.”
At that sight, Dragon Slayer’s expression twisted.
“…How did you get up?”
* * *
My entire body was being crushed under the weight of the Crimson Dragon Star.
【The True Black Dragon Bloodline rages!】
The Black Dragon Bloodline, which had been suppressed by the Crimson Dragon Star, began to pulse.
But it was futile. The power of the Crimson Dragon Star was far too overwhelming. Even the True Black Dragon Bloodline was being dominated.
‘Indeed… Heukcheon is worthy of caution.’
The Crimson Dragon Star suppressed even the True Bloodline. Lower-purity bloodlines were beneath mention.
Of course, the reason Kwon Han-ul was suffering so severely under the Crimson Dragon Star’s influence was the vast gap between us.
Compared to Kwon Han-ul, who had only three stats at S-rank, Dragon Slayer was considered the world’s strongest warrior.
That’s why my stats had been slashed by fifty percent in an instant.
‘This is overwhelming.’
But the Black Dragon Bloodline wasn’t the only bloodline I possessed.
【The Asura King awakens!】
【The Superhuman Blood roars!】
【The Servant Blood responds!】
My other bloodlines were unaffected by the Crimson Dragon Star’s influence.
Instead, they raged and began pushing back against the Crimson Dragon Star’s power.
“Senior, perhaps it’s time you took your leave.”
I stared directly at Dragon Slayer as I spoke.
“This is a gathering for the juniors. It’s not fitting for someone of your stature.”
In other words, get lost. Dragon Slayer’s expression darkened.
“Stop spouting nonsense and answer my question. How did this happen?”
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to, sir.”
I played dumb.
“Ah, were you perhaps talking about your aura? It’s nothing special—I adapted to it quickly.”
At the sight of me dismissing the Crimson Dragon Star and everything about him as nothing special, veins bulged across Dragon Slayer’s forehead.
“You little bastard….”
He looked ready to strike at any moment, but Dragon Slayer held back.
The instant he raised his hand here, it would be no different than admitting defeat to Kwon Han-ul.
“Let’s see how long that mouth of yours can keep moving.”
Dragon Slayer unleashed his mana. The power of the Crimson Dragon Star intensified further.
【The influence of the Crimson Dragon Star grows even stronger!】
【All stats decrease by –70%!】
【Stamina and mana plummet drastically!】
Mana surged through me once more. My body staggered.
【The Asura King repels the Crimson Dragon Star’s power!】
【The power of the Superhuman Blood grows even stronger!】
Yet as the Crimson Dragon Star’s power intensified, my other bloodlines grew stronger in turn.
I steadied my wavering body and opened my mouth again toward Dragon Slayer.
“I’m also curious when my mouth will stop, but… at this rate, it seems it will never stop.”
Dragon Slayer’s expression grew even more sinister.
【’Enemy Dragon Star’ grows stronger in its influence!】
【All stats decrease by –90%!】
【Vitality and mana plummet drastically!】
-90%.
My stats had been carved down to nearly nothing. Yet my body did not crumble.
Rather, I began to gain strength with each passing moment.
【’Asura King’ repels the aura of Enemy Dragon Star.】
【’Superhuman Blood’ withstands the aura of Enemy Dragon Star.】
My stats had plummeted severely. The oppressive weight was so intense that even moving my body became difficult.
Had the battle begun in this state, I would have died instantly.
But this was not that situation.
“Senior.”
I turned to Dragon Slayer and asked.
“Is that all you have?”
In that instant, bloodshot veins erupted across Dragon Slayer’s eyes.
“You insolent brat!”
Dragon Slayer released his grip from my shoulder. Instead, he reached to seize my throat.
It was that very moment.
“That will be enough.”
A sharp voice cut through the air. Simultaneously, Dragon Slayer’s hand froze.
No—Dragon Slayer had no intention of stopping. His hand was forced to halt by the sudden appearance of armed figures.
Hunters clad in white armor had their weapons trained on Dragon Slayer from all directions.
“…Babel’s Royal Guard.”
Dragon Slayer glared at them, muttering under his breath.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————