Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 148

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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【Bloodline is a Thug Chapter 148】

148. Natural Enemy (3)

After returning from the Babel Family’s party, Kwon Han-ul remained aboard the ship, preparing for the Sky Arena. With less than a week until the tournament’s opening, every moment counted.
Though “preparation” might have sounded grand, the reality was far simpler. I examined my physical condition and reconfirmed the capabilities of each bloodline within me.
And I investigated the Babel Family’s bloodline—the Dragon Heart Blood.
“Let me see…”
I peered at the laptop monitor before me. The screen displayed intelligence files sent from Heukcheon’s information division.
The Babel Family had opposed Heukcheon for generations. Consequently, Heukcheon’s intelligence bureau possessed extensive information about them.
“Dragon Heart Blood… here it is.”
I first located the information on Dragon Heart Blood.
I skipped over details I already knew. What intrigued me was information about the abilities one could gain through this bloodline.
“The moment the owner obtains a Dragon Heart, their mana undergoes a complete transformation.”
According to the records, once the heart fully mutates into a Dragon Heart through this bloodline, the mana itself changes as well.
The purity of mana becomes absolute. Its quality elevates. Its efficiency multiplies. But it transcends such simple descriptions—the very grade of mana itself becomes fundamentally different.
If an ordinary hunter’s mana were graphite, then mana born from a Dragon Heart could be compared to diamond.
“Massive resistance to all elemental attributes, increased potency of attribute-based skills, automatic decomposition and absorption of nearby incoming skills… is this even possible?”
I couldn’t help but react with astonishment.
If the information recorded here was true, then ordinary skills couldn’t wound a member of the Babel bloodline.
Even high-level techniques or skilled practitioners would find confronting a Babel bloodline member formidable. The disparity in mana quality would render their attacks ineffective.
“The true power of Dragon Heart Blood lies in Dragon Speech—a language only those with a Dragon Heart can speak. By uttering specific words, one can manipulate reality itself.”
My eyes gleamed with interest.
Dragon Speech was something I’d heard much about. In fact, it was the very symbol of the Babel Family.
A dragon’s language that only those possessing a Dragon Heart could wield.
An ability capable of unleashing countless supernatural phenomena merely by speaking.
There was a historical account of a Pure-blooded Clan Member from Babel freezing an entire tidal wave crashing toward the coastline with a single utterance of Dragon Speech.
“What are you studying so intently?”
Joo Ha-yeon asked as she set down her teacup, glancing sideways at the monitor screen.
“The Babel Family… you seem quite impressed from the party hall, it appears.”
“Well… yes.”
The truth was different—I’d obtained Dragon Heart Blood—but I wasn’t about to reveal that.
I deflected vaguely instead.
“They’re truly formidable opponents. Everyone who’s fought Babel bloodline members says it feels like punching a water balloon.”
“A water balloon?”
“No matter how hard you attack, nothing connects. I understand that sentiment to some degree.”
“It sounds like you’ve fought the Babel Family yourself.”
“I clashed with them repeatedly while accompanying the Chairman.”
It clearly hadn’t been a pleasant experience. Joo Ha-yeon’s expression darkened.
“That’s surprising, though. I would have expected Kwon Han-ul to be wary of the Dragon Slayer’s disciple.”
The formidable opponents I’d encountered at the party hall weren’t limited to the Babel Family’s bloodline. There was also the Dragon Slayer—the natural enemy of all draconic races.
This tournament featured the Dragon Slayer’s disciple as well. And that disciple was renowned for possessing the exact same gift as their master.
“Ah, you mean that woman.”
I searched my memory for the Dragon Slayer’s disciple. My recollection was hazy, forcing me to sift through my thoughts for some time.
“Han-ul!”
The door suddenly burst open. Kwon Hu-don came rushing in and planted himself in front of the desk where I sat.
Both I and Joo Ha-yeon widened our eyes in surprise.
“What’s wrong?”
“L-look at this!”
Kwon Hu-don thrust his smartphone toward me. A cascade of internet article headlines scrolled across the screen.
【Breaking News! A Pure-blooded Clan Member Appears in the Heukcheon Estate!】
【The First Pure-blooded Clan Member Since the Founder! Emerges in the Heukcheon Estate!】
【What Does a Pure-blooded Clan Member Mean in Modern Times?】
My brow furrowed involuntarily. I couldn’t tear my gaze from the smartphone.
“Articles like this have been popping up since this morning.”
Kwon Hu-don was visibly agitated. The fact that I was a Pure-blooded Clan Member was an absolute secret that should never leak to the outside world. Its exposure was a natural cause for alarm.
Yet I, the person directly involved, calmly reviewed the articles with an untroubled expression.
“Han-ul? Are you alright?”
Unable to comprehend my composure, Kwon Hu-don asked again. Only then did I shift my gaze from the smartphone.
“There’s no need to worry about this.”
“No need?”
“That’s right. If my suspicions are correct, then probably….”
At that moment, my smartphone rang. I checked the caller ID before answering.
-It’s been a while.
A familiar voice came through the receiver. I returned the greeting.
“Yes, Chairman. It’s been a long time.”
After the greeting, I asked immediately.
“There are many articles about a Pure-blooded Clan Member appearing in the Heukcheon Estate. Did you perhaps issue orders regarding this, Chairman?”
-Yes.
Kwon Seon-woo spoke without hesitation.
-I gave the command.

* * *

As Kwon Han-ul had anticipated, the source of the rumors was Kwon Seon-woo.
-When I ordered you to participate in the Heavenly Arena, didn’t I tell you beforehand? That I would publicly declare your status as a Pure-blooded Clan Member at that very event.
“There’s still time before the Heavenly Arena opens, Chairman.”
-If you suddenly reveal that you’re a Pure-blooded Clan Member, who would believe you? That’s why I’m laying the groundwork in advance.
Only the founders of each family have ever obtained a Pure-blooded Clan Member status. Because of that, it’s now regarded as little more than legend.
So even if I speak the truth, few would believe me.
-Journalists will come looking for you soon. When they do, you can reveal your status as a Pure-blooded Clan Member.
Someday, I would have to reveal the truth about being a Pure-blooded Clan Member.
I’d been thinking that way all along. But now that it was becoming reality, I felt a complex emotion that was hard to put into words.
-However, you’re free to deny that you’re a Pure-blooded Clan Member if you wish.
But then Kwon Seon-woo said something cryptic.
-There won’t be a single person in this world who rejoices at the fact that a Pure-blooded Clan Member has appeared in Heukcheon. Rather, they’ll feel threatened.
In this era, Hunters occupy the same strategic position as weapons of war.
The more exceptional Hunters a faction possesses, the greater the power they can wield.
But now a Pure-blooded Clan Member has appeared in Heukcheon, which is already renowned as the strongest?
-Mark my words. There will be no shortage of people trying to kill you through the Heavenly Arena.
Those who view Pure-blooded Clan Members unfavorably won’t miss this opportunity.
Now, when everyone possesses similar abilities and the gaps between them aren’t vast, is precisely the right moment to eliminate a Pure-blooded Clan Member.
“Even if more people target me, I don’t think it will change anything.”
-Don’t be arrogant. The Hunters participating in the Heavenly Arena are all promising individuals with their own specialties. If you let your guard down, you’ll be pierced by their fangs and die.
With Kwon Seon-woo speaking so bluntly, I had nothing to say in return.
To some extent, his words made sense.
It was certain that I was far superior in strength to the other participants here.
But in an open venue like the Heavenly Arena, I couldn’t freely use bloodlines other than the Black Dragon Bloodline.
Because of that, I couldn’t guarantee that unforeseen circumstances wouldn’t arise.
-Even after the Heavenly Arena ends, there’s a problem. You’ll never live a peaceful life. Countless people will appear, trying to take your life without hesitation.
Kwon Seon-woo paused, then asked once more.
-Do you still intend to declare that you’re a Pure-blooded Clan Member?
“Yes.”
I answered immediately. There was no hesitation.
“Chairman, you haven’t mentioned the benefits I could gain by revealing my status as a Pure-blooded Clan Member.”
-Benefits, you say?
“If I reveal that I’m a Pure-blooded Clan Member, everyone will assume I’m the next head of Heukcheon, won’t they?”
People around the world would think this way.
If a Pure-blooded Clan Member doesn’t inherit the family, then who else could possibly be qualified?
The Heukcheon bloodline members would think this way.
The Chairman’s approval of this means he recognizes Kwon Han-ul.
-Insolent bastard.
Kwon Seon-woo’s voice grew slightly quieter.
-So you really do intend to aim for the position of family head.
Kwon Han-ul didn’t bother responding.
“Since we’re on the subject, I’d like to confirm once more.”
-What are you talking about?
“You said that if I bring honor to Heukcheon at the Sky Arena, you’d provide all the medicinal materials needed for Rebirth Transformation.”
-I don’t break my promises. If you win the Sky Arena championship, I’ll have Takamine Hospital provide every material they request.
Rebirth Transformation.
That which even the hunters who dominated the world had never experienced was now within arm’s reach.
That alone was reason enough to win the Sky Arena championship.
-There’s one more thing I need to tell you.
“What is it?”
-I’ve decided to postpone Kwon Hyuk’s punishment.
For a moment, Kwon Han-ul didn’t fully comprehend what Kwon Seon-woo was saying.
“Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk ordered Kwon Chan-seong to kill me.”
-I know.
“Isn’t that something Heukcheon’s laws cannot tolerate?”
-You’re right.
“Then why…?”
-Losing Kwon Hyuk now would cause Heukcheon immense damage.
Kwon Hyuk has served as Vice Chairman for a long time. Purging him would mean all his responsibilities come to a halt.
Moreover, Kwon Hyuk is a formidable power, regarded as the third-strongest after me and Kwon Myung-woo.
There isn’t a single hunter in the Heukcheon Estate right now who could fill the void Kwon Hyuk would leave.
-That’s why I’ve decided to postpone his punishment.
Kwon Seon-woo wasn’t seeking Kwon Han-ul’s understanding.
He was simply notifying him of the decision I had made.
“I understand.”
Kwon Han-ul accepted that decision calmly. That response actually surprised Kwon Seon-woo.
-You have no objections?
“How could I not? I’m overflowing with them.”
-Then why aren’t you saying anything?
“Because I had a feeling it would turn out this way.”
It was something that happened when I was with the Blaga Family.
Catalina Blaga had once said this to me.
‘Perhaps even with this incident, they won’t be able to purge Kwon Hyuk.’
They say those of the same bloodline recognize each other.
Catalina Blaga, who had made political maneuvering her specialty for so long, evaluated Kwon Hyuk this way.
‘From what I’ve seen, Kwon Hyuk is the type who secures an escape route even in the most favorable circumstances. He wouldn’t simply accept his fate.’
There was another reason as well.
‘The influence Kwon Hyuk holds both within and outside the family is immense. He was called the next family head—imagine how much power that entails. Even the Chairman would find it difficult to deal with him easily.’
Because of Catalina Blaga’s assessment, I had been able to prepare myself mentally in advance.
“My value simply doesn’t measure up to Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk’s, so that’s the decision you made. I understand.”
I had prepared myself mentally, but that didn’t mean I could control how I actually felt.
Kwon Han-ul grumbled briefly toward Kwon Seon-woo.
-That’s a foolish thing to say.
But an unexpected answer came back.
-If I had made this decision based on weighing your value, I naturally would have chosen you.
My mouth fell slightly open without my realizing it. This was the first time I had ever heard such words from Kwon Seon-woo.
“What do you mean by that….”
-Since you seem dissatisfied, I suppose I should offer you some compensation of my own.
“No, rather than that, what exactly did you just mean by….”
-Once the Heavenly Arena concludes, I will grant you free access to the Treasure Vault.
It was an extraordinary decision. To allow me to use the Treasure Vault freely—something that was opened only once in a blue moon as a reward for extraordinary achievements.
But for Kwon Han-ul, what I had just heard was far more important than that.
“Chairman, please don’t keep cutting me off. You just said something about my value….”
-I’m ending this conversation now.
Kwon Han-ul tried to grab Kwon Seon-woo, urging him not to hang up.
-Furthermore, once the Heavenly Arena is over, I will tell you everything about your father. How he died. And who you should take as your enemy.
In that instant, my words caught in my throat. In the meantime, Kwon Seon-woo had hung up.
Kwon Han-ul stared at the dead phone for a long while before uttering a single word.
“Damn it.”

* * *

What on earth was the Chairman thinking?
When I first met Kwon Seon-woo, I believed he despised me.
Despite being a Pure-blooded Clan Member and his grandson, Kwon Seon-woo showed me no warmth whatsoever. If anything, he looked down on me as the child of a traitor.
I never received a single benefit as a direct bloodline member.
Kwon Seon-woo never gave anything freely. Everything came with conditions, and I had to accomplish something to earn it.
I reached this position thanks to the existence of another bloodline and the rewards I seized with my own hands.
That’s why I was certain Kwon Seon-woo viewed me with disdain.
But lately, that conviction had begun to waver.
“Kwon Han-ul.”
There were more than one or two suspicious things about Kwon Seon-woo.
A few months ago, I investigated my father through the Iron Fang Guild in South Korea.
At that time, Kwon Seon-woo provided information through Iron Fang—information claiming that he himself had killed my father, Kwon Cheon.
“Kwon Han-ul?”
What did Kwon Seon-woo truly want?
And what had happened between him and my father?
“Kwon Han-ul!”
A sudden voice pulled me from my reverie.
I lifted my head and saw dozens of journalists gathered on the deck.
“May we begin the press conference now?”
One of the journalists asked pointedly. Only then did I remember what this gathering was.
“Please proceed.”
The moment the words left my lips, the journalists surged forward with their microphones, their voices overlapping.
One voice cut through the chaos with clarity.
“Are you truly a Pure-blooded Clan Member?”
As I received the question, Kwon Seon-woo’s warning echoed in my mind—that revealing my Pure-blooded status might put my life in danger.
“Yes, I am.”
What did it matter?
I already had enemies like Kwon Hyuk, an absolute power. A few more wouldn’t change anything.
“How can we believe that?”
One journalist shouted, their question dripping with skepticism.
I fixed that journalist with a cold stare.
“Give us an answer!”
The journalist had some nerve. They didn’t back down. I raised my finger.
“Up there.”
I pointed toward the sky—or more precisely, toward the Heavenly Arena floating above.
“I will prove it directly at the Heavenly Arena.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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