Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 163
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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 163】
163. The Procedure (1)
After that, Kwon Han-ul was admitted to Takamine Hospital and began undergoing various examinations.
“We need to calibrate the Symbiotic Crown to match Kwon Han-ul’s body. It’s an extremely delicate artifact, so we must devote considerable care to it.”
Because of this, Kwon Han-ul had to undergo physical examinations every three hours or consume mysterious medications.
About three days passed like this.
“I’m so bored….”
Kwon Han-ul was suffering from unbearable tedium.
* * *
Come to think of it, I had never rested this long before.
After completing missions, I would return to the Hukcheon Estate and stay at the Mansion, but I focused on training in preparation for the next mission.
Of course, Takamine Hospital, being a hunter-specialized medical facility, was equipped with a Training Room. The facilities were quite excellent.
The problem was that I couldn’t engage in strenuous activities.
“The medication Kwon Han-ul consumed will gradually and slowly alter your body. But if you train? If you sweat? The medication’s effects will intensify. What happens then? We’d have to start recalibrating the Symbiotic Crown from scratch.”
That was Takamine Ryoko’s explanation for why I absolutely couldn’t move vigorously.
In such circumstances, how could I move recklessly?
“Ugh, this is so boring.”
Even if I tried to watch TV, there was only Japanese broadcasting, which didn’t suit my mood. I had no interest in reading either.
In such a situation, I had no choice but to kill time by taking walks around the hospital grounds.
-These damn bastards!
When I came to the Training Room out of sheer boredom, I witnessed a peculiar sight.
Kwon Mi was angrily venting with a furious expression on her face.
-You haven’t even laid a hand on my body and you’re already exhausted? And you call yourselves members of Heukcheon!
Around Kwon Mi, Kwon Hu-don, Mei Hong, and Gael Garsian lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. They were covered in dust from how thoroughly they’d been beaten.
-I’m giving you one minute! Get up right now and come at me! If you don’t, I’ll make you train all night!
Threatened by Kwon Mi’s ultimatum, the three reluctantly got to their feet. They charged forward with weak battle cries, only to be sent flying again after taking another beating from Kwon Mi.
“Kwon Han-ul?”
Then, a familiar voice reached my ears. Joo Ha-yeon was standing there with an armful of towels and water bottles.
“What’s all this about?”
“Ah, Kwon Mi said the level of the Heukam Corps was too low, so she decided to personally instruct them this time.”
“I see….”
So that’s why they were suffering so much.
Kwon Mi was strict even with her own son, Kwon Hu-don. That was so like her.
“I’m envious.”
My body would certainly suffer, but this was an opportunity worth its weight in gold. And it wasn’t just anyone—Kwon Mi herself would be providing the instruction.
Kwon Han-ul felt his body tingling with anticipation. Part of him wanted to ask Kwon Mi for a lesson as well.
“Please, compose yourself.”
Without warning, a water bottle touched his cheek. The cold sensation jolted him back to awareness.
“You have a procedure coming up, don’t you? You shouldn’t be moving around carelessly.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Kwon Han-ul swallowed his disappointment, unscrewed the cap of the water bottle, and took a long drink. The ice-cold water helped clear his mind considerably.
“By the way, Joo Ha-yeon.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Is something troubling you? Your complexion seems dark.”
At those words, Joo Ha-yeon’s face stiffened slightly. She touched her cheek with her palm and spoke.
“…It’s nothing serious.”
But it didn’t seem like nothing at all.
Kwon Han-ul thought as much but kept it to himself. It seemed best not to press further.
“You should focus on resting as well, rather than worrying about me. You have a major procedure ahead, after all.”
“I’m resting constantly. With Aunt Kwon Mi and the Black Sharp Squad here, there’s nowhere safer in the entire world.”
Kwon Han-ul spoke with a smile.
Even though Mei Xiao was targeting his life, he wasn’t particularly worried. Kwon Mi would be more than capable of stopping her.
Even if Mei Xiao were stronger than Kwon Mi, there was no need for concern.
This was Japan, not far from the Kwon Family’s main estate. If an emergency arose, Kwon Seon-woo would surely come to help.
-Who’s slacking off! Get your head in the game!
Just then, Kwon Mi’s sharp voice rang out. Kwon Han-ul turned his gaze back toward the Heukam Corps.
“Well then, I’ll be going for a walk.”
“I hope you have a pleasant one.”
“Would you like to come along?”
“Hmm….”
Joo Ha-yeon hesitated for a moment, then set down her luggage and spoke.
“Then I’ll borrow some of your time for a bit.”
And so Kwon Han-ul spent time with Joo Ha-yeon before returning to the medical room.
A few days later, the date for the procedure was set.
* * *
A week had passed since arriving at Takamine Hospital.
On the day of the procedure, Kwon Han-ul was in the Medical Room where the Coffin of Mutual Prosperity rested.
“This is the final medicinal ingredient.”
Takamine Ryoko held out a large cup. Inside, a rainbow-colored liquid churned and bubbled.
“It’s a medicinal compound made from S-grade elixirs. You could say it’s the core of this entire procedure.”
Kwon Han-ul couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
Was this that ingredient supposed to dissolve internal organs?
Setting aside the color, a liquid that boiled on its own? Nothing but ominous thoughts came to mind.
“Drink it all in one go.”
Whether or not Takamine Ryoko understood his inner turmoil, she urged him forward with a bright smile.
I probably won’t die from drinking it. Well, they did say I’d die without the Coffin of Mutual Prosperity.
With such pointless thoughts, I downed the liquid in one gulp.
I could distinctly feel something thick sliding down my esophagus and settling in my stomach.
As expected, it didn’t taste particularly good.
“How does it feel?”
“Nothing unusual at the moment.”
“What about the taste?”
“Tastes absolutely terrible.”
“Immediately… after… consumption… no… changes… observed… medicinal… compound… tasteless….”
Takamine Ryoko recorded my words on the paper she held. I asked in an exasperated tone.
“Why are you even writing that down?”
“It might be helpful later. Now, please lie down inside the stone coffin.”
I lay down inside the stone coffin as Takamine Ryoko instructed. The bottom had nothing cushioning it, making it hard and uncomfortable.
As I settled into the coffin, the doctors grunted and strained while closing the lid.
Then complete darkness, devoid of even a single ray of light, engulfed my vision.
“Kwon Han-ul, can you hear me?”
“Yes, I can hear you.”
“From now on, don’t worry and just get some good sleep. We’ll take care of adjusting your body from here.”
Sleep, she says.
I let out a bitter laugh. Sleep while lying in a coffin? I wondered if there was ever such an unpleasant request.
But what could I do? My life now depended on Takamine Ryoko, so I had no choice but to follow her instructions.
I closed my eyes. The inside of the coffin was filled with darkness anyway, so it made little difference whether my eyes were open or closed.
How much time had passed?
A cool chill began spreading from deep within my body. At first it felt refreshing, but as time went on, it grew so cold that chills ran through me.
Yet I didn’t feel tormented. My consciousness was gradually becoming hazy. It was as if my awareness was scattering into the void.
‘Am I falling asleep now?’
Being conscious of falling asleep—there was nothing more absurd than that.
But there was no other way to describe my current state.
Just as my consciousness was about to completely scatter.
【You have accessed the deep layer of ‘???’.】
A message materialized before my eyes.
Startled by its sudden appearance, my consciousness, which had been scattering, sharpened once more. Yet my body remained devoid of sensation. I couldn’t move my limbs.
‘What on earth is happening?’
It was the moment I thought this to myself.
【The @!$!%! of ‘???’s !$!$@! is occurring.】
【!@#$#!! by !$!$! is !$#!!%!!@$.】
【@!%#@!%^%&$%^$&%^%&.】
Messages cascaded endlessly before me. Yet not a single one formed a coherent sentence.
【Beginning recollection.】
The moment a properly formed message finally appeared, my vision suddenly flooded with light.
Kwon Han-ul was bewildered, his mind blank for a long moment.
And with good reason—the landscape before Kwon Han-ul’s eyes was not the interior of a stone coffin. Nor was it Takamine Hospital.
I stood within the Golden Palace.
Walls, pillars, ceiling—all gleamed with golden radiance. The brilliance was so dazzling it stung my eyes.
Yet Kwon Han-ul’s astonishment stemmed not from the palace’s splendor.
‘Who are they…?’
Countless figures wandered through the palace. All of them were pitch black from head to toe, or else a dark crimson hue.
I had seen such beings a few times before.
‘…Demons?’
Innumerable demons were visible throughout the palace. They conversed casually, sipped beverages, and spent their time in peaceful leisure.
This made the shock all the more profound. Every demon I had known was a savage and terrifying entity.
-Hey, why are you standing there like an idiot?
A voice called out from nearby. Kwon Han-ul spun around in alarm.
And I could only be astonished.
‘…Baal?’
The Demon King. Baal stood before me.
Though in human size, there was no mistaking it. The Demon King stood directly in front of me.
Kwon Han-ul pointed accusingly at Baal and shouted.
‘Did you orchestrate this deception?’
But Baal said nothing. Kwon Han-ul could only rage further.
‘Speak! What have you done to me…’
-Why aren’t you answering?
Suddenly Baal approached. Kwon Han-ul started and retreated hastily.
But Baal’s stride was faster than my retreat.
And Baal passed directly through me, moving beyond.
‘…What?’
Kwon Han-ul turned around in shock. Baal had his arm draped across another demon’s shoulder.
-How dare you ignore the King’s words. Do you wish to face execution?
-Try if you wish. Though this ark won’t survive unscathed if you do.
-Tch, can’t you even take a joke? Such a tedious fellow.
Baal chuckled mischievously and pinched the Demon’s cheek. The Demon shook his head irritably and swatted Baal’s fingers away.
—Why are you so tense?
—How can I not be? Our race will be locked away in this dimension forever.
—Ha, so you do feel fear sometimes. What a rare sight to witness. It’s true what they say—live long enough and you’ll see everything.
The Demon exhaled deeply before speaking.
—You’re too carefree about this. I’m worried whether the ark will even arrive safely. And…
The Demon drew a breath, then continued.
—I’m also concerned about what kind of place this Earth we’re heading to actually is.
* * *
“The procedure for Kwon Han-ul has just begun.”
Kwon Mi nodded at Secretary Kim’s report.
“How long did they say the procedure would take?”
“Approximately ten hours.”
“That’s quite a while. I’ll need to stay sharp during that time.”
“I’ve already informed the entire Black Sharp Squad.”
“There’s truly no one quite like you, Secretary Kim.”
Kwon Mi smiled and patted Secretary Kim’s shoulder. Secretary Kim bowed even more deeply.
“Ha-yeon seems quite worried too, doesn’t she?”
Kwon Mi glanced to the side as she spoke. Joo Ha-yeon hurriedly lowered her head.
“Not at all. How could I worry when you’re here, Kwon Mi?”
“No need to hide it. You’re anxious about whether Han-ul can endure the procedure, aren’t you?”
Caught in her true feelings, Joo Ha-yeon’s eyes wavered.
“You know, it’s strange watching you lately. That rigid girl—when did you become so emotionally expressive? Is it all because of Han-ul?”
Joo Ha-yeon’s face flushed slightly. Kwon Mi felt an inexplicable sadistic pleasure. She wanted to tease her further, but she held back.
That was when it happened.
Kwon Mi suddenly lifted her head. Her gaze pierced through the window toward the sky.
“What is that?”
A hazy veil began to envelop the area surrounding the hospital.
Faced with this unfamiliar phenomenon, Kwon Mi’s brow furrowed.
“What in the world…?”
In that instant, the wall beside Kwon Mi convulsed. A naked man burst through it.
“Kwon Mi!”
Secretary Kim immediately lunged forward. But Kwon Mi’s hand was faster, seizing the man’s throat and slamming him to the ground.
“Who are you?”
Even as his face turned crimson from suffocation, the man refused to speak. Eventually, Kwon Mi abandoned any hope of getting answers and snapped his neck.
“Secretary Kim, contact the Main House.”
Kwon Mi spoke without hesitation.
They had attacked despite knowing Heukcheon was protecting this place. That meant the enemy was confident.
Had it been only Kwon Mi and the Black Sharp Squad, I would have broken through head-on.
But Kwon Han-ul is here. I couldn’t afford even the slightest variable.
“It won’t work.”
At that moment, Joo Ha-yeon spoke. She stared at the barrier unfurling outside with eyes brimming with hostility.
“It’s a magical barrier. Based on the mana wavelengths, it’s a spell designed to isolate and sever the surrounding area.”
“Magic? Surely not….”
Joo Ha-yeon spoke to the bewildered Kwon Mi.
“Aeon appears to have arrived.”
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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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