Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 2

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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 2】

Chapter 2: Bloodline is Peculiar (1)

A luxury sedan from OGMG Company tore down the highway.
Lee Han-ul sat in the back seat, taking in the interior of the vehicle.
The spacious cabin, seats crafted from expensive leather, and a system where pressing buttons on the right armrest could accomplish anything.
Fidgeting with the buttons, I let out a hollow laugh.
For someone like me who had only ever ridden in taxis my entire life, this was an utterly foreign sight.
“Lee Han-ul, thank you.”
A voice came from the passenger seat. Joo Ha-yeon was watching me through the rearview mirror.
“I’m not sure I’ve done anything worthy of thanks.”
“Didn’t you decide to return to the Hukcheon Estate?”
“That was my choice. You said the Heukcheon Group would pay off my debts and provide food, clothing, and shelter, didn’t they?”
For someone joining the Heukcheon Group—called the ruler of East Asia—my reasoning was far too materialistic.
Joo Ha-yeon seemed to share that sentiment, her expression one of bewilderment.
“You are of the Heukcheon bloodline. Do you feel no joy or pride in that fact?”
“Isn’t it a bit absurd to ask someone who grew up as an orphan for over twenty years to feel that way?”
A brief silence fell. Perhaps she had nothing to say. Joo Ha-yeon smoothly changed the subject.
“Adapting to the Heukcheon Group will not be easy. You must prepare yourself mentally.”
“I suppose so.”
I accepted Joo Ha-yeon’s warning far too calmly.
“If this were a third-rate manga, I wouldn’t know, but this is reality. Once I arrive at the Heukcheon Group, I’ll obviously be treated like a rolling stone that wandered in.”
“You are not a rolling stone. You are the direct bloodline of the Chairman….”
“I haven’t been properly trained in over twenty years. The only thing I know how to do is work as a hunter. There’s no doubt I’ll be treated as dead weight.”
That wasn’t all.
“Besides, my father apparently fled the Heukcheon Group and had me out of wedlock. I’m sure people will be thrilled with me.”
Another silence fell. Joo Ha-yeon finally spoke after a long pause.
“Then why did you make this decision?”
“I already told you. They’ll pay my debts and give me money, so I’m going.”
I smirked.
“Isn’t it better to go to the Heukcheon Group and endure some stares while living without money worries, rather than struggling as a third-rate hunter unable to even pay rent?”
My reasoning was so materialistic that it left her speechless.
“Where are we headed now?”
“We’re going to meet the Chairman.”
“I heard the Chairman of the Heukcheon Group resides at the Hukcheon Estate. Isn’t that quite far?”
The Heukcheon Group had already become something akin to a vast kingdom.
Because of this, the Heukcheon Group possessed their own territory in the Northern Korean Peninsula.
“Normally, he resides at the Hukcheon Estate, but he’s in Seoul right now due to an important Heukcheon Group event.”
An important event?
As Lee Han-ul tilted his head in confusion, the car came to a stop.
Joo Ha-yeon stepped out first and opened the rear door. When Lee Han-ul walked outside, skyscrapers came into view.
‘Damn, it’s massive.’
It towered overwhelmingly above every other building in the vicinity—the Black Police, now called Seoul’s newest landmark due to its sheer, imposing scale.
“This way, please. The chairman is waiting for you.”
Lee Han-ul followed Joo Ha-yeon toward the Black Police.
With the Heukcheon Group’s important event underway, the atmosphere was extraordinary from the entrance itself.
Heavily armed soldiers controlled the crowds both inside the first floor and outside.
Thanks to their presence, not a single soul lingered near the Black Police.
The soldiers guarding the entrance spotted Joo Ha-yeon and immediately stepped aside.
“The elevator is this way.”
Mid-sentence, footsteps echoed. A middle-aged woman with heavy makeup walked toward Lee Han-ul.
Joo Ha-yeon bowed respectfully and spoke.
“Kwon Mi, good to see you.”
“Good? Not at all!”
The woman answered irritably, glaring at Lee Han-ul.
“You’re Kwon Cheon’s bastard child, aren’t you?”
Lee Han-ul searched his memory. He’d seen her somewhere before, but it didn’t come to him immediately.
“She is Kwon Mi, the chairman’s eldest daughter and second child. Your aunt, Lee Han-ul.”
“Aunt? Who would acknowledge a wretch like you as a nephew?”
Kwon Mi was expressing her hostility openly.
“You shameless bastard! What gives you the right to set foot in this place? Get out of here right now!”
“Kwon Mi, this is difficult. Lee Han-ul is here under the chairman’s direct orders.”
“Shut your mouth! How dare you interrupt me, you insignificant creature! Just because Father shows you a little favor, you think you’re something special?”
“Kwon Mi, that’s not what I meant—”
“Then take it up with the chairman.”
Both Joo Ha-yeon and Kwon Mi’s gazes turned toward Lee Han-ul. He spoke with an indifferent expression.
“If I’m such an eyesore to you, go tell the chairman yourself. I’m just here because I was told to come.”
“What? You insolent little—!”
Kwon Mi raised her hand. Then, someone grabbed it.
“Easy there, little sister. Why are you so worked up?”
“Brother! Let go of me!”
“Calm down. There’s no reason to get this upset.”
A well-built middle-aged man soothed and placated Kwon Mi. It seemed to work—her expression softened considerably.
“I apologize on behalf of my sister’s behavior. My apologies.”
This time, Lee Han-ul didn’t need Joo Ha-yeon to explain. The man was that famous.
“You know my face, don’t you? I’m Kwon Hyuk. That makes me your uncle.”
Kwon Hyuk.
The eldest son of the Hukcheon Estate and vice-chairman of the Heukcheon Group.
Since Kwon Hyuk handled all external activities, he was regarded as the true second-in-command and heir apparent.
“The Hukcheon Estate must feel unfamiliar to you at first. Feel free to come find me anytime and lean on me.”
Kwon Hyuk patted Lee Han-ul’s shoulder as he spoke.
He projected an image of genuine kindness and warmth.
Yet I could sense it immediately—the light in Kwon Hyuk’s eyes as he looked at me held no goodwill whatsoever.
“Brother! What are you saying! We should throw that bastard out right now!”
“Now, now, Kwon Mi. Father summoned this child. We can’t act carelessly.”
“So you’re saying we should just stand by and watch that bastard enter the Hukcheon Estate?”
The two were bickering when it happened.
With a soft chime, the elevator arrived on the first floor. The doors slid open, and an elderly man emerged.
The moment Joo Ha-yeon saw the old man, her eyes widened. She hurriedly dropped to her knees and cried out.
“I greet the Sky of Hukcheon.”
The Sky of Hukcheon.
There was only one person Joo Ha-yeon would address by that title.
The chairman of the Heukcheon Group and my grandfather.
Kwon Seon-woo surveyed the first floor briefly before speaking.
“I came down when I heard Ha-yeon had arrived, but this is quite the mess.”
“Father! I absolutely cannot agree with this decision!”
Kwon Mi’s voice rang out sharply.
‘A woman of her age acting like a spoiled child—it’s pathetic.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Kwon Seon-woo didn’t spare Kwon Mi a glance. Instead, he turned to Joo Ha-yeon.
“Ha-yeon, is this the child? The right one?”
“Yes, sir. Without question, he is Kwon Cheon’s son.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Kwon Seon-woo shifted his gaze to me. I met his eyes in return.
On the surface, he was merely an unremarkable old man. His frame was small, his muscles lean.
But the atmosphere was different.
During my time as a hunter, I had encountered high-ranking hunters a few times.
They emanated a presence as if they were not human—like facing a ferocious beast.
The oppressive weight of their power was unmistakable.
Yet this man, Kwon Seon-woo, was different.
A dark ocean.
Its depth invisible. Its breadth unknowable.
Only fear remained.
Fear of what dwelled within. Fear of what dangers lurked unseen. My skin crawled.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen my face directly?”
At Kwon Seon-woo’s words, I hesitated briefly. The choice of how to address him was difficult.
Should I call him grandfather? Or should I address him as chairman?
Before my contemplation could even finish, Kwon Seon-woo spoke first.
“I wondered if it would be acceptable since he’s Kwon Cheon’s bastard child… but this is below my expectations.”
His tone was extremely cold.
“To think he couldn’t awaken the Black Dragon Bloodline even at that age. This is precisely why I strictly forbid mixing blood with those lowborn creatures.”
I hadn’t misheard. Kwon Seon-woo’s reaction was less indifferent than outright hostile.
“It was my mistake. To think I was about to bring such a wretch into the Hukcheon Estate. Send him back immediately.”
With those words, the chairman turned away. At that, Kwon Mi’s face brightened.
“Exactly. You’ve made quite the blunder, sir.”
Lee Han-ul’s single remark made the chairman pause.
“What did you expect from someone who spent over twenty years as an orphan outside? Isn’t it obvious without even looking?”
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Mocking? I was simply expressing my bewilderment. If I had received anything from you, I would have at least offered empty apologies for disappointing you. But that’s not the case, is it?”
At the retort about having given nothing yet speaking so much, the chairman’s brow furrowed.
Joo Ha-yeon, along with everyone standing behind, turned pale.
“It’s been quite some time since someone moved their mouth so freely in my presence.”
“My apologies.”
Lee Han-ul bowed slightly, then turned toward the building’s main entrance.
“You said you received nothing? From now on, I’ll make sure you never speak such nonsense again.”
From behind Lee Han-ul’s back, Kwon Seon-woo spoke.
“Ha-yeon, listen.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“The coming-of-age ceremony will begin shortly upstairs. Have this wretch participate as well. Though he’s incompetent, he should at least be given a chance to prove himself.”
“I shall follow your orders.”
Kwon Seon-woo turned without hesitation and headed toward the elevator. Kwon Mi followed with a bewildered expression.
“Father? What do you mean by that! Surely you’re not actually accepting that wretch into the Hukcheon Estate?”
Kwon Seon-woo didn’t even respond and boarded the elevator. Kwon Mi followed him inside.
“Well, I suppose I should go too. Ah, congratulations on joining the Hukcheon Estate.”
Kwon Hyuk also rushed hurriedly toward the elevator.
Once the three disappeared, the first-floor lounge became completely empty.
“Quite a savage household, this one.”
That was my first impression of the Heukcheon Group.
“Lee Han-ul, congratulations.”
“Congratulations, you say?”
“Didn’t the chairman acknowledge you?”
“That’s acknowledgment?”
I recalled Kwon Seon-woo’s words and actions from moments before. There was nothing remotely positive about them to warrant such a word.
“More importantly, what is this coming-of-age ceremony you mentioned earlier?”
“It’s likely different from what you imagine, Lee Han-ul. The coming-of-age ceremony of the Hukcheon Estate refers to awakening the Black Dragon Bloodline.”
“Is the Black Dragon Bloodline the same one I’m aware of?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The Hukcheon Estate’s power was never built through business acumen or riding the tide of trends. It was constructed solely through overwhelming force.
The bloodline members of Hukcheon are individually exceptional hunters. Those who had seen them in person often remarked that they seemed to be of a different species entirely.
And behind that lay a special bloodline that manifested only in the Hukcheon bloodline—the Black Dragon Blood.
“Children born into the Hukcheon family periodically gather at the main estate and awaken their Black Dragon Blood through a coming-of-age ceremony. Only by awakening the Black Dragon Blood can one be recognized as a true member of the Hukcheon bloodline.”
“The chairman just now spoke to me with displeasure about how I’ve failed to awaken my Black Dragon Blood at this age.”
“Those with exceptional talent often awaken their Black Dragon Blood without participating in the coming-of-age ceremony. The more mediocre one’s talent, the later the awakening occurs.”
Lee Han-ul offered a bitter smile.
The lack of talent was nothing new. I had barely managed to survive as a third-rate hunter all this time.
“What happens if one fails to awaken the Black Dragon Blood?”
“There has never been such a case. However, you must understand that your status within the Heukcheon Group will be determined by which grade of Black Dragon Blood you obtain.”
“Are there grades to the Black Dragon Blood?”
“There are three grades: Impure, Inferior, and Pure.”
This was information not known to the outside world.
“The higher the grade of Black Dragon Blood, the greater the power it possesses. Therefore, the status of Hukcheon bloodline members is determined solely by their Black Dragon Blood.”
Inferior is stronger than Impure. Pure is stronger than Inferior.
“Typically, direct bloodline members obtain the Pure grade, while collateral members obtain the Inferior or Impure grades.”
“Typically?”
“Pure is not easily obtained. Even direct bloodline members often end up with Inferior grade Black Dragon Blood.”
“What happens then?”
“They are demoted to collateral status.”
It was a cruel reality indeed.
“What grade am I likely to obtain?”
“There is a high probability you will obtain the lowest grade—Impure.”
It was not welcome news.
“Preserving Black Dragon Blood is extremely difficult. Even direct bloodline members exert tremendous effort just to barely maintain the Pure grade.”
In truth, it didn’t matter to me if I obtained a low-grade Black Dragon Blood.
My goal was simply to live comfortably under the shadow of the Heukcheon Group.
But the situation was far worse than that.
From Chairman Kwon Seon-woo to my uncle Kwon Hyuk, and even my aunt Kwon Mi.
Not a single person had shown me any goodwill.
Moreover, judging by the atmosphere, even the collateral bloodline members would likely not welcome me.
If my Black Dragon Blood grade came out low in this situation and I was demoted to collateral status, it was obvious what kind of treatment I would receive.
“Don’t worry about me. Let’s move quickly.”
“Pardon? But….”
“I told you. I’m used to eating the bread of others’ eyes.”
Saying so, Lee Han-ul took the lead.
“Besides, who knows? Maybe I’ll awaken a high-grade Black Dragon Blood.”
Joo Ha-yeon burst into laughter. It was the first laugh I had heard from her.
“You’re laughing at something I said seriously. You’re too much.”
Speaking playfully, Lee Han-ul took the lead.
“Let’s go. You said you need to participate in something for your coming-of-age ceremony.”

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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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