Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 20

—————

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 20】

Chapter 20: Bloodline Resolves (3)

A Silver-Rank Dungeon.
A place where entry was permitted only to raid parties of five or more hunters, with at least one first-class hunter among them.
Battle was raging within.
“Shrieeeeek!”
Grotesque creatures with pig-like heads and sickly blue skin charged forward with deafening roars.
Their thick, muscular bodies and axes carved from stone radiated a bone-chilling menace.
Ogres. Man-eating monsters.
Creatures possessed of endless combative spirit, savage instinct, and bodies hard as steel.
Over dozens of them were charging forward—monsters so troublesome that even seasoned hunters avoided them.
Someone threw himself into their midst.
Alone, and without proper equipment.
To any observer, the outcome was obvious: he would be trampled to death by the ogre horde. Not metaphorically—literally.
But what unfolded was the exact opposite.
The man’s kick sent an ogre’s head flying.
At the death of their comrade, the ogres’ eyes blazed crimson with fury.
“Shrieeek!”
“Shrieeeek!”
No monster is more dangerous than an enraged ogre. When there are dozens of them, explanation becomes unnecessary.
The ogres raised their weapons and charged at their enemy.
“…Haah.”
The man who had charged at the ogres, Kwon Han-ul, drew a long, deep breath.
Oxygen filled his lungs, spreading through his bloodstream to every corner of his body.
【The True Black Dragon Bloodline grants you the instincts of a dragon.】
【The Genius Bloodline offers guidance.】
Dragon instinct and ice-cold reason interlocked seamlessly.
The movements of the ogres crystallized in my mind with perfect clarity. It was as though I were observing myself from a third-person perspective, looking down from above.
One ogre at a time, starting with those nearest.
With each movement I made, another ogre’s life was snuffed out.
Each punch shattered a skull. Each kick broke a spine. Five fingers crushed a neck vertebra.
I moved with lethal grace and efficiency, harvesting ogre lives like a predator culling a flock.
Fear began to bloom in the eyes of the surviving ogres. Even these creatures, renowned for their fighting spirit, turned and fled.
‘Ten more ahead!’
I cried out internally as I pursued them.

* * *

‘Impressive.’
Watching Kwon Han-ul’s combat from a distance, Joo Ha-yeon couldn’t help but marvel internally.
‘Every single move targets vital points with precision. As if he knows exactly where to strike.’
Despite being inside the Dungeon, Joo Ha-yeon remained completely unguarded.
Kwon Han-ul was handling the orcs with such flawless efficiency that there was no need for concern.
‘What’s more, his combat approach is calculated. Fighting so many orcs, yet he hasn’t allowed a single attack to land.’
At first glance, Kwon Han-ul appeared to be surrendering himself to raw instinct. His movements were that savage and violent.
But Joo Ha-yeon could see it clearly. Kwon Han-ul was acting before the orcs even charged.
Evading first, attacking first. Defending first, counterattacking first.
Such movements were only possible if he had read and predicted every orc’s action, then formulated his strategy accordingly.
‘What’s truly astounding is… he isn’t using any mana at all.’
Kwon Han-ul was overwhelming the orcs purely through his physical abilities.
Not a single drop of mana had been expended.
‘Is such a thing even possible?’
After consuming the inner core, all of Kwon Han-ul’s stats had reached A-rank.
A-rank was the tier of true superhuman. Orcs could be easily overwhelmed by physical prowess alone at that level.
‘But against a horde, fighting like that would be impossible.’
Just as one hand cannot withstand ten, the difficulty of group combat far exceeded that of one-on-one duels.
Moreover, orcs were notorious for their coordinated pack tactics.
Even a hunter with all stats at A-rank would find it extraordinarily difficult to face a horde of orcs without mana.
Yet Kwon Han-ul was making it possible through near-miraculous prediction and expansive awareness.
In fact, this wasn’t the first time Kwon Han-ul had imposed such restrictions on himself in combat.
He had cleared numerous practice dungeons before this with similar constraints.
And with each dungeon conquered, his combat ability had grown.
Like gradually adapting to a newly purchased automobile.
‘If he were to deploy his full arsenal in combat…’
Without question, he would clear the Platinum Dungeon as effortlessly as stepping over a threshold.
“Phew.”
The sound of a deep exhale echoed. The battle had already concluded.
The time required to dispatch all the orcs hadn’t even exceeded five minutes.
“There’s no entertainment value in this. Why did you bother coming all the way down here just to watch?”
“No, that was a magnificent battle.”
“You’re flattering me again.”
Kwon Han-ul spoke with embarrassment. Though he could be remarkably shameless at times, displaying an almost innocent obliviousness, he proved surprisingly vulnerable to praise.
“Let’s head back quickly.”
As if to hide his embarrassment, Kwon Han-ul took the lead.

* * *

That evening, I was resting in the suite room of a hotel that Iron Fang had prepared for me.
Iron Fang had completely cleared the top floor of the hotel for my use. Thanks to that, I could enjoy it comfortably without worrying about others’ eyes.
“This must have put Iron Fang’s finances in quite a precarious position.”
“You are of the Heukcheon bloodline. I believe even this is insufficient.”
At Joo Ha-yeon’s response, I let out a bitter laugh.
Whether it was because of my origins or because I had only recently become part of the Heukcheon bloodline.
I still wasn’t accustomed to this kind of treatment.
“Did you find out about what I asked you to look into?”
“Yes, I was just about to tell you.”
Joo Ha-yeon opened the document envelope she was holding. She pulled out several photographs and a tablet from inside.
“These are photographs captured by the surveillance camera on the Bomun Mountain Trail three days ago.”
The surveillance camera’s quality was poor, so the image was quite grainy. Fortunately, it wasn’t too difficult to make out the contents.
“If you look here, you should be able to see Iron Fang guild members transporting something.”
Dozens of Iron Fang guild members were pushing a large cart. A large cloth covered the cart.
“What is this?”
Joo Ha-yeon silently held out the tablet and played a video.
Surveillance camera footage.
Iron Fang guild members could be seen straining to push the cart.
Then it happened.
Suddenly, the cloth covering the cart fluttered, and one Iron Fang guild member was sucked into the cart.
Soon after, the cart shook violently and blood began to spray.
“I’m not certain, but the object inside the cart is….”
“Eclipse’s tentacles.”
At my answer, Joo Ha-yeon was greatly startled.
The surveillance camera footage had poor image quality and frame rate. Because of this, the frames showing Eclipse’s tentacles pulling in the guild member were missing.
Even Joo Ha-yeon could only recognize it after slowing down the playback speed and concentrating intently.
“You recognized it immediately.”
“I’m familiar with it, so I took a shot at it once.”
“You’ve observed correctly. I believe the object in the cart is indeed Eclipse’s tentacles.”
“How are severed tentacles moving?”
“Monsters referred to as colossal beasts possess incredibly strong vitality. Even severed parts can remain alive for extended periods.”
It was truly astonishing vitality.
In fact, that wasn’t what needed to be of concern.
“The fact that Eclipse’s tentacles are here means….”
“It appears Kwon Chan-seong has made a move.”
The person who had instigated Iron Fang was Kwon Chan-seong.
I had clashed with him once, but I didn’t expect him to act so quickly.
“Is his pride really that wounded.”
Kwon Han-ul suddenly noticed Joo Ha-yeon staring at him with a curious expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“How did you figure out that Iron Fang was scheming?”
“It’s nothing special. Karankullas have voracious appetites and frequently escape through gates. But the Iron Fang Guild Master said there haven’t been any such incidents recently.”
“Yes, he definitely said that.”
“There’s only one scenario where that happens—when something is deliberately introduced into the dungeon.”
Monsters escape through gates mostly because they’re hungry.
Conversely, if they’re not hungry, they have no reason to leave the dungeon.
That’s why, at one point, weaker nations engaged in the practice of forcibly throwing people into dungeons.
“So I requested an investigation because something seemed off… but I never imagined they’d actually introduce Eclipse’s tentacles.”
Joo Ha-yeon continued to regard Kwon Han-ul with that curious expression.
For someone with the credentials of a third-rate hunter, he knew far too much.
“Why would they specifically introduce Eclipse’s tentacles?”
Kwon Han-ul asked, staring at the Eclipse tentacles in the photograph.
“It’s likely because of Eclipse’s unique properties.”
“Properties?”
“Eclipse’s blood contains the ability to forcibly subjugate and mutate monsters. I suspect Kwon Chan-seong introduced Eclipse’s tentacles precisely for that reason.”
Mutation.
Kwon Han-ul stroked his chin, searching his memory. He recalled briefly reading a newspaper article lamenting how powerful the monster legion that followed Eclipse truly was.
“If the Karankullas consumed Eclipse’s tentacles…”
“By now, the dungeon interior must have transformed into a horrific den.”
Karankullas were already considered dangerous, and now they’d consumed Eclipse’s tentacles?
“It’s already surpassed the danger level of a Platinum Dungeon. It might even be Diamond-Rank.”
Joo Ha-yeon spoke with concern.
“Kwon Han-ul, this dungeon is far too dangerous. You must reveal this to the Chairman and find a different dungeon.”
“Do you think the Chairman doesn’t already know?”
At Kwon Han-ul’s words, Joo Ha-yeon fell silent.
“…He probably does know.”
“Exactly. The Chairman of Heukcheon couldn’t possibly be unaware of something like this. He certainly knew and chose to overlook it.”
At our first meeting, Kwon Seon-woo said that treasures never lose their value, no matter the circumstances.
With such a philosophy, wouldn’t Kwon Seon-woo expect me to overcome a scheme of this magnitude?
“If I expose this and change dungeons… the Chairman will surely be disappointed. Then he won’t even glance my way.”
That would be equivalent to losing the foundation upon which I could grow.
To survive in the Heukcheon Group, I desperately needed the Chairman’s support.
“I’ll challenge the Platinum Dungeon as planned.”
Joo Ha-yeon’s expression darkened. Her desire to stop me was plainly evident.
Kwon Han-ul shrugged his shoulders.
“I declared I’d reach the pinnacle of Heukcheon. I can’t show fear to spiders that have merely gnawed on octopus legs.”
There was another reason as well.
Competitive spirit, and conviction.
My competitive spirit—the pride of possessing the true Black Dragon Bloodline—urged me not to cower before mere tentacles.
“But at this rate, the cost-benefit doesn’t seem to add up.”
Regardless, the situation left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Since we’re challenging it anyway, let’s raise the stakes. Can you make a call for me?”
“Who should I connect you to?”
“Kwon Chan-seong.”
Joo Ha-yeon’s eyes widened slightly.
She entered a number into the wireless phone in the suite and handed it to me.
After a few rings, the call connected.
“Hello, sir.”
-Han-ul? How did you get my number?
“I asked Joo Ha-yeon.”
-Ah, Ha-yeon was there. Calling out of the blue—what’s this about?
I chose my words carefully.
In moments like this, I felt that directness was best.
“I discovered you’ve been orchestrating something rather interesting in the Platinum Dungeon where I’m making my debut.”
A brief silence followed.
-…Oh, little brother. You figured that out? Faster than I expected.
He feigned composure, but the delay in his response was telling.
A smile tugged at my lips. He never anticipated I’d land a blow like this.
-Since you’ve already discovered it, let me say this: you should abandon that dungeon.
“Because you’ve placed an Eclipse’s tentacles inside?”
-…
A second silence.
This one was slightly shorter.
-Opening the gift box I was saving to show you later—you’ve spoiled the surprise, little brother. You’re no fun today.
Kwon Chan-seong voiced a brief complaint.
-So, little brother, is that why you called? To complain about it?
“As if that would change anything.”
-True. You’ve always been quick on the uptake.
Kwon Chan-seong’s laughter came through the receiver.
-Little brother, may I offer some advice? If you’re thinking of abandoning the dungeon…
“I have no intention of doing so, so spare yourself the concern.”
I cut him off before he could finish—I already knew what he’d say.
“I will make my debut in the Platinum Dungeon as planned.”
-Little brother, forgive me for asking, but are you drunk right now?
“No, I’m speaking with a clear mind.”
I leaned back in my chair, settling into a more comfortable posture as I continued.
“The Chairman once told me this: treasure never loses its value, no matter the circumstances.”
Hearing those words, I finally understood the man called Kwon Seon-woo.
“There’s no way the Chairman didn’t anticipate something of this magnitude. He must have seen it coming and simply allowed it to happen.”
The task the Chairman had given me encompassed even these unfortunate circumstances.
So if Kwon Han-ul were to step forward and claim he couldn’t conquer the Dungeon because of ‘such misfortune’?
“The Chairman would be deeply disappointed in me and would never spare me another thought.”
It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing to say.
“Conversely, if I complete this task, the Chairman will place even greater expectations upon me.”
Kwon Seon-woo was not a petty man. Once the value of a treasure was determined, he would do anything to maximize that value.
-That’s true. But little brother, do you really think that’s possible?
“There’s only one way to find out.”
-Little brother, I willingly surrendered two of Eclipse’s tentacles for this endeavor.
“I’m aware.”
-You’re telling me you’ll clear the Karancula nest—the one that devoured Eclipse’s tentacles—entirely on your own? I know your skills are exceptional, but that’s impossible.
“If I recall correctly, you said something similar last time, and I proved you wrong.”
Laughter echoed once more.
-Little brother, that day I witnessed your true depths with these very eyes.
During the confrontation with Lee Pil-seung, Kwon Han-ul had to mobilize every ounce of his power.
And Kwon Chan-seong had observed every moment of it from beginning to end.
-I’ve perfectly assessed your capabilities and devised this plan accordingly. You absolutely cannot clear this Dungeon.
“The me from that day and the me now are different.”
-Are you referring to consuming the Imoogi’s inner core? I’ve never consumed an Imoogi’s inner core, but I’ve ingested several spiritual medicines of comparable grade. So I’m well aware of just how much stronger you’ve become.
“How can you be so certain?”
-Let me ask you instead. Would I ever misjudge your strength and growth?
Kwon Han-ul answered without hesitation.
“That would never happen.”
Kwon Chan-seong was no ordinary hunter.
Not only had he hunted the SS-Rank catastrophic monster Eclipse, but he was among the world’s elite hunters, commanding global attention.
There was no way such a master could have misjudged Kwon Han-ul. Rather, wouldn’t he have assessed me with the precision of a ruler’s measurement?
-I’m certain of it. You cannot clear this Dungeon.
Perhaps Kwon Chan-seong’s words would have proven true.
If Kwon Han-ul hadn’t possessed the Black Dragon Bloodline.
And if no other bloodline had existed.
“Then shall we make a wager?”
-Why would I gamble with someone who’s about to die?
“The future is uncertain, after all.
At that, Kwon Chan-seong burst into laughter—the exact same voice I’d heard before.
It was the kind of laughter one might indulge a puppy’s antics with, tinged with subtle condescension toward humanity itself.
Kwon Han-ul clenched his fists as he asked.
“What will you do if I clear the Dungeon?
-If that happens, I’ll give you one of my treasured possessions. How does that sound?
“Are you serious?”
I have never broken a promise in my life.
At those words, Kwon Han-ul smiled with genuine conviction and spoke.
“You must keep that promise you just made.”

—————

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

—————