Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 36
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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 36】
Chapter 36: Bloodline Accompanies (1)
Kwon Seon-woo led all the Heukcheon bloodline members toward the Mei Family Vault.
Unlike the Heukcheon Vault, which lay deep underground, the Mei Family Vault existed above ground.
Its width rivaled a soccer field, and its height reached five stories. Compared to the Heukcheon Vault, it was remarkably compact.
Still, as befitted a major family’s vault, various security systems blocked the Heukcheon bloodline members’ path.
“Crash!”
Yet all of it crumbled with a single punch from Kwon Myung-woo.
Before entering the neutralized vault, Kwon Seon-woo divided the areas among them.
“The Heukcheon Team goes outside and collects the Mei bloodline members’ weapons. Myung-woo, head to the first floor armory and take everything worthwhile. Kwon Mi, go to the second floor and…”
As he designated each person, it came to Kwon Han-ul’s turn.
“You and Ha-yeon head to the medicinal herb storage in the basement.”
“Ah, Father?”
Kwon Mi flinched at those words.
“Why are you entrusting that place to him…? We have Hu-don too…”
“Silence. If you’re going to contradict me, get out right now.”
“Ah, understood.”
Kwon Mi lowered her head with a dejected expression. Not only her, but Kwon Ji-seok also wore a distinctly displeased face.
Only Kwon Myung-woo beamed with genuine delight.
“Hehehehe, I knew it! Only you, hyung, would entrust that place to him.”
“Shut it, you fool.”
Kwon Seon-woo spoke with irritation and ascended to the upper floors.
The bloodline members dispersed to their assigned levels.
Watching them move one by one, Kwon Han-ul could only tilt his head in confusion. What was so special about a medicinal herb storage anyway?
“Kwon Han-ul, shall we move as well?”
Kwon Han-ul and Joo Ha-yeon proceeded to the basement medicinal herb storage.
Since Joo Ha-yeon possessed greater knowledge of medicinal herbs than Kwon Han-ul, she took the lead.
“Let’s see… We should take all the herbs on this shelf.”
From somewhere, Joo Ha-yeon produced an enormous burlap sack and began sweeping all the medicinal herbs into it. Kwon Han-ul assisted her work from beside her.
After completely clearing one shelf and moving to the next, she spoke.
“Put all the herbs on this shelf into your personal subspace storage.”
“Pardon?”
He couldn’t help but question it. At a glance, the herbs on this shelf were clearly valuable items.
“Is that… acceptable?”
“Yes, that’s the beauty of plundering. Even if a few things go missing, no one will notice.”
Witnessing Joo Ha-yeon speak so casually, he felt considerably shocked.
“You seem quite familiar with this.”
“I’ve done it many times before.”
“Many times…”
In that moment, a realization struck Kwon Han-ul like lightning.
“Is that why the Chairman sent me to the medicinal herb warehouse?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Your stats have all reached A-rank, haven’t they? But have your stats increased at all since then?”
“Now that I think about it, not even once.”
No matter how much I trained or hunted monsters, my stats remained completely stagnant.
Even the phenomenon of stats rising through bloodline awakening had stopped.
“That’s only natural. With conventional methods, it’s impossible to advance from A-rank to S-rank.”
Hunters grow by increasing the stats displayed on their status window.
Every hunter begins at E-rank, and when their detailed stats reach 50, their rank advances by one tier.
While it may seem as though stats rise gradually, that’s not actually the case.
The higher the rank, the more difficult it becomes to increase stats.
“If A-rank is the realm of the superhuman, then S-rank is called the realm of the transcendent. Achieving S-rank is harder than plucking stars from the sky. The world rankings shift based on how many S-rank stats one has achieved.”
This was information I’d never heard before. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I’d never had the opportunity to hear it.
Until recently, I was a third-rate hunter who hadn’t even achieved C-rank.
“There are two primary methods to reach S-rank: hunting an exceptionally powerful boss monster, or consuming a spiritual elixir of equivalent value.”
Only after hearing those words did I understand the exact reason the Chairman had sent me to the medicinal herb warehouse.
“So you’re telling me to secretly steal a medicinal herb capable of reaching S-rank.”
“Precisely. Such spiritual elixirs are rare even within the Kwon Family, which is why many bloodline members covet them. Without an opportunity like this, your turn would never come.”
Now I understood why Kwon Mi and Kwon Ji-seok had been displeased. They didn’t want to miss such a valuable opportunity.
“As it happens, there’s one such medicinal herb here.”
Joo Ha-yeon reached for an object resting on the shelf.
It was a seed no larger than a child’s fist.
“The Mei Family shouldn’t be underestimated. I never expected them to possess this.”
“What is it?”
“A Golden Apple seed.”
Cough.
I was so startled that I coughed violently. Only after barely calming my throat could I ask again.
“Did you say a Golden Apple seed?”
A spiritual fruit that restores youth and grants boundless vitality to whoever consumes it.
The Golden Apple was a treasure of such immense value that three of the world’s greatest guilds once clashed over it.
No wonder I was astonished to hear it was merely the seed.
“If you consume the Golden Apple, you can elevate one of your stats to S-rank. However, cultivating it until it bears fruit is extraordinarily difficult.”
“How would I go about cultivating it?”
“You need a special artifact called the Sacred Sovereign Tree. It possesses the power to unseal all seals in this world, making it just as difficult to obtain as the Golden Apple seed itself.
This is precisely why Golden Apples are so extraordinarily rare.
Not only do seeds rarely appear, but obtaining the Sacred Sovereign Tree needed to cultivate them is equally difficult.
“However, the effort is well worth it. To qualify for challenging the pinnacle of Heukcheon, you must raise at least three of your stats to S-rank.”
Achieving even a single S-rank—the grade bestowed upon those called Transcendents—required possessing three of them just to earn the qualification to challenge it.
The conditions were not merely stringent; they bordered on the impossible.
“What are Kwon Chan-seong’s stats like?”
“He attained S-rank in all his abilities long ago.”
“And my grandfather?”
“I’ve heard that Kwon Myung-woo not only achieved S-rank across the board, but even reached SS-rank in raw strength.”
S-rank itself felt unreal to me. SS-rank was beyond even my imagination.
“It seems it will take quite a long time to meet the qualifications for a challenge.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Joo Ha-yeon disagreed with that assessment.
“Watching Kwon Han-ul’s growth rate, it doesn’t seem like it will take that long at all.”
Her words struck a nerve with me.
My growth rate, possessing multiple bloodlines as I did, was far from ordinary.
With the aid of my bloodlines, reaching S-rank would be a trivial matter.
“I’m hardly anything remarkable.”
Still, I couldn’t reveal this truth to Joo Ha-yeon.
I deflected vaguely and stashed the golden apple deep within my subspace.
After that, Joo Ha-yeon and I continued our tour through the medicinal herb warehouse.
Unfortunately, the golden apple seed was the only spirit that could elevate my stats to S-rank.
“Shall we head out now?”
We’d gathered everything worthwhile; all that remained was to depart.
Joo Ha-yeon and I made our way outside.
* * *
Kwon Han-ul and Joo Ha-yeon returned to the first floor. The other bloodline members had already finished plundering and were waiting.
The medicinal herb warehouse was simply the largest, so the two of them couldn’t help but arrive last.
“Ah, you’ve come.”
Kwon Myung-woo was the first to greet Kwon Han-ul.
He carried sacks across both shoulders that were even larger than oxen. From the lumpy appearance, they were clearly all weapons.
“So you’ve filled your pockets well?”
“We swept everything up with eyes blazing.”
At Kwon Han-ul’s words, Kwon Myung-woo burst into hearty laughter.
Then, Kwon Seon-woo’s voice came from outside.
“Who in the world is this girl?”
The people inside the vault rushed outside in a crowd.
Kwon Seon-woo and kneeling Heukcheon Team members came into view. Before them lay a woman drenched in blood.
“We discovered her while moving through the Mei Family Compound.”
“Did you do this to her?”
“No. She was already like this when we first found her.”
The woman was alive, but her wounds were so severe that it wouldn’t be strange if she died at any moment.
Kwon Han-ul stared intently at the woman. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
“Mei Hong?”
Kwon Han-ul approached the woman and examined her face. Though covered in wounds making her difficult to recognize, it was definitely Mei Hong.
“Do you know her?”
“She’s one of the representatives of the Mei Family. And… she’s the Mei bloodline member who severed the artifact’s mana circuit.”
“This woman is that girl?”
It seemed she had been attacked by the Mei bloodline members right after severing the mana circuit, which explained her wounds.
“Someone bring medicine.”
A Heukcheon Team member pulled a medicine bottle from his pocket and poured it into Mei Hong’s mouth.
Shortly after, Mei Hong coughed and regained consciousness.
Mei Hong looked around with a bewildered expression. Recognizing the Heukcheon bloodline members, she asked.
“…The battle… what happened to Mei Tian?”
“If you mean the Mei Family Head, he’s already dead.”
At Kwon Han-ul’s words, Mei Hong’s expression softened with relief.
“…Thank goodness.”
She coughed up blood.
Mei Hong spat out blood. Kwon Seon-woo asked Kwon Han-ul.
“Do you know this girl well?”
“No. I met her for the first time today.”
“Is she trustworthy?”
At Kwon Seon-woo’s question, Kwon Han-ul pondered for a moment.
“She should be trustworthy. She’s the one who informed me of the Mei Family’s assassination attempt.”
Though it was useless help given that I possess both the Healthy Blood and Genius Blood.
“Then it should be fine. Treat that girl. We’ll need to bring her to Heukcheon.”
At Kwon Seon-woo’s words, Kwon Han-ul’s expression shifted to one of surprise. He wondered if this was an attempt to repay a debt of gratitude.
“I’ve been wanting to bring the Sura Bloodline under my command anyway. It’s fortunate to gain a cooperative Mei bloodline member.”
As expected.
It seemed his purpose in taking me along was driven more by what would benefit the family than by any desire to repay a favor.
“Everyone, step back.”
The Heukcheon bloodline members quickly distanced themselves. Only after they had retreated far enough did Kwon Seon-woo summon his Dragon Force.
In that instant, a cliff materialized before my eyes.
The density and sheer volume of the Dragon Force that Kwon Seon-woo had summoned made it appear that way.
The Dragon Force began to take shape. A colossal dragon materialized against the azure sky.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
Kwon Myung-woo slapped Kwon Han-ul on the back as he spoke. Kwon Han-ul nodded blankly in response.
“Pay close attention. That is what we call an Avatar Body—the pinnacle of all bloodlines.”
Kwon Myung-woo spoke with eyes full of longing.
Even Kwon Myung-woo, who possessed the First Heukcheon Technique and had claimed the Kwon Force, regarded the Avatar Body as a realm worthy of admiration.
“How does one reach the Avatar Body?”
“If someone with the right qualifications achieves one hundred percent synchronization rate, they can obtain it.”
“What qualifications are you referring to?”
“I don’t know.”
Kwon Myung-woo stated it plainly.
“Many Heukcheon bloodline members have sought the Avatar Body, but only the First Family Head, the Second Family Head, and my older brother have ever achieved it within the Heukcheon Family.”
Kwon Myung-woo’s expression turned bitter.
“I don’t know what the criteria truly are, but one thing is certain—only an extremely limited number of people can achieve the Avatar Body.”
Kwon Myung-woo likely sought the Avatar Body himself but failed.
Perhaps that’s why he gazed at Kwon Seon-woo with such a wistful expression.
“As a true bloodline member, you will surely be able to obtain the Avatar Body. You might even reach a realm greater than my older brother. No—you definitely will.”
Kwon Myung-woo spoke with absolute conviction. At those words, Kwon Han-ul simply smiled.
“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“The Chairman clearly possesses the Avatar Body, so why is it that you are called the First Heukcheon Technique?”
At that question, Kwon Myung-woo’s expression twisted sharply.
“You brat! Though I may not have obtained the Avatar Body, my martial technique surpasses even my older brother’s!”
“Ah, I see.”
“You punk! Where did you learn such an unsatisfying response! Get over here and show proper understanding!”
As the two of them bickered, Kwon Seon-woo, now fully transformed into a dragon, descended below.
-Everyone, climb onto my back.
* * *
Heukcheon Estate.
The pure-blooded members of Heukcheon had gathered in abundance across the dirt-covered courtyard.
Everyone was gazing anxiously up at the sky, wondering what on earth was happening.
One of them muttered under their breath.
“When will the Family Head return…?”
Seven hours had already passed since Kwon Seon-woo, the Chairman of Heukcheon, transformed into his Avatar Body and flew toward the Mei Family.
There was no way Kwon Seon-woo would fall to the Mei Family, but with the head of the clan in enemy territory, they couldn’t simply rest easy.
“There! I can see the Family Head!”
Someone shouted. A black dragon could be seen flying from the distance.
“Thank goodness he’s safe!”
“Of course he is! The Family Head and the First Sword of Heukcheon are together—what could possibly happen!”
As the pure-bloods exchanged words, Kwon Seon-woo descended to the ground.
Once the clansmen he had been carrying dismounted, Kwon Seon-woo released his Avatar Body.
“Phew… transforming into my Avatar Body twice in one day is exhausting.”
“You’ve aged quite a bit, brother.”
“I didn’t want to hear that from you.”
Kwon Seon-woo grumbled. The pure-bloods rushed toward him.
“Family Head! Are you injured anywhere!”
“What happened to the Mei Family!”
At the last question, Kwon Seon-woo gestured dismissively toward Kwon Myung-woo.
“He’ll tell you everything.”
The pure-bloods’ attention turned to Kwon Myung-woo. He grinned widely and spoke.
“Why ask the obvious! Of course we crushed them!”
Kwon Myung-woo threw down the sack he had been carrying. The other clansmen set down the items they had brought from the warehouse.
Seeing the countless spoils of war contained in the sack, the pure-bloods burst into admiration.
“Hahahaha! What an incredible battle it was! Do you know who was especially remarkable? Han-ul! Come here!”
Kwon Myung-woo presented Kwon Han-ul forward, speaking with pride.
“This young man defeated the Second Sword of the Mei Family in a one-on-one duel!”
In that moment, silence fell.
* * *
Kwon Han-ul exhaled a sigh.
“Great Uncle, you need to explain this precisely. That’s not what happened—”
“Hahahaha! Isn’t it magnificent! Defeating the Sword of the Hundred Slashes at such a young age!”
“No, that’s exactly why I need to clarify—”
“That cowardly bastard used some strange artifact to kidnap him, but what a foolish move that was! He died inside it, so that’s that!”
Kwon Han-ul’s voice went unheard as Kwon Myung-woo continued his rambling.
The longer his boasting went on, the more shock appeared on the faces of the pure-bloods.
Kwon Han-ul gave up on everything, letting fate take its course.
“You. Be quiet.”
It was then that Kwon Seon-woo spoke.
“Ah, Brother. What is it?”
“You keep spouting nonsense, which is why I’m saying this.”
The pure-bloods looked at Kwon Seon-woo with a glimmer of hope. But he too did not satisfy their curiosity.
“You must have many questions. However, the main players are exhausted today. Let us adjourn for now.”
There was an irresistible power in Kwon Seon-woo’s voice.
“The distribution of merits and an explanation of the circumstances surrounding this incident will be conducted at a family meeting in a few days.”
Everyone present bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
“Rest now.”
All the relatives began to disperse. Kwon Han-ul also tried to move.
That was when it happened.
“Don’t go. Wait a moment.”
Suddenly, Kwon Seon-woo called out to Kwon Han-ul.
“The day after tomorrow, you’ll need to come somewhere with me. Prepare yourself in advance.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’m thinking of going to the Delos Auction House.”
Kwon Seon-woo spoke casually, but the shock Kwon Han-ul received was tremendous.
The Delos Auction.
It was famous as the auction house where the most expensive artifacts in the world were traded.
To bring Kwon Han-ul to a place where even celebrities struggled to obtain entry tickets, let alone world-ranked hunters?
“Why are you taking me with you?”
At Kwon Han-ul’s question, Kwon Seon-woo turned his body and spoke.
“I need someone to carry my bags.”
“Carry bags…?”
It was a reason that made one doubt their own ears.
“It won’t be boring. All sorts of people gather at the Delos Auction House. You’ll easily see people from other families.”
Other families.
At those words, Kwon Han-ul’s eyes widened.
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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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