Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 41

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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 41】

Chapter 41: Keeping the Promise (2)

Kwon Han-ul initially doubted his own ears.
Every member of the Heukcheon Bloodline possessed power that defied common sense.
A Gold-rank Dungeon could be cleared by a single mixed-blood member alone, let alone as a team.
So what was this nonsense?
“No matter how much you dislike handing over the White Token, you shouldn’t lie.”
Kwon Han-ul was certain that Kwon Ji-seok was lying. It was a perfectly reasonable conclusion, but—
“….”
Kwon Ji-seok didn’t get angry; he simply fell silent. The moment Kwon Han-ul saw that reaction, he realized it was the truth.
Kwon Han-ul’s expression turned pitiful, though he couldn’t bring himself to voice it aloud.
“Hey! You know this is my fault!”
“Every accident that occurs within a Dungeon is the leader’s responsibility.”
“No, that’s not what I mean… I have my reasons!”
“What reasons could possibly explain why you can’t clear a single Gold-rank Dungeon with a team like this?”
Kwon Ji-seok exhaled deeply, then explained the whole situation from beginning to end.

* * *

“…So that’s how it is.”
After hearing the full explanation, Kwon Han-ul couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.
“The Mud Trolls won’t show themselves?”
Kwon Ji-seok nodded with a heavy sigh.
“Right. I’ve tried drawing them out multiple times by exploiting their habits, but nothing worked.”
Every beast possesses its own particular instincts, and monsters are no exception.
“Whether I scatter their preferred prey as bait or set fires throughout the forest, only a few stragglers ever appear. The rest don’t show their faces at all.”
It was peculiar.
No matter how laid-back Mud Trolls might be by nature, they never forgive intruders in their territory.
Yet despite this invasion causing such chaos, they all remain perfectly still.
“What do you make of this, Ha-yeon?”
“They appear to have entered hibernation.”
Kwon Han-ul gasped. He’d overlooked that entirely.
“Of all the rotten luck—we hit a Dungeon in that exact season.”
“You knew about this?”
“I’ve only witnessed it once, long ago.”
Kwon Ji-seok looked bewildered. Eventually, he raised his voice in frustration.
“What’s hibernation? I want to know too!”
“What? You don’t know? Surely you understand that Dungeons have seasons?”
Time flows within Dungeons, and weather and seasons change. This varies from Dungeon to Dungeon.
And monsters are affected by these temporal shifts.
“All the Mud Trolls in this Dungeon have entered hibernation due to the environmental conditions.”
During hibernation, Mud Trolls hide throughout the forest and sleep soundly. Awakening them at such a time is nearly impossible.
“See! I didn’t mess up! The situation is just like this, so how am I supposed to solve it….”
“Kwon Ji-seok, if you’re of the Heukcheon Bloodline, you should be capable of handling far worse situations than this.”
Joo Ha-yeon spoke with unwavering resolve.
“Th-that’s… well, that’s true, but… how dare you say such things to me, Ha-yeon!”
“I share no particular relationship with you, Kwon Ji-seok. I merely spoke the truth.”
Her tone was so firm it practically radiated killing intent. Even Kwon Han-ul, listening from the side, trembled slightly.
“W-well, but since you know the cause, you must know the solution too, right?”
“I’m afraid no method to awaken hibernating Mud Trolls has been discovered yet.”
“Th-then…?”
“Either you tear the Dungeon apart, or you conduct a thorough search, however time-consuming that may be.”
A look of deep despair settled over Kwon Ji-seok’s face.
Kwon Han-ul was equally troubled. He’d come here to obtain the Dungeon’s soil as quickly as possible, but at this rate, that goal seemed impossible.
What could be done? As Kwon Han-ul pondered this, something happened.
“Hey.”
Kwon Ji-seok suddenly called out to Kwon Han-ul.
“Have you thought of something clever?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why did you call me here?”
“Last time, you asked me to find you the Sage’s Nectar.”
“That’s right.”
“And now you’ve come looking for White Earth. Don’t tell me you actually have a Golden Apple seed?”
Since I hadn’t particularly tried to hide it, I nodded.
“Yes, I obtained it from the Mei Family Compound’s warehouse.”
“…So that’s why Grandfather sent you separately.”
Kwon Ji-seok muttered as if feeling left out.
“What about the Sage’s Nectar? Don’t tell me the reason Grandfather took you to the Delos Auction House back then was—”
“Yes, I obtained it then.”
“Damn it, what did you do to butter up Grandfather to get your hands on the Sage’s Nectar?”
Kwon Ji-seok’s face was practically green with envy. And for good reason. Elixirs that raised ability stats to S-rank couldn’t be obtained with mere money and connections.
“Let me ask you one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“When you went to the Delos Auction House, you said you saw Catalina Blaga in person, right? Is that true?”
I found myself frowning without realizing it. It hadn’t been a particularly pleasant encounter.
“I did meet her.”
“Was she pretty?”
For a moment, I doubted my own ears.
I couldn’t believe that a question about someone as significant as Catalina Blaga would be something so trivial.
“But wouldn’t it be better to think about a solution first?”
“I’m just curious. Catalina Blaga is so famous. They say she has flawless looks and figure, and that anyone who sees her once becomes completely smitten.”
It was something I felt every time, but Kwon Ji-seok’s choice of words was shockingly crude for someone of noble birth.
“Well, she was pretty, I suppose.”
Kwon Ji-seok’s ears perked up. Joo Ha-yeon seemed curious too, glancing at me.
I felt bewildered.
Anyone else aside, but hadn’t Joo Ha-yeon seen Catalina Blaga directly at the auction house?
“How pretty was she?”
“It’s a bit difficult to explain in words.”
“So she was that pretty?”
That was what I meant—I lacked the eloquence to describe it. But Kwon Ji-seok was interpreting it his own way.
“I’m curious too. What do you think of Catalina Blaga, Kwon Han-ul?”
Joo Ha-yeon chimed in from beside me. Now I had no choice but to answer.
“Well, I mean….”
Without realizing it, I gauged Joo Ha-yeon’s reaction. Was it just my imagination? I felt like I needed to choose my words carefully.
Then, a savior appeared. The entrance to the compound suddenly became noisy.
“Something seems to have happened.”
I quickly changed the subject and turned my gaze away.
“Cough, cough.”
Right after that, I choked.
Catalina Blaga was walking toward us.
And she wasn’t alone. Ruin Aspadam followed in her wake.
“What are those people doing here?”
The shock was so overwhelming that at first I thought I was seeing things.
But that presence, that ominous chill prickling against my skin—it confirmed this was real.
“Little Dragon, we meet again like this?”
Catalina Blaga, who had drawn near without warning, smiled brightly as she spoke. In that instant, gasps erupted from those around us.
“Oh, f—… wow… seriously….”
Kwon Ji-seok’s jaw hung open in complete astonishment.
The problem was that he wasn’t alone in this reaction—everyone present, regardless of gender, displayed the exact same expression of shock.
That was when it happened.
Ruin Aspadam lifted his leg and stomped down with tremendous force. A heavy shockwave rippled outward in all directions, shaking the bodies of those around him.
It was a display of power terrifying enough to raise the hairs on one’s neck.
“Do not stare at Catalina carelessly.”
Ruin Aspadam spoke in a voice dripping with murderous intent. Catalina Blaga slapped him sharply on the shoulder.
“Ruin! We are guests here! What will people think if you act like this!”
“My apologies, Catalina.”
Despite his words, Ruin Aspadam showed no sign of genuine remorse. Instead, his gaze grew even more menacing as he glared at those nearby.
Then his eyes suddenly locked with Kwon Han-ul’s. Killing intent flared in Ruin Aspadam’s gaze.
For Kwon Han-ul, it was an utterly bewildering reaction.
“What brings you here?”
Kwon Han-ul asked Catalina Blaga. She replied with a tone of disappointment.
“My, how stiff. We’ve finally met again. Couldn’t you be a bit happier about it?”
“I wasn’t aware we were on such terms.”
At the auction house, Catalina Blaga had wielded her power of dominion over Kwon Han-ul.
From his perspective, there was absolutely no reason to welcome this reunion.
“Don’t look so frightened. I came here for a reason, after all.”
“A reason?”
“The gentleman beside you—that’s Kwon Ji-seok, correct?”
Kwon Ji-seok nodded vigorously. His already gaping mouth opened even wider.
Kwon Han-ul sighed inwardly. He was delighted simply because she had called his name.
“I came to receive the White Stone through an introduction from your older brother, Kwon Chan-seong.”
At those words, Kwon Han-ul’s mind snapped to attention.
So the buyer that Kwon Chan-seong had arranged was Catalina Blaga?
“The… the White Stone, you say?”
Kwon Ji-seok’s confusion was evident. He glanced furtively at Kwon Han-ul and Joo Ha-yeon.
Both ignored his gaze. This was not a matter they needed to be involved in.
“I’m afraid you’ll need to wait a bit longer…”
“A bit longer? A Gold-rank Dungeon shouldn’t take that long, should it?”
At her genuinely bewildered question, Kwon Ji-seok’s face flushed crimson.
“Well, here’s how it happened….”
Kwon Ji-seok explained the current situation to Catalina Blaga.
After hearing the explanation, Catalina Blaga’s expression grew troubled.
“Oh my… what a headache of a situation.”
“If you could just wait a bit longer….”
“I’m not in any particular rush. There’s no need to be so anxious.”
“Really? You mean it?”
Kwon Ji-seok’s face brightened.
Kwon Han-ul exhaled deeply. Watching him sway with every word Catalina Blaga spoke, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Just then, Ruin Aspadam subtly pushed Kwon Ji-seok aside.
“You’re too close. Don’t stand so near.”
Kwon Ji-seok’s face crumpled. His expression screamed, what the hell is this bastard talking about?
Kwon Han-ul whispered to Kwon Ji-seok.
“Do you know who that person is?”
“No.”
“It’s Ruin Aspadam.”
“…The Lightning Sage’s disciple?”
At those words, Kwon Ji-seok’s killing intent immediately dissipated. So he really was a famous figure after all.
“By the way, I’ve been curious since earlier. Is Little Dragon helping you out of goodwill, Kwon Ji-seok?”
“No. I came here because I need White Earth as well.”
“What a coincidence! But doesn’t White Earth only drop from the leader of a pack?”
That was the problem.
Most ordinary buyers would have made excuses. After all, it was Kwon Ji-seok and Kwon Chan-seong who needed to resolve this matter.
But if the person in question was a bigwig like Catalina Blaga, things changed.
“I also desperately need White Earth. What should we do about this?”
“What do you need it for?”
“It’s wonderful for skincare. So I’ve been collecting it whenever I get the chance.”
Catalina Blaga pondered for a moment, then spoke.
“This is fate too. I’d feel uncomfortable sending you away empty-handed.”
“Are you saying you’ll yield to me?”
“But it’s no fun if I just give it to you like that.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Catalina Blaga’s eyes.
“How about we make a wager? If you win, I’ll hand over the White Earth. What do you say?”
Kwon Han-ul looked at Catalina Blaga with suspicious eyes. A wager, suddenly?
“What kind of wager?”
“Little Dragon and Ruin enter the Dungeon and whoever kills more Mud Trolls wins. How about it?”
Kwon Han-ul clicked his tongue inwardly. No matter how I thought about it, the terms were unfavorable to me.
I had asked Joo Ha-yeon about Ruin Aspadam before.
The Lightning Sage’s disciple, a man ranked near the world’s elite.
The numerous titles spoke volumes—he possessed tremendous skill. She had mentioned he’d likely raised his Agility stat to S-rank.
The gap between A-rank and S-rank abilities was so vast it could be compared to an insurmountable wall. The probability of Kwon Han-ul defeating Ruin Aspadam in combat was extremely low.
“I have nothing I can wager, I’m afraid.”
“Well then, how about this? If Little Dragon loses, you’ll accept my dinner invitation. What do you say?”
A dinner invitation?
At the sudden proposal, Kwon Han-ul tilted his head in confusion. Just then, Joo Ha-yeon seized his hand firmly.
“You mustn’t accept this wager. It’s far too dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“No one knows what happens at Catalina Blaga’s dinner invitations. The only certainty is that not a single person who has accepted her invitation has ever returned unchanged. All of them either swore loyalty to her or became her servants.”
Kwon Han-ul’s expression darkened. He hadn’t wagered his white token for nothing.
Kwon Han-ul pondered for a moment.
Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for Kwon Han-ul to defeat Ruin Aspadam.
But the terms of this wager were about who could hunt more Mud Trolls.
If that were the case, Kwon Han-ul’s answer was already decided.
“I accept.”
At Kwon Han-ul’s acceptance, Joo Ha-yeon’s eyes widened. Meanwhile, Catalina Blaga was delighted like a child.
“I knew you’d be bold! So, Ruin, what will you do?”
Catalina Blaga turned to Ruin Aspadam and asked.
While Catalina Blaga’s face was full of smiles, Ruin Aspadam’s face was twisted with fury.
“Catalina. Did you bring me here for this purpose?”
“It seems Ruin doesn’t like this situation.”
“No, I don’t like it at all. That man may be of the Heukcheon Bloodline, but he’s nothing more than a greenhorn who hasn’t even made a name for himself yet!”
In other words, he was beneath consideration.
Kwon Han-ul felt slightly insulted.
“Oh my, so Ruin won’t participate?”
“No, I will. I am your servant, Catalina. If you wish it, I have no choice but to obey.”
Ruin Aspadam turned to face Kwon Han-ul. His eyes burned with killing intent.
“Wait and see. I will prove to you once more what kind of man your chosen servant truly is.”
With Ruin Aspadam’s agreement as well, the wager was now official.
“Ah yes, Kwon Ji-seok. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Of course not! Feel free to do as you wish!”
“My, how refreshing.”
Kwon Ji-seok beamed with delight, his mouth wide open.
“Then shall we head to the Dungeon?”

* * *

“Let me explain the rules again.”
At the Dungeon entrance.
Catalina Blaga explained the conditions to Kwon Han-ul and Ruin Aspadam.
“Whoever hunts the most Mud Trolls hiding throughout the Dungeon wins. The moment the leader is caught, the bet ends! Oh, and the leader counts as three trolls.”
Catalina Blaga tapped her forehead lightly.
“Mud Trolls have small horns growing on their foreheads. Bring those horns as proof of your hunt. Simple enough, right?”
Kwon Han-ul and Ruin nodded simultaneously.
“Since this is your first time, come back in four hours. Then, let’s begin!”
Kwon Han-ul stepped through the Dungeon gate.
As I passed the entrance, an enormous forest came into view.
Trees with trunks so thick that ten people couldn’t encircle them stretched toward the sky. They had grown so tall that I had to crane my neck back as far as it would go.
When I lowered my gaze to the ground, exposed tree roots covered the earth completely. In the bare patches, weeds had grown waist-high.
The trees, the weeds, everything was massive and elongated. I fell into the illusion that I had become small.
“Greenhorn.”
When I turned to the side, Ruin Aspadam was glaring at me.
“I’d like to crush you with an overwhelming display of power, but my pride won’t allow me to go all out against someone like you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ll give you one condition. I won’t use any skills.”
Kwon Han-ul felt anger surge beyond mere displeasure.
No matter that he possessed S-rank agility, was he really suggesting a duel without skills?
But soon, Kwon Han-ul realized how shallow his thinking had been.
“Then I’ll make the first move.”
Before the words even finished, Ruin Aspadam’s body vanished.
Kwon Han-ul startled and looked around frantically.
I couldn’t see any movement at all. I couldn’t even tell where he’d gone.
No matter how much I expanded my senses, I couldn’t detect Ruin Aspadam’s presence.
Then, from a distance away, a thunderous boom erupted. Simultaneously, the cry of a Mud Troll echoed out.
“…This is no joke?”
I’d only heard that the gap between A-rank and S-rank was significant, but I never imagined it would be this severe.
“I can’t win by engaging him directly, that’s for sure.”
But Kwon Han-ul hadn’t accepted the bet recklessly.
He’d accepted it because he was confident in victory.
【’Bloodline Servant’ begins to activate.】
Kwon Han-ul’s eyes glowed crimson red.

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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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