Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 69

—————

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 69】

Chapter 69: The Succession Ceremony (2)

Several dozen minutes earlier.
“So this is the magic that the Witch of Heukcheon unleashed?”
Maria Sanchez stood directly before the barrier.
“It doesn’t seem to be just a barrier that triggers an alarm?”
Maria Sanchez brought her fingertip to the barrier. In that instant, blue flames erupted.
“Oh?”
The flames completely engulfed her hand. Yet Maria Sanchez did not withdraw it.
“It reacts to mana above a certain threshold. And upon contact, it incinerates completely.”
Maria Sanchez turned to look behind her. Dozens upon dozens of Homunculi were breathing heavily.
“Do you realize how close you came to disaster? If you’d entered like this, a third of you would’ve been burned to ash.”
To deploy a barrier of such power across such a wide area.
“Even Pandemonium barely has sorcerers of this caliber.”
Interest flickered across Maria Sanchez’s face.
“Maria.”
Then someone spoke to her. Among those present, he was the sole individual besides Maria Sanchez who was not a Homunculus—Ferdrans’s trusted subordinate.
“It is nearly time.”
“I know. Don’t rush me.”
Maria Sanchez spoke with irritation in her voice.
“Ferdrans, that arrogant bastard. I offered to move personally. And he leaves me behind and disappears?”
“The master intends to infiltrate through another method….”
“Still doesn’t sit right with me. I’ll have to double the contract fee.”
The subordinate’s face went pale.
They had already promised to pay Maria Sanchez an enormous sum. And now she wanted double that amount?
“I’m joking, so don’t be scared. Why would I ask for more money? What kind of relationship do Ferdrans and I have?”
Maria Sanchez laughed playfully and cast off her outer garment.
Her well-developed arms and back came into view. With each breath, the muscles would ripple visibly.
Maria Sanchez clenched her fist.
It was a simple gesture even a three-year-old child could perform, yet something felt different when Maria Sanchez did it.
It was as though the surrounding air—no, space itself—twisted and warped around her fist.
“…What is that?”
Those patrolling inside the barrier spotted Maria Sanchez and the Homunculi.
“A woman? What’s behind her?”
“You idiot! You see them and don’t recognize it! They’re intruders!”
The hunters of Heukcheon frantically shouted into the miniature transceivers attached to their ears.
“E-emergency situation!”
Maria Sanchez drew her fist back and swung her arm with all her might, as if hurling a baseball.
“E-enemies appeared outside the barrier… w-what is that? Ahhhhh!”
Maria Sanchez’s fist collided with the barrier. The entire barrier surrounding the Mansion shattered completely.
“I’ve removed the wrapping. Now it’s your turn.”
At Maria Sanchez’s words, her subordinate nodded.
“We shall move as well.”
“Are you going to fight too?”
“No, I have separate orders from my master.”
“Again? That cunning bastard.”
The subordinate bowed to Maria Sanchez before disappearing with the Artificial Humans. They rushed forward, emanating a ferocious killing intent.
Left alone, Maria Sanchez folded her arms and spoke.
“Well then, shall I summon the Witch of Heukcheon?”

* * *

“You were told not to move inside the Banquet Hall?”
Mark Griffin shouted. Kwon Hu-don stammered in response.
“Y-yes. He said to protect the guests here.”
“That punk gave such an order?”
“Why, what’s wrong?”
At Kwon Hu-don’s question, Mark Griffin frowned and spoke.
“It’s the opposite. That bastard… he actually understands the situation correctly.”
Moving recklessly without properly assessing the enemy was something only fools did.
The safest place in this situation was the Banquet Hall. It was spacious with an open field of vision, making it easy to respond to any variables.
“S-so we should just follow Kwon Han-ul’s orders then.”
“The boss is quite something.”
“H-huh?”
“If we do this, we won’t get any fun out of it.”
Mark Griffin spoke with irritation in his voice.
“If we just guard the guests like Kwon Han-ul says, that bastard will take all the credit. Do you really want that, boss?”
“B-but the mission comes first…”
Mark Griffin let out a heavy sigh.
“Boss, if you’ve got a brain in your head, think about this a little more. The command authority for this operation belongs to Kwon Han-ul. Do you understand what that means?”
“I-I don’t understand…”
“It means whatever happens, it’s that bastard’s responsibility. In other words, we can leave all the cleanup to him and just swallow the best parts ourselves.”
Kwon Hu-don’s face hardened. He couldn’t understand what Mark Griffin was saying.
No—he didn’t want to understand.
In a situation where people might die, was he really thinking only of his own gain?
Do you have any good ideas?
Kwon Mi’s voice came from the necklace that Kwon Hu-don was wearing.
While Kwon Hu-don was startled, Mark Griffin wore an exasperated expression.
“So you were watching the whole time after all.”
Of course I was. Hu-don could get hurt if I’m not careful.
“I don’t understand why you’d worry about that when I’m here.”
Just answer the question. What’s your plan?
Mark Griffin smiled. Kwon Hu-don turned his head away without realizing it.
The smile that appeared on Mark Griffin’s face looked far too cruel.
“I’ve dealt with quite a few criminals, so I know them well. These types never come at you head-on. They’ll find a weakness and exploit it no matter what.”
So you’re planning to turn that weakness against them.
Kwon Mi spoke with a satisfied tone.
Fine. Do as you see fit. But Hu-don cannot be injured.
“Of course.”
Now that he had permission, Mark Griffin had nothing holding him back.
“Then boss, let’s move.”
“M-move?”
Mark Griffin sighed once more and spoke.
“We need to find the rat hole.”

* * *

“Everyone! Please refrain from moving about recklessly!”
“Do not be afraid! We will protect you no matter what happens!”
Kwon Hu-don’s team members moved throughout the Banquet Hall, calming the guests.
The guests who had initially demanded the police be called and caused a commotion had somewhat settled down by now.
But they had only calmed slightly—all of them wore anxious expressions.
“An attack in broad daylight… What on earth are the police doing?”
“These don’t seem like ordinary people… The police won’t be enough. We’ll need to call Hunters.”
The guests exchanged words in trembling voices.
Among them was Takamine Ryoko. She spoke to no one, her composed face watching the time intently.
“Miss!”
Just then, Goriki Nana called out to Takamine Ryoko.
“This is no time to sit idle! We need to escape to that place right now!”
“That place… You mean the Secret Shelter?”
Families of distinguished lineage always have places prepared to hide.
The Takamine Family’s Mansion was no exception.
“Miss! Don’t speak so carelessly! What if someone hears you!”
Goriki Nana spoke irritably.
If the surrounding people learned of the Secret Shelter’s existence, they would surely cause a scene trying to follow her there.
“But Kwon Han-ul told me to stay here.”
“How can you say something so calm when enemies are swarming in like this!”
Goriki Nana spoke angrily.
“If anything happens to you, Miss, the Takamine Family and the hospital will end that very day! Don’t you understand how serious this is?”
Takamine Ryoko fell silent in thought for a moment. Her mind seemed to change. She spoke to Goriki Nana.
“I understand. I’ll follow your advice, Nana.”
“You’ve made the right choice!”
“But how will we get there? In this situation, the others will notice us.”
In preparation for a possible attack, the guests had huddled together in the center of the Banquet Hall.
Kwon Hu-don’s team members were watching the surroundings.
“Don’t worry about that. Soon enough…”
In that instant, Goriki Nana covered her own mouth.
“…Rather, we can move when an opportunity presents itself.”
“An opportunity? What do you mean by that?”
Goriki Nana’s face went pale and rigid. Mark Griffin had appeared behind her without warning.
“I’ve been listening this whole time… Where were you planning to go? Where is that place?”
“I, I, I…”
“Didn’t we tell you? Don’t move about recklessly.”
Goriki Nana’s gaze wavered, lost for direction.
“M, Mark Griffin. You see, what happened was…”
“I heard everything. You were planning to take Miss Ryoko to the Secret Shelter?”
Goriki Nana’s face drained of all color. She let out a sigh as if all was lost.
But in the next moment, a completely unexpected voice rang out.
“That actually makes sense.”
“Pardon?”
“When you think about it, the person Ferdrans is after is Takamine Ryoko. But we can’t possibly leave her in a place like this, can we?”
Goriki Nana’s expression softened slightly.
“Y-yes, that’s right? I have to say, I can actually communicate with you, Mark Griffin. So you’ll guide us to that location?”
“Yeah, we’ll go together.”
At those words, Goriki Nana’s face went blank.
“G-go together?”
“Exactly as I said—we’re going together too.”
“But why…”
“You’re asking something obvious. Of course it’s to ensure absolute safety. If Miss Takamine and you two are alone in the secret shelter, we’d all be safer if we were there as well.”
“B-but that’s the Takamine Family’s secret shelter! Outsiders aren’t allowed inside!”
“When circumstances turn unfavorable, we make exceptions to the rules.”
As Mark Griffin pushed forward relentlessly, Goriki Nana fell silent, unable to find words.
Just as she stood there, caught between options.
“Count me in as well.”
An unexpected figure spoke up. It was Hospital Director Nomura Masataka.
“You’re going to a secret shelter? I’m shameless for asking, but I’d like to come along too.”
“You as well, sir?”
Mark Griffin stroked his chin as he asked. Nomura Masataka nodded.
“I apologize for such a shameless request. But if I die, the Takamine Hospital will suffer greatly as well. For the hospital’s sake, I must survive.”
With those words, Nomura Masataka spoke in an earnest tone.
“Nana, please take me with you.”
Suddenly finding herself mentioned, Goriki Nana was startled.
Soon after, she nodded and spoke.
“Ah, understood. L-let’s go together.”

* * *

Mystical Dragon Ascension Art, Formless (玄龍昇天功 無形)
Applied Form Dragon Demon Bullet (應用式 龍魔彈)
A black demonic bullet fired from Kwon Han-ul’s hand pierced through the bodies of the Homunculi.
In that instant, the bodies of the Homunculi struck by the Dragon Demon Bullet vanished entirely.
Hit the arm, and the arm disappears. Hit the head, and the head is gone. Hit the chest, and a massive hole tears through.
In a heartbeat, ten Homunculi collapsed to the ground as corpses.
“The power is certainly impressive.”
Kwon Han-ul spoke as he relaxed his fingers.
The Dragon Demon Bullet was not simply a condensed demonic bullet fired from demonic energy.
I had woven the mysteries of the Mystical Dragon Ascension Art by utilizing the Asura Blood and Genius Blood.
On top of that, I had poured all my magical power into it with the authority of the Thousand-Li Dragon Eye.
“—-!”
“—-!!”
The remaining Homunculi charged forward again.
An ordinary person would have fled in terror upon seeing the Dragon Demon Bullet, but the Homunculi had already lost their reason, so no such thing occurred.
“Shall I try one more?”
Kwon Han-ul summoned demonic energy once more. Using the authority of the Thousand-Li Dragon Eye, I refined the demonic energy into a bullet.
The second Dragon Demon Bullet struck directly into the chests of all the Homunculi. Immediately after, their upper bodies vanished completely.
“Wow….”
Mei Hong beside him opened her mouth in astonishment.
“You’ve done that twice already… Aren’t you exhausted?”
“A little?”
Kwon Han-ul spoke as he rotated his neck left and right twice.
Despite expending an enormous amount of magical power twice while using the already burdensome Thousand-Li Dragon Eye, Kwon Han-ul remained unharmed.
It was thanks to the transcendent endurance I had gained when my physical strength rose to S-rank.
“Now let’s clean up the remaining ones.”
With Ferdrans’s arrival uncertain, I could not afford to waste time against the Homunculi.
It was when Kwon Han-ul was preparing the third Dragon Demon Bullet.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
“P-please, save me!”
Screams echoed from inside the Mansion.
In that moment, Kwon Han-ul could not help but be taken aback. He had clearly entrusted the guests to Kwon Hu-don and Mark Griffin.
But what were these screams?
“…Mei Hong, I’m entrusting this place to you.”
Kwon Han-ul left it to Mei Hong and rushed toward the Mansion.
Upon entering, I saw Homunculi that had breached through by destroying the opposite wall.
But only the Homunculi were visible—Kwon Hu-don and Mark Griffin were nowhere to be found.
It was not just those two. The number of team members guarding this place was also far too few.
“This is quite peculiar.”
Someone among the Homunculi opened their mouth.
“You said Mark Griffin would be inside. Yet here I am, and not only is Mark Griffin absent—there’s barely anyone guarding this place.”
The Strange Person spoke as though even this outcome had caught him off guard. Kwon Han-ul fixed him with a piercing stare and asked.
“Are you Ferdrans?”
“That’s impossible. I am merely a servant who obeys my master’s commands.”
Kwon Han-ul clicked his tongue. True enough—if this were really Ferdrans, he wouldn’t reveal himself so carelessly.
“Things have unfolded differently than expected, but… I’m grateful you remained.”
A smile played across the Strange Person’s lips.
“Little Dragon. Absurdly powerful, I’ll grant you. But no matter how strong one hand is, it cannot overcome ten hands.”
The Strange Person spread both arms wide. The Homunculi scattered left and right.
“If you wish to protect them, stay still.”
At those words, the guests’ faces drained of color. All eyes turned toward Kwon Han-ul in desperate appeal.
But Kwon Han-ul’s attention lay elsewhere entirely.
“You there.”
Instead, he addressed the remaining member of Kwon Hu-don’s team.
“Y-yes, sir!”
“Where did Kwon Hu-don, Mark Griffin, and Takamine Ryoko go?”
Kwon Hu-don’s team member swallowed hard.
“A-ah, they left the Banquet Hall separately a moment ago.”
“Did I not give you orders?”
“Y-you absolutely did, sir!”
The team member trembled as he shouted. Kwon Han-ul covered his face with his hand, drew a long breath, and exhaled slowly.
“Damn it.”
A curse escaped his lips.
“I had a nagging feeling something was off. So this is how you’re going to screw me over?”
Kwon Han-ul’s killing intent grew thicker by the moment. The Strange Person’s expression hardened.
“Little Dragon! If you value these guests’ lives, stay put! Otherwise—”
“Try it.”
The Strange Person fell silent. Not by choice. The explosive killing intent and fury radiating from Kwon Han-ul sealed his mouth shut.
“Go ahead. Try it.”
Kwon Han-ul glared at the Strange Person, his voice dripping with contempt. In that instant, a chill ran down the creature’s spine.
“K-kill them all at once—”
At that moment, Kwon Han-ul unleashed his mana. An enormous density of magical power exploded outward in all directions. Every pane of glass in the ceiling shattered.
Celestial Wind Path
First Movement: Solitary Sprint
In that instant, the Strange Person witnessed it—translucent wind corridors flooding the entire Banquet Hall.
“W-what…?”
Kwon Han-ul rode the wind paths. His form vanished, and the Homunculi’s heads burst apart in rapid succession.
“W-what is this—!”
Before he could finish, a palm seized the Strange Person’s face and slammed him into the wall.
“Gah—gaaaaahhhhh!”
Kwon Han-ul seized the Monster’s face and hoisted it high into the air.
“Try it.”
“Ugh, uaaaaaahhh!”
“I said try it.”
“P-please, stooooop!”
Kwon Han-ul tightened his grip on the Monster’s face, pouring more force into his hand.
“Uaaaaaahhh!”
At the peak of the Monster’s screams, something cracked with a sickening crunch, and blood sprayed across Kwon Han-ul’s face.
Kwon Han-ul hurled the limp corpse of the Monster to the side.
With eyes gleaming with murderous intent, he glared at his team members and spoke.
“Where are those bastards right now.”

—————

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

—————