Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 90

—————

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 90】

Chapter 90: Embers (2)

How was I supposed to handle this?
It had been an hour since Joo Ha-yeon entered the Dungeon.
Kwon Han-ul found himself facing a difficult situation.
“To think they were just lying there unconscious like that….”
“I’m sorry, Han-ul.”
It was because of these two—Mei Hong and Kwon Hu-don.
Once they regained consciousness and heard the situation from Kwon Han-ul, they fell into a state of profound self-reproach.
“To think we couldn’t even cut down a single insect….”
“If only I had been a bit stronger….”
Their inability to overcome Behemoth and subsequent loss of consciousness seemed to be an enormous shock to them.
“Surviving an encounter with Behemoth is an achievement in itself. Neither of you should feel ashamed.”
Kwon Han-ul tried to console them, but his words only seemed to deepen their distress.
“…Now that you mention it.”
Mei Hong suddenly remembered something and asked Kwon Han-ul.
“You said GG protected us while you were coming here. But where did GG go?”
“He left right after the job was done.”
“He left? Where to?”
Kwon Han-ul shrugged, as if he didn’t know either.
“We didn’t even get to thank him.”
“That’s right… He must have been in danger too, yet he helped us….”
Kwon Han-ul was equally concerned about GG’s whereabouts.
GG’s plan was to rescue the bloodline members of a clan that the Pablo Family had kidnapped.
But the Pablo Family was a cartel that dominated a region in South America.
For GG alone, they were an overwhelming opponent.
“Oh, but Han-ul. How was the demon? Was it strong?”
At Kwon Hu-don’s question, Mei Hong also became interested.
Both of them had encountered a High-Rank Demon for the first time in their lives. It was possible they might never meet one again. They couldn’t help but be curious.
“It was strong.”
Kwon Han-ul answered without hesitation.
The High-Rank Demon who had introduced itself as Mammon was truly formidable.
“If it hadn’t been in a weakened state, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome it either.”
“To that extent?”
“But you won anyway, sir. That’s what matters.”
At Mei Hong’s words, Kwon Han-ul could only manage a bitter smile.
I had won, but it was not a satisfying battle.
‘None of my Ascending Dragon Heaven Technique landed against Mammon.’
I divided my own strength into two categories for assessment.
Myself when using only the Black Dragon Bloodline, and myself when mobilizing all bloodlines.
The reason was that the gap between these two cases was far too vast.
When I used all bloodlines and their powers, I gained tremendous strength capable of easily defeating formidable opponents.
But as long as I was concealing the existence of these bloodlines, I couldn’t use them at any time.
Moreover, it was essentially a doped state, making it unreasonable to consider it as my average skill level.
Therefore, I regarded my performance using only the Black Dragon Bloodline as my pure ability.
‘The Black Dragon Bloodline is the most powerful bloodline I possess and the foundational ability that sustains me.’
My combat methods and the powers I primarily employed.
The Black Dragon Bloodline was the foundation of everything.
‘The fact that it didn’t work means my strength falls far short of Mammon’s.’
Even using the Ascending Dragon Heaven Technique, Mammon rose again unscathed.
I had fought countless powerful opponents until now, but this was my first time experiencing something like this.
‘I need to elevate the level of the Ascending Dragon Heaven Technique further.’
The Ascending Dragon Heaven Technique still possessed boundless potential.
The final form, the Ascending Form, remained unused. I hadn’t properly tested the seasonal technique I recently acquired either.
‘There are still many Black Dragon Bloodline powers I haven’t mastered.’
The true essence of the Ascending Dragon Heaven Technique is born when combined with Black Dragon Bloodline powers.
A technique that would normally produce ten units of power becomes several times stronger when fused with the Black Dragon Bloodline.
‘Now that I think about it… once my synchronization rate reaches 40%, I can use the Phantom Beast Bloodline’s powers.’
GG had said the Phantom Beast Bloodline was a power that mimics the abilities of other creatures.
Then what level of strength would I gain if I summoned the Black Dragon’s abilities?
“How did he compare to that man?”
Kwon Hu-don’s sudden question broke me from my thoughts.
“That man?”
“Jose Dil Pablo.”
I fell into contemplation, weighing who between the two was stronger.
“…He would be stronger.”
Then, without realizing it, I spoke.
“Who? Surely the High-Rank Demon is stronger?”
“No.”
I shook my head and spoke.
“Jose Dil Pablo would be overwhelmingly stronger.”

* * *

Mexico is famous as a lawless region, but not all areas are like that.
There are regions where entertainment and indulgence have developed to rival the major cities of other nations.
Zebra City.
The most glamorous city in Mexico.
Because the Pablo Family directly maintained order there, it was one of the safest places in Mexico.
The reason the Pablo Family protected this city was simple.
It was the goose that laid the golden egg, generating enormous revenue.
There were other minor reasons as well.
The Pablo Family’s members were human too, and they needed a place to appropriately indulge their desires.
For these reasons, Zebra City flourished and became a city where the lights never went out.
“Boss. We’ve arrived.”
In the back alleys of Zebra City.
A luxury vehicle came to a stop. The man in the passenger seat got out and opened the rear door.
The person who stepped out from the back seat was a man of considerable age.
But no one in Mexico could afford to disrespect this man simply because of his years.
“Let’s go inside.”
Ricardo Pablo, the boss of the Pablo Family, entered through the rear entrance of the building with two subordinates.
Upon entering, a club came into view. Despite it being prime business hours, the club was completely empty.
“Ricardo!”
A young woman rushed over as if she’d been waiting. She was the Madam who ran this club.
“Do you know how shocked I was when you said you were coming suddenly? Do you know how much trouble I went through clearing out all the customers?”
“I’m sorry about that. I’ve had a lot of difficult matters lately. I came here knowing it would be an inconvenience for you.”
The Madam guided Ricardo Pablo to the center of the club.
She brought him to the center rather than a VIP room because of Ricardo Pablo’s preferences.
He enjoyed drinking in spacious places like this rather than cramped ones.
Ricardo Pablo took his seat. The Madam quickly claimed the spot beside him.
“Have there been any troublesome matters lately?”
“With you around, how could there be?”
The Madam replied while pouring drinks.
“Every time you come like this, doesn’t it tire you? Just call me to the Mansion.”
“This old man’s only pleasure is going out to see your face. I can’t let that be taken away.”
“I worry it might be too much for you.”
“Being cooped up in the Mansion makes me feel suffocated. If I don’t take walks like this occasionally, my body gets stiff.”
Ricardo Pablo threw back his drink. The strong whiskey burned down his throat.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of ominous rumors lately.”
The Madam immediately refilled his empty glass.
“They say all the cartels have sworn loyalty to the Godfather.”
“Not all of them. I still remain.”
Ricardo Pablo furrowed his brow and raised his glass.
“You don’t intend to acknowledge the Godfather?”
“I’m not denying it… The alliance was created solely to prevent disputes between cartels. That brat Godfather is overstepping his bounds.”
The problem was that his overstepping was succeeding.
He’d subjugated the weaker cartels one by one, and before long, even the major cartels had fallen under Godfather’s control.
“It’s an impertinent question, but… didn’t you desire the unification of the cartels, Ricardo?”
In the past—before dungeons appeared on Earth.
Originally, the South American cartels had been a single organization. They moved as one body under the name of the Drug Lord.
There had never been a time when the South American cartels were more powerful and glorious than during that era.
“I did.”
Ricardo Pablo admitted it readily.
“But Godfather… that bastard isn’t the one. He’s too dangerous. He’s harboring ambitions beyond his station.”
“Ambitions beyond his station, you say….”
“He craves renown.”
Ricardo Pablo emptied his third glass.
“He’s spouting delusions about strengthening the cartel and expanding across the entire world. How could anyone trust and follow such a fool?”
It wasn’t incomprehensible.
In the past, national power referred to elements like a nation’s economy, politics, military, and culture.
But in modern times, the meaning of national power had shifted somewhat.
How many exceptional Hunters does one possess?
How many powerful artifacts does one own?
These were things obtainable through dungeons alone. And dungeons appeared everywhere across the globe.
Godfather’s delusion stemmed from here—cultivating powerful Hunters to elevate the cartel’s status.
“Truly a foolish man.”
But that was only said because he didn’t understand the world.
Beyond South America, once you stepped into the wider world, there were horrors so terrible they were scarcely fit to speak of.
There was no need to look far. The Heukcheon Group currently visiting Mexico was the hegemon of East Asia—a faction recognized throughout the entire world.
“Whether it’s Godfather or my nephew… they still know nothing.”
As he said this and reached for his fourth glass,
the club door suddenly burst open and a dozen men strode inside.
“What do these bastards think they’re doing?”
“Do you know who’s here?!”
The two bodyguards who’d accompanied Ricardo Pablo moved to block the men.
That was when it happened.
“Do they know who’s here? Is that why they came?”
A familiar voice called from behind.
The men parted in two, creating a path. Someone walked through the gap they’d formed.
The moment Ricardo Pablo saw that face, his expression twisted violently.
“…You bastard.”
“Uncle. I apologize for interrupting your private meeting.”
Jose Dil Pablo spoke with a smirk.
“What possessed you to commit such an act?”
“You already figured it out—do you really need to hear it from my own lips? I’ve come to replace the boss of the Pablo Family.”
Veins bulged across Ricardo Pablo’s forehead.
“What’s your reason?”
“The Godfather desires the Pablo Family. He says that for the grand vision he intends to pursue, the cartel must become one.”
“A grand vision? You mean that nonsense about turning the cartel into a global organization?”
Anger laced Ricardo Pablo’s voice.
“The Godfather possesses the ability to realize that so-called nonsense.”
“Stop spouting such drivel! It seems you’ve lost your perspective after claiming a throne in this backwater hole!”
“There’s no point reasoning with you. I see no need to continue this conversation.”
Jose Dil Pablo clicked his tongue.
“Uncle. Please step aside quietly. I’d rather not shed blood with you. Even for me, killing you would make my sleep uncomfortable.”
“You bastard…!”
“And the Godfather desires an intact Pablo Family.”
That’s precisely why I timed this for when Ricardo Pablo would visit the Club alone.
This was the only moment Ricardo Pablo moved without his escort.
Had I chosen any other time, a bloody civil war would have erupted.
“I raised you, not the Godfather! You grew fat on my money and blood, and now you dare betray me?”
“I’m sorry about that. But thanks to me, the Pablo Family will prosper even more. Consider that repayment for your kindness.”
“Shut your mouth!”
Ricardo Pablo pointed at Jose Dil Pablo and spoke.
“What are you doing! Make that bastard kneel before me right now!”
At his uncle’s roar, Jose Dil Pablo’s lips curved into a sneer.
“Uncle, surely you don’t think you can handle me with these…”
Jose Dil Pablo’s voice gradually faded.
Strange Persons dressed in black had emerged from the pillars and ceiling of the Club.
“…Uncle. What kind of gift is this?”
“The Desert Brothers. I hired them in advance, knowing you would betray me.”
Despite hearing their name, Jose Dil Pablo showed no sign of recognition.
This ignorant fool.
Ricardo Pablo sighed and explained.
“…Middle Eastern assassins famous for assassinating triple-digit world-ranked Hunters.”
The world’s strongest Hunters.
Among them, the 500 most powerful Hunters are granted numbers.
The Desert Brothers, though bearing the lowest numbers, possessed enough power to assassinate world-ranked Hunters with triple digits.
“You think you’ve cornered me, but you’re wrong. I’ve trapped you instead.”
The Desert Brothers drew weapons from their garments.
Chains, curved blades, sickles, and more.
The scent of blood from their countless victims was so potent it could be detected from a distance.
“I’ve requested their finest service for you. Accept it gratefully.”
Jose Dil Pablo opened a subspace. From within, he withdrew two weapons.
Instead of a blade, there was a greatsword with sharp spikes protruding in rows, and a small curved pickaxe similar to those used for rock climbing.
“Whether you’re from the Desert Brothers or something else, I don’t care.”
Jose Dil Pablo grasped both weapons in his hands, his killing intent surging forth.
“I’ll make you regret this soon enough.”

—————

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

—————