Chapter 7 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Episode 7: The Bloodline is Ridiculous(1)

A message appeared before Kwon Hanul, leaving him momentarily in awe.

<Congratulations, Master ‘Kwon Hanul.’ You are now the master of ‘Dragon Sage Armory.’>

His eyes widened in surprise.

There were rare artifacts in the world that allowed ownership to be transferred, and such artifacts often granted unique abilities to their possessors.

It was an incredible reward.

The higher the skill grade, the harder it was to improve proficiency. Unlike attributes, which could be enhanced through external means, skills could only be honed through direct use. While it was possible to experience sudden breakthroughs through moments of ‘enlightenment,’ such instances were exceedingly rare.

“What can I actually do as the master?”

“Whoa, you can respond to questions too?”

As expected of an artifact. Kwon Hanul was mildly impressed.

“So I can restrict other users… That could be quite useful.”

The Dragon Sage Armory was the only place where the secret techniques of the Hyukcheon lineage could be learned. Controlling access to it meant wielding an immense level of authority.

“If I prove myself as a True Black Dragon Blood, can I inherit ownership of other artifacts in this place as well?”

There was no definite answer, but it was highly probable.

After all, most of the important artifacts within the Hyukcheon family had been discovered by Kwon Hyunmoon himself.

“I should take the time to explore them one by one.”

Perhaps, beyond mere ownership, he might also uncover arrangements left behind by Kwon Hyunmoon, just like the Black Dragon’s Ascension Art.

As Kwon Hanul was about to exit the Dragon Sage Armory Archive, a thought crossed his mind.

“By the way, can you tell me what the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques are?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

The Dragon Sage Armory immediately began explaining the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.

After listening for some time, Kwon Hanul organized the information in his mind.

“So basically, it’s an incomplete version of the Black Dragon Ascension Art that Kwon Hyunmoon created for his descendants?”

The Black Dragon Ascension Art could only be utilized by those who possessed True Black Dragon Blood. Because of this limitation, the first family head, Kwon Hyunmoon, devised the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques as an alternative.

He then hid the original Black Dragon Ascension Art within the Dragon Sage Armory, waiting for a True Blood descendant to appear and claim it.

“And you’re saying the structure of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques is nearly identical to the Black Dragon Ascension Art?”

<Yes. Both contain an entry-level stage, a fundamental stage, and an advanced stage. However, the Black Dragon Ascension Art is significantly more powerful and contains a greater number of refined techniques.>

Mastering the Black stial Dragon Ascension Art would eventually lead to the acquisition of ultimate techniques—so powerful they could be considered decisive weapons of war.

“Hm.”

Kwon Hanul fell into deep thought. It was clear that he was learning a far superior secret art.

The question was, how should he leverage this knowledge?

‘I should keep the fact that I’m training in the Black Dragon Ascension Art a secret.’

He assessed his situation with cold rationality. He had neither an established foundation nor sufficient power yet. Standing out too much would only invite unnecessary trouble.

‘But I shouldn’t conceal everything either.’

Kwon Seonwoo had made it clear: producing results would be rewarded accordingly.

Considering the Blood Saints were likely keeping an eye on him, that statement could seem contradictory.

However, Kwon Hanul interpreted it differently.

‘Don’t stand out too much. But be exceptional.’

Fortunately, the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques and the Black Dragon Ascension Art appeared identical on the surface.

“The members of the bloodline who enter the Dragon Sage Armory receive different secret techniques based on their aptitude, right?”

<Correct. That was an instruction left by the former owner, Kwon Hyunmoon.>

“So how many people have fully mastered the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?”

Perfect.

Having settled on a plan, Kwon Hanul exited the Dragon Sage Armory Archive.

* * *

By the time he emerged, it was well past lunchtime.

“Well done.”

Joo Hayun handed him a water bottle. Kwon Hanul accepted it with gratitude.

“Did you obtain good results?”

“Well, who knows?”

He deliberately gave an ambiguous answer.

“Lord Kwon Hanul, there’s no need to be discouraged just because you weren’t acknowledged by the Dragon Sage Armory.”

Misinterpreting his words, Joo Hayun attempted to console him.

“There are many excellent skills within the Hyukcheon Group. While they may not be on the level of a secret art, you can still learn them. More importantly, you possess True Black Dragon Blood, so—”

“I obtained everything.”

“...Excuse me?”

“I mastered the entire structure of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.”

It took a moment for Joo Hayun to process his words.

“...You’re saying you learned the entry-level, fundamental, and advanced stages of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?”

“Yes.”

A look of astonishment crossed her face. That was only natural.

Mastering the advanced stage was something only a prodigy could achieve.

“P-please wait a moment. This is far too important—I must inform the Chairman immediately.”

Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

“Yes, Chairman. There’s something extremely important to report… That is to say…”

A long silence followed. Eventually, she held out the phone to Kwon Hanul.

“The Chairman wishes to speak with you.”

An unexpected situation had unfolded. Kwon Hanul took the call.

-You’ve mastered all the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques?

“That’s correct.”

-Recite the first technique of the first sequence in the advanced stage.

A meticulous man, as expected. Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul answered.

“The technique is called Dragon Rising Strike.”

…

A brief silence followed.

-…So you really did master everything.

Even the Chairman couldn’t hide his surprise this time; there was a slight tremor at the end of his sentence.

-Though your blood is mixed with lowly origins, you truly are Cheon’s son. That blood still runs strong.

Cheon?

Kwon Hanul quickly recalled that his father’s name was Kwon Cheon.

-You’ve done well.

"Is that all?"

-What do you mean?

"You told me before—if I showed results, you’d reward me accordingly. So, is there really nothing?"

It might have seemed bold, but Hanul felt this was the perfect moment to push his case. If he wanted to grow stronger as quickly as possible, this was the only way.

-Hah.

A chuckle echoed from the other end of the phone.

It sounded condescending, amused, incredulous—and yet, also impressed.

-You’re an arrogant brat. But you’re right. With results this impressive, I should keep my word. Hand the phone back to Hayun.

Without hesitation, Hanul passed the phone to Joo Hayun. As soon as she heard the words on the other end, her eyes widened in shock.

"You want me to grant access to the Hyukcheon family’s secret archives? Ah, understood."

After hanging up, Hayun let out a deep breath.

"…Congratulations, Kwon Hanul."

"What exactly am I being given?"

"The Chairman instructed me to keep it a secret."

Was he planning something? Hanul couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping up on him.

"You must be exhausted. Let me take you somewhere you can rest."

"Actually, I’d like to visit one more artifact in the Hyukcheon family’s possession."

He wanted to check if Kwon Hyunmoon had left arrangements in other facilities and whether he could claim ownership of them as well.

"Preferably, an artifact that the First Patriarch himself discovered."

"Understood."

Though Hayun seemed puzzled, she nodded without hesitation.

"This place is the second most important artifact site in the Hyukcheon family after Dragon Sage Armory."

The place Hayun led Hanul to was the family’s body training facility.

It was a vast gym filled with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, all designed specifically for Hunters. These were top-tier machines, extremely expensive and tailored for combat training.

"This place is an artifact?"

Hanul found it strange. Unlike Dragon Sage Armory, this was just a modern facility.

"The equipment isn’t the main focus. That is."

Hayun pointed to a rock placed at the center of the training hall.

The stone emitted a faint glow and had a deep purple hue, resembling amethyst.

"It’s called ‘Wishstone’ an artifact discovered by the First Patriarch, Kwon Hyunmoon."

"What does it do?"

"When training within the stone’s range, physical attributes will increase."

It was a well-known fact that stats do not improve simply through physical training. This had been proven time and again.

While special Hunter training machines existed, they were mostly glorified toys, meant for Hunters to release their strength rather than for actual stat improvement. Serious Hunters never relied on them for growth.

"By following a designated routine here for just three months, all your stats can rise from E-rank to C-rank."

"…Is that really possible?"

Many Hunters spent years in the field without ever reaching C-rank.

Hunters only gained experience by killing monsters. Those without talent struggled against high-ranking creatures, and even if they managed to defeat them, they often did so as part of a team, meaning their personal stats hardly improved.

Hanul was one of those Hunters.

"With about a year of training, you can raise all of your stats to B-rank."

Hanul had to force his mouth shut to keep it from gaping open.

If all stats reached B-rank, that would classify him as a first-rate Hunter. First-rate Hunters were highly valued in any guild.

To be able to train someone to that level in just a year—it was astonishing.

"Unfortunately, the Wishstone’s effect stops at B-rank. To go beyond that, you’d need to consume elixirs."

"What about the other bloodline members? How do their stats compare?"

"The mixed-blood and collateral descendants are at least B-rank, while the purebloods are all A-rank or higher."

B-rank or above. Combined with the Black Dragon bloodline, advanced techniques, and high-grade equipment, their power far surpassed the standard definition of first-rate Hunters.

No wonder the Hyukcheon Group was so formidable.

"Lord Kwon Hanul, for now, you will focus solely on increasing your stats here."

Suddenly, Hayun pulled out a document stamped with the Hunter Association’s official seal.

Awakened: Kwon Hanul

Title: None

Strength (D) – 15 / Agility (D) – 17 / Endurance (D) – 17

Magic Power (D) – 15 / Perception (D) – 16 / Mental Strength (D) – 18

It was a record of Hanul’s stats.

"…Where did you get this?"

Only the individual could see their own status window. No one else could access another’s stats unless the person willingly disclosed them.

"Every year, Hunters undergo official rank evaluations with the Hunter Association, where their stats are recorded. We acquired that information."

"You just took it without permission?"

"For Hyukcheon, nothing is impossible."

Hayun spoke with pride, but Hanul could only shake his head in disbelief.

However, there was one thing even Hayun didn’t know.

The stats she showed him were no longer accurate.

Awakener: Kwon Hanul

Title: Master of Dragon Sage Armory

Strength (D) – 25.12 / Agility (D) – 25.25 / Endurance (D) – 28.32

Magic Power (D) – 22.32 / Perception (D) – 24.31 / Mental Strength (D) – 26.12

Thanks to the effects of the Healthy Bloodline over the past two days, all of Hanul’s stats had already surpassed 20.

With just a little more improvement, he would reach C-rank.

Then, a thought struck him.

"You said the Hunter Association provided my stats, correct?"

"Yes, that’s right."

"Then does that mean other bloodline members can also access my stats?"

“It’s difficult to say for certain… but I believe so.”

Kwon Hanul stroked his chin.

Having personal information leaked was never a pleasant experience.

But what if that information was false?

And what if that false information spread to someone else?

What if someone devised a scheme based on that misinformation?

‘That might actually lead to something interesting.’

As that thought crossed Hanul’s mind—

“Lord Kwon Hanul, would you like to take a look around? In the meantime, I need to step out for a moment.”

“Is something the matter?”

“I need to stop by the archive regarding the reward you’re supposed to receive.”

That was more than welcome news.

“Go ahead.”

After giving a slight bow, Joo Hayun left.

Now alone, Hanul stepped into the training facility.

[You have entered the range of the ‘Wishstone.]

[While training within its range, you will gain additional stat points.]

Hanul picked up a dumbbell and started swinging it experimentally.

[Strength increased by 0.02.]

After about three minutes, a message appeared.

[The ‘Healthy Bloodline’ has detected your activity!]

[This is an effective exercise for upper-body strength! Efficiency is maximized!]

[Strength increased by an additional 0.02!]

[The ‘Healthy Bloodline’ is absorbing the effects of the ‘Wishstone’!]

[Strength increased by an additional 0.01!]

It was quite a significant boost.

“So ‘Healthy Bloodline’ does apply here…”

Hanul approached the Wishstone and placed his hand on it.

[The ‘Wishstone’ detects the True Black Dragon Blood.]

[Ownership of the ‘Wishstone’ is transferred from ‘Kwon Hyunmoon’ to ‘Kwon Hanul.’]

[Congratulations, Kwon Hanul, on becoming the master of the ‘Wishstone.’]

“No security measures in place?”

A bit disappointing. But that thought soon faded.

[You have acquired the title ‘Master of the Wishstone.’]

[While holding this title, the amount of stat increases gained through the Wishstone is enhanced.]

[While holding this title, all stats increase by an additional 20%. This applies separately from your existing stats.]

[Permanently increases all stats by 30.]

A peculiar surge of power spread throughout his body. He could hear his bones and muscles twisting and shifting.

Awakener: Kwon Hanul

Titles: Master of Dragon Sage Armory, Master of the Wishstone

Strength (C) 5.12

Agility (C) 5.25

Endurance (C) 8.32

Mana (C) 2.32

Perception (C) 4.31

Willpower (C) 6.12

Three years and six months since becoming a Hunter—

Yet he had never managed to break into the second-tier ranks.

Now, he had done it in just two days.

‘I finally made it to C-rank…’

The difference between ranks was staggering.

A D-rank Hunter with 49 in a stat and a C-rank Hunter with 50 might seem only one point apart, but the real disparity was like that between an average man and a professional fighter.

Just as Hanul was about to test his newly strengthened body—

“Kwon Hanul?”

A voice unfamiliar to him called out.

Turning his head, he saw a group of five or six young men entering the training facility.

“It is you! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The man at the front greeted him with a bright expression.

The problem was, Hanul had no idea who he was.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, I figured you wouldn’t recognize me. Well, we did see each other at the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

“I had to come down to Seoul for my younger sibling’s ceremony. I didn’t expect to witness such an impressive spectacle.”

The man laughed heartily. Hanul did not.

“You’re a pureblood, I assume?”

“Nope. I’m a mixed-blood from a branch family.”

The man grinned.

“You looked like we were the same age, so I figured I’d speak casually. That’s not a problem, is it?”

Hanul immediately understood the man’s intent.

A mixed-blood from a branch family, speaking to him informally without even introducing himself?

That was blatant disrespect.

In his experience, people like this almost always had ulterior motives.

“The legendary True Black Dragon Blood, supposedly possessed only by the first family head… I’d love to see how strong it really is. How about a spar?”

“No, I’m a bit tired today.”

Hanul rejected him without a moment’s hesitation.

There was no need to waste time on someone with bad intentions.

Besides, even if the man was from a branch family, he was likely stronger than Hanul at present.

Hanul turned to leave the training facility.

From behind, the man called out,

“A true-blooded heir, running away like a coward?”

Hanul stopped in his tracks.

“I suppose it makes sense. You were a third-rate Hunter, just cleaning up after others. What pride would you even have?”

Hanul turned back to face the man.

The man shrugged.

“Oh, was that loud enough for you to hear? My bad.”

Normally, Hanul wouldn’t be baited by such a petty provocation.

He would just ignore it and move on.

But—

[Synchronization Rate: 1% → 3%]

Something surged from within him.

“Fine.”

Hanul stepped toward the man.

“Let’s do this.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]