Chapter 21

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 21: A Bloodline’s Resolve (4)

Two days later, the long-awaited debut battle had finally arrived.

Kwon Hanul was in the midst of his final preparations for his challenge against the Platinum Dungeon.

“All set,” Joo Hayun announced.

At her words, Kwon Hanul glanced down at himself.

A suit of jet-black armor enveloped his entire body. The armor, crafted from what seemed to be overlapping Imoogi scales, exuded an undeniable sense of excellence.

“Master Blacksmith Park Tae-sik wanted me to pass along his apologies for only sending the armor,” Joo Hayun added.

“He’s busy with work, isn’t he? It can’t be helped.”

Not that he had any complaints. Even if he had, they would have vanished the moment he read the armor’s description.

Aryongtae – The Molted Scales of a Young Dragon

Grade: Legendary (A+)

Description: A suit of armor forged from an Imoogi’s heart and scales, combined with various rare metals.

Abilities:

Increases all stats by 20% when worn.

Enhances mana efficiency by 20%.

Boosts the power of all impact-based attacks by 20%.

Absorbs up to 20% of external damage.

Passively absorbs ambient mana to form an automatic Qi Barrier.

With five powerful abilities, it was worthy of its A+ Legendary ranking—precisely the kind of equipment Kwon Hanul had hoped for.

“Master Park mentioned that he focused on maximizing mobility. Why don’t you try moving around?”

Kwon Hanul performed a few test movements. He raised both arms high and swung them side to side. He extended one leg straight up. None of it hindered his mobility in the slightest.

Moreover, the armor felt incredibly light—almost like he was wearing nothing more than a thin layer of clothing.

“Incredible,” he muttered.

“An A+ Legendary-grade armor is a rare find, even within Hyukcheon,” Joo Hayun remarked.

Starting off with such an artifact was no small stroke of luck.

“All that’s left now is to clear the dungeon,” Kwon Hanul said, swinging his fists in the air.

Joo Hayun, however, still looked uneasy.

“Why the worried face?” he asked.

“I feel like my words have put you in danger.”

He blinked, momentarily confused, before realization dawned on him.

“You mean when you told me to challenge the peak of Hyukcheon?”

“So, you do remember.”

“Of course. But don’t blame yourself for that. You only suggested it—I made the decision. So don’t let it weigh on you. Besides…”

Kwon Hanul trailed off, casting a brief glance at his armor before speaking again.

“Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have ended up doing this sooner or later.”

It wasn’t a guess. It was a certainty.

“I’ve been suffocating for too long.”

Growing up as an orphan, Kwon Hanul had always been an outsider. It was difficult to blend in, yet all too easy to be cast aside.

Even after learning the truth about his birth and joining the Hyukcheon family, his situation had remained unchanged.

“Really… it was stifling beyond words.”

He suddenly became aware of Joo Hayun standing right next to him. When he looked down, he saw her hand gripping his.

Unconsciously, he had clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

“You’re about to enter the dungeon. You shouldn’t be harming yourself like this,” she said.

Kwon Hanul exhaled and loosened his grip, shaking out his hands.

“Let’s head out.”

He stepped out of the container. Not far ahead, the gate to the Platinum Dungeon loomed.

A mix of anticipation and tension swirled within him.

Before stepping through, he glanced back.

Joo Hayun stood there, holding a towel and a water bottle.

“See you later.”

With those parting words, Kwon Hanul leaped into the gate.

* * *

Morning

Kwon Chan-seong made his way to his grandfather’s office.

Kwon Seonwoo had summoned him, instructing him to arrive before lunch.

What could this be about?

With each step, a heavy feeling settled over him. An unshakable discomfort climbed up his throat.

Kwon Seonwoo.

Chairman of Hyukcheon Group. Head of the Hyukcheon family.

To all those carrying Hyukcheon’s bloodline, Kwon Seonwoo was both revered and feared.

That included Kwon Chan-seong, his father Kwon Hyuk, and his aunt Kwon Mi.

“I’m coming in.”

After a light knock, he opened the door.

Inside, Kwon Seonwoo sat at his massive desk, buried in an avalanche of documents. Without even looking up, he spoke.

“You’re here.”

Kwon Chan-seong felt an invisible weight press down on his shoulders. Immediately, he bowed.

“I trust you’ve been well.”

Anyone who knew Kwon Chan-seong would have been shocked by his demeanor.

The self-assured, arrogant man of usual was nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, he was as cautious as a man walking on a razor’s edge.

“Sit.”

Only after the Chairman gave his command did Kwon Chan-seong take a seat.

“Do you know why I called you here?”

“I’m afraid I don’t,” he replied without hesitation.

He had seen what happened to those who tried to predict the Chairman’s intentions and failed.

“It’s about Kwon Hanul.”

Kwon Chan-seong’s expression flickered with surprise. This was unexpected.

“I hear he stirred up quite an interesting game in his Platinum Dungeon challenge.”

“I apologize.”

Kwon Chan-seong immediately bowed his head.

He had never imagined the Chairman would pay such close attention to Kwon Hanul. A grave miscalculation.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not blaming you.”

Relief washed over him.

“I simply wanted to ask—do you think he’ll survive his debut battle?”

Kwon Chan-seong answered without hesitation.

“Hanul will die today.”

Amusement flickered in Kwon Seonwoo’s eyes.

“And what makes you so sure?”

“Because I set the board to ensure it.”

Kwon Chan-seong’s voice brimmed with confidence. The Chairman chuckled.

His eyes widened. It had been a long time since he had seen the Chairman laugh.

“You’re still just a brat.”

The remark stung.

“Grandfather, my judgment—”

“I get it. You have confidence in your own foresight. But remember—nothing in this world is certain. What worked yesterday may not work today.”

“Then… do you believe Hanul will clear the dungeon?”

“That, I do not know.”

Kwon Seonwoo’s words were firm, contradicting his previous statement. Kwon Chan-seong hesitated.

“I just told you, didn’t I? No one knows how things will turn out. However…”

After a brief pause, the Chairman continued, “My instincts tell me—he’ll survive.”

* * *

Inside the Dungeon

As soon as Kwon Hanul entered, he was met with a vast cavern, its scale reminiscent of a massive valley.

Every inch of the towering walls was covered with swarming Karankula drones.

“For eating just two tentacles, this is a bit much, isn’t it?”

Even at a glance, there were hundreds of thousands of them.

And they weren’t just numerous. They were enormous.

Karankula drones were typically the size of large dogs.

But the ones before him rivaled tigers in sheer size.

Worse yet, every single one of them exuded murderous intent, all directed at him.

“You’re hungry, huh? Well, don’t just stare—come get your meal.”

The drones leaped from the walls all at once, darkening his vision.

Then—

BOOM!

The Karankula drones exploded in unison, and the world was bright once more.

Dragon Aura.

Simply unleashing his Dragon Aura had crushed them.

Kwon Chan-seong’s first miscalculation:

He had drastically underestimated Kwon Hanul’s power.

Synchronization Rate 10 → 12%

Kwon Hanul's heart pounded even harder. He could feel the rapid surge of blood coursing through his veins.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form

Forceful Strike Technique: Bamboo Splitter

He raised his leg high and slammed it down with full force. The ground cracked like a spiderweb.

Immediately afterward, a massive explosion followed. The lingering presence of dragon energy wiped out the remaining Karankula workers entirely.

“Phew…”

Kwon Hanul steadied his ragged breathing. The intense movement in such a short span had drained a significant amount of his stamina.

Managing stamina during battle was crucial. But even knowing that, Kwon Hanul had pushed himself recklessly.

Because—

<‘Healthy Bloodline’ detects extreme movement!>

<Stamina is recovering rapidly!>

By the time he took a deep breath once, twice, and finally a third time, all fatigue had vanished.

Just like before the battle started, his entire body was brimming with energy.

It was then—

A flurry of wing beats echoed from above. Looking up, he saw a swarm of Karankula Hummingbirds gathering.

In unison, they fired their spikes. The elongated projectiles bombarded the spot where Kwon Hanul had just been standing.

Kwon Hanul raised his leg and stomped down with all his might. The scattered remains of the Karankula workers lifted into the air.

Then, with a swift kick, he sent the debris flying. Shards of armor imbued with dragon energy rained down upon the Karankula Hummingbirds.

He continued hurling debris, forcing the hummingbirds to scatter in different directions.

Then, he began to run. Scaling a wall, he climbed to their altitude, then propelled himself off the surface and into their midst.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form

Continuous Strike Technique: Chaotic Onslaught

Kwon Hanul’s hands moved in a blur, intertwining in a frenzy. The Karankula Hummingbirds were torn apart, their bodies shredded.

After confirming that they had been completely wiped out, he landed lightly on the ground.

But the moment his feet touched the earth, massive creatures erupted from below.

Karankula Soldiers.

Monsters born for the sole purpose of exterminating intruders. Normally, they were about the size of a midsize car.

But now—

They had grown to the scale of a low-rise building.

And there were at least five of them.

“This… could probably bring down a whole building.”

They were now several times larger than before.

“And they've even got weird pincers.”

Not only that, their front limbs resembled those of a lobster, making them even more suited for combat.

—Screeeech!

One of the Karankula Soldiers lashed out at Kwon Hanul with its front limb. The attack was swift and precise, like a bee’s sting.

Yet, the force behind it was no joke.

Kwon Hanul channeled his dragon energy into both hands. His palms looked as if they were stained with black ink.

Ignoring the incoming attack, he lunged forward.

The soldier’s pincer struck Kwon Hanul’s torso.

At that moment, a black barrier formed on the surface of his armor. The pincer failed to penetrate it and was repelled backward.

Kwon Chan-seong’s Miscalculation #2.

He had underestimated the quality of Kwon Hanul’s gear.

In other words—"gear advantage."

<‘Imoogi's Limbs’ resonates with ‘Young Dragon’s Molt’!>

<‘Young Dragon’s Molt’ has been enhanced!>

<‘Young Dragon’s Molt’ gains a new special ability!>

The dragon energy gathered in his hands thickened.

Kwon Hanul drove his fist into the soldier’s chest.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form

Forceful Strike Technique: Iron Resonance Hammer

A sound like a giant bell being struck echoed as the soldier’s shoulder plate shattered. Its internal organs were pulverized along with it.

With a single blow, the creature collapsed like a crumbling building.

Using the wreckage as a foothold, Kwon Hanul leaped into the air.

—Screeeech!

Another soldier attempted to strike him with its pincer. But before it could, Kwon Hanul had already reached its underside.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form

Forceful Strike Technique: Bone-Crushing Kick

He twisted his body and delivered a vicious kick to its throat. His dragon energy-infused leg sliced through the air in a perfect arc.

Crack.

With a sharp sound, the soldier’s head was sent flying.

Kwon Hanul didn’t stop there. Stepping onto its shoulder, he ascended higher.

And then, he stomped down with full force.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Entry Form

Forceful Strike Technique: Thousand-Pound Hammer

The soldier’s body crumbled from the top down.

By the time Kwon Hanul landed, only debris remained.

The moment his feet hit the ground, he dashed forward.

With every punch and kick imbued with dragon energy, dark traces lingered in the air.

The remaining soldiers were reduced to fragments.

Then—Kwon Hanul abruptly stopped.

No enemies remained in sight.

Looking back, he saw the battlefield littered with shattered remains.

Was it over?

Just as he found the battle underwhelming—

The ground quaked violently.

As if an earthquake had struck, everything trembled.

And then, monstrous figures emerged, tearing through the earth.

They were similar in size to the soldiers, but their forms were completely different.

They had humanoid limbs covered in an exoskeletal armor.

Karankula Generals.

Monsters with bodies so durable that even concentrated artillery fire from an army couldn’t take them down.

Only a few existed within the Karankula ranks.

“This won’t work with the entry-level form.”

The Black Dragon Ascension Art grew more powerful at higher levels.

The entry form, which he had relied on so far, wouldn’t be enough against the Karankula Generals.

“Perfect timing.”

To properly wield an advanced form, one had to master the lower forms up to 10 Stars.

Kwon Hanul had recently reached 10 Stars in the entry form.

That meant he could now fully utilize the Basic Form.

His stance shifted. His aura became even more ferocious.

—Screeeeech!

A Karankula General roared and charged at him.

Synchronization Rate 12 → 14%

Kwon Hanul shot forward, extending his fist straight from his waist.

Black Dragon Ascension Art - Basic Form

Collapsing Strike Technique: Spiral Wave

His tightly clenched fist struck the general’s abdomen.

Dragon energy infiltrated its body, spiraling violently, destroying everything inside.

With a deafening explosion, a gaping hole burst through the creature’s back.

The lifeless shell toppled over.

Kwon Hanul moved deeper into the tunnels.

There, he found the Karankula Queen—nesting over a massive clutch of eggs.

And with unwavering resolve, he raised his hand for the final strike.

“I will ascend to the peak of Hyukcheon.”

With that unshakable conviction, his hand came down.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]