Chapter 39

[Translator - Helga ]

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Chapter 39: A Bloodline Accompanies (4)

As soon as Catalina Blaga’s eyes turned a pale pink, Kwon Seonwoo shouted sharply.

“Catalina Blaga!”

At his bellow, the entire building vibrated faintly. It was not a volume any human voice could reach.

“I warned you before. If you recklessly use your Authority on the bloodline of Hyukcheon again, I’ll rip your damn eyes out!”

Catalina Blaga quickly returned her eyes to their normal state and raised both palms in a disarming gesture, feigning innocence.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. Little Dragon was just so charming that I couldn’t help but use my Authority.”

“Don’t try to gloss over it with that kind of nonsense!”

“I’ll undo the mind control right away, so please, calm down.”

Smiling sweetly, Catalina reached out her hand toward Kwon Hanul.

At that moment, Kwon Hanul spoke.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Catalina blinked in confusion.

“That’s odd. I didn’t give him permission to speak…”

“Cut the nonsense and move your hand. You’re giving me a headache.”

Only then did Catalina’s eyes widen in shock.

Seeing Catalina’s stunned expression, Kwon Hanul thought to himself.

‘It felt like forever, but in reality, not even a second passed.’

When Catalina had used her Authority, Hanul thought time had elongated. But it had been no more than a fleeting moment.

Which only emphasized how powerful her Authority was.

‘If I didn’t possess Blood of the True Vassal, I would’ve been completely controlled.’

Hanul looked up and checked his status window and the message.

Acquired: True Blood of the Vassal

Blood of the Vassal

Rank: SS+

Purity: True

Grants dominion over mind and body.

As with most bloodlines, the explanation was vague. But some things were clear.

-True Blood of the Vassal negates the Authority of lower bloodlines.

-Higher-tier Vassal Bloodline is immune to the dominion of lower-tier vassals.

-Your dominion is insufficient. Cannot subjugate Pure Blood of the Vassal.

In short, Hanul couldn’t control Catalina Blaga.

‘The Blaga family has a stricter bloodline hierarchy than most.’

This was because the dominion of Vassal Bloodlineline was more potent among those of the same bloodline.

Hanul had just acquired his Blood of the Vassal, while Catalina was of Pure Blood, just beneath True Blood, and a senior elder who made decisions for the entire Blaga clan.

It was natural Hanul would be at a disadvantage.

-As your Synchronization Rate increases, your dominion through Vassal Bloodline strengthens. Higher Synchronization Rate unlocks additional abilities.

For now, that is.

Hanul had acquired True Blood. One day, Catalina would kneel before him.

‘No, not just Catalina Blaga.’

He could place the entire Blaga family beneath his feet.

That realization sent a thrill through him.

If he could subjugate the Blaga family, a mighty clan even the Hyukcheon bloodline dared not challenge—and make them his allies—

Undoubtedly, he’d wield immense power.

“Heh.”

Suddenly, a mocking laugh broke his thoughts.

To his surprise, it was Kwon Seonwoo.

“For Catalina Blaga to use her Authority and still fail to ensnare one man… What a rare spectacle.”

With a wide grin, Kwon Seonwoo ridiculed Catalina.

“For all their vulgar play, the Blaga clan always excelled at toying with people. Can’t even do that anymore?”

Catalina said nothing, still seemingly reeling from shock.

“Well, looks like we’re done here. Get out. Any longer near you, and your stench might rub off on me.”

It was then—

“…A word to the Lord of Hyukcheon!”

One of the two men who had accompanied Catalina, a young man, stepped forward.

“Lady Catalina is an elder of the Blaga family! Even if you are the chairman of Hyukcheon…”

Before he could finish, his body was slammed into the wall.

Hanul was startled and looked at Seonwoo.

‘Will of Intent!’

It was the same technique that had instantly killed dozens of Mei clan bloodline members.

“You filthy mutt in heat. How dare you run your mouth?” Seonwoo said coldly, glaring at the shattered wall.

The young man staggered out of the wreckage, blood pouring from his mouth.

“To withstand my Will of Intent... You’re a half-decent mutt, I’ll give you that.”

But even withstanding it once had wrecked his body.

Another strike, and he’d surely die.

Just then, Catalina Blaga stepped between them.

“Oh dear, Chairman. Please calm down. This boy is just too fond of me and got overly eager.”

“Eager? What repulsive drivel. I’ve always hated the filthy dogs you keep. In heat all year round, they can’t tell whether they’re staring at a tiger or a dragon.”

“Yes! I’ll personally re-educate him!”

Catalina chirped cheerfully, then turned to the young man.

“You should’ve held back.”

“S-sorry.”

“At least you’re alive. You endured well.”

She slit her wrist with her fingernail. Blood beaded at her fingertip.

The young man’s eyes glazed over the moment he saw the blood.

“Go ahead. Lick it.”

Like a castaway finding dew in the desert, the young man licked her finger.

His body began healing rapidly. Hanul observed carefully.

‘So that’s a vassal.’

Another function of Vassal Bloodline: the ability to transform someone into a Vassal.

A Vassal gains enhanced abilities in exchange for total subjugation.

In other words, an eternal slave.

“Another plaything, huh?” Seonwoo spat, disgusted. “Who is that mutt, to have endured my Will of Intent?”

Even Mei clan elites had died from it, yet that young man survived one strike.

Proof enough of his strength.

“He’s a disciple of the Thunderfist.”

“Oh? So he’s the successor…”

Seonwoo’s expression twisted in revulsion.

“You couldn’t restrain yourself and touched someone else’s disciple again?”

“He was so charming, I acted on impulse.”

“Enough.”

“I’d like to, but…”

Catalina glanced at Hanul.

“Seems I’ve found someone else I want.”

Her eyes gleamed dangerously, just like before she used her Authority.

Apparently, Hanul had provoked her dangerous side.

“Look away before I rip your eyes out.”

“My, don’t say such scary things.”

“I’ll warn you again. Try to dominate a Hyukcheon member, and I won’t just end you—I’ll wipe the Blaga clan from existence.”

Catalina shook her head in playful defiance.

“I’ve told you several times already. I don’t mess with members from other houses.”

“You, of all people—the one famed as a collector of humans—saying that, how utterly laughable.”

Catalina Blaga simply smiled, saying nothing. It was a smile that radiated ominous intent.

“Well then, we’ll be taking our leave. See you next time.”

She turned toward the door with the two men in tow.

“And Little Dragon.”

Just before stepping out, she turned to Kwon Hanul and said, “Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

Her smile was dazzlingly beautiful, captivating enough to draw one’s gaze. But beneath her eyes, a possessive obsession gleamed.

It wasn’t a mild infatuation. It was a suffocating kind of intensity, like swarms of insects gnawing away at one’s flesh.

“That sounds great.”

But Kwon Hanul brushed it off without flinching.

“If you call, I’ll make time—even if I have to force it.”

Catalina Blaga’s expression shifted, clearly surprised by his unexpected reply. Then she chuckled softly.

“You’re making yourself even more desirable.”

With those parting words, she walked out, the two men trailing behind her.

The moment she left, Kwon Seonwoo grabbed Kwon Hanul, demanding answers.

“What the hell did you do? How did you break free of the Bloodline of Vassal’s control?”

Hmm.

Obviously, he couldn’t say it was thanks to that very same Bloodline of Vassal.

“Chairman, you didn’t forget, did you?”

“Forget what?”

“That I possess True Blood.”

Kwon Seonwoo’s face went blank for a moment before he burst into laughter.

“Ah, right. You are True Blood. Of course—a True Black Dragon Blood isn’t something that lowly wench could control.”

It was a hastily made-up excuse, but it worked surprisingly well.

‘Still, how do I increase the Synchronization Rate of Bloodline of Vassal?’

To place the entire Blaga family under his feet, he needed to boost the Bloodline of Vassal’s influence by raising its Synchronization Rate.

In Kwon Hanul’s experience, each bloodline had a different method of increasing Synchronization.

For the Black Dragon Blood, it was combat. For Shura Blood, he had to summon the Shura King.

‘Probably for Bloodline of Vassal, the Synchronization Rate increases when I dominate others.’

As he pondered potential methods, Kwon Seonwoo suddenly spoke.

“Now that you’ve proven your abilities, it’s time I kept my promise.”

He was referring to an earlier commitment.

“I told you—if you produced good results with the Mei family, I’d give you my full support.”

Kwon Seonwoo leaned back in his chair.

“Go ahead—assemble a team of your choosing.”

* * *

“This is getting interesting.”

Back in her private room, Catalina Blaga finally spoke.

“How could someone from the Hyukcheon bloodline—a young man at that—resist my power?”

The two men accompanying her remained silent. They understood well that she wasn’t seeking an answer, just attentive listeners.

“Ahh…”

She let out a breathy sigh, her body tingling with excitement. It had been a while since she’d felt this alive.

“I must have him.”

Greed flickered in her eyes.

This wasn’t the innocent desire of a child. It was the twisted, sticky lust of someone determined to possess, no matter the cost.

“Find out everything about him.”

She addressed the two men.

“His age, birthplace, background, food preferences—I want it all.”

Proper research is essential when acquiring a treasure.

“And especially—find out exactly what his role will be within the Hyukcheon family. Investigate it thoroughly.”

Even more preparation was required when stealing that treasure.

“Lady Catalina.”

One of the men—Ruyn, the young man who had been battered by Kwon Seonwoo earlier—finally spoke.

“This seems to be your first time dealing with something like this, so I think you’re a bit too excited. I doubt that punk resisted your power on his own.”

Ruyn’s words came quickly, almost frantically.

“They wouldn’t leave someone who killed the Greatest Sword alone. He’s probably outfitted with relics that block mind control.”

His tone was urgent, attempting to ground her.

“So please, let’s think this through more calmly—”

“Ruyn, come here.”

Suddenly, Catalina Blaga spread her arms open. Ruyn hesitated.

“Uh… I…”

“My arms are getting tired.”

With reluctance, Ruyn stepped forward and embraced her. Catalina gently stroked his hair.

“I know what you’re worried about, Ruyn. But you don’t need to be. You’re precious to me too.”

Relieved, Ruyn buried his face into her chest.

Which is why he didn’t see it.

The look of boredom that crossed Catalina Blaga’s face.

She was already growing tired of him.

Muttering under her breath, she lazily gazed up at the ceiling.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

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