Chapter 45

[Translator - Helga ]

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Chapter 45: Jealousy (3)

It was a shocking turn of events.

They had expected Catalina Blaga to intervene somehow, but not in such a forceful and unceremonious way.

‘I… can’t move.’

No matter how much strength he exerted, his fist wouldn’t budge—as if it were cemented into a wall.

“Lady Catalina! Please release me!”

Ruyn Aspadam’s sudden outburst snapped Kwon Hanul out of his thoughts.

“That insolent brat… I must take care of him with my own hands—”

“Ruyn. Bow your head.”

Just a single command.

With just that, Ruyn Aspadam dropped to the ground, pressing his forehead into the floor.

It wasn’t loyalty that compelled him—it was the manifestation of the Bloodline of the Vassal.

“Little Dragon, I apologize. Please understand—Ruyn simply cares too much about me. That’s why this happened.”

Catalina Blaga smiled as she released Hanul’s fist. Only then could he move his hand again.

“You should manage your subordinates better.”

“Subordinate? No, Ruyn and I are partners who share a deep bond.”

Hanul glanced at Ruyn Aspadam.

Partner? That man slammed his forehead into the ground with a single word from her. What kind of partnership is that?

“In any case, I’ll calm him down. So could you tell that Witch of Hyukcheon to withdraw her mana?”

That’s when Hanul realized it.

Joo Hayun’s mana was surging throughout the entire restaurant.

The air had changed. No—it felt more like being submerged underwater. That’s how dense her mana had become.

He’d forgotten.

Joo Hayun was Chairman Kwon Seonwoo’s closest aide and a fellow Hunter who had fought by his side.

Her presence was powerful—comparable even to Catalina Blaga.

“Hayun.”

“Not until that woman leaves.”

“That’s what she said,” Hanul replied curtly. Truthfully, he had no desire to resolve this peacefully either.

Catalina Blaga had made Ruyn Aspadam bow with just a word.

That meant she could’ve stopped him before things escalated—but chose not to.

“She’s made an enemy out of me now. Hmm… what should I do about that?”

Catalina Blaga grasped her right forearm with her left hand.

Crack.

With a short, brutal sound, her arm was torn from her shoulder.

Blood spurted from the severed stump, staining the floor.

“Will this be enough to earn your forgiveness?”

She smiled casually as she spoke, while Hanul’s expression hardened.

“Oh, but don’t worry. Just a little effort and…”

Even as she spoke, the torn limb began to regenerate.

Veins and muscles regrew, bone reformed—and in the blink of an eye, her right arm was restored down to the forearm.

‘…What is that?’

Regenerating lost body parts is difficult even with dungeon artifacts.

And to do it this quickly? Nearly impossible.

‘Come to think of it, one of the powers of the Bloodline of the Vassal is immortality.’

The Bloodline of the Vassal doesn’t only affect others. It grants absolute command over one’s own body.

Her incredible regeneration was part of that power—achieved through complete control over her own flesh.

“Well, I guess this makes punishment meaningless.”

Crack.

Catalina Blaga tore off her arm again.

Watching a woman rip off her own arm twice—it was surreal, almost grotesque.

“I’ll live with one arm for the next week. Would that be enough to show my sincerity?”

“…That seems sufficient.”

“How merciful of you.”

Catalina beamed brightly, blood still pouring from her shoulder.

“I’ll be going now.”

“See you in the morning.”

If they were meeting in the morning, it could only mean one thing—the wager.

Even after all this, she still intended to follow through with their bet?

Hanul was half-stunned by her attitude—but at the same time, he realized it might be a chance to settle the score with Ruyn Aspadam.

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After his reply, Kwon Hanul immediately left the restaurant.

* * *

In the elevator up to the suite, he asked Joo Hayun, “What is she really after?”

Showing up out of nowhere and offering to sponsor him—something wasn’t right.

“She claims it’s all a coincidence… but let’s be real. That’s impossible.”

Everything had been orchestrated by Catalina Blaga.

But there was one thing he couldn’t wrap his head around.

“What could she possibly want that’s worth all this?”

“Catalina Blaga is unpredictable, but her goal is likely simple: she wants you to submit to her.”

“She did all this just to dominate me?”

“You might not understand, but Catalina has done things like this more times than I can count.”

No wonder people called her the “Human Collector.”

“Besides, you resisted her control. That alone would’ve sparked her interest.”

Looking back, Hanul realized she’d used the Bloodline of the Vassal several times on him.

Was it all to test whether her domination truly didn’t work on him?

“She’s trying to control me—even with the Hyukcheon Clan behind me?”

“That’s Catalina Blaga. She’s as troublesome as she is thorough.”

“What do you mean by thorough?”

“She’s meddled with heirs of major Houses before—and not once was she held accountable.” Joo Hayun added, “There’s suspicion, but no proof.”

“I’d better be careful. The thought of ending up like Ruyn Aspadam… it’s horrifying.”

“Do you really think so?”

“What do you mean?”

“There are plenty of people in this world who would willingly be kept by Catalina Blaga. She’s breathtakingly attractive—and wields immense power.”

“Come on, who would—”

Then Hanul thought of Kwon Jiseok.

He quickly changed his tune.

“…I mean, I’m sure they exist. But I’m not one of them.”

“Really?”

“She’s not my type.”

He shrugged and added, “I prefer women my own age. Older women like her are just… not my thing.”

Joo Hayun burst into laughter.

“Oh, and we totally trashed the restaurant.”

“Don’t worry. This hotel belongs to the Hyukcheon Group. HQ will take care of it.”

“Times like this, it’s good to have money.”

Hanul chuckled.

“Oh, Hanul.”

“Yes?”

“I’m the same age as you.”

Her unexpected confession left Hanul momentarily speechless.

* * *.

“Ahem.”

Catalina Blaga sat comfortably in a chair, rhythmically tapping her heels against the ground. She even hummed a tune, clearly in a pleasant mood.

Kneeling beside her was Ruyn Aspadam, his face contorted with humiliation and fury.

“Ruyn, what do you think?”

“I apologize. We failed today, but next time, I swear I’ll kill that bastard—”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Catalina Blaga interrupted him with a cheerful tone.

“He resisted my seduction again. Twice in a row, no less.”

“That’s because the guy’s eyes are like knotholes! He’s a fool who can’t recognize a gem when he sees one!”

“At Delos Auction House, I thought Kwon Seonwoo must’ve used some trick. But even when I was alone with him, it didn’t work?”

Catalina continued talking, seemingly indifferent to Ruyn’s response—whether she truly didn’t hear him or simply chose to ignore him was unclear.

“What really shocked me was the last attempt. I approached him as a ‘woman,’ openly seductive, yet he turned me down so easily.”

The power of the Bloodline of Vassal is influenced by various factors.

One can dominate others through violence, through negotiation, or—as Catalina preferred—through sexual allure.

This was her most potent and trusted method.

Many Hunters, even when aware and prepared, had fallen prey to her charms.

“It didn’t even feel like he was resisting—it felt like it had no effect at all... What’s his secret? Could he have been born with both a bloodline and a gift?”

Such individuals—those born with both a powerful lineage and a supernatural gift—were extraordinarily rare.

Even calling it ‘divine fortune’ wouldn’t justify it. Since the Dungeons opened, throughout human history, cases like that could be counted on one hand.

“If that’s the case, his gift must be mental-type… Did he use it when he defeated the Mud Troll too? I don’t know. There’s nothing I can be sure of.”

Catalina wet her lips with her tongue.

“I want him. I’ve never desired a treasure this much. What should I do? I’m going mad with longing.”

Ruyn Aspadam swallowed hard, almost reflexively.

It was because the look on Catalina’s face went beyond greed—it reeked of madness.

“We’re done here. Let’s return to the family.”

“…What?”

Ruyn couldn’t help but be shocked at her declaration.

Understandably so—she had not yet accomplished her goal.

“But you haven’t secured the Little Dragon yet…”

“Oh, Ruyn, really.”

Catalina waved dismissively as if he were speaking nonsense.

“This is Korea. How could we steal the Little Dragon under the Hyukcheon Group’s nose?”

“That’s why you joined hands with Kwon Chan-seong, isn’t it? He agreed to help kidnap the Little Dragon in exchange for cooperation—”

“Oh, that man.”

Catalina looked unimpressed.

Though she had a keen interest in talented individuals, she showed not a shred of interest in Kwon Chan-seong.

“If it were Kwon Hyuk, maybe—but Kwon Chan-seong? I wouldn’t trust a mere pup like him. Besides, he never even explained how the Little Dragon resisted my seduction. He didn’t reveal that secret, did he?”

Catalina’s actions were simple. But her intentions were anything but.

“This is enough for now. I’ve confirmed again just how dazzling he is. And most importantly… I saw his face.”

Ruyn Aspadam doubted his eyes—Catalina’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

It was absurd.

Could Catalina Blaga, of all people, blush for such a reason outside the bedroom?

A strange, unfamiliar emotion swept through Ruyn, making him tremble.

“Early tomorrow morning… Ah, right. There’s still that wager left.”

As if just remembering, Catalina looked up.

“The Little Dragon defeated more than double the Mud Trolls, didn’t he? If the tables were turned, Ruyn, you’d have insisted you won and ended things early.”

Catalina sighed briefly.

“No helping it, I’ll have to stay a bit longer. Though honestly, won’t you just lose again?”

“…No. I’ll turn the tables tomorrow, without fail.”

“Really? Confident?”

Ruyn bit his lip and shouted, “I swear! I will win!”

“You’re lying.”

Catalina’s gaze turned cold.

“Ruyn, how could you think to deceive me? You know what my eyes can see.”

The Bloodline of Vassal is a lineage that manipulates willpower.

Reading someone’s emotions and mental state was trivial for her.

“Both your logic and emotions are in disarray. Truth is, you’re not confident, are you?”

He wanted to deny it.

But Ruyn Aspadam couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“That’s troublesome. I don’t care about giving up white soil, but if you lose, the Little Dragon might start doubting my judgment.”

Ruyn felt wronged.

Even now, she was thinking about Kwon Hanul?

“Might as well leave a good impression before we depart, right?”

Catalina looked up at the ceiling.

“K. Are you here?”

—Yes, I await your orders.

A voice echoed from the empty air.

Ruyn flinched and looked around. Yet he could sense no one—not even a presence.

He immediately realized the identity of this unseen speaker.

Knights of Shadow.

Catalina Blaga possessed a group of special retainers who had served her for many years.

No one knew their gender, age, or race. Everything about them was shrouded in mystery.

The only known fact was that each one possessed exceptional skill.

“I told you to have the team on standby, just in case. How’s that going?”

—We’ve already secured two bloodkin. The relics for dungeon entry are also prepared.

“Excellent.”

—You flatter me.

With that, the voice faded.

“Well then, Ruyn, shall we rest?”

Catalina extended a hand. Ruyn, his face dark, supported her.

“Ruyn, you seem tired.”

“Not at all.”

“Is it because I’m interested in the Little Dragon? If so, I’m disappointed.”

Catalina wrapped her arms around Ruyn’s neck.

The scent of her skin engulfed him, and Ruyn’s face flushed crimson.

“I like men who obsess over me—right to the end.”

Ruyn’s face turned a deep red.

“It’s chilly tonight. Must be cold alone.”

“I—I’ll serve you with all my devotion.”

Ruyn stammered like an innocent youth. Catalina smiled, finding even that adorable.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

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