Chapter 48

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

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Chapter 48: Forced Subjugation (3)

A blackened road had been carved through the forest.

Trees were charred pitch-black, and the ground scorched dark. The trail of destruction stretched far and wide, resembling a road more than mere devastation.

At the end of that road, a man stood alone.

“Hoo…”

The man, Ruyn Aspadam, dusted off his hands and stared straight ahead. There, Kwon Hanul lay in a broken heap.

The armor he wore was in tatters. His muscles and bones had been crushed to pulp.

It was the natural outcome.

It was an overwhelming victory, by any measure, for Ruyn Aspadam.

Yet, a hint of displeasure lingered on Ruyn’s face. As though something didn’t sit right.

“…The body is still intact.”

Ruyn hadn’t attacked with the intent to merely kill Kwon Hanul.

He’d intended to rip his body to shreds—leave nothing recognizable.

And yet, Hanul’s form remained human.

Why?

Ruyn glanced at Hanul’s armor.

True, the armor had been sturdy—it had endured several of Ruyn’s attacks.

In exchange, it was now utterly ruined, unsalvageable from this day forward.

“…”

Ruyn shook his head.

The armor had done its part. But during the assault, Hanul had evaded several strikes—precisely the ones that would have been fatal.

To dodge only the truly lethal blows amidst a storm of thousands?

Instinct? Talent? No, it had been too precise—too calculated.

Ruyn abandoned the thought. He was the victor, after all.

“With this, Lady Catalina Blaga’s favor will return to me.”

Ruyn’s face contorted in ecstasy, his body trembling at the mere thought.

Then—

“Urgh…”

Kwon Hanul let out a low groan as he rose to his feet. Ruyn stared in shock.

“I don’t get what’s so great about that wicked woman for you to go this far.”

Ruyn’s body twitched visibly, his composure unraveling for all to see.

“…How are you still alive?”

“I’ve always been pretty healthy.”

Ruyn couldn’t see it, but before Hanul’s eyes, several messages appeared:

-Healthy Bloodline has detected anomalies in your body!

-Stamina recovery temporarily increased by 200%!

-Natural regeneration temporarily increased by 100%!

-Endurance temporarily….

Healthy Bloodline had activated all its powers to heal Hanul’s wrecked body.

“Your speed was terrifying. Truly worthy of the world’s fastest martial art.”

Thunderclap Heaven Fist: Three Heavens

Fists rained down from all directions, like fighting dozens at once.

Not only was it fast, but every blow carried tremendous force—strong enough to shred even the once-sturdy Aryongtae armor.

“You are indeed worthy of being chosen by Lady Catalina… Yes, you should be this formidable.”

“Still going on about that? Why don’t you come to your senses?”

“Silence!” Ruyn roared in fury.

“You can’t possibly imagine! The agony of losing Lady Catalina’s favor! The mere thought twists my insides!”

His eyes bloodshot, as if he would weep tears of blood.

“Her favor is mine! I will never surrender it!”

“I told you—I don’t need it.”

Ruyn stomped the ground. In a flash of lightning, he vanished.

In the blink of an eye, he was behind Hanul.

“This ends now!”

He struck with a palm filled with Lightning Energy, aiming to sever Hanul’s neck.

At that instant, Hanul twisted his waist and smashed an elbow into Ruyn’s face.

“Guh!”

Unprepared, Ruyn took the full force of the unexpected blow and staggered back, confused.

‘How did he hit me?’

“You bastard!”

Ruyn vanished again, reappearing before Hanul.

Left temple. Philtrum. Solar plexus.

Three rapid strikes in a blink. So fast they seemed simultaneous.

Yet—

Hanul casually blocked them with his forearm.

“…What?”

Not stopping there, Hanul struck Ruyn’s torso with an open palm.

A dull thud, and blood burst from Ruyn’s lips.

“Gah!”

Clutching his abdomen, Ruyn retreated, his voice shaking.

“…How did you do that?”

Once might be chance. Twice? Incomprehensible.

He’d not only blocked the second strike—he’d counterattacked.

“Can you… see my movements?”

“Not quite.”

Hanul coolly denied it.

“How would I see movements like yours?”

Ruyn possessed S-Class Agility.

Hanul could barely track Ruyn’s natural movements, let alone when Ruyn used Thunderclap Heaven Fist. Not a chance.

“I just anticipated and responded.”

“…Anticipated?” Ruyn murmured, stunned.

Did this man realize how absurd that sounded?

Anyone can react if they see. But reading movements—that’s different. It requires prediction.

That means more than observation—it demands analysis.

One must understand the opponent’s presence, habits, techniques…

And Ruyn, with S-Class Agility and Thunderclap Heaven Fist?

Predicting that was nearly divine.

“I’m starting to get the hang of it now.”

Hanul cracked his neck. A popping sound echoed.

“How best to use and maximize my abilities.”

“Abilities? You mean Black Dragon Bloodline?”

“That too.”

That too?

Ruyn couldn’t grasp it.

“I thought Shura Bloodline was just about mastering weapons…”

Not wrong.

Ordinary Shura Bloodline grants mastery over all weapons once you learn even one.

But Hanul possessed the True Shura Bloodline—infused with the soul of the Shura King.

He could sense far more.

“That wasn’t it. Its true power is seeing through martial arts itself.”

When Ruyn used Thunderclap Fist, Hanul glimpsed the flow and structure of the technique.

Not every detail—but enough to understand the general form.

Still, Shura Bloodline only provided the data. Comprehending and utilizing it was thanks to Genius Bloodline.

Without it, he couldn’t have processed the information.

Where Ruyn would move. How to respond.

Genius Bloodline provided the answers.

And he could apply them instantly thanks to Black Dragon Bloodline.

All the knowledge and solutions would’ve been useless otherwise.

Even a technique practiced thousands of times is hard to execute in real combat.

But Black Dragon Bloodline endowed Hanul with the instincts of a dragon, allowing him to apply the knowledge in real-time.

Together, the three bloodlines allowed Hanul to avoid fatal blows amid a storm of strikes.

The synergy of bloodlines.

That power exceeded anything Hanul imagined.

It was why he hadn’t feared Ruyn Aspadam from the beginning.

His bloodlines knew. With them, Ruyn was nothing.

Then—

-Your understanding of Genius Bloodline and Shura Bloodline has greatly increased!

-Genius Bloodline’s abilities have been enhanced!

-Brain capacity expanded!

-All cognitive abilities increased!

-Mental resilience greatly strengthened!

Hanul’s perception of the world broadened.

It felt like invisible shackles had fallen away.

-Shura Bloodline synchronization increased!

-True Shura Bloodline: 8% → 20%

-Partial seal on Shura King has been lifted!

-You have acquired the Shura King's power!

-Ability unlocked: Three Realms, Six Paths – Human Path.

The Shura King, long dormant within, opened his eyes—and roared in joy.

Only 20%—but the change was tremendous, like a spark igniting a wildfire.

“It’s time to end this.”

Crack.

Hanul bit his thumb, drawing a line of blood across the center of Aryongtae.

A crimson glow spread, and a chilling aura radiated outward.

-The Shura King awakens.

-Physical abilities temporarily boosted: All stats +30%!

-Resistances increased: All resistances reach 100!

-Skill proficiency increased: Mastery over all weapons!

-Three Realms, Six Paths – Human Path activated!

The Shura King revealed himself.

As if protesting why he hadn’t been summoned sooner, his aura exploded outward.

“…What is that?”

Ruyn muttered. His voice low, but full of dread.

“What the hell is that!?”

As Ruyn reeled in horror, the Shura King’s power surged, staining the blue sky red.

“Tell me! What have you unleashed!?” Ruyn screamed.

Every fiber of his being rejected it. That presence was too ominous, too malevolent.

Kwon Hanul didn’t bother to answer. He merely gauged the balance of power between himself and Ruyn Aspadam.

It wasn’t enough. Not yet. And so, he summoned another force.

-You are manifesting the Demonic Authority ‘Monarch’.

-The winds obey your will.

Wind surged violently around Kwon Hanul.

It was the Authority of Wind he had once honed to confront the Mei Clan.

“This is more like it.”

Ruyn Aspadam’s expression hardened. Then he spat out a bitter accusation.

“Little Dragon, are you trying to steal Lady Catalina Blaga’s favor from me by any means necessary?”

“……”

They say when someone’s too dumbfounded, they’re left speechless—Kwon Hanul found himself in exactly that position.

“…Ah, right. You’ve lost your mind.”

There was no point explaining anything to him; he wouldn’t understand. Instead, Kwon Hanul chose to provoke him.

“Fine then. I’ll kill you here and claim Catalina Blaga’s favor for myself.”

“So you finally admit it! I won’t let someone like you have Lady Catalina! I’ll defeat you here and now!”

Ruyn Aspadam unleashed his mana to the limit.

Blue thunderous energy coiled around him—so bright it almost blinded the eyes.

“That’s it. Let’s see everything you’ve got.”

The two charged at each other simultaneously.

They moved at the same time, but it was Ruyn Aspadam who struck first.

With a flash of blue lightning, he dashed forward and drove a punch straight into Kwon Hanul’s solar plexus.

At that moment, Kwon Hanul deflected Ruyn Aspadam’s fist with the back of his hand, then struck his ribs with a counterpunch.

“Guh!”

Ruyn Aspadam clenched his teeth and launched both fists in a fierce cross blow.

Kwon Hanul, as if expecting it, slammed down both of Ruyn’s fists with his own. Then, he surged forward, ramming his knee into Ruyn’s midsection.

Ruyn Aspadam’s face twisted in pain once again. An involuntary curse slipped out.

“Damn it!”

Ruyn Aspadam was definitely faster. He was always landing the first hit, proof of his superior speed.

But Kwon Hanul read every move and countered them all—he couldn’t gain the upper hand.

“You insolent bastard!”

Ruyn Aspadam seethed with rage.

It was already humiliating to go all out against a Hunter who hadn’t even reached S-rank stats. But to be losing?

“Now I’ll get serious! I haven’t even shown you all my techniques yet!”

Lightning surged over both his hands.

Thunderstorm Heavenfist – Third Sky

Hundredfold Hands

Kwon Hanul responded instantly.

Black Dragon Ascension Art – Basic Form

Victory Strike Style: Speed Fist

Dozens of fists flew at Kwon Hanul without pause, but he countered every one.

The Speed Fist was a martial art that accelerated with each use.

And the more he blocked the Hundredfold Hands, the faster they became.

“Not a chance!”

Ruyn Aspadam ramped up his speed. Dozens of strikes multiplied into hundreds.

The Hundredfold Hands outpaced even the accelerated Speed Fist.

It didn’t matter if you could read your opponent’s movements—if you couldn’t block them, it was meaningless.

Eventually, Ruyn Aspadam’s barrage hammered Kwon Hanul all over.

“Urgh!”

Yet the one who suffered damage… was Ruyn Aspadam.

The crimson energy condensed in Kwon Hanul’s Black Dragon Physique was so ferocious that it damaged Ruyn’s fists upon impact.

Still, he couldn’t afford to give up the advantage because of pain.

“Graaaaagh!”

Ruyn Aspadam gritted his teeth and pounded Kwon Hanul’s body relentlessly.

His fists shattered and broke, but he endured by tapping into the regenerative power of his Vassal bond.

“For Lady Catalina!”

Right after shouting, Ruyn Aspadam was sent flying.

“Guh!”

He scrambled to his feet—but something was wrong.

“…What the hell.”

His arms. They were gone.

“…What did you do to me this time?!”

He shouted in fury, but Kwon Hanul simply twitched a finger.

“Why don’t you figure it out for yourself?”

Ruyn Aspadam growled.

He pushed his Vassal’s regeneration to its limits. His lost arms regrew in an instant.

“Fine, I’ll test it myself!”

Lightning flared. Ruyn Aspadam’s form split into multiple copies.

Thunderstorm Heavenfist – Third Sky

Thunderclap Earth Azure

All the clones charged at Kwon Hanul, attacking from every angle with unpredictable movements.

Kwon Hanul didn’t flinch. He lowered his hands and stood still.

“You insane fool!”

Not that Ruyn had any intention of holding back.

At that moment, the crimson energy of the Shura King’s Power surged from Kwon Hanul’s Black Dragon Physique.

Wherever Ruyn struck, red energy gathered.

The moment his fists touched it—an explosion erupted, obliterating his hands.

“Gah, gahhh!”

Ruyn Aspadam staggered back, clutching his vanished wrists.

Three Realms, Six Paths – Human Path.

Kwon Hanul finally spoke.

“It’s an Authority that automatically defends against attacks I can’t detect.”

An auto-defense system, essentially.

And powerful enough to block all of Ruyn Aspadam’s strikes—and even rebound the damage.

It had a major drawback: he couldn’t manifest aura while using it. But it was worth the tradeoff.

Thanks to it, he could stand toe to toe with Ruyn Aspadam.

“You bastard! You think I’ll give up?!”

Ruyn Aspadam roared.

“I won’t sit idly anymore! I’ll risk everything to protect Lady Catalina’s favor!”

Boom!

At first, Kwon Hanul didn’t understand what that sound was.

Boom! Boom!

Then he realized. It was Ruyn Aspadam’s heartbeat.

His heart pounded wildly. Blood rushed through his veins, and his skin flushed crimson.

His body wasn’t the only thing that changed. The lightning energy within him transformed, becoming volatile, as if about to explode.

Like a water balloon filled beyond capacity.

“A Vassal can borrow part of their master’s power—the more affection they receive, the more they draw.”

Ruyn Aspadam’s voice had turned from smooth to rough, almost metallic.

“In House Blaga, we call this Adus.”

He slammed the ground. Leapt sky-high, then crashed both fists down.

Lightning burst—and the surrounding terrain was obliterated.

A terrifying power, even without using a skill.

“This is Lady Catalina’s love! The fruit of her affection!”

Even after unleashing such force, Ruyn Aspadam didn’t look fatigued.

He conjured even more lightning and charged again.

“It’s not just strength! I have Lady Catalina’s experience and talent with me now!”

He grasped at the air. Lightning compressed, elongating into a spear.

He hurled it with all his might at Kwon Hanul.

Thunderstorm Heavenfist – Second Sky

Lightning Spear

The lightning spear flew—but not at Kwon Hanul. It struck slightly to the side.

Then the lightning detonated.

Kwon Hanul shielded himself with Dragon Aura. Even without a direct hit, the shockwave shook his body. The sheer force was monstrous.

“HAHAHA! This is the power of Thunderstorm Heavenfist Second Sky! My master said I could never use it—but look! With Lady Catalina, I can do anything!”

Ruyn Aspadam laughed madly, eyes locked on Kwon Hanul.

“With Lady Catalina beside me, trash like you doesn’t stand a chance!”

Annoying as his words were, there was no denying the truth.

His physical and magical prowess had surged. His skills had grown more lethal.

Against someone like Ruyn Aspadam, who overwhelmed with raw destruction, even bloodline combinations couldn’t win.

“Little Dragon! Don’t you dare run!”

But Kwon Hanul didn’t panic. Calmly, he evaded the attacks, waiting for the right moment.

‘Black Dragon Bloodline’ awakens!

A message popped up. A smile tugged at Kwon Hanul’s lips.

“Took you long enough to wake up, you lazy thing.”

True Black Dragon Bloodline Synchronization Rate: 26% → 27%

The fastest way to increase Synchronization was to battle a powerful foe.

Synchronization Rate: 28% → 29%

The Black Dragon Bloodline now recognized Ruyn Aspadam as a dangerous enemy.

Synchronization Rate: 29% → 30%

Upon reaching 30%, everything changed.

Black Dragon Bloodline Synchronization has reached 30%!

The third Authority ‘Dragon Eye of Providence’ is now unlocked!

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

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