Chapter 74

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 74: Eruption of Power (1)

Superhuman Bloodline.

It’s the hereditary trait of the infamous crime family—the Sanchez Clan.

As the name suggests, the Superhuman Bloodline enhances the physical body.

Compared to other bloodlines, its effect is deceptively simple. The problem is how overwhelming that effect actually is.

Overpowering monsters with brute strength alone? That’s just the baseline.

Their physical durability is so extreme, even concentrated modern weapon fire leaves them unscathed.

They possess extraordinary resistances, capable of surviving in even the most extreme environments.

Poison and disease? Practically immune.

“You’re from the Sanchez Clan, aren’t you?”

At Kwon Hanul’s words, Frederance’s eyes widened.

“…How did you figure that out?”

He knew thanks to ‘???’, but he couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

“You’ve got that aura wrapped around you like armor. Only a fool wouldn’t notice.”

Protective Aura.

A power unique to those who carry the Superhuman Bloodline. It’s called Aura, but unlike the more freely manipulated energy types like Dragon Aura, it functions more like an automatic barrier—constantly shielding the body.

“…You recognized my Protective Aura?”

The suspicion on Frederance’s face only grew deeper.

Normally, Protective Aura isn’t visible. If it were, there’s no way Frederance could’ve kept his secret this long.

Rather than pushing the issue further, Kwon Hanul shifted the conversation.

“I was wondering why you didn’t bother dodging the attack. Now it makes sense—you were counting on that shield.”

According to what Kwon Mi told him, Frederance had taken down Rockbreaker with a single blow.

That had confused him. Frederance is infamous for poison-based skills—how did he win a close-quarters fight against Rockbreaker? Now he knew.

He used Protective Aura to block Rockbreaker’s attacks, threw him off balance, and struck when there was an opening.

Protective Aura isn’t just the ultimate defense—it can also be the strongest offense. A knifehand strike reinforced by it would hit harder than most weapons.

“You’ve gotten quite a lot of mileage out of that little trick, haven’t you?”

In the end, it was a trick.

If Rockbreaker had known Frederance possessed the Superhuman Bloodline?

He wouldn’t have rushed in head-on so carelessly.

Even if Frederance had tanked the blow, Rockbreaker would’ve adapted on the spot.

“It’s not a trick—it’s strategy.”

Frederance stood tall, as if “fair play” had no place in life-and-death battles.

“And calling it a trick? That pisses me off. Do you even know how much effort it took me to get my Protective Aura to this level? Even in the Sanchez Clan, no one can match this.”

“…I can believe that.”

Kwon Hanul’s acknowledgement made Frederance frown.

“I mean I understand how much work you must’ve put in.”

When ‘???’ made contact with the Superhuman Bloodline, Hanul could feel it—

The presence of the bloodline within Frederance.

And just how faint it really was.

“The Superhuman Bloodline you carry—it’s diluted. A mixed strain. Barely even registers.”

Bingo. Frederance’s expression turned stone cold.

“To refine such weak Superhuman Blood into Protective Aura capable of withstanding world-class attacks… That’s not something hard work alone could achieve.”

Frederance’s face began to flush red.

Hanul added fuel to the fire.

“Actually, I doubt it was just effort. Did you abandon the other powers of the bloodline to focus entirely on strengthening your Aura?”

“Enough!”

Frederance finally lost it. His shout exploded with raw mana.

The sudden release sent spiderweb cracks rippling across the floor.

“…Yeah, you’re right. I was born into the Sanchez Clan, but my bloodline was so thin I was considered useless.”

The struggle in his voice was palpable.

“That’s why I turned to Poison Skills. My body was sturdy enough—thanks to what little Superhuman Blood I had—to withstand all the self-testing.”

Grit.

He ground his teeth audibly.

“There. Satisfied now? You got your little revelation?”

“Not really. It wasn’t all that interesting.”

Frederance froze. The moment the realization hit—that he’d been played—rage flared again.

“This is why I hate those damn purebloods. They’re born lucky and act like they’re better than everyone else!”

Frederance’s mana erupted, boiling with killing intent—like magma breaking through the earth.

“I’ll kill you myself!”

He cracked his wrist and began to march forward. Hanul let out a short laugh, as if amused.

“So you wanna go hand-to-hand… You do realize I’m from the Black Dragon Bloodline, right?”

“You clearly don’t get it. The title of close-combat supremacy belongs to the Superhuman Bloodline.”

Frederance glared daggers.

“Or are you looking down on me just ‘cause I’m an inferior-blood? Here’s a tip for you—even a mutt can kill a tiger cub. Got it?”

Higher-tier bloodlines are typically stronger.

But a stunted superior bloodline versus a fully developed inferior one? That’s a different story.

“My Superhuman Bloodline’s synchronization rate is 80%.”

Frederance growled the words.

“Get ready. I’ll make you feel just how pathetic a bloodline-dependent bastard like you really is.”

Kwon Hanul didn’t reply. He just glanced upward.

‘???’ has made contact with [Superhuman Bloodline].

Acquiring [Superhuman Bloodline (超人血)]...

A second message followed.

[Superhuman Bloodline] adapting to host body.

Estimated time: 10 minutes.

The whole reason he’d been stalling was for this—for time.

And just now, the adaptation completed.

[Superhuman Bloodline] is transforming the body.

Muscles and bones rapidly evolve. Mana pathways expand. Vital organs shift into overdrive, optimizing all functions.

Strength has reached AAA rank.

All resistances and immunities increased by 100.

Senses sharpen. Sixth sense heightened.

Body durability improved—resistant to internal and external impact.

Blood vessels and mana channels reinforced—extreme physical movement enabled.

Back when Hanul consumed the Golden Apple, his Healthy Bloodline temporarily boosted his mana to AAA level.

AAA rank is a rare sub-tier exclusive to A-rankers.

The gap between A and S rank is so massive that, when someone approaches but doesn’t quite reach S, they hit AAA—a special plateau.

Strictly speaking, even AAA is inferior to S.

But the difference? AAA can challenge S-tier.

Gained the true Superhuman Bloodline power: Tyrant Star

[Tyrant Star] enhances all physical abilities, excluding mana and mental stats.

Gained the true Superhuman Bloodline power: Diamond Aura

[Diamond Aura] now protects your body.

Hanul took a deep breath in—and let it out.

Just breathing, that basic act—he could feel it.

His newly transformed body had reached another level entirely.

“Frederance.”

Kwon Hanul spoke the enemy’s name in a calm, low voice.

“You said you’d show me how ‘pathetic’ I really am?”

Most hunters avoid head-on fights with someone carrying Superhuman Bloodline.

It’s just too risky.

“I like that idea.”

But things change when he has that power, too.

Hanul smiled—his lips twisting upward like he couldn’t contain his excitement.

The thrill of trying out this new power, the high of clashing with a strong opponent—it filled him with glee.

“Let’s do this.”

As if answering his will, every muscle in Hanul’s body began to pulse.

* * *

Kwon Hanul’s aura shifted dramatically.

The murderous intent radiating from Ferdrance was suddenly overwhelmed, and the void was quickly filled by Kwon Hanul’s dominating presence.

“……”

Ferdrance’s face stiffened.

All at once, Kwon Hanul seemed larger—immeasurably so. Just standing before him felt suffocating. He now exuded an overwhelming pressure, too vast to casually provoke.

He had felt this kind of pressure before, once.

“…A pure Superhuman Bloodline?”

No—it wasn’t just that. It was more. Something beyond even that could be felt radiating from Kwon Hanul.

Danger.

Instinct screamed at him—repeatedly, so violently it made his head ache.

To fight in this situation would be foolish.

Ferdrance glanced at his living dolls. They were still frozen, unable to break free from the effects of Dragon Fear.

“Useless things…”

Left with no choice, Ferdrance pulled out his last resort.

From his pocket, he retrieved a whistle and blew it hard. A shrill, spine-chilling screech rang out—like fingernails scraping a chalkboard.

The eyes of the living dolls turned pitch-black. Black veins began bulging across their entire bodies.

“----!”

“----!!”

The dolls let out grotesque howls.

Their eyes gleamed with killing intent, as though they had never suffered under the Dragon Fear.

“So much for fighting me yourself. Going to hide while your minions do the work?”

Despite Kwon Hanul’s mocking tone, Ferdrance remained unfazed. Instead, he simply raised a finger and gave the command:

“Attack him—together.”

The living dolls charged at Kwon Hanul. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Well, more test dummies for me.”

The lead doll lunged at him with a powerful punch.

Kwon Hanul didn’t dodge. He met it head-on with a punch of his own.

Seeing this, Ferdrance clicked his tongue.

Stat-wise, the living dolls were stronger than Kwon Hanul. On top of that, the poison coursing through them was unlocking their full potential.

Yet Kwon Hanul chose to face them head-on—with bare fists.

“Is he insane?”

The moment that thought crossed his mind, the two fists collided.

A split-second later, something blurred past Ferdrance.

Then came a deafening crash.

Ferdrance slowly turned his head.

The living doll had been crumpled and smashed into the wall.

“What the hell…”

Words failed him.

“---!”

Another doll screamed and threw a punch.

Kwon Hanul mirrored the attack with his own fist.

The doll’s monster-enhanced arm was massive—like a boulder. In comparison, Kwon Hanul’s fist looked like a child’s.

To any observer, the outcome seemed obvious.

But Kwon Hanul was confident. And at the moment their fists collided, he saw it clearly:

‘Tyrant Star’ amplifies your strength.

His upper body muscles roared to life.

‘Diamond Aura’ protects your body.

A faint golden light wrapped around his fist like armor.

“----?!”

The doll’s fist shattered. Not just the arm—but all the way up to the shoulder.

“----!”

Without pause, Kwon Hanul sent the entire doll flying.

It sailed backward like a ball, grazed past Ferdrance, and slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch.

It looked like someone had squashed a tomato against it.

“Hah!”

The sheer impact made Kwon Hanul laugh without meaning to.

“---!”

“---!!”

The rest of the dolls rushed in.

Kwon Hanul didn’t retreat. He stood his ground.

He reached out with both hands and grabbed the faces of two dolls mid-charge—then slammed them down into the ground, crushing their heads.

“---!”

Another doll seized the opening and brought both fists down on him.

‘Diamond Aura’ blocks the enemy’s attack.

Instead, it was the doll’s arms that shattered. As it reeled in pain, Kwon Hanul drove his fist straight into its chest.

He could feel the bones break, the heart burst under the blow.

“---!”

Another one lunged at him from the side. He countered with a kick to its ribs.

The doll’s side caved in. Its spine snapped audibly.

Kwon Hanul kept going, striking at the remaining dolls. Each blow sounded like a bat hitting a ball—one by one, the dolls slammed into the walls and ceiling.

“---!”

From behind, one doll wrapped both arms around Kwon Hanul’s neck in a chokehold.

Normally, to break free from a grip like that, you’d need nearly twice your opponent’s strength. The doll had aimed precisely for that.

Its arms tightened, trying to snap his neck.

But Kwon Hanul casually grabbed its wrists and peeled it off.

“---?”

Surprise flickered across the doll’s face.

In that instant, Kwon Hanul seized the doll’s neck—and twisted.

Its body crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.

“Hoo.”

Kwon Hanul cracked his neck to either side, his expression clear and refreshed—like he’d just finished a morning workout.

“Now… you’re the only one left, huh?”

Ferdrance stared at him silently, looking as though his soul had left his body.

“Heh… heh heh.”

Then his shoulders began to shake.

“You really are a monster. Is everyone in Hyukcheon like you?”

Ferdrance laughed for a long while.

“As expected of a pureblood. Just when I think I’ve surpassed you, you catch up. You get stronger than me with just a bit of effort.”

His gaze sharpened.

“I admit it. You really are worthy to fight me.”

A black swamp began to spread at Ferdrance’s feet, bubbling and churning.

From the mire, a giant snake slithered out—thick as an anaconda. It coiled up around Ferdrance’s body.

A green mist began to waft from the snake’s mouth.

Poison.

Ferdrance’s true weapon—what had elevated him to his current status—finally revealed itself.

“Let me give you some advice. From here on, you’d better stay sharp.”

The snake bared its fangs. Thick drops of venom dripped down.

As soon as they hit the floor, black smoke hissed up, and a large hole was burned through.

“Even a single scratch—and you’re as good as dead.”

That was the terrifying thing about poison skills:

Even the slightest wound was enough. The venom would invade the body, and that would be the end.

And yet, Kwon Hanul didn’t seem even remotely tense.

“You’re going to use poison?”

A curious smile spread across his face.

“That won’t work on me.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]