Chapter 79

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 79: Conditional (2)

The Babel Family.

Like the Hyukcheon Clan, they also possess draconic blood.

However, their lineage is known by a different name:

Dragon Heart Bloodline.

Why is it called that? Because their bloodline doesn’t originate from a Korean/Chinese dragon, but from a Dragon in the Western sense.

While a Korean/Chinese dragon's power is drawn from its dragon pearl, a Dragon’s power stems from its heart.

That’s where the name "Dragon Heart" comes from.

Those who possess the Dragon Heart Bloodline undergo a mutation—their heart transforms into a pseudo-DragonHeart.

Of course, it’s far from being a true DragonHeart.

Depending on the purity of one’s bloodline, the DragonHeart is a degraded version.

Even in the case of a pureblood, it doesn’t come close to the real thing.

<‘???’ detects the presence of Dragon Heart Bloodline.>

The moment Kwon Hanul first heard the name "Babel Family," he made up his mind—he had to acquire this bloodline.

Possessing Dragon Heart Bloodline alone won’t grant him a true Dragon Heart.

But Kwon Hanul is unique. No matter the lineage, he can always acquire the True Blood of it.

So then—if he could obtain the True Dragon Heart Bloodline, could he then gain a real DragonHeart?

That thought alone made him crave the Dragon Heart Bloodline… however—

<‘???’ defers acquisition of the bloodline.>

Something completely unexpected happened.

<User’s vessel has reached its limit.>

<To acquire a new bloodline, you must expand your vessel.>

Kwon Hanul was caught off guard.

He had acquired countless bloodlines before, but this had never happened.

Still, the confusion only lasted a moment.

He had always expected a day like this to come—so he quickly composed himself.

‘It’s not that I can’t. The vessel has simply reached its limit.’

If he could expand it, he could acquire more bloodlines.

There was no need to speculate what "vessel" meant here.

It referred to the body, or more precisely, his stats.

If he increased his stats and developed his physical form, then the “vessel” that ‘???’ mentioned would naturally expand.

“Mr. Kwon Hanul?”

A voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts.

Steven Babel was looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“I’m sorry, but… would you mind letting go of my hand now?”

Only then did Hanul realize—he had been holding Steven Babel’s hand all this time.

“Ah, I apologize.”

He quickly let go.

“Haha, you must’ve been startled. It’s probably your first time meeting a direct blood of the Babel Family, isn’t it?”

Abdul Rasad chuckled as he spoke.

To this, Kwon Seonwoo responded, “It is quite something to witness—especially since it’s the personal guard of the Babel Family’s head.”

That comment caused Abdul Rasad and Steven Babel’s expressions to stiffen.

“I don’t know why you need a Coordinator, but if they sent the personal guard too… this must be a matter of considerable importance, huh?”

“Well…”

“Don’t worry, Abdul. I’m not going to pry. Maintaining neutrality in all matters is the Rasad Family’s unbreakable principle, isn’t it?”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Abdul Rasad gave a nervous bow. Steven Babel also lowered his head politely.

“Well, now that introductions are over, let’s get to the point.”

At Kwon Seonwoo’s words, Abdul Rasad nodded.

He placed a tablet on the table before them.

On the large screen, a single photo was displayed.

“This was taken around 2 p.m. yesterday over the Pacific Ocean.”

A circular platform hovered above the sea.

On top of it was a slightly smaller platform, and above that, yet another.

Like a stack of discs, more than ten layers floated skyward.

“The Sky Arena has reappeared—for the first time in five years.”

Kwon Hanul’s body heated with excitement.

The Sky Arena.

He knew it well. In fact, who in the world didn’t?

It appeared unpredictably on Earth. As long as one met the entry conditions, anyone could enter.

To ascend the levels, participants had to either compete against each other or clear quests.

The higher you climbed, the better your ranking—and the greater the rewards.

‘But the real reason people compete in the Sky Arena… isn’t just for the rewards.’

Fame.

Strangely enough, the Sky Arena is completely visible from the outside.

So whenever it appears, news broadcasters rush to record and air the footage.

The sight of world-class prospects competing—it’s nothing short of thrilling.

Whenever the Sky Arena opened, it seized the world’s attention.

There was no better stage for gaining recognition.

“Five years, huh… I don’t think it’s ever come back this quickly.”

“Exactly. Even the shortest cycle was ten years. This is highly unusual.”

“Hmm…”

Kwon Seonwoo stared at the image of the Sky Arena, lost in thought.

“I miss it. I once climbed that tower myself.”

“And you won. After that, Mr. Kwon Hyuk and Mr. Kwon Chan-seong took home consecutive victories.”

That last bit jogged Kwon Hanul’s memory.

Back when he was a Hunter, he’d heard that a rising star from the Hyukcheon Clan had dominated the Sky Arena with overwhelming skill.

He hadn’t realized that person was Kwon Chan-seong.

“Once again, the Rasad Family places great expectations on the Hyukcheon Clan.”

As a neutral family, the Rasads often hosted global events like the Sky Arena.

That’s also why Abdul Rasad had come in person—to inform the Hyukcheon Clan.

“So, who will be representing you this time?”

At that, Kwon Seonwoo turned and looked directly at—

Kwon Hanul.

“…Huh?”

Caught off guard, Hanul responded with a dazed voice.

“You want me to compete?”

“Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

Then it hit him—what Seonwoo had said about a chance to elevate Hyukcheon’s name.

“Wait… when you said I could raise the Clan’s name, you meant—”

“That’s right. Win the Sky Arena, and I’ll give you all the herbs and medicine you need.”

Hanul was speechless. The Sky Arena?

It was the global stage—where every great family, guild, and elite combatant gathered.

Just entering meant you’d be acknowledged as one of the strong.

And now he was being told to win it?

“What’s wrong? You scared?”

Seonwoo’s taunt sparked a grin on Hanul’s face.

“Not at all.”

He was stunned, but more than that, overwhelmed—because the place he had long dreamed of… he was finally going there.

“I’ll make sure the Hyukcheon Clan’s name claims the victor’s throne once more.”

Abdul Rasad smiled approvingly at Hanul’s declaration.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Then he abruptly added, “Because Mr. Kwon Hanul does not currently meet the qualifications.”

A bombshell statement.

“To clarify—he’s not qualified yet.”

Abdul Rasad’s follow-up let Hanul breathe a bit easier.

“The Sky Arena opens in five months. You’ll need to meet the entry requirements by then.”

He continued explaining:

“To qualify, you must have exactly three stats at S-rank. No more, no less.”

“That’s… oddly specific. Exactly three S-ranks?”

“There’s speculation that the Sky Arena enforces this for fairness, but no one really knows for sure.”

Hanul sank into thought.

Right now, his stats were:

Stamina: S-rank

Magic and Strength: AAA-rank

All others: A-rank

He’d acquired plenty of elixirs after defeating Ferdrance, but they had no effect on his stats. And he needed those for his body reconstruction anyway.

He glanced at Kwon Seonwoo—who scowled.

“Don’t even think about it.”

As expected. Hanul clicked his tongue inwardly.

He still had one favor left from Kwon Mi, but using it on this felt like a waste.

Yet he couldn’t give up either.

Even aside from the Sky Arena, Hanul needed to raise his stats to gain new bloodlines.

Plus, if he won, he’d get the materials for Body Rebirth.

It was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

“…Wait.”

Suddenly, one term came to mind: Healthy Bloodline.

Originally, it was a lineage that enhanced physical stats.

But once Hanul’s stats hit A-rank, its effects stopped.

He had dismissed it, assuming it had limitations.

But then he remembered something Bae Cheol-min had said—

He once asked how Bae Cheol-min became so strong with the Healthy Bloodline.

Bae Cheol-min’s cryptic answer was:

“Just live in hell.”

‘By embracing extreme toxins, the Healthy Bloodline gave me a body immune to all poisons.’

If suffering to the brink of death could awaken such changes—

Could Hanul push his AAA-level Strength and Magic to S-rank too?

* * *

After placing Kwon Hanul on the preliminary candidate list, Abdul Rasad boarded a flight headed for the Babel Family estate.

“You seem rather displeased.”

Abdul Rasad glanced over at Steven Babel as he spoke.

Steven’s face was expressionless, like a man wearing a mask of stone. But Abdul Rasad could still tell—

Steven was clearly unhappy with him.

“Pardon my bluntness, but… was it truly necessary to stop by the Hyukcheon Clan?”

“I believe I already explained—visiting Hyukcheon was one of the most important tasks on my itinerary.”

Maintaining good relations with Kwon Seonwoo was crucial—not just for Abdul Rasad, but for the entire Rasad Family.

Even the smallest gestures to earn Kwon Seonwoo’s favor were worthwhile. That’s why, instead of sending documents, Abdul Rasad had personally visited to deliver the Sky Arena announcement.

After all, a neutral family like theirs maintained balance by walking a very fine line.

“What I meant was… did you really have to do that on the way to the Babel Family?”

Steven Babel had a point.

The Rasad Family wasn’t so poor they couldn’t afford separate flights. Visiting another powerful clan en route to the Babels was a questionable decision, politically speaking.

“To be honest,” Abdul said with a smirk, “I was feeling a little spiteful.”

Steven’s brow twitched at that.

But he couldn’t openly object—not after how much the Babel Family had insisted on bringing Abdul in the first place.

“Do you know how busy this old man is? Not to exaggerate, but my schedule’s fully booked for the next five years.”

Even within the Rasad Family, Master Coordinators were rare.

Becoming one required more than just possessing the Pure Blood of Genius Bloodline—it also demanded immense talent and effort.

Abdul Rasad was one of those rare few.

That’s why so many around the world sought him out.

“And thanks to the Babel Family, my entire schedule is now in shambles.”

The Babels had gone to outrageous lengths to bring Abdul Rasad in.

They paid the Rasad Family an enormous sum, even dug up and leveraged old favors.

In the end, the Rasad Family—reluctantly—canceled all his appointments and sent him as an emergency envoy.

“I understand. But I hope you realize… we had no other choice.”

Steven Babel bowed deeply. That gesture softened Abdul’s expression.

“Steven, allow me to repeat myself—just once more.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Even if I go… I might not be able to heal the family head.”

Steven’s expression darkened instantly.

“That can’t be… You’re Abdul Rasad, the—”

“Yes. I’m a Master Coordinator—one of the best, even. But that doesn’t mean I can solve everything in this world.”

Steven’s face turned even grimmer.

“If… if even you can’t heal the Family Head… then what options do we have left?”

Abdul paused to think before answering.

“That, I don’t know.”

A wave of deep disappointment washed over Steven.

“But I’ll say this: If I can’t fix it, then no one in this world can.”

Then Abdul added quietly,

“Unless the Progenitor—who once wielded the True Blood of Genius—returns from the grave.”

* * *

“Made your decision rather quickly, didn’t you?”

After Abdul Rasad and Steven Babel departed, Kwon Seonwoo spoke.

“Just so you know—the Sky Arena isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I understand.”

Of course Kwon Hanul knew.

He’d heard about the Sky Arena since he was a child growing up in an orphanage.

He used to get excited watching the occasional match broadcast on TV.

He dreamt of one day standing on that same stage—where the strongest from around the world gathered.

But by the time he became an adult, Kwon Hanul hadn’t made it anywhere near the Sky Arena.

He was just another third-rate Hunter.

And now, he was going to that very stage.

Representing the Hyukcheon Clan, no less.

“Oh, that’s right—”

“You have something else to say?”

“This time, in the Sky Arena, we’re going to reveal that you possess True Blood.”

Hanul’s eyes widened in shock.

Until now, the Hyukcheon Clan had maintained an unspoken rule—to keep Hanul’s true lineage hidden.

Considering the symbolic power of True Blood, it had always seemed safer to keep it secret.

“But then I thought… why hide it?”

That kind of mindset didn’t suit the Hyukcheon Clan. They weren’t the type to hide treasures for fear of theft.

If anything, they were more inclined to show them off.

“If word gets out that you possess True Blood, things are going to get very interesting.”

Every founding ancestor of the major clans had True Blood.

They built countless legends and miracles using its extraordinary power.

And now, True Blood had reappeared in the modern era.

All the world’s powers would go into a frenzy trying to predict what impact it might have.

“But in the end, I’ll leave the choice up to you.”

Hanul almost couldn’t believe his ears. This man—the ever-imposing chairman—was giving him a choice?

He suspected it might be some kind of test.

But when he saw the sincerity on Seonwoo’s face, he understood: the chairman truly meant it.

“If the world learns you have True Blood, you’ll become a celebrity overnight.”

The name Kwon Hanul would be etched into the minds of people all around the world.

His reputation and position would skyrocket.

No other Hunter could achieve that, no matter how much money they threw at it.

“But with fame comes weight.”

The Hyukcheon Clan was already a major force—and now they had someone with True Blood.

There wasn’t a single person who would welcome that news.

“The choice is yours. Take some time and think it over.”

True to form, Kwon Seonwoo stirred up Hanul’s heart… and then unceremoniously dismissed him.

“I’ve already informed the Vico team manager. Just bring your team when you're ready, and the gates will open for you.”

At the mention of Vico, all Hanul’s inner turmoil melted away.

“Thank you.”

Hanul stepped out of the room and quickened his pace.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]