Chapter 90

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 90: Spark (2)

How am I supposed to deal with this?

It had been an hour since Joo Hayun entered the dungeon.

Kwon Hanul was now facing a troublesome situation.

"You really passed out like that... pathetic."

“S-Sorry, Hanul.”

It was all because of Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon.

After coming to their senses and hearing what happened from Kwon Hanul, the two of them were overwhelmed with shame and self-blame.

“To think I couldn’t even handle a measly bug…”

“If only I were a bit sturdier…”

It must’ve been a huge shock for them—passing out without being able to do anything against Behemoth.

“Just surviving against Behemoth is impressive. Don’t beat yourselves up too much.”

Kwon Hanul tried to comfort them. But hearing that only made them look even more dejected.

“…Come to think of it.”

As if remembering something, Mei Hong asked Hanul, “You said GG protected us until you showed up, right? Then… where is GG now?”

“He left right after it was over.”

“He left? Where to?”

Kwon Hanul shrugged, clearly unsure himself.

“We didn’t even get to thank him.”

“Yeah… he must’ve been in danger too, yet still looked after us…”

Kwon Hanul was just as concerned about GG as they were.

GG’s plan was to rescue blood relatives kidnapped by the Pablo Family.

But the Pablos were a cartel that ruled over a region in South America.

Facing them alone would be overwhelming—even for GG.

“Oh right, Hanul. What about the demon? Was it strong?”

Kwon Hudon’s question piqued Mei Hong’s interest too.

It was the first time either of them had encountered a high-ranking demon. They might never get the chance again, so it was natural to be curious.

“It was strong.”

Hanul answered without hesitation.

The high-ranking demon who introduced himself as Mammon—he truly was powerful.

“If he hadn’t been weakened, I probably wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“H-He was that strong?”

“But you still won, right? That’s all that matters.”

Mei Hong tried to lighten the mood, but Hanul could only give a bitter smile.

He may have won—but it didn’t feel like a true victory.

‘My Dragon Ascension Art didn’t work on Mammon at all.’

Kwon Hanul assessed his strength based on two different standards:

One—when he used only his Black Dragon Bloodline.

Two—when he used all of his bloodlines.

The gap between the two was far too wide to ignore.

When using all his bloodlines and authorities, Hanul became strong enough to take down formidable enemies with ease.

But because he kept the existence of his other bloodlines a secret, he couldn’t use them freely.

And since this state was more like a temporary “doping” boost, it wasn’t a reliable measure of his average strength.

That’s why Hanul considered his pure ability to be what he could do with only the Black Dragon Bloodline.

‘The Black Dragon Bloodline is the strongest among the ones I possess—and it’s the foundation of all my power.’

From his combat style to the authorities he normally relied on, it all stemmed from the Black Dragon Bloodline.

‘And the fact that it didn’t work means… I was nowhere near Mammon’s level.’

Even after using the Dragon Ascension Art, Mammon got right back up—unharmed.

Hanul had fought countless powerful enemies before, but never had this happened.

‘I need to elevate the Dragon Ascension Art even further.’

There was still vast potential in the technique.

He hadn’t even unlocked its final form: the Ascending Form.

Not to mention, he hadn’t yet utilized some of the secret arts he recently acquired.

‘I also haven’t fully unlocked all the Black Dragon Bloodline authorities.’

The true potential of the Dragon Ascension Art shines when it’s combined with the authorities of the Black Dragon Bloodline.

A technique that might normally have a power level of “10” could become several times stronger with the Black Dragon’s support.

‘Come to think of it… once my Synchronization Rate hits 40%, I should be able to use the Sacred Beast Bloodline’s authority.’

According to GG, the Sacred Beast Bloodline allowed one to mimic the abilities of other creatures.

If he could channel the power of the Black Dragon itself—just how strong would he become?

“How did he compare to that guy?”

A sudden question from Kwon Hudon interrupted his thoughts.

“That guy?”

“You know… Jose del Pablo.”

Hanul hesitated, trying to assess who would be stronger between the two.

“…He’d be stronger.”

He ended up saying it without thinking.

“Who? The high-ranking demon? Of course he’d be stronger, right?”

“No.”

Hanul shook his head.

“Jose del Pablo is far, far stronger.”

* * *

Even in lawless Mexico, not every region is dangerous.

Some areas rival the metropolises of other countries with their vibrant nightlife and luxury.

Zebra City.

The most glamorous city in Mexico.

Thanks to the Pablo Family maintaining order, it was also one of the safest cities in the country.

And the reason the Pablos protected this city was simple—

It was their golden goose, producing an endless stream of profit.

There were other minor reasons too.

Even cartel members are still human. They needed a place to release their desires.

Thus, Zebra City flourished—a city where the lights never went out.

“Boss, we’ve arrived.”

In a dark alley behind Zebra City, a luxury car came to a halt.

A man stepped out from the front passenger seat and opened the rear door.

Out stepped an older man.

But despite his age, no one in Mexico would dare look down on him.

“Let’s go.”

This was Ricardo Pablo—boss of the Pablo Family. With two subordinates, he entered the building through the back door.

Inside was a club. Despite it being peak hours, the club was completely empty.

“Mr. Ricardo!”

A young woman rushed over, clearly flustered. She was the madam running the club.

“You gave no warning! Do you know how hard it was to clear out all the guests?”

“My apologies. Things have been a bit stressful lately. I knew it’d trouble you, but I came anyway.”

The madam led Ricardo to the center of the club—not a private room.

This was because Ricardo preferred drinking in wide-open spaces over cramped ones.

He sat down, and the madam quickly took the seat beside him.

“Any trouble lately?”

“With you here, Mr. Ricardo? Of course not.”

She poured his drink as she spoke.

“You really don’t have to come all the way out here, you know? Just summon me to the mansion.”

“But then, what would this old man live for? Seeing your face is my only joy these days.”

“I only say that because I worry for your health.”

“Being cooped up in the mansion is suffocating. If I don’t get out now and then, I start to feel stiff.”

Ricardo tossed back his drink. The strong whiskey burned down his throat.

“There are a lot of disturbing rumors going around lately.”

The madam promptly refilled his glass.

“They say all the cartels have sworn loyalty to the Godfather.”

“Not all. I’m still here.”

Ricardo scowled as he lifted his glass again.

“You don’t recognize the Godfather?”

“Recognize what? The alliance was only meant to prevent conflict among the cartels. That arrogant kid’s just overstepping.”

The problem was—that arrogance was producing results.

One by one, smaller cartels had bowed their heads. Even major ones had started falling under the Godfather’s banner.

“If I may ask boldly… didn’t you ever want to unify the cartels yourself?”

Back in the day—before dungeons appeared on Earth—South America’s cartels had once been united.

Under the name of a Drug Kingpin, they had operated as a single entity.

Never had the cartels been stronger or more prosperous.

“I did.”

Ricardo admitted it readily.

“But the Godfather… he’s not the one. He’s too dangerous. He dreams above his station.”

“Dreams above his station?”

“He seeks fame.”

Ricardo emptied his third glass.

“He’s spouting nonsense about growing cartel power to spread globally. How could I trust someone like that?”

It wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

In the past, national power meant things like economy, politics, military, and culture.

But now, the definition had shifted.

How many elite Hunters does a country have?

How many powerful relics do they control?

All of these things can be obtained through dungeons. And dungeons can appear anywhere.

The Godfather’s vision was born from this—raising powerful Hunters to elevate the cartel's standing.

“Foolish.”

But that was only possible because he didn’t understand the world.

Beyond South America, the world was teeming with monsters too terrifying to even describe.

No need to look far—take Hyukcheon Group, currently visiting Mexico.

They were the dominant force in East Asia—renowned globally.

“The Godfather… and that nephew of mine… neither of them knows a thing.”

As he raised his fourth glass—

The club doors suddenly burst open, and over a dozen men entered.

“Who the hell are you?”

“You know who’s in here right now?!”

Ricardo’s two bodyguards stepped in to block them.

Then, a familiar voice called out—

“Of course I know. Why else would I come?”

The group parted to reveal a man walking forward.

At the sight of his face, Ricardo’s expression twisted in rage.

“...You bastard.”

“Uncle. Sorry to interrupt your secret meeting.”

Jose del Pablo smirked.

“What the hell are you thinking?”

“You already figured it out, didn’t you? You just want to hear it from me. I’m here to change the boss of the Pablo Family.”

A vein bulged on Ricardo’s forehead.

“Why?”

“The Godfather wants the Pablo Family. To realize his grand vision, the cartel must become one.”

“That grand vision? You mean that delusional talk about making us a global power?”

Ricardo’s voice trembled with fury.

“The Godfather can make that vision a reality.”

“Enough with your dog crap! Just because you’ve taken over some backwater town, you think you’re king?!”

“No reasoning with you, huh? Then there’s no point.”

Jose clicked his tongue.

“Uncle. Step down quietly. I don’t want to spill blood—not yours. Even I would lose sleep if I killed you.”

“You son of a…”

“And the Godfather wants the Pablo Family intact.”

That’s why they waited until Ricardo came to the club—his only time moving without his guard squad.

If they’d tried at any other time, a bloody civil war would’ve erupted.

“I’m the one who raised you! With my money and blood, I made you what you are, and this is how you repay me?!”

“I do feel a bit bad. But thanks to me, the Pablo Family will prosper more than ever. Let’s call it even.”

“Shut your mouth!”

Ricardo pointed at him and roared, “What are you waiting for?! Get that brat on his knees right now!”

At the outburst, Jose sneered.

“Uncle, don’t tell me… you really think those guys can stop me…”

But then his voice faltered.

Black-clad figures suddenly appeared from the pillars and ceiling.

“...What’s this, Uncle? A little gift?”

“I knew you'd betray me sooner or later. I hired them in advance—the Brothers of the Desert.”

Jose didn’t even recognize the name, much to Ricardo’s disgust.

This ignorant brat…

Ricardo sighed and explained,

“They’re infamous assassins from the Middle East—known for killing a Triple-Numbered world-ranked Hunter.”

The world’s strongest Hunters are ranked.

Among them, the top 500 are assigned numbers—and Triple Numbers are among the most powerful.

The Brothers of the Desert had enough skill to kill even one of them.

“You think you’ve trapped me—but it’s the other way around. I’ve lured you into a trap.”

The assassins pulled out their weapons—chains, throwing knives, scythes.

They had killed so many that the scent of blood clung to them even from afar.

“I arranged the best service just for you. Be grateful.”

Jose opened a subspace portal and drew two weapons—

A massive greatsword with rows of sharp protrusions—and a small pickaxe shaped like a climbing tool.

“Desert brothers, or whatever… doesn’t matter.”

Gripping a weapon in each hand, Jose del Pablo radiated killing intent.

“I’ll make you regret this.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]