Chapter 101

[Translator - Helga ]

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Chapter 101: The Naming Battle (2)

“Ha ha ha! It’s good to see you again! Been well?”

Kwon Myung-woo laughed heartily, giving Kwon Hanul a few firm pats on the back.

It was a gesture of affection, but every hit made Hanul’s entire body ache.

“I trust you’ve also been well, Granduncle.”

“Drop the formalities! Man, your skills have improved since I last saw you. Didn’t expect you to react to all my punches!”

Hanul could only offer a wry smile.

Truthfully, he hadn’t managed to fully block Myung-woo’s strikes. One of his spirit techniques had even shattered from a barehanded blow.

The gap between them was still immense—so large he couldn’t even think of bridging it.

“Long time no see, Hudon.”

“Y-Yes, sir! H-Hello!”

Kwon Hudon answered nervously, stiff as a board.

Kwon Myung-woo wasn’t just known as the Strongest Fist of Hyukcheon, but also second in influence only to Kwon Seonwoo.

Even with close blood ties, it was impossible not to be intimidated.

“And this must be Mei Hong, right? The girl who sided with Hyukcheon during the war with the Mei clan?”

“It’s been a while, Elder.”

Mei Hong replied politely—completely unlike her usual demeanor.

Even someone like her had to show respect in front of Kwon Myung-woo.

“I heard there was one more in your group. Where is he?”

“He’s still being questioned.”

His unclear origins meant interrogation was unavoidable.

“Tch... That’s inconvenient. I’ll contact the interrogators myself and tell them to wrap it up and send him here immediately.”

“Inconvenient? How so?”

“Well, you see—”

“Lord Kwon Myung-woo?”

Joo Hayun’s voice called from nearby. She looked surprised to see him.

“Hayun! It’s been a while!”

“What brings you here?”

“Just some business. Is that food yours?”

He pointed to the basket in her hands.

Hayun often brought snacks around the time Hanul’s training ended.

“Yes… it is.”

“I’m starving. Let’s talk while we eat.”

Myung-woo licked his lips hungrily.

* * *

“Soon, the Naming Battle will be held.”

Munching on one of the scones Hayun brought, Myung-woo spoke.

The term was unfamiliar to Hanul.

“The Naming Battle?”

“Ah, you probably haven’t heard of it. It’s a tournament where unnamed units fight to be promoted into named units.”

Hyukcheon’s forces are split into two major categories:

Named Units, which have official designations, and Unnamed Units, which are referred to by numbers. Naturally, Named Units hold more authority and prestige.

“Elder, may I ask something?”

Hayun poured tea as she asked.

“Why is the Naming Battle being held now? I thought it was only convened under special circumstances.”

“It’s because of him.”

Myung-woo pointed at Hanul, who blinked in surprise.

“Me?”

“Yes. The elders are in an uproar over what you pulled in South America. They’re calling it a breach of authority.”

“Breach of authority? But I—”

“A-Ah! No! That wasn’t Hanul! My… my mom was the one who—!”

“I know. The elders know too. Everyone knows it wasn’t your decision alone—it was Kwon Mi’s call.”

“T-Then why—?”

“Because the truth doesn’t matter much here.”

Myung-woo took a sip of tea.

Despite his rough demeanor, the elegance with which he savored the tea was surprising.

“They’re using this as an excuse to restrict your actions, Hanul.”

“Because I’m a Trueblood, huh.”

Myung-woo nodded at Hanul’s words.

“They can’t stomach acknowledging a Trueblood like you, not even as fellow members of the Hyukcheon bloodline.”

In the Hyukcheon family, one’s rank is determined by blood purity.

By law, all should bow to a Trueblood like Hanul. But Purebloods weren’t so willing to submit.

“So my brother proposed a solution. If they don’t want to accept you by blood, then make them yield by strength. That’s why he called for the Naming Battle.”

By sending their subordinate units into an official match against Hanul’s, they could determine rank the old-fashioned way—through combat.

“Well, damn…”

Hanul scowled. All of this had been arranged without even asking him?

“This is an opportunity!”

Mei Hong suddenly exclaimed.

“Who could even stand against Lord Hanul? To be promoted this fast—this kind of luck doesn’t come around twice!”

“Y-Yeah! Once you’re a Named Unit, you can do so much more!”

Unnamed Units had to follow orders from the family and higher units.

Named Units, though, had autonomy in operations and received more support.

“Winning won’t be easy.”

Myung-woo cut in firmly.

“This time, a real monster’s joining the battle.”

“Wh-Who do you mean?”

Hudon asked timidly.

Myung-woo turned sharply, his gaze fierce.

“Vain Hope.”

Hanul had never heard the name before. But Hayun and Hudon’s reactions were explosive.

“They’re participating?!”

“N-No way! Even Hanul can’t… not against that one...!”

They weren’t just surprised—they were terrified.

Hanul finally asked the obvious question.

“Who exactly is this Vain Hope?”

“Heir to the European branch. Once the right hand of Lord Kwon Chan-seong. A member of Hyukcheon’s bloodline.”

“They say ‘right hand,’ but their skill was practically equal… at least back in the day.”

“Their achievements with Kwon Chan-seong are legendary. They even cleared an entire country’s dungeons alone once.”

Just hearing it painted a vivid picture.

A monstrous talent among monsters.

“E-Even you can’t take on that person, Hanul… Let’s just sit this one out…”

“I don’t want to fight them either. But can I really back down?”

“H-Huh?”

“If I don’t participate, I’ll be seen as a coward.”

Myung-woo nodded.

“Exactly. The whole event’s staged to put you down. If you run, every Hyukcheon bloodline will think you’re weak.”

“That won’t do.”

Hanul had his sights set on the top of Hyukcheon.

He couldn’t afford to be mocked by everyone.

“This works out.”

Myung-woo raised a brow.

“Works out?”

“I was going to show them who I really am sooner or later.”

A chance to clash not with individuals, but with the entire Pureblood faction.

“Time to break their pride.”

At Hanul’s bold words, Myung-woo burst out laughing.

Even so, Hudon still looked anxious.

“B-But Vain Hope is….”

“People say you're timid, but I didn’t know you were this bad.”

Hudon looked crushed by Myung-woo’s blunt jab.

“You worry too much! That’s no way for a Hyukcheon bloodline to act. A man’s got to charge forward, whether it ends in glory or failure!”

“Granduncle, easy for you to say—it’s not your neck on the line.”

Hanul clicked his tongue. Myung-woo just laughed louder.

“Relax. I’m not sending you in unprepared!”

“You’re not?”

“I’ll personally train all three of you!”

Hanul’s eyes widened in shock.

This was Kwon Myung-woo—the man hailed as the greatest martial artist in Hyukcheon. A living legend.

And he was going to train them?

“Ah right. Including the newcomer, that makes four.”

“Are you serious?”

“Would I lie? Just trust me.”

He thumped his chest confidently.

“I only attacked you earlier to assess your abilities. How else would I know how to train you?”

“You figured that out that fast?”

“Of course! Honestly, Hanul, you don’t need my help. You’re already on the path to mastery.”

A compliment so high it was dizzying.

“But you’re still not using defensive formations under pressure. I can tell you haven’t fully mastered the Twelve Black Dragon Forms.”

The following critique hit home.

Hanul had only really used four of the six basic forms. The rest had fallen out of use.

“And without the foundation from those forms, you’ll never unlock the Ascension Form.”

“How did you know I can’t use it?”

“I saw your fight with Jose del Pablo. You only used ‘Dragon’s Roar,’ and even that was incomplete.”

He was right.

Hanul couldn’t use the Ascension Form. His mana twisted or his body couldn’t handle it whenever he tried.

Even Dragon’s Roar only worked because of his half-divine body.

“Once your basics are solid, you’ll master it quickly.”

“Then… can I beat Vain Hope?”

“That, I don’t know.”

Myung-woo answered bluntly.

“Even with Ascension, that child… might be out of reach.”

Then he smiled.

“But you’ve always done the impossible, haven’t you?”

Hanul gave a crooked smile in return.

“But you two… you’re the problem.”

He turned to Mei Hong and Hudon.

His tone chilled noticeably.

“I see potential—but that’s it. Your overall level is too low. When Hanul was parrying my blows, what were you two doing? Knocked out from a single hit?”

Hudon hung his head. Mei Hong bit her lip.

“Pathetic. Subordinates not even worth their leader’s shadow. How’s he supposed to achieve greatness with allies like that?”

Hanul tried to intervene—but Hayun subtly stopped him.

“From a regular perspective, you’re strong. But to the real elites, you’re nowhere near enough. You need to wake up. Especially you.”

He pointed at Mei Hong. Her eyes widened.

“Me?”

“Yes. You’re a blood of the Mei clan—and you hate them. But with your current strength, you couldn’t even kill one of their survivors.”

Her face hardened.

“…You’ve seen them?”

“Yes. Ran into a few on a mission recently. So consumed by hatred it chilled even me.”

“Where are they?”

His brow furrowed at the interruption.

But Mei Hong pressed him.

“Tell me. Where can I find them?”

“Don’t bother. You wouldn’t last five seconds.”

“That’s for me to decide! Just tell me where—”

She went silent.

Myung-woo’s finger had suddenly touched her forehead.

She hadn’t seen him move.

It wasn’t a finger—it felt like a glowing needle of heat. Just touching it could vaporize her skin.

“Don’t get cocky.”

His voice was cold, emotionless.

But the pressure he gave off was overwhelming.

“I’m not here to indulge your tantrums. You’re not even family. Don’t expect my patience to last.”

Mei Hong slowly nodded. Only then did he lower his hand.

“Now, let’s move out.”

He turned to Hanul, who frowned.

“Move out? Where are we going…?”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]