Chapter 115

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 115: The Sanchez Family (5)

Maria Sanchez immediately denied her own thoughts.

Kwon Hanul was a descendant of the Hyukcheon bloodline. He not only possessed the Black Dragon’s blood but had also mastered the secret techniques of his clan.

There was no way someone like that could wield the power of the Superhuman Bloodline—especially the true Superhuman Bloodline.

She must be mistaken. Or so she believed.

Then, a new transformation occurred in Kwon Hanul’s body.

His entire musculature twitched—and then suddenly, it expanded.

“…Enhanced Strength?”

One of the fundamental abilities granted by the early stage of the Superhuman Bloodline.

It temporarily increases muscle mass to boost physical capabilities. At higher levels, it can even expand the skeleton itself.

Maria rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

But there was no denying it—Kwon Hanul’s change was identical to the effects of Enhanced Strength.

Then, just as suddenly, his swollen muscles contracted, and his skin began to turn gray.

“This is…”

Unfamiliar—but not unknown.

According to her family’s ancient records, the abilities of a true Superhuman Bloodline differed entirely from those of the lesser variants.

Just as they used Diamond Aura instead of Protective Aura, true Superhumans didn’t use simple augmentation abilities.

They wielded Giant Ascendant Strength.

Where Enhanced Strength merely amplified the user's muscles or bones, Giant Ascendant Strength transformed the very essence of the user's body.

It was the power that originated from Pangu—the primordial giant who was the source of the Superhuman Bloodline itself.

“…I don’t know what’s going on,” Maria muttered.

But her killing intent surged.

“That doesn’t change what I have to do.”

Behind her, a massive white giant emerged.

Its body dispersed and wrapped itself around her like armor.

This was another technique utilizing gigantification—one that focused the raw power of a giant into a single point of destruction.

“I’ll shatter you!”

Maria’s fist cut through the air like a bullet, headed straight for Kwon Hanul.

Fueled by extreme doping through special enhancers.

Enhanced again by concentrating the power of gigantification.

Her punch landed—and then the sound followed.

“Hyaah!”

Maria’s fists and feet rained down upon Kwon Hanul in a relentless barrage.

She moved so fast that her body seemed invisible.

But…

No matter how much she struck, it was useless. She couldn’t break through the Diamond Aura surrounding Kwon Hanul.

Every one of her attacks was blocked.

Worse—her own fists began to show damage from the repeated impacts.

With every punch against that invincible aura, her Protective Aura began to disperse.

You can’t pierce Diamond Aura with bare fists. And now, her hands were starting to break apart.

Crack.

Maria gritted her teeth and channeled all her strength into one final blow.

But just as she launched it, Kwon Hanul caught her fist.

“Let go of me!”

At that moment, even the lobes of his ears turned completely gray. The mutation triggered by Giant Ascendant Strength had completed.

As it did, a system message popped up—visible only to Kwon Hanul:

[You have activated the Authority ‘Giant Ascendant Strength’! Your body draws closer to ‘Pangu’!]

[Your mutated body is now adapting to SS-rank strength!]

With that, his presence utterly overwhelmed Maria Sanchez.

No, it didn’t just overwhelm—it completely erased her presence. The entire area was now under Kwon Hanul’s domination.

He clenched her fist tighter.

“Gah!”

Maria nearly screamed from the pain.

She tried to pull away, but no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free from his grip.

“I know this might sound strange…”

Kwon Hanul suddenly spoke.

“But you were really strong. If not for this special situation, I’d have had a hard time.”

Maria wasn’t just a bearer of the Superhuman Bloodline—she was a councilwoman at Pandemonium.

Her experience alone far exceeded Kwon Hanul’s. Her skill didn’t even need to be mentioned.

Even Jose del Pablo, whom Kwon Hanul had fought before, couldn’t compare to Maria Sanchez.

“But things turned out this way, so there’s no helping it.”

He placed his hand on top of Maria’s head. She could only stare up at him, powerless.

“See you in a bit.”

He exerted force—with his full SS-rank strength—and drove her head into the ground.

The earth cracked open beneath her.

Kwon Hanul released her head.

He had applied a lot of force, but since he hadn’t struck a vital point, Maria Sanchez was still alive.

“You could’ve just let me dominate you. It would’ve been so much easier.”

[You have completely defeated a lower-tier Superhuman Bloodline!]

[The true Superhuman Bloodline is greatly satisfied!]

[Synchronization rate with the Superhuman Bloodline increases!]

[34% → 40%]

[You’ve met the conditions to materialize the ‘Sacred Beast Bloodline’!]

[You can now manifest the ‘Half-Incarnation’ of Pangu!]

A solid reward.

Though he hadn’t acquired a new ability, he could now manifest Pangu’s half-incarnate form.

“Now, let’s finish this.”

Kwon Hanul grabbed Maria Sanchez with his ringed hand—and activated the power of the Vassal’s Bloodline.

[Vassal’s Bloodline is dominating the target.]

[You have successfully dominated an overwhelmingly powerful target!]

[Synchronization rate with the Vassal’s Bloodline has greatly increased!]

[27% → 40%]

[Synchronization rate has reached 40%.]

[You have acquired the Authority ‘Illusory Homeland’.]

As expected, Maria Sanchez was exceptionally powerful.

An instant 13% jump in synchronization. He had never seen a case like this before. It even unlocked a new authority.

And yet, it wasn’t over.

[Synchronization rate has exceeded 40%.]

[Vassal’s Bloodline is fusing with Sacred Beast Bloodline.]

[‘Vampire Lord’ has been added to your manifestable forms.]

[If certain conditions are met, you may manifest the ‘Half-Incarnation’ of the Vampire Lord.]

“Vampire Lord, huh?”

Come to think of it, he had never learned the origins of the Vassal’s Bloodline.

“What are these special conditions, though?”

Normally, passing 40% Synchronization was enough to manifest a Half-Incarnation.

But in the Vassal’s case, reaching 40% merely unlocked it. Additional conditions were required.

“Really is an odd bloodline…”

Just like how the Superhuman Bloodline can’t kill others of its kind, each lineage had its own unique rules.

Kwon Hanul was about to check the conditions—when—

“Ugh…”

Maria Sanchez regained consciousness.

“What… what the hell happened…”

Clutching her head in agony, she caught sight of Kwon Hanul.

Instantly, her face twisted in fury.

“Kwon Hanul!”

“Kneel.”

At that single word, Maria Sanchez dropped to the ground, face-first.

Her expression was filled with confusion and disbelief.

“You can’t disobey me now. Don’t bother resisting—you’ll just wear yourself out.”

Kwon Hanul dropped into a seated position. Most objects nearby had been destroyed, so there wasn’t even anything left to sit on.

“You may raise your head if you understand.”

Maria sat up immediately and pointed an accusatory finger.

“What did you do to me?”

“I dominated you. Don’t ask for the details.”

“Undo it—right now!”

“Head down.”

Maria slammed her head back to the ground.

Her powers had been nullified, and she had returned to the appearance of a delicate young woman. But Kwon Hanul didn’t hesitate to issue commands.

“So defiant. Is this what happens when you dominate someone this powerful?”

But seeing her completely unable to resist reassured him.

He released the domination.

Maria raised her head again.

“You dominated me… what are you going to do with me?”

“Haven’t thought that far ahead. I only did it because I couldn’t kill you.”

“Can’t kill me…? Wait, are you seriously…?”

Her face froze.

“How can someone of the Hyukcheon bloodline possess the Superhuman Bloodline? Just what kind of abomination is your clan cooking up?!”

“I’ve heard that before. Guess we’ve got a bad reputation.”

Kwon Hanul waved it off.

“It’s true I have the Superhuman Bloodline—but I’ve got nothing to do with the Hyukcheon clan.”

“Then how do you have two bloodlines?”

“Don’t know. Don’t ask.”

Maria fell silent.

She clearly wanted to question him further—but couldn’t, because of his command.

“Oh, right. I have a question for you too.”

Kwon Hanul opened his subspace and pulled out a small teacup.

Maria’s eyes widened.

“Marcos Sanchez told me this is a treasure left behind by the founder of the Sanchez family. Is that true?”

Maria clenched her mouth shut—but couldn’t hold out for long.

“…Yes. It’s a relic from our founder.”

“Marcos didn’t know how to use it. Do you?”

She tried desperately to resist. But her mouth moved on its own.

“Break it. You’ll absorb the founder’s final legacy.”

“Then why make it into a teacup?”

Kwon Hanul looked baffled.

“Only someone with the Superhuman Bloodline can break it. It shatters in response to the Protective Aura.”

“What’s inside?”

“No idea.”

She shook her head.

“That part was lost to time.”

“Really?”

Kwon Hanul held the cup tightly, but then stopped short of smashing it.

“I’ll save this for later…”

He turned his attention back to Maria.

“Now, what to do with you…”

Maria trembled slightly.

Higher-ranked Superhuman Bloodlines couldn’t kill lower-ranked ones.

But that only applied to doing it personally. There were countless other ways to make someone die.

He could order someone else. Or feed her poison.

“I could take you back to the Hyukcheon family as a prisoner, but… that feels like a waste.”

Kwon Hanul stroked his chin in thought.

Then, an idea struck him.

“You’re pretty high up in the Sanchez family, right?”

“Yes.”

“How high?”

“High enough that everyone had expectations for me.”

She answered with resignation. There was no point resisting.

“Then… could you aim to become head of the Sanchez family?”

Her eyes widened in shock.

“Why would you ask that…?”

“Just answer me—yes or no.”

She had a bad feeling. She knew she shouldn’t answer.

“…Yes.”

But her mouth gave the answer anyway.

“I see… interesting.”

A smile crept across Kwon Hanul’s face.

Maria Sanchez closed her eyes tightly.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]