Chapter 117

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 117: Name (1)

Even after the battle was over, Kwon Hanul and his group couldn’t afford to rest. They needed to return to the Hyukcheon Clan as soon as possible.

But there was a problem—Kwon Myung-woo’s private jet had been destroyed.

Thankfully, the issue was quickly resolved. The City of Mystery provided them with an aircraft.

“For the City of Mystery to hand over a plane like this... They must be really sweating,” Kwon Myung-woo said with a satisfied smile aboard the aircraft.

“Well, they pretty much caused this whole mess,” Kwon Hanul replied.

“That’s true.”

When the plane was handed over, the top executives of the City of Mystery came out personally to apologize.

They confessed that the attack happened because Mark Goldpixie had conspired with the Sanchez family.

“That idiot... Selling out for a bit of fame and teaming up with the Sanchezes?”

“Exactly,” Myung-woo said, shaking his head, and Hanul nodded in agreement.

In fact, when things didn’t go their way, the Sanchez family had taken Mark Goldpixie hostage and committed all kinds of atrocities.

“If it were up to me, I’d level the City of Mystery,” Myung-woo muttered, rubbing his temple.

“But since they came crawling with apologies and even offered compensation…”

Clearly, the City of Mystery’s offer had been significant—enough for Myung-woo to let it go without a fuss.

“Anyway, you all did well this time,” he said, glancing at the team. “When the Sanchezes attacked, I thought they were laughable—but honestly, I was worried about you guys.”

That he would say such a thing spoke volumes about how dangerous the ambush was. The Sanchez family's hunters were both highly skilled and notoriously vicious.

“Even just holding out would’ve been impressive. I didn’t expect everyone to come out victorious.”

Myung-woo’s pride was visible on his face.

“Of course, we did let them all live.”

That comment left the group looking a bit awkward.

“Especially you, Gael Garcia. You should’ve made sure your target was dead.”

“I’ve got no excuse.”

But Myung-woo didn’t pursue the matter further.

“Well, I let mine live too, so I can’t say much.”

Just then, Myung-woo’s gaze shifted toward Hanul. A sly smile curled at his lips.

“And you, you cocky little rascal!”

He suddenly threw his arms around Hanul in a hug.

“You held off Maria Sanchez until she retreated? You crazy bastard! That’s incredible!”

For Myung-woo to get this excited meant Maria Sanchez was no ordinary opponent.

He wasn’t even celebrating a victory—just the fact that Hanul had endured until she backed off.

“Granduncle, I can’t breathe.”

“Just bear with it, you brat!”

Hanul protested, but Myung-woo didn’t let go. That’s how thrilled he was.

“There’s never been anyone like you in the history of the Hyukcheon Clan! You, of all people, facing off against Maria Sanchez and holding your ground—even with Trueblood in your veins!”

In truth, Hanul had defeated Maria Sanchez, not just held her off—but he didn’t bother to clarify.

After all, it was thanks to his Superhuman Bloodline that he had managed it. Saying he merely endured sounded more natural.

“Here you go,”

Just then, Joo Hayun placed teacups in front of them. Hanul turned to thank her.

“Ah, thank you, Hayun.”

But something was off. Hayun turned away without even acknowledging his thanks and walked off.

Her strangely cold demeanor left Hanul puzzled.

‘Is it because I lost to Maria Sanchez?’

He quickly dismissed the thought.

The Joo Hayun he knew wasn’t someone who’d sulk over something like that. There had to be another reason.

“As promised, could you tell us about Mei Xiao now?”

It was Mei Hong who spoke up.

“Ah, right. I said I’d explain on the way back.”

Last night, when they decided to return, Myung-woo had said he’d go over the details en route, as the situation was urgent.

But before they even boarded, they were ambushed by the Sanchezes—so the explanation had been delayed.

“As I said before, numerous Hyukcheon bloodline members, including Vain Hope, were killed by Mei Xiao.”

At the mention of that name, Mei Hong’s eyes darkened with a murderous glint.

“More specifically, Vain Hope’s entire Nameless Unit and two of our elite divisions—Black Flag Squads—were annihilated.”

“Even the Black Flags?” Hanul asked, clearly shocked.

Unlike the Nameless Units, the Black Flags were considered the Hyukcheon Clan’s real powerhouses.

For even them to be wiped out—it was beyond serious.

“Yes. Technically, Vain Hope was never at a Nameless-level skillwise anyway. His subordinates were elite too.”

Myung-woo looked grave.

“S-So, how were they ambushed?”

It was Kwon Hudon who asked nervously.

“Right after they cleared a dungeon together. They were hit the moment they exited.”

“That means... there was a traitor.”

Hudon’s face stiffened.

Myung-woo, however, didn’t seem surprised.

“Why so shocked? The bigger the beast, the more parasites it attracts. We’ve had traitors before.”

But then, in a more serious tone, he added, “Still, this is the first time they’ve worked with such a dangerous enemy.”

He folded his arms.

“The Clan is likely holding an emergency meeting as we speak. I was supposed to be there, too—until the Sanchez incident…”

Tsk.

Myung-woo clicked his tongue.

“My brother will probably assemble a pursuit squad to wipe out the remnants of the Mei Clan.”

The mention of a pursuit unit made Mei Hong react—but Myung-woo cut her off with a scoff.

“Dream on. You think they’d let you chase someone that dangerous?”

His tone was final. Still, Mei Hong looked reluctant to accept it.

“But… what happens to the Naming Battle now?”

It was Hudon again, hesitantly raising his hand.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Myung-woo scratched his chin.

“Well… I guess it’ll be postponed.”

* * *

Meanwhile, at Hyukcheon Headquarters…

“Looks like we have a provisional decision.”

Kwon Seonwoo addressed the gathered elders.

Today wasn’t a video conference—all the elders had convened in person. The matter was that serious.

“We’re forming a pursuit squad under Kwon Myung-woo and his Hyukcheon Squad. Their objective is to eliminate Mei Xiao and her hunters.”

Naturally, no one objected.

“Now, onto the next item.”

The elders looked around, confused. Next item?

“I propose that Kwon Hanul’s unit be promoted to the status of a Black Flag Division.”

“Lord Seonwoo!”

One elder shot to his feet in protest.

A blond-haired, blue-eyed man—Kwon Dagmar, head of the European branch.

“My son died less than a week ago! And now you’re handing them a promotion?!”

“Precisely because of that,” Seonwoo said calmly. “We’ve lost too much—especially the Black Flags. We can’t afford to leave those seats empty.”

“That much I understand! But why Hanul? His team hasn’t even proven themselves yet!”

Dagmar’s objection was valid. While Hanul’s skill was undisputed, the abilities of his team were still in question.

That’s why the Naming Battle had been scheduled in the first place—to evaluate them properly.

“True. But perhaps this will change your mind.”

With that, Seonwoo gestured. His assistant brought up footage on the conference room monitors.

“These videos were just uploaded today.”

Despite being only hours old, the videos had already gone viral—over 5 million views and thousands of comments.

“Before we watch, let me address the elephant in the room. You’ve all been wondering why Myung-woo isn’t here, yes?”

The elders nodded. It was strange for him to miss a critical meeting.

“That’s because he was ambushed by the Sanchez family—while returning with Hanul and his unit.”

The word ambushed made the room tense.

Already on edge due to Mei Xiao, this added fuel to the fire.

“Who did it?!”

“The Sanchez family.”

“Those brainless muscle-heads—!”

The elders erupted in fury. Seonwoo raised a hand to calm them.

“Just watch.”

Three videos appeared on the monitors. Each showed a one-on-one hunter duel.

After watching for a while, the elders began to react.

“That’s Hudon!”

“And that’s Mei Hong!”

“The other looks like one of the Sacred Beast Bloodline…”

But what shocked them more were the opponents.

“Wait—isn’t that Larisa Sanchez, the Massacrer?”

“The one Mei Hong’s fighting—isn’t that Karolina Sanchez?”

“And him—Bruno Sanchez! The zombie that held off a world-ranker by himself!”

The Sanchez trio was so notorious that even the elders recognized them instantly.

“They’re actually holding their own…”

“No… they’re winning?!”

Stunned silence filled the room.

“There’s no video,” Seonwoo continued, “but Myung-woo and Hanul were attacked too.”

“By who?”

“Khan Sanchez. And Maria Sanchez.”

The moment those names were said, the room fell deathly quiet.

“You don’t mean… Hanul fought Maria Sanchez…?”

“Yes. And he held out until she retreated.”

Gasps rippled through the chamber.

“Now do you understand why I brought this proposal forward?”

Seonwoo looked around at the elders.

“Given how much power we’ve lost to Mei Xiao, keeping Hanul’s team at Nameless status after withstanding and defeating the Sanchez elites is a loss to the clan.”

Some of the elders nodded, unable to deny it.

“I propose elevating Kwon Hanul’s unit to Black Flag Division. If anyone objects, speak now.”

A heavy silence followed.

No one spoke. Not even Kwon Dagmar.

“Very well. I take it we are all in agreement.”

And thus, a new elite unit was born within the Hyukcheon Clan.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]