Chapter 119

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 119: Name (3)

Kwon Hanul felt his heart pounding in his chest.

Right now, Kwon Myung-woo was trying to pass down his own revelations to him.

Not just anyone—but the man known as the Hyukcheon’s Strongest Fist, a living legend.

“…I won’t forget this. I promise I’ll make it out.”

Hanul did his best to suppress his emotions as he spoke. Myung-woo smiled as if to say, I’m looking forward to it.

“Well then, shall we wrap things up? Everyone must be tired—get some good rest…”

Myung-woo trailed off.

Someone was approaching.

A sharp suit. Slicked-back hair with not a strand out of place.

It was Kwon Hyuk, Vice Chairman of the Hyukcheon Group.

“Uncle, have you been well?”

Hyuk bowed deeply with formal politeness. But Myung-woo didn’t bother to return the sentiment—his expression remained sour.

“What brings you here all of a sudden?”

“Haha, do I need a reason to visit family?”

“That may be true, but you aren’t the type to show up without an agenda.”

“As expected, you know me too well, Uncle,” Hyuk replied with an empty chuckle. “To be honest, I’m here to see my nephew. I heard he’s been promoted to the Elite Division.”

Hyuk’s gaze shifted to Hanul, a warm, fatherly smile forming on his face.

“Congratulations on the promotion. You’ve officially been recognized as a Hyukcheon Hunter now.”

“Thank you,” Hanul replied briefly.

“What’s your unit called?”

“Darkshade.”

“Oh? Darkshade, huh. That was the name Cheon was supposed to receive… now it’s been passed on to you.”

Hyuk’s face was filled with emotion as he lightly patted Hanul’s shoulder.

“No one’s ever been promoted to the Elite Division this quickly before. If Cheon were here to see this, he would’ve been thrilled.”

From his expression and tone, Hyuk seemed to be genuinely happy for Hanul’s achievement.

But Hanul couldn’t lower his guard around him.

It had always been that way, from the first time they met.

It was like looking into a bottomless well—something about him sparked instinctive revulsion and unease.

“Then again… he might be resenting you from the afterlife.”

As expected, Hyuk’s tone abruptly shifted.

“To think… his own son is living comfortably under the same roof as the people who killed him.”

“You bastard!” Myung-woo suddenly shouted. “Watch your mouth, right now!”

“Uncle, why are you so angry? It’s not like what I said was baseless.”

“You little—!”

Myung-woo’s killing intent flared. It was so intense it felt like it could scorch the air itself, all directed at Hyuk.

But shockingly, Hyuk withstood it without even blinking.

“Hanul, you probably think your father was simply a traitor to the family. But the truth is a little more complicated. You see, your father—he was actually—”

“I told you to shut your mouth!”

Myung-woo exploded in rage and lunged to grab Hyuk by the collar.

His hands moved like lightning—

—but they were stopped midair. Hyuk had caught him.

“Uncle. Please, calm down.”

Everyone was stunned.

Myung-woo, the man known as the Hyukcheon’s Strongest Fist, had his hands frozen in place.

Even worse, he couldn’t shake off Hyuk’s grip or press forward.

“Shouldn’t you be celebrating your nephew’s promotion, instead of doing this?”

“You dare lecture me?”

The veins on Myung-woo’s forehead bulged. His eyes burned with fury.

“I already know.”

At that moment, Hanul’s voice pierced through their standoff.

Both Myung-woo and Hyuk turned to look at him.

“The Chairman was the one who ordered my father’s execution. My father ran away to avoid the sentence, and that’s why he was labeled a traitor.”

“…How do you know that…?”

Myung-woo’s face was etched with shock.

Hyuk only frowned slightly.

“Where did you learn that?”

Hanul answered calmly, “That’s not what matters, is it?”

Hyuk released Myung-woo’s hands. He straightened out his wrinkled clothes and spoke to Hanul.

“Then do you know why the Chairman ordered your father’s execution in the first place?”

“No, I don’t.”

At that, Hyuk’s lips curved into a faint smirk.

“Then let me give you a piece of advice.”

He suddenly closed the distance between them and whispered into Hanul’s ear.

“Don’t trust the Chairman too much. Right now, he may seem friendly, but the moment you fail to meet his expectations, he’ll discard you without hesitation.” He stepped back, adding with a grin, “Just like he did with your father.”

Hanul’s brow furrowed.

Hyuk walked away, clearly satisfied with the reaction.

“That bastard…”

Myung-woo spat venomously in Hyuk’s direction.

“Every time I see him, he just pisses me off. Hanul, you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“No you’re not. Dammit…” Myung-woo spat on the ground and said, “Let’s call it a day for real this time. Go get some rest!”

* * *

Later that evening…

Kwon Hyuk had left the scene quickly.

Sticking around any longer might’ve gotten him decked by Myung-woo.

After walking for a while—

“You did well today, sir.”

A young man suddenly joined Hyuk from behind.

“It was just a chat. Nothing to fuss over.”

“But you endured Uncle’s killing intent.”

“Well… that was tough,” Hyuk admitted. “He’s gotten old. Back in the day, I wouldn’t even have been able to meet his eyes, let alone withstand that aura.”

“Maybe it’s because you’ve gotten stronger,” replied Kwon Chan-seong, with a touch of flattery.

Hyuk simply chuckled quietly.

“Still… Hanul knew a lot more about his father than I expected.”

“Should I look into where he got the information?”

“No need. What would be the point? He’ll be gone soon anyway.”

Chan-seong fell silent, clearly displeased.

“You’ve got something to say, don’t you? Is it because you couldn’t take him out yourself?”

“No, sir. It’s my failure, and I accept that.”

“Yes, it was a failure.”

In that moment, Chan-seong felt a chill down his spine.

“I warned you, didn’t I? Repeatedly. But in the end, you still couldn’t eliminate him.”

His face began to pale.

Hyuk was notorious—once he lost faith in someone, he never gave them a second chance.

Chan-seong was his son, and he had a solid reputation in and outside the family. But knowing Hyuk’s nature, that might not be enough.

“I even went out of my way to introduce you to Catalina Blaga… and this is the result.”

“I have no excuse.”

“Well, to be fair, I didn’t know she’d be that hard to deal with either.”

After their first transaction, Catalina refused to deal with Chan-seong anymore.

The reason was simple: she had no interest in dealing with a boy who had nothing more to offer.

Hyuk had to step in himself.

“Now, we leave everything to her.”

“But Father… I’m still worried. Do you really think she’ll move according to our plan?”

Hyuk laughed.

“My dear son, you worry too much. That’s why I told Catalina in advance—that Hanul is a Trueblood.”

The moment she heard that, Catalina's eyes had lit up with obsession.

To the one known as the Human Collector, a Trueblood was of immeasurable worth.

“And I told her the Chairman plans to reveal that fact during the next Sky Arena Tournament.”

Once the world finds out Hanul is a Trueblood, all eyes will be on him. That makes kidnapping him nearly impossible.

“Catalina will try to abduct Hanul before the tournament starts.”

That would take a thorn out of their side.

Hyuk let out a quiet laugh.

“But Father… if it comes to that…”

Chan-seong swallowed hard.

“Won’t it be dangerous for us, in the long run, if the Blaga family gets their hands on a Trueblood?”

Not just because of the power Truebloods possess.

A Trueblood is the origin of a bloodline.

If the Blaga family secures Hanul, they might try to mass-produce Black Dragon bloodline members.

That could spell the end for the Hyukcheon clan.

“So what?”

Hyuk shrugged.

“If Hanul keeps growing, he’ll eventually reach the top of our family. And when that happens, everyone will follow him.”

The Hyukcheon bloodline always bows to strength.

“But we can’t kill him either. The Chairman’s watching him like a hawk.”

Most people didn’t know it, but Hyuk did.

Chairman Kwon Seonwoo treasured Hanul more than anyone.

“So instead of just standing by, wouldn’t it be better to hand him over to the Blagas? Even if…”

Chan-seong shuddered at what came next.

“…even if it means our family is wiped out.”

* * *

That evening, at the estate.

Kwon Hanul sat alone, organizing his thoughts.

There was one thing he needed to deal with before meeting with Myung-woo again.

“So breaking this is all I need to do?”

He examined the teacup in his hand.

Shattering it would grant him the hidden legacy left by the founder of the Superhuman Bloodline.

No one knew exactly what it was, but the Sanchez family had thrown everything they had at trying to obtain it.

It had to be something extraordinary.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

Hanul gripped the teacup. It was small enough to crush with one hand.

“Hup—!”

He squeezed with all his might.

Nothing.

“What…?”

He tried again with both hands.

“Hrrrrgh!”

Even with mana, it didn’t budge.

“…You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Hanul set the teacup down and clenched his fist.

If it won’t break by squeezing… he’d just smash it—

“Mr. Kwon Hanul, may I come in?”

A voice called out from outside.

Hanul lowered his raised fist.

“Come in.”

The door opened. It was Joo Hayun.

“So, you’re back now?”

It was the first time he’d seen her since the assistant took her away.

“Must’ve been a long conversation.”

“There were… a few things to deal with.”

An awkward silence settled between them.

Neither of them were the chatty type, but this felt strange even for them.

Now that he thought about it, this wasn’t the first time. Ever since the battle with the Sanchez family, there had been several moments of tense silence.

“Hayun, is something…”

He was about to ask when she cut in.

“Lord Kwon Hanul. Please be honest with me.”

She took a breath—

“You’re not… a Superhuman Bloodline member, are you?”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]