Chapter 122 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 122: The Blaga Family (2)

The first thought that came to his mind was that he needed to escape—fast.

‘I’m supposed to enter the Sky Arena. This is such a headache.’

There was still some time left before the Sky Arena began, but not enough to take it easy. He couldn’t remain stuck under Catalina Blaga’s thumb forever.

“Hey.”

Kwon Hanul called out to Ben Blaga, who stood nearby. Ben responded immediately.

“Yes sir, what is it?”

“Is there a way to escape this ship?”

They were at sea, but with Hanul’s abilities, running across the ocean to reach the mainland would be a trivial matter.

“There is not.”

But Ben answered without hesitation. Hanul's brows furrowed slightly.

“This isn’t an ordinary ship. You’re currently riding on the back of a monster controlled by Lady Catalina Blaga.”

“A monster?”

“It’s a manta ray-shaped sea monster called Blue Eyes. It’s classified as an S-rank creature—highly dangerous. Escaping its senses while at sea is impossible.”

It was shocking enough that she had tamed a monster—an S-rank one at that.

If it were anyone but Catalina Blaga, Hanul would’ve laughed and called it nonsense.

“Not only that, but there are two members of the Shadow Knights on board.”

“Shadow Knights?”

“An elite order composed of the strongest among Lady Catalina’s blood-bound knights. Lord Troy is also a Shadow Knight.”

Hanul recalled the overwhelming pressure Troy had exerted earlier.

To think there was another like him on board. Escaping might not be an option after all.

‘But still… I can’t just walk into the Blaga Family’s territory without a fight.’

The Blagas, though not on par with the Hyukcheon Clan, were still a globally renowned noble family. Escaping from a place like that wouldn’t be easy.

Especially not under Catalina Blaga’s watchful gaze.

‘...Actually, maybe heading into their estate is the smarter move.’

Lesser blood-bound are unable to defy higher bloodlines.

Hanul’s bloodline was True Blood, the highest class. Most of the Blaga family members would be unable to resist his commands.

However, that didn’t mean he could control all of them.

With his current level, overpowering someone like Catalina Blaga was still out of reach.

‘But if I think about it… as long as they’re not on her level, I can control them.’

That meant the majority of the Blaga family would be forced to obey him.

Using them, he could find—or even create—a way to escape. One way or another.

‘Alright. Plan’s set.’

He’d go to the Blaga estate, take control of as many blood-bound as he could, and find an escape route.

Then, he’d expose Catalina Blaga’s actions to the Hyukcheon Clan and head to the Sky Arena.

Just as Hanul finished his thoughts—

The door swung open again. Another member of the Blaga family entered the room.

“Ben! What took you so long?”

This time it wasn’t a man—it was a woman. Her expression turned curious when she saw Hanul.

“So you’re the guy who’s got Lady Catalina all worked up? You’re younger than I expected.”

Without warning, she grabbed Hanul’s chin and examined his face closely.

“Not bad looking. But I don’t get it. Lady Catalina’s always liked men with a more mature charm…”

“You insolent brat!” Ben Blaga roared. The woman flinched and stepped back.

“What the hell?! Are you insane?! Why are you shouting?!”

“Do you even know who this man is?! How dare you act so rudely?! Get on your knees and apologize, now!“

The woman scoffed in disbelief.

“Kneel? To some random blood-bound? Have you completely lost it?”

“You wretched—!”

Ben’s face twisted in fury. But just then, Hanul raised his hand to stop him.

“There’s no need to fight. You’ll both be working for me from now on anyway.”

“What kind of nonsense—?”

Hanul turned to the woman and activated the power of his bloodline.

The moment his power was invoked, her face turned hazy. Like someone possessed, she dropped to her knees before him.

“That was ridiculously easy.”

So long as they weren’t on Catalina Blaga’s level, the Blaga family members couldn’t even resist him—let alone defy him.

No, obedience wasn’t the right word. It was closer to complete subjugation.

Just then:

Hanul read through the system message carefully.

Then, with mild amusement, he muttered, “Oh?”

* * *

“Kyaaah!”

As soon as she stepped into her private quarters, Catalina Blaga threw herself onto the bed with a squeal of joy.

Rolling around on the oversized king bed, she shrieked with glee.

“I finally brought Kwon Hanul here! He’s here!!”

After a long moment of wild celebration, Catalina finally settled down.

She sat on the bed and gestured to Troy.

“Troy, could you get me a glass of water?”

Troy, as if waiting for this very moment, handed her a glass of water.

After draining it, she passed the glass back—then it happened.

–Lady Catalina.

A voice echoed from thin air. Catalina wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and replied,

“K. What is it?”

–The Hyukcheon Intelligence Bureau is on the move. The illusion placed on Hanul’s private jet appears to have been dispelled.

“Already? Even after using such an expensive artifact? Maybe it’s because the Witch of Hyukcheon was on board?”

Catalina didn’t seem concerned.

The illusion on the jet was only meant to buy enough time to capture Hanul.

More time would’ve been better—but this much was enough.

“You cleaned up the evidence, right?”

–Yes. All artifacts were retrieved, the scene was destroyed, and the involved parties were ordered to commit suicide.

“That’s my K. Excellent work.”

–Still, we’re dealing with Hyukcheon. No matter how careful we are, they’ll eventually trace it back.

K sounded genuinely worried. Catalina smiled faintly.

“You worry too much. Is Hyukcheon really that scary?”

No answer came, but none was needed.

Even the fanatical Shadow Knights feared Hyukcheon’s infamous reputation.

“We kidnapped a Trueblood. That’s no small crime. Hoping Hyukcheon won’t find out would be delusional.”

She picked up a nut from the tray beside the bed.

Crunch. It shattered between her teeth.

–And if Hyukcheon declares war...?

“Then we fight.”

Her answer was casual, as if it were obvious. K let out a silent sigh.

What he’d hoped to hear was: Let’s send Hanul back.

But clearly, Catalina had no intention of giving him up.

“Once we arrive at the estate, what should I do first? How can I make Hanul my blood-bound?”

Rather than giving up, she was plotting how to turn Hanul into hers.

“He beat Ferderance, so poison won’t work. He’s from the Hyukcheon Clan, so money won’t tempt him. I guess it’s gotta be woman-to-man, body-to-body... I’ll just have to seduce him.”

–…I’ll go monitor Hyukcheon’s movements.

“Hey! At least answer me before you leave!”

Catalina called out, but K had already vanished.

Left with no one else, she turned to Troy.

“What do you think?”

“About what, my lady?”

“How do I make Kwon Hanul mine?”

Troy’s face turned grave. After a long pause, he answered.

“Perhaps beat him into submission?”

Catalina's face soured in disappointment.

“Why do I even bother asking you?”

“If you leave it to me, I’ll ensure he suffers without damaging his bones—”

“No, thank you.”

She waved him off.

“What to do... This could work... That could work...”

Catalina rolled across the bed, deep in thought.

To make someone a blood-bound, their heart must completely yield to her.

She could use illusions, bribes, or anything else—as long as it got the job done.

The problem was: Nothing worked on Hanul.

“If only he’d just fall for me already.”

Despite her words, her face was full of smiles.

* * *

Something felt wrong.

Troy stared at his master, uneasy.

This wasn’t the first time Catalina Blaga had taken interest in a man. Every time she took a new blood-bound, she showered them with affection.

But this time... was different.

This wasn't affection—it was obsession.

Troy couldn't shake the feeling that Catalina was becoming enslaved by Hanul.

‘Maybe I should inform the others…’

Among Catalina’s blood-bound, there was an unspoken rule.

No one had officially declared it, but everyone followed it nonetheless.

If Catalina became too attached to a particular blood-bound, the rest would intervene—even if it meant killing the object of her affection.

Catalina never appreciated such actions—but neither did she punish them.

Those who killed her favored blood-bound often became favorites themselves.

‘Maybe she actually wants that.’

Catalina Blaga was breathtakingly beautiful—possibly the most beautiful woman alive—but deeply twisted on the inside.

Even her most loyal subordinates acknowledged it.

She might find satisfaction in watching her blood-bound kill each other over her favor.

And if that was the case, then this time as well—

“Oh, right. I should make this clear ahead of time.”

Catalina rose from the bed and stared directly at Troy.

“Do not touch Kwon Hanul.”

The moment those words were spoken, Troy's mind reeled.

“No matter what happens. No matter the circumstances. Never lay a finger on him. If you do, I won’t forgive it.”

Why? Why him, of all people?

So many questions surged within—but loyalty as a blood-bound came first.

“Understood.”

Troy knelt on the floor, bowing his head.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]