Chapter 123

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 123: The Blaga Family (3)

The water in the kettle began to bubble and boil.

Joo Hayun measured out an appropriate amount of tea leaves from a glass jar and added them to the pot. Then she opened the lid of another jar.

“One gram of dried mandrake leaves... and two moon-scented herb leaves...”

Unusually, Joo Hayun didn’t use just one type of tea leaf. She blended multiple kinds together.

This was the reason why everyone who had tasted her tea sang its praises.

For years, Joo Hayun had tasted all kinds of herbs—both toxic and medicinal—experimenting with combinations. Thanks to that dedication, she had discovered the perfect recipes for brewing exceptional tea.

Once the tea had steeped thoroughly, she poured it into a teacup and stepped out of the kitchen.

There were many people aboard the private aircraft. But without hesitation, Joo Hayun walked straight toward Kwon Hanul.

He hadn't noticed her approaching, deep in thought.

“What’s got you so deep in thought?” she asked, setting down the teacup.

Only then did Kwon Hanul realize Joo Hayun was standing right next to him.

“I was thinking about the Sky Arena.”

“With your level,Lord Kwon, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Still, you never know.”

He sounded genuinely concerned as he took a sip of the tea. His eyes widened instantly.

“Tea made by you always tastes—”

He paused mid-sentence. Even his movements froze.

“Lord Kwon Hanul?”

Something felt off. Just then, his voice returned.

“Tea made by you always tastes the best, Miss Hayun.”

Joo Hayun smiled at the compliment.

She had heard praise for her tea many times before, but hearing it from Kwon Hanul somehow felt different.

“I reviewed intel on the other participants, but none seemed to be a match for you, Lord Kwon.”

Wishing to prolong the conversation, Joo Hayun brought up the information she had researched.

“There’s only one truly dangerous participant—apparently, a direct disciple of the Dragon Slayer will be joining. You’ve probably heard of them too, haven’t you?”

“I have.”

Dragon Slayer.

A hunter who specialized in hunting draconic monsters. Their true identity was unknown, but they wielded a power that weakened dragon-type creatures.

The troubling part was that this power also worked on the bloodline of Hyukcheon.

“You need to be thoroughly prepared, especially for the Dragon Slayer. No one else poses a real threat.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“If you’d like, I can teach you how to counter them myself.”

“Then I’d appreciate that.”

Suddenly, Joo Hayun realized something.

The conversation felt... off. Kwon Hanul was only giving short, one-line replies.

The moment she sensed the incongruity, her instincts kicked in.

She suddenly waved her hand—but it passed right through Kwon Hanul’s head.

A moment later, his entire body dispersed into smoke.

Joo Hayun stood silently, staring at the now-empty space.

“...Lord Kwon Hanul?”

By the time they realized, the ship had arrived at the Blaga family estate.

* * *

“Little Dragon! We’ve finally arrived!”

As soon as they docked, Catalina Blaga grabbed Kwon Hanul’s hand and dragged him outside.

Only then did Kwon Hanul get a good look at the full form of the Blue Eyes, the creature they’d been riding.

“It really does look just like a giant stingray.”

It was his first time seeing an S-rank monster up close, and he wanted to examine it more.

At that moment, music began to play.

At first, he thought he misheard it. But as he turned his head, he realized he hadn't.

At the harbor where Blue Eyes had docked, a band dressed in red was playing instruments. Around them, dancers in matching red outfits performed, and from the rooftops, people were showering flower petals.

It looked just like a festive celebration.

“—Lady Catalina Blaga!”

The crowd cheered her name from all directions.

She was being welcomed like a global superstar.

“Welcome to the Blaga Family!”

Catalina Blaga spread her arms wide and shouted.

“That over there is our carriage.”

A short distance away was a roofless open-air carriage.

At the front wasn’t a horse—but a monster that looked like an elephant.

“Shall we get going?”

Catalina pulled Kwon Hanul along, and with no choice, he climbed into the carriage with her.

Bwooo...

The monster let out a strange sound as it started pulling the carriage.

Kwon Hanul sat and looked around the Blaga estate.

Like the Hyukcheon clan, the Blaga family possessed vast lands.

“I’ve been thinking about this ever since I knew you were coming.”

Catalina spoke as they traveled. Kwon Hanul responded bluntly.

“Don’t tell me you were thinking of letting me go.”

“Aha! You’re so good at jokes.”

He asked just in case—but of course, the answer was no.

“I was thinking about how I could win over Little Dragon. How I could make you mine. What you might like.”

“No matter what you try, it won’t work.”

“I thought that too... but then I realized there’s one thing that might work.”

She reached out and lightly touched the hem of his jacket.

“You’re wearing the clothes I sent you, aren’t you?”

That caught Kwon Hanul off guard.

Just as she said, he was wearing the Blackriver Set.

It looked like a formal suit—perfect for everyday wear and highly functional.

“I understand. Any hunter would want high-quality gear. So...”

The carriage came to a stop—they had arrived.

Before them stood an ancient fortress.

“Take my hand.”

Catalina stepped down first and extended her hand to him.

It was the classic image of a man escorting a lady—except their roles were reversed.

Kwon Hanul stepped down without taking her hand. Catalina looked mildly disappointed.

“Well then, let’s go inside.”

She took the lead.

The interior of the fortress was vast and immaculate despite its old exterior.

“This way.”

Catalina practically danced down the corridor.

She stopped in front of a massive door, grabbed it with both hands, and pushed it open with force.

Kwon Hanul followed her inside.

The room was a grand hall.

Inside, dozens of glass cases were on display.

He approached the nearest one.

A glass lid atop a wooden pedestal.

Inside was a massive obsidian crystal.

〈Akrich’s Life Vessel〉

Quality: Legendary (SSS+)

Description: The Life Vessel once owned by the legendary necromancer Akrich. Possession grants access to all of Akrich’s knowledge.

Kwon Hanul instinctively recoiled in shock.

Akrich.

One of the demons who nearly destroyed humanity in the early days of the dungeons.

He was finally brought down after a joint strike by the Allied Forces—at the cost of massive casualties. It was said no relics were recovered from the battle.

“...Why is this here?”

Catalina smiled in response.

“If that surprises you, you’re in for trouble. That’s actually one of the least valuable items in my collection.”

“You’re calling this a collection? Don’t tell me...”

Kwon Hanul looked around the hall in disbelief.

Just then, Catalina wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.

“Little Dragon.”

She held him tightly and whispered into his ear.

“Swear to be mine. If you do that...”

Her voice dripped with heat, like molten honey.

“Everything here... No—everything that belongs to the Blaga family... I’ll give it all to you.”

* * *

While Catalina was showing off her collection to Kwon Hanul...

Troy was waiting outside the fortress for the two of them to come out.

“Mr. Troy!”

A youthful voice called out. When Troy turned his head, he saw a short-haired girl approaching.

“Rabbit.”

He greeted her, and she smiled shyly.

“What about your training? Why are you here?”

“I heard Lady Catalina Blaga was here, so I snuck away.”

“You’ve just become a Shadow Knight, and you’re already slacking off?”

Rabbit stuck her tongue out.

“I saw it all. Lady Catalina took Little Dragon inside, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

Troy’s answer was brief. Rabbit stepped closer.

“Isn’t it strange? It’s the first time Lady Catalina has brought one of her blood bounds into that place.”

Indeed, Catalina Blaga had never taken anyone into that fortress before.

Though she was generous to her blood bounds, there were certain boundaries she never allowed to be crossed.

One of them was: Do not set foot inside that fortress.

“All the other blood bounds are in a frenzy. Everyone’s saying her behavior toward the new guy is suspicious.”

Catalina had been at the estate for less than an hour.

Normally, that wouldn’t be enough time for gossip to spread.

But her blood bounds lived solely for her. They craved her affection and paid close attention to her every move—so rumors traveled fast.

“He’s a Trueblood. Naturally, she’s paying more attention to someone that special.”

“Heh... Mr. Troy, don’t play dumb.”

Rabbit’s smile vanished.

“That fortress holds relics used by the Blaga family’s founder. That’s why Lady Catalina has never let anyone inside.”

Someone had now set foot in that forbidden place—and she had taken him there herself.

Of course the other blood bounds, including Rabbit, were on edge.

“Plenty of blood bounds think we can’t let this go on. I’m one of them.”

“Leave Kwon Hanul alone.”

Troy’s voice had a dangerous edge. Rabbit flinched.

“What’s gotten into you? You used to be the one leading the charge.”

“Lady Catalina gave a direct order—he’s not to be touched.”

“She... gave that kind of order?”

He had slipped.

Troy instantly regretted his mistake.

He had tried to calm her down, but had instead poured oil on the fire.

“Then I really can’t sit still anymore.”

“Rabbit. Are you planning to disobey Lady Catalina?”

“I could never. But still...”

Her tongue slowly traced her lips.

“Watching Lady Catalina obsess over one man like this... I’d rather kill him—and die with him.”

The blood bounds of Catalina Blaga were fiercely loyal.

But there was one flaw:

Their bond was built on lust and obsession. And sometimes, it twisted them.

“Don’t try to stop me.” Rabbit turned away, adding, “You know you couldn’t, even if you tried.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]