Chapter 129 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 129: Invisible Cracks (3)

When Simon Blaga first saw Kwon Hanul, he was genuinely taken aback.

“So this is the Kwon Hanul I’ve only heard about in rumors.”

He had heard countless stories about Kwon Hanul—about his feats, his abilities, and what he’d accomplished.

At first, Simon didn’t believe them.

To qualify for the Sky Arena, one only needed to reach S-rank in three stats. That was still just a budding stage in the realm of true powerhouses.

It seemed impossible that someone with such meager stats could have achieved so much.

“Is this… really possible?”

But seeing it firsthand, he understood.

Just how terrifyingly skilled this man named Kwon Hanul truly was. The explosive power lying dormant within him.

Truthfully, Simon Blaga wasn’t particularly skilled in combat. But he had lived far longer than most—many times the average lifespan—and in that time, he had met and clashed with countless strong beings.

Which is why he could see through Kwon Hanul's true strength.

Kwon Hanul had reached the level of a true world-class fighter—what they called a Triple Number, a title reserved for those who ranked in the world’s top three.

Possibly even higher.

“So this is the true might of a Trueblood…?”

Simon couldn’t easily answer the question that surfaced in his mind.

Truebloods were the stuff of legends. The legacy they left behind was brilliant—untarnished by the passage of time.

So yes, perhaps it was possible.

“But can someone be this strong just for being a Trueblood?”

He had never seen one in person, so he couldn’t be certain. Even considering that, Kwon Hanul’s strength seemed almost excessive.

“No wonder Lady Catalina is so obsessed.”

Considering the rarity of Truebloods and the fact that someone so young had reached this level, it made sense that Catalina Blaga would defy even the Hyukcheon to possess him.

Even Simon himself now felt the same greed.

“Is there really no way I can make him mine?”

Simon was tempted. Any method would do. If he could use the dispute between Catalina Blaga and the Hyukcheon to his advantage and make Kwon Hanul his…

“Hey.”

Hanul’s voice cut straight through Simon’s scheming thoughts.

Snapping back to reality, Simon felt a chill.

‘What was I just thinking? Was I really about to betray Catalina Blaga that easily?’

“You said if I land a single hit, I win, right?”

“To be exact, if you even graze my body, you win.”

“Then we never settled on the stakes, did we?”

Hanul rubbed the spot on his jaw where he'd just been hit.

“You came here to force me into submission, right? So let’s stop dancing around.”

Hanul spoke firmly.

“Whoever loses this bet submits to the winner. No excuses.”

Simon’s eyes narrowed.

The original plan was to chip away at Hanul’s pride and self-worth little by little—to wear him down mentally.

But if Hanul was offering to skip ahead, why not?

“Fine.”

Simon opened a sub-dimensional space and pulled out an old scroll.

When he unfurled it, it was filled with strange, unfamiliar writing.

“This is a relic called the Contract of Souls. To put it simply, it enforces any agreement made between two parties.”

It was a powerful artifact—but rarely used because of its strict conditions.

Mutual consent was essential. If either party was coerced even slightly, the contract wouldn’t activate.

Simon bit his thumb and pressed a bloody fingerprint onto the scroll.

“Your turn.”

Hanul caught the scroll tossed at him, and as he opened it, the strange writing shifted and turned into Korean.

Everything Simon had just said was written exactly as spoken.

Hanul added his fingerprint as well. The moment he did, the scroll burst into flames and vanished.

“There’s no going back now.”

“Save the chatter. Let’s begin.”

Hanul clenched his fist. Watching him, Simon let out a mocking smile.

‘Whatever it is, he thinks he’s found a clever trick…’

Hanul had survived up to this point through skill, not luck. He must have figured out some way to counter the current situation. He wouldn’t be acting so confident otherwise.

But his opponent now was Simon Blaga—a man who had lived for centuries and faced all kinds of people.

Nothing would work.

‘You’re mine now, Kwon Hanul.’

Simon’s desire to possess Hanul surged again.

He would be the first person to ever dominate Kwon Hanul.

If he played this right, he could even deceive Catalina Blaga and claim Hanul for himself.

At that moment, dark aura erupted from Hanul’s body. It filled the room almost instantly.

“…Oh?”

It had been a long time since Simon had seen such a massive surge of Dragon Aura. It was quite the spectacle.

Before Simon could finish admiring it, Hanul moved—gliding through the air with lightning speed.

Skyborne Steps

Phase One: Lone Run

A gust like a raging storm roared through the room. The sheer force of it even made Simon sway slightly.

But he felt no threat. After all, Hanul’s opponent wasn’t really him.

Simon’s eyes turned crimson—the power of his Vassal Bloodline wrapped around Hanul.

“Haaah!”

Hanul struck at the empty air repeatedly, unleashing explosive bursts of Dragon Aura with each punch. The power was truly frightening.

Simon calmly observed from a step back.

“It’s no use.”

He manipulated the illusion of himself, making the phantom Simon kick Hanul in the gut and chin.

“Guh!”

Hanul was knocked backward, bouncing off the ground.

Despite only hitting an illusion, his chin was clearly swollen and red.

Powerful illusions could even distort a person's perception.

Inflicting physical injury was the least of its capabilities.

Still, Hanul charged the illusion again—and again he was thrown back.

But he didn’t give up. He kept attacking.

“To hunt a beast, you wait until it tires itself out.”

Simon sat in a lounge chair, reclining with ease.

Just then, something touched his shoulder.

Turning his head, he saw a hand. Following the arm up, he saw a familiar face.

Kwon Hanul.

Standing behind his chair, gripping Simon’s shoulder.

“…What?”

Simon looked forward—Hanul was still fighting the illusion.

He looked up again—and Hanul was right there, holding onto him.

“W-What the hell…?!”

Hanul snapped his fingers. The illusionary version of himself vanished instantly.

Simon’s eyes went wide.

“An illusion? How…? A member from Hyukcheon shouldn’t be able to—wait, how could you deceive even me…?”

“That’s not what you should be worrying about right now.”

Hanul tightened his grip on Simon’s shoulder.

“I won. Just like we agreed.”

Simon’s face went pale. He leapt up from his chair, shouting, “Y-You little brat! You think I’ll bow to someone like you?!”

The contract hadn’t been fulfilled yet. If he could eliminate Hanul now, it could still be voided.

“Submit to me!”

Behind Simon, dozens of soldiers appeared—conjured through illusions.

They weren’t to be underestimated. Each one was modeled after powerful warriors Simon had faced in the past.

“Go!”

They charged at Hanul—but before they could take even a few steps, a message appeared:

An excruciating pain surged through Simon’s body, as though his blood were burning. He collapsed to his knees, groaning.

“Aaaargh!”

The artifact’s compulsion paralyzed him.

“This… this can’t be happening…!”

“Oh, it’s happening.”

Hanul’s voice came from directly in front of him. He stood over Simon.

“You’re witnessing it yourself.”

Hanul slid a ring onto his finger—the Ring of Lust—then grabbed Simon’s head.

A familiar energy forced its way under Simon’s skin. He gasped in horror.

It was the domination power of the Vassal Bloodline.

“Th-This is insane…”

But before he could even scream, darkness overtook his vision.

* * *

“Phew.”

Hanul released Simon’s head.

“As expected from a council elder.”

Even with the Ring of Lust enhancing his power, dominating Simon had drained him immensely.

“Without the contract, this would’ve been impossible.”

That much was obvious. Simon wasn’t physically powerful, but his mental strength was extraordinary.

Hanul hadn’t even sensed the illusion being cast on him earlier—that’s how overwhelming it was.

Without the contract and the shock he’d just inflicted, Hanul couldn’t have overpowered Simon.

Hanul could feel the Vassal Bloodline growing stronger within him.

The higher your assimilation rate, the harder it became to raise it. Gaining 10% at once was unheard of—it reaffirmed just how influential Simon was.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Simon opened his eyes. Upon seeing Hanul, he immediately prostrated himself.

“This lowly servant… offers his greetings.”

Anyone witnessing this would have doubted their eyes.

A council elder of the Blaga family—someone who ruled over tens of thousands—declaring himself a servant?

“Tell me exactly what Catalina Blaga ordered you to do.”

Simon obediently explained everything that had transpired.

“They declared war on Hyukcheon?”

“That is correct.”

Hanul was briefly stunned. He had hoped the Hyukcheon would come for him—but never imagined they’d go so far as to declare war.

“So their plan was to dominate me, send me back, and stop the war…”

Hanul let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd—but not entirely unreasonable.

The power of the Vassal Bloodline was formidable. The Blaga family had probably used it countless times to settle messy affairs.

“Simon. I plan to escape from this family.”

“I will devote my life to fulfilling your will, Master.”

Simon bowed low, radiating absolute loyalty.

But Hanul wasn’t paying attention—his mind was elsewhere.

“Things are going a little too smoothly…”

With Simon’s help, escaping wouldn’t be hard.

But… it felt like a waste.

“So, the other elders are going to come see me next?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Hanul hesitated.

Should he escape now? Or…

He looked through the Bloodline’s system messages again, then made a decision.

“Simon.”

“Yes, Master?”

“Prepare a full list. Who’s coming, and exactly what their abilities are. I want everything laid out.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]