Chapter 144 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 144: A New Bloodline (2)

Just then, a message appeared:

<‘???’ has detected the presence of ‘Dragonheart Bloodline)’.>

Kwon Hanul was caught off guard.

Dragonheart Bloodline? Why would a Babel bloodline show up out of nowhere? This woman is just Sasha Babel’s friend, isn't she?

Is she hiding her true identity?

If so, why? Was there any need for secrecy?

‘Still... why can’t I feel anything?’

There was definitely an ominous, spine-chilling aura about her—but Kwon Hanul couldn’t sense any magic or energy from the woman herself.

Could she be an expert so skilled she can completely suppress her power?

Hanul possessed multiple bloodlines. For someone to conceal themselves from all of them was nearly impossible.

A new message popped up.

He had finally obtained Dragonheart Bloodline. But before he could even enjoy the moment, his own magic began moving on its own—startling him.

<‘Genius Bloodline’ is guiding your magic.>

Guided by Genius Bloodline, the mana entered Alia Davi’s body.

As it flowed, images began forming in Hanul’s mind.

‘What is this…?’

It was a diagram of Alia Davi’s physical structure.

Her muscles were laid out around her bones, and beneath them were hundreds—no, thousands—of blood vessels.

And between those vessels, black lines were visible.

Mana channels?

They were the mana circuits Hunters used to manipulate magical energy. But something was off. The mana channels were completely blocked.

‘Does that mean… she’s a civilian?’

As Hanul puzzled over this, he shifted his focus to her heart—where all mana channels converged.

“…”

He was at a loss for words.

The mana dwelling within Alia Davi wasn’t just powerful—it was dazzling, as if molten gold was flowing through her veins.

Why would someone with mana like this have all their channels blocked?

That’s when—

“How long are you planning to hold my hand?”

Alia Davi’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Ah—sorry about that.”

Flustered, Hanul let go of her hand. Alia smoothed her fingers and smiled.

“You must really like my hand. You’ve been fiddling with it for quite a while.”

Hanul felt a shiver run down his spine. He never expected someone with that face to make such a corny old-man joke.

“Lady Alia Davi?”

“Yes?”

“I have a question, if you don’t mind.”

“You’re not going to ask for my number, are you?”

Another chilling joke. Hanul frowned again.

“Are you… suffering from any medical conditions?”

At that, Alia’s eyes widened. A sharp, wary gaze replaced her usual calm demeanor.

“…Why would you ask something like that?”

“My apologies. That was out of line.”

“Obviously.”

She turned on her heel and walked away. Watching her leave, Mei Hong grumbled.

“What a rude woman.”

But Hanul continued to stare at her retreating back.

That reaction confirmed it.

Something was definitely wrong with Alia Davi’s body.

* * *

Several years earlier, on his fifteenth birthday—

Shahin Rasad, a pureblood of the Rasad family, met a girl he would never forget—his first love.

“My name is Sasha Babel.”

The problem was that the girl was a member of the Babel family.

Not just any bloodline either—she was the one chosen by Dalhia Babel, the head matriarch, to inherit her full legacy.

She was destined to become a central pillar of the Babel family within a few decades.

It was impossible, and Shahin knew it. But he was too young to suppress the fever of first love.

Eventually, in turmoil, he confessed to his grandfather, Abdul Rasad.

“Give up.”

Abdul said it without hesitation.

“The Rasad family must remain neutral. We cannot grow close to any one house.”

The Rasads possessed the Genius Bloodline. An immensely rare and powerful heritage.

When a Hunter received tuning from the Genius Bloodline, their combat power could increase up to 1.5 times. Beyond that, they could even cure diseases that conventional medicine couldn’t touch.

Naturally, many factions coveted it. If they weren’t careful, their family could be torn apart and enslaved by other powers.

They’d maintained independence only through their ancient royal Arab wealth and strict neutrality.

“Besides, the Rasads and Babels both have bloodlines. A marriage alliance between two bloodline families is... virtually impossible.”

The greatest taboo among families was bloodline leakage.

So Abdul had no choice but to speak coldly:

“Give it up.”

But that was advice from a Rasad patriarch.

“As your grandfather though… if you really can’t let her go, then at least give it your all.”

His tone softened.

“A man shouldn’t give up so easily.”

Abdul shared the wisdom of experience.

“I don’t know what Sasha Babel’s type is, but one thing’s certain—don’t try to win her with strength.”

It made sense. Genius Bloodline wasn’t meant for combat. But Dragonheart Bloodline was among the most powerful fighting bloodlines in the world.

“You’ll have to fight using your own unique strengths.”

And Shahin’s strength…

No need to think about it.

“Genius Bloodline is your weapon. Make her see your worth.”

From that day on, Shahin began thinking—how could he show Sasha Babel his value?

No answers came. He could only pine and ache with longing.

Then the day of the Babel family’s party arrived.

“Sasha, what do you think of that man as a potential husband?”

Shahin overheard something shocking.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“You don’t like him?”

“It’s just so sudden!”

The conversation left Shahin dizzy. His mind reeled.

“But if it’s for the good of the family, I’ll go along with it.”

When he heard Sasha’s answer, he realized—

‘This is dangerous! I can’t keep sitting around. She could end up with another man at any moment!’

His anxiety gave way to desperation. And that turned into reckless resolve.

–You’ll have to fight using your own strengths.

Remembering his grandfather’s advice, Shahin stood up.

“Where are you going?”

Sasha looked surprised.

“Just going to mingle a bit. Like Grandfather suggested.”

Of course, that wasn’t his real motive. But close enough.

He made his way to the center of the party.

Just walking up to people and saying he was a Tuner wouldn’t work—it would only make them suspicious.

So he scanned the crowd.

That’s when he noticed a man clutching his stomach, wincing.

“Hello!”

Shahin greeted him brightly. The man frowned and turned his head.

“A kid?”

“My name is Shahin Rasad. I’m a third-tier Tuner of the Rasad family.”

At the words “Rasad family” and “Tuner,” the man’s expression changed. He quickly straightened up.

“A Tuner from the Rasad family… What brings you to me?”

“You seemed to be in discomfort. Did you perhaps eat something that upset your stomach?”

The man looked embarrassed.

Hunters were tough, but they were still human. Overeating could cause indigestion.

“I can help. Could you show me your wrist?”

The man complied without hesitation. The Rasad name and Tuner profession carried weight in Hunter society—even a kid’s word could be trusted.

“I’ll infuse a bit of mana.”

Shahin grabbed the man’s wrist and sent mana flowing into him.

The mana traveled on its own, scanning the man’s body, and then disappeared.

As it moved, a map of the man’s internal state formed in Shahin’s mind, detailing his condition.

“Excuse me a moment.”

Shahin moved behind him and smacked his back.

“Ugh!”

The man burped loudly, surprised.

“Feeling better now?”

He nodded in a daze. Hearing stories about Genius Bloodline was one thing—experiencing it was another. Awe filled his face.

Others had started to gather around Shahin.

He had achieved his goal—drawing attention. Turning to the crowd, he spoke up.

“Anyone else not feeling well? I’d be happy to take a look.”

People began lining up—one with chronic shoulder pain, another with frequent dislocations.

Others had issues with mana flow rather than physical ailments.

“Please be patient and wait your turn.”

With practiced skill, Shahin listened and helped them all.

He glanced toward Sasha Babel’s seat, secretly hoping to impress her.

But his hopes were quickly dashed—she was deep in conversation with another Hunter.

“…Aw.”

Shahin slumped in disappointment.

“May I have a session as well?”

“Yes…”

Still, he didn’t neglect his duties. He hadn’t won Sasha’s heart, but he couldn’t walk away from people in need—

“Aaaah!”

He turned—and let out a startled scream.

The person in front of him blinked in surprise.

But Shahin couldn’t help it. It was the last person he expected.

“K-Kwon Hanul?!”

As soon as the name slipped out, he realized his mistake.

“…Sir!”

He quickly added an honorific. Hanul raised an eyebrow.

“Did I offend you?”

“N-No, sir!”

In his panic, he bit his tongue. Eyes watering, Shahin managed to ask, “No, it’s nothing… Are you feeling unwell?”

“Not exactly. I just wanted to see if you could help tune the flow of my mana.”

Hanul sat down and extended his hand. Shahin gulped and took his wrist.

Even as he held it, conflict gnawed at him.

Strictly speaking, wasn’t Kwon Hanul his rival for Sasha Babel?

Helping a competitor felt… wrong.

“…Huh?”

But then, Shahin’s face twisted in confusion.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]