Chapter 145

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 145: A New Bloodline (3)

Right after meeting Alia Davi, Kwon Hanul found himself deep in thought about her true identity.

“Judging by her mana, she’s definitely not ordinary.”

She had to be someone of extremely high status within the Babel Clan. In Hyukcheon’s hierarchy, she would be at least equivalent to Kwon Chan-seong.

“But her condition isn’t normal.”

All her mana channels were dried up. In that state, she couldn’t possibly manipulate mana.

Though he couldn’t be completely certain, it was likely that Alia Davi was no different from an ordinary civilian right now.

“Why hasn’t she gotten treated?”

The Babel Clan was a powerful family, rivaling even Hyukcheon.

There was no way she lacked the money or resources for proper treatment.

“Could it be untreatable?”

He’d heard of it—some diseases hunters suffer from are incurable, no matter what method is used.

And “method” here didn’t just refer to modern medicine, but even included relics found inside dungeons.

“Well, it’s not really my concern.”

The Hyukcheon and Babel clans weren’t enemies, but they weren’t exactly friendly either.

From Hyukcheon’s point of view, having one less powerful member of Babel was arguably a good thing.

What really caught Kwon Hanul’s attention, though, was something else entirely.

“What exactly did Genius Bloodline show me back there?”

When he touched Alia Davi’s hand, his Genius Bloodline revealed the entire structure of her body to him.

It was something that had never happened before, despite all the times he’d used Genius Bloodline.

Maybe this was a new ability that emerged as Genius Bloodline evolved.

“They say it can be used not only for tuning but also for healing.”

He’d heard in passing that Genius Bloodline could diagnose physical issues and potentially heal them.

“I’d really like to understand this ability better…”

No one knows what the future holds.

Someday, he might suffer from an incurable disease like Alia Davi. Or maybe one of his teammates would.

If he could learn how to heal using Genius Bloodline, it would be invaluable in such situations.

“The problem is, how do I learn it?”

The healing techniques of Genius Bloodline were uniquely developed by the Rasad Clan.

There was no way an outsider like him could just access that knowledge.

And just then—

“Captain, do you see that?”

Mei Hong tugged at his sleeve and pointed.

A young boy was surrounded by a small crowd of people.

It was Shahin Rasad.

A direct bloodline member of the Rasad Clan—possessors of Genius Bloodline.

“Looks like he’s treating people. Should we get checked too?”

Opportunities to receive tuning from a Rasad bloodliner were rare. Mei Hong’s excitement was understandable.

But that didn’t apply to Kwon Hanul. He possessed the true Genius Bloodline, meaning his body was already in peak condition without external tuning.

Even Abdul Rasad, the top tuner of the Rasad Clan, had acknowledged this.

But at that moment—

“Urgh!”

Shahin Rasad suddenly grabbed a hunter and twisted his neck with a loud crack.

It was a move so aggressive it shocked everyone watching. But the hunter looked relieved.

“Wow, the headache’s completely gone. What did you do?”

“I improved the blood and mana flow to your head. You won’t feel pain anymore.”

After repeatedly expressing his thanks, the hunter stood and left, and the next hunter took a seat.

“Interesting…”

The very technique Kwon Hanul wanted to learn was unfolding right before his eyes.

He approached Shahin Rasad with Mei Hong, watching quietly from behind as the boy performed treatment.

“He’s not just using mana—he’s using physical force too.”

By adjusting the bones, he corrected muscle alignment. At the same time, he infused mana to fix internal problems.

Even though no explanation was given, Kwon Hanul quickly grasped the underlying principle.

That was only possible because he possessed not only Genius Bloodline but also Shura Bloodline.

“Fascinating.”

He continued to observe Shahin Rasad closely. As long as he could read someone’s physical structure with Genius Bloodline, the technique wasn’t too difficult.

But there was one thing he couldn’t figure out just by watching.

“How does he insert mana so precisely?”

Kwon Hanul himself could inject mana during a strike to disrupt an opponent’s internal organs.

But to subtly manipulate the mana flow without harming the person—that was something he couldn’t replicate just yet.

“Guess I’ll just have to try it.”

Kwon Hanul closed his eyes and activated Genius Bloodline.

He visualized his own body in detail, then intentionally disrupted several of his mana channels.

“Cough!”

The backlash caused him to spit blood. Mei Hong jumped in alarm.

“Captain?!”

“It’s nothing serious, don’t worry.”

“How can I not worry?!”

“I’ll just get treated right away.”

Kwon Hanul glanced toward Shahin Rasad.

Mei Hong looked at him, baffled.

“Wait… did you deliberately hurt yourself?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he calmly sat down in front of Shahin Rasad.

“Could I get treated too?”

“Huh…?”

Shahin Rasad was looking elsewhere but turned toward him.

“AAAH!”

The moment he saw who it was, he screamed.

“Ku-Kwon Hanul… sir!”

Kwon Hanul looked puzzled.

“Did I startle you?”

“N-no, not at all!”

Shahin Rasad seemed flustered—his eyes teared up as if he’d bitten his tongue.

“So, what seems to be the issue?”

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted my mana flow tuned.”

Shahin Rasad took Kwon Hanul’s wrist.

“…Huh?”

His eyes widened in shock.

“What do you mean it’s nothing?! Your mana flow is completely messed up!”

Shahin immediately understood the state of his body.

“Please stay still. This might hurt a bit.”

He placed both palms on Kwon Hanul’s chest.

“Hup!”

With all his strength, he slammed his palms into Kwon Hanul’s chest.

With the shock, mana surged into his body, and Shahin’s mana unraveled the tangled pathways inside him.

“...Impressive.”

Even Kwon Hanul was surprised by how delicate and precise it was. But not so complex that he couldn’t imitate it.

“I feel much better now. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Kwon Hanul stood, carefully trying to remember the entire mana pattern Shahin had just demonstrated.

“Next, please.”

As soon as Kwon Hanul stood, another hunter took his place—a shabby-looking man.

“What seems to be the issue?”

“I need some tuning. Lately, I’ve been feeling a sharp pain in my chest whenever I use my skills…”

Shahin took the hunter’s wrist and began his diagnosis.

“…Hmm?”

His expression darkened.

“I’m sorry. This is beyond my ability to treat.”

“Even with Genius Bloodline?”

The hunter looked confused. Shahin had been treating everyone so far, so this came as a shock.

“The pain you’re feeling when using skills—it’s due to a disrupted flow within your heart.”

“My heart?!”

“If it’s left untreated, eventually, your heart’s function will deteriorate.”

Hunters might have supernatural powers, but they were still human.

A failing heart meant death.

“The heart is extremely delicate. I can’t risk handling it with my current skill level. You’ll need a first-rate tuner at the very least.”

The hunter’s face turned grim. Hiring a top-class Rasad tuner cost a fortune.

And even that aside, just booking an appointment with one was nearly impossible. They only served the great clans.

“…I understand.”

The hunter stood dejectedly.

“Excuse me.”

Kwon Hanul stopped him.

When the hunter stood, Kwon Hanul had just finished processing everything he’d seen.

How Shahin Rasad handled mana. How he used it to treat people. How it could be applied.

It had been an incredibly educational experience.

“What is it… wait—Kwon Hanul?”

Kwon Hanul was so intrigued, he wanted to try what he’d just learned immediately.

So without much thought, he grabbed the man’s arm.

“Did I offend you or something…?”

“No. I was just wondering if you’d consider letting me try.”

“T-try what?”

Kwon Hanul lowered his voice slightly.

“Hyukcheon has its own healing methods. It might be possible to treat your heart with them.”

The hunter looked doubtful. Shahin Rasad did too.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!” Shahin scolded him harshly. “The heart is too delicate! You can’t just mess with it without proper training!”

“In the end, it’s this man’s choice, isn’t it?”

Kwon Hanul looked back at the hunter.

The man gulped.

“I… won’t die, right?”

“Of course not.”

“And if there are side effects…?”

“Hyukcheon will take responsibility.”

Only then did the man’s expression brighten.

“Then… please help me.”

To be honest, the man hadn’t really expected Kwon Hanul to heal his body.

He had merely hoped that, after Kwon Hanul made a mistake, Hyukcheon would offer some form of compensation.

“Please, have a seat.”

Kwon Hanul guided the man to a chair, then used Genius Bloodlineon him.

In his mind, the man's physical condition was mapped out. He could clearly see the blood stagnation coiling chaotically around the man's heart.

‘It was… like this, right?’

Kwon Hanul focused his mind, then struck the man's back with force. At the same time, he injected mana into him.

“Gahk!”

The man let out a scream and collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest with both hands.

“Argh! AAAAAARGH!”

His cries of agony echoed through the hall. Everyone looked at the Hunter in shock and confusion.

“I knew this would happen!”

Shahin Rasad rushed to the man in a panic. He was still screaming in pain.

“It’s okay. You’re okay—try to take deep breaths—”

Then, suddenly.

The man's expression turned peaceful. As if the screams had never happened, he shot up to his feet.

The Hunter flared his mana. Blue energy enveloped his entire body.

“…Unbelievable.”

A look of astonishment spread across his face.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore…?”

* * *

So annoying.

Sasha Babel couldn’t help but think that as she sat across from the man.

“Lady Sasha, have you ever seen the beauty of Lake Bonzales?”

Whether or not he noticed her disinterest, the man continued to ramble on about the landscapes of his homeland.

“If you wish, I would be honored to give you a personal tour.”

The man was persistent, trying to keep the conversation going no matter what.

Sasha Babel was representing the Babel family in the Sky Arena. That alone was proof her future was secure. So it made sense that people would try to cozy up to her.

She could understand his intent—but that didn’t make him any less of a nuisance.

That’s when—

“Sasha!”

Alia Davi strode up purposefully.

“Oh, your friend has arrived. I’ll take my leave.”

“It was a pleasure.”

Reluctantly, the man got up and left. Sasha felt inwardly relieved to see him go.

She turned to Alia and asked, “Did something happen?”

“Of course something happened.”

Alia sat down. Sasha, noticing her serious expression, waited anxiously for her to speak.

Kwon Hanul was considered the top contender in this Sky Arena. A formidable talent.

Alia Davi—

No, Dahlia Babel, Matriarch of the Babel family—how had she assessed Kwon Hanul?

“That boy… there’s something strange about him. He realized I was ill almost instantly.”

Whatever Sasha had been expecting, that wasn’t it. Her thoughts were wiped clean in an instant.

“…You’re saying he knew you were sick?”

Currently, Alia Davi had lost all her strength to an incurable disease. To the average person, she appeared no different from any ordinary human.

Only someone with Genius Bloodline would be able to perceive her condition.

And yet, Kwon Hanul had seen through it immediately.

“Do you think he also figured out who you really are?”

“I don’t think so… but how on earth did he realize I was ill?”

Alia fell into thought, her mind spinning.

“Kuhak.”

A sudden cough burst from her lips. Blood trickled from her mouth.

“Matriarch!”

Sasha cried out in alarm. Alia calmly pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her mouth.

Her movements were practiced—clearly not the first time she’d dealt with this.

“Sasha. Calm yourself.”

“I’ll go get Master Abdul right away!”

“No. You know that won’t help.”

Alia's complexion had gone pale in an instant. She staggered to her feet.

“I need… to lie down for a bit.”

Sasha quickly rushed to her side to support her. This, at least, Alia couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“I’m sorry… for making you go through this again.”

“Please don’t say that.”

The two women quietly left the party hall, avoiding the eyes of others.

* * *

“This should do it.”

Kwon Hanul twisted the Hunter’s wrist. A sickening crack echoed.

The sound was horrible—but the result was the opposite. The Hunter rotated his wrist with a satisfied expression.

“Amazing. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I used to feel sharp pain every time I applied pressure.”

“If you had left it untreated, your joint would have been damaged eventually.”

“Seriously?”

“I’m joking.”

Kwon Hanul’s deadpan response made the Hunter laugh heartily.

“My name is Nguyen. If you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to ask. Though I doubt someone of Hyukcheon’s blood would ever need a lowly Hunter like me.”

Nguyen laughed loudly. Kwon Hanul offered a faint smile in return.

Nguyen—a Hunter from Vietnam known for his monstrous strength, capable of crushing the head of a diamond-ranked monster with a single blow.

His guild wasn’t particularly famous, so he hadn’t made a global name for himself yet. But he had the potential to become a world-class Hunter.

No harm in getting on good terms with him.

“Wow… That was incredible,”

Shahin Rasad murmured in awe.

“I couldn’t figure it out at all…”

He looked genuinely embarrassed.

Someone the Rasad bloodline couldn’t heal—yet the Hyukcheon bloodline could.

At first, Shahin found that hard to accept.

But in time, he acknowledged his own shortcomings and silently observed as Kwon Hanul healed others.

He was young, but surprisingly open-minded.

‘As expected… from the one recognized as Sasha’s partner…’

Shahin sighed in defeat. Kwon Hanul just gave him a puzzled look, as if to say, What are you talking about?

“Looks like that’s the last one.”

There were still people gathered around, but they were just spectators now.

No one else was waiting for treatment.

“Young master Shahin Rasad. This was a productive meeting.”

“I—it was an honor!”

Shahin bowed deeply.

Just as they were about to part ways—

—“Y-you can’t come in here! You weren’t invited!”

—“Please step back!”

Shouts rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall.

—“If you keep this up, we’ll be forced to—”

A loud crash.

The wall caved in. The entire ship trembled. Then—silence. No more resistance. No more shouts.

The banquet doors opened.

A man and a woman entered through the broken doorway.

“Damn pests… Always getting in the way.”

The man's hands were drenched in blood. His clothes and face were splattered with it.

Kwon Hanul looked past him. Two security guards lay slumped against the wall, heads buried into it.

This was Babel’s ship. All the guards were part of Babel’s bloodline and had elite skills. To overpower them so easily—this man wasn’t ordinary.

“So many promising young sprouts gathered in one place… Like a bed of weeds.”

The man sauntered into the hall, speaking mockingly.

He stood well over two meters tall, packed with bulging muscles.

Everyone in the banquet was overwhelmed by his presence.

“Master. You’re being a little too blunt.”

“Bwahaha, did I say something wrong? Damn mouth of mine.”

He smacked himself lightly on the lips with his palm.

The girl next to him gave him a quiet, unimpressed glare.

In contrast to the man, she was tiny—small enough to be mistaken for a middle schooler at a glance. Her twin braids only added to that impression.

“What’s with all the scared faces? You’re supposed to be Sky Arena participants, aren’t you?”

The man laughed cruelly, looking down on everyone in the room.

“And here I was thinking the host would greet their guests. Maybe I’ll need to beat a few of you senseless to bring them out?”

His gaze fell on a nearby Hunter. The Hunter went pale.

He instinctively knew—this man wasn’t joking.

“Who are you?”

Kwon Hanul stepped forward. He knew if he did nothing, the man would undoubtedly cause a scene.

“Oh? So there’s someone with backbone here. You must be from Hyukcheon. Living up to the name.”

The man recognized Kwon Hanul immediately. Kwon Hanul, however, had no idea who the man was.

“Still, I must say I’m disappointed. Looks like Hyukcheon doesn’t show the younger generation what a true predator looks like anymore.”

The man, arrogantly, was claiming to be Hyukcheon’s natural enemy—right to Kwon Hanul’s face.

“You’re asking who I am?”

And he had the right to make such a claim.

“They call me… the Dragon Slayer.”

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]