Chapter 146 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 146: Natural Enemy (1)

Alia Davi.

No—Dahlia Babel lay on the couch, eyes closed.

Her already pale complexion had turned even whiter, almost ghostly. At a glance, she looked dead.

Sasha Babel gently wiped the sweat from Alia Davi’s forehead with a towel, her face filled with concern.

“…Sasha.”

Dahlia Babel slowly opened her eyes. The sharp and resolute gleam that always filled them was gone. Only a deep, hollow darkness remained, like a dried-up well.

“It seems… I don’t have much time left.”

Sasha brushed the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. Tears had begun to fall before she even realized it.

“Don’t cry, Sasha.”

It was a cruel thing to say.

Sasha Babel’s parents had died on a mission when she was just a child. After that, she was taken in by Dahlia Babel—long before her own talents had even been recognized.

To Sasha, Dahlia wasn’t just a teacher. She was a second mother.

“I’m alright. Actually, I’m… glad. I managed to finish everything I needed to before the end.”

She had laid the groundwork for the next family head. She had raised Sasha Babel into a worthy heir who could carry on her knowledge and experience.

“But… there’s just one thing… still bothering me.”

Sasha bit her lip and held Dahlia’s hand tightly.

“…Please tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll take care of it, no matter what.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. I swear on everything I have.”

Suddenly, Dahlia’s face twisted in pain. An unbearable wave of agony had struck again.

“Sasha…”

“I’m listening.”

Sasha gripped Dahlia’s hand even more firmly.

She made a silent vow—she would resolve the final regret weighing on Dahlia’s heart.

“…When are you finally going to get a boyfriend?”

That solemn resolve vanished in an instant the moment Dahlia spoke.

“I can’t rest easy because of you. You’re still young, but you act like a stone statue…”

“…You're not saying that is what’s been bothering you, are you?”

“Why not? Do you know how much I partied around when I was your age? The number of men I dragged into my room alone…”

Sasha placed a hand on her forehead. Hearing her mentor boast about her scandalous past gave her a throbbing headache.

“If only I hadn’t been named the next head so early, I would’ve enjoyed myself more too…”

“…Yes, yes. That must be such a regret.”

“Don’t answer so half-heartedly. I’m only saying this for your sake, you know. So you too—”

Sasha let the words drift in one ear and out the other as she carefully observed Dahlia’s condition.

Despite her calm expression, the veins on her neck were protruding noticeably. It was clear she was enduring tremendous pain.

Unconsciously, Sasha bit her lip.

“L-Lady Dahlia!”

Just then, the door to the parlor burst open. Shahin Rasad rushed in with a panicked look on his face.

“Young master Shahin, what is it?”

“Well, it’s just that…!”

Shahin gulped nervously and finally said:

“The Dragon Slayer is here!”

* * *

The Dragon Slayer.

Or more bluntly—the Dragon Killer.

Whenever the strongest hunters are discussed, his name inevitably comes up.

He wasn’t just strong—he was unrivaled. But his true notoriety came not from sheer power, but from something else:

A unique Gift he possessed.

Red Dragon Star.

When dragon-type monsters are exposed to the aura of the Red Dragon Star, all their abilities are drastically reduced. Conversely, the wielder of the Red Dragon Star experiences a massive boost in all stats.

Even the Hyukcheon Clan and the Babel Family aren’t exempt. Since they both carry the blood or power of dragons, they are also affected by the Red Dragon Star’s influence.

“So now that you know who I am, you’ve finally sobered up?”

The Dragon Slayer grinned, his yellowed, crooked teeth flashing between his cracked lips.

“But don’t be scared. I’m not here to mess with a fledgling like you.”

He spoke as though Kwon Hanul wasn’t even worth his attention.

After all, the Dragon Slayer had once gone head-to-head with the Hyukcheon Clan—and survived without a scratch.

So someone like Kwon Hanul didn’t even register as a concern.

“I’m just here to check out the rookies who’ll be fighting my disciple in the arena.”

“Don’t lie,” said the Dragon Slayer’s disciple with a sigh. “You came to complain because you weren’t invited.”

“Well, that too. My disciple getting excluded? That’s outrageous. If you were the one bullying others, sure, but being the outcast? Unbelievable.”

He ruffled his disciple’s hair like a child. The disciple, clearly annoyed, scowled.

“It’s an honor to meet a legendary senior,” said Kwon Hanul, bowing politely.

Despite his poor first impression, the Dragon Slayer couldn’t be ignored. Out of respect for his reputation, Hanul showed proper etiquette.

“…Hmm?”

The Dragon Slayer’s expression shifted, as though something had irked him.

“You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

All the hunters in the room were suffocating under the weight of the Dragon Slayer’s presence.

Not just the rookies competing in the Sky Arena, but even the security guards stationed at the party.

This wasn’t unusual—his cruel reputation preceded him. The Dragon Slayer was infamous for killing civilians on a whim.

“You said yourself you have no intention of harming me. Why should I be afraid?”

Hanul answered calmly. But truthfully, that wasn’t the real reason.

He had once faced Kwon Chan-seong.

Chan-seong wasn’t as powerful as the Dragon Slayer, true. But he was still an absurdly powerful being far beyond normal comprehension.

Having already endured Chan-seong, Hanul wasn’t so easily shaken.

“On the contrary, I’m honored to meet you.”

Though, he was curious—

Would the Red Dragon Star affect his own pureblood Black Dragon lineage?

“As expected of the Hyukcheon bloodline. They really are something else. Hey, Mano, you seeing this? This is what Hyukcheon looks like. Impressive, right?”

“Okay, okay, can you not yell in my ear?”

His disciple, Mano, rolled her eyes.

“This is gonna be a great fight for my disciple. Coming here was worth it after all.”

The Dragon Slayer, now thrilled, slapped his hand down on Hanul’s shoulder.

It was at that moment—when Hanul felt the unexpected touch—that it happened:

A crushing force bore down on Hanul’s entire body.

His legs buckled. His knees hit the floor.

His muscles trembled uncontrollably. His joints began to scream.

“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”

The Dragon Slayer feigned innocence. His expression was innocent, but his eyes—cold as ice.

Seeing that look, Hanul suddenly recalled something Joo Hayun had told him:

— The Dragon Slayer is extremely savage. He’ll kill even civilians if provoked.

— But he’s also cunning. When he clashed with Hyukcheon, he never crossed the line.

— That’s why the Hyukcheon Clan never went to war with him directly.

“Bwahaha! Look at our young friend, trembling in fear. So polite all of a sudden!”

The Dragon Slayer burst out laughing. Even as he laughed, his hand remained firmly planted on Hanul’s shoulder.

Instead of weakening it, the Red Dragon Star’s power only grew stronger.

Kwon Hanul clenched his teeth—but he couldn’t resist.

“You’ve been kneeling for too long. It’s not a good look. Get up already.”

The Dragon Slayer burst out laughing.

“Hey.”

It was then—

“Would you mind taking your hand off our captain’s shoulder?”

Someone grabbed the Dragon Slayer’s wrist.

Not just one person—three.

“…And who the hell are you now?”

The Dragon Slayer looked at them with a baffled expression.

“We’re the ones who serve him.”

Mei Hong spoke up.

Kwon Hudon followed.

“If you don’t let go of Hanul, we won’t just stand by and watch.”

Gael Garcia nodded firmly.

“Please release our Captain.”

The Dragon Slayer gave a short, mocking laugh.

“And if I say no?”

A vicious grin twisted across his face.

A suffocating murderous aura suddenly flooded the room.

It was so thick, it felt like being submerged underwater—breathing became difficult, and no one could think straight.

“Well? What are you going to do if I say no?”

Neither Mei Hong, Kwon Hudon, nor Gael Garcia could respond.

Just enduring the Dragon Slayer’s presence was already too much.

“If you can’t answer… you all die by my hands. Got that?”

His killing intent wasn’t just for show.

The sheer pressure radiating off him made it clear he meant every word.

“I’ll count to three. Speak before then. Three…”

The Dragon Slayer began to count slowly.

“Two.”

His gaze turned cold as ice.

“One.”

And just then—

“Senior.”

A voice came from below.

Kwon Hanul was slowly getting to his feet.

With his neck straight and shoulders square, he addressed the Dragon Slayer.

“My teammates were a bit rude. I apologize on their behalf.”

The Dragon Slayer’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“…How did you stand up?”

When the Red Dragon Star’s pressure was crushing his entire body—

The suppressed Black Dragon Bloodline began to pulse once more.

But it was futile.

The Red Dragon Star’s force was overwhelming—even the true Black Dragon Bloodline couldn’t push back.

‘As expected… It’s something to be wary of in Hyukcheon.’

Even the true lineage is suppressed by the Red Dragon Star.

Lesser bloodlines wouldn’t stand a chance.

Of course, the main reason Kwon Hanul was affected so severely was the difference in power between them.

He only had three stats at S-rank.

The Dragon Slayer, on the other hand, was considered one of the strongest beings in the world.

That’s why his stats were slashed by 50% so quickly.

‘This is overwhelming…’

But the Black Dragon Bloodline wasn’t the only lineage within Kwon Hanul.

The other bloodlines within Kwon Hanul were unaffected by the Red Dragon Star.

Instead, they grew enraged—and began to push back against its energy.

“Senior. It’s time you left.”

Kwon Hanul looked the Dragon Slayer directly in the eyes.

“This is a place for juniors to hang out. It doesn’t suit someone of your stature.”

In other words: Get lost already.

The Dragon Slayer scowled.

“Cut the crap and answer me. How did you stand up?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Kwon Hanul replied with a nonchalant shrug.

“Oh—are you talking about your aura? It wasn’t much, I got used to it pretty quickly.”

Calling the Red Dragon Star—everything the Dragon Slayer was—not much made the vein in his forehead pop.

“You little…”

He looked about ready to swing his fist, but didn’t.

If he laid a hand on Hanul now, it would be as good as admitting defeat.

“Let’s see how long that mouth keeps moving.”

The Dragon Slayer stirred his mana.

The Red Dragon Star’s energy surged again.

Another violent wave of mana shook the room.

Hanul staggered.

But the stronger the Red Dragon Star became, the more fiercely the other bloodlines responded.

Hanul steadied himself.

He faced the Dragon Slayer again.

“I’m curious, too. When will my mouth stop moving? …At this rate, it might never.”

The Dragon Slayer’s face darkened even more.

Minus 90%.

His stats were nearly wiped out.

Yet Kwon Hanul’s body didn’t collapse.

Instead, he only seemed to grow stronger.

His stats had been cut drastically.

The pressure was so immense that just moving felt impossible.

If a battle broke out now, he’d be dead in seconds.

But this wasn’t a battle.

“Senior.”

Kwon Hanul spoke calmly to the Dragon Slayer.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

In that moment, the Dragon Slayer’s eyes became bloodshot.

“You punk!”

He let go of Hanul’s shoulder—and reached for his neck.

It was that instant—

“That’s enough.”

A sharp voice rang out.

At the same time, the Dragon Slayer’s hand froze in place.

No, he hadn’t chosen to stop.

It had been forcibly stopped—by intruders.

A squad of Hunters in white armor had their weapons trained on him from every direction.

“…The Babel Honor Guard, “ The Dragon Slayer muttered, glaring at them.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]