Chapter 147

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 147: Natural Enemy (2)

“I didn’t expect to find lunatics here who move only for their Clan Head.”

The Royal Guard—an elite unit that answers solely to the Clan Head.

Each member possesses formidable skill and fanatical loyalty.

Even a Dragon Slayer couldn’t disregard them.

“Thank you for granting my request.”

A woman stepped forward to confront the Dragon Slayer. He shot her a sharp glare.

“Who are you?”

“I am Sasha Babel. Though I’m lacking, I’ve been chosen to represent the Babel Clan in this Sky Arena.”

“Ah, so you’re the heir to the Babel Clan.”

The Dragon Slayer gave Sasha Babel a once-over, eyes gleaming not just with curiosity—but with a lecherous glint.

“Not bad-looking. So, you were the one who commanded the Royal Guard?”

“Only the Royal Guard could stop someone like you, Sir Dragon Slayer.”

Sasha bowed politely.

“Sir Dragon Slayer, the Babel Clan did not invite you. I’d appreciate it if you would leave now.”

Her tone was gentle, but firm.

The Dragon Slayer chuckled coldly.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then we’ll be forced to act.”

“Hah! Hahaha!”

The Dragon Slayer burst into manic laughter and gestured toward the Royal Guard.

“Surely you don’t think a bunch of scrubs like these can take me on?”

Arrogant as his words were, no one could deny them.

The Babel Clan may be powerful, but that man was the Dragon Slayer.

The natural enemy of all dragon-type monsters—and the only hunter capable of standing against the Babel Clan on his own.

There was no way a single unit of Royal Guards could stop someone of his caliber.

“That would be difficult,”

Even Sasha Babel readily acknowledged the fact.

“But the Royal Guard isn’t the only one on this ship.”

“What are you talking abou—”

The Dragon Slayer’s head snapped to the side. A woman was watching him from afar.

Her makeup was different, so he hadn’t recognized her at first. But after a closer look, her identity became unmistakable.

“...I thought it was unlikely, but the Clan Head really is here.”

Even the Dragon Slayer couldn’t ignore the presence of a Clan Head.

His Gift, Red Dragon Sta, could affect even an absolute being like a Clan Head.

However, the closer their power levels, the weaker the effect of Red Dragon Star.

And when measured objectively, the Clan Head was stronger than the Dragon Slayer. That gap couldn’t be closed by Red Dragon Star alone.

“Now that I’ve seen the Clan Head’s face, I suppose I’ll be taking my leave.”

The Dragon Slayer immediately withdrew his murderous intent. All around him, people let out breaths they’d been holding.

“Mano, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Dragon Slayer turned around. Before leaving the banquet hall, he glanced back at Kwon Hanul.

“You’re Kwon Hanul, right? Lucky break this time. But don’t forget—fortune like that won’t come twice.”

His voice carried a faint trace of killing intent.

“Keep sticking your neck out like that, and you’ll be dead in no time.”

“I’d say you’re the lucky one, Senior.”

Just then, Kwon Hanul spoke up.

“It’s a good thing Babel’s Royal Guard showed up and stopped you—otherwise, you’d be branded a madman who beat a green rookie to death over a bruised ego.”

A vein bulged on the Dragon Slayer’s neck. He was visibly on the verge of exploding.

“Still, I appreciate the warning.”

Just before he reached the boiling point, Kwon Hanul backed down.

“...Right.”

The Dragon Slayer held back his fury and swallowed it down.

“We’ll meet again.”

With that, he and his disciple left the ship.

As soon as the Dragon Slayer vanished, many people collapsed to the floor—their legs having lost all strength.

“Phew...”

Kwon Hanul was no exception. He slumped into a chair, having spent no small amount of mental energy resisting the aura of Red Dragon Star.

“To think such a Gift could even exist…”

Gifts were special powers possessed by only a rare few hunters.

Though often described as “talents,” Gifts were on a completely different level. Not even genius could compare.

They were supernatural powers—something closer to psychic abilities.

“Good work, everyone.”

Kwon Hanul looked around at his team.

“But you were all too reckless. In situations this dangerous from now on—”

Suddenly, Mei Hong and Kwon Hudon rushed in and threw their arms around him.

“Captain! Thank goodness you’re okay!”

“H-Hanul, I thought you were gonna—gonna—!”

Kwon Hanul was startled. He gave Gael Garcia a look that said Do something!

Gael Garcia gave an awkward smile and shook his head.

“Sorry... I couldn’t be any help again…”

“I—I wanted to at least be your shield, but… my body wouldn’t move... I’m sorry…”

Kwon Hanul patted the three of them on the back.

At first, he didn’t understand why they were reacting so strongly.

“They acted so they wouldn’t repeat what happened with the Blaga Clan… Same goes for me.”

It was only after hearing Gael Garcia’s words that Hanul understood.

None of the three had ever talked about it, but clearly, his abduction by the Blaga Clan had left a deep scar.

That’s why, despite their fear, they stood up to the Dragon Slayer.

“...Sheesh.”

Kwon Hanul let out a dry laugh.

“Lord Kwon Hanul.”

Just then, a voice called out. Sasha Babel was looking his way.

“I apologize on behalf of the Babel Clan for what happened today.”

“No need. It couldn’t be helped.”

Their eyes met.

This was their first proper face-to-face since the banquet began.

Not bad.

None of the other participants stood out to him. No one else had caught his eye.

But Sasha Babel was different. The aura and mana she exuded were nothing to scoff at.

He could see her expression tightening.

Just as Kwon Hanul had recognized her, Sasha had also sized him up.

“...I’m glad you said that.”

Sasha glanced around at the others in the hall.

“I also owe an apology to everyone else. The chaos today will be properly compensated soon.”

She then raised her head again.

“Let us call an end to today’s banquet.”

* * *

Two figures raced across the dark sea.

With every step that struck the water’s surface, they surged forward effortlessly. Their destination: a small yacht.

“Damn it.”

The moment they arrived, the Dragon Slayer spat out a curse, clearly irritated.

“I was planning to spend the night enjoying myself on the cruise ship. What a waste of time.”

Where people gather, entertainment always follows.

Especially here—this region was full of energetic young Hunters. Naturally, a pleasure cruise loaded with amusements was anchored nearby.

“We didn’t have a choice. This was a special request from Aeon.”

At the mention of Aeon, the Dragon Slayer’s face twisted into a scowl.

“Those pampered bastards always make a mess and leave me to clean it up. What good is all that fancy magic if they’re not going to use it?”

“Aeon’s clever, but not really cut out for fieldwork. Maybe it’s because they are always surrounded by other mages?”

The two disciples continued grumbling about Aeon for a while.

“So, what did you think of the Babel Matriarch? Was Aeon’s information accurate?”

“Yeah. She’s really lost all his power.”

The Dragon Slayer hadn’t stormed into the Babel estate just to check out his disciple’s competition.

He’d gone there at Aeon’s request—to assess the physical condition of Babel’s head.

“She tried his best to hide it from me, though.”

She built a wall of pressure with the Royal Guard, pushed Sasha Babel to the front, and retreated to the back herself.

That trick might’ve fooled most people.

But the Dragon Slayer had already been tipped off by Aeon.

So it didn’t work on him.

“Still… they’re something else. Just how did they manage to reduce the head of Babel to that state?”

Aeon never explained it directly.

But everything pointed to their involvement.

Forbidden knowledge that defies the principles of magic.

And Aeon possessed every form of magic in this world.

“They’re not to be underestimated.”

Dahlia Babel, the Lady Babel, was a powerhouse—so strong that even the Dragon Slayer couldn’t guarantee a win.

So how had they reduced someone like her to a shadow of her former self, weaker than a regular human?

“Which is exactly why we need to get closer to them.”

Unlike her master, Mano had a different view.

“Aeon improved both your Gift and mine, remember?”

A Gift—a unique and innate talent.

One that’s said to be granted only at birth.

…Or so the world believes.

“Well, that’s true,” the Dragon Slayer reluctantly nodded.

“Anyway, what did you think of the party?” he asked.

Mano paused to consider the question.

“No one particularly impressive, to be honest.”

Her answer seemed to please him, and the Dragon Slayer grinned, baring his fangs.

“But…”

Mano’s expression shifted.

“Kwon Hanul and Sasha Babel stood out. A lot.”

A soft blush crept onto Mano’s cheeks. Her body temperature was steadily rising.

“It was like looking at a finely cut, top-grade gemstone… or maybe a flower bud just before it blooms…”

A strange desire gleamed in her eyes.

“They were so beautiful, I wanted to destroy them right then and there.”

The Dragon Slayer let out a satisfied laugh.

“It won’t be difficult. You and I have the same Gift.”

The reason Mano had been accepted as the Dragon Slayer’s disciple—

It was because she possessed the same rare Gift.

“Just be patient. The Sky Arena will open soon.”

He looked up at the night sky.

“That day… you can kill to your heart’s content.”

* * *

Meanwhile, inside Babel’s ship—

“You did well today, Sasha.”

At Dahlia Babel’s words, Sasha Babel quickly waved her hands.

“I didn’t really do anything. I just threw around your name and acted tough.”

“That alone was hard enough. You were dealing with the Dragon Slayer, after all.”

The Dragon Slayer was a top contender for the title of strongest in the world, even by sheer physical prowess alone—and he possessed the Gift known as Red Dragon Star.

For Sasha, who had only just begun to grow, he was an overwhelmingly powerful opponent.

“Do you think he noticed your condition…?” Sasha asked nervously. She had stepped in precisely to keep others from detecting the Lady’s physical state.

“Of course not. Even if he did notice something was off, he wouldn’t have guessed just how bad it really is.”

Only then did Sasha finally look relieved.

“Young master Shahin Rasad, thank you for your efforts today as well.”

Dahlia offered her gratitude to the young Rasad heir, who had been the first to alert them of the Dragon Slayer’s intrusion.

“I heard you also treated the other guests at the party? You did well.”

His grandfather, Abdul Rasad, would surely be proud—however modest the achievement may be, it still brought honor to the Rasad name.

“Ah, well… I didn’t do it alone.”

The two women tilted their heads.

“You didn’t?”

“Kwon Hanul helped me.”

Their expressions stiffened.

It didn’t particularly matter whether a party guest used healing arts on others.

But—

“...You said Kwon Hanul?”

That name was hard to ignore.

“Some people I couldn’t even treat properly—Kwon Hanul laid hands on them and they were instantly fine!”

Shahin Rasad launched into an animated account of Hanul’s incredible feats.

“…Lady Dahlia.”

Sasha quietly called out to the family head.

Dahlia shook her head before Sasha could continue.

“No.”

“Please, just consider summoning him once—”

“Even the Rasads couldn’t heal me. Do you really think a child of Hyukcheon would be any different?”

“But…!”

Sasha clenched her fists tightly.

“Didn’t he notice your condition at first glance? And he healed people at the party, too. You never know—!”

People in desperate situations will clutch at anything.

Sasha Babel was exactly that now.

But Dahlia Babel wasn’t.

“That’s enough.”

She had no intention of clinging to straws.

“Even if, by some miracle, Kwon Hanul could heal me… I won’t accept help from Hyukcheon.”

Her voice was firm and final.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]