Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 162: Journey to Japan (2)

“I didn’t expect you to come, Aunt.”

Inside the car heading to Takamine Hospital, Kwon Hanul spoke first.

“Consider it an honor. I put everything aside and came just for you.”

Kwon Mi, sitting across from him with her arms crossed, said.

The interior space was spacious enough that the seats faced each other.

“I thought I’d get to see Hudon more often as well... But why exactly did you want a private meeting?”

Kwon Mi spoke in a slightly scolding tone.

Before getting into the car, Kwon Hanul wanted to ride with Kwon Mi alone.

There were questions he wanted to ask.

“I heard from the Chairman about my father.”

At those words, Kwon Mi’s expression briefly stiffened.

“...Whatever my father said?”

Kwon Hanul relayed everything he had heard from the chairman, without leaving anything out. Then he asked, “Is it all true?”

“Probably.”

Probably?

A look of puzzlement crossed Hanul’s face.

“At the time, I was young. Too young to participate in the competition. So I only heard rumors about your father from afar.”

“What kind of rumors were they?”

“Just as you said. Cheon oppa failed, and my father was furious. A few days later, he was sentenced to death.”

Kwon Mi looked out the window, as if trying to recall.

“After that, did you also enter the competition, Aunt?”

She shook her head.

“No. I wanted to fight Hyuk oppa and prove my worth, but Father didn’t allow anything.”

Instead, they started assigning value in other ways—much safer and limited methods than during the Kwon Cheon era.

“At that time, Father... how should I put it? It was like he had no soul.”

Hanul stayed silent and just listened.

Finally, he asked, “What kind of person was my father?”

“He wasn’t like the typical Hyukcheon.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“It’s a good thing. He didn’t show pride, always careful with his words...”

Surprisingly, a positive evaluation came from Kwon Mi.

“I liked your father,” Suddenly, Kwon Mi said. “Cheon oppa was different from Hyuk oppa. He had a calm presence. When he was around, you could feel he cared. Yes, he was really like an older brother.”

Most people have family. They live feeling that bond.

But Hyukcheon, especially the head family’s direct line, can’t feel that. They are born destined to fight each other.

“That doesn’t mean he was weak. He was very responsible. In that way, he truly was a Hyukcheon’s descendant.”

Kwon Mi’s face softened as she spoke of Kwon Cheon.

“So I couldn’t believe it—your father running away from the family. Back then, I was deeply disappointed. If you’re a Hyukcheon blood relative, you should find a way to clear your name. You can’t just run away like that.”

Kwon Mi sighed softly.

“...That’s why when you returned to the group, I didn’t like it.”

Her disappointment in family turned to anger. And that anger focused on Kwon Hanul.

“I have no intention of apologizing to you. But if you intend to challenge the headship... I will support you.”

At those words, Hanul could only give a bitter smile.

“I feel like everyone thinks I owe them because of my father.”

“It’s not a debt...”

“I don’t really care, though.”

That was what he had told the Chairman the other day.

“After all, I don’t even remember my father or mother’s faces.”

So when people show regret, it’s hard to empathize.

“But I’ll gratefully accept help.”

Hanul offered his hand. Kwon Mi frowned.

“When did you ever ask an elder for a handshake like this?”

Still, she took his hand.

* * *

The group arrived at Takamine Hospital without incident.

“Well then, we’ll inspect the hospital surroundings. You can come along.”

Kwon Mi left with Black Sharp Squad and Dark Shade Unit. Meanwhile, Hanul met separately with Takamine Ryoko.

“It’s been a while.”

Takamine Ryoko guided Hanul inside the hospital to explain the Rebirth procedure.

“You only come at times like this? That’s harsh.”

“I’ve been too busy.”

“Oh, right. I heard a lot from various places. It was incredible.”

Walking down the corridor, Takamine Ryoko chattered excitedly, clearly glad to see Hanul.

“I watched the live broadcast, too.”

“What broadcast?”

“When you declared your true bloodline. Wow, I never imagined the person who saved me would be true blood...”

Takamine’s eyes sparkled.

“Can I take some blood later?”

“It won’t help even if you do...”

Though called “true blood,” there’s nothing physically in the blood itself. Bloodline exists as a power.

“I talked too much. There’s something more urgent.”

She quickly changed the subject as if embarrassed.

“How much do you know about the Rebirth procedure?”

“I’ve heard the term but don’t know the details.”

“Simply put, it’s like melting down an iron puppet, then adding other metals to reshape it.”

A grim explanation.

“The method is simple. Combining five S-grade elixirs creates a deadly poison that melts the body. Then, fifteen herbs are added so internal organs and bones can mix well...”

The more Takamine Ryoko explained, the more Hanul cringed.

“If done wrong, people can die. They say many died in the early days.”

“...”

Hanul didn’t ask for more details.

“Is it really possible to Rebirth this way?”

“Not by this alone.”

Takamine Ryoko stopped walking.

They were in a strange room with tangled wires everywhere.

It looked more like a data center than a medical room.

“Can you look at this?”

Ryoko pointed to the center of the room. Among the modern machines lay an old stone coffin.

“At Takamine Hospital, we specialize in treating hunters using relics.”

Hanul had heard this often, which gave the hospital its reputation as a hunter-specialized clinic.

“Among many relics, one that Takamine Hospital prides itself on is this. It’s called the ‘Coffin of Mutual Life’.

Like hypnotized, Hanul approached the coffin and placed his palm on it.

Just touching it sent a tingling sensation through his skin from the energy radiating.

“It’s a rare relic that sustains the life of the person inside. It’s necessary for the Rebirth procedure.”

Examining the coffin, Hanul realized, “...The durability is almost completely worn out.”

“But it’s still enough for one procedure.”

That meant the coffin would be destroyed after this one use.

No chance for a second Rebirth.

“May I have that one procedure... for me?”

“If you say it like that, I’d be disappointed. You saved my life and helped me regain control of this hospital.”

Takamine Ryoko smiled.

“Considering that, it’s actually a bargain.”

Hanul thought for a moment and said, “Please take care of it.”

* * *

While Hanul met with Takamine Ryoko, Kwon Mi faced the Dark Shade Unit.

“Do you know why I called you all here separately?”

Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, and Gael Garcia looked at each other, unsure.

“I was glad to see Hudon after a long time... No, that’s not it.”

Kwon Mi cleared her throat and said again.

“Let me be frank. Compared to Hanul, you three are too weak.”

After saying that, she looked at their faces. Surprisingly, all accepted it.

They clearly understood their position. Kwon Mi thought highly of them internally.

“Your physical power is lacking, not to mention knowledge and experience. So I called you here to watch and learn from Black Sharp Squad.”

“I have a question.”

Then Gael Garcia raised his hand. Kwon Mi pointed at him.

“Ask.”

“By watching and learning from Black Sharp Squad, can we assist the captain?”

Hmm.

Kwon Mi admired internally. Their abilities might be lacking, but their attitude was right. Hanul already had promising talents around him.

“Impossible.”

But that was that.

“Compared to Hanul’s power, you won’t be of any help.”

Hanul had defeated formidable opponents even before entering the Sky Arena.

No one, not even Kwon Mi, could predict how strong he would become after Rebirth.

“Then what should we do?”

“Work hard.”

“If the captain were in danger right now?”

Kwon Mi had to admire again. What a steadfast person. Her nephew seemed to be blessed.

“If the enemy is strong enough to threaten Hanul, there’s nothing you can do.”

But she still had to speak reality.

“Even if you risk your lives, you might not hold him back for even one step.”

Despite the grim evaluation, Gael Garcia’s eyes remained steady.

“But no one knows what will happen. Maybe just buying a little time could change things.”

So,

“Don’t underestimate your own lives.”

Kwon Mi gave sincere advice.

“Oh, but Hudon, don’t risk your life either.”

She didn’t forget to remind.

* * *

“Why did you call me here?”

Far from the group, Joo Hayun faced Secretary Kim.

“Thanks for your time.”

Kim briefly expressed gratitude.

They weren’t close. It was almost accurate to say they barely knew each other.

All Joo Hayun knew about this man was that he was Kwon Mi’s right-hand and had wide communication skills.

“There’s some troubling information.”

“What kind of information?”

“First, I want to ask about your past.”

Past.

Joo Hayun frowned. It was an unpleasant topic.

“Is that okay?”

But Kim didn’t back down easily.

“...Keep it brief.”

“You were affiliated with Aeon, right?”

Joo Hayun’s mouth twisted.

“I was just an experiment for Aeon. The magic they taught me was only to use me.”

“Sorry for asking something unnecessary.”

“Tell me the troubling information.”

“Have you heard of Odin?”

Joo Hayun’s face went pale.

Odin.

Who didn’t know that name?

A man holding the rank of a councilor—one of only seventeen—in Pandemonium, where all the world’s villains gather.

A power who firmly established his own kingdom in the dark world.

But Joo Hayun wasn’t shocked because of Odin’s name.

“Wh-why that man...?”

“There’s information that Odin is moving. If I’m right, you and that man...”

Joo Hayun hugged her shoulders, trembling in a curled position.

Odin.

A Pandemonium councilor, a wizard affiliated with Aeon.

And the man who kidnapped her and turned her into a witch.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]