[Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]

    Episode 12: Curious About Bloodline (3)

    He could have asked for something material.

    But what Kwon Hanul wanted most was Kwon Jiseok’s submission.

    By receiving a formal apology, he would redefine their relationship—

    So that the word "lowborn" would never come out of Kwon Jiseok’s mouth again.

    No—actually, that didn’t matter.

    None of that mattered anymore.

    He simply couldn’t endure it any longer. The insults calling him lowborn, the accusations of his father being a traitor—

    He would use this opportunity to shatter Kwon Jiseok’s arrogance so thoroughly that he would never dare spew such nonsense again.

    "This bastard must be out of his mind. Why the hell would I accept that kind of bet?"

    As expected, Kwon Jiseok wasn’t quick to take the deal.

    ''Of course.''

    Given how vague the situation was, it was only natural for him to be suspicious since Hanul had been the one to suggest the wager first.

    "Well, if you’re not confident, you can always back out."

    Hanul feigned indifference.

    "In that case, I’ll just take my time enjoying the Core."

    At those words, Kwon Jiseok immediately shouted, "Wait! Fine, I accept the bet!"

    Hanul smirked internally.

    He knew Jiseok would agree—he was the one at a disadvantage here, after all.

    "Remember those words," Hanul warned.

    "I should be the one saying that," Jiseok shot back.

    The two locked eyes for a brief moment before going their separate ways.

    ‘Idiot.’

    Kwon Jiseok suppressed a laugh.

    ''He must have something up his sleeve if he’s proposing a bet... But it won’t work on me.''

    He pulled out a monocle from his coat and placed it over his left eye.

    A faint, glowing ring surfaced on the monocle’s lens—proof that it was a relic with a special ability.

    Monocle of the Royal Thief

    Grade: Unique (C)

    His vision shifted, now overlayed with colors. The materials in the storage room appeared in different hues.

    The monocle’s ability allowed him to visually distinguish the value of each item and provided precise information about them.

    ''A dungeon raider wouldn’t survive without an appraisal artifact.''

    A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

    ''What a fool. That Imoogi’s Core is as good as mine.''

    Jiseok confidently roamed the storage, selecting all the materials labeled as coming from Dragon-type monsters.

    "I’ve gathered them."

    "Hmm?"

    Park Tae-sik, who had been napping in his chair, opened his eyes at the sound. He casually glanced at the materials Jiseok had brought.

    "Huh. You actually picked the right ones."

    "Please, this was nothing."

    Jiseok chuckled, relieved. He had been tense since this was a test set by the legendary craftsman, but it turned out to be easier than expected.

    Meanwhile, Hanul was still searching the storage.

    Jiseok had no doubt that he had already won.

    Until—

    "This won’t do."

    Park Tae-sik shook his head.

    "...What do you mean? You said to bring Dragon-type materials," Jiseok protested.

    "I did say that. But I never said you could use an appraisal artifact."

    Jiseok’s face stiffened. He looked like he had just been caught red-handed.

    ‘When the hell did he see me using it?’

    "Every single person who takes my test uses appraisal items. And because of that, they all make the same mistake."

    Park Tae-sik waved dismissively, as if swatting away a pesky bug.

    "You fail. Those materials belong to the Hyukcheon Group. Put them back where they were."

    "T-This is absurd! You never said we couldn’t use appraisal items! You clearly stated we just needed to bring Dragon-type materials!"

    Tsk tsk.

    Park Tae-sik clicked his tongue.

    "You think this is some standardized test? If I say it doesn’t count, it doesn’t count. If I say it does, then it does. Hell, even if you somehow passed, I could just refuse to acknowledge it, and that’d be the end of it."

    "That’s ridiculous!"

    "Listen, kid. You’ve got this all wrong. You are the one in need here—not me."

    Jiseok gritted his teeth. But before he could argue further, Tae-sik continued.

    "True Black Dragon Bloodline holders are naturally drawn to the power of dragons. And the stronger the potential of the bloodline, the greater that instinct becomes. This test is meant to assess that potential."

    Just then, there was a movement from behind.

    Hanul had finally returned, holding a single item.

    Unlike Jiseok, who had gathered a pile of materials, Hanul had chosen just one.

    A small glass vial filled with dark red blood.

    Jiseok scoffed when he saw it. But Tae-sik’s reaction was entirely different.

    "Puha-ha-ha-ha!"

    The old craftsman suddenly burst into laughter. Jiseok, confused, stared at him.

    Still chuckling, Tae-sik took the vial and examined it closely.

    "I never thought anyone would actually pick this."

    He looked at Hanul with an expression of pure amusement.

    "Not even the pureblood managed to find this. But you did. You truly are a dragon-blooded."

    * * *

    When Kwon Jiseok pulled out an appraisal artifact, Kwon Hanul wasn’t surprised.

    “You must be feeling cocky after defeating some low-level bastard, but I’m different!”

    “Who said anything about a brawl? I said we’d test our skills with a single technique.”

    “That’s the same thing—”

    “There’s a technique in the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques that focuses purely on skill rather than brute force, isn’t there?”

    Jiseok narrowed his eyes. The Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques was a power-based martial art.

    It relied on overwhelming physical strength to unleash explosive destruction.

    Then, suddenly, it hit him.

    “...You’re talking about the Disruptive Style, aren’t you?”

    The Disruptive Style was an unusual technique within the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.

    It neutralized an opponent’s power by either redirecting their force or nullifying it entirely.

    Because of that, it was the only technique in the entire martial art that wasn’t dependent on physical abilities.

    “Yes. Whoever forces the opponent to their knees first wins.”

    “...You bastard.”

    Jiseok didn’t particularly like the Disruptive Style. But since it was required for advancement, he had trained it up to the fifth level.

    There was no way he could lose to someone like Hanul, who had just begun learning advanced techniques.

    Even knowing that, why had Hanul suggested such a reckless condition?

    The intent was unclear—but Jiseok had no choice.

    If he refused, he would have to kneel before Hanul.

    “...Fine. Let’s do this.”

    Jiseok growled, his voice laced with fury.

    * * *

    The three of them stepped out of the warehouse. Causing a commotion in a place like this was out of the question.

    As soon as Kwon Hanul emerged, Joo Hayun approached him with a concerned expression.

    “How did it go?”

    “I passed.”

    For a brief moment, a smile flickered across her face before disappearing. She was truly someone whose smile was rare to see.

    “But I made a bet.”

    “A bet?”

    “That bastard challenged me to a match using the Disruptive Style.”

    From a short distance away, Kwon Jiseok shouted, pushing a steel box filled with materials forward.

    “As promised, if you win, all of this is yours.”

    “And if you win, we’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

    Hearing their exchange, the craftsmen around them began murmuring amongst themselves. They didn’t know the full story, but one thing was certain—

    Kwon Hanul, a True Blood, was about to duel Kwon Jiseok, a Pure Blood.

    “...Lord Kwon Hanul?”

    Concern returned to Joo Hayun’s face. Kwon Hanul reassured her before stepping toward Kwon Jiseok.

    “The conditions remain the same as we discussed earlier.”

    “Only Disruptive Style. The first to force their opponent to their knees wins. That correct?”

    “Exactly.”

    The two grasped each other’s hands, their gazes locking in midair with fierce intensity.

    “I’ll make you regret everything that happened today.”

    “You talk too much. Less chatter, more action.”

    Kwon Jiseok scowled. At that very moment, his hand moved.

    The match was decided in an instant.

    ‘I have to win!’

    That was the only thought in Kwon Jiseok’s mind.

    His pride wouldn’t allow him to kneel before Kwon Hanul. More than that, he refused to suffer another humiliation.

    Fortunately, the odds were in his favor.

    With no other conditions—just technique—it was obvious that the one with the higher mastery would win.

    Kwon Hanul had only been training for five months, whereas Kwon Jiseok had been practicing for over a year. His level of mastery was undeniably higher.

    Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques – Basic Form

    Disruptive Style: Soul Release

    A technique that subdued the opponent by redirecting their movement.

    Of all the Disruptive Style techniques, this was the one Kwon Jiseok was most confident in.

    And then—his body trembled.

    “...What?”

    Confused, Kwon Jiseok looked down.

    Just moments ago, he had been standing firm, yet now—his knees were on the ground.

    It had happened before, during Hanul’s fight with the Mixed Blood.

    Back then, Kwon Hanul had completely subdued his opponent using Disruptive Style from the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.

    It worked not just because he caught him off guard, but also due to the sheer gap between their techniques.

    But Black Dragon Ascension Art wasn’t just stronger than the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques.

    It held far deeper meaning. Sometimes, it even manifested as an entirely different technique.

    Black Dragon Ascension Art – Basic Form

    Disruptive Style: Soul Release

    A technique that instantly drains an opponent’s strength.

    That was all it did—on the surface.

    But Soul Release from Black Dragon Ascension Art and Soul Release from the Black Dragon Twelve Ascendant Techniques were entirely different in nature.

    And a person cannot defend against a technique they don’t understand.

    That was why Kwon Hanul had made this bet.

    “W-What? Wait... no, hold on—”

    Kwon Jiseok, kneeling on the ground, shouted in disbelief.

    Kwon Hanul let go of his hand and spoke.

    “The materials are mine now.”

    [Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]