[Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]

    Chapter 152: Sky Arena (4)

    What Mano Stonelight felt was confusion.

    The Gift she had obtained through Aeon—Red Dragon Star—was a powerful ability that exerted influence over all dragonkin-type monsters.

    But Hanul Kwon... what was he? Instead of weakening under Red Dragon Star’s effects, he was becoming even more ferocious, like a beast unleashed.

    Then, suddenly, a hypothesis formed in Mano Stonelight’s mind.

    ‘...Could he really be a True Blood?’

    Before entering the Sky Arena, Hanul Kwon had declared himself a True Blood—the origin and root of the Black Dragon Bloodline. If that were true, perhaps he could resist the influence of Red Dragon Star.

    But still—

    ‘He lost to Master, didn’t he?’

    Back at the party, the Dragon Slayer had completely overwhelmed Hanul using Red Dragon Star.

    So why was she—Mano—failing to do the same?

    “Didn’t I tell you before?”

    Hanul responded to her murmuring with an air of annoyance.

    “You’re not the Dragon Slayer.”

    There was an insurmountable gap between Hanul and the Dragon Slayer.

    Even without considering Black Dragon Bloodline or Red Dragon Star, purely in terms of skill—Mano was no match.

    And if that’s the case, no matter how special Hanul’s True Black Dragon Bloodline was, there was no way it could overpower Red Dragon Star.

    “...Anyway, how long do you plan to just stand there stalling?”

    Mano clenched her teeth and opened a subspace to draw another dagger—this one with a jagged edge, like a sawblade.

    “Don’t act like you’ve already won. You’re just another bloodline mutt.”

    She inhaled deeply.

    The situation had caught her off guard for a moment, but upon reflection, it wasn’t like Red Dragon Star wasn’t working at all.

    Its effectiveness had just been weakened.

    Which meant—Mano Stonelight still had the upper hand. After all, Red Dragon Star was the natural enemy of dragons.

    “Actually, the more I think about it, this is even better. The more arrogant you get, the more satisfying it’ll be to break you.”

    A twisted smile returned to her face as she reactivated Red Dragon Star within her.

    A crimson aura began to form on both her daggers. She flipped them into a reverse grip, blades protruding like fangs.

    She looked like a praying mantis ready to rip her prey apart.

    “I’m going to shred you to pieces.”

    She said it, seething with hatred.

    Hanul sneered.

    “Go ahead. Try.”

    Before the words were even finished, Mano Stonelight charged.

    * * *

    Outside the Sky Arena.

    Azeth Hermes, head of Aeon, stared in disbelief.

    “Is he really a True Blood?”

    If that were true, it meant Hanul Kwon had the vessel—a capacity, a container for power. So why then had Hyukcheon... treated such a unique existence so carelessly?

    Suddenly, Azeth Hermes fell silent. He lowered his head in thought, then began chuckling quietly.

    “...He must not know. He knows Hanul’s a True Blood—but not that he has the vessel. Is Hanul hiding it? That must be it. There’s no way Hyukcheon would’ve overlooked it otherwise.”

    If Hyukcheon didn’t know about the vessel, it meant there was still time—still a chance to reclaim him.

    Azeth’s laughter grew louder.

    “Hey. Isn’t there something more pressing we should be worried about?”

    The Dragon Slayer interrupted with a sour expression.

    “My disciple is in there fighting him. What happens now? Does Red Dragon Star work on someone with a vessel too?”

    “You’re asking the wrong question. Haven’t you already fought Hanul Kwon once yourself?”

    At that, the Dragon Slayer snapped out of it. Right—at the party, Hanul had been overpowered by his Red Dragon Star.

    “Even if he’s a True Blood, he can’t fully escape Red Dragon Star’s influence. That much we’re certain of. The question is...”

    “The question is?”

    “How much of the vessel Hanul has filled. How many bloodlines are inside him. So far, Red Dragon Star only affects the Black Dragon Bloodline.”

    “If that’s the case, we don’t have to worry, then.”

    “What do you mean?”

    The Dragon Slayer pointed to a laptop screen.

    “You just said it yourself—he’s hiding the vessel. The whole world’s watching right now. He’s not going to reveal the other bloodlines.”

    “...Ha. Every time, you amaze me with how devious your thinking is.”

    The Dragon Slayer’s face twisted, unsure if he’d just been insulted or praised.

    “Anyway, that means my disciple still has a shot. But what happens if Mano slips up and actually kills him?”

    “Well... There’s still so much we don’t know about the vessel. I can’t say anything for sure.”

    The Dragon Slayer frowned, sensing that Azeth Hermes was hiding something from him.

    “...Still, I can’t believe the vessel made it inside the arena. No wonder the Sky Arena started changing.”

    “What are you talking about now?”

    “Oh, you didn’t know. The Sky Arena wasn’t originally meant to be some tournament to rank participants. It was created to find the vessel.”

    “...Are you serious? Then what now?”

    “I have no idea.”

    The Dragon Slayer was surprised. For someone who despised ignorance, Azeth had just said “I don’t know” twice.

    “From here on out, we’re in uncharted territory—even for us at Aeon.”

    Azeth Hermes looked up at the Sky Arena with a face full of anticipation.

    * * *

    Mano Stonelight swung both blades at Kwon Hanul.

    In the span of a single breath, dozens of slashes sliced through the air. It wasn’t just fast—it was so silent that not even the sound of wind accompanied it.

    Astonishingly quick, yet silent to the point of eeriness.

    It was a truly troublesome technique.

    But the one whose face was twisted in frustration wasn’t Kwon Hanul, the one being attacked—it was Mano Stonelight, the one doing the attacking.

    “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

    Kwon Hanul dodged every one of Mano’s strikes. Not with exaggerated movements, but with just enough space—barely the width of a sheet of paper.

    “Stop running!”

    Mano Stonelight swung a massive horizontal slash, convinced it would be impossible to avoid.

    But Kwon Hanul retreated a step before the attack could even come through. The strike brushed dangerously close to the tip of her nose.

    “Hoo...”

    Mano Stonelight steadied her rough breathing.

    If this continued, she’d be the only one tiring out. With a mocking sneer, she tried to provoke Kwon Hanul.

    “All this running... Guess even a Trueblood’s scared of the Red Dragon Star, huh?”

    The crimson aura conjured by Mano wasn’t just any aura—it was imbued with the energy of the Red Dragon Star. For any draconic being, even grazing it could result in a fatal injury.

    “A Trueblood, right? Shouldn’t you be crazy strong? Then why all the dodging? Are you stupid? A moron?”

    “I’m neither.”

    “Then prove it.”

    “Shall I?”

    Kwon Hanul dashed forward, closing the distance. Mano’s lips curled into a sneer.

    “So you are a moron.”

    Mano met her charge with a swing of her crimson aura. The blade aimed for Kwon Hanul’s neck.

    But before it could land, Kwon Hanul’s foot smashed into Mano’s shin. Pain shot through her leg, and she stumbled.

    “Huh?!”

    Capitalizing on the opening, Kwon Hanul slammed her knee into Mano’s face.

    “Agh!!”

    The double impact was excruciating. Still, Mano quickly tried to recover her stance.

    She flailed both hands in a frenzy, aiming to slash Kwon Hanul’s body.

    Even a minor wound would do. As long as she could land one blow, the Red Dragon Star’s energy would penetrate and neutralize Kwon Hanul.

    ...Or so she thought.

    Kwon Hanul lifted one foot and kicked both of Mano’s hands aside. Her arms flung wide open, leaving her torso exposed.

    “Wait—!”

    Without hesitation, Kwon Hanul drove her foot into Mano’s solar plexus. Mano staggered back, vomiting bile.

    It was agonizing, but there was no time to scream—Kwon Hanul was already on her again.

    He twisted at the hip with one pivot, unleashing a spinning back kick that struck Mano’s head. Mano’s body spiraled through the air.

    “Gaaah!”

    Only then did Mano scream, clutching her chest and head as she glared at Kwon Hanul.

    “Your eyes are vicious...”

    Kwon Hanul tapped the ground lightly with heis toes, calm and composed.

    “So, is that it?”

    That single line ignited Mano’s fury. She rose, gritting her teeth.

    “Not yet.”

    Mano Stonelight’s rage surged—and the Red Dragon Star responded.

    The Red Dragon Star ignites!

    Final ability unlocked.

    The Red Dragon Star didn’t just weaken draconic beings. Against such enemies, it could also enhance its wielder’s stats.

    It had remained sealed because the current Mano couldn’t bear the burden.

    But this wasn’t the time for restraint.

    The energy of the Red Dragon Star floods your entire body!

    All stats increase by 30%!

    Magic power output boosted by 20%!

    She could feel the energy spreading through her whole body. The crimson aura deepened—no longer crimson, but scarlet.

    “Impressive.”

    Even Kwon Hanul couldn’t ignore this. He summoned his own power.

    Black aura coiled around his limbs. Seeing this, Mano grinned.

    “Dragon Combat Aura? You’ll regret using that.”

    The Red Dragon Star reduces all of a draconic being’s attributes—including draconic authority itself.

    It was thanks to the Red Dragon Star that Mano had withstood Sasha Babel’s attacks and shattered her draconic shield with ease.

    Even the Dragon Combat Aura of the Black Dragon’s Bloodline wasn’t immune. In a clash of auras, the Red Dragon Star always overpowered it.

    “You talk too much.”

    “Then shut me up—if you can.”

    They both shot forward at once.

    Mano was confident. She had the Red Dragon Star. In a direct confrontation, she believed victory was hers.

    Just before they collided, Kwon Hanul leaned in—his right shoulder dipped.

    A left kick.

    Clear as day. Mano moved to slice off his leg, even through the Dragon Combat Aura.

    Then, a chill gripped the back of her neck. Reflexively, Mano ducked.

    Kwon Hanul’s leg sliced through the air above her. Behind them, the entire wall cracked from the released aura.

    “Wh-what?!”

    It wasn’t just the speed. The aura was razor sharp. Her legs trembled.

    “Spacing out? You got a death wish?”

    A chilling voice rang out.

    Mano turned her head—and Kwon Hanul’s fist was right in front of her.

    It radiated Dragon Combat Aura, burning ominously. Mano hurled herself backward with all her strength.

    Kwon Hanul’s fist slammed into the ground. Black aura exploded, shattering the floor.

    The sheer destructive force left Mano stunned.

    But Kwon Hanul didn’t stop. Both fists cloaked in Dragon Combat Aura, he charged at Mano like a demon.

    “Hiccup.”

    Mano hiccupped in fear. She hadn’t meant to.

    “W-wait, hold on!”

    Mano abandoned all pride and turned to flee. Kwon Hanul chased, unleashing flurries of devastating blows.

    Every strike shattered the floor and walls.

    Mano’s face grew paler by the second. It felt like a tank was firing nonstop shells right behind her.

    “I said STOP!”

    Mano flailed wildly, sending slashes of aura in every direction.

    In that moment, a gust of wind wrapped around Kwon Hanul.

    Heavenly Sky Path

    Second Movement: Ghost Vanish

    Kwon Hanul disappeared. The crimson slashes cut through empty air.

    Panicking, Mano searched her surroundings.

    Then—a shadow loomed beside her.

    She looked up. Kwon Hanul descended from above, a knife-hand strike ready.

    Her instincts screamed—this was her last chance.

    The Red Dragon Star weakened draconic powers. In a direct clash, the Red Dragon Star would win.

    “Haaah!”

    She readied her dagger, focused her aura into a single point.

    The blade extended like a longsword. Mano struck without hesitation.

    Scarlet aura and black aura collided—and then, the scarlet was sliced apart.

    Before she could even react, Kwon Hanul’s knife-hand crushed her collarbone and damaged her internal organs.

    “Guh!”

    Mano let out a short cry and dropped to her knees.

    “Kh... Khurgh...”

    That one blow decided the match. Mano couldn’t move—just groaned.

    “H-how...?”

    She couldn’t believe it.

    “W-with draconic powers, you... you beat the Red Dragon Star? That’s... that’s impossible!”

    Mano screamed, her worldview shattered. She had always believed the Red Dragon Star was invincible against dragons.

    “Pretty sure I’ve said this three times already.”

    Kwon Hanul looked completely unfazed, even after crushing Mano.

    “You’re not the Dragon Slayer. So why act like you are?”

    To Kwon Hanul, winning the Sky Arena was a given.

    Compared to his past opponents, the other contestants were pitifully weak.

    Even the Dragon Slayer’s disciple—Mano—was no exception.

    “You must feel special. Having Trueblood—the first one since the founder.”

    Maybe because she had already lost, Mano began mocking Kwon Hanul.

    “I bet you strutted around, showing off that power. But the truth is, it’s not you who’s special. It’s your bloodline! Without it, you’re nothing!”

    Mano’s voice turned shrill with resentment.

    “I didn’t lose to you! I lost to your bloodline! If I had a bloodline like that...”

    Her face froze. Kwon Hanul had raised one leg high into the air.

    Almost perfectly straight, like the number “1”.

    Then—he stomped down.

    His heel drove into Mano’s face and slammed her into the ground.

    Watching Mano twitch on the floor, Kwon Hanul muttered coldly, “What a load of bullshit.”

    [Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]