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[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 142: Invitation (2)
“It seems this treatment has failed as well.”
The room was dimly lit.
An elderly man spoke, his expression heavy with concern.
“The mana channels remain sealed, and no matter how much we try to stimulate them, there’s no response from her mana.”
The man wasn’t well-known to the general public—his name carried no weight in the mainstream world.
But within Hunter circles, it was different. Most Hunters dreamed of meeting him just once in their lives.
Abdul Rasad.
Even within the Rasad family, famed for possessing the rare Genius Bloodline, he was one of the few Master Tuners.
“Then… there’s no treatment left?”
The woman sitting across from Abdul Rasad asked. He slowly shook his head.
“There are still options, but they’ll be of no use.”
The Genius Bloodline held by the Rasad family grants a unique ability—an expansion of cognitive function. With it, one can perceive and understand things beyond the capacity of ordinary people.
The Rasads had long used this ability to refine the techniques of Hunters and resolve complex physical issues.
This woman, too, had summoned Abdul Rasad in hopes of curing her incurable disease.
“I’ve treated everything I could based on what I believed to be the cause... but…”
Not even the Genius Bloodline could cure her. It was difficult enough to identify the cause—let alone heal it.
“If even someone like you can’t help me... then I suppose there’s truly no hope.”
“I am... deeply sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize so much. If anything, I should be the one to apologize—for insisting until the day of the Sky Arena.”
The woman smiled gently, attempting to ease Abdul Rasad’s heart. But the concern on his face lingered.
It wasn’t just the patient’s condition that worried him.
It was who she was.
If she were simply a skilled and famous Hunter, he wouldn’t have felt this way.
Her name was Dahlia Babel.
She was the Matriarch of the Babel Clan, a powerful family whose influence rivaled even the famed Hyukcheon Clan of East Asia.
“I understand what you’re worried about.”
Dahlia Babel smiled again.
“The Babel Clan won’t hold a grudge over this. We won’t forget the Rasad family’s kindness and will surely repay it someday.”
“Thank you.”
Only then did Abdul Rasad let out a sigh of relief.
Just then—
“There really isn’t any other way?”
A girl sitting beside Dahlia cried out.
“Sasha, that’s enough.”
“But this is your life we’re talking about! We can’t just give up!”
Despite Dahlia’s attempt to calm her, the girl didn’t back down.
“Please, just consider it once more. There might still be something...”
Abdul Rasad shook his head. He had truly done all he could over the past few months—he was confident in that.
“If you can’t do it, then call another Tuner!”
“Lady Sasha. There is no Tuner in the Rasad family more skilled than I am.”
His voice turned cold. It was a matter of pride—having his abilities questioned, even out of desperation, wasn’t something he could ignore.
“Unless the founding ancestor of the Rasad family, bearer of the True Bloodline, were to return from the dead... there is currently no one alive who can cure Lady Dahlia.”
“Abdul!”
The girl raised her voice, but Dahlia gently held her hand.
“Sasha. Look at me.”
She pulled the girl closer, cupping her face.
“Don’t speak to Master Abdul so disrespectfully.”
“But... I can’t just let this happen...”
“If you get this emotional, what does that make me, who put my trust in you?”
At her words, Sasha fell silent, biting back tears. Instead, she clenched her fists tightly.
“I no longer have any lingering attachments to this world. I’ve already prepared a capable heir to take my place, and everything within the clan has been set in order.”
Dahlia Babel, Matriarch of the Babel Clan.
She was suffering from an incurable disease that had petrified her mana and withered her mana channels. It had stripped her of all her power.
Now, Dahlia Babel was no different from a powerless civilian.
And as if that weren’t enough, the disease had begun to devour her life force.
“Sasha Babel.”
Dahlia called her by name. Sasha nodded.
“If you truly care for me, don’t push things like this. Instead, focus on how you can uphold the Babel name in the Sky Arena.”
“…Yes, ma’am…”
Sasha nodded, tears streaming down her face. Dahlia quietly embraced her.
“My apologies, Master Abdul. That must’ve been quite the scene.”
“Not at all.”
Abdul Rasad offered a faint, bitter smile.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door. A servant peeked in.
“Matriarch, the banquet is about to begin.”
“Is it that time already?”
Dahlia gently released Sasha from her embrace.
“Master Abdul, won’t you join us?”
“I’m honored, but... an old man like me would only dampen the mood.”
Dahlia chuckled at his joking tone.
“Then perhaps your grandson could accompany us instead. It would be a good opportunity for him to broaden his horizons.”
Abdul gestured toward a boy standing quietly in the corner—he looked to be around middle school age, young and timid.
He had been waiting silently in the room the entire time, assisting his grandfather with the treatment.
“P-Please t-take care of me!”
He was so nervous he bit his tongue trying to speak. Dahlia smiled at the sight.
“Then shall we, Shahin Rasad?”
The young Shahin Rasad nodded eagerly, though he kept stealing glances at Sasha.
Dahlia led the two toward the banquet hall. As they walked down the corridor, Sasha spoke.
“...Do you really have to attend the banquet in your condition, Matriarch?”
This banquet had been organized at Dahlia Babel’s strong insistence.
Sasha had opposed it. Deep down, she had hoped Dahlia would rest instead.
“Don’t worry. Even if something happens, Shahin will be there to help me. Isn’t that right?”
“Y-Yes, ma’am! I’ll do my best!”
Shahin responded, flustered.
“More than anything, I wanted to see with my own eyes the young talents who will shape the future. They may even become enemies of the Babel Clan one day.”
At that, Sasha was struck speechless.
Dahlia Babel was dying. And yet, even at the very end, she was thinking of her clan.
How could she have misunderstood such deep intentions?
Sasha rebuked herself for her immaturity.
“Oh, right. At the banquet, you’ll be my older sister.”
Sasha blinked. Did she hear that right?
“Shahin, keep this in mind too. From now on, I’m Alia Davi, Sasha’s close friend.”
“…Excuse me?”
She hadn’t misheard. Shahin was just as bewildered.
“Matriarch? What do you mean?”
“What do you think happens when the Babel Matriarch shows up at a gathering full of young people? I’d just ruin the atmosphere.”
“B-But… won’t everyone recognize you anyway?”
“That’s why I did my makeup differently today. No one will recognize me.”
Dahlia—no, Alia Davi—spoke nonchalantly. Sasha felt a headache coming on.
“Matriarch… no matter how you spin it, this just seems—”
“Too late. I’m opening the door.”
Alia Davi flung the banquet doors open without hesitation.
For a moment, the music stopped. All eyes turned to the trio.
“Lady Sasha Babel of the Babel Clan, her dear friend Alia Davi, and young master Shahin Rasad of the Rasad family have arrived!”
At the sound of the announcer’s voice, Sasha’s headache only got worse.
“Hello, everyone!”
Alia Davi greeted the crowd with a radiant voice.
“I’m Alia Davi!”
* * *
Evening.
Kwon Hanul and his group headed toward a ship belonging to the Babel family.
“Oh…”
Hanul let out a quiet exclamation. The moment he stepped aboard, he could sense powerful auras emanating from all around.
Judging by the similar nature of the auras, they likely belonged to members of the Babel bloodline stationed to guard the ship.
It really lived up to its reputation of being on par with the Hyukcheon clan.
“It’s a shame Hayun couldn’t come too.”
Mei Hong spoke wistfully.
Joo Hayun had declined to come along, saying she wasn’t qualified to participate.
As a result, only Hanul and the remaining three had come here.
“But Captain, what’s with the outfit?”
Hanul was dressed for the party—quite different from his usual attire.
It was one of the outfits Catalina Blaga had picked out for him.
“Is it strange?”
“No, not at all. In fact, it looks so good that I wouldn’t believe you picked it yourself.”
“So you’re saying I have no fashion sense?”
“Huh? You didn’t know?”
Mei Hong asked with genuine surprise, which left Hanul a little stunned.
“That’s why Hayun unni always spent time choosing your clothes.”
“What a pointless thing to do…”
“She seemed to enjoy it, though.”
As Hanul exchanged small talk with Mei Hong, they arrived at the party hall inside the ship.
“Wooooow…”
An awestruck gasp escaped as they entered. It was Kwon Hudon.
“H-Hanul, look over there!”
Hudon pointed excitedly. A muscular man was sipping wine.
“That’s Alain de Beaure from the Blue Rose Guild! He’s already mastered all of his guild’s exclusive skills—even though he’s so young!”
“Oh! That’s Koto Hisashi! He’s famous for taking down an entire monster horde alone in Japan!”
“Baba Boateng…! The Guardian of Africa!”
Hudon called out names and cheered enthusiastically. It was astonishing how he could recognize so many people.
Mei Hong leaned in and said quietly to Hanul, “I don’t think Hudon oppa realizes how incredible he is.”
“I agree.”
Kwon Hudon was likely far stronger than most Sky Arena contestants.
But he didn’t seem to realize that himself.
“What do you think, Hanul?”
Hudon turned his head sharply and asked.
“They’re all amazing, right?”
“They are.”
Hanul answered briefly. But the words lacked any real sincerity.
Everyone here was a rising star, representing major guilds or noble families. They likely possessed immense talent and skill.
But they were underwhelming.
At least to Hanul’s eyes.
Is this really the best they have to offer?
It was almost shocking.
‘Or… have I just grown that strong?’
Just then, Gael Garcia turned to Hanul and said, “Captain, something feels off.”
The once-lively party hall had grown quiet. It was like someone had turned down the volume.
That wasn’t all—every eye in the room was now fixed on Hanul.
Wherever he walked, their gazes followed. He could even hear people swallowing nervously.
“There’s no hostility that I can sense, but…” Gael trailed off.
Hanul and his group took their assigned seats. The tension still hadn’t lifted.
Then came the sound of approaching footsteps.
A man with blue-toned skin was walking toward Hanul.
“Nice to meet you.”
The man said, looking down at Hanul as he approached.
Instead of returning the greeting, Hanul looked at Hudon—as if asking, Who is this guy?
“Henrico Bighand… He’s the young head of the Bighand family…” Hudon replied cautiously.
Hanul knew of the Bighand family. While not of noble blood, they were a distinguished lineage known for protecting the United Kingdom for generations.
“And he’s one of the predicted winners… according to the experts…”
His abilities matched his pedigree. Being named a top contender for the Sky Arena said it all.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Henrico’s gaze intensified, sharp and focused, like it could melt ice.
“I hope you won’t refuse me.”
Hanul barely managed to keep his lips from twitching.
In such a public setting, with a tone that barely masked its intensity…
It wasn’t hard to guess what kind of “favor” this was going to be.
“Not here. Could we step ou—”
“An autograph, please.”
Both men spoke at the same time—then stared at each other in surprise.
“An autograph?”
“Yes… Unless you’d rather do it outside?”
“No, it’s just…”
Hanul was flustered. Not a challenge to a duel—but an autograph?
“My little sister’s a fan of yours. She started admiring you after you wiped out the South American cartel…”
Henrico blushed and held out a piece of paper and a pen.
Hanul stared at him in disbelief.
But he signed it in the end.
“She’s going to be thrilled.”
Henrico beamed and walked off. Almost immediately, a few more people approached.
“If it’s alright, could I get one too…?”
“Me as well…”
Still dazed, Hanul signed a few more autographs.
Everyone who received one left with a satisfied smile.
“Wow… I didn’t know you were such a celebrity, Captain.”
“Neither did I. Word about Hanul’s exploits has really spread—he’s gained a lot of fans.”
Mei Hong and Hudon whispered to each other nearby, while Gael looked at Hanul like he was in awe.
“…I kind of regret coming.”
Hanul’s face grew hot with embarrassment.
Just then—
“Lady Sasha Babel of the Babel Clan, her dear friend Alia Davi, and young master Shahin Rasad of the Rasad family have arrived!”
A man who looked like a butler announced loudly. Three people entered through the now-open doors.
“Hello, everyone!”
The woman in front greeted them with her arms wide open.
“I’m Alia Davi!”
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[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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