Chapter 1: The Dormant Bloodline Prologue
The training grounds of the Heavenly Sword Sect, nestled in the back mountains.
"Hey! Jin-ho Kang! What are you doing hiding in the corner again!"
Fifteen-year-old Jin-ho Kang sat leaning against the wall, watching the other disciples practice their swordsmanship. His eyes held a mixture of envy and resignation.
"Jin-ho, come practice with us," called Hyeon-su Lee, one of his fellow disciples, extending his hand.
But Jin-ho shook his head.
"It's fine. I'll just watch."
"Come on, why? How are you going to improve if you don't practice?"
"Improve? What's there to improve..."
Self-mockery laced Jin-ho's voice. Three years had passed since he joined the Heavenly Sword Sect. While his fellow disciples had all advanced to the second and third levels of internal energy cultivation, he remained stuck at the beginning of the first level.
'Not even average talent... I'm just trash.'
The Master's Summons
"Jin-ho Kang, Master wishes to see you."
Jin-ho bolted upright. His heart raced, wondering if he was about to receive another scolding.
Upon entering the Sword Immortal Hall, he found Han Mu-jin, the sect leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, sitting in meditation. Though in his mid-fifties, the man still possessed sharp eyes, but when he looked at Jin-ho, there was a hint of sympathy mixed in his gaze.
"Master, you summoned me?"
"Sit."
Jin-ho carefully took his seat.
"Jin-ho, before your grandfather passed away, he entrusted me with something important."
"My grandfather?"
"He told me this: 'Jin-ho was born with a special constitution different from others. But whether it will be a blessing or a curse, no one knows. However, one thing is certain—his true nature will only reveal itself in moments of absolute crisis.'"
Jin-ho tilted his head in confusion.
"Moments of absolute crisis? What does that mean..."
"I don't fully understand it either. But your grandfather was the head of the Kang family, and his prophecies were never wrong."
Han Mu-jin hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Jin-ho, don't be too impatient. When the time comes, everything will become clear."
Unwelcome Visitors
That night, three men in crimson robes appeared at the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"We are the Demon Sword Unit of the Blood Flame Cult! Come out, dogs of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
Their arrival sent ripples of tension throughout the sect. The Blood Flame Cult was notorious among demonic sects, sworn enemies of the righteous path.
"How dare you set foot in our Heavenly Sword Sect!"
The disciples emerged with weapons drawn, but they were overwhelmed by the aura of Blood Warrior, the leader of the Demon Sword Unit.
"Hahaha! Tonight, the Heavenly Sword Sect will disappear into history!"
Crimson energy erupted from Blood Warrior's hands—the Blood Flame Divine Art.
"All disciples, retreat!"
Han Mu-jin stepped forward to face Blood Warrior, but his opponent's internal energy was formidable.
Unexpected Intervention
As the battle intensified, Jin-ho retreated with the other disciples. However, one of the Demon Sword Unit members began pursuing the fleeing students.
"Where do you think you're running!"
Crimson sword energy flew toward Jin-ho and several other disciples.
"Look out!"
Hyeon-su pushed Jin-ho aside and took the sword energy instead. Seeing his fellow disciple collapse, rage surged through Jin-ho.
"Hyeon-su!"
"How dare... how dare you hurt my fellow disciple!"
Jin-ho's trembling hand gripped his sword—a basic training blade, worn from countless practice sessions. His stance was textbook perfect, yet pathetically weak. The steel felt heavy in his grasp, like a mountain he could never lift.
"Hyeon-su... I won't let you die for nothing!"
With a desperate war cry, Jin-ho lunged forward. His footwork was clumsy, his sword slash predictable. Three years of training, and this was all he could muster—a wild, untrained swing that a child could see coming.
The Demon Sword Unit member didn't even bother moving. He stood there, amused, watching Jin-ho's pathetic charge like a cat toying with a wounded mouse.
"Hahaha! Is this a joke? Even my grandmother fights better than this!"
Jin-ho's blade whistled through empty air as the enemy simply leaned back. Off-balance, Jin-ho stumbled forward, completely exposed.
"My turn, little lamb."
The unit member's palm glowed with sinister crimson light. Blood energy—thick, viscous, and reeking of iron—coiled around his fingers like living serpents. The air itself seemed to recoil from the malevolent power.
Whoosh!
The blood energy shot forward like a crimson comet. Jin-ho's eyes widened. Time seemed to crawl. He could see every detail—the swirling patterns in the energy, the sadistic grin on his opponent's face, the inevitable death racing toward him.
He tried to dodge. His body wouldn't obey. Too slow. Too weak. Too late.
CRACK!
The blood energy slammed into Jin-ho's chest with the force of a battering ram. The impact lifted him off his feet and sent him flying backward. His sword clattered uselessly to the ground.
"ARGHHH!"
Pain exploded through his torso. Not just the crushing force of the blow, but something far worse. The demonic energy was alive, burrowing into his flesh like acid-tipped worms. It seared through his meridians, burning pathways of agony from his chest to every extremity.
His internal organs felt like they were being roasted alive. His bones groaned under the assault. The blood energy didn't just damage—it violated, corrupting everything it touched with its malevolent essence.
Jin-ho crashed to the ground in a broken heap. Blood erupted from his mouth in violent spurts, painting the dirt crimson. Each breath was a Herculean effort, each heartbeat a struggle against the darkness closing in.
'I can't... move...'
His vision blurred. The world spun. He could feel his life force ebbing away like water through his fingers. The demonic energy continued its rampage inside him, shredding his meridians thread by thread.
More blood. So much blood. It pooled beneath him, warm and thick. The metallic taste filled his mouth, choking him. His limbs had gone completely numb—whether from shock or nerve damage, he couldn't tell.
'Is this... how I die? Pathetic... just like I lived...'
'Am I... going to die like this...'
That's when it happened.
Awakening
At the threshold of death, something deep within Jin-ho's body awakened.
[Condition Detected: Life Force 3% or below][Fatal injury from external martial arts confirmed][Blood Demon Awakening System activating...]
Amid the ringing in his ears, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind for the first time. But Jin-ho couldn't even properly register it.
Thump... thump...
His heart began beating slowly but powerfully. Like an old engine starting up again. The rhythm grew faster and stronger.
Thump-thump... thump-thump... THUMP-THUMP!
Molten energy erupted from his dantian like lava. But something was strange. It wasn't the warm energy of healing, but something wild and dangerous. Like a long-sleeping beast awakening.
'What... what is this?'
[Blood Demon Awakening Phase 1 initiated][Reconstructing destroyed meridians...][Internal energy amplification: +200%]
The torn and burned meridians began writhing. But this wasn't simple recovery. The previously thin meridians were being reborn as thick steel pipes.
Destruction, then reconstruction. Death, then rebirth.
The Blood Flame Cult's evil energy had destroyed his body, but that very destruction became the catalyst for Jin-ho's awakening. Like a legendary blade forged in fire.
[Awakening complete][New technique acquired: Blood Demon Sword Art Lv.1]
"What... what's happening to this brat!"
The unit member staggered backward. The boy who had been dying was now radiating overwhelming energy like a tempest. The air itself vibrated, and nearby pebbles scattered from the pressure.
Jin-ho slowly rose to his feet.
Every movement was different. Gone was his previous clumsy, weak demeanor. He moved like a legendary swordsman awakening from eternal slumber.
His eyes had completely changed. No longer the innocent, fearful gaze of a boy. They were cold, sharp, and something dangerous stirred in their depths.
"Thank... thank you."
Jin-ho's voice carried an strange composure.
"What are you thanking me for!"
"Thanks to your demonic art... I finally know who I am."
Jin-ho picked up his fallen sword. It was the same blade, but now it felt light as a feather. No, the sword seemed to perfectly suit his hand.
Swoosh!
Blue sword energy erupted from the blade. But within that blue light, crimson energy subtly mixed. This was power on a completely different dimension from his previous meager internal energy. No, comparison was impossible.
"This... this can't be!"
The unit member gasped and attacked again with full force. Crimson blood energy poured from both palms like a waterfall.
But Jin-ho calmly raised his sword.
"Blood Demon Sword Art, First Form - Blood Flash Strike!"
He brought down his blade. It was a technique he instinctively knew, as natural as if he'd practiced it thousands of times.
Slash!
Blue sword energy shot forward in a straight line, precisely cleaving the blood energy in half. The force penetrated the unit member's chest.
"Gugh!"
The unit member looked down at his chest in disbelief. Blood spurted forth. A single sword strike. The difference in skill was overwhelming.
"This... can't be..."
He collapsed.
Jin-ho flicked the blood from his sword and muttered coldly.
"Weak."
At that moment, Jin-ho himself was startled.
'Did... did I just say that?'
It was strange. Like he'd become a different person. But at the same time, this felt like his true self.
Realization
After the battle ended, Jin-ho felt the changes writhing within his body.
[Awakening complete][Current status: Stable][Until next awakening: ???]
A system window appeared in his mind and vanished. As if it had been an illusion.
Jin-ho stared at his hands. They were the same hands, but... something was different. Power of a completely different dimension flowed through every vein. His internal energy had definitely increased several-fold, but that wasn't all.
Something deeper... seemed to be sleeping inside.
'Grandfather's words... this is what he meant.'
'Jin-ho was born with a special constitution different from others.''His true nature will only reveal itself in moments of absolute crisis.'
Now he could finally understand the meaning. But at the same time, even more questions arose.
'Why specifically when I was hit by that demonic art?'
Jin-ho looked down at the fallen unit member. He'd been injured plenty of times before. Bruises during training, cuts from falling. But nothing had happened then.
But today...
The moment he was struck by the Blood Flame Cult's demonic art, something inside him had reacted.
'External martial arts... and evil energy at that...'
No, that wasn't quite right either. There seemed to be more complex and precise conditions. Like an ancient lock that only responds to a specific key.
[Important discovery made][Condition analysis: In progress...][More data required]
Another message flashed through his mind. But it disappeared before he could read it properly.
'What was that? I saw something just now...'
Jin-ho tilted his head in confusion. It had definitely been important information, but he couldn't remember it.
Then, a strange resonance echoed from deep in his chest. Like someone whispering from a very distant place.
'Good... very good... little by little... little by little...'
"Huh?"
Jin-ho looked around, but no one was there.
'Was that my imagination?'
But there was something strangely familiar about that voice. As if he'd heard it somewhere before... No, somewhere closer. Very close.
From within himself.
Jin-ho placed his hand on his chest. His heart was beating regularly, but between those beats, another rhythm seemed to be mixed in.
'Strange... am I changing?'
His body had definitely grown stronger. But that wasn't all. The way he thought, the way he felt emotions—everything seemed to be subtly different.
When he'd defeated the unit member just now, he felt no guilt. Instead... there had been pleasure.
'Was I... always this kind of person?'
"Jin-ho! Are you alright!"
Han Mu-jin rushed over to examine him.
"Master... I think... I think I finally understand what my grandfather meant."
Jin-ho's eyes held new determination. But anxiety also crept in.
'This power... is it truly a blessing, or a curse?'
That's when it happened.
"Hahaha! How fascinating."
Applause and low laughter echoed from the darkness. Everyone tensed and looked in that direction.
A man in a black hood slowly emerged. The aura emanating from his body alone made the surrounding air feel heavy.
"Those Demon Sword Unit fools were just appetizers."
Han Mu-jin's face turned pale.
"You couldn't be..."
"Correct. I am Flame King, Left Guardian of the Blood Flame Cult."
Left Guardian—one of the most powerful individuals in the Blood Flame Cult, second only to the cult leader.
Flame King looked at Jin-ho with interest, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
"Boy, that power just now... could you be a descendant of 'that clan'?"
At the mention of 'that clan,' Han Mu-jin was shocked.
"It can't be... Jin-ho is...?"
"Hahaha! A descendant of the 'Death Blood Constitution' that devastated the martial world a hundred years ago! What incredible luck!"
Jin-ho was confused by the unfamiliar term 'Death Blood Constitution.'
"What is Death Blood Constitution?"
Flame King answered with greedy eyes.
"A constitution that absorbs others' martial arts in moments of mortal danger and experiences explosive growth. But its end is..."
"Stop it!"
Han Mu-jin shouted, but it was too late.
"Its end is madness, boy. Just like your ancestor. Hahaha!"
At that moment, tremendous killing intent erupted from Flame King's body.
"Now then, shall we experiment? Let's see just how strong you can become!"
Setting Collection - Blood Flame Cult (血炎敎) Organization Overview
The Blood Flame Cult is one of the most notorious demonic sects in the Central Plains martial world, wielding cruel and destructive martial arts symbolized by 'Blood' and 'Flame'. While superficially maintaining centuries of hostility with righteous sects, their true purpose is far grander and darker.
Organizational Structure Cult Leader: Supreme ruler of the Blood Flame Cult (True identity: Reincarnation of Blood Heaven Emperor's loyal retainer) Left and Right Guardians: Second only to the cult leader in power (Flame King is the Left Guardian) Four Great Elders: High-ranking officials governing different regions Eight Division Leaders: Commanders of specialized departments Demon Sword Units: Combat forces (Elite unit led by Blood Warrior) Blood Disciples: General followers Major Martial Arts Blood Flame Divine Art: The cult's fundamental internal energy cultivation method Flame Blood Palm Technique: Palm technique that boils enemy's blood (technique that struck Jin-ho in Chapter 1) Blood Evil Sword Art: Demonic sword technique that coats blades with blood energy Hell King Divine Art: Left Guardian Flame King's secret technique (planned for Chapter 2) Doctrine and Hidden Purpose
Surface Doctrine: Extreme survival-of-the-fittest ideology where "the strong naturally dominate the weak" True Purpose: Secret organization dedicated to resurrecting the Blood Heaven Emperor from 3,000 years ago
Connection to Blood Heaven Emperor The Blood Flame Cult was founded by loyal retainers from the Blood Heaven Emperor's era Seeks descendants of the Kang family with Death Blood Constitution to facilitate the Emperor's resurrection The real reason Left Guardian Flame King shows interest in Jin-ho Characteristics All followers wear crimson robes (tradition from Blood Heaven Emperor's era) Notorious for brutal initiation rituals Extremely harsh punishment for traitors While outcasts from righteous sects often join, the core consists of reincarnated souls from the Blood Heaven Emperor's time Setting Collection - Death Blood Constitution (死血體質) Constitution's True Nature
The Death Blood Constitution is both a curse and blessing left by the Blood Heaven Emperor to his direct bloodline 3,000 years ago. Its proper name is "Blood Demon Awakening Constitution," but the martial world calls it Death Blood Constitution due to its association with death.
Activation Conditions Life force below 10% in extreme situationsFatal injury caused by another's martial arts (self-harm or accidents won't work) Direct bloodline of Blood Heaven Emperor (limited to Kang family) Strong will to survive Awakening Effects Explosive internal energy increase: Over 200% boost with each awakening Enhanced physical abilities: Body becomes stronger through meridian reconstruction Martial arts acquisition: Automatic learning from Blood Heaven Emperor's memories Healing ability: Complete recovery of all wounds during awakening Dangers and Side Effects Personality changes: Becomes colder and more cruel with each awakening Memory erosion: Blood Heaven Emperor's memories gradually mix in Loss of humanity: Eventually transforms completely into Blood Heaven Emperor Madness: Intoxicated by power, leads to indiscriminate slaughter (case of ancestor Kang Cheon-hyeol) Historical Cases Blood Heaven Emperor: First Death Blood Constitution bearer, demon god who turned martial world into sea of blood Kang Cheon-hyeol: Jin-ho's great-great-grandfather, resisted through suicide after 45 awakenings Setting Collection - Blood Demon Sword Art (血魔劍法) Martial Art Overview
A demonic sword technique created by the Blood Heaven Emperor, automatically acquired upon Death Blood Constitution awakening. Possesses the unique ability to convert blood and killing intent into sword energy.
Currently Revealed Techniques
First Form: Blood Flash Strike (혈광일섬 血光一閃)
Technique that cuts down enemies in one strike using blue sword energy mixed with crimson light First used by Jin-ho in Chapter 1 Basic technique combining both speed and destructive power Anticipated Advanced Techniques Second Form: Blood Stream Continuous Slash (혈류연참 血流連斬) - Continuous attack technique Third Form: Blood Blossom Full Bloom (혈화만개 血花萬開) - Area-of-effect attack technique Ultimate Technique: Blood Heaven Great Annihilation (혈천대멸 血天大滅) - Blood Heaven Emperor's final secret art Characteristics Automatic acquisition: Learned instinctively upon awakening Evolution: More powerful techniques unlock as awakening count increases Danger: Using it brings the user closer to Blood Heaven Emperor's memories and personality
In the next chapter, the full-scale confrontation with Left Guardian Flame King begins, and the truth about the Blood Demon Awakening System will gradually be revealed!