It wasn’t a mistake.

Suho quickly checked the details of *Newblood*.

[ *Newblood* ]  
- A new type of bloodline.  
- The foundation of evolution is absorbing and combining existing elements.  
- Accepts all bloodline effects without differentiation.  
- Grants 'Harmony (S)', 'Purification (S)', and 'Qualification (S)' between owned bloodline skills.

Suho’s eyes widened as he read the details of *Newblood*.

This was truly an entirely new trait.

And, moreover...

‘This is top-tier even among S-rank traits...!’

Unlike skills, traits didn’t have ranks.  
However, based on the inherent skills or effects of a trait, the association would assign a rank. Traits like *Newblood*, which granted not one but three S-rank effects, were incredibly rare.

Suho checked each of the effects granted by *Newblood* one by one.

[ *Harmony* ]  
- Rank: S  
- Prevents conflicts between bloodline skills and preserves their effects as they are.

[ *Purification* ]  
- Rank: S  
- Removes the negative effects of bloodline skills.

[ *Qualification* ]  
- Rank: S  
- Grants the original qualifications of bloodline skills.

After reading through the effects, Suho couldn't help but smile.

‘With these options, it’s no wonder the *Vampire Blood* seal would be lifted...!’

Suho then proceeded to check the details of the *Vampire Blood* that had been sealed.

[ *Vampire Blood* ]  
- Rank: S+  
- The pure bloodline of the original vampires, the 'Royal Vampires,' known as the aristocrats of the night.  
- Lv.1 - Royal Blood: Original Vampires (S)  
- Lv.2 - [ ??? ] (locked)  
  Unlock Conditions:  
  ① Level 100  
  ② Unknown  
- Lv.3... 

Suho’s eyes widened once again.

This was different from the *Vampire Blood* he was familiar with.

‘Royal Vampires?’

The *Vampire Blood* that *Blood Grandmaster* had obtained was A+ rank.

However, the *Vampire Blood* Suho had obtained was S+ rank.

Moreover, the term ‘Royal’ or ‘Original’ had never appeared in *Blood Grandmaster’s* *Vampire Blood*.

Suho realized it must be the effect of the *Newblood* trait.

Suho then checked the effect of *Royal Blood*, the first level of *Vampire Blood*.

[ *Original Vampire* ]  
- Rank: S  
- The first vampires are known as the "Originals."  
- They are the noblest and purest of all vampires, with bloodlines worthy of being called royal.  
- Inherits the power of the *Original Vampires*.  
- Immune to the effects of darkness.  
- Not affected by garlic, silver, crosses, or sunlight.

The information flooded in.

Suho was a little surprised.

‘It’s really like this?’

It was surprising.

*Blood Grandmaster’s* *Vampire Blood* didn’t have such effects.

‘Moreover, *Blood Grandmaster* was a half-blood player whose race had actually changed. But my *Vampire Blood* has richer options...’

He chuckled to himself.

Having returned to this life, Suho thought he would be stuck with only his previous S-rank skills, but things had turned out far better than expected.

‘Maybe the longer time goes on, the harder it will be to follow my original plans.’

But it didn’t matter.

Although things had diverged from his plan, he had gained results far better than he had hoped.

Suho then checked his status screen.

[ *Ahn Suho* ]  
- Lv: 51  
- Class: Healer  
- Trait: *Newblood*  
- Strength (R): 13  
- Health (R): 13  
- Mana (R): 13  
- Sensory (R): 78  
- Bonus Stats: 17

The newly added trait was displayed clearly.

Next to it, *Newblood* was boldly written.

Suho invested all the bonus stats into *Sensory* and closed the status window.

*‘Well, should we head out now?’*

He had captured the *Cursed Prince* and acquired the trait he had been after.

There was no longer any reason to stay here.

Suho began walking toward the exit of the Gate.

---

**Back at the Korean Hunter Association (KHA) building.**

"So, you just let him go like that?"  
"...Yes, that’s correct."

Jung Chul-min was being scolded by Vice President Park Gyu-man.

Why?  
Naturally, for not bringing Suho in.

Jung Chul-min’s voice, filled with tension, made Vice President Park frown.

"Team Leader Jung."

"Yes."

"I didn’t ask you to do something difficult, just bring him in. Why couldn’t you handle that?"

"...I’m sorry."

"No, saying sorry won’t cut it. The president even cleared his schedule to meet with him. You need to bring him here no matter what. Got it?"

"...Yes, understood."

"Good. I’m counting on you, Team Leader."

Park’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was filled with frustration.

Perhaps it was because of this frustration that, as he left the Vice President’s office, Jung Chul-min felt a sense of deep frustration.

*‘Should I just quit and join a private guild instead...’*

This feeling of frustration was not new.

But then he shook his head.

*‘Why did I join the KHA in the first place?’*

He had joined to serve the public, for the greater good.

So, he decided to endure once again and gathered his thoughts.

At that moment, someone greeted him.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Team Leader Jung?"

Jung Chul-min raised his head. The person who had greeted him was someone he disliked just as much as the Vice President.

The head of the Special Department, *Pi Seong-yeol*.

"Oh, it’s *Director Pi*."

"I hear you’ve been having a hard time because of Ahn Suho," *Pi Seong-yeol* said with a smirk.

*Pi Seong-yeol*, who had been the head of the Special Department for the longest time since the KHA was founded, wasn’t a normal person but rather an ‘Awakened Player’ like the President or Vice President.

At first glance, he seemed more capable than the KHA’s management, who didn’t understand the field, but...

*‘The more you know someone, the scarier they are. This guy knows too much.’*

That was why *Pi Seong-yeol* was someone Jung Chul-min disliked.

But, personal feelings aside, Jung Chul-min put on an awkward smile.

"Haha, yes, well..."

He wondered, *‘Is the Special Department’s intel network just that fast, or does gossip spread faster in this building?’*

It hadn’t even been long since the news spread, yet here was *Pi Seong-yeol* bringing it up.

With an awkward laugh, Jung Chul-min was met with *Pi Seong-yeol*’s subtle voice.

"How about it, should I help you out?"

"Director Pi?" Jung Chul-min asked, surprised.

"Isn’t it easy to bring him in? Just frame him for something, call him in for questioning, and when it’s all over, let him go. No harm done," *Pi Seong-yeol* said with a grin.

Jung Chul-min grimaced at the suggestion. *Pi Seong-yeol* continued as though giving advice to a younger colleague.

"Then, if you want a more detailed plan, you can have the President release him after a few days of questioning. That’ll make everything fit neatly. I hear that guy wants to join the KHA anyway, right?"

It was disgusting.

How could anyone think like this?

Jung Chul-min forced a smile and responded.

"Haha, you have quite the sense of humor. But if I mess with a guy like that and something goes wrong... it could be a big problem."

"A big problem?" *Pi Seong-yeol*’s expression briefly stiffened, then he smirked.

"Team Leader Jung, I always say, you’re a good person. Why would someone in government like you be afraid of a little hunter?"

"Haha..."

"I’m not joking. We have the right to investigate and prosecute players, you know? People weren’t afraid of prosecutors for nothing. So, Team Leader Jung, why not think outside the box a little? You’re a team leader at the KHA, but you’re acting like you don’t know this." 

"Ah, yes. I’ll keep that in mind."

"Good. Don’t stick too strictly to the manual. Think more flexibly like me. Anyway, if you need help, just ask. I’ll always be happy to help you out, Team Leader." 

After patting Jung Chul-min’s shoulder, *Pi Seong-yeol* entered the Vice President’s office.

Jung Chul-min stared at the closed door for a moment before brushing off the touch on his shoulder and heading out.

---

The next morning.

Suho went to his old apartment to collect his personal items before heading to Kaiser Cheongdam.

Getting into the apartment wasn’t difficult.

He had the initial key.

*Jo Jin-hwi* was busy with work, but he was available by morning.

"Good morning, Suho."

"Did you get up?"

"Yes, I would’ve liked to sleep more, but there’s a lot of work at the company."

"You journalists are always busy, huh? But even if I handle all your issues, it seems like you’re still busy."

Jo Jin-hwi smiled lightly in response.

"Before you offered me the partner role, I was already handling some stories. Even though I’m your partner journalist, I can’t just live off of your issues."

Suho smiled back.

"That’s why I like you, Jin-hwi."

"Whoa, such a sudden confession... Anyway, what’s your schedule for today? I’ve got to head out soon."

"Today’s the day. The one I told you about."

"Ah, the day you’re going to Nexus?"

"Yeah, also, I hit level 50 last night and got a new trait."

*“Pbbt! Huh?”*

Jo Jin-hwi spat out the water he had been drinking.

"How long has it been since you left the Tower of Trials, and you’re already at level 50? When you left the Tower, you were still around level 40, weren’t you?"

"Actually, I’m level 51 now. Anyway, that’s how it happened."

"Crazy... So you're really going to Nexus today?"

"Yes, if I’m going to follow through with the plan I mentioned."

"Unbelievable..."

It really was.

Suho was planning to meet with the Nexus Guild members today and join the guild.

He hadn’t abandoned his goal of joining the KHA.

This was all part of the preparation to join the KHA.

Jo Jin-hwi said.

"Then you’d better dress up nicely for today. Don’t worry, come here. I’ll lend you some clothes and a watch."

"Nah, I’m good. If I was someone who worried about appearances, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place."

"Haha, fair point. But how about a car? With all the eyes on you, a car would be better than public transportation or a taxi, don’t you think?"

"Ah, that’s true. I’ll take you up on that offer."

And so, the two of them got ready for the day ahead.