Karen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Karen Hughes
Alias(es)	“Wailing Wolf” 30
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hughes Family; Black Wolf Territory; later serves Xian
Occupation/Role	Viscount and lord of Black Wolf Territory; Knight
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 23 23

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Morning Star Stage — Grand Knight	30 94	An established Morning Star Knight before the Night Shadow war; his hidden Grand Knight Profession Blessing is revealed during Victor’s execution.
New Moon Stage — Wolf Knight	94	Advanced after personally beheading Victor Night Shadow, a feat achieved after being stalled at Morning Star for a decade.

Background / History

Karen fought in the Dragon-Lion War, where he killed numerous extraordinary Knights in his first battle and advanced to the Morning Star Stage. His reputation as a formidable warrior later made him one of the Southern Territory’s lords. 82 96

He inherited the Hughes viscountcy after killing his elder brother, whom he believed he had found assaulting his wife; his father died of grief soon afterward. Years later, Karen came to suspect that the incident had contained unresolved inconsistencies. 62

Karen married Danielle of the Masha Family and became Rosa Masha’s son-in-law. He is the father of Little Hayden and Ilith; he also loved his late wife Dorothy deeply. 46 60 88

Appearance

Karen is a tall, rugged man with dark green eyes. His severe demeanor and imposing presence are reinforced by his habit of appearing in armor and carrying a longsword when commanding troops. 26 47 61 63

• Dark green eyes, matching the color of his magic. 26 34
• Tall, broad physical build. 61
• Often wears black armor and carries a black longsword in battle. 63

Personality

Karen is initially cautious, calculating, and highly conscious of hierarchy. When he witnesses Xian’s seemingly impossible Status Blessing, he tests its authenticity with his Black Abyss Wolf and the Rainbow Cup before choosing to treat Xian with extreme respect. 25 26 27

Despite his harsh military background, Karen is profoundly devoted to his children. Victor’s proposal to take Ilith as a concubine provokes a fury Karen had not shown even when personally insulted; he later states that Ilith is as important to him as Hayden. 86 88

As lord, Karen can act decisively and severely. To fulfill the conditions Xian sets for becoming Hayden’s godfather, he orders a territory-wide purge of gangs, brothels, and their noble protectors, including relatives Eli and Fran Hughes. 61 62 63

Abilities & Skills

Knight Combat

Karen is an accomplished swordfighter who uses dark green Magic Power to strengthen his body, defend against attacks, and fight at high speed.

• Blows away incoming arrows with a burst of Magic Power. 93
• Duels Victor Night Shadow as two Grand Knights move too quickly for ordinary soldiers to follow. 94
• Uses practical rather than ceremonial tactics when protecting his family, striking Victor while their swords are locked. 94
• Reached New Moon Stage after killing Victor and becoming a Wolf Knight. 94

Military Command

As lord of Black Wolf Territory, Karen commands soldiers and Servant Knights directly.

• Mobilized forces to arrest gang members, brothel thugs, and corrupt officials across multiple towns. 63
• Led Black Wolf Territory’s campaign against Night Shadow Territory. 90 93
• Ordered the captured territory’s grain distributed to starving citizens after the war. 94 96

Bond Resonance

Karen’s advancement triggered a corresponding evolution in his mount, Black Tail.

• Black Tail evolved from a Black Abyss Wolf into a Named Demon Beast after Karen’s promotion. 94
• The phenomenon is known to scholars as “Human-Beast Resonance,” while Knights prefer “Bond Resonance” or “Soul Resonance.” 94

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black longsword — Karen’s primary weapon while leading the Black Wolf Territory army. 63
• Black armor — Worn during the territory-wide purge. 63
• Black Tail — His Black Abyss Wolf mount, later a Named Demon Beast. 25 94
• Crown of Humility — A magical hat Karen bought for Xian that conceals Status Blessings. 47

Relationships

• Xian — Initially receives him as an extraordinarily high-status guest, then becomes his loyal subordinate and addresses him as his lord. Karen asks Xian to become Hayden’s godfather and carries out Xian’s conditions without hesitation. 27 61 94
• Danielle Hughes — Wife. Danielle strongly advocates securing Xian as Hayden’s godfather and influences Karen’s decision to eliminate the criminal network tied to his relatives. 60 62
• Little Hayden — Son. Karen’s desire to secure Hayden’s future motivates his request to Xian and several of his later decisions. 61 62
• Ilith Hughes — Daughter. Karen protects her fiercely against prejudice over her heterochromatic eyes and regards her as equal in importance to Hayden. 86 88 182
• Dorothy — Late wife. Karen describes her as the love of his life and credits her with teaching him how to be a husband, father, and lord. 88
• Rosa Masha — Mother-in-law and Countess of the Southern Territory. Rosa shows favor to Karen and supports Hayden’s Infant Honor Ceremony. 46
• Bishop Rune — Former comrade-in-arms. Karen requests Rune’s help obtaining an Eagle Eye potion and invites him to serve as Hayden’s godfather. 46
• Black Tail — Mount and companion. Their bond leads to Black Tail’s evolution when Karen reaches the New Moon Stage. 25 94
• Victor Night Shadow — Rival lord. Karen challenges him to a war of honor after Victor insults Ilith, then personally executes him after defeating the Night Shadow forces. 88 94

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Xian

Karen travels to Fruit Basket Village after hearing of Xian’s Status Blessing. He attempts to assess Xian through Anlìyà’s reaction to Black Tail, examines the Blessing with Magic Power, and offers the Rainbow Cup as another test. 25 26 27

After accepting Xian as a figure worthy of extraordinary deference, Karen personally drives him to Black Wolf Castle and carries him to his room. He later agrees to suppress news of Xian’s presence in the territory. 30 38

Supporting Xian and Berg

Karen obtains an Eagle Eye potion from Bishop Rune so Berg can advance as a Hunter. He also gives Xian the Crown of Humility, allowing him to conceal his Status Blessing. 39 46 47

Hayden’s Godfather and the Black Wolf Territory Purge

Karen kneels before Xian and begs him to become Little Hayden’s godfather, offering everything he possesses in return. After accepting Xian’s conditions, Karen investigates criminal activity in his territory and orders a sweeping crackdown on the Wolf Gang, brothels, and their backers. 61 62 63

War Against Night Shadow Territory

When Victor humiliates Ilith during Hayden’s Infant Honor Ceremony, Karen challenges him to a war of honor. He leads the campaign against Night Shadow Territory, defeats Victor in battle, and personally beheads him. 88 90 94

Karen’s victory advances him to New Moon Stage as a Wolf Knight. Acting on Xian’s orders, he ends the war promptly and oversees the distribution of Night Shadow Territory’s grain to its citizens. 94 96

Later Service

Karen continues acting as Xian’s protector and executor. He reports on threats connected to the faceless assassin, remains near Xian rather than returning to his newborn son, and later verifies that executions across the Southern Territory do not harm innocents. 154 169 173

Notable Quotes

“Ilith is my most important child, as important as Hayden.” 88

“People change, and before being a warrior, I am a father.” 94