The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - LLD Chapter 25: Evolution (Part 2)

Maybe that disappointment showed on my face, because Ian gave a small smile.

“Adrian, why do you think we learn swordsmanship?”

“To wield a sword better.”

“And martial arts in general?”

“To become stronger.”

“Right. To grow stronger. Or more precisely—
To overcome weakness.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“Not quite.”

Ian gave a light smile and continued.

“There are two ways to grow stronger.

First, maximize your strengths.
Second, minimize your weaknesses.

We humans aren’t strong like Ogres. We don’t have claws like beasts. Our bones aren’t especially tough either.

Biologically speaking, humans were the weaklings of the ecosystem.
Creatures full of flaws.

So humans used their one strength—intelligence—to overcome their weaknesses.

They forged weapons to replace claws.
They processed Mana Force and discovered the power called Aura, overcoming their physical shortcomings.
They created armor, obtaining skin tougher than any beast’s hide.

The same goes for martial arts like swordsmanship.

They were all made to overcome humanity’s frailty.
It was because humans were weak that they learned swordsmanship.
So then—what if you weren’t weak?

Have you ever seen a dragon learning swordsmanship?

There was simply no need.

A dragon’s scales were tougher than any metal.
Its claws, sharper than any weapon.
Its strength, unmatched by any other living being.

To a dragon, martial arts like swordsmanship were utterly useless.

That’s how dragons came to be known as the strongest beings on the continent—
Yet even they fell to Ian’s hand.

The dragon, known as the strongest living being on the continent.
Even such a creature had something called “weakness.”

“So what if there existed a being that had no such weakness at all? A truly flawless lifeform?”
“A flawless lifeform?”
“Exactly. One that could survive in any environment, adapt instantly to nature, be born and reproduce immediately, possess eternal lifespan, have no predators—free of all biological weaknesses.”
“Is that even possible?”
“No.”

Ian firmly shook his head.

And rightly so—how could such a thing even be defined as a “lifeform”?
If such a being existed, it would not be called a creature.
It would be called… a god.

“But there is someone who holds the potential to become something like that.”
“You mean the Emperor?”
“No.”

Ian responded.

“I mean you, Adrian.”

Only you, he said, had the potential to become such a being.

“All the swordsmanship, spear techniques, martial arts I know—they were all invented from the perspective of humans. Created to overcome human weakness.”
“……”
“In other words, they’re ‘ways for humans to fight.’ And Adrian, those methods don’t suit you.”
“……”
“You must not fight like a human. Fighting like one would actually be poison for you. I’m not saying to abandon your humanity—but don’t fight like a human.”
“……”
“Adrian, you need to develop your own unique method of combat. No one can teach you that. No one should.”

Not even someone like Ian, a hero.

After Ian’s final words, a brief silence fell between us.

“Ian… Then do you think I can become like you someday?”

“Not a chance.”

Ian shook his head as if asking what nonsense I was spouting.
Honestly, it was only natural.
Even I couldn’t believe Ian’s level of strength.

To compare myself to him was nothing but wishful thinking.

“Then what about becoming like a dragon?”
“Also no.”

Ian firmly shook his head again.
I was a bit disappointed by his honesty, but not discouraged.

After all, I was still human.

However—what Ian said next completely defied my expectations.

“It’s the opposite, Adrian.”

It was also the complete opposite of what I believed.

“It’s me who can’t become like you.”

Ian said that even he couldn’t become like me.
That even dragons couldn’t become like me.

“Adrian, you are the apex of all lifeforms.”

They say there can be many geniuses—but only one pinnacle.

Ian was among the ranks of geniuses.
So were dragons.

But neither of them stood at the pinnacle.
Because both had limitations.

The limitations of being human.
The limitations of being a dragon.

Their threshold for growth was simply much higher than others’.
But limitations still existed.

Dragons couldn’t surpass Ian.
Ian couldn’t surpass the Emperor.

Of course, I hadn’t even surpassed Ian or the dragons yet.

“But you’re different, Adrian.”

You have the potential to surpass them.

“Only your ability, Predation, can reach that apex.”

My ability to absorb the genetic traits of every living being—
Predation [S+]

By devouring the heart of a prey, I could dramatically evolve with the power it held.
Through that, I evolved without end, continuously surpassing the limits of biology.

“How could mere humans or dragons ever compare to the Ultimate Lifeform?”

Ultimate Lifeform.

That’s what Ian called me.
He, at least, never called me a dullard.

But contrary to Ian’s expectations, I never reached that pinnacle.
I ended as merely an “exceptional lifeform,” not the Ultimate one.

The madness of Predation…
That fatal side effect was what stopped me.
I couldn’t break free from being just a “hunter.”

But now?

Ian’s ability—Player’s Will [EX].
As long as I have that, I no longer need to fear Predation’s madness.

Now, maybe I can surpass it.
Maybe I can finally reach it.

The apex of all lifeforms—
The Ultimate Predator.

The true instinct of the Predator, long suppressed by madness,
was beginning—ever so slowly—to awaken.

◆ You have consumed the genetic material of the entity ‘Ice Drake’!
◆ Skill acquired: Dragon’s Claw [A]!

That deadly instinct was finally opening its eyes.

Kai descended the snowy mountain without hesitation.

His steps held a touch of disgust—and perhaps a bit of regret.
He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but Kai definitely felt something.

Without even looking back, he made his way down the mountain.

And after descending for a while—

A man came into view, standing just within his sight.
An unfamiliar face.
Which meant he wasn’t someone from the County.

As soon as the man spotted Kai, his expression brightened.
He immediately ran over.

“Ahh, I thought I was going to freeze to death out here…!”

The man sighed in relief, gasping for breath.
His head was covered in snow—he’d clearly been wandering the mountain for some time.

Then, with a sheepish smile, he asked:

“Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the House of Whitewolf?”

Translatin_Otaku

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