The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 12 (Part 1):

I had acquired everything I needed from the trading company.

Without delay, I turned and headed toward the lake.

“Hey there, you’re just buying that Moonstone and off you go?”

A dwarf merchant blocked my path.

“Yes. That’s all I came for.”

“Don’t be like that—take a look at some weapons before you leave. Dwarf‑crafted swords boast top‑tier performance!”

“You might get injured in the tutorial. Buy a potion, at least!”

The dwarf and the elf merchant clung to me, insistent.

Well, I suppose they wouldn’t want to let a sucker slip away after walking right into their shop.

The [Midron Trading Company] is typically shunned by players climbing the lower floors of the Tower.

To purchase items from the trading company, you have to spend points earned on each floor, and the more you spend, the lower your rewards become.

[Yu Jin-Ho – 27 points]

[Insufficient points to be ranked.]

See?

After spending points on the Moonstone, I’ve been kicked off the rankings entirely.

For players, the trading company is a double-edged sword.

‘Honestly, there’s no need to use them in the early stages.’

It’s been ten years since the Tower of Babel appeared across the Earth.

Low-grade potions have long been developed by pharmaceutical companies.

Techniques for crafting equipment from monster hides or ores exclusive to the Tower are also quite advanced.

They’re not enough to compete in the mid-to-upper floors, but still.

In the tutorial, it’s far better to buy equipment or consumables outside than to rely on the trading company.

“I’m broke, so quit trying to upsell me.”

“Now that you mention it…”

“Why waste points on junk like that [Moonstone]…?”

The two merchants grumbled, their faces sour.

You wouldn’t understand.

You don’t know the true value of this item.

“See you next time. If there’s ever a reason to meet again.”

I waved them off and waded into the lake.

* * *

Right after emerging from Snein Lake.

I set my course southwest and walked aimlessly.

How long had I been walking?

[You are now in a mountainous region.]

[Mountainous Region – Mana consumption increased by 10%]

I had entered the foothills of the Emirite Mountains.

I hadn’t even started a real climb, yet the penalty was already in effect.

‘The penalty here isn’t the real issue.’

Players fresh to the Tower of Babel typically possess one or two skills.

A 10% increase in mana consumption barely registers.

The real problem is the terrain itself.

A mountain of jagged rocks.

Unlike a well-trodden hiking trail, the Emirite Mountains are a grueling challenge just to find footing.

There’s one more thing that torments players.

“There it is.”

I pointed at a shadowy silhouette barely visible under the moonlight.

A monster the size of a boulder.

A Spiked Boar.

“Ghrrr ghrrr!”

The Spiked Boar snorted.

True to its name, it’s a monster with spikes jutting from its hide.

Its attack pattern is singular: a charge.

It feels similar to the Horned Rabbit I encountered on the plains, but it’s far trickier to deal with.

The reason? Those spikes covering its body.

Even if you narrowly dodge its charge, you’re likely to get scratched and injured by the spikes.

Though its charge is slower than the Horned Rabbit’s, you have to move much more to avoid it.

‘The terrain’s a problem too.’

The Spiked Boar’s habitat is the mountains.

And not just any mountains—rugged, rocky ones.

It moves freely as if it’s at home, while a player’s mobility is heavily restricted.

It’s a different kind of trouble compared to the Silver Fang.

“Ghrrrrrrrr!”

The Spiked Boar kicked its hind legs and lunged forward.

A head-on fight is out of the question.

In that case…

‘Obviously, I aim for the side.’

Just before colliding with the Spiked Boar, I leaped to the left.

At the same time, gray armor enveloped my flank.

*Kagagak!* The sharp spikes on the boar’s hide scraped against my side.

Sparks, large and small, erupted around the point of impact.

The friction heat from the armor clashing with the spikes created a dazzling display.

The armor’s durability dropped by 7%.

For a glancing blow, it shaved off quite a bit.

Well, this is manageable.

‘It’s faster than the Horned Rabbit, but it takes time to redirect its attack.’

[Armor is activated.]

This time, I clad my entire body in armor.

To attack the Spiked Boar, I’d have to dive right into those spikes.

Unless you had a spear, arrows, or ranged skills, melee fighters had no choice but to tank the damage.

[Sharp Claws is activated.]

Claws extended about 20 centimeters.

With my claws honed sharp, I leaped onto the back of the Spiked Boar as it slowly turned.

The spikes on its back pierced my armor.

No—in this case, I was the one impaling myself on them.

[Armor durability reduced by 1%.]

[Armor durability reduced by 1%…]

Durability dropped across multiple points simultaneously.

Heh heh heh.

Without the essence of the Ironclad Armadillo, I wouldn’t even have attempted to hunt a Spiked Boar.

I swung my raised claws with all my might.

[Mighty Strike is activated.]

*Puak!*

Blood sprayed into the air, glinting faintly as it met the moonlight.

“Ghriiik.”

The Spiked Boar lowered its head to the ground.

Blood gushed relentlessly from its torn neck.

[EXP increased by 7.5%.]

I targeted its weak point—the neck—and ended it in one strike.

Thanks to the Silver Fang’s essence, [Sharp Claws].

The Spiked Boar’s hide is quite thick, after all.

With or without [Mighty Strike], I’d have had to tussle longer without reinforced claws.

Absorbing various essences beforehand was worth it.

Of course, being able to wield multiple essence abilities is thanks to [Dragon’s Heart], which boosts mana recovery.

“Thanks for the meal.”

I devoured the Spiked Boar’s essence.

[Devouring Spiked Boar’s essence.]

[Essence Grade: Common]

[Essence Devoured: 2.8%]

The sensation of filling my stomach.

But this isn’t enough.

The first taste of a new essence only made my hunger growl louder.

‘The night’s still young, anyway.’

With lighter steps, I began my ascent.

* * *

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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