The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 13 (Part 2):

I achieved my goal for visiting the Red Rock cave.

‘With Ultrasound, I can enhance my spatial awareness.’

Humans rely most heavily on ‘sight’ to process information.

But with Ultrasound, ‘hearing’ can also be used to read space.

Even in a place filled with darkness like the Red Rock cave…

[Ultrasound is activated.]

[Reading the terrain structure within a 100-meter radius.]

Like this.

The ultrasound spread around me, revealing the shapes of the terrain.

A visualization of sound waves, you could say.

In a place without a single ray of light, where nothing was visible, the terrain read by Ultrasound unfolded before my eyes like a black-and-white screen.

‘No need to worry about the dark anymore.’

Truly, the [Devour] ability is the best.

I turned and headed for the entrance.

My business in the Red Rock cave was done.

On the way back, I didn’t fumble my steps like before.

With [Ultrasound], I could pierce the darkness as if wearing night-vision goggles.

After walking for a while, I saw light seeping through a crevice in the cave.

‘That close already?’

I’d felt like I’d walked for hours, but the exit was only 20 minutes away.

As I prepared to squeeze through the crevice to exit.

‘Hm?’

Murmuring.

I sensed human presence outside the cave.

I paused for a moment and pressed my ear against the rock.

It hasn’t been long since the tutorial started, and someone’s already targeting the Red Rock cave…?

‘Must be a promising talent from a top guild.’

Spiked Boars aren’t easy enough to tackle on the first day of the tutorial.

Better be cautious.

Using [Ultrasound] in tandem, I focused on assessing the situation outside.

“There are signs someone passed through here.”

“It’s Yu Jin-Ho, no doubt.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“He hunted the Wolf King Seorin. This is definitely his next target.”

“If Player Park Jong-won says so…”

“I *have* to take first place in this tutorial. You know that, right?”

“As a rising star of the Hwarang Guild, that’s only natural.”

*Oh-ho.* Listening to the conversation, I started to piece things together.

I checked the stage status board.

[You are currently on Floor 0, Rainbow Island.]

◆ Field Bosses

Giant Serpent Ness – Alive

Wolf King Seorin – Dead (Hunted by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

Respawn: 159:44:21

Deep Slime – Dead (Hunted by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

Respawn: 151:32:09

Furious Ape – Dead (Hunted by Player: Park Jong-won)

Respawn: 155:39:21

…

◆ Points Ranking

1st – Park Jong-won (207 points)

2nd – Oh Ji-Won (152 points)

3rd – Jeong Shin-ho (137 points)

4th – Lee Do-young (108 points)

5th – Jang Mi-ji (96 points)

This Park Jong-won guy must have predicted I’d target the Red Rock cave after seeing I hunted the Wolf King Seorin.

He’s racked up quite a few points in just a day, hasn’t he?

Mulling over the faintly familiar name, I rubbed my chin.

‘Can’t place him.’

Before my regression, I competed with world-renowned top rankers.

Park Jong-won.

If he’d stood out in the future, I wouldn’t have forgotten him. He doesn’t seem like *that* big of a deal.

Well then, shall I go see what these uninvited guests look like?

I squeezed through the rock crevice and stepped outside.

* * *

A shadow emerged at the entrance of the Red Rock cave.

Park Jong-won’s eyes narrowed deeply.

Instinctively, he knew the player coming out of the cave was Yu Jin-Ho.

‘I *have* to take first place. I can’t lose to some nobody!’

*Grip!*

His hand tightened around the dagger.

The players following him also clutched their weapons, tense.

“Player Park Jong-won, what’s your plan?”

“We’ll persuade him.”

“And if he doesn’t listen?”

“I’ll make him rest for a while. If it really comes to it, we’ll eliminate him.”

Park Jong-won wasn’t satisfied with ordinary rewards.

‘I’ll become the top player in Hwarang—no, in all of Korea!’

Selected as the next rising star of Hwarang, Korea’s undisputed top guild.

It wasn’t an impossible dream.

Park Jong-won was determined to achieve that goal.

Taking first place in the tutorial stage was the first step toward that grand dream.

‘If he doesn’t listen, I’ll have to break an arm or a leg.’

Park Jong-won’s gaze grew heavy.

Finally, Jin-Ho emerged from the red rocks, letting out a *Phew—*.

Park Jong-won’s eyes quickly scanned Jin-Ho’s body.

Clothes so tattered they were barely recognizable.

And bare-handed.

Is this guy really the top-ranked player?

Doubt surged at Jin-Ho’s appearance, but Park Jong-won suppressed it and spoke.

“Are you Yu Jin-Ho?”

“You already know, so why bother asking?”

Jin-Ho let out a *Tch* and smirked.

Park Jong-won pushed down his rising emotions.

“Then this will be quick. I have a proposal for you.”

“Give up first place, right?”

“Correct. In exchange, I’ll give you a Rare-grade item.”

“Player Park Jong-won, a Rare item is a bit much…”

A player beside him tried to stop Park Jong-won.

[Rare] grade items traded for hundreds of millions, sometimes billions.

It was an excessive offer for giving up first place.

Park Jong-won was that serious.

“Tch, one Rare item is too cheap.”

“So, you’re refusing the offer?”

“Yeah. What’re you gonna do about it?”

“Then we’ll have to speak with our bodies.”

*Shing—* The blade in Park Jong-won’s hand let out a cold sound.

A Unique-grade item provided by Hwarang, [Sound Blade].

“Perfect.”

Jin-Ho smiled at the sight of the blade.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Talking with bodies? I like that too.”

Park Jong-won belatedly understood Jin-Ho’s words.

At that moment.

[Agile Hind Legs]

Jin-Ho kicked off the ground, charging toward Park Jong-won.

Dangun

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