The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 14 (Part 1):

The detection ability of [Ultrasound] was as remarkable as seeing with my own eyes.

Even standing behind a rock, I could discern the composition of the Hwarang Guild’s rookie team.

Two melee fighters.

Two ranged players.

And finally, one support player.

I had no means of ranged attack.

If I let them keep their distance, I’d be pummeled one-sidedly.

‘First, close the gap.’

The moment negotiations broke down, I channeled strength into my legs and activated [Agile Hind Legs].

The distance between me and the Hwarang rookies was about 100 meters.

With a single leap, I halved that distance.

Without losing momentum, I crouched low to the ground, like a sprinter preparing to dash.

“Crazy.”

A curse slipped from Park Jong-won’s lips.

Almost simultaneously, a scorching heat surged from the opposite direction.

The party’s magic-type players were rearranging their mana.

Those guys.

To think they’d prepare magic without a hint of panic.

The Hwarang Guild must have trained their kids pretty well.

[Spiked Armor activated.]

A gray thorn-covered armor enveloped my arms and back.

Right after I enveloped my body with [Spiked Armor], two flaming arrows struck my back and arm.

*Whoosh!* The armor’s durability dropped by nearly 30%.

“He’s still charging after taking Fire Arrows?”

“No way!”

Shocked voices echoed in my ears.

Scratch that earlier comment.

They seemed decently trained, but they still reeked of inexperience.

If an attack doesn’t work, you should prepare the next move.

“Your opponent is me!”

Park Jong-won raised the shield in his left hand, blocking my path.

[The Target has activated Iron Wall.]

[Defensive strength decreases by 20% if the distance from the target increases.]

Iron Wall was a useful tanking skill in the tower’s lower floors.

He must have figured out that my target was the magic-type players.

Not bad, huh?

I changed direction and charged at Park Jong-won.

The distance closed rapidly.

I took a deep breath and let out a roar.

“Haaa—!!”

[Roar activated.]

[All beings within a 20-meter radius have their Strength and Agility reduced by 10%.]

[Duration: 20 seconds.]

Park Jong-won and the spear-wielding player flinched.

They probably didn’t expect a penalty to Strength and Agility.

“Even so…!”

Gritting his teeth, Park Jong-won swung his sword.

*Swish!* The curved blade aimed for my shoulder.

So, no intent to kill, huh?

If there had been any malice in that strike, I would’ve returned the favor.

Lucky you, Jong-won.

I put strength into my heels, decelerating sharply.

*Scrape!* Even with [Spiked Armor] covering my soles, sparks flew from the friction.

The blade missed by a hair’s breadth.

I clenched my fist.

[Mighty Strike activated.]

*Boom—!*

My clenched right hand smashed into the shield Park Jong-won held.

With a pure Strength stat reaching the 60s!

Amplified by 300%, Park Jong-won’s strength level couldn’t hold his ground.

“Guhak!”

Spitting a mouthful of blood, Park Jong-won was flung back dozens of meters.

Even with his shield protecting him, it couldn’t fully absorb the impact.

If I’d used [Sharp Claws], I could’ve killed him in one hit, but I held back since he showed no killing intent.

[The target deploying Iron Wall has left their position.]

[The binding effect is canceled.]

Iron Wall’s penalty.

If the user leaves their spot, the skill is nullified.

That’s why I knocked Park Jong-won away with [Mighty Strike].

The chains binding me were gone.

“Fire Ankle!”

A rope of flames ensnared my arms and legs.

Oh, so they made good use of the time Park Jong-won bought.

The areas touched by the flame rope blackened and charred.

“You’d better not try to break free. The more you struggle, the—”

*Snap!* I infused mana into [Sharp Claws], and the flame rope was sliced apart.

“You were saying?”

The magic-type player’s jaw dropped.

“Hyaah!”

A sharp spearhead stabbed at my side, targeting my blind spot.

Oh, right. You were there too.

Thanks to [Ultrasound], I had no blind spots.

Without even glancing at the incoming spear, I grabbed it with my left hand.

Not stopping there, I yanked the spear shaft hard.

“W-what?!”

The player gripping the spear was pulled forward.

His stumbling figure reminded me of a fish biting bait.

I cloaked my entire body in [Spiked Armor].

The sharp spikes protruding outward.

Even without attacking, I could neutralize the spear-wielding player.

[Divine Shield]

*Clang!*

A milky-white barrier enveloped the melee fighter’s body.

At the last second, the completed Divine Shield blocked the spikes rising from my armor.

The work of the support player.

“This isn’t over.”

Park Jong-won, who’d been flung back by [Mighty Strike], returned to the battlefield.

The team quickly regained their composure.

“Good. It’d be boring if it ended too easily.”

I curled the corners of my lips upward.

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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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