The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 16 (Part 2):

[A visitor has appeared in Moonlit Cave.]

[The Blue Moon reacts to the visitor’s presence.]

[The cave prepares to greet the moon.]

*Gugugugung!*

The cave’s ceiling split in two and slid apart.

Moonlight seeped through the gap.

Through the parted ceiling, the full moon positioned itself above Moonlit Cave.

Then, the blue light enveloping the Blue Moon poured into the cave like a waterfall.

‘Wow, what a sight.’

I gasped in awe, sticking out my tongue.

I reached out with my right hand to touch the moonlight.

Though it was formless Mana and light, it felt soft, like brushing against a blanket.

A phenomenon where Mana, condensed beyond its limit, took tangible form.

The immense energy of the Blue Moon, brimming with potent Mana, filled Moonlit Cave.

*Wooong—!* The Moonstones laid on the floor resonated with the Blue Moon’s light.

The Moonstones floated in place.

Soon, they began absorbing the streams of light filling Moonlit Cave.

‘Good. It’s going exactly as I heard.’

Wasn’t it Explorer Laurent who discovered Moonlit Cave?

In terms of results, it was a half-baked discovery.

The immense Mana gathered by the Blue Moon poured into Moonlit Cave, but players received no buffs or blessings.

‘The secret of the Moonstones was revealed around 2037, wasn’t it?’

Laurent began climbing the Tower of Babel in 2030, so the secret of Moonlit Cave came to light seven years later.

After about ten minutes, the Blue Moon began shifting westward.

“Phew, this is thrilling.”

The phenomenon unfolding in Moonlit Cave.

In my previous life, I only heard about it, never witnessed it myself.

With a trembling heart, I picked up a Moonstone.

[Moonlit Stone]

– Rank: Unique [U]

– Type: Consumable

*A Moonstone fully imbued with the Blue Moon’s energy.*

*Moonlit Stones contain potent Mana, enhancing Mana or Internal Energy when consumed.*

• Can be consumed once every 15 days.

“Ha. Hahaha.”

I sank to the floor.

Checking the item details, my legs gave out.

I wanted to scream with joy but held it in.

*Moonlit Stone*.

I obtained 32 Unique-grade elixirs.

* * *

Moonlit Stones are rare elixirs.

They can only be obtained on Rainbow Island.

If the Blue Moon’s cycle doesn’t align, you can’t even attempt to acquire them in that round.

After Moonlit Cave’s secret was revealed, guilds trained their prospects even harsher to secure Moonlit Stones.

‘Unique-grade elixirs aren’t *that* rare to warrant such effort.’

While climbing the Tower, you can earn [Legendary] or [Transcendent] elixirs as rewards.

Compared to those, Moonlit Stones are less potent.

So why do major guilds go all out, even training prospects, to get Moonlit Stones?

The reason is…

‘Internal Energy enhancement elixir.’

Internal Energy is a stat tied to martial arts.

Mana-related elixirs occasionally appear as Tower rewards.

But elixirs that enhance Internal Energy are not only rare but also far harder to obtain.

Oh, come to think of it, martial arts are probably looked down upon at this point.

‘When was it that martial arts traits started getting attention?’

Some players awaken traits linked to [Martial Arts].

But for a long time, those with martial arts traits were treated as niche.

To use martial arts, you first need to learn a heart technique. Without learning some kind of heart technique, the [Internal Energy] stat doesn’t even appear.

And that’s not all.

Unlike Mana, Internal Energy is incredibly difficult to control.

Mess up, and you might suffer internal injuries—or worse, fall into a state of *Qi Deviation*.

‘But master it, and you become insanely strong.’

It’s a long time before martial arts players start getting noticed.

Maybe this time, that moment will come a bit sooner.

Because I’m here.

‘Learn a suitable heart technique, then rapidly boost Internal Energy with Moonlit Stones.’

[Dragon’s Heart] only increases Mana.

Internal Energy has to be built separately through heart technique practice.

The hidden element of Emirite Mountain, Moonlit Stones, will be a huge help in boosting Internal Energy.

I gathered the Moonlit Stones scattered on the floor.

I’ve claimed all the opportunities Moonlit Cave has to offer.

Now, it’s time to hunt for more essences.

The return trip was much easier than coming to Moonlit Cave.

The ceiling had parted to receive the Blue Moon’s light.

On closer inspection, a staircase wide enough for one person was tucked between the gap.

‘The guy who designed this had some conscience.’

[Agile Hind Legs activated.]

I kicked off the cave floor and leaped upward.

Grabbing the staircase with my right hand, I steadied myself and climbed slowly.

This path was steep too, but having footholds made it far easier than scaling the cliff.

‘I was sweating buckets on the way down.’

Kinda unfair.

Emerging from the gap, I reached the summit of Emirite Mountain.

The moment I stepped out, the path to Moonlit Cave sealed shut, vanishing without a trace.

‘I’ve gotten everything Emirite Mountain has to offer.’

I gazed northeast.

Thanks to the Blue Moon’s light, I could easily make out the landscape of that area.

A Forest region.

Clenching my fist, I fixed my eyes on my next destination.

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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