The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 18 (Part 1):

The lair of the Blood Mountain Lord is always fixed in one place.

A massive cave deep within the forest.

As long as you use the sunlight to guide your direction, there’s no chance of getting lost.

Passing through the coniferous trees jutting up from the ground, I spotted a towering cliff.

Beneath it lay a massive cave.

The Blood Mountain Lord’s den.

“Bingo.”

I grinned and approached the cave.

A cave shrouded in darkness.

As I drew closer, a pair of crimson eyes flashed from within the shadows.

“Roar!”

A deafening roar.

Unlike the Wolf King Seorin’s *Roar* skill, this wasn’t a skill.

Yet the predatory killing intent in that roar sent a jolt through my entire body.

Goosebumps prickled my skin.

A bead of sweat trickled down my spine.

A single tiger leisurely emerged from the cave.

Its massive frame was reminiscent of a jeep.

Its fangs and claws exuded a chilling menace, and the blood-red stripes slashed across its fur evoked the image of spilled blood.

The Blood Mountain Lord.

The ruler of the forest had revealed itself.

[Eagle’s Eye is activated.]

[The opponent is overwhelmingly stronger than you.]

My vision was flooded with red.

Even after boosting my stats with Devour, I couldn’t match the Blood Mountain Lord.

I smirked.

I already knew the Blood Mountain Lord was stronger than me.

That monster was on a different level from boss monsters like the Wolf King Seorin, Deep Slime, or Talon Flame.

Overwhelming specs.

And a variety of attack patterns.

Let my guard down for even a moment, and I’d be dead.

*Gulp.* I swallowed hard.

This is it.

The feeling of walking on thin ice.

The spine-chilling tension is exactly what makes me feel alive.

Before my regression.

On the battlefield, I always had to maintain just the right amount of tension.

Facing the Blood Mountain Lord brought those memories flooding back.

A rich smile curled my lips.

The Blood Mountain Lord’s crimson eyes scanned my entire body, moving side to side.

—Human. You dare disturb my slumber.

“It’s broad daylight. What are you doing lazing around in a cave?”

—You’ve lost all sense of fear.

“A beast like you acting all high and mighty?”

I raised my right hand and beckoned with a flick.

“Come at me. Don’t bother mimicking the composure of the strong.”

*ROOOAR—!!*

The Blood Mountain Lord unleashed a thick wave of killing intent and charged straight at me.

Did I… provoke it a bit too much?

Its speed was staggering, reminiscent of Talon Flame’s charge.

But its ferocity was on another level.

It felt like a dump truck barreling toward me at full throttle.

No.

Given that thing’s physical prowess, I might actually fare better against a dump truck.

When the distance between us closed to ten meters, the Blood Mountain Lord kicked off the ground.

It soared in an arc toward me.

Its foreleg, thick as a log, swung at my head.

If that hit me directly, everything above my shoulders would vanish without a trace.

I ducked forward.

The sweeping paw grazed my back as it passed.

‘This isn’t the end.’

I extended my right leg diagonally and pivoted my body to the right.

*Whoosh!*

The sound of the wind deafened my ears.

The Blood Mountain Lord swung its left foreleg in succession.

Its claw missed by a hair’s breadth, shaking the air and rattling my eardrums.

The Blood Mountain Lord’s belly was now fully exposed.

Thanks to dodging its charge with minimal movement, I’d spotted its weak point.

‘Not yet.’

Instead of attacking, I twisted my body once more.

*Crack!*

The Blood Mountain Lord’s tail, attached to its back, whipped downward, striking the ground like a lash.

It had aimed for me, but I’d predicted the third attack and dodged by a fraction.

*Ta-ta-tang—* Rock fragments struck by the tail scattered in all directions.

[Spiked Armor is activated.]

My Endurance stat had increased, but there was no need to take a hit unprotected.

The spikes protruding from my armor scraped the Blood Mountain Lord’s skin.

Its fur and hide were tough and resilient.

*Scrrrape.* The sound rang out, but the scratched area only turned slightly red—no real damage.

Just a faint abrasion.

—You DARE wound me?!

“You’re the one who came at me first.”

This was enough to gauge the Blood Mountain Lord’s specs.

Strength, Agility, reaction speed.

I’d have to risk my life, but it wasn’t an opponent I couldn’t defeat.

[Agile Hind Legs is activated.]

I immediately kicked off the ground, putting distance between us.

The Blood Mountain Lord charged after me in a hurry.

[Furious Charge]

The Blood Mountain Lord’s entire body glowed red.

Even though its previous charge should’ve caused a delay in its next move, it overcame that with a skill.

—Human. You can’t escape.

“Escape? Why would I do something that boring?”

I activated Agile Hind Legs in rapid succession.

My thighs swelled as if they might burst.

Using it twice in a row made my overworked muscles scream, but I gritted my teeth and endured.

A red trail chased me.

The Blood Mountain Lord closed the gap while maintaining its Skill.

The moment my feet touched the ground.

The red trail enveloping the Blood Mountain Lord’s body faded.

Furious Charge had a range of 100 meters.

Immediately after use, the intense energy consumption imposed a penalty, slowing its movements.

That was exactly what I’d been aiming for.

‘Thanks for moving as predicted.’

The Blood Mountain Lord’s movements visibly slowed.

[Sharp Claws is activated.]

[Mighty Strike is activated.]

*Slash!*

My claws, cloaked in blue light, tore through its fur.

With my strength amplified by 300%, I ripped into the Blood Mountain Lord’s foreleg.

“Kraaagh!”

A scream filled with pain.

A long gash was carved into the Blood Mountain Lord’s forearm.

*Crunch.* My claws caught on bone.

If I applied more force here, I could sever its foreleg entirely.

‘But that’d get me killed.’

I didn’t get greedy and pulled back.

A moment later, its left foreleg swung at me.

The sound of the air splitting vibrated my eardrums once again.

If that had hit, the fight would’ve ended in one blow.

—HUMAN! HOW DARE YOU!

A viscous killing intent clouded the Blood Mountain Lord’s eyes.

“What’s wrong? Did that hurt?”

Already whimpering?

I’m just getting started.

It’s only going to hurt more, so hold back those tears.

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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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