The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 2 (Part 1):

I quickly scrolled through online resources.

My main search targets were relics, ancient biological remains, or fossils.

[ Perfectly preserved mammoth fossil sold for 15.4 billion won…]
[ Oldest Vishnu statue in Indian history discovered in Mohenjo-daro…]
[ Greek government’s request for artifact repatriation rejected by UK…]

Before the regression.

After fully unlocking the secrets of [Devour], I had obsessively collected relics and biological remains.

I’d have to do the same this time, right?

I opened my banking app.

[NG Bank – Balance: 11,956,450 won]

Compared to my memories from before regressing, the amount felt jarringly low.

My mind went blank.

Was I really this broke?

It only hit me later—this was my financial situation at 23.

I’d saved diligently during my military service, and my grandfather had even covered my tuition.

But even then, I couldn’t afford to sniff a relic, let alone buy one.

Rubbing my chin, I sifted through my pre-regression knowledge.

Was there a relic I could obtain without money?

Then, it struck me.

“Ah, that’s right!”

A memory surfaced.

In 2030.

A Tyrannosaurus fossil, the most perfectly preserved specimen ever found in Korea, was unearthed.

A discovery so monumental it rewrote archaeological history.

Its auction price? 62 billion won.

If I recalled correctly, an American tycoon had won the bid.

But in 2025, I could potentially get that fossil for a mere 1 million won.

How, you ask?

By digging it up myself!

Back then, I’d been particularly interested in that fossil.

Maybe that’s why I remembered it in such detail compared to other relics.

And here I thought my shovel-wielding days ended with the military.

With a self-deprecating laugh, I threw on my jacket.

Now was the time to act.

—

*Clatter— Clatter—*

The train sped along the tracks as I stared out the window, organizing my thoughts.

‘Before the regression, I took such a roundabout path.’

The latent potential of [Devour] was immense.

By consuming the essence of monsters, relics, or ruins, I could extract stat boosts and unique abilities.

Yet, it had taken me three years to stand out as a Player.

All because of my lacking base stats.

Initially, I was ostracized from parties due to the penalties of my ability.

A bitter smile curled my lips.

[Devour] had one critical flaw:

It reduced a monster’s corpse to zero value.

Potions.
Artifacts.
Mana engines.

Monster remains were the 21st century’s new gold—used in countless industries.

But my ability?

“The ability that turns gold into dung.”

That’s what other Players called it.

In the early Tower climbs, teamwork was essential, so I often couldn’t use [Devour].

That hesitation became shackles slowing my growth.

‘Not this time.’

If things went as planned, I wouldn’t need to rely on teams in the early floors.

Primordial Species.

The most powerful biological essences obtainable on Earth.

‘Commonly known as dinosaurs.’

Middle school science teaches that dinosaurs went extinct due to a meteor.

But that’s wrong.

They didn’t lose to a space rock—they were defeated by the Ancient Gods of Babel.

Essences consumable via [Devour] had tiers:

≪Mythic > Legendary > Ancient > Rare > Common≫

Five grades in total.

Higher-tier essences granted stronger stats and unique abilities.

Primordial Species essences were Legendary—just one step below Mythic.

What ranked higher?

The Hydra, a dragon with ten heads.

Leviathan, the sea’s calamity.

The evil dragon Fafnir.

Beings of divine power—Mythic-grade essences.

At my current level, they’d obliterate me with a sneeze.

‘If I can secure a Legendary essence early on, I’ll be able to climb the ranks much faster.’

I prayed my memory wasn’t wrong.

—“This train will soon arrive at Jeonju Station. Please check your belongings.”

The announcement snapped me back to reality.

Stretching, I headed to the luggage compartment.

*Clank.* The heavy bag made me wince.

“Damn, this is heavy.”

Grumbling, I hauled my gear past Jeonju Station’s tiled archway.

Taxis idled outside, waiting for tourists.

“Could you pop the trunk?”

*Thud—* The car lurched as I shoved the bag in.

“Goodness, you’ve got quite the luggage for a trip,” the driver remarked.

“Yeah, something like that.”

I replied flatly.

If only it were for vacation.

Unfortunately, this trip wasn’t for sightseeing—it was work.

“Where to?”

“Kongjwi Patjwi-ro 48-7, please.”

“Kong… what now?”

“It’s not a tourist spot—just a mountain.”

I showed him the GPS coordinates I’d saved.

The driver’s face twisted in confusion.

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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