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

After a long drive up winding roads, the taxi stopped.

“Is this really the place?”

The driver eyed me skeptically.

“Yes. Thanks.”

Stepping out, I surveyed the area.

A dirt path barely wide enough for a car.

A weed-choked hillside beyond.

‘Yeah, this matches the location.’

Five years from now, during a highway expansion, workers would stumble upon a dinosaur fossil.

The one that sold for 62 billion won.

And the discovery site?

Right here.

Once the taxi vanished, I unzipped my bag without hesitation.

“Let’s unpack first.”

Two pickaxes. Three shovels. A one-person tent. Snacks and drinks for sustenance.

I’d packed for a multi-day excavation.

After pitching the tent, I grabbed a pickaxe.

*Thwack! Thwack!*

The blade split the hardened earth as I shoveled away dirt.

Having just returned from the military, my body still remembered the motions, making it easier.

“Not sure if I should be glad about that.”

With a wry smile, I swung the pickaxe again.

There was still a lot to dig.

‘I knew this wouldn’t be done in a day or two.’

I worked silently.

Blisters formed. My breath grew ragged. But I pushed on, resting only when necessary.

The only consolation? No mosquitoes.

Mountain mosquitoes—’Samdidas’—were notoriously vicious.

When exhaustion hit, I sat.

When hunger struck, I ate the bread I’d packed.

At sunset, I collapsed into the tent.

‘Can’t risk dew exposure overnight.’

Pre-regression, I’d camped in worse conditions.

Though skipping showers was gross, I wouldn’t leave until I succeeded.

I had ten days’ worth of supplies.

I wouldn’t budge until my strength gave out.

Day 1.

Day 3.

Then Day 7.

A week passed with no trace of bone.

‘Don’t doubt yourself.’

I trusted my conviction.

The moment you lose faith in yourself, everything crumbles.

Then—

*Clang!*

A metallic ring jolted me.

“Another rock?”

No. The feedback felt different.

Hard, yet not stone—something splintering.

I dropped the pickaxe and touched the spot.

*Sniff— Sniff-sniff—*

A rich scent filled my nose.

My [Devour] ability sensed a edible essence.

“Found it.”

Grinning, I activated the ability.

[Primordial Species—Tyrannosaurus essence devoured.]
[Essence Grade: Legendary]
[Essence Devoured: 0.2%]
[Strength + 0.5]
[Stamina + 0.4]

My blistered hands were worth it.

The Tyrannosaurus bone—though a fragment—contained real essence.

“This is the stuff!”

I didn’t hide my excitement.

My memories from the future hadn’t failed me.

How many times had I fought off doubt with each swing?

Now, the sweet reward of patience.

Though…

‘The skill penalty remains even after regression.’

A complete Tyrannosaurus fossil was priceless.

But after essence absorption, the bone shattered into unrecognizable fragments.

The crumbled fossil was now indistinguishable from roadside rocks.

‘Not like I didn’t know this would happen.’

No regrets.

I hefted the pickaxe again.

The stat boosts from the essence were immediate.

*Thunk!*

The blade sank deeper.

With enhanced strength, the work became smoother.

After more digging—

Finally, the fossil of the *tyrant lizard king* emerged.

“Thanks for the meal.”

Suppressing exhilaration, I touched it with trembling hands.

[Essence Devoured: 1.3 → 2.1 → 2.8 → 3.3]
[…….]
[Essence Devoured: 10.2%]

I exhaled sharply.

“Incredible.”

“Perfectly preserved” was no exaggeration.

The essence surged through me, flooding my veins with unprecedented power.

I ached to test it.

– Age: 23 | Race: Human
– Rank: Unranked | Class: None
– Ability: Devour
– Level: 1
– Strength: 7 → 35.1
– Agility: 6 → 32.2
– Stamina: 7 → 38.3
– Endurance: 6 → 33.9
– Mana: 1 → 3.7

My stats had skyrocketed without a single level-up.

‘I didn’t gain any skills, but this is already huge.’

Leveling up granted +5 bonus stats.

This fossil’s essence gave me ~110 stat points—equivalent to leveling up 22 times before even entering the Tower.

“Heh heh heh.”

I reveled in the raw power coursing through me.

At this rate, I wouldn’t be a punching bag during the tutorial stage.

‘As expected, one fossil isn’t enough to complete the essence.’

Full absorption would unlock [Devour]’s true potential.

But opportunities for Primordial Species essences weren’t rare.

For now, gaining self-sufficiency pre-Tower was what mattered.

I envisioned my next destination:

Greece.

The land of Earth’s most famous myths.

Though…

“How am I supposed to go back looking like this?”

Clothes caked in dirt and sweat.

Returning home—not to mention going abroad—would require some serious cleaning.

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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