The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 23 (Part 2):

[Sharp Claws has been activated.]

A blue aura shimmered over my extended nails.

Claws enhanced with mana.

I flexed each finger joint.

The stance of a predator pouncing on prey—the preparatory form of the *Blood Claw Technique*.

The internal energy rooted in my dantian stirred.

It coursed through my blood vessels, surging through my body.

*Chwaaak!*

I targeted the Swamp King’s outstretched left arm.

While Energy Bolt only singed the surface, the martial art unleashed with Sharp Claws tore the viscous arm into shreds.

*Splatter, splatter.*

The severed mud plummeted to the ground.

The mana composing its body clashed with my internal energy and dissipated.

[Eagle’s Eye has been activated.]

[The opponent is significantly stronger than you.]

A red aura surged above the Swamp King’s crown.

“Just as I thought.”

I grinned.

After severing part of its arm, the red aura had weakened slightly compared to before.

– ‘What’s as you thought?’

“This so-called king. The mud isn’t its true body.”

– ‘Oh, I see!’

Nyx caught on immediately, letting out an exclamation.

– ‘But how did you figure that out?’

“You just have to observe closely.”

I replied casually.

It was a subtle difference I wouldn’t have noticed without keen observation.

Monsters like this, with no fixed form, construct their bodies with mana.

So, to defeat it, I need to exhaust its mana!

Either destroy the mud forming its body or bait its attacks.

Either way, defeating the Swamp King required patience.

That’s fine. Patience is my specialty.

No matter the foe, I was always the one standing on two feet in the end.

Before my regression, and now, it’ll be the same.

* * *

*Chwararak!*

The elongated mud surged from both sides.

It was fast, but [Sixth Sense] warned me a step ahead.

Without sparing a glance at the incoming whips, I kicked off the ground.

[Agile Hind Legs has been activated.]

The distance closed in an instant.

With a single leap, I let the whips pass and reached the Swamp King.

「Do you think closing the distance will change anything?」

“Yep.”

「You’ll regret it.」

The Swamp King spoke mechanically.

Dozens of spikes erupted from its muddy chest.

Mud hardened by mana.

They were as sharp as the spikes of a Spiked Boar.

[Blood Claw Technique activated.]

My hands traced arcs, weaving through the spikes.

Claws enhanced with mana.

Augmented by internal energy, even the mana-infused spikes couldn’t withstand them.

“It’s not over yet.”

I swiftly chained the forms of the *Blood Claw Technique*.

Like a tiger crushing the skin, flesh, and bones of its prey.

Modeled after a beast’s movements, the *Blood Claw Technique* relentlessly tore through the Swamp King’s vulnerabilities, shredding its mud.

*Splatter! Splatter!*

The mud composing the Swamp King’s body splattered everywhere.

「Futile efforts.」

The mud torn by my claws was reabsorbed into the Swamp King.

It was like watching time rewind.

It felt like facing an invincible being that couldn’t be felled.

The Blood Claw Technique’s effect is undeniable, though.

I kept monitoring the Swamp King’s state with [Eagle’s Eye].

Closing the distance and using the Blood Claw Technique noticeably reduced its mana reserves.

As expected.

Martial arts are the best for maximizing physical abilities, aren’t they?

「Try this.」

[Tainted Mud]

Black-tinted mud spewed from the Swamp King’s mouth.

The foul stench gave off a vibe that touching it would be bad news.

“Ugh. Gross, are you vomiting that filth?”

I kicked backward, quickly widening the distance.

Immediately, another whip lashed out.

This time, I couldn’t deflect or block it.

I deployed [Spiked Armor] on both arms.

Crossing them in an X, I blocked the whip.

The impact on my shoulders was significant, but I gritted my teeth and endured.

[Earth Mother’s Blessing has been applied.]

The burden pressing on my shoulders quickly eased.

I reached out and sliced through the whip-shaped mud.

‘I should be able to take this one down more easily than the Blood Mountain Lord.’

Through [Eagle’s Eye], the Swamp King appeared more dangerous than the Blood Mountain Lord.

Theoretically, yes, but real combat was different.

The Blood Mountain Lord had overwhelmed me with superior combat skills and mobility.

The Swamp King, despite its vast mana and specs, was being led around by me throughout the fight.

Its immense mana allowed it to keep attacking without falling.

It was far more manageable than facing the Blood Mountain Lord.

‘For an average player, it’d be the opposite.’

The Swamp King, shaping mud to attack in various ways.

With a 100-meter restriction, long-range strategies were impossible.

But that body wasn’t invincible.

If I keep landing internal-energy-infused attacks, its mana will deplete soon.

– ‘I’m starting to see the end.’

“Yeah.”

The battle had dragged on for over two hours.

Despite its intact appearance, it had burned through much of its mana.

Thanks to [Blessing of the Earth Mother] and [Dragon’s Heart], I maintained my stamina and mana, and the *Three Talents Qi Technique* paired with the *Moonlit Stone* kept my internal energy sustainable.

– ‘Have you done it?’

Goddess, please don’t jinx it.

Then, the Swamp King halted its movements.

『The Constellation that crafted the Swamp King takes an interest in the battle.』

『The Master of the Corrupted Throne observes you.』

Wait, the Master of the Corrupted Throne…

‘That bastard.’

A bead of cold sweat trickled down my spine.

Why is that name coming up here?

It was shocking enough that the Swamp King was linked to the ‘Master of the Corrupted Throne,’ but the timing couldn’t be worse.

An unexpected variable.

– ‘Who is the Master of the Corrupted Throne?’

Instead of answering Nyx, I stared at the Swamp King with tense eyes.

『The Master of the Corrupted Throne grows curious about you.』

『They intervene in this quest.』

『The Tower system detects an error and prohibits the Master of the Corrupted Throne’s interference.』

『The origin that crafted the Swamp King reacts to the Master of the Corrupted Throne. Part of the system has been nullified.』

*Kwaaaaa!*

Crimson-black mana poured from the Swamp King’s body like a waterfall.

An ominous mana imbued with the origin of ‘corruption.’

As the black mana touched the water, it spread like a spiderweb, seizing control of the surrounding space.

「You there, you seem interesting.」

The Swamp Demon King.

No, the Constellation within it spoke.

“Damn it.”

A curse slipped out.

The Master of the Corrupted Throne.

Baal, the absolute ruler of the Ten Thousand Demon War, had descended into the tutorial.

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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