The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 26 (Part 2):

While hunting Fire Worms in the volcanic region, I stumbled across a plain littered with rocks.

I let out a sigh. *Phew.*

“Found it by chance.”

– ‘What do you mean?’

“The Flame Men. Those rocks.”

– ‘They don’t look like humans or creatures.’

“You’ll see soon enough.”

I smirked.

Those rocks were Flame Men, monsters native to the volcanic region.

Why call a rock a person? Because when you get close, they transform into fiery humanoids.

“They’re immune to attacks in that state.”

I furrowed my brow.

Whether protected by the Tower system or just insanely tough in dormant mode, they took almost no damage as rocks.

To defeat a Flame Man, you have to approach, wake it, and then finish it off.

‘No essence is useless.’

Look at the steam rising from those rocks.

I really didn’t want to approach these living furnaces.

But what can you do?

The thirsty dig the well.

Curious what skill the Flame Man’s essence might yield, I trudged forward reluctantly.

Twenty meters.

Ten meters.

Then three meters.

When I closed the gap to just three steps—

“Ughhh.”

With a deflating groan, the rock stretched.

Flames seeped from the cracked stone.

Large and small rock fragments formed joints, shaping into a humanoid form.

As one woke, the others stirred in unison.

– ‘Oh! Contractor, the rocks are moving!’

“Lazy bastards. Wouldn’t it be nice if they’d just charged at me from the start?”

My claws extended.

Dark crimson mana enveloped them.

Flame Men were fire-attribute monsters—immune to pure physical attacks.

My original plan was to use *Blood Claw Technique* with internal energy to strike their flames.

But thanks to Baal’s gift, it got much easier.

[Blood Claw Technique activated.]

A dark crimson arc slashed through the Flame Man.

First stance, *Fierce Tiger Blood Claw*.

Alternating right and left, I unleashed the first stance.

*Thud, thud-thud.*

With claws enhanced by [Blessing of Greed]’s erosion, the *Blood Claw Technique* mowed down the flame-covered Flame Men like straw.

『The Evil of the Sky admires your martial arts prowess.』

『The War God of Olympus glares at the Evil that Touches the Sky.』

『The Master of the Corrupted Throne is pleased.』

Well, damn.

Another constellation is watching me.

A familiar name.

Baal, the constellation I clashed with not long ago.

It makes sense, thinking about it.

‘He even gave me that precious blessing.’

Normally, a blessing is granted only through a guardian constellation contract.

For some whim, Baal spent his own spirituality to bestow a blessing on me.

『The Master of the Corrupted Throne is pleased with your performance.』

『The War God of Olympus recognizes the Blessing of Greed.』

『The War God of Olympus glares at the Master of the Corrupted Throne.』

Ares and Baal.

Both are heavyweights in the divine hierarchy.

The constellation name *Evil of the Sky* feels unfamiliar, but if it’s who I think it is…

‘Probably interested because of my martial arts.’

Getting attention from big shots since the tutorial.

Not a bad feeling.

– ‘Contractor, no matter what other constellations say, your partner is this lady alone.’

Nyx, tense from the flurry of constellation messages, called out to me.

To take revenge on the ancient gods, I’ll need to draw even more eyes.

Constellations, other entities—whatever.

I need to use everything I can.

Even without a guardian contract, constellations sometimes sponsor players they take an interest in.

Like Baal did.

‘The constellations’ attention will be my strength.’

Swallowing a smile, I continued hunting in the volcanic region.

[Devouring the essence of a Fire Worm.]

[Essence devoured: 100%]

[You have completely absorbed one species’ essence.]

[Stamina +3]

[Mana +3]

[Skill – Blaze has been added.]

[Blaze]

– Rank: ★
– Type: Active
– Generates flames with each step.
– Consumes a small amount of mana.

[Devouring the essence of a Flame Man.]

[Essence devoured: 100%]

[You have completely absorbed one species’ essence.]

[Strength +3]

[Endurance +3]

[Skill – Fire has been added.]

[Fire]

– Rank: ★
– Type: Active
– Creates a small flame.
– Consumes a small amount of mana.

I finished collecting essences 100% despite the sweltering heat.

“Blaze and Fire, huh.”

Both were nearly useless in practice.

[Blaze], which ignites flames with each step, might have situational uses.

But [Fire], gained from Flame Men’s essence, had zero combat utility.

*Whoosh-!*

Testing [Fire], a fist-sized flame flickered to life.

Pouring in more mana, the flame grew larger.

– ‘Not suited for attacks, is it?’

“It has other uses.”

[The Flame Men’s ‘Fire’ essence resonates with ‘Blaze.’]

[When using Blaze or any fire-related skill, deal 3% additional damage.]

“This is why I devour essences.”

I grinned.

Didn’t I say?

There’s no such thing as a useless essence.

The [Fire] skill itself was near worthless, but it carried a synergy effect that boosted all fire-based essences.

At this stage, a 3% boost to fire skill power didn’t feel like much.

But as I devour more fire essences and my stats grow, [Fire]’s synergy will shine.

Having gotten everything I needed, it was time to head to the safest yet most dangerous place.

– ‘Are we finally going to the place where this lady’s power lies hidden?’

“Yeah. I’m ready.”

With lighter steps, I began walking toward the island’s center.

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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