The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 27 (Part 1):

It was night by the time I returned to the lake.

The fourth night on Rainbow Island.

Players who had finished hunting gathered in small groups around the lake.

Their faces were etched with exhaustion.

‘Hunting’s no easy task.’

Even for players invited to the Tower, they were originally modern people accustomed to the comforts of civilization.

Hunting monsters by swinging their hands and feet?

If not for the various resources provided by the Tower of Babel, the role of a player wouldn’t be so popular.

As I approached the lake, the resting players’ attention turned toward me.

“Isn’t that Yu Jin-Ho?”

“The one who topped the tutorial rankings?”

“That’s him. He took down, what, four bosses?”

“He even killed the Blood Mountain Lord. Insane.”

“But why’s he walking around half-naked? Some kind of exhibitionist?”

“…….”

Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that last part.

Just to be safe, I’d wrapped myself in [Spiked Armor], but it seems I still look odd.

I slowly circled the lake’s edge.

– ‘Contractor, the place where my devine power lies hidden is over there.’

A mass of dark smoke billowed, pointing in one direction.

The inner part of the lake.

Ness’s domain.

“No, I can’t go there right away.”

– ‘What is the reason for this?’

“I told you. If I go in blindly, I’ll end up as fish food.”

Underwater combat is disadvantageous.

Fighting in the water, I’d be lucky to use 30% of my abilities.

If it were an ordinary fish monster, maybe.

But to face the boss monster of the lake region? No chance.

– ‘Then what do you intend to do?’

“I’m going to devour their essence.”

Like I always do.

The monsters in the lake are [Iron-Scaled Fish] and [Tyrant Catfish].

Maybe one of them will grant an essence useful for underwater combat?

– ‘Do you know what kind of essence those fish will yield?’

“Nope. No clue.”

Before my regression, I didn’t even dare come near the lake.

Even if I devour the essences of the Iron-Scaled Fish or the Tyrant Catfish, there’s no guarantee I’ll get a water-related power.

– ‘That is cause for concern.’

“Eh, don’t worry too much. I’ve got a Plan B.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

I’m not just relying on the [Devour] ability, you know.

But first, I’ve got to consume the essence of those fish monsters.

“To fish, you’ve got to pick the right spot.”

The water is the stage for the lake’s monsters.

If I go too deep, I’m done for.

I’d flail around and get torn apart by a pack of monsters.

Not being able to breathe underwater is a huge penalty.

Even if I hold my breath as long as possible, it’s only a few minutes at best.

I need to stay close to the surface so I can at least stick my head out and gulp some air.

A depth where the fish can swim around.

But not too deep.

After about twenty minutes of circling the lake, I found a suitable depth.

This should be good enough to give it a shot.

“Player Yu Jin-Ho!”

As I stared at the lake, a familiar voice called out.

“Who are you again?”

“It’s Oh Ji-Won. The guy you helped in the wasteland.”

A man clad head-to-toe in full plate armor.

Oh Ji-Won lifted his visor and flashed a wide grin.

That expression—I’d seen it plenty of times before my regression.

‘The look of admiration.’

The pinnacle of players climbing the Tower.

When I became a Monarch, that’s how countless people looked at me—those eyes, that expression.

Come to think of it, when the Tower’s erosion began and Earth started to crumble, the people I saved from danger looked at me the same way.

It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah, just lost in pointless thoughts.”

I shook off the reverie.

Now that I’ve regressed, that tragedy won’t repeat itself.

“Your achievements have been incredible. Overwhelming first place!”

“By the way, how do people keep recognizing me?”

A sudden question popped into my head.

It’s not like I’ve got a sign over my head saying [Yu Jin-Ho], yet multiple players recognized me the moment I arrived at the lake.

“Ah, haha. Well, word’s gotten around.”

“What kind of word?”

“They say the guy wandering around in gray armor, half-naked, is Yu Jin-Ho.”

“…….”

I don’t even need to guess who started that rumor.

Should’ve killed him instead of just settling for a mid-grade potion.

“Park Jong-Won’s doing, huh?”

“Yeah. He’s been spreading it around, saying he needs to keep the number one in check.”

This tutorial has a mix of promising players backed by various guilds, not just Hwarang and Phoenix.

Apparently, Park Jong-Won’s been stirring up the prospects, trying to keep me in check by spreading rumors.

“We turned him down, though.”

“You know how to value your life.”

“E-Eh, we’re not shameless enough to turn a blade on someone who helped us.”

I let out a short chuckle at Oh Ji-Won’s words.

“Even if they tried to keep me in check, nobody’s actually come at me directly.”

“You took down Talon Flame and Blood Mountain Lord single-handedly, Player Yu Jin-Ho.”

“Well, yeah…”

“Who’d dare challenge the Blood Mountain Lord one-on-one?”

The Blood Mountain Lord is such a powerful boss monster that even leveling up until the last day of the tutorial makes solo hunting near impossible.

And all you get for killing it is some martial arts manual or something.

The rewards are so lackluster compared to the difficulty that strategy guides outright tell you to avoid it.

“Everyone in this round already thinks you’re number one, Player Yu Jin-Ho.”

“You think so too?”

“Yup. I’m aiming for second place myself.”

Oh Ji-Won let out an awkward chuckle.

Since we’re on the topic, might as well check the tutorial rankings.

[You are currently on Floor 0, Rainbow Island.]

*Field Bosses*

– Giant Serpent Ness – Alive

– Wolf King Seorin – Dead (Killed by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

– Deep Slime – Dead (Killed by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

– Furious Ape – Dead (Killed by Player: Park Jong-Won)

– Blood Mountain Lord – Dead (Killed by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

– Talon Flame – Dead (Killed by Player: Yu Jin-Ho)

……

*Points Earned*

1st – Yu Jin-Ho (1,501 points)

2nd – Oh Ji-Won (539 points)

3rd – Park Jong-Won (472 points)

4th – Jeong Shin-ho (468 points)

5th – Lee Do-young (453 points)

“Second place, huh?”

“It’s a gap that could close if I let my guard down for even a moment. I need to work harder.”

Is this the result of changing his fate from being devoured by the Deep Slime?

He’s racked up a surprisingly high score, putting him at the forefront of this round.

I don’t know how much he’ll stand out in the distant future.

But since this is the first meaningful change I’ve made since regressing, it feels pretty good.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Is it a big deal to come to the lake?”

“You don’t seem like you’re here to rest.”

Sharp guy.

It’s hard to believe he’s the same one who struggled against the Deep Slime—he’s got good instincts.

“I’m here to fish.”

“Fish…?”

“Yeah. There’s some stuff to catch over there.”

I pointed at the lake.

Dark shadows flickered in various parts of the water.

The toughest fish in Rainbow Island.

“How are you gonna… No fishing rod could handle those.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got a sturdy one.”

The fishing rod and bait?

That’s my body.

* * *

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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