The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 28 (Part 1):

The hunt for Iron-Scaled Fish continued.

– ‘Another one’s coming.’

“Okay.”

An Iron-Scaled Fish charged straight at me.

I used [Seven Deadly Sins – Blessing of Greed] to erode the nearby water.

*Bubble, bubble—* The Iron-Scaled Fish slammed into me without slowing its swim.

[Spiked Armor’s durability has been reduced by 28%.]

The impact was noticeably lessened.

A dark crimson thread spread through the blue water, enveloping the Iron-Scaled Fish’s entire body.

– ‘To think you’d use that vile blessing in such a way.’

Nyx’s voice carried admiration.

By eroding the surrounding water with [Seven Deadly Sins – Blessing of Greed] and infusing it with mana, I turned it into a cushion.

While I couldn’t reduce the Iron-Scaled Fish’s charge to zero, I could divert a significant portion of the impact away from my body.

‘Anything can be useful if you know how to wield it.’

I crushed the Iron-Scaled Fish held in my arms.

Catching them was the hard part.

But once I got close enough, hunting an Iron-Scaled Fish was…

‘As easy as eating cold porridge.’

*Crunch!*

As I pressed down on its scales with [Mighty Strike], a chilling sound echoed.

The Iron-Scaled Fish thrashed.

It flopped for a while before its fins drooped limply.

‘The last one’s been hunted safely, too.’

I used [Devour] on the corpse of the Iron-Scaled Fish in my arms.

[Devouring the essence of Iron-Scaled Fish.]

[Essence devoured: 100%]

[You have completely absorbed one species’ essence.]

[Stamina +3]

[Endurance +3]

[Skill – Iron Scales has been added.]

[Iron Scales]

– Rank: ★
– Type: Active
– Protects the body with iron scales.
– Consumes a small amount of mana.

*Tch*, I clicked my tongue.

– ‘A dud, huh?’

Goddess, where did you even pick up that word?

But hey, like I said before—there’s no such thing as useless essence.

[Iron-Scaled Fish’s essence resonates with ‘Spiked Armor.’]

[Spiked Armor’s defense has increased.]

As expected.

Perhaps because they’re of a similar type, the abilities merged.

Or rather, as a trade-off.

The mana consumption increased, but thanks to [Dragon’s Heart], it wasn’t something to worry about.

– ‘Your abilities continue to evolve endlessly.’

Well, something like that.

Unable to respond underwater, I kept my thoughts to myself and surfaced above the lake.

“Jin-Ho-nim! You’re truly amazing!”

Oh Ji-Won cheered.

The way he addressed me had subtly shifted from “Player” to a respectful honorific.

“Why are you still here?”

“Huh?”

“You’ll get overtaken by Park Jong-Won at this rate.”

I replied curtly.

It’s nice to be looked at with admiration, but…

Your hyung is exhausted from all that splashing around, you know?

“Oh! You’re right. No time to dawdle.”

Oh Ji-Won sprang to his feet.

“Didn’t you say you had something for me?”

“That’s right. Here you go.”

I didn’t forget to take the spare clothes.

Oh Ji-Won hurriedly left the lakeside.

– ‘How cold-hearted of you.’

“What?”

– ‘It seems to me that lad is trying to win your favor.’

“He’s not a kid. I don’t have time to coddle him.”

I responded while putting on the clothes.

Teaming up with mediocre players won’t help me defeat the ancient gods.

At the very least, they’d need to be future high-rankers.

“For example…”

I glanced around the lakeside absentmindedly.

That’s when it happened.

My eyes accidentally met those of another player.

“Why is *she* here?!”

The words slipped out reflexively.

At the end of my gaze was a woman with short hair.

– ‘You mean that woman?’

“Goddess, hold on a second.”

I replied, my voice tinged with bewilderment.

The short-haired woman, weary with fatigue.

Her face was familiar.

If my memories from before regression are correct…

‘The Wall of Lament?’

The woman I locked eyes with.

Lee Ji-Young was a player destined to rise as one of Korea’s high-rankers in the distant future.

Wait a second.

Why is *she* here?

* * *

– ‘Contractor, are you acquainted with that woman?’

“Sort of.”

I answered with a wry tone.

It’s our first meeting in this life, but based on my pre-regression memories, I know her quite well.

No way.

I never dreamed she’d be a player from the same run as me.

– ‘Hmm, what kind of connection do you share with her…’

“Hold on.”

I cut Nyx off mid-sentence and fell into thought.

Dangun

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