The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring - M.L.U.B.D Chapter 5 (Part 2):

***

The Dragonfang Soldier’s Corpse.

I gulped.

Even weakened, his essence was the real deal.

This wasn’t my first time—even before regression, I’d often faced monsters weakened by the Tower’s system.

Devouring them came with no penalties.

I placed my hand on the corpse.

[Devouring the Dragonfang Soldier’s essence.]
[Essence Devoured: 100%]
[Essence Rank: Legendary]
[A species’ essence has been fully absorbed.]
[Stamina +15]
[Endurance +20]
[Mana +17]
[Skill – Dragon’s Heart has been acquired.]

A surge of satiety filled me.

The Dragonfang Soldier’s essence infused my body with new power.

“Heh heh heh.”

The true value of [Devour] wasn’t stat absorption—it lay elsewhere.

Devouring 100% of a creature’s essence granted not only stats but also unique abilities.

Taking the enemy’s powers!

Ordinary Players acquired skills through training, learning, or skill books.

But I could plunder unique skills just by slaying monsters.

I checked the new ability:

[Dragon’s Heart]
– Rank: ★★★★★
– Type: Passive
– Effect: Uses the heart as a core to accumulate mana.
Mana regenerates simply by breathing, and mana efficiency increases.
– Mana +30
– Mana Consumption -20%

Even this much was an incredible bonus.

+30 Mana and reduced consumption?

Right now, my mana stat was already far above average, so the effect wasn’t obvious.

But once I gathered more skills via [Devour], this would become a tremendous asset.

Yet, the system voice didn’t stop there.

[The Dragonfang Soldier’s ‘Dragon’s Heart’ resonates with with your Devour ability.]
[Grants additional Mana stat when using Devour.]

Skills of similar nature could resonate—either enhancing coefficients or unlocking new abilities.

The so-called 【Synergy】 effect.

The reason I pushed myself to challenge the Dragonfang Soldier.
Was the intention to avoid even the slightest loss when using Devour.

With nothing left to gain, I looked up.

Sand poured through the open ceiling.

…I have to climb back up that, don’t I?

Planting my feet firmly, I activated [Mighty Strike] and leaped with all my might.

—

I emerged from the pit.

Covered in sand, but the gains left me in high spirits.

‘Next target’s at the wasteland outskirts.’

After some walking, I spotted a green, pig-sized slime.

A Slime—the wasteland’s scavenger.

To find one so soon—

“I’m lucky.”

Its essence was my next priority after the Dragonfang Soldier.

As I closed in, the Slime slowly turned toward me.

No eyes, nose, or mouth—hard to tell which side was its face.

20 meters.

10 meters.

At 3 meters, the Slime twitched.

‘A tricky foe for newbie players.’

A monster made entirely of slime.

Highly resistant to physical attacks, as it dispersed impact.

To hunt Slimes effectively, fire/lightning skills or gear were needed.

I had neither—but I had a method.

At 1 meter—

“Churrrrp!”

With a bizarre sound, its gelatinous body expanded wide.

The Slime’s main attack was digestive fluid—engulfing prey and dissolving them.

‘That acid can melt steel.’

Though only with prolonged exposure.

Still, fighting one drained equipment durability drastically, making Slimes a nuisance for newbies.

‘Slimes may be tricky, but they aren’t invincible.’

The Slime stretched like pizza dough, revealing a green core at its center.

Now.

*Kwajik!*

My fist shattered the core in one blow.

No need for [Mighty Strike].

“Churrp?!”

The Slime let out a dying shriek before collapsing into a puddle.

[Experience increased by 2.1%.]

“Even notorious foes are manageable if you know the trick.”

Slimes only exposed their cores when engulfing prey—for about 1.5 seconds.

Time it right, and even a beginner could kill one.

Miss, and your skin might melt a little.

Now, time to Devour.

Without hesitation, I plunged my hand into the green goo.

Once the core was destroyed, the acid evaporated, so there was no risk of injury.

[Devouring the Slime’s essence.]
[Essence Rank: Common]

The pig-sized slime rapidly shriveled.

Soon, only a deflated husk remained—like a skinned animal.

[Essence Devoured: 3.1%]
[Strength +0.1]
[Stamina +0.2]

Devouring one Slime gave 0.3 stat points.

A way to grow beyond level-ups.

I smacked my lips at the sight of the slime’s hollowed husk.

Unlike the named Dragonfang Soldier, common monsters required repeated hunts to reach 100%.

I rubbed my stomach.

This hunger wouldn’t be sated until I devoured more essence.

Pulling my hand from the husk, I stood.

Now began the true [Devouring].

—

I roamed the wasteland, hunting Slimes.

This area must’ve been their territory—I found more in no time.

“Churup!”

Another Slime collapsed.

Green liquid pooled on the ground as I repeatedly plunged my hand into their bodies.

After some time—

[Devouring the Slime’s essence.]
[Essence Devoured: 100%]
[A species’ essence has been fully absorbed.]
[Skill – Dissolution acquired.]

[Dissolution]
– Rank: ★
– Type: Passive
– Effect: Increases absorption efficiency when consuming.

Just like with the Dragonfang Soldier, I’d gained another monster’s unique skill.

A skill that slightly boosted absorption efficiency—what use was that?

‘There’s no such thing as a bad skill.’

I smirked.

Dissolution.

On its own, it seemed like an unclear option.

What use is a slight increase in absorption rate when Devouring?

I’d thought the same in the past.

Until I uncovered the true potential of [Devour].

[The Slime’s ‘Dissolution’ resonates with your Devour ability.]
[Absorption efficiency applies to Devour. Devour efficiency +10%.]

Synergy with Devour!

The synergy effect didn’t care about skill rank.

Similar skills almost always triggered it.

‘That’s why I prioritized Slime essence.’

Not for nothing had I made it my top target!

Regression knowledge.

Experience earned through countless struggles climbing the Tower of Babel.

I knew exactly which essences synergized—and which to prioritize.

‘Now, time to hunt a Deep Slime.’

Deep Slime—a Slime variant, a rare species in the wasteland.

Rare species.

Monsters with unique abilities or exceptional combat power.

Players colloquially called them “boss monsters.”

‘Its essence carries a useful skill.’

*Growl.*

My stomach rumbled loudly.

Licking my lips, I headed toward where the Deep Slime lurked.

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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