The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 121. The Darkness Legion Commander
Someone with an appearance identical to mine.
It wasn’t just the appearance.
The information visible through the Predator’s Instinct [S] was also the same as mine.
The only difference, if any, was the information contained in the ‘name’.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoryier).
‘Memoryier?’
…I’d never heard of it before.
Even examining the memories and experiences of my past life, there was no information about Memoryier.
Using the Predator’s Instinct [S], fortunately, information about Memoryier surfaced before my eyes.
◆Memoria
: An information lifeform that perfectly replicates a target’s memories, experiences, and information. It not only recreates appearance but also age, health condition, habits, personality, and even trauma, and can even utilize their abilities.
Replication that transcends mere mimicry.
Only now could I understand.
Rule 6 of The Vanished Social Club.
[Rule 6] – If the next Cult gathering proceeds without the Anomaly being eliminated, ⱩἷⱲἰⱷⱲⱩⱾ will devour your memories and soul. You must eliminate the Anomaly without fail.
The ⱩἷⱲἰⱷⱲⱩⱾ that devours memories and soul.
That must have been Memoryier.
However, at that time, its existence had not yet been identified.
That’s why the content appeared corrupted.
But as the Cult repeated dozens of times, it absorbed my memories and experiences sufficiently.
In that it mimics its target, Memoryier was similar to a homunculus.
But fundamentally, it was different.
An information lifeform.
Memoryier doesn’t absorb the target’s genetics; it absorbs memories and information to form its existence.
In other words, it’s not mere mimicry but closer to ‘perfect replication’.
Above all, in that it deals with ‘memories and information’—
‘The Darkness Lord.’
…It’s related to him.
But to call it The Darkness Lord?
That’s somewhat of a stretch.
Which means—
‘The Darkness Legion Commander.’
I arrived at this conclusion.
Then the fact that I have no information whatsoever related to Memoryier is explained.
Just like The Darkness Lord, information about Memoryier must have been forgotten.
In that sense—
The Vanished Social Club.
This space seemed to be a ‘breeding ground’ for nurturing Memoryier.
The high-ranking nobles of the kingdom who attended the Cult.
A terrible and colossal scheme to ‘memorialize’ all their memories and information, consuming the Battenberg Kingdom itself.
That was the true purpose of this Cult.
But my existence had derailed their plan.
Because I was not forgotten even within the cycle, because I perceived the flow and resisted, Memoria could not consume any existence other than me.
However, in exchange, my memories and existence were etched far more deeply.
He replicated my abilities ‘perfectly’.
It was absurd for me to say such a thing, but….
‘I certainly do have quite a few abilities.’
Yet there were abilities that Memoria could not replicate.
The abilities he replicated were ‘perfect’, but he could not replicate every ability ‘completely’.
Sole Leveling [EX].
Successor’s Will [EX].
And Predation [S+].
The most important and core abilities remained unreplicated.
Whether he could not replicate them.
Or whether he simply lacked enough cycles to do so.
I had no way of knowing which.
But it hardly mattered.
In the current situation.
A situation where Leveling and Predation [S+] could not be used.
Those were not abilities that would determine the outcome.
Therefore, I could consider him an existence equal to my current self.
Perhaps that was why.
At precisely the same moment, we lunged toward each other.
* * *
Kaaaaang—!!
A chilling metallic crash as forces collided.
Sparks erupted with an eerie brilliance, the very air trembling from the impact.
At the center of it all stood Adrian and Adrian.
Two identical beings, their claws locked against each other.
“What… what is that…?”
First Prince Leon’s mind was half-shattered by the mounting confusion.
Seraphia was no different.
Her eyes fluttered as she alternated her gaze between the two Adrians.
‘Brother… there are two of him…!’
Perfectly identical appearance, identical stance, identical strength.
Movements mirrored with absolute precision, not a single deviation.
“You’d like nothing more than to eliminate me and take my place—”
“But that won’t happen.”
Even their voices were perfectly identical.
Two completely identical beings were trying to kill each other.
Seraphia swallowed hard, her breath tense.
I had to help.
…But.
‘I can’t tell which one is the real older brother…!’
I couldn’t distinguish which Adrian was genuine.
Their claws tore through the air, each striking at the other.
The same reaction speed.
Perfectly identical attack patterns.
And perfectly identical counterattacks.
Reading each other’s moves and counterattacking simultaneously, they met again with the same movements.
Like two fighters facing each other in a mirror.
‘If this continues…!’
Seraphia clenched her fists.
I had to find a way to distinguish the real Adrian.
Otherwise, my real older brother might die.
Seraphia’s eyes darted rapidly.
The two Adrians fighting at tremendous speed.
I couldn’t follow them.
But in the brief gaps created each time they clashed.
Using those moments, I found the difference between them.
Right then.
“That won’t do.”
A voice suddenly rang out.
Turning my head, Luseria wore a leisurely smile.
“Don’t think of interfering in someone else’s fight. Why don’t we play together instead?”
Darkness spread from Luseria’s fingertips.
* * *
In an instant, Luseria’s darkness consumed the space.
I moved to block it immediately.
But something stood in my way.
Dragon claws extending in a straight line.
They sought to pierce my heart.
‘Danger!’
As I twisted my torso, the opposite dragon claws extended as if anticipating this very move.
Movements that completely saw through my habits and behavioral patterns.
It was only natural.
That was Memoria, grown by devouring my memories and soul.
A being perfectly identical to me.
But the reverse was equally true.
Dragon’s Claw [A] against Dragon’s Claw [A].
The same abilities collide in mid-air.
Once. Twice.
Relentless attacks clash without pause, leaving no room to breathe.
Clang, clang! Clang clang!
Crack!
‘Now!’
Driving inward, I seize Memoria’s arm. He flinches in surprise and pulls his body back.
That won’t do.
I wrench Memoria’s captured arm with all my strength—
Crunch!
The sound of flesh and bone grinding together echoes.
Blood sprays, and Memoria’s severed arm whirls through the air.
But wait. That wasn’t my doing.
I didn’t tear off his arm.
Memoria.
He severed his own captured arm himself.
Thus, Memoria creates distance.
I don’t pursue.
As I shift my gaze to the side, the darkness slowly dissipates.
Luseria and Seraphia have vanished.
‘Leon…’
He’s nowhere to be seen either.
It seems he was swept away and disappeared along with Seraphia.
Or perhaps Luseria targeted them both.
As I turn my gaze forward again, Memoria’s severed arm has fully regenerated.
Regeneration [B+]—his ability.
It’s strange for me to say such a thing…
“You’re a monster.”
“Look who’s talking.”
We stand facing each other in a tense standoff.
A situation where we each see through the other’s thoughts.
Every strategy and movement I conceive is read. Any careless action would open me to a counterattack.
“Weren’t you in a hurry?”
Memoria speaks first.
“If time slips away, you don’t know what will happen to my sister, do you?”
Luseria’s Mental Intrusion [E].
Luseria can spiritually corrupt Seraphia.
In other words, if I delay, The Frost Lord could awaken.
That’s why I had to dispose of Memoria quickly.
‘This won’t work in my current state.’
Abilities identical in every way.
There exists no variable capable of determining victory.
* * *
A space of darkness that swallowed even light itself.
Luseria smiled with satisfaction.
This was Luseria’s domain.
In other words, the territory of a dark sorcerer.
Here, everything bowed to Luseria’s dominion.
Luseria lifted her gaze toward what lay before her.
First Prince Leon clutched his head, visibly disoriented.
Seraphia’s eyes wavered as she glanced frantically about her surroundings.
She appeared to maintain relative composure, yet her small shoulders trembled with tension.
‘That’s how it should be.’
Once one entered this place, terror was inevitable.
As long as one remained human, fear held dominion.
‘I have no idea how that reckless fool managed to endure it….’
Adrian was not here.
Here, I faced no interference.
I could pierce Seraphia’s mind and corrupt her from within.
Once I brought all of this to successful completion.
‘He will choose me as well.’
Luseria’s eyes gleamed with anticipation—
Ssssshhhhh—!
Black tendrils erupted from her fingertips, writhing forth to ensnare Seraphia’s consciousness.
“Ugh…!”
Seraphia staggered, gripping her head.
Complete assimilation.
Now, there was no escape.
Luseria’s smile deepened.
It was time to finish this.
* * *
My battle with Memoria, who possessed abilities identical to my own.
Time could only be consumed.
But that was all.
Time was neither ‘pressing’ nor ‘scarce’.
“As expected—the memories tied to abilities I couldn’t replicate also couldn’t be replicated.”
“…What do you mean?”
Memoria’s eyes widened at my words.
In other words, Memoria was unaware of this truth.
◆I activate the Bond Skill, Mental Empathy [E]!
Bond Skill, Mental Empathy [E].
A skill usable only on individuals at the “Bond Stage” of affinity.
Memoria could not replicate Ian’s abilities.
Thus, he could not replicate the Bond Skills that stemmed from affinity, nor did he even know such skills existed.
If a skill cannot be replicated, neither can the memories tied to it.
As proof of this.
‘He doesn’t seem to remember his past life.’
Because he could not replicate my abilities.
Memoria could not replicate the power of regression, nor could he replicate the memories of past lives.
In the first place, I never possessed a regression ability to begin with.
In other words, Memoria perfectly replicated my ‘abilities and experiences.’
But he could not replicate my ‘connections and bonds.’
As a result, he remains completely unaware that Seraphia is being influenced by the Successor’s Will [EX].
Seraphia stands isolated, cut off from the rest.
In fact, this worked out well.
In the chaotic melee where neither Memoria nor I could be distinguished, Seraphia would have hesitated to invoke her authority.
Seraphia, whose mastery of the Frost Lord’s Authority [P] remains unrefined.
In a situation where she cannot discern who the real me is, wielding her authority becomes all the more difficult.
But in a situation like this?
Luseria, the Enchantress of Lust.
No matter how formidable a dark mage she may be.
“You made a mistake.”
Before an Anomaly of the Frost Lord’s caliber, she is nothing but a mere charlatan.
* * *
Seraphia’s rationality erodes slowly, yet inexorably.
‘Finally…!’
Luseria was certain of victory.
In that instant.
Something shattered the encroachment.
Pop—!
Within Seraphia’s fading consciousness, a small yet powerful resistance bloomed.
Luseria’s eyes wavered for a moment.
“…What?”
The tendrils of darkness extending from her fingertips froze solid.
Seraphia lifted her head.
Eyes like rubies set in stone, burning crimson.
Her focus crystalline and absolute.
…She had broken free from the mental encroachment.
“Why… why is this happening…?”
It couldn’t be. It simply couldn’t be.
Impossible… it was impossible.
Luseria’s feet stumbled backward in an instant.
An instinctive reaction.
Yet contrary to instinct, reason could not comprehend what was happening.
“What, what is this….”
Frost descended.
The air crystallized, and a biting chill wrapped around the darkness.
“Why…? How could this be? No, how is this possible?”
A deafening roar tore through the space─!!
The darkness twisted.
Space itself warped.
A cold and immense power surged into Luseria’s domain, overwhelming it.
Luseria frantically waved her hands.
But the darkness that bloomed suffocated and vanished beneath the frigid chill.
A crackling sound echoed─!!
Now.
This place was no longer the domain of a dark mage.
The Frost Lord’s empress.
“Return my brother to me this instant!!”
A cold silence wrapped around the space in a single moment.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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