The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 124

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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 124. The Pinnacle
Combination skills and ultimate fusion skills.
They were far more than mere combinations and mergers of abilities.
They were abilities developed by perfectly understanding the mechanism each power possessed, and supplementing and advancing the possibilities and limitations inherent to those genetic factors.
But Memoria lacked the power of Predator [S+].
Memoria had only replicated—never truly understood.
Therefore, Memoria could only use what I had already created.
He could only transcend the skills I had forged.
And so.
“The combat style you replicated from me remains incomplete.”
Memoria was incomplete.
My combat style. What they called the way of the Predator.
It was an imperfect combat system.
Not merely because I had yet to devour the biological evolution abilities of certain creatures.
But because I had yet to truly understand someone’s combat style.
A memory that even Memoria could not replicate.
When was it?
Ian had once asked me.
—Adrian, would you like to learn my swordsmanship?
Whether I would be willing to learn his technique.
* * *
I was training without fail, as always.
A combat style built upon biological evolution abilities.
The way of the Predator.
A fighting style that abandoned human convention.
Yet saying it was easy was one thing—executing it was infinitely difficult.
Born human, told not to fight like one—was such a thing even reasonable?
But what could I do?
I sought considerable counsel from Iliana.
“Evolution is imperfect. It’s crude patchwork. So to supplement those crude parts—”
She shared her vast knowledge with sincere dedication.
But understanding and practical application were entirely different matters.
I gained combat experience through sparring with Isolde.
“I have no intention of holding back.”
…Isolde certainly gave me a thorough beating.
She truly despised me, as always.
From Rielin, I learned how to utilize my surroundings and the natural environment.
“How tedious.”
She complained and grumbled every time.
Yet when she taught, she did so with genuine effort.
From Broombar, I learned how to temper my body like iron.
“Krahaha! Arms harder than metal are the true symbol of a master blacksmith!”
…That was the most grueling part.
Broombar, who struck metal with his fists and forearms instead of a hammer—what more could be said.
Gradually, I mastered the art of fighting in an inhuman manner.
After countless efforts, I finally managed to forge the Predator’s way.
But then suddenly, what?
“Adrian, you should learn my swordsmanship.”
“Okay.”
“You said you wouldn’t teach me before.”
“I think it’s fine now.”
Out of nowhere, all of a sudden?
“Didn’t you tell me not to fight like a human?”
“That still applies.”
“Then why?”
“Because I’m not telling you to use my swordsmanship.”
“…?”
“I mean it literally—to ‘learn’ my swordsmanship.”
Isn’t that the same thing?
“Ian, I can’t even handle or perceive mana.”
“I know.”
“Then you’re telling me to learn your swordsmanship? Do you really think I can?”
“It has nothing to do with mana.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying.”
Ian was serious.
“Even so, is there really a need to learn it?”
“Adrian, the place you must reach is ‘the apex of all living beings.'”
“What do you mean?”
“To become the ultimate lifeform, you must transcend humanity.”
The apex of all creatures, surpassing even dragons.
The Ultimate Lifeform.
Naturally, there was a need to surpass the species known as humans.
“So I’ll show you. The pinnacle of humanity.”
The pinnacle of humanity.
Ian referred to himself in such terms.
It was arrogant.
Yet I found myself forced to reconsider that judgment almost immediately.
What I witnessed through Ian.
What Ian revealed to me.
Not the pinnacle of humanity—.
* * *
…I can’t remember it.
No, I erased it from my memory myself.
What Ian showed me back then.
It was a wall I could never overcome.
A perfect ‘wall’ that wouldn’t even permit understanding.
No matter how hard I tried, no matter how desperately I struggled.
I could never reach Ian.
Unwilling to accept that truth, I erased those memories from my mind like a defense mechanism.
The current me has surpassed the Predator of my past life.
I obtained the abilities of rare monsters that I couldn’t devour with Predation [S+] in my past life.
I obtained the authority of the Legion Commander that I couldn’t devour with Predation [S+] in my past life.
I even obtained Ian’s abilities that didn’t exist in my past life.
I’ve made endless efforts, and I will continue to do so.
Yet no matter how much I imagine it.
No matter how hard I try to conjure it in my mind.
I cannot envision myself approaching Ian’s strength.
I cannot picture myself standing shoulder to shoulder with Ian.
And so, even now.
I am still ‘afraid’ to recall those memories.
To face the painful truth that I am nothing compared to Ian.
If this were something I could reach through effort, it wouldn’t feel so hopeless.
Ever since returning to the past, I’ve been thinking about it constantly.
Why did Ian try to hand everything over to me?
Sole Leveling [EX].
Successor’s Will [EX].
I am not strong enough to wield Ian’s abilities.
I cannot do as Ian does.
Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces.
Special Forces Duke Commander.
Now that I’ve shouldered them, even if only slightly, I understand.
The weight these two positions carry is vastly different.
And Ian, even you found this weight unbearable.
But Ian.
-Adrian, sometimes, you know? I wish the world would just give me a break.
-What are you suddenly talking about?
-Just don’t keep saying I can’t do everything. Don’t keep telling me to try harder and harder. I just wish it would ease up a little. I’ll live diligently.
Yet you endured.
You never fled, never turned away—you bore this weight in silent resignation.
So I will too.
I will face it head-on.
I will look directly without turning away.
Even if it’s a wall I can never overcome, I will confront it.
Back then.
-The swordsmanship I use is called Ultima Veritas.
What I saw through Ian was.
What Ian showed me was.
Not the pinnacle of humanity—.
-It consists of six basic sword forms, and each form condenses six martial mysteries within it.
Martial Ultra Instinct.
-Don’t overthink what we call martial mysteries.
Swift means speed.
But long before Ian even grasped and established the mystery of swiftness, the concept of speed already existed on this land.
Ian simply gave it a name and embodied it in his ‘blade’.
The first language was not born from writing.
Which means.
-Adrian, you can also embody it in your biological evolution ability.
The scattered memories begin to interlock piece by piece.
Things that were incomprehensible begin to take form.
-Flow is the current. Picture the image of water.
Water does not suppress force, nor does it break it.
Instead, it naturally accepts and lets it pass through.
Fluid movement without interruption.
It is merely a flow that connects everything as one—.
◆Skill, Mucus Cell [B-] is evolving!!
◆Evolved Skill, Slime Fluid [U] has been acquired!
-Stiffness is steadfastness. Picture a rock for a moment.
A rock does not waver, nor does it bend.
It does not yield to any impact.
It is not mere stubbornness.
A steadfastness that wavers before nothing.
Even when the wind blows, even when waves crash down.
The rock shall never waver—.
◆Skill, Reinforced Skin [B] is evolving!!
◆Evolved Skill, Rigid Body Transformation [U] has been acquired!
-How is it? Easy, right?
* * *
Adrian responded with something incomprehensible.
It appeared as if something from a distant beyond—nothing could be seen.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) gritted his teeth.
“An ability that hasn’t transcended its limits, no matter what!!”
It was merely an ordinary biological ability, after all.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) possessed the exact same power—.
“An ability with clear boundaries, nothing more!!!”
Fwishhhhh!!
Slashing attacks erupted in every direction Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) moved.
I altered my movement pattern, boldly plunging into the storm of blades.
Was I relying on my mucous cells?
His eyes gleamed as he read my movements.
‘Here it comes!’
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria)’s eyes flashed for an instant. I withdrew one foot backward, creating distance.
Yes, you were reading my tactics too.
“How naive!”
Crack!
The main blade tore through the space ahead. I didn’t retreat completely. I pushed my withdrawn foot forward again.
Sharpening the dragon’s claws to a lethal edge—.
Pressing forward, cutting off, slowing—.
Then exploding into acceleration once more.
—Boom! Crackle, crackle!!
“What!!”
Astonishment burst from my lips involuntarily.
This… this made no sense.
What was that movement just now?
The dragon’s claws came sweeping down again. Top to bottom.
There was no time to hesitate.
I raised the main blade to defend.
The main blade’s edge was a new material forged through nutrient creation.
Even dragon’s claws couldn’t pierce it.
Surely.
That’s how it should have been.
Screeeech—!
The defense shattered. The tremendous impact left me dazed, as if struck by a hammer.
Should I continue fighting like this?
Could I gain the upper hand through the transcendent ability of berserk enhancement?
An ominous premonition bloomed within me.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) clenched his teeth.
“This is ridiculous!!!”
…I couldn’t accept it.
I surged forward like lightning. The distance was closing.
Crack-crack-crack!!
The Bone Blade whirled in all directions, cleaving through space itself.
Adrian didn’t dodge. He couldn’t dodge.
As expected.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) smiled.
—Boom!!
A deafening roar erupted.
Adrian took the full force of the attack head-on.
But what enveloped Adrian was not dragon skin.
‘Reinforced skin?’
An ability that Adrian Whitewolf (Memoria) also possessed.
A biological evolution ability with clear limitations.
Yet the Bone Blade couldn’t penetrate deeply.
‘Surpassed a transcendent ability?’
That was… impossible.
This was.
A memory that cannot be replicated.
A wall that cannot be crossed.
A world beyond that can never be reached.
* * *
“Impossible!! I cannot accept this!!!”
Memoria shrieked with trembling eyes.
“I! You!! Your very existence!!”
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!!
Tremendous power whirled and crashed down.
A distortion spread as if existence itself were warping—
“You’ve surpassed me!!!”
Perhaps that’s true.
No, you certainly have surpassed me.
But Memoria.
You do not possess Ian’s power, have never borne Ian’s weight—
the limit my past self could reach.
The me of yesterday, perhaps the me of another future.
Therefore, you are—
No, I as well.
Martial Ultra Instinct.
We cannot touch that distant realm beyond.
—Adrian, in your own way.
I will walk in mine.
◆You have acquired the Ultimate Skill, Predator [M]!!
The me standing before you.
The me from my past life.
The limits of my existence.
◆Predator [M]
: Upon activation of this skill, the player’s predatory instinct [S+] reaches [Extremity], achieving complete dominion through instinct and [evolving] into a [Predator].
Throughout the skill’s duration, the player executes [instinctive] optimal combat responses [without conscious deliberation], bypassing all [judgment processes] derived from [sensory perception], thereby achieving [biological maximum level] instantaneous and efficient combat.
And so, someday.
—I’ll surpass you, Adrian.
Ian, I’ll reach toward you as well.
“I’m going.”
◆Activating Extremity Skill, Predator [M]!!
* * *
I don’t… understand.
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoryier) staggered backward several steps.
I feel no heartbeat.
…What is this?
Adrian Whitewolf (Memoryier) lowered his gaze to his chest. But the heart that should have been there was nowhere to be seen.
A chest torn away with brutal savagery.
An empty void beyond the gaping wound.
Regeneration does not occur.
The power of rampage scatters and dissipates in an instant.
Splurt—!
Only after droplets of blood scattered through the air did Adrian Whitewolf (Memoryier) comprehend.
You finally… surpassed yourself.
But I… could not surpass myself.
I drew infinitely closer—.
I struggled to reach that end—.
Yet I never touched it.
A perfect… defeat of my own making.
“Kgh—hack!!”
I coughed up surging blood countless times.
Even as I clenched my lips to suppress it, crimson blood streamed freely between them.
With trembling eyes, I gazed upon Adrian.
It was only for a moment… but I think I saw it.
That distant place you pursue, that distant place you seek to reach.
That path will surely be arduous and difficult.
I can boldly declare it impossible.
Just as I never reached it, I am certain you too will never touch that place—.
And yet.
“It may seem strange for me to say this to you….”
As one who was once myself—
“Your dream….”
And my dream—
“May it reach that end….”
I earnestly wished.
* * *
Thud.
Memoria collapsed limply, his chest torn open.
No heart was visible within the gaping wound.
Memoria’s heart pulsed in my grip.
It wasn’t complete death.
But without a heart, I could no longer use Regeneration [B+].
Even Super Regeneration [A], transcended through Berserk [A], was the same.
◆You have defeated Adrian Whitewolf (Memoryier)!
◆You have gained 545,000 combat experience!
◆Your level has increased!
As if announcing the victor of my battle, translucent text floated before my eyes.

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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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