The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 125

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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 125. The Limit
Memoria collapsed—
A sense of complete exhaustion, as though my entire body had been wrung dry, consumed me.
I couldn’t muster any strength in my limbs.
Perhaps it was because there was no related Quest for this.
No notification of Rampage appeared.
…I was truly grateful for that.
Had I faced Rampage in this state, I feared my mind would shatter entirely.
“Ugh…!!”
Predator [M].
An ultimate skill that fully awakened the primal instinct of Predation [S+].
A skill that entrusted all cognitive processes and judgments to ‘instinct’, allowing the body rather than the mind to perceive and act autonomously.
Through this, I gained reaction speeds that transcended spinal reflexes.
In simpler terms, a skill that reduced reaction time to nearly 0 milliseconds.
Biological maximum-level response.
It was no coincidence that the measurement grade was designated as [M], signifying Myth.
One tier higher than Radiant Dragon’s Wrath [L].
Because of this, the side effects were catastrophic.
The first was mental.
Since all cognition and judgment were surrendered to instinct and body, rationality was utterly excluded.
Uncontrolled ferocity.
In my past life, I would have become nothing more than a rampaging beast, unable to distinguish ally from enemy.
But now it was different.
Successor’s Will [EX].
With mental fortitude reaching aleph-null, I could maintain self-control without losing consciousness.
I had overcome the most lethal side effect.
Yet because instinct ‘completely’ dominated me, conscious judgment was excluded.
Because of this, I couldn’t engage in tactical combat.
Bound only to combat instinct, this created disadvantages that could lead to inappropriate actions or excessive aggression.
But the greatest side effect and weakness of the ultimate skill, Predator [M], was…
“Kgh…!!”
Bodily overload.
Bypassing all judgment processes derived from sensory perception data.
Thereby unleashing immediate and efficient movements at ‘biological maximum-level’.
This meant, in other words, that biological functions exceeded their limits.
It also meant that biological maximum-level strain was being imposed.
“Ggghhh…!!”
My entire body felt as though it would tear apart.
No—it had already torn apart.
Muscle fibers were completely ruptured, bone density shattered under the pressure, and the nervous system was literally severed from overload.
This was not the end.
Perhaps because I had pushed the instinct of Predator [S+] to its absolute limit.
It wasn’t merely physical overload—
◆Error: Skill Regeneration [B+] cannot be used.
◆A 24-hour cooldown has been applied.
The skill itself had overloaded.
Predator [M] was a skill that incinerated everything I possessed.
In any case, it would not have been strange to die right then and there.
Yet what allowed me to endure was—
Ian’s ability, Level Up Alone [EX].
‘Thank goodness I raised my stats…’
Otherwise, my body would have been torn to shreds and decomposed during Predator [M].
“Hnngh!”
I drew in a breath and lifted the heart in my hand.
Memoria’s heart.
A heart completely drained of vitality could not be devoured by Predator [S+].
My entire body felt as though it would tear apart, but I endured.
This had to be devoured by Predator [S+].
Without hesitation, I brought Memoria’s heart to my lips.
Crunch.
The tough texture of the heart spread throughout my mouth—
◆You have devoured the entity: Memoria!
The message materialized before my eyes.
Fortunately, Predator [S+] had no cooldown.
Memoria, who had perfectly replicated my abilities.
I was curious what power I would gain, when suddenly—
Sssssssssss—!
Pitch-black darkness abruptly obscured my vision.
A side effect of Predator [S+].
This was madness of an entirely different dimension.
Sssssssssss—!
The darkness grew ever thicker.
Reality warped and space collapsed inward.
All sensation blurred, and the boundaries of existence dissolved.
Time flowed as though frozen, twisted, shattered, and corroded—
【
In exploring the ultimate infinity, I suddenly questioned.
】
A strange phantasm suddenly engulfed my vision.
* * *
A state of endless expansion and growth.
We call this “Infinity.”
And infinity can be compared in magnitude.
In other words, infinities of different sizes exist.
After years of inquiry, I discovered multiple infinities of different magnitudes.
But the ultimate infinity.
An infinity greater than any other infinity.
That, I could not find.
Perhaps that is what we might call the end of infinity.
The end of infinity.
If I could find that, I could surely find the ultimate infinity as well.
Let me shift my perspective.
What about the opposite?
Rather than growing infinitely larger, could I find the end of infinity in something growing infinitely smaller?
In this world, there exists a number smaller than which nothing can be.
Zero—the non-existent.
No number exists smaller than zero.
Negative numbers are merely concepts and directions; in terms of mass and existence, nothing can be smaller than zero.
Therefore, in the realm of infinite diminishment alone, infinity becomes finite.
I had found a thread to follow.
The end of infinity in the state of becoming smaller.
Let me seek what exists at that end.
Perhaps it can be found in the zero-dimensional world, in a Point.
Now, here is a single point.
Do you see it?
Of course you don’t.
A point has neither area nor length.
A point is zero.
When such points gather, they form a Line.
A line has length.
…But what is this?
A point has no length.
It has no volume, no size, nothing—it is zero.
Yet when points gather, they become a Line with length?
Zero plus zero is merely zero.
Zero plus zero plus zero plus zero is merely zero.
No matter how many zeros you add, the result is only zero.
…But what is this?
Was a point not zero?
Did it merely appear to be zero?
Let me subdivide the point further. Subdivide it even more.
Again, again, again, again, infinitely….
Yes, I think this is sufficient now.
Let me gather these infinitely subdivided points back together.
A point. Done!
…Wait, hold on.
…A line has formed again.
When the points were ‘finite in number’, they were certainly points.
But when infinite points gathered, they became a line.
Adding zero infinitely many times created something.
…Infinity had created existence from nothingness.
In other words, the value of 0×∞ was not zero.
This meant that before infinity, there is no such thing as a complete zero.
There exists only that which approaches zero infinitely closely.
Even within infinitely diminishing points, length and magnitude existed (merely so infinitesimally small as to be meaningless), and they never became zero.
There is no end to the process of becoming smaller.
Does infinity truly have no end?
It is premature to conclude.
Consider a number that repeats infinitely.
For instance, the number [0.9999…].
This would be a number that only ‘approaches’ 1 infinitely closely.
Let me compare the magnitude of this and 1.
Since it only approaches infinitely closely, it should be smaller than 1, even if only minutely (however infinitesimally small as to be meaningless).
Yet that was not the case.
The answer was ‘they are equal’.
This is not merely ‘let us assume they are equal’ for convenience.
The infinitely continuing [0.9999…] is ‘perfectly identical’ to 1 with not a single error of difference.
The proof was simple.
1/3 equals [0.3333…].
Multiply each by 3.
The conclusion is that 1 equals [0.9999…].
What of it in a world that diminishes infinitely?
Is there not even the slightest difference, like a point (so infinitesimally small as to be meaningless)?
There was absolutely none.
Even in a world diminishing infinitely, the two are thoroughly identical numbers.
…I have reached an end.
A question arose.
What is the difference, then?
Both only approach infinitely closely.
Yet why are the results so utterly different?
One had certainly reached its end.
Yet why could the other not reach that same end?
…The answer seems to lie here.
I cannot discern what it is.
But if I could only find the difference between the two, I would be able to comprehend infinity itself.
And thus, at the end of infinity where no end exists, at the contradiction, at the terminus.
At the very truth of this world.
I would finally be able to touch it.
* * *
◆The Successor’s Will [EX] resists the Forgotten Unknown Record!
◆3,024 Sanity points have accumulated!
A translucent message flickered before my eyes.
In that same instant, my fragmented memories returned to me all at once.
“Ugh…!!”
My head felt as though it might split apart.
A staggering 3,024 Sanity points.
The overwhelming vertigo left me unable to maintain my balance.
Already overloaded from Predator [EX], my body simply would not obey.
I dropped to one knee and collapsed to the ground.
“Haah…! Haah…!!”
I gasped for breath with tremendous effort.
Forcing myself to steady, I recalled the memory from the vision.
Honestly, I couldn’t quite make sense of it.
But it was identical to before.
The vision I had witnessed when I devoured Avarus with Predation [S+].
The speaker in that vision was the same.
Someone who called themselves a hero.
Yet not Ian.
Only the content differed.
It seemed to be embodying Memoria in some way.
Someone who had tried to draw infinitely close to me—.
Someone who had sought to reach the end, yet ultimately could not—.
It was then.
◆You have acquired the Conceptual Skill, Limit [M]!
◆Limit [M]
: A state in which any concept approaches a specific value infinitely. The player may attempt to graft a specific concept based on [Understanding of Limit]. When grafted, the state of that concept is converted to Limit.
Contrary to my expectation of acquiring an ability related to myself, I had obtained a different skill instead.
It seemed I had obtained the authority possessed by the Commander of Darkness.
In other words, the power of the Darkness Lord.
I was rather pleased by this.
Another level of Another.
I’d managed to obtain a fragment of power that even Ian couldn’t resist.
The measurement grade was [M], signifying mythology.
And it was a conceptual skill like Infinity [M].
In other words, a skill requiring comprehension.
But for now, I grafted it onto everything indiscriminately.
In that moment.
◆The conceptual skill Limit [M] and Dragon’s Claw [A] are being grafted together.
Unexpectedly, as it grafted with Dragon’s Claw [A].
◆You have acquired the fusion skill ‘Monomolecular Blade [S]’.
◆Monomolecular Blade [S]
: The player consumes [50kcal](per second) to converge the [contact area] where Dragon’s Claw [A] touches toward the [limit] of [0].
Thereby, the player severs [molecular-level] [bonding structures], and regardless of [any material whatsoever], [completely ignores durability and defense by 100%], inflicting direct damage.
【This skill can be toggled On/Off.】
【This skill is a fusion skill combining Dragon’s Claw [A] and Limit [M].】
…It was an insane skill.
The measurement grade was [S]-rank.
The same grade as Predator’s Instinct [S].
The effect was a complete 100% negation of durability and defense.
In other words, it cannot be blocked physically.
Moreover, magical defense, aura protection, sorcerous mystery, and divine blessing all become meaningless.
The biologically supreme and ultimate weapon.
Truly, a broken skill rivaling Predator’s Instinct [S].
No, in some respects, it was even more broken than Predator’s Instinct [S].
Moreover, the fact that Limit [M] was a conceptual skill was absurd.
Just like Infinity [M], raising the comprehension of Limit [M] meant it could be grafted with other skills as well.
But comprehension wasn’t something I could address right now.
Above all, there was no time to worry about comprehension.
The battle wasn’t over.
The Abyss Spider, pregnant with fifty thousand offspring.
She still remained.
The Abyss Spider was a legion commander of the Abyss Legion, like Crawlgar.
But unlike Iratum, Luseria had not yet been chosen.
Therefore, even if she manifested using Luseria as a medium, she wouldn’t be able to maintain a complete manifestation.
And yet.
‘I can’t handle this.’
Seraphia alone wouldn’t suffice.
We’re on different levels.
Both metaphorically and literally, we’re on different ‘dimensions’.
Even the Spirit Summoner, a hero of the Allied Forces, couldn’t easily contend with the Abyss Spider.
Wasn’t Seraphia the very one whom even the Banshee and Gremlin feared?
Mental communion has its limits.
The unknown terror bestowed by the Abyss Spider.
Seraphia cannot overcome it.
I must prevent Seraphia from awakening as the Frost Lord at all costs.
I need to move.
But then, at that very moment.
“You there!!”
A shout suddenly echoed from behind.
When I turned my head, Leon was rushing toward me in a flustered panic.
* * *
Adrian moving toward somewhere.
Leon hurried after him urgently.
“You there!! Are you alright?!”
Adrian, seen up close, was in a terrible state.
He swayed constantly as though even supporting his own body was difficult, yet his mind remained remarkably lucid.
“Your Highness? How did you come to be here? What of Seraphia…?”
“Your sister is here.”
Leon carefully lowered Seraphia from his back.
She lay motionless as though dead.
Yet her soft, steady breathing could be heard in the silence.
“Don’t worry. She’s merely unconscious for now.”
“What happened?”
“Truly, something extraordinary occurred.”
Leon briefly explained what had transpired before.
From the battle with Luseria to the desperate struggle against the Abyss Spider.
Adrian’s eyes widened considerably as well.
“Right up until she lost consciousness, she was desperately trying to help you.”
Leon gazed at the unconscious Seraphia once more, then shook his head slowly.
“But what of you? Are you alright?”
Leon assessed Adrian’s condition.
Adrian, battered and broken.
It was astonishing that he remained standing at all.
“Where were you trying to go in such a state?”
“I was attempting to help.”
“In that condition?”
Even to the naked eye, his muscles were torn and his bones screamed in agony.
“Your Highness.”
Adrian suddenly spoke.
“I apologize, but might I also ask for your assistance?”
“Huh? What do you mea—”
Leon’s words never reached completion.
Adrian suddenly lost his balance.
Like a puppet with its strings cut, Adrian collapsed with a heavy thud.
Leon had no chance to catch him.
“You! Stay with me!!”
Though Leon shook his body vigorously, Adrian lay limp and unresponsive, having lost consciousness entirely.
Yet the faint sound of his breathing still reached Leon’s ears.
Leon exhaled a sigh of relief.
Then, in that moment.
Adrian and Seraphia.
The sight of the two unconscious figures gazing toward one another.
Despite being battered and broken enough to lose consciousness, both were consumed with worry for the other.
Leon smiled.
Though not a drop of blood bound them together….
“No wonder they’re siblings.”
The depth and strength of their concern for each other surpassed any bond of kinship.
* * *
The black veil that had engulfed the entire Royal Palace.
It tore apart in an instant, scattering away as urgent footsteps echoed from all directions.
-How dare you cause such a disturbance in this place!
-This is a Royal Court order. Stand aside, Head Maid.
-A Royal Court order? Do you not know who resides here, Captain Lucas?
-I do know.
-Then how could you—
-The Royal Court has ordered the arrest of Queen Marceline.
-…What?
-If you do not stand aside, I will consider you complicit in treason.
-Tr, treason?! What on earth—!
The Head Maid outside the door was bewildered.
Queen Marceline, listening to the commotion from within, was no less shocked.
This couldn’t be happening.
“What is the meaning of this…?”
Queen Marceline’s eyes widened in profound distress.

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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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