The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 140

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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 140. Beneath Heaven, There Cannot Be Two Suns (1)
A strange silence permeated the reception hall of Count’s Castle.
Broombar remained silent, lost in deep contemplation.
Then.
“An Ogre…!”
Seraphia, the human woman, murmured softly to herself.
And Adrian, whose words had abruptly ceased.
Adrian had said nothing since earlier.
He merely stared blankly into empty space, his expression twisted into something incomprehensible and strange.
“….”
Broombar’s expression grew progressively darker.
The mightiest predator on earth—the Ogre.
Hunting an Ogre was truly, truly perilous.
The strength of Broombar and the dwarves alone would not suffice.
And so the positions had shifted.
Broombar was no longer in a position to entertain Adrian’s proposals.
He had become the one beseeching Adrian instead.
To beseech a human—it transcended mere entanglement.
Broombar’s pride would never permit it—yet.
“…I beg of you.”
Broombar lowered his head.
As the clan leader of the dwarves, to protect what must be protected.
“Feractrum requires Runesteel.”
Without Runesteel, Feractrum would crumble.
The homeland where dwarves had dwelt and the history of their ancestors would vanish.
“The mathematics of this arrangement are rather unfavorable, I’m afraid….”
Adrian’s expression grew somewhat troubled—.
“Well, very well.”
As though fortune had aligned perfectly, he smiled with a sly grin.
“If you would grant me just one more request, I shall cooperate in hunting the Ogre.”
A request brimming with human avarice.
I knew not what Adrian would ask for….
“…Very well.”
Broombar had no choice but to accept, whatever it might be.
* * *
The Arcanoheart transport operation.
Of course, if the Arcanoheart could be stored in my inventory, the matter would be resolved simply.
But that possibility seemed rather slim.
Moreover, even if storage in my inventory were possible, my resolve to hunt the Ogre would not waver.
None other than an Evolution Quest.
==[There Cannot Be Two Suns Beneath Heaven]==
[Objective] – Devour an Ogre
[Reward] – 【Primordial Human】 Bloodline Awakening
[Refusal] – No Penalty
‘Primordial Human, then.’
I couldn’t fathom what it meant.
But I had seen it before.
In Memoria, the one who had cloned me.
When I had analyzed Memoria’s biological classification through my Predator’s Instinct [S], it was precisely ‘Primordial Human’.
‘Was that what it meant by Memoria?’
Now that I thought about it, Memoria had been a perfect genetic replica of me.
In other words, Memoria’s biological classification was essentially my own.
And thinking further….
‘I’ve never actually used Predator’s Instinct on myself before.’
There had been no reason or need to.
If I wanted to know my own information?
I could simply summon 「Player Information」 and be done with it.
But since things had come to this point.
I activated Predator’s Instinct [S], and information different from 「Player Information」 surfaced.
==【Character Information】==
Name: Adrian Whitewolf
Classification: Animalia, Mammalia, Hominidae, Primordial Human
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Traits: Solo Leveling [EX], Successor’s Will [EX], Predation [S+], Regeneration [B+], Nutrient Synthesis [B], Metabolic Acceleration [C+], Dragon’s Claw [A], Metabolic Runaway [U], Dragon’s Skin [U], Predator’s Instinct [S], Weakness Detection [U], Infinity [M], Radiant Dragon’s Wrath [L], Berserk [?], Assimilation [B], Low-Light Vision [C], Mental Communion [E], Mucous Fluid [U], Rigid Transformation [U], Predator [M], Extreme [M], Monomolecular Blade [S], Dragon Burst [E], Oath of Loyalty [U]
Unlike Memoria, I could see Ian’s abilities and Predation [S+] as well.
Bond skills including Predator [M].
And the skills I had evolved since my battle with Memoria.
‘…There are quite a lot.’
Truly, there were many.
However, I couldn’t see any fusion skills.
It seemed I would need to transcend them through Berserk [?] first—.
‘Primordial Human.’
My biological classification was displayed as ‘Primordial Human’.
But.
‘What is this?’
I had never learned about it from Iliana.
Primordial organisms.
I had heard of those.
But Primordial Human was something I had never encountered before.
…it seemed like I wasn’t being treated as human.
Yet based on the term “proto-” in proto-human, I appeared to be classified as human.
Therefore, if “proto-” in protozoa meant simply primitive life forms—
Proto-Human.
That would be a rough definition.
But if “proto-” meant “beginning,” then it would signify origin—
Primogenian.
That would be a rough definition.
I wasn’t certain which one it was.
Based on the word “bloodline” from the evolution Quest, at least…
‘Does it relate to predation?’
My ability, Predation [S+].
‘Even Iliana couldn’t explain it.’
How I could devour a prey’s heart and instantly absorb the abilities that prey possessed, achieving such dramatic evolution.
Iliana couldn’t explain that mechanism.
And thus couldn’t explain what “I” was.
The current Iliana would be no different.
In other words.
‘There’s nothing I can know right now.’
But once I clear the evolution Quest and awaken to whether I’m of primogenian bloodline, I’ll be able to know anything.
In that sense, I was determined to hunt ogres.
Above all.
‘Ogres…’
An opportunity to use Predation [S+] on an ogre had come right to my feet.
I couldn’t afford to miss this chance.
Ogres are called the pinnacle of biological evolution.
Whales that adapted to land and evolved—ogres.
Ogres inherited the whale’s immense size entirely, yet mutated to possess other genetic traits and extreme survivability.
Thick subcutaneous fat layers and dense skeletal structure.
Muscle architecture that surpasses all others is literally a “natural disaster.”
The skin is hard like chitin, and the internal organs and nervous system have redundant structures, so they don’t fall even from fatal wounds.
Thus, in my previous life, just once.
I had encountered an ogre.
But I couldn’t use Predation [S+].
It was for the same reason as with the Warlord.
—I couldn’t be certain I could subdue you without killing you.
Even Ian couldn’t handle my madness if I used Predation [S+] on an ogre.
In other words, at minimum a legion commander-class being.
Possibly even beyond that.
That’s why The Emperor attempted to rear one as a strategic weapon, and ultimately “gave up” on the specimen.
The ferocious nature inherited from the whale never bowed even to The Emperor, and whenever an Ogre rampaged, an entire fortress of The Empire crumbled to dust.
In the end, The Emperor abandoned breeding them and drove the species to extinction.
The apex predator of the terrestrial world—the Ogre.
With the Successor’s Will[EX] in my possession now, I could devour[S+] an Ogre. And if I devoured[S+] such an Ogre?
‘I could leap forward in a single bound.’
Not only would I obtain a body capable of withstanding Predator[M]’s overload, but I could also gain the foundation to maintain Predator[M] at all times.
Thus, the absolute pinnacle of all living things.
The Ultimate Lifeform.
I could draw closer to it with far greater certainty.
Along with the Evolution Quest, the Ogre was something I absolutely had to devour[S+].
Therefore.
“If what Seraphia says is true, then the Ogre’s appearance is all but inevitable.”
This operation was straightforward.
“Broombar, myself, and Kai—the three of us will face the Ogre.”
“What about me?”
Seraphia asked, her eyes sparkling.
She clearly wanted to participate in the operation as well.
Perhaps in the past, I would have shut her down immediately, but….
“I want to come too—!”
“Seraphia, can you help us?”
“…Huh? Me too?”
“Yes.”
Seraphia’s expression went blank for a moment.
She hadn’t expected me to speak first.
“Really?! You’re really taking me with you?!”
“Seraphia, you will transport the Arcanoheart with the dwarves and suppress any potential runaway of the Arcanoheart.”
The Ogre was no trivial opponent.
In other words, it was not an enemy we could fight while protecting the Arcanoheart.
I needed Seraphia’s power to prepare for the possibility that the Arcanoheart might go haywire from the aftermath of battle.
◆Power of Cold[P]
: The user generates [supernatural thermal energy deficiency], reducing [entropy] and [enthalpy] arising from energy dynamics to [infinitesimal] values. As a result, all thermal energy and molecular motion within [finite systems] converge to [zero], and all physical, chemical, and biological processes cease completely.
I didn’t fully understand it.
But Seraphia, who had annihilated fifty thousand pregnant Abyss Spiders at the Royal Social Society.
Based on Leon’s testimony, it was judged that Seraphia could obliterate all energy possessed by any entity, including mana.
In other words, she should be able to suppress the runaway energy of the Arcanoheart.
“I’ll do my best!”
Seraphia clenched her fist tightly.
And though I hadn’t asked Kai’s opinion yet….
“Go bring Kai back.”
If you say you’re going, he’ll follow unconditionally.
“Yes!”
Seraphia hurried out of the reception room with quick steps.
Myself, Seraphia, and Kai.
Everyone was stepping away, but it didn’t matter.
With Bernard managing affairs, I had no great concerns about the Whitewolf Territory’s operations, and now I no longer worried about the Bister New Soldiers’ betrayal.
Bond Skill, Oath of Loyalty[U].
It wasn’t intentional, but as a result, the loyalty of the Bister New Soldiers had become completely solidified.
Another bond had formed, and under any circumstances, they would not turn their backs—
With this, all preparations were complete.
“Let us depart at once.”
We set our course toward Feractrum, the kingdom of the dwarves.
* * *
Feractrum, the kingdom of the dwarves.
A land long separated from humanity.
No roads were laid, terrain too treacherous even for carriages.
Thus, we had to proceed on foot.
Broombar, the dwarven chieftain, led the way, forging a path through the wilderness.
Harsh mountain ridges and rough winds.
Yet Broombar trudged forward with the steadfastness of iron.
Kai observed his silhouette, then glanced at Seraphia beside him.
“Count, are you well?”
“Yes! I’m perfectly fine!”
Seraphia answered with vigor.
But her breathing that reached his ears was labored—
She swayed.
Seraphia wavered like a petal caught in the wind.
Kai hastily steadied her by the shoulders.
“Th-thank you.”
A weight as delicate as a thin petal.
Up close, Seraphia’s complexion appeared quite haggard.
“Let us rest here.”
Before Seraphia could respond, Kai supported her and helped her sit.
Broombar, sensing the commotion, approached.
He said nothing.
He simply gazed quietly at the weary Seraphia, then sat down wordlessly beside her.
Kai slowly opened his mouth toward Broombar.
“You are the dwarven chieftain, are you not?”
“Broombar.”
“There is something I wish to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Why didn’t you say anything about it?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m asking why you said nothing about only the three of us accompanying you on the ogre hunt.”
Ogres were monsters that even armies couldn’t handle.
Even if I poured all of Whitewolf Territory’s military strength into it, defeating one would be difficult.
If it were possible, the dwarves would have solved it themselves from the start.
That’s precisely why Broombar had requested help.
Yet the forces mobilized for the ogre hunt were—
merely three.
From Broombar’s perspective, it was not just puzzling but practically incomprehensible by any reasonable standard.
And yet Broombar had said nothing.
Especially upon seeing Seraphia, such a delicate girl, he harbored no questions whatsoever.
It wasn’t exactly as though he trusted me—
“I’ve heard that dwarves don’t trust humans very much.”
“K-Kai…!”
Seraphia looked at Kai in bewilderment.
But Kai remained unmoved, and Broombar too showed no emotion.
“We don’t.”
“Then why—”
“Whether we trust or not is beside the point. We’re not ignorant of your strength.”
Broombar recalled what had happened a few days prior, as if questioning why I would ask something so obvious.
* * *
Not long after departing from Whitewolf Territory.
Broombar couldn’t comprehend what was happening at all.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A tremendous roar echoing from behind.
‘An ogre?’
That’s what I thought at first.
But what stood there was no ogre.
It was Adrian, bearing heavy iron armor.
The weight was so immense that with each step Adrian took, the earth sank and cratered beneath his footprints.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A roar that shook heaven and earth.
This thunderous sound, as if an ogre itself were rampaging, originated from there.
His entire musculature, prominent as stone, was swollen with power—
…What is this?
Is this even human?
That wasn’t all.
“Hrrrrgh!”
And what was with this human male called Kai?
Unwilling to yield to Adrian, Kai was drawing forth every ounce of aura that clung to his entire body.
And then.
“Huff, huff…!”
What manner of human woman was this, accepting such a display without the slightest concern?
“Why are they doing that?”
“…Yes? What do you mean?”
What do you mean?
She witnessed that and asked what I meant?
“Ah, my brother is simply training his body.”
“Training his body?”
That?
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
…Wasn’t that torture?
Unless his body had been carved from stone itself—.
No, even stone couldn’t withstand such punishment—.
“Sir Kai is conducting aura cultivation.”
That?
Shhhhwooosh!!
…Wasn’t a war being waged?
What in the world were these people?
Had ogres appeared in this place?
Or perhaps.
“….”
Broombar might not have realized he was dwelling among creatures far more grotesque than ogres—.
Crackle, crackle, crackle, crackle—!!
“Ah, oops! Control is still difficult for me….”
…What is this one doing?

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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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