The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 149

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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 149. Distortion…? (2)
My stats had increased explosively—almost unbelievably so.
“It seems to be because of the Ogre’s abilities….”
Three abilities obtained from devouring the Ogre with Predation [S+].
The results appeared to reflect exactly that.
I summoned my 「Held Skills」 to examine the effects of each ability in detail.
First, Ultra-Dense Muscle Fibers [A+].
Through this ability, I could now generate overwhelming output from the same muscle mass.
“Compared to before, my strength increased by approximately 4.5 times.”
Next came Ultra-Sensory Motor Control [A-].
An auxiliary nervous system had formed, allowing parallel neural conduction and far more precise control over my movements.
“My agility increased by roughly 1.7 times.”
Finally, Ultra-Reinforced Skeletal Structure [A].
The strength and elasticity of my skeleton had increased dramatically, preventing physical fatigue from accumulating, and my recovery had been enhanced as well.
“My stamina increased by about 3.3 times, it seems.”
Lastly, my stats—which had previously displayed decimal places—were now rounded up and applied cleanly.
The Ogre’s genetic ability had forcibly elevated the ambiguous numbers, resulting in much cleaner stat values.
The sum of the three stat increases came to approximately +690.
In other words, it was as if I’d leveled up 690 times….
“…Insane.”
The words escaped me involuntarily.
To be honest… I felt a slight sense of disappointment.
The Ogre’s composite skill, Impregnable Fortress [S-].
I hadn’t been able to devour all five skills that comprised it.
Organ Replication System [A]—capable of duplicating vital organs.
And.
◆Heightened Immune System [B-]
: Upon acquiring this skill, the player’s [neutrophil and macrophage] class [cell count] increases by [+15,550%]. Through this, upon the onset of [infection symptoms], [immune cells] activate immediately to [completely decompose] [pathogens] in the infected area.
Thus, the player gains strong resistance to all forms of [viruses, bacteria, and toxins].
【This skill is acquired as a passive skill and applies permanently.】
A Heightened Immune System [B-] that resists any virus, bacteria, or toxin.
I couldn’t obtain these two abilities.
And while Heightened Immune System [B-] was disappointing, it was manageable.
But the Organ Replication System [A]—I desperately wanted that one.
As evident from my battle with Memoria, if my heart is destroyed, Regeneration [B+] no longer functions.
But if I had the Organ Replication System [A]?
I could replace my destroyed heart with a spare.
It would be like gaining an extra life.
That’s why I wanted the Organ Replication System [A] so badly….
“What’s with these stats….”
That regret vanished entirely.
This wasn’t something to lament over failing to devour two abilities with [S+]—rather, I should be grateful that I’d managed to devour three abilities with [S+].
And that wasn’t even all of it.
The Primordial Evolution achieved as a reward from the Evolution Quest.
The situation had been so urgent that my memories were hazy.
But as I retraced my thoughts….
◆The function of the ‘Primordial Genome’ imprinted within the player is partially activated.
…that’s what it had said.
And the Primordial Genome was—.
◆Primordial Genome
: The primordial genetic code containing the foundational traits of all life. By activating the functions of the Primordial Genome, the player can evolve the fundamental characteristics of life itself.
The primordial genetic code.
In other words, ‘primordial’—meaning origin and beginning.
Therefore, my biological classification as a Primogenian signified origin—.
Primogenian.
That’s how it could be defined.
“This isn’t Ian’s ability.”
The Primordial Genome is my ability.
Some foundational trait related to Devouring [S+].
Moreover, it seemed connected to my trait of being unable to use mana.
The ‘Primordial Evolution’ achieved through this Primogenian bloodline had three specializations.
①Anti-Mana Specialization
②Pure Physical Specialization
③Environmental Adaptation Specialization
I hadn’t been able to read the descriptions properly at the time.
The situation was far too urgent with the Arcanoheart’s rampaging energy.
But now that I looked back….
“Hmm.”
…they were all absurdly broken.
I was almost grateful the situation had been so urgent.
Choosing just one would have been torture.
And the specialization I’d chosen was—.
◆You have selected Anti-Mana Evolution.
Taking a moment to settle both body and mind, I calmly read through the description of the Anti-Mana Specialization.
“…This seems decent.”
For a hasty choice, it was solid.
Actually, even if I’d chosen carefully, I think I would have picked Anti-Mana Specialization.
The reason being that the other two specializations could be substituted to some degree.
First, Pure Physical Specialization.
A specialization that grants immunity to aging, cellular damage, disease, poison, and such—touching the realm of ‘theoretical immortality’.
“For now, I’m replacing cellular damage with regeneration.”
Disease and poison immunity could be substituted with the Ogre’s enhanced immune system [B-].
Unfortunately, I couldn’t devour [S+] it.
Considering the Ogre population, it was an ability I could never obtain again.
But at this moment, with the Emperor inactive.
There were countless monsters on the Continent with immune systems superior to the Ogre’s.
Aging was the same.
If I devoured [S+] jellyfish or crustacean-type monsters, I could manage some substitution.
And second, environmental adaptation specialization.
The ability to additionally generate or remove bodily organs and systems, such as creating gills.
“I can substitute this with ultra-regeneration.”
Though there was the disadvantage of requiring Berserk [A].
Still, I could manage some substitution.
Of course, it was only a matter of substituting to “some degree” and “somehow.”
Pure body specialization biophagic devouring.
Environmental adaptation specialization adaptive devouring.
These abilities had no means of substitution.
Still, other things could be substituted.
But anti-mana specialization?
There was nothing to substitute it with.
◆Anti-Mana Specialization (Anti-Mana Evolution)
: An evolutionary form that radically excludes mana based on pure life energy. The player no longer interacts with [Mana] under any circumstances, and mana in contact with the player triggers [Anti-Mana Resonance].
At this time, the player’s devouring [S+] activates as [Mana Devouring], completely nullifying [mana-based energy].
From my rough understanding, it seemed I would completely reject mana.
In simple terms, the ability to “devour” mana.
Thinking about it now….
“The rampaging energy of the Arcanoheart that contacted me disappeared.”
Was that reason the power? The principle? Of “Mana Devouring”?
It seemed to lie roughly here.
Because of that, there was a clear change in my stats.
Mana: -13.2 (x-1.2)
Mana was negative.
In other words, it was reversed.
Because of that, the MP value that hadn’t budged from zero had also changed.
[MP] = -1,320
It seemed to mean I could devour roughly -1,320 worth of mana.
“But how much is this, exactly?”
Since I’d never used mana before, I had no idea.
Literally, I couldn’t even get a sense of it.
Detailed confirmation seemed necessary, but it was certain I could nullify mana.
In that sense, I’ve now become completely unable to use or accept mana….
“But that was always the case.”
There was nothing surprising about it.
Being unable to use mana wasn’t just familiar—it was natural.
Rather, I could now turn it into a ‘weapon’.
So if you look carefully at the mechanism of anti-mana specialization.
“It seems similar to Ian’s ability.”
Ian’s Mana Manipulation.
Through delicate mana control, Ian could regulate or command the flow of an opponent’s mana.
The moment their blades clashed, he would manipulate the mana flow to neutralize their aura.
If the opponent was a mage, he’d release a shockwave during their incantation to forcibly break through their magic and barriers.
What if I could utilize mana consumption the way Ian does?
“I could do it too.”
The fatal penalty of being unable to use mana had now transformed into the greatest weapon beyond all comparison.
Through it, I could neutralize every force derived from mana.
The defenses of magic, the barriers of aura.
The mysteries of curses, the blessings of divinity.
I could neutralize them all.
Because all of them were ultimately nothing more than available energy—mana, that primordial force, converted into a usable form.
And if I add a single-molecule blade to this?
Physical defenses become completely nullified as well.
“Nothing in this world can block my attack.”
Literally nothing that exists in this world.
Combined with the Ogre’s abilities, I had achieved the ‘complete form’ of evolution.
And beyond that.
◆Some functions of the Primordial Genome imprinted in the player are being activated.
Currently, only ‘some’ functions of the Primordial Genome had been activated.
In other words, through another evolution quest, I could undergo primordial evolution once more.
Biomimicry specialized in pure physical enhancement.
Adaptive consumption specialized in environmental adaptation.
If I could make these two irreplaceable specialized abilities my own—.
“I could reach it.”
The pinnacle of all living things.
The Ultimate Lifeform.
The day I would stand at the end of evolution was no mere dream. And now, having achieved the complete form of evolution—.
“I think it’s time to make a move.”
The moment had come.
The Empire.
It was time to enter that vast and dangerous place.
With my current strength, even if unforeseen problems and variables arose in the Empire, I could escape under my own power.
I would enter the Empire’s territory and observe the situation.
I would find Ian’s whereabouts, meet with him, and discuss our plans moving forward.
This was another reason.
RuneSteel.
The reason I absolutely had to mine it.
RuneSteel was a rare resource that even the Empire managed as a strategic material.
And at 18.1% purity at that?
No matter how powerful the Empire was, they would lose their minds.
Therefore, if I mined RuneSteel and produced a considerable quantity, the Empire would inevitably contact me.
And if possible, I would love to enter the Imperial Palace itself….
“But it won’t be easy.”
Setting aside the danger, entering the Imperial Palace itself was nearly impossible.
However, it wasn’t as though there were no methods at all.
There was exactly one way.
A Merchant Company.
The Imperial Palace was thoroughly closed off, but not completely severed from the outside world.
Beneath the Imperial Palace’s underground levels, the Emperor’s secret research was being conducted in secrecy, and the materials needed for it were supplied through merchant companies.
And the merchant company that supplied materials into the Imperial Palace interior.
Only specific merchant companies were permitted entry into the Imperial Palace.
If only the Raven Dung Merchant Company could catch the Emperor’s eye.
That would be the moment.
When I placed the Empire in the palm of my hand.
“It’s been a while. Let me see your face.”
It was time to hook the colossal whale that was the Emperor.
* * *
RuneSteel—the bait to enter the Empire, and ultimately the massive bait to hook the colossal whale that was the Emperor.
Likely, any ordinary quantity wouldn’t even tempt them.
Therefore, the Arcano Heart was essential.
And fortunately, I had managed to protect the Arcano Heart safely.
I didn’t know how many days had passed since I lost consciousness….
Perhaps by now they had already begun the mining process.
As I stepped out of the room—
“…What?”
Something felt off.
The landscape visible through the Count’s Castle windows was quite strange.
As if something were distorted.
The familiar panorama of Whitewolf Territory had vanished without a trace.
The dilapidated buildings that had lined the Town Square were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, newly constructed buildings adorned with stone and metal fixtures were arranged in neat rows.
The roads were flat and smooth.
The uneven dirt roads had vanished.
Smooth, precisely cut stone pathways stretched out in straight lines.
The workers’ facilities, in particular, had transformed entirely.
Until recently, they had been ramshackle structures of wooden planks and canvas.
The Whitewolf Territory lacked craftsmen with architectural expertise.
Recruiting from outside had proven difficult.
Yet now they stood as sophisticated buildings of stone and metal.
It felt like stepping into a different territory altogether.
No—like stepping into an entirely different world.
“…What is this?”
I genuinely wondered.
Was this really the Whitewolf Territory?
As I stood there dazed, gazing out the window—
“Oh!”
“Adrian!”
“You’ve awakened!”
The Count’s Castle maids cried out in surprise from the end of the corridor.
They carried large basins and wet cloths in their hands.
It seemed they had come to tend to me.
In other words, I was definitely in the Whitewolf Territory.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Perhaps you should rest a bit longer.”
The maids examined my condition and spoke carefully.
“I’m fine. But rather…”
I gestured with my eyes toward the landscape of the Territory visible through the window.
“What are all those?”
The maids’ gazes naturally followed toward the window—
“Oh, that’s the work of the Dwarves.”
“The Dwarves?”
“Yes. When they saw the Territory, they got so angry, saying ‘What kind of hovel are you living in!'”
“And then what did they say? Something about staking their brother’s name on it—”
“No, Lena. They said they’d stake their brother’s ‘honor’ on it.”
“Ah yes, that’s right.”
The maids exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
“At first, they seemed like they were just going to do repairs. But after a few attempts, they got furious again, saying ‘Bah! This pathetic structure isn’t even worth fixing!’ and just—they demolished everything.”
“And then they rebuilt it all.”
“But honestly, it was incredible!”
“Without any special equipment, just their fists and forearms—boom! Like this! Like this!”
A maid named Lena swung her arms excitedly as she explained, her face flushed with enthusiasm.
Her animated expression and exaggerated gestures painted a vivid picture.
“He just punched the wall with his bare fist, and the entire building shattered into pieces right there!”
“And then he started constructing things—clack, clack, clack—”
“It looked like he was building houses with magic!!”
I turned my gaze toward the window.
The landscape of Whitewolf Territory was truly magnificent.
“So this is how it turned out?”
As I spoke, a massive fountain in the center of the Town Square sprayed water that caught the sunlight, shimmering with seven colors—
“””Yes!!!”””
The maidservants sang out in unison, their eyes sparkling like a rainbow—
“….”
I found myself at a loss for words once again.

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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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