The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 31

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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 31. Predator Merchant Company (1)
A merchant guild sloppy in every regard, starting with the choice of location.
“Just where is this merchant company supposed to be operating?”
People’s gazes naturally drifted toward the seal emblazoned on the carriage.
A large and sleek white wolf.
The wolf, posed as if ready to pounce at any moment, roared toward the front with an image of power and majesty radiating from its form.
“Isn’t that the seal of House Whitewolf?”
“Oh, you’re right! The white wolf seal of House Whitewolf!”
A noble family belonging to the Battenberg Kingdom, House Whitewolf was situated at the far north of The Continent.
Even in this free city of Frecce, the family name carried considerable recognition.
“Have they come to sell monster byproducts again?”
The byproducts from the monsters of Snowy Mountain possessed remarkably high quality.
“But…”
“Did House Whitewolf ever operate a merchant company?”
At most, the occasional peddler would arrive, but never had they established a proper merchant guild like this.
As people pondered this mystery, a man emerged from within the carriage.
A delicate, refined face.
Skin unblemished and pristine.
To anyone’s eye, he was unmistakably a young nobleman.
His face was unfamiliar.
Yet merchants, those most attuned to information, did not fail to recognize him.
After all, people with black hair were uncommon on The Continent.
And a black-haired young master from House Whitewolf could only refer to one person.
“The Count’s wastrel?”
Adrian Whitewolf.
The eldest son of House Whitewolf, notorious as a wastrel.
“Why would the Count’s wastrel come here?”
“I heard he lost everything to his sister…”
“Is he trying to scrape by running a merchant company?”
Everyone wore expressions of mockery.
Operating a merchant guild was hardly something one could manage with ease.
Even seasoned merchants who had spent decades grinding through the market floors often went bankrupt—such was the reality of running a merchant company.
What could a wastrel, one who had squandered his life in gambling and debauchery, possibly accomplish?
Even if Adrian possessed exceptional merchant talent, it would make no difference.
“What could they possibly sell from Whitewolf Territory?”
One needed to possess something to sell it in the first place.
No matter how superb one’s culinary skills, rotten ingredients produce rotten food.
Similarly, no matter how exceptional one’s merchant talent, if the goods for sale are garbage, then it becomes nothing but a garbage merchant company.
“There’s nothing more to see here.”
“Tsk, tsk. He’s bound to fail spectacularly.”
Everyone clicked their tongues and sneered.
However, Adrian paid no attention to their stares and whispers.
While the Predator Merchant Company members set up their stall, Adrian began retrieving various kitchen utensils and arranging them.
“What on earth is he trying to do…?”
“Huh? That’s…?”
“Meat?”
And it was quite appetizing meat at that.
Soon, Adrian lit a fire and began cooking the meat.
Sizzle—!
The sound of meat sizzling filled the air, and its savory aroma wafted across the entire plaza.
The location where the Predator Merchant Company had set up was extremely remote and tucked away.
“Hm? What’s that smell?”
“It smells absolutely delicious!”
Yet the spreading aroma instantly captured everyone’s attention.
Eventually, several people drawn by the scent made their way to where the Predator Merchant Company was stationed.
“Welcome!”
Customer service was handled by another merchant company member, not Adrian.
It hardly looked like a merchant company, so calling them members felt odd, but that’s how it was.
“Was there a stall in such a remote corner…?”
“We just arrived recently.”
“Is that so? Well… then let me try some. What’s good here?”
“Everything is delicious, I assure you, but personally I’d recommend the Alacron belly steak and the Dermexus hind leg meat.”
At that moment, everyone’s heads tilted in confusion.
“Alacron belly steak…?”
“Dermexus hind leg meat…?”
“Aren’t those monsters?”
“That’s correct.”
Then chaos erupted.
“A-are you insane?!”
“Selling monster meat!”
“Have you lost your minds?!”
“There’s no need to worry so much.”
“How can we not worry— Kyaaaah!”
People shrieked and jumped back in horror.
What they saw before them was unmistakable.
Munch, munch. Gulp.
The Predator Merchant Company members were openly eating monster meat.
“As you can see, the Predator Merchant Company removes all the madness inherent in monster meat and handles only safe products.”
At the merchant company member’s explanation, everyone stood frozen in astonishment.
“Eh…?”
“You removed the madness…?”
“Yes, we did.”
Even with the merchant guild member’s confirmation, the crowd struggled to believe it.
And for good reason—it was something no one in the history of The Continent had ever accomplished.
Ever since monsters first appeared as a biological classification, countless scholars and mages had attempted to eliminate the madness element embedded within monster bodies.
Yet none had succeeded.
The Grand Mages recorded in The Continent’s history.
The arcane scholars who had elevated civilization itself by several stages.
Even those geniuses had challenged it, only to shake their heads in defeat.
An element etched at the cellular level could not be removed.
It was deemed impossible—literally an impossible domain.
“Adrian himself conducted the research directly.”
Yet Adrian had accomplished it.
Not someone else, but the wastrel of House Whitewolf.
That pale, gaunt young master casually grilling meat over there!
“Wh-what…?”
“What does this…?”
They couldn’t quite believe it, yet they couldn’t simply dismiss it either.
Hadn’t they seen it with their own eyes?
Weren’t they seeing it right now?
The merchant guild members chewing away on monster meat—not a single one had gone mad. None were consumed by madness.
“Is… is it really true…?”
“Did he really remove the madness?”
Most people still hesitated to place an order. But as always, there were those whose curiosity overcame their caution.
“I’ll give it a try.”
One bold man called out and ordered a piece of monster meat.
“That… Alacron belly steak? I’ll have that.”
“Please wait just a moment!”
The merchant guild member quickly prepared the belly steak. The man cut into it with slightly trembling eyes.
With all eyes fixed upon him.
“Incredible!!!”
The man’s eyes went wide as saucers, and after that, he said nothing more.
Chomp, chomp! Chomp, chomp!
He began devouring it ravenously, like a beggar who hadn’t eaten in days. His fork and knife had vanished somewhere—his face was buried in the plate.
“H-hey now, are you alright-.”
Chomp, chomp! Chomp, chomp!
In an instant, the man had emptied his plate.
“One more! No, two! Actually, just bring me everything!!”
Unsatisfied, he began placing additional orders. Not a trace of madness could be seen in his behavior.
Though one might call his gluttony a madness of its own.
Thus, perfect evidence lay right before our eyes.
Everyone instinctively swallowed hard.
True, the mention of monster meat had given them pause, but that magnificent marbling was so appetizing it was enough to drive one mad.
“Give me one as well!”
“Me too! Me too!”
The surge in orders was, in a sense, an inevitable result.
* * *
It had been one day since the Predator Merchant Company began operating in Frecce.
“Have you been to that meat specialty shop in the Central Plaza?”
Rumors about the Predator Merchant Company were already spreading through Frecce.
“Hmm? There was a meat shop in the Central Plaza?”
“It’s a new establishment by the Predator Merchant Company.”
“The Predator Merchant Company?”
“I heard it’s run by House Whitewolf.”
“Ah, that territory at the far north?”
“That’s the one.”
But it was merely rumor, nothing more.
Many still had no idea of its existence.
Yet that too was only a matter of time.
“The meat they sell there is, well, absolutely exquisite!”
“It’s just meat, after all. No matter how good it is, how good can it really be—”
“You know nothing!!”
“Goodness, you startled me. Did you boil ogre lungs and eat them? Why is your voice so loud?”
“Because you’re spouting such utter nonsense!”
“Is it really that delicious?”
“Don’t even ask! I’m not joking—it’s so good that two could share and one might die without the other noticing!”
“To that extent?”
“Have you truly lived your whole life deceived? This won’t do! Come here! Let me show you heaven itself!”
“Hey, wait a moment!”
Thus.
Word of mouth about the monster meat spread through Frecce like a contagion of madness.
* * *
It was now the second day since we began operating in Frecce.
The stall had grown so crowded that there was barely room to stand.
I flipped the meat rapidly with one hand while working the pan with the other, grilling the meat with practiced efficiency.
I had become quite skilled at both butchering and cooking.
In truth, during my time with the Special Task Force, there was little I hadn’t learned.
Whoosh!!
“Wow—!”
“Your skill is remarkable!”
People gathered around the spectacular fire show, as dazzling as a circus performance.
Even those who hadn’t ordered food often paused in their steps to watch the display.
‘Certainly, as agility increases, my manual dexterity improves as well.’
Agility was not merely about swift movement.
It encompassed the ability to transmit commands from the brain through the nervous system—in essence, all actions performed through the nervous system were intrinsically linked to agility.
In that sense, manual dexterity fell under the umbrella of agility, and my current agility stat stood at 25.
It was equivalent to the combined nerve transmission capability and manual dexterity of twenty-five adult men.
As a result, the taste of the meat had become exceptionally superior.
Monster meat that had evolved thick fat deposits to endure the cold.
By itself, it already produced a flavor incomparable to any meat on The Continent.
But with agility added to the equation, I could now deliver a truly transcendent taste.
The result.
“Here! Two more servings of Dermexus hind leg meat!”
“Five servings of Alacron belly steak!”
We had become the most popular merchant company and dining establishment in the free city of Frecce.
As a consequence, money accumulated at an astounding rate.
And that was far from the end of it.
By hunting three additional Lex this time, I could even strengthen my abilities.
◆Promote Metabolism [D]
: Upon skill activation, the player’s endocrine system is stimulated and metabolic rate increases significantly. In exchange for the player’s Strength decreasing by [-15%], the player’s Agility and Stamina increase by [+20%].
【This skill can be toggled [On/Off].】
【Absorbing additional genetic factors will enhance this ability.】
Thus, I managed to elevate the “Promote Metabolism” ability, which had remained at [E+] grade, all the way to [D] grade—a remarkable two-tier advancement.
As a result, the Strength stat loss decreased significantly.
Meanwhile, the Agility and Stamina stat gains increased substantially.
Now the gains far outweighed the losses.
Furthermore, I was able to hunt eight additional Alacron and three more Dermexus.
This allowed me to enhance Reinforced Skin [D] to Reinforced Skin [D+].
And Nutrient Synthesis [C+] to Nutrient Synthesis [B-].
Each advanced by one tier respectively.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t raise my level.
‘The required experience grows higher and higher, it seems.’
Monster hunting alone was insufficient to meet the demands.
Based on my previous experience, leveling up through Quest experience was the most efficient method.
And the only quest I could clear immediately was the territory quest I had received before.
==[Though the beginning be humble, the end shall be magnificent!]==
[Objective] – Establish a merchant company and successfully complete your first transaction.
[Reward] – “Management Mode” unlocked.
[Failure] – Banishment from Whitewolf Territory.
I had no way of knowing what “Management Mode” would entail as a reward.
I had a rough idea of what was happening, but setting that aside, the clear experience from completing the quest would be substantial.
Of course, that came with the condition of doing so “safely”….
‘At this rate, everything will be sold out in no time.’
This was far more than just safe.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I was hitting the jackpot.
There was little reason to worry about completing the quest.
So rather than focusing on the territory quest right now, it was proper to remind myself of my original purpose.
‘Ian wasn’t in Frecce.’
Ian was not in Frecce.
While I had closed the shop, I investigated Frecce, but there wasn’t even a trace of Ian having passed through.
As I had anticipated, Ian was wandering across the Continent searching for me. But I had no way of knowing where he was looking….
‘I need to make the merchant company’s name known.’
For that reason, I named the merchant company “Predator Merchant Company.”
My codename from my time in the Allied Forces—Predator.
It was none other than Ian who had given me that name.
It wasn’t a word that went unused on the Continent.
But it was a word rarely spoken.
Especially the name “Predator Merchant Company” was even more so.
So all I needed was for rumors of the Predator Merchant Company to reach Ian’s ears.
All I needed was for Ian to learn that the Predator Merchant Company was operated in Whitewolf Territory.
‘Then he’ll know right away.’
Ian would be able to understand that I was currently in Whitewolf Territory, and that I too had returned to the past alongside him.
Then Ian would soon come searching for me in Whitewolf Territory.
For that to happen, I needed to spread the name of the Predator Merchant Company far and wide.
For that reason, I had come to Frecce, the free city.
‘I can’t just make a name for myself only in the kingdom.’
The Battenberg Kingdom, to which House Whitewolf belonged.
I could easily access news from the Battenberg Kingdom. But information and news from other kingdoms were somewhat difficult for me to obtain.
And a free city was a “free” city belonging to no nation.
It was a city where goods produced by countless kingdoms across the Continent were distributed, and where information from various other kingdoms also gathered in one place.
Not solely for the purpose of finding Ian.
Free cities were also frequented by merchant companies from the Empire.
Therefore, by utilizing a merchant company, I could enter not only the Empire’s territories but also the Imperial Palace itself directly.
Through that, I could observe the movements of the Emperor and the Empire.
Furthermore, I could also gather funds for forming the Allied Forces.
For that, I planned to make the Predator Merchant Company the greatest merchant company on the Continent.
The first step toward that was right here, in Frecce.
‘Now, it’s about time the bait gets a bite….’
It was right then.
“Ahem! Cough cough!”
The existence I had been waiting for finally took the bait—the sound of a door opening echoed through the space.

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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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