The Strongest in the Game by Dominating Monster - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Monster Domination: Game’s Strongest Episode 19

“Welcome to my castle, successor. My name is Lukman. I am the current Monster Lord.”

The moment Lukman revealed his name.

A cheerful alarm rang in Kairen’s ears.

[You have met the legendary being ‘Monster Lord, Lukman’ for the first time.]

[You have become the first adventurer to meet a legend! You are awarded 5 bonus stats as a reward!]

Before he could even admire the pleasant alarm, warm light spread like a curtain from behind Lukman.

The light filled the hall and extended beyond the castle, clearing away the fog that had been covering the world.

When the light subsided after a moment, the castle’s scenery was fully revealed.

Instead of the gloomy atmosphere the fog had created, the dignity emanating from the ancient castle filled the space.

“Now. Since I’ve cleared the fog, they too will have noticed our succession. We don’t have much time, so let’s talk quickly.”

They too?

For a moment, curiosity surged about who he was referring to, but Lukman waved his hand as if he wouldn’t allow questions.

“We don’t have time, so questions later. First, let me tell you about this castle. This is a fortress built by the First Monster Lord. I call it the Black Giant Castle.”

Could there be a more intuitive and fitting name than this?

Kairen nodded, and Lukman continued.

“This place will be your main castle from now on, and a sanctuary for the monsters you tame.”

Lukman gently stroked Garuda’s head with a tender gaze.

At that moment, Garuda’s consciousness returned from the gesture and her eyes snapped open.

[Wh-why are you!]

Perhaps it was quite a shock to find herself in the arms of the man she had been hostile toward just moments ago.

Garuda jumped in surprise and quickly nestled into Kairen’s arms.

[Wh-what’s going on?]

In response to her question as she looked up with trembling eyes, Kairen gently stroked Garuda this time.

“It’s okay, Garuda. He’s not an enemy. He’s the current Monster Lord.”

[Monster Lord? This person?]

“Yes. How is your mother? Is she still as arrogant as ever, reaching for the sky?”

Was even his voice frightening?

Garuda trembled and looked at Lukman with puzzled eyes.

[Do you know my mother?]

“Of course I do. She’s a divine beast who refused to serve me to the end. No, did she just refuse? She said I could never become like my predecessor. She spouted nonsense that I was far too lacking to dominate all monsters.”

[So that’s why you tried to kill me…]

“Haha. What a petty thought, befitting a child. I have no such trivial feelings as revenge. And now that I see it, your mother wasn’t wrong about anything.”

Lukman, lost in old memories, smiled bitterly for a moment before continuing.

“Let me continue the story. Now, like that loyal divine beast there, you must cultivate and manage this castle together with the monsters who will become your companions. The bigger this place grows, the stronger you and your monsters will become. Good. Any questions so far?”

Kairen immediately raised his hand.

“How exactly do we become stronger?”

“There are various ways. Shall I give you the easiest example? Could you give me that bow you have?”

Kairen unconsciously held out the bow he was carrying, but Lukman laughed as if asking if he was joking.

“No. Not that clumsy toy from a Lower Grade Craftsman. I mean the Monster Lord’s Bow.”

“Ah!”

After being momentarily indignant at the comment about the Lower Grade Craftsman’s toy, Kairen opened his inventory with a short exclamation.

With everything happening so quickly, he had completely forgotten about its existence.

The fact that he had obtained the Monster Lord’s Bow after dealing with the Goblin Lord.

[Monster Lord’s Bow (Legendary)]A bow used by the ruler of all monsters.Immeasurable power is sealed within.Effect: ???Restriction: Monster Lord, Non-transferable.

‘I would have forgotten about it soon anyway even if I had checked.’

Looking at the bow wrapped in white cloth, he let out an incredulous laugh.

It was good that he saw it now.

If he had checked the Item Information after all that suffering back then, he might have been furious.

Lukman, who received the bow, gestured and stroked the bow grip.

Like embracing a long-lost lover, his gesture was gentle and his eyes were tender.

He closed his eyes for a moment and stroked the bow grip, savoring the memories contained within.

This bow was the weapon he had used his entire life.

Even if he poured out all the memories contained within into the great sea, it wouldn’t be enough.

“This is the first time since I sealed you with my own hands, so it’s been truly a long time.”

Though he had no choice but to seal and hide it, he had never forgotten it for a moment.

“You endured well and persevered well. Now, open your eyes again.”

As if resonating with his voice mixed with regret and joy, the bow hummed and vibrated, and bright light burst from Lukman’s hands, enveloping the bow.

[The seal on Monster Lord’s Bow (Legendary) has been released!]

[Monster Lord’s Bow (Legendary)]A bow used by the ruler of all monsters.It reveals its true power only to those worthy of becoming its master.Effect 1 Domination: You can tame monsters using ‘Taming Arrow’.Effect 2 Diversity: Each time you tame a new type of monster, taming probability, damage, and critical hit probability permanently increase.Effect 3 Legion: You can tame up to 5 monsters of the same species, and each time this condition is met, taming probability, health, and mana permanently increase.Effect 4 Fusion: Can be fused with existing bow-type items. Fusion and release are freely available.Restriction: Monster Lord, Non-transferable.

“…!”

Kairen’s eyes widened at the feast of text.

‘Four effects attached?’

Kairen didn’t know this game well.

However, due to its popularity, he had picked up a lot of information.

Especially items were a regular topic for those who liked to boast and show off, so he had seen and heard a lot of information whether he wanted to or not.

‘What was it they said? If an item has two effects, you’re a panokseon helmsman, and if it has three, you’re a turtle ship helmsman?’

Even if your previous life was a turtle ship helmsman, that’s only three effects.

But he had four effects.

He was really benefiting from being the Demon King in his previous life.

“It might be difficult to understand at first, but you’ll get it as you use it. And take this too.”

Lukman handed him arrows with tips glowing blue.

[You have obtained Lower Grade Taming Arrow x20.]

[Lower Grade Taming Arrow (Magic)]An arrow made by processing Low-Grade Magic Stone through a special process. It has no damage but can tame monsters. Due to the limitations of Low-Grade Magic Stone, it has minimal effect on medium-sized and higher-grade monsters.Effect: Taming probability slightly increases in proportion to monster’s health.Restriction: Monster Lord, exclusive arrow for Monster Lord’s Bow.

“Ah.”

Kairen nodded slightly after reading about the arrow.

So this arrow is like a Pokéball from Pokémon, right?

I have to tame monsters with this bow and arrows, and grow and manage my territory alongside them?

“Interesting.”

A small smile appeared on Kairen’s lips.

It’s too similar, way too similar.

Just like Demon Lord Kairen from my dreams.

Demon Lord Kairen was like this too.

He tamed monsters and managed his territory.

Even the castle he used as his territory was similar.

Can this be called a coincidence?

While Kairen was lost in deep thought, Lukman’s voice echoed through the hall.

“You seem to have many thoughts. It certainly won’t be an easy path. The enemies are powerful, and there are countless monsters to tame. By the way…”

Lukman gazed at the monsters carved on the wall surface with regretful eyes.

“No Monster Lord has ever tamed all the monsters in the world. It’s a feat that even the First Monster Lord couldn’t accomplish. Even I couldn’t tame 10 monsters in the end.”

His gaze, filled with deep regret, soon turned toward Kairen.

Can you accomplish it?

To the silent question in his eyes, Kairen answered with a faint smile.

It’s possible.

No, I’ve already done it.

My past life as the Demon Lord reigned over all monsters.

“Hmm. I’d like to tell you more, but my time ends here.”

Lukman looked down at his hands and smiled bitterly.

Before he knew it, his fingertips were slowly turning into gray dust and crumbling away.

“Do well, successor. I’ll be watching from up high.”

“Wait, wait a moment!”

At his farewell gesture, Kairen urgently called out.

“Who are the enemies you mentioned? Are there those targeting me?”

Lukman had clearly said it. That they had noticed, and the enemies were powerful.

And he spoke as if those enemies would come for him too.

“Kekeke. Who are the enemies, you ask?”

Was that question so amusing?

For the first time since meeting him, Lukman laughed loudly and moved his lips.

Whoosh…

A moment later, a gentle breeze coming through the window swept over the throne where he had been sitting.

The gray particles that had formed Lukman’s body scattered in the wind, and on the throne where he had been sitting, a thick book remained.

* * *

“Holy shit! Is the sun really up? Baek Jin? We pulled an all-nighter.”

As they left the capsule room, the early morning sunlight stung their eyes.

The sunlight shining strongly even at the early hour of 7 AM made them frown, but a small chuckle formed on their lips.

In high school, staying up all night studying was routine.

Who would have thought the day would come when I’d pull an all-nighter playing games.

It was the first time in his twenty-three years of life.

“Baek Jin. Should we grab some blood sausage soup?”

“Sure. I’ll pay for that.”

Why do you crave soup in the morning after staying up all night?

He nodded readily and started walking.

“So how was it after trying it? Worth going AWOL for? Worth getting beaten up at school for?”

Park Jinwoo asked with a triumphant smile.

That wasn’t a question, but a conviction he had before hearing the answer, and Yu Baekjin couldn’t deny that conviction.

“Yeah. It was worth it. It was an insane game.”

Even sitting down and drinking cool water, the afterglow of the game didn’t fade.

Was this the culture shock Columbus must have felt?

“New World. What a brilliantly chosen name.”

He leaned back in his chair, looked up at the ceiling, and let out a hollow laugh.

It really was a new world.

The sensation of hunting monsters.

The bloody smell of the battlefield felt during the Goblin Army.

The arduous journey undertaken to become the Monster Lord.

Everything was deeply embedded in his mind and wouldn’t come out.

“Keke. I knew you’d like it. Keu! Oh, the blood sausage soup here tastes pretty good.”

Until Park Jinwoo, who had tasted the quickly served blood sausage soup, expressed his admiration, Yu Baekjin kept staring at the ceiling.

“What are you doing? Not eating? Oh, so what class did you choose? What level are you?”

His friend’s questions, looking at him puzzledly, didn’t register in his ears either.

Right now, his ears were filled with the words spoken by the former Monster Lord, Lukman.

‘Kekeke. Who are the enemies, you ask? What a foolish question. We are the lords of all monsters. Every demon in this world is our subject. Who would hate us the most?’

“Did I make the wrong choice?”

Yu Baekjin let out a hollow laugh and repeated Lukman’s last words to himself.

‘All of humanity. Every human in this world is your enemy.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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