Chapter 54

Jae and the others stayed in the coastal city of Fansch for a total of four days before deciding to leave for the Southern Continent. During that time, Jae used the opportunity to eat new monsters he hadn’t yet been able to (primarily aquatic monsters).

As a result, he learned a few things about the「Essence Devourer」System.

Firstly, the stats gained were not random and were in fact related to the monsters’ highest stats. So, for example, if a monster’s highest stat was Strength, then Jae would gain Strength points by eating it.

Secondly, the only situation in which this isn’t true is when a ‘rare‘ activation occurs―in this case, both the highest and the second-highest stat would be gained. Speaking of which, the rare activation is something with a one in a hundred chance of occurring, and it only has a chance to occur when eating a new species of monster for the first time.

Thirdly, the skills gained are randomised and cannot be Unique Skills.

Finally, the amount of stats gained varies depending on the level the monster was when it died. For monsters Level 30 - 59, one point is gained. For monsters Level 60 - 89, two points are gained, and for monsters Level 90+, three stat points are gained.

In other news, Jae decided to hold off on selecting a Class. Partly because of Pride’s incessant nagging, but also because there was no need for it right now, as the opportunity to level up wouldn’t be until he cleared the next Dungeon anyway. Since only one class could be chosen, he thought that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to wait for as long as it was reasonable, just in case another good one did appear.

Then again, it’s not like something better than [Mythical] is just going to appear.

For the most part, Classes were believed to be better in every way the higher rank they are, without question―this is what Jae gathered from asking the residents of this world about it. It was a common thought that you should simply take the highest-ranking Class you had, and since they were typically sorted in this way, to begin with, it furthered that belief.

...But still... [Mythical], huh...

He recalled the final Class on the long list. The fiftieth Class, and the one and only [Mythical] grade among all of them; Dragon’s Beloved. ‘Beloved’―that one word pierced his mind like a thorn, and he couldn’t let it go.

Jae knew that Aphy purposefully closed the Dungeon’s Exit after he left. He also had an inkling as to why. He thought it was to ensure he didn’t live his whole life inside the Pride Dungeon, convincing himself this was the truth.

However, purely because of the fact that he has this Class, Jae was certain that it was the [Ruler]’s way of protecting him. He stood confident in this belief, and of course, he was thankful to her for it in his heart.

After all, if Jae didn’t leave the Pride Dungeon at the time he did, then Rena’s life may never have been saved, he never would have visited the Sloth Dungeon, or Asphal, and he never would have returned to see his old classmates and destroy the capital city of Seronia.

This train of thought led to more contemplation. For example, what if Jae had never entered the Pride Dungeon in the first place? For starters, he wouldn’t have learnt ‘true magic’, and he definitely wouldn’t be nearly as strong as he currently is. But then again, he also would be a few years younger, at a mere seventeen years of age.

Before Aphy...

Thinking back, most of the memories Jae has prior to the Pride Dungeon are goblin-related.

Being hunted down and executed by the royal guards, Jae died for the first time, his lifeless corpse being dumped off of a cliff. His first revival, caused by the Title,「Apostle of Sin」, was the start of it all.

After waking up in the forest below, he struggled in his first fight against a goblin, but eventually won. Then, he died because more goblins came.

Thereafter, he fought goblins for over a week before he discovered the goblin cave. Then, he exterminated a bunch of them by throwing flaming logs in there, causing them to die of asphyxiation and burning.

When he ventured into the goblin cave, he defeated two hobgoblins which stood guard in front of a strange door. He knew it was something akin to a “boss room” thanks to the immensely strong aura he could feel emanating from it, and he had some sort of mental freakout as a result, but he ultimately entered the room anyway.

In the boss room... Jae was welcomed by him. The Goblin Lord. He was the first [Ruler] for Jae to encounter, and it quickly led to his third death, which was one of the most gruesome ones by far.

In summary, it was entirely goblin-related from when he first died to when he entered the Pride Dungeon. It was a little strange, however, as entering the Pride Dungeon wasn’t voluntary.

...Wait a minute.

As he recalled the events chronologically and in order, Jae detected something odd. It didn’t quite make sense to him.

How did my dead body get from that cave to the Pride Dungeon...?

There was only one answer Jae could come up with.

The hole...!

It was the bizarre hole in the middle of the Goblin Lord’s chamber. Could it have been that that is the entrance to the Pride Dungeon? He didn’t know why it would be there of all places, but he couldn’t imagine another possibility, as the idea that the Goblin Lord personally carried Jae to the location of the Pride Dungeon was unthinkable.

When he killed me, I was right by the hole, so it’s not impossible that I could have fallen in after I died... But then, why...? Does the Goblin Lord have some kind of connection to Aphy?

Objectively speaking, they were both monsters and [Rulers], so the thought isn’t at all inconceivable. Still, something about that didn’t sit right with Jae.

...No, then, is it possible that all [Rulers] have some kind of connection with each other? It sounds plausible...

Jae then thought to tally up all the [Rulers] he knew of.

One - Zeel - [Ruler of Goblins]

Two - Aphyllanthes - [Ruler of Dragons] & [Ruler of Pride]

Three - Jiyeru - [Ruler of Beasts]

Four - Leila - [Ruler of Demons]

Five - Ariel - [Ruler of Diligence]

―Five people in total.

No, I haven’t seen it yet, but I would expect Nazar to have a [Ruler] Title too...

These were counting only those he had met in person. Since there were also seven virtues, another six could easily be added on to make eleven. If it was found out that Nazar was also one, then twelve.

There were also bound to be those with [Ruler] Titles that he hadn’t even met. The world was large, after all. Still, no matter how large the world, there are a limited number of [Ruler] Titles, and that limit cannot be so great that Jae finds them everywhere he goes.

It’s not a coincidence.

This is what he believes. He refuses to think that those with [Ruler] Titles are that ubiquitous. Furthermore, the majority of them were either people from Asphal or who happened to be there.

...Should I ask?

Currently, the group was on board a ship heading towards the Southern Continent.

It had plenty of magic applied to give camouflage, as the monsters far out at sea were tremendously powerful―some of them could wreck a fleet of ships without gaining a scratch. They also used a magical technology similar to that of sonar to detect any monsters before they even got close and evaded them.

Of course, even with this technology, it’s not like monster-related incidents never happened while at sea.

Still, if there was a time to ask Nazar, now was ideal.

He must know something. Especially if you consider that the whole reason he was there in the first place was that there was some kind of meeting... Could that meeting have been for [Rulers]?

The more he thought about it, the more questions appeared. And so, he decided to just go ahead and ask.

“―A [Ruler] Title? Why, yes, it’s [Ruler of Evil Eyes].”

“...Oh.”

It was a much easier process than Jae expected. However, as he thought, Nazar was a [Ruler]. This deepened his suspicion.

“Then, about that meeting you had in the castle...”

“Mhm? Ah, you’re curious about other [Rulers], right? Almost all of them will be able to recognise your ‘sins’, so it’s understandable to be wary of them. However, few can best me in combat, so as long as I’m around Jae, you’ll be fine.”

That... is a little reassuring, at least. But, there’re still some who are even stronger than Nazar...?

Jae then asked something he has been desperate to know ever since his first conversation with Nazar.

“By the way, how can you block「Envy」?”

“Is that your soul gazing technique? It’s because I have the same ability.”

“...You do?”, Jae asked with widened eyes, to which Nazar confirmed.

“Mhm. I have an Evil Eye of Seeing. It should work similarly to your ability. Basically, I can see the Soul State.”

Jae’s eyes trembled. This entire time, he could see...

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I-I knew there must’ve been people with a similar skill since it originates from the Spirits, but I didn’t think it would be someone I already met... And doesn’t that mean...?

He thought back to the moment where he first met Ariel, the Angel of Diligence. She could also block「Envy」from activating, though hers was at a bit of a delay. Thinking that she might have been able to see his Soul State the entire time was a huge shock to him.

“The only other people who would be able to do the same thing are Spirits, because the technique originates from them, and then the Seraphim because they’ve been granted divine protection from their God.”

―Thankfully, Nazar cut through those devastating thoughts.

“Wait, so... The angels can’t see my Soul State?”

“Mmm, no. It wouldn’t be possible for them unless the Virtue they ruled was somehow related.”

At this, Jae let loose a deep sigh of relief. But suddenly, a shout was heard from above.

“Someone help! There’s a floating body here!”

Both Jae and Nazar turned their heads at this. They exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and hurriedly made their way to the deck of the ship, the place the voice came from.

When they arrived, they saw a group of men―some of the others who were riding the ship along with them―raising an unconscious woman out of the water.

“What the hell happened...?”, Jae murmured to himself as he walked over.

The woman’s naked body was completely drenched, and her soaked hair that resembled the green of an emerald covered her face. However extraordinarily alluring her body seemed, it was fortunate that none of the men were vile enough to simply ogle; it was safely assured that she was alive and not injured anywhere.

Looking at the unconscious woman with furrowed brows, Jae felt a sense of foreboding.

Something isn’t right here. How has she survived the monster-infested ocean while naked and unconscious like this? And then, it doesn’t make sense that she would be floating atop the water while unconscious either. I don’t sense any magic or powerful aura, but...

“Jae.”

Interrupting his thoughts, Nazar tapped Jae on the shoulder and spoke in a serious tone.

“Brace for combat.”

“Huh...?”

Just as he made a sound of confusion and was about to turn his head, Jae felt something emanating from the woman.

A tremendous amount of magic power suddenly invaded the area, causing surrounding winds to howl, and the wind to rampage wildly. Simultaneously, the ocean’s endless waves fiercely crashed into the ship, violently rocking it around.

Needless to say, everyone aboard began to freak out, but because most of them didn’t realise the source of the problem, they used their own bodies to shelter the woman from the pouring rain that began to fall.

In the midst of this chaos, Jae clicked his tongue.

“Tch! Nazar! What the hell is going on!?”

“It’s that woman! I don’t know what it is, but my Evil Eyes aren’t working! Jae, get away from there!”

Even Nazar’s Evil Eyes won’t work? Jae could only think of this as a nightmare.

Fleeing from the huddled group of men that tried to shield the woman from the relentless attacks of wind and rain, Jae looked through the gaps and witnessed a familiar phenomenon occur to the woman.

The flesh all over her body was swelling up, and, as if in harmony with the ferocious weather, the magic power also ramped up in magnitude. That swelling, as well as the rapid increase in magic power; Jae knew exactly what it was.

―Polymorph. In other words, a humanisation-type spell or ability that transforms a being into a humanoid form.

Jae swore inwardly, Shit! I thought it was only Dragons that could do that!?

Alongside him gritting his teeth, utterly bewildered by the situation, the huddled group of men suddenly exploded apart and rolled across the deck of the ship with grunts. As they lifted their bruised bodies, they each looked to see what had hit them.

“I-I-I-It’s a mo-monster...!!”

The woman was no longer unconscious. No, to even assume it as a human would be incorrect, as all that was there was the upper body of a woman with glowing green sclera in her eyes and no pupils nor iris to speak of.

Instead, what replaced her lower body was something truly monstrous.

A creature appearing straight out of legend. Something thought to have been only a myth.

In place of legs, it had a huge body of dark green ‘mass’ that extended out in certain areas, creating something that resembled a hydra.

Five enormous necks stretched out from the main body, and on the ends of each one was the terrifying head of a snake. Additionally, she carried the heads of two feral wolves on the left and right sides of her body.

As the multi-headed beast howled and bellowed deafeningly, paralysing those onboard the ship, Jae uncovered the identity of the monster.

Soul State - Scylla Soul Level : 3799 / 4000

Title : Trickster Queen of the Sea

Age : 1506 Years Health : 3,494

Magic Energy : 12,013,460 Power : 2,103,711

Magical Ability : 1,809,945

Defence : 2,000,599

Magical Defence : 2,110,223

Resistances : 809,707

Speed : 941,420 Condition : [Hungry]

“...Hah...”

[Oh, shit! What in the fuck is that thing!?]

[That is... a Scylla, huh? Now, I haven’t seen one of those in a long time...]

His face distorting into something in between anger and despair, Jae let out a laugh of pure disbelief and self-mockery.

“Hahaha... What...?”

He stared blankly at the monster that had suddenly appeared.

There’s no way we can beat this thing...?

An expression of hopelessness spread on his face. At the very least, the ship was still functioning, and the monster called a Scylla had moved to the ocean.

If, somehow or another, the Scylla was distracted long enough for the ship to get away, then they might survive. The thought of killing it didn’t even enter his mind. Even still. Even if it is just to distract the monster for a few minutes... Jae didn’t think it’d be possible.

“Jae! Snap into it!”

Nazar called out to him. It seemed that he, too, was in a panic as his Evil Eyes didn’t work while in the vicinity of the Scylla. Nevertheless, he was able to retain a calm mind thanks to abundant experience. He continued.

“Your soul gazing technique worked, right? What is that thing?”

Jae relayed to Nazar everything he read on the Soul State. For a moment, Nazar’s eyes seemed to tremble, but it stopped immediately afterwards. He then appeared to think frustratedly about something.

Meanwhile, Bailey showed up from below deck with a frightened look on his face as he rushed over to Jae. Seeing him in such a terrified state seemed to bring Jae back to reality.

“...I can do something about this.”, he said, eyes full of confidence. Nazar and Bailey both looked at him strangely, before they each widened their eyes in realisation.

“N-No, you can’t! Ma-Master, look at that thing!”

“Argh, the kid’s right, Jae! We might still be able to make it out of here if you transform, so let’s just hurry and go!”, Nazar yelled. Jae snapped back.

“You know just as well as I do that it isn’t possible to escape that thing! Not with a speed like that!”

Glaring each other in the eyes, Nazar soon gave up and cursed.

“...Shit! Why the hell is it blocking my eyes!?”

Nazar’s unusually distraught appearance was something completely new to Jae, but it only proved how dire a situation they were in. Did he rely on his Evil Eyes more than Jae thought? Either way, it didn’t matter right now, because it wasn’t possible.

Jae glanced at the Scylla, which had one of its snake heads lunge at the men paralysed from fear. With one swoop, it crushed the man in a single bite and swallowed him in an instant.

He knew they were running out of time. And fast. So he quickly spoke to the two.

“I’m the only one here who can do something about that thing, okay? When I distract it, you two take control of the ship and get away from here as fast as possible, alright? You probably won’t have to mind monsters since nothing would be anywhere near that thing anyway.”

They both stared at him wordlessly before speaking out in objection.

“Jae, what the hell are you saying?”

“Master, you’re going to die if you stay!”

“No, I won’t, okay! ...Please trust me.”

Jae hadn’t told either of them about his ability to revive after death, so they were convinced that he was going to sacrifice himself. So, he said something to reassure both of them.

“...Listen. I have a cute daughter waiting for me at home, alright? I’m not going to let myself die against this fucking thing... Please. Believe in me.”

“But--!”

“--No buts, Bailey. You know I’ll survive this. I have the Dragon, right?”

“Master, you can’t! Last time you used it, you were crippled for a month! If you use it while in the middle of the ocean and can’t get out in time, you’ll...!”

Silence flowed between them for a moment.

“...It’ll be fine.”, Jae said in a low, not at all trustworthy tone.

He patted Bailey on the shoulder and told Nazar, “Take care of him while I’m gone. I’ll come back soon.”

Nazar, who seemed to have regained his original self, or at least partially, eventually replied with a reluctant nod.

“...Fine. Kid, let’s go.”

As he led Bailey to a safe (not really ‘safe’ but safer than where they were) place, Nazar yelled.

“You better survive this and come back quickly, you fucking arsehole!”

Smiling bitterly, Jae nodded and turned around to face the Scylla.

{WOAAAAAAAARRRRHHHH...!!!!}

With another howl that seemed to come from the depths of Hell, two of the Scylla’s heads shot forth like rockets and decimated the people on the ship.

The only thing to be thankful for was that it didn’t seem so keen on destroying the ship as it was, and only wanted the people on board, probably because it only wanted food. This was precisely the reason why Jae wanted Nazar to steer the whole ship to safety.

After making sure that Nazar had taken Bailey to a safe place and was ready to control the ship, he activated a certain skill.

「Greed」has activated

It was Greed. However, instead of using the「Perfect Imitation」function, Jae did something else.

Usage of the「Predator」System is authorised

A list of options appeared before his eyes.

Choose 2 [Upgraded Unique Skills] to integrate:

1.「Angel's Touch」- Seraphim

2.「Equivalent Exchange」- Otherworlder

3.「Demonic Magic Erasure...

4....

He scrolled through the list of Unique Skills, looking for one in particular. As Jae had already thoroughly examined all of the skills listed here previously, he had a good idea of what kinds of things there were.

The reason he didn’t choose to simply transform into Aphy was simple. It was the Heavy Strain that would follow. He had no doubts that imitating Aphy would allow him to easily defeat even this monster before the time was up, however the problem of Heavy Strain still remained.

The first time, it lasted an entire month without a single sign of subsiding. In the end, the only reason Jae was now healthy was because of the Sinful God, Reius. If he didn’t use his power to heal, then Jae probably still would’ve been laying powerlessly in that bed on the mountainside.

But that wasn’t going to happen again.

Jae couldn’t rely on Reius to heal him every time he used「Perfect Imitation」, and he even said it himself; that he wouldn’t be able to heal Jae the next time he used it. Even if he were to imitate her humanoid form, it would still be playing on a huge risk.

Even if he didn’t die, Jae couldn’t risk wasting a staggeringly long, unknown length of time. There was also the fact that he wouldn’t be able to do anything at all during that time, which means anything could happen to his body, which is obviously not a good thing.

So, he arrived at the conclusion that what he needed was to integrate a second Unique Skill.

Ah. Here it is.

Finally finding what it was he was looking for, Jae skimmed the description just to make sure it was as he remembered it, and it was perfect.

If it was this skill, then Jae was positive he would win.

...No, with this skill, it might even be too easy. Hah. Greed really is broken, isn’t it? Or is it just me who’s overpowered?

Integrating the skill without hesitation, Jae immediately activated it.

Well, I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?

Option 2 -「Mark of Death [Upgraded]」has activated