Chapter 40. The Predator’s Way (2)
The two essential elements of combat were offense and defense.
In that sense, Dragon’s Claw [A] had completely resolved the issue of my offensive power.
However, my defensive power remained somewhat lacking.
Relying solely on Hardened Skin [D] had been nowhere near sufficient.
Even after it evolved to rank [C], it was still insufficient.
The opponents I would eventually have to confront were the Emperor and the Imperial Army.
With a battle against the Monarch of Beasts potentially imminent, Hardened Skin [C] could not provide enough defensive power.
Of course, since I possessed Regeneration [B-], improving my defense was not particularly urgent.
However, possessing Regeneration [B-] did not mean that I could neglect my defensive power.
That was because Regeneration [B-] was not omnipotent.
I could not regenerate if my head was severed or my heart was destroyed.
Most importantly, the ability possessed the unavoidable limitation of requiring nutrients.
That was an insurmountable limitation.
No living creature in this world had discovered a way to survive without eating.
Therefore, even if I consumed the Genetic Factors of every living creature on the continent with Predation [S+]—
Even if I reached the “Ultimate Lifeform” Ian had described—
I could never free myself from the need for food.
Once my food was exhausted, I would no longer be able to regenerate.
That was why I could not depend exclusively on Regeneration [B-].
I needed to avoid injuries whenever possible, and I had to evolve my abilities in a direction that would help me evade or prevent them.
The ability to regenerate was unquestionably advantageous, but I could not place blind faith in it.
With that in mind, I studied and contemplated Hardened Skin [C], which I had obtained from the Dermexus.
Eventually, I succeeded in creating the Combination Skill Dragon’s Skin [U].
Its principles and mechanisms were as follows.
Human skin was composed of approximately [70% Water], [25% Protein], [2% Fat], and [3% Minerals].
Meanwhile, the “keratin” enhanced by Dragon’s Claw [A] was a type of protein.
Naturally, it was fundamentally different from the proteins ordinarily composing human skin.
However, after Hardened Skin evolved to rank [C], I became capable of replacing the proteins in my skin with keratin.
Nutrient Synthesis [B-] and Regeneration [B-] were used during that replacement process.
As a result, I could transform the proteins forming my skin’s cell membranes into “keratin”.
Furthermore, my keratin had been enhanced by Dragon’s Claw [A].
Its hardness had increased by [+1,601,200%], while its strength had increased by [+1,992,500%].
◆Dragon’s Skin [U] : When this skill is activated, the proteins forming the Player’s skin cell membranes are transformed into [Keratin].
By consuming [10,000 kilocalories], the Player can increase the strength and hardness of their skin to a level comparable to Dragon’s Claw [A].
During this time, [All Damage] inflicted upon the Player is reduced by [-90%] for [5 seconds].
<This is a Combination Skill formed by combining Nutrient Synthesis [B-], Regeneration [B-], Dragon’s Claw [A], and Hardened Skin [C].>
Dragons were the continent’s strongest lifeforms, reigning above all creation.
Even the Gelu-Drake, which merely belonged to the Dragon species, had been called the Master of the Snowy Mountains here.
Even if the ability was degraded, it was not something the monsters of these insignificant mountains could overcome.
At that moment—
As the description indicated, the skill was not called “Dragon Scales”.
It was “Dragon’s Skin”, a degraded version adapted to my human body.
That was only natural.
Protein composed only twenty-five percent of human skin.
In other words, I could replace only twenty-five percent of it.
That was why the skill remained incomplete.
However, if I evolved the abilities comprising it, this Combination Skill also possessed limitless potential for development.
Most importantly, its current power was by no means inferior.
After all, the target from which it had been degraded was none other than a Dragon.
◆The duration of the Combination Skill Metabolic Overdrive [U] has ended!
A message appeared, informing me that the five hundred seconds had already elapsed.
My Endocrine System, which had been driven into overdrive, returned to normal.
The sudden loss of power was immediately apparent, and my movements slowed considerably for an instant.
The monsters pounced, aiming for that momentary opening.
“No!!!”
Seraphia’s piercing scream came from beyond the wall.
It was certainly too late to evade them.
In that case—
Their claws and teeth would merely split and break against me instead.
◆Activating the Combination Skill Dragon’s Skin [U]!
◆Consuming 10,000 kilocalories to reduce [All Damage] received by [-90%] for [5 seconds]!
The moment I activated the Combination Skill, the cells composing my skin rapidly transformed.
Nutrient Synthesis [B-] created keratin.
Regeneration [B-] instantly reconstructed that keratin into my skin’s cell membranes.
Dragon’s Claw [A] then enhanced it, while Hardened Skin [C] allowed it to withstand the resulting impact and repulsive force.
Clang—! Clang, clang—! Clang, clang, clang—!
Every time the monsters’ claws and teeth struck my body, the sound of colliding metal rang out.
Throughout the process, my flesh was not torn, nor were my bones broken.
“I-Impossible….”
Seraphia could not believe what she was witnessing.
Only moments ago, when the monsters had pounced on Adrian, her face had turned deathly pale.
Clang—! Clang, clang—! Clang, clang, clang—!
However, dull metallic crashes soon followed.
Seraphia’s red eyes opened as widely as possible.
Countless monsters were currently raining their claws and teeth upon Adrian.
Yet Adrian remained unharmed.
Those claws and teeth could crush rocks and scrape through steel, yet they could not leave even the slightest scratch on Adrian’s body.
Instead, the monsters’ claws and teeth were breaking apart. She could not believe it despite witnessing it with her own eyes.
“Th-That, th-that...!”
“W-What is that?!”
The soldiers were no different.
They all stared with their mouths hanging open, horrified by the unbelievable phenomenon.
Kai merely remained silent. His trembling blue eyes revealed his confusion at the bizarre sight.
The monsters were equally bewildered.
-Kruuk?!
-Kueek?!
The monsters recoiled in shock, their bodies trembling violently.
The absence of reason did not mean they lacked intelligence.
Even the monsters understood that the phenomenon Adrian was displaying defied common sense.
That bewilderment created an opening.
Crack!
Adrian instantly forced his way through the gap and escaped.
He was utterly ravaging them.
Adrian alone was completely ravaging the countless members of the Monster Legion.
A Monster Legion that the combined military strength of the County could not withstand was being utterly trampled by one man.
And the longer Adrian fought—
The longer he swept across the battlefield—
The stronger he somehow seemed to become.
He moved through the monsters like a madman.
He tore out their hearts and consumed them relentlessly with Predation [S+].
* * *
After some time had passed—
◆Regeneration [B+]
◆Hardened Skin [B]
◆Nutrient Synthesis [B]
◆Promote Metabolism [C+]
Messages stating that I could evolve my abilities by consuming additional Genetic Factors no longer appeared.
That meant these abilities had reached their complete forms.
When I refocused my gaze, the monsters had begun retreating.
‘Did their commander order a retreat?’
That seemed to be the case.
The entity commanding the Monster Legion had apparently judged that they could not continue.
‘My calories are also nearly exhausted....’
Although I had replenished my calories intermittently, I had been unable to replenish them completely.
In the middle of such a desperate battle, it was difficult to find enough time to replenish them.
That could also be considered a limitation of Regeneration [B+]. Therefore, continuing the battle would be unreasonable even for me.
Perhaps he had been observing my condition.
Kai suddenly leaped down from the wall. Until then, he had faithfully obeyed my warning not to interfere.
However, perhaps he realized that I no longer possessed enough stamina to continue fighting, because he moved without hesitation.
Kai transformed into a golden wolf and fiercely pursued the retreating Monster Legion.
If we allowed those monsters to escape, they could threaten the County again in the future.
We needed to reduce their population decisively while we had the opportunity.
“Lord Adrian!”
“Are you all right?!”
Following Kai, the soldiers began pouring out from behind the wall.
“My brother!!!”
Seraphia, in particular, came rushing down the stairs with a face filled with concern.
Rumble...!
The firmly closed castle gates opened with a tremendous vibration. I turned my attention back toward Kai as he pursued the monsters.
‘He fights well.’
A golden wolf roaming through a flock of sheep.
Wherever Kai’s sword passed, monsters invariably collapsed.
He moved freely in every direction through their ranks, accurately thrusting and slashing at their vital points.
Somehow, Kai had become considerably stronger than before. His genius talent accelerated his growth with each passing day.
He had not been called the Commander of the Frost Legion for nothing.
As I silently watched him—
‘Should I try it?’
My abilities had already reached their complete forms.
Furthermore, the meat I had consumed with Predation [S+] was piled high around me.
I opened the 「Information」 section and checked my remaining surplus calories.
At the same time, I examined Nutrient Synthesis [B], which had reached its complete form.
It was exactly as I had anticipated.
◆Nutrient Synthesis [B] : When this skill is activated, calories are consumed to synthesize the desired nutrients. Depending on the number of calories consumed, the Player may freely synthesize [All Organic Compound Mixtures].
+Compounds may be broken down into Single Elements.
+No energy loss occurs during nutrient synthesis or decomposition.
‘I can synthesize every organic compound.’
After evolving to rank [B], Nutrient Synthesis [B] allowed me to synthesize every existing organic compound as long as I possessed enough calories.
Furthermore, it could decompose compounds into Single Elements such as Oxygen and Hydrogen.
It could accomplish this without losing any caloric energy.
“Hoooo...!”
I inhaled deeply.
What I was about to attempt made even me considerably nervous. I repeatedly took deep breaths to suppress my tension.
Ian’s words flashed through my mind.
—Adrian, you must not fight like a human.
I must not fight like a human.
—Fighting like a human would only poison your potential. I’m not telling you to abandon your humanity. I mean precisely what I said: do not fight as a human does.
I must not fight as a human.
—Adrian, you must discover your own method of combat. No one can teach it to you. Nor should anyone attempt to.
Not even Ian, the Hero.
That was why I had agonized over such a method in my previous life.
And eventually—
I discovered the answer.
◆Using the skill Nutrient Synthesis [B] to synthesize [Hydrogen], [Oxygen], [Acetylene], [Vinylacetylene], [Ethylene Oxide], [Hydrazine], [Nitrous Oxide]........
These were elements and compounds capable of producing “exothermic and explosive” reactions.
I poured all the oil stored in my inventory into my mouth.
I consumed the calories accumulating within me and synthesized those substances once again.
Then I activated Metabolic Overdrive [U], the Combination Skill formed from Promote Metabolism [C+] and Regeneration [B+], explosively accelerating specific reactions within my body.
The calories rapidly combusted.
The explosive substances synthesized inside my body multiplied uncontrollably and spread.
Accompanied by immense heat and energy, they propagated throughout my entire body.
Ordinarily, my entire body should have burned away without leaving a trace.
However, I suppressed and confined that power within myself to its absolute limit using Dragon’s Skin [U], which combined Hardened Skin [B] and Dragon’s Claw [A].
Crack, crack, crack, crack—!!
My body began seething as though it were about to explode. This was the result even after reducing the damage by ninety percent.
An unimaginable wave of pain surged through me, but I suppressed it by shutting off my Sensory Nerves.
My ability, Predation [S+]—
Did not merely absorb the abilities of other creatures. It absorbed the background that had given rise to those abilities—
Their mutant Genetic Factors.
Biological evolution never occurred in a single moment. It required at least tens of thousands of years.
Every living creature currently existing on the continent had undergone such ages of evolution.
Humans were no different.
We had survived until the present by evolving repeatedly over tens of thousands—even millions—of years.
Yet during the mere ten months spent within our mothers’ wombs, we passed through the biological evolutionary process accumulated over those millions of years before entering the world.
That was because the Genetic Factors developed by our ancestors over countless ages were engraved within us.
The same applied to all living creatures.
My ability, Predation [S+], absorbed the biological evolution accumulated by each creature over millions—even tens of millions—of years.
Therefore, Dragon’s Claw [A], which I obtained by consuming the Gelu-Drake with Predation [S+], was the result of absorbing a Dragon’s genetic information.
In other words, my body contained the genetic information of a Dragon.
By utilizing it, I could use the genetic abilities of a Dragon.
Therefore, what I was attempting to recreate now was—
A Dragon’s Authority.
Breath.
Kiiiiiiing—!!
Every cell in my body ignited simultaneously.
Enormous flames erupted throughout my entire body.
Fwoooooosh—!!!
.....
Using my very existence as firewood, an inferno of immeasurable intensity blazed into existence.
It was an overwhelming power that I could barely contain.
That power condensed within both my arms.
It compressed—
And compressed—
And compressed again.
This skill modified the Dragon Genetic Factors extracted from Dragon’s Claw [A].
It then combined them with Promote Metabolism [C+], Regeneration [B+], Hardened Skin [B], Nutrient Synthesis [B], Metabolic Overdrive [U], and Dragon’s Skin [U].
It was the Predator’s Unique Ability, born from combining powers that could never coexist in nature.
This was—
The pinnacle of biological evolution, requiring neither the Hero’s swordsmanship, spearmanship, nor martial arts.
This was the Predator’s way.
Its measured rank was—
◆Activating the Combination Skill Dragon Rage Explosion [E]!
[E], signifying Epic.
Its ferocious power—
Could no longer be controlled.
‘Now!’
I thrust both hands toward the fleeing Monster Legion.
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