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Chapter : 30. Conviction
There was a possibility that my skill, Predation [S+], wasn’t a duplication ability, but an absorption one.
I had vaguely suspected as much from before.
I’d been doubtful ever since my time as the Predator of the Allied Forces, and now that I had returned to the past, I could be sure.
All thanks to Ian’s ability.
◆ Predation [S+]
: By devouring the heart of a living being, you absorb and convert that creature’s ability into a skill. However, it consumes mental strength.
Ian’s ability, and the translucent text that appeared before my eyes.
It clearly described that Predation [S+] was an “absorption” ability.
In other words, it wasn’t merely copying the target’s abilities—it was stealing them.
And the mechanism behind that was the absorption of genetic factors.
Absorbing the “mutant gene” that allowed the monster to have such abilities in the first place.
In other words, it meant absorbing the Madness.
So, the final mechanism of Predation [S+] worked like this:
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I devour the heart of a living being using Predation [S+].
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I absorb the mutant gene that grants the creature its special ability. (In the case of monsters, this gene manifests as Madness.)
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The absorbed mutant gene is instantly applied to me at the cellular level.
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I gain the ability and can now use it.
Thus, every time I used Predation [S+], I was enveloped in Madness.
Because it wasn’t duplication—it was proper absorption.
“Which means the monsters I’ve used Predation on shouldn’t have any Madness left in them.”
Because I had absorbed all of it.
It was more than just a theory—it was near certainty.
Still, since it was based on a hypothesis, I had to test it.
So, I tried feeding it to Serapia.
Meat from the Gelu Drake on which I had used Predation [S+]. I wanted to see if Serapia would remain mentally stable after eating it.
“Kai eating it first was unexpected, but…”
In the end, it only reinforced my conviction.
Any monster I use Predation [S+] on becomes purged of Madness. Or more precisely, the Madness is absorbed by me and disappears.
“And that also means Ian no longer has that ability.”
Meaning Ian no longer possessed Solo Leveling [EX] or Will of the Player [EX].
But I wasn’t worried.
Ian likely had other abilities I didn’t know about.
I’d seen Ian’s strength with my own eyes.
He didn’t rely solely on Solo Leveling [EX].
After all, Ian was the Hero of the Continent.
The Emperor’s only true rival.
He wouldn’t die just because he lost one ability.
Still, I had to find Ian sooner rather than later.
Regardless—
“I can sell it now.”
Thus, a new specialty of the White Wolf County was born.
Though it depended on me using Predation [S+], technically speaking, it wasn’t the county’s specialty but mine.
“Either way, the merchant group’s reputation will spread fast.”
After all, we’d be the only merchant group on the continent selling monster meat.
And that would let the entire continent know that I was residing in White Wolf County.
“They’ll probably be fighting to get their hands on it.”
The flesh of Snow Mountain monsters was unimaginably tender compared to other meats.
Because these creatures had evolved to have thick layers of fat to survive the extreme cold.
Having tasted it myself, no other meat could compare.
Which meant I’d need to go out hunting again to secure a supply.
“Maybe I should return to the Snow Mountains.”
Just as I was about to set off—
“Did you really have to do it this way?”
Kai spoke to me.
His expression was more sullen than last time.
“Then should I have fed it to the soldiers? The maids? The commoners?”
Kai clamped his mouth shut.
He might have been insane with loyalty, but his sense of responsibility matched that madness.
That was Kai—a fool who would rather bear the burden himself than risk others.
“Did you ever consider that maybe no one had to eat it at all?”
“That wasn’t an option. Someone had to try it.”
“What if it had driven us insane?”
Then I would’ve killed you on the spot.
That’s why I used Dragon’s Claw [A] to block Kai’s sword.
Facing a blade imbued with aura, I could tell—
“Even a Master’s sword wouldn’t break through this.”
It truly had the performance of a real dragon’s claw.
Even if I had to fight Kai right now?
I was confident I wouldn’t lose.
Whether I could win, though… That was another matter.
Anyway—
Based on the Predation [S+] mechanism, I was fairly confident it wouldn’t drive anyone mad.
“Don’t worry. I was sure it wouldn’t.”
“Sure? Based on what?!”
“I’m the proof.”
“……”
Kai was at a loss for words.
Of course he was. He’d seen me eat a monster’s heart with his own eyes—twice, even.
And yet I was completely sane. Not consumed by Madness. Not out of control.
That was thanks to Ian’s ability, Will of the Player [EX], but Kai didn’t know that.
“You really know how to eliminate a monster’s Madness…?”
“Yeah.”
Kai didn’t ask further.
Not only had he seen it with his own eyes, he had now experienced it for himself.
There was no denying it anymore.
“If I’m confident others can eat monster meat safely, I can sell it as a specialty of the county. That would solve our financial issues in one stroke.”
“……”
“And we could solve the food shortage for the coming winter, not just this one, but for winters to come.”
“……”
“Wasn’t it a gamble worth taking?”
A gamble, yes—but one that had now succeeded.
Then Serapia, who had been silent, asked,
“Then the reason you’re creating a merchant group is…?”
“To sell monster meat. I’ve already laid the groundwork. All I need now are people. I’ll be recruiting some soldiers and commoners.”
“Eh…?”
Serapia’s expression turned blank with surprise.
She clearly hadn’t expected me to have already created the group.
No surprise—forming a merchant group isn’t easy.
Not only do you need money, you need a full operational structure.
But I was once the commander of a special unit in the Allied Forces.
Granted, leading a special ops unit and running a merchant group are fundamentally different.
But I had seen how the Allied Forces’ Supply Command, led by the continent’s hero and spirit mage, operated.
They managed the entire continent’s military logistics without a single day of shortage during war.
I had firsthand knowledge of that meticulous system.
That knowledge and experience were now in my head.
I may not be able to match the spirit mage, but forming a small merchant group like this?
That’s nothing.
“You set all this up in such a short time…?”
“How…?”
Kai and Serapia, unaware of all this, were stunned.
Their eyes were no longer filled with curiosity, but suspicion.
They both looked like they wanted an explanation.
But I didn’t bother.
There was no need or point to explain.
After all, I would eventually kill them both.
Why explain or persuade someone who’s already marked for death?
Questions are to be ignored.
Suspicions are to be crushed with authority.
“I’ll be back.”
I turned and walked out of the dining hall.
Adrian left the dining hall without looking back.
His actions seemed cold, but for Serapia, that was the moment she finally became certain.
“My brother has really changed.”
Adrian had truly changed.
He was no longer the reckless wastrel he used to be.
“Thank goodness…”
She’d been terrified that he might regress to his old self, but that was clearly a needless worry.
As she looked down at the now-empty plate, her eyes filled with regret.
“That was the first dish my brother ever cooked for me…”
Kai had stolen it away.
Yes, it was to check for poison—but still, it stung a bit.
But it was out of concern for Serapia, and she knew that.
So she didn’t resent him or sulk.
…Just a tiny bit of frustration.
Still, seeing Adrian build a merchant group and strive to improve the lives of their people quickly lifted her spirits again.
“I have to work hard too!”
If Adrian was doing his best, then Serapia had to do her part as well.
And as she recalled his final words before leaving—
“I’ll be back.”
He said it as if this was where he truly belonged.
Of course, Adrian had said he would leave the family once his “work” was done.
That they would never see each other again.
But that was fine.
Serapia was determined to change his mind.
Even though Adrian currently hated her enough to want to kill her—
As long as they were under the same roof, the opportunity would come.
Whether he liked it or not—they were family.
After all, didn’t he cook for her just now?
Even if it was just for “testing,” it was still a step closer.
“Family…”
Serapia had never been happier than she was these days.
A territory—land over which a state exercises sovereignty.
On the continent, sovereignty over land was broadly divided into three categories:
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Crown Dependency – directly ruled by the monarch
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Fiefdom (Territory) – land granted by the monarch to a noble
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Free Cities – independent administrative zones
Free cities weren’t ruled by kings or nobles.
Their citizens weren’t subject to anyone’s control.
As privileged communities, free cities developed highly specialized industries…
Enter the commercial city of Frecce.
Frecce was bustling every day with merchants and visitors.
The cobblestone streets were crowded with horses and wagons.
Brick shops and houses lined both sides of the road.
In the wide central plaza, surrounding a large stone fountain, vendors and shops set up stalls.
Leathers, crops, gems, foodstuffs—local specialties from all across the kingdom were on display in vibrant colors.
Merchants shouted to attract customers and haggled prices.
“Wine from the Kingdom of Venice! A rare import!”
“Silkworms raised on mulberry leaves from the Forest of Porotina! Ladies go wild for this silk!”
“We have everything except what doesn’t exist! Come take a look!”
Wagons were loaded with fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Blacksmiths hammered away at weapons and armor.
In the noisy symphony of metal and shouting—
Clatter, clatter.
A couple of shabby wagons pulled into a corner of the plaza.
Just as rundown as their appearance, they tucked themselves into a small, hidden space.
Soon, several people got out and began setting up shop, moving about busily.
Some of the other merchants clicked their tongues.
Their choice of location was terrible.
Clearly, they were amateurs.
Yet here they were, calling themselves a merchant company and daring to set foot in Frecce, the Free City.
[Predator Merchant Company]
As expected—nobody had heard of them.
