TLWD 39

Chapter : 39. The Predator’s Method (1)

The pinnacle of all living beings—
The Ultimate Lifeform.

Ian had set forth a condition for me to become the Ultimate Lifeform:

—It’s not enough to simply acquire the abilities of a lifeform. You must surpass them.

However, the power of Predation [S+] merely absorbed the genetic traits of a target. It didn’t induce any kind of mutation that would allow me to transcend those traits.

In other words, it only brought me closer to the target’s abilities—never beyond.

And in my previous life, I couldn’t even control the madness that came with predation.

As a result, I was never able to fully absorb the abilities of any one creature, and the powers I gained during my time as a predator in my past life were mostly degraded versions.

But even with those degraded abilities, I managed to exceed the limits of the original creatures.

Why was that possible?

It was because of this:

◆ You are using the combination skill ‘Metabolic Overdrive [U]’!

Combination Skill.

As the name suggests, this was a skill formed by combining the various skills and powers I possessed.

The resulting grade was [U], signifying Unique—a “one-of-a-kind ability” that existed nowhere else in the world.

It had to be unique. An ability like this couldn’t possibly exist in the world naturally.

Metabolic Overdrive [U] was the fusion of three distinct abilities:

• Rex’s Metabolism Acceleration [D]

• Ice Troll’s Regeneration [B-]

• Alacron’s Nutrient Synthesis [B-]

These three belonged to entirely separate creatures and were fundamentally incompatible. And yet, I fused them into a single combination skill.

The underlying principle and mechanism worked like this:

Metabolism Acceleration [D] stimulated the endocrine system, significantly increasing metabolic rate. In doing so, it sacrificed physical strength but greatly enhanced agility and stamina.

This was Rex’s ability.

It reduced strength as a way to balance energy consumption—a strategic evolution to survive in the food-scarce environment of the snowy mountains.

But what if nutrients could be supplied in abundance?

Then there would be no need to lower physical strength.

Moreover, there was a limit to how much the endocrine system could be accelerated. Excessive stimulation caused permanent damage.

The endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body, has irreversible properties—once damaged, it can’t be repaired.

That’s why Rex never pushed his metabolism beyond a certain threshold. He evolved with metabolic limits.

But I was different.

Because I had Regeneration [B-].

Even if damaged, I could regenerate. So there was no need to impose any limits.

Thus, by utilizing Nutrient Synthesis [B-], I could:

• Remove the limit on metabolic acceleration [D],

• Enter a state of overdrive,

• And use Regeneration [B-] to restore my damaged endocrine organs.

◆ Metabolic Overdrive [U]

When this skill is used, the player’s endocrine system goes into [Overdrive]. This removes biological limits on metabolism.

For a duration equal to [Calorie Expenditure ÷ 100] seconds, all stats increase by [+Calorie Expenditure ÷ 1,000]%.

<This skill is a combination of Nutrient Synthesis [B-], Metabolism Acceleration [D], and Regeneration [B-].>

With this, I could amplify my stats at will depending on calorie expenditure.

And I had roughly 1,350,000 Kcal worth of fat stored in preparation.

◆ Usable Calories – 100,000 Kcal

Unfortunately, my current body could only store 100,000 Kcal max.

My storage system had its limits. So this skill was still incomplete.

But if I could evolve additional abilities or combine new ones, its potential for growth was limitless.

From the 100,000 stored calories, I burned half—50,000 Kcal—at once.

◆ Using Combination Skill ‘Metabolic Overdrive [U]’

◆ Consumed Calories – 50,000 Kcal

◆ All Stats Increased by +50% for 500 Seconds!

Thump!!

Hormones in my endocrine system went berserk.

My nerves became hypersensitive.

Muscles, charged with surging energy, became more compact. My senses sharpened—every tiny movement was detectable.

Then, my endocrine organs exploded past their threshold.

Cells linking neurons were shredded apart.

But they regenerated instantly. Ruptured organs were restored, and severed nerves reconnected. The pain was suppressed by blocking sensory input.

==「Player Information」==

[Name]: Adrian Whitewolf
[Title]: Master of the Snowy Mountains
[Level]: 28
[HP]: 3,100
[MP]: 0
[Stats]:

• Strength: 43.5 (+19.5)

• Agility: 42 (+19)

• Stamina: 31.5 (+15.5)

• Mana: 6 (+5)
  [EXP]: 34.7%

With the title boost and Overdrive, my stats surged—as if I had leveled up 62 times in one go.

An explosive rise in power.

“The hunt begins.”

My body shot forward like lightning.

To be honest—

Kai thought Adrian had lost his mind.

Diving headfirst into a monster horde without hesitation?

“Hahahahahaha!!”

Even laughing maniacally in front of them—proof enough that Adrian had gone mad.

Kai’s blue eyes fixed on one point.

Beneath the city wall, Adrian stood facing a legion of monsters.

He showed no fear. No panic.

“Nobody interfere.”

On the contrary—he was enjoying it.

As if to say: These monsters are mine. Touch them, and you’ll answer to me.

No matter how you looked at it—he had to be crazy.

But then, Adrian’s next action—

Kai had to change his mind immediately.

Adrian’s body suddenly swelled. Veins bulged grotesquely under his skin.

It was as if something savage buried inside Adrian had taken physical form.

But what Kai saw in Adrian wasn’t fear. Wasn’t panic.

It was…

The hunting instinct of a predator.

That’s when it happened.

Pa-bak!

Adrian vanished.

Then reappeared—in the middle of the monster horde.

Reckless? Maybe.

But Kai wasn’t thinking “reckless”—he was thinking “how?”

When did he move?

He hadn’t taken his eyes off Adrian for even a second.

And yet—he missed it.

He could only vaguely perceive that Adrian had moved.

…This was different.

This wasn’t like with Gelu Drake.

If Adrian had been a hunter back then, now—

He was a predator.

Adrian stood surrounded.

No way out in any direction.

…Too many.

He couldn’t handle them alone.

No one could.

I have to help—

Kai was just about to charge in, sword in hand.

“Don’t interfere!!”

Adrian roared.

Kai froze.

He didn’t know why—but just like before, back during the Gelu Drake hunt, his body obeyed instinctively.

He couldn’t move.

Adrian, surrounded by monsters—

No clear path of escape. Only death awaited him.

But—

Adrian’s eyes didn’t flinch.

His red pupils scanned each monster, one by one—tightly drawn bowstrings of hunting instinct.

His breath was cold and still.

But within it: rapture, ecstasy.

Fragments of unknowable emotions boiled to the surface.

KROOOAAAARRR!!!

Monsters charged Adrian like crashing waves.

Just before Rex’s claws could slash down—

Adrian dodged at a speed far beyond Rex’s.

Kai’s eyes widened.

The soldiers couldn’t even comprehend what had happened.

Adrian crouched, then sprang up.

A direct counterattack. No wasted movement.

His razor claws tore through Rex’s chest in a blink.

Splurt—!

Before anyone realized—Adrian was holding Rex’s still-beating heart.

“What the—?!”

“No way!!”

Only then did the soldiers react in shock.

Serapia’s crimson eyes also quivered.

But Adrian casually shoved the heart into his mouth.

KIEEEEKK—!!

The furious monsters howled.

A madness to rip Adrian limb from limb burst forth.

The bloodlust was so intense, a few soldiers collapsed where they stood.

Even those standing trembled violently.

But Adrian’s eyes—

Remained ice-cold.

He dashed into the mob, bursting with raw madness.

With each swipe of his hand, monster hides shredded like paper. Flesh split. Bones shattered. Blood splattered everywhere.

Each of his movements was sharp, precise.

Power and speed in perfect harmony.

A black wolf among sheep.

Adrian’s combat style combined the brutality of beasts with the precision of man—a work of art in motion.

Before long, the area around him was soaked in monster blood.

Corpses and broken remains piled up.

Yet, the number of monsters remained overwhelming.

And yet—Adrian didn’t falter.

His breathing was ragged.

But his eyes still sought prey.

On this battlefield of madness and destruction—

Adrian was hungrier than any monster.

◆ You have slain Alacron!
◆ You have slain Dermexus!
◆ You have slain Alacron!
◆ You have slain Alacron!
◆ You have slain Dermexus!
◆ You have slain Rex!
…

A flood of translucent notifications filled my vision.

Combat EXP was rapidly accumulating.

◆ Level Up!

Every so often, a level-up message popped up.

Normally, grinding alone couldn’t yield this much EXP, but the overwhelming number of monsters made up for that.

And that wasn’t all—

◆ You have absorbed additional genes from Dermexus!
◆ Skill ‘Toughened Skin [D+]’ has evolved into ‘Toughened Skin [C]’!

The more I fought, the more I evolved. The stronger I became.

Thanks to non-stop Predation [S+], my Toughened Skin ability had jumped two tiers in an instant.

And with that, I unlocked a combination skill I previously couldn’t—due to the low grade of Toughened Skin.

◆ You have acquired the combination skill ‘Dragon’s Skin [U]’!