Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 72

When the monarchs die, they fall into eternal rest.

This void world was a space of nothingness where nothing except the souls of the dead monarchs could exist.

However, there were still things possible even for Suho, who had been drawn into this world.

First, the skills.

[‘Skill: Kangche-sul’ is being used.]

Shuaaaa!

A black energy enveloped Suho’s arm.

Querehsha couldn’t help but recognize the nature of that power.

[No way! Isn’t that the power of the Monarch of Body Strengthening?!]

Querehsha was shocked.

*Kangche-sul*.

It was the skill of the great teacher Amut, who had transformed a weak and insignificant goblin into the Monarch of Body Strengthening, now being manifested by Suho.

And then.

[‘Skill: Divine Descent’ is being used.]

Hweooo!

A divine wind swirled around Suho’s entire body.

[‘Skill: Wind of the Plains’ is being used.]

Shuaaaa!

Suho’s hair fluttered, turning silver as an explosive aura of a beast burst forth.

[Th-this… Could it be… the Fang Monarch’s…?]

Even in this world, or perhaps precisely because of it, there was another presence observing this scene.

Shiver!

[Who’s there?!]

At the sudden sense of being watched, Querehsha recalled the name of a certain monarch.

He was the king of beasts who had once fought against the Shadow Monarch alongside her…

[The Beast Monarch, is observing Querehsha’s domain.]

[Why, Rakan! Why are you lending power to the son of the Shadow Monarch?!]

Querehsha couldn’t comprehend it.

Why would Rakan lend his power to the offspring of his enemy who had killed him?

But no matter how much she denied it, the reality was undeniable.

The aura of Rakan infused within Suho’s body.

And *Kangche-sul*.

Even if shadow soldiers could not be summoned in this world, Suho alone had the power to face tens of thousands of bugs.

‘Come.’

Suho thrust his black-clad fist into the middle of the oncoming wave of white, no, the horde of pale bugs.

Kuwaaaang!

A massive explosion erupted at the center of the swarm.

The remains scattered everywhere, only to regroup and launch another attack on Suho.

[Querehsha’s Thorn Mantis]

[Querehsha’s Exploding Beetle]

[Querehsha’s Venomous Spider]

[Querehsha’s Poison Moth]

…Numerous types of venomous insects assaulted Suho.

But infused with Rakan’s aura, Suho dodged them nimbly with dazzling movements.

And then another blow.

Thwack!

Another strike.

Thwack-thwack!

With every explosive strike of Suho, hundreds of bugs burst apart.

Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!

Suho’s attack crushed them like a bombardment.

Querehsha bit her lip with a furious expression.

[Ugh! You struggle well! But in the end, you are alone! And my bugs will poison you with each death…!]

Ding.

[Harmful substances detected.]

[Detoxification initiated by ‘Blessing: Grand Shaman Kandiaru’s Blessing’.]

[3, 2, 1… Detoxification complete.]

Querehsha was horrified as Suho moved as if nothing had happened.

[Why… why is he unharmed?!]

As Querehsha’s eyes widened in shock, Suho smiled faintly at her.

[The Beast Monarch, laughs heartily, saying insects are indeed weak.]

[You wretch—!]

Querehsha screamed in fury, her anger reaching its peak.

This was not the outcome she had envisioned.

The son of the Shadow Monarch had stepped into her realm, and she had planned to torment him to her heart’s content.

And that plan had seemed feasible enough.

In this realm of rest, no outside power could be drawn upon.

Even the fabled army of the Shadow Monarch could not set foot in this place.

This realm was entirely her tomb.

But what was this now?

[Ugh! Even so, time is on my side. In the end, you will tire and collapse!]

‘Time…’

At those words, Suho glanced at his quest window.

[Time remaining: 3 hours, 41 minutes, 17 seconds]

Querehsha was not wrong.

It would still be a long while before four hours had passed, and it was impossible to continue fighting at this pace.

‘Moreover, I can’t even draw a weapon here.’

For some reason, inventory access was blocked in this place.

‘Then what about the shop?’

Ding.

[In the current location, potions and shop usage are restricted, and status does not recover even with level-ups.]

A system message responded to Suho’s thoughts.

‘But leveling up still works?’

A smile slowly crept onto Suho’s lips.

The bugs seemed worthless for experience points individually, but with their numbers at this scale, it was a different story.

‘In that case, maybe it’s time to properly level up.’

Suho’s eyes gleamed.

Even though there was no notification of a kill, every bug that died disintegrated into powder.

It meant that if he kept fighting, their numbers would gradually dwindle.

Thwack!

Suho continued fighting while mentally reviewing the skills he could currently use.

With no weapon, Storm Slash and dual sword skills were unusable, and he couldn’t summon shadow soldiers for assistance.

‘The usable skills are Kangche-sul, Ruler’s Authority, Wind of the Plains, Giant’s Armor, and Divine Descent.’

But most of them consumed mana continuously and had short durations.

In a long-term fight where conserving stamina and mana was essential, he needed to be more strategic.

‘It’s a relief that Divine Descent is available, but I need to conserve mana, so I’ll have to cancel it for now.’

The moment he canceled the Divine Descent skill.

[Grrr!]

‘Huh?’

The gray pup, or rather the young wolf Gray, emerged from Suho’s body and looked around with a confused expression.

Kiriik! Kyaaak!

[Squeak?!]

Seeing the swarming bugs, Gray yelped in surprise and hid behind Suho’s legs.

Suho’s eyes glistened at that sight.

‘Oh.’

Well, look at that.

[Gray Lv.7]

*Fang Wolf*

Thanks to consistent hunting in the shadow dungeon, Gray had leveled up considerably.

‘This is perfect. You need to level up too.’

[Grrr.]

As if understanding Suho’s words, Gray shook its head frantically.

‘Hah. This coward.’

Suho looked at Gray with an incredulous expression.

Meanwhile, Gray’s senior(?) watching from afar clicked his tongue at the pup’s behavior.

[The Beast Monarch, requests you to train his successor to be stronger.]

‘For free?’

Suho’s eyes glinted as he attempted to strike a deal with Rakan.

Rakan took the bait.

[The Beast Monarch, offers a piece of advice in return.]

‘Advice?’

[The Beast Monarch, advises: the world is survival of the fittest; be the eater, not the eaten.]

‘Be the eater, not the eaten? Could it be…?’

At Rakan’s words, Suho looked at the grotesque swarm of bugs attacking endlessly.

‘Eat the bugs?’

[The Beast Monarch, nods seriously.]

‘……’

As the king of beasts, Rakan wouldn’t give such a ridiculous piece of advice lightly.

After a brief hesitation, Suho smirked and his eyes sparkled.

‘At least they’re all white, so they’re not as disgusting.’

[W-wait!]

Querehsha, taken aback, shouted in disbelief.

[Don’t tell me you’re going to follow that madman’s advice?!]

Seeing that reaction, Suho felt more convinced.

He grabbed the trembling Gray, who was hiding behind him.

‘Gray, it’s time for you to grow up, don’t you think?’

[Grr?!]

Gray, flailing its legs as it was lifted, was thrown into the middle of the bugs by Suho without hesitation.

[Squeal!]

Watching Gray’s distant figure, Suho grinned and said:

‘The world is survival of the fittest.’

It was indeed an inspiring phrase.

‘Gray. Be the eater, not the eaten.’

That was the essence of a true predator.

The dignity of the king of beasts.

And Suho practiced it himself.

Crunch!

He bit into a venomous bug that clung to him.

Venom burst like juice in his mouth.

Crunch, crunch!

Suho chewed and swallowed it all at once.

Gulp.

Ding.

[Harmful substances detected.]

[Detoxification initiated by ‘Blessing: Grand Shaman Kandiaru’s Blessing’.]

[3, 2, 1… Detoxification complete.]

Suho smirked.

‘Not bad at all.’

[Th-that madman!]

Querehsha screamed in shock.

Suho recalled something Querehsha had once said.

-I am one and also a collective.

If all these bugs were part of Querehsha, what would happen if he ate them all?

‘I’m curious.’

Suho started biting and devouring the bugs relentlessly.

[Stop! Stop eating them!]

Querehsha shrieked in horror each time Suho bit down.

A giant hand formed of bugs reached out to grab Suho again.

Suho evaded it and bit down on another bug.

‘Calm down. There’s still plenty of time.’

[Time remaining: 3 hours, 7 minutes, 54 seconds]

‘Three hours is plenty for a meal.’

[Grrrr!]

Seeing Suho demonstrate, Gray also started gobbling up bugs earnestly, glancing nervously at Suho as if afraid he’d steal its food.

That made Suho more determined.

‘Good! Let’s see who eats more!’

[Grrrr!]

[Stop competing…!]

Querehsha, screaming as she intensified her attacks, could do nothing to stop them.

And so, after eating and eating for who knows how long…

Rakan’s advice proved effective.

Ding!

[You have acquired the title: Nemesis of Insects.]

‘Oh?’

A sudden system message made Suho’s eyes light up.

[Title: Nemesis of Insects]

A title given to the predator of insects. All stats increase by 40% when fighting insect-type monsters.

Unexpectedly, it was similar to the title of *Wolf Slayer*.

But Suho didn’t need to confirm its effects by sight.

The moment he looked at Querehsha’s bugs.

[‘Title: Nemesis of Insects’ buff effect activates.]

Gooooo!

The swarm of bugs, once surging endlessly, rippled visibly.

They instinctively realized that Suho was their natural enemy.

‘What’s wrong?’

Suho wondered.

‘Can creatures like you feel fear?’

As a merciless smile appeared on Suho’s lips.

Crreeeak!

Kyaaaaa!

The massive wave of bugs shattered and scattered, avoiding Suho.

At that moment.

‘…Huh?’

Whoosh!

A mysterious glittering powder rained down on Suho.

It was the dust of the bugs Suho had killed.

Or the remnants of their souls.

[You seize the priesthood of the Monarch of Plagues, the King of Insects.]