Like obviously for gameplay it’s to unlock the secret ending but in terms of the lore, why do we consume the umbilical cords and why does it grant us protection from the Moon Presence? Why not just hold onto them, why does the Hunter look at them and think “Mhm yummy!”
You don’t eat them. You hold then up to your head to *consume " the knowledge. Much like the madman’s skull.
Why? Hubris