Let's do this.
Rover's invitation was clear. Jack didn't hesitate.
He leaped—lightning fast—a dark blur landing steadily on the giant beast's broad, hard skull.
Beneath his feet? Rough, tough fur. And underneath that? Warmth. Like a volcano sleeping beneath the surface, containing terrifying energy.
Jack's heart swelled with... heroic spirit.
You know that feeling?
Day two of transmigration. A Dragon-level monster volunteers as my mount.
This treatment? Heaven-defying.
Waste not, want not.
"ROAR—!" (HOLD TIGHT—!)
Rover didn't know Jack's thoughts. If he did? Authentic Scorching Heat Bullet to the face. Instant sobriety.
Four limbs exploded.
RUMBLE!
Earth trembled. The massive black beast launched—speed defying its size. In steps, it broke gravity's hold, pushing off tunnel walls, charging deeper.
WHOOSH—!
Wind roared. Rock walls blurred into lines.
Jack sat steady, feeling the pressure, the tremors, the power. Dragon-level, in motion.
Before he could fully enjoy the ride—the air shifted. Humid. Fresh. A hollow echo ahead.
Then—burst.
An immense underground cavern opened before them.
A world unto itself. An artificially constructed long bridge spanned the void—connecting ends. The dome hung high in darkness. Below? An unfathomable abyss.
Water echoed from the depths. An underground river, vast and silent.
But as Rover stopped, Jack sensed something else.
A presence. Not weak.
On the kilometer-long bridge—midway—a green figure moved.
Unbelievable speed. Super-high-speed training among scattered giant boulders. Blurry green afterimages flickered. Air tore with each pass.
A handsome man. Black tight-fitting combat suit. Long, flowing green wavy hair.
Brief pause—Jack saw clearly.
Narrow, eerie eyes. Eagle-sharp. Fingernails? Black. Sharp. Beast-like.
Strange black markings—leopard-like—covered his face, neck, arms.
Ferocious aura. Like a malevolent ghost returned from hell.
Monster features. No longer human.
Jack's eyes narrowed.
Gale Wind.
S-class wanted criminal. Senior disciple of the Lone-Ball Ninja. Speed-o'-Sound Sonic's senior. Top assassin from the Ninja Village.
He'd taken Monster Cells. Joined the Association.
Earlier than expected. Psykos has been busy.
Rover didn't care who was on the bridge.
Bath time soon. Good mood. He stepped leisurely onto the long bridge.
Gale Wind was immersed in euphoria—the extreme speed of monsterfication.
Then—
Pressure.
Mountain-crushing. Tsunami-raging. His ninja sixth sense screamed.
WHOOSH—!
The green blur halted. He snapped toward the pressure's source.
Pupils contracted.
Though monsterfication had pushed him to Dragon-level threshold—Gale Wind still felt cold sweat on his brow.
Gale Wind's intelligence was as sharp as his blades. He knew exactly who—what—stood before him.
Rover. A terror even among Dragon-level cadres. Pinnacle existence.
Himself? Fresh monsterfication. Newborn Dragon-level threshold. Against a true pinnacle?
No chance.
Survival instinct crushed ninja pride.
In an instant—the hideous black markings receded. Monster features faded. Human form returned. His aura dropped from early Dragon to Demon-level.
He stepped forward. Respectful. Submissive. Avoid trouble.
Then—
Freeze.
His pupils blew wide.
A dark insect monster—powerful Demon-level aura—jumped down from that terrifying giant dog's head. Casual. Unhurried.
What.
A Demon-level... riding a Dragon-level pinnacle?!
WHAT JOKE IS THIS?!
Brain. Crashed. Comprehend? Impossible.
Jack landed steadily. Spike Armor gleaming. Powerful aura radiating.
The system pinged—detecting within range.
Before him, translucent. Gale Wind's abilities, laid bare.
[ Monster: Gale Wind ]
[ Threat Level: Demon (Upper) ]
[ Ability 1: 「Gale Wind (SSR)」: Post-monsterfication, harnesses wind power. Massively enhances speed and reaction. Super-high-speed movement and attacks—leaving no trace. Unleashes instantaneous power beyond common sense. ]
[ Ability 2: 「Monsterfication (SR)」: Body control mastery, awakened via Monster Cell modification. Freely switch between human and monster forms. Monster form? All attributes—strength, speed—greatly boosted. ]
[ Ability 3: 「Gale Wind Assassination Art (SR)」: Fusion of ninja village techniques and personal combat talent. Skilled with steel wires, short knives. Lethal. ]
[ Ability 4: 「Storm Blade Kick (SR)」: Ninja Village secret martial art. Spinning kick at wind-like speed. Even a graze? Cutting damage. ]
Jack's gaze locked.
First two abilities.
「Gale Wind (SSR)」. 「Monsterfication (SR)」.
Jackpot.