"Ugh…"
A muffled groan. Flame of Impure Ardor's eyes rolled back. His consciousness faded rapidly beneath the crushing weight of pain.
He crumpled—a puppet with cut strings. His twin blades clattered to the ground.
Jack lifted the unconscious ninja with one hand. Effortless. Like carrying a small chicken over his shoulder.
He glanced around. Vest Vegetarian Faction still lay unconscious on the ground. No other survivors.
The demonic, pitch-black figure flickered. Vanished into the shadows.
The abandoned unfinished building returned to its usual tranquility. As if nothing had ever happened.
Z City – Underground, Monster Association Lowest Level
*THUD. *
A dark figure was carelessly thrown onto cold marble floor. It rolled twice—messy, undignified—emitting a barely audible groan of pain before falling still.
From the darkness, Great Eyes' massive pinkish-purple form slowly emerged. Its bloodshot single eye stared incomprehensibly at the nearly unrecognizable figure on the ground.
Three question marks materialized above its head.
???
Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble. Through Great Eyes' perspective, Psykos—in her underground secret room—watched the approaching pitch-black figure. Her frown deepened.
"Bug God." Her voice was flat. Unimpressed. "What is this?"
Jack—back in Monster form—clapped his hands as if he'd just disposed of a large bag of trash. He bowed slightly. Posture impeccable. Respectful.
"My Lord. I have not failed your trust."
A gesture toward the crumpled form.
"I brought the newcomer back. The one on the ground is him."
Psykos: …
Convex(｀⌒´メ)Convex
Deep underground, Psykos felt a vein throb in her forehead. A mouthful of complaints lodged in her chest. No clear place to begin.
Great Eyes was silent for a long moment. When it spoke, the Dio-like voice sounded slightly weak—yet carried an edge of gritted teeth.
"I asked you to bring back a new powerful combatant." Pause. "Not a dead person."
Jack spread his hands.
"I'm not—I didn't—don't talk nonsense!"
He gestured at the prone ninja.
"My Lord, please don't be angry! It's no wonder you misunderstood. Indeed, this subordinate did not handle it properly."
Psykos: ???
(゜-゜)?
The moment Jack spoke, he sounded like an old schemer. Psykos—behind the scenes—shivered unexpectedly.
"…Speak properly."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Jack immediately lifted his foot. Gave Flame of Impure Ardor a light kick. The ninja—playing dead—didn't react.
"This guy isn't dead. Perfectly fine. The external injuries just look scary. I've repeatedly confirmed this on the way back."
Psykos prepared to explode.
Jack didn't give her the chance.
"Great Eyes, My Lord—you don't know!" His voice shifted to aggrieved. "This subordinate went out on this mission—enduring wind and rain—working diligently—and narrowly escaped death!"
He pointed at the unconscious ninja.
"It's all because this guy was committing crimes everywhere! I only tracked him down almost at the last minute!"
Psykos: …
Alright. I believe it.
Great Eyes tilted its head. An expression that clearly said: Let's see what other stories you can cook up.
Jack continued. Righteous. Indignant.
"His current half-dead state? Entirely his own fault. You can't blame me!"
He leaned forward slightly.
"What's more—this guy almost caused a huge problem for the Association."
Psykos' interest flickered. Her tone softened marginally.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?"
Jack didn't exaggerate. Simply recounted events at the unfinished building. Concise. Clear. The Vest Vegetarian Faction's appearance. Flame of Impure Ardor's near-leak of Monster Association intelligence. His own decisive handling.
"My Lord—as you know—that Vest Hero is a member of the Vest Army. Subordinate of S-Class Hero Vest Sage."
He paused. Let it sink in.
"Killing him would mean directly provoking an S-Class Hero of the Hero Association. One known for being extremely protective of his subordinates."
Another pause.
"This subordinate judged that the Monster Association is not yet ready for all-out war with the Hero Association."
His tone shifted to noble sacrifice.
"Therefore—to consider the overall situation—to avoid unnecessary escalation—I could only slightly 'educate' this newcomer."
A beat.
"To make him understand what organizational discipline means. And what respect for seniors means."
He concluded. Posture straight. Words radiating one thing:
LOYALTY.
Psykos: …
Putting aside everything else—no one in the entire Monster Association understands "respect for seniors" better than you.
(First Generation Bug God, from beyond the grave: Yes. They respect them so much the grass on their graves is three feet high. They don't even have numbers anymore.)
But—as several times before—Psykos found no fault with Jack's logic. His reasoning. His handling.
She couldn't argue.
From the results? He'd stood on the Association's side. Defused a conflict that could have erupted prematurely.
Great Eyes' single eye studied Jack. The look within it was… complex.
"Now is indeed not the best time for all-out war with the Hero Association." A pause. "On this matter… you did well."
Jack lowered his eyes. Submissive. Humble.
See? She still has to praise me.
But he didn't miss the opportunity. Immediately climbed the ladder.
"Then, My Lord—since I've averted trouble for the Association—shouldn't there be some… substantial reward?"
Psykos: …
No expression visible on the pitch-black mask. But behind Great Eyes, the fierce older sister could tell—with her toes—exactly how brilliant the smile in this bastard's heart must be.
Damn it. This guy never lets go of any benefit.
Silence stretched.
Then—light blue Psychokinesis rose. Moved toward Jack.
Jack didn't know Psykos' intention. But he sensed no killing intent. And the Psychokinesis' strength was limited.
"Relax."
Great Eyes' Dio-like voice returned.
"As everyone knows—I can help other Monsters determine their disaster level. You mentioned before leaving that you'd touched the Dragon-level threshold." A beat. "Let me see how much you've grown this past week."
Jack understood. He stood calmly. Allowed the pure Psychokinesis to envelop him completely.
"Oh ho ho ho ho~~"
The villainous laugh returned. Sharp. Pleased.
"I originally thought—after becoming Demon-level—your growth rate would slow accordingly."
The Psychokinesis probed. Measured.
"I didn't expect—in just one week—you've already surpassed your predecessor. Reached Demon-level peak."
A pause.
"You are only one step away from that true boundary."
The Psychokinesis receded like a tide. Jack offered a humble remark. Carefully flattering.
"That is because of My Lord's careful cultivation. Your great favor. Providing ample resources and trust." He bowed slightly. "Only then was this subordinate barely able to live up to expectations."
"Oh ho ho ho ho~~" Great Eyes chuckled. "You certainly know how to talk."
The laughter subsided. Thoughtfulness replaced it.
"In that case—it would be truly unreasonable not to reward you."
Jack waited.
"Here's what I'll do. I will apply to Lord Orochi again. Additionally reward you with ten days' worth of Monster Cells."
The massive eye focused on him.
"For the next period—focus on improving your strength. I hope that when we meet again, the Monster Association will have another true Dragon-level cadre."
Jack drew a sharp breath.
Hiss—
The temperature in the palace seemed to drop a degree.
Indeed!
When a rich woman makes a move—you know it!
At this stage, Psykos was truly his biggest angel investor. Undisputed S-Class Rich Woman. No question.
King…
Let's not contact each other for now.
I'm afraid Psykos might misunderstand!!
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