"The Insect God invited me?"
Deep underground, a bird-like Monster resembling a phoenix tilted his head, looking at the Armored Gorilla before him. He asked in a puzzled tone, "That's strange. I shouldn't have any connection with that adult, right? I haven't even met him. What does he want with me?"
The Monster bird's wings and tail feathers were colorful and extremely beautiful, but his head appeared abnormally cartoonish. His dull, beady eyes made him look like a cheap amusement park doll—completely lacking the dignity a strong being should possess.
Yet he was a genuine Demon-level Monster. One of the Monster Association's mid-level cadres.
Phoenix Man.
The Armored Gorilla's huge alloy arms rested steadily on the ground, his muscular back as thick as a mountain. He looked at the slow-witted bird-shaped Monster before him and responded in a flat, mechanical voice.
"Adult… just said… invited… your esteemed self… to come over. There were no… other… instructions."
Phoenix Man: …
The flat, mechanical synthesized voice left him speechless. His intuition told him that this Demon-level metal gorilla should be able to speak properly.
His eyes darted around. He moved his two long, slender bird legs, circling Armored Gorilla once, and asked curiously, "I say—you're also a Demon-level Monster, aren't you? Everyone's disaster level is on the same line—so why do you obey the Insect God's command?"
Armored Gorilla's heart remained unperturbed. He had detected the probing in Phoenix Man's words.
—You know nothing of that man's power.
He assumed a business-like demeanor, raising a thick arm in an inviting gesture.
"This will not trouble your esteemed self. Please follow me."
"Heh heh—then let's go."
Phoenix Man pondered for a moment. Confident in his own strength, he finally strode on his long legs and followed Armored Gorilla outside.
"Just right—I also want to see what makes this new Insect God so extraordinary!"
Before long—one gorilla and one slow-witted bird arrived at Jack's Insect God Palace.
After the efforts of a certain chief eunuch during this period, the palace's space had been expanded several times over.
In the magnificent underground temple, the floor was covered with the glowing, complete fur of an unknown giant beast—silent underfoot, as if it could swallow all sound. The walls were inlaid with cold-glowing deep-sea coral and dazzling gems, illuminating the entire palace in a mysterious, eerie manner.
A carpet hundreds of meters long connected to the deepest part of the palace—to a rock throne piled and adorned with countless grotesque white bones.
Phoenix Man's steps unconsciously slowed. He saw—
Upon the throne, a slender figure in dark black carapace leaned against the rock backrest. His two long legs were casually crossed, his posture languid. His left arm rested on the armrest, supporting his masked cheek. Half his body was shrouded in shadow, as if merging with the terrifying aura of the entire deep palace. The sole monarch of this underground kingdom.
The monarch held the curvaceous, beautiful Poison Lizard Sisters in his arms—one on each side. Their skin was covered with fine scales. Their heads bore sharp horns. Their long tails swished gently behind them, creating a faint whistling sound. Yet their Monster features did not conceal their feminine charm. Instead, they added a unique exotic flair—a special bonus.
At this moment, the Poison Lizard Sisters carefully held a tray made of pure silver. They used their fingertips to pick up crystal-clear fruit flesh—exuding a faint sweet and poisonous aroma—and respectfully fed them to Jack's mouth.
Jack's face mask moved slightly. He accepted all, chewing unhurriedly. To ordinary people, the potent poison—capable of melting internal organs within seconds—seemed to him merely a uniquely flavored spice, adding a stimulating texture to the bland fruit pulp.
This extravagant yet bizarre scene set off alarm bells in Phoenix Man's heart.
This was no longer a mere display of power—but a declaration of status and authority.
"Adult—Phoenix Man has arrived."
Armored Gorilla bowed, then silently retreated to the side—like the most dutiful butler—continuing to handle the mountain of official duties piled on the stone table.
Phoenix Man: …
—Damn it… your accent changed after you entered?! So that strange tone earlier was just to show off, right?!
(Armored Gorilla: No seat!)
Phoenix Man flapped the wings of his costume. Relying on his confidence as a fellow Demon-level Monster, he suppressed the discomfort in his heart, looked directly at the figure on the throne, and said arrogantly.
"Insect God—what do you want with me? Let me be clear—it's impossible for me to pledge allegiance to you. There aren't that many superior-subordinate relationships among comrades in the Monster Association."
Phoenix Man wasn't trying to provoke. The casual aura of Insect God—profound as an abyss, oppressive as a prison—had already instinctively made him wary. He only said those words to try to establish his equal status.
In response, Jack merely raised a hand, signaling the Poison Lizard Sisters—moonlighting as maids—to withdraw.
Then, those eyes—which seemed to burn with crimson flames—slowly turned toward Phoenix Man.
[Monster: Phoenix Man]
[Disaster Level: Demon (Mid)
]**
[Ability 1: 'Phoenix Rebirth (SSR)'
]** : Activates the immortal power of the slow-witted bird through death, achieving form evolution. Each rebirth significantly boosts strength and changes form according to combat needs, mastering new abilities. (Rebirth form not unlocked.)]
[Ability 2: 'Phoenix Space (SR)'
]** : Unfolds a dream-like mental space beneath the costume. Only by being under the costume can one link consciousness and enter it. The space's owner can manipulate everything within the space at will and silently erode the target's mind.]
[Ability 3: 'Beak Attack (R)'
]** : Uses the costume's beak for high-speed thrusts.]
Phoenix Man's ability information appeared before Jack.
As he expected, this slow-witted bird was just an unremarkable Demon-level Monster. Speaking of which, Phoenix Man's Monster ability could be called the ultimate idealism. The immortal and indestructible rebirth ability was quite abnormal. After rebirth, he could constantly change forms, and various far-fetched abilities would simply appear with a clap of his hands and a shout.
However, Jack wouldn't copy an unlocked "Phoenix Rebirth" and test the ability by seeking death himself.
—Though this would require this bankrupt version of the undead bird to cooperate well.
Numerous thoughts flashed through Jack's mind. His tone was gentle.
"Relax, Phoenix Man. We are all brothers in the same trench—all working for His Majesty Orochi."
"Hmm?"
Jack's indifferent attitude caused Phoenix Man's slow-witted bird head to tilt. A hint of surprise appeared in his dull eyes.
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