As the massive Ox-Head Man Monster, unwilling to close his eyes, collapsed, the entire recruitment site fell into a dead silence.
One punch!
Just one punch!
That was "Absorption Demon"!
A Demon-level Monster known for his ability to devour and plunder, a notoriously fierce presence in the Monster Association, just like that, he was gone?
He couldn't even leave a complete last word!
Coming to their senses, the Monsters looked at the figure slowly walking back to the throne, their eyes filled with unprecedented awe and fervor.
"Strong! Too strong!"
"This is the true strong one worth following!"
"Bug God is mighty!"
"We swear to follow Bug God to our deaths!"
"To be able to become Bug God's subordinate is truly our great fortune!"
"..."
Waves of allegiance, rising and falling, made this underground space lively again.
Many Monsters even huddled together in excitement, eager to express their loyalty to Han Sen.
"All of you, line up! One by one!"
Ox-Head Man shouted, trying to maintain order.
But the excitement and pride on his ox face, adorned with a golden nose ring, were impossible to hide.
He felt that he had truly stumbled upon good luck, not only finding such a strong backer but also, by some strange twist of fate, becoming the chief steward under this important figure.
—Once he ascends to become a Dragon-level cadre, I, Old Ox, will be able to walk sideways in the Monster Association!
Recruitment continued, including Plasma Dancer and Electric Catfish Man, among other Tiger-level strong ones, who all joined the "Bug God Thirteen Squad," and there were countless Wolf-Level Monsters who became ordinary members of Bug God's territory.
After much deliberation, Han Sen acquired the two core abilities of the Lightning Duo: "Plasma Torrent (R)" and "High Voltage Mode (R)."
["Plasma Torrent (R)" Lv1: Creates thunderous plasma lightning, neutralizing most external lightning damage, forming a large-scale lightning attack!]
["High Voltage Mode (R)" Lv1: Absorbs, stores, and unleashes high-voltage currents far exceeding its own power limit during attacks!]
Although their power might not be exceptionally strong, it is well known that electromagnetic abilities have immense potential.
With enough source points for one or two evolutions, they might well become Han Sen's main output method in the future.
Looking at the bustling Monster army below the throne, Han Sen crossed his fingers in front of his chest, his gaze distant.
"It's time to settle down properly."
...
...
Time flew by, and three months later.
The pervasive light blue Psychokinesis slowly receded like a tide, revealing the dark figure standing still in the center.
It was Han Sen.
After re-examining the strength of this special subordinate, Great Eyes's huge single eye gazed over, his vast purplish-pink body exuding an invisible pressure, as if the air itself had solidified a bit.
"Not bad, it can be said that he is basically unrivaled among Demon-level Monsters."
"He can even briefly contend with the weaker Dragon-level Monsters."
Great Eyes's distorted voice, full of Dio's theatricality, echoed in the hall, revealing no discernible emotion: "But essentially, your disaster level still remains at the Demon-level stage."
At this moment, in Psykos's eyes, the Monster Cell consumed by Han Sen, this bottomless pit, could have been converted into a Monster army of ten thousand strong.
Although this stuff wasn't valuable, such a quantity, just by sheer luck, was enough to produce at least a double-digit number of Demon-level Monsters, or even one or two Dragon-level Monsters!
Now, what she got in return was merely a peak Demon-level, a second-generation Bug God only slightly stronger than the first, so she was naturally not very satisfied.
However, to prevent the consumption of time and resources from becoming a complete sunk cost, she patiently manipulated Great Eyes and asked, "Bug God, have you encountered a bottleneck?"
Little did she know, this was exactly the effect Han Sen wanted.
He remained silent for a moment, his voice filled with unwillingness: "I don't know either, Great Eyes..."
"It feels like I've touched some kind of boundary countless times, but it's always just a little short, and I can never cross that threshold."
He deliberately clenched his fists, as if frustrated by his powerlessness, perfectly portraying a struggling individual who had absorbed massive resources but was still stuck before a crucial pass.
In the secret chamber deep underground, Psykos's consciousness rapidly churned.
—Could it be that the potential of that special physique only goes this far?
If that's all, it would be too regrettable.
With this thought, Great Eyes's voice softened slightly, carrying a hint of encouragement, perhaps even a test: "Don't be discouraged, Bug God."
"Sometimes, a Monster's evolution only lacks an opportunity."
"Perhaps, you need more...stimulation."
The topic suddenly shifted, and Psykos threw out new information: "Speaking of which, Lord Orochi seems to intend to hold a Monster Assembly, probably about a month from now."
"At that time, all the Association's cadres will be present."
The huge single eye locked onto Han Sen: "Bug God, Lord Orochi and I both very much hope that you can also appear there as a cadre at that time."
"After all, you are one of the Monsters personally transformed by Lord Orochi, and also one of our Monster Association's direct lineage members~"
Although the words were full of expectation, the underlying pressure was equally self-evident.
"My Lord!!"
Han Sen's body trembled violently, his voice revealing a hint of urgency: "This subordinate has a strong premonition... As long as there are enough Monster Cells, I will definitely break through that barrier!"
He suddenly looked up, his tone almost pleading: "Please trust this subordinate one more time! Give me enough Monster Cells!"
Watching Bug God's almost frenzied appearance, Psykos weighed her options again internally.
—Does this guy genuinely have confidence, or is he making a desperate gamble?
Ultimately, she suppressed some of her doubts.
"Alright, Bug God." Great Eyes's single eye narrowed slightly, "I can apply to His Majesty Orochi to grant you a cell quota far exceeding the usual. But..."
Her voice took on a hint of coldness: "If after a month, you still cannot break through to Dragon-level...then what?"
This question was like ice water, enough to extinguish any false fervor.
However, Han Sen's response was even more decisive, perfectly fitting a Monster whose mind was clouded by power and twisted desires.
"If I still cannot break through after a month, this subordinate will...challenge His Majesty Orochi!"
"If I cannot advance further between life and death, then dying at His Majesty Orochi's hands is not a bad end!"
These words surprised Psykos a little, but on second thought, she found it perfectly natural.
This craving and obsession for power were indeed becoming more and more like someone influenced by Orochi's will.
—Then let's fulfill your wish!
"Oh ho ho ho ho~" Great Eyes let out a low laugh, seemingly quite satisfied, "Very good, Bug God, I will report your resolve to Lord Orochi."
"From today until the Monster Assembly, your daily Monster Cell quota will be tenfold."
"At the Monster Assembly a month from now, I look forward to seeing a true Dragon-level cadre."
As the words fell, Han Sen's pupils constricted.
Tenfold!
One thousand Monster Cells a day!
That's truly...an exaggerated number!
-----------------------------
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