"The Bug God invited me?"
Deep underground, a bird-like Monster resembling a phoenix tilted his head, looking at the Armored Gorilla in front of him, and 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.
However, he was a genuine Demon-level Monster, one of the mid-level cadres of the Monster Association, the 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 Phoenix Man in front of 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 the Phoenix Man speechless. His intuition told him that this Demon-level metal gorilla should be able to speak properly.
His eyes darted around, and he moved his two long, slender bird legs, circling the 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 Bug God's command?"
The Armored Gorilla's heart remained unperturbed, having detected the probing in the 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."
The Phoenix Man pondered for a moment, then, confident in his own strength, he finally strode his long legs and followed the Armored Gorilla outside: "Just right, I also want to see..."
"What makes this new Bug God so extraordinary!"
...
...
Before long, one gorilla and one slow-witted bird arrived at Han Sen's Bug God Palace.
After the efforts of a certain chief eunuch during this period, the Bug God 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 and 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.
The 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 casually crossed, his posture languid.
His left arm rested on the armrest of the throne, supporting his masked cheek, half his body 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 and beautiful Poison Lizard Sisters in his arms, one on each side.
Their skin was covered with fine scales, their heads bore sharp horns, and their long tails swished gently behind them, creating a faint whistling sound.
However, the Monster features did not conceal their feminine charm; instead, they added a unique exotic flair, becoming a special bonus.
At this moment, the Poison Lizard Sisters were carefully holding a tray made of pure silver, using their fingertips to pick up crystal-clear fruit flesh, exuding a faint sweet and poisonous aroma, and respectfully feeding them to Han Sen's mouth.
Han Sen'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 the 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."
The 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!)
The 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 up directly at the figure on the throne, and said arrogantly, "Bug 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."
The Phoenix Man wasn't trying to provoke; the casual aura of the Bug God, profound as an abyss and oppressive as a prison, had already instinctively made him wary.
He only said those words to try and establish his equal status.
In response, Han Sen merely raised a hand, signaling the Poison Lizard Sisters, who were moonlighting as maids, to withdraw.
Then, those eyes, which seemed to burn with crimson flames, slowly turned towards the 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.]
The Phoenix Man's ability information appeared before Han Sen, and as he expected, this slow-witted bird was just an unremarkable Demon-level Monster.
Speaking of which, the 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, Han Sen wouldn't copy an unlocked "Phoenix Rebirth" and test the rebirth ability himself by seeking death.
—However, this would require this bankrupt version of the undead bird to cooperate well.
Numerous thoughts flashed through Han Sen's mind, and his tone was gentle: "Relax, Phoenix Man, we are all brothers in the same trench, all working for His Majesty Orochi."
"Hmm?"
Han Sen's indifferent attitude caused the Phoenix Man's slow-witted bird head to tilt, a hint of surprise in his dull eyes.
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