Jack's eyes gleamed.
「Gale Wind (SSR)」 —speed ability. Qualitative change. Mobility and burst power, elevated to new heights.
「Monsterfication (SR)」 —form-switching. Something his failed monster body lacked.
The latter? Slightly lower rarity. But immense significance.
Human form.
A way out. Operational space. No longer tied to the Monster Association—a sinking ship. He could exploit resources and secure an escape route.
This SR? Worth as much as any SSR.
The remaining two abilities? Skill-based. Uninteresting.
Sonic—assassination arts master—met Saitama and became Sonico. Proof enough: skills were flashy tricks against absolute power.
Max speed. Max power. Flimsy ninjas? Easy.
Jack stepped forward. Demon-level aura fully displayed.
"This area is temporarily requisitioned by Lord Rover. Unauthorized personnel—leave. Now."
Gale Wind's taut nerves eased.
Just a minion. Riding a Dragon-level's coattails. Still...
How a minion rode a Dragon-level's head? Baffling.
Being ordered by a weaker Demon-level? Irritating. He was a top human assassin, damn it.
But circumstances...
The black giant dog behind Jack—yawning, tail wagging—was genuine Dragon-level peak. Provoking that? Suicidal.
"Understood."
Gale Wind suppressed his displeasure. Nodded. Turned to leave.
Training grounds everywhere. No need to find trouble here.
"Wait."
Gale Wind froze. Vigilance reignited. He turned slowly—dark green eyes fixed on Jack. Hands inched toward twin blades.
I'm being cooperative. What now?
But Jack's tone shifted. No hostility.
"Newcomer, right? Just joined?"
"...Huh?"
Before Gale Wind could respond, Jack's spiky claw reached into his armor. Retrieved something.
A dark red chunk. Faintly pulsating.
Monster Cell.
"Lord Rover might visit here often." Jack extended it—casual, senior-like. "Welcome gift."
"Be careful moving around here. Next time, you might not get a warning before offending him."
Gale Wind stared at the Cell. Slightly stunned.
He'd been planning to build his own faction. A monsterfied ninja army. Monster Cells were essential.
And this insect monster... just offered one?
The tone still carried condescension. But the gesture? Followed some monster code, perhaps.
Maybe this guy isn't as unreasonable as he looks.
Wind's perception shifted slightly.
(He didn't know Jack was days old in this world. The real rookie.)
But he didn't dwell. Reached out. Took the Cell.
"Thank you for the reminder... sir."
A slight nod.
"I'll leave now. Lord Rover won't be disturbed."
Green afterimage. Gone.
Into darkness. Astonishing speed.
Jack watched the green afterimage vanish into darkness. Beneath his dark faceplate, his mouth curved—barely perceptible.
The moment their fingertips touched—
[ Ding! Contact with replicable target established! ]
[ Successfully replicated SSR ability: 「Gale Wind」 Lv1! ]
[ Successfully replicated SR ability: 「Monsterfication」 Lv1! ]
[ Current ability slots: 6/15 ]
An invisible vortex swirled at his feet. Dust scattered.
His body—once heavy—felt light. Airflow perceptions sharpened. Every current, every fluctuation, now vivid.
And his armor? The lifeless shell pulsed. Alive. Will-responsive. It could shift. Decompose. Retract.
Human form. Soon.
Success.
Jack's gaze swept the new icons in his panel—gold and purple gleaming.
All for the cost of one Monster Cell.
His mood soared.
Your ability? Nice. Next second? Mine.
The joy of freeloading. Simple. Unpretentious.
"HOWL~~~"
A long howl snapped Jack back.
Rover—impatient, excited—leapt. His massive body arced off the stone bridge. Plunged into the bottomless abyss.
SPLASH—!!!
Seconds passed. A dull thud echoed from darkness.
Thousand meters. At least.
Yesterday's Wolf-level cannon fodder? Suicide dive.
Today?
WHOOSH—!
Wind roared. A swift black shadow launched off the bridge. Descending. Surging.
Seconds later.
The icy underground river exploded. Towering waves. Depth charge impact.
Rover, happily splashing, looked up—cautious. Then saw Jack, enveloped in wind pressure, pushing aside turbulent water as he surfaced.
Displeased howls.
"HOWL! HOWL~~" (It's YOU! You scared me~~)
Jack grinned beneath his mask.
Swift Wind mastered. Dive successful.
Now—bath time.
He controlled the airflow, supporting his heavy frame. Stepped on water. Leapt toward the black beast.
"Long time no see..."
Patreon Rene_chan, for extra chapters