Not long after man and beast departed, a pinkish-purple flesh ball—a massive single eye flanked by fluttering wings—flew through the darkness. Little Eyeball. Psykos's puppet clone, dispatched to investigate the source of the continuous earthquakes.
The one-eyed clone surveyed the chaotic scene. Lingering blood in the air. Lord Pochi's distinctive aura.
A long silence.
The dog is tearing down the house.
…Nothing to be done.
Fortunately, the Rock Monsters—unexpectedly born during a previous Monster manufacturing experiment—were excellent at building fortifications. She'd send a specialized repair team later.
Deep in her secret chamber, Psykos sighed.
The accident scene was so obvious she could guess with her toes what had happened to Red Devil King. Captured by Bug God. Served as an extra meal for Lord Pochi.
Not a waste, really. Demon-level Monsters were expendable. And according to the reports from those cowering Demon-level witnesses, Red Devil King—that idiot—had started the fight himself.
Besides—
Psykos could already imagine the self-righteous look on Bug God's face if she called him to account.
That shameless bastard would probably take the opportunity to demand "mental damage compensation." And she'd have no grounds to refuse.
Forget it. Forget it.
Just a squabble between Demon-level subordinates. The situation hasn't escalated. Best to pretend it never happened.
┐(￣ヘ￣)┌
After a friendly and in-depth exchange with Lord Pochi—and scheduling the next full SPA service—Jack, the great technician, returned to his territory feeling refreshed.
(A certain Star Sea Mecha Master who wishes to remain anonymous: ACHOO—!)
"Stop! This is Lord Bug God's territory! Halt, intruder!"
Several Tiger-level Monsters on guard duty shouted sternly.
Before Jack could speak, one sharp-eyed Monster suddenly trembled.
"Wait… this aura… could it be…?"
"Insect—Lord Bug God! It's Lord Bug God returned!"
"Your subordinate respectfully welcomes Lord Bug God's return!!"
"Welcome, Lord Bug God!"
The moment Jack's black, sinister battle armor appeared at the territory entrance, the guards sent up a signal. A thunderous welcome followed.
The current Bug God's territory is truly strong and prosperous.
Jack stepped inside, satisfaction flickering in his chest. Then confusion.
He hadn't seen this level of discipline before he left. How had they organized an honor guard in just a few days?
Sharp Fang's doing, perhaps?
His tall, dark figure settled onto the rock throne at the territory's heart.
Not long after, muffled footsteps approached from afar. Dozens of Tiger-level Monsters surged from various passages, automatically lining up neatly below the throne.
Grand momentum. Strangely silent atmosphere.
These were the subordinates Jack had gathered through bottom-level wars and voluntary defections—the foundation of his current power.
His gaze swept across them. A rough count.
His brow furrowed slightly.
The numbers seemed significantly fewer than before he left.
Tap, tap, tap—
Black claws drummed unconsciously on the rock armrest.
"Where's Sharp Fang?" Jack's voice was casual. "Tell him to come see me."
Silence.
The Tiger-level Monsters exchanged uneasy glances. Some lowered their heads. None met Jack's gaze.
Jack: ?
His eyes flickered behind the black faceplate.
This abnormal reaction… something's happened.
An invisible, powerful aura permeated the air. The atmosphere solidified instantly. Stones flew from under Jack's sharp claws.
His tone carried a hint of impatience.
"You don't know? Or are you afraid to speak?"
His gaze landed on a familiar Monster—sturdy build, two large curved horns on a bull-like head.
"Bull Head. You're one of the oldest who followed me, aren't you?"
A pause.
"If you don't want to become Lord Pochi's luxury Wagyu beef meal tomorrow—speak."
Bull Head Monster trembled violently. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
As one of the veteran Tiger-level Monsters from the Slime Octopus period, he knew Lord Bug God's ways. Seemingly easygoing. Actually moody. Changed his mind faster than flipping a book.
Thinking of the colleagues who'd disappeared after meal deliveries, his sturdy frame shivered again. His Adam's apple bobbed.
"Lo… Lord…"
His voice rumbled.
"Lord Sharp Fang and Lord Overlord Tiger met with an accident. On their way back from delivering meals to Lord Pochi."
Jack waited.
"Bodies cut into hundreds of pieces."
Jack: ???
"…Huh?"
Bull Head Monster poured out the whole story like beans from a bamboo tube. Jack's eyelids twitched.
He'd only stepped out for a few days. His personally promoted, trusted subordinate—and another subordinate he'd just named days ago—were gone. Just like that. Inexplicably.
The Monster Association truly is a united and friendly big family.
But this couldn't be blamed on others. Ultimately, Sharp Fang and Overlord Tiger simply hadn't been strong enough. Thousands of Monsters had already died by Jack's own hands. Losing one or two subordinates was quite normal. The law of the jungle was the iron rule of the Monster world.
Still—the two dead Monsters, Rat and Tiger, weren't particularly important to Jack. But they were named cadres under Bug God's command. Their tragic deaths were undoubtedly a severe blow to his reputation.
Mourning his two subordinates for half a second, Jack spoke with a faint ache in his voice.
"…Do you know who did it?"
"Your subordinate is not sure who exactly, but—" Bull Head Monster's initial nervousness faded. He grew animated, analytical. "Lord Sharp Fang and Lord Overlord Tiger died a very tragic death. The scene was full of dense slash marks. Even the surrounding rock walls were cut beyond recognition!"
He paused for effect.
"According to your subordinate's speculation—the culprit should be a master swordsman!"
Body cut into hundreds of pieces. Numerous slash marks…
Jack stroked his chin. Keywords. Existing information. A name surfaced involuntarily in his mind.
First Generation Bug God's partner. Also a Demon-level Monster—
Cutting King.
That guy was a complete psychopath. Obsessed with dissecting his prey—whether human or Monster—into fragmented pieces for amusement. Even within the Monster Association, he was a dangerous existence who acted alone. Sometimes, when madness took him, he'd even cut down his own kind.
A glimmer of understanding flickered in Jack's eyes.
Cutting King, huh…
He didn't take this twisted, perverted, crazy Monster seriously.
First—it was debatable whether his seemingly sharp cutting attacks could even penetrate Jack's defenses.
Second—after gaining Black Sperm's ability, he was almost immune to most physical damage.
A specialized fighter like Cutting King, pursuing extreme attack at the expense of all else? Jack could easily pin him down and rub him into the ground.
It's just that…