Still—Jack had just turned Red Devil King into a luxurious meal for Pochi. Going after Cutting King so soon…
He shook his head. Suppressed the thought.
Demon-level Monsters were city-destroying disasters—equivalent to S-Class Heroes in combat strength. Even Psykos only had a few dozen Demon-level combatants under her command. They were important assets of the Monster Association.
Killing one occasionally was one thing. But if they kept dying one after another at his hands? That would be a bit too much.
S-Class Rich Woman Psykos would probably go berserk. Deal with him personally.
I'll remember this debt for you.
Jack snorted coldly. Decided to postpone the matter. Settle accounts with Cutting King later.
"Alright. I understand."
He looked at the trembling Bull Head Monster below. Casually instructed:
"Bull Head. Since Sharp Fang is gone, you'll take over his position. From now on, this territory's affairs will be managed by you."
"…Huh?"
Under the envious, jealous, hateful gazes of the surrounding Tiger-level Monsters, Bull Head froze. Then—an expression of unbelievable ecstasy spread across his face.
I, Old Ox… got promoted? Just like that?
He hadn't expected that simply reporting the situation truthfully would instantly make him chief steward under Lord Bug God.
Happiness came too suddenly!
"Thank you for your trust, Lord!" His voice boomed with fervor. "Your subordinate will definitely—do my best! Be loyal to you!"
Jack nodded with satisfaction at the words "Loyalty" practically written across Bull Head's excited face.
Still—there were too few usable talents under his command.
Sharp Fang had been weak but intelligent. Now he was dead. Jack didn't even have anyone capable of handling things independently.
At this moment, he deeply understood Psykos's frustration. The vast Monster Association seemed to have countless strong individuals. But those who were truly capable and loyal? Few. Throw a brick into any crowd, and almost everyone who died would be a traitor.
It seems it's time for a wave of recruitment.
The Next Day
"Have you heard?"
"I've heard! You've heard too!"
"That's right—that matter!"
"Lord Bug God has issued a recruitment order to all Monsters below Demon-level! He says he wants to establish the strongest organization below the cadre level!"
"…"
News of "Bug God" issuing a recruitment order spread like wildfire through the Monster Association. For a time, the underground world—somewhat dull from years of dormancy—grew agitated.
Deep underground, Psykos held a steaming cup of black tea. Her captivatingly beautiful face showed a hint of annoyance.
Due to puppet clones and numerous informants, the Monster Association had been firmly under her control since its inception. Virtually no secrets.
Thus, no sooner had she learned Bug God had sent the Demon-level Red Devil King to Pochi as dog food than she heard he was suddenly recruiting heavily. Preparing to establish the "strongest organization."
Basically—he was either causing trouble or on his way to causing trouble.
The problem was, he always found plausible reasons for every trouble he caused. This time? Red Devil King had initiated the fight.
Psykos: …
You—why did you have to provoke him?!
(Red Devil King: (ಥ_ಥ))
As for Bug God's subsequent expansion of influence—Psykos was already accustomed to it.
At the very least, he hadn't launched a conquest war directly like last time. He was already quite restrained!
She drained her black tea in one gulp. Felt refreshed.
"Heh… It seems my previous warning had some effect!"
(A strange sense of competitiveness increased.JPG)
Throughout the Monster Association, reactions to Bug God's recruitment order varied.
In a room filled with decadent music, the Demon-level Monster Nude S—clad in an indescribable leather bikini, exuding an alluring aura—languidly reclined on soft fur. A thorny leather whip played through her fingers as she listened to her subordinate's report.
"Oh? That highly popular Bug God—he's actually started recruiting?" Nude S licked her scarlet lips. Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Interesting. He seems to be a restless man."
A slow, dangerous smile.
"I wonder if he can withstand Sister's 'training'?"
In the dark, damp underground sewers, a huge shadow slowly wriggled.
"That Bug God again… an interesting junior."
After a simple evaluation, the Demon-level Monster Centipede Senior rumbled in a low, ambiguous tone.
Due to the existence of the Dragon-level Monster Centipede Elder, the Centipede family held a transcendent position within the Monster Association.As for the recent news—he paid it brief attention before dismissing it. Training the family's juniors was more practical than wasting time on gossip. Who became king of the underground world had nothing to do with them.
In a crude training ground thick with sweat and hormones.
*BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM—! *
At the epicenter of constant airwave eruptions stood a gray figure, stout as a small mountain.
"Hmph! A guy who plays tricks!" The Demon-level Monster Rhino Wrestler was shirtless, revealing muscles hard as rock. He pummeled a super-sized sandbag of chains and huge tires, each blow a dull thunderclap. "He eliminated a few insignificant guys and dares to be so arrogant!"
He flexed. Muscles bulged.
"A guy who only knows petty tricks—no match for my perfect muscles and absolute strength! Zero points!"
Compared to the curious, contemptuous, or indifferent attitudes of Demon-level Monsters, the Wolf-level and Tiger-level Monsters at the bottom reacted with unusual enthusiasm.
To them, Lord Bug God was simply an inspiring example in the Monster world. A newcomer taking down a senior and rising to power—this itself was proof of strength. More importantly, Lord Bug God was the first Monster who dared to openly wage war among lower-level Monsters and still live well. He'd even received successive summons from Great Eyes—clearly deeply favored and valued by higher-ups.
What did this mean?
It meant Lord Bug God was not only powerful but had profound backing. Following such a boss—the future was bright.
For a time, countless Wolf-level and Tiger-level Monsters, harboring various ambitions, surged from all directions toward Bug God's territory. Hoping to seize opportunity. Rise to prominence in one fell swoop.
Before the recruitment notice, a tall, alluring female Monster raised her fair wrist and chuckled softly.
Long black hair was piled high with multiple lightning-shaped hairpins. Floating thunder drums and golden cymbals behind her occasionally flashed with dazzling electric light. Glamorous Japanese-style performance attire could not conceal her exquisite curves. Fishnet stockings paired with long leather boots created a look both breakthrough and fiery.
"The new Bug God, huh…" Her voice was silk and shadow. "Sounds like an interesting man."