Almost the instant Jack appeared, Gyoro Gyoro's gaze—like a searchlight—precisely locked onto him. Discovering that he was still flirting with the Monster Princess "Nude S," a flicker of anger, then cold scrutiny, flashed in its bloodshot single eye.
"Insect God." Gyoro Gyoro's voice carried an undisguised question. "I thought you had already defected."
In an instant, gazes of schadenfreude, curiosity, and disdain converged on Jack from all directions.
This guy—not only was he late, but he dared to make Lord Gyoro Gyoro angry? He must be tired of living!
In the Dragon-level cadre's formation, the human face on the head of Centipede Senior—who was attending the meeting on behalf of Elder Centipede—showed a hint of curiosity. Strictly speaking, arthropods are not insects, but in the Monster Association's classification, they are broadly categorized as insectoid Monsters. Centipede Senior had long heard of Insect God, who was half its own kind. Seeing him now with its own eyes, it—who had only come to go through the motions—couldn't help but develop a slight interest.
—So, how will you handle Gyoro Gyoro's wrath?
In contrast, Reincarnated Phoenix Man, Armored Gorilla, and Mosquito Girl—who were directly subordinate to Insect God—had no significant reaction. No need to mention Phoenix Man—the tragic past of being repeatedly pummeled by that pervert below him even after two reincarnations was vivid in his mind. He didn't think that Insect God, this deeply hidden schemer, would be unable to overcome this "difficulty" before him.
Armored Gorilla remained expressionless as usual, standing still like a true robot. Needless to say, it was this guy's favorite part: showing off.
Mosquito Girl was still sipping her specially blended flavored drink, and judging by her enjoying expression, she was clearly savoring it. It seemed she wouldn't stop until she finished the entire box of drinks she brought.
Facing this sudden accusation, Jack paused. But he didn't look at Gyoro Gyoro immediately; instead, his gaze softened, and he turned to look at the direction of his subordinates.
Reincarnated Phoenix Man, whose eyes met his, shivered, then shrank his neck, unconsciously drenched in sweat. He felt as if Insect God—his boss—had heard his inner thoughts.
—He clearly didn't have such terrifying psychic abilities before!
—Boss, I was wrong!!! Qrz
After a death glare that almost made Reincarnated Phoenix Man—that traitor—bury his head in his feathers, Jack finally turned back to look at the bloated one-eyed Monster on the floating sofa throne.
"Lord Gyoro Gyoro, you jest."
His deep, abyss-like voice—resonating through his carapace—carried a peculiar metallic quality amidst the majesty of a strong being. He declared loudly: "I am utterly devoted and loyal to His Majesty Orochi and the Monster Association! My admiration for you is like a surging river, endless, and like the Yellow River overflowing, unstoppable…! I was merely delayed by a small accident just now. Please forgive me, Lord!"
His words betrayed no emotion, only an iron-like… loyalty.
Psykos: …
In the secret room, Psykos—holding a glass of red wine—almost spat it out. This guy—in such a solemn and highly public occasion—could still unblinkingly display his special talent…
She felt her temples starting to throb again.
"Alright, alright—enough nonsense!"
Psykos's expression was uncertain. She immediately manipulated Gyoro Gyoro to interrupt Jack's declaration of loyalty: "Late is late. Any reasons you have, save them for after you survive."
"Survive?" × N
These three words, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly caused a stir. In an instant, most of the Dragon-level Monsters present showed expressions of keen interest. These individuals, standing at the top of the Monster pyramid, were all shrewd. They immediately noticed the awkwardness and impatience Gyoro Gyoro's mental fluctuations revealed when that Demon-level Weirdo appeared. And until just now, it had been full of confidence, certain of victory. So… there was something fishy.
On the gigantic throne, Orochi—who had been serving as a background for a long time—opened its golden, kingly eyes. Its gaze, like a top predator sizing up prey, fell upon Jack's dark insectoid carapace. Hair, horns, sharp teeth, pointed claws—every protrusion on its body could transform into a formidable grotesque snake at any moment. At this moment, this cluster of tentacle-like grotesque snakes all opened their eyes in unconscious rhythm, countless snake pupils simultaneously looking down at the dark figure directly below, instantly maxing out the terrifying pressure of its will.
If one observed closely, they would notice that the pupil on one of the snake heads seemed to contract slightly. The terrifying intuition formed from countless life-and-death transformations made it detect a hint of… incongruity in this seemingly weak insect. This sense of incongruity was very faint, almost negligible. But for an existence of Orochi's level, any abnormality was worth being wary of.
—This guy has a problem.
Noticing something amiss, Orochi did not speak or notify Gyoro Gyoro through mental fluctuations; instead, it remained silent, not uttering a word. Having undergone countless life-and-death transformations, it was no longer a mere weapon or tool but possessed its own thoughts and desires.
When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
Just as Orochi looked down at Jack, Jack was also observing the Monster Association's strongest member.
—Tsk—no ability information… is there still a gap in raw strength?
He had anticipated this and wasn't disappointed. A gap was a good thing, meaning that once he completed the ability replication, it would be another direct surge in power. However, the main course should always be saved for last.
From the perspective of Imagination Power's perception, all the Dragon-level cadres' ability information—except for Gyoro Gyoro's puppet body—was laid bare before Jack's eyes. And there were so many appetizers yet to be tasted.
For some reason, Black Sperm felt an inexplicable irritation of being spied upon. However, with tens of trillions of cells stored, it didn't even fear Orochi, and quickly cast aside the slight discomfort.
"Wait a minute—this guy… I remember him!"
Frowning in thought for a moment, it then clapped its hands, looking like it enjoyed watching a good show, and said, "I remember now—he's the chef that Pochi chose! Ha… after so long of dullness, there's finally a good show to watch!"
Above the meeting hall, Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame—who occupied the high ground—exchanged glances, both seeing the same malice and pleasure in each other's eyes. As some of the earliest victims, they had all been bullied by that bug to varying degrees. One was a bug relying on a dog's power, the other was genuinely beaten. Now seeing Insect God fall out of favor, their lips curled into angles of schadenfreude.
The Monsters present at this moment, for once, shared a common view. They had thought the boring meeting was finally over, but unexpectedly, at the last moment, there was still a revenge drama to watch. Interesting—so interesting.
"Survive?"
Below the throne, Jack did not despair or get angry because of Gyoro Gyoro's cold words; instead, he stepped forward emotionally.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord!! So… so Lord Gyoro Gyoro, you haven't forgotten your promise to your subordinate!"
Psykos: ?
No—am I concerned about you?!