'M City?'
'An opportunity to go out and have some fun, finally!'
As soon as Evil Eye finished speaking, Hans's eyes lit up. He pretended to hesitate, speaking with a troubled tone, "Lord Evil Eye, it's my honor to serve the Association! It's just that…"
"What is it?"
Deep underground, Psykos's real body twitched slightly at the mouth as Evil Eye's massive single eye narrowed, her tone already impatient.
"It's just that after this period of training and accumulation, I feel as though… I'm about to touch the threshold of Dragon level, it's a critical moment."
The implication was clear, So, Gale Wind is too busy to go, huh? What a coincidence, I'm also too busy breaking through.
Psykos: "…"
With her intelligence, how could she not hear the hidden message behind his words?
What "Touch Dragon level"? What "critical moment"?
Let's be honest, he just wanted more benefits.
Still, Psykos thought for a moment. If Hans really could reach Dragon level that fast, he'd be an incredible asset to the Monster Association.
So, maybe… it wasn't unreasonable.
Controlling Evil Eye's body, she sighed and said curtly, "Fine. State your request."
As if waiting for that exact line, Hans's reply came instantly and boldly.
"Add more pay!"
Psykos: "…"
In her underground chamber, a vein pulsed on her temple.
'This guy… is his face thicker than his exoskeleton?!'
"Of course, there's no problem doing the mission," Hans continued, completely unfazed, shifting tone into a voice brimming with loyalty and responsibility.
"But to ensure the mission's success, and in case I reach the Dragon-level breakthrough during my travels without enough resources to stabilize it…"
"Lord Evil Eye, perhaps you could… advance me my 'Monster Cell' supply for the mission period?"
"And, to improve the odds of a successful breakthrough, maybe… add a little extra?"
Rich lady, I'm hungry, feed me.jpg
Psykos: "..."
The sheer shamelessness left her speechless for a few seconds.
His audacity to demand resources was only rivaled by how fast his power grew, it truly defied logic.
Still, she reasoned, the first Bug God had been obedient and useful, but its potential had hit a ceiling.
This second-generation Bug God, however, showed terrifying potential. His unique body absorbed Monster Cells without side effects, something exceedingly rare.
He might very well replace his predecessor as an even sharper blade.
A true Dragon-level powerhouse.
In that light, his greed was… acceptable.
A servant with desires is easier to control.
It's the ones with no desires that make you nervous.
'Fine,' she thought. 'Let's see how far your hunger can take you.'
After a brief internal calculation, Psykos made her decision.
"Fine."
Evil Eye's voice regained its calm, sinister tone.
"The mission deadline is one week. I'll grant you ten days' worth, one thousand Monster Cells."
"I trust that'll be enough for your… indulgence?"
'A thousand?!'
'That's 100,000 origin points!'
Hans's body stiffened, barely containing his joy.
'Sure enough, the crying baby gets the milk!'
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Evil Eye! I'll complete the mission without fail!"
For the first time, Evil Eye noticed genuine excitement in Hans's tone. Her eye gleamed with amusement.
So, she'd found his weakness.
Now that was satisfying.
But then, Hans spoke again.
"Oh, by the way, my lord," he added innocently, "this recruit I'm fetching will also need a Monster Cell for transformation, right? Shouldn't that be… included?"
Psykos: "…"
The air itself seemed to twist from sheer disbelief.
Underground, Psykos's temple pounded violently.
'This guy even wants to skim the rookie's share?!'
'Unbelievable.'
The giant, bloodshot eye glared at Hans's hopeful, pleading look.
Suppressing the urge to crush him into a stain with her psychic powers.
"Fine! Eleven days' worth! Now get the hell out there, and do the mission!"
Before he could thank her, a massive bulging cloth sack, almost as tall as a person, shot across the room wrapped in blue psychic energy and landed with a thud before Hans.
"Thank you for your generosity, my lord! I'll prepare immediately and depart at once!"
Three sentences, and Psykos willingly forked over 110,000!
Hans's eyes gleamed as he hefted the heavy sack over his shoulder. Even through the fabric, he could feel the eerie pulse of warped flesh, the lingering will of the serpent.
He bowed deeply, posture of a model employee, and turned to leave.
Watching him strut away smugly, Psykos's emotions twisted in complex knots.
'Damn it! I want to hit him, but I can't justify it!'
'It's infuriating!'
Then Hans suddenly stopped, turned back. Her blood pressure spiked instantly.
"…What now?"
(ꐦ⇀‸↼)
"Lord Evil Eye," Hans said, glancing toward the abyss beside the throne where a terrifying energy loomed, "I've heard the Monster King, Lord Orochi, resides on this floor?"
Evil Eye was Orochi's advisor, it made perfect sense her office would be nearby.
"That's right," she replied coolly. "What, you wish to meet him?"
Hans nodded eagerly. "Of course! Which monster in the Association wouldn't want to witness Lord Orochi's overwhelming majesty?"
Flattery, but perfectly aimed.
Orochi was Psykos's greatest creation, her proudest masterpiece.
Hans's reverent tone instantly soothed her temper.
"Hohohohoho~"
Evil Eye laughed that familiar, sinister laugh. "I could introduce you. But you've devoured far too many Monster Cells. That kind of power… is exactly Lord Orochi's favorite flavor."
Her tone turned teasing, almost sing-song.
"If he decides to make a meal out of you, I'm afraid… I won't be able to help you~"
Hans: "…"