"Good dog, sit down."
Thumbskull extended his palm like a fan, attempting to calm the ferocious Wildmutt.
But this casual gesture only enraged the creature further.
Did he really think it was a dog? Absolutely outrageous!
In a fit of rage, Wildmutt roared and launched forward with explosive power. Its sharp claws scraped against the stone tiles beneath its feet, sparking fire as it charged toward its opponent with terrifying ferocity.
Despite his imposing size, Thumbskull was utterly petrified by the monstrous creature before him, frozen in place.
"Roar!"
Wildmutt swung a mighty paw, unleashing a blow packed with tremendous kinetic force that struck Thumbskull squarely in the chest.
Thud!
The burly villain took the full impact, sent hurtling backward like a kite with its string cut. He crashed into the courtyard wall with a thunderous crack, spiderweb fractures spreading rapidly across the stone.
"Woof woof!"
Seeing Thumbskull's humiliating defeat, the little black dog's eyes sparkled like stars. It wagged its tail at Wildmutt with a fawning expression, clearly aware that the big creature had just saved its life.
Wildmutt turned its head and gave a deep, low growl, signaling the little dog to stay back.
The small dog whimpered softly, crouching down with its head drooping, yet its eyes remained fixed on Wildmutt's imposing figure.
Tumbling down from the wall, Thumbskull hit the ground hard, his face covered in dirt. Groaning, he clutched his chest and gritted his teeth as he staggered to his feet.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. That one fierce strike from Wildmutt had nearly knocked the air out of him.
It had been a long time since he'd been hurt this badly—even being hit by a pickup truck wouldn't normally leave a mark.
Who could've guessed this "big dog" was this powerful?
As the thought crossed his mind, Wildmutt let out another snarl, ready to strike again.
Suddenly, a voice called out from atop the wall.
"So that's who it is—just a big yellow dog off its leash."
Under the bright moonlight, Frightwig stood on the courtyard wall, her crimson braids writhing like serpents.
Her resilient red hair was still coiled around Acid Breath, and the two of them glared down coldly at Wildmutt below.
Thumbskull's face brightened. "You're finally here! Come help me deal with this damn dog!"
With Frightwig and Acid Breath present, the trio was now complete. There was no way they couldn't handle one beast.
"Baldie, you're getting worse with age," Frightwig said as she leapt down from the wall, casting him a disdainful glance. "Can't even handle a little dog? How do you expect to serve Lord Zombozo?"
Thumbskull's face turned crimson with embarrassment. He wished he could crawl into a hole and disappear.
"Enough. Let's finish this quickly," Acid Breath said, removing his custom mask. "The town's full of treasure waiting to be looted. No point wasting time here."
The three exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Frightwig struck first. Her whip-like red hair lashed through the air, carrying a sonic boom as it snapped straight toward Wildmutt.
Sensing the deadly threat, Wildmutt's hackles rose, fur standing on end.
It kicked off the ground, leaping sideways just in time to dodge the attack.
Boom!
The crimson braid slammed into the stone tiles, shattering them into pieces. Dust and debris burst into the air, filling the courtyard with smoke.
Barely avoiding the strike, Wildmutt prepared to counterattack—
But before it could move, a wave of nauseating stench wafted from its side.
Acting on instinct, Wildmutt leapt upward, landing on a large tree in the courtyard. Its claws clamped tightly around a thick branch, anchoring itself to avoid falling.
"Damn it, you dodged that!"
Below, the scrawny Acid Breath wiped his mouth, his face twisting with rage. Moments ago, he had unleashed a cloud of corrosive stench, hoping to melt the big yellow dog into a puddle of goo—but to his disbelief, it had dodged.
"Leave it to me!" Thumbskull roared, clenching his massive fists and slamming them into the tree trunk.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each blow left deep craters in the bark. The whole tree trembled violently, shaking loose a shower of green leaves that drifted slowly down onto the lawn.
Thumbskull's brute strength was incredible—he was a walking tank among ordinary men. Yet the fact that he could rattle such a sturdy tree barehanded caught Wildmutt completely off guard.
As the trunk was about to snap in two, Wildmutt made its move, leaping straight down toward Thumbskull.
"I've been waiting for you!" Frightwig snarled, cracking her red, whip-like hair through the air, trying to ensnare the ferocious hound.
Wildmutt slammed its paw against the tree trunk, propelling itself into a spin midair and narrowly avoiding Frightwig's strike before landing steadily on the ground.
It roared furiously and charged at the stunned Frightwig like a thunderbolt.
Before she could react, Wildmutt's claws pinned her chest, pressing her flat to the ground, completely immobilized.
"Ah! Let me go, you big dumb dog!"
Frightwig shrieked in pain, her chest aching as though crushed beneath a giant hammer, each breath a struggle. Wildmutt's grip tightened, her eyes bulging under the pressure. She flailed wildly, whipping her red, serpent-like braids at its head.
With a growl of pain, Wildmutt released her and bounded backward, creating distance from the chaotic trio.
Thumbskull rushed forward and helped Frightwig to her feet. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"Shut up! None of your business!" she snapped, her face flushed with fury. Biting down hard on her teeth, she glared at Wildmutt, seething with the urge to rip it apart.
Rubbing her sore chest, her eyes hardened with venom. "Kill that stupid dog, or I'll make you regret it."
Thumbskull and Acid Breath exchanged a quick glance, their faces twisting into vicious grins before charging at Wildmutt.
Watching the two clash with the beast, clearly falling behind, Frightwig hesitated. Then, biting her lip, she pulled out her phone and made a call...
"Die, you filthy mutt!"
Thumbskull leapt high into the air, arms raised overhead, then slammed them down with tremendous force.
Wildmutt's sensory organs flared—its jaw tendrils twitching—and it instantly detected the attack from above, leaping clear of the impact.
Thumbskull's blow missed, smashing only the dirt below. He roared and prepared to lunge again, but Wildmutt was faster—it tackled him to the ground, sending him sprawling as stars danced in his vision.
At that moment, Acid Breath arrived, spewing a wave of acrid fumes so toxic they corroded the very air, surging toward Wildmutt.
Wildmutt's fur bristled in fury. Its sense of smell was razor-sharp—it couldn't stand the stench of Acid Breath, let alone the reek of acid filling the air.
The suffocating odor made its senses burn, driving it into a rage.
Dodging several bursts of foul vapor, Wildmutt darted in close. Under Acid Breath's horrified gaze, it slammed its paw into him, sending him flying across the courtyard. He crashed into a stone table and lay motionless.
"Woof woof!"
From afar, the little black dog wagged its tail excitedly, tongue lolling as it watched Wildmutt's display.
Its dark, glimmering eyes sparkled with admiration, as if dreaming of one day becoming as strong as the mighty dog before it.
Wildmutt stepped forward, its muscular limbs carrying it slowly toward Frightwig.
"I'd advise you not to try anything stupid, big dumb dog," Frightwig stammered, retreating step by step while clutching her chest.
Wildmutt grinned, baring a disturbingly human-like smile as it advanced.
Remembering what had just happened, pain shot through her chest again. Terrified, Frightwig screamed, "Alright, I surrender! Big dog, please don't hurt me! I won't hit you again, I promise, waaah!"
"Roar!"
Wildmutt raised its heavy paw, ready to strike—
Boom!
Suddenly, fireworks burst behind it, exploding in a shower of sound and light.
Wildmutt spun around, its thermal sensors flaring. Its massive frame shuddered, stumbling backward.
Colorful ribbons drifted down from the sky as a bulky figure stepped out from the haze.
The newcomer's face was pale, his eyes dark and bottomless, a sinister grin curling across his lips to reveal jagged yellow teeth. Both arms were lined with translucent blue orbs, something writhing within them, releasing eerie, haunting wails.
Zombozo swept his gaze across the scene, then locked onto the trembling Wildmutt.
"So that's what it was—just a cowardly, stupid dog."
He gave a chilling laugh, striding forward with long steps, then drew back his fist and struck down hard...
...
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