Chapter 105: The First General Meeting of the Monster Association, Task Assignments
The first general meeting of the Monster Association was about to begin.
Aokiji took his seat in the center of the underground plaza.
Surrounding him was a circular, vertical underground tower-like structure, with numerous tunnels and stairs connecting the various levels.
These were ruins left behind by the Subterranean Clan.
As the most heroic and handsome figure among Aokiji's figurine collection, the Subterranean King figurine came with the most generous bonus gifts.
However, the current number of members was too sparse; they couldn't even fill the meeting area.
"Why hasn't Mosquito Girl arrived yet?"
Aokiji rested his arm casually on the stone throne, his fingers tapping rhythmically.
He hadn't seen any sign of Mosquito Girl while passing through the Ghost Town on his way here.
Psykos, standing behind and to the side of Aokiji, replied:
"That bit— *cough cough*, Executive Mosquito Girl is carrying out your orders. she is spreading the mosquito swarms under her control throughout Z-City to detect newly born Monsters immediately. She'll be here shortly."
Only then did Aokiji remember that he had said those words when he was sharing the congee with the two of them earlier.
Fine then, since it was his own command, he would wait a bit longer.
He turned his gaze toward his current subordinates.
Orochi was the tallest, his crimson body untainted by dust despite the days of excavation work. Dragon-shaped biological tissue clung to his body like the patterns of armor.
Beside him, Carnage Kabuto glanced at Orochi with eyes full of wariness mixed with Battle Intent.
Armored Gorilla and Beast King stood ramrod straight, staring ahead with resolute gazes like two loyal soldiers.
In truth, Beast King was merely imitating Armored Gorilla's actions.
He knew full well that his combat power was no match for Carnage Kabuto, let alone that executive, Orochi.
He couldn't even compare to the current Mosquito Girl.
His title as the former number two combatant of the House of Evolution was now a name without substance, and he had previously participated in the plan to ambush Leader Aokiji.
If he didn't learn from Armored Gorilla, Beast King feared he might one day fall into a glacier and suffer an "accidental death," or die by "suicide" with seven or eight ray-gun wounds in his back.
The other Monsters scavenged from the House of Evolution stood in a row, heads bowed timidly.
Their combat power wasn't of much use, but some possessed marginally practical abilities.
Before long, Mosquito Girl fluttered down on her wings.
She landed beside Aokiji without hesitation, shooting a provocative look at Psykos.
Feeling that irritating, provocative gaze, Psykos gritted her teeth inwardly.
That bitch! You'd better not make a mistake and fall into my hands!
"Everyone is here, so let's begin the meeting." Aokiji sat up a bit straighter.
"You should all be clear on the theme of this meeting; after all, I mentioned it briefly when you first arrived: expanding the Monster Association."
"The Association's base is now large enough. The next step is naturally to recruit new members. Now, I will assign your respective tasks."
Aokiji raised his hand, signaling Psykos behind him to begin.
A Hero in the public eye, but the Leader of the Monster Association in the shadows.
No matter what the future progress bar required, he would have sufficient assistance and resources.
Psykos stepped forward a few paces.
A slightly smug look flashed imperceptibly in her eyes as she glanced at Mosquito Girl.
Hmph! No matter what, she's just a female in heat. Does that brainless creature really think she can compete with me?
Now it was Mosquito Girl's turn to grit her teeth in secret.
It seems my methods back then weren't ruthless enough!
You'd better pray you don't fall into my hands again!
Psykos began to lead the task assignments, saying:
"Recruiting Monsters is a long-term plan that requires absolute secrecy."
"Therefore, regardless of what task you are responsible for, the rule you must follow is to be extremely vigilant. Do not expose yourselves or the existence of the Association to human society."
Once the preliminary warnings were finished, the Monsters nodded silently.
Even the most arrogant and overbearing, Ashura, didn't make a peep to cause trouble.
He was a fan of brutal venting through combat, but he had no intention of experiencing being one-sidedly pummeled for hours again.
Orochi, like an ancient sculpture, nodded slightly in silent stillness.
Ever since he learned the truth about the "sacrifice," he had felt a constant sense of urgent unease and had begun to question his own actions.
If he continued to act according to his own thoughts, would he still fall victim to the prophesied ending within the unobservable web of Karma?
Thus, Orochi had almost entirely given up his own thinking.
He chose to wholeheartedly obey Aokiji's commands, attempting to use the man who had shown him the truth to escape his original fate.
Psykos continued:
"First, the frequency of Mutant Monsters and Natural Monsters appearing is gradually increasing. Among them, there are no lack of intelligent individuals who know how to hide."
"They might be mixed into the chaotic and dangerous criminal underworld, or mimicked into human society to survive, or perhaps they huddle together to form small circles of Monsters."
"The strength of these types of Monsters is uneven; there are bound to be powerful beings hidden among them, though most are just small fry."
"But overall, they are a force that can be absorbed."
Psykos turned her gaze toward the experimental Monsters from the former House of Evolution.
To be precise, it was the group including Slugman and Frog Man.
"Slugman, with your telepathy, you will serve as the group leader. Lead Frog Man, Mercury Mantis... and other members. You are responsible for finding and recruiting these types of Monsters."
"Yes!" "Understood!"
The mentioned members responded one after another.
Among the current members of the Monster Association, they were just trash who could be killed by aftershocks.
But compared to the Wolf-level and Tiger-Level Monsters in the outside world, they could be considered a powerful force.
"Do not publicize this widely. Don't make too much noise. Remember the rule of secrecy."
Psykos warned them once more.
She then looked at the three combatants: Carnage Kabuto, Beast King, and Armored Gorilla.
"You three will be responsible for multiple tasks."
"For some relatively strong Monsters who are unwilling to join the Association, you will go and 'persuade' them."
"Among the Monsters who agree to join, there will surely be some with restless and arrogant hearts. You will serve as instructors to make them understand the 'rules'."
"Also, for newly born Monsters identified through Mosquito Girl's swarms and other channels, bring them back to the Association before human society discovers them."
"Of course, we won't have you shoulder such a vast number of tasks forever. As the membership gradually increases, your pressure will be shared."
Carnage Kabuto let out a strange laugh, showing no resistance at all.
"So basically, I just have to beat up all the guys who don't listen? I couldn't ask for more!"
Armored Gorilla spoke in a deliberately imitated mechanical voice:
"I have no objections. It is my honor to serve Lord Aokiji."
"You two took all the good lines!"
Beast King immediately followed up:
"I—I feel the same way!"
Finally, it was Orochi's turn.
Aokiji looked at the dragon-shaped biological tissue on his body.
His mind wandered, wondering if he tied these "dragons" into a dead knot, could they untie themselves?
At the same time, he heard his secretary Psykos say:
"As Lord Aokiji informed you all previously, the public leader of the Monster Association from now on will be Executive Orochi."
"His title shall be—Monster King Orochi!"
"Remember, do not expose the truth in front of any new members who join in the future."
Orochi's task didn't need to be explicitly stated.
It was primarily to increase his strength, and secondly to act as a deterrent to lead the Monster Association.
After the task assignments for the members were completed,
Aokiji remembered something.
He turned his head to Psykos and said:
"The future operational management of the Monster Association also needs to be handled by you."
"Understood, Lord Aokiji... but as your secretary, it isn't very convenient for me to show my face in the Monster Association, is it?" Psykos asked in confusion.
"You have a flesh puppet technique, don't you? Use that," Aokiji said flatly.
"Yes..." Psykos responded, forcing herself to remain calm.
But deep in her heart, a wave of intense shock erupted!
How does this man know everything?!
She had indeed submitted to Aokiji, but she hadn't forgotten her own goals that easily.
This hidden flesh puppet technique was originally intended as a backup plan, waiting for a possible opportunity to arise.
Yet it had been pointed out so easily... Mosquito Girl, seeing Psykos's strange reaction,
didn't understand the specifics, but she instinctively wore a sly smile.
I feel like the time for this bitch to be punished again isn't far off~
Just you wait, I'll go buy some new toys when I get back~~!
(T/N: yeah right. toys~)