"Hmm?"
Jack looked up slightly. An elephant-headed Monster in a sharp suit—six arms, riding a hovering metal disc—sped toward him like a race car. Along the way, Wolf-level Monsters were blown aside by the powerful wake. His undisguised aura silenced the entire gathering.
"Bug God—that's a Demon-level Monster. Absorption Maniac. "
At the side of the throne, Ox-Head Man—current captain of the First Squad—subconsciously gripped the long-handled battle-axe in his hand. His voice rumbled with warning.
Before Jack, the ability information of the impeccably dressed elephant-headed Monster materialized.
[Monster: Absorption Maniac]
[Disaster Level: Demon (Upper)
]**
[Ability 1: "Storm Inhalation (SR)"
]** : Absorption Maniac expands his elephant trunk to create a powerful pressure differential, forming a hurricane suction capable of drawing multiple targets into his body and storing them for extended periods.]
[Ability 2: "Digestion Plunder (SR)"
]** : Absorption Maniac can temporarily plunder the superpowers of absorbed individuals and use them freely before fully digesting and excreting them.]
[Ability 3: "Ability Manipulation (SR)"
]** : After prolonged use of numerous absorbed superpowers, Absorption Maniac can control, separate, and fuse various abilities at will—including but not limited to Fire, Storm, Lightning, Water Flow, Freezing, Evil Thoughts, and other powers of different natures and forms.]
[Ability 4: "Psychokinesis (SR)"
]** : Absorption Maniac possesses powerful mental power above standard thresholds, excelling at materializing mental power, creating force fields, and controlling various material energies.]
The elephant-headed Monster before him—like Wind of Cyclone in human form—was classified as Demon-level Upper by the system.
In Jack's assessment, however, there were distinctions within Demon-level Upper.
Wind of Cyclone, who mastered the SSR Swift Wind, could achieve strong Demon-level Upper combat power without even entering Monsterification. Absorption Maniac's abilities were all capped at SR. Even if he went all out after absorbing numerous powers, his own stats constrained him. At best, he was a weak Demon-level Upper—still lacking.
Consider the First Generation Bug God. Even after unleashing his second form—post-molting—he couldn't defeat Jack in his normal state. Both were Demon-level Peak. Yet the gap was vast.
Like the difference between someone just entering Qi Refinement and someone at Great Perfection. Same principle.
(First Generation Bug God: ???)
"What, Absorption Maniac…"
Jack nodded slightly at Ox-Head Man—the loyal new minion—then rested his right fist against his cheek. He regarded the elephant-headed Monster with undisguised interest.
"Are you planning to become the first Demon-level cadre under my command?"
The recruitment scene, previously buzzing with activity, fell dead silent. Every Monster sensed the shift.
Danger. Danger. DANGER.
Oh no—the two strongest Demon-level Monsters present might actually fight.
Even the Poison Lizard Sisters, fresh from their "social death" experience, clung to each other in terror.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!"
Absorption Maniac's booming laughter shattered the silence. His massive five-meter frame swayed with mirth, trunk flailing wildly.
"You? A little brat who just crawled out of the woodwork—you think you're worthy of my allegiance?"
He sneered.
"I am a powerful being capable of continuously absorbing and plundering others' abilities. Great Eyes herself said—if I absorb enough abilities, I might break through my own limits and become a cadre-level Monster."
His gaze swept over the assembled Monsters with contempt.
"These useless recruits you're gathering? Nothing but a pile of walking food in my eyes."
He crossed his arms.
"Kid. Seeing as you're barely qualified to be called a 'colleague'—why don't you pick some subordinates and let me have a taste? If they taste good, perhaps next time I see Great Eyes, I'll put in a good word for you."
Provocation dripped from every word. He clearly didn't believe this lucky opportunist—this upstart who'd killed his predecessor—could pose any real threat.
"Indeed—weakness and ignorance are not obstacles to survival." Jack's voice was quiet. "Arrogance is."
"…What did you say?"
Absorption Maniac hadn't caught the whisper. What he did catch was that Bug God's reaction defied his expectations.
He was actually… smiling?
In his prediction, the other party would either rage or bluff. But this?
Jack smiled.
"So. You're here to cause trouble, then?"
Yesterday, he'd been regretting not being able to settle things with Cutting King. Today, another Demon-level Monster volunteered to show up at his doorstep.
Expand my influence. Gain several hundred Origin Points.
Double happiness.
Absorption Maniac froze. Before he could formulate a response, he felt it—an extreme danger locking onto him.
On the throne, the dark figure vanished the instant Jack's words ended. Blurred afterimage. Gone.
The speed made Absorption Maniac's pupils contract.
S-So fast!!
He never dreamed that would be his last thought.
*BOOM—!!! *
A muffled, thunderous roar—accompanied by bursting airwaves—shook the entire venue. It was as if space itself had been punched through.
An irresistible force struck. Absorption Maniac's powerful pectoral muscles collapsed inward. Inside his body, a continuous, teeth-grinding crackle of breaking bones echoed.
The next moment, the iron fist—encased in hideous black armor—punched through his chest. Momentum undiminished. Crushed his spine. Emerged from his back.
A spray of red blood mixed with shattered organ fragments erupted like an exploding engine, drenching nearby Monsters head to face.
[Killed Demon-level Monster 'Absorption Maniac' | Gained Origin Points × 888!]
[Successfully copied SR Ability: 'Ability Manipulation' Lv1!]
[Successfully copied SR Ability: 'Psychokinesis' Lv1!]
[Current occupied ability slots: 11 / 15.
]**
As Absorption Maniac died on the spot, a series of system prompts sounded in Jack's mind.
The absorption-and-plunder ability this guy had been so proud of? Not worth mentioning. It even had a time limit—simply trash compared to the unscrupulous system's permanent replication.
But the SR-level Ability Manipulation and Psychokinesis were commendable.
The former greatly enhanced his control and proficiency over various superpowers—highly compatible with Jack's existing ability pool.
The latter was a practical mental-type superpower. Even if its raw strength was insufficient, it could free his hands in daily life and allow free flight. With sufficient stats, it could even form map-level AOE attacks—instantly annihilating everything.
The Hero Association's superpower sisters—Blizzard of Hell and Terrible Tornado—were the best examples of both.
(Blizzard: ???)