"Uh... This has to be a joke, right?"
The tiara that once belonged to that being fell, landing right on Jugo.
"You... you're dead!" The crimson dragon took flight, lunging straight at Jugo.
"Wait! It was an accident!"
Jugo waved his hands, trying to deny the facts, just as a sudden gust of wind swept both dragonesses out of the room.
[System calculations fixed – Updating information]
User: Jugo
Level: 999
Race: Immortal Corpse
Affiliation: Dungeon Master
Stats: STR (999), VIT (999), DEX (999), CHA (7), INT (70)
Skills: [Immolation], [End of the World Coffee]
"This is really bad..."
Jugo stared at his hands. They were covered in the same black smoke as that previous being. It was undeniable: he had become the lord of this place.
"Sister, please calm down! Our Lord... he's gone!"
The two dragonesses were struggling with each other.
"Shut up, Elain! That shrimp is responsible, we can't let him go!"
Elain's soft, snow-covered hands grabbed her sister's arms, trying to soothe her rage.
"I'm going to kill him and avenge his death."
She was completely determined. Jugo stood paralyzed by the power overflowing from his body, and to make matters worse, a dragon wanted him dead. He barely had time to analyze the situation.
"Time?" he asked himself. "That's it! Maybe with all this new power I can—!"
A fist slammed into Jugo's face. His small body was sent flying against the empty throne, seating its new king upon it.
"Wait a second before doing that, at least! You haven't even let me justify myself!"
Jugo hadn't noticed a thing. Not the hit, nor the pain he should have felt from such raw power. It was only when the ashes of the former lord fell on him that something inside him activated: his nose.
A sneeze with the force of a bullet sent the dragoness flying through the castle walls.
"Oh my god... another accident..."
The little skeleton sat dejectedly on the throne.
"I believe the situation isn't the best," Elain interrupted. "But allow me to introduce myself. I am Whisper, my Lord."
Maybe things weren't as bad as he thought. Perhaps there was someone he could actually talk to. Jugo's dull, depressing face lit up immediately. His walk was no longer that of a skeleton whose bones rattled with timidity; he marched toward Whisper, his feet sinking into the stone floor with every step.
He threw his hands over the dragoness's and, with a spark in his eyes, began to shake them excitedly.
"Ah... My Lord, please don't get so excited!"
Whisper was tossed from left to right, hitting the floor and the ceiling. The immeasurable power born from mere emotion prevented Jugo from noticing what was happening. Luckily, the high level of the monsters inhabiting the Great Dungeon allowed them to endure it without taking too much damage. Any other human would have been reduced to a puddle of blood and dust.
Jugo's joy lasted only a few more seconds. He remembered he had sent the other dragoness flying, and even though he didn't know her, he could feel a chill run down his spine. Her rage pierced through him even from miles away.
"My Lord, forgive me for interrupting your celebration..." Whisper said breathlessly. Her flesh was trembling, and some scales on her clothes had cracked. "But I fear your new ascension won't last long once Johan and the others find out..."
Gently, he released Whisper's warm white hands, letting her rest on the floor.
"W-What do you mean?" Jugo stammered, returning to his fearful self.
"Exactly what I said." Whisper brushed the dust off her body and stood up. "My sister will be the least of your problems now. The great monster factions have been at war for centuries, and in recent years, it has only escalated with the skirmishes Johan has started."
Jugo took a thoughtful breath. It seemed that being grounded allowed his mind to relax a bit, letting him adapt to his new body. He had to think of a plan of action before more problems arose—especially knowing that the entire dungeon that once ignored him now had its eyes fixed on him.
"Right! Whisper, was it? Let's—"
A deep, powerful voice echoed through the castle's great hall.
"Where is that damn bag of bones? I'm going to turn him into mush!"
Jugo recognized the voice instantly; it was unmistakable. The great mountain of muscle who held the position of Right Hand: Johan.