Johan's voice drew closer, amidst growls and thunderous crashes.
"I'm going to tear him apart! I'm going to kill that miserable wretch!" his voice echoed through the hallway. "How dare he steal my throne?!"
One of the doors was brutally slammed against the wall. Standing before Jugo and Whisper was the giant himself. Johan's horns turned a deep crimson, and the scars across his bare abdomen looked ready to burst from the tension in his veins.
"Whisper!"
He lunged at the dragoness with implacable force, smashing the furniture across the room until he pinned her against the wall. Johan's hand tightened around Whisper's throat; she could barely breathe.
"I knew you and that wench Flare were up to something! Where is the one who stole my crown?!"
Behind the chaos, a tiny white ball of bones trembled, hidden on the throne. Jugo was still haunted by fear. It was only natural. In his other life, he was a human—a person like any other who suffered day by day and had lost the meaning of pain.
What do I do? The panel said this monster was the boss's right hand... even the second most powerful of them all!
His body throbbed as he whispered his laments. He had endured so many humiliations before that now, the concern for his own life had vanished.
Why am I paralyzed? Does my life even matter to me? Right now? After everything that's happened? His eyes remained fixed on the violent scene.
Time passed as the paralysis persisted.
"Tell me. Right now!" Johan roared again. Whisper's neck was turning darker, her face growing pale. Flare's earlier rage was just a toddler's tantrum compared to this.
A sharp pain bloomed in Jugo's empty chest.
Dammit! She's the only person who has treated me well since I got here... just like... Sofia.
Filled with sudden determination, Jugo moved toward the ruthless beast, a tingling sensation hampering his steps.
"Last time I'm saying it. Tell me where—"
"Let her go!" Jugo's squeaky voice interrupted.
"Who said that?" The great minotaur burst into laughter. When he saw the tiara atop the tiny skeletal body, he couldn't help but stomp the floor with his hooves. "You?! This has to be a joke... right?"
"I just told you to let her go! It's me you want, you bastard!"
The voice, though ridiculous, left Whisper stunned.
"Very well, 'Little Lord'." Johan obeyed with a sneer, tossing the dragoness aside with hatred.
"You son of a... Treat her with respect!"
The two lords locked eyes—one filled with hate, the other with contempt. Johan remained arrogant, unable to see Jugo as a worthy opponent.
"Or what? Are you going to kill me with those tiny little hands of yours?"
"No. But I'm going to make you apologize for what you did."
The fear that had paralyzed Jugo was slowly turning into strength, intoxicating him with courage and power. Black smoke concentrated, darkening his hands.
"Try it."
Jugo didn't hesitate and charged at the minotaur. His fist slammed into the monster's sturdy flesh, barely managing to dent it.
"Bahahaha! Is this the strength of the new Dungeon Master?!" Johan roared again. "I barely felt a tickle!"
[Status effect activated]
The minotaur's body collapsed in an instant.
[System Information] [Title Effect (King of the Absurd) activated] [Title Details: Your mere presence causes the laws of logic to twist. Effect: +500% chance of —Accidents—]