Tempest Kick!
Bang!
Before Gale Wind's move could even touch King, he was sent flying by a single swing of the bat.
Hellfire Flame, who was standing to the side, immediately took action upon seeing this. He threw a powerful kick, searing heat rushing toward them.
"He couldn't do it, so you think you can?"
A cold sneer appeared at the corner of King's lips.
He swung his bat, instantly dispelling the flames and smashing half of Hellfire Flame's body.
"Wait a minute!"
Just as King was about to deliver the killing blow, Gale Wind suddenly spoke up.
"Any last words?"
On the surface, King seemed dismissive, but he was secretly preparing himself. After all, these two had not yet undergone monsterization.
"You're quite good. Interested in joining us?"
Even though the duo's strength seemed inferior to King's, there wasn't a trace of fear on Gale Wind's face.
Their original purpose for this trip was to deliver a monster cell to Sonic, who also hailed from the Ninja Village, and recruit him into the Monster Association. They also intended to track down Flashy Flash and eliminate him. They hadn't expected to encounter a variable like King.
Instead of killing him, it would be better to recruit him into the Monster Association. Gyoro Gyoro would surely be very pleased.
"Join you?"
King already knew what they meant. However, even if he were willing to swallow a monster cell, the system probably wouldn't allow it.
Besides, he didn't want to be called a monster. The name "Underwear Mask" was already bad enough.
Thud.
A pulsing monster cell was tossed onto the ground. At the same time, Hellfire Flame's body began to undergo a drastic transformation. The injuries King had just inflicted healed rapidly. His appearance shifted into that of a humanoid lizard, with his hands turning into sharp claws.
Boom!
Hellfire Flame swung his hand, sending a terrifying blade of energy forward. King, who was already prepared, swung his bat to block it. However, the power exceeded his expectations, and he was pushed back several meters.
"How is it? This kind of immense power is within your reach, as long as you're willing."
Gale Wind smiled.
The stronger a person was, the more they craved power.
"I refuse. I don't want to become an ugly thing like you—"
Just as King was speaking, a system notification suddenly rang out.
[Ding! Mission triggered: Fuse with a monster cell. Reward: Skill: Monsterization.]
"Huh? I f*cking won't—"
[Penalty for refusal: Run three laps around the Hero Association headquarters completely naked.]
"You f*cking..."
King was speechless. He didn't understand why the system was forcing him to undergo monsterization.
'I don't want to turn into a monster like them.' King gritted his teeth.
[The system will fuse the monster cell, physical characteristics can be controlled at will.]
'Still no. Give me some other benefits.'
King had a sudden idea. It was rare for the system to be this anxious, he'd be doing himself a disservice if he didn't squeeze it for more.
[Reward: 500,000 talent points]
'It's just streaking, so what!'
[1,000,000 points! One random talent!]
'Given our relationship, I won't ask for much. Give me Pig God's skill, and I'll eat it right now.'
[...Deal.]
Meanwhile, Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame had lost their patience. If King made any suspicious move, they were ready to eliminate him immediately.
"Hahaha! We're all family here. Put the blades down first."
King knew he had pushed it far enough. If he truly provoked the system, he wouldn't gain anything.
"Hmm? Have you come to your senses?"
Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame exchanged a look, a smile appearing in their eyes. King being willing to swallow the monster cell was naturally the best outcome.
"Eat it! Why wouldn't I? I have some business to attend to. I'll eat it as soon as I'm done, and then I'll head to the Monster Association to find you."
King picked up the monster cell and prepared to leave. He had already wasted quite a bit of time here. He didn't know how things were going on Death Gatling's end.
"Wait a minute!"
A scimitar wreathed in flames blocked King's path. Gale Wind's appearance had also undergone a massive change. However, compared to Hellfire Flame's ugly lizard face, he clearly looked more human.
"It's better if you swallow it here. We will stand guard for you." A cold glint appeared in Gale's eyes.
If King made any suspicious move, he would strike to kill immediately.
"We're buddies, don't say that. I'll eat it, okay?" King felt a bit helpless.
Looking at the constantly pulsing monster cell in his hand, he couldn't help but feel nauseated.
"Gulp."
King steeled himself and swallowed the monster cell whole.
Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame's gazes relaxed. So far, no human who had swallowed a monster cell had been able to resist the mutation. They were also curious about King's strength after monsterization.
"So hot!!!"
King felt a wave of intense heat surging through him from the inside out, as if he were inside an oven.
Crack...Crack...
A series of chilling sounds of bones grinding echoed. White bone spikes erupted from King's body, quickly surrounding him.
"A bone-based monsterization? What an astonishing mutation." Gale Wind couldn't help but remark.
At that moment, King looked like a giant porcupine.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully fusing with the monster cell. Reward: 1,000,000 talent points, Skill: Monsterization.]
[Monsterization: Greatly increases speed and strength. Physical characteristics can be controlled at will.]
[Acquired S-Class Rank 10 Pig God's Talent: Inhuman Digestion. Skill: Devour.]
"Is this the power after monsterization?"
King calmed down, feeling the surging power within his body. He felt that his physical body was much stronger than before.
Retract!
Shing!
The bone spikes instantly retracted into his body, and he immediately returned to his original appearance.
"You can already control it freely? You really are talented. Welcome to the Monster Association."
Gale Wind flashed a kind smile, but what greeted him was King's fist.
Boom!
With just one strike, Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame's bodies were sent flying dozens of meters.
"Don't mention it." A smile appeared on King's lips.
He was now fully confident in his ability to kill the two in front of him.
"Good strength, but you're still a far cry from the Dragon-level executives in the association."
"We will report your information to Gyoro Gyoro. You should also hurry and report. The final battle with the Hero Association is about to begin."
Gale Wind stood up, unbothered by King's sudden attack. After all, their identities had all become those of monsters now. Even if King wanted to return to the Hero Association now, it would be impossible. Neither heroes nor civilians would ever accept a monster.
"We look forward to your arrival."