As Jack truly unleashed his power for the first time, a terrifying demon god—even more colossal than Pochi frolicking in the water—now stood by the dark river.
"Pochi. Come here."
Hearing this familiar yet strange summons, Pochi poked his enormous head out of the water. When he saw the familiar yet strangely massive figure on the shore, his six eyes simultaneously showed confusion and bewilderment.
This aura… it's the chef's scent—no doubt. But… when did the chef get so big?
"Woof? (Who are you?) "
His simple dog brain was filled with huge question marks.
Hearing Pochi's question, Jack couldn't help but grin. His bone-white fangs gleamed with a chilling light in the dimness.
Times have changed, Pochi-chan!
"Get over here!"
With a roar, the massive body suddenly lunged forward—its speed completely disproportionate to its size. The next second, two colossal hands, like mountains covering the sky, descended from above—like the Five-Finger Mountain suppressing giant beasts in myth—and firmly pressed down on Pochi's head, which was larger than an SUV.
"Don't be nervous. We said it's a SPA, so let's start with the most basic—head relaxation."
Before he finished speaking, the two giant hands suddenly exerted force. Knuckles bulging, they began to frantically knead and rub Pochi's dog head. The force was so great that it made the air shriek with sharp popping sounds.
"WOOF-WOOF-WOOF—?!"
After a frantic rubbing session, Pochi's dog face was deformed. His six large eyes squeezed and elongated into ferocious slits. Involuntary drool dripped from his bared fangs, flowing into the dark river below.
As a dog, Pochi might not have the arrogance of a strong individual. But being treated so roughly made him instinctively begin to resist frantically. His massive body violently darted left and right in the water, stirring up wild waves, trying to break free from the iron-like grip on his head.
But what made the dog incredulous was that the two giant hands wildly assaulting his head seemed to be part of his own body. No matter how much he struggled—no matter how terrifying the power he unleashed—they remained completely motionless.
"Woof woof woof… woof woof!! (What the heck is going on… let me go!!) "
After struggling for a full half-minute—the giant waves he'd stirred up almost submerging the entire cave—Pochi belatedly realized a cruel reality.
He couldn't escape… he couldn't escape at all. The black giant's strength is above mine.
After giving up his futile resistance, Pochi was surprised to find that something wonderful happened. Though the other party's movements were still incredibly rough, the terrifying force seemed to be controlled just right. Every rub, every press landed precisely on the most comfortable and relieving spots on his scalp. Waves of tingling, strange pleasure rushed from his scalp to his tailbone, causing all his muscles to involuntarily relax.
This… what is this feeling?
"Woof…"
The struggling force gradually disappeared. Pochi's massive body went completely limp. His six eyes comfortably narrowed into slits. His thick hind legs began to rhythmically paddle in the water uncontrollably, creating circles of happy ripples. His huge tongue dangled from the side of his mouth. Drool flowed like a waterfall into the river.
"Woof… woof… woof woof…! (So comfortable… I'm going to become… a useless dog…!) "
U (❍ ❍ ❍ ᴥ ❍ ❍ ❍) U
The turbulent sound of the underground dark river gradually subsided, leaving only Pochi's satisfied, loud snores and the plop of his hind legs unconsciously paddling in the water.
After Jack's Thai ancient head massage—which had no technique, only brute force—this Dragon-level giant dog had completely given up thinking. He lay in the water like a satisfied lump of mud, his eyes glazed over, his soul having departed.
Jack returned to his usual three-meter-tall form, looked at Pochi's six eyes narrowed into slits—a dazed look of being utterly broken—and clapped his hands in satisfaction.
The best way to tame a beast is not just simple feeding, nor is it mere intimidation. Instead, it is to make it understand who the boss is in a way it can comprehend.
Over the next week, Jack personally and profoundly demonstrated the definition of a boss to Pochi.
Freshly roasted Monster snacks were naturally indispensable daily. In addition, playtime was added. Of course, this so-called playtime, to other Monsters, looked more like a miserable one-sided beating. Simply by unleashing his power, Jack could transform into a giant Monster over ten meters tall, engaging in the most primitive wrestling with Pochi.
The SSR+ transcendent Fierce Beast Body allowed him to easily withstand Pochi's charges and bites—and even treat his energy blasts as hot water for scrubbing. Every playtime, Pochi would be beaten black and blue, his dog face filled with confusion and awe. He couldn't understand why this chef—who could suddenly grow and shrink—had a body size similar to his when grown larger, yet could completely overwhelm him in strength, speed, and technique. His indestructible body was like dough under the opponent's fists—to be kneaded however he pleased.
After several such encounters, Pochi finally accepted reality. In this home, he was no longer the boss. This guy—who could cook, grow large, and fight better than him—was the boss.
Thus, the deepest canine instinct, imprinted in his genes, was completely awakened.
Now, Pochi—with a single command from Jack—would never dare go west if told to go east, and would never dare lie down if told to sit. He occasionally let out ingratiating woof woof sounds of coquetry. The entire domestication process came naturally—like tens of thousands of years ago, when the first wild wolf wagged its tail and walked toward a human campfire.
Psykos, the mastermind behind the Monster Association, was completely unaware of everything happening under her nose. She never dreamed that Insect God—who had been uncharacteristically quiet recently—had quietly turned one of her ace subordinates into his loyal dog in the most unpretentious way.
Recalling that woman deep underground, Jack pondered the gap between himself and the Monster King. A blazing flame burned deep in his eyes as he slowly clenched his fist.
Forget the dog—I want everything from the Monster Association.
Z City
The afternoon sun was a bit scorching. The air was filled with a lazy, hot atmosphere.
At the street corner coffee shop, a huge sun umbrella cast a large area of shade. A young man in simple casual clothes sat on an outdoor seat, holding the day's newspaper with his slender fingers, his posture relaxed.
The young man was excessively handsome, his chiseled profile sharp and defined. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the umbrella, casting mottled light and shadow on his tall, strong body—creating a pleasing scene like the cover of a fashion magazine. Many women passing by couldn't help but frequently glance over, whispering to each other. Even bolder young girls took out their phones and approached, wanting to ask for contact information.
The young man was Jack—who had just skipped work from the Monster Association to get some fresh air.