My Monster Evolution in One Punch Man

M City? An opportunity to finally go out and enjoy himself had arrived.

As soon as Gyoro Gyoro finished speaking, Hansen's heart stirred. He furrowed his brow, put on a troubled expression, and hesitated. "Lord Gyoro Gyoro, serving the Association is an honor! It's just…"

"Just what?"

Deep underground, Psykos's real body twitched slightly at the corner of her mouth. Gyoro Gyoro's single eye narrowed with visible impatience.

"It's just that, after a period of reflection and accumulation, I've started to sense... that I may be touching the threshold of Dragon-level. So, yeah. Getting a Pokémon evolution myself real soon."

The unspoken message was obvious: So Gale Wind can't go because he's training? Well, I might break through too, so maybe I shouldn't go either.

Psykos didn't respond.

With her intelligence, there was no way she would miss the implication in Hansen's carefully chosen words. Dragon-level threshold? Evolving? Please. In plain terms, the guy just wanted more benefits and was using this as a convenient excuse.

But still, if Hansen truly could break through this quickly and rise to Dragon-level, it would be a major asset for the Association's future plans. Perhaps this demand wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Controlling Gyoro Gyoro's body, she replied flatly, "What do you want? Just say it."

As if he had been waiting for that precise cue, Hansen instantly perked up. "You'll have to pay more!"

Psykos didn't respond.

In the hidden chamber, a vein twitched on the forehead of the elegant psychic woman. This man is real sludge of the drain~!

"Of course, I have no issue with carrying out a mission." Hansen's tone shifted with practiced ease. His eyes now radiated loyalty and a heavy sense of duty, giving off the impression of unwavering dedication to the organization. "But to ensure absolute success, and to prevent missing a breakthrough opportunity during the mission due to a lack of resources…"

He paused for a moment.

"Lord Gyoro Gyoro, would it be possible to receive my supply of 'monster cells' in advance? And to improve the chance of a successful breakthrough… could I possibly get a bit extra?"

Psykos didn't respond again.

Even for her, that level of shamelessness was hard to process. But at the same time, she had to admit that his growth speed really was remarkable.

The first Bug God had been loyal and obedient, but was already nearing his limits. Peak Demon-level was probably the highest he could ever reach.

But this second Bug God, Hansen, was different. His rare body constitution allowed him to absorb huge quantities of monster cells without any visible side effects. That kind of adaptability was rare and too valuable to ignore. If nurtured properly, he could surpass his predecessor and become a true Dragon-level monster.

Given that, Hansen's near-greedy desire for monster cells didn't seem like a flaw to Psykos—it actually struck her as a promising trait. Desire made someone easier to manipulate. A powerful subordinate with no personal wants would be far harder to control, and frankly, more unsettling.

Hmph. So your appetite's that big? Let's see just how far you can go.

Weighing the pros and cons in her mind, Psykos quickly reached a decision.

"Fine."

Gyoro Gyoro's voice, still full of theatrical flair, settled into its usual composed and sarcastic tone. "The mission limit is one week. I'll give you ten days' worth. One thousand monster cells. I assume that should be enough for you to burn through?"

One thousand monster cells. That was a full 100,000 source points!

Hansen's entire body jolted with excitement, and he didn't bother hiding the joy on his face. As expected, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

"Many thanks for your generosity, Lord Gyoro Gyoro. I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

Seeing Hansen show such obvious delight for the first time, Gyoro Gyoro's massive eye flashed with satisfaction and subtle amusement. Now that she had identified Hansen's weakness, Psykos's mood finally improved a little.

Then Hansen spoke again, and instantly shattered that brief moment of relief.

"You're celebrating too early."

"Oh, by the way, my lord," he added casually, as if something had just occurred to him, "the newcomer we're recruiting this time... won't they need one monster cell as well to complete their transformation? About that…"

Psykos was silent as the air before the storm.

The air itself seemed to twist slightly from the sheer shamelessness of the request. Hidden deep underground, veins bulged visibly on Psykos's temple.

This insect fuck! He even wants to skim off the single cell meant for the rookie? Greed didn't even begin to describe him.

Gyoro Gyoro's bloodshot eye stared directly at Hansen's hopeful gaze. Psykos clenched her teeth, barely resisting the urge to crush him on the spot with her psychic power.

"You get eleven days' worth."

"Neet! Just need—"

"Get going and carry out your damn mission!"

Before her words had fully landed, a large, tightly stuffed sack, easily the size of a grown man, wrapped in glowing blue psychic energy, flew through the air and landed with a heavy thud right in front of Hansen.

"Many thanks for your generosity, my lord! I'll go prepare right now and head out at once!"

Three sentences, and he had made Psykos cough up 110,000.

A sharp gleam flashed through Hansen's eyes as he effortlessly slung the heavy sack over his shoulder. It had a solid, weighty feel. Even through the thick fabric, he could sense a strange, mind-warping aura emanating from within, traces of the Monster King's twisted will, still lingering in the deformed flesh.

He gave a respectful bow, his posture flawless, the picture of a model subordinate. Then he turned and began walking off.

Psykos watched the way he acted all obedient after getting his way, her puppet body's single eye filled with complex emotion.

Damn it. She really wanted to punch him, but had no justifiable reason to do so. That made it all the more frustrating.

Just then, she noticed Hansen suddenly stop a few steps away, turn around, and come back. Her blood pressure spiked.

"…What now?"

(ꐦ⇀‸↼)

"Lord Gyoro Gyoro," Hansen said, glancing toward the dark void beside the throne where a terrifying presence loomed faintly, "I heard that His Majesty the King Orochi resides on this level?"

Gyoro Gyoro, as the Monster King's official advisor and secretary, managed affairs right next door.

"That's right," the distorted voice replied as Gyoro Gyoro's lid twitched slightly. "What? Bug God, you want to seek audience with His Majesty?"

Hansen's black mask revealed no expression, but he nodded without hesitation, his gaze intense.

"Of course. Which monster in the Association wouldn't want to witness the Monster King's overwhelming power and greatness with their own eyes?"

The flattery was exaggerated, but it struck Psykos right in the heart. The Monster King was the strongest monster she had ever created, the culmination of all her efforts, without question her greatest work. Hansen's tone of admiration and fanaticism made her forget how irritating he had been just moments ago. Her mood lifted again.

"Oh ho ho ho ho~" Gyoro Gyoro let out a rare, villainous laugh. "I can introduce you, but… you've consumed quite a bit of monster cells. That kind of power may or may not be to His Majesty's liking."

At this, Gyoro Gyoro's voice turned teasing, full of implication.

"His Majesty hasn't had a high-quality Demon-level snack in quite a while. If he decides to treat you as nourishment, I won't be able to help you~~"

Hansen fell silent.