MMORPG: Rise of the Peerless Pumpkinmancer

"Hehe, so you're him." A chuckle rudely awoke Jack from his nap.

The newcomer was a towering and battle-hardened octopus. The scars all over its body gave him a savage look, one only reinforced by his evil aura.

Then there was the glint in his eyes that was utterly terrifying and sadistic. He was even licking his lip, expecting all the "fun" they would have.

The being gazed straight into his prey's eyes, waiting for the realization to set in. It would be as usual: the fear, then the begging, and finally—

"The Thousand-Arms General, eh? Whoever gave you your title is in dire need of a math class." Jack sighed as he peacefully uttered.

But even faced with such disrespect, the octopus kept his cool. This wasn't the first time he was dealing with a cocky target.

"Hehe, don't worry, it will feel like thousands. Now, let's have some fun, shall we!" The General radiated perverse joy as he got many toys out.

There were all kinds of daggers, saws, scalpels, needles, poisonous-looking potions, clamps, doom devices, and even a few eerily glowing pearls. This guy really loved torturing people!

Slowly taking all of it out wasn't just for his sake but for his victim's sake too. The target's fear would rise with every new addition. It was a showcase from hell!

Even Jack couldn't remain still before such a display. His face showed shock, the octopus inwardly grinning to himself— until Jack spoke.

"Oh! A pearl of anguish! Is that a portable iron maiden?! Lead sprinkler, eh? That's a classic. Oh? What's in there? Mandrake's blood, right? Nice!" Jack excitedly chattered.

There was something wrong with this guy! How was he so happy about seeing such tools?! Also, wasn't he a little too knowledgeable? The General's collection was quite rare too!

The General's eyes shone with interest. Had he suddenly found a kindred spirit?! He couldn't help but get curious about this human.

"You know about those?!"

"Of course! It's a pretty nice collection for an amateur." Jack praised.

That's when the atmosphere instantly turned dark. Was there a bigger mistake than calling the one about to torture you, an amateur?! Not when the proud General was concerned!

[Warning! Log-Out Recommended!]

[Warning! Please Exit the Game Before—]

Jack ignored the warnings as the torturer tied him up, the "fun" beginning…

1. Complete restraint of freedom

2. Use of various pain-enhancing drugs

3. Decent addition of mental torment, insisting on his prisoner status.

4. Skilled use of physical devices to inflict the most pain and the littlest damage.

5. Appropriate finishers: magic tools used to assault both the mind and the body at once.

6. Profit?

This was an entire torture course that didn't leave anything lacking. The guards only heard the sounds, yet it was enough to make them all sick. Yes, they who knew death!

As for the Empress, that could peer inside the mist, she had to avoid her gaze. The whole process was way too gory and bloody!

Jack's entrails were exposed to the air, his skin was utterly peeled off, and yet he was alive and kicking. He was akin to a vision from nightmares.

"Hehe, how was it?" The General released a breath, finally free of the fury of being called an amateur. By now, his victim had a glazed look on his face, his mind broken.

This was the look of someone that had given up on life. All he had to do was to refresh his consciousness, and he would no doubt break into tears. The human would—

"Meh, it was fine…for an amateur: 5/7!" Jack calmly rated.

"….?!?"

At this moment, there was a long silence, all parties shellshocked. How was he so calm?! That's when they finally realized…that they didn't understand anything!

There was something fundamentally wrong with this human! Did he not know pain? No, that wasn't possible either….the General wouldn't miss something so obvious!

But sadly for their sanity, Jack was only getting started.

"Here, let me show you." He casually waved, his restraints cut through like butter as he approached the tools to inspect them.

"….?!?"

He had freed himself? That easily?!

Jack was inwardly rejoicing at the moment. The mist blocked most magic, but not Unique one: he could still use his Demon King's Nascent Soul Weapon!

Yes, he had just used a finisher spell to cut through regular restraints! But since it simply conjured a tiny dagger, it seemed to his captor like he had done it easily.

He was now strolling peacefully, in a horrifying state. Then again, he was a player, so as long as his HP didn't reach zero, he'd be fine….albeit plagued with countless maimed debuffs.

That's when he began berating the stunned General.

"Tsk— tsk— Look at that! There's still blood on this stake! You should wipe it as soon as you are done using it. One needs to be meticulous!"

"You misused this claw. You were gentle enough not to inflict much damage, but you could have pressed more strongly with the spiked handle part."

"You used this spear on my hands, but it's meant for the victim's back door, you know. You insert it hilt included and…."

The more he spoke, the stranger the situation became. He was freaking teaching their chief torturer?! Who the heck was this guy?! What kind of BS was this?!

"I-I understand!" The General replied, awe in his tone.

"Hm, but more importantly, you're missing one vital tool. I just needed a look to know that you are an amateur." Jack casually remarked.

"W-what?! What is it?!" Never had the General been so excited. An entirely new world of possibilities was opening before him.

"Should I tell you, I wonder?" Jack playfully teased him.

He simply wanted to let him wait for a little, but the man instantly acted! Before Jack could react, the General dashed straight at him…and kneeled?!

"Please accept this lowly one as a student! I shall do everything in my power to make you proud! Please—"

"Tch— Fine. You see, the secret to torture lies not in damaging but in healing." Jack chuckled.

"AH!!! I understand, thank you, master!"

That's when the entire throne room shook, the mist evaporating. The mental shock had been too much, the Empress losing control of her spell.

She was revealed in all her splendor, an appearance worthy of a goddess. But at this moment, her beauty was slightly affected by the dead goldfish's expression.

"Oh? So you finally decided to join us?"

A bloody walking corpse happily waved, a spike ball in hand. He was akin to beckoning to the living, which was utterly terrifying.

Seriously, who hell was that guy?! There was no way that he was human! He had to be some kind of devil, right?!

[Scammer! Great Scammer!]

[This System Is at a Loss for Words!]

"Now, I believe you were dying to meet me, right? I guess I can hear your offer. So, what do you propose, young lady?" His bright smile showed no sign of politeness.

Usually, anyone in the room would have killed him for such disrespect, but their thoughts were in complete disarray. The beautiful and merciless goddess was nowhere to be seen.

"T-that….Yes…No…Kinda?! I—"

"It's alright, take your time. There's no hurry, hehe…."