MMORPG: Rise of the Peerless Pumpkinmancer

Jack removed his blindfold, his eyes moving all over the place to observe all the pretty colors. He grinned as he gazed as his troops, taking a victorious pose:

"How nice of them to bring us food! You know what this means, right? It's time for one epic barbecue!"

"Hell yeah!"

"This is the best!"

"Woo!" (Food! Food! Food!)

The members of Demonic Legion quickly grabbed their share of the meat to cook it. They started to roast it as one would marshmallows, holding sticks above the bonfires.

— Acquired Cooked Human Meat! —

— Acquired Burnt Human Meat! —

— Acquired Cooked Human Meat! —

…

They looked so peaceful and happy as they worked together to cook a perverse quantity of human flesh. They all acted as if it was normal too! None of the other players objected— they were too busy throwing up on the side!

The D.L. members chuckled as they saw all the people that couldn't stomach it. Talk about a low tolerance!

A delightful and mouth-watering aroma soon permeated the entire plain.

"This is gonna be so great. I'm starving!"

"Copy the Butcher! He's cooking his meat so perfectly!"

"Ah, man! I'm so hungry from this smell that I might just eat a piece raw!"

"Here, you can have a piece of mine. Look at that crisp tenderness! Isn't it amazing?!"

They sat together, talked as if old friends, and shared their food. The atmosphere was incredibly warm, a warmth that affected both the body and the soul.

As they all chewed on the meat, many began to tear up.

"Is it that bad?!"

"No, it's amazing!"

"So good that you're crying?!"

"I-it's been so long since I've eaten a meal with my family."

"We're all family here! There's no need to be sad. Just enjoy life!"

"Yes, I know. These are tears of happiness: this really just feels so nice!"

This resonated with so many of them. The players were tearing up with huge radiant smiles on their faces. At this moment, they felt so alive. So what if this was just a game? This happiness was real!

"Demonic Legion forever!"

"Hahaha, let's conquer this world, shall we!"

"Yep! So what if we have countless enemies? Eat them all!"

Some bystanders couldn't take it anymore. What the heck was wrong with these people. They were 100% crazy! Eat their enemies?! What the actual fuck! This group really was a goddamn cult!

That's when the cultists turned to their god.

"Leader, do a speech!"

"What are our goals as a faction?"

"Please share your wisdom, Boss!"

Jack gave a slight smile and slowly stood up. Silence followed as he gazed at them all solemnly. Many were ecstatic just from a passing glance.

"For the faction, I want everyone to be happy and well but also to be the ultimate best in all you do! As for my personal goal…" He paused a few seconds, the glint in his eyes turning so profound!

"I'll become strong enough to beat the entire world of Infinite alone." He declared heroically. It sounded so silly, and yet they believed in him, nodding with renewed resolve.

"Anyway, I'll be leaving soon and—" but he was suddenly interrupted by a mighty howl.

— HOWL!!! —

That's when an incredibly powerful-looking beast appeared at the edge of the forest. Its fur was the color of darkness, it was huge and its claws/fangs were so large! It would be able to eviscerate any of them with a swipe of its claws:

< ☠ Wolf Progenitor Lv 10 ☠ >

They sucked in cold breaths as they saw the dreadful monster eying them, salivating puddles on the grassy field. Was it going to charge their way?!

"What?!"

"That's the wolf Field Boss?!"

"What the heck is it doing here?!"

Even the few NPCs in their midsts became tense. Was this auguring a beast tide? Even during the last one, the wolf hadn't come this close to the village!

Some felt their blood pressure rise as they observed the creature.

Some noted how Jack was powerfully heading to face it (albeit a bit wobbly).

Some were at the edge of their seat, expecting another incredible fight from their favorite Demon King.

Heck, there were already a few players betting on the outcome. They all thought Jack would win but the divide was how:

- Sucker-punch the boss.

- Burn the wolf asunder.

- Send Moon Moon after it.

- Block its attacks till it commits suicide.

- Slice it up using his Cluckinator and cook it!

But then how he dealt with it completely astonished them. He just threw it some human meat very nonchalantly. Then his next words shocked them to the core:

"Welcome to the party! Now, let's get you drunk, shall we?" Jack grinned.

Wait, what?! He wanted to get the wolf boss drunk?!

What kind of plan was this?! There was no way that a deadly boss would just— no, it was freaking happening already! Their brains shut down as they saw the gigantic wolf obediently lap at a beer keg, its name changing.

< ☠ Drunken Wolf Guardian Lv 10 ☠ >

"0_0!"

"WTF?!"

"…"

"…"

"As expected of the Demon King!" Many unconsciously nodded. This sentence was an all-purpose explain-all!

Bubblegum approached, gawking at their new protector.

"Did you just tame it?!" She inquired.

"No, haha. It was just lured in by the aroma. But now that we have this wonderful guardian, you can let loose a bit and have fun. How about it, shall we get you drunk too?"

Before she had been abstaining just in case they were attacked again. But seeing that even a freaking boss was now on their side she finally relaxed. No matter how drunk it got it would surely remain powerful.

"Alright, sounds fun." She chuckled.

"Nice. Let me help you with that." Jack slowly crept closer with a huge grin. He then suddenly pounced on her, embracing her body in yet another bear hug.

"J-Jack?!" She jumped, startled.

Without saying anything, he quickly carried her away. How assertive! What had he planned?! She entrusted herself to him, awaiting what would follow.

But as she saw where he was bringing her, she could only yelp in shock.

"Wait?! Are you serious?!" She cried out.

"Yep! Are you ready?" He seemed so goddamn proud of himself too!

"Nooo, I'm not! Wait, let me remove my clothes first!!!" She cried out, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

That's when Jack launched her in the air. He chuckled, the bystanders laughed, Moon Moon wooed happily, and the CPR dude freaking guffawed.

Bubblegum's slender body coursed through the air, falling straight in a small pool completely filled with beer! It even did a satisfying splash!

"How's the water?" Jack asked cheekily.

"Pfft— That's your plan to get me drunk?!" She retorted laughingly, the golden liquid sticking to her clothes. "Alright, help me get out!"

He slowly approached and gave her his hand. She clasped it solidly…and pulled! As the two fell back in the booze pool, Bubblegum's crystalline laughter echoed in the plain mixing with his. the two were eagerly swimming in booze.

At this moment, there was no trace of the tyrannic Demon King. There was only Jack. There was only a youngster with way too much baggage enjoying himself to the fullest.

But then his happy expression seemed to turn slightly melancholic.

"What is it?"

"Just a passing thought." He softly uttered.

Lilly would have loved this place so much! He had actually entertained the thought to buy her an Infinite helmet and invite her in a rush.

But, he knew her too well.  She was sweet but proud. She wouldn't just stay put and accept to remain under Demonic Legion's care.

He already had a few enemies and wouldn't be able to bring her out of the tutorial anyway.

It was better if she started a bit later, in complete anonymity. This way, she would have the same mad fun she had in his previous life— without the hardships or the gruesome ending!

Bubblegum gazed into his eyes, feeling his resolve. She could feel the weight of a heavy past, and she could recognize herself in him.

She gently opened her mouth to comfort him, only to be interrupted.

"Woo!" (Cannonball!)

The little wolf had sensed its master's peculiar state. It happily jumped in the pool, hoping to distract him. It even lapped at his face in a comforting manner— damn, that tasted good! Also, why was the world spinning again?! Wow!

"Pfft— It seems Moon Moon is drunk again!" CPR dude chuckled.

Jack gave a wry smile seeing this.

But that's when Bubblegum leaned closer, whispered a few words in his ear, and left toward the forest.

"A date?" CPR dude asked in a low voice as if it were confidential information.

"She wants to talk for a bit." Jack nodded.

"Alright, Boss! I'll take care of Moon Moon. Go have fun!" CPR dude gave him his thumb up of approval and a knowing wink.

It wasn't like that, it really wasn't like that…or was it?

He slowly made his way over, giving one last glance at the plain. People were still so merry as they sang, danced, and socialized.

There were many playing with the wolf boss in a corner, feeding it more and more alcohol and food. The lucky creature pretty much had servants.

Then there was that one D.L. cultist group. They were cutting their palms, mixing their blood in wannabe blood pacts. Had they used the party to recruit more members? Ah, whatever.

Things would be fine here even without him. He took a step in the dark yet beautifully enchanting forest.

He and Seraphine had a lot to talk about…

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[A/N] Longer chapter: next one is taking longer to write for reasons ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)