Chereads / Make-Believe! / Chapter 8 - A Bone to Pick With (2)

Chapter 8 - A Bone to Pick With (2)

A bipedal being, covered in thick, black fur, walked towards Rocky's group. He had the appearance of a wolf with his pointed ears, large snout, and his wagging tail. Arlo immediately recognized him as a werewolf. The werewolf slowly licked his mouth and gave them a condescending smile, revealing his sharp, bone-crushing teeth. The werewolf had eyes the color of blood, and they exuded out a dim, crimson glow. His muscular arms looked as if they could crush metal and chuck gigantic boulders. Not to mention his claws that could easily rip the flesh and bone of humans.

Behind the werewolf were a zombie and a mummy. The mummy was wrapped in bandages from head-to-toe, while the zombie wore torn clothing over his green body. The zombie had a missing left eye and skin on some areas of his body were gone. They looked significantly weaker compared to the werewolf.

Arlo had beads of sweat dripping from his forehead as he stared at the werewolf. Those insane muscles would kill him for sure. Arlo approached Rocky and whispered, "Holy crap, dude, that thing's built like a Greek god! I'd say we haul ass before we get beaten to a pulp!"

"Yer jokin', right?" Rocky stared at Arlo liked he's an idiot. To him, the werewolf didn't look that strong despite having huge muscles. Sometimes, he wondered why the gods blessed Arlo with magic powers if he can't do crap with it. Rocky continued, "Who knows, the big fella could be somewhat friendly."

Out of Rocky's expectations, Johnny's teeth chattered as he slowly backed away from the werewolf. Johnny's arm shivered as he pointed at him, "T-that's the guys I've been warning you a-about..."

"Hey, Bonehead! Who're the losers you're playing house with?" The werewolf laughed along with his two buddies. Meanwhile, Rocky and Goomy stared at them with grim faces. They had the urge to smash their heads into the ground and be done with it. However, they held back because of Johnny.

The mummy wrapped his arm around the zombie's shoulder and pointed at Goomy, "Look, Walker! Johnny even got himself a little goblin runt!" They both laughed even harder as Goomy's face turned red. Goomy tightened his fists as anger continued to build up.

The werewolf joked as he looked at Arlo, "And who's the scrawny guy? I'm surprised the wind's not blowing him away, already."

"Why the heck is everyone calling my scrawny!" Arlo pulled his white shirt up and revealed his scraggly chest. His ribs were protruding through his skin as Arlo proudly showed off his 'wonderful' body. Arlo smugly asked him, "Does THIS seem scrawny to you?"

Everyone stared at Arlo with shock and disgust. The atmosphere around them was as quiet as a funeral. Unfortunately, Goomy couldn't handle any more torture as he quickly passed out due to shock. Meanwhile, the zombie known as Walker vomited whatever's left in his stomach. As a zombie, even he didn't witness such a grotesque scene ever in his life.

Rocky clutched his eyes in visible pain as he rolled on the ground, "My eyes, my eyes! I can't see!"

The werewolf was on the verge of vomiting, but he barely managed to hold it in. He quickly begged Arlo, "Please, put that thing away! Do you not have any regards for human life!"

Arlo frowned as he watched everyone suffer in agony. He didn't think it was this bad; his mood suddenly turned sour. Arlo grumbled as he pulled his shirt back down, much to his dismay. The horror show was now gone, and everyone but Arlo sighed in relief.

"No wonder you befriended these guys; they're all outcasts like you," The werewolf looked back at Johnny. The werewolf watched as Johnny drooped his head in silence, and he sneered at his timid nature. "Seeing a bunch of outcasts here disgusts me. I guess it's time for another beating."

The werewolf felt a sudden dark aura radiated from Rocky. He shook in fear as he glanced at Rocky's demonic face and took a few steps back. The werewolf thought that the Demon Lord had finally descended upon Earth to annihilate all lifeforms from existence. His two goons didn't fare well as they hid behind his back in pure terror. They looked at their leader, waiting for him to do something. The werewolf knew he couldn't back down; he had to uphold his alpha persona. Otherwise, he would be seen as a weakling to everyone. Therefore, the werewolf pumped his chest out and stood there in his false bravado.

Rocky's anger had reached a breaking point. He couldn't stand cowards who bully the weak. His bones cracked as Rocky tightened his fists, "Hey furball, why don't you and yer harem get the hell out of here before I turn ya into a winter jacket."

"Heh, s-scary, aren't cha?" The werewolf shrouded his fear through a smile. He then grabbed the mummy and pushed him in front. "Hey, Bandy, show that fool what you got!"

'B-but, boss! I d-don't think I take him on," Bandy said. He tried to swerve his way out of his predicament. Facing the Demon Lord head-on was suicidal, and Bandy happened to enjoy being alive.

"If you don't do as I say, I'll tear your limbs out for you!" The werewolf threatened. His killing intent sent shivers down to Bandy's spine.

Bandy shrunk back and swallowed his saliva from fear. Bandy gritted his teeth and charged towards Rocky as he shouted a loud battle cry, "Prepare yourself, demon!"

Bandy's bravery now turned into deep regret. His life's memories flashed before his eyes as a fist hammered into his stomach. Poor old Bandy felt his stomach churned, and he winced from sheer pain. It was like being struck by a sledgehammer from King Kong.

Rocky grabbed Bandy's head and lifted him off the ground. Bandy closed his eyes and squeezed his last words out, "Momma, I'm coming home."

"Go to sleep!" Rocky slammed Bandy's head into the ground with full power. Bandy's head was cemented into the ground as his whole body twitched helplessly upside down. Rocky wiped the dust from his hands in satisfaction. He looked at the remaining duo and asked, "Who's next?"

"He did Bandy in like it was nothing!" Walker shrieked. He could only think of one word to describe Rocky: Monster. Walker turned towards the werewolf and asked, "Boss, what do we do now!"

"W-We?! You mean you!" The werewolf went into full panic mode and grabbed Walker by the head. The werewolf was ready to betray his own comrade for self-preservation. It was time for the zombie to show off his usefulness to his leader.

"Wait, boss!" Walker's eyes widened and yelled. He gripped the werewolf's hand and tried to yank himself free, but to no avail. "Don't do this to me!"

"Too late!" The werewolf chucked him at Rocky with all of his strength, and Walker shot towards him like a speeding bullet. Walker shrieked in terror as tears poured from his eyes like a waterfall. Rocky chuckled menacingly as he swung his leg like a baseball bat.

Walker blasted off into the distance as he screamed his famous last words, "I HATE YOU ALL!"

A twinkling star shined brightly in the sky, and he was no longer seen again. Arlo waved his giant foam finger around and happily cried out, "Homerun!"

As the werewolf tried to make his daring escape, he froze on the spot once he heard that demonic voice calling out to him.

"Where the hell do ya think yer goin'?" Rocky crossed his arms.

"Uh... I was just on my way to the bathroom..." The werewolf nervously chuckled.

"Ain't that a bummer," Rocky sneered in contempt and pointed towards Johnny. "Well, this guy has somethin' to say to ya first, furball."

"Jackal, for all the things you have done to me; it ends now!" Johnny ended his long silence. His pent up rage finally exploded after years of torment, and he didn't hold anything back. "I'm done dealing with you and your stupid gang. Just you and me. Two days at midnight. I want to settle everything with you once and for all."

Jackal scowled at Johnny. He didn't dare back down when a weakling challenged him in a one-on-one duel. Jackal had to put him back in his place. He then snorted, "Fine. Just you and me. No interventions."

Jackal glanced at Rocky before he hastily walked away. Meanwhile, Bandy finally managed to pop his head out from the ground. However, he panicked as he saw his boss leaving him alone with the demon lord. He quickly ran towards Jackal, "W-wait for me, boss!"