"How about I show you something better?" Rodrigo's voice coupled with that of Pentaro echoed with authority as his brown eyes transformed into piercing blue, adorned with intricate patterns.
As Pizzaro stared into those eyes, his own widened in shock. "L... L... Lord Pentaro?"
With the transformation, Rodrigo's physique became more muscular, his back veins pulsating beneath his skin. His bright blue eyes exuded an intimidating aura that could send shivers down anyone's spine.
"Pizzaro... So you escaped?" Pentaro's commanding voice now spoke through Rodrigo's body.
Pizzaro instantly released his grip on Pentaro's neck and bowed down. "Y... Yes, along with the rest!"
"The rest? Who do you mean?" Pentaro inquired, his senses alert.
"The other captives. It was as if we were set free," Pizzaro explained.
"Set free? By whom?" Pentaro pressed further.
"I don't really know, but I woke up and found the door open," Pizzaro replied nervously.
"That's absurd. When I escaped, the doors were tightly sealed," Pentaro remarked, suspicion creeping into his tone.
"Yeah, so I heard," Pizzaro muttered, his hand subtly moving against his skin.
Pentaro sensed the danger and remained vigilant. "What are you doing..." His words trailed off as he noticed a sharp, bright red dagger aiming for his heart.
Reacting swiftly, Pentaro grabbed the blade before it could strike him.
"The Punisher? How did you come into possession of this blade? Only royalty can wield it," Pentaro exclaimed, his shock palpable. He remained unfazed by Pizzaro's feeble attacks.
"Then I guess all those who escaped including I are now royalty," Pizzaro replied with a smirk.
"The one who set you free gave you this? To kill me?" Pentaro questioned, his patience wearing thin.
Pizzaro responded with a smile before releasing his grip on the blade and stepping back.
"Who set you free?" Pentaro demanded, his tone growing impatient.
"Why not find out for yourself from my memory?" Pizzaro suggested cryptically.
Pentaro's frustration boiled over, and he shouted, "Come!"
In an instant, Pizzaro was pulled closer to him like a magnet. Without hesitation, Pentaro tilted Pizzaro's head to the side and, with a swift motion, smashed it into the ground, shattering it into numerous fragments.
In the blink of an eye, Pizzaro returned to his standing position, facing Pentaro once more. "Who sent you here?" Pentaro demanded.
"Your greatest rival!" Pizzaro taunted.
"My rival? Who is my rival?" Pentaro inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Nita's betrothed!" Pizzaro revealed with a laugh.
"Nita's betrothed? To whom?" Pentaro pressed further.
Pizzaro chuckled and replied, "I am limited to some information."
But Pentaro's patience had reached its limit. Without laying a hand on Pizzaro, he violently swung him into the cars behind them. Then, with another forceful motion, he pulled him closer again. Pizzaro's face bore scars from the impact, but he remained defiant.
"Maybe when you meet the rest, they can tell you, but I won't. Kill me if you wish," Pizzaro challenged.
Pentaro ignored his taunts and invoked his spell, "Excruciator: Inside Out!"
Pizzaro screamed in agony as the spell took effect, writhing on the ground in pain. Smoke emanated from his mouth, and his skin began to crack under the intense heat. Despite the torment, Pizzaro showed resilience.
As the pain subsided, Pentaro pressed him once more, "Who sent you, and why?"
"Is that all you've got? Is that all Almighty Lord Pentaro could do? The slayer of gods. Has prison softened you up already?" Pizzaro spat defiantly.
"Soften? You bet!" Pentaro retorted calmly.
With a gentle motion of his hand, Pizzaro was flung into the air with such force that he disappeared from view, launched high into the sky.
With a snap of his fingers, Pentaro summoned a blue, table-like object onto the ground. Motioning with his head, he directed Pizzaro to fall into it, using a thunderous and lightning strike motion.
Recognizing the danger of the object, Pizzaro began shouting for help. "Noooo, I will talk!"
But it was too late; Pentaro didn't make empty threats. As Pizzaro fell into the object, his flesh spilled out, sizzling upon contact.
"I will—" Pizzaro began, but before he could finish, Pentaro cast another spell, "Excruciator: Burn!"
Flames erupted around Pizzaro, engulfing him in agony.
After a few moments, the pain subsided, but Pizzaro's body still smoldered, emitting smoke.
He coughed weakly, attempting to speak. "If... If you kill me now, where will you get the information you need?"
"You said it yourself, there are others!" Pentaro replied calmly.
"What if I lied to you? What if...there's no one out there?" Pizzaro countered, desperation creeping into his voice.
"There's no way someone would send you to kill me. I believe there are higher and tougher individuals who came with you, making it more fun!" Pentaro retorted.
"It's a pity you were the first to meet me, Pizzaro," Pentaro added with a hint of finality.
"Wait, wait," Pizzaro began pleading, but Pentaro was not in the mood to listen to him.
He raised a finger for the finishing blow when suddenly the police showed up in a fleet of vehicles, pointing their guns at him.
They had received a call from the woman nearby, reporting a monster attack. Seeing Pentaro amidst the chaos, they assumed him to be the culprit.
"Raise your hands and don't make a move!" one of them shouted, but Pentaro ignored their commands, his attention elsewhere.
Infuriated by his defiance, another officer yelled, "Don't make us do this!"
Pentaro finally looked up at them with his piercing blue eyes. "You think you can harm me?"
Without hesitation, the officers opened fire, but their bullets bounced off Pentaro's skin harmlessly.
"Human beings, always so foolish. You're in my way, and I have no time for obstacles!" Pentaro exclaimed, extending his hand towards them.
"No, don't hurt them!" Rodrigo's voice echoed from within. "Harming the innocent is unacceptable!"
"Well, I'm sorry, but that's what I do for a living!" Pentaro retorted.
With a flash of energy, a wave shot from his finger, sweeping away the police officers and their vehicles, leaving behind only silence.
"Huh? Where's Pizzaro?" Pentaro wondered aloud.