[A few moments ago]
Jerry decided that since Jack had at least completed three laps, he'd quickly make him dessert and have him hang out outside while he tidied his room.
At first, some chocolate biscuits would have done the deal, but then Jerry went down the rabbit hole and made a larger batch of biscuits due to greed.
So he decided to tidy up the room while waiting for the biscuits and playing some music to pass the time.
Luckily, he wasn't in the mood for loud music, or else when Jack's ear-piercing shrill, which sent him into a panic, bounced into the room, he wouldn't have heard any of it.
He quickly ran out of the room, turned off the oven, and dashed toward the source of the sound, only to see a grown-ass adult male violently suppressing his much younger target on the floor without an ounce of shame.
Jerry's eyes caught the motion of the man's hand, and he nearly fainted! That bastard was about to break Jack's arm!
So he screamed in a bid to grab their attention and launched at the shameless thing with full force, which sent both of them tumbling away from Jack… and led up to this very moment.
***
Jerry's smile twitched. Why hadn't the man replied?
He had at least expected a punch to the face in response, but not only did he not get one, he was met with silence. Could he be contemplating the most painful way to send him off?
Jerry looked down and muttered fearfully, "Young master, you really can't kill me. It's stated in the contract…"
It was a stupid plea because the other little shits couldn't care less, talk more of this shameless adult.
Only then did Jean snap out of his daze. He was simply too astonished by Jerry's beauty and only now did he begin registering the male's words.
His face hardened. "What did you say?"
Jerry flinched and instantly stood up before answering, albeit reluctantly, "Young master… Beat me instead. I'm even prettier than Jack and I'm a Normal. Obviously, I'm more disgusting!"
He glanced back in a bid to motion to the teen to run away. Luckily—or not—the son he had raised was a fucking coward.
He had long since deserted him to his fate.
'Ah Zero, I might actually die this time, and the mission will be done for.'
"Don't worry, there are more beginners who fail their first mission than those who succeed."
'...So I won't be penalized?'
"No, you absolutely will be ( ╹▽╹ )."
'....(≖_≖)'
"Haha…," Jean's slow laughter came, scaring Jerry, who took a step back.
Jean smiled with derision. "So brave, yet so cowardly like your master. Look, the one you're trying so hard to save even locked the door, completely abandoning you to your fate."
'Damn, is that even necessary! That selfish jerk!'
"He's just a kid."
'You're enjoying this a bit too much (—_—).'
"Heh."
Despite the inner displeasure, Jerry merely smiled.
"Young master, he's but a child. Children are natural cowards—ugh!"
His reply was interrupted with a grab to the throat.
'Ugh, he's so strong!'
He was lifted up, and after a little struggle, simply gave up, letting his hands dangle powerlessly and his eyes close shut in submission.
"Hah!" Jean's eyes were filled with mocking mirth along with a more complex emotion as he glared at the already defeated Jerry.
"You know I can just kick the door open, right? Are Normals usually so foolish, or do you truly believe I can't break open that door if I want?"
Jerry's pale lashes trembled, and his eyes fluttered open.
It wasn't that they didn't know—they simply hoped he wouldn't be shameless enough to! But apparently, that was a pipe dream!
Jerry tried to speak, but the grip on his throat tightened, rendering him speechless, and he merely stared with caution.
A low chuckle was heard, and the next minute, Jerry was sent to the floor, with his butt taking the full impact of the fall.
… It really hurt.
Just then, a light slap fell on his cheeks, stunning him. His attention was again drawn to the man who towered over him, and before he could say a thing, his jaw was grabbed harshly.
"At first," Jean began, "I had planned to break all his limbs, then fix them before permanently ruining his face with acid… It would be a test for him to prove his identity as a Pure. Disfigurement with something as weak as this—even an Ancient can heal, talk more of a Pure!"
Jean's grin widened, and within his red eyes hovered an unparalleled pressure that suppressed Jerry with huge momentum.
Jerry could tell—he was on a completely different level from those kids! Even without his beast powers activated, he exerted such pressure, yet he was shameless enough to do something like this?
Also, Jack was not a Pure, you crazy fuck!
"But since you're such a noble caretaker, why not take his place?"
Jerry gulped. "Yes…"
"But instead, you'll drink it."
"Yes… What?"
Jerry's eyes widened along with Jean's wicked grin. His jaw was forced apart, and with all his struggles completely suppressed, something hot ran down his throat.
Jean let go of him, and he slumped to the ground with force.
His eyes turned red as he hurled; heavy sweat ran down his skin along with tears that fell like a waterfall.
His eyes bulged. Steam escaped his mouth and nose as a hoarse and pained cough left him.
He clawed at his throat in a bid to dig out the pain, too entranced to notice his flesh being plucked due to excessive force.
The pain came with such sudden force that he momentarily forgot to scream, and when he remembered, he could scream no longer.
IT. HURTS!!!
IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!
IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!
IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!
IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!
IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!
Jerry's eyes quivered as his consciousness blurred. Blood dripped down his nose and mouth, and with one last painful attempt to vomit, his eyes rolled back and he fainted from the sheer pain.
In the last phases of his consciousness, he could barely make out a shadow before his vision went off.