The dark clouds spread without cease, swiftly obscuring vast stretches of vision. They not only covered the Blood Cocoon, but also engulfed Komodo, who had suffered a crushing loss and been sent tumbling backward.
From within the dense mist, a barbed tentacle suddenly thrust out, stabbing toward Winchester.
The tentacle was slick and slimy, carrying not a trace of fiery aura.
Winchester started, then casually grabbed at the air, seizing the lingering embers Komodo had left behind. The residual flames underwent an essential transformation in his palm, becoming a high-temperature molten meteor that smashed fiercely toward the tentacle.
Crack—
With a single slap of the tentacle, the meteor shattered into scattered dust.
The tentacle did not pause, continuing its charge toward Winchester. At last, panic appeared on Winchester's face. Against Komodo, he had held a natural advantage, and Komodo had been unable to employ advanced techniques, allowing Winchester's special talent to utterly crush him. But this tentacle was purely a contest of strength, and there was no flame upon it for him to exploit.
"Where did these dark clouds come from? Why are there tentacles inside?!" It was already too late to dodge. As the tentacle was about to break through his defensive line, this was the only thought left in Winchester's mind.
Just as Winchester felt he was finished, a tremendous roar rang out, and a black dragon phantom burst from the clouds, slamming directly into the tentacle.
Under that immense force, the tentacle was knocked aside. It curved around Winchester instead, allowing him to narrowly evade the fatal blow.
"Get out of the way! Leave this to me!" Essek appeared at Winchester's side.
Earlier, Winchester had charged ahead without hesitation while Essek hid behind Dancing Radiance. Now, their positions had reversed. Essek stood at the front, the black