Even though the monster in the rift hadn't emerged yet, Sangonomiya Kokomi could already sense a considerably evil aura emanating from it.
Even with Sangonomiya Kokomi's excellent composure, her face was slightly pale at this moment:
"No way, could it be that..."
Yuuko, who had been standing behind Sangonomiya Kokomi watching the show, couldn't help but open his mouth and ask:
"Miss Kokomi, what is that?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi's expression was very serious as she said, "Mr. Yuuko, from now on, please do not leave my side for even half a step..."
Seeing Sangonomiya Kokomi's serious expression, Yuuko knew that whatever was about to emerge from that spatial rift was certainly not a simple monster.
The next instant.
A colossal figure was seen slowly drifting out of the rift, suspended in the air.
It was a species resembling a flood dragon, similar in overall structure to a Rifthound, but with significant differences.
Compared to an ordinary Rifthound, this behemoth's body was more slender, resembling a snake—long and thick.
However, its head was the same as a Rifthound's, a canine-shaped head.
Looking at the gigantic monster, Sangonomiya Kokomi's face grew even paler, and she murmured in disbelief:
"How is this possible? This is... the Golden King Beast..."
Seeing Sangonomiya Kokomi's shocked expression and looking at the giant monster floating in the sky, Yuuko asked:
"Miss Kokomi, what is this Golden King Beast?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi, pale-faced, slowly explained:
"This is an ancient monster. Legend says it possesses the power to destroy an entire nation... But why has it reappeared now..."
"Is that so." Yuuko once again scrutinized the gigantic monster in the sky, which was called the Golden King Beast.
In Yuuko's view, that monster should belong to the same species as the Rifthound.
However, the Golden King Beast was probably the most advanced breed of Rifthound.
It was the King of all Rifthounds.
The aura emanating from it was incomparable to that of an ordinary Rifthound.
Suddenly, faint golden-yellow light spread from the Golden King Beast's eyes in the sky, fixing intently on Yuuko and Sangonomiya Kokomi.
In response, Sangonomiya Kokomi nervously swallowed and whispered urgently:
"Mr. Yuuko, please hide well! It's about to attack!"
Even though Sangonomiya Kokomi herself possessed considerable strength, and her power specifically countered monsters like the Rifthound.
At this moment, she had no confidence whatsoever in defeating this Golden King Beast.
After all, this was a monster rumored to be capable of destroying a nation!
The next moment, the colossal Golden King Beast, after hovering in the air for a while, swung its massive tail and lashed out toward the two of them!
If an ordinary person were hit by that strike, they would probably be instantly smashed to pieces, right?
Facing this strike, Sangonomiya Kokomi's expression was grave, and she dared not be negligent in the slightest.
She summoned group after group of jellyfish, intending to use them to block the Golden King Beast's tail sweep.
However, the power of the Golden King Beast's tail sweep was truly immense; even with large piles of jellyfish obstructing it, it only managed to slow the sweep down slightly.
But being able to slow the sweep was already enough for Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, she quickly pulled Yuuko out of the Golden King Beast's strike range.
After all, when facing a monster of this caliber, even Sangonomiya Kokomi couldn't clash head-on.
After pulling Yuuko to evade the tail sweep, Sangonomiya Kokomi hurriedly said:
"Mr. Yuuko, please quickly go to the nearby camp and call for reinforcements! It would be best if you could summon Gorou and Yae Miko!"
After the brief confrontation just now, Sangonomiya Kokomi had made her judgment.
She was absolutely no match for this Golden King Beast.
Therefore, at this moment, she could only risk having Yuuko call for reinforcements.
And she would hold off the Golden King Beast here.
"But what about you, Miss Kokomi..." Yuuko hesitated.
"Please don't worry about me! If we let this kind of monster move freely on Watatsumi Island, Watatsumi Island will be destroyed!"
"That is too dangerous, Miss Kokomi."
As soon as he finished speaking, before the two of them could act, the Golden King Beast, whose previous strike had missed, immediately unleashed a second tail sweep.
And this sweep was even more powerful!
"Oh no!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi hurriedly summoned another large group of jellyfish, intending to use them to block the Golden King Beast's attack.
But even though Sangonomiya Kokomi summoned many floating jellyfish, they couldn't obstruct the tail's immense power in the slightest!
The massive tail continued to sweep towards the two of them with unstoppable might!
Given the speed of the tail sweep, neither of them had time to dodge!
Watching the tail getting closer and closer, Sangonomiya Kokomi's face turned extremely pale.
She knew that if they were hit by that sweep, both she and Yuuko would certainly suffer extremely severe injuries.
She herself might be alright.
But Yuuko, this frail scholar, probably had a very low chance of survival... "I must at least protect Mr. Yuuko!"
At the critical moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi gritted her teeth, intending to drain her power and use Hydro Elemental Power to protect Yuuko.
But just then, Sangonomiya Kokomi was suddenly pushed by Yuuko.
Sangonomiya Kokomi could only widen her eyes and look at Yuuko, who had pushed her.
Because of that push, her body rolled to the side, tumbling out of the range of the Golden King Beast's tail sweep.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was stunned.
It was Yuuko who saved her... But by the time she scrambled up from the ground, Yuuko had already been struck by the massive tail.
Yuuko's body was seen flying backward, stopping only after flying a great distance and violently crashing into a large tree.
"Ah... ah... ah..." Sangonomiya Kokomi opened her mouth wide, completely stunned.
Only after she reacted did she rush over in panic: "Mr. Yuuko!"
Now, Sangonomiya Kokomi was filled with deep regret.
In her mind, she should have been the one protecting Yuuko, yet Yuuko had protected her instead.
Rushing frantically to Yuuko's side and looking at his body covered in wounds, Sangonomiya Kokomi said with even greater regret:
"Mr. Yuuko, it's all my fault for being distracted..."
Yuuko struggled to lift his head and said with a smile, "Miss Kokomi, you don't need to blame yourself."
"But I should have been the one protecting you, Mr. Yuuko..."
Yuuko slightly shook his head:
"No, compared to me, Miss Kokomi is more important right now. After all, the people of watatsumi island still need Miss Kokomi to protect them."
After speaking, he coughed heavily several times.
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at Yuuko's weak appearance.
Her self-reproach grew heavier, and her eyes became slightly moist.
She suddenly felt that, unknowingly, she owed the man before her a great deal... At this moment, Yuuko spoke weakly again:
"Furthermore, Miss Kokomi, you must not be dispirited. For the safety of the people of watatsumi island, you must go and defeat that Golden King Beast."
Looking into Yuuko's eyes, Sangonomiya Kokomi sensed immense resolve.
Presumably, Yuuko sacrificed himself to block that strike just now so that she could defeat the Golden King Beast.
"Mr. Yuuko..." Sangonomiya Kokomi's eyes became even wetter.
Yuuko: "Go, don't worry about me."
"But..." Sangonomiya Kokomi's eyes were filled with worry.
"Hurry and go, I really am fine..." For some reason, Yuuko's expression seemed slightly anxious... However, the heavy-hearted Sangonomiya Kokomi did not notice these details.
Instead, she slowly closed her eyes, clenched her jaw, and fell into a struggle.
She couldn't help but recall the various events since meeting Yuuko.
Yuuko, originally from Inazuma, did not view the people of watatsumi island with prejudice.
Yuuko, originally from Inazuma, took action to protect her, the administrator of Watatsumi Island.
Yuuko was different from other Inazuma people... Since Yuuko had shown such great resolve and sacrificed so much to deal with the Golden King Beast.
Then, Sangonomiya Kokomi absolutely could not fail this resolve!
After a long moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi reopened her eyes: "I understand. I will not let down Mr. Yuuko's resolve!"
At this moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi's eyes were filled with determination.
She stood up, turned her back to Yuuko, and spoke softly:
"I will go and defeat the Golden King Beast."
"So, Mr. Yuuko, please hold on. You absolutely, absolutely, absolutely must not die..."
After speaking, Sangonomiya Kokomi rushed toward the Golden King Beast with determination!
Watching Sangonomiya Kokomi leave, Yuuko also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He reached out and wiped away the injuries on his body that were disguised using Geo Elemental Power.
His previous weak appearance completely vanished.
"Phew, I finally managed to send her away..."
After speaking, Yuuko stood up, his body covered in thick Geo Elemental Power.
And the familiar yellow fox mask appeared on his face.
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