The black cocoon that had wrapped around Balag split open.
A claw covered in dark scales tore through the viscous surface. Then another. And then the creature emerged.
Nothing remained of the orc he had been.
His body was a mass of deformed muscles covered in gleaming black scales. Jagged spines jutted out from his back, and his jaw had elongated, revealing teeth far too large even for his new form.
His eyes…
no longer had pupils.
Only a savage red glow.
The beast let out a roar that made the entire combat courtyard tremble.
And it lunged straight toward Max.
At the same time, the monstrous Maron opened his deformed mouth.
"GLRRRK!"
He fired a rain of green slime bullets that whistled through the air like projectiles.
"Papa!"
Moonlight raised her hand.
"Wind!"
An invisible gust struck Max from below. His body was suddenly lifted into the air just as the black-scaled creature leapt toward him.
Balag missed by centimeters.
But he didn't fall alone.
