The scorching sun blazed overhead, pouring waves of heat as its fiery rays beat down on the ruins of the old apartment. The already dilapidated building had been torn apart by the tornado created by XLR8, reduced to countless cold chunks of stone scattered across the ground. The insectoid, now completely deranged, was covered in a swarm of colorful bugs that radiated a deadly and terrifying aura.
"Hey, bug freak! Let this 'new hero' teach you a lesson!" Iceblast shouted arrogantly, a frosty mist spilling from his mouth.
With that, he raised his frost-covered hand and unleashed a ferocious ice dragon. Its icy breath howled as it roared toward the enemy.
"You're all going to die today!"
The insectoid scattered the bugs crawling over him, then summoned a massive horde of mantises that swarmed around his body. In an instant, he transformed into a towering mantis-man. His entire body turned a leafy green, and his arms became mantis forelimbs—sharp as scythes, gleaming with a cold, serrated light that sent chills down the spine.
"You freaks will all become our food."
The mantis-man swung his blades, cleaving the ice dragon apart, then fixed his cold gaze on the group.
Big Chill spread its wings, sending a powerful gust through the air as it soared upward and dove toward the mantis-man below. Seeing his Cuz join the fight, Iceblast refused to be outdone. His entire body erupted with freezing energy as he charged forward, teaming up with Big Chill to attack the insectoid.
Buzz!
With a roaring engine, the Rustbucket sped onto the scene before screeching to a halt in front of the apartment ruins, stirring up a thick cloud of dust.
Gwen threw open the door and ran out.
"I'm going to help my Lucian and Ben!"
Watching his granddaughter rush off so urgently, Grandpa Max nodded with quiet satisfaction. She really did care deeply about her family.
"Um... could you take me back first?" Ms. Mia asked nervously from the doorway, her expression uneasy. "I don't want to see that insectoid again... it's like a nightmare."
"Wait in the car. We'll be back soon, and then I'll take you home."
Before Ms. Mia could respond, Grandpa Max shot forward like an arrow, dashing straight into the battle.
"Is he... really an old man?" Mia murmured, staring in disbelief.
...
The mantis-covered insectoid was incredibly powerful, its combat strength rivaling that of the cockroach-men. Unlike the cockroach-men, who were built like armored tanks, the mantis-men focused on speed and offense, their strikes sharp and explosive. At that moment, Big Chill floated in the air, wiping out the endless swarm of flying insects circling the battlefield.
Even though the insectoid was now covered only in mantises, it could still control other insects, commanding them to launch relentless attacks. Blood-red cockroaches, hideous locusts, and venomous bees surged through the sky—an endless, multicolored cloud that blotted out the sun and shrouded the area in shadow. Darkness spread. The insects swarmed madly, creating an apocalyptic scene that sent countless pedestrians screaming and fleeing in terror.
Above the city, a massive tide of blood-red cockroaches gathered into a writhing tsunami. The swarm rolled forward like a living storm, crashing down on Big Chill in a terrifying wave.
Big Chill stayed calm, instantly phasing into its ghostly form. Only a faint blue humanoid outline remained, hovering silently in the air.
Crash!
In the blink of an eye, the frenzied tide of cockroaches engulfed Big Chill completely.
Crack...
Every cockroach that passed through its spectral body froze solid, turning into glittering blue ice sculptures that fell like hail onto the ruins below.
Once the swarm was destroyed, Big Chill returned to its physical form. The spectral form couldn't be maintained forever—just like a human couldn't hold their breath indefinitely, though the principle was different. Still, if Big Chill could stay in that form continuously, it would be nearly invincible—capable of defeating ninety-nine percent of its enemies.
No sooner had it solidified again than a cloud of butterflies appeared, drawn to its presence. Big Chill watched the colorful wings flutter ahead. These weren't harmless creatures. They could be carrying deadly toxins. It wasn't clear if such poisons would affect an alien, but Big Chill had no intention of testing it.
Taking a deep breath, Big Chill unleashed a freezing blast like a roaring ice serpent, lunging forward to strike...
Meanwhile, the battle between Iceblast and the mantis-man had reached its peak.
"Let's have a snowball fight, loser!"
The Iceblast raised both hands, gathering frigid air to rapidly form a massive iceball. Wrapped in raging energy, it shot violently toward the Mantis Man.
Facing the vicious assault, the Mantis Man dared not take it lightly. He raised his scythe-like arms, mustering all his strength to slash at the incoming iceball.
Crack!
The Mantis Man's razor-sharp forelimbs sliced into the massive sphere, instantly sinking deep within. With a powerful thrust, he cleaved the iceball clean in half. The two halves crashed onto the scorching pavement, hissing and steaming as they hit.
Iceblast stared in shock, stunned that his opponent had managed to withstand the attack. He was about to strike again.
But it was too late. The Mantis Man moved first. His powerful legs kicked off the ground, propelling him forward like a wild horse breaking free. In an instant, he was right in front of the Iceblast.
He swung his razor-sharp scythe, slicing through the air with a shrill whistle, aiming straight for Iceblast's neck—intent on killing him where he stood.
At the critical moment, Iceblast crossed his arms in front of his chest, gathering solid ice around his forearms.
Clang!
The serrated blade slammed into the ice, producing a piercing metallic ring as it shattered into fragments. The impact sent a tremendous force surging through him. Iceblast flew backward like a severed kite, tumbling several times across the ground before finally skidding to a stop.
"Oof..." Iceblast lay sprawled on the ground, pain coursing through his body.
Though he had managed to block the scythe's blow, the sheer momentum behind it was overwhelming. Heatblast's strength alone wasn't enough to resist it.
Just as the Insectoid was about to press his advantage and finish off Iceblast, two figures suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
"Water Dragon Soul!"
Gwen chanted an incantation, summoning a ferocious water dragon that roared forward with overwhelming might.
Boom!
The swift and powerful water dragon, surrounded by thick vapor, let out a thunderous roar as it crashed into the towering Mantis Man.
Hit by the Water Dragon Soul, the Mantis Man grunted, staggering back three or four steps before managing to steady himself.
Unnoticed, Grandpa Max had slipped around to the Mantis Man's side. He grabbed a metal trash can and swung it down hard.
A cold gleam flashed. The trash can split cleanly in two.
"You're asking for it!"
The Mantis Man's eerie green eyes glared viciously at Grandpa Max. His form flickered, and in an instant, he appeared directly before him, scythe raised high.
He brought the deadly blade crashing down...
...
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