The three cockatrices stood in tense silence, their eyes darting around as they searched for any trace of Alex.
Then, out of nowhere, a tree erupted in a thunderous explosion, sending shards of wood and dust flying.
The force of it shook the ground and caught the cockatrices completely off guard.
In the split-second of confusion, Alex emerged from the smoke, his eyes locked on the cockatrice general.
He lunged forward, his hand outstretched to make contact with the general's leathery skin and use his skill, [Exploding Touch].
His plan was clear: take down the biggest threat first.
But just as his fingers brushed its feathers, the cockatrice general whipped its head around like it had eyes in the back of its head, and darted out of range with lightning speed.
The general's eyes narrowed, and with a powerful swipe of its wings, it launched a flurry of shimmering, razor-sharp feather blades directly at him.
