BOOM!!
The rocket launcher trembled violently in Jonah Melville's hands, the tremendous recoil forcing his body backward. Several subordinates behind him caught their leader before he could fall, their faces grim with concentration.
The missile streaked through the air with a fiery red tail, hurtling directly toward the Krakken's massive form from the side!
The ancient creature caught sight of the approaching projectile in her peripheral vision. The rocket's speed was devastating, too fast for even her enhanced reflexes to avoid. She could only watch helplessly as the explosive death approached her vulnerable position.
BOOM!
The detonation was accompanied by a deafening roar as the rocket exploded into countless flames, instantly engulfing the Krakken's enormous body and covering the sparkling lake in a hellish inferno!
The creature's agonized scream echoed across the water as the explosion launched her massive form more than ten meters away, her body trailing black smoke as it crashed back into the lake!
The tremendous blast wave caused the ten suspended crew members to sway continuously like pendulums, threatening to tear them from their safety lines. Even the lake's surface churned with violent waves from the devastating impact!
"The targeting on this specialized rocket is absolutely perfect," Melville's face displayed savage satisfaction as he examined the smoking weapon in his hands. His heart swelled with predatory pleasure at the destruction he'd unleashed.
He glanced meaningfully at the subordinates beside him, noting how they stared at him with obvious shock and awe. The terrifying power of the weapon had clearly impressed his crew!
"That lake monster was blown away completely!"
"Look at how much pain it's in, the explosion definitely hurt it!"
"These damn monsters think they can challenge us? They'll all die!"
"What about that tall, thin speedster and the sharp-toothed freak? Why don't they dare show themselves like the cowards they are? If they come out, we'll blow them up together!"
The subordinates were intoxicated with excitement, their eyes blazing with bloodlust as they treated this inhumane assault like a twisted game!
"If they dare to appear, they'll meet the same fate!" Melville declared with vicious satisfaction.
ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!
In the distance, the Krakken burst from the lake again, her eyes filled with twisted red veins as she stared at Melville with primal fury. Her roars came one after another, her voice hoarse and ragged from pain. One side of her massive body was charred black and still smoking!
The rocket had left a devastating injury!
"Starting to cry again? I'll finish you off first, then deal with those two cowards who won't show themselves!" Melville sneered coldly, accepting another rocket from his subordinate. He loaded the weapon with practiced efficiency and aimed directly at the wounded Krakken!
Meanwhile...
Asher heard the Krakken's repeated roars echoing across the water in the distance.
Those sounds weren't just filled with rage, they carried excruciating pain. Even from this distance, the heart-wrenching agony of the ancient creature was unmistakable!
Although Asher couldn't share her suffering directly, he understood exactly how much pain the Krakken was enduring!
This was his friend screaming in torment!
Watching Asher's face turn livid with fury, Max felt deeply concerned about his grandson's emotional state. "Asher, this isn't your fault," he said gently. "When will your transformation time reset? The next time you change should be soon."
"Yes, Grandpa."
Asher's words were practically ground out between clenched teeth. He stared down at the Omnitrix impatiently, and whether it was psychological or real, the device seemed to have shifted from bright red to a dimmer shade!
"Grandpa, can you get us closer? I need to provide support as soon as possible. Also, I can't be too far away or I won't be able to swim back," Asher looked ahead with steely determination, speaking each word with deadly precision.
His statement revealed his absolute resolve.
This time, he wouldn't use speed-based or rescue-oriented alien heroes. He would choose a combat alien!
He wanted to make this group pay a terrible price!
"We can only get within a few dozen meters, any closer would be too dangerous," Max initially hesitated but agreed to Asher's request. He steered the boat significantly closer until they could see the yacht's outline clearly. Getting any nearer would be impossible.
He was concerned that the battle might endanger Ben, Gwen, and Asher while he was still in human form.
BOOM!
BOOM!
The closer they got, the more real and thunderous the explosions sounded, like firecrackers detonating directly in their ears, harsh and overwhelming!
The Krakken's massive body was being mercilessly bombed again and again! Her form was covered with blackened injuries, and she struggled violently on the lake's surface, rolling back and forth in agony. She repeatedly tried to sink to the bottom and escape.
But Melville's rocket launchers fired continuously, keeping the creature dizzy and disoriented!
He gave her no opportunity to flee whatsoever!
"Friend, please help me..."
The Krakken's painful howls gradually transformed into desperate pleas for Asher's assistance. Under this relentless artillery barrage, even her massive strength couldn't break free, she was trapped, unable to escape!
The only being she could trust...
Was Asher, who was stronger than her and could transform into different creatures! He was her only friend, her only human ally!
Asher understood her telepathic communication perfectly, and his heart raged like a storm.
Especially when he watched the Krakken's movements slow from violent struggling to weakening desperation, his anxiety reached its peak.
Did she have to die before he could act?!
"I have to save her right now!!"
Asher pressed his entire body against the boat's edge, staring at the yacht with the intensity of a stone sculpture, every muscle coiled for action!
Biu~
At that critical moment, the sound of the Omnitrix finishing its recharge cycle rang out like heavenly music.
WHOOSH!!
Asher immediately activated the Omnitrix, rotating the dial several times as his body seemed to take flight. He leaped from the boat and plunged toward the lake. At the moment of impact with the water, he slammed his palm against the raised faceplate with devastating force!
Green light erupted across the lake's surface!