Arthur wasn't in a position to think. He immediately raised a massive barrier to shield himself and everything behind him. Layer upon layer, the barrier grew in thickness and solidity until it resembled a gigantic shield, ten meters tall and fifteen meters wide.
Sweat streamed uncontrollably from every part of his body, and a trickle of blood ran from his nose. Still, he didn't stop, adding more roots while his anxious eyes remained fixed on the barrier.
Then suddenly, the tree exploded with terrifying force.
All the thorns embedded in it transformed into projectiles, shooting out at insane speeds and piercing through everything in their path. Dozens of thorns slammed into the barrier, easily breaching several of its layers before finally, and fortunately, coming to a halt.
The barrage was utterly chaotic. Some projectiles flew into the sky, while others embedded themselves into the ground over a hundred meters away.
"Hoof..."
