"How...?"
Outwardly, John appeared calm—his robes unwrinkled, his expression placid. But inside, his mind churned like a raging storm. His legs felt slightly numb, and his heart thumped wildly against his ribcage.
Despite the composed facade, that single punch had shaken his very core.
For one terrifying moment, he genuinely believed he was going to die.
If not for his domain—that thin, invisible membrane of protection forged through years of mastering mana channels—his body would have exploded on the spot.
"If I had been a mere Golden Ranker... I would've been turned to paste."
John's hands trembled slightly at the thought.
He took a shaky breath, trying to suppress the tremors inside his chest, and muttered under his breath.
"No wonder..."
It all made sense now.
No wonder the Valthorn Army had penetrated this deep into Blue Hammer Kingdom without resistance.
No wonder every scout team that tried to investigate had vanished without a trace.
