Chapter 54
The volcanic winds of Dumase howled through the night.
Lava flowed beneath the cracked black earth like glowing veins.
Heat distorted the air.
Ash drifted endlessly across the island.
John walked silently across the volcanic cliffs.
Several members of his squad followed behind him.
None spoke.
Then—
the ground beneath them trembled slightly.
A low vibration spread through the air.
One of the squad members immediately stopped.
Squad Member: "…Did you feel that?"
Another tremor.
Small.
But unnatural.
The man beside him narrowed his eyes.
Squad Member: "…Magic."
John stayed silent.
His gaze slowly shifted toward the distant cliffs ahead.
Then—
his expression darkened slightly.
Squad Member: "…Divine energy."
Another member immediately looked up.
Squad Member: "…Justice."
Silence.
The squad instantly understood.
One of them spoke quietly.
Squad Member: "They're using Divine Justice magic."
A pause.
Squad Member: "…They're trying to seal Dumase."
The volcanic wind moved through John's cloak quietly.
Then—
John spoke.
John: "I know."
Nothing more.
No panic.
No surprise.
Just cold understanding.
John slowly glanced toward his squad.
Only a single look.
That was enough.
Immediately—
the squad separated into different directions without a word.
Moving through the volcanic terrain like shadows.
Fast.
Silent.
Prepared.
John continued walking alone.
Far below the cliffs—
hidden beneath layers of volcanic stone—
dozens of hooded figures surrounded a massive glowing formation carved into the obsidian floor.
White symbols spread across the cavern like chains.
Holy energy pulsed through the markings repeatedly.
Several men knelt around the circle while others stood guard with weapons drawn.
One of the ritualists raised both hands slowly.
The symbols expanded wider.
The cavern trembled harder.
Lava burst from nearby cracks.
Guard: "Hurry."
Another guard looked toward the cavern entrance uneasily.
Guard: "We don't have much time."
Then—
BOOM.
A fireball exploded through the darkness.
The blast threw two guards violently across the cavern floor.
Before anyone could react—
CRACK.
Thunder exploded across the battlefield.
Lightning struck another man directly through the chest.
Chaos erupted instantly.
John's squad descended from the shadows.
Small fire spells streaked through the cavern.
Thunder magic cracked across stone walls.
Explosions swallowed the darkness repeatedly.
Guard: "Protect the ritual!"
Holy energy burst from the justice worshippers immediately.
White light wrapped around their bodies.
Their speed increased instantly.
One rushed forward and slammed his fist into a squad member hard enough to crack the obsidian wall behind him.
Another blocked a fire spell head-on before driving his blade toward someone's throat.
Steel clashed.
Fire exploded.
Thunder screamed across the cavern ceiling.
And in the center of it all—
the ritual continued.
The white symbols spread wider beneath the floor.
Closer.
Closer.
Almost complete.
One of the ritualists suddenly widened his eyes.
Ritualist: "…Someone's coming."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Heavy.
Cold.
Terrifying.
Footsteps echoed slowly through the cavern.
John entered the battlefield.
Calm.
Silent.
Several justice worshippers immediately froze after seeing him.
One guard gritted his teeth and charged first.
Holy energy exploded around his blade.
The strike never reached John.
CRACK.
Black lightning burst through the cavern.
The man's body flew across the floor and crashed against volcanic stone hard enough to leave blood across the wall.
Another attacked from the side.
Fire erupted instantly.
The man screamed once before collapsing.
John kept walking.
Not even slowing down.
The cavern had already become chaotic—
but after John entered—
it became violent.
One of John's squad members laughed while casting another fire spell.
Squad Member: "Too slow!"
BOOOOM.
The explosion swallowed several guards instantly.
But the ritualists still continued.
Still chanting.
Still feeding holy energy into the seal.
One of the guards shouted desperately.
Guard: "Don't let them interrupt the formation!"
Then—
BOOM.
Someone landed directly in front of John.
The obsidian floor cracked beneath the impact.
White-and-gold armor.
Holy energy flowing around his body.
Unlike the others—
this man didn't step back.
Didn't hesitate.
The surrounding justice worshippers immediately moved aside for him.
The man slowly removed his hood.
Sharp eyes.
Cold face.
A scar across his jaw.
He looked directly at John.
Commander: "…So Monessa's followers finally noticed."
John stared at him silently.
Behind the commander—
the white symbols continued spreading beneath the floor.
Almost complete.
The commander slowly placed one hand over his chest.
Commander: "In the name of justice…"
Holy energy exploded around him violently.
Commander: "We will protect the Blood of Peace."
The cavern trembled again.
Lava burst from nearby cracks.
John's expression finally changed slightly.
A faint smile.
Cold.
Dangerous.
John: "…Then protect it."
Black lightning slowly cracked around his hand.
John: "If you can."
The commander lowered his stance immediately.
Holy energy gathered around his fists.
Behind them—
the sealing ritual continued expanding across Dumase.
Closer.
Closer.
Almost complete.
…CHAPTER 54ENDS…