Half an hour later.
The team members, with their eyes tightly shut, slowly opened them. First, there was a flicker of confusion in their gaze, which was swiftly replaced by awakening clarity. They gathered around John, all talking at once.
"Captain, what just happened to us?"
"I recall we repelled the Soul-Devouring Devil, didn't we? How did we lose consciousness all of a sudden?"
"Goodness, the images of that battle are still fresh in my mind; even thinking about it now leaves me wanting more."
"That Devil's strength truly surpassed my expectations. I wonder if the other Devils we'll encounter will be even more formidable than the one today?"
...
John stood with a faint smile on his face, quietly listening to the team's discussions.
The wariness and sense of impending danger that once filled their eyes had vanished, replaced by admiration when they looked at him.
