Re-Awakening: Cannon Fodder With Strongest Talent

held back. That was him holding back. The realization hit harder than the physical punishment. If casual correction could send him flying through trees, what would serious retaliation accomplish?

"Don’t you dare think of running again."

The threat carried weight beyond words. Torrino had witnessed the destruction of creatures he didn’t dare approach, and observed power that redefined individual capability. His escape attempt had been naive desperation rather than calculated strategy.

Running from something like this? Might as well try to outrun a natural disaster.

"I... I understand," he managed through split lips.

The captain remained on the ground, unwilling to test whether standing would be interpreted as renewed defiance. Blood continued seeping from various cuts while the handprint on his cheek darkened into impressive bruising.

Ethan studied his prisoner with detachment. The punishment had been precisely calibrated—enough damage to emphasize consequences, insufficient trauma to impair future utility.

"Excellent. Now we can continue our journey without further interruptions."

The amphitheatre bore scars from their epic confrontation—melted stone, crystalline formations, scattered shadows that would never quite seem natural again.

...