Hajin did not close his eyes as he flew directly toward the monster's crushing fists, his mind remaining entirely detached from the very real threat of death.
"Aegis Barrier," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind as he channeled mana into his interface.
A hexagonal grid of pale blue light immediately erupted in front of him, locking into place just a fraction of a second before the gorilla's fists slammed into it. The resulting impact shattered the air around them, sending a dangerous shockwave tearing across the plateau as the barrier absorbed the brunt of the force.
He was still thrown backward by the momentum of the blow, feet skidding hard against the gold veins as he finally dug his heels in to stop.
"Hajin!" Vella shouted, her aura flaring around her shoulders as she prepared to launch herself directly at the four-armed beast.
