This was the trial's fundamental requirement, elegant in its simplicity but completely unexpected for anyone who stumbled upon this place without prior knowledge. After all, who would naturally think to offer their own blood to an altar in a mysterious ruin?
The test was designed to weed out casual explorers while presenting a genuine challenge to those who truly sought the power contained within. Only someone who understood the shrine's true nature would know to make the blood offering, and only someone with sufficient combat skill could defeat the guardians that would follow.
Steady breathing…
I approached the altar with calm steps, preparing myself mentally for the battle that was about to begin.
I drew my sword and made a shallow cut across my fingertip, watching as a single crimson drop welled up and fell toward the ancient altar below.
Plip
The moment my blood made contact with the stone surface, the entire shrine transformed dramatically.
Hummmmm…
