The glowing letters shifted again, forming the second commandment:
> "Praise the god."
Everyone froze. The air was so heavy it felt like the temple itself was waiting for their answer.
"How… how do we praise it?" a hunter stammered.
"Sing! Clap! Do something!" another shouted in desperation.
The hunters scrambled to obey, raising their voices in shaky hymns, shouting prayers they barely remembered, slapping their chests in frantic devotion.
Kael remained on his knees, trembling. He wasn't religious — he had no prayer to offer. But something inside whispered: Don't just follow blindly… watch carefully.
His eyes darted around the chamber. The statues moved whenever someone made the wrong choice. He noticed one hunter who bowed too shallow — instantly cut down. Another clapped instead of speaking — crushed beneath a stone hammer.
Blood painted the floor, but the commandments remained.
Kael clenched his fists. It's not about empty praise… It's about intent. The god wants worship.
Taking a shaky breath, Kael pressed his forehead to the floor again. His voice, hoarse but steady, echoed through the temple:
"O mighty one… we kneel in your presence."
The glow of the letters flickered — and for a moment, the statues stopped.
It worked.
Other hunters caught on, repeating Kael's words, some even copying his posture. But those who hesitated were slain instantly. The number of survivors shrank from dozens to barely half.
The guild master staggered toward Kael, blood dripping from his side. He whispered, "Kid… how did you know…?"
Kael's lips trembled. "I-I didn't. I just… guessed."
Before the man could reply, the letters in the air shifted once more.
The third commandment burned brighter than the rest, casting the entire chamber in crimson light:
> "Prove your loyalty through sacrifice."
The hunters froze. Some gasped. Some began to weep.
"Sacrifice?!" one screamed. "What does that mean?!"
But deep down, Kael already knew the answer.
And as the statues' eyes glowed red once again, he realized—
This was not the end of the trial.
It was only the beginning.
⚡ End of Chapter 3⚡