To an Uncertain Soul, More Than What You Seek (4).

The rest of the time went by in the blink of an eye.

There was no time to rest, so Cain had spent most of it discussing the course of action they would take within the trial should they be forced to confront other trial takers.

Suddenly, a deep rumbling filled the air.

The towering stone statue of Buldokak, the Land-Eating Dragon trembled. Cracks raced across its surface, glowing with an eerie golden light. A heavy force, like the gravity of an unseen sun, pressed down on them, thickening the air with raw, oppressive hunger.

Then, the base of the statue opened, and the river that flowed at its base gushed into the open stone orifice.

Asteron tensed. His golden pupils contracted to slits.

"It's starting."

The next moment—the world collapsed.

A surge of violent, pulling force yanked at Cain's body, dragging him into the stream of water.