"Good. Your individual assignments are there, sealed in jade slips, personalized for each of you based on what we observed during your time in the trials and the library."
Supervisor Gui's smile became sharper, clearly enjoying their suspicious gaze.
"You have one month," Supervisor Gui announced.
"One month to complete your assigned task and return here to report your success. Those who return will get to leave the cave and complete the trials of the cult, officially becoming a disciple. Those who don't..." He shrugged. "Well, I suppose they will be devoured by the cave."
He gestured toward the passage leading back to the hut area.
"Now then, follow me. Let's see what fate has in store for each of you."
…
The journey back through the cave passages was silent except for the sound of footsteps and the occasional nervous breath.
Unlike the passage Noah recalled taking, this one was different. It was clear that the supervisor had a higher opinion of him and Yuan Ming.
