The temple's interior was like stepping into another world—dim, ancient, and suffocating. Every stone slab exuded divine pressure, and the scent of burning incense hung heavy in the air.
Kyle walked calmly at the front, eyes sharp, his mana threads stretched in every direction to monitor changes.
Behind him, Bruce and Melissa trailed with clenched jaws and hunched shoulders.
They were halfway up the final flight of stairs to the inner sanctuary when Bruce suddenly dropped to one knee.
"Tch... damn it."
He grunted, sweat dripping down his brow.
Melissa stumbled next, clutching the railing as she struggled to stand upright.
"It's… too heavy…"
Kyle paused at the top of the steps, glancing back. He said nothing—only watched.
The divine energy near the sanctuary wasn't just oppressive. It was alive. It wrapped around intruders like chains, testing them, squeezing the breath from their lungs and the mana from their bones.
