Once he concluded the announcement, two Black-robed figures glided through the door including the Mayor.
Another two remained standing at the threshold, hands clamped together, faces hidden beneath their hoods.
Then, a clear bell rang from inside.
*Ting-Ting*
Immediately, the black-robed figure standing on the right spoke.
"First five…" a calm feminine voice came.
Participants who were at the front surged forward excitedly. One by one, they formed an orderly first line of five.
The door creaked as it slowly opened.
All five entered with a warm smile on their faces.
*Thud*
The door drifted shut.
"Another five…" the black-robed figure called.
Five more participants stepped forward without hesitation.
Daniel watched them gather near the corner of the lobby, his expression unreadable.
…
A moment of silence settled in the lobby.
Barely four minutes had passed before the bell rang again.
*Ting-Ting*
The next five people who were standing in advance entered almost immediately.
*Thud*
"Another five…" the figure intoned once more.
This time, the silence shattered like glass. Everyone was stunned including Daniel, his eyes widening. Some hesitated to step forward, while others stood nervous and unwilling to make a move.
"What? where are those five?"
"I don't want to go now… you can go if you want,"
"Did they pass the trial?"
"What happened inside?"
The participants directed their questions at the black-robed figures, who stood motionless alongside the armoured guards.
They did not react.
After a pause, the same serene voice repeated.
"Another five… please step forward. Another five…"
The chatter grew louder, anxiety thickening the environment inside the lobby. Until a person stepped in front and made everyone freeze.
It was Nicolas, his eyes showed no signs of excitement nor fear—only cold resolve.
Daniel furrowed his brow and let out a soft chuckle. 'Heh… he sure is a self-reliant person,' he thought. 'Let's see if he comes back or not.'
Frustration spread through the room until a burly participant stepped forward to join Nicolas.
"Screw it. I'm not scared of this trial thing," he said, forcing a brave expression.
In seconds, people stepped behind the muscular guy, forming the next group of five.
Barely, three minutes had passed before the bell sounded again.
Daniel stayed behind, patiently observing the situation. Letting others test the waters first.
This time, the bell didn't ring, even after a few minutes had passed. It remained silent for a long time.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
*Ting-Ting*
"Another five…"
'Huh? What?' he frowned. 'I'm pretty sure it's more than ten minutes, which means… there must be a winner. Right?
But if there is a winner? Where did they go?'
Daniel's mind raced for a logical answer, but every time he tried to connect the dots, they didn't connect well. Out of answers, he finally decided to join the next round.
'I guess there's no other way,' he sighed deeply before stepping forward.
Daniel waited for the door to open with four others. The gazes of the other participants standing in the queue were fixed on them.
*Ting-Ting*
The door opened slowly.
Daniel stepped inside the door. What felt ominously creepy from the outside was quite the opposite on the inside.
The tension in his chest eased in an instant the moment his eyes landed on the busty priestess.
She wore a black-and-white robe that barely contained her massive boobs, which she rested on the table with her elbows, hands clasped gently under her chin and a veil covering her hair.
Then his gaze drifted to the left.
The Mayor sat calmly in a high-backed chair, with a stern priest seated to her right.
Before them stood a dark-polished table, its surface lending the room a sense of quiet prestige. A palm-sized hourglass rested upon it.
He quickly activated his third eye skill.
"Status," he said quietly.
————————
Name: Cindie Mary
Age: 34
HP: 1200/1200
Mana: 250/250
Essence: 100%
Quality: Good
Description: A devout woman who believes in eternal life and has remained celibate throughout her years. Though desires stirred within her, she chose to suppress it after devoting her soul wholly to God.
————————
'What! She's a virgin?' A low murmur escaped from his mouth, eyes wide in astonishment. 'What a waste… a body like that. Man… wish I could somehow bury myself between those tits and use her unused, untouched, unclaimed pussy like a personal fleshlight.
Haah… But it feels like, she's out of my reach.'
Daniel shook his head slightly, feeling his cock twitch and start to rise despite his efforts.
"Please, have your cups," the priestess said, her voice flowed soft and soothing like a serene river.
One black-robed figure approached from the side, bearing a tray with both hands. On it sat five cups of juice.
Each participant took a cup.
Daniel glanced at the liquid.
It was deep blue like polished lapis lazuli with white particles floating like glittering stars. The aroma felt like fresh mint mixed with earthy herbs and spiced with a subtle warmth.
"Okay," the mayor rumbled, his voice deep and commanding. "Before I start the countdown, as you can see, the exit is on your left. Quina, start the countdown."
The robed figure standing behind Daniel's group spoke in a calm, steady tone.
"Five… four… three… two… one…"
*glup-glup-glup-glup-glup*
*PFFFF!*
In an instant, a participant spat out the liquid completely and bolted toward the exit. Everybody's heads turned to watch him flee before snapping back to their own struggle.
Two minutes passed.
'Hmm… it's not that bad actually. At least its not bitter than the one I had from lady Elira,' he thought, eyes hovering around the room.
Three minutes passed.
*Pfhhh*
One more participant spat out the liquid and dashed toward the exit.
Three people remaining.
Seven minutes left.
But slowly, the taste intensified in his mouth. The mint taste felt like bitter and similar to the one he had from Elira, yet it grew even worse with each passing moment.
As time passed, tears started to well in his tear duct. Daniel felt the juice heat up in his mouth, the spices grew stronger and sharper as he struggled to resist.
*PFFFTT!*
Within five minutes, three participants had fallen—spitting and fleeing. Leaving only Daniel and a stranger.
Both fought desperately against the urge to spit the juice out of their mouths.
The judges' eyes were locked on them.
The Mayor leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed. The priestess pressed her hands together in silent prayer, her eyes closed. Meanwhile, the priest remained absorbed in his sacred tome.
Daniel's gaze drifted toward the hourglass clock.
'Shit, there's still so much sand left. Fuck… I want to spit it out so… bad. What do I do?! Fuck!' He muttered, while his mind screamed.
*PFFFFTT!*