As Hundao cautiously placed his left hand on the icy, translucent surface of the crystal, a jolt of frigid energy shot through him. Almost instantly, beads of cold sweat formed on his brow as an overwhelming pressure pressed down on his mind.
His jaw tightened, teeth grinding audibly, while his right hand balled into a fist so tightly that the veins bulged on his forearm and forehead. Every muscle in his body tensed as he struggled to endure the unseen force emanating from the mysterious artifact.
Alaric watched with a furrowed brow, puzzled by the stark contrast between Hundao's reaction and Manager Go's earlier composure. 'Manager Go didn't seem to experience the same challenge as Hundao,' he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
'Perhaps Manager Go has undergone this test many times and has built up a resistance to the crystal's pressure. Or maybe Hundao simply doesn't have the mental fortitude needed to withstand it yet.'
