Grek the old goblin's hand was still frozen in midair. Before he could cover Kil's mouth, that youthful shout had already exploded through the cave like fire.
The color instantly drained from his deeply wrinkled face. His sagging skin tightened, and for the first time, something close to panic appeared in his cloudy eyes.
He was not afraid of the wizard before him. He was afraid of divine punishment.
He suddenly seized Kil's wrist, his knuckles turning white from the force. His voice was lowered to a whisper, yet it trembled with undeniable authority:
"Shut up! You idiot!"
The air in the cave seemed to freeze at once. Even the campfire's flames flickered weakly, casting deeper shadows into the wrinkles on Grek's face.
Kil tried to struggle, but Grek held him firmly in place.
He saw his grandfather's lips trembling, his face filled with fear.
Grek's Adam's apple bobbed twice, as though he were swallowing his fear—or silently reciting the Deity's commandments. His voice was so thin it was nearly inaudible:
"Have you forgotten Lord Deity's warning? You can't say it... not a single word!"
His hand unconsciously reached for the talisman hanging from his chest, ground from animal bone. It was a token bestowed by the Deity, yet at that moment, it seemed to be burning hot.
Grek knew that the Deity hated nothing more than having Its information leaked. Once Its existence was exposed, not only Kil, but the entire goblin tribe would have to suffer an unknown punishment.
Seeing the stubbornness in Kil's eyes, Grek felt both anxious and heartbroken. All he could do was lower his voice and plead:
"Listen to me, Kil. Don't say anything else... for the tribe, and for yourself."
Grek's nails nearly dug into Kil's flesh, but the young goblin's back remained