Kaneda Hideki was the driver. As soon as he got into the car, he handed Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin a silver ring each and told them to wear them around their necks.
"What are these?"
Fang Cheng examined his curiously. The silver-white ring was about an inch wide, carved with fine, regular patterns. It felt like solid metal, and it was surprisingly heavy.
As he drove, Kaneda Hideki replied, "They're ritual props. They represent submission to the great god Shiva. They also have the power to restrain people, and they're used specifically against intruders with bad intentions. Once you put one on, you won't be able to resist."
Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin were both startled. Clearly, these things were meant for them.
Seeing their expressions in the rearview mirror, Kaneda Hideki hurriedly said, "I switched yours out for fakes. Just don't let anything slip."
He sounded worried they'd drag him down with them. It seemed that after years undercover, his skills weren't the only thing that had been worn down; his spirit was nearly gone, too.
Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin had no choice but to put the rings on. The Truth Cult really knew how to humiliate people.
First, they kept them penned up and forbade them from going out, then used female followers for breeding. Now they were putting collars around their necks. Did the cult consider them Wishers a bunch of dogs?
After putting on her ring, Kanzaki Rin asked Kaneda Hideki, "Senior Kaneda, what kind of ritual are we about to go through?"
Kaneda Hideki shook his head. "I'm not sure. You'll have to play it by ear."
Fang Cheng frowned. "You've been undercover for five years and still don't know?"
Kaneda Hideki sighed. "The Truth Cult changes its rituals all the time. Besides,