Read "Die, Shadow!" by Algis Budrys online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
During the night, he asked Adelie: "I'm supposed to fight him with my hands, is that it? Or with simple weapons of some kind? And this will prove to the worshippers all over the Universe or to the Shadows that either my or Mayron's way of life is right?"
"Yes," she said. "And you "are" very strong. I'm sure you will win. I was sure when I suggested it to Mayron. He's so completely confident -- I knew I could trick him into it."