The sun stood high in the sky as Karna continued his journey toward Hastinapur.
The road had grown wider now.
Villages appeared more frequently.
Travelers passed by from time to time, whispering among themselves.
Because the rumor had already begun spreading.
About a warrior in golden armor.
Carrying a divine bow that thundered like the sky.
Karna walked calmly, ignoring the curious looks people gave him.
Inside his mind—
'News spreads fast in this era.'
But it did not bother him.
His focus remained on one destination.
Hastinapur.
The road eventually entered a narrow valley surrounded by rocky hills.
The place felt strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
Inside Karna's mind—
'Something feels wrong.'
Suddenly—
Several figures appeared from behind the rocks.
Warriors.
Not bandits.
These men wore proper armor and carried well-made weapons.
They blocked the path ahead.
One of them stepped forward.
A tall warrior with a scar across his cheek.
His eyes studied Karna carefully.
"So you are the golden warrior people are talking about."
Karna stopped walking.
His expression remained calm.
"Who are you?"
The scarred warrior smirked.
"Mercenaries."
"And today… we were hired to test you."
Inside Karna's mind—
'Test me?'
The warrior continued.
"Our employer heard rumors about your strength."
"He wants to know if those rumors are true."
Karna sighed slightly.
Inside his mind—
'People are already sending fighters…'
He slowly removed the Vijaya Dhanush from his back.
Golden sunlight reflected across its surface.
The mercenaries' expressions became serious.
They could feel the weapon's power.
The scarred warrior grinned.
"Good."
"A warrior should always be ready."
Five mercenaries spread out across the road.
Their movements were disciplined.
Clearly trained fighters.
Karna placed an arrow on the string.
Inside his mind—
'Let's see how skilled they are.'
The first mercenary rushed forward with a spear.
Karna released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow struck the spear mid-air.
CRACK!
The weapon shattered instantly.
The mercenary jumped back in shock.
The others attacked together.
Swords and spears rushed toward Karna.
Karna moved like flowing sunlight.
His Sun Warrior Reflex activated automatically.
Every movement felt precise.
Effortless.
He fired three arrows in quick succession.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Each arrow knocked a weapon out of a mercenary's hand.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Steel fell to the ground.
The scarred warrior's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
Karna aimed another arrow directly at him.
Golden energy began gathering around the tip.
DING
SKILL ACTIVATED
SOLAR PRESSURE
A powerful aura erupted around Karna.
The air itself felt heavy.
The mercenaries suddenly struggled to move.
Like gravity had increased around them.
Karna spoke calmly.
"This test is over."
The scarred warrior slowly raised his hands.
"Wait."
Karna lowered the arrow slightly.
The mercenary gave a respectful nod.
"We admit defeat."
He looked directly at Karna.
His voice now filled with admiration.
"You are far stronger than the rumors say."
Karna relaxed his bow.
"Who hired you?"
The warrior shook his head.
"We were paid anonymously."
"But I suspect someone in Hastinapur wanted to measure your strength."
Inside Karna's mind—
'Interesting…'
The mercenaries stepped aside and cleared the road.
The scarred warrior spoke one final time.
"Remember this, Golden Warrior."
"The moment you reach Hastinapur… the entire kingdom will know your name."
Karna walked past them calmly.
The sunlight followed him along the road.
Inside his mind—
'That is exactly my intention.'
Far behind him…
Hidden among the trees…
Vrinda quietly watched Karna walking away.
She had been following him secretly since yesterday.
Inside her mind—
'He's even stronger than I thought.'
She smiled softly.
But suddenly her expression turned determined.
'I won't stay hidden forever.'
Meanwhile…
Inside the grand palace of Hastinapur…
Duryodhana stood beside his uncle Shakuni.
Messengers delivered reports from across the kingdom.
One messenger spoke excitedly.
"Prince, the rumors are spreading quickly."
"People are calling him the Golden Archer."
Duryodhana smiled slowly.
Inside his mind—
'Karna… you are shaking the roads of the kingdom already.'
Shakuni watched quietly beside him.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Inside his mind—
'This warrior might become useful.'
Back on the road…
Karna continued walking toward the great capital.
His destination was now only a few days away.
And soon—
The greatest warriors of the age would witness the arrival of the Sun's Chosen.