The road toward Hastinapur grew busier with every passing mile.
Merchants, travelers, farmers, and soldiers moved along the wide trade route.
Karna walked calmly among them.
His Vijaya Dhanush rested across his back, and his golden Kavach and Kundal reflected the sunlight.
People often glanced at him with curiosity.
Some even whispered quietly.
"That's him…"
"The Golden Archer."
Karna ignored the whispers.
Inside his mind—
'Rumors are spreading faster than I expected.'
But he had no intention of hiding his strength.
If the world wanted to watch—
It could watch.
By afternoon, Karna reached a small but lively town.
Stone houses lined the roads.
Market stalls filled the central square.
Children ran through the streets while merchants loudly advertised their goods.
It had been years since Karna had walked through a town like this.
Inside his mind—
'So this is what ordinary life looks like.'
As he walked through the market, people moved aside instinctively.
His presence felt powerful.
Even the local guards glanced at him cautiously.
Karna stopped at a small food stall.
The old vendor smiled nervously.
"W-Warrior… would you like something to eat?"
Karna nodded.
"Just some bread and water."
The vendor quickly prepared the food.
As Karna ate quietly near the stall, he listened to the conversations around him.
One group of travelers spoke excitedly.
"Have you heard?"
"The Royal Martial Tournament in Hastinapur is coming soon!"
Another man asked,
"The one where the royal princes demonstrate their skills?"
The first traveler nodded eagerly.
"Yes!"
"They say Prince Arjuna is the greatest archer of this generation."
Karna's hand stopped for a moment.
Inside his mind—
'Arjuna…'
The name echoed like a distant memory.
The rival destiny had prepared for him.
Suddenly—
A familiar voice came from behind him.
"So you finally reached a town."
Karna slowly turned around.
And froze.
Standing behind him was Vrinda.
She smiled awkwardly.
Karna stared at her in disbelief.
"Vrinda…?"
She scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Hello."
Karna blinked once.
Inside his mind—
'How is she here?'
"What are you doing here?"
Vrinda avoided his eyes.
"Walking."
Karna raised an eyebrow.
"You walked all the way from the ashram?"
She sighed.
Then admitted the truth.
"Okay… I followed you."
Karna nearly dropped his bread.
"You WHAT?"
Several nearby people turned to look.
Vrinda quickly lowered her voice.
"Not so loud!"
Karna looked completely confused.
"Why would you follow me?"
Vrinda crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Because I wanted to."
Karna rubbed his forehead.
Inside his mind—
'This girl is unbelievable.'
She looked at him seriously now.
"Besides… the world outside the ashram is dangerous."
"You might need someone to watch your back."
Karna stared at her for a moment.
Then he laughed softly.
"You're the one who needs protection."
Vrinda puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Hey!"
But then she smiled again.
The playful atmosphere made the tension disappear.
Suddenly—
DING
The system appeared again.
NEW COMPANION DETECTED
Name: Vrinda
Status: Ally
Bond Level: 12%
Bonus Effects:
• Improved morale
• Minor emotional support buff
• Future quest connections
Karna sighed quietly.
Inside his mind—
'Even the system accepts this…'
He looked at her again.
"You really plan to travel with me?"
Vrinda nodded confidently.
"Of course."
Karna thought for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Fine."
Vrinda's face lit up instantly.
"Really?"
Karna finished his bread calmly.
"But you follow my rules."
Vrinda leaned forward curiously.
"What rules?"
Karna stood up and adjusted the Vijaya Bow on his shoulder.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Stay alive."
Vrinda laughed.
"That's a good rule."
Outside the town…
The road toward Hastinapur stretched across the horizon.
The capital was now only a few days away.
Far away inside the royal palace…
Arjuna practiced archery in the royal arena.
His arrows struck every target perfectly.
Courtiers applauded loudly.
But somewhere in the kingdom…
A golden warrior was approaching.
A warrior whose arrows shone like the sun itself.
And when those two archers finally met—
History would remember that moment forever.