The morning sun slowly rose over the eastern horizon.
Golden light spread across the long road leading toward Hastinapur.
Karna and Vrinda walked side by side.
The journey had become slightly less quiet since Vrinda joined him.
Mostly because she talked… a lot.
"So you trained with Guru Parshuram for how many years?"
Karna answered calmly.
"Several."
Vrinda tilted her head.
"That's not a number."
Karna sighed.
Inside his mind—
'She asks too many questions.'
Vrinda suddenly pointed ahead.
"Look!"
A massive forest appeared along the road.
The trees were tall and ancient.
The road cut directly through the center of the dark woods.
Travelers walking nearby looked nervous.
Some were even turning back.
Karna noticed this immediately.
Inside his mind—
'Something is wrong.'
A group of merchants hurried past them.
One of them spoke quickly.
"Don't go through the forest!"
Vrinda blinked.
"Why?"
The merchant looked terrified.
"A beast appeared there three days ago!"
"It has already killed several travelers!"
Another merchant added nervously.
"The guards from the nearby town tried to hunt it… but they failed."
Karna looked toward the forest quietly.
Inside his mind—
'A beast strong enough to defeat trained guards…'
Vrinda looked slightly worried.
"Maybe we should go around."
Karna shook his head.
"That would take two extra days."
He calmly walked toward the forest road.
Vrinda quickly followed.
"Wait! You're really going in?"
Karna answered simply.
"Yes."
The deeper they walked into the forest…
The darker it became.
Even the sunlight struggled to reach the ground.
Bird sounds slowly disappeared.
Silence filled the air.
Inside Karna's mind—
'The beast is nearby.'
Suddenly—
A loud roar exploded through the forest.
ROOOOAAARRR!
The ground shook slightly.
Vrinda jumped in surprise.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Heavy footsteps echoed through the trees.
CRACK!
Large branches snapped as something massive moved toward them.
Then it appeared.
A giant forest demon-beast.
Its body looked like a mix between a wolf and a tiger.
Dark fur covered its massive muscles.
Its glowing red eyes locked onto Karna.
Vrinda whispered nervously,
"That's… not a normal animal…"
Karna slowly removed the Vijaya Dhanush from his back.
Inside his mind—
'Perfect training.'
The beast roared again and charged forward.
Its speed was terrifying.
Karna pulled the bowstring.
Golden energy gathered around the arrow.
DING
SKILL READY
SOLAR ENERGY CONTROL
The system continued.
Solar energy can now be infused into arrows.
Damage Increased: +60%
Inside Karna's mind—
'Let's test it.'
He released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow shot forward like a beam of sunlight.
BOOM!
It struck the beast directly in the chest.
A burst of golden energy exploded.
The beast stumbled backward.
But it didn't fall.
Instead, it became even more furious.
ROOOOARRR!
Vrinda stepped back quickly.
"It's still alive!"
Karna smiled slightly.
Inside his mind—
'Good.'
He pulled three arrows at once.
Golden energy flowed through them.
The arrows glowed like miniature suns.
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
The arrows struck the beast's legs and shoulder.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Golden explosions echoed through the forest.
The beast finally collapsed.
The ground shook as its massive body hit the earth.
Silence returned to the forest.
Vrinda stared at Karna with wide eyes.
"You defeated it… that easily."
Karna lowered the bow calmly.
Inside his mind—
'Solar Energy Control works perfectly.'
DING
BEAST HUNT COMPLETED
Reward:
• +500 Experience
• Solar Energy Control Mastery Increased
• New Skill Unlocked
NEW SKILL
SUN AURA
Effect:
• Emits solar pressure around user
• Weak enemies lose fighting spirit
• Boosts allies within range
Karna nodded slightly.
Inside his mind—
'This ability will be useful in battle.'
Vrinda suddenly ran toward him.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"That was incredible!"
Karna looked slightly confused.
"It was just a beast."
Vrinda shook her head.
"No."
"You looked like a warrior from a legend."
Karna looked toward the sky.
The sun shone brightly above the forest.
Inside his mind—
'I still have a long way to go.'
They continued walking.
After leaving the forest…
The land opened into a wide plain.
And in the far distance—
Massive stone walls appeared on the horizon.
Vrinda gasped.
"Is that…"
Karna nodded.
His eyes focused on the distant city.
"Hastinapur."
The greatest kingdom in Aryavarta.
The place where princes, warriors, and destiny waited.
And very soon—
The arena of Hastinapur would witness the arrival of the Sun's Chosen Warrior.