Five years passed quietly.
Time moved quickly for Karna.
The small boy who once practiced with a wooden bow had now grown into a tall and strong ten-year-old.
His body was lean but powerful.
His golden Kundal shone faintly under the sunlight.
And beneath his skin, the divine Kavach protected him like a natural armor.
Most villagers believed Karna was simply a hardworking child.
Only a few truly noticed how extraordinary he was becoming.
Early in the morning, Karna stood alone near the riverbank.
A real bow rested in his hand now.
Adhiratha had finally gifted it to him after seeing his dedication.
The bow was still simple compared to royal weapons.
But in Karna's hands, it felt perfect.
He placed an arrow on the string.
His eyes focused on a moving leaf drifting down the river.
The wind shifted slightly.
The leaf moved unpredictably.
Karna inhaled slowly.
Then—
He released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow flew through the air.
THUD!
It pierced the tiny leaf and pinned it to a tree behind.
Karna lowered the bow calmly.
'Still not perfect.'
'The arrow drifted slightly because of the wind.'
Suddenly the familiar system voice appeared.
DING
QUEST COMPLETED
Quest: Path of the Warrior
Objectives Completed: 10/10 Opponents Defeated
Rewards Unlocked:
Solar Arrow Rain
+15 Agility
+10 Strength
A warm surge of power spread through Karna's body.
His muscles felt lighter.
Faster.
Stronger.
New knowledge entered his mind.
Advanced archery techniques.
Rapid shooting methods.
Ways to fire multiple arrows almost instantly.
Karna's lips curved into a small smile.
'Solar Arrow Rain… let's test it.'
He grabbed several arrows.
Three arrows rested between his fingers.
He drew the bowstring.
The sunlight reflected off the arrowheads.
Then—
He released.
WHOOSH!
Three arrows shot forward like streaks of light.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Three separate tree trunks were struck at the same time.
Karna nodded slightly.
'Good.'
'Very good.'
Just then footsteps approached.
Karna turned his head.
Krishna walked toward him casually.
His familiar playful smile appeared.
Even after five years, Krishna still visited occasionally.
Their strange friendship had continued.
Krishna looked at the arrows stuck in the trees.
Then he laughed softly.
"You keep getting stronger."
Karna shrugged.
"Training works."
Krishna tilted his head.
"You train more seriously than warriors twice your age."
Karna smirked faintly.
"Maybe I want to surpass them."
Krishna's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Ambitious."
Then his expression became slightly serious.
"But if you want true strength…"
"You will eventually need a master."
Karna looked at him.
"A master?"
Krishna nodded.
"Someone who knows the deepest secrets of weapons."
Karna already knew the name.
Inside his mind—
'Parshuram.'
The legendary warrior sage.
The man who trained the greatest fighters in history.
And in the original story…
The man who cursed Karna.
But this time—
Things would be different.
Karna looked toward the horizon.
'I will become his student.'
'And this time… I will not receive that curse.'
At that moment the system appeared again.
DING
NEW QUEST AVAILABLE
Quest: Seek the Legendary Master
Objective:
Find and become the disciple of Parshuram
Reward:
Divine Weapon Knowledge
Parshuram Combat Training
+20 Strength
+20 Agility
Karna's eyes shone slightly.
'Perfect timing.'
Krishna watched Karna carefully.
He noticed the determined look in Karna's eyes.
Krishna smiled mysteriously.
"Looks like you already know what to do."
Karna chuckled softly.
"Maybe."
Krishna began walking away.
Before leaving he turned his head slightly.
"Karna."
Karna looked at him.
Krishna's smile returned.
"The world is changing."
"And you are one of the reasons."
Then he walked away.
Leaving Karna alone by the river.
The wind blew gently.
Karna looked at the bright sun above.
Warm light covered the land.
Inside his mind—
A firm decision formed.
'The next step begins now.'
'I will find Parshuram.'
'And become the greatest warrior in this era.'
Far above in the heavens…
The Sun God watched proudly.
Because his son had finally begun walking the path that would shake the world.