The morning sun slowly rose above the village.
Golden light covered the small houses and dusty roads.
Inside Adhiratha's home, Karna stood quietly near the doorway.
A small travel bag rested on his shoulder.
Today…
He was leaving.
Radha stood in front of him.
Her eyes were filled with worry.
"Karna…"
"Do you really have to go?"
Karna looked at her gently.
Even though he had memories from another life, Radha had truly cared for him like a real mother.
Because of that, he respected her deeply.
"Mother…"
"I want to become a great warrior."
"To do that, I must learn from the greatest master."
Radha lowered her head slightly.
She already knew her son was different.
Even as a child, he trained harder than grown men.
But letting him go still hurt her heart.
"The world outside is dangerous."
Karna smiled reassuringly.
"I will be fine."
Adhiratha stepped forward and placed a strong hand on Karna's shoulder.
His voice was calm but proud.
"A warrior must walk his own path."
He handed Karna a better bow and a small quiver of arrows.
"Take this."
"It may not be a royal weapon…"
"But it will serve you well."
Karna accepted the bow respectfully.
"Thank you, father."
Radha hugged him tightly.
"Promise me one thing."
Karna looked at her.
"What is it?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Come back alive."
Karna smiled softly.
"I promise."
A few moments later…
Karna walked down the village road.
The warm sunlight followed him like a blessing.
He didn't look back.
Because he knew if he did…
Leaving would become harder.
Inside his mind—
'The Parshuram Arc begins now.'
Several hours later…
Karna was traveling through a forest road.
Tall trees surrounded the path.
The wind rustled through the leaves.
Suddenly—
A rough voice echoed nearby.
"Look what we have here."
Several men stepped out from behind the trees.
Bandits.
Their dirty clothes and cruel smiles made their intentions obvious.
One of them laughed.
"A kid traveling alone?"
Another grabbed his sword.
"Easy money."
Karna sighed quietly.
'Bandits already?'
'What terrible luck… for them.'
The leader stepped forward.
"Hand over your bow and money."
Karna looked at him calmly.
"Or what?"
The bandit smirked.
"Or we take it from your corpse."
Karna slowly placed an arrow on his bowstring.
His eyes became cold.
'First real battle in this life.'
'Let's see how strong I've become.'
The bandits laughed.
"Look at this brat trying to fight!"
One of them charged forward.
Karna released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
THUD!
The arrow struck the bandit's weapon and knocked it out of his hand.
The man stumbled backward in shock.
The laughter instantly stopped.
The leader frowned.
"He's not normal."
Karna grabbed three arrows.
Golden sunlight reflected off their tips.
He activated his skill.
SOLAR ARROW RAIN
WHOOSH!
Three arrows shot forward at incredible speed.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The bandits' weapons were knocked away instantly.
Several men fell to the ground in panic.
Karna lowered his bow slowly.
His expression remained calm.
"Leave."
"Before the next arrows hit something more important."
The bandits stared at him in fear.
A child defeating armed men so easily was terrifying.
The leader quickly shouted.
"Retreat!"
Within seconds the bandits ran away into the forest.
Karna watched them disappear.
Then he sighed slightly.
'Not much of a fight.'
Suddenly the system appeared again.
DING
QUEST PROGRESS UPDATED
Quest: Seek the Legendary Master
Current Progress:
Travel toward Mount Mahendra
Reward remains locked.
Karna nodded.
'Mount Mahendra… that's where Parshuram lives.'
He continued walking deeper into the forest.
The journey lasted several days.
Mountains slowly appeared in the distance.
Tall.
Mighty.
Covered with ancient forests.
At the top of one of those mountains lived the legendary warrior sage.
Parshuram.
The slayer of countless warriors.
The master of divine weapons.
Karna finally reached a quiet mountain path.
A small ashram stood ahead.
The air around it felt calm but powerful.
A tall man sat beneath a tree.
His body was muscular despite his age.
A massive axe rested beside him.
His eyes opened slowly.
They were sharp like lightning.
Parshuram stared directly at Karna.
For a moment, silence filled the mountain.
Then his deep voice echoed.
"Why have you come here, boy?"
Karna stepped forward calmly.
He bowed respectfully.
"Guru Parshuram…"
"I wish to become your disciple."
Parshuram's eyes narrowed slightly.
He studied the young boy carefully.
Something about Karna felt… different.
Powerful.
Mysterious.
But also sincere.
The wind blew across the mountain.
And thus…
The meeting between Karna and his future master finally began.