Chapter 4: Shadows of Power
vijay's POV
After the tense encounter with the Aditya Group, my father had helped calm my anger, and we now sat around the dinner table at home, discussing the day's events. The comforting scent of my mother's cooking filled the air, though she was barely present at the table, busy channeling her mana as healing energy to tend to Raj's wounds. He didn't seem too injured, but a mother's worry is a force of nature—no amount of reassurance could stop her from doing everything she could to ensure he was fully healed.
As we ate, the conversation flowed around the table. Father spoke about the new shipment of materials and their distribution, his voice steady and reassuring. Aunt, who had mastered the art of calming the mind, subtly released her soothing skill, keeping the atmosphere light. Uncle chatted animatedly with Raj about his recent dungeon raid and the condition of his weapons. Arjun, our youngest, was absorbed in practicing with creation energy, eager to show off the new techniques he had learned at school. Vikram, our cousin, sat silently, staring into space—probably examining his status window, a privilege that came after contracting with a constellation.
I observed all of this with a sense of detachment. The hunter world was far more complex than it seemed on the surface, much more than what was taught at Hunter School. I had faced the harsh reality of this world firsthand.
India, in particular, was a complicated and often chaotic place. The first 15 years after the Cataclysm were a time of unity and survival. People died, hunters emerged as saviors, and Rank 6 hunters planted World Saplings across the land, establishing safe zones. With time, these zones grew, and the first Rank 8 saint emerged, the peak of power in this new world. As the saints increased in number, so did the power of the Indian pantheon's constellations, fed by the faith energy of the population.
But as the power of the Indian hunters grew, so did the fears of the global hunter community. India's rapidly expanding influence and the sheer number of its hunters—fueled by its large population—became a threat. China faced similar concerns but was slower to organize. Meanwhile, in India, the saints had taken early control, nurturing talent like mushrooms after the rain. By the 15th year of the Cataclysm, almost all of India was under human control.
Then, the global response came. The saints of other nations, fearing India's potential to dominate, united to launch a preemptive strike. But their true objective wasn't just to defeat India—it was to bind the constellations of the Indian pantheon using the 19 ancient seals. These seals limited the power Indian hunters could draw from their constellations, leading to a systematic weakening of India's defenses. As a result, many safe zones fell to the monsters, and the country became fragmented, with only eight safe zones remaining, each held together by a saint. Two saints now roam the earth, searching for the keys to break these seals.
By the time India recovered, the damage was done. Too many hunters had been lost, and other nations had grown stronger. The loss of centralized control led to the resurgence of corruption, as the remaining low-rank hunters saw that the high-ranking saints were too busy to keep them in check. What followed was a return to the old ways, with resources misallocated and corruption running rampant. This is the India we live in now—a country where power struggles and greed overshadow the collective good.
Breaking away from my thoughts, I found myself standing on the balcony, staring up at the stars. The night sky was clear, each constellation shining brightly despite the chaos below. The passage of time had gone unnoticed, and soon, I was joined by my brother, who quietly took a seat beside me.
The silence stretched on until I finally spoke. "So the contract wasn't really the original one, was it?"
Raj turned to me, intrigued. "How did you deduce that?"
"Knowing the Aditya Group's attitude, they'd never be satisfied with just half of our businesses. And given their reputation, I doubt a Rank 5 hunter would want to associate with them," I replied.
A small smile played on Raj's lips. "Nice deduction. You're right—Shivam came directly to me. He threatened to decimate us and claimed he was recovering to his peak. Honestly, his passive threats weren't all that intimidating, but the truth behind his recovery is something to be wary of."
Shivam, the head of the Aditya Group, was a Rank 4 hunter and the avatar of Rahu—a constellation associated with chaos, ambition, and disruption. He was a master of illusions and decay, and though he had been severely injured by a Rank 6 hunter, the possibility of his recovery was indeed troubling.
"How long do you need before he's no longer a threat?" I asked, my concern evident.
Raj's expression became serious. "I need six months."
I nodded, understanding the weight behind his words. Raj wasn't just any hunter—he was cautious to a fault. If he said he needed six months, it meant he planned to clear the trial for Rank 5 within that time and become proficient in wielding that power. As the avatar of Agni, Raj's Flame Overlord constitution allowed him to manipulate flame energy with ease, reducing the burden on his body and enhancing his control. He had honed his three skills—weapon enhancement, area-of-effect defense, and a healing skill that used the purification aspect of fire to its fullest potential. Training and the strategic use of monster coins had taken him far, but the path ahead was still fraught with danger.
As Raj left, lost in his own thoughts, I remained on the balcony, musing over everything that had happened. "I think I shouldn't explain everything to myself in such detail," I thought with a wry smile.
With a sigh, I turned away from the stars and headed to bed, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, at least, I could rest.