The sun had barely risen above Mount Mahendra when Karna reached the training ground.
The clearing looked different today.
Several wooden training dummies had been replaced with large stone pillars.
Deep cuts and cracks covered their surfaces.
Signs of brutal training.
Karna gripped his bow.
Inside his mind—
'Guru said today the real combat training begins.'
Heavy footsteps echoed behind him.
Parshuram walked into the clearing, carrying his massive axe.
His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
He stopped a few steps away from Karna.
Then he spoke.
"Today you will fight."
Karna's eyes sharpened.
"Against who?"
Parshuram looked directly at him.
"Against me."
For a moment…
Silence filled the clearing.
Inside his mind—
'Against Parshuram?'
Even in the Mahabharata, Parshuram was considered one of the greatest warriors to ever live.
But Karna didn't hesitate.
He raised his bow.
"I am ready."
Parshuram smiled slightly.
"Good."
Then he picked up a simple wooden spear from the ground.
Even without divine weapons, the sage looked terrifying.
He pointed the spear toward Karna.
"Attack."
Karna instantly pulled an arrow.
WHOOSH!
The arrow flew forward.
Parshuram moved his spear casually.
CLANG!
The arrow was deflected effortlessly.
Before Karna could react—
Parshuram moved.
Fast.
In the blink of an eye he appeared right in front of Karna.
THUD!
The spear struck Karna's shoulder.
Karna flew backward and rolled across the ground.
Dust rose into the air.
Pain shot through his body.
But he quickly stood up again.
Inside his mind—
'So fast…'
Even with his enhanced abilities, he could barely see Parshuram's movement.
Parshuram spoke calmly.
"Again."
Karna attacked again.
This time he shot three arrows at once.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Parshuram spun the spear.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
All three arrows were blocked.
Then—
THUD!
Another strike landed on Karna's ribs.
He crashed into the ground again.
Several minutes passed.
Karna attacked again and again.
But every single time—
Parshuram knocked him down effortlessly.
Bruises covered Karna's body.
His breathing became heavy.
Yet his eyes remained determined.
Inside his mind—
'I refuse to fall behind.'
Parshuram watched him quietly.
Inside his mind—
'His endurance is incredible.'
Most students would collapse by now.
But Karna kept standing back up.
Suddenly—
Parshuram attacked again.
The spear came straight toward Karna's chest.
This time Karna reacted faster.
He jumped back.
Then he fired multiple arrows.
WHOOSH!
Parshuram deflected them again.
But this time—
Karna focused his energy.
Golden light gathered around his arrows.
DING
SKILL ACTIVATED
SOLAR ARROW RAIN
Karna released the attack.
Dozens of glowing arrows filled the sky.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The arrows rained down toward Parshuram.
The sage's eyes widened slightly.
Then he smiled.
"Finally."
Parshuram moved like lightning.
His spear spun rapidly.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Arrow after arrow was deflected.
But one arrow slipped past his defense.
THUD!
It struck the ground beside him.
A deep crater formed.
Dust exploded into the air.
Parshuram looked at the crater.
Then at Karna.
A proud smile appeared.
"Excellent."
Karna lowered his bow.
His breathing was heavy.
His entire body ached.
But inside his mind—
'I actually landed one.'
Parshuram walked toward him.
Then suddenly—
THUD!
He hit Karna lightly on the head with the spear handle.
"Don't celebrate too early."
Karna rubbed his head.
"Yes, Guru."
But Parshuram's eyes were filled with approval.
"Your progress is faster than any student I have trained."
Karna bowed respectfully.
"I will work even harder."
Not far away…
Hidden behind the trees…
Vrinda watched everything.
Her eyes were wide with shock.
'He fought against Parshuram… and survived?'
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
'Karna is amazing…'
At that moment—
The familiar voice echoed again.
DING
QUEST COMPLETED
EXTREME COMBAT TRAINING – PHASE 1
Rewards:
• Solar Arrow Rain (Unlocked)
• +20 Strength
• +15 Agility
A wave of energy flowed through Karna's body.
His muscles felt stronger.
His senses sharper.
Inside his mind—
'This training is making me stronger faster than I expected.'
Far away…
In the royal city of Hastinapur…
Two princes stood in a large training arena.
Arjuna released an arrow perfectly through a moving target.
The watching teachers applauded.
Dronacharya smiled proudly.
"Excellent, Arjuna."
But at that same moment…
A traveling warrior spoke to the royal court.
"I recently passed through Mount Mahendra."
"There is a young warrior training under Parshuram."
Duryodhana raised an eyebrow.
"A young warrior?"
The traveler nodded.
"Yes."
"And his archery… was extraordinary."
Duryodhana leaned back slightly.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'Interesting.'
'Maybe this warrior could be useful.'
Meanwhile on Mount Mahendra
Karna looked toward the bright sun above.
Inside his mind—
'My journey has only begun.'