Nivyansh rose from his meditation and took out the rank-three mystical essence blood from his pouch, gazing at it intently. Speaking to himself, he whispered:
"Now this essence blood of the mystical Magor-Gorilla will decide my fate today."
Saying this, Nivyansh began to recall his past years.
As a child, he was considered a prodigy. By the mere age of twelve, he had already attained his ninth star, earning the respect and admiration of everyone around him.
At that time, his father, Raktab, had decided to join one of the eight royal families—the Sisodia clan—for Nivyansh's brighter future. Because of that, Nivyansh never lacked resources, and his father even secured the honorable position of General.
But as the years went by, everything changed. From then until now, no matter how many times he attempted, he failed to break through into the Blood Circulation Rank. His repeated failures brought nothing but mockery. He and his father endured countless taunts and humiliations. Yet, through it all, his father never abandoned him—always standing firmly by his side.
Thinking of this, Nivyansh's eyes turned moist.
But the very next moment, recalling all those insults and humiliations, his heart hardened. He clenched his fists and vowed to himself that he would silence everyone who had ever belittled him for failing to increase his power.
He was lost in these thoughts when suddenly—
A knock echoed on the door.
Startled, Nivyansh quickly shoved the rank-three mystical essence blood back into his pouch.
"Keshav Kaka, is that you?" he called.
"Yes, young master, it is me," came the reply. "You've been in your room for so long, I grew concerned. Besides, it is time for your meal."
Nivyansh opened the door and nodded.
"Alright, Keshav Kaka. I'll be down shortly."
A little later, Nivyansh arrived in the dining hall and took his seat. Looking around, he asked,
"Kaka, why hasn't Father come yet? Is he still at the Sisodia family palace?"
Keshav sighed. "I do not know when the master will return. But…" Just then, a soldier entered, bowed, and handed Keshav a sealed letter before leaving. Keshav opened it, read quickly, and then passed it to Nivyansh.
"Young master, it seems the master will not return tonight. He has gone with the Sisodia family's Third Elder on urgent business."
Hearing this, Nivyansh sighed deeply.
"At least there is word from Father."
Later, Nivyansh returned to his chamber. Once again, he took out the rank-three mystical essence blood, staring at it with a mix of determination and fear.
He knew exactly what it could do. Normally, such blood was used to fortify the body's defenses, significantly increasing a warrior's strength. But it was meant only for those who had already reached the eighth or ninth star of the Blood Circulation Rank.
For anyone else, it was suicidal. Because whenever one used the essence blood of a mystical beast, fragments of that beast's soul essence tried to invade and dominate the user's mind. If the user failed to resist, they would either become a living corpse—soulless, hollow—or their body would be seized entirely by the beast's will.
But despite knowing this, Nivyansh was ready to take that risk. For him, there was no other path.
The only safer alternative was the Rank-Four Blood Purification Pill, which could directly help one achieve Blood Circulation. But no Rank-Four alchemist lived in this city, and even if one did, the pill's price was in the millions of gold coins—far beyond his reach.
As night deepened and the sky turned darker, Nivyansh secretly slipped out of the palace, traveling miles away into a secluded forest where mystical beasts rarely roamed. He climbed atop a small hill, overlooking the glittering city lights below. Above him, thousands of stars lit up the heavens, as though the entire sky was draped in a jeweled veil.
Sitting beneath a tall tree, he steadied his breath and prepared himself. He unsealed the vial and poured the rank-three essence blood directly onto his body in one motion.
The effect was immediate.
A scorching heat and unbearable pain surged through him. His screams echoed across the forest, but there was no one to hear them. His veins bulged and ruptured, blood streaming out, making him look like a demon drenched in crimson.
Then came the real assault—waves of excruciating pain in his mind and soul. The fragment of the Magor-Gorilla's spirit struck mercilessly, trying to shatter his will. His head pounded, blood gushed from his mouth, and his very soul trembled.
But Nivyansh refused to surrender.
He roared through the agony, fighting to keep the invading will from consuming him.
"AAHHHHH!" His cries shook the hill, yet his consciousness began to fade. His body slackened, and despair crept in.
"Is this… my end?" he thought bitterly.
Memories flooded back—his childhood, his father training him in swordsmanship.
"Nivyansh, never give up in life. A warrior never surrenders, no matter the obstacle."
"Yes, Father! I will never give up! I will face every challenge head-on!"
The words echoed in his heart. He remembered the shame his father had endured because of him, the endless taunts, the sacrifices. His eyes, which were about to close forever, suddenly flew open.
"I WILL NEVER LOSE! AAAAAHHHHHHH!"
In that instant, a dazzling golden light erupted from his body, surging into the heavens. His entire form glowed, and for a brief moment, a half-formed golden lotus mark appeared on his forehead before vanishing.
The invading Magor-Gorilla's soul fragment disintegrated into shimmering golden dust and merged peacefully into his soul, strengthening it to the level of a Paramjit Rank warrior. His body rose several feet into the air, hovering, though he himself remained unconscious.
Hours passed. The night grew deeper. Finally, Nivyansh slowly regained consciousness beneath the tree. He touched his body—where once there had been torn flesh and bleeding wounds, now not a single scar remained.
Shocked, he felt a surge of newfound power coursing through him. Overcome with joy, he burst into wild laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! After three years of struggle, I've finally reached the Blood Circulation Rank!"
His eyes turned moist again. For this day, he had waited so long. Now, perhaps, he could restore his father's honor and reclaim their lost respect.
He glanced at his half-naked body, drenched in sweat and foul odor. The impurities from his blood had been purged during the process.
"Have my powers really increased?" he wondered. To test, he walked over to a thick tree and, without channeling any mystical force, struck it with a single punch.
BOOM!
The trunk cracked with explosive force, fissures spreading across its bark until the massive tree collapsed.
Nivyansh stared at his fist in disbelief. His raw, physical strength alone had become monstrous.
Realizing he had been gone far too long, he hurried back towards the palace, leaping through the forest with newfound speed and agility. His senses were sharper, his perception clearer—his strengthened soul amplifying every ability.
Before long, he slipped past the palace guards unnoticed and returned to his chamber, breathing a sigh of relief.
Far away—thousands of miles distant—an aged man stood beneath the night sky. He paused, sensing something unusual. Slowly, he turned around.
"So… it has begun."
---
What will happen next?
Will Nivyansh prove himself with his newfound strength?
And who is this mysterious man sensing his awakening?
To find out, stay tuned for the story of The Heartless Warrior.