Morning arrived.
Golden sunlight spread across the forest.
Rudra washed his face in the river and opened the Library again.
A map appeared.
Nearby villages.
Trade paths.
Forests.
Mountains.
Two kilometers north stood a small settlement.
"Good," Rudra said.
"If I want to survive, I need allies."
He began walking.
After some time he heard shouting.
"HELP!"
Rudra rushed forward.
An old man was being attacked by a massive wild boar.
The animal charged fiercely.
Without hesitation Rudra grabbed a thick branch.
The boar rushed forward.
Rudra moved instinctively.
His body adapted to the combat situation.
He sidestepped.
Struck the boar's head.
The beast turned toward him angrily.
Rudra waited for the right moment.
When the boar lunged again—
He thrust the branch straight into its eye.
The animal shrieked and ran into the forest.
Silence returned.
Rudra helped the old man stand.
"Are you alright?"
The old man looked at him carefully.
His eyes were sharp.
Too sharp for an ordinary villager.
"You fight well," the old man said.
Rudra bowed politely.
"I did what anyone would do."
The old man smiled.
"My name is Rishi Vatsyayan."
Rudra's heart skipped.
A Rishi.
A sage.
Someone capable of teaching the ancient arts.
The rishi studied Rudra closely.
"You are not ordinary, young man."
Rudra stayed silent.
Inside his mind the library displayed a message.
Condition detected.
Potential Guru Encounter.
Unlock Progress: 3%
Rudra felt excitement rising.
His path toward mastering the 24 Kalas had begun.