The afternoon sun burned brightly above Mount Mahendra.
The forest around Parshuram's ashram felt unusually tense today.
Even the wind seemed heavier.
Karna stood alone in the training ground, holding his bow.
Sweat covered his body after hours of intense practice.
Inside his mind—
'My Solar Astra control is improving… but Guru will definitely push me further.'
Right on cue, Parshuram appeared from the path leading to the forest.
His expression looked serious today.
More serious than usual.
Karna immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Guru."
Parshuram nodded slightly.
Then he spoke in a calm but heavy voice.
"Karna… today you will face a special trial."
Karna straightened his posture.
"I am ready."
Parshuram pointed toward a mountain path behind the training ground.
The path led deep into a dark part of the forest.
Even from a distance, the place felt dangerous.
"Beyond that path lies the Agni Valley."
"A volcanic region where fire spirits gather."
Karna listened carefully.
Parshuram continued.
"Your task is simple."
"Travel into the valley and retrieve a Flame Crystal."
Karna's eyes sharpened.
Flame Crystals were rare.
They contained concentrated fire energy.
Perfect for strengthening astras.
But Karna knew something important.
Inside his mind—
'Trials from Parshuram are never simple.'
Still, he nodded confidently.
"I will bring it back."
Parshuram looked at him carefully.
Then he added one final rule.
"You may only use your bow."
"No help."
"No retreat."
Karna smiled slightly.
"Understood."
A short time later…
Karna walked deeper into the forest.
The temperature slowly increased.
The air smelled of smoke and ash.
Soon the trees became sparse.
Rocks and red soil covered the ground.
Small flames burned in cracks across the earth.
This was the Agni Valley.
Inside his mind—
'The environment itself is dangerous here.'
Suddenly—
A loud growl echoed across the valley.
Karna instantly turned.
A massive creature stepped out from behind a rock.
A Fire Wolf.
Its body burned with flickering flames.
Its glowing eyes locked onto Karna.
Karna pulled an arrow immediately.
The wolf lunged forward.
WHOOSH!
Karna released the arrow.
THUD!
The arrow struck the creature's shoulder.
But the wolf barely slowed down.
Inside his mind—
'Fire creatures… normal arrows won't be enough.'
Golden light gathered around his bow.
SOLAR ASTRA
Karna fired again.
WHOOSH!
BOOM!
The glowing arrow exploded against the wolf.
The creature howled before collapsing.
Ash scattered across the ground.
The valley became quiet again.
Karna walked deeper into the rocky area.
Soon he saw it.
A glowing red crystal embedded inside a volcanic stone.
The Flame Crystal.
But as Karna approached it—
The ground trembled suddenly.
CRACK!
The stone beneath the crystal shattered.
A massive Fire Serpent emerged from the lava crack.
Its body burned like molten metal.
Its eyes glowed with fury.
Karna took a deep breath.
Inside his mind—
'This must be the real guardian.'
The serpent lunged forward.
Karna jumped back instantly.
He pulled multiple arrows.
Golden light gathered again.
DING
SKILL ACTIVATED
SOLAR ARROW RAIN
Dozens of glowing arrows filled the sky.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The arrows rained down toward the serpent.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions echoed across the valley.
The serpent roared violently before collapsing into molten fragments.
Silence returned to the valley.
Smoke slowly cleared.
Karna walked toward the crystal again.
This time nothing stopped him.
He pulled the glowing Flame Crystal from the rock.
The moment he touched it—
The system appeared.
DING
QUEST COMPLETED
Trial of Fire
Rewards:
• Fire Resistance +20%
• Solar Astra – Level Up
• +25 Strength
• +20 Agility
Warm energy flowed through Karna's body.
His connection with solar energy grew stronger again.
Inside his mind—
'That was worth it.'
Later that evening…
Karna returned to the ashram.
Parshuram waited near the training ground.
Karna handed him the crystal.
Parshuram examined it briefly.
Then he smiled.
"Well done."
Karna bowed respectfully.
"Your trial was difficult."
Parshuram chuckled.
"And you passed."
Not far away…
Vrinda watched the scene again from behind a tree.
Her eyes shone with admiration.
'He really came back safely…'
Far away in Hastinapur…
Prince Duryodhana mounted his horse.
Several guards stood beside him.
He spoke confidently.
"We leave at dawn."
A soldier asked,
"Where are we going, Prince?"
Duryodhana smiled.
"To meet the warrior trained by Parshuram."
Back on Mount Mahendra…
Karna stood beneath the evening sun.
The sky glowed orange and gold.
Inside his mind—
'My strength keeps growing.'
'Soon… the entire world will know my name.'