Echoes After the First Blood
The ash where the demon had vanished slowly scattered with the wind.
Garud stood still for a long moment, his chest rising and falling steadily. His heart was calm—too calm. The fear he expected after killing something for the first time never came.
Instead, there was clarity.
Karan finally broke the silence.
"Garud…"
"That thing said something before it died."
Garud nodded.
"Yeah. I heard it."
Karan swallowed.
"It knew you. Or… what you are."
Garud clenched his fist.
"Then this won't be the last."
The system panel flickered again.
"Combat data recorded."
"Basic Combat Mastery improving through real combat."
Garud looked at the notification, then at his hands.
"So fighting is how I grow…"
Karan forced a laugh.
"Figures. Every manga ever."
But his eyes were serious.
"You can't do this alone."
Garud looked at him.
"I don't want you involved."
Karan stepped forward immediately.
"Too late."
Garud frowned.
"Karan—"
"I followed you into a demon fight," Karan interrupted.
"I watched you kill something that shouldn't exist."
"You think I'm going back to normal farming after this?"
Garud stayed silent.
Karan's voice softened.
"You said yourself… things are changing."
Garud sighed.
"Fine. But you follow my rules."
Karan grinned.
"Deal."
Elsewhere – Beyond the Veil
In a place layered with broken stone and black mist, several figures knelt.
Their forms were twisted—some humanoid, some barely holding a shape at all.
At the center sat a tall being wrapped in dark armor etched with ancient symbols.
A horned messenger knelt before him.
"My Lord," it hissed.
"The Lesser Shade has been destroyed."
The armored figure rested his chin on his hand.
"By the Heir?"
"Yes."
Silence followed.
Then laughter.
Low.
Cold.
"So Shiva finally moves his piece."
The figure stood.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
"Open another gate," he commanded.
"But this time—send something smarter."
The messenger bowed deeply.
"As you command, Lord of the Rift."
Back in the Village – Dawn
The first light of morning spread across the fields.
Garud and Karan returned quietly, as if nothing had happened.
But Garud could feel it.
The world had changed.
As he washed his face at the hand pump, the system appeared again.
"Daily Training Recommendation Available."
Recommended Training:
Strength Conditioning
Endurance Control
Sensory Focus
Warning:
Untrained Divine Power may attract stronger entities.
Garud stared at the warning.
"So if I don't train… I put everyone in danger."
Karan leaned on the pump.
"Then we train."
Garud looked at him.
"You don't even have powers."
Karan smiled.
"Yet."
Garud chuckled quietly.
That Evening – Under the Neem Tree
The same neem tree where everything had begun.
Garud stood barefoot on the earth, eyes closed.
He focused on his breathing.
The system guided him.
"Sense Control: Active."
Sounds sharpened.
He could hear insects crawling under bark.
Leaves brushing against each other.
A heartbeat.
Not his.
Garud's eyes snapped open.
"Karan," he said calmly.
"There's something near."
Karan's expression changed instantly.
"Another one?"
Garud nodded.
"And it's stronger."
The air grew heavy.
The shadows stretched unnaturally.
From between the trees—
A figure stepped out.
Taller.
Wider.
Its presence alone pressed down on the earth.
The system flashed crimson.
"Warning."
Enemy Class: Mid-tier Demon
Threat Level: Moderate
Garud lowered his stance.
This time—
There was no hesitation.
"Stay behind me," he said.
The demon smiled.
"So this is the Heir…"
Its eyes gleamed.
"Let's see how long you last."