Rama was up early, pushing himself through a morning run around the hospital yard. The cool air bit at his skin, but he welcomed the discomfort, using it to drive himself forward. It had been three days since the surreal encounter that had left him both physically and mentally scarred. During that time, he had focused on completing his quest, methodically chipping away at the tasks he was given.
His breath came in steady puffs as his feet pounded the pavement, each step bringing him closer to his goal. After an hour of running, he felt a familiar, satisfying cling in his mind, signaling the completion of yet another objective.
[Running, 10 miles: complete (10/10)]
[Congratulations on finishing the objectives - Get Stronger 2]
[You received 1 Vitality]
Vitality: 13 (14)
"Huff… finally!" he exhaled, feeling the new surge of energy course through his body. The extra point in Vitality gave him a noticeable boost in stamina and endurance, easing the fatigue that had been steadily building throughout his run.
But before he could fully relish the moment, another notification flashed before his eyes. This one was different, and it intrigued him.
[New Objectives - Get Stronger 3 (unread)]
[Get Stronger 3: Gain points through training]
Dexterity training: Incomplete (0/100)
Perception training: Incomplete (0/100)
Intelligence training: Incomplete (0/100)
Rama frowned as he scanned the new objectives, "What's this supposed to be?" he muttered to himself, puzzled by the shift in focus.
This time, Rama found himself without clear, step-by-step instructions, Instead, he was left to decipher how to gain an extra point in each of his stats on his own.
With a quick deduction, Rama figured that he would likely need to engage in repeated actions that specifically relied on each stat—something like sports or other physical and mental exercises.
He sighed in frustration. "Why doesn't this system just give me clear instructions?"
As he returned to his hospital room, his mind raced with ideas for how to tackle these new objectives. He was ready to experiment with a few different activities when he was met by his sister, who was waiting for him with a smile.
"The doctor has allowed you to go home," she announced.
"Yes!" Rama's face lit up with excitement. The thought of leaving the hospital and returning to the familiarity of home filled him with anticipation.
After dealing with the necessary paperwork and getting discharged, an old luxury car arrived to pick them up. The family driver, a familiar face who had served the Purnama family for years, greeted them with a nod before taking the wheel.
As they drove through the bustling streets, Rama gazed out the window, watching the vibrant urban landscape of the beautiful Bali island.
Bali, often referred to as the "Island of Gods," was a place where natural beauty and deep cultural history blend seamlessly. Situated to the east of Java, it spans 5,400 square kilometers, making it nearly ten times the size of Singapore.
During the holiday season, the island's population can swell to five million, as visitors from around the world flock to experience its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, and the renowned hospitality of its people.
The moniker "Island of Gods" wasn't just a catchy phrase for tourism. The title reflects Bali's rich spiritual heritage, steeped in centuries of tradition, mystery, and reverence. The island was dotted with countless relics, ancient temples, and sacred sites—remnants of a past that still holds many secrets. These relics and temples have earned Bali another name, "Island of a Hundred Temples," where every corner seems to carry whispers of ancient gods and spirits.
Reflecting on this, Rama couldn't help but shiver, realizing that these mysteries might actually be connected to real supernatural phenomena.
As the car drove closer to the family estate, the words from the Supernatural Association about his family, the Purnama family, echoed in his mind.
Though not the wealthiest, the Purnama family was undoubtedly one of the most influential on the island. With a history spanning over a millennium, they played a foundational role in shaping what Bali has become today.
The Purnama family was divided into five distinct sub-families.
The Ekam, or the first family, were generations of monks responsible for maintaining the many temples scattered across the island.
The Dve, the second family, were traditionally warriors. In the modern age, they had seamlessly integrated into government and military organizations, extending their influence to provide security for businesses across the city.
The Trinni, the third family were ancient seamen—fishermen and sea farmers who controlled most of the island's beaches and coastal resources.
The Chatvarri, the fourth family, managed the family's apothecary business, crafting successful beauty and health products using age-old family recipes, which were marketed both locally and internationally.
Finally, the fifth family, the Pancha—Rama's lineage—was a family of artisans. They were renowned as dancers, painters, and sculptors, preserving and promoting the island's rich cultural heritage.
Rama arrived at the Pancha Purnama estate, greeted by the sight of multiple stone statues lining the entrance of the stone gates. As the car drove in, the grandeur of the estate unfolded before him—a series of buildings crafted from natural stone, each one a testament to the family's rich artistic heritage.
There were the dancing halls, the painting halls, and the sculpting halls, once bustling with hundreds of students eager to learn the arts.
These days, however, the once-vibrant spaces had quieted, with only a dozen dedicated old artisan still practicing their crafts. The dancing halls, however, remained an exception, still hosting about a hundred members who continued to perform daily, primarily for cultural events catering to tourists.
Scattered throughout the estate were additional buildings—some housing the elderly artisan, others home to his uncle and grandmother.
Rama and his sister lived in a separate building, a modest yet comfortable home where they had resided ever since their parents had gone.
The estate, though serene, held an air of quiet melancholy, a shadow of its former glory, reflecting the changes that had come over the years.
"It's good to be home!" Rama exclaimed as he stepped into his room, the familiar surroundings offering a brief sense of comfort. But his mind was elsewhere, drawn to the guest building on the left wing of the estate.
He felt a strange pull, a need to revisit a place that had taken on new significance in light of his recent experiences.
As he walked through the quiet corridors of the guest building, memories of the shadow realm flooded his mind.
He descended the narrow staircase that led to the basement, the air growing cooler as he reached the bottom. The warehouse room where he had first materialized in the shadow realm stood before him, its heavy door slightly ajar. Pushing it open, he found nothing but emptiness inside. The place was deserted, devoid of any signs that something extraordinary had ever occurred there.
All was empty.
Rama's thoughts drifted to the shadow realm, and he wondered if—no, when—he would return to that eerie world. The unknown beckoned him, filling him with both dread and curiosity.
As he walked out of the place, lost in thought, a voice broke the silence.
"There you are..."
Rama turned to see a young man of his age approaching, his appearance slightly disheveled but made worse by the excessive amount of hair gel he always used. It was his cousin, Rendy Pancha Purnama, who approached with an air of amused nonchalance.
"Wow… I thought you were dead… but here you are, looking even healthier than before. What happened to you?"
Rama had a ready response, something vague and unremarkable, designed to avoid drawing attention. But before he could say a word, Rendy cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Don't bother explaining… I'm not interested in whatever drugs you've been taking. I'm only here because my father wants to see you. You'd better go right away."
Suppressing his irritation, Rama sighed and took a leisurely stroll toward the main building. The sprawling estate was a mix of old and new, with ancient stone pathways leading to modernized structures.
As he walked, he decided to pay a visit to his grandmother first.
Her room was filled with the scent of incense, and the walls were adorned with faded photographs from a bygone era. She greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling with genuine affection at the sight of her grandson. Her presence was a small comfort in an otherwise unsettling day.
After spending a few moments with his grandmother, Rama continued to the main hall, where his uncle awaited him.
The middle-aged man, his father's younger brother, exuded an air of arrogance that Rama had long since grown accustomed to. He sat behind an imposing wooden desk, barely glancing up as Rama entered the room. There was no inquiry about Rama's health or his three-day hospital stay—only a cold, dismissive announcement.
"You can do whatever you want… but to avoid bringing shame to the family, you still need a high school degree. Starting tomorrow, you'll be attending high school with your cousin."