As they stepped out of the gate, covered in blood and dust, the detective eyed the three hunters with a raised brow. Karna, Ashwatthama, and Bhima emerged victorious, but there was an air of caution lingering around them. The detective's gaze flickered to the closing gate behind them before addressing them directly.
"I see it went well for you guys," the detective said, his voice steady. "Any new information?"
Ashwatthama wiped some blood from his face, tossing the spiked wheel casually over his shoulder. "Well, besides tearing through monsters and slaying what can only be described as a dragon-like beast, we found something interesting."
Karna stepped forward, holding up the glowing crystal they had recovered from the dragon's remains. The detective's eyes widened slightly as he saw the swirling energy inside the crystal. "This was left behind when the creature dissolved. It's not just any gate loot—there's something special about it," Karna explained. "And we found weapons too, powerful ones. They're not normal; these things feel like they're tied to something bigger."
Bhima gripped his new club tightly. "Whatever this dragon was, it wasn't just a random monster. It left behind relics, almost like... a message."
The detective nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Relics, huh? That could mean a lot of things. We've seen gates leave behind items before, but nothing this... distinct. Anything else? Any unusual signs, energy shifts, or something that stood out?"
Karna exchanged glances with Bhima and Ashwatthama. "The way that gate felt," Karna began, "was different. More powerful, more... ancient. And when we killed the beast, there was something unsettling about the way it dissolved. This isn't just a random gate anomaly."
Ashwatthama chimed in, "If gates like this are going to keep popping up, there's a chance we'll be dealing with stronger threats. We're not just hunters anymore—we're walking into a bigger game."
The detective took it all in, his face unreadable as he processed their words. "Alright. I'll report this to the higher-ups. Keep those weapons close, and be prepared. If what you're saying is true, we might be in for a rough ride."
As they left, the weight of the battle and the mysteries of the gate still hung over them. Whatever was coming next, they knew it was going to be bigger than anything they'd faced before.
Bhima then looked at Karna. "I think my cousin Arjuna will like to meet you one day".
Karna raised and eyebrows at that as he spoke. "Why is That"
Bhima chuckled slightly, glancing at Karna with a knowing look. "Because," he began, "Arjuna always had this thing about meeting worthy opponents or, at the very least, people who stand out. You're not just some regular hunter, Karna. You've got something... more."
Karna raised an eyebrow. "And you think I fit the bill? What makes you so sure?"
Bhima grinned, gripping his new club. "The way you fought back there. The way you took down that dragon-like beast with such precision. Not many could stand against something like that and live to tell the tale, let alone come out with barely a scratch. Arjuna's always searching for the best—he's a perfectionist, always looking to push himself beyond his limits. You'd interest him."
Karna shrugged. "We'll see about that. I'm not exactly looking for rivalries, Bhima."
Bhima laughed. "Rivalry? Maybe. Or maybe it's something else. You're more like him than you think."
Karna looked away for a moment, lost in thought. The names, the hints, and the similarities between his past life and these people were too many to ignore. Meeting Arjuna might be inevitable, but whether it would be as allies or something else was yet to be determined.
"Let's handle one challenge at a time," Karna finally said, a small smirk forming. "If I meet your cousin, we'll see how that goes. Until then, we've got bigger problems to deal with."
Bhima nodded in agreement. "Fair enough."
Meanwhile in a different place was a teen, he had white hair, dark skin, holding a blue bow and firing an arrow at a tree, he has blue eyes as he looked at the tree with narrow fouces, as on his side on the table was hunter guild badge with it showing the rank Diamond, as he just fired another arrow he was thinking of his past before his phone started to ring, as he picked up the phones
The boy picked up the phone. "Brother why are you calling me, shouldn't you be in work handling your hunter guide".
The voice spoke. "You know how I am little bro, you know how Yudhishthira works, Arjuna".
Arjuna sighed as he heard his older brother's voice on the other end of the line. Yudhishthira always had a way of keeping things light, even when there were more serious matters at hand.
Arjuna lowered his bow, letting the string relax as he stared at the tree in front of him, arrows piercing through its bark with impeccable precision. "Yudhishthira," Arjuna began, his voice calm but firm, "you didn't call me just to chat. What's going on?"
Yudhishthira chuckled lightly. "You always get straight to the point, don't you? Alright, fine. There's a reason for my call. I've heard about a hunter—someone new but powerful. Goes by the name Karna."
Arjuna's grip tightened slightly on his bow at the mention of the name. He knew the name, of course. He had felt something stir deep within him when he first heard it. The name carried weight. "Karna, huh? And why should I be interested in him?"
Yudhishthira's tone became more serious. "Because Bhima met him. Fought alongside him, in fact. This Karna... he's not just any hunter. Bhima thinks he might be something more. Something from our past."
Arjuna's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. His past—those memories of another life, another time—had been resurfacing ever since he had become a hunter. "You think it's him?" Arjuna asked quietly.
"I don't know," Yudhishthira replied. "But Bhima seems certain. And if he's right, then you two are bound to meet."
Arjuna was silent for a moment, staring at the arrows lodged in the tree. "If it really is Karna," he said softly, "then fate has brought us together again. But this time... things will be different."
"Different how?" Yudhishthira asked.
Arjuna's blue eyes gleamed with determination. "This time, we'll settle things once and for all."
Arjuna then looked at his arrows before he spoke. "I am just surprised, if he is Karna why wasn't he reborn in our family, is as our bother, Bhima brother or one of our cousins, after in this life both the Pandava and Kuravas, were reborn in one family, all 101 Kuravas and all 5 Pandava".
Yudhishthira paused for a moment on the other end of the line, thinking over Arjuna's question. "That's the mystery, isn't it?" he finally said. "If this Karna is really the one we knew from our past lives, then why wasn't he reborn as part of our family like the rest of us? It doesn't add up. The entire Pandava and Kaurava line were united, reborn into one family for some purpose, it seems."
Arjuna frowned, gripping the bow tighter as he stared at the arrows. "And yet Karna is outside of it. Alone. Just like before."
Yudhishthira sighed. "Maybe it's not about family this time. Maybe it's about him finding his own path, away from us. Or maybe fate just likes to play cruel games."
Arjuna shook his head. "It doesn't feel right. If he's truly Karna, then there's a reason he's separate from us. A reason why fate chose to keep him distant again."
Yudhishthira's voice softened. "Do you think things will repeat? That the past will play out again?"
Arjuna's gaze hardened. "I won't let it. If I face him again, I'll make sure it's different this time."
"You sound determined."
"I am. Karna and I—we have unfinished business. But this time, I'll be prepared for whatever fate throws at us. I won't let history repeat itself."
Yudhishthira's chuckle returned, though softer this time. "You're always driven, little brother. But be careful. The past has a way of creeping up on us, even when we try to change it."
Arjuna hung up the phone, staring at the arrows lodged in the tree one last time before turning away. "Karna," he whispered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "If it really is you... we'll see how things end this time."
Then he thought to him self as he let out the last arrows at the tree. "And once we meet again 'I will apologize to you for what I did in my past life' and have a proper battle no tricks no curse's no Devin"
Arjuna watched as the final arrow sailed through the air and struck the tree with a sharp thud, the vibrations from the impact resonating in his arm. He lowered his bow and took a deep breath, his thoughts heavy. "No tricks, no curses, no divine interference," he murmured to himself, determination lacing every word. "I owe him that much."
In his past life, the battle between him and Karna had been tainted—by fate, by the gods, by circumstances beyond their control. Arjuna knew that he had never given Karna the battle he deserved. Not truly. And for that, guilt had weighed on him across lifetimes.
"But this time, things will be different," Arjuna vowed silently. "I will face you as equals, Karna. No divine weapons, no blessings or curses. Just us—warriors, as we were meant to be."
The wind whispered through the trees, and Arjuna's sharp gaze softened as he looked at the arrow embedded in the bark. "When we meet again," he whispered, "I will apologize—not just with words, but with my actions. And I will give you the battle you've always deserved."
He turned away from the tree, his thoughts drifting back to the Karna of this new world, this new life. "Until then, prepare yourself, Karna," Arjuna muttered, gripping his bow tightly as he walked away. "Because I'll be ready."
Meanwhile with Karna he was looking at his new bows, as he just holded, his eyes never leaving that of the weapon
Karna just looked at the bow before he spoke. "To think i would find you again, Vijaya but you have changed".
Karna held the bow, his fingers tracing the intricate details of its design. It was unmistakable—Vijaya, the legendary weapon that had once been his in his past life. But now, it felt different. The weight was familiar, yet the energy emanating from it was transformed, as if reborn just like him.
He muttered to himself, eyes locked on the bow, "Vijaya... you've changed, but I can still feel the power within you."
The bow seemed to hum in response, resonating with the energy Karna poured into it. He could feel a connection, stronger than before, as if the bow remembered him too. But it wasn't just a weapon—it was a symbol, a reminder of the battles fought, the lives lost, and the unspoken bond between him and his former life.
Karna smiled faintly, gripping the bow tighter. "We fought countless battles together. I wonder if this time, we'll fight for something more than fate."
He couldn't help but think of Arjuna, his rival and the one who had always been tied to him in the cruel web of destiny. "The bow may have changed, but the battles ahead will not be any less intense. Arjuna, will you be ready when we meet again?"
As Karna looked at the weapon, a sense of purpose washed over him. This wasn't just about reclaiming his past—it was about forging a new future. A future where he would control his own fate, no longer bound by the chains of divine intervention.
"I'll be ready," Karna whispered to himself, his resolve hardening as he slung the bow over his shoulder. "This time, no gods, no curses—just us."
Meanwhile in another place running a business was a man, he had Purple hair, some of lift up to a curb, as he had light skin and purple eye, he was wearing a black suite and running a business, what was his business this man runed one of the words greatest hunters weapon production, something he had back from, after all the crystal from monster and material from the dungeon was great, after the Gates started to come out the world balance had changes some small countries like Bangladesh, Japan, And what was now a united Korea after North Korea was office destroyed, new business were made and the first generation of hunters were born and the world power balance it self had shift.
"Hey Duryodhana, why did you call me"
Duryodhana looked from his files to see his younger brother Bhima. "Noting much I just heard you got a new weapon and wanted to see if my company can replicate it"
Duryodhana sat behind his large, sleek desk, the light from the massive windows casting a shadow over his face. His purple hair was slicked back, and his purple eyes gleamed with ambition. The business he had built—one of the world's greatest hunter weapon production companies—had been his pride. With the rise of hunters and the opening of the gates, his company had thrived, crafting weapons from the crystal and materials gathered from the dungeons.
Bhima stood across from him, his massive frame towering even in the spacious office. "You want to replicate my new weapon?" Bhima asked, his brow furrowing. "Why would you be interested in that?"
Duryodhana smirked, putting down the file he had been reviewing. "Because, little brother, the world is changing fast. Weapons made from dungeon materials are becoming more sophisticated, and the stronger the hunter, the more advanced the weapons need to be. If you've come across something new, I want to see if we can harness that power and create something that could shift the balance even more."
Bhima crossed his arms. "You know, not everything can be replicated, especially a weapon as special as this."
Duryodhana leaned back in his chair, unphased. "True. But that's never stopped us before. Look at what we've accomplished—the weaponry that's allowed hunters to push back the tide of monsters. Besides, if it's in your hands, I'm sure it's something worth replicating. You wouldn't be carrying just any weapon."
Bhima stared at his brother, feeling the familiar tension between them. While Duryodhana had found his purpose in running one of the most powerful companies in the world, Bhima had always been a warrior at heart, someone who sought strength through battle, not through commerce.
"It's not about replicating everything," Bhima said, his voice firm. "Some weapons have history, a soul of their own. This one might be one of those."
Duryodhana raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You sound almost sentimental, Bhima. But I understand. Some things can't just be mass-produced."
Bhima uncrossed his arms and gave his brother a rare smirk. "Glad to hear you understand. But you'll have to wait to see it in action. I'm not handing it over to your labs just yet."
Duryodhana chuckled. "Fair enough. But when you're ready, bring it to me. I have a feeling whatever it is, it'll be something that changes the game."
Bhima turned to leave, but paused at the door. "Just remember, Duryodhana, some power can't be bought or sold."
Duryodhana watched him go, the smile never leaving his face. "Maybe not, brother. But that doesn't mean I won't try."
Bhima then looked at him. "And if you want to get a head of the other company, especially the the Snow family, why not make fire arms, or are you still failing on that".
Duryodhana's smile faltered slightly at Bhima's jab, but his confident demeanor didn't waver. He leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk.
"The Snow family…" Duryodhana mused, his tone cool. "They've cornered the firearms market, no doubt. But the thing about firearms, Bhima, is that they rely on conventional methods of destruction. Bullets can only go so far when facing creatures from the gates. You know as well as I do, hunters rely on weapons that resonate with their power, their strength."
Bhima raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying getting under his brother's skin. "So, you're admitting you're still failing to compete with them?"
Duryodhana's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composure. "I wouldn't say failing. We've just been… reworking the concept. Guns made from dungeon materials are tricky. They require more than just firepower; they need to channel mana efficiently, and that's where the problem lies. The Snow family focuses on brute force, but brute force alone doesn't win battles anymore."
Bhima chuckled. "Maybe, but if you don't figure it out soon, they'll leave you in the dust. They've already started pushing their next-gen firearms, and I've heard some hunters are making the switch."
Duryodhana's smile returned, albeit colder this time. "Let them enjoy their temporary success. When we perfect our method, it won't just be guns we dominate. The entire weapon industry will be under our control. We're not in a race with the Snow family, Bhima. We're in a race to redefine the future of warfare."
Bhima nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you'd better hurry up. Hunters aren't patient when it comes to getting their hands on the best tools."
Duryodhana stood up, walking around his desk and looking out the massive window overlooking the city. "You underestimate me, Bhima. When I'm done, even the Snows will be scrambling to keep up. But enough about them. What about you? I know you're not here just to talk business. What else is on your mind?"
Bhima shrugged. "Just checking in on you. Making sure you're still keeping your head in the game. But if you ask me, you should be thinking bigger. Those weapons you're making—make them count."
Duryodhana smirked as he looked over his empire. "Don't worry, little brother. They will."
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones