Shiv's heart pounded with excitement as he began to pack his belongings. His father's worn leather satchel held a few extra pairs of clothes, rations for his journey, and a collection of books that had once belonged to his father.
As he searched for the books, his gaze fell upon a familiar sight: his father's armor, sword, and a three-headed spear. A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he recalled the countless tales he had heard of his father's bravery. With a determined nod, Shiv slipped into the armor. To his surprise, the armor felt a bit tight, despite his recent physical transformation. As if sensing his discomfort, the armor seemed to shift and expand, molding perfectly to his body. "Wow, that's so cool!" Shiv exclaimed, stunned by the sudden change. He collapsed to the ground, his mind reeling.
As consciousness returned, he felt a surge of information flowing into his mind. He realized that the words he had heard in his dream were instructions on how to use his newfound powers. Shiv stood up, his eyes filled with determination. He approached his backpack and uttered the word "store." A swirling cloud of smoke enveloped the bag, and it vanished from sight. "So, the words I heard in my dream were the instructions on how to use my powers," he muttered to himself, as he continued packing in his father's room.
His gaze fell upon an unusual symbol on the wall behind the cupboard. He could see it clearly through the wood, and it seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.Intrigued, Shiv moved the cupboard aside and touched the symbol. It glowed brightly, and the mark on his forehead began to pulsate in sync. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden chamber.
The room was shrouded in darkness, filled with cobwebs and dust. A faint, musty odor hung in the air. Curiosity piqued, Shiv ventured into the hidden chamber.In the center of the room, he discovered a leather-bound book surrounded by dried flowers and withered leaves. It seemed to have been a sacred object, perhaps worshipped in ancient times.
Shiv carefully picked up the book and brushed away the dust. The title was etched in gold: "Rudra." The book bore a symbol similar to the one on his forehead, but with a vertical eye in the center. A sense of wonder and anticipation filled Shiv as he prepared to open the book. He couldn't wait to discover the secrets it held. With trembling hands, Shiv carefully opened the ancient book.
The pages were yellowed with age, the ink faded but still legible. The first page contained a strange map, depicting a labyrinthine network of underground tunnels. A shiver ran down Shiv's spine as he turned the page. The text was written in an ancient language he didn't recognize. However, the symbols and illustrations seemed familiar, echoing the knowledge that had flowed into his mind after his awakening.
As he delved deeper into the book, Shiv discovered that "Rudra" was not just a name, but a powerful deity associated with destruction and transformation. The book contained ancient rituals, spells, and meditations that could harness the power of Rudra. A surge of excitement and trepidation coursed through Shiv. He realized that the book held the key to unlocking his full potential. But with great power comes great responsibility, and Shiv knew he must use this knowledge wisely. As he continued to study the book, Shiv felt a connection to Rudra growing stronger. He sensed a power within himself, a dormant force waiting to be unleashed. With a newfound determination, Shiv closed the book and returned to his father's room.
He knew that his journey had only just begun. The secrets of Rudra would guide him on his path, and he was eager to embrace the challenges that lay ahead. He was still pondering the mysteries of his newfound abilities when a familiar voice called out his name from outside.
Varun, his childhood friend, was standing in the doorway, his jaw dropped in astonishment. "Shiv, is that you?" Varun exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You look... different.
"Shiv chuckled, adjusting his newly acquired armor. "Yeah, I guess I do. I had a strange dream last night, and when I woke up, I felt...different."
"Different?" Varun echoed, his voice filled with curiosity. "More like incredible! You look like a warrior straight out of a legend."Shiv couldn't help but smile at his friend's enthusiasm. "I'm glad you think so.
Anyway, I'm about to embark on a journey to meet the guard captain . Would you like to come with me?" Varun's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! I've always wanted to go adventuring with you ."
As Shiv packed his belongings, a thought occurred to him. He could use his newfound ability to store his entire house. With a confident grin, Shiv raised his hand and uttered the word "store." A swirling cloud of smoke enveloped his house, and as it dissipated, the house vanished from sight, leaving only an empty space behind.
Varun couldn't help but stare at his friend in amazement. He had always admired Shiv's determination, but now he was truly in awe of his extraordinary transformation.
Shiv and Varun made their way to the Adventurers' Guild to register shiv and also to find a quest if possible. As they entered the bustling hall, a hush fell over the crowd. The adventurers exchanged hushed whispers, their eyes fixed on Shiv.
"Did you see him? Is he a high-ranking adventurer?" one whispered.
"Wow! His muscles look amazing," another exclaimed.
The receptionist, Sruthi, was equally impressed. "Who is this handsome hunk beside you?" she asked Varun, her eyes wide with admiration. "What's his name? Where did you find him?" Varun chuckled.
"Sruthi, it's me, Shiv. Just a bit changed, but still the same old me." shiv answered,
Sruthi's jaw dropped. "You? Shiv? I can't believe it!" she exclaimed. "You look incredible!"
Sruthi completed Shiv's registration and handed him a new adventurer's card. As Shiv held the card, his eyes filled with tears of joy. Varun and Sruthi were equally delighted to see their friend's excitement.Shiv inquired about escort quests to the Maxima Kingdom. Sruthi searched the quest board and the quest book. "Yes, there is one," she said. "It's an escort mission to the Maxima Kingdom.""We'll take it!" Shiv and Varun exclaimed, their voices filled with enthusiasm."It's selected," Sruthi replied. "However, you'll need to form a party with Varun. As a D-rank adventurer, he can accept escort jobs, but you're still an F-rank adventurer."Shiv and Varun formed a party, naming it the Black Brigade. They left the guild and went their separate ways to prepare for their adventure.Shiv and Varun met up at the designated location, each equipped with their weapons and supplies. As they set off on their journey, they couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension.The road to the Maxima Kingdom was long and arduous, filled with treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather. But Shiv and Varun were determined to overcome any obstacles that came their way. The merchant's name was Laxman, a renowned businessman in the capital. Accompanying him were three other adventurers: Ravi, a burly warrior with a D-rank; Sahara, a mature woman and a D-rank mage; and Manasa, a young swordswoman with an E-rank.We introduced ourselves, and when Shiv shook hands with Ravi, the warrior's expression turned skeptical. "These don't feel like the hands of a newly registered F-rank adventurer," he remarked.To dispel his doubts, we showed him our adventurer cards. Ravi's expression softened as he realized we were telling the truth. With our introductions complete, we set off on our quest.