"Character Status." Arjun initiated his system command in his brain as if invoking a mantra via meditation.
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"What do these stats mean?" Arjun said, scratching his head. No matter how much he sat thinking about it, their meaning just wouldn't come through to him. "The creators of this game said that there would be no guide or manual. We players will have to figure everything out ourselves."
He looked at his stats again. "There has to be some sort of leveling system, or an experience bar. But where? This doesn't feel like a game anymore." Arjun flexed his fists, clenching and unclenching them experimentally.
Bang!
And then, quite suddenly, he hit the nearest tree.
"Aaah! That hurts!" Arjun winced, shaking his fist. "Does this game transmit pain signals directly to my brain? If it feels this real, I don't even want to imagine what getting stabbed might feel like."
"Bhaisaab excuse me." A soft and sweet voice interrupted his musing and turned him aloud.
"Huh?"
Wearing crimson robes, a wee girl, no more than 10, stood behind him. She clutched a red ball under one arm and a slim book under the other one.
'How did she manage to catch me so unaware? I even didn't have a feeling about her! What is a little girl doing in this place and how can I get out from here?' Arjun mentally speculated with curiosity.
"You're either an NPC, or.another Player?" his cautious voice uttered.
The girl suddenly tilted her head, innocent-faced. "NPC? Player? Xiao Nandi is just Xiao Nandi."
"So, your name is Xiao Nandi, huh? I'm Arjun."
Her gaze turned curious, almost as if she had never seen another human being. "How did Brother Arjun come here?"
"Come here? Aren't we outside?" Arjun asked, perplexed.
The girl shook her head. "This is my family's garden."
"Garden?" Arjun blinked, incredulous. "You're saying this entire forest is your garden?"
She nodded solemnly.
'If this large forest is her backyard, I wonder how big her house will be,' he thought, dumbfounded.
"Sorry to interrupt. I was brought here by some old man.forcefully," he said. "Can you show me the way out?"
However, Xiao Nandi shook her head as a mischievous smile bloomed on her little face. "Since Brother Arjun is here, won't you play with Xiao Nandi?
"Play?" Arjun was taken aback.
"Xiao Nandi is always alone. It's no fun playing by myself."
"What about your family?"
"They're always busy. No one has time for Xiao Nandi," she said with a pout.
Arjun hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, this elder brother will play with you!"
They began playing catch, tossing the little red ball back and forth. Xiao Nandi's laughter rang like temple bells in the forest, filling the air with warmth.
But as minutes stretched into hours, Arjun's body began to give out. His clothes were soaked with sweat, but Xiao Nandi was still bouncing with energy, her face not showing the slightest trace of exhaustion.
'What monstrous stamina does she have?' he panted.
"What's wrong, Brother Arjun? You look unwell," she asked innocently, bruising his pride.
"No. I'm just. a little tired." he admitted, leaning against a tree.
"Then rest, and we can play more after," she said brightly, the eagerness in her voice threatening to send him into tears.
As they sat together, Xiao Nandi looked up to him. "Brother Arjun, where do you come from?"
"I'm from a faraway place, called Bharat… Earth."
"Earth?" Her eyes now had a spark of excitement in them.
Arjun laughed. "Want to hear about it? I have a whole bunch of stories from when I was growing up."
"Yes, please!"
The next hour found Arjun recounting tales of bustling Indian bazaars, grand temples, and lush paddy fields. Xiao Nandi listened to every word with wide-eyed attention.
Finally, when he exhausted himself, Xiao Nandi opened the book in her hands. "Brother Arjun played with Xiao Nandi and told her stories. Now it is time to share!"
Now her voice had become a chant, and she began to read from the book. The rhythm sounded like an ancient Sanskrit hymn. Arjun, who couldn't understand the words, started feeling his body relax. The sound moved deep inside him, stirring something that had been forgotten long ago.
Suddenly, a shrill notification echoed:
«You have learned Heaven's Secret Art»
"Heaven's Secret Art?" Arjun stuttered, confused.
Above the sky, a system message of importance to all displayed itself:
«Player Arjun has become the first in the world to master a Divine-rank Skill! Congratulations!»
The announcement sent shockwaves through the gaming world. Who was this Player Arjun? And how did he manage such a feat so quickly?