"Energy replenished. Dharma Legacy System activated!"
A cold voice suddenly echoed in Anirudh's mind, waking him from an unknown duration of unconsciousness. Opening his eyes, he found himself in a dark, boundless expanse resembling an endless abyss. There was no sky, no ground, only an eerie silence. Aside from himself and a faintly glowing blue light in the distance, the void seemed completely empty.
"Where am I? What happened?" Anirudh murmured, recalling the moments before he lost consciousness and the cryptic voice that had just spoken. Confusion and unease surged within him.
"Do not be alarmed, Host. You are currently within your Sea of Consciousness, the dwelling of the system."
The mechanical voice emanated once again from the glowing blue light. "This system is the Dharma Legacy System, crafted during the Great Calamity era. Its purpose is to preserve the seeds of Sanatan civilization and protect all living beings."
"System? Host? Wait… let me process this," Anirudh said, his mind reeling.
He had read about systems and hosts in novels, but a Dharma Legacy System? How could something so ancient coexist with such a futuristic concept?
"Ancient does not mean primitive," the system replied, as though reading his thoughts. "Sanatan civilization was far more advanced than the current epoch. The methods differ, but the core remains unchanged. If you find the system interface unsuitable, it can adapt into an artifact spirit or another format of your choosing."
Anirudh took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. His past experiences, including his current work in forensic pathology, had given him resilience beyond ordinary people. "Are you... that Navaratna Rudraksha pendant ? Why did you choose me?"
"The destined one," the blue light replied, flickering slightly. "Countless epochs have passed since the Great Calamity, which eradicated the celestial and demonic realms. During this time, many have possessed this system, yet only in your hands did the Calamity's remnants dissipate and the tides of spiritual energy begin to return. Thus, the system has awakened and selected you."
"Great Calamity? Spiritual energy tides? Celestial beings and demons? What are these things?" Anirudh's confusion only deepened.
"The Great Calamity refers to an era when the world's spiritual energy was depleted, causing all powerful beings to fade away due to the lack of sustenance," the system explained. "The beings you know as gods, saints, demons, and spirits are remnants of these entities."
"Wait, are you saying those mythical beings were real? But if they perished so long ago, why do their stories still persist today?"
"The sheer might of these beings left an indelible imprint on the world. Their wills continue to influence reality, shaping the minds of intelligent life. Civilizations have unconsciously recorded and passed down these stories across generations. Your epoch is merely the latest to inherit them."
The system's tone grew somber. "But with the resurgence of spiritual energy, these beings may awaken again. Host, you must restore the Sanatan way, eliminate malevolent forces, and guide humanity through this era."
"Wait!" Anirudh interrupted. "Didn't you say the Great Calamity ended? Why talk about another disaster?"
"The resurgence of spiritual energy is a double-edged sword. While it offers unprecedented opportunities for growth, it also ushers in new calamities," the system said gravely. "As the energy tides grow stronger, humanity's beliefs, fears, and imaginations can manifest as tangible, potentially malevolent entities. The zombies you encountered earlier are just the beginning. More horrifying entities will emerge."
"Zombies are just the start?" Anirudh shuddered. If zombies alone could threaten humanity, what horrors lay ahead? "And you're saying these new entities could surpass even the old deities?"
"Exactly," the system confirmed. "The gods and demons of the past required immense energy to revive. In contrast, weaker entities can materialize with minimal energy and grow by consuming others. If an evil entity becomes invincible, it could spell doom for all life."
"So how do I stop this?" Anirudh asked. While he wasn't a saint, he understood that survival in such a crisis required action.
"You must become stronger than any other being," the system replied. A beam of blue light condensed into a small, ancient tome before him, its cover inscribed with incomprehensible symbols.
"This is the Dharma Foundation Technique—The Ancient Body Tempering Method. It will strengthen your body, laying the groundwork for advanced techniques and helping you quickly build the power needed to confront the calamity."
As the system spoke, the book disintegrated into specks of light, merging into Anirudh's body. His mind buzzed as unfamiliar data flooded in, yet he instinctively understood its content.
The technique was extraordinary. It involved envisioning oneself as a garment, weaving threads of spiritual energy with the needle of one's will to fortify the body. But a question lingered: where was he supposed to find this "spiritual energy"?
"Spiritual energy is now everywhere," the system explained. "However, without external aid, mastering this technique to even a basic level would take thirty years, even with exceptional talent."
"Thirty years?" Anirudh exclaimed, disheartened. "What about achieving mastery? A hundred years? How is this practical? I might as well wait to die."
"Do not despair," the system reassured him. "Destroying spiritual-energy-infused entities can accelerate your progress. For example, a single zombie contains energy equivalent to one year of training. Slaying thirty zombies would allow you to reach the basic stage of the technique."
Anirudh's eyes lit up. "So, it's like leveling up by killing monsters?"
"Precisely. However, be cautious—zombies lack intelligence but are still dangerous. With your current strength, defeating one will be challenging."
"Got it," Anirudh nodded. "But what if I get infected?"
"The technique shields you from minor toxins," the system replied. "Every entity you defeat will make you stronger, reducing threats as you progress."
The blue light dimmed, its energy waning. "Prepare yourself, Host. You will soon leave the Sea of Consciousness. The path forward will be arduous, but you must prevail."
As the light faded, Anirudh braced himself. The weight of his mission was overwhelming, but he knew one thing: he couldn't afford to fail.