SURVIVAL OF THE WORTHY

Humans crave love but refuse to accept the hatred that comes with it.

They want to move forward but fear taking the first step.

You, me—everyone—lives in their own world, a world built from their dreams and hopes.

And when that world begins to shatter, they fight to hold onto it.

If it breaks completely, they build a new one with fresh dreams and renewed hope.

Yet no one ever dares to accept the truth.

Beyond your world lies another world, waiting for you—a world that is reality itself.

Vasudev's eyes fluttered open. The moment he regained consciousness, he found himself at the base of a towering mountain. A mysterious, breathtakingly beautiful girl stood nearby, watching him in silence.

"You… What did you just say?"

Vasudev asked, but the girl remained still, offering no response.

Finally, after a long pause, she spoke.

"So… you're finally awake."

Her voice was calm yet unreadable.

Vasudev frowned. "Who are you? And where am I?"

The girl turned and began walking down the mountain. "This is KAALCHAKRA, a world of its own. Unlike anything you've seen before."

She glanced back at him and introduced herself. "I am Divya."

Hearing the name Kaalchakra, Vasudev instinctively tensed.

"Don't be afraid. Follow me."

Divya walked ahead.

Before them lay a dense, shadowy forest.

"You must pass a trial before you can proceed."

Divya's voice carried an air of authority.

Vasudev simply nodded in response.

"The rules of this trial are simple:

• No external help will be provided.

• You must rely solely on your physical abilities. No weapons, Demon Arts, or Beast Arts are allowed.

• You have 20 minutes to retrieve the sacred gem placed atop the mountain in the center of this forest.

If you succeed, you may proceed. If you fail… you must leave.

So, Vasudev… do you still wish to continue?"

She waited, watching his reaction.

"Yes. I will."

As soon as Vasudev spoke, a golden light engulfed him, pulling him straight into the depths of the forest.

Divya smirked as she watched him vanish.

"The rules are simple. Fight… or fall."

With those words, a transparent barrier formed between them, and the trial began.

"Your time starts now."

Vasudev moved at full speed, darting through the trees as he raced toward the mountain. His instincts were razor-sharp, and every fiber of his being screamed at him to push forward.

Suddenly—a sword came hurtling toward him, stabbing the ground just inches from his feet.

Vasudev's gaze snapped up.

A group of cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. Their presence was menacing. Their aura—undeniably powerful.

"ASSASSIN SPIRITS…" Vasudev muttered.

They weren't ordinary beings. These were Elves—high-ranking monsters. Taking them down using physical strength alone was next to impossible.

One of them stepped forward. He had an air of authority—the leader of the group.

"You dare enter our territory without permission?"

His voice dripped with amusement.

"You have courage, boy. I'll give you that."

The Elf leader, Klos, unsheathed his sword, his golden eyes narrowing.

"You will go no further. Nor will you leave alive."

Vasudev smirked. "That rule applies to you as well."

Klos arched an eyebrow. "It seems fear has driven you mad."

He laughed mockingly.

Vasudev stepped forward, his expression unyielding. "Shall we begin, then?"

Klos' smirk widened. He extended his hand forward.

"SEISHIN 33."

A wave of spiritual energy surged toward Vasudev, crackling with intensity.

Vasudev dodged effortlessly, landing behind Klos in an instant.

"Spirit energy? And at a level below 60? Unexpected."

Vasudev scoffed, shaking his head.

"A high-rank monster like you… and this is all you've got?"

Klos' smirk faltered. Rage flickered in his eyes.

"You little—!"

A terrifying aura erupted from his body. His power alone was enough to send an advanced mutant beast into submission.

At his command, the entire army of Elves lunged forward, weapons drawn.

"You humans are nothing but paper… Easily torn apart!"

Vasudev remained still, surrounded from all sides.

He exhaled slowly.

"Fear is necessary in life. Without it, you cannot move forward."

His voice was steady.

"Those without fear either stand at the peak… or live trapped in their own delusions."

Vasudev's eyes hardened.

"And I… am about to shatter your illusion."

He clasped both hands together.

"If you wish to fight me… then come."

Without hesitation, the entire army of Elves attacked.

"TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF TRUE POWER…

YOU CANNOT SEE THE LIMIT,

BECAUSE THE LIMIT IS YOU.

AND YOU WILL NEVER REALIZE IT…

UNTIL YOU LOOK AT THE SKY, WITH YOUR SHATTERED EGO."

Moments later—

The entire battlefield was silent.

Elven bodies lay strewn across the ground.

Klos gasped, trembling. His hands shook as he looked at Vasudev, eyes filled with terror.

"This… how…? How could someone be this powerful?"

Klos could barely speak.

And what was even more terrifying—Vasudev had only used his physical strength.

Vasudev sheathed his blade.

"I could answer that question… but I'm short on time."

He turned and walked away.

As he left, the entire Elf army fell lifelessly to the ground.

Vasudev let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank the heavens for Vikrant Vidya."

"If I didn't have this martial art, I'd be dead by now."

He continued forward, but then—

A time window opened before him.

9 minutes remaining.

"That fight took way too long…!"

Without another thought, Vasudev sprinted toward the mountain's peak.

At last, he reached the summit.

There, on a stone pedestal, lay a blue gemstone—radiating an ethereal glow.

Vasudev wasted no time. He grabbed the gem.

The ground trembled beneath him.

"Shit…! The entire area is collapsing!"

With only 1 minute left, Vasudev took a deep breath.

Then—

A familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"As a reward… I'll grant you one ability. Use it wisely."

Divya.

Vasudev smirked.

"Alright then…"Raijin's Wrath... Unleash! BLACK LIGHTNING!"

A surge of energy burst around him—and in the blink of an eye, he teleported.

When his vision cleared, he was standing right in front of Divya.

Divya crossed her arms, studying him.

"I must admit… I didn't expect you to have such impressive skills."

She turned away, walking ahead.

"You're the second person I will train."

Vasudev blinked in surprise. "Wait… the second? Then—who was the first?"

Divya stopped.

She looked back at him, her voice quiet yet firm.

"Adarsh."