VIHAAN

As they stood there, the distant sound of the panicked crowd gradually faded into the background. Aarav and Rudra, still shaken by the demon's words, exchanged anxious glances.

"What was that?" Aarav barely whispered. "Whatever it was, it was overwhelming."

Rudra lowered his head, his face pale, still disturbed by the sheer display of the demon's power. "I don't know if I'm ready for this... It all just feels like too much."

Their eyes shifted back to the man who had earlier laughed— the same man who seemed unaffected by the devastation. He still stood there, a dangerous and unreadable glint in his eyes. He had introduced himself as 'Vihaan' in passing.

Rudra, unable to hide his unease anymore, walked straight up to him. "Hey, you lunatic! What were you laughing at? What was so funny about all this?"

Vihaan slowly turned his head, his smile still intact. "Didn't you enjoy it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What a shame."

Rudra clenched his fists in anger. But before the situation escalated, Aarav stepped in, trying to calm him down.

"Don't let him get to you," Aarav said, placing a hand on Rudra's shoulder. "That's just how he is." Then, after a moment's hesitation, he turned to Vihaan. "By the way, would you like to join us in completing this quest?"

Vihaan studied them for a while, his smile widening as if he were assessing Aarav and Rudra. Finally, his voice deep and calculated, he said, "I will join you… but only if you agree to my conditions."

Aarav's curiosity piqued. "What conditions?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

There was an unusual gleam in Vihaan's eyes. "You must not reveal my identity to anyone. I won't always be around, but trust me, this will be a big deal for both of us."

Aarav thought for a moment before nodding and offering Vihaan a confident smile. "Got it. We'll keep your secret."

As they ventured into the dense jungle, the weight of the demon's challenge still lingered in Aarav's mind. His gaze shifted to Vihaan, who walked ahead with unwavering confidence. If he wants to hide his identity, why did he reveal it to us? Aarav wondered. Something's not right…

He observed Vihaan's tall and commanding figure, realizing that this was someone who could endure the toughest battles with ease. He was strong—far stronger than Aarav had ever seen before. If he's really this powerful… then he could finish this quest alone, Aarav thought, a wave of unease washing over him. If he's this powerful, why does he need us?

Rudra's thoughts mirrored Aarav's as he, too, watched Vihaan with a mix of admiration and caution. His eyes lingered on the man's broad shoulders and the effortless confidence in his stride. This guy… he could probably take on the world alone, Rudra thought. But something inside him warned him never to underestimate anyone—whether it was Vihaan or someone else.

Their journey through the jungle continued with an air of tension, each step pulling them deeper into an unknown world. The atmosphere grew heavier, as if the jungle itself was enclosing them in unseen dangers. Yet Vihaan, calmly leading the way, showed no sign of fear.

After a few hours, they reached an open clearing where they decided to rest. Vihaan sat silently, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, while Aarav and Rudra set up camp, their minds filled with unasked questions. The jungle was dense and suffocating. The air was thick with humidity, and every step felt like sinking into the ground, as if the jungle was trying to hold them back. Towering trees cast deep shadows, their branches intertwining to block most of the sunlight, submerging everything in a greenish darkness. The constant hum of insects and distant noises reminded them they were not alone, even though they couldn't see beyond the thick undergrowth.

Still unsettled by the demon's words, Aarav glanced at Rudra, who was frowning in concentration as they carved a path through the underbrush. The pressure of the quest, the looming unknown challenges—they weighed heavily on both of them. But there was no turning back now. The game had already begun.

Vihaan, who had been leading them with an unsettling sense of calm, walked like someone who had spent years in these lands. His steps were measured, his eyes always scanning. Occasionally, he would stop, listening intently to distant sounds, his sharp gaze catching details Aarav and Rudra couldn't perceive. He wasn't a man of many words, but his presence alone made them feel both uneasy and strangely secure.

Rudra whispered to Aarav, "Don't you ever wonder why he's with us? Why isn't he just doing this alone? He totally could. Look at him."

Aarav glanced at Vihaan again, his mind racing. Vihaan was tall, almost unnaturally so, with a body that looked like it had been sculpted by gods. His broad shoulders, his precise movements—every inch of him radiated strength. There was an aura around him, something even the jungle seemed to acknowledge.

"I don't know, Rudra," Aarav said quietly, his tone uncertain. "But whatever the reason, we have to trust him for now. We don't have any other choice."

Rudra looked at Vihaan again, who had stopped and was surveying the area. There was something about the way he stood, something about his presence that made the surroundings feel different. He didn't seem entirely human. It was as if he himself was a force of nature.

"I trust you, Aarav," Rudra muttered, "but something about this doesn't feel right. This whole quest—something is off. What if we're just pawns in a game we don't understand?"

Aarav opened his mouth to respond, but Vihaan spoke first, his voice calm and controlled as always. "We should stop for a moment…"

As they took a brief pause, a sudden notification flashed before their eyes.

[Weapon Selection Period has begun.]

A holographic display appeared before them, showcasing an array of weapons—swords, spears, bows, axes, and more. Aarav's eyes immediately landed on a beautifully curved sword.

"A katana? That's amazing!" he said excitedly, his delight evident. Without hesitation, he selected it.

Another notification popped up.

[Basic Katana selected by player Aarav.]

Aarav blinked in confusion. "Basic katana? Wait… are there different types of katanas?"

Curious, he checked the system menu and discovered that weapons in this world were ranked based on their rarity:

Basic (Lowest Tier)

Rare

Legendary

Mythic

Super (Highest Tier)

Seeing the word "Basic" next to his katana, Aarav's excitement dimmed slightly. "So I picked the lowest rank…" he muttered.

Meanwhile, Rudra and Vihaan inspected their chosen weapons.

[Basic Spear selected by player Rudra.]

[Basic Daggers selected by player Vihaan.]

Rudra sighed. "Looks like we all got beginner weapons."

Aarav huffed. "Man, I wish we got something better. Maybe we can upgrade them later?"

Rudra spun his spear in his hand. "Maybe. But first, we need to figure out how to survive in this place."

The Hunt Begins

Vihaan stood silently, examining his daggers. The dim jungle light reflected faintly off the dark metal, casting a cold gleam across his face. Aarav, appreciating the craftsmanship of the weapons, commented with slight admiration,

"Your daggers look cool."

Vihaan didn't respond immediately. He simply nodded slightly, not seeming to care much for the compliment. A brief silence settled over them—until the sudden sound of footsteps caught their attention.