Chapter 2
"The War of Rule was a brutal conflict between kings, emperors, and governments, each vying to decide who would rule the world. But in just the first two months, half the population was wiped out—some by enemy soldiers, others by roaming bandits.
The four of them survived because they lived in Iceland and were strong enough to protect themselves from ordinary raiders.
Both sides tried to recover by signing a treaty, but before anything could stabilize, a Hunter appeared and killed them. Even then, the world tried to recover—yet only a fraction of what was lost could be restored."
"Yep, very little can recover the lost amount. That's why they called us 'failed possessors of great knowledge.'"
Beep*
"Looks like time's up. Until next time."
Boom
The planet shook and collapsed around them. The four felt a pain like their bodies were being torn apart. Eventually, Tarun and Shunya awoke on a fragment of land.
It was green, with soft grass but no trees. For them it felt like a dream or an illusion. The warmth of the place eased their pain and fear. Yash was still faint from agony, while Vibho slept soundly.
They looked at each other, then stood to check their surroundings. Just then, Yash stirred awake.Find vibho in side
And tried to wake up Vibho.
"Hey, stone head, wake up! How can you sleep at a time like this?" Yash shouted.
But Vibho had surrendered completely to slumber. He didn't even twitch. His fists, however, stayed clenched—even in sleep, ready for a fight.
"You're not gonna wake up easily, huh?" Yash leaned close to Vibho's ear. "The food is ready, stone head. Wake up, or I'll eat it all."
At the mention of food, Vibho shot up. "Where's my food? And no—you're not gonna eat it, lazy sloth!"
"Oh, sorry. I already ate it." Yash laughed.
"What?! Give me back my food or I'll eat you!" Vibho lunged at him.
"Hey! At least look around you. How could there even be food here, you stone head?" Yash tried to dodge, but Vibho was too quick.
Then Vibho froze, remembering what had happened. His energy dropped. "But you said there's food. Now I'm hungry…" His voice trailed off, weak and frustrated, as he stared at Yash.
"Hey, are you two just gonna laugh while I die here?!" Yash wheezed under Vibho's heavy weight.
"Tarun, Shunya—help me! Hurry, or I really might die this time!"
Suddenly, a voice rolled across the land. It was deep, warm, and playful, like the kind of person who never took anything seriously.
"Welcome, welcome to my world. I never thought someone could pass my test alive."
Tarun and Shunya tensed instantly, dropping into fighting stances.
"You don't need to be tense. I won't harm you. But I must say—someone who isn't even ek managing to pass our test? Hahaha!"
"Who are you? And where are we?" Shunya demanded.
"Oh, you're in my world, my home. And I am the most handsome and strongest person in this—" Before he could finish, another voice cut him off.
This one was female, flat, and cold. It carried no emotion, no warmth—just efficiency, like the voice of a judge who had already decided your fate.
"We don't have that much time. Finish faster."
"Okay, okay. At least let me introduce myself to my guests. Relax, we can have a little chit-chat, right guys?" the first man said playfully.
"No. They don't have time, and neither do we. They've already lost their bodies. They're only alive right now because of my power. So do it faster."
The third voice joined in—a serious, heavy male tone. Unlike the first, there was no humor in him. His words felt like stone: unyielding and absolute.
"Fine, fine. Sorry, guys—they're a bit boring." The playful one chuckled. "So, short version: I am #₹##@+^¢$§… and I am a Hunter."
"We didn't hear your name. Can you repeat it?" Tarun and Shunya pressed.
Oh "You don't have the qualification to hear my name, unfortunately. Nothing I can do about that. Anyway, next topic: we are Hunters. We live to fight, to judge, to seek knowledge, to gain power, to collect treasures, to face the strongest, and to defeat them all."
"So, are you the strongest?" Vibho's eyes burned with excitement, like a fanboy meeting his idol.
"Let him finish first, stone head," Yash muttered.
The man continued: "We want someone who can take our punya karma, so we can leave this world. Someone who can be like us—born to be a Hunter. You are the first to pass the trial. So, we'll give you all a ver-dan, a compass, and a communication device. But—you must mark your own locations. We won't hand over treasure maps. Otherwise, you'd lose the fun of being a Hunter.
"You have two options: choose to become Hunters, or live the rest of your lives as immortals for the next 18.9 billion years. What will you choose?"
The four fell into deep thought.
"Of course we'll be Hunters," Vibho blurted, eyes blazing. "It's our dream too—to travel every land, fight every strong enemy, collect treasures, gain powers, and learn everything we can!"
"Hey—you just copied my line!" the playful man snapped, but before he could finish, the cold female voice cut in:
"You don't understand, do you?"
"Looks like I need to tell you all myself,
"Listen. I'll say this once," the woman continued flatly. "There are three tests. The first makes you a Hunter. The second makes you an official Hunter. The third grants you entry into the guild. You have passed our two tests, as for guild tests and You'll learn the pros and cons on your own. But—if you pass one more test, we'll give you the badge of official Hunters and a ver-dan of your wish or any kind you want.
Be warned: this test will be harder and more painful than the first. But don't worry—we won't damage your body or brain, we will seal them. Now… what will you choose?"
"Can we discuss it?" Tarun asked seriously.
"Yes. But hurry. We don't have the energy to wait long," she replied.
"Tarun, are we taking it?, she said she will give us a ver-dan" Vibho asked.
"I don't want to," Yash admitted. "But if we become official Hunters, we can travel without tolls or taxes and a powerful ver-dan…"
"She said it won't harm us, so why not try?" Shunya said.
"Yeah. If we're going this far, let's go all the way," Tarun agreed firmly.
They turned back to the voices. "We'll take it."
"Good," the first male voice said cheerfully. "Then, who will go first?"
"Wait—are we taking these tests separately?" Vibho asked.
"She didn't say that," Tarun replied calmly.
"Oh, looks like she forgot to mention it," the playful man chuckled. "Here's the deal: if any three of you pass, you'll get badges. How's that?"
Vibho's eyes lit up like he'd found treasure, but Yash stopped him quickly.
"Hey—at least make it two. We don't even know what the test is."
The man grinned, amused. "A businessman, huh? Fine. Two it is. Now off you go."
In an instant, they all vanished.
"Wasn't it only supposed to be one to earn the badge and ver-dan and one needed to pass?" the woman asked, her voice like ice.
"Yeah. And all three would've passed the chance without a problem. But Yash—he always negotiates to get something. I knew he'd push for more. So I raised it to three first, then let him bring it down to two." The man chuckled softly.
"Then why not just refuse him outright?" she pressed.
"If I hadn't backed down, he'd have kept pressing. Like any true businessman. So I had no choice."
"But isn't that cheating?" she asked coldly.
"And whose fault is it that I had to?" he replied, waiting for her to admit it.
"Fine, fine. Talk to him if you want. I need to prepare their test." She left, her presence vanishing like a blade being sheathed.
"I also don't have time. I need to prepare as well," the third voice said, heavy and final, before fading away.
—end—