Chapter 32
The Wheel of Karma
The wind rushed past Suyodhana like a playful friend, tugging at his hair and cloak as Chandraketu galloped along the winding mountain trails. The snowy peaks that had felt so close and mighty now slowly faded behind them, turning into soft white clouds on the horizon. In their place, thick green forests rose up to greet him, filled with tall trees whose leaves shimmered with tiny specks of magic, like stars caught in the branches. Rivers sparkled under the sunlight, and colorful birds darted between the trees, singing songs that seemed to celebrate his return.
Suyodhana leaned forward in the saddle, feeling the warm strength of the divine horse beneath him. The Herb of Living Light rested safely inside a small pouch tied close to his chest. Even through the cloth, he could feel its soft golden glow pulsing gently, like a quiet heartbeat full of hope. It reminded him that the hardest part of his long journey was finally over. His father's eyes would soon be healed. His family's future could change for the better.
Chandraketu snorted proudly, his hooves barely touching the ground as he ran with effortless grace.
Suyodhana patted the horse's neck with a wide smile.
"We did it, my friend," he said softly, his voice full of wonder. "We really did it."
The horse neighed happily, as if he understood every single word. The two of them had become more than rider and mount—they were true companions now, bonded by mountains, monsters, and miracles.
For several days they traveled like this, moving from the cold heights of the Himalayas down into warmer lands. The chilly air slowly turned gentle and sweet, carrying the distant salty breeze from the sea of Kalinga. Flowers bloomed brighter along the paths, and the forests felt alive with hidden magic, as if the world itself was cheering them on after the divine meeting on the mountain.
Then, without warning—
DING!
A bright blue screen appeared right in front of Suyodhana's eyes, sparkling with golden light like a shower of friendly fireflies. The floating panel glowed with soft, warm energy that made his heart skip a beat.
---
QUEST COMPLETED
Sub Quest: Collect items to cure Dhritarashtra's eyes
Item One: Herb of Living Light — Completed
Item Two: Crystal Tear of Kalinga — Completed
Rewards Distributed
20,000 Coins
System Feature Unlocked Earlier by Divine Authority
---
Suyodhana blinked, then grinned from ear to ear.
"Twenty thousand coins… that is really nice," he said out loud, leaning back a little in the saddle.
The numbers floated there, shining like treasure from the gods themselves. After everything he had faced, this felt like a warm hug from the heavens—a real reward for all the hard work.
The screen shifted smoothly, and a brand-new panel unfolded in front of him, mysterious and full of wonder.
---
Gacha System
A cosmic wheel connected to the past, present, future, and even the multiverse itself.
The host may spend Karma Coins to spin the wheel and obtain random rewards.
Rewards are divided into 0 Star to 5 Star tiers, depending on the host's luck.
0 ★ — Common Items
1 ★ — Useful Tools
2 ★ — Rare Knowledge or Minor Artifacts
3 ★ — Powerful Artifacts
4 ★ — Legendary Treasures
5 ★ — Mythical or Divine Relics
Spin Costs
1 Spin — 150 Coins
10 Spins — 10000 Coins
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Suyodhana narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The wheel looked beautiful, spinning slowly in the air with stars and glowing symbols from ancient times and faraway worlds.
"Hmmm… that looks a little suspicious," he muttered.
"This feels like one of those tricky games from the old stories—full of surprises, but maybe a trap too."
Chandraketu snorted loudly, shaking his head as if to say, Be careful, friend!
Suyodhana laughed.
"Yes, yes, I know. But curiosity is tickling me like a thousand feathers. After meeting Mahadev and Mata Parvati, how can I not try? It feels like another gift from them."
He stretched out his hand toward the glowing screen. The air around it hummed with soft magic.
"Well… here goes nothing."
He tapped the button lightly.
---
Spin x1
The cosmic wheel burst into life right before his eyes.
Stars swirled across its surface like a whirlwind of light. Strange symbols from lost kingdoms, flying dragons, and hidden realms flashed by in a colorful blur.
The wheel spun faster and faster…
Then began to slow.
Slower…
Even slower…
DING!
---
0 Star Reward
A Ceramic Drink Mug
---
The item appeared in the air with a soft pop and a sprinkle of golden sparks.
Suyodhana caught it in his hands.
It was a plain white mug, smooth and simple, turning slowly as if showing off its ordinary sides.
No glow.
No magic sparks.
Just… a mug.
He stared at it.
"What?"
He turned it around, looked inside, even tapped the side.
Nothing special happened.
"Is this a scam?" he asked the sky, half laughing, half groaning.
Chandraketu neighed loudly, almost like he was chuckling along.
"Yes, I know—you warned me," Suyodhana said with a big sigh, but his eyes were still sparkling with fun.
"Well… if I am already being robbed by the heavens, I might as well go all in. Let's see what ten spins can do!"
He pressed the button again, heart beating faster with excitement.
---
10 Spins Activated
The cosmic wheel spun wildly this time.
Galaxies and shooting stars flashed across its glowing face. The whole screen lit up like a festival of lights.
Rewards began popping out one by one, each with its own little burst of magic and color.
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Reward 1 — 0★
Ancient Wooden Chopsticks
(A pair of eating tools from a distant eastern kingdom. They felt light and perfectly balanced.)
---
Reward 2 — 1★
Iron Flint Fire Starter
(Useful for lighting fires even in the strongest rain. A small spark danced on its edge when he touched it.)
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Reward 3 — 0★
Comfortable Wool Socks
(Soft and warm, perfect for cold mountain nights. They shimmered just a little, as if woven with a touch of comfort magic.)
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Reward 4 — 1★
Traveler's Universal Map
(A beautiful scroll that slightly updates itself with glowing lines when he entered new regions. Tiny paths lit up like living rivers.)
---
Reward 5 — 2★
Basic Sword Mastery Scroll
(A training guide used by wandering swordsmen. When he unrolled it, faint golden words danced on the page, showing simple moves that felt easy to learn.)
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Reward 6 — 0★
Leather Water Flask
(Strong and endless—it always stayed full of cool, fresh water that tasted like it came from a mountain spring.)
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Reward 7 — 2★
Healing Salve of Minor Restoration
(A small jar of green paste that could heal small wounds quickly. It smelled like fresh herbs and glowed softly when opened.)
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Reward 8 — 1★
Lightweight Traveler Cloak
(Self-cleaning cloth enchanted with minor magic. It felt as light as a cloud and kept him perfectly warm or cool.)
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Reward 9 — 0★
Small Mechanical Pocket Clock
(A clever device from the future that told time with tiny ticking sounds. Its hands moved with soft golden light.)
---
The final reward slot began to glow brighter than all the rest.
The cosmic wheel slowed dramatically.
Light gathered around it like a tiny sun.
Colors swirled faster…
Then stopped with a brilliant flash.
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Reward 10 — ★★★
The Dharma Equilibrium Pearl
A sacred artifact designed to stabilize spiritual energy and karmic imbalance.
--
Suyodhana's eyes widened with pure joy.
He reached out and carefully picked up the glowing pearl. It fit perfectly in his palm, warm and alive, pulsing with soft golden light like a living star. Tiny waves of calm energy washed over him, making his whole body feel balanced and strong.
"Now that is actually useful!" he whispered, grinning from ear to ear. "This could help me in the battles ahead… or when things get too wild inside."
He glanced back at the plain white mug still floating nearby and shook his head with a laugh.
"But seriously… a mug? The gods have a sense of humor."
Chandraketu neighed again, as if agreeing completely.
Suyodhana tucked the pearl safely into his pouch beside the Herb of Living Light. The gacha had been fun, mysterious, and full of surprises—just like the adventure itself. He felt lighter, stronger, and ready for whatever came next.
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Return to Kalinga
One week later, the great city of Kalinga appeared on the horizon like a shining jewel by the sea.
Tall white towers rose proudly beside the sparkling waves. Ships with bright sails moved slowly through the harbor, and the bustling streets echoed with happy shouts from merchants selling colorful fruits, shining jewels, and magical trinkets.
The air smelled of salt, flowers, and fresh-baked bread.
When Suyodhana rode through the royal gates on Chandraketu, the guards' eyes lit up. They bowed low at once.
"Prince Suyodhana has returned!"
The call spread through the palace like wildfire.
Servants rushed forward with smiles and cheers. The royal courtyard quickly filled with people waving and calling his name.
King Chitrangada stepped out with a proud, fatherly smile on his face.
"You have returned safely, my boy. The mountains did not break you."
Queen Vasundhara nodded warmly beside him, her eyes full of kindness.
"We knew you would come back stronger. Welcome home."
Suyodhana bowed respectfully, but his gaze moved slowly around the courtyard.
Something felt missing.
"Thank you, both of you. But where are Karna and the others? I thought they would be here waiting."
The king smiled knowingly, his eyes twinkling with quiet amusement.
"They left two weeks ago. They are currently training hard at Acharya Rudrasadhi's ashram in the quiet hills. The place is full of ancient magic and wise teachings."
Suyodhana nodded, feeling a spark of excitement ignite inside his chest.
"Good. Then I should go there as well. I have gifts and stories to share with my friends."
Within the hour he was riding again, this time along a peaceful mountain road lined with tall trees that whispered softly in the breeze.
The forest path to the Acharya's ashram felt calm and full of gentle magic.
Birds chirped soft songs above the branches.
Butterflies with glowing wings danced through beams of sunlight.
Small streams sparkled like they carried tiny blessings from the mountains.
Soon the familiar stone gate of the ashram appeared.
It stood quietly beneath towering trees, covered in flowering vines that glowed faintly at the edges as if enchanted by ancient prayers.
Suyodhana stepped down from Chandraketu and walked through the entrance courtyard.
He expected to see his companions laughing.
Or perhaps practicing simple training moves.
Instead—
The air suddenly felt charged.
Like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks across the sky.
Distant sounds echoed from the training ground ahead.
Sharp clashes of metal.
Sudden bursts of rushing wind.
And a powerful voice shouting commands that shook the air.
Suyodhana's steps quickened.
He rounded the corner and stepped into the wide open training field.
---
What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks.
There, in the center of the field, stood Karna—his friend, his brother in arms—locked in a fierce battle state.
Golden energy crackled around him like living lightning.
His eyes burned with blazing focus, glowing with determination.
In his hands he held a radiant bow that hummed with divine power.
Sweat glistened on his skin as he moved faster than Suyodhana had ever seen.
He dodged invisible attacks.
He twisted through the air.
He fired arrows that streaked forward like shooting stars, leaving trails of burning light across the sky.
Each arrow struck the ground with explosive force.
The earth itself seemed to tremble beneath his steps.
The ground around him was scorched in perfect circles, blackened marks glowing faintly where arrows had struck moments before.
The other trainees stood watching from the edges of the field.
Their faces were filled with awe.
Some whispered.
Some stared silently.
None dared interrupt.
Karna looked like a warrior born from the sun itself.
Stronger.
Sharper.
And ready for something far bigger than simple training.
Suyodhana's heart pounded heavily in his chest.
What had happened here?
And why did it feel like the real fight was just beginning?
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