Sid POV

  Sid’s heart threatened to leap out of his chest as he staggered to a tree at the far end of the camp. He sat on the ground, leaning against the trunk, rubbing his brows and breathing deeply.

  The revelation from his conversation with Pallavi was too much to handle. He had found the answer to one of the most vexing questions about his current existence, one he had pushed to the back of his mind for lack of information. Instead of the clarity he expected, more questions arose, and he dreaded the implications.

  The first clue to unraveling the mystery of his current existence lay in his name. He laughed at himself for not realizing it sooner. His status read: “Siddharth Krishnan.” The surname Krishnan, despite sounding Indian, was not a common surname in his memories of the future. In fact, there was only one place he had seen that name—the highest reward one could get from this dungeon’s hidden realm, a trait called ‘Krishna’s Insight’.

  And it was not just ‘Krishna’s Insight’. Every other top reward from this dungeon’s hidden realm mentioned a name from the Mahabharata. He remembered documenting the list of rewards, and all those names sounded unfamiliar, not just to him but to everyone else as well.

  His talk with Pallavi jogged a memory of the famous Krishna temple. Krishna and the Mahabharata were real in this world—their echoes were everywhere: temples, awards, movies. Wiping out something so woven into culture, erasing not just memories but every physical trace, would take an unfathomable power. His breathing sped up, bordering on hyperventilation, as he pictured the great and terrible power of the gods of Kaliga.

  A small part of him hoped he was just imagining it—seeing shadows where none existed. But the evidence said otherwise. In the future, every trace of the Mahabharata would vanish, yet small echoes would linger, and those echoes gave credence to his theory.

  He thought of India’s top sporting honors. The trophies depicted an archer, bow drawn and arrow set. India was not known for archery, so why that figure? He had wondered the same when, years later, he would see his father’s award and run a thumb over the small bow on it. The only way it fit was if the model of the trophy had slipped past the erasure, while the award’s name had been stripped away.

  He thought of Oppenheimer’s quote used to describe the Archon from the Federation, the one who brought Earth to heel despite our nuclear warheads. “I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name... was Death.” But Oppenheimer never said that; his famous quote was from the Mahabharata.

  It was not just Mahabharata, the hidden realms in other dungeons were also based on the local mythology, he remembered seeing traits like Herculean Strength, Wukong’s Transformation in the European and Chinese dungeons, but the people competing in the hidden realm had no idea who these figures were and how to get their blessing. If hidden realms existed to elevate the newly integrated races, then why would it take away their biggest advantage?

  He looked around. There was no one nearby, though he could see a couple moving towards the pond in the distance. He suddenly felt as if the world was unfamiliar to him—the feeling you get when you look around your home in detail and find things you typically ignore like the nail which someone has painted over, or wondering whether the drapes always had that built-in fabric pattern.

  Sid caught himself breathing too fast. His old sergeant’s voice came to mind—press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, count to eight, then let the air out. He repeated it until the tightness in his chest loosened.

  “Use it,” he imagined Varun saying with practical impatience. “Stop theorizing and turn the edge you have into results.” He nodded to himself, because the point stood. Even the Empire valued hidden realms, and he had a playthrough of the second-best one on Earth. His fingers traced the outline of his kneecap as he thought of ways to use his foreknowledge to his advantage.

  However, a sharper thought bubbled up from the depths of his mind. Why now? Why did these memories and links surface at this moment? And if the world is editable, would it strip these memories from him again, leaving only the feeling that something important was taken?

  None of these questions had simple answers. The Traits department at the Institute had been probing the origin of hidden realms for years. Their working hypothesis held that hidden realms arise only after a dungeon is fully established. To confirm his own theory, he had to wait six to eight weeks until the portals to Earth stabilized.

  If he squandered his head start, he’d never forgive himself. His advantage existed because of one timing anomaly—he got Origin’s Echo before the dungeon stabilized. Without it, the hidden-realm secret would never have crossed his path.

  Now that Aditi had gained a healing skill, they could afford to take more risks in battle. With Aditi, Rohan, Varun, and Pallavi, he now had the framework for a strong team. He needed to fast-track their skill progression so they would be strong enough to challenge the hidden realm before the army got here.

  Sid wanted to be the first one to enter the Misty Mountain’s hidden realm. After all, gaining benefits from hidden realms becomes tougher as time goes by.

  “There you are,” called Rohan, pulling Sid out of his musings.

  Sid blinked up to see Rohan watching him with a curious tilt to his head. The light green linen shirt he wore made him look like he was out on a camping trip.

  Rohan flicked his fingers in a quick come-on gesture. “Let’s go. Naga is waiting for an update.”

  “Where did you get a change of clothes?” asked Sid, pushing himself up and brushing grit from his palms and trousers.

  Rohan tugged at the hem of his shirt, trying in vain to smooth out a stubborn crease. “Aditi healed an old man in the infirmary. I got it from him.”

  Sid arched an eyebrow. “Where’s the rest of the team?”

  “Near the campfire,” Rohan said, already turning toward the center of camp where heat and low conversation pooled. “The other group leaders are there with Naga, so let’s not keep them waiting.”

  Sid fell in beside Rohan and lengthened his stride to pull ahead. “What do you plan to do next?” he asked, turning his head.

  “I have not really thought about it; maybe Naga will assign another task.”

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “That’s likely,” Sid said, more to test the reaction than anything else. In his memory, Naga gathered the loose groups and set the rhythm of the camp, and for a while it was fine. The arrangement worked until the Bloody Butcher appeared, a disruption which troubled even the army. Sid still could not explain how that monster of a man secured a trait as well as a tier-2 skill while still on the dungeon’s first level.

  If he wanted a real shot at the hidden realm, he would have to repeat that feat.

  “What do you think about continuing with the same team?” asked Sid, smoothing any urgency from his voice. “We could explore the surrounding areas, get stronger, and help keep the camp safe.”

  Rohan slowed almost to a crawl. “I think,” he began, meeting Sid’s gaze, “I will probably have to join a scouting team. It would be better with you all on my team,” he added, a small smile on his face.

  “People are out there looking for us,” Sid said, threading certainty into the words. “We need to be strong enough to defend ourselves until help arrives.”

  Rohan watched him for a beat longer. “Do you really believe that?” he asked. “That help will come.”

  “I am positive,” Sid said, and he stepped forward again, inviting Rohan to match his stride.

  About a dozen people were gathered around a pile of burnt firewood, likely the campfire from the previous night. Two thick logs were arranged like adjacent sides of a hexagon, and four people sat on them: an old man, Aditi, Naga, and a doctor Sid recognized from his memories.

  Rohan, Varun, and Sid were the center of attention, with both the seated and the standing listeners hanging on their every word.

  “And then we camped near the ambush site and made our way back here today,” Rohan said, letting the last words hang. Most of the audience had their mouths agape. Even Naga looked doubtful, and he kept glancing at Sid.

  “Are you special forces or something? How did you figure out they were using sound waves so fast?” asked Naga, his tone edged with suspicion.

  Sid gave a small laugh. “It was a lucky guess, mostly high school science. I assumed their vision was also compromised by the fog. I could have been wrong; they could have been using smell or heat to track us,” he said, keeping his tone mild. “Besides, we do not know all the rules of this world. Maybe our vision was the only one affected. I even got a skill that improves sight from that fight.”

  “Still, taking out three goblins by yourself is no small feat.” The doctor’s eyebrows rose, interest sharpening his gaze.

  Sid remembered the doctor from the last time around, when he had kept the camp together without a healer, stitching and splinting until his hands shook.

  “It was not without cost. I have to thank Aditi for getting me back in shape.” He did not want to stand out; people who stood out were taken out first. He grimaced as he remembered what had happened to Varun last time. Anyone below Tier 3 could be killed with a knife or a gun if the moment was right.

  “She has been a godsend,” said the old man, tapping his legs. “I thought I was going to meet him soon.” His voice broke at the end as he turned to Aditi with a melancholic smile.

  Sid did not recall this old man; either he had not joined their camp before or he had not been memorable. Even this time, he might have died if not for Aditi.

  “Yes, we’re all glad you’re back on your feet, Sunny.” Naga clasped his hands, uneasy. “But enemies with intelligence are a serious concern. Any ideas?” He looked between Rohan and Sid.

  Rohan did not answer. He looked to Sid as if waiting for the team lead’s opinion.

  Sid clicked his tongue, too softly for others to notice. I told him not to glance at me during the meeting, he thought. “I am not sure what to do either. Any ideas, Varun?” He knew Naga would notice that Rohan had been glancing at him whenever he was unsure of something.

  Varun was casting unfriendly sidelong glances at Pallavi. He turned and found the circle focused on him. “I think we should get stronger, get more skills, gain more levels, and scout the surroundings to hunt. We can solve two problems at once, strength and food,” he said, his voice gaining confidence as he spoke.

  “That is not a bad idea. We can create a couple more teams and explore the area nearby along with ours.” Sid shifted his gaze between the three leaders and Aditi. Aditi seemed to be avoiding his gaze.

  He kept the team composition, scouting schedule, and other details vague. He did not want to showcase more competence in front of the group.

  “We can have three groups. Two can scout while one remains at the camp.” Sunny tapped the log with his knuckles. “How will we distribute the skills—across the scouting teams or the entire camp?” He shot a brief glare at Pallavi after the question.

  “The scouting teams should have priority, since they are risking their lives out there.” Naga let his gaze travel around the group and pausing for a moment on Pallavi. “Distribution within the team should follow prior agreements or the leader’s discretion. It will be chaos if people scramble for unearned skills.”

  Sid noticed the weighted stares and the occasional glances aimed at Pallavi. I should check with Varun about what happened there, he thought.

  “Don’t worry, one person cannot absorb more than five skills. We will all get our chance after the scouting teams. Even Aditi and I will be with you guys back at the camp.” Naga switched his gaze between the people who had downcast expressions.

  Varun snapped his head towards Aditi. “You are leaving the team?”

  “I am not sure I have what it takes to kill monsters. I was lucky Rohan and Sid were there to help last time.” Aditi’s voice broke as her eyes welled up.

  “You were damn lucky,” Varun snarled. “You got a lucky kill and an uncommon skill. Now you leave when you get a cushy offer.”

  “Varun, calm down.” Rohan placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Varun swatted the hand away. “Shut up, Rohan. You always take her side. I told you we should not have brought this bitch with us.”

  “Mind your words.” Sunny rose from his seat and marched towards Varun.

  Sid stepped in front of Varun before Sunny got to him and met his eyes. “Please stop picking fights with everyone.”

  With Varun’s outburst, it was clear that Rohan didn’t have things under control. He had to step up. Now everyone knew he called the shots on the team.

  He then turned to Naga. “Aditi has become too valuable to risk on scouting missions. She should stay in the camp.”

  Sunny paused, his gaze running over Sid from head to toe.

  “I apologize for Varun.” Sid turned to Aditi and dipped his head.

  His plan shifted in his mind while he spoke, because without a healer he could not justify risky fights. That meant slower progression, which was unacceptable if he wanted to secure the maximum benefits from the hidden realm.

  “Could you return the dagger and the staff I gave you?” he asked. “We need to outfit the team with whatever we can find.”

  Sid understood how it would look to anyone watching—requesting the weapons now made it seem like he was severing ties with Aditi. However, he had already lost a healer and could not afford to lose a magic staff as well.

  Camp politics didn’t concern him; he wasn’t there to keep everyone alive or manage egos. His aim was simple: build a team strong enough to reach the hidden realm and take it on.

  Aditi’s hands tightened around the staff, and her eyes flicked to Sunny.

  Sunny drew a breath to speak, but Naga stepped in first.

  “That is reasonable.” Naga held out a hand toward Aditi.

  Sid took the staff and dagger, turned to step away, and paused when Naga called after him.

  Naga shifted closer to Sid. “Are you adding anyone else to your team? Because I can recommend a few.”

  Without turning, Sid kept his eyes ahead. “Pallavi will join us in place of Aditi.”

  Sunny folded his arms, gaze fixed on Sid. “You should vet people before you take them on your team.”

  Sid turned his head and met Aditi’s eyes. “Yes, I agree. Thanks for the advice.”