Chapter 20 : new ability
For the first time, he found himself unable to provide an answer.
"No," the beast admitted his first defeat. "I do not know. This is my first loss. Now, ask your second question."
I knew he wouldn't be able to answer it; that is why I asked.
"So, you have been rendered speechless," I mocked lightly before continuing.
I posed my second question. "A person may perform penance for thousands of years or more to see God, yet God does not appear to him. Meanwhile, someone else may not even perform penance for a single year, yet he gets to see God."
"To the former, God says, 'Your heart was not pure enough.' To the latter, God explains, 'This is the fruit of your penance from six past lives, which is why you achieved this vision so quickly.'"
"Doesn't this reasoning seem absurd? Is it not an injustice to those who perform penance for so many years, only to be dismissed with the excuse that their heart wasn't pure or their devotion wasn't right? Now, answer this."
I watched the divine beast with interest, waiting for an answer, though I knew he wouldn't have one.
It happened exactly as I thought; he had no answer for this either.
Finally, the beast accepted his total defeat. "I admit defeat. You have passed this trial. Ask for whatever boon you desire."
"There is still one question left," I said. "I wish to ask that as well."
He shook his head repeatedly in refusal. "No. You have already fulfilled the conditions, and I do not wish to be humiliated any further."
I made no further attempt to ask the final question. Instead, I began to ponder what boon I should request.
His powers have significant limitations. I need to think carefully and ask for a boon that will truly be useful to me. What should I ask for? What should it be?
[ Ding ]
Suddenly, an idea struck me something I could ask for that would be incredibly useful.
I stated my request, "I want a boon that allows me to grant a 'blessing' to any weapon I forge.
Furthermore, I want the power to place limitations upon them. And if I were to upgrade or improve that weapon later, the blessing attached to it should become stronger as well."
"Hmm, a peculiar request. However, it falls within my limits. I grant you this boon. Everything you have asked for shall be fulfilled. Tathastu."
A white light descended upon me. I could feel a new ability taking root within me. If the System were active right now, I would have been able to check the name of this new skill.
After the deed was done, I stood there for a while, and the beast stared back at me. A heavy silence hung between us for some time.
Breaking the silence, the beast finally spoke. "Hey boy, why don't you leave? How long do you intend to stay here?"
I replied in an innocent voice, "How am I supposed to leave? I am deep inside a well, after all."
He couldn't find any fault in my answer. However, he could no longer tolerate my presence. So, he released the water he had been holding back.
A massive wave surged from the pool, lifting me upward. It carried me rapidly towards the opening, and moments later, the water ejected me right out of the well.
"Ouch! That beast must have done that on purpose."
I groaned in pain. Landing hard on the ground had caused me some minor injuries.
I stood up and walked back to the well to peek inside. It was now completely filled with water. Nothing was visible inside but the water itself.
Oh, shit. I completely forgot to ask the reason why he was blocking the water in the first place. Well, it doesn't matter. The problem is solved, isn't it? I have no need to know the details now.
I had recalled the question too late, but seeing that the issue was resolved, I lost interest in pursuing it.
I was completely drenched. I needed to go back and change my clothes. With that thought, I turned and walked away.
...
The Sun was shining brightly in the sky, the wind blew with a gentle whoosh, leaves drifted slowly to the ground, and nearby, the river Ganga hummed with the sound of its flowing waves.
I finally arrived back at my house. Being soaking wet, my slippers left wet footprints on the ground with every step.
When I reached the front of my house, I pushed the door. It swung open with a soft creak.
I did exactly as I did every day. Upon entering, I immediately took off my slippers and placed them to the side.
I began walking further inside. When I reached my bedroom, I opened the almirah that stood near the bed. The interior was completely empty, save for a single bundle.
Inside that bundle were all the clothes I had accumulated up to this day. I pulled out a fresh set of clothes and put them on.
I spread my wet clothes over the top of the almirah. Then, I threw open the room's window so that the sunlight would fall directly onto the wet garments, allowing them to dry quickly.
I did not wait to dry off and decided to go out of the house for a walk.
So I left the house and walked for a while. After a while, I reached a crowded area and started walking on the road to Hastinapur.
The citizens of Hastinapur walked along the mud road, some people chatted amongst themselves, and some women carried pots full of water in their waists.
I had no interest in seeing this shadow, and I kept moving ahead.
I saw that many people were going in one direction, many people had closed their shops and were going in the same direction.
What's happening today? People are stopping what they're doing and heading to a destination. What's happening there that people are going to see?
I decided to ask one of them, so I also started going in the same direction.
To be continued...