Chapter 11: The Silent Altar: A Cry for Recognition
Standing amidst the organized chaos of the trading group's warehouse, I surveyed the bustling scene. Workers and customers moved with a sense of purpose, their diligence evident in every action. The success of the auction, despite its abrupt end, was undeniable. The transformation was palpable; the influx of domestic and international customers had catalyzed a period of rapid expansion. The success was tempered by the fact that Aditya Group, our formidable rival, was determined to stymie our progress.
In the past month, Aditya Group's interference had been relentless. Their tactics were a blend of legal maneuvering and underhanded methods, designed to stifle our business growth. Small enterprises that we had established were either struggling or being absorbed by Aditya Group through various means. The situation was frustrating, but any retaliatory actions were unfeasible given the high level of scrutiny we faced.
Our rank 5 hunters from the guilds had remained passive, and the higher-ranked hunters, those of rank 6 and above, showed no concern. This lack of intervention left us to manage the crisis as best as we could. My father and uncle had been working tirelessly to mitigate the impact, focusing on accumulating emergency funds. We were in a precarious position, with Aditya Group's market share expanding rapidly and their own hunter team posing a significant threat. Among us, only Raj had combat capabilities, while the rest of the family members were either support hunters or too young to be of much help.
Our strategy was to delay the inevitable as long as possible. We aimed to burden the group with debt while securing resources that could help my brothers advance. Aditya Group was aware of this strategy and was accelerating their efforts to acquire us before we could implement our plans. Their aggressive tactics were fueled by the fact that our group's value had surged after the auction and expansion. They saw us as too significant a rival to ignore.
My role had become crucial. I was responsible for overseeing trades and acquiring essential resources, from potions and skill books to orbs and techniques. The goal was to ensure my brothers had ample resources to aid their advancement. Resources were most critical up to rank 5, as this phase involved significant quantitative expansion. Beyond rank 5, the focus shifted to qualitative changes, which made the accumulation of resources even more important.
As the day drew to a close, I prepared to head home. The office had been quieter than usual; Arjun was away on a school trip, Vikram was experimenting with his powers, and Raj was on a guild trip. My parents were resting at home, while my uncle and aunt had gone out to enjoy themselves. I bid farewell to the employees and left for home, lost in thoughts about my life.
Reflecting on my past, I remembered that I was born just after my grandfather's death. His tragic demise during a monster material handling accident had cast a long shadow over our family. Despite the challenging times, my birth had been a hopeful occasion. Growing up, I felt out of place due to my maturity and the absence of a constitution. At junior hunter school, my constitution was deemed null. I visited numerous constellation altars, hoping to be chosen, but remained unselected. The lack of a constellation choice led to a lack of respect and recognition, a feeling of invisibility that was exacerbated by my family's reputation. My father's legendary status and the prominence of my relatives made me feel like a constant disappointment, even though they never said anything to that effect.
Lost in these thoughts, I found myself standing before Hanuman's constellation altar. The altar, situated in a dilapidated temple, was modest compared to other altars. Hanuman had never selected another avatar since choosing Monkey Saint. The altar, like a traditional Hindu temple, featured a large bell at the entrance and a grand idol of Hanuman. The deity, depicted with Sanjeevani Mountain in one hand and his gada in the other, radiated immense power.
I approached the altar, joining my hands in prayer and closing my eyes. The silence of the evening was profound, and despite my efforts, there was no response. After more than an hour of fruitless prayer, I looked up at the sky, overwhelmed by a wave of frustration and despair. I laughed hysterically, tears streaming down my face as I vented my anguish.
"Is it so difficult to give attention to me? Constellations, you gave others a chance. Not me! People say you prefer talented individuals. I was the top of my class in every course, even without a constitution. Why won't you give me a chance? I just need one!" My voice cracked, filled with emotion.
As I cried, my sleeves became damp with tears and snot. The dust on the ground clung to my clothes as I stood up, my determination rekindled. I resolved to gather all the resources my brothers needed to advance, even if it meant sacrificing everything.
With one last look at the altar, I turned and headed home, a renewed sense of purpose driving me forward.
3rd Person POV
Had vijay stayed a little longer, he might have noticed Monkey Saint concealed behind the idol. The towering Indian man, with his chiseled physique, was clad in a sleeveless shirt and jeans. A tattoo of a gada adorned his right shoulder. His eyes, glowing with a golden light, seemed to perceive something beyond the ordinary.
"Do you really think your plan will work?" Monkey Saint's voice resonated softly in the air.
A deep, authoritative voice replied, "It matters not if it will work. What truly matters is that your preparations are complete. As soon as the boy becomes aware of his reality, the seal will be broken, whether you wish it or not."
Monkey Saint, with a hint of concern, questioned, "We want the seal broken, but is the boy truly the only solution?"
The authoritative voice responded, "You know the reality of the situation. It is a miracle that the boy survived his birth. His constitution is activating, and I can no longer suppress it. Speed up your preparations. My interference is already against the rules. Do whatever you must; I will be inviting the boy in one month's time." The voice then fell silent.
Monkey Saint muttered to himself, "One month, huh? I should start gearing up." With that, he vanished, leaving the silent altar in his wake.