Shivadi

Virallur is a large village with many tourist attractions, primarily because it is located at the entrance of one side of the Blood Forest. There is only one proper way in and out of the forest, and the other end of the forest connects to the sea.

There is no way for a person to enter through the sea due to the sharp sea stones, which can damage any boat or ship attempting to sail along the coast.

The water level of the sea is neither very low nor very high, due to constant changes in the water current.

One cannot walk or swim through the sea because of the sharp sea stones, and many dangerous fishes, poisonous snakes, and venomous snails inhabit the area.

Even if a person could enter and traverse the sea, there is a huge slippery slope.

The rocks on the slopes are covered in algae due to constant moisture exposure, making it nearly impossible to climb the mountain which is exceedingly slippery.

If someone trying to climb the forest loses their footing and falls from the cliff, they would die immediately due to the sharp rocks.

Therefore, one needed to pass through Virallur to reach the Blood Forest, also known as the Red Forest.

England...

Oxford University...

Five people are running in the hallway looking for someone.

"Here they go again, causing a disturbance every day. Why don't they do their job politely?" Everybody in the hallway noticed them with an annoyed look on their faces.

Two boys and two girls are hurrying, appearing as though they are searching for someone.

Among them is a boy who is six feet tall, with a thin body, neatly combed dark hair, and wearing glasses. His name is Shanker.

"Sigh... did he pick up the call?" Shankar questioned a muscular teen who was attempting to make a phone call.

"When has he ever answered our calls on the first try?" A muscular teen boy, who is five feet tall with a bald head, named Karthik, looked at Shankar with an irritated expression.

"Where are Ramesh and Henry? Perhaps he might be with them," the girl on the left, with a larger build and a small ponytail, is named Jackeline.

"I think Jackeline is correct," the last girl, who is very tired from following them, is named Kalinga Priya. She is very interested in horror stories, mystery stories, and adventures that involve breaking rules and exploring to satisfy her curiosity.

"Shankar!!! Where is the lad Shiva? They are going to call his name soon at the ceremony." Professor Manoj, with a serious expression, asked Shankar, who was running in the hallway along with his group, attracting attention.

Professor Manoj has conducted extensive research in the field of historic relics.

They are searching for Shiva for their graduation day. At this stage, they have already begun distributing the certificates to the graduates.

However, Shiva hasn't shown up at the college or met his friends. So, everyone is trying to contact him before his name is called on the stage.

So these four have left the auditorium in search of him, followed by Professor Manoj, who recently looked at the register of the arriving students to get their degrees.

Library...

The library was empty except for the front desk where the librarian sat, as many people were coming to return their books and clear their names from the list.

In the reading area, two individuals were sitting, looking at each other with narrowed expressions on their faces. They held cards in their hands.

"This time, my victory was written all over my cards, hehe~" Ramesh, with a smirk, looked at Henry with a look that said 'I've got you.'

"Idiot, you will never beat me, even in your dreams," Henry retorted, looking at Ramesh mockingly.

The librarian, who was working tirelessly, noticed Ramesh and Henry playing card games inside the library with a displeased expression.

She stood up from her place and, like an assassin, walked towards Ramesh and Henry, who were engrossed in the game.

At the library, Ramesh and Henry were playing the game "Rummy" inside the digital library and were caught by the librarian. As a punishment, they were told to write an apology letter.

Cough...

There was no response from either of them. There was a pin-drop silence. A thick vein bulged from the forehead of the librarian as his face started to turn red and his temper started to rise.

Cough... cough...

Once again, the librarian coughed loudly. Ramesh and Henry turned their heads with annoyed looks to see who was disturbing them at this critical point in the game.

"____"

"____"

"Playing inside the library is forbidden. You know that, right?" The librarian asked them with a kind smile that resembled a devil.

"Come on, sir. This is our last da..." as Ramesh was speaking, the air around the librarian started to turn black.

After giving them an earful of scolding, the librarian left the table.

"When will these brain-dead understand the importance and true purpose of the library?" He said it loudly and turned to pick up the book that had fallen down while he was shouting at them.

When he placed the book on the shelves, the entire library burst into laughter. When he suddenly turned around, Ramesh and Henry left the library without a trace.

"Sigh... thank God, at least now I can have my peace." The librarian took a glass of water and drank, then sat back in his chair. When he looked down, he felt that something was missing from his desk. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"Henry!!! Ramesh!!!"

When both of them ran out of the library, after a few moments, they heard the loud scream of the librarian, screaming their names.

"Do you know why he's screaming?" Ramesh looked at Henry with a mysterious smile on his face.

Hearing this, Henry didn't say anything.

"Because of this." Both of them said at the same time, taking something from their bags.

"____"

"____"

Ramesh was holding an old, thick book in his hand, while Henry was holding a laptop, showing it off at the same time.

"Did you just steal a laptop?" Ramesh looked at Henry with a shocked expression.

"Hehe~ Did you see? When you took that useless book, I took this laptop. We can use it to play games." Henry proudly showed the laptop to Ramesh, who had a solemn expression.

"What is this old fairy tale... huh... 'The Blooders' here." Henry took the book from Ramesh's hand and read the title.

While chatting, both of them started to walk towards the canteen to grab something to eat.

Canteen...

Ramesh was suddenly bumped into and fell down.

"Damn it! Why are you guys running like mad dogs?" Ramesh looked at Shankar, who had bumped into him.

Huff... huff... huff...

Shankar couldn't answer due to his heavy breathing from running all the way. After a moment, the other three and Professor entered the canteen.

"What happened?" Henry asked them with a raised eyebrow.

"Where is that lad Shiva? We've been searching for him all day." Manoj asked, attending a call from the coordinator of the function.

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(Author's POV)

Thanks for reading the chapter! please give a review and power stone!!!