After Anshul left the lab, Dr. Verma sat on his chair and sighed, saying to himself, 'Should I have told him how painful it will be for him to connect all the fragments in his body?' Dr. Verma began to think alone in the lab, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead for Anshul.

Dr. Verma recalled the research and historical accounts about the Vitalizer's blood. The blood was known for its remarkable ability to heal, rejuvenate, and even grant extended life. However, it came with a price - connecting the scattered fragments within the body was no easy feat.

Each time a fragment was consumed, it had to be integrated into the existing network of VB within Anshul. This process required the body to undergo a complex internal synchronization, and as a result, it caused intense pain during the integration.

Knowing that Anshul would have to endure this pain repeatedly to harness the full potential of the Vitalizer's blood, Dr. Verma hesitated to reveal the truth. He feared it might discourage Anshul from pursuing his mission.

Deep in thought, Dr. Verma realized that this quest was not just about finding the blood fragments, but also a test of Anshul's determination and bravery. The journey would not only be physical but also a trial of his mental fortitude.

Dr. Verma continued to contemplate the best course of action. He knew that Anshul's safety was of utmost importance, and he couldn't let anyone get their hands on the Vitalizer's blood.

Resolute in his decision, Dr. Verma decided to delete all the records of the civilization of the Sun and Moon not only from his computer but also from his company's database. He vowed to offer guidance and support whenever needed, despite his inability to accompany him physically.

"Anshul, pain is often a part of great challenges," Dr. Verma said to himself "Remember, you are strong, and this journey will test your limits. But in the end, it will be worth it."

............

Anshul's mind was in turmoil as he followed the VB compass's direction, riding his bike toward the east. He was currently pondering over Dr. Verma's words:

'As you know that whoever tried to absorb the blood dies, but you are still alive.'

The question of why was he still alive when everyone else who consumed the Vitalizer's blood had perished? What set him apart? His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the voice alerting him to his surroundings.

{What are you doing!? Watch out!!}

As Anshul snapped back to reality, he realized he was about to crash into a signboard. He hurriedly pulled the brakes and rode the bike to the side of the road and turn off his bike to clear his head.

{Oi, what was that? Do you want to kill us even before the VB does so?}

"I was just thinking why I am still alive?"

{What?}

"I mean it was written in the documents back I lab that even people of Sun and Moon died after absorbing the blood, so why I am still alive"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

{Is that it?}

"What do you mean?"

{Why dwell on futile thoughts? Pondering over things beyond your comprehension is useless. You don't have to understand it. Just think of it as—I guess it's just the way it is—and leave it at that.}

"How can you be so simple minded and carefree in this situation? Whatever I should have know that it was useless to talk to you" As saying this Anshul starts the bike rides to the direction the VB compass was pointing.

{Bastard you should be grateful that i am passing my wise words to an idiot like you. Now, go ahead and just say, 'Thank you.' It is about time you recognized my brilliance.}

VROOOOOM...

{Oi! Stop ignoring me}

After some time, Anshul stops the bike as he sees VB compass behaving in a weird way.

{Huh? Is it here?}

"Looks like it"

The place they arrived was a very normal looking, it was not a famous place, and it also did not have many visitors this place was the National History Museum. The National History Museum, an architectural masterpiece in capital, housed the nation's illustrious past within its walls. Its grand facade highlighted intricate carvings depicting country's rich heritage. As visitors ventured inside, they embarked on a journey through time.

Anshul parked his bike and walks toward the counter for buying the ticket.

"Entrees ticket plus parking please"

"That will be ₹120/-, please give change" middle-aged man behind the counter replied.

{What that is too expensive? Why must we pay that much to see a bunch of rocks?}

"Here" Anshul gives the money and purchase the ticket. The VB compass still pointed resolutely, guiding him towards the museum. Nervous anticipation filled him as he walked inside the museum.

The museum's five floors revealed the tapestry of country's history. The ground floor featured artifacts from the ancient Civilization, while the first floor highlighted the glory of empires that once ruled the subcontinent. The second-floor depicted country's struggle for independence, and the third celebrated its diverse cultural heritage. Finally, the fourth-floor highlighted country's strides in modernity, while the fifth floor envisioned the nation's future.

{so, where to start?}

"If we are lucky, we may find it on the ground floor"

After saying this, Anshul started looking around the exhibits, hoping to find the fragment among the museum's treasures. While walking around, Anshul reached the middle of the hall, and the VB compass stopped pointing in a direction and formed a single drop at the center.

"It stopped."

{Stopped? Is it here?}

"I knew this would happen when I saw that it was like a compass," Anshul said while looking at the VB compass. "It only points towards a 2D direction."

{What do you mean? Speak in simple words, you smartass.}

"It means this doesn't tell if it's above me or below me," Anshul looked at the ceiling and the ground he is standing on and said, "In the best case, it is on the upper floors or on the low floor, but in the worst case, it will be in the ceiling or in the ground."

{Right, that will only attract unwanted attention if we have to dig for it.}

"Let's check if there are any lower floors first," while saying this, Anshul continued to look around and reached the end of the floor where he saw a door labeled 'Storage Area: Off Limits.'

{Well, at least it is not in front of everyone.}

Anshul glanced around to ensure no one was watching before discreetly slipping into the restricted area. The dimly lit storage room was filled with an assortment of artifacts, carefully packed away for safekeeping.

As he moved quietly through the shadows, the compass pointed him to the center of the room where a box adorned with the symbol of the sun was peeking through half-covered cloth.

{Found it!}

Anshul's heart quickened with excitement and trepidation as he removed the cloth and cautiously opened the box. There, nestled inside, was a test tube-sized container like the one he had found before. However, to his surprise, this one had no lock on it. As he thought about this, he remembered Dr. Verma's words:

"It was too risky to store it in a random container, so I developed the VB container to keep it safe."

A sense of relief washed over him as he held the container in his hands. This was it, the fragment of the Vitalizer's Blood which he needed to save his life and find the answers he sought. He was about to place it securely in his pocket when a chilling voice interrupted his thoughts.

"How did you get in here?"