Chapter 10: To Seek the Sorcerers
Location: Nepal – Kathmandu – March 2, 2007
Altitude: 1,400m
Temperature: Cold enough to bite
Adam trudged through the narrow alleys of Kathmandu, hoodie pulled tight against the wind, a small hiking bag on his back. He paused to catch his breath outside a street tea stall, taking in the view of the bustling old city.
The air was different here—older, thicker with something just off from the rest of the world.
He could feel it.
Magic.
Real, actual magic.
[System Notification: New Environment Detected – Leyline Convergence Zone]
Passive Energy Accumulation PossibleMagical Potential: Dormant – Needs CatalystReward Boost: x1.25 for mystical emotions (Wonder, Awe, Fear)
Adam's breath fogged in front of him.
"So, it's real. Even without stepping through the doors of Kamar-Taj… this place is alive."
3 Hours Later – Black Market Antiquities Bazaar
Locals sent him through a chain of whispers and bribes. Eventually, he reached a tent at the far end of a worn-down market.
Inside, an old man sat on the floor surrounded by totems, scrolls, and bones.
"You want Kamar-Taj?" the man asked without looking up.
"I want to understand," Adam replied.
"Then you must not seek it," he said, voice like cracked stone. "Only those lost are found."
"I'm not lost," Adam said.
[Minor Disrespect Detected – Bazaar Mystic]Reward: +$100
Talent Fragment: Eastern Philosophy (2%)
"You will be," the old man said, and tossed a stone at Adam's feet.
It shimmered faintly with runes.
[Item Acquired: Pathstone of the Hidden Gate]Description: Leads those of intention—but not of sight.
That Night – Outskirts of the City
Adam followed the faint glow of the pathstone through the darkened hills. Hours passed. His legs ached. His breath grew ragged in the thin mountain air.
Then—just before dawn—he saw it.
Kamar-Taj.
Not some ancient ruin.
But a weathered compound pulsing faintly with unseen power.
No fanfare. No guards.
Just a wooden door.
He approached and knocked.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
Then, behind him, a voice:"You seek magic—but carry only fear."
Adam turned sharply.
A woman stood in saffron robes. Bald. Calm. Barefoot.
She tilted her head. "Not fear of death. But fear of being ordinary."
[Medium Insight Detected – Master of the Entry Gate]
Reward: +1 Intelligence
Emotional Anchor Seeded: "The Ambitious One"
"I'm not ordinary," Adam said. "I just haven't unlocked my next level yet."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And yet you expect Kamar-Taj to serve as your cheat code?"
Adam smirked. "Not a cheat code. A patch update."
She sighed. "You're insufferable."
Then smiled faintly.
"Come inside."
Inside Kamar-Taj
The room was quiet. Lit only by candles. The air felt dense—like every molecule resisted being normal.
Adam stood in front of a table. The woman, now identified as Master Wansu, gestured toward a small bowl of water.
"If you wish to awaken, you must see."
She pressed her fingers to his forehead.
The water began to ripple.
And then—Adam's mind exploded with visions.
Planets spinning backward.
Dimensions folding in on themselves.
Beings of shadow and flame whispering in tongues he couldn't hear—yet somehow understood.
He fell back, gasping.
[Mystical Intrigue Achieved – Master Wansu]
Reward: +1 Intelligence, +1 Stamina
Talent Fragment: Dimensional Awareness (4%)
Magical Potential Awakened: Latent Spark Detected
Trait Gained: "Fractured Sight" – May glimpse hidden truths in rare magical events.
As he recovered, she looked down at him with a measure of approval.
"You may stay. For now."
Adam groaned. "You monks have weird onboarding rituals…"
Later That Night – In His Kamar-Taj Room
Adam collapsed onto the bedding.
His fingers tingled.
He'd taken his first step into a world even MCU fans couldn't fully explain.
And already, he was hooked.
[Current Stats:]
Magical Potential Awakened: Latent Spark
Traits and Perks : Fractured Sight ,Basic Emotional Insight,
skills ; Street Awareness ,Observation
Strength: 13
Intelligence: 19
Stamina: 11
Charisma: 12
Luck: 1 (Progress: 0/10)
[Talent Fragments:]
Astrophysics – 12%
Cooking – 1%
Emotional Insight – Basic
Streetwise – Basic
Negotiation – 7%
Intimidation – 4%
Advanced Engineering (3%)
Urban Combat (4%)
Lie Detection Resistance – 6%
Prototype Design (5%)
Miniaturized Tech Design (8%)
Strategic Thinking (8%)
Reflex Engineering (6%)
Bioengineering (6%)
Biochemical Weaponry (6%)
Reflex Engineering (6%)
Eastern Philosophy (2%)
He grinned into the candlelight.
"Thanos, you better pray I don't master sling rings before Infinity War."