Unraveling Strength
Arjun whistled a tune as he made his way back, his mind buzzing with newfound information. He had successfully intimidated Amit, Ayush, and Manish into silence about the day's events, ensuring they wouldn't breathe a word about the altercation.
Extracting details from the trio had proven fruitful. Not only did Arjun uncover the identities of three more troublemakers from his past, but he also learned that they possessed formidable fighting skills. A sense of urgency crept over Arjun as he realized the need to bolster his own abilities to confront these adversaries.
"Looks like I haven't seen the worst of it yet," Arjun muttered inwardly. His thoughts turned to the martial arts skills he needed to acquire swiftly from the Phoenix system.
With each step, Arjun mulled over his options. He clutched a small pill in his hand, a remedy prescribed by the Phoenix system. It promised to restore his health and mend his injuries, a tempting solution to the physical toll of his recent battles.
With a swift motion, Arjun ingested the pill, feeling an immediate surge of energy coursing through his body. The healing properties of the mysterious substance worked their magic, mending his wounds and replenishing his health. As the transformation took place, Arjun's status window displayed a remarkable update:
Name - Arjun Verma
Age - 16 years old
Gender - Male
Level - 8
Strength - 9
Stamina - 9
Intelligence - 7
Agility - 6
Sense - 6
Experience points - 3150/2000
Health points - 150/200 (+50)
Arjun contemplated the option to level up, considering the potential benefits it could bring. His recent battles had pushed him to the brink, and a new level could unlock further capabilities.
Deciding to embrace the opportunity, Arjun initiated the level-up process, feeling a surge of power and insight. As he attained Level 9, he turned his attention to the system shop, eager to enhance his combat skills.
Navigating through the virtual marketplace, Arjun searched for a suitable fighting technique. He remembered Phoenix's advice about the importance of mastering skills, prompting him to find a technique that would complement his evolving abilities.
Noticing that both his punch and kick levels had reached Level 3, Arjun sought clarification from Phoenix. The digital mentor explained, "Master, the more you use a skill, the higher its level becomes automatically."
As Arjun reached home, his mother, Meenakshi, greeted him with a scolding about his dirty clothes. Aware of the impending band performance, Arjun endured an hour-long lecture from his mother. Fatigued from the day's events, he finally retreated to his room, anticipating a well-deserved rest.
Arjun sat on his bed, phone in hand, scrolling through countless videos on YouTube and scouring the depths of Google in search of the perfect fighting skill to acquire from the Phoenix System. With each click and swipe, he delved deeper into the world of martial arts, absorbing techniques and strategies from experts across the globe.
Hours passed as Arjun immersed himself in the endless sea of tutorials and demonstrations. Yet, amidst the plethora of options, he found himself overwhelmed by indecision. Each skill he encountered seemed promising, yet none felt quite right for his unique circumstances.
Frustration gnawed at Arjun's resolve as he struggled to pinpoint the skill that resonated with him. Despite his efforts, the elusive answer remained just out of reach.
With a sigh of resignation, Arjun switched off his phone, the glow of the screen fading into darkness. He leaned back against his pillows, feeling defeated and uncertain.
But then, something caught his eye—a video thumbnail he hadn't noticed before. With a curious glance, he tapped the video, intrigued by the possibility it held. As the video played, Arjun's eyes widened with newfound inspiration, a glimmer of hope igniting within him.
Intrigued by the video, Arjun delved into the comment section, hoping to uncover the identity of the mysterious fighter who had captured the attention of millions. The comments were filled with praise and curiosity, but the uploader's details remained shrouded in mystery.
As Arjun scrolled through, he discovered that the video was not on YouTube but rather on an Over-the-Top (OTP) platform, a space for users to share various content. This particular video had garnered an impressive 20 million views.
Realizing the unique nature of this platform, Arjun decided to explore it further. OTP, much like YouTube, allowed users to upload diverse content, including musical videos, vlogs, and, apparently, intense fighting displays. The anonymity of the uploader added an extra layer of intrigue.
Arjun contemplated reaching out to the OTP community to inquire about the mysterious fighter's identity.
Frustrated by the lack of information about the mysterious fighter, Arjun decided to shift his focus to leveling up. A message arrived, informing him that he needed to reach Level 10 before being able to purchase any fighting skills.
Acknowledging his current limitations, Arjun set aside his quest for a new skill and began researching the enigmatic man. He delved deep into online forums, seeking any clue about the fighter's identity and the mesmerizing skill he employed.
During his exploration, Arjun received a notification from Phoenix, offering an alternative to enhance his abilities. Intrigued, he invested 1000 experience points into the Alert skill. Phoenix explained that this skill, now at level 5, would create a 30-meter radius around Arjun, automatically activating to alert him of any potential danger.
In a simple yet detailed conversation with Phoenix, Arjun sought clarification, "So, Phoenix, with this Alert skill, I'll get notified whenever someone comes within 30 meters of me. How does it work exactly?"
Phoenix responded, "Yes, Master. The Alert skill creates a protective radius around you. When someone enters this zone, a notification will be triggered, creating a visual circle to indicate the potential threat. It enhances your situational awareness and keeps you informed about your surroundings."
Arjun nodded, appreciating the newfound layer of security the Alert skill provided. With this enhancement, he continued his quest for information about the mysterious fighter, determined to unravel the secrets that had eluded him so far.
In the dimly lit confines of an empty building, the evening cast long shadows as three figures endured a harrowing ordeal. Amit, Ayush, and Manish found themselves at the mercy of a group of aggressors, their pleas falling on deaf ears as they suffered relentless blows.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, three other boys stood witness to the brutal scene unfolding before them. Despite their presence, they remained passive observers, offering no intervention as their peers unleashed their violence upon Amit, Ayush, and Manish.
As the assault continued, the trio of assailants seemed relentless, fueled by a twisted sense of power and dominance. Amit, Ayush, and Manish, battered and bruised, could do little to defend themselves against the onslaught.
In a desperate attempt to quell the impending fallout, the three aggressors attempted to persuade their onlookers to maintain secrecy about the incident. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears, as the other boys remained unmoved by their words.
Despite the pleas for silence, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on the bystanders. The brutality unfolding before them left an indelible mark, stirring a sense of unease and apprehension among the onlookers.
As the chaos unfolded in the empty building, a sudden intervention brought the violent altercation to a halt. One of the three boys who had been watching from the sidelines stepped forward, commanding the attention of all present. His authoritative tone demanded an end to the senseless violence, compelling the aggressors to cease their assault on Amit, Ayush, and Manish.
With a firm resolve, the boy addressed the trio, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. "Enough," he declared, his voice resonating with authority. "Stop this madness."
As the aggressors complied, the boy turned his attention to Amit, Ayush, and Manish, his gaze piercing as he sought the truth behind the unfolding chaos. "Tell me," he demanded, his tone unwavering, "have you all suddenly gained strength from a mental patient? Is that what you expect us to believe?"
His pointed question hung heavy in the air, demanding a response from the three beleaguered individuals. Amit, Ayush, and Manish exchanged glances, their expressions wrought with fear and uncertainty. Amit, in a desperate plea for understanding, rushed to the boy's feet, begging for mercy.
"We don't know," he pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion. "We don't understand how this happened. We're telling the truth, please believe us."
The boy remained unmoved, his skepticism evident as he continued to press for answers. "It's impossible," he asserted, his conviction unwavering. "One person defeating twelve alone, let alone three of you? It doesn't add up. You're lying."
Amit, Ayush, and Manish could only hang their heads in shame, their protests falling on deaf ears. The truth remained elusive, leaving them to grapple with the mysteries of their newfound strength and the skepticism of those around them.
As Amit's trembling voice faltered, he managed to utter, "Karan brother..." before he was abruptly cut off. The mention of Karan's name seemed to ignite a fire within him, his anger boiling over at the sight of Amit's fear.
"Karan," Amit stammered, his voice barely audible over the rising tension, "I... I don't know..."
But before Amit could finish his sentence, Karan erupted in a fit of rage. His fury unleashed, he lashed out at Amit with a barrage of verbal abuse, his words dripping with venom and contempt.
"You bloody dog!" Karan spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "I can't believe someone like Arjun, that son of a bitch, was able to best you. I want answers, now!"
With each word, Karan's anger intensified, his blows raining down upon Amit with ferocious intensity. The other two boys watched in horror as Amit bore the brunt of Karan's wrath, his body battered and bruised from the relentless assault.
As Amit's condition deteriorated before their eyes, the other boys could no longer stand idly by. With a sense of urgency, they intervened, pulling Karan away from his victim and putting an end to the brutal onslaught.
With Karan's rage momentarily quelled, Amit lay on the ground, battered and broken, his spirit shattered by the violent encounter. As the echoes of the altercation faded into the silence of the empty building, Amit's thoughts turned to the enigmatic figure of Arjun, whose inexplicable strength had sparked this chain of events.
End of the chapter