There was information that a low-level demon had been spotted near a small village.
It was estimated to be a Level D demon, known to prey on small animals like cats, rabbits, or even one- or two-year-old children.
This village was called Meriyan, far from the city of Aaranyapur where Ansh lived.
Meriyan fell under the jurisdiction of the Water Clan (Warikul), but more than half of their forces were away on another mission.
Only three security officers, who were in charge of that village, conducted a recruitment drive in the city to gather help in defeating the Level D demon.
It wasn't that the officers couldn't hunt it down themselves, but low-level demons often hunt in packs, and the exact number in this case was unknown, which made it risky.
Now, after the recruitment, they had seven selected individuals for this mission—one of whom was Ansh.
Everyone followed the three officers into the forest.
"Keep your eyes and ears open. Even though these demons are weak, they are fast and can attack anytime, from anywhere," warned one of the officers named Daksh.
The seven recruits became alert after hearing his warning.
As they entered the forest, Nandita was setting traps. Siya and Ishaan were scanning the area. Ansh was a little behind, carefully watching every step.
Suddenly, Ishaan noticed Ayra. She was a beautiful girl with thick black hair, ocean-blue eyes, rose-pink lips, and a model-like figure.
Ishaan, captivated by her, gathered some courage and approached her.
"If you don't mind, can I say something?"
Ayra looked at him, a bit surprised.
"You're very beautiful. I've never seen anyone like you."
Ayra shyly looked down with a soft smile.
Nayra, Ayra's close friend, noticed this and quickly walked over, gave Ishaan a light shove, and started walking next to Ayra.
Everyone observed this moment, including Ansh, who suddenly drifted into memories of Kiara.
Lost in those past moments with her, Ansh was jolted back to reality by a voice:
"Be alert! There's danger nearby!"
It was Daksh, who had sensed something and warned the group.
The other two officers immediately drew their weapons, and the seven recruits formed a circle, ready to fight.
Everyone looked around cautiously, preparing for an attack.
Suddenly, a loud sound came from behind Ansh in the bushes.
A strange creature, like a dog, leapt at him.
Caught off guard, Ansh froze and shut his eyes in fear.
But just before the creature could strike, Vedant rushed in from the side and punched it with his metal gloves. The punch was so powerful that it tore the creature apart, spraying blood everywhere.
Everyone—Ayra, Siya, Nayra, Ishaan, Nandita, and especially Ansh—was shocked at how quickly Vedant reacted and took down the creature in one blow.
Ignoring everyone's reaction, Vedant calmly said,
"Stay alert. The danger isn't over yet."
Impressed by Vedant's fast reflexes, everyone turned their focus back to the situation.
Suddenly, 25 to 50 more of the same creatures appeared, heading toward them.
These were the Level D demons reported in the village, the very ones they had come to hunt.
Daksh was startled—he had expected only 10 to 15, but this was far more.
"These Level D demons look like bulldogs, but their bodies are pitch black and their eyes burn like fire. Their teeth are larger and thicker than a normal bulldog's."
As Daksh shared this info, the horde of demons launched their attack.
Siya quickly drew her twin blades, crossed them, and unleashed a slash that sliced an approaching demon in half.
Ishaan began firing arrows from his bow.
Nayra created fake illusions to confuse the demons, and the two assistant officers cut down those distracted by the illusions.
Vedant continued crushing them with his metal-gloved fists.
Many demons were caught and killed by Nandita's traps, and the rest she blasted away with her power.
Now Ansh was ready too. He wasn't shocked by the creatures—he had seen worse.
He had just been caught off guard earlier. Now that he was focused, something happened.
His locket began to glow, and from it, the Nagachakra emerged. From the Nagachakra came the Anilkiran—his wind-element dagger.
As soon as he held Anilkiran again, Ansh felt a surge of power through him. Wind began swirling around him. Then, once more, he heard a voice in his head:
"Strike behind you with the dagger."
Ansh followed the voice, slashing backward with Anilkiran. A sharp wind slash flew behind and cut through a demon in mid-air.
Seeing this, Ansh smiled, feeling stronger and confident that he was no less than anyone else now.
He joined the others in fighting off the demons.
Within about half an hour, they had defeated all the Level D demons together.
Everyone was relieved and happy to have completed their first mission.
Daksh began congratulating the team for their success.
The other two officers stood beside him when suddenly—
A sound pierced the air.
When everyone turned to look, their jaws dropped in shock.
No one understood what just happened.
Where the sound came from, only the upper halves of the two assistant officers remained standing, blood gushing from them.
Behind them stood a wolf-like creature—white in color, with a brown horn on its head, and far larger in size than anything they'd seen. Blood dripped from its mouth.
Seeing this, Ayra screamed.
Daksh stood frozen—the information they received had been wrong.
They were told it was just Level D demons.
"This is no ordinary creature!" Ishaan shouted.
.....?
Writer - 🕉️