Chapter 3: The Shadow of Hunger
The night air of Mumbai was heavy with the scent of street food and the ceaseless noise of traffic. Neon lights flickered across the wet pavement as Aanya sat on the bench outside the bakery, clutching the small paper bag Arjun had given her.
Her stomach felt a little less hollow after eating, but her mind was far from calm.
She had no home. No money. No phone.
Just the clothes on her back and a mysterious voice in her head.
[Ding!]
Reminder: Host has 6 days, 18 hours, and 44 minutes left to complete the First Task.
Survive 7 days in Mumbai with no identity, money, or external support.
Failure Penalty: Host Death.
Her fingers clenched around the bread bag. "So, either I survive or die for good. No pressure."
[System Notice: Host sarcasm detected. Emotional control required. Tip: Focus on actionable steps.]
Aanya let out a bitter laugh. Five years in prison had taught her that no one came to save you. You either adapted… or you were crushed.
"Fine," she muttered. "Let's focus."
She had been a CEO once. She knew strategy, negotiations, and survival in a different battlefield — the corporate world. But now? She didn't even have a rupee.
Her eyes scanned the street, watching the flow of people. Most ignored her. Some spared curious glances. A few sneered, mistaking her for a homeless beggar.
Humiliation burned through her veins. The world that once bowed to me now looks down on me like dirt.
She closed her eyes. No. Not again. I'll crawl back up. No matter what it takes.
Hours later, the bench grew cold and hard. She hugged herself against the chill. The bakery had closed, leaving the street darker and emptier.
Her body trembled. Exhaustion pulled at her eyelids, but she didn't dare sleep. On the streets of Mumbai, the vulnerable were easy prey.
Just as her head began to dip, a voice cut through the silence.
"You're still here?"
Her eyes snapped open. Arjun stood before her again, now without his waiter's uniform. He wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, his hair slightly damp as if he had just showered.
Aanya stiffened. "You… Why are you here?"
He glanced at the bag in her lap, then at her shivering form. "Because you look like you're about to collapse."
She swallowed hard. "I'll be fine."
"Lying doesn't suit you," he said evenly, sitting beside her.
She frowned, defensive. "Why do you care?"
"Because I've seen eyes like yours before," he replied. His gaze was steady, piercing. "Hungry. Tired. Betrayed."
Her breath caught. For a moment, she forgot how to speak.
Arjun leaned back against the bench, eyes fixed on the dark street. "This city eats people alive. If you don't fight back, it'll chew you up and spit out what's left."
Aanya's lips trembled. "And what if I don't have the strength anymore?"
He turned to her then, his expression unreadable. "Then borrow some, until you find it again."
For reasons she couldn't explain, his words sank deep, stirring something inside her chest.
Before she could respond, the familiar chime echoed in her mind.
[Ding!]
Subtask Updated: Gain Candidate's Trust.
Progress: 10%
Hint: Trust is not earned by words, but by action.
Her eyes widened slightly. So the system… it's tracking this?
Arjun stood suddenly. "Come on."
She blinked. "What?"
"You need a place to sleep. There's a shelter not far from here. Safer than freezing on this bench."
Her pride screamed to refuse. But the system's warning of failure = death replayed in her mind. She bit her lip and nodded.
The shelter was modest, tucked in a side street, but warm. The caretaker gave Arjun a nod as they entered.
"She's with me," Arjun said simply.
Aanya avoided curious eyes as she was led to a small cot. The blanket smelled of detergent but felt like heaven against her skin.
As she lay down, Arjun handed her a bottle of water. "Drink. You'll feel better."
She took it hesitantly. "Why are you… helping me?"
He studied her for a long moment. "Because once, someone did the same for me."
Something flickered in his eyes — pain, old and buried. Before she could ask, he stood.
"Rest. I'll check on you tomorrow."
And just like that, he left.
Aanya stared after him, her heart pounding strangely. She pressed the blanket closer, her thoughts spinning.
[Ding!]
Subtask Progress: 25%
Reward Pending.
For the first time in years, she fell asleep not in fear, but with a fragile thread of hope.
The next morning, the system's voice woke her.
[Ding!]
New Subtask: Earn 500 Rupees within 24 hours.
Reward: Analytical Thinking +5, Street Survival Skill.
Penalty: -10 Vitality.
She shot up, eyes wide. "Earn money? How the hell am I supposed to do that with nothing?"
[Hint: Host's knowledge is her greatest weapon. Leverage it.]
Her mind raced. She had no ID, no documents. No company would hire her. But knowledge… knowledge she had. Years of corporate strategy, financial analysis, and leadership.
She rubbed her temples. Think, Aanya. Think.
That afternoon, she walked near the 5-star hotel where Arjun worked. She lingered at the café next door, listening. Businessmen chatted loudly over coffee, complaining about market shifts and stock investments.
Her ears pricked at a particular table. Two young entrepreneurs argued over a risky investment. She couldn't help herself.
"Excuse me," she interrupted softly.
They looked up, frowning.
"I couldn't help overhearing," she said carefully, adjusting her tone to sound less desperate. "But if you're planning to buy Keshav Pharma stocks today, you'll regret it. Their quarterly losses are about to be revealed. The price will plummet by tomorrow."
The men exchanged skeptical glances. "And who are you?" one asked.
"Someone who doesn't want you to lose your money," she said evenly. "Check the leaked medical reports online. You'll see."
They hesitated, curiosity winning over doubt. One quickly pulled out his phone, his eyes widening as he read the trending news.
"Damn," he muttered. "She's right."
The other looked at her with new interest. "Thanks… uh, do you do this often?"
"Sometimes," Aanya lied smoothly.
He pulled out a 500-rupee note, sliding it toward her. "Consider this a thank you. Saved us a fortune."
She froze. Her heart hammered as her fingers closed around the note.
[Ding!]
Task Completed.
Reward Unlocked: Analytical Thinking +5, Street Survival Skill.
Note: Host now has basic ability to navigate city survival.
A rush of clarity filled her mind. Suddenly, her perception sharpened — like puzzle pieces aligning in her head. She could see patterns, analyze risks faster.
For the first time since her fall, she smiled faintly. So this is what the system can do…
As she turned to leave, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Impressive."
She spun around, startled. Arjun stood near the café entrance, arms crossed, watching her with sharp eyes.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "You—how long have you—"
"Long enough," he said calmly. "You knew about Keshav Pharma's losses before the news broke. That's not something an ordinary person knows."
Her throat tightened. Damn it. He's suspicious already.
She forced a light laugh. "Lucky guess."
Arjun's eyes lingered on her, as though peeling back her layers. But then he only said, "Be careful. This city doesn't reward honesty — or luck — for long."
As he walked away, her heart raced.
[Ding!]
Candidate Suspicion Level: 20%
Caution advised.
Aanya clenched her fists. She was surviving. She was fighting back.
And whether the world was ready or not… she was rising again.