Chapter 8: Blood on the Pavement
The streets of Mumbai were alive with the chaos of mid-morning traffic. Vendors shouted over the din of honking horns, and the smell of frying samosas and strong chai filled the air. To anyone else, it was just another day.
To Aanya, it felt like the calm before a storm.
Her phone buzzed.
[Message Received from Meera Sinha]
"Meet me at Phoenix Mall. I have the proof you asked for."
Her heart quickened. Proof. If Meera truly had what she promised, it could be the first brick in the wall she was building against Rajiv.
Beside her, Arjun studied the message over her shoulder. "A crowded mall," he said quietly. "Perfect place for an ambush."
Aanya frowned. "You think it's a trap?"
"I think Rajiv isn't the type to sit and watch while you build allies."
Her hand tightened around her bag. "I can't afford to back out. Not now."
Arjun's gaze lingered on her, sharp and assessing. Finally, he gave a small nod. "Then I'll keep you safe. No matter what."
The Phoenix Mall bustled with life, its glass walls reflecting the bright sun. Families shopped, teenagers laughed in clusters, and music spilled from the stores.
But as Aanya walked inside, her instincts screamed. Too many eyes lingered a moment too long. Too many men in casual clothes standing just a bit too stiffly.
[Ding!]
System Alert: High-risk zone detected.
Host is surrounded. Threat count: 8.
Warning: Host survival at risk.
Her pulse spiked. She glanced at Arjun. "Eight?"
He gave the faintest nod. "Stay calm. Keep walking."
They moved toward the café where Meera had said she'd be waiting. But just as they neared the escalators, chaos erupted.
Two men suddenly blocked their path, pulling out knives from beneath their jackets. Another group surged from behind, cutting off escape.
Screams filled the air as shoppers scattered.
One of the attackers sneered. "Rajiv sends his regards."
Aanya froze. For a split second, panic threatened to take over.
But Arjun stepped forward, his body shifting with a quiet, lethal grace. His voice was low, but carried an edge that made the air itself feel heavier.
"Touch her, and you'll regret waking up this morning."
The leader laughed. "You think you can take us all?"
Arjun's lips curved faintly. "I don't think. I know."
Then he moved.
It was like watching lightning take human form.
One moment, Arjun stood still. The next, he struck. His fist slammed into the nearest attacker's chest with bone-cracking force, sending the man flying into a display rack.
A knife came down toward his shoulder — Arjun twisted, grabbing the man's wrist and driving an elbow into his face, dropping him instantly.
Another lunged with a hidden baton. Arjun ducked, sweeping the man's legs from under him, then slammed a palm strike into his ribs before he could rise.
To Aanya, it felt like watching a dance — fluid, precise, merciless.
But then two more attackers broke past, heading straight for her.
Her breath caught. I can't—
Before the knives could reach her, Arjun was suddenly there, moving faster than her eyes could follow. His hand caught one blade mid-swing, twisting it effortlessly from the attacker's grip. With the same motion, he drove a kick into the other man's gut, sending him sprawling.
Blood pounded in Aanya's ears. He wasn't just trained. He was something more.
One of the last attackers cursed, pulling out a pistol. The sight of the black barrel made Aanya's blood run cold.
"Arjun!" she cried.
But Arjun didn't hesitate. With impossible speed, he hurled the stolen knife — it flew true, striking the gunman's wrist and knocking the weapon to the ground. Before the man could recover, Arjun closed the distance, a single punch sending him crumpling unconscious.
Silence followed, broken only by the terrified murmurs of onlookers hiding behind storefronts.
The eight attackers lay scattered, groaning or motionless, across the polished mall floor.
Arjun straightened, his breathing calm, as if the fight had barely touched him.
Aanya's knees felt weak. "You…" Her voice shook. "That wasn't normal. No one moves like that."
Arjun met her gaze, his eyes sharp, unreadable. "I told you before. I've been preparing for a war."
[Ding!]
Candidate Identity Progress: 70%.
Hidden Attributes Revealed: Martial Mastery Lv.4
Compatibility Increase: +15%.
Her chest tightened. "Arjun… what are you?"
Before he could answer, a voice called out.
"Aanya!"
Meera rushed toward them, her face pale. She glanced at the fallen attackers, then at Arjun, eyes wide with disbelief. "What happened here?"
"Rajiv happened," Aanya said bitterly.
Meera's jaw tightened. "Then we don't have much time. Come with me."
They ducked into a service corridor, leaving the chaos behind. Meera handed Aanya a slim folder, her expression grave.
"These are Rajiv's current contracts. He's planning to liquidate Malhotra Global's overseas assets to fund a massive private deal with foreign investors. If he succeeds, he'll have enough capital to crush any opposition."
Aanya flipped through the pages quickly, her blood boiling as she saw the forged signatures and shell companies.
"He's selling off my parents' legacy," she whispered, fury burning in her chest.
Meera's eyes hardened. "If you expose this, you can ruin the deal. But you'll need the right platform — and protection. Rajiv won't sit idle if you go public."
Aanya's hands trembled as the system chimed again.
[Ding!]
New Task Generated: Prevent Rajiv's International Liquidation Deal.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
Reward: Business Domination Skill, Reputation +20.
Penalty: Rajiv consolidates global power.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. "Seven days…"
Meera glanced between her and Arjun. "Then we start tonight. Are you ready, Aanya?"
Aanya lifted her chin, fire blazing in her eyes.
"No more hiding. Rajiv wanted me broken, but I'll show him the queen he tried to kill is still alive."
Arjun placed a steady hand on her shoulder. His touch was grounding, his eyes unwavering. "And this time, he won't see you coming."
For the first time since her release, Aanya felt it — not just the hope of revenge, but the beginning of victory.
The war had spilled blood on the pavement. But the queen was done running.