The chapter opens in tension.
The demon slowly tightens the bandages wrapped around its body.
The cloth hardens, layer by layer, until it gleams like forged steel. A metallic sound echoes through the battlefield as the last strip locks into place.
The demon grins.
"Now tell me," it says calmly,
"how do you plan to survive this?"
Aditya's Office
Aditya stands behind his desk, collecting scattered documents. As he straightens the papers, his eyes fall on a photograph lying on the table.
He freezes.
"How did this photo get here?" Aditya asks.
Tejus steps forward.
"Sir, Hunter Jay sent that photo to all top-ranking hunters. He's currently in Goa."
Aditya's expression darkens.
"The team Jay went with…," he says slowly,
"they're the same team sent to locate Ansh Chopra, aren't they?"
"Yes, sir."
"Contact them immediately," Aditya orders.
"Tell them to go to Ansh Chopra at once.
And deliver this message—"
His voice hardens.
"Aviraj's son needs him."
Raghav's Side
Raghav's phone rings.
The moment he hears the message, his face turns grim.
"Where can we find Ansh Chopra?" he asks.
Daksha answers, "Kabir would know."
Raghav turns.
In the corner of the room, Kabir sits trembling, clutching his head.
"Why did I come here…," Kabir mutters.
"I should have known. Whenever Jay is involved, something always goes wrong."
Raghav places a firm hand on Kabir's shoulder.
"Calm down."
Kabir snaps.
"How can I calm down?! First that massive gate… then Ozarian… and now this! What is happening? We can't win this fight!"
Raghav meets his gaze, unshaken.
"We can," he says.
"But only if we find Ansh Chopra."
Kabir swallows hard.
"Ansh Chopra…
He's actually nearby."
"Then take us there," Raghav says.
They break into a run.
Jay's Battlefield
Elsewhere, Jay stands amid chaos.
He attempts the summoning again.
This time, the air splits.
Thalvor answers the call.
Now standing beside Jay are:
Thalvor Zarathor Kaelvious
Without hesitation, the four charge together toward the enemy.
The Restaurant
Kabir and the others stop in front of a quiet restaurant.
Raghav frowns.
"Why did you bring us here?"
"This is the location," Kabir replies.
They step inside and approach the counter.
The manager greets them politely.
"What can I get for you, sir?"
Raghav and Kabir speak at the same time.
"Ansh Chopra."
The manager's smile disappears.
"Mirror Domain… Creation."
Mirror Domain
Reality shatters.
In an instant, they are somewhere else.
"What is this?!" Raghav shouts.
Kabir screams, "We're going to die!"
They realize they are standing on the ceiling of the restaurant.
A drop of blood lands on Raghav's face.
He looks up.
Another ceiling stretches above them—
lined with countless corpses.
Demons. Hunters. Humans.
Their bodies hang in grotesque silence.
At the center rises a throne made entirely of corpses.
Seated upon it is the manager.
"Who are you?!" Raghav and Sia demand.
The man only looks at them.
Suddenly, space folds.
They are forced to their knees before him. Blood streams from their noses as an invisible pressure crushes them.
"This is my domain," the man says coldly.
"And here… I ask the questions."
His gaze sharpens.
"Who told you that name?"
"And why are you looking for Ansh Chopra?"
Raghav struggles through the pain.
"Every hunter knows Ansh Chopra.
We were sent by Aditya, the Head of the Hunters Association."
He forces out the final words.
"Ansh… Aviraj's son needs you."
The man smiles faintly.
"You asked who I am," he says.
His voice carries absolute authority.
"I am The Black Punisher."
A pause.
"Ansh Chopra."
Return
The pressure vanishes.
In the next instant, they are standing back at the restaurant counter—
unharmed.
The manager adjusts his sleeves and looks at them calmly.
"Then let's go," he says.
"I'll help."
END OF CHAPTER