Location: Garud Vajra HQ, Sector 4 (Residential Garden)
Time: 01:15 PM
Date: November 18, 2025
While touring the HQ, Vikram, Raghav, and Rudra had reached the center of the massive residential garden in Sector 4.
It was a quarter past one in the afternoon, but there wasn't a single ray of harsh sunlight. Dense, slate-grey clouds had completely blanketed the sun. In this November weather, the wind was blowing cool and pleasant. Because of this soothing atmosphere, the garden was quite crowded today.
Rudra looked around as he walked. In one part of the garden, people sat relaxed, talking amongst themselves, while in another part, small children were running and playing without a trace of fear or worry. This sight was entirely new to his mind. In the outside world, where monsters performed a dance of death every second, people inside these 40-foot walls lived with such peace and joy. This place truly felt like nothing less than a paradise.
The three of them were walking along the track at the edge of the garden when a very sweet, innocent, and slightly lisped voice came from behind.
"Papaa!"
Rudra turned around. A small girl, about two and a half years old, incredibly cute and innocent, was running toward them on her tiny legs. She was wearing a small pink jacket and a frock, her hair fluttering in the wind.
The serious, 29 Million MP Vice-Leader expression on Vikram's face vanished in a single second. It was replaced by that of an incredibly soft and loving father. Vikram quickly knelt on his knees and spread both his arms wide.
Kiara came running and crashed straight into Vikram's embrace. Vikram lifted her with his strong hands, tossed her lightly into the air, and settled her into his lap.
"Rudra," Vikram said, gently 'booping' Kiara's tiny nose with his finger, "This is my lovely and mischievous daughter... Kiara."
Rudra's eyes held a strange stillness. He looked at Kiara. Her innocence was so pure that even the surrounding air seemed to radiate warmth. Rudra remembered his own parents, but this time, it wasn't with fear or anger—it was with a strange sense of peace.
Raghav, who had been walking silently until now, stepped forward and smiled while playfully pinching Kiara's cheek. "And how is our Kiara today? And where is Mummy?"
Kiara pointed her tiny finger toward a corner of the garden where a few women were sitting. "Mummy is thalking (talking) over there," Kiara replied in her cute, lisped voice.
"But Kiara," Raghav said in a mock-strict tone, "You shouldn't run off alone like that. What if you had fallen and gotten hurt?"
Kiara puffed out her tiny cheeks and looked at Raghav with immense courage. "I won't fall! I am Papa's stlong (strong) girl."
Raghav burst into laughter. He patted Kiara's head affectionately. "Well, you're right about that. Our Kiara is indeed the strongest of them all."
Rudra stood a short distance away, watching all this in silence. This family, this friendship, this childhood—he had thought that the monsters had snatched these things away from the world forever. But here, everything was alive.
Suddenly, Kiara's large, round eyes landed on Rudra. She became curious upon seeing this new face. She pointed her small finger at him.
"Papa, who is this bhaiya?" Kiara asked innocently.
Vikram looked at Rudra and then smiled at his daughter. "This bhaiya is a new member of our guild. And from now on, he is your big brother, Kiara. He will be staying with us from now on."
Kiara observed Rudra carefully. A child's aura is the purest; they can sense a person's true nature. Kiara saw no threat in Rudra's eyes, only a strange loneliness that she wanted to fill with her smile.
Kiara reached out from Vikram's lap, stretching her tiny hands toward Rudra. "Bhaiya... will you play with me?"
The moment those words hit him, Rudra's entire internal system seemed to come to a halt.
Bhaiya.
No one had called him by that name until today. For the past eight months, he had been called 'garbage,' 'scavenger,' or 'weakling.' He had become a predator who devoured monsters just to survive. But this one tiny, pure voice had melted the ice-cold circuits of his brain.
Rudra struggled to control his emotions. He didn't react coldly as was his habit. He stepped forward, and a deeply kind, humble, and genuine smile appeared on his face—a smile that had perhaps vanished since the day of that car accident eight months ago.
He gently touched Kiara's tiny hand with his own and said in an incredibly soft voice, "Yes... from now on, we will play together every day."
Kiara began clapping happily and bouncing in Vikram's lap. Both Vikram and Raghav saw the sense of belonging in Rudra's eyes. Garud Vajra hadn't just chosen a recruit today; they had chosen a real member of the family. And Rudra had found the purpose he was searching for.
Chapter Summary
Introduction of Kiara: Vikram's 2.5-year-old daughter is introduced, humanizing the Vice-Leader and adding a new emotional layer to the story.
The Contrast: The peaceful atmosphere of Sector 4's garden highlights what is at stake and what Rudra is now fighting to protect.
Rudra's Pivot: Being called "Bhaiya" by Kiara breaks through Rudra's cold, scavenger exterior, giving him a genuine emotional connection to his new "family."
Aura of Innocence: Kiara senses Rudra's loneliness and accepts him instantly, bridging the gap between the predator and humanity.
Status Log
Current Location: Sector 4 Garden, Garud Vajra HQ.
Character Update: Kiara (Vikram's Daughter) added to the database.
Rudra's Emotional State: Transitioning from "Lone Scavenger" to "Protective Brother."
Current MP: 99,820 (B-Rank - Suppressed).
Vikram's MP: 29 Million (Peak A-Rank).