Location: Garud Vajra HQ (Pathway to Sector 4)
Time: 08:30 PM
Date: November 26, 2025
After stepping out of the heavily guarded R&D building in Sector 2, the air suddenly felt light and normal again. The crushing pressure of death and heavy mana inside the vault was left behind.
A peaceful silence had settled over the HQ streets. Under the white glow of the floodlights, Adiraj, Vikram, Raghav, and Rudra walked together toward Sector 4. Walking along, Vikram mentioned in a very casual and relaxed tone that tonight's dinner would be at his house, and Kritika was already waiting for them.
Rudra walked silently beside them, but his internal state was the complete opposite of the calm exterior. Inside the 'Soul Sanctuary' of his mind, Ruin Soul's dark mana was operating at full capacity, burning away the terrifying 'Will' of the two A+ Rank bosses—the Phoenix and the Skeleton. On one side burned a scorching heat, and on the other, a deathly chill. Yet, Rudra did not allow a single trace of this extreme internal clash to show on his face.
As they walked, Adiraj let out a long, exhausted sigh. "I will have to leave for Delhi first thing tomorrow morning," Adiraj said in a calm yet serious voice.
Raghav immediately looked at Adiraj. "So, has the invitation for Shiva's birthday party arrived for Garud Vajra?"
"Yes," Adiraj nodded casually. "The invitation has arrived. I will let you guys know when and how you need to get there when the time comes."
Hearing this, a wide smile spread across Vikram's face. Like an older friend, he lightly patted Adiraj's shoulder and teased, "That's great. The party is going to be incredibly fun this time. The world's most dangerous dungers gathered in one place, great food, a grand gathering... full enjoyment."
Adiraj rubbed his forehead in slight frustration. Vikram was his older friend and Vice-Leader, so he knew Vikram was deliberately teasing him.
"Do not forget that the entire responsibility for this gathering and the nation's security has been placed on my shoulders," Adiraj reminded him sharply. "If even a single glass breaks the wrong way there, it will have a direct impact on global politics."
Vikram couldn't hold back his laughter. Looking at Raghav and Rudra, he said in a completely chilled-out manner, "Brother, we are going to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. Let him take all the tension; after all, he is the Guild Master."
Raghav burst out laughing at that. The atmosphere was exactly like a group of normal friends pulling each other's legs. The most powerful dungers in the world were behaving like ordinary humans. But amidst this joking around, Rudra's calculating mind was processing the absolute threat that the others seemed to be brushing off.
"But..." Rudra's cold, straight voice cut through, instantly halting the ongoing jokes. "...what about the Apex Syndicate?"
That single question made the air heavy once again. The fatigue vanished from Adiraj's face, instantly replaced by the sharp demeanor of an S-Rank leader.
"The only reason I have to go to Delhi a week in advance to prepare the security is because of them, Rudra," Adiraj explained seriously. "Shiva has personally promised the Association that Mason Steele and his S-Rankers will not do anything that threatens India's security. But... we cannot afford to leave any loopholes from our end."
Rudra nodded silently, but the logic inside his brain was saying something entirely different. 'A promise...' Rudra thought to himself. 'The promise of an S-Ranker and an SS-Rank monster only holds value as long as their minds are calm. If those people lose their temper, even half the country's armed forces combined won't be able to stop them. Promises mean absolutely nothing in the face of death.'
This calculation kept Rudra's survival instincts fully alive. He knew the peace at that party would only be a facade.
Time: 09:10 PM
Chatting along the way, the four of them reached the courtyard of Vikram's house in Sector 4. Bright light and the delicious aroma of food spilled from inside.
The moment they stepped into the courtyard, Kiara came running on her tiny legs. "Papa! Chachu!"
A soft smile appeared on Vikram's face. He stepped forward, picked Kiara up, and kissed her cheek. "How is my princess?" Carrying her in his arms, Vikram went inside the house. Adiraj, Raghav, and Rudra followed him in without any formalities.
Kritika welcomed them all and asked them to sit at the dining table. Dinner was served. Everyone at the table went back to normal, cheerful conversations. Adiraj was playing with Kiara, while Raghav discussed new weapons with Vikram.
Rudra ate his food in silence. It was a perfectly warm family dinner. But no one had any idea that while the 19-year-old boy sitting among them looked incredibly calm on the outside, a terrifying war was raging inside him. Within his soul, two A+ Rank entities were putting immense pressure on his mind with all their might, and Ruin Soul was brutally crushing them.
Peace on the outside, a storm on the inside—Rudra had now truly become a bridge between humanity and monsters. He quietly finished his meal. He knew there wasn't much time left before December 4th, and when the world's greatest predators gathered in one place, these new shadow beasts would be his absolute strongest shield.
Chapter Summary
Adiraj's Departure: Adiraj announces he is leaving for Delhi the next morning to manage the security for Shiva's birthday party.
The Invitation: Garud Vajra officially receives the invitation to the high-profile December 4th gathering.
The Apex Threat: Rudra questions the reliability of Mason Steele's "promise," recognizing that treaties are useless against absolute power.
Internal Conflict: Rudra successfully manages the immense mental strain of filtering two A+ Rank bosses while maintaining a calm social exterior.
Domestic Bliss: The chapter ends with a warm dinner at Vikram's house, highlighting the stark contrast between Rudra's peaceful surroundings and the brutal internal war he is fighting.
Status Log
Current Location: Sector 4, Garud Vajra HQ.
Rudra's MP: 380,000 (Peak B-Rank / Entry A-Rank threshold).
Adiraj's MP: 255 Million (S-Rank Sovereign).
Summon Progress: Phoenix (A+ Rank) & Skeleton (A+ Rank) under active filtration in Soul Sanctuary.
Next Major Event: Shiva's Birthday Party / Apex Syndicate Arrival (December 4, 2025).