Time: 10:15 AM
Date: December 1, 2025
Location: Shiva's Bungalow (Garden & Dining Hall)
Beneath the soft morning sun, the world's most powerful hunter and his elite team were laughing like ordinary civilians under Dada-ji's scolding. Dada-ji tapped his cane on the ground, issuing a final command to the four newcomers: "Enough with the grinning. Get inside and sit down for breakfast. The other guests are already there."
Adiraj, who had been standing by the glass door for several minutes processing this illogical scene, didn't move. His mind, the gears of the Garud Vajra Master, was still hunting for the logic behind this infiltration. As Mason Steele, Jon, Genevieve, and Maya moved to enter, Adiraj didn't block their path, but his question was cold and direct.
"If your private stealth jet landed last night," Adiraj's voice was steady, "how did you arrive here only this morning? And where did you stay through the night?"
Mason Steele (Rank 1), a man whose name forced world governments to rewrite their security protocols, wasn't offended. His nature remained laid-back. Shoving his hands into his coat pockets, he replied casually.
"Relax, Adiraj," Mason said with a faint smile. "We stayed at a hotel in Delhi. We knew arriving late at night would disturb everyone's sleep, and we didn't want to be a nuisance. So, we came now." He patted Adiraj's shoulder. "Now, where is the rest of the party? And where is our birthday boy hiding?"
"He's inside having breakfast with the others," Adiraj replied, gesturing toward the dining hall.
The Tactical Blind Spot
Mason and Jon entered the hall, followed by Genevieve and Maya. Adiraj trailed behind, his eyes scanning their every movement. He expected them to feel out of place, perhaps waiting for a formal introduction as foreign VVIPs.
Instead, Adiraj's tactical logic shattered.
Mason and Jon walked directly to the section of the table where the Mother, Father, and Dadi were seated. Without a hint of hesitation or foreign formality, the Rank 1 Hunter and his 0 MP friend bowed and touched the feet of the elders.
"Pranam, Aunty. Pranam, Uncle," Mason said in a familiar, respectful tone. Jon smiled as he did the same for Dadi.
The parents beamed at them. "Mason, beta! Jon, beta! How are you both? You've both grown so thin," the Mother said, stroking their heads as if they were neighborhood kids rather than global anomalies.
Adiraj froze. According to N.D.A.I. intelligence, this was the Apex Syndicate's first official tour of India. How did they know the local customs so perfectly? Why was the family so familiar with them?
The reality hit Adiraj: Mason and Jon had been here before, secretly. There was no data on when or how many times they had stayed at this house. It was a massive blind spot that had completely bypassed his surveillance network.
The Bhojpuri Banter & Sisterly Checks
The new entry caught everyone's attention. Shiva looked up from his Dosa, a mix of mock annoyance and brotherhood in his eyes.
"When did you guys get here?" Shiva asked. "You didn't even tell me. I would have come out to welcome you myself."
Jin-Woo Park, currently piling extra samosas onto his plate, chimed in while chewing. "How would you welcome him this time? With more Bhojpuri songs or some new funk beat?"
Shiva countered with a laugh, "Any song would do, brother. Does our country lack variety?" The dining table erupted in laughter, shifting the morning silence back into a high-energy vibe.
Meanwhile, Genevieve Roux (Rank 12) scanned the room for one person. Seeing Sierra seated right next to Shiva, she walked over. Genevieve had always been a mother-figure within Apex, especially protective of an orphan like Sierra.
"Are you having any trouble here, Sia?" she asked softly. She feared the girl, raised as a military-grade weapon, might be overwhelmed by the domestic noise.
Sierra looked up. Her eyes held no fear. She offered a genuine smile. "No, Gen. Everyone is giving me so much love here... they are all very kind." Seeing her so relaxed lifted a massive weight from Genevieve's heart.
The Breakfast Trap & The Unseen Monster
The Mother and Father soon turned their attention to Genevieve and Maya. "Beta, why are you standing there? Come, sit and have breakfast," the Father urged, gesturing to the empty chairs.
Maya Lin (Rank 18) looked at the heavy spread—Samosas, Kachoris, Dosas. Her tactical mind was screaming warnings about calories and heavy carbs.
"No, Uncle, thank you," Genevieve declined politely. "We don't usually eat such heavy food in the morning. Our diets are very strict."
Before the Mother could argue, Genevieve noticed Mason and Jon. Their Guild Master and his friend were already seated, devouring Dosa and Sambhar as if they were at home.
"Don't listen to their diet talk," Jon said, taking a bite of a samosa. "Give them plates; they'll eat everything. They're just making excuses."
The elders persisted with such stubborn warmth that Genevieve's elegance and Maya's tactical logic crumbled. They were forced to sit and begin eating.
The Irony of the Glitch
In the living area, Rudra was playing on the carpet with Kabir and Kiara. He was sharp, cold, and observant. He knew foreign guests had arrived, but like the elders, he had no idea they were S-Rankers.
Rudra's mind was fixated on one target: The Leader of the Apex Syndicate, Mason Steele.
He didn't view Mason as an idol; he had no emotional investment. He was simply curious: what does the 'Monster' who makes world armies tremble actually look like? He wanted to see his aura, his presence, his bloodlust.
Rudra glanced toward the dining table. He saw new faces among Shiva's friends. His eyes landed on Mason, who was currently licking Sambhar off his fingers and laughing at one of Jon's jokes. There was zero threat level and zero aura.
Rudra turned back to the toys. He applied cold logic to the situation. "These all seem like Shiva-bhai's ordinary friends. I wonder when the Apex Monster will actually land."
The greatest irony of the summit was playing out in that room. The Monster Rudra was waiting for was sitting ten feet away, eating his grandmother's breakfast, and Rudra didn't have the slightest clue.
Chapter Summary
The Infiltration Logic: Mason and Jon explain their early arrival as a courtesy to avoid disturbing sleep.
The Intelligence Gap: Adiraj realizes Mason and Jon have a secret, unrecorded history with Shiva's family.
Maternal Subjugation: Even the Rank 12 and Rank 18 female Sovereigns are defeated by the "Indian Mother's" insistence on eating a heavy breakfast.
The Invisible Apex: Mason Steele perfectly masks his 20 Billion MP, appearing as a "0 MP" civilian to Rudra and the sensors.
Rudra's Miscalculation: Rudra observes the world's strongest man but dismisses him as an "ordinary friend," waiting for a threat that is already in the house.