A spring morning.
An early spring morning.
Birds chirped softly while deer drank from a clear pond. It was a paradise—
a royal paradise.
A heart-soothing melody drifted through the air, gentle and intoxicating, the kind that could make anyone fall in love the moment they heard it.
At the center of it all, Vashir danced, holding someone close, moving as if the world itself existed only for his steps.
"Michael," he murmured dreamily.
"He's far more obedient than I expected. Soon… I'll turn this world into paradise."
He spun lightly, the melody guiding him—
and then he smiled.
"Oh," he said pleasantly,
"Wow. You're here."
Above them, where the sun rested high in the sky, a crack formed.
It spread.
Widened.
Then shattered.
Light vanished.
The sky broke apart like glass, plunging the world into darkness—
and from that rupture Victor descended, a living inferno, a human torch blazing so fiercely that his flames alone illuminated the land.
Vashir tilted his head, unbothered.
"It's been a year since I last saw you," he said lightly.
"Is there a mission you want me to do? Probably not… or do you need information on something?"
Victor didn't waste a breath.
"Where is Michael?"
Vashir chuckled.
"Ah… the Night Reaper, is it? Well, I don't know."
Victor's voice dropped, heavy with threat.
"Vashir, listen carefully. Whatever scheme you're planning—world domination, annihilation—I don't fucking care.
Don't come near him."
Vashir's smile widened.
"Domination? Annihilation?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I choose annihilation. But if I do that… wouldn't Michael be annihilated too?"
The answer came in fire.
Victor erupted, flames exploding outward, a shockwave tearing through the paradise. Heat slammed into Vashir—but he raised a shield instantly, parrying the blast.
Still, the royal paradise burned.
Trees ignited.
Water hissed into steam.
The sky itself seemed to scream.
"I will burn you alive," Victor growled.
Vashir only smiled.
"Sure,I am very happy to burn alive."
Victor glared at him, fury blazing brighter than his flames.
Vashir didn't care.
He smiled until his eyes closed, savoring the moment.
Then Victor rose again, blasting through the illusionary sky as it shattered apart, flames trailing behind him as he vanished beyond the burning horizon.
Silence followed.
Vashir exhaled softly.
"Alright… leave him," he said calmly.
"Let's enjoy our moment."
The melody resumed.
Vashir lifted his arms and began to dance once more, holding someone unseen, spinning gracefully atop the burning royal paradise.
The world was dark.
But the flames lit it all.
The next day morning,
The front gate of the Copper Horn Boar training ground.
Grand name for what was basically a fenced-off slaughterhouse where shiny-eyed kids walked in and zipped-up body bags rolled out.
Now, I know what you're thinking—are they brainless, charging in to die like that?
Answer's yes. Of course yes.
But put yourself in their shoes. What would you do if someone dangled a chance to change your life? Sit on your ass until it rots into the chair? Or crawl, bleed, and gamble everything for even the slimmest shot?
Even ants claw their way to the dawn. So why not six-sense bugs like us?
But enough philosophy—back to this fucking circus.
The guards did their job the same way every guard does: badly.
One leaned on his spear, eyes drooping.
"Yesterday… you hear the screams? Monster, maybe?"
The other yawned like he'd been born tired.
"Yeah. Probably tore each other apart. Who cares? We guard the gate. What happens inside—that's the higher-ups' problem."
Then he laughed. And then both of them laughed.
Meanwhile, Ajay Meer—second in command after Vyaan Sahay with unknown age but just by looking at him everyone could find that he was an old guy, founded the C.O.S.M.O.S and also the only man who met the Immovable, man God "Dhruva"
He stood tall before his shiny-eyed recruits. His voice rang out like gospel to the young aspirant C.O.S.M.O.S recruits.
"Welcome, trainees, to the training grounds of Central Organization for Strategic Monster Obliteration and Security, C.O.S.M.O.S!"
Everyone cheered as their role model and the most powerful man in the indravana dominion was standing before them.
Ajay launched into the chakra sermon, hands waving as he spoke.
"Humans consist of seven chakras. Each chakra holds a unique power.
They are:
Stone Chakra,
Blaze Chakra,
Volt Chakra,
Heart Chakra,
Echo Chakra,
Mind Chakra,
Crown Chakra."
He continued without pause.
"As the name suggests, each chakra has its own affinity.
Stone chakra resonates with all kinds of minerals.
Blaze chakra commands fire and flame.
Volt chakra governs electricity.
Heart chakra carries healing power.
Mind chakra influences everything shaped by thought and will.
And the Crown chakra…"
He slowed, letting the words sink in.
"…is transcendence itself—a power rarely seen in humans."
Ajay straightened.
"Every human in this world possesses all seven chakras. But not everyone can activate them. Those who can are called Channelers. Those who cannot…"
He smiled.
"…are Dulls."
"So be proud," he said. "You are able to activate your chakras."
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd. Faces lit up. Pride swelled in their chests.
Then Ajay dropped the hammer.
"Theory means nothing without practice. To grow into warriors of C.O.S.M.O.S, you must fight!"
His voice hardened.
"Based on your performance inside, we will assign your C.O.S.M.O.S rankings—
E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, or SSS."
The mood shifted instantly. Smiles faded. Spines stiffened.
Ajay continued, cold and sharp,
"So now… let's prove what you're worth."
The cheer that followed was deafening.
Like fish worshipping the knife.
The guards finally had something to do besides scratching themselves. They swung open the gates, and the herd shuffled inside.
The chatter was predictable.
"Let's see what kind of beast we're fighting!" one puffed, chest swollen with fake courage.
"It's only an E-rank. We'll be fine if we stay sharp," another muttered, knuckles white around his blade.
Every body with hopes and delightment in their eyes they roamed and reached the hunting grounds. But for their shock,
And then—silence.
The herd stopped. Mouths hung open. Eyes wide as if someone had stolen their souls mid-breath.
"What the fuck happened here?"
The Copper Horn Boars, the very monsters they were meant to train against, sprawled dead across the dirt. Massive carcasses split, blood painting the earth like spilled ink.
But it wasn't the corpses that froze them—it was the corpse.
The Iron Hide Copper Horn Boar. The boss. Dead.
Killed clean. Precise. Like it hadn't even had time to fight back.
Ajay staggered, like his script stolen. The trainees trembled, their script shredded.
Training day had officially gone off the rails.
Meanwhile, Michael ?
He leaned back on my "park" bench in the outcast slums. Cracked cement, weeds for grass, one rusted swing clinging to life. The bench was so lopsided Michael had to lean sideways just to stay on it. Perfect throne for an outcast like him.
Michael flicked open my profile window.
CORE COMBAT STATS
Strength: 19
Agility: 19
Endurance: 19
Vitality: 19
Black Essence Capacity: 3400 / 4000
Petal Stage: 1 / 24
Michael thought to himself,"Cute. All nineteens. Enough to bully an E-rank mutt. But that D-rank yesterday? Yeah, almost made hamburger out of me.
Tapping Strength popped a window:
"+1 for 500 Black Essence Units."
He groaned.
"Five hundred? For one lousy point?"
+1 Agility: 400
+1Endurance: 400
+1Vitality: 500
Michael dragged his hand down on his face.
"Great. A grindfest. A paywall. Except instead of cash, the currency is blood and dead monsters."
In other words—hunt. Or "harvest," as the system politely put it.
He muttered,
Inventory check:
30× Copper Horns
30× Copper Horn Boar Meat
1× Ironhide
5× Ironhide Copper Horn Meat
1× Ironhide Copper Horn Boar
"Nice," he muttered. "Portable fridge with infinite shelf life. At least I don't have to play butcher every damn time."
Then he tapped Petal Stage.
"Cooldown time for next stage: 119:49:27… 26… 25…"
"Guess I'll grind until then."
Michael stretched, bones creaking, sighed. "Same cycle. Hunt. Harvest. Level. Repeat".
Then a new window flashed.
"Someone is watching you."
Michael lips curled into a grin.
"Well, well. Saved me the trouble."
He rose from his crooked throne. Turned.
"Vashir."
Vashir stood there, smirking like a thief caught red-handed but still proud.
"Glad to see you in one piece," he said.
Michael arched a brow. "Really? That's your opener? Bring me a straw hat next time if you want to impress me."
Vashir chuckled. "Of course—after you give me what I asked for."
Michael snapped my fingers. Ten copper horns slammed into the dirt, dust spiraling up. The onlookers gasped. They knew where it came from. Vashir didn't. Not yet.
His eyes narrowed.
"So… awakened your Mind Chakra, out of nowhere."
"Do I need to answer that?" Michael replied, flat.
Vashir shook his head. "Not necessary. But next time, I'll bring the hat."
Michael scoffed. "Stick to the deal. We agreed on terms."
For that Vashir smiled, sly. "So you do remember." He pulled a USB drive from thin air and handed it over.
Michael with curiosity and at the same time with huge doubt turned it over. "What's on it?"
Victor with sly smile,
"The valuable information Victor wanted."
And Michael replied with another questio,
"And what's actually on it?"
He smirked. "Do I need to answer?"
Michael grin cut sharp. "Not necessary."
And then Michael brushed dust off his palms. "Well… goodbye."
And then Michael turned, halfway gone, when his voice struck, Vashir's voice —not a request, not a plea. A command.
"Work for me."
Michael froze. Smiled crooked. Of course. "The fox finally bared his teeth on me" thought by Michael.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
SIDE MISSION: Work for Vashir
Rewards: Relationship increase with Vashir.
Bonus: Money?? Information??
The bastard knew. And Michael? He was curious enough to play.