Someone entered Ayan's house through the door. It was none other than Hardik, Hobin's elder brother, who works at a clothing factory in the city of Tibrot and had come home on leave for a few days. He saw that his mother was talking to a neighboring woman.
"Hardik, my son," she said, her voice choked with happiness.
"Yes, Mother. I've come home on leave for only a few days. Where is the younger one?"
"Hobin has gone to school. He will be back in a little while," his mother said.
Hardik offered a polite nod to the neighboring lady and said with a smile, "How have you been?"
The neighboring lady smiled warmly. "I'm well, my dear. And you… You've changed so much since the last time I saw you!"
"I'm doing well, Aunty," Hardik said with a polite smile.
Hardik's mother shook her head, a hint of worry in her voice. "Alright… but just look at you! You've grown so thin, and still you say you're fine."
"Alright, Mother," Hardik said, glancing toward the door. "I'm going to take a bath now."
Hardik's mother was looking at what he had brought: some clothes, some sweets, and two pieces of cloth for her. She gave some of the sweets to the neighbor woman, who accepted them with a smile and left.
On the other side, after school had let out, Ayan followed his friend Chino to the fight club.
The crowd had gathered, throwing Caraam (Currency) on the fighters as they battled. Each punch was met with gasps and cheers, and bets changed hands with every blow.
At one point, a fighter took a heavy hit and crashed against the back wall. A small crack appeared in the plaster where he hit. The fighter himself was no ordinary brawler—he moved with the precision and skill of someone far beyond ordinary men.
Ayan's mind raced. Could this be… an Omniver? Is this a low-level Omniver of Sequence 7?
The crowd had lost a fortune. Most had bet heavily on the one who went down, and now their Caraam (Currency) lay scattered on the floor, their hopes shattered along with their wagers.
As he walked home, Ayan's mind kept returning to the cracked wall, replaying the scene over and over.
When Ayan came home, he saw someone sitting in a chair, calmly sipping tea.'Hardik Brother,' Ayan said.
"Oh, little one, you're here already? Come, sit beside me. Look what I've brought for you," Hardik said.
Ayan asked with excitement and joy, "What have you brought for me, big brother?"
Hardik reached into the bag beside him and pulled out a neatly folded stack of clothes. The fabrics shimmered subtly, each piece stylish, tailored, and clearly of high quality. "These are for you," Hardik said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thought you could use something decent. Don't just wear old clothes all the time." Ayan's eyes widened. "Whoa… these are amazing! Thank you, big brother!" Hardik chuckled, placing a hand on Ayan's shoulder. "Don't mention it. Just wear them properly."
Then a mischievous thought crossed Ayan's mind: If Hardik got married and his wife came to live here, this house would be full of life… and I could have so much fun playing harmless tricks.
Ayan asked Hardik, "By the way, brother, when will you get married? You're already 25, it's the right time."
Hardik froze for a split second, then exhaled slowly. "Forget about that for now. You focus on your studies, alright? Marriage is not for you to worry about yet."
Ayaan felt disheartened inwardly but didn't say anything, nor did he press the matter further. He's hiding something… maybe one day I'll find out. But for now, I'll let him be.
Ayan's mother said to Ayan, "The little rascal is always bothering his big brother."
Ayan's mother asked him, "Did you eat at school or not?"
Ayan replied, "No."
Then his mother said, "Go upstairs, put your bag down, wash your hands and face, and I'll serve your food."
Ayan's mother asked him, "Did you eat at school or not?"
Ayan replied, "No."
Then his mother said, "Go upstairs, put your bag down, wash your hands and face, and I'll serve your food."
Ayan said, "Okay, Mom."
After Aryan went upstairs, Hardik turned to his mother. "Mom, everything is running smoothly at the factory. Don't worry about things at home, everything will be fine."
His mother's eyes softened with pride and worry. "Hardik… you always think of us. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, too."
"I will, Mom," Hardik said, his voice calm.
On the other side, in Harvard City, someone whispered at the Amina Bar, "Go and take this item to the Good Boy Bar, and bring back fifteen gold Caraams. No one must know that I sent it."
"Very well, Erald," the man replied.
Just then, the man said, "But Erald, what if someone comes after me to snatch my money? What will I do?"
Erald said calmly, "Don't worry. I'll personally take care of anyone who comes after you."
"Okay, fine. Now get out of here quickly," Erald said.
Late at night, at Ayan's house, Ayan was thinking about the fight club. Could that fighter really be an Omniver? And if he is, are most of the fighters at the fight club Omnivers as well?
Could I become an Omniver too? But it would cost a lot, and right now I don't have the money. Damn it… what am I supposed to do to earn money? This money problem exists in every world—universal poverty, everywhere.
I need to find a way back to my own world as soon as possible. Even though I'm enjoying this life, it isn't truly mine. No matter what, I'll have to do something.
Ayan got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. Why Hobin? Why was I transmigrated into your body? Do I have some connection with you?
Who are you, Hobin?