It was night time. On the street outside the Apex Predators Company building, there was only one motorcycle parked — and beside it stood Rohan, hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the company's entrance.
Meena came out.
Rohan: Come on, sit on my motorcycle. I'll drop you home.
There was concern in Meena's eyes — she hesitated.
Meena: I need to meet Aaryan. Is he in trouble?
Rohan: He should be fine for now.
Meena thought for a moment, then sat on the motorcycle.
Meena: Can I ask you a question?
Rohan smiled lightly.
Rohan: Go ahead. I know the most about Hunters.
Meena: Can we defeat a Hunter with a higher rank than us?
Rohan started the motorcycle — the engine's sound echoed through the night's silence.
Rohan: First, you need to understand how Awakening works. The most important thing is physical strength. When a person becomes extremely physically strong — then a seal inside breaks. After that, Mana Energy starts flowing into the body.
Meena listened carefully. The motorcycle continued moving down the street.
Rohan: Our body is not a machine... it's a limiter. The body takes only as much Mana Energy as it can handle. If more comes, the body breaks. That's why there's no limit to power — but there is a limit to a human's body. Based on this, a Hunter's rank is determined.
Meena: If we train, can we increase our rank?
Rohan shook his head.
Rohan: No. The amount of Mana Energy you get is decided at the time of Awakening. Once you get a rank, it cannot be changed.
Meena: Then how do we increase our strength?
Rohan: There are three ways. First — understand your power well. Second — experience in combat. Third — strategy and teamwork. With these three things, you can defeat even a higher-ranked Hunter than yourself. And you can increase your strength too.
Meena: What if we fight cleverly?
Rohan smiled.
Rohan: Maybe... but most clever people don't have much power.
Rohan was absorbed in the conversation — his eyes on Meena, not on the road.
And then —
A black car came speeding toward them from ahead.
CRASH!
The motorcycle and car collided. Rohan and Meena fell to the ground along with the motorcycle. The sound of metal echoed on the street.
Rohan spoke while getting up in pain: Who drives a car at such high speed?
The car door opened — a girl stepped out.
Girl: Are you hurt badly?
Rohan: If you can't drive a car properly, why did you buy one?
The girl extended her hand. Rohan thought — to help him up. But it went toward Meena, taking her hand and helping her up.
Girl: Are you okay?
Then she looked toward Rohan.
Girl: Is he your boyfriend?
Meena: No, he's my brother's friend.
Rohan: Meena, do you know this girl?
Meena: Don't you know? She's Rudra Pratap's daughter.
Rohan looked at her once from top to bottom.
Rohan: Yes, I've heard. Your name is Kavita?
Kavita: Why weren't you paying attention on the road?
Rohan: By the way, when did you come to India?
Kavita: I came to meet Aditya.
Rohan: Without any security? Isn't your life in danger?
There was a slight fatigue in Kavita's voice.
Kavita: I ran away from my house. So I could meet Aditya. My father forbade me from leaving the house.
And then a voice came from behind — cold, calm, and dangerous.
???: You should have listened to your father.
???: You're going to die by my hands.
Kavita turned around.
At the far end of the street, a man stood — a dragon mask on his face. Mana Energy was slowly being released around his body, the air had become heavy.
Kavita's feet froze for a moment.
Rohan spoke softly: This masked man... is very strong. A high-ranked Hunter.
Kavita gathered courage.
Kavita: Don't you know, I'm Rudra Pratap's daughter?
Masked Man: That's exactly why I'm here to kill you.
Kavita: There are three of us here, and you're alone. We can defeat you.
Meena: Not three, two. Because Rohan is not a Hunter.
Kavita looked at Rohan once.
Kavita: Making such a weak person your boyfriend... that's foolish.
Meena: He's not my boyfriend — understand that.
Rohan remained silent. But those words hurt him deeply.
The Masked Man's voice came again.
Masked Man: Rohan and Meena... you both leave here. I only need to kill Kavita. That's my mission. If you interfere... I'll kill you too.
Meena took a step forward in front of Kavita.
Meena: Before you kill Kavita... you'll have to pass over my dead body.
Two conflicting thoughts crashed together in Rohan's mind —
I should run away from here with Meena... we can't defeat him.
But if I leave Kavita... Rudra Pratap won't let us live.
Masked Man: So be it... get ready to die.
The very next moment he disappeared.
And appeared right in front of Meena — his sword gleamed in the air.
Meena ducked down to avoid it and stepped back, breathing hard.
Meena: His speed is very high...
The Masked Man turned toward Kavita — Kavita barely escaped. Then he lunged at Rohan. Rohan dodged the sword — but the very next moment a punch landed in his stomach. He fell backward, his breath knocked out.
Meena kicked from behind — but on the Masked Man it was like a leaf falling.
He turned.
And a powerful slap landed on Meena's face — Meena fell to the ground far away.
Both Rohan and Meena were injured. Their hands trembled as they tried to get up.
The Masked Man took steps toward Kavita. Kavita kept stepping back — her back hit the wall. The Masked Man pulled a knife from inside his coat, the blade gleamed in the night's light.
Rohan and Meena shouted together —
"Kavita!!!"