Near Hanuman Mandir, Outer Delhi
The sky outside had turned bruised black, but inside the old dhaba — cracked tile and fading Bollywood posters — a strange peace settled.
Arjun sat cross-legged on a dusty mattress, chewing through protein bars from the survival pack.
His muscles ached. His shoulder throbbed from a bite that hadn't broken skin — thanks to his vest — but had left behind a cold pain, like frostbite under the skin.
Suddenly, without warning—
Level Up: 2 Reached!
- +5 Stat Points- +1 Random Trait: Grit-Blooded- +1 Passive Skill Point
You may now allocate attributes manually.
Would you like to open your Stat Panel?
Arjun flinched, nearly choking on the last bite. He wiped his mouth, stood up, and nodded.
[Stat Panel – Arjun Rathore, Lv. 2]
Available Stat Points: 5Available Passive Point: 1
Current Core Attributes
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Endurance: 5
Awareness: 6
Willpower: 4
Instinct: 5
Note: Average adult baseline is 5.Stat effects increase exponentially every 10 points.
Trait Gained: Grit-Blooded
"You do not panic. You do not yield."- +10% Resistance to Fear Effects- +20% Stamina Recovery when bleeding- Immune to Mental Panic Triggers below Willpower Tier II
He stared at the glowing interface, breath slowing.
Fear resistance. Panic immunity.
"Exactly what a cop needs in this kind of hell," he muttered.
Then came the decision.
Arjun's Chosen Allocations:
+2 Strength (Now 7) – For faster takedowns, blunt-force efficiency.
+2 Endurance (Now 7) – Because in this world, stamina meant survival.
+1 Awareness (Now 7) – For combat reaction, threat sensing.
Stats Updated.Passive Point Available.
You may now spend your Passive Skill Point:
Tier 1 Passive Skills (Unlocked):
Fast Draw – 25% quicker weapon switching.
Combat Breather – Passive stamina regen in combat.
Focus Lock – Slows time slightly when near death (once per hour).
Police Instinct – 5% chance to pre-spot hidden threats within 10m.
Arjun chose:
- Police Instinct – "Always trust your training."
The moment he selected it, something clicked in his mind — like a sixth sense quietly settling in.
He stood and looked out of the broken wall again. The temple beside him glowed softly in the dark — not visible to satellites or drones, but burning like an ember to the soul.
"Why are they untouched?" he whispered.
No Ravager came near. Even though he could hear them — snarling, howling — they circled wide around the temple's edge.
Spiritual Field Detected: Unknown Protection.
Temple Protection confirmed.
Zone: Minor Sanctum [Hanuman-Aligned]
Warning: Unaligned humans receive no divine aid.
Divine Interest: +1
You are being watched.
The hairs on his neck stood.
A presence. Subtle. Heavy.
The mandir's small stone idol of Bajrangbali glowed faintly. The orange tilak on the statue's brow shimmered. The wind whispered — not words, but intent.
And he suddenly felt like a soldier standing in review before a general made of storms and fire.
You are eligible for Divine Favor – Tier 0 (Locked).
Current Requirements:- Clean Karma Path- Repeated Survival in Sanctums- Known Faith Alignment (Unchosen)- Reputation: Insufficient
Arjun backed away slowly.
This wasn't just science. This wasn't just apocalypse.
This was personal.
He didn't know if he believed in God. But something out there was watching. Choosing. Testing.
He sat back again, pulled out the old police-issued diary he always carried.
The pages were blank. But he opened it anyway.
Wrote four words.
"I'm still on duty."