The next morning, Salem's skies were restless—thick clouds rolling like a storm brewing over the city. Mano Kanagaraj walked through the narrow lanes of Kandampatti, gripping a black folder tight against his chest.
Inside that folder was a photocopy of the original land record, signed years ago by Ramasamy, the retired Village Administrative Officer. It directly contradicted the document filed by Arumugam's construction company. The land had never been legally transferred.
And now, Mano had proof.
> [Lex System Update: 1/3 Evidence Secured]
Next Objective: Secure Witness Protection for Ramasamy
Optional Bonus: File Preliminary Complaint at Ammapet Police Station
Mano glanced sideways. The old man walked beside him slowly, coughing every few steps. His legs trembled, not from age—but from fear.
"They'll kill me," Ramasamy said, voice dry. "I don't even have a family left to protect me."
"You're not alone anymore," Mano replied. "The law will protect you. I swear."
They arrived at a small tea stall near the bus stand, far from CCTV cameras and watchful eyes. Mano handed him a burner phone with a special panic alert tied to the Lex System.
"If anything happens, press and hold the green button. It'll notify me and the legal desk."
Ramasamy blinked. "Legal desk?"
Mano smiled slightly. "Let's just say I'm not a one-man army anymore."
---
Later – Ammapet Police Station
Inspector Rafiq sat behind a cluttered desk, wiping his glasses while eyeing Mano with suspicion.
"You're filing a preliminary complaint against Arumugam MLA?" the inspector asked, lowering his voice. "Do you understand what you're doing, sir?"
"I understand that under Section 154 CrPC, you're bound to register an FIR if there's cognizable offence," Mano replied calmly.
He placed a file on the desk. "Forgery under IPC Sections 420, 467, and criminal conspiracy under 120B. This is a legal notice, with a copy going to the SP."
Rafiq didn't move. He was caught between duty and fear. After a tense pause, he sighed.
"I'll forward this to the Superintendent's office. But don't expect anything to move fast."
> [Lex System Notification: FIR Delay Detected]
Recommended Action: Media Leak OR PIL Draft
Mano nodded and walked out.
He knew the game.
---
That Night – Shanmuga TV Newsroom
"We're not allowed to speak against Arumugam on air," said the young news anchor. "Our station manager is... let's just say... generous with political donations."
Mano slid a USB drive across the table. "Do it anonymously. Leak the land records. Say it came from inside the Revenue Department."
The anchor hesitated, then looked at the screen. "If this is real… it'll explode."
> [Lex System Update: Media Pressure – 48%]
Public Interest Level Rising
SP Office Response Pending...
---
Meanwhile – MLA Arumugam's Private Estate
The MLA was a large man with a small temper. His phone buzzed nonstop. On one screen: news reports. On another: the land record leak.
"What nonsense is this?" he growled, slamming the table.
A younger man stepped forward—Thennavan, a local rowdy and Arumugam's enforcer.
"It's that lawyer, Mano. People thought he was dead. Now he's walking around like some ghost. Stirring up trouble."
Arumugam sneered. "I thought he learned his lesson. Finish it this time. No loose ends."
Thennavan nodded. "And the old man?"
"No witnesses. You know the drill."
---
Next Morning – Kandampatti
Mano arrived early to check on Ramasamy, only to find the front gate open and the door swinging.
His heart dropped.
"Ramasamy?"
Inside, the place was ransacked. Furniture flipped. The documents he'd hidden—burnt in the fire pit.
But no sign of the old man.
> [Lex System Alert: Witness Threatened – Status: Unknown]
Urgent: Launch Search Protocol / File Habeas Corpus Writ Petition
Mano clenched his jaw. This wasn't just about land anymore.
It was war.