📖 Chapter 39 – The Flood Breaks
The winds of betrayal had tested Raj's empire, but now the sky darkened with something greater. The rivals Shankar had gathered—the jealous vendors, the bitter traders, the envious suppliers—no longer moved as scattered whispers. They moved together, united by Shankar's poison.
The storm had become a flood.
The Strike Begins
It started at dawn. At the Dadar stall, delivery boys never arrived. At the temple stall, volunteers shouted openly that Raj's food was unclean, turning devotees away. At the cinema stall, goons blocked customers, demanding "donations" before anyone could approach. Even the corporate stall faced trouble: fake health inspectors barged in, waving forged documents, claiming Raj's food was "unsafe."
By midday, chaos rippled across all five stalls. Customers grew restless, whispers sharpened into doubt, and angry voices rose.
Shankar watched from a safe distance, laughter spilling from his throat. "Let him fight one stall, two stalls—but not five at once. Let him drown in his own empire."
Raj on the Move
At the hostel, Raj's panel blazed with warnings:
[Crisis: Coordinated Multi-Front Attack.]
Stalls in Danger: 5/5
Risk: Collapse of Reputation
Raj inhaled sharply, his chest tightening, but fear didn't take root. Instead, calm spread through him, sharpened by the fire of Leadership Aura. He rose from his chair, his voice like thunder.
"Arjun, you're with me at Dadar. Meena, take the temple. Rohit, the cinema. Imran, the corporate stall. I'll move between all of you. Today we don't defend stalls—we defend our name. Go!"
They scattered like arrows loosed from a bow.
Dadar Market
At the market, customers argued, demanding answers for missing food. Arjun stood on the counter, shouting above the noise. "Our supplies are late, but Raj bhaiya is here! He never cheats, never fails!"
Raj arrived with sacks carried on his own back, sweat dripping but aura blazing. He placed them down, cooking instantly, filling the air with rich aromas. The crowd, restless moments ago, now cheered as plates flew into their hands.
[Crisis Averted: Dadar Stall Stabilized.]
Morale +20.
Temple Grounds
Meena arrived to find volunteers blocking customers, shouting, "This food is unfit for offerings!" Her sharp eyes scanned the scene, and she spoke with a voice like steel. "If you doubt, then let the priest decide again. Truth does not hide."
The priest, remembering Raj's honesty, tasted once more and declared loudly, "This food is clean. Lies have no place in the temple." Devotees roared in support, shaming the whisperers into retreat.
[Crisis Averted: Temple Stall Restored.]
Community Trust +25.
Cinema Stall
Rohit faced goons twice his size. They sneered, blocking the crowd. "Pay first, eat later." For once, Rohit's pride worked in his favor—his temper flared, his fists clenched. "No one blocks Raj's name."
With a roar, he pushed through, throwing the first thug aside. The crowd, inspired, surged forward, driving the goons away. Customers laughed, praising not just the food but the courage.
Raj arrived moments later, placing a firm hand on Rohit's shoulder. For the first time, Rohit didn't pull away.
[Crisis Averted: Cinema Stall Protected.]
Team Loyalty +20.
Corporate Stall
Imran trembled as fake inspectors waved documents. "Unsafe food! Shut it down!" they barked. Customers hesitated, murmuring nervously.
But Imran remembered Raj's words—flame in our spirit. He stood tall, voice shaking but clear. "Raj's Fusion Eats has nothing to hide. Test our food here, in front of everyone!"
The crowd demanded proof. The inspectors faltered, their lies exposed. Security escorted them out as cheers erupted. Raj arrived in time to see Imran serving confidently, pride glowing in his young eyes.
[Crisis Averted: Corporate Stall Defended.]
Imran's Confidence +30.
The Flood Recedes
By evening, all five stalls stood firm, the flood crashing against them but never breaking through. Customers praised their resilience, reporters flocked to cover the chaos, and whispers turned into admiration.
"Even with enemies everywhere, Raj's team never failed us."
"They fought liars, goons, even fake officials—and still fed us."
"This isn't just food. This is an empire of trust."
The system flared brilliantly:
[Main Quest: Survive the Storm of Rivals – Complete.]
Reward: Leadership Aura (Level 2) Unlocked.
Reward: Regional Monopoly Status Achieved.
Raj exhaled deeply as the glow washed over him. His aura expanded, stronger, sharper, radiating through his team like fire in their veins. His empire had not drowned—it had risen higher, forged in the flood.
Shankar's Defeat
Far away, Shankar raged as reports poured in. His allies grumbled, some slipping away. "He's too strong. Every attack only makes him bigger."
Shankar smashed a chair, veins bulging in fury. "Then you are cowards! If storms and floods cannot break him, then I will! I don't care if I burn myself—I'll drag him down if it's the last thing I do!"
But his allies had seen enough. One by one, they turned away, leaving Shankar alone in his fury, his "coalition" crumbling like sand.
Raj's Quiet Victory
That night, on the hostel roof, Raj stood with his team, the city lights glittering below. His aura glowed faintly, wrapping around them like warmth.
Arjun grinned proudly. "Bhaiya, we faced five enemies at once—and still won!"
Meena nodded. "Our systems held. Our trust held. That's why we stand."
Rohit muttered, but with a faint smile, "I'll admit it—today, I was proud to fight under your name."
Imran whispered, eyes shining, "We're really an empire now, aren't we?"
Raj looked at them all, his voice calm but filled with fire. "We faced the flood. We did not drown. From today, no rival can claim Mumbai. This city knows our name—and now, the world will too."
The panel shimmered one final time:
[New Arc Unlocked: Beyond the City – Regional Expansion.]
Next Goal: Establish Presence in 3 Neighboring Cities.
Reward: National Recognition.
Raj clenched his fists, determination burning brighter than ever. "The storm is over. The flood is past. Now, we march."