Rain-soaked Mumbai streets at 2 AM.
Aryan Khanna, 22-year-old engineering dropout, was walking home after the worst night of his life.
His phone buzzed one last time.
Rohan (Best Friend): "Bro, sorry yaar. Priya ne mujhe choose kiya. Tu sach mein kuch nahi hai uske liye. Move on."
Aryan stared at the message, tears mixing with rain.
He had trusted Rohan with everything – money, secrets, even introduced him to Priya.
And they both stabbed him in the back.
"Bas... enough," he whispered. "Kal se badal jaunga. No more nice guy."
Headlights blinded him.
A massive truck horn blared.
Brakes screeched too late.
Impact.
Darkness.
Pain for one eternal second.
Then nothing.
[Death Confirmed]
[Soul Transfer Initiated]
[Host Compatibility: 99.9%]
[Welcome to Vengeance Devourer System – The Path of Absolute Retribution]
Aryan's eyes snapped open.
He was lying on cold stone, naked except for dirty rags. Chains on his wrists.
Around him – medieval dungeon smell, screams echoing from distant cells.
"What the fu—"
A blue holographic screen floated in front of his face like a VR game gone wrong.
Host: Aryan Khanna
Previous World: Earth
Current Identity: Aric Valthorne – Trash Son of Fallen Baron Valthorne
Status: Slave (Sold by own family to Blackrock Mine)
Level: 1
HP: 45/100 (Malnourished)
Strength: 3 | Agility: 4 | Vitality: 5 | Intelligence: 12 | Luck: -5 (Cursed by Betrayal)
Unique System: Vengeance Devourer
Core Ability: Devour Betrayal – Absorb pain, lies, hatred, and betrayal from others to gain stats, skills, and vengeance points.
First Vengeance Mark: Rohan & Priya (Earth) – Unresolved
Penalty: If no vengeance consumed in 72 hours → Soul Collapse
Aryan laughed bitterly. "Even in another world, I'm trash?"
Footsteps.
A fat guard with a whip entered the cell. "Oi, new meat! Wake up! Work starts in ten minutes or I break your legs!"
Aryan looked up. His body felt weak, ribs showing, but his mind was sharp.
[Betrayal Detection Activated]
[Target: Guard Harlan]
[Hidden Truth: Received bribe from your stepmother to 'accidentally' kill you in the mines within a week]
Aryan's eyes narrowed.
Stepbrother? Stepmother? Family betrayal again?
Familiar rage boiled up – same as when Rohan stole Priya.
"Guard," Aryan said weakly, "please... mera bhai ne mujhe yahan bheja hai. Woh mujhe maarna chahta hai."
Harlan smirked. "Your brother? That noble prick? He paid me good gold to make sure you disappear quietly. Don't worry, it'll be quick."
[Strong Betrayal Detected!]
[Vengeance Devour Activated – Do you wish to consume?]
"Yes," Aryan whispered in his mind.
A dark, delicious energy rushed into him like fire in veins.
The guard's smirk froze. He clutched his chest. "What the—argh!"
[Successfully Devoured Minor Betrayal]
+15 Vengeance Points
Strength +4
Agility +3
New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Whisper (Lv.1) – Whisper commands that force weak minds to obey (success rate 40%)
HP Restored to 80/120
Aryan stood up slowly. Chains felt lighter.
Harlan fell to his knees, sweating. "H-how...?"
Aryan smiled for the first time. Cold. Dangerous.
"Shadow Whisper."
His voice was low, venomous. "Unlock my chains. Then slit your own throat."
Guard's eyes glazed over. Trembling hands obeyed.
Click. Chains fell.
Harlan raised his dagger to his neck—
Aryan stopped him. "Wait. First tell me everything about this mine, my 'family', and how to escape."
Information poured out.
The Valthorne family had fallen after his real father died suspiciously. Stepmother and stepbrother sold Aryan as slave to cover debts.
Mine was owned by Duke Blackrock – cruel tyrant who used slaves for forbidden mana crystals.
Escape tunnel existed in the deepest level – guarded heavily.
[New Quest Generated: First Taste of Revenge]
Objective: Kill Guard Harlan and escape the initial cell block
Reward: 100 Vengeance Points + Random Skill + Level Up
Bonus: Devour the entire mine's hatred for massive power surge
Aryan looked at the trembling guard.
"Finish it."
Slash. Blood sprayed. Guard collapsed, dead.
[Quest Progress: 20%]
Aryan took the keys, dagger, and guard's cloak. His body felt stronger already.
He stepped into the dark corridor. Torches flickered. Distant cries of other slaves.
But in his heart – only one thought.
"Rohan. Priya. My so-called family here. Everyone who betrayed me..."
Aryan's eyes glowed faintly red.
"I will devour you all."
Far away, in the noble mansion, a mirror cracked suddenly.
A voice echoed in the void:
"The Devourer has awakened."
To be continued...