The scorching sun blazed mercilessly over the streets of Agra.
It felt as if the sky itself was raining fire. Under that burning heat, a thin young boy walked alone along the road. The harsh rays fell directly on his head, drenching his entire body in sweat.
He wore loose, worn-out clothes, and a tattered bag hung from his back. His face was filled with exhaustion and worry. The lines on his forehead silently spoke of the burdens he carried.
Hot winds lashed against his face, turning it red.
People passing by glanced at him strangely… as if he didn't belong in this world.
His name was—Yuvraj Singh.
As he walked, Yuvraj muttered to himself—
"The cycle chain broke today… I need to fix that too…"
"My sister's school fees… haven't been paid for six months…"
"House rent… Mom's hospital expenses…"
He took a deep breath.
"Whatever money I earn… it all disappears there…"
His fists clenched slightly.
The year was 2040.
If everything hadn't changed ten years ago… the world would have been completely different today.
Just two years ago, everything was normal—
Children going to school…
People going to work…
Laughing with friends…
Spending time with family…
But then—
In 2030… the world changed.
Suddenly, strange circular portals began appearing across different parts of the Earth.
People gave them one name—
"The Gates of Hell…"
Because from those portals emerged—
Terrifying… brutal… unimaginable monsters.
Their power was beyond human understanding.
Bullets… useless.
Tanks and missiles… ineffective.
Even entire armies couldn't stand against them.
And then began—
A massacre.
Monsters slaughtered humans like insects.
Children, elders, women… no one was spared.
Each portal released different kinds of creatures—
Some gigantic and overwhelmingly powerful…
Others small… but equally deadly.
In just ten years…
80% of humanity was wiped out.
People prayed to God…
Begged… cried…
But when no answer came—
Their faith shattered.
And then—
It wasn't just monsters that came through the portals…
Strange parasites began to appear as well.
And that's when—
Miracles began.
Some humans started gaining powers through those parasites.
They were called—
"Awakened…"
And those who fought the monsters—
Were known as "Seekers…"
Now, they were humanity's last hope.
To some, they were heroes…
To others, gods.
But the truth was—
This was only the beginning…
"Yuvraj… you're here?"
A familiar voice suddenly reached his ears.
Yuvraj looked up—
A beautiful girl stood before him… with a team of Seekers behind her.
"What happened, Yuvraj? Why are you so late?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
She looked around 19. Big eyes, long black hair… and in her black-orange safety suit, she looked striking.
Yuvraj was slightly surprised.
"Anjali Sharma… you?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You were my school friend… and now you've become an Awakened Seeker…"
Anjali smiled softly.
"And you didn't forget your promise, right? You were going to treat me."
Yuvraj immediately remembered yesterday—
When he had been badly injured inside a Dungeon…
And Anjali had healed his wounds with her magic.
A small smile formed on his lips.
"It feels good… when someone cares about you…"
"Yeah… of course," Yuvraj replied.
"Let's just clear today's dungeon… then we'll go."
Inside, Yuvraj thought—
"I'm just a porter… my job is to carry things…"
"Every time I enter a dungeon… death stands right in front of me…"
"But I can't die…"
"My little sister… she has no one but me…"
Then—
He looked ahead.
Six people stood together… wearing black-orange suits.
A Seeker team.
From among them, a man around 40 stepped forward.
His face was stern… eyes sharp… not a trace of a smile.
"Good morning, sir…" Yuvraj said, bowing slightly.
The man's lips curled faintly.
"It's Good afternoon, Yuvraj."
Yuvraj stammered—
"S-sorry, sir… my cycle broke down…"
The team leader's face hardened with anger.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and spoke calmly—
"Yuvraj… I've found a job for you."
"One of my friends needs a servant. You should go work there."
Yuvraj's heart sank.
"Sir… I won't be late again… please don't remove me…"
"You can leave."
The team leader cut him off.
"How can you say that?!" Anjali's voice rang out.
"Yuvraj is part of our team too!"
The leader looked at her.
"Anjali… you know how weak he is."
"He's been close to death many times."
"Today we're clearing a Blue Rank Dungeon."
"I'm at Bishop Stage myself… and even I know it's dangerous."
"Yuvraj is just a porter…"
"For him… it's suicide."
Anjali fell silent.
She knew—
He wasn't wrong.
Then—
Yuvraj spoke in a low voice—
"It's okay, sir… just give me the number… I'll talk to him."
"Yuvraj! How can you accept this job?" Anjali protested.
"Servants there aren't treated like humans… they're treated like animals!"
Yuvraj looked at her…
And gave a faint smile.
"At least… someone cares about me…"
The team leader sighed, pretending sadness.
"I don't want to remove you either… but I have no choice."
"We need to increase our rank… and for that, we must enter dangerous dungeons…"
"And if something happens to you… then?"
Anjali remained silent.
Yuvraj took the number…
And without saying anything more, he turned and walked away.
As he left, he looked back one last time—
At his team…
At Anjali…
His heart felt heavy.
And then—
Silently…
He walked forward.