The moment he heard those words from Vishwajeet's mouth, cold beads of sweat appeared on his face. Besides that, he could also clearly understand the reason for the presence of the person standing right in front of him.
Vishwajeet slowly advanced toward Rahul. Every step echoed in that silent room. He stopped right in front of Rahul.
"You've grown quite a lot…" he said, taking a cold breath. "But look at fate—you're still as weak as your father was."
Even after hearing this, Rahul could do nothing but clench his fists in anger.
Then Vishwajeet, letting his words flow further, said—
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to make such mistakes even after being warned about the dangers."
Rahu, despite being angry, bowed his head and said,
"Forgive me, Black Commander. I was a bit careless during the mission. It won't happen again next time."
Aryan watched all this quietly. He didn't speak because he knew that these were the words that could make Rahul stronger and prevent the fire inside him from extinguishing.
Even after hearing this, there was no change on Vishwajeet's face. He said in a calm voice—
"This explanation of yours is of no use to me. When you reach the tribe, the elders there will judge your mistakes."
Then, with a slightly serious tone, he added,
"By the way, I received some important news—some unknown people are hiding nearby, waiting for an opportunity."
He then turned his gaze toward Aryan and respectfully bowed—
"Young Master Aryan, an important message has arrived for you from the tribe."
Aryan nodded, signaling him to continue. Vishwajeet continued—
"Young Master, the elders have ordered that you cannot stay here for much longer. Moreover, your final test will be over in just a few months, so the tribal elders want you to fully prepare to become the successor of the tribe.
During the coming months, you must not reveal your identity to anyone. Every task must be done secretly and cautiously. In addition, a butler has been appointed to assist you, who will be with you every step of the way."
---
But Aryan was not particularly affected by these words, because he had already endured similar situations in his past life.
Seeing the calm expression on Aryan's face, Vishwajeet was slightly surprised. He asked,
"Young Master, doesn't this news make you happy?"
A slight crooked smile appeared on Aryan's lips. He nodded and said calmly,
"Yes… I am happy."
Vishwajeet was about to say more when suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. Hearing the sound, all three became alert.
Then a voice called from outside—
"Hey Rahul! Is that you? Open the door, it's Rounak."
Hearing this, Vishwajeet immediately looked at Aryan and said—
"Young Master Aryan, my work here is done. I only came to deliver this message."
Saying this, he turned and, before anyone could notice, jumped from the three-story building and disappeared—as if swallowed by the shadows of the deserted darkness.
Seeing Vishwajeet vanish like this, Aryan felt a little regret. He wanted to ask him something, but it was already too late—Vishwajeet had long gone. Meanwhile, the "knock-knock" at the door continued. Rahul slowly stepped forward and opened the door.
Outside stood a young boy—wearing a vest and a T-shirt, glasses on his eyes, yawning heavily with sleepy eyes.
---
Seeing him, Rahul was momentarily stunned, then exhaled in relief and said—
"Ah, Rounak! You…? What are you doing here so late at night?"
He paused slightly, then raised his eyebrows and said,
"And by the way, where were you sleeping today? Haven't seen you since morning…"
After saying this, Rahul's eyes suddenly fell on Rounak's T-shirt. He said, a little angrily—
"Wait… isn't this T-shirt mine!? Hey man, did you raid my wardrobe again?"
Frustration was clear on his face, but Rounak had the same mischievous smile as always. Seeing this, all the nervousness and anger Rahul had shown earlier in front of Vishwajeet seemed to vanish. Still… a few beads of sweat were shining on his face—like his body had calmed, but the inner tension remained.
Aryan exhaled in relief, observing all this. He thought for a moment, then slowly moved toward the door—where Rahul, angry, was entangled with Rounak over his T-shirt.
But Rounak was unaffected. With a shameless laugh, he said—
"Ha ha ha ha! You, Rahul… what's mine and what's yours among brothers anyway!"
Then he saw Aryan approaching and mischievously said—
"Look brother Aryan, you should talk some sense into him. Besides, my clothes are wet right now, so I borrowed one of your T-shirts. What's the big deal, right?"
A faint smile appeared on his face—one that could deceive anyone.
No one would imagine that this innocent-looking boy, standing carefree in a vest and T-shirt, was actually a playboy—
for whom countless girls were crazy. Yet, for his friends, he would even risk his life.
This was what made Rounak different from the rest—carefree and playful on the outside, yet honest and reliable at heart.
Seeing him, Aryan smiled slightly to himself and thought—
"Looks like the playboy still hasn't changed."
This thought brought a faint smile to his face. Of course, Aryan remembered what was going to happen next—
This boy, who now stands carefree in a vest and T-shirt, will eventually marry the only daughter of a simple but wealthy father and become the son-in-law of that household. Over time, the playful Rounak will grow into a successful man, surprising everyone.
Seeing Aryan not say anything, Rounak and Rahul spoke almost together—
"Hey brother, where have you been? Were you even listening?"
Aryan smiled faintly and said—
"Yes, I heard what you both were saying."
He slowly turned toward Rahul, whose face still showed a hint of anger. Aryan understood that this anger was not just about the T-shirt, but also partly because of Vishwajeet.
He said calmly—
"Come on Rahul, let it go… He'll give your T-shirt back tomorrow anyway."
Rahul took a deep breath, nodded without saying anything.
Now the atmosphere wasn't the same as before; it had lightened a bit. Aryan then looked at Rounak and asked—
"By the way, Rounak, why did you come here so late?"
Rounak shrugged and laughed—
"Ah man, the reason is simple…"
He smiled and said—
"Look… I have to go to a party tomorrow with someone. And for that, I needed that one jacket of yours—just for one day."
Then, putting on a serious face, he added—
"Just don't refuse, bro, or my GF will leave me."
Aryan and Rahul, staring at him in surprise, said together—
"So, Nazab has a date?"
Rounak's face went pale for a moment. Without delay, he dropped to his knees in front of them and theatrically said—
"Look brother, I beg you. Just for today, one day, I need that jacket. I promise, I'll never ask for it again."
Laughing, Rounak said—
"Haha! Looks like I didn't have enough clothes, so now you even have your eyes on Aryan's jacket." He looked at Aryan hopefully and laughed—
"Ha ha ha, Aryan! Will you help me out just this once? If you ever need help in a girl affair, I'm ready to help you too."
Hearing this, a faint light appeared on Aryan's face. A few moments later, Aryan and Rahul both burst out laughing.
Aryan laughed and said to Rounak—
"No need to act so much."
Aryan added with a faint smile—
"If you had asked for it tomorrow morning, you'd have gotten the jacket anyway… but now, you ruined our peace in the middle of the night, so you won't get it for free."
Rounak's smile faded slightly. Blinking, he said—
"Okay, okay bro, tell me—what do I need to do?"
Aryan replied theatrically,
"Nothing big, just need a little help."
Rounak immediately said—
"Done, bro! Tell me what? I'll even give my life—just give me the jacket."
Aryan laughed—
"Not life, just needed some advice."
Rounak leaned forward jokingly and said—
"Advice? Now you're taking life coaching from me?"
Aryan smiled mysteriously and said—
"No, the topic is a bit personal… I'll tell you tomorrow."
Rounak pretended to be shocked—
"Hey! You're adding suspense now? Fine, tell me tomorrow, just like some Netflix drama!"
The three of them laughed—Rahul hit Rounak on the head with a pillow,
"Come on, get out of here, or you won't even get your slippers, forget the jacket!"
Amid the laughter and fun, the atmosphere of the room lightened again, as if nothing had happened a while ago.
---
Meanwhile—on the top of the tallest building in the city, two shadows stood silently. Below, lights glittered everywhere, cars rushed along the streets, and the bright and dim lights of the tall buildings made the city look like a glowing maze.
The night was deep, but the pace below hadn't slowed. The two stood at the edge of the rooftop, observing the city as if calculating their next move.
These were no ordinary people—
Vishwajeet and the dangerous, mysterious figure known in the underworld by a single name—
"Red Dragon."
Standing on the rooftop, they looked at the city below as if the whole world were beneath their feet. The cold wind fluttered their coats, and in the distance, the sirens cut through the night's silence.
Breaking the silence, Vishwajeet spoke in a slow but cold voice—
"Danny… the work is done."
A few moments of silence followed. Then a deep, heavy voice responded—
"Do you… have any doubt?"
Vishwajeet smiled slightly, "No doubt… certainty."
He looked at the city lights and said—
"I didn't expect them to send their core members for this job."
There was slight surprise in his tone, but his eyes held the same cold calm—as if everything was going according to his plan.
Red Dragon smiled faintly,
"Seems they still underestimated us."
Vishwajeet said simply—
"And that is their biggest mistake."
After a moment of silence, Vishwajeet said—
"By the way… the Yang Master is fine, right?" For the first time, a slight worry crept into his tone.
Red Dragon took a deep breath and said—
"Yes… he's alive."
He paused for a while, then added—
"But I didn't expect that they… would get him here in this condition on their own."
Vishwajeet frowned,
"That was unexpected."
Red Dragon chuckled lightly—
"Ha ha… after all, he is our tribe's Yang Master. Losing to these small-time players is not in his nature."
Vishwajeet said softly—
"Still… something has changed." Now the Yang Master is much different than before. But do I even realize it? They aren't the same as when I last saw them.
Red Dragon's smile slowly faded. Vishwajeet continued—
"Perhaps… the game is no longer the same."
Red Dragon asked in a cold tone—
"Will they… become active again?"
Vishwajeet was silent for a few moments. Only the sound of the wind could be heard. Then, without saying anything, he nodded slightly.
A faint gleam appeared in Red Dragon's eyes—some understanding, some questions remained unanswered.
At that moment, a cold gust of wind blew—and as if a shadow had swallowed them, both disappeared from the rooftop. The city lights below continued to twinkle, but above, silence remained… and the echo of their departure—
---
So now, what are Vishwajeet and Red Dragon talking about? Does this secret conversation signal a new trouble for Aryan? And what exactly does Aryan need Rounak's help for?
All these answers are hidden in the upcoming chapters… where truths will surface, relationships will unfold, and the game… will become even more dangerous.
The King of Shadows