In the year 2116, the world faced its first catastrophic disaster: a virus known as RVX-15. This era came to be called the Supreme Liberation. The virus not only decimated two-thirds of the human population but also gave rise to a new species on Earth—monsters. Following the disaster, monsters seized control of eighty percent of Earth's land. Now, only five countries remain after the Supreme Liberation: United Bharat, China, U.S.A., United Europe, and the Soviet Union.
The virus also gave rise to a new profession: warriors.
Year 2140, Kanpur City Base, Nile District Seventh High School.
In a classroom, students are taking their college entrance exam using advanced technological devices projected onto their desks. In the first row, third seat, sits a student named Divit, focused intently on the exam, which began at 7:30 a.m. and will end at 10:30 a.m.—only thirty minutes remain.
At 10:30, outside the school gate, Divit waits with his best friend, Ivaan. Both have fair skin, black hair, and stand around six feet tall. Divit is distinguished by his rare blue eyes.
"Bro, I'm thinking of applying to the military department. Which department will you choose at university?" Divit asks.
"I want to become a warrior, so I'm also applying to the military department," Ivaan replies.
"Yes, I'm thinking the same," Divit agrees.
"I'm heading home now. Are you coming, Ivaan?"
"Yes, I'm going to enjoy these fifteen days before the results are announced," Ivaan responds.
Suddenly, Divit looks up. "Div, what is that in the sky, shining with a golden radiance?" he asks, his voice trembling.
Divit stares upward. "This... this is a monster. Impossible! Since the Supreme Liberation, no monster has ever breached the shield."
Opposite the monster in the sky, a lone human figure appears—clad in a black robe, a red mask covering his face, and a blazing red saber in his hand. In a flash, the mysterious figure slashes his saber, releasing a red arc that slices the golden monster cleanly in two within seconds.
Ivaan's eyes are wide with awe. "Divit, this is a warrior! How powerful... One day, I'll slay monsters in the sky like that hero."
Divit grins. "Not just you—this young master will fight monsters right beside you."
Down on the city streets, the epic battle between monster and warrior is broadcast on screens across all of Kanpur Base City.
"Ivaan, let's part ways here," Divit says, spotting Ivaan's car pulling up. "I'm heading home now."
"Bye... Bye. Let's meet again on result day," Ivaan replies, waving as they go their separate ways.
After the Great Liberation Period, ninety percent of the population lived in slums. Only those with money and reputation stayed in the center of the city.Divit's family was among the former.
He lived with his younger brother, Vivdh, who was in eleventh grade, and his older sister, Ira, four years his senior, who worked as a receptionist in a small company.
When Divit stepped into their small home—barely 100 square meters with only two rooms—the familiar warmth greeted him. In front of him sat a man around forty years old, weary but strong: his father, Indra, a construction worker. From the kitchen drifted the sound of utensils and the aroma of spices; his mother, Divya, prepared food. She worked as a housemaid in other households to support the family.
Divit went into his room, changed out of his uniform, and sat at the table for lunch.
Vivdh looked at him eagerly."Brother, how was your exam?"
"It was good," Divit replied with a small smile. "I think I can earn a spot in a university."
He turned to his father. "Father, the exam results will be announced after fifteen days—on 3rd June. So I'm thinking of doing some work till then, to save money for travel expenses when I join the university."
Indra nodded approvingly. "Good, son. But where are you planning to work?"
"I'm thinking of working at a coffee café in the center of the city," Divit answered.
After lunch, he spent time with his family—talking, laughing, and resting after the long day.When night came, Divit lay down on his thin cot and drifted to sleep, unaware that fate was preparing something far greater than a simple café job.
The next morning, Divit woke before sunrise. The slums were unusually quiet. After getting ready and wearing his only decent shirt—faded but neat—he headed toward the center district of Kanpur Base City.
The difference hit him every time.Tall buildings. Clean roads. People who walked as if survival wasn't even a concern.
He reached Café Arista and pushed open the glass door.
Inside, warm lights glowed over wooden interiors, and the air carried the rich scent of roasted coffee. A girl around his age looked up from the counter.
"You're the new worker, right?" she asked.
"Yes. I'm Divit."
"I'm Mira, your morning shift manager. Come, I'll explain everything."
She taught him the machines, the orders, the stubborn customers.By noon, he was exhausted but satisfied.
During a break, Divit looked out the window. The massive screen across the street replayed highlights of yesterday's sky battle—the golden monster, the masked warrior with the red saber. Customers murmured anxiously.
"The shield has weak spots again…""Monsters appearing more often is not a good sign."
A quiet fire rose in Divit's chest.
One day… I'll stand in the sky like that too.
Mira came over with two iced coffees. "Here. Free for staff. Take a break."
They sat together briefly before getting back to work.
When his shift finally ended, Divit stepped outside into the soft evening light. He stretched his arms, ready to head home.
A sleek silver car slowed to a stop right in front of the café.
The door opened.
A girl stepped out.
She had long black hair that flowed smoothly down her back and brown eyes that reflected the warm glow of sunset. Her movements were graceful, calm, almost noble—yet her outfit was simple, not flashy.
She pushed the car door gently and walked toward the café.
Divit's gaze fell on her instantly.
For a moment, everything around him blurred. He couldn't explain why… but she stood out in a way he couldn't ignore.
She briefly glanced at him—not a long stare, just a small flicker of recognition or curiosity—and continued walking. A faint jasmine scent passed with her, soft and refreshing.
"Divit! Your bag is still inside!" Mira called from the doorway.
He blinked, startled.
By the time he looked back, the girl had already entered the café, disappearing behind the door with quiet elegance.
Divit picked up his bag and stood for a few moments, unable to shake the feeling.
He didn't know her name.He didn't know why he noticed her so strongly.But something told him—
This wouldn't be the last time they met.
Time Lapse — Fifteen Days Later
Fifteen days passed in a blur.
Every morning, Divit worked at Café Arista, polishing tables, running the machines, memorizing orders, and learning to deal with people from a world far above his own.
He grew used to the rhythm:
Mira's teasing jokes.The constant aroma of roasted beans.The crowded afternoons.And sometimes—only sometimes—the girl with long black hair came in.
She always ordered the same thing:"Black coffee. No sugar."
She rarely spoke.But every time she walked past, Divit felt that same strange pull, that quiet curiosity.Their eyes met only twice.Both times, she looked away first.
He didn't even know her name…but she had become a silent chapter in his routine.
Meanwhile, at home, the atmosphere grew heavier with each passing day.Vivdh counted down the dates excitedly.Ira encouraged him strongly.His parents acted calm, but Divit noticed the worry behind their eyes—education meant hope, and hope was expensive.
And after fifteen days of waiting,
the final day arrived.
3rd June — Result Day
The sun felt unusually bright that morning.
Divit stood in the courtyard outside their small two-room house.His palms were damp with sweat.Vivdh hovered beside him nervously, holding the old phone.
"Brother… are you ready?" he asked.
"No," Divit said honestly. "But open it anyway."
Vivdh nodded, opened the result website, and entered Divit's roll number.
The loading circle spun.
Slowly. Torturously.
Divit's heartbeat hammered in his ears.
His father, Indra, stepped outside and placed a firm hand on his shoulder."No matter what the result is, you have already made us proud."
His mother, Divya, came behind him, wiping her hands on her saree, her eyes full of hope.
Finally—
The page loaded.
Vivdh's eyes widened.His mouth fell open.
"Brother… you…"He swallowed hard."You got in."
Divit froze.
He blinked.Once.Twice.
"I… got into the university?" he whispered.
Vivdh thrust the phone toward him, voice trembling with excitement.
"Not just that—you ranked in the top 3% of the entire city!"
His mother gasped and covered her mouth.His father let out a breath he'd been holding for fifteen days.Ira rushed out of the house, shouting, "Let me see!"
The numbers were right there—clear, undeniable.
Divit's vision blurred for a moment.
Fifteen years of struggle, poverty, pressure…every moment suddenly felt worth it.
Indra hugged his son, voice thick with emotion."You will not live in these slums forever, Divit. Your future begins now.
People stopped mid-step. Conversations died.Even Divit's family paused their celebration, eyes glued to the old TV inside their small home.
The reporter's voice was trembling, but she tried to sound calm:
"Early this morning, the Ruin City—located beyond the eastern barrier—experienced an abnormal monster surge. One of the outer scouting groups was overwhelmed, causing a chain reaction deeper in the ruins."
The screen cut to shaky footage captured by drone.
A city of collapsed skyscrapers…Black smoke choking the sky…Gigantic shadows moving through the fog…
And in the center of the chaos—
A single figure.
A warrior.
He hovered above the ruins, bathed in dazzling golden light, his long coat fluttering in the toxic winds. A glowing mark shone on his forehead—the unmistakable sign of a Saint-Rank Warrior the highest level humanity had achieved since the Great Liberation.
The reporter continued:
"Saint-Rank warrior Lakshman Veer engaged the disaster alone to prevent the monster surge from reaching the main barrier."
The footage zoomed in.The saint's aura shone like a miniature sun.
Then—
BOOM.
A shockwave tore through the ruins. Buildings collapsed like sand.The saint's body shimmered, cracks of light forming across his silhouette.
"Experts believe," the reporter added with a forced, steadied breath,"that Warrior Lakshman used the Sacrifice Art, burning his life force to neutralize the surge."
For a moment, the screen flickered—
The saint exploded into pure light, swallowing the monsters in a brilliant flash.
Silence filled the room.Even the drone footage cut to static.
The broadcast resumed with the reporter's stiff voice:
"The situation has been officially classified as a 1-degree disaster, meaning it poses no direct threat to the base cities. Citizens are advised to remain calm."
But everyone watching knew the truth.
A saint had died.A saint—one of humanity's strongest—just to stop a disaster that the government labeled as only "1-degree."
Divit's father switched off the TV slowly.