The sun had barely crested the horizon when people began to gather around the smoldering ruins of the hut. Whispers filled the morning air—soft murmurs, startled speculation. Some labeled Rahul a sorcerer, others called him the devil wielding a death stick. One went as far as to call him an immortal vampire with a lustful appetite—courtesy of his proximity to Revati.
Rahul had neither the strength nor the interest to entertain such gossip.
Local guards from the market, the kotwal (police chief), prominent residents, and even Kalidas arrived, drawn by the echo of last night's explosions. With so little noise insulation, the lethal thunder had traveled far, rattling hearts and shaking routines.
Everyone stared, jaws tight, eyes wide, at the mangled bodies strewn around the scorched earth.
Though the authorities knew exactly who had been behind the bloodshed, none dared to speak a word. The evidence was clear, and so was the warning.
Two surviving guards quietly approached Kalidas, requesting a horse cart to transport the corpses. Kalidas, ever the businessman, offered one—for double the price. The soldiers knew they were being overcharged, but they didn't argue. They only wanted to get far away from this haunted ground.
Kalidas turned toward Rahul, bowing slightly.
"Good day, sir. How may I assist you?" he asked, with the kind of exaggerated politeness that made Rahul smirk.
"I'm fine," Rahul replied. "I need a place to stay—and more importantly, I want a brick house built here, right where this hut stood. Can you arrange skilled masons?"
Kalidas looked as though someone had asked him to build a castle in the clouds. Those close enough to overhear went silent, dumbfounded.
"A brick house, sir?" Kalidas blinked in disbelief.
"Yes," Rahul said firmly.
"That would cost around 50 gold coins with labor and material."
"How long will it take?"
"Roughly a month, sir. But if you pay 5 extra gold coins, I can reduce that by about a week."
"I'll pay you 15 extra," Rahul offered. "I want it done in seven days."
Kalidas's smile stretched. "Consider it done, sir."
"What about a temporary stay? Somewhere we can rest for the next week?"
"You'll need a room for two, I presume?" Kalidas said slyly, his tone suggesting he'd bought into the rumors.
Revati looked away, her cheeks flushed.
"Yes," Rahul replied, ignoring the jab. "For seven days."
"Mr. Haripada owns a lodging establishment along with his restaurant. He can provide something luxurious—or modest—based on your preference."
Rahul nodded. "Let's go, Revati."
"Ah, one more thing," Kalidas added. "The bear's hide, teeth, and claws—they can't be sold casually. They need to be auctioned."
"When's the next auction?"
"Every day, sir. In the bazaar. Come tomorrow. I take a 10% cut for the service."
"Fair enough."
They settled into a clean and quiet room in Haripada's inn. It cost one gold coin per day, and Rahul paid for the entire week upfront. 72 gold coins had disappeared from his purse in the blink of an eye.
Once inside, Revati shyly explained how she'd dragged Rahul back with help from Kalidas's men. She admitted she had nearly sold the bear parts without asking him.
He pulled her into a hug. This time, she didn't hesitate.
He kissed her cheek softly. Her eyes welled up with emotion.
"I'm sorry your home got destroyed because of me," Rahul whispered.
"Don't say that, sir—"
He pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't call me sir. Call me Rahul."
She smiled gently and nodded.
"You were the only one who treated me like an equal," she said. "You didn't look down on me. You fought for me, and you made me feel alive."
Her voice trembled with emotion. She slowly unwrapped the saree from her upper body, revealing her breasts.
"I have nothing else to offer," she said.
Her vulnerability struck him harder than any bullet ever could. He briefly imagined surrendering to her—letting go of everything. But then his conscience tightened its grip.
Rahul gently pulled the saree back up, covering her.
"I'm not rejecting you," he said. "But don't offer yourself like a payment or reward. I'm not here for business. Come to me only if your heart desires it—nothing less."
She stood still, stunned.
He continued, "What you did—saving me, sheltering me—that came from your kindness. What I did—fighting back—was for our survival. It's mutual."
Revati nodded and turned to head to the bathroom, but before closing the door, she looked back.
"I understand... But," she hesitated, "Am I undesirable? Is it my caste?"
Rahul laughed, shaking his head. "You stunned me the first time I saw you. You still do. Every fiber of me wants to melt into you. But I want it to mean something. That's all."
She gave him a teary but grateful smile and shut the door behind her.
Left alone, Rahul exhaled deeply. The tension had melted from his chest.
He finally checked his profile panel:
[Profile Status]
Name: Rahul Shikder
Level: 4
Health: 2025/2025
Endurance: 16 (+4)
Stamina: 11 (+7)
Intelligence: 21
Dexterity: 14 (+6)
Charm: 7 (+3)
Mana: —
Unspent Attribute Points: 0
Titles:John Ramgo (Active)
Skills (Active): —
Skills (Passive):
• Basic Firearm Mastery• Basic Assessment• Basic Smooth Talker
[Shop] [Exchange] [Store] [Notification]
He had spent all 20 new attribute points already, ignoring the common advice of saving them for emergencies. He had bumped up his dexterity for better shooting performance, and—he admitted to himself with a grin—his charm to boost chemistry with Revati.
And the changes were visible. His new reflection in the mirror looked fitter, stronger... sexier.
His passive skills had evolved too. Life in this world wasn't what he expected.
It was better.
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🔜 Coming Up Next – Chapter 10: A Curve in the Road
The powerful Surya Singha Chowdhury is furious. Soldiers have died, threats have been made—and a shadow now looms over the region's most feared zamindar. But instead of war, a new strategy is born: negotiation. Will diplomacy work where might has failed?
A man with gifts is coming… and so is a decision that could change the tides forever.
❤️ If you've been enjoying the journey so far, show your support with a vote, bookmark, or a comment. Chapter 10 is where power meets proposition—don't miss it!