Huge rewards

Arjun stepped into his house, his mind still swirling with thoughts of the day's events. As he entered the living room, he spotted his mother, Meenakshi, sitting with a serious expression etched on her face. Arjun couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension at the sight.

"What's wrong?" Arjun wondered to himself, his curiosity piqued by his mother's unusual demeanor. He approached her cautiously, his eyes silently questioning her seriousness.

Meenakshi motioned for Arjun to sit beside her, her gaze unwavering. Arjun complied, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. What could his mother possibly want to discuss with him?

As Arjun settled into the seat beside her, Meenakshi took a deep breath, her eyes searching his face for understanding. She spoke softly, yet with a firmness that commanded attention.

"Arjun, we need to talk," Meenakshi began, her tone grave. "I've noticed some changes in you lately, and I'm concerned."

Arjun's mind raced as he tried to decipher his mother's words. What changes could she be referring to? Was she aware of his involvement in the conflicts at school, or was it something else entirely?

With a furrowed brow, Arjun met his mother's gaze, silently urging her to continue.

Meenakshi sighed, her concern evident in the lines etched on her forehead. "Arjun, I've noticed that you've been distant lately, preoccupied with something. And today, when you came home, I saw the look in your eyes... something is troubling you, isn't it?"

Arjun's heart sank at his mother's astute observation. Despite his efforts to conceal his inner turmoil, it seemed that Meenakshi had seen through his facade.

Unable to meet his mother's gaze, Arjun nodded silently, his throat tight with emotion. He knew he couldn't keep the truth from her any longer.

Meenakshi reached out and gently placed a hand on Arjun's shoulder, her touch reassuring yet weighted with concern. "Arjun, whatever it is that's troubling you, remember that you can always talk to me. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Arjun felt a wave of relief wash over him at his mother's words. In that moment, he realized that he didn't have to face his challenges alone. With Meenakshi by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope that he could overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead.

Taking a deep breath, Arjun met his mother's gaze with newfound determination. "Thank you, Mom," he said softly, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I'll tell you everything."

Arjun leaned back, his heart heavy with the weight of his unspoken truth. As he listened to his mother's comforting words, a pang of guilt gnawed at his conscience. He knew he was deceiving her, yet he couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth about his involvement with the Phoenix System.

"I'm just worried about my exams," Arjun lied, his voice tinged with unease. "I've been studying hard, but I'm not sure if it'll be enough to pass."

Meenakshi's expression softened with understanding as she reached out to gently pat Arjun's hand. "Don't worry too much, son," she said reassuringly. "You're a smart boy, and I know you've put in your best effort. Whatever the outcome, we'll face it together."

Arjun forced a small smile, grateful for his mother's unwavering support. Yet, beneath the facade of reassurance, a sense of guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders. He hated lying to his mother, but for now, it seemed like the only option to protect her from the truth.

As the evening wore on, Arjun found himself enveloped in a sense of relief. Despite the lingering guilt, he couldn't deny the comfort he felt in confiding in his mother, even if it was only a partial truth.

With a heavy heart, Arjun resolved to keep the secret of the Phoenix System hidden from his mother, at least for the time being. He couldn't bear the thought of betraying her trust, even if it meant carrying the burden of his secret alone.

As the night drew to a close, Arjun retreated to his room, his mind buzzing with conflicting emotions. Though the weight of his deception still lingered, he couldn't deny the sense of lightness that accompanied the release of his pent-up feelings.

For now, Arjun would keep his secret close to his chest, guarding it fiercely against prying eyes. But deep down, he knew that the truth would eventually come to light, and when it did, he could only hope that his mother would understand.

Lying in bed, Arjun couldn't shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind. The exams, the conflicts at school, and especially the enigmatic Phoenix System occupied his thoughts. Curiosity gripped him, and he wondered who was behind its creation.

Lost in contemplation, Arjun found himself unknowingly delving into the mysteries of the Phoenix System. It was as if his thoughts took on a life of their own, leading him down a rabbit hole of questions without clear answers.

Before he knew it, the weight of his contemplation carried him into the realm of sleep. Arjun drifted off, his mind still echoing with the unanswered questions surrounding the Phoenix System and the secrets it held.

As Arjun went about his routine of completing daily quests and practicing his low kicks, he found solace in the familiarity of his tasks. But it was during his evening walks in the marketplace that his mind truly felt refreshed.

Donning his mask to conceal his identity, Arjun strolled through the bustling marketplace, the sounds and smells of the vendors mingling in the air around him. Amidst the crowd, a familiar face caught his eye – Rocky, his senior from a previous life.

Intrigued, Arjun discreetly began to follow Rocky, his curiosity piqued by the sudden appearance of someone from his past. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Rocky's presence here than mere coincidence.

As he trailed Rocky through the winding streets of the marketplace, Arjun's mind buzzed with questions. What had happened to Rocky after their paths diverged in their previous lives? And what was he doing here now?

Determined to uncover the truth, Arjun shadowed Rocky from a distance, his senses alert for any clues that might shed light on his former senior's intentions.

As Arjun stealthily followed Rocky to the empty warehouse, memories of their previous encounter flooded his mind. Little did he know that this seemingly innocent pursuit would soon take a startling turn.

Suddenly, Rocky's voice pierced the silence, echoing through the cavernous space of the warehouse. "I know you're hiding there, come out," Rocky called out, his tone laced with amusement.

Arjun's heart sank as he realized he had been discovered. Cursing his overconfidence, he emerged from his hiding spot, his mind racing with possibilities. What did Rocky want with him? And what was the meaning behind his laughter and gestures?

With a quick flick of his wrist, Arjun activated the alert skill on his Phoenix System. The skill would scan the surrounding area within a radius of 30 meters, alerting him to any potential threats or allies nearby.

As the alert skill began its scan, Arjun's senses sharpened, his pulse quickening with anticipation. He counted 10 people within the radius of the scan, but he couldn't be sure if there were more lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

As Arjun stood his ground, 10 more figures emerged from the shadows of the empty warehouse, joining Rocky's side. The sudden influx of people doubled their numbers to a formidable 20.

Despite the odds stacked against him, there was no trace of fear in Arjun's eyes. With a steely resolve, he calmly issued a command to his Phoenix System, his voice unwavering. "Phoenix, prioritize leveling up my experience points. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I'm ready."

Just then, a notification flashed across Arjun's screen, signaling the arrival of a new mission from Phoenix. His heart leaped with excitement as he eagerly read through the details. Today was shaping up to be a day filled with rewards and opportunities for growth.

End of the chapter