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UUUHhhhh...!
The breathing, which had been shallow for a long time, slowly began to deepen. Teer opened his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. As soon as he regained consciousness, he looked around. He held his breath—he was inside a small room, barely large enough for a person to sit without stretching their legs. Teer's legs were bound to the ground with an iron chain, and in front of him stood a bolted iron door, equal in width to the room itself. There wasn't a single window—only a few narrow slits for ventilation, placed high on the wall.
Teer felt weak, as if he hadn't eaten for days. His throat was dry, but the most pressing thought in his mind was Annu. He rested his hands on his knees, lowered his head onto them, and began to think.
Teer (thinking): Yes… I am Teer—a man who achieved success in life only because of his family. A detective who served in IBII (Indian Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence) for ten years, and then established his own agency. During that time, I won many accolades, solved international cases, and became a world-class detective. Whenever a wealthy client or even a government needed someone to solve a case, my name—and my agency's—would come first.But I was never truly happy.
The loud echo of heavy footsteps in the corridor indicated someone approaching. When the iron door opened, the harsh light from outside illuminated the entire room. A tall, six-foot-five, heavily built guard stood in front of him. Teer slowly raised his head to look at him. The guard's face was terrifying.
Yet the guard himself grew enraged—because never before had he seen a man look at him so calmly, like a lifeless statue, meeting his gaze without fear. In anger, the guard struck Teer brutally across the face with an iron rod. Teer slammed against the adjacent wall, the inside of his mouth tearing open, blood spilling out.
Guard (angrily): You've never faced death, so you don't understand fear. If you learn it today, you might escape death.
The guard threw a plate with two rotis in front of him and turned to leave. But Teer's voice stopped him.
Teer was still pinned against the wall, as if he had no intention of moving.
Teer (quietly, calmly): Wait.
The guard's face turned red with rage, veins swelling as if his face would burst. He stomped back and approached Teer slowly, lifting his iron bat again with a mocking smile.
Teer (calmly): Do they pay you too little for this job?
The guard froze mid-motion. The anger remained—but the question confused him.
Guard (breathing heavily): What do you mean?
Teer (calmly): I thought your salary must be low. After all, you're just a guard. You release your anger on us… not on them.
The guard's anger flared again. He struck Teer's leg three times with full force.
Guard (sternly): Do you think I'm a servant? I enjoy torturing prisoners. Even with low pay, I have my fun.
Teer was in immense pain, yet he maintained his composure.
Teer (in a very low voice): Is it true that you'll keep doing "favors" like this for your happiness your entire life? Sorry… not favors. You're just their servant. The survival of prisoners like us is probably more valuable to them than yours.
A wave of anger surged through the guard's body.
Guard (furious): I think you don't value your life.
Teer (voice cracking with pain): You're powerful… but does that power let you scare everyone? I don't think so.
Guard (shouting, his voice echoing): What did you say?! Look at me carefully—do you think no one fears me?
Teer (smiling knowingly): If everyone feared you, they would be working under you—not the other way around. You are afraid. You created this identity to protect your place. Today, you cannot even use your power freely.
Gradually, the guard's anger began to shift into doubt. Instead of asserting dominance, he started defending himself.
Guard (arguing): But I'm strong! I've handled prisoners for years. They won't let me go easily. They depend on me.
Teer (finding the weakness): If you don't lose a toy for years, does that mean it will stay with you forever?
For the first time, the guard found himself deeply engaged in an argument. His mind began to dull under the weight of thought.
Teer (calmly): Have you ever done anything truly unique? They have enough money to replace you with five stronger men. In truth… you are the real prisoner here.
The guard's confidence shattered. With every breath, he realized the truth—those he tortured were prisoners for days, but he had been imprisoned for years.
Teer (exhaling): Huhh… You're angry, aren't you? What are you waiting for? Hit me again.
Guard (unclear voice): I… lost.
Teer: What?
Guard (mentally numb): I lost my purpose… I just… I just want to escape this prison.
Teer: You still have a chance.
Guard (losing clarity): How?
Teer: I know someone… who can save you.
Guard (very low voice): Who?
Teer slowly pushed himself away from the wall and sat upright.
Teer (in a firm voice): Holy Dictator.
The guard's mind filled with chaotic thoughts, leaving him numb.
Guard (unseriously): What? Holy Dictator…
[Chapter 6: Inside an Unknown Prison Ends]