Venkatesh and SK returned to their office and immediately began gathering every piece of information related to Rukma.
Reports.
Call records.
Travel history.
Known associates.
Financial transactions.
Every small detail was placed on the table.
After collecting enough information, Venkatesh assembled a small team and began the briefing.
Everyone stood around a large board covered with photographs, documents, and connecting lines.
Venkatesh picked up a marker and pointed toward Rukma's photograph.
"According to the investigation, Rukma made a phone call shortly before his death."
He drew a circle around the relevant information.
"That's our first major lead."
"We need to identify the person he contacted, find out what they talked about, and determine why Rukma was killed immediately afterward."
SK folded his arms and stared at the board.
The room became silent as everyone focused on the case.
---
Meanwhile...
Aarav sat cross-legged on the floor of his apartment.
His eyes were closed.
His breathing was slow and steady.
Around his body, faint fluctuations of energy continuously appeared and disappeared.
But inside his consciousness...
There was only darkness.
An endless darkness.
And in the middle of that darkness stood a massive iron gate.
It was enormous.
Ancient.
And completely sealed.
This was Aarav's Mind Realm.
Or, as it was known in the deeper realms of spirituality...
The Origin of Life.
A Mind Realm was a space that existed within one's consciousness, a small world connected directly to the soul and spiritual existence.
Aarav had created this realm during one of his previous lives.
But reincarnation came with a price.
His consciousness had been reconstructed.
His memories had been sealed.
And the gates of his Mind Realm had closed along with them.
For a long time, Aarav had been trying to open them again.
And today was no different.
Aarav stood directly before the enormous gate.
He slowly calmed his mind.
Then he raised both hands.
Spiritual energy began gathering around his wrists.
The energy became denser.
Stronger.
More concentrated.
Aarav narrowed his eyes.
Then
BOOM!
He released the accumulated energy toward the gate.
The attack struck the massive iron doors head-on.
The entire realm trembled.
The gate moved backward by several inches.
Aarav's eyes brightened.
But then...
Nothing happened.
The gate remained closed.
The energy that had struck it suddenly rebounded.
Aarav's expression changed.
"Wait"
BOOM!
The returning energy slammed directly into him.
Back in the real world, Aarav's eyes snapped open.
A small trail of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.
He calmly wiped it away with his thumb.
Then he sighed.
"Another failure."
He stared at the floor for a moment before getting up.
After freshening up, Aarav looked at himself in the mirror.
"I thought the Mind Realm would be a pretty good place to train."
He paused.
"But if I can't even enter it..."
A faintly annoyed expression appeared on his face.
"Maybe I should do what normal people do."
He grabbed his jacket.
"Join a gym."
---
A few minutes later, Aarav began searching for martial arts gyms nearby.
After checking several options, he finally found an MMA gym that looked suitable.
He picked up his helmet, walked toward the parking area, and started his bike.
The engine roared to life.
Aarav drove away.
He didn't notice the car that quietly followed him from a distance.
Inside that car...
Anamika sat in the passenger seat.
Her eyes remained fixed on Aarav's motorcycle.
She hadn't approached him directly.
Not yet.
For now...
She was simply following him.
---
After several minutes, Aarav finally arrived at his destination.
He stopped his bike in front of a large building.
A signboard above the entrance read:
MMA TRAINING CENTER
Aarav removed his helmet and looked at the building.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Let's see how much a so-called normal person can improve."
He stepped inside.
Unaware that someone had followed him there...
Aarav stepped inside the MMA gym and immediately noticed that it was already crowded.
People were training everywhere.
Some were lifting weights, others were practicing kicks and punches, while a few were sparring inside the training area.
Aarav casually looked around.
Then something caught his attention.
A young man wearing a traditional white martial arts uniform stood in front of a stack of bricks.
A black belt was tied firmly around his waist.
The surrounding trainees stopped what they were doing and watched him.
The man brought his hands together.
Then he raised his right hand above his head.
His expression became serious.
"Haiyaa!"
CRACK!
His hand came down.
The stack of bricks split cleanly into two.
The trainees around him immediately started clapping.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
That's certainly one way to make an entrance.
Before he could look around any further, a receptionist approached him.
She was carrying a clipboard with a registration form already attached to it.
"Excuse me, sir. Are you here to join the gym?"
Aarav nodded.
"Yeah. I'm Aarav. I'm here for training."
She handed him the form.
"We have several training plans available. General fitness, mixed martial arts, karate, judo, and a few other programs. Which one would you like to join?"
Aarav looked through the available options.
After a moment, he pointed toward one of them.
"Mixed martial arts."
"Sure."
She completed the necessary registration procedures and then led Aarav toward the man who had broken the bricks earlier.
"Sir, this is Aarav. He wants to train in mixed martial arts."
The man looked Aarav up and down.
"Nice physique."
He extended his hand.
"Hi. My name is Dong Lee. I'll be your trainer for the time being."
Aarav shook his hand.
Dong Lee smiled.
"Since it's your first day, let's start with some warm-up. Sound good?"
Aarav nodded.
"Sure."
"First, some stretching. Then we'll move on to weights."
Aarav nodded again and began stretching.
---
Meanwhile...
A car stopped outside the gym.
Anamika stepped out.
She had followed Aarav all the way here.
As soon as she entered the building, the receptionist looked up.
"Yes, ma'am? How may I help you?"
Anamika glanced around.
"Yes. I'm looking for someone. A boy who came here before me."
The receptionist immediately understood.
"Yeah, he's training upstairs on the first floor."
Anamika thought for a moment.
Then she asked casually,
"Can I join too?"
The receptionist looked her up and down.
A knowing smile appeared on her face.
"Of course you can."
Anamika smiled back.
The receptionist then led her upstairs.
Aarav was already there.
He was lifting a pair of twenty-kilogram dumbbells.
The receptionist walked over to Dong Lee.
"Sir, she's also joining your training program."
Dong Lee introduced himself to Anamika and asked her to begin with some basic stretching.
After several minutes of warm-ups and weight exercises, Dong Lee clapped his hands.
"Alright, guys! Warm-up is over."
He looked at both of them.
"Before I make your training plans, I need to know your current level."
He raised a finger.
"Basically, I need to know how much water you're swimming in."
Aarav glanced toward Anamika.
"Let's have the lady go first."
Anamika slowly turned her head toward him.
She gave him a sharp look.
Then, without saying anything, she stepped forward.
Dong Lee stood opposite her.
Both exchanged a respectful nod.
Then they took their stances.
For several seconds...
Neither moved.
Dong Lee's expression gradually became serious.
There was something strange about this girl.
She didn't feel like an ordinary beginner.
There was a dangerous presence hidden beneath her calm exterior.
She's holding back.
Dong Lee steadied his breathing.
"Go ahead."
Anamika nodded.
She stepped forward.
Her first attacks were deliberately ordinary.
Punch.
Kick.
Block.
Counter.
She was intentionally suppressing herself.
She didn't want Aarav to realize how capable she really was.
Even so, Dong Lee quickly realized that she was far beyond an ordinary trainee.
Her fundamentals are excellent.
His movements became faster.
Anamika responded.
Their exchange gradually became more intense.
Neither of them was using their full strength, but their movements were already too fast for most of the trainees to follow.
After several minutes of sparring, Dong Lee suddenly spotted an opening.
He stepped forward and delivered a controlled kick.
Anamika was pushed backward and landed several steps away.
Her expression immediately changed.
She was irritated.
I was deliberately holding back... and this guy is still this strong?
Dong Lee noticed the change in her expression.
"Alright. That's enough."
He turned toward Aarav.
"Your turn."
Aarav immediately put on a nervous expression.
"Okay..."
He stepped into the training area.
Then he assumed a martial arts stance.
Unfortunately...
The stance looked ridiculous.
Several trainees nearby tried not to laugh.
Dong Lee raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
He gestured toward Aarav.
"You start."
Aarav took a deep breath.
Then suddenly—
"AAAAAAAH!"
He charged forward.
He raised his fist dramatically and threw a punch.
Dong Lee's expression didn't change.
He simply caught Aarav by the collar.
Then he turned.
THUD!
Aarav was thrown onto his back.
He stared at the ceiling.
Dong Lee stood over him.
"You're going to need a lot of work."
Aarav silently stared at him.
Dong Lee tossed a pair of boxing gloves toward him.
"First lesson—punching."
He walked toward a heavy punching bag and demonstrated.
"Don't just use your arm. Use your entire body. Transfer your weight into the punch."
Aarav nodded.
He walked toward the punching bag.
Behind his calm expression, however, something else was happening.
He had suppressed his supernatural abilities as much as possible.
His energy circuits were sealed.
His physical strength had been reduced to the level of an ordinary person.
For once...
He wanted to train his body rather than rely on his abilities.
He punched the bag.
THUD.
Again.
THUD.
Again.
---
Dong Lee returned to Anamika.
"You already have excellent fundamentals."
Anamika remained silent.
"But you think too much while fighting."
Dong Lee continued,
"You're analyzing every movement before reacting. That creates a delay."
He pointed toward her head.
"You don't need more basic training."
"You need experience."
Anamika glanced toward Aarav.
"I don't need training."
Dong Lee followed her gaze.
Aarav was still punching the bag.
"Then why are you here?"
Anamika answered simply,
"I'm here because of Aarav."
Dong Lee looked at Aarav again.
Then he smiled.
"Lucky boy."
He turned back toward Anamika.
"But since you're already here, you might as well learn something."
His expression became excited.
"I've actually been looking for a good sparring partner."
Anamika's eyes narrowed.
Without warning—
She dropped low and launched a sliding kick.
Dong Lee jumped.
The kick passed beneath him.
Before he could fully land, Anamika planted her hands on the ground and launched a horizontal kick toward his chin.
Dong Lee quickly raised his forearms.
THUD!
He blocked the strike.
His eyes sharpened.
"I knew it."
He pushed backward and performed a backflip, creating distance between them.
"You have serious combat experience."
Anamika said nothing.
Meanwhile, Aarav continued punching the bag.
But his attention had shifted toward them.
Both of them are martial arts experts.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
But this girl is surprisingly young, and she's still fighting this well.
He watched Anamika carefully.
Interesting... who exactly is she?
Then—
A sudden pain flashed through his mind.
A vision appeared.
---
Wasim and Afzal stood inside what appeared to be the hideout of a terrorist organization.
Several armed men stood around them.
In front of them, a man was kneeling.
Wasim raised his weapon.
He aimed directly at the man's head.
BANG!
The vision abruptly disappeared.
Aarav blinked.
He was back inside the gym.
His fist was still pressed against the punching bag.
His expression became serious.
What kind of power is helping him?
A strange, demonic sensation still lingered in his mind.
I was right to place a curse mark on Wasim.
His eyes narrowed.
But who was that man?
The image of the kneeling man flashed through his mind again.
Wasim just killed him.
Aarav's expression darkened.
I need to find out.
---
Outside the Gym
A vehicle stopped outside the building.
Venkatesh and SK stepped out with a small CBI team.
One of the officers approached them.
"Sir, the girl is inside the gym."
Venkatesh nodded.
"Mixed martial arts?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"This might actually be fun."
He turned toward SK.
"SK, you stay outside."
"If she tries to escape through another exit, block her."
Then he looked toward Yash.
"Yash, you're coming with me."
SK immediately raised both hands.
"Bro, please. Just talk to her. Don't use violence, okay?"
Venkatesh stared at him.
"Do I really look like someone who solves every problem with violence?"
SK gave him a doubtful look.
Venkatesh sighed.
"I know when to use force and when not to."
With that, he walked toward the entrance.
Yash followed.
---
Inside the gym, Venkatesh and Yash entered the training area.
Yash looked around at the trainees.
Several fighters were sparring on the platforms.
He glanced at Venkatesh.
"Sir... do you think you could actually defeat them?"
Venkatesh looked at the fighters.
Then he gave a small snort.
"These guys?"
He smirked.
"They're children compared to me."
Yash stared at him.
Why do I feel like he's about to cause trouble?
After several rounds of training, both Aarav and Anamika were visibly tired.
Dong Lee handed each of them an energy drink and leaned against the nearby equipment rack.
"So," he said casually, "tell me something about yourselves. Where are you from, and what do you two do?"
Anamika glanced at Aarav.
"You first."
Aarav raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
"My name is Aarav. I recently completed my twelfth grade, and I'm hoping to get admission into Mumbai University. As for martial arts…" He lifted the bottle and took a sip. "I'm learning it because I want to become stronger."
Anamika nodded.
"My name is Anamika. I also just finished my twelfth-grade exams, and I'm considering applying to Mumbai University."
Aarav looked at her for a moment before chuckling.
"Wow. Looks like we'll be in the same university."
Dong Lee's eyes lit up.
"Neither of you has any plans of making martial arts a career?"
Both of them looked at him.
Dong Lee continued with a confident smile.
"I've trained enough people to recognize potential. If you two seriously work on yourselves, I wouldn't be surprised if you became champions someday."
Aarav immediately waved his hand.
"Coach, you're joking, right? I'm still pretty weak."
Dong Lee laughed softly.
"Maybe compared to the people you've seen today. But you have potential. I can see it."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"You have something more important than raw strength—a strong will."
Aarav scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Thank you… I guess."
Before Dong Lee could say anything else, the reception area suddenly became noisy.
A few people turned toward the entrance.
A familiar voice followed.
"Excuse me. Does anyone have a training plan for me too?"
Aarav's eyes widened slightly.
That voice…
He turned around.
Venkatesh walked into the gym alongside Yash.
Dong Lee immediately stepped forward.
"Hello, sir. How can I help you?"
The receptionist also approached from behind.
"Sir?"
Before Dong Lee could ask anything further, Yash stepped forward and showed his identification.
"We're from the CBI."
Dong Lee blinked.
"CBI? Yes, sir. Please tell me how I can help."
Yash shook his head.
"We're not here because of you. We need to speak with one of your students."
His gaze moved toward Anamika.
"Miss Anamika, may we have a word with you?"
Anamika nodded.
"Sure."
Aarav noticed Venkatesh looking in his direction.
Venkatesh raised an eyebrow, silently asking what Aarav was doing there.
Aarav simply gestured back.
I'll explain later.
Venkatesh gave him a brief look before following Yash.
---
Anamika's POV
Anamika followed the two officers toward a quieter corner of the gym.
She already had a fairly good idea about why they were here.
Yash looked at her.
"Miss Anamika, do you know someone named Rukma?"
Anamika remained calm.
"Personally? No. My grandfather introduced me to him two days ago."
Yash frowned.
"Your grandfather?"
Anamika smiled faintly.
"Narayan Rao is my grandfather."
"Oh."
Yash immediately understood.
Venkatesh finally spoke.
"Rukma was murdered the other night."
Anamika's eyes narrowed.
"Not last night. The night before last."
Venkatesh studied her carefully.
"So you already knew about his death."
Anamika crossed her arms.
"Of course I did. He called me shortly before he died."
Her expression remained completely composed.
"And since you're standing here questioning me, I'm assuming you already know that."
Yash raised an eyebrow.
"You seem remarkably calm for someone who just learned that a person connected to her was murdered."
Anamika looked directly into his eyes.
"Because you and I both know I didn't kill him. There's no reason for me to panic."
Yash's expression changed.
"How did you know that we already ruled you out?"
Before he could continue, Venkatesh interrupted.
"Aren't you afraid that whoever killed Rukma might come after you next?"
Anamika's expression became sharper.
"Please speak directly. What exactly are you trying to ask?"
Venkatesh nodded.
"Fine. Rukma called you before his death. He must have shared something with you. If you tell us what it was, it could give our investigation a direction."
Anamika stared at him for a moment.
"Sir, I think you're putting your hand into a fire."
Venkatesh chuckled.
"What can I say? It's part of the job."
Anamika finally answered.
"3214."
Both officers became attentive.
"That was the only thing Rukma told me before the call ended. And if you want that number to lead you anywhere, you'd better move quickly."
She paused.
"Because Kaal is already one step ahead of you."
Venkatesh's expression hardened.
"You met Kaal?"
Yash immediately turned toward him.
"How can you be so sure she met him?"
Anamika calmly answered.
"Because last night he had a gun pointed directly at my head."
She shrugged slightly.
"In that situation, anyone would talk. I happen to value my life."
Venkatesh stared at her for a moment before nodding.
"We understand."
He stepped back.
"Thank you for cooperating."
As he turned away, his eyes briefly landed on Aarav.
Aarav immediately understood.
They're done.
He looked toward Dong Lee.
"Coach, I think I'll head home too."
Dong Lee nodded.
"Alright. Take care."
Aarav grabbed his belongings and followed Venkatesh and Yash outside.
---
Aarav's POV
The three walked toward the parking area.
For several seconds, nobody said anything.
Then Venkatesh spoke without even turning around.
"What were you doing here?"
Aarav casually replied,
"I thought I'd learn martial arts. You know… for fitness."
Yash stopped walking.
He looked at Aarav.
Then at Venkatesh.
Then back at Aarav.
His expression clearly said:
Wait… who is this guy?
Venkatesh noticed his confusion.
He sighed.
"Meet my son, Aarav."
Yash blinked.
"Your son?"
Aarav gave him a polite nod.
"Hello."
Yash looked between father and son again.
So this is Rahul's son…
He had heard plenty about Venkatesh's work, but he hadn't expected his son to be standing inside an MMA gym in the middle of an investigation.
Venkatesh, meanwhile, looked at Aarav.
"Did you have lunch?"
Aarav shook his head.
"No."
Venkatesh immediately turned toward Yash.
"Then let's grab lunch at a nearby restaurant."
Yash nodded.
"Sure."
Aarav silently followed them.