Vivek stepped out of the car, greeted by a rush of cold breeze that caused him to shiver involuntarily. The clock had almost struck six in the morning, and the sun was still a mere promise on the horizon. Faint rays of light painted the sky, casting a subtle glow over the surroundings.
The atmosphere was calm, yet the air carried a chill that penetrated through his clothes, adding to the internal storm of emotions he was grappling with. He stood there, surrounded by the half-light of dawn, contemplating the interplay of darkness and the approaching dawn.
The sky above him held a deep, dark blue hue, gradually giving way to the golden fingers of sunlight that reached out from the eastern horizon. The merging colors created a surreal canvas, a hazy rainbow of blended hues and curved lines. The world around him seemed to be caught in a transient state, suspended between night and day.
As Vivek observed the ethereal beauty of the pre-dawn sky, he couldn't help but feel a strange connection to the ever-changing canvas above. The silent landscape mirrored the tumultuous emotions within him, and for a brief moment, he found solace in the harmony of nature's transition.
The car was neatly parked on the right side of the narrow road, leaving around ten steps of space between the right and left sides. On either side, sweet and general stores lined the street, accompanied by quaint restaurants that were still closed at this early hour. The air carried a quiet stillness as the sun began to cast its subtle rays, painting the sky with a soft glow.
As Vivek exited the car, its engine purred to life, and the vehicle gracefully glided ahead, leaving him standing on the quiet road. The morning held a promise of awakening, with only a handful of people strolling through the street. The closed shutters of the stores and the unlit signs indicated that the town was still in the process of shaking off its slumber.
In front of Vivek, a substantial gap between two shops marked a sizeable opening leading to an expansive open area. He walked ahead , his footsteps echoing in the hushed surroundings. The dawn had painted the sky with hues of soft blues and golden tones, casting a tranquil ambiance over the town.
Crossing the road with purpose, Vivek ventured towards the opening. The air was crisp, and the scent of the morning lingered as he moved closer to the spacious area beyond. The town was beginning to stir, and Vivek, with a sense of anticipation, embraced the quiet beauty of the early morning.
In the open area to his left, Vivek noticed a towering water tank standing hundreds of meters above the ground. Its yellow paint gleamed in the morning light, and circular stairs spiraled around it from all sides, inviting him to explore its height.
Directly ahead, Vivek observed a weathered railway station, its outer walls showing visible signs of wear and tear. Cracks marred the surface, and tattered paint hinted at years of neglect. The station wall served as a canvas for a collage of posters, a mixture of old and new, depicting missing people. The haunting images stared back at him, silently telling stories of those who had vanished into the abyss.
A focal point in the open area was an ancient banyan tree standing proudly in the middle. Its sprawling branches and roots spoke of years of existence and witnessed the changes in the surroundings. Two individuals, their backs casually leaning against the tree, caught Vivek's attention. Both adorned white turbans and kurtas, their dark complexions marked by keen eyes and cracked lips. Wisps of smoke curled around them as they leisurely enjoyed their morning smoke, adding a sense of tranquility to the otherwise worn and weathered surroundings.
Vivek, already acquainted with the surroundings, approached the railway station's entrance. The outer wall featured a worn rusted iron gate, with faint traces of red barely visible. Pushing the gate open, the familiar clank echoed through the air.
Inside the station, a vast hall unfolded before him. Its cracked walls shed occasional fragments of lime, evidence of the wear and tear over the years. The once vibrant paint had long faded away. Marble stairs, flanked by windows on either side, led up to the main entrance. The rooftop displayed a circular design, its edges marked with grease.
Undeterred by the worn state of the station, Vivek moved towards the familiar rusted iron sliding door. With a forceful push, the door creaked open, creating a loud bang that momentarily caught the attention of two men leaning against the banyan tree outside. After a casual glance toward the station, the men resumed their morning smoke.
"Damn this door," Vivek mumbled, familiar with the challenges. "I think I broke it; the bearing on the left is completely gone."
With a resigned sigh, he stepped inside, the cool grey marble flooring beneath his feet, a testament to the station's enduring history.
Inside the station, on the left side, three empty ticket counters with broken windows stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time. The surfaces were adorned with an array of slangs and graffiti of various kinds. On the right, a once-white wall, now tinged with yellow from constant weathering, stretched along the station.
Undeterred by the decay, Vivek moved deeper into the station. Two railway lines divided the space, supported by metal pillars beneath the steel rooftop. A total of fourteen pillars, forming seven sections, lined the area on both sides. A small overpass connected the two sides, and Vivek walked towards it. Standing in front of the fifth section's second pillar, he noticed a distinctive marking—a five-hole pattern arranged in a one-by-two configuration.
Vivek retrieved a pen from his suitcase and, removing its cap, carefully placed it on the line between one and two. In response, a buzzing sound emanated from Vivek's sunglasses, and a soft, female robotic voice spoke, "Status active. Subject verified. Welcome, subject 1289." Simultaneously, the door of what appeared to be a washroom on his left opened.
Without hesitation, Vivek entered the washroom, and the door smoothly closed behind him. In reality, it wasn't a washroom but a concealed lift. As Vivek's lift descended, another lift seamlessly took its place, disguising itself as a washroom to maintain the station's facade.
The lift came to a halt, and its front wall opened outward like a door. Vivek stepped out with a somber expression, finding himself in a vast hall adorned with eighteen pillars, each bearing a respective number and the word 'TOWER' preceding it.
The atmosphere in the hall felt heavy, painted with a layer of coal and dust. Numerous pipelines for drainage or water supply crisscrossed the walls, giving the space an industrial feel.
"They chose this place," Vivek mumbled to himself, his gaze sweeping across the cavernous hall. "As such, if someone finds out about it, they can destroy the entrance and towers without harming the hall and station above."
Standing in front of TOWER 12, Vivek observed as the tower's scanner activated. It scanned his eyes, and upon recognition, the thick metal gates of the tower swung open, revealing an awaiting lift within.
Vivek entered the lift, and the AI prompted, "Hall number assigned?" Vivek responded with "Two." The AI acknowledged, "Subject 1289, assigned to hall 2. Confirmation complete. Moving to hall two." The lift doors closed, signaling the continuation of Vivek's journey within the concealed towers beneath the seemingly ordinary railway station.
The term "tower" merely designated the upper part of the lift; the true essence lay underground. Beneath each tower, a complex arrangement formed an inverted cone structure. The deeper the descent, the higher the value attached to the individual or mission. The hierarchy was categorized into five halls, descending from Hall 5 for the yellow rankers to Hall 1 for the highest authorities, including the Tower Head.
The rankings mirrored the cover of the file Vivek had encountered earlier, symbolizing the various levels of authority and importance among the subjects. As one moved downward, the area of the floor diminished, reflecting the hierarchical structure and the significance of each hall in the concealed underground network. Vivek, subject 1289, found himself navigating the layers of this covert facility, each level shrouded in secrecy and purpose.
"Second Hall Ahead," announced the AI as the gates opened. Stepping out of the lift, Vivek took in the changes that had occurred over the seven years. The number of people had noticeably increased, and his keen attention to detail didn't let even the subtlest changes escape his notice.
Despite the diminishing area with each hall, Hall 2 remained expansive. Vivek marveled at the transformation, acknowledging the growth and adaptation of the covert facility. His gaze settled on the most prominent feature—a colossal, white tree-like structure at the center of the hall. Its branches extended, connecting to numerous black and blue-colored desks and small offices. The bark of the tree hosted multiple screens, while its leaves emitted a soft blue glow, resembling transmitters.
The entire tree appeared translucent yet carried a phenomenal aura. The hall, predominantly white with delicate blue lines near the edges, showcased a seamless blend of technology and aesthetics. The edges of the hall were adorned with long light sources, resembling light rods but with a unique touch, perfectly illuminating every corner and detail of the remarkable space.
In Hall 2, numerous individuals moved about, engaged in various activities. Some sat at desks, while others conversed with wide smiles that contradicted the emptiness in their eyes. As Vivek observed, he couldn't help but be unsettled by the stark contrast between their cheerful expressions and the vacant, dilated eyes that betrayed the absence of emotion or conscience.
The saying that the eyes are the window to a person's soul took on a haunting meaning in this context. Their eyes, completely dilated with tiny pupils, seemed like an abyss, a devouring black hole devoid of life. Unlike Vivek's deep, dark abyss, theirs resembled a void from which nothing could return. These individuals were no longer recognizable as humans; their emotions and conscience had long been extinguished. They had become inhuman, empty vessels concealing a raging beast within.
Vivek, grappling with the discomfort of meeting those soulless gazes, mumbled in a hoarse voice, "It's really been a long time indeed, I wasn't able to withstand looking into their eyes. I have to go and start the simulation quickly." His words hung in the air, underscoring the urgency of his mission in this unsettling and surreal environment.
Vivek continued, making his way into a minor hall situated behind the colossal tree. The glass doors at the entrance welcomed him, and he walked in. As the doors closed behind him, he found himself facing a reception area.
A woman in her mid-thirties or late twenties stood at the center of the reception. She had vibrant, dyed pink and golden hair, emitting a strong perfume that lingered in the air. Her big eyes, adorned with blue lenses, complemented her fair complexion, button nose, full lips, and rosy cheeks, creating an overall charming demeanor.
Vivek approached the reception, the routine of this underground facility embedded in his memory. The receptionist, wearing a pink top paired with long jeans, exuded an upper-tier beauty with proper curves in all the right places.
As Vivek stood before the receptionist, her scrutinizing gaze ran from the top of his head down to his shoes. A pronounced raise of her perfectly shaped eyebrows was met with an audible "hmph." The air seemed to tighten with an unspoken tension.
"What do you want, brat?" she snapped with an exaggerated eye roll, her voice piercing through the otherwise hushed reception area.
Unfazed by her sharp tone, Vivek replied with an air of nonchalance, "I am here for a mission. I want to get its further details." His response hung in the air, challenging the receptionist's dismissive demeanor.
With a dramatic flourish, she demanded, "Give me your ID pen," her tone now layered with a heightened sense of impatience and authority.
Vivek promptly handed over his ID pen, the exchange carrying the weight of unspoken narratives beneath the surface.
{Note: Receptionists and other staff members are not necessarily the 'subjects' of leverage they are not trained by them but just work there}
She forcefully connected the pen to one of the leaves of the tree, initiating the information retrieval process. However, her reaction took an unexpected turn.
"You despicable mother*****r!" she erupted, slamming her hands onto the reception desk. The commotion immediately drew the attention of everyone in the main hall. "How... How did you even get entry to this floor with a yellow rank?" Her anger boiled over, and the room buzzed with a tense atmosphere.
Unfazed, Vivek stood calmly amid the heightened tension, his abyssal eyes capturing the gaze of everyone present. With a measured tone, he stated, "Look again." The challenge lingered in the air, daring the receptionist to reassess the information.
"What to look again, you subject 12...8...9....sl.." she yelled, her voice escalating before abruptly becoming hoarse. As the subject number left her lips, her face drained of color, her eyes widened to the point of disbelief, and her mouth hung agape. A sudden numbness crept into her legs, making them wobbly. Her trembling hands attempted to read the information once more.
"It says, 1 2 8 9, 'the slaughter king'," she stammered, swallowing hard. The hall fell into an eerie silence. Even the low lives present dared not make a single move.
"Slaughter King, but he had left years ago. How could it..." she trailed off, her gaze fixed on Vivek. His lack of action only intensified the weight pressing down on her. Every story and legend she had heard about the Slaughter King flashed before her eyes. The very aura of death seemed to envelop her, and her body trembled involuntarily. Fear gripped her heart as she grappled with the overwhelming presence of the deadly figure standing before them, and a cold sweat trickled down her forehead.
Suddenly, the Head Receptionist emerged from Vivek's left side. "Sorry, sir. She didn't know about you. It was a mistake. I apologize on her behalf," she said, putting both of her hands together and bowing deeply. "Sir, let me guide you. I was informed about your arrival but didn't know you would come so early." Vivek inclined his head slightly in agreement, and they both left the main hall.
The receptionist, still in shock, watched as Vivek and the Head Receptionist departed. When she no longer saw Vivek's shadow, the tension that gripped her released, and the weight of fear crashed upon her. She collapsed to the ground on her buttocks, a sudden cold engulfing her body. Shivers ran through her, and sweat covered her forehead. It felt as if her head was under attack by countless ants or insects. Her breathing was heavy, but gradually, it lightened as she tried to regain composure, the aftermath of encountering the deadly figure slowly ebbing away.
"You knew who I was from the beginning, and I noticed you were watching from the sidelines since I entered, but still chose to be silent," Vivek said to the Head Receptionist, locking eyes with her.
"Sir is wise, and if I am not wrong, knows the reason as well. The young generations are getting worse; this was the best lesson for her," she replied, bowing slightly once again.
["She is indeed a cunning woman. She very well hid the facts of attempting to gather information discreetly on me and posed the excuse of her. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with me," Vivek thought.]
However, the Head Receptionist, having been in this secretive world for a long time, couldn't fully trust even someone as known as Vivek. During his seven-year absence, she discreetly gathered information, always prepared for the unexpected.
"I guess you are early here for the simulation process, as you informed with the suitcase. If that's the case, then you have to go to basement three. It will be free for the next ten hours," she informed him, her actions revealing a cautious approach honed by years of dealing with the intricacies of the underground facility.
Beyond the main hall, there were multiple small basements, each with its entrance on either side of the colossal tree. These subterranean chambers held secrets and capabilities that echoed the clandestine nature of the underground facility known as LEVERAGE.
Every subject in LEVERAGE underwent a transformative process. They were injected with a small chip and a serum designed to enhance their physical prowess. In some cases, the serum had the power to double their physical abilities.
Simulation was a crucial aspect of LEVERAGE. It involved connecting the subject's system (their body) with an AI-powered program. The gateway for this connection was the chip embedded within each subject. Through simulation, subjects could acquire skills ranging from martial arts and combat styles to dance forms and beyond.
The beauty of the process lay in the chip's ability to store all the acquired data during the simulation. When a user desired to execute specific actions, the chip regulated the motion of the serum in the muscles, allowing them to perform the learned skills. With repeated use, these actions became ingrained as muscle memory, enabling the person to execute them throughout their life without the aid of the chip.
However, the advantages came with a significant price. The serum, when activated in action, caused an intense burning sensation akin to molten lava coursing through the body. Many subjects experienced muscle tears due to the excessive heat produced by the serum, and some succumbed to the fatal consequences of overheating. For those who could endure the pain, the reward was substantial — a rapid increase in muscle mass over a relatively short period. The dichotomy of enhancement and sacrifice formed the core of the LEVERAGE program, where every step forward exacted its toll.
"Simulation has a success rate of sixty percent now, rather than the old forty percent. We have evolved the formula further. It increases the muscle mass to a minimum of fifty percent of the original within ten hours, but resting for another ten hours is necessary. Are you sure about this, sir?" she inquired cautiously.
"It is necessary. I am a forty-year-old man now. If I go like this, I am already dead," Vivek affirmed.
The Head Receptionist approached the tree and typed something on the screen embedded in its bark. A passage below near the tree opened, revealing a hidden entrance.
"I hope you enjoy your time, sir," she said politely.
Vivek, without uttering a word, moved directly into the passage. As he walked in, the opening closed behind him, plunging the surroundings into pitch darkness.
Soon after, the room was illuminated as lights flickered on, revealing the space's true nature. What unfolded next would be utterly horrifying for anyone else, but Vivek stood there, watching closely with his dead eyes, unfazed by the impending ordeal.