The waiting room was eerily quiet, filled with an unspoken tension. Das stepped inside, his eyes subtly scanning the space.
Twelve individuals already occupied the seats, each exuding an intimidating aura. With one look, Das examined every single of them. These were not ordinary men and women—they were warriors, assassins, and seasoned fighters from vastly different backgrounds.
As Das walked toward the corner chair, every single person in the room glanced at him. The moment they registered his presence, their expressions shifted into displeasure. Some merely sighed and looked away, while others openly sneered in disinterest.
Das felt it instantly. This was not an ordinary selection process. Even though he had no idea what job he was called for, something about the whole setup felt off. His instincts, honed from a decade in the criminal zone, told him he was in a den of killers.
His eyes rested on an elderly monk, seated at the far end. The old man had a shaved head, with a trident symbol etched onto his forehead. His hands rested calmly on an unusual T-shaped Yoga Danda, an ancient weapon rarely seen in the modern world.
Das narrowed his gaze as he sensed the killed intent from all 12 people. This old monk is the most dangerous person inside the room.
Among the others, there was a masked warrior, a female sniper, a burly man with tribal tattoos, and a woman clad in all black, her Asian features sharp and precise.
Each one of them looked like they killed people before.
Just then, the clock struck 10:00 AM, and the secretary entered with rhythmic footsteps.
Her sharp heels clicked against the polished floor as she surveyed the room.
"The selection test for the position of Princess Maya's personal guard will now begin," she announced.
A confused look appeared on Das's face. 'Personal guard? What the hell did I walk into?'
"First candidate," the secretary continued, "Lady Rhino, follow me... " The secretary called the girl in the assassin's clothes.
The woman in shiny black attire stood up, her dark eyes sweeping over the room one last time. She stared with a predatory grace, her curly hair bouncing slightly, and before exiting, she threw a mocking scoff at the others.
Das exhaled quietly. "Did the secretary mistake my identity? How did I end up in this circus?" Das thought while observing the burly man's tattoo which felt familiar.
Something wasn't right. And whatever it was, he was now involved.
Inside the grand selection chamber, Second Princess Nivedita Rajput sat with authority, her sharp gaze scanning the assassin girl before her. Beside her, Princess Maya remained like a lifeless doll in her wheelchair, her head fixed to the side as she listened.
Nivedita leaned forward slightly. "State your background."
The Assassin Girl bowed slightly, her tone flat. "Shadow Fang organisation. Specializing in silent eliminations and surveillance."
Before Nivedita could ask anything further, a mocking voice cut through the air.
"Enough with the formalities," the voice drawled lazily.
All eyes turned to the man in flowing yellow robes—Yellow Tiger. His smirk was smug, his posture relaxed yet commanding.
"To get this position, you just need to defeat me." He spread his arms dramatically. "The benefits are enormous—100,000 bucks per month, access to the Rajput family's private resources, and lifelong insurance under the Rajput name," The yellow tiger said, rolling his shoulders.
"Who are you?" The lady asked with an angry glare.
"You are not worthy to know my name. Tell me, Do you dare compete with me?" He taunted.
The Assassin Girl didn't even blink. She stepped forward without hesitation.
"Let's begin," she said coldly.
The yellow tiger smiled and stepped on the circle before the tables.
The lady moved first. Her body flattened low, and in one swift motion, she delivered a low sweeping kick, aiming to take down Yellow Tiger's legs.
Yellow Tiger didn't flinch. Instead, he casually lifted a small stone statue in his hand and moved it in a circular motion.
A gust of pale yellow energy erupted from his palms.
The Assassin Girl's body was lifted off the ground as if an invisible force had grabbed her.
"Boom"
Her body kicked backward, crashing against the marble wall with a sickening impact. Her head smashed against the wall and she lost consciousness in the next second.
The room fell into silence. Nivedita's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
Yellow Tiger chuckled and turned towards the secretary.
"Who's next? Send them fast." he ordered the secretary, amusement dripping from his voice.
One by one, the other fighters stepped inside.
A burly man with brass knuckles rushed in—Yellow Tiger extended two fingers, and the man collapsed.
A masked warrior with a double-bladed spear tried attacking directly—Yellow Tiger flicked his wrist, and the warrior was sent flying.
A female sniper with twin daggers ran straight—Yellow Tiger tightly held the small stone statue in his grip and punched the lady. She crumbled like a puppet with cut strings.
One by one… they all fell. Until only two people remained. The old monk and Vikram Das.
The secretary called the old man next. Yellow Tiger's felt amused after seeing the skinny old monk.
"Well, well. An old man? Are you sure you can handle this? I won't take responsibility if you die here." He mocked, his confidence unwavering.
The Monk didn't respond as he closed his eyes and muttered some mantras.
Yellow Tiger chuckled in confidence. "Alright, let's end this quickly."
He raised both hands holding the rock, and an immense wave of energy blasted toward the monk.
But the Monk…? He didn't even blink. Instead, he gently lifted his 'T' shaped Yoga Danda. A wave of unseen energy rippled outward.
Yellow Tiger was sent hurtling backward. He spun three times in the air before crashing into the ground, coughing blood.
The painful cries of the yellow tiger filled the chamber and his face contorted in pain.
Nivedita stood up in surprise and stared at the old man like she was seeing a ghost. Even Princess Maya turned her eyes to take a look at the old monk.
"Class 2 Monk…?!!!" The yellow tiger's voice shook with disbelief. He immediately stood up and bowed his head before the old man.
"Elder, please forgive me for my rude behavior. If you want this personal guard position, I won't compete for it." Yellow tiger said in a respectful tone.
The Monk chuckled with a silly look. "I don't need your approval," he said, stroking his beard. "I owe a favor to the Rajput patriarch. So here I am to protect his daughter. You may leave now."
Yellow Tiger lowered his head. "I… I understand."
He turned to go, but before he could… The secretary spoke. "My lady, should I call for the last person waiting outside?"
Nivedita scoffed. "There's no need. What's left to prove? That criminal outside can't possibly defeat a Class 2 Monk." She waved dismissively.
But the Monk's voice rang out in the next second."No, Bring him in."
Nivedita frowned. "Elder, why?"
The Monk chuckled darkly. "Little girl, you'll understand my strength when I personally crush that last man. Also, I've wanted to kick a criminal for a long time."
Soon, the secretary stepped outside and called Das's name.
The doors opened.
And Das stepped inside.
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Tq for your support ;-)