Old City,

Delhi, India, 2098

Hoo... Hoo...

Hoo... Hoo...

Hoo... Hoo...

The sharp sound of punches slicing through the air echoed across the gym, accompanied by the rhythmic, heavy breathing of the fighter in motion. After an hour of relentless training, the figure finally stopped and turned toward his right, where a boxing machine stood waiting.

Standing in front of it, he caught his reflection in the machine's polished surface. His face was youthful yet still held traces of immaturity, with freckles lightly scattered across his nose. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary guy—but his eyes told a different story. They burned with determination and ambition, giving his average features a unique charm.

Taking a deep breath and gathering his focus, he stepped into a horse stance. His right fist shot forward, striking the machine three times in quick succession. A moment later, the display flashed 997. He repeated the same motion with his left fist, and the screen blinked 991.

Seeing the results, Kalki felt a surge of excitement. He knew it would only take a day—two at most—to reach the limit of the apprentice level, 1000 strength for both fists. Once he achieved that, he could finally take the warrior exam, qualify to practice the life energy gathering method and receive the initial life energy solution that would propel him past the apprentice threshold into the ranks of warriors.

In this post-apocalyptic world, warriors were humanity's backbone, standing strong against the monsters that roamed the earth. News of town-level disasters came almost weekly, and city-level catastrophes loomed every month.

It all began in 2050, when a series of mysterious energy blasts—later termed "life energy blasts"—occurred at various historical sites: Mount Kailash, Kunlun Mountain, Stonehenge, the Pyramids, and others. These energy surges spread like a devastating virus, causing massive casualties. Yet those who survived found their bodies inexplicably strengthened, and the first generation of warriors was born.

But humans weren't the primary beneficiaries. Animals, with their naturally stronger bodies, adapted faster, evolving at a dangerous pace. Initially, humanity fought back with conventional weapons, but as time passed, the monsters continued to grow in strength. Even nuclear arms, though still effective, became less viable as the earth underwent molecular-level transformation. In a desperate move, the world's governments launched a final barrage of nuclear strikes, nearly bringing about global ruin. The earth, fortified by the life energy released from those historical sites, survived. The targeted beasts were decimated, granting humanity a brief respite.

In this window of time, survivors—both soldiers and researchers—banded together, seeking ways to defend against the monsters and uncover the truth behind the energy blasts. Warriors became humanity's shield, fighting on the front lines, defending the cities, and braving life-or-death battles to find ways to end the monster threat. Every young person aspired to become a warrior—and Kalki was no exception. In fact, he wanted it more than anyone.

Thinking of a few faces, his determination grew even stronger. Without hesitation, he returned to the empty space where he had been training earlier.

While practicing, Kalki couldn't help but reminisce about his past—his reincarnation into this parallel world and his rebirth.

Born in 2070, Kalki's new life began miserably. As an orphan taken in by a government-run orphanage, he was surrounded by kind and loving caretakers. Yet, the memories of his previous life weighed heavily on him. He had been an ordinary man in his thirties, living a simple but beautiful life with his wife and son. The thought of his five-year-old son, left behind in his previous world, churned his heart with sadness.

But everything changed when he discovered this new world was one of superpowers. He had read enough fantasy novels to know that if he became powerful enough, he might find a way to break through the barriers of time and space, returning to the family he cherished.

With this possibility in mind, he sought ways to grow stronger. Luckily, the government saw potential in every orphan, offering them resources to train as warriors. The orphanage wasn't just a place for shelter; it was a breeding ground for future protectors of humanity. Even producing one warrior every three years was seen as a success. The government provided the necessary resources—basic, but enough to start the journey toward becoming a warrior. Once these orphans became warriors, they were given the freedom to wander, knowing that in times of disaster, the city would call for their aid. Defection, however, led to a global hunt for the guilty warrior.

With an adult mind, Kalki quickly absorbed the knowledge available in libraries and the advanced books provided by the government. By the age of 12—two years earlier than most—he was eligible to begin training in martial arts. His practice started with *Earth Federation Basic Martial Arts Version 302*, a polished and optimized martial art designed by the government. It covered everything from physical growth to hand-to-hand combat, weapon mastery, and movement.

Kalki used the knowledge and energy-filled resources provided by the government to quickly raise his physical strength. With the help of a few buddies and seniors at the orphanage, they practiced tirelessly, relying on each other as they sparred, discussed techniques, and pushed themselves to improve.

Days turned into years as they progressed. Some of his seniors were promoted, joining mercenary groups or the military. Occasionally, they returned, bringing advanced techniques and resources unavailable to ordinary trainees. Their guidance helped Kalki and his peers grow faster.

Time passed, and Kalki reached the level where it was time to choose between joining the army or a mercenary group. But before he could decide, disaster struck. The town he lived in faced an unprecedented onslaught of beasts. The assault was unlike anything seen before, requiring every able-bodied person in the town to join the defense. Yet, in truth, their efforts didn't matter. The horde's leader was a king-level beast, and its target was the city behind them. Kalki's town was just an obstacle to be crushed.

Kalki joined the reinforcements alongside his buddies and colleagues from the orphanage and school. They were quickly divided into squadrons, stationed behind barricades to reinforce any position that showed signs of weakening.

Batch after batch of his friends, colleagues, and countless others disappeared into the relentless meat grinder. No one tried to escape. Humanity's collective belief was clear: "One less beast is better than having one more coward." Soon, it was Kalki's turn. As he passed through the barricades, the sight of death and gore overwhelmed him. Hordes of beasts assaulted the defense line, their numbers endless. The defenders—a mix of soldiers and civilians—used every weapon at their disposal, sometimes even the corpses of dead beasts, to fight back. Yet, for every beast killed, three more seemed to take its place. The defenders' efforts were futile, a desperate stand against an unstoppable tide.

Kalki fought with everything he had, killing as many beasts as possible. But in the end, like so many before him, he fell. As the darkness closed in, he thought of his past life, his son, and the family he had lost. And thus, Kalki joined his friends, his colleagues & his townsmen in the AFTERLIFE.

Or so he thought before finding himself awake, years later, in another town with a new family. The same world awaited him, filled with the same dangers and opportunities. And with it, his determination was reignited—to avenge himself & to find a way back to his original world.