The jungle air was thick with tension as the tiger crouched, its golden eyes fixed on Ankit. The sound of fleeing footsteps echoed as students and teachers scrambled for safety, leaving Ankit face-to-face with the predator.
Ankit's muscles tensed as the tiger let out a ferocious growl, baring its teeth. His mind raced, not out of fear but calculation. He had to protect the others.
The tiger lunged first, a blur of power and precision. Ankit barely dodged, the claws grazing his side. His breath hitched, but he steadied himself. This wasn't going to be easy.
The tiger was relentless, attacking with swipes and pounces. Ankit was forced on the backfoot, dodging and weaving with every ounce of skill he had. The beast's raw power was overwhelming, its movements fluid yet devastating.
He narrowly avoided another swipe but lost balance, stumbling backward into a tree. The tiger saw its chance and leaped, knocking Ankit to the ground. For a moment, it seemed over. The beast's claws pinned Ankit's shoulders as its jaws moved toward his neck.
But Ankit, using all his strength, twisted his body and threw the tiger off him. Both stood again, eyeing each other. Sweat dripped down Ankit's forehead as pain shot through his ribs. He needed to adapt-fast.
With the next attack, Ankit began to anticipate the tiger's moves. As it lunged again, he sidestepped and delivered a powerful elbow to its side. The beast roared in pain, but it only seemed to anger it further.
In retaliation, the tiger clamped its jaws around Ankit's right forearm. Pain exploded through him as its teeth sank deep, blood dripping onto the ground.
Ankit let out a sharp yell but didn't let panic take over. He slammed his knee into the tiger's ribcage repeatedly until it released its grip. His arm hung limp and bleeding, but his resolve only grew stronger.
"I'm not losing to you," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Despite the pain, Ankit shifted to an offensive stance. He began using the environment, jumping off rocks and trees to evade and attack. His movements became sharper, his strikes more precise.
At one point, he delivered a spinning kick that landed square on the tiger's jaw, causing it to stagger. Seizing the moment, Ankit leaped onto its back, locking his arms around its neck. The tiger thrashed violently, trying to shake him off, but Ankit's grip tightened.
"Stay down!" he shouted, every muscle in his body straining as he held on.
The tiger roared, its movements slowing. Ankit's legs wrapped around its body like a vice, cutting off its air supply. Finally, the mighty beast collapsed, unconscious but alive.
The jungle was silent except for Ankit's heavy breathing. Blood dripped from his arm, and his body was covered in dirt and scratches. Slowly, he rose, his legs shaky but steady.
The students and teachers, who had been watching from a distance, erupted in cheers. Laki and Kanika were the first to run toward him, their faces pale with both fear and relief.
"You're insane!" Laki shouted, half-laughing and half-crying.
Kanika, who had been plotting against Ankit just hours ago, stood frozen, her mind racing. How did he survive that?
Ankit's injuries were severe. By the time they reached the hospital, he had lost significant blood and was barely conscious. Doctors immediately began treating his arm, which required several stitches and a cast.
News of the incident spread like wildfire. Videos of Ankit's fight, captured by terrified students on their phones, went viral. Headlines screamed: "College Student Defeats Tiger Barehanded!"
Within days, Ankit became a global sensation. Social media was flooded with praises, fan art, and even challenges from professional fighters and wrestlers worldwide.
One message stood out: "Ankit, you've impressed the world. But are you ready for the ultimate challenge?
Ankit, still recovering, smirked as he read the message. "Let them come," he whispered. "But first, I need to heal."
As Ankit lay in his hospital bed, the weight of his actions began to sink in. He wasn't just a student anymore. The world had its eyes on him, and his life was about to change forever.
Unbeknownst to him, a series of challenges awaited-challenges that would test not only his strength but also his willpower and determination.