Chapter 1: The Village of Beginnings
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the vast fields surrounding the village. The chirping of birds mingled with the distant clang of metal tools, a daily melody in this little corner of Haryana. For the first time in two lifetimes, Arjun woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing and the scent of freshly tilled soil.
His body ached as he sat up on the cot in the small, thatched hut. He examined his surroundings—a single room with mud walls, a flickering oil lamp in the corner, and a few clay pots near the door. The roof creaked as a light breeze passed through the gaps in the straw.
"Arjun, come eat!" a familiar voice called from outside.
He stumbled to his feet, his legs shaky and weak, and stepped out into the morning light. His "mother," who had been crying over him the day before, stood by a makeshift stove, stirring a pot of thin gruel. Her name came to him suddenly, as if from a memory not his own—Radha Dhankhar, a woman of boundless kindness and weary strength.
"Eat quickly, beta," she said, her smile masking the exhaustion in her eyes. "Your father's already in the fields, and I need your help fetching water from the well."
Arjun sat down quietly, still disoriented by the reality of his situation. As he took his first bite of the bland porridge, the translucent screen appeared again before his eyes.
Welcome to the Beginner Phase.
Name: Arjun Dhankhar
Age: 10 years
Karma Points: 0
Available Skills: Farming (Novice), Endurance (Basic), Herbal Knowledge (Novice)
Cheat System Activated: Learn and Level Skills Faster
Objective: Strengthen yourself and your surroundings.
The screen faded as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Arjun in stunned silence. He now had clarity—he was no longer the tech-savvy genius who could solve problems from behind a computer. Here, survival itself was a skill, and he had to start from scratch.
"Are you alright, Arjun?" Radha asked, concern creeping into her voice.
"I'm fine," he replied quickly, forcing a smile. "I just need a moment."
The Village and Its People
The village of Dhankhari was a modest one, home to barely a hundred people. Mud houses with thatched roofs stood scattered across the dusty roads, surrounded by fields of wheat and mustard. A lone banyan tree marked the village square, where children played and elders sat sharing stories.
As Arjun walked with his mother to the well, he observed everything carefully.
Children played with handmade toys, their laughter masking the hunger in their eyes.
Women worked tirelessly, fetching water, grinding grain, or sewing torn clothes.
Men toiled under the harsh sun, bent over fields with tools so crude they seemed ancient to him.
The British flag fluttered on the distant horizon, near the local administrative office, a reminder of the colonial rule that gripped the nation.
First Lessons: The Well Incident
Reaching the village well, Arjun saw a group of women waiting in line, their pots balanced on their hips. They whispered amongst themselves, their eyes darting nervously toward a burly man with a whip slung over his shoulder.
"That's Lala, the zamindar's enforcer," Radha whispered to Arjun. "He ensures we pay our dues... even if it means taking our grain or tools."
Arjun clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger. The man's presence was a stark reminder of the oppression that his family and others endured daily.
"Next!" Lala barked, his voice sharp. He shoved an elderly woman aside, spilling her pot of water.
Arjun's instincts kicked in. "That's enough!" he shouted, stepping forward.
The crowd fell silent, and Radha grabbed his arm, fear in her eyes. "Arjun, stop! You'll get us in trouble!"
But Arjun's voice didn't waver. "She's old and can barely walk. Let her fill her pot without your interference!"
Lala's eyes narrowed. "A brat like you thinks he can lecture me?"
As Lala raised his hand to strike, Arjun's vision blurred, and the screen appeared again.
New Objective Unlocked: Stand Up to Oppression
Reward: +10 Karma Points
Before Lala's hand could land, Arjun ducked instinctively and grabbed a nearby stick. Though his body was small and weak, something awakened within him—a surge of courage and precision he didn't understand. With one swift motion, he jabbed the stick into Lala's shin, sending the man stumbling back.
The crowd gasped, and Lala glared at Arjun, his face red with rage. "You'll regret this, boy!" he spat, limping away.
Radha pulled Arjun close, her voice trembling. "What were you thinking? He'll report this to the zamindar!"
Arjun looked at her, determination shining in his eyes. "If we don't stand up to them now, Ma, when will we?"
The Cheat System Rewards Him
As the crowd dispersed, murmuring about the brave boy who stood up to Lala, the screen appeared again before Arjun.
Objective Complete: Stand Up to Oppression
+10 Karma Points Earned
Skill Unlocked: Leadership (Basic)
Leadership (Basic): Inspire others to follow your example. Increases charisma and influence.
Arjun's lips curved into a faint smile. He had taken his first step toward change. The system wasn't just a tool for him—it was a path forward, a way to rebuild this broken world.
Closing Scene
That night, as Arjun lay on his cot staring at the stars through the cracks in the roof, he whispered to himself:
"This is just the beginning. If I have to fight zamindars, the British, and even gods themselves, I'll make sure this village, this country, becomes something no one can oppress again."
The cheat system glimmered faintly in response, as if acknowledging his resolve.