Meanwhile, within the elevator, Udhay's initial shock quickly morphed into excitement and curiosity. The prospect of a single teenager taking down such a large group was almost mythical, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration and fascination.
Udhay, unable to contain his excitement, broke the silence, "Did you hear that? A single teenager! This is straight out of an action movie. I need to see those tapes. This is going to be epic!"
Not long after, the armed guards obtained the surveillance footage from the third basement and played it on a tablet for Udhay and Noel.
The video depicted a massive brawl that resembled a choreographed action sequence, with a single young man systematically taking down an entire crowd of goons.
They immediately recognized the bloodied youth who had just exited the elevator. If they hadn't seen the footage for themselves, they would never have believed it.
10 Tails scrutinized the footage from the side, marveling, "From a rough estimate, that kid employed around 20 different martial arts styles during the fight. And it wasn't just a random show—it was incredibly effective.
Every move he executed was perfectly suited to the situation at hand. It was as if he had crafted his own martial art by integrating elements from various styles. If it weren't for the physical limits of his young body, those goons wouldn't have stood a chance against such a formidable fighter."
Every word from 10 Tails only intensified the gleam in Udhay's eyes. Noel noticed it too—the same look of excitement Udhay had when they first met.
As the elevator doors opened to the top floor, Noel turned to Udhay and suggested, "Why don't you go and meet him? I'll join you after my appointment."
He hurriedly waved at Noel, who exited the elevator. Then, with barely contained excitement, he pressed the button for the seventh floor, his enthusiasm palpable.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Jay sat on a patient bed while a fifty-year-old nurse meticulously applied bandages to his bruises. She seemed more engrossed in the TV across the room than in her task.
Jay would have preferred to handle the bandages himself, but the nurse insisted on helping. Resigned, he sat quietly, his mind consumed by thoughts of the looming threats. He had managed to survive today, but the future remained uncertain. He needed to find a solution to the dangers that lay ahead.
Just then, Udhay burst into the infirmary with his two armed guards in tow, frantically searching for Jay. The moment he spotted him, Udhay's face lit up like a 100-watt bulb, and he dashed towards Jay.
Without hesitation, he pleaded, "Please take me as your student. Teach me martial arts. Whatever you want, just name it. I'll use all my influence to make it happen."
Udhay didn't stop there. He grabbed a tablet from one of his guards and played the footage, pausing to comment on each move that fascinated him, expressing his burning desire to learn them. Throughout, Jay remained silent, his expression composed, quietly assessing the situation.
Jay remained silent, saying nothing from beginning to end. He hadn't seen this coming, but he recognized an opportunity when he saw one—an opportunity to save his family and the Enterprise.
Seeing Jay's continued silence, Udhay's worry deepened. "Please, say something. I swear I'll keep my end of the deal," he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
The nurse, initially distracted by her TV show, was now fully captivated by the unfolding drama.
Jay finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "I agree, but on one condition."
Udhay's face lit up, and he excitedly jumped, pumping an arm in the air. "Shoot it right away."
Jay began to explain his situation, detailing the threats to his family and enterprise. As he spoke, he noticed Udhay's face grow a bit dull at the mention of Nav-Yuga. Sensing something was off, he asked, "Is something wrong?"
Udhay remained silent for a moment, hesitating before saying, "About that, I can't do anything. The outcome is already written. Even I can't change it."
Jay's expression remained composed, but his mind raced as he processed Udhay's words. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice steady.
Udhay sighed, his excitement dampened. "My father has a lot of influence, and he's deeply involved in this situation. Even if I wanted to help, there's nothing I can do to change what's already in motion."
Jay nodded slowly, taking in the gravity of Udhay's admission. "I see. So it's not just Rohan and his father we're dealing with."
Udhay shook his head, a look of regret crossing his face. "No, it's much bigger than that."
He continued, his tone becoming more grave. "There's a circle of top companies that dominate the market. These companies united and funded my father's political party during a time when he was at a disadvantage, helping him secure the election.
In return, they imposed certain conditions. They've planned to block any rising company from threatening their positions and demanded a share in market profits."
Udhay paused, the weight of his words heavy in the air. "For every unfortunate rising company, the odds are stacked against them from the start. The outcome is predetermined before they even have a chance. Nav-Yuga was one of those unlucky ones.
The plan to dismantle your enterprise was set in motion earlier this year. It would have taken longer to execute, but for some reason, the Quadnite Chairman accelerated the process."
Jay absorbed every bit of information, the pieces falling into place as he grasped the massive powers at play. The weight of the situation pressed down on him.
Facing a single company was one thing, but contending with a coalition of powerful entities backed by the government was an entirely different beast. Despair began to creep in as he considered the odds stacked against him.
Sensing Jay's distress, Udhay quickly reassured him, "While I can't alter the outcome for your enterprise, I can guarantee the safety of your family."
Jay's worries eased slightly at this assurance. It wasn't the ideal solution, but it was something he could accept. "I'll take it. Do we have a deal?" Jay extended his hand, and Udhay eagerly grasped it.
Jay didn't release his grip and pulled Udhay closer, his eyes blazing with intensity. "God forbid anything happens to my family. If it does, I will go after everyone responsible, and that includes you."
The deadly look in Jay's eyes sent shivers down Udhay's spine. Despite the improbability of a single teenager taking on massive companies, he didn't doubt Jay's words. He gulped and nodded heavily, internally convinced he had found the right person to teach him.
As soon as Jay let go of his hand, Udhay performed a respectful karate bow and exclaimed, "Sensei, I'll be under your care."
Jay, still maintaining his composure, watched as Udhay's enthusiasm bubbled over. The agreement, though unconventional, was a lifeline Jay desperately needed.
Soon, everything around Jay began to glitch, and the scene around him changed.
He soon found himself outside an ICU room in the hospital, standing among his tearful siblings and distraught parents. The harsh fluorescent lights flickered slightly, casting an eerie glow over the sterile white walls. The faint beeping of monitors and the distant hum of hospital machinery filled the air with a mechanical rhythm that was both reassuring and unsettling.
The room door opened, and a doctor in a surgeon's outfit stepped out. His surgical cap was still on, and his mask hung loosely around his neck, revealing a weary face lined with exhaustion. Jay's father and uncle stepped ahead, worry apparent on their faces.
Jay's heart pounded as the memory began to replay, dragging him back to the most traumatic events. He watched helplessly, reliving the moment as if it were happening all over again.
I'm thrilled to share that I'm taking a big leap forward! Alongside Earth's Alpha Prime, I've launched the first sub-book for EAP.
ALTER REALITY: Online
The book is now available, and I'll be releasing new chapters at a rate of 3 per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Do check it out!
Chapter Release Rate: 3 Chs/Week.
<<<< Tue, Thu, Sun >>>>
The first ten to comment for new chapter releases will get '1 ADVANCED CHAPTER' for free on Earth Alpha Prime's Discord server.
In the discord server, I opened a private channel for those Top 10 candidates, where I posted the respective Advanced Chapter.
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Discord Link for 'Earth's Alpha Prime' :
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