Chapter 10 "New Reward"

As Shivam arrived at the large mall, having already completed his 10-kilometer run, he felt a sensation of exhaustion creeping into his body.

Despite not feeling physically drained, he sensed that his body's ability to absorb vitality had reached its limit.

The doubled absorption rate, coupled with the strain of the run, was starting to take its toll, manifesting as discomfort in his legs and body.

Shivam realized he needed to slow down the absorption rate to alleviate the pain.

Nonetheless, he found relief in the fact that he had successfully reached his destination.

Shivam's regular exercise routine at home had prepared him well for the 10-kilometer run.

While he typically ran shorter distances, his consistent training allowed him to push through the longer distance with only minor discomfort.

The mysterious stone he possessed seemed to enhance his endurance, enabling him to achieve this feat despite the increased strain on his body.

Shivam noticed that the absorption of vitality during meditation and exercise doubled with the assistance of the Red Stone.

Recognizing the need to adapt to this heightened absorption rate, he resolved to find ways to manage it effectively to avoid any potential harm to himself.

Shivam made a mental note to enhance his body's capacity to handle increased bodily demands.

Upon reaching the mall, several security personnel observed him, expressing sympathy for his disheveled appearance.

Covered in sweat, Shivam appeared as though he was rushing for an urgent meeting, presenting a somewhat unkempt appearance.

As Shivam entered the mall, one of the security guards approached him with concern evident in his voice.

"You must be running late, sir.

Let me help you with a quick check-up," the guard offered, noting Shivam's disheveled appearance. In the guard's mind, Shivam appeared to be someone rushing to make up for lost time, perhaps working in one of the shops within the mall.

Acknowledging the guard's concern with a polite "Thank you," Shivam chose not to clarify the reason behind his appearance.

Instead, he proceeded towards an area where he could perform his push-ups.

Finding a secluded spot near the stairs where there were no people around, he set his bag aside and took a brief five-minute break to rejuvenate his body after the strenuous 10-kilometer run.

Despite feeling some bodily discomfort, he experienced no exhaustion thanks to the vitality coursing through him.

After a few minutes, Shivam began to feel some ease as his body continued to absorb vital energy with each passing moment.

Feeling rejuvenated, he proceeded to do pull-ups.

Despite being aware of the surveillance cameras watching him, Shivam paid no heed and continued with his task.

Completing these pull-ups would mark the final exercise to fulfill the complementary task and receive the reward for the day.

Despite the daunting task of completing 500 push-ups, Shivam surprisingly felt no discomfort.

However, as he approached the halfway mark, his hands began to tremble, a clear sign of their desire to cease the strenuous activity.

Yet, Shivam's energy reserves showed no sign of depletion, fueling his determination to persevere.

Despite his hands trembling from the strain of the task, Shivam refused to yield and pressed on.

In the past, he could only manage 100 push-ups at a time, but now he has surpassed 300 in one go, a testament to the remarkable growth facilitated by the red stone within his body.

Each repetition had been a battle against fatigue and muscle strain, but he had persevered, driven by his determination to complete the task and claim his reward.

With each push-up, the strain on his muscles intensified, and he could feel his energy draining with every exertion.

Sweat poured from his brow, soaking his clothes and leaving a trail of moisture on the ground beneath him.

His arms trembled with the effort, and he gritted his teeth against the pain shooting through his muscles.

But despite the physical toll, Shivam refused to give up. With each repetition, he pushed himself further, drawing on reserves of strength he didn't know he had.

The burning sensation in his muscles was almost unbearable, but he pushed through it, driven by his determination to succeed.

As Shivam lay on the ground, his chest heaving with exhaustion, he felt the weight of his accomplishment.

The 500 push-ups he had just completed had pushed his body to its limits and beyond.

Each repetition had been a battle against fatigue and muscle strain, but he had persevered, driven by his determination to complete the task and claim his reward.

After completing his 500th push-up, Shivam felt his hands go numb, but the notification from his smartphone brought him a sense of satisfaction.

With a shaky hand, he unlocked his phone and navigated to the Dark Web application, ignoring the various notifications from other apps clamoring for his attention.

His focus was singular, and his mind was consumed with thoughts of the mysterious item he had earned through his hard work.

As the Dark Web application opened, a sense of excitement coursed through him.

He scanned through the notifications until he found the one indicating his new reward.

With a quick tap, he opened the message, his heart racing with anticipation.

The screen displayed a holographic image of the reward, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

Shivam's eyes widened as he beheld the item, his mind racing with possibilities.

What secrets did it hold?

As Shivam tapped on the congratulations box that appeared on the screen, he winced slightly as a sharp pain shot through his thumb.

The strain of his intense workout was catching up with him, but he brushed it off, eager to claim his reward from the Dark Web.

With a few more taps, the screen shimmered, revealing the contents of his prize.

Despite the discomfort, a sense of anticipation welled up inside him as he beheld the mysterious item that awaited him.

Despite the throbbing ache in his muscles, Shivam couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

With his new reward in hand, he knew he was one step closer to unraveling the secrets of the Dark Web and unlocking its full potential.

Startled by the voice of the security guard, Shivam snapped out of his reverie and quickly shut off his phone, concealing the screen from prying eyes.

As he glanced around, he realized he was still lying on the ground, the cool surface of the mall floor beneath him.

With a sheepish smile, he scrambled to his feet, grateful for the wake-up call from the guard.

"Oh, sorry about that," he muttered, trying to appear nonchalant despite the embarrassment of being caught in such a state.

The security guard eyed him with a mixture of concern and suspicion, but Shivam quickly brushed past him, eager to put some distance between himself and the awkward encounter.

As he hurried away, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

Once he was out of sight, Shivam took a moment to collect himself, his mind racing with thoughts of the mysterious reward he had just received.

With a determined nod, he tucked his phone away and set off, determined to uncover the secrets of the Dark Web on his own terms.

Relieved to have found a secluded spot, Shivam quickly made his way to the mall's washroom.

With each step, he could feel the weight of his sweat-soaked clothes clinging uncomfortably to his skin, urging him to change into the fresh set he had brought from home.

As he entered the quiet confines of the washroom, he let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the momentary privacy it provided.

Without wasting another moment, he pulled out his phone and navigated to the notification from the Dark Web application.

With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, Shivam tapped on the notification, his heart racing as he waited to see what reward awaited him.

Intrigued and slightly taken aback, Shivam found himself holding not an item, but a living organism in his hand.

The unexpected nature of the reward left him momentarily speechless, his mind racing with questions about its origin and purpose, as it was still in the holographic image of that organism.

As Shivam gazed at the holographic image in his hand, he was met with the sight of a creature that seemed to defy description.

The small insect queen possessed a delicate and ethereal beauty that captured his attention instantly.

Its form, no larger than five inches, radiated an otherworldly charm, drawing Shivam into its enchanting presence.

With three eyes adorning its petite face, the insect queen exuded an aura of mystique.

Two gentle orbs on either side of its head gleamed with an iridescent sheen, while a single, ruby-red eye nestled in its center added a touch of intrigue.

Despite the small size, each eye seemed to hold a world of wisdom and wonder within.

A pair of translucent wings, delicate and iridescent, adorned its slender frame, shimmering in the light like the finest of silk.

With each graceful flutter, the insect queen seemed to dance in the air, a vision of elegance and grace.

Its abdomen, painted in the softest shade of blue, seemed to shimmer with an inner light, casting a gentle glow that illuminated its surroundings.

The sight was mesmerizing, captivating Shivam with its beauty.

Atop its small head, four delicate antennae waved gracefully, adding to its charm.

And with a face adorned by two tiny teeth, the insect queen wore an expression of innocence and curiosity, tugging at Shivam's heartstrings with her undeniable cuteness.

In that moment, as he beheld the exquisite creature before him, Shivam couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder.

It was as if he had stumbled upon a rare and magical being, a creature of untold beauty and grace, nestled within the palm of his hand, which was a holographic image.

As Shivam gazed at the adorable insect queen displayed in the holographic image, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and curiosity.

This was the first time he had received a living thing as a reward from the Dark Web, and the warning accompanying it only added to the mystery.

The message on the holographic image was clear: this reward was not just an ordinary item but a living creature.

And once removed from the holographic space, it would become visible to others.

But there was more to the warning than just visibility.

As he read further, Shivam discovered that the insect queen was an infant and would require immediate nourishment upon retrieval.

The warning emphasized the importance of providing sufficient food to sustain its life, as failure to do so could result in its untimely demise.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, he didn't retrieve the queen from the holographic image, but. He immediately accessed the detailed information about the insect queen to learn more about its dietary requirements and how he could ensure its well-being.

—

The Hybrid Queen (infant) possesses extraordinary abilities:

Wide Control Range: With a 500-meter reach, it commands colony worker insects, expanding its influence as it matures.

Sensory Connection: It grants the user real-time sensory feedback from controlled insects, offering visual and auditory perception.

Remote Manipulation: User gains full control over insects' movements and actions, dictating their behavior as needed.

Limited Duration: The queen can control up to 50 insects for 10 minutes before needing replenishment.

Feeding Needs: It requires a diet of queen insects or soldier insects to sustain itself; neglecting its nutrition could prove fatal.

—

After reviewing the details of the creature he had received, Shivam was surprised to find that it shared a similar objective with the terror human detector but possessed different abilities.

While the detector could identify targets, this creature, his second reward of the day, had the ability to spy on them.

Realizing that each additional task likely yielded rewards with similar functionalities to the first daily reward, Shivam couldn't help but smile at the prospect of being able to control other creatures to spy on his targets.

However, his excitement was tempered by disappointment upon learning that the duration of control the queen had over the insect workers was too limited for his liking.

Still, this extraordinary creature promises to be both a powerful ally and a responsibility for the user.

The hybrid queen insect possessed remarkable abilities, including the power to spy from a distance of half a kilometer and control houseflies.

Shivam was astounded by its unique capabilities, envisioning it as a moving security asset.

Despite his eagerness to retrieve it, he hesitated, knowing he needed to secure the necessary food supply first.

Disappointed but mindful of his responsibility, Shivam reluctantly returned the Hybrid Queen to its holographic space.

Without the necessary food to sustain it, he knew he had no choice but to delay its retrieval until he could procure the required queen insects.

Ordering them online would take time, extending the wait for his new pet's arrival.

With patience, he awaited the moment when he could finally welcome the queen into his world and unleash its extraordinary powers.

Disappointed by his inability to retrieve the pet and lacking any significant monetary gains, Shivam found solace in the idea of having a companion during his solitary moments.

Being offline for socializing with friends, the queen insect could become his companion during times of solitude, Shivam pondered.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, a reminder for movie time in the mall popped up on his phone, prompting him to book a ticket to pass the time as per his plan for the day.

Shivam couldn't find any other way to pass the time for the whole day, so he decided to head to the theater to watch movies.

He disliked romance and love drama genres, preferring horror movies instead.

However, to his surprise, a patriotic movie was playing in the theater before the horror movies, which piqued his interest.

Shivam, though unemployed, had grown accustomed to his own company.

He found solace in solitude, often preferring it over the complexities of social interactions.

The thought of approaching a girl seemed daunting, not only due to his jobless status but also because of other insecurities lurking in his mind.

Yet, despite these hesitations, he remained unfazed by the idea of attending the movie alone.

For him, being alone felt more secure than risking the uncertainties that accompanied companionship.

So, without a second thought, he purchased a ticket for himself and headed into the theater, eager to immerse himself in the world of film.

Shivam acknowledged his appreciation for female companionship but hesitated due to self-consciousness about his appearance.

He dreaded the judgmental stares he imagined receiving from others, especially from women, which made him feel more at ease when he was alone.

The thought of being scrutinized or misunderstood by others weighed heavily on him, influencing his preference for solitude over potentially uncomfortable social interactions.

Shivam paid no mind to the couples around him and immersed himself in the movie theater, particularly drawn to its patriotic theme and action-packed storyline.

Having watched the trailer earlier, he was already intrigued by the film's premise and looked forward to experiencing the thrilling narrative firsthand.

After purchasing his ticket, Shivam decided not to spend extra money on theater snacks.

Instead, he brought along two apples that he had sneakily tucked into his bag, intending to enjoy them during the movie.

Shivam found his seat among the crowd as everyone settled into their respective seats.

As the time for the movie approached, everyone in the theater rose to their feet to pay their respects during the national anthem.

However, Shivam couldn't ignore the few youngsters and a few middle-aged men who remained seated.

Their lack of reverence for the anthem stirred a deep sense of indignation within him and the people who were watching their disrespect.

In his eyes, those who couldn't muster the basics of respect for their nation's anthem were unworthy of being called citizens.

He felt a strong urge to confront them, viewing their actions as a betrayal of the country they called home.

Although Shivam may not have been as patriotic as a soldier stationed at the borders, he held a deep-seated respect for his nation.

For him, standing up and showing reverence during the national anthem was a simple yet meaningful gesture, honoring the pride and glory of his country.

Shivam, proud of his nation and its values, believed in showing respect during moments like the national anthem.

Despite witnessing others disregard the anthem, he chose not to confront them, feeling a lack of confidence to do so as he lacked the sharp tongue to confront these unfilial people as he lacked the power of the sharp tongue.

As the anthem concluded, the movie began, captivating the audience with its unique blend of action, documentary-style sequences, drama, and thrills.

The plot centered around terrorists plotting to bomb multiple locations in Bharat, only to be thwarted by the national heroes, the special forces of the nation.

However, amidst the adrenaline-pumping action, there were scenes depicting the sacrifices made by the protagonist's sister, who was put at risk to track down the human trafficking organization, which was intertwined with the terrorist plot.

Witnessing the bravery and tactical prowess of the special forces dealing with the terrorists, Shivam felt a surge of pride in being a Bharatian.

As cheers and joy echoed through the theater, he couldn't help but join in, expressing his admiration for the heroes on screen.

As he witnessed those who didn't respect the national anthem laughing and ridiculing the victory over evil, Shivam observed a growing discontent among the audience.

Many were unhappy and threatened to shut their mouths or be expelled by the majority, incensed by their disrespectful behavior.

The movie depicted soldiers risking their lives and the safety of their families to combat terrorism, yet these disrespectful individuals dared to utter unkind words about them.

Shivam couldn't help but share in the outrage felt by the others.

After Shivam voiced his sentiments, urging them to kick out those who disrespected the anthem, security intervened to pacify the crowd.

Despite their efforts, the anger persisted, resulting in the expulsion of those targeted for their misconduct.

Once the disruptive individuals were removed, the crowd settled down to resume watching the movie, which was reaching its critical juncture.

Everyone was eager to witness the climax, especially as a new gadget invented by the Bharat nation to combat terrorism was introduced in the storyline.

As the movie continued to unfold its gripping plot, capturing the attention of the audience, there was one individual who found it impossible to concentrate.

The events surrounding the anthem disrespect and the subsequent expulsion of the offenders weighed heavily on Shivam's mind, making it difficult for him to immerse himself fully in the climax unfolding on the screen.

The climax of the movie sparked a newfound sense of curiosity and excitement within Shivam.

Instead of idly spending his day at the mall, he felt a renewed urge to engage in something productive. The anticipation of what lay ahead filled him with joy and anticipation, and he was eager to explore the possibilities of his newly acquired reward from the Dark Web.