Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Seeds of Rebellion

The victory over the zamindar's forces spread beyond Dhankhari like wildfire. Villagers from nearby settlements began visiting, curious about the boy who had stood against Bhupendra Singh. Arjun, however, was not one to rest on laurels. He knew the zamindar would regroup, and the next attack would be far more brutal.

But this time, Arjun didn't just want to defend—he wanted to strike at the heart of the zamindar's tyranny.

A Growing Network

One evening, under the banyan tree, Arjun held a meeting with his closest allies. Manoj, Radha, and Brijesh Chacha were joined by a few new faces:

Kesar, a young woman from a neighboring village, known for her quick wit and sharp tongue.

Raghav, a former soldier turned blacksmith, who had come seeking refuge after deserting the British colonial army.

"These people are here because they've heard of what we did," Arjun began. "They want to help, and I think we should welcome them. But we need to think bigger."

Manoj frowned. "Bigger? You mean beyond Dhankhari?"

Arjun nodded. "Yes. The zamindar's grip extends across the region. If we're going to free ourselves, we need to unite all the villages under one cause."

Brijesh Chacha rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's a bold idea, beta. But how will we convince people to join us? Many are too afraid."

"We'll show them that resistance is possible," Arjun replied. "We'll start small—target the zamindar's resources, disrupt his operations. If we can weaken him, others will be inspired to stand with us."

A System Upgrade

That night, as Arjun worked on plans for their next move, his system displayed a new notification.

System Update Available:

Would you like to upgrade to Version 2.0?

Yes | No

Curious, Arjun selected Yes. The system rebooted, and a new interface appeared, sleeker and more advanced.

System Version 2.0 Activated

New Features Unlocked:

Mission Planner – Strategize and execute complex objectives.

Skill Fusion – Combine two skills to create a hybrid ability.

Insight Mode – Analyze individuals to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.

Arjun smiled. "This will be a game-changer."

The First Mission: Cutting the Roots

Arjun's first target was the zamindar's granary—a massive storehouse that supplied his forces with food and served as a symbol of his wealth. If they could disrupt this supply, it would send a powerful message.

Using his new Mission Planner, Arjun divided his group into three teams:

The Infiltration Team – Kesar and Manoj would sneak into the granary and set fire to the stored grains.

The Diversion Team – Raghav and a few villagers would create a distraction by blocking the main road with fallen trees.

The Escape Team – Arjun and Brijesh Chacha would ensure a safe retreat route through the nearby forest.

Execution

The mission began at midnight, under the cover of darkness.

1. The Diversion

Raghav and his team worked quickly, felling trees to block the main road leading to the granary. When the zamindar's guards arrived to investigate, they were met with a volley of rocks and smoke bombs, forcing them to retreat.

2. The Infiltration

Meanwhile, Kesar and Manoj slipped into the granary. Kesar, using her agility, climbed to the upper levels and poured oil over the stored grains. Manoj set up a series of small fires, ensuring they would ignite simultaneously.

Just as they finished, a guard spotted them. "Hey! Intruders!"

Manoj cursed under his breath. "Run!"

They darted through the shadows, narrowly avoiding capture as flames began to engulf the granary.

3. The Escape

Arjun, waiting near the forest, saw the fire and signaled to the escape team. When Kesar and Manoj arrived, panting but unharmed, he grinned. "Well done. Let's go before reinforcements arrive."

Aftermath

By dawn, the granary was reduced to ashes. The zamindar's men scrambled to control the damage, but the loss was devastating. Without the granary, Bhupendra's forces would struggle to feed themselves.

News of the attack spread quickly. Villagers in neighboring settlements began to whisper about the rebellion brewing in Dhankhari. Some even approached Arjun, offering to join his cause.

A Grim Warning

Two days later, a rider arrived at the village with a chilling message.

"Arjun Dhankhar," the man announced, his voice trembling. "The zamindar has declared you an enemy of the state. He has offered a reward of 500 rupees for your capture, dead or alive."

The villagers gasped. 500 rupees was a fortune—enough to tempt even the most loyal ally.

Manoj clenched his fists. "They're trying to turn people against us."

Arjun remained calm. "Let them try. The more they spread my name, the more people will hear about what we're doing. This is no longer just about Dhankhari. This is about freedom for everyone."

The Vision Expands

That evening, Arjun gathered his growing group of allies under the banyan tree. The villagers sat in a circle, their faces illuminated by torchlight.

"We've taken the first step," Arjun said, his voice carrying weight. "But this fight is far from over. The zamindar will come at us with everything he has. If we're going to win, we need to think bigger. We need to unite the villages and show them that together, we are unstoppable."

"How do we do that?" Kesar asked.

Arjun's system chimed in with a new objective.

New Objective Unlocked: Unite the Villages

Convince five neighboring villages to join the rebellion.

Reward: Advanced Leadership Skill

Arjun smiled. "We start by spreading our message. And we prove, through action, that change is possible."

A New Ally

The next day, as Arjun worked on plans for the rebellion, a stranger arrived in Dhankhari. He was a tall, imposing man with piercing eyes and a mysterious aura.

"I heard about the boy who defied the zamindar," the man said. "I've come to see if the rumors are true."

Arjun met the man's gaze. "Who are you?"

The stranger smirked. "Someone who hates tyranny as much as you do. My name is Ravi, and if you're serious about this rebellion, you'll need someone like me."

To Be Continued…