Elite 21, Phantom 21

Vihaan was still trapped in a whirlwind of shock and exhilaration. Just a few hours ago, he had been on the brink of ending his life, drowning in financial ruin and despair. And now, he was a billionaire. It felt unreal, as if he had stepped into some kind of fantasy, a dream where reality itself had rewritten its rules.

The city streets were buzzing with activity around him, but Vihaan barely noticed. His mind was racing, trying to grasp the enormity of what had happened. How had his life taken such an impossible turn?

Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. A notification—an unknown number.

Frowning, he unlocked his screen. The moment he read the message, his breath hitched, and his hands began to tremble.

Message:

"Congratulations! You have been selected to join the secret society of the world's twenty most powerful and wealthy individuals—'Elite 20.' This group controls the global economy: stock markets, gold and silver prices, cryptocurrency fluctuations—everything is determined by Elite 20. You turned a mere ₹1,100 Bitcoin investment into ₹221 crores. You have proven yourself worthy of us."

"Once you officially become a member, your identity will remain confidential. On that day, 'Elite 20' will be renamed 'Elite 21.'"

Vihaan's heart pounded. He swallowed hard, his fingers gripping the phone tightly. Was this real? Could it be some elaborate scam? But if it was a scam, how did they know about his Bitcoin investment? How did they know the exact amount he had made?

His pulse quickened. If this was legitimate… then he had just been invited into the most exclusive and powerful circle on the planet.

Seeking clarity, he stepped into a nearby café. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but he barely noticed. Finding an empty corner, he ordered a coffee and sat down, his gaze fixated on the message.

At the bottom of the text was a link and a password.

His curiosity got the better of him, and he tapped the link. Instantly, a new screen appeared, prompting him to enter the password.

He hesitated. Was this wise? But something deep inside urged him forward. He took a deep breath and entered the password.

The moment he did, his phone screen flickered, and an application began downloading automatically.

This wasn't just any app. Its name was Elite, the logo an elegant yet ominous insignia of authority and secrecy. It looked sleek, futuristic—something straight out of a cyber-thriller.

When the installation was complete, Vihaan tapped on the app. Surprisingly, there was no login screen. No need for credentials. The app recognized him instantly, granting him direct access to a private group chat.

He stared at the screen in disbelief.

There were exactly twenty members in the chat, each identified by enigmatic nicknames—Shadow, Ninja, Dragon, Phantom. Their names radiated power and mystery.

But one name stood apart from the rest: Elite 1.

Unlike the others, Elite 1 had never spoken. No messages, no introductions. Yet, Vihaan instinctively knew—this was the mastermind. The one who had created this group. The one who controlled everything.

Vihaan's gaze flickered to his own profile. There was an option to set a nickname.

He thought for a moment, considering various names. He wanted something that commanded respect, something that held weight in a world of shadows and secrets.

Then, it struck him.

"Phantom 21."

With a deep breath, he typed it in and saved it.

Immediately, a welcome message flashed across the screen:

"Welcome, Phantom 21! You are now a part of the Elite Network."

A chill ran down Vihaan's spine. This was real. He was now one of them.

But what did that truly mean?

New message from Elite 1:

"In the coming days, Librabit International's Bitcoin shares will surge by 300%."

Vihaan's eyes widened. What?

Librabit International? He had never heard of it. He quickly minimized the app and ran a search. The results left him even more confused. It was a relatively new company, virtually unknown.

So how could its shares possibly rise by 300%?

His mind raced. If this was true… if this was real…

A sudden rush of adrenaline surged through him. He opened his Bitcoin wallet, searched for Librabit International, and within seconds, invested ₹1 crore.

"If this turns out to be fake, I'll delete the app," he murmured, pocketing his phone.

He exhaled, took a sip of his now-cold coffee, and stood up. It was time to leave.

As he walked through the dimly lit streets, something caught his attention.

A scream.

Sharp. Desperate. Female.

Vihaan's body tensed. His senses sharpened. Instinct took over.

Without a second thought, he sprinted toward the sound.

Inside the Alley:

A narrow, deserted alleyway. Flickering streetlights. Shadows stretching long against the walls.

And in the middle of it all—a young woman, struggling against a man twice her size. His hands were all over her, pinning her down.

Something inside Vihaan snapped.

Before the man could react, Vihaan grabbed him from behind and slammed him into the wall.

THUD!

The attacker groaned and fell but quickly scrambled to his feet, rage flashing in his eyes. He lunged at Vihaan.

Fight Scene:

Vihaan dodged the incoming punch, shifting his weight swiftly. With precision, he caught the man's wrist mid-air and delivered a crushing blow to his ribs.

The man grunted in pain but refused to go down. He kicked out, aiming for Vihaan's stomach.

Vihaan anticipated the move, caught the leg, and twisted it. The attacker staggered, and in that split second, Vihaan delivered a powerful spinning punch to his temple.

BAM!

The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The Girl's Condition:

Vihaan turned toward the girl. She was shaking, her breathing uneven. Her simple plazo suit was torn at the shoulders, exposing her pale skin beneath.

For a brief moment, Vihaan felt something strange—a fleeting thought, an emotion he couldn't quite place.

But he pushed it aside instantly.

Removing his shirt, he held it out to her.

"Wear this," he said, his voice calm yet firm.

The girl hesitated, then took the shirt with trembling hands, draping it over herself.

Vihaan exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

Little did he know, this night was only the beginning of something far bigger than he could ever imagine.